#I tried negotiating for “Maybe-Lovers�� but failed...

[thelostgirl21]

Am I the only one that really struggles with the idea of Radskier's current relationship status being listed as "Ex-Lovers" in the shipping wiki, or...?

[subbmissivesuccubus]

Breeding – Gyomei X Fem Reader.

Will slowly be releasing my Kinktober fics hehe. Of course, if you don't want to wait and would like to read all of them, check out my Patreon! (link in bio) they are very good and very very spicy <3

Summary : You and Gyomei try for a baby. That's it. That's the fic.

You gulped as you tried to not let your nerves effect you but failing as you jittered on your bed. Every single noise that came from within your house made you jump before you realised it was nothing, and definitely not the person you were waiting for.

You knew it was only a matter of time before your husband showed up, the man always punctual and never negotiating coming home to his wife. It was a bit odd, of course, having to wait for your husband to come home when the sun rose, but you had quickly gotten used to waking up early. Afterall, how could you sleep when your lover was out there, fighting for his life everyday to slaughter man-eating demons?

Your routine with the man was simple. He’d go out at night to do his duty and come back when the sun rose, tired but proud of a successful day of slaying demons. And you couldn’t be prouder to be called his wife. The first thing you’d both do when he arrives home is fill his belly with some nice, warm and comforting food before he took you in his arms and slept, recovering from the exhaustion of a long night. And of course, if you’re feeling particularly needy, he’d make love to you before getting some shut eye, your husband often just as desperate for you as you are for him.

But tonight was different.

Tonight, you were not waiting for him with warm food and the promise of good sleep.

Not yet anyway.

You jumped as you heard the telltale sound of your door unlocking just as the sun started to rise.

Never a minute late.

Familiar footsteps padded through the house, each stomp making your body grow hotter. You heard him call out for you; the man clearly confused as to why you didn’t greet him as you usually did. You responded back to him by letting him know you were in the bedroom. As his footsteps got closer, your body grew hotter and hotter and you couldn’t help but jump as the door to the room opened.

Your husband walked in, tall and handsome and oh so muscular, looking adorable with the slight confused expression on his face. “Darling?” he called out.

“H-How was work today?” you asked, wanting to make sure he was alright first.

“It was fine.” Gyomei said, “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

“Are you hurt?”

“Not even a scratch.”

You let out a sigh of relief. You knew Gyomei was an incredibly strong man but even he wasn’t immune to injury or even death.

“What’s going on, my love?”

“Well, um…” you said, feeling incredibly shy once more as the attention was brought back onto you, “I…wanted to talk to you about something…”

“Yes?” Gyomei asked, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him.

“It’s about…what you said yesterday…”

Gyomei was about to fall asleep, his face resting on your chest as you spoke to him, your voice often comforting him and lulling him into slumber. You were telling him random stories about what you did during the day, talking about a particular story where you were playing with the neighbourhood kids. Right before he was about to fall asleep, arms wrapped tightly around you, you heard Gyomei whisper something:

“I want…a baby…”

“You…You said you wanted a baby.” You reminded, feeling your ears turn red, “and- well- I’d like one too.”

“Oh.” Gyomei said, his hesitation making your blood run cold. Did you misunderstand? Or maybe he thought about it and decided he actually didn’t want kids. Or-

The man brought a hand upto his face and you felt your anxiety melt away as he tried to hide his blushing face but failing to cover up his red ears.

“You didn’t say anything so I thought that you didn’t want to talk about it…” he confessed, “But you’re right. I want to have kids with you.”

You gulped, blushing like a virgin. This was ridiculous! You were married to this man for so long and yet, he still makes you feel like a teenager whose crush smiled in her direction.

“Is that why you were waiting for me here?” Gyomei asked, a hint of a smile on his face, “You want us to get started right away?”

“Well- that’s- um-“ you sputtered, fanning your blushing face, “If you’re not too tired- oh!”

You gasped as Gyomei suddenly grabbed you by the shoulders and pushed, making you fall back onto the mattress. You squealed as your husband crawled onto the bed as well, his tall, hulking figure towering over you. He had already taken off his haori and was just in his uniform which he knew you found attractive on him.

