#wish to see all those who have not made an appearance in journeys yet
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Oh it's TODAY!!!!!
Yhe final part of the final match of the world's greatest tournament!!!!
He's come so so sooo far😭😭😭
You dont understand how important this is for me who grew up with him, since the start, from first episode of the whole series. What a journey it was, full of ups and downs, many companions, rivals and ofc team rocket.
I can't decide if I want for him to win it all or it's okay if he doesn't. If he wins, his dream since forever will come true and I've always been rooting for him but that also would mean there is a possibility of him not returning back next season which I don't know if I'm ready for. And if he looses here, he still is second best in the world but may also return again, but he will lose, I'm not ready for that heartbreak. I'll be on cloud nine if we somehow see him win and he comes back again, like he is back after Alola. But we can also see a tie!!! Ohhh, so many possibilities...
Whatever the outcome of today's battle, he will always be a champion for me❣️❣️❣️
#ash vs leon#pokeani#pokemon journeys#Pokemon#pokemon anime#ash ketchum#satoshi#wish to see all those who have not made an appearance in journeys yet#if only as cameos#pikachu#world coronation series#masters tournament#I'm sooooo proud#go get him ash
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Listening to Wyll's backstory in context of all the details we're acquiring on devil's contracts and soul selling is fascinating.
See - I listened to Lann Tarv's three tales to get my soul coins. I felt bad for making Karlach listen to that, obviously, but to be honest I didn't even want the coins that much. I actually wanted the stories. I wanted a better understanding of how this works.
And what I'm learning is - for the gods (and godlike beings) of this world, cruelty seems to be the point. I mean - it's possible there's a god in this world I wouldn't want to stab to death with a rusty fork, but if so I have not met them yet.
These beings have the power to save people and places, to change lives, to do anything. And when someone asks them to - they demand a terrible price. But they don't just demand a price. They subvert the original request in such a way that they utterly fail to deliver on the original promise.
An abused woman wishes to be loved - and her true love appears, but dies instantly. A man wishes to save his children from starvation, and ends up personally growing masses of meat on his own body - not only painful for him, but forcing his children into survival cannibalism, which they were trying to avoid.
Auntie Ethel works the same way. Every one of her customers is left in a tortured state, while Ethel still takes her payment.
The idea is that the person must come to regret their wish long before the payment comes due. Every cry for help must be met with a boot to the face. Or else the mortals will get uppity? Or something.
What is interesting is how consciously Wyll defies that. And how much Mizora is dancing around, trying to force him into that state of miserable regret.
Wyll was manipulated into selling his soul. He was a kid, and he was summoned into a terrible situation - and in that moment, he could see no other way to save the city. Mizora did need to save Baldur's Gate to serve her boss's purposes, so she couldn't take that victory from him - but she did everything she could to take the joy of it.
He didn't get respect, or admiration, or his father's pride for saving the city. He lost his home and his family. He was assumed to have done something monstrous because he was denied an opportunity to defend himself.
That was supposed to fill him with bitterness and regret - but he got to work building his own life instead. By the time you run into him, the Blade of Frontiers is a hero of some renown. He's remade himself, and found a way to enjoy what his powers can do, however he came by them.
So that didn't work.
Then Mizora sent him after Karlach, and that was a mission tailored to break him. Karlach is kind and heroic herself, and that the start she has been sold into slavery, mutilated and forced to fight in a war against her will. If Wyll killed her, and then found out who she really was, then he betrayed everything the Blade of Frontiers is supposed to stand for - and he would lose the life he made for himself.
But he didn't, and that didn't work either. He's got a friend, now, who at least knows part of what he's dealing with.
So Mizora gave him demonic features. That would destroy the life he's made for himself, because no one would trust him to help them.
Except now Wyll basically goes nowhere on his own, and a small army of people can attest that he got those horns and eyes as punishment for being a good man. Mizora might be able to shut his mouth, but she can't silence his friends - and the group absolutely have shouting sessions about everything. Wyll's horns become a battle scar, like his missing eye, and nothing more.
And beyond that, if you are playing as a heroic character, a significant throughline in the game's story is the journey of the tiefling refugees. The story makes it clear that these people experience a constant barrage of racism, due to their appearance and "demonic" heritage. It also makes it abundantly clear that this prejudice is entirely undeserved - they're just people, with virtues and flaws like everyone else, and what is happening to them is terrible. So Wyll turns up to assist a bunch of people whom he now at least somewhat resembles - and with Karlach along, you have two people in the group who technically count as "infernal", but haven't got an evil bone in either of their bodies.
Mizora created solidarity. Oops.
Wyll is deeply suspicious of gods and higher powers. He doesn't want to make more deals with devils. When Elminster arrives to tell Gale what Mystra demands of him, he explicitly says he does not do religion. When you get Mizora to agree to let his contract expire in six months, he starts by casually invoking the gods - but switches to thanking the player character instead, because he knows who helped, and who did not.
But he utterly refuses to regret the pact he made. That can be a struggle. He clearly misses his dad, and would like that relationship repaired. The fact that he was transformed very much against his will is clearly a source of distress from him.
But if he regrets, then Mizora wins. That's it. Game over. She gets what she wanted all along. So he doesn't.
The main companion characters all have this kind of problem, and naturally have different ways of dealing with it. You have characters like Shadowheart and Lae'zel, who were indoctrinated as children, or Gale, who was literally seduced by one of these nightmare deities - and with them you have to start out by convincing them they they were the wronged party in the first place.
But Wyll knows exactly what game he's playing, and he's been screaming defiance the whole time. It's just that, in his case, the "defiance" is grinning and carrying on every time Mizora inflicts some more bullshit on him.
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐈
Yan! Crown Prince x (GN?) Childhood Friend! Reader
Reader was hinted to be intersex and appeared as a lady-in-waiting and a nobleman, reader was described as an enigmatic beauty (so not directly feminine nor masculine). WC: 1.5k
𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘯𝘰? 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙙? 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘮.
"𝑨 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒊𝒇 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒚, 𝒂 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒏𝒐𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒇 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒏𝒐 𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒘𝒐.”
-- Part I, II, III
The crown prince had always had his eyes set on you. Why? He’s not sure. Perhaps it was because his brother fancied you, their mother lady-in-waiting. Nonetheless, you were the enigmatic beauty who captured everyone’s attention. Beauty depends on the eye of the beholder, yet you were always basked in it no matter whose eyes were looking at you.
“I wish you the best for your journey, Noel.”
You hugged the man you placed the handkerchief on, and he returned the gesture by placing his hand on your head, giving you a peck on your cheek before hugging you tightly for one last time. The crown prince only watched everything from the side, waiting for all the knights to finish this rite.
"I will return home safely again no doubt."
Upon seeing everyone has steadied themselves, Erickson raised his arm, ordering all the knights to stand in line. The knight next to Erickson started his usual speech before the crown prince sent the knights off.
All the noble women hurdled to your side, eyes glistering in adoration as they watched you and Noel being the love birds. Upon the departure of the knights, you herded the ladies to the main hall, chit-chatting with them.
“Young master really adores you, lady Rigelhoff!”
“Oh, it does not look like those typical early phases! He really fancies you!”
“That bastard, he revealed himself the moment we got married, although we are certain young master isn’t one that is bland!”
Everyone laughed at the statement until Erickson approached your table, “Greetings, ladies, what are you beauties talking about?” Erickson had always been known as the playboy so it was no surprise to see him acting like this.
“Oh my, we were talking about your little brother!”
“Oh how sweet Master Noel is, God, I think falling for someone’s fiancé is no longer a sin!”
“Hey, don’t say that in front of the fiancée!” The other lady smacked playfully.
“Well ladies, that’s one of an interesting topic but may I please take lady Rigelhoff with me? I have something to converse with her.”
The other ladies gestured for him to take you with him, an ‘of course’ muttered repeatedly. Just as you were about to stand up from your seat, Erickson offered you his arm for you to hold. You were not exactly in the position to refuse so you held his arm.
“…Noel’s way more muscular than yours, Erick.” You commented as you felt his arm.
“Is that so? As expected from a rabid dog that is so invested in the battlefields.” Erickson cackled at your statement.
“Hush!” You elbowed him playfully while you two walked toward his chamber.
The guards stationed in front of his chamber opened the doors for you two to enter. You were used to seeing his room already. The room did not change much from the time you three were still children until now.
“So? What is it little pie? Care to spill the tea for me?”
Erickson pulled the chair for you to sit before he made his way to the other chair, “Well, I’m sure you are aware of how I’m the next emperor no? Soooo, what do you think?” He cocked his head to the side, waiting for your response.
“Hm? Well I think you should really change that attitude of yours first”
Erickson rang the bell to call the servants, asking them to prepare the two of you some tea and desserts.
“For example?”
“Hmm, stop being a heartbreaker and finally be a reliable figure for your nation?”
“Will I finally be worthy if I do that?”
“Worthy? Worthy of what?”
“Nothing! Although… I suppose that uncle of mine really should drop down soon since I have reached adulthood.”
Both Erickson and Noel’s uncle reigned the nation when their father passed away, although there was a contract where that man had to descend from the throne the moment Erickson reached adulthood, everyone including the former empress (Empress Dowager) herself started to doubt the contract would be fulfilled. You winced internally, if the current emperor won’t descend on his own, you’d have to finish your mission that was assigned by the former empress.
‘Dispose him the moment you got the chance to.’
This was a mission tasked to you that even the siblings were not aware of. In fact, only you, the former empress, and some of the servants were aware of this. You truly hoped that man would have a single bit of conscience left in him before you had to see how he led a revolution against Erickson.
Erickson stared into your dazed-off face, relishing in how your brows twitched occasionally. It seemed to him that you were worried about how that bastard had a change of heart and motive. He was none the ignorant one as well, he was aware of everything. How you and his mother schemed to dispose of his uncle was clear the moment he found the notes you hid in your shelf when he sneaked into your room. What was once originally just a usual secret visit to your room turned into a discovery that touched his heart. It seemed like both you and his mother still cared for him and not Noel only.
“So? Who are you going to court?”
“…what?” Erickson snapped out of his thoughts, shocked by your question.
“The next empress, Erick. Our nation needs an Empress figure as well.”
The servants brought trays of tea cups and desserts, all adorned to look tempting and lovely. One of them poured the two of you the warm tea while Erickson shifted his focus back to the conversation. Right. It had to be a woman of reputation and intelligence.
“How about Lady Rimwell? She’s a strong-natured woman that would keep you in manner, kukuku” You cackled as you smacked the fan into your palm. Erickson started thinking to himself, why find another when he could just court you? You bear the Rigelhoff’s crest on your chest despite it only being a mere decoration to cover your flow. That alone had already fulfilled the reputation criteria.
“I truly pity the other suitors as I’ll fully support Lady Rimwell, they’d probably have a hard time competing with her, don’t you think so too?”
Erickson didn’t think so. The winner all along would not be Lady Rimwell but you. You are naturally intelligent, having to learn and read the same books both Noel and Erickson read. Not to mention that he’s aware of how many times you’ve also reserved a seat in the nation’s politics as a nobleman. It was not hard for you to deceive everyone into thinking that you came from another family with a decorative crest on your chest, especially when you have their mother’s full support.
You may be her lady-in-waiting, but you were also the shadow that lurked over the nation, a man capable of dirtying their hand to keep everything in place. That alone would be enough to convince his mother to allow him to court you. As for the other advisors' opposition, they held almost no power to go against his decision so they would be of no problem to him.
“yes… I truly pity the other suitor.” He really did, to have their engagement broken and be courted by the next Emperor, o how pitiful this thing called love. The tea had gone cold, it seemed like he took longer than he expected. He took a new cup and poured the warm tea into it, sliding the plated cup toward you.
“It wouldn’t taste good to dip those cookies into a cold tea, no?”
Erickson knew you better than Noel, so why was he never spared even the slightest chance to creep into your heart? Why was it always Noel who got everything? His parents’ attention, your attention, everyone’s attention. Perhaps that’s why he’s reputable for being a heartbreaker. Perhaps that’s why he wanted everything Noel had, his honor and you. But Noel was his family, his brother, so he could not do much but only give him a bit of poking.
“I hope Noel won’t be mad for having me attending his love.” Erickson cackled as he crunched the sugar cube he held into dust, falling right into yours, “There, sweet just like what you like!”
--
Days turned into weeks and there was still no news regarding the knights. Your hand balled into a fist as your face contorted in worry. Noel was not weak, he had always been strong, the strongest. He’d return, you were certain of it. You’d swear on the witch of certainty that he’d return. For now, you could only wear your hat and take your cane, for duty had called you to eliminate another opposing nobleman.
“Prepare the carriage for me, I’ll be going to that man’s manor”
“Understood, Mister Marquez,” The servant that the former empress had entrusted to be your helper bowed. To you, names held almost regard to you as it was nothing but a means to assist you in executing plans and giving you the upbringing you needed in society.
“They really shouldn’t have opposed us”
---
"We can't send any messenger out because of the blizzard, sir!"
"What? But we can't also hold our position here! we are clearly outnumbered by the monsters!"
"Arrange a pathway for us to pull back, and protect Master Noel no matter what!"
--- 𝙻𝚘𝚐 𝟷 𝙴𝚗𝚍
𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬:
An introduction for the repeating characters
𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗺: Erickson, Noel, Former Empress (Empress Dowager Blankenheim), Current Emperor (Uncle)
Reader had 2 houses' names, 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗹𝗵𝗼𝗳𝗳 (as lady-in-waiting) and 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘇 (as nobleman).
#yandere male#yandere#yandere x reader#yandere scenarios#yandere x you#yandere imagines#male yandere#yandere insert#yandere oc#yandere headcanons#yandere works#yandere writing#reader insert#x reader#oc#x gn reader#Erickson the Chosen#Noel the Unbent
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Friend or Foe || Part 2/3
Part 1 || Part 3
Pairings: Time, Wind, Wild x GN Reader
Overview: Link visits an alternate world without its hero and, more importantly, a version of you without your Link. Unfortunately, it seems even the smallest of details can lead to disastrous results.
In spirt of Halloween, I've decided to do a little evil prompt because none of the Links have enough emotional damage yet😈
Zelda Masterlist 💙Fandom Masterlist
Time may not remember everything that has occurred over his many, long adventures, but he does remember the day you met. Only children then, you both made an innocent promise to marry once adults. Now, Time may be a lot of things, but he has always been a man of his word. How could he not be when presented the perfect chance to spend the rest of his life with his childhood crush? You’re the one person he can trust with his every secret - the reward at the end of every troubling journey. He lives to see your joy and dies to see your sorrow, even when it isn't exactly 'your' sorrow...
It's difficult business keeping track of eight young boys and men, especially when they're all cursed with the same adventurous spirits that are easily distracted. Of course they’ve managed to disappear here. He can only blame himself for not having questioned their silence sooner, although he’d be lying to say he doesn’t feel disappointed, notably with the older boys, Twilight and Warrior, who are usually more responsible than to simply wander off without a word of explanation. Alas, even they’re nowhere to be seen, his only hint of other life nearby being a giggle that echoes off the vast number of gigantic trees.
"My, my. One more left I see?" Time leaps back, hand already on his sword when he hears the voice, “Oooh, and look at you! So handsome! So fierce! I’m digging the scar - it makes you look so tough. And those muscles, too! You seem like you would really know how to -”
“- Where are you?!” Time demands, getting his answer promptly when a figure swings down from a branch mere feet away from his face.
“Wow! You’re even hotter up closer!”
Time's eyes widen in surprise due to both their sudden entrance and their physical appearance. This mysterious person has wild hair that sticks out in every direction with their body lacking a healthy weight or color, yet Time immediately ignores all of that in favor of focusing upon the mask they wear - one he knows all too well but wishes he didn’t. He thought, for a second, that he may have recognized their voice, too, yet he’s more certain that he must be mistaken in that regard. No way it could be…
“Hey, you were traveling with those other boys, right? So maybe you’ll be nicer by giving me the answers I want! You see, beautiful stranger, I’m looking for a special friend of mine. We made a promise a while back and I intend to fulfill it if I could just find him first. None of the travelers I’ve found in these woods so far are him, so I was beginning to lose hope until I overheard those friends of yours mention his name, but they -”
Time can’t move, his body overcome with a chilled wave that ends with his feet cemented to the ground. It would be reasonable to say he misheard the first time, and he could keep denying it if he wants now, but that wouldn’t change the fact that he does recognize this person’s voice. How could he not when it’s the same that belongs to his own person angel? It’s a disordered version of yours, however this person isn’t you. This can’t be you because last he checked, you were safe back home where you promised to wait for his next return. How could you suddenly be here in this world, kept under the binding influence of Majora’s Mask?
“- Hey, are you broken?!” This person - who still so eerily sounds like you despite Time’s refusal to admit such a thing - knocks a fist against his forehead, barely flinching when he jerks back with a gasp, “Sooo? You gonna help me or just be difficult like your friends, eh? I don’t have all day, miser!”
Perhaps this ‘you’ is simply a figment of his imagination created by the forest to torment him; that must be the answer. He just has to play the game - no matter how much it messes with his head - to find out what happened to the boys. He’s dealt with enough Skull Kids before, this would be a piece of cake.
“I -...This friend of yours, who is he? Someone you’ve lost in the forest?” Time asks carefully, doing his best not to react too much outwardly, after all he’s seen first hand how Majora’s Mask can affect the mind of its wearer, and this ‘you’ before him has already clearly been put through the wringer.
“If I knew where I had lost him, I would’ve found him!” You snap in irritation.
Time swallows, “...Right, that does make sense, but perhaps if you could tell me his name, I could offer you better help in finding him?”
You seem pleased by this answer, swinging yourself upright on the branch where you become illuminated only by the glowing eyes of your mask, “Link.”
“L…Link?” That cold feeling from before returns, making Time suddenly feel sick to his stomach as the dots finally begin to connect in his head. This is no figment of his imagination - no trick of the light or evil illusion. It really is you…not the same version of you he married, but the other he promised to…
In Wind’s world, you're an adored teacher on Windfall Island. You’re kind, caring, and very knowledgeable about Hyrule's history which came in handy whenever he needed pointers during his early adventures. Yes, you would express concern over a child of his age partaking in such dangerous affairs (you thought it was all a joke when he first told you) and you've let it slip before that you aren't the biggest fan of pirates, although beyond your mother-like worry which you’ve adopted towards all your students (even the unofficial ones like Wind), you’ve ultimately supported him every step of the way. You've always been a huge role model for him, so this shift in personality is more than unexpected...
Wind was excited to show his new friends around what he thought to be his own Hyrule and relieved to discover they weren’t alone on this island they’ve found themselves stuck on after wandering through another portal. A pirate ship anchored on shore - the very ship belonging to Zelda’ crew, as Wind foolishly assured the others despite their caution. Now, thanks to his impatience and eagerness, he sits saddened and embarrassed next to the rest of the heroes as they remain tied to the ship’s mast.
It’s confusing. The pirates of this ship are the same as Zelda's crew, yet they claimed to not at all recognize the younger pirate regardless of his attempts to jog their memories. Instead, they had rounded him and the rest of the Chain up the second they approached their dock, taking them prisoner where they currently wait for 'the Captain's reaction'.
The Captain. This made Wind feel relieved again. Zelda. He doesn't know why the other pirates are acting so strangely, but Zelda will be able to clear this whole mess up, in fact here she comes, dressed in her normal pirate attire Wind's accustomed to seeing.
"ZELDA! Goddesses, am I glad to see you! I don't understand what kinda trick the guys are trying to play on me, but this isn’t the time! My friends - they're all heroes of courage like me and we could really use your help to -" The words come so quickly from Wind's mouth that Zelda barely has time to look disgusted.
"How hard did you exactly hit this guy?" She asks while looking to Nudge then back to Wind with a smirk.
"Wha - I'm serious! This is urgent, Zelda -!"
"- Who?" She places her hands on her hips, generally seemingly confused which makes Wind's blood run cold, but not as much as it does when another voice speaks.
"Oi, what's the ruckus out here, eh!? I thought I told ya' lot to keep it down - Oh. What do we have here, umm?" The doors to the Captain's cabin burst open, out walking a figure dressed head-to-toe in a bright red uniform with a large black, white, and magenta feather sticking out from their hat.
"Captain," Zelda immediately backs off from Wind, "These guys were just caught after trying to rush our ship."
"No, that’s not what we -!"
"- Little thieves. 'thought they could just follow us here and steal our treasure!" The pirates hiss together, although you take more time to look over the boy in front of you along with his companions.
"You all look familiar…" Your statement - as disinterested as it sounds - almost gives Wind hope. Almost, "Lock 'em up in the cellar where I won't have to listen to their annoying bitching. Gonzo, set a course for the Forsaken Fortress. I think Ganondorf would like to meet these boys. Tetra, you stick with me."
"YES, CAPTAIN!" An assortment of shouts follow, both from the pirates who follow your every order loyally and the heroes who express their dismay. Wind, however, can only stare in complete disbelief and betrayal as you look back at him once more, your eyes dark from underneath your hat's shadow which is a sharp contrast to the usual warmth that he knows you for.
Wild lives with a lot of heavy regrets weighing him down, perhaps the most unspoken being his missed chance at ever telling you his true feelings. You were an ever-so-dear friend to him before the Calamity - someone who never expected the impossible from him and always offered a shoulder to lean on should he need one. He loved you quite a bit; something he remembered almost as soon as he remembered you. He has often visited your grave, replaying past events in his head while suffocating in his own guilt from not having protected you. He has sometimes begged the Goddess to let him see you again, even if just to apologize, but this isn’t what he had in mind - far from it…
Wild’s version of Hyrule is chaotic and messy; a land that thrives off of quiet hope and the shattered remnants of a once mighty kingdom. Zelda has mentioned the theory before: that like Hyrule, Wild needed to become something else - something different and unruly in nature because if you can’t beat it, then join it.
With that said, he’s accustomed to using a lack of forethought, at least in any way comparable to his past self (which is what he tells himself, anyway). As far as he knows, before the Calamity, he was as straight-laced as they come, always concerning himself with his public image and focused on never letting anyone down. He’s nothing like that now, often running into danger head first with messy hair and a blaze of fire following his trail. You would think after the amount of concussions and scars he’s gained, he would’ve long learned his lesson, but alas, he raced through this dungeon with little worry as he’s done many others because his confidence - or perhaps his dull wit - has once again outweighed any common sense.
Now this is the price he must pay for his own ignorance: a nightmare reanimated before him as it taunts and tortures his inner conscience…and all he can do is accept this horrid punishment in frozen terror as you stalk across the room towards him.
When he raced ahead of the others and turned the key, he expected to be greeted with the typical dungeon boss - an overgrown bokoblin or fiery wizard. He didn’t expect it to be you, crumbled on the ground with gloom affecting your entire body. He didn’t expect for you to react so harshly to his presence, throwing him across the room with a blast of magic when he tried to reach your side, desperate to know how you’re alive and if you’re okay.
You look as angry as you have every right to be, your face curled into a snarl as you come closer, eyes narrowed in an orange glow and a sword in your hand…yet Wild could do nothing but let his knees buckle from underneath himself and dig his nails into his scalp as he asks himself over and over again how this is possible. How are you here? How are you alive? How were you affected and how does he fix you? …He can’t, though. He let you down then and has no idea how to save you now despite having been granted the gift of your presence again - the very thing he’s been begging for.
“I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry!” He cries, not sure if it’s for you or himself as he sobs your name with the same heartache he would over your grave, “I’msorry! I’msorry!”
“IT’S AN ILLUSION, WILD! IT’S NOT THEM!” Someone shouts from behind - someone who he’d usually easily recognize as Twilight yet his mind is in too much of a rush to even listen to his concerned friend’s words, let alone care about his identity.
Wild can only think of his final moments with you. The day you ‘casually’ told him about plans to try a new restaurant in Castle Town and how you were looking for someone to join you. Foolishly - ever so foolishly - he asked if your sister wouldn’t go, generally confused that you, someone so kind and loved, would have trouble finding a willing companion for any aspect of your life.
Bashfully, you agreed to ask her, and that was it. You walked off, leaving the poor hero to wonder why you looked so dejected and heartbroken. The next time he’d see you was a mere picture an old woman showed him, curious if you happened to be the one he ran into town desperately searching for. The woman - your niece, as it would turn out - confirmed his worst fears, explaining that while you had survived the initial attack during the Calamity, you like many others soon succumbed to an illness Purah now theorizes to have been a result of close contact with gloom.
Wild can only imagine your final moments, poisoned by gloom and betrayal much like this other version of you is. If only he had done his job properly, you would have never felt such pain. You, like your sister, would have grown old and lived peacefully as you deserved. He, himself, wouldn’t have to forever live with this guilt he bears from your death - guilt that tries convincing him it would’ve been better if Twilight hadn’t pulled him away from the danger, instead allowing you - even if not truly you - to get some sort of revenge for his mistakes.
#lu wind x reader#lu wind#linked universe x reader#linked universe#link x reader#legend of zelda#lu time x reader#lu time#lu wild x reader#lu wild
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A DC X DP IDEA #9 The Nightgale’s
Imagine this…
Here we have a three-way relationship between Vlad, Maddie, and Jack. The grandfather Clockwork, the children which consist of Jazz, Dan, Danny, and Dani, and a morally gray Fenton clan. The Fenton’s might be descendants of the witches from the Salem trials but what about the name Nightgale?
It was not well-known knowledge that the name Nightgale is a well-known yet old name in the underworld. If you want information, firearms, drugs, protection, and many more it is the Nightgale that you should go as they have been ruling the underground for the past centuries building up their empire from scratch. Ruthless to those they consider their enemies, and saviors to those who are under their care.
