Hello and welcome to my Twisted Wonderland writing (side) blog! I’m your Stargazer, Vi! I’m here to collect your wishes and grant them in the form of writings!
This is my first time doing something like this but I’ve had so much fun reading others’ works that I decided to dip my hands in this to! I am fairly new to the series, so I’m not familiar with everything;; but I love the characters so much! I’ve read up to ch.6 but not all events/cards, so please bear with me while I familiarize myself with the cast!
I will be cross posting on here and AO3, so you can read on both sites! I post under the same username/url (Villainess Prefect)!
If you want to support me, you can always donate to my Ko-fi!
I also have commissions open that you can check out here!
Rules
No spamming requests, please! I know tumblr sometimes eats things, but please be patient! I can’t promise to get to everything, but I will try when I have the time.
Only NRC boys/students, no staff or RSA students (for now).
No bashing on other ships/characters allowed. I’m here for a good time not a bad one and I’m sure you are to.
Genres range from fluff to semi-dark. AUs, Yandere, and self-aware stuff are okay with me! I’m more inclined to write fluff more than anything, so thats my bias lol.
I won’t be writing explicit NSFW stuff or anything related to pregnancy.
My primary focus of this blog is writing scenarios/drabbles/oneshots! Sorry, no headcanons/bullet posts here!
If you do send in a request, please note:
1 character per request so I can really focus on them if you want an x reader.
I will default to reader being the Prefect and gender neutral if unspecified.
I won’t do those “reader is like [insert character here from a different series]”
You can send in ship requests for canon characters to!
My (personal) goal is to write things around 500-1k words for each thing sent.
And just a reminder that I may be better with some characters over others! We all have our bias, strengths and weaknesses and I am no different.
Not a rule, but would be cool if you could send in requests like a wish to keep in theme with this blog uwu/
After many trials and tribulations, we can finally bring you the biggest project of last (and a bit of this) year: our wonderful rarepair zine!
We would like to thank all the wonderful creators who helped us out on our way to finishing this wonderful book of fanworks (seriously, we have over 130 pages of delicious delicious content!) and whose spotlights we've either already posted or will post not long after publishing the zine.
We also want to thank you, dear readers, viewers, and other rarepair enjoyers, for supporting us and filling out our interest checks. Thanks to you, we gathered the courage to even start this project to begin with!
Now, without further ado! Download the zine version depending on your preferences and make sure to read all the included warnings!
...And by good I mean stuck in gacha hell (ᗒᗣᗕ)՞ that's the main reason I've been out...I want to write but cries in event after event after event (╥﹏╥) but I'm still twst'ing!!!!!
Malleus bday jacket & dorm uniform came home in 20 pulls (each on their respective banners) so (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄) I am very happy with that!! He deserves a treat (one day....)
I hope you've been doing good, anon!! and I hope your pulls are blessed!!
summary: Idia would truly do anything for Ortho, even if it means spoiling him with his favorite food.
characters: Idia Shroud & Ortho Shroud
word count: 2735
note: my piece for the @twsthorrorzine !! Please note it does include cannibalism and ch. 6 info!
Read on AO3
Idia has always found comfort in his room.
There are no eyes on him, no one to make fun of him, and no one to tell him what to do. He can relax and indulge in his fantasies, escaping from reality. Here, he can become a god whether it be through gaming or giving life to his latest creations.
No one is allowed to enter his sanctuary. This is his place and his place alone. The only other person he would dare to allow in willingly is Ortho. And even then his brother isn’t always at his side. As much as he yearns for him to be, Idia knew that his brother’s time had already passed long ago. The Ortho with him now could never replace him, but that didn’t mean he stopped thinking of his brother.
So, when he hears the door open, Idia is quick to scowl. It may have been a new employee who was foolish enough to stumble into his room or one of the older members who looked after him from a young age. Regardless, he hates how people intrude upon his safe haven.
The elder Shroud turns in his chair, ready to give the command for whoever it is to leave. As long as he’s in STYX, he has power over everyone here. But when he turns to see who it is, Idia freezes.
It’s Ortho.
Bright yellow eyes meet his. They're not synthetic, nor made of glass. He flashes a smile, showing off those familiar sharp teeth, the same as his. They aren't perfect like how Idia created them to be. Blue hair burns as bright as his own, flickering too. It's not a mimicry of his, but rather proof that the curse runs through his blood.
His body is free from its metal confines, flesh replacing it instead. The flame on his chest may be gone, but Idia feels like he can still see it lingering over his brother as he breathes. He watches his chest with every breath taken as if trying to confirm that he really is alive.
"Idy," Ortho chirps. His voice is upbeat and warm, soothing like an angel comforting him during his darkest days. He wants to hear him speak again, more. He wants to hear his voice over and over. He needs to.
Instead of granting him that wish, he permits another. Ortho collides with his brother, wrapping his arms around him and clinging to him. Despite his cheery demeanor, his grip is tight as if afraid to let go.
"O-Ortho..." Idia breathes out his name, voice daring to shatter into a million pieces. His fingers twitch, hesitant to return the embrace. He's scared that this may not be real and if he were to hold him, then he'd disappear and Ortho would be gone. Again.