“I can go on for hours more, my love.” He said, a hand coming up to thumb at your lips, “question is, can you?”

~~~~~

“Mmph- ah- fuck- ah!”

Gyomei growled as he lifted his head from where he was buried between your legs, his lips wet from your juices. “Don’t muffle your moans.” He ordered.

“B-But I’m so loud-“ you whined, pushing your hand away from your mouth.

“I know. Be loud for me.”

With that, he lowered his head again, making your squeal as his hot tongue made contact with your pussy once more. Two fingers stuffed inside your dripping hole, he gently fingered you open, preparing you to take his cock. Even after all these years, Gyomei refused to fuck you unless he gave you can orgasm beforehand and making sure your body could take his girth with the least amount of pain. Despite you telling him that you had gotten used to his size, he refused to change the routine and hey, why would you ever complain about that?

He moaned as he drank you up, your taste like a drug to him. Not having the gift of sight enhanced Gyomei’s other senses which meant your taste, your scent, your moans and the feeling of your hot cunt against his mouth were all the more addicting. Shaking his head from side to side, his ran his tongue all over your pussy before settling on your clit.

“Ah! Honey- oh!” you moaned out loud, a hand coming down to grab his hair. You shivered as you felt him growl against you, his lips sealing around your clit before giving it a harsh suck. “Oh fuck- ah- gonna- gonna cum!” you announced, voice high pitched and whiney as he ate you out like you were a delicious meal, his fingers curling just right and teasing your g-spot.

“Cum for me, my love.” Gyomei said, tongue flicking rapidly over your clit, “Cum in my mouth~”

“Ah- yes- yes- oh- cumming!”

With a shout, you climaxed, back arching and toes curling as your orgasm washed over you. Your thighs clamped around Gyomei’s head which the man loved, still eating you out as you rode your orgasm on his fingers and tongue. The room was filled with moans and the sound of slobbering, his cock dripping in his pants as he heart your sweet cries of ‘yes’ and ‘more-‘. Your orgasm tasted like nectar and the sharp pain of you pulling at his hair was addicting. Gyomei truly loved eating you out and he’d do it for hours if you’d let him.

Eventually, you came down from your high, your back colliding with the mattress once more and your legs relaxing. You pushed at Gyomei’s head, a silent plea for him to stop mouthing at your pussy, the man still licking up your juices and thrusting his fingers. With another kiss to your clit, he slowly pulled himself away from your cunt, sitting on his knees and his fingers slowly pulled out of you. You blushed heavily at the squelching sound, your cunt so unbelievably wet that you knew you were staining the sheets.

But your pussy somehow grew wetter when you saw your husbands bulge throb against his pants. Gyomei had already taken his shirt off beforehand, right after he had stripped you naked, and was only clad in his baggy pants that didn’t do nearly enough to hide his erection. You gulped down your drool as you stared, your pussy throbbing for him and your womb aching for his seed.

Gyomei didn’t need his sight to know that you were staring, the man smiling as his hands found their way to his belt. “Are you ready, my love?” he asked as he started to undo the material, groaning as he grew more excited, “Ready for me to put a baby in you?”

“Yes-“ you said with no hesitation, “I’m ready- I need you-“

“And you’ll have me.” Gyomei said, ripping his belt off and tossing it aside before he started to unbutton his pants, “You’ll have all of me.”

You couldn’t help but slide a hand down your body to lightly pat at your pussy, watching as Gyomei stripped completely. He slid his pants and underwear down together and you started to drool as his dick popped out. A long and girthy cock with delicious veins that you loved to trace with your tongue and a pair of heavy, full balls that you always wanted to be drained inside you.

Once he was completely naked, he grabbed you by the back of your thighs and pushed up, pressing your legs against your chest and folding you to his desire. You squeaked at the embarrassing position; your puffy cunt even more exposed that before as he caught you in a mating press.

“Ready?” Gyomei asked, bringing one hand to the base of his cock to slap his dick against your cunt, making the both of you moan from the contact. He started to rub his cock up and down your slit, gliding it between your pussy folds with no resistance, his member getting coated in your juices.

“I’m ready. I’m so ready.” You said, not even caring about how desperate you sounded, “Fuck me- breed me, my Darling.”

Gyomei smiled before he pressed the head of his member against your hole, teasing it a bit before he slowly started pushing in. You whined, tossing your head back against the pillow as you felt the familiar burn of Gyomei stretching your pussy, bullying his way inside you. Your wetness helped as his cockhead popped inside you, already taking your breath away.

Gyomei groaned as he felt your cunt squeeze him, the man never getting tired of this feeling as he continued to push and push and push, burying inch after inch into your sweet pussy. His hand left his dick to once again, press your leg against your chest, keeping you nice and folded for his cock to reach as deep inside you as it could.

Both of you moaned as he finally bottomed out, the man so long and fat that you felt like you couldn’t breathe. His cock always took your breath away- always rendered you speechless. Gyomei was in no better position, your pussy squeezing his dick like a vice and no doubt, he’d have to fight against your hot, velvety walls if he wanted to fuck you silly.

And he was going to fuck you silly.

Making sure you were ready, he used his hold on your legs and leverage as he slowly pulled out before slamming back in, making you scream. The man was immediately kissing your cervix, his cock so, so deep inside you it made your head spin. Again and again and again- Gyomei pulled out and thrust back in, each time getting smoother as your bodies got used to each other.

“Fuck- fuck- yes!” you moaned, eyes rolling to the back of your head at the sensation of your husband fucking you open on his fat cock, “So good- faster darling-“

“As you wish, my love.” Gyomei said, obeying you as he picked up the pace. He grit his teeth as he set a fast rhythm, fucking his cock deep inside you, your wet pussy feeling heavenly against him. He always wanted to have children with you but never found the appropriate time to bring it up. With his past as someone who looked after kids, he still had the desire for a big, happy family. If you were willing, he was ready to breed you over and over and over again, ready and eager to have multiple children with you.

His balls clapped against your pussy, the impact making you tighten around him. Your moans were music to his ears, your fingers digging into the skin on his forearms barely noticeable in comparison to the feeling of your cunt. You babbled out sweet nothings, cries and pleas for more along with words of love for your husband and Gyomei wondered how he got so lucky.

“Oh yes- so big- Darling- so good!” you squealed, toes curling as his cock fucked you mercilessly, the lewd sound of skin slapping against skin filling the air and making you dizzy. The intimacy and love you felt from Gyomei whenever you made love or even fucked like animals made your heart swell. Seeing him above you, sweat marring his handsome face and his sculpted, strong body holding you down as he fucked you- his abs contracting each time he thrust inside you- his strong thighs flexing as he pounded your pussy- the veins on his arms as he pressed your legs down- everything about Gyomei was a work of art and you’d never understand how you got so lucky to be his.

Neither of you paid attention to the time as you continued to fuck with one intention only. Maybe it was half an hour maybe it was two hours- but the both of you reached the edge simultaneously.

“D-Darling-“ you moaned out, voice horse from all the screaming and moaning, “I-I’m close-“

“Me too, my love.” Gyomei groaned out, a deep moan leaving his lips which made your pussy gush, “Fuck-“

Ah, you loved it when you got Gyomei to curse.

“Together-“ you begged, eyebrows furrowed as you watched his cock continue to slam into you, “Let’s cum together!”

Gyomei nodded, putting more force behind his thrusting as he reached as deep as he could go, the familiar knot on his abdomen threatening to break. “Be a good wife and get pregnant for me, ok?”

“Mmhmm!” you hummed, nodding enthusiastically as he picked up the pace, going even faster than before, “P-Put a baby in me, Gyomei! K-knock me up!”

“Anything for you.”

The room was filled with the filthy noise of the two of you desperately fucking, getting each other to reach their climax. His balls slapped against you, his sweat mixing with your own, your bodies craving for release. And finally, finally- you got it.

The two of you moaned as you both climaxed together, the sensation heavenly. You gasped and whined and mewled as your cunt gushed, cumming all around Gyomei’s cock. Your pleasure was fueled by the sensation of your husband unloading inside you, his balls clenching as he pumped rope after rope of his seed deep inside you, flooding your womb with his cum. He held you down, keeping you in place as he milked himself of every drop. He was getting you pregnant, that’s for sure.

Gyomei tossed his head back as he pushed his hips flush against yours, growls of pleasure leaving his lips and pleasure overtook him. His body shivered and his muscles tensed, moaning as your pussy throbbed around him, squeezing him dry which he was more than happy to oblige with. “That’s it- oh yeah- take my cum~” he panted out as he slowly rolled his hips, making sure to get his sperm deep inside you, not taking any chances.

Eventually, when both of you were done cumming and were brought back down to reality, Gyomei leaned down, cock still inside you and kissed you. You moaned and wrapped your arms around him, groaning against his lips as he gently let go of your legs, allowing you to stretch your muscles. But you simply wrapped your legs around his waist, making sure to keep him inside you as your lips danced against his.

“I love you.” He whispered against you as he broke away from you for a second before he kissed you again, tongue massaging your own. You kissed him back just as passionately, conveying your love for him with action rather than words, especially since Gyomei didn’t seem interested in pausing your makeout session even if it was to hear you say you love him.

But you did love him. So very much.

And you figured you could enjoy this moment as the second he allows you to breathe, you’re going to ask him for another round and another load of cum.

[milkteabinniechan]

♡Dear Lover - Hyunjin

MINORS DNI 18+ ONLY MEMBERSHIP//M.LIST

pairing: fiancè Hyunjin x fem! reader

summary: Your parents have picked a husband for your sister and the two of them have been writing love letters back and forth for years before they meet on their wedding day. There is just one problem: you've been the one sending the letters to her future husband and now you're in love!

warnings: just fluff! some angst, drama, very soft hyunjin, lovesick reader

“Maybe start with why you were the one writing me the letters and not your sister?” Hyunjin’s nostrils flared as he spoke. But his tone wasn’t angry, just confused. You looked exactly how he pictured you from your letters. A softness about you that translated through your words.

“She asked me to. In the beginning, she didn’t want to write to you. So, she asked me to do it instead to make our parents happy.” You pulled at the hem of your shirt, twisting it this way and that while your eyes stayed fixed on the ground. “Please, don't be upset with her.”

Hyunjin stepped back for a moment. His eyes searched yours as the two of you finally locked onto one another. Eyes that he had pictured late at night. A face he had only seen in his dreams. Everything he had said in the letter was true. He was in love, just not with your sister. But the wedding was planned, the invitations sent out.

It was springtime when the letters first began. You remember the sound of birds chirping outside your bedroom window when your parents made the announcement that your sister was to be wed on the year of her 21st birthday.

“But I don’t want to marry someone I’ve never met!” She screamed. You were only partially paying attention. You were no longer the focus of your parents' attention. You were twenty-four now and practically a spinster. Your sister was going to have her wedding the very next spring. One year. She had one year to comply and accept what was happening.

“We’ve already failed with your older sister, we will not fail with you.” Your father boomed. His fat finger pointed sternly at you.

While your little sister protested for a few weeks, she ultimately agreed upon the marriage if she could at least see who she was to be betrothed to. But letters are all his family would agree to. A stern, traditional family that negotiated the terms of advised letters to be written once a week for one year until the wedding day. Meetings were held in secret by the patriarchs of the two families. Hands were shook and large cigars were smoked in celebration of the upcoming union. Then one cool spring night, your sister came knocking at your door with a favor to ask.

“You’re a writer. Just write the letters for me and make me sound good okay?” She begged, her hands folding together while her eyes pleaded with you.

Reluctantly you agreed. One week after the other, you tried your best to sound like your sister. You wrote about her interests instead of your own. You included her favorite color and her favorite kind of food. But somewhere down the line, you slipped. Hyunjin had written about a favorite book of yours – Little Women. He had written paragraphs discussing the different characters and the depth of their description and diversity from one another. He had gushed about the writing style and the eloquent use of simile and metaphors. And your heart fluttered, fluttered and flipped in a way that was new and exciting. Your next letter was completely you. It was your voice, your thoughts, your ideas. The words just flowed out of you like wine and you would feel almost drunk by the time you signed your sister’s name at the bottom.

