#flashficfriday

The wind on the podest grabbed his tunic and let him shiver slightly but even more when he saw the hate in the eyes of Kailan, Delayra’s Wayfinder. His shoulder was still wrapped up and he held Delayra close, being the rock to lean on as always despite her still looking ashen from the incident.

The incident, that’s what the castle called. Runar snorted a laugh at this thought. Three agonizing years he watched how his wife spent more time with her damned Wayfinder, smiled at him, laughed at his jokes but chastened him her king with ignorance.

Runar should have known things would end badly when this damned Wayfinder joined them in bed on their wedding night. A tradition Delayra said, Kailan was there to teach him how to please her right to ensure plenty of heirs. At that very moment Runar wanted to throw things at both. No one told him his wife wouldn’t be untouched.

Looking back at that night, it was telling. Yet Runar wouldn’t know.

Delayra barely shared the bed with him, yet she ended up with child within a year. To this day he wasn’t sure if this boy was actually his. Increasingly he felt like a mistress when he was the heavens damned king of two kingdoms! 

His head held high, Runar walked up to the executioner.

Shall they get his kingdom. His people will never accept a queen who rather fucks her guard than her king, Runar smiled.

With this last thought he knelt down, reveling in the thought his death will cause a war.

On the other side of crow stood queen Delayra with her Wayfinder and her son Sorin with his nursemaid. Thankfully, the little boy was too small to understand what was going on.

The moment the axe fell down on Runar’s neck she breathed out relieved. The whole crowd followed. A long moment of silence until the executioner confirmed the successful beheading of King Runar with a nod and lifting the head up.

Cheers exploded at a deafening volume.

“It is over, my queen,” Kalian softly spoke, “The monster is gone. You can sleep in peace now.”

“Can I really?”

With hollowed gaze she let her eyes move over the crowd. Her body tensed when she saw the colors of Baz in a small group that came up to her. An elderly man lead the group with a neutral face.

In front of the royal pavilion, they drop to their knees.

“Your majesty, we are emissaries of Baz. Runar has long forgotten about his people and after we heard about his doing as king the people denounced him and broke ties with the line of his heritage. We came to witness his death and ask your majesty to take the land as rightfully theirs.”

The pinching pain behind her eyes that announced a vision came at the worst time possible. Clawing into Kalian’s arm she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, waiting for the pictures to come.

What she saw made her smile. A redhaired woman from the lands of Baz standing as Wayfinder next to a young queen along other Wayfinders in times of war.

Delayra had no idea how far into the future it was, but it was clear this was necessary. When she opened her eyes again Kalian’s worried gaze laid upon her, but she smiled.

“Emissary, you are aware the king tried to kill me out of jealousy because he didn’t understand my kingdoms traditions?”

“Yes, your majesty and we broke ties with this royal line, imprisoned all remaining relatives, and came here with this wish. Their reign was guided by selfish actions for generations.”

Carefully, she got down from the raised pavilion and stood in front of the elderly man to gently raise his head to look at her.

“I can not make a promise my descendants will make the same mistake but as long as I reign no subject will be treated unfairly. Go back home and tell your people, your queen welcomes you in her arms. If you need any help, do not hesitate to send a request to the castle.”

The crowd cheered again and the elderly man shed silent tears.

“As you wish, your majesty.”

Kalian stepped next to her again and bent forward.

“What did you see?”

She smiled at him calmly and rested in herself again before she looked at her son.

“A descendant of the people of Baz serving as Wayfinder to one of my descendants in times of war.”

Kalian chuckled.

“Whoever attacks Tyrohlena in the future doesn’t know what hits them. Come, you still need to rest. The healers will have my head if you don’t do.”

A small nod of hers and the whole entourage went back into the castle.

The past three times, Yrsa had been able to pull herself out of it - be it by focusing on some key words in a nearby conversation, or just a sudden unexpected sound. This time though, she felt too tired for that. Her eyelids grew heavier by the second but they just wouldn’t close. There she was, stuck between awake and asleep, mentally isolated from the entire room.

A shadow cast over her and by the faded-black sweater and the shoved up sleeves - actually Yrsa simply hoped that it was Alexej and judging by the way he immediately entered her personal space, shielding her from the rest of the room the case was clear. Not that anyone else would dare to get this close to her unprompted anyways.

