#also i'm imagining her being just a bit smaller than lion

[mahs-dumpster]

"If I didn't know any better."

a/n: when I tell you I'm like so seriously embarrassed about posting this LMAOJAKSJW I'm gonna post this once pretend I never did it and hide in my other acc just you wait-- welp, this is a very small scenario for my oc x canon, supposed to be the vignette story of the p.e. clothes for my oc. I understand that this kinda stuff is not everyone's cup of tea so if you're not into that pls just walk away ty. Also, you may change my oc's name for yours if you wish to read this as a reader x ruggie fic, I don't care much if I'm being honest

Daisy sighed as she sat down on a bench, trying to catch her breath. Savannaclaw's morning training was no joke, it was way more intense than she could ever imagine… but then again, if they were the top of their school when it comes to Spelldrive — well, at least second to Diasomnia — then she guessed it shouldn't be a surprise. She grabbed a water bottle and drank most of it in practically one go, she was exhausted, and she still needed to get that picture for Azul… today was gonna be rough.

"You're already tired?" Ruggie's voice popped out of nowhere, making Daisy flinch at the sudden sound. She lifted her head and saw the beastman standing in front of her, his head tilted with a smirk on his face.

Daisy huffed as she frowned. "I'm not used to this training, you know?" She glanced at his arm for a second, her expression softening a bit. "...is your arm ok?"

"You're such a worrywart, I'm fine." Ruggie groaned, instinctively caressing his arm. "You should worry more about yourself, you know? You have a contract with Azul."

Daisy became quiet after that. It was no use trying to voice her worry for Ruggie's wellbeing, ever since Leona's overblot she has been checking up on him, worried about his health, but all she got was a groan and a 'worry about yourself, prefect, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself'. It was frustrating, but there was nothing she could do about it.

Ruggie sat down on the bench, taking her bottle from her hand despite her complaints and drinking from it. She sighed in defeat.

"So? You have a plan?"

"About my contract?" She thought for a second after he nodded. "Well, I'm… not really sure. I'm just gonna try and go to the museum, see how things are and if I get lucky I'll be able to get the picture."

Ruggie hummed but didn't say anything, so it became quiet between them, the only sounds being the students walking and talking occasionally, Grim almost picking up a fight with Leona who promptly ignored him, and Jack who sighed at the monster.

Daisy shifted her gaze to the side, taking a look at the guy sitting beside her. Ruggie was… annoying, she thought; he was self centered and seemed to know exactly what buttons to push to get on her nerves, yet… she found him intriguing. He tended to Leona and did exactly as he was told, but only if he could get something in return, he wasn't one for blind trust but, in a weird way, he seemed to really do trust Leona and his plan — well… until the lion beastman gave up, that is. He was hurt but he actively avoided getting help from anyone, it was almost as if he didn't believe that people would want to help him; he was annoying and had a way to piss her off, but he seemed to be way softer than he said he was, at least that's what she could gather by observing him for the past few days.

His ears were big, bigger than Leona's, rounder than Jack's… his eyes were a beautiful blue color and she noticed he had freckles all over his face; he was smaller and skinnier compared to the others in his dorm, but he was just as capable of handling himself during Spelldrive practices;

Daisy glanced at his lips for a moment, recalling his cheeky smile and how his eyes tended to smile together with it. It usually meant he was messing with her but… strangely enough, she couldn't help but think his smile was really pleasant.

"Are you done checking me out, prefect?"

Daisy's cheeks went red upon realizing he noticed her stare. The girl cleared her throat and looked away, scratching her neck, nervously.

"I wasn't checking you out, I was just- I was thinking." Well… she wasn't exactly lying, she was thinking.

"Sure you were." He teased, turning to look at her. "What were you thinking of? I saw you staring at my lips."

"I wasn't- I wasn't doing it on purpose, and I wasn't thinking anything like that." Daisy quickly said, trying to defend herself.

At that, Ruggie hummed and tilted his head, a smirk forming onto his features. "Like what?"

Gosh, he was insufferable.

Daisy decided she wouldn't answer. She couldn't let him get on her nerves.

"You just gonna ignore me now? Aw, you hurt me like that, Daisy."

"You really do enjoy annoying me, huh."

"Your expressions are priceless, so yeah." Ruggie laughed that signature laugh of his and despite the situation, Daisy felt the urge to laugh with him… was he using his spell on her or something? Ruggie seemed to catch the very small smile she was trying to contain, and smirked at her mischievously. "Is that a smile I see? Did I make you smile?"

