#his affection towards you makes you wonder if Ajax likes you this much too

[that-foul-legacy-lover]

WAKES UP IN A COLD SWEAT

Being childhood friends with Ajax after he gains the ability to change into Foul Legacy and he doesn’t have complete control over it yet.

Numerous times did you find yourself sitting in Ajax’s bed room, a much smaller, more scraggly looking Foul Legacy curled in your arms, chirping and trying to speak to you in Abyssal language. You can’t understand him and Foul Legacy doesn’t quite know why he’s so attached to you, his hazy memories still forming, but he does know he enjoys your company!

Foul Legacy being a bit smaller when Ajax was a child, probably around the size of the average adult, being a lot more lanky and fluffier, like a deer 🙁 My wet cat.

The amount of times you’d have to drag Ajax away from a conversation or potential fight (that he was about to initiate) because you noticed the clear signs of Foul Legacy coming out. Dragging him to his home or favorite fishing spot and just, being stuck with Foul Legacy for the next few hours. Not that you mind! He’s so curious about everything around him, and so curious about you! Will try to curl up in your lap as you comb his fur, happily telling you a story in Abyss, you simply nod and pretend you understand.

My baby 🙁🙁 i miss him

[📺]

ue ue ueeee (sound of me crying over this /lh)

being a kid from Snezhnaya, you're not really scared when you first meet Foul Legacy- honestly, you're mostly confused and worried about where Ajax was, thinking that this scruffy Abyss monster ate him. but Foul Legacy quickly trills, an odd, disjointed sound, and snuggles up to you, curiously poking you and tugging at your sleeve. Ajax feels safe around you, so Legacy does too- you're a bright light shining in the cold darkness of Snezhnaya, of the Abyss, and he much prefers the warmth of your embrace to the frigid winds outside. you can't understand his chitters and chirps, but the fluffy creature is just as talkative as Ajax, with his same bright ginger hair...

oh. your eyes widen with realization, and Foul Legacy lets out a happy peep and curls closer to you

the most telltale sign of Ajax transforming into Legacy is his eye color- what's normally a vivid, lightless blue deepens to a twilight purple- and you know to grab his hand and drag him somewhere quiet, for in your presence and your presence alone, the Abyssal hunger for blood falls away, leaving a sweet and affectionate Foul Legacy. he likes your hands and face most of all, gently squishing your cheeks and nibbling your fingers, giving your forehead adoring licks. for now he's still small enough to snuggle in your lap as you sit on Ajax's bed, although you know he'll grow, so you spend entire afternoons by his side, listening to him sing in some strange language that you can't quite grasp or reading one of your books together, watching the snow fall silently through the window

and he was your special secret- just you, Ajax, and his monstrous, adorable other half

#genshin impact #childe #tartaglia #foul legacy #foul legacy childe #genshin tartagalia #genshin childe #genshin tartaglia #chit chat #📺anon #please forgive me but the entire time i was writing this i was just thinking: #you meeting foul legacy for the first time: DID YOU EAT MY FRIEND ABYSS MONSTER??? #his affection towards you makes you wonder if Ajax likes you this much too #(yes. he'll never admit it though) #also you take legacy to play in the snow for the first time #ohhhh what if you get sick one day and he gets worried aaaaaa #i looove childhood friends #short scenario #other's stuff #good evening :) #FAVE

[dawndelion-winery]

Just A Taste

Kisses and more (it was not just a taste)

Ft. Alhaitham, Childe, Dottore, Wriothesley, Zhongli

Warnings: 18+, mdni, making out, Dottore being Dottore, teeny bit of Dragonli

Alhaitham:

Alhaitham's kisses, unlike his words, are gentle

Such is the way his lips find yours, soft to the touch, and every bit respectful

So much so that he always manages to catch himself as he leans in, biting his lip as he stares at you

His brow furrows in frustration with himself as he stops just short of kissing you, barely whispering a heavy "May I?"

When you assent, he finally leans in, eyes closed, palm on your cheek

Sweet, brief kisses (always at least three)

Of course, it's different if you initiate it

His hand finds the small of your back and pulls you closer, holding you in place lest you run off

If you're in the mood to kiss him, he'll push his luck for more

This time, he nibbles at your lips instead as his hands slide down from your back to your ass (he squeezes if he's in a particularly teasing mood)

And it's not hard to tell what he wants when he looks at you so hungrily like you're his next meal

Not that he'd ever act on it

Not unless you ask him to

It's almost tormenting, the way he touches you so respectfully despite so obviously wanting more

And for this, he's terribly fond of having you in his lap to enjoy the view, to see you squirm before you relent and beg him to be a little less restrained

"In that case...you don't happen to have any plans at the moment, do you? We'll likely be here for a while."

Childe:

Messy, wet, and full of teeth and nips

He kisses restlessly, like it's never enough to just be kissing you

His hands are everywhere, on your face, your arms, your chest, waist, thighs, you name it

Ajax kisses you with fervour, as though you're his first and he's trying to impress

His mouth never stops moving, be it trailing kisses across your face, or sucking on your neck, or even biting your cheek

He's always grinning too, like he's watching his favourite show

He very well may be too, with every sound leaving your lips composing his favourite soundtracks

Not that much of it can be heard when he swallows it all so eagerly

It always starts with him sitting innocently beside you too

And then his hand finds its way to your thigh as he inches closer, slipping an arm around you under the guise of a quick cuddle

Followed by a peck to your cheek as he scoots closer still

And of course, it's never enough for him, not when he craves you oh so much

So not so subtly, he rests his chin on your shoulder as his lips creep towards your neck

His movements are casual, almost lazy, and it would seem that way if not for the way he caged you in his embrace

Kiss him back and see how quickly his hold gets more playful, his hands start to wander more, grabbing and squeezing at any expanse of flesh he can reach.

More than anything, he loves murmuring praises as kisses you, as though the kisses engrave his affection right into your skin

"Mm, just a little more...I love you..."

Dottore:

He's a biter

He gets so nippy with his kisses that people worry for you

I mean, they're already worried because it's Dottore you're dating, the cuts and grazes that litter your skin only fuels their concern further

He likes it a little too much though, relishing the sight each time he adds new marks to the mix

It's like an art to him, and he wonders how many he should leave, how deep they should be, before he makes them permanent

He's very aware that you're apprehensive to him being so...violently inclined, so he contents himself with this much

Even then, he knows exactly what gets you ticking, the way your eyes flutter shut as he holds the nape of your neck to keep you from pulling away when he kisses you breathless

And while you recover, catching your breath while your mind is numb, he makes quick work at your neck and shoulders (your chest too, if enough of it is exposed)

His teeth, ever sharp, puncturing bruised skin just before he kisses it better

Cry if you will, he'll only stroke your face, his lips dancing gently across your features until the sniffling stops, and then he's right back to marking you

His hands do wonders to coax you into letting him do as he pleases each and every time

Painful as it gets, he's quick to rub soothing circles on your thighs or back, whichever is more convenient for him to hold you in place

"Hush, my dear," he mumbles against your cheek as he kisses your tears away. "You're not done so quickly, are you?"

Wriothesley:

Wriothesley kisses you with all the desperation and longing of someone dying to be in love

More often than not, he's pulling you in as you pull away for air because he's not nearly done

It's taken so much out of him to be this vulnerable with you that he can't imagine not wanting you and it shows. Very much.

You can barely pry him off you once he gets started, which is pretty funny considering how he almost seems averse to touch in public

But in private? When you drape yourself over him and kiss along his jawline so tantalisingly?

You're just begging for trouble

And what luck for you that he excels in dealing with troublemakers

The wall, his desk, they're all convenient surfaces to hold you captive for your sentence

He's quite partial to having you on his desk, though, since it's so easy to rub his hand up and down your thigh no matter how much you squirm

And then he can simply press his forehead to yours, muttering about what an attention seeker you are and sighing that you leave him no choice

He's fooling no one when he's practically grinning ear to ear as he leans in to capture your lips again

"Can't even keep your hands to yourself for a minute? I'll give you something to hold onto then."

Zhongli:

You'd expect him to be patient and gentle with his kisses

And while, yes, they are sensual to an extent, there's a certain amount of desperation to them

He's lost so many people over the years, mortal and immortal alike

The latter being worse on him because he had been so certain he'd have enough time with them

So for you, someone so dear to him, to be mortal...it's frustrating, to say the least

He tries so hard to maintain his human form but he really gets carried away sometimes, the urge to just give you the teeniest of nips with his long canines getting the better of him

His lips find yours hungrily, and when you turn you hear for air, he simply moves to your neck, your jugular

He loves feeling the warm pulse of your blood rushing through your veins, it's like sand trickling through an hourglass, letting him know he still had time with you

His lips never leave you until he's had his fill

His hands are, in fact, gentle, like a skilled potter, caressing you as sweetly as he thinks you are

You're so fragile, a mere human, and oh the things he might do to you if he were just some big bad dragon but you're just too precious to risk

His fingers dance across your skin like he's trying to paint you, fingertips feeling almost talon-like at times, but always lightly

Zhongli who wonders what your worship would feel like, but anxious he might enjoy it a little too much, pulling you up from your cosy kneeling spot so he can hold you properly

"I'm not your deity, now am I? There's no need for that, my precious, let me feel you."

#genshin #genshin x reader #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact #alhaitham #childe #tartaglia #dottore #wriothesley #zandik #zhongli #alhaitham x reader #childe x reader #tartaglia x reader #dottore x reader #zandik x reader #wriothesley x reader #zhongli x reader #morax #morax x reader #winery specials

[aphroditesmoon]

how to get out of love (part ii)

xavier thorpe x reader

summary: It has always been the two of you, he just saw it too late.

warnings: mentions of blood and wounds.

a/n: thank you for the love in part 1! I hope you guys enjoy this as much<3

part 1

taglist: @littlecrisisworld @temptressofthetarrot, @fanboyluvr , @jolenie @liv0679, @hushedlover , @xh-josii , @importantpuppyshark @ipadkidsworld , @arivh , @emilykolchivans , @jennifer0305 , @macystyles-01 , @555stargirl555

°°°

It wasn't unusual for Xavier to sit alone as he watches his friends reunite with their family every year. He was never his father's priority, and thankfully it doesn't bug him as much as it used to.

What made this year even lonelier was the fact he didn't even have you to keep him company.

He's given up all attempts to talk to you after always being shut down.

Now he just stares longingly when you pass by him, wishing he could turn back time and redid everything he's done wrong.

He sighs as he watches Bianca walks away with her often distant mother. Even she had someone with her.

His heart aches and he knows it's his own fault, always wanting more than he needed, and ending up losing all he ever had.

You were nowhere to be seen today, his wandering eyes keep search of you.

He wonders if it's as hard for you as it is for him. Having no living family member left, loneliness was a part of your being before he came into your life, but you made it look easy when you shrugged his presence off your life, resuming back to silent days alone through classes.

Xavier snaps himself out of his thoughts before deciding to head towards his shed, if there was one thing he could do today was make the best of the solace.

°°°

Today was a no-off campus day, unless you had a guardian or parent with you, all students must remain inside. But being invisible was one of your specialty, literally.

You found yourself in your usual comfort spot deep inside the woods.

Though other people might fear going in this far, you were used to it. The forest was your home, even without a family, you had made it your own.

You spotted the large circle of mushrooms you've planted in the middle of the ground and sighed in relieved before slinging your backpack off before laying in the middle.

Even the most foolish of fools knew that fairy circles were nothing but myths, yet sometimes you'd lie in the circle with your eyes closed, basking in the sunbeams through the trees, imagining the dead hands of your fairy mother coming and whisking you away.

And then you'd wake up.

You had came here less and less since you've gotten close with Xavier, he became as close as a family could be to you.

But today, the tantalizing reminder of his offense burnt through your mind like adding salt to fresh wound, as if being forced to watch everyone with their families wasn't painful enough.

You have never felt more alone.

You jerk up suddenly at the loud sound of rustling bushes and frown at your surroundings, trying to find the source.

Getting up to investigate, you slowly walk while crouching down step by step, peeking inside the overgrown bushes in front of you.

An ear perked up and your breath hitches as you froze at the sight.

The loud meowing noise forces the air of relief to leave you, sighing heavily.

Your body relaxes and you let out a short laugh at your panicked state before reaching your hand out to pet the black cat.

Before you could touch it, it welps loudly and jumped over your head, pushing your back to the ground before running away.

"What the fuck." Your heart skipped fast at the sudden attack of the furry creature and you almost cursed it for rejecting your affection.

That was until you saw what it was running from.

Hand on your head, trying to soothe the pain the black cat inflicted, your eyes took it's time to notice the large lingering beast in front of you. And your legs fails you as it leaped forward.

°°°

"I don't have time for this Ajax-" Xavier groans at his friend for the fifth time as he grabs his jacket after covering his canvas.

"I'm telling you man- whatever you do, do not get her dog food as an apology gift." The gargoyle insists sternly after multiple suggestions on how to get you to forgive Xavier.

"Why the fuck would I get her dog food?" He asks confused.

Ajax shrugged, "I don't know, but I tried it with Enid once, let's just say it didn't work out well."

Xavier frowns at him and shook his head before turning to leave the shed, "Whatever just- lock the door for me when you leave, alright?"

He hears Ajax's 'I got you man' and focuses his steps towards the woods, his feet fast moving as his mind races equally as fast and nerve-wreckingly.

He knew why Wednesday suspected him as the Hyde, almost everytime an attack happened, he's there. He couldn't have told her of his dreams, his visions, of every single future victim, always almost too late appearing to him.

A girl like her would use such information againts him.

In times like this, he can't decide if he was grateful for mournful of his gift. If he can't make it on time to you, it'll all be for nothing, all this prophetic dreams he had gotten would just be another reason for him to hate himself even more.

So he runs faster.

He stops in his tracks as he reaches the middle of the woods, your pink hoodie by his foot.

His fear that he was too late, resolves immediately when he sees you on the ground. Bleeding from your stomach, but alive.

No monster in sight, only you and Wednesday Addams standing by your side.

He snaps out of his dazed state immediately when your eyes meets his and he does hesitate to crouch down, pulling you into his chest, blood and all.

He almost pull back in fear of you pushing him away. But when he feels you leaning in, gasping out his name, his hands doesn't let down his hold on you.

"I'm so sorry, im is sorry i-" He restrain falls as he squeezes you tight , apologizing profusely, feeling his heart cracks when he hears you sobbing through his shirt.

Your hands grip his shirt and he feels your body trembling, the realization of your condition hits him and he pulls you up to his chest before lifting you up from the ground.

"We need to get her help." His voice stern as he turns to Wednesday.

The girl only glares at him, "How did you know she was here?"

He flinches at her accusing tone and frowns.

"Because I know her. Now if you're going to keep accusing me of being the Hyde, can you at least wait until she gets help?" He snaps at her, clutching you right to him as you moan in pain.

Wednesday nods abruptly and starts walking forward. "We need to get her to the hospital, before too much blood runs out-"

"No! Not the hospital-" You bursted out She halts her steps and turns to you I'm confusion.

"This is not the time to play tough [name], you're fatally wounded and my expertise only goes as far as minimal wound stitchings." She scolds you, her voice raising.

You shook your head and pleaded to Xavier. "Just take me to the infirmary-"

He knew why you hated hospitals, how much pain lurked in that place for you, but he couldn't risk losing you.

"Start the car, I'm coming right behind you." He demands to Wednesday and running after her, ignoring your begging.

°°°

The surgery ended two hours ago, and the last thing you remembered was Xavier's voice begging you not to pass out, something about a concussion.

If you felt terrible earlier, now was just as bad.

Tubes of water needles straight into your arms, you open your eyes, taking in the white walls of your worst nightmare.

This was where your mother died, and it was the last place you wanted to be in.

Still, you were grateful that they'd fixed you up. You could barely move your lower body and your stomach aches terribly, but you were alive at least.

You look towards the door as a nurse enter with a tray of needles. "Hello sweetheart." She greeted you, seemingly pleased that you're awake.

"I know you probably feel horrible now, so I'm just going to inject some antibiotics and painkillers for you alright?" You nod weakly and surrender you arms to her as she does her work.

She leaves a moment after, the painkiller doing wonders for your pounding headache as you fall back into sleep, giving your body the rest it needed.

You snap awake at the sudden feeling of a presence.

Your hands tightly clutches the fingers holding yours.

"It's me, it's just me." He speaks up to calm you down immediately.

You breathed out a relieved sigh when you saw Xavier's face, sitting by your side.

"You're here." You mumbled out, drowsy.

"Always. I'll always be here." He assures you gently, his thumb tracing your knuckles before bringing it to his lips and kissing it.

"I'm sorry, I was too late." You shook your head and squeezed his hand. "You couldn't have known."

His brows furrowed and he attempts to read your sincerity. "You're not going to ask me how I knew?"

You smiled at him and shook your head. "Well I know for one thing you're not the Hyde, you're too stupid for that."

A shy grin escapes him and he snorts.

"Wednesday shouldn't have known I was there either, but she did, and she's not the monster too. So whenever you're ready to tell me your little secret, I'll be right here." You tell him understandingly.

It was that moment, all his past guilt comes slithering in. He was so stupid and he almost lost you because of it, he wouldn't trade you for the world, especially not for some random girl or ex girlfriends, you are more than a phase for him.

You're his whole life.

Before he could open his mouth the get a word up, you shook your head and shushed him. "Whatever you need to say, tell me after I get enough sleep." You forced.

He gulps and nods his head.

"Take your rest, I'm not going to leave you, not again."

Your eyes slowly closes again and let yourself relax in his presence.

"I know you won't."

#xavier thorpe x reader #xavier thorpe x you #xavier thorpe fanfic #xavier thorpe #wednesday netflix #wednesday addams #wednesday x reader

[blakeswritingimagines]

Yandere Xavier wanting you while your dating Ajax.

It started when Xavier was still dating Bianca, You transferred to Nevermore with the promise you could get control over (your power) so you agreed.

Almost everyone tried getting your attention but something about Ajax when you first met him made your cheeks feel hot.

After having a few steady dates Ajax had asked you to be his and you agreed.

Having a very soft and sweet relationship with Ajax that everybody seems to notice or wanna keep talking about.

Going out to the lake late at night just to talk for hours, Going into town to get coffee and window shop while playing around.

Having soft affection with each other (Hand holding, Cheek and nose kisses, Walking with your arms around one another).

Xavier finally notices more about you and feels it hit him hard while now he’s wondering why he’s dating Bianca.

Soon enough the whole school knew not just because of how sweet you were or how helpful but now because you were dating the “Stoner” that was Ajax.

Because of their friendship Xavier got to hear everything about you from Ajax or just from watching you on his own free time, Leading up to his break up with Bianca who didn’t like it and tried getting back with him.

After a few months of seething to himself after watching the two of you act like the perfect couple it hit him that he wanted you.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Xavier started by becoming friendly with you and helping you when/with what he could while starting to belittle Ajax.

Xavier started really questioning Ajax about the relationship or you feeling like he didn’t know or do enough for you since he’s started to see you as an angel.

He’ll gaslight Ajax and lie to you “Are you sure your good enough for them Ajax? Are you sure they want you?” while to you “Ajax is truly a monster and he just wants to use you” just painting his friend in the worse light.

Only after a few short weeks Xavier finally saw you start to break and really think over your relationship with Ajax as the two best friends started to fight more behind the scenes.

Xavier would do anything in his power to make Ajax become aggressive in front of you and fight with him while he himself would act clueless and innocent wondering why his best friend would do such a thing to him.

