#fotsge

https://archiveofourown.org/works/66931327/chapters/196430531

note: This fic has numerous descriptions and instances of violence, death, pain, blood and some sexual stuff (even if it's not explicit smut) so if you don't like these things now is the time to stop.

Enjoy!

The King looked out from a window in his study that faced the sea, the moon a waning crescent tonight. There was barely any shine on the waves of the ocean, which looked black and deadly. 

Caspian had left him yesterday, without a single goodbye. Rhian shouldn’t have cared much, as this was the way it has been for the past few months, and yet, it irked him. Did he not notice how the King was grasping at his attention? Mortal after mortal after mortal, and still, it elicited no reaction, no desire to act. No change of heart.

“Pointless, isn’t it?” Rhian muttered to himself. He looked up at the dull-looking moon. It was funny how he could almost feel his moods wax and wane with that beautiful light in the sky. The fuller it was, the happier and safer he seemed to feel, and the lesser it was, the more anxious and uneasy he felt.

Perhaps he never got over his fears– of the darkness, of pain, of loneliness. The moon was a reflection of the sun’s light, after all, without its fire.

Many of his subjects and his lovers saw him as their sun and Rafal as their moon, but their respective vampirism and isolation was clear. 

Rhian had always felt as if he was Rafal’s moon, only being the gentle, weak reflection of the real thing. Everyone, who either hated or loved his brother, couldn’t stop, couldn’t look away, couldn’t get him out of their minds. He provoked so many feelings into them just by one glance of his boring green eyes.

The only reason Rhian received any attention, serious attention, was probably for the fact that he wore the crown. He fingered a sharp fang that hung from his neck. They may try to underestimate him, but it wouldn’t work well in the end. Oh no.

He turned away from the window, sighing heavily, and walked up to his desk. There was a glass bottle with a purple liquid inside. Rhian smiled. He didn’t need to use it to see him struggle and see the life be sucked out of him, little by little. A swift snap of the neck would have done the trick. But it was nice to finally feel the thick, hot, sticky blood between his fingers, the jagged cut across the throat, to see him cough it out over and over again the days leading to the final victory. Weakened by his own weapons. 

It was nice to be powerful. To not care how to attain that power.

Rhian’s thoughts were interrupted when he saw the boy from Gavaldon enter the study, looking bored. Rhian narrowed his eyes at him, then forced a smile. This was another problem. He started to get the impression that this handsome mortal was beginning to slip out of his fingers. Did he know about… he couldn’t know. It was a coincidence. Rhian had to be wrong. He had to be. 

It wasn’t certain that Midas was related to the past. It could just be his anxieties getting the best of him. People shared the same eye color without being related to one another all the time. Realistically, Midas knew nothing and it was just shreds of guilt coming to the surface, even if she had to be gone a few months ago. Yet, if Rhian could go from human to the creature he was now within a blink of an eye, it wasn't unlikely that fate was trying to punish him, somehow.

“Rafal said I was needed here, Your Majesty,” Midas said, finally looking the King in the eye. Rhian was a bit miffed with the formalities, as he didn’t spare any when engaging with his brother. He pushed it away. It was nothing.

“Ah yes. My brother,” Rhian said, a bit distracted. “Did he pack some of your things?”

Midas’ eyes widened. In joy, perhaps? Shock?

“I wanted to bring you to the city for a few days. I was thinking you’d like to explore it instead of being cooped up with Rufius or my twin.”

Midas’ face fell for a second before recollecting himself. “Oh that… that sounds lovely. No, he hasn’t packed anything.”

Rhian walked forward. Midas tensed. “That’s alright. I can let him know later so we can set off tomorrow night.”

“I think…” Midas paused.

“What do you think, Midas? No need to be afraid.”

“I was just wondering if maybe we should invite your brother, too,” he said quickly. “I feel as if he’s overworked and stressed, and perhaps he’d like time with you as family. Time for himself where he isn’t weighed down by responsibilities.”

“My brother can take care of himself!” Rhian lashed. “He does not need to come along on everything we do. He–”

He lowered his voice, realizing his outburst. “I’m sorry. It’s just that he shouldn’t be any of your concern. You are under me. Is he trying to guilt you into having me do what he wants?”

