how to tell mutual they intrigue me greatly and i would be honoured to be allowed to grow a friendship where i may study them up close without saying any of that
how to tell mutual i know i havent interacted with them directly in like five months but i still think of them highly and semifrequently and their art is still a source of inspiration for my own
please send questions to whoever you reblog from !! spread love
divider cr - one , two
❤️- Do you have any headcanons about your f/o? Are they common or not? What inspired them?
🧡- Are there any headcanons about your f/o that you don't like?
💛- Is your interpretation of your f/o closer to canon or is it more of your own creation?
💚- Do you own any merch? If you don't, is there any that you would like to own? (Can be made up! If your f/o doesn't have merch, what kind of merch would you want them to have?)
🩵- Do you change your f/os design at all? If so, how? (Or, if you don't really draw them, is there a specific design of your f/o that you like the most?)
💙- What's your favorite thing about your f/o?
💜- How do you feel about your f/os canon? Do you like their story or would you change some things? If so, what and why?
🩷- Do you think your relationship would change canon at all? (ex. If they have a moment of struggle, how would having you there change things?)
🖤 - If your f/o has any friends / colleagues / family, how do you feel about them? Would you get along? What's your relationship with them like?
Good evening everyone, tonight I offer you all some angst. Warning that this takes place during the events of the 3.3 patch, and specifically I based some dialogue in the first part off of lines from the quest Scrolls, Turn the Blade's Gaze, so be wary of some pretty significant plot spoilers. This is yet another fic I've written for Butterfly Kisses with a title based on a song I associate with them, in this case, Lover Girl by Laufey, which does have a very different vibe from this fic but the phrase works so well given the content matter. Also, it was fun to get to write a little bit from Aglaea's POV for the first section of this fic :)
Rating: Teen
Words: 2054 words
Divider by saradika
Content warning: ableism, death
Aglaea knew that this day would come eventually. She's felt her humanity slipping away from her over the centuries that she's lived, has felt her senses slowly dull until she can barely enjoy the taste of wine. She knew that it's inevitable that one day she would lose everything. Her death has been prophesied for almost as long as she's been alive.
Yet as Caenis and her Cleaners surround her in the Hero's Bath, she finds her heart stirring with feelings she didn't know she was still capable of. She should have expected that Caenis would have more planned for her than a simple assassination attempt. Even the leader of the Cleaners knows better than to think that she could simply kill a demigod on her own. So instead, she intends to hurt Aglaea more indirectly.
The golden strings thrum as Aglaea reads Caenis's thoughts. The image the other woman holds in her mind is crystal clear— Sotiria venturing through the halls of Marmoreal Palace while masked Cleaners lurk in the shadows, blades ready to strike at a moment's notice. Sotiria must not be able to see them, making her all the easier of a target.
The strategic, cunning part of Aglaea can acknowledge that Caenis's plan is smart. Sotiria's a more accessible target to her and the Cleaners than Aglaea would be, and it's hardly a secret that the two of them have begun a romantic relationship.
Aglaea didn't think that she could fall in love anymore— even before her humanity began eroding under the power of the coreflame, she was slow to feel romantic attraction. She had initially thought it ironic that someone who only could feel romantic love for someone after forming a close connection with them would become the demigod of Romance. Yet Sotiria managed to warm Aglaea's heart in a way she never could have expected. She's intelligent and creative, with so much beauty to her that she's practically intoxicating to be around. The draw Aglaea's felt towards her as reminded her of what it means to be human, and how wonderful love can be.
And now the love that they share is putting Sotiria in danger.
"A woman so devoted to the arts… how tragic it would be if she accidentally lost her ability to enjoy them," Caenis says, every word dripping with venom. "You know better than anyone what it feels like to lose your sight. Imagine if a thousand years ago, you not only lost that, but your voice and hearing. And I'm afraid she wouldn't have the fortune you do of your precious golden threads to make up for that loss. Do you think she could survive in such a state?"
Fury tugs at Aglaea's heart, heating it in a way she thought she no longer could feel. This is different from the warmth she feels around Sotiria, even if the woman is still the one inspiring her heart to pound faster.
Countless ways she could hurt Caenis flit through Aglaea's mind. She imagines the golden threads circling Caenis's neck, slicing cleanly through the Cleaner's limbs like piano wire. She imagines her blade in hand, dripping with red blood that dissipates into the bath's waters.
