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#they're so cursed and doomed. but i love them
roguelov · 3 days
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this might be a bit too dark (if so just ignore this)
we all know that hob loves life and people and loves being immortal and still wants to continue living even after everything he's been through
now what if their young soulmate is the opposite? they're depressed and don't want to be immortal and live forever, they're very pessimistic and nihilistic and kind of antisocial
then dream and hob meet them and try anything they can to help them fall in love with life and with people and showing them that there's so much to live for
Sweetheart this is just perfectly angsty and fluffy I love it
Perhaps when you are greeted with the idea of immortality (and believing you are the only one at first) you are just filled with dread and heartache. What do you mean you’ll live forever? Longer than your family and friends? As in you’ll have to bury them all and any new friends you may make it will only end with them six feet under? Perhaps you also think of what’s the point especially in this society of working endlessly to just make ends meet? That the only way you see of living is just working your body into the ground and nothing else
Then you meet Dream and Hob, maybe you go to the New Inn for a drink (and just to get out of your bedroom) and stumble into them. They try to talk, well more so Hob and you just smile and be polite and don’t say much. Maybe you think it’s best to keep your distance from people to protect your heart, and to be honest you’re also not all great with small talk. But after a few more visits Hob and Dream slowly break you down to open up more to them, and then they start to fall in love with you
Only for you to close up and shut them out.
You don’t come to the New Inn again and they are saddened. So cue a small adventure where Dream and Hob search through the Dreaming to find you, and with Dream’s powers they find you quickly. They see you just alone in a rotting forest just sitting there with a frown deep in thought. How could someone with such an infectious beautiful smile look glum, they thought.
Maybe you see them and just curse to yourself thinking how these two gorgeous and kind men are now haunting your dreams. And without believing it’s truly them, you just vent. You go on this speech of how could they love you, how can you keep living in a world that is dying before your eyes, how can you keep going when everything is telling you to just quit and give up but you’re forced to keep marching.
And that’s when it all clicks for Dream and Hob, and their hearts simultaneously break: an immortal who doesn’t see the beauty in living. They slowly approach you and each take your hand, which you let them because hey it’s all a dream why does it matter. Dream takes you to a sunny beach where other dreamers are playing.
‘Living can be difficult,’ Dream begins. ‘But, what makes it easier is joy in the small wonders such as how the sun kisses your skin, how a child’s laugh can mimic their parent’s, how flowers and plants can grow in the most strangest terrains.’
Hob tightens his grip on your hand. ‘Or how you carry all those around you in your heart. Those who are gone are not lost. They live within you forever, as long as you live so do they.’
In an instant you finally breakdown, you cling to them as they comfort you. You don’t care if it’s a dream, you are just thankful for their warmth. ‘You two are so wonderful, I just wish I didn’t run away.’
Hob chuckles, ‘Then find us again, we’ll be waiting’
Then once you awake from your stranger dream, you set out to the New Inn to find Hob and Dream and there you truly begin to live. They show you all the wonders of the world from the big to the small, they teach you how to cope with immortality, and they show you how to love and receive their love. You were immortal, but ever since that fateful day you thought you were doomed. Now, you realized you had be reborn and Dream and Hob had shown you that
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divorcedwife · 2 months
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like father like daughter
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mooshywrites · 4 months
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Could I request headcanons of poly! Astarion, and Halsin with gn human crush genuinely asking them if they're willing to be with them despite their shorter lifespan?
I’ll Love You Forever
Poly!Reader x Astarion x Halsin
Masterlist
Art commissions
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A/N - I knowwwww this was a headcannon request, but It was just so incredibly sweet that I couldn’t help writing a longer fic for it. It’s still bite sized though! Hope you still like it, your requests are always top tier ;) <3
Word count - 1.2k
Warnings - sfw, angst, mentions of dying/growing old, fluff
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“Not even the Gods themselves could make me stop loving you.”
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~Astarion~
Astarion’s eyebrows furrowed as he slipped the needle in and out of the silk fabric. He cursed, sighing as he pulled the thread from the needle, tearing out the last few stitches in his work. The small green leaves he had been embroidering were now a mess of jumbled lines and he had only you to blame.
You had been acting quite… odd today.
Usually you were a bundle of smiles, greeting Astarion and Halsin with kisses and teases in the morning, sleepy eyes and clinginess galore. But this morning, after you had brushed your hair out in the mirror, something had changed. You had found a single grey hair, plucked it out and glared at it like it had personally attacked you. Since then, you’d been quiet, distant.
And Astarion hated it.
Though he acted aloof and annoyed when both you and Halsin would shower him with love and affection, deep down he adored it. Craved it even. All day, the most you had given was a quick peck to Astarion’s cheek before leaving to gather herbs.
Astarion found it hard to admit that your change in behavior had rattled him so. He was still so new to this ‘caring about other people’ thing. But his stomach twisted uncomfortably at the thought of you out there picking plants without a smile on your face.
”Get it together, Astarion.” He murmured, threading the twine back through the eye of the needle.
The door of your little cabin swung open, Halsin bumbling in. He was carrying a large basket stuffed full of various cooking ingredients, his own face looking rather forlorn. He set everything on the table as Astarion continued his stitching, finally coming over to see what the Vampire was up to.
“Done with my shirt?” Halsin gruffed, leaning down to leave a gentle kiss on Astarion’s forehead.
”Obviously not.” Astarion scoffed, setting the work down and rubbing his eyes. “I’ve had to restart twice.”
Halsin’s forehead creased with worry, “What frets you, my heart?” He reached down to run the pale elf’s shoulders gently.
”You know what frets me.” Astarion quipped. “They went out this morning all doom and gloom and still haven’t come back. How long does it take to find a bloody herb or two?”
“I noticed it too.” Halsin said grimly. “That’s why I went to get ingredients for their favorite meal.”
Astarion thought for a moment, glancing back at the basket filled with food. “You know, you may be on to something.”
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~Reader~
You brushed off your pants, annoyed. Your basket was practically stuffed with medicinal herbs, so much so that not even another leaf would fit in amongst the others.
In truth, you were avoiding returning home.
It shouldn’t have been that big of a deal when you found the grey hair that morning. Everyone gets them eventually, but to you, that little strand held too much meaning for your heart to handle.
You were getting older.
You didn’t notice it at first, the way your laugh lines deepened, the way your eyes crinkled a little more when you smiled. You had never been afraid of growing old before Astarion and Halsin, in fact, the thought of immortality seemed suffocating to your human mind. But the thought of passing on and leaving them here? That truly stung.
Not to mention, you were afraid.
Afraid the two men wouldn’t love you any more. Not when your limbs grew feeble and your mind grew weak. Would Halsin still sweep you into his arms and kiss you when he came home? Would Astarion still tease you and make it all up with lis lips when you pouted?
Would they still love you as you grew old?
The thought stung your eyes, your vision growing blurry through tears. You wiped them away quickly, deciding it was time to return home. Your boys were probably worried about you, and you didn’t want them to see your puffy face like this.
Instead you thought of other things on the walk home. Chores, future plans for the house, adventures you might take. Anything to distract from your world imploding around you.
As soon as you walked through the front door, a wave of delicious smell hit you. Your mouth watered as you recognized the savory scent. You set down your basket of herbs, seeing Astarion and Halsin talking in hushed voices before the stove. Apparently, they hadn’t noticed your homecoming.
You padded up behind them, clearing your throat, “What are you making?”
Astarion practically jumped out of his skin, turning to look at you. He sighed with relief and then gave you a glare “You scared me, pet. Don’t you know it’s bad form to sneak up on a loved one?”
Halsin just chuckled, pulling you into a warm hug. You melted into the touch, inhaling his pine and honey scent. You didn’t linger too long, afraid the embrace would make you tear up again.
“Sorry,” You offered, pulling away from Halsin, “I guess old habits die hard.”
The room fell silent again as you watched the men cook, working together perfectly to mold together your favorite dish.
“My heart, is something bothering you?” Halsin gently asked, looking up at you as he finished his prep work.
You shook your head, looking down to avoid his concerned gaze. “No. Just tired, I suppose.”
“Might as well come out with it.” Astarion huffed. “We know something is wrong.”
You clamped your mouth shut, afraid you’d lash out at the men if you opened it. It wasn’t their fault they wanted to know. They just simply cared. You would be acting the same if one of them had disappeared, looking upset.
You were about to change the subject when you felt a strange tickling sensation in your mind.
As if someone were trying to peer into your thoughts.
Your head jerked up, glaring at Halsin angrily, “Get out of my head.” You seethed, crossing your arms.
Astarion glanced at Halsin, apparently surprised at his boldness. “Well, what did you see?” He asked, turning to the both of you.
Halsin kept his eyes on yours, his expression tinged with embarrassment, apologies, and… sadness?
“They were thinking of growing old.”
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~Halsin~
Halsin’s heart clenched tightly, the images in your mind replaying in his own head over and over. He saw your fear, saw your heartache at the thought of withering away from the life the three of you had built.