Rogues from different parts of the world as well the rogues that the JL members are having trouble as well they pay their respects to the Nightgale’s as the last example namely the Joker disrespected them in the face, got paler, and found at the inch of death and they never mentioned nor crossed territories with them. Lex who tried his shot, almost got an aneurysm due to the fact that a single member of that family merely got to his most secured safe house and waved a black USB in front of him that will destroy him after a tongue lashing as that person explained in the politest voice, he ever heard threatening his entire empire.
…
Danny shouldn’t know whether to feel ecstatic or not, on one hand, his parents had accepted him as Phantom, and the number of tears and hugs involved was never to be talked about again. On the other Vlad’s wish came true, how? well, it was when Vlad realized that the reason, he hated his dad for so long is because he was stuck in the pulling the girl’s pig-tails phase. Instead of elementary, it started during their college time together up until now.
Now that both Maddie and Jack knew that both Danny and Vlad are halfas as well realizing his feelings and being added to the family due to the short and small wedding that the three of them had. Vlad revealed that he has children from Jack, namely Dani, and Dan, which sparked an argument between Maddie and Vlad, something he wouldn’t imagine seeing before, about who made their significant other happier or even loved more.
But the problems of the newly made family don’t end there. GIW agents began appearing more frequently and being more aggressive as they leave a destructive path to find Phantom as they believe that he is the most powerful of them all and needed to be eradicated.
Moving to a place where there is an abundance of ectoplasm in the air well-being able to mask their presence as the rest of the members who isn’t a ghost are infected to a certain degree that the GIW considered them as part of the Anti-Ecto laws. Jack told the family to go back to his birthplace as well going back to the family business to protect themselves from the GIW.
Danny had blinked at that statement he thought that the Fenton’s were descendants of witches that survived the Witch Trials and had made their settlement here in Amity when they had initially escaped.
Jack admitted he never wanted such an environment his future family can get into but seeing that their opponent is the government itself he realized that those secrets from his past can now keep his family safe.
He changed his last name to Fenton when he moved city in hope that their enemies may never find the true heir of the Nightgale’s. Ever since he was a kid, he dreamed of living a normal life with a normal family. Don’t get him wrong he loves the family where he was raised but lives a life where everyone will not kill you nor acknowledge you for having a fancy last name. With the support of his family, he embarked on his journey the moment he turned 14, creating a fake identity complete with paperwork that no one would the keenest eyes can make out whether it is real or fake.
Created a nonexistent identity with history in one of the most secluded areas in the world. Secured an identity and was able to intermingle and blend in with the locals to the point he was considered one of them despite not being a local.
Jack explained that being a normal person is quite hard as he was raised in a quite not-so-normal house. When he saw that being a ghostbuster/ scientist is an actual branch of science he immediately took the subject as his cover for his unusual strength, intelligence as well the fact that carries various exotic-looking weapons that can be brushed off as ways to contain ecto-entities.
What he didn’t think through is to be actually interested in the topic to the point he wrote an entire thesis and book about the so-called ghosts. Nor the fact he was able to create a gateway to another dimension on the said subject, married to people who saw and took interest in the said subject, have his son become that said entity as well having an entire family including him to be dead or infected in some sort of shape or form, he still remembers the way he jokingly thought to himself that he only suppose took as a joke as well being a cover seeing that nobody will actually take him seriously or even suspect him as a Nightgale if he took such career path where they were called mad and a joke by the science community itself.
…
Racing through the roads using the GAV with an injured Vlad and Danny on the tow along with the entire Fenton’s, Jack raced to Gotham with the only people who he thought can help them.
Apparently, Plasmius was caught by the GIW and was in the middle of live dissection when Phantom broke through the door and rescued the Fruit loop, he may still have slight anger issues towards the man for all the troubles he caused for Danny but the fact he was getting better and made his parents happy made him give the Fruit loop one last chance, but he never said that being petty is off the table.
Rushing in without a plan ended up with him being shoot and skewered a bunch of times but it was his supposed step-father’s life on the line here and he wouldn’t dare to give up.
Releasing as well as destroying everything they have on Ghosts is now a requirement to each GIW facility they encountered may also be a factor on why he now has a bleeding shoulder.
Upon entering Gotham borders they were greeted with chaos, Lady Luck was with them that day as well Lady Gotham, there had been a mass Arkham breakout and each Bat is busy containing the destruction and chaos around Gotham that they didn’t see a weirdly shaped vehicle racing through Downtown Gotham.
Lady Gotham had covered the vehicle with her shadows as she had felt her king and his father in great danger and protected the family from his knights and cities by steering away her knights and destroying any cameras that have caught them.
Knocking franticly on a wooden door of a fairly large house at the just edges of the border of Gotham, a lean young man wearing what looks like a butler’s uniform opened the door and was surprised to see Jack carrying a bloodied teen on his arms and an even bloodier man on his back, behind him a multitude of people carrying various emotions like anger, worry, scared and exhaustion in their faces, the mysterious young man immediately ushered the entire group inside the house.
…
Elias Nightgale never thought that he would ever see his son again, nor he expected to have the first meeting between him as well his grandchildren in such a manner.
He knew the existence of his grandchildren as he and Jack had been exchanging letters sick Jack decided to look at the world.
Barking orders his men to guard the premise as well as the group that came with Jack, calling in each of his men to learn everything that his son looks like has hidden from him because last time he checks he used to have only 2 grandchildren it seems now they have multiplied.
Calling in on a family meeting made every Nightgale member from immediate cousins, aunts, and uncles to their great uncles and aunts as well as cousins who were once or thrice removed.
Never once the entire family ever saw the day the current head Elias Nightgale of the Nightgale family ever called for a family emergency family meeting, so they dropped everything and went to the main base where they were greeted by Jack’s family with clear exhaustion and worry etched on their faces.
…
Jack began explaining to his dad what he might forget to write in their monthly exchange of letters.
Explaining about the ghosts, his son and spouse, and additional members as well as having an entire branch of government hunting them down just for existing.
It was twice that Jack had seen such murderous rage painted on his father’s space, first when he was tortured and kidnapped by an opposing group and the 2nd one today.
Elias Nightgale as well as the rest of the family are now ready to raid, destroy and raid everything to the ground, but Jazz had stopped them as attacking them might have the blame put on the ghost and have an entirely powered hero after them.
…
When Danny woke up and had gotten better, he was ushered to meet up with his paternal grandfather. Upon arriving at the study room he took his time to observe each of his family members, he is quite curious when he saw that his grandfather was 6ft at most and now questioned where his dad had gotten his height, but he saw a beautiful yet scarily tall 6 and 12 ft red-haired woman with the brightest hazel eyes he ever saw immediately concluded that she is his grandmother.
They have discussed that while he and his other father were unconscious that it is best to stay at the home of the Nightgale’s to have some sort of protection against the GIW as not only did they have the latest technology but also nobody wanted to mess with the Nightgale’s
…
Jack’s family is now intergraded into the Nightgale’s completely, despite the black dealings around them they didn’t bat an eye, as they have developed morally grey morals from the past years, they even had their own roles.
Jack Nightgale became the head of weapon making, using a new type of energy while masking the ectoplasm signature of it pose a problem but was able to overcome, now the Nightgale’s now have one of the most dangerous weapons that were ever made and begin strictly monitoring each one.
Maddie became part of the assassination section of the Family Business, with a ninth-degree black belt as well as a marksman made her the perfect assassin that specifically hunts down rapists and child murderers as well GIW agents that dared to hunt down their families.
Vlad Masters who is currently on par with being the richest man in the country focused on his business, as much as he loved his in-laws, he made such that Vlad Co. stays up and running as well as able to thrive. They needed a continuous flow of funds to be able to renovate the house to a mini-mansion to accommodate the small family, complete with built-in security from both humans and ghosts.
Dan began training the guards as well as being one of their heavy hitters, always out with a mission for their family as well the one sent out to check on the family’s business and dealings in and out of the country.
Jazz has a normal job as a physiatrist building her own little clinic near Criminal alley during the day but by night she is one of the best information specialists gatherers. In interrogation is where she blossoms playing the minds of her victims into telling her the information they hold.
Danny began his training in both being the heir of the Infinite Realms as well the potential next head of the Nightgale’s, Danny pointed out that he is the middle child but sadly all of his siblings voted him as the next head of the family. Training that included weapon handling and execution, using and not using his ghost powers as an advantage, briefings with high-profile people, and private instruction from "constitutional experts".
Lastly, Dani, who is un doubly the best spy there is, able to slip into about anything and able to extract information without alerting their intended target. Having the ability to engage with others as naturally, adaptive, and highly functioning as possible. As a spy, social interaction will take numerous forms, requiring her to be comfortable engaging with people from many walks of life.
…
Batman sat in front of the Bat computer for an hour still reviewing the new case about the Nightgale’s.
During his teen years, he was saved by one of their own as his ancestor as well as the first holder of the Wayne name had a long-standing relationship between the Waynes and Nightgale’s, thus saving the heir of the Waynes seemed only right and they have already taken the liberty of torturing and killing his parent’s murderer.
As much as he wanted to cut off any ties the Wayne family between to the Nightgale. It is quite impossible as his family has allotted a considerable size of life debts towards the Nightgale’s and opted to merely watch and observe the family.
It has been a year and a half since their activity has spiked as well as the new cruelty towards specific people who all wore white suits with black shades, having been brutally killed before dumping their bodies. They are still killing people in their usual kills as well as the people who had dared to defy them to the point of extreme torture.
It was also been 6 months since he and his entire family decided to investigate the recent killings of the Nightgales.
It has also been 9 months since Red Hood joined and helped the Nightgale’s in the crusade of killing the people who wore white suits and black shades.
It has also been a year since the new students of the Gotham family aka the Adia siblings namely Jasmine, Danny, and Dani Adia became close friends as civilians of some of the members of the Bat-family.
Just what are the Nightgale's are up to and what are the Adia Siblings hiding?
…
PS: If someone out there wants to continue or make a fic about this you are free to do so don’t forget to tag me though.
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Demi Demon || Alastor x Reader, part 14
Synopsis: soulmate AU where you have the same mark on your body as your soulmate, and if your soulmate dies, you die too. Alastor needs to make sure that his soulmate is safe so he can continue his reign - whatever that takes. Though it looks like we have a couple secrets of our own.
Previous part
Part 14: snake demon
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I slithered through the heavy crowd. Everyone had either a drink or money in their hand. The matches were about to start and everyone was putting their bets in. I held my human appearance but I kept scratching my neck where my short hair touched my skin. I wasn't used to this new hairstyle.
It had been a few weeks since I left Alastor's manor. During that time, I had found my new purpose. My first morning of freedom was spent dealing with ring guards and getting children out of cages. Those under 18 I brought to the orphanage while those above that went with me to the next town to find a job and make a living. I felt guilty leaving them to figure it out on their own, but it was a much better fate than dying worthlessly in a fighting ring.
Evading Alastor and Husker had been a challenge. At first I hid in old attics during the night and only ventured out at midday. I cut my hair short and stayed far away from any shadows.
It didn't take me long to discover what Husker looked like with his human appearance. He looked like an angry wolverine and his body emitted an orange glow from using his magic. I could sense and smell his presence as soon as he stepped foot in town.
I moved from town to town without pattern. I was surviving off the generosity of others or my own sneaky tactics. I had found a map in one of the general stores and decided to live in a town close to Ultopa. The two surroundings towns had recently legalized fighting rings, which meant there was a huge amount of trapped fighters. I would live nearby and make it a routine to free these enslaved fighters.
Ultopa was also far from Alastor's manor. I had a feeling he wouldn't think to look for me so close to a legalized ring fighting town. He knew my history and how much I hated these things. Why would he look for me at the one place I despise?
It wasn't until I was on the last leg of my journey near Ultopa that I realized I was making a name for myself. Word had gotten around that a Snake Demon of sorts was attacking ring fights. I guessed they used the term snake because there were rumors of the fighter Python being the savior. And I knew they used the word demon because I looked like one. The world still has yet to know what Full mages really are.
The name felt nice, to be honest. I was making a new name for myself in the way I wanted. I was saving people and causing problems for criminals. Fighters were no longer fearing my name, but wishing for it.
However, that meant that security around the rings went up. I discovered this at the town I would call home. I had secured a job that day as an Under Cook for a noble house. I was in charge of making sure the servants who fed the nobles were fed themselves. It kept me busy during the day and off the streets, away from prying eyes. At night, I disappeared into the forest to attend a ring fight.
At first I walked around the bleachers to get a feel for how upstairs worked. Who made the bets, where were they kept, who were the masters, and so on. Once I overheard a master praising their fighter, I would step in and ask to see. I had seen other people do this before and masters were always willing to show off their caged fighter.
This allowed me to see what underneath looked like. It felt strange and uncomfortable to be walking around with masters while fighters coward in cages I knew all too well. Their eyes looked at me with desperation, anger, or nothing at all. Pretending to be impressed was even more challenging at first. Eventually, though, I grew more accustomed knowing I was going to save them that morning.
"You're not leaving, are you?"
I was about to before a man stopped me. He was tall, ridiculously so, and he had a long stick that served as a smoke. He was bald but wore a fuzzy pink hat and long coat. I had just left the underground cages and was about to walk back through the forest.
"Something came up and I have to run back," I answered, "But I'm hoping to be back before they're finished."
"What could have possibly come up at this time of night?" he questioned.
"Personal matters." I turned to leave but he sped through the air to stand in my way. I could see his pink outline fade away. Based on how strong the color had been, I immediately knew he was a Demon.
"Come now, you wouldn't want to miss the first fight. They're always the best one. Unless, of course, that's not your fancy." He tapped his smoke so the ash fell. "Though I'm not sure why you'd be here, then."
"I'm sorry but I really must be going. It's very time sensitive." I walked around him. Fear tickled the back of my throat as I stepped into the shadows.
"You know, we have a policy in place for undercover cops."
I stopped. “You think I'm one of them?" I turned to face him, firmly planting my hands on my hips.
"Our rules here is anyone who comes to watch must stay the whole time. It's for security reasons, I'm sure you can understand."
I realized then that I was talking to the owner of this ring. "Well, I'm new in town and wasn't made aware of this rule. Perhaps you can grant me an accommodation this time?"
He laughed so his sharp teeth glinted in the light from nearby lanterns. One of them was gold. His outline grew bright pink again. "I'm not a very forgiving man," he said, "and I have been running this operation for far too long to allow someone to ruin it. So, if you're not a cop, then stay. Enjoy the show. It's why you came in the first place, is it not?"
I was silent for a moment. He knew what my human appearance looked like, which meant he could find me in town. Yet if I followed through with this, he would notice that I didn't belong to the police. I could keep my act up without moving. This was the only town close enough to Ultopa and the others.
"I suppose my matter could wait," I said with a smile. I stepped out of the shadows and walked back up the path.
He chuckled. "I thought so."
The bleachers had grown more crowded as everyone quickly found their favorite seat. I went to hide among them when the owner grabbed my arm.
"Come, sit with me," he insisted, "I want you to have the best seat in the house." He didn't wait for an answer and pulled me up the steps. At the very top of the bleachers was a pink couch and a television camera.
"You broadcast these?" I asked.
He laughed in response. "It's an exclusive offer to certain patrons. Perhaps you'd like the opportunity?"
"I prefer them in person," I said.
"Of course. Come, sit." He sat on the couch and drew in a huge breath of his smoke. I forced myself to sit down and keep myself proper.
This was going to be a challenge. I had never watched these fights before. I had always left before they started in order to dye my hair black before arriving a few hours later. I was going to have to pretend to be invested. I could feel the owner watching me as the first fight began.
The first fight was between two adults who seemed equally good at fighting. Everyone was shouting their bet and cheering when one of them landed a good hit. The guards around the ring kept their Slight magic from reaching the audiences. I leaned forward on my knees and started whispering. I kept my gaze focused on the girl, never once letting my eyes leave her. My facade was going to be focus. Extreme focus.
Eventually, after a long, five minute fight, the man slammed her head into the wall and her body fell limp. I slammed my fist into my knee and sat up straight. Had he killed her or just made her unconscious?
"I told you the first ones were the best," the owner said, tapping the ash off his smoke again.
"Do they always last that long?" I asked.
"The first ones do. Gets everyone all rile up and ready for the next one."
We went through several more rounds until the crowd visibly grew bored with the quick fights. Each time a fight ended I was either happy or angry, always hiding my disgust and sadness behind my hands until it ended.
"Now comes the fun part," the owner laughed.
"Huh?"
"I haven't seen enough blood today. Soo..." he gestured to the ring as the new fighters stepped in. It was two teenagers. One of them looked normal but the other was on all fours, drooling all over the place and making weird noises.
"What happened to them?"
"Oh we just gave them a little something to help boost their chances." He pulled out a bag of pink powder.
"What is that? A type of drug?"
His chuckle was deep in his throat. "Indeed. It makes the recipient...revisit some memories. They become incredibly susceptible to anything they're told."
I fell silent. That must be the same drug that was used on me, both in Rosie's store and at Alastor's manor. That must mean the teenager was currently visiting a horrible memory and reliving it as if it was real. And they were taking it out on their opponent.
"You don't seem too happy about this."
I cleared my throat. "Doesn't it dampen their fighting? It doesn’t seem very...authentic."
"Oh it's authentic alright. Most fighters use magic to kill their opponent but where's the fun in that? Everyone comes here to see blood and desperation, not a magic show."
"That's true." I turned my attention back to the fight, internally letting out a sigh of relief. He almost caught me.
The crazed teenager was chasing their opponent in circles. Even when their arm broke they kept moving as if it hadn't happened. It was only a matter of time before their opponent grew tired and they tore them apart, literally.
My face paled. Everything in me tensed. Don't look away. Don't look away. Don't look away.
"You know," the owner's voice was in my ear, "you seem awfully familiar. Have we met before?"
"I don't think so," I answered without looking.
"Perhaps not in person. But tell me, where did you get this scar on your cheek?" He brushed the back of his finger along the fine line on my cheek.
"Alastor." I closed my mouth too late. Why did I say that? I reached out with my magic to feel for his presence. But there wasn’t anything there. He wasn't in my mind? He took another smoke but this time it came out pink.
"That's interesting. How did you survive a fight with the Radio Demon?" he asked next.
"He saved me from bounty hunters."
Shut up! I couldn't stop myself from answering. Everything felt warm, then it grew way too hot. I was sweating and the image of Striker started to come to mind. It felt like he was sitting right next to me.
"How generous of him. Say," he leaned in close so our faces were almost touching, "does he have a matching cut on his face?"
"Yes."
Then I felt his presence. I immediately pushed back and kept him out of my head. My shields held as he fought against me.
"Did he take you anywhere?"
I was sweating so much. My eyes stared down at the bloody scene. My body wasn't moving, wasn't listening. I needed to run. He kept pushing me, trying to force his way into my head. My shields were starting to bend.
"To a house."
"What house, sweetheart?"
I pushed harder against him. If I couldn't move my body, I was going to keep him out of my head. I felt him give a little.
"Is it on a cliff?" he asked next.
"Yes."
"Tell me sweetheart," he put his sharp claws on my shoulder, slammed into my shields, and practically yelled in my ear, “is he your soulmate?"
"y-y...ye..." I pushed back hard. I squeezed my eyes shut and mentally screamed as I pushed him completely out of my head. He dug his claws into my shoulder and the pain brought me back. I grabbed hold of my body and abruptly stood up. "Thank you for your kindness, but I must be leaving now. Until next time." I turned on my heels and marched down the stairs.
I left the ring and bolted into the shadows. I carried myself all the way back to my apartment with the wind. I had lost. He knew Alastor was my soulmate. How long before he started sending people after me? Kill me and you've killed the Radio Demon.
Why am I so bad at this?
****
The next day I had disappeared from the town. I hitched a ride earlier that morning to the town neighboring Ultopa and stared out the window. Surely living in this town would be normal. I didn't want to live in a town that legalized ring fights but now I was out of options.
The town next to Ultopa was a trading port, called Kelendale. It was relatively small and known only for its ship repairs. The next big city wasn't too far but ships that suffered from a bad storm needed somewhere closer to repair and restock.
I scavenged the town for a job but came back with nothing. Roles had already been filled in such a small town, leaving me with nothing to do and nowhere to go. I would have to try somewhere else. But for tonight, I hid in the ship yard and died my hair black already. I had overheard one of the sailors talking about the ring fight between here and Ultopa. Apparently they shared a ring on this side with Kelendale and another with their other neighboring town.
I didn't bother with surveying the ring. I waited well into the night before making my way through the wilderness. The familiar crawl of nerves went up my spine. I followed the road until I came to the clearing that held the ring. It looked like someone had picked up a building from town and plopped it right in the middle of the field. It was a three story building and people were still crowding outside, desperately trying to see in.
It wasn't long before the fighting for the night had come to an end. People got in their cars or carriages and drove back home. I stayed hidden in the bushes until everyone had left, which took a surprisingly short amount of time. Everyone had gone for the night and the lights on all levels turned off.
I waited another ten minutes before I dared to venture out. I kept myself hidden in the dark shadows of the tree then melted into the building's. I went to the backdoor were a woman stood guard. She let out a sigh, looked around, then pulled out a phone. I took a slow, calculated step forward, raising the rock in my hand. I put my hand up to her head, careful not to touch her, then brought the rock down.
Her body went limb and folded on the ground. I pulled her to a sitting position against the wall. She wasn't dead but I had only a short time before she would wake up.
Inside was pitch black. I used the moon's light to lighten it just enough for me too see. My mouth gapped open as I looked around. The floors had been cleared out save for the edges where people probably watched from. Everywhere above me were hanging cages that held the fighters. In the center of the whole thing was a massive chained net. This was no traditional fighting ring.
The fighters didn't notice me. They were all fast asleep. It wasn't uncommon for them to drug fighters at night. They could be a hazard when left unsupervised and able to converse with each other. That would make things hard for me, though.
I opened my wings and flew up to the top floor. The net reached all the way to the third floor and came to a point. This point was attached to the ceiling to allow those on the third floor to look down into the fighting net. There was a small opening on the one side that told me how they put the fighters in. A net like this was hard to fight in since it moved around with the slightest of movement, making the fights even more interesting. The platforms surrounding the net were furnished with all kinds of cushy seating. Bottles and paper lay scattered all over the place.
Countless pairs of eyes all stared silently down at me. The fighters up here were awake. Some of them waved desperately to me for help. I was surprised to hear nothing from them. It was quiet, too quiet. Had their tongues been cut? If that was the case they would still be able to make some sort of noises. They always did when the opportunity of freedom was presented to them.
The silence was making me uncomfortable. I looked around for a trap but there was none. The only noise came from the occasional clang of the chains from the wind or the soft screeching of metal from the cages. Something felt wrong but I couldn't figure out what. It wasn't as if I could stop.
The problem was moving the sleeping fighters. I would probably have to move them last. There were too many of them that were asleep. This ring had a normal amount of fighters, which seemed strange for a legal ring, but waking them up would drain me. I had done it before but the process took a lot of energy. I would have to save only a few then come back another time.
At the very least I could free those who were awake. I went to each cage and helped lower them to the ground. They didn't wait for each other, instead running off down the stairs to freedom. The locks all had a magic touch to them but it wasn't hard for me to break through it and melt it off.
I went to one of the cages near the net and opened it. The man was larger than me and his cage was dangerously close to the opening of the net. One wrong move and he would plunge down into the net. I could only imagine the injury that could cause. I used the wind to start swinging his cage from side to side. I hung on the side of the cage and waited for him.
He jumped and I flew after him. I grabbed his arm and furiously flapped to slow his fall. Pain shot through my wing. A gunshot echoed through the building and I screamed as I fell hard into the floor. A huge gust of wind slammed into me and pushed me towards the edge. I hid my wings but it only made the pain go through my spine. I flailed helpless as I was pulled through the opening and into the net.
I grabbed onto a chain and screamed when my shoulder popped. The bar slipped from my hand as I plummeted down. I casted wind beneath me but it only cushioned my fall so much. The chains dug into my shoulders as I landed.
The lights all turned on, momentarily blinding me. People starting filing in from the entrances, coming dangerously close to my injured figure. I used my good arm and struggled to pull myself up to my feet. The bottom of the net was a square but it still swayed as I moved. My back was searing in pain.
"Well well, look who we have here folks." A man with slick brown hair and a dark blue suite stood at the very top of the net. "If it isn't the infamous Snake Demon. The wonderful savior has graced us with her presence. You're all in for a real treat, tonight."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author’s note:
Ta daa 😘
#alastor the radio demon#alastor x reader#hazbin alastor#hazbin hotel#hazbin husk#soulmate au#soulmates#reqs open#hazbin hotel husk
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Beel, Are You Srs Brah? WHB Event React Part 5 *Spoiler Warning*
okay...I know...I know...ANOTHER part? Yes. But if haven't been here before...let's go back a bit!
Go here for Part 4 ->
From there you can backtrack all the way to the beginning if you wish! It's been quite the react journey .-. I hope you enjoyed my bastardized summary and commentary.
Let's enjoy the final part together <3
If you remember in part 4, Beel was over here being weird and licking Amon's tears and now he's just like right so when you're done mourning over your parents come to the palace and I'll get you pierced up. <3
Beel. Please.
Just has that personality shining through where he doesn't dwell on stuff like this for long. It's mostly "Ah yah that's sad, but anyways" Not to say that he doesn't care. It's more of he can't really afford to stay stuck in that emotion of sadness and such. He's got stuff to do.
