#i've been uncontrolably sobbing since this morning | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

kairiscorner · 9 months

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🎶 When did it end? All the enjoyment

I'm sad again, don't tell my boyfriend

It's not what he's made for

What was I made for? 🎶 my fav part fr... anyways GOOD MORNING/AFTERNOON/EVENING KAIRIIIII. teehee.. can you do a miles x reader comforting reader? (any kind of problem that you want.. ex: weight, exams, feeling like a failure and etc) if you want to ofc!

🐨-

HI AGAIN 🐨 ANON MY BOO 🫂 omg i LOVE this idea, also why would you hurt me with 'what was i made for' (sobs uncontrollably) BUT ANYWAY, HOPING YOU LIKE THISSSS

(reblogs are greatly appreciated, it helps get my content out there! if you guys like what you see, please reblog it too <:D)

everything's gonna be alright — miles 1610 x reader

summary: lately, you haven't been feeling very proud of yourself. you used to be so good at what you did, it was your pride and joy to be amazing at what you do--but it's like the spark's gone, and when that spark's gone... wouldn't who you are be gone, too? miles doesn't think so, though, and he's here to prove you are so much more than how you see yourself. word count: 827

you couldn't pick up the phone right now, everything just felt so... suffocating. nothing felt right about today, about this whole week. you knew you should expect days like this, days when you feel unmotivated to do what you usually brings you fulfilment and joy, but recently, it's gotten a lot more intense. you felt like you were falling behind, like everyone else is getting ahead of you while you're still stuck back to where you started. you felt like the world was passing you by, and no matter what you did to counter that feeling, the feeling merely festered and worsened. you hated what you became when you felt this way, it made you feel like you weren't really in control of yourself.

"gonna, um... gonna talk about it?" miles asked you as he crawled into your room through your open window. you sighed, unsurprised that miles came after you ignored his calls. he always visited you like this, it was kind of tradition now ever since he got his powers. but whenever he came, you were usually so bright and cheery, with you doing whatever it was you were so passionate about–but recently, you've been more and more closed off, and it's been concerning miles.

you shrugged. "what's there to talk about?" you asked him as you began picking up the fallen items and pillows from your flurry of anger and disappointment in yourself. miles helped you clean up, what with him having memorized every inch of your room since he's here so often. "maybe about the fact you've been kinda off these days, and... i've been calling you. but you never responded, so i felt the need to see if you were okay–" "i'm fine." you responded immediately as you almost slammed your notebooks back on the desk, your nostrils flaring and your eyebrows knitting together.

miles looked at you with concern in his eyes. he approached you slowly, worried about what happened, even though you said you were fine. "i'll believe you, but if you wanna talk..." he began as he picked up a photo of you two that fell down from your notebooks and looked at it, smiling as he saw the silly faces you both made. "...i'm right here for you." he said as he gently pat your back and handed you the photo. you looked at him and took the photo from him, feeling slightly ashamed you were turning him away when he's so eager to help you. you felt a coldness overwhelm you as you shut your eyes and sighed. you admitted to miles nothing was okay right now, not a single thing was okay about this whole week and everything just... felt like you weren't important, your efforts weren't being recognized, and you were working yourself to the bone for nothing.

you felt hot tears form in your eyes as miles gently wiped them away for you. he nodded and looked at you with sympathy and compassion filling his face as sadness and regret filled yours as you thought more and more about how pathetic you saw yourself, how pathetic miles must've seen you at that moment. "i'm sorry, i'm sorry i'm so... so pathetic, i--" but before you could finish, miles shushed you and wrapped you in a gentle hug. "hey, hey... it's okay. you're good." he reassured you as he held you close, with you holding on to him and sobbing a little more into his shoulder.

"but it's... it's not okay, you have such valid problems, like saving the city, taking down villains, making peace with your uncle's death... and here i am crying over such stupid things..." you murmured as your lower lip trembled and as your eyes filled with new tears. miles kept holding you close as he rubbed your back. "all problems are valid. and even if you don't think so, i do. you're perfect in everything you do, because you make it your own. don't feel pressured to be on top, i'm perfectly content meeting you halfway there, or nowhere near the top at all."

"i love you, and i love everything it is you do. if you don't feel like doing it, don't be disappointed in yourself. take a break, be kinder to yourself, and best of all... realize you're worth so much more than your hobby, your grades, your looks, your everything. you are not what you make, you are who want to be." miles said as he pulled away from you and smiled as he wipes away the remainder of your tears. "and if you want me to start, well then, i'm no hero--the city made me that. i know who i am, and that is your annoyingly cute boyfriend of yours who will never stop reminding you i care, and that you are wonderful." he said as he kissed the top of your head and held you close again. "and i love you, so, so, so much."

tags !! @k4tsu3 @fiannee @luvstarrstruck @toneystank-3000 @ii01vq @maxoloqy @solecitoszn

#miles morales #earth 1610 miles morales #earth 1610 miles morales x reader #earth 1610 miles morales x you #earth 1610 miles morales x y/n #miles morales x reader #atsv #atsv imagines #atsv x reader #atsv x you #atsv x y/n #spiderman across the spiderverse #spiderman across the spiderverse x reader

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countrymusiclover · 2 months

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2 - Doctor Nicknames

Part 3

Feisty Coffee Girl

Izzie and I had gone to the bathroom in the gas station since we needed some groceries and the nearest grocery store was an hour away. Holding a hand over my stomach my sister ripped open the package of pregnancy tests we had just bought. “Here it should show up in five minutes after you take it.”

“I can’t be pregnant right. Mom would be furious if I were.” I gulped nervously taking the test out of her hands going into one of the stalls.

Izzie leaned her body against the wall waiting for me. “We will worry about mom after you take the test. Right now just keep calm and do the test so we’ll have an answer.”

“Okay I’m gonna do it now.” I answered her back peeing on the stick and just sitting on the toilet until the time was up. Opening my eyes I blinked through tears so emotional about what was down in front of me.

Izzie knocked on the stall door gaining my attention. “Y/n, what does it say?”

“It uh ... .it's positive.” I croaked through tears with my sister kicking open the door since I hadn’t locked it. She helps me up to my feet getting my pants up seeing me begin uncontrollably sobbing.

She wrapped her arms around my shaking body and I cling onto her for some strength. “Shhh I’m here for you. We will get through this.”

“You really think that?” I asked her.

Izzie broke the embrace holding me by my shoulders sniffing through some tears. “You and I are extremely tough and we will get through this.”

“What do you think it's going to be? Boy or girl?” Moving my hands down to my stomach I sniffed through my own tears. Closing my eyes I paused just thinking about the choice I had to make. I could get rid of it or keep it and become a teenage mother so young.

Izzie clicked her tongue with a light smile. “I'd say girl. She'll be just as badass as you are.”

“I might hope it's a girl someday too.” I gave her a weak smile. Running one of my hands over my stomach would change everything the second the baby's father said he didn’t want to be a teen parent so I ended up on my own. “I've always liked the name Everly. I'll probably name her that.”

“Everly will be an adorable name.’ My twin sister grinned hugging me again and we just held one another.

My phone had been ringing the entire time I was driving home from work. It had been almost over two weeks since I had gotten the random guy's number. Driving towards the elementary school I was on my way to pick up my daughter from school. Caroline was only able to take her during the mornings. Pulling the car to a stop in a spot I entered the school going to her classroom. “Seriously, how many times are you going to call me.” Taking out my phone I ignored the call.

“Mommy!” Lifting my head up I saw my daughter running straight to me. Her hair getting thrown in every direction until she flung herself into my waiting arms.

Wrapping my arms around her I laughed into her hair dropping myself onto my knees. “I've missed you. I miss you all the time you're not with me.”

“Can we go get pizza?” Everly asked me when we broke the embrace.

Brushing hair out of her face I chuckled. “Sure we can. Oh one second it's your aunt Izzie….hey Izzie what's up?”

“Would you be able to come to the hospital? I am stuck here for the rest of the day and I have some gossip I really need to tell you about.” She explained through the phone.

Holding the phone up to my ear with one hand I take Everly’s with my other leading her out to the car. “Izzie I don't know if that's a good idea. I have Everly with me and we want some dinner.”

“Meredith is sleeping with one of the residents in the hospital. I think that's enough of a reason to hear the whole story.” My sister declared.

Sitting my phone in the cup holder I helped Eve get into the backseat of the car getting into my driver's seat switching the phone to speaker making our way home. “Izzie, I love you. I want to spend time with you too. But it is not a good idea to bring her to the hospital.”

“I want to see aunt Izzie.” Everly said from the backseat of the car.

Izzie heard her and kept convincing me. “See, she wants to come see me. It will be fine. I can even add on that there's pizza down in the cafeteria. So please come visit me tonight.”

“Fine Isobel Stevens. We will come to the hospital. Just do your best to not get my daughter sick because then I'll have to take care of her for two weeks.” I caved running my freehand turning the steering wheel changing in the direction of the hospital. Hanging up my phone I hoped that this would just be a good visit and the next time we could hang out at my apartment or at Meredith's house that she was living in with some of her fellow interns.

Everly was already undoing her seatbelt to get out of the car by the time I had parked us outside the hospital. Leading her inside by the hand we found my sister standing at the nurse desk with her three other friends who were Alex, Christina and George. “Aunt Izzie!” Everly removed her hand away from mine jumping up into her waiting arms.

“Oh there's my favorite little niece.” Izzie twirled her around laughing until she sat her down on her feet.

Alex came around the nurse station with a smirk on his face getting close to me. “So you’re her sister huh. I gotta say you might be hotter than Izzie is.”

“Uh…Hey Eve, I think I heard somebody say they have pizza in the cafeteria. Why don’t you go wait over there for a second and then we can go get something to eat.” Bending my knees to be her level I put my hands on my knees to be eye level with her.

Everly grinned skipping over to one of the empty waiting room seats. “Deal. Be quick, mommy.”

“Okay so what gossip were you dying to tell me that we couldn’t do at home?” I focused my attention on my twin sister with her standing in front of me.

She throws her hands up beginning to ramble off with such bright and bubbly excitement that she naturally showed off to her friends and her patients at the hospital. “The doctor that I told you Meredith slept with is the head of brain surgery and is named Derek Shepherd. But he failed to mention that he was married and then his ex wife came to work here. And now for some reason the guy who also cheated on his wife is now in the hospital in that room.”

George leaned his head to the side, getting our group's attention to focus on the open room where a guy was stitching up his own face even though Meredith was standing in front of him. “Why is he suturing his own face?”

Cristina replied. “To turn me on.”

Alex explained where I parted my mouth opened hearing he was clearly impressed. “Cause he's Mark Sloan. He's like the go-to plastic surgeon on the East Coast.”

George gasped in shock. “That's the guy Addison was sleeping with?”

“Who’s Addison?” I raised a brow at the name.

Izzie filled me in. “You can't really blame her, can you? So basically it goes like this. McDreamy is apparently been best friend up until Mark slept with Addison who was McDreamy's wife till he found them sleeping together.”

“Oh wow.” I didn't know what to say about all their crazy gossip.

Cristina said back. “No, not really.”

George gagged. “Yes you can.”

Meredith finally came around the corner entering our conversation. “McSexy wants an x-ray to check for fractures and I think it's a bad idea if I take him.”

George stammered. “Why? Why?”

Alex bolted towards the opposite direction. “I'm on it.”

George asked. “Why is it a bad idea?”

Cristina quoted. “McSexy?”

Izzie responded and Meredith made a disgusted face. “McYummy.”

Meredith and Cristina said in unison. “No.”

Meredith finally spoke up again with another nickname. “McSteamy.”

Cristina awed in agreement. “Oh there it is.”

Izzie glanced down at me. “Yep. What do you think about the nickname Y/n?”

George gagged running away the second the door open and I turned my head in the direction. “Uh, just ah choking back some McVomit.”

“I don’t see what the big fuss about him is - holy shit!” I felt my mouth hang open when a guy with dark brown hair came out wearing a black tea shirt and gray pants.

Everly spoke up. “Shit?”

“You can’t say that. Only mommy says that.” Whipping my head around I warned my daughter with a finger before putting my attention to the guy in front of our group. “I….I’ve met him.”

Christina, Meredith, Izzie and George gasped all looking over at me. “How?”

“Don’t I know you from somewhere…Feisty Blonde?” The guy that looked exactly like Mark made his way over to us. His green eyes landed only on mine and they remained there with him putting almost no gap between us. “What are you doing here, Y/n?”

Running my fingers through my hair I chuckled nervously feeling my face turn red with the interns watching our interaction. “I guess I’m meeting you for the second time, Mark Sloan.”

Comments really appreciated ❤️

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its-vannah · 1 year

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Bigger Than the Whole Sky | Jacaerys x Reader

A/N: Y'all, I broke my own heart writing this. I'm sorry in advance ❤️❤️❤️

Warnings: Death of a child, grief

Midnights Masterlist

Salt streams out my eyes and into my ears

You were uncontrollable. Inconsolable. Devastated. Chest heaving, you fell into your husband's arms, a sobbing mess.

No words appear before me in the aftermath

Nothing anyone could do or say would bring your son back to you. Clinging onto Jace's tunic, you buried your head in the crook of his neck.

'Cause it's all over now

Wystin had taken his last breath earlier that morning, and you had been clueless. You had begged him not to go to King's Landing out of fear he would be injured. But there was no sense in dwelling on that now—because he wasn't injured. He was dead.

Every single thing I touch becomes sick with sadness

You stayed in bed for days, barely able to move. In a short period of time, you had become frail, your eyes sunken in.

