#whats the use of such a vast open and colorful world if youre not going to do anything w it? | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

starlightlacrimosazpsff · 10 days

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💠 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄 💠

~ тнε συтℓαη∂εяs ~

『 Welcome us with your light 』

When existence takes form, light bursts forth.

Perception is possible with the existence of light, and life is breathed into existence with either belief or desire. Such radiance is accompanied by sublime darkness, the shadow which always follows. The universe is a blanket of void filled with twinkling light that each holds potential to blossom into life.

In the eyes of a child, the possibilities are endless.

SOLSTICE, the younger sister of Aether and Lumine, looks at the world with great curiosity. No matter where the twins take her, she would look around with eyes widely open of wonder. She never misses a chance to observe all the vibrant colors and forms of civilization. Before Solstice had been born, the twins were always out exploring the universe by themselves. With an infinite number of worlds to discover, the two have a vast variety of homes to choose as options to settle down.

This particular one is gorgeous in its simplicity.

The landscape is quite linear: green everywhere surrounded by oceanic blues, and very abundantly blessed by nature's touch. Its real beauty shines from the ethereal aura of the backdrops, emanating a sense of unity. From where they landed, they saw almost everything there is to be offered by this world. The twins smirked at each other, giddy to be able to explore every spot. Multiple sets of cliffs could be spotted along the coastlines, and a few tiny islands decorated the borders with beaches of white sand. On the horizon, they can detect a trace of civilization—but it looked more like ancient ruins now. At the heart of it all, one giant oak tree stood tall like a silent guardian.

Flower fields seem to never run out. Each plain has at least five different kinds of blossoms dancing by their feet, and every meadow is rich with splendor. Solstice loved them, squealing happily at the new colors and scents as her siblings carried her throughout their strolls. She definitely took a liking to grapes when her siblings found vines of them in a random nook of the continent. She was just as quick to get sick of it though, such is the ever frivolously fickle whim of a toddler. The continent seems to match that mood, carefree and wild yet a natural peace guiding it to order. Everything comes alive with every breeze as if this world breathes and speaks through them.

It was quite mysterious yet enthralling, as if they were being welcomed.

『 Grace the morning sky 』

AETHER looks back at his two sisters.

Solstice is sitting on Lumine's lap under the giant oak tree, gazing at the lush green hills. The tree itself reaches above the clouds like a wooden obelisk, casting a massive shadow on the land. It has been a while since the last world-hop, and he knows that they should plan a departure soon. Sure, this one has forests that are full of life and cliffs were no danger to an Outlander. He even saw a functioning windmill and manor estate in the remains of an ancient city. Life is undoubtedly possible for them, yet...something was missing.

Something is always missing.

After a while, he catches the gaze of Solstice who is reaching out to him by spreading her arms open nigh expectantly. He walks over to them and crouches down to her eye level, making her grin cheekily like a spoiled cat that got what it wanted. Her eyes beam at him while she holds her rattle out towards his twin sister, whom chuckles fondly.

"Perhaps, the next world would have some entertaining creatures for her." Aether mused.

As nighttime hit, pyreflies came out of hiding and illuminated the forest where they rested. Some have dared to go near the Outlanders, especially the ever charming Solstice. She stares at the floating lights, giggling whenever they nip at her nose. The oak tree granted them shade from the moonlight if ever they wish to sleep. Flowerbeds accompanied the grass on uneven terrain, soothing the trio into a free session of aromatherapy. The shades of midnight devoured the entire land, giving it a somber view that lulls its witnesses to slumber. A million stars twinkled mischievously from the sea of black that is the nightsky. Dandelions glided along the gentle currents of the evening breeze, swaying like a sweet windblume dream.

Truly, it is a quaint and lovely world.

『 Comfort Luna— 』

LUMINE smiles down at Solstice.

At this age, the young Outlander would not be able to understand words yet. Her twin brother points out his index finger towards their sister's nose, poking it with a gentle boop. For a moment, the toddler is shocked; but then, as Aether smiles, she laughs and reaches for her nose with her free hand.

Aether sits down next to his sisters, "What are you wishing for, sis?"

Lumine brushes away a straying lock of hair from Solstice's face and hums contently, "Anything."

The rattle in Solstice's hand makes a unique sound that was both magical and beguiling. It resembled the soft tinkling of windchimes, yet presents an imagery of sparkling stars due to its sustaining echo with every shake. The sound was something that gave comfort to the youngest Outlander, especially when it is accompanied by the changing of its color palettes to suit her moods. Its shape was also quite fascinating, as its translucent sphere held a tiny glowing four-pointed star. The surface seems to be made of iridescent crystal, gleaming like glass amidst a spectrum of dawn.

Aether takes Solstice when Lumine hands him their dearest little traveler. Her eyes glimmer as she looks up at her older brother. He leans down to give her a kiss on the forehead, soothing her. She once again shakes her rattle as her version of thanks, releasing sounds which further delighted the little girl.

When Solstice was born, the twins dutifully watched over her. Once she had enough energy to sustain herself, the siblings took it upon themselves to find a new home—a world suited for their baby sibling, as well as their personal desires. That is their current mission and why they could not stay on this world, no matter what beauty the place holds.

Therefore, at dawn, their time was up.

Aether and Lumine gave the world one last glance, melancholic to finally leave it. Solstice is held by her brother, snoozing on his shoulder. They chose a spot that gave them the smallest view of the old windmill, one of two things that remained in tact amongst the infrastructures of the desolated town. Amongst the sharp cliffs which cross over each other, families of tiny creatures seem to peek out from wherever they kept themselves hidden. As dawn arrived, the fog lifts like a curtain from the trenches and isolated corners. The waters began to clear, sparkling like liquid diamonds against the rays of a rising sun.

The Outlanders turned, wings spread as they jumped into the portal for their next quest.

The morning breeze bade them farewell.

『 —as she wanes from Terra's might 』

Even with millennia of experience, the twins have yet to find the "answers" to the universe.

All Outlanders were born in Cosmogenesis, yet none ever stayed. It was the same for Aether and Lumine, entitled by their peers as The Light Bearers through the names they were given. Both came to existence and then ventured out once they have grown old enough, all to find the world where they can settle down together. Alas, neither expected it to be as difficult as it had been. Some veteran Outlanders describe it as never knowing until you find that place, home. There is no logic behind finding one. It is a feeling that they can only hope to experience once in a lifetime. Even some Outlanders as old as time have yet to find theirs.

Aether and Lumine had visited many stars with Solstice, even before their younger sister had fully matured. One of the first worlds had been populated with dragons, a diversity of ecosystems as habitat to specific breeds. There were no other creatures aside from smaller animals that likely function as prey, deeming the world a perilous shelter for the siblings even if only temporarily. The twins would have hopped to another world the moment they arrived; yet Solstice, with her ever curious nature, made them stay.

Perhaps, because dragons were the first lifeforms she saw outside of Cosmogenesis, she quickly took a liking to them.

『 Veiled in amber haze 』

Solstice giggles, reaching her hand out as far as she could dare towards the dragon.

Aether has her body securely wrapped in a blanket while she was hugged protectively to his chest, warm and safe. Upon first seeing a giant beast, most people would react with caution. The wise move is to slowly and carefully step back in order to not alarm or provoke it. However, his baby sister had the opposite reaction. Her ecstatic smile seems to intrigue the beast as well since it laid down. The new position made it appear small and vulnerable, an invitation for the Outlanders to come closer.

Aether and Lumine share a bemused look.

Solstice, in the bundle of blankets, continues to reach her hand out to the dragon. She kept her Primo Stella rattle close to her chest with the other hand. The dragon itself is smaller than others but longer, more like a reptilian drake if not for its obvious wings. It has an extra pair of legs to keep its elongated body supported. Its wings were brightly colored, from a golden rose tinting towards a gradient black like the void. The twins were not surprised that the young Outlander was so intrigued by the beast.

First, Lumine had walked closer to test the patience of the draconic creature. They needed to confirm how close it would let them get. It would not have been the first time that either of the twins saw a creature of this ilk. Sometimes, the dragons would be big and others much smaller; but all can still be dangerous in their own ways. Many differences in color palettes made them interesting as well, yet always recognizable as draconic. There are breeds which had been quick to rage, hence their worries.

The young woman stopped within arm's length and held her hand out, letting the wild yet wise creature approach on its own pace. After an intense glare, it acquiesced by nudging its snout towards her palm.

After Lumine had been able to pet it, Aether took the chance to walk closer. He still shielded Solstice's frame with his free arm, just in case. If something happened, both would be quicker than the dragon could attack. He knew this well, yet his protective instinct held his sister closer to his form. The young man lays his hand on the other side of the dragon's head once he was sure he had permission.

"You want to touch the dragon as well?" He asks Solstice gently.

Aether adjusts her position in a way where the little girl would be facing the dragon. Both her hands reach out to the dragon, even the one holding the rattle. Her hand makes contact with the scales and, as it does, she squeals with excited laughter.

For a moment, the twins heard the dragon purr.

『 Fueled by violent rage 』

During their time on this world, the dragon had kept them company like a silent guardian.

Besides dragons, the world lacked forms of human civilization no matter how far they sought. Not even anything that bear a semblance of ancient ruins, or even hieroglyphs of history could be found on any landmass. The caves in the mountains were enough for the dragons to call home. Furthermore, they come in all sorts of types: vishaps, wyverns, drakes, wyrms, lindwyrms, amphipteres, basilisks, hydra, bahamuts, leviathans, and of course the typical dragons. Each functioned as an independent unit or clan, while there are those preferring to go solo and hoard their treasures. Aether and Lumine had talked about staying since Solstice loved this world so much, but then decided otherwise.

Thus, the twins set out to other worlds. They were determined to keep trying to discover that feeling—the sensation which their fellow Outlanders often told them in stories. Solstice had been too young to understand the reasoning her siblings gave, but she nevertheless made no trouble as they left. While the twins searched for another star, she looked back at the small gathering of dragons. They watched the trio intently, as if bidding them a safe journey and a bittersweet goodbye. At the very front is the dragon which greeted them first upon their arrival.

Big round eyes shimmered with glee as they peek over Lumine's shoulder. A chubby fist waved and the rattle, which it held, chimed with a melodic echo.

The Twin Outlanders spread their wings as they left the world of dragons behind...

...and it faded with the mightiest of roars.

『 Dancing, discordant— 』

In Cosmogenesis, a star named Luciel dies.

Cosmogenesis is a vast space located at the center of infinity, the origin of the universe yet not quite the one that birthed it. The dimension has a plethora of stars and galaxies revolving around a group of levitating platforms, each designed as archaic suns and moons. They serve as welcoming perches for Outlanders to rest or stargaze. However, the widest one at the center of all serves as the universal chamber for newborn Outlanders. It can transform to properly accommodate those too young to leave and survive independently, whether as a cradle in a nursery or as an entire house floating through the cosmos. Directly across is a gaping maw that serves as a gateway wherein Outlanders can enter or leave the cosmic space. Sometimes, it even becomes an all-seeing mirror to view a specific galaxy or black hole from far away.

Now, at the peak of Cosmogenesis, the birth of Luciel's twins is about to occur.

From all across the universe, Outlanders gather to witness the birth of Aether and Lumine—the pair of siblings incubated by Luciel and now to be born from its timely death. It is extremely rare for twins to be conceived by the stars of Cosmogenesis, yet never really dangerous. Although, as two souls that shared one star, they will live with a connection that binds them for life.

It is a special bond that cannot be severed.

The Outlanders watch as the star collapses on itself, seeming to gather every wisp of its light. In seconds, the core of this star shrinks and takes the shape of newborns about to breathe their first. A supernova explodes with a flurry of dazzling light and stardust, covering the expanse of Cosmogenesis. Witnesses were blinded by the sheer brightness of nothing but white, a familiar ringing noise lingering in their ears.

Alas, the experience is always worth it.

After all, the birth of an Outlander happens only once every million years in Cosmogenesis.

Then, as color returned to their sights, they admired what seems to be the most beautiful supernova they have ever witnessed. The ivory haze fades out, making way to the colored nebula that remained. Clouds of various shades and hues float as stages to the multitude of dancing stardust, like galactic fairies doing an imperial ballet. From its core, Aether and Lumine slowly descend into the cradle of silk which rose and formed from the central platform.

With the birth of the twins, the star named Luciel was gone and only left a stellar nebula in its place.

The elderly Outlanders named it: Luciella.

In Cosmogenesis, nebulae are considered nurseries for future stars. Then, should a star die again after a million years or so, it shall give birth to another Outlander or two. There are certain conditions where a nebula would disperse into the maw and become a new galaxy instead, which will expand the universe further outward. It shall go beyond the wide scope of Cosmogenesis, and then possibly birth all sorts of species. This cycle of life and death has been on loop since the beginning of time; and it can only end with the death of the universe itself.

The Outlanders slowly leave their perches to check on the twins. One by one, they approached to impart their blessings in the form of welcoming smiles and well-wishes in different languages. The newborns responded with soft coos and huffing whimpers, still asleep. Like most newborn Outlanders, Aether and Lumine will likely not open their eyes until their first birthday. That is when they would have absorbed enough energy from the cosmos to enable their five senses to observe their surroundings.

『 —spinning in retrograde 』

Once an Outlander is born, the energy that flows within Cosmogenesis serves as their overall sustenance. A species known only in Cosmogenesis called the stardust pixies are also present to educate them, based on accumulated knowledge from all corners of the universe. Because of this, most Outlanders live without a parental figure. There are some that choose to personally mentor the younglings, but most just leave after witnessing the birth and let nature take its course.

Aether and Lumine remained in Cosmogenesis for a little over a decade. They spent that time gathering enough energy and training their powers with help from the pixies. A veteran Outlander will sometimes come to pay them a visit and give some helpful tips, preparing them for their own future travels. Those moments made the dimension less lonely, but the twins were eager to just leave it as well. It was too barren and too dull, even with the mesmerizing view of the cosmos. Even the flickering company of the pixies does little to soothe them.

Maybe this is the reason why no Outlander ever chose to stay here for long...

When they had enough power to fend off any dangers, the twins attempted their first world-hop.

It was an exhilaration like no other.

During the next few centuries, the twins jumped from world to world. They discovered new civilized species, new fauna, new flora, and cultures that are so inherently unique from each other. On the rarest instances, they would even cross paths with fellow Outlanders. Once, they were fortunate enough to meet those who found their true home; and these Elders managed to tell them in even greater detail when a world feels like their true home. Such tales inspired Aether and Lumine to journey even further, making them witness the rise and fall of countless stars in multiple galaxies. There were times they would stay longer in a particular world they both like, but it was never a permanent place to stay. It was not the home which the Elders told, and certainly not what their restless natures seek as Outlanders.

Although, there are times that the twins did find this quest tediously impossible.

"Home is when we're together." Aether would tell his twin sister with an encouraging grin.

Lumine would hold his hand in response, "We will always have enough time."

『 Born from the sea and the waves 』

Every Outlander is linked to Cosmogenesis.

Since birth, they all possess a homing beacon within their core that will lead them back to it. If there is an enemy they cannot defeat, the realm will always leave an open gateway for them to escape. If there is any adversity they can hardly surpass, the realm is a place for them to heal. It was odd how it can even operate as some sort of telepathic or empathic link amongst their kind. For this reason, news of any particular Outlander can be received from all parts and corners of the universe. On the other hand, Cosmogenesis can send visions that are treated as summons for special events that are too significant to miss. Examples are the formation of a galaxy after a nebula dispersed, or the discovery of another unnamed star. After all, one thing that unites all Outlanders other than finding their respective true home is the obligation to archive the truths of the universe.

The most common for these summons, of course, is the birth of a new Outlander.

When such an update reached Aether and Lumine, their first thought was that it made no sense whatsoever. It took a million years for an unnamed star to be born, and a hundred million more for it to die while birthing an Outlander—or two, in the rare case of twins like them. The timing was much too early. They were still so young compared to the rest of their kind, barely a few millenniums old. Both of them were still trying to find their own place in the cosmos.

Then, so unexpectedly, another was born.

Therefore, the Outlanders gathered once again.

It was certainly different from most births witnessed in Cosmogenesis. Admittedly, it was underwhelming compared to the surreal display that the recent birth of the twins had demonstrated. Nevertheless, there was a certain beauty to seeing a nebula swirl and converge. It was like a calm vortex before the eruption of a storm. Nobody can ever truly know if it will reach and hit them, or whether there would really be a storm to anticipate.

They all watched, patient and reassured.

"You know," an Elder addressed the twins, "since this child will be born from the nebula of your star, they are considered your sibling by Outlander standards."

Aether blinked confusedly, "Our sibling...?"

The Elder nodded, "You were both born from the star of Luciel, and this child will be born from the Luciella nebula. By that context, you share the same flesh and blood."

"Has there been an incident like this?" Lumine asked.

"Only a few," the Elder replied solemnly, "mostly because this case is as rare—if not rarer—as twins being born from the same star. Fitting, that the three of you will be tied together by destiny."

Those words filled the twins with a joyous sort of excitement, an anxious type of expectance.

『 From a cosmic array 』

Much like Luciel's supernova, there was nothing quite like the convergence of Luciella. There was no explosion, no blinding lights, and no obnoxious noise ringing in their ears—just the remaining dust and gas from Luciel which became Luciella. However, a sort of fascination brewed as these clouds of gas and stardust came together. They gathered at the eye of the storm, where light and heat was slowly building like flame in a hearth. Perhaps a forge is a more accurate comparison, wherein a simple ore can take a more concrete form. Nonetheless, the Outlanders all stood aside to watch as the colors of Luciella turns itself into a ball of light.

Then, a shockwave announced the birth of this unexpected little Outlander.

It was the birth of the twins' baby sibling.

A baby sibling.

Aether and Lumine mused in awed tandem. They could never ask for more. Amongst their fellow wanderers, they watched as the tiny infant made a slow descent. Remains of Luciella floated around them like a protective cloak, all fluffy clouds and sparkling dust.

The twins moved before any of their peers, standing upon the central platform before a cradle could even form. Their baby sibling kept floating down while wrapped in a bundle of silk manifested by the stardust pixies. They approached quietly, each planting themselves at one side of the fragile newborn. With a brief glance, the pair came to an immediate understanding.

Lumine was the first to hold the baby close, a girl as they discovered. She cooed as the little one fussed at the sensation of being embraced. Comforted by the humming and rocking of an older sister, she settled down with faint sniffles.

Meanwhile, Aether seems to know by instinct on what to do next as he stared up at the remnants of Luciella. He did spare a look at the Elders, whom nodded back to encourage his plan. There was no way that another star—let alone an entire galaxy—could be born from it anymore, yet a powerful resonance lingered as a thrumming of magic. The young man summons a relic in the shape of a crystal, and then seals it all away. He feels his twin sister assist him by lending her own power by holding his shoulder with her free hand. The relic transformed into a baby rattle, housing a small glowing star in its sphere and producing a soothing sound.

Primo Stella, whispered Cosmogenesis.

Its energy will stabilize their little one until she can fully harness its power with her own.

Aether gently tucks the rattle with his little sister, delicately petting her head. He presses a chaste kiss on her hand, so small and soft compared to his. A warm smile accompanied his tearful eyes. His chest swelled with adoration as he felt the tiny fingers squeeze his own single digit.

Lumine did the same as her brother, taking their little sister's other one. Like her twin, she tenderly kisses the dainty fingers so faintly squeezing onto hers. Her breath hitched due to the surge of affection that consumed her.

Solstice would be her name, they decided.

Their dear little sister.

Her birth was yet another miracle, and it would be their miracle to keep. Nothing in the world would stop them from loving their little traveler. Nothing in the universe could stop them from cherishing and protecting such a treasure.

On Solstice's first birthday, she opened her eyes for the first time like any other Outlander. She gathered enough energy to sustain herself, especially with the help of Primo Stella. Her eyes mirrored a thousand stars as she looked up at the twins, whom gazed back in breathless admiration. Light reflected as wisps of silver that gleamed like clair de lune, and colors blended as a symphony of worlds within a thriving galaxy. They twinkled charmingly, a play of enchantment that leads bystanders into a trance.

She was beautiful, and so very precious.

Aether and Lumine beamed proudly at their little sister as she laughed, rattle shaking in her hand.

Solstice understood. This is her family.

『 Of the colors in space 』

It was dark.

It was cold yet warmth lingers.

It felt like nothing at all, but there was enough of something for it to be called hollow.

Solstice forcefully extends her hand forward, trying to grasp anything. It was an effort that seems to take a lot from her, as if her soul was literally being pulled out of her body. When she leans forward, her hand meets a sea of darkness—an endless void of nothingness. She reels back and tries again, pushing harder and further through what seems like a veil of nonexistence yet an opaque blanket of obscurity.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

The only thing accompanying her in this abyss is that familiar jingle, the faintest of chimes. A weirdly unique yet familiar sound...and no matter how hard she thinks, she has no idea where it originated. Her ears were so attuned to it, as if a habitual stirring from her soul which she always recognizes.

Solstice steps in the direction she thinks is forward yet had no way of confirming. How long has she been here? When she yells out for her older siblings, she is met by a deafening silence. For a moment, she doubts herself and halts in her tracks.

Perhaps, this is just a dream.

Aether and Lumine would never leave her alone, so it must be a dream. Yes, that must be it.

Henceforth, there is nothing to fear.

Again, Solstice tries to reach forward—failing, and then falling yet never meeting a surface. In a bout of frustration, she closes her eyes. She always took Primo Stella with her, the rattle Aether and Lumine gifted her at birth. If it was gone here as well, surely this was not real...right?

Solstice shuts her eyes tightly and tries to calm herself. Breath in. Breath out. She tries to think about all the worlds she had previously visited, and then imagines the worlds she has yet to see. It had been some time since the twins took her to another world, so they should be hopping to a different one soon.

Then, she will wake up.

Right...?

When the magical sound starts to fade away, the void started to feel like the closest corporeal experience of being able to breathe underwater. Solstice falls into a loveless embrace of darkness. An invisible weight makes her sink into the depths and she lets it, forevermore trapped in limbo. There was no cause for alarm, as she knows that her twin siblings would wake her up soon. They will take her to another world as they always did, together.

This is just a bad dream. A nightmare.

『 Nothingness erased 』

Lumine walks over to Aether.

"Isn't it about time you wake her up?" She asked.

The young lady puts the fruits she gathered in a basket next to her brother. He glances up from his makeshift workplace, humming. He then looks over to Solstice's figure, peacefully sleeping on one of the portable beds. Her rattle is tightly grasped and pushed against her chest. Sometimes, she would move and the toy would make a soft sound.

Aether shrugs, "I'll wake her up once breakfast is ready. She must be adjusting to this new world."

The sun was already up, as they were too after being trained as early risers. Both were ready for a new journey, yet neither of them woke up the little Outlander. Travelling across the mountains costs a lot of energy, especially from young Solstice who is yet to fully develop.

The three currently resided in a house the village had provided for them. The shelter gave them a chance to rest longer, and to bond with their little sister in-between commissions that earned them some coin for expenses. Solstice enjoyed spending her time with the villagers too. She was now able to properly communicate and spent her days chattering with them, kids and adults alike. Likewise, she listened to topics about their history and the tales they would spin playfully like straw on wheels.

It was no ordinary village either. The people all have tails and other animal attributes. As Aether and Lumine talked with the villagers, they got to know more about their transforming abilities. Most chose to show their animal attributes, even in humanoid form, and only a handful walked around without them. If the person is around a person they trust, then they are able to wholly morph into an animal as well—their true form, as they call it. That goes without saying, Solstice was curious and enjoyed the presence of these nature dwellers. She held a very particular fondness for the foxes and crows.

The sights also served as a pleasant playground, presenting a view of eternal spring. The blossoming trees never seem to run out of petals that rain down and flutter with the morning breeze. It was not odd to find a coat of pink somewhere as a result. Some would make piles of them and jump on it, laughing with resounding echoes.

The other day, Solstice had spent the entire noon running with the neighborhood's children. They had been showing off their animal forms, running faster than Solstice who would do her best to keep up; and when she got tired, the children would run back and sit down with her. She is now 3-years-old, and is able to do most things without any hands-on guidance from the twins. Outlanders adjusted fairly easily and she was no exception, thankfully. Solstice might be a petite young miss, but she was already quite adept at understanding adult conversations.

Aether puts the fruits he had cut in a bowl and then wakes Solstice up. He pokes her cheek gently, trying to coax her out of dreamland.

"Sol," he murmurs, "breakfast is ready."

She groans, nose scrunching in displeasure, but she still blinks her eyes open as requested. They squint at the ray of sunshine peeking through the windows, blinding her. As she moves to sit up, the rattle jingles again and her hand clutches it by habit. It reminds her of the stars she sees every night. No matter which world they greet, the stars always seem to be constant. They make it easier to adapt.

Solstice stretches her arms and yawns.

"Good morning." She says groggily.

"Put some other clothes on before you eat." Lumine says as she walks past. She ruffles her little sister's bedhead, making it even messier.

From across the room, Aether adds: "We're going to the other island today so try to hurry."

Solstice looks up, shoulders sagging as her brows furrowed together.

"Today...?" She parroted.

Her voice is quiet, hesitant and disappointed.

Aether crosses his arms over his chest, honey gold eyes stern yet soft. He knows that the villagers have grown on Solstice and vice versa, but it could not be helped. They cannot afford any more delays. Like the previous worlds, this one is not their true home and so leaving was a matter of time. They already stayed longer than usual for Solstice's sake, to let her play with kids around her own age.

"We want to explore this world a bit more before heading to the next. We talked about this." He ever so patiently explains again.

Every time Solstice had to leave people behind, she got sad. Both Aether and Lumine could understand the feeling, since they were the same when they hopped between worlds the first few times. It is what made an Outlander's quest difficult, especially on their younger days. Before Solstice was born, the twins settled down on the older stars until they died as if in sympathy. It was different now though, now that they have grown. In some way, they were more indifferent to the thought of leaving. They stayed detached from every world once they realize it lacks the aura of "home" which they sought.

Someday, their little sister will understand too.

Or, if they were fortunate, they could find their true home before that youthful wonder could fade from her eyes. Her older siblings certainly hoped for it.

After a while, Solstice smiles again.

"Maybe we can come back someday..."

The hopeful tone made it seem like a question, a bit more rhetoric and expected no answer.

Aether nods his head anyway, smiling back.

The pink petals and scarlet leaves from the trees outside blow through the open windows. The curtains fluttered, and the windchimes tinkled like a fairy's giggle.

"Maybe someday..."

