so since i seem to be more active here as of late, i thought i should put this post here!
I go by Aece and occasionally post here, with a bit of writing on A03 (@/absofuckinglutely), but i am in college so most of my writing will be on and off.
anyways, the fandoms i'm currently active in are:
▪︎ a date with death/ a date with death 2: remnants
▪︎ honkai star rail
feel free to ask or request!
i am open to engaging with people here and i need someone to talk to when it comes to most of my faves. i mostly write gender neutral or male reader imagines and headcannons, but if i felt truly inspired i might write a one shot here and there hehe.
i'm not open to write fem readers since i don't identify as one and it makes me uncomfy! no offense to our fem readers out there though! you guys are the reason this fandom is alive after all.
anyways, love the fandom culture from both fandoms. and i really am happy to engage in it more!
Inspired by @absofckinglutelys and their amazing prompt!!
It took me longer than I thought it would to finish, but here we are! After three revisions and nearly deleting it all and starting over from scratch it is done! I'll made a post about Avory in the morning with some information on her and the picrew I made for her face claim. I don't have a voice claim for her yet, so feel free to use whatever voice you feel suits her the best!
Song(s) used-
Song 1- "Like Real People Do(guitar cover) - Hoizer"
Ships-
- Volt x Eddie x Avory (OC/Sona)
- Barry x Betty
- Amir x Bathsheba
Rating- Teen
Content Warnings- Alcohol consumption (Drink responsibly) and mentions of depression.
Word count- 4,341
She laid on her side staring at the guitar that was propped up in the corner of the room with a thin layer of dust on its polished surface. The walnut finish called and beckoned to her like a sirens song and she found herself holding the neglected instrument in her lap as she carefully oiled the fretboard and restrung it, plucking at the strings as she tuned it before just lazily strumming on them as her mind began to drift and wander. How long had it been since she had sang? She used to love singing. What happened? She used to spend hours and hours in that silly little closet before she stopped. Was it when her former roommate pitched a fit about it even though she knew for a fact they couldn’t hear a single noise coming from the closet unless they were right outside the door? Or was it when everything just became too much to do and all she could bring herself to do was to shower at least once a week and make attempts to eat? She had only recently started tapping Keyes keys again and honestly she felt that picking the guitar up again might be just…too much for her. But here she was, lightly strumming a familiar tune and humming along with it as she stared glossily at the wall ahead of her, vaguely aware of the bedroom objects watching and listening to her. Even Bathsheba, Jean Loo, Barry, and Sinclaire were piled in the doorway of the bathroom as they listened to her. Her humming and strumming drifted through Hector’s vents and filled the house with the faintest playing of her guitar.
~~~
She used to spend hours in this closet, singing, writing, playing her guitar until her fingers bled onto the strings, infusing herself more into the instrument. But now it sat empty. The toolbox back on the floor as the foam pads that helped to keep the noise from bouncing half peeled from the walls thanks to the cheap adhesive slowly losing its stickiness with age and neglect. But she hadn’t touched her guitar in months. Hadn’t sat in that closet for almost a year to sing. She only went in to do some regular maintenance on the old thing or to grab her toolbox. That didn’t change even when she got the Dateviators. She had been to the Breaker Box all of two times and was about ready to decide that it just wasn’t her scene. Sure the drinks were good, the owners were nice to look at, but that’s where it ended. One was so obviously putting on a show all the time and the other was making himself as unappealing as possible. Both were defense tactics, she knew that. But those two trips and the interactions she had with Volt and Eddie were enough to turn her off of visiting again.
After doing this for a few minutes she stopped and set the guitar down on her bed before grabbing the Dateviators from the nightstand and putting them on. And immediately was face to face with almost everyone in her bedroom and even some of the upstairs bathroom folk. Betty came up behind her and wrapped her arms around her torso and pulled her back into her warm and soft hold. “Such pretty music, baby…I had almost forgotten what it sounded like.” she hummed as she ran her fingers through Avory’s hair, working out the tangles as her fingers came across them. “You should do the open mic tonight at the Breaker Box.”
Avory closed her eyes as she let her body melt into Betty’s arms, sinking into the softness of her body but shaking her head a little at the suggestion. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Betty.”
“And why’s that, honeybun?” Betty asked softly as she began to massage Avory’s scalp, a content smile on her face as she felt the tension bleed from her stiff body.
Avory was quiet for a minute, her eyes still closed as she felt Betty’s nail lightly scrape across her scalp. “Would they even like the type of music I play?” she asked curiously, tilting her head back and resting on Betty’s shoulder as she opened her eyes, momentarily losing herself in the dark warmth of Betty’s eyes.
“I think they’ll like any music you play.” Betty smiled as she pressed a kiss to Avory’s forehead.
And that’s how she found herself outside the Breaker Box just a few minutes after it opened. She had left her guitar in the closet when she pulled on the Dateviators just in case she was told to pound sand which frankly she wouldn’t be surprised if she was. She had only been by twice, dropped off the face of the earth as far as they were concerned, and was now showing up to ask if there was a slot open for the night's open mic night.
