Tumgik
#fic: moon eater
suguwu · 29 days
Text
MOON EATER I TWO
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"But truly, Master Diluc—why am I here?"
"I would wed you," he says, flexing his hands in his lap. "If you are amenable to it."
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minors and ageless blogs do not interact.
masterlist
pairing: diluc ragnvindr x f!reader
notes: hopefully this posts bc dividers are giving me trouble but mostly i hope you enjoy!
content: marriage of convenience, politics, some manipulation, pining, jealousy, some blood and gore.
wc: 5k
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You take the Ragnvindr name on a mild autumn day.
It’s a simple thing, Diluc thinks. Two signatures side by side, yours jagged like a cliff face, his flowing like a peaceful river current. He watches the ink sink into the paper as Jean clears her throat.
He glances up at his old friend; her eyes—the gentle blue of the early morning sky—soften. He stiffens. Jean has always worn her heart on her sleeve and now, the smile that curves her lips is a dandelion thing, delicate and fleeting. There’s something melancholic to it.
“Congratulations,” she says, quiet but firm. “May the breeze bring its blessings to your union.”
The wind curls in through the window, catching against the marriage certificate, the edges of it fluttering in the sudden puff of air. The breeze swirls through the office, tugging at your simple dress with cheeky fingers, sending your earrings dancing. You laugh, free and delighted, and Diluc’s chest tightens. 
(Your little sailboat spun around in the current, small enough that the water churned around it like a storm-struck sea. 
“I’ll get it!” Diluc called as he rolled his pant legs up, exposing skin as pale as the moon, dusted with freckles, cinnamon on top of cream. He waded into the river before you could protest. The water was cold, eddying around his legs, and he grunted as he reached for the toy. It drifted away from his grasping fingertips like a crystalfly rising to the sky, just out of reach. He reached out further, stretching as far as he could over the deeper water, where the current grew teeth. He grit his teeth as the boat bobbed along, buffeted on all sides by the rippling water. He stretched further, rising to the tip of his toes, a stubborn ballerina.
“Be careful!” Kaeya called from the shore.
Diluc startled. He tumbled into the deeper water, yelping as it swallowed him in its frostbitten mouth. The current spun around him, sinking its teeth into him, but he sputtered his way to the surface. It tugged at him as he treaded water. Diluc spat his soaked hair out of his mouth as he looked for your boat, but it was long gone.
Kaeya and you met him in the shallows. Diluc stood, grimacing as his clothes suckered to him, still heavy with cold water. 
“Are you okay?” Kaeya asked.
“Yeah,” Diluc said. He looked at you. “Sorry about your boat.” 
You stared at him for a moment, eyes wide. Then you laughed, loud and echoing, as bright as the sunlight reflecting off the river’s surface. Diluc’s heart fluttered against his ribcage. 
“You’re an idiot,” you said, but there was almost something fond in your voice. “I’m glad you’re okay.” 
Diluc beamed.)
The wind dances around Jean’s office for a moment more. It undulates around you, ruffling the pristine cecilia pinned sweetly into your hair, and your laugh billows out like campfire smoke once more. The breeze plays over Diluc’s neck, tugging at the crimson strands of his hair, making them dance like flames. 
Finally, the breeze dies out, but only after it makes the marriage certificate flutter once more.
“Well, well,” Lisa purrs from her place beside Jean, gazing out from beneath the rim of her hat with a bemused expression. “A blessed union indeed.” 
“You think so?” you ask, and you’re back to that rosebud smile.
Lisa nods. “Of course, cutie. With that timing? There’s hardly anything else it could be.”
Diluc meets Jean’s wide eyes. He thinks of fish mouthing along the top of a pond, but the expression is quickly gone as Jean gathers herself. 
“Well,” you say, glancing over to Diluc, your eyes shining, reflecting his own image back at him. Your ability to be unreadable has plagued Diluc over these last few months; he supposes he shouldn’t be surprised you give nothing away now. “An auspicious start to our union, husband.” 
“Yes,” he says, unable to conjure up any other words, too caught on being called husband by you. 
Lisa chuckles before reaching out for the certificate. She signs as a witness with a flourish, even though her handwriting is atrocious. Jean takes it next; her signature is looping and beautiful, curling like sweet pea tendrils.
You tilt your head. “Is there anything else needed?” you ask Jean. 
“No,” she says, handing off the certificate to the Knight’s clerk that has just appeared at the ring of a bell. “You’re legally married. Congratulations again.”
“Thank you,” you say. “You’ll be at the party, yes?”
Jean nods.
“Wonderful,” you say. “We’ll see you then.”
“Actually,” Jean says, “I was hoping to speak to Sir Diluc for a moment.”
He blinks.
“Of course,” you say, before murmuring a goodbye. You sweep out of the office, brushing past Diluc as you do. He breathes in and the scent of you fills his lungs, with the sweet addition of the cecilia’s pollen. The door closes behind you. 
“What is it?” he asks Jean roughly. 
“Sir—”
“I’m not a knight anymore.”
She flushes, the apples of her cheeks pinkening like ripening strawberries. The air goes ozone heavy, the breath before a lightning strike. He glances at Lisa; she smiles sweetly despite the static electricity crackling around her. Jean lays a hand on her shoulder. 
“Of course,” Jean says to Diluc as the ozone starts to fade away. “My apologies, Master Diluc.”
“What is it?”
She coughs. “I understand that you don’t like the Knights, Master Diluc, but it’s important that they’re present at your wedding celebration.”
He stiffens. “Why?”
“There will be several diplomats attending, including representatives of the Qixing,” she says, looking mournful. “The Knights will need to be present as a protective measure.”
“My staff are—”
“Not Knights of Favonius,” Lisa says. Diluc frowns at her; she flashes her teeth in a lazy smile. “It needs to be the Ordo, not civilians.” 
“Won’t the Qixing have their own people?”
“Yes. But the Knights will need to provide an escort anyway.” 
Diluc grits his teeth.
“Master Diluc,” Jean says, far too gently. “It is only for a night.”
He bristles. “One night is one too many,��� he snaps. 
Jean’s face hardens. “This is a matter of national importance. It is not a suggestion, Master Diluc. There will be Knights present as security at your wedding celebration.” 
(The blood on his face was still hot. 
It dripped down his cheek, but Diluc paid it no mind. He reached out with a shaking hand to his father, his body propped up against the carriage like a broken puppet. The gash on his father’s side was deep enough that Diluc could see the white glint of bone, like teeth in the crimson mouth of the wound. 
“Father,” he gasped. 
His father grabbed his wrist as he reached for the wound to put pressure on it. “Diluc,” he wheezed, his rich voice breaking over the syllables. “Please.”
Something opened in Diluc’s chest; it poured, and poured, and poured.
He knew what he had to do.)
Leather creaks as he clenches his hand into a fist at his side. Jean’s eyes dart to it, but she stays firm, her lips set into a thin line. In this moment, he realizes she looks every inch the Grand Master, with her head held high and her blue eyes burning like a comet through the sky.
“I’m sorry, Master Diluc,” she says. “We cannot budge on this. And your wife has agreed.”
“Fine,” he snaps. “But only for the celebration, not before or after.” 
Lisa opens her mouth, but Jean holds out a staying hand. “Very well,” she acquiesces.
“Is that all?”
“Yes, Master Diluc,” Jean says, her voice soft and a little bit sad. “That’s all.”
He strides from the room without a goodbye. The door clicks shut behind him, the guard outside it coming to attention. Diluc pays no attention to him, heading towards the exit.
He’s almost to it when he realizes there’s no sign of you. He halts, glancing around with a furrowed brow. There’s not even a hint of your scent to guide his way. He closes his eyes for a second, resigned to his fate, but before he can ask the guard if he’s seen where you went—
“My, my,” a velvet voice purrs out. “Lost your new wife already, Master Diluc? Impressive.”
He sighs. He turns around to face Kaeya, meeting his pale lilac eye with a scowl. The other man smiles, an indolent curve of his lips, a fat cat lounging in a golden patch of sunlight. 
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?” Kaeya asks, raising a perfect brow. “I’ve barely said anything.”
“Good. Let’s keep it that way.” 
Kaeya laughs. “I’ll keep your wife’s message to myself, then, shall I?”
“Didn’t know you were a delivery boy now.”
Kaeya’s eye crinkles with his smile. “I made an exception for her.” 
Diluc takes a deep breath and ignores that. “What’s the message?”
“Oh? I can talk now?”
“Sir Kaeya.” 
The knight hums. “She’s at Good Hunter. She says you should join her for lunch. And surely you won’t keep a lady waiting, will you?”
Diluc turns on his heel. Behind him, Kaeya laughs, an airy puff of sound. 
“You’re welcome!” 
Diluc ignores him and makes his way to Good Hunter. Most of the townspeople leave him be as he strides through town. He takes the long way around, trying to give himself time to shake off the remnants of his conversation with Jean. He comes to Good Hunter from the opposite side, and he catches sight of you from the terrace above the little plaza. You’re chatting with Sara, a small smile on your lips. He pauses to watch you for a moment. The afternoon sun is casting shadows around the plaza, but it haloes you, burnishes you gold.
Sara laughs, barely audible over the hubbub of the plaza. Your smile quirks at the edges, picking up on her joy, and Diluc thinks of how the moon has no light of its own, that it only reflects what it’s given.
As if sensing his gaze, you glance towards him. You wave, elegant and sure, and Diluc nods back to you before he realizes that the two Fatui stationed just beside the terrace are waving back. He grits his teeth. He stalks past them on his way to the stairs; they quail before the scowl he knows is carved into his face.
By the time he reaches you and Sara, though, he’s managed to calm himself. He comes up beside you and tries to ignore the soft heat of you. 
“Master Diluc,” Sara says. “We were just discussing some menu possibilities for your reception.” 
Diluc raises a brow. “I thought Adelinde was taking care of the preparations?”
“She is,” you say smoothly. “I told her I’d bring some of her notes to Sara when we went into town today.”
“I see.”
“Is that all you need?” Sara asks.
“Actually, I was thinking we would get lunch here. What do you think?” you ask, turning to Diluc with a little smile.
“I had intended to go to the Angel’s Share to check in,” he says. 
“Oh,” you say. “Let’s get something to bring there, then.” 
Diluc sighs. He wonders briefly if Adelinde had put you up to this—she’s always vexed by how often he forgets to eat while he is working. 
“Very well,” he says. “Sara, we’ll have an order to go.”
She nods and takes your order. As she steps away to prepare it, you and Diluc step to the side as well. The two of you are quiet for a few long moments. Diluc tugs on his glove, fixing the way it sits on his wrist, the buttery leather sliding back into place. 
“I had hoped to return to the winery by midafternoon,” you say. “Will your work be finished by then?”
“You don’t need to wait for me,” he says. “I can take a horse if you wish to take the carriage.” 
You blink slowly, a gentle sweep of your eyelashes. They catch the sunlight, the fan of them casting sweet shadows on the top of your cheeks. “I don’t mind waiting for you.”
“Oh.”
You smile, a slow bloom of your lips. “Besides,” you say, “I should think it would be interesting to see exactly how Master Diluc runs his tavern. I’ve heard you bartend. And that you’re good at it.”
He can feel the tips of his ears start to heat. “I do bartend on occasion.”
“You’ll have to make me a drink sometime.”
“As you wish.” 
Sara calls out for you then, her voice a sharp, bright chirp that cuts through all the plaza’s noise. You hum, stepping back to the counter. Diluc follows you quickly, pulling a pouch of mora free from his belt. He reaches around you to hand it to Sara.
“Thank you, Master Diluc,” she says, sounding amused. She starts to count out his change as you whip around to look at him. 
“I could have paid,” you say, nose scrunching up the smallest bit.
(“Don’t do that,” you said, nose scrunched up into something crinkled and ugly as you batted Diluc’s hand away. 
“Sorry,” he said softly, drooping like a wilting flower. You glanced up at him. Sighed. 
“Just sit,” you said. “You can watch.”
“Okay!” 
Diluc plopped down beside you. You were pressed shoulder to shoulder; you were a long line of cool skin against the pyro-enhanced heat of him. He leaned into you to better see what you were doing and grinned when you didn’t pull away.)
“I’m aware.”
You examine him for a moment before shaking your head. “Thank you,” you say to him. “I suppose.” 
Diluc accepts his change from Sara, leaving a hefty tip, and then hoists the basket of packaged food onto one arm. Tentatively, he offers the other to you; you tuck your hand into the crook of his elbow without hesitation. He catches himself before he makes a sound.
The walk to Angel’s Share is quiet. You return any greetings you receive, but you don’t stop, allowing Diluc to continue leading you. He’s deeply aware of your hand on him; it feels as if you’ve sunk beneath his skin, singed a mark into his bones. You give a little squeeze that makes his breath stutter. He walks a little faster, but you don’t seem to notice, matching his pace unconsciously. 
“Morning, sir,” Charles says as the two of you slip inside Angel’s Share. He pauses for a moment as he takes in your presence. “Miss.”
“Good morning, Charles,” Diluc says as he locks the door behind him; he’s long learned that people will try to come in no matter the posted hours. “How is set up going?”
“Business as usual, sir. Is there something I can do for you? Wasn’t expecting you today. Didn’t realize you were in town.”
Diluc clears his throat. “We had an errand to run,” he says. “I thought I’d take a look at the books while I was here. I’ll—we’ll be in the office.”
“‘Course.”
Diluc starts to head towards the office. You follow him after a moment, calling out a quiet goodbye to Charles. The door to the office sticks a bit; as always, Diluc makes a note to get it fixed. You watch him force it open with a little smile on your lips, but you don’t say a word. He watches you take in the small, meticulously organized office before you cross the threshold and settle in one of the chairs before the desk. Somehow, you make it look like a throne. 
He sets the basket of food on the desk, careful to avoid the few papers lying on it. “I’ll get some utensils,” he says. 
You nod. He stands there for a moment, unsure if he should say anything else, but you’re starting to unpack the basket, carefully moving the papers to the side. He steps out of the room and blows out a quiet breath. It takes him a moment to realize that he’s rubbing at the crook of his elbow, where your hand had rested. 
When he comes back to the office, you’re settled in the chair, the basket fully unpacked. You’re pursuing one of the books that had been stacked in the corner, your brow crinkled as you read. You glance up as he steps through the door and smile. It’s that rosebud smile of yours. Something in Diluc aches, deep in his bones.
(Kaeya’s smile was tentative as you tugged him along, your fingers laced together. Diluc frowned at the sight, running up to meet the two of you. 
“Where have you been?” he demanded.