The next world they visited was composed of a kingdom in endless winter. The terrain was basically just various states of frozen tundra, with wildlife along the botanic coastlines and amongst the cliffside forestry. Average weather was filled with long-lasting blizzards that hindered the three from adventuring outside for longer periods. If it was not for the village they had found, the twins would have moved on to the next world as soon as possible regardless of their depleting stamina. While the situation remained unpleasant, Solstice needed to rest and she always took priority above all else for the older duo. Thankfully, the people in the village were kind and offered to shelter the three for as long as needed. The twins accepted with humble gratitude in their hearts.

A jolly huntsman offered one of his unoccupied cabins so he was put in charge over their care. He wasted no time escorting them home, especially after seeing Aether holding a smaller body to his chest rather protectively.

"These will suit you three well." Their host said with a welcoming smile, holding out a pile of fabric.

Lumine took the proffered items, seeing that they were thermal clothing and hooded fur coats. There are also three pairs of warmed wool socks and indoor leather boots. A glance towards their front door revealed a few crates of food and coal.

She bowed deeply, "Thank you so much."

As soon as they were left alone, she took the clothes to her siblings. She let Aether get dressed first as she took over the job of changing Solstice. Their poor little sister was already too drowsy to move by herself due to the freezing temperature. Once she was all cozily tucked into the sheets of blanket and comforters, Lumine took her turn to switch to her own set of warmer clothes. Her twin brother exited the bathroom just as she entered, and cuddled their youngest to share some body heat.

For the rest of the visit, Solstice had been a lot less talkative yet retained her jubilance. Her tiny body does not have much resistance to extreme climates like this one. They had not been in the cold long enough to cause damage, yet she still needed to recover her energy. As she slept, she kept her rattle close to her chest to absorb more of its mana. Because Solstice needed to recover from the harsh circumstances, Aether and Lumine decided to delay the next world travel. The duo let her sleep as long as needed, and waited until their sister was ready to leave.

"I'll be back soon." Aether yelled with a salute.

Lumine waves him goodbye from a distance, silently wishing him a safe trip. Solstice timidly poked her head out from behind her older sister's legs, as she waved and grinned at their departing brother.

Aether had offered to help their host hunt down food and get some more supplies. He was now heading into Pinewood Forest with a borrowed hunting gear, and a huge husky acting as his guide. Because of Solstice's delicate state, Lumine remained in the village to look after her. She would be there for her if she needed something while their brother explored.

When the twins had set out to find a home, they knew that travelling dimensions might have a stronger and direr impact on the newborn Outlander. They had taken her out of Cosmogenesis earlier than most Outlanders would leave. With the combined powers of Aether and Lumine, they found a solution through Primo Stella. They had made that relic, her rattle, to seal the remains of Luciella. This way, she would have a reserve of cosmic energy to sustain herself while travelling from world to world. Then, on her 16th year, the power contained in the relic will permanently merge with her when she is finally ready. While sealing it was convenient, the two constantly worried about their sister's curious nature breaking it by accident and releasing the dormant power prematurely.

Lumine watches Aether disappear into the forest with an eager pep in his step. She turns around and heads back into the house where they stayed, firmly holding Solstice's hand. The twins were used to doing commissions in other worlds as well so both were willing to help the villagers, especially ones so kind and generous. However, now with Solstice in their lives, they could not freely do these missions together anymore. It was fine with them. She has full faith in her twin brother's return, and he felt the same way whenever the jobs are reversed. Both would gladly protect the little traveler as long as needed.

As soon as they sat by the fireplace, the younger female yawned while rubbing her eyes.

Lumine smiled fondly, sweeping her sister's fringe behind her flushed ears.

"Do you want a naptime story?" She asks.

Solstice beamed as she snuggled up to her older sister's side. Her head rested on Lumine's lap, mumbling her soft thanks when she felt a thick fleece blanket cover her. A doting voice lulled her to sleep as it regaled her with tales about an ice queen and her eleven knights. Before she could succumb, a caring hand combs through the strands of her hair and massages her scalp.

Once again, Solstice was in deep slumber.

『 Come dance with her in the stars 』

It was the same darkness again.

Alas, something was different—not with the void, but with her own thineself. She could feel the thrumming in her veins and the soulfulness of her breaths.

Solstice sensed power within her.

The young Outlander was no stranger to power or otherworldly magic. She was a being born from the center of infinity, a fragment of cosmogony. Even if she has yet to learn how to channel it, she is more than aware that it has always existed within her. However, this time, it was practically tangible. She can envision that power and hold it as easy as lifting her Primo Stella rattle. It was the first thing that she knows she can legitimately grasp in this endless void, and so gripped tightly as if it was her lifeline.

Her ears perked up at the sound of familiar chimes, echoing in the depths. There was no source as the reverberation seems to surround her. It kept tinkling even before the preceding echo could fade, like the persistent ticking of an antique clock. The hypnotic rhythm allured her to its pendulum chant. Her body takes a fetal position, directing her hands to her chest. A ball of light takes form in her cupped palms, peeking from the gaps of her fingers. Her eyes remained shut as she begins to lose awareness the more she embraced the divinity which hummed in her veins.

One last chime resounded in the abyss before it stopped for good.

The little traveler gradually straightened her posture; yet now, it has become a mystery if she has fallen half-asleep. Her bare feet finally make contact with a surface, but it rippled more like water. It did not matter, since she stayed as upright and steady as if it was a cemented pathway. Her cupped hands pushed forward, and it unraveled like a spring flower in full bloom to present a radiant beacon.

Thus, Solstice decreed unto the darkness:

"Let there be light."

...and light was.

It scattered as stars from the beacon which shone vibrantly from her hands. Some gathered to become the moon and another cluster created the sun, born simultaneously amidst a sea of twilight. As all light did, it took more shapes and then life was breathed into each one by her spiritual will. When the last wisp flew off, her limbs began to move in a choreography that matches a melody only she can hear.

The Outlander danced with a serene smile, yet her eyes stayed close as if in slumber. Her hands waved and swayed, arms swinging gracefully as the waves that followed her bidding. Each step made the water ripple until it lifted her up, making the petals of a flower cradling its fairy queen. Her legs kicked up as she spun with mildly flawed yet nevertheless charming pirouettes. The stars danced with her, and pixie dust gathered like a mystic robe. Some stars gained a spectrum of colors, appearing to mimic glass prisms reflecting rays of light. They flew as crystal cores that grew a pair of large wings each, fluttering around their creator delightedly.

Beauty and grace, Solstice is the light.

『 Watch her transit afar 』

Solstice stares with unbridled awe, eyes wide open and mouth shamelessly agape.

Currently, she and her siblings are riding by gondola as they toured this new world. It is indeed a fortress that earned its title as a city of water. The state is structured by large buildings seemingly built straight from the ocean floor. A single yet solidly wide and long bridge was the only access by land to the main entrance of the city from the rest of the world. Small waterfalls circled it along the bottom, streaming from the rest of civilization. Every architectural work is a breathtaking masterpiece with clear intentions of representing the people's love for renaissance art; yet the subtle intonations betrayed their ambitious pursuits for technological advancement.

Aether curiously wondered outloud if he could take samples of a few gadgets, like the thing they call mobile phones. He thought it could be useful amidst their travels. Lumine was intrigued by the idea; but she also brought up a particular downside: this technology might stop working well when they jump to another world. They are not inclined to waste resources over something that will likely fail them before it could serve its worth.

It was, nonetheless, an interesting possibility.

Outside of the city, the entire civilization seems to run on water for everything. Within it, the towns did not disappoint at all. Rather than paths of cobblestone and concrete, most of the streets are either rivers that need a gondola to travel or bridges that entwine one harbor to another. The state was so big they can only reach this side rather than the elite capital that housed the aristocratic population. Their gondolier sang praises about it, calling the place the center of history enriched with ancient knowledge as much as material wealth. Although, he sassed that a few of the folks could use some attitude adjustment.

As the three arrive at the docks, they are met by a swarm of people leading into the urban area. It was the marketplace side of the harbor so the crowd was to be expected. There are also less towering houses which gave them a view of the distant mountains on the more rural islands.

When the ever curious Solstice asked what was out there, the gondolier hummed kindly yet firmly.

"Only adventurers dare to travel on those parts, dear little one." He said, "The aristocrats reach out to the guilds to commission them in harvesting the rarest materials from the mountains. Historians say it is a home to enlightened sages, whom helped push this city to its current glory and prosperity."

He playfully pokes her forehead with a scary face—

"Others believe it is a home for colossal monsters that sometimes lurk under our seas."

—but his countenance was so dramatic and comical that his words only amused the little girl rather than terrify her, much to her siblings' relief.

The friendly man chortled in tandem, beaming at Aether and Lumine knowingly.

"I think you two might be capable enough." He commented, "Those commissions fetch quite hefty prices. If you're interested in exploring while earning some quick money, I highly suggest taking a few of them from the guild. It's an automatic permission to travel the commonly restricted areas, such as the catacombs."

Lumine tilted her head bemusedly, "The catacombs, you say...?"

"You'll recognize them when you see them, milady~!"

Aether gives one last thanks to the gondolier, paying a good tip for his entertaining tour. He then heads for the city with his sisters, acting as the barricade between them and the strangers inevitably bumping into them. One of his hands was placed on his twin sister's shoulder to not lose them since her hands were occupied with Solstice, though he made sure not to put weight on it. His aureate eyes were kept sharp and alert, yet they also gleamed appraisingly while absorbing the magnificent sights. It has been a long time since he felt this childish excitement well up from his chest.

Lumine opted to carry Solstice on her back to avoid losing her in the crowd. She appeared just as gleeful as her twin brother, but retained vigilance. Her head turned to various stalls, selling everything from food to souvenirs. A mental note was made to buy new durable clothes for her little sister, whom is starting to outgrow her current sets.

"Look, look! Mimin, look there."

Solstice points with her rattle at the seagulls. As expected from a city of harbors, there was a great abundance of them gathering to fetch discarded morsels. No doubt, they were also being a bit of a nuisance to the tourists. The twins swore they even spotted a few pelicans hovering from the bright blue sky.

"Do you like the birds?" Aether asks adoringly before they passed by the avians.

Solstice hums affirmatively, giggling when some of the birds made funny faces at her.

For the little traveler, this was the first big city she has ever seen. The worlds they have discovered so far were usually centralized in nature, and the urban ones tend to be small towns rather than an evolved metropolis like this one. A perk which made the twins thank their lucky stars is that tourists are also quite common here. This fact effectively refrained them from sticking out and catching unwanted attention. It seems like the three could comfortably settle down here for a while until Solstice was ready for the next hop.

•

When first arriving here, the twins had been initially disappointed and a little depressed.

Once again, this world lacked the spark of "home" much like the previous ones. At times, Aether and Lumine would feel lost but still kept moving forward if only for Solstice. The small Outlander did not seem to mind the delay though, not at all. Instead, she seemed to enjoy herself in this world. The twins also took this opportunity to spend time with their baby sibling, cheered up by her optimism for life and adventure. Perhaps, that is why they decided to settle down in this world for a little longer. From a smaller town, they travelled on another boat to the capital city.

Fortunately, it was their lively gondolier again!

They even learn his name this time: Pierre.

"Good morn, my friends~!" He sang.

Aether and Lumine grinned at him while Solstice squealed, glomping the laughing man's legs.

Once away from the docks and into the actual city, the three could see bigger stands as well as more sophisticated shops that likely sell more exclusive wares. Almost everything is either an expensive boutique or a remote pawnshop. This part of the state have structures primarily made out of a white stone—resembling marble and jade—giving the city a clean and luxurious look.

Behind the city and separated by the ocean from miles away, the mountains are more visible now due to proximity and less obtrusive structures to block the view. Each is as high as the clouds, almost matching the castle towers and wealthy manors. Veiled by heavy mist, the eldritch silhouettes loomed from afar like phantoms with glowing eyes. Despite its gloomy outlook, the formation of the mountains were almost protective as they encompass the borders of entire city state. Once again, their gondolier told them about the rumored monsters. He speaks of how the ocean surrounding the city has been cradling beasts as big as these same mountains for millions of years. It is relatively debated whether some of them could be guardians of the fortress.

Since the city was surrounded by water, it was good for import and export trading as mentioned. Day in and day out, the city would receive goods from ships that would be sailing for weeks to trade. This is why the common grounds had docks scattered all over the territory. The capital was more formal since businesses are conducted through a schedule of meetings and the daily signings of orderly lawful contracts. Like they were told, commissions came easy through the guild and the merchants across the harbor. Both Aether and Lumine soon had gathered enough coin to live leisurely.

Once the twins had found an inn, they rented a room to leave some of their things. Then, they decided to visit the popular tourist spots and scenic routes to entertain Solstice. They took her to waterfalls, a smaller one where they can carefully guide her small hand into the flowing water. It never failed to make her laugh, which gained enamored smiles from her older siblings. The two had taken her on boat trips as well, sailing between the rows of houses in the rivers that crossed the city.

At one point, the twins followed the advice of taking commissions that let them explore the mountain islands. Sadly, Solstice had to sit out for her own safety; but she did not mind after getting bribed with a chance to spend a day in the capital's playground park. After hiring a trustworthy babysitter from the guild, they set off. Neither of the twins encountered any immortal sages, but they did feel many watchful eyes on them—wary yet not hostile—the entire time they lingered. They actually got lost a few times too, but trails of will-o'-the-wisps helped them get back on the right path. Aether even found secret passages that led to the infamous catacombs. As a lofty story to tell their sister, Lumine was more than excited to decipher the history behind them. It was a dark and spooky area but neither of the Outlanders were genuinely fazed by it.

They ended up discovering deep tunnels that went underwater. It was a series of coves wherein guild members are stationed at a checkpoint cabin if adventurers wish to scuba dive. Aether actually had fun with getting back to the city state that way, while Lumine opted to just use the transport they had upon arriving in the mountain isles. It will not do to neglect the sailors that helped them travel here.

Besides visiting these tourist spots, Solstice got to try out many delicacies as well.

•

Lumine walks back to the table once she finished ordering their food.

The twins had decided to visit a popular restaurant today since they will be setting out to another world soon. Before that, they wanted to give Solstice the opportunity to taste whatever she wanted. All three of them are quite the foodies, which makes gourmet their default bonding moment. It was hard to leave, especially when the twins have no idea what would come next. They could only hope that "home" is as fun for their little sister as this world.

"Don't let the bird bite you." Aether warned.

He watches guardedly as Solstice crouched down next to the seagulls. A piece of bread is in her hand, tearing it crumb by crumb to feed the birds. They can always find a colony of them in every tourist spot they visited. The youngest Outlander liked to befriend them but Aether disapproved. As she hears her older brother call out for her, Solstice stands up again and turns away. She shoots one last goodbye and returns to her siblings.

When Lumine sees her sister struggle to get on the chair, she helps by lifting her up.

"Did you make new friends?" She asks.

Solstice always had a soft spot for winged animals, specifically dragons. Birds would do just as well, especially colorful ones like peacocks or the dainty hummingbirds. She also likes a few insects such as butterflies, dragonflies, and bumblebees—as long as she keeps her distance to avoid giving the twins a heart attack. In response to her sister's question, the little traveler puts up two fingers.

"Two, eh?" Lumine teased playfully, "I think that makes it...twenty-one bird friends already?"

She turns around and grins mockingly at Aether, who just glared back at her. He somehow had managed to get pecked by the seagulls when taking Solstice away from them. Apparently, the things get moody when a third party tries to take their snack supplier away. One flock would peck and pull on Aether's braids, while another would act like perfect little angels by nuzzling Solstice for more food. Ever since then, he had held a grudge. The feeling seems mutual with how they tauntingly squawk at the mere sight of him.

During dinner, the trio listened to a storyteller who had been entertaining the restaurant regularly. Much like Pierre yet more solemn than comedic, the old wiseman recounts about ancient tales and stories of the ocean monsters. He also spoke myths regarding the sages in the mountains, about how they grant wishes and protection via lantern rites on the first full moon of the year. There are even tales of a clash between these sages and the ocean beasts so long ago, before ending on a treaty that paved the way for the age of contracts. His version had more details, focusing on facts with immersive flare than theatric entertainment. Solstice had been more intrigued by the storyteller than the food. Both of the twins had to remind her to eat before the food got cold and unappetizing.

The next morning, Aether and Lumine took Solstice to yet another world.

『 Crossing Sol's burning gaze 』

"Whoa!" Solstice exclaims, "What is that?"

Her mouth is parted in dumbfounded shock before just as quickly turning into an excited grin. Her eyes are focused on the erupting volcano in the distance, ashclouds and magma rising. In the middle of the night, a powerful shockwave was released by said volcano which then captured the attention of the three Outlanders.

Aether lifts Solstice up in his arms.

"It's a volcano." He replied.

Lumine walks up next to her brother and ruffles her sister's hair, a habit she had developed.

"No worries." She reassured calmly, "We won't feel its impact here. Most we'll notice is the shockwave that already passed."

The trio can see how the gray ashclouds invaded the previously clear blue skies. Its cluster is gradually taking over the territory around it like an avalanche of soot. The bright lava gave a beautiful firework show as it exploded into the air before flowing down like a slow stream of rio grande. As hypnotic as its beauty appeared, the people closer to the volcano are likely looking at it in terror.

Solstice's eyes are wide open, staring at the lava still shooting into the air. The glimmers in her eyes now stand out even more because of the bright light it casts. As she watched the force of nature, her twin siblings found it more fascinating and amusing to watch her reactions. They exchanged wide smiles before leaving their little sister by the window, now aiming to get some snacks. It was pointless to try falling back asleep by now.

The trio had been sleeping in a cottage built in an oasis on the other side of a jungle. They had seen the volcano but decided to move around it, travelling through the thick marshes and swamps. It was a bit troublesome for the twins, especially with a small child to carry the entire way; but it seems like they made the right choice in the end. A few insects and wandering wild animals from the unforgiving jungle were no match to a duo of protective siblings. They did spot treehouses spread out in the dryer parts of the forestry, but only few people were stationed. It was more likely a bunch of outposts than legitimate residences, but all of them look fortified as real functional shelters.

Solstice's eyes are still focused on the volcano. Its eruption lasted long, and it made her want to stay awake for the whole night. The lava had shone so brightly, an ominous glow that depicts beauty in a natural catastrophe. An adventurous voice inside of her said, "Touch the bright glowy thing!"

—but both Aether and Lumine had explained that it was dangerous. That is why they had taken a detour in the first place, which meant no touching.

The little traveler nods sagely, "I'm a good girl."

In this world as well, Solstice experienced many new things. First, they landed in a desert. There was sand everywhere, and it was too hard for Solstice to walk amongst the dunes. Luckily, there were friendly animals that she could ride as the twins guided it with a leash. The caretakers called them "camels" which resembled horses with lumps on their backs, and a relatively goofier face. Once out of the desert, they found signs of civilization. Unfortunately, the twins thought it was too close to the volcano as they ventured towards the jungle. Soon enough, they reached the oasis just on the other side of the jungle and renovated the cottage for shelter.

When the Outlanders had ventured further into the jungle, they had noticed its great food source and minerals; and if there was a lot of food, a village follows where the river runs. For the next few days, the twins had searched for another town yet they only stumbled upon this oasis cottage. Inside, there were maps and books which gave the two enough information about this world. From what they have read, the former owner must have been a researcher or perhaps even a fellow traveler.

It was no permanent home, everyone knew; but they decided to stay a few more days. Survival in this world was more tiring than usual, even for Aether and Lumine. Rather than earning money through commissions, they needed to scavenge for their own food and other daily resources. Thankfully, the maps aided them in finding the good spots and the notes told them what was safe to consume or otherwise better left alone. Solstice even found a hidden ledger for medicinal herbs and potion mixtures. There was also a chest of interesting clothes, looking like they belong to fairies due to how they sparkled. The style varies from tunics, off-shouldered crop tops, veils, turbans, harem pants, cardigans, shawls, scarves, and vests. The bottom is filled with gold accessories and gemstone jewelry, very priceless and heavy.

In respect to the former owners, Aether and Lumine returned the chest to where they found it.

Indeed, they will just spend a few more days here to recuperate and perhaps even train. After all, their youngest is at a good age to learn more about her powers and practice swordsmanship. There is no time like the present to seize the day.

Afterwards, they would venture out again.

Solstice is outside, playing with her Primo Stella rattle and unleashing its jingle. The unique sound has always somehow calmed her, reminding her of the realm where she was born—Cosmogenesis, the twins told her of its name. There are times in-between worlds where Aether and Lumine would take her for a short stop in the dimension. It was usually to ask for some advice from the older Outlanders. Meanwhile, she is usually left to play with the stardust pixies that take form due to the realm's cosmic energy. Then, her siblings would join her again and share some stories that the Elders had told them when they were little.

The innovative little girl wonders if she can make those same pixies with Primo Stella.

While she was playing, the twins are getting ready to leave the current world. They gather the few things they have in their possession, such as their swords and extra clothes. Their wings are out and openly exposed, ready for the flight to another star. Every now and then, the appendages would move to help them levitate and reach a higher shelf.

Lumine walks inside the cottage and checks it one last time for good measure. They could not afford to leave behind anything. Last night, both of the twins had returned the interior as they found it—a trivial thing they always did in courtesy, but also to leave no traces. It was an innate habit that most Outlanders develop, to never ever imprint signs of attachment to a world that is not their home. It helps deter them from looking back or having regrets.

"You ready to go, sis?" Aether asked.

He was already out of the cottage, stretching and keeping an eye on Solstice. His sword is in his right hand, swinging it a few times skillfully.

"I hope we find a nice world where we can celebrate Solstice's 6th birthday." He continues.

His aureate gaze focused on his baby sibling for a moment. She was completely enraptured by the rattle, which was glowing brighter than usual.

Aether returns his attention to Lumine, who was almost done checking. The tinkling sounds from the rattle fills the silence as he waits for his twin sister, just a tad impatiently.

Lumine walks out of the cottage, closing the door on her way out. She points the hilt of her sword towards her brother so he could take it. Last time, he carried Solstice; so this time, it will be her turn. Their sibling is a growing girl, and they needed both arms to carry her safely. They take no chances until her own wings could sprout, which might be soon.

Suddenly, there was a heavy silence.

Aether arches his eyebrow, looking over his shoulder as the incessant chimes had stopped. He wants to ask Solstice what was wrong, but he was interrupted by another shockwave. This time, it was way closer and filled him with wordless dread due to its catalyst. He heard Lumine exclaim something in alarm and distress.

Solstice had broken the relic's seal.

Horrified, both twins urgently reached out for their little sister. The Elders warned them that the seal should never be lifted prematurely, so they had implemented a failsafe for it. How did such a young girl like Solstice break it? Nobody knew what to expect. Most assume what would occur is nothing short of disastrous. They were so utterly terrified because they could not survive the thought of losing their sister, not now and not ever.

Alas, it was practically inevitable.

Because when the shockwave had passed, Solstice was undeniably already gone.

『 Venus sets ablaze 』

The first year of Solstice's life was spent sleeping in Cosmogenesis, as expected.

Just like any other Outlander, it was spent gathering enough energy to sustain herself. During this time, the twins stayed by her side and comforted the newborn in her sleep. They had told her all about the worlds they visited, and how they wanted to find "home" together with their new baby sister. It was a moment filled with innocence and warmth.

The first year of Solstice's life was also dark and admittedly dull. Dark, because she was not able to witness anything with her own eyes yet; and dull, because she could not do anything at all. The only thing she felt was the energy flowing inside of her, making her whole—as if she was a doll slowly being put together by an expert craftsman. It honestly felt peculiar, but also warm and comfortable. Perhaps, that was because Aether and Lumine were always by her side to keep the loneliness at bay. They had always assured she was kept healthy and secure.

Currently, Solstice is experiencing something similar yet also something different.

There was an immense amount of energy flowing inside of her and then back outside. It was like she acted as a medium in a cycling network. The clinical process lacked the familiar warmth and comfort from Cosmogenesis. However, it was not entirely unpleasant...but more so disorienting and confusing. This is new and unknown to her so she felt the need to be a little cautious despite her curiosity. Her siblings taught her to always practice that balanced mindset.

Solstice wondered if she was dreaming again. There are times when things took too much energy from her, so she would fall into a deep slumber. Still, there is a nagging at the back of her mind that tells her this time would be different.

Then, she gains an astonishing epiphany.

Usually, her Primo Stella rattle would give her energy in the form of mana. This time, it takes from her in a way that it was channeling her power. The star had synchronized with her will, especially her memories and her dreams, to create something. She had no idea what it could be but she wanted to see.

Ten years pass and at last—

on the eve of Solstice's 16th birthday,

TEYVAT was fully created.

As midnight struck and the day arose, Solstice has reached full maturity as an Outlander. Her power lets out a final surge across the new land. This celestial phenomenon created three realms coexisting in harmony, welcoming yet untouchable.

When dawn settles over Teyvat,

Solstice finally opens her eyes

for the first time in ten years.

『 Welcome us with your light 』

#genshin impact #꧁cσηsтεℓℓαтιση sαgα꧂#꧁cσηsтεℓℓαтιση gεηεsιs꧂#collab fic #genshin sagau #genshin cult au #sagau #cult au #reverse harem #prologue #fem!oc protagonist #genshin impact fanfics

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gojoidyll · 4 months

Text

We Meet Again and Again

caelus (male mc) x reincarnated ! xiao ! m ! reader

I died. My time had finally come. I used to think I would be ok with finally having the burden taken from me... however, there are a few that I will always miss. Like Rex Lapis - er - Zhongli. And, of course..., his thoughts drifted to the blonde haired traveler who he adventured with and saved on multiple occasions.

"I probably won't see you, ever again. And that hurts even more so, than any karmic debt. But maybe .. we'll meet again, in a new life. A different life. One where, I would be more free to travel with someone .. like you, and see the stars that you traveled."

"And it shall be done."

His golden hues snapped open to reveal a vast void landscape. His body floating into the nothing. Though, that soon changed as a light engulfed him. Surrounded his entire being and cradled him gently.

"You'll meet them again, in a new life."

And everything suddenly went dark.

17 YEARS LATER

Y/n L/n lived an honest life. He stayed out of trouble, and even helped people in their time of need. He craved for a food called "Almond Tofu" but .. no one ever seemed to know what he was talking about. Even going as far as saying he dreamed of such a dish and calling it imaginary.

But y/n, oh y/n, he knew that the dish existed. It was just in another world. Or, well, another universe. A universe where his past life was. A life where he was called "Xiao."

"Y/n!"

His eyes shifted. His focus on a rather familiar group of people.

"Danheng, March, and...," his voice faltered when he looked to the third person in their party. Gray hair, gold eyes, light colored skin - y/n couldn't help but to take notice of the slight twinge of pain in his heart.

