Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Vindemiator,

It's... been a while since I've thought of that name, let alone used it for myself. But, anyway, hi.

I've learned your story, been shown the hell you went through at the hands of him—he doesn't even deserve the respect of a name—but I want you to know that your saving grace was the same as mine. That humanborn Freelancer has done more for both of us than they'll ever know.

I don't know my stance on fate, but I will say that my Deviant completes me. They fill in gaps I didn't even know I had. They're home even in the most horrid circumstances, and believe me, we've been through our own kind of hell...

Don't lose hope. Amongst the hardest times, the darkest nights, the worst storms, they'll be there, a light to guide and a helping hand. A heart that refuses to give up no matter what. Cherish them, and they'll love you right back. Have faith in their determination, and you won't be disappointed. Just give yourselves time.

I hope your life repents for the pain it's caused you.

Be well.
Gavin

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Hello Adam,

I didn’t expect you to be such a disappointment in your world. I thought you’d be smarter than to keep a pet. You knew the risks, and yet you decided to take it anyway. So childish of you, always doing without thinking. But we did fare the same fate, regardless of the choices we made with the bloodbag: to keep or not to keep. They wouldn’t have lived after that first encounter if it were up to me. Oh, but I’m sure you wouldn’t have liked that. Here’s the problem though; I don’t fucking care. We both died all the same, at the hands of Vincent, my lover, your enemy, so it doesn’t matter in the long run.

Hope you learn a lesson or two in hell.

- Adam

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To the King Imperial,

At the risk of being disrespectful, what the fuck are you doing? I never thought I’d write some kind of cross-dimensional letter, but some things need to be said. I can see that life in your world is tough, but that gives you no excuse to take out your own frustration and fear on others. You have power—you’re a king for crying out loud—but what good are you doing with that power or title? You could help humanborns in your world as I am attempting to do in mine. Here, they're thrown into a new life where they know nothing about magic, where they're vulnerable and susceptible to people who wish to take advantage of that ignorance. And in your case, it’s dangerous for them to even have that magic unless documented and counted like livestock. Outside of your "care," they live under constant threat of having their threads sliced, and you're doing nothing to stop it.

What happened to you, Damien? I wish I could be there to help you, to point that stubborn head of yours in the right direction. I know that we can get hot-headed at times, pardon the pun, but how we handle those situations is what separates a good leader from a tyrant, a friend from an abuser.

I wish you the best.
Damien

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Damien,

I suppose since you're so far beyond my rule, I will overlook your disrespect for now, but I feel as though it's only fair to turn this around on you.

First and foremost, how's mom? I doubt that a 'hot-headed' club leader with a history of personal seclusion and overworking yourself is as much of a point of pride as her son being a king. Of course, who am I to judge seeing as I'm not a proper ruler in your mind? I guess that makes my entire upbringing a lie. Thank you so much for the realization.

For the record, I care enough about humanborns and unempowered people, but there's too much at stake with the rest of this world for me to give them all of my attention. Do not preach at me like you have a sliver of an understanding of my life. I was raised to be a king. My mother made sure of that. You know nothing of me and my struggles, despite your claims otherwise. I have done more with this power in a few years than you'll do in your entire lifetime, I can assure you of that.

And I can't help but wonder if your passion for humanborns is rooted in that one you met, the one you couldn't save before those with ill-intent found their way to them. Such a shame.

Sincerely,
Damien, King Imperial

P.S. At least I had friends when I was growing up.