#and she'd name it gift and he wouldn't not be emotional

[bunnysbrainrot]

Unspoken Rules

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟹 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 '𝚃𝚘𝚘 ��𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚝' 𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜, 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚢𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝙷𝚘𝚣𝚒𝚎𝚛'𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚗𝚐.

Relationship: Joel Miller x f!Reader, Jackson!AU

Content: Angst, protective Joel, kissing, sexual themes, make out session, size kink (kind of?)

Summary: The day after the town dance, Joel doesn't seem so sentimental for your time together. The emotional rollercoaster leaves you confused. Something is off about him now, and it's taking everything in you to not leave yourself to blame. Finally, Joel tries setting a boundary, but will he hold to it?

[ A/N: For this series, I invite the reader to make up their own backstory for how they end up in Jackson. I'll keep descriptions in the chapters vague, as I didn't want to assign a backstory when it's something people can have such fun with! ]

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep

The gentle chirping of your watch pulls you from sleep, but not without some protest. You groan softly at a headache taking form and begin to regret last night's decisions. Prying an eye open, a green 6:31 AM shines back at you, though the sun hardly shows it through your curtains. A dim lavender sky peeks through instead.

What a nice start to the day, you think to yourself, sighing loudly as you shift to sit up; the rush of movement swells your pesky headache, making you squeeze your eyes shut.

"Shit," you grumble, rubbing your eyes, "fuckin' mead, man... never again."

And especially never before patrol day.

The thought of riding your horse through rough Wyoming terrain doesn't excite you. Instead, you get the gift of an unsettled stomach, but pull yourself out of bed nonetheless.

••••

"Good morning!"

Your neighbor's cheerful greeting rings in your head, but you know she means well. She'd been at the dance last night, too, but you didn't get a chance to talk, from what you remember, at least. Giving her a small wave, you force a smile you hope is genuine enough to sell the 'I'm not hungover' act.

The food stall is desolate, to your relief, save for the man running it. You seem him every time you stop by, though neither of you have exchanged names, but he has memorized your order already. His eyes shine genuinely when he hands you your food.

"It's good to see you again," the man says, "welcome to Jackson."

You smile appreciatively and take the sandwich, giving him a brief thanks before heading off. He provides breakfast for the patrol groups, but never wants anything in return. Maybe you could repay him, somehow, you think. Mulling it over, you tear into the sandwich while you make your way to the stables. The thick, earthy smell of hay wafts past, and the sputtering of horses sounds ahead.

Rounding the corner reveals today's patrol group - it's evidently much smaller than last time.

Joel doesn't turn when your footsteps approach. You spot the beautiful mare you'd ridden last patrol, Belle, occupied with a bucket of hay. She huffs loudly when you meet her, angling her head to look at you, before resuming her breakfast. Joel silently adjusts a hefty saddle onto his horse nearby. Clinking of metal clasps fills the silence before Joel breaks it.

"How's the hangover?"

There's a terseness in his tone, as if forcing a conversation he doesn't want to have. He doesn't turn to you when he asks the question.

You pause for a beat, "Kicking my ass a little."

Joel nods once, "Been there."

This Joel isn't the same man you danced with last night, this version doesn't remember, or simply doesn't care. Nothing from last night was special enough to hold onto today. Shame starts to sink in your uneasy stomach. So he really did mean it, when he called himself a fool for dancing with you.

"Where are we meeting up with the rest of the group?"

A casual tone masks the pain blooming in your chest, and the tears that prick your eyes. You wouldn't dare let them fall in front of Joel. He shouldn't know how much last night meant to you, even if he wouldn't bat an eye at your tears. It seems like last night's biggest mistake was thinking that he, somehow, was true to his actions. When his lips were brushing against your neck, hovering over your ear, before his tone had gone seductively darker.

"Just us today. Smaller groups help cover more ground."

It feels like an invisible string is pulled between you when he speaks, growing more taught with each bated breath and expressionless comment. You come to notice that Belle is already donning her saddle and gear, a task you hadn't done yourself.

Glancing at Joel, you hesitate, "Thank you for getting Belle ready."

Finally, he turns from his horse's saddle and shifts attention to you. A steely look in his eyes reprimands you without words. It didn't seem like a favor. He'd done your work for you.

"Saddling up is the boring part. Not as tricky as it looks, though. I'll ask Maria to show you how," he offers dismissively.

It’s a nice gesture, but the Maria part begins to register. He won’t show you, or doesn't want to spend time alone with you after what transpired last night. Confusion lingers in the back of your mind - Joel invited you to dance, and now it's as if you've never held a conversation before.

You nod, "Sounds good to me."

Even though it was not, in fact, good at all. Maybe last night really was some drunken mistake, but it wouldn't make sense of Joel's demeanor now.

Why did he look like he had something else to say?

••••

"Pretty day today," Joel states.

Sunlight streaks between distant mountain peaks, painting the morning fog with a breathtaking display of orange and yellow. Out of the corner of your eye, you can see how it casts a golden halo around Joel's salt and pepper hair, highlighting its warmer browns. He turns to his saddle bag, giving you a glimpse of his face; the sunlight works wonders. He's warmer and brighter... there's more life to him.

Joel gestures to one of the peaks ahead, "See that mountain over there? The shorter one to the right - we stop at the base of it. On the way out there, we're on lookout, gettin' rid of any stragglers. At the turn-around point we'll rest, and the trip back is supply pickup, in case we find anything."

You clear your throat, carrying on, "Got it... Must be a long route, hm?"

"At an average pace, 'bout two hours or so. If you're bookin' it, you could do it in less than one."

The talking is helpful when it's useful information, but anything else reminds you of last night, of that version of Joel. When he was in such stark contrast to this gruff personality, and if you were being honest, it had intrigued you. Pulled you in deeper.

In fact, from the moment you saw him, he caught your eye. On that chilly morning, where you stood timid and anxious amidst the crowd, something clicked in place when he'd briefly turned to you.

A certain roughness in his look told you that something, many things, has roughed him around the edges over the years. You couldn't tell his age, but you could assume that he witnessed the fall of everything. Back then, the world crumbled with the rise of the infection, its haunting mortality rate, and there was no hope of it being stopped after it had begun. You wondered what Joel's life had been before he ended up in Jackson - how his 'regular life' was, back when the world made more sense.

His accent is distinctly and seductively Southern, one you could listen to for hours. Clearly he isn't from around here - any kind of travel across so much terrain isn't an easy task, and it would take months at a steady pace.

So how the hell did he wind up in Jackson?

Joel reaches for a canteen of water, unscrewing the top and tossing his head back, taking in a few deep gulps. His jaw twitches as he drinks greedily, and follows it with a low, satisfied sigh when he's finished. The sound casts you into a void of unholy thoughts. Something tightens in your core, a feeling that, you now realize, you haven't had in months. Years, maybe.

Effortlessly, Joel shines light on an emotion you hadn't addressed to even yourself: a primal need for something.

••••

With the exception of picking off the straggling infected, the patrol is continuing quite smoothly. The sun is slowly inching its way across the sky, keeping you comfortably warm in a gentle breeze that relieves your dull headache. Now, Joel leads you down a path veering toward an open stretch of pasture at the base of the mountain. Peering ahead, you see the trail reach its end at the start of the field, and beyond spans into a sea of rolling hills that takes your breath away.

"How you doin' back there?" Joel asks.

"Still good," you reassure him.

He nods his head toward a fence far off in the pasture, "We go to the edge of the perimeter, then we loop around. We'll take a breather first, though."

You follow in his stead until he reaches the old wooden fence, dismounting his horse, and carefully tying its reigns to a nearby fence post. Dismounting Belle gives your hips and thighs a wave of relief to get some blood flowing again. You head to the fence on unsteady legs, leaning against the weathered wood as another gust of wind rushes by. The cool wind across your skin makes you turn to face its source, tossing your head back to invite its presence at your neck. Your eyes flutter shut, and the world melts away for a while.

He wishes he could burn this image in his mind. You throwing your head back as the wind blows, entangling itself through your hair, your clothes. That soft smile tugging at your lips has him completely distracted before you let out a happy sigh. A soft, breathy sound that makes his imagination wander, against his better judgement.

After all, last night was a mistake.

The moment Cara had called for your attention, inviting you to join his group, Joel knew the night would end differently than he expected. You wore a shirt that accentuated every area his eyes shouldn't have wandered to, but they did. Across the lot, he'd watched you dance for hours, spinning and twirling and laughing and really, truly, living. He could see a light in you, a fire that couldn't be put out.

But if you're a fire, Joel is gasoline.

"Listen," he starts. He already knows where this is heading, that he's ruined this moment, and that there will be nothing in his power to make it any better.

But he can't let you fall into a delusion. This idea that you want him, yet you have no idea of what's underneath. He can't have you focused on him when there's a whole community to serve. He's doing a service by telling you now, he assures himself.

Nipping it in the bud.

You turn to face him quickly, knowingly. He can tell by your fidgeting hands that you might know what's coming. And he can see it in your wide-eyed expression, still somewhat hopeful. He braced himself to see that face fall.

"What happened last night... ain't my best moment. I didn't hold myself back when I shoulda have, and I..." he straightens, "it can't happen again."

The words come out meaninglessly. Joel speaks, but can't hear himself, his words come from some far-off mental script he'd prepared when he'd gotten home last night. He can see it hit you - the realization, the way your body goes completely still. Your bottom lip trembles slightly, yet you hold a solid smile despite the hurt he sees in your eyes. Your hands have frozen in place, knuckles growing white from gripping them together so tightly.

"I-I'm sorry, too. I shouldn't have gotten so carried away," you explain.

Your apology is a blow to his gut. Have you been blaming yourself this whole time? As if you could even be at fault. Joel asked you to dance. You were about to go home, and he asked you to stay out of his own selfishness.

He needed that light, that fire. A brightness that only you've possessed, and it had him hooked from the first time you'd spoken, at last patrol. You had strayed away from your position in the party and had wound up next to him. It hadn't registered who had joined him, and before he had the chance to issue a harsh 'stay back', there you were, in complete awe.

Joel remembers it clearly: the way your eyes shone with delight, an infectious smile that for a moment, lifted his spirits. Every patrol was the same. Same people, same routes, over and over and over again with exhausting mundanity. Until you came along.

There was a light about you he could not touch.

In every way you are his opposite. On one hand, Joel is harsh, serious, and doesn't care much about his impact on others, let alone their feelings. You, on the other hand, represent everything Joel could've had for himself - kind, flexible, and you naturally cared for others.

Joel can't seem to remember when he lost that side of himself. He doesn't understand your capacity for kindness in a world this dark.

"You shouldn't be apologizing for anything," he says.

You pause and look toward the ground, wringing your hands again, "I should've just gone home."

If you had, you wouldn't be on the verge of tears right now.

A surge of regret fills his chest. Someone as kind as you doesn't deserve the pain of rejection; you should have someone who cherishes you, who can appreciate your softness without tainting it.

"Why'd you stay?"

There was no use for excuses now.

It's harder to meet his eyes this time, but you want to see his reaction to your answer.

"Because you asked me to dance."

Confusion knits Joel's eyebrows together when he asks, "And that was so special?"

"Yes. Was it not that way for you?"

He opens his mouth to answer, yet he hesitates. The long pause doesn't much to help your confusion, you truly want to know, to hear it from him first. If it wasn't important, it'd be easier to forget it happened in the first place.

It would certainly be easier than an unrequited love. Anything is easier.

"That's not what I said."

"It's implied," you state. Joel averts his gaze to the fence, idly picking at a loose piece of wood. "It's alright if it wasn't, I just... I need to know."

