#Baz being protective is the best Baz

[pato-roldnart]

A gift from Peony!!!!!!!! OMG I COULDN'T WAIT AND READ IT AS FAST AS I COULD.

Peonyyyyy 🥺🫂 thank you, thank you!! It's absolutely brilliant and hot and is everything to me😭😭 Simon injured and going straight to Baz in his moment of weakness had me crying a little 😭😭

SnowBaz I Explicit I 6k - ongoing I Canon divergence (no truce in 8th year), minor injury, snowbaz on the run, disguises, a cottage in the Yorkshire Dales, smutty smut, shibari, praise kink.

Summary:  There’s a soft grunt coming from behind the door. I watch goosebumps erupt on my skin as I pad towards the door in my socks, my eyes closed as I listen for even the faintest sound, when a familiar smell suddenly hits me. Blood. Smoke and blood and freshly-baked cinnamon rolls. Burnt butter. I open the door and find him there. Simon Snow, his hand clutching his side, mouth open as a ragged breath escapes his lips. “Baz,” he murmurs, his voice a faint thing. “I didn’t know where else to go…”

This is an extremely belated birthday present to the wonderful @pato-roldnart. Pato, I am so sorry it took me ages to get this started! I still hope you enjoy it. 

A shiny thank you to my amazing beta @crazybutgood for her super speedy and fantastic feedback. Additional thanks to @avenueofesc and @bubble-gumhead​ for always reminding me that I can do it.

Read chapter 1 of Hiding on AO3.

[azsazz]

A Snowy Starfall

Daddy!Azriel x Reader

Summary: Anon Req: Batbabies waging their OWN snowball fight imitating their dad & uncles. Some take it too seriously, others don't take it seriously at all, it's pure chaos that ends in cocoa.

Warnings: N/A

Word Count: 2,003

Notes: Happy Holidays my loves 💙

_________________________________________

“Come on, you three,” you tut towards your mate and his friends. They’re standing before the large glass windows overlooking your backyard. The sun casts deep oranges and reds across the snow-ridden land, your children shrieking as they play in the snow. A valiant snowball fight is running its course, and Azriel, Cassian, and Rhysand stand, faces pressed to the windows as they watch, quietly cheering their children on. “They’re going to notice you staring.”

“Maybe they already have,” Feyre adds from her spot at your kitchen counter. She’s concentrating intently on decorating a cookie, adding swirls of black icing to the gingerbread woman’s hand, creeping up her extended arm. The cookie’s dress is provocative, bare dough legs showing between slats of laced icing. She hardly glances up as she continues, “They’re probably imitating them as we speak.”

Curious, you peek out the window, too. Indeed, Wren and Baz have built a fortress in the snow to protect themselves from the onslaught of snowballs being thrown their way. Gideon and Nyx have joined forces against the two brothers, the latter packing the fluffy snow into tight, white balls, while Gideon launches their ammo towards your sons.

Your eldest daughter, Zuzu, and Nyx’s younger sister, Asteria, had joined the competition early on. They’d been a formidable team too, but grew bored of their brothers and cousin who were taking the snowball fight a little too seriously. Now, they are in the snow with little Castor, who had cried until she’d been let outside by her protective father, bundled up in so many clothes her wings nearly disappeared into the fabric. The girls are making snow angels, though Castor’s looks very much like a circle on the lawn.

Dark streaks dart behind the wall your sons have built and you frown, watching as Baz’s shadows help roll clumps of snow closer, creating perfectly circular snowballs. From what you’d heard from your husband’s friends, using shadows was against any and all snowball fight rules.

You cut Azriel a glance but he’s conveniently occupied, watching the game outside.

“Well, at least they’re both on the same team,” you comment to your mate, who refuses to let his gaze stray from the little boys. Good, he can watch them while he does the dishes then, since there’s a window above the sink. You pat him on the ass, nodding towards the mess of dishes in the sink. He nods in response, loping quickly over to peer out the window again. “So they’ll either both lose or both win.”

“They’ll both win,” Az responds immediately, a quick but pointed look your way. “They do take after me.”

Cassian scoffs behind you and you turn to see a scowling Nesta shooting him a look as he tries to steal a cookie. Jax giggles in her lap at his uncle's antics, but when Cassian hands him part of the cookie and its head falls off, Jax’s smile wobbles. He’s not outside due to the nature of his powers. As an empath, sensing the competitive nature of his siblings and the sting of a snowball to the face, it had been in his best interest to be inside around the luscious scents of cookies and warmth, instead of out in the bitter snow.

Nesta coos, bouncing him, and Cassian is thankful for the distraction, slipping further down the counter to where the High Lord sits, trying—and failing—to gain his mate's attention. The commander slips an arm around Rhys’ shoulders and glares at the back of Azriel’s head, continuing his complaining. “The only reason you’ve won so many is because of those damn shadows, Az.”

Azriel throws over his shoulder, wincing as Baz takes a snowball to the face, his face going red with fury. “How was I supposed to know they were unaffected by the magic restrictions?” he claims, sending said shadows out into the yard once he sees Baz’s slipping through the snow, headed for the icicles hanging off the railings of the porch. His intercept his sons in a display of authority, spearing them into blackened mist. Baz glances up to the window, locking eyes with his father, who wears a look of warning on his face, brow raised. Azriel watches his son visibly huff and take his anger out on the snow, building a ball and launching it across the playing field in frustration.

His gaze cuts across the yard, narrowing his eyes. Gideon and Nyx are crouched low behind their own pile of snow, looking like they’re scheming. He wants to trail his shadows in their direction, listen in on their conversation, but he’s alerted to Malos’ whines from the other room. If one of his youngest is awake, they either both are, or will be soon.

“Malos is up,” Az tells you softly, shutting off the water to the sink. He wipes his hands on a towel and kisses you gently on the cheek. You’re mixing color into icing for the cookies, getting ready for when it’s too dark out for the children to play. They’ll get all cleaned up and have some hot chocolate to warm their bellies, and you, Feyre, and Nesta have baked cookies for all of the children to decorate. “I’ll get them.”

“I’ll join,” Cassian answers, stealing another cookie off of a platter. He dunks it into your icing to the neck, the cookie dripping with sugary goodness as he lifts it to his mouth, shoving it inside. He ducks under your glare. “Gotta go get my baby.”

Cassian and Nesta’s youngest daughter, Sif, had been put down for a nap with both Knox and Malos. She’s still a little too young to be outside without supervision, and the eldest children of the Inner Circle demanded time outside without their parents, probably because they knew their fathers would try and take over their snowball fight had they been outside. They didn’t want any tips or tricks, not even your children, even with Azriel’s hundred of wins beneath his belt.

Jax climbs from Nesta’s lap over Rhys who lets out a harsh exhale when his knee lands a little too close to his private area, and then over to Feyre, who finally sets her cookie down to scoop your middle son in her arms.

“Pretty,” Jax comments, pointing at her decorative cookie. It looks just like her, and there’s one next to it that looks a little like Rhysand. Purple dots for eyes stare up at him. “Uncle Rhysie?”

“Good job, Jax,” Feyre coos, pressing kisses to his cheeks. They pink with a blush and he settles into her arms, looking utterly at bliss. He revels in the warmth of her emotions, the pride surging through her. It feels like warm bubbles in his chest, and he noses at her collar.

“Look who’s ready to party,” Azriel announces, entering the room, arms full with your two youngest children, Malos and Knox. Knox still looks a little sleepy, head resting against Azriel’s shoulder, cuddling into his warmth. His tiny wings are droopy with sleep, and his twin sister, Malos, is already reaching for the cookies. 

Nesta is quick to scoop her away from Azriel. She claims not to have a favorite niece, but Malos and her have an understanding. You see more of Nesta in Malos’ personality than any of the children of the Inner Circle, and you’re extremely happy that they have such a close connection. 

“Hi baby,” you greet Knox, who is signing mommy to you. You ease him out of Azriel’s arms, who promptly returns to his position in front of the window, pressing exaggerated kisses to his chubby cheeks. It makes him smile wide, flaring those wings that he hasn’t quite figured out how to control. “Are you ready for some yummy cookies?”

His dark eyes light with excitement. Of course your children are ready for sweets, they always are. They picked that up from Azriel, who has the biggest sweet tooth you’ve ever seen.

Cassian reenters the room with his daughter in his arms and Rhys pouts. Almost everyone in the room is preoccupied with a child in their arms, except for him. Maybe he can convince Feyre to have one more. The youngest children in the family are two now and he misses having a tiny babe around.

By the heated look in her eyes, his mate seems to be considering the same, sneaking past those shadowy walls in his mind to catch a glimpse of his thoughts. The High Lord smirks. He sends her over some imagery to go with his thoughts, and her cheeks go red. That hot look turns into one of warning, and she’s speaking out loud now, “Why don’t you call the children inside so they can get warmed up and decorate some cookies?”

“Of course, darling,” Rhys sweeps from his seat in a wisp of darkness. 

Breaking a cookie in half, you give part of it to Knox, who signs thank you, munching on the sweet. The other half is passed to Malos as you head towards where your mate is finishing up the dishes, leaning against him for a moment, reveling in all of your family happily together.

“I love you,” Azriel murmurs into your hair, leaning over to sneak a bite of Knox’s cookie. Your son stares up at his father with wide eyes, and like this, he looks just like Az. It makes your heart warm, and Jax squeals in happiness in response, your happiness radiating to him. It makes your grin wider, peeking over your shoulder to see him so content in his aunt's arms. 

“I love you too, Az,” you whisper back to him, resting your forehead against his. 

It’s a nice moment, until the children from outside are wrangled through the door by Rhys. The boys are arguing about who has won their snowball fight, while the girls are peeling away their winter gear, excited to decorate cookies with icing and sprinkles and the edible petals Elain had given you before her trip to the Summer Court with Lucien. 

“Now, now, boys,” Rhys starts, but the diplomatic tone he’s using does nothing to deter the cousins from arguing. “I’m sure we can come to a consensus without yelling and acquiescing.”

“But Baz used his shadows,” Nyx complains, wringing his gloves between his hands in frustration. “We all saw it.”

“Nyxie, don’t be mean to Baz,” Wren counters, brows furrowed. He doesn’t like it when his family argues, especially over trivial things. His heart is so kind. “You can win the snowball fight if you want, but Baz and I are gonna win the cookie decorating contest, right Bazzy?”

“No,” Baz says flatly, dropping his gear onto the floor. You give him a look but he almost seems un-bothered by it, done with the debate his cousins are currently having. “We won the snowball fight and we’re going to win the cookie decorating contest.” 

You share a look with your mate, watching the scene unfold. Baz is quite the Stubborn Suriel, no matter what it comes to.

“Dad,” Nyx groans, “Can’t you do something?”

Cassian is the one who comes to the rescue, Castor reaching up at him for her sister. He helps the little one down and the older one with her undressing, peeling her thermals off layer by layer. “It’s not about who won, right boys? It’s about spending time and having fun with the ones you love.”

Feyre, Nesta, and yourself awe at his words, but Azriel and Rhysand are rolling their eyes and muttering under their breath at Cassian’s cheesy words. 

“What a kiss ass.”

“Smug fucker.”

“Azriel,” you hiss, turning your body away from him, like that will hide Knox from his vulgar words. “Language.” 

He winces, “Sorry love.” 