But the thought of how badly Sotiria could be hurt fills her mind more than anything else. Aglaea is sure that Caenis has contingencies in place for if Aglaea were to fight back. She's sure that Sotiria would quickly suffer the consequences of Aglaea's actions. Aglaea hates how Caenis uses her disabilities against her now, how she threatens Sotiria with that same feeling of loss. And she hates that she knows she can't fight back here, not when it means that Sotiria would pay the price.
"My, how broken you look. I overestimated your cunning," Caenis says. Her voice is grating against Aglaea's ears and only sparks the feeling of hate at the center of her chest even more. "But know that even if this plan were to fail, we have countless other parting gifts prepared. For her, for that child with no voice or ability to hear. For every person who has managed to worm their way into that empty heart of yours. Demigod, would you like to hear about them?"
"No," Aglaea says. The last thing she wants is for her final thoughts to be of the ways Sotiria might suffer.
Aglaea had hoped that she would have more time. She's seen much in her thousand years of life. She's found beauty in those the rest of the world were quick to reject, she's witnessed the fall of ten Titans. She should be grateful for everything that she's experienced, and that she has the opportunity now to guide the rest of the Chrysos Heirs towards their future, even with her parting.
But she has regrets. She wonders if Cipher will mourn her, even though it's been so long since they've seen each other. She wonders if she's done enough to lay the path forward towards the Era Nova. She wishes that she was more ruthless with Caenis before— then maybe they wouldn't be in this situation.
As Aglaea stands along the edge of the Hero's Baths, the rest of the palace sprawling below her, she can hear three sets of heavy footfalls approaching. The Cleaners are surrounding her, making it so that her only way out would be to throw herself from the edge of the Baths. Soon, she will fulfill the prophecy laid out for her— "you shall have your final bath in warm and radiant gold". Perhaps some of that gold will be from the golden blood that flows through her veins.
Aglaea wishes that she had more time with Sotiria. It's been so long since her heart has beat like this. But if sacrificing herself is the price she must pay to keep Sotiria safe, she will gladly pay it.
She hopes Sotiria can forgive her for this. And she wishes that they could have one last moment together, one where Aglaea could feel human one last time.
A scream coming from the direction of Marmoreal Palace's bath sets Sotiria on edge. She was already on her way there— she was supposed to meet Aglaea for the two of them to enjoy some time in the Hero's Bath together. But now she finds herself sprinting towards the baths as quickly as her legs can carry her. A feeling of dread wraps tightly around her chest. Maybe the black tide managed to break through into Okhema, maybe people are in danger. Aglaea should be able to help protect civilians, but she'll probably need Sotiria's help.
People in swimsuits run past Sotiria as she gets closer to the baths. Whatever is happening, it seems that everyone's fled the scene. And if anyone did attack the baths, they're gone already by the time that she makes it there. There are no signs of the black tide or any other invading forces. There aren't even any signs of anything having been damaged here.
What there is, though, is a body, not far from the elevator up to the Hero's Bath.
Sotiria finds herself moving even faster as her eyes land on the body. Only as she gets closer to them does she begin to make out the details. First, she noticed the dagger sticking out from the person's chest, the grip standing straight up from where it's buried in its victim. Then, she sees how the person's body is half in one of the nearby pools, one leg submerged in the water.
And then, she notices who the injured person is.
Aglaea lays in a pool of her own golden blood. It soaks through her white clothing, dripping onto the floor around her and into the pool. She's still alive by the time Sotiria makes it to her, every breath escaping her strained and shallow. Her eyes blink up unseeingly at the ceiling above them, her fingers twitching, as though she's trying to reach for someone.
Sotiria takes her hand as she all but falls to her knees, her mind struggling to keep up with everything she's seeing. She can barely make sense of any of the thoughts rushing through her head, each one seeming to dig a pit deeper and deeper into her stomach. It feels like this has to be some kind of sick joke. Maybe she's having a nightmare right now. But Aglaea's hand feels so dreadfully real in hers.
"Aglaea," Sotiria manages to choke out despite the name catching on her throat. "You're— it's gonna be okay, baby. You're— fuck. What happened?"
"It's alright, my love," Aglaea says. Her hand wraps around Sotiria's, her grip weaker than she's ever felt. "I knew this moment would come eventually. I'm sorry that you have to see me like this."
"Don't apologize to me, I'm not the one who's dying," Sotiria says.
Her mind races in a million directions. There has to be some way to fix this, to help Aglaea. She's helped tend to countless wounds in her time since joining the Astral Express, and she's usually good under pressure. But for some reason, all she can think of right now is the golden blood seeping from Aglaea, the blade stabbed deep into her chest. It's a miracle that she's even still alive, and Sotiria's heartbeat thunders in her ears at the thought that might not last for much longer.
