#Dima Mahariel

[royal-babey]

18. What is the most recent thing you’ve discovered about your OC? 

Nico’s scar on his left eyebrow is from his twin Dima throwing a rock at him when they were young kids👌siblings amiright.

[royal-babey]

Also fun fact for my adorable boy Percy Surana;

Percy is a nickname.

His full name is Perseus.

Cuz I can.

;0

Same with the twins, Nico and Dima Mahariel. Just short for Nikolai and Dimitri.

Honestly 99% of my oc’s go by nicknames 😂 it can be confusing

[royal-babey]

Have a hot dad Nico Mahariel too whilst I’m at it, here he is again in modern with a baby RJ (Revas Junior, named after his and Dima’s Father)

[royal-babey]

Just some doodles of Dima Mahariel and his and Nico’s mum Lily. I didn’t really like her old design so I redrew it uwu I’ve also decided that she’s poooooosibly Filipino? Making the twins half Spanish and half Filipino (in modern terms anyway. In DA terms idk what it would be other than half Antivan and yknow) uwu which fits with their designs honestly. An unconscious decision but one I like nonetheless!

[royal-babey]

I wanted a mermaid/merman/little mermaid/whatever AU sooooo I made one. It’s not perfect, I’m not used to drawing from this angle but I thought it would look better, but I kinda like it so meh. But basically Nico is in love with a human (ofc) and Dima doesn’t want his lil bro going and getting himself killed. Perhaps more to come folks.

[royal-babey]

Dima Mahariel

Had to draw Nico’s better half at some point!

[royal-babey]

After seeing @keeperscompanionsdai ‘s Aesthetic board for Iseran and Linse, I got inspired to make this for the twins uwuwuwu siblings amiright?

[royal-babey]

Lily

I wrote angst and it hurts like hell and oh god I cried whilst writing it.

Featuring my OC’s Nico and Dima Mahariel, and their father Revas Mahariel.

TW’s for blood, death, slavery, and just a shitton of angst.

-

In the forests of Antiva, walked three Dalish Elves.

Keeper of Clan Mahariel, Revas Mahariel, accompanied his young twin sons into the wild woodlands to show them the foundations of survival. This was something the family did often, at least twice a week if possible, and it was valuable time together for them. Revas’s Keeper duties often kept him busy, and sometimes unable to spend time with his sons at all.

He had a son walking on either side of him, both clutching his significantly larger hands tightly. Dmitri Mahariel chatted away happily to his Father, rambling on about anything that caught his interest or something exciting that had happened to him earlier that week. His younger brother, Nikolai Mahariel, was quite happy to walk in silence, allowing his brother to do the talking for the both of them.

Revas couldn’t be happier. Of course if his ex-wife could be here, that would make things even better. Revas regularly mourned the fact that the twins would not grow up without a motherly influence in their lives, but they seemed to be doing just fine.

‘’-and then and then!!! Nini made a scary face and said ‘You pee the bed Daerian.’ Daerian went running crying back to his Mamae and I got my stick sword back!!!’’

Revas was snapped out of his thoughts as Dima’s excitable voice raised in pitch as he told his Father his story, and there was a very indignant ‘Dima!’ from Nico as Revas let out a chuckle in amusement. He then looked down to his left to see a very sheepish Nico kicking a small rock across the grassy forest floor.

‘’Is that true, da’fen?’’

Nico just shrugged as a response, then muttered ‘’He was being mean…’’

Revas couldn’t argue with that.

Every now and then, the elder Elf would stop beside a bush, either with oddly coloured berries or flowers, and attempt to tell the twins the properties of them. It was important they knew these things in case of emergencies. They were useful after all.

The twins genuinely did try their best to pay attention, but it was a struggle. And by the time they were an hour and a bit into their fathers lessons, they had all but given up on trying to listen.

Revas could see this, and figured he should give the twins something to enjoy instead. He sat them down on the abnormally gigantic roots of an ancient oak tree, that spiralled and gnarled in on itself both above and below the ground, and shielded them from the hot sun with its tall branches and large leaves. After he had gotten their attention, he held up a clenched fist, and smiled.

‘’Watch this, boys.’’

