Prumby

Certified lurker 😶‍🌫️ | 23 |

[lethargicnymph]

The only thing keeping Barbatos from making a pact with MC is the fact that he'd be the 8th pact.

[lemonheadart]

hoooo boy here we go

these two sheets are a few weeks apart so the coloring's a little different. wanted to try something new.. and messy

[kaytheberry]

Squeak.

You look down at your tiny paws, horrified. The bookshelves loom over you menacingly and you remain frozen, with no idea how to get yourself out of this mess. You need to find one of the brothers (preferably Lucifer) to help you out. But how were you going to make them realize it was you? You'll think about that when you find them.

You skitter across the halls of the House of Lamentation, acutely aware of just how many things could kill you now that you were about the size of an orange. Each little noise makes your heart skip and every shadow seems like a threat. You find one of the brothers in the living room. Unfortunately, it was Asmo. Amber eyes meet yours and the Avatar of Lust lets out a shriek that belongs in a horror movie.

"Why the hell are you screaming?!" Belphie, who was napping under the coffee table, grumbles in annoyance as he shoves his face into the pillow and pulls the sides up to cover his ears.

Asmo stands up on the couch, screaming like a damsel in distress. "A MOUSE—! WHY IS IT MOVING LIKE THAT—LUCIFER—!!!"

Footsteps thunder down the hall as Beel comes to Asmo's aid. "Why are you screaming like that?" He looks down at you, and you both have a staring contest for a few seconds. "Oh."

You know that look on Beel all too well. So, you make the wise decision to run before he can turn you into a mouse kebab.

'Nope, not today', you think to yourself as you narrowly escape Beel lunging at you. You zip across the floor, running over a very startled Belphie. You masterfully slip between Satan’s legs (who had just reached the site of chaos). “What is all this noi… what—” The stair case is so close. If only you could find Lucifer— You feel yourself bump into something, before being lifted into the air. You come face to face with Mammon. You frantically wave your little paws at him. Maybe he'll understand you. "This is what scared ya?", he says in a bored manner. "I’m tossin’ this thing out—OUCH WHAT THE HELL?!" Mammon clutches his hand, rubbing the area where you bit him, as you fall out of his grasp and make a mad-dash up the stairs, towards Lucifer's room.

You vault over Levi's feet as he cracks his door open. “Can you all shut up I’m trying to—AHH!!"

And then a thought enters your mind. If none of the brothers, even Mammon, can recognize you, what are the chances that Lucifer will? And if Lucifer caught you, there would be no escape. You pause for a second and change your trajectory, running toward sthe other end of the hall instead. Maybe you should hide out in your room. Try and use your D.D.D to contact Solomon. Thankfully, you left the door open. You slip into your room and climb up your desk in an attempt to find your D.D.D. And you nearly cry with relief when you do find it lying next to your homework. You manage to put in your password and unlock it. Now, to open the messaging app—

Mammon bursts in. "Hey, get outta' MC's room!!" "Wait, it's using their D.D.D??", Levi follows in after. "Look, it's typing something!!", says Asmo, peeking out from behind Satan. You have managed to open one of the brother's chat and type out your name. It took quite some effort to reach the keys with your short hands but you finally sit down with relief when you see realization flash in the brothers' eyes. "Wait...MC??" begins Beel. You squeak at him angrily. "I'm sorry, I didn't know it was you." He looks like a sad puppy now. Mammon looks equally as guilty. You can't help but forgive them.

"Jump twice if you're MC", says Belphie, now wide awake. You jump in spot twice. "Spin." He says with that shit-eating grin. You spin around, glaring up at him. "Hmm, still not convincing enough. Squeak three times." "Oi, stop messing with them." Mammon lightly smacks the back of Belphie's head.

"Now that I think about it, they’re kind of cute!", Asmo leans in, eyes sparkling . You glare at him like 'Really, bitch? You were the one screaming your lungs out a few seconds ago.' The fifth-born pays no heed as he scoops you up in his palms, cooing at you. "Ooooh, you'd look so cute with a little bow!"

“Put them down,” Satan said sharply, eyes narrowed. You feel anger radiate off of him. Asmo doesn't take chances.

“Who dared to put a curse on you? I’ll make them—” continues Satan.

You hang your head low in shame.

Satan pauses, his anger dissipating and turning into...amusement? Maybe a bit of disappointment? "You did this to yourself, didn't you?"

You squeak pitifully.

Lucifer enters the room, annoyed beyond measure. “What is the meaning of all this chaos? Why is there a rat on MC's desk?"

He takes a look at the scene. The message written on the D.D.D. The oddly calm mouse on the desk.

He looks at his brothers.

Their faces clearly answer: Yes, Lucifer. It is exactly what you think it is.

You squeak again.

Lucifer pinches the bridge of his nose. "...wonderful."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mammon has never walked so carefully in his life. You are asleep in the front pocket of his jacket, curled up into the softest little ball. Mammon is trying very hard not to jostle you. Asmo peaks into Mammon’s pocket every once in a while to coo at you, only to be swatted away by the second-born. “They’re sleepin’, be quiet!”

The seven reach purgatory hall. Lucifer presses the door bell. You wake up from your slumber and poke your head out of the pocket and are met with the sight of Solomon looking directly at you while Lucifer explains what's going on.

Solomon takes you in his hand as you climb out of Mammon's pocket.

“Oh my, look at you!” Solomon brings you up to his face, eyes lighting up. “Do you have any idea how hard it is not to squeal?” "Please don't", says Belphie.

"Just fix 'em up quickly. No shady business", warns Mammon.

Lucifer looks at you, comfortable in Solomon's palm. "I trust that you will help turn them back without further... complications."

"When have I ever caused any trouble, huh?", Solomon smiles at the group. They give him very unimpressed looks before Solomon pushes them all out of Purgatory Hall, their complaints falling of deaf ears. Mammon lingered the longest, only relenting when you looked up at him reassuringly. The door shuts. Solomon looks down at you, eyes sparkling with amusement. He slowly lifts his palms up, lifting you up along with them. "Behold my mighty apprentice, feared across realms."

You stare at him.

Oh, you were adorable. Maybe he'll keep you like this for a short while, just to have fun.

You accept your fate. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ You have escaped Solomon's study, like a professional mouse, because you have ✨priorities✨. You were definitely not going to lose this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

You navigate around Purgatory hall with your tiny little feet skittering on the ground till you find what you were looking for. Or rather, who you were looking for.

Simeon feels something soft bump into his leg. He looks down and sees a little mouse looking up at him with...familiarity? "Oh. Hello there, little one."

You squeal internally.

You climb onto the couch and press your head against his arm.

Simeon laughs quietly, putting down his book. “Well, aren’t you affectionate?"

Simeon gently rubs your head with a finger. You stand up on two legs and place your paws on his hand. "You must like attention." He gently scoops you up and strokes your fur. You immediately melt into his palm. Oh. Yes. This was the good stuff.

And that's how Solomon finds you fifteen minutes later. Absolutely basking in the angel's affections.

"Oh, I see. So this is what betrayal feels like."

You jump up at Solomon's voice, making Simeon gently pat you in an attempt to calm you down. "Hello, Solomon. I found this little mouse wandering around. They’re very polite. A little angel, really."

"Is that so?", replies Solomon as he pries you away from Simeon. You try to wriggle out of his hands and back to Simeon's, but to no avail.

"Does it happen to be yours?", asks Simeon.

"Well, it does happen to be my apprentice."

"Apprentice...?"

Simeon takes a closer look at you. You try to hide your face. "MC?" Simeon blinks once; then laughs, warm and surprised. “Oh my. That explains the affectionate behaviour."

"Imagine my heartbreak. One moment they’re safely with me, and the next I discover they’ve abandoned their dear teacher to go snuggle with an angel. Do humans not suit you anymore, my dear apprentice?"

As much as you love and appreciated Solomon, you do feel like punching him right now. But you can't really do that in this form, can you? So, you resort to glaring instead.

"How did this happen? Them turning into a mouse, I mean.” asks Simeon. "Hmm, that's what I'd love to know too." Solomon looks down at your angry little face as he says that. "Hey, stop looking at me like that. Not my fault you got caught being a simp."

"What does that mean? 'Simp'?"

You glare harder, daring Solomon to say anything else embarrassing. "Someone who is very...affectionate, let's say." Solomon replies. "Ah, I see. MC does, indeed, appear to be a 'simp', then."

Solomon does a very good job holding back his laugh as you let out a mortified sound. "Anyways, we will take our leave. I still need to find a cure to this." He says finally. "Yes, that's important. Take care, both of you." Simeon resumes to reading his book as Solomon carries you out of Purgatory Hall and into the Devildom street.

You squeak at Solomon with confusion. What is he up to now?

"You know, I'm kind of hurt", says Solomon, with exaggerated dramatics. "Leaving me all alone to go snuggle up to Simeon. Especially after I spend hours working hard and trying to find a cure for you. Truly heartless."

You give him your best puppy—er—mouse eyes (?).

"Ah, how can I stay mad at that face? But, I can't really let go of what happened. You still need to make it up to me, you know?"

Solomon puts you on his shoulder, earning a few curious looks from demons going about their day.

"Oh, don't worry, my dearest apprentice. I'll only have a bit of harmless fun."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Barbatos' eye twitches as he looks at Solomon, and you, comfortably perched on his shoulder. "Why", he begins, voice laced with absolute disgust, "have you brought that thing here?"

If looks could kill, you'd be a dead mouse by now.

"Please remove it immediately."

“Oh, come now. They’re harmless. Would you like to hold them?” Says Solomons, as be brings you closer to the butler. You feel the urge to hide in Solomon's sleeves.

Barbatos goes rigid. “I despise r— 'you-know-what's,” he says evenly.

"Now, now, that is no way to talk about my dear apprentice. Also, they’re a mouse, not a rat."

"...Apprentice?" Barbatos finally takes a closer look at you. "I see."

He takes a step back, eyes glowing with ancient power. “Then there is no need for this nonsense.” Time seems to warp around you, and a second later, you find yourself sitting on the floor back in your human form. You were unharmed, albeit a bit dizzy. Barbatos helps you up. "I was having so much fun. And you just had to go and do that..." Solomon says in a disappointed manner. "Still, I guess it is quite a rare opportunity to see the Barbatos perform his time magic."

