#and syl is flying too

[stivya]

WAIT. DID KALADIN EVER SEE THE OCEAN? i know i made a beach au once but he needs to see the ocean at least once in his life. The ocean could fix him.

[callmewishful]

Woke up thinking about dilfs today. Here’s the results of the days work:

It’s no secret that Lambert’s political ideas were…ambitious. And that’s not a bad thing - I think he really wanted to better Faerghus and that his policies were truly for the good of his people.

However, it is also no secret that the western lords were…hesitant. And it’s also no secret that Rodrigue knew this and worried about it more than Lambert did.

So how much time do y’all think Rodrigue spent chasing after Lambert trying to rein him in?

And thus, how much time do you think Matthias spent holding down eastern Faerghus while Lambert charged towards a new future and Rodrigue tried to temper him? How much time did he spend helping in territories so Rodrigue could spend time in Fhirdiad trying to tell Lambert to ease into things instead of charging into them head first? (And this is absolutely no hate to Papa Roddy - I love him and he’s such a good guy and believe me when I say he was doing the Goddess’s work trying to keep Lambert from charging off a cliff; he had decisions to make for the good of Faerghus too and this was one of them)

Rodrigue and Matthias play those roles in Houses though; Rodrigue goes in search of Dimitri while Matthias holds down the fort. To me it doesn’t seem far off that the same thing was true earlier in life.

In addition to that, we know there were two plagues in Faerghus - one Matthias sent his wife up north for and one that killed Dimitri’s mother. We know they had the large Sreng campaign where Rodrigue saved Lambert, that Matthias had Leif for a while, that Duscur occurred, and that Faerghus was utterly destroyed afterwards….

We know Matthias is a margrave before anything else, for better or worse depending on perspective (mostly worse than better). But how many times do you think duty took Matthias away from the boys? How many times did he look up and yet another day was long gone? How many times did he sacrifice today in hopes for a better tomorrow?

I’ve never said Matthias is winning any awards for his parenting, but I often wonder how things like this played a part in it.

[cosmerelists]

Kaladin, Shallan, and Adolin Watch the Olympics

My wife & I bought cable temporarily to watch the Olympics. I've been turning it on whenever i can to watch random things. So let's check in on the Stormlight three as they somehow watch the Olympics too.

1. Gymnastics

Adolin: These people are incredible! How do they do all that without Stormlight?? Adolin: Like, I'm used to YOU flipping three times in the air after leaping over something and landing on your feet, Kal, but these are just normal people doing that! Kaladin: [frowning intensely at the screen] When do they start punching the horses, though? Kaladin: I don't know why that's part of this event, and it seems kind of mean to the horses, even to me. Shallan: ... Shallan: It's pommel horse, not pummel horse.

2. Fencing

Radiant: Now THIS is a sport. Adolin: Hard agree. Adolin: Less violent than most duels I've been involved in, but the footwork and timing is so impressive! Syl: And the tiny swords are so cute! Syl: Lemma know if I should ever by a Sylsabre, Kaladin! Kaladin: Uh, sure.

3. Sport Climbing (Lead)

Shallan: Kaladin...it is DEFINITELY hard enough as is. Adolin: Yeah! I mean, they only get one try, the route is super long, and barely anyone made it to the top! Kaladin (stubborn): I'm just saying, I think it would be more interesting if they had to bring along their own holds and stick them to the wall as they climb.

4. Equestrian Events

Adolin: (sulking) Adolin: That guy on twitter is right. The horses DEFINITELY deserve medals too. Shallan: I'm pretty sure non-bonded horses aren't sentient, Adolin. Kaladin: Plus, I think all horses would eat their riders if they could. Shallan: ... Kaladin: I'm helping!

5. Running

Kaladin: I just really like watching people run. Kaladin: They're not outracing a storm or anything, but I still find it aspirational. Adolin: You're way taller than them. I bet you could outrun some of them at least. Kaladin: ... Kaladin: Why am I legitimately touched by that?

6. Basketball

Shallan: No...forget running. THIS is the sport for Kaladin! Shallan: You're so tall that you could just stand by the basket and casually plop the ball right in! Shallan: Plop! Plop! Kaladin: ...I am far less touched by this one.

7. Athletics (Track & Field)

Kaladin: These events are definitely my favorite. Kaladin: Nice to see spear throwing being featured. Kaladin: Because yes, throwing spears DOES take a lot of talent. Kaladin: And the one where they use a long pole to leap over the barrier? Kaladin: It's like flying & spears combined. Shallan: Fencing...javelin...pole vaulting... Shallan: You boys are getting what you want...but where's the music competition? The drawing? Adolin: The synchronized diving was pretty artistic? Shallan: (muttering) I should start my own Olympics.

8. Shooting

Kaladin: The precision is amazing. Kaladin: Those targets are tiny, and the weapons aren't even alive. Kaladin: They're just doing that with their own skill! Kaladin: ... Kaladin: Hello? Adolin? Shallan? Shallan: S-Sorry! I was definitely not mesmerized by how cool and sexy the shooters look in their pose! Adolin: Ha, ha, me neither! That casual, one-hand-in-pocket look does NOTHING for me! Kaladin: Are you two even watching the sport???

[skylarsblue]

❁Love & Deepspace❁

Incorrect Quotes - 1 (Divider by @elfbar-baby )

Sylus: Why do I make them so uncomfortable? MC: They feel your methods, your theories are…. Sylus:Spooky? Sylus: Do you think I’m spooky? MC: I think you're silly. Sylus: Silly? MC: Silly goose even.

(Event minigame) *tower LEANS, but doesn’t fall*

Rafayel: >:3 MC: ARE YOU KIDDING?! THAT’S UNFAIR, YOU MADE T- I need to calm down. Rafayel: …(Name)- MC: Everything’s fine. I’m an adult.

- Zayne, genuinely concerned: How’s your head? MC, with a headache: Well I haven’t had any complaints yet. Zayne: …excuse me? MC: Hm? Oh! Uh- I think I’ll live.

- Caleb: You need to eat. Here, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. MC: …I’m allergic to apples. Caleb: What? No you’re not? Since wh- Zayne, appearing: Caleb: THE FU-

- *phone ringing* MC: Ugh- Wh- hello? Rafayel: Text me. *hangs up* MC: *looks at phone* What the fu-

- (OOC but shh) MC: Yeah I’m gonna try and stay out of drama, focus on work, be a better person- Tara: Guess who got caught sucking dick in the bathroom. MC: Who?! *falls out of chair*

- MC: Now is there a problem? NPC: No I don’t want no problem. MC: Yeah that’s what I thought. *steps away* NPC: walkawaylilpunkass- MC:*holds up microphone* Speak up, I couldn’t hear you bitch.

- Zayne: And what’s your reasoning for killing three people? Caleb: I mean, shit, I’m a Gemini! Sylus: I understand completely. MC:No!

- (I don’t hate Caleb but my partner does and it’s super funny)

Caleb: *sigh* Rafayel: Do you ever shut the fuck up? Zayne: What’d he do? Rafayel: Bitch gon’ breathe. Zayne: He stays doing annoying shit.

- MC: Did you drink my juice? Caleb: Yeah but i didn’t know it was yours. MC:…bitch my name. Is on. The bottle. Caleb: …🏃🏻‍♂️ MC: GET YOUR ASS BAC-

- Tara: What’re you all dressed up for? Where’re you going? MC:, going into snapshots: I’m taking selfies.

- Caleb: *enters* Rafayel: Ah hell- See I thought I was gonna have a happy day today, but then you walked in. Zayne: What did he do? Rafayel: Exist. Zayne: Why would you do that to him? Caleb: I JUST GOT HERE-

- Sylus: Okay, you’re driving pretty good. Luke: I’ve been practicing!- Sylus: But if it start raining dicks which way do you swerve? Luke , trying to remember which gear to shift in: …what?

- (IM SO SORRY AHAHAAH)

MC: Babe I just want you back- Tara: *hits stereo button to play track* MC: PSYCHE BITCH! I don’t want’chu, fuck-a you and your grandma too bitch what the fuck is up- Caleb: ?????

- Caleb: S-say it again. MC: No way José? Caleb: That’s right! WHO is José? MC: Babe it’s just a thing- 6th LI: Andale- Caleb: WHO THE FUCK IS HE-

- (Im so so sorry)

Teacher!Zayne: Pop quiz guys. Greyson: I don’t even know any of the answers- Zayne: Okay, we’ll start with an easy one. Whose wife cheated on them January 22nd? Greyson: Uhm, is it- Zayne: MINE!

- (This how quick some of y’all switched by the way)

Caleb: *holding book in the air* Haha! MC: C’mon give it back! Caleb: First you gotta say my name- MC: Alright, big daddy. Now come on give it b- Caleb: ….my name Cale-

- Sylus: You’ve been in your room all day. Kieran: No earlier I went- Sylus: You’ve been in your room all day. Kieran: …earlier I- Sylus: Don’t talk back.

- MC:Hey grandma- Granny: Can you get in the oven to clean it? MC: …….bye grandma-

- Kid: Ms.Hunter I think there’s a wanderer under my bed. MC: Hun, there’s no wanderer’s under your b- *looks* Wanderer: LONG DICK STYLE- MC: pulling out a gun: Okay, we’re leaving.

- Sylus: RAFAYEL, What, what is this? *holds up belt* Rafayel: That would be a Louis Vuitton belt, Syl- Sylus: Have you lost your mind- this is a Gucci household, gill-boy.

- MC:So you been spying on me? Caleb: I mean I was but I’m not a spy- MC: You know what they call people who spy on people? SPIES Caleb: Oo bars, but look I’m not-

- Sylus: Today’s a good day to get out of the house. Kieran: See I- I can’t fly yet. Sylus: That sounds like a you problem. Kieran: I- I’m yo s- Boss.

- MC: That’s why yo dick little- Caleb: BITCH YOU KNOW MY SHIT DETACHABLE…put the wrong one on, shit-

- Sylus: Bitch I can sing. Rafayel: Bitch sing something. Sylus: *crow caw* Rafayel: Bitch you can’t sing. Sylus: Bitch you’re right, shit-

- Zayne: Do you know where the bathroom is? Caleb: Yeah, go straight down there andsuckadick- Zayne: Pardon? Caleb: I said you gotta go straight down. Zayne: ...alright- Caleb: andIhopeyoudiewhenyougetthere. Then make a left-

[gffa]

Okay, so it was a month since my last BATFAMILY fic recs set, but in my defense a) huge life changes and b) I did a quick count up of how many recs I had built up and it was literally well over a million words. A million words! In one recs set! And this is like the seventh one of these that I've done! And I still have at least a thousand fics on my reader that I haven't started! Because this fandom has seriously not just consumed my brain, but given me absolutely amazing stuff to read that scratches all the itches I desperately have--well, okay, scratches the itch I have for my Dick Grayson Problem, but same thing.