Hyunjin would soon write about more personal subjects; his fears and insecurities. Of which you felt a kinship with. You would respond with words of comfort and love, thanking him for being so open and vulnerable with you. You would tell him about a beautiful sunset you saw or the lovely sound that snow made when you take a step early in the morning. Hyunjin would tell you how ready he was to hear that sound. How eager he was to hold you, to hear your laugh and touch your lips at last-

When everything was said and done, you knew the exact moment that things had gone too far. You had said “I love you” in your final letter before the wedding. Hyunjin had responded that he was on his way and that he “loved you more that there were stars in the sky.”

You held that last letter tightly in your hands as the all black town car pulled into the driveway of your family home. You would see him, finally see him, and he would see you. Only you would be a shadow cast behind your sister. Hyunjin could never know that those words were not hers. He would marry her and you would go back to your life before. As Hyunjin slowly stepped out of the car, the sunlight shone through his hair like a beacon. His forearm flexed as he gripped the car door and closed it behind him. He stood still for a moment, his eyes flicking between you and your sister until his gaze finally landed on you. Your sister hastily stepped in front of you and introduced herself. Hyunjin shook his head for a second to break the stare between the two of you before smiling warmly at your sister. He held her tightly, his long arms sweeping around her waist and pulling her close to his chest.

“I am so happy to meet you in person, my love!” He exclaimed, his hand coming up to cradle your sister’s face.

Dinner was a complete blur. The clanking sound of silverware and glasses swirled around your ears while your mind drifted further and further from the dining room. The voices of your family were distant, just an echo of a sound as you attempted to keep your food down. After dinner, Hyunjin and your sister snuck off somewhere in the house to be alone. You made your way up to your room and lied on your bed, willing your brain to erase the last year so the heaviness in your chest would subside.

“Fine! Okay? I didn’t write those stupid letters! But that doesn’t mean anything, right?” your sister shouted from the other side of the wall. You stayed in bed and made your way to the wall that divided your two rooms to see if you could hear anything. “She’s a loser! You don’t want her!” Your sister screamed.

“If she is the one that wrote all those letters, then I do. I do want her.”

Your heart dropped. You moved your head away from the wall and turned to face your bedroom door as you heard footsteps approach.

“Please, don’t be upset with her.”

“I’m not upset with her.” Hyunjin took a step closer, closing the gap between the two of you. “You look just as I imagined.” He whispered, his breath brushing softly against your neck.

Your breath hitched as he moved closer. Your hands move instinctively to his waist. Your hips coming into contact with his as his hands move down your back and come to rest at your sides. He leans into your ear and speaks in a low tone. A secret shared just between the two of you. Something intimate that nothing in this world could penetrate. “You’re the one I want to marry. You’re the bride I have been waiting for.”

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[solxamber]

Octavinelle #8 comedy please!!

Mountain Madness || Jade Leech

For the Holiday Event! || Prompt: "This is non-negotiable" ; Genre: Comedy

It was supposed to be a simple day. You’d been running errands, trying to avoid chaos (and failing, as always), when you accidentally opened the wrong door.

“Ah, Prefect,” Jade Leech greeted, his serene smile both comforting and terrifying.

“Uh, hi, Jade. I think I—”

Before you could finish explaining, his hand latched onto your wrist.

“Perfect timing,” he said smoothly. “We’re always looking for new members.”

“We?” you echoed, glancing around the empty clubroom.

“Yes,” he said with no hesitation.

Before you knew it, you’d signed the Mountain Lover’s Club application form, Jade watching with a look of triumphant amusement.

“Great,” he said. “Now that it’s official, let me explain one of our fundamental activities.”

You paused, suddenly filled with dread. “What fundamental activity?”

“Hiking, of course,” Jade said, his smile widening ever so slightly.

The pen fell out of your hand. “...Hiking?”

“This is non-negotiable,” he said, as if you’d just suggested sitting in the clubroom and doing nothing.

You should have known better than to agree to anything involving Jade Leech. Now, you were halfway up a mountain trail, desperately clutching your knees as you tried not to collapse.

“I’m dying,” you wheezed, glaring at Jade, who looked like he’d stepped out of a magazine ad for adventure gear.

“Come now, Prefect,” he said cheerfully, bending down to examine a patch of mushrooms. “You’re doing well for a beginner.”

Well? You felt like you’d aged a hundred years in the past hour.

“Why are you even stopping?” you demanded, waving at him as he crouched over another fungi cluster. “Are those mushrooms paying your rent?!”

“Curiosity is its own reward,” he replied, holding up a specimen like it was a trophy.

You groaned, slumping onto a nearby rock. “Curiosity is going to kill me.”

He finally looked over, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re swaying.”

“I’m not swaying,” you lied, your legs disagreeing with you.

Jade approached, setting down his mushroom with great care before offering you his hand. “Very well. I’ll slow down.”

You blinked up at him, suspicious. “You mean that?”

“For now,” he said, helping you up with a deceptively gentle grip.

The rest of the hike was slower—thank the Great Seven—and you actually managed to breathe like a normal human being again. By the time you reached a clearing, the view almost made you forget how much you hated exercise.

“This isn’t... entirely awful,” you admitted, staring at the picturesque scene before you.

Jade chuckled softly, sitting beside you. “High praise indeed.”

“You’re lucky I’m too tired to argue,” you muttered, leaning back on your hands.

He tilted his head, watching you with that unreadable expression. “Perhaps you’ll even grow to enjoy it one day.”

“Don’t push your luck, Leech.”

But when he smiled that small, almost sincere smile, you couldn’t help but wonder if maybe—maybe—this cursed day wasn’t so bad after all.

Masterlist

[ltleflrt]

@clownsecret hells yeah I'll tell you ALL about it 😆

In response to this post - I'm making my own post because this leans into dark-fic territory, and I don't want to put that on your post if it's something you're not interested in and don't want to see in your post notes. General Warning for dub-con and violence and the really kinky stuff. Featuring Dom!Raphael and sub!Astarion.

The Kinks:

-BDSM, which comes with real contracts, which could be under-negotiated due to desperation, or meticulously negotiated but Raphael will still find a way to make it hurt worse than expected through language loopholes and fine print.

-And speaking of BDSM, SO MUCH SADISM. I am a huge fan of sadist/non-masochist pairings, omg so hot. Pain play of all sorts! Crying! No comfort! Someone's going to need a healer when it's done, but the orgasms were still fan-fucking-tastic! Unless no orgasms were allowed, which is also it's own kind of fun lol

-Wing kink! Imagine Raphael's victim ahem I mean his lover finding out that his wings are sensitive in a sexy way. His lover using that against him. Distracting him from all the dirtybadwrong things he had planned for the scene.

-Tail sex! See above. Plus double penetration, fucking his vict-LOVER I MEAN LOVER with his tail and not his dick, holding limbs in place with his tail so that both his hands are free. It can be used for bondage!

-Gentle, intimate sex as a reward for good behavior. YUM.

Now imagine all of that with Astarion! I am a massive fan of whump porn, and Astarion would add an extra layer to that kind of fun because he's already been through fucking hell with Cazador. This is exactly the kind of stuff he was trying to escape! And now he has to sign a contract agreeing to put up with it!

So you'd have to come up with a reason for him to put himself in that position. Raphael's not just going to snatch him up and start tormenting him. He's going to offer a deal that Astarion will have to agree to voluntarily. Maybe Tav was a dickbag and wouldn't help him with Cazador. Maybe he trades his service for a way to walk in the sun again. Something where he's so desperate that he'll turn to a devil for help even though he said he wouldn't do something so stupid in Act 1 and 2 of the game.

So Astarion signs a contract. He was a magistrate, so he might negotiate the fuck out of the contract, but not have enough leverage to get certain clauses he wants, so he has to give up some protections he tries to build into the contract for himself. And he's like "I can put myself through hell on purpose in exchange for this thing I want desperately. It's only temporary, not forever."

Then there's different ways he can act under contract. Maybe he's not able to turn off the sass, and he pisses Raphael off constantly, getting himself punished all the time. Raphael falls in love with Astarion's inability to just fucking behave, something that made Cazador just punish him more, but makes Raphael start easing off because otherwise he risks breaking his side of the bargain because there's really no taming Astarion and oops Raphael actually doesn't want him tamed anymore.

Or maybe Astarion locks himself down, reigning in the sass and the rebellion, because he knows how to avoid punishment, and unlike Cazador, Raphael can't punish him without reason. He tones his personality down so much that Raphael is disappointed in his behavior because he didn't want a sex doll, he wanted a challenge. He wants Astarion to fight back and risk failing to hold up his end of the bargain. So he starts going gentle, which confuses Astarion. Neither of them know how to handle this change in dynamic, and oh no now they're having conversations instead of sex.

And I don't want Astarion to fix Raphael. I want Raphael to make Astarion worse. Encourage his bloodthirsty side, cheer on his competitive nature, let him be a sneaky little bastard, motivate him to start participating in the politics of Hell. Oh, it turns out Astarion is good at infernal contracts? Let's amend our contract so that Astarion can trade working with his mind instead of working with his body.

And bonus if Haarlep and/or Korilla haaaate Astarion because he's getting all of Raphael's attention, and they're jealous.

This is exactly the kind of unhealthy fucked up dynamic that I LIVE FOR. (Which is really funny because all my writing is fluffy af lol)

[bonefall]

BB!Brushblaze

[ID: A grown version of Brushpaw from Warrior Cats. He is a ginger-and-white tabby cat with splotchy patches, a white butt, tail, paws, and 'bib'. He has yellow eyes with a distinct blob marking on his right side. He has a round notch in one ear.]

Because he's been coming up a lot lately, here he is! BB!Brushpaw is an ex-BloodClan cat who joins WindClan along with Snapper.

After the BloodClan Battle, Firestar opened up diplomatic negotiations in an attempt to see how much of Tigerstar's Impossible Deal the Clans could still honor. The answer was so simple as to be ridiculous; flowers, wood, novelty food. Things BloodClan can't get in the concrete alleys of Chelford. Leo and Snapper were only two of the traders who would regularly visit WindClan and ThunderClan.

Leo was head-over-paws for Onewhisker almost right away. He rarely went to ThunderClan, always trying to get chosen to go to the moor. He was so smitten, he never realized any of the red flags. Onewhisker wouldn't do public displays of affection, or tell his friends they were seeing each other, and when Leo floated the idea of joining the Clan... Onewhisker gave an affirmative, but not enthusiastic answer.

Tallstar decided to allow Leo and Snapper to join, but only if they went through apprenticeship as a formality. Onewhisker told Brushpaw that it's forbidden for warriors to be with apprentices, even if they are adults, and Brushpaw understood and respected that.

But it didn't get better.

Next, his ceremony was delayed over the destruction. His mentor, Mudclaw, even accused him of being a jinx and that he was bringing the humans to the moor. He went on the Great Journey forced to remain Brushpaw, Tallstar only having the strength to give Crowfeather his Honor Title and leaving him and Snappaw in the dust.

His scar is from fighting in the WindClan rebellion-- one of the rebels jumped on his back and tried to snap his neck. After the fight, Onestar gave the two their well-earned names; Brushblaze for the muirburn that Mudclaw sabotaged, and Snapstorm for the rain that put it out after.

When Onestar became leader, he changed, or... maybe it just revealed something that was always there, that Brushblaze didn't see. Either way, whatever they had was over.

Eventually, he became an ironic friend of Heathertail, helping her bring back tunneling. He died helping her and Breezepelt escape The Kin through a secret passage he constructed with Harespring, collapsing the tunnel so that they couldn't be followed.

Lots of info under the cut

Design & Meta Stuff

It bugs me how in Onestar's Concussion they copped out on the idea that Onewhisker was cheating on his lover with Smoke, by making it SUPER clear there was no overlap in the relationships. Soo instead yeah poor Brush was cheated on.

