☆summary: whenever he breaks, the november sun shines on him. and jungkook chases you across the sky - but you've gone some place he can't reach you now.
☆pairing: Jungkook x reader (I genuinely don't think the gender is ever mentioned? please let me know if it is so I can adjust this here), mentions-ish of Namjoon x reader
☆rating: 18+ (minors DNI, it deals with heavy themes)
☆genre: grief au/funeral au?, exes au, angst
☆warnings: angst, like. Just angst. OC is dead and Jungkook is grieving her. Curses words, very light mentions of sex, flashbacks of moments when jungkook broke. mentions of christianism (the funerals are held in a church), mentions of alcohol, jealousy. Namjoon is a broken man as well
☆word count: 3.7k
☆a/n: I started writing this tonight because I was sad and then just realized I won't have the strength to look back on it ever again so I'm posting it even tho it hasn't been beta-ed, and even tho the person that makes my moodboards is unavailable rn. Idc. It needed to be out of my system, and now it is.
☆a/n pt2: I know this piece is extremely heavy. If you ever need to speak, please reach out to me. My blog is a safe space for every single one of you <3
☆☆☆☆☆
The church is a tall building. Grand, elegant in its simplicity, though it cuts against the blue sky up above in stark lines, shaped like a prison.
Jungkook thinks life has become a prison a while ago.
It’s a mystery, why your family chose this space for your funeral. You never believed, never practiced. Is it a betrayal to mark your passing in a space that feels so unlike you?
Jungkook thinks it is.
He sighs, chases the heaviness away the same way the clouds chase themselves in the sky up above. He doesn’t know how the sun is shining in the blue expanse of the sky. It’s November, yet the day is warm, the sun is blindingly glowing. It feels like a crime – how can the sun shine in a world deprived of your existence?
Jungkook doesn’t want to know.
Only knows that he’s watched from afar the people that gathered on the front steps. Chatting, heads hung low and shoulders bent forward. He heard sniffles, he heard laughs, and he just waited for everyone to go in to get closer.
Jungkook doesn’t know why he was invited. Why someone from a distant past figured he would need to be here, to share his grief with people that could understand.
Though Jungkook thinks no one can understand.
He remembers you, in all your glory. His first love, when he had been a stupid college kid who didn’t know what he wanted in life. You were two years older, and now... and now one day he’ll be older than you. Because you've stopped aging, you came and went like a moment in time, when he'll still be here for who fucking knows how long.
He chases the thought away with a long inhale, holds the air in knowing that it’s choking him up before he lets it out on a sigh.
You were beautiful. A star that walked the Earth, only to return to the night sky above far too soon. He had loved you dearly, in his own twisted way. Had tried to be what you sought, what you needed, until he had realized he was never going to be enough.
Would you still be alive today, if he had fought harder?
*****
“I’m not doing this,” you said. “I’m so fucking done with your indecision, with your fear of commitment.”
Jungkook scoffed. “Please, you graduated and now you think you’re so high above me. Get down from the fucking horse, Y/n, it’s not going to bring us anywhere.”
He’d said the words hoping that they would hurt you. And they did: he saw you physically recoil as if he’d punched you. As if the words had been a physical blow, and not just letters of the alphabets shaped into words and sound, into arrows to pierce that beautiful soul of yours.
“Maybe I don’t want us to go somewhere anymore,” you replied after a quiet moment of breaking hearts.
“I didn’t mean that.”
“I know.” You sighed, slightly shaking your head as your eyes fell to the floor between you and him. “I know, but I mean it.”
“Please,” was all Jungkook thought to reply.
“You say please all the time,” you told him. “You beg me, and for what? We always circle back to fighting, to hurting each other.” You paused, and though you were avoiding his features he could see you blinking back tears. “Maybe we aren’t supposed to be together at all.”
“Don’t say that,” Jungkook warned. “Don’t you fucking say that. I love you. Isn’t that enough for you?”
“I love you too, Jungkook,” you answered. “I’ve loved you since the first day I met you at that stupid party last year.”
Jungkook felt the tear rolling down his cheek, felt the gravity pulling on his heart until it was shattering on the ground.
“Then why stop now?” he asked. “Give me time, Y/n. I’ll graduate, and I’ll be able to move in with you, and to provide for you and give you everything that you need.”
You sighed heavily, finding courage to finally meet his gaze. At the stark finality shining behind your pupils, Jungkook’s knees weakened. His whole fucking body weakened, ready for the blow.
For the end that was coming for you and him like a car barreling down a dead-end street.
“But I’m tired of waiting,” you answered. “I don’t want to spend my life waiting around for someone.”
“I’m still in college, I just can’t move in with you right now…”
“I know, Jungkook. I know.”
He wanted to fight. Wanted to tell you to stay in his dorm tonight, and to never leave again. But he could tell that you were already gone.
So he steeled himself. Readied himself to let you go even though you were the blood in his veins.
“I’m holding you back, aren’t I?”
You wiped a tear on your cheek, blurring behind those in his gaze. “You are.”
He choked on a sob, hiding his eyes behind his hand as if that would stop the breaking. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” you reassured him. “We just aren’t at the same place in life anymore.”
An empty silence surrounded you, so loud Jungkook could hear every beat of his heart in his ears, could feel the walls pressing in.
“I don’t want you to go,” he softly said.
“I know,” you murmured. “I…” You choked on a sob, and it took you a moment before you managed to continue. “I’m sorry.”
He laughed, a sound so devoid of joy he wondered if he’d ever feel happiness again. “Please don’t be. You’re allowed to want more.”
“I wish I didn’t.”
Anger rose up on the horizon of Jungkook’s conscience, and he pushed it away. He refused to be angry at you, refused to put the blame on you when you made it clear that you wanted him to move in so long ago, and he disregarded it without even once thinking about it.
“I’ll find you again,” he promised, voice strained and heavy with emotion. “I’ll graduate and find you.”
You stepped closer to him, gently cupping his cheek. “Go find someone that loves you for what you are, Jungkook.”
“And you don’t?”
“I don’t want you to settle for someone that asks too much for you,” you explained, renewed silver lining your eyes. “Find someone that loves you for who you are, right now.”
“Fuck that,” he choked out, and he pulled you flush against his chest. “Fuck this nonsense. ”
“I’m so sorry,” you cried against him.
“Don’t be,” he reassured you, though he was crying too. “Don’t be. Give me a few years. I’ll have it all figured out in a few years.”
*****
The priest at the front of the church is going on and on about something that Jungkook doesn’t care to listen to. It’s impersonal, nothing like you, like the vibrant girl he remembers. So he lets his memory guide him to you, where you’re awaiting him. Your lips on his, your hand running through his hair. Your own hair catching in the wind that time you’d gone hiking, and he’d believed being at the top of the mountain with you felt like he had won in life.
Or that time you’d driven on the coast, windows down, screaming the lyrics to a song he can’t listen to anymore. Now the song is haunted by ghosts of a past he never learned to let go, perhaps because for months after the breakup he’d kept the conviction that he’d find his way back to you. He’d believed it the same way he believed the sun would always rise in the morning. A simple truth of nature, that nothing could ever break.
Except a car accident, apparently. Because all it took was a car accident to wipe you off the surface of the Earth, to take your light and shove it into shadows, into darkness and a void so wide he knows he’ll never find you again.
But he’d believed he’d find his way back to you. Never let anyone in after you, for the months and years it took him to graduate because he always knew he’d find his way back to you. You were his silver lining, the finish line at the end of the race. On a November day, just as sunny as today, Jungkook reached that finish line.
He did find you again, only you never knew.
