#spilled emotio

[leorawright]

Hi! Can I have a romantic genshin matchups please ^^

She/her

Gemini

Intp

5w4

Asexual/heteromantic

Chaotic Good

Appearance: 164cm. Brown wavy hair, dark Brown eyes. Curvy body I guess? I'm pale with visible beauty marks like on my lips. I wear glasses/sunglasses. I've been described as cute and a tease because I always bite my lips out of habit lol. I often have a tired/annoyed expression or a smile. I wear comfy clothes and even pj outside. Or cliché villain clothes, no in between. I try to wear gloves to stop myself from bitting my nails.

I appear as cold and very sarcastic. But I can be charismatic when I want. I'm always polite unless I dislike you (you'll know it because I become passive agressive). How I act depends on how you act with me, unless I'm in a bad mood. In that case I isolate to not break hearts too much. I act flirty around my friends and is known for sometimes playing with hearts (I'm oblivious to it). I'm petty and can go very far out of spite or vengeance. I curse a lot and will call you out on your bullshit with no issue no matter who you are.

I'm moody and not a morning person AT ALL. I'm brutally honest and it affected some friendships because people sometimes won't dare to approach me. I'm also socially obvious to a lot of things. I'm very curious and have a short attention spawn.

Getting along with me is easy peasy. As long as you're not whiny or a hypocrite we will get along. Now getting to know me is....nearly impossible. No friend of mine has managed to make me spill my problems even thought they share theirs and I help them out. My trust issues and daddy issues are too important for that lol. I don't open up and bottle my feelings all the time till I shut down or explode. I isolate a lot when I have problems or I'm just thinking (I love daydreaming). I'm rebellious but also a smooth talker. My friends know I have good intentions and would never wrong an innocent person. I'm the smart but reckless friend cuz I'll always hype up bad ideas for fun. I can be a bit naive. Even thought I have morbid curiosity and shared dubious experimental ideas....morals ain't my Forte. I'm more logical than emotional. I'm ambitious and can't stand my own failure. But I'm also lazy and a procrastinator which is a terrible combo. I'm always willing to debate and learn new things because knowledge is very important to me. I'm creative and innovative, I know when to get to business. I'm very competitive and try to hide it. Yeah I have an ego, so what? if you don't have a solid argument with me, I'll destroy you.

Despite that, I joke a lot and never take anything seriously. It happens that I underestimate people (I beat them later sooo). I'm a big tease and love to rile up people and see them get angry. I subtly insult people when they piss me off.

Because of that, I get very lonely and I'm misunderstood. I don't recognize my own feelings and mask that pretty well as it fools everyone. i don't consider myself to be a good person for some reasons. I envy easily and get annoyed easily because I want to succeed above all lol. Oh and I love money.

I mostly kin Malleus, Floyd, Furina, Diavolo from OM, Douma and perhaps some ratio or dottore.

Hobbies: Reading (mystery, thriller, fantasy), true crime, video games, manga, drawing, baking, fighting sports (sparing and shooting), learning, daydreaming. I love space and mad scientists stories. My aesthetic is definitely related to those subjects as well as the sea and stars.

I'm insecure about my weight despite not being overweight.

In a relationship, I'm the most chill person. I don't get jealous or clingy. You can do whatever you want. I'm always here to give you advices because helping you out, giving you my time and giving you gifts is my love langage. It bothered my last boyfriend because he thought I wasn't emotionally present and isolated a lot (which I did. I warned him that I accepted out of boredroom and didn't love him but he still went ahead. Then he emotionally cheated on my bd and everyone noticed but me lol. I separated from those friends cuz none told me and I value honesty a lot). I love cuddles but I'll take time to accept physical touch. I enjoy a partner that can keep up with me and be patient and honest because I value honesty. I also love receiving gifts because uh...I grew up with them validating love. I hate whiny and cowardly people.

I speak Arabic, French and English. I'm an only child. I study electronics and want to work in space related studies.

Thanks!

FINALLY SOMETHING FOR GENSHIN IM SO EXCITED!!!

For you I've chosen...

Ayato!

He can also come off as a bit emotionally unavailable when you first meet but he quickly warms up to you and you know he cares

Its a common occurrence for you two to exchange gifts and Ayato spares so expense for you

He never pushes you to show affection, and he'll wait patiently until you're comfortable

Whenever he has time, he loves debating with you

If you shut down or isolate yourself, Ayato will leave food outside your door with little encouraging notes until you're ready to come out again

He'll go along with your chaotic ideas to make sure you don't get hurt but he'll never stop you from trying something

He never tries to hide anything from you and whatever questions you ask him, he'll answer them honestly

He enjoys your honesty since most people just say something nice to appease him and he takes your opinion to heart

Sometimes, after a long day, he enjoys walking along the beach near the Kamisato estate and stargazing with you

He supports your interests and buys you whatever you need to further your expertise

#matchups #ayato x reader #kamisato ayato x reader

[ruidshijie]

Their “I Love You“s - Kaeya’s Story [PREVIEW]

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: After another long night of drinking at the Angel’s Share, Kaeya stumbles onto your doorstep, hoping for your company.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: Kaeya | gn!reader

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 574

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Slight angst

𝐀/𝐍: I dunno how janked the formatting is since I’m doing this through my phone but we’ll fix it later lmao. Had a lot of fun with this one tho it is on the short side.

𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝: Pending…

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“Baaaabeee,” Kaeya slurred, stumbling into your apartment. He giggled and leaned deeply into the door frame, his long hair spilling over his heaving shoulders. Even with his head lulling to his chest, the flush across his cheeks was too apparent not to notice. The soft scent of alcohol crept its way into the room. It wasn’t often that Kaeya showed up to your home this incoherent, however the situation wasn’t completely foreign.

With a sigh, you rose from the couch, setting down the book that rested in your hands. “Alright,” you said, holding your arms out to guide him inside, “let’s get you some rest.”

He replied with a low groan, waving you off. “I don’t need your help, babeee,” he insisted, holding your gaze with his smiling eye. He stumbled two or three steps into your living room and reeled to the side, catching himself on the edge of a wooden cabinet. It shook under his sudden weight, and the little trinkets placed on top ratted violently.