Not able to zone back in, Yrsa merely manages to tilt her head upwards slightly to show Alexej that she has in fact noticed him. Alexej keeps standing right infront of her sitting form and very gently puts a hand onto her shoulder. Yrsa relishes the feeling as it gives her something to focus on. Slowly Alexej puts a bit of weight and pressure into his touch before sliding his hand along the tensed muscles and up the side of her neck until he is cupping her cheek.

He can feel Yrsa lean into the touch though her eyes still don’t leave the trashcan. He repeats his actions, this time with his other hand and gently forces Yrsa to face him. Her eyes are glossed over and he can see a tiredness he can feel in his own bones.

Today is hard for her, whatever the reason may be.

Alexej keeps holding her face as he leans down to press a long and soft kiss onto her forehead. When he leans back, her eyes are still closed and he can feel her taking deep and steady breaths. There is no accusation in his quiet voice. It’s soft and understanding. Comforting.

“You keep zoning out, I’ve noticed.”

“I don’t know what it is.”

“Want to get out of here for a while? Take a walk or nap or get some fresh air?”

Side-note: Ignore the fanfic, if you want to read original things. All fandoms are listed for easier navigation.

#FFF01 - Gimme Fluff - The Warm Relief (The Flash ficlet)

#FFF02 - Auch My Heart - Passionate Longing (Captain America ficlet)

#FFF06 - Fight Me! - Rising Against Unfairness (Lines of a Script to Ignore Tale)

#FFF08 - Bittersweet Beginnings - A Rocky Development (Original Story)

#FFF11 - Bruised Sky - The Resilient Spirit  (Captain America ficlet)

#FFF12 - Into the Wild - The Surreal Trip (Legends of Tomorrow ficlet)

#FFF15 - Midnight Drive - The Meandering Roads (OC Study)

#FFF18 - Jumping Fences - Thin Barriers (Legends of Tomorrow or The Flash ficlet)

#FFF19 - House of Stars - The Radiant Glimpse (Semi-Legends of Tomorrow ficlet)

#FFF21 - We Are Not Alone - Untamed Sentience (Blasted Scorn Story)

#FFF23 - Shelf Life - The Restive Obstacle (OC Study)

#FFF24 - On the House - The Uncanny Manor (Legends of Tomorrow ficlet)

#FFF29 - Golden Rings - A Crestfallen Wish (Original Story)

#FFF30 - Lethal Flowers - The Effective Solution (Original Story)

#FFF31 - Deep End - The Drenched Nightmare  (Legends of Tomorrow ficlet)

#FFF34 - Weeds and Ruins - Collapsed Forest (Poem)

#FFF35 - Locked In - Ploying to Escape (Original Story)

#FFF37 - Strange Lands - Peculiar Sight (Poem)

#FFF38 - Forbidden Knowledge - Concealed Information (Poem)

#FFF39 - Furry Friend - An Eager Keeper (Original Story)

#FFF40 - Mysterious Masquerade - Masked Celebration (Captain America ficlet)

#FFF41 - Blooming Blossom - Neither One Prepared (Semi-Legends of Tomorrow ficlet)

#FFF44 - Hollow Walls - The Vacant Disturbance (Legends of Tomorrow ficlet)

#FFF45 - Familiar Melody - Dear Euphony (OC Study)

#FFF47 - Don’t Take My Heart - Sudden Realizations (Semi Black Panther ficlet)

#FFF48 - Cold Object - Glacial Contemplation (Black Widow ficlet)

#FFF50 1 - Smoke and Mirrors - The Haunted Beast (OC Study)

#FFF50 2 - Unusual Concoction - The Nifty Elixir (Original Story)

#FFF50 4 - Shattered Sunshine - The Clear Brilliance (Legends of Tomorrow ficlet)

#FFF51 - Summer Storms - The Overwhelming Capability (The Flash ficlet)

#FFF52 - Child’s Play - Title with the same prompt name (Constantine ficlet)

#FFF53 - Come Back - Fleeting Encounter (True Devotion that Remains Constant Tale)

#FFF54 - Rainbow Kisses - Drizzles of Love (Captain America ficlet)

#FFF55 - Twisted Dreams - The Night Terrors (Captain America ficlet)