Xavier whenever he could he would take small things from you or used you as his biggest muse.

After months Ajax broke and let you go not giving any reason as to why or what happened only that he didn’t wanna date you anymore.

Xavier was there masking his happines while he gave you comfort and held you as long as you wanted before slowly making his way more and more into your life.

Making sure you become co-dependent on himself and twisted both his and your own words just to benefit himself all while playing a sweetheart towards you.

He has you over at his dorm alot since he doesn’t have a room mate or has you glued to his side when out and about even in his shed.

His protectiveness and manipulative additude worsens. He’s acting in your best interest. Have you seen the world? Have you seen the horrible people around school or town? you’re different. You need him; you need him to protect you from whatever danger that threatens to pull you away from him.  

Will use any and all manipulation tactics on you (Crying, Blaming himself, Gaslighting you).

It’s safe to say that most things he does are selfish and impulsive. Everything he does is for his own desire. If he were to do something nice, just know he always expects something in return. Xavier wants you to love him as much as he loves you.

Upon asking you to go to the RaveN with him and you had agreed he knew that would be his chance.

The night of the dance he made it clear to everyone that you were now his and that shouldn’t be questioned even by you.

Will argue and nitpick about things with you like thinking you're still in love with Ajax or if you looked at someone a second too long.

He wants only your eyes on him and will even get into fights with people he thinks is a problem or that gets too close to you while then telling you everything he'd do to the person.

He has and will again threaten to do harm to himself if you ever left him even during arguments he's started.

Will always play sweet like he didn't mean to scare you during fights and normally make it up to you with whatever your little heart desires.

Always has some kind of affection with you no matter what, His arms around you, Holding hands, Mark's he'll leave on you, His hand on your thigh.

People talking about your relationship with Xavier, but knowing there's nothing they can do to help you, especially since Xavier plays the nice guy act so well, and his father is famously known.

Wants you to be a cute little doll for him to have near and show off that doesn't talk or fight back against his word and will reward you if he feels you've been good.

#yandere #yandere xavier thorpe #xavier thorpe hcs #xavier x reader #xavier thorpe headcannons #tw yandere

[bumbleklee]

HELLO!!! Can you do the reader that feels like a second choice for zhongli, kaeya, Childe, and xiao?

baby ur a shining star (cut for length + reader is gn)

zhongli

after hearing about guizhong and her relationship with zhongli, you had a sinking feeling in your stomach

you couldn't help but wonder if he was still in love with her and you were being used as a place holder to pass time

around the anniversary of her death, zhongli became distant from you and it sent you spiraling

for days, you didn't come out of your apartment and you weren't planning on it anytime soon until zhongli came by to see if you were still alive

He had a key to your apartment. You knew that - you gave it to him - and yet, you were still surprised when he sat down on the edge of your bed.

You nearly jumped out of your skin when you felt a large hand caress your shoulder over your duvet. "Zhongli?"

"Are you sick?" He asks instantly, reaching forward to touch your forehead. You lean out of his touch and sit up in bed, grasping the blanket still. You keep your gaze down.

"No," You say quietly.

"Then, where have you been?" He asks.

"Where have I been? Where have you been?" You demand, frowning. Zhongli had been more than distant to you over the past week. You could hardly see him for more than five minutes before he was rushing you away so he could take a walk through the forest alone. And he had cancelled your dates!

Zhongli frowned himself and looked away, "I apologize. I've had a lot on my mind."

"So have I," You say. You cross your arms, "Is there someone else?"

The words float of your mouth to carelessly and Zhongli looks taken aback. "Someone else? Of course not."

"What about Guizhong?"

There's a silence in the bedroom and Zhongli peers at your face for a moment. His expression is unreadable and you wish you hadn't spoken the words you did. Suddenly, his hand reaches out again and lands on yours this time.

"Y/N, Guizhong was a good friend of mine many years ago. I mourn for her passing but you are my future," He tells you, "Please understand that you are the only one I care for now."

kaeya

dating kaeya came with anxiety and worries

he was a very attractive man and his personality was more than flirty at times

it wasn't rare to see him shake off multiple women or men at the tavern or on the streets of mondstadt after they had drank a little too much

you knew he would never betray you, he loved you too much, but when you saw how much affection he received from strangers, your heart couldn't help but ache

You knew going out to the tavern with Kaeya would only end in an argument. He was by your side for no more than ten minutes before some Knights pulled him to their table. You clenched your jaw and sat at the bar alone, Diluc sending you a sympathetic smile.

Your eyes ghosted behind you often and the sight of a woman wrapping her arms around Kaeya's waist had you fuming silently. You gripped the glass in your hand and your feet moved on their own. You grabbed Kaeya by his arm and dragged his tipsy body out the door without a word.

"What did I do?" He slurred, "I wasn't done hanging out."

You gave Kaeya the silent treatment as you walked home and he lingered like a lost puppy behind you. When you both had changed into your pajamas and Kaeya tried to spoon you like he did every night, you pushed him away.

Dejected, Kaeya sat up. "What did I do?" He asked again, more sober this time.

"Why don't you go ask your girlfriend from the bar?" You snapped.

"Come on," Kaeya groaned, "We've talked about this. I can't control what other people do."

"I don't care."

You crossed your arms tightly and laid down in bed, your back facing Kaeya. You felt a familiar warm feeling in your chest and your bottom lip quivered slightly, your eyes filling with tears.

Kaeya's arms were around you the second he heard you sniffle. "What's the matter?" He asked seriously.

"You're not going to leave me, right?" You asked, spinning around in his arms.

He cocked an eyebrow at you, "What? Of course not." He leaned close to your face and pressed his nose against yours. "Is this what this is all about?"

You only nodded.

"I love you," Kaeya continued, "And no one, not even that lady from the tavern, is going to come between us. Got it?"

childe

when you first started dating childe, he made you promise that you understood that his work came first

and you did because, frankly, you didn't think you would ever be second choice to the duties of a fatui harbinger

but the more involved you became with childe, the more you realized that maybe you had bit off more you could chew

Childe had stood you up the second time that week. You waited at the Liyue Pavilion for over an hour until you realized he wasn't coming and went home, utterly devastated.

When he finally returned home to you, it was early in the morning and you were half asleep on the couch. The sound of him closing the door woke you up and you only frowned at him. Childe tried to reach over to you to give you a kiss but you peeled away from him.

"I'm sorry for not making it, Y/N," Childe began, "I just -"

"Got caught up with work," You finished.

He looked down at his shoes and you looked elsewhere too. This exact scenario was happening too often and you weren't sure how much you could take of it. And Childe seemed to have similar thoughts as he sat beside you on the couch.

"I'm really sorry," He tried again.

"Is that supposed to make me feel better, Ajax? Because it doesn't."

He clicked his tongue. "You're right," He said, "Listen, Y/N. I think we should end things before I really can't be there for you. Things are only picking up from here."

There was a silence. "Yeah," You agreed.

"You'll find a nice person one day that won't be so involved with what I do," He chides, "Anyone would be lucky enough to call you theirs."

You wanted that person to be Childe. Except, Childe was just like every other guy out there. He told you he loved you yet couldn't even make you his priority.

xiao

similar to childe, it isn't a person that makes you feel like second best

in xiao's case, it's his duties as the yaksha that bury worries deep in your heart

he's not around most nights and during the day, he's always on edge and distant

you've become accustom to his routine but you weren't sure how much more you could take of it

For once, Xiao stayed home with you at night. You had cooked dinner and even though Xiao hated mortal food, he shoved it down for you. The two of you stayed up to watch the sunrise on the roof and you fell asleep in his arms.

When you woke up in a cold sweat hours later, Xiao was gone. Your window was open, the wind rushing in, and you frowned deeply. You sat up in bed, rubbing your forehead. He couldn't even stay the night.

"Xiao..." You whispered into the night. "Xiao?"

In a second, your partner stood in front of the bed. "What's wrong?"

"You left me," You scowled, standing up to shut the window. Your feet stomped against the cold floor with too much emphasis. Xiao didn't respond so you snapped your eyes towards him. He was just staring at you. "Do you even love me anymore?"

He was taken aback by your words, "Huh? Of course I do."

"Then why don't you show it?" Your tone had fell drastically and you held back your tears.

Xiao was beside you in moments, his hands cradling your face gently. His eyes searched yours crazily and you felt the urge to pull away but refrained.

"I'm new at this," He whispered, "I'm trying."

You sighed, "Well, try harder."

He nodded, "I will."

Once you had vented a bit longer, Xiao lead you back to bed and wrapped his arms around you once again. When you woke up in the morning, you were throughly surprised to find him next to you still.

a/n sorry u break up in childes

#genshin #genshin impact #genshin hcs #genshin imagines #genshin headcanons #genshin kaeya #kaeya #kaeya x reader #genshin xiao #xiao #xiao x reader #genshin zhongli #zhongli x reader #zhongli #childe #childe x reader #genshin childe #genshin tartagalia #tartagalia x reader #tartagila #genshin x reader #genshin self insert

[writingbywatson]

Genshin Boys When You Forget To Say I Love You (Kaeya, Diluc and Childe)

A/N: So I saw this tiktok challenge but I changed it up a bit because I think intentionally not saying I love you was mean, anyway, here reader just forgets. I only did 3 because my peanut brain can't write a lot)

Part 2 (Albedo, Xiao and Zhongli)

Kaeya

“Alright Kaeya, I’ll be going, bye!” open the door closing Kaeya would raise his head because you forget to say I love you

He would sit there for a bit wondering if you were playing a prank on him when you don’t come back to tell him you were just pranking him he realizes that it was real

Kaeya is a smart man, he knows that you weren’t cheating on him, you probably just forgot since you were busy as well but at the back of his mind he kept on wondering what if you found someone new?

My man is gonna make sure he has eyes on you (wtf am i right?) by asking favors from his ‘friends’ to keep an eye on you and would probably exhaust his resource just to make sure that you weren’t meeting someone new

He knew it was stupid, he knew you weren’t going to lie to him and knowing you if you wanted to end things, it was going to come from you

Visible becomes stress and would frequent Angel’s Shares more (someone save Diluc)

“Isn’t that word that you two say a lot? They probably just forgot and thought they already said it,” - Diluc as his taking away his brother’s 5th… 7th?? 10th bottle for the evening.

Kaeya is going to rant but it’s inaudible to his red-haired brother because it was either fast mumbling or just complete gibberish

When he heard that you were returning, his going to fix himself, like legitimately erase all trace of him being a sad drunk

Would be dashing as ever when you lay your eyes on him as he welcomes you back to Monstad

“Kaeya!” you’ll call out when your just a few feet away from him, you would jump into his arms

With that action alone, you could hear him exhale, you of course would have no idea that, that exhale would mean that everything is okay

“I forgot to tell you I love you before I left last time,” you would announce while you two were walking hand-in-hand

“Oh did you?” Kaeya would ask

“Yeah sorry about that”

“It’s fine” - Kaeya, it's totally fine not like he was a mess when you left and didn’t say i love you to him. He's fine.

Diluc

You decided to sleep over his house because you two won’t be seeing each other for a while

The next morning, you were getting ready and his watching you-admiring you because wow was he lucky to have such a beautiful s/o

Elzer suddenly had to call him due to wine business stuff

“Diluc I’ll be going! See ya!” you’ll call out to him and it was normal for him not to say anything back

After 30 seconds he would realize something, “did they just?” - Diluc as soon as he realized that you didn’t told him I love you

A part of him told him that it was okay, that they were probably excited and it slipped past their mind

But not long after that his mind showed him the picture of his father and his running to catch up with you (oh boi he running)

It didn’t take long before he did because boi his legs are long-long

He would grab your arm and spun you around to face him

“Diluc! Hi!” you’ll greet him with a smile, “did I forget something?”

He’ll end up hugging you tightly

You’ll end up freezing in your spot because Diluc was never this touchy before much less initiate affection

When you put your hands behind his back and start rubbing it, he’ll end up squeezing you tighter

“I-I can’t b-b-rea-”

“-I love you.”

You were surprised, actually that was an understatement because much like everything else this was something out of character with Diluc

“I love you too” - you

“Come back home in one piece”

“I will”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Childe

Oh boiiii

You would often wonder if the child in Childe meant childish

Don’t get him wrong he has his moments but oh boyyyy, relationship with Childe feels like you're both in the puppy love stage

You were an adventurer and you were about to head out

You pass by the northland bank to bid farewell to your boyfriend because he told you that despite him being busy, he would like to know where you are and what to expect

If he can join you he would

Anyway…

His talking to his subordinates about something when you entered the bank and his face lit up like the sun

Would literally part the group in front of him in half just so he can come to you

“I’ll be taking my leave” you announce

“Okay, do you have enough Mora? Do you need more?”

“No, I’ll be fine”

“Okay, be careful out there!”

“Okay, see ya.”

You turn around and walked towards the door, you reach for the door’s handle when

“LORD TARTAGLIA” you would hear everyone scream behind you

You would turn around and see your boyfriend has fainted and his right hand is on his chest

You would run to his side and shake him

“AJAX WHAT’S WRONG?!” you would scream

“Y-you” he would say weakly

“YOU?” you would ask in a panic

“YOU DIDN’T SAY I LOVE YOU!”

You would facepalm yourself and smack him across the chest, you stood up and went to the door

“I love you,” you would say before leaving

When your outside you would hear Childe squealing

And you can’t help but to feel embarrassed.

#genshin impact #genshin impact imagines #genshin imagines #genshin diluc #diluc x reader #diluc #kaeya #kaeya x reader #genshin kaeya #childe #tartaglia #ajax #childe x reader

[divinolenta]

comforting childe and diluc after a nightmare 

character x gender neutral reader, fluff (angst?)/sfw

trigger warning: brief mention of blood and death

additional notes: this was requested by a lovely anon ♡ i had fun writing these (had the most fun picturing what nightmares they would have but you didn’t hear that from me)! i listened to “the moon song” by karen o while writing childe’s scenario and “butterfly’s repose” by zabawa for diluc’s, which is why i’ve included lyrics in their respective scenarios! feel free to imagine yourself singing another song to them, if you’d like :) there are potential spoilers for their backstories, so read at your own risk.

childe:

he is cold, frigid air nipping at his skin viciously as he flees, blinking away snowflakes that cling to his eyelashes. pursued by ravenous wolves and beasts, he loses his footing, falling into a seemingly innocent fissure in the earth. recognizing the dark realm that haunts his memories, he panics, searching for an escape. no, please, not this again. 

too late, he lands, trapped in this hell once again. pain jolts through his bones and a gasp leaves his lips when he places weight on his sprained ankle. struggling to stand, childe grips the sword in his hand, hope dying when he finds that several monsters block his path. slaughtering them quickly, childe wipes off the blood that splattered on his face. 

“b-brother?”

he turns around, shock evident on his face when he sees his younger siblings, cowering away from him. the snow surrounding them is stained with crimson, and his hands are slick, viscous blood slowly dripping on the floor. tonia wraps her arms around anthon and teucer, shielding them with her body. childe takes a step forward, and extends a trembling hand toward them, calling their names weakly. 

“stay back! you....you monster!” a shriek rips from tonia’s throat, gripping her brothers’ closer to her, her terrified expression mirroring theirs. childe recoils at the lack of recognition in their gazes. no matter how heroic and righteous he believed himself to be,  he is merely a tainted soul, a monster who could never redeem himself.

lurching awake, childe’s momentary relief is quickly replaced by bitter contempt. a nightmare? he almost laughs, running a hand through his mussed hair, but his hammering heart and shaking hands tell another story. childe needs a breather, and he eyes the door, longing to escape the past and lose himself in the beauty that nature offers. perhaps he will meander along the ocean and watch the waves kiss the shore and recede, and let it wash away his sins. sitting up, he swings his legs over the side of the bed, but it creaks underneath his weight and childe cringes at the sound that resonates throughout the room. 

“where are you going?” you ask groggily, squinting blearily at him. 

“i just,” childe begins, but before he could continue, shudders ran through his body, interrupting him. you tug him back into the warmth of the duvet, hands cradling his face while you peer at him in concern.

“i’m sorry...” childe squeezes his eyes shut, hands clenching tightly. he tries to calm down his erratic breaths, apologizing meekly as his hands try to nudge you away. 

what if he hurts you too?

but you hush him, pulling him closer so that his head rests against your collarbone, limbs tangled together. 

you start to sing, the familiar melody striking a chord in his heart. your voice is hoarse and muddled with sleep, but you gradually fall into a soothing rhythm, like the euphonious and undulating cadences of a piano.

i'm lying on the moon

my dear, i'll be there soon

it's a quiet starry place

time's we're swallowed up in space

we're here a million miles away

childe sheds his brash and arrogant exterior and allows himself to get pulled under by the overwhelming tides of his emotions, just like the waves of the ocean that he adores so much. he feels like he’s fourteen again, but this time, you’re here with him. he grasps your shirt tightly, and anchors himself, tears leaking from his closed eyes, falling on to your skin, seeping into the fabric of your shirt. 

there's things i wish i knew

there's no thing I'd keep from you

it's a dark and shiny place

but with you my dear, i'm safe

and we're a million miles away 

he is consoled by the fact that you do not view him as a monster, and when he’s with you, he can be whoever he chooses to be. he does not need to be tartaglia, childe or even the ajax he used to be, rather, he is content with simply being your lover and spending every hour of the day with you. 

diluc:

the moment diluc sees his surroundings, he knows. he knows what’s going to happen, and how everything will go down. the carriage rocks back and forth as it travels over the uneven path, and everything is calm. too calm. swallowing thickly, he turns to his father, heart twinging at the sight of his familiar figure, with hair of flame, so similar to his own. 

horses whinny frantically in the distance, and diluc tries to warn his father, but is cut off by the carriage toppling over as they lose control of the reins. a roar shakes the very earth and diluc is thrown against the side of the carriage, hissing in pain when his hand gingerly presses against the bruise on his head.

“father! wait!” diluc scrambles to his feet when his father begins to rise to his feet to investigate and protect the transport fleet. his father looks at him inquiringly, and diluc advances, clutching the hem of his coat in an effort to make him stay.

“you mustn’t go, father, your life will be in peril.” he implores, and even though he tries his best to keep his voice steady, the anguish he truly feels does not fully dissipate.

“i can’t afford to lose you again” is what diluc wants to say, but can’t muster the courage to form the words. 

“my son, is that not what a man like your father should do?” his father rests a heavy hand on diluc’s shoulder, and his heart sinks in response. 

“but, father-” diluc presses, but his father simply shoots him a reprimanding look.

“i’ll be back soon, just wait for me here.” he lets out a booming laugh, and ruffles diluc’s hair with an affectionate gaze, before walking off, summoning his weapon. 

horrified, diluc calls out, but his pleas fall on deaf ears. he desperately wills his body to move, but it’s like vines have erupted from the dirt and tangled around his legs, trapping him in a prison of thorns. 

all he can do is stand there, watching from the sidelines. even as his father gulps his dying breaths, all diluc can do is clutch on to him, and pray to whatever god that still remains, while the very light of his soul eclipses.

and like an incompetent fool, all diluc does is weep and regret. 

hands shake his shoulders, and diluc snaps out of his dream, released from the tormenting illusion. his gaze meets yours, and when he reaches up to touch his face, his fingers come away damp from the tears that streak his skin.

you’re seated on the bed, sheets pooling around your waist. your brow furrows, and diluc opens his mouth, about to let false reasurances tumble from his lips to alleviate the look of unease you don. how many times had he dreamed of the incident? how many times would he continue to blame himself?

diluc himself does not know the answer. 

you lean forward, hands tenderly brushing away the tears that remain, and diluc loses himself in your eyes. eyes really are the window to the soul, he thinks, everything is so clear, like how he knows that the sun will rise, signalling a new beginning. your eyes betray every emotion that flicker through their depths.