But he feels the warmth radiating from him. It's different from what he's used to. Motors and internal parts recreating a sense of warmth like a human's but could never perfectly capture it.
Despite this feeling of warmth, Ortho is still cold. The cheek pressing up against his skin is icy, as if touched by the lord of death himself.
But Idia doesn't care about the finer details. What matters is that Ortho is here. With him.
As he finally embraces his brother, Idia can feel the tears pricking at his eyes. He doesn't deserve this, he knows, but he's unbelievably happy that this outcome is real. Having Ortho back in his life was a forbidden wish that no one could ever grant him. It shouldn't be a possibility. As someone who practically works alongside death, he should know the probability of this happening to be zero.
"Idy..." Ortho breathes out his name again. It only makes Idia's grip on him tighten.
"I'm sorry." He apologizes over and over. It comes out along with overflowing tears. He's a pathetic sight.
"It's okay, Idy." Ortho's voice helps him calm down. The little hum he does while rubbing his back helps too. When Idia is more composed, he's able to pull back and bask in his brother's glory.
Ortho keeps up a kind smile. There's no hatred behind his eyes, no anger directed at him for past mistakes. It's all love. And it breaks Idia's heart.
But there's something different in his eyes. A flash of desire, a craving that was unknown to him.
"I'm hungry."
"Ah, yeah, of course you are..." Idia clears his throat. His voice is still quivering. He never lets Ortho go. He can't. "Wh-What do you want to eat? We can get your favorite."
The thought of doing something so mundane with his brother brings him joy. That emotion is tossed out when he finds Ortho's smile fall.
Had he done something wrong? Was his brother okay? What was going on? Panic begins to rise in his chest with questions ready to be hurled out as if by a maniac.
"I'd love to, but...I want something different." Ortho bites down on his lip looking guilty.
"What do you want? I'll get you anything, Ortho."
Idia is desperate. He needs to keep Ortho here; he needs to keep him happy. As if on cue, Ortho's face lights up, his smile returning and his eyes sparkling.
"Well, since you asked..."
~...~
Whatever Ortho wants, he gets. That is what Idia decided. The younger Shroud deserves everything and anything his heart desires. Thankfully, Ortho only wants to be at his brother's side. He clings to him as he settles into the living world once more all the while enjoying their hobbies. It's as if he never left.
"Aww, you won again, Idy!" A playful pout forms as Ortho taps his finger over the controller.
Idia can't help but laugh. While he loves his brother dearly, that doesn't mean he's going to sit back and let Ortho win.
"Told you I would. I'll show you the tricks so you can totally destroy others. The only person who is allowed to beat you is me."
Ortho giggles and agrees. But he also makes the promise to beat him one day.
As they play late into the night, a nauseating growl disrupts their fun. It comes from the younger brother. Normally he's the one to remind Idia to eat, but it seems he lost track of time. Now his hunger is beginning to bark.
"Can we take a break, Idy?" He asks innocently with a hand over his stomach. "We never got dinner."
"Oh..." Idia forgets that he can survive off energy drinks and chips or nothing at all for extended periods of time. His body may hate him for it, but he never cared for the consequences. Now that Ortho is back, he should clean up his bad habits. If not for himself, then for his little brother. "Yeah, I can put in an order for something."
"Idy..." Ortho whines and gives him a pleading look. "Can I have that again?"
"Again?" Idia raises a brow. His finger hovers over his phone's screen. Something in his gut tells him to say no. That disgusting feeling that something is wrong and he shouldn't give in to his younger brother's pleas. Yet, he can't help himself.
Whatever Ortho wants, he gets.
"Y-Yeah, sure. I just...gotta figure something out first."
"Thanks, Idy!" Ortho giggles as he jumps into his brother's arms. "You're the best!"
~...~
Blot. It's something the Shrouds are used to. They need it to survive whether they like it or not. The inky substance controls their lives. They can't escape it, even in death.
It stains Ortho's body. The younger brother had dismissed it as nothing serious, but as time went on it had only gotten worse. It started with his fingertips. His hands looked as if they were dipped in ink. The black goo had spread up his arms, reaching to his elbows. He left a mess wherever he went, leaving drops of blot as a sign. Then his flames began to shift in color. Black flames that looked unnatural, even more so than his blue ones.
"I'm okay, Idy," Ortho reassures. He proves it to his brother by moving around with ease. He spins on one foot and stops with precision. His arms are held outward, blot dripping down onto the floor. He smiles brightly despite all this and Idia can't find a hint of deceit in him. "I'll be better after I've eaten."
Idia takes in a breath. Logically, he knows this is wrong. The blot that stains his brother and how it spreads. He worries over him and frets over what may happen.
But he's also worried about his appetite. It's growing, as a young boy's should, but at an alarming rate. It's not a problem for his big brother. It is a little...troublesome, but Idia can get away without having to do any of the dirty work.
"What do you want today?" He asks. There's no point to it. The answer is always the same, but inquiring makes things feel a little more normal.
