#i actually think im slowly becoming an almond fan | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

probably-haven · 3 years

Note

Hello!! After seeing what you wrote about xiaoven fics I went to see what things you usually write and omg, your archon Venti headcanons????? I am absolutely in love. So if it isn't annoying, could you talk about xiaoven or Venti or Xiao or whatever ship or character you like? I don't care what you are going to say, I just want to know more about your thoughts ^^

I- is this... bestie, this is essentially a free ramble pass- kerujsgheskdfug. Trust me when I say that in no way is this, and in no way will it ever be annoying in the slightest- i literally- lets just say rambling off thoughts is kind of my specialty, especially when provided a topic to branch off of because otherwise I'm just- really indecisive about it so- iujskdh yeah- 100% definitely down to talk about Venti, Xiao, and/or Xiaoven XD. Also, yes- it may have been awhile since i last posted one(cuz again, indecisive about which direction to take part 5), but the Archon War Era Venti headcanons are still without a doubt my favorite posts I've made. It's just such an interesting topic with such endless potential that so few people actually think about or consider or even realize is there, so i always just get really psyched whenever i see someone interact with them lol.

.... this ended up being a bit of a mess: warning in advance

Anyway! onto the actual content!

- You see the thing about Xiaoven is that there's a lot of different ways that it could end up working out, and just personally my favorite way of portraying Xiaoven in my mind is as an unlabeled relationship because if anyone in genshin would give off that vibe its these two. And a number of other reasons.

- Firstly, I heavily headcanon Venti as being an aroace polyplatonic or perhaps heavily demiromantic. However, regardless of this I just don't think that Venti is really the kind of person to worry about how he should label his feelings, thinking it's silly to try to put them in one box or the other, especially with feelings and emotions being as fluid as they are in general. Plus it fits his whole God of Freedom vibe. I just- dont think he's the biggest fan of labels or social categorization in general.

- And secondly on the hand of Xiao... his defense mechanisms are very much ingrained in his personality. It's probably hard enough for him to not go into fight or flight(the answer is fight) at the slightest affection at first, at the slightest feeling of vulnerability. Even further down the line, with his fierce dedication to Liyue, I cant help but get the vibe that the moment he recognized that he was falling for Venti he would begin avoiding him, not only to avoid distraction from his duty, but to avoid corrupting him or losing him in general like he has with like basically every other person he gets close with(even believing that the cycle had repeated once more when he first heard of Morax's death)... now imagine Venti tryna slap a label on their relationship and tell me Xiao would have a positive reaction.

- The thing with Xiaoven.... honestly, i feel like theres more ways that it can go wrong than it can go right, but if they do manage to make their relationship work out, it's just simply beautiful in all terms of the word.

- Lets talk about killing. - During the Archon War, both were forced to kill a large number of people and gods alike- Venti out of a need to remain alive to protect Mondstadt, it's freedom, and the nameless bard's legacy by extent- and Xiao out of servitude to the god that was once his master

..... actually- break here- ive talked a lot about Venti on this blog but I havent actually spoken about Xiao all that much- so i should probably do that a bit first... do note though that my characterization of Xiao is pretty flexible actually- this is just- the possible characterization of him that i tend to favor as being the most- uh- "realistically complex"

Theres a line I saw this one time in a certain story: "He is a trained weapon. That's what he is, was, and always will be. You cannot change that so stop trying." And i just- think its a really interesting concept- that applies pretty well to Xiao now that i actually think about it. - the concept behind it is this: After spending more than a vast majority of his life killing or otherwise in battle, it's become a part of who he is, a normalcy that after centuries and centuries would be near impossible to get rid of or reverse, and even if it was possible, with his karmic debt constantly eating away at him its unlikely he has enough time left for that to happen. - it sounds like a cruel thing to say about him- but in context it's actually pretty layered and i think about it a lot. It's not as much a "he's a killer lol, that his whole personality" its more of a "The centuries of trauma he experienced have conditioned him into a constantly alert and battle ready mindset while also shaping his dehumanizing inferior-in-worth-but-superior-in-capability view of himself that would have likely been necessary to get through those time, and at this point he's been under that conditioning for long enough that it's essentially ingrained itself in his personality."

- the main idea is- it's a part of who he is, that needs to be accepted as who he is because its not something that he can just up and change. It's not all he is of course but his constant battle mode, as though always waiting to be ambushed or to be granted a new target to eradicate.

a couple character story quotes:

-"His past of service under the evil god had rid Xiao of his innocence and gentleness. All that remained within him was the means to kill and the weight of his sins. The only way he could be of service to mortals was in combat." -"Xiao does not feel any hatred. Having lived for over two thousand years, no single karmic debt constitutes anything more than a fleeting memory. No grudge can last a thousand years; nor is any debt so great that it cannot be paid off in this time. Xiao has spent many long years alone. But his battles have never been in vain." -"where did Xiao have to return to? He was merely leaving the battlefield." -"since Xiao wages a constant war against dark forces powerful enough to devour Liyue in its entirety, any bystanders who witness him in the heat of battle are likely to end up as collateral damage." -"The war he fights can never be won, and will never come to an end." -"Because ultimately, the one with whom Xiao wrestles is himself."