“i’m okay.” he whispers, but both you and him know that he’s lying. diluc lies back down, and he gestures for you to do so as well, but you situate him so he lays with his head in your lap. 

you card your fingers through his hair carefully, your delicate touches evoking a chill that runs down his spine. you begin to hum softly, voice lilting in an ethereal melody before words surface and accompany it. diluc feels like he’s simultaneously floating and sinking. he wants to weep, for barbatos was lenient enough to grant him such a caring and understanding lover to someone as undeserving as he is.

for a moment, he wonders if you are perhaps hestia incarnate. the warmth and love with which you behold him with is surreal, and god knows that diluc is not capable of replicating or returning such affection. 

the shadows in your head

they've got you down again

got you feelin' low

your voice is an intimate whisper, and diluc welcomes the warmth that it entwines him in. he catches your hand, bringing it to his lips so he can press a chaste kiss against it. moonlight slants against your features, and diluc can only stare in awe as you continue to sing, body slightly swaying along as your hand aimlessly caresses his hair. 

but it's time to rest, now 

let it all melt now

wipe your tears 

“thank you.” he murmurs, eyes falling close as your voice lulls him into a sleep. one that he knows will not be plagued with nightmares. you don’t respond, but diluc can hear the hint of a smile in your voice.

it’s a sight to behold: diluc ragnvindr, a man with a renowned reptuation of having a heart of ice, melting in your embrace. out of everything, perhaps your love is what ignites him, and brings back the fervor that was once lost. 

#genshin impact #genshin impact x reader #genshin x reader #genshin impact imagines #genshin imagines #genshin impact scenarios #genshin scenarios #genshin writing #genshin impact childe #genshin childe #childe #tartaglia #childe x reader #childe scenarios #genshin impact diluc #genshin diluc #diluc #diluc ragnvindr #diluc x reader #diluc scenarios #txt.scenario

[tiens-letters]

with these hands, I vowed to love you

with these hands, I vowed to care for you

and with these hands, I ruined you

Childe (angst)

tw : slight gore and just pure pain

...

It was that time of the year again, going back to the snowy region was a bliss for you. Having to visit your fiancée's family was an unspoken tradition after he introduced you to them. They practically took you in as one of them immediately, especially that little angel brother of his.

Teucer.

The train ride was comfortable , the window giving you the familiar beauty of the snowy landscape of snezhenaya. It was snug inside the rather spacious compartment Childe rented out, even when you told him that you'd rather share a normal one due to your thrifty nature he'd shrug it off, claiming it that he has too much mora and nowhere to spend it on other than you.

Gifts from him would scare you as you knew these weren't anywhere cheap. Everything he gave was expensive, he loved showering you in gifts and it made you feel so overwhelmed.

"Ajax, you're spending too much." you were visibly sweating beside him as he picked out another one of the dresses on display at the local boutique of Liyue.

"I think this one would suit you better, don't you think so love?" of course he wasn't listening, placing the dress in front of you

"Ajax." you frowned at him

" I just want to spoil you." he whines

"I know but sometimes its just..." you stopped yourself before saying anything further in fear of offending him

"Was it too much again?" the tone in his voice softens as he puts back the dress, he knew how you didn't like that habit of his, formed from the first time he saw you down by the docks.

"One dress, Ajax. One is enough since you picked it out for me." you gave in not wanting to see him so dejected, he immediately brightens up as he pecks you on cheek before rushing off to a different aisle of clothing. Sighing, you sat down on the sofa present in the shop, watching the ginger decide thoroughly of what dress to buy.

But of course, your love for one another runs deeper than things bought off gold nor silver. No, it ran deeper than anything else, rivaling the oceanic depths.

"What are you thinking about hmm?" he hums below you, head resting against your lap.

"Im just happy to be visiting again, that's all." you smile, nimble hands brushing through his soft hair "Sleep well?"

"You bet I did." he grins taking your hand and placing a kiss to your beating pulse and then another and another, showering you in his deeply rooted affection. Soon his kisses reached where they are supposed to belong, those soft lips of yours and then inching their way to the sensitive spots on your neck, leaving marks only he can place on you.

Breathless and bothered, you pushed him back "The attendants are gonna see, you idiot." at least you still had some control in you

"They will only arrive when we call them , so its fine to have a little fun before we arrive." there was that sly grin of his as he continued in where you both left off, ears perking to hear more sounds exclusively for him and him only.

"You horny bastard!"

...

It was cozy by the hearth, you and his siblings huddled together in one single fleece blanket, steaming cups of hot cocoa in hand. Childish giggles and hushed stories erupted amongst you. Teucer having wrapped in your arms as he snuggled closer. Anthon and Tonia flanking your sides.

"Hey, who's fiancé do you think you guys are coveting?"

"Oh don't be like that, your siblings just miss them." his mother chided from the couch where she sat, an open book on her lap, she didn't seem to age and always looked so young that at first you were shocked to have been introduced to her.

"But mom, I haven't seen her all day." her son pouts as if he were still a child denied his candy

"Give me a break, you're always clinging onto her you know." his sister rolls those identical thalassic eyes at him "You wont die if you go a day without her."

"Listen here you little---"

"Ajax." you interjected, as much as you enjoy the siblingly banter of theirs, you cant have them going at each other with offensive words. His pleading gaze aimed at you as he practically begged for you both to go home.

"Please?"

"After I put Teucer to bed." you sighed, standing up with the youngest in your arms

"Seriously this guy." his sister groaned "I was having a good time."

"Tonia dear, we can continue our conversations tomorrow." you winked at her, it was a promise

"Fine."

Both of you bid farewell to his mother and made your way towards Teucer's room and tucking him in.

"Happy?" you turned to your fiancée, a narrowed look in your eyes as he grinned beside you

"Of course, sweetheart!" he pecked your lips as he pulled you closer

"Can you not do it in Teucer's room? Have some shame." his siblings' comments were endless, this time it was from his older brother.

"That's why were going home." Childe picked you up as you made a surprised yelp making the other party roll his eyes "Also, get ready to lose tomorrow brother. I'm getting that white deer for my lady."

"I'm looking forward to it."

The walk was short towards Childe's home as he preferred living alone. It was a grandiose manor and you were sure you will never get used to how big it was and filled with such furnitures of the finest quality.

"Well, how was your day darling?" you hummed, arms snaking around his neck

"Oh you wouldn't believe it."

...

It was there.

You felt it in the cold breeze that wafted into the room.

A shift in the flow of the wind, it was different yet familiar at the same time. Leaving the window open as the harsh temperatures of the night climbed and crawled inside. The curtains danced in the turbulent current of the gale, carrying songs only you could hear. Songs that made mountains tremble and build civilizations at the same time.

there was something foreboding, something terrifying and something heavy and dark that devoured anything in its path.

You heard him first before he came in through those doors, that tousled ginger hair of his caked with melting snowflakes in the warm glow of the lamps. His rugged appearance caused by the hunting competition between him and his older siblings induced his worn out state. That soft yet jaded smile of his was what welcomed you as he trudged inside the bedroom, lazily discarding his clothes on the basket for dirty laundry and entering the bathroom for a quick shower.

"why is the window open? " he asks you, sliding inside the warm covers

"I just wanted fresh air ." you smile as you shut the windows and pull the blinds enough for you to see the moon that hung above the sky. Joining him under the covers, you cradled him, his head resting on the crook of your neck. Your hands finding their way into those soft locks of his , entangling them as he hummed softly against you. Those arms of his that held weapons and skin littered with scars both old and new now held you close, so tenderly as if he'd never taken a life before.

"sing me a song, sweetheart. " his queries were simple yet genuine

"of course." you sang until you equated him to a sleeping newborn

It was warm, so warm that you could have mistaken it for a summer afternoon in Liyue, resting on the couch with silken pillows and window showcasing the view of the harbor below. The steaming cups of soothing tea Beidou would brew for you when nights became cold at times she would pay you a visit after trading that would take weeks, months and rarely years.

you slept.

Why is it cold? you wondered, Did Ajax open the windows?

You were blessed by the tsaritsa so such climates shouldn't matter to you.

You woke up.

A shadow was cast over you by the man youve sung to sleep. Virulent blue eyes looked at you with so much abhorrence, for a second you couldnt recognize them and thought it was a stranger to which you were ready to terminate.

"Ajax?" your voice was hoarse, as you slowly lost the feeling in your lips.

He was crazed, still trapped in that dreaming state of his, drifting between experiences. Today was a re-enactment of a memory he would never speak of, not even to you. There were parts of him he'd never tell you, such a soul as yours should never hear.

You choked and coughed as the metallic taste of mortal ichor filled your throat. How could you have not felt anything earlier? Was it because of your futile attempts to coax Ajax back into reality or was it because of the numerous thoughts your mind came up with to he answer as to why he is in such a virulent state. Excruciating pain filled your whole body as you writhed and struggled under his grip. It felt as if something was being ripped out of you.

"Ajax, darling come back to me." you cried, it took so much to even utter a word as you bled out, you know not where but you could feel it. The liquid vital for your survival was seeping out of you, flowing like a lazy river on an autumns day, only that it was warm, sticky and addicting.

"Ajax?" a hiss comes from that mouth, he cringes as you freed your numb hands to hold his face and he let you, seeing as to there was no point in stopping you as you dangerously danced on a tight rope of life and death. You couldn't tell in that delirious disposition of yours if his eyes were shifting between Ajax or the primal eyes of a beast hunting its prey.

It wasn't too late was it?

But why didn't your eyes meet his?

Who snuffed out all the lights?

"I've abandoned that name a long time ago."

The cold took over you completely, freezing you until you broke under his touch with words left dying in your ichor filled lips

and then fear was the last thing you felt.

fear that he might not return to his sweet, charming self.

fear that he will curse everything in his path.

fear that he might attempt to use different various methods to bring back what was lost

and fear of his ruination.

you care not for your death, even in your last minutes of life, you dare not blame him for what he's endured so far. only wishing he never had to experience such in the first place.

This is what the wind warned you about in its lullaby.

...

Childe woke up for the second time.

Oddly more worn out than the day before, but your songs always worked, how come? . He wondered if you left to make breakfast as the covers felt empty as he reached out for you. No, you were a late riser, always having to slumber in the middle of the warm covers of the bed you both share. It was he who mostly did the cooking in the morning. So your presence gone was a displacement in the moment of his waking.

His eyes had to adjust to the view of the room as he sat up, a yawn escaping his lips as he called for you. The pitter-patter sound of the water on the bathroom tiles were non-existent as he strained his ears to hear for any trace of you.

"What..." he was confused as to why the room was trashed, furniture broken in half and strewn about the room, the drapes shredded and laying on the floor and the mirror shattered to pieces, shards sharp enough to cut through skin yet he slept through such a thing?

his first concern was your safety as you had not been present in the room and it him.

the heavy stench of blood lingered in the air. His enjoyment for such things turned into something suffocating because blood was never shed in his own home nor in his very room. In the state of confusion, something dark caught his peripheral vision. A large blemish in the covers beside him, it was dyed a deep dark crimson and he knew well what it was. He began to shake in worry, telling himself not to panic until he finds you safe. All he could remember was you singing him to sleep, held captive in your soft arms, encased in your warmth, so how did it come to such a morning that looked like a result of a monster's tantrum. He calls out for you, his bare feet on the floor as splinters punctured them and he didnt care. he had to find you.

The hallways looked haunting, the portraits on the walls taunting him and he swore he was going lose it if he hadnt found you sooner, every room was achingly vacant and it felt like a dream. He calls for your name again in a frenzy as he rushes through the place, had the mansion been this big? he thinks as he runs down the stairs.

There in the fireplace, the dying embers of fire lit from the night before, wood giving away and turning into coal as the burning smell mingled with similar stench that engulfed the bedroom, the same dark liquid on the sheets was present as well, only that it was painted into the wall and bled down creating a cascading waterfall.

Because there you were, with arms spread out as if welcoming each and every sinner for solace and blessing them with forgiveness, the drying mortal ichor behind you creating a halo. Your lips upturned into something soft as if you'd do anything disgraceful to keep the effeminacy on a soul lost to ruin.

an angel crucified.

that oh so heavenly face of yours could rival anything beautiful, even statues would crumble under you, nations would go to war for you and bodies of those who want you would turn into a throne built for you and you only. You were immortally ethereal even in death.

Ajax, dear sweet Ajax felt his legs give away, energy having siphoned from him as he trembled so much that it could rival the mountains when they shook. Thalassic eyes, wide blown into grief, anguish and all other emotions crashed against him like strong waves that could drown anyone caught up in it. He knelt as pain spread through him like wildfire, burning, scorching and killing. Agonized cries filled the room and if someone were to pass by, they couldve mistaken it for a dying animal. He gasped and choked on his own breath as he dared to look at you, the tears freely flowing from his eyes, down to his pale cheek and finally falling off his trembling chin to be hungrily absorbed by the carpeted floor that was also tarnished by ichor.

He felt crazed as he wept and in that moment of insanity, he remembered. That most disgusting sin he's ever committed that he should never be pardoned for in the life he has right now and the next ones he will be in. Through the blur of tears, he saw his hands and he wished he didnt.

Sullied hands befitting a murderer.

He screams into the ground, doubling over as his hands find their way into his hair, gripping it and ripping out those jacinthe locks of his. He could never forgive himself now and he never will. He wails out loud until his own throat collapsed into a croaking mess.

and then he couldnt find himself no longer.

The sand of time seemed to trickle down slowly. His eldest siblings came looking for him, to continue the hunt. A once peaceful encounter turned into a nightmarish reality as they witnessed their brother rocking back and forth with you gingerly wrapped in his arms, mumbling your name. Lips pressed to your forehead as he prayed and begged for forgiveness over and over in hushed torn whispers as if it were enough to bring you back and cover that gaping hole in your abdomen.

"What did you do?"

...

"Brother, when are they coming back?"

Oh darling Teucer, innocence reflecting off his eyes as he tugged on his brother's sleeve. The toy you gifted him clutched tightly at his side.

"I dont know kid, their mission was sudden so its best to wait. Can you do that Teuc?" the truth about you was kept behind closed doors, only adults can speak of and if they did, it took time to keep the conversation smooth and off of any grief nor sadness when your name reached their tongue. The younger ones would never know until the time is right. When everything was taken care of and hearts moved on. 

Your funeral was held in secrecy yet was it was grand. Something that would hold the significance of your memories with them. It was beautiful, your favorite flowers lined along your coffin, and you. Looking ever so ethereal even when death has kissed you, clad in that dress Childe bought for you. 

"uh huh!" the youngest ginger nodded eagerly and skipped away as the eldest sighed into his hands, the pressure weighing heavily on his shoulders as he worried more and more about his younger sibling. Another memory, a mind broken and a his soul withering. was there any way to save him? 

Days seemed to go by as any glimpse of the man was scarce. Until one day they ceased to see him altogether. It started at lunch, a week after the funeral when it took everyone to coax him into eating more as he lost weight  and trickled down to a whole day. Cooped up in his room, clinging to a pillow with the fading scent of you. and then he was gone, like a snowflake melting upon ones forehead. They grew anxious and thought of the worse until they caught wind that he was back in Liyue from one of the agents only then were they allowed to breathe a little better. 

"Childe, what finds you here?" the calm tone of the geo archon's voice broke him out of his trance

"Have you seen my fiance?" Zhongli blinks at the question of the harbinger, he knew what befell you and yet this man before him seemed clueless enough as to what he committed. How Childe did what he did, he seemed to sympathize with in a way that would make him understand his behavior. 

" I have not." he couldnt bring himself to tell this man the truth. Perhaps he was sparing him, spearing that mind of his into spiraling down into nothingness and a heart that was held by a thin piece of thread. "Perhaps it is better to enjoy yourself while you wait for them." 

To deviate oneself from the loss might be the best way Childe right now until his mind is ready to accept the torment of the heavy truth that would slew this man. 

"I see. " he smiles and yet it feels so empty to Childe, the reason? He wouldnt know or atleast his mind wouldnt allow him to know 

"Ill see you around then Xiansheng." 

Everything that he portrayed lacked and all he could do as he's always did. 

...........

i had to.

I hope yall would get Childe :)

#genshin impact #genshin impact angst #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact drabbles #childe #childe angst #childe one shot #childe imagine #childe drabble #ajax #tartaglia

[aminiatureworld]

Steadfast

Characters: Childe, gn!reader

Word Count: 3,241

Warnings: Swearing, Angst

Premise: He’d always assured you that he wouldn’t change, that he was still the man he was before. And yet how different things were, and how much it hurt to see what had come to pass.

In which the reader sees the changes in Childe

Author’s Note: Thank you so much for this request anon! Really from the bottom of my heart thank you. I really liked the concept of this prompt, I feel like it really gave me an opportunity to focus on how relationships change and grow, rather than always writing about new couples, or people just beginning to fall in love, although there is of course that involved. It’s interesting to see how people grow and change, even if it can be a little sad sometimes. Writing this was kind of depressing, I hope that this wasn’t too sad, considering you requested hurt comfort. I might’ve gotten a bit carried away…

Funny story, I actually hate one of the people Childe shares a name with. Look what you did to Cassandra Ajax the Lesser, look what you did… So to make up for this unfortunate coincidence I pronounce the names differently in my mind. Ajax the Lesser is pronounce “A-jack-s” and Childe’s name is pronounced “Ai-axe”.

I decided not to bullet point this, as I feel like it works better in a more “traditional format”, that being said if bullet points are easier to read I can go back and fix that.

When you’d first fallen in love with Ajax it had been before the change.

Back then everything with him had seemed so exciting, like stepping into the sea for the first time. You were a bit afraid, worried that you might be swept away all at once, but another part of you wanted to run straight ahead, to immerse yourself in this new and exciting experience. Wanted to keep going and never look back.

 You’d known Ajax since before you could remember. The two of you had grown up in the same small village, where one could hardly take five steps without bumping into someone, and being close in age had made you automatic playmates. Ajax was a brash child, not always easy to get along with, but impossible to pull away from. Even when he knocked you to the ground, or sat on you so you couldn’t move, declaring himself the winner of whatever you’d been playing, you’d still run to meet him the next day, the tears you’d shed utterly forgotten. Childhood friends might’ve been a cliché, but it was truly then that Ajax as a person had begun to stick in your mind.

This only continued throughout the course of your adolescence. Attending the same schools you two were nearly inseparable, causing you merciless teasing from the rest of your classmates. Ajax apparently got the same treatment, resulting in him decking a kid who declared you two were going to get married when you grew up. He’d been suspended for a few days, but never seemed to regret it, and when you’d gone over to his house to ask about it he’d grinned as usual, proclaiming he’d gladly do it again.

Growing up was a difficult process, so many snags and pitfalls, new anxieties, and old ones that you’d never truly worried about before. But it was all perfectly fine with Ajax there. He was always ready to pick you up, and flash you a smile to go along with his help. No wonder you found yourself hopelessly infatuated him, years of trust and affection building up to the newfound feeling of love.

 And then Ajax went missing.

You still remembered the terror that shocked your system when his mother visited, tone unnervingly light, asking if you and Ajax weren’t playing some type of game. You’d bolted outside when she’d revealed Ajax had gone missing, running towards the woods that was the only exit to the village where you lived. The adults had quickly caught up to you, but your fears had already grabbed hold, and you found yourself confronted with all you felt for him. You loved Ajax. How did this happen? Love was still so foreign, a word you could throw around but never truly catch. And yet you loved him, you loved him very much. And now he was gone.