It’s your turn to roll your eyes now, bouncing Knox in your arms a little as you turn fully from your mate. You poke Knox’s belly playfully before addressing the rest of the room. “How about those cookies, then? They won’t decorate themselves!”

[skeedelvee]

Carry On Countdown Day 3 - AU/Alternate Universe

For this year's COC I've decided to put together daily fic rec lists! Let me know if you find any new favorite reads from these <3

Today's prompt was easy, so here's a selection of AUs!

@bazpitchsirlbf by @philaet0s

Rated E, 31,016 words

Baz is a famous musician and Simon is his semi secret unfamous boyfriend. Excellent dialogue, excellent world building, very fun

“Hey babe, would you mind if I made a Twitter account where I say I’m your boyfriend?” He frowns at me. “Explain.” “Well, it’s mostly to fuck with your fans, to be fair. They’re so intense. I think it’d be a lot of fun. I wouldn’t share anything private or anything, I just want to see what that swarm of fangirls do when some rando goes on Twitter to claim he’s dating you.”

Keep the Skates On by @you-remind-me-of-the-babe

Rated E, 3,992 words

Baz is great on roller skates and Simon is a roller rink employee with a crush on him. Super fun, would easily reading thousands of more words in this universe

“Keep the skates on,” he says as he sinks to his knees. He sits back on his heels, gazing up at me through stubby lashes. 🛼 That’s it. That’s the plot. Blow jobs on wheels. 🛼

A Fucked-Up Cinderella Story by @aristocratic-otter

Rated E, 56,167 words

Baz never went to Watford, him and Simon meet when Simon is contracted as an escort specifically to have sex with Baz. So good, so hot

Imagine a world where Baz’s father is a little more paranoid about Baz being outed as a vampire and decides to protect him after he’s bitten by keeping him home and homeschooling him. Everything that happens in this story is a ripple effect of this decision. Baz and Simon never meet. Malcolm never marries Daphne, too afraid to bring any third party into their home. With no Baz to invite Simon home for Christmas, and nobody having any knowledge that Simon can share his magic, Simon is attacked that Christmas day by the mage, who tries to kill him for his magic (Penelope calls in the Coven to save him). Simon’s magic is greatly diminished but not completely gone: the mage managed to drain most of the magic out of Simon, but the Coven shut down the part of Davy that can hold magic, rendering him Normal, and the humdrum was never heard from again, nobody knows why. None of this is in the story, but it sets the stage.

I Just Want Your Extra Time And Your ..... by @bazzybelle

Rated E, 15,444 words

Simon and Baz fall for each other through texting, when Dev signs Baz up for a phone sex service. I think about this fic often. I wish to one day write a texting fic as good as this one

They say you find love when you least expect it. Once you've stopped trying to look for it, it just happens to come barreling your way. For some, it's in the form of a beautifully awkward meet-cute. For others, it comes with the realization that your best friend is the love of your life. Neither was the case for Baz Pitch. He wasn't expecting to find anything of the sort when he started receiving overly flirtatious text messages out of the blue. He's a busy man and doesn't have time for these sorts of shenanigans. And besides, it's better to stay closed off than risk getting hurt, right? For Simon Snow, he couldn't afford to fall in love. He was simply doing a job that he was being paid to do. And as much as he found the bloke on the other side of the messages to be an annoying, pompous git, it was a job nonetheless. But life is funny like that. And sometimes you just gotta go with the flow. Maybe this time, it'll work out. Maybe this time, love will hit both of them when they least expect it.

The Wedding Date by @royalasstronaut

Rated E, 29,978 words

Baz hires Simon to escort him to a family wedding in Italy. I may be biased because I gave the concept of this fic up for adoption during the adoption fest, but Royalasstronaut really knocked it out of the park with this

With his cousin's wedding in Sicily coming up and no time to find a date, Baz is dreading having to put up yet again with his father's blatant attempts at matchmaking him to another eligible bachelorette. Lucky for him, fate (with quite a bit of help from Dev and Mordelia) has other plans.

He's a Knockout by Nerdistheword

Rated T, 143,277 words

Simon is a streetfighter and Baz falls for him. Also Ebb is Simon's foster mom and the humdrum is his little brother. The universe in this is so rich and full of depth. I highly recommend checking it out

Simon Snow Salisbury is a streetfighter who is sick of fighting but just can't bring himself to leave the ring. Baz is the spectator that falls for him on the spot, and Simon isn't far behind. A modern au filled with familiar faces, with some twists added in.

Under Pressure by @krisrix

Rated E, 14,001 words

Simon and Baz as superheroes?! Fuck or die?! Multiple pieces of Kris art?! This story is so good and so hot and it truly has everything you could hope for in a story like this

I smirk at him, trying to raise an eyebrow. "Since when do you care about me, Baz?" His look of concern shifts into annoyance so fast, I'm surprised it doesn't give him whiplash. "Don't use my name, Gauge." "Fine. Since when do you care about me, Mesmeric?"

Blood Inheritance by Thewesterndoor

Rated E, 96,357 words

DND flavored A/B/O universe. Simon and Baz meet when Simon is on a mission set by the Mage. Twists and turns, action, mystery, intrigue! It's a great story, especially if you're in the mood to dig into a long fic

Simon Snow lives on the edge of a knife, waiting for the one wrong move that will finally throw him into the abyss. With his alpha urges barely contained and his magic unmanageable the last thing he needs is a job from the Mage, but Simon can’t afford to say no. The job is simple enough, but a chance encounter with a cold and calculating omega leaves Simon reeling and pulled into a mystery that has haunted the town of Watford for over a decade. As heir to the Grimms and the Pitches, Baz was never supposed to be an omega. He might’ve been forgiven for not being born an alpha if a childhood attack hadn’t also left him a vampire. Instead, he’s a liability, hidden away in the countryside with any freedom hard won. When a threat to his mother’s legacy has him risking it all, it brings him face to face with Simon, an alpha who just might be capable of tearing apart Baz’s careful world. Does he dare trust the alpha who is working for the very man destroying Watford? And can Baz allow himself to give in to his hunger?

✨Gratuitous self rec✨

In Just Seven Days (And Six Long Nights) I Can Make You a Man-ah-ha-ha-an! by me! @skeedelvee

Rated T, 30,109 words

Simon and Baz are in a Rocky Horror shadow cast troupe and Simon has to train up to play Rocky. This was a real passion project for me and I think it' came out's a really fun story

The Popped Cherry shadow cast is in dire need of a Rocky. Simon Snow has a week to prepare for the role. The person enlisted to help bring him up to snuff? None other than the show's star (and Simon's roommate), Baz Pitch.

If you have any recs that fit the prompt that I've missed, feel free to leave them in the comments! There's plenty of gaps in my reading so there's a good chance I may not have read it.

Also I've had a hard time finding if some people are here on Tumblr, so if you know someone who hasn't been tagged, feel free to leave that in the comments as well <3

@carryon-countdown

[richincolor]

We have three books on our radar for this week! You should check them out:

The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le Roaring Brook Press

Nhika is a bloodcarver. A cold-hearted, ruthless being who can alter human biology with just a touch. In the industrial city of Theumas, she is seen not as a healer, but a monster that kills for pleasure. When Nhika is caught using her bloodcarving abilities during a sham medical appointment, she's captured by underground thugs and sold to an aristocratic family to heal the last witness of their father’s murder. But as Nhika delves deeper into their investigation amidst the glitz of Theumas’ wealthiest district, she begins to notice parallels between this job and her own dark past. And when she meets an alluring yet entitled physician's aide, Ven Kochin, she’s forced to question the true intent behind this murder. In a society that outcasts her, Kochin seems drawn to her...though he takes every chance he gets to push her out of his opulent world. When Nhika discovers that Kochin is not who he claims to be, and that there is an evil dwelling in Theumas that runs much deeper than the murder of one man, she must decide where her heart, and her allegiance, truly lie. And - if she's willing to become the dreaded bloodcarver Theumas fears to save herself and the ones she's vowed to protect.

Rules for Rule Breaking by Talia Tucker Kokila

Winter Park and Bobby Bae are Korean American high school juniors whose families have been friends since the kids were making crayon art. They, however, are repulsed by each other. Winter is MIT-bound, comfortable keeping people at arm’s length, and known by others as responsible, though she has a desire to let loose. This probably comes from her rebel grandmother, who is constantly pushing boundaries and encouraging Winter to do so as well. Winter’s best friend is moving abroad and won’t be attending college at all, and Winter’s wrestling with what it means to be left behind. Bobby is as Type-A, anxious, and risk-averse as you can get. He’s also been recently dumped, which has him feeling disoriented and untethered. That’s why, when Winter’s and Bobby’s parents insist that they go on a northeast college campus tour together, both teens find reasons to accept even though the thought of being stuck in a car together for 700 miles sounds unbearable. What awaits them is a journey of self-discovery where the only rule on their road trip is to break all the rules. At first, this happens in hilariously calculated ways (using lists and reason and logic!), but they soon abandon that, challenging each other to dares in Virginia, getting high and wandering around Philly for food—and battling the subsequent digestive distress—and crashing a party in Cambridge. And, of course, realizing that they’re perfect together.

Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé Feiwel & Friends

Sade Hussein is starting her third year of high school, this time at the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy boarding school, after being home-schooled all her life. Misfortune has clung to her seemingly since birth, but even she doesn’t expect her new roommate, Elizabeth, to disappear after Sade’s first night. Or for people to think Sade had something to do with it. With rumors swirling around her, Sade catches the attention of the girls collectively known as the ‘Unholy Trinity’ and they bring her into their fold. Between learning more about them—especially Persephone, who Sade is inexplicably drawn to—and playing catchup in class, Sade already has so much on her plate. But when it seems people don't care enough about what happened to Elizabeth, it's up to she and Elizabeth's best friend, Baz, to investigate. And then a student is found dead. The more Sade and Baz dig into Elizabeth's disappearance, the more she realizes there’s more to Alfred Nobel Academy and its students than she thought. Secrets lurk around every corner and beneath every surface…secrets that rival even her own.

[fieldofdaisiies]

gwyn x balthazar | 2,6k words | warnings: none | masterlist

The sun has barely risen behind the towering Illyrian mountains, casting long shadows across the open training pitch where Balthazar and Corrian stand across each other. Their wooden swords clash every now and then, mirroring the stormy atmosphere that surrounds them. The air is charged with tension, as the looming battle, the fight with Zave, weighs heavily on them.

Corrian moves with intense focus, every strike determined. It's almost like he is in a hurry, as if every move could decide the outcome of the upcoming battle, as if the two of them don't have enough time to prepare Balthazar for what is about to come. Balthazar skilfully defends and counterattacks ever strike, expression concentrated, eyes empty.

Corrian knows that something, something more than the upcoming battle is on his mind, but Balthazar is not yet ready to share it. 

As their swords clash loudly, and the sound echoes through the war camp, Balthazar draws in a deep inhale and says with resolve in his voice. "I have to do it, Corr. This is not just about me. If I become the camp lord of the war camp, I can make a difference. I can protect our people, our families. It has to happen. I should have always known it wouldn't be that easy. It probably had to happen exactly this way."

Corrian nods, his expression somber. "But you are already camp lord…by the decision of Lord Cassian."

"Not in Zave's eyes. He will never accept it if I don't earn it."

Corrian sighs loudly. "I know, Baz. But you're my best friend, and I can't bear the thought of losing you."