“We just went to the sandbearer tree, Luc,” Kaeya said, his violet eye wide.
“You didn’t wait for me!”
“You were taking too long,” you said, raising an eyebrow. “And we’re back now, aren’t we?”
“I guess,” Diluc said, kicking at the dirt of the courtyard. “Did you climb it?”
“Yeah!” Kaeya chirped. “We went really high, too!”
Diluc frowned, his brow thunderous. “I wanted to climb too.”
“Okay,” you said. “Let’s go, then.”
Diluc perked up. “Really?”
“Uh-huh.” 
“Great!” 
You smiled at him, as sharp and golden as the amber mountains of Liyue, and his heart pounded.)
You tilt your head in question. Diluc shakes himself out of the cobwebs of memory and steps closer.
“Shall we eat?” you ask.
“Yes,” he says, rougher than he means to be. “Let’s.”
You smile, flower petals yet unfolded.
He wonders if he’ll ever see you smile for real again.
This is, Diluc decides, worse than any battle with the Abyss has ever been. 
Your wedding reception is in full swing, the music rising to the winery’s rafters, carried by the light breeze winding through the open doors. Beyond them, the sunset is pouring across the horizon, dotted with bruised clouds that are limned with orange, a fiery kiss on a painter’s palette. The crowd spills out into the vineyards like wine, pooling together in small groups. Several people are well on their way to drunk, and Diluc watches them with a frown, glad the harvest is already done. 
The Knights, of course, are doing nothing. They’re stationed around the vineyard and the winery itself, but most of them are watching the festivities with wistful expressions on their faces. They’d be useless if they were needed. Diluc’s staff, on the other hand, are casually moving through the crowds, light on their feet, their eyes sharp. Someone shifts in the shadows at the top of the stairs; Diluc doesn’t need to look to know it’s Adelinde surveying the winery from above with shrewd jade eyes. 
(“Young Master Diluc,” Adelinde said. “Young Master Kaeya.”
Both boys flinched. When they glanced up at her, she was watching with sharp, verdant eyes, the green of them gone to seaglass in the low light, washed out into something softer. 
Diluc and Kaeya exchanged a glance. They’d been careful when they sneaked out the balcony door, tired of the never-ending parade of guests, desperate to loosen their starched cuffs. No one was looking their way.
Somehow, Adelinde always knew. 
“Hi Adelinde,” Diluc chirped. “We were just getting some air!”
“Right,” Kaeya said, after Diluc jabbed him with an elbow. “It was…stuffy in there…”
Adelinde stared down at them before her stern face softened. “You shouldn’t be out here alone,” she chided. 
“Please, Addy?” 
She sighed. 
“Alright,” she said. “But I’m staying out with you.”
“Okay!”
She melted into the shadows. In time, Diluc forgot she was even there at all.)
Adelinde shifts again, stepping further back in the shadows, her eyes gleaming in the candlelight. Diluc watches, but she moves again, and she’s gone. Even with his discerning eye, if she’s there, he can’t tell. 
He refocuses when you touch his hand. It’s a ghost of a thing, a gentle brush of your fingers over the back of his glove, but it scorches through him like a forest fire. He glances at you.
You’re resplendent in the candlelight, your skin aglow and your painted lips curving like the crescent moon. There are cecilias pinned in your hair again, the cream petals dainty as they catch in the breeze, revealing golden stamen tucked between the petals like treasure. He’s sure that if he touched one silken petal, it would bruise under his fingertips. 
You wear them like they’re made for you, nature’s finest crown. The breeze ruffles the delicate petals once more, loosening a flower. The bloom threatens to fall, a collapsing ballerina, and Diluc reaches out without thought, pressing it back into place with careful fingers. 
“Ah, the sweetness of youth,” someone says, and Diluc jerks back as if burned. 
It’s a Liyuen who carries himself with the quiet confidence of someone with influence. He’s older, his hair gone gray as riverstones, but he stands tall. He speaks in Liyuen for a brief moment, the phrase just familiar enough that Diluc can recognize it as a formal greeting. 
You smile, your eyes crinkling with it. 
“Zhiming,” you say, bowing slightly. “Thank you for coming. I know the journey is long.”
The older man inclines his head. “Not nearly long enough to keep me away from something as important as this.”
You laugh, covering your mouth behind your hand. Your wedding ring flashes in the candlelight. “You’re too kind,” you say. “Diluc, may I introduce Zhiming of the Liyue Qixing? We work together on trade policy.” 
Diluc gathers himself at the mention of the Qixing, though he’s very aware that the tips of his ears must be bright red. “A pleasure,” he says, nodding to the older man. “Diluc Ragnvindr. The Dawn Winery is very grateful for our continued partnership with the trading unions.” 
The other man eyes him for a moment, his deep brown eyes keen. A hawk’s assessment. Diluc meets his gaze. 
“As are we,” Zhiming finally says. “May it continue for many years.”
Diluc nods.
“Are you staying long?” you ask lightly.
“For quite a few days,” he says. “The Knights of Favonius have kindly agreed to provide me an escort around Mondstadt during my stay. Hilichurls have been gathering of late, apparently.”
Diluc can’t help his scoff. 
Your smile ripples as Zhiming raises a brow. “Is this news to you?” he asks.
“No,” Diluc says. “My staff works hard to keep the road to the winery clear of them.”
“Not the Knights?”
“The Knights are inefficient at best,” Diluc says. “My staff is much more capable.”
“I see,” Zhiming says thoughtfully. His gaze darts to you for a moment, a lightning strike glance. “How unfortunate.” 
“Diluc exaggerates,” you say with a little laugh, resting your hand on Diluc’s forearm. You squeeze and he stiffens. “He simply prefers his staff, since they’re handpicked. Now please, Zhiming, go enjoy yourself. Yumei is here.” 
A flush settles onto the older man’s cheeks, darkening them. “Oh. It would be rude to not say hello, wouldn’t it?”
“Very,” you say, a smile curling on your lips. Zhiming dips his head in farewell before disappearing into the crowd.
Your smile shifts as you turn to face Diluc. He finds that you’re once again unreadable, a still, serene pond with murky depths. You lean in close; his heart skips. He can smell the cecilias, can smell the delicate notes of your perfume, the salt of your skin. He catches himself before he sways forward to be even closer. 
“What was that about the Knights?” you ask.
“The truth.”
“I understand that you’re upset—”
“You understand nothing.”
You take in a breath. Your eyes gleam in the candlelight, knife-edged. Your mouth tilts, lips thinning into a gash, and Diluc thinks of the way the crab broke beneath your hands all those years ago.
“Your quarrel with the Knights is your own,” you say softly. “I will do nothing to involve myself in it. You may have your opinion of them, and have it freely, but you will never disparage them in front of a foreign guest. Do you understand me?”
Diluc sets his jaw.
“It is hard to have my opinion freely when you constrict it so.” 
“Master Diluc—”
“I have a right to speak my mind on the Knights and their poor performance.”
“Do you truly have no thought for their image?”
“If the Knights are so concerned about their image, they should do something about it. Perhaps if they tried being competent—”
“Shut up,” you bite out, and Diluc is so taken aback that he actually does.
You meet his stunned gaze steadily, and suddenly, he is back in the dark of a thick pine forest, the crunch of fresh snow under his boots, the endless, unyielding cold sinking its teeth into his very bones.
He thinks he sees why the Harbinger likes you so much, now. You must remind him of home.
“I would ask that you think of the consequences of saying such a thing,” you say, voice frostbitten, so different from your usual careful tones. “Of what it means to dismiss our country’s protectors in front of a foreign agent.”
That gives Diluc pause.  “I—”
“Hadn’t thought that far? Yes, that much is clear to me.”
Someone coughs. Diluc glances up and the grin he sees makes him want to groan. Kaeya tilts his head, his navy hair flowing down his shoulder like the night sky chases the sunset. His smile sharpens into something sly. 
“Out of the honeymoon stage so soon? Such a shame,” he says.
Diluc resists the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose. “What do you want, Kaeya?”
Kaeya hums. In the candlelight, his lilac eye has darkened to the color of a fresh bruise. It glitters like frost. “Why, nothing from you, Master Diluc.” 
Diluc frowns.
Kaeya turns to you. “From the bride, however—a dance?”
He holds out a hand, his long fingers unfurling like petals. He bows too, ever-dramatic; a smile flutters to life on your lips.  
“Of course, Sir Kaeya,” you say, placing your hand in his. He curls his fingers around yours delicately and Diluc thinks of trailing ivy, how it swallows everything it touches. 
He watches Kaeya lead you through the crowd, artfully spinning you through it, a thread through the needle’s eye. There aren’t many people dancing, but the musicians strike up a tune for the two of you. You murmur something to Kaeya; the man’s smile grows sharp, a fishhook grin. He whirls you away, your skirt flaring like a blossom. The two of you move like silk, rippling and flowing together. You laugh as Kaeya bends you back over his arm. 
Diluc looks away. 
It’s late by the time the reception begins to wind down, the silver moon a lonely mirror hanging high in the velvet sky. Diluc watches from the courtyard as people begin to drift home, laughing their way along the road to Springvale and the city, their joy spiraling to the sky like smoke.
You’re laughing too. He watches as you bid goodbye to a couple in Liyuen clothing, bowing slightly to them as they start down the path. The next group to leave is a group of merry-makers, their cheeks flushed with alcohol and their voices booming. He loses sight of you among them and takes a single step forward before he catches himself. 
“I hadn’t thought of you as a worrywart,” Lisa says as she sweeps up beside him. He wrinkles his nose as the scent of the roses she’s wearing woven into her hair reaches him; they’re cloying, the aroma heavy in the air. 
“I’m not.” 
She laughs. “If you say so.” 
He stares out into the vineyard again. The group has moved on, a few laughs coming from them as one of Diluc’s workers corrals them away from the vines and back onto the path. You have apparently had enough, as you’re coming back up to the winery, tugging at your dress to keep the hem off the ground.
(“Maybe we shouldn’t,” Kaeya said as he eyed the path up the mountain. It had churned into a thick, oozing mud with the rain that trapped the three of you inside yesterday. “If we get dirty—”
“It’s just clothing,” you said, already hopping over the worst of the mud.
Diluc hesitated. His father would scold them if they got too dirty. But you glanced back at him, a challenge burning in your gaze, and he scrambled after you.)
“Hi,” you say, a little bit breathless. “Is that everyone?”
“There’s a few more stragglers inside, darling,” Lisa says.
“Including you?” you ask, but you’re smiling.
Lisa’s lips quirk. “Including me. Jean’s helping clean up.”
Diluc frowns. “She doesn’t need to do that—”
“Oh, I know,” Lisa says. “But you know how she gets. I’ll convince her in a few minutes. I just wanted to see Master Diluc carry his bride over the threshold.” 
Diluc starts. He glances at Lisa and for the first time, he notices the tipsy flush in her cheeks, the way her bright green eyes are hazy, a morning mist over a lush valley. Her smile is a little bit wicked. 
“We hadn’t intended to—”
“Oh?” she says. “But it’s tradition, Master Diluc.” 
“We’ve hardly been traditional,” you say wryly. “Stop trying to get a rise out of him, Lisa.” 
The mage pouts. “You’re no fun.”
You smile serenely. “So you say.” 
“I suppose I’ll go get Jean,” she says, “before she starts washing dishes.”
She sweeps off without another word. The scent of roses lingers behind her, sweetening the air. You sigh. “Sorry,” you tell Diluc.
“Is that something you would want?” he blurts out. 
You blink. Light from inside slants golden through the windows; it highlights your eyes, makes them gleam. “Pardon me?”
“Being carried over the threshold,” he says. There’s warmth rising in his cheeks and he can only hope that his blush isn’t as crimson as his hair. “I can do that. If you want it.” 
A smile unfurls on your lips. “It’s fine,” you say. “But it was kind of you to offer.” 
Diluc nods, tugging at the cuff of his glove. 
You tilt your head, that same little smile on your lips, but you don’t say anything. Diluc glances away, taking in the way the crystalflies are fluttering through the vines, glowing softly. They’re flecked through the darkness like stars. When he glances back, you’ve gathered your dress and are making your way towards the doors to the winery. He flexes his hand and casts his gaze back to the vineyard.
“Diluc,” you call. “Are you coming?”
He glances at you. You’re haloed by the light of the winery’s open door; it limns you with gold. Your face is hidden in a broad stroke of shadow, but Diluc thinks he sees the starlight gleam of your smile before you turn to step into the winery. 
Diluc does the only thing he can.
He follows.
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muzzlemouths · 4 months
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you have you ever heard of AO3? If you hadn't it's a app where you can write fanfics and other story's where other people can read them. Sometimes it can be a bit less irritating than just writing a whole story on a Tumblr post. You can wrote it on AO3 and post the link on Tumblr. Sorry for rambling, just something that you may find useful
As a matter of fact... 😏
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sourtomatola · 6 months
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There see? Two chapters in a day. I'm tired XD
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moonhoures · 10 months
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i lowkey wanna write a lil smutty one shot inspired by soul eater but idk who to write it about 🧍🏻‍♀️
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trashmouththeorist · 7 months
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severus snape fic recs
my personal favs
Young Snape:
a life of smoke and silvered glass: Slight AU in which Severus apologizes, tries harder, and stays friends with Lily. Severus doesn't become a Death Eater because he believes in it, Jily get married. Sweet, slightly sad ending. (So cute).
Falling Apart: Time travel fic, no pairings, Severus goes back to when James levicorpused him. (I loved this, I loved how Mary was included and Avery had a redemption arc. Severus never calls Lily mudblood.)
in glory and in ruin: Mulciber/Snape but it's not a main part of it. Basically, a Triwizard Tournament in between the school houses, and Severus gets chosen even though he's only 16. The Marauders and Lily aren't really in it, focuses on Snape's Gang, Charity and Aurora. WIP, and I LOVE it!
The Gryffindor Sort: WIP. Long. In which Severus is a Gryffindor, Lupin is hiding something, Potter and Black are the worst, and there's a Wizarding War about to erupt.
Severus and the Marauders: Long. What if instead of being insulted and excluded from the group, Severus was embraced instead. After all, it was the actions of the group that shaped history from the sidelines. So what if they shaped history a little differently?
That Awful Snape Boy: It had all happened on Wednesday 3rd of September 1973; Minerva committed the date to memory. She would always be amazed that this discussion could happen in the first place. If the boy hadn’t been unconscious, would they even have learnt anything before it was too late?