No sooner had she pushed open the door there was a very loud and excited greeting being tossed her way.
“Livewire!” Volt beamed as he walked away from where he was leaning on the counter. No one was in the club yet. Cam would be coming in soon to take his usual seat and heckle Johnny when the poor singer took the stage. “I was starting to worry that I may have made you feel unwanted or uncomfortable.” he said as he came to a stop in front of her, holding his hand out for hers which she supplied. He pressed a kiss to her knuckles and a smile curled on his lips as the small zap of static passed between his lips and her chilled flesh. With her hand in his he was able to feel the slight warmth radiating from her finger tips but didn’t comment on it as he led her to her unofficial stool at the bar. “To what do we owe the honor of a surprise visit?” he asked curiously as he stepped around the back of the bar and began to mix together a drink for her. Eddie was sitting at the complete opposite end of the bar, his own half finished drink in front of him as he watched Volt and Avory out of the corner of his eye.
Avory watched Volt’s arms and hands as he skillfully and masterfully mixed her drink together, her shoulders rising and falling in a small shrug. “Betty suggested I ask about your open mic night. I was wondering if it was possible for me to snag a spot.” she said honestly as she picked at the cuticle on her right pinky. Mentally preparing for rejection, planning a quick verbal backtrack. Preparing for literally everything but what was said.
“Why not? It’s been a while since we’ve had any fresh voices up on that stage.” Eddie shrugged from where he was sitting at the other end of the bar. “Can’t be any worse than Johnny.”
“What he means to say, Livewire is that we’d love to have you on stage tonight. Do you need anything special set up? Lights, music?” Volt was quick to swoop in with a much nicer acceptance of her question. There was a small almost nervous laugh from the human in front of him as she shook her head no.
“No. I’ll be all set. I have a guitar I can use.” she reassured, taking the drink when he set the glass onto the top of the bar. “I guess I’ll just need two mics. One for me and one for the guitar.”
She glanced over at Eddie as he got up and walked over to the door that led backstage, her eyes following him until the door shut behind him. She then looked over at Volt, who was still giving her a bright smile.
“We’ll have everything prepared for you. Open mic is first come first serve, and you my dear are today’s first.” Volt said as he leaned on the bar, silver eyes studying and watching her as she took a drink of the vanilla whiskey sour he had made for her.
“I beat Johnny?” she asked with a playful smile, licking the foam off her top lip without a single thought. Her eyebrows raised slightly when she physically saw Volt’s Adams apple bob from how hard he swallowed but she didn’t comment on it.
“You did. He usually comes in with Jean Loo. Those two will be showing up in roughly twenty minutes.” Volt confirmed, his eyes looking over her shoulder as Eddie got the stage prepared. “Do you want a stool to sit on while you play? I hear it helps people play comfortably.”
“If it isn’t too much of a bother.” Avory nodded as she took another drink of her whiskey sour. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to grab my guitar before everyone starts to pour in.” she said as she slid out of her stool and walked to the entrance of the club, unaware that the two co-owners had stopped whatever it was they were doing and watched her leave before they looked over at each other.
“Told you she wasn’t scared off.” Eddie muttered as he grabbed a stool from the backroom and set it down on the stage where everything was set up for Livewire Avory.
“She only came back because Betty suggested it to her.” Volt pointed out as he finished wiping down and cleaning the shaker. “I don’t think she would have come back otherwise.”
“Then the next time Betty shows up, give her a round of drinks on the house.” Eddie grumbled, ignoring the shocked look this got from Volt before letting the conversation die down as the door opened once more. This time it was their regular group of objects walking in. And soon they fell back into pattern and routine. Volt being the ever gracious host and Eddie manning the bar as more and more folk poured in. It was unusually busy for a Thursday, but neither of them were going to complain.
Avory stood outside the closed breaker box, the pink shades in one hand and her guitar in the other. She knew Betty was standing right behind her. She could practically feel her body draped over her back and shoulders. With a deep breath she put the glasses on and looked over at Betty.
“Ready, pumpkin?” Betty asked gently, rubbing small circles into Avory’s shoulder.
“Yeah.” she nodded. And in they went. The club was a lot more lively than it typically was. It looked more like a Friday or Saturday than it did a Thursday. But regardless the two walked through the crowd and towards the bar. Avory could see her drink safely behind the counter but the lack of ice in it told her that as soon as Volt or Eddie spotted her, it’d be dumped and remade. She was surprised Eddie hadn’t already tossed it. But the line at the bar seemed to be her answer. She opened her mouth to offer Eddie some help when Bev darted behind the counter to give the grumpy man some help, even if he didn’t want it. For a split second green met tungsten before tungsten went back to work and green sought out silver.
