Dialogue inspired by canon AOT and Serenade Of Peaceful Joy
1st draft/Might delete this later on for editing/wip/doc purposes
Working Title: A Thousand More
Prologue
Chapter One
***
The palace is having a cherry-blossom viewing party. We're sitting at our respective thrones. Everyone is having fun based on the fact that no one is approaching us aside from their initial greetings.
Yuu is telling me about his first cherry blossom viewing party when he was a child.
"I don't know how but my mother immediately can tell I was lying!" he quickly touched his right ear. "Does it twitch when I'm lying?!" I was overcome by nostalgia because I remembered Carla always being able to tell when Eren was lying.
The tatami door opened to reveal the emperor's new concubine, Tomiko. She's wearing an elaborate pearl crown that's bigger than her head. That must be heavy. Good job on being able to keep her head straight.
I felt the emperor stiffen beside me. He is furious. Everyone was side-eyeing the newcomer as she got closer to us.
She bowed to us with her hopeful eyes set on the object of her affection the whole time.
"No sense of abstainment."
Her face fell from the emperor's statement. Her lips quivered. She’s desperate to stop herself from bursting into tears.
It's getting painful for me to watch.
She's in love.
Seeing that the emperor seems to have forgotten to dismiss her, I took the initiative.
"Lady Tomiko is pregnant. Please be seated." She ignored my dismissal.
She pouted and continued to look at the emperor the entire time. He continued to act as if she didn't exist.
A lone tear fell out of her eye as she harshly removed her hair ornaments. Dropping them on the floor one by one.
"I thought, I would wear the pearls gifted to me by Your highness and have everyone see my delight. It was all in vain. I am wrong, please punish me, Your highness. I humbly ask for Your highness to allow me to change my crown in the side hall."
"Go on." he finally looked at her. "And change your robe while you're at it. Red is not your color."
Yuu resumed his story but all I could think of were those innocent pearl accessories on the floor. Innocent and beautiful but abandoned nonetheless.
Kiyomi is walking me to my quarters. Everyone is doing well. Armin is steadily climbing ranks and is happily married to Annie now who mostly stays home. Jean permanently moved to Marley as an ambassador. He’ll get married soon! I am happy for them all.
"Be sure to thank his highness later on."
"Why?"
Kiyomi stopped walking and stared at me. "His highness protected your honor."
"It’s just a crown..." My mood dropped faster than those planes from the west.
“You’re half-blood and you were not born in Hizuru but your beauty and achievements speak for themselves. Don’t forget who you are. You are the Empress now.” she caressed my left cheek.
“She’s the emperor’s lover. There’s no reason for her to fight me. I’m sure the lady didn’t mean to offend anyone.”
Kiyomi shook her head and laughed. "Pay no attention to me. You should stay this innocent rather than end up like Lady Tomiko."
“What do you mean?” I don't understand.
"Let's just say this is what happens to women like Lady Tomiko."
***
Breathe!
Breathe!
Gasp!
Inhale.
Exhale.
Blinking one, two, three times, I close my eyes again.
I need to change clothes before my mother sees me. She hates it when I take naps outside.
I savor the warm afternoon breeze. Clenching and unclenching my hands as if trying to catch the rays of the sun that hit it.
*BANG!*
What was that?
I sprinted back to my house, pushing my way through the field of flowers. What's happening? Is dad hunting? Mom will surely throw a fuss again.
Two men in black hovering over my father who is sitting on the ground.
"Dad?"
They turn around to look at me.
Lifeless eyes. Blood caking on his chest. Death.
No.
The familiar smell of blood that I never thought I’d smell again. This isn't supposed to happen. We're supposed to be safe.
I refuse.
I'm not doing this again...
This world is… cruel.
I stopped shaking.
I could perfectly control myself.
I can do anything.
'Fight...
'Fight...
''Fight!'
All of them are dead.
It was a blur. I am smaller but faster than them. The key difference was how much I wanted them dead for what they did.
Inhale.
Exhale.
I wiped the blood off of my face and turned to my mother who was hiding under the table.
"Everything is okay now."
Silence.
"Mom."
Silence.