They introduced y/n to the newcomer. Caelus .. it wasn't a name he was familiar with.

"It's .. nice to meet you. I'm Y/n L/n," he held out his hand to the taller male before him. And the moment that they fitted their palm into his hand, he felt a small spark light up between them despite the fact that they were both wearing gloves.

"Y/n," he said with a smile, as if remembering the name, "it's also nice to meet you."

Once introductions were over, Danheng grabbed y/n's attention once again.

"We're sorry for bothering, by the way, but there was actually a reason we sought you out."

"The reason being?"

"We need your help! Can you please join our party, Y/n?"

March piped up from next to Caelus and y/n couldn't help but to picture the Traveler and Paimon.

"If you really need my help, then .. I'm all yours."

He couldn't help but to soften a little at Caelus' smile.

I died back in Teyvat, and I never got to see the traveler ever again. But maybe, just maybe, there was an off chance that the one standing before me is who I've been missing the most.

"Thank you so much, and .. to get you even more on board," Caelus took out a compartment from his inventory and opened it up to reveal a certain dish that y/n never thought he would see again.

Almond Tofu.

Well, what do you know? I guess we really did meet again.

#hsr #honkai star rail #caelus #caelus x reader #caelus x y/n #caelus x you #hsr caelus #honkai star rail caelus

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bookish-whore · 2 years

Text

Falling Part IX

Azriel x Reader

Words: 4k

Warnings: Discussions/Allusions to SA, Self-Deprecating Thoughts, Lots of Cursing.

A/N: Hello Lovelies! Thank you all for your patience with this chapter it has been a crazy two weeks for me. Considering we are on Chapter 9 now I can safely say that this fic will be a bit longer than the 10 chapters I initially anticipated (oops). Thank you all for your continued support on this story and as always, my requests are open and I am slowly making my way through them!

My Masterlist -> Here

Falling Masterlist -> Here

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I was on the mend.

Since arriving back in the Day Court, Helion put me on a strict regimen, he was taking my recovery very seriously. I had a daily routine now, granted it had only been a few days, but Helion said that a establishing a routine would be good for me to have. He told me that knowing what’s going to happen throughout my day would decrease any anxiety and keep me from panicking and having any other episodes. So far, he has been right. I haven’t had any panic attacks since waking up that initial time. He also said that fresh air and sunlight can do wonders for my physical body, and for my mental health, which is why I was currently making my way downstairs to meet Lucien for our daily walk through the gardens.

I saw Lucien pacing at the foot of the steps, as he had done since we began these walkabouts.

“Good morning Vanserra” I said, the male halted his movements when he heard my voice

“Good morning my dearest y/n” he said, extending his arm to me with a smile. I hooked my arm under his and together we made our way outside.

We walked for a while in comfortable silence, Lucien knew how much I loved the gardens here. They were full of such vibrant colors and such a vast array of flowers it was like I was in a different world; it was like a brief escape from all of it.

I led us to one of the stone benches placed throughout the space, it was my favorite spot in the garden. There was a clear view of the pond, sparkling in the sunlight and where we sat, we were under a canopy of wisteria. I enjoyed the sweet, floral, and slightly musky scent as it wafted through the gentle breeze. Lucien was the one to break the silence.

“Are you ready for the big reunion?”

I wrung my hands in my lap “Not really” I said looking down at my hands

“Why is that?” he asked turning his head towards me to meet my gaze

“Well, if I’m being honest, I feel nervous. I know it’s just Feyre and Nesta and I am so grateful you wrote to them, but I’m worried they will see me like- like I’m damaged or broken. That they will somehow think of me differently. Think of me as- as weak after what happened.”

“They would never see you as weak, or broken, or damaged. Not after what they have been through.” He took my hand in his “and regardless of what anyone thinks you are strong, one of the strongest people I know. What happened to you wasn’t because of anything you did, or didn’t do, and I know you are trying to cope by pushing people away but we- the people who love you- aren’t going anywhere.”

I nod my head “I know” I say, just loud enough for him to hear

“Now, come on” he jerks his head over his shoulder “lets finish at the pond I know how much you love feeding the ducks”

I flash a smile at him, and we make our way toward the pond. I can’t help but feel a sense of calm about the big visit later. Lucien’s words had managed to put my mind at ease.

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I took my time getting ready for this meeting.

I had an extra-long soak in the bath, until my fingers were wrinkled, and the water had become tepid. Once getting out I put on an outfit I felt comfortable in, which happened to be an oversized cream sweater that hung to my mid-thigh, dark leggings, and thick wool socks. After getting dressed I sat at my vanity to fix my hair, I decided to put it in a simple braid to keep it out of my way but as I looked in the mirror, my eyes were drawn to the faint circle of purple, black and blue around my neck. As I stared at the markings I began to reconsider.

I brought my hand up to graze my fingers across the lingering bruises, all at different stages of healing but still visible were anyone to look at me. I suddenly felt self-conscious at the idea of my friends seeing the evidence of that night. I could feel the panic rising and remembered the breathing exercises Helion taught me and began to ground myself, mostly by reminding myself that I was here in the Day Court, that I was safe, that what happened was over. After a few minutes I regained my composure and stood. I wouldn’t let that male take anything else from me, I wasn’t going to cower from the bruises or the scars that I carried with me. With a final deep breath, I made my way downstairs to meet my friends.

I opened the double doors and entered the room I had picked for this meeting. I had chosen an intimate library with tall shelves lining two of the walls, the other wall housed a massive ornate fireplace, and the final wall was floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the rose gardens. It also had a comfortable sitting area with two long couches, two large armchairs and a table in the center, which was perfect for tea and cakes which Helion insisted we have, something about sugar being calming for the nerves. I didn’t dare argue.

I took up my seat in one of the armchairs, facing the doors when a soft knock sounded. I shouted for the visitor to enter to find it was just Helaena, one of the housekeepers, bringing the tea and desserts for me and my guests. Once she was finished, she promptly left, closing the doors behind her and I was once again alone. I looked at the clock atop the mantle on the fireplace and realized my guests would be arriving any minute, the thought had me picking at my cuticles as I did when I was nervous.

I found some comfort in the knowledge that Lucien would be there, I had asked him this morning if he would stay for the reunion, to intervene if he saw it was too much for me, and like the good male he is he agreed without complaint. However, I was still nervous to see the others. I know that Lucien was right this morning when he said they would understand but so much has happened since we last spoke that it seems like another lifetime. I was pulled from my thoughts as I heard faint voices down the hall. They were here.

I stood from my seat, wiping my palms on my thighs to get rid of the sweat that had accumulated in my anticipation of their arrival. A soft knock sounded.

“Come in” I shouted, my voice cracking at my choice of volume. The double doors swung open and there they were. We all stood frozen, just staring at each other.

I locked eyes with Feyre first, she was smiling at me, a faint flicker of silver lining her blue-grey eyes. Knowing her, they were tears of relief, tears of happiness. My gaze shifted to her right to find Nesta with her usual smirk that never gave away her true emotions, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. They were both looking at me as they always had.

And finally, I shifted my gaze to the other female who had accompanied them.

I immediately recognized the auburn hair, sparkling teal blue eyes, and warm smile. I had to fight the tears from spilling because Gwyn had come. Gwyn who had only begun leaving the House of Wind a few months ago – and had only gone so far as Rita’s – had made the long journey to a new place to be here for me. My knees threatened to buckle under me, and I immediately crossed the room pulling all three of them into a bone crushing hug. I couldn’t stop the swell of emotion as we stood there, simply holding each other.

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After what felt like hours spent in a tight embrace, We finally took our seats around the table; Lucien chose to sit across the room to give the impression of privacy. We sat silently, pouring tea, and rationing out cookies and cakes from the assortment that had been brought in. After everyone was served, I decided to initiate the conversation.

I cleared my throat “I feel like- like I owe you an explanation for why I left the way I did”

Feyre interjected “Y/n, there is no need for that”

“I know that” I say flashing Feyre a small smile “but I’m sure you were worried sick at the fact that I just vanished, that I only left that note. I know that I shouldn’t have taken my anger at Azriel out on you guys and for that I’m sorry”

“After what happened” Nesta took a sip of her tea before continuing “and after what he said, I don’t blame you y/n. In fact, I let him know exactly what I thought about his actions the other night”

“What is she talking about?” I asked looking between Feyre and Nesta for any indication of what had happened between them.

“Well, after you left, we all had dinner at the House of Wind and your whereabouts were a point of conversation” Feyre said “Tensions were running high and after a suggestion that you be brought back to the Night Court Azriel made his opinion known about our plan to visit…Nesta made her opinions on his behavior quite clear.”

“What could he possibly have to say on the matter?” I asked

“That Feyre and I shouldn’t come; he made a comment to that extent…but enough about him” Nesta said “We are here for you”

Feyre and Gwyn nodded at that as the attention shifted back to me.

“How has it been here?” Gwyn asked gently taking a bite of lemon cake.

“Lucien and Helion have been amazing. I mean they rarely leave me alone, not that I particularly want to be alone right now, but they have treated me so well.” I paused a moment before I could continue “but even though they’ve been nothing but accommodating. I still have this feeling…just this overwhelming feeling of nothing, its like an endless pool of numbness. I can plaster a smile on my face, and laugh, and act normal but it’s not really how I feel.”

The three females all nodded in understanding.

“And I am terrified that this feeling is all I am ever going to feel again. Like, that night has irrevocably changed something in me. Changed who I am, how I see the world.” I wiped a tear that cascaded down my cheek “and I don’t want it to, I don’t want to give that male any more than he’s already taken but I don’t know how to get back to who I was before.” I dropped my head into my hands as the tears began to fall.

Before I could register what was happening, the three of them were at my side. Feyre on my left, rubbing comforting circles along on my back as I cried. Nesta on my right holding my arm as she tucked stray strands of hair behind my ear and Gwyn sat in front of me, her hands cupping my face while her forehead rested against mine.

Nesta was the first to speak after my admission. “Do you remember that day all those months ago after you first saw Azriel and Elain together?”

I wiped my nose on my sleeve, nodding

“Do you remember what I told you then?” I nodded again looking directly at her. I thought back to that morning, the words repeating themselves in my head

“What did I tell you?” she gently prodded

“You said” I took a shaky inhale “I can’t tell you when…or how; but it will get better. That I will get through it, as long as I am willing to face it, and embrace it, and walk through it. That I need to push through my pain to come out on the other side.”

“That’s right” Nesta said “I would tell you the same thing now y/n. You cannot change your circumstances, nor can you fix the past. All you can do is continue to move forward.”

Gwyn spoke then “Nesta is right, healing isn’t linear, and some days will be worse than others, but you aren’t alone in this you never have been, and you never will be.”

I nodded my head in recognition of what she said but went silent as I heard a faint commotion in the hall and the familiar scent wafted into the room and I froze.

...night-chilled mist and cedar.

Azriel was here.

As quickly as the thought crossed my mind, the double doors opened and there he was. I couldn’t help but look him over, he was wearing his fighting leathers, his siphons giving off their usual cobalt glow and his wings flared behind him. His hazel eyes burned into me as he stalked his way across the room.

Lucien stood first intercepting the male by placing a hand on his shoulder, halting him from moving any closer.

“Back off Vanserra” Azriel barked under his breath.

“Not a chance Shadowsinger” Lucien said, pushing Azriel back towards the door. Lucien jerked his head and a fae guard approached taking hold of Azriel’s other arm, helping Lucien haul him out.

“I just need to talk to her” Azriel said, his voice raised as he fought the two males restraining him “please y/n, just- just give me five minutes- please” the shadowsinger pleaded as the males hauled him away.

“Don’t you think you’ve done enough” Lucien snapped “haven’t you hurt her enough?” he growled into his ear.

“Lucien” I said softly, the male stilled at my voice “it’s alright, I’ll talk to him”

I could practically feel Azriel’s sigh of relief, but I pushed it out of my mind because I wasn’t doing this for him.

No, this was for me.

I was taking my friends’ advice and confronting my pain, Azriel being only one of my problems right now but I felt that he was the one I could face, at least the one I was most ready to face.

I made my way through the palace to my bedroom, I wanted to be far away from prying fae ears. I could feel the tension rolling off Azriel as he followed silently behind me. Once arriving at the door, I paused a moment taking a deep breath before turning the knob and gesturing Azriel to enter first. He does so silently, tucking his wings in behind him as he passes me. I step in after him closing the door behind me with a soft -click-

I lean my forehead against the door before turning to face Azriel to find that he is already staring intensely at me, his hazel eyes boring into me as he waits for me to speak first. I can’t help but notice how they flick down to the faint bruising still visible on my neck. I clear my throat, which draws his attention back up to my eyes.

“You wanted to speak to me” I say, surprised at how strong my voice sounds “so speak”

He clears his throat “I- I do want to talk about other things with you, but first I just need to know, how you are or rather how you’ve been”

“How do you think I am Azriel?”

“I know that was probably a stupid question, but y/n I was worried about you. I have been worried sick about you. so much so that I haven’t been able to sleep, or eat, or-or think with you gone and after what happened I just-”

“That must have been hard on you” I snap

He goes silent. Turning around to face the large floor to ceiling windows that covered one wall of my quarters. I make my way closer to him, sitting on one of the couches in a lounge area that faces the fireplace.

“It must have been hard to continue living your life as you had been for months” I say, the rage slowly building as I think to all the conversations we had, conversations where he knew about the bond and told me about how he had fantasized since childhood about having a mate, how he thought he was unworthy and undeserving of one when he knew. When he knew that his mate was sitting across from him.

He turns around to face me “Y/n, I know that’s how it seems but-”

“I’m not finished yet” I interrupt “it must have been so difficult, to know about the mating bond and sit back and live your life while I was suffering. Do you even know what it was like? To watch you and Elain together, to know you shared a bed, to know you were in love. While I was practically torturing myself?”

I could see the tension building in him as his jaw clenched “Don’t put all of this on me y/n. You knew about the bond too, and I don’t recall you making any public declarations. I didn’t see you make an effort to tell me about the bond either.”

“I was going to” I practically shouted “on the winter solstice. At the party, I told Feyre, Nesta, Cassian, and the entire Inner Circle about my plan, that you needed to know to make an informed decision about what to do with your life, regardless of the outcome”

He sucked in a sharp breath. “And do you remember what you did that night Azriel? Do you?” I asked. He made his way across the room, sitting on a chair opposite of me, bringing his hands to ruffle through his hair. I could’ve sworn he cursed under his breath. His silence only encouraged me to continue.

“You got engaged. You proposed to Elain, and I had to watch, Lucien had to watch.” I wiped a tear that fell at the memory of that night. “I wanted to tell you, I wanted to tell you so many fucking times Azriel but how could I? You seemed so happy and all I would do is ruin that, ruin a choice that you made. A choice that Elain made, and I had made my peace with it. That you chose her, and the bond wouldn’t change anything because it didn’t. You knew the whole time. The whole fucking time and you clearly didn’t want it”

“I fucked up y/n I know that now, but you have to believe me. I never wanted to hurt you. I never meant to hurt you”

“You know a few months ago I might have believed that. I used to think that you would never hurt me Azriel, from the moment the bond snapped into place for me I had this idea in my head about who you were and- and I was wrong because I trusted you, I got to know you and I started to have feelings for you”

I couldn’t help the tears that lined my eyes as it all came pouring out of me. “But you- you betrayed me, and you have turned into someone I don’t recognize”

“I know that I fucked up y/n, I know that but if you let me, I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. please just- just give me a chance”

“Fine, here’s your chance. Why did you choose that moment to tell me about the bond? In that place after I was attacked”

“Y/n…” he began “Do we really have to talk about that”

“Don’t treat me like I am this fragile, broken female. I can handle it. I have been handling it. So either answer my question, or get out”

“Fine…I- I didn’t choose that moment, it just came out. I was so panicked and worried about you. that night…I felt you get hurt and I don’t know, when I saw you and when I smelt your blood, I was just so relieved you were alive. I didn’t have a filter on my emotions, and they got the best of me”

I nodded “Did you ever think about telling me, that you knew that the bond was there?” I said softly

“y/n” he says like a warning

“Don’t y/n me Azriel. Did you consider it or not, it’s a simple question”

“Yes” he says desperately “of course I did, but I decided against it”

“Why?” I asked

“Why?” he repeated, his voice sounding confused.

“Yes Azriel, I had a good reason not to tell you. What reason did you have not to tell me?”

“I thought- I don’t know I convinced myself that you were better off. I thought that it was too dangerous for you to be bonded to me for life and that I was protecting you”

“That’s bullshit” I quip

“That’s the truth” he shouts back at me

“It’s an excuse, it was too much for me, but Elain could handle being married to you. Why can’t you just be honest with me?”

“FINE” he yells pinching the bridge of his nose as he finally lets his guard down.

“I was in love with Elain, and I wanted to be with her. I didn’t want to hurt anyone okay…I really didn’t and I hoped deep down that you didn’t know. I convinced myself that you had no idea and that all the signs that you did were in my head. I didn’t want to have feelings for you, I didn’t want to acknowledge it.” He took a deep breath “but then you were attacked, and I felt like a complete asshole because maybe if I hadn’t pushed you away then you wouldn’t have almost died. If I was with you, maybe that male wouldn’t have dared touch you and…the more I thought about it the more I realized I was in the wrong. Everyone fucking knew already, and here I was playing fucking house with Elain.”

I wiped away the tears that had involuntarily fallen during his confession.

“And in the end Elain is the one that ended things, because I was still too much of a coward to admit that I was developing feelings for you. and before you say it’s out of pity or a feeling of duty, I was developing feelings for you long before that night.”

“Then tell me something Az” I say quietly

“Anything” he says, his eyes meeting mine. I can see the desperation within them.

“If she hadn’t ended the engagement. Would you have married her?”

His face fell, his body going rigid at my ask. That seemed like answer enough to me. I nodded in acceptance and stood going to leave the room. He reacted quickly, running in front of me and dropping to his knees, tears freely falling down his face.

“Please don’t go y/n” he begged “Not like this please just- fuck I know how it seems but I have been honest, doesn’t that count for something? I know- I know I hurt you and I hurt Elain but If you just give me a chance, I can fix this, I can fix us.”

“I can’t Az” I said, my own tears falling in tandem with his “maybe someday I can forgive you and we can move past this, but not right now” I made my way to the door, reaching for the knob to leave when his voice halted me.

“I’m not giving up y/n” he said “I promise you; I don’t care how long it takes. Even if it takes an eternity, I am not giving up on this.”

I didn’t respond. I simply opened the door and walked back to the library, leaving him kneeling on the floor.

Next Chapter-> (Coming Soon)

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{Taglist is Temporarily Closed I'm going to be updating it and changing some things around here soon}

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@moonfawnx @we-were-beautiful @96jnie @frgman-sins @fromdelos @qtljs @goldentournesol @ruler-of-hades @mrs-azriel @feyretopia @starlit-terror @daily-dose-of-sass @mulansaucey @owllover123 @redbleedingrose @hollyismentallyillhelp @famousbasementpainter @luna-1-3-5 @marigold-morelli @topaz125 @aelinismyqueen @elizarikaallen @clueless-gold @starrstrucked @em---r @snoopythemaincoon @satellitesunshine @bankerfrog @strawbwebbie @morks-watermelon @kristalhi @lolabell0556 @intrxde @aubreylovesthegames @xxoverthinkerxx @caosfanblr @mis-lil-red @haswellington @wolfyland07 @answer-the-sirens @kaz-2y567 @marssssaturn @judig92 @esposadomd @violet-shadows @meghan52300 @biblophilefox82 @issybee0611 @writingsbychlo @katherinereid @baarishkiboond @hernameispia @positivewitch @dragonqueeneliza

#azriel x y/n #azriel x reader #lucien x reader #helion x reader #feyre archeron #gwyneth berdara #nesta archeron #acotar series #acotar fanfiction #acotar fanfic #bookish-whore #falling

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novaonhere · 9 months

Text

Stargazing

Relationship: Cal Kelstis x f!reader

Summary: You and Cal find yourselves watching the night sky. You bring up a question that questions your relationship.

Word Count: 1.2k

Warnings: Fluffy, leading to a more sexy outcome (use your imagination), maybe an existential crisis, have fun, f bomb

A/N: Nah enjoy

Prompt: "It was just a kiss." "I know.” “But does it have to be just that?"

(gif not mine)

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It was a beautiful night. You’ve decided you needed some peace and quiet after a day of working on the Mantis, so sitting on top of the ship was the perfect place. She just needed some basic repairs and double checking that everything looked alright. You stuff the last bit of your sandwich into your mouth and you took in the scenery around you.

The grass swayed in the gentle breeze, seeds and small bits of vegetation gliding through the air. Taking a deep breath, it smelled clean, fresh, and thank god not oil that you’ve basically been inhaling all day.

You lean back, placing your hands behind your head as a makeshift pillow. Letting your body relax, you felt the cool metal chill your skin, but you didn’t mind. You’ve always loved the sky; loved seeing space and the vastness that it was. The stars twinkled in unison, as if they were gossiping to one another.

The metal of the ship clanks, as if someone was hitting it. You lean up and crawl to the edge, staring down to see a particular red head, holding a small bag, looking up at you. You both smile as you wave him up. He climbs up, scooting next to you.

“I brought a treat, Merrin is learning how to cook and bake stuff from different planets. I’m not sure what it is, but it’s delicious.” Cal explains as he opens up the small bag. The fragrance is strong, filling your lungs with warmth and sweetness. Taking a look at it, it looks like a spongy, dark brick. (It’s a brownie yall but Idk if they have brownies)

“Oh wow!” You exclaim, breaking off a small piece. It’s still hot as it melts away from itself and into your hand. Quickly, you scoop it into your mouth. “Oh… wow…” You go in for another bite, making Cal laugh. He hands over the bag to you, which you gladly take and continue to munch down.

“How’s the Mantis?” He asks, leaning back on his hands, propping himself up. You finish your bite, wiping the crumbles off your lap.

“She’s good, just a few little tweaks but I did a comb through and checked everything, that’s why it took so long.” You respond, placing the now empty bag under your leg to not fly away. You go back to your original position, staring at the sky above. Cal joins you, staring up to the stars.

“Do you ever think we’ll win?” You ask, darting between two colorful stars, trying to think of what planets they are. Cal hums.

“I think we’re winning only because we’re fighting back against the Empire.” Cal responds.

“Yeah, but I mean, like do you think we’ll have to stop fighting in our life time?” Cal solemnly chuckles.

“Absolutely not.” He sighs. “We need more people on our side. We need numbers.” You hun in response. You’re so numb to the right now that it just feels like a daily chore. Deep down, you know that your fighting for the betterment of the galaxy and to help the innocent, but some days, it feels like your crew against the world. You wouldn’t find a little vacation, hell, this is the most relaxation you’ve gotten in the past few weeks.

Cal removes his hand from under his head and taps your side. You remove your hand as well, which he instantly grabs and brings to his side.

“We have each other, we have the crew, we’re making a difference. We’ll get the rest we deserve in due time.” He smiles, placing a soft kiss to the top of your hand. You knew it was supposed to be a comforting gesture, but being the smart ass you are, you pull you hand back, pretending to throw up.

“Ewwww, a boy touched my hand~~~.” You giggle sitting up and scooting a little away. Normal, Cal would look disgusted as well in a joking matter. It’s an inside to joke that if one person shows affection, they turn into immature kids and “be grossed out.” “We’re warriors! We have no time for this crap.” You’d always say.

This time, Cal’s smile faded a smidge. He pursed his lips, bring his furrowed brows towards the night sky. Your smile also faded, raising an eyebrow. Reaching back out your hand, you rest it on his bicep.

“Did I offend you? I’m sorry, I do appreciate the comforting gesture.” You thank him. He hums.

“It was just a kiss…” He trails off, turning his head away from you. You slightly pout, a bit confused.

“I know, and I’m sorry I over reacted. It’s kinda our thing,” You force a chuckle. “An inside joke.”

“But does it have to be just that?” He asks, turning his back to you, his cheeks now slightly pink. “An inside joke?” You blink.

“What’s going on?” You ask as he sits up to face you.

“I’ve really been thinking about the future, and you bringing it up brought some of my thoughts to light.” He explains, taking both of your hands by this point. Your neck feels hot, your eyes wide, and your voice doesn’t seem to work. “I don’t care where I am, what I do, all I want is to be by your side and you by mine.”

“Cal…” Is the only word that escapes you. He lets go, slightly pulling away. You reach back out for his hands. He looks surprised.

“I’ll of course be with you every step of the way, but I have a feeling there’s something else on your mind.” You bring up, brushing a piece of loose hair back behind his ear. He was obviously using it to cover up his blushing face, causing you to blush as well.

“Jedi code states-“ You start to laugh, shocking him.

“Jedi code is how old?” You ask before he can continue. He pauses, his mouth ajar for a few seconds. He presses his lips together, nodding, making you giggle. Taking this opportunity, he reaches a hand to your cheek, testing the water. You don’t flinch, you don’t hesitate, you smile, knowing. You both stare at each other for a little while, just enjoying this moment. He caressed your temple, brushing your hair back.

“You going to kiss me or what?” You playfully ask. Without another heartbeat in between, he closes the distance between you. At first, a very sweet and resting the waters smooch. Your stomach does jumping jacks, never thinking you would be in this situation. He lean forward, wanting to deepen the kiss. He reciprocates, parting your lips and slipping his tongue in. You moan slightly, your cheeks practically on fire.

“HEY!” Greez calls from the ground, causing you too to split. He can’t spot you too, thank god. You wouldn’t hear the end of it. Cal peeks his head over.

“Yeah?” He asks. Greez rolls his eyes.

“I knew y’all were up there, head to bed it’s late.” He grumbles, walking back to the cantina, mumbling something about “they’re still fucking teenagers sometimes.” Cal pushes back, facing you again. You both laugh.

“Well, he’s got a point,” You say, standing up. “You’re more than welcome to join me in the Mantis~” You walk past his, ruffling his hair. As you climb down, Cal smiles leaning back to stare at the sky for a few more moments. Realizing what you meant, he quickly scrambles up and after you.

#cal kestis x reader #cal kestis x y/n #cal kestis x you #cal kestis jedi survivor #cal kestis #jedi survivor #star wars #star wars x y/n #star wars x you #star wars x reader #star wars jedi fallen order #star wars jedi survivor #reader insert #y/n

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foreverindreamlandd · 2 years

Text

Sweeter Than Honey • 3

Pairing: Mechanic!Bucky x Fem!Personal Assistant!Reader

WC: 8.2k

Summary: It all started with a failed attempt to buy your boss a new phone, and then suddenly you're in the middle of nowhere Ireland crying your eyes out in front of a handsome mechanic who would do just about anything to make you smile again...

