Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

how the hell does ao3 work

oh hi bello im learning this site as we speak so yh im lockin in dw

as described in the desc, i write a variety of oneshots. just request what you want in the comments and i got you my gender neutral royalty.

i write using gen neutral pronouns or just "you" and reader is afab (sorry my amab bros back in the day when i was 14 i wouldve gotten yall your yaoi or wtv but im rusty)

any pairing under the age of 18 is strictly platonic im not a creep

uh. non con and stuff under the umbrella? no. yandere? no. not my cup of tea. no drugging either (aphrodisiacs are ok if both consent). also gang banging? no thx... it is possible to have a character x reader x character scenario (love triangle or polyamory). a smut ver of this is something i usually dont do... but ill ponder it for yalls sakes. also trans characters? pls dont ask for it, ive never written it and would hate to have my head on a stick bc i did it wrong or sum

i obv write for fem and masc characters

this is for x reader only

some characters may be ooc if i dont know them very well, but ik most of em and wil try to lock in

uh yh reqs open as i try to figure out this emanator reader x anaxa story im cooking up myb ill get an idea

happy reading omegas

Chapter Text

It was just one of those days.

Where you felt just a tiny bit small in this big world. So big, it felt like it might swallow you entirely. The crowds were just so huge, and you found yourself lost in it. It was like an ocean, lapping at your feet before sweeping you away into its depths. Each day felt like you weren't quite drowning, but not breathing either. You weren't hoping for anything big in your life to change nor were you exactly content with things at the moment.

And how you felt just couldn't find themselves on paper.

You write lyrics of all kinds. Of whatever you felt at the moment. Just like how others wrote their emotions in journals of sentences, you wrote yours in verses. You never planned to post or publish them. They were meant to anchor you and to process the emotilns simmering underneath the surface. Not anyone one could read these pages, read your thoughts.

With the exception of one chivalric knight. Hesitantly, you let him read a page as a sign of opening yourself to him slowly at the start of your relationship with him. You sat at the edge of your chair, ready to take flight the moment you noticed any sign of judgement or any curl of his lip that indicated mockery. You found none of that, however.

The silence was deafening. Argenti seemed to read slowly, digesting the paper's contents. He paused. You held your breath.

Then something shiny slid down his face. You stared, not believing what you were seeing.

Was your boyfriend...crying?

He didn't even tried to hide it. His gaze fixed on yours with a soft sniffle.

"This... is beautiful," he whispered.

And with that, you felt like you could breathe again.

You cross out a line with a heavy sigh. Nothing sounded right. Maybe you're lacking inspiration. You push yourself away from your desk, the wheels rolling across your floor. You stare out your window beside your desk. It was night, the city lights twinkling like stars in the dark sky. Each building was different, tall or short, wide or skinny. Through the windows of apartments, you can spy the lives of others. You see a child run around a table with their older relative chasing them with laughter. In another, it was dark. But candles from a birthday cake sparkled, and so were the eyes surrounding it. Their lips moved to the words of "happy birthday", swaying side to side.

You smile a bit to yourself. It wsas little things like these that reminded you life wasn't all that bad.

Your eyes travel across your room. It's dark besides the singular lamp on your desk. It's decorated with things you like, especially of lyrics from favorite songs. You're the only one in your apartment.

And with that, you realize your small window lacks warmth. Just emptiness.

The chill seeks into your skin, causing your hairs to rise and goosebumps to scatter across. You hug yourself, scooting back to hover once more over your scribbles on paper. You pick up your pencil, the tip digging into the sheet.

The walls tower over, standing tall
While I stare up, feeling small
Wishing someone could catch my fall

You groan, hand bunching your hair before the other crumples the page and tosses it aside. No, no, no. That doesn't sound right. Why couldn't you find the words? Wasn't words the only things you were good at?!

Yet you failed at even that.

Your hands cover your face. Your pencil rolls until it falls off the desk. You didn't even bother to stop it.

You were so absorbed in your cold thoughts that you didn't realize your boyfriend returned from his mission traversing the universe. You both lived in this apartment together--well, not exactly. He rarely stayed here for long periods of time, proclaiming the calls of beauty needed him. And you understood that.

That doesn't mean you could stop the lonliness though.

Your door creaks open, startling you from your thoughts. You quickly glance over your shoulder, tense. Upon processing Argenti's gorgeous green eyes, you relax.

"Oh. I didn't hear you come in." You offer him a small smile and he steps inside. Regardless of how many times you tell your boyfriend he doesn't need permission to enter your room, he does so anyway.

"Hello my rose," Argenti greets, approaching your desk. He eyes the mound of crumpled papers. "It seems you are pursuing your passion. I don't expect less from my beloved songwriter."

Air rushes out your nostrils as you turn back to the empty page. "Can't be a songwriter if I can't write."