I reached out for her. My mom is clearly in shock. It's okay… My heart felt heavy thinking about dad but my mom is still here… I will be strong. I am stronger than anyone. I must be strong.
I'll protect her this time.
We can figure this out. As long as we're together… Everything is going to be just fine.
"Don't touch me! Y-you..." then vomits on the floor.
The floorboards squeak with blood as I get up on my feet to get my mom’s hair out of her face as she retches on the floor.
My mom pushes me with all her might. I land on my side.
“Mom, we’re safe now...” I crawl back to her.
“STAY AWAY FROM ME!” Mom cries out in rage and jumps on top of me, sending me on my back.
I dodge by instinct when she tries to stab me with her fabric shears.
I can see it in her eyes. She wants me dead.
My mom tries to stab me again but I push her away. I scramble away with the shears grazing my cheek.
“...why?” You're my mother, my family. What's happening? Is mom sick? Is it my fault for scaring her?
"You’re not my daughter." She trembles in fear. disgust. anger… and drops on the floor.
Everything that I am, I became. Everything that I do, I did… It's all out of love.
"You're not... my daughter."
Who could ever love you?
“...monster”
You're an abomination.
I slide down the wall, clutching my chest as I heave deep breaths.
Inhale.
Exhale.
I have my hand on my cheek. No matter how much I wipe, the blood keeps flowing. My mother’s sobs resonate within me.
It’s always been like this, isn’t it?
No matter how much I bleed or cry... No one will save me. No one will love me…
I have always loved... alone.
***
“Gloomy brat. Are you sure you want to live with me?”
“I won’t be a burden. I’ll help out at the tea shop or the gym. I’ll also transfer some money-”
"Have you lost the use of your eyes? I am not money-grubbing Azumabito."
"I know that... Mother… she refuses anything that has Ackerman in it...”
“Then it’s settled! You get to keep everything.”
“You’re an Ackerman too…”
“I accepted that fucking dowry back then because I’d be fucking damned if those old cunts also gets to keep the money that’s rightfully yours!”
For that, I am eternally grateful.
“If you stay with your mother, your neighbor would be that geno-”
I glare at him. I dare him to continue his sentence. He rolls his eyes at me. Levi crossed the line but I can’t find it in me to get mad at him.
“You will be neighbors with that shitty brat.”
I ignored him.
I don’t want to talk about this. Levi raised an eyebrow. “I’m talking about Eren fucking Yeager”
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
Inhale.
Exhale.
“I know.”
“It's not safe for her to be an Ackerman! Talk some sense to your daughter!”
*CRASH!*
“That monster is not my daughter!”
“If you only listened to me and not marry tha-”
I open my window and climb to the roof.
That shorty is taking his time…
*heartbeat*
My heart beats as it pumps my blood through my veins.
The blood rushes at the top of my head down to the tips of my toes, the pulse coming in hot waves that cause everything else to pulse.
I see him sleeping under the tree of their house...
*heartbeat*
He’s finally living the life he has always wanted. He’s happy. He’s free.
He doesn't need me.
Not seeing me will help my mom recover. It will also be safer this way...
“Mikasa, Calm down.” If he didn’t hold my hand, I wouldn’t have realized that I am shaking.
“I’m fine.” Thank you.
“...I got caught off guard. I didn’t expect you to pass up the chance.” This is his shitty way of apologizing.
“The Azumabitos heard about what happened. They lifted my mom’s expulsion from the family. As for me… they insist on having a distant relative officially adopt me.”
“Even here… Fucking cunts.” I agreed with Levi.
“I’d rather stay with my shitty cousin.” I smile at him. Levi turns away to hide his smile.
“You’re welcome to stay with me but just so you know, Kenny managed to track down Uri. We’re safe now.”
Tragedy will always follow you.
No… That’s not true.
...liar.
Levi rests his hand on my uninjured shoulder.
It’s Levi... What is he doing here?
“What are you doing here?” I felt the sting in my eyes upon seeing him.
“I am opening a fucking tea shop here…”
“Being an empress suits you…” Seeing me wear this ceremonial robe must be strange for him too.
“Should I fucking bow to you now or something?”
