Warnings: angst, language, Musa is struggling, caring!Riven
Summary: Riven is there for her when Musa gets her magic back.
Words: 1.6k
Pairing: Riven x Musa
A/N: So I just finished the finale of season 2. Overall I loved the Rivusa content, but this moment was a wasted opportunity. Riven was literally standing next to her when she got her magic back and he knows how hard it’s been for her. So let’s pretend this happened (they just didn’t show it ;) )
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She feels it the moment it happens. As her magic returns a power curses through her, enlightening her whole body. Musa knows without a doubt her eyes are shimmering in a deep purple as she gazes at the others around her.
“They did it”, she says, a smile settling on her lips. Beside her Riven stops fighting and she sees the other Specialists lowering their weapons as well.
But just a second later her smile fades as the noises return to her. It hits her like a wave, powerful und unforgiving, crashing over her and pulling her under.
Distant screams growing louder, mixing with sobs and cries of pain and regret. She can feel every bit of it, every emotion ranging from shock to fear, from anger to sorrow.
“Hey!”
Her eyes are opened wide as she tries to find herself in the midst of the chaos, her own feelings that can pull her back to reality and ground her. But it’s hard, almost impossible with so many people with strong emotions surrounding her.
“Musa!”
She hears her name being called and someone moves into her field of vision. At first the figure is burry, but as the person grabs her shoulders she has something to tap into. Something that brings her enough clarity to make out his face.
It’s Riven, his brows drawn together in a deep frown as he stares at her. She knows his emotions are there somewhere too, but she can’t make them out in the swirl of it all.
“Look at me!”, he tells her and she does, stares at him like he is everything she can see. And he is.
A whimper escapes her and she leans forward, feeling like she is breaking under the weight of her own abilities. A gift, as people like to tell her. They don’t know anything.
But she knows better.
It’s a curse.
“Focus on me, okay?”
His voice sounds oddly drowned out, although he is standing right in front of her holding her by her shoulders.
She blinks, tries to do what he tells her to, but she can’t find him in all the feelings that are blending into a haze.
This is why she had given up her magic so voluntary. So she didn’t have to feel so much pain again. But now it’s back, much stronger than she could have anticipated.
“I can’t!” She shakes her head, helplessly. “I can’t find you.” They have won. The fight is over. But instead of relief all she can think of is pain, so much pain, a silent torture no one else can feel.
“Make it go away”, she whispers and she feels Riven’s grip tighten around her shoulders. His face is only inches away from her as he speaks to her.
She doesn’t know if it is his nearness, his words or that they have built a strange friendship over the past days, but somehow Riven breaks through the fog that is her mind.
“Yes, you can. Focus on me”, he repeats, speaking slowly and forcefully to make sure she is hearing every word.
And suddenly she knows where he is. He isn’t her light in the darkness or her calm in the storm. But he keeps his emotions at bay and his pain is overshadowed by something else. Concern. Relief. Hope.
He believes in her.
She knows he must be making an effort to bring out positive emotions so she can hold onto them, focus on anything other than the pain surrounding her, but as he stares at her he doesn’t seem bothered by it or strained.
“Come one”, he mutters and she notices the deep crease on his forehead as she stares at her, his eyes flickering over her face.
His pain is a reflection of her own pain, his sorrow a result of her suffering. Because he cares. About her.
The thought startles her enough to blend out the rest as her mind tries to wrap around that newfound truth.
When she had talked to Riven months ago, he had been furious when she had used her powers to get into his head. But now he is opening himself up to her. He is letting her in, so she has something to bring her back, something that grounds her.
It is so much more than she could have asked for, yet it is impossible for her to form words as it takes all her effort not to collapse under the sudden weight on her shoulders.
“I feel you”, she whispers and he lets out a breath, nodding slowly. “Okay, good.”
But he doesn’t let her go yet and she is surprised by how much she doesn’t want him to. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
She lets him guide her away, his arm wrapped around her shoulder as he manoeuvres her through the crowd of people. A part of her wants to stop him and tell him that she can’t leave yet. Her friends are still out here somewhere, and she doesn’t know if they are okay.
Bloom and Aisha, Stella and Tara. And Flora, who has been willing to sacrifice herself.
She needs to know if they were okay. But she is too weak to argue and too scared to let go of Riven to try and find them.
“They are okay.”
She tilts her head to look at him, his knowing eyes already on her face. “You don’t know that.” Her voice sounds low and shaky, nothing like the strong and capable woman she felt like when she joined Riven and the other Specialists outside to fight along them.
