Estrella

✮ — ꒰ cw. this will, of course, include yandere tendencies. yandere tendencies might include stalking, murder, kidnapping, and drugging. if any of these make you uncomfy, feel free to scroll past. i’m not responsible for your media consumption in any way! REBLOGS ARE APPRECIATED!!!

✮ — ꒰ a/n. MEOW MEOW MEOW MEOOOOOWWW!!!!! i kinda wrote this rushed so pls forgive me for any spelling mistakes or things that don't make sense...

you kept telling yourself it was simple. people left. people boarded the Astral Express and moved on with their lives. you were just doing the same thing. nothing dramatic. nothing wrong.

but your hands were shaking anyway.

the platform lights hummed softly above you as you stood with your bag clutched tighter than it needed to be. the train doors were already open, waiting. like it didn’t care what you chose.

“you’re really going to walk away without saying anything?” you turned. they were all there.

mydei stood at the front, arms crossed, expression tense. phainon stayed just behind him, quiet but watching you like he was trying to understand a language you weren’t speaking. anaxa leaned slightly to the side, calm in a way that didn’t feel calm at all.

to your left, algaea stepped forward first, her voice sharp but controlled. “you didn’t think we’d notice?” next to her, castorice tilted her head slightly. “you always hesitate before you run.”

tribbios gave a small, uneasy smile. “we were hoping you’d change your mind.” cerydra didn’t smile at all. “this is unnecessary.”

hysilens watched you like she already knew the outcome. “you’re not thinking clearly.” hyacine spoke softly, almost gently. “you don’t have to do this.”

and slightly behind them, cipher gave a small, amused exhale. “this is almost impressive. you really picked the worst timing.”

you swallowed hard. “i wasn’t trying to sneak away.” mydei stepped forward. “then what were you doing?”

you hesitated. “i just… wanted to leave.” that word changed the air instantly. phainon’s eyes narrowed slightly. “leave us?”

“not like that,” you said quickly. “i just want more than—this. i want to see things. meet people. i don’t want everything around me to feel decided already.” “we didn’t decide your life,” cerydra said firmly.

you looked at her. “it feels like you did.” that made a few of them go quiet. anaxa finally spoke, voice calm but heavy. “you’re assuming distance equals freedom.”

“doesn’t it?” you asked. castorice shook her head slightly. “freedom without support becomes loneliness.”

“and support without freedom becomes control,” you shot back before you could stop yourself.

silence.

hysilens exhaled softly. “you’re emotional right now.” “i’m being honest,” you said. tribbios stepped forward a little. “we’re not trying to trap you.”

cipher hummed. “no, we’re just trying very hard not to let you disappear.” that made your chest tighten.

“you think the astral express will fix that?” mydei asked suddenly. “you think running solves anything?” “it’s not running,” you said. “it’s choosing.” algaea’s gaze sharpened. “choosing what?”

“something else,” you said. “something that isn’t this.” phainon’s voice dropped slightly. “you think they’ll understand you better than we do?” you hesitated. “they might.” that was the wrong answer. you felt it immediately.

the shift wasn’t loud. no one moved aggressively. but suddenly, the space between you and them felt smaller.

“you really believe that,” anaxa said quietly. “yes,” you said, even though your voice shook a little.

hyacine stepped forward gently. “you’re scared.” “i’m not,” you said, but it didn’t sound convincing.

“you are,” hysilens replied softly. “and that’s okay.” the train behind you gave a soft mechanical chime.

you glanced back. the doors were still open. waiting. your chance. “go on,” mydei said suddenly. you looked at him sharply. “what?”

“if you want to leave,” he said evenly, “then leave.” “no one’s stopping you,” cerydra added.

cipher smiled faintly. “how generous of us, right?” but no one moved. not a single step back.

algaea’s arms were crossed, blocking one angle without even trying. phainon stood close enough behind you that you could feel his presence more than see it. anaxa was still watching like he already knew what you’d do. castorice, hyacine, tribbios—they were all there, forming a quiet wall that didn’t need to touch you to feel real.

you looked at the train again. then back at them. “…why does it feel like you are?” you whispered.

anaxa answered first. “because you’re not thinking about what happens after you leave.” “you don’t actually want to go,” castorice added gently.

“that’s not true,” you said. “then prove it,” mydei replied. your feet didn’t move. your throat felt tight.

phainon’s voice softened. “stay. we know you.” “we know you better than anyone else could,” tribbios added quietly.

“and we’re not asking you to be alone,” hyacine said. hysilens nodded slightly. “we’re asking you to stay where you’re understood.”

algaea stepped forward just a little more. “don’t turn this into something you regret.” cipher tilted her head. “or something you can’t undo.”

the wind shifted slightly across the platform. you closed your eyes for a second. freedom was right there. but so was everything you’d ever known.

when you opened your eyes again… you still hadn’t moved. “…i hate this,” you said quietly. “hate what?” phainon asked.

