Thank you @lorei-writes and @pond-lilies for organizing this lovely event ( ´ ▽ ` ).｡ｏ♡
My giftee is Tia - @missgirlicous, so here's a little drawing of your OC - Sanya. I took very personally what you said about possible AU where Sanya is with both Seth and Alice XD. So, here they are, enjoying a date in the park. I hope you like it (￣▽￣*)ゞ
Characters: Sanya Lambert x Seth Hyde x Alice
Trope: Slice of life - A date in the park
(once again I'm reminded I could use a good scanner 🙈)
I was so overwhelmed by all I was feeling that I wasn't even sure I could put any of it into words, but then he leaned closer, catching my gaze.
(Isn't it obvious?!)
MC: YES!
The word burst out of me, my voice bold and sparkling and full of laughter, and I saw the relief in his eyes as his smile widened. He leaned closer again, and pressed a soft kiss against my cheek—a sweet, chaste kiss, filled with love and adoration. (Back then, I was so worried, and so conflicted, and the pain seemed almost too much to bear. But it was all worth it. The future I chose is brighter and more beautiful than I could ever have imagined.)
I'd lost my way, and fallen into Wonderland, but Seth had protected me to the very last. Seth had lost his way, and fallen into the abyss, but I'd brought him out and given him his freedom. (We both helped each other, and saved each other, and that's why we're here now, together. And there have been times when even you've claimed that you don't know which of us is the knight in shining armor. But I've read enough fairy tales, and I know what I want.)
I'd found my very own fairy tale in Wonderland, a fairy tale that promised a happy ending for this princess and her prince. My smile felt brighter than the sun and moon put together, and as I reached out to hug him tightly, I knew how to write the rest of our fairy tale.
The last page wouldn't say 'The End,' and neither would it say 'Goodbye.' It would say 'To Be Continued,' because that was all I wanted—for our happiness to continue like this, forever…
Prompt: In which Alice appears distracted by Sirius and Seth attempts to cheer her up
Word Count: 3.2k
Warnings: Angst, swearing
Author’s Note: The was a very interesting experience. Yeah, having COVID and having your brand spanking new computer break will really do something to your ability to write fic. Hoping the school doesn’t kill me for writing this on their computer.
That being said this was such a wonderful gift exchange to participate in! My deepest thanks to @ikemenlibrary and @sunnyikemen I am always blown away by how kind and wonderful the Ikemen Series community is, and this was no different. And I’m so excited that I got to write for the absolutely wonderful @ikeromantic , who was one of the first Ikemen creators I followed, and whose blog is the most beautifully curated blog to exist, not only in the works she reblogs but in her own wonderful posts. Yes I have read all of your Leonardo series. Yes I will never be the same again. So thank you so much for giving me this opportunity, and I hope that you enjoy my fic!
Seth
Seth hadn’t felt this excited in such a long time. Surely not since Alice had arrived had he felt so overwhelmingly excited. It was a beautiful day, the day that the first summer roses bloomed, and the opportunity of showing them to Alice was something that Seth could surely never pass over. If Seth had to fight back the entire Red Army to make sure Alice enjoyed today, he would. If Seth had to inform, well, there was no point in thinking of that. No work today. Only fun and enjoyment and putting that glorious smile on Alice’s face. Yes. Today was going to be a good day.
“Alice!” He sing-songed, pushing open the door.
Alice was sitting on her bed, staring up and out at one of the windows that had been left wide open. For a flash Seth caught the look on her face. It was soft and distant, and full of such longing it stole the breath away from the soldier’s lungs. For a moment he felt utterly the intruder, a traveler who found himself in a sanctuary that should not have been open to him. It was too personal, too vulnerable. It was the kind of expression he longed for Alice to share with him, but knew he had not yet crossed such a boundary. And yet, here he was.
The door handle banged on the wall and Alice jolted awake. Turning her head towards the source of the noise a very different smile painted her face as she bounded out of bed and made her way towards the door.
“Seth!” She cried out happily. “How are you?”
“Wonderful my dear Alice,” Seth chimed back. “But all the more wonderful now that I can see you again. It has been far too long!”
“You saw me last night after dinner,” Alice giggled.
“Ah but I am a needy man! How am I supposed to survive knowing that I haven’t seen you in over eight hours!”
