Because there was a hand with his string attached to it, and they both knew how it was destined to end.
âCan I test you on that?â George asked. âYou not kicking me out?â
With that one question, Dream knew he could never escape fate for all heâd ever tried. Because this, right here, right now, was fate, and he had beautiful brown eyes and a smile like the sun.
âAlways,â Dream said, the word catching in his throat.
-
Born with a gray string promising a doomed love, Dream visits George in London pre-visa, a little too angry at fate and infatuated with his best friend.
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The name rung in Vexâs head. This was the boy she was searching for, with his fiery red hair and mournful blue eyes.Â
There was something mystical about this boy that Vex could not explain, the certain ineffable quality that she thought, perhaps, was what Allura had told DeRogna that she had been searching for. That, of course, had just been a small, finely threaded lie in their larger scheme, but there lay some truth behind it. The thing was, Vex had no care for this boyâs magical talents, at least so far as it extended to her want of aiding him. She didnât care if he were a wizard or a simple village boy. She just wanted to help him.Â
Upon leaving Ikithonâs private study, the group made their way towards the far corner of the large library, reaching a door with the tour leaderâs name embossed across it. Though the walk was no longer than a minute or so, Vex had managed in that time to squeeze her husbandâs hand red with the immense tension she was feeling. He winced slightly at the pain, but swallowed his protests and let her continue.
The door swung open and revealed a room much larger than the study they had been in, the walls made of shelves that housed more books, as if the supply just outside the door might run dry. At the far end of the room was a large, solid dark wood desk, filled with neatly stacked papers and other meticulously organized tid-bits. The room had no personal effects to give any hint of what DeRogna was like outside of her work, and it was presumed that this was intentional.Â
âPlease, come, take a seat,â DeRogna said, gesturing to a matching three piece set of fine emerald furniture, the color darker but equally as brilliant as the green in her robes. Two single seats sat on either side of a longer, padded bench, the two chairs angled to face the desk. Allura complied quickly, taking one of the single seats and promptly placing herself at the edge of it to be closer to DeRognaâs grand desk. Vex, on the other hand, hesitated, still stuck in the tangled thoughts in her head. Percy, seeing her pause, pushed her forward, leading Vex to the bench where he placed her down before walking behind her, placing a firm hand on her shoulder.Â
âWhy donât you take a seat, as well, Lord de Rolo?â DeRogna asked, eyeing the seat beside his wife.
âIâm fine,â Percy responded, flashing a placating hand before returning it to Vexâs shoulder, beginning to rub tenderly into it, âI just want to make sure my wife is okay. Weâve been here a few days and still this time difference is getting to her.â
âOh, what a shame,â DeRogna replied, her pitiful tone not matching her flat affect, âThe downside of teleportation magic. Itâs a wonderful tool for the travel but a pain in the arse for long stays. Well, if you need anything to help remedy your ills, let me know, Lady Vexâahlia.â
There was no reply from Vex who, although looking in the Elven womanâs direction, was not quite with the conversation. Instead, Percy supplied, âShe should be fine, just needs to sit for a few minutes.âÂ
âVery well then. Why donât we get down to business?â DeRogna hummed as she grabbed a small stack of papers from the top of one of the piles, âI know you said youâd rather look on your own, but I have here the transcripts of some of the students I had in mindâŚâ
The voice trailed off in Vexâs ears as she continued to attempt to parse through her many rushing thoughts. With the heavy pressure of Percy massaging rhythmically into her shoulder, Vex was able to steady her shallow breaths to a healthier count, slowing the speed of her mind in the process.Â
Ermendrud.Â
She needed a first name. Calling the boy by his surname seemed so clinical. This mission was bound to get her in close quarters with the boy, she needed to know what to call him. She wanted to call him by his given name when she met him again. She didnât want to appear as stuffy as her title might make her seem. Most of all, she wanted him to know the real Vexâahlia, not just some affluent lady from another continent whoâs too nosy for her own good.Â
No, this was not the time for self-doubt. This was a time for planning, a time to come up with some way to get to this boy and do what was needed to be done to make him safe. Whatever that may mean.   Â
Vex then realized she knew next to nothing about this boy, just his surname and that he was a student at this strange academy. However, she did also know that he was a kind son. Vex hoped that one day, when her boys were older, that they would be as thoughtful. She also hoped to never see the fear that she saw in his eyes in theirs.Â
She needed to speak with him soon, so she had to act quick.
