#fractured (som)

[nesta-is-my-queen]

A mini fanfic of what I wish Cassian would tell Nesta, post HOFAS bonus chapter.

***

Of all the things that could have happened Nesta did not expect a red-headed alien, with an eight-pointed star on her chest twin to the one stamped across her own heart, to completely change everything she knew about her world—about life itself. That there were other worlds out there, with powerful beings that walked between them, leaving a path of death and destruction in their wake.

She had never expected other planets full of fae, let alone humans, to be hunted and brutalized, to be turned into a source of food and entertainment for intergalactic parasites. It was for the sake of the humans that she handed over the mask. She couldn't bare the thought of them at the mercy of the Asteri, with nothing to defend themselves, so she made the choice to help the female who called herself Bryce, and loaned her what might just tip the scales in their favour.

And then Rhysand and Cassian found out. She didn't care that Rhysand was upset with her, for she could scarcely remember when the high lord was not. It was Cassian's reaction that ate at her. He was furious, even more than Rhysand was.

She remembered Ember's horrified expression when she quipped Rhysand might execute her for her alleged treason. Rhysand wouldn't, of course, if not for Feyre and Cassian. She supposed Ember didn't understand her particular brand of dark humour, and she'd had to promise her that she was safe, that there was no impending execution to be had. The silver lining to it all, however was watching Ember Quinlan, a human woman, hand Rhysand his own ass, something not even Amren had successfully done.

It had been days since she and Cassian spoke. Once again they were fighting. He was angry that she had done the unthinkable and given a trove item to a prisoner. And she was livid that he had taken Rhysand's side in all this. That Rhysand would have preferred her to kill Bryce before handing over the mask.

She had not been this enraged since she had been locked up in the House of Wind and carted off to the Illyrian mountains. She was not some simpering female to be ordered about. She understood the consequences of her actions and decided if the people of Midgard were not safe, then no one was safe. The threat of the Asteri would have eventually reared it's ugly head upon Prythian and enslaved them all. She had seen what one of them could do, in the prison, she couldn't imagine what a host of them might do if they got their hands on Bryce and ripped open a portal to their world.

When Bryce appeared she had no time to do much else but offer the mask, it was a fleeting moment, a wrinkle in time and space and then Bryce was hurtling back to her world, gone before she even had time to blink, the portal winking out with her, leaving her parents as collateral. Those days with Ember had been everything to Nesta. She was the mother she never had. Warm, loving, understanding—so unlike the one who birthed her.

During those days Ember and Randall were the only two she had the heart to interact with, other than Azriel. She and Cassian were not talking and it began to show. Ember was the one who brought it up. Said that it wasn't healthy for them to avoid eachother like this. She had Randall talk to Cassian about it as well. She supposed they were right, how many more days could she lock herself up in her room. How many more nights could she sleep alone?

That was when the knock came. And the house, the traitorous house, opened it's doors to reveal Cassian. She didn't want him to see her crying, to see her weakness. She sniffed back tears and seethed, "go away."

——

Cassian’s hazel eyes locked with Nesta’s, two endless pools of blue grey. Eyes he could get lost in, that could drown him in their depths. Something fractured in him as he watched a lone tear trickle down her cheek, escaping that carefully constructed mask she always wore.

Their bedroom was littered in piles of discarded books. Some half opened with cracked spines, shoved to the side ranging from smut to battle strategy. Steaming mugs of tea and trays laden with truffles and petit fours were scattered across the room. As if the house was desperate to comfort the female standing before him.

“I—I am so sorry.” He said. His voice low, cracking. It was not the only thing that cracked.

“That’s not enough.” She said, in the ghost of a whisper.

“Nesta…” Cassian said, his voice strained, as he lifted a hand towards her. She flinched, backing away.

“Please… just talk to me… tell me what to do…” he pleaded.

“I’m so tired of this. I’m so tired of everyone telling me I’m wrong, of having you—the one person—my person—doubt me," she said, swallowing deeply, as if there wasn't enough air in her lungs.

"How could you—?" she breathed, feigning her head to the side, as if trying to hide that thing inside that threatened to burst. Her eyes turned silver, not with flame, but with tears. Tears that would devour him and her. That would devour the world. Cassian would rather have been burned by that unholy fire he'd seen in her eyes. Would rather be turned to ash, a thousand times over, than see those tears falling from them.

As if sensing the onslaught, a soft, cotton napkin materialized in Nesta's hand.

“I know—I know.” He whispered as he watched red splotches spread across her face while she shuddered and heaved. The navy blue drapes unhooked themselves, sliding across the brass railing to cover the bay windows overlooking Velaris, as if to conceal the crying female from any potential onlookers flying by.

“You know what the worst part of it is—I don’t think you know what it is that you did wrong,” she faltered, wiping her tears on the cloth provided to her by the house.

“That you think I did not consider your soldiers, your brothers in arms, who might lose their lives if a war came here. I did consider it, I thought of everything. And all I could think of was about someone like my father, who wouldn’t stand a chance—"

"So I gave them a chance.” She choked out, ringing the cloth in her hands. "I gave them a chance," she repeated.

“And I took one too. But you—you couldn’t take one on me.” She faltered. As each word landed he felt those threads between them slacking. As if their very souls were unravelling.

Something inside of him felt like it was drowning, as if wave after wave were crashing down on that thing in his chest, beaten and battered. Threatening to drag him in the undertow of the storm he was facing.

“Let me make it right. Give me that chance I should have given you.” he pleaded.

“That’s not enough Cassian. It’s not enough and you know it. I refuse to be second when I put you first.” Something flickered in her eyes before quickly sputtering out. He promised himself then and there that he would never let that ember inside of her die out. That he would spend his life dedicated to kindling that fire. That he was a mere shadow that could only exist in the presence of her flame.

“I once told you I have no regrets in my life. Well I was wrong. I regret ever hurting you, ever causing you a moment of pain, ever doubting you. Not putting you first. Because I was afraid. Afraid of disappointing people. But you're the only person who matters. And I will spend whatever time I have left in this life showing you that, if you give me the chance. And if that’s not enough I will keep on trying. As long as you let me."

“Why now? What’s different? What’s changed?” Nesta narrowed her reddened eyes. “Aren’t you sick of being shackled to me?” She squared her shoulders, her eyes turning into two silver slits, giving him that "I will slay my enemies look" that nearly had him falling to his knees.

“The thought of living life without you is unbearable. Without you I am nothing. It's why I was so angry—I was thinking about you. Of losing you. It wasn't just about the last war. It was about what would happen in this one. All I could think of was you throwing your body on top of mine and nearly dying. And—." The words tumbled out of him, erratic and desperate.

"And what a world without you might look like. So I—I lost my mind." He said, his voice thick, eyes pleading.

"Nesta, being your mate is the greatest honour of my life. And I am sorry that I have ever made you feel otherwise."

The space between them waned, and the room somehow became smaller, as if the house was closing the distance between them.

Cassian slipped Nesta’s hand in his and slowly lifted it to that shattered place upon his chest. “You are my everything Nesta Archeron. You are my soul. My heart. My life.”

Clutching her hand to him, he lowered himself, until he was kneeling before her. She could feel his heart pounding, her own beating to the same chaotic tune, as if each pulse and each breath was taken together.

“I love you.” The words spilled out of him. “I have always loved you.”

Somehow he gripped her hand even tighter against his chest and she sunk her nails in. It felt as if she was holding his heart in her palm. Perhaps she truly was. And he just held her hand there, as she marked him. Five crescent shapes imprinted on him, dotted in red, from the base to the apex of his heart, her signature, her claiming.

“And I will always love you.” He breathed, his eyes wet, his face lifted up, meeting hers.

“I love you too.” She whispered, voice hoarse, as she grabbed at his chest, now pulling him towards her until there was no space left between them. Until their lips were crashing against one another, breathing the other in. And those golden threads began to weave themselves back together until they shone, forming an eight pointed star, a guiding light, their compass home.

"You're lucky that I believe in second chances." Nesta said, a slow smile breaking across her face like the sun peaking through the twilight sky. And it was all he needed before he met her smile with one of his own, before he pulled her down to him, until they were flush against eachother.

"I am lucky,” he whispered in her ear, his breath hot, mouth hungry, as he traced his lips along the curve of her neck, “the luckiest male alive.”

***

Second chapter is on AO3

#nesta acosf #nesta acotar #cassian #nesta x cassian #pro nesta #nesta #nesta archeron #nesta deserves better #nesta x reader #nesta supremacy #nessian #acotar #cc hofas #hofas spoilers #hofas bonus chapter #sarah j maas #fanfic #writing #sjm universe #sjm books #sjmaas #archeron sisters #batboys #illyrian #maasverse #sjm #sjm multiverse #sjm fandom #sjmass #nessianweek

[iheartaleena]

whoever said it’s better to love and lose never loved and lost you

[kaworu/shinj]

966 words, angst, angst w/ unhappy ending, takes place after events of ep 24, character study, based on “i wish i never met you” by babygirl

misato begrudgingly closed the door of shinji’s room, his noisy complaints of wanting to be left alone getting too draining.

she knew damn well that leaving the adolescent alone was the last thing she should do, but the amount that she had on her own plate was quickly overfilling to the point where she couldn’t handle shinji’s dramatics.

on the other side, shinji rested his head on his pillow with a thick migraine from the events that occurred earlier today. his chest was tight, his breath hitched, and his mind was racing with a million and one thoughts.

he felt weak, indescribably weak. he felt as if somebody were to lay a finger on him, he would fall apart. he felt fractured, destroyed, and hated that feeling.

he hated it. he hated it a lot. he hated the feeling of always being the weakest one and the boy who can’t do anything, he hated the shallow sensation that would rise in his stomach at the smallest inconvenience.

he hated his delicacy, the fragile glass that his body was made of, he hated his crave for others and he hated his crave for being alone. he hated his hair, the way his eyes were slanted downwards in such an ugly way, the peach fuzz on his chin, the way his voice croaked when he cried.

shinji hated everything about himself. he hated the fact that he was alive,

but he couldn’t get his mind off the one person who didn’t.

shinji winced at kaworu creeping into his mind, infesting his every brain cell with his presence. shinji had done everything he could in the past couple hours to forget, forget, and forget, but his red eyed prince wouldn’t escape his thoughts.

kaworu loved his delicacy. kaworu praised his emotional vulnerability, the sentimental grip shinji held on his past. kaworu admired his troubles, consoling them as the beautiful pain humanity holds. kaworu didn’t think shinji was a mess, kaworu didn’t think of his face as anything less than perfect. kaworu adored the bumpy callouses that decorated shinji’s hands, the way shinji would yelp when kaworu hugged him from behind.

kaworu loved shinji. all of him.