Another beat passes before he gives his answer, at long last. Joel matches your pose from earlier and leans with his back against the fence.

"It was. Special, that is," he says gently. That softness in his voice was greatly missed, and it's a breath of fresh air to hear it once more. "It's just... you're still new here. I don't want you getting distracted-"

"Are you calling yourself a distraction?"

Joel's eyes dart to you, "Am I not?"

You press your lips into a thin line, making his question ultimately rhetorical. He nods once, then turns his head to you. The intensity of his stare demands it to be met, so you meet his eyes and find a playfulness there, a hint of the Joel from last night.

"Am I one?"

"Telling you would just give you ideas," he teases.

You smirk, "So I am."

"The worst kind."

Shifting your weight on your feet reminds you of the soreness in your legs, so you lift your arms, and push yourself onto the top of the fence, dangling your legs over the side. The silence between you now isn't as uncomfortable as earlier. No, this is the silence of anticipation, wondering what or who will give a resolution.

"What about me is so distracting?" You ask.

In place of words, Joel makes his way to you, positioning himself in front of your swinging legs, which now shook a little more than you'd like to admit. He closes the gap with hands on either side of you, gripping the wood beneath his rough fingers.

There's no way to place his expression when he looks at you again.

He replies, voice low and strained, "Everything."

You can't miss it when his eyes wander to your lips, hovering there a moment longer than he needed to. Taking the opportunity you look at his as well - you knew they were soft, but hadn't felt much of them. Need and hunger are all you can feel as you stare.

When his lips meet yours, there's something that tells you that maybe this situation was inevitable. One look at him, and you knew how you felt, and exactly how willing you'd be to take your time with him.

But today, Joel doesn't need time. He knows what he wants.

He groans into your mouth when you move your lips against his - the sound of a starved animal finally getting their fill. It draws a moan from you, matching him in a sweet harmony. There's a gap between you still, that simply isn't enough.

You reach forward in search of the waistband of his jeans, hook your fingers through his belt loops, and tug Joel forward. His mouth crashes into yours once again, skirting his tongue across your bottom lip, begging for entry. One at a time, you wrap your legs around Joel's waist and secure yourself tightly against him, gripping at his shoulders with a ferocity you didn't recognize.

It's not as slow as you would've liked him to go, but it's the pace you need. For how long it felt to wait, for how impatient you'd been.

And he knows how to deliver it.

His hands roam carefully around your waist, squeezing and fondling with an avarice that shows he's been waiting just as impatiently. Every caress sets you alight, erupting goosebumps along your arms and neck, which Joel is slowly shifting his attention to.

"Joel," you pant, but it's all you can muster. There's more to the sentence, but his lips stop you. They play at the soft skin below your jaw, suckling gently before his tongue slides along your supple flesh, bringing himself to your ear.

He catches your earlobe between his teeth and bites playfully. Another moan falls past your lips, another breathy utterance of his name. Joel plants a kiss below your ear. You card your fingers through his hair, tugging at the soft strands.

"Careful, pretty girl," says Joel, reaching upward to support your head as it's thrown back in pleasure. He weaves his fingers into your hair for a comfortable grip, and pulls your head back further.

The constriction chokes you, but you smile anyway at the dull pain from where he holds you. With his strength, he has you exactly where he wants you, and can keep you there. The high-pitched moan you sing next has Joel losing his composure, his actions growing sloppier as you continue.

But, to your surprise, he releases you first.

Joel pulls back with a final kiss pressed to your lips again, a deep and savoring one. The back of your head stings from the grip he held on it, though it gives you a rush of adrenaline you won't trade for anything.

The sigh he lets out is one you can recognize, because you're breathing the same one.

This complicates things.

Hi guys! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, it took a long time to write, and I think it's because it's not smut, and it was very frustrating, so next chapter will have a LOT more (i'm already plotting)

[gwynethshadowsinger]

My Thoughts about the Bonus Chapter(s)

Feysand - Happens around Ch. 22 (I think)

I do think everyone has spent a long time assuming Elain is sweet and innocent and that we will end up seeing a different side emerge when it's time for her story to be told. I think she's a lot like Lucien. Willing to stand back, but won't be afraid to step in and show that other side when needed. She'll access her surroundings beforehand, though, and act accordingly. Almost like a sly fox just waiting for their moment 👀

Feyre is right. If Elain had been wearing the gloves Lucien had gifted her the previous Solstice, she wouldn't have gotten hurt by that stubborn rosebush. Is this particular phrasing some type of foreshadowing for Elucien? Will Lucien protect her from any and all harm if she's just let him in instead of running away?

I loved finding out where the baby's name came from 😍

Azriel - Happens around Ch. 58/59 (I believe)

Poor Azriel. He just wants a mate and what Rhysand and Cassian has 😭

I didn't much care for his interaction with Elain. It felt wrong and off. He's full of negative, only sexual emotions, and him being around her is not good for him.

Azriel shouldn't be trying to go after a female who has not rejected the bond, especially knowing how he holds the mating bond in regard.

I also didn't like how Elain was willing to let Azriel kiss her so close to her (supposed) sleeping mate. Both of them were in the wrong here.

That rose necklace..... Elain was hurt once again by something with roses. This is the second time Sarah has mentioned her being hurt by something with roses. That's gotta be intentional on her part. Maybe Elain will give Lucien a chance now? I doubt she'd end up hurt by him. He's done everything to respect her and is just waiting on her to come to him. I really hope she does.

Rhysand asked all the right questions 👏

The Cauldron chose three sisters. Tell me how it's possible that my two brothers are with two of those sisters, yet the third was given to another. Boy... you couldn't even say Elain's name?!?! The Cauldron also only turned two sisters. Not three.... so he's already way off base....

Azriel admitted he didn't get far with his planning, certainly never behond the fantasies he pleasures himself to after saying Lucien would never be good enough for her...well that absolutely killed any lingering thoughts I had about a potential pairing between him and Elain. Yuck. I'd want a man to think of more than just sex and for his own sexual purposes. Lucien so far is the ONLY male good enough for Elain.

He'd been so vigilant about keeping away from Elain as much as possible, and had stayed up here to avoid her, and tonight... tonight had proved he'd been right to do so.

His interaction with Gwyn was 😍😍😍😍

I LOVE the shadow's reaction around Gwyn. How they dance with her breath. How they were calm and content to sit on Azriel's shoulders after something restless settled in Azriel. How they SUNG BACK IN ANSWER!!! If that isn't major foreshadowing, idk what is.

I'm insanely proud of how far Gwyn has came to.

Again...the necklace.... while I HATE he regifted it... I love this ending to the bonus chapter. How he found himself in front of Clotho, unconsciously.. almost like he was drawn by something 👀

He might not consider Gwyn a friend, BUT.... I say that might change in a big way.

THAT ENDING!!! The SPARK ✨️ The PICTURING OF GWYN'S EYES LIGHTING UP. THE TUCKING THE THOUGHT AND PICTURE AWAY DEEP DOWN WHERE IT GLOWED QUIETLY. THE SLIGHT SMILE THAT ACTION CAUSED THAT HE HAD TO CONCSCIOUSLY ERASE... OMG ARE THEY GOING TO BEMATES?!?!?!

A THING OF SECRET, LOVELY BEAUTY!!!! AHHH!!!!

These bonus chapters totally made me 100% an Elucien & Gwynriel supporter.

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for causing my friend to be married off without her consent?

I know that seems very bad, and I DO think it's very very bad, but my friend herself didn't blame me explicitly and thinks none of what happened is my fault, but i still feel guilty about it so I'm leaving the judgement to the Tumblr court. I apologize for the length of this post.

We (27F) have been best friends since we were 6. I'm from the middle east while she is African, this part is very important. She lived here since she was born, however she moved back to her country after graduation, but now lives in the UK with her husband so we've been online friends ever since her graduation.

Anyway, this is something that happened when we were in middle school. We were both 13, my friend confided in me that she has a crush on a certain boy who was also African. She clearly told me not to tell anyone about this, but I went ahead and told her African friends right in front of her. That in itself was very AH of me, I broke her trust and revealed her secret, and I didn't even apologize later.

In our culture a crush is just something to giggle and laugh about, which is why I didn't consider what I did was a big deal and I had a poor judgment not taking in consideration that her culture might perceive things differently.

Anyway, her friends spread the word, and it reached her family. They accused her of being in relationship with him (she wasn't) which is very scandalous in both of our cultures. She was proven innocent and I thought that was the end of it.

However, in high school when we were 17, she had a thing for a different boy, who had the same name as the boy she previously had a crush on, this was hardly a coincidence since Muhammad is a common name. She talked with him and exchanged gifts and that was about it. She set clear boundaries that they can't do anything until marriage, however that all happened behind her parents' back and when she got found, they assumed it was the same boy and that she had been meeting up with him since middle school, so it was hard to believe that they didn't do anything at all. They locked her up at home, took her phone and beat her. She somehow was able to contact a mutual friend, who in return contacted me to help because we were neighbors and could go to my friend's house anytime I wanted. The message I received from our mutual friend wasn't clear, I had no idea what was happening, I was just told to go and stay with her, they assumed her parents wouldn't dare to hit her in front of me and that's why I was needed. Anyway I went and sat with her, they called her to the kitchen so she could get snacks and tea for me, but when she went they closed the door and started beating her up again because they figured she asked for me to come. I was shaking the whole time having no idea what to do, I considered telling my mom but I decided against it because she was a good friend with my friend's mother so she wouldn't believe it, or she'd believe my friend is a bad girl and I wouldn't be allowed to hang out with her anymore.

Thanfully they stopped beating her up after a couple of days, and things went wack to normal.

Later when she was 20, a rich man proposed to her, who was a family friend. He was a total psycho, he stalked her to college, waiting for her outside and did many other creepy things. She told her family, but they didn't believe her. They thought she was making it up because she didn't want to marry him, but they told her she had no choice because she had a bad reputation and no man would want to be with her, and that she was lucky a rich man would want to be with her. They even turned away other suitors because they assumed they'd change their mind if they knew about her past. She has 5 sisters and none of them received the same treatment. She's the only one who was forced to get married because of her reputation.

She accepted her fate and married him. She asked me to attent the wedding, I had no idea if she wanted me for emotional support, or that she just her best friend to be with her in her wedding, but either way I couldn't attend because she was in a whole different continent and I wasn't independent yet to travel on my own, and my family members were busy and couldn't travel with me. My friend was adamant about having me there, she even tried to arrange for her wedding to be held in my country, but her request was denied since most of her relatives wouldn't be able to attend. The only thing I could do to make up for this was to draw myself attending her wedding and hugging her in her wedding dress after she sent her wedding pics.

I kept in contact with her asking how she's doing, how her husband treats her etc, but she told me he was fine, that he seemed like a completely different person and that he loves her for real, and she's happy. It's not as bad as she thought it would be. It was hard to believe considering his previous actions, but what mattered most that my friend was happy.