"No." Daisy tried to contain herself, clearing her throat and covering her mouth.

"Worrying about me, staring at me, and now smiling at my teasing… you know, if I didn't know any better-" he paused, as if taking delight in her curious expression. "-I'd think you have a crush on me."

"A crush? On you?" Her eyes widened in pure shock, now letting a small, shocked and neevous chuckle escape. "Well, I'm all for believing in your dreams so if that's what you're dreaming of, go for it." She rolled her eyes, the smile being unable to contain at this point.

Truly, she was starting to question what was the matter with herself. Part of her was annoyed at his teasing and at the insinuation he just made, but another — a part that seemed to grow each day she spent in Ruggie's presence — seemed to weirdly enjoy it, like having him try to pick on her was fun somehow, like hearing his laugh was worth the frustration he made her feel.

Ruggie chuckled, and Daisy felt her ears turn pink. There it was, the confirmation that she truly was going crazy.

They both heard Leona call for the last training session, though he himself seemed to want it all to be over already. Both of them got up and Ruggie continued on his training as if their exchange never happened, and Daisy couldn't help but be a bit bothered by it.

There was nothing she could do though, not right now at least.

[feathered-serpents]

Wait king you can't drop the idea of "ruins of war" and not elaborate 👀👀 did you have any other headcanon on that??

My gut feeling is that the next game will be in Egypt since the GoW 2018 was originally gonna be Egypt, but I'm super into the idea of a DLC back in Greece, like a brief look into what happened without having to commit a full 60hour game to it. Atreus trying to find a connection to his heritage would be so interesting, especially considering Kratos' desire to leave it in the past. I honestly dont think Atreus would be able to resist not checking it out if he had the chance and I'm into the idea that he'd be drawn to Greece naturally since his god powers essentially come from there

I don't honestly have too much for it! It's just a concept. Mostly based on how I thought "Ruins of War" sounded like a really DOPE DLC name

Here's what I do have in mind though

This would set up the next game which... would be in Egypt!

Like you, I also have a gut feeling it's going to be in Egypt. It's a pretty well-known mythology I'd say, about on par with the Norse mythos in terms of general knowledge. I also think the next game will be mostly if not entirely Atreus-led, so, this DLC would be entirely Atreus-led. Greece would be a bit of a pit stop before he reaches Egypt, because the two are VERY close together

We wouldn't know at the start of the DLC that he's headed to Egypt, that would be revealed at the end. We'd just know he's going somewhere and that somewhere was not intended to be Greece

If he's on a boat, which I imagine he is, he's going to have to go right by it. And he would know that! I don't think he'd be planning on stopping there, but like you said, he couldn't resist. It’d start with “we’ll just sail by it” and go to “we’ll just stop at this one tiny island” and increase more and more until you’re exploring the mainland.

2. Angrboda is there

There's not much else to this. Angrboda is there! She would be the companion for the whole DLC. He brought her with him to see the world after spending her entire life in the Ironwood. He's very excited she's there and she's really mesmerized by everything she sees. It's all very cute

Also, speaking of the boat. I’m picturing one large boat he’s actually using to cross the ocean being a bit of a “home base” and a smaller, life boatish boat the player used to navigate around the Grecian shore. Atreus is rowing it of course, and Angrboda is the one sitting in the boat with him. Like Kratos did with Atreus and Freya. There would be a banter that goes like this:

Atreus: *groans*

Angrboda: You okay?

Atreus: Yeah. This is just harder than father made it look.

Angrboda: Oh! I can take over. If you need a break.

Atreus: No! No, I’m fine. I’ve got it.

Angrboda: Uh. Okay.

There’s an animation whenever you get out of the boat where Atreus is visibly rolling the pain out of his shoulders. But he utterly refuses to let Angrboda take over

3. New mechanics

New mechanics! I've posted about what I think an Atreus-led game would include, new magic, new shapeshifting, and maybe Atreus gets a sword. Specifically, I want to delve into the idea of "magic is tied to the land" like Freya mentions. This DLC would give a taste of that. Atreus would get a few new proper spells. Not runes. Spells. Greek spells. It's implied the lands of Greece have died since Kratos killed all their gods, but what if Atreus coming back reawakened it just a tiny bit? Since there's Greek god blood in him? He's the grandson of Zeus. The land would know him.