"I'll figure something out," Sotiria insists. She says it more in an attempt to reassure herself than Aglaea. Hot tears pour down her face, and her throat is so tight that she feels like she can barely breathe.
There has to be something she can do. She already lost Castorice, even if they're not dead, just forever bound to the nether world. She can't lose Aglaea too. Not when she's the woman she loves.
"I've already had a very long life," Aglaea says. Her finger strokes over the back of Sotiria's hand. "Thank you. You allowed me to remember what it was like to be human in these last moments. I owe you a debt for that which I could never— never possibly repay."
"Stop," Sotiria says. Every time Aglaea speaks as though this will be their last moment together feels like a knife to her heart.
"I love you. More than I thought… that I could anymore. Please— please try to remember me as I was."
As much as she hates to admit it, Sotiria knows that every second that passes where Aglaea's golden blood flows from her, she can argue less and less that Aglaea will live through this. She feels so helpless— she knows how to help heal wounds in a fight, but nothing quite as severe as this. There's too much blood, and she can practically feel Aglaea's life slipping through her fingers.
"I will. You're gorgeous even now," Sotiria says, choking on each word as she forces them out.
"And you…" Aglaea trails off, as though every breath she takes drains her. "Are the most beautiful… person I have ever known."
Sotiria holds Aglaea's hand, words suddenly failing her. What more could she possibly say to her? Nothing seems good enough. She has to hope that this physical comfort can at least ease the pain Aglaea is no doubt feeling right now. Sotiria leans down, pressing a kiss to Aglaea's forehead and stroking her hair with her free hand.
"I love you so much," is all that Sotiria can think to say, the words whispered against Aglaea's still warm skin.
And when Sotiria draws back, Aglaea smiles. Weaker than usual, but with so much adoration in it that it makes Sotiria's heart ache even more. Aglaea opens her mouth as though she's about to say something, but no words come out. It's as if instead the last remnants of Aglaea's life slips from her mouth, her body suddenly going dreadfully still.
"Aglaea," Sotiria says, even though she knows she won't get a response. "Aglaea? Baby?"
There's no response. Sotiria knows she shouldn't have expected one, even if that's what she wanted more than anything. A sob wracks through her, catching in her throat as she crumples in on herself. Tears stream down her face as she holds Aglaea's limp body in her arms, soaking in the last warmth she can from her.
Good evening everyone, tonight I offer you all some angst. Warning that this takes place during the events of the 3.3 patch, and specifically I based some dialogue in the first part off of lines from the quest Scrolls, Turn the Blade's Gaze, so be wary of some pretty significant plot spoilers. This is yet another fic I've written for Butterfly Kisses with a title based on a song I associate with them, in this case, Lover Girl by Laufey, which does have a very different vibe from this fic but the phrase works so well given the content matter. Also, it was fun to get to write a little bit from Aglaea's POV for the first section of this fic :)
Rating: Teen
Words: 2054 words
Divider by saradika
Content warning: ableism, death
Aglaea knew that this day would come eventually. She's felt her humanity slipping away from her over the centuries that she's lived, has felt her senses slowly dull until she can barely enjoy the taste of wine. She knew that it's inevitable that one day she would lose everything. Her death has been prophesied for almost as long as she's been alive.
Yet as Caenis and her Cleaners surround her in the Hero's Bath, she finds her heart stirring with feelings she didn't know she was still capable of. She should have expected that Caenis would have more planned for her than a simple assassination attempt. Even the leader of the Cleaners knows better than to think that she could simply kill a demigod on her own. So instead, she intends to hurt Aglaea more indirectly.
The golden strings thrum as Aglaea reads Caenis's thoughts. The image the other woman holds in her mind is crystal clear— Sotiria venturing through the halls of Marmoreal Palace while masked Cleaners lurk in the shadows, blades ready to strike at a moment's notice. Sotiria must not be able to see them, making her all the easier of a target.
The strategic, cunning part of Aglaea can acknowledge that Caenis's plan is smart. Sotiria's a more accessible target to her and the Cleaners than Aglaea would be, and it's hardly a secret that the two of them have begun a romantic relationship.
Aglaea didn't think that she could fall in love anymore— even before her humanity began eroding under the power of the coreflame, she was slow to feel romantic attraction. She had initially thought it ironic that someone who only could feel romantic love for someone after forming a close connection with them would become the demigod of Romance. Yet Sotiria managed to warm Aglaea's heart in a way she never could have expected. She's intelligent and creative, with so much beauty to her that she's practically intoxicating to be around. The draw Aglaea's felt towards her as reminded her of what it means to be human, and how wonderful love can be.