Ortho hums, placing an inky finger underneath his chin.
"I want...the scientist, the one who helped run tests with you yesterday." He answers. "He said some mean things about you, right? I think he's a good choice."
"You sure?" Idia is indifferent to his brother's choice. Those that worked here were all faceless, nameless nobodies. He didn't care for them and neither did they care for him. They could easily be replaced. But his brother couldn't. "I don't mind, just double checking."
"I'm sure. The less jerks who hurt you in the world, the better."
"Alright."
Idia picks up his tablet and gets to work. The names and images of employees pop up one by one. Idia doesn’t recognize most of them, he never did. They’re just people who were employed by his family, nothing more, nothing less. And now they were being looked at like food. Names on a menu with an appetizing picture beside them.
It makes inputting Ortho’s order easier. He has no attachment to these people. He doesn’t care. Perhaps a small part of him thinks this is sickening and wrong, but there was nothing right about his life in the first place. Another mistake here or there wouldn’t do much. Besides, there is no one to tell him he can’t do this, especially when he’s from the family that has control over the entire facility.
It's easy to sweep under the rug too. A missing scientist at STYX could be brushed off as a lost soul getting too close to a Phantom. The risk is low but still there. Death is always looming around the corner here, or at least legions below their feet.
They lived in a dangerous place. The cold air that traveled throughout the facility, their home, was always calling for more. The monsters that lived below were always crying for a way out, for more victims to take. One wrong move and those creatures could easily take a life. Or two. Especially those that were locked behind the gate that only the Shroud family could control.
Idia thinks he should feel guilty over this, but he can't find it in him to care. He's cold and uncaring towards anyone outside his family.
"One of the Charons will have them here in a few mins. Think you can wait?"
"I can."
"Perfect."
Idia doesn't catch how his brother's smile widens more than it should. Nor how his teeth seem sharper than usual. It's okay though. Ortho will be okay after he's had his meal.
~...~
Ortho is...alive.
Bright, wide eyes have lost their pupils. All he can do is stare into the gaping holes and imagine that his own brother is looking his way. His mouth is lost within an inky black mess. The only time he can pinpoint where it is, is when it opens wide and bares his teeth. His hair has lost its blue color, now dipped in nothing but darkness. It still imitates flames, albeit a little weaker.
What once was flesh has turned into blot. A dark, goopy substance that colors every part of him. He still retains a human-like silhouette, but he's become something much more. He's more advanced than his robotic counterpart, able to control the ink that is his body at will. He always keeps his outline the same though as he is still Ortho.
Throughout all this change, his stomach still aches.
A slab of meat is placed before him. It’s hard to tell what it is exactly. To the untrained eye, they might mistake it for an animal. But to those within STYX, they know exactly what it is.
Sometimes the meat is juicier, red liquid smearing the plate and even daring to slide off it. It’s filling and mouthwatering. Sometimes it looks like an indescribable mess. Chunks of organs are slapped down onto a plate and mixed together into something that looks inhuman. And sometimes there’s a bit of flesh that remains. Skin that was too attached to the thick piece of meat and meant to act as garnish.
Regardless of the presentation, the size, the flavor, it’s catered to Ortho like a five-star meal. He is too hungry to care about anything else and simply wants to eat. When his mouth opens, revealing his brilliant white teeth that are now much sharper than Idia's, it's also impossible to see further in. It’s almost as if one is staring into a pit of darkness.
Sharp teeth sink into their next meal. They easily penetrate the fleshy substance, ripping it apart piece by piece. Blood drips from the chunk of meat and it dribbles onto his form. It’s hard to tell where the red and black liquids collide. The ink overtakes any red stains that would have disgraced his human body.
Ortho is always careful with his meal despite the mess he makes. He chews on the meat, enjoying the fat and how squishy it is between his teeth. The pile of flesh gets chopped up into tiny pieces and goes down his inky throat. His plate is always clean and he never leaves even a scrap behind. It’s as if there had been nothing there to begin with. The only sign to prove otherwise are the red smears left on the plate.
Eyes shut and an echoing laughter escapes despite his mouth seeming to be closed.
"Thank you for this meal, Idy," he says before taking another chunk of meat into his mouth. His voice has changed, almost sounding drawled out.
It's a sickening sight, really. He should be holding back the bile that ought to be trying to escape from his lips. But this is something he's used to. The sight of his used-to-be-deceased brother now turned into some sort of unclassified Phantom who feeds off of the flesh of the living.
He's a monster.
But he isn't.
Ortho is his little brother.
He still wants to be with Idia, and still clings to him as if everything was normal. He can't play games that well as ink messes up the controller, but he can try. His body isn't as tangible as it should be, but he can still envelop Idia in a hug and bring him warmth despite his cold ink.
"I've got some more on the way," Idia says.
Ortho's appetite never stopped growing. One piece won't do him any good. Slices were getting bigger with each passing day. At this point, he might just have to start eating people whole.
"Really?" Despite lacking any type of visible change in his form, Idia can hear the eagerness in his voice.