“N-no, Your Majesty. I just–”

“Rafal needs to work harder. He works for me and this kingdom. He has no right to complain.” Rhian turned to the window again. He hoped that baring his heart would start to change his mind. 

As much as those kills were satisfying and liberating, Rhian could not repeat himself yet again. He had sworn to keep humans around as living food, not torture them and drain the very life out of them. 

He could hear all of their beating hearts, rushing pulses, and it was so very difficult not to stamp all of them out. To watch them struggle and hear them scream and have their blood stain the floors. To pull back and see that their vocal chords are shredded and the bones of their neck bared for all to see.

“Your Majesty?” Midas said, uncertain. 

Rhian pushed away all thoughts of blood, heartbeats, and bodies stuffed into a chest and subsequently thrown into catacombs. 

“My apologies, pet,” Rhian answered. “I understand that you may feel guilty or responsible for Rafal’s distress. However, you must realize that your humanity does not apply to him, or any of us, really.” 

Midas walked next to Rhian, looking out at the window himself. Rhian could practically feel the uneasiness emanating from him. Not enough for it to be an all-consuming fear. Rather, it felt like distrust. Caution.

Rhian looked at him. He caught the mortal studying him. “My brother never wanted to be one of us, I fear. He still resents me for it. I, for one, do not accept such ingratitude. That is why he is nothing in this court. I cannot have him defying me again, or trying to change our ways. He's already tried in the past.”

“How did he become one then?”

Rhian fiddled with his nails. “Apparently, he was slowly dying of poison. After an altercation with a particularly powerful vampire, he sustained mortal injuries that took his life. I had him locked into a casket and shipped away to our home when we were both still human. A group of Night Crawlers were there and, well, you can guess the rest.”

“Night Crawlers…” Midas echoed.

“Yes. Vampires who roam the seas, pretty much.”

“How did he manage to return to you, then, considering you weren’t even the one who made him that way? And how has he been defiant against your reign? I understand his refusal to feed, but–”

“A mortal princess reported an incident to me where he practically tried to consume every drop in his former lover's body. He couldn't help himself as a newly turned vampire and for the fact that his beloved had blue blood. I also heard of other occasions where he would injure and kill entire villages. Enough was enough. However, he found his way to me before I sent out the others to look for him.”

Rhian watched to see his new love's reaction. With Caspian, he could be more honest. The Captain barely flinched. Just a tsk tsk here and there, a shake of the head. Here, he could sense mounting disappointment and doubt. 

“You should be wary of my brother,” Rhian finally said when Midas didn't answer back, gray eyes focused on the floor. He lifted his chin so that Rhian could have the comfort of him looking at him directly. Besides, it would be a slight show of his affection. “He has always been the possessive kind, the one who needs everything under his control, even before his current state. He blames me for living life my own way and expects me to obey his every whim. He despises you because of how much I have grown to care for you. Of how much I needed you since the moment I met you. He despises anyone who loves me.”

“I'm sorry to hear about that. I never particularly liked him, but I did want to do some good in this place by helping you both mend your relationship.”

Liar, liar, a voice in Rhian’s head mocked. He dismissed it. 

“Our relationship is fine as it is. We have both grown to accept it.” He tucked a curl behind Midas’ ear. “Again, do not worry for me. Or Rafal.”

“Right. Of course.”

“Tomorrow night. The city. It's beautiful, you know. A bit too silent for my liking, which is why my friends will follow me. Julius has family to visit, so I'm sure he can join me.”

Midas tensed. Rhian wanted to laugh. If only he knew. If it was the case. 

“Is he torturing you?” Rhian asked softly. “Julius?”

“Nothing that I can't handle.”

“You know, you can stay with me for the rest of tonight,” Rhian proposed. “Wouldn't that be nice? Our time together, just you and me. No clingy Rufius, no pesky Rafal…”

“Don’t, Rhian,” said a voice that was all too familiar.

Rhian glared at his brother. “It is a basic courtesy to knock, brother.”

Rafal rolled his eyes. “I understand you feel lonely due to Caspian's recent absence, but there is no need to make advances on Midas. You barely know him. He doesn't fully trust any of our kind.”