the stinging sensation of tears hit shinji’s eyes, as he let them fall freely across his face and onto his pillow. his body was hollow, rusted, and empty without kaworu’s touch. shinji was overwhelmed from the emotions he was having, the thoughts that were encompassing his brain, but amidst the chaos one thing stood clear to him; shinji hated kaworu nagisa.

he hated how safe kaworu made him feel. he hated the freedom and escape he found in kaworu’s touch. he didn’t have to care about the evas, his father, humanity, rei, asuka, or the dozens of problems that loomed over his brain every day. kowaru took them all and crushed them in half, and gave shinji a warm embrace of peace.

he hated that he had experienced that feeling. he hated the delicious taste of happiness kowaru had gave him only for him to snatch it away. he hated that he dipped his toes in the pool of love only for the pool to quickly drain forever. he was greedy, he wanted to experience it all the time. he hated that he didn’t know forever would end so soon.

kaworu was nothing but a liar. he lied while making shinji promises of eternal happiness, he lied when he told shinji he would never leave.

but was i the fool that fell for them? shinji thought. gripping onto his waist and chest, he desperately searched for any feeling that wasn’t vacant. he tried shaking his legs to make them numb no more, and he clenched his eyes and prayed that he would never think of kaworu again.

he prayed that he could go back into time and never meet him.

shinji wanted those days of happiness back, so he could quickly burn them into his usual days of depression. shinji wanted his brain to forget he ever had hope, that there was any chance for somebody to love him. kaworu was the only person who ever claimed to understand shinji, hands intertwined on their shared bed. shinji wanted that all gone.

shinji pictured misato’s arm draped around him. shinji envisioned what she might say to all his irrational thoughts, the jumble of chaos that made up his mind. misato had her heart broken before, didn’t she? why did she ever try again after that?

it’s better to love and lose, shinji. misato’s words echoed in his head. the emptiness you’ll feel if you live a whole life without love is incomparable.

pain is something man must carry in his heart, and since the heart feels pain so easily, some believe that life is pain. shinji flinched at the sound of his sweet voice in his head again. mankind needs love to go on.

no! shinji wanted to yell. i don’t need love! i don’t need the pain that would come alongside it. whoever said its better to love and lose… never loved and lost you.

shinji opened his eyes, fixated on the ceiling in front of him. he wanted nothing more than to forget kaworu. forget him forever.

shinji shifted slightly to the right, glancing at the mp3 player that rested on his desk. it was his first gift from kowaru, and he remembered cherishing it like the last meal he’d ever eat. shinji felt his body go limp, unable to move. he couldn’t feel his arms, legs, or anything else. perhaps it was better that way.

letting out a sigh, shinji had one thing left that encompassed his mind. shinji had one message, one feeling that he was sure he would never let go of.

i wish i never met you, kaworu.

#neon genesis evangelion #evangelion #shinji #shinji ikari #kaworu nagisa #kawoshin #kaworu x shinji #evangelion kaworu #nge kaworu #neon genesis kaworu #angst #evangelion angst #ao3 fanfic #character study #nge shinji #evangelion shinji

[sailxrmxrs]

hi hello this is my formal application to join the vampire diluc enjoyers club. i love vampires and i love diluc. putting the two together is just recipe for a breakdown of the greatest proportions (in a good way). so enjoy the result of my brain exploding over my keyboard and manifesting the exact brand of hurt/comfort, mildly angsty diluc that i need in these desperate times. also secret pining and slowly building tension that is so palpable you can feel it deep in every corner of your brain. bc it's tasty. anyway enjoy the vampire diluc goodness bc wowie i need to take a minute after this. cw for blood and injury and the usual vampire behaviours!

When adventuring in unfamiliar territory, one must always pay close mind to their surroundings and take note of any nearby points of interest. A small town, a lone cottage, anything that signified safety and civilisation. If you became too complacent, there was no telling who or what you might stumble upon along your travels, or the danger they might possess. Such a reality came to fruition during your ventures through the lands of Mondstadt. You, a lone adventurer out in the world with little but the clothes on your back and some quickly dwindling supplies. The experience had been mostly peaceful, your lack of companionship offering a quietness that kept you safe from imminent harm. That was, however, until you happened across a band of Treasure Hoarders making your way toward Springvale. Trying to fend them off had proved difficult considering you were wildly outnumbered. Treasure Hoarders weren't known for their amicable dispositions nor their willingness to leave a lone stranger who happened upon their camp unscathed. One glance at the stack of treasures they'd undoubtedly stolen and your fate was sealed—they hadn't killed you at least, but remaining alive meant little when your body was so battered and broken in their wake. They'd left plenty of deep cuts and scratches along with an array of purplish bruises where their fists had struck true. The worst of all your injuries, however, was the small throwing knife lodged in the side of your knee and the sprained ankle that swiftly followed when you collided with the ground. They'd left you alone after that, tossing your aching body back onto the dirt road before laughing amongst themselves and returning to the warm air of their campfire. Laughter had never sparked such a furious rage in your chest than in that very moment. But what could you do? There was no one else around to come to your aid, nor could you fight them off in your condition. To attempt such an endeavour would only guarantee your death. And so all that you could do was muster up enough strength to rise to your feet and find shelter of some kind. Anything was better than laying in the road and risking the Treasure Hoarders return for a second round.

Walking blindly along, gait unsteady and slow, the sprain in your ankle soon began to feel more like a fracture. The uneven ground along with the tiredness that seeped in your bones made you feel weak beyond belief. To think just one chance encounter would upend your travels so drastically was beyond prediction. And yet, here you were, making your way through the wilds in search of any sign of help. That was when you emerged from a forested clearing and caught sight of a mansion of sorts sitting in the sprawling hills of its surrounding landscape. There was no sign of it being occupied yet it had not fallen into a state of disrepair. Someone must tend to the area else it wouldn't look so invitingly pristine. But even as you neared the stone steps leading up onto the mansion's grounds, there were no maids nor groundskeepers in sight. All that stood was a towering building of unbelievable proportions compared to the homely cottages and makeshift campsites you'd come across since first reaching Mondstadt. Judging by the rows of grapes that lined the mansion's perimeter, the master of the house, whoever that may be, ran some sort of establishment that dealt with wines. That, or he just rather quite liked grapes. Either way, whoever resided here was your only chance at securing a safe place to rest your head until you could make a full recovery. Or, at least, recover enough to head out for Springvale and onto the City of Freedom itself.

When you reached the heavy wooden doors, it took almost all of your remaining energy to knock hard enough to be heard from inside the mansion. Agonising seconds passed, each moment that you remained alone weighing heavier and heavier on your shoulders. Was there even anyone in there to hear the desperate call for help in your weakened knock? Would they even care to aid a lone adventurer who had trespassed onto their land? Question and doubt plagued you as you stood staring at the stillness of the doors, what small semblance of hope they had granted now beginning to rapidly fade away. Just as that flickering flame was about to extinguish itself, a loud creaking sounded as the doors opened a crack. Anticipation rose at the thought as the mansion's occupant made themself known. Standing before you was a man with hair that could only be described as flame red. His hair tumbled over his shoulders in curled waves that shone even bright in the moonlight. He wore a white linen blouse, framed by a long, dark jacket that lay slightly crooked on his body—perhaps the only sign of dishevelment upon his entire being. The top button of his blouse was undone, revealing a small triangle of his pale complexion. His skin was so clear it seemed almost iridescent under the moon's opaline light. Something about him was hauntingly beautiful, down to the dark amber of his eyes and the almost scowl that failed to mar his grievous beauty. In your distraction, you barely noticed how his eyes trailed every inch of you searching for something in your clothes that might identify who had approached his home. Even after registering his intrigue, it took a moment to come to your senses, realising this mysterious man was waiting for you to offer some explanation as to your arrival.

"I apologise for disturbing you so late, sir. I ran into some trouble with a band of Treasure Hoarders and don't have the strength to get myself to safety. If it isn't too much trouble, might I rest here for the night?"

He remained silent as he examined your condition, gaze settling on the throwing knife that remained lodged in your skin. Safer to keep it there than risk bleeding out. Something in his stance shifted, his nose crinkling for a fraction of a second before he opened the door further and gestured for you to enter. What lay before your eyes only heightened your curiosity. Despite the grounds being empty, you had expected to see at least a few members of staff walking about the place, dusting off bookshelves or fetching the master a late night beverage. But there was nothing of the sort in sight. Instead, you were greeted with an open room decorated with the finest opulence—evidence of your host's wealth. This man you had happened upon and his home were most unusual, and yet you couldn't stave off the intrigue that tingled each of your senses, whispering in your ear how you mustn't run. It was so invitingly warm compared to the howling winds; a beaconing safe haven you couldn't possibly walk away from even if your injuries weren't preventing you from doing so.

Your host directed you toward a pair of cushioned sofas, having closed the heavy doors with ease. For a man so draped in elegance, he was certainly stronger than he seemed. Even the way he walked was captivating, as though each and every step was perfectly calculated and orchestrated so that he always presented an image of divine excellence. So much of him seemed to embody a sense of refinement that could capture and control a room with a mere glance. This was not some ordinary businessman residing in these walls.

"Here. Take a seat while I see what supplies I have." He was certainly a man of few words, though you couldn't fathom why when his voice sounded so velvet smooth. There was something otherworldly in the way he spoke, as though he did not truly belong here. Was this perhaps just an affectation of the countrymen in Mondstadt? There was no use dwelling on who your host might be, names and history of the nation all too unknown to mean little more than idle chatter to you. Still, there was always the chance he might indulge the questions swarming your mind. When he returned, apologising for the wait, he kneeled down to tend to the worst of your injuries. Namely the wound from the throwing knife that throbbed with each minute movement of your leg. He was careful not to aggravate the spot too much, carefully removing it and tossing the blade aside once it was finally free. A large, yet cool, hand pressed gauze against the now open wound. The pressure was uncomfortable, but a necessary price to pay for the reward of recovery.

"You're lucky you came here. Not everyone would know or possess the materials to close this wound of yours." His eyes met yours, candlelight reflecting in the deep colour of his irises. Before they had looked almost brown but the soft golden glow illuminating this corner of the room was enough to show their true colour—whorls of gold embedded among amber. He soon averted his gaze to focus on your injuries, leaving you mildly dazed from how you reeled at the short moments of eye contact. It felt like it lasted far longer than it had.

"Then it's a good job I found your home, isn't it?" You offered a smile, hoping that even a fraction of your gratitude came across in the gesture. A whispering echo of his own smile twitched in his lips as he remained focused on your leg. The pain had dulled somewhat, though the discomfort still remained, but it was nothing you couldn't endure. You let your eyes wander, surveying the room around you while your host stitched the wound back together. It was then that you began to notice the signs of his solitude; stacks of books were piled on the floors, a thin veneer of dust covering the leatherbound volumes. They looked old even ignoring their dusty state and how the pages had yellowed with age. In fact everything around you seemed a little too old fashioned to be considered coincidence. Perhaps he had inherited the mansion from family and simply hadn't bothered to redecorate? There was no telling just what secrets might lie in the cracks and crevices of this aged mansion or the man inhabiting it. Still, it wasn't as if you planned to stay for too much longer so no doubt all those mysteries would remain buried in the walls for as long as he willed them to.