i feel like at some point this very nearly did consume his whole personality, almost turning him into nothing more than a being of slaughter under Morax's control, devoid of any "humanity" at all, consumed and corrupted by his karmic debt like his fellow yakshas before him. - until he experienced a moment of clarity- a song in the wind, the peaceful melody of a dihua flute. - and pulled back from the border of something he wouldnt have been able to return from, there a was a shift in his mind- a concept grown unfamiliar enough with time that it took him a great time to identify what it was; a curiosity. Something that there was no place for on the battlefield, something that by all means should have been completely useless to Xiao, and yet he held onto that curiosity, slowly regaining over time, a sense of who he was and who he could choose to be with each song that the wind chose to carry towards him every once in a blue moon.

and eventually that curiousity turned to longing. Longing "for a day to come when he will wear the mask and dance — not to conquer demons, but to the tune of that flute amid a sea of flowers"

...... uh- heh- if you couldn’t tell already i have a tendency to make my characterizations/analyses of characters more serious that i probably should.

to summarize: Xiao is constantly toeing the line between his ingrained nature and his humanity- almost as though still trying to decide how much of that humanity he deserves to have, how much he is allowed to have, and how much is safe to have.

^looking back after writing this, i think the best way to explain it is that this is the view that i keep in mind/the lense that i tend to most enjoy looking through and refering back to while examining and/or analyzing his character, actions, story, lines, and overall personality.

idk- i kinda got off track but i just think its a really interesting interpretation to think about because it has some really interesting implications ig- it’s not the full extent of how i view him of course, but i kinda got ahead of myself and its long enough as is so ill just elaborate as i go- Lol i actually have in progress playlists for both him and venti and just- vibes- i could ramble about the playlists alone for hours explaining everything... It’s probably a problem- uh- ill keep going now lol.

anyways! stepping off the angst path for a brief break! Brought to you by their lines in the snow: both waiting for it to get thick enough, Venti for the purpose of a snowball fight and Xiao for the purpose of a tasty and nutritious breakfast.

but its actually something of note that Xiao doesnt actually need to eat so anything he does eat is usually out of obligation or enjoyment- so like.... snow.... like i dont blame him, but of all things- an adeptus who refuses to eat basically anything but almond tofu looks at the freezing-cold-floor-water that yeeted itself from above and decided at some point- damn- that seems more edible than basically ever single actually edible thing ever.... im gonna eat it- like- im glad if eating snow makes him happy but- at the same time...

He probably convinces Venti to eat snow too though and Venti wouldnt even resist I mean he’s wind and has probably consumed worse things in his time so- 2 anemo cryptids with glowing tattoos sitting in Dragonspine monching snow in the dead of night is an amusing thought to me.

- kay, now back to more serious-toned thoughts

One of the things about the ship that i really like is the different contradicting parallels between them:

A lot of how i view Xiao’s character is someone formed largely by the things he cant control and who was forced to accept that accepted that and learned to thrive in it as much as he can. Venti on the other hand is surrounded by things he cant control and is ever adapting to control as much as he can while embracing whatever he cant as being part of the unpredictability of the world, seeing beauty in it.

both of them have lost people and do what they do to honor their memory: Xiao continues to do what the Yakshas once did And Venti chooses to do what his friend couldn’t

Xiao’s power coming from himself and Venti’s from others And both seem to appear to use their power for their own gain while truly helping others behind the scenes

both have killed a lot of people during the archon war Xiao views it as another necessary event out of his control and Venti would likely view it as a tragedy he chose to enact himself

and this is where we meet out balance

Xiao- contrary to how i think a lot of people view him as thinking of himself as a monster- seems canonically to have accepted this as part of his duty, as long as those he killed are not mortals. I dont think he enjoys it no- but someone has to do it and he’s just accepted that its a part of his duty Venti on the other hand-

See the beauty of the ship- as someone with an angst-centric mind- is this- these are two of the most traumatized mfers in the game

Xiao is by far the one who needs the most help and who can serve to benefit most from the ship- but he is nowhere near self aware enough to recognize that there’s anything wrong or unhealthy about his mindset in the slightest-

whereas you have the contrast with Venti who sorted through most of his trauma with the nameless bard alone during the archon war and while the result appears more healthy- is still really not- but he’s not self aware of that either because i mean- who’s going to tell him? nobody even knows.

however- venti is aware enough to notice flaws in Xiao’s mindset and “Venti” enough to want to help them through it-

Xiao- while not aware enough to recognize the flaws in Venti’s mindset, can recognize where it contrasts with his own, and is blunt enough to point it out- and then it’s out there to be mulled over-

they’re so similar and yet so different and a feel just conversing between the two of them, being in each others precense, just being exposed to two mindsets that are so very different could do both of them a whole lot of good.

GEEE THAT BIT OF RAMBLING HAD LITTLE TO NO DIRECTION AT ALL- LET ME-- LET ME MAKE THIS START MAKING SENSE- WITH... DYNAMICS OR SOMETHING

I don’t think Xiao needs to sleep really- and i dont think that sleeping would do anything except make him uneasy at first- he’d probably just get nightmares after all he’s been through- but with Venti he would soon learn that it doesn’t have to be that way, lulled into the first peaceful sleep he’s had in... as long as he can remember.

anywho back to not making sense cuz im fickle and i think most questions about ships are best displayed through character interactions so like- a possible exchange thats cliche but cliches exist for a reason

Xiao: Why do you try so hard to help me, it isn’t easy. I know that much Venti, with the most adoring expression: Because you’re worth it, obviously Xiao: But surely there are others more deserving of- Venti: No Xiao, everyone is just as deserving as the next person, you included Xiao: Then why me above others? Venti: ehe, cuz ur my warrior of course [O//////O oh shit, hes right] Xiao: My contract is with Morax alone [gay panic but in broody yaksha]

it’s kinda difficult cuz neither of them really address their feelings. I mean Venti does but he does it very indirectly and its rare that he ever does it with like- genuine directness- even spilling his backstory was in the form of a song- and told in the third person- so a lot of their interactions would often have some deeper meaning, especially with Venti being the bard he is.