*****
Jungkook had never felt so light before. Like he had grown wings, like he was soaring in the clouds up above. Though the sun was out, the weather was cold, wind running cold fingers through the lapels of his coat until he found himself shivering as he made his way to the flower store.
He’d get the biggest bouquet for you, and then he’d head to where he knew from a common friend that you lived now. It was Saturday, and he hoped to catch you unaware, to catch you in the middle of cleaning your apartment the same way that you cleaned it back when you were dating.
The image of you, with your hair pulled back in a high ponytail as you danced around instead of sweeping the floor shone in his mind, brighter than the star in the sky above.
He bought the flowers, heart beating fast in his chest. Because it was time. It was finally time to go home, to tell you that he did everything he said he would, that he changed and now had a job that could support what you both wanted. He wanted to ask you out, and in his dreams you had been answering yes every single time since he had decided to go see you.
His heart fluttered as he gently rested the flowers on his passenger seat, careful not to damage them. Memories floated to him, and a smile grew on his lips as he remembered you, screaming out the window that day you had driven along the coast. You had stopped to watch the sunset in the waves, and he’d kissed you stupid on his back seat until every single inch of your skin knew about his love.
He couldn’t wait to create new memories with you.
He drove carefully, enjoying the warmth of the sun now that he was safely hidden from the wind. You actually didn’t live too far from where he did now, and soon enough he parked his car near your building. He got out of the vehicle, almost running to the other side in his excitement to grab the bouquet on the passenger seat. When it was safely tucked in his hand, Jungkook shut the car door, locked it, and started walking to your building.
He didn’t even know which apartment was yours. He believed fate would guide him, and so he crossed the street to your building, trusting the universe for what was to come next.
He heard your laugh before he saw you. Love swelled in his chest, and he wondered if you were laughing because you’d seen him, because you’d known that he’d come back for you.
And then he saw you. The wind was ruffling your hair, which he assumed had prompted the laugh. Your eyes were closed, hands struggling to push the wild strands behind your ears.
You were more beautiful than he remembered. Shone brighter, with the same stuff that stars consisted of. He was struck for a moment, watching you with his bouquet hoping that you’d open your eyes and see him.
The world slowed down to a stop, and time halted, and Jungkook watched you, feeling at home for the first time in years.
The illusion fractured the instant someone else came into view, making him realize that you hadn’t been laughing at the wind. No, perhaps your laughter took root in the dimples gracing the man’s cheeks as he smiled at you, as he pecked your forehead before grabbing your hand.
Jungkook ducked behind a car, clutching the flower bouquet like a lifeline the moment that you turned towards him. Did you hear his heart breaking? Did you hear the mockery in the November sun rays – you’d broken up on a similar day, years ago.
Jungkook couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think around the shattering of his heart, around the blood turning to ice in his veins as he heard you speak to the man – Namjoon, he heard you call him.
He would have rather not known the name.
Still Jungkook drank in the sound of your voice, trying to shape it into the words he was so willing to hear you say today. It didn’t work, and soon enough your voice disappeared, leaving him in a deafening silence of wind and sun and the realization that after all, he had come back too late.
Perhaps he should have known that he'd be too late.
*****
When Jungkook received the call last week, he’d sat outside in the silence until he thought his eardrums would start bleeding. He hadn’t moved, hadn’t breathed, hadn’t done anything other than to stare at the fading light of the sun.
He wonders, why is it that whenever he breaks, November sun is shining high above? As if the universe takes pleasure in his torment, in undoing him until he barely counts as a human being anymore.
He got pissed out drunk that night. Last time he had been as drunk was when he had found out you were dating someone new, that day he had come to find you.
And now he wonders, if he had approached you that day, would you still be dead today? Would life still have put you on that road with its drunk driver so that you could meet your end?
Or would you be laughing at some dumb comment he’d make, telling him that he’s stupid with eyes so full of love he wouldn’t be able to do anything else but agree with you?
It’s hard to tell. So, he doesn’t try to figure it out – he has an eternity ahead of himself to figure out how to live without you anyway.
Maybe in all his misfortune Jungkook actually had some luck. He’s learned to grieve you a while ago already, and perhaps grieving someone that still lives is harder than grieving someone that’s passed. He doesn’t know. He doesn’t think he knows anything. Just that, so far back in the past he should have said fuck it and move in with you. It was such a simple request, but he had been too young and dumb, and he’d forever live with the regrets of it.
If someone from your family notices his presence at the funeral, recognizes him from your shared past, they don’t say. Especially not as the end of the ceremony comes before he’s had a chance to really take in the picture of you, smiling, over there next to the urn with your ashes.
You’re ashes now. Everything that made you – your laugh, your smile, the way you carried yourself with that simple elegance – all of it is gone to be replaced with mere ashes.
He doubts they can hold the truth of your essence, but then again he doesn’t think anything can, or anything ever will again.
He blinks away the tears as they come, leaving the ceremony like a whisper in the wind. He doesn’t want to speak to your family, doesn’t want to see them coddling the man that you loved, that survived the accident when he should have been the one to go.
Jealousy and selfishness are ugly, Jungkook realizes. But it’s easier to hate the man that took you away from him, no matter how unknowingly he did it.
And Jungkook tried to hate you once. He tried hard, in the months after that fated November day, when you’d laughed to that man’s joke, smiled when he’d smiled that soft dimpled smile of his. He had tried, because hating you felt like it was the only way he wouldn’t hurt. But he still hurt – he still hurts.
All he’s been able to do in his life since you broke up is hurt, and he highly doubts he’ll ever feel differently again.
Perhaps he’ll grow numb. Perhaps he should have grown numb a while ago.
At least that’s what he’s telling himself days later, when he’s looking at the tombstone they picked out for you. The finality of your name and the dates, the ending, is unnerving. He wishes it was fake, wishes it was a joke, and that he didn’t spend most of his life loving someone that moved on to a new love in just a few years.
It’s been over a decade and he hasn’t moved on even a little bit.
He kicks the ground, mad at the leaves littering the ground where you’re buried, as if they’re sullying you. And as if laughing at him, sun rays pierce through the clouds up above, that dreaded November sun making an appearance when it should stay gone.
He allows himself to cry. To break down, to sit on the ground and curse everything and everyone that’s ever been between you and him. He curses his stupidity, curses the sun and the leaves and the etchings on the stone. He hates everything. Hates himself, hates you, hates the whole fucking universe for taking you away, for not giving him the chance to be with you.
That’s how Namjoon finds him. Jungkook’s tears have receded, and he’s just sitting there, an empty shell that once held love and laughter and your lips on his. He hears the scuffle of Namjoon’s steps, of his cane as he walks up the path.
The man’s features are grave when Jungkook can’t help but glance towards him, sees him ambling up the path with that cane, the only indication that he too was in that car accident. And Jungkook wonders if Namjoon knows about him. If Namjoon knows that he wasn’t the first man whose love for you was a bottomless ocean, one Jungkook has drowned in time and time again since you broke up.
Namjoon remains standing, and Jungkook remains sitting. Like there’s an understanding between them, and silence conveys more than words could. Jungkook doesn’t want to move, and Namjoon clearly doesn’t have anywhere to go.
Jungkook thinks the Earth has revolved around the sun at least once before Namjoon scrapes his throat.
“It’s hard to believe that she’s gone, isn’t it?” he speaks, deep voice carrying the weight of the universe.
Jungkook doesn’t deign reply as his eyes fill with tears, though he refuses to let them out right now.
Especially not in front of the man you loved after him.
“You’re Jungkook, aren’t you?”
The simple sentence makes Jungkook lose it. He hides his face in his hands, his whole soul bleeding out under the November sun.
“She told me about you,” Namjoon continues, and Jungkook is convinced he hears pain, tears and grief laced with Namjoon’s words.
