#GOOD LORD THIS IS LONG SO SORRY that's probably not all we discuss our ocs so much i probably forgot some things help

[as-thra]

Aslan's parents :]!!! Charlotte Astolfo and Arthur Aureus during their student years <33

aureus lore stuff under the cut!!!!

Charlie and Art stuff first, Arthur went to Hogwarts and is a ravenclaw while Charlotte's an exchange student from Durmstrang, she attended Hogwarts from 5th-7th year

Both being purebloods with family traditions to uphold (yikes) they've had their own arranged marriages since before they were even born, then they fell in love with each other and went to ask both their parents to break previous engagements only to be informed that the engagement was with each other anyway IT WAS GOING TO BE ANGST BUT THIS WAS FUNNIER OK

Arthur's a dragons nerd and Charlotte captured one for him during their 7th year . Arthur n Sully then spent the day nerding out n riding the dragon around

Charlotte's bi and Arthur's pan!!!!!

THEY ALSO LOVE ASLAN SO SO MUCH AND THEY ARE VERY GOOD PARENTS!!!! HE LOVES THEM JUST AS MUCH

aslan is so his parents' son

aslan was a very sweet baby n they loved dressing him up in fancy clothes because they think its so cute ndndke, he was easy to take care of too if you ignore the accidental magic he'd be casting as a literal infant-toddler

OK MORE GENERAL AUREUS STUFF, their line is . a literal line that can be traced straight back to midas directly, maintaining pureblood status by traveling all around the world for their marriages just to avoid incest mdnsjed

it was done in an attempt to keep their magic "untainted" n as powerful as possible by mixing a shit ton of other magical blood into theirs (am!au note: they're doing this bc a time god said so, said time god is literally evanescoed winnie just in case ppl have missed the am post ab that msndjd)

and while they were successful with that there are still consequences!!!!!! down their line they had to limit their heirs to three then two then just one because they can see how many aureus running around could potentially be Bad considering the result of their selective marriages are literal children with more and more magic to the point it was possibly destructive

like with aslan!!! he had been casting spells from the crib, grew up with so much accidental magic, it also going haywire from time to time, the chances of each spell being accidentally cast with excessive magic and Going Wrong, literally the magical rebounds that caused scars climbing up his hands and arms!!! had to get those limiting rings he always wears to prevent his hands getting fucked up further

besides that! more about the heirs :] the women in their line had always and forever kept the aureus name, they were just as valued as the men and held as much power and respect, why would you take power from your own heirs after all

Arthur's mom was one of them :] Ahilya Aureus 🫶🫶

They've also just never believed in pureblood supremacy either HELDONEB they're only doing this because a time god told them to and eventually it was wueheeueeuhe yeah time god but also its Tradition now and meemaw would be upset no one wants that

And really as long as there was a child to carry the line it didn't matter what they went on to do, lots of queer ppl in their lineage n they were all adored!!! there would've definitely been some that even ended up with muggles n muggle borns tbh

they literally do not care they just want a magic baby

anyway main takeaway about the Aureuses: Descended from King Midas the guy with the golden touch thing, kids having more n more magic output til it's literally rebounding on them, have traveled the entire world and definitely has a cousin in almost every country 👍👍👍👍

[coffeeorsomething-irl]

@dailydragon08 I'm sorry you're in a bad spot rn. I'm afraid I'm not equal to the task of writing something right now, but I have something already written I can share. It doesn't fit the situation exactly, but it features a heavily insecure protagonist being tormented by a bully and Luke steps in to help and spends some amount of time reassuring her. It's a chapter from a Luke x OC fic I'm writing, so there is some missing context. Umm and heads up it's kinda long. I hope it can give you a pick-me-up.

(the format came out a little weird due to my cut-and-paste, also sorry if my attempt at a 'read more' thingy didn't work 😅)

Her stomach fluttered when she caught sight of him, then fell as she took in his companion. Olandria. She considered just leaving, at least until later; after all Olandria couldn’t be by his side all night, could she? …Well, on second thought, she probably could, if she wanted to. And which courtier wouldn’t want to hang on the arm, or the word, of the heroic blue-eyed gallant from the stars? 

But just as she was turning away, she heard his voice calling her, “Highness!” 

She froze, feeling a bit caught, then hesitantly turned back. 

He had approached, Olandria beside him with a subtle sneer. She was not actually on his arm; he had not made it available. He didn’t notice her expression, as his eyes were fixed onto Ciri. “Highness, I wasn't certain I would see you this evening. What fortuity we enjoy, that you’ve graced us with your presence.” The formality of his words made her gulp. He was good at this… the polite posturing of politics. “Don’t you agree, lady Olandria?” he asked, turning to his companion, who smoothly schooled her expression.

“Indeed… fortuity,” she agreed blandly, on cue. 

Luke returned his attention to her. “How do you find the soiree?” he inquired of her. 

“It’s… nice enough,” she commented weakly. She had no stomach for events, though the pomp was pretty. 

“I suspected it might not please my lady,” he responded with a smile, “so I am grateful to find you in attendance. But perhaps there is something here you may enjoy? Do you dance, Highness?” 

“Certainly not,” she said quickly, and a little too forcefully. His face quirked. 

“That is well, if my lady’s wishes are against it. Please accept my apology… I did not intend to offend,” he offered. 

“I-it’s fine, L- uh, sir. I didn’t mean to speak so abruptly.” 

He smiled kindly. “Please, say nothing of it.” 

“I dance,” Olandria cut in, “if sir would like to. There is no need to refrain because her Highness does not enjoy it.” 

The smile Luke turned upon her was rather different from the one Ciri had become so used to seeing offered her. “Forgive me, lady Olandria, if I must refuse. I would not feel right, leaving my lady to her devices when her nature renders her less suited to this affair than we. But please, do not let me dissuade you from seeking a partner.” He gestured generally at the crowd. 

Olandria was skilled at keeping her feelings from her face. The porcelain mask showed nothing of disappointment as she smilingly accepted the rejection. “Perhaps in a moment, sir. I would while with you and our lady yet.”

They talked of little things, and of the court. He described something of the war, at Olandria’s encouragement and to her obvious titillation. It was strange, seeing him this way, after how he’d been with her when they were alone. She could not relax, with Olandria by his side, and him addressing her so formally. She had not been caught in a conversation with the woman in some time. It was terribly awkward, but anytime she faltered Luke would favor her with that same, sweet smile, smoothly elide her misstep, and pick up the words’ thread, and she would feel reassured. 

Eventually the discussion meandered to romance, under Olandria’s prodding. “Does my lord have a family awaiting his return?” 

“I do not… beyond my sister, who no doubt awaits me, but who is also the cause of my departure from her. Have you, lady Olandria? A family, that is.” 

An image of perfectly poised regret came onto her face. “I have not the time. At least, not as yet.” Her expression brightened. “But I am not yet through with dalliance… there is much good to be had, by making capital on one’s favorable opportunities, I have found. And yourself? I imagine more… temporary entanglements must suit a lifestyle such as yours. Darting from one kingly court to the next, with nary a one to call berth. Besides that one to which you rarely may return, where your exalted sibling awaits.” 

For the first time, a glimmer of uncertainty crossed his fine features. “Dalliance does not frequently meet my taste,” he said simply. 

“Oh? Surely you must have ample fine opportunities, my lord?” 

“I suppose.” 

“Astonishing...such austerity! You are a truer Knight than the most, my lord, if I may speak so. But none would hold you to count, for answering the calls which your position and your manly nature dispose you to receive, and enable you to respond…  …Now her Highness, here, is situated rather differently. Who can say where her preferences lie? She cannot answer such a call, would she or no, for not a one has ever been forthcoming for her!” Olandria finished the revelation with a snide smile, just for her.  

Ciri’s heart dropped through her stomach. She wanted to sink to her knees, and flee, in about equal measure. She could do naught but stand silently, color blooming on her cheeks. 

Luke startled, appearing heavily taken aback, but quickly recovered himself and turned his attention fully onto her. “Well, I have to say, my lady, that I have the deepest respect for your position,” he began quietly, a silent entreaty in his tone and a little of the formality shedding from his words. “I know as well as any with eyes and understanding, the sort of callers who swarm around those who wield power. To have rid yourself of them entirely, is remarkable, and a testament to the fine caliber of your character. I wish I had half the grace that you possess; it would have brought me an easier road. …And I know that one day, you will find someone who merits your attention.” 

Meanwhile, Olandria's smile had flagged with disappointment. 

She looked at him gratefully, feeling her embarrassment slightly recede. “…Th-thank you, Luke,” she said quietly, too shaken to call him properly, “Um...please excuse me, I think I’m going to go.” 

…And her tormentor's smile ever-so-slightly returned. 

“Of course,” he replied. “Would you care for company?” There was something hopeful in his manner. 

She smiled a little in spite of herself, and agreed, “Yes, thank you.” 

His answering smile was sweet and soft and grateful… and it frosted over as soon as he turned to face Olandria. “Please excuse us, lady Olandria,” he said stiffly. “I believe something you have said may have soured our lady’s taste for this evening. Not to worry, I will see that her spirits are buoyed. Perhaps you may now seek out that dance.” He turned and stepped past her without waiting for a reply, and Ciri followed after him - and as soon as he was clear of their former little circle, he halted to await her, extending her his arm with a gentle smile. Hesitantly, she took it, and permitted him to guide her from the hall.

Once they were clear of people and out into the night, he sighed. “I detest that woman.” 

She snickered, despite her lingering embarrassment. “Yeah, me too,” she agreed. 

“I said I’ve met a lot of court people I don’t like, but… most have at least the good sense not to insult their betters to their face.” His tone softened, “I’m sorry, Ciri. She was unbelievably rude.” 

A short laugh huffed between her teeth. “Why should you be sorry? Trust me, she’s always like that. It’s nothing to do with you. …W-well…I-I guess normally she does exercise better discretion than that in public, but… still, it’s just how she is.” 

He looked back toward the hall with an expression of mild disgust, as though he could know where Olandria was just at that moment, and his voice hardened. “She’s always like that? She’s treated you this way before?” 

She nodded hesitantly, embarrassment rising once again. “Um, yeah, s-she’s… I-I guess she’s kind of a bully. And sh-she hates me. Always has…since we were kids.” 

They approached a balustrade, and he paused before reaching it, to turn his face to meet hers and say gently, “I regret very much to learn that, Ciri. You deserve to be treated with much finer respect.     …I have to confess, though, that I do think I may have had something to do with her… not scrupling to discress, tonight.” 

She blinked to find that he was blushing. “W-what do you mean? I don’t see how you could have…” 

He dropped his arm, and she released him, not without some measure of regret. He stepped to the railing and leaned his forearms upon it, and she followed, companionably close to his side. “Well, I… I just don’t think she liked the way I looked at you.” 

Now she was blushing, too. “Oh….  H-h-how were you.. l-looking at me…?” she asked weakly. 

He turned his gaze to her, and she nearly dropped hers away. She would have, no question, but that he was so disarmingly flushed and he was looking at her that very way, again. With something unnameably soft in his eyes. “Couldn’t you tell?” 

She did drop her gaze, then, abruptly fixing it out onto the darkness beyond the railing. “I’m sorry, Ciri,” she heard him apologizing gently, “I don’t mean to be coy,” …and slowly raised her eyes back to him. He was watching her quietly. “I believe I was looking at you like you've been holding me captivated… like I could fall into you without moving, and wouldn't even try to stop myself." 

She gasped, softly. Her eyes felt frozen on his beautiful, reddened face. Gradually she blinked, as an, “o-oh…” drifted dazedly out of her throat. 

This time, it was his eyes that fell away. “So…,” he continued, looking back up at her in a moment with a wry little smile and that softness in his eyes, “I think that may have made her feel a little jealous.” 

“Oh,” she said, with better strength, “Y-yeah, m-maybe. I think… I think they’re all a little dazzled. B-by you…” 

“Yeah…,” he blushed, looking down again, “I think you may be right. Whereas I’m just dazzled by you.” 

She laughed nervously. “C-come on, don’t…d-don’t make jokes.” 

“I’m not making a joke, Ciri.” And nothing in his manner seemed jovial, at all. 

There was a pause, as she tried to digest that. “You’re famous!” she finally exclaimed, “You’re storied. And you’ve been everywhere, to the stars, to places we can’t even imagine! And you’re- handsome, and smooth-talking, and you can do magic - at least as far as we can tell, even if it’s just because we’re too small to understand. It makes sense why everyone is amazed by you! I’m no one special at all. I have a special dad. That’s it, and even he is no one compared to you. There’s no reason for you to look tw–” 

“Did you know,” he interrupted her, “that out of all those fancy places in the galaxy I’ve been, meeting overlords and presidents and potentates, no one has ever, once, invited me to call them by their first name? But you did, instantly. …I’m so tired of being famous, Ciri. I’m tired of my special story following me around everywhere I go. I like the way you treat me. I like you.” 

A silence fell between them. She was taken aback, working the information over in her mind. Eyes searching the darkness. 

After a moment, he sighed. “A long time ago,” he said quietly to the darkened grounds, “when I was new to this… to fame… just after we’d won the war, while my sister was cobbling together a galactic government out of chuba chips, I… I let myself be caught up, in the swirl of my admirers. I let them wine me and dine me, let myself be shown off at ritzy parties… and I let…,” he trailed off, swallowing, looking down at the ground. She waited, stilled, and then he softly continued, "I let them do things with me… 'dalliances.' Like what Olandria was talking about.  …And I can’t tell you, how I regret it.          ….…You're different. I like the way you make me feel.” After a moment, he delicately raised his eyes back to hers.  

“I… Luke, I don’t know what to say,” she managed quietly. She cautiously reached out to him, and placed her hand on his forearm. 

“Say that you believe me, when I tell you how I feel. Say that you like me, too.” 

“I-I believe you… and I like you too."

He gave her a slow smile filled with such gratitude, that she nearly felt guilty to receive it. “Thank you, Ciri.” 

"A-are you alright, Luke?" she asked quietly. His vulnerability was making her heart hurt. 

But he smiled at her so fully that she nearly stopped breathing. He gently put his hand over hers, and lightly brushed his thumb over her knuckles. "Yeah, I'm fine, Ciri. Thank you for asking. Just bad memories… but they're distant, now. ..How about you? Are you alright?" 

She found herself nodding. "Yeah, I'm fine too. Um, th-thanks for being so nice to me, back there. I-I… I don't know what I would have done, without you there to… take over, the way you did." Then she said, "…Luke…   we could talk more, a-about memories, some time… a-anytime, if you wanted someone friendly to talk to." 

He smiled prettily, lightly squeezed her hand, and said softly, "Thank you, Ciri. ..I might take you up on that, later.” Then he released her. “…Well, without me there I imagine you would have been less embarrassed in the first place, too. And she probably wouldn't have said anything either, anyhow. …But I'm glad I was able to help." 

His tone was confidently casual. She wasn't much for social cues, but it seemed to say, that he'd like to move on. So she  packed up the worry in her chest for later, and did. "Well, I-I guess I… I probably wouldn't have come, if you weren't gonna be there, anyway. I mean I… I nearly never d-do," she admitted. 

His face split and beamed with happiness. He rested his chin on his hand and rocked forward on his elbow, joyfully. "You really do like me… I'm so flattered to hear that, Ciri. And I'm glad you did.. even though she was so awful to you, and even though it was weird talking to you in um… in court-speak. It made me so happy to see you." 

She smiled, slightly timidly, under his delight. "It - it was weird, talking to you that way. It kept throwing me off, n-not being able to call you by… and how you were addressing me! -A-and, you know, just with her being there…I always avoid her, I haven’t had to really talk to her in so long… B-but you… you're so good at that stuff. Everytime I… g-got- got lost, you..you made it be OK. H-how do you do that, anyway?" 

“It’s just lots and lots of practice, Ciri. I really have no natural talent for this at all. I used to be more like you…blushy, stuttery, unsure. I would always be flubbing up. But when you’re so… whatever I am, to people, it makes them remarkably forgiving. So I got in lots of practice.”

She had flushed deeply and looked away at having her awkward tells pointed out, and now she felt his hand gently cover her arm. “..Please forgive me if I was overly blunt, Ciri." She sensed him leaning in a little closer, and then his voice began again, soft and low and near, "…You know, you don’t need to be embarrassed about this… I like you, and I like you the way you are. You’re sincere. Your feelings are always showing on your face. It’s so refreshing to me...like I’m talking with a real person, in a room full of animated masks. You put me to shame. And… I like it that when I’m with you, you make me blush, too. No one else makes me do that, anymore.” 

"I'm… I'm the only one?" 

"You're the only one, Ciri." 

She peeked up at him. His lips were slightly parted, his smooth cheeks flushed with color. "W-well… I guess that could make me a little special, m-maybe." 

He grinned appreciatively. "It sure makes you special to me." 

She gave a little laugh, blushing and looking up at him happily. He made her feel so comfortable, and so uncomfortable, at the same time. She glanced down and half-subconsciously closed the tiny gap between them, and leaned against him. 

He leaned slightly into her in return, then opened his palm and murmured, "Give me your hand…?"

Her heart skipped, and she did it immediately, placing her hand palm up on his. He gently curled his fingers down between hers…then brought up his gloved hand too and clasped hers in his larger pair… 

He turned her palm downward, his fingers still wrapped through hers, and tenderly cradled her hand in both of his. "Thank you, Ciri…" he breathed. She simultaneously lost control of her exhale, and her breath roughly skittered out. She felt briefly embarrassed. She felt him squeeze and softly rub his thumbs along her skin; then she leaned her temple against his cheek, and closed her eyes...and felt a little better. 

A moment passed, during which she tried to get used to the sensation of his skin on hers. 

"Luke?" she asked, eyes flashing open, suddenly anxious again. 

"Yes, Ciri?" 

"Um, is it w-weird if… I've n-n-never…  n-never.. if, I've, n-never, held hands, like this, before?" she stammered out shyly. 

He smiled wistfully, where she couldn't see, and gently pressed her hand, and warmly reassured her, nudging slightly into her hair. "No, Ciri, I don't think it's weird… I think it's innocent. …And I'm delighted to be the one who gets to hold your hand, princess." 

She smiled, biting her lip with pleasure at his answer. A long moment passed, during which she felt almost nothing but his closeness. He shut his eyes, his head rested against hers.

"…And you know something else, Ciri?" he murmured presently. 

"What is it, Luke?" 

"I've never held hands like this, either."

"-Oh! - r-r-really?" she said in surprise. She was sure he'd done everything… 

"Really. You're my first. …but that's not as innocent, coming from me." 

He sighed. "…I really like how you make me feel, Ciri, I mean, really. Like, I get to walk around with these butterflies in my stomach, and blush like a farmboy while I hold hands with the pretty girl who put them there…" He laughed, quietly, "I wanna do such sweet, silly things with you."

Her breath caught. "W-with me? …I-I mean, I'd like to, too! –O-oh, um…" She blushed terribly. 

"Did you just have second thoughts about being sweet and silly with me?" he asked with a smile in his voice. 

"Um, no I - I just…" her voice dropped to a tiny whisper, "It's just, Luke, I don't know what I'm doing… I-I don't really know what to do…" 

He soothingly squeezed her hand and whispered back, "Try not to worry about it, Ciri. It's alright. There's nothing in particular that you have to do… it's not a performance, or a game. There's no wrong moves. You can't mess it up. Just be yourself, with me." 

"O-OK…" she quietly sighed. "um, ok. thanks. I can do that. Luke…," she was still whispering, "um, n-no one thinks I'm pretty." 

"I doubt that, very much. I think people just don't know what to say to you. But even if it were true, it doesn't matter. I know you're pretty… and I think it's about time you started hearing so, if you haven't. You're beautiful, princess. I'll tell you again, later." 

She flushed. "Th-th-thanks…," she trailed. 

A moment passed. 

"…Ciri's such a pretty name, too," he remarked, his eyes closed again and a small smile on his lips. "It's so pleasing to say…"

She laughed in embarrassment, "Um, th-thank you…," and a satisfied hum escaped his throat. 

"So… you came to this thing just for me… do you really not want to dance with me, Ciri?"

"I… I couldn't, n-not w-with… and I don't know how to dance, Luke," she confessed. 

"I could teach you." 

"B-but… not with… I-I can't, in front of…" 

He squeezed her hand. "We don't have to be in front of anyone. I can teach you to dance when we're alone." 

"Oh…," she breathed, then flushed. "I-I guess that… that would be alright, then." 

She could hear the warmth of his smile in his voice. "Perfect. …You know, I usually don't enjoy dancing very much either, I only learned it for work… but I'm really looking forward, to dancing with you." 

She huffed a nervous laugh, blushing yet again, and quashing the impulse to remind him there was nothing so special about her. "J-just don't expect… I-I mean, I'm probably going to stomp on your toes or something terrible…" 

He chuckled. "Like I said, Ciri… there's no wrong moves here. So stomp away. My boots are tough." 

She smiled, feeling flutters in her insides of her own, and laughed a little nervously, "Well.. alright. I'll t-try not to make you regret saying that…."  

He laughed, gently. "I'm sure I won't." 

Time passed in the glow of his body heat, and then she asked, "Luke? W-why do you always wear that glove?" 

"Oh… well, here… I hope I'm not about to creep you out…," he muttered as he gently released her hand to tug at his glove, "but it's to hide the hole in my prosthetic…" 

She almost regretted speaking, to lose his hands on hers, but she watched with interest as he removed the glove and turned over his hand, revealing a hole in the back, with oddly deformed and blackened edges, and darkness in its center. She blinked at it. 

"Oh," he said with light embarrassment, then retrieved a penlight. 

When illumined, she could see that the hole was filled with a mass of wires and metal struts. She leaned in curiously, and he flexed his hand. She saw the struts sliding smoothly past one another. Her mouth fell open, and she gasped. "Oh m- …oh.. Y-your hand is mechanical??" 

And she hesitantly reached out to touch it, lightly brushing the skin. It felt surprisingly real, except… it was cooler than his other hand. She watched its innards shifting as he extended and flexed his fingers, her mouth slightly opened in wonder. 

"I lost it… in the war. My hand. Got a great prosthetic, though…" 

"Yeah, it's amazing!" 

"Except for the hole, I can barely notice a difference. It's got a full range of movement, neural control, somatosensation… everything." 

"You can feel, with it?"

"Yeah, basically like normal."

"What happened to it? Th-the hole, I mean." 

"The synthskin was damaged in a blasterfight, and I just never had it replaced." 

She delicately brushed her fingertip over the edge of the hole; then gasped and yanked back her hand. "I-I'm sorry… m-may I?" 

He grinned with lambent indulgence. "You may… please feel free." 

Her fingertips returned to the smoothed and slightly bulbous melted edge… 

She slowly slid her hand down over the back of his, feeling the smooth texture of the false skin and the corruption of the hole. 

"W-why didn't you… replace it?"

"I wanted a reminder…," he said slowly, "…of- of who I am. Or… who I can be." 

His voice sounded a little distant. She stopped exploring the hole, to look up at him, and focus fully. 

“What do you mean?" she asked curiously, then quickly remembered her manners, "I-I mean, you don’t… obviously it’s personal, you don’t have to explain.”

A moment went by, then… 

“In the war…,” he quietly mused, “It was my father. Who took my hand. I thought he was dead, but..he was fighting on the other side. He was… he was a great Jedi, who fell to the dark side. And he wanted me to join him. He thought that he could leave me without other options, I suppose. …All that time, on Tatooine… my uncle had been protecting me from him… But I wouldn’t turn.

"In the end… I went to confront his master. The Emperor. And we fought for him… my father and I. I couldn’t understand why the Emperor kept laughing… I was filled with anger, and desperation. My friends were in danger, dying… it was our best chance to beat the Empire and we had risked everything for it, and the Empire was going to win. I let my anger guide me… I defeated my father, and I took his hand, in turn. And when I looked at the stump as he lay there on the floor, I saw nothing but the charred, smoking ends of wires. …He had been in a terrible battle, long ago, and most of his body had been replaced by machinery. He couldn't breathe, without the machines. Couldn't do much of anything, but die…

“I don't know what came over me, exactly. I looked at his stump, and I looked at my false hand, and I realized that what I was doing was wrong. That's why the Emperor was laughing. He thought that by killing my father, I could be pushed to the dark side.    …So I threw my weapon away and refused to fight. And the Emperor began killing me… he was much stronger in the Force than I. I had barely finished training. He had been a great lord in the dark side of the Force, since long before I was born. I didn't have a chance. 

“…My father saved me," he said quietly, "My father sacrificed himself, to kill his master, and save me… People like to say that I defeated the Emperor, but it isn't true. I helped my father come back to the light, and then I watched him die…" his voice dropped to a whisper. "No one understood… He was about the most feared man in the galaxy, so I guess it makes sense, but… I had to build his funeral pyre alone.

"I keep this hole, to remind myself of him. How I nearly became him… how the compassion I showed him returned him to the light. That I always have two paths before me, and one of them is his." 

They were silent for a space. Then she softly took his false hand in both of hers, clasped and squeezed it tight, trying to offer him comfort. The edges of the hole made an indent in her palm. 

"Luke, I'm sorry…," she whispered, "No one should have to… face a parent, that way. Turned against you…I can't even say. I'm sorry you went through that. …and that you had to grieve him alone. Someone should have been with you." 

He smiled ruminatively, and his fingers gently nudged between hers. "Thank you, Ciri. …It's alright. I saw his ghost once, you know. And it was the real him, without all the machinery… He lives on in the Force. All the strong lights do… He's there with my old masters. I think he's at peace. I think he feels freed." 

She felt a sad smile, as the thought settled in. "That sounds nice…," she murmured, "I'm glad. I'm glad you got to see him that way." He smiled at her sidelong, in pleasure. 

"I am, too.

"…I haven't told that story very often…and not at all for a long time. Most people don't know how to feel about it. I guess it makes them uncomfortable…because of what my father did, after he fell. …It feels good, to share it with someone who doesn't see it through that lens."

She smiled, and was silent, thinking. She had gotten his hands back, and wondered at the difference between them. He hadn't replaced his glove. She let her fingers almost subconsciously try to learn the synthskin from the real thing. 

"Luke, does that mean that.. you're going to be a ghost?" 

He laughed, softly. "I imagine that I will." 

"Amazing… I wonder what it will be like…,” she trailed off, then gave a small laugh. “I always thought it was so silly to believe in ghosts, and now…"

"…And now you’re like, friends with one,” he supplied. 

“And now I’m like friends with one,” she echoed with a grin. 

"It's a strange galaxy."

She laughed, knowing a different version of the phrase. "You're so worldly, Luke," she complimented, making him laugh, too. 

They stood like that for some time, intermittently chatting, he now and again carefully squeezing her palm or absently rubbing his cheek against her hair. 

Presently, she began to yawn, to her chagrin. 

"…Can I take you home, princess?" 

"I'm fine," she protested, yawning again. 

He chuckled, grinning luxuriously, and murmured softly into her hair, "You know Ciri, I'm gonna be here tomorrow, too. ….I know where to find you… and I wanna spend the whole day together, just you and me." Her heart pulsed, as her guts liquefied. 

"S-s-sure," she agreed, "Y-yeah I'll… I-I'd like to, too." 

"Then it's a plan. …And until then… it's fine to get some sleep tonight, you know." 

"Um," she said through a yawn, "Yeah, OK. In a moment." He tightened his grip on her hand in acknowledgement, and she gripped his back. They breathed together, quietly sharing each other's heat. He slowly pressed a kiss just above her temple, and her heart leapt. 

At some point her tiredness became unignorable, and she let him urge her to bed. He offered her his arm to walk her there, but instead of taking it she slid her hand back into his. He practically beamed with happiness as he squeezed her palm, while she blushed up at him with a careful little smile and they began walking. 

When they got to her rooms and halted in front of her door, she found herself not knowing what to say or do. But before she had much chance to dither, he stepped in closer to her and brought her hand up between his, and gently stroked across her knuckles, then softly squeezed. "I had an absolutely wonderful time with you tonight, Ciri… and it was such a privilege to be given your hand. Thank you…," he murmured. 

She gasped quietly to feel her palm being lightly fondled, and instinctively brought her other hand up to place over his, looking up at him with big eyes, a timid smile, and a blush. "I-I had a great time, too, L-Luke… Thank you." 

"I'll see you tomorrow, Ciri," he whispered to her fingers, then softly kissed them and released her, with a shy smile… 

He stepped back. She shakily turned, and opened her door, and stepped inside. She got one more chance to see his smile as she closed it, then she heard his footsteps retreating down the corridor as she collapsed against her door.

He'd said they were friends, but she was starting to feel more and more certain that he didn't want to just be friends. The realization was deeply overwhelming. 

Despite how tired she'd been, it was hard to sleep. 

When you’re triggered af and need fluffy, comforting luke giving you a self esteem boost but don’t have mental energy to write it 😭

Update: I’m kind of in crisis mode rn, so if anyone’s taking requests and could write this, please let me know.

[selfships-in-spanish]

The Queen of Demons 2/?