The Unwanted Boy From Spinner's End: Severus Snape’s existence is a mistake. His mother hints at it often enough with her regretful, drawn-out sighs, while his father prefers to get the message across with a good strapping and a lecture on his worthlessness. Needless to say, the twelve-year-old is not particularly inclined to trust adults, no matter how concerned or caring they claim to be. His life changes abruptly, however, one late evening in September when an illicit brewing session results in a forced trip to the Hogwarts infirmary. Not only is the truth about Severus' home life discovered, but an investigation reveals that shortly prior to his mother’s unexpected death, a single piece of parchment was deposited into her Gringotts vault—a Last Will and Testament in which Eileen Snape née Prince grants guardianship of her son to none other than Albus Dumbledore himself.
To Recollect the Future: Hindsight is 20/20, but when Harry's last steps into the forest set him back further than he'd ever thought, he never realised how grateful he'd be to have Snape there to help too.
Severus' choice: How one choice changed history's course, or the life of Severus Snape from Hogwarts to adulthood if characters were less caricatural, and Voldemort and the Death Eaters were more than bogeymen. This is an AU, events before and after may differ from the books.
the lost generation: The Marauders era at Hogwarts, Voldemort's rise to power and the subsequent war, family loyalties and dishonour, and the struggles of friendship in a difficult time.
Snily:
Come Once Again and Love Me: My favourite Snily fic ever. Snape and Lily time travel back from their individual deaths to when they were still at Hogwarts. Realistic-Lily misses James and Harry and their falling in love is slow burn too. Made me want to cry. I almost liked James!
The Fields of Summer: Short and sad. His past was bleeding into the present, just as his future was bleeding out of the gaping wound in his neck. And since memories were useless to a dead man, Snape plucked them out of his mind and gave them to The Boy Who Lived. He didn’t realize that in so doing, he’d forget her.
seventeen moons: After the werewolf prank. Severus was bitten and Lily figures it out. I hated Sirius so much and he was barely in it but he wasn't villainised-it's just the consequences of his own actions.. Loved the Snily! Short.
Surprising Lessons: Tensions run high between the students of Hogwarts in the time when Severus Snape, Lily Evans, and the Marauders are teenagers. New spells are invented, insults are traded, new bonds form, and unexpected support blooms. Short and sweet.
Vox Severus: SO cute. When Severus Snape's voice changes in fourth year, everyone notices.
Ambiguous: Order member Lily did not have a baby. Death Eater Severus did not hear a prophecy. Consequently, the Dark Lord did not fall. ...but what happens when a long forgotten prophecy suddenly shakes, and flashes through the colours of the spectrum..?
Switching Wands: Severus and Lily acted as best friends should and talked about the Whomping Willow incident. Lily is less than impressed with Potter’s behaviour from that point onward.
Her Slytherin, His Gryffindor: Lily has had enough of James' bullying ways, so she decides to finally take advantage of her Prefect status. Or, in another universe, Lily helps Severus, and they become even closer.
Sweet Root: Lily decides to get Severus drunk one summer night. Angst thereby incurred happily resolves itself into, uh, happiness.
You Don't Bug Me: “Is there any reason you’re half naked in my room?”
Snape/Sirius:
Two Sides: A time travel fic where Severus and Sirius find themselves back on the evening before they graduated Hogwarts. With no idea how and why that happened, they set out to get back to their respective timelines. After all, Sirius has to save Harry at the Minstry of Magic, and Severus needs to tell Potter about the final Horcrux. Right? Too bad that they find themselves back on that evening over and over again. (Personal thoughts: I loved this one, very in character and I loved how they 'fixed' their regrets of the past).
Broken Me Found Broken You: It’s determined that Severus Snape and Sirius Black are immune to punishment after years of near-fatal pranks, bullying, and homemade curses. The only person who thinks them capable of ending the feud and finishing their education is Professor McGonagall. For the summer of ‘77, she gives them a pair of charmed hand mirrors and an ultimatum: communicate. That’s it, a mere ten minutes every Saturday. Back at Hogwarts, when their animosity proves insurmountable, Sirius and Severus are relegated to a small, Eighth Year dormitory. The tight quarters—wandless—are intended to force them to make a peaceful reconciliation, but peace is impossible with a bloody war ramping up inside and outside the castle.
Sorry: Sirius Black decides to make amends for the horrid way he treated Snape when they were teenages. Snape is less than amenable to the idea. (Written around the time of book three/four). Basically, Sirius apologises a lot. And then some fucking.
The Sin in Your Grin (And the Shape of Your Mouth): The Order needed Sirius, but he doubted they'd mourn him very long when he finally disappeared. The first Wizarding war, Snape and Sirius are fucking. Sirius thinks Remus is the spy, Severus tells him otherwise. Canon-compliant: James and Lily die, Peter is the spy. The last line. Shaking.
Dead Reckoning: Severus Snape delivers a potion to Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, holding a twenty-year-old grudge in his heart. He has yearned for revenge for so long—and he will have it. Along with something else he did not ask for.
Beyond The Veil: In one world, Sirius Black ignored Severus Snape's warning and went to the Department of Mysteries to save his godson's life. He died and went beyond the veil. In another world, Sirius Black stayed back. This made all the difference. An AU where Sirius Black survived and now knew Severus Snape's deepest secret.
Rings And Ringing Bells: A bastardisation of a traditional love story. Two men both broken by the world are at wit’s end trying not to kill each other. There’s Severus, a bitter insult who does not take fools lightly, and Sirius, a drunkard who has a habit of pressing his buttons. It involves a curse which forces them to get married, an immaculate conception, and the blurring of the line between hate and love. They fear that they have no control over their lives and are doomed to make the mistakes their parents had done before them. They’re not good for each other, but the fiasco that is their romance may be enough to teach them how to hate each other and themselves a little less.
Always (Come For Me): Snape might have been lying when he said Sirius Black wasn't punished for the prank he had pulled on him. It all started with Sirius having to live with the Snapes for the remainder of his summer...
An Interlude: Set during Order of the Phoenix. Snape comes across Black looking through some of his old school things. Memories are stirred up, grudges are held, old conflicts refuse to be resolved, and new ground might be (dis)covered. A series of conversations in the year before a death.
bite your tongue, go to the funeral: A funeral, a departure, a chance encounter, a war, a funeral (again), a snide remark, and a revival.
Two Boys Kissing: Sirius goes to a gay bar and meets the last person he expects. Under cloudy skies, two boys kiss and that one moment comes to define generations of want, need and hope.
An Occlument Heart: Snape knows that, usually, keeping a secret is the bravest thing you can do. But sometimes the bravest thing is to tell one. Complete. Canon (more or less) up to the start of Book 5, when this story begins.
Found in the Moments Between the Search: When Sirius returns from beyond the Veil with knowledge of Voldemort's Horcruxes, he takes on the task of finding and destroying them. Somewhere along the way he finds an unexpected ally and perhaps something more. (AU from the end of OotP, takes place during HBP period)
Walking the Monochrome: That’s what being a dog is like – it's like you’re walking the very edge of the world, where almost all colour has run out, and you know that should you miss a step, you’ll fall off that edge... Then again, you already know all about it. The edge and the falling.” AU of the first war.
Second Life: What happens when two men are given a second chance.
The Welcoming Feast: Severus opened his eyes and he was suddenly inside Grimmauld Place. His hand flew to his neck. He remembered Nagini biting him, Potter coming to him and then he closed his eyes, expecting death, but instead he was back here.
The Devil-and-All to Pay: Albus Dumbledore is mad. Severus is sure of it, when the old man sends him to persuade Sirius Black to come back to England and let the Order use his family home as headquarters. The problem, as always, is that Severus cannot say no.
Black Out: Snape and Black try something they have never done before. Talking.
eighty-twenty: In seventh year James left Severus for Lily. Best choice he could have ever made. It never would have worked out. Besides, he and Lily are married now, she's pregnant with his soon to be child and Severus...Severus is with Sirius.
First and Last and Always: Severus had his wand. He swallowed hard. His wand. Magic. His only defense, because Black outweighed him by at least three stone. But magic was more than enough. Severus had never needed physical prowess. His magical strength, and the keenness of his mind, gave him the advantage. Except when it didn’t.
Visions of Doom: Severus gets injured in the shrieking shack (his fifth year). While unconscious he witnesses some scenes from his future and realizes becoming a death eater wouldn’t bring him power and glory but pain and servitude. He spends the rest of his schooling trying to shape a different future for himself.
Anything by FabulaRasa on AO3.
Remus/Snape:
Fuel the Pyre of Your Enemies: A paired class assignment for Astronomy incites a mutually beneficial agreement between Remus Lupin and Severus Snape. An exploration of sexuality and friendships. (One of my favourite Snupin fics, really realistic. Also no evil!peter).
where the wolfsbane blooms: Remus and Severus friendship, and then more. 7000 words-short but sweet. Severus tries to cure the lycanthropy. James is constantly befuddled.
Have Your Cake and Eat It: Remus POV. Long. Incredible. Changed my world view. I cried with Remus at the end. Still kind of happy! Time travel fic. Remus lives. Realistic for the characters and especially for the seventies (although lowkey Remus is too woke for the nineties why does he know the word heteronormative). I loved Sirius in this one. Lying in hospital after the Battle of Hogwarts, Remus Lupin has a lovely lucid dream that he's gone back to his school days at Hogwarts. Only the day passes, then another, and another, and soon he must face the terrifying possibility that it isn't a dream — that he has irreparably altered the events of the past. Cunegonde is SO good!
DELOCAPONUM: 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟏. A new acquaintance to the territory of teaching, an old friend to grief and misfortune, and entirely off on the wrong foot, twenty-one-year-old Professor Severus Snape reverts to an old charm of his — a charm for things that are lost — in attempt to find the one book in which he wrote it. But when the spell starts working against him and mysterious things start happening to his own students, it seems he has no choice but to form an alliance with an old schoolyard enemy in order to find a culprit, a book, and his own identity. And one thing is for certain: the irritating charm of Remus Lupin is nearly impossible to refuse.
Creature Comforts: A classic! Remus and Severus are paired to work together in Care of Magical Creatures in 6th year. Neither one is too happy with the arrangement at first.
That Awful Boy: CLASSIC! Severitus. Petunia lets slip a twenty-year-old secret, and Harry is sent to Spinner's End to study Occlumency early. Severus Snape can see no way in which this could end in catastrophe.
Not Really Here: After the werewolf prank, Severus disappears. He’s still at Hogwarts—at least, he thinks he is—and he’s probably still alive, but no one can see or hear him. Except for Lupin. Remus, meanwhile, is avoiding the other Marauders—as well as everyone else—and Snape becomes the sole exception to his self-appointed isolation. As they work together to look for answers about Severus’ condition, the unlikely pair drift toward friendship. But building a relationship of any kind presents a challenge when neither of them is sure Severus exists at all. I've only read this once but I love it. No Marauders bashing, but no pretending they're saints either. And they have a pretty big part but obvs Snupin is at the forefront.
The Heir to the House of Prince: Harry is the main character and the main ship is Harry and Theo. While Snupin is secondary it's pretty central. Summer of 4th year and Harry's all alone, dealing with his grief and the sudden revelation that James Potter is not his father. Support comes in a strange form. The form of Theo Nott, son of a death Eater. A strange friend who says he'll help him find his true father, whoever this Lord Prince might be. Technically Snily ig? But not really.
Sight Unseen: After losing his sight during the Battle of Hogwarts, Remus struggles to adjust to his new circumstances; when depression threatens to overwhelm him, he receives unexpected assistance from an unknown source.
The Other Side of The Mirror: In sixth year, Remus Lupin nearly killed Severus Snape in wolf form. Miraculously, Severus escaped unharmed. But what if he hadn't?
The Meaning of Mistletoe: What was going on was that Severus Snape had no trouble tracking down one Petunia Evans, now Dursley, to a little town in Surrey where he saw how exactly she was treating her nephew. Which somehow led to last night and Severus knocking on Lupin’s door with a toddler half-asleep in his arms.
Spymaster: Former spymaster and one time headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Severus Snape left the house just once a week on a Tuesday. Wherein Snape wears tracksuit pants and smokes too many cigarettes and Lupin is into it.
Well They're No Friends Of Mine: Whenever his friends pull a prank on Snape, Remus always looks the other way. But what if there's another option?
The Other Side of the Mirror: I haven't read this, but it's a 'what if Remus bit Snape.' 60000 words.
Artemisa Absinthium: The Rat and the Snake: AU set during the First Wizarding War. Severus has defected from the Dark Lord, and become a double agent for Dumbledore. When he learns of an informant it sends the Order into disaray. Can he uncover the identity of the traitor before his own true loyalty is revealed? What price is he willing to pay for his redemption? And can a man like Severus Snape ever be worthy of love?
Capnolagnia: Three times Remus caught Severus Snape smoking.
About Wolves and Snakes: Unfinished. Remus Lupin woke up being fifteen years old again, having no idea how or why. Upon learning that he could not return, he decided that he would try to change the way things happened.
One Thousand Galleons: It's been six years since Remus Lupin, age 25, left England after the death of his father and the slow dissolving of his friendship with the Marauders. A letter from James finds him in Canada at an opportune time, asking him to come home to meet his soon-to-be-born son. Remus never expected that his time away would give him the perfect resume for teaching at Hogwarts, nor did he expect that his return would spark both conflict and resolution. If only he could get the Potion's Professor to understand how sorry he is for the way things turned out. “What is the price for your forgiveness?” --- “One Thousand Galleons.”
Living Legend: Marauders-era fic, Snape decides he needs some "hands-on" experience and chooses Remus as his very special study partner. But there's more to these extracurricular activities than meets the eye.
Lily's Boy: With help from unexpected places, Harry starts on a journey to end the war, and reshape the wizarding world. With how much he looks like James Potter, people have forgotten one important thing about him - he is Lily Evans' son, and she was one hell of a witch. Side Snupin.
It's Not Over Til It's Done: Unfinished. Severus did not expect to survive the Second Wizarding War, but survive he did. Remus didn't either, yet due to unforeseen circumstances, Remus finds himself taking care of Severus in the wake of surviving Nagini's venom.
Ten Aprils: Severus must find a way for Harry to defeat Voldemort. Remus must find a way for Severus to free himself from the past. The Dark Lord is about to attack Hogwarts, and Harry needs to get over his rage, hate and despair in order to learn to summon the phoenix needed to defeat Voldemort. Snape must find the answers, then teach Harry how. In the next thirty minutes. Like it would ever happen.
