Nov 8, 2025
ANOTHER ART DUMP!! (Yuri Edition)
Hi. I'm not dead. Have art:
Starting off strong with the yuri poly (minus 1 lesbian...)
(Naz belongs to @lookatmysillies, Wren belongs to @ivanttakethis).
seen from Japan
seen from Netherlands
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Brazil
seen from United Kingdom
seen from China
seen from Egypt
seen from United States
seen from France
seen from Malaysia
seen from Russia
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Türkiye
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
ANOTHER ART DUMP!! (Yuri Edition)
Hi. I'm not dead. Have art:
Starting off strong with the yuri poly (minus 1 lesbian...)
(Naz belongs to @lookatmysillies, Wren belongs to @ivanttakethis).
Boo Monisla jumpscare
Cough. I can't stop drawing my lesbiabs..
Some more Wren and Naz (feat. Isla)..
Okay that's it for now hehe
Wren’s Log - Entry 1.9
————————————————————
Wren grabbed Naz’s arm and pulled her back into the dressing room.
“Wren, wait—”
“Sit down.” She said, guiding Naz over to the nearest chair and releasing her.
Wren tried to keep the edge out of her voice, but her mind was a mess.
It was harder to keep the mask from slipping.
I’m acting like a soldier again.
She expected Naz to push back, to get angry and raise her voice and argue.
But when Wren turned to face her, Naz was sitting in the chair, silent.
It was odd seeing her so… subdued.
Her usual fire was all but gone.
She wouldn’t even look at her.
Wren couldn’t look away.
Her emotions were a tangle of webs in her chest.
Anger. Betrayal. Fear.
It had been a long time since Wren was afraid of anything.
But she was afraid of what Naz would say, and what it would mean for the future of their relationship.
Maybe Naz was afraid too.
Wren took a deep breath, “What just happened?”
Naz glanced up at her for a moment, before looking away again. “We were arguing.”
“About what?”
She hesitated, “…Season 39.”
Wren held in a sigh.
She knew something like this would happen.
Naz was still raw about losing Akane, and in her eyes Tov was the reason she was gone.
It wasn’t Tov’s fault, but emotions were messy like that.
Wren hadn’t wanted them to meet any time soon.
If she’d known Tov was coming to the studio, she wouldn’t have brought Naz.
“What did you argue about exactly?”
“I wanted her to apologize for what happened with Akane.” Naz said quietly.
“And she didn’t?”
“Tov said I wouldn’t accept it even if she did apologize.”
“And you wouldn’t have.”
It was a statement, not a question.
Wren had known her for too long and too well to even think she would accept any pity, asked for or not.
Naz didn’t correct her.
“I said some personal stuff, and she said some personal stuff back, and then she brought up you—” Naz stops herself short, clamping her mouth shut.
Brought up what?
What rattled you so badly?
She waited for Naz to continue.
Only silence followed.
Whatever Tov said, it was clear that Naz wasn’t going to share.
“How did the letter come up?” Wren asked, pressing ahead.
“She said Akane wasn’t the person I thought she was, and I needed to make peace with that.” Naz said.
Wren drew in a sharp breath, surprised by the sting Tov was capable of.
But she had said much worse to other people in the past.
It seemed to run in the family.
“That’s when I brought up the letter, and Himei doing the same thing to Tov. She told Tov that she—”
“Stop.” Wren held her hand up. “I don’t want to know what Himei said.”
“You… don’t?”
“No, I don’t.” She said. “That letter was meant for Tov. I shouldn’t know what it says, and you shouldn’t either.”
Naz’s expression turned painful, “You’re right. I fucked up.”
At least she admits it…
Wren crossed her arms over her chest and sighed, “It sounds like you both gave as good as you got.” She said. “But you shouldn’t have started the fight. Tov is hurting over this too.”
“I know that now.” Naz closed her eyes, “The look on her face when she told you not to call her was…”
Awful.
So awful it made Wren’s chest ache.
She hadn’t felt guilt like that in years.
“Why did you have the letter? Why did you go through my stuff?” Wren asked.
“It’s hard to explain—”
“Do you not trust me?”
Naz’s eyes shot open and she reached out for Wren, like she was desperate for her to understand, “No, it’s not that!”
She frowned, “Then what is it?”
“I thought Asuka was cheating on Leto with you.” Naz said quickly.
Wren froze as the words registered, lips parted, too stunned to speak.
…What?
“I went through your bag after you went to sleep to look for proof.”
What the fuck?
“What the fuck?”
Naz looked up at her, hesitant, “So it’s true?”
“Holy fuck Naz. No, it’s not true!” Wren shouted.
“But you went to BLINK together. You were gone the whole night.”
“I was comforting him.” Wren said.
“What about all that stuff you said about not being able to get what you want? Not wanting to mess up what you already have?” Naz asked. “That wasn’t about him?”
Wren ran her hands through her braids and tugged. “No! That wasn’t about Asuka. I don’t even like guys!”
Naz blinked, confused, “You don’t?”
Wren wanted to scream.
She’s going to make me confess out of pure exasperation.
“I like girls. I’ve only ever liked girls. I’ve never desired a man in my life!”
“Oh…”
Wren’s involuntary chuckle bordered on maniacal.
This is crazy. I’m going fucking crazy.
“So it’s Monica, then?” Naz asked. “You went to BLINK with her too.”