I feel like the fact that Canon!Brushpaw was a ginger tabby was supposed to invoke the image of Firestar, because the whole point is that "Firestar succeeded where Brushpaw failed" so like... I DESPERATELY tried to make sure Brushblaze is a ginger tabby who looks nothing like my Firestar lmao.

Total opposites, my Firestar is bright and skinny, Brush is dull and sturdy. Fire has no stripes and no white and Brush has stripes and white patches.

I gave him a spotty white tail for the irony of it looking like Darktail's but inverted.

I don't know if this makes sense but I tried to channel the energy of a gay dude who owns snakes.

Personality

Waaaaay smarter than you think, but can be a bit passionate and oblivious.

Prone to biting off more than he can chew and getting in situations above his head.

A yes-man, doesn't like saying no to people, especially when he feels like he can help.

Most ex-BloodClan cats look scary but are friendlier than they seem.

Surprises people with the way he casually remembers everything. Names, recipes, offhanded comments... say it once and it's in his head forever.

You really think that he's going to be a grump with that face, but it's far from the truth. He's tired, but super friendly.

History

Leo was a BloodClan Solver, a position that has to do with intellectual work.

Snapper was his assigned Problem, kind of like a BloodClan warrior.

His mother Bailey is actually one of the most respected Solvers in BloodClan. He didn't really like being in her shadow, though.

Looking back on it, Brushblaze is embarrassed about how quickly he was ready to commit to someone who, in hindsight, wasn't into it as much as he was.

They were dating but Onewhisker was... flaky. He didn't want to tell others about their relationship, never wanted public affection.

It was really obvious looking back on it that One was never brave enough to commit.

Snappaw and Brushpaw had to fight a lot of xenophobia to earn their place. Mudclaw's distrust of a cat he was supposed to train like an apprentice was a major factor in why Tallstar changed deputies so suddenly.

Unknown to Brush, Onewhisker had already rejected an old lover, Smoke, when he found out she was pregnant and wanted to join the Clan. He couldn't handle the shame of telling Brush he had been cheating AND the idea of waltzing into camp with a brazen kittypet lover.

Brush did eventually move on, but it took a long time. Onestar had Heathertail via honor-siring, never getting back into a romantic relationship again.

After this, he's very grudging of Onestar. Obeys him as a leader, but clearly dislikes him as an authority figure and as a person.

One of Onestar's many regrets.

One day in the Po3 Era, he overheard Heatherpaw and Breezepaw scream for help and came running

They were digging a tunnel, and Harepaw got buried

He pulled him out, and the three of them begged him to not tell their parents

Heatherpaw: "If my dad finds out he'll want to use this to do something stupid"

Brushblaze: "well... can't argue with that."

But he made them promise that the next time they dig that far down, where they could get hurt by a cave-in, they would come get him.

He became something like a safety friend, helping them work out how to reinforce a tunnel, doing good estimates of how to dig from Point A to Point B.

Onestar, of course, did eventually find out about tunnels... from Sedgepaw, boasting about the naturally-occurring ones under the Lake. It sure did give the four of them a scare that he'd learned about their little resurrection of tunneling as a practice.

Brushblaze eventually found love again; ironically, it was with Whitetail!

They had two kittens; Galekit and Smokekit.

He found it REALLY weird though that Onestar was so... aggressive? About Smokekit

"you didn't have to do this," said Onestar, glaring at the baby.

Brushblaze blinked several times. "....have a child???"

He would learn the truth less than a month later, when Darktail brought The Kin to the lake

Breezepelt joined quickly, and Heathertail went with curiosity when it was revealed that Darktail was her half-brother.

Harespring, deputy at the time, knew that his childhood friends were in danger. Him, Brushblaze, Crowfeather, and a few others immediately started digging to help save their Clanmates

Brushblaze's final act was shoving The Kin escapees in the tunnel, lagging behind, and collapsing the tunnel on himself and their pursuers.

[numberonenarinderhater]

Adding onto that one ask someone made abt narilamb being toxic I also wanna add that even if Nari spared Lamb it would be heavily toxic perhaps even more toxic than baseline Narilamb

CW: Noncon/Dubcon and Abuse ( plus grooming mention )

I have an au where Nari spares my Lamb and ends up making them his disciple. He gains a creepy obsession towards her and forces them to marry him. The relationship is rife with abuse grooming/manipulation ( lamb isn’t a minor btw ) and dubcon at best and straight up noncon at worst.

The bishops are in eternal purgatory with no way to get out anytime soon ( might have my lamb try to release them out of spite? Granted their morals are probably fucked so I don’t think they’d be of any help to the lamb but I think Nari could get his ass kicked for basically orchestrating their deaths )

I haven’t rlly done too much with the au bc writing dark themes to this extent isn’t exactly something I do much but it’s still smth I think abt

I just don’t really understand how a character could, in good conscience, look at someone who has upturned their life and tried to betray them and feel anything but wary?

A good writer could explain that and I’ve seen some good attempts at making it all make sense but it’s a big undertaking if you wanna make their relationship work out. My gripe with a lot of narilamb content (and i will not be naming any names bc I’m not that big of a cunt) is that it tries to cut these corners entirely.

The interesting ones (to me, anyway) make the Lamb into a kind of antihero- someone more than ready to put up with Narinder’s brand of evil and put him in his place, which is exciting as it changes their previous dynamic and demonstrates how powerful the Lamb has become. They become almost like equals in this way, but in an interesting, dangerous capacity where each one’s power is constantly under the threat. There’s a reason people like dark romance or “enemies to lovers” or even just romantic banter- it’s fun to watch people try to negotiate the upper hand and see how the advantage moves between parties.

I’m very picky about this exchange of power between characters so, granted, I don’t usually like “enemies to lovers”. Pride and Prejudice is probably my biggest exception bc Darcy and Lizzie always feel like equals even if, socioeconomically, they’re not. But if Lamb could put Narinder (deservedly) in his place in a similar way, it would bring that much needed tension and drama into their relationship. If they can just get along after alllll of that shit then it’s hard for me to be interested since there’s no tension anymore. I think this is where a lot of romance writing in general fails because keeping this balance between too much tension/not enough tension is hard.

(But I mean at least try y’know? God)

Your alternate universe sounds interesting, even if it’s grim. I can’t give you much advice on that front since I don’t know where you wanna take it but if the dark themes intimidate you then there’s nothing wrong with writing those elements as merely implied or “off-screen”. There’s also allegorical ways to add conflicts relating to sexuality and consent (maybe there are non-physical or even magical ways that characters can cross or push boundaries?) and that would allow you to involve these conflicts while protecting you from having to write graphic scenes. I’m only an amateur writer and an English BA- and you may not even be asking for advice here- but I definitely relate to you saying that you like to think about writing dark themes while being uncertain about doing it.

[yama-does-art]

Nerevarine on Solsthiem Part 4

Content: Teldryn Sero x Geldis Sadri

Start | Prev | Next

Warning: Mildly suggestive puns

Word Count: 601

--Getting Handsy

When the outlander finally left with her first task, a clap could be heard from the corner of the bar. Teldryn reappeared from a chameleon spell. “Well done. She has you in the palm of her hands.”

Geldis brow twitched, “Shut up you s’wit, that was a fair negotiation.”

The merc chuckled, discarding his chitin helm once more. “If you say so.”

Geldis took the now empty bowl to the kitchen unamused by the mercenary. “I finally get some competent help and a new source of income. I wasn’t about to turn that down,” he said while washing the remaining dishes.

Teldryn laughed, “Drovas is a bit dull.”

“I was talking about you.”

Geldis paused as he could feel warm hands graze against his chest. “So you think I am not competent,” said the warm breath against his neck.

The merchant rolled his eyes, ignoring the contact, “No, you are a distraction.”

“I can show you a distraction,” said Teldryn kissing the others jawline. Fingers trailing lower and lower.

The barkeep groaned, trying to ignore his core heating. "No help. At. All." His breath hitched when the fingers found their way under his waistline. "Just another merc with a fancy sword."

Sero bit the tip of his lover's ear, causing another groan. "That's just fine by me," he whispered in a husky voice. He could feel the heat between his fingers and the outline of the others' balls. He squeezed. "I'll hilt my sword into you any day."

"Fucking hell Teldryn," cried Geldis. The barkeep turned to slam his lips on the other. Using one hand, he pulled the taller mer closure, with the other hand he grazed the mercenaries shaved head, weaving his fingers into his trail of hair.

Teldryn groaned, letting the barkeep gain the upper hand, devouring his mouth with his tongue. Finally, their lips separated, both breathing hard. “Gods, you’re such a tease, right before work too" Geldis said, cupping Teldryn's chin with his hand before pushing the man away.

Sero grinned, “I can’t help it, you’re too irresistible.”

He turned to wash his hands and the residual saliva on his face. “One of these days, I am going to strangle you in your sleep.”

"You don't need to do that, you already take my breath away," Teldryn said winking.

Geldis huffed, fighting back the laughter, "Gods, you are the worst."

Teldryn snickered, "You're smiling."

"I am and I hate it," Geldis said trying and failing to keep a frown. He finally let out a hearty laugh pulling the other into another kiss. Soft, playful, and full of affection, "Now shut up and help me with the vegetables. And wash your hands," he said with a grin.

Teldryn chuckled as he did just that. He never liked to cook before, never really tried. But he has found his natural skill and dexterity with swords translated well into knifework. It was fun. Geldis was already too focused on his work to notice his gaze. It was fun because of him.

“I still think you could have gotten more out of that contract,” said the merc mincing some garlic.

Geldis hummed in agreement, “Maybe, maybe not. It would be a nice change of pace to have a bar maid. Azura knows that Drovas is not cut out for it. Can’t shake the feeling that there is more to her than she is letting on, what do you think?”

Teldryn thought about it. "Or she's just all talk. Either way, I think something big is about to happen."

“I can't help but agree.”

Next ->

[onesemesterfilmstudentta]

Film #8: Late Chrysanthemums

I read the original short story for one of Professor Smith's class and I just absolutely adore how this film chose to adapt Okin's story. The original had such a long narrative informing the readers of Okin's rather turbulent childhood and luck in becoming the cold but well-off money lender she appears in the movie. It's the classic "info-dump" all for the sake of the confrontation between Okin and Tabe, where she realizes she can't return to a happy, nostalgic past with him anymore. In fact, Tabe even considers killing Okin, who is all alone in the world but plenty rich, because he and she both know no one would really miss or mourn her. I think that inner monologue from Tabe is the part of the movie I feel a little sad about as it got left out. In the movie too, Okin was always observant and focused on protecting herself so this moment where she had to negotiate her safety with Tabe was a little gut-wrenching.

However, the film still nailed the theme of being alone. I don't think Otomi or Tamae were a part of the original story but I enjoyed watching their part. Penniless and working hard to fend for themselves, the one advantage they have over Okin is being mothers. The scene at the end of the movie as the two of them drinking and grievong over their children abandoning them might seem ironic but these two women are still together as friends! They live in the same home, Otomi cares for the sick Tamae, and they comfort each other as they feel the same sorrow. Neither of them are alone and that is something Okin can not compete with. In fact, it's a little interesting that Okin has a problem with men because of Seki but Okin's problem with other women seems to stem from money insecurity and the desire to retire peacefully.

Another thing this film does differently from the original story is make Okin a much more sympathetic character. Don't get me wrong- Okin is still quite selfish and shallow about her own looks. Like the film, she spent a lot of time getting herself ready and presentable for Tabe. She even injected hormones into herself as Otomi and Tamae kept complaining about. However, her past with Seki and the harm he did to her was not part of the original story. Okin was simply yearning for her past beauty and had thought Tabe had become ugly after so much time had passed. He wasn't her wonderful young and handsome soldier anymore. However, her distrust of men seems to come from the betrayal she suffered at Seki's hands. Aside from Okin saying he tried to murder her and the other characters saying it was a failed suicide, the actual events are not discussed. This is only a guess but I think Seki had been dealing with outside issues, like money problems or soldier problems, and wanted to die a lovers' suicide with Okin to get away from it all. However, he never got her consent and so what she witnessed instead was her one true love attempting to murder her for no apparent reason. Anyone would be terrified at that! That must be why she avoids Seki and maybe her one attempt at fixing her own loneliness was supposed to lie in Tabe.