I've really needed some escapism lately and being able to laugh or cry or just sink into a nice, long novella or even novel-length fic has really been a godsend has done a lot to soothe me and help me process feelings that sometimes otherwise can feel too overwhelming to deal with. All while also giving me the exploration of issues or decompression time with the characters' issues that the canon itself doesn't have the space for. So, I hope this list can give others something to read in the way it has given me so much that I've loved and brought me joy or emotional catharsis, because fandom has been really incredible about Bringing The Good Stuff and I want to repay the favor!

BATFAM FIC RECS - BABY DICK IS THE CUTEST FERAL ROBIN I'M NOT HEARING ANY ARGUMENTS: ✦ The Halfway Point by Sugarcookie222, dick & bruce & alfred & clark, 5k     After a miscommunication with Bruce, a 13-year-old Dick runs away. He makes it as far as a diner in a nearby state. Bruce had left to finalize the adoption papers but clearly needs to work on his communication skills. He calls Superman in a panic to help him find Dick.

✦ be safe, they said (be good) by deargalileo, bruce & dick & alfred, 4k     there's a tree in the wayne's backyard. a very specific tree, one that seems to attract daring children like bees to honey. unfortunately for the children, it is not a tree that is suited for climbing. fortunately for the children, they have fathers who are there to stitch them up.

✦ a haunted ballroom by lothIoriens, bruce & dick & alfred, 11.9k wip     When Dick stumbles across the ghosts of Wayne Manor dancing the night away in an abandoned wing of the house, he thinks that, finally, something might be normal again. But the ghosts are nervous, and he doesn't know why. Something is brewing underneath the surface of Wayne Manor, and it's up to Dick to find out what it is—and it's up to Bruce to make sure nothing happens to his charge in the meantime.

✦ Straight On Til Morning by audreycritter, bruce & dick, 1.2k     Bruce wakes Dick up on a school night to show him the sky. It dredges up memories for Dick, and it would be a disaster, except it’s Bruce. And Bruce understands.

✦ (More) Pressing Matters by Syl, bruce & dick, 39.2k     Dick Grayson arrives at Wayne Manor, a cold empty place, shortly after his parents' murder: A re-telling of the Boy Wonder's well-known origin story.

✦ First Action Hero by Goldmonger, bruce & dick & clark & cast, 3.5k     “Jerkwads,” Dick said darkly, taking Clark’s hand. He looked up at him then, dressed smartly in a black suit and tie, and wearing converses with Sonic the Hedgehog on them. “You okay, Uncle Clark?”

✦ Lil Birdy Wants to Fly by lil_taair, bruce & dick, 3.8k     Bruce would have usually appreciated the cheeky smile that was directed at him if his son wasn’t 25 fucking feet off the ground

✦ World's Finest: Fortress of Friendship by WingFeathers, bruce & dick & clark & diana, 6.9k     Finally, Dick talks Bruce into letting him see the Fortress of Solitude – provided that Dick stay safe and out of the way while the Trinity discusses some Secret Important Business about a certain young Amazon. Clark promises that the Fortress will be safe, but is that a promise he can make?

✦ Stolen Son by springfox (dallystrings), bruce & dick & jim, 8.6k     Dick is excited to visit an American mall for the first time, and Bruce struggles to understand the difference between 'guardian' and 'dad'.

✦ Comfort Food by motleyfam, bruce & dick, ~1k     Dick struggles to find his appetite in the aftermath of his parents’ deaths.

✦ The meaning of justice by Fleur_de_Violette, bruce & dick & babs & cast, 4.6k     As Bruce drives toward Gotham Academy, he tries to imagine all the possible reasons for the principal to call him. He has a lot of imagination. Especially when it comes to bad things happening to Dick. Still, his ward being a suspect for attempted murder hadn’t been on his list.

✦ The Question Game by Santana2, dick & bruce, 1.3k     Basketball can be a very enlightening game if you play it right. Little expansion on Robin's part in Downtime

✦ Cat's Eat Birds by Nightwing_DC_2112, dick & bruce & selina & cast, 12k     After a run in with the Scarecrow Robin is separated from Batman fighting off the effects of Crane's Fear Toxin when an unlikely ally steps in to prevent him getting into further trouble.

✦ World's Finest Mini Issue: Happy Birthday by WingFeathers, bruce & dick (& minor clark/bruce & alfred), 1.8k     Bruce hoped for an emergency to get him out of his birthday party. He just didn’t want Dick to be the one in need of help. BATFAM FIC RECS - ADULT BATSON AND BATDAD ARE MY KRYPTONITE, I FOLD LIKE WET CARDBOARD FOR THEM: ✦ Truth Serum is the Worst by JackHawksmoor, dick & bruce, 3.1k     Batman gets dosed with a truth serum and unexpectedly spends most of the time talking about how desperately he loves his children, how awesome they are, and how he wishes he was better at being a father.

✦ Holy Time Travel Fuckery, Batmen by That_One_Curly_Haired_Fangirl, dick & bruce, 4.4k     Batman is dead, and Dick has reluctantly taken up the mantle. So then why are there four Batmen, all clearly Bruce, standing in front of him on this rooftop?

✦ The Waking World by Fairy527, dick & bruce, 2.2k     This isn’t the first time Dick has gone to Bruce after a nightmare. However, this is the first time his nightmare has involved Bruce's murder at his own hands, and it doesn't settle well.

✦ More Alike Than You'll Ever Admit coffeeandchocolate, dick & bruce, 1.2k     Dick Grayson has always been there alongside Batman. So if no one else is going to acknowledge that his first year wearing the cowl was harder, well, he's just going to have to do it himself. After Bruce returns from being lost in time, he and his eldest argue.

✦ Almost, Nearly by CKBookish, dick & bruce & jason & cast, 8.1k     Dick was just supposed to go with him to lunch. He wasn't supposed to get shot. He wasn't supposed to be bleeding out in the pouring rain on the steps of Wayne Enterprises. But then Bruce hadn't expected that sniper and he had seen it far to late. BATFAM FIC RECS - EVERYBODY LOVES DICK: ✦ Behind Granite and Lime by JeanjacketCarf, dick & bruce & jason & tim & barbara & cass, 14.5k wip     Cassandra had noticed. Of course, she noticed. That was the problem, she couldn’t turn it off. She always had to see, always had to know. So she knew when Dick came back from his mission that something was wrong. Or something is off with Dick. Hopefully, it doesn't have anything to do with those murders.

✦ Soup's On by HoodEx, dick & donna, 2k     Taking care of Dick never feels like a burden, it feels like an instinct. And Donna's really good at following her instincts.

✦ to dream away a sleepless night by waffle-wonder (cosmic_croissant), dick & bruce & jason & tim & damian & cass & stephanie & duke, 2.7k     Dick was fine. He was fine. Sure, he was having a little trouble focusing on unlocking his apartment door, but that didn’t mean anything. Or- Dick is exhausted. His family catches him when he falls.

✦ Temporary by daringyounggrayson, bruce & dick & alfred & cast, 14.8k     The double homicide at Haly’s Circus is not Bruce’s first case involving a child, and while there's no overt indication that Bruce should react differently to this case, he supposes that his previous cases did not involve the witness known as Dick Grayson. On the surface, the Grayson case seems like any other gang case, but the more time Bruce spends with the boy, the more he begins to doubt his own instincts.

✦ To the Moving and the Strange by SilverSkiesAtMidnight, dick & bruce & alfred & tim & cast, 6k     Thankfully, Alfred tips his head in acknowledgement. “I do,” he agrees. “I remember a great many things. But I have forgotten things too, and I expect as time goes on, more of them will slip away from me, and it’s entirely possible that I won’t even notice they’re gone. My memories of them will simply be… less.” Dick looks at him, studying the lines of his weathered face. “Does that ever make you feel like... like if you loved them more, you’d remember them?”

✦ better luck nest time by ScarlettSwordMoon, dick & bruce & jason & tim & damian & cass & steph & duke & cast, 47k wip     Feeling as if Dick’s family does not appreciate him enough, an alternate Earth version of Babs turns Dick into a bird. Now each member of the Batfamily must confess something to him if they ever want to see Dick as a human again. AKA The tale of a family and their birb.

✦ deep roots (are not reached by the frost) by fanfictiongreenirises, bruce & dick & jason & tim & damian & cass & cast, de-aged!dick, 85.2k wip     Dick gets reverted to a younger self after being kidnapped on during a case. But this is far from a routine de-aging.

✦ Bludhaven Police Department by Lady_of_Lorule, bruce & dick & jason & tim & barbara & amy & donna & wally & cast, 31.1k     Sgt. Amy Rohrbach learns that her partner, rookie cop Dick Grayson, is not what he seems. Or how Amy finds out that Dick Grayson is the heir to the entire Wayne fortune, the vigilante Nightwing, the leader of the Titans, and meets some of the Batfam and the Titans along the way. BATFAM FIC RECS - DICK AND DAMIAN WERE THE BEST BATMAN & ROBIN, I'M NOT HEARING ARGUMENTS ABOUT THAT EITHER: ✦ Too Many Walls and Not Enough Bridges by CamsthiSky, dick & damian, 3.7k     There's something bothering Damian. Dick's determined to help Damian feel comfortable enough to share it.

✦ All The Small Things by Geeves, dick & damian & bruce & cast, 20.1k     After Bruce's return to the Bat, Dick and Damian have to deal with just being brothers, but things are just a bit too messy to be that easy BATFAM FIC RECS - BATKIDS ALL HAVE MANY SIBLINGS AND THEY'RE ALL PETTY ASSHOLES AND/OR WONDERFUL BABIES AND I LOVE THEM WITH MY WHOLE BEING: ✦ Do-over by mx_chrx99, dick & jason & todd & damian & steph, 6.2k     Jason never really got to do the "family vacation" thing. Neither did Tim, Steph, or Damian. Dick did, but that was ages ago. Now's their chance to make up for lost time.

✦ pick up off the floor by deargalileo, dick & jason & bruce, 3k     there was a lump on Bruce's office floor. a Dickwing shaped lump.

✦ the trials and tribulations of fatherhood by InkpotSprite, bruce & dick & jason & tim, 2k     Dick, Jason and Tim compete to see who was the worst child. The answer surprises them all. On an unrelated note, Bruce is wondering if adoptions are a lifetime deal, or if they can be undone.