I come up with a lot of- errant thoughts about Xiaoven- but this is making me realize that a true analysis of their ship is rather difficult because it just encompasses so many dynamics so its hard to settle on just one and not go rambling about who knows what bouncing from one end of the ship to the other- Because you truly can and thats the beauty of it

within one moment you can be having a heartfelt conversation about the archon war the impact of lost friends and times past, and the next moment Venti is trying to forcefeed Xiao an apple while Xiao screams about disrespecting the adepti and its just- so lovely

so while they have picnics with nothing but apples, dandelion wine, and almond tofu they can sit down and talk about the dreams Xiao once devoured, and the dandelion wine and apple cider that the first Ragnvindir invented from the plants that never could have grown in Old Mond. The foods that tasted of familiarity, or of the grilled ticker fish Pervases always used to eat, foods that tasted of friends and frankly family that had since passed, glaze lilies and cecilias and qingxin flowers scattered in the surroundings and woven into Xiao’s neat braids and Venti’s now messy ones, rebraided by the steady and inexperienced hands of one unused to gentle action.

and then of course Venti steals Xiao’s tofu once the mood becomes too grim and replaces it with a bottle of wine that Xiao refers to as “vile poison,” a remark that fatally wounds Venti as he collapses on the floor, proclaiming how he can only be healed by a Yaksha’s kiss. Xiao ignores this of course and simply takes back his tofu with a slight smile on his face, but as Venti persists he soundlessly places a kiss on his own palm before intertwining their fingers and pulling him back up from where he was dramatically sprawled on the floor, grumbling about how such action was “unbecoming of an archon.” A sign of affection only Xiao would ever know about. But Venti is literally wind and I hc his senses work differently anyways so he definitely knows- plus Xiao’s face is red as the blood of his enemies and the way he is pointedly not looking at Venti at all really speaks volumes anyways.

-Venti playing epic battle music whenever Xiao goes into fights in what looks like a ridiculously extra performance to anyone else but is actually doing wonders to keep Xiao’s karma at bay

-Venti preaches the practice of “kissing wounds better” and Xiao is unfamiliar with this medical treatment but views it as unnecessary regardless because adepti have accelerated healing, doesn’t mean he’s going to stop him though.

-Messages whispered on the wind

-Venti’s 1000 year sleep- an accident, not a fun time for the yaksha, and not a fun time for Venti once he woke up. Venti is actually more afraid of restful sleep than Xiao is, hence the sleeping in trees thing, but when Xiao is there, he can sleep restfully with faith that Xiao wont let another millennia slip through his fingertips.

- Xiao tends to make excuses when doing things that aren’t necessary to his duty, like in his birthday voice line “Have this, it’s a butterfly i made from leaves... Okay. Take it. It’s an adepti amulet -- it staves off evil” because at the current point in his progress it helps him to feel like he’s allowed to do these things. Not wanting to put him off from progress, Venti never comments on his excuse but never fails to whisper a quick reminder of how proud he is of how far Xiao had come.

- Xiao’s karma saddens Venti greatly- not only because of how it effects Xiao but also because its a reminder that as much as Venti tries to honor the memory of those he’s killed, there will always be those who resent him for it, and when he took the option of living away from them, he truly can’t blame them. - And when he gets too wrapped up in thoughts, whether around this topic or similar ones or otherwise, eventually, he’ll hear the sound of a flute on the wind. It’s not divine by any means, but as his own wind connects him to the source, he gets the sentiment all the same. “What impact does one individual’s remaining wrath have on the present. You have done much to help the living in the present” the unspoken idea that Xiao has included himself in that statement, because now, with Venti’s help he’s beginning to learn just how to experience living for himself.

- Venti’s form and Xiao’s mask are off limit topics though because if either mentions it the other will counter with the opposite and the mood will turn immediately bitter at the idea that both know that what they’re doing is destructive but neither are willing to change

- Venti who has different tells for negative feelings than most people because as much as he likes to pretend it is- this form isnt his, and Xiao who is able to identify those

- many fanfics and headcanons have Venti recognizing when Xiao is uncomfortable and getting him out of those situations. I see that and I love it but i raise you: - Venti taking Xiao to Mondstadt, careful that he doesn’t get to the point that he’s uncomfortable. And nothing goes wrong exactly, but Xiao notices the the way Venti’s cape is blowing in the wind, the way he’s holding his weight, barely on his feet so much as floating on the wind, connected with the ground only for the sake of appearance, all the while he looks just as happy go lucky as ever. And without a word, he grabs his hand and teleports them both out of Mondstadt. - turns out it was just a slight thing that reminded him of the archon war (cuz i will die on the hill of him having more tragic backstory than just Decarabian), and he of course gives a sincere if not flustered thanks to Xiao, because he’s really not used to people noticing.

