Finally decided to hop onto a writing challenge this month! I really struggle writing short pieces and being consistent, so this seemed like the perfect challenge to improve while having fun :) Thank you @societynsoelsscribbles for hosting this!
All my scribbles will be dedicated to Delico’s Nursery and the True of Vamp saga (a one-sentence description of each can be found below). I’ll try to write for a wide range of characters, pairings and genres; all potential warnings and spoilers will be mentioned here and in the works!
Also, all credit goes to @saradika-graphics for the lovely dividers I'll be using this month <3
And now, for those who are curious... my current obsessions in a nutshell:
Delico’s nursery (anime): four aristocratic vampire dads try to solve a murder mystery while caring for their toddlers
True of Vamp: series of gothic plays/musicals (one of which was adapted into a manga bearing the same name) revolving around the pursuit of immortality by vampires and humans alike; featuring amazing costumes, great music, original takes on vampire lore and absolutely tragic stories
Actual masterlist under the cut!
June 1st - Joy To The World - Three Dog Night / “Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea - Joy to you and me"
Modern AU. The DaliGer family goes to the aquarium.
June 2nd - I Wanna Be Bad - Willa Ford / "No I can't promise that I won't do that"
Slight canon divergence. Frida and Sue bond over Ul's birth.
June 3rd - Mack the Knife - Bobby Darin / "Scarlet billows start to spread"
Canon setting. Klauss lives, as he always does.
June 4th - Right Place, Wrong Time - Dr. John / "But I'm having such a good time"
Canon setting. Lulumina spends time with the boy she loves.
June 5th - Hey! Baby - Bruce Channel / "She's so pretty, Lord, she's fine - I'm gonna make her mine, all mine"
Canon setting. Lily belongs to Marigold.
June 6th - Therefore I Am - Billie Eilish / "I don't think I caught your name"
College AU. Henrique meets a funny-looking dude at Kate's house party.
June 7th - Jump (For My Love) - Pointer Sisters / "If you want more, more, more - Then jump for my love - Jump in and feel my touch"
Vaguely 90's AU. Goth!Sophie gets dragged to Hippy!Ul's favorite bar.
June 8th - Living La Vida Loca - Ricky Martin / "I feel a premonition"
Canon setting. Michelangelo reflects on his reasons for becoming a teacher.
June 9th - Somebody That I Used To Know - Gotye / "But you didn't have to cut me off - Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing"
Vaguely 70's AU. Claude and Albert have a talk outside the club.
June 10th - Cry Me A River - Julie London / “Now you say you love me”
Canon setting. Kiki has a bad dream.
June 11th - Little Bitty Pretty One - Thurston Harris / “Tell you a story”
Modern AU. Gerbera gets into a fight at school.
June 12th - Tainted Love - Soft Cell / “To make things right”
College AU. Won't this random redhead leave Dino alone?
June 13th - Town Without Pity - Gene Pitney / “If we stop to gaze upon a star - People talk about how bad we are”
Canon setting. Sophie bumps into Ul as he's going back to his dorm.
June 14th - Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry / “Til you die?”
Canon setting. Camellia tries to cheer False up.
June 15th - Season of the Witch - Donovan / “Many sights to see”
Bird AU. Dali is on nesting duty.
June 16th - Every Breath You Take - The Police / “Every single day - And every word you say - Every game you play, every night you stay - I'll be watching you”
Canon setting. Clara takes care of a silly boy.
June 17th - Say Something - A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera / “I know nothing at all.”
Canon setting. The Vlad Institution is alight with rumors. Johannes doesn't bother correcting them.
June 18th - Come and Get Your Love - Redbone / “Hey, what's the matter with you, feel right?”
Canon setting. Banri can't sleep, for some reason.
June 19th - Raise Your Glass - P!nk / “Don’t be fancy, just get dancy”
Canon setting. Gerhard refuses to dance. Angelico is going to fix it.
June 20th - All Shook Up - Elvis Presley / “My tongue gets tied when I try to speak- My insides shake like a leaf on a tree”
Canon setting. Pietro loves, and Allen will never understand.
June 21st - Animal I Have Become - Three Days Grace / “I can't control myself”
Prehistoric AU. Dali watches his husband as he goes about the mundane.
June 22nd – Don’t Stop Believing - Journey / “A smell of wine and cheap perfume”
Modern AU. Dino wakes in a foreign bed.
June 23rd - I Believe In A Thing Called Love - The Darkness / “I wanna kiss you every minute, every hour, every day”
Canon setting. The young Delico attempts to woo a reluctant Fra.