“Aw Seth.” Alice patted the Ten of Spades on the shoulder. “How did you ever survive without me?”
“I don’t know! It really is a miracle that I managed to survive this long honestly. We’re surrounded by heathens Alice, we really are. Even Ray’s a heathen in his soul. Even Sirius.”
Alice raised an eyebrow, a bemused smile playing on her face. Nevertheless the air has shifted, and Seth noticed a tension that had not been there before. Ah. So there was something behind her gaze earlier then. He should have known.
“Has something happened between you and Ray and Sirius? I told you they’re heathens, but I promise they know how to apologize if they’ve done something wrong.”
“I’m sure they do.” Alice’s smile was slightly acerbic. “No Seth, there is nothing seriously wrong.”
“Says the woman who looks like she just swallowed a lemon.”
“You aren’t going to let this pass over, are you?”
“Of course not! It is my job to make sure that you are happy and healthy and never have a sour thought in your head.”
“I think you’ve set yourself an impossible task,” Alice laughed. Nevertheless her shoulders relaxed, and she drew a little closer to her companion. “Yes Seth, there is something I’m, sour, about.”
“Might I enquire as to what it is?”
“Would I have admitted it to you if I didn’t plan on ever telling you? Yes, of course you can. It’s Sirius.”
Seth let out a gasp.
“Yes, yes I know. I didn’t think that Sirius would ever be able to make me upset either. The man is, well, perfect. Maybe that’s what so annoying about it. But no, that’s not really it either. It’s the fact that he insists on treating me like a child whenever there’s something more serious than weeding the garden.
“And don’t start with the idea of good intentions or some such thing. I know perfectly well that it’s only because he worries. But I don’t care, not really. It doesn’t make it any less infuriating. How is he supposed to ever take me seriously when he can’t even trust me to run an errand outside of the Black Army territory? Or let me do anything to help around? I don’t want to be waited upon hand and foot, and I don’t want to be stuck in my room while you all do important things. I know that I fell down here by chance but, but can’t I help?”
Alice sighed, placed her face in her hands. Seth felt a pang. Approaching his companion he wrapped her into a large, warm hug. At first Alice did nothing, but slowly she began to relax, and eventually tentative hands wrapped around Seth’s neck as she accepted the hug.
“I’m sorry Alice.”
“It’s not your fault Seth, thank you. I appreciate you being here for me.”
“Of course I’m here for you! After all, there is nothing I wouldn’t do for my dear friend. Even fist-fighting Sirius isn’t off the table.”
“Oh don’t do that!” Alice gasped. “As much as I complain, I don’t think Sirius is that much of a lost case.”
“It didn’t seem that way when you were talking about him just now.”
“Really Seth, you can’t go picking fights with Sirius. It’s not that important.”
“Of course it is if it’s making you so upset! How could you say something to the contrary?”
“Because I live in the real world?”
“Not anymore you don’t,” Seth smirked. “Speaking of which I have the perfect remedy for you! Did you know that today is the day the first summer roses bloom? Well if you didn’t you know now, and I’m taking you to see them!”
He pulled away from Alice, only to grab her hand and start out the door.
“Seth, wait!”
“No! I’m not letting you talk me out of this one! No sitting and moping for you!”
“Okay, yes, thank you. I’m not wearing shoes.”
“Oh.” Seth let go of her hand. “Sorry. I’ll, let you do that.”
“Thank you,” Alice said. The look on her face betrayed her amusement.
Seth giggled and stepping out into the hall. He’d make this a good day for her. Come hell or high water he would.
The rose could hardly be said to have bloomed. Tentative petals opened up towards the sun, instinctively keeping their inward curl. Hundreds of eyes opened for the first time, blinking at the starkness of the light, the air, the world. Still there was an energy to them, to all these new-bloomed roses. They spoke of life. They spoke of new beginnings.
“I would pluck one for you, but it would be cruel to do so on their first day of bloom.”
“It really would be a pity.”
Alice tapped one of the roses gently, a deep satiny red one. It trembled against her finger, dew jumping down to spatter the ground. It really was such a new and little thing, though maybe it was silly to think that of a flower. Roses here, however, seemed to defy the ordinary.
“How long do they bloom?”