Pairing: Erwin Smith x OC, Levi Ackerman x OC

Rating: Gen (the rating will go up as the story advances! But it will totally be explicit ;D)

Warnings: None for now, but sexist and misogynist upbringing (Eva's father is a huge asshole).

Word Count: 3449

ALSO POSTED ON AO3

A/N: Second chapter, woooo!! We are slowly getting more into plot details B) There's so much stuff I have already written out that I cannot wait to show you all

CHAPTER 2: THE DEMONS OF ELDIA

Eva tried to control her breathing the best she could while maintaining her gaze on the Chief, frozen.

That imposing figure standing proudly on top of the stairs was her husband to be.

Her father’s voice echoed loudly in her mind, chastising her for her lack of manners. How dare she stare at her betrothed? She was being rude, uncouth, and back in Gottesreich this wouldn’t have gone unpunished.

Eva didn’t see the way those calculating eyes narrowed when she teared her eyes from him and resumed the stance she was taught to maintain: head down in a display of submission, eyes glued to the floor and mouth shut. She also didn’t see a pair of steel gray eyes bore into her, watching every move she made.

The Chief kept talking, despite his inquisitive gaze towards the Princess, while Moblit translated, introducing everyone on his side. It prompted Eva to look up again and meet everyone’s eyes out of courtesy, knowing it would be disrespectful and rude if she didn’t, but never stayed too long as she accidentally did with the Chief.

The Princess was surprised at the variety of shapes and sizes of Eldia’s best warriors, going from tall like that giant with the big nose, moustache and crossed arms –Mike, was it?–, to short and slim, like the man with black hair and impassive grey eyes with a permanent scowl etched on his face –Levi, the Chief’s right hand man, she should really remember that–, and more. But Eva couldn’t hide her shock when she saw women amongst them. This would be absolutely prohibited back in Gottesreich, not to mention the punishment for even thinking of stepping on a man’s role. But these women looked proud, fierce, and Eva couldn’t help but envy such confidence being openly displayed a little bit.

Eva felt her father’s disapproving eyes on the back of her mind, and reprimanded herself internally for even wondering about how it must feel to be in their shoes. Eva had her own role, her own duty to perform, as her Father incessantly reminded her; thinking about such things would lead her nowhere. She was here for one single and very clear purpose.

“Please, come inside, I’m sure we all want to be out of the cold.” Moblit’s calm voice shook her out of her reveries. The Chief gestured behind him, towards the entrance of the Great Hall, with a hand on his belt and his arm open to his side, a polite smile on his lips.

Prince Hans reciprocated the smile, nodding and looking at his siblings as if on cue to follow him inside. Flora and the soldiers that accompanied them were ushered away from the monarchs, only letting the personal bodyguards go in with them, as protocol demanded, and it caused a knot on Eva’s stomach to not know where Flora was being taken. She only hoped they would all be alright. Sensing her distress, Moblit turned to address the royal siblings and ease her mind.

“The horses and luggage will be properly taken care of, as well as your men and maidens, your Highnesses. Any request you shall have please make it known, and we will try our best to comply.” Eva wanted to scoff at that, having several requests herself. She wanted to go home, please.

“Thank you kindly, Moblit.” Prince Hans replied. Eva prayed to God the Eldians would keep their word.

Upon entering the Great Hall warmth instantly greeted them, as well as a breathtaking view. Eva didn’t want to admit it, but the interior of the Great Hall was beautiful. It was composed of wonderfully sculpted wooden pillars with the same intricate markings and runes from outside etched in them, truly the masterpiece of very skilled artisans. She could even make out some animals on the relief carvings, merging with the patterns. The whole room was illuminated with the pale sunlight from the windows, as well as the warm glow of the fires roaring to both light and heat the room better. At the far end of the hall there were more steps, leading to a wooden platform where a big, imposing chair with thick pelts draped over it rested, undoubtedly like a throne. There was a smaller one next to it, with the beautiful markings and soft-looking pelts too, and Eva felt a chill at the realisation that it was for her.

They were led to a table surrounded with chairs, goblets already prepared to be poured wine to the guests. The Chief sat down, inviting his guests to do the same as him and his second in command. The Princes imitated their host, sitting on the opposite chairs and getting comfortable in them, and Eva waited for them to be already seated to do the same, silently, not drawing attention to her and carefully maneuvering her cloak and dress skirts to be in the pose she was taught to sit in: back straight, knees together and hands resting on them, crossed but never closing them in fists, legs–

“Wine, your Highness?” Moblit’s soft voice startled her, looking at the Eldian servant holding the wine decanter right above her goblet, waiting to pour it. Eva quickly looked at her brothers, already having been served and goblets in hand and taking a sip. Even if back at Gottesreich’s court it would be improper for a lady to drink wine out of a social gathering, it would be impolite and disrespectful to refuse.

Be good. Cause a good first impression. Be good. Don’t bring dishonor to your Kingdom. Be good–

“Yes, please.” Eva tried to not let her voice raise too much, knowing she shouldn’t be speaking while her brothers or other men were.

Eva didn’t notice the way the Chief’s eyes quickly shifted to her upon hearing the small exchange, too engrossed on maintaining proper Gottesreichan manners.

The Princess ventured a sip from her goblet and was met with a rich, powerful flavour with a hint of spices in it exploding on her taste buds. Her eyes widened and eyebrows rose, trying not to cough at the strong wine; that would be beyond rude and disrespectful. She gulped down the Eldian wine, hoping no one noticed it.

One of the Chief’s warriors, the giant one (Mike! She had to start remembering names), huffed, amused at her reaction. Her wish was not met as she also saw the Chief chuckle into his own goblet while listening to Moblit’s translations.

Perfect. Just perfect. Way to make good impressions.

The conversation seemed to momentarily change its topic as the Chief asked something and everyone became silent. Moblit’s voice made her look up from her goblet.

“Not used to strong wines, your Highness?

Eva’s gaze briefly traveled from Moblit to the Chief, who was looking at her with the corner of his mouth lifted, as well as one of his bushy eyebrows. The Princess hurriedly looked at her brothers, who were awaiting as well. Hans encouraged her with a slight nod. They were waiting for her response.

Oh.

“I am deeply sorry, my Lord, I meant no disrespect.” Her grip on the goblet tightened, trying her hardest to not let her voice waver. “I am indeed not used to strong flavoured wines, or wines themselves.” She tried to finish with a polite smile.

The Chief’s eyes had a curious glint in them, nodding at Moblit’s words. He replied something, and Eva dreadfully awaited Moblit’s translation. She really hoped she didn’t offend him or any of the Eldians present.

“Then, what are you used to, your Highness?”

This much attention on her was making her nervous. They shouldn’t be focusing the conversation on her, there were more important matters to discuss than her tastes!

“Coffee. Or tea, also, my Lord. But do not fret over it, I am sure I will get used to wine in no time.”

Would she? Eva doubted it, but if she had to, she would. Although she would deeply miss her morning cup of coffee…

The Chief hummed, instantly turning to one of his men to tell them something, and Eva watched as the warrior disappeared to carry on the Chief’s errand. She looked back at the Chief, seeing him share a brief smile at her before returning to the previous topic.

Eva tried to pay attention, but the thought of having hurt the Eldian’s feelings gnawed at her.

The warrior returned some time after with a steaming cup in his hands. Eva noticed he was that short warrior that stood next to the Chief when both parties presented themselves, with the cold and impassive grey eyes. He offered the cup to Eva, patiently waiting for her to take it. The Princess obliged, thanking him even if she knew he probably didn’t understand a word she said.

“My apologies for not having coffee, your Highness. I hope tea can suffice.” Moblit once again spoke to her, the Chief turning to face her in his chair, awaiting her response.

“Please don’t apologise, my Lord. This is more than enough.” Eva briefly looked down at the cup, then up at the Chief with another polite smile. “I am thankful for your kindness.”

Smile, smile, smile. Always smile.

Trying to divert everyone’s attention away from her and let the conversation go back to where it was, Eva ventured a taste. Her nose picked up the delicious aroma of the tea, and her mouth was filled by the sweet flavour, finishing with a touch of spiciness at the end that made her want more. Eva raised her brows, surprised but satisfied. She took another sip, erasing any traces left of the wine from before. It wasn’t coffee, but this tea was an agreeable alternative.

“I take it you liked it, your Highness.” The Chief wasn’t done with the conversation, and Eva didn’t understand why the Chief was so adamant to make her talk, or even try to engage her into a conversation besides the ones between the princes and himself. She wasn’t there for that.

“I do, my Lord. This is a blend I haven’t had the chance to try before, thank you for letting me have a taste of it.”

The Chief let out a soft chuckle and began talking again. Eva awaited Moblit’s translations, delicately holding her cup.

“Ah, I’m afraid I am not the tea expert here. Levi is, so please feel free to ask him more about his blends.” The Chief gestured towards the short warrior, who nodded in acknowledgement.

“I will. Thank you, my Lord.” Another polite smile on her lips.

That seemed to end the conversation for now. Eva kept drinking the tea, listening to what was being said. She shouldn’t zone out, not when this concerns her too.

The Gottesreichan Princes excused the King for not coming himself to Eldia because of urgent matters that required his presence, but Eva knew the truth behind that, having heard her father with the other advisors in the throne room already discussing plans beyond her daughter’s marriage, and being greeted by her brothers the same day they departed with sad smiles on their faces.

It left a bitter taste in her mouth, knowing the King, her own father, couldn’t stay away one minute from his plans on how to maintain the Kingdom’s borders, or how to expand them, too.

He didn’t even think about walking her to her awaiting carriage, and she was graced only by a quick kiss on her forehead when Eva went to look for him and found the King still in his chambers. But her father made sure she didn’t forget how his daughter would represent their beloved Kingdom in foreign territories, how she had to bring both civilization and manners to the barbarians. All this, while intensely staring at the map hanging on his wall.

Not a single look at her.

The King was not at the courtyard to send them off. Did not wave goodbye, did not do what any father would do when they knew their daughter would never come home again to start a new life somewhere far away. He only expected her to do a good job as she was taught to do.

This is all Eva knew about fatherhood from the day she was born, an absent paternal figure that only looked at her when she did good. And she always strived to do good. She had to. Father would spare a glance if she did.

Hans often tried to unconsciously supply and fill that void her father left when he wasn’t chained down by his own princely duties, recalling when she was a little girl how he would take her to the Capital’s festivities and let her stuff her mouth full of sweets. Or when he would indulge in her imagination and games, running around the castle slaying dragons, which often made Friederich play the part of the dragon going down with theatrics that put court jesters to shame, or playing hide and seek, or when the royal tailor made a new dress for her how he would compliment and praise the craftsmanship, and of course how she looked pretty in it.

The days where both her brothers took her on strolls around the Castle woods were the happiest for her, getting to hop from horse to horse and run around the meadow without being reprimanded for it. Rolling in the grass, chasing birds and squirrels, picking up flowers to make flower crowns that would lately put them on both her brother’s heads...

Sadly it ended when Father decided it was time for Eva to start her studies and long preparation to be his perfect little princess. Her brothers had less and less time to spend with her, and Hans was almost absent all the time with the pressure of being the Crown Prince.

Still, Hans and Friederich found a little loophole in Father’s strict schedule, using their diplomatic travels as a perfect excuse to make their little sister tag along, always with the excuse to further prepare her for her upcoming future.

But now there was no little loophole anymore.

The Chief and the Gottesreichan princes were discussing dates and procedures, and agreed on carrying on the Eldian traditions and rituals, as well as have the ceremony here in Eldia. Eva had uselessly hoped it would maybe be carried in Gottesreich, respecting the bride’s lineage, or maybe a double one, but her wishes would not be granted. She drowned her sigh with a sip of her tea.

They finally decided that a spring wedding would be the best, knowing the roads were hard to travel with the immense amounts of snow in them, and they wouldn’t want the guests to be inconvenienced by it. Besides, for Eldia spring was important, and it would be just perfect to celebrate a wedding. The Chief tried to include the Princess on this decision, asking her if she liked spring, which she replied that she did, not really enjoying the cold.

That settled it then. It meant two months of preparations, approximately. Maybe a few weeks less, depending on the weather conditions.

Two months.

Dread twisted her stomach.

“I hope you will find your life here pleasant, your Highness. I understand the shock and differences between our people, but we will accommodate you the best of our capabilities.”

The Chief was paying attention to her again. Why? Why was he trying to fake kindness? Eva knew he only pretended because her brothers were present, why else would he? Eva was just an asset, a bargaining chip, so why go to such lengths for someone from another Kingdom such as her? A twisted sense of humour? That would fit, weren’t they demons?

Her father made her memorise the words and movements she was about to spit and act out, telling Eva how that is what every man wanted to hear from their future bride. Eva found the comment crass, even coming from Father, but still complied as she was trained to do.

Eva set the cup on the wooden table, moving gracefully as she let her right hand touch her heart, lowering her head in the submissive display she was taught to never slip out of.

“Thank you for your consideration towards my well-being, my Lord.” Head still lowered, eyes closed— “I hope I can perform my marital duties beyond your expectations, my Lord, and that I am to your liking. I will do my best to ensure your needs are met and fulfilled.”

Eva then resumed her previous position as she heard Moblit translate her words. Eva ventured a look towards her brothers, finding twin saddened expressions on their faces. She was shocked. Did she not do good? Alarmed, the Princess looked over the Chief, pushing aside the protocols and needing to know she did not displease the Chief, that Father wasn’t wrong.

The Chief looked troubled himself, as if some suspicions and thoughts he had from before had been confirmed right that instant. No no no– this was disastrous! Father told her it was imperative she did it, that it was what those brutes wanted from their wives, so why was the Chief not overjoyed to see such an obedient, docile behaviour from her?

The Eldian warrior looked like he wanted to say something that was on his mind, but ultimately decided to close his mouth. The Chief seemed to thoroughly think about what his next actions and words should be, so instead of replying to the Princess as she thought he would do, with a lecherous and satisfied smirk, he chose to tightly smile and bow his head as if in acknowledgement of her words.

It didn’t settle well in her stomach, and Eva had never been more confused than she was right now.

What was this man playing at?

Moblit’s strong but soft voice cut through her musings.

“You surely must be tired from the journey, your Highnesses. Please, allow us to escort you to your rooms so you can rest until tonight’s banquet. Baths will be ready, too.”

Yes please! Eva wanted nothing more than to run to the safety of four walls and a tightly closed door, and Flora to embrace her like she always did when Eva got overwhelmed.

“We indeed are, thank you. Those carriages don’t do anyone’s back a favour.” Hans laughed, accompanied by Friederich’s chuckle and the Chief’s shaking of shoulders. Eva was eagerly awaiting for Hans to get up so she could follow and get out of there, too. A warm bath sounded so nice. “Eva, do you mind going before us?”

Wait.

What?

From Hans apologetic face, and Friederich’s gaze avoiding her, this was something they had planned beforehand.

“Brother,” Eva tried not to raise her voice or make her desperation known. She didn’t want to go alone, to be alone with those people supposedly taking her to her rooms. What if they didn’t? “please.”

“Eva,” Hans turned to face her, getting a hold of her tightly clasped hands. “we are deeply sorry– no, don’t give me that look, we are.”

Like Hell they were!

“Hey, Birdie” Friederich always used that nickname with her since they were little kids, so him using it right now conflicted Eva’s feelings. Her brother always used it when he wanted to make her feel safe, but right now it wasn’t really working. “Trust us. We will be right behind you, okay?”

“But–“

“We only need to discuss some matters, that’s all.”

“Hans–��

“Yes, very boring matters that will make you fall asleep. You go rest, Birdie.”

When her brothers synched with each other it was a losing battle for Eva. Knowing this, she promptly closed her mouth into a thin line, resigned. Swallowing down a sigh, Eva forced a smile on her lips as she spoke to the Eldians, focusing on the Chief.

“Excuse me for my behaviour, my Lord. I will gladly take your offer and let you men discuss what you need to talk about.”

The Chief nodded, asking Levi once again to comply with his requests and accompany the Princess to her room, taking almost every guard with him. Eva gracefully raised herself from her seat, making a short reverence to the people present in the room.

“Thank you for the tea, my Lord, it was most delicious.”

Eva followed Levi to exit the Great Hall, leaving the three men inside and trying hard not to dwell in it. She had no right to pry into men’s matters, and she best accepted it quickly. They watched her disappear through the door with Mike’s towering form closing the little entourage.

It hurt both brothers, but it had to be done.

[ivarthebadbitch]

Strange things can happen

Chapter 14 summary: Ragnar makes an offer.

Canon divergent, everybody lives, arranged marriage AU after 4x14. Read this chapter on Ao3.

Previous chapters: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

On Ao3: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

Pairings: Ivar x OC, Ivar vs. basically everyone

Warnings: None

Word count: 2153

Tagged: @youbloodymadgenius @heavenly1927 @nukyster-blog @bae-roman @adhdnightmare @danisnotsosecret (if you would like to be tagged, let me know)

Notes: This week’s chapter is out a little early, BUT I have at last officially fallen behind, so no post for next week. Sorry for the delay, but we are actually closing in on the end here...probably going to end up around 17-18ish chapters total.

CHAPTER 14: A reasonable proposition

Under any other circumstance, Ivar would have been thrilled to be reunited with his father and Ubbe. But from one look at their faces as Aethelwulf hastily ushered them into King Ecbert’s study, it was painfully clear why they had come. As all eyes turned in his direction, it was also obvious that he was in a considerable amount of trouble.

“King Ecbert,” Ragnar acknowledged first with a nod. Then he turned to look at him. “Ivar,” he said in a tone that made his blood run cold.  

“Father,” Ivar answered, trying to keep his voice from wavering. He could feel himself shrinking under his gaze. 

Ragnar put his hand on his shoulder and squeezed hard enough to make him flinch. “Was there something you forgot to tell me about, boy?” he asked in Norse in a deceptively pleasant tone. “Something important with regards to your marriage?”

He looked away as shame flooded through him once again. Ragnar let out a humorless laugh and slapped him on the back. “I’ll have words with you later,” his father murmured in his ear. “There will be plenty of time for us to talk on the trip back to Kattegat.”

With that, Ragnar turned away to talk to Ecbert, and Ubbe stepped forward with a guilty look on his face. It was obvious what he had done.

“Traitor,” Ivar muttered before his brother could speak, smacking away his hand as he attempted to ruffle his hair. “Fuck you.”

Ubbe looked momentarily wounded, but then he leaned down to speak in Ivar’s ear. “I’m here to help get you out of this mess, you idiot,” he said quietly. “Just go along with what we tell you to do and we’ll all get out of this alive and you can go home.”

“Everything was going fine until you showed up,” Ivar snapped, even though that hadn’t exactly been the case for the past forty eight hours or so.

Ubbe scoffed at him and shook his head in disbelief. “What did I just say? Don’t be stupid. Father and I will sort this out.” Ivar rolled his eyes, but Ubbe was not done. “Really, Ivar? You didn’t tell Father before the marriage?”

“Shut up,” Ivar said through gritted teeth. “Looks like you were happy to tell him, though.”

“I had no choice!”

“I had no choice!” Ivar repeated in a mocking imitation. He leaned forward. “Why are you here anyway? You didn’t have to come with Father.” Then it dawned on him. “Unless…”

Now Ubbe looked especially uncomfortable. He took a step back, but not far enough to put himself beyond Ivar’s reach. Ivar immediately launched himself at Ubbe, sending both of them and the chair clattering to the floor. He managed to get in a couple good punches before Ragnar swooped in and dragged him off, smacking his head against the edge of the table with such force that he saw stars.

He gazed up at his father in a daze as Ubbe got up and brushed himself off, rubbing his jaw where Ivar had hit him. To the side, he briefly registered Ecbert and Aethelwulf staring at him with their mouths wide open before Ragnar grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him in close enough for Ivar to feel the heat of his breath.

“Control yourself, or I’ll make you wish you’d never been born,” Ragnar snarled. Without loosening his grip on Ivar, he looked over his shoulder at Ecbert and smiled. “King Ecbert, we have important matters to discuss, and my son Ivar is very tired. Perhaps he can take some rest in his room while we talk. He may rejoin us once he is capable of behaving himself.”

“A good plan,” Ecbert said, and motioned for the guards to come forward.

Ivar nearly blacked out as Ragnar relinquished his grip and gave him over to the guards, who draped his arms over his shoulders and pulled him into a standing position. “Father, wait, I can explain—” he pleaded, but they were already hauling him out to the hallway and back to his room with his feet dragging uselessly across the floor. 

The room was empty and dark. The guards dropped Ivar on the bed and walked out without a word, shutting the door firmly behind them. He heard the click of the key turning in the lock and his heart suddenly filled with despair. He would be sent back to Kattegat in disgrace and he would never see Aldreda again. She would marry Ubbe in his place and forget all about him. Somehow the thought of that hurt more than anything.

He knew he should be angry with her. She had told Ecbert his secret, after all, and he wasn’t about to forgive her for that. It was a betrayal, pure and simple, and at any rate, forgiveness was something Christians did. He should be furious.

He found he didn’t want to be angry with her.

Ivar sat back on the bed and exhaled slowly. He was used to being angry about all sorts of things, of course. That was the way he had always been, ever since he was a small child. It had never occurred to him that he didn’t have to be. The thought was oddly liberating. He felt the sudden urge to tell Aldreda about his revelation, until he remembered she probably didn’t want to talk to him.

He flopped on his back with a groan and stared at the ceiling. Ubbe was right—he was an idiot, though not for the reasons his brother supposed him to be. He really had made a mess of things with Aldreda. At this stage, it was hard to see a way to fix it, especially with his father now breathing down his neck along with everyone else. For the first time in weeks, he felt unbearably alone. He didn’t want to cry again as he had in front of Aldreda after she told him she asked for the annulment—he was a man, and men were supposed to be stronger than that. But if nobody was around to witness it, then maybe it was all right.

In the fading evening light, he curled up on his side and wept until he fell asleep.

                                                          **

With his wayward son momentarily dealt with, Ragnar settled in at the table with Ecbert, Aethelwulf, and Ubbe. The journey to Wessex had been full of bad weather and various mishaps, and they were fortunate to have arrived intact, if a little worse for wear. He glanced briefly at Ubbe, who was gazing around Ecbert’s study with his mouth hanging open slightly, and he cuffed him on the back of the head. “Don’t gawk,” he muttered. “Pay attention.”

Ubbe rubbed his head. “You know I don’t understand English, Father,” he said reproachfully.

“Pay attention anyway.” Ragnar leaned back in his chair and turned his focus to the Saxons with a smile. “King Ecbert. After I returned to Kattegat, certain information came to my attention about my son Ivar regarding his suitability for marriage to...to…” by the gods, what was the girl’s name? “—your granddaughter. Believe me, I proposed our agreement in good faith and had no intention to deceive you.”

Aethelwulf scoffed and turned to Ecbert, shaking his head. “My lord, you cannot take this heathen at his word.”

“Oh, can’t I? If my friend and ally Ragnar Lothbrok truly meant to deceive us, then why would he return now? Anyway, this confirms what the boy told me.” Ecbert said. He looked back at Ragnar. “Your timing is fortuitous. Just this morning, my granddaughter came to me to request an annulment, citing Ivar’s, ah, difficulty. It is a most unfortunate situation for everyone. If the marriage cannot be consummated, then it must be dissolved so Aldreda can be free to marry another, and Ivar is free to...well, free to do other things. This, sadly, also has implications for our trade agreement.”

“Of course,” Ragnar answered. He gestured to Ubbe. “Fortunately, my son Ubbe has a proposition. In order to maintain our agreement, Ubbe will marry your granddaughter and take Ivar’s place while Ivar returns with me to Kattegat. As you can see, Ubbe is handsome and in good health, and besides, he has many fine qualities.”

Aethelwulf raised an eyebrow. “Forgive my skepticism, but what fine qualities might your son possess? Because I seem to recall being told something similar the last time around.”

“Ah.” Ragnar scratched his head and regarded his son for a moment. “Well, I do not like to speak for him. In time, Ubbe will demonstrate to you his fine qualities. Of which he has many. I assure you.”

“No doubt,” Aethelwulf answered coldly, but Ecbert was already nodding and looking Ubbe up and down in approval. 

“I find this to be a reasonable proposition,” Ecbert said at last.

Aethelwulf turned and looked at him in dismay. “Father, surely you cannot agree to this so hastily,” he protested. “Ivar and Aldreda have only been married for a little while, and though I understand your concerns, they are young and there is plenty of time for them to consummate the marriage. It would be less disruptive to simply wait, rather than rushing into things again.”

Ecbert let out a low chuckle. “Why, and here I thought you despised the boy!”

Aethelwulf reddened. “I admit I did not approve of this marriage at the beginning. But I believe Ivar means to do right by my daughter, and it is only fair to give him and Aldreda that chance.”

“Ivar attempted to run away,” Ecbert reminded him. “He suborned a priest and stole your late wife’s necklace in the process. This happened two nights ago.”

“Well, yes, but…”

Ragnar stared at both of them. “I’m sorry, Ivar did what?”

Ecbert waved his hand. “Oh, it’s a long story; I’ll tell you later. The boy was not harmed, I can assure you of that.” He stroked his beard thoughtfully for a moment. “But to return to your proposal, I must say that Aethelwulf has a point. The circumstances that led to my granddaughter’s marriage to your son Ivar were very rushed. I blame myself for this. We were simply carried away by our shared enthusiasm, and this regrettable situation might have been avoided if we had been more deliberate. But now we have the chance to do things properly.”

Ragnar glanced at Ubbe, who was looking back and forth between Ecbert and Aethelwulf with a confused look on his face. “They are agreeable for the most part; otherwise, we’d be sitting in chains in the dungeon right now,” he murmured in Norse to his son. He turned back to Ecbert and smiled. “Yes. Everything shall be done properly,” he agreed. “So long as it is done.”

Aethelwulf drummed his fingers on the table irritably. “I am still of the opinion that Aldreda and Ivar should have more time to work things out between them, but I know my opinion means little in this company. However, before things proceed further, I must insist that certain conditions be met.”

“Reasonable conditions, my son,” Ecbert murmured. “We are all reasonable men here.”

Aethelwulf glared at him. “Eminently reasonable. My lord king.” He turned back to Ragnar and Ubbe. “First, if your son Ubbe is to marry Aldreda, she must find him an acceptable match. I do not wish to see her dragged unwillingly to the altar for the second time in less than two months. My other condition is that I require Ubbe to be baptized before the marriage can proceed.”

Ragnar looked at Ubbe and sighed. “He says his daughter must agree to the match, and that he wishes for you to become a Christian,” he explained.

To his surprise, Ubbe shrugged. “That is an understandable request,” he said. “Tell them I am willing to do it.”

“You’d renounce the gods?” Ragnar asked. “Some might call you a traitor. You’ll never be allowed to return to Kattegat.”

“Well, you were baptized before, weren’t you? The gods haven’t struck you down yet. Anyway, we must demonstrate to the Saxons that we are serious about the alliance.”

Ragnar gave a little sarcastic laugh. “Ah, poor Ubbe. Sacrificing yourself in order to marry a princess.”

That earned him a look of irritation from his son. “Just tell them, Father. We came all this way for a reason. Let’s not throw this opportunity away.”

“As you wish.” He turned to Ecbert and Aethelwulf. “My son agrees.”

Aethelwulf stared at him in dismay. “He...he agrees?”

The stunned look on Aethelwulf’s face almost made the entire trip worth it. Ragnar grinned. “Wonderful. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, perhaps you might introduce Ubbe to your daughter? I’d like to discuss our trade agreement with my good friend and ally King Ecbert. There are a few details I wish to refine…”

[snippychicke]

I don't have energy to star my laptop, so have a long post of Aftermath. Maybe later I can myself outta this rut and make it pretty.

Fic: Aftermath

Fandom: the umbrella academy

Rating: teen

Pairing: def. Otto/Oc

Chapter Six

The Recruiter frowned as she watched from across the plaza at the remnants of Klaus' cult. So many timelines messed up by the fourth Hardgreeve. Time was able to shift around the distrubed lives, and thankfully none of them were critical changes to the timeline, but it was still another mark. 

If the Commission was at full strength, they would be able to nudge those lives back in place, whether passively or with aggressive action. But at the moment, anything not rated as Critical was allowed to go unaddressed. 

That's why she was here. They needed agents, new and old. And one of their most senior agents was sitting on the steps of the Destiny's Children's bus, reading a book as the rest of the group preached love and peace to the crowd. 

She could almost understand why Agent Otto had declined her invite. He was still recuperating from his injuries. Some peace and quiet was probably good for him (he'd tire of it soon enough, she surmised. A man that lived nearly 20 years of missions wasn't meant for a dull civilian life.) 

But Agent Axel? The man was a legend just as his brothers. And unlike them, he had come out of the Handler's plot with barely a scratch. So why the hell was he sitting on the hippies' bus reading a book of poems?