“It’s not Monica.”
“Is it Isla?”
“It’s not Isla.”
“Then who is it?”
“Why do you care?”
“Because I want it to be me.”
Naz’s confession echoed in Wren’s mind, knocking all of the air out of her lungs.
Neither of them spoke.
The dressing room felt so much smaller than when they came in earlier.
Wren had to force herself to breathe.
“What?”
Naz rubbed the back of her neck, her cheeks bright red, “Don’t make me say it again.” She mumbled.
No.
No no no. Don’t back out now.
Wren clenched her fists.
“Say it.” She ordered, voice shaking, “I need to hear you say it.”
I need to know this is real.
“Alright, alright. Fine.” Naz sighed, still not meeting her eyes. “I like you. A lot.” She cleared her throat, “Maybe even…”
“Love me?” Wren’s voice caught at the end, an octave higher than normal.
The pressure behind her eyes kept building.
“Yeah, something like— what the fuck why are you crying?”
Wren sucked in a sharp breath around the lump in her throat. “I am?”
“You can’t tell?” Naz tsked, leaning forward to messily wipe the tears off of her cheeks.
Wren surrendered as soon as her warm hands touched her face.
She could feel callouses on her palms.
Has Naz ever been this gentle before?
“I don’t know why you’re crying.” Naz said. “I’m the one who got rejected.”
“Rejected?” Wren repeated.
“Well yeah, it’s clearly not me so—”
Naz tried to pull her hands away from Wren’s face, but Wren took hold of her wrists, keeping her there.
“It is you.” She said, loud and forceful.
She wasn’t going to let Naz doubt her or her feelings by being soft or quiet.
That’s not who she was.
That’s not who Naz was either.
Wren held her breath and kept her gaze steady.
I love you.
She watched as the realization of her confession slowly set in.
I love you.
Naz’s red eyes turned glassy.
I love you.
“Oh.” She said, her voice no louder than a whisper. “It’s me?”
“Yeah.” Wren smiled, “It’s you.”
Naz held her gaze for another moment, before her expression crumbled.
“Fuck, I’m so stupid.”
Wren laughed, her chest light, “For which part? Going through my stuff, or thinking I was in love with Asuka?”
“All of it.” She grumbled.
Wren held back another laugh, pulling Naz into an embrace instead.
She looped her arms around Naz’s shoulders and rested her head against the slope of her neck.
Naz was warm.
Very warm.
And she smelled like cherry candy.
Wren’s favorite flavor.
“We can be stupid together then.” She murmured.
Naz wrapped her arms around Wren’s waist and pulled her closer.
Her heart was racing a mile a minute.
She wanted to scream at the top of her lungs and burst into an incandescent shimmer of light.
It was probably illegal to feel this happy.
Naz loves me.
She knows I love her.
We’re in love with each other.
Holy fuck I might die.
“Don’t die, idiot.” Naz muttered, tightening her grip.
Wren swooned and squeezed her back.
“I won’t. I promise.”
———
Wren called.
Even though Tov explicitly told her not to, she called.
And called.
And called.
And called.
Paced the length of the hotel room back and forth like a wild wagyein in cage far too small.
Flooded Tov’s voicemail until the inbox was full.
The first went something like: “Hey, it’s me. I know you said not to call but I’m worried about you. Let me know when you get this.”
The last was: “Give me a call back or send me a message — even if it’s to tell me to fuck off. I just want to make sure you’re… safe.”
“I don’t think she’s gonna pick up.” Naz said from their bed.
The guilt of what she had done to Tov was setting in.
She looked nothing short of dejected.
Wren sighed, her finger hovering over the redial button on her phone screen.
She’d always been stubborn.
One more time.
Just one more time.
“I’m gonna try one more time.” She said. “Then I’ll stop.”
Naz sighed but didn’t say anything else.
Wren pressed redial and stepped back into the bathroom, closing the door to listen as the phone rang.
And rang.
And rang.
And rang.
“Wren.”
Relief washed over Wren so quickly she laughed, “Oh thank fuck you answered.”
“My phone wouldn’t stop ringing.”
“Sorry.” She said, not sounding sorry in the slightest. “Are you… okay?”
Stupid fucking question, of course she isn’t okay.
“As okay as I can be.” Tov said.
It was hard to gauge how her sister was feeling over the phone.
Tov could mask emotion in her voice almost flawlessly when she wanted to.
“I’m sorry, Tov.” Wren said, sincere this time. “I shouldn’t have kept Himei’s letter from you. I found it in your dorm room after your heart attack, but I didn’t tell you about it because you were so—”
“Fragile?”
She closed her eyes and sighed, “I was trying to protect you.”
That was at the heart of everything Wren did — protecting the people she cared about.
“I didn’t want you to get hurt anymore than you already were.” She said. “But I did a pretty shit job at that part huh?”
“You could say that.”
Ouch.
“And I’m sorry about Naz, too. Using the letter from Himei against you was fucked up. I think she realizes that now.”
“It’s fine.” Tov said. “I was going to find out sooner or later.”
Wren frowned, “Still…”
“The only way I’ll accept the apology is if it comes directly from Naz.”
Well fuck.
Naz was just as stubborn as her, if not more so.
Even though Wren could tell that Naz regretted what she said, getting her to apologize for anything was like pulling teeth.