What did you tell him, Jungkook wonders? Did you tell Namjoon that you should have waited for Jungkook, that you should have given him a chance to become what you needed?
“She loved you a lot,” Namjoon adds after a silence, and he chokes on a sob. “She never forgot about you.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Jungkook asks with that broken voice, raspy with disuse.
He hasn’t been able to speak since you died.
“You deserve to grieve. She loved and loved, and I wish it would have been enough for her to live…”
“Stop,” Jungkook begs. “Please.”
Namjoon falls silent, offering salvation to Jungkook, though Jungkook doesn’t know if he deserves it.
Would he have been able to offer salvation to someone in his position if the situation was reversed? He highly doubts it.
“It’s just…” he trails off when he finds words again. “You got fucking years with her. You got years of loving and-“ it breaks on a sob. “And you were fucking engaged.” Jungkook pulls at his hair. “You were engaged, and all I got was months. Not even a full year.”
“I’m sorry man,” Namjoon answers, voice so broken Jungkook wonders who’s suffering the most.
He doesn’t think it’s himself.
“Was she happy?” Jungkook eventually asks, once he can’t stand the silence hanging around. Once he can’t stand the etchings on the stone, the void in the universe that used to be filled with you.
“I made her as happy as I could,” Namjoon replies truthfully, his voice strained but not as pained anymore. As if he’s reached a conclusion, clarity filling his mind.
Not needing to hear more, Jungkook gets up, dusting himself off.
“Good talk,” he says, fighting against the next onslaught of tears, and then he’s storming off.
Storming away from you, from everything that you meant to him. And maybe the sun rays really are mocking him in that beautiful November sky, because Namjoon says, “I don’t think she ever truly was happy after you, though.”
Jungkook stops, convinced someone just stabbed him right in the heart. He doesn’t think the organ can beat anymore, doesn’t think he can live anymore. He just wants to be dust on the wind, to be forgotten, and to stop fucking feeling all the time.
“She was calling off the engagement,” Namjoon continues. “She…” Jungkook turns, and he doesn’t think he’s ever seen such agony as the one that graces Namjoon’s features right now. “She said she shouldn’t get married to me when she still loved another.”
Clouds pass in front of the November sun, and Jungkook remembers the smile on your face whenever you’d catch his gaze. He remembers the way you’d lovingly cupped his cheek even when you were breaking up with him. He still feels the ghost of your fingers on his skin as he holds Namjoon’s broken gaze.
He holds Namjoon’s broken gaze, unable to offer the man salvation. It might make him a monster, might make him selfish and jealous and everything that he finds disgusting about humanity. But Jungkook doesn’t care.
Not when he realizes that perhaps, perhaps he’s the one that you’re waiting for on the other side of the veil, so that you can rest in the eternity of afterlife together.
And perhaps, perhaps there’s some sort of beauty in the thought.
☆☆☆☆☆
I am crying and in pain and I am sending everyone that read this whole thing lots of love and if you need to talk just hit me up bc grief is a bitch and we hate her and I just wish I could take everyone's grief away
All rights reserved to @/oddinary4bts, 2023. Do not copy, repost or translate.
I loved that househusband AU soooooo much! Made me wish it was reality 😭. But no, tis not my reality.
You said you were open to ideas for this AU? Well what if you did an edition with remote working? S/o now is at home and the guys get so see what s/o does throughout the day (see’s s/o as a BOSS)
Oooh what about someone bashing the couple for their “untraditional” lifestyle?
sypnosis: how they’re like when someone attempts to bash the two of you because of your lifestyle. ( i dont condone to bashing and any forms of harassment. )
characters: zhongli, diluc, itto, xiao, kaeya, thoma, childe, and scaramouche
content: mafia!au, mentions of harassment (bashing), mild swearing, violence, threats, hint of torture, insults
post-script: don’t we all wish it was a reality 😔💔 how does it feel to live our dreams y/n 🎤🎤🎤🎤 on the other hand, im planning on making a separate post about the remote working s/o (bcuz theres sm to say about this) sooo stay tuned for that 😈 for now tho, lemme share the goody details on the last part hehe
the way of the househusband au masterlist
INTIMIDATES BASHERS - zhongli, diluc, itto, and xiao
ZHONGLI’s rolled up sleeves that shows his battle scars are enough for people who attempt to bash the two of you to not do anything at all, giving the ex-yakuza all the more reasons to be proud of his scars and not be ashamed to show them. though, you gotta admit, you’re surprised that it intimidated people despite the apron he always wears.
when you do encounter a basher that actually has the nerve to bash, zhongli first lets his scars intimidate the person and try to reason with them, keeping you beside him protectively in hopes of the basher not trying to harm you.
if the basher is stubborn and tries to harm the both of you regardless of your lover’s attempts, this is when rex lapis comes out in the light instead of zhongli.
you could only watch as your husband grips the basher’s shoulder in a tight manner, his eyes narrowing as the atmosphere grew tense.
“how would you feel about living in prison for a while?”
DILUC’s aloof attitude alongside his muscular form often intimidated people around him and he definitely isn’t complaining — especially since it backs off those who could attempt to hurt you because of your lifestyle with him, so the chance of getting bashed was only a 1% possibility.
however, the possibility is never a zero.
your harasser didn’t even know that your husband is the intimidating bartender that cleans glasses 24/7 because he only overheard you gushing to your friend about your lovely househusband in the bar where he drinks, so things didn’t go well with the person when your husband caught him sputtering insults and nearly punched you when you insulted him back.
customers and your friend could only watch as some asshole who didn’t know anything better get scared by diluc’s haunting glare and cowardly backed off when the red-haired man calmly ordered him to get out, causing your harasser muttering out insincere comments before taking his leave.
despite the situation being dealt with, we all know diluc would feel guilty if you ever get hurt because of him being a househusband :((
nevertheless though, his guilt that sometimes creeps in him disappears when he sees you giving such a blessing smile, telling him how you’re grateful to have a wonderful househusband like him and how you love him so much despite his past :))
ITTO honestly didn’t intend to intimidate people with his stature and muscular scar-covered body and he’s incredibly oblivious from that fact. however, you are really thankful that his intimidated appearance is enough to make bashers back off - especially since your neighbors warned you and itto about bashers that lurks around the small town.
if there was someone who somehow had the metal balls to bash you not knowing that your househusband is a literal beefy muscular man who can probably crush someone’s head with his bare hands who’s standing nearby, he’ll immediately tackle him down and make you call the police for an attempted harassment.
although your husband isn’t as… violent as most househusbands in this post, he’s the only one who does the most rational thing and call the cops, simply because he’s a literally nice guy that just follows the law now.
XIAO’s eyes are something that catches people’s attention, only for them to immediately feel scared of him because of his rest-bitch face. if looks could kill, xiao would’ve already killed millions, that’s what people will think to themselves whenever they walk pass the ex yakuza.
unfortunately, this doesn’t go the same for certain people because of xiao’s height, especially that one basher that spat out insults after insults because of your lifestyle with xiao — that is, until your husband takes one good look at the basher with a scary glare with intent to kill — and that was enough for the person to shut his mouth up and stare in fear.
you gotta admit, it was pretty hot. but scary as well. but mostly hot.
THREATENS BASHERS - kaeya and thoma
KAEYA will instantly take a hold on the person from going after you, staring at them with a cold gaze that replaced the loving look he gives to you and only you.
he may have promised that he wouldn’t hurt anyone anymore to you, but it doesn’t mean he promised that he’ll not do it verbally. all it took was for your husband to lean in on your assaulter’s ear and whisper a few words that made him shiver in fear and try to get away from kaeya.
when you asked kaeya what he said to the basher, his expression instantly comes back into a loving one, cupping your cheek with his one hand as he tells you it’s nothing for you to worry about.