Note: That's all, folks! Thank you so much for reading this mini series of mine. I had WAY too much fun thirsting over our favorite Irish mechanic. If I were a famous children's author with all the money in the world, I would by you all plane tickets to Ireland to find yourselves a hunky bae <3 Banner photo taken by *moi* ;)

You woke to the feeling of Bucky’s hand cupping your face, thumb stroking your cheek.

“Come on, love,” he whispered, and though your eyes hadn’t yet opened, you could hear the smile on his face as he spoke. “We got a big day ahead of us.”

God, his morning voice might actually be the thing that killed you.

He kissed your forehead and you let out a small, content sigh, eyes slowly fluttering open.

Bucky was, in fact, smiling. Eyes looking at you as if you were everything good in the world.

The sun was just beginning to rise across the vast fields before you. Bucky had originally offered to drive you back to the hotel as the late evening transitioned to early morning, but you were so happy, so lost in this magical little bubble the two of you had created together, that you said you wanted to stay in the back of the truck and watch the sunrise.

So, here you were, safely secure in the arms of the man who made your chest ache and your head spin, your leather jacket from the night before replaced by one of his flannels he kept in the truck as backup. The air was a bit chilly this early in the morning, but you barely registered it thanks to the furnace that was Bucky’s body and the blanket wrapped around you.

His smile grew as he watched you wake up, and he leaned forward to give you a slow, chaste kiss.

“Morning, love,” he murmured into your lips while pulling away.

Another happy sigh. “Morning, Buck.”

“Ready to see the sunrise?” You nodded and he kissed your nose before pulling you up to sit along with him. “Right then, we need to get moving then.”

You let out a soft whine and he chuckled, rubbing his hands up and down your arms at a quick pace and then caging your face between his calloused palms to pull you in for a deeper, hungrier kiss.

That woke you right the fuck up.

He guided you down the bed of the truck, then grabbed a few bottles of water from the cooler and you smiled as he handed one to you. Never in your life had you had someone who was so attentive to your well-being, and Bucky seemed to do it so effortlessly.

His cheeks turned pink as you continued to stare at him fondly. “What?” he asked.

You shook your head. “I’m going to be really fucking sad when I leave tomorrow,” you responded, your voice light but coated with bitterness.

Bucky frowned, then pulled you in for a tight embrace, his chin leaning on the top of your head. “Can I be honest with ye?”

Your heart skipped a beat as dread spread through your body in an instant. He was going to say that he couldn’t wait for you to leave, or that you leaving wasn’t going to affect him at all.

You braced yourself and nodded against his chest and he sighed, hand running up and down over your hair.

“I know it hasn’t been a full day since our paths crossed, and I don’t mean to startle ye,” he said, “But I’m pretty sure that the second you’re not within arms reach of me, my heart is goin’ to cleave in two. Colors will be less bright, the air will be less sweet, everythin’ will be dim because you’re not there.” He chuckled. “I must sound like a nut, don’t I?”

You squeezed him tighter before pulling away to look into his eyes, moving a hand up to trace along his jaw and cup his cheek.

“No,” you said softly. “I think you described it perfectly, Buck.”

He smiled, moving forward for another deep kiss, a light breeze pushing the tips of his hair into your face and you reveled in the feel of it, soaking up as much of the experience as you could.

After another passionate makeout session that made you breathless, Bucky took your hand and led you down the field and up a small hill that ended up providing a perfect view of the sunrise. You sat there between his legs, back leaning against his chest as he wrapped his arms around you. He kept his cheek pressed against yours, moving only to press his lips to your temple, your forehead, your jaw, every spot of your skin he could get to.

You turned to look at him once the rays began warming your body, admiring the way his skin glowed in the light. The way the orange/yellow hues mixed with the blue of his eyes made your breath hitch, and with the way they sparkled when he looked at you, you knew he felt the same.

As much as you would’ve liked it to, the moment could not last forever. You still had a job to do and Bucky had one more stop planned before dropping you off. He took you to a cafe, where you had the best coffee and soda bread of your life, the two of you sharing stories of your childhood, your friends and family back home, learning as much as you could about the other person.

Then, your time was up, and suddenly his truck was pulling up to the hotel. His hand was interlaced with yours, and he lifted it up to kiss your knuckles.

“See you tonight?” you asked with a smile.

He nodded. “I’ll be countin’ down the hours, love.”

You scrunched your face and he scrunched his back, the two of you giggling as you got out.

When you reached the door of the hotel, you turned around to find him still parked, eyes locked on you, smiling.

You pulled open the door and winked at him, and you could hear his chuckle perfectly in your mind as he shook his head, switching his focus to the road and driving away.

A small groan escaped you as you noticed Quentin standing against the wall by the door to your room, his arms crossed in front of him. The sound caused his head to shoot up, and he scoffed.

“Where the hell have you been?” he chastised, standing straight.

You rolled your eyes, digging through your bag for your key. “I was out.”

His hands waved around in the air as he let out an even more dramatic scoff. “Out where? With that mechanic Tony said you met yesterday? Are you even capable of doing your job, Y/n?”

You whipped your head at him, eyes filled with rage and momentarily startling Quentin.

“Quentin,” you said in a cool, calm voice. “Was there an emergency last night involving Tony?”

He huffed. “Well, no but-”

“Did Tony ask you where I was at any point last night or this morning because he needed me?”

“No but-”

“Then I don’t understand what the problem is.” You held up a hand, pressing one finger at a time as you listed off facts to the brat in front of you. “I got him his phone, I got him to his event last night, I got him back to the hotel, and now I’m here an hour before his press schedule begins. And had Tony called me at any point last night, I would have dropped whatever I was doing and taken care of it. Now unless you have some actual constructive criticism about my job performance, I would ask that you let me change and get ready so that I can get Tony where he needs to be, alright?”

He clenched his jaw, stepping toward you and you narrowed your eyes in defiance, showing no fear as he leaned down to meet your eye. “Listen here, you little-”

“Y/n,” Tony said, voice slow and questioning as he watched you and Quentin jump back from each other, eyes both on your boss with much lighter expressions. “Beck…everything okay with you two?”

Quentin let out a chuckle, seamlessly switching into his Tony’s in the room time to schmooze mode. “Of course, Tony, just making sure Y/n here got in okay. Looks like she had a wild night.” His hand patted on the flannel Bucky told you to keep covering your shoulder and you flinched.

Tony nodded slowly. “Right….uh, Y/n, can I talk to you for a sec?”

Knots formed in your stomach and you nodded, forcing yourself not to look over at Quentin’s smug expression as he walked away.

This was it, you were actually going to get in trouble for being out with Bucky last night.

He walked over to you and smiled. “So, I take it you had fun last night?” His eyes went down to the flannel covering your arm.

You grimaced, wrapping your arms around yourself. “I’m sorry boss, I should have come home and been here if you needed anything. This was so unprofessional-”

He shook his head. “No no no, Y/n you’re fine.” He smiled. “I’m glad you had a good time! I love that giant bastard. Pretty sure I got lost in those sweet baby blues of his a couple of times yesterday.”

You laughed. “They are quite hypnotizing.” Your eyebrows furrowed. “So, you’re not mad at me? And I’m not fired?”

His eyes narrowed, head jumping back in confusion. “Absolutely not. Why on earth would I fire you?”

Biting your bottom lip, you explained to him the reason for your panicking. “Cause of the fiasco yesterday with the phone and the car, and I’ve just spent the night galavanting off with some random guy I just met.”

Tony cocked his head to the side. “Was Quentin just giving you shit for all of that?”

You blinked, not wanting to put yourself into a deeper hole with Quentin or causing Tony any unnecessary stress.

It was enough of an answer for him though and he rolled his eyes. “Clearly he never told you about his first year on the job. Kid forgot to convert my international tour schedule to the appropriate time zones. I don’t even want to talk about the number of flights and events I missed because of that.”

Your eyes widened and you breathed out a small chuckle as Tony continued. “Y/n, you are seriously doing a fantastic job. Yes, yesterday got a little crazy, but this whole job is fucking crazy. And you handled it like a champ! As far as the Bucky thing goes, you’re an adult! And though the hours for this job get a bit nutty, I hardly expect it to be a 24/7 gig. In fact, I would hate that for you. So if you meet a cute guy in a foreign country and decide to get safely swept away by him during the time I’m not asking you to buy me a new phone that I dropped off a cliff, who am I to get in the way? I am the cool boss, after all.” He winked and you laughed again.

“Thanks Tony. For this job, this trip…everything. You’re seriously probably the best boss I’ll ever have.”

He grinned. “Damn straight.” Then, he lifted his arm to check his watch. “Alright, I should go back to my room and let you get ready.” Walking backwards, Tony made a peace sign with his fingers and went back into his room.

A small smile lingered on your face as you walked into your own, checking the time yourself.

Technically, you should start getting ready for work now so that you didn’t have to scramble to meet Tony on time.

Or….you could scramble and still make it on time….after laying in bed and pressing your face against Bucky’s flannel for five more minutes.

Yeah, that would be a good idea.

When Tony first told you about the fancy dinner you would be attending to raise money for child literacy programs, you had originally gone shopping for fancy gowns and sparkly dresses. It wasn’t everyday that you got to attend such a high society event, so why not go all out with the glam and live out your Princess Mia Thermopolis dreams?

But then, two weeks into your job you worked your first event, and you were glad that you hadn’t bought an outfit yet because you were hit with a sudden realization.

There was no way you were going to wear a dress while running around every which way for hours on end. Your thighs would never forgive you.

So, you went with pants.

A green sequin jumpsuit, to be precise (you were in Ireland, after all).

It was now the greatest thing you owned. So sparkly and chic, yet incredibly comfortable. The quarter-sleeve piece hung loosely around your body making it easy to move around without fear of anything ripping or tearing, and its tie belt wrapped around your middle to give your figure shape.

In this outfit, you felt hot as fuck even as you were lugging stacks of chairs across the large ballroom, a thin sheen of sweat forming over your brow as you hustled to put everything together.

You had thought that Quentin had set everything up last night, seeing that he used it as an excuse to skip Tony’s event. It turns out that he had set up the tables….and rolled the racks of chairs into the room.

That was it.

So when you showed up an hour before showtime to a half-empty room, you asked one of the servers setting up the bar for a free shot of scotch before getting to work, scrambling to decorate the tables and put up the seating cards and make the fundraiser that was supposed to raise millions for children’s literacy program into something that looked worth investing in.

Luckily, after a month of working for Tony, you had grown used to the chaos and you were able to shift to total work mode and get things done quickly. Within thirty minutes, the tables were dressed and decorated. You were so focused that you barely noticed the stack of chairs being lifted from your hold for a moment until you realized that you were walking towards a table with empty arms.

You stopped short, staring at your hands confused until you heard a soft chuckle behind you. And then Bucky was walking past you toward said table, chairs in hand. You took a moment to ogle at the giant irishman, dressed in a tux that fit his body extremely well. So well, in fact, you felt slightly concerned that if he turned too quickly he might tear the fabric. The thought made you instinctively run your fingers over your mouth to make sure you weren’t drooling.

“Ye gonna stand around all day while I get this place situated, love?” he asked, giving you a side smile as his eyes looked you up and down hungrily. “Not that I’m complainin’ if ye do. Ye look too gorgeous to be doin’ any work, in my opinion.”

You grinned, running forward to give him a quick kiss before grabbing another stack of chairs. “I love the flattery, Barnes, and I owe you many more kisses for coming to my rescue to help set up, but we have twenty minutes before the big wigs show, and this place needs a lot of work.”

He nodded, expression going serious. “On it, boss.” Then he smiled again. “Ye look beautiful, Y/n. Just gotta make sure ye know.”

Your smile grew. “And you look devilishly handsome, Bucky. Now let’s get this party started so it can be over that much faster and I can finally rip that bowtie off of you, undo a few buttons, and mess up that gorgeous hair of yours.”

This time, when Bucky nodded, he stayed silent as you watched his Adam’s Apple work.

By the time the first round of guests arrived, the room looked stunning, as if an entire team of workers spent hours making sure everything was perfect, instead of two now very exhausted people running around last minute in a panic. As soon as the final napkin was placed on the table, the head bartender of the evening placed filled glasses of whiskey in yours and Bucky’s hands, congratulating you both on achieving the impossible.

The two of you made eye contact as you downed the drink, laughing in complete shock that you had finished the job.

Tony and Quentin were one of the first to show up, Tony looking around the room in awe as they walked up to you.

You pulled on Bucky’s arm, silently asking him to lean down until his ear reached your lips and you whispered, “That’s the deck I was telling you about. Quentin.”

Bucky let out a low, almost silent growl in the back of his throat and his jaw clenched. When he stood straight, you saw him roll his shoulders back and puff his chest out, looking larger and more intimidating than ever before.

You knew he was trying to look frightening, but to you, he had never looked hotter as the Irishman went into full protective mode.

“I gotta say Quentin, you really outdid himself with this one…I swear it’s never looked this good before,” Tony said as they approached, patting his employee on the back.

Bucky furrowed his brow, opening his mouth to argue but you elbowed him in the gut and smiled, nodding at your boss.

“Just doing my job boss. You know I’ve always got your back!” Quentin narrowed his eyes as he looked Bucky up and down, sizing your date up (even though your date towered over him easily). “So,” Beck said, “You must be Bucky…”

Bucky nodded, one hand reaching around to rest on your waist as the other extended out to shake Quentin’s. “And you’re Y/n’s colleague. Heard a lot about ye.”

Quentin cocked his head to the side and shook his hand, fighting back a groan as you watched his fingers get crushed within Bucky’s tight grip. All he could do was bob his head in response, desperate for his hand to be free. When Bucky finally let go, Beck’s fingers flexed a few times to allow the blood flow to move once more.

“Anyways,” Quentin said, forcing a smile, “I should start chatting with some of the investors. You should do the same, Tony. You know they love ya.” He patted your boss on the back and Tony rolled his eyes.

“I know how to talk to people, Beck. You do your thing and I’ll do mine.”

You and Bucky exchanged glances as soon as the two of them left, then burst out into a fit of giggles.

“Bucky, you’ve done a lot of stupidly hot things over the past 24 hours. But the look on Quentin’s face as you crushed his hand? That takes the cake, babe.”

His eyes lit up and he winked. “Listen, that deck has to know that as long as you’re my girl, he better be on his best behavior. Even if ye weren’t my girl, he should respect ye as the fierce, hard working woman ye are.”

You bit your bottom lip, fighting back the urge to kiss him senseless in a room full of people that weren’t his closest friends like at the Golden Elixir. “Well, Buck, ready to meet Dublin’s elite?”

He stayed by your side the majority of the night, chatting with various investors with so much charm and wit that you had to force yourself to stop staring at him and make eye contact with the other people you were chatting with.

It worked out for Bucky as well, because everyone you spoke with took a liking to him immediately, and as soon as he mentioned that he worked at Wilson’s, most of them remarked that they would be willing to check the shop out, complaining about the shit work “high end” mechanics did around these parts. Bucky was overjoyed at the idea of potential new business, and you beamed when he offered free tune-ups to anyone who contributed more than five thousand dollars for the fundraiser.

“Bucky,” you whispered, hand wrapping around his forearm.

He shook his head, smiling. “It’s alright, love. It’s for a good cause. Plus, we’re good at what we do, so if we can lure them in with free work, we’ll most likely get guaranteed business forever. It’s all about the investment, right?” He winked again, and you couldn’t stop yourself as you stood on your tiptoes and kissed the now blushing man on the cheek.

“Oi! Barnes!” a deep, rumbling voice echoed through the room and you saw a blond head bobbing through the crowd. “Is that you, mate?”

Yesterday, you had first thought that Bucky was the tallest man you had ever seen in your life.

Then, you met Steve, who managed to stand over Buck ever so slightly.

But now, as the blond man stood before you, you were certain that he was an actual giant, a literal skyscraper next to anyone who ever crossed his path.

Bucky smiled from ear to ear, moving forward to pull the large man in for a hug. “Thor! It’s so good to see ye, brother! How are ye?”

Thor grinned back, shaking Bucky’s hand when they pulled away. “Absolutely grand! Even more so now that I know someone fun is at one of these things.”

Bucky turned to you. “This is Thor Odinson, part of Asgard Electric. His family’s company lights up almost all of Ireland. We went to primary school together. Thor, this is Y/n, she’s Tony’s assistant.”

You extended your hand to shake Thor’s, only to let out a small yelp as he wrapped his arms around you, lifting you in the air as he hugged you with a hearty chuckle.

“Y/n! Lovely to meet ye!” He lowered you to the ground and you stumbled back to Bucky’s side. “Ye sure have a lovely woman on your arm tonight, Barnes.”

Bucky shook his head, smiling as his arm made its way back around you. “Aye, she is lovely, but I feel as if I am her arm candy for the evening. She’s quite an impressive woman. Practically put this whole thing together.”

Thor’s brows raised and he nodded. “Well, you’re lucky to have such an impressive lady.”

Bucky nodded back, squeezing you against him. “That I am.” He looked at you with a fond smile before turning back to Thor. “So, are ye here alone or is the rest of the clan here? I’ve been meaning to talk to yer mother to see how her car’s been holding up since we changed the battery last month-”

His words were cut off as the two of you were jostled by a figure bumping against your arm. Quentin.

He let out an incoherent apology as he worked to stand up straight, alcohol sloshing around in his glass and he gave you a mischievous grin.

“Well, Y/n,” he slurred, completely ignoring Bucky and Thor as his arm waved around to gesture at the crowd. “Welcome to your first party filled with the dumb, snobby rich folk. Now I know you came here with your own date or whatever,” Bucky pulled you closer to him and out of Quentin’s reach, “But you should really consider hitting up some of the old crones who are looking for a fun time. I’ve managed to add a few extra thousand dollars to a donation thanks to my generous attention to some of the guests who are looking for a little something extra.” You looked over to Thor and Bucky who were both frowning, clearly uncomfortable with what your trashed coworker was saying.

Quentin, completely oblivious to their being upset by the conversation, kept going, and he whispered loudly in your ear, “I think I’m gonna go for the wife of the electric company guy. That hag Freyja looks like she hasn’t had a good time in decades-”

Thor roared, grabbing Quentin by his jacket and lifting him up in the air, face red with rage. “What did you just say about my mother?”

Quentin whimpered. “I’m sorry, I didn’t- I wasn’t-”

“What is going on here?” Tony emerged next to you, brows knit together in anger.

Bucky jumped to action, moving to Thor’s side and whispering something in his ear. Thor grumbled back, but then lowered Beck to the ground, his hands still clenching his suit. He looked the terrified man in the eyes as he responded to Tony. “This little maggot just disrespected my mother, Stark, and I’m half inclined to rip his mouth from his face so that he never gets to speak ill of her ever again.”

Another whimper from Quentin. “Tony,” he pleaded, “Ya gotta, ya gotta believe me man I was just joking around of course I would never-”

“Are you drunk, Beck?” Tony asked, crossing his arms.

“N-no,” Quentin stammered, hands out in an I’m innocent manner. “I mean, I’ve had s-some drinks here and there-”

Thor let go of Beck and stood back as Tony stormed over to him, silencing his employee and you heard him murmur. “I want you out of here, Beck. Don’t pretend like you’ve been acting like a real piece of shit these past few months. I thought the new role would give you more responsibility to finally get your head out of your ass, but looks like I was wrong.” He gave Quentin a long, cold stare before saying, “Pack your bags, you’re fired.”

Quentin stared at Tony, horrified for a few seconds before he regained composure, standing straight and buttoning his suit jacket. “Fine,” he said, feigning nonchalance. “I’ll go, and see how long you last without me.” His glassy eyes bore into yours and you glared at him. “Good luck with this incompetent loser managing everything on her own-”

He yelped as Bucky’s hand grabbed him by the back of his hair, the seething Irishman now dragging him by the scruff toward the exit. Nobody had noticed the scene playing out before, but now all heads were turned to the two of them as they cleared a path to the exit.

Bucky was back by your side in less than a minute, his hand interlacing with yours and squeezing it as he leaned down to whisper in your ear. “You okay, love?”

You nodded, squeezing back. “Thank you…for being here and taking care of that.”

His jaw worked. “Believe me, I’ve been wantin’ to do that ever since I realized he was the root cause of ye cryin’ yesterday. It was a pleasure to toss him around a bit.”

At that, you let out a small giggle, and Bucky finally smiled for the first time since the whole ordeal.

Afterwards, you went into damage control mode, starting with politely asking the servers to hand out a new round of drinks to everyone and escorting them to their seats so that speeches could start to hopefully prevent gossip from spreading too far. Then, you, Tony, and Bucky went to issue a formal apology to the Odinson family (Bucky, of course, had nothing to actually apologize for, but he still offered to do a full detail of each of their cars for free). Per your suggestion, Tony offered to donate five signed full sets of his books for the libraries at the schools of their choosing.

Thor gave both you and Bucky a big hug for dealing with Beck. “Barnes, the way ye dragged him out with his tail in between his legs was just grand! Wish it could have been me doin’ it, but I probably would have done way worse and for everyone’s sake, I’m glad I didn’t.”

Bucky nodded, shaking his hand and you smiled up at the man at your side, grateful to have him here to keep you grounded after feeling you were going to pass out from the panic racing through your veins.

You were definitely still in shock, not totally believing that Quentin had just been fired.

Thank fucking God.

The rest of the night was a roaring success. Tony went up to the stage shortly after the chaos died down, being his usual charming self and completely winning the crowd over. Bucky kept his hand in yours for the rest of the night, never wanting to leave your side.

There was one moment that the two of you had to temporarily part ways at the end of the night – much to both your disappointment – when you had to square away payment for the bartenders and caterers.

When you returned, you noticed that Bucky was standing in a circle with Tony and a few of the investors that were heading out, smiling and laughing as Bucky shook one of their hands. He turned to you as you approached and his smile widened, excusing himself to head your way.

“Making friends, Barnes?” you asked, tilting your head to the side questioningly.

He wiggled his eyebrows up and down. “What can I say, love? Everyone wants a chance to talk to the handsome mechanic who can get them a deal on good-quality service.” He leaned closer and whispered, “Becca and Sam are gonna shite themselves when they start getting calls from some of these folks.”

You laughed, rolling your eyes. “Alright, Mr. Hotshot Mechanic, how about the two of us get out of here?”

His eyes lit up in excitement and he extended his arm out, the other finding its way back around your waist right where it belonged. “Lead the way, love.”

You both bid your goodnights to Tony and then Bucky went to grab the truck, leaving you and your boss outside the venue by yourselves.

“I’m so sorry you had to deal with all this shit, Y/n,” Tony mumbled, face apologetic. “I should have fired him long ago. I guess I never realized how much he sucked until I actually hired a good assistant.”

You gave him a small smile, nodding. “No worries, Tony. I’m just sorry he wasn’t who you thought he was.”

He shrugged. “Well, I’ll be much more mindful of that when I look for a new Brand Manager. Until then, your workload might get a little nutty. That okay?”

You laughed. “If it was anything other than nutty I’d honestly be a bit concerned.”

Tony laughed with you, resting a hand on your shoulder. “Ain’t that the truth.” Headlights hit his face and you turned to see Bucky’s truck pull up. “So….are you two like, officially a thing now?”

You turned back to Tony, smile turning bittersweet. “Who knows. Kind of complicated, you know, living thousands of miles apart and all.”

“You never know. Sometimes things change.” He paused for a moment, then grinned. “Speaking of change, I got asked to go to breakfast with one of the investors from tonight right before our flight home. It’s right by the airport and it would honestly be a waste of time for me to go there and then pick you back up at the hotel.” His eyes flickered to the truck then back to you. “Do you think you might be able to find a ride to the airport and just meet me there?”

You fought back a gasp, eyes widening. Not having any morning obligations with Tony, nor driving with him from the hotel to the airport meant so much more time with Bucky. It wasn’t much, but any amount you could get with him was now a precious gift. You nodded, seeing the knowing look in his eyes and feeling like you’d never be able to adequately express your gratitude.

He nodded back, patting your shoulder before stepping away. “Right then, go have a good night and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

You grinned. “Have a good night, boss!”

His fingers moved up in a waving motion as he walked toward the valet pickup area, and you wasted no time turning and running to Bucky’s car.

The first stop was to the hotel so that you could both change into sweats and pack up your things. You nearly squealed with delight when Bucky let you remove his bowtie in between kisses, and then nearly dropped all of your toiletries when he removed his shirt, finally getting a peak at the hardened muscle all those terrible layers of clothing had been hiding all this time. Bucky let out a soft chuckle when you pouted as he threw on his red henley before he began to help you pack.

Helping turned out to be more like a series of constant derailments caused by him wrapping his arms around you from behind and kissing your neck every five minutes.

Once that was done, you checked out of your hotel and Bucky put your belongings in the truck, and then it was time to drive to your new favorite spot: a field in the middle of nowhere Ireland where the stars shone brighter than the streetlights in New York.

In the arms of the man you had fallen for before you even had a chance to stop yourself.

There were many moments when you wanted to crumble and burst into tears, as his hand cradled your face, or when his lips brushed against yours so tenderly. But you knew that as soon as you started you wouldn’t be able to stop, and you didn’t want anything to ruin this perfect moment.

Still, there were a few tears that managed to slide down your face, but Bucky kissed them away before they could leave streak marks on your skin.

You held onto each other, through the stories you shared, the silence that lingered as you stared into each other's eyes, the desperate kisses that made you wish you could stay in this moment forever.

Forever wasn’t an option, but the emotions you had felt the last two days would at least last you a lifetime.

You tried to stay awake all night, arguing that you could just sleep on the flight home. But the work from the last few days left you completely exhausted, and your lids grew heavy as Bucky’s hand moved along your arm in a hypnotic motion.

What really did you in was the moment he started humming an unfamiliar ballad, his perfect, soothing voice coaxing you to sleep.

When your eyes opened back up, the stars were gone, replaced by a purple sky.

You turned your gaze to the side to find Bucky awake, staring at you, a small, sad smile on his face.

“Morning, love.”

Things moved by in more of a haze the rest of the morning. You watched the sunrise, but your focus was more on the feel of your cheek against Bucky’s shoulder. The green fields passed you in a blur as you passed them on your way to the airport, your attention solely on the profile of Bucky’s face as he stared out at the road ahead, the way his fingers wrapped around the steering wheel of the truck, the way his hair blew in various directions from the wind.

Everything you could memorize about him, to paint the clearest picture in your head so that no matter where he was in the world, you could find him in your daydreams.