You tensed as a small statue of a cat clattered to the ground. “Kaeya, just let me help you,” you said, yanking him into you, slightly stumbling under his weight. Alcohol reeked from his breath heavy on your shoulder. “God, how many times have I told you not to come over this damn drunk,” you scolded, anticipating his morning hangover.

He laughed sheepishly. “You know I can’t do thaaat, my dear…” he mumbled, “if I accidentally choke and die, who would be there to kiss you, hm?”

Together, you managed to throw him on the couch, knocking the book you fell into off the side table to Kaeya’s feet. You grabbed a glass from the counter and filled it with cold water. “Drink.” You set the glass onto the table with a clear thud.

Kaeya turned his head to you, staring down the glass. “What’s this?” he cocked his head coyly. “My, my…thank you darling, but I really shouldn’t accept drinks from strangers.” His gaze met yours so sharply that if it had not been for the literal cloud of alcohol engulfing him, you would’ve fully believed Kaeya was sober. His eye then fell back to the glass of water, fogged and distant. “But,” he started with a smiling sigh, “I suppose for someone so lovely, it’d be pretty cruel of me not to accept it, right?”

You shook your head. “Stop joking around and just drink the water,” you huffed, reaching to pick up your book. With every move, Kaeya’s eyes locked to you, unmoving.

“Mmm, you’re really cute,” he considered, a heavy hand resting on your head.

“Uh huh.” You stood, letting his touch fall from you without a second thought, and grabbed a stool.

“I’m seriousss…” he protested, setting down the water and leaning forward with great effort. You settled down on the other side of the little table, flipping back to where you had left off. Unsatisfied with your lackluster response, he reached over and poked your cheek with his finger. You glanced over, seeing him with his head resting in the nook of his right arm. His left was still extended, pining for your precious attention. Even drunk and a mess, Kaeya still maintained an abnormally graceful demeanor. He grinned smugly as you set the book down, turning your full attention on to him. “Hehe…” he breathed out a cloud of alcohol and hummed happily. “I think…I love you, my dear…[Y/N].”

You laugh off his comment. “You always say random stuff when you’re drunk, Kaeya.” Every time he drank and you took care of him, he would profess his love. It was sweet, but you knew that it was just all the alcohol throwing his emotions around. This time however, Kaeya frowned. He sat up straighter, almost as if to get up. “You always say that,” he said abruptly.

His hair masked the sides of his face, so you could barely make out his expression. “Kaeya…” you started, but the words of assurance and comfort clung to the sides of your throat.

“[Y/N], do you….not love me anymore?” he asked into your silence. After a moment, he shook his head and said, “Say it back.” Still, the proper words were caught in your throat. Was this because of regret? Guilt? Was tonight the first time, or was it the tipping point? Lacking another response, Kaeya took a deep breath, failing to mask it stuttering. “Alright. I’ll be off now. It’s late,” he concluded, hazily moving to rise. “I apologize for the intrusion. It won’t happen again.”

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𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝: Pending…

#genshin impact imagines #genshin x gender neutral reader #genshin x reader #genshin #genshin fanfiction #genshin impact #genshin impact headcanons #kaeya fanfic #kaeya x reader #kaeya angst #kaeya x gn reader #kaeya headcanons #kaeya x gender neutral reader

[mixedindy]

#uploads #quotes #words #typograph #memes #blac and white #curators #source in bototm left corner of post! #personal messages #spilled thoughts #spilled emotio #spilled emotions

[artfest]

#uploads #a r t #illustrations #lyric art #music #arts #arte #artblr #art hoe #art on tumblr #art collective #fuk with art #we all make art #source in bottom left corner of post #personal messages #spilled thoughts #spilled emotio #spilled emotions

[lixiepeach]

The Heart of the Sea, Part 8

Pairing: Arthur Curry x OC

Summary: Marina Allen has dedicated her life to conserving wildlife but when she stumbles upon the truth about the company she’s working for she decides to take a stand. A stand that leads her to nearly being killed and meeting her soulmate by chance. It seems like fate is intent upon repeating history but Arthur Curry has other ideas.

Warnings: Oral, lots of angst.

A/N: I’m back bitches! Have some almost smut and some pain!

Masterlist | Part 9

********************************************************************

Settling into living with Arthur was easy. They got everything unpacked and had taken a trip to Boston to go shopping and pick up some necessary items for the house, and some decorations to make it seem more like home. Marina and Arthur had also spent plenty of time breaking in their new bed. 

Marina had acquainted herself with the tub, loving the big claw-footed bath. She used it often, the view of the beach a plus. Arthur had gone out to get a few things, and she had decided to relax in the bath. They’d been decorating all day and Marina was tired. She wasn’t superhuman like Arthur, who just seemed to be able to go, go, go. So much had happened to her in a short amount of time. Her entire life had turned upside down, changed and molted into something she never dreamed of. She’d nearly died, found her soulmate who happened to be a king of an underwater kingdom and now they were living together. It was a lot to take in now that she’d stop to think about it. 

She hears the front door, knowing it’s Arthur. She can hear the heavy clunk of his boots as he makes his way through the house, coming straight to the bathroom. He pushes the door open, leaning against the door frame, staring at her. She feels her cheeks heat up from his gaze, despite the water covering everything important. 

“I see you got started without me.” He says, grinning. 

Marina shrugs. “You left me all alone.” 

Arthur comes closer, at least having the decency to kick off his boots before he steps in the tub. Water rises, splashing over the sides as he kneels down, leaning forward to kiss her. She laughs, kissing him back.

“I’ll just have to apologize for that.” He mumbles against her lips, moving his kisses down her jaw and neck. 

He sucks a mark on her collarbone, teeth nipping at the sensitive skin. Her hands are in his hair, tangling in the soft strands. His beard tickles her skin as he moves lower, skirting around her breasts before his face disappears into the water. More water spills out of the tub as he submerges his upper body, hands gripping her thighs. She watches him kiss his way down her stomach, shifting her slightly before lifting her thighs, draping them over his shoulders. 