June 24th - Groove Is In The Heart - Deee-Lite / “I've been told he can't be sold”
Canon setting. Jack Blair overhears some very interesting information.
June 25th - Little Things Mean a Lot - Kitty Kallen / “Call me at six on the dot”
Modern AU. Lucia gets a call from her sister.
June 26th - Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler / “There's nothing I can do”
Canon setting. A torn piece of paper is found among the debris.
June 28th - Northern Attitude - Noah Kahan (with Hozier) / “How are your kids? Where are they now? ”
June 27th – Wherever you Will go – the Calling / “To watch you, to guide you"
Canon setting. Theodore must leave for Clan, and the Classico household has to live with it.
Canon setting. Some dads reminisce about the Nursery.
June 29th - Mr. Brightside - The Killers / “It was only a kiss!”
Canon setting. Dali does something really stupid during Clanfest.
June 30th - The Monkees - Daydream Believer / “Oh, I could hide 'neath the wings - Of the bluebird as she sings - The six o'clock alarm would never ring - But six rings and I rise - Wipe the sleep out of my eyes”
Canon setting. Portulaca wakes up in a great mood.
Warnings: None. Portulaca strikes me as the type to constantly live in a musical...
Words: 300
Prompt: June 30th - The Monkees - Daydream Believer /“Oh, I could hide 'neath the wings - Of the bluebird as she sings - The six o'clock alarm would never ring - But six rings and I rise - Wipe the sleep out of my eyes”
The sun-rays are soft, draping Portulaca’s form in a warm blanket. With a small sigh, she opens her eyes, rubbing her face.
“Oh, I could hide ‘neath the wings – of the bluebird as she sings…”
A sigh, followed by a lazy stretch to grab her glasses. “The six o’clock alarm would never ring…”
As if on cue, the clock starts to shake. Portulaca slams it quiet, arm limp –
Before jumping from bed.
“But six rings and I rise – wipe the sleep out of my eyes!”
She runs to the windows, throwing them open. “Because it’s such a bright day – and I’m still alive, hurray!”
There’s a squirrel on the tree nearby, sniffing as Portulaca waves to him. Quickly, she goes to her wardrobe, pulling out a striped dress to waltz with. “Oh, what’s it like… to be a daydreamerrr?”
“Portulaca, stop singing and get down here! You’ll be late for work!”
She jolts at the call, and the squirrel dashes away, frightened.
Portulaca cracks her door open, pouting at the empty staircase. “I’m coming, Mother!”
There’s only an indistinct grumble as an answer, but Portulaca doesn’t care, humming the rest of the song. It takes more than that to dampen her spirit – and she can feel today will be particularly jolly, so she hastens to get ready.
The kitchen smells great – of deer blood and brioche. Her mother briefly turns from the stove, eyeing her critically.
“Don’t you have anything else to wear?” she mutters, pointing at her bright orange caraco, only to turn full on as Portulaca breezes by the table. “Where do you –”
“I’ll see you tonight!” Portulaca shouts over her shoulder, skipping out the door.
Her colleagues’ voices can be heard down the road, and ah – what a great day to be working at Kellington Publishing.
My masterlist can be found here, and the June Jukebox Challenge here!
A/N: Aaand that's a wrap! Thank you to @societynsoelsscribbles for hosting this challenge, it was honestly so fun and I had a great time coming up with ideas for this little fandom :) thank you to all my readers as well; hopefully I'll see you guys soon!
Summary: Dali does something stupid during Clanfest.
Pairing: Dali Delico x Gerhard Fra
Warnings: Light angst.
Words: 300
Prompt: June 29th - Mr. Brightside - The Killers / “It was only a kiss!”
He doesn’t regret it.
No matter how it ends, no matter what anyone says – Dali doesn’t regret it.
It’s unfortunate his other half doesn’t agree with him, though.
“Gerhard. Wait!”
The door bursts against the wall, plaster cracking with the force of it, and Dali winces. He tries to grab Gerhard’s wrist, but he rips his arm away before Dali can, eyes flaring.
“Don’t touch me.”
“Gerhard –”
“Leave me alone!”
Dali sighs, letting Gerhard pace to the other end of their room. His anger has always been like a summer storm – quick to come, quick to pass – yet the sight of him this upset pinches Dali’s heart.
He waits a few beats before drawing closer. Gerhard has his back to him, sitting by the window. Dali reaches out to skim his fingers across his cheek – Gerhard tenses, but doesn’t recoil, allowing Dali to tuck a stray curl behind his ear.
“It’s alright,” he murmurs, making Gerhard shake his head.
“It isn’t.”
“It was only a kiss!”
“Yes, in front of the whole Clan!”