When the airport finally came into view, you felt knots form in your stomach, bile rising in your throat, dread puncturing your heart. Bucky noticed your distress and took your hand, giving you a comforting smile as he parked the truck.

You both sat there for a moment in silence, looking out at the crowds of people moving about outside, unable to make eye contact.

“We never spoke about it,” you finally whispered, taking a deep breath and turning to look at him. “About the after. After I leave…and what happens then.”

“Well,” Bucky started, clearing his throat, “I’m probably going to go to the pub and drown in my sorrows for the day after I make sure you’re settled and kiss ye senseless. And then, I’m gonna sit by my phone and wait for ye to call me when ye land and tell ye how much I miss ye.”

You smiled, tears welling in your eyes. “I know you said that you don’t have plans to visit New York anytime soon, but if you ever find yourself with a free week or something and feel like taking a trip across the pond…I would really like that.”

He bit his bottom lip, grinning. “That sounds grand.”

“And I definitely have to go back to the Golden Elixir to hang out with the hot redhead,” you said with a wink.

Bucky groaned, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest as he shook his head and you laughed along with him.

Your phone buzzed and you looked down at it, smile dropping from your face. “That’s Tony. He just got here. Guess I should go meet him.”

Bucky nodded somberly, then reached out to grab the back of your neck to pull you in for a sweet, tender kiss.

The two of you moved slowly as you grabbed your bags and made your way to the airport entrance, Bucky’s hand around your waist, thumb stroking your side.

Once you got to the double doors, you stopped and Bucky followed suit. You could see Tony through the glass windows scrolling through his phone, the one that you had been so desperate to get for him only two days ago.

The memory of Bucky’s small smile as he handed you the small rectangular box, as if he was truly so excited to do something that would make you happy. To fix whatever was going wrong in your life.

Oh how you wished he could fix this moment for you.

You turned to him, tears starting to fall. “I-”

“I have somethin’ for ye,” Bucky said nervously, lowering your bag to the ground and reaching into one of his pockets.

You breathed out a laugh. “If it’s another phone Bucky I might slap you.”

He shook his head. “No, it’s not that, love. Although if you want one let me know and I’ll give Sarah a call.” You lightly shoved his left shoulder and he grinned. “It’s nothin’, really, and if ye hate it you’re more than welcome to toss it in the bin as soon as I turn my back. I erm,” he shifted on his feet, “That day we met, I was finishin’ up a job near ye, and as I was walkin’ back to my truck Becca called asking me to head over to BHOD to help a panicked American lass out.” He smiled fondly at the memory, then pulled something out of his pocket, holding it out to you.

It was an Irish penny, a circular piece of metal punched through it and attached to a black leather cord.

“As I was talkin’ to Becs, I saw this coin right by the front tire of my truck. I don’t know what the custom is in the states, but it’s good luck to find a penny on the ground, so I took it. I never realized how much luck I was going to get from the blasted thing, but it led me to ye, and now I feel like the luckiest bastard on the planet for getting to spend these last few days with ye. They’ve been the best days of my life, and no matter what happens when ye walk through those doors, I’ll cherish the memories forever. I just want ye to remember that.”

You took the necklace, brushing your fingers over the coin, more tears falling down your face. You looked back up at him with a smile.

“I love it.” I love you, you thought, but couldn’t find the courage to say it. You figured he knew, though, and you figured he might feel the same.

“Grand,” he said, beaming. Then he moved behind you to tie it around your neck, leaning down to brush his lips right above where the leather rested along your skin.

When he was back in front of you, his hands caged your face between them, and he wiped away your tears with his thumbs.

“This isn’t the end, love, okay? I reckon we’re too good together for that to be the case, aye?”

You nodded. “And miss a chance to see this pretty face again? Never.”

He scrunched his nose with a smile, then pulled you in until your mouths found their way home.

No matter how long it might be before you crossed paths again, you knew you’d never forget the mesmerizing taste of Bucky Barnes’s lips.

They were sweeter than honey.

He pulled away to envelope you in his arms, embracing you to the point of almost crushing your body, and you still felt like it wasn’t tight enough.

“Until the next time, love,” he murmured into your ear. “I’ll be counting down the seconds.”

You nodded, moving back until you locked your eyes on the beautiful cerulean ones before you.

“Remember what you said to me that first night? About your lips being mine as long as I’ll have them?”

He smiled, eyes glistening. “I do.”

“Remember what I said after?”

A tear fell down his cheek. “That ye’d have them forever.”

You kissed him again, then whispered into his lips, “I’m holding you to that, Barnes.”

His smile widened. “Sounds like a plan, love.”

You smiled back, rubbing your nose against his and running your fingers through those soft, gorgeous chestnut locks.

Then, you grabbed your bags, took a long, deep breath, and moved to the double doors.

As soon as you got inside the airport, you looked over your shoulder.

Bucky was still there, smiling at you with tears in his eyes.

With one small wave, you turned and kept walking, heart cleaving in two.

FOUR MONTHS LATER

“Listen Y/n, are you sure you can’t come with us to D.C.? We’re meeting the President and everything!”

You chuckled, looking both ways before crossing the street. “I know, I know, but it’s my best friend’s wedding this weekend. I know the President is a big deal, but he wasn’t there with a sewing kit when I had a wardrobe malfunction at junior prom.”

Tony sighed. “That asshole,” he joked and you both laughed. “Well, I hope you have fun this weekend. Maria and I will sing all the karaoke without you.”

You nodded, even though he couldn’t see the movement through the phone. Maria Hill was Tony’s new Brand Manager. At first, she terrified you, her seemingly tough and serious demeanor incredibly intimidating. But then Tony took the two of you out to a karaoke bar after the first event she worked, and you realized that she was actually just the coolest, funniest person ever. She even helped with setup and breakdown, and complimented you when you did your job well. Basically, she was awesome, and you did feel a tinge of disappointment that you were missing a chance to hang out with them this weekend even though you saw them almost everyday. “If y’all sing any Spice Girls I will be devastated, you hear?”

He gasped, acting as if you had just accused him of murder. “I would never.”

“That’s what I thought, Stark.” You checked the time on your watch. “Has your car picked you up yet? They should be there within the next five minutes.”

“Not yet,” he said. “I’m bringing my bags down right now though so I’ll be ready when they do.”

“Do you have everything? Wallet, laptop, boarding pass, Invisalign-”

“Y/n, you have to let the Invisalign thing go. I forgot it one time-”

“And then I had to overnight it to Texas for you, where it got held up at some warehouse and took twice as long to redirect it back home. I’m sorry boss, but until those pearly whites are straight and no longer need a fancy retainer, it is permanently on the checklist.”

He sighed. “You know, sometimes it’s annoying how good you are at this job.”

“Just trying to make it impossible for you to fire me.”

“Well, you already nailed that one. If you ever threaten to leave me I might actually get on my hands and knees and beg you not to. Or I’ll make Morgan give you her best pouty face.”

“That’s not fair. You know I can’t resist a Morgan pout.”

“Neither can I.” He paused, then continued. “So…the wedding. Got a date or anything?”

“Nah, I usually go stag to these things. Besides, the only person I’d want to go with is thousands of miles away.” Though your tone was joking, you felt the familiar ache return in your chest, and your free hand moved to grab the penny resting on your chest.

You and Bucky had talked non stop since you left Ireland, either texting almost 24/7, late night phone calls, FaceTiming, or sharing funny TikToks with each other. You had wished that the two of you could have reconnected in person by now, but with your chaotic schedule and him focusing on applying to schools, there didn’t seem to be enough time for it to work out. Nor did it seem like it would anytime soon…

“Gotcha,” Tony replied, “Probably for the best, anyways. I bet you’re going to be too busy making sure the bride doesn’t have her own wardrobe malfunction.”

You giggled. “Exactly.”

“Oh, car’s here. What are you up to right now?” Tony asked.

“Almost home. Why? Do you need something?”

“Well, I did have something delivered to your place that should be there by now. Just want to make sure you get it.”

You furrowed your brows in confusion, rounding the corner to your building. “What is it-”

You stopped short, mouth agape as you stared wide-eyed at the door of your apartment.

At the ocean blue irises that were now locked onto yours, the sheepish smile just below them.

“Bucky?” you breathed out.

“Oh, good,” Tony said, and you could hear the smile on his face. “Delivery got there. I’ll leave you to it then. Have a great time, Y/n.” He hung up, but you couldn’t move the phone away from your ear. You couldn’t move at all.

Bucky walked slowly down the stairs and toward you, hands buried in his pockets.

You finally lowered the phone to your side. Your heart was pounding, head dizzy.

He stopped when he was a few feet away from you, and you noticed a pink hue form along his neck and up to his cheeks.

“Hello, love,” he said softly.

“W-what…what are you doing here?”

His shoulders moved up and down as he released a deep breath. “Well, I kind of live here now.”

Your face scrunched in confusion. “Wait, like in New York?”

He nodded. “Classes start in a week, so I just moved into my new flat.”

Your brain felt like it was moving 100mph and yet the idea of forming a coherent sentence seemed impossible. “You- classes? You do school here?”

He grinned at your words. “Columbia. Studying engineering. Also managed to snag a job as the personal mechanic for some rich author or whatever.”

Bucky was here. He was in New York. And he was staying? “I..”

“Listen, love. I know this was sprung on ye and I’m sorry I didn’t tell ye sooner. I had actually been wantin’ to apply before we even met, but I didn’t want to say that in case it made you feel any kind of pressure between us. And I honestly didn’t think I’d be able to get in because this school is so damn nice and I didn’t want to get yer hopes up. But Tony introduced me to some people in Dublin who knew members of the admissions team and..well, here I am.”

You tried to speak again, but there were too many words trying to push themselves up and it caused what could only be described as a traffic jam in your throat.

The silence made Bucky uncomfortable, so he continued. “We can talk about what this means. Obviously this is a very different scenario than what ye first imagined all those months ago. If ye wish our paths didn’t cross while I’m here, that’s…” he took another deep breath, “That’s fine. But I’d love to take ye out on a proper date if you’re interested. Many dates, if possible. Of course, I don’t know any of the places around here to eat so ye’d have to tell me what place ye like to-”

Without warning, you had finally regained control of your motor functions, and you jumped to close the distance between you, lips crashing into his.

He let out a gruff moan, arms wrapping around your waist and pulling your feet off the ground as he held you tightly to him.

And just like that, it felt like you were back in Ireland, surrounded by fields of green as the light of the sunrise kissed your face.

His lips were just as you remembered. Soft, tender, hungry.

Sweeter than honey, and all yours.

Forever, just as you wanted.

The End 🍀

No pressure at all, but if you'd like to support me for my writing, please consider buying me a Kofi!

#bucky x reader #bucky x you #bucky x y/n #sweeter than honey #sth #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes fanfic #james bucky barnes #bucky barnes imagine

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ddoubleblindd · 11 months

Text

Everyone's a Catgirl! Ch. 1: The Bench

It all happened so fast. “You Died” didn’t flash before my eyes. There wasn’t a guardian angel or that “light at the end of the tunnel.” I didn’t even get the memory reel that everyone talks about.

Just a giant vastness of nothing.

When my consciousness returned, it didn’t come with a body. Well, it kind of did, but not the corporeal flesh-golem I’m used to. It was more like an outline, hinting at where the edges of my skin should be. I thought I’d lost all five senses before I found myself standing in a room, staring at the hinted shapes of other people.

Dead people?

There were a lot of ways I’d imagined the afterlife, and this definitely wasn’t one of them. I was in the lobby of an enormous building flooded with stringent white light. Rooms lined the hallways to my left and right, extending further than I could see. Each section was closed off by glass panels, allowing curious onlookers to peer into what looked like courtrooms. Stern-faced judges in black robes sat at the head of every room while other souls—at least, that’s what I assumed they were—stood at the defendant’s table. The whole setting had a dream-like quality that I couldn’t seem to shake, but something told me that this was very, very real.

“Am I in hell?” I wondered aloud, happy to hear my own voice emit from a source that I was sure had lost its lungs.

“I dunno, man. I just got here.” Another form next to me shrugged. “But this sure is my idea of hell.”

I wanted to panic, or run, or do anything but stand there and stare into what was sure to be my final judgment. This was all too fast and too damn soon—I’d just barely turned twenty. I couldn’t be dead yet.

“Matthew Kelmer?” a kind voice called over the crowd. I looked up to see a young woman who couldn’t have been much older than me but contained a more solid-looking body. Her blonde hair fell in waves just past her curved hips, and she wore a sharp black jacket with a tight skirt and brightly colored scarf. Made me think of a sexy flight attendant.

“That’s me,” I said, stepping past the other souls.

Her smile was brilliant and unnervingly comforting. But what else was I going to take comfort in? “Come with me, please.”

“Hey! What’s the deal? He just got here!” a man in the back shouted.

“This way, please,” she repeated, ignoring the outcry.

There was an annoyed grumbling from the heckler. I squared my shoulders and fell into step behind the stranger.

“Where am I?” I asked once we were far enough away from the crowd.

“Surely you’ve heard of purgatory?” she asked.

“Well, yeah.” I realized that being called back so quickly probably wasn’t the best thing to happen in purgatory. “Wait, did I stamp a one-way ticket to hell or something?”

“No, silly. Quite the opposite. Here, please.” She stopped in front of a large metal door and held it open for me. It was one of the only rooms not sectioned off by glass.

I stepped inside and waited. “Who are you?”

“My name is Leiana. I’m one of the managers of purgatory.”

“Managers?”

“Your world refers to them as goddesses, I believe.”

I wanted to pinch myself and wake up. But there was nothing to pinch. “Um. Okay.”

“You see, Matthew—”

I bristled. “Just Matt is fine.”

A corner of her smile twitched downward, but her cheerful demeanor remained. “Your heroic death has earned you another chance. A new life in a different world.” She circled an oak desk and took a seat.

My what? In a what? A dozen questions assaulted me. “Valiant death?”

A virtual display appeared above her desk with a few presses of her fingers. A movie in stunning high definition began to play, and I watched in silence. It was me at the gym I’d been standing in not an hour before.

I was lying on the bench, preparing to do a bench press without a spotter. Who the hell needed a spotter? It didn’t look that hard. I’d never done one before, but I knew the other girls in the gym loved to watch guys compete against each other with the weights. And there was a girl there I had my eye on.

“You battled against this metal beast with such courage!” Leiana exclaimed.

The dots began to connect. Oh, Jesus Christ. In the video, it was clear that I hadn’t secured the weights well. Briana, the girl I’d been hoping to catch the attention of, had noticed. She’d jogged over to the bench just as I lifted the bar. Her lips were moving, and she was waving her arms, but I’d had my headphones in and didn’t hear her.

“See how you struggled!” Leiana clasped her hands and swooned. “You protected her with all your might.”

Yeah, I struggled, alright. As I pushed harder on the bar, my face turned beet-red, and the veins in my throat pulsed against my skin. I’d racked up almost three hundred pounds—nearly twice my weight.

The bar tilted in my unsure grip, and my arms buckled. As my shoulders gave out, the bar hurtled toward me past the catches on either side and crushed my windpipe. I must have died instantly. Briana sunk to her knees and plucked out my earbuds, shouting words I couldn’t make out.

“And as all tragic romances end, true love’s kiss,” Leiana crooned.

Briana had tried to give me CPR. I wanted to crawl under Leiana’s desk. I hadn’t even stayed alive long enough to feel her lips on mine, goddammit. The screen went dark.

“I could not let your judgment pass without offering another chance.” Leiana sighed. “These are the stories that go down in history.”

God, I hope not. I had no idea what to say. “So, another chance?”

“Yes. As a manager, you see, I can grant second chances to special cases such as yours. There are hundreds of other worlds that could use your strength and valor, with a few stipulations, of course.”

“Such as?”

Leiana giggled. “It depends on the world! Every world has its own set of rules.” She replayed the video from the beginning. “Goodness, I believe I could watch this for eternity.”

And now I’m in hell. “Can we talk about the other worlds?”

“Oh! Yes, of course. Let’s see what we have available.” She closed the window and opened a new one—something akin to a spreadsheet program. Names and languages I’d never seen nor heard of scrolled by at a blazing speed. Her smile wavered. “Hmm.”

“What?” I was beginning to wonder if I’d rather risk it with the judge. I hadn’t done anything too terrible in life to deserve eternal damnation, right?

“Well, you see, I only have three worlds available at the moment.”

“Out of that whole list?” I couldn’t hide my surprise.

“There are many specifications, requirements, overrides, and a lot of paperwork that goes into such a feat. But we’ll make the best of it, Matthew, I promise you!”

“Matt,” I corrected flatly.

“Of course, Matt!” The giant list condensed down to three names, all composed of symbols I didn’t recognize. She selected the first title, and a screen filled with bar graphs and pie charts overlayed the spreadsheet. “So, our first potential world has a moderate difficulty rating, a balanced monster score, and vast opportunity for growth!”

“Difficulty rating? Monster scores?” I probably couldn’t feel dizzy, but I took a seat in the chair across from Leiana’s desk anyway. “Like a video game?”

“Yes! Very much like the video games of your world. You must complete tasks and earn yourself a place in their society by honing your attributes and gaining Skills.”

“Are you saying I have to level up?”

“Something like that.”

“Are all worlds like this?”

“No. However, the three available are.”

Okay, maybe this wouldn’t be too bad. I’d played enough games to have a handle on that sort of system. “What are the rules of this one?” I gestured to the graphs.

“You must begin life anew as a dungeon.”

I paused. “A what?”

“A dungeon. It’s very popular, from what I understand.”

I pictured dark, scummy caves filled with bats and spiders and bears. I imagined smelling like stale water and mold. “Who the hell would want to be a dungeon?”

“Well, many before you have chosen this option, but we can move on,” Leiana mumbled, seeming distraught. She quickly regained her composure and pulled up the second set of charts. “Our second world begins in the Kingdom of Rhodes. The difficulty rating is low, the monsters are on the gentler side, and magic powers the realm.”

Boring. I’d played every JRPG on the planet. The last thing I wanted to do was live in a tropey, easy fantasy land. “Next.”

“You don’t wish to hear the rules?”

“No. Next?”

Leiana sighed and pulled up the third name. The graphs for this one looked more intense compared to the other two. She chewed her bottom lip and glanced at me before looking back at the hologram.

“What?” My interest piqued.

“Well, the difficulty rating is quite extreme, and the monster score is on the higher end of what I’m familiar with. And, well—” she trailed.

This sounded interesting. “Well, what?”

“Everyone’s a catgirl.”

If I still had a heart, it would have stopped. “Wait. It’s a world full of catgirls?”

“Yes.”

“Like girls with cat ears and tails?”

Leiana narrowed her eyes. “Yes.”

“Do I have to be a dungeon?” There had to be some stupid catch. This was way too good to be true.

“I do not believe so.”

“Do I have to be a catgirl?”

She opened another document and glanced through the illegible script. “No. Per their stipulations, you would arrive just as you were before you passed. But your attributes and profile would be entirely reset. Matt, I don’t—”

“I’m going there.” I leaped from the chair. My head swirled with pictures of beautiful, petite girls with adorable kitty ears and bells. “Send me there.”

Leiana drummed her fingers along the top of her desk as she stared up at me. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.” Catgirls wearing maid outfits, in silk lingerie, in bathing suits. It was like the ultimate dream come true.

She paused. “The difficulties will be immense. We cannot change this decision once you’ve made it.”

“I understand.” What part of “Send me” didn’t she get?

She frowned. “You are certain, then?”

“I’m more than certain.” How many times was she going to ask me? I didn’t care how hard it was or how awful the grind could be. It was a whole damn world of catgirls. I wanted nothing more. “Send me.”

“As you wish.” She stood and signed off on the bottom of the stipulations sheet. “Your necessary tools will be given to you after you arrive. Please check your inventory.”

“Wait? How do I do that?” In a video game, my inventory was accessed by a button. How did someone pick through a physical inventory? Would I get a suitcase or something?

She ignored my question and made a series of hand signals. A warm glow surrounded her fingers, and her final gesture pointed toward me. “For your valor, Matthew Kelmer. Be reborn!”

For the second time that day, the world went dark.

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#books & libraries #everyone's a catgirl!#everyonesacatgirl #catgirl #litrpg #gamelit #fantasy #light novel #isekai #story #chapter 1 #snippet #web novel #original novel #self publishing #fiction

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intothegenshinworld · 1 year

Text

PROLOGUE || The Outlanders

A/N: Hi everyone! As some of you know, I’ve been working on a project with Starlight Anon for a while now, and today I'm able to post the PROLOGUE of CONSTELLATION GENESIS :D A lot of time and effort has been put into this project and I hope you’ll enjoy the first part to the series! ♡ Comments and reblogs are appreciated!

✗ Previous Chapter || ↻ Next Chapter || ✦ MASTERLIST || ♪ PLAYLIST || ! PRELUDE/DISCLAIMER

『 Welcome us with your light 』

When existence takes form, light bursts forth.

In the eyes of a child, the possibilities are endless.

SOLSTICE, the younger sister of Aether and Lumine, looks at the world with great curiosity. No matter where the twins took her, she would look around with eyes widely open of wonder. She never misses a chance to observe all the vibrant colors and forms of civilization. Before Solstice had been born, the twins were always out exploring the universe by themselves. With an infinite number of worlds to discover, the two have a vast variety of homes to choose as options to settle down.

This particular one is gorgeous in its simplicity.

Flowerfields seem to never run out. Each landscape has at least five different kinds of blossoms dancing by their feet. Solstice loved them, squealing happily at the new colors and scents as her siblings carried her throughout their strolls. She definitely took a liking to grapes when her siblings found vines of them in a random nook of the continent. She was just as quick to get sick of it though, such is the ever frivolously fickle whim of a toddler. The continent seems to match that mood, carefree and wild yet a natural peace guiding it to order. Everything comes alive with every breeze as if this world breathes and speaks through them.

It was quite mysterious yet enthralling, as if they were being welcomed.

『 Grace the morning sky 』

AETHER looks back at his two sisters.

Something was always missing.

"Perhaps, the next world would have some entertaining creatures for her." Aether mused.

Truly, it was a quaint and lovely world.

『 Comfort Luna— 』

LUMINE smiles down at Solstice.

Aether sits down next to his sisters, "What are you wishing for, sis?"

Lumine brushes away a straying lock of hair from Solstice's face and hums contently, "Anything."

Therefore, at dawn, their time was up.

Aether and Lumine gave the world one last glance, melancholic to finally leave it. Solstice is held by her brother, snoozing on his shoulder. They chose a spot that gave them the smallest view of the old windmill, the one of two things that remained in tact amongst the infrastructures of the desolated town. Amongst the sharp cliffs which cross over each other, families of tiny creatures seem to peek out from wherever they kept themselves hidden. As dawn arrived, the fog lifts like a curtain from the trenches and isolated corners. The waters began to clear, sparkling like liquid diamonds against the rays of a rising sun.

The Outlanders turned, wings spread as they jumped into the portal for their next quest.

The morning breeze bade them farewell.

『 —as she wanes from Terra's might 』

Even with millennia of experience, the twins have yet to find the "answers" to the universe.

Perhaps, because dragons were the first lifeforms she saw outside of Cosmogenesis, she quickly took a liking to them.

『 Veiled in amber haze 』

Solstice giggles, reaching her hand out as far as she could dare towards the dragon.

Aether has her body securely wrapped in a blanket while she was hugged protectively to his chest, warm and safe. Upon first seeing a giant beast, most people would react with caution. The wise move is to slowly and carefully step back in order to not alarm or provoke it. However, his baby sister had the opposite reaction. Her ecstatic smile seems to intrigue the beast as well, since it laid down. The new position made it appear small and vulnerable, an invitation for the Outlanders to come closer.

Aether and Lumine share a bemused look.

Solstice, in the bundle of blankets, continues to reach her hand out to the dragon. She kept her Primo Stella rattle close to her chest with the other hand. The dragon itself is smaller than others but longer, more like a reptilian drake if not for its obvious wings. It has an extra of legs to keep its elongated body supported. Its wings were brightly colored, from a golden rose tint to colors as black as the void. The twins were not surprised that the young Outlander was so intrigued by the beast.

First, Lumine had walked closer to test the patience of the draconic creature. They needed to confirm how close it would let them get. It would not have been the first time that either of the twins saw a creature of this ilk. Sometimes, the dragons would be big and others much smaller; but all can still be dangerous in their own ways. Many differences between colors made them interesting as well, yet always recognizable as draconic. There are breeds which had been quick to rage, hence their worries.

The young woman stopped within arm's length and held her hand out, letting the creature approach on its own pace. After an intense glare, it acquiesced by nudging its snout towards her palm.

"You want to touch the dragon as well?" He asks Solstice gently.

Aether moves her position in a way where the little girl would be facing the dragon. Both her hands reach out to the dragon, even the one holding the rattle. Her hand makes contact with the scales and, as it does, she squeals with excited laughter.

For a moment, the twins heard the dragon purr.

『 Fueled by violent rage 』

During their time on this world, the dragon had kept them company like a silent guardian.

Besides dragons, the world lacked forms of human civilization no matter how far they sought. Not even anything that bear a semblance of ancient ruins, or even hieroglyphs of history could be found on any landmass. The caves in the mountains were enough for the dragons to call home. Furthermore, they come in all sorts of types: vishaps, wyverns, wyrms, drakes, lindwyrms, amphipteres, basilisks, hydra, bahamuths, leviathans, and of course the typical dragons. Each functioned as an independent unit or clan, while there are those preferring to go solo and hoard their treasures. Aether and Lumine had talked about staying since Solstice loved this world so much, but then decided otherwise.

Big round eyes shimmered with glee as they peek over Lumine's shoulder. A chubby fist waved and the rattle, which it held, chimed with a melodic echo.

The Twin Outlanders spread their wings as they left the world of dragons behind...

...and it faded with the mightiest of roars.

『 Dancing, discordant— 』

In Cosmogenesis, a star named Luciel dies.

Cosmogenesis is a vast space located at the center of infinity, the origin of the universe yet not quite the one that birthed it. The dimension has a plethora of stars and galaxies revolving around a group of levitating platforms, each designed as archaic suns and moons. They serve as welcoming perches for Outlanders to rest or stargaze. However, the widest one at the center of all serves as the universal chamber for newborn Outlanders. It can transform to properly accommodate those too young to leave and survive independently. Directly across is a gaping maw that serves as a gateway wherein Outlanders can enter or leave. Sometimes, it even becomes an all-seeing mirror to view a specific galaxy or black hole from far away.

Now, at the peak of Cosmogenesis, the birth of Luciel's twins is about to occur.