The boys watched in wonder as their Father’s fist glowed green, and gasped quietly when he opened it to reveal two stark white flowers where there had been nothing before. The twins recognised them to be lilies, and Dima bounced on the spot excitedly where as Nico was still staring, though he did have a small smile on his lips.

Revas reached forward, braiding the lilies into the boys long black hair one by one. They reached up to gently feel them at the same time, before lunging forward to hug their Father.

‘’That was so cool, Baban!!!’’

‘’Thank you, Baban…’’

Revas just grinned and hugged his boys back, laughing quietly to himself at their reactions. He loved making them smile.

And with a lily, he hoped to pass on their mother’s love. For that was her name, after all…

They were a happy family despite everything. A close knit and loving family.

Though like Revas had described to the twins once before, when a beloved Clan Halla passed away, the Creators often liked to pick the most beautiful things from this earth that they belovedly created.

Revas could not help the twitching of his pointed ears as he picked up on an abnormal sound coming from the east. They were outside of Clan hunting territory, so no one should be here…

That’s when he heard it. The sound of men laughing uproariously. They were no voices the Keeper recognised, and he froze to the spot, arms tensing around his children.

Humans. Human hunters had come to these woods.

Revas knew how much danger they were in instantly, and leapt to his feet. He easily picked up the twins, one in each arm, and took off running deeper into the forest. He knew these woods well, expertly avoiding upturned routes or particularly sharp rocks, taking almost completely hidden turns, getting past the more dangerous wildlife without getting so much as a second glance.

Nico and Dima were terrified, but knew to be quiet when their Father seemed to sense danger. They had not heard the humans, therefore having no idea what was wrong.

The Shemlen had heard Revas taking off though, footfalls much too heavy in his panic to get his children to safety to attempt stealth. They assumed he was a deer, having been spooked by their loudness. Revas could hear the beating of the horses hooves getting closer, and realised even if he were to make it back to the Clan in time, he would surely doom them.

So he did the only thing he could think of.

Sliding to a stop in front of a particularly large bush, he kneeled down, and placed his children behind it. He signaled for them to be quiet, and they agreed without question, nodding their heads to show they understood.

Revas knew that what he was about to do...May not turn out how he hoped.

So he hugged them both tightly, and whilst pulling away, slipped his necklace off over his head. It was made of shedded Halla antler, with intricate Elven symbols and words carved into it. He handed it to Dima, his lips trembling despite his trying to keep everything under control. He gripped Dima’s shoulders tightly, tight enough to make him wince involuntarily, and spoke in a panicked but hushed tone to his son, who had, as well as his brother, barely seen their tenth summer.

‘’I need you to promise me, Dima...Promise that no matter what, you will protect your brother. You will protect the clan. You will grow strong, and always protect those you love. Do you understand? Be strong.’’

Dima didn’t hesitate in answering, whispering a very determined ‘’Of course I promise Baban.’’ But also; ‘’What’s wrong though? You’re coming back, right?’’

Revas let out a shuddered breath, and gave his sons the best smile he could muster.

‘’Ar lath ma, ma len. I love you both so much...Be strong.’’

Before they could even question, Revas was taking off running into the clearing not far from them. Where the twins could see what was going on...Revas forced himself to stand his ground despite his fear as the humans approached, pulling his staff from his back and gripping it tightly as they pulled their horses to a stop and dismounted.

One human, with pale skin and a bald head, paired with a horribly patchy beard, was the first to approach Revas. Behind him were two more humans, dressed head to toe in armour. Revas couldn’t see their faces, though he could feel their stares.

He forced himself to greet the men in perfect trade with a smile, as wary as it may look, and a short bow.

‘’Greetings, outsiders.’’

He didn’t even get a greeting back, instead, the man in front of him just snarled, looking him up and down.

‘’Lookie here, boys. A knife ear, right here. Looks like we may not need to look for their damned camp so hard after all.’’

Revas tensed, knowing instantly who these men must be. Slavers, probably for the black market in the main city of Antiva. He reached back with his free hand to scratch nervously at his ear lobe, needing something to do as he answer, even if he wasn’t exactly asked a question.

‘’I-I beg your pardon? You can’t-’’

Revas was cut off by a sharp sword pointing directly at his neck, causing him to go stock still, too afraid to even breathe.