She knows Riven notices, but he doesn’t say anything as he leads her back to the school.
“If they are half as stubborn as you, they won’t let Sebastian and his bastards kill them.”
She snorts at his words, not trying to argue with him. It would just prove his point and she knows he is right; she is stubborn. Strong-willed, like her mother used to call it.
“See? I’m not lying.” Riven pushes a door open for her before pointing his finger towards his head. “I know how it works.” The gesture along with his cocky grin makes her smile and she can feel the color leaving her eyes as they turn back to her natural brown.
They are nearing her room now and with every step between them and the remaining fairies and fighters outside she feels the burden grow a little lighter.
“Tomorrow everyone will handle all of this shit better”, Riven tells her as if he read her thoughts. His arm falls back to his side as they come to a stop in front of her door, and she feels like he has taken some of her warmth with it.
“You will manage.”
He says it in a casual way and with so much conviction that she wants to believe him. But right now it all seems too much and she adverts her eyes. He knows she would give up her magic if she could. He had seen her take the chance. He knows what no one else does.
But her secret is safe with him. She trusts that without a doubt. And she doesn’t need to tap into his head to know it.
“Thanks for, you know, bringing me here.” There is so much more she wants to say to him, that she wants him to know, but it’s too much to put into words. And she is tired now that the fight is over and the adrenaline is wearing off. Exhausted that her mind isn’t her own anymore, that her feelings are always accompanied by someone else’s.
Riven shrugs like it isn’t a big deal, but a part of her wonders if he doesn’t want to be with his Specialist pals. Celebrating their win instead of spending time in the presence of her low mood and energy.
But he is here, isn’t he?
“Sparring tomorrow?”, he asks and her eyes light up at his words, a little warmth returning to her. She tries not to sound too eager as she agrees and he nods at her once before turning to leave.
“Oh and Musa?” She has nearly slipped into the room when she hears his voice again and she turns back, surprised and curious what he is about to say.
For a moment he just looks at her, his expression unreadable. But she resists the temptation to glance into his mind.
“You did good today.”
His words hang in the air between them for a moment and she gulps, wishing she could see what he does when he looks at her the way he does now. Like he can see right through the walls she has built around herself.
And strangely it doesn’t feel threatening or terrifying. Instead it is reassuring to know that there is someone who really sees her.
“Now get some rest.”
It sounds a little like a command, but his voice is gentle and his eyes are soft as he looks at her in an almost affective way.
When he turns and walks away Musa lets herself stare after him, hoping he doesn’t feel her eyes boring into his back. Then he disappears behind a corner and she is left alone.
“Good night”, she whispers even though she knows he cannot hear her anymore.
And when she quietly shuts the door behind her, she allows herself to sink against it and close her eyes for a moment.
In the past days she has given up her magic only to regain it, nearly died but lived, and along the way she had found someone who made her heart beat faster and helped her shoulder the weight of the world.
Someone she had never expected to become such an important part of her life in such a short amount of time.
But she didn’t regret any of it.
And if she was going to face her magic again, she knew she wouldn’t be alone.
The writing was better this season. The dialogue wasn't nearly as cringe as it used to be. There were some bad lines, of course, but most of it was much more bearable this season. And the writing as in construction of the plot and scenes was better as well. Not that good, though. There were things that just happened and are then never followed up. Musa never mentions Sam again once he leaves Alfea and Terra doesn't talk about her dad and brother either. Sky saying he thought there could be redemption for Andreas was completely out of nowhere since the two of them made zero progress towards any relationship between them. And there were some other moments that just weren't written so well.
The world still feels claustrophobic. We saw a nearby village/town and Sky's house, and a glimpse of the Realm of Darkness in the end and that was it. Oh, and the random mention of Walmart Omega. We still don't know anything about the realms in the Otherworld. Not even about Solaria where Alfea is located. The Dragon Flame's origins were never explained and we still don't know where the Burned Ones came from (I have a feeling they're going to make it be Marion who created them). Suddenly transformation magic is on the table but we still don't know why it disappeared and what even is going on with magic at all. What are they using it for when they're not fighting enemies that are specifically after Bloom?
The character arcs made a lot more sense in this season even when some of the continuity was nowhere to be found. The characters' actions felt more motivated and organic than anything anyone did in season 1. Plus, the Winx actually feel like friends here, thank god. We all know that wasn't earned in s1 but at this point I don't care. They weren't pissing me off by being assholes to each other (for the most part) and I'll take it.