- Venti trying to vent sneakily through fictional stories and Xiao is just like “Didn’t that basically happen to you” and Venti is just like “<_< shit”

- Venti once said affectionally that he wished he had met Xiao sooner and Xiao immediately and seriously shot it down by saying “If you had, I would have been forced to kill you” and both of them now stay up at night wondering who would have won that fight, not sure which result would have hurt more. (because honestly I have no idea who would win in that fight and that terrifies me- I like to think it would have been one of those legends that end with “and the fight persists to this day” or something along those lines)

- “How long have you been together?” “Adepti have no need for-” “1000+ years T^T how dare you deny our love” “O///O our...? ...useless”

- its disney- let me explain- i have this- i have this headcanon inspired by watching too many animatics- - so venti has a human form that isnt his- which he would have had to get used to moving in- and he’s a bard- - uh- anyway- as a third degree black belt in mixed martial arts, i can speak as an authority on this(not really an authority since i havent gone since quarantine but lets pretend). We have a thing referred to as the big three(most things do), and those things are martial arts, gymnastics, and dance. The idea is that they reflect really well off of each other and the best in any one category are good in all three. Timing, balance, form, discipline, technique, hand-eye coordination, grace, ease of motion, they all play a part- anyway-

- Venti taking Xiao’s prowess in martial arts and acrobatics and teaching him how to dance, and as someone who’s extremely skilled in the first two, the third comes easy to him, almost naturally. And it’s delicate and beautiful and lovely and it isn’t hurting anyone. And Venti points all these things out and more and despite how much Xiao insists that he feels ridiculous he truly does enjoy it and it goes a long way towards helping him form more healthy views of himself and his worth. - Verr Goldett walked in on him once and made a joke about performing at the inn. unfortunately Venti was there and agreed on Xiao’s behalf before he could protest and- and it wasn’t as bad as Xiao thought it would be... he still wouldn’t do it again though without reason, but with good enough reasoning he could probably be convinced.

- anyways point is he likes dancing to Venti’s songs and i just think that’s really cute - just picture the idea that all the animatics you see actually have the potential to be canon- ugh

- venti tries holding something out of Xiao’s reach since he’s taller and Xiao just fucking teleports

- both need their space but when they dont, all they have to do is speak the other’s name and they’ll be there.

- and because i just had to.... love languages

- lets start with Xiao- i don’t think he’d view acts of service or quailty time as a love language tbh, and he blunt but really bad with words so affirmation is out, leaving gift giving and physical touch. However, he seems to view most material things as meaningless so- - Xiao who’s love language is in his fleeting touches, something he’s only recently grown comfortable with because of Venti, and now is giving back, which he knows he doesn’t have to do, but that he want’s to, though he’ll still continue to make excuses for each one. “you were shivering” “The inn is high up, you could have fallen..... I said what I said, you’d question an adeptus?”

- and as easy as it is to say words of affirmation for Venti- he does that for everyone- i want to say his is actually acts of service - its the acts of service that let him see just how much Xiao has progressed afterall, from teaching him to dance, to playing another song on the flute, to supplying him with the almond tofu he seems to enjoy so much. Every little thing he does helps Xiao to grow and he couldn’t be happier about that.

- of course most of my headcanons for the ship do take place latter into the relationship because- y’know the less serious unhealthy vibes allow for greater range of thought, but i do still love to think about the serious implications so i kinda hopped back and forth. So sorry about how messy it is btw, i kinda- got carried away- it kinda got some kind of structure near the end tho so- maybe it’s okay. anyway- back to... lol something, we’ll see where thought forests lead.

#genshin impact #genshin xiao #genshin venti #xiao #venti #xiaoven #genshin analysis #genshin headcanons #xiaoven headcanons #xiaoven analysis #this is a mess i really shouldnt be putting all these tags but oh well #oh wow the grammar and spelling here is truly repulsive #sorry to all my english teachers i have failed you all

75 notes · View notes

lukeysgirl · 7 years

Text

Relentless | Calum Hood Series Pt.7

Part S E V E N

Request: Being the cousin of Ashton Irwin was exciting, especially when invited to their tour to hang out with his best friends. You found yourself becoming fond of Calum Hood, who finds you annoying from your constant appearance. But what would happen if you stopped giving him that attention?

Word Count: 3k+

A/N: 100 notes please, my loves! im so so happy that you love this series and i hope this part gives you a lil somethin to smile about. i promise, calum seems a little better in this part !

Parts: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty. [DONE]

I M A G I N E

Outside the Bar, 1:05 A.M.

Wind blew through your hair, making music in your ears as you were stood outside of the Finnish bar. It was dimly lit, with few people waiting outside to enter the bar. Calum was still holding your wrist with a tight grip, feeling it go numb just by his touch.

“Y/N, I...” Calum started, but stopped. Even he lacked the words to explain what had just happened. You bit your bottom lip in thought, your brain unable to comprehend what just happened. But slowly, your brain sends out waves of anger throughout your body as you quickly snatched your hand away from his grip.

“Calum, what the fuck?” You began, looking straight into Calum’s dark, almond eyes as you were fuming. “I don’t fucking understand you, Calum!”

“Y/N please--”

“No, fuck you!” You interrupt him, your heart giving everything it has to suppress your anger. Your mind has decided to say the words that you couldn’t say. “You ignore me and call me annoying all the time. You find my presence obnoxious and wished I was away from you at all times. And then, for some wild reason, you have these small cute moments that give me some sort of hope about your feelings. But then that totally goes to shit when you treat me like shit all the time!”

“Y/N--!” He tries it, but you didn’t let him.

“No, just stop for a minute and listen to me!” You shouted, silence returning for a brief moment as Calum gulped and let you continue. “Tonight, I found your pick and you were ‘gracious.’ But then you call that annoying and tell me to fuck off tonight. I don’t get it-- I just don’t! So I do as you say and fuck off, but even then, that isn’t good enough for you!”

