The coronation happens in a blur. The Noble Trials is done and gone with you, the new Eminence, on the throne. You realised too late that this isn't what you wanted and that last night was the first and final time you would ever get to be with Zaros in the way you've wanted for years.
A/N: Wrote this a while ago, just did some minor editing before posting. I tried doing a flashback thing, so whole paragraphs of text in italics means it's a flashback. It didn't turn out as well as I hoped but I'm glad I tried. Singular sentences in italics are just the characters thoughts or simply some emphasis, not flashbacks. Sorry for the angst. Please be kind and I hope you enjoy :)
~~~~~
Everything is a blur. It feels like it is happening all too quickly and all too unfairly. You shake hands with people you've never spoken to in your life and smile at others who only ever had bad things to say about you. The celebration continues, the celebration specifically for you, and you are just witnessing it with a blank stare and an empty chest.
You should be enjoying yourself. This is what you've always wanted, you think. But the lie just feels bigger and bigger each time you roll the phrase over in your head. Your heart sank the moment your name left the council's lips and has been sinking ever since. The crown weighs heavier than you thought it would.
While your hands fidget with your rings and your mouth says something you cannot remember to a person you cannot put a name to, you lock eyes with Zaros from across the room. He's on the far side by the window closest to the double doors, mingling with some old classmates from Astron.
He wears his house colours, red and black, adorned with jewels of all sorts and his hair neatly flows down his back and shoulders as per usual. Zaros looks the same as he did on the day his mother forced him into the Trials, but also very different. Same clothes, same hairstyle and jewelry, but you both grew from the people you used to be and it is evident in the way you both carry yourselves now.
Your heart picks up speed and this time, you know exactly why. In the past, you would deny it. In the past, you would pretend to not know what it meant and behave as if your body were acting on its own accord, independent from your very obvious emotions. But now there is no use in hiding it, especially after last night.
You stare at each other from across the bedroom, his eyes seemingly darker under the light of a singular lamp in the corner. Zaros wears a simple pants and dressing gown with no shirt beneath it. It makes your breath hitch and you're afraid of the consequences of visiting him at this late hour.
Your gaze returns to the person who was chatting to you, feeling guilty that you were not paying her any attention. However, she is now absorbed in a full-blown conversation with your mother, talking about politics and the next ball – probably after realising that your mind is elsewhere – and you are grateful for it. Your eyes naturally return to the place you last saw Zaros and you see him approaching you slowly. This is the most emotion you've felt since the party started, the emptiness in your chest filling itself with something larger and much more complicated.
He strides over to you swiftly, as if he were waiting for you to grace him with your presence. You almost take a step back. Almost. But you don't because in an instant, your fear turns into the feeling you've kept hidden for years, the feeling that now wells up in your chest and removes all sense from the equation. The air is heavy with want but neither of you are brave enough to make the first move. Zaros stops short of you, a few feet away, waiting for your signal before making a mistake.
"Greetings, my Earis— Ah, my apologies. Your Eminence."
Zaros follows his greeting with a bow, the same way he used to greet your mother when she was queen. It hurts for some reason seeing him treat you with such formality. As if last night's choices, as if the last six months spent together, suddenly meant absolutely nothing.
"Zaros," you acknowledge.
"It's a wonderful party. As extravagant as ever. Very befitting for a new ruler."
Your gaze follows the sunlight dancing around the room, reflecting off of the chandeliers and champagne glasses. It is warm and welcoming. A big contrast to the storm taking place inside you. You turn back to Zaros after admiring the decor and thinking about how much effort it must've taken to prepare everything.
"Indeed. But I fear I'm not in the right headspace to enjoy it. Everything still feels so surreal, I'm not sure I believe it yet."
You and Zaros look at each other, gaze darting back and forth between your eyes and lips. Unable to resist the very obvious temptation, you take one big step forward and grab Zaros' face with both hands before crashing your lips onto his. He doesn't hesitate to kiss back. You've both been waiting for this for too long and you'll be damned if you dont make the most of it.
Zaros' hands instinctively snake around your waist, one settling low on your hip and the other holding you steady by your back. He massages his thumb into your flesh and it makes you whine into his mouth. Your legs nearly turn to jelly, but before your knees could give out, Zaros picks you up, forcing you to instinctively wrap your legs around his waist.