I saw people saying Bloom was more annoying in this season but I wasn't really annoyed by anything she did??? It's weird to me but again, I'll take it. I'd rather not be exploding in rage when I'm watching something. I feel like they were building an arc for Bloom that includes the trauma of almost killing her parents (who never made any appearances and she didn't seem to care that she'd be in stasis for 20 years and they wouldn't know shit about that) and how she has no idea what to do with her powers so she just yeeted herself in the Realm of Darkness. That was somewhat successful. And I have to say that I don't mind Bloom x Sky in this season. They were written decently.
I liked the development in Stella. There were some iffy moments that made me afraid of the whole thing reverting to the s1 tension between Stella and Bloom but things were mostly okay. Stella x Beatrix wasn't in my bingo card but I actually didn't mind at all. I just wish they would've addressed the fact that Beatrix almost died last season because of Stella. They act like that didn't happen.
Musa was flip-floping on her feelings about her magic the whole time. Last season she didn't want to use it but she starts the season intentionally poking around people's heads and taking away their emotions? Then she's whining that it's too much again? That didn't make sense. And are you seriously telling me there's no other way to take away magic besides the barb wire bracelets and the scrapers?
Aisha didn't have enough to do again. They use her as the planner but the most "defining" moment she had in the season was confronting her lying boyfriend. And most of her story this season was about him. They tried to make it about her learning to open up but that could've been done better. The scene of the confrontation kinda worked on that front but it needed more.
Terra was mostly okay. She was too pushy about some things and the whole story with her new girlfriend was iffy but I honestly don't care. I'm just glad we managed to go all season without a single remark about her weight or body type. So it was possible but y'all had to suck for the entirety of s1?
Flora had nothing in common with Winx!Flora but otherwise I liked her character. She was interesting. I really wish it all didn't feel like they only put her in the season so that she could be scraper bait and no one else would have to lose their magic. Also, why was everyone insisting that Flora and Riven were dating when they weren't actually?
There's only one thing to say about Riven - he could have benefited from tape over the mouth for the first half of the season.
I think Sean has already moved on from Fate onto bigger projects, hence him feeling comfortable enough to post such a big leak that literally no one else did. I also think he was reminded of his contract and deleted it very fast.
The fact he's already cast in other stuff + the actual content of the leak + the previous instagram story by Precious, where Sean said "it's my last day", despite it being several weeks before wrap all lead me to believe Marco dies his season.
And considering Marco was the source of the biggest incongruous line in season 1, I just think farewell, goodbye.
Now, about the leak itself? I'm just thanking my blessed stars that we'll actually get some batshit murderous Andreas. Turning up my simping to the max. I can't put into words how FUCKING EXCITED I AM
You don’t need to be strong all the time & “Who doesn’t like a little chaos? I certainly do.”
I feel you
Riven is there for her when Musa gets her magic back.
Silent thoughts
It bothered him that her fairy friends had vanished and left her to herself in this goddamn bar. That it was now onto him to take care of her, so he wouldn't be the asshole who had left Musa drunk in a corner of some pub. But most of all it bothered him that it didn't actually bother him at all.
Won’t lose you | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
"We can't just stand around here while the fairies inside need our help!" As if he had ever cared much about fairies before. He still didn't, except one. (Riven can’t stand around while Musa is trapped in the school.)
Summary: Riven can’t stand around while Musa is trapped in the school.
Words: 1k
Pairing: Riven x Musa
A/N: It’s canon divergent at this point but who cares ;)
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Part 1
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Everyone stood completely still as they listened to the steady beeping that signalled the call had ended.
Riven saw Sky place a hand on Bloom's shoulder in the periphery of his vision, but he didn't dare to look at the fairies or his friend.
The guilt was threatening to drown him. If he had taught Musa how to fight like she had asked him to, she would have been able to better defend herself.
Worry and fear sank in as images of what could have happened filled his mind. Had those things gotten her? Hurt her?
Was she even still alive?
A nudge on his shoulder startled him and he gazed up to find Dane's eyes on him, an expression of empathy on his face.
It was too much. He didn't deserve his sympathy
With a harsh motion he shrugged him off, stepping away and towards Silva. "Same plan. We're going inside now." Riven nodded, trying to focus on his words above anything else. He needed to be concentrated, needed to swallow his own feelings and empty his mind so he could be the perfect soldier he was trained to be.
Slowly but steadily everyone began to move, grabbing their weapons and preparing for the attack. Riven followed along, his heart heavy and his mind numb.