Tears began to stream down your face as your hands were now shaking from the anger and nerves you were developing.

“I was with another celebrity that wasn’t you and you just pulled me away from him!” You screamed, bringing your hands to your chest. Your heart was throbbing, genuine pain being expressed from it as you let your feelings out. “So when I’m around you, you’re annoyed. But if I’m not around you, you’re still annoyed. So what is it, Calum?”

Calum stared at you with a pained expression, his eyes coated with tears you’ve never seen before. You watch as he shoves his hands in his pockets and lets out a shaky sigh. What was he thinking? You thought, looking at his frustration stance.

“Y/N, I’m sorry about this.” Before you knew it, Calum had bent down a little and squished your cheeks together. Immediately, he pressed his lips against yours. You stood there, stunned, as Calum kissed you. His plump lips were soft and gentle, the taste of beer and strawberry entering your mouth as he briefly stuck his tongue in. As much as you wanted to shove him away angrily, you couldn’t. You were in too much disbelief to actually move your bones.

He pulled away, his lips shining from a bit of saliva. You looked up at him, eyes wide and heart racing. You couldn’t believe him-- you didn’t believe him. Your hand quickly went to your lips, the tips of your fingers touching the lingering feeling of Calum’s lips upon yours.

“Y-you... you just...” you whispered, but your mind couldn’t form any coherent sentence. It was taking a roller coaster of emotion right now that couldn’t be processed just yet.

“As much as I want to give you a solid answer, Y/N... I actually can’t,” Calum began, sheepishly shrugging as he broke the gaze. His eyes darted down to the concrete ground before continuing. “I do find you annoying when you’re around... but it’s not from hatred. My heart, for some reason, beats really fast around you and for some reason, it makes me want to just touch you. Not sexually, but just... I don’t know, I want to just touch your skin and have you near me. It’s so annoying to me so I try to make you back off a lot.”

“B-but at the same time, when you’re away from me, I get so annoyed that you aren’t around.” You look at Calum pause to clear his throat a bit. “I-I don’t really get it, because you’re so annoying but I can’t stand it if you’re away from me. And today, I learned that I get especially annoyed when you’re with another guy.”

You were taken aback.

Was he... jealous? He’s annoyed with you because you made him feel... things when you’re around. But when you’re not around, he’s annoyed because of your lack of presence. You were unsure how to process everything, unable to proceed with the conversation.

“Stop fucking with her feelings, Calum.”

The two of you turned to your right to see Ashton stood there, his arms crossed with Luke and Michael beside him. While Luke was staring at the two of you seriously, Michael was flushed and giggling a bit. Likely still drunk from how much alcohol he has consumed.

“Seriously, Cal, you’ve gotta choose something,” Luke said, yawning a bit as his eyelids drooped from exhaustion. Ashton walked over to the two of you, getting in front of you with his back to Calum. Gently, he patted his hand on your head and weaved his fingers in a few strands of hair.

“Let’s go back to the hotel,” Ashton said firmly, having you nod slightly.

Hotel, 1:43 A.M.

There was a deafening silence between the five of you as you guys were surrounded and guided by guards. Fans screamed and called out to the boys, but they were too lost in thought to greet them right now. Walking to the suites, Calum decided to break the tension.

“Y/N, we need to talk--” he tried but Ashton halted him.

“Don’t fucking say her name,” Ashton spat, placing his hand gently on your back before opening the door to a new suite. Opening it, you saw that your things were already placed inside. “You’re sleeping alone tonight.”

“But I need to fucking talk to her!” Calum shouted abruptly. “There’s a lot of things we need to discuss and--”

“Nick told me that you called her vulnerable and that he may take advantage of that,” Ashton said coolly. “And yet you’re trying to do the exact same thing. Go be a hypocrite somewhere else for the night. I need to talk to her, first.”

With that, Ashton led you inside the suite and locked the door behind him. You walked over to your bed and sat down, grabbing your knees as you looked down in them. You felt like crying again, but you were too tired to do so. Ashton joined you and placed your head on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry about this,” Ashton said with a sheepish tone. “I didn’t think you’d go through this much over a fixed ‘study abroad’ trip.”

“It’s alright,” you mumbled. “It’s my fault anyways. My feelings just took over and I couldn’t help but want to be around Calum. It was my fault for letting that happen. I’m sorry.”

“Wah-- what’re you apologizing for?” Ashton exclaimed. “We all have feelings that we can’t exactly contain forever. In my eyes, I don’t think it’s anybody’s fault.”

“You aren’t mad at Calum?” You asked, shock in your tongue with your eyes widened.

“Of course not.” Ashton chuckled right after his words. “He’s being a little dum-dum right now, but he doesn’t have bad intentions. I heard that Nick was leaning in to kiss you.” You flushed, pulling away from Ashton to cover your face.

“I didn’t know why, I was just--!”

“Hush, it’s alright!” Ashton said with a smile, patting your head. “Calum did well in protecting you, even if he became a hypocrite in doing so. He protected my cousin and I appreciate that.”

“Then why are you acting so angry with him?”

“Ah, to piss him off, of course,” Ashton admitted with a smirk. “He was being a dick to you, so this is his punishment.” You giggled, feeling better from Ashton’s way of making you feel better.

“Thanks, Ash,” you said, giving your cousin a small smile as he nudged your shoulder with his.

“Now, time to get serious,” Ashton began, his joking tone dissolving into a more stern one. “What happened with Calum before we went to the bar and after when he took you out?”