"Yup. Got a whole feast ready for you." Idia grins.
Idia made a list of all the people who badmouthed his brother. Those who called him a monster or dared to even suggest they should get rid of him — or worse, keep him as a test subject. It made his blood boil. Couldn't they see that this was Ortho? His precious little brother and not some abomination?
Ortho deserves better. He was given a second chance and his foolish older brother wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
Perhaps the world would be better if it were just the two of them. Or at least if the population shrunk. What's a few lives lost at the cost of keeping his brother alive?
Poses so I know I’ve been MIA a bit with twst fics due to life (gacha hell and freebies for cupsleeves) but!! GM has got me like 👁️👁️
So I had a thought of maybe doing little…Drabble?? A short thing to go along with each book that’s released so a little 5 chapter thing that’s Rollo/Reader (and maybe a little Malleus/reader to). Idk the full GM event I never read it just watched people yell on Twitter about it. Just a thought!! I miss writing and Rollo is finally here in EN…
Nightmares Horror Zine is now available for digital download!
The moment we've all been waiting for is here!
Nightmares is available for download until Oct 31st, 2023.
Visit our Gumroad for download options!
Nightmares is a free digital download, but there is a digital merch option for a $5 minimum pay-what-you-want bundle with all contributions being given to Equality Florida!
Equality Florida is a non-profit civil rights organization dedicated to protecting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community as well as challenging recent legislation passed that further endangers human rights, teachers and schooling, as well as access to books across the state.
Please like/reblog to help us give to a good cause while making this October a little spookier.
summary: Returning to the NRC after dealing with another Overblot is tiring. But seeing a certain boy always makes Locket smile.
ship: Silver x fem!OC (belongs to @princesslocket )
word count: 2601
note: a commission from a lovely person!! ovo/ check out her OC cuz Locket is just neato!
Read on AO3
The campus of Night Raven College had become home to the Prefect of Ramshackle. And to finally be back, to be welcomed by the familiar faces and scenery was a sight for sore eyes. No longer was she, along with a handful of other students, on the Island of Woe, fighting for not only their lives but the entire world's future. It was a huge relief to return. Locket was more than happy to come back to the school grounds despite everything that had transpired in this school since her arrival.
But what really relieves her is the fact that Grim is at her side. The little furball was happy beyond belief to be back. Despite how tough he wanted to come off as, even he succumbed to tears. He missed her. He missed his friends.
And finally, he was home too.
Reunions were taking place on the fields, friends and classmates being reunited. There was plenty to do and talk about. It was chaotic yet this felt just right. When had this school ever been silent? And amiss it all, a voice catches her attention.
"Locket...!"
The Prefect's eyes widen when she recognizes that voice. With a quick turn, she finds Silver, a dear friend, looking her way. A smile eases onto her face once their eyes meet. Regardless of the troubles she just went through, he manages to make her light up with just his presence. Yet, unfortunately, Silver can't return that same smile.
"You...are you alright?" He asks with deep concern. Even if he has trouble expressing himself, his eyes hold so much more. Worry and unease sparkle within those shimmering and beautiful eyes. They say so much more than he does, practically pleading with hope that she is okay.
"I heard what happened," Silver continues. He doesn't know everything, just whatever they could conclude from an earlier meeting. How certain students were taken away and the guess as to why.
It doesn't help that he had witnessed it firsthand when they had come for Riddle. Knowing that Locket was gone, to chase after them, a feeling of dread had taken over his heart. Surely the same wouldn't happen to her, but to think it had? It left him troubled and worried, more than he would ever voice aloud. But it was clear on his face to anyone who saw him how he was fretting over the incident. Her sudden disappearance was more than enough to even make him have trouble sleeping.
Locket was known to jump into trouble and disregard her safety. And it seemed the same had happened yet again.
"You're not hurt, are you?"
"Oh, don't worry, Silver!" Locket smiles brightly at him with a spring in her step. She's tired, so tired. Dealing with another Overblot is draining, but she'd never let it show, at least not in front of a crowd. She has to keep up that smile no matter how weary it may be. In front of him, it's easier, and more natural to maintain.
She takes closer steps towards him, away from the reunion. "I'm alright." She reassures with a light smile and a matching laugh.
"There's a lot to explain about what happened though and I'm not too sure how much I can really spill..." It wasn't her story to tell. So many were involved and so much had happened. But, he deserved to know some of the truth, right? At least what happened to her.
For a brief moment, her eyes drift back to Grim. Her gaze softens as she sees the cat in the hands of Ace and Deuce. The three of them are huddled together, clinging to each other.
"But we got Grim back."
Silver follows her gaze. He knows the importance of that cat monster to her. And he also knows not to push someone to speak if they don't want to, especially her. She'd been gone for so long, or at least it felt like a long time. Silver could see just how tired she was. How tired everyone is. This incident had taken its toll on the entire school.
"You must be tired. You should rest when you get the chance." He replies. He's about to speak more, concerning her health but his gaze is suddenly drawn to the unusual purple cloth she's wearing. He didn't know why he hadn't noticed before, especially since it was a sudden and stark difference from her usual attire.