✦ A Time To Reflect by Experimental_Muse, bruce & dick & jason & tim & damian & cass & duke & alfred, time travel, 14.5k     Bruce finds himself stuck in the past, and while waiting for the league to pick him up, struggles to get along with his past self. Plus being in a practically empty manor is a bigger adjustment than he'd like to admit. BATFAM FIC RECS - SOMETIMES YOU JUST THINK BRUCE AND DIANA SHOULD KISS IT OUT: ✦ One equal temper of heroic hearts by victoria_p (musesfool), bruce/diana, nsfw, 1.5k     Bruce and Diana reconcile at Nanda Parbat.

✦ Thanksgiving at the Kents by starknjarvis, bruce/diana & cast, 8.9k     Clark convinces Diana to come to the farm for Thanksgiving, and Diana finally gets the chance to meet Bruce's kids. There are far more of them than she had expected.

✦ Escape Artistry by David Hines (hradzka), bruce/diana & cast, 24.2k     Wonder Woman is eager to learn new things. Batman, less so. Primarily JL animated continuity; some comic elements from as far back as the Golden Age. Complete. BATFAM FIC RECS - I WILL DIE ON THE HILL THAT TIM DRAKE'S TRUE LOVE INTEREST IS CONNER KENT AND NOBODY CAN STOP ME, NOT EVEN GOD: ✦ Will you die for (marry) me? by Ididloveyou_once, tim/kon & cassie & bart & cast, 7.8k     Tim sacrifices himself on a mission and lives. Conner hates that. They struggle through the aftermath.

✦ A Saturday Evening by malcyon, tim/kon & clark/lois & jonathan kent/martha kent & kara, 13.8k     Kon invites Tim over for dinner. Tim's not sure if he should have accepted that invitation.

✦ Sending all my love to you by Paintedqueen, tim/kon, 10.9k wip     Conner and Tim get blasted into New Earth where they meet an old friend.

✦ Composed of Us by starlikeknight, tim/kon & bruce & dick & cast, 37.1k wip     Or, a spiralling Tim clones a baby without thinking about the consequences. And there are many, many consequences. BATFAM FIC RECS - I SAY THIS IS A BATFAM REC LIST BUT SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOTTA SHOVE THOSE ASSHOLES OUT OF THE WAY AND READ SOME SUPERFIC: ✦ All these things (that I'll never know) by Paintedqueen, conner & clark & kara & jonathan & implied tim/kon & cast, 12.7k     Kon-El's journey on what it means to be Kryptonian.

✦ birthday bash by yeeyee123, conner & clark & jon & tim/kon, 11.8k     Kon’s pumped that Clark has brought him in to help put together Jon’s 8th birthday party. No really, he is! Just don’t ask him directly about it, or he may need to go leave the room and take a breather. Inhaling helium gas from all those balloons isn’t good for you, you know?

✦ Catching Icarus by Fantasyfire, conner & clark & justice league, 24.8k wip     A bad encounter with magic banishes Superboy into another world. Stranded, the Kryptonian clone must deal with a whole new league and a much different Superman.

✦ Nobody's Child by Kizmet, clark & conner & lois & ma kent & pa kent & cast, 18k     Superboy is deaged. While Young Justice looks for a cure Batman sticks Clark Kent with babysitting duties. BATFAM FIC RECS - TAKE THE ANGST DIAL, TURN IT UP TO ELEVEN, AND BREAK THE KNOB OFF, THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE FOR: ✦ Adeamus by miss_aphelion, bruce & dick & stephanie & damian & jason & tim & clark & cast, 32k     I'll always be there to catch you, Bruce had promised him once. Dick would like to believe it hadn’t been meant as a threat at the time. (or; Bruce takes over Gotham to keep his sons safe, but he’s already trained Dick too well to always protect others first)

✦ Gorgon’s eyes by Fleur_de_Violette, bruce & dick & jason & tim & damian & barbara & cast, 9k     Dick will give time to his family. He’s just came back as Nightwing after being undercover in Spyral; he understands that they won’t forgive him immediately. Except, when an encounter with neurotoxin leaves him completely paralyzed, he has no choice but to rely on them.

✦ bad signal by prismatical, bruce & dick & jason & tim & damian & cass & cast, 38.4k     The rescue mission went well. Nightwing is safe. Everything should be alright. Right?

✦ And The Crown Will Sing by ScarlettSwordMoon, bruce & dick & jason & tim & damian & barbara & cast, read the tags, 84.7k wip     After an encounter with alien technology, Bruce re-evaluates some previously held ideals. Gotham doesn’t need a Knight, she needs a King. Bruce will do whatever it takes to secure his rightful place as ruler of Gotham. He will do whatever it takes to keep his sons by his side. Even if it means breaking them in first. [Dark Bruce Wayne, eventual Dark Batfam]

✦ borderline by TheResurrectionist, bruce & dick & jason & tim & damian & cass & steph, 22.7k wip     A mysterious force connects the Batfamily's minds together.

✦ Parting is all we Know of Heaven by Sword_Kallya, dick & bruce & jason & tim & damian & amy, suicidal ideation, 11.9k     Three months after Batman returns from the timestream, Dick Grayson has disappeared.

✦ Behind Granite and Lime by JeanjacketCarf, dick & bruce & jason & tim & damian & barbara & cass & cast, read the tags, 18k wip     Cassandra had noticed. Of course, she noticed. That was the problem, she couldn’t turn it off. She always had to see, always had to know. So she knew when Dick came back from his mission that something was wrong. Or something is off with Dick. Hopefully, it doesn't have anything to do with those murders.

✦ A Little Out of the Ordinary by dizarys, tim & dick & conner & slade & cast, 1.5k     A boot scraped against stone at the same time pain seared through Tim’s chest, radiating from one sharp, jabbing point. With a gasping wheeze, he tried to grab at it. But his arms refused to move.

✦ Override Two: Family Protocol by zombiesbecrazy, dick & bruce & jason & tim & damian & barbara & cass & cast, talon!dick, 78.3k     When faced with an impossible and inescapable situation, Dick does the only thing left that he can do to save his family. Surrender himself to the Court of Owls to become their Talon in exchange for their lives.

✦ Weekend Commute by CKBookish, bruce & dick & jason & tim & donna & wally & cast, 7.4k     Dick Grayson makes his way home during the first snow fall of the year, when he finds himself confused and cold, miles from home.

✦ What These Hands Have Done by WinterSky101, bruce & dick & jason & tim & damian & cass & steph & alfred & cast, 14k     Dick is mind controlled into attacking his family. Unsurprisingly, he takes the whole thing very badly.

✦ birdsong by ScarlettSwordMoon, bruce & dick & jason & tim & damian & steph & cast, 22.7k     After getting a face full of Scarecrow’s newest toxin, Dick isn’t haunted by his typical nightmares. No. This one has little green pixie boots. AKA Batman: Ego but make it Robin.

✦ New Krypton by Hawkstout, dick & clark & bruce & cast, read the tags, 15.9k wip     Robin is captured by the Kryptonians and put under the care of Kal-El, the man he has known as Superman. Kal-El wants to do his best for Robin and keep the boy safe and healthy. He's fond of him. They were friends once. He hopes that once Robin understands the invasion of his home is for the best that he will grow to see him as a guardian, maybe even as a father. But Robin doesn't need another father. He needs a way to escape.

✦ i was not born to drown by daringyounggrayson, bruce & dick & tim & damian & donna & wally & roy & cast, 25.2k     Or: After getting shot by Doctor Hurt, Dick develops chronic migraines.

✦ Running Headlong into My Arms by gleesquid, bruce/selina & dick & jason & tim & damian & barbara & cass & steph & alfred & cast (& some minor pairings), 54.2k     Bruce doesn’t like to credit one thing for saving his life, but if he did, it would be Haly’s Circus that Friday night in September, just as summer was beginning to die. (He'll always be a sucker for kids with sad eyes, no parents, and more fight than the world knows what to do with.) Or: in a universe where superheroes don't exist, Bruce Wayne finds his family.

✦ Waking In The Night Light by I_Have_To_Get_Off_This_Planet, bruce & dick & jason & tim & cass, 7.1k     Aside from the soft pitter-pattering of rain against the window, it’s quiet in the room. Tranquil, Bruce thinks. Or at least, as tranquil as a hospital room can get. BATFAM FIC RECS - THROW BABY DICK AT BATTISON, C'MON DO IT, IT'LL BE HILARIOUS: ✦ take these broken wings and learn to fly by fishingclocks, dick & bruce & alfred, 49.2k wip     or, How Dick Grayson Burrowed His Way Inextricably into the Heart of Bruce Wayne

✦ A Bat and his Birds by SalParadiseLost, bruce & dick & jason & tim, 3.1k     Bruce Wayne adopts a child on impulse... and then another... and then another. He doesn't know what he's doing, but somehow it doesn't end up too bad except for the fact that his kids think he's a vampire.

[nevertheless-moving]

Stormlight AU 27B: Elhokar time travel

From Death to Way of Kings. Tries to get help, but unfortunately Elhokar is alone here.

Alternate version of this meeting, in which Elhokar uses his elementary light weaving skills to sneak into Sadeas bridgeman barracks, absolutely scaring the shit out of them.

Dark amorphous blob with glowing red eyes entering the barracks [it is his first time trying to be invisible. He is bad at it]: hello stormbles — do you all just sleep on the floor? And what is that smell? Heralds, this is depressing.

Bridge Four: WHAT THE — VOIDBRINGER! VOID —

Dark amorphous blob with glowing red eyes: wha — I am not a voidbringer! Stormblessed, tell them! I don't look anything like a voidbringer!

Kaladin: what? What are you? how do you know me? what do you want from us?

Dark amorphous blob with glowing red eyes: i — i thought —

Kaladin: Bissig, your knife, quick —

Dark amorphous blob with glowing red eyes: ah! keleks breath! Knife is not necessary, i, look — look — you remember, right? You saved me from assassins? We flew from Urithiru to Alethkar? Rescuing — well, attempting to rescue the queen? Come on hero, your kind of my last hope here, you have to remember —

[Dark amorphous blob with glowing red eyes turns into pretty light eyed woman]: tada! I - I swore my first oath! Just before I….you were there!

Teft: damnation! You're one too, aren't you!

Moash: uh, kal? It… might be a good time to talk about your past now?

Lopen: gancho, does this have something to do with your, you know, thing.

Skar: thing? what thing?

Rock: captain, i believe this woman too has god with her

Drehy: god?

Kaladin: i … have no idea what's going on. Who — what are you?

Brightlady [starting to tear up]: i — i thought for sure you would…you're the hero, not…oh stormfather, what am i supposed to do now?