Marina’s head falls back, a moan leaving her lips as Arthur mouths at her clit. Bubbles rise to the surface as he eats her out under the water in the tub, tongue doing a number on her clit until her legs are shaking. Her back arches, hands gripping the sides of the tub for dear life as he pushes her closer and closer to the edge. Her hand tangles in his hair under the water, suddenly grateful for his ability to breathe underwater as he brings her to her peak, sucking on her clit to send her over the edge. 

She’s breathing heavily, legs still shaking as he slowly rises out of the water, smirking at her. She bites her lip, reaching towards him as he wraps his arms around her, pressing his lips to hers as he lifts her up, standing in the tub. He climbs out, leaving a trail of water to the bedroom. 

*****

Marina braids her hair back, looking out the window of their bedroom. The sun was setting, painting the beach and the ocean in orange hues. It’s quiet out, the sound of the waves on the beach coming through the open window. A movement in the distance catches Marina’s eye, her focus drawn to the figure making their way out of the water. Marina drops her hands, watching the figure for a moment before turning and calling for Arthur. He appears at her side a moment later, looking out the window. 

His hand squeezes her shoulder for a moment. “I’ll be right back.” 

Marina watches him leave their room, the backdoor opening and closing before Arthur jogs down the path leading to the beach to meet the person making their way up the path. Marina watches them for a moment before heading to the kitchen to get started on dinner. 

She’s surprised when the backdoor opens, Arthur coming back in with the figure that had come out of the water. Usually Arthur didn’t involve her in Atlantean business, even though she hated that fact. She didn’t know why she couldn’t know, but obviously Arthur had his reasons. So when he walked through the door with a fellow Atlantean, Marina was more than shocked. 

Arthur walks over to her, smiling brightly. “Vulko, this is Marina. Marina, this is Nuidis Vulko. He trained me.” 

Marina gets over her shock quickly, smiling at him. “Nice to meet you.” 

He nods to her. “Nice to meet you too.” 

Arthur wraps an arm around Marina. “Vulko says he has good news.” 

Vulko nods, looking over the two for a moment. “We think we found it.” 

Marina feels Arthur tense up beside her at his words. She doesn’t have a clue what they’re talking about, but she has a feeling she’s about to find out. 

Arthur leans against the kitchen island. “Where?” 

“In the South Atlantic. They couldn’t get close enough to be positive. But they think that’s where it is.” 

Arthur grins, hitting his fist against the island as he straightens up. “Finally. Some good news.” 

Marina stares up at him, no doubt looking confused. Arthur smiles down at her, no doubt about to explain everything to her. 

“There’s an old Atlantean legend about a way to change humans physiologically into being like Atlanteans.” Arthur tells her. 

“The legends were old even before Atlantis fell. No one remembers them, but after some digging we uncovered what we could about this way. We’ve been searching everywhere for this mysterious device and we think we may have found it.” Vulko says. 

Marina looks between them for a moment. “Do you know if it will work?” 

Arthur rubs a hand over his face. “We still don’t know if it’s even real. But it’s worth it to me. It’s a chance at us being able to be together. Completely together.” 

Marina nods slowly, taking it in. There was a chance she could be with him. She could be like him. She wouldn’t have to be alone when he had to return to Atlantis. She would be alone while he searched for it, but it was worth it to her to be alone for that time. She already knew what she was getting herself into with being his soulmate. She had already prepared herself for that. But it seemed like it was so far off, him having to leave. She hadn’t really processed she would be alone for a foreseeable time. 

“When are you leaving?” She asks finally, looking up at Arthur. 

Arthur cups her cheek, rubbing his thumb over her skin. “Tomorrow morning.” 

The answer is like a blow to the stomach for Marina. She had thought days maybe, not tomorrow. But she knows it’s for a good reason. He wanted to be with her, completely with her. And he was willing to chase folktales to do so. 

She nods, blinking back the sadness welling up inside her. 

“I have some things I have to take care of in Atlantis before we leave. I don’t know how long it’s going to take. Weeks, maybe.” 

Marina’s heart shatters all over again. She knew he’d have to be gone for a while when he returned to Atlantis, but she was losing him so fast, and he’d be gone for weeks. She takes a deep breath, nodding again. “Whatever you need to do. You know I’ll be right here.” 

Arthur smiles, leaning down to kiss her forehead before pulling her against his chest, holding her close. She listens to the vibrations of his voice in his chest as he speaks with Vulko, blocking out the words. She doesn’t want to know any details. Any more than she already did. She had enough to mull over; she didn’t need anything else to worry about. 

**************

Marina pulls a dress over her naked body as Arthur gets dressed. She’d never seen him fully in his Atlantean garb but it’s nothing like what she pictured. The sun was just starting to come up, painting the sky over the ocean in pinks and oranges. Marina watches Arthur, admiring him as much as she can while he’s still here. 

“You’ll have my parents if you need anything.” Arthur tells her, slipping on his boots. 

She nods. “I know.” 

He leans an elbow on his knees, looking up at her where she’s standing in front of him. “If I had known this would come so soon, I would have told you sooner.” 

Marina nods. “I know.” She steps forward, standing between his legs, putting her hands on his shoulders. “I knew what I was signing up for. It...It was a shock, but as long as you come back, I won’t be too upset.” 

He smiles, pulling her in for a kiss. “I promise I’ll come back. I’m not going to leave you standing on the beach every morning for thirty years.” 

Marina grins. “You better not. I’ll hunt you down and drag you back.” 

Arthur kisses her hard, wrapping his arms around her waist. Both of them were going to feel the pain of the distance between them, and both of them knew it was going to be hard. But, if things went well, it would be the only time they’d have to go through it. Arthur was fully prepared to go to the ends of the Earth to find some way for them to be together. 

He leans his forehead against hers as he pulls away, breathing her in. “I love you.” 

Marina tangles her hands in his hair, holding onto him as long as she can. “I love you too.” 

Arthur kisses her again before standing, grabbing his trident. Vulko was standing on the beach, waiting for him. Marina takes his hand, walking out to the sand with him. It’s silent between them as they make their way towards the water. Not an uncomfortable silence, but an understanding one. 