They didn’t let you see him initially, saying he was tired, he needed rest, he’d be alright in a few days. Your imagination had run wild, your mind spinning a terrible story. Perhaps he’d been mortally wounded, perhaps he could no longer see, made blind from the snow and the cold. Perhaps he wasn’t really back, and they were simply lying to make you happy. These thoughts chased you, and it was only when you saw him again that your heart settled, even if a part of you whispered that Ajax was altogether changed.

He’d begun to leave the village. Though no one quite knew where he was you certainly knew a lot of brawling was involved. He’d sometimes sneak into your house, in a last ditch effort to keep his parents and the rest of his family from finding out how much he’d truly changed. You’d cried sometimes, seeing him with black eyes and bruising, slashes of red marring his hands, his arms, his face. He didn’t like to see you cry, would start scolding you, as if it was some fault of yours to feel worried, to care for someone who already was growing into a stranger. He always realized his fault though, and after a little while he’d pat the spot next to him. You’d sit down, head sometimes on his shoulder, listening as he spun his tales of greatness into the night, as if he were a knight fighting a great dragon and its army, rather than a troubled new adult with nowhere to turn to in terms of understanding.

 When he’d ask you to be his partner you thought you’d never feel unhappy again. You felt like you were on air, kept grounded only by his arms around you, his heart beating steadily against your ear as you nestled against his chest. You could tell he was happy too, and though it amazed you slightly that he should be as in love with you as you were with him, you could only thank the Tsaritsa and every other archon under the stars, thank them for being so generous as to give you all you ever wanted.

It seemed such a funny thought in retrospect, when it was the Tsaritsa herself who was now tearing him away from you.

 “Ajax, how could you?!” Your voice felt odd to your ears, somehow too thin, distant, as if someone else was saying it. “You knew, you knew that you’d have to join the Fatui. So why, why in the name of the Seven did you start that fight!”

“They were asking for it!” Ajax’s voice was just as raw, frustration mixed with something unknown. Entitlement perhaps, fear otherwise. “You should’ve heard the things they said about me, about my family. How they’d raised a good for nothing thief, a shithead who knew nothing more than how to swing a sword, and who would one day meet someone bigger than him, and die in the street, given to the rats, utterly forgotten. I had to prove them wrong! It was a matter of honor!”

“It was a matter of ego!” You cried, feeling the ground spin slightly underneath you. “How could you let them goad you like that Ajax, goad you when you knew exactly what was going to happen.” Sitting down you put your head in your hands. The world was shattering around you, and there was no one to blame for it except the one you loved the most.

“My darling, please, I don’t want to fight.” Ajax knelt down in front of you, taking your hands in his as you raised your head to face him.

“You always want to fight…” you replied, voice hoarse, pitched barely above a whisper. “And now you’re leaving, leaving to be part of an organization of cowardliness and deceit. What happened to the adventures you were going to have? What happened to the dragons you were going to slay?”

“I’ll get them yet.” There was amusement in Ajax’s voice, but it was clearly forced, and soon forgotten about. “I promise it’ll be alright, my darling I would never do anything to knowingly hurt you.”

And yet you have, you thought. You’ve run a dagger through my heart, and now your talking to me as if I’m not being destroyed by it. It hurts, it hurts so damn much.

“You’re going away.” You finally replied. “You’re going away to a place that will only destroy you more. And now things will never be the same again. Haven’t you wondered about what will happen to you there? If you’ll ever be allowed to return home? Haven’t you wondered whether or not you’ll ever see your family again? Things will never be the same again Ajax, never. You’ve crossed the chasm, and now you cannot return.”

“Don’t talk like that.” Ajax placed a hand on your cheek. “I promise nothing will change. I will always be myself my darling. This is only a stepping stone, a piece of my journey. I promise, I promise I will always remain as I am. And I’ll never forget about you, nor my family, nor this village. Nothing is going to change. I’ll make sure it won’t. So stop crying my darling; tears never looked good on you anyways.”

And yet, how things have already changed. Still, you said nothing, instead wiping your eyes and pressing your forehead against Ajax’s. His familiar presence was reassuring, and you thought of the years ahead of you, perhaps the eternity ahead of you, when you could no longer rely on him being there. Your eyes welled with tears again, and this time you made no move to stop them. You let yourself cry. If there was anything in the world worth crying about, surely this was one of those things.

 There was a new name signed in Ajax’s letters. “Childe” was the first name, “Tartaglia” was the second. They seemed to mar the page somewhat, written in Ajax’s – no, Childe’s – bold, slashing script. You hated the names, hated the memories they stirred up, reminders of all you’d lost in such a small amount of time.

The day you’d found out Childe was to become a Harbinger you’d raged as you’d never raged before. Locking yourself in the small apartment you’d managed to find – having moved out of Morepesok once the memories had become too oppressive – you’d spent most of your time reading the letter over and over and over.

He’d wanted you to attended, writing you were basically his family at this point, and besides, he wanted to show you to the Tsaritsa. Though the line about family filled your heart with no little affection, you’d refused flat out. It would’ve been too painful, seeing the crux of his transformation; the death of Ajax, the birth of Tartaglia. Childe had said nothing to your refusal, but he was clearly worried, and for a while afterwards the letters were more frequent. But even that stopped after a while, and now you savored what little information you could get, the torn pages of last month’s note a testimony to how much you reread them.

You wished that you could somehow end this purgatory you’d found yourself in. Though you’d begun your own career by now, pushing yourself to your limits as you were sure Childe was doing in his, nothing seemed so important as the drama that had comprised your entire life. How long had you known Childe? You could no longer remember. Long ago, so very long ago. Back when the world was simpler, comprised only of candy from one of the big cities, and fighting over the best fishing rod. Tears were shed over particularly brutal games of tag, then forgotten the next day. How odd that world seemed now, something you could never go back to.

 Every once in a while you’d be met not by a letter, but by a visit. Those were the best days. The days where you could set all your worries and your unease away. When you could once more press your ear against Childe’s chest and feel the steady beating of his heart. As long as you could do that, maybe it’d be alright.

“How’s my darling?” Childe’s voice carried down the hall of your apartment. You’d dropped the letter you’d been reading, his letter, and ran towards the entrance. Throwing yourself in his arms you wept tears of joy. Childe returned the embrace just as enthusiastically, though his eyes were dry. They’d changed, his eyes, or perhaps you’d just learned to notice the hardness that resided in them. “I’m home.” Childe murmured, eyes closed, expression one of perfect bliss. “Don’t worry beloved, I’m home.”

His presence never left yours the days he came to visit. Always there was an arm slung around your waist, or a chin resting on your shoulder or your head. His presence was as comforting as ever, and you soaked it in gladly. He’d changed. Not that you were surprised by that, of course he’d changed. His confidence was much more calculated, his words now slicked with flattery and deceit. He easily persuaded the fishmonger to give you a discount, and some sweet talk with the waiter at a café you frequented earned you a free lemon loaf. You took it, knowing that he just wanted to treat you, but the sugary confection stuck to the roof of your mouth, which had somehow developed a bitter taste.

You said nothing about it. There was no longer any point in arguing. You two were tied together by all sorts of strings. History, location, youth, love. And yet you’d gone your own separate ways. No more were the dreams of adventuring together. The real world had come along and stolen it away. The Tsaritsa had ripped that future from your grasp, and with it went your happiness.

“Are you happy, my love?” Childe asked late one evening. You were cuddled on the small couch in what comprised your living room. You nestled against Childe, breathing him in. Were you happy? No. But in that moment you weren’t unhappy either. In that moment you could forget it all.

“Do you think that sailors feel lonely?” You asked instead, drawing circles absentmindedly on the palms of Childe’s hands. He wore gloves now, expensive ones, not like the mittens that were popular in Snezhnaya. It was so odd to watch him put them on each morning. How things had changed. “They must be lonely,” you continued now, “for there’s nothing but the ship, the water, and the stars above.”

Childe paused, staring off into the distance. He did that a lot recently. You didn’t begrudge him it. Sometimes, when he was in a frank sort of mood, he admitted that he didn’t like the Fatui’s underhanded nature. Better to fight something head on than attack from the shadows. He’d quickly added on that it was the Tsaritsa’s wish, and surely she must know better than him. But it must’ve been difficult, following a path so different than the one you were born to. Betraying your nature, every day of your life.

“It must be lonely sometimes.” He finally replied, glancing back at you. “But I don’t think they’re lonely, no. The stars may be far away, but they’re steadfast, unchanging. And sailors will always be able to rely on them.” You were silent, considering his views.

“Still... stars are so very cold.”

“Perhaps, but they’re also beautiful, are they not? And like I said, who ever heard of a star changing?” A pause, as it seemed Childe was steadying himself, dipping into unpleasant territory. “I hope I will always be your star, my love. I hope you will always be able to rely on me.”

“I will.” You promised, giving Childe a quick kiss. You meant it, even if you weren’t sure that the metaphor was apt. Childe was forever changing; his mannerisms, his name, his location, his words. Sometimes it seemed as if there was nothing left of Ajax, nothing but a small sliver of light, shivering in the darkness that was fate.

“And I will always remained steadfast in my love for you.” Childe promised in return. “For there is nothing more important to me than family, and you are my family. You are that which I hold closest to my heart, and I’ll never stop loving you. I promise.”

His words were smoother than they had been before, polished by the need to be appealing to those who heard it. But you knew they were true. All throughout your life, throughout the pain, the hardship, the feeling of slowly falling off a cliff, all throughout that the one thing that remained was the love between you and Childe. Even if you had nothing, at least you had that.

“Childe?” He grimaced at the word and you paused. “Ajax,” you began again, “are you happy?”

Childe didn’t reply, instead leaning over to kiss you. You reciprocated it gladly, not truly wanting an answer to your question, although a part of you desperately needed it. Was Childe happy? You couldn’t tell. But despite your newfound hatred for the Tsaritsa, your disdain for the gods which had grown in the years of your hardship, your long abandoned faith, you still prayed to the Seven that Childe was happy. Because he deserved it. Because you loved him.

 You tried not to cry when he left, wanting to see him off with a smile and a wave, the way noble men and women would wave to the knights who were on their way to save the kingdom. But always your voice betrayed you, cracking and shaking, trembling violently against the knowledge that you wouldn’t see your loved one again, not for a very long time.

“Be careful.” You whispered, giving Childe one last hug.

“I will.” He assured you, kissing your forehead. “You be careful as well my love, I couldn’t stand it something were to happen to you. If anything happens, think of me, I’ll rush to your side immediately.”

“Don’t forget to write,” you replied, switching the subject so you didn’t have to think about the implications of Childe abandoning the Fatui, what might happen to him if he tried, “your letters are all I have.”

“I hope that’s not true!” Childe said, tone full of false mirth. “I hope you’re happy beloved, I hope you find happiness when I’m gone. Your life ought not to be spent waiting for me.”

“But you’re all I have.” You replied, staring down at the ground. “Everything has changed. My home, my work, my future. Even you’ve changed, you just keep changing and changing, running farther and farther away. But you’re still all I have. And I have to hold on to you, no matter what.”

Childe brought his hand to your cheek, raising your gaze up.

“I’m not changing my darling. No matter what I do, no matter where I go, I’m still Ajax. I’m still the man who wants to spend his life with you, who wants to travel the world with you, fighting monsters, sleeping under the stars at night. I’m still the man who wants to wake up with you every night and go to bed with you every morning. I’ll never run ahead of you, I’ll never leave you behind. Because if I’m all you have then you are what keeps me myself. You are why I can still be Ajax. And that will never change. So don’t despair, and don’t let yourself be swallowed up while I’m gone. Live your life to the fullest, I promise I’ll always be there, waiting for when you need me.”

 Childe waved from the ship he’d boarded until it disappeared over the horizon. You waved back, even as your arm ached and your hand fell asleep. “Goodbye.” You whispered to the wind. There was no reply, but then again you weren’t looking for one.

Childe, Ajax, Tartaglia. These names all belonged to the one you loved. He was a whirlwind, a rogue current which had knocked you off your feet, carrying you into uncertainty. And yet you welcomed him, longed for him, loved him with all your soul.

Even if things kept changing, even if the Fatui’s hold on him only grew stronger, you’d still believe in him. He was your star, guiding you through a desolate ocean. Even if he sometimes disappeared behind the clouds, he’d always be there. You had to believe that, had to trust him.

He was your star after all.

Your Childe.

Your Ajax.

#If you really want to feel down look up the lyrics to “Dear You” and have it on as you read #For some reason the Higurashi soundtrack really fits this fic #I realize there’s a lot of crying in this I hope it’s not too much #childe #childe x reader #genshin impact #genshin impact fanfiction #oneshot #my writing

[streets-in-paradise]

Royal Treatment

 Troy (2004) Reader Insert Fanfiction - Part 10 

Word Count:  + 9 K

Characters ( most mentioned) : Achilles, Mycenaean Princess!Reader, Helen, Patroclus, Ajax, Agamemnon, Menelaus. 

Pairings: Achilles x Mycenaean Princess!Reader.

Warnings:  Very light smutty undertones.

Summary: Since her last private encounter with Achilles left her with more doubts than certainties, the princess keeps trying to obtain a clear answer from him. During the celebrations, she comes up with an idea to test his interest. 

Disclaimers: This was inspired by a mix of greek music ,various drum solos and improvisations of greek folk that I found on youtube and some mediterranean, egyptian and turkish music I have been listening to. Also, I want to apologise if part of this sucks. i’m still learning how to write some stuff and I don't know if this is as good as it was in my head when i pictured it. 

Note: My use of the name Alexander here is only a reference. I know that’s how Paris was called in some versions of the myths and I’m only playing word games with that. 

Tags: @yerevasunclair @mother-dearest-loves-me 

The celebrations started with a short formal gathering in the throne room. The place was slowly getting crowder and the princess arrived later than usual but it wasn’t a concerning time range. Wordlessly, she returned to her spot alongside her father. She noticed the cup of wine he was holding and smiled to the pourer that remained close to him. The servant boy smiled back and the king looked at him like he was ready to order his execution. As a soft gesture of support against his bad mood, she holded his free hand. She knew that words of reassurance trying to explain herself or a convincing tale weren’t enough, so she tried something else. The sudden contact made him stare at her. He was still upset, she saw it in his eyes. Quickly, she changed the intention of her approach. Instead of acting like a caring daughter giving him reassurance, she showed the support of a loyal subdit. She kissed his knuckles and bowed her head in sign of respect, pretending to recognize his absolute authority over her. Agamemnon reacted positively, giving her a half smile that wasn’t exactly of approval but showed forgiveness. He was vainglorious about his self perceived but non existent mercy, appealing to that was more effective than trying to show affection.

The obsequious flatterers of the king started to gather around them, since that part of the festivities was nothing but an excuse to formally celebrate himself. Inevitably, some of the praise fell upon her and she kept her attitude towards it pleasing and passive, avoiding smart remarks or destacable commentary. She wished she could be left alone with her friends, but she had to keep performing for a bit longer. Helen was close to her and right next to her husband, but the distance that implied was a real bother. They shared some complicit glances despite being under the watch of the brothers.

Using their unexpected presence as an excuse to flatter their own egos, both kings started to show off some of the treasures of the conquest presented as gifts for the ladies. Argos wasn’t sacked, there was no need for excessive violence because Achilles speeded up their surrender. Still, as it did for other cities, their submission implied some concessions. Agamemnon got the military control of the land and demanded a share on the treasures of the city. Since he didn’t have a queen, his daughter had to occupy the passive role in his acts of ostentation. She had a collection of jewelry that was entirely based on stolen relics from every city he conquered, having at least one for every place. That wasn’t going to be the exception. The acquired riches were everything he had to brag about after Achilles took the symbolic glory. Knowing that most of the presents must have heard about what the warrior demanded of her, it was also a good way to reinforce her royal magnificence and the image of his control over her. On that occasion, the commemorative object of the victory she got was a necklace.

The young women were the centre of attention, as luxury objects whose value was being increased. Menelaus was acting like a loveful husband to Helen while he filled her with gifts from his share of the spoils, his older brother almost looked like a sweet, prideful father. The ceremonialize praise was hypocrisy, but it was fun for both girls to see their despicable owners pretending to be caring. Fortunately for their exhausted selves, the last and most expectant arrival stole all the attention.

As always, Achilles showed up very late. He tended to skip the pointless ceremonies that weren’t about him and he liked to leave his public hanging. Eudorus and Patroclus entered the room at his right and left side, wondering what he was going to do next. Without minding the context or any appearances of propriety, he walked right to the front of the crowd. Once he found his spot to stay, he blatantly stared at the ladies and saluted them from afar with a smile. Before his entrance, Agamemnon was in the middle of a self complacent speech that he interrupted. The sight of such a simple act creating more distraction irritated him even more. The king tried to save words with him, but Achilles robbed him of the speech before he could carry on.

“ My apologies to the ladies, I almost miss their honors.” He simply commented. “ Quite a charming pair, very sweet. I hope they enjoy what my effort got for them.”

The women stared at each other.

“ It’s not my wish to offend you, brave Achilles, but I don’t depreciate my husband’s courage.” Helen replied with extreme politeness.

“ Father knows my taste in jewelry.” was the princess’s defense.” And he is a smart strategist and clever politician. The brightest conductor of the army, of course.” She smiled to the king, trying to look like a sweet praiser. “ Your alliance is a treasure we must cherish because your accomplishments together are an honor to us all.”

” You honored me, I’m doing the same. “ the myrmidon replied.

“ It was no bother, the glory is yours. Nobody questions that.” The princess gave him the most formal answer that occurred to her in the moment.

Trying to keep with the ceremonial tone, she created an immediate distraction to relieve the tension of the moment.

“ Can we all thank this man as he deserves? This is an historical day for the city. He is the first fully consecrated hero in the times of my father.”

To her exhortation, claps and cheers filled the precinct. After that, Agamemnon decided to put an end to the formalities. There was no way of making it about himself again, so he concluded it. The festivities continued in the banquet hall.

Helen tried to reach her niece so they could do the short walk there together, but her very pleased husband stumbed in their way. Unlike his brother, he was radiant of pride because of the fervent defense that his wife did of him. If he didn’t love Helen, at least he loved how she made him feel.

Agamemnon grabbed his daughter by the wrist before she could escape to their side. Holding hands for the appearances, the started a whispered argument.

“ This is your second mistake in a row. What do i have to do with you?” He reprimanded her.

“ I got away from that shameful situation in the most elegant way, that’s what I’m supposed to do. If i were a man, I would have punched him.” She lied.

“ If you were a man, I wouldn't need him.”

“ Do you think that you would have had your own Hector of Troy if I would have been your baby boy? Quit dreaming, father. This is what you have, I do my best to serve you.“

“ You call this serving me??”

“ Who do you think I was serving when I agreed to bathe him ? Do you think that I enjoyed being degraded into servant work for him ? ” She fakely complained. ” I hate his petty audacious attitude as much as you do, but I stand him because it is what I have to do. You don’t know how hard I’m trying for you.”

She released herself from his grab.

The banquet involved less tension because the informal ambient demanded less interaction between them. She had to sit next to her father and keep with the good behaviour but the distractions kept him too busy to keep bothering her. She remained silent most of the time, but she didn't mind.