Speaking of which, we're back at the cafe again because Amon is done having his little flashback moment.
So the Jung Hi cosplayer is just reminding them that he's serving the table they're at still, even though Beel is there under special orders, and our bois keep trying to talk to him, but he's really nudging them to eat. They're served pork cutlets, and it's the same reaction yet again lmao
All of them are eating and enjoying the food like how they did at the other places. SIGH
Ngl I was suspicious of why Beel wanted them to eat so badly...like there's gotta be some reason he's adamant about it, right? Is he trying to sneak away?
Uh oh...
so it appears the more they ate, the slower reacting they were being, and at this point I'm like WTF DID BEEL ROOFIE THE FUCKING FOOD?
So our bby Stolas goes down first, then Nabe who's like "I knew it..." like this entire mission he couldn't catch a damn break and I felt so bad for him (╥_╥)
Amon is resisting a bit, probs because he already slept so much to begin with, but he gets a few words in!
So during their exchange of words, it is confirmed that this isn't a cosplayer and that it is him. The OG him that's been running around causing trouble, (leaving those damn unpaid tabs), and now he's successfully poisoned his nobles with roofies. Though, I think it's cute that he acknowledged it was good to eat with Amon again <3
So Amon succumbs to the sleeping pills and now all of them are knocked the fuck out.
He tells the Jung Hi cosplayer to put them nicely into the room they have so they can sleep soundly. That this isn't goodbye forever so he's fine with just leaving them like that. (So cruel though like I would be mad if you just slipped me a sleeping pill just so you could run away Beel >:p)
And it's funny because once he says that, the other customers were like OH WAIT ITS HIM HIM and Beel is like telling them to shush and not reveal it is him.
He's so hot. I hate him. (affectionately) Like imagine him saying that in a deep Southern cowboy voice. Paired with him sounding like he's sleepy all the time??
c r e a m cit y
But as it goes to fade in black, we see our bois sleeping, and they aren't the only ones sleeping!
o(〒﹏〒)o no one talk everyone shut up, the bby Bael is sleepins and he worked his ass off today do not wake him <3
The fact that he had to say it like that just makes me laugh. Because it sounds suggestive as if he plans on like just wanting to spend some alone time with his lover and not his bestie.
So Beel out here complaining about the the mountains of paperwork and is like "wow there's so much shit to file and complain about ugh how terrible" when it was him literally leaving so Bael is the one to deal with it. But our bby is so tired he can't even hear Beel speak his nonsense the man is o u t.
So Beel being cute, he got a gift for Bael, a little trinket made from shells and he's just talking to him about where he got it and Bael is still asleep and doing grumbly faces and Beel is touching his wrinkles to smooth them out and being all gentle and lovingly. The fact that Bael doesn't wake up the entire time has me thinking that physical touch is both his and Beel's favorite thing and it soothes them so Bael is just taking it in and staying asleep.
First, I love this CG...look how Beel looks here. Scrumptious. Yummy. Spicy. Muy Machito.
My fucking reason to edge myself to sleep.
And just how he's handling Bael? („ಡωಡ„)
But yes, turns out that Beel had came back on his own, and was meaning to stop by and tell Bael that he was back for a moment but he got distracted, started doing stuff and now that it's time for him to leave again he's like "Whelp!"
So our bois spent their time and money for no reason. But at the same time...was Beel ever gonna close those tabs or just send the bill to Bael anyway?
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (screaming, crying, he's so fucking- h e l p)
So Beel is admitting to himself, that even though he knows he's always gonna forget and be distracted about things like this, he never forgets that he has to come back to Bael, back to our Avisos bois <3 And honestly this makes me feel better about my own ADHD because I suffer from not only time blindness, but for my friends it's always 'out of sight out of mind' when they aren't in front of me, paired with horrible sleep schedule and quick social fatigue that sometimes they don't hear from me in days to maybe weeks. But I always remember to come back to message them something small or ask how they are doing or share a thing that made me think of them. I have a good circle where they don't mind this and it's so affirming.
This is why I grow closer to accepting Beel as my personal ship partner <3 That and I feel he won't really care about my chubby self and my stubby arms and legs and think me being 5ft is adorable.
So this scene has me wondering tbh. What is it that he has to reveal to our little crew? I wonder since this is a side story and it seems like it's taking place the same time as the main story, that he's anticipating MCs arrival to Avisos sometime in the future or this whole incident with Levi that's happening in Chapter 4....
Regardless, I also have a couple theories about what he says to Bael here.
This reads like a very strong platonic relationship, possibly the only other person he loves more than himself, his freedom, etc. Because even if there's no romance, you can still call your most trusted friend and person your other self/half, because that's how strong the bond is. Another possibility is my wishful thinking that he sees Bael as a romantic partner, but not in a traditional way. Friends with benefits but pretty much there's only just poor Bael getting stuck with the short end of that. A situationship if you will.
And finally, from other users speaking about Bael possibly being a clone of Beel's from early on...I love the concept of that because it would track and make sense. Especially if the crown...that uh is removable I suppose is not his 'real' horn. But most likely some kind of armor or protective covering for the real horn that's hidden in his hair somewhere. This could be a defect he was born with (or you know clone theory it just didn't grow the same way as Beel's horn)
So now Beel is talking in thin air and I'm just like, huh??? And it's more of like him trying to warn whoever it is that he may not the best to look up to after all and how this person should live for themselves.
oh, it's Dre!!! So He's telling him to not count on him because he may not be the one to stop the war?
So he admits to him, that he's not going to sit and try to put himself in his shoes but that Dre should enjoy life instead of living in such sadness all the time.
Dre is very adamant that Beel is the one who's going to end things and that he will protect him. I really do fucking wonder what Belpeghor did because if you catch Dre's screen line, he says that he snuck away from Niflheim iirc or Belphie let him leave. So this is making me wonder if Belphie is a hardass and is rude to his nobles/citizens. Or is he simply overprotective? We'll have to see later.
Dre also brings up that Beel's nobles don't trust him, they just like him. And Beel just brushes it off and calls them idiots
damn Beel okay ༎ຶ‿༎ຶ fuck your nobles I guess
But then we get on the topic of Dre killing our pathetic buff angel to avenge his brother.
And well it's seem Dre didn't like that being casually brought up.
So he mentions to Beel that when he said he would protect him he didn't mean he would deal with disrespect. (I don't blame him for that cause yeah lol Beel is king and all but come correct)
But Beel claps back, by also aiming for Dre's head and warning him that he doesn't like bad manners either so he better watch it.
Damn, real tense up in here. (crying because Bael is still fucking asleep during all of this, he's so tired)
So Beel decides to further explain himself though. That while he may not understand the true extent of Dre's sadness, he is furious and he hates what happened that day and is glad that one of the angels responsbile is dead.
Dre starts to ease up on him, and Beel offers him some tea randomly (haha cute) but Dre has dissaappeared like Batman or something and calls out from the shadows to thank Beel for that day.
So we go back to that day again with Dre. Which every time they show our bois as children I'm just like awh they all look so adorable and it's fun seeing them age because their horns are smaller and stuff, so it's literally how they would work irl too.
But back to the story...
Dre was on the floor, bleeding out and such and then he hears the screams of the buff angel in that moment, who was holding his face because Beel kicked his ass with the whip. And by the time Dre could even manage to make out what was happening, Beel's swarm of flies left.
Yes Beel, yes they do grow up super fucking fast.
I barely remember my own childhood, (well the good things sadly enough) but that was already so fucking long ago....even irl time passes by so damn fast it's crazy.
But seeing that this memory with Dre probably feels like yesterday to the both of them, is just...yeah it's pretty heavy. So much angst. So little time.
So the doorman that guards the door comes in again and whelp both Beel and Dre are gone and Bael is still asleep this entire time lol Like yes, just let him rest, please.
Speaking of which...the next day Bael is awake and pissed off that he missed Beel again and issued a strike (not sure if he means like a literal strike or like warrant/hit on Beel lol) that our bois had to calm him down from doing.
Then it fades to Beel's cheeky little smirk and then it's the fucking end!!!
PHEW so you made it <3 Part fucking five of this event react.
Honestly there was no way I was going to smush this down to only two parts when there's s o much fucking lore and stuff in this and so many places in Avisos to talk about and just idk there was alot to chime in on this time around where I felt I needed to just say whatever.
Recaps of learning about Dre and why he's even in Avisos in the first place, to how our three Avisos nobles interact (Stolas really can't fucking stand Amon it's comical) Nabe being the logical one of the group, but you can see some emotion in there too when he's comfortable. He does give class president vibes and it's cute.
Nabe-Senpai? Maybe? Hm.
And just learning more about Amon and his personality it's just really great stuff for this event. We even get to see Raphael in action and how he really just doesn't give a fuck. Children? Fair game to him to slaughter. True villain shit.
I'm sure the next one is gonna be about Hades though, I have a feeling. Because it would make sense to bring out chapter 5, AND have the next event also give us some Hades lore.
But yes, thank you for sitting with me, vibin' with me, and your lovely admin will see you in the next react <3 ♥( ˆ⌣ ˆԅ)
#whb#what in hell is bad#whb beelzebub#whb avisos bois 💚#whb andrealphus#whb bael#whb event#finally we're done!#this was one of the ones where you needed a bunch of snacks#I talked about Beel alot here lol
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Risky decisions
Paring: Paring: Batman/Bruce Wayne x f!reader, Scarecrow/Jonathan Crane x f!reader
Genre: Thriller, mystery, with elements of slow-burn romance
Warnings: rating T+/M, strong language, violence, themes of depression, depictions of mental illness
Summary: Bruce knew he should keep his distance. He knew that any move he made toward her was the worst possible idea. He could picture every feasible, most probable, far-reaching outcome of his actions. He knew the answer to every if and when. Every possible scenario. He could see every worst possible future. Violence, pain, suffering, shock, disappointment, death, blood on his hands. He could see them all and each of them separately as they projected like a movie tape before his open eyes, intercut frame after frame by the image of his hand over hers. And yet, despite all his knowledge, experience and certainty that he knew, he couldn't find within himself the answer to one question. "What if I'm wrong."
Word count: 14.3k
Note: Some gifs are not mine, credit to the authors.
Series masterlist
***
"Are you free tonight?" Bruce asked casually as if an idea had unexpectedly crossed his mind.
"I'm sorry, but I already have plans," you replied, and to your surprise realized that your heart wanted to give a quite different answer. "Raincheck?"
"Another one," he smirked, "we didn't get a chance to go to the movies as we had planned."
"Bruce, men are divided between those who seek opportunity and those who can create one," you began flirtatiously, feeling a sudden boost of confidence, "I'm sure you are one of the latter."
He answered nothing. He simply smiled with that signature mysterious half-smile of his, leaned toward you and gently brushed his lips against your cheek. For a split second, the exuding aromatic scent of his fragrance surrounded you. Spices, citrus, leather and something sweet that lingered close to his skin. You imagined him in a black cashmere sweater, sitting with a book by the fireplace, sipping on a glass of whiskey delighted by the quietly resounding jazz. It was a good image, warm and comforting, you wanted to save it in your memory to one day relive in reality.
"Thank you," his low, husky voice snapped you out of your daydreams, "I can't remember the last time I had such a wonderful time."
Some part of you wanted to defuse the tension with a witty joke, a snappy retort, a self-deprecating slight, but when you glanced into the ocean depths of his blue eyes all you could do was to respond with the same.
"I thank you," you replied softly, "see you soon?"
"See you soon."
*
"Soon" was about to come earlier than you expected, but at that moment you didn't realize it. A few minutes after noon you closed your apartment door behind you, threw your suitcase into a corner, and sat at the window with a freshly brewed mug of coffee. You longed for the touch of his lips that still lingered on your cheek to last, along with the scent of his perfume that still floated around you. You gazed at the cloudy gray Gotham sky and drifted into dreams. These past three days were like a journey through the most beautiful fairy tale, even if at times the vibrant magic got covered by a shadow of darkness. With him, even the darkness did not appear so dark, taking on a warm enveloping shade instead. Charming and mysterious, full of contradictions, confident, noble, a gentleman in every way, that's what he was, and you wished that "soon" would come as soon as possible.
"I have a date with Jonathan…" your consciousness broke suddenly through the languor. You reached for the phone, fighting the urge to cancel. It didn't feel right, it didn't feel right to Jonathan but especially to Bruce. Perhaps Jonathan did say he liked you, perhaps Bruce never did, but Bruce's behavior conveyed more than any of Jonathan's words. You shifted your gaze to a beautiful black A-line floor-length dress with lace shoulders and a lace insert on the back and sighed with resignation. In your wildest dreams, you never imagined that a weekend in Metropolis would mess with your head like this.
"I can't cancel, it just isn't right," you decided then impulsively opened the Twitter app. The smile disappeared from your face as quickly as the feed refreshed.
"Unfortunately I'm afraid we won't avoid controversial headlines," Bruce's voice sounded in your head as your feed filled with photos from TechX most of which featured smiling faces, his and yours. Photos from the red carpet that captured perfectly his hand on your waist, photos of your smiling and slightly embarrassed face as he leaned toward you whispering words of encouragement in your ear, photos that captured his sparkling eyes directed toward you as he complimented you, your beaming smile as you walked with him proudly with your hand placed on his forearm. It was all there, frozen in frames and shots, cropped with variations of the question, "Who is billionaire Bruce Wayne's new girlfriend?" With a trembling heart, you expanded the comments under one of the posts, there were hundreds of them.
Does anyone know who she is? I need an answer asap #curious #brucewaynegirlfriend #brucewayne #techx
They look kinda cute #brucewayneinlove #brucewayne
Adorable
Stunning
I wish to be her
He deserves better #brucewayne #wayne #brucewaynegirlfriend
Is she wearing a dress from Zara?
If H&M and Tom Ford made a collab #brucewaynedesrevesbetter
Cheap skunk #brucewaynedesrevesbetter
Wish he would have go back with Charlotte. They were perfect together #charlotteandbrcue4ever
She's so cute omg I'm dying!!! #brucewayne #wayne #brucewaynegirlfriend
Need name now! #brucewayne #wayne #brucewaynegirlfriend
I would tap that!
I look at this and all I want is to become a new villain in Gotham. He's way out of her league.
Mommy please seat on my face
#BruceWayne could destroy my body and my life and all I'd say is "does tomorrow work for you too?"
I would let her sit on my face until I die from suffocation. It would be beautiful death.
Whore! BRING VANESSA BACK!!! #bucenessa4ever
Gender swapped beauty and the beast
They look so in love!!! I'm loving this!!! He deserves love!!! #brucewayne #wayne #brucewaynegirlfriend
You should know better…
Is it just me or does she look like Killer Crock did a number on her?
Oh my god I am so jealous!!! #brucewayne #wayne #brucewaynegirlfriend
He definitely exudes big dick energy #wayne
She looks like a girl next door. The kind you want to watch from behind a curtain, in the dark room, with lube nearby.
It was too much. You locked the screen with rage and threw the phone on the bed. Your heart pounded in your chest and blood pulsed in your temples. "Fucking assholes!!! Fucking assholes on fucking Twitter!!!!" you shouted furiously trying to swallow the tears rushing into your eyes. Wonderland was gone. Reality had returned. And you hated it.
*
Bruce hoped to slip into the mansion unnoticed. He had no desire for Dick's quasi-innocent teases, Alfred's controlled curiosity, Tim's knowing glances, or Damian's clearly judgmental stares. All he wanted to do was slip into his bedroom, change his clothes, head to the cave and make up for the past three days. He tried at all costs to maintain a modicum of privacy, and although he usually succeeded now he had a feeling he wouldn't be able to avoid his boys. How was he supposed to maintain privacy in a house full of detectives he himself had trained.
"Father, we need to talk," Damian greeted him with a stern look as he entered the main hall and set down his suitcase. Hands crossed over his chest indicated his determination.
"Not now, Damian. I have work to do," he replied, avoiding his son's scrutiny.
"We did the work, Father. You just have to read the report. I'll admit that in your absence Todd has proved to be an invaluable asset," he didn't take his eyes off him, "I shouldn't be surprised. After all, you trained him."
"Jason was here?"
"You know very well that Jason is always here when you're out of town so don't act surprised," despite his young age and small stature he exuded confidence, "Father, do we have reason for concern?"
"Concern about what?" Bruce played confused.
"Well I probably don't need to remind you that most of the women you've associated with in the past have been on the wrong side of the law," Damian pointed out gruffly, "you told us that this whole affair is driven by the observation and investigation."
"And what makes you think otherwise," Bruce smiled softly, bending down to look his son in the eye.
"The photos that are circulating the Internet reveal a very different story."
"Damian, I assure you that you have nothing to be worried about," he put a hand on his shoulder, "I appreciate your concern, but your suspicions are absurd."
"Father…" Damian began but Bruce did not let him finish.
"Clark and Jon will visit us next Sunday," even though Damian tried to feign indifference Bruce could see a glint of joy in his son's eyes. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but he considered Superman's son a friend, "I was hoping it would make you happy."
"It will be a nice change from the company of Grayson and Drake," Damian grunted, "but you're avoiding the subject."
"Because there's nothing to talk about," Bruce denied stubbornly, "and now if you'll excuse me, I really need to get on with my work."
*
With a cigarette in one hand and a phone in the other, you stared at Jonathan's name displayed on the screen. You hadn't heard a word from him in two days, and the evening was approaching fast. You inhaled deeply and let the smoke soothe your nerves. You weren't proud of your returning habit, but you desperately needed to calm down and alcohol wasn't out of the question. You knew it was appropriate to call but anxiety prevented you from making such a bold move. The certainty that he had also seen the photos made your stomach curl and your throat tighten with a strangling choke. Judgment by strangers on social media was one thing, but you weren't ready for judgment from him. With a cigarette hung at your lips, you tapped a simple short message.
Are we still up for tonight?
The answer came a moment later. Equally short and simple, leaving you unable to decrypt his emotions.
Sure we are. I'll pick you up at seven.
The date wasn't looking promising. "A date," as he called it, under your pressure. "It didn't come from him, he invited me there as a friend, I was the one who pushed. Why did I push?" the thoughts piled up in your head. Part of you wanted to move as far away from the idea of a date as possible while the other was pulling toward it with uncontrollable force. After all, it was Jonathan who was always there for you when you needed him, it was Jonathan who answered your calls in the middle of the night, calmed your fears, listened to you, tried to help you, Jonathan not Bruce.
"Bruce busted out the hotel room door because I had a bad dream…"
You lit another cigarette and took a drag.
"Maybe Bruce would have done all this too if he knew? Bruce doesn't push, Bruce understands without words…he is so caring…so understanding…" you stared into space, "Bruce is completely out of my league. Unattainable. Why the fuck am I even thinking about this?" anger stirred within you again, "I wouldn't want to be here with anyone else right now…" you recalled his words and cursed viciously. "Would I even want to be with him? Constantly judged, constantly trending, zero privacy…." and even though your head said one thing your heart strongly disagreed, "oh for fuck sake!!! I have to come down to earth! Jonathan is here, Jonathan is just a regular good guy who likes me and cares about me!"
"Jonathan was in Arkham…" a quiet voice of doubt spoke up from the depths of your consciousness, "Jonathan was in Harleen's hidden office. He was looking for something. Batman was clearly suspicious of him. Batman…"
The thought was now completely unnecessary to you and yet once it appeared in your mind it surrounded all the others with a black cloak drowning them all out. You dimly looked out the window at the darkening sky. You could not help but wonder where he was now? Who was he? What was he doing? Was he chasing criminals? Or was he conducting some kind of investigation?
"Batman would know what to do and who to trust…"
*
Bruce checked his watch nervously, trying to form in his head a schedule for the evening. The gala was starting at eight o'clock in the evening, which would give him four hours of operation time. He could use it to re-analyze the results of the research boys had conducted, meet with Gordon which was well overdue, or take a breather and prepare for the gala. The autumn season provided the benefit of an earlier dusk, and the earlier dusk gave him the cover he needed. Sitting at the kitchen table, in Alfred's quiet company, he swiped mindlessly over the tablet screen while his thoughts kept drifting back to the scent of jasmine and vanilla that surrounded him with soothing warmth as they said their goodbyes.
"Pointless…" he muttered under his breath chastising himself for his indecisiveness.
"Young masters were very pleased with the results of the study and what they were able to achieve," Alfred's attentive ear caught the comment.
"That's not what I'm talking about, Alfred," Bruce corrected himself, "the lab results are truly insightful. They did a remarkable job! We may not know everything but we are one step closer. We have a correlation between the pills and most of the victims. The only thing we're missing is a connection with Juliet Cambell and her daughter…"
"Maybe it's not the same perpetrator after all?
"I'm sure these cases are connected," Bruce mused for a moment, "Damian told me that Jason was in the house. That he was helping with the investigation."
"Master Jason showed up at the house on Saturday morning," Alfred replied softly, "he looked healthy and had everything under control."
"Good…"
"Master Bruce, you are avoiding the problem and therefore its solution," irritation crept into Alfred's controlled voice, "why are you able to talk to each other when you are working and not quietly at home?"
"Al…"
"You raised that boy Bruce! You can't push the conflict aside hoping it will resolve itself! I know you care about him and he cares about you too. "
"I'm not hoping for that…" Bruce interrupted him gently, "Jason has to come to the point where he wants to talk about it himself. If I pressure him he will only lash out and all the progress we have made will be lost. I know something about this…" he smiled faintly remembering his own behavior, "Dick has his eye on him, Jason trusts him. We'll deal with the rest when Jason is ready for it," he locked the tablet screen, finished his coffee and got up from the table.
"I prepared the tuxedo as requested," Alfred stated abandoning his attempt to continue the topic.
"Thank you Al, but the tuxedo will come later."
"What are you planning?"
"I have to see Gordon."
*
The black cloudy sky over Gotham lit up with a bright bat-symbol as if in response to your contemplation. For a moment you couldn't help but feel as if Gotham heard you, listened to your thoughts, listened to your worries, and in response decided to lighten the darkness that surrounded you a bit. Batman was busy which could only mean growing terror. Still, the symbol did not bring fright as it did just a few months ago. It brought a sense of peace, of reassurance. Whatever was happening, Batman was there, whatever would happen next you had the transmitter he handed you. Whatever happened…
"Could I trust him?" the thought came suddenly, "I have to trust someone."
The scattered puzzle pieces you called memories slowly began to come together, and at their center stood Lex Luthor. He had done something to you, of that you were sure. Something that created gaps in your memory, something that created the nightmarish images that haunted you during therapy. Perhaps not by himself, perhaps not with his own hands, but you were convinced that on his orders. You were certain that you were not the only one.
How were you to discover something that had been erased from your memory. How were you supposed to go up against one of the most powerful men in the world? Compared to him, you were a nobody, powerless, hopeless, a mere insignificant voice that could be drowned out at the snap of a finger.
"Bruce is powerful when compared to him…" you quickly pushed that thought away from you. Bruce couldn't know, you couldn't tell him, as a matter of fact, you didn't even quite know what you were supposed to tell him.
The images in your head, the facts from reality slowly pieced together but still were not enough. You continued to be in darkness. You still didn't know. You could only guess. You needed help.
"What about Jonathan?" you wondered for a moment as you slipped the beautiful black gown over your shoulders.
An implacable, infinite blackness enveloped your thoughts and from its depths a quiet, low voice rang out, piercing through your every other thought. A voice that said, "be careful…something is not quite what it seems."
*
Gordon didn't have to wait long to meet his masked friend. Barely a few minutes after he turned on the signal Batman landed softly on the roof of the GCPD building. A stoic, black figure hidden under a black cape that seemed to form a unity with the shadows of the night.
"Did you teleport or what?" Gordon chuckled as he lit a cigarette.
"I was on my way," Batman replied in a low voice.
"Good to see you back in Gotham. Don't get me wrong, working with Nightwing and Robin is definitely more enjoyable than working with you, but still, I'm glad you're back. Honestly, I don't know how you and Nightwing…" he stopped his words in time to refrain from breaking an unwritten rule they had. He pretended not to know who Batman and his team were, and Batman pretended not to know that Gordon knew. "Right, anyways! This morning we apprehended a woman who, unless my hunch is wrong, is another victim of this maniac. Which means we have a living witness."
"She's alive?"
"Yes, but I don't know how useful it will be for us," Gordon sighed heavily and rubbed his tired eyes, "you'd better come with me and see for yourself." He put out his cigarette and headed inside the police station. Batman followed him.
His presence at the police station always generated extremely different reactions. Some sighed loudly in disbelief, smiling, even expressing gratification at his presence, others leaned out from behind their monitors, looked out from their offices to see him, others growled not-so-discreetly calling him a "freak," informing him that "this is a police building." He ignored them all as effectively as Gordon, who only occasionally would send an angry glance or issue a strict order. An order they reluctantly obeyed.
The door to the Holding Cells wing guarded by two heavy-armed police officers was located across from the other one, which Batman knew all too well. Maximum Security in the east wing was a place designated to hold Gotham's most dangerous criminals before their transport to Arkham, Blackgate or, in extreme cases, Belle Reve. Currently unguarded by anyone, it was empty, with a cell prepared for the one whom Batman planned to capture soon. At least that's what he hoped.
The officers wordlessly moved away from the door as soon as Batman and Gordon approached. The young policewoman, far too young, in Batman's opinion, to stand guard in such a place, smiled discreetly as if grateful for his presence.
"What's the status?" Gordon asked dryly.
"It's quiet, commissioner," an older police officer began the report, "the sedatives are still working."