She found Volt before he found her which was a first for her in all honesty. She had never once been able to sneak up on him or go undetected by him for more than a few seconds after entering the bar and to be honest it gave her a small bit of pride to see a small fraction of his true self under that perfect mask he had created for himself. The genuine shock that flashed in his eyes and the way his lips parted ever so slightly made him look far more human and comfortable to be around. But just as quick as it was there, it was gone. “Ah! Livewire! There you are! I was starting to worry you had gotten cold feet on us!” he beamed, silver eyes soaking up her wardrobe change.
She had forgone her comfortable pull over sweater, sneakers, and jeans opting for a navy blue sleeveless drop waist dress and a pair of heels. It made the two of them almost eye level. Almost. Her hair was down loose around her shoulders, the ends curling ever so slightly while the rest held depths of waves. “I would never dream of it.” she said with a warm smile. Her guitar was hanging at her side, a soothing and comfortable weight on her shoulder and against her hip. She pretended to not notice the sensation of eyes on her as Volt led her onto the stage, the house lights dimming as the stage lights brightened to illuminate the two standing on it.
“Ladies, gentlemen, and all things in between! It is my greatest pleasure to welcome a very special guest to the stage!” Volt beamed as his arm swept over towards Avory, a light turning on and revealing her to the crowd. There was a wave of claps, cheers, hoots and hollers as she smiled and bowed her head slightly in response to the warm welcome she had received from the various objects gathered in the crowd. Her eyes soon found Betty, Amir, Barry, and Bathsheba in a table close to the stage, her shoulders relaxing ever so slightly as the group gave her smiles and Barry gave an overly enthusiastic cheer which turned into a wince when Bathsheba elbowed him. Avory chuckled softly as she sat on the stool, lightly strumming her guitar to get a feel for the volume of the speaker that was providing feedback for her instrument before adjusting it slightly.
She continued to strum on her strings for a few minutes as the crowd settled down. “The cheers and claps should go to Betty. She’s the one who told me about the open mic and encouraged me to do this.” she said in a soft, honey like tone as she started to slowly strum the opening notes of her song slowly, repeating it in a loop as a soft ripple of laughter and claps went through the crowd. Betty gave everyone a proud little smile as she sat with Barry nestled into her side. Avory adjusted on the stool again while taking a deep breath through her nose and began her song.
”I had a thought dear, however scary about that night the bugs and the dirt. Why were you digging? What did you bury before those hands pulled me from the earth?” she sang soothingly into the mic as a hush fell upon the crowd. Her eyes were closed as she felt the soothing peace of playing wash over her, a smile finding itself on her lips as she continued. ”I will not ask you where you came from. I will not ask and neither should you. Honey just put your sweet lips on my lips we should just kiss like real people do…”
Eddie stood frozen at the bar as he stared at the human on stage, rag clutched tightly in his fist as a familiar feeling washed over him. The feeling of peace. Of relaxation. Of safety. His breathing became heavy without him realizing it, tunnel vision allowing him to only see the human on stage and didn’t let him see Volt coming over and standing next to him.
“Eddie, dear. Are you alright?” Volt whispered to his partner, a hand finding its on his hip as he watched Eddie stare at the stage as if it just told him the meaning to life.
“Shut up and listen.” Eddie snapped in a whisper that was a smidge too harsh, but Volt simply nodded as he listened to the singing of the human on stage.
Eddie’s throat constricted and Volt’s hand tightened as Avory’s eyes slowly opened once more, her green eyes latching onto their silver and tungsten ones. There was no judgement in those lichen depths, only understanding and the warm light of passion and peace. ”I could not ask you where you came from. I could not ask you, neither could you. Honey, just put those sweet lips on my lips. We could just kiss like real people do.” Her words faded away as her strumming carried on for a few seconds before that too stopped, leaving the club in silence before she looked away from Volt and Eddie and gave a bright smile to the rest of the club. “Thank you for listening and for being such a lovely audience.” she said gently into the microphone before she stood up, her guitar resting at her side as she bowed slightly to those in attendance. Claps, cheers, and whistles were her response as she began to get off the stage.
”I knew that look dear; eyes always seeking was there in someone that dug long ago? So I will not ask you why you are creeping, in some sad way I already know.” her voice continued to float through the club like the sweetest and gentlest of spring breezes. Her head was tilted back ever so slightly as her eyes opened just enough to look out at the crowd. Her eyes still appeared closed as she scanned everyone’s reactions. Betty was smiling proudly like a mother at her daughter's first recital, Barry had a hand over his mouth and blotted occasionally at his eyes with a napkin. Amir’s smile was subdued but proud as well, his fingers intertwined with Bathsheba’s as she watched with her full attention on her friend. Johnny was grinning ear to ear as he listened to her sing. Even though he had heard her voice countless times when she showered, he could never truly grow tired of it. There wasn’t even a single mid performance heckle from Cam as he watched her play on stage.