I laugh as tears fall down my eyes. Levi looked at me like I just lost my mind. “No… you’re family… Uncle Shorty.”
“Fucking gloomy brat…”
It was selfish but I am happy that even now Levi is with me.
***
“We’re all concerned about you. You used to be consistent on the honor roll and now your grades have significantly dropped.”
“I know… I’ll do better on the next test.”
“The scores are not the only problem. The teachers are all concerned. You seem to make zero effort to understand the lessons, turn in assignments and projects.”
“We’re not here to scold you, Mr. Yeager. We just want to understand how we can help you.”
Eren never really responds well to intervention. As expected, he didn’t say anything else. He closed himself off. This is not going to work.
They discussed options to help Eren in school.
After the father and son left, Petra sighed. “Mikasa, you can come out now. How many times do I have to tell you not to sleep inside my closet?”
“You should suggest Armin to tutor... that boy.”
Petra raised an eyebrow at my suggestion. “This is the counselor’s office and conversations here are meant to be confidential.”
“You certainly had no problem stuffing Oluo in my closet.”
I helped myself with the sanitizer on Petra's desk. The walls only know what they're doing in there.
“I-I only did that because people will get the wrong idea if they catch him here!” Petra looked horrified that I knew.
“Also, that’s not your closet!”
I shrugged and hurriedly left the office before Petra could start lecturing me again.
He should be surrounded by his friends. Isolation will only bring out the worst in him.
***
"Why are you so good to me?" I expected him to ask sooner. Armin has always been an inquisitive person. He has this wisdom carved in his bones.
I will never be able to tell him this… but Eren and I wouldn't have survived for so long without him.
I wish I spent more time with him…
Armin has always been my safe place. I know we can't rekindle our old bond but I can't help myself. Same person but not at the same time.
"You want to know?"
"I know that I am weak but you don't need to stick beside me just so you can protect me all the time." Yes. That's my Armin… He would rather die than be a burden.
"We're best friends in our previous life … no, we're family. We're both orphans. Through thick and thin we were always there for each other. I couldn't imagine going through that hell of a life without you."
We stared blankly at each other for a long time.
I know Armin is rightfully wary of me. It's only natural. After all... he doesn't know me.
A part of me feels lonely because he doesn't remember...
'Are you expecting any letters, your highness?'
'Yes…'
It doesn't matter anymore. We're all alive. No titans or war. We're all safe.
Liar.
"It's not just the two of us. There’s a third one."
I broke Armin's trance.
"The third one gave me a home... a purpose to live. His parents took me in when I had nowhere to go. He was my whole world..."
"What's his name?" he tries to be nonchalant about it but I can see that he is crumbling under all the pressure.
"Eren Yeager" This breaks Armin. His mouth and eyes are wide open. He must be thinking that I am crazy.
I never noticed it before but he looks like a cherub.
I cover my mouth trying to stop myself from grinning.
I get it now why Connie and the others liked messing with Armin.
Armin face-palmed when he sees the expression on my face. "You got me."
"I am telling the truth." I turn away.
Snort.
Armin is adorable. When we make eye contact… Armin falls off the chair laughing. We're getting odd looks but he doesn't care.
I feel a warm feeling bubbling in my chest. It’s nice to see him happy.
We got kicked out of the library.
He starts telling me about Dungeons & Dragons. He insists that we play. I have no idea what that is.
"So we’re going on a quest to kill dragons in... dungeons?"
"No! It's… I am going to bring the handbook tomorrow! You'll love it!"
'I'm going to kill them all. I'll wipe every one of them… off the face of this earth!'
"Maybe you should ask... my most beloved to play with you."
Armin groans. "Stop it, Mikasa! You're messing with me again!"
I dodge his playful hit.
***
I see them sitting together at lunch.
Armin and Eren are talking excitedly with a book between them. They look happy.
Some things never change.
“The sea…”
“A salt lake so big that merchants could spend their whole lives and still not get all the salt.”
“There’s more than just Titans outside the walls.”
“Fiery water, lands of ice, sandy snowfields…”
“I joined the Scouts so I could see all that.”
“Right?!”
“Let’s start by seeing the sea!”
“You still doubt that it’s real, Eren!”