The scene with Tabe is very interesting. She fixes herself up, feeds him food and wine, and plays the samisen for him. It does not play out like a tearful reunion between lovers. It plays out as if she were still performing a geisha role for him. He's not attached to Okin, the woman, but Okin the geisha. He always asks about her patron after all and he assumes it's because of a patron that she can live so well.

Well, the last observation I would like to make is how all the woman are workers in this film. Otomi the washer-woman, Tamae the maid, Okin the money-lender, the deaf girl as a live-in maid, and even that wife who helps her husband run their restaurant. If not to feed and house themselves, then for the sake of their future. What woman doesn't work for their own living?

Their friendship is so good. The "Monroe Walk", man...

[b3anieperson]

YES I WAS WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO ASK

So Tairn dying goes hand in hand with a few of the theories; Naolin being a Venin, the group having a meeting with the Venin, and Brennan or Mira getting really hurt in the meeting with the Venin.

I apologize in advance for the jumbled writing.

So first of all, Tairn does not EVER want to talk about Naolin, he only ever mentions him by name once; when Sloane manifested her signet. It has also been SAID that it was thought to be impossible to bring someone back from literal death as a siphon, which begs the question; How did he bring Brennan back? Also RY got really fucking quiet when someone asked if Violet was gonna lose one or both of her dragons, soooo.

I think that Naolin turned right then and there to save his friend/lover, and when he thought he failed, the Maven (general) that Xaden killed, shows up, and recruits him. Tairn is trying to get Naolin to stay, and eventually, Naolin looks him dead in the eyes, places his hands on Tairn's face, and draw a little bit of power, "I'm one of them Tairn, I was never meant to be a rider." -and Naolin walks away, and Tairn is both equally shocked and hurt, so he grieves as if he had truly watch Naolin die.

BACK TO THE PRESENT DAY THEORY

So as they are all sitting at Basgiath, probably discussing how to handle the Venin in a meeting, a rider comes in, holding a rolled up missive.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt, but we had this dropped at the Athbyne outpost. By a Wyvern."

Xaden takes the missive and reads it. It discloses a location, and how many they are allowed to take, but they list several by name/description. Xaden Riorson/the killer, Violet Sorrengail/the lightning wielder, Brennan Sorrengail, and they are allowed to bring five others. Brennan is the only one listed by name, and it isn't his new one.

They agree and take five other rider with them; Mira Sorrengail, Bodhi Durran, Garrick Tavis, Imogen Cardulo, and Felix Gerault.

They have reasons for most of the people who went. Mira; they physically could not stop her from going (she probably broke Brennan's nose again when he told her no.) Bodhi; they believe that if he can counter signets, maybe he can counter the Venin's weilding for a short period of time, (they could also not physically stop him from going.) Garrick; RY has said that his signet plays a huge role in this book, so it must be important, (they could also not stop him from going if they tried.) Imogen; She's a damn good fighter, I don't think that anyone could stop her if she is pissed off enough, Venin or not. Felix; he is like the supervising officer.

So they arrive in a field, in the Braevick Province. It isn't overrun by Venin, but there are obvious signs that they are in the area. The group is quick to dismount, and Tairn is constantly telling Vi that this is not only a bad idea, but that he doesn't have a good feeling, and Vi feels it too.

A Initiate walks foward, palms up, and asks for the group to follow them. The initiate leads them to a tent, which is set up just like the Navarrian's would for negotiations.

They enter and see a hooded figure sitting at a chair with a makeshift desk, and he looks up. Brennan startles back, and watches as the hood falls off the figure.

"Naolin?" Brennan whispers out, his body trembling.

"It's good to see that all my hard work paid off, Brennan." Naolin officially reveals himself. To Brennan, he looks almost the same, but now he has traits of Venin. Red distended veins, and red rings around his eyes. He looks withered, but more importantly, tired.

Tairn is setting off every warning sign to Violet to get her out. Violet is asking questions, "Did you know?" "I thought he died. Why isn't he dead?" And Tairn doesn't want to answer them. Finally Vi backs out of the tent, and the others follow her, and Tairn is right behind her.

Naolin exits the tent, and glares at Tairn. "I see you haven't changed Tairneanach." Naolin whispers, anger evident in his voice. Tairn growls, and rises to his full height.

Violet feels another bond, dark, not comforting or warm like Xaden's, dark, and cold, and horrifying.

Tairn and Naolin have a heated conversation, of which Naolin speaks his words, but no one can hear Tairn's. Finally Naolin says, "You agreed with me! That day- you agreed with me! That I was not fit to be a rider! To be your rider!"

Tairn snarls a response and Naolin screams. "Don't give me that bullshit about how you suffered- about how you grieved! You didn't grieve for me, you went on with your fucking life and did not care."

Tairn glares at Naolin, and he pushes Violet to the side with a claw and he roars in Naolins face. Naolin subtly nods and a crossbolt is launched from several yards away, and it goes straight into Tarin's underbelly.

Tairn roars in agony and Naolin smirks as Sgaeyl lands and her tail thrashes as she attacks. Violet feels as Tairn's body suffers, as his heart slows. She cries next to him, pleading with Malek, pleading with Tairn, with Sgaeyl, with anyone.

Xaden rushes to her side, and is holding her. Brennan freezes up, but Mira does not, she palms a dagger and jams it in between Naolin's neck and shoulder.

Naolin turns and throws his hand out to channel, and Garrick shoves into him, and calls out for backup.

Violet is gazing into Tairn's eyes. "P-please. Please stay Tairn. Fight to stay. Fight. Please." She pleads.

"Silver One. You are my last rider, you were never meant to be a replacement. I knew this day would come, this was only fate." Tairn whispers through the bond.

As Tairn's eyes close, and his heart stops, Sgaeyl roars in pain, and finally Venin flood in. The others run over, screaming of how they have to go. They have to leave, but Violet can not will her body to move. She waits for her heart to stop with Tairn's, but it only hurts.

Mira drags her sister upright and Xaden picks her up and runs. He mounts Sgaeyl and tears fall from his dragons eyes. He cannot comfort her and Violet at the same time. The others finally mount and they lift off almost immediately.

Brennan sits on the back of Marbh, and he feels empty. At Basgiath he feels empty. In his room, as he sits, after mending everyone, he cannot stop thinking about Naolin. About how the light left his beautiful brown eyes.

He sighs and pulls out the letter that Naolin had shoved into the pocket of his flight leathers.

"Dear Brennan,

I'm sorry. I would never have become what I did if it weren't for you. But please, do not blame yourself. I love you, you know that. I would have stayed if I thought you'd lived, but you didn't move, you didn't inhale a breath, and then I was being tugged away by a power.

Then a Maven found me, Tairn told me to stay, but there was no point in going back to Basgiath, to any outpost if you were not there.

I did it all for you,

Love, Naolin."

Aaaanndddd that's it! Sorry if it seems really jumbled between notes and part fanfic-

I also apologize for any tears shed.

Things I do not want but expect in Onyx Storm (also things I do want but you all have to figure that out)

Naolin comes back (or has always been and never died-) as a venin

Tairn dies

Xaden ties Violet's shoes

Colonel Aetos comes back to bite us in the ass

Someone close to Xaden dies (I'm placing bets on Bodhi, sorry)

Violet's second signet is going to be ward weaving (maybe idfk)

Bodoc happens???

We meet Drake Cordella!

One of the Cordella children dies (placing bets on Syrena)

Gamogen/Immrick happens???

We have a meeting with Venin

Mira or Brennan get severely injured in said meeting with Venin

We FINALLY get to hear about Liam wielding ice in the Battle of Resson

Viscount Tecarus dies (thank fucking god)

We get to meet the Queen of Poromiel

They drag King Tauri kicking and fucking screaming to a meeting with the Queen of Poromiel

We meet Halden

We get history on how (I hope) Halden and Vi dated

We hate Halden

Aaric hates Halden a tad bit too

Aaric x Sloane (pleaseee RY I begggg)

Sgaeyl and Tairn have eggs (maybe idfk)

Andarna can finally fly fully and we learn that she CAN support Vi while flying

We learn that Lillith Sorrengail was a Venin (see a pervious post about that theory)

Jack Barlowe is killed (PLEASE IM TIRED OF THIS FLYING RAT TURD)

Dain Aetos dies (killed by his own father, such shame)

Okay now we play a game, I'M Xaden Riorson, and YOU'RE all Violet Sorrengail, ask me what I mean (by reblogging or commenting or asking) and I'll explain what I mean. (I hope that it'll make sense because my tiny pea brain doesn't work well at midnight apparently)

[zasaka-studio]

☕ - Dearest forever

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Warnings: NSFW, blood mentions, delusional/possessive Gyomei ;) + OOC bc i got carried away-

(.//❛// ᴗ //❛//.) ———> @misslili265 come get your mans

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

Brooding, kind and so so sweet.

That is what he is, that is who he is. There's no changing it. Even with his impaired vision he doesn't let it stop his ambition and will.

His stature is one of his most, noticable aspects of him. He's extremely tall. Which tends to drive people away, he doesn't do it on purpose though. No no, he doesn't want to scare them away. So when they meet, he always leans down so he seems less intimidating to them. It's also better for listening to their stories and random topics they jumpy to at random. It's cute.

He will always bring some type of gift, a wildflower, oddly smooth stone, chocolate, anything he see's worth to give as a gift. He was always so- soft when he would bring his darling something. Wrapped in their favorite color or handed too with a bow. He's elated when they always accept his gifts. It makes him smile while silent tears of happiness well. He can't help it-- he's just so... Happy

Compassion, love and adoring

He has found himself just basking in you're presence sometimes, it was strange. The topics they were always talking about, he started to remember them more and more, sometimes he even said what you were about to say, already knowing about it from you before. He has also cought himself multiple times thinking about how sweet their voice sounded, or the passion in you're words. It makes him smile.

they have been coming across his mind more than once. Which never fails to send his rhythmic heart beat into a frenzy. His blood rushes and his face turns red hot. He's extremely confused on why this is happening and why are they the cause? Then it hit him, and it hit him hard. The clammy hands, heart beat, his speech stuttering at random, his thought being consumed of you. The thought of kissing you're soft lips.

He was in love~

Strong, stubborn and intimidating-

He can be when he's passionate about something, whatever it may be- a new hobby, a new practice, protection, a foreign obsession. With a heart of gold, immovable body, and unbreakable perseverance. He is unstoppable

To those who try to impose him, they always chatter in fear. Once he sets his mind on it, there is no turning back or negotiating. With one 'look' into his milky white eyes makes anyone back down from him, in an argument, fight or an unexpected meeting he will always prevail. Anything and everything, for his beloved...

Delusional, lustful, and worshipped

His thoughts are not as pure as he would like to admit. There are those nights where his mind ran wild no matter how hard he tried to contain it.

The man that is Gyomei Himejima, loving to his beloved and never stray's from this belief that the two of you are in love, madly , in love. These thoughts of of his dearest are none of a joke, he worships his lover as long as he will live- everything is for them and them alone.

They have begun to go to picnics together, he likes to see them as dates. Though he's never really asked you out yet, which he longs to do. Even if he already thinks you two are in love, why not make it official do no one else bothers you two, no? But whenever he tries his heart leaps into his throat, which he's decides to wait.

Though with these little outings you've have also given him gifts- to make up for what he has already done for you. It's totally unnecessary as he doesn't mind giving to you, it's what he loves to do and what you deserve. He doesn't decline. He keeps them in a special room where no one or anything could harm these tokens, you must return his feeling's, why would you gift him these if you really didn't care at all? Or give him you're sweet attention and time. It makes him smile and cry, knowing that you'd rather spend you're free time with him!

He's always thought of confessing at some point, maybe with something you like? No. Or straight forward, subtle, at one of you're favorite places? He can't decide. He wants it to be sweet for them. He doesn't want to scare you off, he honestly believes he can't love anybody else like you. Which he doesn't and never will.