From all across the universe, Outlanders gather to witness the birth of Aether and Lumine—the pair of siblings incubated by Luciel and now to be born from its timely death. It is extremely rare for twins to be conceived by the stars of Cosmogenesis, yet never dangerous. Although as two souls that shared one star since birth, they will live with a connection that binds them for life.

It is a special bond that cannot be severed.

Alas, the experience was always worth it.

After all, the birth of an Outlander happens only once every million years in Cosmogenesis.

Then, as color returned to their sights, they admired what seems to be the most beautiful supernova they have ever seen. The ivory haze fades out, making way to the colored nebula that remained. Clouds of various shades and hues float as stages to the multitude of dancing stardust, like galactic fairies doing an imperial ballet. From its core, Aether and Lumine slowly descend into the cradle of silk which rose and formed from the central platform.

With the birth of the twins, the star named Luciel was gone and only left a stellar nebula in its place.

The elderly Outlanders named it: Luciella.

『 —spinning in retrograde 』

Maybe this is the reason why no Outlander ever chose to stay here for long...

When they had enough power to fend off any dangers, the twins attempted their first world-hop.

It was an exhilaration like no other.

Although, there are times that the twins did find this quest tediously impossible.

"Home is when we're together." Aether would tell his twin sister with an encouraging grin.

Lumine would hold his hand in response, "We will always have enough time."

『 Born from the sea and the waves 』

Every Outlander is linked to Cosmogenesis.

Since birth, they all possess a homing beacon within their core that will lead them back to it. If there is an enemy they cannot defeat, the realm will always leave an open gateway for them to escape. If there is any adversity they can hardly surpass, the realm is a place for them to heal. It was odd how it can even operate as some sort of telepathic or empathic link amongst their kind. For this reason, news of any particular Outlander can be received from all parts of the universe. On the other hand, Cosmogenesis can send visions that are treated as summons for special events. Examples are the formation of a galaxy after a nebula dispersed, or the discovery of another unnamed star.

The most common for these summons, of course, is the birth of a new Outlander.

When such an update reached Aether and Lumine, their first thought was that it made no sense. It took a million years for an unnamed star to be born, and a hundred million more for it to die while birthing an Outlander—or two, in the rarest case of twins like them. The timing was much too early. They were still so young compared to the rest of their kind, barely a few millenniums old. Both of them were still trying to find their own place in the cosmos.

Then, so unexpectedly, another was born.

Therefore, the Outlanders gathered once again.

They all watched, patient and reassured.

"You know," an Elder addressed the twins, "since this child will be born from the nebula of your star, they are considered your sibling by Outlander standards."

Aether blinked confusedly, "Our sibling...?"

The Elder nodded, "You were both born from the star of Luciel, and this child will be born from the Luciella nebula. By that context, you share the same flesh and blood."

"Has there been an incident like this?" Lumine asked.

Those words filled the twins with a joyous sort of excitement, an anxious type of expectance.

『 From a cosmic array 』

Then, a shockwave announced the birth of this unexpected little Outlander.

It was the birth of the twins' baby sibling.

A baby sibling.

The twins moved before any of their peers, standing upon the central platform before a cradle could even form. Their baby sibling kept floating down while wrapped in a bundle of silk manifested by the magic of Cosmogenesis. They approached quietly, each planting themselves at one side of the fragile newborn. With a brief glance, the pair came to an immediate understanding.

Meanwhile, Aether seems to know by instinct on what to do next as he stared up at the remnants of Luciella. He did spare a look at the Elders, whom nodded back to encourage his plan. There was no way that a star—let alone an entire galaxy—could be born from it anymore, yet a powerful resonance lingered as a thrumming of magic. The young man summons a relic in the shape of a crystal, and then seals it all away. He feels his twin sister assist him by lending her own power. The relic transformed into a baby rattle, housing a small glowing star in its sphere and producing a soothing sound.

Primo Stella, whispered Cosmogenesis.

Its energy will stabilize their little one until she can fully harness its power with her own.

Lumine did the same as her brother, freeing one hand to take their little sister's other one. Like her twin, she tenderly kisses the dainty fingers so faintly squeezing onto hers. Her breath hitched due to the surge of affection that consumed her.

Solstice would be her name, they decided.

Their dear little sister.

She was beautiful, and so very precious.

Aether and Lumine beamed proudly at their little sister as she laughed, rattle shaking in her hand.

Solstice understood. This is her family.

『 Of the colors in space 』

It was dark.

It was cold yet warmth lingers.

It felt like nothing at all, but there was enough of something for it to be called hollow.

Solstice forcefully extends her hand forward, trying to grasp anything. It was an effort that seems to take a lot from her. When she leans forward, her hand meets a sea of darkness—an endless void of nothingness. She leans back and tries again, pushing harder and further through what seems like a veil of nonexistence.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Solstice steps in the direction she thinks is forward, yet had no way of confirming. How long has she been here? When she yells out for her older siblings, she is met by a deafening silence. For a moment, she doubts herself and halts in her tracks.

Perhaps, this is just a dream.

Aether and Lumine would never leave her alone, so it must be a dream. Yes, that must be it.

Henceforth, there is nothing to fear.

Then, she will wake up.

Right...?

When the magical sound starts to fade away, the void started to feel like an experience of being able to breathe underwater. Solstice falls into a loveless embrace of darkness. An invisible weight makes her sink into the depths and she lets it, forevermore trapped in limbo. There was no cause for alarm, as she knows that her twin siblings would wake her up soon. They will take her to another world as they always did, together.

This was just a bad dream. A nightmare.

『 Nothingness erased 』

Lumine walks over to Aether.

"Isn't it about time you wake her up?" She asked.

Aether shrugs, "I'll wake her up once breakfast is ready. She must be adjusting to this new world."

The sun was already up as they were too, after being trained as early risers. Both were ready for a new journey, yet neither of them woke up the little Outlander. Travelling across the mountains costs a lot of energy, especially from young Solstice who is yet to fully develop.

Aether puts the fruits he had cut in a bowl and then wakes Solstice up. He pokes her cheek gently, trying to coax her out of dreamland.

"Sol," he murmurs, "breakfast is ready."

She groans, nose scrunching in displeasure; but she still blinks her eyes open as requested. They squint at the ray of sunshine peeking through the windows, blinding her. As she moves to sit up, the rattle jingles again and her hand clutches it by habit. It reminds her of the stars she sees every night. No matter which world they greet, the stars always seem to be constant. They make it easier to adapt.

Solstice stretches her arms and yawns.

"Good morning." She says groggily.

"Put some other clothes on before you eat." Lumine says as she walks past. She ruffles her little sister's bedhair, making it even messier.

From across the room, Aether adds: "We're going to the other island today so try to hurry."

Solstice looks up, shoulders sagging as her brows furrowed together.

"Today...?" She parroted.

Her voice is quiet, hesitant and disappointed.

"We want to explore this world a bit more before heading to the next. We talked about this." He ever so patiently explains again.

Someday, their little sister will understand too.

Or, if they were fortunate, they could find their true home before that youthful wonder could fade from her eyes. Her older siblings certainly hoped for it.

After a while, Solstice smiles again.

"Maybe we can come back someday..."

The hopeful tone made it seem like a question, a bit more rhetoric and expected no answer.

Aether nods his head anyway, smiling back.

The pink leaves from the trees outside blow through the open windows. The curtains fluttered, and the windchimes tinkled like a fairy's chuckle.

"Maybe someday..."

The next world they visited was composed of a kingdom in endless winter. The terrain was basically just various states of frozen tundra, with wildlife along the botanic coastlines and amongst the cliffside forestry. Average weather was filled with long-lasting blizzards that hindered the three from adventuring outside for longer periods. If it was not for the village they had found, the twins would have moved on to the next world as soon as possible regardless of their depleting stamina. While the situation remained unpleasant, Solstice needed to rest and she always took priority. Thankfully, the people in the village were kind and offered to shelter the three for as long as needed. The twins accepted with humble gratitude in their hearts.

"These will suit you three well." Their host said with a welcoming smile, holding out a pile of fabric.

She bowed deeply, "Thank you so much."

For the rest of the visit, Solstice had been a lot less talkative yet retained her jubilance. Her tiny body does not have much resistance to extreme climates like this one. They had not been in the cold long enough to cause damage, yet she still needed to recover her energy. As she slept, she kept her primogem rattle close to her chest to absorb more of its mana. Because Solstice needed to recover from the harsh circumstances, Aether and Lumine decided to delay the next world travel. The duo let her sleep as long as needed, and waited until their sister was ready to leave.

"I'll be back soon." Aether yelled with a salute.

When the twins had set out to find a home, they knew that travelling dimensions might have a stronger impact on the newborn Outlander. They had taken her out of Cosmogenesis earlier than most Outlanders would. With the combined powers of Aether and Lumine, they found a solution through Primo Stella. They had made that relic, her rattle, to seal the remains of the nebula. This way, she would have a reserve of cosmic energy to sustain herself while travelling. Then, on her 16th year, the power contained in the relic will permanently merge with her when she is finally ready. While sealing it was convenient, the two constantly worried about their sister's curious nature breaking it by accident.

Lumine watches Aether disappear into the forest with an eager pep in his step. She turns around and heads back into the house where they stayed, firmly holding Solstice's hand. The twins were used to doing commissions in other worlds as well, so both were willing to help the villagers—especially ones so kind and generous. However, now with Solstice in their lives, they could not freely do these missions together anymore. It was fine with them. She has full faith in her twin brother's return, and he felt the same way whenever the jobs are reversed. Both would gladly protect the little traveler as long as needed.

As soon as they sat by the fireplace, the younger female yawned while rubbing her eyes.

Lumine smiled fondly, sweeping her sister's fringe behind her flushed ears.

"Do you want a naptime story?" She asks.

Once again, Solstice was in deep slumber.

『 Come dance with her in the stars 』

It was the same darkness again.

Alas, something was different—not with the void, but with her own thineself. She could feel the thrumming in her veins and the soulfulness of her breaths.

Solstice sensed power within her.

The young Outlander was no stranger to power or otherworldly magic. She was a being born from the center of infinity, a fragment of cosmogony. Even if she has yet to learn how to channel it, she is more than aware that it exists within her. However, this time, it was practically tangible. She can envision that power and hold it as easy as lifting her Primo Stella rattle. It was the first thing that she knows she can legitimately grasp in this endless void, and so gripped tightly as if it was her lifeline.

Her ears perked up at the sound of familiar chimes, echoing in the depths. There was no source as the reverberation seems to surround her. It kept tinkling even before the preceding echo could fade, like the persistent ticking of a clock. The hypnotic rhythm allured her to its pendulum chant. Her body takes a fetal position, directing her hands to her chest. A ball of light takes form in her cupped palms, peeking from the gaps of her fingers. Her eyes remained shut as she begins to lose awareness the more she embraced the divinity which hummed in her veins.

One last chime resounded in the abyss before it stopped for good.

Thus, Solstice decreed unto the darkness:

"Let there be light."

...and light was.

It scattered as stars from the beacon which shone vibrantly from her hands. Some gathered to become the moon and another cluster created the sun, born simultaneously amidst a sea of twilight. As all light did, it took more shapes and then life was breathed into each one by her will. When the last wisp flew off, her limbs began to move in a choreography that matches a melody only she can hear.

Beauty and grace, Solstice is the light.

『 Watch her transit afar 』

Solstice stares with unbridled awe, eyes wide open and mouth shamelessly agape.

Aether curiously wondered outloud if he could take samples of a few gadgets, like the thing they call mobile phones. He thought it could be proven useful amidst their travels. Lumine was intrigued by the idea; but she also brought up a particular downside, where this technology might stop working well when they jump to another world. They are not inclined to waste resources over something that will likely fail them before it could serve its worth.

It was, nonetheless, an interesting possibility.

Outside of the city, the entire civilization seems to run on water for everything. Within it, the towns did not disappoint. Rather than paths of cobblestone and concrete, most of the streets are either rivers that need a gondola to travel or bridges that entwine one harbor to another. The state was so big they can only reach this side rather than the elite capital that housed the aristocratic population. Their gondolier sang praises about it, calling the place the center of history enriched with ancient knowledge as much as material wealth. Although, he sassed that a few of the folks could use some attitude adjustment.

When the ever curious Solstice asked what was out there, the gondolier hummed kindly yet firmly.

He playfully pokes her forehead with a scary face—

"Others believe it is a home for colossal monsters that sometimes lurk under our seas."

—but his countenance was so dramatic and comical that his words only amused the little girl rather than terrify her, much to her siblings' relief.

The friendly man chortled in tandem, beaming at Aether and Lumine knowingly.

Lumine tilted her head bemusedly, "The catacombs, you say...?"

"You'll recognize them when you see them, milady~!"

"Look, look! Lumi, look there."

Solstice points with her rattle at the seagulls. As expected from a city of harbors, there was a great abundance of them. No doubt, they were here to pick up any leftover food from the tourists. The twins swore they even spotted a few pelicans hovering from the bright blue sky.

"Do you like the birds?" Aether asks adoringly before they passed by the avians.

Solstice hums affirmatively, giggling when some of the birds made funny faces at her.

For the little traveler, this was the first big city she has ever seen. The worlds they have gone so far were usually centralized in nature, and the urban ones tend to be small towns rather than an evolved metropolis like this one. A perk which made the twins thank their lucky stars is that tourists are common here. This fact effectively refrained them from sticking out. It seems like the three could comfortably settle down here for a while until Solstice was ready for the next hop.

•

When first arriving here, the twins had been initially disappointed and a little depressed.

Once again, this world lacked the spark of "home" much like the previous ones. At times, Aether and Lumine would feel lost but kept moving forward if only for Solstice. The small Outlander did not seem to mind the delay though, not at all. Instead, she seemed to enjoy herself in this world. The twins also took this opportunity to spend time with their baby sibling, cheered up by her optimism. Perhaps, that is why they decided to settle down in this world for a little longer. From a smaller town, they traveled on another boat to the capital city.

Fortunately, it was their lively gondolier again!

They even learn his name this time: Pierre.

"Good morn, my friends~!" He sang.

Aether and Lumine grinned at him while Solstice squealed, glomping the laughing man's legs.

Once away from the docks and into the actual city, the three could see bigger stands as well as more sophisticated shops. Almost everything is either an expensive boutique, or a remote pawnshop. This part of the state have structures primarily made out of a white stone—resembling marble—giving the city a clean and luxurious look.

Behind the city and separated by the ocean from miles away, the mountains are more visible now due to proximity. Each is as high as the clouds, almost matching the castle towers and wealthy manors of the aristocrats. Veiled by heavy mist, the eldritch silhouettes loomed from afar. Despite its gloomy outlook, the formation of the mountains were almost protective as they encompass the borders of the entire city state. Once again, their gondolier told them about the rumored monsters. He speaks of how the ocean surrounding the city has been cradling beasts as big as these same mountains for millions of years. It is relatively debated whether some of them could be guardians of the fortress.

At one point, the twins followed the advice of taking commissions that let them explore the mountain islands. Sadly, Solstice had to sit out for her own safety; but she did not mind after getting bribed with a chance to spend a day in the capital's playground park. After hiring a trustworthy babysitter from the guild, they set off. Neither of the twins encountered the so-called immortal sages, but they did feel many watchful eyes on them—wary yet not hostile—the entire time they lingered. They actually got lost a few times, but trails of will-o'-the-wisps helped them get back on the right path. Aether even found secret passages that led to the infamous catacombs. As a lofty story to tell their sister, Lumine was more than excited to decipher the history behind them. It was a dark and spooky area but neither of the Outlanders were genuinely fazed by it.

They ended up discovering deep tunnels that went underwater. It was a series of coves wherein guild members are stationed at a checkpoint cabin if adventurers wish to scuba dive. Aether actually had fun with getting back to the city state that way, while Lumine opted to just use the transport they had used to arrive in the mountain isles. It will not do to neglect the sailors that helped them travel here.

Besides visiting these tourist spots, Solstice got to try out many delicacies as well.

•

Lumine walks back to the table once she finished ordering their food.

"Don't let the bird bite you." Aether warned.

When Lumine sees her sister struggle to get on the chair, she helps by lifting her up.

"Did you make new friends?" She asks.

"Two, eh?" Lumine teased playfully, "I think that makes it...twenty-one bird friends already?"

She turns around and grins mockingly at Aether, who just glared back at her. He somehow had managed to get bitten by the seagulls when taking Solstice away from them. Apparently, the things get moody when a third party tries to take their snack supplier away. One flock would peck and pull on Aether's braids, while another would act like perfect little angels by nuzzling Solstice for more food. Ever since then, he had held a grudge. The feeling seems mutual with how they tauntingly squawk at the mere sight of him.

The next morning, Aether and Lumine took Solstice to yet another world.

『 Crossing Sol's burning gaze 』

"Whoa!" Solstice exclaims, "What is that?"

Aether lifts Solstice up in his arms.

"It's a volcano." He replied.

Lumine walks up next to her brother and ruffles her sister's hair, a habit she had developed.

"No worries." She reassured calmly, "We won't feel its impact here. Most we'll notice is the shockwave that already passed."

The three had been sleeping in a cottage built in an oasis on the other side of a jungle. They had seen the volcano but decided to move around it, travelling through the thick marshes and swamps. It was a bit troublesome for the twins, especially with a small child to carry the entire way; but it seems like they made the right choice in the end. A few insects and wandering wild animals from the unforgiving jungle were no match to a duo of protective siblings. They did spot treehouses spread out in the dryer parts of the forestry, but only few people were stationed. It was likely more a bunch of outposts than legitimate residences, but all of them look fortified as real functional shelters.

—but both Aether and Lumine had explained that it was dangerous. That is why they had taken a detour in the first place, which meant no touching.

The little traveler nods sagely, "I'm a good girl."

In this world as well, Solstice experienced many new things. First, they landed in a desert. There was sand everywhere, and it was too hard for Solstice to walk amongst the dunes. Luckily, there were friendly animals that she could ride as the twins guided it with a leash. The caretakers called them "camels" which resembled horses with lumps on their backs, and a relatively goofier face. Once out of the desert, they found signs of civilization. Unfortunately, the twins thought it was too close to the jungle as they ventured towards the jungle. Soon enough, they reached the oasis just on the other side of the jungle and renovated the cottage for shelter.

When the Outlanders had ventured further into the jungle, they had noticed its great food source and minerals; and if there was a lot of food, civilization follows where the river runs. For the next few days, the twins had searched for another village yet they only stumbled upon this oasis cottage. Inside, there were maps and books which gave the two enough information about this world. From what they have read, the former owner must have been a researcher or perhaps even a fellow traveler.

In respect to the former owners, Aether and Lumine returned the chest to where they found it.

Afterwards, they would venture out again.

Solstice is outside, playing with her primogem rattle and unleashing its jingle. The unique sound had always somehow calmed her, reminding her of the realm where she was born—Cosmogenesis, the twins told her of its name. There are times in-between worlds where Aether and Lumine would take her for a short stop in the dimension. It was usually to ask for some advice from the older Outlanders. Meanwhile, she is usually left to play with the stardust pixies that take form due to the realm's cosmic energy. Then, her siblings would join her again and share some stories that the Elders had told them when they were little.

The innovative little girl wonders if she can make those same pixies with Primo Stella.

"You ready to go, sis?" Aether asked.

He was already out of the cottage, stretching and keeping an eye on Solstice. His sword is in his right hand, swinging it a few times skillfully.

"I hope we find a nice world where we can celebrate Solstice's 6th birthday." He continues.

His aureate gaze focused on his baby sibling for a moment. She was completely enraptured by the rattle, which was glowing brighter than usual.

Aether returns his attention to Lumine, who was almost done checking. The tinkling sounds from the rattle fills the silence as he waits for his twin sister, just a tad impatiently.

Suddenly, there was a heavy silence.

Aether arches his eyebrow, looking over his shoulder as the incessant chimes had stopped. He wants to ask Solstice what was wrong, but he was interrupted by another shockwave. This time, it was way closer and filled him with wordless dread. He heard Lumine exclaim something in alarm and distress.

Solstice had broken the relic's seal.

Horrified, both twins urgently reached out for their little sister. The Elders warned them that the seal should never be lifted prematurely. Nobody knew what to expect. Most assume what would occur is nothing short of disastrous. They were so utterly terrified because they could not survive the thought of losing their sister, not now and not ever.

Alas, it was practically inevitable.

Because when the shockwave had passed, Solstice was undeniably already gone.

『 Venus sets ablaze 』

The first year of Solstice's life was spent sleeping in Cosmogenesis, as expected.

Currently, Solstice is experiencing something similar yet also something different.

There was an immense amount of energy flowing inside of her and then back outside. It was like she acted as a medium in a cycling network. The clinical process lacked the familiar warmth and comfort from Cosmogenesis. However, it was not entirely unpleasant...but more disorienting. This was new and unknown to her so she felt the need to be a little cautious despite her curiosity. Her siblings taught her to always practice that balanced mindset.

Solstice wondered if she was sleeping again. There are times when things took too much energy from her, so she would fall into a deep slumber. Still, there is a nagging at the back of her mind that tells her this time would be different.

Then, she gains an astonishing epiphany.

•

Ten years pass and at last—

•

on the eve of Solstice's 16th birthday,

•

TEYVAT was fully created.

When dawn settles over Teyvat,

•

Solstice finally opens her eyes

•

for the first time in ten years.

『 Welcome us with your light 』

#constellation genesis #PRELUDE: An Enactment of Genesis #PROLOGUE || The Outlanders #sagau #sagau cult au #genshin impact #sagau aether #sagau lumine #sagau creator #genshin aether #aether #lumine #genshin lumine

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rotworld · 7 months

Text

10: Motel Hell

(previous)

desperate to get out of nelton, you make a risky decision and find somewhere to stay along the road.

->contains gore, graphic description of corpses.

Home is west. Northwest now, so far away it feels like the edge of the world.

You’ve tried to get there a few times. Every now and then, you’ll get lucky. The Drift will have mercy and you’ll end up so close you think you can taste it, the pull urgent but not so taut and uncomfortable. Somehow, it’s always eluded you. You get turned around, your inner compass spinning haywire. The road spits you out just east, too far north, not at all where you mean to go. Lost—that’s what you are. But you never feel that way until you try to find home.

And even if you ever reached it, would it be worth the trouble? Would anyone see you as kin, or would it be a town full of strangers? You don't try anymore. Home is best left abstract and distant.

Night is falling. The shadows grow. The sign seems to lunge through the fog, sudden and vicious. “DRIFT INN. NEXT EXIT.” It’s not close enough to spot off the highway, but you do see a spatter of streetlights and neon. Not enough for a town, just a small place between things for the unlucky and desperate. Anything is good enough for you now. The exit is an uphill zigzag, a silent intersection with a light that takes too long to change.

You see two long gray slabs with red roofs. Nothing around but concrete and tufts of hardy grass growing in the cracks. The parking lot is sparsely occupied, a couple windows aglow behind drawn curtains. Still, you hesitate. Your recent misfortunes have left you somewhat wary. You consult your map. You’ll make the final push for the University tomorrow, get there by dusk. South, then east? Or start heading east now? For once, you find yourself hoping there’s no town in that vast distance, no unexpected detours.

Something flits past the window as you’re planning your morning route. It’s gone when you look up but you were sure, for just a second—

And then you see it. Another, drifting silently into your windshield. Landing on the glass and melting to nothing. The sky is the color of a coming storm. Your heart starts to race.

[NOW PLAYING ON THE RADIO: SATURDAY NIGHT BY THE MISFITS]

The automatic doors wheeze open. A single fluorescent tube buzzes overhead. The floor is grimy-looking tile and the walls are off-white. Nobody’s sitting behind the check-in desk. All you can hear is the whirr of an electric fan in the corner and a crackling radio on the counter.

A tiered shelf against the wall displays travel brochures coated in a fine layer of dust, advertising the orchards and public gardens of Green Valley. These must be old. There is no Green Valley anymore—it’s been called the Stillwoods since before you were born, although the occasional antique road sign marooned along the highway might still bear the old name.

The doors open again behind you. There’s a woman standing there, hands in the pockets of a gray peacoat. She’s wearing heels and her hair is meticulously pinned into a neat bun.

She gives you a quick, appraising look. “Hey there,” she says. “Checking in?” You nod and she slips behind the check-in desk, noticeably keeping her distance and never turning her back towards you. She doesn’t give you a price or ask how you’ll pay, simply reaching for a room key off the back wall and setting it on the desk. You don’t think there was a courier sign on the door. Your visible apprehension makes her grin. “So…I don’t actually work here. But I saw you pull up and thought you might appreciate a hand. There’s four of us here tonight.”

You take the key, the plastic tag attached reading 108. “Is the place abandoned?” you ask. That wouldn’t surprise you. This motel was clearly attached to the Stillwoods once upon a time, but now it’s out here in the middle of nowhere. That happens sometimes, during a particularly violent shift or an anchorware malfunction. That’s how the University became its own city, too.

The woman makes a noncommittal sound. “Not exactly. At least, it wasn’t when I got here. It’s like this, see?”

She leans back and turns the handle of the door behind the desk. As soon as it’s cracked open, the smell of blood comes rushing out. She opens it just far enough for you to glimpse the back room and the body inside: head so badly bludgeoned that you don’t realize it’s lying face-up for a while, jaw broken and wrenched open so wide the mouth is more like a gaping wound of teeth. There’s blood pooling on the floor and arterial sprays arcing on the walls. Fresh enough to drip.

The woman yanks the door shut again. She looks unbothered, you think, unusually cheerful considering the situation. She adjusts her small, rectangular glasses on the bridge of her nose. “See what I mean? Kind of a mess. I’d have taken off by now if not for how the sky looks. Rather take my chances here than out in a Drift storm.” The snow is heavier already, a thin layer blanketing the pavement outside. “Anyway, wanna get settled in? 108’s right with the rest of us. Gotta keep an eye on each other, after all. Hard to say who’s a mimic and who’s not.”

You frown. A mimic wouldn’t waste that much food.

The woman is friendly, at least, and endlessly talkative. She’s a University graduate. She’s been living in Splitrock Junction for the past few years, testing the water and soil for “intrusional particles,” but she’s looking for a career change. “Anchorware! That’s where the money’s at,” she tells you. “That’s the future of the Drift, you know. It’s caught on in all the major industries but it’ll get more affordable later. The lab where they build that stuff makes the University look Stone Age. God, if I could get my hands on some of that equipment…”

You barely say a word as she leads you outside and across the parking lot to the adjacent building. Four rooms are occupied in a row, lights on, muffled voices coming through the doors. You walk up in time to catch part of a conversation—an argument, more accurately. They’re talking about mimics.

