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@vilefate
･ . ˚ ⊹ ⵌnyx , yun & ⵌalexei , han : douce beauté, mais tout aujourd’hui m’est amer
a 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗵𝘀 + 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 of : divine retribution . affirming the gender is a social construct . rebirth + renewal . speaking in serpent tongue .
closed starter for : @vilefate
how rare his genuine smile is, the truthful curve reserved until it is coaxed out of him by the few people who know how to find it. lucien's hands, calloused from wielding a weapon, busy themselves with packing supplies for their journey forward. he raises his head, scans the view ahead of him until he catches sight of the one person who could bring out a softer tone in him. with his edges sanded, lucien says, " what's with the long face, mon chéri ? "
[ ... ] 𝐍𝐎 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐌𝐔𝐂𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐓𝐑𝐘, he always reads them like an open book. ails, worries, even secrets, no matter how hidden, always spills between the pages ... as if he already knows the ending to their story even before they barely grazed the first chapter. “ it's nothing, really, ” what's the point in hiding it when he's going to find out anyway ? sometimes they think that lucien has a bigger space in their mind than their own self. his presence itself overpowering, sometimes borderlining on overwhelming — consuming every inch of their life until there was no part of them he hasn't touched. “ it's just ... ” there was nothing surrounding them. nothing to bear witness between the pair besides the moon and stars, and yet their words are strangled on the tip of their tongue. “ do you ever feel ... guilty ? about what happened ? how we ... how we felt. what we ... what we did ? ”
in many ways, kai also could never understand why someone so strong would be in need of protection, why she kept him around when she was well within her right to tell him to find something else to occupy his time. but after more than a decade, he's come to understand zhel, as a friend and as the kind of person she is. kai knew that the day, god-forbid it, that danger arose, it would be in everyone's best interest to keep feelings and companionship out of the equation. for her to be helped, without worrying about her loved ones, or perhaps in this case, one of them. to put it kindly, kai was well aware that he was the best disposable option she could have readily available. it wasn't something that needed to be said aloud, but rather an unspoken understanding that he wouldn't verbally admit to out loud to either of those close to her, certainly not to alexei, and most definitely not to risa. "childish as ever," he remarks, rolling his eyes at the presence of the younger. "why would i be in one when it doesn't benefit me in any way? it's your own fault that you jumped at the opportunity of the first one to give you the attention you seem to be chasing." he's enjoying his drink, no intention of leaving because of the other's sour attitude. then again, he's only added fuel to the fire in such a short moment. "your empty threats are growing old, Ссыкло. at least when we were younger, i was amused." kai finishes off the remainder of vodka in his glass, gesturing to the bartender nearby for a refill.
[ ... ] 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐄𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 choke-slam kai's head down to the table or walk out the door altogether teeters in his mind, pros and cons weighed before he remembers that the latter would probably result in less of a talking to and literal ear-pull from the woman that ties the two. no, she DEFINITELY wouldn't be happy with alexei letting his anger overtake his rationality ... yet again. sure, the former would be satisfying, but does he really need another scorch on his record ? as if an act of her sorcery, the barrier between him and a point of no return materialises. she makes him want to be better, and with it : he takes his first step into ( potential ) maturity. even if it's not for his sake, at least he would be doing it for her. a sigh forces itself past tight-lipped brims, malice pushed down to its furthest depths as his arms crosses around his chest, hands balling into fists tucked hidden. “ ... are you properly fucking ... taking care of her, at least ? ” tone lowering, devoid of any challenging judgement that always seemd to circle his words to kai. “ making sure she's okay ? ”
"hey, now, watch your fat mouth." regardless of the complexities surrounding the relationship between themself and satya, lou still cannot withstand hearing insults. if they could, however, it would come from alexei — if only due to how they know the same surrounds the two younger men. ( insanity, watching their fights, the truth in their brawls. a holier exchange of blows could not be found. ) "it was, though. and it's my job to make you reminisce about the good ol' days, not yours to make me feel like i'm ancient." they shake their head. they would ride along alexei's good mood for as long as it lasted. ( indeed, the shortness of his temper worried them more than any bad blood. it was such losses of emotion that resulted in the worst things. ) "oh, i'll go down with you. i just ain't ready to deal with your sorry ass in an eternity setting until we get it figured out up here." it was no secret that no, the knights would not let alexei near them. that was why lou continued to see him far away from the base. and his genuine compliment made them pause. "you're the only one who thinks so. little do they know it's meeting you in holes-in-the-wall that keeps me going."