"I will not ask you where you came from. I will not ask and neither would you. Honey, just put your sweet lips on my lips. We should just kiss like real people do.” Her eyes found Eddie and Volt at the end of the bar. Eddie behind the counter with Volt right next to him. The look in the shorter male's eyes almost made her stop mid strum as she hummed what should have been the vocalization of the song. Disbelief, longing, shock, and the turmoil of sorrow swirled through his eyes like a restless sea in the early hours of a storm. Volt was gazing at her with unfiltered admiration, his mouth slightly agape with the tranquility brought by the achingly familiar sound of her voice.
Volt was over there in a heartbeat as he offered her his arm. “Here; please allow me to help you to your table, Livewire.” he said with the ever present charming smile. But there was a hint of sincerity in it now. He wasn’t as deeply in work mode as he had been a mere three minutes ago.
“Thank you, Volt.” she said with a warm smile as she took his arm. At her usual table there was a glass of cold water and a freshly made vanilla whiskey sour. She didn’t say anything about the raw emotions she saw on the two owners of the club as she sat down, setting her guitar on the empty chair next to her.
“You’re quite welcome, Livewire. I am truly glad you played for us tonight.” he said softly, his eyes half lidded as his smile became something more…sincere. More personal.
Us. Not the club, not the house. Us.
His face was too close.
“I am too.” Avory whispered back before she slowly pulled her hand away from his forearm and leaned back, her heart leaping a little at the flash of disappointment that went through his eyes at the loss of contact. “It’s been a while since I’ve actually played. Thank you for letting me play for you tonight.” Her eyes drifted away from his as she looked over at the bar. Green met tungsten and held them.
For you. Not the club. Not her friends. For you.
For him.
“Of course, Livewire. I must take my leave of you now, but I do hope to see you here again.” Volt said as he stood up from the chair, pushing it back in after he stood up and vanishing into the crowd once more. Avory simply nodded at his words, not looking away from Eddie. Without really thinking about what she was doing she lightly patted the now empty seat next to her.
His eyes darted down to where she had patted before he looked around the club. The bar was dead and Bev was here…she’d jump back on if he really needed her help while he was away from the counter. After tossing the rag he had been clutching tightly into the dirty rag hamper and grabbing a water pitcher he walked over to Avory’s table, his eyes never once leaving hers. Not even as he sat down in the seat she had patted.
“I didn’t actually expect you to sit with me.” Avory said softly in an attempt to break the slowly growing tension.
“I can leave.” he retorted, but there was no fire behind his words. He didn’t mean it. She watched his hand as he topped her glass of water off, a murmur of thanks leaving her as she grabbed the glass and took another drink from it. Her whiskey sour was untouched. They sat in silence for the remainder of the night, Eddie only leaving to help Volt round up stragglers and it was during this time that Betty came over to Avory’s table.
“Hi, honey.” she said with a smile as she pressed a kiss to the top of Avory’s head. “Are you coming back with us?” she asked curiously, running a hand through her red hair.
Avory nodded silently as she stood up and made to grab her guitar but was stopped when Amir got to it first. “I’ll bring this back with me. I think our hosts want to say goodbye.” he said with a shockingly smug smile as he looked over at the bar where Volt and Eddie were staring at the small group. Avory looked over as well and nodded a little when she looked back at Amir. “Alright. Thank you, Amir.” she said with a smile as she pushed her chair in and stretched her back a little before getting pulled into a hug that smelled of spice and jasmine.
“Of course, Joonam. I will see you in a few minutes.” he smiled before leaving the club with her guitar.
“I’ll wait for you outside.” Betty promised as she pressed a kiss to the top of her head before following after Amir. What Avory didn’t see was the ‘don’t fuck with her’ look the typically passive and laid back woman gave Eddie and Volt before she left the club and waited just outside like she said she would.
Avory picked up her glasses and the pitcher and walked over to the bar, Volt and Eddie seemingly frozen in place until she got within three feet of the bar. It was then that Volt sprung to action and nimbly took the water pitcher from her. “You didn’t need to do that, Livewire.” he scolded playfully while setting the pitcher on the bar counter.
“I wanted to.” She said with a small shrug as she set the glasses on the bar as well. “I wanted to thank you guys again for letting me play tonight.” Her smile was soft. Tired. But it was real. Her eyes were soft with genuine passion and warmth for what she did. But also for the two in front of her.
“No no, thank you for allowing us the pleasure of hearing your voice.” Volt said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “If at any time you wish to take the stage again, simply let us know. No matter how late into the night it is. You are always welcome to sit up there and play your heart out.” he said with a smile. Avory glanced over at Eddie who she had spent most of the night sitting in silence with for his input.
“If Volt’s offering, I’ve already given my approval.” He grunted out, but the usual bite was still missing from his tone.
“I’d be honored. Thank you. Truly.” Her smile was infectious, Volt soon smiling and even Eddie’s shoulders had relaxed slightly.
A bright smile was their response, her eyes lighting up like she had been told that she had won a million dollars. And in her mind, she had. In the course of a single night she had gone from being kept at arms length by them both to being offered a permanent spot on the stage that was hers whenever she wanted. She had seen snapshots of the true Eddie and Volt that laid below the masks and walls they both had.