She straightened her jacket before walking towards him. Maybe he just needed a way back. Imagine if she was able to lead a legendary agent such as himself back into the fold. She'd get the recognition she deserved. They would see she was meant to be more than just a secretary. That she--

The Recruiter stopped dead in her tracks as Axel whipped his pistol from his pocket and aimed directly for her head. All the while barely turning his head to continue reading his book, an undisturbed expression on his face. "A-agent Axel, I-"

She was silenced as he cocked the gun with a simple movement of his thumb, while his other hand skillfully turned the page. His dark steel eyes finally turned towards her, the serene expression on his face hardening slightly. She attempted to swallow the lump in her throat before starting again. "The Acting Director of the Commission would like to speak with you."

"...No." He uncocked his gun and returned it to its holster as his attention returned to his book. Dismissing her as easily as that.

"B-but! We need agents like you! You and your brothers-!'

She was cut off again by that dark look on his face. He marked his place with a ribbon before standing. The Recruiter trembled as he stalked the short distance between them, unable to look away from his cold grey eyes. 

It was like looking at the face of Death itself.

He paused only a few inches away and leaned to whisper in her ear. "You will leave. And you will not return. Understood?" 

She couldn't even nod, but the terror in her eyes was enough of an answer. 

--+--

Lorelei had a feeling she should have just stayed in bed. 

The cats had clawed holes in her stockings. Her bus was late, meaning she was late for her shift, and then her supervisor had given her a tear down about punctuality and appearances.

And now John Doe was wide awake, glaring at her as if she had personally been the one to cut off his leg. 

"Good morning," she greeted, closing the door to the room behind her. "How are you feeling?"

She was unsurprised by his silence as he continued to watch her with narrowed eyes. Pale icy blue that reminded her of a very displeased cat. "Probably not the best, I reckon," she continued, standing about a foot away from the side of the bed. Both to give him space and in case he was able to slip from the restraints. "I have your morning doses of antibiotics and pain killers."

"No," he stated firmly. And  it felt like deja vu yo her. 

"I can understand if you don't want to be doped up anymore. But you at least need the antibiotic." she tried with her gentle persuasion. "Septicemia is quite a serious thing." 

He shifted as much as he could to lean towards her. "Let. Me. Go." 

Her gut told her niceties were not going to work here. She hoped bluntness would. "And go where, exactly? Your leg is still healing, you still need high doses of antibiotics because the infection went systemic. You leave this hospital and you'll be dead within a week." 

He blinked, completely unmoved. "I need to piss." 

She flushed, more embaressmed about assuming than his comment. "Oh. That I can do...as  long as you promise not to try anything funny." 

He stayed silent but tugged at the restraint. Against Lorelei's better judgement, she conceded. She half expected him to lunge for her as soon as she undid the restraints, but he merely sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the white dressings that covered the stump of his thigh. 

She allowed him a moment; she could only imagine what kind shock it would be to wake up missing little more than half of a leg. 

"I wonder if I can still kick my brother's ass…."

Lorlei blinked, sure she had misheard him (but good lord was his accent similar to Ottos, which was a surprise she didn't have time to ponder.) "Huh?"

He looked up, looking rather surprised, and she guessed after a moment he hadn't meant to say the last bit aloud. So instead of commenting, she offered her hand. "C'mon. Let's get you to the latrine."

He took her offer, and proved the medically-induced did nothing to lessen his strength. His arm quickly went from using hers to pull him up to wrapping around her shoulders to steady himself. 

Lorlei expected it to be difficult to teach him how to move, but he picked it up easily as he used her to balance himself as they walked the short distance. 

"Where am I?" He finally asked after he was in the bathroom, and she stepped around the corner to give him some semblance of privacy. 

"Parkland Memorial Hospital, in Dallas," she answered before tacking on: "Texas. United-"

"I know where Texas is," he interrupted dryly, though she swore there was a hint of amusement. Again, not unlike Otto's.

Or maybe she just had Otto on her mind. Last night still kept repeating itself in her mind. How sure she was Otto was going to kill that man. 

How she was more worried about what would happen to Otto if he did, rather than the man losing his life. 

"...where are you from?" She asked, filling the silence. "Or for that fact, what's your name? We've been calling you John Doe since you didn't have any ID on you." 

John Doe stayed silent. Worried that he may have worn himself out, she peeked around the corner.

Only to have him stare challengingly at her. "Trying to catch a peek?"

"Oh for heavens sake," she groaned, turning back around. "I'm your nurse. I've seen it all before--yours included." 

"...you liked what you'd seen then?"

Lorelei counted to ten. "I should've just given you a damned urinal and been done with it. But I figured being in bed for weeks you needed to get up and moving." 

Snickers echoed from the small bathroom, easing her temper somewhat. "You're amusing, Miss Nurse." 

"...Lorelei, but my friends call me Lei."

"Do you?" He asked, confusing her. She tilted her head to convey her expression without turning. "Lie?" 

"Jesus Mary and Joseph," she pinched the bridge of her nose.  "You're going to be one of those patients, aren't you?" 

"General pain in the ass, yes," he answered. "That seems to be everyone's opinion of me. So can I have some actual privacy, or are we going to be waiting here forever?" 

"Definitely giving you a urinal next time," she muttered. "Yes. Use the call bell if you need help, otherwise I'll go fetch the doctor." 

It wasn't until after she left that she realized he had evaded all of her questions. 

--+--

A few doctors filled the small room some time later, and Lorelei wasn't exactly sure why she was present, but Dr. Edwards barred her from leaving, making her awkwardly stand by the door as he and the Administrator Wilford stood before John Doe, who was settled into bed, sans restraints this time. "Let's get down to business  then; What's your name?" Wilford asked, readying his clipboard.

 "Mickey Mouse," the blonde man answered with a slight smirk. The administor paused, a frown crossing his face while Lorelei had to cough to hide her own smile.

"Now look son, I understand things have been pretty rough for you, and having a sense of humor is good and all, but let's be serious now."

John Doe nodded his head, looking chastened. "Right, sorry." There was a beat before he met the Administor's eye and with a straight face answered. "My name is Donald Duck."

The doctor gave Lorelei a dark look at the slight laugh that escaped her lips, and she glanced away quickly, covering her smile. However, when she glanced back John Doe was looking at her, amusement in his eyes. 

"Very funny," Wilford continued, glaring at Lorelei. "But what is your name, boy."

"Bruce Wayne."

Wilford went to write it down, and Loreli worried her lip, weighing the pros and cons of keeping her mouth shut before clearing her throat and commenting: "That's Batman, sir."

John Doe grinned at her, pleased she caught the reference. She returned the smile despite herself before Wilford snapped his pen. "Godman boy, do you think this is all fun and games, or are you just slow?"

"I think you're the slow one," he answered, shifting his head. "One would think you realize by now I'm not giving you my name." 

"Why not?"

"Because it's none of your business."

"None of our business?! You're our patient in my hospital! We need to contact your next of kin and find out where the hell you belong."

His eyes darkened. "Knowing my name won't help with that."  

"Can we at least call someone for you?" Lorelei asked softly. 

"No."

" What about parents?" She pressed gently. Do you have any siblings?"

"No." His eyes grew cold and hard as he glared at her. "No one."

"I think that will be enough," Dr. Edwards finally spoke. "Maybe after you feel more cooperative, we can discuss this further. As it is, with everything the way it is, I don't see you suitable for discharge any time soon."

-+--

By the end of the shift Lorelei felt a migraine stabbing behind her eyes as she rode the bus home, feeling every slight bump and jerk.

The main cause, she was sure, was the John Doe in 281B. Who refused to say anything to anyone after the 'interrogation" by the Administrator. He did, however, prove to be one of the most uncooperative patients the hospital ever had the grace to treat. 

And somehow also one of the ones that tugged at her heartstrings. Maybe the fact he was alone, or the fact he had a dark, lost look on his face when he thought no one was watching that reminded her yet again of Otto.

The white hair and strong jaw didn't help. Or the fact he had the same accent. If she hadn't known better, she would've sworn they were related somehow. 

Especially since they both liked to see what odd things they could use as darts. She had to admit, however, that the fact that he somehow got his silverware from lunch wedged in the ceiling tiles was rather impressive. 

The bus finally rolled into the stop in her neighborhood, and Lorlei dragged herself down the few blocks remaining, bag slung gracelessly over her shoulder. All she wanted to do is collapse, even if it was just on her old lumpy couch. 

But there were the cats. And if the last week was anything to go by, Otto was probably still working on the roof (she still didn't understand what spurred him to do such a thing. And he still refused to accept any repayment) which meant it was up to her to cook supper. 

Maybe he would be okay with the diner again, even after the other night. But that meant having to wait even longer until she could sleep and….

Otto wasn't on the roof. She frowned as she walked along the broken pavement that led to the front door. Granted he had done a lot already…. (Had he been a carpenter sometime in the past? Was that a question safe for her to ask?) 

Nala, Freyja,  and Hugo greeted her as soon as she opened the door, wrapping around her legs as she slipped off her shoes. The house was filled both with warmth and the scent of something delicious simmering. Lorele's heart quickened to see Otto in the kitchen, looking completely at home despite his frame. 

She wasn't sure what she had done in her life to deserve a person like him in her life, but she was so very thankful. Without thinking, she slipped into the kitchen, too tired to rethink her impulse to wrap her arms around his hip, resting her head against his muscular back. 

--+--

Otto heard the door open and close, and Lorelei greeting the cats that met her at the door. She sounded...exhausted. He mentally shrugged, working on supper while listening to her slip off her shoes, her stockinged feet as quiet as a cat's as she padded into the kitchen. After the second shift in a row, she often came home worn to the bone, ready to crumple on the couch and fall asleep without bothering to unpin her cap from her hair. Which was why he had taken the initiative to have supper (mostly) finished before she returned. 

He froze slightly as Lorelei wrapped her arms around his hips, pressing her head against his back between his shoulder blades. "I appreciate you so much." She mumbled into his shirt, making him relax. "I'm pretty sure I would just go to bed hungry without you." 

A smile twitched on his lips, unseen as she continued to lean on him. He tried to keep still while finishing supper, enjoying the warmth and weight against him. When he made a slight movement, she would resettle herself with a sleepy noise, her arms tightening around his hips briefly.

Maybe civilian life wasn't so horrible with moments like this. 

Lorelei made a small sound of protest when he finally had to break the moment, looking half asleep when he turned towards her. "Sit down, Älskade."

She gave him a curious look, he didn't explain but gave a soft smile before tapping the tip of her nose. She wrinkled it slightly, making him smile wider before ushering her to the table. 

"How do you make someone behave when they're being so darn obstinate?" She asked as she sat, petting the cats that were demanding attention. Otto paused before he held up the bloody butcher knife sitting near the sink, making her frown as she caught the implication. "I can't threaten him, Otto. He's my patient!"

He tilted his head and thought as he served the food. Nothing fancy, but Lorelei's stomach growled as she placed the cats down on the floor. "I will."

"What? No!" Despite her protest, a small smile appeared on her face. "You know,  I forget you're a violent man sometimes."

He shrugged as he sat across from her. He was perfectly acceptable if she forgot that part of him. Because it meant that she did feel threatened by him. 

"Maybe if I threaten him with you, he'll cooperate?" She continued to muse, stabbing a diced potato. "But how: 'behave or my roommate will come and threaten you?'" 

"Or I'll kill him." He joked, grinning at her scowl. 

"That would make the whole point of saving his life moot." She shook the potato at him, blushing as he leaned across the small table and bit it off her fork. She tried to pretend she wasn't affected as she focused on her plate instead of the playful expression on his face. "I-I mean, the poor boy has had enough. I mean, could you imagine having your leg blown off? And then not having any kin around?"

Lorelei almost missed the way Otto tensed, his expression turning dark before he closed his eyes, forcing those thoughts and memories away. Though when he opened them, she had a concerned look on her face, head tilted slightly. "Everything okay?"

"Ja," he forced a smile. He could tell she didn't believe him, but again, she didn't push. 

"Anyways, I saw that you have half the roof done already…"

--+--

Lorlei was still yawning the next morning when she arrived at the hospital the next morning, the lights flickering to full brightness to announce the morning  

"Oh praise the angels," the night nurse proclaimed when she saw Lorelei walk into the nurses station. It was a familiar sentiment, but usually from a different nurse, not hard-norse Doris. "I was thinking morning would never come."

"Oh?"

She waved her hand towards the infamous room near the end of the hall. "That devil of a boy.  I swear he's Lucifer's own kin."

"...John Doe?"

"Yes!" She huffed, "I hope them doctors do something wise like put him on haldol. Two am and he's singing at the top of his lungs in bad english to some made up song! Woke half of the unit up! And be careful, he's hiding silverware. Threw a fork at the orderlie rounding at him, nicked his ear! He needs to be asylum!" 

Lorlei listened and eventually had to prod the older nurse into a proper report on the other patients. However, she kept her words in mind as she did her rounds, saving his room for last. 

John Doe didn't look quite as angry as the morning before, and had even a little color to his face as he looked over to her. "Did the old goat finally leave?"

"Doris is not an old goat," Lorelei chided as she prepared to take his vitals. Her protest wasn't quite heartfelt, as she had thought the old woman a biddy at times. "She's an experienced nurse as a good mentor."

He snorted and muttered something under his breath, but otherwise stayed quiet. After noting everything down, satisfied that his vitals was within normal limits considering he reportedly hadn’t let anyone come within three feet of him,  she sighed and adjusted her stethoscope. "Look. If you don't start behaving they are going to pump you full of haldol and benzos that you won't ever even be able to look straight."

His faint smirk faded and his glare returned as he remained silent. "I know things are hard, but you don't look insane to me. Or stupid for that matter. I'd hate for you to wind up in an asylum with drool running down your chin after everything you've been through."

John Doe continued to glare at her despite her attempt at humor, though she swore she could see him thinking over her words.  "You don't need to like us, but we are here to help. We aren't going to hurt you. Hell, I'm pretty sure most the staff already want you outta here as much as you do. Just work with us, ok?"

He rolled his eyes, but pulled something from beneath his blanket and threw it at her. She barely caught the pen before it clattered to the floor. "Wait. This is my pen!"

He shrugged. "You need to pay more attention."

Lorlei pressed her lips together, debating her words as she set out the supplies to change his dressing. "You better behave or my housemate will come threaten you."

John Doe raised a pale eyebrow at Lorelei, a faint smirk on his face. "I'm not scared."

"You should be," she said, half teasingly. "He's easily Six foot five, has muscles thicker than your head, missing an eye. He's a scary dude."

 That seemed to interest him, his head tilted slightly "Boy friend?"

"N-no!" she stuttered, "Not...not exactly."

"Oh? He's gay then?" He seemed so blase about the taboo subject, and not even the sneer she expected. But actually...interested?

"What?! No, I don't... I dont think so…"

"Hmm, shame." She paused and looked over at him quizzically. He smiled slyly at her, winking at her. "He sounds cute."

"Oh my god," She wheezed, trying not to laugh at his boldness. No one else in Dallas, or Texas, would ever say such a thing, yet he was so flamboyant about it. "Y-you're horrible!"

"You're cute too," he playfully reassured her as he leaned back in the hospital bed. "But very annoying. Like a bossy sister."

"Yeah, your like an annoying little brother." To his annoyance, she ruffled his hair. There was a melancholy expression on his face, making her regret her actions. "You okay?"

"I'm missing half my leg," he answered with a deadpan expression. 

"I-" she stuttered before he started to snicker. She rolled her eyes. "Oh for goodness sake. I have other patients I need to tend to. Ring if you need anything, you brat." 

"Love you too, syrra!"

[oohnoniall]

A Court of Fire & Ice {Tamlin x OC - Chapter One.

Warnings: Tamlin is being portrayed as he is in ACOMAF and ACOWAR. Trigger warnings include fantasy violence, misogyny, swearing, and Tamlin being an uncontrollable rage beast (no domestic violence !!)

        He hated snow and ice more than he hated anything. The chill in the air seemed to go straight to his soul, making him feel colder than he had in years.

        There was a reason why Tamlin avoided the Winter Court.

        The only reason he had decided it was a good idea to come was to see where Kallias' alliances were. He had sent out word to every High Lord, asking if they would speak with him. He would apologize for all that had happened. He would shoulder the weight even if it was not technically his to bear.

        After all, he hadn't asked Amarantha to come to Prythian. Nor had he asked her to curse him. It wasn't his fault. Not really. That was what he kept telling himself when he woke in the middle of the night. 

        It was one of the reasons why he couldn't face Feyre when she did the same. Why he tried to ignore what was slowly happening to her. He wanted to protect her from the world. But he could not protect her from her own mind and the hells unleashed in her sleep. If he could, he would.

        He tried not to think of Feyre and how she must feel being left at home with only Ianthe for comfort. Instead, he tried to focus on how unfamiliar the fur-lined coat felt against his broad shoulders and how his feet wanted to break free from the stifling of the fur-lined boots.

        His normal pants and shirt would not suit the ice and snow of the Winter Court. Yet another reason for him to hate all of it.

        Yet, he had to play by Kallias' rules. It was shocking enough that the High Lord of the Winter Court had allowed him to enter his domain. After Amarantha's attack, he wouldn't have been surprised had the Winter Court kept their borders completely closed. He assumed it was only because he had been responsible for bringing about their freedom that he was allowed free reign.

        Soft laughter echoed down the ice-covered chamber he was walking through. His spine stiffened slightly as the scent of blood assaulted his nose. The bright, copper tang of it did not match the laughter that came with it.

        "You got one good hit!" A woman called out with a bell-like laugh. His fingers twitched towards the knives that should have been hanging at his waist. His bandolier had been left at home. A sorry mistake that he would not be making in the future.

        "Just face it, Lye, you're losing your touch." This time the voice belonged to a man. Gruff, but one could hear the gentle smile that would have been playing at his features.

        Tamlin could almost picture the pair in his mind.

        He didn't have to picture them for long. Two soldiers stepped into the chamber, rounding the corner. They were still wearing armor that appeared to be made of ice and steel, a welcome shield to swords and other weaponry. The armor was covered in sleet and mud.

        The man was not quite as tall as Tamlin, perhaps a few inches shorter, nor was he as broad. His skin was white as paper, with ice brown eyes and lank white hair that was covered the same mess as his armor. 

        It was the woman that made him take pause.

        She was nothing notable. About the same height as Feyre, her complexion just as white as the man's. He could see the blue of her veins and the gentle purple shadows that were just under her eyes. Her hair was the same shade of snowy white that marked those born in the Winter Court. It curled slightly, which he found rather intriguing given that he could tell despite the fact that it had been braided in a crown around her head. Not for fashion's sake but for fighting. Her eyes were a deep shade of green, almost like one of the evergreen trees all over this godsforsaken waste.

        The scent of blood came from a cut just above the left eye. It was still bleeding freely. Either it was fresh and she hadn't had the chance to see a healer or she simply had not noticed it yet. Like the man, her hair and face were covered in mud and sleet. As was the sword hanging from her belt.

        The pair stopped in front of him, bowing in respect to a High Lord that was not their own.

        "My Lord," the woman spoke, nudging the man once in the gut when he began to snicker at her words. "We did not expect to see you until later tonight."

        As she straightened, he felt a scream building up in his chest. There was a reason the mating bond had not snapped into place yet with Feyre. It never would.

        As he stared into her eyes the mating bond hit him harder than any arrow or any sword ever could. He would kill someone for this slight against him.

        Fuck. The word hit him as if a wall had been created in his mind. As if he had never had the chance to back away from the bond. 

        The voice in his head was not his own. It matched the woman's perfectly. A woman whose name he did not even know. Feyre was going to murder him.

        "It's no trouble," Tamlin spoke before he could think about what he was saying. "I've seen my fair share of soldiers." Although he had not seen a woman in the Spring Courts fight. Not one that looked as though she could be a lady of the court.

        "My Lord," the man said, taking the woman by the elbow. "We have a meeting with our general. You'll forgive us."

        There was an edge to his voice that Tamlin did not know if he enjoyed or hated. He hadn't asked for this High Lord stuff. He hadn't asked to be this way. But he was. He was and he couldn't get rid of it.

        "Inform your general that she is going to be detained for a moment," he gestured his head once to the woman who was still within the man's grip.

        "It's fine, Los," she mumbled to the man as he looked as though he were going to protest. "I'll be there in a moment."

        He tried to ignore the surge of jealousy within him as he watched the two share a look. There was nothing to be jealous over. This was just an oversight. One that they could easily ignore. Well, he hoped they would be able to do so.

        The man bowed once again to him, he didn't watch as he soon slipped away, leaving the two to themselves.

        She kept one hand on the hilt of her sword, her back was straight and she appeared as though she were heading into battle. Not speaking with a High Lord. It annoyed Tamlin to see her so at ease with him. This wasn't supposed to happen. Was it?

        "What is your name?" He figured that would probably help him figure out who in the hell this was and why the mating bond had snapped into place upon one look into her eyes.

        "Lyriel Chaeren." He didn't recognize the family name. "Did you need something, My Lord?"

        He felt a twinge of annoyance, but he bottled it down. He wasn't her High Lord. He shouldn't expect her to give him as much respect as she would give someone like Kallias. "Come to my rooms this evening, Lyriel. We've much to discuss."

        If the word 'fuck' had been any indication, she would understand just what he meant.

        Her head nodded once, he watched as the back of her neck became visible for just a moment. He had to swallow for a moment before he remembered that Feyre was home waiting for him. 

        Feyre. Who wouldn't be happy if she found out about this. Who would wonder what this meant for them and their upcoming wedding. He almost wanted to cry from the sheer frustration of the matter at hand.

        Tamlin watched her leave him before he quickly went to his meeting with Kallias. He found himself unable to truly pay attention. Even if he didn't fully get the gist of it, Lucien would. Lucien who had been there for twenty minutes already while Tamlin worked up some energy after the winnow. As emissary, Lucien was almost too used to Tamlin's moods and having to deal with most of the actual politics of the Spring Court.

        He did not speak to Lucien about what had happened that afternoon. He didn't know how to tell him. Lucien would certainly understand what was happening. Lucien had always been the one he could rely on. The one who had made him feel as though he was going to be alright. That he could be the High Lord that he wanted to be. Not the failure that everyone assumed he was.

        The meeting went by quickly enough that Tamlin did not have enough time to think of what was happening in his mind. He shook Kallias' hand once before he quickly headed back to his room.

        He found himself pacing back and forth, his stomach in knots. There was no way this would turn out well. Feyre would be heartbroken when she found out who Lyriel was. Lyriel whose name sounded like music. He scowled at the very thought. She shouldn't have been on his mind. He needed to figure out what to do about this little issue.

        He and Feyre had been through too much to just throw it all away. Over some woman that he didn't even know.

        It was enough to make anyone crazy.

        Tamlin joined the High Lord of Winter, Vivane, and Lucien at dinner. He smiled charmingly, laughed when appropriate, and treated the Lady of the Winter Court with as much respect as he could muster.

        He was grateful that the soldiers did not dine in the palace's large dining hall. He almost asked about their whereabouts but quickly stopped himself. He didn't need anyone knowing about his bond with one of them. Unless she was high-ranking. That could be useful.

        Tamlin chewed his steak as he lost himself in thought. Her armor had been too much of a mess to really make note of if there was something to declare her as just a normal soldier or someone who had connections. She could have easily been a high-ranking captain or perhaps had taken a general position. 

        It was another bit of effort to not ask Kallias this. If he told anyone of this recent discovery, it would be Lucien. Lucien wouldn't say a word to anyone. At least he could hope so.

        He waited until Lady Vivane excused herself before he did the same. He thanked Kallias for his hospitality and for the dinner with a graceful bow. One that he felt he shouldn't have to give. He straightened his spine, wished Lucien a good night, and turned to leave.

        A guard was stationed outside the dining hall. 

        "Inform Lyriel Chaeren that I require her presence in my room," he said formally. If anyone asked he would claim that she had done him a disservice or that he had wanted to pick who stood outside his room that night.

        A bullshit lie that no one would buy.

        Twenty minutes later, a knock sounded on his door. He glanced once at the two glasses of brandy he had just poured and prayed that this would go well.

        Tamlin set the glasses down on the small drinking table he had been provided before he strode across the large room to the door. Due to his height and girth, he was able to cross within a couple of steps. He took a calming breath as his hand wrapped around the knob. Slowly, he opened the door and peered out. She was standing there, her armor no longer on. Instead, she wore a fur-lined tunic that fell to her knees and a pair of fur-lined leggings that he could see a knife hanging from. Her boots were fur-lined as well. A necessity in this barren waste. Her hair was out of its plait, sheets of white-blonde cascading down her back. Even the cut above her eye was gone. As if it had never happened.

        "You wished to see me, My Lord?" Lyriel bowed at the waist for him. The last time she would ever allow herself to show him any type of submission.

        "Come in," he opened the door wide enough for her to slip inside.

        As she did, he caught her scent. The subtle scent of ice clung to every bit of her, mixed with pine and berries. And just a bit of blood.

        Tamlin watched her carefully for a moment, taking in how she moved about the room. Her spine stayed straight as if she held herself in the highest esteem. Her right hand stayed close to the knife. He wondered if she thought he would attack her.

        "I take it you know why you're here," he said as he closed the door. They didn't need to have this conversation with it hanging open. The longer he could keep this between them the better. 

        "Could it have anything to do with the string attached to my rib?" She tilted her head as she looked over her shoulder at him. Her eyes twinkled like the lights of the Winter Solstice. He had to swallow to stop thinking about it.

        "Yes, it does." He strode forward, trying not to notice as she backed away, and took one of the glasses of brandy. The alcohol warmed him from the moment it touched his tongue. He could feel it sliding down his throat and settling comfortably on his stomach.

        "I want to know why the first thing you sent down the bond was 'fuck'," he sounded amused. He felt rather amused by it. 

        "I didn't realize I was sending it." Her fingers danced along the hilt of the blade. Tamlin noticed that her nails were filed down, no more than small stubs. They could do no damage to him.

        "Really?" His eyebrow rose slightly as he forced himself to casually lean against the wall. He had to take this easy. He couldn't rush things nor could he scare her off. Even if he was certain that was one of the things that he was best at.

        "I suppose I hadn't thought that the Mother would think I belong with a High Lord," she explained, not bothering to look at him as she spoke. "I apologize for that being the first thing you heard from me."

        A slight smirk played on Tamlin's features, despite his annoyance that she would not look at him. "Don't worry about it. Feyre has notably said a lot worse to me. Especially upon our first meeting."

        He didn't care that her fingers clenched slightly. He wasn't about to give Feyre up. Not when he loved her more than he loved anyone. Not when she had loved him enough to risk her life for him. He'd die first.

        "Of course," she still refused to look at him. That was growing to be a bit of a problem for him. He didn't know what he would do if she refused to look at him. "What exactly do you propose we do about this?" She asked, turning her head to him at that point.

        He almost wished she wouldn't have looked at him. There was a fire burning in her eyes. Not fire. Ice. Her eyes had turned into the color of a frozen evergreen. Slightly lighter, mainly colder. The room dropped a few degrees and he noticed that ice was forming beneath her boots. 

        So she had power. Greater than what he assumed a normal soldier would have. He knew very well that her power either meant that she was someone with connections or she had been blessed with strong magic to keep up with him. He didn't necessarily think that was the case. His parents had not been equal and they were a mated pair. He didn't think that being mates meant that they, necessarily, would be equal either. She would have to bow down before him. Just as every member of his Court. She wasn't special in that regard.

        "I want you to come to the Spring Court with me," Tamlin told her, keeping one eye on the ice that was growing underneath her feet. He didn't exactly want her to freeze him for saying the wrong thing. According to Lucien, he had a bad habit of saying the wrong thing at times.

        "How will you explain that?" She was smarter than he had thought. Lyriel clearly knew that he would not risk Feyre. It was apparent in the way he spoke, the way he looked at her.

        "You're an emissary for the Winter Court. Kallias cannot attend the wedding so I'll have him send you in his place." Tamlin stated as if it were the easiest answer.

        "You don't control my High Lord," she pointed out cautiously. "He can very well say no."

        "I think Kallias will see the value in having someone at the Spring Court," Tamlin pointed out with a shrug of his shoulders. "He's not dumb enough to think that there isn't a political advantage to having a spy in my court."

        She snorted at that. The noise grated his ears. He tried not to think of how irritating it was that she wasn't taking this seriously.

        "Kallias is too good to spy." Lyriel's fingers had curled around the handle of the knife. At least he knew what buttons to press. 

        "Either way, we need to figure this whole thing out. I won't have anyone ruining my wedding," he pointed out, rubbing his temples gently.

        "So I have to uproot my life in order for you to decide what to do with me?"

        "I'm glad you understand." Tamlin willfully ignored the edge in Lyriel's tone. He would do the same damn thing for the rest of their lives. "We leave in two days. I trust you'll do the right thing."

        Lyriel's spine straightened, he didn't know that was possible. She had already stood straight enough to nearly look him in the eye. He was a foot taller than her and yet he felt as though she dwarfed him. He hated that feeling. She did not say another word to him, just strode out the door. The scent of winter berries assaulted his nose once more. 

        Prick, she sent the word reverberating through his body. He could feel it in the depths of his spine. He hoped she could feel the growl that left his throat.