New shapeshifting form too! Just one. Probably a lion. Because lions are significant in Greek mythology AND fit the Egypt aesthetic so he can have it at the start of the next game and it would make sense! Lion Atreus! Woo! Maybe an eagle as well. A bird form would be fun, there’s a lot you could do with the flight aspect in gameplay

Maybe hold off on the sword for no other reason than I want Atreus' first sword to be a khopesh.

Look at how cool that is. That's literally the only reason I don't want to give Atreus a sword in Greece, khopesh are Egyptian

4. Atreus would find out about Lysandra and Calliope

Despite being somewhat aware of his father's past... I don't think Atreus actually knows about Lysandra and Calliope. We never have any indication he does, and even after Kratos filled Atreus in on his past killing gods, I don't think he ever told him about his first family. I think it was too painful for him, and he probably justified it with "Why should he know? They're gone"

But I do think Atreus would want to know. Especially about Calliope. Family is important to him, we see that multiple times in the game. I think finding out about her would be a very bittersweet thing for him. He had a sister. He really had a sister! But she's gone... he'll never know her. It'd be a weird thing for him to process I think, and I'd want to see him go through that

I think Atreus takes very naturally to Greek writing. So, he’d find their names on something. Probably a monument in their honor. Something with the inscription “Lysandra, beloved wife and mother” “Calliope, beloved daughter.”

How he’d put together their connection to his father, and subsequently him, I’m not very clear on. It would probably be a gradual process. He finds their names and as the DLC goes on he’d slowly put together that they knew his father, and then at the end he’d realize they were his father’s first family. As well as how they died

That’s it! That’s all I’ve got. I know it seems like a lot but I still don’t know what they’re actually doing in Greece. Obviously “exploring” and “learning about Kratos’ past” but those are very broad. I have no idea what the particulars would be yet

I should also say, I don’t EXPECT this to be a real DLC. This is not a theory or even really speculation. It’s fanfic. Just an idea I’m having fun with and nothing more

[west-tokyo-incidents]

Animals I associate the masters with, WITHOUT using animals the douji already have. For no reason other than I wanna have a thought experiment with myself and how I associate shit.

Mizho/michel - separately, and owl and a coyote. As a single entity, badger. American, specifically.

Owl because of cool calmness, silence, deadly observation, and it's association with death in kemetic mythos.

Coyote because of their tenacity and sheer ability to adapt and survive, also they live in monogamous pairs in the wild.

Badger because the American Badger is the second most brutal bastard weasel to exist, second to the Honey Badger. But the Honey Badger is African and doesn't have the right vibes.

Fusataro - Jaguar

Look I listened to Neon Tiger once and it ruined me, but the Tiger belongs to Sophia and Lions don't jive right. Fusataro doesn't strike me as some in-your-face king type, no pride, no big roar, but can definitely kill a black caiman with a single bite to the skull. Also Black Jaguars are just badass and regal and I love them and I love Fusataro.

Kei - Rat!

This is an unsurprising one, but it's for more than just his teeth. He cares about his family, he's skittish, but he's not defenseless. I imagine him as a little bit pack-rat like, hoarding little things that might be useful in the future. Rats are very social animals that get depressed alone and I feel like he's a poor wet rat who's stuck in a cage with an aggressive smaller male(Vice) but he deals with it because the alternative is being alone.

Lady Gekko/Rune - Luna Moth/Praying Mantis

Listen I think my reasons for this are obvious. Luna Moth-Moon-Jealousy it fits. BUT ALSO. Luna Moths, once they mature, find love and then die. Which. Yeah. That tracks. And female Praying Mantises are fucking bad ass bugs with a reputation for killing their mates. I don't think I have to explain more than that.

Hana - Honey Badger

Okay I'm writing out my thoughts process as I decide because usually I associate her with a bear cub but I'm avoiding repeating animals and a bear is Eater's. Maybe a Tasmanian Devil but that feels... Almost too easy, I guess? Or maybe she gets the Honey Badger. Yeeee. Cause maybe as she grows her two big role models are probably Mizho and Akitsu and I can absolutely see her going batshit when she hits their age.

Akira - Show-Line Dog, probably something like a Doberman

This one is kinda rough, because I definitely associate him with a young male lion, one who doesn't have a pride yet but is looking to take one over. BUT... Idk if Orghullo's animal is a lion or a foo dog so I'm playing it safe. He's definitely an intelligent animal, and not a dog who's just for looks. He definitely can use his teeth if he has to.