"Why're you in Pomefiore's dorm uniform, if I may ask?"
"Oh!" She gives a nervous laugh as she faces him once more, but not after glancing down at her attire. "Long story short, I had to wear it to help protect me! Ramshackle's uniform doesn't get the job done in different weather conditions." Or at all, really. Well, it did the basics, and that's all she needed. "The uniforms are imbued with magic, right? So, I had to put one on to adjust to the weather when we were flying."
The explanation sounds crazy out of context. Her, the Prefect, flying. But a lot of things have happened to her since arriving at this school. It shouldn't be too surprising to hear she flew in the sky or swam in the deepest parts of the sea. Now, here she was performing a simpler act, dawning another dorm's uniform.
Silver nods with a hum. He has so many questions going through his mind right now. Too many to ask at once. She needs her rest though, but his gaze still lingers on the uniform she wears.
He doesn't mind it, honestly. The uniform does fit her nicely. It's elegant and formal which suits the dorm it's from. Even if it wasn't imbued with magic, it does seem warmer than her usual attire.
It just leaves...something on his mind. Something similar to a bad taste in his mouth, yet not quite unpleasant. It's difficult to pinpoint this foreign feeling. He just wants to help her, to do the same as those of Pomefiore had done.
Silver finally decides on what he wants to do. But as he opens his mouth to speak, Grim is calling out for her. Locket can't say no to him, especially as he pulls her away from Silver. The cat is whining and crying about his henchhuman and how she needs to be by his side.
He can't help but smile at the two. It was important for them to reunite with everyone. She was missed, more than the other students would care to admit. But he wouldn't be afraid to say it if asked. For now, he steps back. It's not in him to interrupt a moment like this.
~...~
The days are getting colder and colder it seems. That or perhaps a brush with death lingered on her soul for longer than she thought. Regardless, the temperature around campus isn't as warm and pleasant as it was when she arrived back from the Island of Woe. Within the span of a couple of days, it had gone the breeze had gone from nice to chilly.
Locket takes one step out of Sam's shop and nearly has the urge to run back inside. At least his shop was always at a decent temperature to be in. But outside? It was cold. Freezing. And it didn't help that her 'cape' was nowhere to be seen around her shoulders.
The girl instantly hugs herself. The cool, chilly air brushes against her. Her clothes did little to fight off against the cold. It didn't help that she had returned to Ramshackle's uniform, which meant the lack of imbued magic and the warmth that came with it.
She wished that she had her jacket back, but so much had been going on lately. There was the fact Ramshackle had been practically destroyed. To ensure her and Grim's safety, she had to find a place to stay since her dorm was currently unlivable. It was even worse than when she first arrived here! There was so much to do that things felt like they were just piling up one after another.
At least she could spend time in Pomefiore. The invitation was extended to her and during these past couple of days, it had become a second home to her. And that's exactly where her jacket was right now.
It would be a bit of a trip back, but not a bad one. She never minded a walk around campus or traveling to other dorms. But today was different considering she lacked her cape.
"Oh, Locket." The familiar voice calls out to her, stopping her mind from worrying about the trip to Pomefiore. She turns and greets the boy with a smile.
"Silver!" She chirps, excited as always to see him no matter what predicament she may be in. "Heya, what brings you out here?"
"Nothing really. I was trying to find my fa- Lilia. He mentioned wanting to buy ingredients for dinner..." He does all he can to hold back a sigh. It's not like he could stop Lilia from cooking if he wanted to. He'd just have to tough it out and...do his best to eat whatever he decided to make.
"I didn't see him at the shop...maybe he already got them?" Locket suggests.
Silver doesn't want to admit that he's troubled by the thought. It sends a shiver down his spine to imagine what he'd bought already.
Yet, he catches sight of her once again. Noticing the change in clothing, or lack thereof. She no longer dawns the robes of Pomefiore, but her usual Ramshackle attire. One piece is missing from her and its very noticeable.
Then he notices her body language. The slight shivering and how she holds herself together. Despite how she tries to stand firmly and act as if she doesn't have a care in the world, he can see that she's trying to hide it. It's subtle but Silver is observant.
Unfortunately, he's not sure how to bring it up. Could he ask? Or should he simply do something? He decides to go for the latter.
"I'm sure I'll come across him later. But for now...I'd like you to have this, if you will." Silver starts to take off his jacket. He takes a step closer to her. Once close enough, he simply drapes it around her shoulders, making it seem like her cape had returned, albeit this one was darker than her usual. His fingers brush against her shoulders, gently gliding over the fabric of her shirt. He ensures his jacket remains there, nice and perfectly. "It won't protect your whole body, but at least it can provide you some warmth."
Locket seems to pause for a moment. Then her hands begin to move. Not to adjust the jacket, but to simply touch the fabric as if to confirm it's there. It's like a part of her that was missing had just been reunited with her after a very long time. She felt more complete than ever before.
"It's fine! Don't worry, this is more than enough. I...appreciate it, Silver."