His bellow reverberates in the small space. The look on his face is startling in its unfamiliarity – sad and stressed and scared, uncertain where he so rarely is. He bites his lip, and there’s a wet sheen growing in his eyes that cuts through Dali worse than any sword.
He sinks next to Gerhard, pulling him close. The words tumble from Gerhard’s mouth before he can say anything.
“You idiot. My father is going to kill me.”
“He won’t.”
“Yes he will – and then he’ll kill and make a rug out of you too.”
“I’ll be the sexiest rug this side of Earth, then.”
Gerhard huffs against him; not quite a laugh, but good enough. Dali squeezes him tighter. Whatever happens, they’ll figure it out –
Together.
My masterlist can be found here, and the June Jukebox Challenge here!
Warnings: None... though the manga readers know how this ends.
Words: 300
Prompt: June 28th - Northern Attitude - Noah Kahan (with Hozier) / “How are your kids? Where are they now?”
Ugh, they’re loud. Everything is so loud: the birds outside, the Lords inside, the rattle of the tea-carts the maids push around…
The two men exchanging pleasantries across from Dino.
“Dali-boy!” Henrique laughs, hitting Dali’s back with exaggerated vigor. “How have you been? I haven’t seen you in ages!”
“That’s because you haven’t been looking hard enough!” Dali grins, obnoxiously loud in the small space. “But I’m still here, still kicking. What about you? I’ve heard you spent the summer down South?”
“Yeah, we’ve been visiting Kate’s parents. Their estate is near the sea – we figured the girls could use a little trip, you know?”
“Of course. How old are they, now?”
“Turning eighteen in September!”
“How nice,” Dali breathes wistfully, leaning on the table. “I feel like just yesterday they were this tall, running around the nursery...”
“Don’t mention it, man… they grow up so fast.”
There’s a lull in the conversation. Dino picks up his teacup, hoping that will be the end of it, when Henrique starts again: “So how are your kids? Where are they now?”
“Both in Clan,” Dali says, and Henrique winces in sympathy.
“Must be rough. How are they finding it?”
“Alright, I suppose – though their teachers have invited me to visit.”
Henrique guffaws. “What, stirring trouble, are they?”
“That would be unsurprising, given who their father is.”
They all cut their glances to Gerhard, silent until then. Chin upturned, he huffs, “After all, a penchant for unrest runs in their blood.”
Dali smiles with all his teeth. “I could say the same to you. Hasn’t Angelico been particularly agitated, lately?”
“Mind your own sons!” Gerhard snaps, making the other two laugh.
“It’s fine,” Henrique brushes off. “There’s no need to worry – it’s just typical teen angst.”
“Yeah. They’re all best friends, after all.”
My masterlist can be found here, and the June Jukebox Challenge here!
Summary: Theodore must leave for Clan, and the Classico household has to live with it.
Warnings: None. Theodore is around 13 here.
Words: 300
Prompt: June 27th – Wherever you Will go – the Calling / “To watch you, to guide you"
The air is crisp in those early hours, sky clear and blue as if covered by a sheet of glass. On the steps, Albrecht takes a deep breath, watching the men moving around the carriage.
“Careful with that, I have some important books in there… yes please, put that box with me – thank you!”
Theodore’s among them, giving some last-minute directions as he surveys the finishing touches. His belongings are all stored away – Albrecht had helped with that himself – and so all that remains now is the last few items he’ll need for the journey.
Once that’s done, the men step away, and everyone goes quiet.
“Young Master.”
Theodore turns to look at Albrecht. How strange, that it hits Albrecht only now – right outside the mansion, on the morning of Theodore’s departure to Clan.
The size of him. His height. The cut of his shoulders, his jaw, the baby fat long gone.
Albrecht takes another breath, forcing the words out. “I wish you safe travels. Please let us know as soon as you’ve settled.”
Theodore smiles, and Albrecht bows, feeling his neck itch. Lord Dino had refused to join them; yet the curtains to his study are drawn, windows open.
“To watch you, to guide you… has been my biggest pride. I look forward to seeing what kind of vampire you’ll become.”
There’s a pause, Albrecht still bowing respectfully – and then a weight crashes into his chest.
“Really, Albrecht,” Theodore laughs, pink-cheeked and bright as he hugs him close. “I appreciate the sentiment, but please – save these kinds of farewells for gloomier occasions. I won’t be away forever, alright?”
He pulls away, and oh, how much he’s grown. With a last I’ll see you, stay safe! Theodore boards the carriage, and Albrecht watches it go until it disappears from sight.
My masterlist can be found here, and the June Jukebox Challenge here!
Summary: A torn piece of paper is found among the debris.