You're body, you're voice you're everything. God, it was overwhelming to him. He can imagine what it would look like, with his true love under him, the sounds, little mewls- moans, he loathes himself for having this guilty pleasure of his. But he has long since tried to shut these fantasy's out but instead embraced them. You were the one that made him feel like this in the first place. So why should he decline something you graciously gave him no?

Trust, worry, and confinement

The day he's decided he wanted to make it official, you were sent out on a mission. But he didn't get the slightest bit deterred. As he could just ask you when you arrived back. He doesn't doubt you're amazing ability to handle yourself, not one bit.

Not untill you arrived half dead.

It wasn't supposed to happen, he was supposed to look after you, he'd sworn himself. But here you are, broken and battered- almost unrecognizable due to his foolishness to believe that you were capable to be a demon slayer at all. If he could see he would've been blinded by how much he'd been crying. He doesn't think you're week, absolutely not. He doesn't think you're cut out for this. You're tiny body wouldn't be able to withstand it. So that exact afternoon he had taken you away in your sleep.

No one would suspect it would be him of all people, not because he would even bee a suspect at all, he's the number 1 Hashira for a reason. He'd suggest that a demon may have finished the job while everyone else were asleep. Suspicious but plausible, then after a while a questioning around you're pronounced ‘dead’. Which was his plan to keep you safe all along.

He'd treat and nurse you back to health in the confinement of his estate. No knowing that you were taken in your sleep, he just said that they allowed him to take care of you. That you would never be able to return to the front lines ever again. Which was a lie.

Why would you doubt him anyways? He's never lied to anyone, you trust him. Which he never fails to notice and smile at.

During you're recovery he was finally able to say those three words.

“I love you...”

“I love you too, Gyomei.”

And you were all his~

------------------------------------------------------

[alrightberries]

our sorry little hearts

❈ pairing: levi ackerman x fem!reader

❈ genre: angst. ❈ word count: 1.6k

❈ summary: Levi hasn’t seen your traitorous Eldian face in years.

❈ trigger warnings: profanity. war. mentions of blood, death, and violence.

a/n: you’ve heard of enemies to lovers, now get ready for... lovers to enemies. this takes place during the liberio invasion aka S4 E6. based on a love like war by all time low.

(also don’t tell anyone but this is me lowkey warming up after not writing for so long)

There’s something oddly nostalgic about seeing you again on the battlefield.

Levi recognizes your usual battle stance; feet a shoulder’s width apart and hands tightly clutching the handles of your sheathed blades. You’re wearing the scouting regiment’s outdated white uniform, green cape hiding the leather straps your missing brown jacket usually would. He’s not surprised you’re not wearing your wings of freedom jacket, though; he was, after all, the one who sliced it in half during your escape with Zeke on the Cart Titan’s back. He hasn’t seen it, but he’s positive that a long scar runs down the length of your spine.

“Levi,” he hears you murmur, and he pretends that his heart doesn’t ache after hearing his name slip from your lips for the first time in four years. “I—... Levi,”

He feels his chest tighten. You still look as beautiful as he remembers you to be, and the fact that you still take his breath away is something he hates. It’s been a long while since he last stood on a battlefield with you. Only this time, there were no trees to swing from or titans to kill; no reassuring squeezes on the shoulder or cheeky kisses when no one was looking; no small smiles or stolen glances across the field as your horses galloped through Titan Country. No— this time, you wore different colors and fought on opposing sides.

“Levi, talk to me,” your tone is airy, said in what seemed to be a mixture of built up anticipation and disbelief. But there was something in your voice— something he couldn’t quite place. Was it relief? Longing, perhaps? Maybe even regret. But Levi pushes those thoughts aside in favor of gritting his teeth and giving his traitorous wife a stone cold stare. “Levi, talk to me, please.”

He refuses to reply. His hands are shaking from how hard he was gripping the handles of his blades, and he swears his heart was going to burst out of his untrimmed chest from how loudly it beat at his ribcage. There are about a million and one emotions swirling around his head— betrayal. anger. sadness. melancholy.

And he doesn’t know which one takes over him when he charges at you full speed.

There’s a grunt followed by the sound of metal clashing against metal, and Levi’s not surprised to see that your reflexes are still as sharp as they were before. His own cape whips in the wind when he turns to land another strike. But then he hears sound of your hooks digging into bricks, and he’s quick to take your little fight to the air in pursuit of you.

He knows he has to be at the plaza to save Eren’s ass but he also knows that he had at least seven minutes before he had to go. He’ll make this quick.

“Levi,” he hears you call out. You’ve led him further away from the plaza— maybe intentionally or unintentionally, he doesn’t know— and he’s only now realizing that you both stood on the side of a building, the hooks on your gears the only thing keeping you up. “My love—-”

“—don’t call me that,” his heart twitches and he sneers. It’s the first thing he’s said to you in years and god did you miss his voice, miss him in general. “Don’t you fucking dare call me that,”

“Levi,” you breathe, but the deep growl that escapes his lips is enough for your words to die in your throat.

“Stop,” he says. “You’ve lost the right to speak my name; you’ve lost the right to wear that cape,” his eyes land on the silver chain you wore around your neck, a gold ring hanging in the middle. It matched the one he had back home, the one he secretly held at night and kissed sorrowfully when he felt like breaking down. His voice is quieter, almost pained as he speaks, “you’ve lost the right to wear that ring. You’ve lost the right to even look me in the eye after what you’ve done.”

His words sting and your throat tightens when you once again remember the look of pure and utter betrayal in his eyes when you confessed you were a spy on behalf of the Marleyan government. The way he froze, hoping you were lying; yet the tears running down your cheeks and the apologies that slipped from your lips as you got down on your knees and begged him for forgiveness left no room for contest.

“Levi, we don’t have to fight, please just hear me out. I’m still the wife you loved—-“

“No,” he cuts you off. “My wife is gone. She died in the battle for Shiganshina.” your lip quivers, and he continues to speak. “You? You’re an enemy. You’re as good as dead to me.”

Your words once again die on your tongue when he charges at you, and you just barely manage to leap away. The edge of his blade scrapes against your thigh, and blood paints your trousers red when your feet land on the cobblestone streets.

Every attempt you make after, any attempts at conversation is silenced with a swift swing of Levi’s blades, almost as if he were seeking catharsis through violence.

You grit your teeth. “You’re never going to listen to me, are you?”

His silence and steely glare is all the answer you need, and you sigh. Your stance shifts, and the grip on your blades changes; you were finally taking an offensive stance, Levi notices. Blocking his blows wouldn’t be enough— you couldn’t reason with him no matter how hard you tried, and you couldn’t win with just defense. You had to outsmart him; you had to win. You had to.

“I’m sorry, levi, but losing isn’t an option for me. Not this time,” you murmur.

You didn’t want to fight him, he could see it in your eyes. But you were fighting for something, for someone more important than him. Your eyes— the first things he fell in love with, the ones that were usually fiery and full of life— are soulless, almost solemn when he sees you run at him full speed, and Levi pushes down the hurt he felt at the thought of you loving another as he charges at you too.

A tear silently falls down your cheek. You loved levi, but you loved him more. You were fighting for him, and he was waiting for you back at home.

There’s a grey little building in the Liberio Intermittent Zone, somewhere between the gates and the plaza. The gunshots and explosions just barely reach the drab building, and the smoke rising into the air is the only thing visible to the naked eye of the chaos unfolding at the plaza.

A Marleyan soldier, donned in white and war medals, stands in front of an open window. She’s got binoculars in her hands, and she peeks through the eye piece to watch as two figures fight. Their capes create shadows of black where they flutter, and their silver blades gleam in the moonlight.

She smirks. Your negotiation failed, just like she said it would, and now you had no choice but to fight to the death.

Good, she thinks, that Eldian scum’s doing her end of the bargain.

She leans back and a satisfied hum leaves her lips. She turns to look at the little boy, no more than four years old, sat on the bed. The red Eldian arm band clasped around his arm brings a grimace to the soldier’s face. She can’t believe she got stuck with babysitting some lowlife scum.

“Is mommy doing well?” he asks timidly. He doesn’t even know that you were out there about to murder a man, but the kid was smart; he at least knew your job carried a heavy weight.

“For now,” she replies. The boy’s jet black hair bounces slightly as he nods, and his slanted eyes are downcast, staring at the floor. His silvery grey orbs dare not make contact with hers.

The boy looked almost nothing like you— if anything, she was sure he looked to be the spitting image of his unknown father. Strong genes, the father must’ve had.

She finds amusement in how tense the boy was around her; at least his whore of a mother had the decency to teach the kid his place in the world. He was worse than an Eldian, the lowest of the low— he was half Paradis demon. He should’ve never been born. They should’ve beaten you to death along with your unborn child like she’d suggested when you came back from Paradis knocked up.

“You can kill me, but spare my baby, please.” she remembers you begging. “I didn’t even know i was pregnant. Not even the father knows.”

Still, maybe it was a good choice to keep both you and the demon child alive. As much as she hated to admit it, you were a skilled soldier— one of the best they’ve ever had. Threatening your life meant nothing to you, but threatening your child’s? All they had to do was suggest it, and you’d follow their commands like an obedient dog chasing after a dangling treat.

“When’s mommy going to come home?” the boy suddenly asks.

“Soon,” she replies, eyes once again gazing through her binoculars. “If your mother does her job well, she’ll be back soon.” There’s a telephone beside the soldier, ready to make the call should you ever stop fighting. A sniper awaits her signal.

“If she doesn’t... well,” she laughs. The door to the small room you called home is locked, and the loaded gun hidden in the soldier’s pocket is a weight she’s familiar with. “Do you believe in god?”

“No,” the boy shakes his head. “Who’s that?”

“Tell you what, kid. if your mother fucks this up, i’ll personally see to it that you meet him soon enough.”

alrightberries © 2020. do not modify or repost.

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[aurorawest]

WIP tag game

rules: list all your WIP titles, all meaning even the ones that are vague or nonsensical. tag as many people as there are WIPs

I was tagged by @mareebird. Thanks 😄 

So I have actually been whittling my WIPs down and I’m pretty proud of myself. There are still a lot.

WIPs I’m currently “writing”:

loki is sick - literally just a whumpy fic about Loki being sick

sleight of hand deleted scene - what it says. it’s from Stephen’s POV

monster under the bed - a planned multi chap where Stephen disappears and Loki and Thor team up to rescue him. the only witness to Stephen’s disappearance is the monster that lives under Stephen’s bed

froststrange pwp - lol from back in the days when I called my smut fics by variations on this name because I didn’t have like 5 in progress at the same time. this is actually one where Loki and Stephen have failed kink negotiation because Loki thinks it’s dumb and Stephen thinks it’s imperative

swans - Froststrange oneshot I started writing after I saw some swans one day

general mess deleted scene - a scene that takes place during The General Mess from Stephen’s POV

healing magic - something I started writing based on some art by @nonexistenz

stephen gets resurrected - this is probably going to be my next big epic, because it will tell the story of how Loki brings Stephen back to life. it starts with a heist on a Kree space station, includes the destruction of Valhalla, and ends with Loki and Stephen being reunited and yes...Stephen finally gets a golden apple

eldritch dimension of horrors in the fire island lighthouse lens - case fic about Loki accidentally freeing an eldritch horror from the Fire Island Lighthouse lens while Loki and Stephen are supposed to be having a relaxing vacation

when harry met sally - oneshot thingy (honestly more of a random scene) about Loki and Stephen watching When Harry Met Sally during SOH times

strange gets called out - just a teensy tiny bit of a fic I want to write where it all comes to light that Stephen was harboring Loki at the Sancum for nine months

are you courting my brother, Strange? - oneshot where Thor awkwardly tries to talk to Stephen about his obvious feelings for Loki. everyone is uncomfortable

soulmate au - me tackling a trope that I actually find very squicky, but I like to challenge myself. Froststrange, obviously

PSL - oneshot that takes place the day after SOH