He couldn’t even begin to make himself feel sorry for the intrusion of detecting your thoughts, the overwhelming feeling of your sadness choking the Druid’s mind.
Astarion’s expression became unreadable, the room taking on a quiet air.
“I don’t want you to stop loving me.” You whispered sadly.
Halsin’s eyebrows furrowed, his gaze switching to Astarion with confusion. He couldn’t fathom the sentence you had said. Couldn’t imagine a world where that would be true. With Halsin’s long life, he’d never had to think about his mortality before. Sure, there were a few run ins and battles where he’d been faced with the thought of death. But the idea of aging had never hit him the way it was apparently hitting you now.
How terrifying it must be to be a human. To fit such experiences and growth in so few years.
Halsin shook his head decisively, turning back to you. “Not even the Gods above could make me stop loving you.”
“Unfortunately, I agree with the big lout.” Astarion smiled, pulling you close against him. Halsin joined, his frame wrapping both you and Astarion up perfectly.
Halsin heard you sniffle, tears staining your voice when you spoke. “But what about when I’m elderly?” You wailed. “What about when my joints are stiff and my face all… wrinkled?”
“You will always be the most beautiful thing nature has to offer.” Halsin murmured, petting your hair gently.
“Wrinkles? Oh, darling, not to worry.” Astarion grinned, “There’s always the option of the three of us going out in a dramatic blaze of glory. Perhaps cliff jumping?”
Halsin smacked his shoulder, earning a small laugh from you.
“Fine.” Astarion sighed, nuzzling his nose into the crook of your neck. “I suppose I can be swayed to love an old bat if its you.”
“Promise?” Your voice asked, feather light and muffled in the hug.
“Promise, darling.” Astarion assured, rubbing the curve of your back in small soothing circles.
“I promise as well, my heart.” Halsin swore, planting a kiss on the top of you and Astarion’s heads.
As he held you both tightly, the smell of your favorite meal wafting through the air, Halsin only had one final thought on the matter. It wasn’t the fear of you growing old that addled him, you would be just as perfect to him if hobbled over and grey, it was the thought of life after you had passed. The loneliness that would leave both himself and Astarion in. Not to mention… how would Astarion feel when the both of you were gone? No… there had to be something to ease this heartache. He had made up his mind
I’m going to need to talk to Jaheira about that immortality ritual.
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cherrifire · 1 year
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I love making the Life series more dramatic than it really is so let's talk about it.
The thing with Scott and Martyn as a duo that interests me this season has to do with what we as a fanbase have defined as a "curse". The curses given to players by the fanbase are built on pure coincidence. Example: Jimmy always being first out. We have no idea if this will happen this season and it feels unlikely to happen a 4th time. However, for Scott and Martyn's curses, one of them will break their curse and the other will fall victim to it again.
Obviously, I'd like to remind the court that these are just coincidences. This series isn't scripted, everything that happens is unplanned so how on Earth could I predict anything to hold true here?
Let's start with Scott, shall we? If you find yourself as Scott's closest ally you are DOOMED BY THE NARRATIVE!!! So far, Scott out lives all his closest partners.
3rd life, Jimmy died before Scott.
Last life, Pearl died before Scott.
Double life, Cleo died before Scott.
Meaning Martyn is doomed to lose too, right? Not necessarily.
Looking at Martyn's curse, it is basically the same as Scott's. Martyn devotes himself to one person or a whole nation and will always outlive them.
3rd life, Ren died before Martyn and most of Dogwarts also falls with only BigB remaining once Martyn is gone.
Last life, every other Southlander died before Martyn.
Double life, Cleo died before Martyn.
So really, neither of them are at a higher risk than the other. It sort of feels like it... just balances out really. One of them will die before the other. One will break their curse and the other will be doomed for yet another season to watch the ones they care for die.
[Cutting the curtains for a moment, they both have this curse probably because they're both survivors. Scott and Martyn have gotten pretty high placings each season due to their intense and obvious attempts to stay alive. Scott getting 10th, 1st, and then 2nd. Martyn getting 6th, 3rd, and then 3rd again. So I think they're a very good duo this season and I like their chances to atleast place high.]
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ystrike1 · 7 months
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The Tyrant’s Leash Is Held by a Maid - By 박오 (8.5/10)
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Is it love, or an unbreakable curse sent down by destiny? Don't worry about it! It can't be reversed. A maid and a prince become Manish and Aradna, which are ancient titles given to the bearers of a great curse. Manish will be unstoppable for his entire life, as long as he has his Aradna. Without her he is doomed to insanity, bloodlust and violence.
Liana is a maid. An actual maid. One without any special privileges. One who has not been treated nicely. She has a young niece to support. She is very smart, but she is only allowed to use her intellect to support a master. She gets the chance to become the personal maid that belongs to Natasha Baldwin. Natasha is beautiful. Her family is noble and wealthy, but her mother is a commoner, so she is not the most lofty master to serve. That doesn't matter to Liana, because Natasha is miles above her, despite her dirty pedigree.
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Natasha is currently dating(?) the second prince, Illyd. He is an infamous womanizer. The women who date him never last more than a few months. He is the classic lazy prince with no real responsibilities, because he has an older brother who is the obvious choice for the throne.
Liana is worried. If Illyd abandons Natasha, after dating her so publicly, her reputation will go down. The maids will have to deal with her rage.
Also, Illyd keeps looking at her.
It's weird.
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Natasha has a pureborn older sister. One who constantly calls Natasha dirty. Liana gets a raise when she starts serving Natasha exclusively, but she also gets bullied relentlessly. She defends Natasha. Why? Natasha is her master and only loyalty can prove a maid's usefulness. Natasha watches the abuse from a distance. She comes forward to defend Liana only after Liana proves to be very loyal.
They don't become besties.
Natasha notices she's smart and useful.
That's all.
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This is the nice guy.
He's not going to win, because Illyd is a cursed yandere. I assume he will be more important later on. The beginning of the story mostly focuses on Natasha, Illyd, and Liana's maid duties.
Foreign prince Arcan, despite all of his kindness and patience, does not stand a chance.
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Liana doesn't know a thing.
Illyd and Natasha aren't actually dating. Natasha is trying to destroy the Baldwin family. They're very corrupt, and they have never loved her. She's gunning for revenge. Lord Baldwin intended to sell her off as a bride, because of her beauty, from the start. Natasha doesn't see him as family. She teamed up with Illyd because he's soulless on the inside. He doesn't actually date any women. He just squeezes information out of them. Natasha isn't even his friend. She's more like a business partner. Their sensual relationship is just an act.
Liana gets caught in the crossfire, when Natasha tells her to deliver a love note.
It's not a love note.
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Illyd saves her. He hasn't been cursed yet. He's just impressed by her. Drawn to her a little bit. Liana is loyal to Natasha, even when he flirts with her. She doesn't know it, but her sharp wit is a great weapon. Natasha uses it liberally. Liana assists her when it comes to planning and sneaking pretty much by accident.
Natasha gives her another raise later.
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After Liana is untied there's a moment. A moment that implies the blood covered prince is genuinely attracted to the maid.
She runs.
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The first prince is also present. He's a very good first prince, but he's paranoid. He's scarier than your average evil villain. He doesn't seem stupid, but he's very violent, just like Illyd.
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Illyd eventually becomes Manish.
The legend of Manish and Aradna is actually quite simple. It's a well known story. A well known fact. It's not regarded as scary voodoo or anything. Even maid like Liana knows the whole tale.
A wife is created for him. Aradna. She silences the noise, and he can use his powers once more. He vows to prioritize Aradna over all else. He becomes fallible, imperfect, and powerful at the same time. The legend ends happily.
Basically, an all powerful man gets punished with feeling too much. Too much sensation, all the time. He feels his own heartbeat. His breath. His blood too, until he goes crazy. He begs for help. He forgets his hubris. He was the strongest, smartest man before he was punished with endless noise. His punishment reduces him to a wailing mess.
Liana becomes Aradna.
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She's terrified. Illyd will go insane without her constant presence, and he's as powerful as a monster. She's afraid of the nobles. She just wanted to make enough money to support her niece. She is attracted to Illyd, but she mostly feels fear.
Especially when his attention lands on her, and it stays there, and he gets frustrated enough to murder when she's out of reach.
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modernsuperhero · 6 months
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Tbh as much as i love seablings i like the idea that lizzie's death has nothing to do with jimmy's curse more. Lizzie's death was her own. If we want to talk about jimmy's curse, instead of lizzie's tragedy, then let's talk about how it was broken on accident.
Consider this: every game has been the same except this one. Certain "curses" are attached to certain people - Jimmy the canary, Skizz the boogey, etc. But not this time - or, well.
Last game was the first time, according to martyn's canon, that two players were so damaged from the watchers' overfeeding on their significant traumas (pearl witnessing scott's suicide, cleo's own traumatic death) that the listeners were able to intervene and temporarily swap their souls out with, ofc, lizzie and gem, to give them reprieve to recover.