Her smile eases onto her face so naturally. It's easy to relax around him. It's the little things he does for her. How he treats her kindly and as if she were just any other, ordinary person. Back at home, she never got this kind of treatment. It was different back then. Stressful.
He'll never know just how much she appreciates it.
With a hum of her own, she steps to his side. She twirls a bit as if testing her new cape. It stays on, thankfully. It's like it was meant to be there all along.
"Well, we should head back, right?"
Silver nods as he takes a step toward the mirror chamber. He's a bit surprised to see her come along, although her presence isn't unwanted.
"Is there a reason you're heading this way?" He asks. Ramshackle was on campus, there would be no need for her to go this way. Unless... "Is...Ramshackle still not finished being repaired?"
Locket holds back a sigh but her face falls regardless. "It's still being worked on. I could stay in one of the rooms and I tried to, but the ghosts wouldn't let me. They shooed me out to go find a safer room on campus." She says with a light chuckle. Those ghosts always seemed to have her back.
"Where have you been staying then?"
"Pomefiore! They welcomed me there. Although I wasn't planning to stay there for too long..." She'd rather spend time in another dorm, but she wasn't in a position to be picky. It didn't help that most students could throw her out of the dorm if they really wanted to. While she may not mind a night out under the stars, she's certain that Grim would.
"I see..." Silver nods in thought. For a moment, his eyelids grow heavy. Sleep always tries to take him when he least expects it. But he can't allow himself to sleep, not now. A gentle hand touches his shoulder and that seems to do the trick. An apologetic look stems from him as he turns to Locket. "Sorry." He doesn't need to apologize, but he does anyway. It's become a bad habit that he could never truly shake off. "The ghosts must really care for you."
"They do! Me and Grim!" She replies. "I had to admit, I do miss being around them too. You should visit when it's repaired!"
Her eyes light up at the thought. She'd love for him to come to her home. Especially since it should be better than before. At least she hopes so. Anything would be better than having a large hole in the wall and allowing the outside forces in. Regardless of how her dorm turns out, she's looking forward to it despite not hearing his reply.
"I'd love to." Silver puts on a little smile. He truly would enjoy being at Ramshackle. It's a decrepit dorm, or it had been, but it had sprung to life thanks to her. It had her personal touch everywhere. He had to admit that he missed visiting it. "I'm sure you'll be back soon."
They continue to chat all the way up to the mirror chamber. Various topics come up, but it's mostly Locket speaking and Silver listening. He enjoys the sound of her voice. It helps keep him grounded and awake. And she doesn't mind telling him about her day or things she has planned. Especially if they involve him.
Silver almost hates that they have to part ways. Her presence is...warm. It's difficult to put into words, but he enjoys being around her more than he ever thought he would.
"You can keep the jacket," Silver tells her before she can begin taking it off. "In case it ever gets cold...it's yours to use."
He feels proud. He's happy to lend her something of his that she can use. It's almost embarrassing to feel this way, but he enjoys the feeling. He did something good for her and it makes his heart feel light.
Locket's hands waver on his jacket. For a moment, she considers taking it off and insisting he takes it back. It was his! And yet...a part of her wants to keep it. To have it around her every now and then and to enjoy the feeling of warmth she gets from it. It's nice and soothing and comforting. It reminds her of him.
while i’m busy on lengthy fanfics (and probably rarepair month coming up) y’all are free to shoot questions about AUs I’ve written about!! Sometimes I don’t elaborate unless I have a back and forth or something but I like some of the stuff I’ve been coming up for twst
title: curiosity killed the cat (but not you. not yet.)
summary: The graveyard you pass on your way holds many things. You know better than to be persuaded by rumors to enter it. But even the mightiest of people can't resist a sweet temptation every once in a while. (modern supernatural AU)
ship: Idia x gn!reader
word count: 2,573
note: an AU I concocted while at work that's a lil on the spooky side. bits of blood/injury mention but not heavy!
Read on AO3
Darkness surrounds you everywhere you turn. There is no escaping the night once it reaches its peak. But, the moon illuminates your path. It guides you on the same steps you take home every night as if watching you, protecting you.
Despite the dangers that may lie in the shadows, you walk without a care in the world. You've come to enjoy it, love it, even. The mysteries of the night call to you, luring you in and wearing down your guard with ease. Sometimes there's a haunting sensation, something you can't shake that follows you, yet nothing ever happens.
Perhaps you should be more careful when wandering alone at night.
Yet, you keep your spirits up. Your head is held high. Your walk back home is never long even though the shadows may make it seem like your path stretches on forever. You know better. You could probably scold them for playing tricks on you if they were real.
The sound of your own footsteps comes to a halt, leaving you in absolute silence. Not even the wind tries to stir a wale as it brushes past your skin, leaving you with a chill you've grown accustomed to. Your head turns to the side, finding yourself face to face with an iron gate. Beyond it lies a resting place for the souls that have long passed.
It's always unsettling to pass by this place at night. There is no danger to be found where the dead lie yet that doesn't stop rumors from spreading. Weaker spirits would be quick on their feet, running from the very entrance in fear that a decomposing body would try to reach for them through the gates.