A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love: A story in which Severus Snape is unable to sleep; a certain werewolf is impersonating Celestina Warbek and cauldrons are used as prevention, sort of.
the week that changed it all: It’s Christmas break in Remus’ 6th year of Hogwarts. Sadly, his parents aren’t home so he has to stay over at Lily’s house for the week. He makes a discovery he didn’t know was possible. The first one was that apparently, Severus lived not far away, the second one was that he started to like the boy.
A Prince By Early Frost: While preparing his chamber for the Philosopher’s Stone, Severus encounters the dark fae borne by a black glass mirror, buried deep beneath the castle. He is chosen, but unsure by what, until over a year later, when a figure from his dreams takes the Defense position, asking for a favor.
Chocolate Cake and Other Intimacies: Remus Lupin is spending his birthday alone in the hospital wing. Severus brings him his homework to cheer him up.
That Awful Snape Boy: It had all happened on Wednesday 3rd of September 1973; Minerva committed the date to memory. She would always be amazed that this discussion could happen in the first place. If the boy hadn’t been unconscious, would they even have learnt anything before it was too late? Guardian fic but Snape is the ward in this one. AU set in the Marauders Era. Rated T to be safe.
Basically anything by McKay on AO3.
Snape/James:
Knowledge of the Gods: Severus was either in a coma and dying, already dead and trapped in some purgatory, completely and utterly insane, or living in the body of his past self. And, perhaps most suspiciously, why did James Potter keep looking at him like that?!
A Touch, A Kiss, A Whisper of Love: After Severus Snape and James Potter find themselves stuck in an awkward detention together, an unlikely friendship forms. As their newfound friendship develops, James discovers something new about himself while Severus tries to fight his growing attraction to the Gryffindor boy.
Cake, Please!: Slight SA gives me the ick, but vaguely fun to read. A story of blackmail, the wonderful world of sexuality, and lots of cake.
Revenge is Sweet: A teenage Snape plots his revenge on James Potter for making his life hell, but little does he know that James has plans of his own that will send both their lives spiraling irrevocably out of control.
Ninety-Three: James promises Severus that if Severus has sex with him 93 times, he will break up with Lilly and advocate that she date Severus.
Absolution: What is it that draws James to Severus? A disease? A curse? A secret wish... a need? Try as he might to ignore the Slytherin, in the end, to Severus is where James always finds himself. **SLOW BUILD** Rated M for... certain kinds of scenes later on.
The Dreamer in the Well: James got the girl....finally. She even stopped being friends with Severus, whom he absolutely hated. But one day, his curiosity changes everything.
Love Is Strange: At the start of his sixth year, James Potter decides to finally stop ruining Severus' life. His friends agree to stop the bullying but what they do not know is the reason why James decided to put an end to it. They think he just matured or grew tired of it but the truth is a little more complicated than that.
A Fickle Thing: James Potter's marriage is failing- What a perfect time to disguise himself as a muggle, follow Severus Snape to what is either a makeshift dance club or a party for gay muggles, and then do a series of things he really should not do.
Rise: Severus Snape was tired of his fate, to be a lowly snake. Luckily, fate was kind to him this time and the arrival of a tournament had come. It was a spur of the moment kind of thing, a moment of weakness and strength that led Severus to put his name in the Goblet of Fire. But he was chosen now, and he had no choice but to play in the game, maybe he will live or die, but either way he wasn't going to become what everyone said he would be.
Apocrypha: Two can keep a secret, if one of the two is dead.
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown): Long, loved it, well written. James Potter starts his seventh year with a secret. He has amazing friends, Sirius is always right by his side, Lily is finally starting to warm up to him. His life is an endless cycle of partying and drinking. So what if the Wizarding World is on the precipice of war? So what if Severus Snape has disappeared from Hogwarts? That's not James's problem. Life is beautiful, and even if it's all an illusion he wants to hold on to that dream for just a little bit longer.
Colours of Redemption: Severus Snape was meant to die. Instead he was placed into hell. Trapped in timeloops, Severus tries to make sense of the future knowledge he suddenly had. If he made one bad move, everything is reset for him to try again. Being placed into a new house and everyone being nice to him, Severus is doing his best but it is hard. Especially when James Potter is noticing him in a different way.
Goeey Melting Hearts: In their 5th year James, Sirius and Remus over hear a conversation that makes them reconsider their opinions of the ‘future Death Eaters’. The Marauders stop bullying, but guilt eats at James until he decides to apologize. That summer James tracks down Severus, but sees something that crushes him.
Regulus/Snape:
Burning Doves: The first Snape/Regulus I ever read. Regulus needs help with potions and Snape tutors him. Not much Marauders, they're just offscreen assholes. Narcissa and Severus friendship which I always enjoy. It's done, but I haven't finished it yet. Whoops.
Severus and Snape: Severus Snape finds Lily dead in Godric's Hollow, her son's screams echoing in his ears, and decides to end his life with hers. Fate has other ideas. Next thing he knows, he's facing an 11-year-old Lily Evans, on their way to their first year at Hogwarts.
Snape & or / Narcissa:
Seven Days: Severus knows a lot can happen in seven days. Slash.
Living A Lie:  All of her life, Narcissa Black has had to live as the perfect lady, and witch; to never reveal one's inner heart, nor ever go against the wishes of one's family. After being forced into an engagement she does not want during her sixth year at Hogwarts, Narcissa has kept the desires of her heart on ice; particularly, for a wizard her family would never in a million years have approved of: Severus Snape. Even after the birth of her son Draco, she has harbored these desires deep in her heart for the enigmatic Potions Master. But when she comes to Spinners End to ask Severus to watch over Draco at the start of the school term of 1997, she finds that she cannot keep her heart on ice for the wizard of her dreams any longer...
What Lies Beneath: "Please, Professor, I saw him-I saw Snape," Harry said, struggling to breathe, "he's hurt...we've got to find him-we've got to find him right now or he's going to die!" Severus Snape's redemption story told in the span of three books from multiple perspectives.
Snape/Others:
Redemption: Severus died that night at the hands of the Dark Lord, the man he "worked" for and was "loyal", at least that's what the Lord believed him to be, an impeccable servant.  Even so, he ended up dying for his master's snake.  He knew it would happen, he was sure his time was coming, just like the manipulative old goat's plan. However, what would he do when he found out that he wasn't the only one who had the memories of his past life?  How would his life turn out?  Better or worse?
Breaking the Mould: Everyone knew Severus' future. Everyone knew he'd become a death eater, maybe get his mastery in potions and eventually die at his master's hand. But what if they didn't know Severus as well as they thought they did? Rather than conform to the role people expected him to play, Severus takes action. During 6th year he leaves Hogwarts, joining an apprenticeship overseas that guarantees not only a future but his own happiness. Meanwhile the Marauders (minus Peter) are left regretting what can never be. They each had a secret, something none of them were willing to admit. Only now it's too late. But what happens when Severus re-emerges during the war? Not a death eater, not a teacher even. But a strong, independent and most importantly a free man. How will the marauders react?
Dinner and a Show: James takes Lily out to dinner, an unhappy evening made more difficult by the arrival of Severus and Lucius Malfoy at a nearby table.
Snape & Others: 
O Mine Enemy: Severitus, long. When Harry finds an injured Snape on his doorstep and must hide him from the Dursleys, he has no idea that this very, very bad day will be the start of something good. Alternate 6th summer (and part of the school year): post-OotP; ignores HBP and DH. No slash, no romance. NOW COMPLETE!
I Know Not, and I Cannot Know; Yet I Live and I Love: Severus Snape has his emotions in check. He knows that he experiences anger and self-loathing and a bitter yearning, and that he rarely deviates from that spectrum… Until the first-year Luna Lovegood arrives to his class wearing a wreath of baby’s breath. Over the next six years, an odd friendship grows between the two, and Snape is not sure how he feels about any of it.
Second Life: What happens when two men are given a second chance. Snape & Sirius. 
Not Entirely Tedious: Young Professor Severus Snape shows up for a meeting, but the only other person there is the Deputy Headmistress. He wants to leave and return later, after the other participants will have arrived, but Professor McGonagall explains why that is impossible. Cross about having his plans for the day disrupted for a meeting that’s not taking place, Snape resents having to spend the afternoon with McGonagall. She doesn’t seem very pleased, either, but is content to relax and wait. Snape isn’t so patient, and soon manages to annoy his companion.
The Young Potions Professor: The staff avoided him like the plague, ignored him, or straight up left when he went into the staff room. And the worst thing was that they didn't even try to hide their collective disgust for him. If he got into the staff room in the morning and any of them were there, they would immediately get up and go sit on the furthest side of the room, as far from him as possible.
Slytherin Career Day: The student of Slytherin House were born with everything: wealth, prestige and pure wizarding blood. Now it's Severus Snape's job to help them find the one thing they don't have: careers.
In Another Lifetime: HP AU. In a world where Tom Riddle was slaughtered, the wizarding wars did not occur, and Albus Dumbledore promoted peace in Hogwarts, Lily Evans and Severus Snape did the impossible: they remained lifelong friends. Snape meets his potential, and has a shot at happiness along the way.
immortalists with points to prove: The Snape kid is hardly a hero. Then again, neither is Alastor.
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racfoam · 9 months
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a fic for @shelter-maki0 inspired by their beautiful art on twitter
It was a trap. Of course it was. Bloody Death Eaters and the bloody Dark Lord. Snakes, always setting traps. It achingly reminded Harry of Tom. However, he had his Invisibility Cloak. He was fine. Only Tom could sometimes — always — find Harry beneath it. He never told Harry how, simply that he always felt when Harry was near. It had been sweet to know that even when Harry thought he was invisible to the rest of the world, Tom would be able to see him. But Tom was gone. Most likely dead — Harry clenched his eyes shut, shaking his head. No. He couldn’t think about Tom now. He had to get away from Lord Voldemort first.  He could hear him, somewhere behind him, trailing after him. Maybe he was more snake than man. Maybe he could smell Harry. How else would he be able to track him so well?  Harry did not dare turn around, gripping the Cloak tight, controlling his breathing as best as he could. Harry advanced forward, away from the dark wizard, walking under the clear, starry night. There was a blue saturation to the night tonight, the moon’s shine a mixture of blues and silvers. Harry turned around, checking for signs of Voldemort. There was nobody on the field anymore. Maybe he gave up. There was a sound of splitting, tearing, shimmering cloth, like water was cut. The starry cloth of the Invisibility Cloak from shoulders down fell in a heap on the floor, revealing most of Harry’s body.  Panicking, Harry turned, and saw black robes in front of him. It was all the time he had before a face ducked under his Invisibility Cloak, entering Harry’s space. Large, skeletal, white hands cupped his cheeks, the pads of their fingers settling on the back of his nape, turning Harry’s face up. A serpentine, white face stood above him. Shining, red, cat-like eyes stared down into his own. Harry’s breath caught, his limbs freezing.  “I found you, Harry.” whispered Lord Voldemort, his voice silky, soft as the quiet night around them.  The wizard was close, too close. Only Tom had ever been this close.  “I told you I can always see you under it.” said Voldemort.  Harry’s mind jammed. See him? No. That could not be. Only Tom could... Harry frowned, staring up at the skeletal face. The last time he’d seen Tom, he had looked waxen and his voice had become colder... And his eyes... The hands held his face gently. Harry's stomach dropped. “Tom?” he breathed quietly, unable to think of anything else. Voldemort smiled, and it was Tom's smile, and Harry couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t think, his heart was beating inside his throat and head and — Tears were slipping down his face. “Shhh,” murmured Voldemort, a near caress of a whisper, catching Harry’s tears with his long nails. “It’s all right. I’ve found you, Harry.” Under the Invisibility Cloak and the stars, Voldemort closed the distance, pressing a tender kiss to Harry’s mouth.  Yes. Harry knew that kiss. Harry kissed back.
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the-colourful-witch · 2 months
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The All the Young Dudes book covers project
I've been working on this fun project in my time off from social media. It consists of three illustrations to use as book covers for All the Young Dudes by MsKingBean89 on Ao3. This book has been the foundation of my involvement in the fandom. It's the first fic I read about the Marauders and I loved it so much! I laughed, and I cried, it was a real rollercoaster. After making the cover for A Brief History of Dragons by Eyra, I caught the bug and started thinking of more covers to illustrate. I loved working on the first cover, but I didn't love doing it on my tablet. At heart, I am a traditional illustrator and for this kind of illustration, I felt paper might work better. So I got to work. I knew I wanted to make three covers. From what I've seen online most people bind their own copies of All the Young Dudes in three parts: Year 1-4, Year 5-7 and Until the End. Therefore, I made three covers. I have not yet digitalized these illustrations, but I'll turn them into downloadable covers for binders to use for their book projects. I am working on binding my own physical copies of AtYD too :) It's fun! Right, to the covers. There's so much to say!
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Book One
This is the start of Remus' life at Hogwarts and his friendship with the other Marauders. I wanted it to feel a bit like reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone for the first time. It's the realisation that magic is real, it's that first spark you get when picking up a book you instantly connect with. That was the feeling I wanted to incorporate in this first cover. There are a bunch of little easter eggs for the story and I hope you'll pick them all out. Let me know in the comments what you think they are. Also, for this project, I studied the language of flowers. I am not sure if all my information is correct, but in this one, I put dandelions in the top corners. Dandelions represent new beginnings :)
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Book Two
The second half of the Marauders' time at Hogwarts. This part is all about love and loyalty; something I liked a lot! It's also the time when the Marauders complete their animagus transformations. The animals had to be on the cover! That, I knew for sure. I went for a forest theme for this second cover, because of all the mischief the Marauders got up to in the Forbidden Forest during full moons. I used flower language here as well. For every Marauder I picked a flower I felt represented who they are. For Peter, at the top, I chose Bleeding Heart and Belladonna. Both of them represent betrayal and death. Nice and cheery :) For Sirius, on the Right, I chose Bluebell, which represents loyalty. For Remus, on the Left, I chose Acacia, which represents secret love or forbidden love, because he's hiding his sexuality for most of the book. But it's a love flower and in his core Remus is caring and loving, despite his rough edges. For James, on the bottom, I chose violets. And violets represent love at first sight. I know we all know why <3 I like this cover a lot. The picture is a bit grainy, but like I said, I'm still working on digitalising.