âPardon me,â Vexâahlia spoke up, seemingly interrupting the flow of some sort of conversation.
DeRogna barely stifled the groan that passed between her taut shut lips, âYes, Lady Vexâahlia?â
âI-I donât mean to interrupt,â she continued, shaking somewhat out of her trance like state, âBut those three students in the Archmageâs study, could you tell me more about them?â
  âVery well,â she droned, falling back into her chair as she brought her steepled fingers to her chest, âThose three bright minds have been with us for a number of years, having all been selected for scholarships after demonstrating a prowess for the arcane at such young ages without any formal study beforehand. When the Archmage noted their talents, he took them under his wing and has been personally tutoring them for nearly a year now. They are all on their way towards their graduation from the Academy rather soon, with Mr. Ermendrud being at the top of their class, but they first have quite a grueling⌠test in front of them before that.âÂ
âWell, if they are as studious as you make them seem, I donât see why they shouldnât pass with flying colors,â Vex smiled, feeling oddly proud that the boy was being praised, âCould he possibly be the one youâre looking for, Allura?âÂ
As Vex turned to the other woman to give her some sort of signal that he was the one, DeRogna interjected, âIâm afraid Mr. Ermendrud, as well as Ms. Vergiften and Mr. Schnitt, are off limits to this apprenticeship offer. I doubt the Archmage would be pleased if all of his hard work was poached from him.â
âOf course,â Vex attempted not to let her disappointment be heard in her voice, âCould we perhaps maybe still shadow them? If they are the best of the best, Iâm sure the can show us others here of similar prowess.âÂ
DeRogna let out a sharp exhale, her patience with Vexâs demands, that contradicted with her own plans, seeming to wear thin, âThe Archmage may have them for a time, as he has some important plans that are time sensitive to discuss with them,â she paused, considering how much she wanted to allow her guests to see and know of the Academy, âbut, if it is alright with the three of them, it is alright with me.â
âThatâs wonderful!â Vex beamed, âIâm sure they will help us find the perfect match for Allura.â
âIâm sure they will, Lady Vexâahlia,â DeRogna replied, her tone unenthused.Â
The conversation then continued as DeRogna had originally intended, as if Vex didnât already make up her mind about how the rest of their visit was going to go down. As soon as this meeting was over, she would head back to the Archmageâs study and find the boy. Hopefully he wouldnât be resistant to their help.
As the Lady continued to talk, Vex presented herself with an air of attentiveness, not so much listening to her words, but watching her body language. She had already gathered that DeRogna was a stiff, rather serious woman, but she was curious to know what laid beneath the surface. She obviously knew the boy well, she hoped that his gifted mind meant that she treated him with more kindness than she had her guests, but Vex was hesitant to believe that. This woman did not seem the type to openly display any warmth or affection.Â
Still, she hoped at least the boy was being treated well. However, knowing what she knows about this Academy and what the people who run it are capable of, she doubted that everything was rainbows and sunshine.Â
After about a half hour of listening to the Elven woman drone on, a knock at her door interrupted her.Â
âCome in,â DeRogna bellowed from her seat.Â
Slowly, the door creaked open and in stepped the boy himself, a thick, rolled tube of paper in his hand. Meekly, he stepped forward after closing the door behind him, trying not to show his nerves as the three guests all turned their eyes to him. As he finally met DeRognaâs inquiring eye, he stood up taller and steadied himself to talk. âUh, Mistress DeRogna, Master Ikithon instructed me to come deliver his schematics to you,â he paused as he rushed forward, handing off the rolled papers to the Lady, âEverything is set to occur tomorrow night. He has high hopes that this will go as well as Astridâs, I mean, Ms. Verfigtenâs test.âÂ
 DeRogna nodded as she placed the paper down on her desk, âI have no doubt in my mind that you will do well tomorrow. I have the utmost faith in you, young man.â
Ermendrud smiled sheepishly, bowing slightly as he turned to leave. However, before he could, DeRogna stopped him, sighing, somewhat miffed by what she was about to say. âMr. Ermendrud, before you go, are you done with Master Ikithon for the day?â
âJa...â he replied hesitantly, not knowing what to expect from the Mistress.