Although your daughter was devastated, she did her best to lift your spirits. She brushed the tangles out of your hair, helped you to the bath, and sat with you when Jace couldn't eat his meals with you.

She had lost her brother, who had sworn he would always be there to protect her. But now she had the weight and future of Westeros on her shoulders. One day, she'd be Queen.

Sitting in her father's quarters one day while you were resting, she broke the silence that had filled the palace for days, "Father?"

Jace looked up from his studies, meeting your eyes, "What is it, Rehna?"

"I'm scared."

Adjusting himself in his seat, he turned to fully face you, "Of what, my dear?"

"I'm still grieving, yet I have the added weight of Westeros on my shoulders," She said, moving to sit beside him, "I wasn't ready for this. I thought he'd... He would've made a good King... Maybe Eulwyn would be better suited for this. He's far more intelligent than I."

Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

His eyes flitted shut, and he took a deep breath in, "Losing someone you love is the hardest thing you'll ever do in your life. But what you do to overcome that grief will be the greatest. Don't succumb to your fears, overcome them."

You were bigger than the whole sky

"You will make an excellent Queen, my Rehna," He said, giving her a reassuring smile, "Unlike your younger brother, your first thought isn't to seek revenge for Wystin's death, it's to carry on with his legacy."

You were more than just a short time

"He should've had more time."

And I've got a lot to pine about

Jace nodded, "I often dwell on that, my love, but it's out of our control. What you do from this day forward will shape you into the type of Queen you wish to become."

I've got a lot to live without

"What if they don't see me as a Queen?"

I'm never gonna meet

"There are many people who didn't see my mother as Queen, and there are many who did. Not everyone will support you, but those who do will love and respect you fiercely."

What could've been, would've been

Wrapping her arms around her father, she pulled him into a hug, "I love you, father."

What should've been you

"I love you, too, Rehna," He said, stroking the back of her head as she held back tears.

What could've been, would've been you

For the first time in days, you were out of bed, in search of your youngest son. He hadn't been to visit since he heard about his brother's death, and you were growing worried.

Walking past your husband's quarters, you saw two shadows inside. Peeking through the door, you watched as Jace comforted your daughter.

A smile spread across your face. You had always known you had married a good man, but these past few days had been challenging. You had been angry at the world. But watching how he made sure your daughter knew she would do her duty—and do it well—made your heart soar.

Walking away to give them their space, you walked towards Eulwyn's chambers. As soon as you got close enough, you heard grunting.

Knocking three times, you pushed the door open, watching as he swung his wooden play sword around the room.

He was only ten, still a child, and he was deeply hurt over his brother's death. Despite their age difference of seven years, they had shared an unbreakable bond.

Every single thing to come has turned into ashes

"Eulwyn," You said softly as he swung the sword into a wall, then the stone floor. Clearing your throat, you repeated yourself a little louder, "Eulwyn."

Did some force take you because I didn't pray?

He didn't even look your way. He was too caught up in his anger.

Walking over to him, you grabbed his shoulders, pulling him into you as he broke down, his sword crashing to the ground.

Although he had always acted tough, he couldn't hold it together any longer. He needed to be held. He needed his mother.

'Cause it's all over

You held him in your arms, as if he were a child again, for as long as he needed, rocming him back and forth as he cried into your shoulder.

After a while, Jace came to the door with your daughter, a frown appearing on his face when he saw the pain your son was in.

Rehna immediately stepped forward, kneeling down beside you and brushing her younger brother is four years hair out of his face.

The future of Westeros, Jace had thought. A Queen in the making, putting her subjects first.

Taking a seat beside you on the floor, he held his son's hand, rubbing small circles in it.

Soon after, Eulwyn stopped crying, falling asleep on your chest.

Looking between Jace and Rehna, you mouthed a "thank you".

You may have said goodbye to your son that day, but you said hello to a new side of your children. The honorability of Rehna, who would one day take to the throne—and the vulnerability of your son, who would become a noble knight in the future.

So I'll say words I don't believe

Saying a silent prayer to the Gods, you wished Wystin well on his journey. You were letting go, through the pain.

Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

He may have left this word, but his memory remained in your heart.

You were bigger than the whole sky

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josefavomjaaga · 3 months

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Dragon AU fluff (involving Mortier)

A rather pointless fluff scene, inspired by @cadmusfly's dragon marshalate AU. Basically a dragonized version of what might or might not have happened in 1798/9 Koblenz. I'm not sure if I've taken too many liberties with the world's rules and general settings, if so, please pretend it's all just a misunderstanding by humans with very little knowledge and understanding of these things.

„Girls!“ Anna-Margarethe yelled, her voice echoing through the house. „Run and hide, girls! The French dragons are back!“

Eva heard the desperation in her mother's words, the tears barely held back. She shooed her younger sisters down the ladder into the basement, where they would be safe until the danger was over. Then she closed the door and went to find her mother in the kitchen.

The inn „Zum Wilden Mann“ was quiet, its rooms empty since the last French troops had moved out. They had occupied the inn for quite some time – and for free, of course - until being called to join a larger army gathering nearby. An army with several dragons, and those, on their arrival two days ago, had scared Eva's poor mother almost to death.

They seemed so much more ferocious. The dragons in the Austrian army they had seen earlier had always been accompanied by several Habsburg Dragon Wardens and had never dared to as much as look too closely at the humans living in Koblenz.

Not only did French dragons roam around freely, often even without any rider, they even held titles and military ranks within the Revolutionary army. They commanded soldiers! One of the dragons had interrogated Eva's mother, and she claimed to still have a headache from hearing his booming telepathical voice echoing through her thoughts.

„Mum? Will you be alright? Are you sure the dragons are back? It's still dark outside.“

„Oh, I saw him well enough.“ Her mother gave a nervous laugh. „He was hard to overlook, the beast must be as big as our house. He's just landed on the pasture, in front of the cowshed. Probably to get the last of our cows, after he devoured the other yesterday.“ Eva saw her shaking.

„Somebody should go out and ask what he wants“, she suggested.

„No. I'm not going out there! Just let him eat poor Gertrud and be done with it!“ She started sobbing uncontrollably.

Usually, Eva was not somebody to take the initiative. On most occasions, she was quite happy to let others make the decisions and to fade into the background. But seeing her mother in tears strengthened her resolve. Without a word, she turned around and left.

There was still one large ham left in the larder. They had kept it hidden from their French guests. But sacrificing it to the appetite of the dragon lurking on the pasture behind the house would still be preferable to loosing their last cow.

Carrying the ham in both arms, she ran out through the backdoor. Morning dawned on the horizon.

Eva stopped hard in her tracks. When her mother had estimated the dragon to be as big as their house, Eva had naturally assumed her to exaggerate. None of the French dragons she had seen before had been much bigger than a horse. Maybe a ´small carriage. A hay wagon, at most.

But this one was … huge. He covered half of the pasture, cowering on four legs and, at least that's the impression Eva had, trying to make himself as small as possible. He had his tail curled up around him and his wings neatly folded on his back.

To Eva, it still looked as if a mountain had grown out of the ground.

The idea to feed this … thing with the tiny ham she carried in her arms suddenly seemed ludicrous. Even a cow could not mean more than an appetizer to him.

„Excuse me?“, she said nevertheless. „May I … uhm … help you … sir?“

He heard a voice calling for him, somewhere down in the shadows. Mortier squinted. It was a young woman, tiny as all humans. Though this one looked small and fragile even by human standards.

Her voice however pleased him greatly. It reminded him of birds singing in the trees in spring. Mortier liked those little birds, especially when they were singing.

He lowered his head carefully, so as to not scare or hurt her – he sometimes found it difficult to correctly estimate the distances when dealing with humans. He once had knocked over half a batallion of grenadiers just because he had not been careful enough with his tail.

Things like that embarrassed him greatly.

Good morning, Mademoiselle. - She had adressed him in French, so obviously she knew the language. - Very pleased to meet you. I hope I did not wake you up? Apologies for calling on you so early in the morning. It was the only time I was free. And, to be honest, a soldier's sleeping schedule tends to be thoroughly messed up. - She nodded, but did not reply. Maybe he had already scared her. Mortier wished he was a little less clumsy. - You see, I've come because of your cow.

Eva was stunned. Never had she expected a dragon to be that … polite. Considerate. Almost nice. As a matter of fact, this soldier dragon seemed a lot nicer than most human soldiers she had met over tha last months! If one ignored his size (admittedly, that was more easily said than done), he did not even look all that threatening. Maybe it was because, while his long body was covered in reptilian scales, some brown, fine fur spread from his long snout over his enormous head and down his chest. The two large horns winding backwards and down from the top of his head gave him the look of a large, floppy-eared dog.

Unlike her mother, she also found hearing the dragon's voice in her thoughts far from unpleasant. To the contrary. It was a warm, guttural … sound, for lack of a better word, that reverberated through her and made her feel safe and relaxed.

The feeling evaporated as soon as the dragon mentioned poor Gertrud.

„Please“, she blurted out, „do not eat Gertrud! She's the last cow we have!“

He seemed astonished, almost shocked. - What? No! I didn't mean to eat your cow. I came to apologize because I ate the other one yesterday.

„Oh. So you did eat Bella?“

The dragon gave a sheepish nod, the movement causing a draught that made Eva's hair and skirts fly. - But merely because it was the only food I could find close by. I have a lot of work to do here, so I need to keep up my strength. If not...

Eva nodded. Everybody knew about dragon stupor.

But I did not mean to cause you any grief. So I wanted to let you know that as soon as we have got some cattle from the Austrians, I shall send you another cow to replace the one I ate.

„How kind of you to care. This would indeed help us greatly. You see, since my father’s death, my mother had to run the inn alone, with only us girls helping. And war has not helped business, as you can imagine.“

I can! - Again the excited nod, this time the draught almost made her stagger backwards. - So you are all alone here, only women in the house? With all those soldiers roaming about? But that will not do, that will not do at all! I’m afraid for your safety. Shall I send you a safeguard? Some trusted men who would make sure nobody bothers you?

The offer rendered Eva almost speechless. This was the nicest soldier she had met so far! „We’ve had some problems in the past, that is true… Could you really do that?“

The girl looked up at his face with huge brown eyes full of trust, gratefulness and … well, something that bordered on admiration. Or at least that’s what Mortier chose to see. It was a very flattering feeling.

What a nice girl this was. Now he felt twice as bad for having eaten her cow yesterday. But he had been so damned hungry. Truth be told, he still was. He always was. Given his size, he could have eaten half a dozen of cattle – but what would be left for the humans then? Resources were always scarce. So he usually restrained himself to what was strictly necessary in order to keep him going. He had gotten used to his stomach constantly growling, and to feeling a little dizzy and sleepy most of the time, because whenever he strained himself even a little too much, he was immediately on the edge of falling into stupor.

But how could he act otherwise, when truly satisfying his hunger meant hurting innocent little humans like this girl?

Of course I can give you a safeguard, he bragged, raised his head a little and carefully clawed at the fur covering his breast. - I’m a general, you know. They gave me a sash and all. I’m wearing it now, but it always gets lost in the fur.

He discovered the large tricolor sash, twisted and out of place as usual. - Could I ask you a favour, Mademoiselle? Would you be so kind as to properly rearrange it for me? That’s the kind of thing I will never manage to do with these claws… Oh, but I see you are carrying something. Is that – is that a ham?

Mortier’s stomach gave a painful little growl.

Eva found her situation rather surreal. Here she was, on a dark pasture with a dragon looming over her, and having a polite conversation. The most surreal thing, of course, being the fact she was thoroughly enjoying herself in the presence of said dragon. His awkward attempt at correctly placing the signs of his military rank on his chest were so cute she immediately would have come to his aid, had it not been for the stupid ham.

„Yes, indeed“, she said sheepishly. „I had brought it out, hoping to trade it in for our cow. Of course I had no idea at the time what a small gift this would mean to you.“

Oh, but it isn’t! - His enthusiasm seemed real. Even the end of his tail, that he had curled up around himself, started to wag up and down, tapping on the ground every time, like that of an excited dog. - What a kind thought of you! If you really want to part with it, I would love to taste it. Is it smoked?

„Boiled actually. Oh, I never wondered! Can dragons even eat cooked food?“

Well, there are of course such purists among us who demand a dragon’s diet must only consist of raw meat. - The dragon general rolled his eyes. - But, let’s be honest, everbody who has been living around humans knows that cooked food just tastes so much better! When we celebrated a victory over the Austrians last, the boys roasted two oxen, only for me. With a filling, made of bread and potatoes! It was heaven!

The dragon tail wagged again and almost made Eva laugh. She could not help but feel that this huge scary dragon general had a lot in common with a hungry stray dog.

I see you smiling, Mademoiselle, the dragon’s voice echoed in her head, but let me assure you, in a soldier’s life pleasures are simple. A good meal, a friendly conversation with a beautiful lady, like we are having right now, this is all we aspire to most of the time. In this aspect, a soldier dragon differs very little from a human soldier, and a general very little from a private.

„Well, in this case I surely shall not be so harsh as to deprive you of this tiny pleasure.“

And tiny indeed it seemed to Eva, as the dragon general eagerly opened his mouth. She prepared to throw the ham over the fence of – stunningly white – dragon teeth but a pink tongue, wide enough for a blanket, slipped out of his mouth, and Eva gingerly placed the ham on it.

The dragon consumed it eagerly and even made a bit of a show chomping on it, despite the fact he probably could have swallowed it whole. Then he gave a deep, content sigh.