Sumako - Ferret

Domestic, cute, cuddly, wants to hoard her favorite people to herself. But do not forget she is a carnivore and a weasel and ferrets thrive on a whole-prey diet and watching one devour a frozen-thawed mouse is an experience I'll never forget. I want one so bad.

Kaizo - Wild Boar

And now the hardest part. The good guys......

Changed from Hamster. I don't know why, and yes I realize Gauge's animal is a boar, BUT... when I think animal aus or like the daemon au and stuff I just. Keep coming back to a boar. Something something pigs=greedy animal, wild boar=violent pigs. So. Idk.

Yamato - Golden Retriever

Probably a rescue, especially one with a bad history but still has all the love in the world. I really don't think I have to explain this one.

Sayama - Domestic Cat

Aloof, cute, loving if socialized properly(she was not, her father was Dunstan, but I digress), and cunning.

Matsumoto - Grey Fox

Kia has laid claim on the red fox, but I feel like Matsumoto, especially following her sequence with Jun, is a lot more cunning than she lets on. She's meticulous and careful, though also skittish and would rather run than confront a larger threat.

Hibari - Black Footed Wild Cat

Highest K:D Ratio of any wild cat. Extremely protective of their family. Not to be under estimated for their size. Sharp witted, deadly, and smol.

Akitsu - Maned Wolf

Pretty legs Tall, diligent for danger, not quite as deadly as they seem but still a predator.

Musashi - Donkey/Mule

Yoichi - Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Changed from moose because. Let's be real, they're not attractive animals and it's hard to take it seriously when I'm trying to write shit.

But he's an ass.

Okay, terrible jokes aside, Donkeys and their ilk are livestock guards against canine predators like coyotes and wolves and they're merciless and stubborn as hell when they have a target. They can be loving and mischievous with their owners.

Listen I'm a dog trainer for a living and there is no animal on this planet that fits this man more than this very specific dog breed. Calm, focused, very smart, literally the perfect first-time-owner dog in my opinion. Easy going, forgiving, would give you the world if they could.

[cyclone-rachel]

Clark introducing the other Legionnaires to Sugar.

The other Gemscame back, desert glass gem safely secured, to Clark being attacked (albeitlovingly) by a fluffy pink dog.

Alunite summonedhis electric baton, assuming a defensive stance. The others stayed behind him,but remained cautious.

“Clark, what didwe tell you about the monsters?” Alunite asked. “Some of them may seem friendly, but… you remember what happened with Ayla.”

Clark stood up,dog in his arms. “This one doesn’t have a Gem. Besides, she already likes me, Ican tell. Can I keep her, please?”

“I mean, we keptMahogany.” Howlite said, shrugging. “Why not?”

“Thank you!”

[stagwhisker]

Zepp's Wc Design Headcanons

-- I've always pictured Poppyfrost as a diluted tortie point. Anytime the -frost suffix is on a cat I alwasy see them as white or pointed tbh.

-- Bluestar ABSOLUTELY resembles a Nebelung in my eyes I can not change this anymore. We need more long haired bluestar.

-- Crowfeather has the Windclan look, that being similar to an Oriental Shorthair with big ears and a thin frame. He's blue but it's on the darker end.

-- Nightcloud looks much more like what you'd see from Shadowclan than windclan with a shorter, stockier build. Fluffy classic smoke tabby. I can't see her as anything but tabby tbh and it could be because my brain needed some kind of destinction between her a Breezepelt.

-- Breezepelt looks JUST like his dad with the same ears, eyes, and frame but gets his neck fur and feather tail from his mama. He's a classic smoke as well but it's not as obvious as Nightcloud, he looks more solid.

-- Leafpool looks like a cinnamon tortie I don't make the rules. (This is actually exactly how I see Leafpool, Lionblaze got his lion look from somewhere and it wasnt rat ass Crowfeather)

-- Sasha makes more sense as a flame point than a seal point seeing as Mothwing was straight up red/cream. I also think it would explain why shes never described with typical pointed features like dark legs and face because they just don't always show up well.

-- I've always liked seal point Hawkfrost designs with more white on them even though I have NEVER drawn him that way for some reason. I think it separates him a bit more from every other tabby in wc. Pretty Boy Hawkfrost has also been burned into my brain the past several years.

-- Longtail has short legs, not like munchkin short, but short enough that when compared to his tail it's noticeable. It's a trait from grandpa Adderfang that skipped Patchpelt and rammed into Longtail.