The man growled, pressing the blade against Revas’s neck. Enough to draw blood, for the moment, and make the Elf hiss slightly in pain.

‘’Shut your mouth, knife ear. Now listen closely. We know it isn’t just you here. We saw a stuffed toy on the ground. And you were quite happy to run just a moment ago...Who are you protecting? Your knife eared kid? Kids? Oh, the Crows would pay a pretty sum for some young Elves to train up.’’

Revas felt sick to his stomach. He wasn’t about to negotiate with some slavers, just so they could go hunt some other people.

So that left him one choice.

Carefully, he took a step back, and twirled his staff in hand.

‘’I’m not telling you anything, Shemlen!’’

He inhaled, ready to shout a spell, one powerful enough to knock them down and give him

time to run with the boys-

When instead it turned into a breathless gasp of pain, and he looked down to see a sword running right through his gut.

From behind the bush, there was a whimper, the leaves rustling as Nico attempts to get up to run to his Father. He’s stopped by Dima however, who yanks him down by the back of his shirt, and straddles him to keep him from trying again. Nico tries to yell for Revas, but Dima covers his younger brothers mouth and despite the tears forming in his own eyes as Nico writhes and struggles, whispers harshly for him to quit it.

Nico doesn’t see what Dima sees. Doesn’t see as the men kick Revas down onto his back. Doesn’t witness them sneering and taunting Revas as he bleeds out, amethyst eyes formerly shining with life beginning to go dull as he stares up at the sky. His lips barely moving as he words a silent prayer to Falon’din to guide his soul to the Beyond, the Creator who’s Vallaslin he has proudly worn since seventeen years of age.

He doesn’t see as Revas’s throat is slit easily by a spear tossed to the man who had also stabbed him, then thrust through the Keepers exposed chest.

Eventually, the humans get sick of mutilating the now dead Elf’s form. The murderer declaring Revas must have left the twins at the great oak tree and had instead tried to lure them away and distract them.

They mount their horses, and ride off. As soon as their horses beating hooves can no longer be heard, Dima and Nico get up, running over to their father’s unmoving form. He couldn’t be dead. Surely he was just badly injured, would still be breathing.

But there’s blood. Too much blood for any mortal man to surely survive. His dark skin is now an ashen colour, and his eyes are glazed over and lifeless. His expression is slack, and his chest…

It certainly isn’t moving.

Dima stands staring, completely frozen. He can’t tear his eyes off of their Fathers, their Babans, corpse. Nico however, collapses to his knees.

And he screams. A scream so heart wrenching it scares off any animals in the immediate vicinity. A scream filled with such unimaginable grief and fear and anger that it doesn’t sound human at all.

Dima can only drop down beside him, tears rolling silently down his cheeks as he reaches for Revas’s hand. Earlier it was warm, warm as Dima clung to it, warm as he pulled his Father behind him and swung and laughed and...Warm as Dima thought about how much he trusted that warmth to always be there...But now it was cold, and Dima could feel the remnants of Revas’s body heat slowly fading away.

‘’Papa…’’

He could barely mutter it. Beside him, Nico had begun to sob, clothing beginning to turn red with their Father’s blood soaking into it. He rested his head on Revas’s chest, hair mostly obscuring his face from his elder twins view.

And from his hair fell the lily Revas had left in it just twenty minutes ago. It landed in the puddle of blood just beside Revas’s body, and Dima could have sworn he heard his Father whispering the word- No. The name, Lily, in the small breeze that blew past them all.

Dima could only pull Nico to him, trying to find some comfort in his brothers still warm body despite the chilling aura that had settled in the area.

They only had each other now, meaning Dima was determined more than ever before now to keep his promise to their Father.

He would protect Nico with his life.

[royal-babey]

I wanna draw Nico and Dima as pokemón trainers

[royal-babey]

“If they were my eyes, such red eyes, I wonder could I”

“Be their one and only hero who saves their future?”