She moved to the UK with her husband and we lost contact for a while, but when we finally talked she was always busy and could barely talk a lot. Many things were happening in her life and I only knew the gist of it because she didn't always have time to sit down and facetime me. But currently her husband is not so good. I don't know enough details to know if he's abusive or just AH, but he also cheats on her. She is planning a divorce when the time is right, and is glad she's independent enough that her family can't have a say in the matter anymore, but it will be tough on her specially since she has two children so far, and will probably have more before she could arrange for a divorce. I support her with whatever decision she'd makes, but I can't help but think none of this would have happened if I just kept my mouth shut at 13. To this day, I still wonder why she didn't stop talking to me when I did that. I don't think I deserve her friendship, yet to this day, she's alway telling me I'm the most wonderful person she met and that she's very grateful to have me in her life. Throughout the events of this story, she has always vented to me as if wasn't my fault. And all I could do was nodding along. Couldn't even help her or fix the situation, or even say something supportive, but she's grateful to me regardless. Recently she opened up to me at how she can't make friends anymore because she had terrible experiences since her college days, that her so called friends end up hurting her in the worst possible way and she feels none of the friends she will ever make would treat her well like I do. I didn't ask about what she went through (but I plan to once she has time) because I was so stunned that she thinks the way I treat her is any good. I replied by saying that I'm not perfect either, and that I have hurt her so much in the past. She was confused, and asked me to give her an example. I brought up the fact I divulged her secret at 13 but I was surprised she said she didn't remember that but it was probaly a harmless joke and I should stop worrying over something dumb I said as a dumb teenager because for sure I wouldn't act the same way now.

I didn't discuss this further to avoid bringing back terrible memories for her, but I'm shocked how she doesn't remember it considering everything that happened to her because of it. In fact, I started wondering if she even remembers the things that happened to her because of what I did, because if she forgot those too, it could be her brain blocking traumatic memories.

So Tumblr, AITA or am I just over thinking?

What are these acronyms?

[be-the-glenn-to-my-maggie]

I know everyone has done different circumstances of birth but I raise u one more

One where all of the humans r sent back to earth (including norm and max sorry guys) AND THEN they find spider

The opportunities r endless - in this universe jake sully has no choice but to adopt him because he's the only one who knows anything about humans (though this is pre neteyam so he still has no idea about baby's) neytiri and her acceptance is up in the air atm, I like to think she'd be a good step mum if not an actual mum to him - at least until the humans come back and she drifts from him

Ugh!!! The angst potential of him maybe still getting kidnapped, 2ould they still run away, how would he reac to being around all these humans (he really would be full navi) i need this in my soul

OH I LIKE THIS, I am very sad about Norm and Max tho cause I am a HUGE Norm Spellman stan, the man is truly an icon.

HOWEVER.

Making sure he had the technology to survive would be crazy. It would really have to be one of those fucking blessed by Eywa fics because why would the humans have left supplies laying around, and there aren't masks that are baby sized? So if he's not blessed then Neytiri, Jake, and Mo'at are taking turns living in Hells Gate to watch Spider until he can wear a mask. Spider and his daily guardian fucking around in the empty shell of Hell's Gate is such a bittersweet idea. I think he's the clans baby tho, especially if he's blessed. We'll focus on him being blessed, because it's easier.

He's Mo'at's little helper particularly, because before Neteyam Jake and Neytiri were really busy rebuilding and working, so Mo'at is just working with Spider just strapped to her chest or playing by her feet. He's a comforting little presence by her side. She didn't usually have someone with her all the time after Sylwanin died, Eytukan was always busy and Neytiri was never good at sitting still. But Spider gives her focus, and she knows he is a gift from Eywa to them all. For her, he is Sylwanin's warmth beside her learning to heal. To Jake, he is a reminder of his past and a vision of his future. For Neytiri, he is a chance to let go of immense pain.

If you come to get help from the tsahík you tell her what's wrong while holding the baby. Emotional support Spider, he's got a tiny tiny hand on your cheek and then the cut on your arm doesn't hurt as much. All the children that survived the war are obsessed with him, because he did too. He's a miracle, proof that you can get through anything (sometimes with a little help from Eywa), and I think it gives them a little comfort.

Neytiri takes a long time to warm up to him. She helps Jake and Mo'at care for him because she can see how much it helps them, how much he means to them. She likes him, he is cute and sweet and she sees how positively he affects her mate and her mother. But she can't look him in the eyes for almost a year. I think when she does, and she Sees him, it's after Neteyam is born and she sees the way Spider pats his cheek or cries when Neteyam is taken away from him. She remembers being upset when Sylwanin was gone when she was younger. I think after that she's ride or die for him, because Neteyam has a sibling, and that means the world.

Maybe they don't know who his father is, or his real name. Without Norm and Max and the other humans, Jake wouldn't know shit about how to check lol. Jake named him Spider because when they found him he had crawled out of the makeshift crib he'd been hidden in. Maybe they find out when the humans return, and Neytiri finds herself unable to look at Spider again. She's devastated, because he's been her SON for so long. She thought she was past this. She tries to hide it from him, talks to her mother and to Jake, but Spider notices. He spends the night with Mo'at and she cries to Jake thinking he hates her but he actually just didn't want her to have to see him, it's very emotional. Lo'ak tries to get his mind off of it by taking them to visit the old shack, to learn more about his real dad. Boom capture. Devastating, truly. They try to go after Spider but he's already at Bridgehead, and Jake comes to the horrible realization that going after him would mean more casualties than recoveries.

Spider in capture thinking his family hates him now and he's stuck with the man who caused it all, Neytiri in Awa'atlu thinking Spider hates her and she caused her family to be torn apart. Ultimate angst everyone.

[caviiday]

Get infodumped, Punk; In An Immortal's Despair, the characters who are gods are:

Sun - Xander

Stars - David

Love - Whit (tomatoes are thrown at me)

Health - Arturo

War - Levi

Time - Eden

Sleep - Rose

Knowledge - Min

Beast - Nico (God of animals-- beast was the only name i could think of)

Music - Hu

---

The others are:

Teruko (Human/Immortal)

Charles (Human/Mortal)

Ace (Cervitaur*)

Veronika (Human/Witch)

J (Harpy)

Arei (Siren)

---

*deer centaur

---

I can see a scene like this happening at some point, as well, if i were to expand on the story even more;

Love kicked his legs as he stared at Time. She had looked rather down the past few days, but it was nothing he couldn't fix-- he handled everything when it came to emotions. Humans knew him as Love, as did most other gods, for that is what he specialized in-- But hatred, sorrow, and joy were all also feelings he handled.

"Sooooo... Clocky, Tick-tock," He tried both nicknames on his tongue with a hum of dissatisfaction. No, no, neither would do. "What's been on your miiind? You know you can tell me, my mouth is shut tight!"

Time looked over at him with pursed lips and sunken eyes. She knew she could tell him, she knew he wouldn't spill a word, but it hurt to think about. She kept following the human she adored, in hopes her affection would eventually be shared, but it never was. It made her heart ache.

When the goddess did not respond, Love stretched his arms out above his head and let out a soft groan. "Welp! Not gonna force you. New question! Think you can make someone immortal for me? See, there's this cute little human! Wants sooo hard to be a warlock or something... Not sure I can help with that magic-stuff, but I do like him a lot."

Many words came to her mouth at his words, but none of them slipped from her lips. Some words sounded like what may be said by Teruko, her beloved curse-bearer, which made her tear up and sigh. Hopefully it will pass, she thought sorrowfully as she stared at Love.

He just kept talking about the mortal, describing the features he had and describing the way he talked. She did not interrupt at all, but if the mortal was anything like Teruko... Oh, she worried she'd make another mistake.

"Sooo... Hmm... Well, i'll also ask him if he wants to be immortall... But think about it, alright? Preeetty please?" Love flashed Time a pleading pout, as well as what looked to be his attempt at puppy-dog eyes.

In turn, she just snickered into the side of her fist and waved her other hand in dismissal. "Fine, fine! I'll think about it."

bRAINWAVES HOLY SHIT, I'm so jealous of you I wish I could write as good as u.....

I wanted to make a panel for this but I got lazy :( have this

(I'll maybe draw my designs for them)

I really really like how you emphasized that Eden was scared to gift any mortal with immortality because of what happened with Teruko. immortality was the ultimate gift you could ever get from her, yet Teruko treated it as a curse, a hex. She didn't want this, she didn't want this.

No matter how much Time follows Teruko, she will always run, like she always does.

"what do you even see in me?"

"Everything."

—

I really want to draw designs for ur fic... It's so good I swear, I'll try to once I have a little more free time......

Siren Arei harassing Harpy j every time she goes to the sea to catch some fish, I should draw this someday....

[thedeal-if]

How would the ROs react when the MC gives them a present

(Viktor better like it)

😆 dw anon Victor is actually a sweetheart deep, deep down!

I thought this was adorable and ended up doing a little drabble for all ROs I hope it's not too long lol. I might keep doing the drabble thing if I see it fitting the ask!

Dante is used to being the one giving gifts while receiving nothing in return so, he's quite shocked even if the gift happens to be something small and casual. His initial reaction would be to ask 1000 times whether MC is sure, whether the gift is really for him, and whether MC meant to give it to someone else. Once the shock wears off Dante would be so delighted and excited! He's that kind of person (demon? being?) who loves surprises and changing plans and he wouldn't even try to pretend and play cool about it. Dante would probably end up giving MC something in return so he can "repay the favor" tho. Maybe wouldn't buy something (because he's broke) but he'd find a way.

[It’s only now when Dante is finally holding your gift, that you see how his eyes light up with mirth, pupils darting back and forth between you and the trinket. The disbelief is still clear in his eyes, but it has dimmed down by the unfiltered cheer cursing through him.

“This is for me,” Dante repeats slowly. He holds the trinket close to his chest. As if afraid you’d say ‘no’. You nod either way, and the small bob of your head is the catalyst for the brightest smile you’ve ever seen on the demon “This is for me! And you’re not taking it back.”

“Dan,” you sigh his name fondly “It’s just—”

“Shush! It’s mine now,” Dante insists. Though he tries to tame his voice into neutrality, holding back his emotions has always been something Dante is terrible at. The demon grasps your hand and tugs you towards him “Thanks a bunch!”]

---

Situation-wise, Lilith is Dante's opposite. They've been spoiled before and they've exchanged gifts with people. It's been a while since it's been a personal thing though (nowadays gifts for her are practically bribes or attempts to get on her food side). If MC was the kind of person who likes to give gifts she probably wouldn't be all that surprised. If MC makes an exception for Lilith she would notice the change too, and that would feel just as special as the gift MC got for her. I'd say she's very detail-oriented and she'd find a meaningful way to make MC feel special too even if it's not through another gift.

[As soon as you show them your present, you see Lilith grinning, looking up/down at you eagerly, expecting you to make the move and relishing the possible ways you might do it. With a subtle nod, they prompt you to act. Their eyes flicker briefly towards the gift in your hands.

“I got you something,” you say, and hand it to them.

Amusement floods Lilith’s gaze. They take the present from you, they hold it carefully—but they are only looking at you. Like you’re the greatest gift she could have received. Affection has never been something they’ve tried to disguise, but the moment they channel it at you feels almost like a fire being fanned.

“Thank you, love,” they say softly “Can I?”

When you nod, you expect them to unwrap the gift. Instead, they step closer to you, lean up/down, and press a chaste kiss to your cheek.]

---

Josh is a bit of a contradiction. He receives gifts like he receives compliments: though he likes and feels grateful for them, Josh is immensely awkward about them. Answering properly is something he just doesn't know how to do. It's kinda funny to see Josh break a little when he's always so careful and in control of situations. If MC is someone who has always enjoyed giving gifts he resorts to some sort of default answer that Josh always uses, which he also does when it's his birthday lol. If it's unusual for MC to give gifts Josh's mind would probably shatter trying to find an answer. Dw, inside he's very happy, he just doesn't know how to articulate that.

[“Oh.”

That’s all Josh says for a few seconds. You know him, and you give him time. Your best friend looks like he’s on the verge of a mental breakdown.

“Oh, wow. Fuck.”

“You don’t like it?” you tease him.