But you? You remain in place. You admire the gates and what lies beyond.
You squint as if that would help your vision. All you can see is the pitch-black night beyond the sterling silver bars. As you take a step closer, a howl rings out from the distance. It's warning you not to step further in.
And you don't. You never did despite your curiosity. While you wanted to indulge and investigate the rumors haunting this graveyard, you never dared to go in. The gates were always locked, even during the day. It seemed like this place was never in use and only meant to be a reminder for the living.
As if on cue to remind you not to step in further, a little blue wisp makes its appearance. It's a small ball of fire with a faint blue glow surrounding it that could easily fit in the palm of your hand. You recall touching it once when your curiosity got the better of you. Surprisingly, the fire didn't hurt. It had even tried to move away from your touch as if it were afraid of you.
"Hello, friend." You greet the wisp with a smile.
Its flames simmer, blazing to life. It grows brighter and it's very mesmerizing to watch. If you had the time, you would stay here and watch it flicker in the breeze of the night.
You're not sure if it could understand you, but it has always come to greet you as you pass, at least, you assume so. Another part of you thinks it's warning you to stay away. It makes you wish that you could understand it. Unfortunately, even you know that is a wish that could never be granted.
"I know, I know, don't go in. I'm just saying hi."
The flame bounces around in the air, the tips flickering toward you for a moment. They return to their usual blaze momentarily after. Your gaze on your little friend makes you linger. A few minutes here wouldn't hurt you.
As you're about to pick up your feet and return on your journey back home, something catches your eye. The faint glow surrounding the wisp shines on the gate behind it. Your eyes widen in disbelief.
The gates are open.
Ever so slightly, in the dim blue light, you can see the small parting of the silver bars. The lock that binds them is nowhere to be seen. As you peer closer, you find nothing to show that the gates had been forced open. It's as if they had parted just for you. Calling you by your name so sweetly with the false promise of satisfying the growing hunger in your mind.
As they say, curiosity killed the cat.
You don't know when you've managed to take a step inside the graveyard. It's as if you were there all this time. When you turn back, you find the gate still open. A sign that you could turn back any time. You could go home, be safe, get into bed, and then think this is all dream.
Your friend seems to think it's a good idea. The way it flickers and practically rages in a fiery passion. For a moment, you think you see it flicker to a red hue.
"I'll just be a minute."
You turn your head, away from the fire, not wanting to see its reaction. You doubt your reassurance meant anything, but it did to you. Just a minute. You wouldn't let your curiosity get the better of you.
Shoes meet with the dirt, crunching leaves underneath every other step. You can't tell if the sound is welcomed or not. But, it doesn't upset anyone here.
The moon that once lit your path now begins to hide behind clouds. You didn't recall seeing any earlier in the night and that causes you to worry. No artificial light is around to save you from the creeping darkness. You should turn back. You want to turn back.
But you can't.
A voice. A young and childish voice beckons you forward with the call of your name. It sends a shiver down your spine, your blood runs cold. The hair on your body rises, you can see your own breath. The cold air had practically become freezing in a matter of seconds.
This is bad. Very bad.
Against your better judgment, you speak.
"H-Hello...?"
There is no answer, but that doesn't mean you are alone.
The rustling of branches causes your head to turn. An owl cries out for attention. It distracts you only for a second and that's all it really needed.
When you look back before you, you're not sure what you see. It's something dark, as dark as the night. It practically blends in with the surroundings. If you hadn't been able to make out the tombstones in front of you before, you'd think you would be looking ahead into the darkness. Perhaps you really were at this point.
You can't make out the figure as it hides from the moonlight. All you can do is hear its heavy footsteps. Each one makes you tremble with every step it takes toward you. There's something of a ghastly groan, inhuman, that it lets out. It calls your name in a distorted voice.
Now, you run.
While that thing seemed like it would be a slow and daunting creature, it had proved you wrong. Its pace keeps up with yours, practically staying on your trail as you run through the darkness. Tombstones are your enemies and so are the foliage that decorates them. The darkness you seemed to enjoy only hinders you. It's only time before-
You trip.
You fall.
You meet with the cool earth. Grass and dirt staining your body, but that is the least of your concerns. You need to pick yourself up and keep running. You have a chance. Despite the fall, there is nothing trapping you here. Your feet are fine, you are fine, just a little tattered, you can live.
The silence of those daunting footsteps makes you think otherwise. You stay frozen on the ground and can practically feel whatever is after you looming over you. If you couldn't, the shadow that it casts over you, binding you to the darkness was an obvious sign. Something drips onto the back of your neck. It's cold and wet and sticks to your skin. You don't know what it is. You're not sure if you want to know.
Whatever it is has yet to make a move. But you decide not to wait. If you have a chance, you might as well take it. That is your first mistake, thinking you have one.
The moment you move so does that creature. It's as if it were waiting for you to try and run before slamming down its hand upon you. You don't escape unscathed though. As you roll across the dirt, a sharp pain shoots through your arm, nearly making you think that you may have lost it for a moment. As you hold your injured arm against your chest, you're granted a sight of the monster.
