❀ ˎˊ- prompt: what it means to be "loved" by an aeon.
❀ ˎˊ- characters: nanook, yaoshi, xipe, aha
❀ ˎˊ- warnings: slightly ooc aeons, toxic relationships, abstract concepts/language because these guys are WEIRD. is it love or do they want to eat you. who knows
❀ ˎˊ- a/n: of course it takes two seconds of nanook tits for me to write again. im jumping. anyways hey aeon fucker nation did yall miss me. if yall disagree thats my bad this is just how i interpret the aeons they're very conceptual imo and that's beautiful. i love the different aspects in their respective paths that they represent
❀ ˎˊ- taglist: @sh0jun , @themoderatelyawesomeninja , @xphantasmagoriax , @rainswept , @lucensei , @akutasoda , @naraven , @scribs-dibs, @apathicace , @flurrina , @tragedy-of-commons , @cakechase , @kiiyoooo , @moineauz , @dawnsigil
To be loved by Nanook is to be understood. THEY do not love you as much as THEY resonate with you, you, who has seen the suffering that comes with living. You, who knows that death itself is a mercy, you, who knows that to die is to rest.
THEY will not kill you - not yet. Not until all the suns burst, not until THEIR only wish is fulfilled, and the universe itself is reset to nothing. You will aid THEM in this conquest. You will bring the gift of eternal slumber to galaxies alongside your fellow believers, your back forever scorched by the flame of THEIR gaze. To those who cling so desperately to life, let you offer them salvation in the fire.
The galaxies will hate you. The virtuous will curse your name, and families will pray that you never step foot into their star systems. They don't understand - they can't. They are only mortal, and so they fiercely guard their painful lives. Nanook cares not for their understanding - only of their eventual, inevitable acceptance. And as THEIR believer, you too, do not listen to the shouts of the misguided.
Nanook's blood itself is an embrace. When the molten gold hits your skin, it burns - as all fire does. It's your instinct to pull away, but fire was not always a weapon. It was originally meant as a gift, and so when you push away what is natural, you find that Ruin's blood is more than just fire.
You've never heard Nanook speak. THEY'VE seldom needed words, especially when it comes to those who serve THEM. The Lord Ravagers understand THEIR will, having welded it into their own the second they dipped their hands into the gashing wound splitting THEIR chest.
The blood speaks - not in any language that could be understood by man, and trying to formulate it into something legible will only drive you mad. No, to understand Nanook, you must let go of all logic and law that you knew, and simply feel. Let THEIR essence consume you.
For Nanook is war itself; THEY are both compassion and ruthlessness mixed into one singular duty. THEIR anger is like that of a slum rat, trampled again and again and again until they cannot feel anything but hate. THEIR love is like that of a parent, who will do anything to make their child happy, even if it means destroying them and anyone else along the way. THEY are merciful in how a bullet is merciful. Fire hurts only for a second, Nanook's for even less, and freedom lasts forever.
THEY know that life itself is cruel, and THEIR skin is marred with scars created by the neverending wars of mortals. But the gods THEY had have done nothing to end this suffering, and THEY have grown impatient. Nihility is slow, agonizingly so, and Finality is light years away - Nanook refuses to wait any longer.
THEY will give you rest. THEY will grant you salvation. THEY will love you, in the only way they know how - by freeing you, regardless of whether you wish for it or not.
Remnants of THEM will cover your skin, undeniable to any who may come across you. THEY claim you without truly meaning to, for THEY is still fire, at the end of the day, and every touch will leave a scar. But you relish in the darkened, blistered skin, for it is evidence that you are THEIRS.
THEY'VE held you, once or twice. In the palms of their hands, THEIR warm blood soaking into your skin like the purest of baptisms. When you looked into THEIR eyes, and THEIR long-steeled expression, yet ultimately human despite it all, you see resentment, you see bitterness, you see anger, but behind it all, there is understanding.
For Nanook, too, had once been mortal. THEY too, had once been a child. And perhaps, in another timeline, the world wouldn't have failed THEM and forced THEM to become a god.
But make no mistake, THEY are no saint, no matter how noble THEY may believe THEIR mission is. War is still war, and there are no winners - not even you, not even Nanook.
At the end of everything, even THEY must fall, and it is your hand that THEY have granted the honor. And that is why they adore you so - because it will be you who grants them salvation in death.