“All throughout the summer. They don’t start to wilt until the first day of Autumn, though then they’re usually gone within a week. Though of course you know that they’ll be here again today, just like clockwork.”
“It’s impressive that they should bloom so long and so regularly. Flowers never behave like that in London.”
“Ah yes well, the flowers in your London don’t seem to be as put together as ours here. Really they should learn a lesson or two.”
“Perhaps,” Alice nodded absentmindedly. “There’s nothing wrong with London flowers though. In a way, there’s also something beautiful about roses that don’t stick around.”
“I guess,” Seth shrugged.
“You don’t believe me do you?”
“Oh I do! It’s only, well, it’s sad to think of beautiful things dying, isn’t it? Imagine how devastated I’d be if something happened to you? Then again, your beauty would only be part of that.”
It was always fun to tease Alice like that. Seth swore he could see the emotions rippling through her eyes when he leaned in close. Now they flashed for a moment, the distant and sad look in them scattering like so many rain clouds. They stayed that way for only a moment, before drifting back down to Earth. It was worth it regardless.
“Oh shove off!” Alice pushed at Seth’s shoulder slightly. “Well I’m glad to hear at least that thinking I’m pretty isn’t the sole motivation behind your sadness if something happened to me. But I’ll have you know I intend to stick around longer than these roses.”
“You do?”
“Of course! I intend to live until I’m 100!”
“I’ll cheer you on then!”
Seth tried not to think about how that wasn’t what he meant. After all, what did it mean for Alice to live to 100 if she lived it in the Land of Reason? Of course, it would be better than her dying. He wasn’t a monster. But he wasn’t an angel either, leave that the other army members. No, he was just a man, and in that moment such selfishness rippled through him that he knew if he didn’t stay completely silent he’d say something wrong and ruin it all. A pity. But there was nothing he could do about it. Better not spoil the day.
The duo went to grab crepes at a café, before walking down the long narrow strip of cobblestone towards the grounds of the Black Army. Seth had considered taking Alice down farther into Cradle – after all the most beautiful roses bloomed in the Rose Garden – but eventually decided against it. It would bring up too many emotions, and Alice seemed to be otherwise preoccupied.
“Did you enjoy today?” He couldn’t help but ask it, knowing what she’d say.
“What? Oh. Yes! It was a wonderful day. Thank you Seth, if it weren’t for you I would have never seen such beautiful flowers. Or I would have seen them and been oblivious to anything about them.”
“I’m glad to hear that, truly. But, really Alice. You seemed very distracted.”
“Did I?” Alice let out a catch of breath. “I’m sorry Seth. I didn’t mean to seem that way. Really, I promise I do appreciate you doing this. It was a wonderful outfit, and if I seemed distracted or like I couldn’t appreciate it properly, well, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be apologizing. The roses will be there tomorrow. They’ll be there all summer, and next year they’ll bloom again. I’m more worried about you Alice. It’s not like my partner in crime to be so dour. Even the crepes haven’t tantalized you – and don’t say that they have because I can tell otherwise.”
“Isn’t Fenrir supposed to be your partner in crime?”
“Sometimes.”
“I’d hate to split up a perfectly good duo.”
“Alice you’re so mean to avoid the question you know.”
“I know,” Alice sighed. “I just. I can’t stop thinking about, well, Sirius.”
“I told you that I would give him a real lesson if necessary! They don’t let just anyone into the Army you know. I’ll march right to the Queen’s office and give him a real piece of my mind. Maybe I’ll even challenge him to a duel afterwards! Clearly his behavior has gone much too far, and now he needs ot be punished for it.”
“But it’s, no. I’m not going to be causing conflict between Army members. And I know that you’re not joking Seth. Please. Don’t go off and start a duel.”
“Really, you’re in the way of my great chivalrous nature Alice. How could you be so cruel? But truly, even if I decide to be magnanimous and not challenge this man to a swordfight, I won’t allow this to hang over your head. I happen to be wonderful at conflict avoidance.”
“Says the man who was just threatening a swordfight.”
“There is nothing wrong with a good duel. And as I was saying, I happen to be wonderful at conflict avoidance, and will do all in my power to help you resolve this.”
“There’s nothing you can do Seth.”