Argenti brushes a stray hair behind your ear. He hums in acknowledgment, leaning over you slightly. "All you need is a spark to reignite the fires of passion!"

"If only it were that simple," you sigh, rubbing your temple. You close your eyes briefly. "I'm starting to... I don't know, feel more lost than usual. And because of that, I'm losing the one thing I'm good at. If I don't have that... I might as well be nothing."

"Words aren't the only thing you're good at, my rose."

You sigh again, saying nothing. Your silence was doubtful enough.

He frips the back lf your chair, slowly turning you so you can face him. He has his charming smile, but his eyes are full of sincerity and seriousness.

"My love, your soft beauty reminds me of a distant nebula--unbound, glittering, so close yet so far. Full of potentials and secrets. So mysterious yet so alluring. There is beauty in your concentration, your resilience, and that spectacular shine in your eyes."

Argenti kneels before you, taking your hand gently in his. "Your beauty, inside and out, rivals even Idrila's." He places a gentle kiss on the back of your hand.

"And just like the yawning space, I'll adore you endlessly."

You freeze at this sudden declaration. You study him, and all you see is pure love in those lovely eyes of his. His love for all kinds of beauty shine brightly in his eyes. His kindness for any living thing, even your potted plant sitting on your window sill. He treats everything with such care, such undying affection, for his Aeon and the Path he follows. He shows constant dedication in everything he does, never allowing it to be half-done. He fights for everyone.

In your eyes, Argenti was the embodiment of beauty.

You smile, bringing a hand to his cheek and hoping the affection showed in your eyes. You lean forward, placing a kiss on his forehead. His eyes flutter shut, exhaling happily.

"Thank you, my dear. I think I found something to write about. But it's a surprise, so you can't peek," you tease, pinching his cheek lightly.

Argenti huffs, but grins all the same. He rises to his feet. "I'll go cook dinner for us while I await the masterpiece!"

He trots off to your kitchen, reminding you of an adorable puppy. You chuckle before turning back to your papers. You pick up your pencil off the floor and nibble on your nail for a moment.

You begin writing...

Mi amor
The Knight of Beauty is more than you see
The glimmering kindess that glimmers underneath
Brought me sunrise in my endless night
Allowed my heart to take flight
Once more

Chapter Text

Some found silence awkward, stifling, itchy. They couldn't bear the emptiness and tried to fill it. They couldn't stand hearing no noise, and made their own. Unlike you and Blade, you both found it unnecessary to interrupt the quiet with idle chatter or forced small talk. Silence was a comfort and a respite. A gift after all you hear is an obnoxious buzzing in your head. When you just wanted to step back and forget life's demands, even if for only a few moments.

That's how you found yourself after a particularly tiring day of being a Stellaron Hunter. You knew what you signed up for. You accepted your Script written by Elio without complaint. Even an obedient soldier could be weary sometimes.

Weariness and exhaustion always radiated from Blade. You couldn't blame him. Imagine being unable to die despite desiring it so bad. Life has its fair of cruel jokes, but you tried to be the silver lining in a stream of thunder clouds in his life. Tried to give him a tiny sanctuary in the relationship you both have.

Your fingertips brush against Blade's as you tilt your head up at the sky. Stars sprinkled across the back night, traces of purple and blue swirls decorated it as the half moon hung low in the sky. A gentle breeze tussles your hair and you tuck loose strands behind your ear. Your legs dangle off the edge of the building you both were perching on. Being afraid of heights as a Stellaron Hunter seemed silly; worrying about whether you would fall or not was dead last of your concerns. Besides the soft murmuring of the wind and breathing, it was quiet.

The silence blanketed you both in a warm embrace, making this small moment madly intimate. You both were exhausted and seeked respite in each other's company. You glanced at the tall and dark man next to you. His fingertips twitches next to you, unsure. You chortle softly and you see Blade side eye you. You gently cover his big hand with your small ones, bringing a bit of warmth into his cold skin. You've always distantly wondered how'd it feel to be so cold all the time.

After a brief hesitation, Blade slips his hand from under yours and finds purchase on your waist, pulling you snug against him. You smile, resting your head on his shoulder. He made you feel safe, even with that rough-edged personality of his. Everyone had their flaws, and whether you accepted that or not was up to you.

"Are you not afraid of me?" Blade had asked after your nth time of sitting in his presence and saying absolutely nothing.

You cocked your head to the side. "Why would I be?"

"I'm a dangerous man. I'll hurt anyone who stands in my path. I've sinned, and now I'm condemned to walk this earth with my hatred and regrets forever."

"That is unfortunate. However, I'm not afraid of things that make a person. It simply is what it is. I don't get to judge the scars you bear when I have some of my own," you replied without much thought. You gave him a shadow of a wink. "These "fearful" things make you a pretty effective warrior."