THOMA will immediately put himself between you and your basher before stopping them from their attempted harassment. it was definitely strange to see your husband taking the situation so light heartedly as he treats your harasser like they’re old friends — but then the blonde haired man whispers something that made the basher look at him in confusion, giving you and thoma a chance to walk away from the incident with no injuries and worries.
so imagine your surprise when you saw your basher standing at your front door the day after the incident, muttering so much apologies as he kneels on the ground and begs for forgiveness to you. just what did thoma do to scare this poor guy?!
FIGHTS BASHERS BACK - childe, scaramouche
CHILDE will not take the basher slightly — especially if they were aiming to attack you first under his watch. seriously, were they asking for a death wish when they tried to hurt an ex-yakuza’s spouse right in front of him? childe amuses to himself, watching as the basher cowardly steps away when he sees childe bringing out a gun.
oh, you don’t have to worry about witnessing the poor bastard’s death by your husband - the gun is simply a prop that can scare off people like your assaulter, so no need to try and stop him, just watch the show and see if the man learned his lesson <<3 you wanted to ask why on earth your husband has a gun prop, but you honestly don’t wanna find out.
what’s not a prop are the two blades that childe brings out when he stands in front of the basher’s home, smiling menacingly as he goes closer and closer to the front door.
despite failing in being intimidating to others outdoors and not in his old organization anymore, SCARAMOUCHE makes it up through his violent verbal assault. he’s probably the only househusband that made you encounter a few bashers who aren’t scared of scaramouche’s appearance.
however, your lover is one of the only househusbands who won’t hesitate to go violent (verbally and physically) against someone who’d have the audacity to assault you. it didn’t matter if the incident occur in public, his major priority is you and your safety, so he’d be damned if he’d let this bastard’s disgusting behavior slide just because he has an audience.
so when a certain basher took things way too far, it simply end up with the basher feeling like an embarrassment to this world and a traumatized memory of scaramouche’s colorful words.
Suddenly having brainrot over SAGAU again. What if in the imposter au, the creator developes reversed hanahaki? Like they cough out petals when they are unloved.
Imagine the angst when creator is dying from the flowers growing inside just cuz they were hated and falsely accused.
Imagine the pain of finding the body covered with pretty flowers eith golden blood man the angst :((
aaa scara + red tulips + hurt to bittersweet fluff?
tw/cw - mentions of blood, light angst.
a/n - lol i kinda died but uh here ya go hopefully he isn’t too ooc it’s kinda hard to do fluff with a man with homocidal urges
the first time you told the balladeer about your infatuation for his being, he had laughed in your face, and asked if it were a cruel joke.
the flowers quickly followed, having been stuck tight inside your throat while his laughter rung in your ears, and only released when you were alone in the dark confines of your room. they blanketed the comforter of your bed, red tulips blending with the blood from the body wrecking coughs. how cruel, you thought, for something so beautiful to be the reasoning behind so many lives taken.
the fleeting thought arose when you cradled them gently in your hands, staring quietly as you studied the result of the disease well known throughout the nation. you sputtered an equally soft laugh, vaguely recalling the warnings given to you throughout childhood, and the caution over fluttering hearts and a tender touch. all over this single flower. a life created through one’s own suffering, formed through those a servant to the emotion unfortunately befalling upon them.
and molded from the love you felt for a man who would never feel the same.
you made it your sole duty to act as if the flowers and love made from your body never surfaced in the first place. tight stretched smiles that would fool any. countless hours dedicated to the work you found to be the only escape. an excuse to stay trapped in your room as the garden grew, and to blame on when one asked about the decaying corpse you found yourself stuck in.
no questions were supposed to be asked. it was why you felt both fear, irritation, and pure heartache when the man behind the poison came to your door and called you out on the lies and illusions you had so comfortably hidden yourself within.
you could hear the way the wood protested when scaramouche slammed the door shut behind him, despite your protests for his presence in the first place. you would’ve continued such banter if it weren’t for the anger so visibly trembling his hands and the gray clouds storming his eyes, “you haven’t been at your best, i can tell.”
your throat felt dry at his words, and you forced yourself to clear such obstacles in order to reply, “im trying.”
“well your effort right now isn’t enough,” his tone was still harsh, not once lightening even as he took notice of your fallen expression. instead, he hesitated before taking a small step forward, “seriously, come on! what’s up with you?”
the echo of cruel laughter rung in your brain, causing you to pick yourself up from the desk you had been working at and maneuvering your body to leave the room, “it’s nothing, scaramouche. mind your own business-”
the man scowled, face twisted into irritation. it wouldn’t have bothered you so much if he hadn’t caged your upper arm within the harsh grip of his cold fingers, “it’s my business when it affects MY work too.”
you had never been fond of scaramouche. from the moment you first met him as new recruits competing with one another for the top spots, the man had earned himself the title of least likable in anyones lives, especially yours. it was why it frustrated you that those feelings had changed so abruptly, all because of the single moment you shared showcasing vulnerability. ironically enough it reminded you of that exact moment, but instead with cold skin numbing the pain of a deep cut from an expedition, and an expression so soft he was almost unrecognizable.
it frustrated you, how it had stuck with you for so long, and eventually nurtured the petals you had been so desperately trying to kill for the past couple weeks.
scaramouche froze as you dropped yourself to the ground, and even more so when your hacking fit revealed the product of his carelessness. he tried, desperately, to clear his throat and mutter out the first words of his reaction, “you were…serious about that?”
you let your eyes remain glued to the ground, burning holes due to frustration. that was all he had to say? there you were, dying, and the man had the audacity to waste his first words on the confession you had given weeks ago, “well, doesn’t really matter now so-“
“why me?” he dropped down beside you, purple hues also fixated on the abnormal amount of blood and flowers in your hands. if you hadn’t known better, you would say he appeared broken by the realization of the outcome, “what’s so lovable about me?”
you frowned, both perplexed and upset at his strange behavior, “scaramouche-“
“why are you dying for me!” his fingers once more gripped the sides of your arms, almost shaking you with the way they trembled. scaramouche, the balladeer, appeared almost desperate, searching for something amongst the blurs of red and frustration.
“i would do anything for you.” you mumbled quietly, slowly placing your own hands over where his lay. a reassuring touch for who, you didn’t know, but it remained there as his grip tightened and he pushed his body to rest over yours.
“you cant.”
“hm?” you hummed, afraid that your voice would betray and reveal just how much the feel of his forehead resting on your collarbone, affected the disease still plaguing your body.
for a brief moment he remained quiet, before suddenly pulling back, and this time his hands gripped the sides of your face as the tone of his voice grew several octaves, “you cant!”
the lines around your lips deepened, forcing yourself to drift your gaze to rest anywhere but his expression, “my fates already sealed, there’s nothing-“
“and what if i said i cared for you?” he quickly spoke, prompting you to meet his gaze for the final time that night. it…surprised you to say the least. but the most surprising thing of all was not the glare of purple, although halfhearted, nor the frown of his lips, but rather the deep hue of red burning his cheeks, “that you’re not just some underling. you aren’t annoying and you aren’t a burden.”
you opened and closed your mouth several times before his words clicked, and several more attempts before you could speak, “are you saying…?”
instead of replying straight away scaramouche once more leaned forward, the heat of his skin burning your own, “do i need to repeat myself?”
“say it. just once,” you croaked out, caging him within your arms and desperately clinging on as if he’d disappear, “and i won’t die.”
you felt it, the gentle way his lips moved against your skin, whispering something so quiet you could barely register it. but you heard it, and it was enough to fully clear the pressure in your throat, and wilt the flowers you had grown.