“You’ll see! It does exist!”
“All right then.”
“Guess we’ll have to go see.”
“It’s a promise, then!”
“You have to!”
Yet another conversation only the two of them get.
“We can explore the outside world!”
Everything is spinning. My heartbeat painfully thumps. My hands are numb, I feel like my lunch tray is about to fall off.
Inhale.
Exhale.
One.
Two.
Three.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Breathe.
Hold on.
Just keep walking.
I beelined to Sasha. “Eat this slowly.”
“Mikasa!” her eyes brighten at the sight of my food tray in front of her.
“Fuuuuck this! You need to share!”
“Baldie, you sure come out with some baloney!”
“Ya literally just stole my candy bar!”
“Finders keepers! You think there’s politeness when it comes to food?!”
“What kind of fucked up logic is dat?!”
The counselor’s office is too far… I settled in the janitor’s closet.
One.
Two.
There is no place for you.
Three.
Four.
You never really belonged anywhere.
Five.
***
"Cakes are made for eating, not staring."
I nibble my cake. It tastes… nothing.
"Is something wrong?"
I shook my head.
"Maybe I can help." Carla left the counter to sit beside me.
“You’re busy.”
“Nonsense! They are all busy with bingo and they won’t come flooding in until later.” She squeezed my hand.
"I'm sorry for worrying you. It's nothing." It's about your son.
"You remind me so much of my son."
I drop my fork. I am like Eren?
"In what way?" I can see from Carla’s eyes that she misses Eren. I miss him too... but he’s always bound to leave, isn’t he?
“Kids these days are way too serious. You don’t need to shoulder everything, sometimes all you need to do is ask for help and trust the adults.”
Carla lightly flicked my forehead.
“You can repay the adults who helped you along the way by being a reliable adult yourself when the time comes.”
I am technically an adult…
“I want to help someone. I don’t know how...”
Carla caressed my face. It’s like she’s wiping the tears that I never allowed to fall. “You don’t need to solve anyone’s problem to show that you care. Be a friend who cares enough to stay during tough times." I turned away when her hands got close to the scar on my cheek.
“Mikasa, he’s truly a reckless boy”
“When trouble comes, be sure to help each other out.”
I tried my best. I stayed until the very end. I still wasn’t able to make a difference... What can I do now?
"Now go finish your cake, young lady! I won’t have Pixis in sugar high because of you.”
***
Eren and Armin are inseparable lately. They are exiting out of the adjacent room. Eren looks more lively than usual.
I even see Jean talking to them sometimes.
Good.
I am walking the longer route to avoid running into them.
I see Hannes, who I invite to Levi’s gym. I’ll never understand what’s so good about drinking. “Are you calling me fat again? That’s hurtful, Mikasa!”
“No. I just think you’re drinking too much. You could use some exercise.”
“...Am I getting old?”
“I’ll give you a family discount.” I walk off with a smile.
I close the back door.
I see Ymir purposely bump into Eren. She tapes a paper on his back that says 'kick me’.
My good mood drops in an instant.
“My hand slipped!” Floch pours his iced coffee on Eren's face.
“Ooops! I’m sorry!” Reiner kicks Eren’s back which sends him tumbling on the ground.
‘True… The thing is, that brat isn’t even all that good at fighting.’
‘But no matter if he’s up against three or five, he’ll charge in all the same.’
‘By the time Mikasa or soldiers show up he’s been beaten into a pulp every time.’
“What are you guys doing?!” Armin tries to help Eren get up but Floch stops him.
Reiner, Hitch, Marlowe, Ymir, and Berthold proceed to kick Eren… "This is what you get for doing something bad to Historia!"
‘But you know...’
‘I’ve never seen him win a fight before, but I’ve never seen him get beat and give up either.’
‘Sometimes he’s so tenacious that even I think it’s scary.’
‘No matter how many times he’s knocked over, he gets back up.’
‘That’s the kinda guy he is.’
‘You think he’ll get taken away without putting up a fight?’
‘Nope. He’ll keep resisting as long as he has strength.’
‘Even more so when he’s up against just two.’
‘He’ll give ‘em hell no matter who he’s up against.’