Arthur squeezes Marina’s hand, the waves hitting her knees. She doesn’t want to let go, but she knows she has to. Arthur looks down at her, his golden eyes shining with emotion. He leans down, kissing her one more time. He pours all the emotion into the kiss, the bond between them buzzing to life. Marina feels her heart clench at the thought of being apart, but she knows she has to let go. 

“Don’t take too long.” She whispers against his lips, letting her hands fall away from him. 

“I’ll be back before you know it.” He says, kissing her softly one last time before walking into the waves, disappearing from sight. 

#arthur curry #aquaman #dcu #dceu #arthur curry x oc #arthur curry x original character #arthur curry x reader #i'm back

[wildsorcerer]

this is the start of how it all ends

SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 9 OF ACOC - i needed to write about ruby in the immediate aftermath of ep 9 - read it on ao3

Ruby Rocks collapsed on the rock candy bridge that led from Dulcington to Castle Candy. She could feel something shift, moments before the locket around her neck went cold and dark, the rest of her body with it. She lost all feeling in her limbs, her legs numb underneath her as she shook. Jet died alone, while she was fleeing. Even as the wound where the watersteel had been plunged into her side continued to bleed, Ruby was unsure if she would ever be able to drag herself from where she sat, too shocked to cry yet.

It felt impossible. It felt like a nightmare, too terrible to be true. But when Liam approached from behind, carrying… carrying Jet, she knew that this was no dream. She looked up at him, the red of Jet’s blood mingling with the pink of his peppermint body.

“Ruby, Jet is… We have to get to the castle, Ciabatta could still be out there,” Liam panted, carrying Jet’s body like a baby, her chest unmoving.

Ruby scrambled up, her hands already moving towards Sourscratch. “Ciabatta was in there? Where is he now?”

“Ruby, no, we have to tell someone, get an adult,” Liam tried, moving across the bridge.

“Did Ciabatta kill her?” Ruby was almost shouting now, the whole world was moving too fast. She can’t look at Liam and the body that he was carrying. She had trusted Ciabatta. Even when he killed a mercenary while they stole Alfredi’s secrets, Ruby had brushed it off, even though Jet was worried. 

“Ruby,” Liam hissed, and what brought her out of her anger was that he was crying. She couldn’t bring herself to say anything else, but she nodded to him, and they set off towards the castle that they don’t yet know is also in danger.

They made their way into the castle through one of the side doors, unwilling to carry the dead princess through the front. The sounds of fighting were not yet loud enough for them to hear. They would have a few more moments of mourning.

“Wait, Liam,” Ruby said, just as they had passed through the doorway, pulling him into a small alcove where they wouldn’t be disturbed. Liam went without resistance, clearly worn out from the battle and the walk. She was as well, but she needed this.  

Ruby finally looked down at Jet’s body. The wound in her midsection was still bleeding, but her face looked the same as always. It hurt more for her to look the same. She reached for the locket around Jet’s neck and unfastened it, looping it around her own neck so that the two lockets connected, making one heart. It felt so deeply wrong.

Liam was crying again, but trying desperately to pretend like he wasn’t. As she was hooking the locket around her neck, he whispered, “She said that you did the right thing. That she loves you. Those were her. Her last words.”

Ruby opened her mouth but couldn’t speak. She could feel everything swirling in her, anger at her own survival instincts, deep fury at Ciabatta, sadness that she hadn’t had the chance to feel yet, and grim resignation to the future. The future where she is an only child.

Out of nowhere, thunderous crashes demolished the quiet intimacy in their alcove. Shouts from the guards all around rang out like bells. Ruby and Liam looked at each other.

This is how the war started.

It started with armies besieging Castle Candy. It started with Ruby and Liam, tucking Jet’s body into a bed so that it would be hidden during the battle, with Ruby locking the door and sliding the key under it, so that nobody would be able to get in without magic. It started with Amethar, unseen, rising from a crater. He fingers the hilt of Payment Day, and is certain who it’s next victim would be. 

Ruby and Liam didn’t mean to split up after making sure that Jet’s body was out of harm’s way. Ruby hadn’t been focusing on where Liam was, her head too full of the image of Jet, looking almost alive laying in the bed where they left her, a smear of blood the only thing that marred the image. Ruby wanted to hold her. She wanted to sit in that empty bedroom in an unused wing of the castle and mourn properly. She wanted to let the battle rage without her. But she tore herself away, leaving Jet again, as she and Liam snuck around, trying to find any ally, since they were too weak to fight. Somewhere in the confusion of soldiers running everywhere, Liam had been lost, and Ruby wandered the castle alone, staying out of sight, looking for her mom, her dad, even Calroy. Any friendly face. 

What she found was Ciabatta. She peeked around a corner and saw him, giving several guards commands to attack any Candians they saw, still dressed like an assassin. Seeing Ciabatta was like poking a new wound. Ruby felt tears threaten to spill, and leaned away, pressing her back into the wall. She knew that her tears were a symptom of the anger that beat like it’s own heart. The Ceresian guards surrounding Ciabatta marched off down the hallway, away from Ruby. She was hurt unsure if she would survive this encounter, but knew that she had to do this. Ciabatta could not walk away.

She peered back around the corner. They were deep in the Castle, battles raging all over the building. Ruby didn’t realize it, but they were only a hallway or two away from the tower where Lapin had tried to teach the two girls about history, spending many hazy afternoons making faces at each other from behind books, linking pinkies under the desks, and whispering to each other about the future. That life was so far away, and neither Lapin nor Jet were here now. She quietly loaded Sourscratch, stepping around the corner and aiming it at Ciabatta, firing before he had the chance to move. 

He staggered back with the hit, but wasn’t down. Ruby quickly loaded again, keeping the bow aimed at Ciabatta’s head. 

“Ah, the youngest Rocks,” Ciabatta said, drawing his sword, advancing towards Ruby. “I was wondering if you would find me.”

Ruby couldn’t think of anything to say. Her words were failing her, the manta he killed her he killed her he killed her repeating endlessly, drowning out any witty retorts she could imagine. 