The memory fades and you're left staring into Zaros eyes, trying to suppress whatever feeling you hold behind your own gaze. Call it hope, or perhaps desperation, for something more. It lingers, ever so gently, ever so subtly, underneath your skin.
"Well, you should get used to it," Zaros chuckles. "This is what your life will be like from now on."
"If you mean being constantly surrounded by strangers who only want things from me, then you're right," you laugh back. "Although I can't help but wonder how long I will be doing this alone. Ruling, I mean."
You subconsciously step closer to him, your body acting on its own accord, and Zaros notices.
"But you aren't alone. Your mother still has some knowledge to pass on to you, regardless of how little she may remember now," he rambles. "You were crowned only a few hours ago, so you still have some time to breathe. You will be assigned a right hand, most likely. You also have the entire Council and other nobles at your disposal if—"
"That's not what I meant, Zaros."
Your hand finds its way to his wrist. It latches onto the edge of his sleeve, slowly trailing to his hand, but before you can go any further, he gently snatches it out of your grasp. The hesitation, the way his hand stutters before the pull, is not lost on you, but it hurts all the same.
"This is not appropriate, my Ea—"
"Oh, but last night was."
Flashbacks of the night before find its way into Zaros' head now, too. Not that he wasn't thinking of it before, but he told himself he wouldn't relapse.
So we're doing this, he thinks.
"Zaros, don't tell me you didn't mean it. Tell me it meant something. I know it meant something."
You are practically begging for something Zaros is clearly not willing to offer. You understand, to an extent. You were once like that too, but a connection like yours and his cannot simply be buried after what you've done together. It will just grow back, return to life, over and over again. So why Zaros is pretending like you are almost strangers is beyond you.
"I do not fit into this life you now live. Last night..." Zaros sighs. "Last night was a poor lapse in judgement. Surely, you can agree with that."
A poor lapse in judgement. A mistake.
"So this is how it is to be?"
"I do not understand—"
"Of course you do. Do not play the fool."
Your eyes threaten to fill up with tears and you fail to hide it from him. And honestly, you don't care, because if this were anyone else, you would have easily put your mask back on as you've done countless times before. However, Zaros is the last person you would ever want to do that with and you refuse to hide from him in what could possibly be your last vulnerable moment together.
"I... It is for the best. I am deeply regretful of it, if it caused you any pain, but we cannot continue as we have been for the last few months."
Zaros refuses to look you in the eye. He is ashamed and aching and is probably just as confused about all of this as you are, but someone has to put their foot down and someone has to be the sensible one.
"You are this country's new ruler. I was not chosen, therefore I have to leave the palace and we probably won't cross paths unless necessary. We are friends, yes, but your duties come before anything else. Serulla and everyone in it comes before anything else."
A refutation to his statement lodges itself in your throat. But you're in it too, you want to say. You are part of this country too and probably the only part I actually care about.
You want to say that you could make it work. You want to fight and tell him he can stay. You want to tell him everything you never got to say between heavy breaths and heated kisses the night before. But you know there are two big reasons you cannot: your mothers, and the trust you are still unable to rebuild that was broken by that stupid letter.
Your mothers would never let you two live in peace if you were together. With their generational animosity with one another and their disapproval of each other's children, your mother would have your head before she ever let you have anything more than friendship with Zaros. Let alone that stupid letter you still don't know the origins of, the one that cost you your entire friendship with Zaros eight years ago, the letter that still finds a way to haunt you everyday. This is what pains you the most and you cannot do a thing about it.
"You are completely right, Sarl Zaros. I'm not sure what came over me."
"My Earis—"
"Eminence," you correct.
A barrier. A boundary. One word and you negated everything that has happened before. Your demeanor shifts slightly, your back straight and your hands folded neatly in front of you.
Whatever made you think you could possibly change your fate?
"I must tend to my other guests before the parade later today. Enjoy the rest of the party, Sarl Zaros."