Eren is on the ground. He uses his arms to shield his head from getting kicked.
I turn to Historia who watches everything in horror.
Must be nice for her to watch while everyone does the dirty work for her. “It’s not my-”
"Not your fault?" She visibly paled. How predictable. You still haven't changed. Not one bit.
I drag Historia’s shoulder then I throw her headfirst into the dumpster. "This is where you belong."
"We'll get you suspended! Justice will be served!" Marlowe shouts at me.
"I wonder what kind of jokes corpses tell…"
I step on Floch as I slowly approach them. I give him an extra kick in the gut as I pass by him. Being in the same vicinity as him makes me want to barf.
"At most I'll get fifteen years… your shitty parents would probably be happy to be free of you pieces of shits.”
"Football career? scholarship? Attempt to pull this shit again. I'll fucking cripple your arms." Berthold nodded to me fearfully as he rubbed his shoulder.
I look back to check on them. Eren and Armin are leaning on each other for support… All I see in their eyes is fear.
"You're not... my daughter."
“monster…”
I walk away without saying anything.
***
"Focus, Mikasa!"
I dodge Levi's kick but get hit by a punch instead. I land square on my back.
"We're done here."
"I can still-"
"Do you know what the real danger is? It's when someone doesn't even try and is content with taking the punches."
Eren is on the ground. His arms shield his head from getting kicked.
Levi looked back at me before stepping out of the ring.
Shit. I screwed up.
***
"KYAAAAA!"
"Stop with your screeching!"
"I need to-”
“No.”
“I haven’t even asked yet!”
“My answer is still no.”
I try to go to my room unnoticed. “You’re not going anywhere until you eat.”
Does Levi have eyes at the back of his head?
“Set the table.” I proceed to go wash my hands. Levi will have a fit if I touch anything before washing my hands.
“Leviiiiii!!! I need to know what happens next!”
“Do I look like I give a shit? Wash your hands! You’re on your phone all day and the walls only know what kind of filth is living on your phone.”
I look at all the food on the table. What should I eat? Levi cooked more than usual. He insists on having me tat with them...
“...Am I going to be an aunt?”
Hanji chokes on her food.
“What the fuck?” Levi pats Hanji’s back.
“Am I getting fat? I knew it! It’s your cooking, Levi! I blame you! I knew it!”
“If anything else, it’s your midnight snacking!”
Why do I make everyone self-conscious with their weight?
“No… Levi cooked more than usual… he also insisted that I eat with you guys so I thought…”
Levi and Hanji looked at each other. nonverbal communication ensues with these two.
Levi shakes his head at Hanji and adds more food to my plate. “Just... eat. Gloomy brat.”
We eat in silence for a bit before Hanji drops her spoon. “I’ll get it.”
“No, I got it!”
“Shit.”
“Ouch!” They bump their heads under the table.
Snort.
“You don’t talk much don’t cha?”
Why is it that every time I meet a new Ackerman, I don’t seem to like them in principle?
“Anyways, that midget got himself a girlfriend!”
Levi never mentioned it whenever he visits me. It was my turn and I hit the bull’s eye.
*whistles* “You need to remind me to take ya’ to shooting!”
“Mother… won’t allow it.”
“I heard how that woman lost it when she saw Levi drilling you. Jeez! I wonder how Kevan puts up with her.”
Mother is just big on etiquette and being ladylike.
“What is she like?”
“Motherfucker!” He missed the bull’s eye. I look at Kenny with triumph in my eyes.
“It’s darts, ya bitch. Be happy when you beat me at shooting.”
What a sore loser. He got up to retrieve the darts from the board. “Eccentric. Smiles aa lot Kinda creeps me out.”
That’s when I knew he’s going to be okay. I’m happy that they found each other again.
I get up to replace Hanji’s spoon.
“Thanks!”
“Shitty glasses...”
“By the way, you should read the web novel that I am reading! You can borrow my account so you won’t need to buy gems!”
"Don't talk while your mouth is full!" We both ignore Levi.
“Gems?”
“Gems are Web novel currency to unlock the chapters of the novel that you are reading.”
Hanji handed me the phone.
“How do I-?” I'm lost.