He should have never let himself get so attached to her in the first place. It was a stupid mistake.
Even as he was fighting the manipulated Specialists alongside Sky his thoughts were reeling around a certain fairy. "Didn't think I would ever see that look on you", the blonde muttered under his breath as they snuck through the dark corridors of the school.
"What are you talking about?" Riven didn't look at his friend as he peeked around a corner, temporarily relieved to find it empty but staying alert.
"You're worried", Sky pointed out, his own sword drawn as he followed closely behind. "We're heading into bloody battle and a psychopath has taken over the school. Hell yeah I am."
Sky inhaled. "That's not what I mean. You're worried about her." He didn't have to say a name to know who he was talking about. "Just don't want her to die now after I carried her all the fucking way to school."
"Oh that's what it is. And here I thought you had a heart."
He was joking, of course, but it still stung. Even more because Sky was right. And if he saw how much he really cared, then how bad was he at hiding his feelings?
"I might be an egoistic dick, but that doesn't mean I don't care what happens to the fairies. No one deserves this shit." They rounded another corner and Riven stopped in his tracks as his eyes caught onto something on the floor.
A phone. Musa's phone.
This was where she had been when she had called. Where she had gotten attacked.
As Sky gave him cover, he crouched down, examining the phone before slipping it into his pocket. He would give it to her when he would see her again. Because he would. He couldn’t allow himself to think anything else.
But his stomach sank as he noticed the drips of blood on the floor. Red blood that could only belong to a person. His fingers gripped the sword a little tighter and he could feel Sky's eyes on him, but ignored him.
"This way", he muttered, following the line of blood. It led them further into the school and where they suspected the fairies were kept. “Hold on.” Sky reached for his phone, drawing his brows together when he looked at it. “Bloom’s upstairs. Something has happened with Sebastian.”
Riven looked at his friend for a moment, taking in the conflict on his face before sighing. “Go. I got this.” He saw the hesitation in Sky’s eyes as he lowered his sword. “You sure?”
Riven waved him off. “I’ll be fine. Now go and make sure your girlfriend doesn’t burn down the whole school.”
Sky offered him a nod and he saw the concern behind his eyes before he turned and left. The little redhead had really stolen his friend’s heart.
Riven would never admit that he admired them for what they had. That it made him even a little jealous sometimes. But he wasn’t the guy for relationships. Nothing about him was boyfriend material. His recent breakup with Beatrix had proven that yet again.
With cautious steps he continued his way alone, careful to be quiet and ready to attack or defend himself if necessary. But to his surprise and unease the corridors were empty.
Perhaps the other specialists and the monsters had been called outside where the real fight was taking place. But the lack of opponents still made Riven feel on edge. It seemed too easy.
Finally he reached the room where he could make out the group of fairies. Most of them seemed well enough. A bit raddled, scared and exhausted, but alive and unharmed.
The door squealed when he opened it and the noise echoed through the tunnels, alerting everyone who was near to his position. But nothing happened. No one came.
As fairy after fairy rushed past him, some sending grateful and relieved smiles his way, Riven scanned the room. Most were keeping their heads low and it was dark so it took him a moment, but then the realization struck him with full force.
Musa wasn’t among them. She wasn’t here.
“Hey”, he turned to one of the boys who was just marching past him, holding him back with a hand on his arm. “Have you seen Musa?”
The redhead shook his head. “She was never here.”
Riven let him go without another word, closing his eyes for a moment as his answer sank in. If Musa had been taken but never brought here, where the hell could she be?
He knew the fairies were expecting him to guide them outside, or at least somewhere safe, but he couldn’t turn away and leave. Not without her.
“Go through the East corridors. I cleared them on the way here so they should be monster free”, he quickly briefed the last one to pass him, a tall boy with brown curls. “You’re not coming with us?”, he asked surprised and Riven shook his head, his eyes already fixed on the corridors he hadn’t searched yet.
“There’s still someone I need to get.”
With that he left, his heartbeat the only sound guiding him through the darkness.
Warnings: language (because it’s Riven duh), use of alcohol, mentions of drugs, angst, Musa needs help
Summary: It bothered him that her fairy friends had vanished and left her to herself in this goddamn bar. That it was now onto him to take care of her, so he wouldn't be the asshole who had left Musa drunk in a corner of some pub. But most of all it bothered him that it didn't actually bother him at all.