Tov probably knew that too.
“I’ll tell her.” She said.
“Does that mean you two worked everything out?”
Wren sputtered, “H-How did you—”
“When you were angry with Naz, she looked terrified.” Tov said. “It wasn’t hard to put the pieces together.”
Wren pressed her hand to her cheek, finding it already warmer than normal.
“We did.”
“Are you happy?” Tov asked.
A rush of emotions welled up in Wren’s throat. Love rose to the top.
“I am.” She said, smiling softly. “Happier than I’ve been in a long time.”
“Then that’s all that matters. You can tell me more about it later.” Tov said.
Wren’s smile fell.
“Are you sure?” She asked. “I’m liable to talk about Naz for hours. Do you really want to hear all of that? You know, after Himei… and Tallis too.”
“Tallis isn’t dead.”
“…”
“…”
“Tov, what the fuck?!”
“Lower your voice.”
“Fine!” Wren lowered her voice to a whisper, “Tov, what the fuck?!”
Tov simply huffed.
She could tell her sister was rolling her eyes.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“There was never a good time.”
Wren couldn’t argue with that.
The end of Season 39 had been an absolute clusterfuck.
There really wasn’t a good time to have that conversation.
“So what, did he call you up like ‘hey Tov I’m actually not dead, isn’t that great?’”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
This whole situation is ridiculous.
“How do you know then?”
“He sent me a song.” She said.
“A song?”
“Yes.”
That’s fucking ridiculous.
Wren pinched the bridge of her nose, holding in a sigh, “And you know that it’s him? Like, one hundred percent you know it’s him?”
“He’s the only person it could be.”
“Elaborate.”
“Tallis wrote the song for me as a gift.” She said. “We’re the only two people who know it. He said he didn’t need to write it down because he’d never forget.”
“Damn, that’s romantic as fuck.”
Tov sighed, “Yeah, I’m realizing that.”
Wren snorted, incredulous, “It took you until now to realize?”
“Don’t throw stones in a glass house.”
She got me there.
“How long have you known?”
“Since right before Round 26.”
So that’s where the fire in Tov’s eyes had come from.
She knew that someone she loved so dearly was still out there.
He’s the reason she wanted to fight again.
I guess I owe you one, Tallis.
“When was the last time you heard from him?”
“Since right before Round 26.” Tov said again, flatter this time.
Wren was just starting to learn that the tone in her sister’s voice was one of frustration.
“That’s not a lot to work with.” She said.
“It’s nothing to work with. There’s nothing I can do.”
Wren tapped her finger against the bathroom counter.
Maybe you can’t, but I could.
She kept the thought to herself, at least for the moment.
“So what now?”
“I… I don’t know.” Tov whispered.
She had never heard Tov so unsure of herself.
I need to find this guy and fast.
“Just hang in there, alright? If Tallis is reaching out then he’s trying to find his way back to you.”
“I know.” Tov sounded a little more confident in her answer this time.
“Good. Keep going.”
Tov sighed, long and weary.
“I’m trying.” She said. “Goodnight.”
“Night.”
She waited until Tov hung up, set her phone on the counter, and threw open the bathroom door, “Naz!”
Naz looked up immediately, “Huh?”
Wren rushed over to her girlfriend — wow, she never thought she’d get to call Naz that — and tackled her on the bed, grinning.
“I know how you can apologize to Tov.”
“Really?” Naz wheezed underneath her, cheeks flushed, “How?”
“Remember that guy from Round 7? The one with green eyes and freckles.”
“Uh, maybe?”
“Okay great, so his name is Tallis and my sister is in love with him—”
“I thought she loved Himei?”
Wren waved Naz’s confusion off, “Tov has two hands.” She said. “But never mind any of that. Tallis is still alive.”
“How? We saw him get shot. Twice.”
“Seems like neither of the shots were fatal.” She shrugged. “I don’t know how he managed to escape the complex, but he’s out there somewhere, and he reached out to Tov.”
“That’s nice and all, but what does it have to do with me making things right with Tov?”
Wren grabbed Naz’s hands and squeezed, determined to see her plan through, “We’re going to find him.”
————————————————————
CHAT WE FINALLY HAVE CANON YURI!!! NAZWREN IS REAL!!!!!!
Originally Wren and Naz’s conversation and confession was going to be more explosive, given their personalities.
But I think this softer, quieter version shows that they’re able to be vulnerable and gentle (or at least as gentle as they can be) with each other.
Something something, Wren cries when she feels loved, something something…
Shoutout to Nazwren Nation! We won!!
Naz, Himei, and Tallis belong to @lookatmysillies
Monica and Isla belong to @nottoonedin
Asuka and Leto belong to @imperfectnothing
Tagging: @alien-til-i-stage @apple8ees @yunoftheclouds @verdantlights @4listr @billwasnot @starry-skiez @chevalperd @rosedeleca @friedclownshrimp @apriciticreveries @crows-suast4r @awaggaa
I'll stand by your side like I always do (In the dead of night, it'll be alright)
happy birthday vant!! love you :3 here's some nazwren (@ivanttakethis & @lookatmysillies)
Wren’s Log - Entry 1.8
————————————————————
Wren once again found herself at BLINK karaoke bar.
Guardian Ebej had dismissed her for the day, saying that her presence at Yael’s event was “too distracting.”
She didn’t know what he was on about.