Barbatos chooses to ignore Solomon, instead checking on you to ensure you were feeling alright.

As fun as it was seeing the rather stoic butler try so hard to maintain his composure, you do feel kind of guilty. “Barbatos, I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” you say sheepishly.

“It is forgiven,” he says immediately. "I was just preparing tea for the Young Master. Would you like to join him? I'm sure he would be delighted" "How come I never get invi—" begins Solomon.

“Solomon, you may take your leave now.”

Solomon sighs dramatically. “You ruin all my fun.”

A/N: Locked in so hard that I didn't even realize how long this became. Just sat here for three hours straight. This might be the most random fic I've written yet. But hey, I thinks it's pretty cute and i got to write all my favourite characters in one fic so yay.

[As per the results of the poll, i decided to keep this as one single post]

Solomon watching Barbietoes and Mouse!MC interact be like:

[inlovewithl3vi]

I can imagine a MC getting attached to one brother and deciding that's the only person they want to be around.

Like especially with Mammon, since he’s the first one to take care of MC and make a pact with them.

Your just… follow him around like a lost dog. Everywhere he is you are, and without fail you’ll find a way to be around him.

Even after making pacts with the other brothers, you still always want to be around him. Sure you occasionally hang out in Levi’s room or take a trip to the human realm with Asmo and Solomon, but without fail you’ll always go back to Mammon.

He’s annoyed with it at first, having you act as his shadow all the time. Until he realizes that you’re quite impressionable, despite you insisting that you’re not.

You look at him like he’s the one who made all three realms and more, like he’s the only important one.

So now he doesn’t complain and just takes you everywhere. Any job he has you go with, any time he goes gambling your their too, at rad he makes sure you have almost all classes together.

He buys you things (and not so secretly starts buying you things that match his style, so you two always match) and will absolutely throw a fit if you two have to be separated.

You even start sleeping in his room regularly (you had to have him promise to wear pants) and when your not in their he’s in your room.

You guys are attached at the hip, and despite the brothers occasional annoyance, nothings breaking you two apart for the foreseeable future.

[linkeduniverse]

[obeythebutler]

And the Sun might just never come.

Brothers x GN! MC

Word Count: 4635 words

Synopsis: Your tenure as an exchange student is coming to an end. The brothers don't want to see you leave.

The academic year is coming to an end now.

Along with it, the tenure of the exchange students. 

The brothers could never forget about it, since the day the calendar in the house was turned to the start of march, everyone was reminded that only two more months were left for the end semester exams to commence, followed by the summer vacations. But you won’t be here to spend it with them, you will be in the human world. 

Back in your natural habitat, away from the gloom and the darkness of this realm.

The days go by cheerfully, of course, but your eventual departure hangs heavy in the air following every joyous moment. You seem sad too, the brothers note, but the way you are gathering keychains and trinkets for your kin in the human world also belies your gloom. It’s only nature, but they can’t help but feel betrayed.

But, but, but family.

They do understand, even if some of them toss that fact aside carelessly. Maybe pretending that reality is different might change the inevitable. 

“Before I leave, we should really go somewhere.” You say, sprawled out on the carpet in your room, painting your nails. Mammon’s head perks up, along with Asmo’s, who is doing his own nails. “Maybe somewhere like Siren Beach or the mountains where ciderwood grows. I heard camping’s fun there.”

Watch you one last time. One last night. Remember your scent because it won't be there again.

“I’ve been to Siren beach! They’re so beautiful, but not like me, of course!” Lust replies, but when his eyes meet Mammon’s they turn to something incomprehensible. 

“If ya really wanna go, we should talk to Lucifer about it. Get a vehicle arranged for all of us.”

“I’m not sitting next to you then, Mammon.” Asmodeus bleghs, scooting closer to you. “I want a seat next to MC.” You scoff and let him rub himself on you, shaking your head at the chaos already.

“We could make it an overnight stay, after the papers end, of course. I’m pretty sure Diavolo won’t mind me postponing my departure.”

Asmo flicks your forehead gently. “Remember to put Lord before his name or Lucifer won’t let you hear the end of it.”

You’re mouthing off plans already, putting up camp next to the Inferno river you were taught about in Devildom Geography, picking berries and hunting deer, roasting marshmallows by the fire and being all cozy in the bed. And what after that? They both want to ask you. You’ll leave after that and it would be so cruel.

They don’t interject, only add to your plans with specifications about the activities and sleeping arrangements. Awfully possessive and specific demons, they are.

You drag Lucifer and Satan to the Devildom night market to get some more trinkets and snacks. You ignore the glances they throw at each other, knowing that they’ve grown tolerable of each other’s presence, able to cooperate and work beautifully, albeit not without some disagreements.

And so, what better way than to drag them both with you outside?

“I want two Iguana plushies.” You demand, pointing at one which hangs in a stall amidst countless others, a prize for winning. Shoot all the moving targets and you win one! The board reads, and the duo sighs.

“It’s ugly.” Satan says. 

“It looks…..wrong.” Lucifer adds.

You pull at Lucifer and Satan’s arms, dragging them towards the stall. More like, they let you drag them. “Please?” Your best pleading gaze is on.

You are human, and no match for the games the Devildom has, which have prerequisites of inhumane speed and strength, and targets which move in nanoseconds. But you have two Avatars with you. And you have two pacts with them. 

All right, all right, demanding human. 

They work together in sync, handing you the two plushies as you had desired like a war prize, two giant Iguanas which are so soft to the touch. Your face gets nearly covered by them as you smile and thank them.

Satan clicks a picture without you noticing, too caught up in admiring the prize. The sound of the shutter is lost amidst the cacophony of the market. When he puts his D.D.D. back in his pocket it vibrates with the flurry of texts his brothers have sent at the picture they received.

Even Lucifer’s oddly silent, having made no smart-ass comment to the blonde demon which never fails to irk him. His scarlet eyes only look at you, imperceptive. 

He’s not at peace with the inevitable departure of the exchange student either, and when he looks away he locks eyes with his brother.

Nods, after.

Don’t you know, superordinate goals bring people together?

“Thank you so much, Satan and Lucifer,” you begin, putting the coveted plushies in a bag, which Lucifer takes from you without letting you adjust it on your shoulder. Carries it himself. “I’m so happy you came here with me.”

You drag them to get matching keychains after, lacquered ones with color matching their sins. You get some extras too, of hellfire peacocks and unicorns, sirens and dunes.

“Whom are you getting them for?” Satan can’t help but attempt to satisfy his curiosity. 

“I have people apart from you, you know?” You say, light-hearted in your tone as you tuck those very keychains into your handbag. The blonde’s silence is strange. “Oh—I didn’t mean it in that way, Satan. I have friends who like to collect keychains, y’know, hobbies, and they’re just something all of us can use everyday and think of each other.”

“I don’t mind.” He smiles.

All of us include the people from your realm too. All of us for his brethren in this realm includes you too. And they don’t want to put them in jeopardy.

The conversation’s left at that, with the walk back home including cotton candy dyed in the color of the rainbow purchased by Lucifer. He and Satan hold around four in each hand, two for Beelzebub because the first will be consumed without actually tasting it. You only hold your handbag and your cotton candy, offering to hold some of the others, but their refusals are stout. Your keychains clink together, and triumph is evident on your face. Your tongue is a plethora of colors now. 

All of his brothers take their cotton candy from him as soon as you three arrive home, the creaking of the gates preceding your arrival. 

“Whatcha got for me?” They all ask Lucifer, and you make a reminder to change his name to Mommy in your contacts. Mother hen alert, you’ll put in the description. Maybe share the contact card with Diavolo. 

He’d appreciate it. Greatly.

While the corners of their mouths have cotton candy stuck to them, you pull out the keychains and watch as their heads dart towards the sound of them in tandem. 

“I,uh, got you all keychains.” You say, suddenly feelish sheepish as you hold them in your outstretched hands for them to take. Their eyes dilate at the glinting trinkets. 

Faced with no response, you continue further. “Before I leave, I wanted to give you all something.”

Uh-oh, nail hit on the head.

“That’s—that’s very sweet of you!” Asmo’s the first to break the silence, rushing forward to grab his. All are distinguishable by color and sin. “The scorpion is so pretty!” He picks it up and immediately puts it in his pocket. Beelzebub quietly comes forward, both the cotton candies and sticks devoured; picks up his. 

“....Cute.” He murmurs, and the tip of his ears turn pink. “It’s really cute. Thank you, MC.”

You look towards the others, waiting for them to come and pick up their gifts.

Mammon strides forward then, picks up the shiniest of the bunch with golden highlights; then rubs his thumb over it. “Hehe, human knows my tastes!” Though it comes out less prideful and more flustered, and if you’d look later you would find it dangling from his backpack. Leviathan comes forward to take his, along with Belpeghor. When his fingers make contact with your palms as he grabs it, the warmth of your skin nearly has him purring.

“Woaahhh! This is so cool!” The third-born exclaims, holding his close to his face. It’s a Devilcraft keychain. “Otaku approved!” 

Belpheghor’s eyes are half-lidded as he inspects his; stick still in his mouth. His finger runs along the edges, and then he looks up at you, eyes no longer droopy. “Thank you.” He says, and two dimples appear on his cheeks when he smiles. You’re reminded of how rare such an occurrence is.

You have already given Satan and Lucifer their respective keychains, who now hold it in their hands like a trophy. “So, now that everyone’s gotten their stuff, I’m going to go and take a shower.” You cough, suddenly feeling awkward. You stride past the stunned demons, and look behind from the kitchen to wave at the eldest. “Thanks for the cotton candy, Lu!”

At the nickname, he winces. 

Shakes his head and softly smiles.

There’s a gaming console in his room which will soon be put away.

Raids and events will now be long distance, and sometimes, not at all. You’ll have friends, flesh and blood friends to meet and hang out with, instead of avatars and calls. He has to bite back at the envy clawing in his chest, he can’t help it. Your presence is something virtual avatars and video calls can only replicate so much. This time, 3D is better than 2D. 

But at least he can indulge in some more events with you.