"This is not about you, Corr," Balthazar snaps and pushes forward. "And don't you believe in me?"

The two friends lock eyes, their friendship and the weight of their little fight hanging heavily in the air. Balthazar's determination is unyielding and he hits Corrian's sword with force once again. 

"I believe in you. I know you could always defeat Zave, even in your sleep. But you don't know what he has planned, what tricks he might play. Maybe he won't play fair?" 

Balthazar huffs. "I've been trained to be a warrior my whole life, I can defeat him. I'll be careful. Zave is a brute but he knows this is about honour, he won't play unfairly." He might be naiv, but this thought is the only thing that gives Balthazar hope in these moments.

Corrian's grip tightens on his wooden sword, his voice filled with concern and a hint of anger. "Just promise me you won't do anything reckless. I want you to be camp lord, there is hardly anything I want more for the future. But if—"

"There is no if. It is the only option and I will make it." Sweat is dripping down his brow as they continue their sparring. "But I promise, Corr, I'll be careful."

They keep exchanging blows, lunging forward, sparring. The conversation is not really leading anywhere, and Corrian knows Balthazar is too determined to see the risks. So, Corrian decides to change the the subject, trying to ease the tension between them. "Speaking of promises, what about your pretty girl? Have you talked to her about this? Have you told her? Will you tell her? She must be worried sick."

An involuntary growl leaves Balthazar. His expression darkens, and he parries Corrian's new attack with a sharp movement. "I don't want to talk about her, Corr." 

Or rather…he doesn't want to think about her. He can't let himself think about her. He knows she would be worries sick. And he can't let her worry. And most importantly he can't let her come here again. Their relationship had to end. He can't risk her life. Her life and well-being is more important to him than anything else. Gwyn is his priority. Always. She is everything to him, and he won't let anyone ever hurt her again. 

She had been hurt in the past. Someone already hurt her. Never will this happen again. And most definitely not because of him. 

Corrian stops promptly, concern etched upon his features. "Baz, she loves you. She deserves to know what you are up. She would want to know. You can't just shut her out."

Balthazar's voice quivers as he answers, "I know she loves me, but I won't tell her. She's been through enough in her life. The last thing she needs is to worry about me. And…they are threatening her life, I can't risk her coming here again."

It hurts — the thought of never seeing her again. But it is worth it, Balthazar knows, if only it saves her life. If only it protects her. 

Corrian takes a step back, his wooden sword lowered. "You're wrong, Baz. She's strong, and she cares about you. She would want to know, would want to know what burdens you, and not be kept in the dark." 

Corrian doesn't know what happened to Gwyn in the past and won't push Balthazar to tell him. And Balthazar can't tell his best friend, of course not, it is Gwyn's story not his, but maybe if Corrian knew he would talk differently about the situation. 

Balthazar's frustration flares, eyes glowing with his growing anger, and he attacks with renewed intensity. The sound of their swords reverberates through the war camp, the tension between them escalating. "I said I don't want to talk about it, about her, Corrian. Now, let it go."

Corrian understands that Balthazar's emotions are too raw at the moment, and he backs off, lowering his sword. "Fine, Baz. But I ask one thing of you…" He pauses and watches Balthazar's expression. "Always remember we are here for you. You are not alone in this, we are always here for you, and if you need us, you only have to reach out."

Balthazar dips his chin, a hint of thankfulness in his eyes. 

They keep sparring without speaking another word — one can feel their worries and tension hanging in the air, thick and heavy. Each strike and parry becomes a testament of their inner turmoil and struggle. 

After long hours on the pitch and when dusk finally opens the day, the friends sheathe their wooden swords, their bodies covered in sweat and stop. They sit down on the ground, catching their breaths and drinking some water.

Balthazar gives Corrian a long look, his voice softening. "I know you're just looking out for me, Corr. I appreciate it more than you know. But I have to do this."

Corrian smiles, the tension between them momentarily easing. "I know you do. And I know you'll get out alive."

Balthazar nods, and then in a quieter voice says, "I sent Gwyn a letter. I can't let her come here again. It is not safe for her."

Corrian nods in understanding, but says nothing. He does not know what to say. He wants to tell Balthazar that this is not the right way, but he knows what great lengths people must go to protect a loved one. 

Corrian places a hand on Balthazar's shoulder, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Soon you will be camp lord."

Balthazar nods. "Yes, yes, I will be." The smile on his face doesn't reach his eyes, but there is determination and hope in his voice. 

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

Arriving on the training pitch, the sun high up in the sky, Gwyn gives Azriel a knowing smile that he returns. She is still incredibly grateful that he shared this large secret with her, it is something she will treasure, keep safe, until he is ready to share it with the others as well. Until then, it is locked away behind iron gates, safe within her mind.

"Thank you for listening to me, yesterday," Azriel says when he walks over to Gwyn, wooden sword already clasped in his hand. "It was good to finally share it with someone."

Gwyn dips her chin, silent understanding passing between them. 

They set out for their first part of training this morning — training in Windhaven is good, and also something new and nice, but it will never compare to training here in Velaris. It is where Gwyn had got back her confidence, where she had truly bonded with the people she now calls her friends, her family. It is a wonderful place and training here always reminds her of her strength and determination. 

They fight with the swords for a while before switching over to one-on-hand combat, swords no longer important. Gwyn is fast, brings Azriel down a few times, her laughter radiating over the pitch. Her eyes spark and dance with mischief when she holds him down after another swift and agile move with which she flipped Azriel over. Azriel has to laugh as well, continuing to fight her, despite having been sent to the ground many times already. 

They keep playfully teasing each other, laughing. Cassian joins in quickly, laughing from the bottom of his heart when he sees his best friend sitting on the pitch, hair tousled and his Illyrian leathers dusty. "Seems like the Valkyries are truly starting to kick our asses," he hollers and then gives Nesta a big smooch. "But I couldn't love you any more for this."

They both grin at each other, the other priestesses, smiling and chuckling as well. 

However, their laughter is suddenly interrupted by the distant sound of approaching footsteps. Mor. It is not her herself, but rather her expression and her demeanour that makes the temperature drop at least one degree. 

Gwyn offers Azriel a hand. He takes it, his eyes twinkling a little, and rises gracefully to his feet. They both turn their attention to Mor, who approaches, an unreadable expression on her face.

"I come with news from the continent, and a letter for you, Gwyn." 

"Good or bad news?" Cassian asks, and protectively wraps an arm around Nesta, almost like he wants to shield from what they are about to hear. 

"Not so good news, but I would like to discuss this in Rhys's office later on. It is mostly about Vallahan and Montesere…I assume they are planning on forming an alliance."

"The kingdoms are uniting?" Nesta asks, her forehead lying in furrows. Mor dips her chin. Her gaze wanders over the pitch, all deep in thought for a moment. If the kingdoms are uniting, it means…

"And a letter for me?" Gwyn asks, brushing the dirt off her clothes.

Mor draws in a deep inhale and reaches into her bag, producing a folded letter. She hands it to Gwyn who has walked up to her by then. "This is for you," she says, her tone serious. "It's from your Balthazar. He seemed…unwell. I payed a quick visit to Emerie on my return, he wanted to send the letter to you but when he saw me he gave it to me."

Worry immediately fills every fibre of Gwyn's body and her fingers begin to tremble around the envelope. Her heart churns, nearly dropping into her stomach. 

"Hopefully nothing has happened in the camp and this is just a silly little love letter from the betrothed." Cassian chuckles but no one joins in. It is almost like the others can feel that the letter won't bring any good news from Windhaven. 

With trembling fingers, Gwyn carefully unfolds the letter and feels everyone's eyes on her. Her heart is racing when she scans the words written by the male she loves so much. Her expression from formerly nervous shifts to confusion, and finally to shock. Her heart shatters into many pieces. Without hope for repair.

Dear Gwyneth,

I am deeply sorry, but I have realised that our relationship can't continue. There is no blame on you, of course not. It is all my fault. I am Illyrian, and you deserve better. You should not spend your whole life with someone like me — find yourself a good male that is worthy of you, that does not live in a place like Windhaven, that earns good money doing a good in Velaris. Here it is not safe for you, please, don't return here. It is best if we stay apart, not for me, but for your safety. 

I love you, but your well-being is my priority, hence why our paths should part here. 

Stay safe, my little River-nymph!

Yours,

Balthazar

"Gwyn, what is it?" Nesta asks, concern etched upon her features.

Tears well up in Gwyn's eyes as she struggles to find her voice. She thrusts the letter into Nesta's hands. Her voice trembles as she says, "Balthazar…"

Nesta takes the letter and scans the words. A wave of confusion, followed by disbelief, washes over her and she begins to shake her head. "This can't be true," Nesta mutters, rereading the letter. "This does not make sense, this does not seem right."

Cassian watches the two of them, his own brows lying in furrows. "What does it say?"

Nesta explains to him, silently, so Gwyn does not have to hear the words again. 

No one knows how to react, only Nesta wraps Gwyn into her arms, holding her tightly. A heavy silence falls upon the training pitch."I'm so sorry, Gwyn. But this can't be true. I am sure he does not mean it."

"He wrote it, obviously he means it. How could he do this?" Gwyn sobs. Her whole body is shaking. She had wanted to tell him about the mating bond and now he breaks up with her? This is not fair, not at all. And it hurts…hurts so very much, like a part of her soul got ripped out, broken into a million pieces without hope for repair. It has been shatters, the broken pieces now lying scattered on the ground beneath her feet, dissolving into dust.

She had envisioned a future with him, had had dreams and hopes for a life together with him — accepting the bond, moving in together, starting a family. She had had—

It is Cassian's loud and strong voice that fetches her back to reality. "That is bullshit. I have seen the way the young Illyrian looks at you." The general crumbles the letter in his hand. "Something is going on. I am flying up there, checking in on Windhaven!"

He already wants to set out, but Gwyn grabs him by the wrist. "No!" She sucks in a sharp breath. "I want to go."

Cassian watches her for a long moment, not saying anything. Then he meets Nesta's gaze who nods at him, some unspoken conversation passing between them. 

"So, shall be it."

"Mor—No, Mor you need to share the news about the continent with us, Az, are you taking her?"

Of course, Azriel agrees, softly lifting her into his arms after Nesta kissed the top of her head. 

"If he truly meant it, I will go up there and cut off his dick," Nesta seethes. "He has no right to behave like such an Illyrian prick and break your heart. He will meet my wrath, you can warn him, but there will be no escaping."

Even up in the air, her body is still shaking, uncertainty coating her insides, and fear as well. She is trembling in Azriel's arms, silently sobbing into his Illyrian leathers. 