[ ... ] 𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐘 𝐒𝐇𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐒, lips downturned in what could even be seen as a pout — as much as a grown ass man who curses more than he breathes can do so, anyway. for once, he relents, halting malice on the fighter's name to further slip from his words. “ what, to make me want to crawl on my hands and knees and beg for my spot back ? NO THANKS, ” the scoff that filters is accompanied by the shake of his head. not even once has that thought crossed his mind. been there, done that. admittedly, as much as there are benefits to being in a guild — with a head made of stone and temper as unpredictable as they come, joining one in the first place was a mistake. at least he made some friends out of it, namely — “ what do you mean you don't want to spend eternity in dante's nine hells with me ? ouch. thought we have a real good thing goin' together, ” hand placed over his heart, alexei exaggerates a disappointed sigh. “ now THAT's more like it. i know somewhere inside that head of yours that you miss all the freedom you would get if you were just doin' your own thing like me, ”
lou offers them one of their typical, flattened smiles. reticent to other emotions when it comes to their relaxation time, lou still welcomes nyx into their space — if for not much more than relieving nyx of the sensation that they are wandering aimlessly. that annoys lou: that aimless sense of no purpose, even with the smallest tasks. matching beverage placed before nyx's hand, due to lou's long-withstanding relationships with the bartenders, but without alcohol, for both of their sanity's sake. ( they could not know how close that was to accuracy. ) "sure, but it don't make it any easier to hear. i can't help but want to clock people when they start running their mouths." one finger traces the rim of their glass, the condensation bubbling into their fingerprint. "tell you a secret. the people who pretend to be the holiest are often the worst kind of sinner. first to drag you down, leave you for dead. holy looks real dark for some. i'm sure you've seen plenty of those in your fellow mages."
[ ... ] 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 utter such truths, they've had their fair share of what lou was mentioning ... the unholiness that comes with being in tune with your own primal instincts ; the nittier, grittier ones, exposing you to just what one person would do to keep themselves alive. a shiver runs up their spine, eyes fixating on their drink as their fingers draw patterns along the condensation. “ maybe some people deserve it, though. don't you think ? ” the mage only spares them a glance before it returns to the liquid being swirled under their hold. the longer their gaze stays locked with the tanker's, the more of themself they would be able to see — nyx can't have that. they keep the windows to their soul under lock and key : pandora's box to be buried deep within their own depth and darkness, never to be found again. “ don't think your guild will be happy if they hear what you're saying right now. you seem real certain about your immunity. sure no one is overhearing you ? ”
nyx alone is probably not a rare sight—at least, not anymore. not since then. aries is sure it's no cause for concern. but nyx alone, in a neighborhood that they're both all too familiar with is— a strange sight, to say the least. “sitting out here alone?" he calls out. his legs move before he can really register it, taking him to the edge of the pavement so he can lower himself to sit on it. it's only when his legs are stretched out onto the road—just narrowly missing passing cars—that he glances over. "something the matter?”
for @vilefate ( nyx ), somewhere in red thorns territory. cypress park, probably.
[ ... ] 𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆. not really. nyx refuses to label it as such. they'd call it a little light recon, some routine check-ins on a certain someone they would rather not run into ( if he's even still with the thorns. they've taken the ' no contact ' a little too seriously ). maybe they've watched one too many spy movies, but they at least thought that they would be mostly unseen ; dressed in black from head to toe, though not uncommon when it comes to them ... was mostly meant to blend in with the californian night, not be spotted by a former friend. “ ... didn't think anyone would be out here at this time, ” play it cool. maybe you can just pretend that you were in the neighbourhood ... just, casually. “ NO ... 'course not. i was just, you know. in the area. got some churros, ” off to a great start. “ couple ... blocks down. you probably wouldn't see it. it closed like, five minutes ago, so ... ”
risa's blink equates a little smile in this situation. of course, nyx has this opinion of her. she exudes gratitude for it, nodding once, retrieving her satchel from where she was forced to toss it for safe keeping, unknotting the thread and opening it. "it has not yet reached your second knuckle, but it will sting when it goes into your nails." this is delivered matter of fact. neither she nor nyx claimed there were enough hours in the day to beat around the bush. it relieved her when nyx returned her few words with few of their own. for this particular curse, risa has a remedy on-hand: a small bit of a purplish-paste, matching the bruising of the curse, in a miniature vial. pulling out her portable water dropper, she squeezes the remnants onto the paste and it melts. "you count to three." and on the two, risa pours it over nyx's nails. "deep breath." as close to comfort as she comes. "you want the rejuvenation buff after it's taken effect?"