Your work is amazing!! Hope you’re having an amazing day!! I absolutely loved your post with the maknae line where the reader’s friend helped the reader to escape against her will! Could you do one for the hyung line?? If not please don’t worry ☺️
// Aw, thank you! And yes, of course, sweetheart! Here you go! \\
Warnings: yandere content, reader having Stockholm Syndrome, toxic and unhealthy dynamics / themes, please read at your own risk
Maknae Line ver.
This had to be a joke. Completely idiotic, but a joke, nonetheless. Namjoon was sure - almost one hundred percent positive - that he trained you better than this. But when he walked through a utterly empty house, with you no where in sight, anger, betrayal, and sadness bubbled up in his chest.
He was so sure he had you thoroughly wrapped around his finger, but it seems as if he gravely underestimated you.
He was seconds away from allowing all those emotions to boil over. Seconds away from putting his fist through the nearest sheet of dry wall. Over and over again until his knuckles came back a bruised and bloody mess.
That is, until his phone’s ringtone woke him up out of his frustrated-filled daze. Namjoon slipped his hand into his back pocket and scowled down at the caller-ID. Not once was he expecting that name to be illuminated on the screen.
The name of one of your painfully close friends. The same one he tried over and over again to rid permanently from your life. Mostly due to their pesky interference. So, with an aggravated sigh, he pressed the ‘accept’ button before bringing the device up to his ear.
“What the hell do you want,” he breathed out, skipping any formalities and jumping straight to the point, “Why is it that your calling me, hm? Let me guess, it’s about -”
His voice was abruptly cut off, however, by the angelic voice he missed oh-so desperately already.
“Joon,” he could practically feel the tremble in your voice through the phone, “I-I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to go, but they came and .. and ..”
He stood in silence as he listened to you attempting to regain even the slightest fraction of your composure. His jaw stayed firmly locked in place as his hand squeezed even tighter around the small breakable device.
The only thought in his mind was to have you back with him, safely wrapped up in his tight embrace.
No, his only thought was the different ways he could dispose of your friend for good. Permanently. So they could never rip you away from him again.
“Can you please come get me? They are upstairs getting the guest room ready .. I-I want to come home.”
Home. The way that word spilled from your perfect lips melted away any lasting anger. Your voice sounded as sweet and smooth like honey. Yet, it still trembled with every word that was uttered.
Even in times of panic and worry, you were still his adorably meek little mouse.
Namjoon soon found himself nodding in response to your question, your soft temporarily distracting him, but he quickly stopped upon the realization you weren’t able to see - or hear - his response.
“Of course, darling,” he finally brought himself to speak, “I’ll be there as soon as I can. Stay put and don’t utter a single word until I get there, understand? I’ll deal with them accordingly soon enough. You’re such a good girl for calling me. I promise to spoil you the second I have you back in my arms, baby.”
Moments like these were very rare. Jin practically hated everyone you spoke to, especially your friends. But when he offered to take you out for lunch - with a friend you haven’t seen in months - you couldn’t stop yourself from practically jumping with glee.
Although, it ended up turning out nothing like you had hoped. The atmosphere was painfully awkward. Hardly anyone spoke outside of occasional small talk such as the weather, news, or the taste of their food. Your friend never tore their sharp glare away from your boyfriend as they stuffed there mouth full with food. It never wavered, stalking his every move, until he eventually - and politely - excused himself to the washroom.
“Psst,” a voice across from you suddenly tore your gaze up from your plate, “Let’s get out of here. Come on, while he’s still gone.”
Confusion and horror struck you at their words. You couldn’t possibly leave him, not now. Not ever. So you vigorously shook your head, hoping that was enough to shoot down their absurd idea. But when they went as far as to grab your arm and pull you up, your body went into a full panic.
“Stop it! Don’t - Don’t touch me!”
The sound of your bellowing voice caught nearly everyone’s attention. Customers. Waiters. And even Jin’s, as he just made his way out of the bathroom.
Truth be hold, he was alarmed when he saw you standing from your seat. He didn’t recall giving you permission to get up, nor cause a scene. But the way your body was tense, rigid, and how your eyes darted around made the reality of the situation dawn down upon him.
“What’s going on here,” he calmly asked while wrapping an assuring arm around your waist. It was a simple gesture, but one that made you feel safe and secure.
The third voice to suddenly ring out instantly calmed each and every nerve your friend had provoked.
“N-Nothing, I promise,” you try to confidently announce, but your voice still quaked with every syllable, “I want to go home. Please.”
Jin smiled at your words, “Sure thing, princess. Why don’t you lead the way?”
He tossed a few bills onto the table - enough to pay for all three meals, plus a generous tip for the waiter - before following your figure out the door. Of course, stopping just long enough to shoot your friend a deadly glare, along with a victorious smirk.
When the two of disappeared down the street - and out of prying eyes - Jin pulled you in by the waist before pressing his lips against your own.
“You were such a good girl, princess. Such a good girl. I knew there was going to be a day where I could trust you. Maybe I should start taking you out more often now, yeah?”
You currently sat perched up on the couch, absentmindedly watching some type of T.V. show, while Yoongi slept soundly upstairs. Originally, you were cuddled up beside him, but between the heat and your undying alertness, you then ventured downstairs.
But as the show finally began capturing your attention, the sound of the doorbell ringing snatched it away. Nervousness began to blossom in your stomach as you waited for your boyfriend to sluggishly make his way down the stairs, but he never did.
The doorbell was sounded again and you reluctantly pushed yourself up off the couch cushions, making your way to the door. You knew he was only suppose to answer the door, but if he already hasn’t woken up yet, you could only guess at how exhausted he was.
So while chewing your bottom lip, you pulled the door open only to be stunned with surprise. Here - standing only a few feet away - was your close friend. Their face contorted in relief when they saw you, but more specifically, when they saw you in one piece.
“What are you doing here,” you questioned, uneasy, while shielding a part of your body with the door.
“Oh, god, I’m glad it wasn’t him that answered. Come on, let’s get you out of here, honey,” your friend calmly spoke, almost talking to you as if you were a frightened toddler, “I don't want you being anywhere near him anymore. He’s the worst possible thing for you. I know you may not believe it right now, but it’s true.”
At the end of their sentence, they used their body weight to further push open the door and wrap a tight grip around your wrist, trying to pull you along. Your heels dug into the tile floor as your other hand sprung out, holding onto the banister. You unwavering stance quickly made your friend exhausted, allowing yourself to finally wiggle out of their forceful grip.
“G-Get out of here. Get out of here before he wakes up,” you spoke, keeping your voice low, then sharply pointed to their car before slamming the door shut and locking it.
“Mm, well, aren’t you being a surprisingly good girl today, huh,” Yoongi’s raspy voice spoke from behind you, sending a wave of chills throughout your body, “I must admit, I’m feeling quite a bit of pride right now.”
You heard his footsteps get closer before his arms snaked around your waist, pressing your back into his chest. Shortly afterwards, his lips found their way to your neck, kissing all the way up until he whispered in your ear,
“But, babygirl, what did I tell you about answering the door?”
This was Hoseok’s number one nightmare coming to life. You were missing - no - you weren’t just missing. You stolen away from the safety of his home to who knows where.
Rain pounded against every solid object as thunder erupted in the night sky above. All while Hoseok sped through the streets, stopping at every destination you could possibly be hiding at. But his frustration kept growing - every time he was left disappointed - until teetered between misery and borderline murderous rage.
He went to take a sharp right turn before he was forced to slam on the brakes as a figure ran out right into the middle of the road. The lights from his car illuminated the person’s soaking wet and shivering form.