He was getting closer to her now, Ruby continued backing away, firing once more but the arrow flew over his shoulder. She reached to reload, but as she did, he lunged forward with his sword, swinging with the practice of someone that had earned his power in battle. He was more experienced with melee combat, and sliced through her shoulder, but she dropped, rolling out of the way and firing two quick shots from Sourscratch that landed soundly into his back. He took this in stride, whirling around to face Ruby even as she backed farther away towards the bottom of a flight of stairs, before firing once more, not stopping to see the arrow embed itself in a painting on the wall.

He was strong, quick, and more war hardened that she was, but Ruby was fueled by the mercenary that he had killed like they were nothing. Ruby was fueled by the moment when Plumbeline called out Ciabatta’s name and forced her father into excommunication. Ruby was fueled by chocolate and peppermint splattered on the windows of a cathedral. She was fueled by Jet.

She sprinted up the stairs, finding unnatural speed in the adrenaline. She knew that he would soon get close enough to really do damage, and a bow was useless that close. She stood at the top of the stairs, thinking fast, and grabbed for a small place on her belt, where the water dagger had lain ever since she took it from Keradin. Running a bit farther down the hallway, she raised the dagger, clutching it in her hand, turning to face Ciabatta, who had just finished climbing the stairs. He continued to run at her and Ruby braced herself.

“This is for my sister, you moldy bitch,” she said, and dodged left, out of the way of his sword, slamming the weight of her body behind the knife that killed the Imperator of Ceresia.

He fell to the ground, the bread turning to mush where the watersteel melted him. Ruby stood over him, Sourscratch in one hand, the other putting pressure on her shoulder.

“You...cannot stop the end…the Hungry One must eat,” Ciabatta wheezed, “Candia will fall.”

“Long live the King,” Ruby spat at him, tears falling freely now. 

Ciabatta said nothing more, spluttering as water came out of his mouth, the watersteel making quick work of his organs.

She leaned on the wall of the hallway, sliding down to the floor, unable to handle the shaking that came over her. She cried harder than ever before, Ciabatta’s form blurry. This was the sadness that she had not let herself feel until now. Killing the assassin hadn’t made her feel any better.

It hadn’t brought her twin back. Nothing ever would.

Ruby thought of a day when she and Jet had been children, out on the grounds of the castle, playing war, wrestling and play-fighting Amethar, who pretended to be hurt by their child fists. She wondered where her father was now, if he was winning his battle. 

“Did you know you were killing Jet?” Ruby asked, the tear tracks visible on her face, even though her crying was slowed, “Did you know it was her?”

Ciabatta inhaled like he wanted to speak, but it took him several tries. Finally, “Yes.”

Rage like Ruby had never felt before. She suddenly understood her father, her vision blurring at the edges as she stared at the man that had made her the rightful heir to the Candian throne. Still on the ground, she grabbed an arrow from her quiver, moved to kneel over his body, and plunged the arrow deep into his heart. The watersteel was already killing him, but Ruby wanted to speed up the process.

Before she had wanted him to die alone, but here she sat, watching as life leaves his eyes and the poison eats away at his flesh. She eventually moved away from his body. She felt like throwing up, but settled for closing her eyes, the cold stone floor beneath her reminding her too much of the bridge where the light in her locket died, only an hour ago.

Ruby felt like all of her emotions died with Ciabatta. She felt distantly sad, and will eventually find herself again, but the part of her chest that once housed Jet was hollow, cracking, raw. She held the connected lockets, bringing them up to her lips and kissing them, whispering words of love to Jet.

She was deeply tired, she wanted to rest, to find that bedroom where Jet lay, to kill Ciabatta again and feel something. She didn’t know what she wanted. But she could hear that the sounds of Candian weapons clashing with Ceresian ones had not stopped. 

The war was not over because the Imperator was dead. Ruby Rocks, now the oldest living Rocks sister, turned her back on a murder and went towards the battle, a slight limp in her stride. She went towards her family and her future, alone.

#acoc spoilers #my writing #personal #a crown of candy

[mapowrites]

Misericórdiae (Erwin Smith/OC)

Chapter 9: Thyme

[ I ] [ II ] [ III ] [ IV ] [ V ] [ VI ] [ VII ] [ VIII ] 

(Art by http://koo-kachoo.tumblr.com/)

The late afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting a magnificent spring evening upon the Trost district. Within the city’s bustling uptown, hoots and hollers were heard from the inside of an animated bar. Inside sat a few dozen military officers and civilians, drinking and talking merrily amongst themselves while a small ensemble of musicians played various gigues and folk songs for their patrons.

Hanji’s squad, including Rick and Lyor, sat at a long wooden table, each of them dressed in civilian garments. They were in the middle of a drinking game when Hanji, who sat at the head of the table, downed her fourth pint of beer and slammed it down proudly. Sitting adjacently to the squad leader was Lyor, and Moblit across from her. The seat beside Moblit was empty, as Keiji had gotten up to present the group (and the entire bar) with a song — The Fisherman’s Ballad.

The group cheered him on, but mocked him exuberantly for his handful of drunken voice cracks and attempts at dancing. Lyor stifled a giggle when Keiji nearly accidentally spilled his beer on the violinist, the mouthful of alcohol she had threatening to come up her nose if she laughed. She had been careful not to drink too much, but the heat in her face warned her to eat something before she continued.

Over the laughter that erupted from her group when Rashad threw ice cubes at Keiji, Lyor waved down a barmaid, and she thanked her when she was handed a menu.

“Food! Good call, Lyor.” The menu caught Nifa’s attention, who sat beside her. They perused the list of meals together before their view was obstructed by Hanji’s hand smacking the menu onto the table.

“Hey, hey! We’re here to get drunk, not to eat. You’ll slow the drunken-ing process!” Their squad leader slurred, while Moblit made sure she didn’t tip over in her chair, muttering about how she can’t just make up words.

“Hanji, I haven’t eaten since lunch. I’ll remind you that you’re the one who cut my dinner early when you snuck us out of the graduation ceremony early,” Lyor retorted, watching Hanji teeter in her seat before returning to her menu. “I don’t want to be sick.”

“Goody-goody…”

“Oh, how was the ceremony?” Nifa asked, genuinely interested. Lyor opened her mouth to reply, but Hanji interrupted.

“Long and boring! I can’t believe I was the only one who showed up!” Hanji leaned over to bunch Lyor’s cheeks in her hands. “Our poor, abandoned newbie.”