Set in 2x04 when the fairies go to the pub. Musa gets drunk to drown out her feelings regarding her powers leading indirectly to Sam leaving. Surprisingly it's Riven who sees her and takes it upon himself to help her. Because he know what it’s like to want to forget for a moment.
Words: 3k
Pairing: Riven x Musa
A/N: I remember this scene was the first one Musa and Riven interacted in in season 2 and even just that little moment got me so excited. I wasn’t prepared for the amazing content we got afterwards! ^^ This is my take on how differently yet similar things between Musa and Riven could have gone, if she had drowned her pain in alcohol and Riven would have found her.
Also Musa calling Riven Riv is canon and I’m screaming!!
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Of course Riven had noticed her before. He got eyes after all and Musa was undeniably hot. It was not just her fit body, high cheekbones and the dark big eyes engulfed by long lashes, but the way she carried herself. With confidence and an ease he hadn't seen from first years before.
Even with her colourful clothes and little buns she looked stunning where everyone else would have looked childish. But Riven couldn’t help and think that even accompanied by her friends, she looked out of place. Her eyes kept flickering to her surroundings, as if she was anywhere else but never there.
And then there were the headphones. If they didn’t cover her ears she wore them around her neck, always ready for her to pull on. As if she wanted to drown out the world. A feeling so familiar for him, only he chose knives, booze, the occasional drugs and hook-ups for the same effect.
Riven might have made his move at her at the party. She had worn her dark hair in two long tails and applied colourful eye make-up that made her eyes sparkle. She had been a sight to behold for sure. But then he had gotten distracted by Sky and Bloom hitting it off, by Aisha ruining his shirt and when he had looked for her again, she had been gone.
Since then she had clung to little Harvey instead, making lovestruck eyes at him every chance she got. He would have thrown up over it, if he wouldn't have been too caught up with Beatrix.
She was hot and down for fun and that was all that mattered to him. Musa was forgotten. He might have seen her around school, but he never paid much attention to her again, especially since she was friends with Tara.
Tara who hated him and who he gave new reasons for it on a daily basis. She had been his friend once. Before he had begun to escape himself by getting drunk and high or chasing other ways to satisfy his craving for more. More of everything that could distract him.
What Riven had never been prepared for was to find Musa at a pub, swaying a little in her seat as she gulped down another sip of her drink.
He had gotten her one as they had entered the pub, rambling something about taking her mind off everyone else’s emotions. She had looked unimpressed then. A little amused and unsure what to make of his words directed at her, but she had accepted it nonetheless.
Riven hadn't been there to watch her drink it as everyone else went off to do their thing. For a while he had danced with Flora, but while she was fun to be around, she had been clear about their thing never turning into more than a friendship.
Which was a banger, but nothing he couldn't handle.
And eventually he had found himself alone in the corner of the pub, debating if it was reasonable to order another drink. A part of him just wanted to let loose and enjoy his time, but another was hesitant.
Silva had been off the past days and so had been Sky. Riven suspected something was going on in the school, apart from the obvious demon named Rosalind and he didn't want to miss out on a spontaneous mission.
That was where he had found her, at the bar but hidden in a corner, her eyes fixed on the liquor in front of her. He was surprised to see neither Tara nor Flora at her side, only a blonde creeping closer towards her. Musa seemed oblivious to it.
"You wanna go somewhere else?", he asked her just as Riven got within hearing, but Musa didn't even turn her head towards him. "We would have a lot of fun together, you and I!"
Riven clenched his jaw as he saw the blonde lay his hand on her bare arm, leaning closer to her. Finally Musa looked up, her eyes wide.
"Fuck off, mate."
He didn't know who was more surprised when he stepped up; the guy, Musa or Riven himself.
"She's here with you?" Riven took another step forward, nearly grinning when he saw the guy dodge his head. "She's not here with anyone. Now lay off!" With satisfaction he watched him scramble away, his eyes following the guy until he reached the door.
With a low growl Riven turned towards the fairy, her eyes still wide as he looked at him. "You didn't need to do that", she muttered when the shock had vanished and he leaned his back against the bar, watching her.
"Is that how you fairies say thank you?", he teased with a raise of his brows and Musa let out a snort.
"Thank you." But she sounded strangely sincere when she said it, looking him straight in the eyes for a moment before she turned her attention back to her drink.
He could have left then. Could have returned to the school and pretend it had never happened. But her gaze had startled him. Because when she had looked at him, he had seen pain in her eyes.
"Yeah, not for that", he brushed it off, scanning the room once again. But he couldn't make out any of the other girls Musa was so close with.