What a wonderful treat this was! I have not felt this sated in ages, she heard him exclaim in her thoughts.

„You are very kind, general, but I can tell that you are only saying this to please me. You can hardly have tasted the ham.“

But that was the weirdest thing about it: Mortier was telling the truth. The ham, as small as it was, had really satisfied Mortier’s hunger to a stunning degree. It should not have had such an effect on him. But it had.

Then maybe it was not so much the meat but the conversation with this kind (and pretty!) human girl?

Mortier had never given much thought to the metaphysical background of human-dragon bonding. Truth be told, he did not give much thought to metaphysical stuff at all, at least compared to some of his comrades. Mortier knew there were humans whom he liked, just like there were dragons whom he liked, and he knew that the presence of humans he liked made him feel a lot better, less hungry, less sleepy, sharper and more energetic. More alive, in a way. This knowledge sufficed for him.

Now he realized that he had rarely felt as alive as in the presence of this human lady.

Maybe he should have paid more attention to this whole „bonding“ thing. He only knew about the official practices, standardized by the government of the French Republic, that had young ladies, usually the daughters of politicians and wealthy citizens, function as dragon riders at parades or festivities. These girls were nice enough, and Mortier felt comfortable and somewhat flattered in their presence.

But it was nothing compared to what he felt when the girl in front of him now touched his fur in order to rearrange the twisted tricolor sash. It wasn’t any particular instance he could have put his claw on, no feeling that struck him like a lightning bolt or anything. Yet he started to realize that his body was tingling all over with contentment. If that even made sense.

And she seemed to realize. Or to experience something similar? Mortier almost felt as if he could sense an echo of her thoughts in his mind. He also suddenly realized he had neither introduced himself nor even asked her name yet.

Eva was astonished. She had expected the dragon fur to be rough and scratchy. But it felt softer under her touch than that of a kitten. She could not help but bury her hand in it and stroke it. „What wonderful fur you have!“

Do you like it? I’m rather proud of it, if I may confess such vanity. It’s not all that common for our species to have any fur, and mine surely is not among the worst. If you want to feel, it’s even softer here…

He eagerly started to turn a little to the side to offer her a view of his underbelly. There was a sound, a crash, of breaking, splintered wood, and he froze mid-movement, his eyes bulging.

Oh god! What was that?

„I think it was old Cesar’s shed“, said Eva.

Cesar?

„Our dog.“

I killed your dog? - The dragon almost shouted in Eva’s thoughts.

„Oh, no, no“, she reassured him. „Cesar died last winter, of old age. We have not gotten a new dog since.“

Good. I mean, not good of course, I’m very sorry for the poor animal but … The dragon general seemed equally relieved and confused. His next question came somewhat unexpected.

Mademoiselle, may I inquire: Are you afraid of heights?

„Of heights?“ Eva was too astonished to ponder the reason for the question. „No, I do not think so. I often need to climb the roof of our stables as we have some hens who love to fly up there. It never bothered me.“

Perfect! Do you think you would enjoy flying over your town? I would love to take you. I regularly have riders during military missions but with you it would be a pleasure…

Another sound interrupted him. One by one, the church bells of Koblenz started ringing.

Oh dear. Is it so late already? They’ll start the battle without me! - Mademoiselle, quickly, what’s your name?

„Eva Anna Hinnes.“

Ève! What name could compliment you more! - It sounded as if he tasted her name on his tongue like he had done with the ham, but then the church bells rang again, and he sighed.

I need to leave. - He abruptly unfolded his wings and narrowly avoided taking down Gertrud’s cowshed in the process. - Please do not go anywhere, Mademoiselle Ève!, she heard his voice in her thoughts, as the draught from his wings almost knocked her off her feet. - As soon as we have killed the Austrians, I’ll be back. I’ll bring you cows and oxen and … maybe a new dog? Whatever you like. But please do not go anywhere!

„I won’t“, Eva said silently, somehow convinced that the dragon could hear her even if he was already hovering high above her. She of course did leave the pasture however, once she could not see the dragon general anymore, in order to get back to the inn’s kitchen.

Her mother almost cried with relief.

„Eva! For heaven’s sake, you’re fine! Where have you been, what took you so long? I was scared the dragon had eaten you!“

„Mum?“ Eva said, deep in thoughts. „You know I always wanted to one day take over the inn? I think I have changed my plans. I think I want to become a dragon rider.“

Anna-Margarethe was too stunned to answer.

#dragons as cavalry au #dragon marshalate au #@cadmusfly #napoleonic dragon au #marshalate dragons au

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nateoldrin · 24 days

Text

recently discovered i probably suffer from hypergraphia, so i wanted to show what i drew in the span of 9 hours nonstop until my hand hurt so bad i couldn't move it anymore + my thoughts after.

i spent the morning sobbing uncontrollably because of how awful it felt. i had always felt alone when describing to fellow artist friends how art feels to me, and i had never heard of anyone else feeling this way.

art for me has never been a hobby, but a compulsion i can't live without. i am also a recovering gambling addict, and it feels a lot like a gambling session when it ends.

- and the next day after this, i discovered about hypergraphia. it felt like a light opened up to me. in high school i would draw and write things constantly nonstop - doodles, the same phrases over and over, etc. i think that, perhaps, a certain medication i take makes it better - i take it to treat anxiety, but it's also used for epilepsy, so perhaps that's why? i've been off it for a while since i haven't been able to get a refill. i don't have epilepsy to my knowledge but i do have OCD.

anyways, it's debilitating when it takes over, especially coupled with the fact i have chronic joint pain.

just wanted to share a bit. you are not alone.❤️

#hypergraphia

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lastbluetardis · 21 days

Text

Schneak Peek

I've been listening to one Taylor Swift song on repeat all morning, and evidently that's decent muse fodder, so here is another little excerpt from the upcoming new and improved fic What Makes a Family.

(No the song doesn't have anything to do with what I was writing but nevertheless it was something to bop to)

~ ~ ~

The funeral passed as painfully as any other. Rose could feel the prickle of sympathetic stares directed at her and her kids, and she willed time to move faster. Listening to the eulogies was the worst, as Jimmy’s friends and family stood at the front of the church and spoke about how wonderful Jimmy was, how deeply he’d be missed, and the hole he’d left in the lives of everyone who knew him.

But finally, it was over. The only good thing about being a supposedly grieving partner was that she could gather up her kids and escape rather rudely without people actually thinking she was rude.

“Let’s go home,” she murmured to her kids, holding David and Matthew’s hands while she guided them away from the throng of people wanting to give her their last-minute sympathies and sorries.

She threw one final, lingering glance to the closed casket that concealed the broken body of her late boyfriend, her gaze flicking to the photograph of the blond man and the crooked smile that’d had her falling head over heels at sixteen.

Goodbye. I hope you’ve found peace, wherever you are.

Rose didn’t know what exactly she believed regarding an afterlife, but she hoped there was something. A realm of tranquility where the best of everyone shone through and there was no hurt or anger or resentment. Yeah, that sounded quite nice.

As she moved to turn fully away from the casket, her eyes landed on a middle aged woman who was sobbing uncontrollably into the chest of a middle aged man. Jimmy’s parents, whom she hadn’t seen or spoken to since that night in the hospital after Jimmy’s accident, when his mother had screamed and raged at her, hurling insults at her that had hit their mark and still stung, even days later.

She quickly looked away, not wanting to draw their attention, and continued ushering her boys out of the church.

~ ~ ~

This first chapter is the bottleneck of being able to start reposting the story, but I'm finally making some decent headway with it. Everything else should be fairly quick and easy to revise, since the bones of the chapters are already there. They just need new meat and sinew.

#i'm gonna try to share more of my writing progress with yall #like the Good Ol' Days™️ of tumblr #i hope people will like the rewrite #at the very least i know i will #and really isn't that all that matters?#writing stuffs

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thorin-baby-bear · 1 year

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Hello! I'm back! I've come to ask if your still interested in writing Agere stuff for dead Poets Society still? If you are, could you mayhaps write a fic with Little!Neil and Cg!Todd? Maybe Neil is just really upset about something his dad said to him and Todd comforts and takes care of him? Completely fine if you don't want to tho! Alright that was all, have a great day💜💜💜

Hi again!! I always love some DPS requests, and I'm more than happy to continue to write for them :DD

A Rough Day and Rabbits

A Dead Poets Society agere fic

TW: lots of crying, Mr. Perry's A+ parenting

Characters: little!Neil, cg!Todd (Charlie is also mentioned briefly)

Neil wanted Todd. He lay on his bed in their dorm, arms crossed, eyes puffy, and tried to wait patiently for his Dada to get back. It had been two weeks since winter break began, and they had been some of the most stressful days Neil could remember. Dinners, dances, family plans, it had all started to blur after the first week, and on top of that he and Todd had barely called at all and he had said they would call every day. When Neil had got back to their room that morning, he had closed the door, sat calmly on his bed, and immediately regressed.

He had curled in on himself, trying not to think about the week he had had or the conversation and the words his father said in the car.

“Useless useless useless…”

The word echoed in Neil’s head as he tried to keep the sobs as quiet as he could. He thought Charlie might have come in at some point, but he couldn’t remember clearly and the tears in his eyes made it almost impossible to tell if it was Charlie or just an odd blob. He must have fallen asleep, because when he opened his eyes there was a blanket covering him and a stuffie in his arms.

He yawned, sniffling a little as he fought the fog in his brain. “Morning, sleepyhead.” A gentle voice called from across the room. Neil’s eyes sprang open and he gasped at the sight of Todd’s smiling face looking back at him. “Dada?” He asked, his lip quivering. Immediately, Todd was kneeling by his bedside. “Hey, what’s got you all spun up bud?” He asked, wiping the tear tracks under Neil’s eyes. The other boy tried not to start crying again, he really did, but the past two weeks had been so awful, and all he really wanted was to cry, and he knew Todd wouldn’t judge him. Todd propped Neil up and wrapped him in a hug, climbing onto the bed so he could hold him and cuddle him easier. He rocked him back and forth, just letting him cry and sniffle, not even caring about the snot and tear stains on his new sweater (his parents would just get him another one next year).

“Shh, it’s okay.” He murmured into Neil’s hair. “I’ve got you.”

They sat like that for a while before Neil had calmed down enough to explain, and when he did his voice quivered uncontrollably. “S-sorry.” He started, reaching for a stuffy Todd had brought him. “ ‘m dad. Said ‘m u-u-u–” Neil hit the side of his head and Todd grabbed his hand gently, worry etched deep on his face. He hadn’t seen Neil this upset in a long while. “Hey, no hitting, okay?” Neil nodded and took a deep breath before pointing to himself.

“Useless.” He whispered hoarsely.

Todd felt like he’d been slapped. He pulled Neil into an even tighter bear hug, making sure Neil couldn’t tell he was trying not to cry. Why would his father say that? Why would he ever say that? How could he look at someone as amazing as Neil and call him useless?

He pulled away, looking deep into Neil’s eyes and holding his face gently. “He is wrong.” He murmured. “You are so far from useless.” Neil looked down at his lap. “Weally?” He asked. Todd sighed and pressed his forehead to Neil’s. “You are the kindest, smartest, most dedicated person I know. You are the farthest thing from useless.”

Neil gave a watery smile before throwing his arms around Todd’s neck and burying his face in his shoulder. “Tank you…” He said, voice muffled. Todd chuckled and rubbed his back lovingly. “Of course baby.” He said.

After a while the two pulled apart, and Todd took Neil to wash a day's worth of snot and tears away before getting him into some comfy pajamas. Neil picked out some gym shorts and a tank top to wear, but Todd made him put on a long shirt instead (“Can’t have you turning into a popsicle, baby.”) and made sure he had plenty of blankets on his bed.

Usually, the two would play all sorts of games, but it was late, and Neil had had a long day, and really all he wanted was to sleep.

“Dada read?” He yawned. “Of course baby,” Todd chuckled. “which story?”

Neil thought for a moment. “Wabbit?” He said timidly. Todd nodded, going to Neil’s trunk and pulling out a collection of Peter Rabbit stories. “From the beginning?” He asked, to which Neil nodded enthusiastically.

“Once upon a time, there were four little rabbits…”

Todd’s voice was gentle, soothing as Neil let himself get enveloped in the story, forgetting about the cares of the day and focusing instead on the antics of Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter. It wasn’t long before the story and the gentle hum of Todd’s chest lulled him to sleep. Tomorrow, there would be classes and laughter and friends to see, but for right now, Neil could just focus on Todd, and Todd could just focus on Neil, and they were both very grateful for the time.

#agere #sfw agere #agere writing #dead poets society agere #little!neil perry #cg!todd anderson #dead poets society

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xieyaohuan · 1 year

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All God's children took their toll, Chapter 3: Of Men and Monsters

Summary

Hughie's gone missing. Starlight knows who's got him. She will get her boyfriend back. No matter what it takes. No matter what it takes. Aka Starlight and The Boys kidnap Homelander in a desperate attempt to find Hughie

Pairings

Homelander/Everyone, basically (see AO3 for more detailed tagging)

Notes

I've been meaning to write some Homelander whump, so I've decided to take this year's Whumptober prompts out of order and and try to string them into a HL whump long fic.

Chapter 3 written for Whumptober 2022 Day 7 prompt: No. 7 THE WAY YOU SHAKE AND SHIVER Shaking Hands | Seizures | Silent Panic Attack

Warnings: panic attack, voyeurism

Read on AO3

All is quiet except for the walls of the Aquarium rattling and vibrating.