And now the love that they share is putting Sotiria in danger.
"A woman so devoted to the arts… how tragic it would be if she accidentally lost her ability to enjoy them," Caenis says, every word dripping with venom. "You know better than anyone what it feels like to lose your sight. Imagine if a thousand years ago, you not only lost that, but your voice and hearing. And I'm afraid she wouldn't have the fortune you do of your precious golden threads to make up for that loss. Do you think she could survive in such a state?"
Fury tugs at Aglaea's heart, heating it in a way she thought she no longer could feel. This is different from the warmth she feels around Sotiria, even if the woman is still the one inspiring her heart to pound faster.
Countless ways she could hurt Caenis flit through Aglaea's mind. She imagines the golden threads circling Caenis's neck, slicing cleanly through the Cleaner's limbs like piano wire. She imagines her blade in hand, dripping with red blood that dissipates into the bath's waters.
But the thought of how badly Sotiria could be hurt fills her mind more than anything else. Aglaea is sure that Caenis has contingencies in place for if Aglaea were to fight back. She's sure that Sotiria would quickly suffer the consequences of Aglaea's actions. Aglaea hates how Caenis uses her disabilities against her now, how she threatens Sotiria with that same feeling of loss. And she hates that she knows she can't fight back here, not when it means that Sotiria would pay the price.
"My, how broken you look. I overestimated your cunning," Caenis says. Her voice is grating against Aglaea's ears and only sparks the feeling of hate at the center of her chest even more. "But know that even if this plan were to fail, we have countless other parting gifts prepared. For her, for that child with no voice or ability to hear. For every person who has managed to worm their way into that empty heart of yours. Demigod, would you like to hear about them?"
"No," Aglaea says. The last thing she wants is for her final thoughts to be of the ways Sotiria might suffer.
Aglaea had hoped that she would have more time. She's seen much in her thousand years of life. She's found beauty in those the rest of the world were quick to reject, she's witnessed the fall of ten Titans. She should be grateful for everything that she's experienced, and that she has the opportunity now to guide the rest of the Chrysos Heirs towards their future, even with her parting.
But she has regrets. She wonders if Cipher will mourn her, even though it's been so long since they've seen each other. She wonders if she's done enough to lay the path forward towards the Era Nova. She wishes that she was more ruthless with Caenis before— then maybe they wouldn't be in this situation.
As Aglaea stands along the edge of the Hero's Baths, the rest of the palace sprawling below her, she can hear three sets of heavy footfalls approaching. The Cleaners are surrounding her, making it so that her only way out would be to throw herself from the edge of the Baths. Soon, she will fulfill the prophecy laid out for her— "you shall have your final bath in warm and radiant gold". Perhaps some of that gold will be from the golden blood that flows through her veins.
Aglaea wishes that she had more time with Sotiria. It's been so long since her heart has beat like this. But if sacrificing herself is the price she must pay to keep Sotiria safe, she will gladly pay it.
She hopes Sotiria can forgive her for this. And she wishes that they could have one last moment together, one where Aglaea could feel human one last time.
A scream coming from the direction of Marmoreal Palace's bath sets Sotiria on edge. She was already on her way there— she was supposed to meet Aglaea for the two of them to enjoy some time in the Hero's Bath together. But now she finds herself sprinting towards the baths as quickly as her legs can carry her. A feeling of dread wraps tightly around her chest. Maybe the black tide managed to break through into Okhema, maybe people are in danger. Aglaea should be able to help protect civilians, but she'll probably need Sotiria's help.
People in swimsuits run past Sotiria as she gets closer to the baths. Whatever is happening, it seems that everyone's fled the scene. And if anyone did attack the baths, they're gone already by the time that she makes it there. There are no signs of the black tide or any other invading forces. There aren't even any signs of anything having been damaged here.
What there is, though, is a body, not far from the elevator up to the Hero's Bath.
Sotiria finds herself moving even faster as her eyes land on the body. Only as she gets closer to them does she begin to make out the details. First, she noticed the dagger sticking out from the person's chest, the grip standing straight up from where it's buried in its victim. Then, she sees how the person's body is half in one of the nearby pools, one leg submerged in the water.
And then, she notices who the injured person is.