I like the perspective that instead of there being one death loop that restarts over and over, there are multiple happening all the time. They overlap. The watchers are of course constantly feeding - and perhaps this is why the members of each loop vary slightly over time. Adding ingredients, removing others, as time wears on. Lizzie was not actively in a loop during limited life - but that does not mean she hasn't been in death games in the meantime. Perhaps even gem has, too, though i believe possessing cleo was her first time.
Also last season, grian was yanked out of his body by the watchers, attempting to remove him from stunting the growth of their anguish farm (making it a game instead of a saw trap, as @stalarys so aptly put it). But he managed to keep his claws in the game, even going so far as to break beyond the literal borders of the game - "we're already dead," as he said, leading the nosy neighbors beyond the veil - because grian is nothing in any universe if not stubborn in the face of authority.
We know from last season that the games are already unstable. The listeners' influence is growing, and grian is proving to be more and more of a problem. (He definitely doesn't know about the listeners' existence, but he's likely unaware of how he may be helping them, and they him.)
Jimmy is not dead first. But he dies so soon after - the second body to fall.
The game, the watchers, the farm - it course corrects when things go wrong.
Grian, who has broken the rules this season not once but thrice - allowing an exception for scar to reroll, even allowing breaking of his own rule on helmets (for both scar and mumbo), and falsely rolling a success last session, is given a chaotic impossible task. (Grian tends to doom his allies - curse or simply bad choices, he is teamed with etho, and their rerolls are entwined. They seem personal, don't they? Etho ran from grian's wither once before. Grian died leading out a warden.) He succeeds, on one heart despite everything, only to be slain on top of the button itself.
He's stuck in spectator. Isn't that perfect? The game, HIS game, GLITCHED. His grip on his in-game body, the part of him he wedged into the mechanics of this death loop, slipped. He regained it, sure, but now he is forced to course correct: he comes back green when he should be yellow.
And grian has just seen the price of breaking too many rules. Jimmy's funeral was too soon. He switches back to yellow, rerolls for his deserved prizes at the cost of his own chances of victory.
(Because victory, while still a goal, is not the point. The point is to break the game.)
(Last season, tango watched one of his closest and most common allies sacrifice himself for his team. This season, he allies with him again. It's ironic that they're giving away their hearts to others - similar to giving away their time. Maybe skizz's death impacted tango too harshly. Maybe his pain fed a bit too much.)
(This is the first season since skizz, an angel, died so full of divine bloodlust that it manifested as the boogey curse, that he has been here and his curse has not. Two curses now, tentatively broken.)
(Martyn feeds the watchers more when he is an unguided hand, wandering and hurting, so ren has not been in this particular loop for a while now. He is available to replace tango, just for a bit, just like how gem and lizzie replaced cleo and pearl.)
Last season, the games finally started to break.
This season, we get to see the cracks.
(The watchers are more obvious this season. The keeper's symbol, grian's lack of achievement entering the end... They're grappling for control as it is slowly but surely dragged away from them.)
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Hey, I'm pretty sure that this was asked before, but I can't find the post.
What if MC died in the repository instead of professor Fig?
(I'm sorry, but I'm in an angsty mood)
I love your posts, and thanks
A/N: I do have vague recollection of answering a similar prompt once upon a time, but nothing wrong with a reprisal!
HLC REACT TO MC DYING IN THE REPOSITORY
WARNING: angst, death, grief
Dark ancient magic flew violently through the air around MC. The whirlwind of human agony consumed them as they released silver blue light from their wand. The magic thrashed and roared as MC expelled more and more effort to contain the chaos. Cracks started to form along the length of their wand.
Time slowed for them. MC could see Fig's silhouette just beyond the veil. The hundreds of young souls above them weighed heavy on their conscience. If they can't do this, everyone will die. They had to use all of it.
MC closed their eyes and whispered their goodbye. A light even brighter than the one from their wand emerged from their chest. The ancient magic within them burst forth with the fury of dragonfire. The silver light merged with the darkness, and as quickly as it had appeared, the magic vanished.
MC was gone. Their broken wand was all that remained.
SEBASTIAN SALLOW: He has officially lost everything. After losing his uncle, Anne, Ominis, and MC all at once, he's cracking. They can't be gone. Not them. They were too powerful to just vanish. He just has to find them. Yes. That's what he needs to do. He leaves Hogwarts. He MUST find them. Then Anne will see. Then Ominis will know. What he did was worth it.
OMINIS GAUNT: He rarely speaks anymore. The silence in his life has become so oppressive it took his own voice. The good life he thought he had was nice while it lasted, but now it's all come apart. It's only a matter of time before he loses Anne too, and when that happens...he doesn't know what he's going to do with himself.
ANNE SALLOW: She doesn't know how to feel about MC's death. On the one hand, they were trying to be a good friend to her and her brother but on the other...they also enabled Sebastian in his treachery. She's so very tired of the pain. She just wants to go to sleep.
IMELDA REYES: Well, damn. Mc was the closest thing to a friend she had in years. Someone competitive but friendly and fun to have around. They could dish out as much sass as she could, and she respected them for it. She cries a little at the end of year feast.
NATSAI ONAI: She should have been there. She could've done something! Why didn't they tell her!? She would've had their back! She....she...she breaks down into sobs so intense, even her mother can't comfort her. Her best friend was dead. Her heart was shattered and it would never be whole again without MC.
GARRETH WEASLEY: What? No. Nonono. Not them. That's impossible. They couldn't be dead. They're too strong to be.... He's in denial all the way until the MC's memorial service at the end of year feast. Then he breaks down. A bit of his fire died with MC.
LEANDER PREWETT: He wasn't super close to them, but he was still quite fond of them. They were a real friend. He hopes they're at peace and raises a goblet in their honor.
AMIT THAKKAR: He feels cold and numb all at once when he hears the news that MC died in the attack. He'd grown to care about them. He cursed himself for not spending more time with them when they were around.
EVERETT CLOPTON: He and MC didn't talk much outside of flying class but he had liked them. It was a shame he didn't get to know them more. He doesn't feel like eating when the feast is presented.
POPPY SWEETING: She hadn't cried this much since she left her parents. She finally made a friend, and just like that, they were gone. She doesn't know if she could make another friend again if she wanted to. Was she just doomed to lose every human connection she made?
ELEAZAR FIG: He wholeheartedly and inconsolably blames himself. Even if this fate couldn't be avoided, why did they have to die so young? He can't stand to hear the words "ancient" and "magic" in the same sentence at the same time anymore. It sends him into a dissociative trauma spiral.
He finds MC's wand. It's snapped in the middle with bits of wood frayed outward like the very core of the wand exploded. The two pieces are held together by the slightest sliver of wood.
He retires from teaching at Hogwarts. He doesn't trust himself with the care of students anymore. He doesn't trust his own judgment. He's tortured every night by the survivor's guilt taunting him that he should have done more. He should have protected them. He shouldn't have let them go as far as they did. They weren't ready. They couldn't handle the power they were forced to control. It takes everything in him to not attempt to destroy the map room with the portraits of the Keepers. He just leaves.
But every once in a while... On quiet moonless nights.... When he sees MC's wand displayed with Miriam's, he hears a whisper. A quiet breathy whisper that he could swear on his life sounds like MC. He chalks it up to the fact that he could be going mad from grief, but it's still strikes him as strange... If he looked at the wand hard enough... He could swear he sees a blue glow...
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time-is-restored · 10 months
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do you guys every think abt death vs immortality as a thoroughline in like. literally all of the mechs albums.
old king cole is explicitly warped by immortality (never to forgive he would eternal live, his hands dyed red by gore - can be read a few ways depending on where u place the emphasis, but at the very least communicates that his wrath is facilitated By his immortality), and the olympians commit attrocities in order to hold onto their wealth and the immortality that it grants them (murdering arachne, yanking heracles' chain the second he tries to go freelance, having a monopoly on the acheron etc). the value they put on immortality and living forever, and the fear they have of ever possibly losing it, has completely warped their morals and priorities.
and while it comes up less in tbi, there's still significant emphasis placed on how odin has been in power for a century (both thor + the narrator bring it up, and there's also an emphasis on how long ago the bifrost project was started, and how 'no one left living' can explain its science). her villain monologue in rangarok iv places the extinction of asgard as an honour - a ruin that no one can possibly rebuild from is called 'apotheosis'. and as she says at the end, the idea that no one can possibly outlive her is a key draw for odin. asgard dies with her.