None of her fans had come up to ask for a photo or an autograph.
How was she distracting?
She had asked Naz what she thought, but didn’t get a solid answer.
Nonetheless, Wren was forced to make other plans.
It wasn’t all bad though.
Now she had time to catch up with an old friend.
Wren stood on her toes, looking around the lobby for a head of copper hair.
But she didn’t see Monica anywhere.
Maybe I should call her?
“Dove!” A voice called.
Only one person called her that name.
Wren barely had time to turn around before Monica rushed forward and wrapped her in a hug.
She was warm and smelled like cinnamon.
It always reminded her of their shared childhood.
Monica released Wren from the hug, but kept her at arm’s length, beaming, “How have you been darling? How’s your sister?”
“Things have been absolutely crazy,” She said. “We have so much to catch up on, but first—”
“Shots?” Monica finished for her.
Wren grinned, “Shots.”
———
The first shot burned all the way down.
Monica’s lips puckered, “This is worse than I remember.”
“It’s been a minute since we’ve gone drinking together.” Wren said, passing her a second shot glass. “We’re out of practice.”
Pink and yellow lights danced across Monica’s face, her eyes filled with mirth and a vibrant sunset.
She accepted the drink, chuckling, “Is this your way of saying we need to hang out more?”
“Oh, absolutely.” Wren knocked her glass against Monica’s and they tossed them back together.
Monica was one of the few people Wren felt comfortable drinking with.
When she went out with other ZYNE trainees, she would only have one drink, and it was always something light on alcohol.
She needed to have complete control over her words and actions.
Drinking loosened lips.
Lowered inhibitions.
It would be too easy to slip up and give another trainee ammunition to use against her.
Wren felt a little more at ease drinking with her classmates.
She didn’t have to keep her guard up, or worry that a scandal could come out of anything she said or did while drunk.
But the second time she drank with them, about five shots in, kissing Naz on the mouth started to sound like a perfectly reasonable thing to do, and Wren resolved to never get drunk in her presence again.
Since then, Wren only got drunk with Monica, which was always a good time.
Probably because they were the same kind of person with a few drinks in them.
Wren slammed her empty glass down on the table.
The burn wasn’t as sharp this time, but her eyes still watered.
“Fuck. Okay, okay, one more.”
Monica handed her the final shot glass, spilling some of it over the rim “For good luck.” She said.
Wren nodded, “For good luck.”
They clinked their glasses and knocked back the last of the clear liquor.
It was a ritual for them.
Three shots for good luck.
Wren couldn’t remember exactly how it came about.
Monica couldn’t either.
They ordered food, a bottle of lighter liquor, and some mixed drinks.
Wren’s was dark red and fizzled on her tongue, equal parts sour and sweet.
Monica’s was frozen and bright purple.
The same shade of purple as Isla’s hair.
Wren smiled to herself.
The two chatted for a while, catching each other up on the latest happenings in their lives since they last spoke.
A medley of songs faded in and out as the karaoke machine cycled through its tracks on offer.
After paying for another hour of their session, Wren finally asked the question she’d been holding back.
“How are things with Isla?”
Monica cheeks turned bright red.
“Huh? Uh, well—”
Even after all these years, bringing up Isla was still the easiest way to fluster her.
Monica looked away, “Things are… fine. Just like they always are.”
“Boo, that’s boring.”
“Sorry my endless pining isn’t exciting enough for you.” She said flatly. “It’s not going to change.”
“But it can change. Just tell Isla how you feel!”
“Why? I know she would reject me.”
“She wouldn’t reject you.”
“How do you know?”
Wren reached for Monica’s hand and looked her straight in the eyes, her tone as serious as she could manage, “Mona — and I’m gonna hold your hand when I say this — Isla has been deeply in love with you for years.”
Monica’s already flushed face darkened further, “W-What?! No way!”
She nodded gravely, “Yes way.”
Monica tried to pull her hand away, “You’re wrong! Absolutely, one hundred percent, wrong!”
Wren tightened her grip, smirking, “The only way to prove me wrong is to ask her yourself.”
“I’m not doing that.” Monica shook her head fervently, “It’s way too risky.”
“Life is risky, my dear Mona.” Wren said. “And sometimes you gotta grab life by the balls until it begs for mercy.”
Monica made a face, “Isn’t that kinda extreme?”
Wren shrugged, “All is fair in love and war. And this is definitely love.”
“I don’t know, Wren. Sure, Isla may like me enough to be friends—”
“—Very close friends.” She interjected.
Monica ignored her, “But am I likable enough for her to love me that way?”
Wren barked out a laugh, “Are you kidding? Of course you’re likable. I had a huge crush on you when we first met.”
Monica choked on her drink, sputtering, eyes wide, “You did?!”
“You couldn’t tell?”
“No???”
Her incredulity only made Wren laugh harder.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because it was so obvious Isla liked you! I wasn’t gonna get in the middle of that.” She said. “And also Naz.”
Monica smiled sharply, “Now that is something obvious.”
Wren rolled her eyes, “Well yeah. I don’t make it a secret that I’m into her.”
“No, no, no.” She shook her head. “Not you. Naz.”
“Great Anakt, you’ve gone mad.”
Monica pounded her fist against the table. “I have not!”
Wren grabbed her hand, another laugh bubbling up and out before she could suppress it, “Mona, you’re gonna get us kicked out!”