By the time he had finished stitching your wound and tending to your ankle which, as luck would have it, had indeed worsened to a fracture, you could feel sleep tugging at every extremity in your body. The pain was not a distant echo though you still felt rather fragile as you lay back on the cushions. Your host and healer had not long left to discard the now-used materials. He had remained quiet for the most part, only offering small warnings to prepare for a spike of pain. Everything about him, his name included, was shrouded in mystery and there was nothing you longed for more than to pull back the curtain concealing so much of himself from your gaze. When he returned, you barely registered his voice in your ears as sleep crept closer and closer.

"Luckily for you I have a spare room in suitable condition for a guest. Your ankle will need some time to heal so I'm afraid you might need to stay here longer than you intended." You mumbled out a mostly incoherent reply, falling unconscious shortly after a pair of strong arms lifted you from the sofa and carried you away while sleep took its hold.

The following day sunlight poured over your skin, gently waking you in an unfamiliar room. You were laying in a large bed wearing clothes you didn't recognise. The room was not overly decorated, though it wasn't too minimalist either; a bookshelf piled high sat along the back wall and there was a set of drawers beneath the open window and a flowerpot nestled in the middle, its leaves gently moving in the breeze. The air was fresh and invigorating, slowly pulling you out of the hazy drowsiness of your slumber. Memories of the previous night were a slight bit too far out of your grasp, as though a film of fog was clouding the snapshot pictures of all you saw. It was only as you slowly found consciousness and energy creeping back, along with the persisting aches, that everything settled in your mind. You'd been badly injured, stumbled upon an almost uninhabited manor and found yourself in the care of an unknown lord. It almost sounded too fantastical to be real but the sudden knock at the door and immediate entrance of your host proved this was not some elaborate dream you'd manifested while asleep.

"Ah, you're awake. How do you feel?" He carried a tray in hand, laden with food and some water.

"Sore. But good. What time is it?" One bite was enough to make you realise just how much you needed this meal.

"Early afternoon. You're a heavy sleeper." His lips upturned in a small smile as he perched at the foot of the bed. Today he looked more prepared for guests than the previous night. The deep maroon of his corset only accentuated the brightness of his hair and he seemed a fraction more composed than when he'd first laid eyes on you. A moment passed when the state of your undress registered in your mind, warming your cheeks as you tried to sit up despite the persistent twinge of pain striking your leg.

"Ah, ah. None of that. I'm prescribing you a few days of bedrest. Your ankle is in rather poor condition and I'd rather not have you become a permanent resident in my home for it."

Worry that you might be imposing began to rise. The last thing you wanted was to be bothersome or interrupt any plans he might have had.

He held out a hand, as if sensing your inner turmoil. "Your face is an open book. Relax. I'd rather see you fully healed than send you away into danger. I live alone here so the company might be rather pleasant for a time. Still, I do not wish to rob you of your independence so I intend to arrange for a walking aid so that you can venture the manor at your leisure. Until then I ask that you remain in here."

You nodded, accepting that the both of you had little choice in the matter. After all, you did come to Mondstadt with the intention of seeking adventure and new sights. This was just another chapter, one that was entirely unplanned and unexpected, but an adventure all the same. Over the following week you found yourself growing closer to the man who'd aided you. Diluc, you'd learnt was his name, was a private man, only offering small titbits of himself whenever you asked. He was most amicable in the evenings, frequently joining you upon your request to read under the waning remnants of sunlight. It was then you'd learnt about his lucrative wine business, something he'd inherited from family though he had divulged no more than that. Where his family was now you could only assume from the pained crease in his brow that the story was not one that possessed a happy ending. Much of Diluc's existence seemed to suggest his was a life of difficulty despite the lavish furnishings of his home. Even a wealthy estate felt barren if you were the only one to occupy it.

In spite of how fond you had grown of Diluc, much of him was still shrouded in mystery. Even his day-to-day routine sparkled ounces of curiosity within you—specifically because you were privy to so little of it. Even after acquiring a walking aid and gaining access to the manor in its entirety, you still felt as though you barely knew the man hosting you. He'd served your meals while bedridden but had encouraged you to help yourself to all the supplies in his pantry and inform him of anything else you might need. Yet you had never seen him eat. If ever you commented, he would reassure you not to worry and would swiftly change the subject; if he wasn't an expert at diverting conversation before, he certainly was now. And it wasn't just around eating, Diluc would also dismiss any and all inquiries about his sleeping schedule. Whenever you rose in the morning, Diluc would be about the mansion having already started his day. And come evening time when you were fighting to stave off sleepy yawns. Diluc seemed to possess just as much energy as he did in the mornings. Perhaps he fuelled himself on an abundance of coffee, but you had yet to see him take even a sip of the stuff. There was also the fact you could have sworn you heard him leaving the manor late at night. Maybe it was just the sound of the wind, but it sounded a little too loud even for the sweeping winds of Mondstadt. Diluc's evasive nature and his perplexing schedule certainly explained the ghostly paleness of his complexion but a small voice in the back of your mind whispered that there was something else. Something that he was so deftly hiding from you that was just out of reach. Perhaps if you reached a little further, you could grasp the truth in your hands.

Such a moment came in the dead of night, the sky an abyssal pool of oblivion black with its smattering of stars. Even blanketed in darkness, you could just about make out the peak of Dragonspine looming in the heights of the horizon. It was truly a sight to behold under night's comforting silence. Still, as beautiful as the night's scenery was, you longed to be tucked away in bed and dreaming of far off places. But in spite of the tiredness clinging to your person, such respite still would not come. It was as though there was some pervasive force impeding your conscious thoughts, luring you toward the answer to a question you didn't realise you'd asked. Restlessness had you fumbling your way in the dark through the house, now much more accustomed to your walking aids as your ankle slowly healed. Silence consumed the manor, even more so than usual. The unsettling feeling accompanying the darkness soon ebbed at the faint glow from behind a closed door. Diluc was still awake. Not bothering to knock, you gently pushed the door into the kitchen open. Diluc was leaning against the counter, blood staining his clothes. Fear sank deep under your skin, propelling you close to him in an urgent need to ensure he was okay. Your walking aids were abandoned, your weight causing a dull throb in your ankle but that was of little importance. His coat had been tossed beside him, blood staining the beige material though it paled in comparison to the starkness of the deep crimson against the crisp white of his linen shirt.

"What happened. Are you okay?" Your words were frantic, worry and concern taking over ever rational thought in your body. Your shaking hands fumbled with the buttons on his shirt, only able to unfasten two before Diluc's hand covered them. The porcelain of his chest revealed no sign of injury. But the blood must have come from somewhere. He placed a hand on your shoulder, his touch gentle and any trace of his initial alarm fading away into acceptance for the situation he now found himself in.

"I'm fine. The blood isn't mine. You should be more concerned for that ankle. I am not worth risking yourself over." He stepped out of your grasp to retrieve what you had forgotten, only speaking again once you had taken the weight off your injury. Looking into his eyes, you thought there was something like regret there, as though he'd made some grievous mistake that had finally caught up on him.

"What do you mean it isn't yours? Whose is it? Where have you even been this late at night. Diluc, I—I don't understand what's going on here."

He was quiet, hesitance clinging to the crease in his brow as he weighed his options. "That is not your concern. My business is my own."

"Not my concern? I have put my trust in you. Stayed in your home when I had no other choice. I have put my life in your hands and suddenly your whereabouts are not my concern? Surely you are not so brazen as to think I would accept that?"

"It isn't so simple—"

"No, Diluc. No. I'm not accepting that. I've overlooked a lot of strangeness going on here and I think I'm due some kind of explanation. You barely seem to sleep, you never eat around me, you seem to be awake at all hours. Then you leave in the middle of the night and come home covered in blood that you claim isn't your own. What are you, some sort of vampire?" You had intended your final comment as an incredulous joke to demonstrate the absurdity of all that seemed to be going on at Dawn Winery. Yet, Diluc's expression turned dark as if some deplorable secret had been unearthed and laid bare in the candlelit glow of the kitchen.

"Diluc. Now is not the time for morbid jokes."

"I have never been more serious." His face certainly seemed to reflect his words.

A mangled concoction of confusion and fear bubbled its way up to your throat, stealing any and all words that might have tried to leave. Surely not. Surely this was all some elaborate joke Diluc was pulling and he was about to laugh it off and assure you that all this talk of vampires was nonsensical. But he didn't. He remained quiet and stoic, waiting for you to make the next move.

"But...No...What?" The world felt as though it was shifting around you as every moment of your time with Diluc replayed in your mind's eye. Diluc's apparent confession to being a vampire certainly explained a lot of things, but how could it be true? Vampires were in books and children's tales, not real life. Yet, it was also the only plausible and logical explanation for Diluc's bizarre living situation.

"I need a moment. A few moments, actually. Sorry. This is a lot of take in."

Diluc laid a reassuring hand on your wrist. "Please, take some rest. But know that I do not wish your harm, nor do I wish to take advantage of this situation. You may not believe this right now, but you can trust me."

You offered a meek nod, taking your leave of the kitchen to return to your own room and let sleep carry you away. You wanted to believe his words. A small part of you did. But a larger part was overwhelmed by it all. Vampires truly existed? Was this why Diluc lived alone in the manor? To hide his secret and keep innocent bystanders from harm? But then, how did he sustain himself? In all the stories, vampires did not eat as humans did. A shudder shot through you at the thought before your eyelids grew heavy and sleep finally washed over you.

Over the coming days, Diluc kept his distance. It was evident he was waiting for you to initiate conversation, letting you come to terms with the revelation of his vampiric status. It somehow felt as though it were both real and a fabrication of Diluc's invention. Still, even if it didn't feel entirely real, you missed Diluc's companionship. In the time you'd spent living with him, you'd grown fond of the man and that fact had not changed. So you tentatively took those extra steps to return to normality. You would take a seat beside him, bringing up some story of your time growing up to which Diluc would respond with a story of his own. Somehow it was as if a barrier had come down. The restraint and caution of secrecy that once shackled Diluc was no longer present, so now he could indulge in stories of his childhood, his former self. He was far from an open book, of course, but there was something softer about the way he spoke. As if he finally felt comfortable. As if he no longer had to hide who he was. He would answer your questions, entertaining the fantastical stereotypes with teasing remarks. It wasn't long before things felt normal again, or rather, felt better than normal. He no longer felt out of reach, but rather like someone you could bond with on a much deeper level. It was nice. There was still much about Diluc that remained a total mystery, but more so than ever you hoped to crack what remained of his exterior. Even if it took weeks, months, however long Diluc needed to shed what remained of his apprehensions. Thoughts of what might happen once your ankle fully healed were a muted whisper in the back of your mind, so miniscule you'd barely even considered that future. Living in the present was so much more exciting, after all.