What will she be met with? Did he truly mean what he wrote?

~~~~~~~ tag list: @a-frog-with-a-laptop @brekkershadowsinger @moonlightazriel @callmeblaire @headcanonheadcase @waternymphia @autumndreaming7 @devilsfoodcake22 @readercacau @sv0430 @bubybubsters @cyntia-ktn @honeysuckle-daydreams13

[worlddevoid]

World Devoid: Episode 1.4 - This Is (Not) Your Morning

(Word Count: 1.2k)

...

As they clear the stretching road scattered with broken down vehicles and approach the campus dorms, Baz slows to a roll and parks directly in front-- ignoring the 'No Parking' sign pitched up at the entrance. He kills the engine and turns to Cassie, realization and horror finally setting in.

"Cassie. What the heck do you think happened here? And real talk- what the FRICK was that thing- because I promise you it was no spider!” He blurts out.

"I don't know, but I desperately need a shower, and so do you. Let's hope someone at the dorms can tell us what happened," Cassie responds, moving to get out of the RV, still in slight denial about the fact that they haven't seen a single other person. ‘There has to be someone, right? I mean, surely we're not the only ones around... Right???’ She reasons anxiously.

Baz hops out of the RV and falls in line with Cassie. "Yeah, someone at the dorms..." He mutters, but his sentence trails off as his eyes graze over the disheveled exterior.

The uneasy feeling that they’re being watched causes Cassie to glance around, but she sees no one nearby. Choosing to ignore the shiver trickling down her spine, she walks right up to the shattered glass remains of the entrance doors.

Carefully stepping over the shards, the crunching sounds under her toes make her cringe. Nevertheless, she pushes forward, casting aside all her worries even as she notices signs of struggle all around. It looks like some kind of fight happened and then everyone left in a hurry.

Inside, the shattered glass crushing beneath their feet litters the tile flooring and the furniture scattered about looks like it had been swept up in a tornado. Armchairs lay on their sides, loose flyers and supplies riddle the ground, potted plants have been tipped over-- dirt splashed in front of them like blood at a crime scene.

The fluorescent lights flicker as if acknowledging their presence.

Baz takes one step ahead of Cassie, centering themselves in the main entrance hall. He eyes the front desk- a telephone hanging haphazardly over the front by its cord- before calling out a hesitant, but loud, "Hello??!”

As Baz calls out into the empty room, their voice echoes ominously. They wait for a few moments but no response comes.

Tentatively, he takes another step forward, craning his neck to get a better view further down the hall.

Not a single sign of life nor movement comes. It seems that they are completely alone. “Helllooo??” He stupidly calls out again.

When Baz’s greetings are met only with his own echoing voice mocking him, he takes a step backwards in fear and trepidation.

"Ugh, where is everyone?" Cassie cries out from behind him, lightly kicking a tipped over chair in her frustration. She doesn't want to admit it, but she’s really starting to freak out. Feeling on the verge of tears, she thinks to herself, ‘What is going on??’

Baz glances back and watches a plume of dust billow out of the chair Cassie had aimed their anger towards.

Suddenly, in the distance, a very faint scuttling noise can be heard softly reverberating off the walls.

‘There must be more of those creatures here. I have to study them! But also…those guys give me the creeps.’ Baz contemplates; admitting to himself that, even for a bug lover, this is all a bit too much. He turns to face Cassie and speak his piece.

"Cassie, I think it would be wise of us to strategize at this current moment. That encounter on the road was way too close, and, though I am not easily surprised, I will admit that even I was taken off guard by those things. If I'm deducing this correctly, I think those creatures are fearful of large vehicles. I suggest that the best course of action would be to ram our RV through the entrance and drive it through the halls for protection."

‘I'm so frickin' smart.’ Baz thinks smugly, puffing out his chest a little.

Cassie was positioned to abuse the furniture once more, but stops- leg midair- to toss Baz an incredulous look.

"You want to drive the RV through the dorms? The whole building could collapse on top of us!" She immediately protests, but honestly, she doesn't really have a better idea right now.

"Perhaps" Baz replies thoughtfully. ‘They're right, but I could have sworn as soon as we got back into the RV, that spider thing was twitching and freaking out. There has to be some correlation…’ He reflects before concluding, "All I know is the vibes are freaking weird in here and I'd feel safer in the RV."

Baz looks around again at the empty and disheveled lobby. What once was a manicured and vapid entranceway, had become the stomping grounds of an event unknown to the two of them. The place not only looks empty...it looks like it had been attacked.

More scuttling sounds erupt down the hallway- this time closer than before. Baz jumps three feet in the air and grabs Cassie's arm in alarm.

"Dude- Cassie-- I think that thing that attacked us on the street had friends...." He points down the hallway towards the source of the noises. "I think there's more down there. D-Do you think-" he gulps hard. "Do you th-think those creatures are responsible for all of this?" He gestures around the room at the clear signs of mayhem.

"It sure seems that way. No time to discuss further, let's just get back in the RV for now," Cassie twirls around and heads back toward the front entrance, but before she can even take two steps, a horde of spiders pour in from around the corner, flooding down the hallway.

Hundreds of eyes blink in odd rhythms at them as they trample over each other in an attempt to make headway.

Cassie snags Baz's arm and takes off running. They drag him along behind them as they push themselves to sprint faster. Somehow, they both make it to the front entrance, jumping over the broken glass and heading straight for the RV.

"WHAAAAAAAAT THEEEEEEE FRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICCCKKKK!" Baz is yelling as he is dragged by his arm; his feet kicking wildly behind him as he tries to find his balance between forced steps.

When their large vehicle pops into view, he finally snaps into action-- shaking free of Cassie’s hold and scrambling to get into the RV. He slams the driver's side door closed and sighs in relief, slumping into the seat.

‘They can't get us in here.’ he assures himself.

Struggling with her chunky heels, Cassie had fallen behind when Baz broke away. As he clambers inside easily, the tip of Cassie’s shoe catches on the sidewalk and she trips forward onto the concrete - scraping her palms on the way down. The spider-like creatures begin to close the distance as she struggles to push herself back onto her feet.

The sounds of thousands of tiny, tapping legs - skittering across the ground - grows more intense, and she scrambles up in a panic.

She expertly launches herself towards the passenger door, frantically groping for the handle as the hoard scuttles closer and closer.

...

(Original Photo Credit: Reddit r/LiminalSpace - u/AlexandarPANASONIC -- Edited by @same-soup-just-reheated)

(Banner by @charzardmain)

[which-hospital]

okay, Mercury’s 80s Casualty Thoughts: Closure (01x15) Edition

(I know I said I’d get back to series 4… I will... soon? also, this is a pretty long 'thoughts' post because I don't have energy to organise them into anything more concise)

this feels like a really weird episode to watch in July because it’s the original Christmas episode

Ewart seeing the end of the night shift as a vote of no confidence and threatening to resign??? Ewart very much belongs in the 80s but he's still one of the original characters I'd like to drag and drop into the current show

S1 Kuba is the best version of Kuba

this meeting scene at Megan’s is so <3 everyone being squeezed into the room and Duffy holding Megan's ashtray is just so... ~natural feeling~

Charlie is right about needing to strike but he's being a dick about it and I like that the show knows that, I also like that interaction between him and the paramedics where Andy suggests a petition and Charlie and Sandra immediately shut the idea down because the patients don't care? very character of them to both feel that way

Megan is another character I'd drag and drop into the current show, she could fix everything with her presence I think

DUFFY AND SUSIE "tell her to pass it on" "she knows that" my sillies, they were fr besties in S1 (lovetrianglelovetriangelo-) I somehow forgot about Susie continuing to defend Duffy not wanting to go to the police in this episode but <3

THE PROTECTIVE SUITS!!!! they all look so ridiculous I love my little guys (the paramedics in the pink ones as well aaa, S1 you will always be famous)

staffroom scene where Duffy is stressing out that she has Lassa Fever and the others are laughing at her is another (like the meeting scene) moment that feels very natural to me just with how everyone is sat and what they're up to? like, Susie eating chocolate and stuff instead of them all just sitting around doing nothing other than existing to have the conversation they're having, I guess?

see, this is just becoming what I knew it would: me listing things that make me smile about this episode

but I love the scene where Charlie is being annoying and trying to get Andy to play piano and Sandra is laughing along with him and also "I'm tone deaf, Andrew, should've thought you'd know that by now" a call back to the second episode!!!

THE WE'LL MEET AGAIN SCENE!!!!!!!!! augh, I am tearing up I need to sleep...... Sandra, Duffy and Susie matching costumes!! Clive and Baz dancing!! Charlie getting the words wrong and Megan laughing at him!!

also, thank you Mickey the old man patient who got stuck in the ED with them for causing this reaction image I love:

sorry Baz's brother, she's not visiting you now cause she's in France with Charlie (actually this is an annoyingly pretty good scene for them... ‘annoying’ because I don’t really like it when I find myself liking Charlie at all)

the protest at the end of this episode feels like such an underrated part of S1, this whole episode does actually, it's so much about the whole team coming together and I just think it's a perfect ending for the first series to have everyone together like that

(DVD commentary implication that they had been drinking when they filmed the final scene)

and Ewart's reaction :( the start of the episode being him saying that he sees the end of the night shift as a vote of no confidence in him vs the end of the episode being everyone coming together to fight for his night shift

Overall: Closure needs to be remembered more when the BBC or official Casualty socials do stuff for the Casualty anniversaries or I will riot.

[idontknowreallywhy]

Best Jupidad Moments #6 Nevermoor Ch 9 - What’s Really Important?

Right, I’m not going to lie, I’m struggling to differentiate between “the best Jupidad moments” and “ALL the Jupidad moments” as each one has its particular charm but… I’ll try to rein myself in!

First: trying exciting new things…

The bone-shaking terror she’d felt watching the platform speed towards her was washed away by a wave of adrenaline, and she let out a triumphant shout as they hooked on to the rail. Jupiter grinned, throwing his head back to enjoy the ride.

I especially love this moment right now because I recently took my daughter on her first proper rollercoaster ride. She wanted to do it, to start with, but got herself very worked up and tearful in the queue. Part of me wanted to just say “ok fine, we don’t have to do this today” but I feel like I know her fairly well(!) and I was sure she’d enjoy it and also be really proud of herself for facing her fear and going through with it. So instead I said “we’re going to do it, I think you’ll love it but if not it’ll be less than a minute, you’ll be safe and I’m with you and we never have to do it again”. Thankfully she did love it, but I did question myself and my parenting a lot in that queue!

Our Jupidad is making a similar call, albeit without the assurance of physical safety cos… Nevermoor… and sure enough this becomes one of Morrigan’s favourite things about living in the city. Did he know for sure she wouldn’t hate it? No. But he pushes her to try anyway.

I also suspect he’s running distraction here - she’s nervous about the garden party, so he gives her something else to focus on, where she gets a big old shot of adrenaline and arrives at the party thinking “wow, I did that!” which should take the edge off the nerves at least a little. Clever Jove.

He also lets her choose her own outfit, rather than forcing her into something that would make her either blend in with everyone else’s pastel vibe, or match his own flamboyant style…

… filled with people in light linen suits and pastel dresses. Jupiter had allowed Morrigan to choose her own outfit – a black dress with silver buttons, which Dame Chanda declared ‘smart, but utterly lacking in spectacle’. Morrigan thought Jupiter’s lemon-yellow suit and lavender shoes provided enough spectacle for both of them.

I think this is a pretty big deal actually and perhaps not something Morrigan would have foreseen after the “black isn’t a colour” conversation. Would it have been kinder to have said “I think everyone else will wear something more spring-ish”? It might have saved her from a couple of insults from Noelle… but the two of them were likely to clash anyway and isn’t it better to start making new friendships by being yourself? It’s easy to want to protect a child from getting splashed by social waves, but if you coddle them too much they won’t learn to swim in the sea.

There are some waves, however, that nobody should take to the face. Like raw sewage, radioactive waste, or Baz Charlton…

He was cut off by a sharp look from Jupiter, his mouth left hanging open. ‘Consider your next words carefully, Mr Charlton,’ Jupiter said in the low, cold voice that Morrigan had heard from him only once before, on Eventide at Crow Manor. She shivered.

Baz Charlton closed his mouth. Jupiter stepped aside, releasing the long-haired man from his gaze and allowing him to stumble away. He sighed as he smoothed down his yellow suit and gave Morrigan’s shoulder a quick squeeze. ‘Told you. Odious man. Pay no attention.’

I really want to know what the deal is with Jupiter’s low, cold voice because it really freaks everyone out! I wonder how often he uses it other than in Mog-defence-mode? It’s a very effective way of protecting Morrigan here and although I think we’d all like to see Baz dropped from a great height into a skip, I really appreciate how there’s no physical threat used.

Enjoying yourselves?’ Jupiter wandered over with a placid smile, ignoring the stream of servants rushing past with nets and brooms. Morrigan chewed the side of her mouth guiltily. ‘A bit.’

Ha, I love the image of that smile where he knows exactly what’s gone on here. I also adore the fact that Morrigan has somehow befriended the one child out of 500 who is probably the most like Jupiter was at school 😅

Plus the moment of mirroring later when she asks Jove a question she knows the answer to:

‘I’m here illegally, aren’t I?’

Jupiter chewed the side of his mouth. ‘A bit.’

How do they debrief later? Not with a “so, what did you think of Wunsoc?” but…

‘You made a friend.’ ‘I think so.’

‘Anything else of interest?’

Morrigan thought for a moment. ‘I think I made an enemy too.’

‘I didn’t make my first proper enemy until I was twelve.’ He sounded impressed.

Oh poor Morrigan, you’re going to rack up a few of those pretty soon. Thanks to Jupidad for making that sound like an achievement rather than a character flaw 😬

‘Promise you’ll think about it?’

‘Only if you promise you’ll stop thinking about not getting into the Society.’

‘But if I don’t get in—’

‘We’ll blow up that bridge when we come to it.’ Morrigan sighed. Just give me a straight answer, she thought. But she said no more.

Jupiter ushered Morrigan down the hall ahead of him. ‘Now. Tell me more about your resourceful new friend. Where in the Seven Pockets did he find a barrel full of toads?’

And just like that he brings it back round to what should be important to an 11 year old - friends, having fun, new experiences - and sharing the excitement of these things with a parental figure is such a precious and vital part of the relationship. Jupiter proves he is as interested in these details of her life as much if not as more than the big picture “what does the future hold, what is my purpose?” kind of stuff that threatens to take over.

This is maybe my favourite thing about Jupidad - how he constantly values her as a person (and as part of that her everyday life experience) above everything else, even though he is confronted with the BIG thing that makes her particularly important to the world every single time he looks at her.

[bazyboo13]

Smiling Critters: New Family Part 1 chapter 1 segment 2 : WHEN NIGHT COMES

*later that night*

"it's starting to get dark out"

"it's about time to sleep"

"Last 2 days of school tomorrow!"

"then you're completely stuck with us for 3 months!"

*Baz and the rest climb into bed*

"nice and comfy"

*Theodore sits right next to Baz and curls up*

"hey Theodore"

*the rest of the Critters are taken by surprise*

"Theodore did you tell him"

"it would have the best if he didn't know"

*Baz turns towards Bobby and Bubba, his face being a mixture of tiredness and sternness*

"no... Me knowing allows me to know how to protect you guys"

*Baz closes his eyes. Fast forward to hours later*

"Theo..."

"Thomas..."

"why did you tell him..."

"I couldn't hide it from him anymore. He cares for us, I felt like he had to know. Why shouldn't He know"

"it could cause him stress, it could get him to spill out the fact we exist to others."

"I trust that he can keep it a secret. he's already kept the fact that we're living plushies for months. I don't think him knowing that we were once human causing too much stress Edgar."

"You put far too much trust in people"

*Baz starts to wake, enough that he can start to make out what the critters are talking about*

"I thought you would have learned from your past mistakes but even if you almost died-"

"DON'T YOU DARE SAY WHAT I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SAY EDGAR."

"OH SORRY THAT I'M POINTING OUT THE FACTS ELLA-"

"CAN YOU GUYS SHUT UP!"

*the four Critters are silent, Baz looking at them with a blend of rage and tiredness in his eyes*

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, BUT FROM WHAT I CAN MAKE OUT IT'S FUCKING SICKENING. FIRST OFF CATNAP IS RIGHT, I HAVEN'T TOLD ANYONE ABOUT YOU GUYS SO I THINK I CAN HANDLE A LITTLE BIT MORE. I'M NOT A DAMN IDIOT. SECOND OFF BUBBA, USING SOMEONE'S NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE TO GET A ONE UP IN AN ARGUMENT IS ABSOLUTELY SCUMMY. THIRD OFF I HAVE SCHOOL TOMORROW, CAN YOU ARGUE YOU WHEN I'M NOT HOME TRYING TO SLEEP?! MY GOD!"

"GREAT JOB BUBBA-"

"ME TELLING YOU GUYS TO QUITE DOES NOT MEAN YOUR EXEMPT CATNAP. ALL FOUR OF YOU GO THE FUCK TO SLEEP."

*Baz lays down and closes his eyes again and the others follow suit*

(wow chaotic night guys, chaotic night)

Previous Part

Next part

[your-absent-father]

WIP INTRODUCTION

False gods

Progress: planning, things will change

Genre: dark comedy, romance

Tropes/themes: cruel side of fame, mafia shenanigans, queer characters, poc characters, problematic main character, found family, none of these people are good people in the end, family doing crimes

Warnings: gore, blood, problematic leads, substance abuse, crime, former abusive relationships.

Aurora Four is a name known by almost everyone on earth. Not because of their music, gods no. They were better than average singers and below average songwriters. Aurora Four were more known for their secretive performance outfits and the thirty-four counts of armed robbery, three murders and one arson case that broke up the band in 27th of august 2019.

False Gods is a story of Beatrix Jones, Nikita Grant, Stevie Dylan and Louis Knight, more famously known as Roseblood, Dollface, King and Jester, the elusive members of Aurora Four, rock band that intrigued the world by hiding their identities under their masks, shielding their true selves from the audience.

Two years before, Beatrix Jones had ruined the reputation of the Hectics, up and coming rockband she and her friends tried their best to put on the map. All their work went to waste after she got arrested for beating up a paparazzi, and getting away with it with her parents money. Desperate for fame, Stevie Dylan asks help from his father, millionare eager to help his son to reach his dreams.

With the new agency bought by Stevie's father, the group has a new name and a team, who are ready to help their find their new identity. They realize too late that their new team is more shady than they realize and the deal they made was more than some of them bargained for.

Characters under the cut:

Main Characters:

Beatrix "Baz" Jones aka "Roseblood"

Singer

The mask: mask made out of rosethorns

Beatrix Jones is a rockstar, at least in her head. She is obsessed with fame, and would do everything to get it. Her heroes are the rockstars of the 70s and her own grandfather, famous drummer from the 70s who left his whole family behind, including Beatrix's own father, to chase the fame and rock and roll.

Faceclaim: Hayley Bennett

Relationships:

Stevie - occasional hook up, best friend

Nikita - friendly

Louis - protective sister over him

Fun facts:

~ most clothes are from auctions.

~ she is the only inheritor of her grandfather's money

~ her parents are lawyers, she grew up upper class

~bisexual but keeps finding questionable men to date

Stefan Harkness aka Stevie Dylan aka "King"

Songwriter, guitarist

Mask: devil horn mask

Stevie hated his dad growing up. Even if he lived in wealth, that wealth came with a price Stevie would have rather avoided. When Beatrix's scandal happened, Stevie's choices became fewer and fewer. He had lived only for music to that point and he didn't want to stop it now, not if the other option was to loose his best friend. Stevie promised hismself that he would keep everyone in his band safe, whatever would come in their way.

Faceclaim: Charlie Rowe

Relationships:

Beatrix Jones - occasional hook up, best friend

Nikita Grant - good friends

Louis Knight - good friends

Elize Grant - has a crush on

Valentine Lee - childhood friends

Evalyn Harkness - half sibling

Fun facts:

~ owns matching leather jackets with Beatrix

~ came up with Stevie because of Stevie Nicks. Is very adamant that it works for him too

~ is very adamant about many things, like being the most sensible member (he is very wrong about that)

~ only straight person in the group, at least in his stubborn opinion. Very dumb detective could make him realize things.

Nikita Grant aka "Dollface"

Bassist

The mask: shattered porcelaine doll face

Nikita always hated the idea of being seen. After escaping a ex boyfriend for a while, she finally got a fresh start with her daughter in her sisters house, who is starting out as an agent. After one thing lead to another, she was stuck in a band with people she mostly tolerated, just in case anything might happen. She kept quiet for so long, all of it leading up to a deal she would have rather avoided.

Faceclaim: Samantha Logan

Relationships:

Elize Grant - sister

Beatrix Jones - resents

Stevie Dylan - secretly hates

Louis Lee - resents

Ivy Grant - daughter

Fun facts:

~ is actually the most talented songwriter in the group but doesn't get to show it often due to group divas

~ realized she was a lesbian when Ivy was 1 year old

~ has the most stable love life out of the four

Min-Jae Lee aka Louis Knight aka "Jester"

The drummer

The mask: old time jester mask

Louis has had his fair share of failures in his lifetime. After running back to america from South Korea, he has had no luck in the career he wishes to get. Music has always been everything to him, but his good nature has always been a roadblock in a ruthless world of entertaiment industry. He almost felt like all was lost, until he met the group that would soon become Aurora Four. Now, with a group of friends in his side, he could do anything

Faceclaim: Song Kang

Relationships:

Beatrix Jones - sibling like bond

Stevie Dylan - friendly

Nikita Grant - friendly

Fun facts:

~ gay

~ he was a kpop trainee that got kicked out

~ refuses to tell why

Side characters:

Elize Grant

Ex manager

Hectics, aurora fours manager. Beatrix, Stevie and Louis were Elize's first group of people, chance to show herself in their first job. She even got their own sister to join in the band and was the mastermind for the most thing in the groups branding. After the band got kicked out, Elize joined the band which has been her baby, into the unknown, and the deals that happened after it.

Faceclaim: Jasmin Savoy Brown

Relationships:

Nikita Grant - sister

Stevie Dylan - crush

Beatrix Jones - enemy

Fun facts:

~ she uses she/they pronouns

~ pansexual

~ they are too good for Stevie

"Valentine" Lee

New "manager"

Valentine has known the Harkness family since he was a kid. He used to play with Stefan and Evalyn while their families formed bonds he still kept up as an adult. After Stefan left the family, he has worked second in command for Evalyn, who took over division he was more than happy to help with. He is a stern person with darkness behind his emotionaless face.

Faceclaim: Lee Soo Hyuk

Relationships:

Stevie Dylan - childhood friend

Evalyn Harkness - childhood friend

Damien Walker - work aquitance

Fun facts:

~ coming soon

Evalyn Harkness

The leader

After Harkness family head went on a long vacation to find himself with women youbger than Evalyn, Evalyn has taken over the Harkness business. She wishes to be as great as her father, and would agree on any plan that would make it happen.

Faceclaim: Christian Serratos

Relationships:

Stevie Dylan - sibling

Valentine Lee - childhood friend

Damien Walker - work friend

Fun facts:

~ bisexual

~ that's it for now lmao

Other characters:

Damien Walker - Social media manager and the tech guy under Evalyn. Louis' love interest.

Ivy Grant - Nikita's 4 year old daughter

Nicholas Harkness - Evalyn's and Stevie's father. May or may not be dead

Vince December - Indie singer, Nikita's baby daddy, in jail for arson he says he didn't commit

Achilles Hansley - detective in charge to look at a crime group terrorizing banks all over the world. Not the sharpest tool in the shed.

Story tag: WIP: fg

[seekunique]

Simon Snow is on the Autism Spectrum and no one can change my mind.

As someone who is on the spectrum myself, I believe that Simon is undiagnosed AU. My case is made below.

-He self harms (pulling his own hair harshly) which in not inherently an AU trait but it is seen consistently when people on the spectrum are overwhelmed or frustrated.

-He was a late speaker and it is said he has trouble with going non-verbal/“finding his words” to which he is typically told to ‘use his words’. He even tells the readers that he had to do speech therapy in order to be able to cast spells.

-Being the good guy is one of his special interests, and so is food and Baz! He puts SUCH a heavy emphasis and pressure on protecting everyone and always needing to know where Baz is/what he is doing, I believe after he began to fall for Baz he became one of his special interests as well, that’s why we see him suddenly increase his stalking of Baz in 5th year.

-Simon’s internal dialog is so much more complex than he is able to convey out loud. He doesn’t really know how best to communicate with others-Penny gets him but very many others do not.

-He dated Agatha because that was what he felt like he was supposed to do and he always did what he was supposed to (masking), not that he ever recalls much feeling for her other than him describing her almost like a toy ‘she was pretty, so I wanted her’, but most of Agatha’s interests bore Simon, he doesn’t really like her much as a person. We get to see what Simon really thinks when he is attracted to someone through his view of Baz. (Quick Sidenote: Many AU people are also LGBT, I believe that Simon is demi bc of his lack of interest in everyone else but not Baz, he also mentions in defense during the first book how he is the one that knows Baz best)

-Simon ‘goes off’ or what essentially would be a meltdown. His magic explodes. We still see Simon’s breakdowns/meltdowns after his magic is gone, they are just not as external.

-Substance abuse to numb. It is a common theme for people who are AU to use substances to numb their senses.

-Simon either cares VERY MUCH about how people perceive him or TOO LITTLE there is no in between it seems. In the book he states how he intimated other people to get his way and how he didn’t really care. Then also he cares too much about being acceptable and doing the ‘right thing’ while Baz and him are out. He specifically recounts a girl with a nose ring looking at them and he felt self conscious.

#Simonsnow #Bazxsimon #bazandsimon #carryonseries #carryon #autistic #au #auspectrum #bazpitch #basiltonpitch #simonsalisbury

[boozles]

QL Superlatives 2024 Part One: The Good Stuff

I don't even know if I'm doing this right, but not only do I love a good list, but a few people have tagged me to take part <3 I'm planning on doing a Part Two of stuff I wasn't too happy about, but for now let me ramble about my favourites!

Best Use Of Super Powers: Cherry Magic (Thai)

Oh, not Achi using his powers, but Karan taking full advantage of them. He didn't run away or get worried about his privacy being invaded, he just straight up loved that the love of his life could now have full 24/7 access to his thoughts.

Best Use of Sports Equipment: 4 Minutes

Well, what else are you going to do on a pool table?

Best Adaption Of A Manga That Already Has A Live Action Series But In A Different Language: My Love Mix-Up!

I loved this series! I thought Fourth and Gemini really pulled off their own interpretations of the characters, and it was so funny and cute. Fourth was hillarious, and I will not be standing for any slander, okay?!

Best Older Brother: Wei Qian, Unknown

They had a weird family dynamic but not only was Unknown a fantastic series, but Wei Qian's protectiveness was wonderful, if a little too much.

Best Mindfuck of a Series: Love for Love's Sake

For most of this series I was like OMG IT'S A GAME and the gamer in me was delighted then it was like WAIT A MINUTE THIS IS A GAME OF LIFE...IN DEATH! It's such a fantastic series, albeit bittersweet.