-- Sandstorm will always be a torbie in my mind no you can't change it. I have two Sandstorm variations, one being a cinnamon torbie and one being a regular Torbie so it looks like her fur is colored like yellow and black sand.

-- Ashfur is a big guy, big enough to square up to Bramble if he wasn't such a coward. He gets this from his mama Brindleface who I've always seen as a pretty big cat. Fernsong has it too actually.

-- Birchfall is a silver broken mackerel tabby. Honestly I'm not sure why he isn't grey or silver in canon anyway since he was named Birch as a kit but whatever.

-- Shadowsight looks a lot more like Tigerstar II than Dovewing. Big, solid, fluffy boy.

-- Flipclaw is a red tabby to me. I used to see him as a brown tabby but I can't now.

-- Millie is a silver torbie. I like this a lot because it helps separate her from "Silverstream 2" a bit more. Also just makes her a unique cat since I can't see any others as silver torbies. Probably carries point like Greystripe too.

-- Blossomfall has Vitilago! That's it, thats the headcanon.

-- Briarlight is a dark seal point. The kind that almost look Tonkinese/Burmese.

-- I have ALWAYS seen Tree and Rootspring as big cats. I know in canon Tree is supposed to be smaller but screw that big fluffy dad. I'vre tried drawing Tree like he is in the books and it never sticks. Rootspring is a bigger cat because of the Sisters' blood on his dads side and Hawkwing's blod on his mothers side. Not as big as Tree and hes not as solid but still bigger than the Skyclan apprentices at least. Which kind of adds on to how silly it is to the others that he's just kind of bad at everything at first.

-- SPEAKING of cats I imagine bigger than they are in canon Alderheart is absolutely the same size as his dad. I can't see him as a small cat, just gentle giant.

-- Same with Feathertail too she's a big cat like Graystripe and looks even bigger on top of it with her thicker fur.

-- Rosetail was a chimera. I've seen some chimera cats that have their tail a different coat and not the rest of their body before. It's rare but it does happen.

-- Crookedstar is a black tabby and Oakheart is a greyish tabby. They have two grey parents and honestly with their names it would make more sense with Crooked being named Storm as a kit and oak trees tending to have a more washed out color of greyish brown. (Crooked on the left, Oak on the right)

I ran out of images I could add so there might be a part 2 to this eventually but for now this is just about it!

[sp4c3-0ddity]

Aaaaand... Reacting to the other one crying about something for Shallura (I don't know why I'm asking for angst but here we are)

i’ve never posted any shallura before so this should be interesting. also i’m sorry this is so late, but I hope you like it!!

i took some inspiration from this post by @justpidgance i reblogged a few days ago, and also if you’re confused about Keith’s role in this here’s my bizarre and unfounded theory (or Opinion) about how Sam Holt should get rescued

now on ao3!!

Shiro had never seen Matt andPidge happier.

Even in the excitement of takeofffrom Earth and their eventual arrival to Kerberos (how long ago that nowseemed), Matt Holt never smiled so widely as when he and his father reunited.

Sam Holt clung to his two childrenwith surprising strength for one so frail, looking just as happy and asrelieved as them. Shiro’s own chest filled with warmth at the sight, but heresisted the urge to approach and to take his own reunion with his missioncommander – a man who had been, or who was,something of a father to him. Let Sam enjoy his son and daughter first, beforeShiro, who felt he must be as unfamiliar as a stranger after all the time thatpassed, spoiled it.

Keith hovered nearby, uncertainand still dressed in the suit that marked him as a member of the Blade ofMarmora. His eyes flicked from the Holts to Shiro, then beyond him down thehall, towards the Castle’s other occupants. He approached Shiro.

“I know Kolivan may not be happy,”Shiro said, sensing Keith’s need for reassurance, “but Matt and Pidge are,Keith. You did well.” He smiled at him. “Reallywell.”

Keith brightened a little. “Iknow,” he agreed, glancing back towards where Pidge chattered excitedly aboutsomething to Sam. “But…where’s everyone else?”

Shiro sighed. “Lance and Hunk werehere for a bit,” he explained, “before you got back, and Princess Allura…” Hesighed, looking over his shoulder. “She came but excused herself.” He wasn’tsure, since Allura ducked her head so quickly, but the smile she wore when shewelcomed Sam fell before she was out of sight, the pink markings on her facepaling like they did whenever she was distressed in some way. Shiro could imaginewhat might have upset her, but…

Before he could second-guesshimself, Shiro touched Keith’s arm. “I’m going to find the princess,” he said. “Youall right here?”