That was all Gordon needed to know. Without a word, he opened the door and he and Batman walked into the wing.
"We had to give her a large dose of sedatives for her own safety," he began the explanation not waiting for Batman's question, "we got a call from civilians, a possible suicide on Penitence Bridge. According to the report, the woman was seen in several different places in Drescher, scared, lost, running away in panic from anyone who tried to approach her. When we arrived at the scene, paramedics tried to calm her down and detain her. Batman…" Gordon stopped in mid-sentence as they approached the cell, "she was petrified."
"Why isn't she in the hospital?"
"She's a witness," Gordon stated, "I'm sure that whatever induced the frightened state is the same substance that caused the death of Juliet Cambell and her daughter."
"Toxicology?"
"We have ruled out the use of drugs," Gordon reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vial of red liquid, "taken thirty minutes ago. I thought you might find it useful."
Batman tucked the vial into his belt pocket and silently opened the cell door to examine the woman more closely. She was lying unconscious, sedated, while her arms and legs were tied to the bed with straps.
"It's for her and our safety," Gordon commented as he followed with his eyes after Batman.
"Scratches, abrasions, tattered clothes on her arm, dirt and moisture on her knees and thighs…" Batman traced his eyes over her body, "she was running away. She must have fallen over more than once." He gently took her arm turning it towards himself, "the only punctures fresh, from the blood draw and sedation…" He ran his eyes over her neck, pushing back her hair in color "…the same as hers."
"History of mental illness? Treatment? Relationship to previous victims?" he asked Gordon not stopping his examination.
"Funny you should ask," Gordon sneered grimly, "our witness here is Sarah Walters, Jeremy Walters' older sister. So I can answer 'yes' to all three questions, the first two of which remain as conjecture. No recorded or documented psychiatric treatment."
Batman did not comment immediately. He gently lifted her eyelid and shone a flashlight into her eyes then took two steps back to examine her whole. Height, body build, hair color, eye color….
"Just like…" he suppressed the surging fear, "I don't believe in coincidences Gordon. Neither do you," he stated quietly, "I have reason to believe that all the victims with the exception of Juliet Cambell and the suicide from the bank robbery had contact with Doctor Jonathan Crane."
"The head of Eliot Memorial psychiatric ward?"
"Conjecture, I have no evidence to back it up. Yet."
"If it's true Sarah Walters may also have had contact with him…" Gordon looked at her unconscious body contemplating, "and if she indeed had it would mean that Juliet Cambell and her daughter…"
"Inform me if you learn anything," Batman instructed, "hopefully when she wakes up she'll be able to talk."
"Don't you want to be around for the interrogation?"
"I don't know if I'll be able to but I'll send someone," Batman stated, "I need to test a sample of her blood and start working on an antidote. I'm sure this won't be the last case like this we see."
***
Johnatan had it all figured out. Every last detail of the approaching evening carefully analyzed and planned including all possible unwanted deviations. He had been preparing for many weeks, working for days and nights, planning every single step, each and every move, carefully and with extreme care. As he put on his shirt and jacket, he ran in his mind through every point of the night ahead, as he tightened his tie he analyzed once again every uncertainty, on the way to his car he methodically ticked off every last checkbox of the plan. He had sacrificed too much, taken too many risks, the plan had to succeed and nothing could stand in his way.
*
At seven fifteen in the evening a black BMW parked on the side of the road in front of your building. You observed it for a while, hidden behind a curtain, waiting for the driver, who should have gotten out of the car, but did not. Instead, a short message popped up on your phone screen.
I'm waiting downstairs.
Anxiety, suspicion, suddenly arose, seemingly without reason. You quickly pushed away the unwanted thoughts, which immediately began to compare this situation with the one from two days ago. This didn't seem right. You took one last glimpse at your reflection in the mirror, brought the most charming smile to your face, and with the intention of enjoying the evening once again left your apartment.
Yet, with each stair down, the positive thoughts seemed to disappear. With each stair, they grew heavier and more anxious. Only three days ago, you were impatient to get an answer to the question that tormented you and brought you no peace. Now, even though your excited heart was beating restlessly, thoughts and instinct seemed to repress it, seemed to take over, to drive out the excitement to replace it with anxiety. Now, you regretted asking the question.
"Nothing happened, though," you tried to explain to yourself, "what am I even thinking about?" you tried to argue. And yet, two and a half days spent in the company of Bruce had changed so much. Just two days were enough for you to see that maybe the world and life didn't always have to be so dark.
*
Jonathan watched her as she left the building. Beautiful, elegant, dressed in black satin and lace that seemed to follow her like a shadow of the night itself. To his eyes she was like a mistress of darkness, powerful without knowing it, tempting without trying, dangerous if she wanted to be, fascinating. He saw it all in her, behind the facade of uncertainty, behind the guise of innocence, with the feigned persona behind which she so carefully tried to hide. He saw it in her eyes when anger ignited her blood, he saw it in her gestures when rage overwhelmed her thoughts, he heard it in her unspoken words when she pushed hard to contain her hatred. He saw it all and wished to get it out of her. But she played her part to perfection. The grace with which she walked down the stairs gently lifting her dress, the look that glanced from under her windswept hair, made a part of him feel like turning back. To take her far away from here, to lock her away from the world, to keep her only to himself. As for the smell with which his car filled as soon as she closed the door behind her, made him eager to rip off her dress and devour her in a rapture of passion. He couldn't. He had given up too much already, risked too much, he couldn't back down.
"Was it for me that you dressed up like that?" he smirked the moment their eyes finally met.
"You said it was a formal gala to which Gotham's scientific elite was invited. I didn't want to stand out from the crowd," sharp as ever, she refused to be embarrassed.
"You chose the wrong dress, then," he swept his eyes over her shamelessly.
"Is it too much?"
"Do you really care?"
"A bit," she smiled that innocent smile of hers, the one he thought didn't quite fit her, then added, "but now it's probably too late to change. So I'll choose to take it as a compliment and bear the consequences of my decisions."
"And rightly so," he smiled slyly and turned on the engine, "I hope you have some energy left after a busy weekend in Metropolis. It's going to be a very interesting evening."
*
In the cool cave below Wayne Manor, everyone had gathered, for it was not often that Bruce called for a briefing before a patrol. Everyone suit up, everyone ready to take on the task that would be given to them. They were a team, they worked as a team, but he had the final word. Bruce was the only one not wearing a suit. Dressed in an elegant black tuxedo, he stood in front of the computer, as if afraid of the creases that sitting in the chair would inevitably cause. He silently stared at the computer screen and waited for the conversations to finally quiet down so he could begin.
"Sarah Walters, the victim restrained this morning," he began quietly, displaying the case file on the computer, "the thirteenth victim, of a psychopath we have so far been unable to identify or apprehend," a long pause brought a silent tension to the team, "thirteen victims. Thirteen unclosed cases, between which the connections are thin."
"We will find him," Dick tried to defuse the tension. To no avail.
"As Dick has surely managed to tell you, I have reason to believe that Doctor Jonathan Crane is involved in this case," Bruce continued, "I don't know to what extent."
"Where did this supposition come from? Crane is a respected psychiatrist, highly regarded in his field," Barbara interjected the question, "I did some research on him. An impressive career, outstanding achievements, numerous scientific publications."
"On what subject?" Bruce asked.
"Phobias, PTSD, panic disorders, substance-induced anxiety disorder…" she stopped listing, "I see your point."
"Even you couldn't link it to the attacks without solid evidence," Jason muttered. He remained at a distance the entire time but listened intently.
"True," Bruce only reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bottle of green pills, "exactly the same ones Tim found in Marc Jacobs' house. You all know the results of the analysis."
"They found them with the victim?" Tim asked, "the same composition, the same chemical compounds?"
"The same composition. Exactly the same pills," Bruce replied evasively giving himself a chance to avoid answering questions he didn't want to answer, "the pills connect unquestionably to nine of the thirteen victims. But given the nature of the latter, the conclusions are self-evident. The perpetrator is the same. Only his methods are evolving."
"He's just getting started…" Barbara sighed quietly.
"We'll stop him before he starts," Dick's hand twitched as if he wanted to embrace her and provide comfort.
"Batgirl," Bruce turned to her, "the victim is currently being sedated in police custody. You and Red Hood will interview her as soon as she wakes up. Commissioner Gordon will keep us informed."
"Bruce…" Barbara began, trying to back away from a mission that required her to work in close contact with her own father. Both of them pretended to have no idea about her costumed alter ego; she didn't want to deliberately strain their unspoken agreement.
"I need you on this one," Bruce interrupted her, "we don't know what she went through or what happened to her. Your sensitivity and gentle approach is invaluable here."
Barbara only nodded, observing Dick's surprised reaction to unusual paring out of the corner of her eye. Bruce noticed it too but ignored it and continued.
"Red Robin," he turned to Tim, "to you and Damian I entrust the city partol. If anything happens, anything that would require our involvement, don't try to prove something to yourselves."
"You got this," they both nodded.
"I'll take care of Crane."
"What about me?" Dick finally asked, " you want me on computer duty?"
"You need a change of clothes," Bruce smirked mischievously, "I believe you'll find a tuxedo prepared in your bedroom."
"You shitting me?! That is so not fair! Why do I have to go!" a grimace of disappointment twisted his face.
"I believe it is your turn," Tim pointed out with a wicked grin on his face.
"Not true! Now it's Damian's turn!"
"You wish!" Damian snorted, laughing as well, "I was forced to the Charity Ball in July!"
"Hood?!" he looked desperately at his brother.
"Forget it," Jason huffed.
"Barbs?"
"My talents are needed elsewhere," she smiled innocently, "besides, your agreements on public appearances don't apply to me," she rightly pointed out.
"Come on, Bruce!!! I hate this stuff!"
"Navy blue as far as I could see was Alfred's choice."
"But I'm already suited up!"
"You have 30 minutes to change and be ready to go," Bruce's tone ended the discussion, "everyone knows what to do. We have an intense night ahead of us," he turned away from them, took his jacket from the back of his chair getting ready to leave, but an unwanted question stopped him in mid-motion.
"You still haven't told us where you found the pills and what led you to put Crane in connection with the case," Jason pointed out. Everyone thought the same thing, but they knew Bruce well enough to know that if he's not talking about something, questions won't change it.
Bruce only looked at Jason with a stone face, and only his gaze betrayed a shadow of emotion. Conflict fought within him like a storm, an instant analysis of the situation, an immediate conclusion, a firm decision followed by hanging the jacket back on the chair and settling heavily in the armchair.
"I found them in Y/N's possession," he replied in a stern voice measuring himself against Jason's softening gaze, "I'm also convinced that the nightmare she experienced on Friday night was induced by them," perplexed by his sincerity everyone remained silent, only Jason dared to ask further.
"She again," he scoffed quietly, "I'm beginning to think that problems find her on their own. Maybe she told you how she came into their possession?"
"She did," Bruce had no intention of lying. He might sometimes deliberately omit certain things but when asked directly, he never lied. That's not what he taught them. "I don't know the details, and I haven't insisted on them, but it turns out that Doctor Crane has been helping her for some time. She didn't say explicitly that she got it from him, but the conclusion seems logical."
"It makes sense," Jason nodded in agreement, his voice sounding much softer than it did moments ago, "will you tell us what happened in Metropolis? You can skip the details."
And so he did.
***
Long years ago, Bruce established a rule in the family. Once in a while, each of the boys appeared with him in public at formal events. This routine was intended primarily, to maintain their secret identity, but also to maintain the public image of both Bruce and his sons. Over time, the family grew and their public presence rotated, with the exception of two events a year, the Wayne Foundation Christmas Gala and his birthday party at which they all usually appeared. One of the many measures they used to keep their double life a secret, admittedly who would have guessed that the obscenely wealthy CEO of Wayne Enterprises and his sons spent their nights as masked crime fighting vigilantes in Gotham.
Dick understood the established rule very well and over the years had grown accustomed to his role in the spotlight, although that didn't change the fact that he hated it more than a drenched suit on a winter night. Although he retained his family name, Gotham's elite treated him as Wayne and observed him with the expectations and judgment the name carried. Still, years of practice, learned mechanisms that came as easily to him as a quadruple backflip, made him bury his resentment deep in the pocket of his navy blue tuxedo, bringing to his face the charming smile that accompanied polite answers to all unsolicited questions.
"Yes, I graduated law from Hudson University and did an additional major in psychology at GU," he answered politely when asked by someone whose name he should remember.
"Oh I currently live in Blüdhaven but it's hard to stay away from Gotham for long. This is my home. So I divide my time a little here and a little here," he smiled brightly.
"Children! Oh no no no no… maybe one day," he attempted to contain his amusement pretending to sip champagne.
"To be honest, I don't have an opinion on the direction Wayne Tech is taking. These are matters that my younger brother Tim is much more interested in," he retreated from the uncomfortable conversation.
Their presence has always sparked general interest. No matter how many years passed, no matter how many events they appeared at, no matter how many times he answered the same question, wherever Bruce was, interest followed. However, this time, to Dick's undisguised delight, most of the attention was focused entirely on Bruce. Photos from TechX circulated the Internet at lightning speed, and Gotham's high class women didn't wait long to surround him with the intention of extracting information from him. It may have been a scientific society Gala designed to celebrate the most brilliant minds, the most outstanding achievements, and the hardest work, but underneath every Gala was a social event where the elite mingled, exchanged gossip, drank, danced, and enjoyed a rich, privileged life.
"If they keep obsessing over you like this you'll never make it to Crane," Dick grinned when he finally managed to drag Bruce away under a contrived pretext, "I can't remember the last time you made such a social fuss."
"Natascha Patenko," Bruce muttered letting his socialite mask drop for a moment.
"Ah yes! Taking the entire Russian ballet on a cruise the day before a performance has that effect!"
"Do you see Crane anywhere?" Bruce scanned through the guests seated at lavishly set tables shimmering with silverware and crystals, swept his eyes around the bar area where the most expensive spirits poured endlessly, peered through the twirling couples on the dance floor.
"You're worried about her," Dick stated completely ignoring Bruce's question.
"He should be here."
"She gives the impression of a smart woman, she can handle a little heat."
"You said he was on the invite list."
"Besides, the subject will die down soon. The buzz will last two weeks tops, then they'll move on to the new hot gossip."
"Dick!" Bruce finally pulled his gaze away from the crowd and looked at him angrily, "we have work to do."
"Hey, I'm just trying to help!"
"Then focus on Crane," his eyes darkened.
"There he is!" Dick's glance ran over Bruce's shoulder straight toward one of the tables, "holy shit…"
*
Jonathan knew you were sure of it. You could see it in the way he surreptitiously scanned his surroundings, in the tone of his voice, in the way the green of his eyes shone angrily every time you smiled kindly at someone. A mixture of anger and possessiveness simmered beneath the surface of his controlled demeanor.
"Are you looking for someone?" you asked softly when his glance once again traveled past you.
"No, why?"
"You're looking around all the time," you pointed out, "so you're either looking for someone or avoiding me."
"Why would I avoid you?" he scoffed, "we're here together. We have a beautiful evening ahead of us. Maybe not as beautiful as the ones you spent in Metropolis, but beautiful nonetheless."
"If you have something to tell me then tell me," you prompted gently, trying to control the anger that was also rising in you.
"If I had something to tell you, I would tell you."
"I can see that you are angry."
"Angry?" the green eyes blazed angrily, "angry? No. I'm not angry. Disappointed more."
"Jonathan…"
"There is nothing to talk about Y/N," he interrupted you, "you are an adult, a free woman who makes her own decisions. One of them was the decision not to tell me you were going to Metropolis with Bruce Wayne."
"I work for him, that was…" you didn't want to explain yourself but you couldn't leave it at that
"If you're about to tell me it was a business trip then save it," he interrupted you again, "I don't resent the fact that you went with him. As I said, your life, your decisions. However, I do resent the fact that you chose not to tell me. That you concealed this detail."
"And what does it matter!" you chuckled in a loud whisper, blessing the orchestra that drowned your conversation.
"It makes me wonder…" he leaned over the table reducing the distance between you, "how many things have you concealed, thinking they don't matter. How many details you left out, how many threads you considered irrelevant. It seems that lies come so easily to you. You pretend to be open, and you lie incessantly."
"Don't psychoanalyze me," you snarled annoyed.
"Can't help it," he smirked but it wasn't a charming smile, "we're talking about trust, I'm offering you my time, attention, support both professionally and privately, help, and you can't bring yourself to be honest.
"And now you are guilt-tripping me…"
"That's how you perceive it," he replied immediately, "I'm pointing out the facts to you. You perceive them as guilt tripping which only means that your subconscious sees it that way."
"I don't!" you denied, "there is no guilty conscience. I had a wonderful time in Metropolis and I have absolutely nothing to regret. It's not my fault that you suddenly decided to act like a jealous boyfriend!"
"Do not project your desires onto my behavior," green glowed dangerously, "I'm not talking about us just the fact that you lie all the time."
"Bitch please," you scoffed, "two days ago you couldn't give me an answer as to what is between us, and now that you saw me in the company of Bruce you suddenly try to change the whole narrative. Maybe if you had been open with me instead of playing mind games we wouldn't be having this conversation now!"
"I'm not playing mind games with you."
"Maybe my head is fucked but I am not stupid!" you snapped, "what was in those pills that you gave me?!" without thinking you shot the question catching him off guard.
"Where did that came from!" he frowned.
"What was in those pills?" you repeated the question, "I may not be telling you everything but I trusted you. I didn't question anything. So answer me."
"A mixture of herbs to calm your nerves and sleep peacefully," he replied calmly.
"If that's so, then why did I have nightmares because of them?" you quipped, "horrible nightmares from which I couldn't wake up! Nightmares as intense almost as those visions during the last therapy?"
"Side effect," he replied gently placing his hand on yours, "why didn't you tell me earlier? Another thing you withheld from me. Why?" you didn't answer so he continued, "if you had told me earlier that you had such a reaction I would have reacted right away. You chose not to, by doing so you, harming only yourself."
"I'm sorry…"
"Don't apologize to me," he smiled softly, "but promise me please, truly promise that you will stop hiding things from me. Lies and secrets are not a good foundation for building a relationship."
"You meant to say friendship," you smirked.
"I know what I wanted to say."
*
Bruce knew he should keep his distance. He knew that any move he made toward her was the worst possible idea. He could picture every feasible, most probable, far-reaching outcome of his actions. He knew the answer to every if and when. Every possible scenario. He could see every worst possible future. Violence, pain, suffering, shock, disappointment, death, blood on his hands. He could see them all and each of them separately as they projected like a movie tape before his open eyes, intercut frame after frame by the image of his hand over hers. And yet, despite all his knowledge, experience and certainty that he knew, he couldn't find within himself the answer to one question. "What if I'm wrong."
"Stay here," he turned quietly to Dick without taking his eyes off Y/N and Crane. Something didn't sit right with him. Every time Y/N looked away, Crane glanced at his watch or phone screen, discreetly yet nervously, only to return to the conversation a split second later. "Watch him from a distance," he ordered.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm about to find out if I'm wrong."
As he approached them with a calm, confident step, he saw how close they were to each other. Closer than he expected. He saw the heated conversation, the angry glances, the cynical smiles. Crane attacked, subtly, stealthily, while she defended herself, only to boldly attack a moment later, directly, without warning. He saw anger in her eyes and surprise in his. He saw the moment when surprise turned into calculated, measured concern. He saw the movement of his lips and understood the words without having to hear them. He was manipulating her. So skillfully that she succumbed to him unaware of his tactics. Her eyes softened with every lie he uttered, her face brightened with every minute in which his hand rested on hers. Her anger gave way to humility, her attack turned into an apology, as Crane continued to weave his manipulations. With each step toward them, the anger grew stronger within him. Anger at the scene he was observing. Anger at her for not realizing the danger she was in. Anger at the fact that by some miracle she was always in the middle of danger. Anger at himself for not inviting her here sooner, for failing to predict this scenario. The anger burned stronger and stronger, with each passing moment fueled by a new emotion, jealousy.
Fragments of a hushed conversation began to reach his ears. The scent of her perfume reached his senses when she glanced up at him and for a moment their eyes met. For a split second, the world seemed to stop. Her eyes shone brightly caught in his while her face lit up with a sincere smile as she slipped her hand out of Crane's grasp.
"Bruce!" she greeted him brightly and for a brief moment he indulged the idea of her being naturally brilliant at this game which, he called life.
"Y/N! Fancy that!" he greeted her, loudly announcing his presence.
"Fancy that…" she repeated with a hint of disbelief in her voice, "I actually should expect you to be here. After all, the gala is named after your family."
"There's no denying it," he replied with a smile unsure of whether she saw through the mask of socialite he had adopted, "Thomas Wayne was my father."
"A renowned surgeon in scientific circles and to the people of Gotham a philanthropist and benefactor," Crane inserted himself into the conversation, "to this day everyone remembers and appreciates his contributions to the city Mister Wayne."
"Ah Bruce, meet Jonathan Crane," although it wasn't necessary Y/N maintained courtesy, "Jonathan, Bruce Wayne."
"It's hard not to know who you are," Crane joked dryly as he shook his hand, "Y/N has told me all about you."
"I certainly hope not," Bruce replied in a vague tone. "So let's put a couple tables together!" it sounded more like a statement than a suggestion.
"I'm not sure they'll let us," Crane expressed his doubt.
"Oh they should," Bruce smirked confidently, "I own the place."
It took only one hand gesture, one look, and reality once again shifted to match Bruce Wayne's will.
"So, Doctor Crane, Y/N said a lot of good things about you," Bruce began the conversation as he sat down nonchalantly in a chair and accepted a glass of whiskey from the waiter, "and I, for my part, have also heard and read nothing but positives. Your work on fear control was particularly interesting."
"Are you interested in psychiatry Mister Wayne?" Crane asked startled.
"Not particularly, but as a board member granting annual research funds, I have come across your work once or twice," Bruce admitted casually, "besides, my son Richard studied psychology at Gotham University. You studied there too, didn't you?"
"That's true," Crane nodded, "I spent the best years of my youth there."
"And if my memory doesn't fail me you also taught for a short time."
"That's also true."
"Why aren't you teaching anymore? Working with young people and tempering their bright minds was not to your liking?"
"We had differences of opinion with some professors about the direction of the research I was doing," Crane replied dryly, "you know a lot for a man who is not interested in psychiatry," the change in his tone of voice did not escape Bruce's attention.
"The Wayne Foundation provides annual grants to both Gotham University and Mercy General, Eliot Memorial Hospitals and minor clinics," Bruce countered with a touch of well-balanced arrogance, "I like to know where that money is going."
"You are continuing your father's legacy," Crane commented, "your father was friends with Roger Elliot, after whom the hospital was named, wasn't he?"
"Friend is a big word. They were both surgeons and worked together. But that was a long time ago."
"Yes, it's tragic what happened to them," Bruce saw through Crane's artificial sympathy, "to both of them. It's truly terrible what happens to good people in Gotham."
"We all know Gotham is a dangerous city. But let's hope it doesn't stay that way."
"Oh yeah! I read about the WayneTech plans you announced on TechX! Impressive!"
"News travels fast," Bruce chuckled and, pretending to reach for his phone, discreetly glanced at Y/N. She looked upset and her usually sparkling eyes clouded with sadness.
"Why the sudden interest in the city's security?" Crane asked, "I know you do a lot for this city, but as you. And here all of a sudden such a big development for the company."
"Oh, it was Y/N who came up with the whole project!" Bruce replied with his businesslike smile, "but I'm sure you already knew that. I couldn't help but support such a thoughtful and well-planned initiative!"
"If it all looks as beautiful as you presented it perhaps the city will stop relying on freaks in capes."
"Could it be that you have no sympathy for Batman and the rest?"
"With all the supposed good they do for the city I think their place is in Arkham. In the padded cells next to those they fight," Crane replied without hesitation.
"Strong words Doctor. I think many would disagree with your diagnosis."
"Batman is a firefighter and arsonist in one," Crane didn't back down, "his very presence creates the conditions for the rise of criminals like the Joker, the Riddler, Two Face, or the new one who surfaced recently, whoever he is. If I were the head of Arkham Asylum I would forbid him from entering the premises and force the police to apprehend and psychoanalyze him."
"You would psychoanalyze everyone!" Y/N playfully chuckled, "I think that's an occupational deviation."
"Everyone has one," Bruce also laughed, "why aren't you the head of Arkham? With your reputation, that shouldn't be a problem."
"Elliot Memorial had greater needs," Crane replied warily, ignoring the incoming call and tucking the phone into his jacket pocket.
"I may not have lived in Gotham for long but I think your diagnosis is way too harsh Jonathan," Y/N continued, "Batman does so much good for the city."
"You're letting your own feelings overshadow rational thinking," Crane countered gently but with firmness.
"I don't think there's anything surprising about it, since he saved my life," seeing Crane's puzzled look she added, "Bruce knows."
"Yes, Y/N demonstrated immense honesty, respect for the work ethic that governs WayneTech, and trust in the company when she explained the unusual medical bills."
"He is risking his own life to help those who need it," she continued.
"That's what the police and emergency services are for," Crane quipped.
"The police also have their limitations," she continued, "it only took me a few days to see how powerless they are against the Joker."
"If there was no Batman there would be no others like him," the light of the screen broke through the blackness of the fabric.
"If there was no Batman there wouldn't be me either," she threw in a final argument, "this discussion is pointless! It's like debating the origin of the egg and the chicken!" she added wryly after a moment, "besides, your phone is ringing. Why don't you answer it?"