âThen... would you do this Academy a great honor by showing our guests here around? They are looking to get to know some of the students and Iâm sure you can show them our prime elite.â
Ermendrud turned to the group that sat before him, all of their eyes trained on him. He hadnât gotten a proper look at the other two, having wanted nothing more than for all of them to have disappeared when he found them in Ikithonâs study. He knew how to read people, to know what made them tick, he had been trained to do that. However, at the moment, he couldnât focus on anything but the Half-Elven woman who seemed to be taking as much of keen interest in him as he had in her. He turned to look back at DeRogna, âIt would be my pleasure.âÂ
âWonderful!â DeRogna clapped her hands together as she leaned forward in her chair, âI do actually have some work that needs attending to, so would you mind showing them around now?â
âOf course,â the boy replied stoically, nodding his head slightly at the Lady before turning back to the guests once more, âIf you donât mind, may we stop by my dormitory first? I just need to go retrieve something and we can be on our way.âÂ
âNot at all,â Vex supplied quickly, now more attentive than she had been the entire time at the school.Â
The three stood and said their cold, faux-pleasant goodbyes to DeRogna as the young man lead them out of the room, the group barely able to keep pace as he strode off. Vex, not wanting to waste a moment, attempted to walk by his side as he led them out of the grand library.
âBefore anything, whatâs your name, young man?â Vex held her tongue from adding âI know you already know mineâ to the end.Â
âYou heard the Mistress, I am Ermendrud,â he responded, quickly adding a âmaâamâ as he kept his eyes trained forward.
âBut what about your given name? I donât know many boys your age who like being referred to as a âMr.â.âÂ
âI am not like many boys my age,â Ermendrud fought back the urge to peer up at her.Â
âOf course not,â Vexâahlia smirked at his cockiness, âBut still, I would appreciate to know your first name. Iâm not big on formalities unless necessary. Donât futz around with all this Lord and Lady nonsense with myself and my compatriots. I am Vexâahlia, Vex, if you prefer, and that is my husband, Percy, and our friend, Allura,â she paused, hesitating about what she was to say next, âHopefully we can all be friends here.â
At that, the boy stopped, Vex nearly tripping at the suddenness of the break. His eyes met the floor as he stood stark straight, trying to consider his next move. Vex peered at him curiously, trying to work out what his mind was currently doing. He sighed, sounding resigned as he turned his bright blue eyes up to Vex. âBren.â
âBren?â
âJa, my name is Bren," he said pointedly, articulating each word, "Bren Aldric Ermendrud.â
Vexâahlia smiled warmly at him, âWell, Bren, I am certainly looking forward to getting to know you during my time here.âÂ
So. Yesterday was my do-nothing day*. Iâm pretty well rested, and I still have 4 (3 and a half) days off before the project restarts. Going to the mall on Monday or Tuesday to pick up new shoes and a jacket (my converse started doing the thing where the bottom of the sole starts popping out whenever I bend my foot. Thatâs usually a good sign that I need new ones). Iâm probably gonna be weak and pick up a New2DS while Iâm there. I love my 3DS, I do. But the button issues are starting to get frustrating.