Kimiko is sitting on the worn out couch in front of the control room, Annie’s head in her lap. They have turned off the halogen lamps in the observation room, so the monster’s tiny prison is the only source of light; it feels like watching some kind of dark, twisted and very repetitive movie in a theater.

Butcher and MM are taking a nap, and Serge has dozed off at the controls, so it’s only her and Annie left in the observation room. And Mindstorm, of course, chained to the wall in the corner, pretending to be asleep as he likes to do. Kimiko keeps a close eye on him because she knows he’s listening in on all of their thoughts, and it’s only a matter of time until he will use all the information he’s been collecting.

The clock on the wall says 4:30 am, but it’s always dark down here, so it doesn’t make much of a difference what time it is. Underneath the clock is a flip chart with their daily checklist jotted down in green marker. The first part is Butcher’s barely readable handwriting:

- Check cameras - Check locks - Check vents - Send update to M - Check generators!! - Redundancy is your friend!

The second part was added by MM:

- Drink 8 cups of water - Eat at least two meals per day (a candy bar is not a meal!!) - The dishes don’t do themselves asshole you know who you are!! - Get 6 hours of sleep

Kimiko can’t remember the last time she’s slept more than four hours; it must have been before her brother’s death.

She hasn’t slept since coming here, and it’s not just the noise from the cell that’s keeping her awake but who they’re working with and what she knows now they can do. She snuck outside to take a walk earlier, get away from this unnerving set-up for a bit, calm her nerves. Technically, there was no one to stop her, but two of Mallory’s men were following her the whole time. Of course she's known for a while now who Butcher is working with, but that doesn't make her like this any better.

Annie has finally calmed down and stopped crying, but her shoulders are still quivering. She had another shouting match with Butcher earlier when he told her to go to sleep, that she’d feel better in the morning as if things were that easy. He should know better, Kimiko thinks.

She runs her fingers through Annie’s hair, wishing she could say something to make her friend feel better, give her some comfort. At one point, she takes out her phone and starts typing:

Hughie will be okay. We’ll find him. We’ll find him soon, I promise.

Then she quickly deletes the words again before Annie looks up and sees them. She doesn’t want to lie, promise anything she can’t make true.

We’ll make the monster talk, she types. He’ll tell us everything he knows.

He doesn’t look like a monster now. He looks small, that’s the best way to describe him, trying to make himself even smaller so that he might somehow, miraculously, go unnoticed. He’s got to know that every movement, every twitch of his muscles is being scrutinized, recorded, assessed.

Kimiko has watched him go from yelling inaudibly at his captors from behind the glass to increasingly dire attempts to free himself to breaking down into helpless sobs. He is curled up into a ball now, shaking uncontrollably.

There’s vomit on the floor.

She doesn’t feel sorry for him. She used to be locked into a prison of his making. It’s only fair that he is locked into theirs now.

No. She can’t feel sorry for this man who slept with her brother’s killer, who adored a murderer, worshipped her, affirmed her, protected her until the very end. Not that he hasn’t killed countless people himself - the terrorists he created along with their victims, as if they were all the same to him. Kimiko can’t lie to herself, she wants him dead, reunited with that killer girlfriend of his; they belong together, monsters that they are.

Still, she expected anger from him, hate, rage.

Not this, whatever it is.

It’s the cell. Kimiko has been in there only once when Butcher asked her to test it, to see if it is truly supe-proof, which it is. All she could see was the bright ceiling lights and her own reflection, tinier and tinier versions of herself locked into smaller and smaller cages, as if someone had managed to imprison all possible versions of her. She was only in there for five minutes, but she couldn’t wait to get out.

Annie starts stirring in her lap, jolting Kimiko out of her thoughts.

“Is Butcher asleep?” She asks.

Kimiko nods, and Annie sits up.

“I know you’re here to watch me,” she says, “make sure I don’t do anything stupid, but the more time we lose-” her voice breaks and she’s fighting the tears again. “The more time we lose, the lower the chances we’ll find Hughie alive. Butcher should know this.”

I know, Kimiko signs and nods just to make sure Annie knows she agrees. He should. For someone who likes to fantasize day and night about “making that cunt squeal and beg and regret the day he was born,” Butcher seems surprisingly terrified of the messy reality of making him talk now that he has him. Kimiko doesn't blame him, but he'll need to get over himself if they ever want to get out of this nightmare.

“Have you ever hurt someone before?” Annie asks. “You know, have you ever-”

Kimiko nods again.

She’s tortured plenty of people. They made her do it in the camp.

“I want you to teach me.”

Kimiko knows she should say no, absolutely not.

Instead, she gets up, walks to the kitchen and returns with a glass of water. Wetting her finger, she starts drawing on the floor: all the things she has seen, all the things she has done, all of the things she’s had done to her - just water on gray stone as she is reimagining the horrors of life in the camp, and it feels odd to share, wrong but freeing. The water will dry, and the images will be gone, and that’s good; some things are not meant to be recorded so permanently outside of the human head.

Her water drawing skills are lacking, and Annie has trouble understanding some of the blotchy images, so Kimiko takes out her phone and starts typing into her notes to explain, erasing the words as soon as her friend has seen them.

Annie nods. “That should work. That’s good. That’s very good.” For a moment, she seems content revelling in her little revenge fantasy, the illusion of victory.

I understand, Kimiko signs. But you will also hurt yourself. You will be-. She stops mid-sentence. It’s a stupid thing to say, and she’s glad her friend probably didn’t catch her meaning.

Bad man, Annie signs back. Deserves. Serge has taught her a few of the signs they use. Kimiko appreciates the effort, though it can be hard not to take offence at the patronizing nature of the simple language the others use around her. Whether they speak to her in sign language or address her in English, they always seem to assume her to be so innocent. Even Serge. No, especially Serge.

“We need to go in,” Annie insists, snapping Kimiko out of her thoughts. “Please. You and I, we can go in together and-” She nods at the half dried water drawings on the floor. “You can teach me directly.”

Kimiko takes another look at the cell. The monster is still shaking, but he has somehow managed to pull a piece of his cape around his shoulders to cover his face, hiding from the bright, flickering light and his own reflections. They may not even have to do much. In this state, he might talk just in exchange for a semi credible promise to be let out of his prison.

“Please,” Annie says.

Okay. Kimiko nods. I’ll go in with you. She just wants this to be over, find Hughie, end the creature in that cage, get out of here, never have to think about this place ever again.

Her friend actually looks surprised. There’s something else in her eyes that she can’t really place.

She gives Annie’s hand a quick squeeze. Okay. Let's do it.

Serge is still asleep in the control room, but his eyes snap open as soon as Kimiko enters.

I need you to open the doors for me, she signs. We're going in.

For a second, Serge looks at her like a puppy, confused and sleepy. When he realizes what it is she’s asking, he panics. “Butcher is going to murder me, mon coeur.”

Please, Kimiko insists. For Annie. For Hughie.

“Are you even sure he’s the one who took him?” Kimiko knows Serge has his doubts, but she can’t believe he’s starting this discussion again now of all times. “Wouldn’t he, je n’sais pas, just show you his corpse, all bloody and mangled? It’s what he does, non?”

Annie looks like she’s going to slap him. “Well for starters, he knows Hughie is missing,” she says. “He was gloating about it to me! And besides-”

“He coulda overheard it somewhere,” a familiar voice says. “cunt’s got super hearing, case ya didn’t notice.”

Butcher is standing at the door to the control room, wearing black boxers and a dark floral print shirt, tapping his crowbar against the door frame, looking tired and cranky. “Can’t leave you people alone for five fucking seconds, can I.”

“You and I both know he didn’t 'overhear' it, Butcher,” Annie says. “Nobody even has a fucking clue Hughie is missing. We didn’t exactly advertize the fact.”

“Wouldn’t be here if I didn’t agree,” Butcher says, and Kimiko can tell he’s trying to sound conciliatory, but lack of sleep and perhaps his overall disposition are preventing him from being very convincing.

“You can either go back to bed, Butcher,” Annie says, “or you can come with us. I don’t care which one you choose, we are going in.”

For a moment, Kimiko is worried that they’ll start yelling at each other again, but then Butcher seems to recover his old self again. “Well, what are you fucking waiting for,” he says. “Let’s go.”

#whumptober #homelander whump #homelander #kimiko #panic attack #captivity #posting my whumptober fic in november yay #not tagging according to whumptober rules because i'm late and lazy sorry #my fic

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jmflowers · 1 year

Note

End of year asks: 5, 10, 22

5. TV show of the year?

Oh man, this was the year I fell into Station 19. But I genuinely binged the first four seasons back in February/March and haven't watched a full episode again since, haha. I've written a lot of fanfic about it, though, so it's probably top.

Other shows I watched this year and enjoyed are Brassic (easily my second favourite find this year), Mock the Week (my forever love... I miss you), Taskmaster (series 14 was so good), Stranger Things, Midnight Mass (again), and Bluey (my niece is obsessed). I'm definitely still fully immersed in British media.

10 . Something that made you cry this year?

The stress of school? Haha. There's video of me truly sobbing the first time I watched Ripley's death on Station 19. I always get a little choked up when I'm out in nature and see an incredible view for the first time... or the second time... or any time. Also happened upon hearing the opening chords of Swan Lake at the National Ballet with my brother and as my plane was taking off in Toronto.

I think my biggest cry, though, was on the beach in Algonquin Park at the end of the first camping trip of the summer. We had been sitting around the fire and I'd just finished the book I'd been reading the whole time and all of a sudden I was sobbing uncontrollably. One of my oldest friends and I headed down to the beach and sat under the stars as I lamented about a million different things that were racing through my mind: the mortality of my parents, the loss of pets, the fear of what's next, facing down my wish to leave home and knowing that I can never truly return, the devastation of heading back to the city the next morning when I wasn't sure I'd ever get to come back, not having kayaked during our trip... I'd taken an edible for the first time that day, so that probably had an effect, haha. She consoled me by promising another trip just the two of us to kayak and bike and hike before the season was done, which we did.

I also sobbed in the parking garage my first week of school (same week we returned from that second camping trip) when I got a call that one of our cats had taken a turn while I was in class and I wouldn't be able to get to her to say goodbye before she was put down. That was rough... Had to shrug it off and go film an assignment after. Got a really good mark on the assignment, somehow.

22. I answered this one already here.

end of year asks

#lmaoooo this got dark #sorry friend #thank you though #a lot of loss this year alongside a lot of life #and an edible that rocked me to the core #janelle's asks #ask game #end of year asks

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guessillcallitart · 2 years

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The first rays of sun lit up the ocean before me and the waves my paint brush was creating seemed to leap out of the canvas. The sky turned from light pink to to a perfect shade of bright blue in seconds. I glanced at my brunette friend who had a mischievous smile on her face, take polaroids of the ocean. "Hey, Skai," she blurted. "I dare you to jump." I smirked regarding the foamy ocean below me. I spotted a narrow ledge a bit closer to the waves. "Hey, it was a joke," my friend said hastily. "I wasn't serious." But it was too late. I was already on the ledge. "Hello, Poseidon," I said half joking, half serious. "Please welcome me with open arms." Then bracing myself, my heart racing in my chest, I jumped. A weird thing happened. I fell a few feet and stayed hovering in the air still a long way to go down. "You've loved us so beautifully," a voice like a wind murmurs in my ear. "We won't let you die." I started to sob uncontrollably. "But you don't understand! I didn't fall, I jumped. I was so stupid." A wave washed over me. All of a sudden it sounded like two voices were arguing. Only words I could distinguish were "not yet". Then I begun to fall again.

A dark shadow mateliarizes over me. I blink my heart racing in my chest waiting for something to happen. Could the shadow be the grim reaper? Could he really exist? A woman towers before me. She has empty, obsidian eyes and long, silvery hair. She's wearing burgundy velvet robes. "You've been foolish", a voice like thunder booms all around me and at that moment all the fear inside me evaporates and all that is left are defiance and anger. Yet I'm smart enough to know that perhaps it wouldn't be wise to sass the grim reaper. "What is this place?" I ask. "Nightmare Valley," the voice replies. "Prepare for a wait." My knees buckle and my lungs feel like they're collapsing. Like I'm drowning again. Pressure all around me, until nothing. I don't feel a thing. A wait? "So, I'll just be chilling here. Then what?" I ask but no answer follows. "It's no use," a strange voice next to me says. "I've been here for years."

I shake myself out of a deep reverie. There's one thing, well many things you should know about me. Let's start with the fact that I was born in 1981 and I died when I was thirteen years old. For a really long time I was in a boring, dark place called the Nightmare Valley. Dedinitely wouldn't recommend. Then one morning I woke up with real memories and fake memories from two lives. The second thing is that I zone out a lot. Usually I daydream about pleasant, splendid things. But this time it was anything but pleasant. See, I still remember my death. My boyfriend, Mike sets a bright yellow coffee mug in front of me. We've only lived together in his flat for a few months after a couple of years waiting for me to graduate. "You okay, sunshine?" he asks. "Well, I am, mostly." I sip my coffee. "But I don't think Hestia is. I have this feeling something bad has happened to her." He tucks a few strands of blonde curls behind my ear absentmindedly. He has the softest, hazel eyes, a fair complexion and curly, shaggy, dark brown hair. "You know, I still could throw my sketchbook at you for staring," I remind him remembering the time we met in Canberra. Great times. Yes, I'm being both sarcastic and sincere. Get used to it. Mike laughs. Damn, he's adorable. I brush my lips against his softly. Just for a second I forget everything else. "Fancy going to the beach today?" he asks once the kiss ends. "We could have a picnic." I smile. "Sounds lovely." I kiss him again and nearly knock over my coffee.