        Tamlin was unsure what to do about this whole mess. He had assumed that the mating bond would fall into place with Feyre. He had assumed it would happen during their wedding night or at some point in the near future. But now ... There was no way that he could tell her. She would be crushed. She had given up so much for him. 

        Her life being the main thing.

        Taking her sacrifices away from her seemed to be a cruel thing. He could protect her from this. He might have to forsake his mate but for Feyre, he would do it.

        As Tamlin readied himself for bed, he found himself thinking again of Lyriel. He didn't really know what he was supposed to do about this whole thing. She wasn't what he had expected. Nor what he had wanted. He had always thought that he would find someone within his own court. When Feyre had broken the curse, he had been sure that it would be her. He wished that his father was still alive. He would ask what he should do. He would have someone to talk to who wouldn't let him just ruin everything. Tamlin often worried that he was going to ruin everything. He wasn't meant to be the High Lord. He was meant for a simple life. One of a soldier.

        He would have thrived in war camps, where all he was was another face in the crowd. His rage would have been more useful there than it was in ruling over his people. He wouldn't have been nearly as afraid of losing control. He didn't question what his mate being a soldier said about this either. He was worried that it would just prove his theory right.

        That was one thing that Tamlin didn't want to be proven right about.

        At night, he could still hear his brother's taunts. He wasn't fit to be High Lord. He would never be High Lord. He could forget ever being necessary to their father. He was just a burden.

        Tamlin closed his eyes tightly as the memories overtook him. They were gone and yet, they still haunted him. They still informed his every decision. He would never find peace. Perhaps that was why he craved the life he could see himself having with Feyre. The one that he would have with Feyre. He didn't care if he would have to kill to get it.

        They had both been through hell and back. This whole mate thing was just another wrench in the plans. But it would be fixed. Sooner or later they would work something out. Bonds were rejected all the time. No matter if it had the chance to drive him to madness, he could still reject it. He could rely on Feyre to keep him sane.

        Good night, My Lord, Lyriel's voice haunted him the rest of the night. He wondered if she had sent it through the bond to punish him.

[mystic-kitten-writer]

Limerence [M] ︳31

Pairing: Zuko x OC

AU: Adult-Verse

Genre: Romance, mainly fluff with smut, and if you squint hard enough - you’ll find some angst.

Rating: SFW

Words: 9200+

Notes: Greetings! I’m going to be posting a bonus chapter soon! It’s the bonus chapter I promised a bit ago; it’s didn’t fit well with the plot until now. That saying, I have another bonus chapter in the works. I reached 1k votes on Wattpad, which is crazy, and I wanted to create a bonus chapter.

Other than that, thank you for reading and leaving lovely comments. I appreciate the heart-warming support from you all. Take care~!

Masterlist ︳30 [M]  ︳ Bonus pt. 2 [M]

❤ Buy me a coffee? ❤

Limerence: (English/n.) the state of being infatuated with another person. The moment their eyes locked they knew - the flames within him twisted while the water within her turned. It was a connection, a connection that would lead to love, adventure, and drama.

“He was her warmth / she was his peace”

(English/quo.) By Even Sanders; ‘The Better Man Project.’

 ~ Ying Yue Jiang ~

            Anger? No…maybe frustration?

            A small huff flew through my lips, eyes scanning Zuko. He sat on the other side of Appa’s saddle with Aang and Sokka, discussing something. And while I knew the responsible thing would be to listen to what Toph and Suki had to say – I couldn’t.

            Curiosity had me in its grip, studying Zuko with such care, I wish I paid this much attention to my everyday life.

            It was just that…Zuko was such a puzzle, and it was maddening.

            I was observant. Naturally learning the way people spoke, move – and in a matter of seconds, I could figure someone out. But with Zuko – I couldn’t. He was secretive, and that just made my sense of inquisitiveness grow. What’s going through Zuko’s head? What was he feeling?

            Just briefly skimming Sokka, I could tell he was focused on whatever they were conversing. The way he crossed his arms, leaning forward with his head titled down – those were all tale-tell signs that he was attentive to the conversation. I even had Aang figured out! When his hands rested on his lap, it meant he was calm, but since his fingers were tightly linked, it meant he was concerned. It was little gestures like those that made me understand everyone’s mood – except Zuko.

            His lips were pressed tight, which in theory would mean he was upset, but the way he sat, leaning back with his legs propped…Lounging meant he was at ease but…why are his arms crossed?

            “Is Princess still staring at Zuko?”                   

            “You guessed it – come on! You live with the guy, what more do you want?” Suki groused, her hand shoving me jokily. My gaze broke from Zuko, a faint blush covering my cheeks as I bashfully smiled.

            “S-sorry. I must have zoned out.” Suki rolled her eyes, giving me a look that proved she knew I was lying, before speaking, “Mhmm…well, what were we talking about again?”

            “How Princess figured out Mai was the snitch.”

            My mouth opened and closed, uneasy, since, at the mere mention of Mai, the boys rapidly shifted their focus on me. “Toph has a point, we never did ask...” Sokka budded. My arms cradled my body, trying desperately to blend in with Appa’s saddle…or his fur… How about I throw myself over? How far of a drop could it possibly be?

            “It’s a long story…” I started.

            Toph snorted, “We got time. Spill.”

            “We can talk about it when we get to the kingdom, we have much to discuss once we arrive – I prefer we don’t waste our breath.” Zuko asserted, an attempt to bring the whole topic to an end. I let out a breath, our eyes aligning momentarily. He gave me a knowing nod, obliviously sensing my uneasiness and a wave of appreciation engulfed me. He’s too good for me. With that statement, Zuko shifted his gaze towards the horizon.

            The mountains and overall landscape looked insignificant being this high, and in some ways – it was humbling. Gosh. I missed riding Appa through the snowy peaks time ago…it was such a stress reliever.

            The lack of clouds provided us with a magnificent view of the Fire Nation. The endless mounds of vegetation, small towns scattered about – some greater than others. To think that Zuko ruled over all of this…my heart started pounding just thinking about it. I could barely take care of myself, let alone a damn Nation.

            “Fine, but we do have to talk about what we’re going to do with Mai when we land. Are you going to arrest her? Talk to her?” Toph insisted, not letting the topic die off. Suki huffed, pulling on the strings that lined the leather on her gloves, “Toph has a point. She may be a friend, but she’s a threat…”

            “Mai is still a friend. We speak as if arresting our friend comes without pains.” Aang protested - the first I’ve heard him speak in a while. His voice was taut, fingers digging into his mustard robes, wrinkling the material. Sokka let a hand drop over Aang’s shoulder, lips pressed.

            “But if Mai’s the snitch than she’s as guilty as Azula. Mai could be charged with attempted murder, treason, and the list goes on, Aang.” Sokka insisted and hearing that made my stomach uneasy. Attempted murder-

            The headache that I woke up with this morning seemed to be coming back, my hand trailing up my face as I grasped my head. It was pounding, and it didn’t seem to go away completely. Just a constant, dull, stabbing pain – please don’t tell me I’m getting sick…probably just stress.

            “We can decide once we land. We don’t know if Mai is aware that we know she’s the snitch. And if that is the case, it would be to our benefit to let her wander free, track her movements. Spying on the spy.” Zuko muttered and hearing his voice once again had my closed eyes fluttering open. The way his voice trailed off towards the end, I could start piecing together the emotions and thoughts running through his head.

            “I agree with Zuko; it’s the safest plan. Babe, have you told Ty Lee about what’s going on with Mai?” Sokka asked, and Suki let out another tired sigh. She shrugged her shoulders, shaking her head meekly before meeting his gaze, “No. I need to tell her in person; I know it’ll hurt her, hearing all of this. I can’t let anything distract her, she’s my second, and I need her to be at her sharpest until I come back.”

            “So we let Mai be for the time being, and how about Azula? What do we do about her.” Toph grumbled, and this time, no one spoke.

            Everyone’s eyes shifted, looking at their hands or feet, anywhere, besides Zuko.

            That’s it, how did I not realize before? Something so painfully obvious – why Aang and Sokka didn’t attack Azula that night. Realistically, Aang could’ve handled Azula with ease, but all he did was reflect her attacks, getting himself burnt in the process…it was something that bothered me, but ignored. But now that she mentioned it…

            Toph let out a grunt, her feet tapping impatiently against Appa’s saddle, and I held my breath. “Well? What’s your grand plan involving Azula – almighty Fire Lord.” Toph pestered with her arms tightly crossed over her chest. I could see the way Zuko tightened his jaw, his hands clenching.

            “We can think about it later Toph…” I babbled without much thought, anything to get Zuko out of the corner she put him in.

            Sadness – that was what was running through his mind. It was difficult for me to pinpoint that look because it wasn’t a look Zuko wore often. He was usually exasperated, livid, even irritated, but sorrow; that was new.

            To my dismay, Toph didn’t seem all too pleased with my answer, shaking her head. “I get that she may be your future sister-in-law, but that doesn’t change the fact that she’s a damn criminal.” I swallowed hard because Toph was right.

            Aang and I were looking at Azula and Mai with our hearts – not viewing the situation for what it was. Toph wasn't unreasonable – she was logical.

            “What do you propose, Toph?” Zuko shot back, his tone thick.

            Toph’s lips curved downwards, tilting her head as if to hear better. The moment I saw her thin lips beginning to move, I could feel my heart thrashing, the relentless hammering in my head emphasizing my anxiety. Toph and Zuko were similar in many ways – and their assertiveness was undeniably one of their commonalities.

            It was Aang’s airy voice that cut the growing tension for a moment, and I could allow myself to breathe. “We could capture her, get her the help she needs…help her as much as we can.” A chance to get his sister back. I knew Zuko loved Kiyi with all his heart; he viewed her as a daughter at this point, but I could still feel Zuko’s hesitation revolving Azula.

            As much as he was hated Azula, wanted her out of the picture – I saw the faint glimmer of hope in his eyes. He cared, whether or not he wanted to admit it. Zuko wasn’t heartless, and while he had everyone else fooled – I wasn’t.

            Everyone faced Zuko, waiting for his approval, but he didn’t utter a word. His long digits tapped along his thighs, golden eyes staring longingly into the distance. Silence and Zuko were two words that never went together in one sentence. Toph didn’t wait any longer to hear a response, speaking with clipped speech.

            “Mark my words Zuko; I’ll try to capture her, for you, but we both know what should be done. And if given a chance, I’ll do it without hesitation.”

            Zuko let out a bitter laugh, before glancing back at Toph, “As Fire Lord, you have my permission – kill her. It’s for the best, for not only my Nation but for the other Nations as well. But as her brother…” He flicked his fingers before letting his hands comb through his hair, “As her brother…I want the best. I want her safe. I want her home.”

            No one spoke a word.

            Everyone’s eyes shifted back down to the brown saddle we sat upon, letting the words Zuko muttered become one with the brisk air. He leaned back; arms crossed as he stared at the skyline once again. My body moved without thinking – the overwhelming urge to comfort Zuko eating me from the inside out. How I hated seeing him like this – I need to see that perfect smile of his.

            Crawling on my hands and knees, it didn’t take long for me to be by Zuko’s side, feeling everyone’s eyes over me.

            “Zuko…” I muttered under my breath, jerking Zuko from his thoughts. I was a hair away from him, but he was consumed with his feelings, he didn’t even notice. He was visibly on edge, looking at me with muddled thoughts, “What’s wrong, love?”

            I let my body drop, head falling over his lap as I curved into a tiny ball. My hands reached for his, forcing them to fall over my head, “What are-”

            “My head, it hurts…can you hold me?”

            It was like night and day.

            Zuko’s body relaxed, his hands combing through my hair. His shaky hands soon steadied, his warm breath even and no longer deep exhales of frustration. My hands hugged his legs, letting my head snuggle into his waist. The throbbing that resided along my forehead slowly began to ease with his warm touches, a small moan of relief escapes me.

            Amidst my need to squeeze myself closer to Zuko, our eyes lined up for a short moment. A lovely look of freedom washed over his face. His lips moved ever so slowly, not a sound escaping him. With or without sound, I could still make out the heartwarming message he whispered to me, ‘Thank you.’

            Just as fast as he mouthed the words, a faint smile on his face, he leaned back against the saddle, his fingers combing through my hair. A soft smile painted my face, unable to control the pleasing hum that radiated from my chest. My head hurt – yes, and while getting Zuko to caress my head was amazing, that wasn’t the reason I crawled over here.

            Zuko needed comfort, whether or not he wanted to admit it.

            Getting Zuko to snuggle me wasn’t for my own selfish needs; it was because I knew better than anyone that what Zuko needed at the moment was a good hug. I may not have Zuko as figured out as I wish, but I did know him. The man I loved was a damn sucker for cuddles, had a weird fascination with my hair, but more importantly – he needed constant reassurance and attention. Things I could, and would, gladly do in a heartbeat.

            My eyes fluttered shut, melting under his touches, like a kitten. I knew it was only a matter of time we arrived at the Kingdom, I could vaguely recall seeing the crimson rooftops, but I couldn’t help but let my breathing even out.

            Home.

            We were almost there, and I found myself beaming at the thought of seeing Kiyi again. Oh, I can already hear her squeals of excitement! Ursa more than likely annoying Zuko with the idea of marriage, while Noren tried to save Zuko from his mother's dreams.

            Then Iroh…what would he not say? Probably asking us if we managed to bring any teas for his tea shop…that’s right, he should be leaving back to the Earth Nation in another week or so. I’m going to miss Iroh-

            “Hold tight; we’re landing.” Aang chirped, causing me to grumble under my breath. Just when my headache was starting to ease. Zuko’s grip shifted to my arms, staring down at me with concern, “You’re pale, love.”

            “I don’t feel good…” I muttered, letting Zuko help me sit up. The moment my back straightened, I could feel a wave of nausea wash over me for a second, shuddering under my breath. I'm totally getting sick.

            “Sokka, when did you say Katara is coming?” Suki asked, concern laced in her voice. A hand rested on my thigh; Suki’s to be exact, the leather giving it away. She was crouched down, and even with her makeup, I could see the look of worry on her face.

            “Next week, maybe?”

            “Aang, could we send Appa to fetch Katara? Yue doesn’t look too hot...”

            “I’m fine, just a little bit under the weather.” I dismissed, trying hard to force a lively smile. Zuko kissed his teeth, the grip he had on my back tight, “As soon as we land, you’re going to bed. You’re sick. You probably caught something during that beach walk.” Zuko complained under his breath, and I coloured.

            He had a point.

            I may…or may not…had convinced Zuko to go on a walk along the beach far past midnight. I couldn’t help it! What a shame would it be to say we went to the beach and hadn’t gotten to see or spend time at the beach? It’s like going to a bakery and walking out with a piece of deli – it just doesn’t make sense.

            The chilly air of that night and wet feet, because I was insistent on getting my toes into the water, most likely didn’t help in the matter. “I’ll be fine; I just need a nap-”

            “You need a nurse, love. And so be it, I’ll tie you to the bed if it means you’re getting some rest and I SWEAR SOKKA. Wipe that stupid grin off your face!” Zuko snapped, glaring harshly at the only person who could tick off Zuko and somehow not feel his wrath.

            Sokka laughed, waving his hands innocently, “I didn’t say or do anything! Trust me, buddy, the last thing I want is to imagine the nasty things you do to my little sister.”

            “You need to tell us about those fresh hickies you failed to cover up on your neck, Princess. It seems like someone got some action.” Suki giggled, and in a flash, chaos.

            Sokka choked on air, and Zuko shot a dirty look at Suki.     

            “Holy shit – you’re telling me those screams I heard that morning wasn’t a dream!” Sokka shrieked, and before anything else could be spoken, Aang pulled on Appa’s reins, causing us to nosedive to an open space in the Kingdom.

            All we could hear was the vague screams of Sokka cursing in languages yet to be discovered, while Toph and Suki laughed hysterically to themselves. Aang shot us a cheeky grin with a thumbs up, my hands gripping onto Zuko’s shirt for dear life. As much as I loved riding Appa, the feeling of weightlessness as we landed or took off had me shutting my eyes tightly. Between Sokka’s screaming and this icky feeling – my headache was in no way going away anytime soon.

            Only when I heard Appa groan loudly, signalling that we had landed did my eyes open. Appa’s feet stomped on the stone walkway, dust flying off into different directions. The guards that stood, waiting for us, had to hold their helmets in place.

            “Shit Zuko – when we sort all of this fuckery out I’m giving you and Yue a damn talk!” Sokka snarled towards us, and Zuko grinned, “I don’t think we need a talk – I think I do a pretty good job at making Yue feel good, right, love?”

            Sokka and my cheeks were a flaming red – both for different reasons.

            Toph choked in a laugh, and before Sokka could explode, the sounds of the guards approaching, and people calling our names, had Zuko and I shifting personas.

            Zuko cleared his throat, standing tall as he helped me stand. “Fire Lord Zuko, Imperial Consort Ying Yue, a beautiful vacation we assume?” a guard spoke, hand outstretched towards me. With his guidance, I found myself getting off Appa’s back, and I smiled. “It was splendid; I would love to go back sometime soon.”

            The guard smiled at my words, genuinely happy to hear that I had a great time, despite all the chaos that happened. Zuko jumped off Appa, the rest following suit.

            I turned on my heel, gazing about at the small crowd around us. We landed directly at the kingdom, meaning we avoided the unnecessary crowds we would have bumped into at the pier. But despite it all, I found my gaze wandering about, watching as everyone politely bowed, addressing me formally.

            What a change…

            I was used to the informality from the maids and workers at the house, and being back here reminded me of my position. The tall walls, the perfectly tended foliage around us – it felt weird being here, although another part of me was happy. The urge to jump into bed with Zuko, cuddling and falling asleep…

            “Excuse me – move aside, you’re in our way.” A voice grumbled through the guards. My brows pinched together hearing the persons’ tone, low and unquestionably rude. I looked over my shoulder, Zuko was busy conversing with soldiers with the others, not noting or in earshot of what I was hearing.

            The guards that surrounded us, one by one, moved aside, and the more I observed, the more I learned. Four figures weaved themselves in and out of the disorder around us, pushing the guards without care or respect. How rude of them. Who do they think they are? I found myself stepping forward, eager to see the faces of such inconsiderate people, only to notice the clothing they wore.

            Each person wore striking red garments; robes that skimmed the floor and littered with decorations and embellishments. While they were not as extravagant or lavish as the clothing Zuko and I wore on a daily – they were, undeniably, people of high status.

            My eyes studied the man leading the bunch, an older gentleman, followed by two others and a woman. The moment their eyes fell upon me, they stilled in their tracks, staring as if I was the living embodiment of garbage itself. As I opened my mouth, ready to introduce myself, I froze, spotting the sparkling emblems that decorated their arms.

            “Greetings council – pleasure seeing you here,” I spoke, forcing a smile onto my face as I politely bowed.  

“There are twelve councilmen – and out of those twelve, four voted against you. The rest approved, the majority won.” Zuko whispered into my ear. I flipped onto my side, facing him as I listened to the words he muttered into my ear.

Despite the darkness that flooded the room, I could still make out the faint frown on his face. His hand caressed my face, letting his fingers draw my features, “Why did they vote against me? Those four people…” I muttered under my breath.

Unexpectedly, Zuko pinched my nose, a playful smile dancing upon his lips, “Because they don’t realize how utterly adorable my baby is.” Zuko cooed. My heart swelled hearing those words, smushing my face against his chest with glowing cheeks.

            It didn’t take a genius to put two and two together – these four people were unarguably the people who voted against me. The scowls that painted their faces, lips pressed tight, hands balled into fists. It was like four Mai’s – just older and, somehow, grumpier.

            “Imperial Consort Ying Yue.” The man, in front, sneered while bowing.

            My eyes narrowed. While they did bow, it was by no means a respectable one. I wasn’t fussy on customs, but when someone so obliviously detested me, it was adding salt to a wound. “What may I do for you?” I asked, forcing my voice to sound as sweet as possible. The headache that I tried to ignore wasn’t helping; I think they’re making my head worse.

            “Nothing at all – we are here to see Fire Lord Zuko, we have a meeting scheduled.”

            I frowned; meeting?

            “Fire Lord Zuko never spoke of a meeting for today-” I started, but the man interrupted me, heckling under his breath, “It was unplanned, and hopefully after today, you will no longer have to worry about such matters.”

            “What?” I gasped, noticing the hostility in his tone.

            “What is going on?” A voice spoke from behind me, the deepness causing me to jump slightly. A heated hand rested on my lower back, feeling Zuko’s touch, as he studied me and the others. The way the four councilmembers bowed lowly at the mere presence of Zuko had me biting my lip. Assholes. It was clear they were trying to disrespect me, and Zuko seemed to notice because he didn’t return the formality.

            “We have a meeting planned, Fire Lord Zuko.”

            “I didn’t approve of any meeting today.”

            “It was a meeting proposed by us, the council.”

            “Everyone, or just the four of you?” Zuko interrogated.

            I could feel his fingers digging into my back, exasperation lingering with every word Zuko spoke. At this point, the rest of the gang awkwardly stood, off to the side. Suki pointed at the elders, looking at me with a look that screamed ‘what’s going on?’ I shrugged swiftly, looking at Zuko and the elders once again.

            The knots in my stomach grew in size; something wasn’t right. The way they addressed me and how they were speaking to Zuko…

            “Yes, the four of us. It has been brought to our attention that not everyone is pleased with the idea of the future Fire Nation Queen being a Waterbender.” The man spoke bitterly, and at that moment, I could feel my stomach in my throat. They couldn’t be-

            The grip on my back loosened, Zuko moving in front of me with a vengeance.

            Zuko’s shoulders squared, his back straight as he looked down at the four individuals in front of us. “Who I decide to be my consort is not up for discussion. Ying Yue Jiang is my partner and the future Fire Nation Queen. Meeting over.” Zuko snarled, stepping dangerously close to the councilmembers.

            The silence that flooded the area at which we stood was painful.

            Not even the sound of Appa’s heavy breathing could be heard. Aang and Sokka were glaring, cautiously stepping forward as the guards around us watched the scene unfold. The guard's posture changed from a defensive position to an offensive, their hands deliberately hovering in front of them, ready to protect Zuko.

            “We are politely asking for you to reconsider your decision-” The man stubbornly pushed, and the vein in Zuko’s neck bulged. This is bad, really bad.

            “My stance is firm.”

            “Well, if you follow us, we have brought suitable candidates. Individuals who come from royalty with strong bloodlines of Firebenders, and…” The man snorted, chinning to my direction with a glare, “far more pleasing to the eye.”

            “You what?” I hissed.

            Red.

            All I saw was red.

            My shoulder brushed passed Zuko, rage pumping in my veins, the headache festering in my mind growing in intensity the more I thought. “You brought other women, to our home?”

            The man’s eyes widen, stepping back as I inched forward.

            The looks in their eyes proved that they were not expecting my outburst – eyes feverishly flickering between Zuko and I. To think, that with a flick of my wrist I could- I swallowed hard, pushing the dangerous thought away before I finished it.

            “Are you not aware of my position, who I am to you?”

            While the other individuals wisely stepped back, the evident leader of the bunch didn’t. He puffed out his chest, matching his step towards mine, and in a second, I felt Zuko’s hands falling over my arms, “Yue – leave it to me-” He whispered, and I frowned.

            “No. It seems like people are abusing my niceness.” I spoke stridently. The man scoffed, crossing his arms, “There isn’t a single thing about you worth abusing. You have no name, title; you’re nothing.”

            “Is that so? How humiliating it’ll be for you to get dismissed by a person who is supposedly nothing.” I taunted, hands on my hips as I stepped forward.

            “You don’t have the power of such-”

            “But I do. You see, while I do enjoy spending time with my future husbands family, and getting to know the people who serve this kingdom; I also spend my time learning about Fire Nation politics.” I started.

            While this imprudent man may be taller than me in stature, he was the one cowering away in an instance. My finger jammed those silky red robes that covered his chest, my nail digging into his clothes.

            “Should Fire Lord Zuko fall ill, power temporarily falls onto my hands. And I can say with utmost certainty, the very first thing I’ll do is dispose of your mere existence.” I hissed, leaning carefully to his face, making sure he heard every word that I uttered.

            The colour from the man’s face left, standing there with his mouth open, wide enough to catch flies. “Are you threatening me?” The man whispered, and I snickered, “It’s not a threat. Consider it an early notice of termination.”

            I could feel Zuko’s hands fall over my shoulders gently, his fingers massaging. Goosebumps rose on my skin, no expecting such a romantic gesture, but he didn’t stop. His chest pushed against my back, his lips brushing my ear before letting out a dangerous purr.

            “Now that we have arrived, love, I do feel unwell. Maybe it would be best for me to rest – would you be a sweetheart and take over, Imperial Consort Ying Yue?”

            “My pleasure, Fire Lord Zuko.” I tutted, “And - you’re dismissed.”

            If it weren’t for the guards, the man would’ve most definitely put up a fight. They held his upper arms, pulling him away from us, and in the process, stripping him of the glistening badge that was mockingly strapped to his arm. “I’ll get rid of you - you, bitch. And I swear, you’ll regret this.” He shouted, fingers pointing at my direction.

            I could hear Zuko growl under his breath, ready to unleash his wrath, but I spun on my heel, letting my hands rest on his chest. “It’s not worth it Zuko…” I mumbled, and in a flash, Zuko’s focus shifted to me.

            For the first time since the whole ordeal, I breathed.

            My hands were shaking, body trembling with rage.

            I can’t believe it. They actually sought out other women for Zuko. Am I that bad? Am I that-

            “Love - you alright?” Zuko whispered, his hands brushing up my neck and cupping my face. Am I alright…? I nodded meekly, shooting Zuko a weak smile, “Y-yeah. I’m tired…I-I think I should go to bed.” I mumbled, biting my lower lip.

            His gaze softened, a frown painting his face, “No, you aren’t. I’m sorry, if I knew they were going to do this I would’ve intervened-”

            “D-don’t worry about it Zuko; it’s not your fault. My head is hurting, and you’re right. I need to rest…” I spoke with a muted voice, and Zuko’s grip on my face tightened, “I’ll go with you, make sure you’re tucked in-”

            “Zuko.” I huffed, cutting him off. He tensed at my tone, and I didn’t blame him one bit, as I surprised myself. I sound weak - tired. “I’m fine Zuko, you and the gang have so many things to do. I’m not in shape to help out, no matter how much I want to. We know that…”

            Zuko’s forehead pressed into mine, his eyes closing as he breathes out.

            “…I’m sorry.”

            “Don’t be. But…” I trailed off, earning a curious look from Zuko.

            I let out a small laugh under my breath, smiling light-heartedly, “Please kick those women out. It’s going to be impossible for me to sleep, knowing there is a herd of women trying to steal you from me.”

            “Don’t be; you know you’re the only one.” Zuko cooed, and I shined against his soft touches. “I know…but for their safety; I advise you move them.” And at those words, Zuko grinned, “Is someone jealous, love?”

            “I don’t get jealous; I’m territorial.” I teased, reciting the famous line Zuko muttered to me that one time. And the mischievous statement didn’t go unnoticed. He roughly pulled me forward, planting a chaste kiss on my nose as Zuko chuckled.

            “Fuck, I love you.”

            “I love you too Zuko, now go. I’ll be fine.” I hummed, pulling away from his sweet embrace. His touches weakened, letting me walk out of his grasp before I turned on my heel. The gang watched on the sidelines, unsure of what to say at this point, so I spoke first, “I’m going to rest, I’m ill, and it’ll probably be for the best…”

            Sokka glowered, walking forward as he grasped my arms, “You sure Princess? That man said some pretty rude things…”

            “I’ve dealt with worse, Sokka, the world is a cruel place after all.”

            “And that’s why you always wear the sweetest smile – because you know,” Sokka muttered under his breath. A statement that would have gone unnoticed if I wasn’t paying as much attention as I was. “Feel better Princess. Love you.” Sokka sighed, pecking my forehead quick before stepping back.

            I bid a quick goodnight to the others while walking towards a pair of guards – two individuals who I knew all too well.

            “I didn’t think you two would be here.” I laughed, staring at the two young gentlemen. Even with their helmets on, I could see the way their pink lips curved upwards. They had beautiful smiles, their pearly white teeth beaming back at me. “It’s weird seeing you anywhere besides my bedroom doors,” I mentioned, earning light laughs from them.

            “It’s nice to have you back, Imperial Consort, we missed you.” They spoke, and I blushed at their encouraging words. I love the staff.

            We walked side by side, them pulling open the doors to the Kingdom. The hues of red, the rich scent of firewood and spice, all things I’ve learned to call home – despite the rough welcoming. People who spotted me waved gleefully, bowing before dashing off to whatever task they had.

            While I smiled back, waving happily, my mind was elsewhere.

            I would never question Zuko’s love for me – it was evident. The way he gazed at me or the sweet love confessions he whispered late at night…he loved me. But- My fingers twirled around each other the further we walked, bottom lip trembling.

            I questioned my self worth at times...

            All the insecurities I’ve long thought I had in check were suddenly hitting me full force. It was frustrating, continually feeling like I’m not good enough. But maybe I’m not? He said that many people had issues with me and if that’s true…

            “Imperial Consort?”