Your back turns and you begin to walk away until you hear him call out your name. Not a nickname, nor your title. Just your name, in the most gentle way its ever been uttered out of anyone's mouth. You are afraid to, but you turn back to look at him anyway.
"I am sorry."
Zaros never apologises. Not because he isn't the type to do so, but because he's never really had much to apologise for. It was always you getting into trouble, causing harm and doing as you please, which needed some sort of atonement from your side. But when those words left his mouth, you felt a sliver of relief. You are glad you did not have to choke it out of him. Whatever happened last night was a result of both of your actions, but you feel that if he didn't apologise for the both of you, you would surely grow to resent him one day.
He doesn't say what the apology is for, but you know of his intentions. Zaros' green irises shine with hurt and guilt and all the leftover feelings he never got to express in full, feelings that he will carry with him forever. As does yours. Because the eyes never lie.
Zaros watches as you walk away from him without looking back. He tries his hardest to not run after you and eventually turns on his heels as well.
The memories will continue to haunt you both as you succeed the throne and he eventually takes his rightful place as the head of the Atha'lin household. His hands will continue to linger on your body and the feeling of your lips on him will forever be imprinted in his head. Even as you find other lovers, start separate families, you will yearn for each other from afar, praying to the gods that your story ends differently in some alternate, kinder universe.
~~~~~
A/N: yayyy finally done. I really thought I was going to add more onto this, hence why I waited so long to post it, but I kind of got lazy and I feel this works just as it is. I struggled with the flashback bits. Writing sexual tension is not my thing so I had to balance it out with angst lol. I love and miss them so much, but I also can't wait for the new character saku is gonna introduce today. Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed. Have a good one ♡
Vincent goes out for a drink on his night off, only to encounter a mysterious man he recognizes from a few nights prior.
warning!: Gore blood, and blood!
The night in Kensington, London, was foggy and cold. People walking the streets were entirely preoccupied with the heavy burdens of their everyday lives. Around them, Kensington’s nightlife was wide open, catering to the crowds drifting in and out of the bars and clubs.
Vincent walked down the busy, noisy streets, enjoying his night off. It was a shame he hadn't been able to see his lovely co-worker this morning, but he would see them tomorrow. He wouldn't stop pursuing them until they finally realized he was into them. How many times had he tried to make a move by now? Five or six? He couldn’t quite recall.
Working as a Jollibee employee had sucked at first, especially since this was his first time living in a completely different city away from his hometown. He had been forced to move after he badly injured a high school student who dared to talk to his old crush. But his new coworker was so much better than his crush from high school anyway.
Tonight, Vincent wanted to drown his thoughts in a drink at one of the local nightclubs. His mind was constantly plagued by his coworker. Gosh, that person made him feel so much less empty inside. He couldn’t quite explain it, but he knew for a fact they were the one he desperately needed.
Spotting a decent-looking club with a massive crowd flowing through the doors, Vincent decided to try his luck. He flashed his ID to the bouncer, who let him pass into the swarming mass of drunken, dancing bodies. Ignoring everyone, he cut through the crowd to the bar and took a seat on a stool. A cocktail sounded nice.
A few minutes later, his drink was served. He took a heavy sip. Gosh, it’s strong, he thought, realizing it had been a while since his last drink.
As he sat there minding his own business, his thoughts automatically drifted right back to his coworker. It was always them, wasn't it? He remembered following them home recently, completely unbeknownst to them. He just wanted to make sure they got home safe and sound. There was nothing wrong with that, right?
He remembered them walking down a dark alleyway. He had been completely ready to go after them and finally confess his love—he simply couldn’t handle these intense feelings anymore. But then, a mysterious blonde man had stepped out of nowhere, completely blocking his path. The stranger had given him a death glare that Vincent could still see when he closed his eyes. The sheer aura of that man had paralyzed him; Vincent had been frozen in fear, unable to speak or move as he watched the blonde stranger approach his lovely coworker.
His instincts had screamed at him to go after the man and stop him from doing something awful to them, but raw terror had locked his limbs. He had eventually walked away, desperately hoping his coworker would be fine. When he checked the news later, there were no reports of missing person, so they were safe, he hopped.
