#ad astra per aspera au

[chilineskinn]

Here's the Ad Astra Per Aspera AU!

When I saw Ford and Mabel in the website, this AU came to my mind and I wanted to draw it!

What it's about: After Ford and Mabel return from Bill's statue, they find themselves in a different dimension where they can do magic. And the reason is their hats that are magical.

Ford and Mabel kind of symbolize sun and moon, their magic is based on them.

This AU was mostly for you @artsymeeshee because of your love for them and your drawings this AU came to my mind, thank you for giving so much love to me! ❤️

[myownwholewildworld]

flectere si nequeo superos, acheronta movebo (a "per aspera ad astra" drabble)

main masterlist | series masterlist | read on ao3 pairing: marcus acacius x emperor's daughter!reader. summary: for death was not the end, but the beginning. a/n: to whoever is reading this... I'M TRULY SORRY, okay?? 😭 i am a sucker for happy endings, but sometimes the heart wants what the heart needs. forgive me, please. comments, likes and reblogs are really appreciated! <3 warnings: mdni. full on ANGST. everyone dies. you've been warned. w/c: ~1.5k

Laid on his back, Marcus Justus Acacius’s life was a thin thread, just a moment away from being cut by the Parcae. It coiled and it stretched between their bony fingers, testing its resistance, its adaptability, its flexibility and elasticity. He could feel them toying with him, just another soul waiting to be reaped.

The sand beneath felt wet, his own blood pooling underneath him like a warm blanket beckoning him to go to sleep. But he couldn’t, not yet, not until he knew you’d be safe, away from harm. He was buying you time, his death an entertainment for Traianus, a loitering distraction so your father wouldn’t realise you were not in the Colosseum’s Cubiculum, watching him die.

He had ensured that the last of his loyal men took you away at dawn. Far from this forsaken city and its bloody claws, from your father’s thirst for revenge. Rome was nothing but the vestige of a forgotten promise and its Emperor was a ghoul who would stop at nothing when bereft.

Exhausted, he mentally scanned his body, weighing his options. His back hurt like hell; breathing felt like fire burning his insides; a piercing pain drilling his left temple from an almost final blow; his right fingers dislocated along with his shoulder which had popped out of its socket. And the injury right under his blood-soaked breastplate, where his torso met his hip, kept on gushing, no matter how hard he pressed the wound.

Marcus felt his life, his breath, slipping away. He was completely spent, having been in the arena for the last hour, fighting for his life like a wild animal. But the stamina, the adrenaline that fuelled him, was running out. His time was running out, one he hoped you gained — a fair exchange, one he would gladly comply to.

After duelling with opponents and animals alike, he felt clumsy, his limbs unresponsive. He was the last man standing but knew better than thinking the Emperor would grant him freedom. This was just a farce, a way of torturing him in his final moments. A lesson to others: not even an acclaimed, well-loved General was immune to Traianus’ rage.

Marcus heard a metallic, creaking sound, the gate ascending to present his next foe.

Almost choking on his own blood, his left fingers wrapped around the hilt of his gladius, and slowly turned to his side — his bloody saliva dripping off the corner of his mouth onto the dusty ground. Sticking the pointy side of the blade into the sand, he used it as leverage to stand up, his knees trembling like a newborn foal.

Two men approached him slowly, full, impenetrable armour on. One with a sword, another with a spear. Drawing a deep breath in, which caused havoc in his strained lungs, Marcus swung his own gladius in a perfect circle, then bent his knees ever so slightly to stand his ground.

Even through the pain, the fatigue and the heartache, he fought to death. The gladiator with the sword fell to his knees before his head dramatically rolled off his shoulders with ease. Marcus rotated on his heels to face his last rival; gladius tightly gripped at the ready.

“Libertas! Libertas! Libertas! (Freedom)” chanted the crowd, asking for his release.

The loud mantra was deafening and soothing at the same time. It wrapped around his achy body, knowing that even though Rome was savage, its citizens were not. A chink of hope, rather small but present. They saw the injustice unfolding in front of them, how cruel and vicious the Emperor was.

Perhaps his death would become more than just a distraction or a lesson. Perhaps it would be a wakeup call. And if so, his destiny would be fulfilled.

A sudden silence befell the Colosseum, the chanting dying off and transforming into pitiful gasps.

Marcus stopped on his tracks, catching a glimpse of the crowd — hands hovering over mouths in disbelief, faces ridden with teary, widened eyes. Then shrieking cries filling the air, pleas for mercy.

Something dark and heavy sunk to his stomach, impending dread and anxious nerves consuming him as he turned around to face the Imperial Box.

You had not been able to escape at dawn as he had planned, you were right there. Precious and beautiful and determined.

You were standing proud and mighty — a flowy, white dress hugging the hourglass figure he loved most, and golden ornaments amplifying your raw beauty. Your father was right behind you and only when the sun reflected off the blade he was holding to your neck, did Marcus react.

He lunged forward, his last enemy forgotten — heart beating wildly against his ribcage, throat closing off as tears welled up and blurred his vision. Marcus threw his gladius to the side, coming down to his knees in front of the loge.

If begging would save you, he would do it loudly and unashamedly — Marcus would drag himself over the embers of hell, set all his dignity aside, exclusively for you.

“Please, Your Imperial Highness. I beg of you. Spare her life and I’ll gladly give mine,” he screamed at the top of his lungs, his grievous voice floating above the gut-wrenching cries of the crowd.

This could not be happening. Not you, the most innocent, kind soul Rome had ever seen — that he had ever seen. His love, his devotion for you had brought you here. He could make peace with dying for you, for your freedom — but with this? Not with this senseless, revengeful death.

His eyes were transfixed on you, widened with fear, with sorrow. Asking for your forgiveness. He was sorry he couldn’t do more, he couldn’t save you.

You gifted him with a weak smile before mouthing an “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he muttered silently, desperately. Hoping his breathless confession would reach you.

Your father’s hand moved along your neck, slitting your throat.

When Marcus saw a river of red staining the front of your white dress, his body and mind just went numb, tears falling unbeknownst to him.

He’d failed. It was over. It felt like if it had been his own hand slashing your neck. Because it probably had been.

Still on his knees, he sat back on his heels, his shoulders sloping down as all purpose left him. Marcus was empty, devoid of emotion, unable to feel. A carcass of someone he was but no longer existed. There was no reason to fight, to remain on this earthly plane.

He’d rather meet you on the other side than living a purposeless, unsavoury life. He’d welcome death like an old friend and would hope for your warm embrace before embarking onto your next adventure together.

Defeated, and through a thick veil of numbness, he saw Traianus’ thumb pointing downwards. A welcome sight.

Before closing his eyes, Marcus saw the spear coming towards him on the corner of his eye.

Then darkness. Forever darkness. A final relief.

“Wait, I know he’ll come,” you begged the Underworld’s ferryman, your hands nervously twisting on your lap.

“The time has come, my lady,” his guttural, harsh voice reached your ears, but not your heart.

You knew he’d come, and you’d wait. Perhaps not today, not at the same time as you, but Marcus would join you. You could have your happily ever after away from Rome, from your father. From life. You could love each other in joint Death, since you couldn’t do it freely in life.

The small boat started moving, drifting away through the dense fog, while your sight lingered on the shore. Hopeful, always hopeful, even in death. A sudden shift in the atmosphere made you squint your eyes, distinguishing a silhouette on the shore — one you would recognise in all lives you lived.

You sprung to your feet, your salty tears mixing with your trembling smile.

“Marcus!” you called him, gripping the edge of the boat.

You watched him turn around, first confused, then understanding. When your eyes locked through the thick mist, the resolution you saw told you he’d follow you wherever you wound up. Even if that was the Underworld.

Marcus jumped into the river, swimming through the darkness and the floating souls clinging onto him. Soon enough he got to you, strong arms lifting him up over the edge of the boat. You sighed, a wave of comfort washing over you as you welcomed him in your warm embrace.

“I thought you wouldn’t make it today,” you confessed, cradling his face with your lips closed to his.

“For you, I’d give up my life in the blink of an eye, mea vita (my life). Don’t you ever forget that,” he whispered, his thumb caressing your bottom lip.

Knelt on the ferryman’s boat, you hugged each other, his soothing hands roaming your body as you blended into a loving, eternal kiss.

For death was not the end, but the beginning.

[meekmedea]

re: ask game

⭐️ can you share some director’s commentary on ad astra per aspera? i adore that entire interaction with coriolanus and clemmie, and ofc her dynamic with reaper!! it would be great to know more :D

Of course! I'd love to, I can do it for both :)

Coriolanus & Clemmie

Is it overkill for Coriolanus to have poisoned her and sabotaged her car? Yes. But is he also prepared for any changes to his plan - ie. she decides she doesn't want tea today? Yes.

The conversation before she returns to the past is one of my favourite parts. Especially Coriolanus' attitude. Clemmie describes it affectionate. Even if he's admitting to poisoning her, to still loving her. Or how it was mercy to choose a fast-acting poison for her.

I like to imagine that during that entire conversation, he doesn't lie. He cares for her, even loves her, yes. But not more than he loves power. If he has to pick one, she will ALWAYS be second choice.

I've previously rambled about the origins of “Va, je ne te hais point” or "Go, I hate you not," being a line that Coriolanus takes from a play. One thing I wanted to add about this line is that it is a litote.

So because it's using the negative to affirm something positive, this means, "I hate you not" is really "I love you".

Reaper & Clemmie

Her original motive is selfish. Yes, she regrets how things had gone with Reaper. But wanting him to live isn't completely altruistic. If he wins this time around then it means Lucy Gray dies. The same girl that Coriolanus chose over her (it was platonic then, but it still stings. That he'd pick LG, and by extension, power + fame, over his best friend.)

One thing I wish I got to write was something for the gap between her and Reaper sharing a clementine and the peacekeepers coming for her.

In that blank, I imagine Clemmie has more time to collect her thoughts about the tributes + the games since she really hasn't had much time to process everything since she's returned to the past.

For her, it's really been: killed via car sabotage -> 18 again + it's the day after the Reaping.

Age brings in a new perspective too. Mentally, she's older than them all. And I don't think she really realized how young a lot of the tributes were. Her first instance might have been to Wovey where she impulsively gives her the one of the waters. Like this is a child.

And just maybe she lets her guard down a bit more around him. They never had a relationship of any sort last time. This time, they may or may not be mentally comparing over how the other is better than Coriolanus. Even if they see each other as 'strange'.

By the time she is led away, there's still that calculative streak in her - this is to spite Coriolanus even if he doesn't know it. Plus getting Lucy Gray to think she's better than him is an even better revenge.

[sixersigned]

drew up some designs & notes for the au me and @deciphver are brainrotting over! <33

[talktomeinclexa]

Ad Astra Per Aspera

By: TalktomeinClexa

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Violence, Blood and Injury

Status: Complete (32/32)

Summary: Sent into unofficial exile by Emperor Thelonius, Centurion Clarke Griffus Flavius crossed the Roman Empire all the way to Hadrian's Wall to deliver orders to the garrison. Accompanied by her most loyal friends, she decided to go beyond the call of duty and traveled behind the wall to warn the Romans there of the upcoming dangers. How could she have known that her destiny was waiting for her there, in the middle of a strange land not half as beautiful as the Pict serving as their guide?

***

Chapter 1

The sound of a branch breaking under the hooves of her gelding shook Clarke out of her lethargy. Per reflex, the young centurion blinked a handful of times. She readjusted her body on the too-comfortable saddle and padded the inner pocket of the large coat that covered her iron cuirass. In it, the letter written by her mother weighed her down like a bar of lead and burned a hole inside her chest. Yet, with a streak of masochism she failed to justify, she couldn’t bear to throw it into the fire that warmed her and her men night after night and kept the wolves and other wild beasts at bay. She lifted her arms high above her head until her spine popped and glanced at her companions. The few friends foolish enough to volunteer to accompany her on an errand across the Roman Empire.

Octavia rode near her, quiet and surly as ever. Her hood protected her long dark brown hair from the rain that had not stopped in days. She hadn’t smiled since they left Italy and entered Gallia several weeks before.

Keep reading on Ao3

[t3mzy]

(Normal)B: TREY!!! WHY DID YOU KILL MY BROTHER?!?!? (Normal)Trey: Wtf are you talking abou- *Normal Trey sees Virus X!Trey right behind normal B*

[first time drawing virusx!trey, kinda nervous 💔]

[shinydrakeon15]

Legends luxflon lore/j

[gliyerabaa]

Per Aspera Ad Astra ch. 23: Rainbow

I'm not even gonna put a summary here just know that if you love gelphie this chapter is For You. 4.5k of pure gelphie goodness. it's amazing and I am Very Proud Of It.

and if you're new to the fic... boy is it a ride but this chapter makes everything worth it

[mej2235]

I haven’t updated this fic since November, but a new chapter is out. Enjoy!

[alxtiny]

Ad Astra per Aspera

Series Masterlist

Synopsis: Nothing could be worse than getting tricked onto a slave trader’s ship right? Wrong. You are a young talented navigator and unsurprisingly, while trying to find another job you end up on a ‘merchant’ ship, from where you are abducted by pirates, well all hope seems lost now. The pirates happen to be kind enough to let you live as long as you act as their navigator, after their last one met an unfortunate fate. Oh, and these pirates seem to have some weird abilities. It all seems a little too convenient, you are given food, clothes, shelter and are treated very nicely. As the journey progresses you learn more about them and their tragic pasts, but your suspicions grow too. Is this real or is there something deeper at play here.

Pairing: Pirate!Ateez x Navigator!reader

Genre: pirate!au, fluff, angst, suggestive

Warnings: death, blood, trauma, detailed descriptions of wounds, vivid nightmares, weapons, occasional smut, reader is named!! other warnings will be chapter specific

Notes: onto my first series, updates might be slow but I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it 🥹 thank you for all the support!!!!

TWC: 24,489

Updates: slow

Status: ongoing

Started: 15.08.2024

Ended:

Comment to be added to the taglist for this series!!!

Maps

Character profiles

Main masterlist

Chapters:

Prologue

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3 | Bonus Episode(Halloween Ver.)

Episode 4

Episode 5

© alxtiny . Do not steal, plagiarise, translate, repost, or use my works on any platform in any way.

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS PURE FICTION AND NOT RELATED TO THE MEMBERS OF ATEEZ IN REAL LIFE PLEASE DO NOT TAKE IT SERIOUSLY

[httyd-art-requests]

I've been thinking about names for the Gravity Falls crossover AU

(Yes they have to be latin phrases, shush)

"Ex Altiora" = "From the heights", referencing Toothless' arrival in Gravity Falls

"Ad Astra" = "To the stars", referencing both the ad astra per aspera title in Journal 3, and also the Pines family's eventual goal of getting Toothless to fly again so he can return home

[frosteaart]

per aspera ad astra: through hardships to the stars

yeah i'm having feelings about @cupcakeslushie feral!leo au again

[click image for higher quality]

[myownwholewildworld]

faber est suae quisque fortunae (a "per aspera ad astra" drabble)

main masterlist | series masterlist | read on ao3 pairing: marcus acacius x emperor's daughter!reader. summary: marcus would die for you. literally. a/n: this is a drabble from a whole story i didn't think i'd write into a fic but maybe i should?? idk c': comments, likes and reblogs are really appreciated! <3 warnings: kissing, an unhealthy dose of angst. that's it really. w/c: 579 (a baby)

“You shouldn’t be here, Carissima (dearest),” Marcus’ coarse voice was just but an inaudible whisper, his dry, chipped lips moving against yours.

His warm, wounded hands cradled your face, his thumbs swiping the salty tears falling from your tired, reddened eyes. A sob tore through your throat, unable to control the fountain of mixed feelings boiling inside you, giving way to desperation.

You were certain you were about to lose him. The man who had stood by your side through thick and thin in the last few months; the only shoulder you had allowed yourself to cry on. The rock who had kept you afloat since the death of your husband, no matter how treacherous the ocean of your emotions was. Marcus had been the only true constant for the past year of your life; the only person you could rely on and bring you comfort. The only one you would trust.

And because of that, because of his loyalty and devotion to you, he was going to die a traitor. Long forgotten were his sacrifices for the Roman Empire — his whole life committed to serving Rome, his own son slaughtered to quench the thirst of Rome. None of it had mattered.

Your father, Emperor Traianus, would have his head before he could have your hand. In your father’s eyes, Marcus had betrayed his trust, having been accused of treason. Traianus had even ventured to say Marcus had killed your late husband so he could have you. Nonsense, for you knew the truth.

You nuzzled your cheek against the palm of his calloused hand and kissed the rough skin, hugging him tighter. Only leaned back slightly to study his handsome, beaten face. A split eyebrow, a bloodstain on the white of his left eye, a broken bottom lip — your fingertips traced the map of his skin, guilt engulfing you.

“I’m so sorry, Marcus. Had I known this was how it all would unfold—” your throat clamped, your lungs exhaling all air within them in a painful wail.

“I would have done nothing different, my lady. Nothing,” he emphasized, his fingers cupping your chin to tilt your head up. “I made my choice and made my peace with it too. None of this is your fault.”

Tears sprung again to your eyes as Marcus leaned forward to press a heartfelt kiss to your forehead, his soothing touch lingering for a few seconds before he kissed the tip of your nose, then your cheeks — leaving a love trail on your skin down to your trembling lips. His mouth ghosted over yours before he pecked your bottom lip asking for permission.

Sinking your fingers in the nape of his neck, you kissed him as if your life depended on it — perhaps because it did. You sought his tongue, his sweet taste soon flooding your senses. He tasted of longing, of love, of missed opportunities, of goodbye.

But not of regret. Never of regret.

“Tomorrow I’ll die, however I won’t be giving my life for Rome but for you. There’s no better death than that. Rome has taken enough from me, won’t take my last dying breath too,” Marcus muttered, his lips pressed against your ear. “My last breath is only yours.”

Bowing your head down, you buried your tear-ridden face in the filthy tunic covering his chest.

How badly you wished it wasn’t true. But it would be, because you both had been the artisans of your own fortune.

[sixersigned]

me when my friends keep tempting me with evil ford aus and i know evil science is my goddamn type but the ford muse refuses

[lilblucat]

Hi, love the Uzi and N parent fic, gives me entertainment during school hours, say, do you know of any other good fics to read? I get bored easily :3

Have some general suggestions and some about similar fics to mine. All of these feature Nuzi to various degrees:

Servant and Subject by Skak - Pseudo-swap AU (Worker N, Solver Uzi). Uzi is captured from Copper-9 and placed into Tessa's observation at a lab. Tessa's personal assistant N meets and forms a bond with Uzi and the two then lock sights on freedom. It's a very fun take on a swap and I highly recommend. Ongoing.

by chance by spero11 - Human AU. Uzi accidentally meets N, a popular streamer, while playing an MMO. Romance ensues. It's a fun "will they, won't they" fic, but maybe I'm just not super into that because by the time the holiday arc rolled around I found myself exhausted by this. I've since dropped it because my interest in it faded after "will they, won't they" got answered, but it's worth a look. Ongoing.

Guardian Angel by Rayj4ck - Oneshot written post-episode one. I won't spoil what this one is exactly about, but it's about Uzi and her titular angel. Would also rec taking a look at Rayj4ck's other fics.

tiny angels by lightxsheep71 -Human AU. Uzi gets pregnant and chaos and fluff ensues. Highly rec if you like my parent fic. Ongoing.

Sun and the Moon by VexInheritance - Written post-episode one. Character study of Uzi and N. Has the honor of being the first MD fic I ever read and a damn good one at that. Complete.

Secrets kept, locked like lips by TheRantingSage - Based off the episode 7 theory that Uzi and N were secretly dating since camp. I didn't finish this one, but I think it's worth a look. Complete.

Baby Protocol by BlueSkyHeadLeft010 - Canon-divergent. N is pregnant, and that's a problem. Rec if you're a fan of the weird, unconventional, horrorpreg in my fic (though this fic admittedly doesn't lean too hard into it). Ongoing.

Murder Drones: The Play by daarkxwolf17 - Human AU. Uzi is roped into a role in the school play, meeting friends and potentially something more. Complete.

Ad Astra Per Aspera (series) by LadyDaybreaker - I have read bits and pieces of this, but it's a friend's work and I think it's worth a look. Goes from pre-canon to post-canon. Canon-divergent. Ongoing.