Potentiala - Sentient Eyelashes

Soulmate AU

Your typical SM AU where your sm has a tattoo of your name on their wrist and vise versa, but you notice most people have a name in their respectful language and some have names in other languages. However you just have some weird symbols on your wrist, you’ve checked every language in the world and can’t seem to translate it. It isn’t until there’s an alien invasion that you realize your soulmate is an extraterrestrial… and they invaded Earth just to find you.

Lotidge Ship Week: Day 6 - Human

===

Things got better for them.

Sure, Allura's eyebrow would twitch at the sight of their entwined hands and Matt took it upon himself to give Lotor the whole "Big Brother" talk.

And Shiro wouldn't look at the pair of them altogether.

But they were happy. Pidge was glad to have someone who understood her as well as Lotor by her side. Lotor was elated to have finally found an equal in the Green Paladin.

Together, they made quite the fearsome pair.

All biting intelligence and stone-cold fury, the Empire was bound to get nervous. But no one, not any one of them, would've expected the Galran Empire's next move.

They attacked Earth.

A seriously pissed-off Voltron shut the whole operation down, of course. But the terror of what could've been still froze the marrow in their bones. To make matters worse, Earth had taken notice of the little skirmish on the edge of their solar system.

Discovered them.

Allura deciding that the best course of action would be to go down to the surface and try to explain the danger Earth was truly in.

Lance nearly cried with happiness.

Matt and Pidge were overjoyed at the prospect of seeing their mother again. Of coming home. But, there was one problem.

Lotor.

Not that he opposed the decision or anything. The Galran Prince was beyond eager to explore the world and woman that created his beloved little Paladin. No, the problem Lotor presented was very simple in nature.

He was purple.

With silver hair and Altean ears. It wasn’t as though Pidge disliked any of that, rather, she was worried that the government might be. And suddenly, all those nights binge-watching conspiracy theories seemed like a bad idea.

Curse the undeniable proof that Mothman existed!

“I don’t think you should come.” Pidge announced as the couple got ready for bed. The pair stayed up later than everyone else most days, usually due to each other’s company, so it only made sense for them rest at each other’s side as well.

No one else knew.

Which was just fine with the young couple. Everyone knew how late they could work, and therefore no eyebrows were raised when they would walk into the dining room with sleep still clinging to their eyes. Thinking that it was their projects beginning to catch up to them, when really they had just wanted to stay in the same bed for a little while longer. Stay in each other’s arms a moment longer.

Just for a moment.

“Why not? It’s only proper that I meet your mother, considering…” Lotor sent a not so discreet glance towards their shared bed. Littered with their projects and blueprints. Lotor’s side only slightly neater than Pidge’s. The young woman only rolled her eyes, opening her mouth to retort.

When Lotor took his shirt off.

Now…you’d think with the sheer number of times he’s slept in the same bed as her, Pidge would be used to such a sight. But no.

That wasn’t the case.

Good lord, and the look her gave her after stripping! Pidge had half a mind to throw her pillow at him just for that teasing little look. Her face a blushing red mess.

“WHA-We haven’t done anything and you know it!” Came her flustered screech. Trying to take her eyes off of Lotor. Away from his defined, toned stomach. Away from the smooth way his muscles moved underneath his skin. Away from the visible V-line of his hips peaking out from his grey sweatpants.

Obviously she succeeded.

“You don’t look like you’re too happy about that though~”

“L-Look! I’m just worried that humans will see you and-“ Pidge trailed off, Lotor having joined her on their bed. Toned, purple arms on either side of her. The Green Paladin’s heart thundering in her chest at the sight of Lotor’s face watching her underneath him. Sliver hair slipping off his back and onto her shoulders. Leaving ghosting imprints along her collarbones. That soft, soft look back on his face.

Then he changed.

Shifted his features in the same way Allura did. Lotor’s purple skin growing a warmer mocha color. His bright hair running the darkest shade of black Pidge had ever seen. Fangs retreating to a normal size. Ears loosing their sharp points. Eyes loosing their yellow nightlightish hue, but remained that same brilliant blue color.  

Pidge nearly choked.

Lotor smiled. And though he may look human, that wolfish smile was still the same. Still sent shivers down her spine. And the smug Prince above her knew it. Lotor leaning down to kiss her with violet-turned-pink lips just like he always did. Pidge’s hands tangling themselves into his ink-black hair. His weight solidly pressing against her.

He laughed.

“See something you like Darling?”

Some Facts About Me 

Was tagged by @adreamneverends (sorry it took so long!)

Which BTS song means the most to you?

Sorry, I don’t really listen to K-pop and all the stuff...though I definetly plan to check more out later!

How do you feel about Astrology?

I’m actually really interested in it! Though I don’t really believe some of it, its just interesting to what kinds of people match up together. 

Do you think ghosts are real?

Yes...though I’m already dead inside so I don’t think I count just yet...

What’s your favorite instrument?

Um, probably bells? But not like reindeer bells, more like dancing bells. Because while the history of them is a little weird, I just really like the concept!