"Shouldn't you be with your fairy friends or something?" Musa scoffed. "We don't only come in pairs, you know?"
Oh. She was witty. His lips curled up against his will and he watched her for a moment, his eyes shamelessly raking over her face. God, she was pretty. Even though she didn't make an effort she looked beautiful in the dim lights of the pub.
But he pushed the thought away. Musa wasn't someone he could take home for a night and then forget about. She was different.
Riven continued to watch her as she downed the rest of her drink, raising her hand to order another one while swaying in her seat. “You're drunk", he observed and she threw him a look.
"It's the middle of the day."
"Coming from you. Hypocritical much?" He grinned. It was a fair point. "Hey, no judgement here. I would have gotten pissed too." She angled her head at him. "What stopped you?"
He let out a breath. "Silva's been on edge the past days. I don't wanna be day drunk when he calls us in for a mission."
"That sounds...oddly responsible", she stated, not bothering to hide the surprise from her voice. He shrugged it off, not liking the way she was looking at him. Like she saw him and not the Riven she was usually keeping her distance from. The one she must have labelled as a bad influence.
"Don't want to miss out on all the fun", he told her with a wink, which earned him a grimace from her. Good. Better she looked at him with disgust than the soft eyes she had given him before.
"But I think your little friends would appreciate to have you back in one piece, don't you think?" The bartender had noticed Musa's wave now, but Riven gave him a little shake of his head. The guy froze, clearly torn.
"What do they care?" There was a bitterness in her tone he knew too well. But he had never heard it on her before. Not that he had talked to her many times before, he could count the occasions on one hand, but it still sounded wrong coming from her.
"Trouble in paradise?", he mocked, but his grin faded when Musa leaned forward, frantically waving at the bartender. She nearly fell from her chair as she did it, her face stretched into a frown from the effort.
"Whoa, shit!" He turned towards her, his arm gripping hers to stop her from ordering another drink. "I think you've had enough!"
"Let me go, Riv!" There was venom behind her eyes as she glared at him, but he didn't waver. And he noticed her nickname. Riv. Even now that she was upset, he liked the way it sounded coming from her.
They weren't friends, far from it, but the name let him forget about it for a moment. It sounded oddly endearing, even as she gazed at him with fire in her eyes. It didn't impress him at all.
"Come one. If you want to drink more, I have a bottle hidden under my bed. But let's get out of here." She eyed him warily, weighing her options. "You're disgusting if you think I'm going to-"
His eyes widened for a second before he broke into a laugh, effectively silencing her. "That's not what I'm suggesting. God, Musa, where is your head?"
He smirked as he saw her blush before sliding down her stool in a very inelegant way. But he stopped laughing when she looked at him again and he once more saw pain in her eyes.
It was all what it took to sober him up.
Musa wasn't a heavy drinker, at least not that he knew off. And she most definitely wasn't a day drinker. She didn't seem to enjoy herself either. No, she was trying to forget something. Silence her thoughts and feelings by drowning them in liquor.
Something had happened. And strangely he cared enough to wonder what it was. He wanted to know what it was.
Riven couldn't figure out where it was coming from and why it even mattered, why it mattered to him, but the truth was the thought that something was troubling her in a way that made her turn to alcohol at midday made him feel uneasy.
It bothered him not to know what it was. And it bothered him that her fairy friends had vanished and left her to herself in this goddamn bar. That it was now onto him to take care of her, so he wouldn't be the asshole who had left Musa drunk in a corner of some pub.
But most of all it bothered him that it didn't bother him. He had spent a few minutes around a mind fairy and she was already in his head. God, this day sucked.
"Come on. Let's get you out of here", he tried with a softer tone, wrapping his arm around her back to steady her. She looked at him in her stubborn way but when he didn't make a move on her, she relaxed a little and let him guide her outside.
He could smell the alcohol on her breath and she swayed a little as she walked with him, making him wonder just how much she had drunk.
"Mind telling me what it is you want to forget?" Musa gazed at him and he tipped his head at her. "I know that look", he began to explain, "you came here because something or someone made you feel like shit and you want to forget about it."
She still looked at him with her big eyes and he pointed at himself. "I know what I'm talking about. I'm literally the king of avoiding shit until it comes back to bite me in the ass."
Musa studied him and he wondered if his language bothered her. But he only saw how tired she was. "I'm nothing like you." She shook her head, but her words didn't come across as arrogant or had been meant as an insult.