Josh scoffs, almost offended by the suggestion that he could dislike anything you’d do. He grips your present a little tighter, rolls his eyes fondly, and doesn’t even force back the smile that threatens to spill.

“Of course I do. You know I do,” you can practically see the gears in Josh’s mind turning as his entire posture shifts awkwardly. Like he wants to draw in himself in an attempt to hide from your inquisitive eyes. He ultimately sighs with finality “Thank you, Dot. Seriously.”]

---

Villanelle is the happiest woman alive. If she likes you romantically or as a friend, she's probably given you hundreds of little gifts (cookies she baked or bought, flowers, little doodles, etc). Villanelle has a lot of fun thinking about her silly presents and she believes that sharing is caring. She'd adore receiving gifts and would think of it as an exchange. Villanelle is cheerful and bubbly 90% of the time and she only lights up more when MC does something that makes her happy.

[When she sees you, Villanelle smiles. Then, she looks down, and the gasp the sight of the present draws out of her is dramatic, almost exaggerated. Finally, she shrieks with excitement.

Villanelle is upon you in less than a second. One hand grips the gift and the other is tightly wrapped around your midsection.

“Oh my God,” Villie mumbles when she pulls away. She points at the gift, at you, at herself, buzzing like a little fly with too much energy and too little time “Oh my God!”

“You like it?”

“I love it, silly!” she grins happily. And you believe her. Everything about Villanelle screams genuine glee “You’re amazing.”]

---

Victor is genuinely confused. It probably never crossed his mind that he'd get a present. He doesn't even get presents on his birthday lol (Alekto tried to figure out when he was born but has been unsuccessful). He'd probably think MC wanted something out of him if he didn't know them all that well. Victor isn't all that expressive so he (seemingly) might not even react at all. But seriously despite seeming very aloof, Victor is just very clueless about his feelings and how to properly act on them.

I made Vic's drabble a little longer because this ask was especially about him lol.

[You wonder if Victor would get mad if you laughed. You almost do, when he holds the gift like he’s afraid he might break it. Victor’s jaw is tense, his entire posture is, the discomfort and awkwardness seem to have overcome his very being.

“Who do you want me to give this to?”

That’s the moment you do laugh, much to his dismay. Victor frowns but says nothing. And you take the time to explain.

“It’s for you. I wanted to give you a gift.”

His frown deepens, “Why?”

“I wanted to.”

The giant Exorcist mutters something under his breath. Probably a complaint about your vagueness. But Victor doesn’t seem unhappy anymore. His posture relaxes little by little—you see it clearly, you’re close enough—, shoulders dipping slightly and muscles releasing the tension Victor seems to embrace readily.

With gentle care, he shifts and holds the present with one hand. The other is too busy coming up, slowly, to rest upon your head. Victor pats you twice, staring inquisitively into your eyes. The question is obvious: is this okay? You make sure to smile widely up at him. ‘Yes, it is. It is more than okay.’

“Thanks,” he says simply. Victor’s hand falls limp by his side.

“You’re welcome.”]

---

Aliyah has probably even forgotten what a present is. That's how long she's been without receiving anything, and giving to people who definitely shouldn't have a genie. Aliyah's first reaction is just a frown. Then she'd probably laugh, or force herself to laugh. Aliyah really hates it when someone has the upper hand. If it's an MC whom she's close to. She'd probably say something snarky and seem kind of annoyed. Whatever the trinket is she'd definitely keep though (even if she's not that close to MC).

[“What’s this?” she asks with a sigh. When you open your mouth to explain the meaning and origin of your present, Aliyah rolls her eyes, “Don’t answer.”

You see the conflict well enough to heed her words and stay quiet. To call it conflict feels like undermining whatever Aliyah is feeling, though. Her eyes are a storm. She’s barely holding back a frown, not even her smirk seems sincere. Aliyah purses her lips and stares at the present.

“I’m not going to owe you, you know? This—” her violet gaze finally flickers up to look back at you “This is a one-sided thing.”

‘Things’ are often one-sided with Aliyah, or so she insists on claiming. You smile patiently, “I know. That’s why it’s a gift. Not a bribe.”

That makes Aliyah chuckle, and she thankfully sounds a little lighter than before.

“A pity,” she teases “It nearly worked.”]

---

I've mentioned a few times what it's like being a demon but I've never said anything about angels... Let's just say they don't get gifts often. Nathan likes playing cool. He doesn't like taking situations all that seriously. If MC gives him a gift Nathan would tease them about it (he wouldn't be too mean about it). His true emotions are tightly kept under wraps, but not because he isn't grateful. He is! Nathan is just very sure that being funny is the best course of action and he's dying on that hill. He'd probably run away before Azriel appeared to spew what Nathan truly feels lol.

[Nathan presses a hand to his chest, presenting to you the very image of overdramatic flair. He points towards your present, a silent request for him to hold it, and when you nod Nathan smirks and takes it from you.

“You naughty human,” he tuts “If I didn’t know you I’d say you’re trying to win the favor of an angel! How scandalous.”

You frown, “I—”

“Are my miracles worth this much? You know you could have asked,” You also know that Nathan is lying “Unfortunately! That’s not possible.”

“Nathan, I don’t—”

“I’ll just pay you back some other way, yes?” he winks playfully.]

---

Whatever MC gives Eden is probably the first present she's received in a long time too. Gifts are such a foreign concept to her she'd probably squint at it like she was trying to figure out whether it's a bomb or not. Eden probably thinks she's about to receive bad news lol and she'd just forget to thank MC and wait for them to drop the metaphorical bomb. Whether MC explains or not Eden ends up understanding, finally gives her thanks and genuinely wonders whether she's supposed to get them something back in return.

[Eden grabs the present like it could burn her if she allowed herself to touch it properly. With the tips of her fingers and her arms slightly stretched out. You wonder what expression she would make if she was a little less aloof. But as it stands, she stares at you with a dead seriousness clinging to her eyes. Like you could burn her.

“Um,” you mumble “Do you like it?”

“Huh?” Eden tilts her head.

“The gift. Do you like it?”

“Oh,” the woman finally relaxes, and she pulls the present towards her. You wonder if Eden was trying to figure out what it was. Now, though, she’s trying to figure out your intentions. Eden stares at you with eyes that are slightly narrowed, but you know her well enough to see the appreciation swimming in her white, iris-less pools “I do. Thank you.”]

I hope y'all like the drabbles this took me the entire day to write 😶‍🌫️

[daddysfangirls-dc]

UnTamed Ch.4

Prev | Next

Damian Wayne x OC!Female

A friendship blossomed. They continued to talk even when the holidays had passed, and winter had ended. They spent every day together. If they couldn't meet during the day, she'd take advantage of knowing his nightlife. She visited him on patrol. Of course, they didn't talk during these moments, but she was still there. He learned to recognize her in any form.

They learned a lot about each other. She understood that Damian had been born somewhere in Eastern Europe, possibly a cult, definitely Arabic. His mother brought him to Gotham to his unknowing father, Bruce Wayne. He wouldn't talk about what his life was like before then or his mother. She concluded his life before wasn't all good or something he'd like to look back on, and he and his mother were not on the same terms. He likes art filled many canvases and journals with his work. He had a pet cow and was a vegetarian. He liked animals, which is probably why he liked her so much.

Damian learned that she was born in Gotham and raised on the streets. She refused to elaborate on who and how she was raised. She's a metahuman and had her abilities as long as she can remember (Since birth or after). Her powers extend to her knowledge of animals, anything she could put her mind to. She enjoyed flying and preferred her animal self more than her human self. 

They learned a lot about each other, more from sitting in each other's company and just watching and listening than actually interrogating each other. Months had gone by, and she could confidently call Damian a friend. He still struggled to call her anything above acquaintance, although she believed he thought more of her even if he didn't say it aloud.  It wasn't like he had anyone else to say. 

"Whatcha doing?" oh, how she enjoyed the twitch in his brow as she spoke improperly in his ear.

"Writing," he ignored how she leaned onto his desk.

"Writing what?" 

"Names, I refuse to keep addressing you as girl"

She went through a flurry of emotions, first upset he was insulting her, then confused as to why he would want to name her, then joy and excitement that she would get a name. She was going to have a name. People were going to call her something. 

She reaches for the paper, and he pops her hand away." I want to pick a name."

"No, names... The first name is a gift."

"You're going to give me a gift?" she grinned as he 'tch' and refused to make eye contact. 

"Astraea"

"Astraea?"

"Astraea, after the Greek goddess of justice, innocence, purity, and precision." She told Damian how she had helped children in Crime Alley and other lower areas of Gotham. He thought the name fit with her work. She took care of the innocent and the pure. 

"Astraea," she whispered as she grinned, took her face, and blush dusted her cheeks. "Astraea,

" she said in a singsong voice. She did a little twirl and dance. "Astraea," she giggled. " How do you spell that?" she watched as he wrote her new name on paper. "That looks beautiful."

Damian watched as she twirled about, whispering her name to herself. Overjoyed. " Sounds beautiful."

"OH! Do I get a nickname too?"

"A nickname? Is the name I've given not sufficient-not enough?"

"NO! NO!" she kneeled before him. " It's a perfect name. Thank you for."

-

Astraea would introduce herself for several weeks, " Hi, I'm Atsraea," whenever she met Damian. She loved introducing herself and saying her name. Although she didn't tell anyone else her name, she had no one else to tell, and she loved to say it aloud. Damian indulged her by saying her name constantly, often using her name instead of her pronouns. She loved hearing it. It filled her with glee.

One night, Astraea was alone on a roof with Robin. He monitored the streets below while she pranced around on the roof behind him, softly singing her name. "Asta," she turned to him, confused. He repeated it: " Asta, A-S-T-A, Asta." She was momentarily confused before she realized what he was spelling and what it meant.

She was momentarily confused before it dawned on her what he was spelling and what it meant. " Asta?" he didn't turn around. " I'm Asta?... I'm Asta... Hello, my name is Astraea. My friends call me Asta...well, friend. You!" She noticed the twitch in his lip but ignored it, letting him pretend to be uncaring. He cared, Just couldn't wouldn't show it. 

His comm came to life with Oracle giving him instructions and directions, patching himself back in and confirming himself in route; He gave her a wave, whispering Asta as he jumped off the ledge, disappearing into the night; he heard her giggle as he swung away. He couldn't stop this smile. 

[sincerely-sofie]

Original prompt by @i-never-forgot:

Just a suggestion, so don’t feel obligated to any of this lol. I love Grovyle so I’d love to see his hypothetical reaction to Twig’s final evolution—besides being outraged at his misfortune with becoming the short older sibling, I feel like he’d get a bit emotional seeing her “all-grown up” and able to protect herself better. (Also would he ever consider evolving as well? That doesn’t have to be added or anything but I’m always interested to see people’s opinions on whether he would or not👀)

Twig evolved again, but this time, she didn't look ready to cry when she revealed that to Grovyle. Perhaps that wasn't exactly true— she was so excited he'd seen her tear up with happiness as she recounted what led up to her evolution— but that was nothing close to the shameful posture she wore and the guilt in her voice as she told him about how Celebi told her she wasn't ever going to evolve properly. 

(He remembered all too well her distaste for her appearance as a charmeleon— how she clearly thought it was a personal shortcoming of hers that she lacked a scaly red hide or a taller, broader body. She'd been so embarrassed by her partial evolution that Grovyle couldn't help but wonder if she had somehow remembered her days as a young human, offended by his nicknaming her until he explained the reasoning behind it. She'd been insecure about her height and what was apparently a very slight build for a human, and she thought he was insulting her for her lack of bulk. He'd just noticed her habit of collecting sticks off the ground and decided to name her after it. She was satisfied with his answer, but for a moment he was certain she would either burst into tears at his comment or unleash her collection of impromptu weapons in retaliation. Maybe both.)