You’re sitting by his side, fingers flexing quickly on the buttons, and he has to keysmash his own to keep up. Beelzebub and Belpheghor are here too, the latter napping on his pillow while the chews on some chips and watches. Belphie makes a smart-ass comment here and there, and you laugh at one.

What a terrible thing it is.

Stretch out your legs from their criss-crossed position, right onto Beel’s lap. His free hand not dusted with crisps moves to massage your feet, pressing lightly on the joints and along the delicate arches. And they’re such small feet in his hands, gluttony observes. Shoves some more chips into his mouth and watches as the light from the aquarium reveals the map of veins underneath. It would be so easy to grab you and never let go (he might just crush you if he’s not careful) but he never would. It’s not right.

Not right.

But it isn’t right to see you leave either. Buutttt, people leave eventually, don’t they? Offsprings and kin spread out their wings and jump, test the waters and calculate how far they can fly.

Belpheghor’s half-awake too, and when Beel steals a glance at his twin he’s met with his own conundrum. He’d encourage, always would. Belpheghor’s been like that always. Grab what you want and don’t hesitate. Speak out when you believe you are correct and don’t let anyone prevent you from doing something you want to, if you firmly believe in your convictions. But it’s not something like a snack or a decision. It’s you.

Their treasured human.

So Beelzebub shakes his head. The game over sound pops up, and you hiss. Belpheghor closes his eyes and lets his head fall on the cow-print pillow.

The idea’s left abandoned for now.

You get up some time later, when your feet have stopped throbbing from standing all day and retire to your room for a nap, after having thanked Beelzebub, of course. Your belongings are half-packed already, even when there’s still two weeks left for your departure. You came here with nothing, but you leave with so much. Can’t be packed in one day, because you want to spend the last moments here with your demons.

Mammon wakes you up for tea, drags the blankets from your form and pulls you up by the arm with a loud ahem! You grumble and haphazardly find your slippers and walk towards the living room. 

He watches you stumble towards the room, rubbing the sleep from your eyes. Looks around your room only to see half-packed suitcases. Ah, that’s why you had those Akuzon boxes by your door. But all they do is declare your eventual departure.

He really, really wants to sabotage it all.

“Mammon, where are you?” 

Your voice echoes in the hallway, and he has to detach. “Coming, jeez!”

Tea and banter provides for a good distraction, better than casinos and clubs. For the time being, anyways. Cookies and tea he can digest better. He sneaks one from your hands when you’re busy poking at Belpheghor, and giggles when you make a face at him. You haven’t bothered fixing your bedhead, hairs ruffled in every direction, and Satan threads his fingers through your hair to tame it as you sip your tea.

“End semester exams are coming soon, I expect you all to average in the eighties.”

Lucifer speaks, perched on his favourite chair. The nineties was too idealistic of a goal, he had to tone it down to the eighty. “We need to put forward a good example, and yes, that includes you too, MC.”

You sigh, angling into Satan’s touch. “I’m going to be leaving anyways, whom do I maintain the impression for?” Everyone stiffens in the room at the mention, you’re busy staring into your cup of liquid honey. It’s not like you can boast your grades in the human world. A plus in potions and hexes, B negative in Devildom Geography, and what not. 

“That the exchange programme was successful.” He stares at you then, and you immediately straighten your posture. You look so cute, he thinks, hair ruffled and an embarrassed look on your face, lips almost in a pout. He feels benevolent, so he opens his mouth further. “If the results are as expected, a trip to the mountains may be planned.”

The cacophony of noises greets his ears after; Mammon nearly makes him lose his hearing given how loud he exclaims next to him. “You’re not joking, are ya?!”

Lucifer raises a finger to shush everyone, though it’s not completely successful. “If good grades come in.”

“You wanted a trip to the mountains right, you got it!” Asmo speaks across you, his cup now empty. “We should go before the summer dries up everything.”

You smile. “Yeah. I’ll take my camera along too, plenty of pictures to keep later. Can tell my family and friends I was on a trip instead of being teleported between realms.”

Satan is the one to speak up next. “How who cross out who are you friends in that realm?” 

You shake your head. “They’re doing good. Though I’ll be contacting them after a year.” A pause. “I wonder how they will react.”

“Lord Diavolo had ensured to send a message to your family that you were doing alright, along with the date you would be coming back. There’s no need to wonder, I suppose.” The eldest adds, putting down his cup.

You make a noise of understanding. Look up at him with a shrug. “I know, plus since many of them are married and busy in their work life we don’t get much time to interact.”

“...Is marriage at your age common?” Leviathan asks, and his tone belies his hesitance.

“Human world customs, yes. Adulthood, especially your mid twenties is the age where societal norms expect people to get together. Though it differs, and many are changing the status quo.”

You take the last sip of your now lukewarm tea. “Are you going to get married?” Beelzebub asks suddenly, and you nearly sent the liquid down the wrong way.

“Uh–no, not now!” You place the ceramic with a soft clang on the wood. “I don’t have any plans to get married anytime soon. Not right now.” All the seven heads in the room have their eyes fixed on you. You think you hear someone exhaling.

Eager to forget your skittish response, you add without thinking. “Have you guys ever thought of marriage?”

“To whom?” Lucifer says, more than asking.

Mammon sputters while Levi looks like he just inhaled something down the wrong pipe, Satan hides his face while trying to appear unaffected and Asmodeus just smiles at you. Beelzebub has pink dusting his cheeks while Belpheghor snorts.

You feel like you’ve asked the wrong beings.

Do demons even marry?

“We can get married.” Beel says. “We simply choose not too.”

“Yeah. Why to go and tie ourselves to others we aren’t even that close with?” Belphie says.

Someone snickers. “Lucifer and Diavolo should–”

“Hooligans, all of you. Rascals!” 

And the tension has been pushed back down again.

There’s a week left for your departure.

And one more pact left to be made.

It should emerge on one of your shoulders, Lucifer thinks. Evident and bold, ready to flare to life when needed. And he can’t help the way a shiver runs through his body at the thought of you with his mark. The leash tied to both of you, command only switching.

But would his and his brothers' pacts guarantee your return? Fix it with a seal and a sign that you will come back, without having settled down. Be a staple in their lives.

They all do want you to be happy.

But they can’t stand the idea of you being with someone else.

Nausea rises in his gut at the thought, and he swallows it down. You’ll go back and find someone, someone mortal and then forever be away from him and his brothers. You’ll learn and grow but he won’t be there to see it. Won’t be there to puff out his chest with pride and have you be not with him.

Luckily, morality is a fickle thing in this realm.

He could make a pact with you, tie you down to this realm. Lucifer feels his cock twitch in his pants at the thought. Ensure with his mark on you, you’d never leave, too tainted to go back. But again, you could always order him to let you go.

But would you even do that?

Little lamb, content on following the shepherd with its flock. Even if the shepherd is a corrupted one. You just need guidance.

And he’s more than eager to lead.

His decisions have never been filled with regret. Only regret for not revolting sooner. He’s traded loyalty for rebirth and paying for it has never been better. And if you hate him for it, well, he can live with that. He’s handled his brother's hatred, he can handle yours. 

He only wants what is the best for you.

And he knows better. Lucifer always knows better.

May arrives steadily.

The moon shines a bit brighter, illuminating the streets better. Nightlamps are deemed unnecessary. Everyone wears a piece of clothing less: some abandoned their overcoat, others their scarves and shawls. Siren beach has greater footfall and greater prey. Colossal squids and hellfire fish are in trend on your Devilgram. 

But for you it means departure and a Sun which makes the warmth on your skin feel like a blessing.

Your belongings are packed; Beel has carried them all the way despite your protests. They’re heavy, you had said, and to just use the handle and wheels (he’d picked it up like it was an empty cardboard box) and you had shut your mouth. Sometimes you forget you live with inhumane beings. Neatly settled in the Council Room, Solomon sits besides you. Simeon and Luke across, Barbatos stands behind Diavolo, who sits on the throne.

“You look excited.” Simeon smiles as he looks in your direction, and Luke perks up at the sound. Only the top of his head is visible, given the table is too tall for him. Barbatos had offered pillows for a boost but the cherub had pouted.

“I can’t wait to do more baking lessons with you whenever we meet!” Luke chimes in, and you have to hold back laughter because you can only see his head bobbing. 

“Me too!” You breathe out, leaning forward to pet his head, sitting back down with a grunt. 

Diavolo clears his throat, and the chatter in the room pauses. “With this being our last day of the exchange programme and this semester, we conclude that it was a great success. Contact has greatly facilitated understanding and cooperation, and I hope we can meet again.”

Everyone is presented with their certificates; and when Barbatos hands you yours the faint scent of cedarwood comes to your mind. 

“It’s valid in the human world,” Diavolo adds, and you perk your head up to look at his hulking form. “You can explain your year spent here as a study leave.” His eyes are kind.

“Thank you, Diavolo.” You smile, and unfurl the certificate’s blood-red ribbon to read it over. Stamped with the royal seal and his signature, you think about uploading this on Linkedin. While you’re looking it over, Solomon merely takes his and puts it in his bag, leather and very expensive-looking. Simeon holds Luke’s too.

Final formalities are carried out.

You keep fiddling with the ribbon on your certificate, twirling it around your finger and shaking your legs under the table. Accidentally kicking Simeon in the knees too, who takes it with grace.

And if they look closely, they’ll see the faint purple scattered across the junction of your neck, covered by concealer. The first-born’s pact mark on your shoulder, hidden by your clothing. Everyone knows better than to point it out (although Solomon’s itching to ask you as to what was your modus operandi, he’s been trying for centuries for one with Lucifer.) And how you keep avoiding Lucifer’s gaze whenever you meet it.

Then Diavolo stands, and with him, the rest of the table does too.

He mutters an incantation, and you blink and the front of the council room has a giant hole in the middle of it, rotating with sparks of gold and red. 

Your door to your realm of earth and sun and moon.

“I hope we do meet again.” Simeon and Luke say, and you hug them both. The former always smells so sweet, and the latter like vanilla. Probably had dabbled with it last night while baking cookies that he had given you in a container for you to take back to your home.

 “I’ll miss you both,” you whisper into their ear as you both pull apart.

Then they both bow a little at Diavolo, who does the same. Asmodeus mutters about the House of Lords throwing a fuss if they saw their future sovereign doing that action. Belpheghor snorts at that.