Lopen: gancho! Very rude question! If you can't remember a woman's name you're supposed to fake it eh?

Moash: yeah kaladin, don't you know anything about women? Also, seriously? a lighteyes?

Kaladin:

Kaladin: i'm sorry ma'am, i don't — i have no idea what you're talking about

Brightlady [sniffling]: okay…alright…you don't remember, but you can still fix this— you can fly right? You could take an army to the voidbringers before they bring the desolation —

Hobber: you can fly??

Moash: don't be stupid, she's clearly insane — that black smoke must have been some kind of trick — listen lady —

Teft: lad…

Kaladin: i can't —

Syl: actually i just remembered! I think you might be able to — well not fly like me, but uh, fall? Upwards?

Kaladin:

Kaladin: I — I don't know how to fly! I'm not who you think i am!

Drehy: did anyone notice he didn't say he couldn't fly. because he definitely changed what he was going to say just now. Like i don't know how to use a bow, but i probably could, if someone taught me

Moash: Kal, just say you can't fly and end this conversation already

Kaladin: ...I have never flown before in my life

Bissig: i KNEW there was something about you — you're a herald in disguise, right?

Kaladin: what?! No! I — I might be a surgebinder, but seriously, I have no idea what's going on, alright?

Moash: what in the name of jezrians balls is a surgebinder?

Brightlady: i can't free you yet — dalinar will die…

Kaladin: wait, you can free us?

Brightlady: i mean i could probably buy you from Sadeas…but dalinar won't listen to me, he thinks i'm being paranoid — he would die — the entire kholin house would fall…

Kaladin: i don't give a cremling's leg about the kholin house! My men are dying! The bridgecrews are a death sentence and we're making runs every day now! If you want me to be some big voidbringer slaying hero then free us first!

Brightlady: oh? And the thousands of dark eyed soldiers under his command? You don't care about them?

Kaladin: what are we supposed to do as slaves that —

Voice from outside: hey! Bridge Four! What's that racket?

Moash: chull dung

Skar: Captain —

Kaladin: ah! Quick, change back to the voidbringer!

Brightlady: I'm not a —

Kaladin: if they find a brightlady in here we'll all be strung up! Hurry!

Brightlady: who would dare — oh, right right, uh —

[Brightlady transforms into nondescript herdassian man]: how — 'ows that?

Lopen: cousin!

Anyway after Elhokar leaves bridge four is left with the distinct impression that Kaladin is a herald who lost his memory.

Kaladin: i haven't lost my memory! I remember my whole life! I just don't like talking about it! None of us like talking about our pasts! Teft tell them what you told me —

Teft: …i mean i thought you were a surgebinder, but…

Moash: seriously what in damnation is surgebinding

Teft: it's people with the same powers as knights radiant. People who can breathe in stormlight and do things with it. After he survived the highstorm i brought him diamond chips…it's how he healed

Kaladin: which you didn't actually tell me right away

Skar: why didn't you tell us?

Moash: yeah. I thought we were in this together

Kaladin: i – i didn't know what to think. I still don't. For all i know I'm cursed, like the Knight's radiant were.

Lopen: you ain't cursed gancho! What kind of curse let's you stick rocks together?

Rock: stick rocks together?

Moash: alright, i can see why you wouldn't share a storming useless power

Teft: i thought you were a radiant but… most people say that the heralds come first, warning the world and then training the radiants. In some ways it makes more sense to be a herald alone than a single radiant without a herald…

Drehy: oh! Which herald do you think he is!

Kaladin: i am not a herald!

Sigzil: i believe that woman would have been Shalash — i have seen her depicted as a many faced woman capable of soul casting

Moash: huh i have heard that soulcasters are actually something unnatural under those hoods

Kaladin: seriously moash? You believe this?

Moash: i mean i already knew no one was answering prayers. If you're a herald that just means that the gods are fumbling around confused and screwing up, which would storming explain a lot about the world

Skar: oh that's a good point

Kaladin: no it's not!

Hobber: its alright sir! Er, my lord!

Kaladin: do NOT call me —

Eth: when i asked him about washing hands before and after touching wounds he just said 'wisdom of the heralds'

General bridgemen: oooh

Kaladin: my father taught me that! He's a surgeon! I grew up in a rural farming village in Sadeas! Enlisted in the army when i was 15 – i can remember my whole life, alright? Every miserable detail! I was 11 when King Gavilar died! I — and I can't believe i have to convince people of this — am not a Herald!

Bridge Four:

Rock: have heard of men whose minds make up stories after hitting head

Lopen: oh! oh! or, maybe its like, a past life thing

Sigzil: some religions do tell of mythical figures being reborn in times of need

General bridge four: ooh

Kaladin: YOU THREE AREN'T EVEN VORIN

Lopen: exactly!

Sigzil: reluctant as i am to be on the same side of an argument as lopen, it is not really heresy for us

Teft: i think jezrian and nale were the ones who could walk on walls and whatnot

Jaks: Jezrian sort of rhymes with kaladin!

Kaladin:

Kaladin: I'm going back to sleep.

[cosmereplay]

New fic I wrote for the Fandom Trumps Hate 2024 fundraiser, thanks to my donator! I'm posting a chapter a week for seven weeks.

An Uneventful Mission

Rated Teen, about 14K words, one-sided Renarin/Kaladin, WoR spoilers. Summary: Kaladin goes on his first scouting patrol, and he chooses Renarin, the new Bridge Four recruit and Kholin prince, to come with him. Both harbour dangerous secrets, hoping not to reveal their burgeoning Surgebinding powers. One of them harbours a crush so secret even he doesn't know. One of them is too confident around the horses.

Teen-rated excerpt below the cut:

As the prince got onto his horse, Kaladin gazed far down the road towards the horizon, watching Syl flying among some windspren at a safe distance. He felt anxious to leave, and anxious to return. The sooner he could get away from Amaram, the better. But the sooner he returned, the sooner he’d be off this winds-blasted horse, and the sooner he’d find out how his men had fared without him. This would be Bridge Four’s first patrolling mission, and success meant he could keep Bridge Four away from fighting the Parshendi. He would just have to prove to everyone that bridgemen could be trusted with horses, with the responsibility of protecting the region, and especially with protecting Renarin. He let out a breath. He could do this. Renarin trotted up beside him. “I’m ready,” he said in his quiet, unobtrusive way. “Good. Then let’s go.” Kaladin grabbed the reins and pressed in his heels, and the horse started moving forward. “Don’t forget me!” a voice boomed. Kaladin looked back. It was the hairy groom who had helped him, riding up on a brown horse. “I’m to come with you,” the man announced, riding alongside Kaladin. “Stablemaster Jenet doesn’t want to leave the horses with you alone yet. She says you’re not ready.” Kaladin rolled his eyes. “Fine,” he said. “What’s your name?” “Bateb. It’s a pleasure, Brigh–uh, Captain,” the man stammered. Gritting his teeth, Kaladin pushed his horse to go a little faster, following the road leading south, away from the warcamps and the Shattered Plains.

Keep reading

[bluntandsaucy]

WHOS UR FAV STORMLIGHT CHARACTER

omg omg good question,,, i think it's hard because i really really really want to see more of both adolin and renarin. like they are the characters who i'm super excited when they get on-page and i'm just waiting for their chapters to happen.

on the other hand, if the books ended right now (i am halfway through row) then i would walk away with kaladin being my favorite character. he's just so iconic and slay. i love syl as well which adds to me loving kaladin, and something that i think mr. sanderson does really well is moving on from a character arc exactly when it's supposed to end? like nothing is too drawn-out, i'm never too tired of a kaladin arc (surgeon -> soldier -> slave -> soldier -> leader -> radiant -> soldier -> unemployed -> surgeon (again) -> therapist -> soldier). i really like all these iterations and change--it's not just one single character arc that we're getting, it's multiple and they're overlapping and they're always interesting. also he can fly and he has depression and "honor is dead but i'll see what i can do" was my favorite moment of the entire series so far. i love adolin and kaladin together btw.

but i really want to see more adolin, more renarin, and also more szeth? also i don't really care for dalinar tbh. like someone sue me but i typically like characters more who i can see going into many different directions in the future then characters who i feel are super defined by their past... a past that we only see in flashbacks (not a flashback girlie. sorry squad.)

[octahyde]

Do you have any original characters for TWST?

(As a preface I do have another OC I ship with Chenya, Beau Rhodes, but… I haven’t done much with him besides conceptualizing him. Maybe I should do more since I don’t talk about it enough but TreyRid really really is my romantic canonxcanon TWST OTP and I love it desperately even if I never talk about it. I’ve also been fucking around lately with middle freak Ortho having a form he can use on the surface but ehhh that’s not really an OC thing.)

Ok here it is… The #yumeshit lore post. I actually wanna start getting into like the yume community on BlueSky or something because it has a lot more male yumes than tumb (or rather twit does but my main is a permalocked personal and they’re all slowly but surely jumping ship to BlueSky LMAO), so I might as well explain The Lore in detail. 

As a preface I spend a LOT more time thinking about them when they’re older, because 1) self actualization and 2) why would I EVER want to willingly think about being a teenager again. I literally describe high school as “a haze of undiagnosed mental illness, and also drama club”. no thanx. It’s just not like… too lore noteworthy vs the stuff that actually happens in canon lol.  Here’s what they look like as adults. I’ve mentioned working on a Shrouds piece that took 2 months I finally finished last week, and this is it:

(Side note- along with being a tgirl I hc Idia is a double below the knee amputee after the incident that killed Ortho)

also feel like I should say… Trix’s views on Rook don’t reflect mine LMAO. I have mixed feelings on Rook, but overall my feelings lean positive towards him. He’s a total freak and it’s funny as fuck and I love it. So if you like him don’t try to take the dynamic too personally, it’s the way it is for a laff more than anything.

Beatrice “Trixie” “Trix” Hart is a catch all self insert of mine; mostly for platonic yume. (She was made as a self insert assistant for Klavier Gavin, hence the name, and is also platonic with syl(gags) sylv(throws up in my mouth a little) Sylvain Jose Gautier. If you wanna know about those you can ask ig, I don’t have a ref for 3H Beatrice but I did draw AA Trixie when I came up with her.) She started out as a girl (and I still view her as such in those universes) but for TWST he’s specifically a guy because. Well. This game made me realize I was a transhet man and especially yume helped me sort that out along with being st4t exclusive LOL

Trix is a Pomefiore second year bnuuy beastman from the Shaftlands, Class C (same class as Azul and Jamil). It just kind of really conveniently worked out that my sonas usually have upright brown bnuuy years like the Snow White bunnies and I’m so artistic Pomefiore was the only dorm that makes sense LOL. His Book 7 cameo on Rook’s shelf…

He’s in Film Research Club, and is unique because he joined specifically for crew work, not acting. He’s very extroverted in club and with people he’s close to, but he can be surprisingly introverted when he’s not comfortable. (Ambivert moment). He specializes in practical magic with his sewing and art, and Hates PE. (He likes flying, though.)