froststrange academia au - rivals to lovers au. Loki and Stephen are both medievalists at NYU who have carried on a rivalry via scholarly article and email over years, but have never met in person. they meet at a gas station and have a love at first sight moment but don’t know who the other is...then they’re introduced at NYU and etc etc

rip stephen - Stephen dies in Loki’s arms just before his 101st birthday

first child - Loki and Stephen find a baby on an adrift Dark Elf ship. she’s the only survivor. they bring her back to Earth and try to find a home for her as Loki slowly realizes maybe he’d like to be a dad after all

loki and stephen’s wedding - exactly what it sounds like

threesome - also exactly what it sounds like haha. it’s with Professor Hulk hahahaha

spite toddler - really just some notes on a fic I’d like to write about Loki and Stephen’s kid being a toddler. very much inspired by my niece lol

flower shop tattoo parlor au - what it sounds like. Stephen owns the tattoo parlor, Loki works at the flower shop. takes place in Mitchell, South Dakota. Stephen is struggling after a car accident destroys his hands; Loki is just struggling because that’s Loki. they fall in love and help pull each other out of their respective darknesses

wild west au - Loki and Stephen fall in love in the wild west! actually it’s not really the wild west; it takes place in western Illinois during railroad expansion. Loki’s father is a railroad baron, Loki himself is often in trouble with the law but Odin always bails him out. Stephen is a PI and former Pinkerton agent who one time nailed Loki (legally speaking, not sexually...though he’d like to do so sexually, as well). there’s bad blood between them because of it. Loki hires Stephen to help him find his father, who has mysteriously disappeared...

unexpected - a Loki/Wong fic

selfcest bang - fic I’m writing for the Bang Yourself Mini-Bang

mth 3 - oneshot I’m writing for my third and final auction fill for Marvel Trumps Hate 2020. it’s about Loki planning his own funeral on Asgard after TDW

nasty boys interlude - oneshot from Stephen’s POV during Loki’s hookup with Blondie from the gallery in Nasty Boys Don’t Mean a Thing

coming out - a Daevabad Trilogy fic! Jamshid/Muntadhir. because once in a while I write other stuff besides Loki haha. this is about Muntadhir coming out to Zaynab after he gets walked in on

flavored condoms - Froststrange oneshot about Loki and Stephen getting it on at a birthday party lol

nastier boys - sequel to Nasty Boys Don’t Mean a Thing

WIPs that are drafted:

A Full and Factual Account of Asgard - you guys know this one

soul arrow - I finally named this! It’s called Fade to White and it’s a fic about Loki dying, and Stephen going into his memories to try to figure out a way to save him

Afterimage - fic #5 in “it’s not going to matter if we fall down twice.” remember that war bear from A Full and Factual Account of Asgard? remember how Stephen made Loki promise to help him find an actual good home for it?

sex chair - Loki and Stephen use a sex chair (bingo fill)

quarantine - Loki and Stephen are stuck in quarantine after a space mission. they’re under surveillance to make sure aliens don’t pop out of their chests, so they both have a lot of pent up...energy (bingo fill)

hypermasculinity - Froststrange smut, again. honestly don’t really remember the details of this? they have graphic sex haha (bingo fill)

dick pic - Loki’s ship is broken and Stephen’s sling ring is lost, so they have to have phone sex (bingo fill)

corsetry kink - Loki and Stephen go on a diplomatic trip to a planet where corsets are in fashion for everyone. Loki discovers he really likes Stephen in a corset. they have graphic sex, because, of course they do (bingo fill)

Here, Here, and Here - fic #6 in “it’s not going to matter if we fall down twice.” Loki does some time at the Raft.

Life on Earth - fic #8 in “it’s not going to matter if we fall down twice.” Loki and Stephen run into each other in London and have a lovely day but LOKI IS TOTALLY NOT IN LOVE WITH STEPHEN YOU GUYS COME ON WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT. also features a fight with Ratatoskr, the Asgardian squirrel god

barebacking - more Froststrange smut. Loki and Stephen stop using condoms (bingo fill)

far away from here and closer to somewhere else rewrite - fic #7 in “it’s not going to matter if we fall down twice.” this is a rewritten version of a fic I already posted, but I really wanted to be able to reference the events in Life on Earth, so I needed to make it part of the series.

Unready - fic #9 in “it’s not going to matter if we fall down twice.” Thor’s and Jane’s wedding

The General Mess and Imprecision of Feeling - fic #10 in “it’s not going to matter if we fall down twice.” Loki and Stephen team up to track down a stolen Asgardian artifact, uncovering a terrorist plot in the process. the final fic in the series, and the one where these two idiots finally get together

reverse cowboy - Stephen gets a highly coveted dinner reservation only to find it’s been lost when they get to the restaurant. Loki later admits he called cancel it because he wanted to stay in and bang. Stephen can’t really be mad about that

A Professional Arrangement - my first MTH 2020 auction fill. multi chap Froststrange. Loki gets resurrected and finds himself stripped of his Asgardian form and trapped in his Jotun one, which he hates. he works with Stephen to get his Asgardian form back...and they fall in love, obvs. this is a collab with @nonexistenz

begin, be bold, and dare to be wise - my fic for @variant-zine

mafia au - Nasty Boys Don’t Mean a Thing. you guys know this one!

mth 2 - my second MTH 2020 auction fill. tentative title is Polytonality. Loki, Thor, and Stephen team up to bring Asgard back. features Fandral/Loki, Hela, President Loki, and Alligator Loki

Okay good lord I am not tagging this many people. But I will tag... @adreamer67 @franniebanana @whatyoufish4 - but anyone who wants to do this should!

[aboveallarescuer]

Several people have already talked about the misconceptions that the Meereenese Blot essays popularized, especially concerning Dany’s characterization and her storyline’s themes. These essays go as far as to say that “the Dany we knew at the end of ASOS is gone. The one who reaches Westeros will be a very different person” based on the fact that Dany chose to give up on the peace with the slavers and to embrace her family words. Such a statement misses the point of her storyline for many reasons, the main ones being that 1) the peace was never real for favoring the nobility’s privileges over marginalized people’s rights and that 2) Dany is actually turning back into who she was in ASOS by reconciling her mhysa and mother of dragons identities and fighting against the slavers once again (read more about this here, here, here, here, here and here). The metas I linked already present a lot of textual evidence to argue that that’s GRRM’s actual intent with her storyline, and maybe this passage from Egg’s chapter in TWOIAF could also help to support this reading:

A student of history and lover of books, Aegon V was oft heard to say that had he only had dragons, as the first Aegon had, he could have remade the realm anew, with peace and prosperity and justice for all. (TWOIAF - The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V)

Dany shares interesting parallels and anti parallels with many of her ancestors, and Egg is no exception. They were both unlikely candidates to ascend to the Iron Throne (yet Dany is now claiming it in her own right and Egg, as we know, became Aegon V) who lived among the common people, felt genuine compassion for their plight and tried to reduce social injustices when they found themselves in power. However, while Egg failed to hatch dragons and to make his reforms last in the long run, Dany was able to birth three dragons and, with their help, has the chance to create lasting change focused on improving the welfare of the smallfolk.

So, considering that Egg’s story is partly meant to provide insights about Dany’s, I wonder if “peace and prosperity and justice” is a deliberate callback to Dany’s situation at the end of ASOS. After all, Egg describes his goals (if he had dragons like Aegon the Conqueror) in the exact same way that Dany describes Aegon the Conqueror’s accomplishments (which set the bar high for her in terms of what she views as her duty as queen to her people) and this specific choice of words is exclusive to these two moments:

“Aegon the Conqueror brought fire and blood to Westeros, but afterward he gave them peace, prosperity, and justice. But all I have brought to Slaver’s Bay is death and ruin. I have been more khal than queen, smashing and plundering, then moving on.” (ASOS Daenerys VI)

That being said, what matters the most here is not whether this specific choice of words was deliberately repeated. Instead, I want to focus on the parallel between Dany and Egg finding themselves in situations in which, to defend the oppressed, they need to limit the nobility’s advantages (which is all the more interesting because the author himself drew parallels between the Ghiscari slavers and the Westerosi lords in ADWD). They’re at different stages of their character developments in the passages above: Dany wants to avoid engaging in wars and to negotiate in order to achieve “peace, prosperity, and justice” at the end of ASOS, while Egg wants dragons to help him to accomplish the same goal at that point in TWOIAF. At the end of ASOS, Dany wanted to avoid using her dragons as much as possible because she believed that she could abolish slavery and find a peaceful compromise with the highborn at the same time. It took a lot of backlash from the slavers and many concessions and defeats for Dany to realize, at the end of ADWD, that she actually can’t compromise with them to protect her people - and that’s exactly Egg’s mindset in the passage above. He too dealt with severe opposition from the lords against his pro-smallfolk reforms and, like Dany, decided that he could only achieve social justice with fire and blood. This leads to what I find interesting here: as I said in the beginning, a lot of fans assume that Dany is going to turn into a completely different person and lose her desire to help people by relying on the use of force more often from now on. However, her development in ADWD really resembles Egg’s, who, even after deciding that he needed dragons to do justice for his people, never lost sight of his desire to bring the realm “peace, prosperity and justice”. Likewise, even though she’s going to become a more morally grey character, TWOW-ADOS!Dany will never stop caring about her people like she did at the end of ASOS (and throughout all of her journey).

[kodiakwhiskey]

I did some more writing on my novel. Hopefully once it starts piecing together it'll make more sense

@reidsbookclub (hopefully this sheds some light for you)

Beginnings:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My backyard wasn't always a war zone.

There was a time when my small landmass was at peace with surrounding planets. There was a time when my mother and I could walk the fields of irises, and local fauna, without guards surrounding the area.

When I was 10, my mother was taken from me. Merely a consort to the king, but my father, King Ulfrik loved her. His queen had passed before my mother had been introduced to palace life, my eldest sister was 4. I remember for the first few years of my memory she was bitter. I never understood why until my own mother was taken too. My father never remarried after the original queen passed, but he never took a lover after my mother. He resigned himself to me and my sister, making sure we were ready to rule no matter what age we were when he bit the dust.

When I was 15, my father held an extravagant ball for my birthday. I tried to refuse, but he begged me. 

"It's tradition. Your sister had one a few years ago, the queen before her did as well." And so on and so forth. I couldn't say no to him, so I went along, arriving fashionably late to my own party.

There were nobles and leaders from other planets, some I recognized, some I did not.  In the middle of the dance floor, after being spun by some duke's son I lost my balance, my body moving away from him and right into a firm body.

His eyes were the first thing I noticed. Striking red, but soft and tender. His black hair hung into his face, curling softly at the ends. I blushed as soon as I realized his arms were around me.

"Good evening Princess. Mind if I cut in?" I nodded, unable to speak before he whisked me away with the next song. We discussed many things that night after I stole him away to the gardens. I learned he was from the closest planet in our proximity, Rowan. He was second in line for the thrown, local heartthrob Prince Nikolas. His eldest brother Kayden, too busy with military academy to attend. His father, King Achilleus, had been happily chatting away with my father the majority of the night about trade negotiations. He had gotten tired of it when he said he saw me, dancing with Duke Elgin's son looking positively bored.

That night was my first kiss. His lips were soft and tender, he left me with his cape before they departed the next morning. Our fathers were more than happy to accommodate us seeing each other,  our eldest siblings failing to connect like we did. 

That is, until Achilleus decided the trade negotiations were not enough. Now, at age 19, weeks before my wedding, was my world being torn asunder.

I attempted to reach him anyway I could, eventually giving up and resigning my time to take care of my grandfather, my mothers father Naskiar. 

He was always a kind man, my father let me see him often, knowing that he was all I had left of her.

When I was little he'd parade me around on his shoulders, showing me the bits and pieces of magic he held, always making his green eyes shimmer with gold. 

He told me stories of a Great Sage, from the planet Rowan, who possessed magic one couldn't come close to comprehending and a broken warlord, who only wanted to defy death and bring back his wife. The warlord attempted to steal the great sage's powers, but even he could not prevent the hand of death. The Sage went into hiding, eventually starting a family to pass down his knowledge and adept abilities. 