Blade was startled by your blunt honesty. In a world of constant lies, you spoke only truth. Maybe that was why he allowed you to be so close, or maybe how you never asked anything of him, or was it how you were unafraid to speak your mind, especially to him?

He was constantly pondering what made you different. Like him, you too had skeletons in your closet. You didn't try to hide that though--sometimes Blade amusedly wondered if you were proud of it. And begrudgingly, he admired that about you.

And he likes how comfortable you are, how content with just being pressed to his side, offering your body heat to chase away the chill in his bones and not saying a word. Even if he treated you as a stranger the next morning, you still would be there, your presence an anchor in the sea he was drowning in.

And Blade found comfort in that. in you. He most likely would never tell you that, but as you feel each other under the moonlit sky, you understand that through the exchange of beating hearts.

Chapter Text

"Darling..." You look at your boyfriend, gauging his next reaction. "It appears you put too much salt in this. I can't eat it."

You see Jiaoqiu turn several shades paler and his tail going stock still. You suppress your giggles and watch his rather distraught expression.

"How coud it be?" he exclaimed, grabbing his fork to taste the meal itself. "Did I not measure the salt correctly? I swore it tasted perfect...!"

Jiaoqiu samples the soup, contemplating. "Huh. I don't..."

You snort, unable to contain yourself much longer. His ears flatten against his head as his expression shifted dramatically from stressed to completely unamused. You burst into laughter, leaning across to put a hand on his.

"I'm sorry! Your reaction each time! It's adorable!" you explain through your fits of giggles.

"I'm glad you find amusement in my plight," he grumbles, brows furrowed with a small pout. "After I cook this grand meal for you!"

"Oh relax, drama queen. I'd still eat your food if it was horrifically salty."

Jiaoqiu opens his eyes to glare at you. You try to fight the grin on your face as you pat his hand reassuringly. "I love your cooking. Thank you for being the best chef in the world."

"And boyfriend?" Jiaoqiu prompts.

"And boyfriend," you confirm, bringing his knuckles to your lips. His ears perk up and his tail sways happily.

After the meal, you both relax in each other. You lay in his arms on the bed, listeing to him yap about some new recipe he wants to try. You adore how passionate he is about the things he does, and how willing he is to share that passion with you. Jiaoqiu's way of showing his love is constantly feeding you. Tummy grumbling? He's already in the kitchen. Thinking about wanting to eat your favorite food? It's on a plate ready to serve. Sad and need a quick pick me up? He knows just the thing.

Jiaoqiu spoils you like a royal chef producing only the best foods for his royalty. And you'd gladly show your gratitude by kissing the chef.

You interrupt him mid-sentence, your lips against his in a heartbeat. You pull back just as quick, leaving Jiaoqiu adorably confused. If only for a second before a heat rises in his cheeks, much to your sarisfaction.

"What was that for?" he asks and you note the breathiness in his voice. He is. Smitten.

"No reason."

You turn in his arms to face him. His face is tilted down at you, his tail wagging before stilling. You observe the sudden change in demeanor and the smirk that replaces the giddy smile previously. You freeze.

"Is that so..." Jiaoqiu murmurs before lightly shoving you backward. You yelp then laugh as he climbs on top of you and peppers your face with kisses.

"That tickles! Jiaoqiu!" you squeal, your hands uselessly pushing against his chest. You forget how strong he is sometimes.

Jiaoqiu hums. "I don't think so, sweet cake. You deserve this punishment after the two stunts you pulled today." He presses a kiss to your jawline and trails soft kisses downward.

"I'm sorry! I won't tease you again!" you giggle, wrapping your arms around him. At this, he pauses his assaults.

"You promise?" he huffs.

"Promise."

"Pinky swear."

"I sincerely and undeniably and genuinely and-"

Jiaoqiu kisses you, deeper than the one before. You can taste the soup on his lips, in his mouth. Your arms stiffen, then relax just as quick. After a moment, he pulls away, leaving you both breathless. He nuzzles your nose with his own.

"I can feel how hot your cheeks are. Did I catch you off-guard?" Jiaoqiu asks smugly, looking rather proud of himself. "Smartass."

You nip at his nose and he blinks at you in surprise. "Shut up."

"Ah, so my darling has a bite! How interesting!"

"Keep it up pal."

"Mmm, you love me too much to get mad."

"That's true, doesn't mean I'm not above petty revenge either."

"Can't wait."

Chapter Text

"Do you believe in God?"

Dan Heng's gaze flickered to you for a moment, then back to his book. Silence was his go-to answer for things. He usually didn't answer unless necessary. You didn't seem to mind, because you kept talking anyway.