Who was the last person to make you really smile?

Its probably a close tie between my bro and my friends!

What do you do when you feel vulnerable?

Usually joke it off until I have a chance to change the subject, but that sort of stuff doesn’t usually happen to me so...

What is the last dream you had?

I’ve recently been watching Danganronpa, so the last dream I had involved Chihiro (from the first game) working at their computer...though I can’t remember much beyond that...

Are you a nature person?

Yes! Though I hate really harsh sunlight and humidity because I tan WAY too easily and my hair grows like 10x in humidity. 

What’s your favorite thing to do to relieve stress?

Draw and or take a long shower to unwind

Do you have any other blogs you’d like people to check out?

Nope!

Marvel, DC, or neither?

Hmmmm I’d have to say that I lean more towards Marvel, but I enjoy both!

12. What do you want out of 2018?

The years almost over, but I guess that I still want some time to frickken RECOVER from all the crap that happened this year

13. Do you hold grudges?

That really depends on the situation

14. Who is your favorite Disney hero/heroine?

Mulan <3

15. Do you consider yourself a positive person?

Yeah, or at least I try to be as much as possible 

16. What is something you love that’s underrated?

Waking up late and taking classes that don't feel like work

17. What is your dream job?

Definitely a writer! Probably working from home with like 5 cats and 2 dogs whilst my future significant other helps with the kids <3

18. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Somewhere cold and with actual seasons during the year

19. When was the last time you faced a fear and how did it go?

Going to college...living on my own...we’ll see how that goes I guess...

20. Which would you prefer to read: poetry, fiction, or non-fiction?

Probs a tie between poetry and fiction. Rupi Kaur and Holly Black are some of my favorite authors!

21. Where do you feel most at ease

My bed, usually working on a chapter

Some facts about me

Hey, I suck at writing any tips or tricks.

WHO TOLD YOU THAT LIE?! 

I’LL FITE EM!!! SWEAR ON ME MUM, I’LL FITE EM!!!!

Ok, but in all seriousness...

@januarycarnation you’re just starting out. No one is expecting perfection from you. You’re taking chances and making mistakes, true.

But you’re also getting better.

So yeah, of course the first couple of drafts are going to be very good, but you’ve already accomplished something that I took forever to accept.

You know how to take criticism.

You already know that when some one give you suggestions that they’re not coming from a mean, hateful place. And BECAUSE of that you can improve at at faster rate than i did. So give yourself a pat on the back for that.

You deserve it.

But as far as ACTUAL tips and tricks go, there’s usually three rules that i follow.

Don’t write every day - Granted this MAY NOT be the best advice for some people, but i find that writing everyday can REALLY burn you out to the point where you don’t ever want to do it again. So maybe pace yourself???Just get it out - It’ll probably be horrible, but if you writing out everything you WANT to have happen, you can always go back and fluff it up with all your descrpitions and feelings later. Ya gotta have a skeleton before you have a body. Give yourself deadlines - Granted don’t give yourself WEEKLY deadlines (refer back to point one). But definitely maintain a sense of responsibility. Not for you and not to say that you’re not responsible, but if your readers are taking the time to read, comment, and like your work they deserve updates at a reasonable pace. At the same time, make sure that your audience knows just what sort of challenges that might delay the content they love. I’ve found everyone to be incredibly understanding and i’m immensely thankful for all the support.

Hopefully that answers your question. Thank you for your ask and i hope i helped you in some way, shape, or form!

The best of wishes to you and your future work, i can’t wait to see how you’ll grow as a writer!

Goat in Chali Chaliga from Mr. Perfect (Telugu, 2011)

Soudam Week: Day 4 - Soulmates

The Angst is here and its staying.

Souda hated his soulmate.

  A contradiction that doesn’t make sense, he knows. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t true. For one, he had no idea who his soul mate was. But the worst part was that they were always getting hurt. How did he know?

Well he could feel it to.

  Every cut, every slash, every punch and kick his soulmate endured, so did he. Granted, Souda only received a mirrored version of the severity of the pain, while his soulmate had td to deal with both the pain and the scarring. Still, it hurt.

Still, it would always happen

  Souda had too many memories of suddenly collapsing in pain in elementary school or all together passing out between his soulmate’s pain and his own father’s beatings. So, yeah. Souda came to hate his soulmate. Hated whoever that careless idiot was.

Hated them as much as he worried for them.

===

Years came and went.

  Souda had become used to his soulmate’s frequent injuries. Changing his appearance in such a way that, even if he was writing in agony on the floor over whatever stupid stunt his soulmate pulled, no one who rush at him with pity in their eyes. He hated that pity. He hated that look they gave him.

He hated his soulmate.

  Souda did his best not the suffer his own injuries after leaving his dad’s and getting accepted into Hope’s Peak. But even he messed up sometimes, and whenever he got hurt, Souda couldn’t help but wonder.

Did his soulmate even care?

  Clearly they didn’t if they themselves just continued to get hurt over and over again. Knowing full well that they had someone behind them feeling their every agony. There was no doubt in Souda’s mind anymore.