Warnings: Spoilers for Marigold!
Words: 300
Prompt: June 26th - Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler / “There's nothing I can do”
Annabel,
I’m sorry. I really am.
I know this is too little, and too late. I also know this is no way to start a letter – but you’ve always been better with words than I have. Might as well just add this to my ever-growing list of sins.
Annabel, please forgive me. For everything: my shortcomings. My selfishness. My cowardice.
I know it’s not right to expect anything from you, after everything – but please. Just this once.
There’s nothing I can do about my blood; that much I know. But if you’ll let me… I’d like to try and make things better.
I’d like for us to be a real family.
So many years spent by your side, by Gerbera’s side… and the idea hasn’t left me once.
Please, don’t throw this letter. Heed my plea, I beg of you. You have every right to refuse; it would be the most sensible thing to do, and I will hold no ill-will towards you if that were to happen…
But foolish men always nurture foolish dreams, don’t they?
Gerbera is growing to be a beautiful woman. She definitely has her fine features from you – the curve of her eyes, the sweet roundness of her face. She also inherited your stubbornness, though that’s not a bad trait to have. If anything, it’s better than to carry any of mine.
Once her Cocoon Phase ends... I’d like for her to know who I am. Regardless of her reaction… whether she accepts it or shuns me… I feel she should know.
Erica too. Do you remember how she cried when we told her we’d “broken up”? We haven’t been very fair to her; and perhaps it’s time we changed that.
Please, my love. Let us mend the mistakes from the past.
Yours always,
Henruda
My masterlist can be found here, and the June Jukebox Challenge here!
Summary: Modern AU. Lucia gets a call from her sister.
Warnings: None. The girls are in their twenties here; Elena is a model and Lucia a designer/seamstress.
Words: 300
Prompt: June 25th - Little Things Mean a Lot - Kitty Kallen / “Call me at six on the dot”
Brrring, brrring. Lucia sits up groggily, rubbing her eyes.
What time is it? The sun is already up – pooling into her studio in golden patches. With a small sigh, she rises from her spot on the floor, stumbling towards her desk.
Her limbs are stiff, movements uncoordinated after a night spent kneeling on hard parquet. Lifting her skirts, she slaloms between the dress forms, donned in half-finished outfits; oversteps the mess on the carpet, fabrics thrown together; pushes the damask curtains, finally, to reach the table nestled against the window.
The ringing’s still going. Frantically, Lucia searches through the chaos of patterns, grabbing her phone.
“Lulu!” Elena chirps on the other end, bright as usual. “What took you so long? Were you working yourself to death again?”
Before she can answer, Elena continues: “I just wanted to check on you. Have you eaten? Showered?”
A pause. Lucia glances down at herself, suddenly self-conscious. Her clothes are rumpled; measuring tapes hanging limply from her neck. Elena sighs.
“Lucia…” she starts, and the resignation in her voice makes Lucia blush.
“I was about to!” She flounders, wrist itching under her sweaty pincushion. “It’s just – I’m almost done with your gown, and –”
“That’s not a reason to forget yourself!” Elena chides, growing increasingly louder. “I’d rather have you in one piece than a fancy –”
“But it’s the Paris Fashion Week!” Lucia blurts, despite herself.
“...I’ve told you not to worry about that,” Elena eventually murmurs, tender.“It’s fine – no matter what you come up with. My sister’s the best seamstress in Paris, after all!” she laughs, and Lucia slowly untenses.
“Call me at six on the dot; I’m bringing dinner.”
“Huh? But your show is –”
“See you then!”
The line goes dead, and with it Lucia shakes her head, fond.
My masterlist can be found here, and the June Jukebox Challenge here!
Summary: Jack Blair overhears some very interesting information.
Warnings: None. This is set to happen at the very beginning of Grand Guignol.
Words: 300
Prompt: June 24th - Groove Is In The Heart - Deee-Lite / “I've been told he can't be sold”
“Oi, have you heard?”
“Heard what?”
“Word has it Dali Delico impregnated a human woman.”
Jack Blair’s ears perk up instantly, like a rabbit scenting the wind.
“No way!” A woman exclaims, clutching her pearls. “Lord Delico would never – he has a wife and small child!”
“You never know what these nobles are capable of,” someone else grumbles, dissolving the group into agitated murmurs.
His colleagues are all crowded around the coffee table, exchanging the latest gossip coursing through the city. From his desk, Jack follows their conversation with interest, feigning to proofread his notes.
“That would make a fantastic article…” the chief editor mumbles, turning to his closest lackey. “How could we get more information on this?”
“Um – the Delico’s butler?”