"Humans used to believe there was an entity in the skies, watching us, guiding us. Before aliens invaded our home, people would look up to the sky and pray. No matter what name you chose to call God by, universally God was known as God. A powerful being who would be merciful to those who begged forgiveness. As long as they put their faith in God, humans believed everything would be made right.

"But over time, people began losing faith. The predicament we now find ourselves in demand us to be realistic, to realize there is no God to save us. That we were forsken by our savior."

Dan Heng used to wonder why you were so obsessed with the idea of God. To him, it didn't really matter if there was one or not. You controlled your fate, not God. You decide the outcome, not the other way around. Destiny was illogical. Yes, there were some things that were inevitable. Didn't mean you couldn't try to fight it though.

"Dan Heng."

Your tone shook him out his thoughts. His gaze focused on you. Your expression, which usually had that lazy smile (which irked him beyond belief when you acted stupid), had a serious and somber one. Dan Heng was surprised. You never took anything seriously, even the singing lessons in the Anakt Garden.

"If we're ever in a competition, I want you to make it to the end with me."

Dan Heng stared at you for a few beats. Then went back to reading. He could feel your gaze hot on his face. Wouldn't that mean you'd have to face each other in the end? Maybe you were just pranking him again. You tended to do that a lot.

Before he could contemplate your request, a voice called for him. Dan Heng looked up to see a certain grey-haired girl waving at him and another pink-haired one holding her arm. They called him over, a smile on their faces. Dan Heng got up, snapping the novel he was reading shut. He walked towards them, an imperceptible smile on his laps as he left you in the shadows of the tree alone.

Dan Heng prepares himself for the next round of the competition. He didn't expect to last as long as he did. And you did too, he notices. You lasted all the way to the end. Which surprised him a bit, since you didn't seem to take singing seriously.

Dan Heng's mind flashes back to Stelle, who was mourning March's death before going missing. Worry plagued his mind and heart. Was she...?

He shakes his head hard. No. He is going out of his head. He needs to clear his mind before the last round. He needs to win. To know Stelle was alive and well somewhere. Dan Heng glances at the picture of him and everyone else on his wall. March and Stelle had their arms around one another, laughing mid-picture. Jing Yuan was caught yawning and Blade was scowling fierecly. Kafka winked at the camera with a younger Siver Wolf looking rather bored. Dan Heng ws next to the girls, staring solemnly at the camera. And there was you, looking at him with a blank expression.

He sighs, adjusting his clothes. He inhales and exhales, clearing the clutter inside his mind. He was on in five.

Music streamed throughout the stage, starting out with a few beats before slowly playing. The melody seems haunted, sad. Dan Heng has rehearsed this a million times, making sure he hit all the notes correctly. He approaches his microphone, gazing out into the crowd, betraying nothing. Once more, he feels your gaze on him. Are you trying to psyche him out? Even at the end, you don't take things seriously.

Dan Heng begins singing, his voice perfect. A memory of Stelle flits through his mind, causing his voice to waver slightly. He curses himself and forces her out of his mind. He sings his verses and waits patiently for yours. Not quite there, but there...

"I'm left wondering why
I'm haunted by the thought of you
Looking at the sky then look at me
And your gaze goes right through
My heart can't stop beating patiently
Waiting for the sunrise to touch the sky"

Dan Heng hadn't thought about the lyrics themselves all that much, primarily focused on the beat and syllables. But now that he is thinking about it, the lyrics seem a bit too close to his heart. But he didn't write this song...

He opens his mouh, his voice merging with yours in a powerful duet. March alwys said how wonderful the both of you combined sounded, but he shrugged it off. When Stelle agreed, he thought about it for a bit.They were right. How strange, two opposites creating the perfect melody together.

And the whole time, you are looking at Dan Heng as if you were... singing to him in particular?

The instrumental plays and suddenly you push your microphone to the ground and walk towards him. Puzzled, Dan Heng watches you before shock ripples through as you yank him by the collar and pull him into a messy kiss. Dan Heng's first reaction was to push you away, but you kept your grip on him tight.

'What are you doing?! You're messing it up!' He thought in a mixture of fear and anger. He tries to fight back against you as you pull back for a second, only to press a jagged piece of glass to his throat. Dan Heng freezes as you press its edge against his throat, causing him to not breathe a bit.

Is this it? Is he going to atone for his sins now?

Dan Heng focuses his eyes on yours, expecting to see a dark determination to win or something just as dark. Instead he sees what is akin to...

Love…?

In your eyes is nothing but adoration and love, gleaming in your eyes. Even as a bullet finds its home in your leg, then your waist, then your shoulder you... you smile. At him. Like there was no one else in the world.

And yet, you've always looked at him that way, haven't you? In the pictures, in the garden, in the competition, through the glass, you were always looking at Dan Heng while he pretended to not see it or look in the other direction towards her.