in hnoc, the only really immortal character is brian (and we only really know that bc of knowledge we get from outside the album), but the axis of life and death as a privilege vs a curse is still very present. 'mordred's gift to Arthur could be love in his own eyes / fating him alone to keep the life to which he clings', not only posits that the gift of survival isn't inherently good + kind (which the audience would immediately recognise as love, not possibly love), but places emphasis on the fact that arthur is now utterly alone. the station's death at the hands of mordred is hardly a happy one ('Its people damned, doomed by a man who's lost all his regrets'), but arthur's fate is arguably worse. severed from the finality and closure of death, what does he become? [insert that one cool theory abt hnoc arthur becoming old king cole here]
it's like. on a meta level, the reason we as fans don't put much emphasis on the depravity + cruelty of the mechs is bc the people portraying the mechs are all charismatic + skilled performers. in live gigs they're all portraying the fun side of their characters - roasting each other, bantering with the audience, making fun of the characters they're singing about, referencing off-screen violence - bc if they portrayed their lore too literally they'd be comitting felonies LMAOOO
but narratively, its like. literally every album is a meditation on the ways that the glorification of immortality can ruin civilisations - can ruin galaxies. whether its rooted in the fear of you specifically dying, or of being outlived, or overpowered or forgotten, or if its done for the sake of someone else's survival... it's all corrosive. if u refuse to accept the indisputable impermanence of life, you lose the ability to value it, and u numb urself to the reality of just how fucked up it is to cut another person's life short for any reason.
like. i do think some of the mechs started as good people, and some of them even might still have ethical standards, but i REALLY cannot stop thinking about how fucking. fascinating it is that this group of immortals who are KNOWN for basically considering nothing but how fun and/or violent any given activity will be, have basically filled their entire discography with songs about how their continued existence is corrosive and brings tragedy + ruin wherever they go.
so how self-aware are they? do you think those old morals + ethics still linger in their mind, when they're writing down these tragedies? they willingly self identify as liars + thieves + bastards, etc etc, and they seem to have no trouble identifying the 'bad guys' in the various albums (ie: humanising snow + cinders + rose, but not king cole), but do those concepts actually mean anything emotionally, or even theoretically, for them all beyond their dramatic potential? do they remember their lives before they were mechanised as it actually happened, or do they remember it as lyrics to a song? is it possible to be entirely self aware abt ur own capacity for violence (as jonny in paticular claims to be), if you no longer relate to violence as anything other than a narrative device - a means to an end, whether comedic or dramatic?
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uhdrienne · 4 months
Text
𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 (𝐱.𝐦𝐡 𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫)
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💌 feat: idol!minghao x non-celebrity!reader (angst, i almost cried planning this oneshot)
💌 summary: once a dream relationship with the love of your life, now doomed to fail because of the media, you can only hope that minghao will think of you again -- even if it's in your wildest dreams.
💌 word count: 3.25k words
a/n: inspired by taylor swift's 'wildest dreams', bolded and italic words signify the lyrics!
"He said let's get out of this town, drive out of the city, away from the crowds..."
You sing the lyrics softly, looking out of the car window.
"Ironic," Your boyfriend chuckles from next to you, eyes trained ahead as he drives on the never-ending road, winding into evermore. "Exactly what we're doing now."
You let out a laugh, leaning your head on the window as he raises your interlinked hands to press a kiss on the back of your hand. "That we are, dear."
The sunset winds into the distance and shines, just the way you like it, and you pull out your camera, letting go of Minghao's hand to snap photos, much to his dismay.
"Hey," He nudges you after you're done admiring the way the oranges and yellows twist and intertwine in all the right places, and holds his hand out again. "Hold."
You pat his cheek affectionately and take his hand.
Thirty minutes later, the same man offers you his arm to hoist you up onto the roof of the van, where he insisted was the most beautiful place on earth.
You lay your head on his shoulder and sigh in content.
The sunset could shine all it wanted, and be the largest and prettiest thing in the sky, but nothing would beat the man who was currently nestled into your side, arms snug around you and smiling with the awe and love of a lifetime.
The photo you take of you two is now framed in your shared house, and your phone next to the photo frame buzzes and lights up.
"Happy two years dear, I love you to the moon and back. Sorry I had to go back to the city, but I promise I'll make it up to you."
───✱.。:。✱.:。✧.。✰──────✱
"Nothing lasts forever... but this is gonna take me down..."
"What did you say?"
"I'm sorry."
"No, no, Hao, don't be sorry," you cajole. "We'll be okay. What did the company say?"
"They'll be releasing a statement." Minghao sounds half-frustrated, half sad as he paces around, you can hear his footsteps scuffing the floor. "They're trying to do damage control, but the media is already eating it up. People are spreading the photos and I just-- I'm sorry you have to go through this. I know we wanted to keep us private."
"It was going to come out at some point," You sigh. "We both knew that."
"But it shouldn't have happened this way." Minghao counters.
"I know," You murmur, "But don't think too much and worry. We'll be fine. I love you, and I'll see you tonight, okay?"
With the promise of seeing him and spending the night together, you hang up.
Two years is a lot, you tell yourself. He'll stick by you and you'll have the ending you always dreamed of with him.
But along with the consolation came a sense of dread. Were you convincing him or yourself?
───✱.。:。✱.:。✧.。✰──────✱
"I can see the end, as it begins, my one..condition..is…"
"Minghao?" Your voice is meek, so scared, soft and vulnerable.
Minghao hates the way the happiness in your voice has disappeared.
"Darling?"
"Th-there's reporters shouting outside," You say, clutching the phone tight as if you could gain comfort from it. "Lots of them with cameras. They... I think you might have been followed home last night. They probably waited for you to leave."
"Shit," he curses. "Wait for me, I'll be right there."
"No!" Your voice cuts through. "You can't. Y-you'll be ambushed. I know how scary the paparazzi can get. I just--"
"Baby," He says, tears welling up in his eyes, because you’re right. He would be torn to shreds. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, a million times over. You don't deserve any of this, I-"
"No more of that," You whisper, and he goes quiet. "I love you. All I need is you. If this is what we must go through for me to be with you... so be it."
"I love you," he chokes out through a haze of tears and anguish. "I love you so, so, much, you have no idea."
"I love you too, Hao," You reply, and say that you'll hide out for a while so they'll leave before hanging up.
Minghao slumps down and cries like he's never cried before.
───✱.。:。✱.:。✧.。✰──────✱
"I said, "No one has to know what we do", his hands are in my hair, his clothes are in my room...And his voice is a familiar sound..."
"Baby!" He races to you, sitting in the living room, still slightly shaken. He engulfs you in a hug. "I'm so sorry, I'll be sorry for the rest of my life..."
"It wasn't your fault," You reply softly, pulling back to cup his face, drawn and blotchy with tears. "Love you lots."
He wipes at your eyes, slightly swollen with your tears, ears still ringing with the shouts and camera clicks, eyes still seeing stars with the flashes as you stepped out to threaten calling the police.
"I love you," He weeps, clutching at the material of your clothes. "Why can't I just love you without other people getting involved?"
And you don't have an answer to that, so you just pull him in and press your mouth to his. It's salty with his tears, and he's shaking, but he hugs you tight, grip firm and unwavering.
He whispers promises into your skin, swears to every higher being that he'll keep you safe, promises that he'll love you for the rest of his life, and no one could keep him away from you, you both were too strong together for that. He tells you things will get better, they have to.
You believe him as you come undone, the tears staining the sheets beneath you.
───✱.。:。✱.:。✧.。✰──────✱
"And when we've had our very last kiss...my last request...is.."
From that day on, everything changes, as much as you both vow to prevent it from happening.
Kisses are still shared, and movies are watched. His arms wind around you as you go to sleep, but those events are few and far between as he shuttles between you and the city, fulfilling his career.
When he comes home, he's either too tired to do anything, and you're not exactly inclined to ruin the one moment of peace he finally has for him.
What used to be a sanctuary of love and laughter and life, is now just an empty shell. Two people cohabiting in a desperate attempt to keep the flame kindled, huddling together for warmth.
You can feel it, and you know he can, too.
Things haven't gotten easier like he claimed. Your love hasn't dwindled one bit, but the media has only gotten more ferocious, even now hounding your workplace and regular haunts. You're practically confined within the walls of your home, either alone or with Minghao.
No more sunset dates. No more shared giggles under a blanket fort, no more pillow fights as he tackles you. No more late-afternoon cuddles as thin sunlight slants into the room. No more midnight instant noodle sessions. No more of anything. Silence overtakes, and the days drag by.
You know it's bubbling, the frustration, the anger at the media and at the world for being absolute busybodies, at Minghao (you don't know why), and at yourself.
And it's only a matter of time before it boils over.
───✱.。:。✱.:。✧.。✰──────✱
You explode in the worst way possible.
It starts when Minghao comes home, looking even more tired than usual. You don’t even look up to greet him anymore as he trudges into the room, simply humming in acknowledgement. The spark in your eyes long gone, your smile feigned.
Perhaps those were the tell-tale signs of a relationship long gone. The spark wasn’t there. None of the previous joy you felt when he came home was there.
Were you falling out of love with him? ..No, that couldn’t be it. You knew you loved him for years, ever since you set eyes on him at an art museum, and you would always love him. Now, you just felt nothing but sadness when you saw him. If it wasn’t love, you would have only felt indifference.