Their soulmate was the worst kind of person.

  Still, Souda found himself worrying all the same. With every invisible gash on his arm, he wondered if they were ok. With every bite-like ache in his leg, he fretted about their soulmate’s chances of infection. With every breath knocked from his lungs, he wondered if they had anyone to pull them back on their feet. It was a waste, Souda thought.

Worrying for someone who didn’t even love him.

===

A killing game in a group full of soulmates.

  What could possibly go wrong right? Even the idea of it was too cruel, too brutal. Killing one person and them putting their soulmate through the worst kind of agony imaginable? Too cruel.

Too brutal.

  Almost as painful as realizing the girl Souda had wished and prayed for to be his soulmate, had never so much as experienced anything worse than a scraped knee. And Souda’s dad had given him way more than that. But hey.

At least he wasn’t Hinata.

  Poor bastard got stuck with the absolute mess that was Nagito Komaeda. Malnourished and suffering from like a billion diseases, Souda was in complete awe of how his soul brother was even able to stand the Ultimate Lucky Student. But them again, at least he found his soulmate. Even if it was in a place like this damn island. And in a twisted, painful way, Hinata was happy and whole with that crazy cloud head.

And Souda wasn’t.

  After both Hinata’s and Sonia’s revelations, he felt alone in this crowd of people that should’ve been familiar to him. He felt half formed and dirty and pathetic. Hmph. The guy his own soulmate didn’t care about. God, he really hated his soulmate.

Almost as much as he hated Gundham.

===

Peko and Fuyuhiko.

Fuyuhiko and Peko.

  Souda should’ve seen that coming. But he didn’t. And, as he watched Peko sacrifice every inch of her body and life for Fuyuhiko, Souda knew that he would never, ever know what that kind of love would feel like. That selfless, reckless, wonderful kind of love that kept Fuyuhiko alive even as he was screaming and bleeding Peko’s name. Yeah.

How could Souda ever know something like that?

  His soulmate didn’t care. His soulmate just kept hurting themselves and him. The only difference now was that Souda didn’t bother to worry or care. They were too far gone. Too rotten and rusted. They’d never care for one another like Peko and Fuyuhiko. Not now.

It was too late.

===

Akane was tough as nails.

  But the sound of her screams as she clutched her body while Nekomaru fought for his life in some toy ambulance was something else. Something chilling and horrible. She…

She hadn’t known.

  She didn’t know Nekomaru was...but still she...Her screaming never stopped that night. But Souda couldn’t find it within himself to feel sorry for her. Not anymore. Not when he would, one day, be in Nekomaru’s place. She was just like his soulmate.

Cruel to the end.

===

Love was awful.

  Souda should’ve reached that conclusion sooner. But he had held onto the hope that he would one day be proved wrong. That his soulmate would just descend from the heavens and soothe every ache and trampled feeling Souda had ever suffered from. But the Ultimate Mechanic realised that was far from reality.

Love had turned Mikan into a monster.

  A murderous, feverish, panting monster that terrified Souda to no end. He decided that he hated love, then and there. And, as Mikan blasted off into space with that lovesick look on her face, Souda decided that he never, ever wanted to meet his soulmate. Not now. Not ever.

If only Gundham would give him some space.

===

Starving in a house named after a fruit was some painful irony.

  Still, Souda knew that it was better to sleep and conserve his energy than worry about the hollow feeling in his gut. So he slept.

And dreamt.

  Dreamt of somewhere warm and sunny. Dreamt of a small-town garage to work in. A good stream of welcome business and ambitious side projects. A cool glass of iced tea waiting for him with a kiss on his cheek, despite the oil. A hand in his, just as battered and bruised as his, but fingers still slotting together seamlessly regardless. A loud laugh in the air during a night out in town. Arms around his waist and a warm body pressed against his as they slow danced to something peaceful, something wonderful. Souda dreamt a warm and perfect dream.

Souda dreamt a life with his soulmate.

But then the pain started.

  From bitter, bitter experience, Souda knew it was from a beating. And his soulmate was fighting back. It woke Souda from that perfect dream with all the fury of a star crashing down unto Earth. He had to bite his tongue to avoid screaming. Falling from his bed, only able to gasp and groan in agony. What?

What was happening?

===

Gundham Tanaka had fucked up.

  He had fucked up big time. The room stank of oil and hot metal. Him and his beloved Devas were exhausted. Killing the Mechanical One had been wrong.

But it was all he could do.

  It was all the two of them could to from saving the rest of them from certain death. And, in its own way, it was simply nature at its finest. You either kill or starve.

And Gundham had killed.

  He had murdered and wondered, dimly, if the Always Hungry One was up and screaming in pain yet. His ice heart truly bleed for that mortal. Losing her soulmate not once, but twice. It was cruel.

But not as cruel as Souda’s predestined fate.

  Gundham knew. Of course he did, nothing hid from his all-seeing eyes. Especially not his soulmate. He had known the second he first saw those pink tetresses flutter in the salty air. The second those sharp eyes and thick lashes gazed in his direction. The second he first saw that sharp-toothed smile and heard that loud laughter. Gundham knew then.