As you explained to Ashton what happened, you couldn’t help but think about how Calum was doing. He desperately wanted to exchange words with you, but Ashton didn’t allow it just yet. Calum told you how he felt, and although it was a bit confusing, you now had a fair idea as to how he felt.

Calum Hood actually likes you.

“Calum is so confusing, isn’t he?” Ashton says with a fond smile. You nod. staring distantly while taking in Ashton’s words. “Grateful for the pick but annoyed that you went and found it for him? Yeesh, he sure is something.”

“I was really confused and lost about it,” you humored. “He was apologizing, thanking, and blaming me for everything that he caused. But I’m still a bit lost?”

“Hm?” Ashton turned over and gave you a look of wonder.

“Why was he so cold immediately right when I joined you guys in London?” You asked. “He didn’t even confuse me, he just gave me the impression that he despised me. But overtime, he loosened up to the point where that seemed like a distant memory and he’s always been this confusing.”

“Mm.” Ashton hummed, smiling a bit as he looked forward towards the TV in the suite. “I know it shouldn’t be from my lips that you should hear this, but I won’t tell you the entire thing, okay?” You nodded, looking at Ashton with intense curiosity. “He was actually very excited to hear about your arrival.”

“Huh?��

“Yep!” Ashton said happily with an endearing grin. “But the rest should come from Calum’s lips when you speak to him tomorrow. Get some rest, okay?” As he began to stand up, you quickly got on your stomach and grabbed his hand. He halted, turning around to look down at you obliviously.

“Where are you going?” You asked quietly.

“I have to go talk to Calum, of course,” Ashton said with a reassuring smile. “He’s probably flipping his dick out there.” Ashton pointed towards the door.

“’Out there?’ What do you mean?” Letting go of Ashton’s hand, he went for the door quietly and yanked the door open. Calum was sat outside in a pretzel, his head down before he realized the sudden action. He looked up, widened his eyes at the sight of you and tried to lunge in.

“Y/N!” Calum called, but Ashton put his leg in the way of the doorway and stopped him. “Y/N please, let’s just a talk--”

“Goodnight, Y/N,” Ashton spoke over him, shutting the door as sounds of the two of them scrambling proceeded. Ashton’s scolding words of ‘move’ and ‘get in our suite’ were heard as Calum pleaded against it. You couldn’t help but blush by Calum’s persistent side. It was charming, almost.

A yawn then escaped your lips. Your body knew that you were handling way too many drinks and drama that you need to power up tomorrow. Stretching a bit, you rose from the bed, quickly changed into pajamas, and turned off the light. You opened the curtain of your window to let the moonlight in before you melted into your bed and attempted sleep.

3:25 A.M.

Why can’t I sleep?

It’s way past your bedtime and your eyes were still wide as well. Staring at the white ceiling, you couldn’t help but think about everything. The pick, that girl with Calum earlier, Nick Jonas, and...

Calum kissing you.

Your still touched your lips, allowing the very tips of your fingers merely brush upon them while remembering Calum’s lips against them. The taste of beer still recites itself just thinking about that kiss. You were frozen still, and even Calum was motionless as he pressed his lips on your own. Surely, he led the kiss, but even then, you two weren’t even battling for dominance. You didn’t even put up a fight.

Your thoughts then derailed as you heard voices from a distance. You turned over to look at the window, sensing the voices coming from yonder. Removing the blanket from you, you rose from the bed and onto your feet. Your feet touched the curls of the carpet as goosebumps raced up and down your body from the lack of warmth. Reaching the window, you slowly open it to listened to the voices.

“You really should try to get some sleep.” Isn’t that Michael’s voice. You peep a bit of your head out the window to look down. You notice the bleached-head beside a black-haired head. Looking more closely, you recognized those raven locks with ease.

It’s Calum.

“D’you know how difficult it is to sleep without knowing what’s going on in her head?” Calum said quietly, his hand going near his face to take in... a drag? “It’s stressing me out so much that I just had to smoke again.”

“Mate, this is your 3rd cigarette this night,” Michael said with a nervous chuckle. “Shouldn’t you at least try to restrain yourself a bit? At least for her sake?”

“I can’t restrain myself because of her sake, Michael!” Calum exclaimed, frustration in his voice as he took a drag and let out the smoke. As you were on the third floor, the smoke went up to you and you took in the strong scent. You never liked the scent of cigarettes, but you could tolerate it this time.

“Remember years ago when we were still attending school and Ashton took a cigarette from his step dad?” Michael began, having you fondly recall how angry you were with Ashton when he flaunted it. “And Y/N snagged it, cut it in two, and scolded Ashton for just having it?”

“Yeah, and she was all like, ‘your band will suck if you guys smoke!’” Calum mimicked, having you giggle at how perfect he remembered that moment. “She may have been the youngest of us, but she was-- is the most mature of all of us.”

“Y/N has always been so smart and motherly,” Michael said as he let out a sigh. “She was always there for us when our parents were off to work and whatnot. Taking care of us and bringing us McDonalds...”

“She was the best...” Calum mumbled audibly, having you blush as you continued to eavesdrop. “D’you reckon she’ll actually listen to me tomorrow?”

“Of course she will!” Michael, as usual, being the optimistic button in any scenario. “She is the best, after all. Just because you sorta fucked around with her feelings doesn’t mean she won’t listen to you.”

“H-how do you know?” Calum pondered, turning his head to face Michael as Michael leaned against the wall. He let out a chuckle, one that caused Calum to shove his shoulder. “Hey! Quit laughing and tell me!”