“Nonsense! I’ll just speak sense into him.”
“But… no. I, I don’t want you to do that?”
“Whyever not?”
A pit was forming in Seth’s stomach. Somehow it had been forming there for the past ten minutes; though he’d somehow managed to remain oblivious to it until now. It was unavoidable now though. There were bars of iron in his stomach, and though Seth had an inkling as to what might alleviate them, he also knew to do so was impossible.
Stupid. Stupid, stupid. How had he managed to get himself in this situation? He knew what would happen, he’d seen it since he’d first walked into her room and seen that distant look on her face. Even if Alice did not know he did. And he could do nothing but walk right into the wall of thorns.
“Because, because…”
Realization was dawning on Alice’s face, slower than his own but no less certain. She let out a faint gasp, a half sort of laugh. Then she stopped short, staring silently at some invisible point. She was no idiot, not Alice. She knew. What a pity that Seth had to be there when she realized it.
He could break it. Could say ‘Earth to Alice’ or some such thing. Could watch as she snapped back to reality, as she brushed it off. Could watch as she walked silently down the road to the Headquarters, eating her desert and lost in her thoughts. Could pretend this wasn’t happening. Could never bring it up again.
He really could.
“Alice? Do, do you want to talk about Sirius with me?”
Damn it.
Alice turned to Seth. The shock was still written on her face, but recognition was also there too. She nodded silently.
What else could he do? Seth opened his arms and stood silent as Alice dove into them, shaking her head wildly and whispering “fuck”.
“I like Sirius. Seth! Seth, I like Sirius. I, I like Sirius.”
“Yes Alice, truly how could you? How could you fall in love with any man other than myself?”
“Shut up. I didn’t want to fall in love with Sirius. Not when he’s always, always babying me. And trying to comfort me, even when I’m frustrated with him. And, and taking care of me even when I don’t ask him to, even when I don’t think I need it, or don’t realize it. And, ugh, I. Seth!”
“Truly Alice, you’re a lost cause.”
“I am!”
The two had found a low wall to sit on, and Alice was alternatively pacing furiously in front of it and burying her head in Seth’s shoulder, her monologue never slowing down no matter how out of breath she became or how muffled her words were by Seth’s jacket. A dam had broken, and now there was no stopping it until all of Alice’s thoughts and feelings had seen the light of day.
Really Seth should’ve been happy that Alice trusted him so much. Should have been happy that Alice was finally able to say what had so obviously been on her mind for a long time. He tried to tell himself it was enough, and really it had to be. This was not the time for confessions. Not after the shock Alice’s emotions were going through. Really he should’ve been happy. But he was a friend, not a saint, and happiness seemed quite impossible now.
“Alice, calm down darling, please. We, you, must decide what you’re going to do about this. Do you wish to confess to Sirius?”
“I think I’d rather fall down another hole in the ground. How am I supposed to confess to Sirius, to lay my emotions bare, when I know that he does not respect me?”
“He respects you plenty Alice. There is no one here in the Black Army who does not.”
“No, he doesn’t. Or if he does it’s, it’s not properly. He doesn’t see me as an equal. Or else he wouldn’t treat me like a child.”
“Have you not considered that he might be simply concerned for you? Contrary to popular belief Alice, it is not impossible that he should, well…”
“Well what?”
“Well, also care for you. And want to keep you safe.”
“Ridiculous. Sirius sees me as a sister.”
“Is that what you’ve been telling yourself?”
“Yes. Because it’s the truth.”
“Very well, if you say so!”
“Seth!”
Alice let out a sigh. Finally out of energy she plopped down onto the wall. Absentmindedly her hand sought Seth, pulled his hand into her lap as she intertwined her fingers. Seth grew impossibly still, did not pull away. He couldn’t decide if he should or not.
Neither could really estimate how long the two sat there. The sun was continuing its own placid pace, dipping down towards the west. The clouds began to turn pink, looking almost like rose petals in the quickly reddening sky. It was beautiful. It was all so beautiful. It was all so beautiful and it was all so wrong. Even if the two couldn’t agree on why, they could at least agree on that. Even if they didn’t realize it, in that moment they were of one mind.
“You should tell him,” Seth murmured. “You know you should.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Then you’ll just let this secret eat you up? Alice, dear, you should not do something so cruel to yourself.”