-

I’ve been listening to Jubyphonic‘s cover of “Ayano’s Theory of Happiness” on repeat all day so that’s why I drew this

[royal-babey]

Some more mermen for ya. @welcometojoelsvoid and I have been world building for this AU and it’s 👀👌 fun

First pic: Adair Lavellan, a Royal boi uwu he’s what you would call a common merman, bright/pastel-ish colours, bright scales, sometimes glowing spots. They’re mainly prey since it’s hard not to notice something bright swimming by. Both by humans and predatorial animals. Common merfolk are generally the most friendly and sociable. Also very apprehensive about interacting with those outside their territory however. Cuz danger y’know. They stay in sweeter waters and near the surface since they still need sunlight to mostly survive.

Second pic: Nico Mahariel, half common, half siren. Sirens are generally looked down upon on mer society. Not by all, they would certainly get along with mersharks, but common merfolk and merdragons (there is an explanation for merdragons I promise) generally don’t trust them. They’re cunning and are usually the ones to bring humans to their demise. They have a few feature differences from other merfolk, sharper nails and teeth, glowing eyes, dark sclera. They also have a chameleon ability to make it easier to sneak up on ships and/or small sailing boats. Some also have glowing markings like in the third picture, but not all. They sometimes help draw prey in. Both prey and predator.

Third pic: Revas Mahariel, Nico and Dima’s dad, full siren uwu (their mum, Lily, was common)

[royal-babey]

Here’s a doodle of Nico and Dima’s mother, Lily Mahariel, from my favourite ‘’Dales Never Fell’’ AU! The reason she looks so evil is because she is (I’m currently writing a ficlet for it so prepare for that). And ya I just wanted to doodle her. Girls are hard to draw.

(Click for better quality)

[royal-babey]

OC Interview Meme

Tagged by @red-wardens ^^ I know I’ve already been tagged by quite a few people and I’m sorry for not doing it sooner “^^ mental health yknow

This is the best pic I have of Nico rn I’m sorry

-

1. What is your name?

“Nico Mahariel.”

2. What is your real name?

“...*Sigh* Nikolai Mahariel...”

3. Do you know why you were called that?

“*Shrugs* My Father chose it. He said it sounded strong.”

4. Are you single or taken?

“...Uh...*Not so subtly glances at Zevran*”

5. Have any abilities or powers?

“I mean other than Grey Warden stuff...I dunno, I seem to be able to semi-communicate with animals and convince the spirits in the Brecillian to let me through without all the tricks and changes...Why? It does not matter at present. Next question.”

And depending on au, he may have hidden magic ;0

7. What’s your eye color?

“Silver...Though it was purple before the taint. Are you blind?”

8.How about your hair color?

“*Deadpan expression* Percy? I think they’re blind. It’s black, if you must know.”

9. Have you any family members?

“Family is...Complicated...My mother abandoned my brother and I, our father was murdered in front of us..My twin is at least still alive, and our foster mother...So yes, I suppose. And perhaps Zev...”

10. Oh? What about pets?

“I have my wolf, Falon. I met him in the Korcari wilds.”

11. That’s cool I guess, now tell me about something you don’t like.

“You......*Growls* But I...Suppose I don’t like...Ugh, moving on.”

12. Do you have any hobbies/activities you like doing?

“I like to carve figurines?”

13. Ever hurt anyone before?

“Of course. Hasn’t everyone?”

14. Ever… killed anyone before?

“Again, not really that uncommon right now. Yes. If you attack me, I’m not going to go down without a fight.”

15. What kind of animal are you?

“Fenhedhis, shut your mouth!!! I won’t listen to your stupid jibes you’re no doubt about to make.”

16. Name your worst habits.

“Uh...*Looks around nervously* Zevran says I should stop taking burdens on alone...And I bite my nails.”

17. Do you look up to anyone at all?

“Everyone. Being five foot three isn’t easy.”

18. Gay, straight, or bisexual?

“Bisexual. Why hide it?”

19. Do you go to school?

“Psh, no. Of course not. I heard chantry’s have schools but I’d rather not go in a chantry. Though it would have been nice to learn how to read before the blight I suppose...Would have made the bards patronising that less infuriating.”

20. Do you ever want to marry and have kids one day?

“...*Pained expression* Please...Next question.”

He was engaged to Tamlen before and had Kieran with Morrigan so he wouldn’t die ;-; he is also engaged to Zevran but marriage seems so far away

21. Do you have any fanboys/fangirls?

“...No?”

22. What are you most afraid of?

“Why do you want to know? Do you seek to exploit it?”