And they look behind at you, and then the black-purple mist swallows them whole.

That’s it. No fanfare.

Solomon steps forward before you can with your suitcases. Hugs you tightly and pats your back.

“Take care. I’ll keep visiting.”

You bid him goodbye, and when he's left you turn behind to look at your demons.

“So…this is it, huh?” You begin, clutching your suitcases and shoulder bag. “I’m so happy that I met you. I hope we do meet again.”

They all smile at that, eyes crinkling. 

Turning to Diavolo and Barbatos, you continue. “Thank you for the exchange programme. We wouldn’t have met otherwise.”

Then without waiting for a response, you move towards Mammon, and he opens his arms out, already knowing what you will do. “I wanted a farewell hug, you know?” You tease, enjoying how he tenses and splutters. “My first man, and yet you act so unaffected."

He then finally relaxes into your touch, holding you tighter. “Says the human who was nonchalant from the start.”

You pat his back, standing straight to look at them all again.

“I guess I’ll be going now. Farewell!”

You blink back the tears and turn around towards the portal.

It’s gone.

Only the council room remains.

“What the fuck.” You look at the brothers, then at Diavolo and Barbatos. “I think your magic has fizzled out.”

The prince says nothing.

“All the intended students have left.” Satan declares. “No use of the portal now.”

“Is my semester not over or something? Did I fail an exam?”

“None of that!” Asmodeus chirps. “We just don’t want to see you go.”

You groan. “You do realize I have to leave, right? Can’t keep me here forever no matter how much we wish for it.”

No one moves.

The portal doesn’t remanifest.

“I do not like such jokes–open the portal!” 

Leviathan shakes his head at that in refusal, looking down. “We won’t. We don’t want you to leave. Call us whatever names you want–we can’t–can’t let you leave.” Beelzebub refuses to look you in the eye, and Mammon's face has hardened into a thin line. The others meet you gaze, none of them ashamed or even guilty.

“This better be some sick fucking joke,” you blurt, swallowing the lump in your throat. It doesn’t relent. “Diavolo, why did you close the portal?” Your hands grip the suitcase tighter, and you turn to him.

“You have all of our marks on you, sweetie.” Asmodeus croons, attempting to placate by placing a hand on your shoulder, manicured nails glinting in the light. “All of our pact marks, you’re tied to us now.” You shove his hand away and step back, pushing the suitcase away as it rolls on the floor.

“So is Solomon!”

“Do you think we care for you like Solomon?” Belpheghor pipes in. 

“What kind of ‘care’ is this exactly? Enlighten me!”

You flail, anger burning hot in your body when he doesn’t reply. Your vision blurs, and then you remember.

“.........Avatar of Pride, I call upon you, Luc–”

The avatar in question moves in the fraction of a second. Covers your mouth with his gloved palm, effectively silencing your command halfway.

“Go on, MC.” He mutters. “I’ll remove my hand, and then you may command me to let you leave. Command my brothers too, if I protest.” 

You inhale sharply, staring at him through tear-stricked vision.

“But then what kind of human would you be if you were to use our pacts against us?” A cruel human, that is. “You’d promised. And we only want you here with us, nothing more.”

Your trembling subsides. 

You blink back the tears, effectively silenced into keeping your mouth shut.

Lucifer removes his palm.

And then you speak.

“To let me leave–”

And then Diavolo laughs.

“You were right, Lucifer. Our little lamb is more demonic than we had assumed.” He chuckles, and even Barbatos is doing that too. Amber eyes burn holes into you. Your voice dies in your throat along with your hope. “So feisty too!”

Satan’s the next to speak. “You were ready to order us to let you go, use our pacts against us. You’ve made it clear you’d turn on us if given the chance, so we figured we’d test and try harder.” You find your own sobs reaching your ears. “And it seems we’ve succeeded.”

Tears run down your face, salty on your tongue.

"You're just like us, actually, better!"

The sunlight on your face, the warmth of it on your skin, the chirping of birds and the earth underneath your feet–

“Metamorphosis should begin in a couple months from now.” He’s saying, though it rings in your ears. You can only cry harder and fall to your knees. He keeps speaking above you like a cruel jailor. “I wonder whether it’ll be wings or a tail.”

That’s why Solomon said what he did.

He knew.

Someone angles your chin up, and you meet crimson eyes. So full of love.

“Don’t fret. We’ll be here for you. As you have been for us.”

And the Sun might just never come.

[nyankochan]

I’m afraid I have a fucking type

[linkeduniverse]

North West basement 1

<<Previous          Next>> (Coming soon)

-> ComicArchive / About / Linktree <-

[willowwhispersspeakeasy]

I had the best thought. You ever watched Hotel Transylvania? What if the obey me brothers did the zing thing??? Can I convince you for headcanons for them?

this is a cute idea! so here's my lore for this lil AU:

Zing: the "zing" is a slang term, it refers to a phenomenon some demons experience, in which they will discover a human who's soul perfectly fits their "lack".

Soul: each human soul is completely unique. while some souls can reincarnate that soul retains its unique fingerprint regardless of how many times it returns to life.

Lack: referring to the hole within a demon, where their "lack" of a soul would be.

Obey Me! demon brothers "zing" Soulmate AU

warnings: gender neutral reader, spoilers for before lesson 16, angst

Lucifer

Lucifer was an intimidating demon, as such while you did look at him, the first time the pair of you actually held eye contact was back at the house of Lamentation.

he was explaining that Mammon would be your guide and body guard, when your eyes met the dark red of his. you heard a strange "thrum" sound echo in your head, nearly causing you to jump out of your skin.

Lucifer took a step back in shock, hand placed over his chest. he blinked down at the startled human before him.

no, there is no way. his father surly wouldn't curse him like this, hadn't he been punished enough?

if you didn't realize what happened, he wouldn't tell you. he would shake his head, cheeks lightly pink and simply continue speaking. he had always pushed the "zing" idea away as a stupid superstition. however, he would begin spending every spare moment he had digging into the old story.

you had assumed that the strange "thrum" was just in your head, or perhaps some frightening ability Lucifer had. it wasn't until much much later, you heard the story of a "zing" from Asmo.

its up to you if you want to confront Lucifer about it. if you don't however, his pride will hold him back from confessing, instead biting the truth back and attempting to maintain keeping you in line through his intimidation.

however, each time you enrage him, he can hear that strange noise in the back of his mind, almost feeling your heart rate match his own. he pushes it down in shame and fear.

he'll wait until its too late. watching your broken body you lay in Mammon's arms. only then will he regret his own cowardice. he should have held you and treasured you when he had the chance. 

the demon broke his own heart, and the narcissism began eating him into self hatred and inferiority instead.

Mammon

Mammon moaned out about having to “baby sit” until his golden blue eyes met yours. his breath caught in his throat as his heart pounded in his ears, a strange “bsst” sound like electricity echoing in his head. 

you were so thrown off you stumbled back, almost falling to the floor, but a pair of arms reached out to steady you. Mammon was panting as though he'd just run a marathon as his left hand held your arm and his right rested on your waist. 

“...ya heard that to right?” his voice was a whisper, a shaking sound in his voice. when you nodded, you heard a small “fuck” from the demon and he pulled you into a gentle hug. while you barely knew the demon, his arms felt safe and warm. 

“cmon, I need to show ya ‘round at least.” he sighed, but pulled you along deeper into the house. 

Mammon would explain to you what the “zing” was. he’d be embarrassed and refuse to look you in the eye the whole time, his tsundere persona still at a head. but, he'd be much quicker to take your safety seriously. 

he refuses to let you out of his sight for to long, you are a human, and how delicate you are he is hyper aware of. if you except him, it won't take long before he's practically your boyfriend. 

or actually your boyfriend, but you’ll have to ask. his shy tsundere personality is far to frightened you'd push him away. 

Leviathan

oh dear, lets say since he’s pretty eye contact averse in my headcannons anyway, that he never meets your gaze until you’ve beaten him in the TSL trivia challenge. 

Levi’s shoulders shake as his tail whips wildly, a yell of outrage emanating from him as you try and duck away. Levi raises his head, eyes a toxic orange as he aims his tail to attack you, and the otaku meets your gaze for the first time. 

a buzzing like a rattle snake echos in your head. you jump and raise your hands over your face, thinking its some strange ability of the demon, when everything stops. 

Levi is stunned and shaky and he just, runs. he bolts out of the room without ever looking back. no one can find him for two days. he's not in his room, not at RAD, and the brothers have turned the house of Lamentation upside down to find him. no luck. 

when you tell Mammon what happened he pieces it together and explains to you what a “zing” is. Levi returns late in the evening, slinking quietly into the safety of his room. if you wait for him there, make sure you stay hidden until he's far enough in the room for you to get between him and the door. because he will try and run away again. 

his face is red under his fringe and hands, trying to make himself small and hide from you. he's terrified of you. not only did he let his jealously get the better of him but he nearly killed his soulmate. 

if you manage to get the demon to speak he's going to word vomit a variety of apologies, self deprecation, and hatred between tears and hiccups. he’ll beg on his knees, blubbering that a disgusting, shut in, weirdo, otaku like him doesn't deserve your forgiveness. 

Satan

your “zing” with Satan accrued in the library, of course. it was only a couple days after you'd come to the devildom. he snuck up on you, causing you to jump when he asked you what you were looking for. 

his face was just over your shoulder as you turned and backed up against the bookshelf, the sadistic satisfaction on his face changing to surprise as the sound of a “hisss” rang in your ears.

“MC?” he questioned. “did you just hiss at me?”

“no! you heard that too right?” you looked around trying to find the source of the sound. it was then it dawned on him what actually happened. 

Satan was conflicted like Lucifer. he refrained from talking to you about it for a while. it was only when you sought him out for a pact he brought it up. to his surprise you were already aware, having asked Asmo and Mammon about it.

when he asked why you didn't come to him about it, you replied, believing he didn't want to talk about it since he'd left quickly after the incident and had avoided you since. 

Asmodeus

Asmo’s curiosity with you lead to your “zing” also taking place quickly. you had run into the demon on the way to the dining room on your first day. you'd nearly bumped into him, his eyes glued to his D.D.D. and yours noting the wallpaper on the molding of the hallways in the house of Lamentation. 