One evening you and Diluc were sat together before the crackling warmth of the fireplace. The sun had long since set and the only light in the room was that of the fire and the candles dotted about the room. A gentle cosiness wrapped like a blanket around you, leaving you content and satisfied. Diluc was reading from a book he'd bought while out earlier that day. He'd been doing some business related to the Winery, though had spared you of the boring details that came with manufacturing and distributing wines. Diluc had told you of the tavern his family used to run and the commerce that made it flourish but upon his becoming a vampire he lost almost all interest in keeping the business running. He'd sold the place off to the highest bidder and become somewhat of a recluse in the manor, only keeping the supply of wine going so as not to rouse attention from the city folk. It was a quiet existence he'd sought out and a quiet existence he'd received in return.

"Can I ask a question?"

Diluc didn't lift an eye from his page as he answered, "You just did."

Huffing a sigh, you moved to lower his book and force his attention on you. "Your jokes are as dull as your taste in literature. But I'm going to take that as a yes. How averse are you to answering questions about how vampires, um, feed?"

"Don't tell me you're getting ideas." Diluc's voice rang with amusement, but he placed the book down to give you his full attention. "I'm afraid I can't answer as in-depth as you might like. I've never met another vampire. The one who created me barely stuck around long enough to witness my full transformation let alone answer any questions I might have had."

"Then, how does it work? Do you use human vessels or...?"

"Vessels? You make it sound as though I have some poor human sequestered to my basement for regular mealtimes."

"I don't know how it works, maybe you do. Who knows what you get up to in the dead of night."

Diluc's laugh was melodic, his head tipping back into the cushion of the sofa, his hair spilling like wildfire. "No human vessels. I actually make a point not to drink human blood. Not unless absolutely necessary." Diluc paused for a moment, sensing your earnest desire to pry further. He sighed, preparing himself to lay bare parts of himself he'd kept locked away from all eyes—except yours. "Not long after I was turned, I learned that drinking the blood of animals was enough to keep the agony of hunger at bay. It does not satiate like human blood does, but it is enough to sustain oneself for a good long while. I enjoy it that way."

"Have you ever drank from a human before?"

"Yes. Only a few times. The first, I would rather not discuss. It was a moment of blinded thirst that consumed every rational thought and bone in my body. I had no control and did things I wish to forget. Since then I have restrained as much as my body will allow." His eyes seemed to grow colder at the mention of his first taste of human blood, a distant echo of pain misting over the amber hue and turning them mute. He did not explain further, nor did he need to. There was a reason he had no family, and you could sense from the roiling anguish that it was not unconnected.

"Since then it has only been once or twice when I couldn't bare the pain any longer."

You edged a little closer, reaching a hand to cover his so that he knew you weren't afraid. The last thing you wanted was for him to back away from such a vulnerable state of being and recede into the iron shell he'd once donned. "Would you ever consider it? If someone were to offer?"

He shook his head. "I'm not sure that I could. It has always been this necessary evil so to indulge in a way that suggested a choice feels far too close. Too intimate." The way he whispered sent goosebumps shivering over your skin. The air was thick with a tension so palpable you swore you could see it. Could touch it. "I don't wish to forget that part of myself. It serves as a reminder of who I am—what I am. Dangerous. I am no longer human and I must live with that for the rest of eternity."

"Perhaps. But that does not mean you have committed some egregious sin for which you must atone. This was not your choice. You had this life thrust upon you with no warning nor guidance, Diluc. There is need to punish yourself for that."

His laugh was cold, lacking any respect or sympathy for himself. "You only think that way because you believe I am still human in some way. You claim I have committed no sin but you have not seen all that I have done."

"You're right, I haven't. But all of that history, both good and bad, only makes me more certain." You reached to turn Diluc's face toward you. He seemed withdrawn, full to the brim with self-hatred and contempt. An anger burned within him, but it was all directed inward; none of it was for you. "To become a vampire does not erase the human life you led. Nor does it eradicate the humanity that guides your every choice. If you were so soulless you wouldn't have taken me in and helped me. You would have carried me over your doorstep and stolen what life I had left. But you didn't."

"Saving one human is hardly atonement," Diluc scoffed, eyes raging at he stared at nothing. There was a pain so deep and dark it cleaved your heart in two. Partially for the turmoil that plagued Diluc's every step but also for the inability to soothe even a small fraction of that everlasting despair. There were years of tumultuous agony raging behind Diluc's eyes, a pain that you couldn't touch nor take away no matter how much you wished to. Words of comfort felt far too insignificant, yet what else could you offer? This was hardly your field of expertise. Though that did not stop your wandering hands from taking his in their hold, a physical reminder that you were there and you were not afraid. No matter how Diluc lamented for his lacking humanity, you had no intention to leave his side. Your touch managed to pull Diluc away from his spiralling thoughts, his eyes fixed on yours, all anguish and pain. Though there was a rising warmth the moment your eyes met his, as if he could hear all the words you hadn't said. Could sense exactly how much you wished to help him, comfort him, in the same way he had helped you. Perhaps it was all futile. Perhaps it meant little in the grand scheme of things. But that was a distant thought, utterly meaningless as you sat in silence with Diluc's gaze searing your skin. In all the time you'd been staying at Dawn Winery, you'd grown close with him but this felt different. A sparking energy flowed through each of you, an electric current passing through the point where your hands met. It was almost a little too much.

As if reading those thoughts, or perhaps hearing your heartbeat quicken, Diluc cleared his throat and broke off that eye contact, removing his hands from yours in the process. It was like a bucket of ice water had been thrown over you, reality finally coming into focus again leaving only the tingling remnants that were the memories of his hands touching yours. He mentioned something about it getting late—empty words to excuse himself. You could only half hear him bidding you a good night as he left for his room. Your heart pounded in your ears as you sat in contemplation. You had learned much of Diluc's past tonight, had peered into the vast depths of his inner thoughts. There was so much left unspoken yet it was enough to piece together what had happened to him and what he had done to culminate in the tragedy that seemed to shadow him. There was also something else that had shifted that night. The scorching feel of his eyes on yours and the electricity that his touch brought. It brought about feelings you couldn't quite fathom nor fully comprehend, but they also brought with them a sense of excitement—a sense of anticipation for what the future might bring.

The following evening you were leaving your room to fetch a pot of tea to accompany you as you prepared to settle down for the night. Even with your injury healing as well as it was, you still required the walking aids to keep the weight from erasing all your progress. You'd grown rather deft with them, able to walk at a decent pace about the manor. But in spite of your adept control over them, fate had something else in mind as you walked down the stairs and caught the carpet, sending you off balance and about to fall down the remaining few steps. You braced for the impact of the hard wood floors but it never came. Instead, a warm pair of arms wrapped around your frame, holding you up and against Diluc's sturdy body. His eyes flashed with alarm, sudden worry for your wellbeing spurring his actions and keeping you held tightly against him. Words evaded you, unable to tear your eyes away from Diluc's face. It seemed he was just as entranced with the way his gaze flickered from your eyes to your lips. No words were uttered and yet his thoughts were as clear as the morning sky. Suddenly his lips crashed to yours, his last piece of self-restraint falling away as he pulled you even closer. Your walking aids fell to the ground, rendered completely useless as Diluc held you in his arms. His lips were warm, soft, and utterly irresistible. All the scary stories about a vampire's thrall were true. Perhaps not in the way they were intended to be, but there was no denying the spell Diluc had you under. Not that he was entirely ready to admit it, but Diluc was just as bewitched by you. Your presence, your touch. All of it was enchanting to him. He believed himself entirely undeserving of it, but he was also selfish. Giving up such a divine act was unthinkable.

Then your lips parted, breaths heavy and heated as your eyes met again. It had been easy to miss the building tension that had grown over your time with Diluc, but now that it had come crumbling down the absence felt stark. Suddenly everything didn't feel quite so muted, as though you were seeing in colour for the first time. Despite the clarity of the world around you, your thoughts felt clouded and hazy, distracted by the way Diluc's lips had melded so perfectly over yours. Something like fear rose in his eyes, scared he may have overstepped a line or acted out of turn. He was soon soothed by the hand that brushed his cheek, guiding him back to your lips in a fleeting kiss. It was all the sign he needed to kiss you again, deeper this time, exploring all that you offered to him. Then his hands were sweeping you up into his hold, carrying you back up the stairs you'd just walked down. But he did not make to return you to your room and instead carried you into his own bedroom. Your heart raced with each step that Diluc took, never having been inside before, but his smile was warm and comforting, erasing any nerves that threatened to pull you out of this infinitely seraphic moment. He was gentle as he placed you down before climbing up beside you. His arms cradled around your body, warm and inviting as he held you close, his lips leaving gentle kisses at your temple.

"Your heart is beating so fast," he mused, voice barely audible above a whisper despite being the only two people in a sizable radius.

"Perhaps that is because I have just been ravished by a vampire who then carried me off to his bed." You couldn't help the teasing laughs at the way Diluc froze, suddenly realising how his actions might be interpreted. His hands left your body, which now felt cold in his absence, as he sat up and started to move away before you reached out for him and pulled him back down.

"No. Stay," you murmured, guiding his hands back to wrap around you.

His porcelain skin remained its usual pale shade, but you knew his face would be a blushing inferno if it were capable. He stumbled over his words, struggling to regain his composure. "You should know my intentions were only pure."

"I trust you. Regardless of your intentions, I am grateful to be here. Even if only because you feel so warm."

Diluc's laugh was a welcome sound. "Then please, feel free to use me as you see fit. So long as you stay here for the night."

"I think I can grant that request. Since you asked so nicely."

"I am forever indebted to you," he said before bringing his lips to yours again. Something about the way he so confidently moved was enthralling. Diluc had truly ensnared you in every way, though the same could be said about your own hold over him.

"In all my years I have never felt so whole. I don't think I realised just how lonely this place was. Or how lonely I was. Until you. Thank you."

Taken aback by his sudden confession, you hesitated a moment. His fingers toyed with yours, admiring the way your hand fit against his as he waited for you to speak. "Somehow it almost feels like destiny. As if the gods were waiting for the exact moment to lead me here."

"Whether it was some god-given blessing or merely lady luck on our side, I will be eternally grateful." Silence descended upon the two of you, comfortable and cosy as you lay in each other's hold. Time felt as though it had frozen, bestowing you the chance to bathe in this bliss for as long as you desired. It was only the growing tiredness that proved the world was still turning even as you remained there.

"You know," you spoke between sleepy yawns. "I've been wondering about something. Do vampires sleep?"