She swatted her hand away, aiming to look serious but landing on a pout, “I let you say your piece, so let me say mine dammit.” She said. “That woman is in love with you, Dove.”
Wren’s traitorous heart flipped at the mere thought.
“How can you be so sure she is?”
Now I sound like Monica…
“How can you be so sure she’s not?
That was easy to answer.
“Because she loves Akane, and I am very much not Akane.” Wren said.
“But Akane is—”
“I know.” She sighed.
They both fell silent.
Monica frowned, “You know you can love more than one person, right?”
“Can you love two completely opposite people?”
Wren knew the answer to that too.
She’d seen proof of it in Tov, with Himei and Tallis.
But they were both gone now.
The taste of her drink turned bitter at the thought.
“You can’t know for sure until you give Naz a chance to try. Grab her by the balls or whatever you said.”
Wren coughed hard, pounding her fist against her sternum.
Monica just smiled.
“I don’t want to grab anyone by the balls, especially not Naz.”
“But you want to grab her in other places?”
Wren wheezed, “HELLO???”
“Don’t lie to me! I’ve seen the way you look at her!!”
“And how is that?!”
“It’s like— Ah damn, how does that one song go?” Monica snapped her fingers three times, “Something like ‘consume me, yes me’.”
“I don’t like the implications of this.”
“It’s the truth, Dove. You want her to consume you, or vice versa.”
Wren reared back, “Vice versa?!”
“She invited you to sleep in the same bed, next to her, practically cuddled up.”
“She was just being nice!”
“Naz is not ‘nice.’ She has never just been ‘nice.’ If it were anyone else, she would’ve told them to fuck off and sleep on the floor.” Monica tapped her finger against the table with each word. “She wants you, intimately.”
Her emphasis on the word “intimately” made Wren’s cheeks hot.
Out of embarrassment, of course. No other reason.
“I should’ve told you to grab Isla by the tits.” She grumbled around her straw.
Monica gasped, scandalized, “I would never!”
Wren leveled her with a look.
Monica broke eye contact, “…Okay, maybe I would.”
She snorted, “We got a woman enjoyer over here.”
“You’re one to talk!” Monica countered.
“I do like to talk about women. Well, one woman in particular—”
“So what are you going to do about it?”
Wren sat back and shrugged, “Keep all of my feelings bottled up inside me until one day I die?”
“No, no, none of that! And you’re not dying. You’re going to live forever!!”
“That’s very nice of you to say.”
Monica puffed out her cheeks, “Stop making me lose my train of thought.”
She stifled a chuckle. “Sorry, go on.”
Monica grabbed her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. Her steadfast gaze sobered Wren immediately.
“Dove, if you really want to be with Naz, you should tell her that. Yes, she loved Akane, but I know that she loves you too. Even if you don’t see it yet.” She said. “But like you told me, you’ll never know for sure if you don’t ask.”
Well, she got me there.
“Same goes for you.”
Monica sighed, “Yeah, I know.”
They were two drunk hypocrites in the same karaoke room.
The thought made her chuckle.
Maybe it was the alcohol, or Monica’s encouragement, but for the first time in years, Wren wanted to try.
What if I just said ‘fuck it?’
What’s the worst that could happen?
She mulled the thought over for another moment, before coming to a decision.
“Alright, one more shot.” Wren let go of Monica’s hand and grabbed the bottle at the center of the table, recklessly over pouring two shots. “I’ll take a risk as long as you promise to take one too.”
She extended her pinky to Monica, just like they used to secure a promise as kids, “I will try with Naz if you promise to try with Isla.”
Monica hesitated, pressing her lips together in a thin line, “I don’t know…”
“Do you trust me?” Wren asked.
“Of course I do.”
“Then trust me on this, okay?”
The apprehension in her watery grey eyes was still evident as she searched Wren’s gaze.
But as the pink and yellow lights eclipsed across her face, bathing her in a warm orange glow, something in her gaze shifted.
“Okay, but you have to trust me too.”
Wren smiled, nodded, and raised her glass, “Here’s to saying ‘fuck it’ and grabbing life by the balls.”
Monica snorted, but raised her glass anyway, hooking her pinky with Wren’s.
“Until it begs for mercy.” She said, clinking their glasses.
The spirit was warm at the back of her throat, like lying in a sun spot outside in Anakt Garden.
She rested her chin in her hand, looking at Monica.
A toothy grin graced her lips in the wake of their liquor sealed promise.
Wren remembered the gap Monica had between her two front teeth when they were kids.
It was gone now, her guardian got rid of it years ago, but sometimes Wren swore she could still see the imprint if Monica smiled a certain way.
Sunlit affection bubbled up in her chest.
“You know,” Wren started, “In our next life, we should just date each other. It would be so much easier than all this.”
Monica giggled, nodding, “Agreed. Next time around, we’ll get engaged as soon as legally possible and have a spring wedding. Maybe in a botanical garden or something like that.”
Wren smiled, the warmth in her mouth spreading across her cheeks, “A spring wedding would be lovely.”
———
Four shots was a bad idea.
Four shots plus two mixed drinks was an even worse idea.
Monica called a car to take her back to her guardian, but the hotel was close enough to the karaoke bar that Wren decided to walk.
Big fucking mistake.