An arm, one long and pitch black has its claws sinking into the ground where you had once been. You can see the flesh moving as if it were melting. And then you realize it isn't skin, but something dark, gooey, inky. You see something drip from the arm. That's what must have dripped onto you.
Your gaze trails up the arm and to its body. The darkness still conceals most of it, but you can tell that it drips with the same inky substance. Its entire body is made of that, actually. You try to find the thing's face, something you could look at and see. Something you can decipher and be able to put into words. Something you can call it and know exactly what you have to fear.
All you can see in the depths of the inky darkness are two voids of white. You place them as eyes, you hope they are. It feels like it as they stare right at you.
The claw that had been digging into the ground frees itself finally. It's lifted above your head, looming over you. It acts like it's giving you a chance to try and run again. Toying with you.
Do you really think you have a chance?
You take in a sharp breath and raise your arms to be your shield as you brace yourself for the impact. You shut your eyes tightly, not wanting to see just how you meet your end. You just hope that his ends quickly. The faster it does, the more you don't get to linger on how stupid you were for coming in here.
Then there's a crackling and snapping sound. A sudden warmth battles off the cold. It envelops you and comforts you. The trembles of your heart begin to disappear. Slowly, you open your eyes as you lower your defenses.
A man stands before you, his back against you. His hair is long like fire- no, it is fire. Blue flames nearly reach the ground. They sizzle and flicker as if it has a life of its own. There's more of that same blue flame, it surrounds you both and warns off the thing that attacked you.
Your eyes never leave the figure standing before you, you're own personal hero. As you stare, you realize how odd he is. Aside from the fiery locks, you can see that he's translucent. It's faint but you could see through him. And there was an odd bluish glow surrounding him. You'd brush it off as just his hair lighting him up, but that glow didn't seem to be bound by it.
The man lets out an annoyed sigh once the creature is gone. He shakes his head and grants you a glimpse of his face. Golden eyes that shine against his pale skin meet with your eyes. His annoyed look disappears, being replaced with one of fear.
"Eep!" He shrieks and takes a step back. The flames surrounding you two disperse, leaving the only flames being his hair. "Y-You..." He breathes out. "You can see me, can't you?"
You nod.
"O-Oh no..."
The man's eyes leave yours, his fingers fidgeting with themselves. He begins to mumble something under his breath. You try to hear but don't understand what he's saying. Whether it's due to him speaking too fast or in a different tongue, you're not sure.
In the meanwhile, you get to your feet. Standing is harder than it seems as your legs shake beneath your weight. Your body feels heavier somehow. As you manage to balance yourself, you finally look at your arm.
Three long gashes across your arm were left behind. Its claws had certainly dug into your flesh. Blood should be pouring out of you, the sight should be messy, even unbearable for those accustomed to it. You feel like blood had spilled but it's impossible to tell in the dark. It doesn't help that the creature's inky remains stuck onto your skin. It seems to meld with it.
"What happened? D-Did he...?" The man's voice causes you to lift your gaze. He stands before you, his glow now illuminating your wound and you wish that he hadn't. Now you can see how disgusting it looks in the light.
A pale hand reaches for your arm. He hesitates before lightly touching the skin right next to that inky substance. His fingers are cold and you can feel them. He's tangible.
"I told you not to come in here..." He mutters. "You always listen...why, why this time...?"
The man frowns. You try to meet his gaze but he keeps his eyes on your injury. You wish you had an answer for him, one better than stupid curiosity. But you don't.
"You're not safe here...He...He'll be back."
"Who?" You ask.
"Y-You know who..." He frees you from his touch and takes a step back. His demeanor seems to change. He straightens his back and looks down at you. Those golden eyes of his looking at you seem to harden yet you can still see the concern swimming in them.
"If you know what's good for you, then you'll leave. Now." His voice had shifted from timid to commanding in an instant. It's almost startling how fast he changed. "If you don't leave..."
Yet, he can't find it in him to finish that sentence. To say your fate aloud felt like a personal forbidden rule he had to follow.
You stay for a moment. Eyes looking up at him, taking his whole presence in. Only now you think there's something familiar about him. Your mind had been lost in a haze of fear, and it still is, but it's clearer now. The flames of his hair really should have given it away in the beginning along with the comforting feeling of it.
Instead of speaking, you only turn and run. The path to the gate you had entered is clear before you. You wonder if he had anything to do with it?
As you make your escape, he watches your figure go. His eyes never leave your figure even as you make it out of the gate and into the safety of the realm of the living. From his position, he can see you looking back at him. He wonders how your sight is now that you've been infected.
"Please...don't come back..."
Idia isn't a soul that normally prays, but he prays that you would listen to his quiet plea. Unfortunately, he now knows your fate.
You'd be back, whether you wanted to return or not.
woops I was supposed to work on a fic but got distracted (and got home late from work to rip)
hopefully tomorrow!! I was able to do a rough draft at work...surprisingly so I just gotta edit it. no surprise its an Idia/reader but AU that just?? Hit me??