He is deathly afraid of the dark, spiders, mirrors, ghouls, villages, and enclosed spaces. On a lighter note, squirrels.

23. What do you usually wear?

“Ar...mour? Like I’m wearing right now? Or...Nothing at all really.”

24. Do you love someone?

“...*Soft smile* I do...”

25. When was the last time you wet yourself?

“D-DON’T ASK ME A QUESTION LIKE THAT.”

He was fifteen, though it wasn’t really his fault ._.

26. Well, it’s not over yet!

“Oh joy.”

27. What class are you? (High class, middle class, low class)

“Take one fucking guess, babe. High enough to not live in the slums, but low enough to still be seen as a feral dog.”

28. How many friends do you have?

“Enough.”

29. What are your thoughts on pie?

“I like rabbit pie...”

30. Favorite drink?

“I like hot cocoa. Dima and I used to drink it all the time in Antiva.”

31. What’s your favorite place?

“I miss Antiva...Especially the countryside...Next favourite could be Gwaren, I suppose. I enjoy the docks and the sea...Even if I can’t swim. That’s why I avoid going in the water.”

32. Are you interested in someone?

“Of course.”

33. What’s your bra cup size and/or how big is your willy?

“....*Reaches for bow* Like I’d tell you!”

34. Would you rather swim in the lake or the ocean?

“Neither. I already said I can’t swim.”

35. What’s your type?

“Alive, is preferable.”

36. Any fetishes?

“N-No!!!”

Knives 😏😏😏

37. Seme or uke? Top or Bottom? Dominant or Submissive?

“*Glaring*”

38. Camping or indoors?

“Camping. I hate indoors...”

39. Are you wanting the interview to end?

“Yep.”

40. Now it’s over!

“Well whoopdee-fucking-doo. Thank the creators. I need a drink...”

-

Well, that was fun!

Gonna tag a bunch of random people but if you’ve already done it, don’t feel obligated to!!!

@marquis1305 @aly-the-writer @welcometojoelsvoid @ellatrash @space-vashoth @keeperscompanionsdai @seboostianillustrations @red-wardens I know you’re literally the one who tagged me but just in case you wanna do anymore of your babes XD @tessa1972 @chillyrose @dickeybbqpit

And anyone who wants to do this!!! ^^

[royal-babey]

Laughter

Just a short cute ficlet I wanted to write of Nico and Tamlen’s first meeting as children ^^ Enjoy!

-

Nico is ten years old when he first meets him.

He and his twin brother had just been transferred from clan Mahariel to clan Sabrae after the death of their father at the next Arlathven. Nico wasn’t happy about it at all, but kept his thoughts to himself for the sake of his brother, who was trying to be strong for the both of them.

Though Nico still heard him cry at night.

Nico’s tears had already ran out.

The young elf was sitting outside by the fire pit, eyes closed and ears twitching every now and then as he listens to the sounds of the forest. The quiet chirping of a bird, the gentle breeze rustling the branches of each and every tree, the animals grazing and scuttling around.

If he tries hard enough, he can pretend he’s back home in Antiva with his father.

He hears someone approaching, but he pays no mind to it. He figures they’re going to talk to the hahren or something. No one had spoken to him, thinking him a cold and unfriendly child. He heard their ‘’concerned‘’ whispers. He also didn’t care much for them. He didn’t care much for people either.

‘’Hello?’’

Nico hears the voice of a young boy speaking Elven. The dialect of it was much different than the Antivan one Nico was used to, but he could still understand.

It took Nico a second to realise he was talking to him. Slowly, he opened purple eyes, and looked up to meet icy blue ones staring at him in curiosity.

Nico had never seen such a beautiful pair...They almost felt like they were staring into his soul.

It was uncomfortable, so he focused his sight on something else instead. Like the messy blonde hair atop the boys head. At least then he was still looking at him instead of the ground, which he was always chided for.

Nico didn’t speak. He never spoke to anyone. He hoped the boy would get bored and leave, but...He didn’t. Instead, the blonde boy sat down next to him.

‘’You’re Nico, right? I’m Tamlen! And from now on, I’ve decided that we’re going to be friends! Okay?’’