Vincent gripped his glass tightly, anger flaring in his chest. He couldn’t believe he had just let that mysterious blonde man walk away. He wondered where the hell that guy was now. He wanted to confront him, to demand answers, and ask how he knew them.
Jealousy and rage quickly boiled over. Vincent slammed his cash onto the counter and stormed out of the club. Goddammit, where is he? He needed to find that man.
Vincent stormed down into a quiet, pitch-black park, his mind racing as he tried to visualize the man's face. The blonde hair, the elegant coat, and those odd, piercing red eyes... what else—
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Vincent whipped around, his eyes widening in pure shock. It was him. The exact man he was looking for. Did this guy somehow know he was tracking him?
Vincent spoke up, his voice shaking slightly. “You’re… you’re the guy who blocked my path and gave me that death glare three days ago, aren't you?”
Xanthus smirked, casually keeping his hands resting in the pockets of his gray coat. “Why, yes, it is me. I do apologize if I gave you an unpleasant look. Though, following someone without their knowledge is quite distasteful, don’t you think?”
Xanthus stepped closer. Vincent instinctively backed away. Even from a distance, Xanthus could clearly hear the frantic pounding of the human's heart.
“Who the hell are you? And what did you do to my coworker?!” Vincent yelled, his rage briefly overriding his common sense.
Xanthus let out a soft, mocking laugh. “Relax. I can hear your heartbeat, and it’s telling me you are absolutely terrified of me.”
Xanthus's tone was freezing, his sinister crimson eyes piercing right through Vincent's soul. Vincent's heart stopped. How?! It’s impossible! No human can hear a heartbeat!
“Ho—how do you know that?! No one can hear someone’s heartbeat!” Vincent glared, but the familiar terror from three nights ago was rapidly sinking its claws back into him. What is he? This man definitely isn't human... and that realization frightened him to his core.
“If I tell you what I am, it will ruin the fun, and the game will become quite boring,” Xanthus spoke, his voice carrying a quiet, lethal threat as he closed the distance between them.
“Stop it! Stay away from me! Answer my question about my coworker! What did you do to them?!” Vincent screamed.
Xanthus huffed, his patience wearing thin at the mortal's annoying shouting. “I only gave them sweet company. I made them give in and submit to me. I seduced them... and they thoroughly enjoyed it.” Xanthus's smirk widened.
Hearing those words made Vincent's jealousy completely explode. “What? Seduce them?! You freak! You absolute freak!”
Vincent swung a wild punch straight at Xanthus’s face, but the vampire moved with supernatural speed, effortlessly dodging the blow. Vincent gasped as Xanthus instantly caught his fist in a vice grip, squeezing the bones like he was about to crush them into dust.
Vincent yelped in sheer agony. What kind of strength is this?!
“Try to fight me, and I guarantee you will not win,” Xanthus warned, his tone dripping with lethal intent. He squeezed harder, eliciting a loud scream from Vincent, though the sound died out in the empty, silent park.
Xanthus abruptly released his grip, instantly driving a brutal punch directly into Vincent's stomach. The air knocked completely out of him, Vincent collapsed onto the freezing ground, his vision swimming as he began to lose consciousness. The raw, supernatural strength was horrifying. He looked up, watching the man's eyes glow a deeper, more monstrous shade of crimson. A demon...
Xanthus reached down, wrapping his pale fingers around Vincent's neck and lifting him completely off the ground with a single hand. As Vincent choked and clawed at his throat, Xanthus merely stared up at him with a wide, twisted grin. He threw Vincent back down, letting him crash heavily onto the earth. Vincent coughed violently, feeling the sharp sting of Xanthus’s razor-like nails dragging across his skin, leaving a trail of fresh blood dripping down his neck.
“You…. You…” Vincent wheezed, entirely helpless. He tried to crawl away on the grass, desperate to escape, but the sound of Xanthus’s low chuckling followed right behind him. The vampire was visibly enjoying every single second of the hunt.
“Look at you. A helpless, weak little human,”
Xanthus cooed mockingly. “My Love doesn’t deserve to be bothered by a disgusting creature like you.”
Xanthus brought his boot down hard onto Vincent's leg. A sickening crack echoed through the night air, and Vincent screamed in agony as his bone shattered beneath the weight.