If I had known then what I know now, maybe I could have prevented such a terrible tragedy. 

I am Kayli Leonne of Atlas, and this is where my story begins.

[raevenlywrites]

The Ties That Bind 19 of ???

I couldn’t sleep this night, and there was little point in trying. So I stayed among my people, hoping my presence would reassure them where my words might have failed. I had never been more grateful for my people’s habit of holding our emotions close; it kept my fury with my mother’s milquetoast words at a manageable distance.

She was better than this. I’d heard her give inspiring speeches all my life, words that inspired hope where it was waning, fervor where it was lost. I could only view tonight as an act of sabotage, and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why. What would she have to gain from undermining me, and the peace I was trying to build? Was it not what we all were working towards?

On the one hand, I wanted very much to speak with her, to demand an explanation. But on the other... well, I had sort of given up. From the moment the Disa suggested marriage, my mother had been shut down. There was more at work here than the surface negotiations of peace. My mother seemed deeply disturbed at the notion of my life deviating from her plan for it--and that was just too bad. It was my life, my reign, my people. Her ways and her mother’s ways and her mother’s mother’s ways had not led to any resolution. I was willing to try something new.

But I was never alone with my thoughts for too very long. It was rare for the Shardae to mingle nowdays outside of festivals and holy days, so many were eager for my attention. Many offered wishes for my continued good health, simple excuses to engage and be near. More than I wished expressed their condolences for our “wasted trip” out to the Mistari, which I politely redirected back towards the news of Irene’s expectancy. Those that topic did not turn away expressed interest in my singing in the birth, and did that mean that I would be returned to my work with the midwives, now that I would no longer be needed on the battlefields? It was an excellent question, and one I hadn’t considered, but found that my answer was an eager yes. It did much to buoy my spirits to think my family gifts returned to acts of growth rather than simply easing the pain of loss. Perhaps even my mother--

I didn’t care to think on my mother overly much this night.

So I stayed among my people until well after moonset, making note of those faces that stayed, those that seemed cautiously hopeful, and those who’s distrust and disdain I’d had to redirect. There weren’t many who lived directly in and around the Keep; I knew most by family name at least, from the Lyssia tailors to the jewelers who ran the Aurita, to the Silvermead blacksmiths and soldiers.

One I did know by first name, Jeanne Kejamarl, approached me much later in the evening. I remembered her from our shared school days, when I was still learning to shape my letters and reading only the simple sentences chalked on the board. The children of the Keep were all raised and educated together, because there were so few. So while I had little cause to interact with the Kejamarl tanneries directly, I knew Jeanne by name, though I wouldn’t call her a friend now, the way I did Elanor. Which I only considered because of how utterly forward her question was.

“Forgive my asking, Shardae, but why wasn’t Captain Andreios by your side this evening?”

I blinked, long and slow and foolish. My brain felt like thick mud, unwilling to allow my thoughts to rotate and pivot this conversation change with any speed.

“I know it’s not my place to question, but if you’re not going to announce him your alastair....”

Jeanne’s cheeks colored, and I realized with shock and horror the direction this conversation was headed, too late to head it off. She was interested in Rei, and I had dragged my feet so long that others were wondering if they might court him.

It wasn’t entirely uncommon for young adults to pursue one another. Yes, alastairs were often chosen for children in their infancy, but tragically all too often, those alastairs and pairbonds did not live to see adulthood. And while it was traditional for men to take the role of alastair--chivalrous protectors--it wasn’t unheard of for a would be pairbond to express her interest in being pursued. And Rei was handsome, and highly ranked, and courteous and thoughtful and dependable--

The thought of his lips against mine came surging back, filling my own cheeks with heat. Luckily, Jeanne misinterpreted my reaction for embarrassment at the topic--or maybe not so much a misinterpretation--and quickly backed off.

“I’m so sorry, m’lady, I shouldn’t have asked.” She ducked her head, chin all but tucked to her chest as she tried to make herself small. “It’s just after all the rumors of the Arami’s proposal, and with Rei’s absence--“

“He didn’t propose!”

I snapped a too rapid answer in a furious whisper, too caught up in my own snarl of emotions to keep my usual decorum.

“I don’t know who started that stupid rumor but I would really appreciate it if people stopped speculating about my private life!”

Jeanne looked up, horror warring with curiosity. It was utterly unlike me to be so emotional--and if she was a lover of gossip, this was too good to miss. I cursed inwardly and did my best to regain my composure.

“Jeanne, please. It has been an excruciatingly long day, week, all of it, and I am tired of my love life being the topic of so much discussion. It’s unseemly, don’t you think?”

“Yes, m’lady, of course. I shouldn’t--“ “No, you shouldn’t. And I would ask you please to keep others from discussing it as well? I have enough to deal with right now.” I sighed, hoping to use the show of emotion to my advantage. “I hope to start my own family under the light of peace, not in the shadow of my brother’s funeral.”

“Yes, m’lady. Gods above, yes of course. I’m so sorry.”

I reached out, laying the lightest touch on her arm. “Please. I don’t need your apologies, just your consideration. You knew me when I still couldn’t form my S’s front ways.” She smiled at the shared memory, and how ridiculous it was that I couldn’t write out “Shardae”. “Please give me the room to be just Danica where I can. There are so many places where that won’t be possible.”

“Of course, my--Danica.”

I smiled, trying to positively reinforce the behavior. My mother had become distant from our people, and by extension, me. So many of them had expressed a desire to see us out and among them again. If I could befriend my people again, help them see this shift as a positive one, become their darling, golden young queen, perhaps it could help me regain the power our family had lost to the generals. I could sell them an idealistic young family, a vision of the future that was shiny and bright.

Maybe, if I sold it hard enough, I might believe it myself.

“Rei is back with the serpiente, helping keep the Arami safe.” Jeanne’s eyes widen, and I nod, leaning closer as if in confidence. “There’s no one else I would trust with so high a priority. Here among my people, I could not possibly be safer. But I worry for Zane--as my mother said, this is an extremely brave thing for him to be doing. I hope my people will greet him with courtesy and dignity, but I am too pragmatic to trust his safety to anyone less than Rei.”

There. Maybe using his nickname twice will drive the point home. Of course, a part of me whispers that if I just declare my intentions on him here and now that would end all of it. I have no reason not to. Everyone assumes I’m as good as his pairbond. But for some reason I don’t--probably because I worry the story will grow in the telling, much like my “proposal” from Arami Zane. No, when I’m ready for word to spread, it will be through an official announcement, not from wildfire gossip from an old schoolmate. I release her arm and take a step back, letting some of my weariness show on my face.

“Now I think its time I take my leave. We all have a big day tomorrow. I should try to sleep while I can.”

I take another step back and melt into my golden hawk’s form, trusting whoever is on my most personal guard duty to peel off and follow as they always do. Only I don’t fly up to my balcony on the far side of the Keep. Instead, I turn my flight towards the east, and the waiting encampment of serpiente. - I am not so foolish as to have not considered this to be a potential invasion. I have let a score of serpiente warriors within an hour’s flight of the heart of my kingdom. But as I have said, more times than I care to, I refuse to behave as if Zane will betray me. It will either happen or it won’t. If a cobra is destined to slay a hawk again, then I have made peace with it being me. Our people began with one golden queen, if they are to end with simply one, then Fate will have her way no matter what we design. And honestly, they could do worse with a conquering monarch than Zane Cobriana. From what I have seen, he is fair, just, considerate, and generally in favor of art, self-expression, the well-being of his people--

I bank and circle back, realizing  my mental wandering has allowed my wings to wander as well. I am too tired to think, but thinking is all I seem to be able to do. I want to see Rei, to wrap myself in the warmth and comfort of his arms to maybe try another few kisses, softer and gentler this time, to reassure myself that my life has not turned completely upside down. Instead I am circling around the encampment, having flown right over it while thinking of Zane Cobriana’s qualities as a king.

I realize as I circle in to land that partially my mistake was due to the sheer size of the gathering. I don’t know what my distracted mind must have made of the numerous campfires now dotting the fields, a small village perhaps, but it is certainly too many for the two score of soldiers or so that should be out here. This gathering is nearly twice that, centered around a ring of figures--

Dancing.

Zane and Adelina are dancing, with six other serpents besides. They weave in and out of each others’ steps, intricate rings within rings, scales flashing in every color of the rainbow.

Serpiente warriors can grow a scaled demi form, much like the large, angelic wings we avians sprout. While ours are used to give us an aerial advantage in battle, theirs provides a natural amrour that only the keenest arrow can pierce. And much like our wings can be used as an expression of beauty, an elegant backdrop to fine garments and jewelry, so are the serpiente before us using their scales now. Lines of color sparkle like living veins of gemstones, from the iridescent white of Adelina’s viper, to rich reds and greens of dancers I do not know, to the shimmering obsidian of Zane’s cobra.

They are a perfect complement to each other, his dark hair and scales reflecting red in the firelight, hers glinting gold like a low harvest moon. They sway and swirl, moving around each other and through their fellow dancers as if bound by an invisible chord. It is heartbreakingly beautiful, and I understand why every one of my subjects simply stands and stares. It is like nothing any of us have ever seen before, except maybe the soldiers.

I remember the ready pose Zane and Adelina fall into so easily, and thinking how perfectly it would transition to either dance or combat. I am mesmerized by the dance; I can only imagine how impossible they might seem to fight. I am struck with the sudden realizaiton that our survival til now seems nothing short of miraculous. Without the falcon’s am haj to allow us to fight with such lethality from the skies--

I want nothing more to do with this line of thought, so I land, picking a spot far enough away from the dancing serpents so as not to startle anyone. The avians in the crowd all know the silhouette of my hawk’s form, but it is late, and I am trying to be discrete. Still, several soldiers peel away, bowing swiftly as they make a report.

“No trouble yet, your majesty. As you suggested, the serpiente are well able to sense intent. None were allowed past the outer perimeter that were anything other than curious.” Curious. I should have thought of that. Raymond steps up at my side, and I realize he was one of the ravens flanking me. “Erica flew in during your mother’s speech, m’lady, with a message from Zane and Andreios. Neither one of them say any harm in letting a few come and see, but--well, I wished they’d said it was more than just a few. I never would have fielded such a decision for you if I’d thought--“

“It’s alright,” I say, holding up a hand. “If Zane allowed it, and Andreios cleared it, then I trust their judgement. I didn’t even think folks would venture out, so they’re steps ahead of me.” I gave Raymond a tired smile. “In all things security, I don’t mind letting Rei make decisions. It’s matters of battle and war I wish to be consulted on. Allowing a few--okay, more than a few--curious folk out to meet our guests...”

I trailed off, feeling sick at the idea of how poorly this could have gone. We were treading the most precarious line, and I’d barely thought any of it out. And Zane had simply come, trusting.

I should have worked something else out. I never should have asked him to come here--

“Dani.”

Rei was suddenly before me, undoubtedly alerted to my presence here. Too tired to care anymore who saw or what they thought, I let myself fall into his arms. This was all I’d been seeking. I hadn’t meant to stumble onto more trouble, more problems--I just wanted to be held, and get some sleep.

“Do you have a tent sent up?” I asked, trying at least to keep my voice between just the pair of us.

“For you? No, but we can--“

I shook my head. “Yours is fine. I’m exhausted, we’re in the field. There’s no where safer for my than by your side, right?”

Rei sighed, but I could see him caving in. “I mean, ostensibly you were safer back at the Keep, but yes.” He tucked his arm over my shoulder, with all the familiarity of an alastair in private. “Come on. Let’s get you to bed.”

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