Rhian scanned his brother's face, his neck, riddled with burns and marks. He ignored his brother's lecture. “What happened?”

“An incident,” Rafal snapped. Rhian sensed Midas turned away. Interesting.

“Do you want me to heal you?” Rhian asked, as gently as he could.

“No.”

“Alright then.” 

Rafal crossed the room to retrieve Midas. Rhian grabbed his arm and held tight. “I never said he was going to leave.”

“Rhian–”

“Your Majesty, you mean.”

“Rhian, I don't think this is a good idea. Can't you sense how uncomfortable he is?”

“He was like that after you came in,” Rhian hissed. It was a lie, of course.

“Hm.”

“You stupid fucking bastard!” Julius’ shouted from the entrance to the study. Rafal looked at him with a grin. Rhian saw Julius had a bloody nose and a swollen cheek.

He looked at his twin, furious and incredulous. “Was this the incident you spoke of?”

“No. This was another one. He wouldn't stop tormenting your precious Midas, and I've had enough of their bickering, to be honest. You can thank me later. I'm going to have to take him off your hands.”

Rhian shoved Midas forward slightly. “Of course. I must tend to Julius.” 

“I don't think he deserves it, but do what you need to do.”

“Right. By the way, Midas is coming with me and Julius to the city.” Rhian felt himself grin from ear to ear. “Would you like to come?”

“I-” Rafal looked surprised. “Yes. If you need me to.”

“Good. Make sure Midas gets some rest.”

“I'm sure he will,” Rafal grumbled.

When Rafal and Midas left, Rhian already had a plan. 

I hope the quality didn't get fried

I actually drew this a week ago but I decided to post this on the last day of my finals (finally)

And here's why I think so:

You cannot tell me the movie releasing the same year as the prequel duology began didn't have an impact on the amount of people who read it. Yes, I understand some people weren't a fan of the prequels, and that is opinion based. However, the data of views and interactions show significant differences when compared. And that was in 2022/2023. Now? The interaction for Coven, Soman's most recent release is down by even more. I know that a lot of the original fandom are now adults, who could care less, but most only came back for the movie. And whether you thought the movie was a success or a flop, it, in someway, marked the end of the original series for you.

WARNING! OPINIONATED INTERPRETATIONS!!

you can choose any of the following sge questions, either using a random number generator, or just your brain! you can reblog this and answer the questions you picked AND also tag some other friends you may think would be up for the challenge! (ahem ahem and get me more engagement ahem)

now, choose a number between 1-24

I have a silly doodle and a sketch of james hook that I did at 1 AM

Aladdin would be that one classmate that ALWAYS asks if he can copy your homework last minute

James at one point is fed up and says no 🤑 #selfrespect

Yes, you read that right. I think someone else suggested it first (on discord?) and I’m just running with the concept—

Content warning:

Passive suicide (irl example if you don’t know what I mean: crossing the street blindly with no regard for your own safety, not caring whether you live or die.)

Provoking/tempting “fate.”

@sausage15 and @helloarska—tagging just in case you are interested since you like Vulcan.

I will probably not write this fic idea, but let’s tuck into it anyway.

Also, to clarify, Vulcan is just a poser, not a real vampire in this AU.

Long story short: these lyrics from this song, starting around [0:48], inspired a not quite crack-ship idea.

Sung to Rafal by Vulcan (hypothetically—since this jumpstarted the idea):

Are you free? When morality is treated like a treat Are you free? […]

Maybe it's time to serve vampire overlords They say you're selfish, it's just in your nature To fight one another, to be a lone wolf It's just a myth they maintain to keep you in chains I taste community running in your veins

Best case scenario: Vulcan is lively enough and promises tantalizing things, along the lines of power. It could even be enough to bring out some warmth in Rafal because Rafal cannot and will not take him seriously as an enemy, but that is not what will happen here.

Instead, it’s more of a partnership begun by force than a relationship and they don’t see eye to eye exactly.

We know Vulcan is the Evil overlord type but perhaps not unlike pirates in congregating with people, even though he has to be the one at the top of the hierarchy—sort of like how more classic villains as Rafal are lone wolves as well as how other Nevers like pirates aren’t.