His unique magic is My Sweet Heart, which lets him see memories and emotions from people if he grasps their right hand and puts his hand over their heart. 

Caycay is his Number One BFF. I don’t know how they met his first year, but it was basically an immediate click (#trans recognizes #trans. #real #recognizes #real.). Trix walks to class with him every morning, and they frequently go to cafe collabs on the weekend and after class, being sure to leave some of their food out of their magicam posts lest they earn the wrath of their wardens LMAO. If Trix needs someone, Caycay is There for him.

Him and Vil are also VERY close. During his first year, there was an incident that lead to him being roommates with Vil, despite her being a second year and him being first. Trix Really does not like to talk about it, and while Vil would be fine telling people, she doesn’t out of respect for him. She also appreciates someone around club that’s enthusiastic about crew work, and tends to let him lead costume and prop work.

It’s Very clear he has a huge crush on her and that she doesn’t reciprocate. Sometimes she might throw him a bone and give him a little extra praise though LMAO. They do have a very bad fight toward the end of Vil’s third year though, and they go years without talking after. 

His closeness with Vil leaves him some leverage for defending Epel. (#nonpassing recognizes #nonpassing. #real recognizes #real.) It’s mostly in vain, though, but Epel appreciates being looked out for a LOT. Especially because, despite how artistic and fashionable Trix is, his personality is MUCH more down to earth than other Pomefiore students. He’s the biggest advocate for Epel transferring to Savanaclaw his second year and someone who Epel confides a lot into.

Rook’s nickname for him is Monsieur Lapin (Floyd’s is Sea Bunny. Floyd doesn’t come up so I figure I might as well say it heh.). He hates Rook. He thinks Rook is a freak. Especially as a beastman he thinks Rook is super fucking weird. Rook loves Trix’s artwork and his personal journey with beauty and adores him a lot as his beloved underclassman. He knows Trix hates him. He doesn’t care. Trix hates him So Much.

He doesn’t know Ortho much minus the guy who sits next to Caycay’s companion pre Book 6, but once Ortho joins Film Research Trix gets attached REALLY fast. He’s always wanted a younger sibling so he dotes on Ortho constantly, and they rec each other anime and games all the time. (Trix gets him into Professor Layton and he LOVES it.) He learns… a lot about Idia and Ortho’s relationship through this.

Lilia also got asked to tutor him for history once because Trix can’t do homework For Shit and needs help finishing assignments despite his test scores. This backfires because they don’t get anything done ever, but most importantly for The Lore they trade socials and thus Trix is friends with Muscle Red and knows who he is.

Ok. Now the meat of it. The #yumeshit. 

I think it’s probably obvious, but Trix is a nonpassing trans guy. NRC being an all boys school makes him feel safer, but… when he’s not at NRC, even if it’s just in the foothill town, he girlmodes. Being misgendered hurts a lot less that way. (No this is not projecting. Just kidding it is. Please help me.)

As a way of getting respite from this, he VTubes as a magical boy with a voice changer. I don’t have a proper ref but his sona is like the best design I’ve ever done and I’m lowkey mad about it. Anyways. While his interests aren’t really a secret irl it’s always kind of surprising when someone that doesn’t know him finds out he’s into nerdy things, but he gets REALLY invested in the games he’s playing and he has A Lot of info and interpretations to share. And despite his bright design, he gets most excited from horror. He’s not a huge indie by any means but he has a solid following. 

And when Muscle Red sees there’s a well known horror game Gloomurai likes on the docket, well, he HAS to invite them to watch his friend with him! They’ve been telling him how their favorite speedrunner retired and they need someone new to watch, anyways. 

Idia’s very pensive at first, seeing such a bright and sparkly character playing Resident Evil 7, a horror game with a very disgusting atmosphere and themes to match. Probably going to overreact to everything and pretend to be super scared and upset to look cute for views. But he’s watching with Muscle Red, and he wouldn’t make her watch something cringey like that, would he…?

As the game starts up, he starts gushing about what an amazing atmosphere the game has. The entire thing is filthy, and that leads to an overwhelming feeling of dread and disgust- even moreso with the family. His eyes light up when he points out an early scene is referencing The Blair Witch Project.

When it comes to things outside of gameplay itself, he really knows his stuff. Despite how mad him dying for the hundredth time on an extremely easy stealth section makes her, it’s nice to see such a passionate horror otaku. She almost doesn’t mind it because she likes listening to him talk. (Almost.)

Idia starts watching him with Muscle Red regularly. She’s too shy to talk in chat, so she just gives a lot of questionably large donos when he does things. 

He gives a lot of half joking “thank you for funding my doll collection” responses at first, but then says Gloom should chat if they’re comfortable. He’d love to get to know someone who is giving him all this money, and they’re considered a legend in chat for it. She’s nervous (she has no idea why), but she does slowly start chatting and attaching messages to her donos. Soon, she’s a regular in the chat and community. 

So active, in fact, she finds herself with a dm asking for her discord one day. A message follows shortly after about how he appreciates her involvement and wants to get to know her better- now that she’s more talkative, he thinks she’s really funny. 

From there starts a quickly blooming online friendship. They talk whenever they get the chance, though he strictly has to go to bed early or he’ll get chewed out by his housewarden. (A female housewarden…? Is he even forced into the girl dorms at his school?) Idia’s never forthcoming with private info, though, and he seems pretty hesitant with how feminine he is irl to give much past vague detail, either. 

Meanwhile, Trix has to be incredibly careful when lights out and Rook makes the rounds with how late he’s staying up. He is the number one person Trix would rather Die than see his conversation history when confiscating his phone. Gloom’s rude but funny and he loves hearing about X Obscure Game Yaoi Ship. (Sometimes he becomes a casual fan of the series and ship in question- he has been commissioned a LOT to draw her Star Rogue OTP by her.) (He also gets converted to Luisley probably.)

Offline, though, Idia and Trix’s relationship is… awkward. One time during remedial gym lessons when both of them had to run laps in his first year, Trix started complaining about missing club and how he needed to fix his make up, and Idia, being Idia, made a really snide comment about it. Trix snapped at her, and while to him it was just having a bad day, Idia… never really recovered from it. 

In the next year her only exposure was daily convos that were way too peppy for so early in the morning with the extrovert that sat next to her. (I’ve always hced Idia and Caycay sit next to each other in class and straight up forget this isn’t actually canon on a regular basis.) At some point, he started taking curious glances at Idia, which didn’t help at all.

Trix starts getting suspicions about Idia from the few times he does hear her talk, and how similar it sounds. Has he met her before…? But surely he would remember knowing someone as distinctive as Idia, right? 

He has absolutely zero involvement in Book 6 also. With everything going on (because their vice warden ROOK LITERALLY LEFT WITH NO WARNING OR BACKUP PLAN, BECAUSE OF COURSE HE DID, HE IS THE WORST PERSON ALIVE WHO HAS EVER BEEN BORN), him and his roommate end up being the ones to take charge and keep Pomefiore in order. I feel like with Idia yumes in particular Book 6 is a Big Thing because like, Book 6, so I feel like this is important info.

(He IS in Book 7 though. His dream is in between Epel and Rook’s. It’s about being amab :’( He doesn’t take waking up and being back in his actual body well.)

Her and Ortho coming back clear any doubts in his mind: Gloom suddenly leaving on the night of the incident, with zero word since, only to long back on with a “sry, irl stuff happened,” the day after the Shrouds come back? She’s Gloom. Especially getting to know Ortho in club and listening to him talk about her, there is literally no other option. 

He was planning on confronting her about it… then Book 7 happened. Obviously how it ends could change this, but for now once everything’s settled Idia gets a discord notif saying he has to talk to her, and he wants to in person. She tries to say it would be too hard to arrange, only to get a simple response: “Ignihyde Lounge. One hour. You’ll know when you see me.”

She is, unsurprisingly, horrified. How did he figure out? Does he hate her now that he knows she’s a freak? Is he coming to tell her how he can’t believe he befriended someone so pathetic? He’s going to tell everyone all the things she said in confidence. “Lol, you guys thought Shroud was a freak before? Get a load of this!”

Luckily, Trix told Ortho about it. He’s able to coax Idia out and helps her to the dorm lounge, holding her hand along the way. 

And indeed, the one Pomefiore uniform in Ignihyde’s dorm lounge sticks out like a sore thumb. Her heart rate explodes. He’s who she’s been talking to this entire time?! No. No. Absolutely no way. She’s not doing this. She tries to turn and run away, but her brother’s death grip (why did she give him all that strength?) keeps her in place.

He looks around awkwardly as he walks up. “Hey, uh… sorry about that time I snapped at you. Ortho told me it really freaked you out.” Trying to calm her down would hopefully make this easier.. “Do… you want to go somewhere more private? You’re even paler than normal.”

Yes. I do. Alone. And I want to forget this even happened. Unfortunately for her, the look on her bother’s face told her it was a mandatory quest. Defeated, she leads him back to her room. 

He sits uncomfortably stiff on her bed. Idia hides in her chair, turned away from him. He tells her that he doesn’t hate her, that he doesn’t think she’s pathetic. No response. Luckily, he invited Ortho for backup. 

“He really wants to be your friend, Idia! He’s the still same person you’ve been talking to online. And he’s really nice. He’s the one who recommended those games to me!”

Taking a cue on how exhausted she is mentally, Trix gets up and walks to the door. “Just… think about it, okay?”

Think about what? The fact that this person she got close to was actually a loud extrovert who hung around a bunch of normies? That he knows all of the rumors about her? Forget real life- he could go online and tell everyone what a freak Gloomurai was irl, too. 

They don’t talk anywhere for like a week and Trix doesn’t walk to class with Caycay, but then they do talk it out. It’s really hard and REALLY scary for Idia, but she’s able to accept him into her life as a friend. He ends up being a really big pillar of stability for her, and he already knows about her own transness and boymoding which makes him even safer.

And… that’s how they are to the end of her third year! Friends. And really, not looking for anything past that. 

Idia gets a really REALLY nice condo in the Kingdom of Heroes for her internship. (Which she mostly even only uses the upper half of. Smfh) She also gets two cats; a white one, Clear, and a gray one, Ryoji. I’m sure you can guess who they’re named after. Reminder that Idia is canonically a fujoshi. Anyways.