“that it feels like my choice is already made,” you whispered. silence again. then mydei spoke, softer this time. “because it is your choice.”

the train doors began to close slowly... like it had been waiting for you longer than you realized. you didn’t step forward. you didn’t step back either.

and when the Astral Express finally pulled away into the distance… you were still standing there. and so were they.

✮ — ꒰ cw. this will, of course, include yandere tendencies. yandere tendencies might include stalking, murder, kidnapping, and drugging. if any of these make you uncomfy, feel free to scroll past. i’m not responsible for your media consumption in any way! REBLOGS ARE APPRECIATED!!!

✮ — ꒰ a/n. old layout is back hashtag who was here for this OG layout.... ANYWAYS I AM SOOO VERY SORRY BECAUSE THIS TOOK LIKE ONE BAJILLION YEARS FOR ME TO MAKE SORRY CUTIE NONNIE!!! :< I LOVE YOU I SWEAR HERE'S UR LIGHTER SCRAPS!

lighter sees you running errands in the outer ring and can’t help himself.

“hey… don’t get too close to those Hollows, okay?” his tone is casual, but the way he watches you leave makes it clear he’s thinking about every angle.he’ll show up “coincidentally” when you’re collecting resources or scouting for work.

“oh, fancy seeing you here again. i guess we both like the same spots.” he smiles, and you think it’s cute… until you notice he’s been there more than usual.lighter likes to know who you talk to. anyone else? someone else offering to team up?

he doesn’t confront them outright. he just quietly does better. “you don’t need anyone else. i can cover that, if you want.” it sounds like a favor. you feel the weight behind it.he keeps track of your routines around the outer ring. when you leave your apartment, when you check the terminals, when you fight the skimmers. “hey, don’t stay out too late. it’s dangerous.”

simple words, but his eyes… they track everything.lighter would totally leave little “gifts” or reminders near your favorite spots—like a token he knows you’ll see while patrolling the same streets. a lighter (of course), a wrapped snack, a note: “just making sure you’re okay.”

harmless, sweet… slightly unnerving.if someone else flirts with you while you’re out in the streets or at a station, he is there. not yelling, not threatening—just close enough, calm, smiling a little too perfectly.

“you really shouldn’t waste your time… you know i’m better at this.”his version of love is protective but territorial. if you’re fighting enemies in the outer ring, he’s there, shadowing your movements, making sure nothing happens to you. “don’t push yourself too hard. i’ll take care of the rest.” the way he says it, you can’t help but feel trapped and cared for at the same time.if you try to avoid him:

“you can run, but… the outer ring isn’t that big, is it?” calm. soft. unshakable. and you know he means it.

✮ — ꒰ cw. this will, of course, include yandere tendencies. yandere tendencies might include stalking, murder, kidnapping, and drugging. if any of these make you uncomfy, feel free to scroll past. i’m not responsible for your media consumption in any way! REBLOGS ARE APPRECIATED!!!

✮ — ꒰ a/n. old layout is back hashtag who was here for this OG layout.... ANYWAYS I AM SOOO VERY SORRY BECAUSE THIS TOOK LIKE ONE BAJILLION YEARS FOR ME TO MAKE SORRY CUTIE NONNIE!!! :< I LOVE YOU I SWEAR HERE'S UR LIGHTER SCRAPS!

lighter sees you running errands in the outer ring and can’t help himself.

“hey… don’t get too close to those Hollows, okay?” his tone is casual, but the way he watches you leave makes it clear he’s thinking about every angle.he’ll show up “coincidentally” when you’re collecting resources or scouting for work.

“oh, fancy seeing you here again. i guess we both like the same spots.” he smiles, and you think it’s cute… until you notice he’s been there more than usual.lighter likes to know who you talk to. anyone else? someone else offering to team up?

he doesn’t confront them outright. he just quietly does better. “you don’t need anyone else. i can cover that, if you want.” it sounds like a favor. you feel the weight behind it.he keeps track of your routines around the outer ring. when you leave your apartment, when you check the terminals, when you fight the skimmers. “hey, don’t stay out too late. it’s dangerous.”

simple words, but his eyes… they track everything.lighter would totally leave little “gifts” or reminders near your favorite spots—like a token he knows you’ll see while patrolling the same streets. a lighter (of course), a wrapped snack, a note: “just making sure you’re okay.”

harmless, sweet… slightly unnerving.if someone else flirts with you while you’re out in the streets or at a station, he is there. not yelling, not threatening—just close enough, calm, smiling a little too perfectly.

“you really shouldn’t waste your time… you know i’m better at this.”his version of love is protective but territorial. if you’re fighting enemies in the outer ring, he’s there, shadowing your movements, making sure nothing happens to you. “don’t push yourself too hard. i’ll take care of the rest.” the way he says it, you can’t help but feel trapped and cared for at the same time.if you try to avoid him:

“you can run, but… the outer ring isn’t that big, is it?” calm. soft. unshakable. and you know he means it.