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Book Three
Last but certainly not least. This book is about war, love and loss. It was definitely the most challenging piece out of the three, but worth the trouble. On this cover, I put Hogwarts at the top, because that's where it all started and where it ends. On the bottom, there's a prophecy, which is about Harry and Voldemort. There are a few gravestones at the bottom. Very cheerful, I know, but if you pay attention, you see a Deathly Hallows on one of them. On the sides are my favourite parts. I like the lily flower in the arms of death, because it's obvious, but also beautiful. I like the Death Eater on the other side because it's spooky. The snakes represent rebirth and Slytherin House, which is important to the story of the Second Wizarding War, connecting good and evil. Once again I put all the flowers in this piece, scattering them around because they're all interwoven in each other's stories. Finally, I want to say something about the three central images. In the first we see Remus as a child. He's alone and scared of the big scary wolf. The three images are a timeline. It represents Remus' relationship with the wolf in him. At first, he despises it and is scared of it. And finally, he stands with it, not quite embracing it, but he's not scared anymore. In the middle, I wanted to show Remus with his friends, because they banished his fear whenever they were together. With his friends, the wolf didn't control Remus and he could control the wolf. I hope it's all clear. I loved working on these pieces and I hope you like them too!
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captainkirkk · 6 months
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🦇🎃 WEEKLY FIC ROUND-UP 🎃🦇
All the fics I’ve read and really enjoyed in the past week-ish. Reminder: This list features any and all ratings and themes. Please look at tags and warnings on ao3 before reading.
Merlin
The Hunt for Red Emrys by darkbluedark
King Arthur sets out to keep his promise to the spirit of the Druid boy by repealing his father's ban on magic. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done, for reasons including but not limited to the following:
(1) He can't change the law until he understands magic better, but no sorcerer is willing to explain magic to him until he changes the law;
(2) The sorcerers all have some strange obsession with Merlin, which is awakening all sorts of feelings in Arthur that he really doesn't fancy examining too closely;
(3) He is starting to feel like the butt of some Druid-population-wide inside joke involving the mysterious phenomenon called Emrys; and
(4) Oh yeah, Morgana is still trying to kill him.
Thus he embarks on a journey of discovery, diplomacy, accountability, and self-improvement, and maybe even falls in love along the way.
Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-Kun
Kalego-sensei is...dead? by IcyPheonix
The Misfits come to school one day to discover that they have, a substitute teacher. They decide that this can only mean one thing; Kalego-sensei, has died.
He hasn't but that's not gonna stop them from pretending he has of course.
SVSSS
The Moon's Beloved Shadow by mofumofu
Shen Qingqiu is a man who hides his twin brother from the world with the ferocity of a phoenix-eyed mother crane.
Shen Yuan is a helpless transmigrator who wishes Airplane-bro had given even a single bit of backstory for this side character he's inhabiting!
Luo Binghe isn't doomed to face the Endless Abyss, but he is forced to confront something infinitely more frustrating: an overly protective brother.
Natsume Yuujinchou
What Colors Do You See In This Monochrome World by mermorgie.
Natori's voice brought him back to the present. "You alright there, Natsume?" The look the exorcist was giving him was warm and a tad concerned. Natsume gave him a small, but earnest smile. "I'm fine, Natori-san. Just a bit nervous." This was the truth. He had no idea why the head of the Matoba Clan invited him this time, but he was sure that the man was up to no good.
Or: Natsume gets invited to an exorcist meeting. He is not too happy about it, but at least the view is great.
Harry Potter
Three's Family by darkbluedark
It’s May 1979 and the Order has just apprehended a pair of mysterious wizards who look remarkably like a Potter and a Malfoy. Naturally, James Potter and Sirius Black are called in to identify the strangely familiar strangers and determine their backgrounds and loyalties.
(This would be a lot easier if their captives weren’t convinced everyone they talk to is dead. It would also be easier if they didn’t spend half their bloody time bickering.)
-
“Just ask them questions only they would know the answer to,” Malfoy suggests.
“There’s not a single thing that I know about either of them from the first war that any old Death Eater couldn’t find out.”
“How is that possible?” Malfoy huffs. “He’s your father!”
“Am I or am I not famously an orphan?” Potter snarls.
Once More Unto The Boggart by darkbluedark
Professor Lupin let out his breath very slowly. “So this is why you think you’ve been struggling to make progress with the Patronus charm? Because a part of you wants to let the dementor close, in a way, in order to hear your parents?”
Harry nodded again, though more guiltily this time. “I want to let the boggart out, just once, and, er, not cast the charm."
Those Who Have Seen by darkbluedark
Only those who have seen death can see thestrals.
It turns out, thestrals look different for those who have seen Death.
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preciouslandmermaid · 3 months
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of songbirds, swords, and spice
pairing: Opla!Zoro x Opla!Sanji x Fem! Reader (no use of Y/N or L/N)
tags: slow burn, friends-to-lovers, trauma, eventual smut, angst, humor, canon-typical violence, found family, polyamory, falling in love, POV multiple, reader-insert, action/adventure, past abuse, eventual romance, touch starved, PTSD, mentions of slavery/forced labor, battle couple, devil fruit user reader, hurt/comfort, mulit-chapter fic (other tags to be added)
🏴‍☠️ read on AO3 🏴‍☠️ Masterpost
summary: You've performed at Le Cupidon Doré, your "grandmother" Estella's business, for the past four years. Every full moon, you step onto stage and enchant the patrons and collect their hard earned berry. Tonight is no different. It isn't.
Until you realize another devil-fruit eater is in the crowd. Fate, as you've learned, has a bad habit of mucking things up just when you were starting to get comfortable.
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You closed your eyes as Kinari brushed makeup across your face in delicate, teasing strokes that threatened to illicit an ill-timed sneeze. Backstage was a mess of feathers, and perfumes, and cluttered vanity tables, shining bulbs of light to illuminate every stroke, every line, every dust of color. The other performers moved like fish swimming through the iridescent streams of fabric. The chaotic, yet organized energy was familiar. Almost comforting. Everyone gets like this before a show, your lips twisted wryly, it’s as if we don’t do this night after night! There were a few amateurs backstage, but Estella wouldn’t let them perform because the full moon show was reserved for the best of the best.
“You’re too kind, Kinari.” You reached for the earplugs on your vanity and pass them to her. “Don’t forget to wear these tonight.”
“You’re too kind, Kinari.” You reached for the earplugs on your vanity and pass them to her. “Don’t forget to wear these tonight.”
“You’re too kind, Kinari.” You reached for the earplugs on your vanity and pass them to her. “Don’t forget to wear these tonight.”
“I won’t,” she replied, sing-song and light. She selected two outfits from the rack and held them aloft for you.
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“Whoo-hoo! Look at this place!” Luffy threw his arms into the air, “it’s got a buffet!”
There’s nothing Zoro could say to stop his captain from barreling toward the buffet and heaping food onto his plate. He glanced around the finely decorated establishment. Nightingale Island wasn’t much to look at, but the locals talked highly of ‘Le Cupidon Doré’. When Luffy heard ‘all you can eat’, well – there wasn’t much argument to be had about where the crew was going next since they were officially resupplied.
“Tacky,” Nami said, pointing her fork at the smiling cherubs decorating the pillars, “and probably not real gold.”
Zoro rested his elbow on the back of booth and ordered a drink. The booze was cheap here and that’s decent enough for him.
“It’s no Baratie, but it has its charms…” Sanji said.
His blue eyes scanned the guests and staff. The waiters and waitresses were dressed in gold and white and wore elaborate headpieces that ranged from spokes covering half their heads to intricate swooping designs that appeared like twisted halos. Their cheeks shone with glitter. They bobbed and weaved, a practiced ease and gracefulness to their movements that reminded Zoro of sword fighting.
The tables created a half-moon around the circular stage. But two rows of chairs clustered next to the stage were without tables and labeled ‘VIP’. They were completely packed and he doubted even Luffy could fit between the bodies.
“Your drink, sir.” The waiter dropped his head low and Zoro noticed something inside the waiter’s ear. Why are they wearing earplugs? He frowned, brought his glass to his lips, and abruptly stood.
Luffy dropped his stacked plate onto the table and its’ weight upset their drinks. “Where are you going?”
“Gotta check something.”
He circuited the dining room, dodging Usopp carrying his full-plate, and confirmed his suspicions. All the waiters are wearing earplugs. Weird. Why would a place that caters to nightly performances have staff wearing earplugs? The establishment wasn’t large so it’s easy to find their table again.
Luffy tore into a drumstick and looked up at Zoro. “Find anything cool?” He asked, chewing.
“Something’s weird,” he said, “all the waiters are wearing earplugs.”
Luffy shrugged, unconcerned. “Maybe this place gets really crazy!” His dark eyes brightened.
But Zoro wasn’t mollified by Luffy’s response. Their luck fluctuated from bad, to shitty, to worse with a few good days peppered in. They were on a winning streak with the grand line map in their possession and a functioning ship, but how long would that last?
“Maybe all the singers suck and we wasted berry by paying the door fee,” said Nami and Zoro tilted his chin in consideration.
“Aw, come on!” Usopp wiped grease from his mouth. “Look at this place. It’s packed. There’s no way the show is bad. It’ll be fun.”
The lights flashed, signaling the start of the show, and Zoro leaned into the cushions. He hoped Nami was right. He hoped this was a terrible show and that was why the waiters wore earplugs. Maybe he could rip pieces of the tablecloth and stuff his ears too.
An elderly woman rolled her wheelchair onto the stage.
“Tonight is the full moon,” she said, her voice as clear and bright as icicles, “and as our regulars know, we have a special performer on nights such as these.” The crowd muttered in agreement and clapped. Luffy joined them, hollering alongside the eager guests, although Zoro couldn’t understand why he bothered. This show wasn’t going to be anymore special because it was performed on the full moon.
Sanji sat up straighter. “Should we try to get closer? I’d hate to miss anything.”
“We’re not getting closer.” Zoro scowled.
He replied, “I wasn’t talking to you.” Sanji looked longingly at Nami. “Did you want to get closer?”
Nami gave him a thin smile. “I’m good.”
“Listen closely and open your hearts,” the elderly woman said, “and enjoy!”
Her wheelchair edged backward into the darkness and a shower of white petals fell onto the stage. A chrous of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ rose above the din of clinking plates and silverware. A woman stepped onto the stage and Zoro refilled his sake. He didn’t get why this was such a big deal. It’s stupid, he thought, scowling, all this excitement for one woman? He glanced at the stage. The performer was wearing a long, flowing dark blue robe and skirt. The details on the flowing sleeves, robe, and skirt depicted a semi-translucent white stag alongside large pale lilies, petals, and clouds of mist.
“She’s beautiful,” Sanji mutters.
The sleeves billowed and moved like the rolling ocean waves as the performer gripped the microphone. Zoro looked away, uninterested.
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You closed your eyes, preparing yourself, before the first lines of the song spilled like honey from your lips. No music accompanied your voice. There was no need for it. You opened your eyes to the dazed and captivated crowd. The VIP section was practically falling out of their seats and onto their knees before you.
You sang a beautiful and entrancing melody, a song of soft and gorgeous serenity. The lyrics weren’t as important as the rhythm and intention. A fast-paced, intense song often inspired anger or excitement. A slower, dreamier song like this one lulled the crowd into complicity and adoration. You spent nine years perfecting your craft and the last four running this business alongside Estella. You knew what worked and what didn’t.
“Sanji!” someone yelled from a table, “you’re gonna drool on my plate.”
Another devil-fruit eater. You squinted toward the table, though it was hard to see due to the spotlight blanketing everywhere, except for the VIP section, in shadow. For whatever reason your voice didn’t affect other devil-fruit eaters like yourself. Luckily, it didn’t matter for tonight. The boy in the straw hat was safe. Only the VIP section was targeted by Estella’s staff to have their pockets checked and liberate them of extra berry.
“Hey, wait a minute--” straw hat leapt to his feet. “What’re you guys doing?” The waiter holding a man’s wallet froze. Shit. He’s noticed. You stepped from the stage and your flowing robes dragged behind you like silk water. The spotlight followed you as you approached the dining table.
Your gaze slid over their astonished faces. A tangerine haired woman dropped her fork onto her plate. A well-dressed blonde man had one hand pressed to his chest – as if you struck him in the heart.
“Wow…” a lean man with a chestnut bandanna rested his chin in his hands. “You’re incredible.”
“Usopp?” Straw hat waved his hand in front of the man’s face. “Blink, Usopp! Blink!”
A moss-haired swordsman held the rim of his sake cup against his lips, but wasn’t drinking, like he’s frozen in time.
The front doors burst, “show’s over!” A pirate wearing an outfit of scarlet and dark crimson stood in the doorway with his pistols drawn. “The bloody bandits are here for their due.”
masterpost // > > next chapter
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cornellstokez · 6 months
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my sydcarmy fic recommendations!
moon river by dischelvedcurls --- super dialogue heavy and true to the characters. love it so much!
it's a lot to ask of me (to believe in you) by adogwithabirdatyour_door -- this one...omg established (kinda) sydcarmy. carmy and sydney get into a fight and carmy gets sick and sydney takes care of him in the midst of the fight. definitely one of my faves.
begin again by yxurstruly -- sydney and carmy through someone else's eyes. i've reread this sooooo many times and it never gets old.
pull you right home by onelargecoffeepls -- our favorite communication stunted chefs trying to figure out what they are to each other. 7k words!!
still don't know what love means by seh28 -- angst fest. i love angsty carmy so much. he also says "sugar thinks i'm in love w you." must i say anything else?
nobody ever got my soul right like she could by seh28 -- for one the title alone makes my fucking chest ache. ughhhhh. mutual pining and bed sharing. carmy is so down bad it's ridiculous. another one of my favorites!
cleopatra, mona lisa, sydney adamu and the constant by peachybunnybabie -- soft and sweet sydcarmy. if you love fluff these are the two fics for you!
slithered from eden by sadistic pussy -- smuuuuuut and pining
gotta get up to get down by somethingdifferent -- the theories about carmy eating pussy for a living are brought to life in this fic. carmy is an eater.
hands full of plates by thesuncameout -- 100k words!!!!!!!!! i love long fics so much. super slow burn with so much pining and some pain. ugh. so good.
intimates conquering intimacy by sashafiercer -- 38k words! like i said i love long fics. mutual teasing with mutual pining.
the wild, wild berry by blissymbolics -- THIS STORY. this fucking story knocked the wind out of me for sure. super duper angsty. a MIND fuck. this fic is funny but definitely devastating at the same time. a lot of trigger warnings so be aware before you read.
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suguwu · 13 days
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MOON EATER I THREE
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"But truly, Master Diluc—why am I here?"
"I would wed you," he says, flexing his hands in his lap. "If you are amenable to it."