Hanji moves her chair to my side. She patiently walks me through navigating the phone.
"It's so… many."
"I know right?!"
‘The Emperor And The Female Knight’
"The political intrigue in the palace is good. I love the female lead! She's a strong knight who helped to make the male lead king."
No.
"How do you know which one to choose? Wouldn't you run out of gems by the time you found the book that you liked? This seems… impractical."
"Exactly. Go to the bookstore like a normal person."
"Don't be so closed-minded The first few chapters of every novel are free. Think of it like the gym's free trial."
"Don't make the gym sound so shady. It's mainly not to waste anyone's time. Having no balls to continue after a session or two does not constitute a refund."
"I'm sure they are just terrified of you." "It's important to establish rules before anything else. Don't push your luck! It's your idea or Kenny's."
Hanji and I smile at each other. I still remember Levi's face of disgust when Kenny suggested free membership for strippers.
“You sound pretty hooked. Are you sure I can borrow this?”
“Four eyes need to stop procrastinating and start doing her paper.”
“Deal! But I want you to make-!"
“Your special tea.”
"And a-!”
“A fucking massage.”
"You know me so well!”
“And you have a shitty way of asking for a favor.” I should stop disturbing them. I tried moving out but Levi and Hanji won’t hear any of it.
‘1 Second Before He Unties My Panties’
“1 Second Before He... Unties My Panties?”
What is this? Is this what people read nowadays?
“No!”
“I forgot to exclude the adult section.” Hanji cackles.
Levi snatches the phone from me “Fix it, now.”
“Come on! Don’t be such a prude, Levi!”
“Mikasa’s too young for that!” I am almost tempted to choose this just to mess with Levi.
'The Lady And The Beast'
"The female lead reminds me of you!" Why? My hair is not red. Based on the cover it's about a girl and her pet wolf? I don't like the look Hanji's giving me so I swipe next.
'The Abandoned Empress'
"Uwaa~! I hated that one! Why did the empress have to choose the worst possible love interest? The pain that he caused her in their first life wasn't enough so she comes back for more?"
"He has always been jealous of her talents! He's an insecure, whiney, pathetic, weak male lead. He also caused so many deaths! And if that wasn't enough he impregnated some other girl! Ughr! Disgusting!"
...
"What's wrong with you two?"
…
...
I go inside my closet.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
Inhale.
Exhale.
I'm strong. Stronger than anyone.
***
The Mortal’s Record Of Cultivation
‘If the world does not wish me to become human! I shall become a god of the world!’
Wei Zetang had lived nineteen years of his life. Three days before he turned twenty, he was hit by a stick, blindfolded, gagged, and stuffed in a bag. Then, he was thrown into the river. Moments later, he drowned with no one the wiser.
The protagonist died on the first page? After Levi specifically told Hanji to pick an uplifting story...
‘System Initiating…’
The main character died in the first chapter. Except he didn't die. After he was reborn, he soon realized that in his mind, a mysterious system that commands him had appeared.
‘It's no use, esteemed host. You're the only one who can see or hear me.’
Wei Zetang is puzzled. He tried talking to the system but no matter how hard he tried to summon the system, there was only dead silence.
Soon, Wei Zetang began to lose hope. He understood that, if he were to find his murderer, he must live like an actual human being.
And to live like a human, he had to rely on himself.
If he wants answers then he must fight for them. The main character must do the missions that the system assigned to him or else he'll be stuck in a time loop until he complies.
With more than three hundred days of life-and-death situations, he completely lost the cowardice and warmth in his eyes. He became like his blade--resolute and cold.
‘Why are you doing this?’
All this time... the system was presumed to be a villain since it makes him do these missions but in reality, it is helping the main character.
‘Why me?’
‘Thank you for saving me.’
The system didn’t answer.
‘Now that I’ve finished everything… then what?’
‘You get to live.’
“-The pain that he caused her in their first life wasn't enough so she comes back for more?"
I put Hanji’s phone on my nightstand.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Does it matter? No one would know. I don’t care. I never cared back then. Is it so horrible that I want to help... someone? ...especially if I want it more than anything else?
“It’s warm, right?”
“For once, Mikasa! Think for yourself!”