The figure looked like a terrified deer trapped in place by his headlights, but as his eyes squinted to get a better look, enormous amounts of weight lifted off his chest. it wasn’t just anyone, it was you - his scared little deer.
Without a second thought, he allowed all of his anger to consume him in an instant, and he stormed out of his car, nearly ripping the doors off the hinges.
“What in the actual fuc-” his voice attempted to bellow, sounding deeper and almost more menacing than ever before.
But in a flash, he was caught off guard by your form dashing towards him. He felt your arms throw themselves around his neck, soon firmly locking in place, as the sounds of your sobs filled his ears.
“I-I’m sorry,” you whimpered out, just loud enough for him to hear you over the thudding of the rain, "I'm so-so sorry, Hobi.”
When his arms finally returned the same gesture, Hoseok found himself frowning. You were freezing to the touch. Your skin felt the same as ice. But no matter how annoyed he felt at your foolish actions, he couldn’t bring himself to feel anymore anger.
The feeling of having you safely back in his arms was much too euphoric.
Through shaky breaths and choked sobs, you vaguely explained how your friend cornered you at work, forcing you into their car before Hoseok had the opportunity to arrive.
“I left as soon as I got the chance, b- but I got lost ..”
He pushed you out of his warm embrace - just enough for him to stare deeply into your teary, doe-like eyes.
“Shh .. It’s okay, baby. You’re back where you belong now. With me. You’re safe now. But, angel, I want you to tell me everything. Their phone number, their address, all of it. If you do, I’ll happily forget about your part in all of this. Besides, that bastard and I need to have a little chat.”
Title: The Return of an Empress
Status: Completed
Pairing: OT7 x Reader
Genre: Isekai, Angst, Romance, Fluff, Smut
Characters: Empress!Reader, Advisor!Jin, Advisor!Yoongi, General!Hoseok, Advisor!Namjoon, Assassin!Jimin, Knight!Taehyung, Knight!Jungkook
Summary: After one fateful night, you find yourself transmigrated into your favorite novel as the Empress that shares the same name as you. As a bookworm, most would think you’d be happy, but how could you be happy when the Empress you’ve become is expected to be killed in three months. The only thing on your mind now is to learn how to survive.
Warning: May contain depictions of violence and mentions of abuse throughout the story.
Total Word Count: 280,808
Smut - | ☼ | Fluff - | ♡ | Angst - | ☆ |
Keep reading
Brainrot over Foul Legacy being an oversized cat around Darling Reader after he gets us to the Tsaritsa. She simply cannot pry him from us since, him being the only person (er… abyssal creature) that didn’t throw stones and insults at us, is the only source of comfort for their god. She might try to get him to leave but it seems that reader is much more calm with him around, after all, they were being chased by humans and FL doesn’t look all that human, right? So he keeps his privileges as your bodyguard and comfort moth/abyss monster. You two are basically glued together after what happened in liyue so:
Cue shenanigans:
Imagine throwing a yarn ball at him, he gets the string tangled all over his face, claws and horns, maybe it was intentional, maybe it was not, bu he loves the sound of your laugh; so hearty and joyful compared to before.
I’m FIXATED on his fluffy neck, that stuff is probably more comfortable than any pillow in al the nations, you can’t change my mind. You can probably crash onto his neck and pass out in minutes, he would be purring like no tomorrow. When the tsaritsa comes to investigate the sound he is so smug- (if tsaritsa is jelly she HAS to let it slide because no mothman= sad god, and she loves u so much)
When you pester them enough, aka. Just give them puppy eyes, they might let you have a short stroll tru the snow (look, i have NEVER seen snow im goin off on what movies show) with both of them accompanying you on the chilly path, childe basically goes ‘murp!’ When you throw a snowball at him. Have fun trying to land another one, he keeps zooming around like a cat. Tsaritsa might ACTUALLY LAUGH (just a little, just for you).
Would, without a doubt, catch you the single biggest fish you have seen in your godamm life. Pls pet him, he looks so proud, how can you not.(you heartless monster)
PURRS! He purrs so much around you, after he noticed you liked it, he kept doing it because he thinks it makes you feel safe and have a spacial orientation of WHERE he is in the room. (He can be deadly silent when he needs but doesn’t want to spook u) It also serves for the Tsaritsa because if she hears purring she instantly knows you are with Tartaglia and you are safe. (She also has had some problems with him going missing and coming back weeks later so its a plus to know where he is 24/7)
Bleps. Thats it, he sometimes pokes his tongue from the front of his mask to make you laugh and receive headpats.
Not you both tip toeing to the kitchen in the middle of the night for a cup of tea. In theory, it could work, childe himself can be silent as a grave. But he is in his FL form, you know, the one with a stardust cape, some bright af protrusions from his back, that pearl eye that practically glows in the dark- you only make it to the first corridor before you have to scamper back to your room or fear being snitched by another harbinger-
Would he sleep on that island the Tsaritsa calls a bed? Yes. Yes he would. If you are comfortable with him being glued to your side prepare for cuddles, just mind the sharp edges, but you can hide on his fluff. If you prefer him to mind the space he can take the lower part of the bed, dw its big enough. And yes, he keeps purring.
Gets frighteningly in-tone with your emotions and body language; should you tense up at sudden movements or people he will hiss and growl until they take the hint or he can take you away from the situation. (He can only do that to everyone BUT the Tsaritsa, he cannot lose his privileges) Actually, in lieu of this, he can be in the other side of the palace for whatever reason and still sense your mood.
Scaramouche having a staring competition with Childe to see who gets to hang out with you one day. Both don’t need/can’t blink so its a long time until they realize that and until they do you have been spending time with Tsaritsa, happily cuddling in a sea of furs while she reads over some documents.
Will probably plop you into his lap/shoulder/hands at some point and not let you go, demanding head scratching as ransom.
Everyone in the palace has seen it yet cannot believe how did you manage to tame the beast that is the 11th Harbinger Tartaglia. If there were any doubts amongst the newer recruits or higher ranked officials, it is dissipated by now, for surely you MUST be someone special to have this effect in the Tsaritsa and her best soldiers. Such beliefs are set into stone after some poor soul comes across you when Childe was away in some mission and they got to actually see you in person.
There is no mistake, for your being itself carries the golden aura of divinity and the might of the stars in the tips of your fingers.
————————->
Whew, that was a lot XD
Anyways, I suddenly fell in love with the concept of the Tsaritsa being a single mom of the miss match family that is the Fatui and Childe being the troublemaker son with FL being an oversized cat.
Anyways! Love your content! Keep the hard work and thanks for everything! <3
I read this over three times literally starry eyed of how in love i was so here take this 🧍🏻♀️ also I'll be adding another part because I can't do it all in one jffhkdnd
If anyone were to pass by your wing in the Zapolyarny Palace, they would've been met with the sound of such a joyful and bright laughter it would've made them smile as well, as though the joy was contagious.
The source of the laughter was you— and the cause of it was Childe in his Foul Legacy form, grumbling as he attempted to pry the colorful strings of yarn away from clawed hands, arms, face, and horns. He only managed to wrap more around himself, making your laugh even louder, to the point where by now you were wheezing and struggling to breathe.
"This isn't funny!" Childe sputtered in that distorted voice, yet anybody could've easily noted that he didn't even sound bothered. "Have mercy on me, your grace! How will I even protect you like this!?"
"Alright, alright, you big baby," you snickered into your hands, gesturing for him to come close. Without even a second's worth of hesitation did you plop yourself down on his lap— it was easier for you to sit that way rather than try to reach Childe in this form any other way. Besides, from the way he immediately began those purrs of his you were sure that he liked it this way, too.