She had said them in a non-judgmental way, as if she was stating facts. Perhaps she was right. At first glance he would have called anyone mad, who would have assumed they could have anything in common.
When he looked at her, he got reminded of how different they were. Where she was the sun, he was the moon. Where she was light, he was darkness. And where she was peace, he was war.
But here she was, letting him guide her as her attempt to drown her pain had left her in such a vulnerable state. Maybe they weren't so different after all, except no one cared enough to make sure he even returned to Alfea after his nights out.
Usual Riven they said. So typical.
No one gave a fuck. Or not enough to care. Just as he forgot about them, people moved on from Riven. He preferred it that way he thought. At least then he could do whatever the hell he wanted and wouldn't disappoint anyone. If they didn’t expect anything for him, at least he wouldn’t let them down.
"You sure about that? 'Cause I'm not the one drunk in the middle of the day." He raised his hand before she could snap at him, trying to calm her. "Look, I don't care about your reasons. But whatever it is, you need to get it together. Because this", he gestured to the counter where her empty glass was still standing where she had left it, "it never works. Trust me on that one."
They had reached the door and Riven held it open for her, waiting for her to pass. But her foot caught on the threshold and she fell forward. Out of reflex his hand shot out to her, holding her at her waist to keep her from falling.
"Careful there", he muttered, helping her regain her stance. "You okay?" Musa nodded quietly, her cheeks a little red. It was a sight he was starting to enjoy. To know that he could have that effect on her.
Musa hummed an answer as he closed the door behind them. He had to squint since his eyes were used to the dark atmosphere of the pub and he saw Musa close her eyes too. A tear escaped her as the sunlight hit her so directly and she wiped at it quickly.
"Shit", she muttered and only then when he looked at her face, he realized it wasn't the sunlight that had caused her eyes to water. "Musa?", he asked hesitantly, a little taken aback but worried to see her facade crumpling.
"Why do you even care?", she asked, turning away from him. Why did he? If only he knew himself. Maybe because he knew what it felt like to hurt and he didn't want her to go down the same path. It led to misery.
"Because if you don't deal with your shit, you will come back to this. And I won't always be here to pick you up."
"Is that what you’re doing?", she asked and he felt his heart skip a beat at the question. How could she have come so dangerously close to his heart? "If you ask Sky."
"But I'm asking you." She was good at this, turning it around so they were talking about him now. A part of him wanted to answer her, but the other was used to guarding his own heart.
Fuck it. Chances were she wouldn't even remember half of this in the morning.
"If I need to get my mind off things I train. But yeah, sometimes that's not enough."
Musa nodded slowly and he remembered what she had told him all those months ago. I used to be a dancer. Kinda miss being physical.
"Sam left me", she blurted out then, grimacing at herself. "Technically he didn't leave me, but he left because of who I am. My powers. It's-", she let out a sigh. "Everyone thinks they are this amazing gift. But they are a burden. Nothing good ever came out of it."
He had indeed heard of Harvey's and his son’s departure, but when he had seen Musa around school, he had assumed it had happened on good terms. She was good at it too, keeping up a facade.
But this ran even deeper than a breakup. What she was talking about, her fairy powers, was what made her who she was in this world. He could see how straining it must have been for her, feeling this way about them while living with her fairy friends and taking magic classes.
"Did you talk to the others about it?", he asked, already expecting her answer when she shook her head. "No I- they wouldn't understand."
He didn't need to ask why. His best friend was Sky, son of the great Andreas, following his legendary father’s footsteps.
"Well screw them." Musa looked up at him, startled. "Screw them all", he continued nonchalant. "This is your life and you can live it however the hell you want!" He could see her wipe at her face again, but he pretended not to see as his whole body softened. "Your powers don't define you, you know?"
Musa swallowed, avoiding his eyes. "The training- can I try it too?"
If it helps you, it might help me too, was what she didn't say but he knew she thought. He should have told her no. Should have done the responsible thing and shut her down. She should have expected to get disappointed by him.
But instead he felt his lips curl up into a smile. "You want me to give you a private lesson?", he asked and Musa scrunched up her nose. "Forget it."
"I’m messing with you. God, you're so easy." And it gave him a thrill to see her react to his words. "Just come by the training grounds when you feel like it."
He saw hesitation in her eyes as she tried to determine whether his offer was serious. "Okay", she mumbled after a moment. "Thanks Riv."
"Oh don't thank me yet. We still have to get you back to school and you're going to wake up with a killer headache tomorrow."