“Lov—love? That’s what you call them?!” Vincent choked out, staring up at Xanthus with bloodshot, desperate eyes.
Xanthus delivered a swift kick straight to his face, purposely striking hard enough to break his nose but gentle enough to keep him awake.
“They belong to me. Not to you,” Xanthus murmured darkly. “Their blood… their heartbeat… I will do absolutely anything to protect what is mine. And so...”
Xanthus crouched down, his movements a blur of terrifying, monstrous power as he cleanly ripped Vincent’s head from his shoulders. Blood splattered across the grass.
“I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful talk Vincent,”
Xanthus whispered to the silence.
He tossed the severed head aside, listening closely to the quiet night air to ensure no one was approaching. He glanced back down at the ruined remains one last time, a cold, protective smile gracing his features.
“Don’t worry, my Love... he’s never going to bother you again.”
Note: Rest in peace yandere boy Vincent, but PSYCHO PSYCHO YANDERE XANTHUS
finally played Animal Hospital the other day. I fully expected it to be slop but I actually had a good time. I did find it very funny that you just square up with the entities. Hence this image I made
Yes guys, this is about the bond and how it's destined to break and make them doubt their feeling for each other yap yap yap yap. I wanted to capture their undying affection for one another in their faces but also with a sliver of doubt and fear present. There is doubt because of the bond that feels somewhat artificial, leaving them to question if their feelings are genuinely true, and fear because of the inevitable end."
I needed to throw a brick at you guys ok???? I HOPE I'M MAKING SENSE THO WAAAAHGHH
Yes guys, this is about the bond and how it's destined to break and make them doubt their feeling for each other yap yap yap yap. I wanted to capture their undying affection for one another in their faces but also with a sliver of doubt and fear present. There is doubt because of the bond that feels somewhat artificial, leaving them to question if their feelings are genuinely true, and fear because of the inevitable end."
I needed to throw a brick at you guys ok???? I HOPE I'M MAKING SENSE THO WAAAAHGHH
Don't mind me randomly popping into your askbox, also I love your blog's customization! I saw your requests were open even though it seems like you aren't on much, (not to offend or anything, sorry if I did!) and I was wondering if I could request Inuyasha and Sesshomaru (separate) when their girlfriend is a naturally touchy person? Not in an nsfw way but more like she just loves holding their hand and snuggling, which isn't always an option with those two! <( '- - )>
OVERFLOWING AFFECTION
— ft. Inuyasha & sesshomaru
context: the reader is a touchy person who openly expresses their overflowing affection, despite their partner being the opposite.
warnings: none. all fluff. gender-neutral reader. lowercase intended.
note: me writing again? what a comeback! ty for the request!
INUYASHA ─ ❝ HALF—DOG ❞
you wrapped your arms around inuyasha’s waist from behind, burying your face into the thick fabric of his red fire-rat robe. the group was far ahead of you, thus you took your chance to catch him off guard and to show your affection to the half-dog demon. he stiffened instantly, ears twitching as a deep red dusted his cheeks, looking around to see if anybody noticed.
“h-hey! what the hell are you doing?!” he barked, trying to squirm away, but you only tighten your grip.
“you’re so warm, inuyasha,” you sighed, nuzzling against him. “i just wanna stay like this forever.”
his ears flattened against his head as he growled, more flustered than truly angry. “oi! knock it off! you’re acting like—like myoga clingin’ to me!”
you pouted but refused to let go, looking up at the male with much fondness. “but I like hugging you.”
his ears twitched again at your soft voice, and his grip on your hands weakened slightly. his usual snappy retort died in his throat as he sighed in defeat. grabbing you from behind him with gentle movements, inuyasha allowed you to wrap your arms around his own while moving along the trail with you attached to his side.
“fine, just—don’t go doin’ this in front of the others, alright?” he grumbled, arms awkwardly crossing over his chest.
you grinned slyly. “aww, are you embarrassed?”
a sharp “keh!” was all you got in response, but he didn’t push you away.
LORD SESSHOMARU ─ ❝ BEAST KING ❞
you threw your arms around sesshomaru’s arm, pressing your cheek against the cool silk of his sleeve. his golden eyes flicked down at you, expression unreadable, but the slight twitch in his jaw revealed his irritation from the action.