With a scissor, you snipped away at the strings until Childe could finally be freed from his dramatic imprisonment. That done, he laid his big head on your shoulder and began to purr deep from his chest in a way you've become happily familiar with.
"Waitttt," you drawled off, pushing at his chest until he took his head off your shoulder— more specifically, removed the treacherously soft fluff around his neck away from your face. "You know how that thing makes me want to nap all day but—"
"If you want to nap you should nap, your grace. I will protect as I have always done—"
"But I want to go outside today!" You insisted, eyes already turning back to the giant windows of your room. The skies were clear now, as opposed to last night's snowstorm that left the world draped in blanket bright white snow.
Childe whined, shaking his head. "But isn't today too cold? Tomorrow would be a better choice, no?"
"Pulcinella said it'll rain tomorrow," you replied, moving away from him to don a warm, thick cloak that had been draped over a chair. If it happened to be the Tsaritsa's own cloak from when she visited you earlier, well you were sure she wouldn't mind. "I'll even ask the Tsaritsa herself—"
"Ask me what, your excellency?" And there she is! You made your way over to her side without any of your previous fear, a knowledge that had her (and Childe) secretly very smug and happy.
"Let's go out to the gardens, pretty please, Дорогая?" You gave her what you thought was your best puppy eyes, hands clasped with hers. "I've been cooped up for too long what with that snowstorm and Childe being away on a mission. . ."
The Tsaritsa frowned. "Had I known sooner that you felt most comfortable with him I wouldn't have sent him away; I'm sorry, your excellency. But for your request. . ." Your were sure she was going to refuse you, yet her words died down when she realized you were wearing her own cloak.
"Very well," she sighed, though her hand moved to cup your jaw gently. "But please dress warmer, alright?"
"Of course!"
The gardens were closed off to the public, thus you, her, and Childe had more than enough privacy and area for you to be happily moving and going around. At one point, however, you gently led the Tsaritsa away and Childe busied himself to give you two privacy.
"This is an embarrassing request," you began, though there was a bright, mischievous grin on your face. "But can you make a, uh, a snow fort for me?"
"A snow fort?" She furrowed her brows, but still did as you asked— and her confusion melted away when you thanked her with a beaming smile.
"Childe?~" you sang, a snowball prepared in your hand. When he excitedly showed up, you threw it straight at his masked face with no regrets.
The sound he made had you howling with laughter and even the Tsaritsa chuckling behind her hand, even when Childe expertly dodges all the next snowballs you throw at him.
──・──・・ ♡ ・・──・──
"I didn't realize I was to be target practice for today, you grace," Childe was teasing you, you in his arms per the Tsaritsa's orders after you spent more than half the day fooling around in the snow.
"Shush," you chuckled, though your eyes were already growing heavy— really, it was criminal how soft and warm the fluff around Childe's neck was, and how safe you felt with him and the Tsaritsa. . .
Childe floated through the Palace halls to reach your wing, and just when he was a turn away from it did two agents crash past him. They were already loud, and most definitely didn't lower their voices when they caught sight of Childe's Foul Legacy form.
Childe himself wasn't bothered, but he was not blind to how their voices and ruckus made your features twist, rest disturbed— and he could not have that.
He growled, hold protective on you as that peal eye of his stared straight at the two cowering agent. "Silence! Leave, or else I'll make a wonderful example out of your hides,"
The two scrambled away fast, but this time they made sure not to cause the same ruckus as before— good, otherwise not only would've they been answering Childe, but the Tsaritsa herself.
Soon enough he had reached your room; divesting you of your boots and cloak, he joined you on the bed and tucked you close once more to his neck— a position that has by now became familiar to both you and him.
Childe can't help but begin to purr, deep and soothing, and pull you into his arms without hurting you with the sharp edges of armour. He let sleep pull him into slumber, confident in his abilities to protect should anything happen.
That was how the Tsaritsa found the both of you later, with Childe's happy purring almost making the bed trembling and you soundly asleep.
At least she won't have to worry about you being unprotected or unhappy (and she could now easily tell if Childe was with you, quite the bonus).
did anyone ask for fatui found family hc’s?? no???? too bad anyway here’s my 300 page doc on why the harbingers + the tsaritsa are the ultimate villain found family trope and in this essay i will—
Keep reading
✂ Pairing: Yandere! Mafia! Kim Taehyung x Female! Reader
✂ Word Count: 1,6k+
✂ Warnings: Murder, implied violence, kidnapping, blood
[Edited]
Do not re-upload my writing to another website or use it without my permission. Please reblog so other people can see my stories!
Keep reading
— title; all of you, all of me (intertwined)
— pairing; scaramouche x reader
— summary; in which you and scaramouche are childhood friends, and he returns to your side after a long absence
— notes; please donate to my kofi (https://ko-fi.com/thirdgymbros) if you like my content and wish to support me. reblogs are appreciated !!
Scaramouche used to hate having you trail after him everywhere when the two of you were young. He would run, he would hide, he would call you names, but still, you refused to leave him alone. You remember exploring Chinju forest with him when his patience finally ran out. He abandoned you in the forest, and you’d sobbed and wailed your heart out, calling out his name over and over. You’d only been lost for about ten minutes before Scaramouche stomped his way back to you, his heavy footsteps shocking amidst the heavy silence.
“Stop crying already.” He’d snapped, though his fingers had been exceedingly gentle as they’d wiped the tears seeping from your eyes. “I’m here now, aren’t I?”
Keep reading
taps fingers so that sagau huh 👀 i like the sub troupe where people think reader is an imposter and try to exterminate them for their blasphemy but what about one where reader runs into like the harbingers or the abyss prince/princess while injured and are recognised as the god they are so that by the time the rest realise what theyve done reader is smitten with where they are. like childe jokes around with them and rough houses gently bc he sees readers eyes light up at being treated normally, the reader loves to curl up on scaramouches lap and bask in being one of the only ones to hear the balladeers singing voice, they find snezhneya to be where they feel safest and are terrified to leave its borders w/o a harbinger or the tsaritsa hersef by their side?
HNGHN YESS I love this au! A few other writers have also made amazing stuff with this idea! I hope you enjoy this!! <3 I ended up writing about the fatui since i wanted to make this somewhat coherent and couldnt tie the abyss into it, but i'd totally love to write abt the abyss too!! (I really enjoyed writing this, miiight write more abt it if i have any ideas)
cw: mention of injury, trauma
Length: 1.9 k
Perhaps it was because it was the first act of kindness you'd been blessed with since being forcefully flung into this strange, magical world. Perhaps it was because of the bitter resentment burning in the back of your throat like a vile poison. Whatever it was - it was the first time you'd felt - well, content since arriving in Teyvat.
You still recall the aches jabbing at your body - unsure where you were hurt, since everything ached agonizingly. Every bruise, cut - and especially the searing words echoing within your mind - voiced by ones you used to love.
Darkness.
Hallow, cold, darkness.
A never ending abyss of agony followed by numbness.
Tufts of fur ticking your nose - cool breezes brushing against your skin.
Wet flakes of snow, gracefully gliding down from the skies - only for their brief, yet beautiful life, to come to an end as they landed upon you and spread out into tiny droplets of water.
Strong arms carrying you in them, pressing you against a broad chest tightly - as though you'd fade away if they eased up their stronghold.
The crunching of snow beneath their feet. Anxious huffs of breath next to your face as the pace sped up.
Warm, plush furs underneath your frame - cradling your broken form and enveloping you in their inviting warmth. Pulling you down to sink into the softness below.
A cool, yet gentle touch upon your forehead.
Delicate fingers rolling across your skin, feather-light in their touches as they traced every mark upon your face with a barely-there caress.
"Thank you for bringing them to me."