Rafal even muses they would get along in Rise, if they'd ever had the chance to be friends, not that the line went exactly like that and Vulcan quickly made Rafal dismiss the possibility/verbal tease.

And just imagine the impeccable irony if Rafal (probably unintentionally?) stole Vulcan of all people from Rhian. God. That’d be terrible!

Anyway, just, imagine the animatic these lyrics could make, hah. Vulcan could overpower Rafal for a second, the Storian would be the witness, and in their partnership/practical union, Rafal could be free to do whatever he wants, as long as he adhere to the compromise. He would not be bound to the ordinary fairy-tale rules. He could go unhinged(?). (<- He doesn’t really in this plot though. Wait before I get to that point.)

Also, there’s that one bit in Rise where Rafal wants to mount Vulcan’s head on the wall, well, did Vulcan want the same? That’s compatibility, in a way.

And Vulcan, although we do more commonly think of him as dumb albeit iconic and more memorable even if he kind of functions like an inciting incident or throwaway villain, as others take the spotlight after—well, he was perceptive enough to see the rot in Rhian first...

If we aren’t going to follow the character arcs in Fall, who’s to say he can’t see the good in Rafal first?

Caveat: Not capital 'G' Good, as if Rafal's soul is literally Good-aligned like in canon, but Evil’s capacity for good actions or alternatively, Evil’s Love, or even just plain human good (like Lesso and common decency/love in TLEA, betraying her side for the greater good/survival of the world she lives in), the concept of good without the storybooks or sides. Y’know? It could work out (I say delusionally).

And with no further ado, we have:

The Vague Plot Idea

At Vulcan’s behest, unfortunately, Rafal is robbed of some agency, let’s say. Bound to a chair but not without magic so he could get out at any time, but he wants to run the risk and protract his source of entertainment, so he plays along with the idiot. But, perhaps humoring Vulcan was a mistake. Vulcan and Vulcan’s men could still overpower him physically or if they brought out the eels, so he probably shouldn't have run the risk and been so conceited.

Except, he's never in mortal danger as the Storian is still Rafal’s, so neither one of the pair has the upper hand. So, they have to work together begrudgingly, for the time being, and Vulcan cannot kill Rafal, which yeah, that forces him to not betray Rafal.

Vulcan is in power and Rafal has to play the long game, so they could start it going with a king and his liege dynamic: Lord Vulcan and Rafal, no longer School Master in a way that's much acknowledged though he was never actually stripped of his title by the Pen.

Rafal does have to do some tasks for Vulcan at first, like security measures, magical installations, forcefields, etc., and the dirty grunt work that’s like, moving trespassers and prisoners but via magic, restoring facades of buildings from the battles, cost-effective again because ✨sorcery✨, and lastly, burning up corpses from war to dispose of them.

Thus, it’s a tyranny but the whole time Rafal is subtly sabotaging Vulcan in his temp position because, like, he’s real, true stereotypical evil advisor material, steering Vulcan wrong at every turn. Like the kind that plays 5d chess and mind games with Vulcan’s pseudo-court.

And then, he still doesn’t get the promised "freedom" (his old position and School back).

Ok. Time to set off every last domino and set loose into the general public every last bombshell of a statement he's been saving up, as in, accumulated over months. He's now actively tearing down Vulcan’s reputation, being smug and glib to journalists—everything, the works.

As for the domino effect side—Rafal’s blackmailed, bribed, beat, and bullied everyone on Vulcan’s side onto his own. It’s shaping up to be a coup, except no one likes Rafal and there are no real loyalties lying anywhere.

Yes, maybe there’s fleeting attraction from Rafal to that viper of a man he constantly denies but whatever, that’s not relevant. He’s still tacky as far as he’s a Never. And his 'School for Evil and Good' is tacky as far as the eye can see. He sashays. He explodes into a swarm of bats—a new spell lately, it seems. He’s loud and demands all of the attention in the room, and strangely, that part suits Rafal. He’s so irritating and not true Never material or a person of substance, right? But also… he’s convenient. He takes up all the air in the room so Rafal can sit back and watch silently, and skulk around in the shadows playing espionage for his Lord. He still has a job to do after all, as a spy-diplomat-ambassador-emissary, whatever the Woods would call him.