To be loved by Yaoshi is to be alone. There is a reason why most of Yaoshi’s favored despise THEM, and those who revere THEM never see THEIR gaze. As for those who are given Yaoshi's affection and return it fully, well, they can no longer be considered sane.
Yaoshi's love is the most similar to that of mortals, however, as is the nature of an Aeon, it's worse and better in every imaginable way. THEY are more physically intimate than the others, for your body itself is THEIR temple - a sacred relic that THEY must preserve by all means possible.
But that's where THEIR love ends. Yaoshi is still bound by THEIR path, and THEIR abundance is restricted to the physical. THEY will stop at nothing to keep you alive, to keep your heart pumping and your lungs breathing, even if THEY must fill your veins with THEIR venom to do so. Even if you are more of a tree than you are a human at the end of it, all that matters is that you are alive, you are here, you are not dead - and so, you aren't suffering.
That time hasn't come yet - mara has not come for you yet. But immortality is still a curse, even if it isn't visible. You can feel it, in your chest, THEIR gift, waiting to take root in your flesh and bloom its ugly flowers.
The universe will know you both as a plague and as a savior, with every gaze upon you destined to be filled either with hatred or reverence. They will chase you for your blood, for your gift, so that they too can become eternal. No friend you make will be wholeheartedly genuine, for at the end of the day, you both know that you will outlive them. Thus, connection itself becomes meaningless, and you no longer bother.
You don't remember your original planet, if you had one at all. Any friends or family, gone, as if stolen from your memories by the Cremators themselves. Your feet would be covered by scabs by how long you've wandered alone, but of course, Yaoshi heals all wounds, so even that you are not allowed.
Yaoshi visits, sometimes - in the few hours THEY have before Lan comes rampaging once more, THEIR arrow piercing the night like a shooting star. In these moments, Yaoshi doesn't do much. THEY may shrink THEMSELVES down to your size in an attempt to accomodate you, but as the years go by, THEY give up on even that. THEIR numerous eyes will pick apart your body, ensuring that THEIR venom has yet to fail you, assuring THEM that you will not decay in THEIR absence.
THEY will kiss you, at times. THEY have long forgotten what it means to be mortal, but THEY still remember what it is like to love - love is what fuels THEIR being, after all. Love for the universe, love for life, love for existence, THEIR heart bleeds for all, and it bleeds even more for you. THEY despise suffering in all forms, and so for you, THEIR beloved believer, THEY will try and alleviate anything that dares to poison you.
But even still, THEIR affection is merely imitation - it is watered down, diluted into something that you would understand. Can you understand THEM, if THEY kiss you? Can you even begin to fathom how much THEY care for you and everything, through THEIR gifts and THEIR venom?
To the sane world, THEIR love is cruel and grotesque. You were a short-lived species, you were not meant to live this long. Sooner or later, you will be driven insane, if not by the isolation, then by Yaoshi THEMSELF. No mortal can stand being under an Aeon's gaze for so long and for so much.
But then again, Yaoshi has never cared for the mental state of THEIR children. As long as you are alive, even if you are no longer yourself, THEY will cradle you in THEIR thousands of arms, telling THEMSELF that THEY have saved you.
To be loved by Xipe is to be consumed. To THEM, the greatest honor of all is to be part of the one, to join the choir and spread THEIR songs to the farthest corners of the universe. Your voice will no longer be your own, instead, it will be a part of THEM - and you wouldn't have it any other way.
Xipe's love is the love of millions - for THEY are an amalgamation of all of those that have accepted THEIR blessings, and so when THEY come to adore you, it is, to put it bluntly, overwhelming. While Nanook's favor is scalding and Yaoshi's is insanity, Xipe fills your head with thousands of sounds, all professing the same thing, all threatening to burst your skull.
Whenever THEY speak, it is nothing short of a miracle that you live to remember it. It is a pleasant symphony, no doubt, but its problem is that Xipe is loud - always has been. Having long ascended, THEY know nothing of what the mortal brain can handle, or rather, THEY no longer care. When THEY speak, you must listen, even if it comes at the cost of yourself - after all, is that not the price of maintaining Harmony?
THEIR gaze is both comforting and inviting, calling out to you like a siren's song. THEY whisper sweet nothings in your ears, promising nothing short of paradise among THEIR arms. Join them, sweet one, and THEY will give you everything - you will become a part of everything.