How could he have been so blind?! What he was looking for- YEARNING for, was in front of him. This. Whole. Time. For a connection, to be seen, to be loved. You did all those things and he didn't even realize. Too concentrated on a girl who'd never love him the way he wanted when you loved him the way he dreamt of.

"Thank you..." you cough, blood dribbling down your face yet you keep your damn smile. "For being the victim of my shallow emotions."

Then you fall to the floor.

Dan Heng drops to his knees beside you, your blood soaking into his pants. He stares at your face, eyes closed with a small smile adorning your lips. He touches his own, a brief taste of what could've been if he actually looked.

Of what could've been.

Chapter Text

you sink into the bubbles with a content sigh, allowing the warmth envelope your flesh. your tense muscles immediately went slack and the foam slides slowly down your skin. the scent of your favorite candle wafts through the air, bringing you a sense of peace. your hair curls around your neck, your shoulders, fans out in the water as you sink even lower. your book, which is hanging precariously between your fingers, lightly grazes the floor. it is some cheesy romance novel a friend of yours begged you to read, and you reluctantly took it. perhaps it could give you insight about the relationship between you and Veritas Ratio, they suggested.

which was ridiculous because your guys' relationship was-is. perfect. well. okay, it isn't fully optimized or firing on full cylinders but that was because neither of you had been in a relationship prior to this one. can you blame you both? this was unmarked territory, a rough terrain neither have you explored, since you two cherished academics as if it were it is the will to live (your friends constantly joked like this, saying if the world was ending you'd still be holed up somewhere absorbing information about the universe's mechanics, and they weren't entirely wrong).

admittedly, there was still some things to tweak, just a tad. a problem that could be easily solved by two intelligent minds, no? some emotinal part of you told you it wasn't simple as that, that simple logic couldn't solve everything. you groan into the froth. despite knowing (almost) everything of what the universe had to offer, you struggled with the knowledge of being an ideal partner. sure, the intellectual sparring between you and Veritas is incredibly sexy--one of the main reasons why you fell in love with the detached scholar, his mind a shining diamond among dull bronze--you just wish you both were able to tell each other how the other felt instead of dancing around the complicated entity known as emotion.

you let the book fall to the floor with a soft thwop, your arm on the edge of the bathtub. you inhale the scents of the candle, the soap, and the water as you ponder. contemplate. think deeply. consider. figure-

a soft knock on the door frame. you adjust your body to look at the visitor. well speak of the devil...

you him in acknowledgement, sitting up a bit as you observe your boyfriend's form. "hello, Veritas. you've returned."

"i have," he confirms, focusing on the book that's currently having bits of water soak into its pages. he clicks his tongue against his teeth. "another delightful and incredibly knowledgeable novel about the intricasies of romance, suggested by that nosy associate of yours?"

you snort at his obvius tone of sarcasm. it was practically oozing of it. "indeed. it is rather... helpful, in a way."

"highly improbable," Veritas scoffs, leaning on the doorframe. you notice his gaze flits anywhere but your form in the bathtub. you chortle under your breath, and forever your smart boyfriend, picks up on this. "have i said something humorous?"

"no."

"then what is it that is so funny to you?"

you give him a pointed look. "what is incredibly entertaining is the fact that even though you have seen me in all my glory, you're still too shy to look at me sitting in a bathtub. so modest."

you observe the redness creeping from his neck upward as his neck snaps towards you, eyes hot on yours and defensiveness or denial on his tongue.

"I'm being respectful!" Veritas exclaims, clearly displeased by your response aa he crosses his arms to show his disapproval.

you mirror him, your arms folded on the porcelain edge and the water sloshes quietly with your movement. you cock your head to the side. "didn't you say that there will only be total and complete honesty in this relationship?"

"even a fool knows when to hold his tongue," he retorts, trying oh-so furiously to use his air of superiority to conceal his fluster. you smile to yourself, glad you know your boyfriend just enough to get him in this state.

"so you're saying you aren't shy," you tease softly, mirth twinkling in your eyes.

"of course not. being embarrassed because of the naked form is not like me at all."

"why don't you join me, then? it's been a while since we've spent time together."

silence at this. backed the purple-haired genius into a corner, little by little. just one more push...

"besides, experiencing intimacies will most likey increase our knowledge on the subject of romance and each other. we will learn more by pursuing harmless acts such as these. or would you rather stay ignorant of this facet of life? or maybe... you're afraid?"

Veritas is by your bathtub in a flash. his scarlet eyes set on yours as you crane your neck up at him, feeling vaguely irritated at the twinge in your neck.

"I'll accept your challenge," he bites out confidently. you nod with a tiny smirk.