            My eyes widen, sniffling and wiping my cherry red nose. I’m crying.

            “S-sorry, my head hurts, please, don’t worry about me.” I forced, smiling through my tears as convincingly as I could. But the two men looked at me, stopping their movements. I stilled, viewing them with confusion, “What’s wrong? I said I’m fine. I’m just tired-”

            “He’s wrong…” The guards mumbled under their breath, and I puckered. “He said that people had an issue with you being Fire Lord Zuko’s consort, but that isn’t true…” I let out a sigh, waving away their words, “Don’t worry about that, really. It doesn’t bother me at all.”

            “But it bothers us.” My voice fell silent, surprised to hear them talking as much as they did. No matter how many times I tried to speak to them, they were often quick and short discussion, as if they were afraid to talk. But now…they were speaking freely.

            “You know, you’re the first royal ever to greet us? Acknowledge our existence? You know maids and guards by their names, their family stories, and what they enjoy. You make us feel human.” I was speechless. Made them feel human? Was it strange for me to greet the staff? It was common etiquette. To think that people disregarded them.

            “You may not score high with the royals, but you do with the people. And Fire Lord Zuko knows that is far more important than a silly hierarchy system.” A quiet pause fell between us, letting their words sink in.

            The world was cruel to me.

            I lost everything and had people walk all over me. Sokka was right; I smiled as brightly as I did because I knew first-hand how wicked people could be. And if a single smile could brighten someone’s day, I’ll smile all day.

            “…you really think that?” I whispered, and they grinned.

            “The day we call you Queen will be the greatest honour bestowed upon us.”

 ~ Fire Lord Zuko ~

            Deep breaths Zuko.

            One more woman. That’s it. You can do this.

            Just politely tell her to leave and-

            Her snake-like hands slithered its way up my arm, nails scratching my skin, the abrupt gesture catching me off guard. My skin rose, a chill running up my spine at the vile touch. It felt like poison, skin burning at the unwanted contact. There wasn’t a single ounce of decency in this woman’s behaviour, forcing my arm between her chest, trying desperately to show off her cleavage.

            “Are you sure you don’t want to spend some time with me?” The lady droned, batting her eyelashes obnoxiously while licking her lips. “I bet I can change your mind if you give me a few minutes. I know how to please a man.” She whirred, trying, but failing miserably, to sound seductive.

            “Oh, do you? That’s great; you can start by getting the fuck out of my office.” I snarled, ripping my arm out of her grasp. Her face reddened at my response, stomping forward with her hands on her hips. “Do you know who I am?” She screeched, whipping her hair behind her ear for extra emphasis on her current discontentment.

            “Yes, you’re a spoiled royal who is leaving!” I shouted, temper flaring as I gripped her shoulders, shoving her towards the door. Just a few more steps-

            “How dare you! You should be honoured. I’m a gift!”

            A manic laugh escaped my lips, rolling my eyes at her response, “Sorry, I don’t accept cheap gifts.” My hand hastily ripped the door open. She turned on her heel, mouth wide, ready to hurl another insult. But before she could, I slammed the office door shut; her dreadful voice muffled by the heavy door.

            I let my body crash.

            Fuck.

            Me.

            My eyes shut closed, running my hands exasperatingly through my tangled locks. Never, in my whole life, have I ever so desperately wanted to take a bath, and scrub my body to the bone. I could still feel her lingering touch on my skin, and I shivered - I could vomit.

            I shoved myself off the door with much effort, the muscles that I so proudly worked on seemed useless at the moment. There was a reason why the gang left me, “Don’t worry Zuko, we’ll figure things out while you deal with the mess here. We got you.”

             ‘Got me’ my ass.

            They didn’t want the pleasure of kicking out desperate women who would jump at the chance of being the future Fire Nation Queen. I knew I should’ve let the guards handle it, but I didn’t. I had to go and try to be a nobleman, be gentle and sensitive, and break the news to them that I am in no need of a ‘new consort.’ Since when do I care and acknowledge such feelings?

            I swore, I already knew the answer.

            Damnit Yue, before you, I didn’t care a single bit about emotions, and suddenly I’m a damn expert about them. Without thinking twice, I strolled to the corner of my study, seeing the various bottles that lined the glass shelf.

            Whisky, where is it?

            My fingertips grazed the array of selection; blended, bourbon, rye…

            My eyes lit up, scotch.

            I snatched the bottle, letting the dark liquid pour into a glass, the strong scent of alcohol flooding my nostrils. The bitter liquid touched my lips, and a groan escaped me – smooth. A faint burn carried down my throat, as I drank, and for the first time today, I felt like I could breathe.

            The sun was setting, casting strange shadows along the walls. The room looked like a tropical haze under the setting sun, more than half the day gone in a flash – and the only productive thing that happened was me kicking out a bunch of women from my office. I stole another sip from my cup, walking towards my study.

            Stacks of paperwork piled on the wooden desk, and I let out another grunt.

            My body dropped onto my cushioned scarlet chair, finding an odd sense of comfort sitting behind this desk, with my pens and inks ready for use. And the moment the feeling of coziness hit me, I chuckled under my breath. Yue is right – I’m a workaholic.

            I slid my glass off to the far corner, after stealing one last sip, letting my tired eyes scan the documents that flooded my desk — approval of new policies, revision of Fire Nation citizenship requirements, taxes, civil dispute cases.

            “Paperwork. How I missed you.” I grumbled, before re-organizing the documents.

            I knew I had to finish some of this work tonight, but the urge to leave to check up on Yue was eating me alive. She looked sick; I could tell just by her eyes. The way she struggled to stay focused, skin pale and cold to touch. But more importantly – she looked hurt.

            The fucking rage I’m going to unleash on the council tomorrow. My fingers wrinkled the flimsy document in my hand, annoyance getting the best of me — complete idiots. The papers slipped through my hands, forming another mountain to be tackled tomorrow.

            Tossing paper after paper into pointless piles, I couldn’t help but look for that one specific document. I asked Iroh to deliver it…did he forget? I huffed, not seeing the report at all. Maybe I do not see it; it has to be-

            “Fire Lord Zuko?” A soft voice spoke, catching my attention.

            My head snapped upwards, noticing a maid politely bowing, peeping out of the study door. “Yes?”

            The maid glanced over her shoulder before facing me once again. “There are some people who wish to speak to you…” She whispered, and I frowned, “Who?”

            “I think it’ll be better if you see them for yourself, Fire Lord Zuko.” I nodded tentatively, standing straight and fixing my appearance. The door shut briefly before creaking open once again. What in the world-

            Six figures dashed inside, wearing red gowns, the badges they wore on their arms, reflecting whatever sun was left. My eyes narrowed, they have some fucking nerve-

            “And what reason do you have to be in my office, council?” I hissed.

            My arms crossed over my chest, staring at the six individuals who humbly bowed in front of me. Their hands laid over their upper body as they greeted, voices merciful. “We mean no disrespect with our presence-” An elderly woman spoke, standing at the front of the small crowd that had gathered in the study.

            “You sure? Since it appears, the basic concept of respect is not found within the council anymore. Insulting the Imperial Consort, making us appear as fools.” I shouted. They slowly rose from their deep bows, grimaces painting their faces as they listened to the lecture that was about to rain down upon them.

            “Fire Lord Zuko – we had no part in that-” She attempted to reason, and I scoffed. “No part? Then what brings you all here? I’m in no mood to deal with you all - not after that superb performance.”

            “This.”

            The elder reached into her robe, a brown file in her grasp.

            “Where did you get this?” I snarled, eyes furiously scanning the paper. Her arm outstretched towards me, letting the document fall into my hands. Iroh was supposed to drop this off to me-

            ‘Lifting of traitor status – General Axe.’

            “She’s just like him, you know…sympathetic…generous…” She spoke, voice trailing off. They knew – they knew who Yue was all this time. Mihir was right about people recognizing Yue; I should’ve taken his warning seriously.

             “Fire Lord Zuko, you need six signatures from the council to lift a traitor status, which you’ll find inside that folder. Eight, signatures, in fact.”

            I couldn’t form words, opening the file hastily.

            She’s telling the truth.

            Eight unique signatures, written with fresh black ink, dated.

            It was done, Axe’s traitor status was lifted. A process that should have taken weeks to complete was done in a single day. Should Yue’s father be alive, if we find him, I could protect him. I could bring her father back, with no consequences.

            “Why?” I whispered, shutting the document in a single motion, staring at the six individuals who stood in front of me. I had eight signatures, two people are missing- “I knew Axe, personally, just like the destruction your father unleashed.” She started, everyone sighing heavily, remembering the war.

            Fire Lord Ozai – a monster. He viewed his soldiers as disposable and people of other Nations as a waste of space. She was one of the few people who worked under his rule and continued working into my term. Who would’ve thought she knew who Axe was? Clearly, Yue’s father was popular amongst the royals.

            “I think you’re well aware of who, on this council, still reason with his philosophy.”

            She rose a brow at me, and I nodded. “We dismissed one of them today,” I muttered, and she chuckled under her breath, the wrinkles around her eyes becoming prominent. “That feistiness you saw today – that was from her mother’s side.”

            “If you knew who Ying Yue was, why didn’t you speak up earlier? You knew from the start that she was a Waterbender-”

            “That is untrue, Fire Lord Zuko. Majority of us were unaware of Ying Yue’s history. If it weren’t for two council members and your Uncle, no one wouldn’t have known.” A man spoke up from behind, his hands interlocked together in front of him.

            I’m a fucking idiot.

            I swore under my breath, turning on my heel as I let my hands slam the desk. Of course, Uncle Iroh would’ve known who Ying Yue’s father was. He served in the military, knew the ins and outs like the back of his hands. Why haven’t I thought of that before? So focused on the mess that was unfolding before my eyes, I missed the obvious.

            “Fire Lord Zuko, you may have dismissed one troubled soul, but there are others who are itching to find an excuse to get rid of Ying Yue, and potentially, you.” She spoke, her extremely calm tone carrying throughout the study.

            “By signing these papers, you’re trying to prove where your alliances stand, I can assume?” I questioned.

            They all looked at each other before nodding slowly. “We can’t go back to those dark ages. Those false followers of yours are trying every means to impeach you. The moment Iroh told us you were submitting a change of status regarding Axe, we knew it was time for us to intervene.” I nodded, tempted to steal another drink at this point. It was one less thing to worry about on my list, and I found my fingers tracing the document – Axe.

            “If there is anything more we can do for you Fire Lord Zuko; we will do so without hesitation.”

            “Thank you. It is much appreciated, and I respect your loyalty.” I hummed, turning to face the bunch. They all wore sheepish smiles, gazing at each other before stepping back. “We will show ourselves out. Have a pleasant evening, Fire Lord Zuko.” They muttered under their breath before bowing deeply.

            One by one, they left, everyone heading into a different direction the moment they stepped outside. As if the impromptu meeting had not happened. The eldest lady of them all, the one who spoke the most gave me a warm smile. Her hand rested along the door frame, looking over her shoulder, brown eyes scanning the document on the desk.

            “Are you going to retire early, Fire Lord Zuko? Deliver our Impending Queen the good news regarding her father?” I let a small smile sneak up on my face, “Not yet, I have a few things to settle first before I deliver the news.”

            “If the rumours are true, Mihir will find him.”

            My eyes widen at her comment, and she let out a sad sigh, “I couldn’t tell you if Axe is indeed alive. If I could, I would. But if there is one person who could find him, it’s Mihir.”

            “Did you know her mother too?” I questioned, leaning against my study with crossed arms. She let her wrinkled hands brush some grey hairs behind her ear, strands that escaped her tight bun.

            “I did. Kasa Jiang. You know, you would’ve thought she was the Firebender and Axe was the Waterbender.” The lady laughed. Her eyes shinnied brightly, remembering all the fond memories she must have shared with them. But, if she knew them as well as she did…

            “Axe, he was an only child, I couldn’t find any relatives besides his parents. But what about Kasa? Did she have any sisters or brothers…” I inquired. The lady nodded, letting a finger rest on her chin as she pondered.

            “She did, a younger brother. Poor thing, he was a child when Kasa left the Northern tribe,” My heart pounded hearing her words.

            Kasa had a brother.

            Yue had an Uncle.

            “Kasa loved him dearly, but with the war, and her skills in healing, she had to leave him behind. Axe told me they built another room in their house so Kasa could bring him to the Earth Nation…poor thing most likely doesn’t even know what happened to his sister.”

            Did Yue know this – that she had an Uncle, somewhere in the Northern tribe? I frowned, scratching my head. Fuck, if it were anyone else, I would’ve assumed no, but Yue was a family person. Knowing her, she would’ve asked her parents about their family – that was just how she was.

            “Fire Lord Zuko…is everything alright?”

            Her shaky voice caught me off guard, nodding my head like a madman. “Y-yes. My apologies. I think some rest would do me some good.” I muttered under my breath, and she nodded despite studying me with anxious eyes. “I agree…I’ll let myself out. Have a pleasant evening, Fire Lord Zuko, give my regards to our Impending Queen.”

            The doors shut, and I found myself locking the documents into my desk, briskly blowing the candles. The room dimmed, as I rubbed my eyes tiredly, walking out with heavy steps. The sun was almost hidden at this point, the Moon making its presence known. The door shut behind me, bidding my goodnights to the guards as I walked down the hallways.

            My mind was buzzing – and not because of the damn whisky. Although the urge to go back and finish the glass was tempting at the moment. Yue has an Uncle, and the thought made me tense. Could their relation explain Yue’s peculiar bending skills?

            The way she healed was strange, and it’s evident there was some secret regarding that aspect of her bending, especially since Aang threaten me if I tried to dig any further. Even Yue’s affinity of ice. The way she manipulated water – it was something I have yet to witness.

            Beautiful – but chilling.  

            Nothing about this seemed right. And the more I thought, the more I remembered. Azula’s words were on replay in my mind, haunting my thoughts; the mother’s side is far more interesting…Everything was too coincidental, and something I learned during my reign was that there were no such things as happy accidents.

            What are the chances that Azula comes back alongside Yakone? A man who we’ve been aimlessly searching for with a vengeance? Azula wouldn’t work with someone else; unless they had power and something to gain. Yakone had power – but what was she gaining from this? And then there’s Mai-

            I groaned to myself, realizing where I was heading to without much thought. I need to speak with Uncle Iroh, what else was that damn tea-loving senior hiding from me? But what about the gang? Another grunt escaped me. Fuck.

            My feet stopped moving, ready to turn on my heel. They said they had everything under control – that Suki and Toph will figure out Mai while Aang and Sokka talk with the military officials - fuck it.

            All sense of duty and responsibility left the fucking premise, my feet moving with one goal in mind. My eyes spotted the two guards out front, shooting me smiles and bowing, “Evening Fire Lord Zuko.”

            “Evening, is Imperial Consort Ying Yue inside?”

            “Indeed, she’s resting. The nurses looked after her; nothing more than a cold.” I nodded at their words before pushing the doors open. The addictive smell of flowers and vanilla danced in the air, a stupid smile appearing on my face.

            Home sweet home.

            There she was – blankets messily wrapped around Yue’s body, teddy bear tucked under her chin. A deep chuckle rumbled from my chest as I stepped closer, taking in the magnificent sight in front of me. “Why am I not surprised?” I mused, taking note of the fact that she stole, yet another, shirt of mine.

            My fingers ran along her silky legs, pulling the blankets and covering her. “Even in your sleep, you tempt me,” I mumbled, letting the sheets fall over her waist. She fell asleep on my side of the bed, a first I believe, but I was by no means complaining.

            I flicked my fingers, lighting the candles on our nightstands, illuminating the room. And as I lazily rolled up my sleeves, unbuttoning the front of my robe, I found myself staring.

            She’s beautiful.

            Sitting on the edge of the bed, I grasped her hand tightly with mine, thumb rubbing her palm. The feeling of her skin against mine left me breathless at times. But it was more than just that – I could spend hours relishing, admiring, every detail about her down to the last beauty mark.

            The feeling of her lips against mine, or the way her hair tangled between my fingers.

            The sweet vanilla scent that always lingered on her skin, or the soft giggles that sounded like music.

            I rose her hand against my lips, letting a content sigh escape. “I love you…” I mumbled against her skin, planting soft, delicate kisses. Her mere presence had me relaxing, ready to take a bath and sleep. I can worry about everything tomorrow. For now…I want her.

            “Zuko?”

            My eyes opened, noticing Yue pouting. Her golden eyes fluttered open as she let out a whine. Fuck she’s adorable.

            “I-I thought you’ll still be working- what time is it?” She hummed with a sweet smile on her face. Her eyes were no longer hazy, her natural glow shining through. She looks ten times better than this morning. “I let the gang handle it. I wanted to be here, love.” I muttered, letting my lips press against her hand, basking in her touch.

            She nodded, watching me intently as I relaxed, “Zuko…can I ask you a question?”

            I opened an eye, nodding slowly. Her mouth opened and closed, her cheeks flushing, and I grinned. “What’s got you so flustered, love?” I teased. There was something about seeing Yue squirming, to shy to speak, but unable to contain herself. She bit her lip bashfully, staring up at me with those big innocent eyes of her. “You’re going to laugh.” And at that statement, I did.

            “Come on; love. Tell me.” I cooed, planting another kiss on her finger. The pink on her cheeks turned to a red, and with a rushed voice, she blurted.

            “Why did you kiss my hand when we first met?”

            My eyes widen at her question – something I was most certainly not expecting. I let our hands fall onto the bed, staring at her face. “W-well? I know kissing the hand isn’t a Fire Nation custom, so…” She integrated.

            “You want the truth?” I mumbled.

            Yue nodded.

            “I don’t know, but fuck - it felt right.”

            “Did you ever regret it?” She asked, curiosity dripping from every word she spoke. I smirked, leaning forward, letting my breath tickle her lips. “The only thing I regret is kissing you on the hand when it should’ve been your lips.”

            Yue purred under her breath, lacing her hands in my hair, “You could make up for it now, by kissing me.”

            I chuckled darkly, letting a lone finger trail under her chin, “But here’s the problem, love.” I groaned, tilting her head, just enough for her lips to press against mine, “if I kiss you now, I won’t be able to stop.”

            “Who said I wanted you to stop?”

            Her lips pressed against mine, and I let myself drown.

            If love is madness – fuck sanity.

Copyright © 2019 Mystic-Kitten, inc. all rights reserved. No reposting, modifying, or translations of any kind allowed. Thank you for your cooperation.

Disclaimer: I do not own any Avatar characters portrayed in this story besides Ying Yue Jiang, Lia, Kima, and any future creations.

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[goldleafacrossyourlips]

Uneasy Lies the Head - Dark Lord/OC - Chapter 8

Chapters - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13

Chapter 8 - Mandrake’s Shriek

Samara liked to consider herself strong. She had survived her mother’s abuse. She had lived through Blackwood’s unwanted advances. But she was able to admit that she had one teensy little flaw. She liked to run. When the world got too much, Samara would flee to a safe place. Some people could face their problems head on, but more often than not, Samara couldn’t. Perhaps that’s why she had her Shadows. They could fight for her when she herself just couldn’t. 

So after her family had caught her up on everything she’d missed during her little snooze; like Sabrina restoring Roz’ vision, Sabrina doing magick without spells or runes, and all that they had done during the angels’ visit. Samara had waited for everyone to leave either to their homes or their rooms and then she’d gathered Phlox and teleported to her little cottage.

The minute her feet landed in her sitting room, she’d collapsed to her knees. Falling back onto her bottom, she’d wrapped her arms around her knees and buried her face into them. Phlox had leaned his weight against her side and snuffled his snout under her arm and licked her cheek. Samara’s world zoned out and her only point of contact was Phlox. What could have lasted longer only lasted a few moments with Phlox’ incessant nudging and licking. Samara slowly raised her head and her hand played with the fur of his one ear. She tilted her head and rested her cheek on her knee. 

She felt as the same something as before began to fill her. Not the power, but the presence. The icy cold, overheatedness of her body drained and the achy tightness of her chest eased. Gentle warmth began to fill the emptiness inside her. She heaved a deep sigh, her eyes slipping closed. What felt like a finger trailed down the back of her neck to across her shoulder down to gently grip her upper arm. Content assurance tickled the back of her mind. Her eyes fluttered open, to see what she knew wouldn’t be there. 

Some disappointment filled her when she confirmed that she was alone other than her familiar. She could see her Shadows dancing along the walls, stirred up from her actions. She remained on the floor and simply watched as they flowed to a melody only they could sense. A brave Shadow skimmed along the floor until it could wrap around her ankle. Samara smiled softly and stroked along the skin it held, feeling the room shudder around her. 

As the moon continued to move through the sky, going down for it’s nap and the sun began to wake up, Samara reflected. During the discussions her family and friends had held during the night she knew that Sabrina was deeply unsettled by what had happened. And Samara did hold pity for her cousin. No 16-17 year old girl should have to worry about the things she had to. She deserved to fully enjoy her childhood, by having friends and learning as much as she could either at Baxter High or at the Academy. She should be worrying about lovers and parties and other frivolous stuff. But what she deserved and what she was dealt were two entirely different things. 

Samara knew her cousin, or at least she knew the version of her before Samara had left. She knew that Sabrina wouldn’t simply go along with the prophecy. She was too bound to the mortal world and her friends to let the Apocalypse happen. She knew that Sabrina would do whatever it took to make sure the Apocalypse was stopped. Something stupid and dangerous probably; but always with good intentions. And that’s what it was at its base. Good. Sabrina was wholly and intrinsically good. Whatever higher being that meddled in the Dark Lord’s plans had been smart. Hard to bring about the Apocalypse when one of its catalysts refused to do it. 

Did Samara want to bring about the Apocalypse? Now that she thought about it, not really. She wasn’t overly fond of mortals but she didn’t hate them. Plus, she liked Earth how it was right now. But what really threw her through a whirl was the little royalty part. Her? Queen? The only thing she had dominion over was her garden and that was laughable at best. How did anyone expect her to rule over anything? Let alone people? Perhaps whoever had translated the prophecy had gotten it wrong. Her wrong at least. That had to be it. Why in the Heaven would Lucifer Morningstar want her as Queen? The only thing she was exceptional at was potion-making and baking! 

Samara shook her head, realizing she was spiraling. The last thing she needed was to sit there and despair. No, the world had enough people that could wallow in their self-pity and confusion. She was a Spellman for Satan’s sake! Maybe not in blood but in everything that counts. She was going to plan and plot, just like she knew the rest of her family was doing. She was sure her cousin was figuring out a way to stop the Apocalypse. So that’s what she’d do. In case Sabrina failed, she’d have a back up plan. 

So Samara picked herself up off the ground, dusted off her bottom and went to her workshop. Digging through her extra wares, she found the vial she was looking for and flicked it open. Taking 3 small sips of the minty concoction, she felt as her mind cleared and began to focus. It was time to put her brain to work.

After what felt like days but were really only hours, Samara resurfaced to reality. She had a tentative plan. While it wasn’t something that her cousin would concoct full of bravery and blatant flourishes, it could work. She hoped it would at least. She also sort of hoped that it wouldn’t come down to her plan.

Phlox had spent his time waiting for her curled up across the room on the armchair he had claimed years ago. His dark eyes had watched her unblinkingly but Samara was used to his overly-intelligent stare. She stood up and approached him, stroked a hand through his plush fur.

“Thank you, my friend. For putting up with my antics and always standing by my side.” She had whispered before sighing. “I suppose we should head back before everyone starts to worry. My mirror has been pinging for a few hours now. I think they’ve noticed our escape.” 

She shouldn’t have been surprised by that honestly. The sun was just starting to descend over the horizon and exhaustion weighed heavily on her, depicting the time that had passed. Even though she had just woken up from such a long sleep the day before, she was still wiped. She made sure to pocket the rest of the invigorating potion she had sipped earlier. She had a feeling she’d need it today. Hopefully she could slip in the house unnoticed and take a nap before she announced her presence to the group.

She stood in the center of her sitting room and Phlox was quick to join her. She smiled down at him and then chanted her words to teleport. Landing roughly in her room at the Spellman’s house, Samara looked towards her bed wistfully. Just as she was about to step in its direction she felt her Shadows jolt in discord. Something was wrong. She looked around her and saw them crowding towards her door. The problem was downstairs then. She cast a longing look towards her bed before sipping her potion once again and slowly stalked out of the room. She could hear humming downstairs.

She rounded the stairs and followed the sounds into the botanical room, where Sabrina stood looking amongst the flora. She was wearing a plaid dress that Samara had never seen her in before. She continued to glance around and didn’t see what would’ve caused her Shadows to react so violently. She shrugged and approached her cousin.

“‘Brina?” The girl in question whipped around, sending a blinding smile her way.

“‘Mara! Where have you been?! I’ve missed you!” Sabrina exclaimed and wrapped Samara in a tight hug. Some guilt echoed throughout Samara at her cousin’s words, and she returned the embrace.

“Sorry, Cousin. I’ve just had a lot going on in my mind and I wanted to sort it all out. I’m back now though.” Samara reassured, stroking a hand across her cousin’s back. She felt the girl stiffen and pulled back in concern. To her shock Sabrina was glaring up at her.

“Are you though? You always leave! I needed you here and you left me! I was so scared and alone and I just wanted my Samara here to help me. But like always you were gone! Don’t worry, I have a way where you’ll never leave me ever again.” Sabrina spat out and her eyes began glowing white. Before Samara’s own powers or Shadows could even react she was engulfed in bright light and knew no more.

“Samara! Wake up. Come on come on come on. Please! Wake up!” There were voices shouting at her before she took a gasping breath and the fresh air flooded her lungs. She was freezing! Blinking her eyes open she saw drooping red columbine flowers beside her. Then her eyes refocused on the blurry figures behind them and saw the worried faces of her cousins.

“‘Mara! You’re okay but we have a problem. Come on, let’s get inside and warm you up.” Sabrina helped her twist out of the vines that surrounded her and get up. She looked around the garden in confusion. She didn’t remember taking a nap out there.

Her cousins were quick to wrap a blanket around her shivering frame and a cup of tea soon entered her hands, warming her. She took a sip as she assessed herself. She felt relatively fine other than being cold, and dirty apparently. She looked up into the anxious faces of her cousins.

“What happened?” Her voice was gravely and croaky. Samara coughed into her arm and looked at them. They both shifted uneasily.

“Well, in an effort to stop the impending Apocalypse, I convinced Ambrose to help me with the Mandrake conversion. And we were successful.” Samara’s stomach dropped, her cousin was now a mortal. Her Aunties were going to be furious. Heaven, she was furious!

“Sabrina-” Before she could finish, Sabrina rushed out words that took a moment to decipher.

“It worked too well and now the Mandrake has gone around trying to recreate everyone in my life into Mandrakes themselves. And she was successful with your Mandrake.” Sabrina hurried out and worried her lip between her teeth. 

Samara felt her breath leave her. The Mandrake was successful? She closed her eyes and tried to pulse out her magick to find Phlox. Her eyebrows furrowed when she couldn’t. Her eyes snapped open wide and she looked at the edges of the room. Sorrow ripped through her chest as she took in the shadows that remained still and static. Where were her Shadows?! The companions she’d had since the beginning of time! What had saved her countless times!

“I’m mortal.” The words were whispered but seemed like a scream in the silent room. Sabrina collapsed to her knees beside her and gripped her arm.

“I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. I’ll fix this.” 

“How can you? You’re mortal now too.” Samara mumbled, shooting a sharp look at her cousin. Sabrina bowed her head.

“We do have a plan to deal with the Mandrakes for now at least. We’re going to have an old-fashioned duel. Pistols and everything.” Ambrose tried to soothe. Samara stared down at her tea, her thumb rubbing up and down the handle. Her brain whirring as her heart continued to shatter in her chest. Unlike before, her soothing presence didn’t come to her. Instead she remained alone and desolate.

“With powers like we have….had, they need to be killed. So we’re cheating at the duel. Pulling early. I’m sorry to ask this of you but I can’t face them alone.” Sabrina explained, tears pooling in her eyes. Samara glanced at her out of the corner of her eye and gave a small nod. Ambrose and Sabrina sighed in relief. They began to explain more of the plan to her but she listened with half an ear, her eyes instead intent on the corners of the room that remained still but should’ve been swirling with her companions. Nothing would ever be the same.

The grove where Sabrina was born held an eerie feeling as the three cousins entered it. Or maybe it was just as normal as it had always been, just now Samara didn’t have the powers to protect from the bumps in the night.

Two figures stood at the stone in the middle of the clearing. They became clearer as the group of 3 approached. As they stopped at the stone, Samara found herself looking into a mirror. Rather, a mirror image. Piercing silver eyes and flowing black hair. Had she always been that tiny? She just reached Mandrake Sabrina’s nose. Samara watched as her Mandrake’s eyes shot through with lightning in a display of power. Envy and sorrow shot through her again. Those were hers!

“Sabrina, Samara. You came. Did you bring the weapons?” Mandrake Sabrina asked.

“Yes.” Samara answered, her eyes glowering at her own Mandrake.