Achilles and Ajax were the centre of attention. They had a toast in their honor and people started doing them all sorts of questions. Ajax looked a bit upset because the myrmidon stole what he perceived as his chance to get major glory. He was doing a relatively good act pretending not to care about Achilles's decisive role in the victory and she felt a bit bad for him. One of her very short interventions on the talking was an attempt to validate him, but Agamemnon used her comment as a startpoint for malicious comparisons against Achilles. Using his massive amount of knowledge on heroic tales, Patroclus solved the situation. He did a magnificent defense of both heroes, talking about the complementary balance of their best traits with examples of some of their past feats. His eloquence was impressive for someone of his age, as it was his audacity to argue with the king.

Helen was having the time of her life just by witnessing how Menelaus's nervousness was growing at every instant. It was very strange for her to see him like that, fearing that anything could trigger a suspicious response from his brother. He was having a small sample of the life of lies he forced her into and she loved it. The funniest aspect about the situation was that Patroclus maintained a respectful tone the entire time. He was polite in his corrections and Agamemnon would have been the one looking bad if he would have reacted harshly.

While hearing their argument, Achilles glanced at the royal ladies for an instant. He noticed a slight change in his cousin's attitude, a rush of confidence that he wasn't expecting him to display at least there. He started suspecting their involvement and it's possible partial influence on him. The women glanced back innocently and the three shared their prideful approbation.

Patroclus's shift on the conversation frustrated the king's intentions of turning one hero against the other. Ajax got his well deserved acknowledgement and the curious boy took his chance to do all sorts of specific questions to him, giving him a moment to shine without entering in disputes with Achilles.

Since her comment started the argument,the young myrmidon tried to engage the princess in his rambling. She wasn't versed in the technical aspects of combat, but she tried to remain as a curious listener. Ajax's point, supported by the boy, was to affirm that he was the strongest man in Greece while Achilles was the fastest. He was trying to impress his listeners with less known anecdotes referring to that quality. Achilles didn't bother in refuting him and he barely paid attention because he was amusing himself by subtly ruining the girl's focus on whatever he was telling. Imperceptible gestures, smirks or just staring at her for longer than necessary were enough to achieve it. Staying concentrated in the talk was impossible for her, but she managed the situation adecuately.

When the meal concluded and the dancing started, Ajax offered her to join the festivities with him. She declined in favor of staying as Helen's companion. Ereny asked the princess's permission to be released from her daily duties and, once it was given to her, both handmaids got it. They knew that the young girl was going for the myrmidon captain and they wished her good luck.

The queen was left once more to witness how her husband chased the concubines. She didn't love him nor cared for what he did with them, but the blatant display was humiliating. She struggled to keep the appearances of love between them, but he made it harder everyday. The prideful public aspect of his cheating upsetted her because it was an insult to her pride as a woman. Her niece stayed with her, promising her that they would only have to wait until the brothers would leave the room with their respective companies.

She was feeling slightly disencouraged as well. That was a great time to lose herself in the dispersion of people, but there were too many stares following Achilles and she would never get there unnoticed. An insane amount of women were expectantly waiting to be chosen by him for the night. The ladies were competing for his attention, some being less subtle than others. She wasn't jealous, but she didn't want to engage in that game. She never tried to compete for attention and she wasn't sure of wanting to start there.

While she remained in her seat watching the crowd, her mind kept focused on one thought: Achilles seemed to fancy her in some way, but she still didn’t know how. She started fearing about the image he had of her. He described her as cute, he said that her face was adorable. Those were compliments fitting for a sweet girl, not an attractive woman.

She didn't have any certains but, if it was the case, she wished she could prove him wrong. He teased her for a very long while and she wanted revenge, but she was the princess and she couldn't allow herself such behaviour. She urged to show him how perfectly capable of displaying sensuality she was and the first thing that occurred to her was dancing.

She never showed off in public about the full capacity of her skills. Immediately as she got older enough to be allowed to stay late night in festivities, she got enraptured by the dancing of the concubines and she ended up learning to dance from them. She wanted to learn it only for herself, because she loved the graceful aesthetical aspects of the movements and she admired their performances. Her father didn’t allow her to do it but, like almost every other thing bringing joy to her life, she did it behind his back.

It was her secret talent. If she could disguise herself in the group of dancers to participate in their performance, it would be hard to difference her from the actual performers. With that in mind, she started imagining Achilles's reaction if he could see her dancing like that. She wondered if he would feel as teased as he made her feel, if he would acknowledge her womanhood and if he would want her.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Helen.

" Do we have to stay like this the entire time?" She complained.

" We have to wait until they leave. It’s the best for now. " The girl replied. " I don't get it. Does he enjoy himself thinking that everyone is watching him cheat on you or what? Anyone would expect that after the devotion you faked he would think it twice and be more discrete but no, there he is... making you look like a fool. "

" I'm thankful to get him away from me. I only wish he could have some decency and keep it private.” The queen confessed. ” I don't deserve this humiliation. I'm a good wife, I do everything he demands of me. All I ask in return is to be respected, at least in public." Her voice was breaking a bit.

“ It’s never enough with them, they only think about themselves. “ the princess reminded. her.” I think we should do the same more often.”

“ What we did classifies as such.”

“ It wasn’t entirely selfish. We saved lifes … and their egos from an historical defeat. I mean a bit of real selfishness. A good payback. ”

“ I just want to be left alone. A lover wouldn’t repair the scars in my pride.”

“Many men would give everything they have for a night with you.” The princess commented to her. “ Do you never feel the need of being desired by a man that you want? “

“ Where did your good judgement go?” Helen mocked her.

“ You know everything about my sentimental life, but we never talk about yours.”

“ What most of those men have to offer is not what I would wish.” The queen explained. “ I have experienced desire. If we are talking about impossible aspirations, I want love.”

“ Why choose? You can have both.”

“ What did I do of you? Are you hearing yourself? Aren’t you the same girl whose goal was to have a nicely arranged marriage planned by herself using political strategy ? ”

“ You don’t want me to give up on love. Why should I let you do it ?

" You know better than anyone why I have to."

" That's not going to happen. My mother was alone, we have each other." the princess remarked. " Look at what we accomplished. We stopped a massacre, made a new friend and I got closer to the man I love, more than I ever thought I would be. "

" I told you, it is too late for me. "

" Helen,I used to think that my feelings for Achilles were a fantasy. I was ready to accept it as a comforting dream and carry on with my life. Thanks to you, I changed my mind. " the girl explained. "You have helped me so much. How can you think that I wouldn't do the same for you? "

" I doubt I would find love in a place like this, but I appreciate your concern. " the queen stated.

" Promise me that, if you do someday, you will let me help instead of giving up."

" We won a battle, dear. Not the war. " Helen clarified.

" We can win many more. " her niece reassured her. " You deserve to be loved and to own your desire."

"To be honest, I feel I’m more aware of what I don’t like in a man than of my actual preferences. I don't know what i like anymore. "

" Don't worry. We have time, i would love to help you to rediscover your taste. If it is not now, we will keep digging into figuring it out."

" It's not wise to get involved with someone that would never be mine. "

" You know what? I think I overcomed that. '' the princess declared. " I don't care anymore. Maybe Achilles will never be mine and so what? I want to be with him, I don't mind how. Perhaps he will never make me his wife and that's fine, I don't need to own him to love him. Love is not only about marriage. If marriage can exist without love, love can exist outside of marriage and you can find it. "

“ You have to tell me now what happened in that excuse of a bathing ceremony.” Helen teased her, encouraged and excited.

The princess tried to explain it to her carefully, watching over her expressions and paranoidly checking for the presence of unwanted listeners. Listening to her cheered Helen up.

“ What are you doing sitting here? “ she reprimanded her.

“ If I’m going to do a move, it has to be safer than this. “ The girl clarified. “ I can’t risk being seen by my father or inspiring gossip.”

“ He could have kissed you right there. “

“ Reason in the form of Hesione stopped me from finding out if he would have .” The princess added. “ I don’t know if i can do it now. Have you seen all those women ready to step on each other's heads for him? I’m not going to do that.“

“ You don’t have to be part of that,you are one step ahead.” Helen stated “ If you want a moment to get things clear. This is it.”

With that, she dragged her up from her seat.

The young ladies mixed themselves in the crowd, trying to have fun on their own. The princess procured not to concentrate in trying to find Achilles and just enjoy herself in the company of her aunt. Helen’s mood improved from the brief downfall it had because she redirected her thoughts. Instead of thinking of the public humiliation brought to her by her husband’s behaviour, she focused on the victory over him that she got. She humiliated him indirectly, her actions caused a situation that made him feel like an idiot in front of his brother. Some justice was served that time and she was able to celebrate. It was a small triumph, but just thinking about that made her start laughing without an apparent reason. The sudden boost in her joyful mood started to manifest in her dancing.

The queen’s grace was famous, but Helen never looked prettier as she did when she was really happy. She irradiated her emotions and the ambient felt renewed around her. Bright of happiness, she started dancing right in front of the musicians and the magnetic effect of her approach made them play the same song for longer, just so she wouldn’t leave. The percussionist was jaw dropping with her and even the princess was impressed by how obvious he was.

He was bewitched, but not in a lustfull way. The handsome young man was worshipping Helen with his music and she started responding with her dancing straightly to him. Since she realized that her niece was right next to her evaluating the situation, she encouraged her to follow her moves instead of teasing them with stares. Then, both girls found themselves dancing for the musicians and letting themselves go to the beat of their music.

Unlike the queen, the princess tried to keep her moves as chaste and cheerful as possible. Still, forgetting all her concerns to the sound of the music almost ruined her intentions . The fastening of the beat betrayed her for an instant and some very inappropriate hip flicks she did under the influence of the stimulation around her impressed her dancing companion. She isolated the movement of her hips to the rhythm of the song with a great synchrony. Sharp hip flicks combined with contractions of the lower belly creating a single circled swing. Cheering from the crew of artists made her realize of how she let herself go completely and she calmed down, going back to her usual style.

It was too late, Helen was too curious to let it go. Once the song ended, she had to abandon her admiror. Then, she started questioning her.

“ What was that?? It was incredible! “ She complimented her.

“ Sorry. The beat was great and you were pushing me in the wrong direction.”

“ When were you going to tell me about this?” The queen recriminated her.

“ Our mystery is solved. I think you are into pretty boys worshipping you with respect. Sweet admiration, not those looks of when you know that the man is mentally undressing you.” The princess teased her to avoid the topic.

“ Don’t try to get away from this. “ Helen teased back. “ You have to teach me that.”

“ I lost control, I wasn’t supposed to do that here .” the princess excused herself.

“ You will explain to me later where that came from, now I want to learn how to move my hips like that.”

“ We all have our unique ways of expression. You have your makeup skills, I have this.” the girl joked. “ I didn’t mean to hide it from you, the occasion to show you never presented. “

“ It presented itself now.” Helen rectified. “ We have music and a proper space. “

She was reluctant, but agreed.

“ Only because it’s you who is asking. I owe you too much to say no.” She admitted. “ This is absolutely inappropriate so i will only show you hip moves. For a proper lesson, I need secrecy."

“ Forget protocols, we are having fun.” Helen encouraged her.

Her niece took the position of instructor and decomposed the otherwise integrated steps of the movement so Helen could learn it and copy it. Very slow like at first, the queen achieved it with great enthusiasm. The princess oriented her into repeating it a few times before trying to find a pace with the rhythm. She guided her into picking that pace and, soon, both were dancing at a matching tempo. Helen looked bright with happiness.

" I don't want to brag, but this makes me feel beautiful." she joked.

" It's not very lady-like, but it's fun." her niece replied.

They were being happy with themselves, not caring about anything else. The relegated corner of the place they picked as their fun zone wasn't the safest spot to feel some freedom, but it was the best they had. For once, they ignored the certain chances of attracting stares, the perceptions and everything that tied them. The princess showed the queen two more combinations of hip movements. They were trying hip locks to the sides when a sudden but partially expected intromision ruined their bubble of concentration.

" Watch out, princess. Those moves look so sharp that you could have cutted me with your hips." Achilles told the mycenaean as he passed by right next to her.

The sound of his voice was enough to make her jolt and she lost herself to it, immediately stopping what she was doing.

" I’m glad to see you having fun. I tought you weren't going to get up. " Patroclus cheerfully saluted them, appearing right after him.

Both ladies at once responded to his greetings.

" What are you doing over here?" Helen inquired. " We saw you dancing right in the center with some girls a while ago. You are doing great."

" To be fair, most only looked at me because I'm standing next to him." the boy admitted. " When we came nobody cared but now everyone does because they found out I'm the cousin of Achilles."

" I'm doomed to always being the daughter of Agamemnon, very few people care beyond that." the princess commented. " I treasure those and don't mind for the rest. "

" Don't worry. You will make a name for yourself soon and that will end." Helen added. " Younger noble girls from big cities can be like that but growing up makes them wiser. In a few years, you will start to be seen as yourself and they will adore you. "

Achilles was impressed by the soft naturality of their interactions. They were comforting him as close friends. He kept listening to their conversation.

" It's fine, It doesn't affect me that much. " Patroclus tried to explain himself better. " In fact, I'm hiding from your husband."

To the mention of him, Helen looked exasperated.

" What has he done now?"

" He was talking with Achilles and I was there with them. " the boy started telling them. " He must be too drunk to care about being too friendly. He started saying nice things about me and ended up offering me a woman. "

Helen got second hand embarrassment.

" I'm sorry, darling. Did he make you feel uncomfortable?"

" He said some stupid thing about how he had her before and she was perfect to make me a man. It was disgusting."

" That's the House of Atreus at it's best. Imagine them at their worst. " the princess added. " Ignore him, Pat. You may be too young, but are already a better man than him."

" I have faith in you." Helen emphasized. " I think you 'll be a great hero because your morals match your potential as a warrior. You will make us all proud."

" We love you. " the princess concluded. " Keep ignoring anything you hear from him or my father. They think they know better than everyone else but they are the worst combination of cruel and stupid. "

" I leave him with you just once and you are already pampering and overprotecting him?” Achilles commented, his mocking hiding a shade of happiness. " He knows that Menelaus is not a good example of what truly means to be a man. "

" He has you. " the queen complimented him. " You aren't perfect, but you are guiding him right. It doesn't matter how many battles you win. To me, he reflects the best of you. "

Patroclus smiled at her. Helen's praise impacted him in a positive way.

" She wasn't a strong supporter of you." The princess clarified. " Her opinion changed after meeting him."

" Spending so much time with people who love you changes the perspective. " The queen hinted, indirectly including her niece in the affirmation." I used to think you were a cold, emotionless man with no care for anything. Your bond with Patroclus is only one of many proofs of how wrong I was. I commited with you the same mistake everyone does with me: I judged you by what you appear to be. "

" Good, It's mutual." Achilles simply replied. " You are stronger than what I thought you could be. I started to see it in all the stories that your niece has told me about your shenanigans. I like you a lot more thanks to her."

" It's the first time ever when somebody likes me first. In Sparta, you will be addressed as Patroclus's cousin." the boy added, mocking him with pride.

" Seeing you again in my lands would bring me great joy. '' Helen stated." I hope that this shameful experience with Menelaus didn't scare you away."

" Don't worry, queen. " Achilles reassured her. "If you are guilty of anything, is of cherishing so much that he doesn't want to leave your side."

" I have new friends that like me for me. Get over it. " his little cousin kept joking.

" I celebrate it. They are a good influence for you. " Achilles replicated." Today you humiliated a king for the first time and you did it so cleverly that he couldn't find a way to argue. Agamemnon, of all kings. I can't be more proud. "

" He deserved it. He was trying to create spite between you and Ajax. That's low, even for someone like him. '' Patroclus explained.

" Thanks for helping me there. If it wasn't for you, he wouldn't have stopped until offending one using the other." The princess told him." Not so long before he used to say that Ajax was a brute fool from an insignificant kingdom, now he wants to make him the next Hercules. He is desperate, he wants so badly to get rid of your cousin that he is willing to accept any other who would obey him.``

" I feel bad for any contestant in the army aspiring to get the same glorification he has." the boy affirmed. " Achilles has you, that's a great advantage. They will never make it."

The princess laughed softly, glancing at the warrior.

Achilles's gaze followed hers, in complicity.

" You are the queen's favourite, you will run with the same advantage. "

" The bright daughter of the highest commander designs political strategies for you… All the rest are doomed."

" You are so sweet!" the princess thanked him.

" I don't see why not pointing it out. "

" Agamemnon is too foolish to see it, but you think like a politician." Helen told her.

" What's greatly convenient, because having to stand polítical tangles is what Achilles hates the most about his work. " Patroclus insisted.

" Odysseus had helped him with that countless times. " the young lady reminded him.

" He is a king, his polítical work is for his own benefit." Helen remarked. " I know they are good friends, but the goal of Odysseus's work is not to raise him up above all the heroes."

" His competence has no chance because now he has you aligned with him and working with his interests. Honestly? I think that's a bit unfair." Patroclus concluded.

" They must have their own tricks." Achilles defended himself. " I guess she is mine now."

" We shouldn't be discussing this here. " the princess warned them. " Can we bring up something else ? This is a party, we are supposed to talk trivial things. "

" Where did you learn to dance? " Helen asked, pretending to be innocently curious.

" Seriously??"

" It is a trivial topic. " the queen remarked before explaining herself to the recently arrived men. " What you just saw was me attempting to learn some incredible moves I saw her doing. I had no idea, it was a total surprise and I'm very curious."

" The story behind it is not as interesting as you think it is." the princess clarified.

" When she says that, assume the opposite." Achilles mocked her.

" I have been secretly involved in dance practices of the palace's concubines for years. I don't like to show it at parties because it is something I learned for my own gratification and my father is not supposed to find out. " She confessed " Helen looks so happy, she inspired me to relax and I forgot were I was."

" Wait, are you a dancer? That explains a lot of things. " Patroclus commented, impressed. " I wrecked you when we were trying to teach you self defense but I noticed that you have some flexibility. "

" It's nothing compared with what it requires to be a fighter. '' the princess corrected him. " Being more specific, I'm not a dancer because it's not my occupation. I learned from actual dancers and I practice for fun. It's very liberating for me, a great pastime during the absences of my father. "

" How is it that we keep discovering secrets of yours? " Achilles asked.

" You are one of the few who know me as i am. " she tried to explain herself. " I discovered my fascination with dancing right after I started being allowed to stay all the way during parties. I saw a performance and I knew then that I wanted to do that. I wasn't paying attention to the lustful men around the dancers, I loved their movements. Men may see it only as their entertainment, but the dance looks like a celebration of femminity. I wanted that."

" How did you do it?" Helen insisted.

" It took some time. " She started telling. " When Agamemnon saw me following the girls at a gathering because I was trying to learn from them he was scandalized. He forbade it to me, he said that dancers were whores and no daughter of his was going to humiliate him behaving like a whore. He tried to make it up for me by sending me to the temple of Artemis to dance with the priestesses."

" Of course, you had to learn from the virgins. How would you dare to question his expectations? " Helen joked, sarcastically following the line of the reasonament.

" It wasn’t my wish, I did it because he said it. Dancing like a priestess was not what I wanted.” the princess kept explaining “ I went to the temple, behaved well, learned what they wanted to teach me and worshipped the goddess in the ritual dances. The priestesses liked me and my father started bragging about how his girl was so pure that the temple of the virgin goddess wanted her."

" He didn't let them have you because he needs grandchildren if he wants his bloodline to continue. " Patroclus guessed.

" I wouldn't have joined them. I honor the gods and sometimes i pray, but i never felt loved by any of them. I respect the dedication of their priestesses, they find fullfilment in serving them. It's not for me, I never felt the mistic call. " She commented. “I did what I was sent to do, I was respectful and that was the end of it. It didn't erase my original interest for the profane dances as Agamemnon thought it would."