[ ... ] 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐒𝐄, they're grateful for risa's discrepency. their eyes spoke enough of what needed to be said, and nyx fully places their trust on the healer. they've probably had their fair share of seeing curses like these, noticing how well-prepared she has been ... or at least, during the mage's time in the stormbringers, one too many cases of them hurt themself from another round of overexertion. they count to three in their head before the familiar sting trickles over their nails, features twisting in pain as teeth digs into their lesser lip. tremulous digits barely holding their position as the tips of their fingers slowly started to pale in colour. “ seems like you were prepared for this, ” hopefully not for them to fail. “ ... not if it's too much trouble. you must be exhausted, ” their eyes lift to meet the healer's. “ ... thanks. i know i don't ... say it often, ”
"i'll show you охуел. how the fuck do you think i found you? you come over to the house so often, i can smell you from ten miles away." it had more to do with their paths crossing whether she liked it or not. a different circling, two vultures with their talons outstretched. "my what?" grimacing, she crooks her elbow and yanks at the door handle. it comes unlatched, although doesn't open all the way. "what the fuck did you just say to me?" her little soldier boy — it raises into a shout. indignant. people are staring. ( ah, another rich kids' lover's quarrel in the streets. the gucci sign hangs slightly to the left on the store building close to them. she exited from it, in fact. didn't even get to buy a new purse. ) every time she sees his face, it is that scorn coming up from the depths of her complicated feelings. she cannot say that she hates him; she doesn't. that's too strong of an emotion for not giving a fuck. what she hates is how he gallivants in and out of their lives, their house, like he owns something — but does not have the balls to do anything to prove it. "also, you're a liar. you stole my reds the day before yesterday — you know what." people stare more. risa pulls the door open and peers inside at him with a hard glower. "i loathe you. whole. heartedly. but i still have words, so i'm getting in."
[ ... ] 𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐍'𝐓 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐓. evidenced by the way he almost jumps in his seat at her voice suddenly rising in octaves, attention gathering around the two as what seemed like the start of a lover's quarrel befitting the front page of tmz has started on a regular sunday afternoon. really, can't he just have one normal day ? a day to spend devoid of chaos and monsters ( literal or human ) seemed to be the one luxury he couldn't afford. “ ... struck a nerve, i see. relax, ris. i'm not into your little boyfriend like that, ” whatever they have going on with zhel's bodyguard is no issue of his ... but god, is it fun to bring it up just to see how she would react. rather violently, he might add. at least he could get a couple laughs out of the sudden beration in his planned quiet afternoon out. “ even if i did ... ” he absolutely did and they both know this ... his hand suddenly shielding his front pocket is proof enough. “ think you should learn to share with your future brother-in-law, no ? it's called manners, ris. look it up, ” from as they pull the door open, all alexei could do was sigh. gaze narrowing to the healer as his lips press into a thin line, patience growing thinner by the minute. “ get in before you get run over, fucking christ. someone better be dead or pregnant, ”
GA YOUNG FOR MARIE CLAIRE.
Tam stands with a newly bleeding gash on her forehead and troubled dark eyes focused on the person in front of her who looks like at any moment - possibly this second - they are going to either cry or fall apart or shatter like glass into a million impossible to gather pieces. "it's funny..." she says finally, and she finds a spot that she can sit down and take the weight off of her feet which haven't stopped aching - she had taken off her boots at one point due to the soles being burned away. "normally i'm the one apologizing..." she laughs, and Rain emerges from the netherspace to settle in her lap, the fluffy creature with his golden eyes, has the same injuries she does. "no, you didn't hurt me -- i got in the way of a tanker and bear the proof of that..." though, technically ...
Rain speaks - a huff of frustration and "The tanker should know the layout well enough and where their party is to not pull monsters directly towards the squishy members of the party. You -- for all your chaos and improvising -- kept the monsters away better than that rookie tanker." all he needs are little glasses perched on his nose to complete the professor look to match with the tone he has.
Tam finishes for him because she knows what he wants to say next. "You look like you might want to sit down though -- I have a candy bar in case you might go into a sugar crash. I do sometimes. The adrenaline. Like you spend so long trying to keep yourself alive that when you come out -- your body doesn't know what to do being safe again."