None of you spoke about the reporters. It was like they didn't exist, only you knew it was the opposite, with them clamouring outside, with no reprieve. It was to the point where you had to lock every door and window for fear they would break in. Yet, both of you avoided the topic like a taboo, while it loomed over your bond like a dark cloud.
You came to the conclusion that it wasn’t that you wanted this relationship to end, it was more like… you just knew it would.
What you had with Minghao would not end well. It would only end.
“Hey,” He speaks for the first time since coming home. “How was your day?”
“Nothing much,” You reply, and the kitchen goes silent.
He knew your day was nothing much. He knew why it was nothing much too. You couldn’t even go out without being mobbed by shouting reporters and blinding cameras. How well could your day have went?
“Dinner?” You ask, and he shrugs. “Sure.”
It was sad, really, you note, how quickly a conversation could end. So pitiful that a couple of over two years, who always never had enough to say to each other, had nothing to say now.
You finish dinner in silence, only the clinking of cutlery to fill in the vacancy of your voices.
After dinner he walks to the living room and you to your phone. You open up the three messages that have appeared to view them, but let out a shriek and throw your phone on the couch next to Minghao.
He raises his eyebrows at you in confusion and picks your phone up when you look back at him, eyes wide in panic.
His eyes widen the same way when he sees the graphic content of the message, the threat of the malicious sender reverberating through his mind.
“This— you…” He trails off.
“Is-is that a knife?!” You yelp. “This person just sent me a photo of a knife and threatened to kill me!”
“Baby, wait—” Minghao gets up and reaches for you, but you shrink back. “D-don’t.”
His jaw tightens as he registers the fact that you’re afraid of him. That a devil hiding behind a screen was enough to scare you away from him, the person who loved you to the ends of the earth.
“Okay.” He steps back. “Please…don’t be scared of me. I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Not you,” was your only whisper.
He furrows his eyebrows. “What?”
“Not you,” You speak up, slightly louder than before. “Just… the fact that the rumour is out, the media at our door… we no longer have anything to say to each other… it hurts me beyond what you know.”
“I’m trying, love,” Minghao says, quietly.
“I know you are,” You reply. “Like I said, it’s not your fault.”
“But you’re hurt,” Minghao protests. “I’m hurt too, you know? I can’t even bring you out, let you live a normal life and be with you as I want. It’s not fair to me, either.”
“Nothing was fair from the moment the articles broke,” You reply softly, tears coming to your eyes. “That what we have is seen like…a mistake. A sin. That you, just loving someone, is the greatest wrongdoing. That reporters found the need to stay at our door just for pictures of us. That someone found the need to threaten to kill me.”
“That’s not fair,” Minghao protests again, tears welling up too. “You’re not the only one suffering here. I am too! My career, my relationship, all of that shoved into the limelight. Do you know what that feels like?”
“I don’t,” You answer. “I know I will never fully understand your situation. All I’m asking is…can’t we just—”
“Pretend nothing happened? Go on with this?” Minghao’s voice cracks. “You don’t want that. You do not. We can’t.”
“Why not?” You ask.
“Because nothing will ever be the same! Nothing we do can let us go back to before. You are hurt and stuck here, I am done for, we are now shackled here—”
“Shackled?” You ask quietly. “Is this what it is?”
“No, I—”
“I think I’ve known for a while,” You say. “That it’s not ‘if’ we will end, it’s when we will.”
“W-What?”
“There isn’t anything there anymore, Hao,” You throw your hands up. “Hell, we don’t even have anything to say to each other!”
“What can I say?! That my career is half ruined, my relationship dying away, my fans threatening to end us both?!”
You turn away, wiping the tears off your cheeks. “You should go, Minghao. I...I don’t want to keep you here if you don’t want to be. I'm so sorry...”
"Why won't you fight for us?" His voice is a deathly whisper.
"What?"
"Why... I know it's hard but... why-why are you giving up?"
"Giving up...?"
"You gave up on us." He breaks into a sob. "We don't talk because every time I look at you, I can't help but keep thinking about how much better your life could have been. You could go on sunset drives whenever you want. You could have spent night after night in blanket forts without a care in the damn world, without worrying that one day someone's going to break the door down and do something to you. You-"
"Thinking like that was always meaningless without you, Hao," You let out a humourless laugh. "All I wanted to do those things with was you."
"We can still do it all," He says, striding towards you. "I told you. I won't leave you."
"But you have to." You murmur back. "I've seen the reports. You're one of the highest-rising stars now. You're worlds away from where I am. And just being me, being bombarded with attention like this, attention I don't want, day in and day out, it... it suffocates me."
"So that's it?" He asks dejectedly. "You don't want me anymore?"
"I do want you, it's all I want," You try to gesture, try to tell him what you mean, but he shakes his head.
"You used to say that with so much life. Now... it's like a stranger telling me that." You look at him, eyes pleading, tears spilling over.
He takes a step back, eyes scanning you like it's the last time he'll see you. "I'm so, so sorry I put you through this. I-I'll go. I'll go now."
He comes forward and cups your face. He leans in, and kisses your forehead. The delicate action and gentleness of it all, combined with the salty tang of his tears, makes you tear up again.
“Say you remember me, standing in a nice dress, staring at the sunset, babe…”
You register the front door closing behind him. He’s gone, and God knows if he’ll ever return.
That night, you turn off the lights, make sure the windows are closed, but you leave the wooden door unlocked. You never locked it when he hadn’t come back.
You tuck yourself in, the way you like it, the way Minghao does it, and fall into a fitful sleep, the last words you uttered to each other ringing in your head.
When you wake up the next morning, Minghao hasn’t come back.
Something just tells you he won’t return this time.
───✱.。:。✱.:。✧.。✰──────✱
“Red lips and rosy cheeks, say you’ll see me again…” The tinny sound from the aged record player plays, prompting you to hum along to the tune.
“XU MINGHAO, singer, makes record-breaking return to the stage, set to perform...”
“Three years on — where is XU MINGHAO’s mysterious ex-partner now?”
“Woman spotted outside his apartment — liar or lover?”
You close the papers.
You smile. He’s on top of the world, just like he dreamed.
And you… you were just here. Alone, but moderately content, and at peace.
The media had left you alone from the third week that Minghao didn’t return. They probably deemed you less newsworthy, you muse, as you pour yourself another cup of coffee.
You sip coffee as you sift through your mail. You pick up an envelope, and smile at your friend’s invitation to an awards ceremony. Knowing that you were a fan of one of the performing ballad singers, she, as part of the management team, had taken it upon herself to secure you a ticket.
You get up and stretch. It was time to go to the city.
───✱.。:。✱.:。✧.。✰──────✱
"And now, winning the most prestigious award of the night, the Artist of the Year..." The announcer smiles, stage makeup bold and sparkling against the lights. She steals a look at the card in her hand, takes a deep breath.
"Xu Minghao!"
Your hand flies to your mouth as the big screen shows his face, smiling as he waves, bows, and walks to the stage. You don't look out of place, as just about every fangirl is doing the same. Tears come to your eyes and you blink them away.
He's just as dashing as ever. Decked in a smart suit and jacket to match, with small, sleek hoops in his ears, and lips curved in a charming smile, he accepts the award and addresses the crowd.
"I...I'm beyond honoured to stand here today," His eyes dart about, trying to capture every pair of eyes from his vision. "You know I owe just about everything to my fans, new and old, my family, and my friends who've been with me through everything."
He visibly swallows. "And there's one more person, one really, really special person I want to thank."
He stretches out his hand and smiles as if beckoning to someone, and a beautiful lady hesitantly steps up, dressed in a gorgeous champagne-coloured gown, soft curls in her hair, a bounce in her step.
"She saw me through the darkest period of my life," He says, clutching onto the lady's hand like a lifeline. "From strangers to friends, from friends to lovers, I want her to know she's my day one."
The cameras and fans go wild, everyone clamouring to get a better glimpse as the woman smiles at him, full of adoration like he once used to look at you, and they share an embrace on the stage, the host cutting in to sing praises of the newly hard-launched couple.
Meanwhile, you sit, rooted to your place, as you watch them. But it isn't overwhelming sadness that engulfs you. It isn't any form of bitterness or resentment. The sweet tang of pride, that he can now freely love, and gratitude, that his new love was doing what you failed to, rests on your tongue.
You rise to your feet. As you're in a row closer to the front, it isn't hard to get out. As you walk towards the exit, you glance back one last time, only to have shock rain down on you as he locks eyes with you from the stage.
The shock dies away swiftly, only to be replaced by soft joy. You smile slightly and nod at him once, with nothing but sincerity in your eyes, and watch the relief sag on his shoulders as he smiles and nods back. Even with no words shared, he knows you've both found your ending.
"Even if it's just in your wildest dreams, ah, huh..."
───✱.。:。✱.:。✧.。✰──────✱
writer's note:
first ever oneshot and this was...sad? but also i wrote this in one day and almost decided not to publish it because it was so rough lol
but please enjoy! any feedback and interactions are welcome :> thank you for reading!!