She was fully grown, and now even fully evolved, but she still smiled the same way she did as a child while she stretched out newfound wings and laughed, telling him how she accidentally knocked over a potted tree in her home because she forgot that she had them. She snorted and wheezed while she described the look on Ark’s face when he turned the corner on an expedition and found her struggling to stand after her evolution startled her to the ground. Apparently his voice cracked when she asked him if she looked okay. She found that far funnier than Grovyle did, but he wouldn't hold against her something that had her doubling over with laughter as she described it. 

Legends and Life, how old was she now? She must be near the tail end of thirty. She used to be so small he could almost carry her full weight with just one arm, and now he had to crane his head back to look her in the eye. She was once so terrified and vulnerable she would jolt awake if he sighed too loudly while she slept, and now she was standing with her shoulders back and a bright grin on her face, looking like could hold her own better than he could in a fight. 

“Grovyle, you good?” Twig quirked a brow, fidgeting with her hands in that nervous way she always used to when she was worried about him. He could practically see a little human standing in this proud charizard’s place. Stars, if he wasn't near to tears before… 

“I'm fine,” he said, flattening the waver in his voice. “You're too tall. I'm staring into the sun right now to look you in the face.”

“You're staring into the—?” Her eyes widened, and she immediately moved to stand at the opposite side of where she once was, ducking her head in an effort to get closer to his level. “Dude! Why didn't you tell me? I didn't even notice! Ugh, that's embarrassing… I'll probably have to look out for that for the rest of my life, huh?”

“It's your fault for evolving again,” he said with a dry smile. “You should have stayed the same height if you wanted to avoid the same issue that the sableye always complain to Dusknoir about.”

“Speaking of— is he alright?”

When Dusknoir answered the door and let out a noise of surprise upon seeing Twig earlier, Grovyle peered through the front window to see what caught him off guard and had thrown the ghost-type out of the way a touch aggressively in his haste to greet her. “If him laughing at me when I came out here is anything to go off of, I'm sure he's fine.”

“It doesn't make any sense that I'm the one who evolved when you were able to put him in an arm-lock and shove him into a passage of time without breaking a sweat years ago. How does that work?”

He shrugged. “Temporal distortions. I can't evolve. It's why I was so shocked when you became a charmeleon in the first place when you traveled through time just as much as I did.” 

“Wait, you can't…? Oh.” Her proud stance fell, turning apologetic and small. “Gosh, man, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have bragged so much about my— I'm sorry. I messed up.” 

“What are you talking about?” He narrowed his eyes. “I’m pretty sure I'm more excited than you are about this, Twig. Stop apologizing.” He indicated her wings. “Have you tried flying yet?”

She took a moment to register his words— still nervously wringing her hands as she agonized over her supposed wrongdoing— but finally straightened up a bit. “Uh. No, not yet. I have no clue how to even get started, actually. I figured I should learn how to land before I try anything major, right? But I don't really know anyone with wings back in Verdant Village to ask to teach me.” 

“Well, you didn't hear it from me—” He crossed his arms and couldn't help his smile. “— But Celebi has been constantly asking if you've been looking for a flight teacher yet for this past week. I didn't know what she was talking about at the time, but looking back, she must've been waiting for this to come up.”

She quirked a brow. “Wait, really?”

“Really. Come on, she's going to throw a fit if you don't let her see your new look.” 

He held the front door open and tried his best not to laugh when she hit her head on the upper end of the frame. She let out a harsh Gosh dang it! and ducked through it properly on her second try, muttering to herself about how she'd trade heights with him if she could, and he couldn't hold back his snicker. 

She was different than when they'd first met, and different than when they'd reunited. She'd grown up into someone who was happy and loud, capable and bold— nothing like the terrified human she once was, nor the flighty charmander or anxious charmeleon. She was someone new, a character he hadn't foreseen her growing into when he offered her to hide with him for the first time in the Dark Future. But she was still herself. She was still Twig. 

“The ceiling is so low in here!” He heard her cry. “How does Dusknoir stand it?!” 

He smiled. 

Yep. Still Twig.

[raehs]

misc rey headcanons !!!

gifted with psychometry. it's not something they're typically has control of due to the lack of training she has in the sequels but in prequels au's she was able to be taught things to help her control it. it's also why she gets overwhelmed with emotions so easily.

rey is a very skilled fighter. they're also very intelligent ( knows multiple languages, and understands technology and spaceships very well )

her favorite things include tinkering with things, rain, PLANTS, animals, the ocean, and nature. it might be a force-sensitive thing to be very in tune with nature but regardless, it's something she loves and appreciates ( she's always careful when walking around nature, makes sure to not step on flowers, respect it, etc ). she's also a big reader and will read manuals FOR FUN.

flying spacecraft is one of their favorite things, even if there's nowhere to go. being in the sky is one of the most freeing things for her to experience.

they're very susceptible to the dark side but has always chosen the light.

her fighting style is very messy. this is verse-dependent. she's not afraid to fight, pull your hair, fight dirty. she's a very capable fighter and easily angered so if she feels threatened she might (probably will) attack.

on jakku, it hardly rained. and yet some of her own water supply went to a little plant she had.

on jakku, while there was genuinely nobody looking out for them, i imagine there was this crazy old lady who taught her a few things. like the basics on how to read, maths, a bit of history, survival stuff. she gave rey the basics to let her explore further on her own. in a way, rey taught herself everything from the basics she was given. so rey will likely pronounce things wrong since she had nobody to bounce things off of. she's also fluent in many languages but not fluent in speaking.

they were left with unkar plutt and he basically controlled everything she did. ( i wouldn't say she was ever SOLD, she wasn't a slave or anything like that but he was very controlling ( she was prob more of an indentured servant? bc since her parents didn't come back for her he made her make up the debt / work for him but by the time tfa happens she's independent ) ! but he basically controls all the workers on jakku bc he's the only one around with food, so. it's bc most on jakku are poor and don't have other choices. she was his favorite scavenger so he controlled the jobs she took, and would typically make sure she only took his jobs, the lack of food she'd be given, made sure she couldn't leave even if she wanted to + didn't see her as a person which reflected on rey's identity issues and not knowing who or what she is ). very manipulative, instilled in her head that she was a nobody and nothing and didn't matter in the galaxy. he also made her work right away. so she was like. five years old and working all day in the heat. the few good things he gave her was making her figure out how to survive on her own and he kept other scavengers from bothering her / stealing her stuff. and also was a person she NEVER wanted to become.

rey's name is taken from the dosmit raeh helmet she has on jakku ! but her birthname was kira. kira kenobi.

if rey had a gun tlj + tros wouldn't have happened bc she would've taken down the entire first order with sheer willpower and spite.

rey was visited by various force ghosts as a child, whether she was aware/remembers is tbd.

rey doesn't actually remember most of her childhood. she gets brief flashbacks in dreams but that's the extent of it. she doesn't remember what her father looked like but vaguely remembers her mother.

when rey has her own lightsaber, it's dual-bladed lightsaber staff that can also split in half to form two separate lightsabers. she prefers it in the staff form.

i DO like the idea of rey's parents actually caring for her and they were killed by palpatine / the first order / the sith who wanted rey bc they knew she'd be a powerful force user ! but it wouldn't be bc she's a palpatine who would inherit the sith legacy or w/e but because she's a kenobi. i can't really vibe with parents who genuinely didn't care for rey or abandoned them on purpose.

rey wasn't born on jakku. i think she was either born on coruscant, OR hyperkarn ( her mothers homeworld which is a forest planet.

rey is bisexual, but leans more towards demisexual, potentially grey-ace. she very much needs to develop a deep bond with someone to consider anything.

rey would identify as non-binary, but is very fluid in it. they're ok with typical feminine descriptions ( woman/girl, daughter, etc ). they have a connection to womanhood + girlhood while simultaneously feeling outside of it. ( rey's so me, actually ) so she/they/any pronouns are fine! i will either go back and forth with pronouns or choose one in a thread and stick to it.

[bluegekk0]

What type of modern toys would everyone like? For an example, I would think that fpk would like Legos.

You're absolutely right, FPK would love building Lego sets. I think he'd particularly like those huge and complex sets, he'd find the whole process incredibly relaxing. He could easily sit there for hours, especially if he has a snack on the side and some soothing music playing in the background. Aside from that, he's surprisingly good at Uno, he enjoys playing it with the rest of the family. He has some strategies that he thought out in his spare time, which are surprisingly effective, and he even frequently beats Grimm at it (who's probably the best in the house when it comes to any kinds of card and board games).

Grimm... Like I said, I think he'd enjoy card and board games, he'd like chess as well. He'd be the champion at Monopoly, but I think his favorite would be something like Jenga. He's good at concentrating and keeping his emotions in check, so he'll always enjoy activities that allow him to show those skills. But he also frequently joins FPK in his Lego building sessions, they love spending time in each other's company and building something together strengthens their bond even further. So that would be his second favorite toy/activity.

Hornet I imagine would enjoy collecting action figures/statues. She had to deal with a lot of loss throughout her life, so she suffers from attachment issues and the anxiety of losing her loved ones. Having a little collection she can always come back to would mean a lot to her I think, especially if each of the figures has a backstory of its own. And I imagine she'd simply enjoy the thrill of finding a particularly rare figure and adding it to her lineup. She wouldn't play with them, at most she'd just pose them so they don't just stand there, to give them a little bit of life.

Holly would enjoy anything related to craft, I could see them liking Legos but more from a creative standpoint - they'd get a bunch of pieces and build something small but unique from them, rather than follow instructions to create intricate building sets like FPK does. But what they would gravitate towards is something they can mold more. Oooh, maybe something like clay kits? So they could make little clay figures as gifts for others. I think they would enjoy that very much. And of course, anything related to drawing or sewing would also be to their liking, but that was already a given.

Zote would like any kind of toy weapons, particularly something like Nerf guns. He would enjoy collecting them and testing them against the others (particularly Hornet), and by the way he talks about them you'd think they're actual guns. He'd name every single one, too. I think he would share Hornet's interest in action figures as well, or just collecting in general, so they would have a common topic. But toy guns would definitely be something he gravitated towards, he'd love annoying others with them, sure, but I think he'd genuinely enjoy collecting and naming them. Not surprising seeing how he still keeps his old wooden sword and acts like it's a real deal.

Lewk's favorite kind of toys would be the ones that require physical activity. He has a lot of energy and so anything that tires him out would be a perfect toy for him. Any kinds of balls he can throw and kick, trampolines, little scooter boards and so on. But he enjoys spending time with others so he would be interested in pretty much all kinds of toys. He'd join FPK and Grimm in Lego building, or Holly with clay sculpting and drawing. He would challenge Zote to Nerf gun fights (and probably win), and ask Hornet about her collection. Running around checking what others do is a physical activity on its own so it would be part of the fun for him.

For Asta and Milo, any kinds of toys that help with developing motor skills would be great, especially for Asta since she's the more active of the two. She would LOVE chewing toys, since they're both teething, she has the urge to chew on everything, from Grimm's fingers to Lewk's tail and Zote's cloak. So anything she can safely chew on would be great for her. Milo has a similar problem, so a chew toy would be good for him as well, though he's noticeably more gentle when nibbling on things. While Asta gravitates towards more physically driven toys, Milo prefers to sit back and rest, and so naturally he has a big fondness for stuffed toys that he can cuddle.