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minors and ageless blogs do not interact.
masterlist
pairing: diluc ragnvindr x f!reader
notes: i've been sitting on this chapter for a while, so i'm excited to send it out in the world!
content: marriage of convenience, politics, some manipulation, pining, jealousy, some jeanlisa if you squint.
wc: 4k
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The winery is almost entirely empty when Diluc steps inside after you. Jean is corralling the few stragglers, giving quiet orders to the remaining knights, her blue eyes as gentle as the summer sky. She’s in ceremonial wear and it hones her; he thinks of a sheathed blade. 
“Jean,” he says. “You don’t need to do that.” 
She turns to face him, a soft smile curling up on her lips. There’s a faint blush on her cheeks, the color of the pearly dawn. It’s the one she gains when she’s caught doing something she knows she shouldn’t.
(“Father,” Diluc said, innocent as a newborn fawn as Jean and Kaeya shifted at his side.  “You wanted to see us?”
His father eyed them with a raised brow. “I don’t suppose the three of you know anything about the pie that went missing from the kitchen.” 
Kaeya fidgeted with his sleeve, his slender fingers working at the cuff of it. Diluc elbowed him in the ribs subtly. “No, Father,” he said.
His father studied each of them carefully. Out of the corner of his eye, Diluc saw the blush rising to Jean’s cheeks, a soft pink that was slowly darkening. 
“Jean?” his father asked.
“I’m sorry!” she cried out, and Diluc groaned.)
“I was just helping—”
“Jean. You don’t need to help.” 
She bites at her lip and Diluc softens. He’d forgotten how much she needed to feel useful. But this close, he can see the bags under her eyes, the deep blue-gray of a stormcloud. “My staff has it under control,” he says. “And you’re a guest.” 
“But—”
“Go home and rest.” 
“I can still—”
“Jean.” 
“Alright,” she says quietly. “I just need to give a few more orders, that’s all.”
He nods and starts to step away.
“Diluc?”
When he turns to face her, he takes a sharp breath. There’s something like sorrow shining through her expression, something bone-deep carved into the curve of her mouth.
“Is this really what you wanted?” she asks. Her voice is gentle, but she’s watching him carefully, her gaze a comet streaking through the sky, the blue of it cutting through the heavens’ tender underbelly. It cuts through him, too.
“I don’t know what you mean,” he says after a moment.  
Jean smiles, starshine at dawn, a slow fade of light. “I thought you might say that.”
Diluc stays quiet, meeting her gaze steadily. 
“You’re as stubborn as ever,” she says, shaking her head, but her voice is fond. 
“Master Diluc? Stubborn? Perish the thought,” Lisa says as she joins them, wrapping her shawl around her pale shoulders. 
Jean heaves out a beleaguered sigh, but she can’t quite hide the twitch of her lips.
Lisa laughs, light and tinkling, looping her arm through Jean’s. “Come on, darling,” she says. “Let’s let the newlyweds have their night, yes?” She throws Diluc a bold wink. 
Heat scorches across his cheeks, a supernova burn. He’s able to disguise his choke as a cough at the last second, though from the glimmer in Lisa’s jade eyes, he hasn’t hidden it well enough. 
“Lisa!” Jean scolds.
The mage laughs again. She’s every inch the cat who got the canary, her lips curling into a delighted little smile. 
“Goodnight, Diluc,” Jean says, all but dragging Lisa away. Lisa lets herself be led, snuggling in close to the blonde as they leave. It smushes some of the roses in her hair, but she doesn’t seem to care that she’s leaving a trail of petals behind. Diluc sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Sorry about her,” you say as you join him. “She’s a handful.”
“I’m aware.” 
You laugh, picking a cecilia out of your hair and rolling the short stem between your palms. The bloom whirls with it, a ballerina’s tulle skirt, a light dusting of pollen floating down from it to tint your fingers gold. It catches the light as you raise your hand to cover your yawn.
Diluc frowns. “You should go to bed,” he says. “It’s been a long day.” 
You hum. “It has been,” you say. “I don’t suppose you intend to sleep soon?”
“I need to speak with Adelinde.” 
“Alright,” you say. “Good night, then.”
“Good night.” 
He watches you go upstairs, the hem of your dress flowing behind you, a silken spill of moonlight. 
You don’t look back. 
He turns on his heel. Finding Adelinde is easy; she’s in the midst of giving orders to some of the staff. She hands off a mostly-empty platter of tiny, delicate golden-brown pastries to Hillie when she sees him.
“Master Diluc.”
“Adelinde,” he says. “How is the clean up going?”
“We’ll be done with the food soon. The rest can wait until morning, I believe.” 
“Good.”
Adelinde pauses. She looks at him for a moment; her jade eyes have a knife’s edge to them, her gaze an autopsy cut. Her lips draw tight, a wound of a mouth. “You mean to go out tonight.”
“Yes.”
“If I may, Master Diluc,” she says, “you now have a wife.”
“That has no bearing in this. The Knights will be lax tonight, lulled into complacency by the celebration. I heard a few mention continuing at Angel’s Share after they return to the city. I cannot leave Mond unprotected.” 
Adelinde does not frown. Instead, her face smooths out into an impenetrable mask, porcelain breathed to life. “Very well,” she says. “At least wait until she’s asleep.” 
“The sooner I leave—”
“At least wait until she’s asleep,” she says, voice sharp. “It is your wedding night.”
“When she’s asleep,” he allows.
Adelinde nods. “Goodnight, Master Diluc.”
“Goodnight, Adelinde.” 
He goes upstairs quietly. There’s a soft light filtering from under the door to your room. He sighs and heads into the master bedroom, settling at the small desk in front of the windows. He lights the candles with a flick of his wrist; the flames devour the wick, leaping high before settling into a low, sweet glow. He’s just beginning to shuffle through a few papers when one of the hallway floorboards groans, a warning song.
“Diluc,” you say from the doorway. The candlelight barely reaches you there; it casts you into shadows, a new moon’s outline against the velvet of the sky. “May I come in?”
He stands. “Yes,” he says. “What is it?”
You step inside. The cecilias are gone from your hair, but you’re still wearing your dress. Your smile is a bit sheepish, but there’s a secret tucked up in the corner of it. “My dress,” you say. “The maids are all so busy. Can you undo the top few buttons for me?”
“I—what?”
“It’s hard to undo them from this angle,” you say. “Please?”
He takes a breath. “Alright.” 
You turn as he steps closer, the delicate train of the dress swirling at your feet, a whirlpool of silk. It exposes the line of buttons marching down the back of your dress, rigid against the soft flow of the fabric. 
The buttons are tiny things, pearls that shine like little moons even in the low light. He bites back a curse as they slip against the leather of his gloves. He tries again, gently tugging on a button, but it refuses to come out of the loop holding it tight. He changes the angle, but it’s no use; he runs afoul of the slick surface again and again. He huffs in annoyance and bites at the tip of his index finger to peel off his glove, letting it drop to the ground.
He tries again and finally, the button slips free of the little loop. The fabric separates. His fingertips—rough, heavy with scars from burns and blades alike—brush against the cool slope of your back, skin against skin. He goes still. 
You glance at him over your shoulder. You’re still shadow-kissed, but your eyes gleam in the dim.
(“Forgive my forwardness,” you said. “But there is the small matter of lovers.”
Diluc coughed. He glanced at you and saw no hint of a joke. “I beg your pardon?”
“Lovers,” you said, that rosebud smile rising to your lips, petals yet unfolded. “If you should take one, I only ask that you be discreet. I would do the same, of course.” 
Something in Diluc’s chest went cold. It was bone-deep, as if the Dragonspine winds were cutting through him. “You would take a lover?”
“I do not know the future,” you said. “But if I should, I would be discreet, as I said. Is that alright?” 
Diluc took a deep breath. “If you wish it, I would hardly stop you.”
You inclined your head to him with a little smile. You moved on to another topic like a river current, slow but inexorable. Diluc barely heard any of it, your voice muffled, as if you were speaking underwater. He only came back to himself as you gathered your things and bid him farewell. 
“Master Diluc,” you said at the door. He glanced up at you, your features softened in the light streaming in through the windows. “I should mention that I would not mind you in my bed instead of a lover.” 
Diluc choked.
By the time he recovered enough to speak, you were already gone.)
He undoes another button. Then a third, and a fourth, each little pearl slipping from its loop with ease. His thumb traces over the salt of your skin until it slips just beneath the fabric. He pulls just enough for the gap between the fabric to widen. He drags his thumb along the crescent moon sliver of revealed skin; a callus catches against you. You take in a sharp breath.
Diluc pulls back as if burned.
“There,” he says, clearing his throat, his cheeks hot. He knows they’ve gone scarlet, that there’s a deep flush painted over his whole face. “They’re undone.”
“Thanks,” you say, glancing over your shoulder once more. Your lashes catch the shadows like a spider’s web. It only serves to better illuminate your eyes. He swallows. 
“You’re welcome.”
You study him for a moment before you smile, as soft as the breaking dawn. “Goodnight,” you say.
“Goodnight.” 
The door clicks shut behind you. Diluc listens as your quiet footsteps fade away; there’s a distant thud as the door to your room closes too. He sighs, leaning down to pick his glove up off the floor. He slides it back on as he crosses to his closet. The night is still young and he knows what he must do.
When he’s dressed, he opens the secret compartment to his desk. He stares down at the owl mask that’s ensconced there. It gleams in the low light, the severe point of its beak a wicked hook. Diluc tucks it away under his cloak before he opens the window. 
With the lush vines clinging to the winery walls, it’s an easy climb down. He looks up when he reaches the bottom. There’s still a light glowing faintly in your window. His chest aches, as if a ribbon is tightening around it, but he ignores it and slips on the mask.
He has work to do.
Morning comes far too soon.
Diluc’s room is still steeped in blue, but the promise of morning is apparent on the horizon where golden fingers of light are reaching into the sky, scraping their way through the darkness. The birds are just beginning to stir, their chirps still subdued, a few plucked notes before the melody. 
It feels like Diluc has just only collapsed into bed, but the stars that had been watching over him when he stole back into his room have gone out, fading beneath the dawn. He sits up and scrubs a hand over his face, wincing as it pulls at the fresh set of lilac bruises blooming on his right side. He prods at them carefully. 
The ache sinks its teeth in as he brushes his fingertips along the biggest of them. It’s still darkening, a galaxy caught under his skin. It remains tender as he gets ready for the day; it takes effort to not compensate for it in his movement. 
By the time Diluc heads downstairs, the winery is already stirring to life. A few maids scurry past him; he can hear the vineyard workers starting to make their way through the vines, checking them after the harvest. But most of the activity is centered in the heart of the winery, where the remnants of your wedding reception are. He watches as two of the servants unhook a floral garland from the rafters, petals raining down beneath them. The petals whirl through the air like snowflakes, thick and white, and Diluc brushes one off when it lands on his shoulder. He’s in the middle of plucking another out of his mass of crimson hair when the floorboards whisper your arrival. 
“Oh,” you say. “They’re taking them down already? A shame.”
He glances at you. “I am sure Adelinde would be open to keeping them up, should you wish it.”
“It’s fine. I just thought they might keep them up a little longer while they’re fresh.” 
“I see.” 
You reach out and let a petal drift into your hand. It’s a little bruised at the edges from being shaken loose, but you don’t seem to mind. 
“Do you think I could have a few for my room?” you ask.
“A few—”
“Flowers,” you say. “I’m sure many of them are still intact even after the garlands are taken down.”
“Of course. Any that you would like.” 
“Thank you.”
“No thanks needed,” he says, adjusting his cuff. “It’s—this is your home too, now.” 
You pause. When you look at him, he can’t quite make sense of your expression. “Yes,” you say quietly. “I suppose it is.”
“I hope you will be comfortable here.”
You smile, the slow rise of a crescent moon. “I’m sure I will be. Though I intend to return to Liyue soon.”
“Of course. Do you know when?”
“I expect that I’ll return within the week.”
“Oh? That’s later than I expected.”
“So eager to be rid of me?”
Diluc flushes, the heat of it spreading from his cheeks to the tips of his ears. “No, I—”
“I’m only teasing,” you say. “I haven’t been back to Mond in a while. There are some things I should handle in person.” 
“I see.”
You examine him for a moment. Whatever you see must satisfy you, for you glance back at the workers, still diligently undoing the reception decor, autumn come indoors, the flowers stripped away to reveal bare wood. A petal flutters down into your hair; Diluc thinks of the gentle fall of snow. He starts to raise his hand to pluck it out but you shift and the petal drifts to the ground. He halts before tugging at his glove instead.
“Now,” you say, turning back to him, “I need something to eat. Will you be joining me for breakfast?”
Diluc shakes his head. “The vintners asked for me today,” he says. “The earlier I can speak with them the better.” 
You hum. “Okay. Have a good day.”
“You as well.” 
You flash a small smile before inclining your head to him. “Husband,” you say. You dart off before he can respond. He watches you disappear, the moon dipping below the horizon. 
Husband, he thinks. 
He’s not sure he’ll ever get used to that.
The days roll by. Diluc buckles down to work, caught up in the hubbub of the end of the harvest season. He oversees the grape crushing, the little fruits popping beneath the press until they’re must, all pulp and juice. A few small buckets of grapes are set aside for the children of the workers; they’ll stomp them to their hearts’ content, their chiming laughter drifting through the vines as they cling to each other for balance, their little feet dyed dark.
(“C’mon, Luc!” Kaeya cried, already scrambling towards the tub filled with ruby-red grapes. His eye was shining, starlight bright, a grin spread wide across his face, his usual reticence washed away. Diluc knew it was his favorite time of year; the other boy loved every moment of the harvest season and all that came with it.
 “Hurry up!” Kaeya called. He had already rolled up his pant legs and stepped into the tub, his face lit with joy, a summer sun in the autumn chill.
Diluc huffed but climbed in after him. The grapes popped beneath his weight, squishing up between his toes, a pulpy mess of skin and seeds. He stomped once, twice, and felt more of them burst. 
Kaeya reached for his hand; Diluc twined their fingers together and held on tight as the scrawny boy started to jump in place. Kaeya laughed wildly, the sound picked up by the wind and carried away like seeds. He jumped again and almost slipped. Diluc caught him at the last minute, hauling him up with a giggle. They joined hands again and began to twirl in a circle, stomping away as they went.
They laughed as they spun around together, holding on tight to each other as juice started to gather beneath their feet. Their skin went purple with it, a galaxy splashed up to their calves. The golden afternoon sun shone down on them; sweat gathered on their brows. But they kept going and going, unrelenting until the last of the grapes had burst beneath their feet.
They panted as they climbed to the side of the tub. Kaeya sat on the edge of it, swinging his feet as the maids went to gather towels for them. He was incandescent with delight, a shooting star streaking across the night sky, and Diluc grinned. 