Helen laughed briefly. It was always funny to hear examples of the complete ignorance about the sensibilities of women that the Atrides had.

" I waited until his next absence and I went to learn with the concubines of the palace. " The princess kept explaining. " They are not used to being respected by ladies. When I told them that I admired their dancing and I wanted to learn from them they didn't know what to say. It must have impacted them, because they agreed to instruct me in secret. That's how I learned. I keep joining their practices when I can. It helps me to relieve tension and it is my secret way of self expression."

" You managed to make yourself be equally liked by temple maidens and palace dancers? You are a true politician, even outside of politics." Achilles pointed out.

His comment made her smile.

“ Now that I think about it, It is the first time I see you dancing. I didn’t have the pleasure at the wedding party.” He reminded her.

“ I didn’t dance much that time and, certainly, not as i like to when I’m not being watched.” She replied.” This was an accident, Helen was flirting with one of the musicians and the ambient inspired me to lose control.”

“ I wasn’t flirting, I was dancing to his interpretation.” The queen defended herself.

“ You don’t need excuses with us. If you want me to kill your husband, just make a sign.” Achilles joked.

Helen laughed more than what she should have.

“ She is thinking about it!” Patroclus added, cracking of laughter.

“ It is not worthy to ruin your reputation for it, but thanks for the offer.”

“ It can be an accident in the middle of a battle. We can say that he got in the way of my spear.”

The princess laughed harder then.

“ See? She gets me.” The warrior commented.

“ It’s the same kind of grim joke I would have made.” She explained, still laughing. 

They shared glances, looking deeply into each other’s eyes for an instant. 

“ Do you want to dance with me?” Achilles offered her. “ We couldn’t last time and you are making me curious..” 

She took his hand as a sign of approval, smiling with delight. 

“ You can dance with me, Helen.” Patroclus playfully added, remarking how they seemed to have forgotten of them. 

Helen grabbed his hand and both were laughing, 

They walked following the intensity of the music’s sound with the intention of finding the group of musicians again. When they resumed dancing the princess stopped caring about anything else but her partner. It was reciprocal, because Achilles couldn’t take his eyes off her. Remembering some of the wild thoughts she have had before, she unveiled her sensuality for him within her dancing. Her movements were like a soft tease implying that there was so much more that she could be showing to him if the show would have been private. Her hips, waist and chest were the areas of her body that the moves highlighted. Combined with the graceful gesticulation of her hands and arms, it was a very appealing sight. 

She knew that he wasn't able to touch her more than what would look necessary because of the context and she was using it at her advantage. Still, since he wasn't able to express himself with actions, he did it with words. 

In a particular moment, when he ended up behind her while she was doing torso undulations, he got a chance to grab her hips and whisper close to her ear. 

" You should have done this in Phthia, behind closed gates." 

They were so close that he was able to smell the scent of her hair. 

" It wasn't the right time, but if you invite me back i can take my dancer suit for a private performance." Was her tempting reply. " I have one, you know? My friends helped me to make it." 

" I don't think I would let you go after that." 

She was melting, her heart was throbbing and her head racing with thoughts of him. However, she did her best to keep going as before because she needed to feel sure of being a woman in his eyes.

While his hands were still on her hips, she changed the move and started doing internal hip circles. The sharp motion, first of her right hip and then the left, incited him to pull away one hand at the time, following the rhythm of her every action. The roundness of the hip rotation made her push her butt slightly against him in a movement that looked accidental but didn't feel as such. 

She put some distance between them, enough to spin around and face him again. The song ended shortly afterwards. 

" Sorry, It was the music. I almost forgot that you were there. " She apologised, faking innocence. 

" Some people may be staring ... Don't you care for discretion anymore?" He teased her. 

“ Most people here are drunk. They couldn’t care less, I couldn't care less.” She answered. “ Besides, this was pretty discrete compared to what I can actually do.” 

“ Why are you doing this? ” 

“ Because I want.” She simply admitted. “ You are the only man I ever wanted to dance for, the first one who has me like this.”

 It was a strange confession of feelings. Metaphorically disguised, but it was there. 

Achilles didn’t answer. Not because he didn’t wish to, he couldn’t do that at the moment. First, because of the context surrounding them but mostly, because it wasn’t a good time to be open with her. He didn’t want her to confound his own growing feelings for her with a rush of lust. He cared deeply for her, it started fast and it took him by surprise. He felt good having her in his life, even when it was at moments. After each of their reunions he felt a bit more infatuated. 

Right there, she was making his body crave for hers, but he didn’t want that to be his first response to her affections. He guessed that she was acting so sensually because she wanted to confess herself but didn’t know how. He thought that she must have heard that was the way in which he prefered to be approached, that she had to make herself be wanted for him. He would have lied if he would have denied that he was enjoying it, but he was trying to avoid thinking with his crotch. 

She had given him plenty of subtle signs about her feelings before and he never gave her a direct answer, mostly because he didn't find a good moment for it and part of him felt like he couldn't allow himself to do it. He didn’t want her to assume that he only reacted then because he was horny. 

He was trying to do better for her, but she didn’t understand it like that at first.

 The princess interpreted his silence as rejection. For the sake of her own pride, she pretended not care. She kissed his cheek,smiled at him and went back to Helen’s side. For the rest of the night,she tried to carry on as it never happened. Internally, she felt stupid, but it was the only way she found to overcome it.

She focused again on helping Helen. Acting carelessly, the first thing she did afterwards was to take advantage of a short pause of the music to talk to the man she was sharing glances with as a way to stimulate her to get closer. The princess started by praising his playing and asking his name in front of her and Patroclus. Smiling proudly, he told them to address him as Alexander. The princess didn’t hesitate in starting calling him Alex. He was very respectful, especially of the queen. He expressed his admiration for her in a kind way and didn't attempt anything on her, clearly seeing her as unreachable. Helen seemed to enjoy his harmless attention. In the conversation, they also found out that Patroclus had musical inclinations. Alexander was a percussionist playing Toubeleki and Patroclus made his contribution to the small talk speaking about his experiences learning to play the khitara. Helen was grateful for the care of her friends, both trying to make efforts for her just because they saw her getting along with him. For obvious reasons, the talk was short, but it was a good start. 

They lost sight of Achilles and the princess was secretly relieved for it. She was mortified thinking that her attempt of pursuing him ruined everything between them. Over the course of the party, the three stayed together because they were already comfortable enough with each other.

They got involved in trivial talks with many different people. At one moment, they crossed paths again with Ajax while they were waiting for servants to bring them something to drink. The salaminian hero was doing the same and he greeted their encounter. He was a bit tipsy, but he was good company because he was funnier to be around than what most people assumed. The four fooled around together for a while. They were drinking and joking and the princess almost forgot how bad she was feeling, until he reminded her that she still owed him a dance because he was the first one trying to get her away from the table. He was just joking and It wasn’t his fault, so she tried to keep being sweet to him. Her polite reply explained her refusal linking it to his circumstantial state. Avoiding to sound mean, harsh or sarcastic, she promised him that she was going to dance with him the next time she would find him sober. Fortunately, It made him laugh. 

He resumed their previous conversation in an infinitely less formal way, saying that he was perfectly fine because he was the strongest man in Greece and the effect of a few drinks weren’t an impediment for him. He told them that he could show them on the spot how he was able to lift both women from the ground at the same time and Helen considered the discussion about his state over, fearing that he would actually try it. She felt relatively comfortable with him and it was a grateful surprise. For such an intimidant looking man, he was very nice and likeable. After sharing some more laughs, she ended up dancing with him.

Their brief encounter cheered the princess up a bit, simply because it was very hard not to laugh with the amount of funny insanity that they came up with. Still, she kept feeling out of place, like if nobody really needed her there. Helen was probably waiting until the end so she could have a longer conversation with the percussionist and Patroclus deserved some time to have fun on his own if he wanted that. She couldn’t help to think that she was ruining the party for them . Openly expressing her wish of not being followed, she excused herself saying that she had enough fun, was too tired and prefered to rest. She hugged her friends, thanking them for their company and wishing them goodnight.

In her walk to her bedroom,the princess speeded up her pace to avoid being disturbed. She didn’t want to be approached by anyone else, wishing to forget about her feelings of shame. She almost reached her destination, but the hold of Achilles's strong arms deviated her in an empty hall. 

“I can't deal with this now. " she admitted. " Would you let me go? I will talk to you in the morning"

 " If we wait any longer, we will never do it. " He stated, embracing her waist. 

" What are you talking about??" She complained. 

“ Don’t play the fool now. You can’t try to hide anymore.” 

" I know that I ruined everything. " 

While hearing her, he seemed slightly confused. 

" By now, you must know how I feel for you. '' She explained herself. " I may be good at reading the feelings of others, but I get easily overwhelmed by mines... I have spent my lifetime training myself to suppress them, I don't understand myself sometimes... I wanted you to see me as the woman I am because only then I could make you understand how I feel."

 Her explanation made him chuckle for an instant. 

" What's so funny ??." She tried to pull away from his contact, but he was obviously stronger than her. 

" I see you as a woman, I have always done it. " He replied. 

" I know how you act around the women that you like. It is not how you acted with me. " 

" Do you think that I don't want you?" A light chuckle escaped from his lips again. " You are so lovely." 

" That's it. I'm always the sweet innocent lamb, I can't escape from that. " She complained. " I'm a living, breathing woman with feelings and desires. "

 " I'm aware of that. " He reassured her. " That was a very interesting reminder of it, but I know it." 

" Then why do you keep ignoring me? " Her voice showed frustration. 

" Things between us are not so easy. " 

" You know, before you start thinking about it, I have to say that stepping into helping you was a choice I made based on my convictions. " She clarified. " I believe in you, I didn't do it looking for any retributions. Even if you don't correspond my feelings, that wouldn't change anything. I'm still commited to our pact."

" Calm down." He caressed her hair. " Can you stop assuming that I think the worst of you? I don't." 

" I don't know what else to do to get a concrete answer from you.” She insisted. “I just want that. I don't mind the outcome. If you don't feel the same, I will respect it. " 

Then, he crashed his lips against hers. It was a sweet kiss, intended to serve as a response confessing his affections, but it was charged with the passion of the long craving for it that he also had. She was in such bliss that he felt her body trembling. 

He smiled against her lips. 

" Are you alright?" 

" It’s the longing. " was all she could answer. 

“ You didn't have to do anything else to get me. " He clarified. “ I liked you in Sparta, now i think it’s something more than that.” 

" I haven't stopped thinking about you since the day we met." She confessed. " I didn't know then that it was going to get that far, but here i am." 

.” Odysseus spent half of the way back telling me to stay away from you like a father scaring away a suitor that he dislikes. “ He confessed. “ I did it for a good long while, but you came to me on your own and you dazzled me."

 " He doesn't dislike you, you are his friend. " She clarified " He knows of somebody who hates you and he tries to protect me from him. " 

" I will never allow that old drunk to hurt you. " He said, in what sounded like a promise. 

" Would you steal me from him?" She playfully joked. 

" If it's what I have to do to keep you safe, I would." 

She kissed him, clinging onto him and refusing to pull away until being breathless. In that act, she condensed years of hidden adoration for him and all her hopes. 

Achilles felt it, and he couldn’t help to love her for it. 

“ My room is close. “ She offered. “ It’s safer to continue there.” 

She giggled and headed first. It wasn't wise of them to be seen getting inside there together, so they had to do it in turns.

The princess arrived first, leaving the door unlocked. Her heart was racing with expectancy. The warrior appeared shortly afterwards, closing the door behind them. Immediately after seeing him, she kissed him again. 

" Slow down, lioness." He teased her after she finally pulled away. 

" I wish I could." she joked in reply. 

" This is what I mean when I say that you are adorable, not that I see you as a cute little girl. " He commented." You are so tender, it gets me."

 " Really?" She asked, impressed. 

" I love it. " He answered, honestly. " I also loved what you did for me tonight. " 

" It didn't look like that. " She pointed out. 

" It didn't have to look like that. It was dangerous. " He reminded her. " I like some risk, but you took a pointless one." 

" I wanted you to want me and I think it worked." 

" You need to know that I don't want you because you did that.” He confessed. “ I want you for you and I want all of you, not just this." 

" Then take me." Her proposition sounded like a beg. " I'm ready." She was talking against his lips, holding his hands and pushing them against her body. 

" Not tonight, princess." He was teasing her, his cheeky tone got on her nerves. 

" Why?? " She complained, her frustration almost made her raise the tone of her voice. “ I want to be with you, I don’t care for anything else. Father will end up selling me for power anyways, It will be the buyer’s problem. ” 

" You didn't let me finish." He corrected her. " I'm not going to take you for myself tonight. " He explained as he started to leave a trail of kisses from her jaw in direction to her neck. " But I have many other ways to show you how good you make me feel. " 

She gasped and he smiled against her skin.

 " The massage was amazing. " He added as he kept descending. " And that dance? You are spoiling me, that’s royal treatment." 

" There is nothing I wouldn't do for you." 

He stopped for an instant just so he could look at her in the eye, feel the intensity of her love, and kiss her lips once more.

#troy 2004 #troy #troy (2004) #troy 2004 fanfiction #troy fanfiction #achilles #helen of troy #patroclus #ajax #brad pitt #diane kruger #garrett hedlund #reader insert fanfiction #achilles x reader #female reader

[kate-lyons]

so apparently, we needed to get this off our chests? from x ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Kate tenses, wondering if there’s enough time to make it to the door before these two men rip each other apart but Mason makes a visible effort to breathe through his nose and swallow down the fury that she knows burns so close to the surface.

She tries to catch his eye and says loudly, “I think we’re done here, Mason.”

Maddox looks disappointed. He slides a glare at Mason before lounging against the other medbed as Mason gets up. “You’re not going to answer my question, Huntsman?”

Mason grits his teeth as he walks away. “I don’t even know what you’re talking about, Ajax. As per fucking usual.”

--

Kate tracks him down later in the cycle, after a long few hours trying to work with the most belligerent patient she ever had the misfortune to come across. Maddox made her teeth ache, and fought her on every test, every protocol she tried. He was just a fighter, she knew that. From the bits and pieces she had been able to put together, she understood this was how he survived as long as he did.

She finds Mason in his quarters, shirtless and hunched over a datapad. He’s surprised to see her.

“Everything alright, doc?”

“Yes,” she rushes to reassure him, knowing that his mind has gone straight to his phoenix brothers and the fact she’s standing in his doorway late into a cycle when everyone should be asleep. “Everything is fine.”

He raises an eyebrow expectantly as she mulls over her words. “I want to know more. About project phoenix.”

“Pretty sure Ethan gave you all he had on us,” he says and she doesn’t miss the way his voices gets hard on the mention of Sabre’s name. “What more do you need?”

“Not the stats and the baselines,” she shakes her head. “The… the personal aspects. Friendships, or lack of them.”

Mason deflates slightly and flicks the datapad he had been holding towards the bed. The sheets are still pulled taut, a clear indication he had yet to sleep. She makes a mental note of that somewhere, reminding herself to check his biorhythms later.

He leans against the wall but gestures for her to take a seat and make herself comfortable but heat curls uncomfortably under her skin. Like all of the phoenix, he was beautiful, a lovely flower that could snap shut and devour her if she let herself fall into his nectar.

She shakes off the thought and chooses to remain standing.

“You don’t have to worry about us,” he starts to say. “Ajax and I… it’s been like this for years. I promised Marie I wouldn’t destroy her ship anyway.”

Kate’s smile is tight but she can appreciate his attempt at humour. As usual, he’s cut straight to the heart of her concerns.

“I’m trying to fix him,” she reminds him dryly. “We need him for the war. Don’t go picking any fights.”

Mason chuckles. He reaches for a black t-shirt draped over the back of a chair and shrugs it on. Kate is almost disappointed to see the expanse of hard flesh disappear from sight. “It wouldn’t be a fair fight anyway.”

Kate senses her opening. “Sometimes it seems like you’re looking for one though.”

Mason turns and regards her with a quiet stillness. It almost feels, dangerous, the way he stares at her. Is he cataloguing her weaknesses? Wondering how quickly he could wrap a hand around her throat and choke the air from her lungs? She had read the files, long before the 37’s were boots on the ground, they were assassins too, silent and deadly, trained to stand out and blend in all at once.

“Aren’t we all?” he says mildly.

“Maddox wasn’t wrong, Mason. There is… there’s something different. Since you’ve come on board, there’s been something bothering you.”

He doesn’t answer, green eyes glinting with something that tells her she’s skirting close to a boundary he may not let her cross. But this was her job. She was here to make sure these men, these dogs of war, these assets, as the brass called them, operated to their highest potential. And there was something hanging over Huntsman that had the potential to cause problems if it leaked into a battle.

“Why don’t you tell me the real reason Sabre elected to stay behind. And why the two of you are suddenly so… hostile.”

Green eyes glint again and his tone turns to ice. “That’s not open for discussion, Kate.”

“I think it should be,” she says, taking her cue from his use of her name rather than her title. He hasn’t shut her out completely yet, so she forges ahead. “From what I understand, the two of you have been a team since the start. You were separated during your escape from Cerberus, but then you reconnected and you have been together since. Until now.”

The shutter falls over his eyes, as she had expected. “Sabre feels he would be better utilised in the lab.”

“Bullshit,” she says softly. “He’s a powerful biotic capable of wrecking a swath of destruction as much as you or Hurricane or Zeus and with an entire information network that could prove to be incredibly invaluable at the touch of his fingertips… The rest of the phoenix are here. He should be here too.”

Mason doesn’t hide the twist to his features. This hurts him, she realises, and her deeply held suspicions are confirmed.

“There’s more to it, isn’t there? To your relationship?”

For a moment, Kate wonders if he’s going to shut her out but there’s a slight drop of his shoulders, a slight lowering of his guard as though he’s tired of carrying the weight around.

“Sabre and I go back a long way,” Mason says with a loose shrug. “Since I woke up on that table with a new amp and a body I didn’t recognize with a pile of broken memories and no idea of who I really was. He was there, waiting for me. He was always there, every time I turned around, he was there. He had my back, in every fight, every battle, every time. But things got messy because we didn’t keep it professional.”

“You mean you fell in love with him.”

Mason glances at her sharply and for a moment he looks as though he wants to argue. “There were feelings,” he says slowly, as though only just coming to terms with the concept himself. “Yes.”

Kate recalls the daggers stared into the back of her neck whenever Sabre had been in the lab, whenever she got too close or bent her head towards Mason. She frowns. Something wasn’t adding up. “He didn’t return them?”

“No,” Mason laughs dryly, a bitter edge on his terms. “At least not like that. But we never made any promises either to each other. He never made any promises. I… I got attached but that’s on me.”

“It’s not a bad thing to fall in love, Mason.”

“It is when the person you fall for makes it clear, repeatedly, mind you, that there’s no future or commitment or happily ever after. Sabre isn’t built that way, and I’ve known that from the start. It was… fine. I was okay with that. It was enough to-“

Mason cuts himself off, rubs his jaw and glances away. She can see the instant regret in his eyes, that he’s said too much and she almost feels guilty for pushing. Almost, but not quite.

“So what happened?” Kate asks gently, sensing he’s on the cusp of something. “Why is he there and you here?”

Mason drops his hand, eyes flashing now. “He broke it off, alright. Is that what you wanted to hear, Doc? You want me to cry on your shoulder about my broken heart? Don’t worry, it won’t affect my performance in the field.”

