Fics Written in the Stars

Demon King Red AU belongs to @purble-turble.

It was a beautiful day for a wedding.

Red couldn't help but beam as he strolled through the halls of his palace. All around him, servants were bustling around, getting ready for the wedding to come. All of his plans were unfolding in front of his eyes and he could hardly believe it.

Especially the groom.

Xiaotian had been brought in late last night. Right now, he was being fitted for his wedding robes in the best guest room. Red had no need to do that since he had been fitted and re-fitted several times. This left him with the task of making sure everything was ready and going smoothly.

He finally entered the throne room. His throne was ready and waiting. But his focus lied on the group of servants next to the throne. They pulled away as he approached.

Xiaotian's throne was set up, for all to see.

It was carved beautifully. The back was a sun, just like how Xiaotian was a ray of sunshine come down to Earth. Poofy orange pillows made sitting there a comfortable experience.

Red collapsed onto his throne with a happy sigh, eyeing the throne, imagining the other empty space being filled with a smaller throne. Their eldest child, him, and his beautiful, handsome prince. A happy royal family. He couldn't help a giggle, sounding just like an infatuated schoolboy.

"Oh, my prince, soon you'll be mine."

He didn't notice the uncomfortable glances that the servants shared.

Shadow Milk is cruel and the way he views love and affection is rather unhealthy, he’s absolutely obsessed with his other half.. while Pure Vanilla still adores him and believes he can be a tiny bit better… if he tries, which he doesn’t and refuses to.

And he knows he shouldn’t tolerate the way Shadow Milk treats him and stay away for his own good, but he’s just so in love he can’t bear the thought of letting go of the only soul who can understand his struggles. It just feels so lonely without Shadow Milk, even if the other is constantly belittles and mocks him.

"Well, don't you two have something to say to him?"

"Sorry, Wukong..."

"Sorry, Wukong..."

"And what are you sorry for?"

Macaque looked away with a pout and Azure didn't say a word. Xiaotian sighed as he adjusted his grip on Wukong, who held on tighter. "You have to admit what you did wrong for a proper apology, you two," he said. "Until you can properly apologize, no Wukong time for either of you."

Qi Xiaotian was terrified.

His pelt was lost, the single thing he had been instructed from birth not to do. Had he misplaced it? Did someone steal it? His mentor, the one who found him as a baby and raised him, had many enemies. He should’ve waited until he was back in the safety of the waterfall to bathe.

But at least he was somewhere safe. He hoped.

The man who had found him had introduced himself as Prince Red and his home, which thankfully wasn’t too far from his bathing site, certainly seemed like a palace. If he wasn’t so worried about figuring out how to find his pelt and return home, he would’ve been all over the place. Right now he was curled up in front of a fire, having been given a fine hanfu to wear, and staring into the tea he had been given by a servant.

The door opened, revealing Red, back from his business. “Evening,” he greeted, moving to sit down across from him. “Are you hungry?”

“I might be later,” Xiaotian said. He was too anxious to really consider eating. Red nodded, looking away to consider the flames. He took a sip of tea, trying to figure out how to break the silence. “Thank you again for saving me.”

“Well, it was either that or leaving you to what else.”

Xiaotian snorted at the huffy tone. “You really are a hero,” he teased, watching as those cheeks darkened. “Rescuing an innocent lad from the dangers of the road!” His anxiety faded as Red started sputtering, encouraged by his teasing grin.

“You can go right back to the road if you want?!” the prince finally blustered out before a warmer silence overcame them. It was barely a heartbeat later before he spoke. “Do you have somewhere you can go, though?”

Qi Xiaotian had no idea how to return to Flower Fruit Mountain.

Should he even return? It had been an ordeal to get away from Macaque in the first place. He didn’t need his wrath coming down on Red, whose only sin was helping a man in need. “Uh, not as far as I know,” he lied. Not until he could find his pelt. “My father’s home was attacked by bandits. I was lucky to escape them.”

Red stared down at his tea. “Well, you’re welcome here,” The words were gentle despite the roughness of before. “Just until you can get back onto your feet, I suppose.” The words were genuine even as he rolled his eyes at having to open his home to a stranger.

Oh.

That was…

“You truly are a hero, my prince.” Xiaotian couldn't help but grasp Red's hand.

Luz scanned the piece of paper, eyes taking each word. She was so focused that she didn't hear footsteps behind her, not until arms wrapped around her and a chin settled on her shoulder.

"What are you reading?"

"Hey, Amity." Luz adjusted the paper so her wife- holy shit, she got to call Amity her wife- could read it. "It's something I wrote… after my dad died."

"Oh," Amity whispered. "What is it?"

"My mom wrote a letter to her future self, as a way of… processing things, I guess." She could remember her mom staring at a blank sheet of paper, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I wanted to do it with her. It felt different than my video diary."

Amity nodded. "What did you say?"

"I talked a bit about my dad. About how I was liking the book he got me." Luz folded up the paper. "I wanted to know if I was happier by the time I read it."

"…are you?"

Luz considered the paper, her name written across the front, childish handwriting and doodles across it.

Based on concept art, Pure Vanilla goes for a swim and meets his other half.

For those who are curious, this is based off a beta design of Shadow Milk, the sixth one in this piece by @viorel-lette with a clearer picture here.