Diluc chuckled, a low hum that made your heart skip a beat. "We can, though we have no need. It isn't quite like your human slumbers, but rather a meditative rest that does little more than clear the mind for a time. We can take periods of rest, though they usually last weeks or months, sometimes even years. They are not needed quite so frequently, nor am in desperate need. Besides, I have a human to care for." He stroked a gentle finger against your cheek, his touch feather light as if he was scared he might shatter the serene moment with anything stronger.

"Hm, most interesting."

"You sound like you're conducting a study." Diluc made to tease you a little more until you yawned again, sleep desperately calling for you. "Close your eyes. I won't leave your side."

"Promise?"

"Promise," he replied as your consciousness waned and the most peaceful sleep you'd perhaps ever had washed over you.

That night was not the last you spent with Diluc. In fact, it soon became rare to be apart from him when you slept. His presence brought a soothing peace to your nights, allowing you to rest even more soundly. Since that first night he'd started to open up bit-by-bit, letting you in to even more of his previous life, including his family. A raw pain would cloud his face each time he told you of his brother, Kaeya, and the memories they shared as children running about the winery. But he no longer shied away from the pain that reopening those old wounds brought and instead kept it on display for you to witness. He wasn't scared anymore to have someone see him for all that he is and was; wasn't scared to let you see every piece of his past no matter how light or dark. His soul was yours to hold and cherish. Even when the inevitable night came for Diluc to divulge the single most tragic event of his life, he did not falter nor hide away from you.

The sun was long gone beyond the horizon, and the night grew cold. You and Diluc were lounging together, reading in comfortable silence before you retired to bed, when a thought struck you suddenly.

"Diluc, when was the last time you fed?" He'd been keeping to the manor a lot more than before, only leaving for short excursions to purchase food. Since choosing to spend your nights together, Diluc hadn't once left in the middle of the night to quench his thirst. Going a few days without drinking blood was no trouble, but it was fast approaching two weeks since he'd last done so—unless he'd magically snuck away without you noticing somehow.

"Ah, it was...some weeks ago. But you needn't worry." Some weeks? Had it somehow been even longer than you thought?

"Needn't worry? I know better than to trust that. Aren't you hungry? Thirsty? Whatever the right word is."

Diluc chuckled, lowering his book to one side as he reached a gentle hand to caress your cheek. "I'm surviving, aren't I?"

"Talk to me, Diluc. I'm here."

Something in Diluc's expression shifted, acceptance sinking in as he took your hands in his. This was something he had wanted to share for some time but could never find the words nor a moment that felt right. It seemed you'd given him the perfect opportunity to take one more step into his past.

"On the night you arrived here, after I made sure you were comfortable and sleeping, I left to find those Treasure Hoarders that attacked you. I don't know what came over me, really. But I couldn't let them walk away unharmed after what they did to you. I only intended to scare them off but got a little...carried away. Long story short that was my first human blood in decades. I try to refrain because every time it sends me back to memories of the first time." Diluc paused, a look of anguish passing over his features. You gently squeezed his hands, a warm reminder that you were there and you were listening. Always.

Diluc took a calming breath before continuing, "It was so long ago now yet it feels like only yesterday. I had just been turned and the agony was blinding. I barely knew who I was, just that I needed to satiate the scorching pain in my throat. There was nothing human about me then. Not as I tore this manor apart. And the people in it. Even my—" Diluc winced at the sound of the memory leaving his lips, his eyes falling on a black eyepatch sitting atop the mantel. This was the secret he'd buried so deep and now someone finally knew his most grievous sin. "By the time I finally regained any sense of who I was, it was too late. Far too late. It took months to stop seeing their blood on every surface of this place. I could barely live with myself but how do you kill a vampire? Granted eternal life at the cost of living with an all-consuming grief. In all honesty I'm surprised I can bear to say it aloud even now."

Words didn't feel enough in this moment. What Diluc told you had broken your heart into miniscule fractals. To think he had borne such a painful wound for so long with no sense of reprieve in sight. It required a strength few actually possessed. You slipped your hands out of Diluc's gentle grasp, moving to cup his cheeks, a thumb softly swiping away at a tear that trailed down his marble smooth skin. Diluc smiled, a raw vulnerability in his face that put together every shard of your heart that broke for the man before you.

"After I finally regained a grasp on myself I wanted nothing more than to run as far away from here as possible. I almost did. But I couldn't let the place fall to ruin. I couldn't let go of my human memories, if only to keep the people within them alive somewhere. So I stayed here, as hard as it was in the beginning. Kept the Winery business going as much as I could, sold the tavern my father owned in Mondstadt. Did what I could to find some sense of normalcy amongst it all. I'm sure if you went into the city you'd hear whispers of rumours. Luckily it's enough to keep curious humans from tempting fate and sneaking around the Winery grounds."

"You make it sound like you're some ghost haunting those that dare step foot anywhere near your home."

Diluc chuckled, his fingers absentmindedly trailing shapes over your arms. He was quiet for a moment, wanting to savour the foreign taste of serenity. He'd never thought he could find such peace in the form of another, yet here you were sitting there, as real as anything in this world. If it weren't for the feel of your skin under his fingertips, he might just be convinced that this were all an elaborate dream sequence.

"In those early years I was terrified some stray humans would venture too close and I'd lose control all over again. Over time it got easier as I figured out ways to deal with the thirst—ones that didn't require any sort of human involvement."

"Thank you for trusting me with this. My heart is breaking for all that you've been through, Diluc. I wish there was more I could do."

He shook his head. "You have already done so much for me. More than I could ever deserve."

You hushed Diluc with a finger over his lips. "None of that. You are worth far more than you realise. And that means no sacrificing your health. I know it's hard, but you can't hurt yourself, Diluc. You deserve to live."

"I know," he sighed. "But I blame you for making things so difficult. Wait, let me explain. After that first night I tried to justify what I'd done, deciding it was merely justice for the violence they'd inflicted. That I could return to my usual routine of hunting. I didn't account for the effect you would have on me, nor the aching desire to taste you. The last thing I wanted was for you to think I only took you in to be used as a meal. You're so much more than that to me, yet with each day that passes the urge to drink grows stronger and stronger."

Stunned, you stayed quiet as the admission sank in. Of all the things you'd expected to hear Diluc say, his desire to drink your blood was not one of them.

"Diluc," you whispered, barely audible in the silence of the manor. "Know that my opinion of you remains unchanging. Being a vampire does not make you any less human nor does it make me fear you. Please, don't hold back anymore." You edged closer to press the softest of kisses to his lips, feeling him respond in kind. Your cheeks were stained with tears to match Diluc's as if your bodies had reached an unfathomable synchronicity.

"I trust you. So please, take what you need from me. It's all for you."

Diluc didn't hesitate to lower his mouth to your neck, gentle with each press of his skin against yours. There was some trepidation in his actions, unsure and worried for what he might do. But if you could place your trust in him, could put your life in his hands then he had to trust himself. He kissed your neck, sending a shudder down your spine as he sank his teeth into the skin. The feeling was unlike any other you'd felt. His hold on you was secure, making you feel safe as an unrelenting wave of euphoria washed over you—no doubt a side effect to make the process more inviting to a vampire's prey. But you were not Diluc's prey, nor was he a threat to you. This was an intimate exchange between lovers, bonding in a way they could never go back from. As Diluc drank, you felt your hold on your sanity slipping. Hazy and drowning in the euphoric sensations, you tangled your fingers in Diluc's flaming hair. The sound he made was all shades of divine. Unable to hold back your own echoing sounds of satisfaction, Diluc lifted his head from your neck to gaze at you. His pupils were wide, the amber of his eyes deep and dark. Your chest heaved with every breath you took, reeling from the dulling waves of pleasure as Diluc's lips crashed against yours, a faint metallic tang on his tongue. His arms lifted you atop his lap, hands strong as they held you tightly in his grasp.

"And there was me thinking you could not become any more divine. The hold you have on my heart is beyond words, but know that I intend to cherish you for all of eternity."

#genshin impact #genshin impact x reader #diluc x reader #diluc ragnvindr #diluc ragnvindr x reader #genshin diluc x reader #genshin fic #genshin diluc fic #ah look it's the return of the vampires hehe #an inevitable comeback really #but this time it's diluc flavoured because yes #idk why vampire diluc hits so hard it just DOES okay i have definitely not brainrotted over this an unimaginable number of times i swear #yes i have that is a lie #ANYWAY here is the culmination of my pain and suffering /pos in the form of sad and lonely vampire diluc slowly opening himself up again #anna writes

[marshmallowprotection]

I don't know if you have answered this but.... How would Ray/Suit/GE react if during the entire route if MC was injured? Bruise on their arm or leg due to a fall. Idk, I haven't stopped thinking about that for a few weeks now because I remembered the first time I fell out of a tree trying to play hide and seek with some friends and ended up slipping to the ground and gave my right arm a bad bruise, it wasn't that bad and I didn't fracture it but it made it hard to do things with one hand for a while with a sling. Maybe on the route MC wanted to play hide and seek with Ray just like me?... haha.

Ray is the kind of person who would fret over any bumps or bruises. That's just the kind of person he is. He doesn't want you to be in pain in any way, shape, or form. After all, he spent so much time trying to deliberately make something so nobody would be able to question you at the moment.

He made you a fake bottle of elixir so you could take it if somebody questioned you. He put everything on the line to make sure you didn't get hurt and went against everything they taught him. He risked all of his safety for your safety. Needless to say... he would do anything to make sure you don't get hurt. He has spent most of his life dealing with different bumps and bruises.

He doesn't want you to be in pain, and if he can avoid it, he will find a way to make sure you don't do anything that can make you get hurt. 

The problem with this is that he would treat you more gently than he already does. He would sit you back down every time you tried to do something for yourself only to do it himself. It's not that he would think that you can't do it, it's more so that he's afraid of you hurting yourself so badly that you won't be able to do anything ever again. It looks like you'd be in for a hard time with Ray coddling your abilities no matter how you slice it. If that bothers you, it won't be easy to get him to stop doing it.

It's one thing if you come to him already injured, it's another if you get injured because of him or in a way that makes him think he should blame himself. He already doesn't want you to leave your room and he would make a point of making you stay put if that happened.

Suit Saeran is... complicated. It's easy to say that he would try to use your injury against you and make an example out of it. You're already in a bad situation and your life's on the line because you have to prove yourself by doing your job, and if you can't do that job, how are you supposed to stick around? So, wouldn't it make sense for him to use an injury like that against you?

Actually, no. That's too easy, is what he would say. It's too easy to belittle you for something like that. What's the fun in that? There are plenty of other reasons to explain why you're bad at your job. You've got plenty in his eyes. Why go there when he's got other things to get on you about? Oh, did you think he was going care about this? No, you have other fish to fry.