“what are you doing?” his voice was as cold as ever, which you were used to.
“hugging you,” you replied sweetly, clinging even tighter. “you’re always so serious. You need more warmth in your life.”
sesshomaru’s steps didn’t falter, nor did he push you away (which you thought he would by now), but the air around him became thick with unspoken warning. “you test my patience.”
“but you haven’t stopped me,” you teased, looking up at him with a cheeky grin.
his gaze hardened. “that is because it would take unnecessary effort to remove you.”
despite his words, he still made no move to pry you off. you swore you saw the faintest light of amusement in his sharp eyes before he turned his attention forward once more towards the dark forest.
you smiled, holding onto his arm as if you belonged there. “then I’ll take it as permission.”
sesshomaru didn’t answer. but didn’t make the effort to remove your warmth from his side the whole trip.
Xanthus saved Dontis and the mythic creatures, but he didn’t do it for free or out of the kindness of his heart.
The year is 1938;
it has been two years since Xanthus saved Dontis from those orthodox family mythic collectors. Dontis remembered it all too well—being caged in the underground dark with no food or water, held captive along with other poor mythical creatures. He had watched others come and go, learning about their fates from the distant murmurs of the hunters. He could still hear the desperate cries of the other mythics echoing in the damp air. Whenever that family came down to check on them, they wore sickening grins, looking at them like they were wild animals trapped in a zoo. Dontis had truly believed it was the end of his life. Honestly, he was just tired of surviving and constantly running away from hunters anyway.
But then, a mysterious blonde man wearing a three-piece pinstripe suit ventured into the underground.
Dontis woke from his nap, blinking in confusion as he realized this stranger was freeing everyone. His eyes widened in absolute amazement as the man easily broke the heavy iron cages as if they were made of paper.
"Everyone!" the man yelled, his voice echoing off the stone walls. All the mythical creatures stared at him in sheer surprise. “I have freed all of you. Now, each one of you is in my debt. If I ever need you, you must listen and do exactly what I command,” the man said, his tone chilling enough to make Dontis's skin shiver.
Dontis was caged in the furthest corner of the underground, he was the last one to have his cage broken. When he finally got a clear look at the man's face, he froze, completely speechless. The stranger had blood smeared across his face, sharp fangs bared, and sinister crimson eyes. Dontis knew immediately—this man was a vampire.
"Hey, do you even hear me?" the blonde man asked, irritation flashing in his eyes.
Dontis stuttered, trying to clear his dry throat. "I—I apologize… I just got—"
"Listen to me," the man interrupted, his voice dropping into that determined, freezing tone once more. "After I have used my strength and agility to be heroic and free you, you are in my debt. If I should ever need anything, you must heed my call, or I will send death in my wake."
And just like that, the mythical creatures escaped the damned hellhole. Xanthus and Dontis were the last ones to make it out into the night air.
"Ha..." Dontis breathed, completely out of breath. He looked up at the vampire. Fresh blood was smeared on the man's fangs and across his cheek. He looked devastatingly attractive… he looked even more attractive when he had ripped apart the hunters who dared to attack them moments ago.
Wiping the blood from his mouth and hands, the vampire looked at him. "Care to say your name?"
Dontis cleared his throat before speaking. "Dontis… my name is Dontis. I'm an incubus."
The man hummed. "Dontis, hm? Well, my name is Xanthus. A seventeenth-century Claiborne," Xanthus introduced himself with a mockingly grave bow.
"Thank you… thank you for saving my life and the others. I'll do whatever you command." Dontis felt a sudden, strange warmth blooming in his chest.
"As you should. Now go on. We will meet again, Dontis."
With a blur of movement, Xanthus vanished, scaling the nearby buildings with effortless ease just as the sunset began to settle over London. His incredible speed and strength left Dontis completely amazed as he finally turned to run into the night, never looking back.
Maybe Xanthus would make his life better.
Note: When I first heard about Xanthus saving Dontis and the others on episode 4, I was so intrigued to know about this event. But I know Saku wouldn’t do a written lore about this soon.