“Calm down, clam down! I’m just laughing at how obvious the answer is to your question, dumbass!” Michael said, placing both his hands behind his head to lean against the wall with more comfort. “You should be the one who has known it, considering you’ve seen it first hand more than enough times.”

“Michael, stop being so trivial...”

“Are you stupid, Calum? It’s because she likes you!” Michael said happily. “Why do you think she hangs around you so much and did whatever she can to make you happy? She stayed back from watching me rock out just to take care of you when you were ill.”

“W-well that was her choice--”

“But you loved that choice, didn’t you?” Michael teased. “That attention-- turning down everything but you because of her feelings for you. It was just for the attention, right? You keep pulling her in with such little actions when you feel like gravity isn’t pull her down to you as much.”

“Fuck off, Michael.” Calum growled.

“Not only that, but you absolutely can’t stand it when she gives that attention to another,” Michael entertained again, having your heart race from his audacious words. “It didn’t matter to you if she was vulnerable. You just didn’t want another man to place his lips on her soft, pink--”

“Shut up, Michael!” Calum hissed, throwing his cigarette down and stomping it harshly. “You know nothing-- nothing at all!”

“Then enlighten me,” Michael scoffed, the fun vibe completely dissolving into a sour, cold one. You kept listening though, feeling your stomach churn from the inability to walk away. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

“Wow, for someone so observant over my actions, you don’t know such an important detail?” Calum said bitterly, proceeded a cold chuckle. “I don’t like her.” Your heart was quick to shatter. You knew this. Everybody knew this. Why is he saying something everybody knows?

“That’s been the obvious since she came here--”

“I love her.”

Those three words struck you. Weakly, you’ve decided you’ve heard enough as you closed the window slowly and quietly. You then turned around and allowed your legs to go to jelly. You slide down to your bottom, your back firmly pressed against the wall below the window. As you sat, your heart felt near close as to jump out your chest while your hands couldn’t stop shaking.

Why was everything going so quickly?

You rubbed the tips of your fingers from the nerves produced in your mind. Cousins with a famous drummer, touring with a famous band, almost kissing Nick Jonas and then being loved by the person who is immensely annoyed by you.

“Just what goes in that head of yours, Calum?” You whispered to yourself, thinking about the stupid bass player you’ve loved since you were just a young, stupid teenager. But, hearing this words and your newfound, awestruck state, you were sure that time didn’t change a thing. And now those 3 words he dare uttered will definitely keep you awake.

“I love her.”

i really hope this part made you guys flip! please tell me whatcha think here. and again, thank you so much for supporting me through this series and encouraging me to write. it has made me my happiest this past week xx

376 notes · View notes

icyada · 7 years

Text

Chapeter 1: Visions

Echos across Time and Space Book One: "Something Wicked this way Comes"

An: Welcome =) I’m so excited for this story. This is the start of a Harry Potter fan fiction that I started on Fanfiction-dot-net that I am still in the process or writing. I hope you’ll enjoy! Aditional Note: the "Old English" being used is actually not Old per say, it is Shakespereian english and I am using a translator so dont get upset please. I will provide a translation (according to my translator) at the end of each chapter Disclaimer: As much as I hate admitting it I dont own Harry Potter (I think Mrs Rowling shoud rewrite the series though, its got so much she can add to it)

Chapter 1- Visions

'What WAS that!?'

Godric Gryffindor, age 21, had been wondering that all day. Thankfully, he had an expert Seer as a friend and was just awaiting his arrival. Speaking of which......

"Hello mine cater-cousin, how art thou?[1]" Godric greeted his long time friend Myrddin Emrys at the door of his home.

"Godric mine corky cater-cousin, 'tis good to seeth thou again. I am well. How doth thou fair?[2]" Myriddin said cheerfully walking up to Godric

Godric sighed wearily as he embraced the man he saw as a close brother. “Not well, not well at all I feareth. I've been up nearly half the night pond'ring a dream that I had. [3]" Godric responded before leading Myrddin to the sitting room. After ensuring a house elf brought him and Myrddin some wine, Godric studied Myrddin for several minutes. Myrddin was silent the whole time for he knew his friend well. Godric usually got this way when he was in deep thought or trying to order his thoughts. Sure enough after staring for a bit Godric blinked and sighed. "This dream, I am sure 'tis a vision of the distant future. I was hoping thou couldst aid me towards und'rstanding it [4]," Godric said, his voice a picture of exhaustion. Myrddin nodded in understanding of the problem. While his brother in all but blood was not classified as a true Seer, Godric did get the odd vision every now and again.

“Telleth me broth'r," Myrddin said "Speak to me some of this vision so that i may prop'rly parley with the Fates to break this with them[5]."

"I wouldst if I couldst broth'r, howev'r I Saw an entire life's time ov'r half the night, [6]" Godric said quietly.

After a few moments of silence Godric continued "The most vivid of the vision howev'r was that of a young lad with hair as black as a raven, vivid bright green eyes that shin'd with pow'r as if they w're em'ralds and a fad'd lightning bolt scar 'pon his brow....[7]".

Here Godric paused and scrunched up his face while he focused on what he could recall of the next part.

"He was fighting a. . . . . . . I doth not wot if I shouldst clepe that being a man," he said slowly, trying to keep focused on the memory. "He wilt hast been bef're as he walk'd on two forks and carri'd a wand of focus. But that one's humanity appear'd to hast left him long ago. An'yhow, this young man was fighting the beast in a castle's ruins and. . . . . well, and then I awoke. [8]"

Myrddin sat back in his seat and nodded.