Why should he waste his time going for the most obvious example? What good is it going to do him to point out how clumsy you are in the first place? He would say that there's no purpose in getting on to you for such a thing. Your personality is what got you here in the first place. These injuries have nothing to do with it.

But, you might as well stay put where you are. 

After all, if you're too clumsy to take care of yourself, you might as well stay in that toy box. 

The only complicated part about this situation would be deciding where it would happen if you got injured in the midst of being trapped with him. Depending on where it happens and how it happens, the response he gives is going to vastly change for you. If it's at the beginning of everything that happens with him, he's going to be less sympathetic and he won't clean up the mess if you get bloodied and bruised. If it happens near the end, he might clean it up but he's not going to be nice about it.

GE Saeran understands that accidents happen sometimes.

Say this happened well before you came to Mint Eye… It's something that's going to be difficult to contend with because as you make your escape from the building, he's going to have to make a point of finding a way to get you out of there without trekking through the mountains if you injured your leg, for example.

It would take more work to get you out of there. It's not something he would complain about, but it would put the two of you in a bind but not something he couldn't figure out!

Depending on the actions that Ray and Suit Saeran, he’ll feel guilty about the way he treated you. He's guilty already no matter which way you slice it, but whatever happened in the past with this situation will be something that he will definitely apologize to you for as the two of you try to get the hell away from that place. He knows you're going to need time to figure out how you feel about him, but he wants you to know that he's going to get you out of there no matter what, safely. 

Imagine that, though. Before he does anything else in the cabin, he spends the first ten minutes making sure that you've got what you're in need of for your injury. I don't doubt him if he says he stole a lot of things from the infirmary to help you on the off chance you'd need to have something for a few days before you could get out of there.

#ask #mod kait #mystic messenger #anon #mysme #saeran choi #mysticmessenger #choi saeran #mm #ray choi #choi ray #ge saeran #saeray #saeran #suit saeran

[skippyv20]

Our Prayer List🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️

Prayers and good thoughts for our dear friend who is in horrible pain caused by a pinched nerve in her should, and extreme pain in her hip.

  Prayers and good thoughts for our friend’s BIL’s family.  Their father is at end of life stage, and the family is fractured.

 Prayers and good thoughts for our friend’s friends who are mourning the loss of their daughters.  One family is mourning the loss of their 11 yr old to liver failure.  The other family mourns the loss of their 20 yr old daughter by a freak sporting accident.  Please include the towns and county who mourn with them.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend’s father with Parkinson’s.  He and her mother are off to the beach!  Praying for them to have a wonderful time.🙂  

Prayers and good thoughts to bring home little five yr old Frank who is missing…they are still searching.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend’s daughter and grandchildren age 3 yrs and 18 months.  Her daughter makes too much money for government assistance.  She can’t afford therapy for both.  Our friend helps her as much as she can, but they need help.  They need a miracle.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend who is seeking help.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend being tested for kidney cancer, and her husband being tested for prostrate cancer.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend who is suffering from heart failure, and feeling so poorly.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend’s godmother and family.  Her son passed away unexpectedly from cancer.  Prayers for the family for their loss.  

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend’s friend, K and K’s daughter who is battling alcoholism.   We pray for K to realize how badly she needs help before it is too late.  We pray to Saint Monica to intercede on her behalf.     Prayers and good thoughts for our friend who needs to find a home as soon as possible.  Prayers and good thoughts for our friend who suffers from bouts of depression, and is feeling alone.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend, who has a very personal, embarrassing problem that has tormented her for her whole life. She needs for it to be gone once and for all.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend who has had knee surgery and is having complications.  She is feeling overwhelmed and scared.

Prayers and good thoughts for our little 9 yr old Novenas boy who has had a bone marrow transplant and is having some complications.  He is a fighter, but he and his family could really use prayers to help them through the tougher days. (Prayers and good thoughts for our 9 yr old Novenas boy.  He has had his bone marrow surgery  recently.  We pray for his quick recovery, that the surgery was a success, and that he will have a great prognosis.)

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend who is having a bad week, and needs prayers to help her through it.

Prayers and good thoughts for Richard, who is recovering well, but still struggles with speech.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend’s friend’s daughter, Sonia who  has a brain tumor and prepping for surgery. Another friend, Eva, is getting a divorce and is having serious financial problems.  Also, our friend may be asked to pay back her unemployment benefits even though she was completely honest in her application.  She has been out of work for a few years.   She is so desperate to find a job.   Prayers and good thoughts for our friend who had Covid a few weeks ago & haven't felt right since. Her doctors say she has Long Covid Symptoms! She suffers from anxiety, depression, insomnia and panic attacks.   Prayers and good thoughts for our friend’s precious Penny fur baby.  Penny had one treatment and it went well.  Praying for her complete recovery, two more treatments to go.  Prayers for her family as well.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend’s 18 month old granddaughter Allie, who is very, very sick fighting a skin disease in the hospital. Dr's think she had some type of autoimmune disease & will be battling skin problems her whole life! Dr's have put her on some type of cancer medicine to see if that will give her some relief

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend’s father who had surgery for a displaced hip, and is recovering.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend who is has surgery for bilateral mastectomy, and is recovering.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend’s 18 year old daughter who is healing and taking steps forward.  She is still struggling.

Prayers and good thoughts for Carol.  Carol is very overwhelmed by life’s trials.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend’s cousin who has 4 children, and has terminal cancer.

Prayers and good thoughts for our 8 month old Novenas boy who has had a bone marrow transplant.  Praying for his complete healing and quick recovery.  Praying for him to have a long, healthy, happy life.  Prayers for his family.

Prayers and good thoughts for our Novenas Baby James,  He is doing well and has two bottom teeth.  We pray for his ongoing health Prayers for his family.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend who is estranged from her daughter.  Our friend is overwhelmed with worry.  Praying they will reconcile.  Prayers for our friend to be kept safe from falling on ice during bad days.

Prayers and good thoughts for Baby James’ “heart” brother William.  He has had surgery and is now recovering, we pray for him to stay strong. He is doing well. We pray for his family.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend whose mother has pancreatic cancer once again.  It is terminal.  Praying for peace, comfort and for all the family to feel God’s loving presence.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend’s husband from our Novenas, who is battling pancreatic cancer.  He is just out of the hospital.  He is not worse, so that is a blessing.    His 7yr old son is having a hard time.  

Prayers and good thoughts for our dear friend little m who is mourning the loss of her beloved husband, and she is feeling weak & quite tired.  He was her caregiver as well.  We pray for God to place earth angels on her path, to ease her burdens as she moves forward.  

Prayers and good thoughts for the Queen who has had such a trying year, and the future looks like it will be very trying for her as well.

Prayer and good thoughts for our friend’s friend.  She has just had surgery to remove cancer from her arm, but is too ill to have skin graft. Now her cancer is returning and she will need another op or radiotherapy. She has underlying health conditions and her husband has Alzheimers.

Prayers and good thoughts for all who suffer from alcoholism.  Prayers and good thoughts for their families and friends watching their loved ones suffer.  Saint Monica please intercede on their behalf.

Prayers and good thoughts for all who have Covid.  We pray for God to touch them with his loving healing hands, and restore them back to good health.  We pray that they will not have long term effects

Prayers and good thoughts for all that have not had Covid, that we stay safe and Covid free.

Prayers and good thoughts for all who serve the public in all capacities, to be kept safe and out of harm’s way.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend.  We are praying she doesn’t have a relapse, and can go forward in good health.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend and her family. She lives in Russia but are innocents.  

Prayers and good thoughts for all who are suffering life trauma for circumstances that have arisen due to Covid and restrictions.   There is so much pain people are dealing with.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend’s husband who had bowel surgery.  Prayers for his ongoing healing and more energy.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend’s son still dealing with depression, doing better, but still need prayers for strength.

Prayers and good thoughts for Hunnymae who is mourning the loss of her precious sweet furbaby...dear Hunny Mae

Prayers and good thoughts for our dear friend Storm who is struggling with life’s trials.  Praying for her burdens to be lifted.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend Finding the Way Anon and her family who are going through many trials right now.  Praying for their burdens to be lifted.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend PG.

Prayers and good thoughts for all suffering from mental illness and their families that suffer with them.

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend’s friend in Kyiv and her family

Prayers and good thoughts for our friend’s 5 yr old son who has speech delay/echolalia.  Our friend is quite sure he has ADHD , but am now worried that the echolalia means she needs to consider ASD as well.  Also, please pray for our friend as she is so stressed.

If I left anyone out, please let me know…if there are updates or corrections required…please let me know….

God Bless you and thank you for joining us in prayers and good thoughts…🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️

#l

#d

[oaxleaf]

mag 123 - web development

once again, i want to know more about the gap between seasons because, whilst there's always been cracks in the archive team, it's now a full on fracture. is it unfair to blame all of the awful stuff on jon? sure. he's not guilty for all of it. but i also kinda get it? melanie tried to get her revenge - though not to the extent she wished - and is still stuck. not just that, they barely leave the institute anymore. i don't know about the rest of you, but if i was stuck in a place of psychological torment for six-ish months i'd probably turn pretty aggressive too

at the same time, jon's really got it rough, hasn't he? things aren't his fault, not for the most part, but he's still the one with the closest proximity to responsibilty for it who's also vulnerable enough to blame and hurt. i think he'd develop a massive amount of guilt regardless, to be honest, but this sure doesn't help. basira is, as always, turning a blind eye to the emotional complexity of the situation

as for the statement, i always love myself som tech- and internet based horror. so much horror is based on old things. buildings, ghosts, folklore. but the internet is so modern (relatively), and also has so much potential, and horror about it is often based in situations that the consumer of the horror could feasibly come across. i mean, most of us aren't going to inherit a creepy old house in the countryside, but the idea of just going on some niche, fucked up website is much more likely

as for carlos vittery, this really just brings up more questions than answers. who would have entered his name? alternatively, who's name would he have entered? i think it can be pretty safely assumed this has something to do with his death (and perhaps the entierty of his torment) but i have issues fitting the pieces together in my head

#tma #a mag a day #mag 123

[homeimprovement31311]

Why Does My Bathroom Smell Like Sewage

Introduction 

A foul odor can signal underlying issues, particularly when your home carries a sewage smell. When you detect septic tank odors in your bathroom, kitchen or laundry area. It might indicate more than just plumbing problems. The supply might be the sewer itself, necessitating instantaneous action. If a dried-out P-trap is the culprit. In this piece of informative article I will discuss about Why Does My Bathroom Smell Like Sewage that you have to know.