#FFF56 - Dress to Impress - Sense of Style (Black Panther ficlet)

#FFF57 - Crystalline Waters - Minerals Under the Sea (Original Story)

#FFF59 - I Beg You - Fulfilling Necessities (The Sims 2 ficlet through the POV of the player a.k.a me)

#FFF60 - Soft Bones - Brittle Bones (Poem)

#FFF61 - Wild and Free - Unleashing the Grand Treasure (Blasted Scorn Story)

#FFF63 - Creeping Magic - The Mystical Journey (Legends of Tomorrow ficlet)

#FFF64 - Made From Stardust - Celestial Spectacles (Poem)

#FFF65 - Better Than This - The Reclaimed Individuality (Black Lightning ficlet)

#FFF66 - Golden Decay - The Languid Flow (Original Story)

#FFF68 - We Meet At Midnight - The Peculiar Introduction (Doom Patrol and Constantine ficlet)

#FFF69 - Blood on My Name - The Arduous Task (Lines of A Script to Ignore Tale)

#FFF72 - Hidden at the Shadows - Cautionary Narratives for the Inexperienced (Blasted Scorn Story)

#FFF74 - Drifting in the Wind - Through the Seasons (Poem)

#FFF75 - Dreams of Tomorrow - To the Dreamer (Poem)

#FFF80 - Comfort in the Cold - The Cozy Shelter (Black Lightning ficlet)

#FFF83 - Everyday Hero - The Earnest Fight (Black Lightning ficlet)

#FFF89 - Dipped in Silver - Severe Uncertainty (True Devotion that Remains Constant Tale)

#FFF90 - Mirror Image - The Plaintive Reflection (Doom Patrol ficlet)

#FFF92 - Sweet Surprise - A Sudden Treat (Original Story)

#FFF94 - Riveting Revival - The Clear Reappearance (Original Story)

#FFF95 - Dance the Night Away - Chance for the Night (Original Story)

#FFF97 - Cleansing of the Soul - Solace in Rain (Poem)

#FFF99 - Undiscovered Colors - A Vivid Display (Lines of A Script to Ignore Tale)

#FFF100 1 - A New Dawn - Early Check-In (Blasted Scorn Story)

#FFF100 3 - The Sweetest Blood - An Aggravating Issue (Original Story)

#FFF100 4 - Hidden Path - Not Known Track (Original Story)

#FFF100 5 - Stay With Me - The Expressive Tending (Black Lightning ficlet)

#FFF101 - Broken Scars - Bordered City (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier ficlet)

#FFF102 - Fairy Lights - The Soulful Ache (True Devotion that Remains Constant Tale)

#FFF103 - Burn It Down - Invisible Constrained Rage (Original Story)

#FFF104 - Stronger Together - Rigid Compromises (Blasted Scorn Story)

#FFF105 - Ruined and Destroyed - Brink of Destruction (Original Story)

#FFF108 - Starlight Paths - Across the Unknown (Original Story)

#FFF109 - Littered Souls - A Vital Job (Original Story)

#FFF110 - Moon Magic - Moonlight Charms (Poem)

#FFF112 - Sunny Delights - Sunlight Rapture (Poem)

#FFF113 - Hold Me Closer - Watch It Unfold (Lines of A Script to Ignore Tale)

#FFF120 - A Greater Horror - What’s Lurking From Far (Original Story)

#FFF125 - Think Twice - Trying to Pick (Original Story)

#FFF127 - Green with Envy - Warranted Ire (Original Story)

#FFF129 - Under the Moonlight - A Discreet Moment (Original Story)

#FFF130 - Drowned Thoughts - Locking Up Crushed Hopes (Original Story)

#FFF132 - A Taste of Blue - The Chilly Outlook (Original Story)

#FFF141 - Chaos Unfurling - Break-Out Brawls (Blasted Scorn Tale)

#FFF143 - As Good as There - Searching for a Muse (Poem)

#FFF144 - Foul Play - Inane Issues and Other Non-sense (Original Story)

#FFF147 - The Sound of Light - In A Passage (Original Story)

#FFF148 - The Big City - A New Start (Original Story)

#FFF155 - Out of Containment - Surrounded by Buffoons (Original Story)

#FFF159 - Pride Before the Fall - Price for Unwise Actions (Original Story)

#FFF160 - The Dazzling Screen - Delay in Pursuits (Lines of a Script to Ignore Tale)

#FFF161 - Storms and Thorns - Awakened Forces (Poem)

#FFF162 - The Letter - Heeding Wise Words (Original Story)

#FFF163 - Splash of Waves - The Fiery Temperature (Original Story)

#FFF164 - A False Confession - Feeble Diversion (Original Story)

#FFF166 - Count the Ways - Done with Pride (Original Story)

#FFF168 - Sleepless Nights - A Secret Retreat (Original Story)

#FFF170 - Eager for Details - An Upscale Composition - (Original Story)

#FFF172 - A Ghost from the Past - Dare to Examine (Poem)

#FFF173 - No Rest for the Wicked - Causing an Uproar (Original Story)

#FFF174 - Monster Mash - Crash a Bash (Original Story)

#FFF175 - Gloomy Daze - The Genuine Repose (True Devotion that Remains Constant Tale)

#FFF179 - Dance, Dance Revolution - On the Set (Original Story)

#FFF181 - Crystallized - Gain a Result (Original Story)

#FFF183 - Late Night Train - Getting a Transit (Original Story)

#FFF184 - Set the Stage - Behind the Curtains (Lines of a Script to Ignore Tale)

#FFF186 - Fine By Me - Bustling Tasks (Original Story)

#FFF190 - Trapped in the Dark - Confined in Nowhere (Poem)

#FFF192 - Sea and Sun - Near the Shore (Original Story)

#FFF195 - Filled with Clarity -  Refined Craft (True Devotion that Remains Constant Tale)

#FFF196 - Against the Flow - Altering a Tide (Original Story)

#FFF199 - Didn’t Mean It - Afflicted By Deciet (Original Story)

#FFF201 - Comedian’s Night - Intermission for Eluding (Original Story)

#FFF205 - Where the Flowers Grow - Spots of Growth (Poem)

#FFF206 - Sink or Swim - Those Rueful Woes (Original Story)

#FFF215 - Mall at Night - Ensuring an Outlook (Original Story)

#FFF216 - Found Family - To Form Connections (Poem)

#FFF223 - By Candlelight - A Stunning Glow (Blasted Scorn Tale)

#FFF224 - Torn Veil - The Fractured Clue (Original Story)

#FFF226 - By Any Other Name - Role-Searching (Original Story)

#FFF228 - A Form of Distraction - A Gratifying Visit (Lines of a Script to Ignore Tale)

#FFF229 - Nebulous Roads - Joy of Solitude (Poem)

#FFF236 - Fight or Flight - Of Highs and Lows (Original Story)

Kyler's heart mimics the motion, but he wills his face to stay calm. He is the boss. One of the only people on the whole planet who know who Wes really is. What his mission is. And that by default means only he knows how much being an undercover for that manic gangster costs him.

They have to meet in these pathetic places, away and in dark like criminals, when they put the mastermind plan together. When they are getting the evidence to get that lunatic once and for all. When no one else, any police force could do anything, they will.

The determination rings hallow in moments like these. The knowledge they are doing this for something greater, something good that will save and help countless people...countless faceless people that will never find out about the danger that never hit them, about the sacrifices they make.

Kyler gets the respect, the privileges. He gets to wear the nice suit, keep the honors and secrets, hand out the commands. His pay is this sight, the sight of the best agent he knows, his genius, withering away under pressure, risk and lies. Under bloodshed he has to endure, by the role he has to play.

It's the cost of his best friend falling apart in front of his eyes.

Sometimes he thinks Wes knows and so never complains. Never says what he is dying inside to say.

Let me come back. Let me come back already. I can't do this anymore.

Kyler waits for that moment. But they both know it will be over when the words come out, so they don't say anything. Wes gets the intel and leaves out the pain, and Kyler listens and dials down on the comfort. If he offers him something, a kind word, a gesture, a soft tone, Wes might break right then and there.

And neither can afford it. Not yet. Just not yet.

When Kyler watches him leave that night, huddled over himself in those worn out clothes and paranoid looks, while he stand in that rich warm coat, his hands in his pockets and pretends he doesn't see.