“You’re welcome, Livewire. Now, off you go before Betty comes in here and tears us a new one for keeping you out too late.” Volt said with a shooing motion.
“I’m 24, not 16.” She laughed with a shake of her head but she took a step away from the bar and began to walk to the exit, stopping at the door and looking over at the two of them. “Goodnight, Volt. Night, Eddie.” she said with a gentle smile before pushing the door open and vanishing back into her house.
Eddie sank down onto the ground behind the bar as a deep shaky breath left him while Volt locked the door. The two made eye contact when Volt walked back over. Not a word was said between them, but the understanding was there.
The voice that would sing and play for hours upon hours after the club closed had been her. It had always been her.
And now that she was back, Eddie found himself unwilling to let her go again.
On one hand, he's a cool, confident, ace dective with a strong aura, "old wolf," a retired leader of Galaxy Rangers, La Mancha, who can hunt down monsters and interstellar threats without blinking, but—
On the other hand, he completely crumbles into an awkward flustered mess the moment he receives genuine romantic attention, genuine affection or gets too close to his crush (you), and add to that the fact that he's touch-starved by nature (from years of isolation and the heavy weight of his hidden past).
Planarcadia event so peak i had to stop my hiatus to post this </3
Slight spoilers from the main story in 4.1!!! Only slight since I mentioned some of the spoilers about Ashveil ^^ there are also some headcannons i added since it is still early game
Ashveil *might* be ooc, depending on how you look at it. And reader has a bit of lore to make it more interesting hehe
English is also not my first language so expect grammar mistakes! Enjoy!
This was also cross-posted on my AO3, show it some love!
banner made by me!
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“I didn't know you were visiting.” The detective looked at you from his seat across the table that belonged to the many cafes at Duomension City Planarcadia seemed to prefer. The place the both of you decided to sit was in an alley between the café itself and another building, it housed a low table and three folding chairs, perfect and private for the both of you.
It was later in the afternoon when you stopped by his office. And by stopping by, you unceremoniously opened the door to his office, greeted Mister N and swiftly took him by the hand to drag him out of the dark. Telling him that both of you should eat out. Eat out!
Having food delivered straight to you would've been easier, but when Ashveil brought it up as you dragged him with a firm grip. You looked back at him with a dead pan expression and said: “It doesn't matter what food delivery app you're using, either the one with the panda mascot or the green one. Those things are expensive even if you have a voucher or something.”
So, eating out it was.
Ashveil tried to protest, don't get him wrong. But you seemed to have gone deaf to his complaints and Mister N just ignored him! The audacity.
Putting aside the fact that he hasn't been hired in awhile and all he's been doing was splurging his very tight funds on Detective Mercator merch, he was still busy. Very busy! But neither you or Mister N listened to him!
“I happened to have time to stop by Planarcadia.” You replied, Ashveil narrowed his eyes at you, but you still sported an innocent smile as both of you waited for your orders.
“Care to enlighten why you stopped by here?” Ashveil asked again, suspicion creeping in his voice.
You let out an annoyed sigh, although it sounded a bit exaggerated. You swept your eyes between the detective and the opening of the alley, the folding chair creaked in protest when you leaned back. “Am I not supposed to check up on my friend when I'm so close? You wound me, Ashveil.” You feigned a look of hurt as Ashveil's suspicion fell flat.
Ashveil shook his head at you, half from fond exasperation, half from disbelief.
“I know that y'know I'm fine, you worrywart. I haven't keeled over and died yet.” Ashveil said, smiling slightly as you let out a small chuckle. While the both of you have been friends for a while, even before Ashveil decided to settle in Planarcadia. You have an unfortunate tendency to check up on him. A fact that Ashveil doesn't mind in the long run, but while it softens a part that Ashveil tried to bury, he sees the… unwanted attention it may bring. Notably, people from his past.
Maybe that's why you decided on a more remote table, even to this day, you seemed to have his wants in mind.
Ashveil looked at you with a mix of fondness and sadness underneath the shadow of his hat, he watched you take the two cups of hot coffee from the tray the waitress carried, thanking her softly with a smile. Ashveil looked away when you looked back at him. Coffee placed on the low table between you, its steam rising up in the air as you smiled.
Ashveil felt as though he doesn't deserve that sweet smile, not when it's directed at him.
“How's the business?” You asked, although Ashveil felt it was more for the sake of a conversation as both of you waited for your coffee to cool down.
Ashveil took the bait nonetheless, “Could be better. A lot of kids nowadays are coming by again for parent-teacher conferences since it's almost the end of the school year.” He offered, subconsciously leaning forward as you tilted your head with an amused look.
“A lot of kids seem to trust you enough to present you as their guardian to their teachers.” You noted, humming in thought as Ashveil shrugged.
“I don't know why either. But, hey, as long as there's pay. Even if their form of payment is a bag of candy.” Ashveil sighed wistfully, he opened his mouth to speak again but paused when he saw the contemplative look on your face.