“Mason…”

“Shit, I’m sorry. I… I don’t know why you want to know about this. Yeah, so I’m working through some shit right now, but show me someone on this damn boat who isn’t.”

He has a point, she concedes, although she doesn’t say it out loud. “Sabre was your second,” she says softly, all the pieces suddenly starting to click into place. “His job was to protect you.”

Mason’s eyes drift shut, and he shakes his head silently. She wonders if he’s reached the same conclusion she has as she continues. “Even from yourself.”

She sees it in the fall of his shoulders he’s arrived at the same end. A long moment of silence rolls between them. She can hear the gears turning loudly inside his head. The crash of defences too tightly held. 

He sags, just slightly. Just enough to know he’s given in a little bit to the storm that’s churning inside for him. Kate wonders somewhere if this is what it’s like to watch a phoenix break.

“I love him, you know? Not just as a brother in arms, not just as a… as a mate… I love him.” Mason’s laugh is suddenly shaky and harsh and bitter as he scrubs a hand through his dark hair. “Sonofabitch, I’ve never admitted that out loud before, not even…”

“He must care about you too.” 

“I know he does,” Mason says it sharply, all rough, sparking edges and shattered with the longing for something he can’t have. “Not the same way, but I didn’t care. I didn’t care. I would have been happy to just…. I would have been happy just to share his bed. I never asked him for anything more.”

“You’re angry with him.”

“Yes, goddamnit. Why did he have… fuck, why did he have to notice it?” Mason paces in the small space of his quarters like a jaguar pacing in it’s cage. “I keep going over it in my head, over and over. What gave it away? What pushed him too far? I don’t know, all I know is that he wanted to end it because he couldn’t give me what he thinks I needed from him. Still fucking trying to protect me. It’s bullshit.”

”That was his job, his purpose. Maybe if you-”

“It doesn’t fucking matter anyway!” Mason cuts her off with a thunder but she’s not frightened because she knows it’s not directed at her. This is a war Mason is fighting with himself, she’s merely an observer. “We can’t go back to pretending he’s not ripping out my fucking heart every time he kisses me. So, fine. Whatever, it is what it is. He’s there, I’m here but we still have a job to do, there’s still a war.”

Mason cranes his neck and rolls his shoulders, a flicker of blue lights his eyes and skitters over his skin before dissipating.

“So, just point me in the direction of something to kill, and I’ll be fine.”

#that awkward moment when you create a new oc just to give your og oc some long and desperately needed therapy #mason knight #ethan sinclair #maddox gibbons #kate lyons #ssv berlin #idk where this came from but mase needed it OUT and now i need to go lay down for five million years

[songzhong]

🔶💧 @narvvhal​.

He's stirring his tea absentmindedly, watching the other go on about whatever topic he was really talking about. He usually likes to listen, of course—but today in particular, he had little focus for lectures.

His focus was elsewhere. Somewhere along the likes of those brilliant, golden eyes or those gentle, preachy lips.

When the other had paused on his words to question the Harbinger, Childe took the chance to lean over the small table and place a tender, affectionate kiss against his lips, lingering on the touch for a good while before parting from the gesture.

"I love you." He muttered softly, right before retreating back to sit on his chair and cover his lips with the back of his hand, gaze dropping down on his tea and cheeks painted in a healthy pink flush. It was clear that he still had a hard time delivering his feelings so openly. He cleared his throat. "Err—P-Please do continue... I'm listening."

Zhongli did continue his explanation despite Childe looking absentminded, figuring that the harbinger would still listen despite having something troubling him―given that the other’s expression was not so somber, he’d probably speak up if he needed to get something off his shoulders... and he did. Although it was not exactly what the consul had figured.

Soft lips were pressed against his. When he saw the harbinger come in, the archon’s heart couldn’t help but jump despite knowing what was too come―or at least very much hoping so... Zhongli leaned in to the embrace, cherishing every second of intimacy... did Ajax ever knew what he was doing to him ? His cheeks flushed the same way the other’s did, and for this one moment, every worry of the world were gone, with only pure bliss remaining... even when they parted, it didn’t feel like it was enough, it was never enough. Which is exactly what made those feelings so precious... so moving. Zhongli was truly, truly happy to be alive, so he could experience those moments.

“I love you.”

This was... a very pleasant surprise. Zhongli had been quite open about his declarations of love, being one to be honest when figuring out his feelings. However, given how significant those type of affections were, he understood if Ajax couldn’t be as open outside of deeply intimate moments. This, right now, truly moved him.

The consultant put down his cup of tea, before moving up his seat on the bench, and sitting back on the same as his love, sliding close to him so they’d be side by side, arm and leg touching, before picking his cup back up and taking a gentle sip... after all, he realized what stopped them from being like this, out in the open ?

After taking a few silent seconds to look up the clear amber sky, Zhongli turned his head towards Ajax, his heart warming up at their current proximity.

“I love you too, Ajax. My love. My soul. Thank you for telling me.”

He leaned in closer, eyes full of tenderness, and adoration. Could this young man ever understood the extent of his feelings for him ? The archon wondered... but it didn’t matter, really, what was important was that those emotions were reciprocated.

“My humble body and soul are yours and yours alone. Made to adore every part of your noble person. Knowing I have a place in the heart of someone which loyalty is so precious ? It makes me feel like the happiest man that ever dared to breathe. I’ll treasure every moment we have together, as one of my most cherished memories.”

#.songzhong ( ic ) #narvvhal #wow we're getting cheesy this morning

[fraink5-writes]

From Darkness Into the Lantern Light - Chapter 13

The final chapter!! But hopefully, it’s not the end of Childe and Zhongli’s journey...

@leio13 is the best for editing this (and for everything else she does)

Summary: Once upon a time, there was a cold-hearted queen. Although the Tsaritsa, as she was called, possessed her own divinity, she coveted the powers of the other Archons. Aiming to steal the Geo Archon’s gnosis, she sent her strongest warriors to Liyue Harbor. But just when Rex Lapis was almost defeated, he escaped to another vessel, that of a powerless baby, and was swept away to a hidden tower for his protection.

Many years after the great fight, the young and ambitious Harbinger, Childe, arrives in Liyue to grant the Tsaritsa’s desire, but, on his search for the Geo Archon’s gnosis, he ends up tangled in a mysterious man’s dreams to see Liyue Harbor’s Lantern Rite.

This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Without further ado, please enjoy!

“Zhongli!” A familiar voice beckoned the archon from unconsciousness. Zhongli? Yes, that was the name he was quite fond of—especially in gentle, whimsical tones. “Zhongli, let down your hair!”

As Zhongli’s vision came to, the first thing he noticed was the trail of his hair leading out the window, by which his “mother” was standing, next to the discarded flowers. Although his strength had not fully returned, his physical senses slowly returned. A burning chill coiled around his wrists, legs and throat; heavy chains bound him to the wall. 

 Then there was a tug on his hair followed by the sound of climbing steps. Ajax. Zhongli’s heart, which had been lifeless before, danced about in irrepressible excitement. Ajax jumped through the window, landing shakily. Discolored skin peaked out beneath his clothes. Zhongli’s eyes shot open.

“Zhongli, I’m sor—”

The blonde woman hovered behind him, the golden accents of a spear glinting in her grip.

“AJAX!!”

As Ajax drew a single alarmed breath, the spear swiftly pierced through his abdomen. Its gold tip was stained incarnadine as it burst from the blossoming rose of blood on his stomach. More blood sputtered from his contorted lips.

“‘Ajax?’” The woman scoffed, “Like the great hero? Ha! Don’t make me laugh.” She pulled the spear from Ajax’s abdomen, and he crumpled onto the bed of forsaken flowers. “A bloodthirsty murderer like you could never be like that. You’re Tartaglia, no. 11 of the Harbingers. Although at this point, you’re no more than a traitor.”

Ajax slumped further under a great shadow.

“That’s not true,” Zhongli spat.

“Oh?” The female Harbinger put down the spear and turned her attention to Zhongli. “You still feel like fighting? I was hoping you’d be more reasonable when you woke up... Oh well...” She sighed then lifted his chin, meeting his glare with menacing eyes. “It doesn’t seem like you understand the situation. You are coming with me to Snezhnaya.”

“No.” Zhongli shook his head from her grasp. “I refuse.”

“Let’s be logical here. There is nothing for you here. Liyue doesn’t need Rex Lapis anymore. And even your precious hero, Ajax—” The Fatui woman threw an affected pitious glance towards Ajax, who was still—”doesn’t have much time left. But you can still find a purpose at Zapolyarny Palace with the Tsaritsa.”

Zhongli wanted to deny her, but he couldn’t. His days as Liyue’s archon were long over, and his short frolic with Ajax had run its course. He could never be satisfied with the ending, but just as he, over the course of 6,000 years, had watched time strip him of the people close to him, he was powerless to resist it this time again.

“No... Zhongli…” A weak voice rasped by the window.

There’s still time. Zhongli glared up at the Fatui woman. “I will make a contract with you.”

“Oh?” The woman grinned. “What are your terms?” 

“If you let me heal Ajax and swear that neither you nor any of your affiliates will bring harm to him again, I will surrender the gnosis which resides in my hair to the Tsaritsa.”

Despite her initial frown, the woman agreed to the contract and undid Zhongli’s shackles.

Zhongli rushed on stumbling legs to Ajax’s side. “Ajax, it’ll be all right now.”

“No, Zhongli…”

“Please.” Zhongli rapidly coiled up his hair. “Let me concentrate.”

“Wait.” Ajax grabbed Zhongli’s hand as he tried to cover the wound with his hair. 

“There isn’t time.” Zhongli shook free from Ajax’s grip. “Please.”

“Signora is right.” Ajax reached up with his left hand and faintly stroked Zhongli’s cheek. “Liyue doesn’t need Rex Lapis anymore. But, Zhongli…” His embrace firmed as his right arm, dagger in hand, wrapped around Zhongli’s neck and sliced his ponytail right off. “You deserve to be free.”

“Ajax?” Zhongli watched powerlessly as his hair fell in dark coils on the ground. “Why?” He shook his head. As long as Ajax was breathing, Zhongli couldn’t give up so easily. He lifted Ajax’s head gingerly onto his lap. “No, hang on, I’ll find another way—there has to be something—”

“Zhongli.” Ajax squeezed Zhongli’s frantic hands. “It’s over.”

“No, that can’t be. Not yet.”

“Childe has wreaked enough havoc; this end is long overdue.” Ajax’s fingers fell limp in Zhongli’s hands.

“But what about Ajax?”

“Ajax, huh?” A reminiscent curl floated to Ajax’s lips.

Zhongli tenderly caressed Ajax’s face from the corners of his smile to the tousles of his bangs until the warmth disappeared beneath his fingers. He delicately laid his body on the bed of flowers and closed his unbearably lightless eyes. 

Picking up the tainted spear, Zhongli rose silently to his feet.

In the corner, sweat was dripping down La Signora’s face. “That’s quite a shame, but he did it to himself. I did not break the contract.”

“The contract is void.”

“Then, surely, Rex Lapis, we can think up another one with more feasible terms…?” Signora shrank further into the corner.

Zhongli advanced with plodding steps.

“Wait, Zhongli—”

Zhongli drove the spear’s rufescent tip through her chest, and her body thudded on the floor.

With his rage-driven strength gone, Zhongli staggered back to where Ajax lay. He squeezed his brittle fingers and brushed through his hair the way he had done before, but this time, Ajax would not wake. There were no more dreams behind his smiling mask.

Despite his great strength, Morax was unable to protect a single, small and fragile human. Another person had passed away in his arms. Over 6,000 years, time had claimed the lives of humans, adepti and gods alike, leaving Morax in timeless solitude. Although the clock struck too soon, Ajax was no exception; even if his body remained, it too would be reclaimed by time, leaving only a brief haze of memories.

Zhongli’s chest and throat constricted with a caustic ache. His shoulders shuddered as swelling tears inflamed his cheeks. Then he collapsed, burying his face into Ajax’s still chest. The steady trickle of tears soaked into his jacket, at which Zhongli clutched feebly. He couldn’t let go, clinging to the promise of heroic adventures and quests for new dreams, of whispered contracts and gentle embraces, of playful grins and scintillating blue irises. But they had all been snatched away along with the future.

Zhongli felt a small thump under his cheek. Then another. Then two more. One by one, the thumps created a steady rhythm. Then, Ajax’s chest swelled, causing Zhongli to jump up. “Ajax?” He gaped at the weak movements of Ajax’s chest as a warm color bloomed across his face. A violent diaphragmatic spasm was accompanied by coughing. 

Zhongli propped Ajax’s body up against the wall then he glanced down; besides the bloodstained hole in his clothes, all evidence of the wound had vanished. As Morax, he wondered if some of his gnosis remained dormant in his chest, but as Zhongli, he was grateful for whatever miracle had worked in his favor. 

Zhongli cupped Ajax’s soft cheek. Ajax’s eyelids cracked open, revealing his oceanesque eyes. “...Zhong..li?”

Zhongli nodded.

“...Can I call you that?”

“Yes. Please.”

“You know…” Ajax combed his fingers through Zhongli’s disheveled haircut. “Your hair must be way more convenient like this.”

Zhongli couldn’t help but laugh. Ajax was right; Zhongli felt lighter, free from a huge burden. “Do you remember the other night, during the Lantern Rite?”

“Mmm… How could I forget?”

“We never finalized our contract.” Zhongli slid his fingers until Ajax’s chin.

Ajax flashed a crooked grin. “Remind me again; what are the terms?”

“From now on, stay by my side.”

“If it’s just that, I don’t need a contract.” Ajax laughed as he reached out with his other hand, his fingers circling lightly behind Zhongli’s ear. “I, Ajax, promise I will never leave you again.” 

“And as long as you live, I, Zhongli, will remain by your side.” Raising Ajax’s chin and cupping both his cheeks, Zhongli planted a thoughtful kiss on Ajax’s lips. Its taste was a mixture of bittersweet blood and tears and warm vitality. As their lips interlocked, Ajax’s combing fingers massaged Zhongli’s brain, easing away all thoughts. Even though the future had made a beautiful return, Zhongli paid it no regard, wishing for nothing but the present.

“Hey, Zhongli,” Ajax’s whispers titillated Zhongli’s lips. “You never told me—what is your new dream?”

There was little point in answering that question anymore—at least not aloud. Zhongli’s lips curled as they pressed a deeper kiss on Ajax’s mouth.

***

Even when Ajax and Zhongli returned to Liyue Harbor (this time, taking the fast route by boat), they could not settle down. Zhongli was a man without an identity, and Ajax, a wanted criminal. Upon immediate arrival, they were whisked from the Alcor by some Millelith soldiers.

“The Tianquan would like to see you,” one of the soldiers announced.

Zhongli stepped in front, shielding Ajax with his body. “I believe there is a misunderstanding.”

“Zhongli.” Ajax sighed and stepped out from behind. “I will take responsibility for what I’ve done.” When Ajax thought of his actions that led to his arrest warrant in the first place, he felt such great shame that he couldn’t even look at Zhongli. I’ll play along, so just don’t mention the specific offenses—not in front of him.

The Millelith reviewed his papers with a chuckle. “I think there might be. The one she’d like to see is the man named Zhongli, not the Fatui agent.”

Ajax and Zhongli exchanged several confused glances before Ajax spoke up again. “What for?”

“Only the Tianquan knows that. It’s strictly confidential.”

“I’m coming too,” declared Ajax, tightly squeezing Zhongli’s hand.

“Be my guest. She didn’t say anything about additional guests.” The soldier shrugged. “But I don’t know how well a Fatui criminal will fare in the Jade Chamber.”

The main room of the Jade Chamber was an impressively spacious office flooded with white light from the high windows. To one side, an infamous board stood, smothered in papers, and behind the scroll-stacked desk, tall vases and jade leaf screens gave the space an additional flare of opulence. Upon arrival, Ajax and Zhongli were met by a woman with white hair falling below the knees and a gold-adorned qipao—undeniably the Tianquan—and, surprisingly, Captain Beidou.

“Hey, long time no see!” The Captain, with a familiar grin, strolled out from behind the desk, followed by the Tianquan.

“Welcome to my Jade Chamber. I am Ningguang, Tianquan of the Qixing.” Ningguang approached Zhongli with a courteous bow. Her brief glance at Ajax, however, was chilling. Zhongli returned the bow as Ajax retreated tactically into the corner. “Beidou has told me all about you, ...Zhongli.”

“What did she tell you?” Zhongli’s tone lacked its prior timidity about his identity.

“About your real identity.”

“I had my suspicions,” Beidou interrupted. “And some beat-up bankers filled in the rest.”

Zhongli shot Ajax a glance, and although he had his suspicions, Ajax just shrugged.

“Welcome back to Liyue Harbor, my Lord.” Lowering her head, Ningguang dropped to her knees, with Beidou following suit. Silent reverence stunned the room, singling out Zhongli, the figure of authority, and Ajax, who squirmed uncomfortably. Should he have kneeled too?

“Do not lower your head, Tianquan.” Zhongli helped Ningguang to her feet. “Liyue belongs in the hands of the Qixing now. You must lead them with pride.”

“I do not understand…” 

“Morax is dead. The city of Liyue now looks to you for wisdom and guidance.”

“Yes, my—” Ningguang shook her head, wiping away the tear on her cheek. “No, I will see to it, as the Tianquan of the Qixing, that Liyue’s 3,700 year history of prosperity continues into the future.”

“A fine response. I can trust Liyue in your hands.” Zhongli wore a proud smile. “Ah—wait, I have one final request.”

“Yes? What do you wish?”

Zhongli grabbed Ajax’s hand and pulled him closer. “Exonerate him of his recent crimes.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand. If that’s what you wish, I will see it done, but—”

“I know what he has done—” Zhongli wrapped his arm around Ajax’s waist—” But he is also the one that saved me.” His words lit a flame under Ajax’s cheeks, who tried to wriggle out of Ningguang’s gaze.

“Is that so?” Ningguang giggled. “Very well.” 

After clearing up the issue of Ajax’s punishment, Zhongli and Ningguang engaged in a long discussion of history, economics and politics. Ajax didn’t bother to keep up; he was content to watch the subtle fluctuations in Zhongli’s smile as he imparted his wisdom. Such peace, however, only brought drowsiness upon him, and he excused himself to the Jade Chamber’s deck for fresh air. 

Ajax peered at the expanse of Liyue’s scenery below him. It was truly nothing like Snezhnaya; although mountainous, it was rife with colors. In the days he had trekked across its diverse scenes, many vivid emotions had blossomed on his monotonous heart.

A warm arm draped across Ajax’s back to his waist. “Ningguang has assured that she will discuss the issue of your punishment with the rest of the Qixing,” Zhongli stated. “With that almost settled, what do you plan to do now?”

“It’s not over yet.” Ajax gazed at the distant snowy landscape.

Zhongli sighed. “Yes, we will need to settle issues with the Tsaritsa.”

The Tsaritsa… Ajax had tried to preoccupy himself with thoughts of Zhongli and their future, but thoughts of the Cryo Archon weighed heavily on his shoulders. Not only had Ajax gone against her will, but his heart had betrayed her. He, who had sworn his absolute loyalty to her, could no longer serve her as he once did.

“Ajax. I will go with you to Snezhnaya, and I will talk to the Tsaritsa. I have my own business with her, anyway.”

“No, I must settle this on my own.”

“You’re right.” Zhongli’s eyes were the stern ambers that had held humanity accountable for centuries. “This is the punishment and atonement you must bear for your transgressions. However”—his features melted into a reassuring smile—”If you must live with this guilt for the rest of your life, I will help you shoulder it.”