“I don’t want to tell him.”
“Very well.”
Another pause. Alice scooted herself closer to Seth. She laid her head on his shoulder. Taking a few deep breaths she closed her eyes. Seth let her. Of course he did.
“Thank you Seth.”
“What for?”
“For being here for me, for putting up with me. Really, I don’t know why you do it.”
Seth could help but let out a laugh. “Really? You don’t?”
“Should I?”
“Of course you should! I am your bestest friend, am I not? Here am I not an oasis in an island of brutes.”
“Yes, you are,” Alice laughed. “What would I do without you.”
“What would you do?”
“I don’t know. I don’t ever want to find out. Keep being my friend Seth, okay?”
“Of course I will. That was never in question.”
“Good.” Alice stared down into her lap. “Good.”
They stayed there as the sun set, let the shadows grow longer and turn purple. There was no rush and they were both exhausted, each in their own way.
Seth glanced down once at Alice, surprised to find her asleep, shoulders raising and falling softly. He squeezed the hand that was still clasped within his.
“Sleep well my dear Alice. You deserve the rest.”
He pushed down the selfish thought that he did too.
so i'm playing ikepri since its EN release and Rio's been my fav from day 1. i'm currently saving items for his route release and the fear of him being another one of those super charismatic characters in any other route BUT theirs is making my heart ache.
if by any chance he's like a Seth or Keiji 2.0 idk, i'd be kinda disappointed but not surprised, it's just that i'm not into that archetype. i think i would get to like him even more if he turns out to be similar to Loki but still, it makes more sense of Rio being similar to Keiji after reading his event stories.
ikepri is the game from cybird i've spent the most time playing just so i could farm items for any event featuring Rio which kinda explains why i'm here rn getting all delulu over my favourite character-hypothetically-being-cold towards mc. i definitely need to touch some grass lmao.
When you are their wife and ask them “What 3 things would you take if we divorce?”
I was inspired by the divorce challenge in Tik Tok. I’m glad I could finish this...
PLEASE ENJOY IT <3 <3
Black Army Version
Ray:
He surprised “What?? We are not gonna divorce! Why would you ask??”
“I’m curious. Just answer itt.”
”The answer is no. We are not going to divorce.”
“Oh come onnnn. I said “If”, just “if” “
After a few minutes, he sighed “Well, I guess I will take my cat.”
“Just Belle?” You dissapointed a little bit.
“Oh and Belle too. And kids, if we have.”
“You said cat already, one more thing.” You started to sulked.
“I said three things already.”
“You have just said Belle and our kids!”
“You are misundestanding, I said my cat, Belle and our kids.”
“Belle and your cat count as one!”
“I mean Belle and my other cat.”
“Who is your other cat? One of the stray cat in the alley?”
He came close to you, his hand lifted your chin, eyes narrowed
“No. “My cat” is someone who naughty enough to has a thought that we’re gonna divorce.”
“Wha--” you flustered
Ray super enjoyed your react “I need to train that cat properly in order to make sure that she won’t have that shitty thought again.”
He lower his body, wrapped you into his arms and whispered
“Meet me in my room at 2000 (08:00 PM). And don’t think about run away.”
Sirius:
He calmly put down his documents “Little lady, why would you think that?”
“It’s not like that, I’m curious. You just need to answer.”
“Did I... do something wrong?”
His voice sounded normal. But you were making him freaking sweat. His brain tried to recall any words or actions that made you sad.
“It’s because I...forced you to wake up early? I will let--”
“Nooooooo! I said “If”!! You did nothing wrong!!” You rushed to him, your arms wrapped around his neck and your face burried into his hair.
“It’s not like I will divorce you or something. I am so happy with you. I just got curious, women in town was talking about their husband react when they asked...”
“Oh...I see.”
HE STOPPED PANIC IN HIS HEAD. THANK GODNESS!
“Well, I don’t need anything, you can take it all.”
“Huh?”
“Because I’m gonna seduce you again anyway.”
That’s smooth react of him...
“H-Hmph! You sound so confident! What if I won’t fall for you again.”
“A ha ha... Such a shame...”
That night, you SO REGRETED for saying that.