Best Tribute To 90s Movies: The Heart Killers

I wasn't going to include shows that are still airing in this list, but fuck it. When this scene happened I flipped because not only are we seeing a gay af version of 10 Things I Hate About You, but Jojo is throwing in other classic movies - you cannot tell me that Bison's religious shirts are not a reference to Baz Lurhmann's Romeo & Juliet. The Pulp Fiction dance tribute was perfect.

Best Surprise New Pairing: MarcPoon

I know we were all happy when this was announced because we didn't want to lose We Are, but I don't think anyone was expecting just how fantastic these two are together. Like, seriously.

Best BL That Isn't Actually An Official BL: Peaceful Property

Okay, I admit that High School Frenemy was a strong contender, but as P'Dome even said, it wasn't meant to be a BL but TayNew just have such chemistry that you can't help but believe it's more than friendship between Home and Peach. This show was gay af, and I loved it so much. Also, the bonus heartbreaking ForceBook was beautiful.

Best Character Redemption: Night, Last Twilight

Alright, I don't know if it's really 'redemption' because it seems like as soon as the accident happened Night really got his act together, but I feel like he worked so hard throughout the whole series to try and...not make up for his mistake, but to at least help. And THEN he falls in love with a girl and before she even gives birth he's already decided he's the daddy. Favourite character in the whole show.

Best Tofu Bodied Man: Achi, Cherry Magic (Thai)

They really tried to make New look smaller in this series, and it was so funny. He has such wide and muscly shoulders/arms and he is really the wrong person to put in a suit if you don't wanna show that off. The 'tofu' comment was hillarious - you could hear the collective guffaw from the audience world wide.

And that's it from me for now! I'll no doubt do a round up of my favourite shows for the year, but if I continue this list it's literally just going to be me going on about how Cherry Magic is the superior series XD I think it's probably been my favourite (yes, I know it started in 2023, but leave me be). I didn't watch a lot this year, I feel? Like, apparently I've only watched like 20 BLs this year, which isn't like me at all, but I've done a lot of rewatching? it's been an odd year, okay?

[sweetlemongrove]

I typed a bunch of this out and it didn’t save so I’m doing it again. May rb with more, may not, idk.

My thoughts are in no particular order and are not proofread:

🍋I love Porter. He handled the task he was given with efficiency and precision, and he’s going to be an interesting character to watch.

🍋That being said, he had no need to pull the whole stunt with Treasure, which is probably why he did it. It must be his older brotherly urges and def not because he is envious of the love and care that he got from maker

🍋Vincent, oh Vincent. I get it, it’s jarring, but guess what? Politics is dirty, just like in the human world. I appreciate William for trying to protect his innocence, but he was gonna realize eventually. Showing him while he was unstable would have been a horrible idea though. His naive self would’ve caused massive damage to the house and their reputation

🍋Lovely getting a crown was a nice touch.

🍋Christopher has never been in court before and it shows

🍋Monarch Baz I’m with you, I’m sick of all this shit too

🍋Say goodbye to any redemptive threads from Alexis, FINALLY! She permanently altered Sam’s life for the worse because of her pussy and that’s unforgivable and disgusting. Also she had no need to be up in Darlin’s face like that. Busy talking about how there shouldn’t be any personal matters at the summit as if she didn’t just verbally spit in their face -~- She reeks

🍋NON-GOOFY ASHER RETURNS! HALLELUJAH!

🍋William just got a whole hell of a lot more interesting to me. His voice and demeanor doesn’t lean to his more lethal tendencies, but nobody is a vampire king for that long without getting their hands dirty

🍋I’m curious about what’s going to happen to sweetheart after all of this intel with CloseKnit

🍋Also why did Milo never tell Asher about what he did during the inversion? Was it just open secret that Asher hadn’t figured out yet or is he hiding it from everyone?

🍋The fact that Monarch Baz called the Shaw pack “The House of Shaw” is hilarious to me, I loved it

🍋Why did William even invite the Shaw pack to the summit if he planed a murdered? Is it because they were the heroes of the inversion? That he knew Sweetheart was a department investigator? To show the pack that they’re with them? An intimidation factor? Could all of them at once idk, I’m not William

Overall it was interesting, not what I expected, and not my favorite. I wish the summit had more fun bits of it in like friendsgiving instead of it being a giant lore dump, but that’s just my preference. I enjoyed the mystery and the cheap drama. Was it the best thing Erik’s ever done? No, but it wasn’t horrible or disappointing per say, just meh.

Porter saved the show. Also:

Me when Monarch Baz said they needed a drink:

Now that the Summit is over, what were your thoughts about it?

[azsazz]

Cuddle Me In

Azriel x Reader (Jax Centric)

Summary: Anon Request: I LOVE YOUR DADDY!AZRIEL FICS!!!! CAN YOU MAKE ONE ABOUT JAXS CUDDLES WHEN HIS MOMMY IS SAD

Warnings: N/A

Word Count: 1,881

Notes: I think Jax might just be an empath...

_________________________________________

It was just one of those days.

One where nothing seemed to be working in your favor.

You had hardly gotten any sleep due to Malos’ incessant crying, though why she was so upset you had no idea.

The loud wails of your youngest daughter, in turn, had her twin brother wide awake as well. Though Knox was normally a very calm babe, the continued distress of his sister was disturbing him from his spot in his cradle next to hers.

Not even your mate could calm her, with his gentle fingers brushing through her hair, cooing softly at her while you held Knox. The both of you had been so worried that he’d even taken her to see a healer, uncaring that it was the middle of the night. He took off with Malos bundled close to his chest, you and Knox watching them grow smaller and smaller.

The healer hadn’t been able to find anything wrong with the tiny babe, and Azriel had returned with a teary eyed Malos, whom he had hoped would fall asleep on the flight back.

No such luck.

For hours the two of you tried, exhausted and near hysterical as you watched your daughter wailing her little head off, the both of their shadows swirling around the twins, agitated. 

It had been that she was too far away from her brother, you both found out when you had noticed the way that their shared shadows had reached out to each other. The babes immediately settled when they were together in their bassinet, tucked up close to one another as if protecting the other.

You and Azriel only shared a sigh of relief as you quickly slid back into the cold bed, hoping for a restful few hours of sleep before the rest of your brood awoke.

______

Baz, in his true nature, was the one to wake you up.

Azriel had awoken with a start, his shadows hissing to him of the second oldest standing at your side of the bed, ready to rouse you from sleep. 

But he was too late to stop him, as Baz shook your arm gently with a sad mewl, “Mommy?”

“Hm?” you hummed, blinking your eyes open as your heart picked up in your chest at the sound of one of your terrified children. “Baz?”

“I had a bad dream,” his voice quivers and you’re quick to tug him up into bed with you and Azriel, the shadowsinger cocooning the three of you in his warm wings, a shield that would help calm Baz, sandwiching the little lad between the two of you.

You brushed the boy’s hair back from his forehead, “Do you want to tell us what it was about, love?”

He stared at the ceiling for a moment as his lip wobbled at the thought, “Well Wrennie told me about a scary monster that lives out in the woods,” you share a look with your mate, “and I was all alone out there mommy! Not my brothers and sisters, not you or daddy, just me and the ugly beast!”

You rub his back as Azriel talks Baz down, trying his best to calm the terrified little boy. The soothing pattern you’re stroking into his back combined with the warmth of your mate’s wing and the low baritone sound of Azriel’s voice lulls you back to sleep.

_____

Azriel had been summoned away for the morning, so you were in charge of breakfast for your six children.

Which was normally fine except that you had hardly gotten any sleep, had zero reinforcements, and your children were feeling particularly naughty today.

You truly did not think that you had the energy for this today, though being a mother never took a day off.

All you’d like to do is crawl back between your sheets and sleep for a while, get the energy back that had evaded you from your night of unrest. Each shout, clang of a utensil, hand smacking against the table has you tensing further and further, unnaturally irritated with your unruly children.

Jax, the most empathetic of the six, tugs on the leg of your pants, reaching his hands up when you glance down at him, signaling to you that he would like to be picked up.

“Hi Jax,” you can’t help but give him a soft smile, “What are you doing?”

He shakes his hands again, grabbing the air with tiny fists. You know exactly what he wants, but he was one of the quieter children you had, and you and Azriel were more than a bit concerned when you realized that Jax wasn’t quite as outgoing as his siblings, tending to stick to you or him in favor of being around any of the other family that had known him since birth.

This was your way of prompting the young boy to use his words to ask for what he wanted instead.

Jax blinks up at you once, before his face contorts into a pout. Your body tenses, ready for the little boy to start wailing, something he excelled at. 

Thankfully, he doesn’t. He doesn’t look happy as you move your attention from him to the pancakes you’re flipping before you, nearly ready to be served to the hungry bunch chittering away at the table behind you, the other five lined up in their chairs eagerly.

“Up.”

You raise an eyebrow, plating the breakfasts, “Up what?”

His soft huff is entertaining, “Up please.”

“There’s my good boy,” you beam, smiling down at your son as you pick him up and tuck him against your hip. You plant a loud kiss to his cheek that causes the pout to disappear and giggles to bubble up out of him, and you feel a bit lighter because of it.

Until Wren and Baz start arguing.

You hardly know what it’s about, don’t even care because you’re so drained from last night.

The two boys don’t listen to your commands for them to cut it out and calm down. Not even your threat of telling their father stops them from yelling at each other this time, and that trick always worked. Their faces are so red you’re worried they aren’t even breathing through their screams.

Next to Baz, Zuzu is covering her ears with her hands, an annoyed look on her face while she stares you down, waiting for you to end the fight.

It seems as if Malos wants in on it too, babbling loudly in their direction. She hadn’t seemed to have enough screaming and crying for the night and deems now the perfect chance to join in.

You clutch Jax tighter, shutting your eyes for a moment and trying to block out the sounds of your children, if only for a moment, as Jax yells from your arms at them to stop. Their arguing grates against your skull, and your eyes burn with lack of sleep. You so badly wish to handle this like a rational parent but you’re about to snap–

“Wren, Baz,” a familiar voice calls, and your shoulders slacken with relief immediately, “What are you two arguing about?”

Azriel had chosen to return at the perfect time, sensing your utter frustration down the bond. He shoots you a worried glance but you smile stiffly, turning back to the plates loaded up with pancakes for your children.

The two boys fall silent, cheeks rosy under the stern stare of their father.

Neither of them dares speak. 

Azriel is quick to solve the matter and meet you in the kitchen where you’re leaning against the counter with Jax cuddled close in your arms, breathing in his fresh scent of sandalwood and citrus, uncaring about the cooling pancakes on the plates for the awaiting children.

“Come here buddy,” Azriel says softly, opening his arms up for Jax, “Let’s let mommy relax for a bit, yeah?”

“No,” Jax protests, and his arms clasped around your neck tighten, “Mommy!”

“It’s okay, Az,” you respond softly, enjoying the feeling of the cuddles you’re receiving. You rest your head atop Jax’s and Azriel’s eyes soften at the both of you.

He nods, pressing a tender kiss to your cheek and then Jax’s. His hand is a warm caress at the base of your spine and you’re hit again with just how tired you really are.

“Why don’t you and Jax go eat breakfast in bed,” he offers, sliding the pancakes from your plate onto Jax’s and handing it over to you, “I’ll feed the rest and get them ready for the day. Cassian said he and Nesta would watch them for a bit.”

You bite back your grin. Cassian was always one to offer up his help, though every time you arrived to pick your children back up he looked like he’d been to hell and back, swearing he’d never watch them again.

You loved him for it.

“Thank you,” you murmur, letting Jax take a pancake to munch on while you give Azriel a peck on the lips, “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” he murmurs, giving you a soft, admiring smile.

“I love you, too,” Jax exclaims around his mouthful of breakfast.

You share a laugh, readjusting him on your hip as you retreat from the chaos that is the morning meal.

You and Jax cuddle up in your large bed and you instantly relax, quietly eating the pancakes while enjoying each other's company. 

He is so much like Azriel, quiet in nature but rational and empathetic. The way he’d clung to you moments before his brothers started arguing as if he knew that you would need a calming presence if you weren’t going to snap at them.

You definitely were but it was the thought that counted.

Azriel appears some time later, when the other children have all eaten and are ready for the day, his shadows keeping watch as Wren helps his siblings get their shoes and coats on right while he goes to retrieve Jax.

He finds you and your fourth in a comforting embrace, Jax curled up into your side as you read him his favorite book.

He can’t help but to admire the sight, heart swelling with the utmost love as he watches the two of you together.

Feeling that warmth fill your body down to your bones draws your attention to the door.

“I’ve just come for the little one,” Azriel says softly, like if he’s too loud he’ll break the cloak of peace the both of you have created.

“I want to stay with mommy,” Jax frowns, clutching your shirt tighter.

Azriel looks to you for confirmation but how can you say no when your baby is making a face like that? Pulling on your heartstrings because he’s already such a caring boy.

“I think we’re both enjoying our time together too much to move,” you smile at your mate, resting your temple in Jax’s soft hair.

Azriel’s smile sets your heart fluttering, “Alright then. I’m taking the other’s to Cassians. I’ll come check on the two of you a little later, maybe bring you some lunch?”