"Yes, sorry. It's so annoying," Crane once again reached into his pocket and glanced at the phone screen, "it's one of my patients. I have to answer it, excuse me for a moment."
With a hastened step, Crane walked away and silence fell around the table, broken only by the sounds of violin, cello and piano. An orchestra stationed at the head of the room was playing a beautiful melody to the many couples who twirled on the marble dance floor.
"I didn't think 'soon' would come so soon," she finally smirked at him, "I thought I wouldn't see you for at least a few days."
"Sorry to disappoint," he murmured with a spark of satisfaction shining in his eyes, "I see you've grown sad, I hope not because of something I said."
"No," she replied in a half whisper and took a sip of champagne, "it's because of what Jonathan said. I don't know why the hell he brought up such a distant past. His comment was unnecessary. I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize for words spoken by someone else," she was the only one who had never so far mentioned a story that all of Gotham knew and Bruce couldn't help but wonder why.
"I feel obligated. I am his plus one today."
"Forgive me for being blunt, but I take it Doctor Crane is the friend you mentioned?" Bruce inquired.
"Yes…" she replied quietly, "although I'm increasingly wondering if friend is the right word," she added in reflection and gazed again at the dancing couples.
All shades of gold, silver, maroon and blue swirled in the soft light trickling down from a crystal chandelier hung by the marble ceiling. Couples twirled and swooned to the accompaniment of a beautiful waltz led by talented violinists. Seamlessly and rhythmically as if at a fairy tale ball, the gowns rose and fell, flowing in waves with each turn. He observed her in silence. Her subtle smile wandering on her dreamy face, the gleam of delight in her eyes, her finger gently tapping on the exposed knee that slid out of the high slit. He wondered if she was aware of her beauty, if, seeing herself in the mirror, she could appreciate how brightly her skin shone under the black lace that adorned her shoulders, if she could see the magic he saw. Did she know? His heart ached as she closed her eyes delighting in the music. Could he allow himself to be selfish even if only for a moment?
"Beautiful…" he said in a barely audible whisper unable to tear his eyes away from her.
"Beautiful that's true…" she replied with her eyes still closed, "classical music, especially played live by an orchestra…" she fell silent when the pianist began a slow overture, "there is magic in it."
"I was not talking about music…." her eyes opened in bewilderment while a soft blush came to her cheeks, "although as an obscenely rich snob, I appreciate the beauty of classical music," he added provoking her hearty laughter.
"How long are you going to tease me like this?" she asked, drowning her gaze in his, "what do I have to do to get you to finally forgive me for this embarrassing slip-up."
"Dance with me," his eyes darkened, and although he could see that she wanted to escape with hers, she didn't.
"This?" she chuckled, pointing discreetly toward the dance floor, " Mister Wayne, I don't do waltz. So please forgive me but I'll spare myself another embarrassment."
Bruce only rose from his chair, walked around the table to stand in front of her, and extended his hand.
"Dance with me," he repeated, deepening his gaze.
"I can't…" she whispered but her eyes smirked, "marble and heels don't seem to be safe."
"Take my hand and trust me," he did not lower his hand, "I will not let you fall."
She hesitated. For a moment, for a split second, there was uncertainty in her eyes which disappeared immediately. She smiled brightly, took his hand, and let herself be led towards the dancing floor.
*
Your heart was pounding frantically, threatening to burst out of your chest as Bruce took your hand and, holding it slightly outstretched in the air, led you to the dancing floor. Before your eyes, reality shifted once again to match his presence as the dancing couples moved aside creating space for you. But he seemed not to notice. With his eyes fixed on you, he placed one hand on your back and closed the other on yours.
"You forget to breathe," he whispered pulling you closer to him, "forget about them. They don't matter."
"They stare…" you whispered wandering with your eyes.
"So do I," he pulled you closer as if to eliminate the distance between you and sank his gaze into your eyes. You smiled, put your hand on his shoulder, and flowed.
As if carried by the tangible sounds of music, by the light and the electrifying air that seemed to gather between you, you drifted. Gently and rhythmically to the sound of the music, one-two-three, one-two-three, you spun and the world swirled around you dissolved into a meaningless background as you sank into the ocean of his eyes. They stared at you incessantly, calm and stormy at once, inviting and dangerous, reflecting the brilliance of the crystals like the surface of the water reflects the stars scattered across the night sky. He smiled and you forgot to breathe again. His hand traveled higher on your back as if he longed to feel you whole, to remove the little distance that dancing had created between you, which he would not allow.
"You trust me?" he whispered quietly. You nodded only to break away from him a moment later, twirl in place, and return straight into his arms.
"What are you doing?" you asked feeling his hand back on your bare skin.
"I'm dancing with you," he smirked then pushed you away from him again, spun you in place and drew you back. The world swirled with colors all over again. One-two-three, the piano gave a rhythm when the violin made you twirl.
"Don't tease," you corrected your hand that landed closer to his neck.
"But when teasing with you comes so easily," he moved his hand dangerously low across your back. A shiver ran down your spine.
"Are you having fun Mister Wayne?" you flicked your eyes surprised.
"I do," he replied with shameless satisfaction, "I believe you do too Miss Y/L/N." He turned and the world swirled again in colors and lights only to return with the warmth of his chest against yours, with the touch of his hand firmly on your back, in a captivating smile. With each passing note, all the pretenses he had kept over the weekend disappeared, escaped with each exchanged breath, faded with each deepening glance.
"I have to admit that this is not quite how I imagined this weekend," you moved your hand up over his shoulder toward the back of his neck.
"And how did you imagine it?" the whisper of his words danced over your skin.
"Less magical…" he released you from his embrace again. You twirled and returned to his arms to finally eliminate the remnants of the space that separated you.
"If you were worried before about them staring then you'd better not look around," he whispered in your ear, pressing his cheek against yours. The scent of his perfume swirled through your senses.
"I won't," you whispered closing your eyes, "they won't ruin my princess moment," a low chuckle sounded deep within his chest.
"Princess moment," the touch of a smile imprinted itself on your skin, "damn…you smell incredible."
"Stop…" you didn't open your eyes, "whatever you are doing, stop." The touch disappeared, the world swirled, the closeness returned, along with the ocean in which you wanted to sink.
"Why should I stop?" a new feeling resonated in his deep husky voice as the ocean stormed with desire.
"I'm a big girl, I don't believe in fairy tales," your mind believed it, but your instinct screamed the opposite, "in a second our dance will be over, the moment will disappear, the gala will come to an end and with the rising sun the fairy tale will vanish with the return of reality."
"Since when are princesses so cynical?"
"Realistic," you corrected him, "and I'm not a princess."
"Cynical," he repeated as his hand wandered up your back again, "what if…"
"What if what?" you asked almost feeling the touch of his lips on yours.
"What if we took that risk…" his words danced on your lips, "what would happen if we…" he didn't finish. The unspoken words died in your breath, faded into touch, turned into a dance of craving lips as the last space separating you disappeared. His kiss deep, yearning, passionate took away the remnants of doubts that only moments ago spoke uncertain words. Beneath your closed eyes, the world ignited with desire as your hand found its place on the back of his neck drawing him closer. Your lips danced on his, your breaths became one as you lost yourself in a magical moment. The world stopped. Reality once again yielded to his will.
*
In the middle of the ballroom, a feeling blossomed in the glimmer of silvery light diffused by hundreds of crystals. He, dressed in a black tuxedo, tall, handsome, charming, known by all. She, dressed in a beautiful black gown, shorter by a head, elegant, graceful, enchanting, known by no one. They, joined in a kiss, suspended in a half-step, between a twirl and a turn, paused in a dance that just a moment ago everyone admired. A feeling they did not want to hide. Desire culminated in a passionate kiss. They indulged in the moment while others watched them intently.
Some, with a heartfelt smile, recalled a time when they themselves were in the same place.
Others with undisguised envy, wishing they could be them.
Others with indignation or amusement, shaking their heads in disbelief at the sight of a scene like this in an elegant society.
Someone muttered words of disdain.
Someone else sighed in delight.
Someone else followed their example.
Dick only took out his phone and discreetly took a picture. Warmth spread through him, a beaming smile lit up his face as he tapped the message in a quick motion. "Capture THIS!" two words, one picture, sent only to two people, Barbara and Alfred. A quickly calculated move directed at the best possible outcome. For one needed a bit of joy, and the other needed a warning of impending chaos in the family. Both, on the other hand, were necessary for him to protect Bruce from self-sabotage.
Dick was happy. For a moment, he too forgot the task, forgot the mission. He lost sight of the goal only for a moment however the moment was enough.
On the opposite side of the room among the guests, Jonathan Crane was also observing the fairytale scene, but there was no jealousy, contempt or mockery in his eyes. There was nothing. Without breaking his dead stare, he took his phone out of his pocket, dialed a number and, after just one beep, gave the command.
"Do it."
Two words, one decision, that's all it took to unleash chaos.
*
Scream. A terrifying female scream tore through the music paralyzing all the guests. But the paralysis didn't last long. A loud thud followed by the sound of shattering glass, cracking wood, the rumble of tumbling tables and chairs, the sounds of panic. People backing away in fear deeper into the room, grasping each other's hands, trying to hide in the crowd. It only took a few seconds for all the magic of the charming evening to shatter into pieces. Bruce instinctively grabbed Y/N's by the hand and, taking a step in front of her, hid it behind him. He scanned the crowd instantly, swept his eyes over the terrified faces, eyes filling with tears, looking for Dick and the source of the danger. One glance, a discreet nod, and Dick disappeared from his sight. The danger did not keep him waiting for long. A mocking, maniacal laughter echoed around the room freezing people's blood in their veins.
"No, no please, don't interrupt yourselves! Musicians play!" with a dancing step Joker entered between the crowd wielding a knife in his hand. Amused Harley Quinn followed him.
"I wanna dance puddin! Let's dance!" she asked playfully jumping from one foot to another.
"Now now, pumpkin, remember what we came here for," Joker waved the knife in Harley's direction in a gesture bordering on threatening, "but we could definitely use some music! Orchestra play!!!" he exclaimed towards the band but none of the musicians picked up their instruments, "no one has respect these days," he muttered to himself.
Bruce followed his steps, every little movement, every slightest gesture. He had no possibility of moving away from the crowd, no way out. Every exit was blocked by a shotgun-wielding henchman. His mind ran through all the scenarios, calculated all the possibilities trying to formulate a plan that didn't exist, while Y/N's warm hand clenched tightly in his own made him realize that there was nothing he could do. He had to wait.
"What do you want!" a man shouted from the crowd.
"Finally! I'm glad you asked!" Joker replied theatrically bowing to the man, "I want the music to play!!!" he shouted and when the answer did not come he pulled out his gun and fired a single, precise shot. The cellist fell inertly to the ground into a growing blood stain. "This is how it's going to be! I will ask the questions and all of you will politely answer," he walked closer to the man, grinding the knife toward his throat, "capiche?" the man only nodded. "Fantastic!!!" he exclaimed gleefully, "then now after we've said our good evenings, can someone tell me where my toxins are!?" He circled the crowd, directing the knife to each person one by one, "anyone? Maybe you can tell me?" he pointed the knife at the director of Gotham Mercy Hospital. "I'm taking a short vacation at my favorite resort and when I return my toxins are gone! Maybe you know something?" he waved the knife in front of the Gotham Diagnostic Laboratories representative's face. No one answered. "Someone among you must know something!" everyone remained silent as they measured themselves against the clown one by one, praying that they wouldn't be the next victim. "Someone took them and is unleashing this wonderful terror on the city and I want to know who!" the scientist from S.T.A.R Labs scowled when Joker ran his hand over her face. "As much as I enjoy seeing Batman failing miserably I can't stand outrageous, disgusting theft!" he continued theatrically gesturing. "Would you agree with me that theft is an outrageous crime?" snapped one of the women who only nodded desperately and tears streamed down her cheeks. "A horrible, horrible crime! And do you know what the best part is?" he asked the people around then aimed his gun at the space and fired. A huge flower vase shattered into pieces and a small metal ball rolled on the ground. The Joker picked it up and, with a grin on his face, pretended to inhale the toxin trapped inside. "This stuff is fantastic! Truly makes you go mad!" he laughed and placed the ball into Gotham University professor, "he must really dislike you guys," he added, grinning, "he wanted to gas you all! Can you imagine?! Outrageous! But not as outrageous as the fact that he stole from me! So, now that I have saved your fragile minds from a trip to the crazy side I expect your cooperation. Who stole my toxins!" he grabbed a Strader Pharmaceuticals board member violently by the jacket, "I'm sure you'll know. Where are my toxins?"
"I don't like him, sweetie. His giving you a stinky eye," Harley measured the man with a disdainful glance.
"He does?" Joker pulled the man closer to him, "are you giving me a stinky eye?"
"No, I'm not, I'm not…" the man replied in a pleading tone.
"Harl, I think you are right!!! He does give me a stinky eye!" the blade shone against the man's face.
Bruce watched everything as if in slow motion while his mind desperately searched for a way to protect the guests. However, cool logic kept his nerves under control. Five exits, five shotguns, the Joker had a knife and a .44 Magnum with 8 rounds magazine capacity, Harley had a baseball bat resting on her shoulder and a Chiappa rhino 60ds by her side, which meant another six bullets.
"I don't like it puddin'! He has no respect!
"You are right pumpkin pie!" Joker pulled a man out of the crowd and threw him against the ground right at Harley's feet, "there, he is all yours!"
He had to stay calm for a little longer. Nightwing will fall through the ceiling window in a moment, followed by Robin and Red Robin. He will have to get out of her sight. He will have to quickly order her to run away, order Nightwing to lead her outside. His suit was hidden in the car. She will look for him. He will have to lie.
"Stop that!" Y/N's hand yanked violently as Crane stepped forward from the crowd, "leave him alone!"
"Why? Do you want me to play with you instead?" Harley let go of the man directing her attention to Crane.
"These people don't know anything, can't you see that?"
"But it's so much fun to see them squirm!" facing Crane Harley crooked her fierce head, "but you ain't scared, ain't ya Doctor Crane?" she placed the baseball bat on the ground and looked defiantly at him, "nah, you like good old scares!"
Y/N's hand yanked again in Bruce's grasp, trying to break free. He turned to her, looked at her but there was no fear or apprehension in her eyes. Only anger.
"There's nothing you can do," he whispered looking at her intensely, "on the opposite wall, in the upper right and left corner you'll see a discreet green blinking light," she followed his words with her eyes, "it's a silent alarm. Someone has set it off. The police is on the way."
"She's my friend," she replied quietly, "she'll listen to me."
"Y/N stay calm," he instructed but the hollow sound of a thump shattered his words. Crane lay curled up on the floor, his head shielded by his hands. Y/N's hand slipped from his. A split second, a moment of distraction, and she ran out into the middle of the room.
"Harley!!! Enough!" she shouted. It was enough to distract them. Harley jumped up happily at the sight of her friend and moved immediately in her direction. But the Joker was first.
"Oh hello, beautiful…" a quiet murmur came from his throat as he approached her, "long time no see. You don't visit, you don't call, I'm hurt! We had so much fun together," he circled her straining his words but she stood unfazed, "it is so good to see you!!!" he smiled widely.
A shadow of movement ran across the glass tiles of the roof. One, then another, and moments after that a third. They will fall with a crash and shattering glass. Batarangs will fly toward the two most distant goons. Robin will attack the other three quickly disarming them. Red will attack Harley. Nightwing will deal with the Joker. Haos will be unleashed. People will start fleeing in panic.
"Harley told me that you refused my invitation," Joker continued reducing the distance separating them, "you made her sad. What kind of friend are you?"
"A friend wouldn't let her boyfriend hold her friend at gunpoint," Y/N growled measuring herself against Joker.
Shadows moved swiftly across the roof. Just a moment more. Every muscle in Bruce tensed to fight, but his mind controlled his actions. He couldn't face the Joker and take away his ability to leave to get the suit. He needed a few minutes, but he couldn't stand by passively. He couldn't watch as the Joker closed the distance between him and Y/N.
"Ha, I like you! You have a fight in you!" Joker exclaimed with amusement only to lower his tone again and grab her violently by the arm, "are you close?" he glared at Crane, "oooh you are. You can't deny it, I can see it in those angry eyes of yours."
Out of the corner of his eye, Bruce noticed a window in the ceiling swinging open. Muscles tensed waiting for the right moment. His eyes watched the Joker's hand clenched on Y/N's shoulder, his body subconsciously assumed a fighting position, ready to react at any moment.
"The rage is burning…" she yanked but Joker grabbed tighter, " curiouser and curiouser…" with a quick movement he corrected his grip placing his hand on the back of her head.
"Interesting company you choose my dear…" he lowered his voice so that only she could hear him, "dangerous…. but you like danger don't you," she tried to break free but he grabbed her face tightly forcing her to look at him. The blade flashed dangerously against her cheek, "yes, you like danger. That feeling when adrenaline burns in your veins making the whole world cover itself in red. That crazy waltz on the edge of life and death," he strained his words, "you're as crazy as I am. All you need is a little push."
A silvery rain of broken glass rained loudly from the ceiling to disappear a moment later in a cloud of thick smoke. A swish cut the air as the Batarangs soared toward their targets. The black and red cape danced nearby knocking the weapon out of Harley's hand, that rolled with a clatter on the ground.
"Push that!" Y/N growled while an invisible force pushed the Joker back a few steps. Through the smoke, she couldn't see his amused look. The screams got lost in his maniacal laughter. His vicious words drowned in a throaty growl as the blue emerging from the smoke kicked him in the stomach.
"Run!" Nightwing shouted in her direction dodging the knife gleaming in the midst of the smoke, "run!!!"
*
For a moment, paralysis overwhelmed you completely as your legs refused to move. You stood there frozen, with your eyes wide open observing the scene. The Joker's purple coat danced amidst the smoke with each aggressive swing, the blade gleaming from the left then from the right as Nightwing nimbly blocked and dodged. The deadly dance cut through clouds of gray smoke but only one of the dancers was the harbinger of death. Fury blazed in Joker's eyes as he unsuccessfully dealt blows. Curses of hatred drowned in the sounds of battle. Watchful eyes glared in your direction beneath the mask that covered part of his face in a mixture of surprise and worry. But you couldn't move, you couldn't stop admiring. As if mesmerized, you watched the agile leaps, accurate strikes, painful hits and soft flips, and only one thought filled your entire mind. "I need to help him."
Strong male hands grabbed your shoulders trying to pull you aside. Intense blue filled with dread shone before your eyes. He shook you gently in an attempt to snap you out of your amok. His lips moved but you couldn't hear his words. His hands tightened on your shoulders but the touch seemed distant.
"I need to do something…" you said than snatched from his grasp and began to run through the dense gray.
Instinct seemed to guide your steps when reality as if seeing your determination, matched your will by creating a path for you. Frightened people fled in terror, but you dodged them swiftly. A Batarang swished past your ear, but you slowed your step just in time to avoid the accidental impact. The light from the shattered chandelier shone through the clouds of smoke, revealing the Joker's weapon at your feet. You bent down to pick it up, evading the black and yellow cloak flying over your head. A voice called out from the distance, loud enough to make you stop for a split second to avoid a massive blow from the staff. You tore through the chaos without fear, without doubt, without hesitation, as your body and mind seemed to sense the impending danger before it came. It seemed to sense its surroundings before your eyes had time to register the image and transmit it to your mind. The thick gray smoke blocked your vision and yet you knew perfectly well that the moment your dress got caught between your legs, you should crouch down, chase away the smoke with your hand, and help him get up.
"Jonathan…" your words sounded close and yet so far away, "Jonathan, are you alright?" Still clenching your hand on the gun, you helped him up. Blood ran in a thin trickle down his face.
"What are you doing? Are you crazy?" he looked at you surprised.
"Can you stand up?"
"Y/N, get out of here! Run!" the green lit up intensely.
"Can you stand up?" you repeated stubbornly, and without waiting for his answer you grabbed his hand and lifted him to his feet, "tell me you're okay."
"I'm fine."
"You're bleeding."
"I'll be fine. Let's get out of here," he grabbed your hand but you didn't move, "Y/N?"
"Go!" you ordered, "I can't. Not yet."
Before he had time to react you rushed deeper into the room while reality shifted again, yet this time to match your will. The smoke thinned, revealing overturned tables, broken glassware, scattered food, spilled glistening stains of fresh blood. Red-blue lights flashed outside the window exposing a distant rush of blond hair. Involuntarily, you tightened your hand on the gun and sped up your run. Harley fell out the door and you followed her. She rushed down the stairs in desperation trying to get away, to no avail. Leaping down several stairs at once, you could clearly see the surprise in her eyes as she turned around to see how close you were. With a grunt, she fell through the next door but you were right behind her.
"Harley stop!!!" you yelled falling behind her into the hallway, "stop!!!"
"Forget it!!!" she yelled back without slowing down.
"Stop!!!" you had her almost at arm's length.
"Or what!"
"Harley!!!" you could see the glistening droplets of sweat on her bare arms.
"Catch me if you can!" she laughed mockingly.
"I said stop!!!" you shouted reaching out your hand towards her. She did not stop. An invisible force pushed her forward with a powerful surge sending her flying through the air. With a deafening crash she fell painfully to the ground.
"Hey, how did you? That hurt!" she cried out, trying to pick herself up from the floor, but it was too late. Not thinking much, you jumped to her, knocking her over onto her back, kneeling over her, pressing her to the floor with your whole body, immobilizing her.
"Hey!!! Get of me!!!" she exclaimed trying to break free, "get of me! Get of me! Get of me!"
"Harleen! Calm down! Listen to me!" you tried.
"Let me go! Let me go or I will!!!
"What will you do Harl!" you grabbed her hands and pressed her to the floor, "What will you do! You fucked me once already! You took advantage of me! You left me to drown! You let that maniac threaten me with a gun!!!" the Joker's gun suddenly ignited in your hand, "with this gun!!!" you shouted furiously putting the gun to Harley's temple. "You let him put it to my forehead, he threatened to splatter my brain all over the windshield…" you pressed the gun harder against her temple, "so tell me, what else are you going to do?"
"It's not like that, puddin' was just joking."
"Stop it! For fuck sake, stop it! Stop this madness! Whatever he told you, whatever he promised you, he's crazy! A psycho!"
"You don't know him like I do!"
"Harley! Do you even hear yourself? He's a murderer and a psychopath!"
"Before you start judging me maybe you should first look at the company you choose for yourself and who you seek help from!!!" she shouted furiously, "my puddin' loves me! He loves me! And when he finds out what you did he will be very very angry with you! He will not like it, not a bit!"
"Batman was right…" you sighed with resignation, "I can't help you."
You lifted yourself heavily from your knees and reached out to her. For a moment you thought you were looking at Harleen, your friend from the best years of your life, the one you could rely on, the one who would never betray you. For a moment, Harleen smiled warmly as she used to do. She reached for your extended hand and for a moment you thought that everything will be alright. You couldn't see the knife flashing from behind her back. She swung sharply and blood flowed from your slashed arm. You jumped back a moment too late.
"See ya sucker!!!" she laughed, jumping to her feet and launching herself into a run.
For a moment you watched her move away. For a moment you thought to even let her. But the moment vanished in an instant, replaced by pain and anger. Red shrouded your vision, rage filled your mind, ignited the blood in your veins, filled your will. A deep inhale that seemed to consume the anger and then an exhale that ripped it out of you releasing the accumulated force outward. The red disappeared. Silence followed. Reality took on normal colors and shapes. Reality stopped bending to your will.
*
Nightwing, Red Robin and Bruce watched as an invisible force appeared out of nowhere, pushing Harley forward only to pick her up in mid-air and slam her against the wall. Harley's lifeless body slid down the wall. Y/N stood in the middle of the hallway, clutching a gun in one hand, she breathed heavily. Neither of them needed to see her face to understand the exhaustion her posture betrayed. She lowered the extended hand only to slump against the wall and sank heavily to the floor.
"What the hell…" Nightwing gasped in disbelief. With a nod, he instructed Robin to check on Harley as he himself moved toward Y/N. Calmly and gently so as not to frighten her, so as not to trigger an instinctive defensive reaction in her. The gun glistened in her hand, damp with sweat and blood running down her cut arm. Out of the corner of her eye he glanced at Bruce who had followed, his face betraying a blend of tension and worry.
"I stopped her…" she whispered when Nightwing entered her line of sight, "I had to stop her. It's all my fault. If it wasn't for me, none of this would have happened."
"She's alive," Robin informed, "only unconscious."
Bruce brushed past Nightwing and crouched by her side. Tears shone in her tired eyes.
"Y/N, it wasn't your fault…" he said softly, "it wasn't your fault."
"Bruce…" a confused glance jumped between Nightwing and Bruce.
"Mister Wayne is a very stubborn man," Nightwing explained, "he ran after you first, pointing us in the right direction. He refused to stay behind."
Without a word, Bruce knelt down, took off his jacket, loosened his bow tie, and took out a white silk handkerchief from his pocket.
"I helped her free the Joker from Arkham," she explained quietly as he pressed the handkerchief to the cut on her arm, "I tried to convince Batman that she was innocent," she continued as he used the tie to stop the bleeding, "I let her escape when they tried to stop her…" his eyes stopped on the gun she was still clutching in her hand. His glance asked without words. "Oh…that…" she sighed as if her consciousness had only now registered the weapon in her hand, "it's Jokers'. I found it as I chased Harley. He must have dropped it…" she deftly turned the gun in her hand directing the grip to Bruce as if she had done it many times in the past, "I would never use it…" she continued handing it back to him, "I just didn't want it lying there. I didn't want him to use it."