“So you’re telling me the one that’s see-through and foggy like frosted glass isn’t called a glass mimic?”

“Glass mimics are literally made of glass, man. Or something kind of like it. It shatters if you hit it hard enough.”

“Kind of like it? So they’re not actually made of glass. They don’t even resemble glass.”

“I didn’t name them, okay?”

The woman pauses to knock on 106. “We’ve got another,” she says.

106 opens just slightly, the door halting on a chain lock. The face that peers out at you is obscured by a surgical mask and a pair of sunglasses. “Shit, Chatterbox made it back in one piece,” he mutters. “So either it left you alone or you’re the mimic.” The doors on either side of him creak open. A man pokes his head outside of 105, looking nonplussed. Nobody comes out of 107 but you hear a quiet huff, a quick exhale of laughter.

“Well, this is all of us,” the woman says. “We’re a little short on trust right now so you’ll have to settle for nicknames. That’s Newbie in 105. He’s from outside. Like, outside, you know?”

“Outside the Drift?” you ask, startled.

Newbie frowns. He’s blond and clean-shaven, wearing an open suit jacket and loosened tie. “Couldn’t we have picked our own nicknames? God, it’s freezing all of the sudden.”

“This totally normal, not at all suspicious guy lurking in 106 is Glasses.”

“Bite me,” Glasses snarls. “Half the mimics out here copy faces. You’re not getting mine.”

The woman rolls her eyes. “Shrug is in 107. He’s kinda quiet. Second most likely to be a mimic, if we’re making accusations.”

107’s door opens slightly wider. The man standing there doesn’t show his face, keeping his head down and his hood up, hands stuffed in the pockets of an oversized sweater. He’s on the shorter side. “Hm,” he says, and shrugs.

“And I guess I’m Chatterbox.” The woman laughs. “I’m in 104. The walls are really, really thin, we mostly just yell at each other. Nobody else around so it’s not like we’re bothering anyone.”

You unlock 108 and find a small, musty-smelling room. There’s stiff, crusty carpet, a single bed with sheets that feel like packing paper, and a closet-sized bathroom. You put your backpack on the bedside table and add the Drift Inn to your map.

“So what are we calling you, stranger?” Chatterbox yells. She’s right, the walls are really thin. Four rooms down and you can still hear her fairly clearly.

“Courier,” you say back.

The wind picks up outside, growing from a whisper to a vicious howl. You peek through your curtains and find your footsteps in the snow have nearly been filled in already as more blows across the motel parking lot. You scan the row of cars parked out front apprehensively. The one you saw in the blizzard was an SUV, you think. Silver. Hard to make out in the haze and all the white. You don’t see it out there now. You’d like to tell yourself that those two things can’t possibly be related, but there’s a corpse behind the check-in desk, beaten so badly the face barely looked human.

You don’t want to think about it. You let the curtains fall back into place and sit on the edge of the bed. “Newbie, you’re from outside the Drift?” you ask. “What made you decide to come here?”

You hear him clear his throat nervously. “I’m doing market research, you could say. There’s a lot of interest in developing the Drift, getting it connected to the rest of the world. You guys are missing out on a lot of things. Phones are only local, right, so you can’t call Prismville from the University. And mail takes forever since you don’t really have a reliable delivery service. Uh. No offense, I mean.”

“Didn’t some outsider company already try getting a foothold here a while back?” That sounds like Glasses. “Like a decade ago or something. Putting all those cables in the ground, then acting surprised when they got fucked up after a couple shifts.”

“Ohhh, that’s right! They started growing skin and then they all slithered off,” Chatterbox says.

“Is that what those are?” you ask. “I’ve seen those before. They’re farm pests, mostly. They really like eggs.”

“Mhm,” Shrug adds.

“Can I ask about that? What’s up with the eggs?” Newbie says. “Why are they everywhere? I keep seeing people eat them raw, shell and all.”

Chatterbox laughs. “So those aren’t actually eggs.”

“You’re pulling my leg.”

“No, I mean, they look just like eggs, right? So we call them eggs.”

“Oh, so these get called by what they look like, huh?”

“Okay, look, there are different kinds of shifts, right? Depending on how things are intersecting, or if they’re intersecting at all, and sometimes—”

The wind shrieks and the windows shake in their frames. Snow drifts under your door, melting on the carpet. Through the space beneath the curtains, all you see is white. “It’s getting bad out there,” Glasses says quietly.

“I, ah, thought the Drift didn’t get snow?” Newbie asks.

“It doesn’t,” Chatterbox says. “Unless the Road Ripper’s around.”

There’s a pause. You’re holding your breath. Glasses is the first one to speak up again, scoffing, “That shit’s an urban legend. Nobody could live out on the road that long.”

“Hm,” Shrug agrees. Or maybe disagrees. You’re not sure.

“What if he doesn’t, though? What if he does come into town sometimes, drifts in and out before anyone realizes who he is?” Chatterbox insists. “It’d be easy. He could slip out with some couriers and nobody’d know. Maybe he is a courier.”

There’s another, longer pause. “Wh—really?” you say, incredulous. “I’m not a serial killer.”

Chatterbox makes a thoughtful sound. “Well, a serial killer would probably say that.”

“I was the last one here! How could I have killed somebody?”

“Not saying you did it, just saying maybe you should leave first in the morning,” Glasses mutters.

The idea of falling asleep here unnerves you, but your car won’t be warm enough. You consider shoving a chair under the door. It’s flimsy, certainly nothing that’ll deter somebody hellbent on killing on you—somebody with the kind of strength you saw—but you’ll hear it fall over at least. You take a quick shower and crawl into bed, too tired to care how stiff the mattress is. The others are loud but the wind drowns them out after a while and the conversation dies down.

Maybe you won’t sleep, you think. You’ll just lay here on your side, facing the door and the windows. Listening for footsteps in the snow, or a car pulling up. Just a few hours, you think, checking the clock. A few hours until dawn, at least. Maybe the blizzard will have moved on by then. You try to keep yourself moving, shaking your foot or tapping your fingers. The room is frigid, the heat barely able to keep up with the cold air seeping under the door, but exhaustion is slowly gaining on you. It becomes a struggle to keep your eyes open.

“…I heard that’s a thing he does,” Chatterbox is saying, sounding muffled and far away. “He picks somebody and follows them around for a while, but he lets them go a few times before he actually kills them. And it’s not like he just leaves other people alone, but that’s kind of different. It’s like he’s whetting his appetite or something. Picks off other people so can hold himself back from whoever his main target is. Maybe it’s a mimic thing? Do you think he shapeshifts? I had a friend back at University who specialized in mimics, I think some of them do similar stuff…”

Your eyelids flutter. Just a few hours, you remind yourself. A few hours and then…

You can’t breathe.

It’s dark, a deeper black than night in every direction, and you can’t breathe. There’s something—something around your neck. Squeezing too tight. Wanting to split you open, wanting to tear into the soft flesh of your throat. It wants to, yet it never does. But even when it lets you go, uncoiling slowly, slinking out of sight, your lungs are on fire. You heave and you choke and you try to scream but you can’t get any air, can’t breathe. You can’t remember how.

There’s something in this darkness with you. You can’t see it but you can hear it breathing in deep, echoing sighs. You can sense its vastness, the crushing weight of its attention. You’re trying to run but your legs are weak and sluggish, flailing, going nowhere. The air ripples and it’s here, above and all around you. Silent. Observing. Your neck throbs where it touched you, skin tender and throbbing with your heartbeat, and still you can’t breathe.

There is a dark moon above you. It’s a misshapen pearl, a silvery stone with a hole punched through its center. It’s growing as it sinks from the sky. It’s bigger than you, bigger than your car, so close you think you could reach out and touch it.

It blinks.

You gasp and jolt awake. It must be morning. Weak light trickles under the curtains. You’re cold, but not as cold as you were last night. The stench of blood is thick and cloying. Your door is open, the chair you wedged under it knocked aside.

You sit up slowly. The room is red. Every breath draws in the smell of rust and rot. There’s hardly a surface in the room that hasn’t been spattered in gore. The walls are glistening with it. There are dark red puddles hardening into the carpet. The bedspread is soaked through beside you because there is a body there, posed atop the sheets as though it climbed into bed with you. It doesn’t have a face, just a head so badly bludgeoned that it could be a split pomegranate, soft and gooey and oozing chunks of meat through cracks in its skull.

It’s wearing a peacoat, gray wool spattered with blotchy red stains.

You scramble out of bed, lunging for your shoes. The carpet is so saturated it squishes wetly under your steps. There’s another body curled up at the foot of the bed in the same unsightly condition, intact except for the gristly paste where a head should be. Blood and brain matter spill across the floor in a pinkish smear, bits of vertebrae poking through the taut, torn flesh of the neck. Newbie’s tie is half-submerged in the slurry, tightened into an uncomfortably small knot.

The third corpse is propped up against the door, seated with its back against it. You shove it aside. You try not to look. But you see red, you see a scalp split apart and a broken shell of skull fragments underneath, little white slivers floating in a soupy clot. A gush of thick, partially coagulated fluid spurts out when it thunks against the ground in your haste to leave, dislodging the sunglasses folded neatly in its lap.

The morning air is crisp. It’s just cold enough that some of the snow has stayed, the shallow layer left revealing the spotted prints of snowboots, a trail of blood, and smooth drag marks. Every door is wide open, a mess of red slush inside. The gruesome trail wanders out of your room and then rounds the corner, vanishing into a section of the parking lot you never thought to check. Nothing is parked there now but you still feel nauseous with fear.

Strangely, 107’s snow is clean. You notice as you’re leaving, starting your car, headlights flashing into the open rooms. Everything else is slick and splattered, dark red puddles frozen to the bed, except 107—the room right next to yours. The footprints, you notice, come out of that room clean. They go only in one direction; only leaving.

You try desperately to remember Shrug’s face but you never saw it. He was careful, keeping his head angled down and his gaze lowered. Maybe it’s just hindsight, fear coloring your memories, but thinking back, you thought he might’ve had a small smile on his face when you looked at him.

(next)

#rotpeach writes #goretober #the drift

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seasurfacefullofclouds1 · 4 months

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heyy not to hit u with another request for an analysis lmao but i’d love to hear your take on the bigger than me mv! i only watched it recently but i thought the number of sticks (7 i think?) that louis picks up along the way and the difference in their size/where they’re found/what condition they’re in as well as the smaller stick he pockets at the end seem significant. i know louis prefers to keep a lot of creative choices open to interpretation and likes a healthy dose of mystery in his symbolism (still no idea what 369 means beyond the manifestation method😭) so perhaps it’s a lost cause to try to decipher this haha

I think Louis did mention once that the Bigger Than Me video didn’t have any specific allegory, or that it was open to interpretation.

To me, Louis’ choosing BTM as the first single from FITF, after a long pandemic and delayed tour, shows that the pandemic was an introspective time for him. He reflected on the state of his career and he was ready to switch directions.

It was a different kind of song from Walls singles— bigger in every way, with a grander vision and bolder sonics, more challenging vocals, more yearning for community and engagement.

Visually, Louis chose an ethereal, grand location for the music video, and it was shot with no expenses spared. The director commented that he used cinematic equipment and proportions to frame the video. The drone shots contrasted the immensity of the natural elements with the smallness of the single human being— an isolation that’s increasingly rare on earth.

Let’s contrast the BTM video with Walls, and their separate depictions of “being alone.” In Walls, the location was also a place of relative isolation— the desert. Louis looked into mirrors to find himself, in fantasy rooms where he was the single person surrounded by paired dancers, as the center of a literal target on the floor, in the darkness where demonic faces crowded him, and— most memorably— stranded high on a wall, abandoned. His direction, his “goal,” was the mirage of a door in the desert.

In BTM, Louis is surrounded by the lushness of nature in green and earth tones. The video is tinted with warm overlay. Louis’ photoshoots leading to the album release emphasized green and orange complementary tones— secondary colors, compared to the primary red of Walls. Moreover, Louis is not directionless in BTM— at the very start of the video, he sees the bonfire in the distance. The distance was vast, but still human in scale— eventually, with enough travel and persistence, he reached it.

The imagery and feel of BTM reminds me of these lines from One Direction’s Long Way Down:

“Sailed an ocean and drowned in the waves” acknowledges the naïveté of the nautical imagery, “My hands, your hands/ Tied up like two ships/ Drifting, weightless/ Waves try to break it” in 1D’s Strong (but later, Louis reuses the metaphor to signify taking ownership of his life in Paradise). “Built a cathedral/ but we never prayed” also precedes the church of burnt romances in Only The Brave.

(Off track and not to be a sap but Louis did also write on History and these lyrics, after seeing AOTV, are gut-wrenching:

Bigger Than Me shows Louis walking a long path toward a large fire— both a purifying and transcending metaphor. The sticks he carries throughout his journey range from large to small. The large ones are heavy, burdensome, yet he starts walking with the largest, and eventually tosses it in.

The bonfire is maybe an acknowledgement that some things are not worth carrying forever, but worth releasing into the world, worth leaving behind in ether. The fire is like a ceremonial ritual, a formal way of letting go. Instead of him “going down in flames,” Louis is able to control what he keeps and what he burns. The purification can result in rebirth and renewal; fire is a natural part of earth’s being reborn. The small stick he keeps in his pocket is a memento of Louis’ journey, literally and figuratively.

The number 7 is a coincidence; there are also seven roses in the 28 Official Programme logo. It’s a lucky number. 1/4 of 28.

#bigger than me #bigger than me music video #BTM mv #BTM interpretation

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jtargaryen18 · 1 year

Text

Scenting Their Prey

Masterlist

Words: 4.5k

Story Rating: Explicit, 18+ only

Warnings: Kidnapping, captivity, drugging, explicit sex, non-con, dub-con, oral (fr), A/B/O dynamics.

Relationships: Alpha!Tony Stark x Omega!Reader, Alpha!Bucky Barnes x Omega!Reader

Summary: As an Omega, you had control of your life and your choices. Until you didn't...

A/N: This is for @ironlady1993's I love you 3000 Challenge and it's VERY late. I'm so sorry. The next and final part will post this week. Bucky's turn. Thank you so much!🙏

Tags are a mess. If you aren't tagged, it's not intentional. I'm working on another way to get word out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You're just letting me go?" you asked.

"Wait by the gate," one of the soldiers told you.

He motioned you toward a simple farmer's gate that broke up the barbed wire fence that stretched out as far as the eye could see. That the man stood slightly in front of the others told you he was the leader. All of them dressed in black tactical gear, all holding rifles except for the one who spoke to you. His was slung across his back.

Your heart raced as you timidly did as you were told. You shivered in the chilly autumn breeze.

Beyond that rusted gate was an open field with a forest at its edge. There were no visible guards beyond the gate: just wide-open spaces, freedom.

You swallowed hard. It couldn't be that easy, could it?

When the northern states began invading the southern border of Canada, everyone knew why. Omega birth rates in the US had been dropping for the last twenty-five years, causing the land of the free to resurrect some very archaic restrictions on the few they had. The alpha population, on the other hand, flourished.

But despite all their twisted efforts, very few omegas were born in the US over the last two decades.

It started with a rash of disappearances. It didn't take long for the media to ascertain that every one of those missing young Canadians was an omega. Once the invasions started in small border towns, the politicians got involved. A war between the two nations would be declared at any time.

None of it helped the omegas caught in the crosshairs. Not yet. One by one, the border towns were invaded. The younger omegas were rounded up and taken into custody. The stories were all over social media. The kidnap victims, male and female, were illegally transported into the US and auctioned off to alphas for vast sums of money.

Your town had been invaded. They'd plucked you out of your life along with all the other young omegas in your community, mated and unmated. You were kept in a makeshift prison on the outskirts of town for the last few weeks, kept company by armed guards.

The facility was run like a prison. All of you were fed three meals a day and allowed a daily shower. But there was no communication with the outside world. No television, internet, or smartphones. You got an hour in a community room each evening after dinner. They provided jigsaw puzzles, craft baskets, and a handful of books. All the books were educational, written to educate omegas on what to expect during heat cycles, nesting, mating and bonding, birth, and parenthood.

The writing was on the wall. You were all held captive, deprived of the suppressants most of you took to control your biology. You were all like death row inmates, waiting for the permanent death of your freedom. It was only a matter of time before you found yourself shipped off to America for auction to some unknown wealthy alpha to claim.

That's why you were so confused now.

With your heart flying, you glanced over your shoulder to see another omega from your town standing in the place where you'd been standing before. She looked as confused as you felt. Both of you wearing the camouflage-colored sweatshirts and jeans they handed out this morning. The boots they gave you were too small, squeezing your toes.

You waited by the gate, exhaling a shaky breath.

What was going to happen next?

The leader marched in your direction, stopping in front of you. The man towered over you, his gaze hard. The subtle scent of him told you he was a beta. All of the guards were.

You froze when he pulled out a small pistol. In the blink of an eye, he pressed it to the side of your neck. You flinched when he pulled the trigger, felt a sharp pinch. Then it burned. What had he shot you with?

"I'm going to open the gate," he said meaningfully. "And you're going to run across the field to the woods. If you stop running, you'll be shot."

Oh, shit.

"Once you get to the woods, you're on your own," he went on. "If you can find your way out of those woods, you're free."

Free, huh? You didn't buy it. They wouldn't have invaded your town, taken you captive, and held you for weeks just to let you go. What was going on here?

With an efficiency that was startling, he lifted the latch on the gate and pulled it open.

"Run!" he yelled.

Your body sprang into action despite the thoughts swirling around in your head, despite the burn spreading out from your neck. You sprinted out of the gate, running like hell for the woods to avoid being shot. You were winded by the time you reached the woods. Your activity had been very limited since they took you.

Fear wouldn't allow you to look back. You paused for a beat to catch your breath and then you began wandering the woods. Something told you the offer was too good to be true, that you wouldn't be allowed to just wander out of the woods to freedom. But if there was any chance you could find a way to free yourself...

You scanned the area around you wildly at first. Did you know this place? Was it close to home?

You made your way through the woods, but nothing looked familiar. As the line of trees where you'd entered the forest got farther away, you came to realize how dense and deep these woods were.

You weren't watching where you were going and collided hard with someone. Your heart flew as you stared at another captive from the facility where you'd been kept. Her eyes were wide in alarm.

"Watch it!" she hissed.

"Sorry."

When you started to go about your way, she grabbed you by the sleeve and hauled you back with her behind a huge tree trunk. You looked at her in question.

"They are hunting us," she whispered loud enough for you to hear. "Don't you get it?"

Hunting?

"What?" you mouthed.

She leaned close, getting in your ear. "There are alphas hunting us," she said. "It's just a game to them."

You stared at her in horror as you moved back. You didn't miss the perspiration on her brow, her labored breathing. Her scent was strong around both of you. Climbing warmth spread out from your neck to the rest of you. Now that you'd paused, you became aware of it. Your fear escalated as your hand flew up to cover where he'd shot you.

"What did they give us?" you asked.

The other omega glared. "What do you think?"

With horror, you realized what they'd done.

"My heat is coming on fast," she said. "Yours will too. If we stay together, the scents will be too concentrated. They'll find us easily."

You knew she was right, but your heart sank. You'd just found someone else in your situation. It would have been nice to work together, find a way out of the woods.

If you ever did. If you even could.

"Go!" she said, and you started moving.

Even though it was a cool autumn day, you were hot and it was getting worse. Your mind spun as you tried to move quickly but quietly. How many of you were they sending out? How many alphas were looking for the lot of you? What was going to happen?

You struggled to breathe through your nose, to watch where you stepped. There was a chance you'd make it out, right? Could you survive this without being found by some arrogant American alpha? You needed to keep track of your direction. Glancing up in desperation, you were looking for the position of the sun through the canopy of trees.

And that's when you spotted him.

The man perched high up in a tree, dressed in black tactical gear like the soldiers at the facility except one of his sleeves was shiny, threaded with gold. Is that how the alphas are dressed? Brown hair that just touched his shoulders framed his face.The bottom half of that face was concealed by a black mask and steely blue eyes watched you intently above it. Crouching in the tree, you couldn't tell how big he was. You hoped he wasn't fast.

You sprinted away, racing through the forest as fast you could and praying you wouldn't trip and fall. You heard him hit the ground hard. Your heart threatened to beat its way out of your chest as you just kept going, hoping he hurt himself in the fall.

The heavy sounds of his footfalls came up behind you fast. A strong arm grabbed the back of your sweatshirt and swung you around. You were shoved back against a tree hard, knocking the wind from your lungs. The edge of your vision faded to black to see the man in front of you, his blue eyes lit up in determination. He held you to the tree by your neck. When you tried to pry his hand off, you found it was unnaturally hard. It wasn't a shiny sleeve. It was a metal arm.

The man plucked the black mask off his face, dropping it to the ground as he leaned in and pressed his face into your scent glands. He took another whiff of you as you trembled in his grasp. His own scent invaded your senses: deep plum, leather, and winter forest. The scent of him pushed the growing flames burning inside you higher, your thighs clenched together, and moisture flooded your panties. Was it the chemical they gave you to provoke a heat cycle? Would you have reacted to him anyway?

Even so, he was a head taller than you with wide shoulders and long muscular limbs. His intent gaze burned into you as he held you there, struggling in his grip. You jerked as his flesh hand grabbed the waist of your jeans, plucking them open before sliding down into your panties. Your range of movement was limited as he held you by the neck against the tree. No matter how much you twisted and squirmed, you couldn't keep his seeking fingers from sliding through your heated folds on all the slick your body was producing. The slight smile that curved his mouth filled you with dread as he pulled his hand free of your denim.

All you could do was stare when he brought those fingers up to his mouth, his lips and tongue cleaning them. His low hum was a deep sound that you felt in every inch of your body. Some dark intent lit up those dark blue eyes as he focused on you.

But he wasn't saying anything.

In a flash, he threw you over his right shoulder, held in place with his flesh hand. He started moving and your stomach lurched as the woods flew past you at an unnatural speed. Your hands clutched the back of his jacket, the black leather cold under your fingers. You spotted another girl from your confinement, running from another alpha. The omega who told you what happened was further into the woods on her hands and knees, being fucked from behind by the alpha who caught her.

Adrenaline spiked your growing fear. You didn't even try to fight the beast of a man who had you. What was wrong with you?

Planting your hands on his back, you pushed off hard and fast. It worked because you surprised him, landing on the ground with a thump behind him. Pain seared your knees and elbows as you scrambled up. Now if you could be fast enough in getting away.

You dashed off, screaming when another man darted out from behind a tree and caught you in his arms. The one who held you wasn't as tall as the other man, but you could feel the muscular wall of his chest under your fingers as he held onto you. Unlike the first one, he wore a deep burgundy sweater and jeans like he was just walking through the woods. His scent was an intoxicating blend of ash, iron, and molten lava. You fought to breathe, unable to prevent yourself from pressing your face into his neck and taking a deep breath of the alpha's essence.

"Thank you, Barnes," he said, his hold on you tightening. "I'll see you back at the cabin."

Planting your hands on that chest, you tried to push back, to free yourself. This alpha with his perfectly coiffed dark hair, goatee, and deep hazel eyes chuckled as he held onto you with ease.

"Feisty," he said, startling you when he fastened a heavy metal device around your wrists with a speed that was scary. "I like it."

"No." The man behind you growled the word. You felt the heat of him behind you, his scent invaded your senses and went to your head. "She's mine."

The other alpha stiffened against you.

"Ah, no," he said confidently. "She's the one I picked out. I showed you, remember? I realize you're on the edge of a rut, buddy. But this one is mine. Go find your own."

Barnes' low growl sent a spike of fear through you. Would he accept that?

To you, the alpha who cuffed you said, "Start walking. You get more than three feet away from me and those cuffs are going to get very uncomfortable."

What?

You sped up, trying to dash away. Electric pulses sent searing pain up your arms. The pain was so acute, it took your breath away. It momentarily overpowered the biological process they'd artificially induced in you. And that was saying something.

Grabbing your elbow, he urged you to walk along next to him, in no particular hurry. A smirk formed on his handsome face as he pulled you along in the forest. You were afraid of what it might mean. You were so overwhelmed by everything, you cooperated. You didn't want to feel the pain again.

And Barnes couldn’t take you away from him without causing you a lot of pain. He wouldn’t, would he?

The lewd sounds of coupling were all around you, a macabre symphony of domination that pushed your fears higher. They were also making the powerful craving building in your body so much worse. The slick soaked your panties, your jeans, clinging to you in a sticky mess. Your core was aching, and your thighs were starting to tremble. You hadn't been given bras and the scrape of your sweatshirt against your tight nipples was impossible to ignore.

The one he'd called Barnes wasn't trying to stop you. Was he still back there? Had he gone to find another omega? It was hard to tell over the sounds of coupling and hard to focus on with waves of heat and need pulsing through your body.

As your heart raced and your breath came faster, you saw the edge of the forest ahead. He'd mentioned a cabin to Barnes. Did that mean he didn't intend to claim you in the woods? If you were now going to belong to this alpha, was he sparing you at least that indignation?

A few feet from the break in the trees, the alpha stopped you. Walking around in front of you, his gaze on your plucked-open jeans. His smile widened.

"This will make him insane," he said, reaching in and gripping your panties. They were so wet there wasn't even a rending sound as he ripped them from you, pulling them free of your jeans. Humiliation had you dropping your gaze as he brought them up to his nose. "Fucking perfect."

Why did he want to make Barnes insane?

A low whine escaped you as your pussy lips absorbed the pain of that extraction. Craving more. The alpha's expression held a touch of sympathy.

"Not much farther," he said, dropping your underwear to the forest floor. He's leaving them for the other alpha? Why? A display of dominance? "We'll take good care of you. I promise."

It wasn't lost on you that he said we.

When you emerged from the woods, at a different point than you'd entered them, you saw more armed soldiers. Another drove up in an open black cart, nodding to the alpha as he pulled you toward it.

"Everything has been arranged, Mr. Stark,"

"Thank you," he muttered.

Helping you in first, he climbed into the driver's seat, and off you went. It was a short drive until you reached what looked like an expensive resort. Yes, all the buildings were styled as rustic log cabins. But as you got closer, you saw that they were upscale and luxurious with huge shimmering windows and other fancy architectural touches that would have been expensive. If you hadn't been cramping so badly, you might have appreciated the sprawling resort.

As it was, you were in a lot of discomfort bordering on pain. By the time he pulled into the garage of the largest cabin you would see, you were shaking. The heat they'd forced on you made you desperate. The scent of him next to you had your mouth watering. You were ready to crawl into the alpha's lap even as your mind was screaming at you to fight and resist.