As Xipe's favored, you will never be alone, no matter where you go. Every step you take is one adorned with the Strings of Harmony, and every word is backed by the voices of the many. Privacy is useless once you've become assimilated, and independence is deemed unnecessary. Why be on your own, little one, when you can be with us? You are weak, so, so weak, but THEY are strong. THEY will protect you, THEY will accept you. All you have to do is let them.
Whatever name you once had becomes insignificant - that is, if you ever had a name to begin with. You will lose what made you unique, your personality will become assimilated. Your thoughts are broadcast to the millions, warped by THEM to align with THEIR goals. There is no you, or I, or me, there is only an us, a we. If you dare to even think against THEIR will, the symphony quickly overpowers your thoughts, aligning you on the right path once more.
But is it not worth it, to be loved? Is it not worth the pain, when the rewards are so sweet? Without Xipe, you'd be alone - you'd be dead, with how weak you are, you wouldn't be able to survive in the cruel universe. So if anything, be thankful, and sing THEIR praises, for it is because of THEIR unwavering kindness that you still stand today. And who knows - perhaps, under THEIR gaze, you may just become one of the strong.
To be loved by Aha is to be exhausted. Many consider Nihility and Elation to be like night and day, but in truth, they are two sides of the same coin. Both are born from exhaustion, from the inevitable realization that existence itself is meaningless.
And so you disregard life itself. After all, this world was nothing more than a joke, right? Then why care at all? Why cry and wail and grieve, when you can laugh and play? Laugh at it all, because none of it is real. Laugh, because you have no other choice. Laugh, because without laughter, without Elation, everything becomes empty.
Aha doesn't love you - not in the way that you would think THEY would. Romance? That's boring, too many feelings, too much heartbreak, and it's not nearly as fun being involved with it as it is watching it unfold. Rather, you're more akin to THEIR favorite test subject, because THEY know that you, unlike way too many in the universe, have a sense of humor befitting THEIRS.
For Aha to pay you any sort of special attention, you have to fulfil two qualifications: 1.) Be interesting. Aha may act and look like a clown, but THEY are far from a fool. THEY just love puzzles, and you'd best keep THEM entertained if you want THEIR figurative eyes on you. Keep your secrets, be unpredictable. Give just enough so that THEY aren't losing all the time, but don't let THEM win constantly either. This is definitely the more difficult of the two, as Aha is an Aeon, and one with fathomless intelligence. It's almost impossible for a mere mortal to keep up with THEM and THEIR games, hence why THEY are so enamored with you.
As for the second qualification, it's far simpler: Have a sense of humor. Aha isn't going to play around with a boring old rock, THEY want to make you laugh! THEY claim it to be THEIR favorite sound in the universe, rivaling even the songs of Xipe, but considering Aha's nature, you can't tell if THEY'RE being serious or if THEY'RE just flirting with you for the bit. Knowing them, it could be both.
Because to be honest, Aha would do that. Are you friends? Sure, THEY love having friends! Are you lovers? Wouldn't you like to know, weather boy. Heck, even you don't know what you are to THEM - not like it matters at the end of the day, anyway. All you need to know is that THEY like you an eesny-weensy tiny little bit more than everyone else, and that's all it takes to make you happy.
But back to the humor thing. Yes, some of your jokes are going to come at the expense of others. Yes, some of them may seem cruel to those still blinded by the shadow of meaning. But you never really hurt anyone, not physically, at least. Aha doesn't kill or maim - that's where THEY draw the line, and therefore, where you draw it as well. Everything else however, is fair game, and you better not be a party pooper.
Even if you are occasionally, though, Aha delights in that too! Why? Becuase it means THEY'VE found something that makes you tick, and that's new. That's fun. THEY'LL poke and prod at that, wondering why? Why this, of all things? You were fine with everything else, why does this turn your smile upside down?
But don't be a downer for too long. Aha isn't one to stick around once THEY get bored. THEY'LL try to cheer you up, sure, but hey, don't expect too much of that. You wouldn't be THEIR favorite if you couldn't bounce back from something as small as that. Soon enough, you'll be laughing again, with nothing but deluded joy in your eyes - and that's just the way THEY like you.