Nico is...Very taken aback by that. Firstly because ‘’Tamlen’’ could tell he and his brother apart, and then because...He wanted to be Nico’s ‘’friend’’?

Nico waited for him to continue, but...He didn’t. Was he perhaps waiting for a reply? Nico wasn’t quite sure what to say to him, but he was curious...

‘’...You know I’m not Dima?’’

Nico hadn’t been looking at Tamlen when he spoke quietly, but when he did look, the fellow elf was...Grinning at him. Nico just stared before Tamlen seemed to remember himself and stopped, quickly answering again, excited to try and keep the conversation going.

‘’Yep! You’re always making this face. See?’’

Nico watched on in curiosity as Tamlen tried to replicate Nico’s inexpressive face. He managed to hold it for about five seconds...Before his face broke out into a grin again.

Nico looked away, feeling a tickle, the beginnings of laughter, in his chest. He covered his mouth in a desperate attempt to hide it, but...Ultimately he failed.

In just a few moments he burst out laughing. He simply couldn’t stop himself! Seeing someone so happy with such a serious expression was greatly amusing to him for some reason. He laughed until he was lying on the ground, clutching his stomach, tears gathering in the corner of his eyes.

By the time he actually managed to calm down, he was struggling to catch his breath. But he felt a lot lighter than he in a while. When he sat back up, wiping his eyes on the back of his hands, he noticed that several of the elders were watching him with small smiles. Just after he was being knocked back down again by a pair of arms around him. Tamlen’s arms...But he let go just as quickly as he threw himself at Nico, and then stood up.

He helped Nico up too, and gave him a final smile.

“Your laugh is really nice! You should do it more often! Your smile is pretty too!”

And then as quick as ever, he runs off. Leaving Nico flustered and confused, but...Pleasantly so.

[royal-babey]

Because I hate myself and also love torturing myself and my friends, I wrote an angsty ficlet featuring my Nico Mahariel and @welcometojoelsvoid ‘s OC Leoh Yu (Badger).

Enjoy y’all

-

“I TRUSTED YOU.”

Those words still cut at Leoh like a knife, almost like Nico was slapping him again, as he sat on the couch in their living room. If he listened hard enough, he could hear Nico still sobbing in their infant daughters nursery. Nico hated him...For good reason too...He just hoped Nico would come to understand, or would stay in the same room long enough to hear Leoh explain…

It had started with his Father, the current ruler by inheritance of the Yu dynasty in China, coming to Seattle after he heard that his son Leoh had gotten married and adopted a child. He had been after Leoh and his family since Leoh was a child, had even hospitalised Nico once a month after they got engaged...Leoh just wanted him to leave them alone. But it wasn’t to be apparently. He somehow learned that Leoh and Nico’s adopted daughter, Qiu, was a mage. Her magic manifesting rather young...He wanted to take their child back to China, “Raise her the way she’s supposed to be, a Princess”, he said. Leoh knew that meant manipulating and grooming her her whole life. He refused as long as he could…

But then a threat was made against his entire family. His husband, his grandmother, Nico’s twin brother Dima who was his brother in law as well as their mother Ashalle, even his dog. He would stop at nothing to get his grandchild.

So, Leoh gave her up. After Nico left for work, unknowingly saying his last goodbye to his six month old daughter, Leoh took her to the airport. He said nothing to his “Father”, just gave Qiu a final kiss on the forehead, then handed her over to one of his Father’s body guards. He then promptly walked away, finding the nearest liquor store and buying as much whiskey as humanly possible.

Leoh knew his daughter would be saved, he had arranged it months ago. He just had to act the part of a grieving Father. He knew he would be followed and watched for a while to make sure he didn’t try to contact help. Nico would be too…

So Leoh decided to risk not telling Nico, needing a real reaction.

He just never expected it to get so out of hand…

Nico came home at eight pm as per usual when he was just working at his desk in the police station, coming in the front door and walking through to the living room whilst taking off his jacket. He called out hello, but got no reply. Then he found Leoh in the kitchen, a half empty bottle of whiskey in hand, another empty one on the table.

“Where’s Qiu, Vhenan? Is she asleep?”

Leoh didn’t answer. Just took another long sip.

“..Vhenan?”

Another.

“Leoh, answer me. Where is Qiu.”