When Keith nodded, apparentlyunderstanding, Shiro left in the direction Allura had, though he soon foundhimself at a loss to guess where she went. The bridge, to throw herself intosome battle plan? Her bedroom, for privacy – implying that she wanted nointrusion? The Blue Lion’s hangar, for solace and comfort?

(Solace and comfort that Shirohimself could provide, if only she sought it. If only she knew to seek it.)

In the end, Shiro found Allura inthe most obvious place:  the chamber thatonce housed King Alfor’s AI.

She crouched in the center nearthe pedestal, folded in on herself and with her shoulders shaking, her back tothe entrance. But she glanced up as Shiro walked in, and rapidly looked away.

“Princess,” Shiro said softly.

“I’m all right, Shiro,” she said,though the waver in her voice belied her words. Her shoulders stilled, her softsniffling quieted, and if he wasn’t so worried he would be impressed with howquickly her composure returned.

He almost felt guilty aboutdisturbing her. Almost.

“Are you sure this is the bestplace to cry?” Shiro asked. He knelt near her, maintaining a respectfuldistance, but still close enough that, if he wanted or needed to, he couldreach out and touch her shoulder.

“No one else comes here,” Alluratold him. There was no reprimand in her tone, despite the implicit one in herwords.

And Shiro’s eyes widened insurprise at the other implication. “You…comehere often?” He involuntarily cringed, since it sounded too much like one ofLance’s unsuccessful pickup lines for comfort, but Allura didn’t seem tonotice.

She didn’t reply. Instead shewiped her eyes and face, though she was careful to keep the curtain of her hairin the way. Which Shiro thought foolish, since he knew she cried, he knew shewas distraught; so why hide it?

The same reason he hid his grief and trauma, herealized. Because so long as there were bigger demons to fight, the smaller, morepersonal ones were forced to wait.

Shiro gritted his teeth and satdown, crossing his legs and positioning himself so he faced Allura, so that ifshe decided to look up, she would see him before she saw the pedestal where herfather’s specter once stood.

Finally, she spoke, “I should behappy for Pidge and for her brother.”

“There’s nothing wrong with beingjealous,” Shiro told her.

“There is!” Allura said, glancingup and shocking him with her vehemence. But then her eyes widened and she bowedher head again.

Shiro sat with her in silence,broken only by the sound of her muffled sobs, renewed after her outburst. Heclenched his hands into fists, feeling useless, his chest aching with empathy. Heslid closer and, guided by instinct and no small amount of his own selfishness,rested his cybernetic palm on her fist.

To his surprise, her hand relaxed,fingers uncurling and wrapping around his, nails biting into his palm in whatwould’ve been painful if he hadneurons rather than wires. Still, Allura must’ve thought she hurt him, for sheeased her grip on his hand.

But she didn’t let go.

Shiro tugged on Allura’s hand,inviting her closer, and she accepted, leaning into his side and resting herhead on his shoulder. With his free hand, he stroked her hair, and within a fewminutes – a few doboshes – her sobs stilled.

“I lost my father twice,” Allurasaid, voice much steadier now. “And my people, my home…” She shuddered, clinging to his arm.

“I know,” Shiro said. He relishedthe feeling of her soft hair between his fingers, despite the circumstances.

(He wished he could hold her inhappier times, with happier words exchanged between them.)

“And I wouldn’t wish the same onanyone,” she added. She rubbed her forehead and laughed mirthlessly. “Not evenZarkon, not anymore.”

“I know.”

Allura shifted, and Shiro’s handstilled as she lifted her head to meet his eyes. “I know you seek to consoleme, Shiro, but…” She frowned deeply, her hands sliding down his cybernetic armto cradle his hand. “Quiznak, I hate feeling this way. Jealous, helpless, bitter…” She looked down, at theirjoined hands. “Do you wonder if Pidge and her family are all safe in the otherreality?”

Shiro blinked, surprised at thequestion; the others – not Allura, for it must’ve been too painful for her to recount – told him of it. He sighed, but smiled,nudging Allura’s chin so she would look up at him again. “No safer than theyare in this one,” he admitted, “if my alternateself is any indication.”

Allura returned his smile,beginning to look comforted. “Yes, that sounds right.” She dropped her headonto his shoulder again, and her fingers intertwined with his. “Thank you, Shiro,for listening, and for understanding.”

Shiro turned his head, just enoughthat his lips brushed the crown of her head. “Anytime, Princess.”