“No, I’ve been told he can’t be sold,” another interjects. “It has to be one of the stable boys.”
“What would the stable boys know about this? No, I’m telling you, we should target the maids...”
Jack tunes out their bickering to think. The Delico mansion was famous for having tight security – and oddly loyal servants. If their little gazette wanted to get their grubby hands on the scoop before everyone else... they had to play their cards right.
And idea starts to form in his head.
“Maybe we should infiltrate the estate?”
“What are you saying?!”
“Well, everyone’s going to be at their front gates come tomorrow morning… perhaps we could sneak in…”
“Let’s hire a spy!”
“That won’t be necessary.”
The group quiets as they turn to Jack, already busy arranging his hat.
“… What do you suggest, then?”
“Talking to someone who cares enough about that scum to know the truth.”
The editor blinks, only for his surprise to double as Jack skips to the door. “Hey – where are you going?!”
“To the Fra estate!”
My masterlist can be found here, and the June Jukebox Challenge here!
Summary: The young Delico attempts to woo a reluctant Fra.
Pairing: Dali Delico x Gerhard Fra
Warnings: None, though this scribble also leans towards crack fic. It's supposed to be read as if David Attenborough is narrating it...
Words: 300
Prompt: June 23rd - I Believe In A Thing Called Love - The Darkness / “I wanna kiss you every minute, every hour, every day”
Sat at a table in the library, the two young students study – or at least, one of them does.
Exam season is upon them. Ever-cautious, the vampire pertaining to the species Fra has been preparing since winter, dutifully gaining knowledge and taking notes. Next to him, his smaller, darker-haired counterpart, a Delico, eyes his books in boredom.
His priorities lie elsewhere. Though vampires do not have a definite mating season, this specimen has been pursuing the Fra for the better part of the year – to modest success, thus far.
Perhaps his methods are to blame.
“Hey, Gerhard.”
“What?”
“I’m bored. Are you done yet?”
“Do I look like I’m anywhere near done to you?” The other huffs, annoyed. “Stop bothering me and work, Dali.”
The Delico pauses, calculating his next move. This species is known for being particularly resourceful; and this individual is no exception to the rule.
“I think I should be the one saying that,” he heaves, prompting the already short-tempered Fra to look up in anger.
“Excuse me?!”
“You’re so handsome it’s becoming distracting,” the Delico complains, playing up his affliction. “How am I supposed to concentrate when I wanna kiss you every minute, every hour, every day?”
For a second, the other doesn’t reply – but then his skin flushes red, a sign of pleased embarrassment. “What are you saying, stupid,” he stammers, attempting to hide behind his curls, and unbeknownst to the Delico his tactic has worked, the blond thoroughly charmed.
“Nothing but the truth,” he smiles, then stands. “Let’s go.”
“What part of ‘I’m not anywhere near done’ didn’t you understand?”
“Hey, you owe me that much for disrupting my focus…” The raven stops his movements, before leaning over, winking. “Unless you really want that kiss?”
“Dali!”
Needless to say, the Delico gets his mate.
My masterlist can be found here, and the June Jukebox Challenge here!
Warnings: Mentions of one-night stand and alcohol.
Words: 300
Prompt: June 22nd – Don’t Stop Believing - Journey / “A smell of wine and cheap perfume”
Dino doesn’t wake as much as drift into being. The warmth settles first; followed by a brightness that borders on the abnormal in the depths of his perpetually dim room. Groaning, he buries his face into the pillow, the feel of cotton scratching his cheek.
Cotton, not silk.
Dino stills.
The nightstand is low, the wood worn under his fingers, and yeah, he doesn’t need his glasses to realize this isn’t his bed, nor his room. Still, he pushes them up his nose, blinking through the last remnants of sleep as he takes in his surroundings.
Messy, is the first thing coming to mind. Small is the second; though the impression is probably heightened by the chaos of clothes and garbage littering the floor.
A desk festooned with papers. An old guitar in the corner. A dog-eared poster of some indie band Dino has never heard of. There’s a smell of wine and cheap perfume permeating the air, mixing with something else – Dino can still feel it sticking against his skin.
With a sigh, he casts a glance to the snoring form by his side; the center of this universe. He can’t remember his face nor his name; but the shade of his hair is hard to forget, a deep red unlike anything Dino has seen before.
The memories come to him in fragments, like visions from another life.
Dali Delico’s birthday party. The liters of alcohol. The sweat-slick dancefloor. The annoying brat that kept hitting on Dino – all sweet smiles and open shirt and laughter as his hands flew every which way, expressive beyond words. He spoke too much – Dino might have pressed his mouth to his at some point, to shut him up.