“Spoiling us?” you grin up at your mate.

“Always, my love,” he responds, leaning down to tuck you both in and give you a sweet kiss on the lips, “Always.”

[fieldofdaisiies]

gwyn x balthazar | 2,7k words | warnings: none | masterlist

Corrian releases a yelp as soon as he feels his best friend playfully flicking his ear, his hand swiftly rising to dramatically shield his aching ear.

"Ouch!" he expresses and flashes his best friend and incredulous look. "What was that for?"

"That was for staring at my sister's backside." Balthazar's eyes flash in warning, yet sparkle with amusement at his best friend's obvious crush. 

"Well, you better get used to it. Because once we start dating, me staring at her beautiful butt will be the least of—" "She is not interested in you," Balthazar chuckles and shakes his head. 

But his best friend grins. "Not yet. But soon. One day she won't be able to resist my dashing looks." Corrian grins from one ear to the other, squaring his shoulders, his wings flared behind his back. 

"Dream on, Metkim. Dream on!" Thena's humourless voice is loud as she nears the two males. "The general and his entourage are here, waiting for us to join, Baz," she announces, not even deigning his brother's best friend a look, her chin held high. It is not like she does not have a crush on him as well, but her dating Corrian? No way. This would be so weird, especially with him being Balthazar's best friend. 

"Coming." Balthazar straightens up and brushes his hand down his shirt, smoothing it out. Maybe Gwyn will be here again today and he needs to look…immaculate for her. One hand coming up, the young Illyrian also smoothes back his curls, hoping to tame them a little. 

"All this polishing up is for nothing if you don't get rid of the blood dripping from your nose, brother," Corrian says with a grimace on his face. "You are bleeding, if you haven't noticed. How did that happen?"

Fuck…He really hasn't. And actually he has also wanted to keep the former run-into with Zave a secret. How he punched him right in the face, how Balthazar hit slapped him in return, now his strength protected by the siphons. Thank the Mother, he thinks. He does not know what the sheer rage about what Zave said about his sister could have resulted in. He felt so violent, so furious. And if anger fuels his power then only the Cauldron could protect Zave. But thank the Gods he has more siphons now, keeping his strength at bay. He did not want to use violence, but when someone hurts what he values most….

"Zave." It is all Balthazar says and then brushes the back of his hand beneath his nose to get rid off the mostly dried blood. 

"I am going to break his stupid wings if this does not stop!" Thena growls and hands her brother a handkerchief which he gratefully accepts. But in a stern tone he adds, "You are not doing anything. This is just for now. Now, that there has no camp lord ben officially inaugurated yet.. He will find his place amongst the ranks of Illyrian once everything is calm."

The last thing Balthazar wants is to get his sister involved. He knows she can protect herself, knows she is strong enough, but still, it is his battle to fight, not hers. 

"Am I at least allowed to kick some Illyrian asses today during training?"

Corrian laughs loudly, his gaze swiping to Thena. And then he just stares — long and longingly. Balthazar nudges him in the ribs, chuckles a little, but then says. "Not yet, you and Corrian will show some females the techniques of dagger handling."

They are walking towards the training pitch and can already spot the females lined up there, all waiting patiently and excitedly. Balthazar's eyes search for one specific person, one—

Gods! 

His steps slow a little, a completely natural reaction to the absolute blankness in his brain. Breathtaking. She truly is breathtaking. With the sun illuminating her skin, her teal eyes glowing like the sea kissed by sunlight. And dressed in a Illyrian leathers that leave absolutely nothing to imagination. 

She is with Lady Nesta, Lord Cassian, … and Lord Azriel. Of course, how else should it be. But she does not stand too close to him, close but not too close. Balthazar averts his gaze, knowing his rationality is going down the hill. What the hell is he thinking about? Why is he suddenly feeling jealous. 

He has camp lord business to deal with soon, and seemingly all he can think about is Gwyneth Berdara. If only she wasn't so beautiful and breathtaking…

"Finally," Cassian muses, a smile on his face as he turns his head. Gwyn follows the direction into which her best friend's mate looks and her heart skips a tiny beat. 

As the Balthazar approaches her gaze is fixed on him. Her eyes widen in amazement as she takes in his appearance, once again finding him truly breathtaking. His strong body is visible through the cotton of his shirt, and the grin on his face lights up the whole of Windhaven, but—

Why is he always bloody or shirtless when they meet? Or both.

Her brows furrow a little and she watches him until he comes to a stop, bracing his broad hands on the wooden fence that surrounds the training pitch. "What are we waiting for, training has already begun."

"Spoken like a true leader," Corrian chimes in, smiling brightly at his best friend. 

Thena leaps over the fence in one swift motion, her long, black braid lifting. She turns her head and says, "Spoken like a true male." She chuckles a little and then gestures at Corrian. "Are you coming? We have dagger handling to deal with."

Corrian gives Thena thumbs up and then jumps over the fence as well. He turns to his best friend, not yet following Thena. "Wish me luck." "With Thena hopefully not stabbing you, or with wooing her? The last I won't do." 

A mischievous grin spreads over the young Illyrian's face when Corrian flips him off and then follows after Thena, laughing a little. 

Looking after them for a moment longer, Balthazar finally turns to the group around the general of the Illyrian armies. Cassian is watching him closely, probably seeing the last blood stains on his face. But since he does not ask about it, the young Illyrian doesn't say anything. 

"Everything alright here? No circumstances?" Cassian asks in his low voice when Balthazar strolls over to them and shakes his head. 

"No, nothing." He bows his head in greeting, looking at each one of the four, his gaze lingering on Gwyn for a little longer. "Everything is calm."

"The nose?"

"Nothing dramatic," Balthazar answers, knowing that the skin around it probably already starts to bruise. Not how he wanted Gwyn to see him, but there is nothing he can do against it now. 

"Will we train like yesterday?" Balthazar's favoured coping-mechanism — changing the topic really quickly and hoping no one will start with the old conversation again. 

And thank the Gods, no one does. "Training just like yesterday. Although, Emerie offered that she will run a few of the younger Illyrian males as well as females through the obstacle course, so they can see what it is like. Azriel will help her."

Balthazar nods. "Sounds like a good plan." His gaze moves to Gwyn for a moment and he sees her already looking at him, but quickly averts her gaze when she notices him. She glances at her shoes then. 

"I need to check some things in Devlon's old office. If you give us your final decision, it will be your office soon on." 

Balthazar's eyes widen for a moment, but actually it sounds quite nice. He will have his own office soon!

Balthazar's gaze moves to the large hut behind the general, knowing this is where the office is, where Devlon spent many hours in. It will be his, his to work in, to roam around freely and make notes and write things down and plan things and all of these things. 

"And you two could show the females some fighting techniques? I think they could really profit from seeing how true Valkyries fight?" Balthazar smiles. "You know about the Valkyries?" Gwyn takes one step forward, fingers intertwined in front of her, but her eyes wide open as she stares up at him, nothing but surprise and admiration in her eyes. Her chest starts to feel with warmth when a feeling of utter happiness takes root in her soul. He knows about the Valkyries, and his suggestion…

"Of course, I do." Balthazar looks a little amused, the big smile still on his face. "It was mentioned a few times that you are trying to revive their legacy, but of course I also know them. Also knew them before. When we were younger my sister was crazy about learning everything about them. The elite group of female warriors which are better and braver fighters than everyone else, including the Illyrians."

Balthazar looks proud that he remembers all the information, his grin now reaching from one ear to the other. His shoulders are squared and his wings twitching a little with the emotions bubbling up inside of him. "So, I am sure all the females could really profit from your techniques."

Gwyn just looks at him, and that for a very long moment. Her cheeks gain a little rosy touch, her lips parting the slightest bit. And then she just looks, and for quite a while.

"Also the mind-stilling might be beneficial for a lot of them. Not only them, me as well. With everything that is happening, I could really profit from it. I am ready to learn." 

Gwyn takes another step towards him, almost something is pulling her towards the male. "I would love to teach you—you all. All the females and of course, and you as well." Gwyn takes another step forward, now standing much closer to Balthazar than she has expected. The young Illyrian dips his chin, a sudden emotion tugging on his chest. He brings a hand up and rubs it over his peck, unsure of where the feeling suddenly comes from. Yet, despite the odd tug, he keeps the grin on his face. Gwyn's gaze momentarily moves to his forehead where a soft breeze blows through his curls before she meets his gaze again. 

"Perfect, then what are we waiting for." 

Balthazar pulls his lower lip between his teeth and then releases it again. "Lead the way, Gwyneth Berdara."

Not long after, Nesta and Gwyn stand in front of a half-circle of Illyrian females, including Balthazar, and many more females, mostly very young ones who ready to learn about the techniques. Or who are only there to drool over Balthazar, Gwyn thinks when she sees the way the female next to Balthazar gapes at him. 

Gwyn clears her throat, hoping to draw everyone's attention to her. Balthazar's she has had all the time, never lost it. His attention is always on her. 

"We are doing mind-stilling now, as…Lord Balthazar suggested." Gwyn smiles kindly, but her voice trembles a little. 

She knows a lot about the techniques, but the whole thing about so much attention being on her, about having to speak in front of the people, about having the predatory eyes of the Illyrian males outside the pitch on her. She draws in a deep breath, knowing that mind-stilling will also help her here. And the fact that Balthazar wants to learn about it…it makes her heart skip yet another few beats. 

"First," Gwyn says her gaze moving to Balthazar, locking. "You need to get into a comfortable seated position, feet flat on the floor, while the hands should lightly rest on the knees."

Everyone follows her orders without a second of hesitation and she likes this.

Then you need to breathe in — three deep breaths— and then after the count of six blow them out through your mouth. Then close your eyes, count again. 

"Don’t overthink it, just close your eyes and keep breathing. Take five breaths." Gwyn's voice is soft and it brushes over Balthazar's skin like a feather. He relaxes fully, feels the tension leave his body and for a moment all he focuses on is his breathing and Gwyn's voice. It is just so beautiful, like a song he will never grow tired of listening to. 

Surveying the body follows, working all the way through it, assessing how one is feeling — acknowledging it. 

"Now survey your body. Starting at your head, slowly work down to your toes, assess how you’re feeling. Note if there are sore spots, if there are spots that feel good." 

Absently, Balthazar moves one hand over the other, his finger tips brushing over the green stone on the back of his right hand. He thinks about his strength, the siphons, his power, the—

"Hands should stay on the ground." 

Balthazar places his hands on the ground in an instant, smiling to himself, knowing Gwyn is watching him and that is damn good feeling. "Now, we are doing focused breathing."

Everyone follows. "And we repeat this a few times. Everyone follows again. Until it comes to an end.

"Begin to sink back into your body. Mark the sounds around you. Mark the feeling in your fingers, your toes and open your eyes."

Balthazar's eyes adjust slowly to the bright surrounding, but when they finally do he looks at Gwyn's beaming face. 

"I hope this was a—" "Absolutely amazing. I haven't felt that at ease with myself in a long time." Balthazar climbs back to his feet and brushes his hands down his thighs. "Sorry for interrupting you, please continue, Gwyn."

A soft hum escapes her and Gwyn nods. "No need to apologise, I just wanted to ask if it was alright, but I already got my answer."

"I interrupted you and this is not polite, I totally needed to apologise." Balthazar bows his head, a polite smile on his face. "And I think you can tell that it was more than alright. Milan, what do you say?"

The young boy grins as he straightens up and flares his wings. "I'm feeling really good right now."

"So, do I. But I think I got a knotted wing." A female steps up to Balthazar, her hand landing on his strong upper biceps. "Could you maybe have a look at it?"

Balthazar's brows rise up, a flabbergasted look on his face. She can't be serious? Under no circumstance would he ever touch a female's wings just like that. "At your wings?" he asks, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Yes," she says with a smile. 

"I'd rather a female looks at them. Please, ask Alina, the healer. She will help you." Frustration passes over Natalia's face, but she quickly schools her features in neutrality and nods. "Alright, will do so, Thank you anyway." With that she trots away, sighing loudly. 

Balthazar feels a little bad, but he could not just touch her wings. That would have been so out of place, so very inappropriate. 

"We can write the steps down for you, so you can teach them to the others when we are no here?" Nesta suggest, but Balthazar lifts his hand and taps his index finger against his forehead. "All saved in here, but thank you for the effort." He smiles and dips his chin.

Nesta chuckles a little, but when she wants to say something, her mate beats her to it. "The key is now all yours, Balthazar. Have a look whenever you need, even though you are not officially inaugurated you can still feel free to roam around and have a look around."

Thanking the general, Balthazar bows his head again. 

"And then I would like to invite you to Velaris next week. We won't have time to come up here for training, there is a lot to work in Velaris as well. Try to make time for it." "Of course, I will." Balthazar takes the key from the general's hand. It feels cool in his palm, but holding it feels good. It is a big key, and even a bigger responsibly that now lies in his hand. 

"Thank you," he says, "for all the trust and belief in me."