Cover me in sunshine, shower me with good times, tell me that the world's been spinning since the beginning and everything will be alright. Imagine the lovely scene from an extremely aesthetic indie film or a studio ghibli film where the protagonist is sitting in a car weaving through countryside roads in between brilliant lilac lavender and lovely yellow, wild sunflower fields. The ocean glimmers underneath the sun in the distance. I hum the most wonderful and melancholy song under my breath. I crank the window open a few inches and feel the wind and the salty ocean air on my face. Mike pulls over. "Hang on." He presses a kiss on my cheek. In a minute he comes with a single sunflower. "For you." I can't help but cup his face and kiss lips with the biggest smile on my face. The third thing you need to know about me, I romantizise everything about my life. Life is beautiful. You should enjoy it. I should know, I've died once. I watch as the nature morphs slowly from lilac and yellow to splendid hues of azure and viridescent. We stop under a few beech trees. Mike gets out of the car and gestures me to wait. He opens my door for me. "M'lady." He offers me his hand. I take it with a smirk. "Why, thank you. You are such a gentleman." I hop out of the car and proceed perform a mock curtsey which ends up with me almost stumbling and falling on my face. Fourth thing: I'm very clumsy. You'd be surprised if I told you that I used to do ballet a couple of years back. We take our tote back with us and trudge through the sand while holding hands and laughing. We climb on a tall cliff overlooking the foamy ocean. You'd think I didn't like the place because it reminded me of the place I died in but I'm weird. I see a beautiful tragedy here. I sit down near the edge and inhale the lovely ocean air. I sink into the deepest reverie so far or is it actually happening? I find myself standing on the beach with my shoes off and the cool waves slowly drenching my socks. I stare into the waves. They seem to create strange shapes and images. I see a very pale girl with sandy hair with clumps of seaweed stuck in it, lying at the bottom of the ocean. She's staying very still with her chest only slightly rising indicating that she's still breathing. The hues of the ocean create a lighting of jade and emerald all around her. She looks romantically and unnaturally ethereal, like a Victorian child who suffered a tragic death. "I'm coming for you." My voice comes out softly like the first breeze of the spring bringing the sweet scent of darling cherry blossoms. I walk further to the water. A pair of hands wrap around my waist. I turn around. A girl with long, auburn hair like a sunset, and bright, tawny eyes like sunlight pouring through muddy water, is standing in front of me with a frantic expression on her beautiful, delicate, freckled face. I blink and she's gone. Instead I see Mike's hazel eyes filled with tears. He's hugging me tightly. A single tear rolls down his cheek. "I thought I lost you again." I kiss him softly hoping it will express everything I feel for him I lack the vocabulary to describe. "I'm here", I whisper. "I'm here. I'm sorry." We spend a long while just sitting there and watching the waves crashing on the cliff.

The song Skai and Mike are listening in the car:

I'm in love with it🥺

I don't think I've posted Skai's deathscene yet so here it is. My mind really works like "write something really tragic and sad that makes your heart ache" and then "write fluff right now." There's no inbetween.

Also I saw a writing prompt on Pinterest and someone's comment on it that inspired me Skai's death scene. I don't remember who posted the comment. I'd definitely give credit if I could🥺

Here's a moodboard for Skai and Mike🥺 The pictures are from Pinterest and We heart it, the first pic is from a movie called A Summer's Tale by Éric Rohmer and the fourth one is from Alessia Cara's song/music video, Seventeen.

taglist: @char-writes, @athenswrites, @jezifster and @the-void-writes

Let me know if you want to be added✨

#cover me in sunshine #p!nk #p!nk music #original story #original character #victorianshannon #fantasy #fiction #original characters #ocs #wattpadstories #wattpad #writerblr #Spotify

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stellarsong-official · 1 year

Text

Deerest

Deerest God,

I'm lonely every day since daddy died. Mommy always goes to work and she leaves me with this woman who thinks she's a teacher. I wish I have a friend.

Love, Austin

I read my son Austin's prayer-letter. Ever since someone taught him how to write letters, he's been writing every night, always starting with "deerest" despite me saying all the time that it's supposed to be "dearest." A stubborn child, my sweet Austin is; he must have gotten it from his father, who I miss dearly.

I remember how Justin smiled, how his eyes crinkled when he laughed, and how he hugged me when I felt bummed out.

Then I remember the phone call—the police officer's voice as she relayed to me what happened, how I rushed to the hospital only to hear the flat line from the monitor, a doctor looking at his watch and declaring the time of death, how I wailed on his bedside for hours, feeling the warmth of his body dissipate.

I sob uncontrollably, clutching the letter to my chest. I never stopped to think about what Austin felt. He had just turned 7 when Justin got into the car crash. I figured he'd be too young to even remember his dad. I was a selfish parent.

When I calmed down, I get up and leave the letter on Austin's bedside table. I kiss him on the forehead, lingering there for a while before leaving the room.

Once I got into my room, I break down even more. I slide to the floor and curl up into a messy, wailing ball. Everything is spinning uncontrollably and I'm in the middle of it. With nowhere else to turn to, I pray. I pray for my son's happiness, though I don't believe in a deity anymore. Why would I? If a god exists, my husband, the kindest man I met, would still be alive, wouldn't he? I then go to bed and cry myself to sleep.

In the morning, after a long and tedious phone call with my manager, I open the stove to make some breakfast for the two of us. Austin sits groggily on the kitchen table, trying his hardest to stay awake. I asked to have a day off so I can spend time with my son. They agreed as long as I work extra hours tomorrow. Not that I mind. I'm sure my son will appreciate having me as a company.

Suddenly, the doorbell rings.

Austin leaps out of his seat, ignoring the stack of pancakes I just set on the table. Odd. I've never seen Austin this excited to get the door before. I follow him into the living room, still holding the pan. Then, our mysterious guest runs to my son, holding him tightly. I lift the pan, ready to thwack the creature. But I relax when I see Austin's smiling brighter than before.

"Austin! It's so nice to meet you!" The doe-like creature cries. My heartbeat quickens. Something about her voice made me anxious. "Thank you for writing all those letters to me! It's been so long since the Usales got obli—oh!" She giggles. "Never mind that." Austin hugs her tighter.

"Ahem," I cough to get their attention. They both look at me, the doe's large brown eyes piercing through mine. I look away, nervous to look at them again. "Austin, would you mind telling me who your friend is?" "She's my deer friend! I write letters to her every day!" "It's true," she responds. She lets go of Austin and walks up to me, her hoof-like hand held out. "My name is Rusalia." Hesitantly, I take it. The hoof's fingers are smooth and cold, while her palm has a bit of silky fur. "I'm Abbey." I avoid her eyes and turn to Austin instead. "You should finish your breakfast, young man. Mrs. Sinclair will be here soon. You wouldn't her to get mad, would you?" "But I thought we'll spend time together today?" Austin whines, crossing his arms and pouting. "Yes, it's important for you to study! Besides, I already paid her for this week." "Hmph," he grumbles. "I wish Mrs. Sinclair would disappear."

��Rusalia gasps and her expression lights up. Giddy, she closes her eyes and slowly levitates off the ground. Everything around her distorts before my eyes, the light bending and reflecting from an invisible mirror around her. Mrs. Sinclair knocks on the door, her mouth shaping to speak before she disappears with a flash. I gape in horror at the missing figure and turn an accusing eye at Rusalia and Austin. They smile at each other.

"AUSTIN?!" I scream. "What the hell did you do to Mrs. Sinclair?!" "She's gone now, mommy. Rusalia got rid of her!" "You can't do that! That's murder!" I can't believe that just happened. "Don't worry, Abbey. She's in a better place now," Rusalia speaks up, her voice as gentle as a whisper. "Yes, because you killed her." "Oh, no," she chuckles, "I didn't mean that." "What?" "I sent her to my castle. She will stay there as long as Austin wishes." "What?" I am speechless. This magic thing is so new to me. "Mom," Austin holds my hand, pleading, "can I not study with Mrs. Sinclair anymore?" "Sure, but you should bring her back first." "Okay." Austin turns to Rusalia and she snaps her fingers.

"Hey there, Austin-pie!" Mrs. Sinclair appears at our front door, oblivious of her sudden disappearance. "Oh, Abbey! Why are you here? I thought you'd be at work!" "Good morning, Mrs. Sinclair. You don't need to tutor Austin anymore." "Huh?" She asks, perplexed. "Why's that?" "Well, I will teach him myself from now on." "Oh," she looks down, upset. "Well, that's okay. Whatever's best for Austin-pie is good enough for me!" She turns around, about to leave. "Goodbye, y'all!" She waves to us until she leaves.

I turn to Austin. "Go to your room, Austin." "What?" He exclaims. "Why?" "Just go to your room. I need to talk to your friend here." Austin crosses his arms and walks up to his room, stomping his feet on the wooden stairs.

"He seems upset," Rusalia mutters, staring at where Austin was. "That's mostly your fault," I snap back. "Who the hell are you?" She doesn't flinch. "My name's Rusalia." "Where did you come from?" "I'm from a kingdom called Usales," she answers. "I'm...their goddess." Her expression is sober.

"A goddess? So you're like... all-powerful?" "Yes, and no," she replies. "Someone all-powerful has no beginning and no end. I have both." "I-I don't get it."

"I am the last of an immortal species. We live off people's reverence. Since I have special abilities incomprehensible to humans, the Usales declared me as their goddess," she explains. "I'm Rusalia, the goddess of the fauna." "If you're a 'goddess,' then what the hell do you want from my son?" "He writes letters to me, prays, and believes me. He's the only reason I'm still alive. That's why I listen to his pleadings as much as I could."

"And that's why you're here," I say, the puzzle pieces clicking together. "He asked for a friend." She smiles softly. "Yes, that's why. If it's alright with you, maybe I can stay here, and make Austin happy." I scoff. "He's perfectly happy with me, thank you." "Are you sure? His letters say otherwise." "He's alright. Besides, if I let him just get whatever he wants, he'll get hurt. Any sane person wouldn't want that." "Sometimes, pain is crucial to growth. Do you know that?"

I snap. "I appreciate you being a goddess and everything. But I am his mother and I know what's best for him." I turn away and go up to Austin's room. How dare this... creature tell me what to do with my son? My son's perfectly fine, right? If he had friends, they'll just hurt him and tease him, especially since he has no dad. I'm just protecting him. That deer doesn't know what she's saying.

I go inside Austin's room. He sits quietly on his study table, writing something on a piece of paper. When he notices me, he quickly hides it.

"Is that another letter?" I ask as gently as possible. "Um... no. I'm just drawing something." "Who? Rusalia?" "Uh... yes." "Can I see?" "No."

"Okay then." I get a chair and sit next to him. "What do you think about going to the new theme park today?" "Really?!" He says with excitement. My face breaks into a smile as I nod. He jumps up and down in joy, hugging me. "Thank you, mommy! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"Okay. Calm down there, sweetie. You should go prepare your stuff. We'll be there all day." "Can Miss Rusalia come?" I silence. I haven't thought of that. "Not sure, sweetie. What if people think she's weird?" "But I don't think she's weird," he says innocently. "Please, please, please let her come." "Okay, okay. I'll ask her first."

"Yay!" He hugs me once more. "Thank you, mommy." "Your welcome, Austin. Now go get ready!"

I find Rusalia in the living room, playing with the flowers—no, they're insects at the hem of her skirt. With one touch from her polished hands, these insects scatter and cling to different parts of her dress, as though her dress is adorned with a thousand orchids. She notices me and beckons me to sit next to her. She gets one of the "orchids" and shows it to me.

"It's an orchid mantis." The little thing unfolds into a mantis crawling with its bright pink feet. It crawls back into its spot in Rusalia's dress and rests, once again looking like a flower. "Beautiful, is it not?" "Are these actual live insects? Or did you just... zap mantises and make them pink?" She chuckles. "Oh, no," her voice light in amusement. "These are actual insects. A follower gave me a jar of their eggs long ago."

"But, considering that I've never even heard of the Usa-something before, why aren't these dead yet?" "Well, I am, or was, the goddess of the fauna. I made them no longer require food, water, or anything, They're merely decorations now." "That's rather cruel," I say, pitying the mindless creatures on her dress. "It's the best I can do for them. I needed the company." She touches one of them and they change positions, showing a different pattern. "Is there something you wanted to talk about?"

"Austin and I are going to this theme park and—" "What's a theme park?" She interrupts. I get annoyed but try to keep my voice even. "It's this place with many rides that make you feel... excited and thrilled, I guess."

"Oh, I see. I've never been to one before. What about it?" "Well, uh, he..." I take a deep breath. "He wants you to come with." "He does?" She thinks to herself. "If it's what he wants."

"One thing, though," I stop her. She stares at me, waiting for my response. My mouth dries and I stutter. "Y-your look. I mean, you look okay. B-but people. They..." I take a deep breath and talk slowly. "Is there a way you can look less like..." I motion to her whole body. "... you and more human?"

She quiets. "Is that what Austin wishes?" I nod, hoping she won't ask him herself. Without another word, her face morphs. The bits of fur recedes, leaving porcelain-like skin. Her dark bulging eyes into vibrant brown human eyes. Her fur became silky auburn hair. Once a mysterious doe turned into a beautiful young woman. And how her lips look—bright pink, like expensive lip gloss. "Is this okay?" She asks me, a smile in her eyes. I blink awake, escaping my trance. Blood rushes to my cheeks, making them warm.