“And there’s no other way this can play out?” Her Mandrake sighed, shaking her head.

“I wish there were. For all of our sakes.” The real Sabrina answered as everyone took a pistol from Ambrose.

“The rules are this. You’ll turn your backs to one another, count ten paces. On ten, turn, shoot. May the best trigger fingers win.” The girls all turned their backs on one another, pistols gripped in their hands. Samara closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then Ambrose began to count.

“One.” Step.

“Two.” Step.

“Three.” Step.

“Four.” Step.

“Five.” Step.

“Six.” Step.

“Seven.” Step.

“Eight.” Step.

“Nine.” BANG! BANG! The sound was deafening but Samara could still hear the gasp of pain and betrayal in her Mandrake’s voice. The shot Mandrakes both turned and looked towards the mortal girls.

“You shot early. That’s not fair.” The Mandrakes spoke as one before falling to the ground. Sabrina shook her head, tears in her eyes.

“No. No, it’s not.” She said and began running towards her Mandrake. Samara set down her pistol and kept her eyes on her gasping Mandrake. As she approached her Mandrake she could hear Sabrina soothing her own. Samara knelt down beside hers and looked into her eyes. She set both of her hands on the chest of the oozing Mandrake and leaned close to her face.

“You have something that doesn’t belong to you. Something that’s mine. And you’re gonna give it back to me.” Samara whispered, her words laced with cruelty before she bared her teeth. It felt strange, to be pushing and pulling for magick that was no longer contained in her. But she could feel it swarming within this Mandrake. It reacted to her touch, trying to get to what was familiar. She looked into the panic wide eyes of the Mandrake as she realized what she was doing. Samara’s lips curled with a wicked grin before she plunged her hands into the collapsing chest of the Mandrake, another choked gasp leaving its lips. She grasped the heart before it stopped beating, its warmth and goo filling her hand. She kept eye contact as her grip firmed and she slowly pulled the heart from her chest. She raised the still beating, orange, organ into the air, and set it before her lips. Her cruel smile parted to reveal sharp, pearly teeth that eagerly bit into the pulpy mess. The Mandrake gave a screaming groan as Samara ripped off the piece in her mouth, chewed and swallowed. As the piece moved down her throat to settle in her stomach, the Mandrake stilled, breath leaving her lips.

Samara dropped the pulp in her hand onto the body below her as she stood. As she reached her full height she sighed in content. She could see them! Her Shadows! She could feel as her magick flooded her veins, stretching out along her body like a weighted blanket. She flexed her hands and laughed in delight as her Shadows swirled up her body, encompassing her in darkness.

“Sabrina! Samara!” Nick shouted as he ran into the clearing, a woman following close behind. Samara turned to look at the others. Her cousin still sat on the ground, her Mandrake in her lap. Ambrose stood before them, formerly soothing her other cousin. Nick and the woman looked out of breath and disheveled. Although Samara knew she looked a sight. Her Mandrake lay at her feet, it’s heart ripped out of its chest and bitten, she was sure her eyes were glowing and her Shadows blurred parts of her.

“Nick. Ms. Wardwell. It’s over.” Sabrina answered in a tear-choked voice. The two looked at them in horror. 

“Sabrina, that was the last step...to complete the prophecy.” Nick breathed out. Samara stared towards him as Sabrina turned.

“Killing yourself. It was the final perversion.” Ms. Wardwell chimed in as Sabrina’s face fell. Samara’s head tiled in interest, her new companions sending worried glances her way.

“What are you saying?” Tears still fell from Sabrina’s eyes but for a different reason than sorrow for her Mandrake.

The group besides Samara startled as lightning struck around them including the stone just behind them. 

“The prophecy is being fulfilled. The End of Days is upon us. The Dark Lord will walk the Earth in His true form. The Gates of Hell will open. And Samara will sit by his side and rule as His Queen while Sabrina, their Sword, will enact their will.” Ms. Wardwell answered in a grave voice. Thunder and lightning continued to strike around them. One final strike highlighted the faces of the girls and the roles they’d play. Eyes glowing. Menace on Sabrina’s face. A crown towering on Samara’s head. Anticipation soaked the air.

[lauwrite1225]

Broken Crown || Finan x OC || Chapter 4.

Summary :  Since the day he has been enslaved, Finan never thought that he would have to face his origins. But when an old friend made his arrival to Wessex, the Irishman his forced to deal with his past.

A/N : I messed up with the tag on the last two chapters, so you should check if you have read them :)

Other chapters

(Flashbacks are in italic.)

English isn’t my first language, if you see any mistakes, tell me :)

Warning : None.

04 || DEAL

Ailis was waiting inside King's Edward office. It's been ten minutes since the priest, who present himself as Father Pyrlig, led her here. He had knocked at the door of her room, telling her that the King would like to see her. She was surprised that he decided by himself to have a discussion with her. She didn't know what to expect from him. 

She heard a lot about King Alfred, Edward’s father. She knew him as a strategic man and mostly ambitious with his dream of a united England. A dream which was still far from being real, Nothumbria remaining in part to the Danes.

She started to walk around the room. There was a huge table in the middle, full of maps and documents. Some of them had painting representing battles. Ailis lost herself in the beauty of the artwork, causing her to jump when the door opened. She turned back to face Edward. His expression was neutral. She couldn’t say if it was a good thing due to their discussion of the morning.

“Lord King.” She said as he walked to her. Without a word, he walked to the table and took one of the documents that intrigued Ailis. A soft smile appeared on his face, with some sort of nostalgia.

“This are pages of my Father’s Chronicles. He wanted peoples to know how England was born, event centuries after his death.”

“But he didn’t succeed.” She looked up to him, wondering what will be his reaction. But he did not seem upset. He just put down the paper delicately.

“He didn’t. But I intend to fulfill his wish.” He turned to Ailis and crossed his fingers together. “That’s why I can’t accept to fight the Danes with you. I need to keep peace in England, for a time.” The Lady gnashed, still astonished by this supposedly agreement between Wessex and the Danes. Even though, she kept her doubt for her this time and listen to Edward as he spoke again. “But, if we can’t be ally of war, we can be ally of peace.”

“And how will you do that?” She frowned. The King’s hands were now in his back as he walked toward a window.

“I can negotiate with the Danes, to maintain peace between you and them.” Ailis tried her best to not scoffed at his sentence.

“And why would they listen to you?” He turned to her, rising an eyebrow. “We are not a part of your Kingdom.”

“No, but we could be bounded.” He smirked lightly.

“A marriage?” She asked, after a moment to figure out what he could have in mind.

“Your King has many daughters, I am sure one would fit to my son.” His smile didn’t disappear. He was right, Dealla gave Conall four daughters and no living son. But the Queen was still in age to provide a healthy son to him. Rohan and Bran were both sturdy boys, why couldn’t she have others?

“And you assume that the Danes will leave our lands just because of a marriage?” Her tone was slowly gaining the disbelief one she had during the Witan.

“No, they won’t leave, that’s for sure. But they’ll stop the bloodshed.” He said, more serious.

“Our lands had never been theirs.” She snapped but Edward didn’t flinch.

“But you don’t have any other choices. Your army isn’t one anymore, the next time they’ll attack you, the whole Kingdom will be theirs.” Ailis bit her lips, he was well informed. She had hoped that maybe the news that their army was weak wouldn’t have come that far, but it was. “What I propose you, is your only solution.” He finally said, letting Ailis thoughtful.

“I need to think about it.” She needed to be sure that Conall will accept. And knowing him, if she returned with a proposition of peace who would disadvantage them instead of men with swords, she doubted her King will be pleased. But as Edward mentioned, did they have other choices?

“You have until tomorrow to give me your answer.”

 …

 As promised, Finan was waiting for Ailis on the palace’s stairs. Dawn was falling and the Irishman was waiting since half an hour now. Most of the day, he thought about her. She seemed to be the same person, but he could also feel that she wasn’t. For sure, she wasn’t the young girl he left in his old life. She was determined to fulfill her duty, like she had always been, but now she really knew what it meant. And just like him, her duty was heavier than what she thought as a child. However, she kept following it. In a way, it made her stronger than him.

Suddenly, Finan was taken from his thought by footstep behind him. Ailis was walking down the stairs. He stared at her, noticing she looked different from the morning. She had no warrior outfit anymore, only a blue dress assorting to her eyes and a cloak to protect her from the cold. Her hair was down and still humid due to the bath she surely had earlier. But even like that, her warrior soul remained. Her skin now clean, revealed a scar on her cheek and another one on her neck, so close to her jugular. The past years had been rough for her too.

He stood up as she smiled at him. “Sorry, I am late.”

“Don’t worry. Did you have your meeting with the King?”

“In fact, he asked for me.” She answered as she seemed more concerned.

“Really?” She nodded. “Did you find an arrangement?” She slowly ran a hand behind her neck.

“He proposed me a solution.” She sighed and shook her head. She looked up to him and her bright smile appeared once more on her face. “But that’s not what matter. Now, I want to know everything about you.” She said pointing a finger toward him.

“One night won’t be enough I think.” He laughed.

The two of them started to walk in Winchester, Finan leading her in the same alehouse than in the morning. This time, they took a table in the back of the room.

“So… Where do I start?” Finan demanded before taking a sip of ale. Ailis pinched her lips as she let a finger ran across the edge of her cup.

“Well… Maybe the beginning?” Finan did not need more explanation, her eyes where clear enough about what beginning she meant. He took a deep breath and straightened on his chair. He never liked to talk about these days and he always avoided the subject with other peoples. But Ailis wasn’t them.

“I spend three winters on the slave ship. Slaves usually don’t leave that long.” He tried his best to not meet Ailis’ eyes. He didn’t like the pity that it usually engendered to tell the story. “I met Uhtred after the second winter. We tried to escape once, but failed. His brother saved us the following spring.” He made the story shorter, avoiding the whip who bloodied his back more than once, the bare flesh in his palm by pulling the oars, the scars on his ankles due to the chains and the cold that petrified his muscles after dark. His whole body was the reminder of this three years of suffering.

“And then you decided to follow him?” He finally let himself meet her gaze. He almost jumped from his chair when he didn’t see the pity in Ailis’ eyes. There was just understanding. Finan slowly nodded as he drank a long gulp of ale.

“I had nowhere to go, after all.”

“He seems to be an incredible man. We heard of him even in Ulaid. But now, I know he isn’t alone when he achieves his exploits.” Finan laughed a little. Following Uhtred was probably the best decision he made in his life. Even if being a warrior wasn’t easy, he enjoyed it. He loved fighting and the feeling of being alive that it occurred.

“And hum… How are my sons ?” He asked, hesitant. He hadn’t mentioned since a long time and it was strange to say this word. He never considered himself as a good father and events didn’t bring him the chance to improve. But he still cared for them. They were his blood.

“They are well. They live in a monastery near Navan Fort. To be honest, Rohan spend more time outside than inside.” She lightly laughed. “Bran is more… Pious ?”

“Who sent them to a monastery?” Finan frowned.

“Well… It’s Conall. After being crowned, he married Dealla.” The Irishman raised an eyebrow, not knowing if she was serious. But as she pinched her lips, he understood she was telling the truth. “He feared for his throne so he sent them away. But Dealla can see them whenever she wants.”

“I thought your father supported him, it should be enough for him to keep his throne.”

“He did. But my father isn’t here anymore.” He kept his breath for a moment, seeing the sadness of Ailis. Her father was a great and powerful man. He didn’t have a lot of wealth or immense land, but his strategist’s talent in battle as much as in politics own him the respect of all the Lords. He has always been impressed by him.

“How?” He finally asked, his voice knotting.

“Illness. He had a bad wound during a battle and it infected.” She explained as she tried to hide the emotions in her tone. He knew she loved her father as much as he admired him. Finan wasn’t good with words when it came to comfort people and after being gone for years, he wasn’t sure of what to say. So, he simply rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. She softly smiled at the feeling of his touch. “I am alright now.” She breathed as he let go of her hand.

The two old friends remained silent for a moment, drinking their ale. But the moment did not last long when someone shouted Finan’s name. A wide smirk appeared on his face when two men approached their table.

“We were looking for you.” Spoke the older one as he wrapped his arms around the other’s shoulder. His accent was clearly Dane and the Thor’s hammer hanging at his neck, confirmed Ailis judgment. But he was slender than all the Danes she crossed the way. The younger one was as intriguing. She could swear that he was a monk with the typical robe he was wearing and his haircut, but there definitely was a sword tapping as his thigh as he walked. “We didn’t know you were in good company.” He noticed, turning to Ailis.

“This is Ailis.” Announced Finan. “An old friend of mine. Ailis, this Sihtric and Osferth, they are fighting for Uhtred too.”

“The two other bastards?” She smirked.

“Right.” Answered quickly, knowing the meaning of her question.

“A pleasure to meet you.” She announced as she turned to them. “Finan was going to tell me your adventures with your Lord.”

“There’s much to say, Lady.” Spoke the one called Osferth.

“Call me Ailis, please.” She tapped the place next to her and the two warriors take place at the table.

They started to talk about how each one met Uhtred and how many battles they have fought since then. As the ale flowed, the three men started to laugh at any anecdote. Ailis was captivated by their stories. But what warmed her heart the most was Finan cheerfulness. He always had the talent to make her smile or laugh and she truly missed that.

 …

 Ailis was in the corridor’s castle when she perceived Finan and Moira. It wasn’t the first time she caught them together. In fact, it was more and more common. She had seen them walking in the garden few days earlier. That day, she noticed the light in her friend’s eyes when he looked at her. He was smiling like she had never seen him before and she didn’t like that. It was no jealousy, far from it. But she was scared of what could bring their relationship. And right now, it was nothing good.

Not long after she saw them, Moira walked away from Finan. The young women bowed her head when she crossed Ailis, trying to hide the redness on her cheeks.

“Good morning Ailis.” She said, not even letting her the time to give her back the greetings. She watched her leave and then turned to Finan who was going to the opposite side. She started to run to catch him. When she arrived next to him, she grabbed his arm, forcing him to stop.

“What were you doing?” He frowned at her, removing his arm from her grip.

“Discussing. That’s all.”

“Don’t lie to me.” She scoffed. He did not answer, continuing his way. Ailis clenched her jaw, not appreciating that he was ignoring her. But she needed to know. She needed to know what was going on between them. “You love her?” She declared.

Finan suddenly stopped. His fingers were nervously moving as the rest of his body was froze. He slowly turned to her, his expression telling her all she had to know. She couldn’t explain what she felt right now. It was a mixture of anger and fear.

“Finan, she’s your brother’s wife!” She almost shouted closing making a step toward him.

“And you think he loves her more than me?” He snapped. Ailis bit her lower lips. He was right on that fact, Conall was slowly getting uninterested by his wife. He was flirting with the maids and she wouldn’t be surprised he lied with some of them. But it couldn’t justify.

“Finan, you can’t do this. You have a wife. You have children.” She tried to resonate him, feeling the fear of what will happen if it went further. But Finan couldn’t hear what she said. He shook his head and plunged his eyes into hers.

“All of this is my father’s doing. I never asked for any of this.” Ailis’ mouth opened for a moment, shook by his words. How could he say that? Indeed, he never wanted to marry Dealla, but yet she was good to him. She even gave him another son few weeks ago. Wasn’t that more important?

“Can you hear yourself? This is a dangerous game Finan. For both of you.” She warned him, still not leaving his eyes.

“Don’t talk to me like I was a child.” He grumbled.

“But you behave like one!” She shouted, raising her hands in the air. They remained for a moment, staring in each other gaze to see which one will speak first. Ailis lost this battle. She sighed, looking up to the ceiling. “You have a duty Finan.” She said, her voice stern.

“My duty can go to hell.” On these words, he walked past Ailis, letting her alone in the corridor.

The young red hair clenched her jaw once more, knowing that the situation could only get worse.

A/N: OMG I am so proud of this one because he’s the longer chapter I’ve written so far ahah. I had a hard time to figure out what deal could have Ailis and Edward, one that would fit with the rest of the story. So it’s probably not really historically accurate... 

I can already tell you that next chapter will be quite angsty (finally ? lmao)

Tagged : @astral-finan​ , @geekandbooknerd​ , @pokeasleepingsmaug​ , @ucancallmechlo​ , @naihqh​ , @queen-manning​ and @kelly-fasel​ <3

[comicteaparty]

April 20th-April 26th, 2020 CTP Archive

The archive for the Comic Tea Party week long chat that occurred from April 20th, 2020 to April 26th, 2020.  The chat focused on Only In Your Dreams! by Tuyetnhi Pham.

Featured Comment:

Chat:

Comic Tea Party

BOOK CLUB START!

Hello and welcome everyone to Comic Tea Party’s Book Club~! This week we’ll be focusing on Only In Your Dreams! by Tuyetnhi Pham~! (http://oiydcomic.com/)

You are free to read and comment about the comic all week at your own pace until April 26th, so stop on by whenever it suits your schedule! Discussions are freeform, but we do offer discussion prompts in the pins for those who’d like to have them. Additionally, remember that while constructive criticism is allowed, our focus is to have fun and appreciate the comic! Whether you finish the comic or can only read a few pages, everyone is welcome to join and chat with us!

DISCUSSION PROMPTS – PART 1

1. What did you like about the beginning of the comic?

2. What has been your favorite moment in the comic (so far)?

3. Who is your favorite character?

4. Which characters do like seeing interact the most?

5. What is something you like about the art? If you have a favorite illustration, please share it!

6. What is a theme you like that the comic explores?

7. What do you like about the comic’s story or overall related content?

8. Overall, what do you think the comic’s strengths are?

Don’t feel inspired by the prompts? Feel free to discuss anything else that interested you!

Eightfish (Puppeteer)

5. I like how distinctive the character designs are! The mcs are both very unique and recognizable

8. It doesn't take itself too seriously, but it also explores some real neat concepts

the story is full of personality

carcarchu

the comic's not loading for me shakes fist at wifi, gonna try again tomorrow but i just wanted to say the look of the site is really cute!

Joichi [Hybrid Dolls]

Got the chance to read it So here are some of my thoughts: 1. I like the romantic atmosphere that the comic starts off with warm colours and it gives a vacation ad sensation? 2. My favourite moment is in the pink strange dream world, the colours contrast to the reality of Cara. 4. Fave moment: When that mystery guy shows up and he had corny lines like a romantic parody. It seem so fantastical. 5. I like the colour palette choice of brown tones, shades of pinks. 6. I think the theme is about expectations (it's not clear atm), how Cara is distancing from real relationships and prefer to indulge. 7: I like how the creator shows Cara looking scared of confronting things. It sets an interesting tone of uncertainty. Is she hiding something?(edited)

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

I'm super curious about the situation of Cara not remembering her past dreams with Richie, and how that ties into the theme.

shadowhood (SunnyxRain)

1. I like how I don’t know what to expect. I also like how the premise is relateable; the idea that you are scared of imperfection making you have high standards in life hit close. 2) Every single time we’re treated to....Tuyetnhi’s lovely use of expression. Also the end part of episode 2, because that’s when I realized it’s going to get dark. 3) A tie between Ana and Richie. Ana because she makes me laugh with her blunt assertions (which...aren’t wrong) and Richie because he’s so flamboyant and extra. I love how much personality they all have. 4) Hands down Richie and Cara. They have a really hilarious dynamic going on. 6) The idea that people seek perfection through their dreams instead of facing reality. Also I really liked how it tackles society’s fixation on everyone to find someone....maybe Cara doesn’t need that and needs to focus on herself first? 7) That I won’t know what to expect. I came into this thinking it was going to be a classic romcom, and then I get hit with implicit horror and trippyness. I have a feeling Tuyetnhi is hinting at some darker aspects of the story we have yet to see. 8) Good lord the expressions. They really do the story justice and make me turn the page every time. Also the colours are beautiful.(edited)

(Whoops sorry keiiii)

7) two moments actually!

The fact that their wide eyed sweaty expressions matched made me laugh really hard

And also Cara’s quick acceptance of the situation was so unexpected and hilarious I took a double take. Also props to the colour dissonance; that looks like meme material right there!

Tuyetnhi (Only In Your Dreams!)

yeah. I want to make it clear that Cara is like "This is really not my day." lol

shadowhood (SunnyxRain)

Well....you portrayed that sentiment perfectly

Joichi [Hybrid Dolls]

Omg yes the wide eyed expressions were also making me laugh! Well that was an expression I didn't expect coming into the story(edited)

I was wondering if that was suppose to be serious or humorous?

Tuyetnhi (Only In Your Dreams!)

both LOL

shadowhood (SunnyxRain)

I see the horror you got going there Tuyetnhi Reminds me of...I dunno Jojo?

Tuyetnhi (Only In Your Dreams!)

well............ yes and no lol

shadowhood (SunnyxRain)

But I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen

Although...if we’re going by the silhouette....is she scared of herself?

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN

Tuyetnhi (Only In Your Dreams!)

C:

Joichi [Hybrid Dolls]

I like that sense of not knowing what's happening? :)(edited)

Tuyetnhi (Only In Your Dreams!)

that will be coming up in Ch. 3 soon

so please wait till then thank u lol

Joichi [Hybrid Dolls]

So far it's tough to choose a fave character right now since I feel the story has just started its first segment. I would like to wait until more content is shown before I can make a firm choice? (I'm analytical, I like to go over OCs flaws and strengths once I know more about them)(edited)

I'm curious to learn about her ex crush, since we only get a glimpse of how Cara precieve him. But what is Dean really like? *Drum rolls(edited)

Tuyetnhi (Only In Your Dreams!)

you got.... good questions

it will be rewarded.... later on LOL

mariah (rainy day dreams)

1. What did you like about the beginning of the comic? I really liked the colors and island vibe. And this was even before Animal Crossing came out and I started hardcore living that island life I just love a good, soft pink to purple gradient generally speaking so the opening of the story was like falling into a comfy brain pillow for me. 2-4 I'm just gonna answer these ones kind of all together because they thoughts on then are all kind of threaded together into one big thought. After having read through the archive I really liked the scene with Ana and Cara. When I first read it I was like "dang, she's giving Cara such a hard time," but after having read the scenes where Cara just refused to admit to Richie she doesn't know what's going on I really retroactively appreciated Ana's willingness to call Cara on her bullshit XD I think it's a really good foil trait to have for a protagonist who seems dead set on avoiding confrontation even though it seems like doing so is most likely just gonna come back to bite her later. I imagine we aren't going to see Ana for a while though unless Cara is able to use her Phone A Friend card in the dream realm XD I am also looking forward to seeing more of the Cara doppelganger and how she and Cara interact with each other going forward. That feels like an exciting and drama filled mystery

Cronaj (Whispers of the Past)

1. What did you like about the beginning of the comic? I also love the atmosphere. The color choices are just so beautiful. 2. What has been your favorite moment in the comic (so far)? Ana pointing out Cara's BS hahahaha. 3. Who is your favorite character? Definitely Ana. She's so down-to-earth from what I can tell, someone I'd want to be friends with. 4. Which characters do like seeing interact the most? Probably Ana and Cara. I like to see good friendships depicted, especially in a romance. 5. What is something you like about the art? If you have a favorite illustration, please share it! In general, everything is so soft and pretty. I also really appreciate the fact that all the characters have larger noses. If I had a favorite panel, it would be at the beginning, the sunset beach waves. 6. What is a theme you like that the comic explores? So far, I'm not sure about themes, but I like the talk about the pressure parents give to their children to get married. 7. What do you like about the comic’s story or overall related content? There's a lot of mystery, so I'm looking forward to learning about Cara's dreams, Richie, and the key. 8. Overall, what do you think the comic’s strengths are? The visuals are really nice. I can't stop gushing about the color choices and the pretty atmosphere.(edited)

Joichi [Hybrid Dolls]

The way Cronaj sums up their thoughts on OiYD, I'm agreeing with the statement on Ana and Cara! Esp friendship part

Deo101 [Millennium]

I'll answer the questions hopefully later this week, but this song reminded me of the comic!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4z5ecLCvSQ(edited)

shadowhood (SunnyxRain)

@Deo101 [Millennium] damn that’s a good song

Tuyetnhi (Only In Your Dreams!)

Oooo

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

He's definitely hot and extra

Tuyetnhi (Only In Your Dreams!)

lmao

Joichi [Hybrid Dolls]

My joke idea is that Cara is secretly in a reality show starring Richie and her and the bonds they play out is meant for a live broadcast. But she's clearly not agreeing to this(edited)

Tuyetnhi (Only In Your Dreams!)

oh god. i don't think that's good for Cara's mental state lmao

Feather J. Fern

Also I have to say, I do love how the first cover is literally Cara being the meme of "Oh no he's hot"

Tuyetnhi (Only In Your Dreams!)

fjdkalfdjdklfj

Feather J. Fern

Also I finally started it, while a bit late, I have to relate to Cara being an accountant.

Also I think my favourite panel is "Welp that worked"

Also I have to appreciate picking a pink that doesn't grate on the eyes.

https://gyazo.com/71fe22ea6ac2ebf6b3d85531c66bf8ed Another really good panel

Tuyetnhi (Only In Your Dreams!)

I enjoyed making that one LOL

shadowhood (SunnyxRain)

that face is one of my favourites not gonna lie

Feather J. Fern

I really like the surrealness of the story, can't wait to see what happens next

shadowhood (SunnyxRain)

same! I feel like something is about to happen

I'm also wondering how Richie would react to the real world

like....the ex. And her parents.

Tuyetnhi (Only In Your Dreams!)

soon™️

Feather J. Fern

More like everyone reacting to Richie XD

shadowhood (SunnyxRain)

Yeah pretty much

Like can Richie handle the world?

More like

Can the world handle RICHIE

RebelVampire

I like that the beginning really contrasts the dream and Cara's reality pretty quickly. I kind of feel it catches that feeling of coming out of a dream to face reality which kind of sucks, and also plays into the themes of dream vs. reality and expectation vs. reality. It's very easy to idealize things, whether as a route of escapism or just because it sounds appealing. But the reality of things generally is always different, and I like that we're seeing this full force in the comic through Cara's perspective. And the contrasts between the two really enhance those topics. My favorite moment in the comic so far is probably when Cara meets what I assume is Dean. Cause I really loved that both parties were kind of at fault, and I also liked how quickly that convo devolved into a grumpfest, because that felt very realistic. My favorite character right now is definitely Richie, because he is ridiculous and sympathetic at the same time. I adore his exaggerated personality, while at the same time feel sorry for him since for him the memories are clearly there and like...I would not want to be in the shoes of someone where the person they loved no longer remembered them. As for character interacting the most, Cara and Richie because that entire premise of one person remembering and the other not makes for a really tense and awkward situation. It's hard to tell where it's going to go. What I like about the art is the palettes of color chosen, since there's some beautiful scenery as well as fantastic contrasts when needed to make certain moments pop (like dream vs. reality).

As for the story content, what I actually like the most is that Cara is a flawed protagonist. I've read a lot of stories where the protagonist is always 100% right in the relationship and is just eternally the victim because society pressure. But Cara has a lot more going on, since she's clearly been at fault in some interactions, and while we can sympathize with people pressuring her into relationships, she also maybe takes it too far by being avoidant of basically every relationship. However, since she has these traits, I'm more invested into her personal dilemmas since she'll actually make mistakes when dealing with stuff. Which I think this is the overall strength of the comic. Cara is just a damn good protagonist who is easily likeable but isn't perfect and whose imperfections are not just brushed off so easily.

Tuyetnhi (Only In Your Dreams!)

;_; .... thank you.

snuffysam (Super Galaxy Knights)

I love the story so far! When I first started, I figured it would be some sort of awkward story where Richie comes into the real world and he has to figure out how to, like, act natural, and hilarity ensues. But holy cow, Cara losing her memories, and the slide into somewhat of a horror angle - it's not something I expected (though admittedly I could have read the synopsis lol), but it's definitely something I like!(edited)

Comic Tea Party

DISCUSSION PROMPTS – PART 2

9. Do you think the people around Cara were right to try and pressure her into a relationship? Overall, what do you think the comic has to say about relationships and the themes regarding relationship pressure?

10. Is what Cara experiencing dream or reality, and where is the line between them in this case? Additionally, why do you think her dreams have the potential to become reality as opposed to other people? Also, what is the overall message underlying these themes?

11. Is Richie really just a dream Cara dreamt up, or is there something more to him? If he somehow makes it to Cara’s world, do you think he’ll be able to adjust to that reality? Also, can he win Cara over?

12. What do you think the Cara imposter is about, and what does this have to do with the entire situation? Do you think Cara will eventually remember her dreams? Lastly, what do you think Cara has in store for her as the story continues?

Don’t feel inspired by the prompts? Feel free to discuss anything else that interested you!

shadowhood (SunnyxRain)

9. I personally don’t think it was great of the people in Cara’s life to pressure her like that. Sure, they mean well, but it’s most likely bringing Cara’s self esteem down by a lot. I have a feeling that her dreams/reality colliding together is partially motivated by that; the pressure of pleasing society has made her....subconsciously take drastic measures?