But still he kept his silence.

  How could he not? The Ultimate Breeder could carve a million apologies into his skin and it still wouldn’t be enough. All his years with his wonderful beasts had taken a toll on his body, he knew. Gundham was covered in the scars to prove it, but he had always, always been acutely aware that there had been another being behind him. Suffering from the same ailments.

And still he did nothing.

  How could he? Animals had no soulmates to fret over, they couldn’t hold back their claws and teeth. They couldn’t go against their instincts. So Gundham could only hold onto the vain hope that, once he and his beloved met, he would be able to apologize for all he had made them suffer through. But that was nothing but wishful thinking now. No.

Gundham didn’t even have that left.

  The Devas’ eyes were dark, wet with worry as he picked them up. But Gundham could find no words to comfort them. He knew that the others would find him out. But the Great Gundham Tanaka had done this for them, they would know. But not Souda. Souda would never know that it was him, and all the pain that Gundham had caused him, that pushed him to this gastly act.

Perhaps as his way to atone.

  But he had just damned Souda to a different fate now. Gundham would die soon. And, in doing so, he’d give the ultimate pain to his only soulmate. His last gift to his beloved would be the same as the first.

Pain.

Agony.

Despair.

  Legs aching, Gundham made his way back to the Strawberry house. Sabotaging what he could on his way out. Purely for decoration at this point. His thoughts muddled as his eyes filled with tears. Which should’ve been impossible. He was the Overlord of Ice, such mortal tears were beneath him.

But they were there nonetheless.

  Just once, Gundham thought, I want to see him. I want to look at him one last time. The Devas pressed themselves closer to his skin. Either seeking or giving comfort, he didn’t know. But he appreciated it nonetheless. And on the Ultimate Breeder went, walking in a trance to the one person he owed his life and more to.

Pausing just outside Souda’s door.

  Suppose Souda was awake? What then? He’d be caught immediately. But, after all the bloodshed the Overlord of Ice had witnessed, he didn’t care. Not anymore. Part of him hoped for a passionate meeting. One where Gundham knew exactly what to say and he and Souda could know the joy of being in each other’s arms.

If only for the first and last time.

  But now, Souda was still asleep when he entered his realm. He seemed to have passed out in exhaustion. Starvation and Gundham’s own injuries proving too much for him to bear. Souda lay, sprawled out on the floor of his room, brows drawn in Gundham’s residual pain. The Ultimate Breeder’s heart heavy with guilt as he picked up his resting beloved.

For the first and last time.

  Had Gundham not been fending back tears, he would’ve laughed. How seamlessly the two fit together! How softly, how gently Souda’s breathed against his skin! Gundham’s poisonous touch giving immunity him and only him. He wanted to drape the softest blankets and the finest pillows around Souda then. Give him something, anything to remember him by. But Gundham had nothing to give his beloved.

Nothing but pain.

  All he could do was watch Souda sleep. Watch, as his own aches receded, as Souda slowly relaxed. Pain ebbing away. Breathing evening out. Gundham brushed bandaged, battered fingers through Souda’s hair. Running them along the velvet, dyed strands in ways he had only dreamed of doing. Trailing them over the feather-soft eyelashes that rested against strong cheekbones. Brushing the tips of his fingers over chapped lips. Souda’s relaxed breathing ghosting over his hands. Warm.

Alive.

  Gundham left after that. He didn’t deserve anymore. He couldn’t keep the tears back anymore. Barely making it to his own realm before breaking down. Just like the Mechanical One, sobbing. Tears running down his face like the foulest of hellfire. The Devas crying out in worry. But Gundham couldn’t do anything. He hurt too much.

Hurt too much like Souda.

===

Good riddance!

  Souda wasn’t even sorry when he voted for Gundham. Nekomaru was a cool guy and an even cooler robot. Not only that, Gundham knew he was Akane’s soulmate! And he still, willingly, killed him! Akane couldn’t even stutter out her words properly, she was still so messed up. Granted Akane had been reckless with her soulmate in the past, that still didn’t mean he had to rob her of her other half!

That was just cruel.

  So Souda shouldn’t have to feel bad right? So why? Why did his voice dry up in his throat the second Gundham was announced the true killer. Why did his body go cold? Why did his heart stop and his hands start trembling?

Why wouldn’t Gundham look at him?

===

He wished for a swift death.

  That was all Gundham wanted as he saw those beasts race toward him in the distance. A swift, quick death that wouldn’t hurt Souda too much. That’s it.

That’s all.

===

Why was his heart beating so fast?

  Souda stumbled, clutching his chest. Breathing erratic and his heart pumping frantically. He felt terrified. But of what? He wasn’t being executed. Gundham was. Gundham, with the weird way of talking. Gundham, with the animals all around him. Gundham, with the scarf pulled up to hide his blushing face. Gundham. Gundham Gund-

Souda fell down.

  He couldn’t breathe. Oh God, why couldn’t he breathe? Dimly, he heard Hinata call out to him. But he couldn’t hear, couldn’t focus. There was roaring in his ears and a screaming in his blood. Oh God. Oh God, he was going to die. He was going to-

Gundham.

  It happened then. It happened just as Souda finally looked up, his heart stopping underneath his clenched hands. It happened, it finally happened. Gundham Tanaka was executed, crushed to a bloody pulp by the very beasts he swore to protect.

And Kazuichi Souda screamed and wailed and cried in agony.

His soulmate dead before his eyes.

Soudam Week - Day 7: illness (Hanahaki Disease)

Petunias have contradictory meaning for they represent resentment as well as the desire to spend time with a person. The meaning of sending petunias usually depends on the circumstances and relationship between the giver and the recipient.

Gundham Tanaka didn’t like people.

 They were untrustworthy, unworthy of being oh his presence. Him, the Great Gundham Tanaka, the Overlord of Ice, and future ruler of this world, was above mortals and their plights. Mortals! Bah! Always so dishonest and complicated.

Truly, Gundham was better off without them.

 Beasts, with their breathtaking simplicity, were far superior. And each one a fierce warrior for the Overlord of Ice to make an ally. Beasts listened and understood, while mortals always insisted on things like reason and reward. There was no true drive, no true passion in their lives.

And Gundham pitied them for it.

===

The Angel was kind

The Demon was not.

 Time and time again the Angel would shield him with her own body against the Demon’s assault’s. Protecting from the wrath of one she might've loved a different lifetime ago. And each time Gundham felt the most primal of emotions flood his being.

Rage.

 How dare such a scoundrel attack one as wonderful as the Angel? How dare such scum try to harm him, the Great Gundham Tanaka? How dare the whelp even breathe the same air as the two? But Gundham has been young then, not yet ready to challenge the Demon.

But that day came swiftly.

 Gundham has spend months training the lost hellhounds that wandered around his domain. Earning quite a few battle wounds in the process that the Angel fretted over, but he, himself, couldn’t bear to explain. But he was ready. So when the Demon came, roaring after him and the Angel, the Overlord of Ice was prepared.

Gundham was ready.

 The Demon’s blood, his blood, soaked the ground where he walked. But it was over. The barking, snarling, and struggling. It was all over. The Angel had blinked once, twice at the scene before her. But she was like Gundham in the end.

Unable to shed a single tear.

===

Years passed and so did the Angel.

 But her death, at the very least, had been peaceful. Leaving this wretched mortal realm surrounded by soft whiteness and a calm, soothing smile. Still, Gundham mourned. Mourned and cried.

Cried and mourned.

 Still, he was the Great Gundham Tanaka. He couldn’t stop in his path to rule this world. Not now. Not after everything. So Gundham dedicated everything he had into taming more hellish beasts, more warriors to fill his army.

More allies to fill his heart.

===

His dedication rewarded him.

 The mortals who ran the infamous “Hope’s Peak” saw fit to offer the future ruler of this world a place at their institution. Supposedly guaranteeing his success unpin graduation. Bwahaha!

Perfect!

 He, the Great Gundham Tanaka, would conquer any challenges thy dare stand in his way! The mortals among him would flee in terror at his prowess! Let pure pandemonium erupted before him! The Overlord of Ice would rise above it. He was invincible! Untouchable!

Immortal!

===

He had no idea.

 The Great Gundham Tanaka, even with his army of fierce warriors and all-seeing eyes, had no clue as to how the loud, brash mechanic with the serrated teeth and bright pink hair would factor so strongly into his fate.

They met at Hope’s Peak.

 And it was obvious then. The two hated each other. Mostly because of misunderstandings and partially because of childish stubbornness. But how was Gundham to know? Then of all moments.

That Kazuichi Souda would be the one to kill him.

===

Seasons changed and so did they.

 But with the passage of time, one thing remained constant. Ever present in everything. Death was all around him. It followed him, ever since vanquishing the Demon and letting go of the Angel. And it was the one thing even Gundham couldn’t conquer.

No matter how much he wished to.

 Death came, as it often did, for his warriors. Some leaving this realm after a long, blessed life and some dying in the heat of battling for their lives in accordance to Nature’s laws. But each time Death came regardless.

And Gundham mourned every single one.

 He willed the sky’s to thunder and burn and weep with every ounce of agony within in his frozen, aching heart. He willed the Earth to split and crumble beneath his clawed, grasping hands. He willed the very lives around him to twist and succumb to similar heartache.

Souda had found him like that once.

 The sky had obeyed his demands, letting loose a torrent of wanted onto this blasted realm and Gundham reveled in it. Standing in front of his beloved warrior’s grave under the onslaughts of ice cold tears from the heavens. And, as Overlord of Ice, such a thing had no effect on him. No matter how cold his skin became or how startling a blue his lips turned. He was fine.

But not to Souda.

 The mechanic had all but released an ear splitting shriek as he scolded him, him!, on staying out in the rain. But Gundham only ignored him, shoving off the heavy, calloused hand in his shoulder. Couldn’t someone as lowly as him understand that the Overlord of Ice wished to be-

Souda picked him up.

 Skin on skin. Arms around his waist. Chest against back. Gundham, naturally, shrieked and screamed. Fool! Did he not know his very touch was poisonous?! Did he not know that Death lives in his shadow?!

That he killed everything he touched?!

 But Souda, stupid, stupid Souda, never released him nor dropped him. Just pulled him up and away from the grave and into the barn. There it was dry. Almost comforting with the familiar warmth and smell.

But that didn’t stop the tears.

 Gundham hadn’t even noticed them, not at first. The rain had all but numbed the Overlord of Ice, ironic he knew. But that wasn’t exactly his priority right now. Not when he fought and flailed in Souda’s arms to get him off, to get those arms off of him. Before he saw, before Gundham’s own tears betrayed him. Though Souda didn’t let go until he dragged him to the center of the building.

Berating him.

 Him! The Great Gundham Tanaka! What right did he-What could he possibly-Why did he even-And just like that, Gundham broke down then. Succumbed to his own sobs on that barn room floor. Holding his head in his hands as the tears shook his shoulders and racked his body. Too tired to even listen. Damn it.

Damn it!

 Who was he to think that he could conquer Death? Even the Great Gundham Tanaka was slave to time and rot and ruin. No power of his could ever stop not. He couldn’t save anyone. Not his warriors. Not his army. Not himself.

Not the Angel.

 So this was agony? So this was despair? Dark Gods, Gundham never thought it would take him. Not like this, not in some rain-soaked barn while a hated classmate of his was standing above him. Looking down on him! The Great Gundham Tanaka, being looked down upon. Truly this was cause for tragedy. Truly this was-

Souda touched him.

 Not like the Demon used to. No...The way Souda touched him was gentler, kinder. Like the Angel. And, like the Angel, he called out his cursed name so softly. Souda’s hand heavy and clumsy on Gundham’s shoulder, but there. And when he looked up, there Souda was, standing not in triumph, but in concern. Sweet, dear concern for someone he hated.

 Someone who called him pathetic, someone who laughed at his fears, someone who-Souda sank down. The damp sawdust and hay underneath him giving way to his weight as the the mechanic sank down on his knees. Level to Gundham’s tearful form. And hugged him.

Embraced him.

 With that same dear look in his eyes and those arms around his shaking shoulders. Just like that, Souda pulled him close. Comforted him. It was in that moment, in that rain-soaked barn, that Gundham felt a...flutter in his heart.

A pain in his chest.

 A tremble, a tremor that riverbated throughout Gundham’s entire poisoned being. A single movement that shook him to the core. It was that moment that something took root in Gundham’s chest. Something digging and pinching and aching. Something that began to grow and fester in the aching cavity of his heart.

Something that felt familiar.

Something like love.

===

It happened after that.

 A week had passed in Gundham’s glory. Though, admitably, that week had been full of tension between himself and Souda. With neither bringing up the incident in the barn. The tension only increasing with every passing day, until the Overlord of Ice could take no more.

It was homeroom.

 Souda had just arrived, heading straight towards the Baby-Faced One and the Lucky One without so much as look in his direction. The morning’s light turning the choppy ends of his hair a bright, soft color. Glinting off his teeth, sharp as a knife.

 Gundham had planned to put that incident to rest. To tell the mechanic to just forget the breeder’s moment of weakness. To let whatever feelings they may have felt at the time to just die. And that’s when Gundham felt it.

A flutter, a tickle in his throat.

 And it didn’t go away. No, it stayed in his throat, persisting until Gundham was forced to cough into his hand. It wasn’t violent, but it was enough to rouse the four Dark Devas of Destruction from their resting place within the Angel’s scarf.

They were Gundham’s first witnesses.

 Some object was lodged in the breeder’s throat. Splattering onto his palm with a few hard coughs. Gundham’s chest burning in the aftermath. The Overlord of Ice looking into his palm, curious as to what in the name of-

A flower.

 A rumpled, spit-slicked, and sodden flower. Bright pink in color and drowning in a small dribble of Gundham’s spit. The Overlord of Ice stared at it, completely dumbfounded. What? What was this? Some sort of spell?

Some sort of curse?

 But Gundham never got the chance to act or speak on his shock, Ms. Yukizome fluttering in to begin the day. The breeder’s all-seeing eyes flickering over to where Souda had hastily taken his seat. Watching the slow slip of his dyed hair as it moved from his back to his front. The thin strands sparking in the air like single streams of light.

The color of petunias.

===

More flowers came.

 But none came as gently as the first. Pink petals and fuschia blooms and magenta buds and forest stems and apple green leaves. They all retched from Gundham’s mouth in due time.

Bloodied by his own innards.

 The breeder heaved them up by the dozen in his realm’s restroom. Clinging to the toilet with white knuckled hands and abright sweat-shining forehead. Gundham felt every scratch, every prick of those flowery blooms and every scrape of those leafy edges. They sliced down his throat. Starting and stopping. Moving and clogging.

Choking him.