Your face covered with tears, your voice hoarsed after all that moans and begging. You can’t count how many times you and he came.
“I’m sorry.” He hugged you so carefully. “I just want to make something... something that will tie you with me, so you won’t even think about that anymore...” He rubbed your belly.
“Please don’t say that again. I will be sad, okay?”
Luka:
NO.
NOPE. DON’T ASK HIM.
I SAID NO.
But after collected all your streght, YOU STILL ASKED HIM
“So... Luka, I just wondering...”
“Yes, what’s wrong?”
He’s so innoccent!
“This is “IF” okay? Just “IF”!”
“....Okay”
“Well... I really just wondering .... If...”
“If? Just say it, I will hear everything you say.”
“If... we divorce.... what three things... would you take?”
Your trembled voice made this sound so fuckin real
The potato in his hand was dropped. Or his heart.
YOU MORONNNN
HOW DARE YOUUUUUU
After few seconds in shock, he tried to collect his mind
“Alice... Did I... do something wrong?”
“Eh? N-No, I mean--”
“I will work hard to protect you! I will become stronger!”
“Or did my food is not good enough? Tell me what you want to eat, I will do it perfectly!”
“Or do you want something? I’ll buy it for you? Or did because of me? Tell me and I will fix it. I am going to fix it!”
LOOK WHAT HAVE YOU DONE
He was messed. Totally messed!
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I was joking! I WAS JOKING! I WON’T EVER SAY IT AGAIN!” You hugged him tightly, so regretted. SCREW OF THAT CHALLENGE! SCREW OF MY CURIOUS!!
“I don’t want to divorce...” He hugged you back “Please don’t say that... “
“Yes, I’m so sorry for being silly. I love you so much that I am not going to let you go. We will never divorce.”
Seth:
“WHATTTTTTT????? ALICE WHYYYYYYYYY??????”
He screamed so loud that the whole HQ could hear it.
“NOOOOOOOO!!”
“S-Seth, calm down! I said “If”, IF!!”
“HOW COULD I CALM DOWN AFTER YOU SAID THAT?”
He hugged you so tight
“S-Seth... I can’t breath...”
He loosen his arms, but it still wrapped around you.
You two falled down on the bed.
He burried his face into your neck, sulked
“Alice has just said something that make me so sad...”
You started regret. You didn’t think it would affect him like this...
“I’m sorry... I just being curious... I want to see your reaction.... I won’t divorce, of course.”
“I really love you so much. I don’t want to give you to anyone. Sorry for make you feel insecure...”
He still snuggled with your neck.
“Still... I want to know what will you do if we divorce, but that’s not gonna--”
“You want to hear it that badly?”
“Hm? No, I don’t need it--”
Wait
When did he tie you hands together???
WHY DID HE SMILE SO TERRIFIED??
“Well, I would say you’re pretty naive to think that I will ever let you do that.”
“Now, I think someone need to be punished for make me hurt so much.”
His eyes was freaking glowing!!
Unlike Sirius, who waited for the night to come, Seth didn’t care it was still middle of the day. He punished you ALL DAY
He made sure that little brain of your just has him.
Fenrir:
You shocked him
He dropped his favourite pistols
“F-Fenrir?”
It took him 5 seconds to collect himself
“We’re not going to divorce.”
He sounded firmly
“WE’RE NOT GOING TO DIVORCE!”
“I know, I know, I won’t, we won’t. I said “If” okay? Just for curious. It’s just a game.”
After explained, he reliefed “Ya nearly freaked me to death!”
You laughed “I didn’t think you would react like that.”
He hugged you “Hmmm... what should I take from you...”
He still in the game? You looked at his eyes.
“Hmm... First... I’ll take our children.”
“....Okay..” Was this idiot really think about three things??
Fenrir suddenly smled mischievously
!!!
He squeezed your ass!!
“Then your body and your heart. Over.”
“H-hey!” you blushed, he still squeezed...
Then he pushed you down on the floor “I need to mark this ass so no other damn men dare to touch my wife!”
“You are mine. And I’m yours. No interfering”
“But what about our children?”
“Let them find their own partner. You are mine alone!”
THANKS FOR READING AND REMEMBER PLEASE DON’T SAY THAT AGAIN, OUR MEN WILL HURT *Pat Luka*