10. I’m actually not sure! Maybe there’s a supernatural explanation to it, or it could all just be a dream. Dreams have a way of showing a person’s innermost desires or fears, so maybe Cara’s desires and fears are coming alive in response to external stress factors. So perhaps she opened a portal of sorts between the realms in some way (there’s a key!!!!).

11. Oh I’m thinking they might end up together. But the realist inside me thinks...perhaps what Cara needs isn’t romantic love, but more independent love and being able to love herself. What DOES worry me, however, is the fact that Richie seems...a bit desperate for Cara to like him. Is there a condition to his love after all? If so, that means that it’s possible he’s forced in some way to love her or make her love him. And that’s not really conducive to romance, is it?

12. Ah...the thing that makes me mystified the most. Cara seems to have a negative view of herself, since she told her to get out in the end of chapter two. However, Cara #2 seems to be pretty helpful; knocking on the door to tell her to get out of the house (which Richie has her in), so in a way letting her out. While our Cara seems to dislike her a lot, I think the key to the story would be our Cara needing to accept this double Cara to be really free. Maybe she will, maybe she won’t! But from what I can see from the story and like I’ve said earlier...maybe Cara needs to be able to find love within herself. Love for that Cara double, and enough love to become independent and not bend to society’s overwhelming pressure for outside romance. I hope she finds that as the story comes along, and know that it’s okay to not be ready for love.

As for Richie...hmm. He’s dealing with an amnesiac heroine, and adjusting to the real world. I’m sure it’s going to lead to some hilarious hijinks, but hopefully he can manage! He seems up to the task

RebelVampire

I think whether people were right to pressure Cara is a tricky gray area. On the one hand, no, they were wrong. Nobody should be forced into a relationship. But on the other hand, if you know a person is actively self-sabotaging, isn't it more correct to speak up? So to me this is maybe a situation of good intentions with bad execution. However, I do think overall the comic does say pressuring people into relationships sucks and plz don't do that cause that's how you make ppl run further away. I think it's both, because a dream is reality in a sense. I think many of us have had dreams that caused real emotional affects, whether negative or positive. So the line between them is merely the fact effects are limited. Cara have may have just found a way to cross that line and make a dream a tangible thing that has more consequences. As for why her dreams, I don't know. Maybe she's just super good at dreaming. I do think as the overall message though is that dreams are good but not when we get lost in them, because then we idealize and reject "reality" in ways that aren't healthy. I do think Richie is primarily something Cara dreamt up, but kind of not maybe. Like sure maybe Cara is idea creator, but something else was involved in making the physical reality of that idea. As for Richie adjusting to Cara's world, I'm sure it will be laughably hilarious. I do think he can sort of win Cara over, at least in the sense of being friends. Cause how can you hate Richie? I'm taking a shot in the dark and saying Cara imposter is the embodiment of Cara's missing memories but since they're just memories, all they can do is imitate. As for Cara remembering, I feel like it will be yes but I kind of want it to be no. I like the idea of them having to reform a relationship entire from scratch.

Tuyetnhi (Only In Your Dreams!)

Oo good impressions! I wish I have more to say but it would affect the story LOL. Enjoyed reading everyone's theories tho!

Joichi [Hybrid Dolls]

Ok my turn, let's see what my head theories are: 9: I felt the same annoyance as Cara but it's a mixed feeling, Even though, people shouldn't pressure a lady on her love life, she also has a problem with being in relationships. Or I remember one quote from the story was how she 'ditched her dates by rushing to the bathroom.' although I don't know her circumstance, I do know she has issues to settle too. Relationship pressure is real, especially as a young person grows older. 10. From the comic visuals, it feels much like it's her escapism dream. The only clue I got, is that her holding a literal 'key' connecting both worlds, is evidence that both world could collide. So far, we haven't seen other people's dreams, or whether this is an unusual occurrence in the world? It seems to be a message about idealistic relationships. Since Cara seem to turn away real ones, it manifested? 11. I'm curious about Richie's character too. He seems like a powerful imagination, enough to sway the lead, so he's more than a simple figment. I wonder if his submissive, flirtatious (?) personality was build in him. He doesn't seem to have a 'life' outside his dream house, or so far. 12. I'm not sure whether the 'Other Cara' might be trying to help her or is that.. actually a shadow side? I don't want to say too much, but it's interesting to see where the story goes.(edited)

shadowhood (SunnyxRain)

Oh! You make a good point about Richie; I never thought about that! Do you think maybe he's simply a part of Cara and eventually gains his own sentience/personality?

Joichi [Hybrid Dolls]

Hehe I like analyzing dreams :3 In dream theory, I feel he could be? I was more skeptical whether he should be treated as a real character or something else.(edited)

shadowhood (SunnyxRain)

man this does make me want to look up dream psychology

i have a feeling...Tuyetnhi is using some theories from that

Tuyetnhi (Only In Your Dreams!)

Hmmmm dream psychology you say?

I guess you can say there's some elements of that, but it's not a major chunk of it if that makes sense lol

Comic Tea Party

DISCUSSION PROMPTS – PART 3

13. What are you most looking forward to seeing in regards to the comic?

14. Any final words of encouragement for the comic?

Don’t feel inspired by the prompts? Feel free to discuss anything else that interested you!

Tuyetnhi (Only In Your Dreams!)

13. Maintaining the will power to finish OIYD! so I can see it as its end lmao. As a passion project but also something that I want to invest in when I have the time, I hope ya'll looking forward in reading Ch. 3 very soon lol.

shadowhood (SunnyxRain)

13. I really want to see how both Cara and Richie will develop as characters. Whether Cara will figure out for herself what being both independent means....and whether she does want a relationship for herself and not for other people. Likewise with Richie, I want to see if he'll be able to be his own person...and whether he's real or not. I have a lot of questions that I want to be answered, and I can't wait to keep reading.

14. Tuyetnhi, good luck on the webcomic. It's hard to start one and even harder to pull off a good one, and I know yours is a good one. I really look forward to reading more from you. You're amazing (edited)

Tuyetnhi (Only In Your Dreams!)

thank you

Joichi [Hybrid Dolls]

13. I'm interested in learning more about Cara's conflicts, why she is hesitant about having a real relationship vs her dream one? I love the unexpected dark twist that the story seems to be going. 14. I want to say, no pressure and take your time to complete the chapter. Just know you have my support and willing to read when it is ready. Good luck

RebelVampire

I'm looking forward to more Richie being Richie. Because he is an adorable person. And also because I'm waiting for some 'reality' culture shock. My final words are that this comic has a strong themes game going on and an intriguing premise, so it'll be fun to see where the comic is in a few more chapters since I'm pretty sure we're in for a wild ride.

Comic Tea Party

BOOK CLUB END!

Thank you everyone so much for reading and chatting about Only In Your Dreams! this week! Please also give a special thank you to Tuyetnhi Pham for volunteering the comic and creating it! If you liked Only In Your Dreams!, make sure to continue to support it via some of the links below!

Read and Comment: http://oiydcomic.com/

Tuyetnhi’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/oiydcomic

Tuyetnhi’s Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/tuyetnhip

Tuyetnhi’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/tuyetnhip

[bigfan-fanfic]

For @rachelleofalltrades, because you’re awesome, featuring her OC Maxiana and my OC Tash! I hope you like it!

“If we are to cast our lot in with the rebel mages-” Josephine mused, only for Cullen to interrupt.

“An idea which I still find foolish and ill-considered.”

“It may be reasonable,” Leliana continued for her, “for the Herald to meet with a certain other Commander.”

Tash looked glum. “There are an awful lot of Commanders about, aren’t there? Not all of them are as nice as Cullen.”

Cassandra patted him on the shoulder, knowing he was still thinking of Lord Seeker Lucius and being publicly denounced in Val Royeaux. It still rankled that the Chantry would treat a child in that manner. For the Maker’s sake, were they all as blind as Chancellor Roderick?

“I have heard many accounts of this Commander of the Rebel Mages, Herald.” Josephine said.

“Please, just call me Tash. I don’t like being called Herald. It’s worse than Child of Andraste. I don’t even know if it was Andraste, and even then I know I’m not her child or anything.”

“My apologies, Your Wor- Tash.”

Tash suddenly grinned. “Although, the ‘Your Worship’ sounds fun. I could use that.”

Cullen coughed. “Be that as it may, we do have business to discuss?”

“Oh. Right.” the boy blushed. “Sorry.”

“Her name is Lady Maxiana de Parma. Formerly an instructor of the Ostwick Circle, her mother’s family has had many dealings with my own, and I am told she is reasonable and well-mannered.”

“All righty. Where is she?”

“She’s currently based in the Hinterlands. I can have her sent a raven and have them prepare for your arrival and an offer to join the Inquisition.” Leliana offered.

Tash nodded. “That’s probably best. I don’t think it’s very smart to try and surprise a group of mages.”

- - -

Tash usually tried to project confidence the way Josephine taught him. Chin up, chest out, but not puffed, footsteps strong, arms casually swinging... Cullen’s advice was far more helpful in this instance. Just imagine that everyone is a mabari puppy. That certainly made it easier to be unafraid.

He recognized the look in the Commander’s eyes when he walked up to her, Blackwall, Solas, Gale, and Varric behind him. It was the look of stunned surprise that the Child of Andraste was actually a child. That he was so small. Perhaps, even, that he was a horned small child.

He dropped into a graceful Free Marcher bow. “My lady Commander de Parma, it is marvelous to make your acquaintance. My name is Ataashi Adaar, but I am less formally known as Tash.”

There it was, another surprised look, but mixed with... what was that? Pity? No... concern. Rather like she was worried about him.

“Er... it’s nice to meet you, Tash. Please, just Maxiana will do. Would you like to sit down? You must have walked a long way.”

“Thank you; that would be nice.” Tash said, much more sincerely, and Maxiana gave him an answering smile.

- - -

Tash liked talking with Maxiana. She had insisted that they dispense with the titles, and had assured Tash that she was not one for observing proper decorum, so no need to worry about bows or Orlesian trick talking or anything like that. For another thing, she had been very sympathetic to the trials of Tash’s position.

“It must be hard, having so many people depend on you at such a young age. I don’t know that I could have handled it as well as you have.” Maxiana said kindly.

Tash sighed. “Well... it is hard. But at least there’s so many good people around me, helping. Josephine and Cullen... Ser Blackwall... Gale and his father...”

Maxiana smiled at him. “You know, I’ve heard that you’re quite the accomplished mage. Do you have a tutor?”

“A tutor?” Tash blushed. “No... I’ve always learned magic on my own. Solas says it’s too late for me to learn from someone else, and I should keep figuring out my own magic. I asked him if maybe he could show me how he does magic and maybe I could learn a little that way, but he said no. Well, he’s probably right. Solas knows a lot of things.”

“Nonsense.” Maxiana chuckled. “It’s never too late to learn. I think you’re very smart to think of using other’s methods.”

“Really?” Tash brightened, his gold eyes twinkling.

“Of course.”

He leaned in conspiratorially. “Sometimes I watch Solas and use his tricks anyway.”

She smiled. “Well, if you like, I could teach you. I could even tutor you if you like, and you can ask me as much about magic as you like.”

Tash grinned. “Does that mean you’ll join the Inquisition?”

She winked at him. “Well, what magic do you like to use the most?”

“Storm magic.” Tash said, smiling broadly. “It’s my favorite.”

“Ah, in that case, I think I can come up with quite a bit to teach you. Maybe I’ll even teach you how to use my famous magic daggers.”

“Wow!” Tash beamed, looking up at the woman in awe. “That would be wonderful!”

“Well, then, why don’t we get started right now? Just a little lesson until I can get all my people settled at Haven?”

Tash nodded eagerly, his fingers already sparking with electricity in a rainbow of colors, the light from them drowning out even that from his Mark. He liked Lady Maxiana, and was already looking forward to learning from her.

Maxiana grinned, leaning over. “Well, the first thing you should know about storm magic is...”

[thecharmingknightemma]

rules

Hello everyone! I'm sorry if this is long but it's necessary so that you can jump straight into writing with me even if Emma is nearly an oc or a stranger to your muses - and because I'm not English and want to be sure it's all clear. I've been writing for eight years and I'm known to be chill and accommodating but I am also extremely aware of what my preferences and comfort zones are so please read the rules.

My name is Ele, I'm 31, cis woman, super friendly, slow because chronically ill especially when it comes to ooc chat which require too much energy and focus from me, so while I love plotting and commenting threads don't expect ooc chats to be a priority if they aren't fully about the threads. This blog has sideblogs: 'monsterinamusicbox', sosadandyetsoamazing, musesonawhim, and more might come. 

This is an AU Blog so you don't really need to have seen OUAT because this is NOT canon Emma Swan, there is no Storybrooke, and the princess Emma who remembers what was meant to happen in OUAT will let you know everything that you missed; so you'll need to read Emma's bio, either her AU enchanted forest backstory OR the backstory from our world which can fit Marvel, DC and other shows, depending on which character you play (it's awkward to realize the other person has no idea of what I'm writing, like I said, this won't be Emma Swan even in our world, she's been raised by her parents).

There is another backstory for non Enchanted Forest crossovers that doesn't have an abusive ex in it, check it out if the original one is triggering for you. You can request it, no explanation needed.

update of July 26: due to my health and lack of time I can't try to plot with every single mutual even if I follow first, so I ask you to please give me a sign you read my pages and would like to rp. Either by liking my many plotting calls, sending me a meme, liking starter calls, anything will do. Often when I try to plot people haven't read my pages yet or don't reply, and it's a lost occasion to plot with people who are ready. Thank you for your understanding.

WHO I RP WITH

I’m mutuals only and selective. If I don't follow you and you try to rp I'll ignore you, because I get anxious about saying no. If curious you can find reasons why I didn't follow you back here. Memes and opens have no expiration date. Untagged nsfw = I unfollow. Some shows I prefer not to interact with because I don't know them or aren't into some of their themes: vampire diaries, teen wolf, riverdale, gossip girls and any zombie/demons show outside of IZombie, Lucifer and Buffy/Angel.

Between asterisks it's what only people who write ouat characters need to read, the rest is for everyone:

**If your character is involved in her backstory, you have every right to discuss details with me so you won't feel godmodded/forced to adapt to it! I will also change things connected to your ch, for example if I write with a Jefferson, Emma's bff will be Ariel and not Grace. I'd rather not interact with ocs that are supposed to be her siblings or children etc. Henry was never born so if you play Henry we should plot it out because my Emma can’t be pregnant as a kid or she will be a completely different character.**

In this blog due to backstory issues she would want Regina dead so I prefer NOT to interact nor come up with new aus in which she’s fine with it (I have 2 plotted exceptions and that’s enough for me), and same goes for people who are currently villains from any fandom, though in that case we can plot out exceptions in which they aren’t being villains; if they are a grey-area, aren't people who hurt her family, and if you are pro-redemption it's fine, if not Emma wouldn't submit to anyone or bother to chat, she will try to kill them or die, so no threads are really doable. She's also not the type to hang out/bother with characters who are rude to her or to insist if they want her to leave, or to support who keeps manipulating her, hurting people or doesn't seem to be helped by her presence at all but keeps coming to her with pain to share (the latter would get a therapist card). Basically: Killian Jones the way he was written in the show, or even a Rumplestiltskin who found Belle and chose to do better and so on are fine. Villains who will mistreat Emma, have hurt her family, or are currently hunting children for sport? Not good for Emma.

TRIGGERS AND WHAT I WON’T WRITE

Triggers will be tagged ‘name of the trigger tw’, you can always ask me to tag more AND tell me if something in her backstory makes you uncomfortable, so that I can find a solution (that issue is resolved/doesn't need to be mentioned) or tell you if it can't be skipped and you can choose not to write with me. I don’t write about miscarriage, toxic/abusive relationships and rape between my character and yours (temporarily evil due to magic/Dark One Emma being manipulative is fine, but rape is still a no). It’s not exactly a trigger but please tag your gore and body horror? The topic of hell is also complicate, I need you not to focus too much on torture and eternal damnation. And please, PLEASE, tag your daddy kink/mommy kink references ic and ooc. 

MEMES

I’d rather get asks when you want to start a thread, reblog all the memes you want from me. I will reblog from the source or send you one if you prefer it that way but I don’t care if you reblog them from me.

ACTIVITY

Sometimes I'm fast, some I'm slow, but you can have as many threads with me as you want, take your time, reply as much as you want as long as you give me enough to write, drop threads, send memes or not. I like icons but I don't need them to write, you can stop using them whenever. 

NSFW and relationships

NSFW of the smut kind will be tagged as such and usually put under read more. I don’t write smut with everyone, only with people I know ooc/feel comfortable writing it with. I love shipping but I DON'T FORCESHIP, FRIENDSHIPS ARE WELCOMED. My Emma is straight. I do not romantically ship her with Neal/Baelfire even in aus, in her dark witch verse he's a past love Emma Swan had. Happy to find out if a relationship works between my Emma and Killian (my nearly automatic otp if you don't write him darker than in canon), the Huntsman, AU Pinocchio, Jefferson, and more if there is chemistry, but friendship is open to any of them too. Here for crossover ships as well. I’d really appreciate if you could tag your Swan Queen and Swan Thief, thank you.

OTHER FANDOMS I LIKE

Due to potential aus or crossovers, as in princess Emma showing up through a portal or me writing aus to adapt to your fandom, I want to bring up that some of the shows and movies I know are/what she can be in them with small changes to her regular backstory:

AOS (she can easily be inhuman or an alien),

Avengers movies (and at least Thor, Cap, Iron Man and Hulk’s movies), Ant-Man, Captain Marvel (same as above),

the 100 (she’s too happy to be anything but someone who comes from an unknown village or comes from one of the unknown worlds),

Chuck (she can be an ordinary human being, enhanced person/semi-alien depending on who rps the Chuck characters),

Elementary (she can be a regular human or whatever you want)

Flash (she can be a metahuman),

Guardians of the Galaxy (Same as for Marvel),

Legends of Tomorrow (human, alien, metahuman),

Doctor Who (she can be anything),

Firefly: she can be anything (I can also shake things up with her being an alien/having powers OR by coming from the planet where fairy tales are real).

Galavant (same universe as the Enchanted Forest),

Supergirl (she can be an ordinary human or alien),

IZombie (human or zombie),

Lost (she can be anything anything)

Buffy and Angel but only the tvshows (human, witch, one of the many new slayers),

Timeless (human unless the other rper prefers a crossover),

Lord of the Rings (probably just princess Emma portal jumping?)

pretty much any famous sitcom like Friends, the Office, Parks and Rec, b99 (likely she can only be human unless asked otherwise).

Also Lucifer and Good Omens (she could be an ordinary human or it’s more of a crossover in which she comes from her own universe and has magic), and more I can’t think of right now.

[tesseractj]

The Truth, and too much of it

Here we go, Fanfic 1.

 I got the prompt for this at http://imagine-loki.tumblr.com/post/153439568024/imagine-you-and-loki-are-members-of-the-avengers

 Now, I am so new to all this and I probably need to learn tons more about Tumblr, presentation, etc. I also need a PC for this. Instead, I'll let it fly. 

 Summary: OC is a long time Avenger, gets kidnapped, gets drugged, gets rescued, and shares far more of her love life with Loki than she ever wanted to. Steve and Bruce want to hide, Tony wants to listen and Loki keeps prompting for more. 

 OC and basic universe is based on a much bigger fanfic I have been working on. Basically she's a shameless self-insert, Loki is doing better and is an Avenger, and everyone actually does live together when possible creating a nice family of happy Avengers. Definite references to smut, sex, kinks and NSFW stuff. Also minor references to a nebulous past trauma. 

 .................................................. 

 The trick to this drug seemed to be to turn the stream of consciousness into a personally interesting rant. I was slowly driving my captors nuts with it. 

 They asked about Iron Man’s weaknesses and got a rant about Tony’s inability to receive a cup of cocoa when handed to him, or his habit of ordering dinner before anyone had decided what to eat or cook. The best info they gained was his favorite drinks and favorite swimsuit model. That rant lasted a good hour, broken by attempt to steer the information to their needs. 

 “Nooo, weaknesses in the his suit design!” “Like clothes? Nope, he’s got a great designer for clothes. Perfect designs.” They learned his strange clothing choices, designer apparel with $2,000 cufflinks, and then a great deal about Pepper’s awesome wardrobe. They cut me off again when I started talking about the history of the color pink and child product consumerism. 

 “No, his suit, tell us about the Iron Man suit weaknesses!” 

 “Have you seen that thing? Who thinks red is a good color for a suit? Tony freakin’ Stark. I love the guy, but any chance it could be black, brown, camo? Noooooo. Red and Gold! Not that Steve’s suit is better. Still, he didn’t design it so I give him a break there. . . usually.” That devolved into a comparison of all Avengers’ gear designs, and more embarrassingly who looked hot in what.

 They tried asking about the defences for Avenger’s Tower and the compound. I had more trouble deflecting that. I couldn’t help but start talking about FRIDAY, but once I got myself talking about the AI’s personality I was off on a rant about the comparisons between her program, the TESS program in my Neural Interface and JARVIS. TESS won that comparison, after 15 minutes of one sided discussion. 

 “What is Nick Fury’s home address?” I laughed at the likelihood of anyone knowing that answer. No one could discover his favorite coffee, let alone his home address, codes, birthday, favorite color, etc. 

 “Does Black Widow fear anything?” I got in 15 minutes about how amazing spiders are, how they are related to horseshoe crabs, how insects were the first land animals and what does Natasha have to do with sea lions? 

 “Listen up! We don’t know what another dose of this will do.” Interrogator #3 held up another vial of whatever they kept dosing me with. “We’d prefer you sane and useful, at least until we sell you and your info to the highest bidder. You are really making that hard.” 

 “Maybe the drug is no good on me? Did you test it on normal humans or genetic experiments visiting from other universes? There’s only a few of us visitors hanging around, so, I’d be pretty supri-”

 “There’s more of you?” Interrogator #1 exclaimed, looking both excited and worried at the thought. 

 I almost winced, that was more info than I wanted to share, but,”More of me? Not on this planet that’s for sure. We tend to aggravate each other outside of specialized conditions.” “More visitors fro. . . what the hell was that?”

 I was saved from accidentally revealing anything by some very loud sounds coming from somewhere not too far off. I sighed in relief. “You all are in so much trouble now. If Nat, Bruce or Loki are here you are dead meat.” Now I explained how painfully dead those three would make my captors. 

 “. . . and after the Hulk puts you through a wall Loki will pull your insides out through any hole he finds. If you haven’t died yet he’ll-” 

 “Shut up! This can’t just be the drug. You must be insane! Who says all that so cheerfully? How did you take a question about the Hulk and turn it into a lecture about Black Holes, Stars Exploding and Poles?” I grinned at the remaining guy in the room. That had been a fun stream about Gamma Ray bursts, threats to life in the universe and Magnetic Pole reversal. 

 Huh, when did the other two guys leave the room? I was knew the drug was affecting my awareness, but that was worse than I thought. Oh well, the door was flying open and I was given a second off from having to answer anything as I watched Steve stop the final guys questions. 

 My awareness hazed out for the next bit until I was breathing fresh air and realized that I was explaining to Cap how medicines for mental illness had side effects like memory loss.

 “Is she alright? Let me see her!” I heard a pleasant, if urgent, voice cut through my mental fog. 

 “Loki! I told them they’d be in big trouble if you came. I knew you would be here. Did you rip anyone to shreds? Did Nat come and break some bones?” I asked happily, likely sounding almost drunk.

 Loki looked straight into my face, eyebrows drawn in confusion. Instead of answering me he turned to Steve, who had helped walk me outside. “What has happened to her, Captain? What have they done to her?”  

“It seems they had a truth serum of some sort. We gave Bruce samples and he’s already started analysing it on the Jet. We’ll know more by the time we get home.” 

 “Know more? I’m certain I could reveal everything we need from one of the prisoners,” Loki got a dangerous glint in his eye. 

 Steve was going to raise an objection, but I couldn’t keep my mouth closed. “Awww, I know I shouldn’t, but I love the way you look when you get all dangerous and angry.”

 Loki turned back to me in concern and surprise. Before he could ask for clarification on my apparent love of his dark side I continued with more helpful information. “It’s some sort of temporary inhibition release, like a truth serum thingie mixed with ativan mixed with alcohol. They said it calms the subject(me!), reduces or rids control of mind to mouth and encourages open thinking. I really don’t think they realized what open thinking means for me. They learned a lot about my love of sciency stuff and how I adore all of you guys, verrrry little about our defences or secrets.” 

 I looked more seriously over at Steve,”I was getting really loopy at the end there. It’s worth seeing if they got a record of anything in case something important slipped. I haven’t heard TESS, since the first dose, but she might be fully operational and have a record.” Always helpful to have an AI built into your brain, or adjacent to it, or whatever Stark called it.

 I felt a hand turn my face so I would look back at Loki. “But are you alright, love? Did they hurt you?” The concern on his face sobered me up as we started walking to the Jet. My general awareness seemed to be coming back as I also noticed a SHIELD team run past about twenty feel off, and Tony was talking to someone while pointing back at the building I had been held in. The Jet was only a few hundred feet away, like a little piece of home come to get me. 

 “I’ll be fine, I think it was just a few scratches and bruises. They insisted the drug needed high doses to hurt a normal brain, and you know my physiology would handle way more than a normal human brain.” I paused to look closer at him and say,”Sorry I got kidnapped, again. I really don’t want to worry anyone, especially you.” Memories of the previous, and much worse, abduction made me shudder lightly.

 I felt his arm pull me closer to him as we started up the ramp. He seemed to take a moment to breath the scent off my hair. “It’s hardly your fault. I do wish I could keep such events from occurring. However, I would like to return to a comment you made a moment ago.” 

 I looked up at him in confusion as we settled into the seats. “You enjoy my dangerous and angry look?”

 Even in my current state I felt a blush start, “Well, yeah. You know I think you are extra sexy when you are all serious, or protective and angry. It’s not like I never told you that, right? Or, wait, no, yeah, didn’t I mention it that first time we had the silk cords and candles, whe-” 

 “Uh, Juliana, you know Bruce and I are standing right here, right?” Steve asked in a soft but mortified tone. Bruce looked like he wanted to shrink into oblivion.

 Any blush I had before was nothing compared to the the heat I felt on my face now.  No, I hadn’t even thought about who else was on the plane. It was as if everything but Loki and I had disappeared. Loki had one of his freakin’ smirks going and I knew he felt no shame. “Oh good lord, I’m so sorry Steve. Hi Bruce, sorry. Umm, thanks guys for coming to rescue me and I can’t believe. . . stop smirking Loki!” I whacked him on the shoulder. 

 Bruce tried to sound understanding,”No, it’s fine, I get it. You are under the influence, so to speak, Don’t, don’t worry about it Jay. Just glad you’re okay.”

 “Don’t worry about what?” Tony’s load steps echoed into the Jet as he came onboard. His suit was on, helmet off, and he looked curious. 

 The answer came from the cockpit, which furthered my embarrassment,”It’s nothing Tony, that’s why we don’t have to worry.” Clint had heard me too.

 Everyone should have known Tony would have none of that. Loki’s smirk became a full grin as Tony said,”Oh no, it’s something.” He looked at me appraisingly, then pointed as he figured it out,”You're still drugged and started dishing out something good. What is it? Spill.” 

 My face hit my hands as I started,”Well, I was remembering the time Loki and I-”

 “TONY, no! No taking advantage of this. Sorry Jay, you don’t have to answer,” Steve interjected before things got too far. 

 “But daaaad, it was gonna be fun!” Tony whined.

 I got to grin as I watched Tony piss off Steve, which kept up until Natasha got on board and we prepared to head home. I learned that Thor had flown off for a date as soon as he heard I was rescued. That turned out to be a very good thing, because Loki wasn’t done with his fun. 

 A few minutes after take off I was finally quiet, staring at the spot I had been lying in after me last rescue. I wanted to curse the system of balances that made pain and fear a good substitute for all the bad things I could stop. It was worth it but. . . 

 ”Surely a simple smile did not merit such a violent response,” Loki spoke up, rubbing his shoulder as if I had actually hurt him. “I would love to hear more about what you were remembering. I can’t seem to place what you were speaking of,” he sounded almost thoughtful, under his blasted smile.

 “Oh good lord, Loki! Don't think I doubt you remember that perfectly well. Green silk cords, specialty candles, those flo-” 

 “Hmmm Hrmm,” Steve coughed as I turned red again.  

“Oh great, I am still just spewing out everything in my head. How long will this last?”

 I glanced over at Bruce, who was looking very uncomfortable. “Oh, um, I don’t really know. I’ve tried to hook FRIDAY in to TESS and they are running some numbers. Let me see. . . oh, looks like 3-6 hours?”

 I gasped,”Oh no, no no, is there a sedative, yeah, sedative you can give me? I am not ready for my inner dialogue here.” 

 “Jay, Juliana, you just sat with strangers for over 7 hours under the influence. We are much safer,” Steve tried to reason. 

“First off, I don’t care what those a-holes think of me. Second off, different circumstances lead to very different answers. I was in a clinical interrogation, it was easy to stay impersonal. You all are my family, it’s personal here. Third, look at Loki’s face! He’s planning mischief!” 