“None of us had the day off!” Moblit objected while Lyor smacked Hanji’s hands away.

“I know that, but apparently Hanji can’t keep track of her squad members’ schedules,” Lyor jabbed, glaring at her boss, but then offering a smile to her teammate. “Don’t worry about it, Moblit.”

“You know, I know of a person who had today off, but curiously enough, I didn’t see him anywhere,” Hanji commented, leaning back in her chair, while Keiji finally regained his seat only to be assaulted with insults about his singing by the rest of the group. Lyor pretended not to hear Hanji and stuck her nose back into her menu. “Did his invitation get lost in the mail?”

Still pretending not to hear her, Lyor hummed thoughtfully at the menu. “I wonder what their best dish is…”

The brunette huffed, and placed her elbow on the table to lean her cheek into her hand. “So, are you going to tell me what it is you two are fighting about?”

“We’re not fighting.” Lyor stated flatly, flipping the menu over, her eyes still focused on the list of meals.

“Okay, are you going to tell me what is you two are not fighting about that keeps you from talking to each other?”

“What about the chicken breast?”

“What about ‘Lyor’s two years old’?”

“Never heard of it. Is that a soup?”

Hanji huffed and gave up, ordering another beer from the bar from her spot. “You’re impossible.”

“Oh, you’re right, ‘you’re impossible’ is the soup dish.”

The group ordered another round of drinks and a few meals for the hungry ones, and they fell back into another heated discussion about whether or not Hanji had a crush on Shadis. Hanji was in the middle of grabbing Rashad by his shirt collar when Lyor’s laughter was interrupted by the sight of two men entering the bar. She quickly averted her eyes when she risked to meet blue ones.

“Squad leader Erwin! Mike! You made it!” Lyor watched Moblit stand from the table to greet the two men. Lyor couldn’t help but watch Erwin out of the corner of her eye while he conversed with the younger man. Effortlessly handsome, as always, he wore a casual dress coat over his usual civilian combo — white button up and slacks — and he paired his outfit with an indiscernible expression. He had yet to notice her, but for the briefest second, while Lyor eyed him, he was the only person in the room who existed.

“Come have a seat and discuss my personal life with us! It’s apparently up for debate.” Hanji chimed from her seat to her old friends, her smile betrayed by the passive-aggressive vein popping in the side of her temple, and the handful of Rashad’s shirt in her fist.

“When is it not?” Erwin retorted, and Lyor forced herself not to laugh.

“Two more beers please!” Rick called as the two men took a seat across and on the opposite end of the table from Lyor.

Over the music and the chatter, the barmaids brought the group their drinks, and Keiji stood after a few minutes, albeit unsteadily, and raised his pint in the air.

“To our new squad leader, Hanji!”

“Hear, hear!” The group answered, and they each raised their glasses. Smiling, Lyor’s eyes wandered to the other end of the table. Her eyes met Erwin’s across the way, who also held up his glass with an easygoing smile, before his blue eyes reminded her of the regret he had caused her. She pulled her gaze away, and saw Hanji stand up in her peripheral vision, her drink raised high. She could still feel his gaze on her.

“Not another speech, Hanji!”

“Silence!” She snapped, before regaining her seriousness with a hiccup. “And to our newbie’s graduation! To Lyor!” Some of Hanji’s beer spilled on the table, and Nifa and Abel inched away from it, laughing, while Moblit scolded his leader.

“Hear, hear!” And with that, the group collectively downed their umpteenth pint, applauding and cheering as Hanji bowed.

“Now, as per Recon Corps drinking protocol, honourees are subject to entertain their guests with a song,” Rashad recited matter-of-factly, folding his arms over his chest. Lyor watched the rest of the squad nod along. “We’ve heard Hanji sing —”

“Too many times!” “So now, pray tell, Lyor, what song will you grace us with tonight?”

From across the way, Erwin noticed Lyor’s flush spread even further on her face as her colleagues eyed her expectantly, and she waved her hands in panic. “What? No, I’m not any good!”

“A song, a song!” Someone twittered, and after the group broke into a chant, repeating ‘sing’ over and over again, the blond watched Lyor reluctantly get up from her spot. The group exploded into applause and cheers, and Erwin smiled to himself as he watched her make her way over to the group of musicians.

His eyes never left her figure as she leaned down to speak to the pianist, most likely requesting a song. He noticed the change in her appearance: she wore a tailored navy dress, intricate embroidery framing her décolleté, and the fit flattering her hourglass figure. He also noticed the small, elegant pearl earrings that hung from her ears, her brown locks pulled back into a half-do, tied with a thin, delicate ribbon. Paired with his finely tuned observational skills and Hanji’s habit of divulging information to him, he divined that she had gone to her graduation ceremony earlier that day.

Hanji had spoken with him about it, trying to set a time to pick him up in order to split the carriage ride cost with him, and she had been surprised when he told her he wasn’t going. Hanji, knowing the two were good friends, had tried to assure him she must have simply forgotten to invite him, but Erwin refused to show up to the event unannounced. Erwin was too occupied for frivolous matters to think anything of Lyor’s actions — or lack thereof — but he always wondered if something had happened to suddenly disjunct their friendship. He would have to congratulate her another time. But if anything had perturbed him, it was that she had given his gift to a certain brigadier general.

Ridding himself of any undesirable thoughts, Erwin took a swig of his cold, refreshing brew, and turned his attention to the musicians and Lyor, who stood, sheepishly, before her comrades. The group gave her another round of cheers as the pianist introduced the folksong with a few arpeggiated chords, and the young woman began to sing.

Come all you fair and tender girls, that flourish in your prime, beware, beware, keep your garden fair, let no man steal your thyme, let no man steal your thyme.

The folksong was slow and solemn, and it seemed to hush all commotion from the bar. She clearly wasn’t a singer, her timbre not remarkably high, but her voice was airy and delicate, and the notes were at least in tune. Erwin couldn’t help the smile that pulled at his lips as he attentively watched her. She placed a palm over her middle, as if monitoring the intake of her breaths.