[bridgertonbabe]

Bridgerton Characters on The Traitors

So after binge-watching the first series of The Traitors Australia and reigniting my intense love for the show (after first watching The Traitors UK), naturally I began to wonder how the characters of Bridgerton would fare in this set-up. In no particular order...

Francesca (and let me tell you now, with 100% confidence, whether she's a faithful or a traitor; she's going to win)

Faithful: naturally she'd be a one of the quieter members but she'd know within a couple of days of shrewdly watching everyone who the traitors among them were. She's not going to battle to make her voice heard but she is careful in who she shares her suspicions with; she doesn't want her opinions to be too loud and get back to the traitors and be murdered in the night as a consequence. She's far too stealthy and would probably drip the seeds of who she believes a traitor is to a louder faithful so they might be murdered instead, allowing her a clear path to the final.

Traitor: the coolest, calmest, most collected Bridgerton character; she doesn't even bat an eye when the host selects her as a traitor. She is razor sharp in her strategy and planning; she isn't just ten steps ahead of the faithfuls, she's also ten steps ahead of her fellow cohorts. She perfectly assesses who she can trust among the other players, who will take the fall, who can be manipulated, who can get themselves banished without her even having to pull any strings. Even if her name were to be raised at the round table, she'd remain nonchalant and manage to talk the suspicion away and turn everyone's vote towards someone else.

Michael

Faithful: it's Michael Stirling; he's sticking around for longer than some of the other (straight) male contestants would like. He's an asset in challenges and keeps morale up. He'd either be murdered by the traitors because they know he'd never be voted out otherwise OR he'd be banished purely based on his incredibly likeable and charismatic persona and the others believing because of his affable nature that no one would suspect him to be a traitor in a case of reverse psychology.

Traitor: the reason stated above why he might end up voted out is the same reason he would make for a great traitor; he's too damn affable for anyone to immediately suspect - though that's not to say they wouldn't eventually identify him. He'd charm his way into every player's good books so they'd be less inclined to vote for him, plus he'd possess the gift of the gab to convince everyone he wasn't a traitor and lead them down the trail of believing a different person is playing against them.

Penelope

Faithful: using her wallflower abilities of quiet observation and study, she'd pick up on comments and behaviour of others and come to the correct conclusions of who the traitors are. She doesn't always speak at the banishments but when she's confident in her opinion she makes her voice heard and everyone listens when she does. Her downfall would either come at the hands of the traitors murdering her when they realise she's on to them OR the other faithfuls finding her quiet intelligence suspicious and believing her capable of being a traitor because of it.

Traitor: it's Lady Whistledown herself we're talking about here; she's definitely making it all the way to the final. She's gets a kick out of all the power she possesses in traitors tower and loves analysing and thinking through all the choices she has to wisely make. She makes careful note of how every player is planning to vote and knows the right things to say to instigate a change of vote if needs be. Her only stumbling block would be if she reached the final and was challenged by a faithful she had made a close bond with; only then would her mask slip as emotions got the better of her as she pleaded her case in a last ditch attempt to claim the money for herself.

Colin

Faithful: while some could write him off for going with the flow, Colin is more observant and astute than people give him credit for. Sure, he does tend to go with the group majority if he believes there's probable cause at banishments, but he's also not afraid to kick off a discussion if he has a strong suspicion of who a traitor could be. The traitors would hold off on murdering him as he proves to be an all-rounder in the challenges but potentially they'd underestimate him and find themselves banished by his hands.

Traitor: being personable, he'd easily ingratiate himself with all of the players and secure his safety by simply being well-liked among the group. He thinks on his feet and outsmarts the faithfuls on several occasions, however if accused he might lose his cool and become too defensive and get himself banished as a result.

Eloise

Faithful: gets in way over her head coming up with umpteen theories for every single player being a traitor and connecting dots that aren't actually there to fit in with her thoughts. She'd dissect every last word anyone has uttered and turns the banishment discussions into interrogations as she goes about getting answers. Her downfall would end up as a result of her own doing as she relentlessly insists on a single theory for who the traitors are, hammering on and on but being so narrow-minded and obsessed with her theory being right that her behaviour raises suspicions of the other players (even if one of the names she's raised was an actual traitor, she's end up doing that traitor a favour simply because nobody is taking her crazed ranting seriously).

Traitor: as big a game as she would talk, Eloise wouldn't make it to the end as a traitor. Trying to big-brain the entire game and keeping ten steps ahead of the faithfuls would overwhelm her and keep her up at night as she tries to think through every last game play possible. She'd do well for awhile but eventually other players would pick on up something being amiss with her, whether's she talking a little too much and pushing forward other names for banishment or how she acts a little furtive at the round table. She'd also be a traitor that would convince herself that another traitor is going to betray her (despite her cohort showing no signs of it) and get them banished before she believes they do the same to her, but end up shooting herself into the foot for getting rid of her teammates so prematurely.

Phillip

Faithful: his role as a faithful will go one of two ways; either he'll be an early banishment OR he'll be one of the last faithful standing. Either option is purely down to Phillip's incredibly reserved nature and in a big social game like The Traitors he'd probably keep to himself for the sake of his social battery, but when he does get involved in discussions he mainly operates as a listener who nods along and the few times he does speak he might come across a little awkward. As a result the other players might find his behaviour questionable and believe it's a sign of a traitor and banish him early on, however, being so quiet he could alternatively end up fading into the background and not being on anyone's radar until the numbers are so small that everyone has to be put under the microscope and only then would the other players truly consider his potential to be a traitor; a consideration that would most likely translate into his banishment because nobody had ever suspected him prior.

Traitor: has the potential to be a dark horse as a traitor due to his stoic persona. Though a quieter character, when he does open up and voice his thoughts the other players are intrigued by what he has to say and take his suggestions seriously. He wouldn't confront anyone at the banishment but he would suggest to other players throughout the day the names of people he has some suspicions of, but making it conversational to see what the other players' thoughts of them were. He'd be more inclined to kill off the louder and more formidable players simply because if ever challenged he knows he can hold his own against softer-spoken people who don't raise their voices compared to those who are more frank and intimidating.

Kate

Faithful: is of course going to make for a rather formidable traitor-hunter due to her incredibly competitive nature. She'd definitely be one the voices leading the way for the rest of the players and also pipe up during banishments to speak on behalf of the group of who the majority has their suspicions on. She might not always be bang on the money but the second she correctly identifies a traitor and has them banished the traitors will be signing her death warrant. She'd be too influential of a faithful to keep around - though alternatively because of her voice having so much sway, other faithfuls might believe her to be a traitor boldly doing her manipulation out in the open and she could end up banished as a result.

Traitor: would love, love, love becoming a traitor and outfoxing the faithful. Similarly in her role as a faithful, she would definitely end up as leader among the traitors - though god forbid she and Anthony were traitors together because they'd for sure butt heads over any decision they were about to make. She would use her cunning to manipulate the way the voting goes in the banishment room while also having a tend and befriend method of securing her trust among the faithful.

Anthony

Faithful: he and Kate are two sides of the same coin when it comes to playing any sort of game; they're there to win. Like Kate he would be at the forefront of round table discussions, but in comparison to Kate he would get in a bit too deep and lose his cool during confrontations and accusations. His downfall would most likely be leading the charge of a banishment with so much confidence that he identified a traitor, only for the banished player to reveal themselves as a faithful; as a result, the rest of the group lose confidence in him and believe the reason he pushed so strongly was because he's a faithful desperate to keep eyes away from him.

Traitor: would definitely have more cool as a traitor but still not as much as Kate. He would enjoy the one-upmanship against the faithful every time he steered them in the wrong direction at banishment, though his confidence could potentially grow into arrogance and lead to a slip-up as a result which would lead to his undoing.

(Bonus Kanthony note: imagine if at the start one of was a traitor and the other a faithful, but the latter has suspicions on the other right from the off. As vocal as the faithful is in their convictions, the other players dismiss it because of how obsessive they become in what almost seems like a vendetta, meanwhile the traitor simply points the finger back at them for correctly calling them out. They're so frustrated with one another; that is until the traitor is the last traitor standing and must recruit a faithful and damn it there's only one single name that comes to mind in who they're going to recruit because it's better to have their adversary onside than against them.)

Sophie

Faithful: she's never going to get herself banished, let's be real, with all the other faithfuls willing to turn a blind eye to any suspicion they might have of her because she's just so god damn lovable. While she doesn't always contribute at round table discussions for banishment, she is stubborn in her thoughts of who she believes the traitors are and isn't going to go along with the pack mentality if she believes the target in question isn't actually a traitor. She sticks to her guns but rather than being deemed suspicious, other faithful respect her for her opinions and might side with her theory instead. If she doesn't make it to the very end it's because the traitors have killed her off to shock the rest of the players; however the faithful would be out for blood to avenge her and would end up banishing a traitor straight after her murder as a result.

Traitor: the Lady in Silver knows a thing or two about wearing a mask and keeping her identity secret, meaning she'd play a blinder as a traitor. Nobody would suspect her and as mentioned above, even if her name crossed people's minds, they'd ignore it in favour of a more likely candidate. While she is quietly calculating throughout the game, she could fall at the final hurdle if challenged during banishment. By that point towards the end of the game she might just be mentally exhausted from keeping up such a facade and she crumbles enough under pressure for the others to vote her out ahead of the final.

Benedict

Faithful: honestly, Ben's just there for a laugh, he's the least invested in hunting out traitors. Sure, he finds the game interesting and all the dynamics that come with it but he's more than happy to kick back and relax and watch the carnage unfold. He goes along with whatever way the group seems to be voting and while the arguing is a bit fun, when it gets too much he does speak up to remind everyone to calm down in order to keep the peace if he feels the group are coming across as cruel with all guns blazing towards certain players. He would potentially end up being banished merely because he never offers up opinions on who the traitors are and doesn't seem to take the game as seriously as the other faithfuls.

Traitor: one of the least likely to even want to be a traitor so how he ended up in this role is just as big a mystery to him, but okay bet. He has plenty of the Bridgerton charm to form alliances and build rapports with the faithfuls to secure his place, though he'd definitely find the strategising as a traitor difficult and feel guilty for manipulating the vote against a faithful as well as murdering people. As engaging as he is among the players, some of them might pick up on the pressure getting to him and banish him as a result; but actually, he's massively relieved and has a jovial smile on his face as he bids the players farewell after revealing he's a traitor.

Hyacinth

Faithful: literally her favourite part of the game is going from person to person and group to group gossiping and theorising on who the traitors could be. She's definitely not afraid to throw a name out at the table but equally she loves watching the accusations and lines of defence as it plays out in front of her and she's the most excited every time the banished player stands before them to reveal their identity. She would probably end up being used as a pawn by the traitors, knowing if any of them drip a name of suspicion into her ear that she's going to gleefully run off and circulate the name to the rest of the group.

Traitor: would probably struggle immediately after being selected to stop herself buzzing with obvious excitement over her newly bequeathed role, though she would last a bit longer than the very first day. As much as she would love playing the role of traitor, I think that love would be worn far too blatantly on her face e.g. watching everyone reacting to someone not coming down at breakfast and smirking with amusement because her actions are what have caused this fallout. She might talk her way out of the first accusation aimed her way but any additional slip-up would be her undoing.

Gareth

Faithful: more of a follower than a leader and is quite happy for others to pave the way to identify traitors. Even when he does sit and think on who the traitors could be, he begins to overthink everything and just thinks "fuck it" and instead opts to go with whoever everyone else is planning to vote for. He would definitely be susceptible to traitors manipulating him into voting and thinking a certain way and they wouldn't murder him because of it. However the fact he has nothing to contribute at the round table combined with him keeping a low profile within with the group might lead to his banishment.