 Loki put on an air of hurt innocence,”I most certainly am not!” 

 “Ugh, we all know better darling. You might be subtle, but you are trouble,” I glared, with maybe a hint of love bleeding through.

 “I could be less subtle dear, if you like. Or I could,” he leaned in, close to my ear, “ask something very subtle, like what do you want?”

 Everybody else disappeared again as my answer took over. He made things worse by skating his fingers over my neck. “I want to strip your armor off, throw you down and kiss every part of you until you-” 

 “Loki, enough! That’s enough of this!” Steve sounded half panicked, half furious. He was trying to use his Captain America voice, though it sounded just a little off. 

 “Perhaps if you and Bruce are finding this uncomfortable, you could move farther away from our conversation,” Loki offered. 

 Tony snorted at that. He was having a grand time now. This was all he wanted out of a good truth serum debacle. Steve was flustered, I was flustered but showing my kinky side, and Loki was grinning like the happiest God of Mischief in the universe.

 Loki looked back at me,”You must be hungry after everything.” 

 “Seriously, using that voice and saying that? Of course I am hungry,” I said, trying to steer my thoughts to food, chocolate, fruit, oh no. “I would love to have some chocolate and, and, and,” I tried to fight it,” annnnd I would love to lick it off of you, bit by bit. I would paint both of us in it, and then use a whole strawberry. . .”

 Steve and Bruce fled as far as they could get. Tony’s eyes went wide as he gleefully listened to my fantasy. Loki got a different look in his eyes, promising fun down the line.

 It was a few days later that I thought back and realized something quite important. Every time I had started to get overwhelmed with memories from that previous trauma, Loki would step in an distract me with stupid salacious prompts. I couldn’t decide whether or not to thank him, or if I should explain that he could have picked a less embarrassing distraction. Then I remembered that look in his eyes, and how once I got a clean bill of health we made good use of green silk cords and plenty of chocolate. Not much more needed to be said, once I thought of that.

[doc-boredom]

sorry im kinda new to your blog and i dont really understand this drama or whatever with the people that keep sending you asks? are people mad at you for writing rpf or the shipping or something? i have no context for whats going on

Oh hello friend let me tell you

THE DRAMA

There’ll be a tl;dr at the bottom  but i really wanna tell this story cos it’s so funny to me

also read more because it gets LONG

So once upon a time Natalie got into a group called TWRP. Amazing wonderful LOVELY group of aliens (aliens and robot, technically? lore is silly fun and also part of this story so get ready to return to this) from the future of the 1980s -glorious chorus of heavenly angels in the distance- 

at the same time! natalie was also drafting up the VERY beginnings of her space pirate epic SWIFT LIKE MERCURY, the idea was this: Julian a space pirate, ding dong the reluctant alien space prince, but who would be in julian’s crew!? lots of suggestions were thrown around in YE OLDE DINGDULIAN CHAT back in august and none of them worked. maybe this wouldn’t be a fic, maybe it was all for naught.

and then the sexy sexy cone man hip thrusted his way into her life.

that IS to say I fell in love with TWRP at the NSP show i went to with my best friend. i didn’t know WHOMST the fuck they were so seeing them come out in stage in full costume HIGH OFF MY ASS was probably one of the most memorable things in my life. We drove back to the hotel, DD and Julian were streaming katamari, I bought tickets for ANOTHER TWRP show in my hometown that were twelve dollars and then I found 

THE WIKI

COMMANDER MEOUCH SOMETHING SOMETHING SPACE PIRATE

I was flabbergasted. NOT ONLY was there lore for this amazing band BUT here was the answer staring me right in the face. JULIAN WAS A FURRY, HIM HAVING A LION MAN AS HIS SECOND IN COMMAND WOULD BE PERFECT. i quickly told the chat (to which they all went ??? and didn’t quite take to it at the time) and then promptly CRASHED until the following morning.

so! i woke up, our CO adventure continued (we saw IT) and I started to discuss some plot ideas with the chat. At the same time I started to actually glance at the tumblr fandom. Oh wow! Everyone HAD THEIR OWN IDEAS! It was open to explore! How fun! They created face canons and personalities and stories for the boys and I’d be damned if my crazy plot making ass (who years before had looked at supernatural and said “crowley become the first cross road demon by making a deal with judas which killed judas and brought jesus back to life, thus creating the resurrection story” and was going to write a whole past lives destiel fic spanning back to ADAM AND EVE) wouldn’t take that and run. I made the post. TWRP IS GONNA BE IN MY OP FIC!!! I was so excited to start this, to make something amazing.

“dont put twrp in your OP fic”

I looked at the ask in COMPLETE confusion. wait! they didn’t even know HOW I was going to put them in! they could literally just be playing music in a scene! my petty scorpio ass felt a rage of which i had not felt in months. “fuck you.” it said. “NOW I HAVETO WRITE THE FIC YOU BITCH.”

(spite was one of the biggest driving forces in creating SLM and to me that’s why i think you see the story and the voice of it change over time because it became a thing of love but thaT’S NOT THE POINT)

so here i am having a grand ol’ time and im coming up with my boys and im like YEAH HELL YEAH and all my dingdulian friends are like oh hey i actually LIKE TWRP? and i got a PM from someone who will remain anonymous but who is a close friend of mine now

“hey, loving all the new stuff you’re bringing to the fandom!” they started. there was a bit more conversation and then IT happened.

“Just be careful about shipping.”

I looked at the message and another quickly followed. “nsfw gets weird too”

my scorpio ass, also fueled by love of all things sexual and romantic, looked at this with a growing sense of dread. I HAD ACTUALLY BEEN SETTING UP A SMALL SUNG AND MEOUCH SHIP. WELL SHIT! THAT HAD TO GO APPARENTLY?! I told my friends and we all rolled our eyes but we ACCEPTED IT. That’s what it was apparently.

Until I thought about Havve fucking Ding Dong with his robot dick while Sung held him in place and played up to DD’s praise kink

“oh no.” i said softly because that one fucking day dream planted the seed of needing to do something. sung would be so loving and so wonderful and who was i to let that just slip through my fingers! so i just approached cremedoodle (creator of WW, RR, and FF) and went “haha uh, what about ww chris and sung for a threesome in the fic crazy right”

and it wasn’t THAT crazy

especially when it became just WW and Sung

and god damn it were they in LOVE

“we can’t do this.” i said after a few hours of us coming up with all this ROMANTIC shit and some sexy shit too let’s be honest, it’s me after all. “oh god we’re doing this, aren’t we?”

so we decided to do it. fuck it. all caution thrown to the wind. the moment sung and ww “met” over the vid feed in chapter 6 i got a feeling of intense dread in my stomach. i couldn’t believe it, i was really doing this, they were really going to be in LOVE oh  my GOD.

no comments.

oh.

beach bonfire chapter where julian and dd point out how fucked sung was since he was obviously into ww 

no comments.

CHAPTER WHERE THEY WERE DRUNK AND MAKING OUT.

NO COMMENTS.

In that moment i realized something very sad but also very liberating.

the twrp fans that were all fucking awful weren’t reading my fic.

i wanted them to read it. i had put time into it. i wanted them to see my budding lore and like it, but at the same time the OP fandom was taking to it so well and enjoying TWRP so i said fuck it, ill take it.

We started to talk about Ring Rang and Phobos, sarah and I started talking about Meouch and Liara. it was going to be good, it was going to be fun.

and then i fucked up

that’s right

me

i came home from a crazy trip in MN and I was in a shit mood and I accidentally published Sung/WW fluff drabbles in the tag

I got fucking ripped a new one. i was a piece of shit for even ever thinking that was okay. “YOU’RE BEING DISRESPECTFUL! THEY’RE REAL PEOPLE! DON’T DO T HIS!”

yeah you read that right.

TWRP fanDUMB thinks that my adorable sweet Lepid Phobos, with his big eyes and his missing wings and his penchant for romance novels, my hyperactive sung with his star singing and his empathatic core WERE THE SAME GUYS ON STAGE.

This is literally what all of this drama is about.

It was in that terrible slew of fucking stupidity that I realized I didn’t care. It was TOO late at that point. They should have seen it sooner. They should have gotten me sooner. I had somehow slipped under the radar and I had beat them, in a strange sense, because not only did I care

i was going to keep doing it.

FAST FORWARD TO THIS YEAR (i know, this story is still going) i make a nsfw, i start posting my sung/ww extra chapters there because im too much of a pussy to put them in the fic still. my friend gets me to write a meouch/dd/julian fic. im just about to post a havve/sung thing when IT happens.

The fake screenshot.

a blog that posted jUST this and a post about the device (an album by the band) put this out into the open and deleted IMMEDIATELY afterwards. the fandom went into shitstorm mode. i cried on and off the whole day because i was being harrassed by anons and my friends were too. 

but the more i looked at it

the more i started to REALLY understand how it was fake.

not only does it not have the usual bubble to the right (it should show that twrp has seen the most recent message even if it’s their own) it doesn’t touch on the fact that the OP said something about lore? even to say “hey, lore’s cool! that’s not the problem” would make more sense

also

they never responded to any of my friends

sure they read it, but following a slew of desperate users trying to get answers they never made an official statement so my gay ass pulled out the wine and said YOU’RE GOING TO MOPE AND THEN YOU’RE GOING TO KEEP DOING YOU.

So we’re here now, with the fact that I know things about the band irl and the fact that I have shipping and people are pissed and I really don’t care. the info i know about the band i keep safe and SIMPLY SAYING A GENERIC WHITE DUDE NAME IS NOT REASON TO START A WITCH HUNT (not going to elaborate on this, this is only posted for the sake of anyone who is on the hate train who may be reading this) this is where fiction does not equal reality. i dont  look at havve and go AH YES THERE IS MURDER MAN, IF HE IS NOT MURDER MAN WHEN THEY GET OFF STAGE ILL BE UPSET because thats STUPID? Like literally the IRL band members created personas and lore that they then gave to the fans to expand upon and also sorry guys,,,, it’s the internet,, in the words of DD “it’s weird” but you can’t ask people to stop. it won’t stop. that’ll just fuel the fire

so yes, i like twrp shipping and i like shippng with my ocs and i like writing about how sometimes when you touch sung’s core it turns him on and about how meouch has a knot because im a fucking awful skanko but at least im having fun lmfao

so

TL;DR

shipping is apparently illegal and so is nsfw in the twrp fandom and i do both unapologetically and i hope i inspire  other people to start doing it more often. 

the twrp fandom is not like this anywhere else btw. this is just tumblr being tumblr, as usual. you’re not going to get brownie points because you didn’t let me write sung fucking his hot gf you absolute dumb dumbs, you’re not going to get anything from it except for an inflated ego which you’ll lord over everyone, so do me the favor of expiring in a trench and let the fandom do what it’s supposed to do

HAVE FUN!

[fliipclaw]

session recap 4 - calling caligula

we did another d&d session yesterday and it was. a lot of fun. here’s a list of things that happened and things people said in a roughly chronological order. i’ve already done three of these, i’m sure you guys know the drill by now.

the session opens with reeliel and tarrik in the infirmary

“everything about that is just a paradox. the infirmary of the death arena”

[the game is interrupted by a phone call]

“tarrik, shut up, don’t make it worse!” “i’m already half dead, how much worse could it get?” “you could be fully dead”

this time we’re doing double battles

galle and grelynn are paired up against an ogre

“it’s been so long we’ve forgotten how to play d&d”

“so that’s 9 damage…. he hits you really hard”

“so you rolled a three” “[dejected] yeah” “you just fall over”

“we bonded! by… tripping over ourselves for a turn!”

“there are two more fights, and then hopefully, no more fights!”

galle trips a dude just for fun

“i just wanna be a dick sometimes, ‘kay?”

pluto is teamed up with ilah (an npc based on an oc)

“kill her” “noOO!”

“i already killed her once i can’t kill her again. bany might actually murder me” “i would”

“has his eye been healed?” “no, he’s still blind” “he’s not all of a sudden going to become not blind”

“you stabbed him like FOUR TIMES in the eye”

“it’s just a little bit scratched” “a LITTLE BIT?”

“he needs a bit of tlc, okay?” “he needs a new fucking eye!”

“thoth didn’t look very friendly at first, but look at him now. blind and my best friend”

“is the monster just watching this?” “yeah, it’s last in initiative order and talking is a free action”

[talking about the squirrel that my family has been feeding] bany: we have a possum that lives in the bushes outside

ilah and pluto are the worst duo in that they will maim creatures and then befriend them

“maybe pluto just makes everyone blind by default?” “maybe that’s why pluto’s so terrible as a rogue but manages to steal from everyone anyway”

bany sighs a lot during this scene it’s great

i admit to my shameless rigging of the game when my players are doing terribly

pluto: decides to befriend the monster / the party: do you want to use up your second friend slot??

“what is the creature doing right now?” “it’s probably bleeding” “but how’s it feeling?” “it’s feeling pretty bad”

ilah: befriends the creature / matt: we’re playing d&d with the fucking rspca

“this is the death arena, not the befriend the creatures that attack you arena” “it’s actually a petting zoo”

“what kind of monster are they fighting?” “it’s called an ettercap. it looks like…… i don’t even know how to describe it”

“that’s the plot of lord of the flies, pluto befriends an ettercap”

tarrik and reeliel, our resident failures, are paired up against a gargoyle

my rolls are always really terrible. it’s the d&d gods punishing me for not using physical dice.

reeliel runs up to tarrik, jumps up on and off his shoulders, and up into the air

she unfortunately misses her attack

reeliel casts thunderwave. tarrik is understandably pissed.

“hey matt, what’s your constitution like?” “not negative” “go ahead and roll then!”

there are a lot of pauses where i stop to do maths. i’m the epitome of that ‘when you’re gay and can’t calculate the tip’ video.

“you two actually did something competent for once!” “the two weakest members of the team!"

“as it turns out, everyone else was just holding us two back. that’s what it is” “are you sure?”

mikael poofs around this time. rip them.

the immediate response to being taken outside the arena is of course “making our way downtown"

bany: this sounds like a public execution / me: carries on explaining the scene

“notice how they ignored the question"

i discovered that i can’t talk and type at the same time

neriona: is there / tarrik: is flipping her off with both hands

“matt matt matt matt matt matthew. shut up”

there is an elf reclining on a chaise lounge eating grapes. tarrik drinks his wine.

“the bulla felix, come in, come in!” “oh fuck”

ilah and galle: sit down normally

tarrik: lies down and hogs an entire seat

reeliel: sits like L

cai: poofs / me: should we just carry on? / matt: i’m liking this shouting idea / bany: oh god

[the game is interrupted by a toddler]

“jax, don’t do that with your eye!”

“greetings, i am the emperor of this fine city, petpetor!” “what? your name is what?” “petpetor!” “petpetu?” “petpetor!”

[toddler noises] “cai, are you murdering a child?” “it sounds more like the child is murdering cai”

matt made a child cry in church one time just by looking at them

“go find auntie billie! take this!” “it’s not safe to go alone, take this!”

[the game is once again interrupted by a toddler]

“if that was me there would be children flying from the rooftop” “and that’s why it isn’t you”

are you stronger than a 2 year old? for cai, the answer is no!

“cai, are you made of noodles or something?” “yes”

god i’m just now listening to this character voice and it’s awful

petpetor asks them to investigate an assassination plot and find his would-be assassin

tarrik tries to wind him up and reeliel throws something at him from across the room

“i am prepared to stab this guy in the back just so you know”

“what’s in it for us?” “freedom from the death arena” “yeah okay we’ll do it”

“i want immunity for the rest of my squad" “if you stop robbing my friends, than yes” “can we rob your enemies?"

“he takes like the bowl of grapes off the table and shoves them in his mouth”

galle: idk who you people are but i’m good with not being trapped in a death arena

tarrik’s metric for liking people: the quality of their wine

the party has a private discussion and decides to investigate and then stab petpetor in the back

“regardless of whether or not neriona is actually the one behind this assassination, i say we frame her"

“do we have anyone who’s alignment is good on this team?"

“i think we will give tarrik free reign to rob the palace as long as we can also rob the palace”

“so far his suspect list is like half of the entire city”

everyone complimenting the write ups and i’m sorry this one is mostly quotes. not much action happened but we did have a lot of fun conversations.

“after the endgame, after we kill not caligula, what’s going to happen?” “don’t you worry about that”

“am i on reasonable terms with the party now?” “you’re getting there with me” “welllll…." “tarrik shut up, we don’t need anymore foes”

“i have 300 buried and 50 in a pair of dark pants on the edge of a road”

“bye!” “i’m glad we’re sorta friends now!” “well, kinda, not really"

[dngrs-untld-hrshps-unnmbrd]

Before the Fall (Pt 1)

Destiny fic. A Dead Orbit scavenger is resurrected as a Guardian hundreds of cycles after her death but can remember everything from her old life. While she struggles to understand why another new Guardian brings back memories of a time Zavala wishes he could forget.

Set in two time periods: during the events of Destiny pre-Red Legion and just before the Battle of Six Fronts. 

Drama/romance | slow burn | sexytimes at some point | Andara probably swears a lot | if you’re just meeting me hi this story will have a lot of Zavala | Shaxx, Ikora, Saladin and Osiris and Lyssa the Lighthearted feature too

Author’s Note

Bear with me, I know this first chapter and author’s note are long. Future installments will be pithier. 

This is a companion story to After the Fall but can be read as a standalone. It features my OCs Andara, an Awoken Voidwalker Warlock, and Piax, a human Sunbreaker Titan. It’s primarily Andara’s story but will feature chapters in Piax’s POV (point of view) exploring her early days of being a Guardian and why she’s so devoted to Zavala. It will also explore a lot of Zavala’s back story through his POV, including his romantic history. Because I’m allergic to stories without kissing.

OK, so, the lore. This is probably the longest Author’s Note I’ve ever written! Thanks Destiny for your confusing, vague lore XD For those interested, I’ll set out what we know that’s relevant to this story as well as the assumptions I’ve made.

You can totally skip this and start the story if you prefer. I’ll explain things in the story as I go along.

This fic is set during what I’ll call the Early City Age, just before the Battle of Six Fronts, and the Late City Age, just before the Red Legion Attack in D2. Six Fronts was the first big battle to defend the Last City and marked a turning point in the way the City was run. (In Zavala’s Origins trailer it’s the battle he, Shaxx and Saladin are street-fighting in.)

At the time of the Battle of Six Fronts, the Last City was at the mercy of the Faction Wars, there was no Consensus and it seems the Vanguard didn’t exist as it did today. The Wall had been built by the Titans. The Iron Lords were probably already dead so there was a power vacuum in the Last City.

One assumption I’m making is that the Exo Titan Saint-14 and Lord Saladin worked with the Speaker to govern the Last City, but in some sort of unofficial capacity. Saint-14 must have been in an important leadership role because after Six Fronts he vouches for the Warlock Osiris’s elevation to Vanguard Leader.

Another assumption is that because Saladin mentored Zavala and Shaxx and the early days of the Last City were kind of YAY TITANS, Saladin brought his boys into important discussions and decisions. This is long before the rift between Saladin and Shaxx, which happened after Twilight Gap.

The Crucible was founded after Twilight Gap but as Guardians love to fight each other I’ve made up a thing called Skirmishes. Shaxx runs these and they function in a similar but scaled down way to the Crucible.

Thank you to @littleshebear for letting me use her Zavala/Lyssa the Lighthearted relationship headcanons, and for all our endless discussions about lore and the Vanguard and Guardians. Lyssa is a real character in the grimoire, a Sunsinger Warlock like Osiris.

Tl;dr?

Early City Age = the City has a Wall and the Guardians are just starting to venture out beyond it

Late City Age = the setting of Destiny the game

Chapter One

Master Rahool, Late City Age

The little silver Ghost lay silently on the table where the Cryptarch had left it. A Hunter had brought it in a few hours earlier along with a stack of engrams that she’d found on Mercury. 

Couldn’t revive it. Looked like it had been there for years, almost buried by a broken Vex gateway. Think you can fix it?

Now he had a few minutes to spare Rahool picked up the Ghost and examined it. Could he? Sometimes he performed maintenance on Ghosts that had received knocks on the battlefield, but they were more cosmetic adjustments. This Ghost could be beyond help, drained of Light and unable to seek out the Guardian it had once belonged to. He or she could be long dead, or perhaps the Ghost had never even found them.

There was a lot of gunk in its seams and Rahool worked at them with a thin silver tool. The Ghost was starting to look clean, but still very dead, when suddenly it lit up and made a whirring noise.

‘Ah, so you’re not dead. How long have you been sleeping?’

The Ghost began spinning urgently and a moment later shot out of his hands. Rahool watched it zoom across the courtyard and then over the Tower railings and out of sight.

He laid down his silver tool and smiled to himself. ‘Goodbye, Little Light. Looks like you’ve got someplace to be.’

Zavala, Early City Age

Twilight was descending and the gates were being readied for closure. The Wall cast its long shadow over the Last City, a sprawling thing of low stone buildings and wooden huts. The Traveler hung in the sky, bright white and silent.

Zavala remembered when the Last City was merely a motley collection of tents and had no Wall to protect it. That they’d managed to cling on in those early days was a miracle. With the Wall to protect them and new Guardians arriving in the City almost every day they could only grow stronger. There was hard work ahead of them and there was hope, and he found himself welcoming both equally.

A pulse rifle in his hands and a stack of other weapons on a trestle table before him, Zavala watched the thin stream of Guardians returning from the Cosmodrome. Two Titans, laughing loudly with their helmets under their arms, greeted Zavala before heading for the Guardians’ Hall behind him.

He’d be out there himself tomorrow but today he had duties for Saint-14, attending to the stockpile of new weapons that the Faction scavengers had traded with them. In the last few years they’d begun venturing outside the Wall, the Guardians clearing out enclaves of Fallen while the Factions looked for supplies.

A slight figure in black armour streaked past Zavala, pulled one of the Titans round and punched him in the face. He reeled, and blood began pouring down his chin. The scavenger started screaming at both of them.

‘How could you? Do you even understand what you’ve done? We’ll never be able to replace the tech that you –’

The bigger Titan, the one who hadn’t been punched, narrowed his eyes and reached for his gun.

Zavala threw down the pulse rifle he was holding and lunged for the Guardian’s arm. He didn’t recognise this woman but she wore a Dead Orbit insignia on her chest plate. If they shot her she would stay fatally, permanently dead. There were already enough tensions between the Factions and the Guardians and the last thing the Speaker needed was a murdered scavenger.

‘Hey. Hey. That’s enough,’ he called, trying to be heard over her screaming. But she wasn’t listening to him and a crowd was gathering.

Turning to the bigger Titan he said, ‘Go and report in to Saint-14. Both of you. Now.’ The Titan with the bloodied lip needed some persuading but finally the two of them headed into the hall.

The woman tried to follow them, still shouting, but Zavala hooked an arm about her waist and pulled her back. ‘No you don’t. I want a word with you.’

She was like him, an Awoken, with knotted purple hair and dusty black armour. A bag was slung over her shoulders and inside he could see it was stuffed with Golden Age tech. Good tech. Things the City needed. There was an auto-rifle holstered on her back and a knife at her hip, though even in anger she hadn’t drawn them. She didn’t want to fight, she wanted to be heard.

‘Want to tell me what that was about?’ Over his shoulder he could sense onlookers, but ignored them.

The Awoken finally seemed to realise he was there and spoke in a tight voice, her fists clenching. ‘I spent two hours clearing all the Fallen off a Warsat and those … those knuckleheads jumped in and destroyed it. I want to fucking kill them.’

A Warsat. They were precious to Dead Orbit and their mission to get a fleet off the ground. The Guardians needed them too if they were ever to reconnect a communications network. At the moment they were living blind and that was dangerous.

‘It’s a terrible waste. But things happen in the field –’

‘They destroyed it on purpose.’

Zavala pressed his lips together. They wouldn’t have. Would they? ‘If that’s true then it’s unforgivable. I’m sorry.’

‘It is true.’

Then I’m going to need to talk to Saint-14 and Saladin about this. The chain of command between the Speaker and the Factions and Guardians was blurred with all groups feeling like they knew what was best for the City, but if Titans had screwed up then it was clear what needed to be done.

He reached for his datapad. ‘One of the Hunters came back to the City with a suspected Warsat sighting yesterday. I know it won’t make up for the time you spent on the other one, but it’s something.’ 

It was quite a lot, actually. They could have swapped this intel with the factions for more weapons or tech.

She examined the coordinates, her expression tight but mollified. ‘I know the place. Thank you.’

‘Be careful. That place is infested with Fallen.’

But the young woman was already striding away, her hand tight around her bag strap. ‘I can handle myself. You handle those numb-nuts.’

Zavala grimaced. Something to look forward to. If he had his way he’d send the two Titans who’d destroyed the Warsat with the scavenger to help her get the new one, but Saint-14 was wary of getting too involved with the Factions. They do their thing and we do ours, and keep our people strictly separate lest we start bleeding Guardians to their causes.

It was true that the Factions’ aims were vastly different theirs, and each others, but they had to think in terms of the next few hundred cycles. Pushing back the Fallen from the Cosmodrome, getting airborne again and protecting this City was going to take everyone’s efforts, no matter their loyalties.

He turned back to the pile of weapons and saw that the cluster of onlookers had dispersed except for an exceptionally large Titan and a Warlock in canary yellow robes. Shaxx and Lyssa the Lighthearted. Lyssa was looking at Zavala with the smallest of smiles on her lips.

Shaxx watched the scavenger disappear into a side street on the far side of the square. ‘That was a good punch she threw. Shame she’s fallen in with those scrounging bastards.’

Traveler’s light, he was getting sick of this sort of talk. ‘We need Dead Orbit. The supplies they bring in are helping the City get off the ground. We don’t have time to scavenge ourselves.’ And if the scavengers were willing to risk their one life in the Cosmodrome they deserved respect for that, at the very least.

‘Not far enough off the ground for them though, is it?’ Shaxx grunted. ‘You handled her well.’

‘I didn’t handle her. I just did what needed to be done.’ Zavala turned his attention back to the weapons. He’d finish up here and go and talk to Saint. No, he’d talk to Saladin first. His mentor always had something sensible to say. He wished the Iron Lord would lead the Titans instead of the Exo, but Saladin had said many times that he was an old wolf and didn’t have it in him. Not anymore.

‘I’m going to get something to eat if either of you need a break,’ Lyssa announced.

Zavala pushed the pile of weapons to one side, sorting through them. Only two auto rifles, and in terrible condition. Later tonight he’d strip them back and see whether he could fix them.

‘Zavala.’

There was an edge to Shaxx’s voice and he looked up. ‘What? Oh, goodbye Lyssa.’

The Sunsinger headed for the hall with a flick of her yellow robes, and Shaxx sighed. ‘You are an ass sometimes.’

Three pulse rifles. Five sidearms. ‘Am I?’

‘Lyssa. She wants to get to know you better.’

He’d heard that before. Guardians wanted to get to know him into order to grill him about his fighting techniques. Or at least that’s what it felt like. ‘She’s already bested me in the Skirmishes.’

The look of shock on the Titan’s face was comical. ‘She did? When?’

It had been about a year ago, and the Sunsinger had burned through him like he was nothing. When he finally felled her she’d leapt up again before he’d got his breath back and knocked his legs out from beneath him. Aiming an empty sidearm at his head she’d whispered ‘pew, pew,’ and he couldn’t help but grin up at her.

‘It didn’t show on the tally. She was out of bullets.’ But they knew, and ever since when she overheard him talking about the Skirmishes he thought he saw a secretive, pleased smile on her lips. But she hadn’t told anyone, so neither had he. ‘Shaxx, move. I want to get this finished.’

The larger Titan folded his arms and looked at his friend. ‘I wasn’t talking about the Skirmishes. Why is everything about fighting with you?’

‘That’s rich,’ Zavala murmured at his datapad.

Shaxx grinned. ‘I know how to have fun. And Lyssa wasn’t thinking about besting you. Not in the Skirmishes at least.’

Zavala finally looked up. ‘Then why did she …’ But the knowing grin on Shaxx’s face made him trail off. Oh, like that.

‘Bald, blue and apparently pretty thick. I don’t know why she’s interested either, but I’ve never wasted much energy trying to understand women.’ Shaxx clouted him on the shoulder and said as he walked away, ‘Go and talk to her.’

Finally distracted from the pile of weapons Zavala looked toward the hall. Was he hungry?

He could eat.

He was just putting down his datapad when Osiris appeared across the square, the Warlock’s long, thin figure upright and haughty. He walked past Zavala and entered the hall.

A cloud passed over Zavala’s good mood and he suddenly remembered why he didn’t see much of Lyssa. Everywhere she went her mentor seemed to be, crooning at her like she was a pet. Something about the man got Zavala’s hackles up and he turned back to the weapons with a frown, finding that he wasn’t hungry after all.

You made it to the end, thank you! I hope you’re enjoying it so far. Leave me a comments and let me know what you think. Huge thanks to @littleshebear for beta-ing and checking my lore.