[ ... ] 𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐀 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐄, to say the last : working with others, cooperating ... teamwork. even a year after they've left the red thorns, it still feels foreign to let themself be helped, to rely on others to do their part as their told and not have to be everyone's trojan horse. being with the stormbringers is a fresh start, and they're happy, really ... at least, trying to be. “ don't get too close next time. you never know with people when it comes down to it, especially if it's between their lives and yours, ” a lesson they haven't forgotten after all their years hidden in the north. trust no one unless those who have proven their will to die for you. “ ... you okay though ? ” their words roll out strained, awkwardness a definite allusion to how rare they've uttered the words. eyeing the other mage's companion, they restrained the urge to reach out : again, you can never be too careful. the offer unexpected, however ... and they visibly hesitate, teeth gnawing on their lesser lip as they avoided tamsin's gaze. “ ... you don't mind ? ” another debt owed : don't forget. “ what if you crash ? ”
" THEY HAD NEVER AGREED ON THIS PARTICULAR TOPIC, and as it usually happened, the back of rory’s tongue turned sour at the insistence, a derisive smile hidden behind the glass of boulevardier in her hand. “ why do you care so much ? ” the question came after a generous sip, liquid courage to face the same conversation once again. “ i mean, if you hate guilds so much, why don’t we stop talking about them, then ? why are giving them our time, even ? ” it wasn’t her intention to call alexei out on his bullsh— nah, scratch that, it was oh, totally her intention, she loved to make him squirm in discomfort, the small furrow between his brows signaling confusion making him the cutest thing she’s ever seen aside from nike when she was but a three months old baby .
[ ... ] 𝐑𝐎𝐑𝐘'𝐒 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐌𝐄𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐀 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊, singular brow raised and irises sidelining as it borderlines on rolling. she knows how he feels about the guilds, he knows how she feels : doesn't mean he won't stop annoying her about it. as much as alexei stays stuck in his own ways, rooting himself in his own quicksand of stubborn ( undiagnosed childhood trauma ) programming, doesn't mean that he won't hear her out ... especially when, more often than not, rory has the more logical head on her shoulders. “ 'cause i like shitting on you about being a sellout ? why else ? ” the smirk plastered on his face unmistakable, even visible through the glass as he takes another long sip. “ you'll be w— aaaaay better workin' alone than with your little suicide squad, and you know it. you don't need a little cheerleading team bringing you down, 'ry, ” his dickish way of saying : you know you're strong enough on your own, i don't get why you're not just going solo. “ or, y'know ... partnering with a certain someone ... ”
it's not a knowledge shared with many, but the truth is satya syarief is no stranger to tenderness—to love. family, he's long since learned, is the most important thing of all. it's not finite. it includes those who have wormed their way into his life, rooting themselves as a part of his ever-growing web of relations. his mother. his father. kemal and widya. his aunts, uncles, cousins. the holy kings. the younger hunters he's picked up along the way, the ones with something in their eyes when they smile back at him. it's enough to make satya want to wrap his arms around them, in care and in love as much as it would be in protection.
but someone like nyx yun doesn't need protection. he lets them touch his hair, like a tender younger sibling marveling at their big brother. "sweet that you worry about me," he says, lips already twisting into a smile. it's no use to pry. not yet. a step back. his gaze sweeps through them, from head to toe. "uncharacteristically so, actually. first the compliment, now this... what have you done to the real nyx yun and where are you keeping them?"
[ ... ] 𝐃𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐍, and even at the present ( hell, probably even more so now ) : they've never earned themself such luxuries of connection and family. let alone familial love, one so unconditional that it comes without if or buts. they aren't born so lucky to have a real family, but they're glad to at least know that there are those who have opened their arms to them and allowed them to be a part of theirs. for that, they're forever grateful. even in separate guilds, even when nyx tends to be a liability when left unchecked ... as their gaze meets their pseudo big brothers, the smile that curves is a genuine one. “ who else is 'gonna worry about you, old man ? can't have you dying on me already, ” the mage is far from a healer or anything close, but they're going to do absolutely everything they can to make sure it doesn't happen. “ what, i can't try to do this whole ... nice thing ? you're the one who told me that i needed to go out there and ' make some friends your own age ', ”
With all of his armor finally stuffed in his signature duffel bag that was far too big, rocking the symbol of the knights of rose on both sides, he swung it over his shoulder with no difficulty and made his way towards the gap in the crowd they gestured towards. He was still in full tanker mode, walking a bit in the front, keeping an eye on his back to make sure Nyx was following, ready to push through the crowd should he need it. "Large earl grey milk tea. Large earl grey milk tea... I'm gon' forget, ya gotta repeat it when we get there, aight?" Once they were out of the group of people, he let himself fall in step right next to them. The strange sensation in his stomach resided, but he'd simply told himself that he must've been hungry after all that fighting. "Thank you, by the way. For savin' my ass. I guess I might've overexerted myself, or whatever. I gotta work on that more."