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wolfiesmoon · 5 months
Text
The wrong guy
teacher!Nanami x teacher!reader
so i started watching the kdrama "a good day to be a dog" recently and the ml makes me think of nanami so much it's not even funny. this fic is based on the plot!!
Warnings: drinking (but its wholesome dw), gojo
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It's been about 5 months since your last breakup. You didn't really care for that ex, if you're honest. He immediately dumped you after you told him that kissing is off the table.
You could say that you are a bit unlucky when it comes to relationships and that's mostly because of that dastardly curse.
For as long as you can remember, your mom has been warning you to never ever let someone kiss you and to never kiss anyone, ever.
Otherwise you would end up like your cousin, doomed to live as a dog for the rest of his now shortened life.
It's his fault he got drunk and kissed a random girl, couldn't track her down in 100 days and didn't break the curse. But it was a pretty scary reminder of your family's curse.
Life moves on without waiting for you and there's no time to worry about your unfortunate love life in this society.
Today is another completely normal day at work. You walk to the school, greeting students along the way. The kids look awfully excited to go to school when it isn't exam season.
Youth must be fun. Especially sneaking around with your high school sweetheart.
While walking to your classroom, you run into your favourite co-worker, Gojo Satoru.
"Good morning!" He greets you smoothly, flashing you that perfect smile of his. You greet him back, always excited to see him.
"Are you free tonight? Because me and some other teachers are going drinking. Wanna come?" He asked you, and you nodded immediately. Of course you're going drinking with Gojo (and company). You could never refuse!
"Great! I'll send you the adress!" He waved you bye with a cheeky smile, going in his classroom to do homeroom.
Oh, right, you should probably be getting to that too. You can't set a bad example for your class by being late to homeroom.
You walk past the classroom where Nanami teaches and you have no idea why, but you stopped in your tracks to look at him a little.
You're not sure why, but he doesn't seem to like you at all. He always seems a bit distant and uncomfortable around you.
It kind of makes you sad. And it doesn't help at all that you constantly have to read notes about how hot he is after you confiscate them from your students.
What is up with this school and attractive teachers, anyways? Your students just barely got over Gojo and now they're thirsting over Nanami. Not that you can blame them.
You continue on, opening the door to your classroom. "Good morning!"
"Good morning, teacher!" The students shout back.
.
When you get to the meeting spot, Shoko is already waiting there. She greets you calmly.
"Hi. Uhhh..." you don't know where to go from here. It's kind of awkward just standing around and waiting for the others to arrive.
"You like Satoru, don't you?" Shoko asks suddenly, smiling at you.
"Huh?! How did you know?!"
"It's... obvious. But today's your chance. He's in a good mood when he gets drunk, you could attempt something." Shoko raised her brows.
Well, there isn't much to attempt if you can't kiss. Will a kiss-less confession work?
"Hello~" Gojo interrupted you just as you were about to answer Shoko and you jumped a little in surprise.
Nanami was standing next to him. Oh, so he invited him, too... You have a feeling this is going to get a little awkward.
While the lot of you headed to the bar, Shoko walked next to Gojo, talking to him about various things you didn't really care about.
That meant you were walking next to Nanami... in painfully awkward silence. Yikes.
"How was your day?" You asked with a painfully forced smile.
"It was fine." He answered simply, not even trying to continue the conversation. Right, you should just be quiet.
There's no use in getting buddy buddy with Nanami.
.
"Let's dig in!" Gojo grabbed the meat happily while Shoko and Nanami both immediately grabbed the bottle.
Eager to drink, aren't they...
Shoko nudged you gently. "Just wait till he gets drunk and then go in for the kiss. He likes them bold." She whispered.
You smiled and nodded awkwardly, unable to tell her why that's impossible for you.
You had loads of fun from there on out and all of you got atleast a little drunk. Turns out Shoko is more of a party animal than she lets on. Maybe you were wrong, this little get-together isn't awkward at all!
"I need some air, excuse me." Nanami bowed slightly, getting up and walking outside. Still as monotone and polite as ever when drunk, you suppose.
After about 10 minutes, Gojo's phone rang and he drunkenly excused himself to answer the call. If you weren't drunk as hell too, you would be worried about how the call will go. I mean, I doubt a professional call can go well when the other person keeps giggling and talking nonsense.
"Just goooo for itttt~" Shoko encouraged you after Gojo left your fields of vision, drunk out of her mind. To be fair, you weren't any less drunk right now, so you weren't thinking straight at all. You got up and ran off after Gojo. Who cares about a stupid phone call, you've got a man to kiss!
And there he is, on the corner behind the bar! You'd recognise that greyish blue jacket from a mile away! You cling onto him, giggling happily and he seems to call out to you.
"I love youuuu...." you slurred out, squinting your eyes at his face. Man, it's hard to see his face in the dark and with blurry vision to boot. No matter, you still know the general area of the lips.
"I wanna date youuuu.... and you should be my boyfriendddd..." you grabbed his cheeks and faintly heard his voice again. You can't make out anything he's saying right now. It's like a weird trance that your drunken determination put you in.
You pressed your lips to his, sighing. It's a weird feeling for sure, but not all that bad! Ahhh, this all feels like a dream! After a long long time, you finally got to kiss someone. And it's Gojo Satoru no less!
"What the f.... Nanamin?!"
Wait.
A shiver ran all the way from your toes to the top of your head. You looked at the direction of the voice. It's.... Gojo?! That's definitely Gojo, standing to your right and looking really surprised. But, then...
You looked back at the person who's cheeks you're currently holding to find... brown eyes staring at you. No way.
Now that you think about it, both Gojo and Nanami are wearing a greyish blue jacket. Oh no... Oh no no no no.
You sobered up almost instantly which was an out of body experience, one that you've never experienced before. Not only did you kiss the wrong guy in your drunken state, the curse also completely slipped your mind. Is it almost midnight already?! How are you going to explain this tommorow?! Why did it have to be Nanami?!
There's no time to panic, you have to get OUT OF HERE. STAT.
"I am so so so sorry!" you gently push Nanami away, running off and accidentally pushing Gojo slightly which made him stumble.
"Wait, why are you leaving already?!" Gojo called out after you but you ignored him. You have to get home to your family. Then you're safe. All you have to do is make it there before midnight or you'll turn into a dog.
Oh jeez... this innocent night which was supposed to go your way ended up becoming a nightmare.
Now you have to get Nanami of all people to kiss you while you're a freaking dog.
Still, kissing him didn't feel all that bad...
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crepesuzette2023 · 5 months
Note
I know this is a broad question, but if you had to pick, what is the most angsty Mclennon fic you’ve read so far ? You have some amazing recommendations and I’m looking to hurt my own feelings lol
Hi st-john!
Thank you for the ask! This made me think about some of my angsty forever-faves in general, sorted from subtle to savage. (Under the cut.)
If you want to skip straight (do we use this word around here?!) to the fics I personally find the most angsty: they're at the bottom of this post. I also included some dark/angsty stories here, but I didn't want to repeat any recommendations.
Your ask helped me understand what it is I find the most angst-filled in mclennon, so thank you for that. I was surprised to see so many canon-adjacent stories on my list, and I think it shows that, to me, the most potent angst doesn't come from outside threat but from their minds, as evidenced by events that actually happened. The two of them being scared of (and turned on by) the big fat x they mark on their shared psychosexual map is one of the most attractive aspects of mclennon for me—followed by the two of them taking x for granted, and being permanently damaged once they realize they lost it forever. I also like stories that show their mutual resentment, even as they're into each other (sometimes literally). Anyway, under the cut are some of my favorite angsty fics in three handy categories:
1.) Carry That Weight/Love is Strange: Their relationship is deep and doomed and addictive. These stories are all set during the Beatle-years. I'M GONNA HAUNT YOU (sexysadie): 1968. John and Paul talk about women, but really, they talk about each other. A brief story about longing in the absence of hope. WALKING CLOSE AT HAND (harmonising): John and Paul as pair of broken mirrors, haunted by death in all things. Their love as beautiful magic-turned-curse. LET ME ROLL IT (@downtothe-lastdrop): The 1968 NYC Apple Launch Divorcemoon from Paul's POV. Lively and detailed, and drenched in what it must feel like to drown in unspoken words. I THINK OF THINGS WE DID (J_deandra_j): 1965. John and Paul fuck in Austria during the filming of Help! There is something intangibly upsetting about this story: anger and frustration; lust and sex with little room for softness—but it's so good and real and raw while it lasts. This one is impossible to forget! John POV. HOW YOU WERE DIVERTED (candle_beck): Paul handles John. This is about sex as one of the things that is "just them"—an urgent and rough emergency intervention. 2.) Tributes to the Canonical Breakup. To me, the break-up is an angst-filled nightmare. Not to mention the looming day of John's murder. I love stories that explore the break-up and its aftermath with compassion. And, as painful as it is, I especially love stories that make me feel that the love was there, always (even though it wasn't enough). THROW THE WINE (@savageandwise). This one is such a classic I imagine everyone must have read it, but I can't not mention it. It was one of the first fics I read—arrow through me, and such. The more painful it gets, the more it slows down. That takes courage. YOU'RE A DREAM LOVER (@dailyhowl). John and Paul share dreams and love each other in their dreams—gloriously so—but in the end, the dream is over. The most brutal aspect of this one is seeing Paul in the end, alone. I STILL MISS SOMEONE & CLOSE THE DOOR LIGHTLY WHEN YOU GO (RosalindBeatrice). Paul and John become lovers in the 70's, but their encounters are few and far between—and in the end, darkness falls. But there's also the mercy of honesty, tears, and, yes: sex. Beautifully melancholy story about the vast distance between bright stars. ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK (@backbenttulips). Apologies to the writer in case my "angsty" reading of this one misses the mark! Above all, this is a hot hot hot story about John and Paul hooking up in Bangkok and fucking every which way, remembering the past and seizing the present. But it's also a story about a relationship that no longer exists: their musical partnership. They destroyed the one place where their love had a home. Now, faraway hotel rooms will have to do—and there are no goodbyes or plans for a next time. (I must repeat how hot this is though.)