Whatever. Dino slides out of bed, collects his belongings, and leaves without another glance back.
My masterlist can be found here, and the June Jukebox Challenge here!
Summary: Prehistoric AU. Dali watches his husband as he goes about the mundane.
Pairing: Established Dali Delico x Gerhard Fra
Warnings: None; pure fluff.
Words: 300
Prompt: June 21st - Animal I Have Become - Three Days Grace / “I can't control myself”
The evening is warm, thick with the chirps of cicadas. Sprawled at the cave's entrance, Dali soaks in the last remnants of sunlight, the rays warming his skin.
Gerhard’s busy. He’s got that don’t-talk-to-me face, focus as sharp as the knife he uses to clean the hide at his feet. Above his shoulder, Ul watches him work as if he knows the deerskin is meant for him, eyes round and wide as they follow the creation of what will soon be his new sling.
“Papa, I’m hungry!” A plaintive voice calls, and Gerhard’s stern expression immediately softens.
The boys had been painting for the past hour, clumsily covering a corner of the wall with their handprints. It’s a miracle they’ve been quiet until then – but even those eventually come to an end, and now they’ve exhausted themselves scribbling their thoughts away more pressing matters are at hand…
Such as dinner.
“I’ll start on the stew – but go clean yourselves first,” Gerhard grouses, wiping soot from Angelico’s face.
Gods, he’s pretty. Dashing as he cooks – the heat from the fire lifting the fine hairs from his forehead. Handsome as he puts the children to sleep – his deep voice echoing as he tells them a story. Beautiful as he settles next to Dali – sliding between the furs with a familiarity borne from years spent together. The thought makes the affection brewing in Dali’s chest overflow, and he tackles his partner into the bedding, earning himself a grunt.
“What’s with you,” Gerhard grumbles, yet still lifts a hand to cup Dali’s cheek. The gesture only serves to stoke Dali’s fondness.
“Nothing,” he replies, leaning over to nuzzle the underside of Gerhard’s jaw. “I just can’t control myself.”
Gerhard humphs, but lets him be, and Dali falls asleep thinking just how lucky he is.
My masterlist can be found here, and the June Jukebox Challenge here!
Summary: Pietro loves, and Allen will never understand.
Pairing: Unrequited Pietro Rondo x Allen Strauff
Warnings: Angst.
Words: 300
Prompt: June 20th - All Shook Up - Elvis Presley / “My tongue gets tied when I try to speak - My insides shake like a leaf on a tree”
“Have you ever been in love, Pietro?”
“Whaaat?!”
Allen’s not even looking at him, gaze dreamily set on the ceiling above. “Say, how did you know?”
It’s late. Way past curfew, at any rate, the Clan completely silent. They should’ve been snoring by now – yet here Allen is, asking the most out-of-the-blue questions like usual.
“What are you saying, suddenly?” Pietro stammers, pulling the covers tighter around him. Badump, badump, his treacherous heart beats – threatening to overwhelm him. Allen, the oblivious fool, continues.
“Oh, don’t you love someone?” he asks, doe eyes now on him. Gods, is he aware how it cuts Pietro when he gazes at him this way? “I thought so.”
“What makes you think that?”
“You sometimes have that look on your face – the one Lulumina has too.”
Pietro regrets his question instantly. Regrets this talk, regrets coming to this Clan – everything that led him to this very moment. A familiar ache coils in his chest, something Pietro desperately tries to bury.
But to what use? Allen will never understand, gaze back on the ceiling like he already forgot their conversation. His indifference, as if Pietro isn’t even there anymore, works his mouth open before he can stop himself.
“My tongue gets tied when I try to speak…” he edges, soft, prompting Allen’s attention to snap back to him. “And my insides shake like a leaf on a tree every time we’re together for too long.”
Allen gasps, propping himself up on an elbow. “I knew it – so you are in love with someone!” he exclaims, making Pietro smile sadly. “Have you ever told them?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“It wouldn’t make a difference. Even now, we talk at cross-purposes.”
Allen tilts his head, confused, and Pietro sighs, knowing he will carry this sin until the very end.
My masterlist can be found here, and the June Jukebox Challenge here!
Summary: Gerhard refuses to dance. Angelico is going to fix it.
Warnings: None; pure fluff.
Words: 300
Prompt: June 19th - Raise Your Glass - P!nk / “Don’t be fancy, just get dancy”
Angelico's Papa is the best in the whole world.
Strong, as every vampire should be; pretty, like all the Fras are; and kind, though he struggles really hard to hide it.
Truly, there’s nothing he can't do.
Which is why, Angelico doesn’t understand why he won’t do this.