Aglaea lays in a pool of her own golden blood. It soaks through her white clothing, dripping onto the floor around her and into the pool. She's still alive by the time Sotiria makes it to her, every breath escaping her strained and shallow. Her eyes blink up unseeingly at the ceiling above them, her fingers twitching, as though she's trying to reach for someone.
Sotiria takes her hand as she all but falls to her knees, her mind struggling to keep up with everything she's seeing. She can barely make sense of any of the thoughts rushing through her head, each one seeming to dig a pit deeper and deeper into her stomach. It feels like this has to be some kind of sick joke. Maybe she's having a nightmare right now. But Aglaea's hand feels so dreadfully real in hers.
"Aglaea," Sotiria manages to choke out despite the name catching on her throat. "You're— it's gonna be okay, baby. You're— fuck. What happened?"
"It's alright, my love," Aglaea says. Her hand wraps around Sotiria's, her grip weaker than she's ever felt. "I knew this moment would come eventually. I'm sorry that you have to see me like this."
"Don't apologize to me, I'm not the one who's dying," Sotiria says.
Her mind races in a million directions. There has to be some way to fix this, to help Aglaea. She's helped tend to countless wounds in her time since joining the Astral Express, and she's usually good under pressure. But for some reason, all she can think of right now is the golden blood seeping from Aglaea, the blade stabbed deep into her chest. It's a miracle that she's even still alive, and Sotiria's heartbeat thunders in her ears at the thought that might not last for much longer.
"I'll figure something out," Sotiria insists. She says it more in an attempt to reassure herself than Aglaea. Hot tears pour down her face, and her throat is so tight that she feels like she can barely breathe.
There has to be something she can do. She already lost Castorice, even if they're not dead, just forever bound to the nether world. She can't lose Aglaea too. Not when she's the woman she loves.
"I've already had a very long life," Aglaea says. Her finger strokes over the back of Sotiria's hand. "Thank you. You allowed me to remember what it was like to be human in these last moments. I owe you a debt for that which I could never— never possibly repay."
"Stop," Sotiria says. Every time Aglaea speaks as though this will be their last moment together feels like a knife to her heart.
"I love you. More than I thought… that I could anymore. Please— please try to remember me as I was."
As much as she hates to admit it, Sotiria knows that every second that passes where Aglaea's golden blood flows from her, she can argue less and less that Aglaea will live through this. She feels so helpless— she knows how to help heal wounds in a fight, but nothing quite as severe as this. There's too much blood, and she can practically feel Aglaea's life slipping through her fingers.
"I will. You're gorgeous even now," Sotiria says, choking on each word as she forces them out.
"And you…" Aglaea trails off, as though every breath she takes drains her. "Are the most beautiful… person I have ever known."
Sotiria holds Aglaea's hand, words suddenly failing her. What more could she possibly say to her? Nothing seems good enough. She has to hope that this physical comfort can at least ease the pain Aglaea is no doubt feeling right now. Sotiria leans down, pressing a kiss to Aglaea's forehead and stroking her hair with her free hand.
"I love you so much," is all that Sotiria can think to say, the words whispered against Aglaea's still warm skin.
And when Sotiria draws back, Aglaea smiles. Weaker than usual, but with so much adoration in it that it makes Sotiria's heart ache even more. Aglaea opens her mouth as though she's about to say something, but no words come out. It's as if instead the last remnants of Aglaea's life slips from her mouth, her body suddenly going dreadfully still.
"Aglaea," Sotiria says, even though she knows she won't get a response. "Aglaea? Baby?"
There's no response. Sotiria knows she shouldn't have expected one, even if that's what she wanted more than anything. A sob wracks through her, catching in her throat as she crumples in on herself. Tears stream down her face as she holds Aglaea's limp body in her arms, soaking in the last warmth she can from her.
Having a really long-term hyperfixation that has since faded is terrifying yes but it's also so embarrassing. Hi I used to think about Scrimblo Splungus 25/7. Yeah, for 2 years straight. Nah, I don't think about them anymore except for with a vague sense of melancholy as I recall how they used to make me feel. Anyways this new one, Blimpkins McGee? I'm gonna think about them forever and the cycle will NOT repeat in 2 years. Trust me guys.
"Cain" - Cousin Marnie • "Come as You Are" - Nirvana • "Lose Your Soul" - DeadMansBonesBand - "In the Room Where You Sleep" - DeadMansBonesBand • "Hayloft 2" - Mother Mother • "Rotten Apple" - Alice in Chains • "Talking in Your Sleep" - The Romantics • "Sleepwalk" - Forrest Day • "Evelyn, Evelyn" - Evelyn, Evelyn