The sun had set hours ago, and the temperature dipped significantly.
Now she was drunk, tired, and cold.
All she wanted to do was lay down and sleep for the next three days.
The closer she got to the hotel, the dizzier she felt. The alcohol was really starting to set in now.
Wren leaned against the elevator wall to keep from swaying.
Luckily, there were no surprise run ins with Yael on her way to Naz’s room.
She fiddled with the key for a moment before getting the door open and ditching her heels as soon as possible.
Her feet ached as she staggered inside.
It was dark, but Naz was still awake, reading under the soft light of the bedside lamp.
She looked over as Wren shut the door behind her, “Where’ve you been?”
“I went to BLINK.” Wren said.
“With Asuka?”
Naz’s tone sounded off again.
Wren didn’t have the capacity to try to make sense of it.
“Nope, I met up with Monica. She said to tell you hi, by the way.” Wren rubbed her hands together for warmth, “Geez, it’s fucking freezing out there.”
She grabbed a shirt and sweatpants from her bag and tossed them on the edge of the bed.
“That’s what you get for staying out so late— What the fuck are you doing?”
Wren paused halfway through taking off her shirt, swaying slightly as she looked over her shoulder at Naz.
Her cheeks had darkened, and she wouldn’t meet her eyes.
…Huh?
Wren blinked, confused, “Changing?”
“Then go to the bathroom?” Naz sounded as confused as Wren felt.
“Ugh, too far.” She grumbled, pulling off her shirt. “I drank too much.”
“Obviously—” Naz made a choked off noise as Wren stepped out of her skirt.
Slowly, the gears started to turn.
“She wants you, intimately.” Monica had said.
Was that really true?
Monica said to trust her.
So Wren would trust her.
“Are… you okay?” Wren asked.
She didn’t turn around this time.
Too cautious to interrupt whatever was unfolding.
Naz coughed once, “Fine. I’m fine.” Her voice was stilted, “I’m… gonna lie down now.”
The rustle of sheets behind her was uncoordinated.
She didn’t even turn the lamp off.
Wren shrugged on her new shirt and pants and took a deep breath.
Liquid courage don’t fail me now.
Without giving herself another moment to doubt, she crawled up the bed and laid down right next to Naz.
“Ooh, you’re warm.” She said, rolling over and wrapping an arm around her.
Naz tensed up immediately, her voice strained, “Wren—”
“Just for a little while,” Wren said quietly. “Until I warm up.”
Naz muttered something under her breath.
She rested her head on Naz’s chest and turned to look up at her through her lashes, “Please?”
The heavy thump of Naz’s heartbeat against her ear picked up speed.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
“I…” Naz looked away, sighed, and hesitantly looked back, “Alright.”
Her voice sounded so timid.
Wren had never heard it like that before.
She relaxed into her newly approved spot and closed her eyes, suppressing a smile, “Thanks.”
“…No problem.”
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Naz cleared her throat, “Uh… so what did you and Monica talk about?”
“We spent most of the time catching up, until I asked about Isla.” She said.
“Geez, those two…”
“Tell me about it.” Wren chuckled. “I can’t believe Monica still hasn’t told her by now.”
“She’s probably scared.”
Wren frowned, “But she doesn’t need to be. Everyone can tell Isla is in love with her, but she doesn’t see it. How could she miss something so obvious?”
Naz made an awkward wheezing noise. “I can’t imagine.”
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The rhythm of Naz’s heartbeat was lulling her to sleep.
“What would you do, if you were Monica?” Wren asked.
Naz didn’t answer.
Wren chanced a glance up at her, only to find Naz already looking back.
Her eyes had an unfamiliar sheen to them, catching the warm light of the lamp.
She looked beautiful.
I want kiss her.
Would she let me?
“I don’t know.” Naz whispered. “I really don’t know.”
Wren sighed, biting back the question she really wanted to ask, “Me either.”
Not yet.
But soon.
————————————————————
Wrenica started as a crack ship, but these two and their relationship is so important to me y’all I love them 🥹
Rip Naz thinking Wren is serial dating their classmates by taking them out for drinks and karaoke lmao
Like Naz! Bestie!! She doesn’t NOT want that gay man or that lesbian (even tho she lowkey did at one point when they were kids, but regardless). She’s trying to yuri it up with you!!!
Anyways this is the beach episode.
Monica and Isla belong to @nottoonedin
Naz, Yael, Himei, and Tallis belong to @lookatmysillies
Asuka belongs to @imperfectnothing
Tagging: @alien-til-i-stage @apple8ees @billwasnot @4listr @apriciticreveries @awaggaa @yunoftheclouds @starry-skiez @friedclownshrimp @chevalperd @crows-suast4r @verdantlights @rosedeleca
Wren’s Log - Entry 1.7
————————————————————
Wren must’ve been dreaming.
It was the only logical way to explain everything that happened.
In the morning, she’d woken up with Naz pressed up against her side, warm to the touch and fast asleep.
It was probably unintentional, but Wren allowed herself to believe for a moment that it was a conscious decision.
Usually, Naz didn’t let anyone into her personal space.
Well, except for Wren.
But it took years to wear Naz down to the point where she tolerated her.
And even then, she’d be pushed away after a while.
Moments like this were a rarity.
So, Wren allowed herself to just… look.
Up this close, she could see the small scar on Naz’s left cheek.