3pm au

I will say the sports animations with the powers has me intrigued (it has not quite gotten a full hook in me as it were)

I am definitely curious to know what exactly a Dragon striker is and we are also definitely only getting half the story with Key’s mom

I was curious what exactly the “dragon striker” (I don’t remember his name) was doing with Key bringing him up to the “windy place” but I think he was just bullying him (does he not fear the consequences with “principal lady” or did he think Key would survive?

We got introduced to Milo’s (older?)brother (we’ll see name later) which is interesting. Milo must have had some interest in this game if he decided to try out for it

I guess this is probably just different to my sports experience(roller derby) because even if the plays didn’t go through (like Key’s epic kick) it still was an epic kick and I am surprised that didn’t really count for much. A good coach could easily train up these players and get them better

Also I do like the script they use, it’s cool. (It makes me think when I’m watching anime (like with a tournament) and I can’t read the hiragana/katakana and thus it’s not super clear who just got points) I don’t think that is a real language but I could be wrong

Also that scene where Milo’s brother decided to leave team seemed kind of like we were watching a breakup (I mean we kind of were)

Also good on (looked up her name) Ssyelle for getting that ball. She getting all her glory (it was either she or Key gets glory there was no winning there)

My girl Ssyelle had been awake for like 2 days straight at that point, it is no surprise she kind of just passed out. Not recommended

That game with the Roses was cool and everyone played pretty decently

I still really like the football moves that these people pull off, like keeping the ball in between your feet (never able to do it but it always looked so cool)

Also I am curious if this academy has classes or if it’s just Garutama

Also are there any restrictions with powers in these games? Because I feel like with Pregrina and her ghosts (also possessing her teammates, what a concept) that seemed quite unfair

Also I liked at the end the moment between Key and Milo was cute. Glad they were able to figure it out.

And also between CL and Odward that was cute. And yeah CL does seem to work better as the team captain

Also not this episode but it really seems like Casper and Odward are exes like it gives me that vibe

Oh! Other thing what is with Sugoi and Ragno and to an extent Key, it seems like Sugoi is under pressure from above and around her and she redirects this pressure to both Ragno and (to a lesser extent(at least rn)) Key

But overall I am excited to keep going and to see more of these characters like Emiline and how she’ll fit in the team

Firstly it seems that there are 2 moons? And one of them was destroyed? How’d that happen? Curious

Also Did Key Just BLOW UP The School?!

Also another thing we see this again with the shadows teacher and the captain with the extreme pressure on the students (but also the teacher seemed to outright threaten the captain) also what happen to Pregrina was she just forced to quit

Short snippets, for @burgertimewifi's TRSOT week! Finally got around to doing Day 1>

"Hello, Truthless Recluse!"

Slam!

-_-

"Hello again, Truthless Recluse!"

Slam!

-_-

"Ah, Truthless Recluse! Hello!"

Slam.

-_-

"My dear Truthless Recluse! Have you seen the new show playing in town-"

Slam.

-_-

"My dear Truthless Recluse! I saw these flowers, and they reminded me of you!"

"…"

"What do you think?"

Close.

-_-

"Ah, my dear Recluse! You're much too forward~"

Close.

"Ah, wait, wait, I was kidding-!"

Creak, open.

Close.

-_-

Knock knock.

"Hm- oh! My dear! What brings you here so late tonight? If I knew you were coming, I would've put the kettle on much sooner!"

"…You mentioned something in your lecture today that reminded me of an old spell one of my students created. I figured you might be interested in the treatise they wrote up."

"Oh, you-! You lovely creature, how generous of you! Please, please, come inside!"

"…Alright."

Huntsman wasn't exactly sure what was going on.

Apparently, his dragging out of whatever shadow realm the lady had stuck him and his clanmates had taken much more effort. Which meant that he had been stuck in bed longer than Goliath or the freak of nature. Bai He had suggested it might've been out of spite. After all, he was the first one to start having suspicions of the Baigujing and her "destiny."

Which was terrifying and Huntsman was not going to think about it.

And now Syntax was arguing with some black-furred monkey that he apparently knew. Bai He, standing at the end of his bed with a look of fear, had mentioned the process had somehow managed to kickstart some of Syntax's memories. This would explain why Huntsman had never met the monkey before he and Syntax had entered arguing while Bai He was trying to fix whatever damage that Mayor ass had done.

"Why you stuck up," Syntax looked furious. "Half-witted," The monkey rolled his eyes. "Scruffy looking...ASSHOLE!" He turned to Bai He. "Never repeat that last word." She nodded.

The monkey turned. "Who's scruffy looking?"

Was that seriously all he got?

"Honestly, I must've hit the mark with how you're all riled up." Macaque wrapped an arm around Bai He. She immediately pushed him away, taking several steps closer to Huntsman. He had no idea why. He was just as confused as she was. "See his face?"

Syntax stared.

Then he must've come to some conclusion because he nodded.

"Well, I guess you don't know everything about men."

Then before Huntsman could move away, Syntax was grabbing his shirt and yanking him forward. The kiss was brief and when he pulled away Huntsman slapped him.

Syntax didn't even look shocked at the slap. He actually looked pleased. Giving a nod to the monkey, he marched out. The monkey scoffed before following in hot pursuit.

"...I have no idea what's going on." Bai He admitted in a whisper.