3.) "A day may come when the courage of Men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day."—Except it's exactly this day. Deep pain and sadness: the break-up is final; no one was saved. [Writers mentioned here: this is meant as a compliment. All of these stories are so good. It's not for nothing that I was never able to forget some lines from these stories, even though I read them very early on.]
HEAR ME, MY LOVER by @savageandwise. (Unfinished, but feels finished.) At the time the Beatles break up, Paul attempts to kill himself. He lives, but much else is destroyed. No one is wrong or right—their love and fracturing cut all possible ways. I read this as a literal translation of what the loss of the band (and John) meant for Paul, for a while.
FOUR LAST SONGS by @celebratorypenguin. This AU (four parts) explores what would have happened to the Beatles if John hadn't been the one to die first. Sentences from this one still live in my brain. The story is both sweeping and deep, and covers the POV of all four Beatles. Its truly an alternate history of the band, and it's very sad. But so, so beautiful, too.
Bonus Materials: John and Paul never became John&Paul. Everyone comes at this differently, but to me, the idea of them meeting, and falling in love, and turning away from it, is as angst-filled as the worst of the the break-up. That's why I think these two are among the best, most courageous, but also most angst-filled, of all mclennon fics: ALL THE BOYS ARE SINGING LOVE SONGS. (@dailyhowl): Paul settles down with Dot and they start a family. He and John meet again, and the spark is still there, but after a night together, the fear of starting over is greater. This magnificently written story fucked me up, and I've yet to pick up the courage to read it a second time. To quote the writer: this is a story about "the angst of living in the prison of society-approved masculinity." Yes. "Happy ending seekers need not apply." That is fair. As a happy ending seeker, I comfort my tender shipper's heart with the exhilarating fact that the real John and Paul did, in fact, become lovers become famous with the Beatles and formed a close musical partnership. THERE ARE ALWAYS FLOWERS (tarenas). This is a story I mentioned in my overall favorites post, and it's not, strictly speaking, all angst (to quote the writer: "this is about being sad and middle-aged, but it's also about being so happy and middle-aged!") It's not even J/P: it's mostly Paul/George, and their relationship is beautiful and real. Still, as a reader I was aching for the other life that could have been, and that is woven through the events of this story with incredible artistry: the Beatles, which everyone misses without knowing why. The great love between John and Paul that ended when John chose someone else. This is the magic of RPF: reality is the shadow event included for free. (Unfinished, with have all four n on-Beatles POV's. So far: George and Ringo.)
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portsandstars · 2 months
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Very spur of the moment predictions before RSS might drop more of these graphs :3
Thought process below!
Kuras: ok, I feel like kuras is the biggest heavy hitter stat wise. Given that he's literally an angel, my guess is that he is very very strong. He also is hundreds of years old and is experienced with healing and .. politics? Certainly knowledge about Eridia. That means that he gets high wisdom too. Moderate useless facts because I'm sure that he's picked up plenty of info during his years in the mortal realm, but he also doesn't care about a lot of things so it can't be higher. Self loathing to the max bc he either hates what he did to get him trapped on Earth, or hates that he got caught. Obviously things didn't go according to plan for him, so luck is moderate.
Vere: he's a bit harder bc he's chained, so that limits him. I debated putting his strength at a three, as he's pretty limited, but he's also a very impressive killer - possibly more so than a regular "human" killer- or else the Senobium wouldn't find him as useful. He's afraid of Kuras's true form, and so to me that says he's weaker. Despite all of his teasing and jokes, he knows a lot of things and has a good read on the world, so his wisdom should be pretty high imo. Useless facts are moderate because he has very narrow things that he enjoys learning about (sex, music, tea..). He loves himself but I also think bitterly rues the day that he was caught, so moderate self loathing. He strikes me as fairly lucky inherently- he just pushes things further and further because of his personality, which overwhelms his natural luck.
Ais: TBH I feel like vere and Ais are comparable strength, and Ais and Leander are comparable strength, so .. they all end up at 4?^^; as they're all weaker than Kuras but stronger than Mhin. For luck- it's honestly a gamble about whether Ais made a huge mistake and doomed his gang (unlucky) OR - Sacrificed them somehow, landed a deal with a God, and now has a lot of cult followers(more lucky). Wisdom- pretty low. Ais seems to have some intuition but seems more focused on fighting first and asking questions later. Self loathing is low-i feel like he's accepted himself and the choices he's made, though in the past he may have deeply regretted them. Facts- he finds it endearing when others tell him about facts, but doesn't care about them himself and even when others tell him, he enjoys how animated they get, rather than the actual facts.
Leander: without his magic, I'd place his strength at a three. But given that his magic allows him to withstand MC's curse (and make flowers !!woot) it brings his strength up to a four^^. I feel like he is SO LUCKY because 1) he was born into wealth and power, and got a good education 2) due to his scars and rebirth icons, may have survived death, which is prettty lucky if you ask me. Wisdom- he has a good sense of how people think and act, but not that much wisdom past that. Self loathing- I think Leander thinks he's hot shit LOL Useless facts - Leander strikes me as the type of person who's always remembering details other people tell him (and seeking out more info) so that he can form connections, get to know people and get more power. He's also formally educated and probably had rich people tutoring growing up. So, useless facts is pretty high!
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hermitcraftheadcanons · 3 months
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(Dont know if I should put this here, but I figured I might as well. Spoilers for The Owl House ahead! Beware!!)
I dunno why, but I had a thought... I was watching The Owl House recently and I saw one of the last eps of Season 1 where Eda goes into her cursed owl form and loses her magic. The whole scene where her eyes slowly go black and its all creepy and angsty and stuff?
Anyway, here's my thought: Ren was originally a plain old human. But then when he was young, he was cursed by someone/something (probably cuz he got into a sticky situation and did something stupid), and he is doomed to slowly lose himself and his humanity until he is permanently transformed into a massive wolf-like beast, one that is violent and powerful. He has to keep his human form by regularly taking a special potion, and if he doesnt have it he'll transform into the beast.
However, during the past couple seasons or so, his curse has been worsening. His human ears have been replaced with a wolves, his teeth and nails have sharpened, his cravings for fresh (especially raw) meat have gone through the roof. But most importantly, the amount of potions he needs to keep his cursed form at bay is increasing, and they're starting to be less and less effective.
But he can't let the Hermits know. He can't bear to tell them that he doesn't know how much time he has left. He loves them so much, too much to ever do that.
He just hopes that nobody has to see him as the beast...
This is the oldest ask in the inbox, from June 2021.
Poor Ren... i wonder if anyone notices, before it's too late. With every hermit there's sure to be someone who can help, even if just a little.... there are strong magics out there. It'll never go away completely, curses like that rarely do, but learning to coexist with the beast could be possible.
-Mod Mleem
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getawayfox · 11 months
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Do you have favorite Drarry tropes :)?
Hi Anon! Thank you for sending this ask and giving me an excuse to make another self-indulgent rec list. It was so much fun - mainly because I haven’t been reading much in the last few weeks, so revisiting my favourites for this has been an absolute blast. 
I’m a soft bean and while I will read and enjoy angsty tropes on occasion, you’ll more likely find me searching for wholesome stories. And smut. So, here is a handful of favourites for my most sought-after tropes. I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as I do!
👬 Established relationship
Dragon by @lqtraintracks (M, 356 words) Things get interesting when your husband's Patronus is a Romanian Ridgeback.
It Is I Who Will Surely Expire by @tepre (T, 1k)
I call this: Draco Malfoy is super awake at 3AM staring at the ceiling going over dramatic doom scenarios (while Harry drools on his chest)
Through the Window, Clear Skies by @tackytigerfic (M, 1.4k)
What would happen if Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy moved in together, too soon after they started kissing and then fucking and not hating each other anymore? Will Draco insist on a wine rack? Or: Domestic Drarry with a bare hint of angst.
acts of service by @oknowkiss (E, 5.6k)
Harry's sick, and Draco just wants to take care of him, but they're two idiots in love, so it couldn't possibly be that easy.