Trix visits during school breaks with Ortho… he also stays in Ortho’s room with him while he’s there. For the most part it’s a lot of just comfy stuff like gaming and watching movies, Ortho taking Trix out to see things and such. Over Winter break while visiting Trix edits one of the Film Research pieces for the culture fair bc he’s club president now… By the time of said fair with 4th years presentations it’s very obvious to like Everyone how they feel. (And they probably know it themselves but try to ignore it because neither feels ready for a relationship).

A really REALLY big point worth noting during this time period (and this is all I’ll say bc I know it’s a difficult topic) is that they see each others cutting scars for the first time. They never really comment on or talk about it, but there’s a wordless understanding and comfort between them afterwards. 

Idia’s staying on the surface for at least a few years to see if researching with Olympos resources can give any new perspectives on blot or her curse. If Trix wants to stay for his internship, there’s plenty of room. She doesn’t admit it, but she really wants him to stay. Unfortunately, though, he’s always been interested in the Queendom of Roses and opts for an editing internship with a publisher there.

It’s more of the same; he visits her more regularly because he’s not limited to NRC’s schedule, and he still streams and she still watches and talks to him. He also adopts Chunky who LIVES FOREVER AND NEVER DIES, EVER. There’s an undeniable closeness between them but neither are still ready to actually act, even if it’s clear they may as well already be together lol. 

During this time she also starts getting him transformation potions to help with dysphoria from STYX while he transitions.

After his internship, he’s able to get a job at the Kingdom of Heroes office of the publisher he interned for. He may or may not have chosen to transfer on purpose- there’s plenty of space there, anyways, so much so he can have his own room big enough to both sleep and work in. Ortho’s out on his own acting internship with Vil’s agency, so for the most part it’s just them and their cats in this huge place lmao. It’s really easy to coexist because there’s space when they need it and Idia’s like entire gamer zone on the upper level when they wanna do stuff together. It works out really well.

There are a whole bunch of headcanons of mine about STYX and the Shrouds and their relationships that I’m not really comfortable going into. However, when they overblotted together, Idia and Ortho did something… really traumatic unrelated to Middle Freak Ortho’s death that Idia blames herself for. She still has regular nightmares about it, and while Trix usually isn’t around from the breakdowns because he’s in his room when they happen, this time he fell asleep upstairs and heard all of it.

He goes in to check on her, and she’s really closed off. He’s eventually able to get her to tell him what happened and her guilt, but… He already knew. Ortho told him years ago when they were all still at NRC. He was waiting for her to tell him on her own terms.

Idia does uhh not take this being hidden from her well! He rationalizes that knowing it and never judging her and standing by her side this entire time means he truly does care and doesn’t blame her. He holds her hand and for the first time says it:

“I love you.”

Idia looks at him wide eyed for a second before turning away.

“You need to leave.”

He’s allowed to stay- she’s not going to just throw him on the street- but he is not allowed upstairs near her. She needs time to process everything. Especially how he hurt her trust. 

Eventually they are able to talk it out though and end up in a relationship. YIPEE!!!!!! Ortho moves in permanently around this time with his internship over with his 2 dogs to add to the family. :)

There’s a lot of stuff with STYX and Woe I haven’t fuuuuuully sorted out the details of, but Idia does eventually have to go back for a while to put her research to use and put an end to things. I think this period is really tough because she does Not want Trix to see what a horrible place it is and how it’s the source of so many awful things it was so she tries to leave him. She doesn’t obv and she’s able to successfully find a solution to the Phantom problem.

Once she’s back, though, she does have a near immediate breakdown- with it all over, her brain can actually like. Process what her life was up to that point and she just kind of snaps. She ends up hospitalized for a few months to keep her safe from a HORRIFIC schizophrenic break. Trix uses STYX Bux for a place to stay so he can visit her near daily and help her through it. There’s also a REALLY bad incident with Ortho.

Minus that though from there it’s… really just them being happy, healing, and transitioning with each other. Idia becomes an indie game dev and Trix becomes a horror writer. He still streams (she started vtubing somewhere along the way too), but they’ve never publicly posted about their relationship. It’s really funny because it’s like blatant but they just try to act like it isn’t LMAO.

As they get older, they move to a small, quiet place in the Queendom of Roses. They have 3 kids (who I also have ocs for but that’s WAY too cringe) who are very well loved. Ortho also lives with them and they have a very happy family. :)

TL;DR: Idia wins the VTuber Fuck A Fan contest.

[awindandtruthliveblog]

[Wind and Truth: Chapter 66]

Ooh, Hoid trying to necromance? He's gotta stop by John Gaius' place

Nvm guess they couldn't fly. But it also doesn't matter. Bridge.

Ashertmarn, huh? Yeah that's one of them.

Lamb <3

"Szeth was Tien" is so right and also so exactly what Kaladin needs. Wow.

Last paragraph on page 653 is great

Ooh, yeah Kal get him with the "mom would be sad"

Such a tasty page 655. That's so good. Include the hug too.

Syl's so strong I'm so proud of her

Wait did they not tell Szeth they brought his toy

Oh hey Nale. Maybe you should get stabbed by Szeth. Sooner, rather than later. Well, yelled at. Szeth doesn't want to hurt.

[knight-of-skyloft]

For Rlain Rlendsday this week, here's the moment that catapulted Rlain into place as my favorite character.

Rlain squeezed Kaladin on the shoulder and nodded to him, a sign of obvious respect. Which made the next words he spoke so odd. "Thank you, sir. Please tell the spren he can seek elsewhere. I won't be requiring his bond." He let go, but Kaladin caught his arm. "Rlain?" Kaladin said. "What are you saying? Syl and I worked hard to find you a spren." "I appreciate that, sir." "I know you feel left out. I know how hard it is to see the others fly while you walk. This is your chance." "Would you take a spren who was forced into the deal, Kaladin?" Rlain asked.

"Considering the circumstances, I'd take what I could get."

"The circumstances..." Rlain said, holding up his hand, inspecting the pattern of his skin. "Did I ever tell you, sir, how I ended up in a bridge crew?" Kaladin shook his head slowly. "I answered a question," Rlain said. "My owner was a mid-dahn lighteyes-nobody you'd know. An overseer among Sadeas's quartermasters. He called out to his wife for help as he was trying to add figures in his head, and not thinking I gave him the answer." Rlain hummed a soft rhythm, mocking in tone. "A stupid mistake. I'd been embedded among the Alethi for years, but I grew careless. "Over the next few days, my owner watched me. I thought I'd given myself away. But no... he didn't suspect I was a spy. He just thought I was too smart. A clever parshman frightened him. So he offered me up to the bridge crews." Rlain glanced back at Kaladin. "Wouldn't want a parshman like that breeding, now would we? Who knows what kind of trouble they would make if they started thinking for themselves?" "I'm not trying to tell you that you shouldn't think, Rlain," Kaladin said. "I'm trying to help." "I know you are, sir. But I have no interest in taking 'what I can get.' And I don't think you should force a spren into a bond. It will make for a bad precedent, sir." He hummed a different rhythm. "You all name me a squire, but I can't draw Stormlight like the rest. There's a wedge between me and the Stormfather, I think. Strange. I expected prejudice from humans, but not from him.... Anyway, I will wait for a spren who will bond me for who I am-and the honor I represent." He gave Kaladin a Bridge Four salute, tapping his wrists together, then turned to continue teaching songs to farmers. (RoW ch. 15)

[gal-palanaeum]

Femslash fic rec: Sylphrena/Yixli

Caught and Kept by khrossbow

This just goes to show that if you post inspiration, sometimes it pays off!! Rated Explicit, 3000 words, Oathbringer spoilers

Read an excerpt below:

With her brow furrowed and her eyes sharp as a razor, Yixli did cast an imposing figure, even Syl had to admit that. She hurried away, turning into a ribbon of light and twirling around the trunk of the tree, before flying off hoping she hadn’t been too conspicuous. She hasn’t been staring for long, right? Thinking to lay low for a while, Syl took to the skies and joined some real windspren in their flight. Unfortunately, riding the winds didn’t feel particularly fun today, not when she couldn’t pester Kaladin about the details of everything she saw. It wasn’t long before Syl was back to hiding in the foliage, trying to snoop.  It seemed she’d chosen a good time for it too, as Yixli was talking to another voidspren, one of the red stormy varieties that Syl had seen even before the everstorm began. She’d seen even more of them recently, and in ever-increasing numbers as they got closer to the major Alethi cities. The others had just kept rolling by in their little balls of red lightning, but this one seemed to have stopped by to chat.  Syl crept closer, hiding at the base of a tree just close enough to overhear their conversation.  “-the exodus from the outer provinces is nearly done, but I’ve heard some concerning rumors.” The red spren said.  “And? I don’t see why you need to hold me up about it.” Yixli replied curtly. If there was any sort of hierarchy among the voidspren Yixli certainly did not consider herself beneath this red variety.  The red spren scoffed, “You’ve got a human in your group. Villages in the direction you came from are talking about a human tromping around claiming to be Radiant, preaching about the desolation. Then a single man turns up and tags along with your group. Does that sound like a coincidence to you?” From Syl’s hiding place, she saw Yixli narrow her eyes.  “You’ve been watching the human, I assume. Have you seen anything?” The red spren prodded.  “No… he’s a model prisoner, and he’s helped this sorry lot get their act together,” Yixli said, sounding hesitant.  "Whatever. I’m not the one who’ll get unmade if this goes wrong.” That other spren said, flying off unsympathetically.  Syl frowned, it was concerning that rumors of Kaladin’s warnings had reached the voidbringers, but since they weren’t suspicious of him particularly, he could probably afford to stay a little longer. She’d need to warn him to be careful though. That wouldn’t be a problem, as they should be able to meet by second moon tonight- Syl’s train of thought came to a screeching halt as a hand slammed into her throat, pinning her to the tree. Yixli, her angular features twisted into a vicious smirk, leaned in close.  “Hello, little spy.” She hissed. 

Keep reading

Want to read more Cosmere femslash fic? Want to add your femslash to the Collection? Check out the Cosmere Femslash February Collection on ao3!

[cosmerelists]

Cosmere Characters as Mall Santas

Mall Santas are volunteers who spend time talking to little kids in malls so that the kids' parents can take pictures and the kids can "meet Santa." If Cosmere characters worked as mall Santas, how would that go?

1. Wax

Was very excited and created an elaborate backstory with Steris...which he'll get to use one of these days...