One by one, Veritas peels his garments off and puts them in a pile beside yours. you watch appreciatively, your gaze exploring every muscle flexing. your boyfriend notices them and rolls his eyes in exasperation.

"entertained by the show?" he gently dips a leg in, then the other, before descending into the waters across from you.

"very much. i enjoy noting the male form." his legs brush against yours and you fight the habit to pull away.

"obviously so, since you couldn't ever stop staring at me so blatantly before our relationship," Veritas bluntly states, rolling his shoulders and causing the water to ripple with the movement. "one would think you were obsessed with me."

"ah, i coudn't help it, the famous genius was just so riveting! i couldn't help but get excited at the thought of you," you fire back. "and clearly, you did too, that one time you trapped me between you and the desk."

"that," he starts as he leans towards you, "was because you kept challenging me with every word i uttered."

"stimulating, no? it sure got you... riled up, in a sense," you coo, finding his hand under the water to interlace your fingers in his.

Veritas sighs. "you are insufferable."

"yet here you are, indulging me by sitting in a bathtub with me. truly a man." you wink, turning yourself around to press your frame against his firm chest. you feel him tense, then slowly relax, his other hand ghosting over your curves under the bubbles. he hums.

"yet here you are, behaving as if you didn't plan this from the very start." Veritas plucks the rubber duck--his. rubber duck--from the hidden foam. he leans down, his breath tickling your ear. "forever the strategist."

"forever perceptive," you mumble, desperately trying to ignore how this sudden move flustered you just a bit-ah there he goes, smirking as he notices the flush on your cheeks. damn him. Veritas may have won this battle, but he has not won the war.

you plant a quick kiss on the edge of his mouth, hoping to distract him before he got too cocky. "thank you."

"for what, if i may ask?" he inquires, slowly blinking at you. he is startled by your sudden sincereity.

"for joining me."

his thumb rubs a circle on your thigh with a hum. "your gratitude is appreciated. thank you for... allowing me."

you relax into your boyfriend's touch, and let this moment imprint itself on your mind forever.

Chapter Text

you love a man in uniform. not just any man though. Gepard in uniform.

something about your boyfriend all geared up in his captain's attire really fuels your fantasies at night. thinking about his defensive gauntlet pressing against your hips, kneading the flesh or even grinding against his clothed thigh trying to get yourself off, ugh... it's a stark contrast between your serious and innocent lover compared to you, the silly and extremely filthy significant other. but hey, opposites attract, right? it doesn't do any harm thinking about the captain of the Silvermane Guards fucking you to the stars beyond...

you never really expected Gepard to find out about this secret kink of yours. yet he did, accidentally, through his own. sister. she told him how much you loved him in his uniform, how you would twirl your hair around your finger and look off to the side with a profuse blush. then he remembered noticing you in the mirror everytime you thought he was busy buttoning or latching his straps onto his person, watching him with a half-lidded gaze. then it all came together.

well, as a responsible man, he couldn't just let this situation remain unacknowledged, correct? so he had decided to do something about it.

which is why you are currently perching on the edge of the bed, legs thrown over the captain's shoulders as his gloved fingers piston out of your hole. your fingers grip his hair as gently as possible as you whine from his scissoring gestures inside you. he curls his fingers in a beckoning move and you arch your back, bucking into his hand.

"Gepard," you murmur softly, panting. "w-whats gotten into you-mm!"

He cocks his head to the left, watching your dirty expressions with a mixture of intrigue and embarrassment because of that equally filthy intrigue. a blush dusts his cheek as he plants a kiss on your thigh, causing goosebumps to rise. "i missed you."

a breathy laugh escapes your lips. "i missed you more."

"i know. i can tell by the way you look at me," he says softly, his mouth slowly approaches your sex. his blue eyes, now filled with a dark desire, focus on yours. your breath hitches. "did you really think i wouldn't notice how aroused you get when you see me in my uniform?"

which explains why he was still fully clothed and kneeling on the floor in front of you. you curse yourself for giving it away, but upon consideration this wasn't bad at all...

you smirk and shrug with a shoulder. "i like it when you're wearing it, looking all sexy protecting people. is that such a crime?"

"i see," Gepard responds accompanied with a hum. he presses a kiss against your heat as he slows his fingers inside you before fully pulling them out. "it's a crime for you to think you could get away with thinking such thoughts. and for that, it has to be addressed..."

without hesitation, his mouth is on your warmth, licking and suckling. you gasp out, partial shock and partial arousal as your grip on Gepard's hair tightens. your nails scrape against his scalp lightly, earning a groan deep within you. the reverberations cause you to wrap your legs against his head harder, and with his gloved hands he forces you open, pinning you against the bed.

"oh fuck," you whimper out, relishing the feeling of his tongue doing wonders against your core. how it slipped in and out your hole, causing it to squeeze nothing but air. how it was creating a coil deep inside your stomach, drawing it tighter and tighter as you approach your high.