Leoh finally looked up at him then, eyes the colour of a starless night sky dull and mournful. He barely got to mumble out a “I’m sorry…” before Nico was taking off down the hall.

“Qiu?! Qiu!!!”

Nico cried out desperately for his daughter. He burst into the nursery, checking the crib. When he couldn’t find her there, despite knowing he wouldn’t, be turned to her chest full of toys, the drawers in her room, the cupboard, it was all irrational but he was frantic. Cold panic had set in and he was terrified. Leoh couldn’t have...He wouldn’t. Surely he was just playing a trick on Nico. A cruel prank.

But the longer he searched, the more of her room he turned upside down. The less he could find. There was just...No sign of her. Eventually he was left standing in the middle of the room, breathing heavily, body shaking near violently in anger and fear, his steel grey eyes wide and brimming with tears.

When he heard a creaking noise behind him, the footsteps of his Husband, he snapped.

Whipping around almost faster than a bullet being fired from a gun, with his hand already raised, he struck Leoh across his left cheek, Nico’s wedding ring cutting into his flesh and creating a deep wound that began to bleed almost instantly.

Leoh was too surprised by the slap, though he really should have been expecting it, to react. Nico meanwhile, huffing and puffing as if he’d just ran a marathon, shoved Leoh up against the wall and screamed, completely enraged.

“WHERE IS MY /BABY/?!”

There was nothing Leoh could say to try and make Nico feel better. Not for the moment anyway. So he said nothing. Eventually Nico grew too frustrated to keep him pinned, so he took a few steps back, hands coming up to tug at his long black hair from his stress. He paced around the room briefly, muttering indecipherably to himself. He only stopped when Leoh began to approach him.

“Nico...I-“

“Don’t you fucking DARE SAY MY NAME.”

Nico cut him off. He had stopped pacing, was now instead just standing in the middle of the room breathing so heavily it had to hurt, fists clenched at his sides. Maybe it wasn’t the best idea, but Leoh wanted to say something- anything.

“...You need to calm down.”

That was definitely a bad idea.

Because almost immediately after, Nico had drawn his pistol from its holster on its belt and he was pointing it square at Leoh’s chest.

Leoh definitely did not anticipate Nico drawing a weapon on him.

“Calm down?! Calm DOWN?! LEOH YU, YOU LET MY FUCKING BABY BE KIDNAPPED BY THOSE BASTARDS. I TRUSTED YOU. I-“

“SHE’S MY DAUGHTER TOO, NIKOLAI. I DIDN’T WANT TO, GOD I DIDN’T, BUT I COULDN’T RISK EVERYONE’S FUCKING DEATHS!”

Leoh couldn’t just silently take the screaming any more. He yelled back. Maybe he knew the truth, but he wouldn’t let himself be screamed at and potentially fucking shot because Nico wouldn’t calm down long enough to hear it.

He heard the gun click as Nico turned the safety off, and god he was glad he had combat training. He wasn’t about to take any chances. He never thought he would have to forcefully disarm his own Husband, but he didn’t blame him...He supposed everyone did crazy shit when they were angry or upset. Nico continued to struggle though, so Leoh was left with no choice other than to force Nico to the floor and keep him pinned there.

Leoh expected more screaming, insults, anything...Anything but the way Nico just went quiet, then...Began to sob...Heart wrenching despairing noises tore itself out of Leoh’s lovers chest, his heart...And in it all, he could hear a very clear message.

“I hate you”...

It hurt.

But he could live with it.

He had hurt Nico.

Hurt himself more by giving their child up, even if not completely.

He just wanted everything to be okay again...To have Qiu home and not currently half way across the world…

But nothing could be okay...Not for the moment anyway…

Leoh figures it was safe enough for the moment to release Nico from his hold...So he climbed off of his lover, who didn’t react other than sitting up and burying his head into his knees, still sobbing as he rocked himself back and forth in an attempt to comfort himself…

Leoh figured he should give him some space.

He would take the gun though...Less out of fear for himself and more because he was afraid of losing his Husband the same day he lost their daughter.

So walking over to the door, he muttered one more heartfelt apology as rare tears of his own welled up in his eyes.

“I’m sorry…”

And then the door was closing behind him.