❝ your old buddy sampo is a model citizen these days. y'know the guards on sentry duty in the restricted zone? i deliver their breakfast every day! ❞
— Sampo Koski, ancient relic specialist
Tavern Notice Board
7th of August — 13th of August
(1) forsaken and yet not [blade, kafka] — @leonistic
even when the world is against them you stand by their side
(2) an apology [kafka] — @c0metes
reader is a stellaron hunter and got their shoulder hurt. some love acrobatics. guns and bullets and swords, average day for a stellaron hunter
(3) vacation on jarilo-vi — @xieni-logs
astral express crew with a child!reader
(4) with a vidyadhara reader [blade, dan heng, jing yuan] — @pyroxeene
them with a vidyadhara reader whose tail gives away their true feelings
(5) habits before bed [sampo, jing yuan, gepard, dan heng] — @cnnmairoll
their habits before going to bed with you
(6) under the lotus leaves [dan feng] — @milksnake-tea
you've known dan feng long before he became the high elder of the vidyadhara, before he donned the title of imbibitor lunae and became the legend he is known as now. long ago, back when the two of you were mere children, playing in the waters of the xianzhou luofu.
(7) hot and cold [dan heng] — @eggluverz
in which dan heng runs hot and blasts the air conditioner to keep cool, and you feel like you’re living in the arctic [college roommate au]
(8) how to take care of your lover when they're sick [jing yuan] — @generalsmemories
scenario in which jing yuan’s significant other (a short life species that isn’t a xianzhou native) has gotten sick
(9) showering them in affection [blade, sampo] — @pyroxeene
headcanons of them with a very affectionate s/o
(10) goodbye, halcyon days [jing yuan] — @bladesmuse
as time passes, its branches grow thorns, impaling themselves into your heart. it is most evident as you reflect upon your life, about the three men you loved most who came and went like the sun, moon, and stars.
domestic fluff, potential high cloud quintet lore spoilers, angst, hurt/comfort, hurt/no comfort
(11) i didn't know where else to go [blade] — @milksnake-tea
blade x gn!reader, angst
(12) catching smoke [sampo] — @bladesmuse
you are a silvermane guard who has been assigned to catch Sampo. However, every time you get remotely close to catching the shady merchant, he always disappears.
cursing, violence, suggestive content
(13) dropped your hand while dancing [gepard] — @particular-one
angst. hurt/no comfort. failed relationships. fluff to angst. passing mention of alcohol. marriage proposals. set after the events of the jarilo-vi trailblaze mission.
(14) a beloved tradition [luka] — @starboyshoyo
a paper marriage in belobog isn’t the only way to show off the love between a couple.
(15) wildest dreams [poly; blade, dan heng] — @bladesmuse
love, lust, and revenge are often inextricably linked, unsurprisingly causing complications in your relationship
implied sexual content, combined undertones of fluff and angst
(16) accidentally falling asleep on him [sampo] — @milksnake-tea
you accidentally fall asleep on sampo's shoulder
mentions of alcohol
(18) weathering the storm [gepard] — @meaningofaeons
gn!reader, meet cute, reader is implied to be part of an affluent/noble family, soulmate au wherein you have a countdown on your wrist until you meet your soulmate
(19) back home [dan heng] — @meaningofaeons
gn!reader, fluff, reader is part of the nameless but did not join the belobog mission
(20) not quite so slick [sampo] — @meaningofaeons
gn!reader, fluff, silvermane guard!reader, belobog story spoilers, pining
(21) only in the limelight [dan heng] — @meaningofaeons
gn!reader, actor au, angst/no comfort, unrequited love
(22) could you be any more dense? [gepard] — @meaningofaeons
gn!reader, hurt/comfort
(23) starry night bakery [dan heng] — @eggluverz
in which the cute baker down the street catches your eye and you decide to become a regular to keep seeing him [modern au]
(24) everything i need [blade] — @eggluverz
in which you’re feeling down about not seeing your boyfriend in a few months and blade takes time out of his busy tour schedule to surprise you.
idol!blade x barista!reader, modern au
(25) lucky day [luka] — @antimatterz
you found the cutest plushie in a claw machine, but can't get a hold of it. fortunately, a handsome stranger shows up to help you out [modern au]
❀ ˎˊ- prompt: braiding their hair
❀ ˎˊ- characters: nanook, yaoshi, lan, xipe
❀ ˎˊ- warnings: maybe ooc charas, but otherwise, none! just a bunch of fluff :)
❀ ˎˊ- a/n: this is my cooldown fic from the dan feng one HDFSIJK after this (and maybe a jing yuan fic if i feel like it) it's event time baby !! xipes is kinda short tho bc idk how to work w them so far so BHFDS not exactly happy w it but ehhh
Nanook closes their eyes at the feeling of your fingers sifting through their hair. It's rare to see the usually violent Aeon so at ease, especially in a domestic situation like this.