“Good work, boys,” his father said, coming down the path. He’d clearly met the maids halfway; there were towels slung over his broad shoulder.
Diluc puffed up with pride; next to him, Kaeya smiled, shy but pleased. His father handed them the towels and watched as they wiped their feet clean.
“Ready for the next step?” his father asked. 
Kaeya nodded eagerly, but Diluc balked.
“Can’t we stomp more grapes?” he asked.
His father laughed, as warm as the sun. “Maybe later,” he said. “But now you need to learn what happens next.”
Diluc sighed.
“C’mon, Luc,” Kaeya said, bumping his shoulder against Diluc’s. “There’s always tomorrow.”
“Yeah,” Diluc said. “There is.”)
Diluc sighs, nodding to Connor as he takes his leave. He heads back to the winery; a few of the workers call out greetings, but no one tries to stop him.
Adelinde appears as soon as he steps inside the winery. She inclines her head to him, her hands clasped in front of her. “Master Diluc,” she says.
“Adelinde,” he greets. 
“Is everything in order?”
“Yes,” he says. “Everything is ready for processing. It was a good harvest.” 
“That’s good to hear.”
“I’ll take some of Elzer’s work with the Wine Guild so he can concentrate on processing. If you see him, please let him know.”
Adelinde purses her lips. “Master Diluc, Elzer is perfectly capable of handling both. You have enough on your plate.”
“My decision is final, Adelinde.”
She examines him for a moment, her jade eyes sharp, a flaying gaze. “You don’t need to make amends for your absence,” she says. “That is the past.” 
Diluc flinches. Adeline watches him steadily, her face impassive, but her eyes have softened, have crinkled around the edges, sweetly fond. He flexes his hand, searching for words, but his tongue is leaden in his mouth.
Adelinde takes pity on him. “The vineyard workers are starting the fertilization process today and tomorrow,” she says. “Is there anything you wish to let them know?”
“No. I trust them.”
“Good.”
Diluc adjusts his cuff. “Is that all?”
She smooths her hands over her uniform skirt, as if erasing wrinkles that aren’t there. “Your wife’s travel arrangements are complete. She means to leave tomorrow.” 
He nods. “Where is she now?”
“She went to the Dandelion Sea, I believe.”
“By herself?”
“She has an escort. One of the knights. Though it is my understanding that the knight would not be able to return with her due to a patrol.” 
Diluc rolls his shoulders, trying to loosen the broad line of them. “When did they leave?”
The corners of Adelinde’s lips creep upwards, an ivy tendril curve, barely noticeable. “A few hours ago.”
He nods curtly. “Thank you, Adelinde.”
“Of course, Master Diluc.” She disappears, light on her feet despite her heels, barely a whisper of sound to accompany her.
Diluc leaves the winery to head to the stables.
The Dandelion Sea stretches vast, the flowers rippling in the breeze like waves lap at the shore. The sun is high in the sapphire sky, a halo burning bright, the dandelions stark white under its kiss. There are seeds floating through the air, faintly glowing, scattered like falling stars. 
Diluc ties his horse to a tree, leaving her to graze on some long grass, and begins to make his way into the Sea. More seeds come loose, dancing around him like snowflakes; they settle into his mane of hair, the crimson of it bleeding to something darker against the soft white of them. They catch on his jacket, too, dotting the ebony cloth until it’s a glittering night sky. 
It doesn’t take him long to find you. He can see faint figures at the edge of the Sea, where the trees cast shadows, a sweet pool of shade. He heads towards you as the breeze picks up. It carries a peal of laughter to him, bright as the sun, swirling around him. 
“Oh,” you say as he draws close, standing up before he can stop you.
The knight you’re with comes to attention—far too late. “M—Master Diluc,” he stammers. 
Diluc clicks his tongue. The knight goes shame-faced, glancing away from his thunderous visage. 
You smile, a glaze lily unfolding under the moon’s tender touch. You touch the knight’s vambrace lightly before turning to Diluc. His gaze stays on where you’re touching the knight still, your fingertips lingering against the metal of his armor.
“I wasn’t expecting you,” you say. “Is something wrong?”
Diluc blinks, vermilion eyes flickering back to you. “No.”
You pause, as if waiting for something. Diluc blinks again. Your smile flickers, a guttering candle. The knight shifts in place.
Diluc turns his attention to him. “You can go,” he says curtly. 
“But—”
“You have patrol soon, don’t you, Anselm?” you ask. “You should head out.” 
Anselm glances at you. “Oh. Of course.”
“Thank you for accompanying me today,” you say. “It’s appreciated.”
The knight nods, a slight flush rising to his cheeks. He gives you the Ordo’s salute. “Let the wind lead,” he says before turning to leave.
Diluc doesn’t bother to watch him go; he keeps his gaze on you. That rosebud smile blooms on your lips again, as inevitable as the sun’s rise. “Poor Anselm,” you say. “You have quite the scowl, Master Diluc.”
He doesn’t rise to the bait. “Was he going to leave you here alone?”
You sigh. “It’s perfectly safe here.”
“So he was.”
“You’re here now,” you say. “So it hardly matters.”
Diluc bristles. “It matters to me. The Knights have their duties—”
“They cannot attend to every single civilian. The roads to the Sea have been clear for weeks, anyway. Or did you see something on your way?”
He furrows his brow and sets his jaw. “No.”
“The Knights aren’t as incapable as you think,” you say softly. You peer at him through the fan of your eyelashes, the shadow cast by them soft against your cheeks. “And besides, as I said, you’re here now. I know you’ll keep me safe.” 
Diluc takes in a sharp breath. He tugs at his glove and glances away.
You don’t seem to notice. Your attention has returned to the Dandelion Sea. The meadow sways gently in the wind, a honey-slow shiver. You trace a finger over a dandelion; it stays whole despite your touch, the Anemo energy holding it together brightening for a breath before it fades again, a firefly glow.
But when you flop into them, the dandelions puff up, the seeds scattering like starfall. They yield to you like a blessing, giving you everything they have. The seeds catch in your hair, your clothing, your eyelashes. You turn your face up to the sky, the sun bathing you golden.
It strikes Diluc that you are pretty. 
(Burnished by the light, you were lost amid the golden leaves of the sandbearer tree. You climbed and climbed until you were shining bright in the cerulean sky, a sun all your own. Diluc watched from the ground, mouth agape.
When you glanced down, the shadows crossed your face in bold strokes. It softened you, blurred the edges of you. Except for your smile. Your smile cut through the shadows like a single stark slash of a sun-bright knife.
Diluc looked up at you, at that smile, and suddenly, he knew what pretty meant.
It meant you.)
It’s not the first time he’s realized it, but it feels new. It’s in the curve of your back, a cathedral nave of muscle and bone; it’s in the way the sun filters through the leaves to touch you like a lover, a stained-glass kiss. The dandelion seeds catch on your eyelashes like moonlight, and it hits him again: you’re pretty. 
And you’re his.
He pushes the thought away. You might be his, but it’s in name only. He knows better than to assign meaning to it. There’s nothing between the two of you aside from a certificate with your signatures upon it. 
But that’s fine.
That’s all he needs it to be.
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muzzlemouths · 2 months
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thinking emoji. should i post the Dream-Eater!Moon fic to AO3
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dufferpuffer · 2 months
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Snapes Boggart
I don't think it will have anything to do with Lily. She is already dead, she had already rejected his friendship - the worst has already happened, and he has accepted that. He has taken these events into himself and grown from them. Voldemort's wrath? Mmm... Boggarts aren't really just something that scares you - they specifically try to make you feel your greatest fear. eg. Remus' isn't just a werewolf... but the threat of the full moon coming to make him transform, even though the moon isn't scary. Voldemort could figure out Snape is fooling him, and that would be quite spooky - but being killed isn't exactly something that worries Snape too much. Dumbledore losing faith in him is a better candidate, because Dumbledore is the only one with any care for him. If Albus kicked him to the curb, sent the Ministry after him, cancelled his role of Potions Master, told him to never come near Harry again... what exactly would he have to live for...? He may as well try and kill the dark lord himself. ((oh fuck thats an interesting fic idea - Severus on the run trying to single-handedly take down Voldemort, because he may aswell.))
I think his Boggart is his father.
His father was a muggle and he was abusive. I'm not saying Severus shakes in his boots every time he thinks of his dad, but the memories do still upset and embarrass him. He hated muggles and he loved magic. No muggle children liked him, only Lily - a witch. The muggle world gave him nothing but misery. Him being a half-blood was a shameful thing for a young Snape. His feelings about muggles cost him his friendship with Lily. His feelings about muggles lead him to become a Death Eater... lead Lily to her death. He has grown, he no longer seems to care about blood purity above aesthetic anyway... but his entire life has been irreparably changed and shaped around the fact he has Muggle blood. I think if Severus Snape walked into the classroom when Remus was teaching about Boggarts... his father would have walked right out of that cupboard and started belittling him in a thick Mid-Northerner Black Country accent, perhaps even drunken. Of course Severus is hardly going to cower in fear at his father... but I think just the thick reminder of where he came from, who he was, what decisions he has made in life because of it... it completely unsettles him. Seeing his fathers face is an instant trigger, and the humiliation of a room of students seeing it - god, he WISHES it was just Voldemort killing him...
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sourtomatola · 6 months
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Chapter 10 will be up soon, like today probably
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wolfstarlibrarian · 14 days
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I saw the ask and I would love some recs for fireman!Sirius! Thank you for your hard work 🩶
You got it, friend! Thanks for the ask!
🔥 Fireman Sirius 🧑‍🚒
He's Too Hot (Hot Damn) by @NeonDomino Remus just can't seem to cook, and seems to set fire to everything. Sirius is the fireman that turns up each time to put it out.
A rocky rescue by BenettClaire It’s a truth universally aknowledged that if there’s something worse than being stuck in an elevator, it’s being stuck in an elevator with someone afraid of elevators. However, Remus is about to find its perks, too.
The One With The Boyfriend Cleanse by @curlyy-hair-dont-care Dateless on Valentine's day, Remus, Lily and Alice felt they were being haunted by the bad vibes of terrible exes and decided to perform a 'boyfriend cleanse' which might have gone wrong before it set things right.
How Teddy Lupin Became an Amateur Arsonist by moonscone When Teddy meets Sirius, he is immediately smitten. Sirius is cool, he's funny, and he's a fireman! Teddy would do anything to keep someone as brilliant as Sirius in his life. When Sirius and his Da seem to hit it off, the idea is only solidified. Teddy Lupin was going to make Sirius Black his second father, and nothing was going to stop him from achieving his goal.
BONUS: This fic features both of them fighting fires as part of the wizarding war, so not sure if it counts but am including it anyway.
Under a Strange Red Moon by @earlybloomingparentheses A breathy, high-pitched moan, and what is happening, it’s 8 a.m. in their kitchen, Remus is making toast, this is only meant to happen when it’s the middle of the night and they’ve just got back from patching up Muggles or putting out magically-set house fires or battling with a Death Eater who failed to Disapparate quickly enough from the scene of the crime, they’re meant to be frantic and desperate and—Sirius shoves down his panic and surges up to bite Remus’ lips, suck his tongue down his throat, and when are they not desperate and frightened these days?
The war is shattering their world into a million pieces, and Sirius and Remus try to hold themselves together.
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wangxianficfinder · 5 months
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In the mood for...
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1. Hola! Hope you are doing well!🧡🧡🧡
I have smut wangxian itmf need where:
(wwx is all soft and vulnerable while they are doing their everyday and someone peeks or comes in and lwj gets all overprotective and angry something like the thousand autumns in the end chapters where they're making out and someone interrupts them)
Thank you!
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2. Are there any fics where Wei Ying is a phoenix?
a thousand hills, no birds in flight | 千山鳥飛絕 by defractum (nyargles) (E, 26k, WangXian, Mythology, Canon-Typical Violence, Canon adjacent setting, Angst with a Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort)
🔒 Soaring through the skies - together Series by Vrishchika (E/T, 15k, WangXian, Dragon LWJ, Phoenix WWX, Fantasy, Explicit Sexual Content, Double Penetration, Oral Sex, First Time, Getting Together, Non-Human Genitalia, Genius WWX, Angst with a Happy Ending, POV LWJ)
🔒 Breathing Firestorm by ladyshadowdrake (M, 110k, wangxian, Angst, Fluff, Captivity, WRH is creepy, NO NON CON, Dream Sharing, people put in difficult situations and making the best choices that they can, Politics, Epic Length, mystical creature WWX, Canon Typical Violence, dark, Happy Ending)
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3. Hi! (^▽^) this is for ITMF!
any fics were people think WWX really gave birth to A-Yuan? like in Assumptions by draechaeli?