“You would make a good father.” You mumbled under your breath. Ashveil blinked at you, a look of surprise crossing his face. He doesn't know what to say to that nor does he want to think about the implications of it.
Ashveil doesn't know a lot of things apparently, even when you noticed the look of surprise on his face, you only chuckled and waved it off. Way back when, he could read you like an open book, but now he doesn't seem to recognize the words.
“Other than that–” You added on that mumbled train of thought, a thought that was apparently not supposed to be heard. Not from him at least. “Maybe they recognized how old you are too.”
Ashveil gripped on that change of subject within his dirty grasp, “I could never understand kids these days.” He sighed while shaking his head, he reached down to pick up the coffee cup to take a sip. Even if it was still piping hot, he wanted to drink away that lump in his throat and he wanted to do something with his hands. That damned prosthetic has been bothering him these days, maybe he should've stayed in the fridge, you seemed to leave him alone when Mister N tells you that he's in there.
“I could never understand their language either.” Ashveil brought up, setting his cup down when he felt a familiar throb run through his joints. “Do you know what ‘peepaw’ means? They've been calling me that, and whenever I ask what it means, they only say ‘it's you’ then change the subject.”
Ashveil looked back at you and blinked when he saw an… actually he doesn't know what expression you're sporting. Your face seemed to twist in a mixture of shock, disgust, exasperation or maybe all of the above.
“You seemed to know what it means though.” Ashveil observed, slightly amused by your expression. You shook your head to will away the look on your face, still you sighed in disbelief. “Yeah, it refers to an old person. It's just a… unique way the kids are saying these days.”
“Oh, so you know a lot of their lingo, huh?” Ashveil asked, amused at your change of mood. He could take this more than the scrutinizing gaze you hid under a sweet smile moments ago.
“Say!” Ashveil perked up with enthusiasm, you seemed to wince at his amusement. “Do you know their lingo about the numbers? There's a few they often bring up, mostly when I count their payment, well candy. And they do some gestures? When they say them, something starting with a six–” Just as Ashveil was about to raise his hands to mimic the gestures a few kids seem to do these days. You stopped him with a hand on his own, your other hand pinching between the space between your brows.
Ashveil zeroed in on the hand placed on his prosthetic, knowingly or not, you didn't seem to pay it any mind. But the thing inside it did.
“Please stop it. I think we should stop talking about the new lingo, lest I start to form a headache. Plus it sounds weird coming from you.” You say with a troubled tone. Ashveil would've laughed, teased you even. But the hand on his own seemed to stop him, the hand that was making itself known by throbbing that made his fingers curl inwards.
The relaxed atmosphere immediately turned cold when his face pinched with pain, an expression he tried to hide but you already saw right through it.
“Alright?” You asked worriedly, scanning his face as he tried to smooth his expression to a more relaxed one. Ashveil seemed to fail at that though, when he met your eyes again, that same worry lingered.
Ashveil attempted to nod, but failed as the pain continued to pinch down on every nerve ending it could reach. Just his luck, he should've just stayed in the fridge. He should've said no to going outside. Curse this pain, curse this curse and the burden it carries.
Ashveil fought through that familiar but annoying pain, blood was rushing to his head, making the world spin around him. Damn, it got worse than the previous episodes he had.
He sighed when the worse of it passed, but the dull throb remained. Nothing he wasn't used to, still he was hoping it wouldn't flair up around you.
When Ashveil blinked away the spots in his vision, you were already sitting beside him, looking at him with a pinch of worry. A worry that he does not want directed at him.
You scanned his face with an unreadable expression, smoothing slightly when Ashveil met your eyes. “Alright?” You asked again.
Ashveil sighed then closed his eyes, he attempted to move his arm to massage the pain that appeared at his temple, but stopped when he noticed your hand on his arm this time. You seemed to move the hand that was on his prosthetic hand to his actual one instead.
You met his eyes, something small and pleading was looking back at him. Ashveil relaxed as your fingers pressed down his joints, he was glad you didn't take off his gloves. He wouldn't know what to do with himself if you did.
As your fingers pressed down firmly into his skin, from his fingers to his elbows, an apology itself in a silent gesture. Ashveil couldn't help but think. This whole thing, dropping by unannounced, dragging him out, treating him to food? Ashveil saw it as it truly was. It was your form of care. A form of care to make sure he hasn't faded into the shadows just yet.
The detective could understand your need to check up on him, he really did. But in his eyes, he doesn't need this. Doesn't need your firm fingers pressing down his muscles, doesn't need your silent observing eyes cataloging every microexpression on his face, and surely doesn't need that smile looking at him.
But, oh, how he wants it either way.
Ashveil tensed when you stood up from your seat beside him, the muscles from his hands to his elbows were softened by your own hands. And even beneath the fabric between the action, he could still feel the warmth of your touch lingering.
You tapped his shoulder, asking for silent permission.