✨Bonus: this piece by @bluebutter-art
🤍 Found family
Take the Moon by @tackytigerfic (M, 15k)
Harry Potter has always wanted a family of his own, and when a deadly blood curse forces him into a marriage bond with his best friend Draco Malfoy, it looks like he might just have found one. Living with Draco (biscuit-lover, no work/life balance, good hair) and his son Scorpius (also biscuit-lover, colour-codes his bricks, proud bearer of plastic swan-shaped garden ornament) gives Harry the routine and companionship he’s always craved. There’s also the matter of the really great sex (because what’s a marriage of convenience without a little fun, after all?) It's just a shame they’d always planned to break up after a year… This isn't the story of the marriage. This is the story of two hurt and damaged men who learned how hard they could work for the sake of love.
Beneath the Wave by @moonflower-rose (M, 30k)
Harry is done with a life in the spotlight. No more adventures, no more mortal peril. He wants a quiet life of food and friends, and family. He even manages to have it for a while, until suddenly there are giant rabbits that need ferrying to a mysterious island, and a handsome Draco Malfoy, and Harry's right back in the middle of the action again, despite his best efforts.
Pages of You by @wolfpants (E, 101k)
Summer, 1980. Harry is floating between university and becoming a Real Certified Adult. He's not ready. He really isn't. In a desperate attempt to have the Best Last Summer ever, he takes a casual job at his godfather's bookshop in London, starts an illicit pen pal affair with a wordy posh boy that he's catching feelings for, all while dealing with the son of Sirius's business rival, one Draco Malfoy, insufferable know-it-all extraordinaire. A story about trying to figure out who you are, where you're going in life, and who you want to take along with you.
Make This Leap by @oflights (M, 118k)
Harry owns a struggling restaurant which is running out of money, and his Head Chef has just handed in notice. He's at a bit of a loss as to what to do until Narcissa Malfoy presents an obvious solution: bring in Draco Malfoy as Chef and part owner. Harry does.
✨Bonus: more art by @bluebutter-art
🍋 Smut with feelings
First Times by @fw00shy (E, 1.5k)
Their first time is in the loo.
Your Breath, My Lungs by @wolfpants (E, 1.7k)
I try not to think of the years we have behind us. School was a lost cause, it was always going to be a lost cause, but in the time since—Eighth Year, all of us cautiously coming together the way we had, how we all ended up, how we are now, nine years later, friends and loved ones and infinitely intertwined—I can’t help but worry if it’s too late for us. Maybe I’ve waited too long to tell him how I feel. - During a friend's engagement party, Harry finally tells Draco how he feels about him.
Flip/Fuck by @shealwaysreads (E, 1.8k)
Switch: to give up (something) and take something else in return
The Night of the Fireworks by @corvuscrowned (E, 6.3)
It isn't easy keeping a relationship a secret, especially when it's so new. So if Harry and Draco can find a moment to sneak off for some alone time, they're going to take it - even if it happens to be during Ginny and Luna's wedding party.
✨Bonus: Cake by the Ocean by @bluebutter-art (E, art)
On Harry's 42nd birthday, Draco treats him to a romantic getaway at the Malfoy's private beach in Sicily.
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crossdressingdeath · 7 months
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Narrator: *For the first time in over a century, silence falls over the Bhaal Temple. No chants, no screams, no prayers.* Narrator: *In the end, your own death brought you more joy than any you wrought on this land. You are slipping into peaceful oblivion.* Narrator: *But your journey is not over.* Withers: Thou hast defied Bhaal, thy liege and father, and in doing so hast earned a place among champions and heroes. Withers: But, alas, thy courage was in opposition to the divine cosmology that bound thee to the Lord of Murder. Withers: Thou art now faithless - godless - and doomed to wander the Fugue Plane for eternity. Withers: I will not permit that, though all the powers of life and death dictate that it should be so. Withers: I, too, still hold some power, and I invest a portion of it in thee, who hath challenged the gods and now liveth to tell of it. Withers: Thy fight is not over, and it is thy fight, for one who can look upon Bhaal and oppose him can survive any crisis. Withers: So rise, Challenger of Gods, and prepare for battle once more. Death will not claim thee whilst I endure.
Not gonna lie: this sounds like whether or not Durge was immortal before, they sure as hell are now. I mean, "Death will not claim thee whilst I endure"? Sounds to me like they aren't going to be dying any time soon. Durge's relationship with death has been upgraded from "I'll have to ask my dad (he says no)" to "I'll have to ask my granddad (he says absolutely not under any circumstances)." Benefits (or curse) of coming from a family of death gods, I guess.
I love the imagery of a hush falling over the temple as all of this is happening. Like... based on Withers's dialogue this shouldn't be happening. Durge shouldn't be defying their father and Withers definitely shouldn't be bringing them back afterwards. From the moment Durge says no everything's gone off-script. It's also interesting that Withers says Durge defying Bhaal is in opposition to divine cosmology; keeping in mind I haven't played the first two games, I get the sense that while Bhaalspawn defying Bhaal isn't the norm it's not all that unheard of. There are two whole games about Bhaalspawn doing exactly that, actually. Then again Durge's situation is unique; possibly it's something like... as they were made from Bhaal's own gore Durge literally shouldn't be able to refuse him like that, which raises some fun questions about their life pre-amnesia. The suggestion that Durge kind of broke cosmology in defying Bhaal is very good and I'd love more details on that.
The suggestion that Durge is now entirely without a god to claim their soul on their death and will wander the Fugue Plane for eternity now that Bhaal doesn't want them is very interesting, considering that you can be a cleric and so bound to a god other than Bhaal (unless the dialogue is different under those circumstances). I guess Bhaal took priority as their father and maybe since Durge died as a direct result of him abandoning them no one else had the chance to stake a claim? But if this is just the way of things for them now and their soul can't be claimed by a god that's. not good. But then again I guess technically Jergal has it. It's fine! I really like him walking into this situation and saying "No, they don't deserve this and they're too important to this fight, I'm not letting them die like this (or at all)."
Based on what Bhaal says prior to this Durge dies less because he directly killed them and more because his divine essence was their life force, so when he ripped it out of them they had nothing to keep them going? So then what Withers is doing seems to be replacing that portion of Bhaal's divine essence with his own, giving Durge a new life force in the process (hence why they'll now endure as long as he does, since presumably if he dies that new life force will die with him). Durge may or may not thank him for that (that bit about Durge's death bringing them more joy than any they've caused hits hard, and even harder when you consider that the deaths they've caused include Ketheric and Orin and potentially include people who hurt their companions like Cazador, Gortash, Viconia...), but it seems like the divine equivalent of a heart transplant or something similar.
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jamesdeniscouldnever · 8 months
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Wyll x injured!Tav headcanons because I'm weak for mister doomed by the narrative. Also because while I LOVE all our problematic babes, Wyll is the closest to what I would want in a real relationship.
⚔️Wyll⚔️ x Injured! Tav
So you know how Wyll admits he literally wants a love like in bard songs and love stories?
Expect him to have the same kind of reaction to injuries that people in such would have.
So, of course, the moment he sees the blade of an enemy pierce what he believes is Tav's chest, he lets out the most pained, strangled cry.
If there are any remaining enemies, he'll drop them within seconds or straight up leave the others in the group to deal with them before making a mad dash for Tav.
Trembling hands. whispers of sorrow, self-blaming, and curses pass through his lips like a cursed prayer to Mizora herself.
When he sees all the blood he does his best to stay calm and whisper reassurances to Tav
"I've got you, my love. It's alright, it's gonna be alright. We'll get you fixed up. I'm so sorry but I'm here now."
Tears but no sobs. He has to keep calm for them.
When Tav starts struggling to get up from his hold, he's horrified. Had that blade carried a curse of madness?
He begins to beg them to lay back, that they need to save their strength, they're delirious
Honestly feels like he's going to throw up
Tav's hand gently caressing his cheek is what catches him off guard.
They're smiling at him. Bloody fucking blade through their chest and he's smiling.
Except there isn't a blade through their chest. There's a deep wound on the inner part of Tav's upper arm - where the blade had pierced when it fell between their arm and chest.
Relieved sobby laughs.
Thanks gods he no longer trusts for their safety.
Kisses of relief peppered all across Tav's face
Followed by stern attention to the wound and him gently and carefully bandaging the wound, giving the task as much focus as disarming a trap may take.
Slightly clingy for some time after. Not suffocatingly so, but enough for it to be notable.
Kissed the bandaged wound every night before bed until its healed and then kisses the scar it leaves at every opportunity afterward.
Just a dopey, deeply in love, prince of a man who desperately loves his Tav and would be a wreck if he ever saw them so much as wince.
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