She’d asked Naz where it came from when they were younger; pressing the raised skin with the pad of her finger.
Naz flinched at the contact, but didn’t pull away when she realized it was Wren, instead mumbling something about having the scar since she was a baby.
Wren had survived off that adrenaline rush for a week.
The scar was more faded now.
Only noticeable if someone knew what to look for.
Naz looked peaceful as she slept.
What are you dreaming about? Wren wondered.
She got out of the bed once Naz started to stir.
Then, after they’d both gotten ready for the day, Naz grabbed her firmly by the wrist and demanded she come with her to Yael’s speech.
“I’m not going to his weird ass event by myself again.” She said.
The determination in her eyes and the intensity of her gaze made Wren dizzy.
Of course she agreed without protest.
Naz insisted that she stay close during Yael’s sermon, and Wren dutifully stood next to her the entire time; making jabs at Yael and his followers under her breath and showing Naz possible outfit designs for Alien Stage on her phone.
She asked if Naz was interested in working with Guardian Cassio, and Naz said she would think about it.
Wren took it as a win.
They ate lunch together, bickered over possible song selections as Yael’s security detail followed him around the city in the afternoon, and broke away from the entourage the minute Naz’s shift was over.
After Naz had elbowed her way into sharing the small sink in the bathroom while they were getting ready for bed, Wren started thinking.
And she kept thinking, even after Naz turned the lights off and fell asleep.
Naz seemed different somehow.
But Wren couldn’t figure out why.
She looked over at Naz, eyes lingering on that scar again; barely visible in the dark.
They were in a different hotel than the one from yesterday, but still had to share a bed.
Naz told her that there weren’t any double bed rooms available.
At least this room had a balcony, and a proper couch.
Naz didn’t tell her to sleep on the couch.
Wren didn’t volunteer.
For a brief moment, Wren considered reaching out to brush her finger over the scar.
Then her phone buzzed.
She jolted back on reflex and fished around underneath her pillow for it.
Naz shifted under the covers, her words slurred with sleep, “Who the fuck is calling you this late at night?”
Wren’s phone screen lit up with Asuka’s name and contact picture.
“It’s Asuka.”
“Tell him to fuck off.” Naz’s voice was muffled from the pillow pressed against her face.
Wren chuckled, “Sorry, can’t do that.”
She climbed out of bed and headed to the balcony.
With the sliding door firmly shut behind her, she answered. “Suka? You there?”
“Yeah, I’m— I’m here.” He said.
There was a shake in Asuka’s voice that Wren didn’t like.
“Bad night?”
“You could say that.” He said, strained. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“You didn’t. And even if you did, I told you I would answer. I’m a woman of my word.”
“Lucky me.”
Wren hummed, “Yeah, I guess you are pretty lucky to have me around, huh?”
Asuka didn’t answer.
Shit. It must be a really bad night.
“Do you want to talk, or do you want to listen?” She asked.
“Listen.” He answered quickly. “Please.”
Wren was happy to comply.
She talked at length about how she was preparing for Alien Stage.
Outfit designs, vocal classes, her song selection process.
That song they heard at BLINK, Deep Faker, Wren chose it for her first round performance.
She told him that she was thinking about going through ZYNE boot camp one more time for extra practice.
Anything and everything she could think of became a topic of discussion.
As long as it helped ease Asuka’s mind.
“Do you believe in the Great Anakt?” He asked her after a while.
Wren shook her head, “Nope.”
“Why not?”
“The Great Anakt is supposed to be some merciful being who cares for all humans. If something like that actually existed, it’s already abandoned us.” She said, matter of fact.
“Why should I believe in something that either doesn’t exist or won’t do anything to stop human suffering?”
“Do you believe in anything, then? Like another god, or karma, something like that?” He asked.
“I believe in people.” Wren said. “Much more tangible than any sort of god.”
“Even me?”
She answered right away, “Of course I believe in you.”
Asuka chuckled, but it sounded self deprecating. “That makes one of us.”
If only you knew how similar we are.
“Well then, just believe in the me that believes in you. Okay?”
His laughter sounded a bit lighter this time. “Okay, I’ll try.”
“Get some sleep, Suka. We can talk more when the sun is up.” She said.
He tried to suppress a yawn, “I’ll do my best.”
“Goodnight, Asuka.”
“Night, Wren.”
She stayed on the line until he hung up.
When the dial tone sounded, Wren braced herself against the railing and took a deep breath.
The view from the top floor was beautiful. She could even see the stars this high up.
The stars made her think of Tov, of how her sister prayed to them in tough times.
If there really is something out there… help Asuka first…
She was just about to go inside when, out of the corner of her eye, a shadow shifted while she remained still.
A faint smell of kerosene caught in the breeze.
“Coming down to join me?” She called over her shoulder.
Silence.
Then the soft thud of feet hitting concrete.
Wren turned around to face the figure standing in the dark corner where the balcony met the wall.
Even hidden in the shadows, she knew who he was.
Tall and skinny.
Two toned grey hair.
Eye bags heavier than Tov’s.
Exactly as she had described him.
“Nice to finally meet you, Nyx.”
The young man blinked in surprise.
“How did you—”
“My sister.” She said. “Or, well, I guess, our sister.”
“How nice of you to include me.” Nyx muttered.
“You’re closer to her than I am. That makes you family.” Wren said. “And any family of Tov’s is my family too.”