 A simple fix may involve running water from the faucet. However if a broken vent pipe is to blame.It is really useful to be seeking expert assistance. Aside from being unpleasant, an unusual sewage odor can pose health risks. Methane, a distinguished fuel line in sewage, can gather in risky quantities, turning into tremendously flammable.

for more: Why Does My Bathroom Smell Like Sewage

Left untreated  sewage gasses would possibly introduce methane into your own home doubtlessly main to sewer fueloline poisoning. However pinpointing the source of these odors can be challenging. While most people automatically assume the toilet as the likely culprit or issues can be concealed within various water systems in your home including showers and washing machines.

We have compiled this guide that will help you in tracking down the deliver of a sewage heady fragrance in your home. Once you identify the cause of the odor. We will provide troubleshooting steps to help resolve the issue. Nonetheless some sewage problems may require professional intervention.

Sources of Sewer Odors the House | My Bathroom Smell Like Sewage

Potential Sources of Sewer Odors Inside the House.

Dried-out P-Traps: 

The P-trap in your plumbing system is designed to hold a small amount of water creating a seal that prevents sewer gases from entering your home.If a P-lure dries out it is able to permit odors to escape.

Dried-out P-Traps refers to a situation. Where the P-trap in a plumbing system has lost the water seal that it is meant to hold. The P-trap is a curved section of pipe typically found under sinks showers and floor drains. 

See More: How Many Blocks To Build A 2 Bedroom House

It is designed to hold a small quantity of water growing a barrier that stops sewer gases from getting into the residing space. When the water inside the P-trap evaporates or drains away. It becomes dried out and this can allow unpleasant sewer odors to escape from the plumbing system and into the house. To remedy this issue, you could surely run water from the tap or fixture to top off the P-lure and reestablish the seal.

Broken or Damaged Sewer Pipes:

Broken or damaged sewer pipes refer to instances where the pipes in your home’s sewage or wastewater disposal system have experienced structural issues. This damage can take several forms including, fractures or physical breakage in the pipes. 

Such issues can lead to leaks, allowing sewage and associated odors to escape into your living space. Repairing or replacing these pipes is essential to prevent contamination and odor problems in your home. These repairs are typically best handled by professional plumbers or contractors with expertise in sewer system maintenance and repair.

Blocked Vents: 

Vent pipes allow air to flow through your plumbing system maintaining proper pressure and preventing odors from entering your home. A clogged or obstructed vent can result in sewer odors in the house.

Blocked Vents refers to situations where the vent pipes in a plumbing system become obstructed or clogged. Vent pipes are a crucial part of a plumbing system and they are designed to allow air to flow through the pipes. 

Which helps maintain the proper pressure and ensures that wastewater can flow away effectively. When these vent pipes become blocked or obstructed. They can no longer perform their intended function and this can lead to various issues including. The escape of sewer odors into the home. Essentially Blocked Vents means. That something is preventing the free flow of air in the plumbing system. Which can result in unpleasant odors entering the living space.

Faulty Toilet Seals:

A Faulty Toilet Seal refers to a problem with the sealing mechanism around the base of a toilet. In a typical residential toilet installation. A wax ring or a rubber gasket is used to create a watertight seal between the toilet and the floor plumbing drain. This seal prevents water and in the case of a faulty seal sewer gases, from leaking out around the base of the toilet.

A faulty toilet seal can occur due to various issues. Such as wear and tear, damage or improper installation. When the seal is compromised, it can allow sewer gases, which contain unpleasant odors to escape into your bathroom and subsequently, your home. To fix this issue the wax ring or gasket must be replaced to reestablish a secure and airtight seal between the toilet and the floor drain preventing sewer odors from entering your living space.

Dry Drains and Unused Fixtures:

Dry Drains and Unused Fixtures refers to sinks, showers or floor drains in your home that are infrequently used or left unused for extended periods. When those furniture aren’t used regularly, the water in the P-entice can evaporate leaving the entice dry.

The P-trap is designed to hold water, creating a seal that prevents sewer gases from entering your living space. When it dries out due to lack of use. It can no longer effectively block these odors potentially allowing sewer odors to escape into your home. To prevent this, it is advisable to periodically run water in these fixtures to maintain the water seal and prevent sewer odors from entering your home. 

Blocked Sewer Line:

A blocked sewer line refers to a situation where the main sewer pipe or sewer line. That carries wastewater and sewage away from your home becomes partially or completely obstructed. This obstruction can be caused by a variety of factors. Such as the accumulation of debris tree roots infiltrating the pipe or the buildup of solid materials over time.

When a sewer line is blocked. It can lead to drainage problems, sewer backups and in some cases the release of sewage and unpleasant odors into your home. Clearing or repairing a blocked sewer line typically requires the expertise of a professional plumber to ensure proper functioning of your home’s plumbing system.

Toilet or Sewer Backups:

Toilet or Sewer Backups refer to situations where the plumbing system becomes overwhelmed or obstructed leading to a significant issue. When a backup occurs. It means that sewage wastewater and associated odors are prevented from flowing properly through the pipes. Instead they can flow backward or back up into the home, including into toilets and sinks showers or other fixtures. This can result from numerous causes. Such as blockages, clogs or damage to the sewer system and it often requires immediate attention and remediation to prevent further damage, unpleasant odors and unsanitary conditions in the home. 

Sewer Gas Leaks:

Sewer Gas Leaks refers to situations in which there are unintended releases or escapes of gases commonly found in sewer systems. These gases can include methane hydrogen sulfide, and various volatile organic compounds.

When there is a leak in the sewer system. These gases can seep into the surrounding environment. Which may include homes or other structures. If it accumulates in enclosed spaces. Additionally, exposure to sewer gases, especially in high concentrations can lead to sewer gas poisoning causing symptoms. Like weakness headaches, dizziness nausea and in severe cases, loss of consciousness and suffocation. Addressing sewer gas leaks is essential to prevent. These potential dangers and it typically requires prompt professional intervention to locate and repair the source of the leak ensuring the safe functioning of the sewer system.

[nellasbookplanet]

Book recs: many worlds, alternate timelines edition

I've previously written a rec post on the portal fantasy genre, so let's now take a look at a very similar trope: that of parallel universes and alternate timelines!

Unlike portal fantasies, these books are usually scifi, relying on the theory of the multiverse, however there are exceptions (a common one being that of a 'sliding scale', where worlds move from scifi to fantasy the further you go).

Also, surprisingly many of these books have queer themes and characters!

Previous book rec posts:

Really cool fantasy worldbuilding, really cool sci-fi worldbuilding, dark sapphic romances, mermaid books, vampire books, portal fantasies, robots and artificial intelligences, post- and transhumanism

For more details on the books, continue under the readmore. Titles marked with an * are my personal favorites. And as always, feel free to share your own recs in the notes!

Sci-fi in the multiverse

Fractured Infinity by Nathan Tavares

Hayes Figueiredo is a struggling film-maker who wants to finish his documentary, who's life gets turned upside down when he meets the handsome physicist Yusuf Hassan enters his life, claiming an alternate version of him is a great inventor who's sent a mysterious device to their universe. As Hayes gets drawn deeper into the conspiracy - and his feelings for Yusuf intensify - he has to decide just how far he's prepared to go to win the life and the love he wants. Featuring a very gay and very morally dubious lead, this is a creative and strange read.

The Space Between Worlds (The Space Between Worlds series) by Micaiah Johnson

Multiverse travel is finally possible, but there’s just one catch: No one can visit a world where their counterpart is still alive. Enter Cara, whose parallel selves happen to be exceptionally good at dying. As such she has a very special job in traveling to these worlds, hoping to keep her position long enough to gain citizenship in the walled off Wiley City, away from the wastes where she grew up. But her job is dangerous, especially when she gets on the tracks of a secret that threatens the entire multiverse. Really cool worldbuilding and characters, also featuring a sapphic lead!

Ascension by Jacqueline Koyanagi

More of a space opera than a typical multiverse story, Ascension follows Alana Quick, an expert Sky Surgeon who stows away on a spaceship in hopes of landing herself a job. But the ship and its crew are in deeper waters than she expected, facing threats emerging from a whole other universe, all of them searching for the same person: Alana's spiritually enlightened sister. Undeniably a bit of an odd read, Ascension is also very creative and features polyamorous lesbian relationship.

Finna (LitenVerse series) by Nino Cipri

Novella. Working as a minimum wage employee at a big box furniture store already sucks, but it gets exponentially worse for Ava when a customer gets sucked into a wormhole and she gets sent to retrieve her from the mazes of the multiverse. To make matters worse? She has to work with her ex. A fun, quick and creative read as well as a scathing critique of capitalism, also featuring a major nonbinary character in Ava's ex and colleague.

The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi

In an example of extremely differing timelines, The Kajiu Preservation Society features an alternate Earth that's home to giant kajius who feed on radiation. During the height of the pandemic, Jamie is suddenly in the need of a new job. Rescue comes in the form of an old acquaintance who works for a secretive animal rights organisation and invites Jamie along. This one is lighthearted and a bit gimmicky, but also a fun and quick read.

The Doors of Eden by Adrian Tchaikovsky*

In yet another example of very different timelines, The Doors of Eden is something of an experiment in speculative biology, featuring versions of Earth in which various different species were the one to rise to sentience, from dinosaurs to neanderthals. Now, something is threatening the existence of all timelines, dragging multiple different people into the struggle, among those a pair of cryptid hunting girlfriends and a transgender scientist.

The Long Earth (The Long Earth series) by Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter

When a device consisting simply of some wiring, a three-way switch and a potato makes it possible for anyone who wants to travel the multiverse, humanity is changed forever. But despite their great similarities, these worlds also have great differences from our Earth - such as a strange lack of humans. Joshua, one of few people able to cross the multiverse without the help of the potato-device, sets out to explore these seemingly endless worlds.

Hominids (Neanderthal Parallax trilogy) by Robert J. Sawyer

On a parallel Earth, neanderthals have developed a radically different society from ours. Ponter, one of these neanderthals and a physicist, gets accidentally transported to a research facility in our world, where he's faced with the great cultural differences between human and neanderthal society. Meanwhile, back in his home world, his housemate Adikor is charged with his murder.

Meet Me in Another Life by Catriona Silvey*

Thora and Santi are strangers, brought together by a coincidence and torn apart just as abruptly when tragedy strikes. But this is neither the first nor the last time they meet - again and again they encounter each other, as friends, lovers, enemies, family, every time recognizing in each other a familiarity no one else carries. But with every new life, a mysterious danger grows ever closer, forcing them to find out the truth of their connection. Calling this a multiverse story isn't entirely correct, but it also isn't entirely incorrect, and saying more would be an immediate spoiler. It's a puzzle-box of a story that goes some entirely unexpected places in a very wild ride, featuring a bisexual co-lead.

Magic in the multiverse

The Invisible Library (The Invisible Library series) by Genevieve Cogman

Irene works as a spy for the mysterious Library, which collects fiction from different realities. She's sent to an alternate London rife with magic and chaos to retrieve a dangerous book, but by the time she arrives it has already been stolen. Alongside her assistant Kai, she races to find the book before it's too late.

Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore*

Young Adult. Jane is invited by an old acquaintance to an extravagant gala in an island mansion, stranding her among the rich and glamorous. But being surrounded by rich people is the least of Jane's problems: the mansion is housing secrets, some of them tied to Jane's own family. The mansion offers her five choices, all of them leading her down different paths and different answers. Jane, Unlimited is a choose-your-own adventure story of sorts, featuring five different endings in five different genres, each more off the wall bonkers than the next. It also features a bisexual main character!

A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic trilogy) by V.E. Schwab

Kell is an antari - one of the only people able to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black. Kell's London is a place of magic, where he works as an ambassador traveling between the worlds. He's also a smuggler, secretly and illegally bringing objects between the worlds. His hobby brings him into hot water when an exchange goes wrong, and lands him face to face with the cut-purse Delilah, who's prepared to do just about anything to step from her Grey London to one of magic and adventure.

Fucked up parent-child relationships in the multiverse

The Possibilities by Yael Goldstein-Love

Ever since her son Jack nearly died at birth eight months ago, Hannah has had the niggling feeling that something is wrong. When Jack is mysteriously snatched away, Hannah's fears are proven true; now she must employ a strange and newly awakened ability to cross between parallel worlds to save him. On the lighter end of the scifi spectrum, The Possibilities explores the fears and anxieties of motherhood through the spectrum of the multiverse.

Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson*

Utterly unique in worldbuilding, story, and prose, Midnight Robber follows young Tan-Tan and her father, inhabitants of the Carribean-colonized planet of Toussaint. When her father commits a terrible crime, he's exiled to a parallel version of the same planet, home to strange aliens and other human exiles. Tan-Tan, not wanting to lose her father, follows with him. Trapped on this new planet, he becomes her worst nightmare. Enter this book with caution, as it contains graphic child sexual abuse.

Bridge by Lauren Beukes

When she was little, Bridge and her mother Jo used to play a game - one where they traveled to other worlds, inhabiting the bodies of their other selves. Now Jo is dead, and as Bridge is cleaning out her apartment she finds a strange device: a dreamworm, the very thing that supposedly makes inter-dimensional travel possible. Suddenly faced with the possibility that multiverse travel is real, Bridge is struck by a different question: could her mother still be alive? Scifi spiced with a healthy dose of body horror and some absolutely wild twists, Bridge also features a bisexual lead (however this is a blink and you'll miss it moment) and a nonbinary co-narrator.

Bonus AKA I haven't read these yet but they seem really cool

Infinity Gate by M.R. Carey

An AI threatens millions of alternate versions of Earth, and a political and trading alliance binding them all together is prepared to stop it no matter the cost to human life.

Ida by Alison Evans

Young Adult. Ida struggles more than most young girls with finding her path, as she has the ability to shift between parallel worlds, allowing her to see many different possibilities

The Art of Saving the World by Corinne Duyvis

Young Adult. A dimensional rift has opened in Hazel's backyard, and is strangely tied to her presence, growing volatile if she travels too far away and forcing her to stay in her home town. That is, until not one but three other Hazels falls through the rift into her world.

Honorary mentions AKA these didn't really work for me but maybe you guys will like them: Dark Matter by Blake Crouch, A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray, Interworld by Neil Gaiman & Michael Reaves, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

#extra bonus rec if like critical role: #go read The Shattered Stage is Set (and There's a Role You Must Fulfill) by grayintogreen #nella talks books #fractured infinity #the space between worlds #ascenascension #finna #the kaiju preservation society #the doors of eden #the long earth #hominids #meet me in another life #the invisible library #jane unlimited #shades of magic #the possibilities #midnight robber #bridge

[labmedicasys]

SURGICAL MICROSCOPE | OPHTHALMIC SURGICAL MICROSCOPE | LABMEDICASYSTEMS

A surgical microscope could be used to optimise visibility of root canal details (e.g., to identify and remove fractured root canal instruments or calcifications), a detailed view over the resection surface and the entrance into the root canal with its anatomical peculiarities, to rule out root fractures, to control the proper seating of the retrograde root cavity, as well as instrumentation under detailed sight, identification, and removal of foreign bodies including remnants of overfilled root canal filling materials within the periapical bone cavitylensometer in India.

Kaps Surgical microscopes of the SOM® 62 series

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[crankitupswe]

Bleed From Within - Shrine

Bleed From Within – Shrine

Nuclear Blast Släpps 3 juni Skottarna i Bleed From Within släpper ny fullängdare. Shrine landar på drygt 47 minuters speltid och innehåller 12 spår. På nya plattan har bandet tagit soundet från succéalbumet Fracture (2020) och utvecklat det ytterligare. Med nya plattan visar bandet återigen att man är en kraft att räkna med inom metalcorescenen. Öppningsspåret I Am Damnation släpptes som singel…

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#Bleed From Within #Metalcore #Nuclear Blast

[stanning-reyna]

How cool would it be if Percy had the ability to heal others with water the same way he can heal himself?

Like his other powers, it gets stronger and easier to control over time. The first time he did it was in som. Annabeth had been scraped by rocks while she was thrashing through the water under the siren’s spell, and when they sat there in the underwater bubble he tried to clean the scrapes out. He noticed that not only was the blood being washed away, but also the wound itself. Pretty soon it was completely healed. Annabeth was too distracted with her crying to notice and Percy pushed his shock away for the next week to focus on completing the quest.

Later that summer, one of his teammates got cut with a knife during capture the flag. Percy remembered what he'd done earlier and managed to heal the wound using water from the creek. He told Annabeth all about it the next day and she thought it was the coolest thing ever, even if he could only heal minor cuts and bruises. She tried to help him practice it whenever they could.

Ttc rolls around. Even after a week of rest, Annabeth's body was still in horrible condition from the days she spent holding up the sky. Percy could tell she was in pain and on their way back home, he had them stop by the coastline. In the ocean water, he managed to heal her stress fractures and more. He'd never done that much before and it drained him, but for Annabeth he could manage. Grover watched in amazement from the shore.

Word had now spread all over Camp that Percy could heal injuries, and of course Chiron asked him if he would want to work in the medical tent or infirmary. Percy said no. He'd seen enough to the stupid and dangerous things teenagers do to want nowhere near that place.

When Annabeth was stabbed in the Battle of Manhattan, Percy wanted desperately to bring her to the river and fix her, but he knew they didn't have time and the battle was moving inland. She seemed to recover just fine with Will's help, which eased his worries.

#tell me if you want a part two #percy jackson #annabeth chase #heroes of olympus #pjo #pjo fandom #pjo series #hoo fandom #percy jackson and the olympians #hoo series #percabeth

[xo-gossipwitch]

Found in the great hall: the super confidential and candid journal belonging to Draco Malfoy. It’s highly descriptive of his quirks, what he really thinks of his fellow Slytherin friends and his feelings for a particular curly haired Gryffindor. And a bizarre rant on bubble baths. 😜

In the events of last night's lip-locking adventures, someone left behind a piece of relatively private property. I thought about giving them a chance to come to take it back without payment, but I can't pass up a good read. I'll let you all figure out who it belongs to.

Happy reading.

~xoxo, Gossip Witch

19 September

Today's her birthday. I am so excited to give her the present I've kept hidden in plain sight for the last three weeks. Even if she's been hanging out with Potter more and more, that doesn't mean her feelings for me are wavering at all. He's in love with Parkinson, or at least in lust with her anyways. Not that I can see why.

Sure, she's attractive, but she's spiteful as all hell. Judgemental too. I've heard her talk about Potter in the common room, and I pity him. She might put on a front when they are together, but that's all it is. She doesn't really care about him. She's too busy trying to track down one of the twins. I can never tell which one is which. I wonder if they've ever switched places on Pansy. I would pay good money to see that. I might have to suggest to one of them the next time I see them in the common room.

Hermione should be here any minute to leave for our date. A romantic dinner at the Three Broomsticks and then a bubble bath by candlelight in the prefect washroom with a bottle of Ogden's finest.

Bubble baths and my beautiful witch, two of my favorite things in one place. I can't wait.

30 September

Potter is a fucking twat. It's all his fault that I've been laid up in the Infirmary for the last three nights instead of sleeping in my own bed or Hermione's. That damn snitch was not worth the three broken ribs and fractured wrist that he caused me.

It wasn't even like the win guaranteed the house cup. It was just a fucking scrimmage match to see who would have the bye week while the other team had back-to-back games. The only reason I even wanted to get the damn thing was for the bye week.

At least Hermione has been coming by to keep me company most afternoons. Although, I'm pretty sure she's been spending time at Potter's bedside too when I'm asleep. I don't know why it bothers me so much. It's not like she's curling up in his bed at the end of the night, sleeping in one of his Quidditch jerseys. She loves me, and I love her. That's all the matters anyways.

At least I don't have to listen to the bickering couple on the other side of the door in my dorm.

10 October

I swear to Merlin, if Blaise and Theo can't work past their fucking differences, I'm going to hex both of them into the next lifetime. I can barely hear myself think when the two of them get started arguing. You'd swear they were having sex with each other rather than the same witch, even if they don't know it yet.

Although, they might have figured that out, and that's what's got them fighting like cats and dogs at the moment. Daphne's never been all that good at keeping secrets. Amazingly, she's been able to play everyone as long for the duration of her and Blaise's relationship. Although, after getting dumped by Little Weasley had to be as bad as hitting rock bottom for the poor man. Maybe he'll realize he's been chasing the wrong group of witches since they are all out of his league.

Millie would be the perfect match for Blaise. Low enough self-esteem to make him feel better about being such a sad sap for chasing after witches who want more than what he's able to give. Plus, I'm sure she'd be more receptive to whatever it is he has to offer in the sack. From what I've heard Tori grumbling on about unless Daphne spends the night with Theo, she's gotta go back to her room and finish herself off.

He'll get better someday, or he'll start sleeping with someone who doesn't know the difference.

Any guesses as to who you think this diary page belongs to? I'll give you a hint, he's madly in love with Hermione Granger and plays seeker for the Slytherin Quidditch team.

That's right, Draco Malfoy, I'm calling you out. You can claim your diary in the owlery when the clock strikes midnight if you can survive the night.

~xoxo, Gossip Witch ~

Want to be a part of the Gossip Witch fun?

This story is meant to be slightly interactive. Submit anonymous blasts about the students at Hogwarts and you might find your prompt used as inspiration in a future chapter! Submit your blasts to the @xo-gossipwitch blog on tumblr.

Thanks for continuing to inspire this story!

#xo gossip witch #xo gossipwitch #xoxo gossip witch #draco malfoy #hermione granger #dramione #theodore nott #daphne greengrass #blaise zabini #pansy parkinson #millicent bulstrode #harry potter #ginny weasley