"Giveth me but a moment mine cater-cousin. I will hast an answ'r from the Fates and let thou wot their answ'r in a while [9]," he said. Godric nodded and motioned for Myrddin to continue.

As Godric watched Myrddin quietly, his mind drifted back to the white bearded man in his vision. In Godric's opinion 'Albus too-many-names Dumbledore' was just as much a monster as this Voldemort character. Albeit a different and in some ways more dangerous monster than Voldemort, but still........

'If I was sent this vision f'r a reason. . . nay, I bett'r hold my thoughts until Myrddin confirms 'r denies this [10].' A few minutes later Myrddin's eyes blinked open before looking straight at Godric.

"It seems that the Fates need us both to give our aid to the future. Thou to aid this raven hair'd young fellow and I to assist thou in this endev'r with mine en'rgy,[11]" he said after a few moments of gathering his thoughts.

"I seeth, 'tis as I thought then. V'ry well, what doth we need to do to get started?[12]" Godric responded.

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

Several days later, Godric and Myrddin traveled to Stonehenge, the most magic saturated area in England. Godric was relieved, he had been worried that the local magical village wouldn’t allow them use of the site. But after having explained the situation to them, the locals-who were consequently Druids who believed in the balance of nature-agreed to allow them one time use of the site.

As Myrddin got the site set up for the ritual he was going to perform, Godric checked the supplies for the journey back to his house before checking the letter he was planning to send along with the charms on the parchment attached to the letter. He also checked over the package he intended to send with both parchments before nodding while looking at the pure white phoenix perched on his shoulder.

The phoenix had found Myrddin and Godric's camp just the other day. According to the Druids, she told them her name was Hedwig and that her home had been the very time they were sending the letter too. She had been hit by the spell that Godric's own mentor had created. Her spirit had lingered for a time near where her body had lay. Fortunately, before she could decide to move on, a royal phoenix that she knew well had appeared to her.

Fawkes, the royal one's name, had asked her if she wanted to leave her boy. When Hedwig said no, Fawkes had given up his own life force to her, turning her into this phoenix. She said it took her a while to recover and when she did she had found herself in the current time period.

Since then she had been desperately searching for a way home and, after hearing from a few animals of 2 leg walkers who had been heard talking about time travel she had sought them out and had found them only a day's travel away from Stonehenge. After Godric heard that, he and Myrddin had worked on altering the ritual they had created to include sending a live creature through as well.

'Tis almost time lass, art thou ready to return to thy home?[13]" Godric asked her softly.

The white one trilled a joyful note and then nuzzled Godric before letting out a lower more sorrowful note. She and Godric had become fast friends. They both also knew they would see each other again, even if that version of her might not remember him.

''Tis alright lass, 'tis not farewell simply a temp'rary good bye. [14]"

"Godric, 'tis time," Myrddin said from by the ritual circle.

Godric nodded and stroked Hedwig's head gently a bit before handing her the letter and shrunk the package tying it to her leg.

"Happy fortune to you lass, safe travels," he mumbled. She took the letter in her beak before heading over to the middle of the circle and settling down on the ground.

Both men got on either side of the circle and started chanting in Welsh, neither noticing the glow of the circle lighting the area. Both were busy picturing a young man that had raven black hair that stuck out at all angles of his head, bright emerald green almond shaped eyes, what looked like funny double eye monicles and most vividly, a lightning bolt shaped scar resting on his forehead in the center.

It took 30 minutes and a lot out of them both of them, but when Godric opened his eyes Hedwig was gone with her package. 'Good Fortune to you Hedwig,’ Godric thought as he looked quietly up at the sky. -----------

115 miles and 992 years away, 17 year old Harry Potter was surprised as a white phoenix appeared, perching on his lap and clutching in her beak 2 pieces of parchment.

=======================

Translations:

[1] Hello my friend, how are you?

[2] Godric my old friend, It is good to see you again. I am well. How do you fair?

[3] Not well, not well at all I fear. I've been up nearly half the night pondering a dream that I had.

[4] This dream, I am sure it is a vision of the distant future. I was hoping you could help me to understand it

[5] Tell me brother, tell me some of this vision so that I may properly meet the Fates to discuss this with them

[6] I would if I could brother, however I Saw an entire life time over half the night

[7] The most vivid of the vision however was that of a young man with hair as black as a raven, vivid bright green eyes that shined with power as if they were emeralds and a faded lightning blot scar upon his brow.

[8] He was fighting a.......i do not know if I should call that being a man. He must have been before as he walked on two legs and carried a wand of focus. But that one's humanity appeared to have left him long ago. Anyways, the young man was fighting the beast in a castle's ruins and.....then I awoke

[9] Give me but a moment my friend. I will have an answer from the fates and let you know their answer in a whille

[10] If I was sent this vision for a reason...no, I better wait untill Myrddin confirms or denies this

[11] It seems that the Fates need us both to give our aid to the future. You to help this raven haired young man and me to assist you in this endevor with my energy.

[12] I see, it is as I thought then. Very well, what do we need to do to get started?

[13] It is almost time lass, are you ready to head home?

[14] it is alright lass, it is not farewell simply a temporary good by

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

An: Im soooooooooooo excited to be getting back to writing. I've been reading a lot of Harry Potter lately so I figured I wanted to make a tale of my own.

#harry potter #fanfiction

1 note · View note