 The bowl of water underneath him like some cheerfully macabre specticle. Gundham’s blood bright and staining to white porcelain. All while pink petals float calmly on the surface of the bloodied water. Lush blooms bobbing in the thickened water, enjoying a relaxing, gorey soak in a pool of watered down blood. Chunk of probably vital innards clinding to bright green leaves as they ferried across the vermillion surface. A bowl of red, dotted with green and pink. Pink? Pink.

Pink like someone’s hair.

 His stomach convulsed with the effort to get whatever was inside of him out of body. But Gundham was never quite able to do so. There was new weight to his chest, something wrapped around his lung and heart. Letting out a pained groan, Gundham slipped his from his crouched, agonized position. The cool tile underneath him offering no respite from the strangling feeling and steady drops of blood from his mouth.

The Devas shaking next to him.

 Of course they had stayed by his side throughout this entire ordeal, absolutely terrified for him. But there for him nonetheless. The Overlord of Ice clutched his sore stomach, drops of blood still speckling his mouth. Oh Dear Dark Gods.

Something was wrong with him.

===

It was called Hanahaki Disease.

 But Gundham had to find that out on his own. Perhaps the Timid One would’ve been helpful in diagnosing him with this...strange ailment. Perhaps he should’ve told someone about the many instances where the Overlord of Ice had to frantically rush to the nearest empty restroom to vomit up entire bouquets of pink, blushing flowers. Perhaps someone’s opinion on Gundham’s strange drive to keep those flowers close to him. To have them remain his and his alone. Perhaps someone could have helped him with this strange ailment.

But Gundham’s pride stood firm.

 He was the future of this world, the fiend who would conquer this planet. How was he supposed to do such great feats if he was unable to conquer this one silly sickness. No. Gundham needed no help, no assistance.

He needed no one.

 But the blood and flora just kept coming. His research had proposed some preposterous notion that this illness was brought by the feelings of an unrequited love. That, somehow, the notion that not having one’s feelings returned would be akin to Death itself. Having those afflicted by the disease slowly waste away while holding onto the despair of never having their feelings returned. Hmph.

How foolish.

 He was the Great Gundham Tanaka! The poisoned, fiendish being who was above such absurd notions. Him? Love? Ha! The very thought was intensely amusing, for there was  no one Gundham’s ice-cold heart beat for.

Souda’s laugh echoed throughout the hallway.

 The Ultimate Breeder had been walking back from another exhausting exercise of expelling bloody petunias when he heard it. Souda’s laughter was loud, often times brash. It was hard to miss. Especially like this, so, naturally, Gundham sought such a sound out. Naturally.

Obviously.

 The sound had come from a near empty study hall. Holding only the Sharp-Toothed one, the Baby-Faced One, and the Lucky One. The former two cluster near the from on the latter’s desk. Souda’s smile wide and teasing. Gundham stayed there.

Just watching.

“So Fuyuhiko...that dance is coming up…” The tone of his voice resonated with Gundham. ALluding to something that brought that warm, twisting sense of rising vomit in Gundham’s throat to come back. He even felt the gentle brush of those velvet petals against his throat. Faint and present, like Death.

But still he watched.

“And?! What are you trying to say here dumbass?”

“H-Hey! I just wanted to know if you were gonna ask Peko out!”

Gundham swallowed.

 The act of pushing down the rush of blood, bile, and blooms was made suddenly easier as the conversation progressed. The Overlord of Ice watching Souda shrink away from the gangster, the ghost of frightened tears in his usually striking eyes. Gundham’s fingers twitched, the thought of stepping into action moving his body for him. In urge that arose in a moment of weakness.

But he held back.

“P-Peko! What the fuck are you trying to suggest you oily son of a-”

The urge came once more.

“Oh, you should! Though the opinion of trash like me should never influence the opinion of Ultimates such as yourselves, it is a dear wish of mine to see just what sort of hope you and Peko would make toget-”

“S-Shut the fuck up C-Cloud-For-Brains!”

How curious.

 Was this something Gundham had missed? Had this type of...companionship always been possible with humans? Could he have been wrong about them all along? Souda, ever the quick recoverer, jumped rights back. Laughing at the gangster’s red, outraged face. Never once holding the other’s harsh words against him.

Gundham felt the blooms well up once more.

 Running out of that space, pressing his hands to his mouth, Gundham’s mind lingered on Souda’s sentiment. Comforting him in that barn, despite the harsh words they’ve previously shared. Taking Fuyuhiko’s temper in stride.

It puzzled him.

 Puzzled him more than the blood and flowers welling up in his mouth. Souda made it look so...easy. Even for someone so usually cowardly. In that case, shouldn’t such a thing be easy for him? Surely it would.

Surely.

 But then the blood came, just as Gundham tried to make his way down the stairs. It came violently. Bursting from his mouth in a heavy spray of carron and iron, despite the bandaged hands that had gripped his mouth shut. He collapsed like that, coughing and hacking. Membrane from the breeder’s shredded lungs splattering along the floor. The purple red color of a bruise. Pink, blood splattered petals floating away on streams of Gundham’s blood. Flowing down, down, down the path of red that dripped, dripped, dripped from step to step. Some fuchsia petals still fluttering in the air. Flipping this way and that. Flying far, far away from him. Going. Going.