Speaking of frustrating, the landlords are getting ridiculous. We still havenât signed the new lease. Not because we donât want to, but because the landlord company wonât send it to us. I asked them to hold off for one thing, I wanted my brother added, and I told them if they needed anything else from us, tell me. Otherwise weâre good to go. So he did the stuff they asked him to and he got access to the online portal and everything. So youâd think, now that the one thing is done, the new lease would be up and ready to sign, right?Â
Nope. So I emailed them about it on... Thursday. I still havenât heard from them, but thatâs okay. Itâs the weekend. The issue is that I tried to pay my rent early. Forgot my password. So I had them send me a password reset... nothing. Iâve tried five times. Itâs the weekend, so I canât call the landlord to see whatâs up, but I also canât pay my rent. So, I donât know if this is a me thing, a server thing, or a them thing. The plan right now is to see if my siblings, who know their passwords, can log in. If they canât, Iâm gonna email again on Monday. That doesnât work? Iâm gonna call. That doesnât work? Iâm gonna show up at their office with my law license, a copy of my stateâs Landlord-Tenant act in hand (appropriate passages highlighted), and a check for the rent. All indication is that they still want us as tenants. We donât cause a fuss, we take care of most issues as soon as they crop up, and we keep the yard neat. The house isnât up on their site, and by law they have to give us a 30 day heads-up if theyâre kicking us out since weâre technically month-to-month right now. Iâm not worried per se, but Iâm starting to get pissed.
On a brighter note, my new black ink and fountain pen showed up. The fountain pen is not as fine a line as I was hoping (none of them are, to be honest, but this one seems especially thick-lined) but itâs pretty. I have such cramped writing, though, that I have to force myself to use broad strokes or else it turns into an illegible smudge. So I carry around 3 separate but equally important types of pens at all times (I have a lot of pens in my bag). The fountain pens, which are pretty and help when I need motivation to keep writing (Iâm not kidding about putting ink to paper being creatively stimulating for me); Sharpie pens which are practical, affordable (comparatively to the other two types) and come in quite a few colors which makes them ideal for editing, since I end up writing more notes than original text when I self-edit. And micron artist pens. Yeah... I mean, yeah, I use them for actual art, but really? They have such nice fine and distinct nibs. When getting the idea down fast is the important bit, the microns let my tiny, cramped, messy, but fast writing be... well, mostly legible.
But I never know what kind Iâm gonna need when I leave, so my backpack and purse carry anywhere from 3 to over a dozen pens of various types and colors at any point in time.
Okay, Iâve now wasted a lot of time on this post. Iâm actually moving forward on chapter 4 (finally) and I think Iâve got a good flow worked out for the conversation. (Ugh). So Iâm gonna get a new drink and try to snag a table inside. Am I gonna be overcaffeinated tonight? Yes. Yes I am. But Iâve got nowhere to be tomorrow (shopping is contingent on my sisterâs plans. We havenât really hung out outside of tv watching for a while) and some stuff to work on tonight.
Knitting and cleaning and list making. Lots of list making. My parents are showing up on Friday and Iâm gonna have this house clean.
*do-nothing excepting the 2Â grocery runs and the laundry. I did no writing and no major projects.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 4/?
Fandom: Haikyuu!!
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Kyoutani Kentarou/Yahaba Shigeru
Characters: Kyoutani Kentarou, Yahaba Shigeru, Oikawa Tooru, Iwaizumi Hajime, Kindaichi Yuutarou, Kunimi Akira, Matsukawa Issei, Hanamaki Takahiro, Watari Shinji
Additional Tags: lots of swearing, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn
Summary:
Yahaba hated him. He hated the way he had no respect for anyone else or their hard work. He hated that Kyoutani would show up late. He hated that he would leave early. Just seeing him in the hallways was enough to make his blood start to boil. What he hated most of all though, was how no one else seemed to hate him quite as much as Yahaba did.
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