"feels so good, oh, please keep going baby," you sigh, leaning back on an arm as you rut your hips into his mouth. Gepard moans in response to your praises, watching your pleasure with bright cheeks and ears. you know that praise always got him going, so you make sure to sing out as many praises and compliments as you could.

the coil in your stomach suddenly snaps as he fiercely attacks that special spot and you come undone, crying out as your liquids spurt out on your boyfriend's face. you heave as his tongue is quick to clean you up, lapping the juices before pulling away breathing just as hard as you are. your arousal is apparent on his lips, his chin, his cheeks and it brings you a dark satisfaction seeing him in a state. you prop yourself back up to lean forward and give him a kiss, tasting yourself on him. as you pull away, you notice a wet splltch on his crotch area and you come to the conclusion he also found his release.

"seems like you liked it just as much as i did," you breathe with a giggle.

he stammers, wobbly rising to his feet before clearing his throat. "I'll get the shower ready."

and off Gepard goes, quick to hide his embarrassment. you watch his back with a loving smile. he's just too cute. next time, you'll eat him up.

Chapter Text

it didn't take a genius to deduce the fact your boyfriend built walls around his heart. how he uses his charming smile and lidded shut eyes to hide the numb pain behind them. you could sense it the way you felt an incoming stormfront--inevitable, mute, sad. you just wish he would let you in, to soothe his aching heart that had been scarred by war.

and to top it off, he sacrificed a piece of himself that he may never recover. his eyesight.

foxians had great pride in their strong eyesight, and just in a day Jiaoqiu lost it. when you made this discovery, you were shocked into a horrified silence. no, not because of the lack of eyesight, but HOW he lost it. ingesting poision? was he serious?! it could've did more than just cause optic damage! what the hell was he thinking?! and of course, the pink foxian waved the fan in front of his face and smiled sweetly at you, assuring you it was just a tiny problem to overcome as a healer.

"tiny problem" your ass.

your tail swishes madly in displeasure as you ferociously scrub the dishes in the sink. you grumble under your breath, cursing anyone and anything. it's been months since you both addressed this kind of topic, treading lightly around it as if it were a nest of snakes. you, because you didn't want to press and give him space. Jiaoqiu, because he held himself in such a low regard it made you equally want to kiss all over his beautiful face and sock him in the side for it.

a chuckle lifts into the air, behind you to your left. you glance over your shoulder to observe the healer, who is draped onto his chair next to the table in your dining room as if it were his throne. you squint your eyes at him.

"what's so funny?"

"i can hear your displeasure from all the way over here. it's rather loud."

"ah, humblest apologies. i didn't realize my ire was knownst to all."

his smile widens at your sarcasm. "apology accepted. however, may i request what has gotten you so upset?"

you scrape your sponge on another plate, quietly contemplating whether or not to pursue this conversation. it had to be addressed one way or another, right? but what if it was too early to be having this discussion?

"…did i…" Jiaoqiu hesitates. "offend you in any way? if i did, i'm--"

"why do you do that?" you suddenly snap, turning off the water harshly. the foxian winces a bit at the sudden sound, tail and ears going still.

"do what?" your boyfriend asks, sitting upright.

"always think it's your fault? why do you have such negative feelings about yourself?" you demand, turning your body fully to face the pink foxian. your ears slowly slant downwards and the water slides down your arms and drips onto the floor. "you're so quick to throw yourself into any self-deprecating situation. why?"

Jiaoqiu fans his face in intervals, pausing every two soft flaps. his expression betrays nothing. "i don't do such a thing."

you scoff, leaning a hand on the counter. "you know i can sense it when you lie, right? so why bother?"

"because maybe if i lie enough, I'll start to believe it," the healer mumbles.

"Jiaoqiu!" he perks up at the anger in your voice, the hand holding his fan wavering slightly. "why won't you just… prioritize yourself for once?"

"a healer always takes care of their patients before themself. it's their duty," Jiaoqiu responds, and to you it sounds well-rehearsed.

"but there aren't any patients around right now, are they?" you counter. "how can a healer take care of others when he refuses to take care of himself?"

"if this is about me going to a doctor, i told you, this condition isn't all that bad, and I'd hate it if resources were wasted on me."

"it isn't about that and you know it."

the silence is excruciating.

a puff of laughter. "you were always so stubborn and headstrong. it's what i love about you."

"if you try to change the subject I'll hit you," you warn, deadly calm. you're serious, and your boyfriend know it. he places the fan down on the table, being serious for once.

"it's really nothing to worry about. don't stress about it too much."