Bruce did not take the gun from her. He merely looked at Robin, who quickly took the gun from Y/N's hand, pulled a Ziploc bag from his belt pocket and closed it tightly.
"We need to get you to the medics," Bruce finally said, throwing the jacket over her shoulders and gently lifting her to her feet.
"I'm fine, it's just a mild cut.
"It wasn't a question."
"What about Jonathan?" she asked as he put his arm around her waist as if he feared she would fall down any moment.
"He is fine," he replied shortly, "let's go," he ordered motioning her towards the exit but Robin blocked their way.
"Miss…" he began uncertainly trying to ignore Bruce's menacing stare, "Y/N right?" she looked at him and nodded, "how?" he asked glancing at Harley whose unconscious body lay laid in a safe position nearby.
"I don't know…I just did…" she answered weakly, "what's going to happen to her?"
"She will probably be transported to Arkham," Robin replied.
"Please remind Batman that he promised me."
"What did Batman promise?"
"That he would help her."
***
Chapter twelve: Running toward danger
~~***~~
Author note: I got carried with words. Sorry about that. But I had this idea for this scene, you know which one, but it couldn't happen in isolation. The story needed to happen. Speaking of that scene, a few months back I heard this song, Merry Go Round Of Life Cover By Grissini Project. Within minutes that scene was born. Everything, from the initial setup, through the conversation just before, to the final moments. For the last few months that scene lived in my mind waiting for its time. Waiting for the story to lead our characters into this place. Hoping it will lead them there. And as they finally arrived here, I'll be honest, I was giggling like a teenage girl while writing it. I do hope that it worked for you as well as it did for me.
But now, I can finally move away from a keyboard (for now) and go watch Good Omens season 2.
At the end, as always my Dear Reader, I thank you for reading.
~~***~~
Tag list: @mrsgrahamsdesign @theclassicvinyldragon @blondwhowrites @batgirlspain @hangmanscoming @julesjewelss36 @cherryflavoredcoke @grandstrangerphantom @maripositanoctruna @pluckastarfromthesky @butterfly-lies-chase-them-away @pirate-with-internet-connection
#batman#batman x reader#bruce wayne x reader#bruce wayne imagine#jonathan crane x reader#scarecrow x reader#batman x y/n#scarecrow#jonathan crane#batman imagine#batman fanfiction#batfam#nightwing#robin#batfamily#dick grayson#batman x you#bruce wayne x fem!reader#tim drake#batman x fem!reader#bruce wayne#dc comics#bruce wayne fanfiction#gotham
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“YOUR LAST MEMORY OF ME”
[ masterlist ] [ reblogs are very appreciated ]
angst, hurt/comfort, hurt/no comfort, romantic relationship, jing yuan x gn!reader
warning(s) : major character death, the concept of death is discussed, implied reference for the high cloud quintet lore !!!!, blood, injuries, depictions of violence !!!!
word count : 2517 words
“i think i got too many memories getting in the way of me; you only get what you grieve; the only thing that’s ever stopping me is me; i testify if i die in my sleep, then know that my life was a killer dream; and all my childhood heroes have fallen off or died” — song: stay frosty royal milk tea by fall out boy
a/n: i’ve almost cried while writing this. as a jing yuan lover, i’m terribly sorry (it will happen again).
to be part of a long life species isn’t as easy as mortals make it to be. since their lives are nothing but a fleeting moment which will be soon forgotten, they tend to hope for a longer time to accomplish their goals, rushing every task to meet the temporary relief that it brings — a sweet feeling which one could indulge themself in, but only for a brief moment. as a consequence of this, they’re quite envious of those who don’t have to worry about such matters: those people can enjoy life to the fullest and simultaneously take things at a slow pace, savoring each second of their existence without being overwhelmed by their imminent end; new experiences are always near the corner of their days, quietly waiting for the perfect time to appear and give opportunities of every kind; the weight of death isn’t a matter to reflect upon, since it’s something far too distant to be frightened by it.
a smile was something that jing yuan hardly got to see on that face he had profoundly grown fond of — yours. one could have defined it as an almost imperceptible change, but the way your lips slightly curved in response of his affirmations hadn’t ever escaped his attentive eyes. his life had been consistent for many years, still as a lake in a flawlessly sunny day, with his usual duties and habits which never seemed to change despite the passage of time. however now he had gotten used to your presence and he could have never substituted it. those lips he loved to touch with his, those hands he relished with his when he was looking for reassurance, those eyes he would have treasured with his life if they had been gems — you. jing yuan would have never gotten tired of you.
this is what short life species harshly tell themselves and others — they can’t but concentrate on what they don’t possess, on what their hands will never reach, on what they will never be able to accomplish. nevertheless, said behavior is rather commonly found in the majority of human beings with no distinctions made; envy is a comprehensibile emotion, but when used inappropriately it can develop in resentment. the inherent desire of attaining what we’ve wished for isn’t possible at all times — but we continue on our path forward, often stumbling along the way when it gets too difficult to move on.
the general’s soul wasn’t unblemished as many thought: you had gotten the chance to meet that part of him he tried to hide under a seemingly exemplery mask of polite yet playful remarks. you had tended to his injuries, taking care of his body while he narrated the story of some of his scars; you had listened to his usually unspoken worries, when the role he had to play for the majority of his life momentarily ended and he finally showed you that he was just a human being like any other — someone who had done both outstanding and terrible things. “i… i apologize for not being the hero you’ve heard of”, he had muttered the rare times he had allowed himself to cry; it had been too long ago since the last time he had opened up to someone in such a vulnerable way.
long life species know this too well: between the scars of their past and the hopes for their future, it isn’t rare to find people who are lost in their journey, surrounded by painful memories and feelings of desperation. to forget what one’s forced to remember can make themself cling to the old days and refuse to give a glance to the other side.
you were aware of jing yuan’s foibles and past mistakes — how could you have not? — but those things had never stopped you from loving him. as you were there to accept him for who he was, you could proudly say he did the same for you; patience and consideration were only a few of his characteristics, but they were greatly helpful when you were going through difficult times. jing yuan wouldn’t have ever judged your fears and thoughts: he would have sat next to you, grounding your mind from the stress that life could give you, and reminded you of his unfeigned adoration towards your being. you both had found comfort and solace with each other.
the general of the cloud knights of the xianzhou luofu, jing yuan, had lived for too many centuries to be truly able to count them. he was acclaimed by many people and frowned upon by others — but nobody could have never doubt his dexterity and strength when it came to swordsmanship: his exceptional abilities had been of considerable effectiveness in battles and, simultaneously, his carefulness and diplomacy couldn’t be disregarded in the slightest, since they kept the law and order in his nation.
death passively follows its natural course when the right time is known — it’s a neutral state which can’t be converted by the human mind, something… irreversible; many have tried to change this fact and many have failed. each stage of life is meaningful, thus to accept what’s going to happen someday is the wisest and least painful choice, though it has to be recognized how it can still be a tough journey. his loved companions, his long-lasting enemies, everybody he knew… he had lost them, either because of demise or a change of paths.
during his life, jing yuan had collided with friends, foes and even with himself — bonds were broken, rancour was deepened, distress was reinforced: all the experiences and emotions he had been carrying in his heart for centuries seemed to be never-ending. he did his best to hide his damaged self through loads of work and too many hours of sleep; after all he was one of the arbiter-generals — if he couldn’t do his job, who could have?
he was a symbol of hope: he was someone to use as a role model and as a pillar for anyone who was in need of support and protection — failure had never been an option for those of such great importance.
he just had to resist a little longer… then everything else would have ended and peace would have prospered, as it always did.
clashes of swords and polearms reverberated through the battlefield, they were the only sounds which could be heard alongside the warriors’ screams. destruction and ruination harshly painted the surroundings, scarring the ground where nature once flourished, while combatants fell and took their last breath.
an invasion of that magnitude hadn’t been on the xianzhou luofu for quite some time and nobody had been prepared for it; unexpected encounters were the most dangerous and tiring ones.
you were a brave and capable soldier — your technique wasn’t flawless, but your determination made up for the few careless mistakes you committed while fighting; jing yuan was aware of that, but his chest still hurt whenever he knew you were battling against his enemies. as much as he believed you could successfully take care of your well-being in dire situations, he had to fight the urge to be near you when you risked your life; said feeling was reciprocated though, since the general had caught a glimpse of your figure finishing off an enemy who had tried to attack him behind his back while he was busy with three other opponents. you had flashed a smile at your lover before going into battle again.
it was a tough confront between distinct factions, but hope had come to the surface again once you had taken a glance at how many enemies were still standing: only a few were alive and their counterattacks were growing more haphazard by the second — they hadn’t expected to fall behind in battle. the rush of adrenaline you felt before accompanied your weapon through taking the life of your opponents without backing away.
jing yuan had just fought against a few people when he saw a group of his opposite faction go near you; they were too many to be dealt at the same time, too many even for someone as experienced as him — so he couldn’t let them lift a finger on your body, it was a risk too huge to be taken so carelessly.
he rapidly moved to get to your side — you were rather distant from him but, if he had screamed, you would have been distracted and you would have gotten severe injuries… or even worse. his mind was spiralling while the general was trying to calm himself down and choose the best option available to keep yourself safe but, when he saw a spear coming too near your figure, his body moved on its own: he rushed towards you and, without giving you the time to react, he took what once was your place.
time seemed to stop for a moment as he tasted the flavour of pain that came from the deep skin tear on his chest: gushes of blood brutally tinted his armor and all of a sudden his face lost the color it had just a moment before.
you couldn’t feel anything at first, your brain had registered only a part of what had occurred. then, however, you realized what you had witnessed when you watched jing yuan’s body fall on the ground.
everything had happened in a few seconds, but it felt like an unceasing event: something atrocious was taking place, something you just wished to ignore and forget… but you couldn’t allow yourself to do that.
therefore, a wave of rage hit you: you didn’t waste time to slaughter the ones who attacked the man you loved; when anyone tried to come near you, your blade was swift enough to promptly eliminate them and destroy anything that crossed its path, wounding whoever couldn’t understand the weight of the situation. it had been a while since you felt an emotion in such an intense and uncontrolled way, you looked feverish from how much strength you were using.
anger’s origin was different for everyone — yours was because of despondency.
you were moving too fast to process what was happening: the only clear thing your blurry vision could notice was the carmine blood that colored the soil and people’s armors, especially your own. you couldn’t feel the pain derived from your injuries, your clouded mind wasn’t able to process your physical state.
wrath was embracing you in its strong grip, the one thing that heartened you when you would have preferred to hide away in your own solitude.
as the only opponents left decided to retreat from the battle, you tossed your weapon to the side and fell on your knees; you were exhausted from your sudden outburst, your limbs were becoming numb and your head was spinning.
the familiar sound of your name, however, kept you grounded, making you look at the white-haired man who was laying down on the turf.
sweat and blood littered his scarred skin, a look you had gotten to know through the years you had spent with him. but this time was like no other.
you immediately sat by his side and forced yourself to act like you had everything under control, while trying to disregard the spear that had pierced his body: your hands slightly pressed near the major wound on his chest, clinging to the last hope of keeping more blood from coming out.
“my time… has come, then?” he murmured, his lips were moving slowly, too slowly, though his voice was calm as the usual; you would have said he wasn’t feeling much pain, if you didn’t know him that well.
a grin was plastered on his face and it only made you sadder to see him keep his mask even on that unpleasant occasion.
“don’t you dare say that, jing yuan. there’s still time, we can make someone look for a doctor, we… you can resist for a few minutes until then!”, you sounded — you were — desperate. “everything is going to work out in the end, isn’t it?”.
you were trying your best to pay no attention to your thoughts: there was no doubt that his injury was fatal, he already had lost too much blood to return back to his usual life and be saved. you would have switched places in a heartbeat if you were given the opportunity to do so, you would have given anything to keep him alive; jing yuan had understood it since the first day your love for him had been known.
his eyes were fixated on your face, as if they were trying to soothe your distressed mind. with the last remaining ounce of strength, he rested one of his hands on yours and deepened his smile.
he called out your name again. “do you know how much i care about you?”.
if the situation were different, you would have punched him; tears began to fall down on your cheeks; you would have liked to scream and say he wouldn’t have died in that way, but you managed to make your lips curve into a faux grin; if you had to smile, you would have done it for him.
“yes, love. i do know it all too well”, you whispered, your gaze was focused only on his face and the flutter of his eyelashes.
jing yuan slowly nodded and mumbled “good”: his heart could have ultimately rested now that he had your confirmation.
he looked at the gray sky, silently saying his goodbyes to the world around him. “if there’s anything beyond this life… i hope i’ll get the chance to… to meet my friends… and lost companions there…”. you felt his fingers caress yours in a reassuring manner, a habit of his the general of the luofu couldn’t abandon even in death. “perhaps we are going… to talk again”.
you inclined your head, there was nothing else you could do.
his deep voice, the white cascade of his long hair, those golden eyes that held many memories, the strategies he followed while playing chess, his comforting laugh, every characteristic of his — you would have never forgotten any of them.
“i feel… so light…” he muttered as he closed his eyes, inhaling air for the last time.
an uncontrollable sob broke out from your throat as you bended over and hugged his cold body close to your chest, your forehead was against his.
pain had been a part of jing yuan’s life since he was a child and it ushered him also to his demise, as a loyal intimate who had never left his side.
you held back your tears when a question made its way into your head: would he have found solace now that everything was over? you shivered and hoped he could finally rest, but your heart wouldn’t have been the same ever again.
the peace you had found within his presence had mercilessly been broken and nothing could have ever repaired it.
[ do not copy, translate, repost, etc. | by @ elf-osamu ]
[ tag list — @bladesmuse ]
#hsr jing yuan#jing yuan x you#jing yuan x reader#jing yuan#jing yuan x gn reader#jing yuan x gn!reader#jing yuan x y/n#hsr jing yuan x reader#honkai star rail x reader#honkai star rail#honkai star rail jing yuan#hsr fic#hsr x reader#hsr#🎭 masked fools#x gn reader#x gn!reader#gn!reader#gn reader#az.writes#hsr angst
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I Love You In Every Timeline - Sebastian Sallow
My Love is as a Fever, Longing Still
Fic masterlist
Pairing: Sebastian Sallow x Fem!Reader
Warnings: angst, fluff, Harry Potter characters appearance, no name appearance for the reader
Themes: angst, temporarily unrequited love, pining, some form of transference¹, developing relationship, slow burn, explicit (eventually)
Summary: "He turned around, and the world seemed to stop around him. She had followed him: into another timeline, into another universe." In which Sebastian, in his search for a cure in the Dark Arts, finds himself 100 years into the future and meets his most trusted companion's descendant (who looks far too similar to the girl he was once secretly in love with).
A/N: SHE'S BACKKKK
AO3 • Wattpad
--
Sebastian decided to walk to the Defence Against the Dark Arts tower, to the Undercroft, praying it would still be there, untouched by other students. When he arrived, he saw the familiar clock, and his heart swelled in fear and anticipation as he took out his wand and flourished it like he had done so many times he practically relied on muscle memory alone.
The clock hands started to turn, and he breathed a sigh of relief as a door opened to the familiar room that he considered an analogue to his house. He stepped in carefully and looked around. The furniture hadn’t moved an inch in a hundred years, still in the same position that Ominis knew by memory. He wondered about him: if he knew Sebastian would one day disappear forever only to remain stuck in the future, if he had waited for him in that same room hoping for him to come back, or if he was glad he was gone after all.
Sebastian wondered if he would ever return to his time: if Ominis and Anne had been waiting for him their entire lives, getting old without him, and if they had hoped that they would one day see him again, and then he had another terrifying thought: what if he went back yet it was too late?
What if all of his pals were much older than him once he did? What if, upon his return, he discovered Anne still suffering the effects of the curse, or worse yet, already deceased? What if Ominis had been made to return to his family, where he would have either changed into one of them or been tortured and murdered? What if she had found someone else to fall in love and share the rest of her life with, or what if the perilous journeys she was compelled to take killed her and he had not been there to save her?
" Scourgify!" he declared, pointing his wand at various objects around him to clean them, wishing he could reproduce the same effect on his mind.
Once he was done, he sat down, leaned against a column, and put his head in his hands, breathing deeply and feeling his eyes burn.
The calm had gone, replaced by pure, utter despair and panic. It had only been a few hours since he'd found himself there, confused and startled, and he knew it would be many more until he went back — if ever.
If ever .
The thought cut at his lungs like sharp glass, drawing quiet and wet sobs. He didn't know whether the artefact could ever be repaired at all. He didn't know whether he could control it enough to go back if it was repaired. For all he knew, he'd find himself in bloody Mesopotamia, if he was lucky enough to survive another travel. Or he'd get stuck between time and space, forever embedded in the threads between realities.
Based on those thoughts alone, Sebastian felt like he should be grateful to have found himself still in Hogwarts, as safe as he could be, but he wasn't.
He missed his routine, his life, his friends. He had disappointed Ominis, but he would give anything to hear his voice now, even if he yelled at him, to see Anne even if she did not want to see him, to read their old letters over and over again, to accompany her on whatever adventure she was setting out on. Heck , he wanted to hear Headmaster Black's voice scolding him for his horrible detention record, listen to Poppy ramble about her dear magical creatures, see Garreth blow up his potions, and even wanted to hear Imelda complain about Quidditch being cancelled. He missed it all.
He spent some time there alone — he did not know whether it was minutes or hours — weeping silently to himself. His wrists copiously moved to his eyes in a weak attempt to dry his tears, which kept falling nonetheless, undaunted, wetting his cardigan and shirt and skin.
Sebastian had always prided himself in his capacity to bottle up emotions, to avoid the crying and instead channelling those goopy feelings into something more useful, like studying or spellcasting. That had backfired, and Sebastian had to learn, awfully, that doing that didn't mean those emotions wouldn't force their way out in a way or another, and after what had happened in the Catacombs, where his feelings had exploded in the worst way imaginable, he had reluctantly decided that crying alone was the best way to let them flow naturally. With that and everything that had happened to him within a few weeks, not to mention the previous events, he felt overwhelmed.
He hated it.
After drying his tears as best he could, hoping that no one would notice his glistening eyes or swollen face, he decided to leave the Undercroft and find Ron and Hermione again; they were to give him his timetable, as he would join their class starting the next day. That was before he abandoned them.
He stepped out of the room and froze in his steps. You were sitting on the ground just outside, back against the wall, focused on your textbook. You looked up once you heard a noise, and saw a dishevelled and surprised Sebastian staring straight at you.
"Oh, well, hello again, new fifth-year!" You smiled politely.
He cursed under his breath, turning his face away slightly and rubbing the back of his hand under his nose again, in case any stray tears were still present.
"'Didn't know about another secret passage in the school," you continued, apparently ignoring his actions, before muttering to yourself, " It wasn't on the Map. "
"Map?" he said in a rough, unfamiliar voice, surprising even himself.
You examined him, a quizzical expression on your face. "Have you been crying?" you asked bluntly, raising your eyebrows in surprise.
Great job, Sebastian. Perfect disguise.
He felt his cheeks warm up, and he turned away again. "No... not at all." He cleared his throat, trying to find a way to switch up the conversation when his eyes fell on your book. "What are you reading?"
You frowned slightly, obviously not believing him, but understanding that he wasn't willing to talk about it, and looked back at your book. "My Herbology book. Ron gave it back to me at lunch. Finally , I’d say."
Sebastian paused for a moment, unsure whether it was appropriate to ask about what happened in the corridor, but then he felt that ache again, right above his navel, and the words slipped from his mouth without restraint. "Did you two—"
"Don't." You interrupted him and averted your eyes, staring down at the cover musingly. "Don't bring it up again. That was already embarrassing as it was."
Sebastian stayed quiet, his eyes never leaving your form. He would very much have liked to just plunge into your brain at that moment and make himself at home there.
Perhaps he needed to add 'Learn Legilimency' to his to-do list.
"How so?" he asked at length, quite stupidly, he realised.
"I lost my temper," you said simply and forced your eyes back towards him. Your next words seemed to eject out of your mouth painfully, like they were unfamiliar to you, and it took a while for you to utter them. You sighed, "I— I suppose… I owe you an apology."
An apology never felt so forced and so sincere at the same time. "Oh, you don't have to—"
"I do. It wasn't the best impression I made of myself." Your lips parted as you leaned your head back on the wall. "I suppose I have to apologise to Ron as well — properly, I mean."
Sebastian stayed quiet, observing you curiously. Why were you telling him all that? "I... suppose," he uttered, not knowing what else to say. That appeared to be enough for you because you didn't even seem to acknowledge his words.
"He was looking for you, you know? Hermione, too. They said they needed to give you your schedule."
"Ah, yes, they mentioned that before," said Sebastian, glad to change the topic. "I’ll meet them promptly then, I was—"
"—Too busy hiding in a place no one else knew about," you continued for him.
That made him still in his steps, a chill running down his spine. Your eyes met: his open wide, yours unwavering and daring him to contradict your statement.
Perhaps the previous topic was way better.
"I just..." Come on, Sebastian, think!
"I just stumbled upon it!"
Usually, he was one to conjure lies out of thin air, but being around you made his brain seem to melt. Sebastian thought that it was because he didn't really want to lie to you, or perhaps it was because, with the way your eyes pierced him, he felt as if you already knew all his secrets, all his lies, and you certainly wouldn't be fooled, not even if he made up a whole story full of intricacies and chapters worth publishing.
He knew, however, that the answer was neither, and it lay deeper than anything he was willing to admit to himself so loudly that he had to face it.
"Right."
You closed your book and stood up, facing him. He couldn't read your expression properly, but he felt his body start to uncharacteristically shrivel at the intensity with which you stared him down. He was in Ron's place.
"Strange, isn’t it? how the new student suddenly stumbles upon a secret room on his first day — a room not even Fred and George know about."
You had spoken that last part quietly, as if only to yourself. In fact, Sebastian didn’t know who Fred and George were at all. And, frankly, he didn't want to. "What can I say? I’m full of surprises," he replied smoothly.
"Or full of lies." You hadn’t missed a beat.
It was frightening how easily you had switched back to the girl he had met in the corridor. And he pitied it. And he liked it. And perhaps he was a fool for liking it, and an even bigger fool for pitying it. "I didn’t know it was illegal to be in this room," he said, scowling.
" Illegal ? Oh, not at all. But certainly unusual for someone who has supposedly never set foot in this school before."
You took a step towards him, and he had to fight the urge to take one back himself. There was something wrong in the air — something goopy and misty and heavy, penetrating his skin like Mallowsweet fumes, inebriating and dizzying and frighteningly close to losing control. He had only felt it once, in Hogsmeade nonetheless. Electric and impatient, but, now, shrouded. That day, it had been galvanising. Now it was almost shy — almost… veiled.
"Hermione told me that she barely only took you through the first two floors. You're not even supposed to know about the classroom's whereabouts, and yet you seem all too comfortable with your surroundings," you continued, unaware.
He felt his heartbeat accelerate. Why did you have to be so inquisitive? Was he supposed to tell you the truth now?
Dumbledore’s voice came back to his mind: "... unless it's absolutely necessary. "
"I don’t know what you're talking about. It was an accident, as I said," replied Sebastian in a poor attempt to reason again, knowing full well you wouldn't believe him.
"Certainly a convenient one." He twitched involuntarily, like he had just got a shock. The corners of your lips lifted in a sneer. "You are an interesting case... Sebastian, was it?"
He nodded hesitantly and narrowed his eyes, baffled at your countenance and your confounding words. An interesting case?
You shuffled on your feet in a nimble movement and pressed your back against the wall again, leaning onto it. "Don’t forget to show me that room sometime, too."
"And why would I do that?" Sebastian was growing impatient at your behaviour, while some part of him was thrilled at your nonchalance. The more you bantered with him, teasing him like that, the more he felt his stomach flutter. He hated himself for it.
He felt a sudden urge to leave. To run to his Common Room, or back into the Great Hall, where the noise cramming his ears would be enough to shut down each and any possible much-too-loud beat of his heart, as if the mere sound of those tiny pulses would beguile him into wandering proscribed feelings. A deceit of his own body he wasn't willing to face, not even through his love of the forbidden. The hunger and ache had to stay just that: mere curiosity, more about her and her family than you.
But he stayed in the silence of the corridor, with a loud pounding noise in his ears.
#hogwarts legacy#sebastian sallow#harry potter#sebastian sallow fanfiction#wizarding world#harry potter fandom#sebastian sallow x mc#sebastian sallow x reader#sebastian sallow x you#sebastian x mc#hogwarts legacy fic#harry potter legacy#harry potter fanfiction#ron weasley#hermione granger#ginny weasley#hogwarts legacy fanfiction#sebastian sallow fluff#sebastian x reader
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Meeting Zhongli [Part 12]
Game: Genshin Impact
About: Zhongli x fem!reader
Note : The premise is that 'you' get transported into the game and journey through Teyvat along with the traveler. This is a reinterpretation of the Liyue Archon Quests. Hope you enjoy~
Warning: Mentions of violence, slight profanity.
The sky had begun to darken as the waves crashing against the harbor slowly increased in intensity. Most of the area around me had already been evacuated due to the quick reflexes of the Qixing. While the stage was being prepared for the main act of the play, Osial, the overlord of the Vortex was rising from the tumultuous sea. And then, right on cue, the Jade Chamber flew over the dock and approached the ancient god. This was the final test. This was what everything had been leading up to. In the countless millenniums of my existence, I had faced and fought through countless dire events, but none had me as anxious as I was now. Perhaps because this time, it isn’t me who faces the calamity. Will Liyue be able to pull through…?