Traitor: again wouldn't be too comfortable taking charge of the group but is happy and willing for someone else to step up to the plate. Once he's built up enough confidence in the role he would definitely be a risk-taker and with luck on his side would just about be able to pull off whatever plan he had enacted. However without luck on his side, his risk could instantly turn the tables on him and be voted out as a consequence.

Lucy

Faithful: is very focused on keeping tabs on who everyone votes for at every banishment. She would be able to remember it to jot down in a notebook back in her room and before she goes to bed she would analyse everyone's voting track trying to see if any patterns emerged or anything glaring jumped out at her, hoping this method might help identify the traitors. She'd also work out the logistics of why the traitors would kill off the faithfuls that they chose, going back to her notes to see if the recently deceased faithful was onto anyone voting-wise. If she were to make her note-taking known to the group and successfully identify a traitor as a result, then she would quickly become their next victim and not make it down to breakfast the following morning.

Traitor: much in the same analytical way, she would go about her role as a traitor by thinking of it as a game of numbers, weighing up the odds of every decision she made and how it would affect the game. She's affable enough to keep under the radar of suspicion, but her downfall would be because of her loyalty. Even if one of her fellow traitors was bound to end up banished by the end of the night, she wouldn't have it in her to vote them out and instead vote elsewhere; however not voting out a traitor would place suspicion right at her door and she would struggle to argue her way out of this line of thinking.

Gregory

Faithful: feels bad for voting for just about anyone and doesn't enjoy when everyone gangs up on a player to be banished. He never really knows who he's going to vote for ahead of the banishment and simply makes his mind up after the discussion at the round table has ended. While it's more likely the traitors would kill him off then him ending up banished by the group, if he lasted long enough he would be a contestant to have an eleventh hour crystalising moment when he pieces everything together and realises who the remaining traitors really are.

Traitor: he's not lasting long as a traitor and quite frankly he's glad when he's banished because it was far too stressful. He'd be incredibly nervous throughout his time as a traitor, resembling a shivering Bichon Frisé at any given moment, casting little room for doubt amongst the other players that he is one of the traitors.

Daphne

Faithful: loves a good challenge and definitely has her eye on the prize. Her suspicions would rest on how the other players were coming across emotionally throughout the game, if any of them seemed nervous or not particularly forthcoming with their thoughts and feelings on the game at hand. She'd also keep a close eye on how every person reacts when receiving a vote during banishment, keeping note if they survive the banishing or if they are voted out and revealed as a traitor, reflecting on anyone's votes who the ousted traitor seemed visibly moved by; and building up a case that another player could have been a traitor voting out their own. Has an equal chance of being murdered for being vocal in her observations as well as being banished for arguably planting seeds and pushing the voting in a certain direction.

Traitor: would make for an incredibly organised player and come to traitors tower with a three point plan for the following day that she plans on executing flawlessly and has no qualms in directing her fellow cohorts in their designated plan of action. While she would run a very tight ship, she could fall victim to a mutiny by her fellow traitors if they believed her incredible forward-thinking skills included stabbing them in the back at an opportune time.

Simon

Faithful: while he does enjoy the thrill of the game, he's fairly laid-back and lets others take the lead in hunting out traitors. He prefers to cast his vote on reasons backed by proof but as is the nature of the game, sometimes there isn't much of a choice but to follow a hunch. He's not particularly confident speaking at the round table with just how tense and finger-pointing the group can become but he would open up the start of deliberations if they had an unsuccessful streak of previous banishments and suggest they opt for another way of thinking since their current methods haven't been panning out. Is more likely to be voted out than murdered, purely being of a quieter nature than others and people believing him capable of pulling off the role of traitor.

Traitor: plays with a level of confidence that lowkey he didn't know he possessed and everything falls into place for him, giving him a very smooth run for good portion of the show's duration. However, the one thing that stresses him out the most are the banishments, particularly the deliberation at the round table. Nervous of becoming tongue-tied if faced with accusations, he has to mentally prepare himself and put on his best game face before entering the room. He'd keep as quiet as possible during the discussions with minimal chiming in but if accused he might end up defending himself a little too strongly for the faithful to truly believe he's one of them.

[treatian]

The Chronicles of the Dark One: Domestic Battles

Chapter 8: Couple's Firsts

He joined Belle, standing before a set of double doors, a smile of relief growing over her face as he plastered one to his own. He told himself to keep moving, not to look back at her bag or the cylinder, but instead to focus on her; legs, hips, back, anything to keep his eyes forward instead of on...

"What's the best part?" he asked quietly, remembering that she'd wanted to show him "the best part" after he'd unfrozen her.

"Are you ready?"

"I am."

"Are you sure?" She made it easy to forget when she teased. He rather liked that side of her; it was adorably sexy.

"Show me the best part, Sweetheart."

With a sigh, she dug her fingers into the crack in the double door behind her and slid them open to reveal…

A ballroom.

Or at least what passed as a ballroom in this realm. It was significantly smaller than anything a royal family in their world would have. Covered in wood instead of marble, and a grand chandelier to light the room when the windows along one side didn't bring in enough light or it fell dark. It was rather beautiful for this world. It was cozy in a way he enjoyed.

He glanced at her as her smile grew and she strode right into it, giddy as a schoolgirl. "Come on," she laughed pulling him into the room with her, feeding him joy right through the connection in their skin.

Look forward…not back.

"So…what do you think?" she asked, marching herself right to the middle of the room and swinging her arms out for him to see.

He thought that if no one was currently renting this property, he would never allow it because he wanted it for her. He'd never seen her this animated in the castle or at their home, and he liked how excited she was to show it to him. New wife, new life…maybe a new house was called for. Or, if they already had a cabin in the woods, perhaps a summer home for seaside getaways would be an excellent marital present since he'd had nothing to give to her to celebrate their union. If he could gift wrap it now, trinkets included, he would, but for now…for now, as he watched her sway with a wide grin. He had an entirely different idea for a present, something he was sure would make her just as happy as his potential freedom from his dagger.

"Well, I think we've been married almost a full day…and I don't believe we've had our first dance."

He momentarily watched her expression change to confusion before he summoned his magic to make it happen. With a snap of his fingers, the phonograph he'd been working on for quite some time appeared in the corner. With the help of magic, it played on easily now, a romantic, perfect little tune for the pair of them.

With another snap, light flooded the chandelier above her head, making her smile and gasp before…

With another snap, he transformed her simple wedding attire into a lovely buttery yellow gown, something out of their own world, something that she might have been married in for her status. And for him…

With another snap of his fingers, he wore finery one wouldn't find in Storybrooke but certainly in her land. A puffy shirt, appropriate vest, and a blue and gold jacket…and the look on her face when she looked down at herself, then over at him and realized what he'd done—it was perfect. Tears gathered in her eyes, making it overwhelmingly easy to focus on her and solely on her.

A house would be a nice gift one day, but for now, there was this.

He stepped forward, taking slow but deliberate strides as he searched the recesses of his mind for lessons he had long forgotten. Then he smiled and extended his hand to her.

"Care to dance…Mrs. Gold?"

That was the clencher, a gift greater than the fabric wrapped around their bodies, or the music, or the lights. It was the acknowledgment, the name she'd been insisting she wanted. It made her tremble with emotion and swallow hard to keep those emotions from overwhelming, he suspected, so that she could answer instead of turn into a puddle of affection and gratitude.

"I would love to," she managed to choke out.

He'd never been one for dancing. He knew how, of course. One didn't live to be as old as he was and not know how to dance. Hell, a Dark One couldn't live with half the voices in his head and not learn how to dance every dance imaginable, from a peasant's line dance to a ballroom waltz…he knew them all; he just needed to wake his body up to them.

But when she put her hand in his own, when he stepped as close as her gown would allow and pressed himself to her, the awakening was immediate. They fit their hands to where they belonged, he found the beat for the song, and then they danced.

It was not just their first dance as a married couple; it was truly their first dance in every way, and suddenly, he wondered why he'd never thought to do this before. He wondered why he'd never shaken his boredom during those winter months in their castle with a dance like this, why he'd never pulled her to her feet when they were at home and she was reading and he was tinkering and moved with her instead of just existing in the same space.

Why had he never let her turn in his arms before? Never bent her back to dip her down or hold her secure as her feet left the floor? Why had he never reveled at the way her hands could so easily come around his neck as she cried in joy, just swaying to small side steps as they held each other? It was truly a shame. They didn't need pomp and circumstance for this.

As they swayed, he let the magic that crafted their clothes fade away until he was back in his suit, and she was in her white things again. He liked it better this way. There was something to be said for fine steps in a ballroom filled with elegant gowns and talented people. But there was also something to this: no corsets, beads, or layer after layer of petticoat to contend with. Only a barrier of cotton that let him hold her closer as they shared a moment. Simple. Lovely. Beautiful.

There were tears in her eyes when she finally pulled her head off his shoulder. She looked him over, as she had a million times in their life, but this time…this time a happy knowing smile appeared.

"What?" he questioned, wondering what had left her so genuinely amused.

"You truly are dashing. My very handsome prince…" She lay her head back against his chest as he let out a puff of amusement for himself. The thought that she'd place him up on a pedestal that David Nolan belonged upon…that was something to be amused over.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, my Darling Belle, but I'm certain I'm no prince."

"First of all…" she pulled herself away again, a grin still etched into the corners of her mouth as they kept swaying and dancing. "You are handsome to me and also to Lacey. And if someone as shallow as she could see it, then others can, too! And if they don't, then I'll happily tell them over and over again that you are the most beautiful man I've ever laid my eyes on.

"And second of all you are a prince…now."

"To you, perhaps."

"Not anymore. Not just to me!" she insisted. "You married me. I may be a caretaker, but by blood, I'm a Princess, which makes you-"

"A prince," he breathed, bringing them to a standstill as his mind went over the rules and regulations of their land, trying to find a loophole or a way to argue against it. He couldn't. They may not be in their land now, but it still existed. And even when a royal left their land, it didn't make them any less royal. That was a title that carried over. Fuck, the other night, the King and Queen of the Enchanted Forest had essentially conducted a royal ceremony for their child even though they weren't even in the same realm as their land! The deal that Belle made to ensure her land's safety also ensured her father's rule. Florist or not, he still carried the title of King. And caretaker or not, his daughter would always bear the title of Crowned Princess, which meant that her husband would be…a prince. By marriage, of course, but still, by all laws and regulations, he was now the Dark One, a husband, a father, a Pawnbroker…and a Prince.

Her father would have a heart attack when he figured that out.

"Imagine that…" he realized before a smile grew over his face, and the pair of them laughed at it together.

[flxshy]

[Aya @ Lucifer]

Aya wasn't sure if this was a good idea, if she was honest. No one ever interacted with God up in Heaven, or even really most of his top Angels. They weren't worthy, is what she'd always been told. So, the idea of giving Lucifer, the King of Hell, chocolates of any kind for Valentine's Day seemed... weird.

But she was making chocolates for as many people as she could, and she didn't want him to feel left out. And honestly, although they hadn't interacted the most, he seemed... kind. She liked him.

So she spent much of previous days sequestered away in the kitchen, taking up the space whenever someone else wasn't using it.

Still, she wasn't quite yet brave enough to give them to him by hand. So he'd find the box, simple and tied with a red bow, set out for him. Atop it was a small note:

Lucifer, Happy Valentine's Day -Aya

Inside were roughly two dozen chocolates - half little apples filled with caramel, the other half solid chocolate ducks. Aya had made them from hand, so not all the ducks were perfect, but the chocolate would still taste amazing. She just hoped he liked them.