"Yes, it's okay. I'll go get Austin."

*-*

After several key turns, the engine hums awake. Austin sits quietly in the backseat, his feet kicking the seats furiously.

"Austin, stop that." I reprimand him. "What's taking so long?" He whines with a pout. "Rusalia's just changing clothes, sweetie. I don't think they allow gowns there." "Should I call her already?" "She's almost rea—oh, there she is!" Rusalia walks out of the house wearing a small white dress. Mantises still cling to her skirt, while others crown her hair. She locks the door behind her just as I taught her. I open the front seat for her.

"It's been so long since I last rode a vehicle," she says as she hops into the car. "They've changed in appearance drastically." "You rode a car before?" Austin asks, peeping his head in between the seats. "Yes, I have," she cheerily responds. "It was a long time ago though." "How old are you, Miss Rusalia?" "Hmm," she thinks for a while. "I'm about a thousand years old." Oh, wow. "Sorry, I don't reep track of my age." "You're old but you're still pretty," Austin coos. "I like your human form."

Rusalia blushes. "Well, thank you. For you, I'll stay like this forever."

Austin cheers. "Yay, now we have two pretty girls in the house!" My facial muscles prevent me from straightening my smile. "Smooching up to me won't work, Austin." I then put the gear in reverse and drive away.

*-*

The ticket queue, as I predicted, wasn't long, and we immediately got our tickets. Austin dances excitedly, chanting "theme park" with a shout. Rusalia struggles to put on her wristband.

"Here, let me help you with that." I take her soft hands and wrap the bracelet around her wrist loosely. "Thanks!" She pulls her hand back and walks away. I didn't even realize I'd been holding it for too long. I run to catch up with both of them.

Austin is an energetic kid and wants to ride, and I quote, "every single ride twice." Because of my age, I struggle to keep up with the kid. Rusalia, however, easily caught up with Austin's energy, pointing him to different rides and running off. I only notice them when they're already high up, screaming. They've already been to every mildly dangerous ride, so I decided that we go on the Ferris wheel. It isn't very tall, but I heard it has a decent view. We line up in a very short queue and soon it was our turn.

"Tickets, please," the peppy attendant sings. I show her my wrist and she scans the bar code on the band. The two follow suit. "We're just waiting for the gondolas to be cleaned then you're ready to go," a technician declares. "Which of you will sit together?" "What?" I ask, confused. "Can't we all sit together?" "Only two passengers per gondola, ma'am. Sorry." "Oh, oh, oh!" Austin exclaims. "Can I go alone?" "I don't think you can, sweetie." "Well, he technically can, ma'am," the technician cuts in. "Many kids go on their own so we can assure you it's safe." "But Austin is—" Austin ignores me and goes to Rusalia instead. "Miss Rusalia, can I go alone? Pleeeeease?" He begs. "Sure, Austin!" Austin excitedly rides on a gondola. "Don't worry, Abbey," Rusalia mutters. "I'll make sure he's safe."

A technician escorts the two of us to the gondola next to Austin's. The ride is just big enough for two grown people, so our shoulders touch when we move. The wheel spins and we slowly ascend to the sky.

"Well, this is more relaxed than all the rides Austin and I went on," Rusalia remarks. "It's nice to wind down now and then." "What are you trying to say?" "Nothing. It's just that you seem so tense," she declares nonchalantly. "Unwind just this while and enjoy the view." We stop at the very top of the wheel, the view of the valley that is the town before our eyes. I crane my head to see the whole town. I still can't see enough, so I move forward and accidentally touch Rusalia's hand.

"Oh, sorry." I retrieve my hand. "No, it's okay," she insists. "You can hold my hand if you like." "It's all right. It was just an accident." She clasps my hand. "I thought it would help you relax." With a smile, I oblige and hold her hands while we descend.

Later in the day, we sit down near the concession stands, each of us munching on the snacks we bought. I break off a part of the pretzel and pop it into my mouth. Kids in their uniforms scatter around the theme park. Seems like the school day is finished.

"Why do those kids have the same clothing?" Rusalia asks, popcorn in her mouth. "Well, that's because they go to school," I reply. The cheese in the pretzel is difficult to chew. "Even the girls? Impressive. Times have changed," she remarks. A weird remark if you ask me, but then, she is thousands of years old and times change. We, women, have more rights than ever in history. "Say," she adds, "why doesn't Austin go to school? He's old enough, yes?"

"Well," I begin, "he doesn't want and he might get nervous and—" "Austin," Rusalia asks my son, completely ignoring me, "why don't you go to school? Is it because you don't think it's enjoyable?"

"No, Miss Rusalia. I wanna go to school. But mom said it's dangerous and I might get hurt." "And do you believe her?" "Well..." he hesitates. I keep quiet, knowing Rusalia won't let me talk. "They look happy," he says, referring to the schoolchildren. "Seems like you envy them." "Maybe," Austin mutters melancholically. Rusalia hugs him to cheer him up.

I want to lash out. I'm his mother and I know what's best for him. But Rusalia, with whatever she's doing, isn't wrong. He wrote those letters because of his loneliness. If he sought solace in an ancient being instead of me, his mom, does that mean I've been doing something wrong? Did he never tell me what he felt because he doesn't trust me much? I'm not sure.

The rest of the day passes in a blur. I'm certain I had a fun time if it weren't for Austin's words haunting the back of my mind. Now I'm in a McDonald's upon his request, setting down a tray of burgers on an empty table. Austin and Rusalia follow along and down on the chairs.

"They said they're still making the fries so they'll just send them over once they're done." Rusalia nods acknowledging but Austin's attention was elsewhere.

"Mom," he asks, his eyes gleaming in excitement, "can I go to the playground?" I hesitate. "Well, uh... there are a lot of kids and—"

But Rusalia takes my hand from across the table. "Let him, Abbey." I feel like I've been shocked—from Rusalia holding my hand or being interrupted, I'm not sure. "Lucy will make sure he's safe." One of her mantises wakes up and crawls to Austin's jeans pockets without him noticing. With no other choice, I agree.

Austin hugs me from behind. "Thank you, mom!" He runs to the playground and immediately goes into a tube. A few seconds later, he waves to us from the top of the playground slide before sliding down, smiling all the way. We clap to encourage him. Austin seems pleased with our response.

"Look at him," Rusalia comments. "It's like he had more fun here than in the theme park", she retorts.

"I guess." But I pay her no mind. Instead, I track where Austin is. He climbs up a ladder and back into the network of tubes. He turns left, then right, then up, then—a kid crawls past him, making me lose track. I look around in a panic, searching for my son amongst the pool of children.

"Calm down, Abbey!" Rusalia chuckles. "You're so anxious all the time!" "Oh, sorry." I close my eyes and take a deep breath. "I'm not used to this 'letting him do anything alone' thing." "Have you never done so?" "I used to but Justin was usually there and—"

"Justin?" She interrupts. "Who's that?" "H-he was my husband." I look down, taking deep breaths. It's been two years; you need not cry, I think to myself. "You had a husband before?" She inquires. I nod. I see her expression change in my peripheral. "Oh, I see."

The server comes with two large boxes of french fries before either of us could say anything.

"Anything else?" The server asks.

"No," I wave him off. He nods in acknowledgment and walks away. With the food already here, I yell for Austin's attention. "Austin? The fries are here!"

A few seconds pass before I hear a response. "Coming, Mommy!" He grabs his shoe before running towards our table, another boy his age in tow. "Mom," he stops for air, "this is my new friend, Mike."

The boy with dark skin and curly hair waves at us shyly. "Hi." "Wow!" Rusalia exclaims. "I didn't know Austin was friendly!"

I ignore her remark. "Do you wanna sit with us, Mike?" "No, thank you. I'm with my parents." He points to a table with two adults and two other children. "Okay, then. Nice to meet you, Mike!" He takes my hand and presses it to his forehead before running off to his family.

*-*

After a long day, we arrive home. Austin has already fallen asleep in the back of the car so I pick him up and carry him inside.

I gently lay Austin down on his bed. Man, this kid's heavy; my back feels sore. I drape the duvet over him and kiss him on the forehead. He stirs.

"Mom?" He calls, sleepy. "Yes, sweetie?" "Where are we?" "We're at home," I whisper. "You should go to sleep."

As if on cue, he lets out a wide yawn. "Okay, mom." He turns to his side and closes his eyes. I get up and leave. "Mom?" He calls again. "Yes?" "Where will Rusalia sleep?" I stop. I haven't thought of that. "Well, I'll prepare the guest room for her." "Okay, mommy." He goes back to sleep.

*-*

After cleaning the surfaces and sweeping the dusty floor, I help Rusalia settle into her room. I've let her borrow some of my clothes so she'll have something to wear. She comes out of the shower in my pajamas, her auburn hair wet from the shower.

"This set of clothing is a tad unfamiliar, but it's very comfortable," she comments as she places her dress on the nightstand. "If you want a nightgown, I'd give you." "Oh, no need. This is fine." "Well, if you need anything, just tell me."

"Is Austin asleep?" She asks while placing her mantises in a mason jar. "Yes, he is," I answer. "You never fully explained why you're here. You used to silently answer Austin."

"I did, didn't I?" She smiles sadly. "I've been on Earth for more than a thousand years, witnessed kingdoms rise, wars rage, and trends pass. I used to think time was just a curse, something that is made to hurt me. It was a selfish ideology, but it was how I felt. In my despair, I started looking for a way to leave quickly—to end this long, pathetic life."

"But when I first received a letter after centuries of wandering, my heart suddenly felt hope. So I made it my goal to take care of this kid and to make sure he's cared for. I wrote back to him, introducing myself as a dear friend who can help him. Then he asked for things, and I gave them to him with no hesitation. He always wrote how lonely he was so..." She trails off and I see tears forming in her brown eyes.

"I'm fading, Abbey," she whispers after a while. "I can feel my power draining." She flexes her fingers and returns to her original form. "I only wish to see Austin happy. I fear that I might fade before I can see that." I stand there dumbly, unable to say anything to comfort her. For what could I say? A promise? She rests her head tiredly against the wooden headboard. "Goodnight, Abbey." She drifts off to sleep.

When one is broken-hearted, there always seems to be a pain around the chest area you can't. Like a bullet or an arrow has pierced through the heart but you can't take it or tend to it. I've always wondered whether it hurt more to be shot by a bullet or an arrow, for I've never experienced either.

But now I can say that this hurts more. It's like getting something that makes you happy, then losing it later in the day. Come to think of it, I haven't lost her yet. She's still here, sleeping in the room next to mine. But for how long? Is it inevitable? What can I do? She wants to see Austin happy. How?

I pick up my phone. If that'll make them both happy, then I will set aside my fears. I dial the number I saw on the flyer they gave out.

"Hello?" I say when the other side picks up. "This is Leila Summers from St. John's Elementary School. How may I help you?"

*-*

It has been 6 weeks since Rusalia came to our home. She has fit in our home, catering to everything Austin wants. Somehow, I'm the one always preventing the two of them from going overboard. Lately, I've noticed Rusalia struggling to cast her spells, and after she does, her skin pales and she flickers back to a deer for a few seconds. She's slowly fading. I doubt she can stay human for very long.

Now we are at the dinner table, eating the fried chicken I prepared. I already broke the news to Austin that he's going to school in two weeks. He's been excited ever since.

"Mom, do you think my teacher would like it if I wore a bow tie?" Austin mumbles, his mouth full of chicken. "Austin," I sigh exasperatedly, "the teacher would prefer if you are a smart and intelligent student." "But how can I show I'm smart?" I pause. "Maybe you can... act smart?" He tilts his head. "How do I do that?" "You can hold your head high and stand straight."

He does so. "Like this?" I nod. "Look, Miss Rusalia. I'm very smart." "Yes, you are," she giggles. "Are you eager to go to school?" "Yep!" He exclaims. "Mike said he goes there too. Maybe we'll be classmates." "Well, that's great!" I say. "At least you don't have to be so lonely at the beginning of the school year." "Abbey," Rusalia scolds. "Don't dampen his excitement." "I'm just saying," I sang, my mouth forming a smirk. She rolls her eyes and looks down, smiling.

"I can make cards so I can introduce myself easily," Austin suggests. "I think that'll be great," Rusalia encourages. I raise my eyebrow at her and she shrugs. I shake my head and take a bite off a chicken wing.

"You know, Rusalia," Austin says. "I've always wanted a little puppy." She stops and we share a look. "Well," she says, keeping her voice even, "maybe I can get you a puppy when school starts?" "Really?!" He asks excitedly. Rusalia nods. "Yay! I'm getting a puppy!" He pumps his fist in the air. I give her a worried look and she smiles back, sadly.

*-*

After two weeks of shopping for school supplies and Austin's cheerful screaming, I park my car in front of St. John's Elementary School. We arrive there early upon Rusalia's request. Only a few students are present on the campus with their parents dropping them off. Austin excitedly hops off the car.

"We're finally here!" He screams excitedly. Passersby look his way. "Calm down, Austin," I say. "You'll be here for 10 more months." "Doesn't mean it's not exciting," he answers back. "Do you want to go in now or do you want to wait?" Rusalia asks gently, patting his back. "I want to go in right away!" He cheers. "Okay," she agrees. "Let me say goodbye first." "For what?"

"Nothing," she replies. "I'll just miss seeing you at home every day." She pulls him close and gives him a tight hug. I do the same. "Bye, mom. Bye, Rusalia." He walks towards the school, waving his hands slowly. His eyes are showing sadness. "Go on, Austin," I say. He turns around and runs inside, the both of us waving as he retreats.