“Come on, let’s head back already. To our home.”
“You’re a slave.”
Then so be it.
I’m strong. Stronger than anyone. Extremely strong.
Even if I’m alone.
I’m not incompetent or a spineless coward. I’m not pathetic.
Unless I fight, I cannot win.
I don’t want to forget. I’ll never forget.
Eren, it’s time for you to fight. I’ll make you fight. You have to fight or else you’ll die.
Now… where do I start?
***
To: Eren Jaeger
From: The System Administrator
.
The Boy Who Sought Freedom
.
“Huh? Raven?” The young boy woke up from his nap under the tree.
“We should go home now.”
“Why am I here?”
“You were sleeping that soundly?” The boy looked like he was not fully awake.
“No, it just feels like I was having a really long dream.”
“What was it again?”
“I don’t remember a thing.”
Raven went to pick up the firewood that she gathered while the boy tries to remember what he dreamt about. She was surprised when she turned to look at him, “Hunter, why are you crying?”
These are the best things I read, watched, and listened to over the past week. Feel free to chat with me about my picks!
Book: Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption by Katie Davis (Memoir of a young American woman who went to Uganda to spend one year doing mission work after high school, and instead ended up living there permanently, starting a nonprofit, and becoming a mother to 14 orphaned girls by the time she was 23.)
Movie or TV Show: Fruits Basket (Scheming Shigure is so fun to watch.)
Song: “A Thousand More” by Thrive Worship (It’s really pretty, and it reminds me to pay attention to what’s important and eternal, not just my small daily concerns.)
"I have died every day, waiting for you. Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years. I'll love you for a thousand more"
--"A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri
Harry wakes up one morning during the separation of April 2015 missing Louis fiercely. He wonders if they had never been on the X-Factor would they have met. Cue the weirdest "dream" he's ever had in which lessons about the course of true love are learned.
Words: 41923, Chapters: 12/12, Language: English
Fandoms: One Direction (Band)
Rating: Not Rated
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Categories: M/M
Characters: Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Original Male Character(s)
Relationships: Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson, Louis Tomlinson/Original Male Character(s)
Additional Tags: Canon Compliant, Alternate Universe, OT5 Friendship, Harry in LA, Louis in London, If I Could Fly, Home, AU takes place in London at Uni, The Louis/Original Male Character is a big plot point but isn't scary, Happy Ending, as angsty as I can write which isn't very angsty, Fluff
via AO3 works tagged 'Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson' http://bit.ly/2Vxq1aF
“Who are you talking about?” The emperor is acting strange these days.
“The reason why you continue to reject becoming my empress.” My private quarters suddenly felt so small.
“I am already your consort. The Azumabitos won’t betray you. I won’t betray you.”
The emperor ignored me and walked around. He’s touching and inspecting my things as he pleases, without even asking me. And why would he? He's the Emperor. Everything here belongs to him. Everyone constantly praises him for being so generous with me and it's true. I've read history books to know what to expect. When we first met, he reassured me that he wouldn't force me…
"I'd do that for you." he smiled at me gently. at least not yet. The indication that he can but chooses not, as a favor, is subtly implied.
'You must learn how to read between the lines, Mikasa.' I don't think I'll ever forgive Kiyomi's part in coercing me here, for using him against me. But I ultimately understood where she's coming from. The world is equally cruel to everyone but I'll make sure no harm comes to… Slave! Not now. Never.
No matter how glamorous and excessive everything is, I'm nothing but a glorified war prize Hizuru got from Paradis. I've got nothing now. It seems like I don't even belong to myself anymore. Women are their husband’s property. I've got more when I was an impoverished soldier living in the barracks than right now, a noble consort of the emperor of Hizuru who is living in a castle.
“What was he to you? The one who gave you that red scarf you treasure so much?”
I stopped my hand before it could go anywhere near my scarf. Calm down. “Your highness, I-"
He stiffened and abruptly closed my jewelry box. "He enters the stage and suddenly I am 'Your highness' again to you." His voice is gentle but his face says otherwise.