A forehead pressed against yours - skin much too cold to be human, yet a warmth in the regal, quiet voice that spoke out.
Gradually, your heavy lids let up and allowed your eyes to open. You were greeted by a high ceiling - gratuitous silver embellishments lining the walls - crowned by diamonds that glistened like ice in the sun. Every corner of the room was decorated lavishly in cool silvers and blues - the only warmth oozing from the fire roaring near your bed.
A large bed - furs covering every surface of it and silky, transparent curtains drawn around it - fuzzing up your vision of the surrounding room ever so slightly.
Gently, careful not to irritate your injuries further, you sat up, allowing heavy duvets to slide off your form and crumple in a heap beside the bed.
Where on earth were you?
With a shaky hand, you reached for the airy textile of the curtains.
Your arm was wrapped in bandages - upon further inspection, much of your body was. The dull ache remained - but your wounds ached much less - as though a numbing and cooling agent had been applied upon them.
Before you could even attempt to climb out of the bed - the large, looming doors of the room swung open and a small crowd flowed into the room like rushing spring waters - a quiet murmur hovering around them.
You stared in awe at the people before you.
Childe, his blue gaze focused solely on you - a sincere relief upon his features?
The familiar wide-brimmed hat of an unforgettable Balladeer peeking out from behind the others?
But first and foremost - your eyes fixated upon the unfamiliar woman at the head of the group.
Icy, pale blue eyes that stared into your soul - silver-white hair enclosed in beautiful intricate braids and a shimmering tiara fixed within her hair. Her long, blue robes hugged her figure - the silver embroidery gleaming when the fire cast light upon her.
She was beautiful.
"Your Grace," she whispered, her voice like a melody sung out in a church - reverent and wise as much as it was enchanting.
She approached your stunned figure - a coldness hovering around her - something you should have figured, given the symbol of cryo worn around her delicate neck.
"We're so glad to see you're awake at last."
You hadn't expected to be held out a loving hand by the villains of the story. The harsh - merciless Tsaritsa and her loyal Harbringers. But you were glad they brought you into their loving arms within the nation of Snezhnaya - showering you in attention, gifts - worship as though you were the most delicate and valuable gem within the universe. Tending to your aches with soothing remedies and the best doctors.
A god - held in higher regard than even the royal and beautiful Tsaritsa herself - who was glued to your side, her mesmerizing eyes always upon you.
At first - you had been skeptical.
Skeptical, when Childe - Tartaglia, kneeled before you and kissed your bruised knuckles with the utmost adoration welling within the pools that were his eyes.
Frightened, when Scaramouche - the unpredictable and short-tempered Balladeer of the Harbringers allowed you to see a softness within his hardened shell - worshipping the very ground you walked in.
Intimidated, when the Tsaritsa lovingly guided you around the palace, showing you the gnosis she had acquired - promising to make the ones who hurt you suffer.
But slowly - you felt yourself melting in the company of your newfound friends, despite the ever cold winds and snow of Sznezhnaya.
"Your Grace, would you like to accompany me to go fishing?" the cheerful voice of Childe called out to you as you sat on your window sill, cocooned in a blanket.
You glanced up at him, a rare, faint smile upon your lips.
You'd been bundled up in the warmest fur coats, elemental magic keeping you warm as you rode a carriage to a nearby lake.
There, Childe had been quick to get to work, showing off his skills in a myriad of ridiculous ways. Shooting arrows at the fish - swooping them up with the claws of his Foul Legacy form - anything to keep the light in your eyes glowing.
Finally, as he attempted a complex series of tricks to catch his next fish - you allowed a laugh to bubble in your chest - pure and earnest, and vulnerable.
The icy waters of the lake had no effect on the Harbringer as he stared in awe, a dumb grin upon his own face as he relished in the heavenly sound.
He made it his mission to coax that sound out from you as often as possible, after that.
Even as he shivered in bed for days after that, a harsh fever riding over his body from the incident at the lake - he minded little, as your divine presence kept him company - slowly opening up to him. Telling him about your life before Teyvat.
He was smitten.
You found it strange, at first, how the Balladeer followed you around constantly, his eyes always on you. It was a little intimidating, given how two-faced he had the capacity to be. That being said, you were quite liking this new side of him you were unearthing.
Your head spun as you escaped your bed, throwing off the restricting covers as memories of your time being hunted crushed you beneath their degrading heel. You were desperate for air - desperate for freedom - for escape. It hurt so much and your legs could only carry you so far in the dark corridors of the palace.
You were brought to earth by soft hands gently grasping yours.
The room was barely lit by violet glow of an electro vision. Your panicked eyes bore into those of the Balladeer - and despite your best efforts, you found yourself sobbing quietly.
The usually angry Harbringer bit down his fury - fury at those that reduced your divine form to tears in the dead of night - and wrapped his arms around you, pulling you close in an awkward attempt at comfort.
He guided you to the sofa in his room, allowing you to sit upon his lap as you wept - not minding the tears staining his clothing as you clutched onto his shirt.
All that mattered to him was you.
You allowed the faint scent of incense imbued within his clothes to soothe you - lulling you to a state of exhaustion. His lips moved faintly - a whisper of an ancient lullaby flowing from them, until finally, you were asleep once more, guarded by the hands of the ruthless Country Destroyer.
After that - you slowly began to seek his presence more. His tough demeanor would wither away in your presence, becoming putty in your hands whenever you were around.
He could go from degrading his subordinates to kneeling before you - eager for your attention - ready to hold you - to allow you to hold him - anything you wanted. Behind his back, few even commented that they could almost see him wagging a nonexistent tail when you were around.
The Tsaritsa was always so gentle - you found yourself getting attached quickly. You were well aware of her jagged, icy nature towards those she deemed problems, but you cared little when her gentle hands placed diamonds around your neck and sang praises to you in a soft voice. Anything you may have needed or wanted - it was yours.
She'd play with your hair gently as she stood by your throne - her throne, as you had told her many times, only for her to disagree. She seated you upon it, smiling gently as she told you of her plans for the archons. Plans for those that hurt you.
Clearly, once the archons and their nations became aware of the fact that the imposter they had attempted to vanquish was indeed you, it was far too late.
Offerings and apology letters were discarded - shredded by the ravenous wolves that were the Harbringers. All to eager to let out their anger towards your transgressors by unleashing it upon their gifts.
When they were foolish enough to enter Sznezhnaya - naïve enough to attempt confronting you - they were denied any access to you. The Tsaritsa was very thorough in her defense systems.
That being said, they were subjugated to witnessing you bloom with infectious joy in the arms of the common enemy.
From a distance - never too close. Never close enough to be seen by you - another thing the Tsaritsa and her army made sure of - but close enough to see you.
See you allowing Childe to pick you up - twirl you in the air while calling you not by your title, but your name. It sent Zhongli into a spiral of despair.
See you sat on the lap of the Electro archon's discarded puppet - affectionately calling him nicknames you made up on the spot, or occasionally leaning against his chest as his edges softened only for you, singing gently for only you to hear. It broke Ei's heart.
See you pampered by the Tsaritsa - watch laughter simmer and spill from your lips as you were entertained by the beautiful flames of La Signora. Suffer as you held hands with the Cryo archon, gifting her your attention and company as she showed you the sights of Sznezhnaya proudly - a knowing glint in her eyes as she sensed her enemies nearby.
It was enough of a punishment on it's own - sentenced to see you happier without them. Happy and safe. Showing your most vulnerable state around the enemies.
But it wasn't enough for the Tsaritsa, or her army of Fatui.
No.
They would tear down every nation if they must - anything to see you smile. Anything to vanquish the nightmares still plaguing you permanently.
Those that dared harm you would certainly live and die to regret it.