Reaching over, he freed you from the cuffs. His fingers felt so good as they soothed the flesh marked by the metal. His heated gaze was intent on you.

"They dosed you good, didn't they? Have you ever been through a heat before?" he asked.

“Alone,” you said, tears gathering. Frustration burned your body while your mind was spinning.

“I’m Tony. And I know you don’t think so right now,” he told you, “but you will have a good life with me. Our cubs will have a good life. You won’t want for anything.”

Dropping your head, steeling yourself against the ache, you managed to mutter, “freedom.”

“Freedom?” Tony said, his chuckle was a deep, rich sound. “You haven’t even experienced freedom yet. But you will.”

With impressive speed, he dashed around the cart and scooped you out, carrying you bridal style into the luxurious cabin. Your face pressed into his neck, breathing him in. The heat and strength of him were compelling, had you grinding your thighs together in agony.

The huge bedroom was warm, cozy. The fireplace next to the bed held a bright flame adding its glow to the soft lighting. The bedding looked sumptuous and soft. The extra blankets neatly folded on the bed had your mind spinning, wishing you’d had time in advance to work with those blankets. Get everything just right.

A cart on the other side of the bed, loaded with food. There was a basket of fruit and a small stack of protein bars. There were sweets too with cookies and pastries. The small cooler next to it was filled with ice, bottles of water.

Tony was careful in placing you on the huge bed. Smoothing a hand over your cheek, his eyes were kind. But there was something… some mischief. What was happening? He’d went to all the trouble to pluck you out of the forest.

A quick glance around the room and he sighed. “I think we’re all set.”

You were panting, a hand down in your jeans. You were burning alive from the inside and your desperate fingers on your clit couldn’t bring you relief. Your tears were bitter. Your life was being stolen by an obviously wealthy American alpha. You’d been thrown into heat against your will. Heat swallowed you. Your throat was parched.

Were you even going to survive this?

“Let’s make you more comfortable,” Tony purred, grabbing the hem of your sweatshirt and pulling it over your head. His gaze roamed over your breasts, his smile widening. He lifted a hand, barely touching one tight nipple with his fingertips.

That simple touch pulled a desperate whine from you.

“It’s okay.” That hand slid down over your ribs and darted into your jeans. When his fingers pushed in around yours and found your clit, you thought you were going to explode. You froze, taking in the delicate way he was tracing circles around that tiny bundle of nerves at your center. His lips chained kisses along your neck, the light scratch of his beard made you shiver. “You really are perfect.”

Tony moved to push your jeans down and you were frantic to help him, managing to shed the shoes and socks you wore too. His hands skimmed over your thighs as you did, the rough pads of his fingers making your crazy and surprising you all at once. Why would a wealthy alpha has rough hands?

When you were fully revealed to him, he wrapped a hand around the back of your neck, pulling you into him for a kiss. Every part of your body was on fire, aching. It didn’t speed him up. He took his time, claiming your mouth with a seeking kiss. He enticed you, tasted your lips. When he eased back, you just stared.

“What are you doing?” Your voice sounded desperate to your own ears.

Tony chuckled. “In a weird way, I’m reinstating Prima Nocta.”

You had no idea what that meant, and you didn’t care. Taking you in his arms, he took both of you further up the bed, into the small mountain of pillows at the top. His lips blazed a path over your jaw, down to your chest. When his mouth closed around one of your nipples, it was all you could do not to scream. You choked it back, losing your mind as the tip of his tongue danced around that tight little peak.

“Don’t hold back,” he whispered around it. “I want to hear you.”

You gasped as he moved down your body, his mouth cleaning the slick from the tender flesh of your inner thighs. Your hands shook as your fingers sank into his hair. You parted your legs for him, closer now to getting the relief you needed. When he got his mouth on you, you screamed long and loud. While his tongue strummed your clit with precision when it wasn’t exploring your folds, you were howling wantonly in the quiet of the cabin.

You begged for relief, pleaded for more. The alpha held you open for him easily, humming into your flesh until you thought you’d blow apart. You came the first time just from that vibration. Tony brought you off the second time on his tongue.

Tony lifted from you, pulling the sweater he wore off and revealing a dazzling display of muscles. But there were so many scars, including a nasty looking one right at the center of his chest. You were about to reach out and trace it with a finger, but he caught your chin in his hand and made you meet his gaze.

“Present for me,” he said. Not an order but a sensual request.

And you scrambled to get on all fours for him, facing the pile of pillows at the end of the bed. Tony’s hand caressed your ass, and he pressed a kiss to your shoulder.

“Let’s turn you around,” he whispered.

Whatever you want. You turned to face the huge picture window at the other end of the huge room. The sun was setting and smearing the sky in vivid red and orange, almost dark. You dropped down to your elbows, whining a little as you did to let him know you were still in need. The two orgasms you already had took the edge off, but everything still hurt.

You’d had a couple of lovers, betas, who you’d been happy with for a time. They’d been good lovers. You’d never been with an alpha. Tony slid easily into your weeping entrance. But the size of him… You gasped as he reached the end of you, your walls trembling to stretch around him. You wondered how it would feel when you weren’t in heat.

At the moment, it was bliss. His hands gripped your hips tightly and he began to move in you, knowing what you needed. His cock pounded into you once he established a rhythm, making you fight to stay in place for him. Your slick walls tried in vain to grip him, the slide tightening the grip lust had on you, spinning your senses.

The first howl you heard was on the edge of your awareness. It might have been Tony. It could have been you. But as Tony fucked you, the heat and lust consumed you. Your fingers clawed at the lavish bedding beneath you while your body craved more. Your heart slammed in your chest, in time with his powerful thrusts. You were panting, whining. By the time you were coming again, sensation overwhelmed you, coursing through your veins.

You dropped your head, a slave to your biology as Tony worked you from behind. You braced for him to reach his release, to knot you.

Yet, even in your chaotic state, you noticed he wasn’t in a frenzy as you were. Tony’s movements and breathing were controlled. His grip was firm but not demanding. While the string of orgasms helped quench the out-of-control flames of your heat, he wasn’t as desperate as you were.

Did he find you lacking? If you didn’t satisfy him, would you be sent back to the woods? The facility where you’d been kept for weeks?

Would they let you live?

Grabbing your hair, Tony pulled your head back up and holding you there. The move put the picture window in your view. The sun was sinking beneath the horizon and its dying rays offered enough light to see his shadow outside the window.

You saw the silhouette of the first alpha who caught you and it both terrified and excited you.

When his metal hand struck the window, cracking the glass beneath his fist, you came hard.

“Fuck yeah,” Tony growled behind you.

The world spun for you and Tony released your hair. His grip on your hips was iron-hard, almost hurt. Tony doubled down then, coming inside you as the echoes of your release went on and on until everything went black.

@youngmarquis @blameitonthecauseway @rootcrop @salomewrites @honeyhan-123 @joannaliceevans-fanficblog @4charmed @n7siha @threeminutesoflife @dusuncelidusuncesiz-blog @you-are-my-sanctuary @steveodinsonbarnes @glassheartandconcreteflowers @jaysayey @21stcenturywitchcraft @caffiend-queen @candy-and-writing @capsicle-shield @chaoticfiretaconerd @chrisevansgirl @chris-evans-indian-fanfic @coldmuffinbanditshoe @daughterofthenight117 @hv-chw3 @iheartsebastianstan @imanuglywombat @jeremyrennerfanxxxx123 @just-one-ordinary-fangirl @justrae9903 @kitkatd7 @lok1sgrl @lokislastlove @mariaenchanted @marvelouspottering @maxwelllee2020 @nannies-dont-date @nekoannie-chan @nerdwholikesword @notyourtypicalrose @optimistic-dinosaur-nacho @peaceinourtime82 @rainbowkisses31 @rayofdawnworld @richonne4life @rissysthoughts @saiyanprincessswanie @scarletsoldierrr @shygirl-00 @stargazingfangirl18 @supernaturaldean67 @sweater-daddiesdumbdork @team-iron-wannabe-man @titty-teetee @tonib666 @villanellevi @vitamingummies @weebid @what-is-your-plan-today @what-is-your-wish @xoxabs88xox @onetwo3000 @rosalynshields @naturalthrone22 @marvelovernfan @gotnofucks @nerdygirl8203 @princesssterek @vampy-doll @alexakeyloveloki @littlelurkinglark @bluemusickid @tenaciousperfectionunknown @marvelovernfan @violentyoshi @chris-butt @thiskindahotkindamusic @meetmeatyourworst @ice-dtae @evans-sims @biiskuitx @jevans2 @xoxabs88xox @peaceandloverry @jesevans

#Scenting Their Prey #A/B/O #Tony Stark #Bucky Barnes #Alpha!Tony Stark #Alpha!Bucky Barnes #Omega!Reader #Soft/dark fic

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guardian-angle22 · 7 months

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Nine ten books

thank you to @rmd-writes who tagged me (ages ago) in this... not sure you knew what you were going to unleash when you did that but here we are. 😅

I think the prompt for this is just list nine favorite books, but because I can't be normal about books and my taurus energy is strong today... I'm breaking up these book recs into categories, adding visuals, and also adding a tenth book to make it an even number. Cheers!

Books #1 & #2 (Nonfiction)

Ace by Angela Chen - Hello! Your friendly neighborhood asexual over here recommending that everybody read this book! It's such a good exploration of what it's like to navigate the world as an ace person and also the vast spectrum involved within asexuality.

Yoke by Jessamyn Stanley - Even if you've never done a single yoga pose in your life, I think you can gain something from this book. It's not a how-to yoga guide, but instead essays about her relationship to yoga, cultural appropriation within the community, fatness, colonization, capitalism, etc. It's fantastic and funny!

Books #3 & #4 (Excellent on Audio)

Six Stories by Matt Wesolowski - This fiction book (and the following books in the series) follows an investigative journalist who has a true crime podcast. The audiobook is full cast and it feels like you're following along to an actual podcast, but one you know you'll get a conclusion to. Highly recommend all of the books in this series on audio if you enjoy mystery/thrillers.

Where to Begin by Cleo Wade - The author narrates the audio version of this and her voice is like a balm to the soul. It feels a little bit like she’s a counselor guiding you through a thoughtful meditation. It’s short but it packs a punch.

Books #5 & #6 (Seasonally Appropriate)

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas - This is a YA book following a young trans boy, Yadiel, who wants to prove to his family that he's truly a brujo and attempts to summon the ghost of a murdered family member. Except he accidentally summons a classmate who has no idea how he died. Adventure and mystery ensues!

The Changeling by Victor Lavalle - I've always loved the folklore surrounding changelings, but Lavalle's writing just takes this to another level. This is set in NYC and he somehow managed to make the city feel like a character in itself. Super chilling, creepy read.

Books #7 & 8 (Graphic Novels)

I Hate Fairyland by Skottie Young - This is a 4 volume series about a little girl named Gertrude who is whisked away to Fairyland, where she's told she must go on a quest to find the key to unlock the door back to her world. Turns out she sucks at quests and 30 years pass and she still hasn't found the key. Now she's stuck in the body of a six year old and just murders everything she comes across. The contrast of bright, happy colors vs. the murderous, jaded Gertrude is hilarious and wonderful.

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen - This is a standalone graphic novel following Tien, the son of Vietnamese immigrants, as he navigates how to come out to his parents. The art in this is wonderful and the use of color to define when we're in the past, the present, or a fairy tale was done so beautifully. A gorgeous read!

Books #9 & #10 (Books from Favorite Authors I Will Read Anything From)

A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers - This book/series follows a tea monk who encounters a robot looking for the answer to the question, "what do people need?" It's cozy and comforting. I've read every Becky Chambers book published and will continue to do so. The way she weaves hope into everything she writes is phenomenal.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Steifvater - This series owns my soul. I don't even know how to pitch this other than it has a magical forest, a found family, the slowest of slow burn queer love, and Maggie Steifvater's atmospheric writing. Maggie is another author that I will read pretty much anything from (the werewolves weren't my cup of tea so I can't claim to have read all her books).

OPEN TAG to anyone who wants to list off some book recs/fave books. Tag me so I can get some new recs!! also no pressure tagging: @lemonlyman-dotcom @mikibwrites @alrightbuckaroo @reasonandfaithinharmony

#tag game #book recs #book recommendations #i cannot be normal about books dont ask that of me #guardian reads (sometimes)

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kwritingbooks · 1 year

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Strange Flower

you go on one of your regular walks. the air is cold. the leaves rumble against the wind. and a strange flower catches your attention against all the dead leaves that lie around it. sometimes curiosity can mean taking unknown risks, sure, but that’s even more evident when said flower sprays spores in your face and brings you to a whole other world you didn’t know was possible… {prompt inspired by @waterloou)

tags: sci-fy, fluff, mystical

word count: 3.2k

my masterlist here

Forty degrees didn’t seem as bad when it was written out across your phone’s weather app, while you were still safely wrapped in your comforter about thirty minutes ago. Yet, that opinion drastically changed after spending more than 5 minutes outside in its actuality. You wore a jacket of course, but the wind that cut against the tiniest cracks of exposed skin felt unbearable. It was as if the wind was purposely looking for shortcuts between the fabric’s stitching in order to send a shiver down your already chilled spine.

I knew I should’ve gotten an actual, useful coat. You thought to yourself. Windbreakers can only do so much when the wind feels like actual shards of glass cutting through me.

You oddly felt comfort in it though. Probably because you were deep in the woods, meaning no matter what angle you turned, the vastness of trees was all that accompanied you. The branches only had a few leaves that were still holding on to what they once were: a stream of reds, oranges, and yellows when the air wasn’t so brutal.

Now it was all just brown and withered.

You hummed under your breath from the irony of it all. Even leaves didn’t catch a break from the seasons of life. The wind got to them too it seemed.

You wanted to forever live in the springtime air, but not just any springtime air. The kind that lived in your dreams and would visit you when you were a kid. You would wake up the next morning, almost at a loss of words of what you had seen when you were dead to the world. Not a worry was in your dream-world mind. All that mattered were the little fairies that would sweep you off your feet as you floated above them, giggling waves of laughter like you were a little kid again.

That always beat the loneliness you felt during your waking hours.

Time never mattered in your dreams. Nothing did. Not taxes or your health. Not even the money that was crumbled in your jacket pocket that you had found between the couch cushions. It didn’t even matter that you were actually excited to find a spare three dollars to be added to your name.

But there was always an abrupt end to it all—waking up.

However, it was nice to be in reality every now and then. That way you could feel every leaf that crunched underneath your shoe or you could smell the pine from the trees every time a gust of wind would blow through. It was the balance you needed in a life that sometimes felt so distant from reality.

As you continued deep in thought about the birds chirping in the background with the mix of a stream of water flowing in between the chatter, you found yourself leaning against a fallen log. Its rough bark tugged on your shirt, nearly scratching at your skin as it exposed itself from the lifted fabric. You fixed it quickly, not allowing the breeze to take any more warmth out of you than it already had.

You could only imagine how cold the water was in the stream across from you. Little splashes sounded as it continued its fast pace, like a running faucet in the wild. If only you could be a little fish, letting it take you along the path like a lazy river during a brutally hot summer.

You closed your eyes, envisioning it yourself. Scales flickered against the surface of your skin in your mind, gills opening up on your side, with fins to replace your shivering hands now. You laughed quietly to yourself, shaking your head from the weird thought.

Your laughing stopped when you noticed a beautiful magenta color poking out in the middle of a barren circle of dead grass only a few feet ahead of you on the other side of the stream. Your head crooked ever so slightly, confused how it seemed to be so full of life while everything around it was the opposite.

How had you missed something like that? It was so vibrant and it stood so sturdy against the dirt and dead leaves around it. It looked like everything around it knew it needed its own spotlight and did everything in its power to not let its colors dwindle. Everything fell so perfectly around it.

It was beautiful. You had to get a closer look.

With one foot in front of the other, you leapt over the bustling water. On any other day, you would’ve been concerned about being able to jump over it without falling. Though, this time, it all seemed so automatic. It was like your feet carried you to the bright pink flower as if you were starving to be near it.

You knelt down beside it, examining its petals. It was even more beautiful up close. You had never seen anything like it either. Not only was it magenta, but it was also iridescent somehow. Although the sun wasn’t completely out, it still found the light well enough to reflect off of it in a way that was enchanting.

It was the most nonuniform thing you had ever seen grown before. Its petals ranged from thick to thin strands that elongated high above itself. You weren’t sure how it remained strong enough to stand so tall by itself, but you weren’t about to question it either.

Your fingertip brushed against the feathered, Earthy material and you swore you saw a spark emit from its chambers. Your hand flew back to your chest, defensively cupping it with your other hand. It was like your eyes were betraying you, betraying your reality that you thought you had such a grip on.

It was like it was gleaming back at you. The petals curled into itself like a Venus flytrap and your eyebrows furrowed in confused amazement. You couldn’t help but peer closer as you watched this mysterious phenomenon happen before your eyes.

Poof.

A mist of powder exploded from the blooming flower, completely encompassing your face. You could feel the particles seep into your lungs with the breath of shock you had taken. A wild cough erupted from deep within your throat, knocking you from your seated position and directly onto the cold ground.

Your head ached as the world that was once so calming began to spin beneath you. Though, the spinning quickly began to fade.

But so did your consciousness.

Until everything was black.

And so so still.

…

“Are you awake yet?” You faintly heard in a muffled rumble. “Hello?”

Your eyes peeked open, a blurry spectrum of objects flying around you. Your hands fiercely rubbed circles against your eyes, hoping to steady things long enough to sit upright again.

“Hello?” You heard once more, resulting in a grumpy rumble coming from you. You were still so dazed and confused about what happened that the last thing you needed was some voice to respond to.

Where even were you? What even happened? All you remembered was a stream…then some flower…and then… you couldn’t remember.

With your eyes still squeezed close, you managed to somehow raise yourself up onto your elbows. You weren’t sure if you felt like you could vomit or if you would fall right back over at any moment.

Or both.

“Are you okay?”

Your eyelids raised open like a stubborn, jammed door.

Even in the swirl of dizziness, it all soon snapped back to normal when you realized what was all around you.

Or the lack of.

Was this a dream?

You were small. But not small as in comparison to a UFC fighter, but small in an ant-like small way. Maybe even smaller. The trees towered over you like they had never towered over you before. Even the blades of grass appeared like trees—or trees that you were used to. The stream now sounded like a deafening waterfall, now seemingly miles away rather than the few feet it once was.

“What the hell?” You whispered out in astonishment, gaping wildly at the scene before you. If you weren’t so confused and terrified at once, you might have found it soothing. Maybe this really was another one of your dreams.

But it felt so real…

“Hi!” That same voice from before rang out, startling you immediately. You were so awestruck by everything else that you forgot there was a voice that had been trying to get your attention this whole time.

Your eyes flashed quickly to the source.

Your mouth cracked open, ready to say something, but your vocal chords failed. The connections in your brain seemed to shatter just as you darted your gaze over to this person’s presence.

You didn’t recognize him, but it felt like you did. In a distant way. Or dazed and confused way. You weren’t totally sure yet.

“What’s going on?” You sputtered out nervously, looking in all directions around you. The rocks underneath your fingertips felt rough and scratchy, as if they were boulders you could now sleep on rather than the ones you usually threw across lakes with ease.

“No need to worry, I promise. It’ll all make sense in a bit.” His eyes sparkled, but not in a metaphorical way. They literally sparkled against the sunlight. They looked deep within you but granted you comfort you had only ever experienced in your dreams.

A dream!

You placed a hand to your forehead in dismay. Obviously this was a dream! There was no other explanation.

You pinched against the palm of your hand, a relieving smile portraying across your face. Any moment now you would wake up and be in the comfort of your bed. It was probably time to wake up for work anyway. Hopefully you hadn’t overslept…

“It’s not a dream by the way,” he replied curtly as he gestured towards the continuous pinching into your hand.

You looked down, not realizing how evident it was. Your skin swelled a soft red, irritated by the pressure. You rubbed it against your shaky legs.

“Then what’s going on?” You stood up straight, hoping it would make you feel taller in the situation but it seemed to do the opposite. He had to be right. This all felt too real. Uncomfortably real. There was no way your dreams could perfectly encapsulate the feeling of dew against your skin in this way or the sun beaming down on the top of your head. Even the towering blades of grass didn’t prevent those very real sensations.

This was real.

“Come with me!” He cheerfully exploded, standing himself up in one quick motion. He seemed to float away, causing you to quicken your unsteady pace behind him.

He glanced briefly behind him to make sure you were still behind, resulting in a small chuckle escaping his lips.

“Like I said, it’ll make sense. It’ll come back to you.” His voice was slightly muffled due to the distance he was ahead and the running stream that still raced behind the both of you.

“It’ll come back to me?” You asked in bewilderment. You had never wished for something to be a dream as much as you had in this moment. It kept getting increasingly confusing by the moment. Each word he said made your brain spin that much more.

“We’re almost there, c’mon!” He rushed out along with his steps.

You could feel exhaustion bubbling inside of you, but you couldn’t help but ignore it. While you were confused as all hell, you were intrigued nonetheless.

You almost lost sight of him until you realized he had turned a corner. Your eyes searched amongst the debris, and then you saw he had stopped moving. He stood facing you now, surrounded by a circle of brightly colored mushrooms. It looked like the kind your mom had warned you about being around when you were a kid. You felt your heart pick up faster somehow.

Your pace slowed, taking cautious steps closer to this mysterious guy. A shadow had overcasted his body now due to the head of the mushroom creating a roof over him. A baby snail was the same size as you as you took a step over it. You could feel your courage muster back up.

“Tell me what’s going on!” You shouted frantically.

A look of slight hurt crossed against his features and you physically recoiled at the sight.

“Look, I’m sorry. I…I’m just—,” you paused to find the right words, “the last thing I remember I was in the woods. I was normal, okay? This isn’t normal. This has to be a dream, right? A really realistic dream? Lucid dream, that’s what they’re called. That’s all this is, right?”

He stood there quietly, his hands folded in front of him. He looked like he wanted to burst with excitement but was now confused on how he should react.

You were growing impatient, but before you could open your mouth for further retaliation, he motioned his hand for you to come closer.

You huffed out an exasperated breath, stubbornly walking ahead. You couldn’t fight hard against the nerves that had yet to completely dissipate. He was the only one who had the answers, or at least that was what you figured. He was the only one around at all.

You were now only about a foot away from one another. He continued his period of excited silence as his eyes ventured from your face to his hand pressing firmly against the spotted mushroom stem beside you two.

Your eyes stared intently at his hand. Was something supposed to happen? Everything seemed intact and just as it was moments ago. Was he just taking the piss? Playing on your confusion and enjoying seeing it happen?

“Go on,” he nodded towards the thick stem. “It’s okay.” His voice was soothing. It felt like music notes that danced around your body. Maybe that was why you didn’t hesitate to follow.

Your hand swiftly floated like it had a mind of its own. Slowly, your fingertips brushed against the dewy surface.

“What’s supposed to hap—“

Your words were cut off just as quickly as your head was flown back. Everything felt fuzzy, like you were vibrating. Yet, the feeling felt so familiar. You wondered if this was what happened when you spotted that flower.

But now it felt like an actual dream. Yet, you were witnessing the dream as if it was a movie. It was a montage of moments that you had no recollection of. Yet, you were watching it all yourself. It wasn’t just you, though. It was you and the guy you had just been questioning.

There were flashes of moments in meadows of flowers the size of trees, inside buildings made of leaves and sticks, in puddles the size of lakes, and flying on the backs of various animals jumping from trees. In each one, sat directly by your side, was that familiar man.

Did he put these memories in your head? Were these even memories? How could something be a memory if you have no recollection of it, yet are witnessing it happen right in front of you?

“What?” You shot out in the darkness around you. Ahead of you, the unfamiliar montage continued, but to your right, left, and behind you was pitch black. Empty.

“Hello?” You repeated out. You much rather preferred the woods you were stranded in before. You at least recognized it. You knew it like the back of your hand, only you weren’t the size of a flea when you had visited it every other time.

“I thought you’d never come back,” a voice behind you echoed.

You whipped around, searching for that face you had just seen by your side in each recalled memory.

“What do you mean?” You asked out loud to what seemed like nothing considering you still hadn’t spotted where the sound originated from.

“Y/N.”

It was soft, but the syllables of your name resonated deep somewhere in you. You had heard that voice say your name countless times. You couldn’t pinpoint how or why, but it was there. His voice seemed to be apart of you. He was familiar. But why? How?

“Harry?” You blurted out. You didn’t know why. It felt like it had been forced out of your vocal box. It was like an instinctive reaction.

He stepped closer, exposing himself in a small amount of light. It was the same face you had seen minutes before, but a different feeling escaped this time. He looked familiar because he was familiar.

He was your Harry.

This wasn’t a dream.

“Welcome back home, Y/N. I’ve missed you.” He smiled so wide his dimples created craters in his cheeks. Memories of jokes about the vastness of his expressions rang back to the forefront of your mind.

You paused your thoughts.

“Wait, but which life is real then? This feels real, but so did before.” Your voice was soft. You weren’t sure you wanted to know the answer, but you needed to know. You had friends and family before. That had to have been real. You had a whole life. What about them?

“It’s all real. It’s just one of the many realities we have access to,” he reassured with another step closer. “Most of us only have the one. This is my only reality. But they’re all just as important as every other one we have.” His hand brushed against your arm, sending a shiver down your spine.

“How did I come back then? How would I go back to the other one?” Your fingertips brushed across his hand that continued to caress against your skin.

“I sent you the flower. That’s why you felt drawn to it. It was meant to be found. Found by you.” He released his hand from you, allowing it to rest back at his side. “You switch back and forth when you’re supposed to—when the world feels you’re ready and need it. Although you can switch back if you truly wish, but there’s always a reason you feel the need to come back. So I hope you listen to what the world is trying to tell you.”

You bit at your lip, looking closely at the expression on his face. His eyes kept that same sparkle as before even with the lack of light to reflect off of.

You looked behind you at the collision of memories cycling over and over again.

You had never seen yourself look so happy. Each one that passed felt closer and closer. It started to feel like you were in each moment first hand. You had never felt like that before in your other reality. Maybe this was where you were supposed to be afterall.

Maybe you weren’t meant to be there forever, but you were meant to be there now.

So that was what you were going to do.

You turned back around to face him, colliding your body into his. The smell of him entrapped you completely, his grip tightening against you as you sunk right back into him.

His lips pressed tightly to your forehead as you closed your eyes, and he tugged you once more into his chest.

“I’ll be with you as long as you allow me to be here with you. In this world, it is all that matters. You are my only reality, Y/N.”

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