He rolled his eyes, “Great. Another sister.”
Wren held up her hands in mock surrender, “Hey man, you don’t have to reciprocate if you don’t want to. We basically just met.”
“No, no, it’s not—” Nyx caught himself, ran a hand through his hair, struggled for the right words.
She threw him a line.
“I’m guessing Tov told you everything that happened?”
He looked her in the eye for a moment, then looked away again.
“Yeah.”
That explained the cryptic message Tov had sent her earlier.
Nyx may drop by.
Tall and lanky, grey hair.
Looks like he hasn’t slept in a week.
He’s harmless.
“And you came here to… see me for yourself? Ask how I did it?” She offered.
Nyx held a hand up, “Please don’t tell me how you did it. It’ll just piss me off.”
“That’s fair.” She nodded. “What did you come here for then?”
Nyx started, then stopped, and started again, more determined this time.
“You saved Tov, but you hurt her in the process.” He said. “How do you live with that?”
“It’s simple, really.” Wren said. “I didn’t want her to die, and I was willing to do anything to keep that from happening.”
“Even if she got hurt?”
She nodded, “Even if she got hurt.”
“Even if she never forgave you?”
“That’s a risk I was willing to take.”
“Even if they killed her?” The shift in his tone caught Wren’s attention.
“This isn’t about Tov anymore, is it?”
Nyx didn’t respond.
He and Asuka had the same tell.
“You want to save contestant.” It wasn’t a question. “That’s why you came to see me tonight.”
After all, who could give better advice than someone that had already done it?
“Her name is Asahi.” Nyx said, in lieu of answering her directly. “You know her?”
“Yeah, I know her. We haven’t really talked much since she’s on the younger side, but she’s a nice girl.” Wren said. “Is she your sister or something?”
“Actually, she’s my daughter.”
Wren blinked.
“Oh.”
Nyx nodded.
“Yep.”
“Aren’t you—” Younger than Tov? Way too young to have a child? Looking to have your guardian ground into a fine paste?
“You know what, nevermind. It’s just gonna piss me off.”
He actually chuckled at that, albeit a little awkward around the edges.
Wren cleared her throat, “Okay, so you want to rescue Asahi and you need my advice on how to prepare mentally or strategically?”
“Both? I think?”
“Well the mental part is easy. Do you want her to die?”
“No!” He snapped, sharp and raw.
There’s that fire Tov told me about.
“Great! Then that means you’re willing to do something about it.” She said, smiling. “Like I said, it’s simple.”
Nyx, on the other hand, was not smiling.
Wren pushed ahead, ignoring his steely glare, “The strategic part is more complicated. Security has learned from their mistakes during your season and adapted accordingly.” She said, “You’ll need someone on the inside to help if this is going to work.”
“And who am I going to get on the inside to help me?”
“Me.”
“Absolutely not.”
Wren frowned, “Why not?”
“Tov would kill me if you got involved.”
“Which is why we won’t tell her.”
Nyx crossed his arms, unconvinced.
“Look, you know Tov. You know she’s not in a good place right now. She’s very softhearted, and telling her about this would just make things worse.”
“But what if she finds out?”
She shrugged, “Then we’ll ask her for forgiveness.”
“Think she’ll forgive you again?” He asked.
“If we can pull off saving our niece, I think we can both be forgiven.”
Nyx still looked hesitant; shifting from one foot to the other, not making eye contact.
He seemed to hold Tov in high regard, and greatly valued her opinion of him.
It reminded Wren of how Prem saw her and Elias.
They were family for sure.
Blood relation be damned.
“Take some time to think it over. Season 40 is still a ways off.” Wren said. “If you want to talk again, Tov will tell you how to find me.”
Nyx sighed, “Fine. I’ll think about it.”
Before Wren could respond, the sliding door flew open, and a pissed off Naz loomed in the doorway.
She couldn’t see Nyx around the corner.
“Hey,” She snapped, “That designer deal with Guardian Cassio. I’ll take it.”
It took a beat for Wren to formulate an answer, “Oh. Sure. I’ll let them know.”
“Good.” Naz’s shoulders eased, and she nodded at Wren’s phone in her hand. “Now hang up on the freak and come back to bed.”
She punctuated her demand by slamming the door shut.
Wren and Nyx stood in silence for a moment, looking at one another; her confused and him surprised.
“Girlfriend?” He finally asked.
Wren grinned, “I wish.”
————————————————————
Nazwren are such girlfailures they make me sick (lying)
Naz thought Wren was out on the balcony talking to Asuka the whole time and got a little jealous annoyed lmao
Wren that woman WANTS YOU please do something about it I beg 🙏
And it’s so funny because Asuka and Wren are the most siblings ever (behind Tov and Nyx ofc). Like Naz, babygirl, they are mlm wlw solidarity. No one is gonna take Wren from you I promise.
Also, Nyx, Wren is going to drag you into siblingism kicking and screaming.
Resistance is futile.
Naz and Yael belong to @lookatmysillies
Asuka and Nyx belong to @imperfectnothing
Asahi belongs to @apriciticreveries
Tagging: @alien-til-i-stage @apple8ees @4listr @verdantlights @nottoonedin @yunoftheclouds @starry-skiez @billwasnot @chevalperd @crows-suast4r @friedclownshrimp