"how can i if i feel how you're suffering inside?" you exclaim, marching over to him to poke him hard in the chest. he flinches. "i know you Jiaoqiu. you never admit it that you're not doing well, that ever since you lost your vision you became lost too. and you hide that from me because Aeons know why!"

he wisely remains quiet.

"it's okay to be vulnerable. to say you're not okay. don't you know I'm here for you? or is it that…" your voice cracks and you cover it up with a quick clear of your throat. "you don't trust me anymore? do you not want me by your side anymore?"

"By Lan, no!" Jiaoqiu bursts, rising from his seat and making his way towards you. he reaches for what he presumes is your hand, and you give it to him. "it isn't that at all! it's just…"

you watch him, waiting.

his eyes open slightly, and you can see the golden eyes that are now constantly hidden away. "i feel… like a burden, at times. when i was an army healer, I'd watch soldiers who i nuture back to health return worse or never return at all. my preference to bland food shifted to spicier ones, just to feel anything, even if it meant pain. then with Hoolay, i had to make sure everyone was safe from him, to weaken him even just a little, even if it meant surrendering myself to poison. and now i can't see..." Jiaoqiu's voice wobbles and you feel a pang of guilt for forcing him to explain himself to you.

"I'm sorry," you murmur, taking both his hands and bringing them to your chest. "you shouldn't have to explain yourself to me."

he shakes his head. "I'm not finished. i had to relearn everything, rely on my other senses much more when i was so used to seeing things. it was a challenge, but you made it less difficult. you accepted this part of me, even when i myself didn't. i felt ashamed of myself. i kept thinking about how one day, you're going to realize this burden and leave me."

"oh, my love," you whisper softly, pressing the foxian's hands to your heart. his ear twitches, and his hands flatten against your chest. "the only time I'll ever leave you is when this heart of mine stops beating." then you bring his hands to your lips and his lips part to take an intake of shaky air. "you'll never be a burden to me. i accept all of you, your regrets, shame, sorrows. i love you for you, and your flaws don't define you. they make you, and they made you into the wonderful man you are today. and i'd never wish them away."

tears form in his eyes and he quickly closes them, attempting to suppres them. you release his hands and cup his cheeks, swiping your thumbs underneath his eyes. "you can cry. im here sweetheart."

Jiaoqiu's form shakes as he leans down, burying his face into your neck. for the first time, ever since you met him, tears fall. you feel them against your skin as your boyfriend muffles his sounds. one hand rubs his back while the other runs through his hair. you mutter sweet comforts to him as he finally lets himself go.

"i love you so much," Jiaoqiu whispers.

you smile, tiny tears bubbling up in your own eyes as well. "i love you too."

in each other's embrace, you find solace.

Chapter Text

"let's travel the night stars together," you said, offering a hand out to the battered and bewildered Sunday.

"why?" he asked with scrutiny. he had just sinned, there was blood on his hands. he had attacked you and your astral express family at an attempt to keep everyone in a dream, in a fantasy.

"because," you started with a shrug and a slanted smile. "you'll like it."

"did you happen to hit your head by any chance?"

you had burst into giggles, seizing his wrists and puling him up. he was surprised by the audacity and your strength. you were one to follow the trailblaze, which meant sticky situations to get out required some level of strength. or maybe Sunday was just light.

"lots of times." not particularly reassuring. "everyone deserves a second chance. even you."

was he even worthy of such kindness?

he was too close to you, your hands still enveloping his wrists, only an inch apart from one another. Sunday cleared his throat, backing away with a nervous flutter of his wings.

"I'll consider it," he mumbled.

you clapped your hands together, a wide smile dancing on your lips. "hey, I'll take it! any consideration is better than none!"

he looked off to the side, hiding the small smile behind a wing. you were peculiar--the entire astral express were weirdos but somehow, Sunday would find comfort in it. in you.

you had asked him if he believed in soul mates. he didn't respond. you went on to explain it and described the astral express members as your soul mates. then you looked him in the eye and boldly stated he was your soulmate too. he had froze, then avoided your gaze and once again said nothing.

Sunday wondered if he had reciprocated in kind, would you still be alive? if he had told you how he truly felt, would you still be conversing with him? should he join you, to tell you himself? but he couldn't do that to his sister, to the astral express who took him in with open arms. he couldn't make them suffering because hewas brewing in his own personal hell. he couldn't even be remotely be near your room lest the deep sadness wash over him like a tsunami and threaten to drown him in endless sorrow.

the distance had created between you two grew immensly larger than before. now he can never reach you, the same way he can't reach his sister.

and that broke him.

Sunday cried every night, thinking of you. of what could've been. he thought about kissing you many times, to go beyond the cherished touches the both of you had shared. he thought that would haunt you when he soon would leave the express.

instead you haunt him. Sunday wants to leave desperately, but the astral express was the only piece of you he had left. so he lets your phantom keep him company.

until the very end.