Ashveil only leaned back into your hands as silent acceptance, you started to massage the creak in his neck, the fridge wasn't the most comfortable of places after all. Your deft fingers were as firm and gentle as always, expertly dodging the accessories littering his person, from his hands to his neck.
“I worry about you sometimes, y'know.” You whispered under your breath, but Ashveil heard it regardless.
He opened his eyes, not realizing he closed them as your fingers pressed into a particularly difficult knot. He grunted when your expert hold loosened it.
“You shouldn't, you worrywart.” Ashveil huffed out,
He could particularly hear your whispered reply behind him, your breath tickling his hair, “Yeah, well, you can't stop me.”
He heard you sigh, as you pressed down on the muscle in the middle of his nape, “Sometimes you’re too selfless for your own good. Someday that selflessness will come and swallow you whole, before I could even have the chance to say my final words.”
Ashveil tensed underneath your hands, he unconsciously looked at his prosthetic hand. The nails embedded into the wrist, the whispers echoed in his mind even as he closed his eyes. The pain was brought either in his muscles or in his memories. Still, you held it moments ago as if it wouldn't harm you, as if you accepted it was a part of him rather than the weapon and curse it truly is.
“I still have unfinished business to deal with.” Ashveil mumbled a half truth, hoping it would escape your keen eyes and even keener understanding of him.
“I know.” You replied, a hint of amusement creeping in your voice.
There was a moment of silence. The world around you continued on, the bustling streets of Duomension City were alive just outside the alley. Both of your coffees were probably cold by now. A fact that Ashveil knows will bum you out when you eventually take a sip later on.
Just when the world continued without the two of you. The little space the both of you occupied was still.
Ashveil leaning against the cheap folding chair that belonged to a café and you standing behind him, content to observe him from behind. Like a person watching time pass by, slipping through your fingers despite your futile attempts to hold on.
The Ranger was too old to wait any longer though, not as spry as he was way back when. Not when these past Amber eras took all of his drive. Ashveil opened his mouth, breath sucking in when you unknowingly interrupted him as you added some words of your own.
“Besides,” Ashveil felt dread when the next words left your lips, fingers still lingering on his neck,
I like to think of Eddie as the kind of person who watches you fold like a wet piece of cardboard under Volt’s charm and is like “Ha! Weak. That couldn’t be me” and then the SECOND Volt turns to him he’s all heart eyes and flustering.
Eddie is the eye of the storm, the calm isolation, the distant howling of the wind that echoes all around you and threatens to tear apart the world, to tear apart himself.
Volt is the very lightning in the storm itself, the volatile power that strikes everything in its path. Alive and dangerous and seemingly unpredictable. Though if you can read the patterns, if you can predict where this storm is going, maybe you can find the eye.
Perhaps it’s more romantic to see yourself as the rainbow, the light that peeks over the horizon once the storm has come and gone. The serenity in the aftermath. Who wouldn’t want to be the colour amidst the doom and gloom? You could be a sign of hope and joy after disaster, the art in the sky everyone looks forward to.
But that’s not you…
You’re the rain. On the outskirts of the storm you’re gentle, a mist illuminated by every lightning strike. The deeper you go, the more you spin, until you dance with the wind and find music in its howling. You wash away the destruction left in this storm’s wake. You’re here for the storm, to be with it, to drown out the world and thrum along to the violence of the thunder in the breeze. This storm won’t hurt you. It’s imminent in its destruction to itself and anything that dares try and venture through to its core. And yet, you remain unharmed. You are just as much a part of this storm as they are.
also omg imagine reader not taking Eddie and Volt's emotions as genuine because they think the candy is forcing them to feel this way, and they hated having to use it but they had to fix the breaker
Ah, the sweet, sweet angst. My favorite toxic relationship.
That hidden shame for using the candy on Eddie and Volt and the strong doubt festering in their mind about whether Eddie and Volt value that fragile friendship is the feeling I'm going for in that wip.
your writing got me so immersed i genuinely felt my body tense up when volt walked into the scene like omg They Are Both Here Now, Help
this is the feeling I get whenever I read most of the fics on the Date Everything fandom, I'm happy to hear you get the same feeling towards my stuff <3.
/meaning “ghost” in Tagalog, explores how past choices haunt our present. It's about confronting “what ifs” and learning from them./
an Eddie/Volt/Reader Wip
note: hello, date everything fandom! since college has been kicking my ass and writer's block has been creeping in the corners of my mind, i thought why not post an unfinished wip here on tumblr?
this wip was insipired by my past DE imagines already posted here! so if you want a more broader context, i recommend you reading my Date Everything Imagines 1 & 2!
slight spoilers! this follows the post-hate ending with eddie and volt's route after you gave them keith's candy, and a pre-canon imagine where the homeowner is a singer!
my first language is not english so i apologize for any grammar mistakes, enjoy this vv short wip!
—--
Eddie can hear the tell tale signs of the human arriving at another packed night at the Breaker Box without even needing to look.