Vulcan is only half oblivious to all the ruin. Don’t think (in this case) that he isn’t clever enough to catch on a little, to see that Rafal has pulled some strings—but still he overestimates Rafal’s fealty sworn to him.

He wants a date night, maybe to out Rafal's treasonous ongoings, probably not for other reasons... probably.

Anyway, no pet names either like with Rhian. Definitely not. It’s “Rafal” or nothing at all as address. Vulcan respects Rafal enough for that.

Rafal, on the other hand, calls Vulcan "my Lord," but does it so caustically, it's like he's demeaning Vulcan every time or playing pretend with a child who's allowed to believe he's the authority.

They’ve barely touched the wine—and Rafal stabs him with no warning in the back. And then, ah no, there goes the jugular vein—he's making quick work of slitting Vulcan's throat.

And Vulcan? Oh well, he gurgles, drowning in his own blood and then forcibly kisses Rafal when he gets hold of his chin, with his last breath, bloody stench everywhere.

Rafal’s eyes widen in absolute shock. He didn’t think—this—would—could ever escalate. He slaps Vulcan in return but it does nothing. The man's head just falls limply to his side. Vulcan is already dead and red (bled out).

Rafal checks for signs of life anyway. No pulse. His own pulse is like a hummingbird’s.

But despite everything, Vulcan did get the last laugh. And in a way, got what he wanted.

He got a rise out of Rafal. Got a “worthy,” not an obscure, unflattering, anonymous defeat as a Never in a time of crisis at the hands of his best, most competent enemy. A shame he didn’t get to return the favor to Rafal. But well, things may have a way of working out, especially if Rafal being an Ever comes to light (if we adhere more to canon). It probably won’t though. Rafal has suppressed it for over a century. Rafal wouldn’t let it slip. He has a reputation. Besides, if Rafal buries himself, Vulcan will be in good company either way. If Rafal’s Good soul is (figuratively) buried, then Vulcan sleeps like a king, with his well-won defeat by the alleged Evilest man in the world. And if it’s Rafal’s body that’s interred by the end of it all, well then, that’s almost like company to keep, but he doubts Rafal’s ghost would waste a syllable on him. No matter either way.

And Rafal, in a similar fashion, almost deigns to think: likewise… maybe they should have shaken hands instead. It was all sport after all. Wasn’t it?

That’s the end of that.

Rafal does not mourn but he does sometimes almost miss the man’s bravado and disarmingly charming charisma. T’would’ve been a fine alliance at most, nothing more. Right? he tells himself. With Vulcan as the outward-facing face of the operation. That's it. A missed opportunity.

Let's jump back for a moment:

Perhaps… Vulcan knew that the end was near. Perhaps he just wanted to prolong it, the relationship, as long as it lasted. He might have even known he was ultimately a dead man walking and that he wouldn’t be able to keep Rafal under his thumb because Rafal is Rafal and (usually, no always) triumphs.

That was the beauty of it to Vulcan. Waiting for the inevitable. Trying to make his own defeat memorable like dying in a monument to himself—kind of like the Egyptians preparing their whole lives for death, the single most important event in life to them being death itself. A death to die for. Memento mori. Does Vulcan romanticize death? Perhaps. But that’s still not it, no. He’s as grandiose and narcissistic about death as he is about life (and hopefully the rest of his being enamored by the concept, perhaps, of being defeated by Rafal is not too out of character). The logic goes a little like this:

Vulcan knows the Nevers of the Woods are undergoing a losing streak while Rafal, markedly, is not.

Why though? Is Rafal an Ever? That’s none of his business and frankly, he doesn’t care for that thought given his plans to provoke and so on. And it doesn’t matter because Rafal behaves Evilly and Vulcan doesn’t even care if he’s been yet another enabler or motive of Rafal’s.

Now, what’s the most Evil thing a Never can do, other than defeat an Ever, which, hasn’t been happening lately? Go out in a burst of glory and take another (N)ever(?) down with them. Yes, yes. Sovereignty over Rafal. That’s a lofty goal to aspire to.

So, Vulcan figures, sooner or later, he will be defeated given the trend of the Storian no other ordinary Never had been able to buck. He’s no fool. Nor deluded to that point. God knows he, Vulcan, can’t even counter it, the onset of the losing streak. Not a chance.