“hey! watch where you’re going human!” he screeched, dramatically stepping aside and turning to send you a glare. the glare never came as when your eyes met a gasping sound ringing in your ears.

you placed a hand over your mouth, thinking it had been you. quickly scrambling to apologize to the shocked demon. Asmo stopped you, placing his D.D.D. in his pocket and grabbing you by the shoulders. 

he shook you lightly, eyebrows furrowed. 

“you simply cannot be serious.” he muttered to himself before letting out a sigh. “come with me, we need to chat.” there was an underlying threat in his words as he dragged you by the wrist back to his room. give him a mouth or so, he’ll fall for you faster then he’d like to admit. 

Beelzebub

hes a naturally gentle creature, so when he looks up from his rummaging through the fridge late one evening, he is met with your curious eyes. a shiver runs down your spine as you here a humming noise, one you can only describe like the purr of a cicada. 

Beel stiffened. oh, oooh. so that's what a “zing” feels like.

he blinks at you, not saying a word for a moment. 

“...are you okay?” he asks.

“did you hear that?” you ask in unison. he blinks at you again. 

“yeah, yeah I did.” he nods. closing the fridge, his appetite abandoned. he stood to his full hight, running his hands though his hair in slight embarrassment. 

“do you know what it was?” you asked. he bit his lip, before nodding again.

“yeah, but... this may sound strange but I need you to listen to me, okay?” and with that, you now have a very large, sweet, hungry demon at your side. 

Belphagor

well, it looks like your luck has run dry. Belphie immediately ignores the thumping sound that rings in each of your ears the first time your eyes meet. he probably even gaslights you into thinking it was in your head. 

he's fully aware of the “zing” but he's so angry and blinded by his own lust for revenge it only fuels his hatred for humanity. he won't tell you anything, but he will use the fact of just how drawn to him you are. 

you cannot get the dark haired demon out of your mind, and your heart races a little each time you see him. his smile is warm every time he sees you. and even Belphie cannot deny the raw chemistry between the pair of you. 

he finds himself aching for your company, but he tries to just add it like logs onto the fire of his heartbreak and trauma. 

half of his heart longs for you, to hold you in his arms. but his mind is dark and clouded, scolding him for “replacing” his baby sister with you. he will refuse to care about you, believing it would be betraying his care for his lost sister. 

the regret will only choke his lungs after its too late. after your blood is already on his hands. 

[dashielldeveron]

soulmate trope | various bnha x reader

summary: a villain’s quirk causes your class to be assigned soulmates.

uh, soulmates aren’t real. they’re fictional.

choose-yer-own-adventure oneshots. no one knows how to handle any of this, due to every single character being a dumbass.

fem reader. anticipated characters: bakugou, shinsou, todoroki, monoma, aizawa, and maaaaaaybe one of the villains. haven’t decided.

Keep reading

[donutfloats]

Chewing at the bars of my enclosure, trying to stop myself from turning yet another character from a series I enjoy into a masc she/her butch

[zorymochuu]

OMG kINGER HIIIIIII

[seraphim-seeker]

Using a screenshot my moot @wyrm-with-a-why took of Kinger’s desk because I want y’all to look closer at it. Specifically the chessboard, you’ll see:

A White King (Kinger), A Black Queen (Queenie), but if you look closer… there are three pawns on the chess board

Guys, KINGER AND QUEENIE HAD KIDS?!!!

[prumby]

Oh my God and nothing the creators do is by accident 😭 every little detail is another nail in the bed of suffering 😫

[jupi-tercreates]

You + Your OC in Animal Crossing

Villager Maker + Animal Villager Maker

I was tagged by the most wonderful @vishantikaffar! Thank you for always including me, it makes me feel special 💕

So the top gal is me, and the bottom three in order are Herah (Rabbit), Melinoe (Fox), and Aurora (Puppy)!

Herah would be the Big Sister, Melinoe would be Snooty, and Aurora would be Peppy!

And I would love to (very gently) tag @superk191 @pandorazlost @antivan-sprig @teamtakagi @lunammoon @mining-for-days @elfmaid @iamsuperconfused @alystrin03 @wickedadaar @hedgiestail @larknnightingale @draconicdivinity @itsvtoroy @soturoayami @bubblecat-co

If you have already done them, lemme know! I would love to see!

[prumby]

Oh cute cute cute!

My character on the left, and my jackalope(rabbit) Jacq! <3 He's a grouchy personality

[tojisrentfee]

In Another Life? Ch. 8

Chapter Eight

Warning: none!

Words: 3.0k

Summary: Your hike on Mount Lanayru leads to a run-in with some lizalfos, and you get a front row seat to see Link’s swordsmanship. Meanwhile, the boys find out a bit more about the Shadow.

a/n: author wait, where’s chapter seven? i have beef with the number seven now, that’s what. we are going straight to chapter eight because fuck seven. has anyone listened to ‘out of touch’ by hall & oates. one of my fav’s, made me think of this fic ;(

Previous | Series Masterlist | Next

You didn’t talk much the rest of that night. Link hadn’t pressed you to talk either thankfully, but he gave you the occasional comforting hug or arm squeeze. You figured he caught on to how you liked it.

He made you take the first watch that night, citing that you would need to get used to it. He was right of course, but before going to sleep, he had drilled it into your head that you were to wake him if you started falling asleep. 

And unfortunately, you did, almost embarrassingly early. Staying up late hadn’t seemed hard at all, but it apparently was for you. Maybe it was physical fatigue, maybe you just weren’t used to it. Either way, you were nodding off. 

It had taken a minute to gather the courage to wake him up, but you were eventually able to do it with a sheepish smile on your face. He had been a little confused at first, letting out a cute ‘hmm?’ while sleep was still plaguing his senses. 

You tried to drill it into his head too, that he was to wake you if he started falling asleep. And unfortunately, he did. At some point you two switched again, but you were certain it was only because he wanted you to sort of complete a full watch. 

That morning, breakfast was quick. Nothing more than some salt fish and apples plucked from some nearby trees. 

“How are you feeling?” Link asked. “After everything.”

You couldn’t really tell if he was talking about your pitiful attempt at first watch, yesterday’s activities, or the conversation from last night. He had a look that made you think he was looking for a certain answer.

You dumped some water into what was left of the campfire bits, extinguishing any embers that may have been there, and stirred the sludge with a stick for good measure. The last thing you wanted was to accidentally start a wildfire.

“Tired,” you answered truthfully. “And a little sore in the legs.”

Gathering your belongings, you moved to where he was at the ledge of the snowfield entrance.

“The tiredness will fade once we get moving, and then most likely return close to the evening,” he said, pulling the straps on his sheath tight. “Are you ready?”

You gave a firm nod, and he gave you a small boost onto the ledge. You had successfully tested out the spell for warming clothes out beforehand, and it was reassuring that you two would be warm on this freezing hike.

But you had almost made Link break into a sweat with how effective it had been. He had brought up the issue of being too hot upon your return. Fortunately, you discovered that the spell was reversible. It technically hadn’t been stated anywhere in the spell page itself, but you found performing the spell, but in reverse, worked surprisingly fine.

His eyebrows had scrunched together when you tried explaining how exactly you did it ‘in reverse,’ but you eventually gave up with how little progress was being made. It was difficult to explain, but seemed perfectly normal in your head.

“Are you alright?” you asked, remembering you hadn’t returned the question earlier. 

Technically speaking, you were sure you could just use the bond to answer the question yourself, but asking it seemed more courteous. You were also hoping to try and ignore the existence of the bond in general, like it would make your problems disappear.

“Hm?” he glanced at you. “Oh, yes. Nothing I’m not used to.”

Despite his words, you could tell Link had been a little troubled, frustrated, angry even, since last night. But it wasn’t as intense anymore. You debated pressing, ultimately deciding against it. The two of you walked the snowy path in silence, barely talking.

Left. Right. Left. Right.

You counted the steps in your head, keeping an eye out for your surroundings. The stone path eventually shifted to solid earth, and it became more difficult to walk. You needed to pick your feet up more to trudge through the powdery snow, but you wouldn’t complain for now. Better powdery than rock solid snow.

The silence was comfortable, you eventually decided.

You enjoyed observing everything around you as a distraction. Blue dragonflies and white pigeons flitted nearby, and the occasional snowy fox was visible amongst the trees, usually startling you a bit thinking it could’ve been a monster.

Soon the path became much steeper, and you were officially climbing the actual mountain. It sent a small thrill through you. Link also noticed the change, and subtly managed to switch your positions so he was closer to the open edge. It was a small gesture, but it put a smile on your face.

You were rounding a sharp, hairpin corner when you saw his attention catch on something.

“Is that another chasm?” he asked.

He stepped closer towards the open edge, carefully peering over it. You cautiously did the same, seeing what he was talking about, and gulped at the sight. It was similar to the one near Kakariko village. 

But this was much more daunting. One small slip in the snow, and you would be sent tumbling in it. The chasm hadn’t been visible before now, being hidden in the terrain. Your heartbeat quickened at what else might be hidden around the corners here.

A few days ago, you had curiously wondered how never-ending these things were. Now, you hoped you wouldn’t find out the hard way.

You gulped again. “Looks like it.”

He noticed your unease. “Let’s keep going.”

Link retreated from the edge and gently guided you away from it too. But before you began walking again you squinted at the path ahead.

“The steps are reappearing,” you commented. “But…”

His gaze narrowed, and he unsheathed the sword. “There’s something there. And probably more around that corner.”

You could vaguely see its form, keeping a lookout for intruders on its territory.

Lizalfos.

You weren’t sure how you knew what it was, but the name came to you easily. 

“Do you know how to use that bow?” he asked.

You hesitated. “No, I don’t think so.”

“Then please stay out of this. This is not the place to try it out.”

He began moving forward slowly, and you didn’t move from your spot. It was unlikely that they would notice you all the way back here even once he was up there. You briefly wondered how long it would take for them to notice him in his bright red and green garb.

And suddenly, for a small moment, he was all there was in your vision.

You had taken note of his appearance before, of course, but right now it all felt… different, like you were really seeing him now. Flowing red cape, glinting gold pauldrons, forest green tunic, messy blonde hair, and sword in hand.

You shook your head. When he’s actively walking into danger was not the moment to be having these kinds of thoughts.

Despite what he had literally just told you to do, you decided to take the bow out and notch an arrow anyway. If anything went wrong, you would at least have this to try and protect yourself. You worriedly looked down at the bow and prayed that you were holding it correctly.

Link had moved a fair distance ahead by the time the Lizalfos noticed him. It let out a screech before surging forward, spear in hand. It made a single jab that he blocked easily before jumping back a fair distance, hopping about side to side.

You reminded yourself to take note of how he moved, focusing on his swordplay. You needed to learn how to fight.

He didn’t charge forward to go for the kill. No, he waited for it to come to him. And when it scrambled towards him, you watched how he continued to wait.

Why is he waiting? It’s going to kill him. Hylia above, MOVE LI–

He brought the sword up in an arc, slicing through its arm and beheading it in one fell swoop. He side-stepped the falling body quickly, readying his stance again as two more lizalfos appeared from around the corner, as he had predicted earlier.

One dove in for the kill immediately, and he parried the blow with his blade before using the new position to disarm it. It shrieked and jumped back, the other one jumping forward in its place with a sturdier looking spear.

Even from back here, you could hear him grunt at the sudden force of its attack. Your heart skipped a beat when his footing almost slipped in the snow, but he steadied himself quickly. The lizalfos spun in a circle, trying to use its tail to knock him into the mountainside. He jumped back in the knick of time, and then surged forward himself, thrusting the sword through his neck.

Your chest tightened at the horrible screech it let out, jumping back and clutching at its throat. Link surged forward again and delivered the final blow while its guard was down, ducking and spinning to avoid the attack the other one made.

A swing upwards sliced through its side. The lizalfos dropped its weapon reflexively. He drove his sword through its chest, yanked it out, and with one final blow, sent it tumbling down the edge of the path, its corpse already dissolving before it was out of sight.

Link surveyed the area before turning to face you, giving you a nod of approval. You put the bow and arrow away and ran towards him. Up close, the frustration you had seen on his face earlier had worsened, and you could feel how it was festering into anger.

“Are you alright? I didn’t see them hit you,” you asked.

“I’m fine,” he snapped.

It caught you off guard. The arm you hadn’t realized had begun to reach out to squeeze him, retreated to your chest. His expression softened, feeling a bit guilty. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

“I’m sorry. Please forgive me.” His arm extended to squeeze yours. “I’m a little frustrated.”

“At what?”

He fished out a cloth from his side bag, cleaning the sword. Both of you eyed the blood it gathered suspiciously. It was dark, black almost. You vaguely remembered the boys talking about black blood once, but couldn’t recall them mentioning anything specific to you.

“Myself. My strength.” He pocketed the cloth and sheathed the sword. “I feel as if it has not fully returned to me, and I doubt it will suffice when it does.”

You made a small face, seeing where he was going with this.

However strong he was, it hadn’t been enough for him in his ‘previous’ life. He doubted that it would be good enough for whatever lay ahead now.

“We’re going to get stronger together then, yeah?” you said.

He huffed and smiled a little. “So it seems.”

You smiled with him and briefly looked to the sky.

“Thank you for handling the lizalfos, and protecting me.”

“Of course.” He gazed at you fondly, and your heart fluttered a bit. “There is no need to thank me.”

You looked away bashfully and moved forward on the path.

The two of you only trekked for roughly half an hour more before stopping. A small shallow cave appeared in the mountainside, and you both quickly agreed to take residence there for the night. There wasn’t any way to tell how much more there was to hike, and this was your best bet for avoiding the undoubtedly freezing temperatures of the night.

Similar to yesterday, you found yourself laying down on the ground soon after removing all your equipment. 

“You lasted longer than yesterday.”

“A miracle.”

Link chuckled. “You kept some firewood in your bag, correct?”

You nodded and sat up, reaching for the bag and pulling out the wood and flint. Soon enough, the cave was illuminated by the glow of flames, both of you warming your hands next to it.

“I… need to ask you something.”

You turned to him, eyebrows raised at his wary tone. That frustration from earlier in the day had come back, but now also accompanied by a worrying amount of concern.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, yet.” He contemplated his next words for a bit. “I don’t mean to make every evening conversation solemn. But have you noticed anything else about your connection with us?”

A part of you thought that familiar sense of dread was going to fill you once more. But you pushed that thought away. You were convinced that if this situation got any worse, it would just be comical at this point.

“Nothing’s coming to mind,” you answered. “Nothing similar to the emotions at least.”

He hummed, low and short, not saying anything. Your face scrunched at his silence.

“Is something going to go wrong?” you pressed.

His nostrils flared a bit as he let out a small sigh. Link finally faced you and rolled up the sleeve of his arm. You looked curiously at your name on his wrist, seeing the same butterflies on his arm that were on Sky’s arm. 

He caught your gaze and looked at you questioningly.

“Is this… your first time seeing your name?” he asked, an almost incredulous tone to his voice.

“No,” you quickly answered, a small smile on your face. “I’ve seen it before, but only once.”

His mouth dropped open just a little before pressing into a thin line. He looked towards the entrance as if recalling something, but didn’t speak. You tilted your head curiously, wondering what he was remembering.

He snapped out of it quickly though, and gently grabbed your arm, rolling up the sleeve. He only briefly looked over the names that ran down it, and you wondered if he purposely chose that arm.

“I should have addressed this last night, but I had thought that maybe it would be too much at once,” he said. “But then even in the morning, I did not bring it up.”

“Address what?”

“When I went to fight those lizalfos, I realized it was a foolish decision to spare your feelings in regards to this matter.”

You sent a small glare at him. “You’re building up quite the–”

Link pinched his forearm hard, and you hissed as the pain echoed on your own.

The boys stood by in the aftermath of the battle, caught off guard by the sudden appearance and disappearance of the Shadow. Time did a quick head count, checking to make sure everyone was alright and that all the monsters had been taken care of.

His attention shifted to the Smith, shouting for them.

“Hey, you guys better see this!”

Time and the others around him quickly followed him down the path, eyes widening at the sight of another gate.

“This confirms it then,” said Sky. “The Shadow is the one who’s been connecting these eras together. 

“We’ve found our culprit,” Four agreed.

Time’s gaze hardened. “These monsters… perhaps we’ll see a greater variety if it keeps recruiting. And now… far stronger than we remember.”

“But this still doesn’t make much sense,” Wind argued, crossing his arms. “If he’s the one sending all these monsters around, then why bring us all together. The chances of all of us happening to stumble into each other is basically zero.”

Hyrule’s grip on his sword tightened. “And why would it bring her to us?”

Legend tensed up at the question, scowling and looking away.

“I don’t like it as much as the next Link,” said Four grimly, “but Vet’s theory about the Shadow’s connection to her is seeming more plausible.”

“Maybe he’s not the only one who can open these gates,” Legend added after a while.

A few of the others turned to look at him. “Huh?”

“Wind’s raised a good question,” he explained. “If our enemy is the one recruiting all these monsters, then why would it also bring us together? Seems like a bad move. Unless someone’s out there trying to counter his moves.”

“We don’t have a full understanding of our opponent’s objective. We’re going to be leaving with a lot more questions than answers,” Warriors said, almost glaring at the gate. “But I can say from experience, these gates are Dark sorcery of the worst kind. That’s far too much power.”

“Speaking of–” Legend piped up again, “I thought he was acting strange. Did anyone else notice that?”

“I’ll say! He squished me!” Wind exclaimed.

Four lightly nudged Warriors in the side with a grin. “You left quite an impression on our last run-in. He went straight for some revenge.”

He laughed a little and looked to Sky. “Well, I think he has a new best friend.”

It was difficult to not have noticed the sword beam that the Knight of Skyloft had sent straight down the path, nearly striking the Shadow and clearing almost every one of the monsters on the trail.

“I don’t know about that,” he replied. “It definitely had a change of plan and ran from the light of the Master Sword.”

“That’s definitely true, but not what I was talking about,” said Legend.

Time looked at him quizzically. “Then what are you referring to?”

“You talkin’ ‘bout when it first came?” Twilight asked. “Almost looked like he was lookin’ for somethin’.”

“Yeah, that.”

“He was checking us all out,” Wild recounted. “Definitely looking for something.”

“Or someone,” Hyrule said worriedly.

“It could’ve just been me,” Warriors offered.

Legend hummed in agreement, not saying anything more. But he didn’t entirely concur with the statement. A part of him, very briefly, wondered if the Shadow had been looking for you. He glanced at Twilight to see him already looking at him. He didn’t say anything, but he could tell the rancher was thinking on the same wavelength as him.

a/n: so timeline-wise, the boys are roughly synced up with "Shady Escape pt. 4" from jojo's comic :) ngl this took a while to write because i just kept swooning at warriors everytime i saw him come up in a panel

Previous | Series Masterlist | Next

taglist: @thxmiss @theregoeskittykat @murrinksz @phlying-squirrel @eyeless-kun @kazusrightmole @ships-lover @starlightnova @ghostnotlovergirl @lyladoesart @sinbehavior @27daisuki @bluury2 @urbosaenthusiast @pumpkincitrus @smilexoxoes @sleepydahliaflower

join my taglist :)

[revelboo]

hey! any chance you could maybe continue floating down the river? i love skyfire so much :]. its okay if not

Sure!

Floating Down The River Pt 8

Skyfire x Reader

• “Cardinal,” you say, pointing from your spot sprawled on your belly on his shoulder. Glancing down at the huge tablet in his hands, you watch him quickly sketchy the bird, roughing in as many details as he can before it hops to another branch, feathers ruffling slightly and head tipping to watch him and you both. Apparently not that bothered by the giant alien as long as he’s not making any sudden movements. “I could bring you some deer corn or bird feed,” you offer.

• Servos stilling as the bird wings away into the shadowy tree canopy, he wishes you’d find somewhere else to lay. Can’t see you that well on his shoulder, but you seem happy there so he doesn’t want to ask you to move. “You don’t have to,” he says, feeling the warmth of you shifting about on him. Would like to sketch you, but isn’t sure how to ask. Likes the way you’d looked walking under the trees, dappled in light and shadow, belonging here in a way he doesn’t. Had worried you might take it the wrong way if he drew you, though.

• Like watching him get excited about the animals he sees, the way his expression shifts and changes as he sketches. Wonder if he has any idea he’s making faces as he draws. Don’t want to tell him if he doesn’t know, though, because he might stop and it’s adorable. “It’s no big deal. We’d get more deer and squirrels if I did.” Feel him hum under you, his attention shifting to a squirrel clinging to the side of a tree and barking at him. See him lift his stylus, but then there’s a sharp boom, the retort of a gun and the squirrel is gone, the forest quiet. ‘Decepticons,’ he growls, reaching for you and you gasp as you’re slid into his palm, cupped against his chassis. “Shrink,” you demand, heart racing. Don’t know what Decepticon’s are, but that was a shotgun. He’s too big, too obvious.

• Hesitating, he reluctantly mass shifts and you stumble when your feet hit the ground, little hands pushing at him. “Hunters. Go, go!” Humans? Rumbling, he lets you nudge him toward the shelter of the bridge, bending to hook an arm around you and carry you. You’d said hunters. Staring at you clinging to his chassis as he carries you to safety, he tries to puzzle out what you’d meant. Because he can’t imagine your soft kind as predators, but he’s almost positive humans are the only intelligent life here. ‘What are they hunting?’ He asks and you grimace.

• “Deer? Maybe turkey?” Have no idea what season is open right now and don’t really care, but you can’t let anyone see Skyfire. Know how people are, how you’d reacted the first time. They’ll see him and only see a monster. A threat. It feels like forever as you both hide, hearing two more shots and then silence. “I think they’re gone,” you say and he grabs your arm when you try to go investigate, his expression worried. ‘Stay, please,’ he growls, a tension in him you haven’t seen before. And there’s no arguing with his expression as you lay your hands on the back of his, hearing him rumbling softly.

Previous

[tojisrentfee]

In Another Life? Ch. 5

Chapter 5

Warnings: none? Legend has a tiny anxiety attack, but idk if that’s the correct term

Words: 3.6k

Summary: Link (for lack of a better name) wants to know what the hell is going on, but unfortunately you can’t tell him because you don’t know. And Legend has a nice-ish chat with his successor that leads to a good? bad? realization.

a/n: i lied about more soulmate stuff being revealed this chapter, my apolocheese guys. but maybe next chapter?? more a/n stuff at the end :) i’m also not calling him ‘First’ atm because he technically hasn’t been given that nickname by anyone yet. 

Previous | Series Masterlist | Next

Link had to have been dreaming because there was no other possible explanation for what was happening.

He was supposed to be dead.

He remembered it vividly. Laying on the battlefield, wounded, watching as his people ascended into the sky on the islands Hylia created. He remembered smiling, knowing that his people were safe now.

Link remembered being sickened at Hylia’s last words to him. He remembered the grief as she revealed the truth. He remembered you as his final thought.

And yet here he stood, alive. The ground beneath him was not war-torn. His arm tingled with the return of a name he didn’t dare to look at. And you were right in front of him.

You weren’t supposed to be here. You were dead. Maybe, you were here to welcome him to the afterlife.

“Are you hurt?” you asked him.

Your eyes had filled with concern and were looking at his tunic. He looked down to see that his tunic was stained with blood, dirt smeared in some places. His hand flew to his torso, feeling for the injury he knew was there, only to find nothing. 

Solid, unruptured flesh. There was dirt under his fingernails. He flexed his hand, flexed his toes too, becoming aware of everything around him, how it was all real. 

Proof that he wasn’t dreaming.

But what about you?

“No,” he said. “Not anymore.”

“Anymore?”

He changed the subject. “What happened? How are you–”

“I’m not who you think I am,” you quickly replied, putting your hands in front of you. Link narrowed his eyes. “I’m going to take a guess. I look exactly like your soulmate, and have the same name. But that’s impossible, because she’s dead. I’ll also guess that your name is Link, and you’re the Hero of your Kingdom who saved Hyrule from a great evil.”

Link’s mouth briefly fell open once more before he quickly snapped it shut.

“Doesn’t sound like you’re making a guess.”

You let out a heavy sigh, crossing your arms. “Yeah.”

“An explanation would be appreciated.”

You laughed dryly. “I’m aware. But not here, it’s late and getting cold.”

He watched as you held out your palm to him, and he had to stop himself from taking it when he realized you were motioning behind him. He swiveled around and gasped at the swirling wall of purple and black behind him. Link took a few steps away.

And then the… thing… shrank, condensing into a small black triangle that disappeared. He turned back around to you, seeing you lower your arm.

“You did that?”

It was more of a statement than a question.

“I closed it,” you corrected. “But I didn’t open it. Somebody, or something, else did that. And that was how you came here.”

“I didn’t realize you knew how to use magic.” He regretted the statement immediately. You had just said you weren’t her. “Sorry, nevermind.”

“It’s alright,” you reassured him. “I actually just found out last night.”

“What?”

“Let’s head back to the village. And get you cleaned up too.”

And slowly, they made their way back to the village. You talked, he listened. He asked, you answered. He stared, and you pretended he didn’t. Goddesses above, you were so similar to her. He wanted to stroke your cheek, hold you tight to his chest, cradle you in his arms and never let go again. 

But you didn’t look at him the same. You didn’t act the same as her. More reserved, more formal.

It was your first time meeting him. Of course it was like that.

“You… probably shouldn’t go inside like that,” you said when they arrived at the village. You gestured to his bloody tunic and he grimaced. “You can try washing it out in the water over there. I’ll go get a room for you real quick.”

He looked at you expressionless for a second. “Okay.”

In all honesty, Link didn’t want to lose sight of you. But you didn’t know him, and… Goddesses above you didn’t know who he was. He didn’t like how real this situation was feeling.  

He watched your retreating figure for a minute before remembering he needed to move, starting to wash his clothes. 

Link still had no idea how any of this was happening despite the answers you gave him on the walk here, and he had quickly realized that you also didn’t know. It infuriated him. Not you, but everything about this. How he had been dragged into this, how they had dragged you–her incarnation–into this, how the gods just wanted to use them once more.

He just died. And now something else was happening. He barely understood what that something was. His hands slowly, but harshly scrubbed at the red stain on his undershirt.

“This is probably a stupid question,” you said. “But how are you feeling?”

He stopped what he was doing and looked at you. You sat down next to him, observing the tears and stains he couldn’t wash off his green tunic.

You weren’t her.

“I can’t say that I like any of this.”

You snorted. “I don’t think anyone does.”

He hummed in agreement. “I’ve woken up after failing to defend my home, and have now been thrust into this.”

“Failing?”

“You called me a Hero earlier, for defeating a great evil.” He clenched the undershirt in his fists. “I didn’t.”

You looked up from his tunic. “You died, didn’t you? This blood is from a large wound.”

“Yes.”

Silence settled between the two of you. He watched as you turned back to the clothing and covered the tear with your hand. A soft, barely visible glow came from your palm, and you removed it to reveal mended material. You did it again with the other markings.

“I don’t know your story, and you don’t need to tell me,” you said. “But if you’re anything like the others, then you’re not someone who gives up. Failure is when you give up.”

“I’m afraid it’s easy to argue that dying, thus allowing the enemy to win, is considered failure.”

“Okay yeah. But you’re here now, aren’t you? So maybe their victory will be short-lived.”

“Do you know where I am from, relative to this era?”

“… No, but I have the sense it’s in the past.”

“Well then, it seems it wasn’t short-lived.” Link barked a laugh. “But from what you’ve told me about the others, it seems that they have succeeded where I didn’t. Hopefully, one of them is my successor, and he was able to complete my mission.”

You hummed, a small smile on your lips.

“But I understand your sentiment,” he continued. “I don’t really think this is a second chance, but it is a chance for me to redeem myself and make up for my failure. But it’s an opportunity I won’t miss.” 

I can’t afford to miss it, not again.

“I have a question, if you don’t mind,” you said, lips pursed.

He tilted his head.

“Do you remember your life? You died, but now you're back again.”

“I do.” A small frown formed on your lips at his answer, and Link felt a bit guilty. “Why do you ask?”

“I don’t remember anything about my life,” you confessed.

You handed his green tunic back and took the undershirt, mending it with magic. His eyebrows shot up.

“Nothing?”

“Nothing before this. I just woke up here, and that was it. I was thinking that maybe…”

“Maybe you were dead too,” he finished. “Did you feel like you had died when you woke up?”

“I felt terrible, but I wouldn’t say dead. I was incredibly weak. That’s about it.”

“I see.” He pondered for a moment. “Do you…know if you have a ‘Link’ of your own? As your soulmate.”

You set down the mended undershirt and rolled up your sleeve, showing your arm to him. He was taken aback at the sight of a list, but instantly spotted his one. It looked the same as it had on her, four letters inked in red with a lion circling it. He wondered if it was a coincidence or not. Link hadn’t had any other soulmates to see if the mark would be the same for all of them. His eyes drifted to the other names.

“That’s a lot of Link’s.”

You laughed. “I have the names of the other nine here, but not one from before my time here.”

He massaged his temple. “You don’t suppose the… travelling affects this, do you?”

Your face soured instantly, and he saw how you tried to cover it up.

“From what I’ve gathered, the names are supposed to come and go based on if they exist in the current era you are in. But as you can see…”

“And they for sure aren’t here?”

“I don’t know. I don’t understand exactly how the gate mechanisms work, if it connects between different times, places, or both.”

“If it behaves how my gate did, then it’s just through time,” he said. “The place should remain the same. This was the same area where I…”

Your mouth dropped open slightly, both at his words and at the new information.

“So they aren’t in this era anymore. And their names are still here,” you grumbled. “That’s just great.”

He frowned at your mood, noting the small shiver you let out from the breeze. 

“Shall we continue inside? My clothes seem fine now, and you’re getting cold.”

“Hm? Oh, yes.”

You stood up and started walking towards the inn, but he gently grabbed your arm, looking at you with an amused face.

“What?”

Link glanced at the undershirt in your hands. “I don’t suppose you’d have me walk in there shirtless.”

Your face lit up in a furious blush and you shoved the garment into his hands. “So-sorry!”

He chuckled as he put it on, the wet cloth sticking to his skin. He caught your gaze lingering on him and smirked. Link had half a mind to make a quip, but held back. Perhaps with her, he would have done it. But it would be unfair to treat you the same way he treated her. The smirk fell from his face.

You had turned a few shades darker at being caught and spun around, making your way inside the inn without him. He easily caught up with you in a few big steps, lips almost twitched into a smile at your behavior. You two were quite similar despite not being the same.

You opened the door to his room and handed him the key. “Here, I’ve only booked us for tonight.”

“Let me repay you.”

“No need, please.”

“I insist.”

“Do you even have money?”

He paused briefly before rummaging through the pouch on his hip. It was his turn to blush when his hand came out empty handed. You giggled.

“There’s not much need for money on the battlefield, I’m afraid.”

“Yes, I see that,” you teased.

“I’ll make it up to you then,” he settled. “Allow me to accompany you on your journey.”

Your face dropped. “That’s um, quite a repayment for one night of boarding. And I can’t, your place is probably with the other Link’s.”

“And what makes you say that?” he asked. “If my place was with them, then why did fate put me with you instead? After they seemed to have left, nonetheless.”

You looked away, no answer to give.

“Besides, how would I reach them? I’m assuming you at least need a time period in mind when creating a gate.”

“I’m not sure, I haven’t tried.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Do you not have a spell for this? I assumed that’s how you knew how to close it.”

“Oh.” You looked like the thought hadn’t crossed your mind. “I do, yeah, give me a second.” Your eyes shut, thinking very hard on something. 

“Don’t tell me you’re going to open a gate right here.”

You laughed but didn’t open your eyes for a bit, and he basked in the sound while it lasted. A pang went through his heart. Link never thought he’d hear that again.

“No, I was just trying to envision the spell, remember all the details,” you explained. “I don’t know why I didn’t think to just look at the spell again for answers. We were right about the gates working the same way yours did, same place but different time periods.”

He hummed, pondering for a moment. “You also don’t know where your friends are anymore. It’s unlikely they remained in the same place after leaving this time. Or when it is they are either.”

“Seems like it,” you huffed, cheeks comically filling up.

“So then, I’m afraid I’m stuck with you. That’s if you’ll have me, of course.”

“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“Very little chance.”

“You’re ridiculous,” you huffed again. “But it doesn’t seem like there’s much other option at the moment.”

A victorious smile spread across his face and you rolled your eyes. “Indeed. It’s settled then.”

“You mentioned continuing the conversation inside, earlier. Is there anything else you wanted to ask or talk about right now? If not, I’ll leave you since it’s late.”

His smile fell once more, replaced with a frown, as he remembered your sour look from before.

“We can leave it for tomorrow. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to talk.”

You tiled your head curiously.

“Okay then. Good night, Link.”

“Good night.”

A smile crept on his face again when you left. That had been the first time you properly said his name after the initial meeting. Hearing his name fall from your lips made his heart clench. Gods, how he missed her. He had forgotten things he thought he would never forget, and he tried to blame it on the stress.

You’re here now. You aren’t her, but I don’t know how much I care about that right now.

He shook his head. 

That’s not fair to you.

He laid his belongings out on the floor and flopped onto the bed, closing his eyes in bliss. He hadn’t slept in a proper bed in ages. Link opened his eyes again and gazed at your name on his wrist.

But there must be a reason for this.

Anyone who thought that any of the boys would be fine after leaving you behind in Wild’s era was kidding themselves.

“Are we sure this is a good idea?” Sky asked for the millionth time, not bothering to hide his desperation. It was a useless endeavour. 

“Din’s tits, this isn’t about good or bad ideas,” Legend snapped harshly.

“We are letting her walk into danger,” he pleaded.

“Enough!” Time shouted. “I don’t want to hear any more discussion or questions on this from anyone.”

“But–”

“The gods obviously have a path laid out for her, and we shouldn’t ignore the implications,” Time continued sternly. “We also have a path of our own to pursue. One that requires all nine of us.”

“It would be unwise to let our emotions get in the way,” Warriors added with a displeased face, not liking his own words.

“I’d hardly say that Sky’s bein’ emotional,” Twilight fumed silently. “Would’ya have let any other lady with no trainin’ go out on a quest like that?”

“I said, enough,” Time warned lowly. 

And it was enough to shut them all up. 

There was something more dangerous about the Old Man when his voice went quiet instead of loud. It dared them to disobey, and warned them of unspoken consequences. Wild and Hyrule had both looked like they wanted to pipe in, speak thoughts that had already been said a hundred times, but instantly backed down.

A short-lived argument, and probably for the better.

“Let’s find a place to make camp,” Warriors said. “Wherever we are now, it’s much later in the day.”

The sun wasn’t that low in all honesty, but there wouldn’t be time for anything more than a quick survey of the area before sunset came.

“I’ll go scout,” Legend said quickly before promptly leaving.

“What’s his deal?” Wind said bluntly, unimpressed. “Not like he liked being around her.”

“I don’t know, Sailor.” Warriors ran a hand through his hair. “Don’t think about it. I doubt he knows what he’s thinking either.”

Wind hummed, narrowing his eyes at Legend’s departing figure.

“I’ll go with him.” Hyrule followed after him.

Legend did not, in fact, know what he was thinking. By the gods, he needed to figure himself out. He stomped through the woods, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. But he wasn’t processing much of what he was seeing, relying on instinct to warn him of danger. 

“Do you hate me?”

He winced and clenched his fists.

You hadn’t done anything, innocent of any crimes. 

But you were guilty of wearing the same face she had. Guilty of looking the exact same as his new friends’ soulmate. Guilty of being a reminder of their dead loved one. Guilty of being a kind person destined to die young.

“Vet!”

He glanced behind to see Hyrule jogging towards him.

“You need something?”

“No, I just wanted to talk.”

Legend raised an eyebrow.

“About her?”

“Yeah,” Hyrule mumbled. “It’s been a little rough. I figured talking could help you out. No need if you don’t want to.”

He mulled over it for a bit. Legend didn’t like talking about his feelings with anyone, his only exception having been her back then. But if there was anyone he got along with and could talk to anymore, it was Hyrule.

“I just”–Legend looked away and kept on walking–“didn’t like seeing her.”

Hyrule hummed. “Yeah, not many of us did.”

“It felt like Hylia was mocking me, us. Finding out that it happened to you guys too, and then she just literally appeared right in front of our faces.”

“Like they just want to see us miserable, right?”

“Exactly!” Legend exclaimed. “It makes me so angry! And–and she’s still as nice as before! Hyrule we, I, treated her like shit! And she still acted nice and civil around us!”

“You could just call that common courtesy.”

“But the way she kept her distance from some of us?” Legend ranted. “You saw how she was around Ranchhand and Sky. And the way she got along with Wind? Not to mention Wars, Four, Wild, hell, everyone who actually made an effort with her.” He let out a sigh and yanked his cap off, running his hand through his hair. “She was respectful the whole time, she knew what we were going through.”

Hyrule made a noise of agreement.

Legend let out a big sigh, looking at the sky through the tree tops. He could barely say he was scouting anymore, Hyrule had taken over that task.

“And she’s just going to die,” he muttered angrily. “I get that everyone’s trying to act positive, but we’re all thinking it. I’m sure we’re giving the gods a good laugh.”

“Well, maybe not.”

He gave him a look.

“What’st that supposed to mean?”

“Well, isn’t that her thing right now? What Hylia told her?” Hyrule asked, a little confused.

Legend looked at him blankly for a few seconds before it struck him.

“Ending the cycle…”

“If that’s the reason this all happens, then if she manages to end it–”

“There’s nothing forcing her to die,” he finished.

Legend felt like the breath had been stolen from his lungs, mind going blank for a few seconds as he processed the information that he honestly should have understood the minute it was said.

“Vet? Hey, Vet. Breathe, take a breath.”

His breaths were unsteady, heavy, and ragged. 

She could live. She doesn’t have to die. She won’t die. She won’t die. She won’t die.

“Vet!” Hyrule grabbed him by the shoulders. “Focus! Okay? She’s–

“She’s in danger,” Legend croaked. “There’s a chance she doesn’t need to die, and we let her go! How did we–why did we–Hyrule, we need to go back.”

“Hey! Hey!” He gripped him harder. “None of this now, remember what Time said. We’ve got our own thing to do.”

“But–but–”

“We’re going to see her again, okay Legend? Whatever it is we’re doing, it’s connected to her. We need to do our part if we want to help her.”

He closed his eyes and took some controlled inhales.

“Yeah… yeah. We need to help her.” His eyes snapped open. “What if she finds her Link?”

“Huh?”

“If she finds him, or if she’s already found him and just doesn’t know it? Is that going to kickstart things? What if she dies before this ends? Din’s fucking tits–”

“Well what are you going to do about it?”

It was Legend’s turn to go ‘Huh?’

“Are you going to abandon our journey to be with her?” Hyrule asked with a glare. It caught him off guard seeing that look on him. “You just agreed with me, about how we need to do what we’re doing. If that’s true, then what are you going to do about her?”

Legend stared at him with wide eyes. “I–I don’t, I don’t know.”

“You need to have faith in her.” Hyrule finally let go of his predecessor and looked to the ground, kicking the dirt a bit. “If she’s anything like the girl I knew, then she’s not reckless or stupid. She doesn’t go down easy.”

“She still went down,” Legend whispered.

“Yeah, I know,” he said, almost bitterly. “But hey, if the gods are as cruel as they usually are, then maybe she won’t die for a while if it’s going to happen.”

Legend might’ve cracked a smile if it wasn’t about you. 

“Things are going to be alright. If we make it work, things are going to be alright, Vet.”

Previous | Series Masterlist | Next

a/n: hi guys! for those who didn't see it, i made a post here that contains information about all that has currently been revealed about soulmates + technicalities after someone asked about it :) it has been linked here, in the previous chapter and in the masterlist

taglist: @thxmiss @theregoeskittykat @murrinksz @phlying-squirrel @eyeless-kun @kazusrightmole @ships-lover @starlightnova @ghostnotlovergirl @lyladoesart @sinbehavior @27daisuki @bluury2 @urbosaenthusiast

lmk if you want to be added to the taglist!

taglist update -> in addition to the taglist for this story, i have also started a separate one for all content related to this series. lmk if you are interested in that one! :)))