Honestly human holidays always slipped past him. Never really knowing when the next one would slink around the corner. Valentine's day was one that Lilith adored, bringing good memories of love and adoration with kisses and chocolates. Still his inability to keep track of time got him again. Only barely stopping to see the gift, set on his vanity. The fine handwriting making him freeze for several moments before he read the name.

A shaky breath leaves his lips as he steps forwards, reminding himself that his wife was gone, she left years ago. She wasn't about to show up without word to him or Charlie. No she was off somewhere... not in hell... just somewhere.

A hand reached out to the gift, another trembling breath before gently opening the top to reveal the confections a smile growing on his lips as tears welled up in his eyes. He hadn't had a gift for valentines since Charlie had moved out, and for him to move in with her and get one.

Well who wouldn't get emotional.

He plucked a duck out, holding it in his scorched hand before taking a small bite off the little beak and enjoying the taste. Only then did he toss the entire thing in his mouth before summoning his cane. He needed to thank the young soul for this.

But first he needed to wipe his eyes clean.

@bucketfullofocs

[lyrical-tav-corner]

This is Rue, my Dryad Tav,She was the lover of Halsin before she inevitably dies in Act 2.

She initially was supposed to be a Druid that ended up ultimately double crossing him, but I decided to scrap the evil Druid concept for another character I'll eventually design. She's instead a Dryad that is acting as a physical living conduit to Shars shadow curse. She doesn't really know this till Act 2 after traveling with Halsin and reconnecting Thanel that he explains that he's been traveling with a cursed Dryad and that ultimately she can't stay because she's the reason that the curse was allowed to persist in its manner. Of course Halsin won't take this particularly well as he'd have been traveling with this companion for some time they'd have bonded and actually began to fall in love but he understands that Thaniel wouldn't lie about this. She never really knew that she was a conduit in this sense cause she was existing outside of the cursed lands perfectly fine. She understood after speaking with Thaniel that she was a manifestation of the curse and is connected to the large growths of vines and twisted plant life within the cursed lands. She understood what Thaniel said but ultimately his last words to Halsin are that if she is to live the curse will persist because she taints the land. ( this is also loosely based off of one of Silvanus Tenants that Kagha will mention if you play as Druid saying that you have to cut out a poision from the base or else it be allowed to flourish and continue to sap the life and ultimately cause the tree to wither.) Once Halsin understood this she realized he would have to kill her and that's why I was curious about his emotional vulnerability, if he had the strength to kill someone he loved. She tries to fight back against him but eventually gives in weeping remembering a talk they had one night about how guilt racked he felt allowing the curse to happen and remembering all the people who died as a result. Rue realizes she's the cause and cares too much about Halsin to continue that regardless of how much she wants to live just to stay with him. She ask Thaniel if anybody will remember her and which of course he explains that of course Halsin will always remember her she accepts that her time is over and ask if she can spend her last moment with Halsin. She eventually begins to wither and die telling Halsin that she loved him and every moment that shared from the moment she saw him were precious to her, her final parting words were telling him not to regret anything that happened before her life completely fades. Halsin lays her body down knowing she'd eventually become one with the land again before leaving. Far far later when the party finally prepares to leave the now cured shadow cursed lands Thaniel meets with Halsin a final time giving him a gift. An magically enchanted staff named Rue. ( its the staff she carries around to defend herself.) Rue is also a herb that used to be used to as a cure but was not used anymore as a result of being toxic compared to other herbs, but her name serves as a double meaning to also mean regret.

[ofglories]

CHARACTER INFO SHEET

tagged by: @caemthe thank youuu tagging: @toadmiretoweepover , @grandordergirl , @heroicmenagerie , @voidfragments

Name: Orpheus Name meaning: "Darkness of Night" Alias: God of Music, Son of Apollo Ethnicity: Greek

THREE HEADCANONS YOU’VE NEVER TOLD ANYONE:

He never particularly cared for Dionysus as his divine patron, finding him to be more of a hassle than it was worth. Honestly had it been up to Orpheus he would have dedicated himself to Hestia or even Demeter. But sadly Dionysus called dibs the first time Orpheus made a public appearance with his music, much to Apollo's fury later though it did little in the eyes of Zeus who approved it.

Music is not the only divine gift Orpheus inherited from his father though it is the single-most powerful ability he has. Though he didn't inherit any talents in medicine or archery, he did unfortunately have a minor gift in prophecy. Much to his immense distress as a young child when dreams of the future would strike him and leave him sobbing in fear and confusion in his mother and father's arms.

Apollo did indeed help raise Orpheus personally, even bringing him to the Muses once his talent in music began to make itself known so they could help him refine it. However, Orpheus holds no illusions as to his father's true nature, no matter how much he may love him. And so he'll embrace his role as the favorite and youngest child to call Apollo out on his shenanigans whenever it's necessary.

THREE THINGS YOUR CHARACTER LIKES DOING IN THEIR FREE TIME:

Flower arranging, a habit picked up from his mother.

Writing poems and songs.

Surprisingly, he enjoys throwing the discus.

SIX PEOPLE YOUR CHARACTER LIKES/LOVES:

His mother, the daughter of the king of Thrace/Macedonia. (nameless because thanks greek mythology)

Asclepius (half-brother, the only one he knew)

Apollo (father)

Eurydice (best friend since childhood)

Castor

The rest of the Argonauts except Herakles

TWO THINGS YOUR CHARACTER REGRETS:

Failing to save Eurydice from the Underworld. She didn't deserve to die so young, she deserved so much better. And he blamed himself for her death because she was gathering flowers for him to give to his ailing mother. A gift she intended to make him smile again like how he hadn't since his return from the quest for the golden fleece. Discovering she'd been attacked, that she'd been murdered, was the straw that broke the camel's back when it came to Orpheus' grief and terror of losing his loved ones. That's why he went to Hades...but in the end Orpheus was too human despite being more divine than mortal. His heart was too full of love... and so he doubted and looked back and failed. And he's never forgiven himself for it.

How he froze in fear when the Boreads enraged Herakles by suggesting the Argo sail away and leave him to his fruitless search if he wouldn't stop. Orpheus knows that if he had reacted in time he could have diffused the situation since his music can manipulate emotions in all beings. But he was just a youth barely more than sixteen at the time of the quest, and so he froze because of his sheltered life in the palace.

TWO PHOBIAS YOUR CHARACTER HAS:

Claustrophobia. There's no real reason for it, he's never been locked up that he can remember. But the idea of it terrifies him endlessly both in life and as a Servant. It doesn't help that his prophetic dreams made him feel trapped, unable to move or even scream when they would fall upon him in his sleep.

Thanatophobia, the fear of death. Specifically in Orpheus' case the death of those he loves. An unfortunate fear to have considering he watched so many people he cared for die either from illness, old age, or at the hands of others. When his own death came...he was only afraid of the madwomen who were tearing him apart. Death didn't frighten him, it was the events that led to his death that did.

[elpida]

[ CLOSE ]:          while standing remarkably close to one another, the sender is unable to stop themselves from running their gaze across the receiver’s body, lingering for a moment on their lips, before returning to initiate prolonged, intense eye contact. (For Eris)

They stood mere inches apart and Eris wasn't sure at what point she'd become okay with him, with his touch or his warmth.... maybe it happened so slowly that her normal, changed. For the first time ever she had someone who had pushed further than her protective walls would ever allow, that'd persisted in showing her that not all touch was designed to hurt her. His hands wouldn't singe her flesh, there's be no tight grip designed to demolish her, crush her, kill her. He wasn't the bad man she'd expected, he wasn't this tough guy that'd treat women badly.. if anything, he'd been so chivalrous to her. She'd given a glimpse of herself, of the woman that wanted to be more carefree and let go of the reigns, that wanted to dance in the rain and smile like nobody else was watching.

The images of how she might complete her job flashed through her mind and now, what once would've come to her as naturally as breathing, was not something she wanted to do. The knife strapped to her thigh felt like it burnt and singed at her flesh, hot iron, her weapon of destruction. Slowly she exhaled, bringing her hand up and hovering her featherlight touch across his jawline, down to his chin and then down to run over his shirt collar, the buttons. How easy it'd be to fall somewhere blissful with this man, how easy it'd be to fall victim to his blue eyes. She brings herself up to her tip toes, foreheads together, tips of their noses brushing. There was a time she'd have snatched back in her recoil, that she'd have had a sickly chill at that contact but Eris was learning.. only that learning was a slow process and she knew, she'd spent far too much time... wondering how she'd get out of the one job, she wished she'd never taken.

Almost as if it served as a goodbye, her last plea before the final show, Eris.. for the first time, kissed him. She leaned and pressed those plump lips against his, softly and yet with burning heat beneath them. She had never been the one to make that move to show what she wanted, she'd never be the one to initiate that kind of open emotion but she had. A gift of sorts, a gift of knowing in that moment she'd kill him, as she thought she would, that he was the one person she would have spared if she'd have ever known mercy.

"Sit at your desk, be comfortable.." she was whispering, cooing, and using her light grip on his shirt to guide him, to lure him. If god was real then this felt like the first sin she'd ever truly committed, a regret forming before the act even began. "You'll enjoy I want to give you." she smirked, like she had a million thoughts of mounting him and riding him on his desk chair, leave her essence, make sure she was all he'd think of in every meeting this week. Eris made small steps, encouraging to his chair and to be seated, and when he was she was letting her hands brush into his hair before moving herself to stand before him, acting like it was to lean down and coo into his ear with her sultry whisper. "Do you know what it is I'd like to do to you, Tommy? How I'd like to have you in this office, moan your name splayed across your desk? I'd love to see you focus properly again, picturing me across it, and god I'd moan your name so pretty.." lips graze against his earlobe as her hands snake around to his front, to start undoing the top buttons of his shirt, her palms pushing along his skin to get the fabric away from him.

The storm outside beat against the window behind her, that's why she wanted to be like this, behind him, so she'd not have to look him in the eye as she did this, and then she'd slip away through that window, into the night. She thought it respectful to him, to not kill him standing, leave him a heap on the floor. "I'd even fuck you in this chair, would you like that? My legs around you?" she asked, one hand coming away from his chest but the other remained there. That free hand pushed the material of her dress up, and unlinked her knife, her favourite blade. The handle was lined with three small rubies. See, she was being kind right? She was being generous, using her favourite blade for him.

Cold metal suddenly pressed against his throat, her hand curved around and held it there, to his skin, pressed enough to nick one side of his flesh but not enough to cut deep, she didn't slice, just held it. She sighed through her nostrils, slow and regretful. "Don't move." a warning.

What the hell were the tears forming in her eyes? She had to do this, and god she didn't want to. She did not want to kill him, but if she walked away.. if she left this job incomplete, she was the one that'd be on the chopping board. "You should know that, you are the only one of my victims that has ever known my true name. You should take pride in that. You should take pride in knowing the name of the wraith, the shadow, the dark that comes calling. You should also know that of all those that have met my blade, when it comes to you I'll be deeply sorry to see the life leave those eyes." she listed a few of her other names, her earned titles.

"I tried to warn you Thomas, I truly did. I told you, I know death... that every day I walk hand I walk beside it. I told you that I am not a good person. People like us, me and you, we greet death daily, it'd be like returning to an old friend, being freed from this worlds burdens, don't you think?" the storm raged outside, as did her thoughts. "This is not something I normally grant anyone but is there anything you'd like to say? Any last words?"