But strangely, I also felt composed as her words once more appeared in my mind. ‘Liyue will be able to handle it, maybe even prosper from it.’ I hadn’t entirely bought her excuses about otherworldly powers of foresight, but I couldn’t deny her credence when she spoke. It felt as if she believed in this city more than even I did. And there had been something strangely enchanting yet comforting about her words. I wanted to trust her, as though her words were the absolute truth. Perhaps it was precisely for this reason that no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t view her with cynicism, I was ready to forgive her for the first plausible excuse she presented.
That said, the facts she yielded, had all been completely accurate. I need to understand her more before I can truly put my mind to ease. But that is going to be near impossible to achieve. By her outburst outside Third-round Knockout, I doubt she ever wants to see my face again. For the little while we did spend together after that incident, she has built a stone wall between us that even I am not confident I can break. I have already terrified her enough, with our contract in place, the only right thing to do was to respect her wishes.
Heavy doubt had been gnawing at my mind for these past few days. Another new experience… I have been decisive all my life, so why was it that whenever the thought of Y/n came up, did I feel utterly lost and hesitant? What I did, was how I always dealt with my enemies. Maybe that was it… deep down I didn’t even acknowledge her as my enemy. I sighed in frustration at my thoughts. What’s even the point of thinking about this…
That said, Y/n is a clever one. Would another approach have even worked on her? It clearly seemed like she had been faced with a similar situation a few times prior. Is that why she was able to maintain her cool so well while I was confronting her? If so, I wonder how those other encounters had gone.
As a measure to not stand out to the Millelith I stepped back under some shelter. Osial had now started his onslaught of attacks, but the Qixing along with the Adepti had already posed their counters. By what I could manage to make out from the hazy sky, it seemed like they had decided to use a copy of the Guizhong Ballista. A clever strategy, but not one that can guarantee their victory. I started becoming increasingly anxious as the battle continued, it was a feeling that I hadn’t been well acquainted with. Every part of me wished that I could somehow contribute, but I tried to maintain my calm.
After having defeated the Harbinger, the traveler must have already hurried to the Jade Chamber. I wonder if Y/n went along as well?
And as if to answer my query, the woman I had been thinking about made her appearance. She seemed to be coming from the direction of the Golden House. On closer observation, it seemed like her right leg had been injured causing her to limp as she walked. There were a few other cuts and bruises on her body, but none as severe as the one on her leg. I looked around but her companions were nowhere to be found. Did they insist she stay back because of her wounds? It was plausible, the trio seemed to dote on each other a lot. I considered offering my assistance but quickly decided against it. She seemed to possess healing capabilities and I was probably the last person she wanted to see.
Y/n’s attention had been captivated by the skirmish in the skies but soon noticed my presence. She instantly looked away and proceeded to walk past me, acknowledging her ignorance I looked away as well. But strangely, before she completely overtook me, she had paused. Fazed by her actions, I glanced at her with caution. Y/n was staring at my hands as she sighed with what seemed like pity, “It will be fine.”
Following her line of sight, I looked down at my hands as well, they were shaking. Not just my hand, my entire body was trembling. I also came to the realization that I had been holding my breath, causing me to lightly pant. I raised my right hand to pop a few buttons on my collar and slightly undo my tie to help calm myself with a deep breath. I hadn’t even noticed the state of my body!
Despite my attempts, I was unable to entirely regain my composure. I looked back at Y/n who was once again engrossed by the sky. Comfort identical to the one I felt when I’d had drinks with her reached out to me from her unmoving figure. Suddenly she looked back and tossed something toward me. I reflexively raised my hand and managed to catch the item.
“It worked.”, she huffed with annoyance. It's the feather…! I had imbued it with some of my own power, providing protection to anyone who carried it on their person. Y/n had rather begrudgingly accepted it after some insistence. “Thanks”, she scoffed in an almost inaudible whisper.
But I hardly felt pleasant about her gratitude. And yet… her leg has been injured.
Contrary to my expectations, instead of swiftly making her exit after returning the artifact, Y/n opted to stay. We only stared at the sky with agitation. The Qixing’s plan had been interrupted by the appearance of the Fatui skirmishers. The traveler seemed to be running around, trying to fend them off. I nervously gasped for air as the ballista slowly started losing its form. Despite the realization, the Adepti pushed forward, trying to hold the line.
Suddenly, Y/n spoke up, “There are tall buildings… super tall ones. More than even 160 stories… but none that float in the sky. Though we do have vehicles that fly in the sky, pretty fast as well. Elemental powers and visions don’t exist there, nor do gods… But we can still be powerful…. Still, perhaps not as close to you archons… But we do have the internet!”, she rambled. I didn’t quite understand her statements, but it seemed like she was talking about her world…? She was even fondly chuckling at her own words. “You guys are still a long way from that…”
Tall buildings… and what is ‘the internet’? I wondered as I remarked, “It sounds like a wonderful place.” Flying vehicles… wasn’t there some novel series that featured those?
“I don’t know… there are ugly parts… a lot of them. But still… it’s my home …”, Y/n’s tone was solemn. I could make out great sorrow in her eyes as she uttered the last few words. The desolation on her face was similar to the one when she spoke about her family. I too know the loss of losing the ones beloved to you. I wonder if there’s a way for her to go back home…?
I was once more tempted to try and comfort the foreigner that stood beside me. It was only adequate for the amount she had unknowingly provided me. I raised my hand to pat her on her head but quickly pulled back as I recalled her words. ‘We are not friends.’ At that moment I felt a strange surge of disappointment in myself.
Unfortunately, Y/n had caught my movements and glared at me through narrowed eyes, “Don’t be mistaken…. You’re the only one who knows…” She sighed in frustration. “…that’s why.”
I wasn’t sure, had she brought up the topic of her home to distract me or comfort herself…? Either way, it seemed like she really wanted to talk about it. And I felt the urgent need to let her know that her confidence in me wasn’t something unpleasant. “It isn’t pity, nor is it charity. You are one of the strongest mortals I have witnessed. If I were ever to entirely lose Liyue, ‘my’ home, I would lose my mind. Despite knowing the limits of your physical powers, you still persevere. Your desire to go home keeps you fighting, pushing forward. I can’t help but respect such show of fierce resolve.”, I recalled the foreigner’s bravery when I confronted her, it had been quite inspiring. “If you were from Teyvat, your ambition would have gained you a vision by now.”, I stated in hindsight.
“Is that why you spared me?”, I glanced at Y/n once more and she seemed a little shocked by my words, but it soon turned into skepticism. “I am flattered… but you overestimate me.”
“Oh? If you were that ‘weak-minded’, you wouldn’t be out here chatting with the one who tried to kill you.”, I remarked, a little taken aback by the lack of self-confidence in her own courage.
“Misery loves company, no?” I had not a clue of the troubles Y/n had faced before arriving in Liyue. But it seemed to have greatly broken spirit. Perhaps… even my own actions had played a great part in it. And this fact was truly disheartening to me.
“Y/n—“, I began, but was interrupted by her tapping my shoulder and directing me towards the battle ensuing in the skies. It seemed like Liyue was on the losing side. The Guizhong Ballista had been completely decimated and many of the soldiers had been gravely injured. Caught off guard by the outcome, I tried to take a step forward to perhaps take action before matters got much worse. But Y/n tugged at my elbow, signaling me to stay back. That’s right, this is a ‘test’. And all hope has not been lost yet.
What followed thoroughly impressed me and put my mind at ease at the same time. Unexpectedly, Ningguang seemed to have taken the route of great sacrifice. The jade chamber crashed down onto the ancient god with a giant explosion, pinning him to the surface of the ocean’s floor forever. I felt myself smile with exasperation as the final realizations and implications dawned upon me. Liyue… will be fine. An overwhelming sense of melancholy rushed over me as I subsequently rejoiced in the success of my plans.
“See? I told you, didn’t I?”, Y/n remarked from beside me.
I glanced at her and she too held an appreciative grin on her face. “Yes.”, I affirmed.
We observed the group as they safely descended back onto the ground with the help of the Adepti. “Off to La Signora, I suppose?”, Y/n asked taking a step back to probably go and check on her friends.
“Ah! You’re… right”, I was once more startled by the precision of the foreigner’s abilities. Maybe I should stop being so skeptical and just accept her explanations. It’s almost frightening how accurate she is.
I sensed a strange heaviness in my heart as I watched Y/n turn around to take her leave. It felt as if a myriad of emotions were tugging at me. But the one which stood out the most right now… was guilt . I felt a strange premonition, that I wasn’t going to get this chance again, a chance to apologize… a chance to meet her again. Right now, the only reason we were interacting was because of the traveler’s quest to meet the geo archon. But what after that? Judging by the state of things at present, she would instantly turn away even if we happen upon each other in a chance encounter. And I didn’t quite understand why, but immense despondency settled within me as I came to this revelation.
“I… I apologize… I sincerely apologize for what happened that day.”, I impulsively blurted out the words that had constantly been haunting my mind. “I could have taken a more peaceful approach.”
I knew that this was just the bare minimum, not even close enough to get back on good terms with her, but it was what I needed to do. It’s clear as day that she has had similar encounters before… I know it for a fact, and I also know that they didn’t go any better, it was so apparent from the way she behaved around me.
Besides, everything was pointing to her innocence. The more I look into it, the clearer it is. I owe her an apology. She was just an unfortunate soul who had been given the burden of knowledge, a knowledge that was better not possessed. And I hadn’t even paused to understand her. Even after all these years… I still can’t reach even a semblance of Guizhong’s gentleness. She must be disappointed in me. I am disappointed in myself.
Y/n looked back, but the expression of solace from just a few moments ago had once again been replaced by cautious resentment. Unsurprisingly, I was only met with a scoff at my attempt at asking for forgiveness. “Well, in a sense you did do the right thing, if you hadn’t threatened me with death, I would never have come clean.”, she sighed as she replied. “Zhongli, you are a mortal now, try being a bit more considerate from now on. As for your apology… I will consider it.”
That’s right… It’s the beginning of a new life, I must let go of my ways as an archon. But at that moment, instead of her advice, what captivated my attention was the slight smile on her face as she said those words. It was a rather gloomy one. But even in the desolation of her expressions, I could make out an inkling of warmth, of kindliness… of hope . Hope that it was not entirely over, that there was still some light at the end of this tunnel. And right then, I felt my heart skip a beat. A strange sensation built in my chest as a smile crept onto my face. Wait, what—?!
“Alright, that’s it I suppose?”, Y/n cut in and interrupted my thoughts, she was once more readying to leave.
“Just one last thing!”, I hurriedly tried to hold her back. Opening the pocket dimension, I rummaged through to retrieve the feather Y/n had returned. Using the power of my gnosis for perhaps the final time, I successfully attempted to enhance the powers of the artifact before handing it back to her. “Keep it. Your journey will only get harder from here on out. I have imbued it with some more of my power, as long as you use it well, you shall be able to evade more injuries.”
This time Y/n accepted the item without any counter. She explained as she examined the feather, which now had a glowing sheen to it, “As much as I want to reject, adeptal magic is a little too good for me to consider passing on.” She smiled with what seemed like sincere gratitude, “Thank you.”
“I am only paying back what I owe.”, I smiled back.
#lemonadecandy#genshin impact#genshin x reader#meeting zhongli#genshin headcanons#reader insert#zhongli#x reader#genshin zhongli#genshin angst#zhongli x reader#zhongli angst#female reader#long reads
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Piper’s Relationship With Each Character: Part 4
FINALLY FINISHED THE STUDENTS I've been so busy I am very sorry! Now it's time for the final batch of students! Still have not finished Book 6! May do the staff next, but I want to start new projects so that may not be for a while!:
Ignihyde and Diasomnia
SPOILERS FOR BOOK 6 and 7, may change after chapter 7 has completed.
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Idia:
Never really got to see him in person until bumping into him at the festival in chapter 5 (a change to the original story). The first thing she told him on a whim was, "your hair is pretty" which he responded by booking it back to his room. Other than that, the whole STYX attack was probably the most stressful and overstimulating moment of her life at that time. Plus, he had her cat... so. But, she is able to sympathize for his situation and loss and partially forgave him after the whole fiasco (emphasis on partly, she is gaining more boundaries and focusing on her own needs at this part of the story).
She found herself fascinated with video games since her journey at S.T.Y.X, so Ortho (forcibly) asked his brother to recommend her games. Seeing her fascination with animals and creatures, plus her status as a beast tamer, Idia recommended her a game where you caught monsters and fought others with them. Piper thought it was a little harsh at first, but soon became obsessed with it. Soon she and Idia became monster catcher buddies; battling, trading monsters, and exploring each other's worlds. Idia even got her a plush version of her favorite monster.
Ortho:
Reminds her a lot of herself when she was a kid still playing in the woods. His playful spirit, his dream of adventure, and only wanting what's best for others. Makes her wish she could be that young again and be as playful as she wanted to be. But, he gives her the opportunity to go back to those days through hanging out and playing games with each other from time to time. He even brings (forcefully) Idia to play as well. Even though he is a robot, she still treats him like a human being. Especially since he became a 1st year student along side her and the gang.
Malleus:
WHERE TO EVEN BEGIN!!! Ok, so first of, just like the other Yuus, she was never really scared by him. More fascinated by his mysterious, domineering, yet charming and distinguishable demeanor. She did not know how powerful and well-known he was after all. Which in turn, made him fascinated by her. The nickname "Hornton (Tsunotarou)" certainly caught him off guard, but made him ever more curious about the "child of man."
Piper soon found herself to be more curious about Hornton as well, so they started to hang out with each other alone. She now has an encyclopedic knowledge on gargoyles now because of him. In return, she talks about stuff she likes and stuff from her home world. She soon learns that Hornton is just a dorky guy who likes to be where he can be himself and be surrounded by the things he loves, just like her. She also relates a lot to her loneliness, while hers was more voluntary than his. Things went south when she told him she may have found a way to head home. Ended up with her and the school asleep.
Silver:
In her story, Piper and Silver meet earlier than the other Yuus. He and Sebek first appear after Malleus's first appearance in Book 2 and actually introduce themselves to her. Their second interaction involved him defending her after she was being bothered by students who she stopped from pulling a prank on a sleeping Silver. The more they saw of each other, the more their friendship grew. Piper was definitely excited whenever animals started to form around Silver, wishing she had that ability.
Ever since the incident, Silver tries not to fall asleep around her. But, she understands that it can't be helped sometimes. Whenever he does go to sleep or she finds him asleep, she tries to stay with him so nothing happens to him. Sometimes, when Piper needs a break from everyone, she hangs out with Silver. For someone who is basically a fairytale knight in shining armor (which she adores since she loved reading fairytale adventures in her home world), he is also one of the calmest, down to earth, kindest people at NRC. She's happy to have someone like this around. Even if she does consider herself too "boring" to be around him, which he disagrees with.
Sebek:
ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE IS SEBEK. Like I said before, Piper meets him and Silver in Book 2 after Malleus' appearance. They asked if she's seen Malleus, which Piper says no because she has no idea who he is and does not know it is Hornton. Cue Sebek yelling in her face saying some righteous speech about 'how can she possibly not know about the great and mighty prince Malleus Draconia.' Which leads to Piper covering her ears and starting to sink into the ground and Silver apologizing for Sebek's actions. Definitely not a good start.
Now, whenever he is around, she wears her earmuffs. When she was in the dream relm and her earmuffs were gone, she had to adjust to Sebek's voice. Luckily, Silver was able to explain Piper's oversensitivity to Sebek and he has gotten better at controlling his volume around her. Now, she feels like she doesn't need earmuffs or headphones when he is around anymore. Sebek also respects her for her bravery (as well as being friends with wakasama).
Lilia:
Reminds her of her father back in her home world. Fun-loving, funny, caring, tries to be 'hip' with the kids. The only difference being that Lilia does not push his kids into something they don't feel like they can do (at least to her knowledge). Usually is around when Piper hangs out with Malleus or Silver, asking if they ever need anything and saying normal parent things like, "you kids have a good time!"
Besides Trien and maybe Crewel, Piper feels like Lilia is the only adult that she can depend on whenever she needs an adult. And those father skills come in handy. Dad hugs, dad jokes, dad food... well maybe not that, but pretty much anything she needs, she can go to him. Her respect for him as a father grew exponentially after seeing his dream and learning about him, Malleus, and Silver. Does make her miss her parents back home, but at least he can be her temporary dad until she gets back home... at least he was.
#twisted wonderland#twst#twst wonderland#twst mc#disney twisted wonderland#disney twst#oc#twst oc#twst yuu#winnie the pooh#my ocs#my yuu#my oc#twisted wonderland yuu#diasomnia#ignihyde#malleus draconia#idia shroud#ortho shroud#twst silver#lilia vanrouge#sebek zigvolt#piper finch
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Not Alone // Aaravos
A/n: Hello! This is my first time officially writing a fic for TDP, and I couldn’t be more excited! I did take a few liberties that I hope the requester doesn’t mind too much, though it does stay true to what they sent me. I do intend to possibly make a part two to this if people like it. I am also always open to constructive criticism! I want to improve to create the best fics I can for you all. Anyways, without further ado, I give you: Aaravos not knowing wtf to do for the first time in his life and desperately struggling to maintain his mysterious and manipulative image.
WARNINGS: none, really? Uhh Aaravos convincing himself that everything he’s doing is to get out of there and definitely not his own curiosity being sparked, mc slowly beginning on her journey of progressively becoming a bigger flirt, Aaravos in general.
“I wish I could say I was sorry, Y/N, our hopes for you were truly high.” Those were the last words she heard, a brightly colored rune being the last thing she saw as the earth beneath her crumbled and gave. The only thing she could think to do was gaze up at the night sky, to take in the sight of the glittering stars as she fell to what she believed was her death.
A groan left her lips as even the light hitting her closed eyelids was too much to bear. She could register nothing but the spinning of her head at first, as well as the cold ground beneath her scratching against her star littered skin.
A moment passed before, finally, her eyelids fluttered open. The view she was met with was… unexpected, to say the least. As memories came flooding back, so did the confusion. Before her stood a wall of books, separated in the center by a crackling fireplace that cast its lovely glow onto Y/Ns skin, causing the stars on her face to shine even brighter than usual. Slowly, she sat herself upright, head turning to be met with a desk made up of some sort of unknown material.
The first thing she thought to do was chuckle. And here she had begun to think that the great archdragons planned to punish her. This was nothing short of a vacation home. As her gaze travelled further left, she froze. Any sort of feeling or thought vanished within a second. Never in a million years had she expected expected to see this.
Surrounded by an archway of light, creating a halo effect of sorts, was another elf. An elf that, shockingly, appeared to be another startouch being, like her. Y/Ns eyes widened as she took in the other’s features. Long, white hair framed a face of light indigo, one that was littered with glittering stars and a shocked expression that mirrored their own. Most of the strangers body was cloaked in black fabric, including their horns. But from what Y/N could see, he was beautiful. She found her stare shifting from one of shock to one of awe as the other finally approached her, head tilting down to send a piercing gaze towards her.
“Who are you?” He asked, or rather, demanded, despite his rumbling tone being laced with surprise. That voice… that deep, yet lovely voice. Y/N felt their heart pound in their chest, loud enough that she was sure the stranger could also hear it, especially as he crouched down to be at her eye level. Both of them wanted to reach out, to touch the other so as to prove that what they were seeing was real, though the various uncertainties held them back. The stranger seemed to recover faster than she did though, as he spoke up once more.
“Perhaps you didn’t hear me,,, who are you?” He sounded almost annoyed now, as if his anticipation was getting the better of him. Y/N watched as his eyes narrowed and his perfect lips formed a tight frown. Doing her best to snap herself out of it, Y/N finally spoke.
“Y/N.” Her words came out breathless, as if speaking was painful. All the while her E/C eyes began to water from not blinking for at least a minute straight. The elf in front of her made a face of almost confusion, as if the response had startled him. For years he had been known to have a silver tongue, but in each situation he had always had the upper hand in things. The collective calmness needed to speak words that had others falling before him to be strung up like puppets was suddenly forgotten. Now he was truly at a loss for words. It was something that, he was desperate not to show.
“Ah- and um, you are?” Y/N added, giving him an expectant look. Her lips quirked upwards in a smile, an attempt at calming the almost visible tension in the room.
“That is of no importance.” He replied cooly, standing back up yet offering Y/N a hand. As usual, his first thought was to appear kind yet mysterious, so that if this intruder showed use to him he could capitalize off of it. Despite this normal way of thinking for him, something deep down, that lonely part of him begged to not potentially scare this newcomer away. It was an ache, a newly found voice nagging at him from the back of his mind.
It was Y/N’s turn to frown, though she accepted his outstretched hand and carefully stood up. She was about to insist she know the others name when suddenly, another question was thrown her way.
“Tell me, how did you get here?” They watched as the stranger’s head tilted slightly, pale locks of hair peeking out from under the cloak he wore. Y/N paused, a million thoughts running through her mind at once.
“I… am still processing that myself.” Y/N explained truthfully, hesitating before letting her hand drop back to her side. The elf in front of her seemed unsatisfied with that answer, one eyebrow quirking upward slightly as if he didn’t quite believe her words.
“You know,” Y/N began, gears turning in her head, “I could probably give you a better answer if you told me your name~” that small smile from earlier returned to her face as she spoke. Still unamused, the stranger paused for a moment. Would she recognize his name? Surely she would, no? Yet, who was he to refuse her, it would only grow more suspicion around him.
“Aaravos.” He replied simply, posture somehow becoming even more perfect with the mention of his name. Internally, he was pleading that she wouldn’t shut him out, something that was never truly part of his personality. Then again, this was quite possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“Aaravos…” she echoed, as if testing the name on her own tongue. “That’s… really a gorgeous name.” She explained as she met his gaze, one that shook with surprise once again. It was a flicker, something she almost missed. Her smile almost turned into a smirk as he once again seemed to be at a loss for words.
“I.. appreciate your kind words.” Aaravos said, attempting to keep his tone unchanged. “Now, if you wouldn’t mind telling me how you got he-“
“Can you take off your hood?” The girl asked, hand almost coming up as if she was about to do so herself. Aaravos blinked, unsure of what to say once more. It was a humiliating feeling, one that he certainly wasn’t used to.
“Why?” Was all he could muster, curiousity accenting his deep voice.
“Am I not allowed to see what another elf of my kind truly looks like?” She challenged. My, where did her sudden spark come from? Attempting to flow through the conversation, Aaravos seemed to regain his composure. If his suspicions were correct, she was sent here just like he was, meaning they had a long journey of getting to know one another head of them. Surely she was bound to see him in his entirety at some point. So, with that in mind, he sighed and brought his galaxy ridden hands up and carefully tugged at his hood.
To say he was breathtaking was an understatement. Everything, from his deep purple horns to the star symbol planted on his chest- he was incredible. Without thinking, Y/N reached out to gently cup the side of his face with one hand. Aaravos almost stumbled back out of pure shock, though instead he simply burned holes into her eyes with his own, lips parted slightly as if he was about to protest. Yet, no words passed through his lips as the woman before him slowly took in each little detail of his face.
“You are just breathtaking…” she whispered, face alight with a mixture of joy and awe. An expression that faltered as he reluctantly stepped back. Aaravos knew that, despite the loneliness in his heart aching for the attention she was giving him, forming attachments wasn’t something he should have. Not if he wanted to succeed in his goal. Aside from that, he was also far too clueless in the doings of actual romantic interests and such.
“Once again, I… appreciate your kindness, though I would really love to know just how you arrived here.” He pressed on, desperately grasping at what was important right now. Y/N hesitated, as if she truly didn’t want to answer that. A wave of reality seemed to slap her in the face. Surely, he was no angel either, for if he was why would he be here? But the unknown was still terrifying. The unknown of whether or not her crimes were worse than his.
“I don’t want to talk about it…” her voice trailed off, gaze momentarily drifting from his. “You know what I would want to talk about, however?” She asked, earning nothing but a raised brow from Aaravos. “You~” she added, her cheesy demeanor once again met with utter confusion. If it was directed at anyone else, the elf surely would have rolled his eyes. But this specific sort of attention being on him… it was still quite shocking to him.
“So, I don’t suppose you know a way out, then.” he thought aloud.
“Oh, well, if I’m stuck in here, at least it’s with you!” The woman explained, the stars on her cheeks burning brighter and the color there darkening in a form of a blush.
“I.. suppose so.” Arravos replied against his better judgement. “Would you like me to show you around?” He offered, once again giving her his hand to take. Y/N’s face seemed to light up at that, eagerly grabbing a hold of his hand and allowing him to guide her towards the doorway of what seemed to be pure light.
Perhaps, Arravos thought, he could humor himself in getting to know her, in order to get out of here. Yes, certainly it was just that.
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Fated to Fall ~ Sindri x Reader [Pt 1]
|Chapter Selection|
Summary: The hand of fate was a cruel thing. It followed everyone who traveled through the realms, from tragic beginnings to horrific ends. Some people sought to embrace it, while others tried to flee from it, but its permanence was undeniable.
Yet as you stood reflecting on a previous life that now seemed so far and a future that appeared all but definite, you couldn't help but wonder why fate had brought you here. In a home that was no longer home and in a place you found no more joy. Was this to be the end of your story?
Or had it only just begun
-
What brought you here? To this house with its frigid walls and distant past that felt more like Hel than home.
Maybe everything was written the day your mother and Kratos first met in the Midguardian woods. Blood and bruises were replaced with tender kisses and endearing looks. Given the lives each of them had led up to that moment, such a thing seemed almost impossible. But it was just the right time in just the right place. Perhaps that was the beginning.