For when your thyme, it is past and gone, he’ll care no more for you, and every place where your time was waste, will all spread over with rue…

“Will all spread over with rue.” Erwin, lost in her words, only noticed the male voice that sang in unison when Lyor’s expression shifted.

Everyone, including Erwin, followed her surprised glance across the floor, and they spotted Markus, sitting at a table of MP’s in the corner of the bar. The officer stood as the music continued, the sleeves of his chemise rolled up, and a vest donned around his middle. His green eyes never left hers. Involuntarily, Erwin’s grip on his glass tightened, but his face never exuded any emotion, and he blinked placidly as the events unfolded before him.

The gardener’s son was standing by, three flowers he gave to me, the pink, the blue and the violet true, and the red, red rosy tree, and the red, red rosy tree.

Singing through her surprise, Lyor watched Markus advance towards her as he sang in harmony with her. She wondered when he had gotten here, and why she couldn’t take her eyes off of him. Whether it was the alcohol or not, Lyor’s heartbeat quickened as he flashed a charming smile at her, and she returned it. Had he always been here, and had they simply not noticed him this whole time?

But I refused the red rose bush, and gave the willow tree, that all the world may plainly see, how my love slighted me, how my love slighted me.

His voice deep and skillful, he sang the last verse with her as he stood directly beside her, and Erwin shifted in his seat. They finished the song together on different, harmonising notes, and the entertained crowd let out an eruption of drunken applause and whistles. The blond applauded out of political necessity, and the two singers smiled at the crowd and bowed facetiously. He watched, thankful, Hanji interrupt Markus’ ignition of conversation with Lyor to hand her a drink. The two women downed their drinks in front of the squadron, as per their requests, earning themselves yet another roar of cheers.

Everyone regained their seats, and food was finally served to the table. Erwin watched Markus walk back to his table, and with his presence gone, Erwin finally engrossed himself in conversation with his fellow scouts, trying to forget the moment the couple had shared.

They ate, drank, laughed and sang for a few more hours, before Lyor began to feel a bit claustrophobic from all the noise, cigarette smoke and alcohol stench.

“I’m going to go get some fresh air,” She excused herself to Nifa who barely heard her over Hanji and Keiji’s hectic debate about Commander Shadis’ expanding bald spot.

The same blue sky that had watched over the bar for the day was now engulfed in a blanket of midnight black, dotted with stars. Though the street was asleep, the bar was not. A few street lamps lined the street, and the flames licked the air with the soft glow of their light. From outside, Lyor could hear her friends’ laughs and singing. A moment did not go by without entertainment that night.

Lyor leaned against the bar’s window ledge, and inhaled the crisp midnight air. She thought about how she had caught a twitch of jealousy in Erwin’s face during her song, when he thought she wasn’t looking. She smiled coyly to herself.

“I thought we were rather good together,” Lyor’s head turned to find Markus making his way towards her from the bar’s entrance.

She smiled politely and her eyes returned to the street in front of her. “So did I.”

“We would make a fine duo.” The man commented, leaning on the windowsill beside her. She hummed absentmindedly, enjoying the mixture of the fresh evening air and the slight buzz of inebriation. She heard him laugh. “You finally agree with me? Does this mean you’ll let me take you out?”

She scoffed and gave him a surly look. “Have I not made it clear enough for you?”

“You’re being stubborn.”

“Oh, no, I’ve shocked you,” She replied sarcastically before she turned to have her body face him. He watched her inquisitively, a smile still on his face. “Why are you so insistent?” She finally asked — blurted — what had bugged her about him for so long.

“Because I like you,” He smirked, his arms crossed over his chest as he eyed her through hooded eyes. “And you’re beautiful.”

She blinked at him in disbelief before she copied him and crossed her arms, looking away as she scoffed. “Oh, please.”

“What angers you, exactly?” He spoke evenly, his tone impish. “What I said or the way I said it? There must be some man who tells you that you're beautiful.”

“Not to my face, no,” She retorted before she locked eyes with him. She felt particularly outspoken tonight now that she had alcohol to blame for any regretful outbursts. “But there are thousands of women who must throw themselves at you in the inner city. You’re a high-ranking, probably rich, military police officer. And your looks don’t make women, you know, gag, so you must have your pick of companions.”

Markus watched her without saying anything, only a smirk on his lips.

She shifted uncomfortably under his stare, her foot stomping impatiently. “Is it a sport thing, then? The more I say no, the more you see me as some sort of prize to be won?” Lyor finally punctuated when he didn’t answer.

“You don’t think very highly of yourself, do you? You don’t think I could simply, genuinely, like you?” The way he chuckled made her skin prickle. He was impressed that she had figured out something was off with his pursuits. “You could say it’s something like that, yes, but you don’t know enough about me to figure me out.”

He stood to his full height, uncrossing his arms, and his eyes suddenly became very ominous. Lyor stiffened as his signature smirk fell, and for the first time, she saw him glower. “I do not appreciate people going over my head.”

She watched him carefully, blinking in confusion.

“When I first heard of your father, I was assigned by the crown to his case. You see, your father really doesn’t care for obedience, my dear Lyor. We told him to stop his research on the grounds that his projects were too dangerous to carry out alone for the public. What happens if — when —a plane crashes into a crowd of people? My men offered him a position within the inner walls, with good pay and a safe place to execute his projects, but the man simply refused to oblige. So what happens when you say no to the crown? We’re forced to make you oblige. Real shame about your mother.” Lyor was stunned. Markus took a step closer to her, and she could only watch him.

“But even after all these years of warnings and sneaking around, I found out that your little group is making illegal trips outside the walls! I had evidence!” A cynical smile broke out onto his face, and he threw his hands up. It made Lyor flinch, as he was now standing only a few centimetres from her, his height towering over her smaller frame, and she tried to back away only to have him follow her. “I get this close to catching you rats, when I’m suddenly told to back off and to let the Scouts handle you. Ten years I’ve been working on this case, and the instant I call for Reichart’s arrest, all of his crimes are suddenly pardoned, and he’s allowed to work on the very same projects I was tasked to forbid.”

With every step he took closer to her, Lyor began to feel more and more panicked. Feeling threatened, she tried to brush it off with a nervous laugh, and started towards the bar. “Ha-ha, brigadier, you’re quite the talkative drunk. Please excuse me.”

Before she could get anywhere, she felt his broad hand snake around her wrist, and he pulled her roughly back to him. With a hand on his chest to create a semblance of distance between their bodies, Lyor shrinkingly looked up at him, into his brazen eyes. Any sign of amusement had vanished from his features, and she could feel his breath on her lips.

“As I said, I don’t appreciate people going over my head. I’m also a man who savours vengeance, you see,” he continued without skipping a beat. His grip on her wrist tightened, and she winced at his immense strength. “And what better vengeance than to make the antagonist’s daughter your bride?”

Lyor wanted to laugh in shock, but all she could do was stare at him, stupefied. In the moment of shuddering silence they shared, Lyor pulled at his grip, and he allowed her wrist to slip out of his grasp. He also allowed her to back away from him, and she rubbed at her wrist as she glared at him.

“And you expect me to marry you over this empty monologue? Or are you going to walk me down the aisle handcuffed and gagged? I wonder if my grandmother will cry of joy.”

Finally, trademark nonchalance returned, and he smiled at her wit. “Of course not. Why don’t you just wait and see?”

Back inside the bar, Erwin was in mid-debate with Rick, Hanji, and Mike about which kind of whiskey paired best with pork ribs when he saw Lyor enter the room, her face blanched. The three continued to yell drunkenly at each other, but Erwin watched her walk over to their table, her eyes sullen. As Erwin stood from his seat, he noticed Schoenberg re-entering the bar, the usual curl on his lips when he sat back down with his men at their table. He looked back at Lyor who sat, her posture slouched, and he moved to walk to her when Hanji suddenly collapsed on the ground behind him.

“Hanji!” Moblit exclaimed, and moved to kneel beside her.

Hanji, on the ground, laughed uncontrollably before she trilled a moan and held back a dry heave. “Ugh, Moblit, I don’t feel so good.”

“You don’t say…” Moblit sighed, and Erwin turned to recover his steps towards Lyor, only to find her walking past him to help Moblit get Hanji off the floor.

“Let’s get you to bed, Hanji.” Lyor laughed — though Erwin could see past her smile to her eyes that crinkled with worry — and she and Moblit made plans to take the squad leader home. Feeling certain that Lyor would be safe tonight with Hanji and her assistant, he refrained from intervening and took his original seat with Mike. Whether he liked it or not, it wasn���t his place to meddle in the woman’s affairs, and this became the best state of mind for him to repress any worry that threatened to plague him.

Half an hour later, Lyor, Moblit, and a quasi unconscious Hanji descended from their carriage ride and helped Hanji to her room within the Recon Corps’ HQ. Once in her room, Lyor assured Moblit that she could handle it from here, and bid the young man a good night.

Lyor dragged Hanji to her bed, the squad leader’s arm over the brunette’s shoulder, and laid her down as gently as she could. While Hanji moaned to no one in particular, Lyor gathered a bucket to place beside her superior’s bed, and she filled a glass of water to force down Hanji’s gullet. It wasn’t too hard, considering the woman could barely lift her arms, but she did receive a few slurred insults. She filled another glass to place on Hanji’s bedside table, and sat on the edge of her bed for a moment.

She stared blankly at the floor, deep in thought.

Why don’t you just wait and see?

Markus’ voice echoed in her head like a scream in an empty valley, and it made her shudder.

“Hanji… I need to tell you something…” Lyor hesitantly spoke, as if Markus would hear every word if she said them too loudly. She turned to Hanji, who was embracing her pillow with her eyes closed, slobbering all over it.

“Oh, commander Shadis…” She moaned.

The scene made her momentarily forget her anguish, and the young woman let out a chortle at her squad leader. Her friend's state alleviated her distress. It had been an eventful evening, and the younger woman to decided to chalk up Markus' actions to a mere drunken vocalisation.

Lyor draped a blanket over Hanji. I guess she really does have a thing for Shadis.

--

The following Monday morning, Lyor greeted the familiar soldiers she crossed on her way to her squad’s offices, and paused in the hallway when she saw Hanji, Keiji, and Moblit all making their way to the mess hall for breakfast.

“Good morning.” Lyor smiled at her coworkers as she met them halfway, and Hanji and Keiji both groaned and shuddered at her voice. Lyor blinked at Moblit. “What did I do?”

“You spoke in a normal volume,” Moblit offered. “They’re still hungover.”

“Hasn’t it been almost 48 hours?”

“I think I know what an aneurysm feels like before you have it…” Hanji grumbled before she walked past Lyor to get away from their echoing voices.

Keiji followed suit and added, “Like a baseball the size of a cantaloupe in your head.”

Lyor heard Hanji giggle unintelligently. “Good one.”

Moblit sighed to himself before he turned to his coworker. “Want to grab some breakfast with us?

“No, thanks. I already ate. I’m going to get a head start on things this morning.” She smiled and waved goodbye, heading towards her shared office.

When she got there, she found the place empty, to her relief. She wanted some peace and quiet this morning to bury herself in her work — it was one of her coping mechanism. She hung her coat before she walked over to her desk, and she was about to set down her bag when her eyes spotted something unusual at her workstation: a humble bouquet of purple creeping thyme flowers placed in a glass vase. She raised an eyebrow, set her shoulder bag on the ground, and sat down at the stool at her desk. Curiously, she picked up the small card. It read:

Come all you fair and tender girls that flourish in your prime

Beware — keep your garden fair. Let no man steal your thyme.

Congratulations on your graduation.

Erwin Smith

--

Notes:

Please let me know what you think! I'd love your thoughts on Schoenberg -- I'm not always the best at coming up with villains heh -v-;

#erwin smith #erwin smith x oc #erwin smith/oc #aot #snk #attack on titan #shingeki no kyojin #fanfiction #ao3fic

[mixedindy]

Everything is just fine!!!!

#uploads #art #my art #my thoughts #mywords #my emotions #my edits #my writing #digital art #personalmessages #spilled thots #spilled emotio #spilled emotions #yeah #ventcore #vent art #dereality #weirdcore #dumb art #vaporwave #handmade #whatever