"Yuu... You're free. You can have concubines because you're the emperor now... or find someone if you will it. I heard from Kiyomi that they found five potential empress candidates for you." He's got everything he wants and more but with the way his eyes hardened in my response, he doesn't know it yet.
"Maybe if this emperor is being generous, he'll let Mikasa sail away from her home. Heavens... He will even allow Mikasa to go and stay in the New Eldian Empire!" I frowned at his words. So he knew I'd been asking to visit Paradis for a while now.
"Mikasa.." a little softer in tone. "I just need to understand why."
I fiddled with my well-worn scarf. I never ask for anything. I didn't think anyone would notice. I didn’t think it would matter.
"He's gone. You have nothing to worry about." Yuu stared at me. He is not satisfied with my answer.
I sighed. I am tired of this. "It's not what you think. We're never like that… He saved me but he never really liked me. He...he hated me."
I felt my chest tightening just remembering it. My head is pounding on the side. Stop it! I don’t want to remember. Not now, not ever.
"Which is the greater number, five or one?"
What? I blinked. I can breathe again. Oh right… he asked something. "Five."
"Five great noble families which shall strengthen my reign. Five families who will make things easier for my transition to be smoother. Five more potential allies who most likely had a hand in my clan's downfall. Five potential Empress candidates who will bring nothing but their backstabbing and scheming and arse licking and money-grubbing."
He takes the golden dragon hairpin from the jewelry box and sticks it in my hair.
"One war heroine who is responsible for stopping the battle of heaven and earth. One who truly cares for the people and can be a great mother to the empire." he knows about the orphanage…
"The goddess of war, who fought battles for me and made me emperor. One who will bear me strong children."
I don't understand. I never asked for anything else. I just did what's asked of me. It wasn't for the Azumabito clan or him or anyone. If Hizuru falls, if I fail, Paradis will be too vulnerable and it will be all for nothing!
He cradled my chin, forcing me to look him in the eyes. Where's my first friend here in Hizuru who just wanted to survive the power struggle? The gentle person who greatly reminded me of Armin because of his love for books? Did I make a mistake again?
"The one woman I ardently admire and must absolutely have." the hairs of my neck went up hearing him whisper it in my ear.
"I'm hurt that you sold my gifts to fund that orphanage…" I am seeing his real face now… Being my friend has been all an act.
"But I'm glad that you kept my mother's pin." Of course, I did… It's yours. It's not mine to keep.
"You're just as ruthless outside the battle… I bought it all back and gifted it to you again. I waited for so long but you never came to thank me or apologize. It seems that my gifts to you are just as unforgettable as they were unwanted." There's a sadistic glint in his eyes as he cackles. He’s enjoying this.
"Did you know that you can lose your head if anyone finds out what you did?" It would be an ironic ending for someone like me and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I don’t regret what I did.
"That won't happen. I already took care of it. I did all that for you." Expectant eyes are looking at me, waiting for my response. "...thank you."
The emperor licked his lips in satisfaction.
I turned my head away and covered the faint scar on my cheek with my hand when I saw his attempts to touch it.
His hands are balled into fists. He looked at me as if I had struck him and left without saying a word.
I closed my eyes in distress.
Inhale
Breathe
Exhale
I was locked into my private quarters for months. No one was allowed to see or talk to me, my meals were delivered through a makeshift tatami door.
My confinement ended when I was inevitably crowned as empress of Hizuru.
The one in which Harry wonders if he and Louis would have ended up together if they had never been on the X-Factor. One night he goes to sleep and has a dream about meeting Louis in a different time and place, or he at least thinks its a dream when he wakes up the next morning. Each night when he falls asleep he dreams about a different world. He soon discovers that in order to wake up in the real world he must find Louis in each of these alternate universes. The longer he stays in the "dream" world the harder it is for him to wake up and separate fact from fiction in the real world. It isn't always easy to find Louis, but he always does, eventually. After a while he must decide if he wants to stay in an alternate universe with that realities version of his Louis or if he wants to find a way to stop the cycle that he has found himself in. For Harry they both have their pro's and con's.
Words: 1330, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English
Fandoms: One Direction (Band)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: M/M
Characters: Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik
Relationships: Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson
via AO3 works tagged 'Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson' http://ift.tt/2BdAQrN