[ ... ] 𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐌𝐋𝐘 𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐃 𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃, they trust adam to lead the way as they weave their way through the crowd, actively ignoring any questions and calls for them to make a beeline to ... wherever they're headed. “ you're 'gonna forget something i said two seconds ago ? ” retract the claws : be nice !! remember, you're on your own now. not to mention that adam has been nothing but kind, even making sure that no one in their vicinity would get their hands on them. babysteps, they remember. babysteps. “ everyone has their limits ... ” they would know. ” just 'gotta make sure to watch your back better and think it through before you strike, or get a good tank or healer who won't turn their back and you and run when things get tough, ” hues peek out the hood. “ got anyone like that ? ”
"You traded my fifty year glen for a fucking cocktail--" The voice in which he mocked his friend was whiny and spoken with a big pout on his lips before it turned into chuckles. "Shut up and drink, you baby!" His grin had only faded as he himself took a sip from his own drink, the fruity tones perfectly enough to hide away the atrocious taste of the alcohol in it. Eyebrows shot up in awe as soon as he noticed the smallest of smiles on Alexei's face, and Adam knew immediately that he had won. He nearly jumped out of his chair, yelling "Free drinks all night, baby!", followed by a victorious smack on the table that nearly got both their drinks tipped over. But only nearly. "I'm so fucking good! Ya like the bitters and the citrus, ain't ya?"
[ ... ] 𝐇𝐄'𝐒 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐁𝐄 𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 ... difficult, at times, to say the least. a little to set in his own ways ; head far too stubborn with more selfish lapses in judgement than he can count, but at times like these, with the right company — namely with another person who doesn't take life too seriously ( much needed in their line of work ), he's managed to relieve the weight eternally carried on his shoulders ... even manage to crack a genuine smile / two. “ not bad. you should do this for a living, ” a compliment without any backhanded snides or jabs ? the alcohol must have started getting to him. “ if, you know, the whole monster hunting shit doesn't work out, ” taking another sip, he hums pleasantly at the taste. “ think if we just get some monsters shit faced they'll leave us alone ? ”
"it's not equal, true. nothing is. there's always a conversion rate, goods delivered, services rendered -- you're gonna pay one way or the other. For me, the guild had health insurance and ... hunter insurance which was great when i was suddenly facing a couple million dollar hospital debt." he shrugged. "not gonna try to get you to yum your yuk, not here recruiting or trying to say that the guilds are the answer. there's a lot wrong with them."
he picked up his water, wishing he had the power to turn one liquid into another. he craved the sweet cherry vanilla fountain soda he had when he was a kid. it was no longer sold. he would just pretend it was that when he took a sip.
"have to say - lone hunters have some bargaining power. you pick your group, your raid, you don't pay tithes or service fees, and if you're not the leader, you don't have to worry about shit other than getting in and getting out. Pros and cons to everything, I s'pose... but why the doldrums? someone trying to see you guildscout cookies?"
[ ... ] 𝐃𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐘 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒, there were certainly some things that came much easier to him than his history and present as a lone hunter. admittedly, he's met his fair share of hunters he respcted, and even work well along side ... as a tanker, there's always pride in successfully holding down the fort in the front lines, and it comes with the camaraderie of a successful raid with your guild. even though he's far from sentimental, there had been a night or two where he would reminisce a few particularly successful raids. “ how the hell did you rack up millions in hospital bills ? ” asking out of curiosity than anything, really. interest peaked with a raise of his brow. even after a few years in california, there were still a few characteristically american things that he didn't understand ... healthcare being one of them. “ ... nah, not that. 'was just thinking of why i even joined one in the first place. going back to doin' shit on my own terms has been way less of a headache, ”
MOON GA YOUNG ♡ ↪ Elle Korea (2023)