Have a great day! (^▽^)
I’ll buy you the moon (I’ll buy you two) by Thesaurus_with_no_words (E, 27k, WangXian, Science Fiction, Space, Rebels, Space Opera, On the Run, Promoted To Parent, Robots, Androids, Mechs, Battle Mechs, Hurt/Comfort, Technopathy, Willful and Deliberate Baby and Wife Acquisition, Porn With Plot, Mpreg) LWJ thinks A-Yuan is his and WWX's
🔒 Blooming in white by luckymoonly (T, 38k, wangxian, JYL/JZX, WQ/MM, LXC/NMJ, JC/NHS, Canon Divergence, Mpreg, Getting Together, Fluff and Angst, Happy Ending, hidden pregnancy, Mutual Pining, Drama, Misunderstandings, Everyone Lives AU, Miscommunication, WWX and NHS are BFF, matchmaker NHS, Fix-It)
the old-fashioned way by Anonymous (T, 1k, WangXian, Body Dysphoria, Gender Dysphoria, Mpreg, Trans MXY, body fluids, references to canon suicide, this is a funny crack ficlet, despite the rest of the tags, trans wwx, Post-Canon, Transphobia mentioned, Trans Male Character) is short but really funny, one of my favorites
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4. Hello! I've read quite some "Modern!Wei Wuxian meets Canon!Lan Wangji" fics, and I loved the idea so much, but now I'm wondering, is there any fics with same theme but reverse? Modern Lwj stumbling upon cultivation world or something? More recs for first one are also welcome 😁💖 @dream-xv-eater
Double Trouble by SirenAlpha (T, 25k, WangXian , Time Travel, Dimension Travel, Fix-It) has (modern AU) LWJ, WWX, and JC ending up in canon. including meeting the canon version of themselves
Echoes of Love by Witch_Nova221 (M, 212k, WangXian, Modern AU, Eventual Romance, Time Travel, Friends to Lovers, Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a Happy Ending, Fluff, university lecturer LWJ, WangXian Get a Happy Ending, Dark BSSR, Amnesia, Memory Loss, 1980s music, LWJ loves all things 80s, Oxford vs Cambridge, Boat Race, References to Torture, Murder, Blood and Injury, Implied Sexual Content, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Mystery) I've only just started this but it fits the prompt. Wwx has amnesia
take me back to a time by DizziDreams (T, 143k, WangXian, Modern AU, College/University, Modern with Magic, Time Travel, Sharing a Bed, Angst with a Happy Ending, Student!WWX, Time-Traveling Wizard!LWJ, Slow Burn, Character Death, Angstreference to abuse, Canonical Character Death, Canonical Abuse, Canon!LWJ, Canon-Typical Violence, Mutual Pining, Chronic Illness, Not A Fix-It, Case Fic, implied 3zun, Transmigration, America, [Podfic of] take me back to a time by dreamhazer) I've also got canon!LWJ ending up in a modern AU (with modern!wwx)
不忘 | Don't Forget by dragongirlG (E, 50k, WangXian, Modern AU, Canon Divergence, Time Travel, Reincarnation, Fix-It of Sorts, Identity Porn, Social Media, Reunions, Family, Angst with a Happy Ending, Light Bondage, References to Canon, Artist WWX, Sexual Content, Pining, POV Multiple, Additional Warnings In Author's Note) and canon!WWX ending up in a modern au (with modern... everybody else more or less)
🔒YEYE NONCONNED A TWINK?!?!?! (How Lan Wangji's Vent Account Became Twitter Famous) by Pancho (M, 7k, wangxian, time travel fix-it, post-first siege of burial mounds, violence, blood, dub con, implied/referenced character death, crack treated seriously, PTSD, happy ending) sort of, LWJ is immortal so they know each other already but WWX does meet his modern grandnephew (?) also named lwj
Wrong Turn, Right Place by diamondbruise (E, 71k, WangXian, Time Travel, kind of, it’s more reality travel but there’s modern wwx and cultivator lwj, Mutual Pining, Angst with a Happy Ending, Jealousy, Idiots in Love, Slow Burn, Misunderstandings, Cultural Differences) oops just realized you asked for modern lwj meets cultivator wwx and not the opposite lol sorry
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5. Itmf a fic where, u know how in *out of context SPOILER** 12 moons and a fortnight wwx has a big dress to impress treat yourself moment with nhs?**end spoiler** any fics with a similar vibe to that scene, where there's a big dress-up statement moment
~*~
6. Itmf a fic that made you learn something new. Maybe it was a cool vocab word, or a character used an instrument you'd never heard of, or contained details about an unfamiliar skill set, or made you consider something in a new way, etc. Tell us what you learned! I read a fic where ghost wwx played the hurdy gurdy in cr to juniors (forgot title, help!) & now it's one of my fav instruments.
For the Love of Quilting by Scrippio (T, 5k, WangXian, Modern: No Powers, Quilt Shop AU, First Meeting, Getting Together, Fluff) this fic taught me a lot abt quilting !!
KILF (Knits I'd Like To Fuck in) by ScarlettStorm (E, 168k, wangxian, modern, sex work, fiber arts, 2nd in series) taught a lot about knitting along with giving me a bit of an interest in it
Gentle Exile by rynleaf (E, 9k, SL/LXC, Post-Canon, Canonical Character Death, Grief/Mourning, References to Depression, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst, All deaths in canon happen I'm SORRY, Character Study, Epistolary, Post-Canon Exploration, Podfic by flamingwell, semperfiona_podfic (semperfiona)) LanLan, not Wangxian, and maybe this wasn't what OP was asking about, but the writing style of this one is so creative in how it uses written structure and formatting that it made me have to get CRAZY inventive and learn a TON of new skills to figure out how to translate that to an audio medium when I was podficcing it!
Into the Depths by elytchaeke (T, 47k, WangXian, Modern AU, Cave Diving, Slow Burn, not that slow, Speluncaphobia, Claustrophobia, Descriptions of Corpses, Drowning, Minor Character Death, Minor Violence, Sharing Body Heat, The Inherent Eroticism of Wordless Communication, Corpse Handling) It taught me a lot about cave diving, specifically safety practices, exploration regulations, and (somewhat morbidly) the process for retrieving the body of anyone who attempted a dive and didn't make it back. The au is fun, putting wangxian into this specific field together
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7. intmf some preferably short, preferably cannon verse E rated fics with wangxians canon bedroom dynamics? @chellsky
~*~
8. Looking for any and all hallmark aus for the holiday season. I'm not really picky about tropes. I love them all. I just want them to be overwhelmingly fluffy and sweet and remind me of the magic of Christmas or any other winter holiday. @leahlisabeth
Ornaments Under the Stars by trippednfell (M, 57k, wangxian, Modern, Inspired by Hallmark Christmas Movies, the wangxian Hallmark Movie AU no one asked for, plot and title were randomly generated, Kidfic, Disabled Character, debilitating injury as substitute for missing golden core, Additional Warnings In Author's Note, Angst with a Happy Ending, Guest starring Lan Zhan's sky blue coat, The Coat deserves its own tag, disordered eating habits - not a major plot point, WIP) is a great WIP
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9. any fic where instead of accepting the whipping LWJ just leaves the sect? @chellsky
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10. ITMF where there are multiple Wei Wuxian’s? Like duplicates/clones. I LOVE “🔒 worm moon” by serein and it got me thinking how fun two (or more!) Wei Wuxian’s could be. Imagine Lan Qiren having to deal with multiple Wei Wuxian’s running around Cloud Recesses and disrupting the peace lolol. Thank you for any recs you can give!
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11. Fics where Lan Sizhui is biologically wangxian’s??
you can have the best of me, baby by stiltonbasket (Not rated, 12k, wangxian, JYL & WWX & JC, LXC/NMJ, Canon Divergence, Pre-Relationship, or that one where wangxian are trapped in the xuanwu's cave and use dual cultivation to get out, Dual Cultivation, Accidental Baby Acquisition, Sunshot Campaign, Getting Together, a-yuan is wangxian's baby, Happy Ending, WIP)
🔒 If Wishes Were Donkeys by NightOwl1 (M, 101k, WIP, WangXian, SVSSS, Time Travel Fix-It, Case Fic, Mpreg, Fluff and Humor, Dysfunctional Jiāng Family, Bad Parent YZY, WangXian Get a Happy Ending,   Period-Typical Homophobia, Crossdressing, LWJ and WWX Have a Breeding Kink, It’s All The System’s Fault, Post-Canon, Cloud Recesses Study Arc, Warning: JGS, Good Uncle LQR, LWJ and WWX Are LSZ’s Parents, Inappropriate Humor, Family Feels)
my heart to your beat series by larkspur_9 (T, 21k, WangXian, Modern AU, Single Parent LWJ, Celebrity WWX, Trans Male Character, Trans LWJ, Fluff and Angst, (but mostly fluff), Kid Fic, WWX and LWJ are A-Yuan’s biological parents)
In which Lan Qiren eavesdrops and gets a new nephew (and grandnephew) out of it by h0peless_oblivion (M, 64k, wangxian, LQR & WWX, LQR & LWJ, Modern, High School AU, A/B/O, Alpha LWJ, Omega WWX, Mpreg, Teen Pregnancy, Shotgun Wedding, Good Uncle LQR, Madam Yu's A+ Parenting, WWX almost gets disowned for getting knocked up, But the Lans take him in, Fluff and Angst, Family Feels, Unspecified Setting, WWX Has ADHD, A-Yuan is Wangxian's son, Pregnant WWX, Humor, non-graphic birth, Family Drama, The Lans love wwx, Male Lactation, Mild Smut in later chapters, wangxian's canonical breeding kink, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, WIP)
🔒 Treats by Prince_kun (G, <1k, wangxian, LWJ & LSZ & WWX, Domestic Fluff, Trick or Treating, Child LSZ, Pregnant WWX, Short & Sweet, Soft wangxian, Family Feels, Mpreg, Wangxian Are LSZ's Parents, LSZ being the cutest thing ever in existence)
Lan Sizhui's forehead ribbon by I_have_a_fleet_of_ships (T, 1k, wangxian, LSZ & WWX, Married Wangxian, Established Wangxian, Wangxian Are LSZ's Parents, WWX is LSZ's Parent, Oblivious LWJ, Gūsū Lán Forehead Ribbon, Good Uncle LQR, Fluff, Light Angst, Post Mpreg, Post-Canon)
🔒🧡 Many Lan babies Series by LuckyMoonly (Varied, 396k, WIP, WangXian, Story collection, Mpreg, Pregnant WWX only, Family Fluff, Found Family, Kid fics)
OP can try the specific tag for LSZ being WX's kid in specific
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12. Itmf for fics like Linearly above by covalentbonds, I am really intrigued to see wangxian in their parents era😄
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13. Itmf where I really wanna see Wwx being manhandled possibly post guanyin temple events and lwj getting angry or getting protective 🩵🩵🩵🩵 Thank you!
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14. I know it's not really a trope in this fandom, but itmf any 'boys in chains' recs. if it's got a good scene where a wangxian individual is tied up, restrained, locked up, shackled, or otherwise restricted for excellent angst purposes, I'm bound to like it!
dew drops on petals by jalpari (E, 17k, WangXian, Canon Universe, Mythical Beings & Creatures, Bottom LWJ/Top WWX, Tentacle Monsters, WWX Has a Secret, LWJ Finds Out And is very into it, Getting Together) this involves lwj being restrained by a baddie & wwx rescuing him
To lurk, to lie in wait by trippednfell (M, 124k, WangXian, Modern with Magic, Huli Jing, strangers to co-parents to lovers, Strangers to Lovers, Dragons, Kid Fic, teenage juniors, background NieLan, Angst with a Happy Ending, Case Fic, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Hurt/Comfort, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Not Really Character Death, Fox Spirit WWX, Dragon LWJ, Blood and Injury, Additional Warnings In Author’s Note) WWX is placed in a containment array rather than more traditional bindings
Birthday Party by waffles_4_breakfast (E, 100k, WangXian, Graphic Depicitons of Violence, Fix-It, Canon Divergence, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Misunderstandings, Sharing a Bed, Angst with a Happy Ending, Getting Together, Mutual Pining, Canon-Typical Violence, Pining, Slow Burn, Poison, Torture, Requited Unrequited Love, First Time, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Rough Sex, Oral Sex, Come as Lube, Bondage, Dom/sub Undertones, Spit As Lube, Rimming, Consensual Non-Consent, Safe Sane and Consensual, Additional Warnings In Author's Note) WWX is shackled
the field meets the wood by astronicht (T, 7k, WangXian, BAMF WWX, slight whump, Ritualistic Self Harm, Canon Era, Tang Dynasty style, Blood Loss, Blood and Injury, salt economics, Post-Canon) LWJ is tied up
some good mistakes by Lise (T, 18k, WangXian, JC & WWX, Post-Canon, Road trips, rescue Missions, Hurt/Comfort, Awkward Conversations, Yunmeng Bros Reconciliation) mostly this is Jiang Cheng and LWJ forced to work together (to rescue WWX) and hating every minute, but WWX is tied up in a scene at the
a thousand hills, no birds in flight | 千山鳥飛絕 by defractum (nyargles) (E, 26k, WangXian, Mythology, Canon-Typical Violence, Canon adjacent setting, Angst with a Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort) (link in #2)
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15. Hi! ITMF soulmate aus? Not in the cultivation/zhiji sense, but in the fandom sense. Think red thread of fate, a clock counting down, not seeing color until you see them, leaving a colorful mark on first touch, having their words written on you, etc. I have perused the compilation list but I want more more more! Wangxian, Chengxian, Xichen/Mingjue, Mingjue/Wuxian, really anyone/anyone, canon or modern, angsty or fluffy, all is good! I am just really craving soulmate stuff right now. Thank you!!
Catching Your Reflection Passing By by Suspicious_Popsicle (T, 9k, wangxian, sort of but not quite a soulmate au, Magical Realism, Urban Fantasy, pov switching) I didn't tag it as a soulmate au bc it's technically closer to magical realism, but Catching Your Reflection Passing By has strong soulmate vibes
leading tone by silencemostofall (G, 32k, WangXian, Modern AU, Soulmates, with a lil twist, Eventual Happy Ending, Music, Orchestra, [Podfic] Leading Tone by silencemostofall by Beria1021)
the heartlines on our hands by occultings (microcomets) (E, 47k, wangxian, Soulmates AU, Angst with a Happy Ending, Mutual Pining, First Time, Canon Divergence, Canonical Character Death)
ashes by besanii (G, <1k, wangxian, Canonical Character Death, Canon Divergence, Angst, Soulmates AU, Hurt No Comfort)
First and Last by kat8cha (T, 3k, LXC/JGY, wangxian, Angst, Soulmates AU, Soulmate-Identifying Marks, NHS and LWJ are minor parts, Tragic Romance, Hurt No Comfort)
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16. I'm in the Mood for a fic where Wei Ying's parents' death wasn't a simple night hunt but planned or something of that nature. @iuocean
Wind Rose in the Clouds by PaidSubscription (E, 202k, wangxian, Slow Burn, Hurt/Comfort, Post-Canon, Canon Compliant, Getting Together, First Time, Eventual Smut, Fluff, POV Alternating, Literal Sleeping Together, Cuddling & Snuggling, Mystery, Good Kid LSZ, LJY for President, Chief Cultivator LWJ, Junior Quartet Dynamics, Inventor WWX, Explicit Consent, Communication, WWX Works Through His Trauma, LWJ Has a Cuddly Bedtime Agenda, And a Keep WWX Warm Agenda, Plot Twists About Canon Plot Holes, WWX's Parents' Deaths Were Not an Accident, Emotional Healing, Epic Fill-in-the-Canon-Blanks Adventure Mystery Plot But Wangxian Being in Love is the Main Course, Angst with a Happy Ending)
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17. I am in mood for A) fanfic where wangxian got separated by misunderstanding or broke up but later they will reunite.
B) Or where Wei Wuxian knows lan wangji loves him and it didn't change anything...like Wei Ying dies and reincarnated
17A)
Honesty is the Best Policy (Except if You’re an Asshole) by piecrust (E, 22k, WangXian, College AU, Porn with feelings, Angst)
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If you didn’t get an answer to your ask here, don’t forget to make use of @mdzs-kinkmeme and MDZS KINK MEME on Dreamwidth. Authors actually do use them for ideas. You may get what you order!***Your prompt doesn’t have to be kink! Fluff, crack, whatever - it’s all good!***
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