Small child: But how do you fly all over the world in just one night? Wax: Ho ho ho! It's because Santa has access to duralumin! Small child: Du..ba..lura? Wax: ... Wax: Ho ho ho! It's magic! Small child: Yay! Wax (to himself): It'll work on one of these kids...

2. Shallan:

Thanks to her artistic talents and lightweaving, Shallan turns herself into the quintessential Santa Claus.

Small child: Mommy! Mommy! I think that might be the REAL Santa! Mother (in a whisper): I-I think so too...

3. Lightsong

Grumbled about it at first but ends up having a really good time.

Lightsong: You know, Scoot, you were right. Lightsong: Doing this is good for me. Lightsong: It's so great to listen to requests that don't require my death! Lightsong: AND I can talk to children without having to steal their souls! Scoot: ...You really shouldn't talk about your divine duties that way, Your Grace. Lightsong: I'm just saying--this is VERY refreshing!

4. Szeth

Gets a little...too concerned about whether kids have been naughty or nice.

Nightblood: Sure were a lot of kids who cried after talking to you. Szeth: Mm. Nightblood: The parents also didn't seem super thrilled that you "made the naughty children face their darkest sins." Szeth: I simply spoke the truth. Szeth: If I see a small child pull his sister's hair and say nothing, what kind of Santa am I? Nightblood: ...The kind who doesn't make children cry? Szeth: Exactly.

5. Marsh

Is a...well, listen. He tries. But he's a scary Santa.

Marsh: ... Marsh: ... Marsh: I can't believe there are NO kids in line. Marsh: I hung ornaments on my eye spikes and everything.

6. Kaladin

Gets somewhat...invested

Small child: An' what I REALLY want is for daddy to come home! Small child: I know he's gotta keep us safe fighting but I really miss him! Small child: [sniffles] Kaladin: ... Kaladin (in an intense whisper): It will now be my sole mission to... Syl: (clears her throat loudly) Kaladin: ... Kaladin: I-I mean, Santa knows that your dad is working hard and will make sure he gets a very special present this year! Small Child: Yay! Kaladin: ... Kaladin: I know I can't save every child...but can't I save them all a little?

7. Vin

If you've read the Discworld books, think Death from Hogfather

Mother: D-Did you just give my daughter a pair of glass daggers?? Vin: Yeah. It's what she asked for. Mother: That's dangerous! Vin: ...Well, yes. They're daggers. Mother: What if she hurts herself?? Vin: Tell her to turn the pointy ends toward other people. [Small girl runs by, waving the daggers overhead and screaming] Vin: I think she already gets it.

8. Lift

She's one of the elves, not Santa, but she takes her role very seriously. And her role, as she's decided it, is to coach the kids in line.

Lift: Listen: talkin' to Santa is fun 'n' all, but it's not the REAL point. Small child: It's...not? Lift: Nope! You're tryin' to tell your parents want you want AND you're tryin' to be so storming cute about it that they can't possibly say no. Small child: But I thought Santa-- Lift: Just trust me on this. You gotta go wide eyes, adorable smile, and say "please" as "pwease." Lift: You got this, champ! Wyndle: I-I don't even know where to start...

9. Wayne:

Makes sure the kids get what they wish for

Wayne: Okay, folks, that was a productive day! Wayne: We gotta hit the stores SOON and make sure we get EVERY item on this list delivered! Guy dressed as an elf: You...you know you're not really Santa, right? Wayne: How can you say that?? Wayne: Don't you SEE my hat?!

10. Cultivation

Does not give the kids what they ask for...she gives them what they need.

Small child: And I want an axehound puppy! Cultivation: [solemnly pulls an item from her sack] Cultivation: For you I have...a stick that looks a lot like a sword. Small child: !!!! Small child: [shrieking with delight] Cultivation: Nailed it again.

[relicsongmel]

waaaahaaaait I just realized. saberon is like. the runescape equivalent I have of syl and denise. which means if i put him in a pokemon au for any reason he WILL end up running into them and probably having a rivalry sorta situationship that has zero romance you know the kind. but it also means if I ever convinced you to play runescape they'd ALSO be allies, which is deeply funny, as I am now considering syl and denise in a runescape au. I feel you should know this. just so we're on the same page here. nodnod.

IVE INFECTED SOMEONE ELSE WITH SELF INSERT BRAINROT LETS GOOOOOO oh my god I love that actually xDDD it’s worth noting that the girls are both demi and less likely to end up in a situationship than someone like Jen for instance. That said Syl is ungodly horny and Dena is lonely as hell so if that gets the better of them. I can’t deny the possibility lmao (N you better fly your ass back to Unova soon your future wife misses you…also the current situation with Dena’s canon love interest is a Whole Doozy and I would sooner be waterboarded than talk about it publicly but. [REDACTED] should maybe get his shit together too)

Admittedly my knowledge of RuneScape is limited to me watching my older sister play it when we were kids and even then I can tell you jack shit in terms of specifics, but it sounds rad as hell and I’m very flattered that you’re thinking of putting my darling ladies there ;w; I’d love to hear more about Saberon as well so do feel free to share!!!! (for all I know he could pull a Ray Shields and end up becoming part of my canon. Who’s to say :p)

[steffie-musings]

The Guilt

Hello everyone to my Wander over Yonder fan-fic.

This is the sequel to The Honor

Wander over Yonder characters belong to Craig McCracken Story, character(s) belongs to me, Steffie

The Guilt

Sylvia grabbed Wander by his shoulders. To her surprise, her friend didn't struggle.

"Wait! Wander, are you crazy?! Are you pretending to be this king in order to satisfy this creep?" Sylvia demanded as she struggled to keep her voice down. Her friend refused to look at her in the eye. "I need to do this, Syl. It's for the best." Wander spoke in a tone that she wasn't used to him using. A tone of utter defeat. Before she could respond, Wander scurried towards Judge Farsalot as quickly as possible. The zbornak tried to grab the star nomad, but he dodged her. A few moments later, he stood right in front of Judge Farsalot and his bodyguards. The cluster of star nomads were too scared and confused to interfere.

"Wander, no!" Sylvia gasped in fear. Before Judge Farsalot could even place their tentacle on her best friend's shoulder, the zbornak charged towards them. "Hey, you flarpin' creep! Time to meet two good friends of mine." Sylvia hollered in fury as she got herself ready to give the judge a powerful uppercut. Before she could land the punch, she was enveloped in blue light. Seconds later she was floating a few feet above ground.

"I--I--can't move!" Sylvia grunted as she struggled with all her might. She tried to move her limbs, but it was no use. It was as if she couldn't control her body. "Miss, it is best that you allow us to go with your friend in peace.", Judge Farsalot spoke through the bodyguards, "Although, I do not see why you don't respect this star nomad's wishes. He wants to go with us to go on trial for what he believes he is guilty of." "Look, my buddy Wander is the most selfless person in the entire galaxy. Maybe even the entire universe. He would sacrifice his own needs if it means making someone else happy. In fact, I think he's doing this right now."

To Sylvia's surprise, Wander gave her a stern look. "Syl, please let me do this. It's for the good of all my people." Wander spoke in a serious tone. "Wander--" "It's something I should've done a long time along. I thought doing good things would make up for what I've done--" "But, Wander--" "--No matter how many good things I have done, it was never enough. I was fooling myself. I should've faced what I had done and face the consequences. At least I met you, a wonderful friend. Goodbye, Syl."

"The trial will be aired within twelves hours if you are interested in watching it. The entire galaxy can watch it live." Judge Farsalot spoke through the bodyguards. They used their power to throw Sylvia into the cluster of star nomads. Luckily enough, they got out of the way in time. Few got to her side to help her to her feet.

The poor zbornak could only look in horror as she watched the ship fly away.

"Wander, no--"

To be continued…

[nevertheless-moving]

Scene from stormlight au 27, oathbringer to way of kings time travel au

“They didn’t bring their own bridges. They’re doing the tower assault with Sadeas,” Kaladin said in disbelief.

“So much for the Blackthorn’s honor, huh,” Moash said, sneering.

“That, and Sadeas is going to betray them,” Kaladin hissed, moving them further from the ears of passing soldiers. “He’s leading the entire Kholin army into a trap.”

Moash’s eyes widened, turning to watch rank upon rank of blue uniformed soldier march across Sadeas’s bridges.

“Then, this is the battle, the one where we…” Moash trailed off uncomfortably.

The men seemed to have largely decided that remembering a future wasn’t the same as predicting. Still it made them significantly more uncomfortable than the frantic radiant training in the chasms. He could hardly blame them, it made Kaladin uncomfortable too.

“It’s happening same as you remember?” Teft asked under his breath.

“Almost the same.” Kaladin grit his teeth. “It seems that since…El wasn’t able to convince Dalinar to change his plans, the idiot decided to come along for some storming reason.” He nodded at the figure in golden shardplate, massive shard hammer stapped to his back, nearby gold and blue standard waving in the wind.

“I think he gave up his blade,” Syl said, hand up in a humanlike gesture to shield her eyes from the sun. “It’s hard to tell from here, but…I don’t think he’s bonded with one anymore.

Moash froze. “Wait…the highranked lighteye who your friend replaced…El is King Elhokar?”

“I promised him I wouldn’t…” Kaladin shifted uncomfortably.

Moash grabbed his shoulders, leaning in close. “Kal, are you telling me King Elhokar is dead?”

“I -“ Memories of a palace floor, red with blood and light through crystal. Moash, spear in hand, those he swore to protect, killing eachother -

“I watched him die,” Kaladin whispered after a long pause, not meeting Moash’s eyes. “Please Moash, don’t ask me about this, not now.”

Syl tsked in disapproval, but didn’t say anything.

Moash let him go, stumbling back, watching the golden armor with an unfathomable expression. Kaladin wanted to say more, but didn't know what, and Matal was shouting at them to lift bridges.

At the next stop, he had word spread around that this was it.

“If things happen the same…”

He considered trying to reach Dalinar. If he revealed himself, flew over - but no. It was like Elhokar said. Dalinar was convinced that the Almighty himself had told him to trust Saddeus.

He could perhaps claim to be a messenger from the Heralds, explaining the vision? The radiance would help, Elhokar might back him up.

But even if the idea didn’t tie his stomach in knots, what if he ended up causing an outright civil war with his accusations? Tens of thousands could die before any desolation hit. Perhaps the King’s presence would be enough to give Sadeas hesitation in his treachery, but somehow Kaladin doubted it.

No wonder knowledge of the future is forbidden, he thought anxiously as they ran across another plateau.

“It’s not the same,” Syl whispered in his head, not showing herself, perhaps dancing in the air above the bridge. “I still don’t understand what happened, but this isn’t telling the future, not the way that’s forbidden.”