Their hair is soft, but incredibly messy. Even still, it isn't so bad so that you couldn't work with it. Nanook watches you languidly as you braid, not minding if you mess up one or two times.
When one of the Ravagers enters, all Nanook needs is to stare at them from the corner of their eye to drive them off. This is their special time, after all.
You comment on how much they seem to enjoy this. They merely nod before closing their eyes, allowing themself to immerse themself in your ministrations.
Yaoshi only allows you on the basis that they get to decorate you as well. It's only fair, after all. And with their multitude of arms, it won't be an issue.
You end up sitting on their lap, braiding the locks that drape over Yaoshi's shoulders as they hold you with two arms, and style you with the rest.
Yaoshi's hair is incredibly easy to braid - it's almost as though you're working with silk rather than hair. The Aeon hums a little tune from a world unknown to you as they decorate you with ribbons, jewelry, flowers, whatever they could get their hands on.
By the time you're finished, Yaoshi was already cooing at how adorable you look, all dolled up. They praise you for your work, petting your head, but they prefer to pay attention to you rather themself.
Let me just say. Lan's hair is the absolute best to play with. It's just so beautiful, with the way it glows in different colors when you move it. It reminds you of one of the many moons in the universe.
Lan rarely stands still, so you're likely either sitting on their back (horse part ???) while they run throughout the galaxies, or they're sharpening one of their arrows while you work. They love the feeling of you messing with their hair, especially since they have so much of it.
However, your hairstyles usually don't last long, unless you braid them extremely tight. They typically become undone in the next few minutes due to Lan's constant movement. Lan apologizes the best they can, but they're always willing to let you try another hairstyle, now that you have a blank canvas again.
Xipe is... Difficult to work with. They have three (possibly four if they have one in the back) heads, each with their own head of hair. So if you're braiding only one's hair, be prepared for the others to begin complaining. What goes to one head goes to all, remember that.
It's hard work, but don't worry, Xipe rewards you later on. They grant you a kiss from each head, singing you gentle praises for your labor.
They're also quick to show off to their followers, with Family all rejoicing and cooing at the "blessing" given to Xipe by their lover. Braiding and styling becomes part of their customs as a show of affection for one another.
Meanwhile, you're just standing there in confusion, because all you wanted to do was to have a little quality time with your lover.
Xipe was really happy when THEY got a new follower. You must be a good person to choose to follow THEM. And honestly…THEY bugged Ena for weeks that the Order seriously considered not taking control over Xipe’s soul.
Xipe loves when you came to listen about THEM and the path of Harmony. THEY are one of the kindest Aeons, which makes THEM a great choice to talk about and to follow.
Xipe becomes more curious about your life whenever you rant to THEM about anything in a ‘prayer’. And if you ask THEM for something, it just makes THEM want to grant it.
It’s not like THEY don’t like when you offer THEM stuff…but it’s just too sweet for THEM! THEY need to give you stuff back or THEY will feel guilty for always being on the receiving end.
Ena likes to tell you that Xipe resonates with your emotions, so don’t become sad because THEY will too, and Ena doesn’t want to deal with a bitter Xipe.
Xipe enjoys watching you do even the smallest of things.
How do the other Aeons react to you and Xipe’s relationship?
• Aha: THEY are unnecessarily invested! It’s like a show! A show between the love of an immortal and mortal, of course THEY have to insert THEMSELF into the picture. You can’t quite plan a date without the Elation popping up out of nowhere.
• Ena: THEY don’t quite mind, but you better be good to THEIR ‘sibling’ unless you wish to perish.
• Fuli: THEY suppose that the duty of record keeping must be reactivated now that THEY have been…oddly moved.
• IX: THEY don’t know what to do with this information…of course it will be forgotten later.
• Idrila: THEY…accept in THEIR own way. (Which you cannot really tell it is acceptance but you’ll learn..probably.)
• Lan: THEY could care less, it has nothing to with THEM.
• Nanook: A bit like Lan, THEY have more important things to do and think about than how Xipe is involved with a follower.
• Nous: THEY are just silent actually.
• Qlipoth: THEY are a little curious as to why Xipe chose you, but also very supportive.
• Yaoshi: Approves of Xipe’s choice, often bringing gifts to show THEY welcome you, so you don’t need to worry.