But imagine the repute he could gain if he were personally the enemy of Rafal and defeated by such a known and infamous villain as the Evil School Master. His name would go down in history. He’d get a tale. And getting a tale is nearly as much a draw as winning one could have been (had the streak not been continuing).

And Rafal. Is Rafal more good than Vulcan is, comparatively, at the very least? Storybook logic has dictated the “better” or the more Good of the two will win—that's what it's been looking like in recent tales.

Vulcan just has to put up a good enough threat for long enough to have major villain status (and maybe he orchestrates sending Rhian away).

And Rafal is too distracted by Vulcan, an immediate threat to worry about his brother’s whereabouts. Because, Vulcan is so close in proximity, however you want to read this, and is so urgent of a matter to deal with, to oust.

Rafal would be Vulcan's almost-equal for a time too and then, well, let nature run its course, get some licks in though too, because he doesn’t want Rafal getting out unscathed. Kind of like the fairy tale, "Cat and Mouse in Partnership." Betrayal and taking advantage is in both of their natures.

Maybe, Vulcan had stability the whole time all his life and now he wants to take the bull by the horns and ride it out as new claimant to the School Master position. Trying to master fate and Rafal before they both turn on him. And so, it’s like the construction and filling of a tomb, with everything he’d ever need to bring into the afterlife. Maybe even a vampire coffin decked like a sarcophagus. And maybe, just barely, Rafal even honors Vulcan’s wishes in death because, well, originally Rafal had no respect for the man and his methods. But now? Well, Rafal defeated an enemy worthier than he ever would’ve guessed. May as well honor the death. No pharaoh’s tomb or anything, but at least burial in the coffin Vulcan had slept in. Why not. It’s no bother really.

^(No inneundo intended above because, uh, no way would Rafal want that. In case anyone jumps to conclusions. Sorry, it has to be figurative. Although I'm willing to leave it open to interpretation as fandom is as fandom does.)

But that was the fun of it to Vulcan. An experience. Getting the last laugh before he died. Living large. Toying with Rafal. Basking in the glory. Having the capacity to hurt Rafal on an individual, personal level, which rarely anyone has had the pleasure of doing. The short-lived fame.

But after all that… well, Vulcan was right about one thing. Rafal isn’t a lone wolf. And the most that that manifests of it is, perhaps, running commentary of Vulcan’s in his head, like a parasite or a conscience that’s just as perverted as Rafal’s own. Sometimes his new double consciousness supplies Rafal with snappy lines and there’s debate within himself: is it actually the ghost of Vulcan or purely his imagination filling the emptiness?

But usually, it’s not so extreme as to be a double consciousness. Vulcan is silent most of the time. As, if not, Rafal would ram his head into the wall to get it to shut up and Vulcan wouldn’t really want that to befall the Evil School Master. Even he has standards, I guess. (Must have something to do with Vulcan breathing his last breaths into Rafal. I'm co-opting the Jafal agenda, in a way.)

So, yes… Vulcan isn’t corpse dust left in the annals of history. He’s still in Rafal’s head and really, that’s more than you can ever ask for as a Nemesis. To haunt your enemy after death.

Rafal argues with Imaginary!Vulcan a lot. It’s really grating but it helps him test out his ideas sometimes. Or his gorier ideas become more over the top with Vulcan’s input.

(By the way, Rhian is not dead in this AU. He’s just off. Let’s just say he was sent away to a remote place like Neverland, maybe because he went gallivanting off with Hook, being disloyal and in this AU, literally, choosing the first hot pirate he sets his sights on. So Rhian gets a moderately good ending but is not strictly Good in terms of morals.)

If Fall’s plot were to kick off at a delayed point, the thing that would awaken the Good in Rafal would be Vulcan in this AU, ironically. Some insightful comment about something well back when he was alive, a triggered memory. Something about Rafal’s selfless instinct that only applied to Rhian before—but that was suspiciously uncharacteristic of a Never. That sacrificial quality to Rafal.

Lastly, memes for my inspiration and to serve for your viewing pleasure:

Vulcan was self-obsessed (he and Rafal both, actually, but in different fonts). Case in point, haha: