#alistair noon

[confusedlucifer]

i've been replaying DA:O and. thinking so much about how much death and horror Tabris has seen by the time she's 23, and how many of her family and friends are dead or gone by the time she's in her mid 40s. how much time she's spent putting herself back together and becoming a leader, Warden Commander worthy of the title. how she accepted the position of Left Hand of Divine Victoria after the gay sex reform to Chantry doctrine. how despite the vast network of Chantry spies and agents continuing to search for the cure, she's content to live out the rest of her days by Leliana's side.

[royalbstrd]

While Cullen is up before sunrise pretty regularly, Alistair has never been up for sunrise on purpose/ unless necessary.

[anyalovesu]

we're not saints at all.

༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆.✧˚ nine ༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆.✧˚

necessary reminders :

contains 🔞🔞🔞 minors dni

🔞 is not pw authenticated , read at your own discretion

( cw : cunnilingus , p in v , technically unprotected sex but both of them are established to be clean and jas has an iud , breeding kink lol )

mdni pls pls pls pls

also not beta read im having problems with tumblr rn ( my wifi is refusing to load images on my tumblr app rn , if u know how to fix this hmu pls im literally going to lose my mind alr )

୨୧ continue here ( tobi and jas' conversation )

“You know what, when I have a kid one day I’m going to bring her shopping everytime,” Jas blurts out as they stroll through the department store looking for a dress to wear for the event and whatever piques their eyes.

“The kid will get mad at you, kasi paikot ikot ka,” Tobi laughed at her. “Hindi ka natatapos mamili ng kung ano ano.”

“Para namang natatapos ka?” Jas rolled her eyes at him, gripping Bianca’s hand on one and the other holding Tobias’.

“You guys are talking about kids na?” Curiosity got the best of Bianca as she blurted out the question, glancing over at her brother as they walked. 

“Why? Are you not ready to be an aunt pa?” Tobi asked softly, knowing all too well that even if it’s Jas that he has to convince to not have children yet, he would definitely put it on hold if Bianca wasn’t ready for it. She was his world too, after all. 

“Not that,” Bianca deflects. “Nakakagulat lang. Nanliligaw ka palang nasa anakan phase na agad ang conversations n’yo. Does Ate Jas even want to be a mom na?

Tobi raises his eyebrows at Jas, who seemed to be deep in thought about the sudden surge of questions. Tobi has heard her ask for his kids multiple times in bed but it was never brought up to conversation out of bed. It wasn’t brought up either because with their set up before, it was not ideal to make that kind of plan for the future.

Jas nodded, purposefully. The answer is always yes. She’s not afraid to admit that. Though admittedly it’s still too early for her to be having children—with her career just starting to thrive, it would be a hindrance to her abilities as a mother to balance all that. She wasn’t as skilled in time-management as her own mother was, after all. But yes, she did want to be a mother. Raise a kid with her best friends like she was with her mom and her Tita Philomena raising her and Alistair back then. Despite being an only child, she never really felt like she was alone… even when her mom’s job got too demanding sometimes. She wanted her kids to have that kind of life too.

“Not now,” she chuckled. “Hindi ngayon syempre. Lagot tayo kay Mama Honey if I end up pregnant and unmarried. Sasakalin ako noon. But it’s on the list.”

“How many kids do you want, Kuya?”

“As many as your Ate Jas wants,” he shrugged. “Hindi naman ako ang magdadala at maglalabas. That’s a question for someone who’s willing to bring life to the world.”

“I want a lot of pamangkins,” Bia chimes happily as she walks over a white baby dress. “I wanna dress them up like Ate Eli did with me when I was a kid. Gotta make sure wala silang dugyot era.”

“Sino may sabi sa’yo wala kang dugyot era?” Tobi joked. “Alam kong tinago mo sa kwarto lahat ng picture mo noong mukha ka pang sipon na tinubuan ng bata. Swerte ka walang backup noon si Elijah.”

“Anyway, I want many pamangkins,” she smiled. “It would be nice to see you finally settle down.”

Bianca wasn’t one to show affection all the time. The closest most people got to Bianca’s affection was her inflicting her chaos on them, like her very chaotic friendship with Cielo Yang. Despite being seen bickering, the two have been known to stand by each other’s sides in crisis—by crisis whenever Cielo Yang finds himself in a situation with fair-weathered friends who only stuck around for the sound of being friends with him. He is, after all, well-connected and well known in the school for being Elijah Yang’s little brother. Best believe Bianca blackmailed her way into making those kids leave Cielo alone despite her being 2 years younger than he was.

Hugs were never the Park family got used to. Maybe occasionally whenever Elijah was around, but on their own, Bianca could not remember the last time she saw her family have one good cuddle. Everyone has always been busy with their own thing. She was lucky to be around her brothers in the absence of their parents but that was it. 

This is why the thought of her brothers, finally being with someone who is clingy, always wants to be with him, always wants a hug—warms her insides. She’s seen the good it has done for Leon, she’s glad to finally see it with Tobi. Jacynthe is good for Tobi. She always called it.

“We’re gonna have many kids para marami kang aalagaan,” Jas chuckled at her. While it may seem like an empty promise now, she was sure that it’s going to be Tobi that she’ll have a family with. No one else. 

If it’s not with him Tobi she’d rather die alone—which is a bold statement to make. But she was sure of it. She will make it work. She will not fumble. She’s going to birth children with his DNA whatever it may take.

“We should start doing that then,” Tobi playfully whispers in her ear, arm snaking around her waist as he does so.

“Keep it in your pants, Louis,” she hissed at him, jokingly slapping his abdomen, making him double over while he laughed. “You promised ha!”

୨୧

“Hindi sasabay si Tita?” Tobi asked as he took Jas’ suitcase that she was lugging towards his car.

“Yeah, Sunday morning na raw s’ya magdrive to Isabela,” she smiled at him, pressing a soft kiss on his cheek as he carried her luggage up the trunk of his car. 

It was Saturday evening when they decided to drive so that they would have more time to prepare for the party. Jas ended up just buying a new iPad for Isolde after consulting with Hailee and finding out that she will be taking up a pre-med course for college and will be needing a new one to replace her old outdated iPad.

“I have you all to myself then?” pabirong ngumisi si Tobi sa kanya kaya naman agad itong nahampas ni Jas. 

“Gabi na!”

“Better! Walang masyadong makakapansin!”

“At least wait until nasa hotel na tayo!” Jas argued with him. Tobi was only teasing, she knew that. He never forced her into anything she wasn’t comfortable with anyway. Sure he can be persistent with the other things, but anything that comes remotely close to their sex life, was a solid boundary if ever Jas says no.

“You’d be too tired sa byahe,” he smiled at him, eyes disappearing as he did before planting a soft kiss on her forehead. “I was just joking naman.”

Car rides were never quiet with Jas and Tobi. Jas was playing their demos on the car sound system, trying to rewrite some lyrics and occasionally recording more clips whenever they thought of a better lyric to replace it. Tobi used to think they did that for work whenever he would drive her home after hooking up back then. Doing it now seemed more… intimate—like he was finally baring the meanings to the songs he wrote and why he wrote them while simultaneously rewording and adding more words to the poetry they’ve produced.

At ‘wag kang bibitaw, ‘wag kang mawawala

Oh aking dinadala ang bawat piyesa ng ikaw

Anong gagawin kung wala ka?

“Were you really that hurt when you heard I was leaving?” Jas blurted out as she felt a squeeze in her chest as the last post-bridge of the song that they just finished the demo for this morning rolled out. She has been feeling that anguish ever since she first heard him record the few lines that he wrote for the song this morning.

Tobi nodded while still keeping his eyes on the road. He didn’t want to feel that way again. But it had to be talked about. What happened before they made up was still left untalked about which was concerning to say the least but it is a relief that she brought it up now.

“Lovey?”

“I was more scared than hurt,” he sighed. “It was happening all so sudden. I haven’t been serious with anyone before you came along and it wasn’t supposed to end up that way. I was so hurt with what Kashi did to me back then na akala ko hindi ko na kaya magmahal uli. So when I heard she was coming back I made the most idiotic decision to meet with her to see if I still felt that. But it only led me to realize that Kashi can never make me feel like you do.”

“Hard?”

“Down bad in love, pretty,” he snorted, correcting him as he reached for her hand, bringing it to his lips to kiss her knuckles. “Ang bobo na I needed an ex to make me realize that but then I heard that you will be moving to LA for Hyacinth—goddamn, I almost lost my mind, Jas. I thought it was pointless and I wasn’t going to be able to make it up to you for my idiocy. I was so fucking scared that I wasn’t going to see you again that I texted my mom and begged her to help me.”

“She did mention that,” she chuckled at him. 

“She did a great job convincing you, thank god—”

“She didn’t have to convince me, lovey,” she smiled softly, warming his cold hands with both of hers. “I mean of course I wanted to throw myself out from the Peak’s deck, but if anything your mom really just made it easy for me to admit that I was just as stupidly in love with you. Ang corny pakinggan which is so off-brand for the both of us, but yeah. Stupid is the right word, I think.”

“The mere thought that you fucked up and I was losing you made me want to rot in bed back in New York,” Jas continued. “Jusko! Pinipigilan na ako ni Khloe na magsulat kasi hindi na daw n’ya kayang marinig yung linyang ‘anong gagawin kung wala ka’. Ang tanga tanga daw pakingan kasi nakaya ko naman ng wala ka but the thing about that was you make life easier for me and I don’t think you even notice that.”

“I don’t think I do, pretty,” he smiled.

“Normally, hindi ako papayag agad na pumunta ng Isabela if it’s not for something really important. I mean, yes, Isolde is important to me—but I’ve been absent on almost all of her birthdays, it wouldn’t matter to her that much if I’m not there because she knew I was busy. But the thought that you will be there too makes me feel better about going there. Kasi I know I won’t be isolated. Hindi ko masyado mararamdaman na ako ‘yung pinsan doon na alam ng lahat kung sino pero hindi naman nila talaga kilala,” Jas explained as she looked at the window, watching as the tiny droplets from the light showers a while ago make lines on the glass pane as the car moved. Tobi could not help but glimpse and see the sparkle in her eyes that he cursed himself for dulling in the past weeks that came before. As much as he wanted to keep watching her, he had to tear his eyes away from her and bring his eye back on the road, trying to focus on it instead of the goddess divine that was yapping his ears out right now.

୨୧ continue here ( tobi and jas' tweets )

Jacynthe stirred awake as the warm sunlight from the glassdoor of the balcony greeted her, though it was not without noticing that the other side of the bed which was empty when she fell asleep was empty once again. If not for the disheveled sheets and Tobi’s lingering warmth on his side of the bed, Jas could easily think that Tobi had run away from her last night and never slept next to her at all. 

Rolling over her side of the bed’s nightstand she reaches for her phone to call him to ask where he was, to which she was surprised to find out that he had left his phone behind. Why would he even leave her like that? Is he avoiding her? He didn’t want to go to bed with her last night and was taking too long in the bath and now she’s waking up to an empty side of the bed with him nowhere to be found. Maybe he doesn’t want to be bothered?

Jas finally decides that maybe it was all in her head and dragged herself to the bathroom to get ready. She was told that their room was in between Hailee and Isolde’s and her grandparents’ respective rooms. But at this hour, Hailee is probably out working out and Isolde would probably still be getting her beauty sleep. Alright. If Tobi does not want to be bothered then she should make an effort not to. Off to her grandparents’ hotel room she was, but before she could even open the door, it swung itself open, revealing a bright eyed Tobias with a paper bag on one hand and the other holding up a carton of coffees. 

“Ay ang aga mo naman gumising,” Tobi chuckled at him as Jas swiftly moved to the side to immediately to let her suitor in and closing the door after him.

Tobias would be too dense to not see the expression on Jacynthe’s face. She was a morning person, he swore that nothing made this woman happier than a little sunlight in the morning. The only reason he thought he’d be able to get away with buying coffee so early in the morning was the fact that they arrived so late last night and thought that she would want to sleep in. The way her eyebrows were almost touching was enough evidence that someone was indeed upset that she woke up alone this morning.

“I called for room service kaninang umaga, their coffee is shit,” he explains softly as soon as he sets their breakfast on the table, walking over to Jas to properly apologize for leaving so early. “Baka samaan ka lang ng sikmura.”

“I’m sorry for leaving you alone in bed, pretty,” he hummed before pushing her chin up with his index finger to make her look at him. “Bumili lang ako ng almusal natin. Sorry po.”

He was too cute to stay mad at but incredibly hot in the broad daylight with his dry-fit shirt and sweatpants that he most probably slept in last night. God. She could already feel it pooling between her legs as she feels her knees weaken at the sight of his face apologizing to her like that. It didn’t help at all that she was sexually frustrated from not getting it last night.

Jas couldn’t give two more fucks about their food turning cold. If she does not get fucked in this very moment she might as well just die, it would make no difference. Thus, in a blink of an eye Jas’ lips were on his. Tobi does not hesitate to kiss back as Jas guides him to walk backwards to the bed, his knees hitting the edge as he falls on his butt, breaking the kiss as he does.

“Pretty, your grandparents are in the next room,” he pants, as he tries to slow down Jas from taking his clothes off.

“Do I look like I care about that right now? I’m literally 25,” she rolls her eyes at him, which in truth annoyed Tobi that she’s getting that attitude out of nowhere. But it did not bother her in the very least that Tobi was showing disdain for her attitude, she knew what she wanted and she was desperate for it. 

“Please, remove this na, lovey,” Jas lets out a quiet whine, understanding that Tobi was only worried of her grandparents hearing, especially now that they are very much aware that they aren’t technically officially together yet. “I’ll be quiet, lovely, please.”

“Work for it then,” Tobi raises a brow at her, as if challenging her to do the work herself if she wanted it so badly. Jokes on him though because Jacynthe doesn’t turn down a good challenge, especially now that it’s going to benefit anyway.

Jas takes no time tugging his shirt off and helping him out of his pants as Tobi watches her intently, taking off her silk button up pajamas and shorts that leaves barely anything to the imagination. 

Tobi then reaches for her body to pull her close to him, watching at the cold breeze from the hotel air conditioning hardened her nipples. “Let me prep you first, hmm?”

“No need na—”

“Ah, no,” Tobi refuses, standing up as he places soft but domineering kisses on his girl’s lips before maneuvering her down to where he was previously seated, spreading her legs and throwing them on both of his shoulders as he kneels before the glory sitting before him. “Always need to prep my pretty little hole, right?” he says, leaving teasing kisses on her thighs slowly working his way to her inner thighs before finally lapping at her already sopping wet cunt. 

“Shit, Louis–” Jas accidentally moans a little too loud as soon as she felt his warm tongue licking a long strip up to her bundle of nerves, his finger separating her folds to allow him more access but he stops as soon as he does so, glancing at the beauty beneath him, propped up on her elbows already panting heavily from such little actions.

“I will stop if you keep on moaning that loud,” he calls intently, as if warning her. The younger one knows better than to test him because he will in fact stop if she does. “Understand, pretty?” He asks, just as the same time he prods a finger in her making her purse her lips tightly into a thin line, eyes shutting as she holds back a whine. Jas nods, trying to avoid making as much noise as she could.

“Say it, pretty,” he orders sternly before going back to sucking on her sensitive nub. 

“Yes, I understand, lovey,” she whines pathetically, trying to keep her voice as low as possible. 

“Good girl,” he hums against her, sending vibrations through her body making her hold back another whine and trying as she might to mask it with slow breaths through her nose to avoid making any more noise.

Tobi continues to flick her nub with his tongue while his finger—now fingers as he already has two curling up to his g-spot, making Jas buck her hips against Tobi’s mouth, sending even more waves of pleasure to her entire body as she does so.

“God–ah–fucking damn it, Tobi, I’m so close,” she whines as she her arms gave out leaving her sprawled on the bed clutching the sheets on the unmade bed as her legs shake around Tobi’s head. “Don’t stop, lovey, please—”

“Hmm?” Tobi hums as he tears himself away, still convinced that Jacynthe has to work for her orgasm this time. 

“Lovey!” Jacynthe cries, tears now freely streaming from her eyes down to her ears as her orgasm was torn away from her just seconds before it does. “Ang sama ng ugali…” 

Tobi could not help but chuckle at how helplessly and sexually frustrated she was because she still managed to pull herself up and help him settle on the bed through her tears. 

He was now propped on the bed, back resting against the bed’s headboard while Jas hovered over him, looking at him as if begging that he does the work. Unfortunately, she brought this upon herself and Tobi was determined to let her have the experience. 

“Careful, pretty,” he says as he grabs on to her thighs, carefully guiding her as she aligns his girth to her cunt. 

“Yeah, I should—I’m about to fucking impale myself with your dick,” she spats angrily, clearly upset that Tobi, someone who’s more than capable of making her cum right then and there just decided that he wasn’t going to let her do so. “I should be careful!”

“Watch that pretty mouth, pretty girl,” he smirks as he eases himself into her, trying not to go too hard just yet.

Tobi wastes no time as he guides Jas down to his lap, his cock fully sheathed inside of her like, fitting like a glove. “Fuck, Tobi,” she whines against his neck as she clings to him, overwhelmed with the pleasure from being full of her suitor’s cock. 

“You promised to be quiet, pretty,” he chuckles. “Now be quiet and move.”

Biting her lower lip as a terrible attempt to keep her moans in, Jas does what she had to do. Lifting her body up before dropping back down, feeling his length touch her cervix as she does. “Shit, pretty,” he hums against her chest, hands moving to take one of her breasts to his mouth, tongue playing around her already hardened nipple as the other hand toyed with the other. 

The euphoria consumes Jas as she bounced on him relentlessly. 

“Ang bait bait mo pa sa harap ng lolo mo kagabi tapos nakakandong ka sa akin ngayon?” she blushes from the embarrassment at what he just had said. They were greeted last night despite it being incredibly late by her grandparents. Jas was seemed like the innocent little sweetheart that her grandparents seemed to be used to—here she is now though, “Fucking yourself with my cock? So dirty, Jacynthe.”

“Not my fault you’re like so fucking hot, you son of a bitch,” she retaliates.

“Also not my fault you’re like a bitch in heat, humping my cock, pretty,” his condescending smirk almost pushes Jas to the edge as he grabs on to her ass and helps her go faster and harder on his cock. The sound of skin slapping and panting filled the room, one could only hope no one suspects a thing on whatever the fuck is happening inside their hotel room right now. “That’s what you are right? Prinsesang prinsesa ka pa naman dito sa Isabela. Ano nalang ang iisipin nila kapag nalaman nilang ayaw mo magpakain kanina dahil kastang kasta ka na? Hmm?”

“Fuck, lovey, I’m close,” Jas whimpers quietly to his ear, tears flowing down her face once again as Tobi began fucking up to her, holding her hips up as she clings to his neck, sobbing from the overwhelming pleasure that was shooting continuously up her body. 

“I know—shit,” he hums, “Squeezing me so good, pretty. Keep doing that.”

“Where do you want it, pretty?” he asks, hand reaching to grab her face make her look at him as they both neared their highs. 

“Inside, lovey—fuck—cum inside, please, please—”

“Want lovey’s cum inside you, pretty?” he coos condescendingly before he pulls her to place a kiss on her lips, which she returns immediately, lips parting slightly to allow him more access to her mouth. 

“I’m…” Jas mumbles in between a pant and a sob as she falls completely limp against the older as soon as she feels the wave crashing over the grave that she had just dug for herself. Tobi came not long after, leaving them both spent.

By the time they were done, the sun was already shining too bright. It would not be long before her family starts looking for her so as soon as her breathing calmed down, Tobi carefully pulled himself out of her and got up, making Jas whine at the emptiness along with the cold air that embraces her in the absence of Tobi’s warmth.

“Leaving na uli?” Jas asks, post sex haze mixing well with the sunlight from the glass door making her look like the absolute goddess that she was. 

Tobi could not help but lean back to the bed and press a long wholesome kiss on his girl’s lips. “You’re coming with me, pretty,” he chuckled as he helped get up and hoisted her up to go to the bathroom. “Go pee muna, I’ll fix the bath while you do.”

Jas does what he says. He’s always been like this, she thinks. Has it been the same for every girl that he has slept with? She doesn’t even want to know. She already won, there was no point in wondering if the other girls have experienced the same thing as she did. That, in hindsight, was something that she never would’ve thought she would be thinking after sleeping with someone. It has always been a constant battle of trying and doing the most to make sure she doesn’t get left in the end, but here she is… finally… with the assurance that she has always deserved that Tobi will never leave, if he does, he will always come back home or she will be going with him.

She finally has what she deserves and no matter how complicated it got before they got here… Elijah is right. Everything will always end up well. The Park boys have that attitude of never leaving things unresolved. No matter how long, they will always go back and fix what went wrong.

“Wear this first habang nagpupuno pa yung bathtub, pretty,” Tobi picked up her arm and helped her get into her purple robe that she had brought with her in her suitcase. “Baka ubuhin ka sa lamig.”

“You’re so cute,” Jas snorted, leaning in to give him a hug as soon as he finished tying her robe. “I love you, Louis.”

“I love you, Jacynthe,” he replies to her before he moves to check the tub, which by now is already a quarter full.

Jas could not help but stare at him fondly as he nerds about the water on the tub. “Is this temperature okay with you, pretty?” he asked, even asking her to hold out the back of her hand and dropping a couple of drops on it to let her have a feel on the water. Jas assures him that it’s fine before he goes back to their suitcases where he retrieves a bath bomb. 

“Why do you even have a bath bomb?” Jas laughs. 

“Bianca got you these behind your back yesterday,” he snorted before he dropped it on the water, allowing it to fizz. 

“Cute n’yong magkapatid,” she chuckles as Tobi peels off the robe that he had just put on her from her and guiding her in the bath before taking his off and joining her. 

“You’d be a cute girl dad, Tobs,” she blurts out as Tobi rubs the shampoo suds on her hair. “You have the experience to be girl dad. Kayo ni Leon.”

“I suppose, I do,” he smiles at her as he makes a make shift crown on the top of her head with bubbles. “It would be a breeze. You’d be a good mom too.”

“Sometimes I wonder if I really could though.”

“Why would you think that, pretty?”

“I mean, unlike you guys and Eli, I didn’t have younger siblings,” she hummed as she reached for one of hid hands to fiddle with. “I saw my younger cousins here rought about twice or thrice a year. I don’t even know if I’d be able to hold a baby and make them stop crying. The thought of not being able to do it just scares the living crap out of me. I don’t want to be a disappointment. Especially after my mom raised me so well on her own.”

“When the time comes, I’m sure you’ll do fine,” he smiles at her. “Sasamahan naman kita. I’ll help you with our future kids alright? We’ll make sure they won’t have the same experiences as we did as kids.”

“Thank you, Louis,” she grins, turning her body just enough to be able to kiss him once more. “You make me so happy.”

୨୧ continue here ( isolde bday tweets <3 + jas' priv twts )

“I suppose you are the Tobias Park that everyone is talking about?” Governor Kang smiles at Tobi. Despite the dark demeanor that the politician exuded to most, he was nowhere near the strict governor that everyone knew him as. He seemed to soften up at the sight of his grandchildren, Jacynthe especially.

“Good evening, Governor Kang,” magalang na sagot niya sa matanda bago nagmano sa kaniya. “Opo. Ako po si Tobias Park, manliligaw po ni Jas.”

“Manliligaw, I see,” he nodded at him, reaching out to ruffle his hair. “Kahit kailan ay hindi nagsama ng nobyo o manliligaw dito si Jacynthe. Nababalitaan nalang namin na sinusundan na pala s’ya ng mga ex n’ya.”

“Tobi saved me from the said stalker, Lo,” Jas smiled at him softly, going up to him to hug his arm. “So you have to be nice to him.”

“Salamat at tinulungan mo si Jacynthe,” he replied to him.

“Ay wala po ‘yon, Governor–”

“Lolo Javier,” he corrects him, with a soft smile before he glances back at Jas who clung to his arm. “Lolo Javier ang itawag mo sa akin. Anyone my dear Jacynthe trusts enough to bring her must be extremely special.”

Kyle was right after all. Despite all the rumors that surrounded their family, the Kangs were welcoming people. 

“Tobi!” an elderly woman chimes as she takes the other arm of the governor. “I am Madeleine Kang, Jassy’s Lola! I suppose ikaw ang boyfriend ni Jassy?”

“La, manliligaw palang!” Jas tried to argue. 

“Mamma mia, Jassy! Doon rin magtatapos ‘yon!” the woman giggled as she walked over to Tobias to give him a hug. “You’re a special boy, no? I trust that you’re going to help Daphne to keep this lady in check. You know she can be a little wild sometimes! Tapos would always refuse help even if we offer it.”

Tobi looked at Jas softly as she walked over to hold his hand, wary that her grandparents might be intimidating him too much. The older couple takes this as a sign to leave, as Madeleine Kang happily pulls her husband away. However, he couldn’t help but wonder what pushed Jas to think that she was the odd-one-out among all these people that seemed to know her to this extent. Her dad hasn’t come around either, thinking he might be absent for the occasion.

“Are you okay, lovey?”

“I’m okay, pretty,” he smiles at her, squeezing her hand to confirm his sentiment. “Ikaw?”

“Just a little uneasy,” she hummed. “I kept overhearing the titas shit talking me and mom over there.”

“Alam ba ng mga mga lolo mo?”

“It’s nothing I can’t handle, Tobs,” she smiled at him, choosing to swallow the criticisms that she and her mom kept on hearing from that specific crowd in the family. “Besides, none of them really cares enough to get to know me beyond the way that they already do.”

“Kahit na.”

“Alam mo, I figured early on that they are still very convinced that my mama used up all my dad’s money for her med school. Alam lang nila namatay yung parents ni mama. I don’t think any of them bothered to find out that we both lived off her inheritance and her trust fund and completely nothing from dad in the first few years na wala sila lola. Dad was a complete slob when it came to paying child support. I barely got anything from him, really. Noon lang tinanggap namin s’ya ni Mama uli. But after he cut him off again for cheating on mom on multiple occasions after we forgave him on multiple occasions as well, I don’t understand why they still have it in them to think that mama and I couldn’t have made it without him.”

Tobi mentally notes the answer to his questions a while ago. Having this big of a family did have its cons. Most of it he wasn’t able to experience since he had a relatively small family and most of his cousins were living abroad. Well, technically they moved back now. But even then, these kinds of drama weren't really present in them. They were all distant and individualistic to care about how the other family was holding up.

“Tigas ng ulo kahit kelan,” he shrugged before pulling her into a hug. 

୨୧ continue here ( tobi and jas' convo )

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ main post °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

[vigilskeep]

a version of "bitter exes" alistair/warden that I did and found incredibly funny was romance alistair -> break up with him -> marry him solely for the political power. You get some quite frankly hilarious dialogue options (they're probably not context specific, but the context makes them funnier), one of my favorites being, in response to "you know they'll expect a child from us", "noone said it was going to be yours"

WHAT

[seriously-nobody]

Love's Dark Afflictions

Chapter 5

Warnings: Romance, fluff, mention of murder, 2 old timey swears

Preface: I do hate to leave you on this cruel cliffhanger, but I wanted to split this chapter up because of how lengthy it was getting. I hope you can forgive me. I'll be posting chapter 7 as soon as it's done so y'all don't have to hang on any longer.

You wake at the feeling of Alistair petting your head. “Y/n? Are you awake?” He coos softly. “No. Not yet.” You nuzzle your head into him and keep your eyes closed. “They’re looking for you, you know.” He keeps his soft tone. “Who is?” You ask looking up at him. “The maids and servants. They’ve been worried about you all morning.” Alistair says. “How do you know?” You ask curiously. “My servants have been relaying information to me.” He says. “Are they here now?” You glance around the room. “No, and you needn’t worry about them. They know to stay away from you. You are mine after all.” He says kissing your head. You notice the sun is high in the sky outside your window. “What time is it?” You ask. “Just struck noon.” He says, making your face fall. “Oh no. They probably talked to the police already.” You groan. “They did, yes. But we only have a problem with one of them.” He says nonchalantly. “Who?” you furrow your brows. “The blonde twig.” He says sweetly. Your mind races with ideas of how to end him quickly but sleep still clouds your mind. “I’ll worry about him later.” You give up and snuggle back up to Alistair, still thinking of your day ahead. 

A knock sounds on your bedroom door making you jolt up. “Mx. /Mr./ Ms. L/n?” A maid asks through the door. “Yes?!” You shout to the maid. “Are you alright?” You hear the maid begin to open the door and you look at Alistair pleading with him to dematerialize. He gives a huff and dematerializes before the maid has the door open. “Is there something wrong?” You get up quickly while the maid closes the door behind them. “Well, it’s just that it’s noon and-” The maid says as you rush, limping, behind your privacy screen. "My injury made it difficult to sleep last night, so I didn’t get much rest.” You say, tugging on new clothes for the day. “A-alright. Is there… anything you would like to have for- for lunch?” The maid stutters with fear in their voice. You peak out behind the screen to see them staring at your bookcase. The books are flying off the shelfs and onto the floor. Your palm lands on your forehead. “Yes, I’ll have a coffee and some of that lovely quiche that Julia makes if she doesn’t mind.” You say, trying to ignore Alistair’s nonsense. You duck back in and find an old crutch to help you walk. “They just made some this morning.” The maid says, staring at the bookcase as the glass doors swing open and closed. “Perfect!” You say hobbling out in your new attire. “Thank you so much for checking on me dear.” You walk over to the door, opening it and rushing the maid out of your room. You close the door and turn to the bookcase. “Alistair!” You say in a harsh whisper in case the maid is still listening. You hear a faint echoing laugh as a book goes flying past your head. You flinch out of the way and pinch the bridge of your nose. “I’m going downstairs. Are you going to join me or not?” You ask tiredly. “Ugh I suppose.” Alistair says with a huff. “Thank you.” You sigh. You feel his arm snake around your waist, and he pecks your cheek with a smile. "You're welcome." You open the door and prepare yourself for the day.

You walk out into the hallway and smooth down your clothes, trying to appear as normal as possible. You dodder down the stairs carefully and finally make it to the dining room. “Y/n! Are you feeling alright?” William worries, setting down his book and cup of tea and beginning to stand up to help you to your seat. “As well as I can be, given the circumstances.” You gesture to your leg. He holds you up and pulls out your chair for you. “Thank you, William.” you pat his arm with a warm smile. “Is there anything I can do for you?” He asks. “No, no it’s alright. I should have a coffee and a bit of quiche here in a moment.” You say, and as if on cue, a servant brings out your lunch. “Here we are, thank you.” You say and the servant sets down your tray. “Where is Madame Leota?” You ask, taking a sip of your black, swirling, coffee. “She’s in the seance room. She said she was cleansing it from last night’s seance.” He says. “And how did it go?” You ask. “It went well.” he looks away. “Meaning?” You ask, still curious. “We summoned a ghost by the name of Erasmus Pickwick. I believe he’s taken a liking to swinging on the chandelier.” He points up and you see the chandelier swaying back and forth. “I suppose as long as he doesn’t cause it to come crashing down,” You say in a loud enough voice for Pickwick to hear and the chandelier momentarily halts its swaying. “Then it should be alright.”  You raise a brow and it swings again but only a little. “Anyway, how was the meeting with the police? Do they know who stopped us?” You ask curiously. “Yes, they said they found Florence’s horse a few miles from the scene on the same road. Its saddle had the initials of highway robber in it that’s been wreaking havoc on this area recently. His name is John Alexander.” William says. “Never heard of him. I’m glad they found out who did it. I hope they catch that bastard.” You say, gritting your teeth. “Me too.” William rests his hand on yours. 

The doors to the dining room open and you retract your hand. Madame Leota walks in gracefully. “Ah y/n. Just the person I wanted to see.” She says. She smells of burning sage as she passes by you to take a seat. “Nasty stuff.” Alistair coughs, but you quite like the smell. “I assume William informed you about our meeting with the authorities.” She says, and you nod, drinking down your coffee. “Good. How is your injury?” She asks. “Healing I hope.” You pick at your quiche. “I would like to join back in on the seances.” You say experimentally. “I don’t know if you’re ready for that yet.” Madame Leota looks at you sadly. “You’ve been under a lot of stress lately.” William looks at you concerned. “So that makes me incapable?” You retort. “No, quite the opposite. I think the spirits may take advantage of you and your grief.” Madame Leota says, grabbing your attention. “I just want things to go back to the way they were.” You say. “We just want you to rest.” William pleads. “One more night is all we ask.” Madame Leota says softly. “Fine.” You huff, cutting into your quiche. You finish half your quiche and excuse yourself. You didn’t feel like eating anyway. It just felt like a mundane task, and it bored you even though you were still hungry. 

You wander back to your room and begin cleaning up the books Alistair knocked over. You put them back in the bookcase and pick out the book you took to kill Florence, “Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus”. Leaving your crutch by the door you walk over to your sofa by the window and lay down on it, feeling relief. “You mortals get worn out so easily.” Alistair mocks you, materializing beside you. “Well, if someone hadn’t buried a dagger so far into my leg, it might’ve been different.” You jab, tilting your head to look at him. “You asked me to stab you-” He gets cut off by you pulling his jaw down to meet you in a kiss. “Just shut up and hold me.” You say. He shrugs and climbs on top of you, being careful not to hit your leg. He rests his head on your chest and wraps his arms around you. “Better?” He asks, kissing over your heart. “Much.” You say leaning your head back and opening your book above you. “Oh no. You’re reading.” Alistair groans. “Yes, I am.” You say. “Why?” He asks, almost disgusted. “Because it’s a good story.” You say, trying to stay focused. “Oh, really? Why is it so good?” He questions. “It’s about a scientist that brings life to a gargantuan, sewn together, corpse.” You say looking down at Alistair, and to your surprise he looks interested. “Hmm. Fine. That does sound… interesting.” He mutters. “Would you like me to read it to you?” You ask and it takes Alistair a second to process. “Yes…” he says cautiously. “Letter one, to Mrs. Saville, England. St. Petersburgh, December 11th, 17. You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings.” You began. You read to Alistair until the sun was nearly set on the horizon. “We returned to our college on a Sunday afternoon: the peasants were dancing, and every one we met appeared gay and happy. My own spirits were high, and I bounded along with feelings of unbridled joy and hilarity.” You read aloud. “I think we must stop here for today. It’s almost time for the seance.” You say, closing the book. “And it was just getting intriguing.” He sighs, floating off of you. "We'll finish it later." You say, getting up and hobbling over to your crutch. "Madame Leota will most likely be smudging so you might want to keep at a distance." You tell Alistair as he glides over to you. "Ugh, I hate that hag and her damned sage." He grovels, dematerializing. You walk out the door and back down to the foyer where Madame Leota is smudging William. 

"Ah perfect timing as usual." Madame Leota says, turning her attention to you. "I'd like to cleanse you before this seance just in case a bad ghost gets out." She says. "Oh? Alright." You say and walk up to her. She waves the smoke of the burning sage over you and you hear Alistair coughing from the ceiling. "Now, William, let's begin." She says and turns back and enters the seance room, with William following. The portrait door shuts and you're left in the foyer. "Care for a gin?" A familiar deep voice sounds behind you. "How did you know?" You ask, turning around to see the servant that sewed up your wound last night. "Snap the twig's neck!" Alistair shouts in a raspy voice from coughing. You clear your throat, "I'll take a glass in the living room if you don't mind." You say heading into the living room. "He knows you did it. You mucked up your alibi, he knows!" Alistair warns as you take a seat. "Here you are." The servant says, handing you glass. "Thank you." You take it. The servant begins walking back but stops. "You know," he closes the doors to the living room. "I did have a few questions for you about last night." He says, and you hear a lock. 

Panic turning in your stomach you drink down your gin. "Oh? Do tell." You say, trying to cover the shake in your voice. "What did you say the eye color of the person who robbed you was?" He asks. You think back. "They were bright blue." You say. The servant clicks his tongue and walks back over to you. "That's not what you told me." He says. "My head wasn't exactly in the best place at the time." You retort. "Alright then, let's try another one. What happened to the rope you used to tie your bag to the saddle of your horse?" He asks. "The robbers used it to tie up Florence's arms." You say coldly. "Hmm. And the hatchet?" He asks and your blood runs cold. "What hatchet?" You ask, you wouldn't know anything about a hatchet. "The one that mysteriously disappeared from the stables?" He says and you look at him, clueless. "Oh, come now. The authorities told me that Florence was found decapitated by a hatchet. A hatchet went missing from the stables after you left. And it's not a tool a highwayman would use even in a dire situation." He says finishing. Your facade falls and you laugh. "Suppose I did, didn't I." You giggle, standing up. 

"So why didn't you tell the police I did it?" You ask curiously. "Y-you killed Florence…" The servant steps back, running a hand through his hair in disbelief. "Yes, we've gone over this." You say taking a menacing step towards him. "But- I knew that there was something wrong but… I just wanted to know the truth. I-I never thought that you- you actually-" he stutters as you cut him off. "Yes, you figured it out, now I can't risk you going to the police about this." You tap your chin looking around the room for any possible murder weapons. "I- I won't go to the police. I promise!" He pleads with you. "Well, I know that." You say, seeing a rope on a curtain behind him. "You won't live to get the chance.” You say and walk over to the curtain. The servant flinches as you pass by him. “Alistair, is there anything you can do to keep him from running away?" You ask, fiddling with the rope to get it down. "I think I have something in mind." He says and suddenly all the windows and doors have disappeared from the room. "Ah, perfect." You say, finally yanking down the rope. You turn back to the servant, twisting the rope around your palms. Alistair materializes, beside you. "Thank you, dear." You peck his cheek. "A pleasure as always." He says smiling at you. You turn your attention back to the soon to be dead man. “Right, time to tie up some loose ends.” You say, snapping the rope taut between your hands.

Chapter 7

[sulky-valkyrie]

Promot: Iron Bull corners Alistair in Skyhold with “we need to talk”, poor man is like “oh now, what did I do to Dorian *this* time?”

Then they sit down, Bull pulls out his unfinished first draft of report home “so how are you doing? How have you been? What’s up?”

“…what?”

“Look, the Arishok is asking how you, specifically you, have been. Oh and this is for you, he’s worried you don’t have anything decent to wear.”

hullo my darling! for @dadrunkwriting

They were nearing Val Firmin when The Iron Bull dropped a meaty hand on Alistair’s shoulder.  “Need to talk to you.”

Oh dear, how did I fuck up with Dorian this time?  Was this about that conversation last night?  Maker, when did Dorian even have time to talk to Bull about it?  It wasn’t even noon!  “I- yes.  Let’s do that.  Privately?”

Bull snorted.  “Guilty conscience?  What did you do this time?”  He motioned him to follow as he threaded his way through the marching troops to the outer edge. 

“Oh you know, just exist.”  Alistair smiled weakly at Bull’s back.  “Whatever I did this time, I’ll fix it.”

“Always, Al.”  He fished a tiny monocle out of his pocket - there was a little hook at the end that let him latch it to his eyepatch and rest it across his nose.  “I just got some reports from the Arishok.  And a package.”  He cocked his head.  “For you.”

Alistair blinked at him.  “I know you were speaking Trade that whole time.  I know it.  But I have no idea what you just said.”

“It’s a scarf.”

“That is not making this make any more sense,” Alistair said heatedly.  “You’re telling me that the head of the entire Qunari military has a message and a scarf for me?”  He shook his head.  “Did Sera put you up to this?”

Bull frowned thoughtfully for a moment, then started chuckling.  “You don’t know.”

“Know what?”

“Who the Arishok is.”

Alistair squinted up at him.  “Why would I?  Your people literally don’t use names.”  He paused as he remembered who he was speaking to.  “Most of you, at least.”

“The Arishok,” Bull said patiently, “is a hornless qunari who was in Ferelden during the Fifth Blight.  And he’s knitted you a scarf.  Several scarves, in fact.  I already passed Daylen and Zevran’s off to Red when I gave her hers.”  He chuckled again.  “I’ll let you give Morrigan the last one - I get the feeling she’d burn my eyes right out of my sockets if I tried.”

All of Alistair’s thoughts crashed to a halt and he stumbled.  “Sten?  Sten is the fucking Arishok?”

“Yes, and he’s worried you’re not warm enough.”  Bull pulled out a woolen lump, then let two ends dangle down.  Those were certainly scarves.  In a rather elaborate pattern, with big holes and small ones all lined up to form the suggestion of pairs of wings.  “And manual dexterity is important, therefore knitting is an acceptable hobby for a soldier.”  He handed them over, adjusted his monocle, and pulled a few sheets of parchment out.  “Now, let’s see: do you have enough socks?”

“I only lost them all once and that was ten bloody years ago!  And while fording a river!”

Bull made a little mark on the page.  “I’ll put that as a yes.  Eating enough?”

Alistair rolled his eyes.  “Maker take me, yes!”

“They do have a good spread in Skyhold.”  He frowned down at the page.  “Last question, but it’s outdated.  ‘Did you tell Daylen he’s your kadan?’  Now, here’s the part where you shout ‘no’ at me indignantly, but is there anything else you’d like to add?”

“My . . .”  Alistair trailed off.  He didn’t know the word, but the way Bull said it was enough.  “I suppose, just thank him for his concern?”

“You got it, Al.”  Bull plucked one of the scarves from his hand and wound it around his throat.  “Mission completed.”

[theendofeverafter]

Apple White: A Character Study (Chapter 3)

We’re back in business!

I watched Spring Unsprung last night intending to write a separate post about it, but I realized a few minutes in that it wouldn’t make for a good solo post. Apple spends the majority of the special under the topsy-turvy spell, meaning she wasn’t acting of her own free will and can’t really be held responsible for what she did or said (nor can we examine her character). So I’ve decided to combine Spring Unsprung and Way Too Wonderland into one post. That one will be coming soon. For now, please enjoy my write-up of Apple’s character in Chapter 3.

CHAPTER 3

(Side note: why has it taken me until now to realize Raven’s makeup is the best in the show? Suits her perfectly.)

(Side note: if Ashlynn lateness curse is tied to noon, not midnight, how was that ever going to work with her story? Was the ball gonna be a brunch? An afternoon tea party?)

I think it’s interesting (and a good character choice) to have Apple help Ashlynn work around the rules of her destiny. While Briar is ready to yank the stepsisters off the stage, Apple uses her clever nature to make the best of the situation. But she never tells Ashlynn that she shouldn’t have to wait on her stepsisters, especially since they’re so mean to her. This also makes me wonder (a bit off topic) why Ashlynn, now a rebel, has to listen to what they say. Is it a magical constraint? Is it learned behavior that she’s having trouble letting go of?

(Side note: WHO is Duchess’s mans? 🤨)

(Side note: THE QUEEN HAS ARRIVED)

I still don’t know what to make of Apple and Ashlynn’s friendship. I know that Apple has been close friends with Briar and Blondie for a long time, and Ashlynn and Briar have known each other since nursery (rhyme) school, but it seems like Ashlynn and Apple didn’t have a lot of interaction until they started at Ever After High. Adding the strain on their friendship that occurred during True Hearts’ Day (and Apple’s mini-feud with Briar during Thronecoming), it’s surprising to see them chumming it up so much in these episodes—and that Apple was the first person Ashlynn wanted to take with her. Perhaps she was being nice because Apple was right there?

Apple seeing a movie with Daring, hm…

(Side note: sorrynotsorry I love these besties)

(Side note: tbh I prefer Ashlynn’s original voice actress, but Karen Strassman still does a great job)

(Side note: Dexter was TRIFLING for asking Raven out in front of Cupid lmaooooo)

Bruh the way Apple is cringing at Raven and Dexter’s awkwardness is so funny. At least she’s being supportive!

(Side note: idk how anyone could hate Raven and Dexter together tbh, they’re so cute)

“I say we pitch in and do something!” Apple says. (30 minutes later) “We just have to be patient and think positive thoughts”

How did Apple still manage to go to the Forest Fest :////

Junior year! Arguably Apple’s worst. She was immature as a sophomore, but the events of Dragon Games are tough to beat. Let’s see how her character changes after summer break.

Apple volunteering Raven to work on the yearbook instead of asking her first…hm…

I can’t fault Apple for not wanting to look bad in the yearbook. Have you taken a look inside yours from high school or college? That shit looks BAD. And she’s supposed to be the future queen of Ever After. That’s prime gossip rag material right there.

(Side note: Raven’s response to seeing Poppy and Duchess flail through the air was to take a picture instead of using her powers to help them lol)

(Side note: I must point out that in my story Poppy and Sparrow used to be a thing, and now Duchess and Sparrow…Poppy definitely seems like the kind of person to be chill about those sorts of things. Not Duchess though 😂)

(Side note: Bunny and Alistair really got their own episode 🙄 thankfully Kitty has had enough of hetero nonsense and is our sole source of entertainment here)

(Another side note, I know: do Maddie and Kitty not feel any existential dread at the fact that the narrators can alter and rewind their lives? Make them do things they don't want to do? Change their relationships with the people around them? Isn't that a gross violation of their personhood?)

Why is Bunny Apple’s wicket keeper?

Was that Apple’s first detention?

This is probably my favorite picture of Apple and Raven:

(Side note: She’s here she’s amazing we love her)

Wow, Apple and Raven finally learned to get along. What a surprise

(Side note: for story purposes I cannot support the last scene of Tri-Castle-On…except that most of the kids featured there could be the children of the endgame pairings I have in my story) SPOILERS BELOW

Idk who the person with gray hair would be (though I have a few ideas), but from left to right: Raven and Dexter, Chase and Justine, Duchess and Sparrow

CONCLUSION

You can see instances of Apple slowly starting to adapt her Royal ideology to be a better friend, which is good. I don't know what would have sparked this change over summer break, but I'm sure people like Ashlynn, Briar, and Raven really appreciated it. It seems like she was on an upward trend until the Big Event of junior year, which is a little heartbreaking.

Previous reviews: Legacy Day/Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Thronecoming

[jinxxangel13]

Ancient Enchantment

Chapter 2

The name of this series is up for change, so let me know if you have any ideas! Hope you enjoy!

Again, I've made these photos with my own reference photos, and used the Dream AI app. They are the loose ideas of how I want Alistair and Azara to look. More to come!

~Masterlist~ ~Prev~ ~Next~

Recap:

“I said, I’m sure you all have plenty to do before classes begin tomorrow!” 

The house tables seemed to get the meaning, and all started getting up to leave out the door. Anyone could tell that these students knew each other for the most part, each sticking to their group of friends in the same house, but some mingled with the others.

“Quite an entrance the two of you made. It is very lovely to meet you, I’m-”

“Professor Weasley. Would you be so kind as to show our new students to their common room?” His question was more phrased as a statement, though Professor Weasley seemed not to notice or care.

“I shall see to it sir.” She nodded to the headmaster, who dismissed himself without another word.

Professor Weasley turned towards the both of you again with a kind smile.

“As I was saying, I am Professor Weasley. Pleased to meet the both of you.”

Azara smiles, “It is nice to meet you as well, Professor.”

Alistair nodded in agreement, staying quiet for once.

“As Deputy Headmistress, it is my honor to show you to your common room. Right this way!” Professor Weasley led the two of them toward the double doors. 

“This is the Great Hall, by the way. Breakfast is before morning classes at 8, lunch is available between noon and 2, and dinner is served at 6, following afternoon classes and prior to detention. Not that I believe either of you will need to know that last bit, but just in case.”

The three of them were led down the hallways and farther down into the castle. 

“It is quite uncommon for a student, let alone two, to begin as a fifth year. It may be a bit of a challenge, but one I'm sure you’re up for.” Professor Weasley stopped them in the middle of an open corridor with an almost green hue around them.

“Of course!” Azara smiled brightly. 

“We can be quite resourceful when needed.” Alistair shifted to be next to Azara in front of the professor.

“I suspected as much. Now, this is the entrance to the Slytherin common room.” The professor motioned to an empty wall to the side of them.

The twins both looked at the bare wall with confusion written across their faces.

“Professor Weasley? There is nothing there.” Azara spoke up, looking towards the professor, her head slightly tilted, and her eyebrow raised in question.

“Right you are, Miss Valentine. In order to enter, one must simply speak the correct password. ‘Aspiration.’ Now you.”

Azara nodded towards Alistair who stepped closer to the wall and spoke calmly, though very unsure of why. 

“Aspiration.”

Suddenly, the twins could feel the vibrations of the floor beneath them. They stepped back as the snake from the stone ground underneath them moved up against the wall to form an archway, a set of double doors appearing within the arch of the snake.

Azara’s eyes widened, a disbelieving chuckle left her lips as she turned to the professor in glee.

“Exciting, isn’t it?”

Azara nodded happily to Professor Weasly, to which she laughed softly.

“Now, the two of you go on in and get some sleep. You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow. I shall be back in the morning to collect the two of you for your first classes.” 

“Thank you, professor.” Azara pushes at the door, going in first and waiting for her brother. 

“Yes, thank you, Profesor Weasley.” Alistair nodded towards the professor.

Professor Weasley waved them off. “You’re very welcome, Mr and Misses Valentine. I hope you enjoy your first night at Hogwarts. Sleep well.”

“Thank you.” Azara took a hold of Alistair’s hand and brought him into the common room.

They ended up being pointed toward a long hallway around the corner directly to their left. The metal grated floor below them echoed softly above the water underneath it, giving Azara a sense of nostalgia, her smile never leaving her face. 

The twins walked into the first door on their right, the door opening up to a medium sized room with only two beds. It seems as if the headmaster and Professor Weasley took into account what Fig and their prior Academy had suggested with the twins staying together. It makes things easier for everyone if something were to happen; that way, one twin wasn’t too far away from the other.

“Dibs.” Alistair ran towards the closest bed to the door, jumping face first, starfish style, onto the green comforter. 

Azara rolled her eyes, taking her robe off and placing it on the standing rack near the door, opposite to her brother's canopy bed.

There was awkward space where she assumed would have been another bed, but instead, there was a small table and set of chairs, as well as a study to the left of her brothers bed and to the left of the door, and one to the right of her own bed, closest to the door on her side. She had a side table to the left of her bed with a candle-lit lamp on top, as well as a couple personal items she didn't even know she had packed, silently thanking the family elves for thinking of her.

She went over to her trunk that was mysteriously in front of her bed. She unlocked and opened it, pulling out a nightshirt she stole from Alistair a few weeks prior. 

Alistair himself had already stepped back out from his own folding changing screen next to his bed against the wall. Azara took her time switching out of her uniform, neatly placing it on the chair to the left of her bed before making her way to sit on the foreign bed space. She ran her fingers over the blanket, pulling it back partially to lay down her own blanket underneath that she made back home. 

“Think we’ll be okay here, Atlas?” 

After a moment of not hearing a response, Azara looked up to find her twin already passed out on his own bed. His blankets were thrown off the bed to pool at his side table, the lamp there still on, and his uniform strewn about.

She rolled her eyes, waving her hand to wordlessly extinguish the flame of his lamp, then leaning over to do the same with her own, only using her pointer finger and thumb to snuff it out, plunging the room into almost complete darkness. The room, their whole common room moreso, seemed to have an endless green glow, and at that moment, she was appreciative of the soft light.

Azara slipped under her blanket and comforter finally settling in as her mind went blank after the stress and surprises of the past 24 hours.

It took Azara a few moments after she opened her eyes to realize where exactly she was. She had been laying there in a panic, her vision foggy like smoke. She felt like she was a child again, when her home was-

No. I don't need to be thinking about that. It was a long time ago. 

She sat up suddenly, bringing her slightly shaky hands up to her face before running them over her previously braided hair. 

Alastair sat up in bed after hearing her slightly labored breathing, eyes snapping open in alarm. He did a once-over of his sister before realizing everything was okay, and thumping back against the bed. 

“Ugh. I’m never going to get used to this.” He grumbled.

Azara took an extra moment to calm herself before she stood up. She stretched her back, glad that it popped where it did, then walked over to her laid out uniform and changed into it behind her screen. It took her a good bit of time to get everything straight and even, but she didn't mind, especially since she was up early anyway. She adjusted her tie as she walked back over to her bed to tug her boots on. She took another couple of moments to release her wavy black hair from her sleep braids and redo them into two fishtail braids to stay out of her face.

She stood up and grabbed her cloak then looked over to her brother just sitting on the edge of his bed, seeming to debate if it was worth getting up. She smirked mischievously before grabbing a pillow off the ground in front of her bed and chucking it right at him.

The pillow slammed right into the side of his face, causing him to completely fall onto the ground with a hard thud. Azara burst into laughter, clutching her stomach and almost doubling over with hysterics. Alistair sat up, leaning against the side of the bed for a moment before hoisting himself up completely.

“Want a head start?” his dark hair was tousled beyond belief, and dark eyes set in a menacing glare at her.

Azara’s eye went wide before she suddenly bolted, ducking under his outstretched arm, narrowly avoiding being caught and rushing out the door.

“Better luck next time, Atlas!”

“Az! You’re lucky I’m not dressed yet or I’d have gotten you by now!” He yelled from their room as she slammed the door behind her. 

Azara could tell that Alistair was rushing to get dressed, so she took a deep breath and calmly strolled down the hallway towards the common room. 

“I suppose some introductions are in order.” Azara muttered to herself as she looked around.

[total-drama-takes-takes-2]

aftermath 3

A flashy intro sequence reading “TTA Aftermath” flashes across the screen as a merry tune plays. A clip montage of scenes from the past four challenges play- mostly the humiliating ones. 

The screen glitches, and the camera pans out and down to a swanky studio. Former contestant Caesar is sitting on a suede couch in front of a clearly cardboard back wall. Former contestant Bonnie is seated next to him, holding an electric cattle prod. In the bleachers off to the side are every camper who hasn’t made it back, or who’s been eliminated so far- Courtney, Ass, Julia, Staci, Mal, Frollo, Kelly, Austin, McLovin, Michela, Sha-Mod, Joner, Patrick, Kitty, Fren, Max, and Peter. 

“Are we on?” Caesar whispers off to his side. Bonnie shrugs. “Alright, then! Welcome back, ladies and gents and everyone in-between or outside- I’m your host, Caesar Flickerman, and this is Total Takes Action: The Aftermath! Joining me today is my lovely co-host, Bonnie,” Bonnie zaps the air with the cattle prod for emphasis. “And our lively peanut gallery.”

“What’s that thing for?” Max asks pointing at Bonnie’s right hand. 

Caesar rolls his eyes and points behind the shorter boy, to where Patrick and Julia are holding hands behind them. Both are covered in little zap marks. 

“Anyway, we’ve got a great, action-packed episode today, so don’t tune out on their behalf!” he says. “For our first segment, let’s invite our newest peanut gallery citizen, Peter!”

Peter stands from where he’s seated beside Alistair and carefully maneuvers down the steps and into the hot seat- now a comfortable pink armchair. 

“Peter, darling, we all lost our minds back here at the studio when you willingly took the fall for Scruffy, stranding O- what inspired that decision?”

“Well,” Peter shuffles nervously in his seat. The camera focuses on Julia for a moment, who looks away uncomfortably. “I just felt like it was the right thing to do.”

“Brilliant. To hell with the competition, today let sportsmanship take the lead! We do have a question from our “frequent flier fan”, River: What’s your girlfriend’s name?”

Peter seems to relax at the change in tone and smiles, holding out his front-pocket picture to the audience. It depicts a short redhead. “Lois,”

The audience aws and Caesar grins. “It must be nice having your sweetheart at home instead of on national TV, huh?”

“It’s a huge relief,” he says. “I mean, there’s nothing wrong with being on TV, but-”

“Of course, I understand. I know I’ve had my fair share of… inopportune moments that are immortalized forever! Isn’t that right, Bonbon?” he turns to address the co-host. They nod. 

Caesar thanks Peter for his time and the squat gentleman returns to the stands. “Let’s see… Scary? Has anyone seen Scary?”

An intern rushes up and whispers something in Caesar’s ear. He nods curtly. “Okay, then- our next guest is known for his flair and fabulous talent- Alistair!”

The pink-haired gentleman comes down from the stands, taking a seat with his legs crossed in the chair beside Caesar and Bonnie’s couch. “Happy to make it,”

“You’ve been here since noon,” Bonnie says dryly. They are ignored. 

“From fan-favorite with your own bustling “frendom” to an underground method actor- how does it feel?”

“I wouldn’t call myself “underground”,” Alistair starts, chuckling nervously. Crickets from the peanut gallery. He clears his throat. “Well, it’s been a complete and true honour being able to test out my improv skills on this show. Though, I do prefer the stage.”

“Understandable. Let’s see some audience questions, shall we?” Caesar shuffles the cue cards in his hand. “Alistair- what are your thoughts on Patrick and Julia, and what are your thoughts on Patrick? Do you think he’s cute?”

The audience oohs and Alistair turns a little red. He chuckles. “I’m a bit out of his league, don’t we think?”

“You take that back!” Julia stands and points at him. “That’s my boyfriend you’re talking about!”

“You… want me to be attracted to your boyfriend?”

“Everyone should be attracted to my boyfriend! It’s how I know I’m winning!”

“Yeah!” Patrick chimes in. “Everyone knows the best way to rate your attractiveness as a man is by how many gays are into you.”

“Exactly!” Julia says. 

Alistair rolls his eyes. 

“Speaking of couples,” Caesar says, standing. “It’s time for the first game of the episode! If we could have Julia and Patrick, Michela and Max, and Sha-Mod and McLovin join us on the stage…”

The furniture begins to roll back by itself, and a large section of the floor disappears below before popping back up with three loveseats. The designated pairing give each other nervous glances, but none look more bothered than Patrick and Julia. They’re the last ones to arrive on the stage, and definitely the last to sit. Patrick puts his arm around her for good measure. 

Caesar paces the stage in front of them. “Welcome to Wedding Watchers- the ultimate compatibility test, designed by yours truly,” he places a hand on his heart, and then clears his throat. “Here are the rules.”

Bonnie weaves between the seats as he speaks, handing a white board and marker to each player. 

“I will ask a simple question based on compatibility- the partner in the right hand seat (my left, your right!) will have to guess how their partner answered it. For every correct answer, you get a point,”

“What do we win?” Max insists. 

“What happens if we lose?” Julia talks over him. 

Sha-Mod and McLovin are thumb-wrestling silently in their seats, as if they’d already forgotten what was going on. 

“Winner gets to choose something from our mystery voucher basket!” the camera pans over to a wicker basket full of envelopes. “The loser gets humiliated on national TV. Is that not enough? Or…” Caesar grins. “Should we bring out the sharks again-”

“NO! Humiliation is enough!” Julia snaps. 

“Kidding, kidding. Only teasing, Jules,” Caesar chuckles, then sighs. “Ready?”

The couples look between each other. Patrick leans in to whisper in Julia’s ear- “Follow my lead.”

Max sighs and Michela pats his shoulder. Sha-Mod and McLovin are arguing about who can draw a better T-Rex on their whiteboards. 

“Alright- first question. At what age did your partner have their first kiss?”

“WHAT does that have to do with compatibility?!” Max snaps. 

“Oh, nothing. I just love drama,” Caesar chuckles. “You have thirty seconds.”

A large metal divider slides up from the bench, separating the lovebirds. Patrick curses to himself and Julia whispers- “I can’t see over your shoulder- what now?”

“Guess,” he murmurs back. 

“And… time! Let’s see those answers, folks! Julia and Patrick?”

The metal dividers slide back down and Julia and Patrick stare, flustered. Finally, Julia holds up the board- in shaky handwriting- “never.”

“WHAT!” Patrick shouts. He turns around his board- 16. 

“Wait,” Julia reads the neat Expo marker handwriting. “Was I your first kiss?”

The audience aws. Patrick turns red. “No! Of course not! It was… someone else,”

“Either way,” Caesar cuts in. “No points. Maxchela?”

Max holds up his board- 12. Michela turns her around- 12. 

“I had a summer camp fling once,” she laughs nervously while Joner freaks out from the audience. 

“Sha-Mod and McLovin?”

The two look up nervously, then hold up boards with sprawling mathematical equations on them. “We forgot the question,”

“Hm… Peter, can you-?”

Peter is already jotting down notes on his hand from the audience, then looks up, flabbergasted. “I can’t believe it- both answered 14,”

“A point for Shalovin!”

“WHAT!” Julia yells. Caesar ignores her. 

“Next question- where is your partner’s dream wedding destination?”

The metal dividers slide up again, cutting off the pairs once again. After 30 seconds of hurried scribbling and thinking, they disappear once again. 

Patrick and Julia are first. 

[IN FRONT OF HIS MIRROR]

Patrick squints. “Why, you little-”

“Trouble in paradise?” Caesar pops up behind them. They both force smiles and shake their heads. Patrick turns around his board- [Cabo]. “Shame- zero points! Maxchela, you’re up!”

Max holds up the flimsy whiteboard again. [Vermont.]

Michela turns hers. [Trinity College Library]

“What?” Max asks. “I thought you said that was impossible.”

She shrugs with a smile. “I’m coming around to it,”

The audience aws. Caesar places a hand over his heart. “Adorable. But, unfortunately wrong. Shalovin?”

[the shadow realm]

Caesar blinks. McLovin turns around his board- [the shadow realm]

“Well. I guess that counts!”

"WHAT?! HOW?" Julia shouts in frustration. 

“How would that even work?” Bonnie asks from the suede couch, leaning against the back and casually watching the proceedings. 

“Our evil shadow world twins would be our best men!” McLovin states, matter-of-factly. Bonnie rolls their eyes. 

“Okay, next question- “What is your partner’s favorite color?””

After another hurried half-minute of scribbling, Julia holds up [NONE. BECAUSE COLORS ARE GAY]. 

“Patrick?”

[Red]

He stands and slams his board on the ground. “I DO NOT TALK LIKE THAT!”

“You called the color orange gay LAST WEEK!”

“That’s an objective fact!”

“Why do you say that every time we argue?! It literally isn’t a fact, it’s the actual definition of an opinion!”

“Like you would know, female!”

“I swear, call me ‘female’ one last time…”

Caesar holds back a chuckle and turns to Maxchela, who are watching the display curiously. Finally, Max turns back to the camera and holds up his board. [Black.] Michela turns her after another second of listening to Patulia scream and throw things at each other. [Black]

“Another point for you two- and Shalovin?”

The two look up from their boards in confusion, as if they’d again forgotten they were playing a game. They hold up matching drawings of a T-Rex with laser eyes. 

“Huh. Well, it’s the same, so I’ll count it,”

Julia turns. “OH MY GOD!”

"Why should we even have to play this dumb game? We don't have to prove ourselves to these freaks!" Patrick insists.

"You couldn't be bothered to ask one question about me since we've started dating and all you do is talk about yourself!" Julia snaps. "I don't care about your Valentino, gaywad!"

"Your hair is fake blonde!"

A little "I knew it" comes from Max.

"It is not! You're a terrible liar, a terrible contestant, and a terrible person! And guess what- if Scruffy were here, I wouldn't have even TALKED to you in the first place, loser!"

Patrick gasps. "You take that back!"

"Make me!"

We’ll be right back. 

---

“Welcome back to Total Drama Action- The Aftermath! I’m your very charming host, Caesar Flickerman,” he grins. Bonnie sits beside him, pointing the cattle prod at Julia every time she swipes at the pair. “And this is my lovely co-host, Bonnie.”

The stage is now back to normal, bar from Patrick and Julia being kept on either sides of it. 

"So, are you two finally calling it quits?" Bonnie asks.

"NO!" They both shout. They sigh and Caesar giggles with delight.

“Next up, we have a very special treat-” Caesar starts as a few interns roll in an outhouse. “That’s right, with just a few days before the big finale, we’re having all the former TTI contestants, and all the failed TTA contestants cast their votes for who they’re voting for- team O, or team Scruffy! Inside the outhouse, you’ll find a few more audience questions to, um, ponder on while you’re writing. Let’s go alphabetically, shall we?”

---

Alistair sits in the outhouse, flipping through a few dozen letters. He sighs. “Junk mail, junk mail, bill… my, my, how I miss my fictional frendom,” he tosses away the envelopes, completely ignoring the ballot box.

---

Austin grind the tip of the pen between his teeth while grinning, reading through his fan mail and giggling. He chews too hard and the pen explodes in his mouth. 

---

“You know who I’m rooting for? NO ONE! This entire cast is just a bunch of miserable hungry piglets sucking on the chapped teet of the talented,” Ass snarls. “Not me! I’m not letting this show run me dry!”

---

Bonnie shrugs. “I guess, O. I feel bad for Scruffy but they need to get a grip. Then again… maybe I’m not one to judge. I mean, I wouldn't start getting up at 5 AM to run laps around the studio, but I'm also not known for handling things very maturely. Maybe... I don't know, maybe Scruffy just needs some support,”

---

“Obviously O,” Courtney starts. “He’s dedicated, kind, generous… he’s an excellent person, and he knows how to put his foot down. I respect that! Now, what’s up with all these letters about me and… them?”

---

Frollo sits silently in the confessional, flipping through his Bible and drinking tea. His massive stack of letters sits untouched. 

---

Joner hums to himself as he sorts out his mail, laughing out loud at a few. “Man, these are crazy,” he pauses. “How much time do I have left in here? Oh, well- for the record, Jonah Boner was McLovin’s idea. He’s really good at coming up with nicknames,”

---

“Everyone here sucks. Everyone,” Julia snarls, crossing her arms and leaning back against the wall. “But… I guess Scruffy deserves the win.”

---

“O, easy,” Kelly says. “We need a little more compassion in the world.”

---

Kitty sits in the confessional, chewing on the letters they’ve received. 

---

Mal sticks her tongue out at the camera. 

---

“O, I think?” Max says. 

Michela confirms with a nod. “Definitely O,”

---

“Tough. It’s tough, everyone’s so nice,” Sha-Mod ponders. “Scruffy? Or O?”

“You do one and I’ll do the other, so that way it’s even!” McLovin continues. 

“You’re so smart babe,”

---

“Whatever,” Patrick mutters. 

---

“O. No, Scruffy’s worked so hard- but O is my friend…” Peter thinks aloud. “Fine! O it is. Going with my gut.”

---

“Scruffy. What?” Staci asks. “They have some serious reps, they’re way smarter, and they’re doing it for a cause. It’s a no-brainer,”

---

“Looks like O is in the lead,” Caesar reads aloud the poll results as Staci leaves the confessional. “Not surprising. But, as luck would have it, this segment concludes today’s aftermath- don’t worry! We’ll be back again soon to host the thrilling end of Total Takes Action. For now, I’m your host, Caesar,”

“And I’m your other host, Bonnie,” Bonnie says from the couch, turning the cattle prod on Patrick as he growls from the stands. 

“And this has been Total Takes Action: The Aftermath!”

[jinxed-games]

Happy Valentine's, Author!! 💕💕

How would the ROs love to spend their Valentine's day with the MC?

The Mage: They'd plan a quiet, work-free night. Which for them (and for the MC) is a rare luxury. It would involve a mixture of the MC's and their favorite foods, music, and much-needed relaxation. Overall they'd aim for a calming day spent together.

The Royal: I am somewhat at a loss. They'd like something soft, and romantic. Alone time with their partner is all they would want. But they wouldn't know how to plan it? I can see them agonizing for weeks before the actual day. Someone would have to intervene and help them, at least for the first valentines.

Alistair: It'd be a day full of sappy, overly romantic cliches. He'd shower the MC with gifts (though they'd be tailored to the MC), send flowers, and end it all with a candlelit date night. Very classic, but ultimately the effort he'd put into it would be heartfelt.

Maeve: Her valentine's day plans consist of a few, you specific outings. If you're a music person, she'll take you to a music house or the opera. Enjoy nature? You'll go on a horseback ride and end the night with a picnic. It'd be a nice, romantic time together.

The Healer: I'm going to be honest here. Kyrin would try but valentines day is not their specialty. If they did remember valentines (and if they were reminded, they would) it would be... simple for lack of a better word. A small gift and maybe dinner would be the most they would do.

Dorin: Another person you shouldn't expect much from, he'd fall on cliches as well. He will try if he knows you're the type to care. He will even care enough to put in great effort. But in his mind, it'll all fall short. The dinner would be burnt (he tried cooking it himself) and the gift would be a bit plain (a merchant pressured him into buying it) but he would try.

The Oracle: She would keep it MC-specific. However, she’d keep all the activities involving other people or leaving the castle (if any) to the morning-noon.  Then the rest of the day would be spent with her and her partner alone and uninterrupted. 

Keala: She is a wealthy, over-exuberant noblewoman. You will be spoiled. She would clear your and Maeve's schedules and ensure that every day is spent appreciating both of you. It'd involve several meals, a picnic, and a full day of different outings.

[nichtimhandelerhaeltlich]

Alistair has a tiny white dog (which noone is quite sure can even be classified as a dog bc Aphrodite, the literal cat, is bigger than her) and shes his baby

(the dogs nickname from everyone besides Ali is Rat/Ratte)

Her name is Josephine-Maria

[deathsplaything]

The Ultimate Price || Alistair Solo

LOCATION: The Sugar Pot TIMING: The Solar Eclipse PARTIES: Alistair & Mikael SUMMARY: Alistair avoids the eclipse, but they can't avoid Mikael. CONTENT WARNINGS: Partner death, general grief

“Tha gaol agam ort. An-còmhnaidh. Gu bràth.”

Spending their morning the same way he always did, Alistair decided to close up the shop at noon to let their employees see the solar eclipse. No point keeping them locked up indoors all day instead. Of course, they didn’t see a point in participating. Not like they could see it anyway. So instead, they continued working on inventory and ordering on the laptop in the locked up tea shop. It was around 3 in the afternoon when totality occurred. They could sense it, any light and shadow vanished to just darkness. 

“Al, please hear me.” A gentle voice called out, and Alistair would know that voice anywhere. They’d traverse mountains just to hear it one more time. “Mikael.” Alistair responded, eyes wide as they removed their sunglasses to reveal the scars on their face. “Oh, Al.” Mikael’s voice was closer, and their cheek felt cold. Mikael was trying to touch their face. “Please tell me you don’t blame yourself for what that man did.” Mikael’s voice was like a soft bell chime, a beacon in the night that Alistair felt drawn to. They’d never be over them. As long as they lived, there would never be anyone else for them. 

“Of course, I blame myself.” Alistair spoke, voice breaking as they rubbed their eyes. “You can’t blame yourself for the actions of one person.” Mikael’s voice was pleading, and Alitair wanted to curl into a ball and let the world fade away. “Alistair, I need you to know that you’re heading down a dark path. I don't want you to go down it.” Alistair shook their head, angry as a tear escaped. “It’s what I am, Mik. I can’t… can’t just not practice.” 

Mikael’s voice shifted to directly in front of them. “That’s not true and you know it. These people you’re hurting, don’t do it because you’re hurt too. Don’t do it because of what you’ve lost. I’ve had time to be at peace with what happened. But I’m not at peace because you’re obviously suffering. I love you, you dolt.” That cold spot on their cheek was back, and another tear escaped Alistair’s eyes. 

Remembering Brutus, Alistair quickly summoned their companion to their side and cast the spell. It was Mikael. The short, lanky individual with long chestnut hair and chocolate brown eyes. Those bambi eyes of theirs rendered Alistair speechless. Alistair let out a choked cry, a hand covering their mouth as tears fell. 

“Tha gaol agam ort. An-còmhnaidh. Gu bràth.” Alistair whispered, and Mikael smiled sadly. “Tell me you’ll stop.” Mikael whispered, hands outstretched toward Alistair. “Tell me you’ll at least stop the healing business. I don’t care if you still practice magic, just stop hurting people because you’re hurt. I know you. I know you better than you know yourself sometimes. So stop. Let yourself feel something other than pain.” 

Alistair’s face fell. Of course, Mikael was always right. Always knew exactly what to say. “I… okay.” They croaked, wiping their mouth with their hand as if it would dismiss the emotions. It didn’t. They were still there, and Alistair still hurt. “For you, I’d do anything.” Alistair’s Scottish accent bled into their words, exposing just how emotional they were in that moment. 

Then, Mikael started to fade. “I love you, Alistair. That will never change. But let yourself be happy. Please.” Their voice faded out, and Alistair was left alone in the Sugar Pot. They severed the spell and put their glasses back on, fell into the chair, and wept. 

They wept for Mikael, they wept for what was torn away from them, for everything they’d done. They wept for the person they could never be again.

“An-còmhnaidh. Gu bràth.” Alistair whispered into the nothingness, a hand outstretched in front of them into the nothingness. 

[theotherbackgrounder]

Alistair and the Girls getting ready to go on a journey

Alistair: Get plenty of rest. We head out at noon.

Kitty: Noon? That's so early.

Alistair: Fine, how about one o'clock?

Kitty: One? Come on, man.

Alistair: Fine! We leave at the crack of 2:30. Lazy butt.

Kitty: Christ, I'm gonna have to set my alarm.

[anyalovesu]

we're not saints at all.

༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆.✧˚ five ༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆.✧˚

“I don’t understand what you want from me, Alistair,” Jas sneered at him as she took a step away from him. She was glad he did not push it and he remained standing from where he was. Jas came up from the basement studio for some fresh air, being inside there for most of her remaining day eventually got her head stuffy that she had to get up for a while. They were practicing all day, after all. Elijah and Gwen came up with her, leaving the men downstairs to yap about whatever. 

“I am asking you for another chance,” he sighed. He wasn’t threatening, like Eli described Isaac was a while ago. Alistair was… just there. “Is it really that hard to give? Hindi ka naman mamahalin ni Park in the way you want him to.”

“You think saying all that will magically make me consider giving you another chance?” Jas spat, turning harshly, arms crossed against her chest, afraid that it might move in ways that she did not want to if she did not restrain herself. “I knew you were one narcissistic fuck, Ali, but I never saw you as someone this low.”

“Bakit mali ba ako?” Alistair scoffed, rubbing his temple in frustration. “Tobias Park is using you for your body and you’re just letting him? Does he even love you? It really seems like I’m only one looking out for how you feel!”

“I shouldn’t matter to you!” her voice raised, full of anger that she didn’t care if Gwen and Eli heard her from the inside of Eli’s house. “You didn’t seem to give a flying fuck about how I felt when you disappeared out of no where! You didn’t seem to give a fuck when you decided to just move to LA without even warming me up to the idea of it! You broke up with me out of nowhere and told me you were migrating! Inisip mo ba ang mararamdaman ko noon, Alistair?”

Alistair, once again, just stood there dumbfounded as he watched Jacynthe explode on him. “Sige nga? Why does it matter to you so much about how I feel? Tobi has made me feel more important than you ever did when you promised me friendship while you were on the other side of the fucking world!”

“So did friendship mean casually having sex with your friends, now–”

“You’re going overboard, Kuya,” Eli barked at him, yanking his arm angrily, tugging him inside of the kitchen connecting the backyard to the rest of the house.

“Hey,” Gwen hummed, pulling Jas for a hug as she held back tears. “I don’t want to apologize for what my brother did. It’s not my apology to make.”

“You don’t need to consider him in anything you decide to do,” Gwen continued, holding Jas’ shaking figure when she finally broke into tears. “I will talk to him, alright?”

Before they could even hide the aftermath Tobias was already standing by the kitchen door, looking at the both of them. Jas couldn’t quite paint the expression plastered on his face—did he feel bad? Is he pitying her? Did he do something he shouldn’t? Is he considering leaving her? Whatever it was, it scared Jas, to the point that she hurriedly wiped the tears on her face and tried with all her might to pretend that what just happened did not affect her at all—except that it did, and it was already too late to just hide behind a lie.

“Sinaktan ka ba?” He asked, as he walked towards her and Gwen. Gwen quickly excused himself and left it to Tobi to comfort her. 

Jas shook her head, still reading the expression on his face. He was stoic as ever. They were the OA and nonchalant duo after all. It was at these moments where she wished that Tobi was easy to read—that she could just read him like the back of her hand like how it is for her and her friends. But Tobi always had this resting bitch face expression on his face that always made it hard to determine how he felt.

“That’s good,” he hummed, pulling her into a hug, holding her tight. It was only then did Jas realize that she was holding her breath and that first inhale, laced with his Dior Sauvage perfume that she recalls they bought together when they went shopping for Bianca’s gift, never failed to remind her how thankful she was that she could still breathe. “Gusto mo na umuwi?”

Jas glanced inside the house from the kitchen window, she could hear the faint sound of Eli reprimanding Alistair for what he had just done. Actually, reprimand would be an understatement. Elijah was furious, she was shouting at him and Leon was trying to pull her away from the situation. Elijah has been through a lot today, Jas takes a mental note to apologize for adding up to it. 

She then looked back at Tobi and nodded. She didn’t have the face to present to her friends and Tobi’s friends after causing a scene. She thought that was enough shame for the day—going back there would only make her feel more embarrassed that she even talked to Alistair in the first place when she fully knew that she shouldn’t have.

“Okay, here are my keys,” Tobi told her calmly, unclipping his car keys from his belt loop and handing it to her. “Ako na ang kukuha ng gamit mo sa studio. Antayin mo nalang ako.”

“Kailangan ko pa magsabi kay Eli na aalis na ako–”

“I’ll have Eli come with me kapag lumabas ako,” he hummed, before pressing a kiss on her forehead. “Is that okay with you?” 

Jas nodded before Tobi smiled at her softly, pressing a soft kiss on her lips to which, though it was short and sweet, she still managed to kiss back. “Okay,” he says. “Wait for me in the car.”

She did what he told her to do, there was nothing else to do after all. She was too ashamed to go back in there to collect her stuff, it’s a good thing that Tobi offered to get it for her because it would’ve raised hell for her to go within a 2 feet radius from Alistair after their encounter earlier. 

Tobi tried to avoid eye contact with anyone but Eli and Leon by the time he was back inside the house. He knew he had to get their stuff as soon as he could to keep Jas from waiting in the car for too long.

“Jas wants to go home,” he mumbled to Eli, showing her Jas’s mini Louis Vuitton bag. “She wants to talk to you though bago umalis.”

Elijah nodded understandingly. She couldn’t blame her after all. Being faced with confrontation all of a sudden was overwhelming—she had first hand experience of that just a few hours earlier. 

Jacynthe, on the other hand, sat in the passenger seat of Tobi’s Aston Martin, rehearsing her apology for Elijah. She wasn’t one to be nervous around Eli but after everything that happened, sitting there in silence while she waited for Tobi to come made her antsy. She knew Eli has been going through a lot—a lot more than she is. It was rude to cause a scene like that and add more to her stress. The wedding is coming up, she can't be one more problem to deal with. 

“Honey?” Eli’s soft voice muffled through the closed windows. Jas immediately unlocked and pushed the door open. Elijah immediately pulled her into a hug before she could even start her apology. “I’m sorry about Kuya Ali. I didn’t think he’s still going to bother you! I already told him to stay away from you!”

“It’s… It’s my fault,” she mumbled against Eli’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. Kasalanan ko naman—”

“No, honey!” She argued. “Kuya Ali is just a little shit. Magpahinga ka na, okay?” 

Jas nodded before Eli turned to Tobi who was still standing behind her with Jas’ bag. “Kuya, sa bahay n’ya okay? Magpapahinga!”

Tobi laughed at her innuendo, which made her hit his arm harshly. “Seryoso ako! Baka gumawa pa kayo ng milagro, ay nako! Done for the day na kayong dalawa narinig ko kayo kanina noong lumabas ako ng studio!”

“Sabi kasi sa’yo!” Jas whined, stomping over to Tobi to pinch his side. 

“Bakit ako? Ikaw ang maingay tapos ako ang sinisisi mo!” Tobi cackled, pulling Jas into a hug.

From everyone watching inside the house, Amir and Leon mostly, it wasn’t hard to see how in love Tobi looked whenever he looked at Jas. It wasn’t hard to tell—Tobi never looked at anyone that softly, eyes literally turning into hearts whenever he looks at her. It’s the same look they see themselves having whenever they look at their respective partners. It would be a big fat lie to say that isn’t love.

—

“Can we drive for a bit more?” Jas hummed, playing with Tobi’s calloused fingertips while the other held on the steering wheel. “I’ll pay for your gas. Let’s just not go home muna.”

“Where do you want to go?”

“I don’t know,” she mumbled, tracing the sides of Tobi’s hand. “Hindi pa ako ready umuwi.”

A lot of things bothered her. From ignoring her dad constantly to being one of Eli’s headaches today—she hasn’t been a good daughter or a good friend—not even a good person probably. The thought of it only diminished her worth to be loved—because if she isn’t good, what is there to love?

“What’s bothering you, pretty?” he hummed, keeping his eyes on the street lights lit as he turned to change routes. Normally that would’ve scared Jas, luckily she’s never had to be in that kind of sticky situation but threats did come along once in her life. This is why she always preferred to drive herself to places—well, until Tobi. 

“Nothing,” she replied quietly, focusing on fiddling with his hand. “Ayoko palang umuwi.”

“Then something is bothering you,” he chuckled. “Sabihin mo na.”

“I don’t feel like a good person,” she replied so quietly it came out as a whisper. 

“Only a good person would worry about not being a good person, Jas,” he replied curtly. “Besides, what’s the point of pretending we’re all nice? We’re not saints at all, anyway. May mga tao at may mga tao na hindi maganda ang tingin sa atin. Someone is always going to favor someone else over us. Someone is always going to wish you bad things.”

In reality, Tobi felt bad that he was preaching that to Jas when he was conflicted about it too. After living his entire life watching his brother get favored over him, he still doesn’t know how to accept it. He’s still trying to be nice, hoping that one day he’s going to wake up and his parents love him a bit more to the level of Leon’s. It was hypocritical.

“Saints don’t fuck each other in the bathroom anyway,” she sniggered bitterly. “I mean, at least I’m getting good sex, no?”

“Still want to get married sa church though,” she mumbled as they passed by one. “Kung ikakasal nga ako.”

“I’ll marry you there then,” Tobi chuckled, interlacing his hand with hers before giving it a light squeeze. “When you’re single and thirty.”

“Don’t keep my hopes up,” she chuckled, sandwiching his hand between the both of hers when she realized that his hand was cold. His hand was always cold for the record, but the airconditioning of his car made it even colder, she thought it was concerning. He could be anemic, she thought.

“Hindi nga!” Tobi laughed at her. “I agreed to it. Gagawin na’tin ‘yon kapag wala ka pang relationship by 30.”

Jas could only smile. Maybe it’s not too bad to be delusional every once and a while and believe him. So, she did.

“Pasaan tayo?”

“Intramuros,” he replied shortly. 

“‘Di pa ba sarado?” Jas asked curiously, glancing at the time display on the dashboard screen. “It’s almost 8:30 na.”

“The Myoi’s own the night touring service, Jacynthe, calm down,” he chuckled, tugging her hand to press a soft kiss on the back of her hand as they took a turn towards the parking lot.

Tobi made some calls before he opened the door to get out. Jas was about to open the door herself but Tobi had already jogged around the car to open the door for her. The romantic gesture made her blush. She was lucky the parking space was dimly lit that Tobi didn’t notice.

Tobi reached for her hand, interlocking them. They rarely ever hold hands whenever they go out. In the car, they do. But once they’re out, there’s always been this awkward distance between them, somehow to remind everyone who can see them that they were friends and couldn’t be anything more.

Jacynthe fought the urge to think it was going to be something more. After all, it’s Tobi, one of the most strong-headed people she’s ever met. He doesn’t change his mind easily.

Tobi managed to take one of his zip-up hoodies in the trunk before handing it to Jas. He always had extra clothes in his trunk for whenever his bandmates would spontaneously drag him to the gym with them after practice. Perfect timing, he thought, because Jas would be the type of person who would rather be too cold than carry a jacket around. Admittedly, he would get annoyed whenever he had to take his jacket off and give it to her because the shops in BGC got cold, but it would be a lie to tell that he hadn’t got horny seeing her in his clothes with the amount of times they had to rush home so he could fuck the living daylights out of her while she was wearing his hoodie. He grew to like taking his jacket off for her or just bringing an extra for her even if it meant that he’d be the one carrying it around.

“Amina Myoi really built a tourism empire ano?” Jas hummed, as soon as got inside of the place. Sila lang ang tao na it-tour ngayong gabi. It was well past their working hours, but Tobi managed to pull some strings for one last tour before they closed. 

Tobi nodded. His mother's side of the family, his mom especially, was responsible for greatly expanding the empire in tourism in the country that the Myoi’s have long started. She and Soren Yang have been business partners long before he was born. After getting arranged to marry the engineer son of one of the most successful architects in the country, the empire began to expand with multiple resort and hotel projects all around the country. Balesin might have been one of their biggest projects. The acquisition and development of the island from start to end almost sent Park Group and Myoi Tours bankrupt, which back then resulted into Amina Park agreeing to arrange one of her children to one of Soren’s to ensure that Yang ENT. and Yoon Hotels will back their businesses up if they do end up in a situation.

Tobi was too young to understand what was happening back then—what kind of deals with the devil his parents were making. He just knew it was for work and he couldn’t say anything about the jobs that feed them and provide all their luxuries. He was young. Looking back at everything now, with Elysia Skyline finally being put into work in Cebu, all those deals were slowly resurfacing. Only then did he realized how fucked up everything was.

The very empire that established their family names was the very empire that put their children in a position to break.

And that was fucked up.

“I’ve never been here ng gabi,” Jas chuckled, rubbing circles on the back of his hand.

Jas was very lucky to never have been forced into anything her parents wanted. She was free to do whatever she wanted and would still have a home to go to whenever her decisions weren’t very good.

“We got lucky nandito pa si Kuya Herman,” he smiled, leaning over to kiss her temple. 

“Thank you,” she smiled, leaning her head against him shoulder. 

“Girlfriend n’yo sir?” a guy asked. Tobi chucked at him and shrugged.

“Bakit? Bagay ba kami Kuya Herman?” he asked playfully, resting his head on top of Jas’.

“Aba s’yempre sir!” Kuya Herman replied enthusiastically. “Bagay na bagay kayo! Nililigawan n’yo ba sir?”

“Ayaw nga ako ligawan, kuya!” Jas playfully replied.

“Nako sir, mauunahan ka kay madam kapag hindi mo pa niligawan!” 

“I doubt,” Tobi chuckled, placing a soft kiss on the side of her head once again.

Jas found it annoying that he was so complacent that no one will come while he’s still there. Mainly because it was true even if there’s on label on it.

She doesn’t know if it hurts or if it was annoying.

—

“Jacynthe,” Tobi called. Jas turned to see him and Kuya Herman a good 5 feet away. She found herself standing in front of the San Agustin church, just staring at the architecture in all its glory. 

“Are you okay?” he asked, jogging back to where she stood.

“Why are you calling me by my name?” she asked, blankly. She hasn’t called her by her nickname since the incident a while ago. It was evident thay above everything else, it bothered her too.

“Your name is Jacynthe,” he smiled, innocently. Well, he knew what he was doing. He was jealous, and out of irrationality, he hasn’t been calling her such because for a good moment, he was insecure. As much as he hated to admit it, Alistair got into his head. 

He ran into him when he went out just a few minutes after Jas did. He was petty. He told him things he had to convince himself he wasn’t. God. He knew all of those things already but hearing it from someone else? That he doesn’t deserve Jas?

He almost melted into the cracks of the floor he stood on as soon as he saw tears form in her eyes. 

“Are you going to leave me?” Jas asked softly, voice breaking as she avoided his gaze. “Why are you acting like this?”

“Pretty,” he sighed, realizing the effects of what he had done, moving to pull her closer.

“I’ll go home at your place tonight,” she proposed desperately, holding both of his hands to wrap around her waist. “You can have me anyway you want, Tobi. I promise I rejected him right away—”

“Hey, pretty,” he panics, removing both his hands from his waist to her face. “Hindi ako aalis,” he says firmly. “Kakasabi ko lang na pakakasalan kita dito tapos iniisip mo na iiwanan kita?”

Jas looks up at him finally, eyes welling with tears. “Nothing will make me leave you, Jas. Unless of course, you want me to.”

Jas didn’t say anything but wrapped her arms around his neck as she cried. She had already been crying for more than she should today. She really hopes the makeup artist tomorrow will find a way to hide it.

“I’ll let you rest muna, hmm? Go home muna sa White Plains tapos susunduin kita bukas pa-Aurora, okay?”

Jas nodded carefully at him. “Good girl,” Tobi replied before pressing a soft kiss on her lips. It was short and sweet… addictingly sweet, she craved for more and more but she couldn’t quite ask for it.

“Let’s go?” he hummed, hand moving to reach for her hand once again. 

Then there was quiet, deafening quiet, as they walked through the equally eerie and beautiful halls of the century old buildings.  “I wasn’t raised religious,” Tobi mumbled out of the blue. “I only ever went to ask God for anything noong inoperahan si Bianca. She was very young with a heart disease that could cost her life if she was left untreated. That time no one would take her operation because she was only days old and the risks were very high. I went and prayed to God with Leon. Dahil hindi naman nga kami tinuruan ng ganoon, hindi namin alam kung anong sinasabi namin sa loob ng chapel ng Valiente. All I knew was we were begging to God for someone to save Bianca because we were running out of time. But then your mom stepped in.”

Jas looked at him attentively. He was just speaking quietly, pretending to listen to what Kuya Herman had to say about Philippine History. Tobi had it all memorized already by the amount of times he’s been here to clear up his mind in the past few years. 

“All I knew from your mom back then was that it was her first high-risk surgery. She had only gained her license to perform surgery a few months prior, ayaw pa noon ni Mom and Dad na pumayag but Leon and I had to beg them to let her because she was our only chance to save Bia. Flying her to the States would be a higher risk. But then your mom managed to save Bianca. I began to pray a lot more after that pero parang hindi na ako pinapakinggan ng langit. At first I thought naubos nalang ang mga panalangin ko noong niligtas si Bianca, but I grew to think that maybe it was Leon that they heard and not me.”

Jas couldn’t help but squeeze his hand. Tobi never opened up about his feelings. He’d occasionally talk about how things happened in his life, childhood memories and the trivial things that he remembers, but he never talked about how he feels. It was a big thing that he was saying all these. It must’ve weighed heavy on him for him to finally say it.

“People always picked Leon over me. I mean maybe except Amir but we’ve been friends long before Leon was born. Leon was everyone’s golden boy, I’m pretty sure the world would kneel before him if he asked and that’s never going to happen for me. Noong nakita kita na kausap si Ali kanina, handa na akong kausapin mo ako at sabahin sa akin na babalikan mo na s’ya but it only broke me when I saw you crying because of him.”

“You thought I was going to leave you?”

Tobi nodded. Jas’ heart dropped to the floor at the confession.

“I don’t have nice things given to me often,” he hummed. “I thought the only good person that I managed to hold was going to be taken away from me.”

Eli was a sight to see on stage. Jas has never seen her smile like that before, you really do glow like nothing else when you’re doing something you love with the knowledge that someone loves you above anything else, right? Hearing Leon confess his love for Eli was an entire level of disgustingly sweet but it’s rotting deep inside of her because she knew she wasn’t going to be loved like that by his brother. 

Better to love than not love at all. 

Why can’t Tobi just hang on to that? Why can’t he just give all of himself for once? Why can’t he love someone the way he loves music? 

At the end of the day, maybe she’s just not that worth trying for. 

She loves Ellie. Don’t get her wrong. She loves Eli like her own blood sister. She and Bella somehow fit perfectly into that little sister figure that she always imagined to have and the two of them were never hesitant to accept those positions. Life was better with them, Jas knows it. 

But she couldn’t help but be jealous. She spent her entire life craving and chasing after love and she still doesn’t have it while Ellie has love chasing every strand of her hair. Love just naturally grows with her no matter how afraid of it she is. She’s always proud that Ellie eventually learned how to accept and understand love. But damn. When is it going to be her turn?

“I’m sure kilala n’yo kung sino ang sunod naming alas,” Kyle announced, laughing as he glanced towards me and Leon. “Dahil wala si Leon, syempre babawi kami sa inyo. Kilala n’yo si Honey?”

The crowd roared as soon as Kyle mentioned her nickname. Tobi could not help but smile as soon as his eye caught the mop of red hair from the side of the stage. His heart raced a bit, it would be a shame to not admit. She was beautiful. She was stunning. She always glowed differently under the stage lights; almost as if she belonged there—like she was meant to be there. He didn’t quite understand why she stayed behind production and rarely went on stage when she had an amazing voice and an impecable stage presence. His pretty can devour anyone in stage if she wanted to. 

“Ay nakapasweet naman,” Ellie teased.

“The woman who is currently producing half of the songs in our next album, I present to you, Jacynthe Clair Huh!” Kyle jumped excitedly.

“Good luck, Jassy,” Leon cheered her on before she entered on her cue. She stood before a bedazzled white microphone on the stand, something the boys gave her as a gift after their last album that she helped with did very well.

“Hello, ako po si Jas,” she smiled. The crowd went wild on her fingertips. “Hindi po ako girlfriend ng kahit na sino kaya wala akong iyayabang sa inyo gaya ni Eli but I did write a couple of songs for Midnight Covey, so I guess that counts for something right?”

“This is Bagong Tradisyon, sing with us if you know it,” she took off the microphone as she went up to sit from on the tall chair that was placed on stage before her set. Tobi had already switched his electric guitar for an acoustic one and Kyle’s keyboard was moved next to her chair, he was also sitting down at this point. Everyone had already left the stage for their break as they began singing. 

The song itself was inspired by the wedding of a friend that both Kyle and Jacynthe had in college. At the point where Jas was constantly getting cheated on, their friends were beginning their love story which started its new beginning just last year. And yes, it was a big fat lie that she didn’t imagine herself getting married. It was all that she longed for when she was young and growing up. She wanted to marry someone who isn't like her father. She wanted someone who will never leave her, love the good things and correct the wrong ones. At first she thought maybe it’d be Alistair—Jesus. She’s glad she didn’t end up with him. After him there were several others that in her feeble little mind, she imagined herself getting married to. Then there’s the most far fetched person she wishes she’d see at the end of the altar—Tobias Park. 

The idea of getting married, starting a new life, celebrating every holiday of the year, the birthdays, anniversaries—the idea of never being alone anymore—made her heart happy. It made her happy that someone decided they were going to swear in front of a divine entity that they are not going to leave and they will love her until the day that they cannot anymore. 

And she longed for that day to come.

Now Elijah is going to do just that. Before she does. Before anyone in their friend group does. With someone she loved all her life.

Will she ever be in that position?

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ main post °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

[scribbledquillz]

14 for the wedding ask game

Wedding ask game for your newly (and not so newly) wed OTP

Hell yeah hell yeah it's time for me to jump in my dumpster and roll around like the ship trash raccoon I am! Thank you for asking!

14. Do they follow any familiar, cultural, and/or religious traditions at any point of the wedding?

Both Revka and Zevran are content to keep their wedding as quiet and private an event as possible. Between both their involvement in the Inquisition, her time in the Wardens and inevitable return to her role as Warden Commander and Zevran's returned entanglement in the Crows with seizing control of the order, they wanted this to be something for them and only them, with Ceral, Leliana who performed the ceremony and possibly Alistair (if he's in Skyhold at the time they tie the knot) being the only attendants.

The both were in agreement that they wanted the service be Andrastian, and Revka requested a handfasting done by Ceral in place of their father, it being a traditional part of marriages performed in the alienage. Other than that it was a very quiet, swift affair, over and done with in the gardens before the night watch could come back around for another pass.

Zevran could not keep himself from a little bravado of course, and insisted he carry her over the threshold of their quarters, where they were then holed up until well past noon the next day "making up for lost time". >:3

[seriously-nobody]

Love's Dark Afflictions

Chapter 2

Warnings: romance, murder, death, gore, blood, optional smut not depicted but there is a link if ur interested

Preface: No spoiling this one, just remember to check the warnings.

You and Florence start out at high noon, and ride in silence until you reach the river. The sun shines through the old oak trees and illuminates the leaves and Spanish moss in mid-afternoon orange. A cool breeze wafts delicious scents of pastries, breads, cakes, and pies, to your nose, telling you that you’re close. “Ah I always love the smells when coming here.” Florence says wistfully. “It is quite delightful.” You say smiling. Then just as you round a corner, you see the grist mill bakery, with its water wheel turning in the river beside it. You tie up your horses on a pair of unique looking hitching posts that have the head of a white stallion with a bit in its mouth as the hitch. You open the door for Florence and the doorbell rings as you open it and walk inside. “A customer!” A voice says from above you, and footsteps are heard walking over to a small spiral staircase. A smaller statured woman with ginger hair wearing a tattered old shirt and apron covered in flour, descends down the steps. “Ah, Florence, how nice to see you again. Oh, and who’s this looker?” She asks, looking at you. “Y/n L/n,” You say, taking their hand. “A pleasure to meet you.” You kiss the back of their hand with a smile. “Show off.” Alistair huffs at you with intense jealousy. “Oh my, well what can I do for you.” she says bashfully. “Just here for the usual order of pastries is all.” You say releasing her hand and leaning against the counter. Florence hands over the list to Mrs. Moonie and she reads it over. “I can get those out for you in just a moment.” She says with a wink and walks back to a large pie cabinet in the corner. “You didn’t tell me you were such a charmer.” Florence nudges you. “It’s a fine tool and I only use it when necessary.” You say looking at Florence through your eyelashes, making them blush and turn away for a moment. You giggle at their shyness and walk over to look at a bread rack. “Remember what you’re here for.” Alistair says. “The theatrics are for a reason, Alistair. If I charm them enough, they’ll bend to my every will.” You say under your breath, but you feel Alistair’s disbelief. “It would make it easier to kill them if they trusted me when I told them to pull off the road, would it not?” you whisper. “Ugh, I suppose it would.” Alistair huffs in defeat. “I understand your jealousy but I promised you would have fun later, did I not? By these means, you shall have it, just allow me to work.” you reassure him. “Fine.” He sighs. “Order’s all ready.” Mrs. Moonie says placing a wicker basket with a hinged top on the counter. “Ah, perfect.” Florence says, taking the basket. “I put an extra scone in there for the charmer.” She says giving you a wink. “Aww, you didn’t have to.” You say. “Don’t worry, I baked a few extra this batch anyway. But do come back when you can, I’d love to chat with you anytime.” She says. “Then expect me soon.” You say, opening the door for Florence. “Good evening Mrs. Moonie.” Florence says with a wave, walking out the door. “I’ll be seeing you, Florence.” she says and you close the door behind you. 

Florence ties the basket to the horse’s saddle while you untie your horses. The sun is almost upon the horizon when you get back on your respective horses and start out on the road again. “I suppose I lost track of the time, we should hurry back.” Florence worries. “Afraid of the dark? Don’t worry, the stable boy gave me a lantern.” You reassure them. The ride goes smoothly as the sun sets and you light a lantern for the path ahead. After quite a while, you come to a crossroads and stop the horses. “What is it?” Florence asks. “Which direction did we come from again? Was it North East or East?” You ask, pretending like you can’t remember the directions. “It was North East I believe.” Florence says. “Are you quite sure?” You ask, making her question her judgment. “Oh, now that’s clever.” Alistair says. “I- Well… I’m unsure.” She says. “I say we go east and if we find we don’t recognize the road, then we head back here and go north east.” You say. “A-alright.” Florence says, becoming more confused. You turn your horses in to the East and ride for about 30 minutes out until Florence breaks the silence. “I don’t think I recognize this road, I think we should turn back.” They say stopping their horse. “Hmm, I don’t recognize it either, but we aren’t turning back.” You say dismounting your horse and keep the reins in hand. “What are you doing?” Florence asks. “I hate to ruin your trust in me, but I’m the highway robber,” You say, taking out your black cloak and bowing with a flourish. “Well, not a robber, per say. All that I’m stealing is your soul.” You finish, taking your dagger out of your boot. Florence just looks at you dumbfounded and you take the reins of the horse so they can’t flee. “Get off the horse.” You demand in a tone you have never used or even heard before. “Oh, now this is what you were made for.” Alistair says. They dismount and begin to cry. “Ugh, stop your crying. It’s pathetic. And don’t make any attempts at running, I shoot to cripple, not to kill.” You say finally showing your true colors. You take the basket of pastries and toss it onto the ground so they spray out onto the road. With your dagger you carve the initials of a highwayman you heard about in the papers, JA for John Alexander, into the leather of the saddle on Florence’s horse and then let go of the reins. You slapped it and it reared back, neighing, then galloped off into the dark beyond. “W- What are you going to do to m- me?” Florence stuttered out between sobs. “Well whatever I do, you definitely aren’t coming back from it I can assure you that.�� You say in a sort of reassuring way. You untie the rope from your bag and tie Florence’s arms together with it. “Alistair you may materialize now, if you’d like.” You say with a firm grip on Florence’s restraints. He materializes next to you from the top hat down. “You brought me such a cute little gift.” He says and you smile at him while Florence stares gaping at him, so you take a handkerchief out of your waist coat and tie it around their mouth while they have it open to keep them muffled. “I know no one would hear you this far out, but I don’t want any ringing in my ears when this is over. Now where should we start?” You ask, toying with the dagger in your hand. 

“How about the legs. Tougher to run while injured.” Alistair suggests. “Hmm. Very sensible.” You say, and almost in an instant you pull out your already loaded flintlock, cocking it, and shoot a hole through their left ankle. They scream in agony at the sudden searing pain and fall to the ground. They almost take you with them, but you let go of their restraints before they can. “Mmm,” Alistair hums beside you, “how I missed the screams.” Florence writhes on the ground in pain, face soaked from sobbing, and ankle at an unnatural angle now covered in fresh red blood. “They can still limp if they really want to escape.” You say displeased. “Let’s try the other one then, shall we.” Alistair suggests. You reload your flintlock with haste. “No, please, just kill me.” You kick their legs apart so you can get a good aim, “That would be a kindness.” You say and blow another hole, this time through their right knee and blood gushed out onto their clothes and the dirt. Florence cries again but then they grow quiet. “Sounds like they’re slipping away.” Alistair points out. “Oh no, you’re not leaving us just yet.” You say hoisting them up under their arms, making sure to only get blood on your cloak. You drag them to the side of the road, laying them against the base of a tree. They look at you through hazy and lidded eyes, like they’re about to faint from the pain and blood loss. “How should we finish this then? It’s not fun when they aren’t screaming and begging.” You say, mulling over all your options. “How about, the hatchet?” Alistair asks, and your ears perk up. “Well how was it for you?” You ask, intrigued. “It did take a few chops, my staff had terrible aim. But I’m sure you have a much better swing than those goons.” He says. “Might as well try.” You say and take a good swing at their throat and blood sprays everywhere, while making perfect contact with their jugular. It cuts clean through, just as Alistair said, and their head rolls off the end of the hatchet to the ground, and settles between their bloody legs. The rest of their body slumps back against the tree as the hatchet stays fully embedded in the tree. 

You breathe heavily as your heart races in your chest from the adrenaline, your eyes are wide, and your pupils dilated. You watch as a steady flowing cascade of blood gushes out from their neck and drenching the rest of their body below. Alistair stares at your face as you’re entranced by the sight of your crimes. “What?” You pant, feeling his eyes on you, but keeping yours on the corpse… the fresh one that is. But he doesn’t answer. He reaches out and turns your chin to him and his features portray a deep adoration. Slowly, he steps in close, cups your blood splattered cheek, pulls his arm around to the small of your back. “I love you more than murder, my dear.” He whispers and kisses you deeply. You take a moment to process but then close your eyes and lean into the kiss, finally openly accepting your love for him and not shying away from it. You coil your arms around his waist as he moves his hand from your cheek to the back of your head, smearing streaks of blood across your face as he does. It feels like he begins to levitate. With his cloak billowing in a ghostly wind, he dips you perfectly and it feels like the world falls away and you could live or die in this moment forever with him. He parts from you, and you gaze into his glittering golden eyes for just a moment more while he slowly floats back down. "You are more than I could've ever wanted out of life. It's just unfortunate it had to be after my demise." Alistair says, holding you close to him. 

Optional smut scene: https://archiveofourown.org/works/50721625/chapters/128128714

"We need to clean this up. Before a real highway robber finds us." You say, going back to your bag and grabbing the oil flask and lighter. You walk back to the decapitated cadaver of Florence Huet, take off your cloak, and lay it over their head. You pour out the flask over it, dropping the flask on it when it's drained. You grab your lighter but remember a very crucial detail. You turn to Alistair and take the dagger from your boot, "Stab me." You say handing the hilt to Alistair. "I beg your pardon?" He looks at you confused but intrigued at you. "I need to look like I've been a victim of highway robbery. Don't pierce anywhere vital though, I still need to ride back to the mansion." You say, and Alistair takes your dagger in hand with a mischievous grin. "Ah, understood." He says, and swiftly slices a thin but noticeable cut across your cheek. You hiss and hold your hand up to the cut. "I said stab me, not give me cuts!" You exclaim. "There needs to be signs of struggle." He says, and before you can retort he swipes your forearm. You thrash your head back. "Stop it." You grit your teeth. "If it doesn't look like you fought back then they won't believe that you got out alive." He says smiling wider and slices the back of your hand. "Enough!" You yell and try to get the dagger from Alistair. But as you step forward to take it, he buries the blade in your thigh. You still from the sudden stinging pain and your anger fizzles away into shock. "Don't worry, it only looks bad." He says, watching your face as he twists the blade so enough blood seeps out to soak your clothes. You cry out and grasp his shoulder to keep upright. He grins at the pained expression on your face and seems satisfied for now. "There, all bloodied up just as you wished. Unless you believe this isn't enough?" He asks, still keeping pressure on the dagger. "I think anymore, and William would faint." You whimper. Alistair pulls out the dagger swiftly and you wretch in pain. "Keep pressure on it so you don't bleed anymore, or you'll be the one fainting." He says, and you take a spare handkerchief and cup your hand over the wound. 

You turn back to your handy work with your lighter, spark it, and set the oil covered cadaver aflame. You limp back to your horse and struggle to mount your steed. "Need a hand?" Alistair asks mischievously. "If I can't mount my horse, they won't believe that I got away on my own." You say, and finally get atop your saddle. "There, now I need you to be completely dematerialized until I'm fully alone again." You say keeping pressure on your still gushing wound in your leg. "Yes, yes, I know." He huffs and dematerializes. You spur your horse into a full gallop with your good leg. For the rest of the ride, you think about how your performance will play out with William and Madame Leota as your audience. 

Optional smut internal dialog sequence: ^same link as above, just the next scene down^

Chapter 4