"Agh," Rusalia gasps. She falls to her knees, her hands clutching her chest. I kneel to catch her. She flickers rapidly.

"Are you okay?" I ask with worry. Her skin pales more. "My time..." she choked "... has come." "What?" "I'm already weak, Abbey," she laments. "The wind is calling to me, beckoning me home." "But you can't leave just yet," I sniffle. "I don't know how I would explain to Austin why you're gone." "Don't worry," she consoled, placing a soothing hand on my shoulder. "He'll forget me the moment I disappear." Tendrils of light flurry from her, drifting into the air.

"No, no, no." I hold her tightly. "Don't go yet. I need you," I sob. She hugs me back and we meld into a crying mess. I feel her get lighter and lighter. "Thank you, Abbey. Thank you for everything," she whispers. Then she disappears.

*-*

The moment I reach my porch, I curl into a ball and cry. This isn't fair. What did I ever do to lose the people I care for? Did I do something wrong? This isn't fair. This isn't fair. I knew I shouldn't have let myself get attached. Never again.

After a while, I hear a whimper from beside me. With bleary eyes, I look to see what creature is rubbing against me. It was a dog. Small, stout, with a big head and curly brown fur. It looked at me worriedly. I chuckle despite the pain.

"Hey there," I coo. "Are you lost?" The dog tilts its head. I check for a collar. "You seem like a lady to me." She rests her head on my lap. "She's you," I realize, "isn't she?" The dog lets out a high-pitched bark. I hug her tightly. "I'm gonna name you..." I ponder. "Dearest." She barks excitedly. "Let's get you a collar, Dearest."

*-*

"Mom!" Austin calls as he runs to the car. "Hey there, sweetie!" I hug him. "How was school?" "It was great! I have a bunch of new friends." He makes a big circle with his hands. Dearest bounces to greet Austin. "Woah, a puppy!" He exclaims. "Is it a boy or a girl?" He laps up to pet her.

"It's a girl." Dearest licks his hand and Austin laughs. "What's her name?" "Her name's Dearest." "Deerest?" He asks, confused. "But she isn't a deer." I chuckle. "No. D-E-A-R-E-S-T, Dearest." "What does that mean?" "It's what you call someone you love."

#short story #deer #oh deer #the title is intentional #writing prompt story #story #fable #short fiction #creative writing #writers of tumblr #writing #deerest #stellarsong #idk how tags work

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kira-angel24 · 2 years

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Whumptober 2022 Day 7

Shaking Hands

Continuation of Day 2

She didn't know how long it has been since Felix caught her. They caged her and isolated her as often as possible. Luci would come in and watch her and ask her questions. Kira refused to answer. She'd watch the scientist back, silently. Even if she could escape the cage, the door would only open with a hand scan from outside. She sat in a biracage suspended from the ceiling. The only things on her were a silver metal collar and cuffs on her wrists and ankles. The cuffs weren't attached so they had no restraining properties, just there for tracking and identification she said. They were all silver and plain with loops for chains if they were "Deemed necessary."

She came in, her white lab coat made Kira's eyes widen. She came in, but not alone like usual. Felix came in behind her, glaring at the dark winged angel.

"Good morning, I have some good news." Luci smiled at her innocently. Kira didn't say anything, her wings flared. "It looks like I've made a breakthrough about your past. You're the elusive subject Angel!" Kira's stomach dropped at the mention of "angel". She whined and backed up instinctively. "The only experiment to be deemed a complete failure, with no hope to work." She felt a pain in her chest. Her breathing grew rapid as Luci talked on and on about her experience with the last lab. "That's how you got that tattoo on your arm, it's your subject ID. You were supposed to be a super weapon, but it failed because the submission training not only made you more resistant but it also made you more powerful. That's pretty interesting." Kira trembled, her body shaking violently. "So I wanted to see all of that in action. Test your limits. See what all that Harpy and Angel DNA can do. Felix?"

"I'll take over from here." Kira backed up against the cage, her tremors uncontrollable. He opened the cage door, reaching towards her.

"Please... don't do this..." She sobbed.

"Oh, don't worry angel," he leaned close into her ear as snatched both of her wrists, pulling her closer to the door. "We have all the time in the world."

#whumptober 2022 #whumptober #no.7 #shaking hands #oc #fic #kira the angel

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aetheternity · 2 years

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Oh? You like me?

After a long road of pining you're ready to try your luck with the guy you want.. (Aether, Gorou, Venti, Xingqiu)

Disclaimer: This is Sfw only with no gender specified for reader. Reader in not traveler in any of these.

Gorou~

He'd met you through Kokomi and it was pretty much all down hill from there. His ears flopped against his head when she introduced you, tail wagging uncontrollably.

"I believe the two of you will work well together." Kokomi had said with a smile almost devilishly out of character.

"G-gorou.. Gorou of ahem general of the resistance." He spoke firmly as he finally quelled the urge peaking through his tail. Ears straightening as he spoke.

"I know all about you Gorou, general of the resistance." You replied firmly repeating his title. "I know we'll get along well."

Unlike everyone else in the resistance you weren't too much older than Gorou. Less than a decade to be more precise and since you were pretty easy to talk to Gorou found himself coming to you whenever he could. Work related or not.

You soon became a co writer for "That's life" after Gorou started to get more and more romance questions that he didn't feel he could answer genuinely. (He insisted on getting you credit for your answers and soon a rumor started that Ms. Hina was seeing someone.)

Yeah.. as much as it made you cringe to see the Ms. Hina fan club sobbing over it you kept the news as far away from Gorou as possible.

Everybody in the resistance knows how you two feel and they force you guys together as often as they can. Young love should be nurtured after all right?

"What, you guys aren't eating in the mess hall tonight either?" Gorou questions as people leave with plates.

"Sorry boss, I'll be up bright and early for training though!"

"I can't, I gotta go write letters to my family."

"Yeah, tonight's bad.. I gotta.. shine my shoes.."

Excuse after excuse goes through until you and Gorou are sitting across from each other with only your plates in between.

"I wonder if I've done something wrong.. Have I been too rough with training recently?" He asks you, ears twitching at the tips.

"No.. no I'm sure everyone is genuinely busy tonight." You offer even though you're biting down on your spoon exceedingly hard due to both anger and embarrassment.

"But.. Kavinski.. shining his shoes?? He barely cleans his armor."

You started to pick up on how bad your crush on Gorou was getting when he invited you rock climbing at four in the morning and you didn't hesitate to say yes.

"Really?" He'd questioned the tip of one of his ears twitching in response. "I kinda figured you'd say no.. I mean it is pretty early and you've never pegged me as a climber."

Ultimately your desire to stay by his side ruled over the necessity to sleep in late. And unsurprisingly at four in the morning when the sun hadn't even awoken yet. You'd begun trudging up behind Gorou to reach the peak of a mountain you'd genuinely forgotten the name of. Your feet dragging from the fatigue that still plagued your body.

"Maybe we should take a break." Gorou said as he looked back at you standing with both hands perched on your hips.

"No, No, you wanted to try to get close to the peak before seven. We should keep going."

With zero warning he hooked his arm into yours pausing your honestly poor attempt to continue walking past him. "As your superior, I think a quick rest would be good."

The fight in your body had left you a long time ago and the immediate satisfaction you got from leaning back against a cool rock and splashing water over your face only further proved it.

"Seems I wasn't wrong." Gorou piped up "Please forgive me if I upset you in saying this but you seem to be against this. Why would you agree to it?"

Your eyes shut as you look away from him, head resting completely against the rock behind you. "I didn't know how else to get you alone so I could tell you how much I like you."

His silence prevailed for far longer than you were comfortable with. Enough for you to push yourself to glance over at him. His mouth hung open, eyes wide and ears impossibly straight.

"I.."

"General.."

"No one's ever.."

You finally manage a laugh, heart finally easing as you cup his impossibly heated cheeks. "Then I'm the first. That's good because I want to be your last too."

Xingqiu~

The first time you'd met him was through your mother's introductions. Since his family and your family often worked together it was only natural that both of the youngest heiress' should also be acquainted.

You'd worked through your anxieties, smiling your normal business smile and being as polite as possible though his stare was lingering. His eyes wide and the faintest flush of pink dappled over his cheeks as he responded to your greeting. It wasn't long before you both found that the real reason for the sudden meeting was to get the two of you accustomed with each other for a possible arranged marriage.

You'd nearly choked on your water when Xingqiu's father announced it.

"Father may I speak to name in private?" Xingqiu had asked and you blinked blankly when his father approved. The two of you exiting the main dining room to the hall. "I apologize that our first meeting has led to this being sprung on you. My father can be rash sometimes." He'd explained with his thumb on his chin.

"Yeah my mother's very similar."

"Though since this is our first introduction to each other we still have some bearing on the situation. We should take a bit of time to get accompanied before any further preparations go under way.. if.. you'd like." His eyes soften, pure gold looking back at you with a touch of unease.

"I would like that." You reply

It doesn't take long for the two of you to spend any free time you had together. While you might not have grown up in Liyue your family owns some property there. So in the spirit of allowing the two of you to get closer your mother is nothing short of ecstatic when you tell her you wish to stay in Liyue for a while.

Normally when the two of you hang out together it's in his study room. His long legs draped up against the frame of the couch, book perched between his thighs. His hair succumbing to gravity whenever he looked over at you sat behind the desk with a little smile on his face like a sort of reminder that he knew you were still with him.

Sometimes you'd come and stay in here with him just to get away from the world and practice your calligraphy. It was such a calming quiet space you'd even drift off for a few minutes only to wake up to a blanket draped over your shoulders and Xingqiu sat in a different position on the couch.

"Hey what'cha reading." You stick your neck out over the spine of the book in Xingqiu's grasp.

He quickly lowers the book to the bridge of his nose and even if he's trying to hide it the rising color to his cheeks is incredibly noticeable. You opt to force your grin down but as his cheeks get further stained your smile gets wider.

"Xingqiu.." You giggle poking his side.

With zero malice he taps the edge of his book against your forehead. "Not. a. word."

"Word."

Sword matches but you tell him not to go easy so he spends the entire time flipping you onto your back and not actually fighting you.

"Xingqiu!" You huff, kicking your legs like a toddler.

He just giggles, "You said not to go easy!"

"You know exactly what I meant by that!"

It's not so much that he's afraid of hurting you, no he's seen your skills and genuinely believes you could probably take him. More than anything he's merely enjoying an opportunity to be more relaxed during his normal training hours.

"You're making it far too easy Name, I'm almost bored."

You're not really sure how but at some point you do actually manage to flip him and the wide eyed stare matched with the little oof from his mouth is enough to last you a lifetime.

The first time you meet Chongyun he's damp and biting through a popsicle at an inhumane speed. As much as you hoped your confusion didn't show on your face the way Xingqiu was bent over laughing proved some of your concern was very visible. After a while he did calm down enough to issue an apology for his behavior and Xingqiu introduced the two of you over a small lunch at Wanmin

"Your name sound familiar." Chongyun pondered "Is your family the business that sells goods to the Feiyun Commerce Guild?"

"Yup that's us." You remark "Right here from Fontaine."

"That's amazing, The people of Liyue really are thankful for your family's work."

Your smile was gentle, relaxed not stiff in the same way it was when discussing work topics with potential clients or in some cases talking with your family. "These new technological advancements should be shared after all. We're very much in favor of helping the rest of the world in anyway we can."

Chongyun smiled back taking a sip of his ice water. "It has it's own merits then, similar to exorcism."

You steal a glance at Xingqiu who's smiling over his own drink. "You're weirdly quiet."

His chuckle is mirthful, "I don't want to disturb your friendly conversation since you two are hitting it off better than anticipated."

"Oh? Are you sure you're not just plotting?"

"He might not be at the moment, his eyes aren't glinting." Chongyun butts in

You gasp, "He has a tell? Good now I know!"

"That's quite alright as they say you can run but you can't hide."

As if programmed you and Chongyun glance at each other across the table. You didn't need to say a word to each other Xingqiu's sneer was enough to have you both shivering down to the base of your spines.

With the whole arranged marriage thing hanging over your heads you were a bit concerned that when you and Xingqiu hung out it was more friendly than anything else. At first it hadn't been bad he'd been so gentlemanly and that was incredibly reassuring to you but the back of your brain craved something a little more.

You peered over at Xingqiu beside you. His smile affectionate over the words of a new book. He'd taken you to Wanwan bookhouse so many times at this point but today you couldn't begin to pay attention to any book you picked up.

"I take it by your prolonged stare that something is troubling you. Care to speak on it?"

He's glancing at you from the corner of his eye. Book still open between his fingertips. When you sigh he steps closer lowering the book further.

"What do you think?"

"Hmm?"

"Of.. me, of us, what do you think of us as? I know that our parents think we should get married but I don't know how you feel, you haven't really said much about it."

You'd missed the part where he'd closed his book too preoccupied with your own current of thoughts spilling out from your brain. His bangs tickled the bridge of your nose, your breath catching just as his lips pecked yours.

"Forgive me, I should've explained my intentions but now that you've taken my first kiss I hope we'll have plenty more time to discuss it."

About half of that went over your head and unprocessed thanks to your untamed heartbeat flooding your ears at the same time. But overall the relief of him feeling the same allowed a pleasant warmth to spread through your stomach.

Venti~

The first time you'd seen him it was hard not to be transfixed. It wasn't the pretty voice, the pretty humming or the pretty tune he was conjuring up. No, it was just the pretty bard himself. Those eyes and how everything on him perfectly complimented his entire aesthetic.