“Papa, please…” he whines, to no avail. Gerhard stays rooted to the table, pretending like the cheer around him doesn’t exist.
Three days have passed since the kidnapping incident. While things are mostly back to normal, the Delico servants had still decided to throw a party for the children, mentioning how everyone needed a break. The idea had been welcome; and the nursery was transformed into a miniature ballroom, toys put away and musicians invited to play.
Sidelined, Angelico stares as the others have fun, screaming and laughing their joy away. Henrique is twirling his girls, the twins giggling loudly. Raphael waltzes with Dali, expression bright. Even Dino and Theodore, usually ones to shy away from the spotlight, are awkwardly trying to work around each other.
Everyone but them.
“I’ve already told you no,” Gerhard grouses, eyes not leaving his papers. “Fras do not engage in such frivolous activities – it’s unbecoming.”
“But –!”
“Go play somewhere else.”
The dismissal stings – though perhaps not as much as the tears blurring Angelico’s sight. Stubbornly, he wipes them away.
A few days ago, he would’ve already given up, fear tying his tongue. But after everything – Pendulum, the fighting, their hug – there’s no going back now.
“Don’t be fancy, just get dancy!”
Gerhard gapes at his shout – but just then Dali appears.
“Angelico’s right, we’ll write those reports later. Unless… you don’t know how to dance?”
“What?! Of course I do!” Gerhard barks, grabbing Angelico’s hand, and Angelico swears he feels his heart burst in happiness.
My masterlist can be found here, and the June Jukebox Challenge here!
Warnings: None. This scene is set to happen right before the events in Specter.
Words: 300
Prompt: June 18th - Come and Get Your Love - Redbone / “Hey, what's the matter with you, feel right?”
He speaks the question so lowly, so smugly, that for a second it doesn’t register.
Breath in, breath out. The night is still around us, moonlight barely filtering through the canopy.
“Hey,” Simon whispers again, and this time, I turn around. He’s got that infuriating look on his face; like he finds something amusing, but doesn’t want to share. “What’s the matter with you?”
“… huh?”
“Feel right?”
“The hell you on about,” I mutter, pulling the GUILT-issued blanket over my shoulder. It isn’t cold, exactly; but there’s a chill in the air that makes me want to suppress shivers. Damned forest.
“You seem a little nervous, is all,” Simon says, and God, sometimes I wished I could wipe that smirk off his face. But killing one’s partner is prohibited, and Hunters are scarce enough as is, so I simply huff and settle back down.
An owl hoots some distance away. Just as I’m about to drift off to sleep, Simon’s annoying voice stirs the night again.
“Nebula village… I wonder what type of place that is.”
This time there’s no helping my groan. “Just shut up and sleep,” I say, but the words don’t seem to land as the bastard continues.
“A community of dhampirs must be a sight to behold.”
“Shut it.”
“Hopefully they don’t give us too much trouble.”
“Are you asking for a beating?”
“Don’t be like that – you should relax. Losing sleep isn’t healthy.”
That’s it, I’m definitely punching him. My hand fists into a tight ball, ready to strike, when he turns. “What’s making you so uneasy, Banri?”
I halt, pinned in place by his perceptive gaze.
In truth, I don’t know. There’s no naming the disquiet in my chest – but whatever it is…
It feels as this mission will be unlike any other.
My masterlist can be found here, and the June Jukebox Challenge here!
Summary: The Vlad Institution is alight with rumors. Johannes doesn't bother correcting them.
Pairing: Implied Dali Delico x Gerhard Fra
Warnings: None; though this leans towards the crack-fic side. I just find the idea of Johannes Vlad becoming a DaliGer shipper very funny - and who knows, maybe I'll spin a whole fic out of it...
Words: 300
Prompt: June 17th - Say Something - A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera / “I know nothing at all.”
The rumors start first; the betting second.
Johannes is not one to condone gossip, normally. Being the Vlad family head brought along many responsibilities; including righteousness.
Still…
“Do you know why I called you here today?”
Dali shrugs indolently, propped near the windows. “No. But I’m about to find out, aren’t I?”
Johannes sighs. Gerhard is out in the gardens, giving orders to their subordinates. The sunlight suits him; setting alight his long hair, illuminating his blush as he looks up and notices Dali gazing at him. Dali waves, and Johannes exchanges a glance with Lane, jotting another cross down in his notebook.
“It has been brought to my attention that you and Lord Fra have been getting along, recently.”
“And?”
“You’ve apprehended more criminals in the past month that all the other investigators combined. I’ve been told your stellar teamwork and perfect synchronization were the key to your success.”