~~~~~~~~~ tag list: @a-frog-with-a-laptop @brekkershadowsinger @moonlightazriel @callmeblaire @headcanonheadcase @waternymphia @autumndreaming7 @devilsfoodcake22 @readercacau @sv0430 @bubybubsters @cyntia-ktn

[elvisabutler]

Obsessed with the austin and priscilla headcannons pls do more x

Oh anon, I'm sorry I stuck with you a set of angst ones. But thank you and enjoy? In so much as one can enjoy. TW: Angst, mentions of sickness, death, age difference, Elvis and Priscilla's iffy relationship.

So. Priscilla hates the two of you together. It reminds her so viscerally of her and Elvis that the second Baz sends her a clip of the two of you and tells her about the two of you she literally stops him and tells him that if he doesn't protect you that she will rescind her permission for this. She will find a way to shut the film down.

Austin is not Elvis and she knows this. You are not her and she knows this. But she sees warning signs and dysfunction and that goddamn age gap and it makes her scared for you. She’s fine, she’s dealt with any issues left over from being Priscilla- Elvis Presley’s wife- and is Priscilla Presley, the actress who is still linked with her ex husband’s estate because that’s always been how they always were. You don’t leave Elvis’ orbit, he leaves yours.

When she sees you at the Met Gala- and even before that when she sees you being photographed by paparazzi looking like the world has ended she almost slaps Austin. She doesn’t know what he did but she told Baz to protect you and clearly he failed.

“I don’t know what you did to her but you better fix it.” “If I knew how, Ms. Presley I would.”

The Premiere at Graceland reminds her of every good moment she had with Elvis. Lisa’s motherly relationship with Austin calms her ire toward down to a very low fire. But she still worries.

“We’re not the two of you.” “I know.” “He’d give me the universe if he could.” “That’s what worries me, he’d have done that too.” 

Your marriage being hidden from everyone tells her that she was wrong. She makes up with Austin over a FaceTime call 

So when you break up you need a clean break and purposefully tell Austin to not contact you after your initial call and two days of off and on calls.

“I don’t get it baby girl, what did I do wrong? You- Dove you told me you’d tell me if something was wrong like this.”

“I gave you your space. I didn’t ask why you stopped calling me daddy. I thought me being in the hospital reminded you of your dad. But you know I wanted to be with you.”

“Why did you call me sobbing in the hospital? Is that when you found them, baby? Let me explain, they- I could catch a flight tonight.”

“Dove. I’ll leave you be but know you can call me if you need. Please. Whatever you need Daddy- I can get it for you. I’ll take care of you regardless.”

You don’t call him for months. You end up having the same thing that happened to him happen months after for you. It gets reported in TMZ before you have a chance to even text them.

“Tell me you’re alright. You’re supposed to be taking care of yourself.”

You delete several texts where you bemoan the fact that the doctor’s thought you were pregnant at first rather than what it was.

“I got the same thing you did, Butler.”

He starts fooling around with Lily Rose after that. 

You get photographed in his clothes after pics of them come out. 

It was petty but you’re young and you’re feeling less and less like Priscilla and more and more like yourself and one of your best friends- and former partners might have encouraged your actions.

“Why do you have my clothes? Why are you still wearing them?” “You’re not the only one who owns something like this.”

They broke up not too long after. 

You send her an apology. She accepts it. 

“I miss you, Austin.” “That’s the first normal response you’ve ever given me.”

You don’t talk to him again until you see the pics with Kaia in December.

Kaia is the relationship that worries you.

She’s going to be his new little Dove is what your brain helpfully supplies the second you see them. 

But he’ll be happy is what another part says.

He would have been happier with Priscilla and me.

He doesn’t take her to the Met. In fact, they break up right before it. 

At this point despite fooling around with other people you feel so touch starved that when Austin’s hand is against your back for a pose you shiver and lean into him in a way you haven’t since almost a year ago. 

His arm naturally curls around you when the two of you pull away. 

What do you need from me, Dove?" "You, I think.”