The men muttered softly amongst each other. A handful of the squires might manage a wobbling escape through the air, but they didn’t have enough stormlight between all of them to get away. They would have to bring the bridge, which would mean waiting until after the battle, a few of them flying back to rescue the wounded afterwards.

“The men are in agreement,” Sigzil said quietly. “If your friend is unable to stop Sadeas’s betrayal, then we will protect them.”

Kaladin’s heart swelled with pride as he looked over the men, meeting each man’s eyes and receiving a quiet nod from each in turn.

“They know there’s no guarantees? No certain reward? That they might be throwing away a much more sure chance at freedom for death?”

“They know,” Sigzil replied.

“We’ll still have to march with the retreat,” Kaladin said. “If we just stay there then we’ll be cut down, either by the Parshendi or by our own army. Probably both. If we can fake a few injuries during the initial charge, or temporarily avoid healing any that me or the squires get, it will help our case when we fall behind. Tell the rest of the squires to try and save their stormlight, if they can.”

A dozen more plateaus, a dozen more hushed conversations. At one point Kaladin turned to look at the Kholin army, only to find the King already staring at him. He felt a confused buzz of panic intermixed with relief run through him as they made eye contact for a moment.

I’m not alone in this. But my backup is Elhokar - how am I going to protect him - he’s probably the safest man on this battlefield, a Radiant in Shardplate with a full Kingsguard - he might be able to get the army to cut through to the landing sooner, reduce the casualties - another Shardbarer would help with that anyway - I can’t believe this is the best he could do - I absolutely can - surely he could at least change the battle tactics - but that would require strongarming Dalinar and Sadeas -“

He saw Sadeas ride up next to the King at multiple points throughout the long march. Maybe trying to convince him to turn back?

Perhaps his presence will be enough to prevent disaster. The men and I can escape another day, after we have a little more training. We’ll come back once everyone’s a squire, and their slavebrands heal. If we end the war, then there won’t be bridgemen anymore. Maybe I can convince the King to end slavery; he already passed that proclamation for bridgecrew shields...

He watched, groaning as the Kholin army, eight thousand men, among them three in shardplate with standardbarers, managed to get themselves cleanly surrounded, then abandoned.

Kaladin, again, pushed his way through to look at the eel himself.

The men tensed with barely restrained anticipation as the order to withdraw was given, hidden by bandages and unfaked exhaustion. Kaladin's wince came honestly as they lifted the bridge, narrowly resisting pulling in light to heal the cut on his arm.

“I’m sorry Old Friends,” Sadeas murmured. “I’ll make sure the Kingdom we built stays together, with a strong leader.”

Matel eyed the still dripping bandage with a pleased expression.

They staggered along behind the green coated army, screams at their back like a time keeping fabrial.

“I might be able to make some of the Parshendi army retreat, if I’m obvious with my powers,” Kaladin said, as Sadeas’s army slowly moved out of sight, bridge four looting the dead for weapons and gemstones with expert skill.

This time, Kaladin asked Matel to wait, for his bridge not to be left to angry Parshendi seeking vengeance if they fell behind. It was a slight risk, but - no, the idiot brightlord’s eyes were already lighting up, and bridge four didn’t even have to make it to the chasm edge before being fully abandoned.

“We’ll be right behind you,” Teft said, the rest of the men murmuring eagerly in agreement.

“You know you don’t have to -“ Kaladin offered one last time.

“We know, gancho,”

“Fly on, get out of here!”

“Life before death, life before death.”

“Let’s save those honorable idiots!”

“Show them what bridge four can do!”

Kaladin breathed in a quarter of the emeralds Elhokar had smuggled him on his last visit, nodded, then lashed himself back at the battlefield, quickly outpacing the men charging behind. Their honest cheers and whoops helped him believe for a moment that not all was lost between him and the men who he considered brothers. It had taken a little time, but they had started getting used to the even more haunted, slightly heretical man who had replaced their Captain.

As he had hoped, Elhokar was already leading the men to the chasm’s edge - with any luck they might reach the landing before the bridge got there.

He heard cries from the Parshendi as arrows flew his direction. With ease he pushed Stormlight into a borrowed shield, letting it fall, filling the sky with light before falling into shadow as a full volley engulfed it.

As he had hoped, the front ranks of archers were breaking. Better still, the second and third ranks had seen. Cries of Neshua Kadal spread throughout the army, and Kaladin dared to breath in almost all the rest of his remaining stormlight, blazing like a second sun as he lashed himself in an obvious arch above the Parshendi.

More cries, Listeners scrambling to get away at the edges; their song taking on notes of fear and awe. Mixed in with Neshua Kadal were various Herald’s names, as the Kholin army obviously spotted him.

He landed in a cloud of dust and stormlight on a rock formation between the chasm’s edge and the desperate human army. Forming Syl into an overly massive, unwieldy Shardeblade, he carved a massive boulder of cremcovered rock, then breathed deep, pulling in extra stormlight from the bravely approaching warpairs. He sent the boulder tumbling upwards and slightly to the side. Parts of the battlefield fell still, eyes drawn again upwards to the impossible.

A meteor, glowing with pale blue light before quickly fading to grey and falling with fury.

A tremendous series of crashes rang through the battlefield, the boulder rolling over the Parshendi troops awaiting bridge four’s arrival, clearing the landing and scattering terrified listener ranks before crashing into the chasm beneath with another earthshaking series of booms. He thought he could hear the crack of bones and carapace beneath the clamor, but it was likely in his head.

The Parshendi closest to Kaladin charged him desperately, but he took them down with ease, lashing them to fall amongst their own army, shouting and terrified but alive. One femalen managed to get within his guard, scoring a hit that quickly healed. He retaliated by burning her and her partner’s eyes out with a single swipe.

Come on, he thought desperately. Run, just, run.

Behind him, he saw his crew setting bridge four, having crossed the plateau with incredible speed. Some of them glowed faintly, and he could see another ripple of retreating Parshendi, though several lines of warpairs rallied, daring to charge them, likely hoping to overwhelm the small group and toss the bridge.

Across the battlefield, more listeners were falling away, warsong taking on notes of fear and confusion; but he could still hear the sounds of fighting and dying, his men at the chasm edge, the Kholin army almost on top of them. He flew to another rock formation on the armies buckling eastern flank, chopping one, two, three boulders as ammunition. Some of the infantry must have had gemstones on them, as light streamed from gems in both directions when he took a desperate, reaching gasp of stormlight.

Three more boulders fell among the parshendi in three directions, shaking the plateau, and finally, incredibly the song transitioned fully from uptempo vengeance and battle to retreat. In an absurdly short amount of time, the space around the Kholin army was empty, space where minutes earlier superior forces were crushing doomed Alethi invaders. It was everything that Kaladin could have hoped for, and it still left him stunned. Ten thousand Listeners, routed by a single windrunner.

The true voidbringers would never have run like that.

The Kholin army looked about in shock, calling out praise to the Almighty, to the Heralds - praise clearly shouted in Kaladin’s direction, much to his discomfort.

You did it! Syl said in his head. You protected even more of the Kholin army, and you avoided killing as many Listeners as possible!

Thousands still died. And the Alethi are going to see me up close soon. A radiant bridgeman. A man with slavebrands and a Shardblade. How soon before their adulation turn to confusion, then fear and hatred?

Exhaustionspren spun around him as he slumped, nearly falling to his knees. He caught himself at the last moment by summoning Syl as a gleaming metal staff, leaning heavily on her to stay upright as the last of his stormlight steamed away.

They won’t see me if I just stay up on this rock formation forever, he thought deliriously.

Syl sighed, staff buzzing slightly. “Nothing makes you happy, does it?"

A thump sounded behind him, and Kaladin spun to see Elhokar grinning at him, armour leaking stormlight in dozens of place, but no pieces missing. He smiled weakly at the King, cognizant of hundreds of eyes below on them. He moved slowly towards the king, who met him part way. He stumbled at the end, and Elhokar caught him, steadying his arm with a gentle gauntleted hand.

“I did try and stop my uncle,” he said. “He just…wouldn’t listen. The best I could do was join, and even then I half thought someone was going to tie me down to keep me from coming. I hoped Sadeas would change his plans if I was on the battlefield, but I might have made things more tempting.” He turned pained eyes into the distance.

I’m supposed to teach him to be a leader. Kaladin though blearily, and he forced himself to wave away the lingering exhausion. What would I say, if he was a squad sergeant under my command? The comparison was ridiculous, the sheer scale of lives on the line if the two of them failed making Kaladin nauseous.

“You did well,” Kaladin said softly, voice coming out more confident than he felt. “You can’t control everything; the important thing is taking care of those under your command to the best of your ability.” He nodded towards the Kholin army. “I’d guess more than a thousand soldiers are alive because of your actions.”

Elhokar straightened, grin returning. A single gloryspren spun around him like a golden crown.

“You were incredible,” Elhokar said, awespren replacing the glory. “I was practically unconscious when you fought in front of me before, but this time - you…you were like Jezrian come again.”

Kaladin grimaced in reply, then moved to change the subject.

“What next?” Kaladin asked.

The king blinked. “You’re asking me?” Then he flushed, looking down. “I mean…of course I’m king…it’s just…’

“You’re king. You’re my king,” Kaladin said encouragingly. “What do you think the threats to your men are?”

You have to coach him, you can’t just take command. He needs to take his own journey, for his own sake. He needs to be a King, for the kingdom’s sake.

“Some of the injured could still bleed out or succumb to injuries, but my uncle’s taking care of marshaling the survivors. The Parshendi could come back, but I doubt it. Obviously the desolation, but that’s a slightly longer term threat. Near term, Sadeas…Sadeas wants Dalinar out of the way,” he grimaced. “My presence here makes the situation more complicated. This…could mean all out civil war.”

Kaladin nodded, but Elhokar wasn’t done.

“And you and your men. Sadeas will want revenge on you, for helping us.”

He smiled at the King. Not long ago I doubt he would have thought of bridgeman as people. Then again, he does know they’re prospective windrunners…still progress.

“What’s the best way to handle Sadeas?” He asked, pit in his stomach already suspecting the answer.

“A show of force, before they get back to camp,” Elhokar answered promptly, gaining confidence as he spoke. “He should return already knowing he’s in a position of weakness, that his ploy failed utterly. If we wait to confront him at camp then I’ll either come off as an unbearably weak King, or I’ll be forced to discipline him publicly, which will back him into a corner and essentially force civil war anyway.”

Kaladin nodded again, swallowing back bile. “Fortunately, you have a man who was able to scare away an entire Parshendi army under your command.”