"I know what a hangover is like", she rolled her eyes, but he saw the hint of a smile on her face. "Believe it or not, I have been drunk before."
He pretended to be shocked, surprised by his own goofiness. "Though I remember it as more fun that this", she added and he stepped forward to guide her again.
But when his arm came around her back Musa froze. It caught him off guard, but then he noticed her looking at him. "If you tell anyone about this-", she began and although he would have taken joy in hearing her threat, he sensed this was serious to her.
"Don't worry your little secret is safe with me."
Musa looked at him for a second, as if she was trying to determine whether she could trust him. "You know, you're half as bad as I thought."
His lip curled up into a lopsided smile. She was definitely drunk. "You have been thinking about me?" Musa tried to hit him in the shoulder, but it was a weak attempt in her intoxicated state. "Grow up, Riv!" But he still saw the smile on her lips.
And suddenly a thought crossed his mind. Maybe, this time it would be different. That he wouldn’t ruin it, ruin her. Maybe this time he could be the one to piece her back together.
Really hope someone can get to Flora with an antidote and save her once all the scrapers are dead.
So... Beatrix is dead now? No Trix then? Unless they do pull the Shadow out of whatever realm it was in. They could be planning on switching seasons 2 and 3 around so Darkar becomes the villain of season 3. There is some kind of logic to that but they wouldn't have had to do that if they hadn't ruined Valtor completely so... nope.
Well, they're setting her on fire again. At least this time you can kinda see a skeleton of the wings that isn't made of fire.
Okay, Stella is about to have the same rage explosion over Beatrix that Bloom had over Sky so I think that is official confirmation that they were in love. Certainly not something I was expecting but I'm not complaining about it. Just wish they wouldn't have killed Beatrix.
Sebastian's defeat was so fucking anti-climatic. I'm glad that they got wings or whatever but three of them "transformed" at the same time and there was no feeling of that being earned. Stella seemed pretty mad so I'm not seeing how she was appreciating the negative feelings at that moment.
So Flora was never in danger of dying? Wasn't the whole point to inject herself with something that could kill her so that the scrapers would also die? Or did she survive because with Sebastian gone, her magic came back and saved her?
Musa's magic is back again too.
Bloom's leaving now. Off to sacrifice herself probably. What the fuck is she wearing, though?
That Realm of Darkness doesn't seem very dark at all.
Stella, isn't the violent wind not making any impression on you? And there's the Shadow right there. I guess it came through the portal before Bloom could close it. And we're getting Marion now. Great! They can try and ruin her, too.
And they're still connected to the convergence crystal. Gee, don't see how that could add issues to Bloom going alone to meet Sebastian. I'm sure it will be perfectly fine.
I'm so glad Aisha just keeps ignoring Grey for the sake of her own responsibilities. That's great, thanks.
So Sebastian had a dad? Did they even check any information about Valtor? Or did they just found out he was one of the most popular Winx villains and decided to "base" a character on him just to bait viewers? I'm gonna go with the latter.
Telling Bloom that her magic is on steroids rn was not a good decision. Of course, it is Bloom who's going to be a fucking idiot about all of this so I'm not blaming Aisha but this isn't gonna end well.
I was actually wondering about how the scrapers got Musa since it looked like the door was enough to block them out. It turns out she just stepped out and offered herself up as a meal. Which, okay, her magic is hers and she can do what she wants with it... BUT 1) she was drunk, 2) she was told she's the most powerful mind fairy in Alfea (among the students) and 3) that would be useful against the blood witches, and all of her magic is now making Sebastian even stronger. I'm sure there were other ways to get rid of her magic if she really didn't want it that badly so that at least we could eliminate points 1 and 3.
If Bloom continues to think that Rosalind is looking after anyone but her own interests after this, I will rage. Also, is it me or is the actress (playing Rosalind) not doing a good job? Is she supposed to come off as intimidating? Honestly, she acts like her mind is not really on the situation at hand.
Oh, wow, we finally remembered Farah's death was a thing that happened. Btw for a second there I almost thought Sebastian was gonna say that Rosalind was his mother. I mean, she did say that having children is a waste of time basically but it wouldn't have been the first time she lied about something.
Rosalind really thought that putting the fairy with the Dragon Flame on ice was going to work, huh? That's about as stupid as sending Icy to Omega. At this point I'm hoping Bloom would kill her.
Yeah, no shit you lost control. I would be really pissed off if it turns out that Rosalind is somehow alive and tricked them again, though.