Perhaps it was the day you were born into this world. You were unfamiliar with its ways and were oblivious to the path it would lead you down. But when a mother's loving arms were around you, none of that mattered.
Or perhaps it happened gradually, like the memories of your youth. Warm was your mother's demeanor, a woman who was never anything but the sun in your universe. Cold was the avoided stare of your father, a man who you saw in passing moments and in staring shadows. Always silent, always out of reach.
Maybe the day you were finally old enough to leave, free and eager to see the world. Your mother was never far behind you as you took each step. You grew on your own, but her hands were always there to guide you, and her wisdom knew no bounds. The two of you grew closer than ever before, separated only by circumstance and duty. She confided in you the secrets of her past, the stories of who she had been. A renowned warrior among her people. Though who those people were was never something imparted to you.
Or perhaps it was the birth of your brother. By then, you were much older. In fact, you were already well on your own. The second child of the two seemed to shake your father but for what reason you never knew. You wondered if that was how he was when you were born, or if his avoided eyes had always been there.
Or maybe...maybe it was the day you had returned home. After so long away spent exploring new worlds and meeting both friend and foe alike you had decided it was time. With excitement brimming at being able to see your mother again you made haste to that old home of yours. But when you returned you found no trace of the woman. Instead you found your brother, older by a few years now and predictably not recognizing you. After that you found your father who, upon seeing you, dawned an even more serious look than normal. He told you of your mother's death along with a letter she had left behind for you.
It had been so sudden to you. Your day had been so full of anticipation and excitement but all of it drained from your body as those words processed. Yet the reality of it could never be denied. Your father would never lie about such a thing.
He told you of the coming long winters and the now unsafe lands along with your mother's wish for you to stay upon your return.
Yes, that must have been it. That was how you ended up here. You learned that not only had your mother been sick for months and never sent someone to seek you out in that time, but that she had been rather keen on avoiding seeing you all together. Your father and brother had been able to hold and care for the last remnants of her dying spirit and she had left you nothing more than a note. A note you would never dare to open.
Upon being faced with this you sought out the peak of Jotunheim yourself. You followed in the footsteps of their journey through icy cold and reminisced in familiar stories of your mother's past. You had learned by the end that the journey had been planned for your father and brother from the start. Each road and each step known by her. She had left a path for them to follow, a way forward to carry them through a life without her.
But you found no prophecy held on the walls that mentioned you. No mention of your very existence could be found on them. You found no picture, no name, no symbol or sign that would allude to you.
And it was then that a dark, irreparable scar had been slashed over your soul. Because you had found no spot for you on the walls of her people, but the continued etchings of your brother. And you found no guidance left for you, as your father gained in many paintings. It was as if you had been forgotten.
Upon returning home, unable to deny the last wish of your mother even as this deep scar formed, you chose to stay. And in the few years you had returned you saw your father, a man once so cold and distant, start to show a side of him to your brother that you had never seen on his best days. It was then you realized that your fear came to be solidified and your suspicions were seen true.
You truly had been forgotten.
You were overwhelmed by a new form of grief as you watched your brother gain something you never had after you had lost the only thing you did. You felt the absence of your mother burn a hole through your very being.
You had nothing else besides her. No painting, no shared memory, no growing care, not even the etching of a name. And now she is gone, leaving nothing behind that could guide you through this horrible fate.
Despite how deeply this grief settled and how it spread through every fiber of your being in waves of constant numbing pain, you pushed it down. You buried it deeper, you ignored even the heavy waves of it. And every time it slipped, every time it seeped out for even just a moment, you would quickly push it down even further until it was nothing more than background noise in your mind. Always buzzing, always there, but only ever heard when it was quiet. When you were alone.
So that was how you ended up here. Sitting in front of the fire sharpening an ax not too dissimilar from your mother's. You had modeled it after hers after all. It only lacked its more magical capabilities of returning when called, but you could hardly complain.
You settled in the silence of Mimir as he read from a book in the other room, but the silence didn't last long as you heard the familiar barks of the wolves and the distant voices of your two remaining family. You didn't move from your spot, the voices fading slightly but only for a few more moments as they were likely checking on Fenrir. It was a few minutes later that your father opened the cabin door. He walked in alone and after so many years of knowing him you could easily read the frustration on his face. The lack of Atreus following behind gave away the reason.
"Well. I'd recognize that dour expression anywhere" Mimir commented. Kratos went to hang his weapon, not looking at Mimir for more than a glance.
"Another fight?" You asked, not looking up from your sharpening. You got an annoyed grumble from him to which you only shook your head slightly. You were all but surprised.
"The wolf is gone" he finally spoke. You stopped what you were doing almost immediately upon hearing his words, soon turning to look at him.
"Oh no…not Fenrir…" Mimir spoke with a tone soft and hurt. The tense air in the room quickly thickened at the sound, the seriousness of the situation hitting all of you.
"I assume he isn't taking it well?" You asked, placing your weapon down for the moment. Your father's eyes glanced over to you but soon turned to look anywhere else. His silence was answer enough.
"He goes to bury him" he spoke as he walked towards the candles, snuffing a few of them out.
"Do you think he's going to need any help?" you proposed as you stood, moving to put away the tools you had been using. Your question sounded simple enough, though the implications were that the boy might need company right now.
"No. That is not necessary." he quickly stopped you. You gave a hum of acknowledgment in response, assuming that Atreus might have asked for space. You moved to put away your weapon beside his as well as before continuing with a few other miscellaneous tasks you needed done before bed.
Kratos soon sat in his bed. You had thought he meant to sleep but you were all too aware of the eyes that stared into you instead. If the lack of movement didn't give it away the heat of his eyes on your back always did.
"Something you need to say?" You asked, not turning to him as you spoke. There was a long silence before you heard another grumble and he finally turned to head to sleep. It was then that you realized you weren't that tired. In fact you could hardly think of sleeping right now. No. No, you couldn't sleep.
"You worried about the boy?" Mimir spoke. You wondered why he would think that for a moment before you looked to realize your hands had been shaking. You quickly steadied them with a deep breath, soon occupying yourself with a knife and a small piece of wood by the minimal amount of candlelight. You began to carve at it.
"No. He can handle himself fine" you answered, still never looking at him.
"Then what's gone and got ya so on edge?" He asked with his unending curiousness. You gave him a few seconds of silence in response before finding something to tell him
"...nothing in particular" you answered, though it was clear that you were all but honest. Even worse was Mimir’s ability to sniff out a lie faster than a boar looking for a truffle.
"Y'know you can talk ta me. My lips're sealed even ta Kratos if need be" he pushed a little bit, his words finally catching your eyes. You once again mauled over your words for a moment before finally speaking what was on your mind. If for no other reason than to shut him up.
"It's-...It's really not that big of a deal or anything I just-" you got lost in your words for a moment before stopping. You took only a few seconds to pull them together again.
"I don't think I can do this for much longer" you admitted. Mimir remained silent, but his face told you to keep going. So, having already opened the floodgates, you continued.
"There's just so much...death here. Everywhere I look in this place all I see is death. The forest is so quiet now, everything's quiet. There's no life here anymore" you finally admitted. Mimir looked rather taken aback by your words. It wasn't often you let the words of your mind slip out, let alone speak them so plainly. He didn't take long to recover though, quickly pushing past the surprise.
"Well I uh…I can't say I disagree with ya" he gave a reply and, though he meant well, his words did very little to calm you.
You knew that whatever similarity he might have felt wasn't the same. He couldn't have known the significance of these walls or how each familiar smell sent daggers through you day in and day out. He couldn't have known how strange it was for you to return here without remembering everything about her. He couldn't have known how much all of this hurt.
So you remained silent, hoping to avoid another slip of the tongue around someone your father confided in. The last thing you needed was to give him another chore to deal with. Atreus was enough.
You went back to whittling down the small piece of wood in hopes that it would take your attention away from everything.
It rarely ever did.
-
Hours passed quickly and as they did you began to wonder what was taking Atreus so long. Slowly you began to grow more and more concerned, especially as it only continued to get darker. You left the cabin briefly to see if he had decided to be somewhere else for the moment, but when he wasn't anywhere around a deep dread began to build. Returning to your home you quietly spoke to Mimir.
"He isn't anywhere around. I saw footprints leading out to where he buried Fenrir, but there's no sign of him after" you explained, clear confusion and worry written on your features.
"Well it's best we go look for the boy. Couldn't have gone too far" he suggested, to which you gave a nod in return. Your eyes quickly fell onto the sleeping body of Kratos though, a hesitation passing for a moment too swift for even Mimir to notice before you spoke again.
"We should wake him" The words left even with them being entirely rhetorical, your feet already approaching him before Mimir could say a word.
Your movement paused a good distance away before you called.
"Kratos" your voice carried just a bit louder than normal. He shifted a moment but remained still.
"Kratos!" You yelled a little louder, causing even more of a stir. Yet, to your dismay, he remained asleep.
"BROTHER!" Mimir yelled with all he had in him which caused Kratos, as you had expected, to jump awake screaming as he called his ax to him. His eyes were already fully awake as they searched for the closest sign of danger. With heavy breaths the amber color quickly landed on you, his face wrapped in confusion as he was clearly distraught. You quickly looked over his state as it was all but rare for him to have nightmares. That's why you had kept your distance after all. You only needed to learn the hard way once.
"Atreus hasn't returned. He's been gone for much longer than needed and he isn't near" you quickly explained as you watched him move from whatever had been troubling him before into what he needed to do now. With a couple more ragged breaths he stood. Quickly walking passed you he grabbed Mimir and headed out the door. You grabbed your ax and followed without hesitation.
"The footprints lead down to the Frozen river. I got a little bit further before they stopped" you explained. He nodded along, showing he was listening. A few steps later he came to a sudden stop before turning to you.
"Stay. In case he returns" he asked, or more so demanded of you, before walking away.
And for that moment, that small enclosed space in time, a deep hurt exploded within you. And you almost denied the reasonable request like a child who didn't want to complete a chore. You almost reached out to him; a plea to follow on the tip of your tongue.
But you caught yourself just as quickly, nothing more than the slight raise of your open hand showing that moment of pure reaction to being told to stay. You swallowed your plea and, with nothing more than a nod, returned to the cabin.
You waited a long while in silence. A silence that burned in this place you saw only great loss in. This place was no home to you, no. It felt as if each day things grew worse. But nothing, nothing, hurt worse than the severe isolation that grew. Because each day you looked on as your brother and father grew so close. Each day you watched as Mimir and him grew to be friends. And each day you were reminded of how he could barely look at you.
How proud he seemed of his youngest child. No matter how many arguments or how tense the frustration made their conversations, you could see it every time he looked at him. That glint of something special, that shine of warmth you'd never seen on him besides when he'd look at Faye. It was the look you remembered only ever receiving from her. And now you watched from a distance as he did the same for Atreus, but could hardly say more than a few words to you.
You felt alone, your only semblance of care found in the boy who was far too focused on his future and father to pay you much mind. And even then that care grew not from a strong root, but from a similar frustration found in the ways of your father. You two hardly ever talked of anything else.
Time passed as you once again found a knife in your palm and wood in your hands. You carved away, the wood slowly coming into the shape of a bird. A crow to be exact. You had seen more of them around recently hiding in tall branches. You had wondered when you saw them if perhaps they saw the four of you and believed you would all be dead soon. You almost laughed at the time the thought had arrived in your mind, knowing your family to be persistent enough to outlast death itself. You weren't sure if that thought comforted you anymore though.
After a time you could hardly think to keep track of, the voices arose again, gaining your attention immediately. They were through the door before you even stood.
"As evenings go, that was entirely too eventful. Though I admit it was a bit like old times there. For a moment" the sound of Mimir's voice carried in the cabin. Kratos walked in before setting him down on the table with Atreus followed in quickly after, relieving you immediately.
"Care to tell me about it?" You asked, your eyes shifting to the head once more with a short glance to the other two who moved to get situated for the night. Mimir hesitated a moment before speaking again.
"It's a bit of a story. Might be better ta explain it in the morning" he answered. You nodded as you quickly noticed the hastiness of the two to get to bed. You quieted yourself, allowing for them to do so without any further disruption. A bit of small conversation followed between Atreus and Mimir but you had largely zoned out by then. You were instead more focused on that bird you were making. Anything to occupy your mind.
A few moments passed and quiet began to slowly fall. Atreus and Kratos wasted no time in getting to sleep. It was just before it got too quiet to speak when you heard Mimir once more.
"Still not tired?" Mimir asked, gaining your eyes for a moment. His expression was hidden from the other two by the slight wall, but sitting just across the room from him allowed you to see it just fine. His eyes shined with worry, the intention of his words clear. Just as quickly as you met his eyes did you turn back to the wood in your hands.
"No..." You answered back as you miscalculated a movement, ever so slightly slicing your hand. However it was enough for you to quietly wince, pulling the knife away. A small drip of crimson fell from the tiny wound as an overwhelming and burning sense of irritation overtook you. It was hardly noticeable from any onlooker, but you were nearly about to explode with built-up frustration.
With a quiet huff you stood, placing the knife down on a nearby table as you went to put on your boots and jacket.
"And where are you headin' off to?" Mimir asked, his words gaining the attention of Atreus who you saw just out of the corner of your eye as he perked up. You ignored his stare though, continuing to put on your winter clothes.
"To check on the wolves" you answered, though it was clear the moment the words left your lips that you were all but believable. Thankfully Mimir wasn't about to ask you twice. Atreus on the other hand-
"It's storming out there though" he called in a semi-loud whisper that let you know your father must already be asleep.
"Which is why I'm going to check on the wolves" you reiterated, your tone a slight bit harsher this time. He quickly backed off after that. You grabbed your bow and ax, placing them on yourself just in case.
And into the bitter cold you went.
|Next Chapter|
#here it is!#the first part to a long sindri x reader fic!#I hope y'all enjoy the food#gow#god of war#gow ragnarok#god of war x reader#gow sindri#god of war sindri#gow x reader#gowr#gow reader insert#gow sindri x reader#god of war sindri x reader#gow kratos#god of war kratos#gow mimir#god of war mimir#gow atreus#god of war atreus#fated to fall
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No one cares, but I cannot shut up about things I've been thinking about for Star Rail for months.
I think it's so funny that the idea of travelling through space on a train should be a little silly, but I just. Immediately bought into the idea of it being the most romantic thing ever. That loading screen of the Astral Express against a starry sky with that magical music playing really did a lot of heavy lifting lmao.
I'm so fascinated by the flashes of the future Stelle gets. Is it related to the Stellaron? Is it related to her artificial body? Is it related to the Aeon that blessed her? I just don't know and I am waiting for the day they get into it.
I really love Stelle's design. Her being the tallest female character is one of my favourite things. I assume it's because it makes things easier for cutscenes if she's not significantly shorter than Caelus (honestly they should have just made them the same height, even if it's just "the same height if we include Stelle's heels", and I could have been even happier) but god it's so cute and funny that the female characters who have so much more tall energy than her, like Kafka, Himeko and Acheron, are all shorter than her. Her hair being so fluffy and looking a little messy makes her look SO cute. I really love the art for her fourth Eidolon because her hair looks extra fluffy in it.
AND GOD HER VOICE. It's a tragedy that Stelle doesn't speak more because I love her voice so much. The fact that it's that low… I loved… Stelle getting possessed in 1.5's Trailblaze Continuance just to get to hear her voice… I know there's some speculation about whether or not the receptacle that wasn't chosen is going to be a character further down the line, and if it happens I'm going to be so sad because the people who didn't choose Stelle would probably get to hear her voice more than I do lmao.
I kind of wish we didn't get to name the Trailblazers because when Aventurine calls her "Miss Stellaron" in 2.0, for a brief second I lived in a world where the voice lines could call Stelle by her name instead of "you" or whatever other placeholder they used and it was so good. Ever since I played Three Houses, I've gone more and more in the direction of "the more voice acting there is in a game and the less you can customize the main character, the more pointless it is to let you name them."
There is nothing I love more than characters appearing in another character's splash art. Silver Wolf and Blade being in Kafka's splash art fucking took me out. There is genuinely nothing that can convince me that they're not Important to her. It's a tragedy that Sam isn't also on it too. I gasped out loud the first time I used Preservation Stelle's ultimate and saw Bronya, Seele, Serval, and Gepard in the splash art. It's SO cute, I'm going to be so sad if they don't do the same thing for all the other paths too. The Astral Express being in Destruction Stelle's splash art is a similar situation because it's where her journey started and to me it represents her bond with the rest of the crew. Baby Tingyun on Yukong's. The much more subtle case of Lynx having a picture of her with her siblings in her tent.
I just really love the platonic and familial relationships in this game. The Astral Express crew and the Stellaron Hunters both have me in a choke hold. Looking at each group on its own is already A Lot (Listen, I almost cried when I heard Himeko's voice line about how she asked Dan Heng to be the Express's guard because she felt he wouldn't have stayed if he was gonna be a freeloader), but comparing both groups and seeing how they contrast but they ultimately have their own bonds with each other... And Stelle travelled with both of them at one point.
The fact that the whole Astral Express crew has those express pass pins is such an amazing detail. I almost cried when I realized they're all matching!!!! I wish they had made a separate model for Stelle and Caelus where they don't have their pin yet and then had a scene of them being given the pin after they joined... It could have been so cute...
I read through Kafka's companion mission again the other day and oh my god, I can't believe I forgot that she plays the truth and lies game with Silver Wolf all the time. I need to go lie down on the ground over these two constantly playing a game that kind of inevitably leads to getting to know each other better.
I also love her mentioning that if she and Blade had been thrown into prison, Sam and Silver Wolf would have broken them out. Please, I'm in shambles. Yes, they would have broken them out just because they needed to, but also. I really do believe there's this deep trust they all have for each other. If I think about it, I don't know if I would say the Stellaron Hunters love each other, I certainly don't think any of them would say it except maybe Kafka in a teasing way, but I do think they all care about each other in their own way.
There is Something that really gets me about the fact that all the Stellaron Hunters, including presumably Elio, went to go pick up Silver Wolf from Punklorde. Like, Kafka and Sam both going to get Blade makes sense logistically because they needed Sam to restrain him and Kafka to calm him down, but Silver Wolf? Who Kafka specifically said wasn't chosen for being good at fieldwork? Why did they all go to get her? I don't know, it just makes me really emotional for some reason.
The Landaus have such a fun dynamic between the three of them. It's so cute how Serval and Gepard both worry about Lynx, Gepard more so than Serval, and it annoys her but she also loves them both. For most of Serval's companion mission I was just like "🥺 Gepard just doesn't want his big sister to leave." The light cone???? Of Serval and Gepard when they were kids??? Serval defending her brother because she knew he didn't do anything wrong???? Also, something about how it's a Preservation light cone, but Gepard, the Preservation character, is the one being defended. Gepard's idle animation where he's humming Serval's song????
The inherent tragedy of Jing Yuan's relationship with Yanqing because he's raising him to be strong enough to kill him one day…
Dan Heng's interactions with Bailu in his companion mission were sooooo good and I hope they expand on it more in the future. It was really sweet that Dan Heng was so concerned about Bailu and now he has a new little sister. I love that they have this bond with each other because they're the only ones who can even remotely understand the weight of the expectations everyone puts on them because of Dan Feng. The CG in that companion mission was Everything to me. Dan Heng's speculation that he inherited Dan Feng's destructive powers and Bailu inherited his healing powers is so interesting if it's true. When I read Bailu's character stories and it said they were waiting until her coming of age ceremony before giving her the title of Imbibitor Lunae, it really hit me like a truck. I'm so curious about whether years down the line, as the story on the Xianzhou continues, we'll eventually get a Bailu Inhibitor Lunae. I just think it would be so cute if Bailu and Dan Heng had units with matching titles…
I had zero thoughts about Sunday, good or bad, besides being like "excuse me?" about the shit he said at the end of 2.0, but they showed the light cone with baby Sunday and Robin in the 2.1 stream and I was just like, oh noooooo, it's so cute, he loves his little sister so much.
I'm obsessed with the "Elio is the cat" theory. Is the leader of the Stellaron Hunters being a cat absolutely ridiculous? Yes, but I love the idea of the leader of this group of space criminals being a cute black cat too much. Even if the cat (tragically) isn't Elio, I still think it's like, connected to him or meant to represent him whenever it shows up. Release more light cones so Silver Wolf and Blade also have art with the cat.
I love the text message system so much. It's such a fun way to give characters some extra characterization and make them feel more alive. The peak example of that will always be the fact that Blade's text messages are all sent by the other Stellaron Hunters. Blade not sending messages would have already been like. Yes, this lines up with his character, but the fact that not only does he not send messages, but literally everyone except Elio (and honestly if every character had four daily messages instead of three I would bet Elio would have sent one too) uses his phone to send messages gives a little extra insight into the dynamics between the Stellaron Hunters.
#Annie plays HSR#It's a giant wall of text because no one I know plays this game and I've got Thoughts and Feelings#I mean my brother also plays but he's not interested in these Thoughts lmao
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Like Stars Upon The Sky
~You always dreamed of visiting Liyue during the beautiful Lantern Rite - this year Xiao sees them in your honour...
N; No spoilers for the Lantern Rite event! Reader is gn as no pronouns are mentioned!
It was no secret you adored the lively and colorful festival that was the Lantern Rite. It was an important part of Liyue and it's culture, appreciated by all - even those far and wide would brave the journey to see it. Truly a once in a year event and experience that couldn't be missed for any reason!
Yet you - someone who grew up in Liyue, had never gone to see them at the harbor...
There was always a reason or an excuse that you would miss them, longingly watching as the sky grew a warmer shade and light up from the hundres or thousands of lanters released. It was beautiful, but nothing compared to being there in person...
Xiao had long ago promised to bring you there. He wasn't the most affectionate lover and was often most focussed on his duties as an adeptus, but when he made a promise - he would keep it. Knowing this was something you truly wanted made him ask to take you - to share such a special and memorable moment with you.
You - a foolish mortal who caught his sharp gaze and wouldn't leave his mind or sight. Ever since he first saw you he couldn't get you out of his mind, he would unknowingly look for you whenever he wasn't out carrying on his adepti duties - and he would look out for you. On the outside there was truly nothing special about you, just another mortal human. But you always captivated him.
Slowly he began approaching you in subtle ways, as in actually appearing and hanging around in the same spaces as you or sitting outside while eating when you did - while not actually sitting with you or near enough to make you notice, let alone pay attention. Yet you did.
He had caught your eye - of course. His appearance was striking and unique, unlike anyone you seen or met. He always seemed to show up in the same places as you as well, perhaps you held similar interests?
After some time you would find the courage to approach him and strike up a conversation. A rather awkward one, as he answered very flatly and was very straightforward. At first you took it as a sign that he wasn't interested in conversation or was uncomfortable, based on his tense body and averting or sharp gaze.
Next time, it was him who sought you out. During a sunny afternoon you were sitting alone with the of Wangshu Inn menu occupying your hands, your nose almost burried within. It seemed you were skimming through it, pondering which delicious dish you would order this time.
"The Almond Tofu, is quite good..." Hos tone was soft and rather quiet - you almost missed it while deep in thought.
You were taken aback by his presence, but smiled warmly nonetheless. "Hmm, good choice!"
He eyed the table and the empty seats, a nonverbal way of asking if it was okay for him to sit with you. You simply nodded, your smile simply growing bigger.
Such simple and rather normal beginning to your relationship with the Vigilant Yaksha - the fearsome Conqueror of Demons. But with you, he felt as if he could let his guard down and simply be Xiao, your lover. A regular man with no worries of a lingering karmic debt and the blood on his hands.
But nothing lasts forever, happiness least of all.
He should have seen it coming. How could he ever have been foolish enough to believe he deserved such a life, such feelings of happiness - that he deserved you... Perhaps he always knew deep inside, but simply wished to remain blind and ignorant in order to enjoy the fantasy of a simpler life with you.
At least he could hold onto those memories and moments with him, until he would finally depart from this life. If something were to come after... He only hoped he could see you one last time. There were still so manny things he wished to tell you, things you wished to do together.
But now, he could only fulfill his promise to you with a heavy heart and you on his mind.
The lantern he held so tenderly was one made by you, after his promise to bring you this year you had worked tirelessly to make a perfect one. It was your first time and it could be seen by everyone, but it only made it more endearing to him. It was so.. you.
He reached to retrieve a small pouch from his pocket to tie it onto the lantern, it was incredibly light and would not hold it back. The pouch contained your ashes. They would now be flown away by your beloved lantern, it would fly across the sky for all to see and stare in awe - the way he always looked at you...
It was truly every bit as beautiful as you always described it... The sky was dark with light soft clouds littering it. The wind was cool yet felt pleasant as it brought the most wonderful smells from the numerous stalls. No stars were present above, the only lights provided by the harbor and the thousands of lanterns. Their golden glow captured your eye more than any stars ever could - as they rose higher together.
For a moment Xiao could stay in the moment and bask in its beauty. For a moment it felt almost like you were there with him, as if he could feel your warm smile beside him... He didn't dare to turn and break this illusion, yer somehow he felt like you knew that he kept his promise.
I really like angst it seems :') I have so many other fics in my drafts...
#genshin impact#genshin impact fanfics#genshin impact x reader#angst#genshin impact angst#genshin impact xiao#genshin impact xiao x reader#genshin impact xiao x you#xiao x reader#xiao x you#alatus#genshin impact alatus#xiao fanfic#adeptus xiao#lantern rite#genshin impact lantern rite
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