Johannes keeps his poker face despite the glance Dali throws his way – all his previous softness gone, Johannes notes. The fingers around his pen itch. “Your collaboration has been truly remarkable. Ever since… what? Mid-February, I believe?”
He pretends to search trough his calendar as Dali rounds the desk, leaning over with a wide grin.
“Alright, I’ll bite,” he smiles, all teeth. “What do you know?”
It’s Johannes’ turn to shrug. “I know nothing at all. Aside from your accomplishments, that is.” He pulls a folder from his drawer. “I just hope they will last – we have a new case that dropped this morning.”
Dali grabs it, excusing himself – though the look he gives Johannes is enough to know he hasn’t been fooled. Smart man.
Silence blankets the office.
“...”
“They’re definitely together since Valentines.”
“It appears so.”
Lane steps closer, and Johannes drops a coin-purse in his hand, sighing.
My masterlist can be found here, and the June Jukebox Challenge here!
Prompt: June 16th - Every Breath You Take - The Police / “Every single day - And every word you say - Every game you play, every night you stay - I'll be watching you”
“Where does it hurt?”
No answer. “Over here?”
Silence. With a sigh, Clara tries again. “Young Master. I cannot help you if you won’t talk to me.”
Raphael sniffles, looking away. For a beat, Clara really thinks she'll have to tear the answers from him through force, but he ends up muttering a small ‘my hands’. Heaving, she runs a cloth in the water basin at her side, cleaning the cuts along Raphael's palms.
The day had started off like any other. After their breakfast and morning lessons, the boys had been let out for a ride, the weather nice enough to take full advantage of the pen outside.
Lord Dali had been in attendance. It was a rare sight, these days – his Institution duties burying him in work – yet he'd still spent a few hours with his boys, holding their horse's reins. It was peaceful.
Clara had let her guard down.
“Ouch!” Raphael hisses as the damp cloth smooths over his skin. He’s lucky he got away with just a few scrapes; falling off a horse usually warranted far worse.
“Please stay still, Young Master. I can’t tend to your wounds otherwise.”
A humph. “Why do you care anyway?”
Clara stills.
The jealousy is nothing new. Raphael had been inclined to it since he was a toddler; despite his love for his brother, some things just couldn’t be helped. Clara knew this – she had five sons of her own.
And yet...
“Because every single day…”
Clara pulls his cheek. “Every word you say…” She tickles him, drawing a giggle – “Every game you play, every night you stay late –”
“I’ll be watching over you.” She gives him a knowing smile, making Raphael grin in return.
“So no more brash actions to impress your father. Alright?”
Raphael reddens – but nods.
My masterlist can be found here, and the June Jukebox Challenge here!
Summary: Bird AU (if that's a thing). Dali is on nesting duty.
Pairing: Established Dali Delico x Gerhard Fra
Warnings: None; pure fluff. I picture them all being falcons/hawks but honestly it's open to interpretation.
Words: 300
Prompt: June 15th - Season of the Witch - Donovan / “Many sights to see”
“Say, Dad, when will I be able to fly?”
Dali looks up to see Angelico peering over the edge of the nest, tiny body perched on a twig. He still has the clumsy balance of a hatchling, yet the seriousness in his tone makes Dali smile.
“In a few weeks, most likely,” Dali answers, chuckling when Angelico puffs out his chest. With how fluffy he is, he looks like an angry dandelion.
“That’s too long – I want to fly now!”
“Me too,” Raphael adds, never one to be outdone. Dali sighs. Only Ul stays quiet, tucked under Dali.
“I know, but it’s too early. That’s why you need to sleep and eat lots – so that you can grow big and strong.”
“But I’m already big and strong! Look!” Angelico spreads a wing. There, among the soft down, two minuscule feathers have started to sprout.
“Not sure that will be enough to keep you airborne,” Dali comments, pulling the chick closer at his unhappy chirping. “Listen – if you promise to be good, I might just do an exception.”
“Really?”
“Mmh. But you must be on your best behavior until then. Understood?”
“Yes!” Both chicks say in unison, before melting into questions. Are you going to take us out to hunt? Will we go to that big cliff over there? There are so many sights to see!
Dali listens to their excited chittering, words warm with affection. “I’ll take you everywhere you want to go.”
“Shouldn’t I be consulted about this beforehand?”
A shadow falls over the nest – and with it a gust of wind announces the return of Dali’s mate.
“Papa!”
Gerhard lands with a huff, elegant as ever as their three chicks crowd around him. He sends Dali a withering look – and yeah, Dali’s definitely in for an earful later.
My masterlist can be found here, and the June Jukebox Challenge here!
