Imagine your OTP - Angst Edition

Intro + Sample Chapter

"I can't believe she managed to scrape by using the insanity plea. Someone needs to consult the village's head about this." [C] muttered. "C'mon, let's go home."

[A], [B], and [C] were extremely lucky their houses were in the same square. As they parted to say goodbye, [C] paused. "Wait, there's something I have to show you guys."

Without waiting for a response, the child touched [A]'s scar. A thin silver glow emitted around [C]'s pointer finger. When [C] pulled away, in place of the scar was nothing but tender skin.

"Whoa [C], you have magic?" cried [A] and [B] at the same time. "That's so-"

"Shh!" hissed [C]. "Don't say anything. I don't want to become a healer, cooped up in that tiny tent all day."

'That's too bad then, isn't it?" chuckled a low, sultry voice. A new hand grabbed [C] by the shoulder.

"You're coming with me," sneered the eavesdropper. Panic flashed in [C]'s eyes. [He/She/They] kicked and screamed, flailing helplessly against the village official's unfair strength. [B] and [A] reached for [C], but two pairs of firm hands held them back. It wasn't until [C] had disappeared into the Main Street, that the guards released them and walked away.

[A] and [B] looked at each other. [B] sighed and turned to leave when [A] took [his/her/their] arm. [B] winced as [A]'s nails dug into [his/her/their] skin.

"[B], you've got to promise me something," pleaded [A]. [He/She/They] gestured upwards. "That's the Gemini constellation. You ... you swear that the two of us will be together forever, just like them, right?"

"Of course." The tip of [B]'s pinky met [A]'s. "Forever and always."

[B] and [A] saw [C] less and less as time passed. During those magical moments all three managed to walk in on each other, [C] almost always held a basket of remedies and potions, only let out to run an errand. [He/She/They] couldn't chat more than five minutes without facing punishment.

The annual Fireflower Festival was coming up, though, a valuable excuse for the couple hundred villagers to party and get drunk on the most exquisite of beverages, to try out fresh, hot dishes at a ridiculously low price.

To give [A] and [B] a chance to be with [C] all night long, partying, dining, and conversing like they used to. Curse that wretched eagle-eyed officer who snuck on [C]'s powers.

When the day rolled around, [B] spotted [C] at the village hall's entrance. Traditional clothing similar to what [B] was wearing hugged [C]'s body, but—having a more sensitive immune system—[he/she/they] had to wear a cloak over it to put up with the chilly autumn air.

"Where's [A]?" [C] asked. [His/Her/Their] voice was a pitch lower than [B] remembered, having hit adolescence just like [A] and [B].

"I don't know," said [B]. "Let's check [his/her/their] home."

The walk back home was silent. [B] felt an indescribable pang of sadness at how distant [he/she/they] and [C] had grown. Now they couldn't even exchange a casual conversation. When the two arrived, [C] frowned and stopped.

"They removed the flower bed," [he/she/they] sighed. "And one of the trees. It feels so weird being back here after living at the healer's quarters the past years."

[B] nodded. "[A] is-"

A piercing shriek sliced through the air. One exchanged glance between [C] and [A] was all it took before they rushed to the house. The door was unlocked.

[A] was crumpled to the ground like a wilted flower, heaving in loud, uneven breaths. Curled in a fetal position, both of [his/her/their] crimson-stained hands clutched a newly opened cut across [his/her/their] stomach.