Gone.

===

He was going with Sonia.

 Souda was going with the Dark Queen that that moral gathering with Sonia. The way his smile shone and the dazzling gleam to his eyes haunted Gundham. Souda was a nervous pile of anxiety, fretting about every detail of the fated night and trying his best to make everything perfect.

Gundham long forgotten.

 Gone was that moment of weakness, that clink in his armor at the barn. Gone were Gundham’s tears. Gone were Souda’s arms around him. Gone were all the things Gundham longed to...to…

He didn’t know.

He didn’t know anything anymore.

===

It was Souda.

It had always been Souda.

 How Gundham failed to realise that sooner, he didn’t know. Or, more accurately, his pride wouldn’t let him admit it. But the Ultimate Animal Breeder was far past the point of pride right now. Sonia had stopped by earlier, knocking on his door. The last of many visits to the threshold of his realm to inquire if he was sure that he wasn’t going to be in attendance at the dance. And the answer was always the same.

No.

 Not when Souda would be there. Not when Souda would be so busy with ensuring that tonight would be the perfect night for him and Sonia. Not when all  his adoration and attention would be focused on her. Not when he wouldn’t spare Gundham another glance.

Another embrace.

 So this was it. His life, so full of spilt blood, would end with it. Another round of hacking overtook the Overlord of Ice, making him retch whole blooms of soft, sweet pink blooms. Dying the sheets of his bed red. Gundham couldn’t move, couldn’t do anything except grip those bloodied blooms in hands. Because those, even as they killed him, were far more attainable than the person they were meant for.

Gundham groaned.

 The Devas had likely snuck out of his room by now. Probably trying to find someone, anyone to help. But there was only one person who Gundham would even consider giving this deadly blossoms to. And, unless their teeth flashed like knives and eyes sparked with genius, this parasite was Gundham’s. This gorey foliage was his. And his alone. They would have to rip it out of his lungs in his cold, dead body if anyone else wanted to take these flowers, these feelings, away from him. These feelings...these emotions that made petunias clog his throat and blood well up in his lungs, if Souda wouldn’t have them, then Gundham would just keep them. Keep them clenched in a bloodied fist, never to let go. Never to set the pink petals free. Because such was the nature of his unrequited, pathetic feelings.

And if they killed him, so be it.

 Though, the Overlord of Ice mused surrounded by his own blood and innards and foliage, he did have regrets. He regretted all the wasted time with the Angel. He regretted just how much time the Demon took from him. And he regretted all the moments he let slip by with Souda. Just how many times did Gundham have the chance to talk with with him? Just how many times did Gundham have the chance to befriend him?

Just how many times did Gundham miss his chance?

 Ah, well. The breeder exhaled wetly, a lone pink petal fluttering out of his red mouth. Flying up into the air only to flutter back to the ground. Dimly, Gundham could here frantic footsteps draw near. But he didn't care. Everything was so cold. The blood around him was so cold. His fingers were cold, freezing into their gnarled shape. It was cold. But those flowers were warm. They were soft and sweet smelling. Gundham liked them. They made him sleepy.

Very, very sleepy.

 The door thumped, as if someone was trying to get inside. But Gundham was too occupied with the flowers all around him, with the flowers making their way greedily up his throat. They were so pretty. He liked the color of them.

Pink.

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO GOLDEN MADNESS!!!✨🎊🎉❤️

YES! You all heard me! Today is GM’s official one year anniversary!

A year ago, on this day, I posted GM never knowing the amazing people I’ve met along the way.

SO THANK YOU FOR STICKING WITH ME FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR!!!

I know updates have been few and far in between, but know that, while life continues to kick my ass, I don’t plan of giving up on this monster of a fic just yet! And because of that...

I’VE DECIDED TO HOST A GIVEAWAY!!!!

One on my Tumblr and one on my Instagram. Where I will be giving a FULL PAPERBACK copy of GM so far along with some extra goodies to one lucky person ! The rules are as follows.

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY GUYS!!! 😘❤️❤️❤️✨🌟⭐️✨🏆🎉🎊💖As promised, I will be hosting a HUGE giveaway where I will be give one of you lovely people a full paperback version of Golden Madness so far! Rules are as follows:

❤️Reblog this pic.

❤️Tag me and must be following

❤️In the caption, tell me your favorite scene/line from Golden Madness and why.

❤️One entry per person on both platforms so please play fair guys! (Though I will allow redos after the new chapter is posted!)

❤️ Will run from May 21st - June 28th!

Once again, thank you all so much for your continued love and support.

It’s because of all the wonderful people I’ve met through this this little Shidge/Lotidge fanfic that has made this my longest running project in any media form. And this giveaway is just one way I’ve wanted to give back to y’all.

Have fun and I hope to see your entries soon! 😘❤️

With Love, Potentiala