"Hello." He greeted warmly "Are you looking to hear any song in particular? I'm taking requests."

You scratched the back of your head, his eyes didn't dwindle in the slightest as he patiently awaited your answer. "I'm not sure.. perhaps.. one of your personal favorites?"

His smile deepened and his lashes flickered over his cheeks as he began to strum a slower song. One that you're not sure you've heard before but you stay put to listen nonetheless. Fixated completely over the way his lips opened for every single word. The rhythmic strum of his fingers splaying and thumbing along perfectly complimenting his enthralling voice.

The sudden burst of applause all around you yanked you right back down to Earth. And as much as you hoped he hadn't noticed the low giggle he let out at your fright implied that he had.

"I have not encountered you around Mondstat before. May I ask your name?" He questioned his features growing far more serious.

"It's Name.."

He repeated your name with a calm gaze up at the sky. "I'm Venti, Venti the bard." He offered with a smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Name."

The next time you encounter Venti is when he's out of breath perched in an alleyway. His hands curling around his knees, hat slipping slightly off his head.

"Oh gods Venti." He jumps a little at your sudden arrival his eyes once shut now alert before quickly relaxing.

"Oh it's just you." He exhales slowly patting his chest.

"Venti, were you robbed?" You gesture to his messy clothes, shirt untucked from his shorts and cape barely hanging onto his shoulders. Without thinking about it you adjust the cape sliding off his shoulders.

"Ehe~ kinda hard to get robbed when you have nothing." He admits "I almost got caught pilfering food again.." He sighs reaching up to adjust his hat.

"Ugh so you're the thief." You pull faux disappointment. That is until the eruption of his belly makes you both fall silent.

"Let me buy you lunch."

"Wha- are you sure?"

"Yes, during it you can explain to me why a bard as successful as yourself needs to steal food."

Going to Stormterror's lair was something you did every now and again, while you enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the city it was nice to get away from it every now and then. And with the new outbreak of monsters running rampant in Wolvendom there was no way you'd be able to have any peace there either.

It didn't take you long to reach the top of the tower. Bookbag lightly clinking as an array of different items mashed together inside. The moment you'd arrived you noticed the small figure of Venti curled up against the gravel, his hands outstretched in front of him cape slightly whipping with stronger winds. Hat placed beside him.

You stopped by his side nearly awwing at how soft his facial expression was. His breathing even and his lips parted slightly. Without rustling your bag too much you slid it off placing it against a pillar then gently sliding into a criss cross position with your hands in your lap.

The soft winds splay your hair back from you face and you pull you legs into your chest still thoroughly entranced by the figure of the bard laying beside you. You probably shouldn't watch but you can't bring yourself to stop. Wanting so badly to reach out and swipe the braid hanging over his face back and before you can really think about it you do it.

Venti blinks, eyes half lidded but still mildly still faced. He grumbles and then his eyes meet yours the corners of his lips curving upwards.

"Ah! I'm sorry Venti, I didn't mean to wake you." He doesn't say a word but he shakes his head blinking at you with warm eyes. "Do you.. maybe want to use my bag as a pillow?" You offer tugging it away from the pillar you'd placed it on.

His eyes are becoming more alert but he still shakes his head, moving to sit up, stretch and yawn. Without a word he presses his head down in your lap moving to get comfortable as your heart nearly escapes your chest.

"Consider staying here until I awake again your only punishment." He finally says and without another word his breathing evens and he's gone again.

Meeting him at Windrise is a chance encounter. You'd been reading a book that Lisa had recommended you but that you had to give back in two days so you were trying to makes sense of the story while also actually reading the story.

"Oh hey! There you are I was looking for you."

You snicker, "Diluc chase you with a broom again and now you need someone to take you to lunch?"

"No! I have mora today thank you very much so I figured I'd treat you. As a sort of thank you for all the meals you've paid for me."

"Aw Ven, you don't have to do that for me. I'm happy to treat the god of anemo whenever he needs."

His head swiveled around so hard you thought for a second it might snap off.

"Yeah.. I kinda figured it out. Though I'm surprised no one else has seriously the statute in the plaza looks just like you."

He giggles breathily "Well now that you know I don't have to reveal it to you later." He kneels before you cecilias falling into your lap from his hands.

"Venti.."

"Let me take you to dinner." For a split second a look of concern flashed over his eyes. "Please."

"I would love that."

Aether~

The first time you run into Aether it's in a very literal sense..

"I didn't hurt you did I?" You rub your forehead with the palm of your hand looking up at his own outstretched hand before you. You hadn't completely taken in the situation but your eyes had soon curved past his face to the strange attire that adorns his body, taking an almost too long glance at his midriff in all too plain view.

"I think this person got hit too hard." Another voice chimes up and you end up noticing a floating creature by his side.

Your eyebrows furrow when you realize how judgmental the flying thing was and without taking his hand you pull yourself off the ground dusting the backs of your legs.

"Sorry I ran into you." He apologized "I guess I wasn't looking where I was going. I'm Aether and this is Paimon."

"Name." You reply quietly, rearranging the items that had slipped from your grasp earlier. "You're the Traveler, I take it."

"Yes, I would offer to help you carry all of that but I really have to run. Have to finish a late commission. Though maybe I'll see you around sometime?" He doesn't wait for you to actually reply instead he bolts off. His little friend screaming his name as she follows swiftly behind.

"Aether.." You repeat against the text books in your grip. Before you can walk off yourself however, a certain glint on the ground catches your eye. Being careful not to rock the books in your grasp you graciously examine it.

Two little feathers attached to a small colorless ball with a hook at the end of the forgotten jewelry. It was warm to the touch, makes sense seeing as he'd only just dropped it. Your fingers cradled the little piece like you'd just received it from someone special. A part of you thought to chase after him to give it back to him.

Commissions?

Though another part of you had a far better idea.

When you'd first commissioned him it was for help in the shop. Your quaint little shop of small trinkets with the nicest souvenirs from your hometown. Perfect for the occasional traveler to wander in and ponder over the shelves. The newest shipments had arrived yesterday and though you normally did the work solo the idea of having someone help especially him helping made you a bit giddy.

He'd walked in while you perched over some boxes with a small knife making careful incisions against the tape. The welcoming ring of your shop's door and the wide eyed rapture filling those golden irises was enough to make your palms sweat.

"Ah it was your commission I had a feeling when Katheryne said your name after I'd asked." He said

"Well it was partially because cleaning up all these boxes alone would be a hassle but also I found this after we bumped into each other yesterday." You reached a hand behind the counter fingering the small piece of jewelry in your grasp for a split second before handing it to him.

"I did drop it when I bumped into you! Thank you so much for keeping it safe."

"Of course." You watch as he brushes aside loose strands of hair neatly folding them behind the shell of his ear. "Oh! wait allow me."

With a gentle smile he hands you back the ornament. Even though he'd already done it you took extra precaution in sliding your fingers through silky blond strands coaxing them over the warm shell of his ear. He didn't move at all patiently allowing your hands to lightly tug at his earlobe in search of the hole.

"This earring of yours, It's quite beautiful, may I ask where you got it?" You press the hook into his ear making sure it was tight enough that it wouldn't fall out again.

"My sister was the one that got it for me."

"Aw that's so sweet." The rumors you'd often heard of his journey began to echo in your mind. The posters you'd seen referring to his sister being missing. "Uh.. what I mean is.."

He turned his head in your direction and it instantly clicked to you just how close the two of you were. Your hands clasped to his shoulder his breath fanning your nose.

"Ah!" The ball of your foot slammed into a box behind you as you backpedaled.

"I.. um thank you for my earring." He quickly changed the subject bending over to grab a box by his side. "Let me.. just do this for you." He shuffled away awkwardly

"Uh oh right. By the way where's your um floating friend."

"Oh, you mean Paimon? She's back in our teapot something about needing to remember a dream she had last night in full."

"Mm and she follows you everywhere?" You ask absentmindedly stuffing things onto shelves in favor of taking a longer glance at Aether's figure every time he leaned over to shuffle through another box.

"Yeah, she's helping me find my sister." He said with a soft sigh. "Someday I'm going to get answers for everything."

"For you sake I hope you can."

Yearly festivals were always amazing for business and everyone with shops in your area loved this time of year. While the mora was nice though your favorite thing about the festivals had always been heading up to the roof to watch the end of festival light show in the sky.

Though business had been busier than ever tonight so you weren't even sure if that would happen.

"There you are." A familiar voice rang out, you stood up from where you'd been shuffling through supplies under that counter delighted to see those all too familiar gold irises peering back at you. Paimon hovering up by his side.

"I was looking for you." He admitted with a hand pressed to his chest.

"Aren't you coming outside? The light show is about to begin!" Paimon added

You shook your head, "I don't think I'll be able to. Every time I think the customer raid is slowing more people show up. And things are getting kind of messy here. I have to restock the files and clean up some glass I hadn't realized had been broken until a couple minutes ago it's all so-"

"Let me take over for a while."

"Huh?" You and Paimon remarked in unison.

"I can take over for a while I know how you like your shop run at this point." He explained "You look like you could use a break."

"You've never run a shop before!" Paimon immediately argued

A part of you wanted to argue yourself but Aether did visit your shop incredibly often after the earring incident. Sometimes with Paimon sometimes without. Sometimes to help out in the shop and sometimes after closing hours to sit and relax in the back with you and the books. Seeing as your shop was always quiet and filled with warmth.

"You can go with Paimon and get some food and have fun then by the time you get back I'll have had this place sorted out and closed for the evening so we can all go and watch the light show together."

"But that's in like an hour!" You reply

"Don't worry just go you two, I can handle this."

"Ok, Ok thank you so much Ae you're a lifesaver." Dim lights or not you could've sworn you saw the faintest tint of pink dust over the bridge of Aether's nose as you quickly turned to leave with Paimon.

Aether had been right, you had needed a break and having it immediately felt so therapeutic. The small conversations you'd had with the people on the street, watching little Paimon stuff her face. (Seriously did she even have a stomach or did it just disappear once it entered her body). And of course the little souvenirs you'd picked up yourself. You'd even managed to get a merchant to sell you a couple crates of items for you to sell in your own shop.

By the time you'd returned to your shop you felt about two pounds lighter with your shoulders lifted. Just in time for Aether to walk outside to greet you and Paimon shutting the front door behind him.

"Great! You guys are just in time."

"How'd it go?" Paimon asked before you could.

"You were right about not being able to leave as soon as you guys went out customers flooded in with all kinds of stuff. I think I handled it well and now we can go watch the light show."

You hug the boxes in your arms closer to your chest. "Let's head up to the roof after I set these down. Thank you again Aether."

The last of the light faded from the city once you'd both made it onto the roof and you weren't sure if it was that or the fact that you were dressed in short sleeves but you brought a hand close to your arms rubbing your sides. Aether peered over at you before untying his cape to drape it gently over your shoulders.

"That better?" He whispered giving your arm a small squeeze before turning back to the display in the sky.

Luckily for you Paimon hadn't been paying attention at all. Completely filled with awe as she gazed up at the shapes connecting the stars in the sky. So she couldn't tell you'd barely glanced up at the show in the sky. Just snuggled in the coziness of Aether's cape.

When you joined Aether's team it was after the two of you had known each other for six months. He was finally ready to move onto the next nation and despite the fact that you'd never thought to do it before you'd hired someone to take over your business in your stead. It wasn't a feeling you were used to, a sheer emptiness wafting through you at the idea of not seeing Aether for perhaps a year while he journeyed off somewhere else.

Of course you'd miss the shop and little things surrounding it. The scent of jasmine and honey upon entry. The little ding of the door opening for a new customer. The warm atmosphere in the back and how Aether had always sat in the same chair draping his legs over the frame. Head tilted back with a book on his chest when he'd inevitably succumb to sleep.

You'd miss it. But quite frankly you'd miss Aether far more.

"Really, are you sure?" He'd asked "Because I actually would really love if you came along on my journey."

"Yeah, I'm sure." You'd replied with a smile.

You'd expected some regret of course but you'd had very little upon the next couple weeks. Spending time by Aether's side outside of your work filled your body with a contentment you'd never experienced before. That and just how fulfilling commissions ended up being.

Going into the teapot for the first time freaked you out but it was also exuberating seeing all the decorations he had laid out and the huge mansion and.. the teapot spirit he'd introduced as Tubby. You ended up staying outside in the reincarnation of the city streets of your home town.

Walking amongst the trees and the little booths with decorative tape. The food stalls empty but still beautiful as well as the brilliant glow of the street lamps as the day soon fell to a close.

"How do you like it here?" Aether asked as he walked up behind you, a smile adorning his features.

"It's so beautiful.. maybe it's a bit forward for me to assume you set this up for me but it's just-"

"In this case, I did." He shifted on his feet, glancing to the side.

"Thank you, can I pay you back for your kindness?"

"Here." He stuck the hands that were covered by his back out to you. The reveal being a small assortment of tiny windmill flowers all red and a bit wilting.

You giggle quickly excepting the bouquet. "Do you give these to everyone that joins your team?"

"Only you.." When he leans into you it's to press a quick kiss to your cheek. "Thanks for staying by my side."

#gorou x reader #genshin x reader #xingqiu x reader #venti x reader #aether x y/n #aether x you #gorou x you #gorou x y/n #xingqiu x you #venti x y/n #venti x you #genshin impact x reader #genshin scenarios #genshin headcanons #I hated writing this a lot #so I hope at least one person likes this so I won't have wasted my time #my wrist is killing me

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