It was a sort of ripple effect, a few objects by the bar paused in their conversation to look at the newcomer once the door opened. A few waved and greeted them the moment they stepped inside, just as the human was about to stay in one of the object's company, Volt swooped in, arms stretched out in greeting.
“Live wire!” Eddie heard Volt exclaim, he paused to look at them just as Volt stopped a few feet away from Live wire, their Live wire. Volt's voice remained low just as he caught their Live wire's attention, the few objects who were talking to them seemed to trickle away just as Volt appeared.
Eddie snapped out of his quiet stupor just as order after order came in. He shoved the scene of their Live wire hesitantly taking Volt's side as Volt offered to take them to their VIP booth.
It was strange, having the human so close yet so far. It's been a month since their Live wire fixed the faulty wire, and a few weeks when both Volt and Eddie had realized their mistake.
It was strange, Eddie concluded, deciding not to dwell on the issue longer on such a busy night. He let the familiar routine of serving take over his harrowing thoughts, ignoring the (unfortunately familiar) crone of Johnny's performance.
Despite himself, Eddie looked up from fixing another cocktail, just to catch a glimpse of your polite smile in the VIP booth. Although in Eddie's opinion, it looked more and more like a grimace as Johnny sang on.
Eddie let out a small chuckle before dragging his attention back to serving.
–
It was closing time when you graced Eddie with your presence, Eddie's back was turned to you when he heard the clink of glass on the bar and shuffling as you sat on the bar stool. You didn't say anything, just silently watched as Eddie washed the used glasses and shaker.
Only when Eddie washed the last glass when he heard you speak, “Do you need help with anything?” You finally spoke up, Eddie peaked over his shoulder at you before fully facing you. You had that tentative look on your face, a look you've developed whenever you so much as glanced at Eddie's direction.
Eddie knew now that whenever you offered your help, you never pushed. Really only lending a hand when it's wanted, a thought that was brought up when Eddie and Volt had that conversation regarding you.
You stared at him waiting for his response, Eddie reminded himself that if he said no, you would respect his answer and leave it at that.
“Wipe down the tables?” Eddie asked, reaching over to offer you the rag by the sink. You seemed to relax, before you nodded and took the rag from his hands, just as you were about to slink off the bar stool. Eddie could've sworn you had a small smile on your face.
Progress from the skittish nature you adopted after the reset, and after all three of you started a rocky friendship.
You and Eddie worked in relative silence, Eddie hoped it was because of the task and not because of your apparent caution whenever you so much as interact with either him or Volt.
Just as Eddie was about to put the last glass back in its shelf, Volt sauntered in from backstage. Seemingly finished with cleaning up on his end, when Volt noticed their Live wire, he visibly lit up. Grin wide on his face when he saw them, “Live wire, I didn't think you'd stay afterwards.” Volt said, walking to the bar where Eddie worked.
Eddie watched you as you approached Volt hesitantly, seemingly finished wiping down the tables. “I did.” You settled on a simple, honest response, sliding back on the bar stool just beside Volt while you placed the rag on the bar.
Volt beamed (which Eddie fought to roll his eyes at) as you relaxed into your seat.
Eddie remembered at the start of your friendship when you tried not to sit right next to Volt. He remembered you eyeing Volt from head to toe to watch if any hint of blue appeared, or straining your ears to hear any hum of electricity under Volt's skin.
Progress.
“How did you find the performance, Live wire?” Volt spoke up with his charming smile. Eddie had to actually roll his eyes at that.
Eddie watched as you shuffled in your seat, face deep in thought as you tried (and failed) to find words that described Johnny Splash's usual performance.
“It was… fine.” You settled, Eddie bit back a smirk at your choice of words.
Volt seemed to read right through you though as he laughed freely, “Live wire, no need to hide your thoughts to yourself.”
You huffed at the teasing lilt in Volt's voice, lips pressing into a thin line while Eddie knew you were still trying hard not to directly insult Johnny.
Eddie thinks you're too sweet to actively be mean to anybody.
“I mean-” You drummed your fingers on the bar as Volt continued to snicker. “If Johnny had practice, he would be a good singer.”
“So, in other words he's shit at singing.” Eddie said, not even trying to hide his smirk as you gaped at him.
“I mean!” You sputtered before deflating, both Eddie and Volt found it amusing though, both exchanging amused glances at each other as you pouted, “Yeah, he's bad.”
You sighed, covering your face with your hand as Eddie and Volt chuckled. You seemed mortified to even suggest it, even though most of the household would agree on your thoughts.
“There are other performers lined up, not to worry Live wire.” Volt reassured you, leaning towards you naturally. “Oh yeah, I did help Amir a bit about his act.” You spoke up, humming in thought as you set down your hand.
You didn't flinch when Volt leaned into your space, not quite touching shoulders yet. Progress, Eddie noted again.
“And Miranda and her band.” Volt added to your thoughts,
“She mentioned that, yeah.” You nodded.
Volt and Eddie looked at you when you sported a contemplative look on your face. Seemingly lost in thought. Both of them exchanged glances as your silence stretched on.