“Is that really the Wrath of Rock?” Ajax cracked a small grin. “Man, the years have really softened you.”

“No, the age of the Geo Archon and the Wrath of Rock has passed. Additionally, as Zhongli, it would be dishonest to scorn your actions which have benefitted me.”

Perhaps Ajax was wrong. Zhongli’s leniency had not weakened him at all; instead, it had given strength to Ajax’s crumbling courage. He squeezed Zhongli closer. “Well, it won’t be so bad. I am looking forward to seeing my family again.”

“As am I. I would love to meet them.”

“Of course, I’ll introduce you to my family, and then—and then what? What would you like to do, Zhongli?”

“Hmm… now that I’m no longer the Geo Archon… Well, I suppose I’ll do what I’ve always done, this time living fully as a mortal.”

“Hm?”

“Do you know of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? I think I would like to work there.”

“A funeral parlor? Why?”

“Well, it feels as though I’ve already died once.” Zhongli curled at the short tips of his hair.

Ajax gently stopped Zhongli’s insecure hand. “Do you miss your long hair?”

“Even before I accidentally transferred my gnosis, I used to keep my hair long. It’s bizarre at this length.”

“It’s not weird.” Ajax kissed Zhongli’s lips, brushing his fingers lightly through his silky, dark hair. “I think it suits you, Zhongli.”

#Genshin Impact #Chili #Zhongli #Childe #La Signora #Beidou #Ningguang

[jflashandclash]

Tales From Mount Othrys

Ajax: Magical Daycare III

 It was like drinking Melon-flavored Pop Rocks. In summary, ten out of ten: Pax would drink mysterious liquids from witches again.

         What was better: when Axel went to swat Pax’s head, his hand barely touched Pax’s twisted black locks. As Pax had hoped, something spooky was happening. The world was getting HUGE. So was his clothing. The flannel shirt collapsed from his waist. Although Axel always towered over Pax, his older brother looked like a giant now.

         “Is there tree nut in that?!” Axel had asked before he realized how small his brother had gotten.

         Alabaster withdrew a mini flip notebook from a vest pocket and clicked out a pen. “An allergy? Noted. Tree nuts are the least troublesome ingredient you’ll find in here.”

         By then, Axel panicked for another reason.

         Or, Pax assumed it was because Pax, himself, was now at Axel’s ankle height. His oversized band shirt had settled in a nice, warm blanket around him. He felt very warm in general and enjoyed the sensation of burrowing. When he glanced around, Pax was elated how easily he could focus on subtle movement around the room: the way Alabaster flicked his pen back and forth, the way Lou Ellen held her hands over her mouth to repress a giggle, the slightest twitch of Mercedes’ lips, and the way the vein in Axel’s forehead pulsed as he demanded Alabaster fix his brother.

         Pax reached out to pat Axel’s foot and assure him that he was honored to have been miniaturized in the name of magic. His paw didn’t reach far enough.

         Paw?

         If Pax could have grinned, he would have. His facial muscles didn’t react. What did react were his short, clawed paws. His body felt different. He tried to glance down and bopped his face into the floor. After shaking his snout, he glanced to the side to find a furry, long, almost-serpentine body.

         And, the best thing ever.

         He. Had. A. Tail.

         Pax jumped. The end of his body reflexively straightened and his short, black-tipped tail followed. Pax turned, sprinting after his tail, and curled in on himself to grab it.

         This new body was way more flexible than his boring human one.

         “You turned him into a ferret!” Axel panicked.

         “Actually, I believe that’s a weasel,” Mercedes said, watching Pax roll on the floor and bat at his tail.

         “It is,” Alabaster said. He frowned, crossed his arms, and gave his sister a chastising scowl. “It was supposed to be a polecat.”

         The girl sheepishly shrugged. “At least it’s the right family.”

         “Genus,” Alabaster corrected absently. As though that was the part upsetting Axel, he apologized, “Sorry, she’s still learning her classifications.”

         “I don’t care about—what is in this stuff?!” Axel demanded. He took a threatening step closer to the witches, shoving his vial at them, the one Alabaster had poured from his science beaker.

         “Yours is a new brew of tea,” Alabaster said, staring thoughtfully to where Pax tried biting through Axel’s boot. Alabaster swallowed. “I think.”

         Axel looked about ready to start throwing punches.          

         To prove that would be an unnecessary show of aggression towards the two coolest people Pax now knew (and because the black cat had noticed his movement and was doing an excited cat-butt-shuffle with a hunter’s pair of dilated eyes), Pax darted at the girl’s lab coat. He stood on his hind paws, rising much taller than he’d anticipated. As he had hoped, his claws effortlessly dug into her canvas material. Easier than he ever could as a human, he clamored up the front of her jacket.

         The girl giggled in delight when Pax sat on her shoulder and snuggled into her black locks. That was not the typical reaction he got when he snuggled against people he didn’t know. Pax wondered, passively, what else he could get away with in weasel form. She smelled richly of cooking herbs and sandalwood. Her brother’s scent was even stronger, almost overpowering, as Alabaster reached to rub between Pax’s ears.

         Pax’s heart thudded in his little chest as those beautiful, emerald eyes leveled with the girl’s shoulder. “Huh, her heterochromia remained,” Alabaster said, tilting up Pax’s snout with a bent index finger. Pax was pleased to hear his clothing had confused at least one person today. “There must be some sort of magical interference.”

“Maybe mixed magic in her ancestry or maybe a previous curse?” the girl suggested. The idea seemed to excite her.

“She’s remarkably calm. Has your sister been turned into a weasel before?” Alabaster’s questions were more to himself than Axel.

         Axel’s rage melted at Alabaster’s question about mixed magic. Although Pax was preoccupied staring at Alabaster’s emerald eyes, Pax could guess that his brother had paled.

         Without waiting for a response, Alabaster glanced at Mercedes. “Where do they come from?”

         “Jack,” Mercedes answered. “Their names are Pax One and Pax Two.”

         “That’s awfully convenient for records—wait—Jack doesn’t care about new comers,” Alabaster muttered. His eyes focused on Mercedes like he only now registered her as a living thing. “And who are you?”

         “Someone who is about to be late for morning prayer. Is there a meditation room aboard this ship?” she asked.

         Alabaster’s eyes flicked from her shawl back to her eyes. “There is for people who have names. Unless you’d like to be Pax Three.”

         Pax liked listening to the two of them talk. It was quick and dangerous like dangling a stringed mouse in front of a jaguar.

         “Mercedes,” she answered, struggling to keep her lip from twitching.

         “Like the Count of Monte Cristo,” Alabaster said thoughtfully. “A beautiful name.”

         Mercedes opened her mouth. Pax had to wonder if she thought Alabaster was going to make the “Benz” comment and had a witty retort. Instead, she smiled.

         Pax wanted to be able to make everyone in the room smile like that. He had a feeling Alabaster and Mercedes didn’t often enough, similar to how Axel didn’t smile often enough. Maybe he and the green-eyed, giggly girl needed to start conspiring.

         “There is a chapel on the top floor of the ship, two floors above the deck. You will pass Luke setting up his sword training. He will be in a foul mood this morning,” Alabaster said it like it had nothing to do with him. With Pax’s enhanced eyesight, he noticed the slightest quiver in Alabaster’s hands.

He flipped a page on his little notebook and wrote something. Once done, he tore off the page and handed it to her. “Lou Ellen and I take advantage of the sunlight in the chapel for a small garden. You will find instructions here that say you are to help tend to my sick herbal ingredients five times a day. You will find that not everyone aboard the ship is comfortable with the idea of genuflecting before deities other than the titans. If they do, show them this slip of paper. There are clean towels rolled beside the garden lot that we use for tending. They are not ideal, I know, but can be used if you need.”

         Mercedes stared at Alabaster for a moment. Pax didn’t understand most of what Alabaster said. As far as he could tell, he’d just given her a lot more work.

         Carefully, Mercedes took the paper from Alabaster’s hands, folded it, and slipped it inside her pocket. “Thank you,” she said. Her voice shook a little. She cleared her throat. “I am quite capable of teaching people tolerance if need be. I’ll set Axel’s sister’s clothing in the corner so Pax can get changed whenever she morphs back.”

         Although the motion was fast and subtle, Mercedes winked at Pax. If weasels could grin, Pax would have. At least someone appreciated his game.

         Alabaster blushed at the mention of a “girl” being naked around him. Pax liked his blush. With how pale the boy was, it made his face look like a tomato. He waved Mercedes off.

         Axel sighed, seeming much calmer after observing the conversation.

         She gathered Pax’s things, set them in a corner behind an ingredient shelf, faired Pax One and Pax Two well, and left the room for to wash for morning prayer. Pax would have to ask her what religion she was later. They didn’t have to wash before going to mass—well, unless they got into a fight. Pax’s eldest brother, Kouta, liked to smash people’s faces into the dirt and sit on their backs to get the point across.

         Axel nodded after Mercedes. “That was good of you to do that for her.”

         Lou Ellen giggled. She shoved Alabaster’s shoulder. “Look at you doing something nice for someone. Has your opinion on the All Powerful God changed?”

         Alabaster snorted. “Praying is wasteful when your god is too cowardly to show his face directly. However, I am not one to tell people how to waste their time if false security comforts them.”

         Axel stiffened at those harsh words. Pax wondered if Axel prayed beyond when Chiich or Frasco made them say meal and nighttime prayers or when they went to church. “Would you say that to her face?” Axel snapped. From the sound of Axel’s anger, he did pray.

         “Verbatim, but she’s not the one that mentioned all powerful deities. Lou Ellen did. So I’m saying it to her.” Alabaster didn’t seem to notice Axel’s flexing muscles. He gestured towards the vial in Axel’s hands. “Now, hurry up and test that tea, Pax One—”

         “Axel,” he growled.

         “I don’t know, Al,” Lou Ellen said. Pax clawed at some of her stray hair so he could better see her face. She was blushing at his older brother. Her hand looked enormous when it reached to untangle Pax from her locks. “If his little brother reacted odd due to mixed magic or a curse…”

         “True,” Alabaster said. He shook the thought off. “Lelly, that wouldn’t affect how tea tastes.” He looked annoyed.

         Her laugh was light.

         Alabaster turned back to Axel, tapping his chin with his pen. Those emerald eyes examined Axel with a new interest.

         A sense of foreboding made Pax bristle out his fur. He almost slipped off Lou Ellen’s shoulder and had to dig his claws deeper in the canvas to stay mounted.

         Yea, these were witches, but they would never be able to undo the Mayan sorcery that Axel had worked—they couldn’t undo what Axel did to his face. Frasco taught him how to do it years ago, and Axel had spent years perfecting—

         Neither Pax nor Axel realized what Alabaster was doing until it was too late.

         Alabaster snatched Axel’s illusion off his face like it was a physical mask.

         Axel reared backwards, like he thought Alabaster had wanted to punch him. When the illusion dissolved under the witch’s fingers, Axel took an additional stagger backwards, like he’d been hit.

         “Stop!” Pax tried to shout, but it came out a high-pitched squeal. He reached a paw towards his brother to calm Axel and tell him it was okay. But, his paw only reached out a few inches.

         Axel covered his face with his hands. A low growl emitted from his throat as he backed a step towards the door. Pax knew that look. Axel was scared. Scared and humiliated.

         “Fascinating,” Alabaster said. He flipped the shimmering image of a normal fourteen-year-old boy’s features in his hands. It looked weird and floppy without Axel’s face to rest against. Pax didn’t know it could maintain itself when not obscuring his brother. “You know how to use the Mist. You know how to use the Mist well.”

         “Told you my Mist weakening ward would come in handy,” Lou Ellen said gleefully.

         Alabaster poked at the distinct dents in the mask that represented a pair of brown eyes. They looked like contacts sewn into rubber. “Monsters use the Mist like this all the time, but I would have never thought about using it on a human—”

         “Give. It. Back,” Axel snarled. As best he could while covering his face, he rose to full height and took a step forward.

         Pax needed a distraction and he needed it fast. While his brother was awesome and infallible, Pax wasn’t sure how he’d fair against these two Ravenclaws in a brawl. And he didn’t want to fight with their new friends.

         Like the Greek gods had been listening and generous for once, a distraction was exactly what Pax received.

         He lunged towards his brother. His intention was to prevent a fight. Unfortunately, weasel paws weren’t as good at propelling forward as human paws. He began to fall short by several feet.

         Then, his weasel hind legs slammed into the floor higher than they should have. The fore paws, that he intended to extend between the two parties, reached the full span of both witches. He stood to human height, his butt exposed to the witches and his front to his brother.

         All Pax could think about was how everything felt much colder. Why didn’t humans have fur? Fur seemed like such a great idea. Pax realized, belated, that wasn’t what he should have been focusing on.

  ***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed! Pax *ehem* has a bit of a nudity problem. Matthias recently told him nudist colonies were a thing, and now he won’t stop submitting it in Jack’s suggestion box for Ways to Make Camp Othrys Better.

 Stay tuned next week for the final segment of this short story!

#Tales from Mount Othrys #Percy Jackson and the Olympians #Heroes of Olympus #PJO #HOO #TFMO #fanfiction #Alabaster #Luke #Axel #Pax #Lou Ellen #Matthias #Flynn #jack #FINaLLY a weasel!!!! #delicous delicious tea..... #It's too late for me to have caffiene right now and it's slowly destroying me.....

[darrowsrising]

I think it's an unpopular opinion, but I always felt really bad for Adrius. What he did was terrible, but I think his evil came from a place of sorrow and pain, rather than just ambition or arrogance. He was broken and he never managed to get fixed and it makes me sad. I am hoping that with this clone, there can be a chance for him to redeem himself? Adrius 2.0 becoming good, Mustang having the brother she never had. Do you think that's possible?

I too feel bad for Adrius, but I think that a lot of people disregard the fact that he had a choice. It was his choices that made him like he was. Nero didn't love him, but Virginia did, his mother did, his step-mother did. I think that even Claudius did.

He can be suspected of having a mental illness, given that he sees humans as sacks of meat and bones. But still, he had his fair shots at being a decent person and he discarded them out the window. His decision making abilities didn't seem to be affected. And for bad deeds didn't come from pain and sorrow, but from ambition - he wanted power because that was what would grab Nero's attention. He just wanted recognition. And that ambition came from lack of love - he thought that if his father loves power so much, he would love him too if he had power, lots of it. But after Nero died and he forgave him, he still wanted power. He wanted to fill that void with power he always did.

And truth be told, he wasn't broken, he wasn't born evil either. He just strayed too far from the decency of the human soul. But he did it consciously and very aware of it.

Adrius is mostly like he is because of Nero's attitide towards him. But the clone didn't have Nero and he still burnt Howlers to ashes and made Sevro and the others watch. Dying by fire is horrible. I think we can blame Lilath for that bad influence, but...still, the clone called the shots.

I know everyone wonders about redemption for Lysader, for the clone, for Ajax, for Julia au Bellona, for Diomedes and Dido, for Apollonius.

But truth be told, I can't see the clone having a happily ever after. Virginia left him with neuro-poison in his hand, which will need to be cut off. For Virginia herself, Sevro is more her brother than that clone or Adrius himself ever was.

That being said, I can see him trying to help Darrow and the others after calming down and understanding some things about himself, but I can't see him surviving the series. I think that at this point, after being hurt and betrayed by his sister yet again, he can either become worse and then better or worse and remaining so.

I know it is sweet to think of Adrius having another chance and such, but...he had his chances and he blew them. Sure, Pierce can make it all sound cool and credible and make me eat my words. But, my opinion still stands, that the clone isn't surving the series. He can change, sure, but I can't see him with a happy ending.

@violethowler had a cute and crazy spectulation that Sevro will adopt the clone. I am for it, albeit reluctantly. Maybe he'll name him Achilles or something, that'd be cool. Victra would freak out, though. It'd be funny and weird at the same time. Imagine that - rescue mission for Sevro and they find him teaching Addy how to scalp Boneriders properly...

Yeah, even then, I can't see Addy not sacrificing himself to save his new fam's arse in the most tragic and heart breaking way ever.

Sorry for the negative vibes this answer has.

#adrius ii #adrius au augustus #jackal #iron gold trilogy

[ghostofviperwrites]

Dirty Laundry

Requested by @kylesnowreilly

Pairing:  Evil/FC

Category:   Angst

Warnings:  none

45. “That lipstick on your collar ain’t my shade of pink.” Dirty Laundry – Carrie Underwood

You weren’t stupid.  You knew Evil wasn’t faithful.  You harbored no disillusioned notions about what he got up to on the road when he was away for weeks at a time.  But that didn’t mean he had to treat you so disrespectfully and rub it right in your face.   You knew that was exactly what he was doing as you stared at the pink lipstick stains all over his shirt.   He was testing you, seeing just how much you were going to let him get away with.  Give him an inch and he’ll take a mile and all that junk.  

Agreeing to couple up with the powerhouse of LIJ you knew what you were signing up for.  It was unspoken, but understood nonetheless.   Evil was pushing the boundaries, seeing exactly what buttons he could push and you still not complain.   He had been doing it for the past month or so, slowly testing the waters by not returning your phone calls, ignoring your texts, making statements in interviews that while seemingly innocuous, you knew exactly what was meant.  

But this was a slap in the face you weren’t sure you could ignore.  If you did where would you draw the line? He was throwing it right in your face.   Making it impossible to keep your head in the sand.  

That lipstick on your collar, well, it ain’t my shade of pink

And I can tell by the smell of that perfume, it’s like forty dollars too cheap

And there’s a little wine stain on the pocket of your white collar threat

Well you drink beer and whisky, boy, and you know I don’t drink red

Angry tears filled your eyes as you threw the shirt away from you.  He wasn’t even trying to hide it, leaving the evidence like a beacon on the end of the bed.  You had slept through his return home and apparently he had decided not to stick around and face the fight he surely knew was coming as he was nowhere to be found.  

“Fucking asshole.”  You muttered to yourself as you sat down on the king bed the two of you shared.   Your mind whirled as you tried to decide what to do.   If you stayed it was only going to get worse.  Evil would keep pushing and pushing until he found the line he couldn’t cross.   You liked him, a lot.  Maybe even loved him.   You had to make a decision.  Were you going to let this slide or call him on his bullshit and walk away?

You could only accept so many apologies and excuses.   It seemed like you spent more time alone than you did with him.   Lately even when he was in the same city as you, he barely bothered to spend time with you.  Long enough for you to feed him and get his dick wet.  You briefly wondered if he would even notice if you weren’t here if not for those two things.  

All those midnights sneaking in

I’m late again, oh I’m so sorry

All the Ajax in the world

Ain’t gonna clean your dirty laundry

With a heavy sigh you padded down the carpeted hallway towards the laundry room and pulled down the Spray N Wash.  Liberally spraying and then scrubbing the stains you then tossed it into the washer on a soak cycle, swallowing back your tears as you did so.

When Evil arrived home he found you sitting at the kitchen table, hot mug of coffee in your hands.  He watched you warily, gauging your reaction to this morning’s discovery, his lips turning up in a smirk when you smiled up at him.

“Hi baby,”   You greeted him, rising and placing as kiss on his lips, melting in his embrace as he pulled you tight to his body, peppering little kisses on your face as you basked in his affection pushing your turmoil deep inside you as you added another indiscretion to his ever growing pile of dirty laundry.  

#evil imagine #evil fanfic #njpw fanfic #wrestling fanfic #mywriting #ghostofviperwrites