#ask me about kindredshipping

[askygokindredshipping]

Hey, so about that story I mentioned....

The event got delayed but it is back on track. I'm working on editing out some wonkiness and there's even an artist! We have to submit everything by the 31st so be on the lookout for it some time after that!

[firebird-inkheart]

F/O Februrary Day 4: First Date― Dine & Dash Edition

Ship: Ace x Honyo Summary: Some good food here, a little music there, and of course we can’t forget the excellent company. It sounds like a typical date, right? What could go wrong? Well, perhaps being chased by an angry barkeep might be a slight indicator, but it’s all part of the fun!

                                                        +++++

“Not that I don’t enjoy the suspense or anything, but where exactly are we going?” 

Ace glanced over his shoulder, twisting around to avoid another person as he did so. A lopsided grin split across his face at the eyebrow being raised at him. The curiously bemused expression Honyo made only made him smile even more.

“Just to get a bite to eat. I heard a new place opened on this end of the port market and thought we could try it out,” he explained nonchalantly.

A little bit of pink began to color Honyo’s cheeks at his rather intentional use of the word ‘we’. Ace had singled her out for this, but it had been casual, so it shouldn’t have been that deep, yet it felt pretty deep. Perhaps she was reading into this too much. It was just food. That they were going to go get. Together. Nothing serious at all.

The Spades had docked a little earlier that day and he’d given his crew free range to do as they pleased after supplies had been bought. Dusk was only just creeping in and the market was beginning to wind down as shop keeps closed down their stalls. Ace thought it made for a perfect opportunity to have a little fun with a certain green haired tempest. He wanted to see how long she’d be able to keep up with his little scheme.

Honyo quickened her pace so it matched his own. “Sounds good. Although,” she turned to give him a sly look, “I’m pretty sure we both spent a lot today and neither of us have enough for a meal.”

Ace chuckled and held up his hands. “Caught me red handed.”

“So what’s your plan then? A little dine and dash, perhaps?” A gleam entered her eyes and Ace’s excitement skyrocketed. She was clever, and that just made things all the more interesting.

“I see you’re familiar with the name of the game. Does that mean you’re in?”

She pushed her glasses back and rolled up the sleeves of her coat, grinning. “Hell yeah it does! Me and my friend Emiri, we used to love pulling one over on the snobbiest digs in town.”

A far away look seeped into her eyes, and despite her smile, she looked wistful. A sense of understanding― it’s own kind of kindredship, really ―anchored itself inside his heart. He too knew what it meant to lose someone precious. So many memories were attached to this for him, the same as it was for her.

“I used to do this a lot with my brothers when we were younger,” he admitted. “I still do it now, but it’s more fun with an accomplice, ya know?”

“Yeah... Let’s give them a run they can be proud of then.” Honyo pumped her arm with a nod. There was fire in her eyes now, dancing playfully in a brilliant show of determination. He felt it resonate within him and his heart skipped a beat.

Ace grinned and grabbed her hand, pulling her along through the crowd. He missed the way her breath caught with the sudden contact, but that adorable blush was back again, and he couldn’t help but laugh.

                                                        +++++

Their hands were still interlocked when they arrived at the bar and Honyo was intensely aware of how warm Ace’s hand was. She was pretty sure her own hand was starting to sweat and oh god how embarrassing was that. Hopefully he didn’t notice. He did seem pretty oblivious to her reactions to, well, him, so perhaps she was just overreacting. 

Yeah that was it. Just her, being ridiculously invested in something that probably wasn’t even there and freaking out because he was stupidly pretty. And kind, and his sense of humor was awful but she actually kinda liked that about him and― Wait a minute. What the hell was she thinking? 

‘Back! Back you fiendish thoughts!’ She mentally swatted at the sappy thoughts and the feelings attached to them, shoving them into a jar to be dealt with later. There was a scam to be had and she didn’t need this mess getting in her way.

A waitress with a pleasant smile walked up to them. “Table for two?”

Ace gave the woman a wide smile. “Yes ma’am.” He leaned in just a hair closer, like he had a secret to tell, but one that everyone was already in on. “I heard from a friend that this place was really good. I brought my girlfriend here as a treat for her birthday. You wouldn’t happen to have any specials for such occasions, would you?”

Honyo could clearly see the woman talking, but anything said after ‘girlfriend’ was lost to her, the one word itself echoing louder and louder― Or was that just the blood rushing through her head? Holy hell her face was on fire. She opened her mouth to protest immediately because they were most definitely not dating― now matter how nice the idea may have sounded ―only to immediately snap it shut. 

‘It’s just a ruse. A ruse that we most definitely should have talked about before getting here because I was not prepared for that!’ 

Still, the word ‘girlfriend’ kept ringing in her ears and she could only blush even more.

Ace turned to her with a twinkle in his eyes. He froze for a split second when he saw how red Honyo had become; he didn’t know why she was blushing so hard now, and that little indignant pout― oh man ―it was unbelievably cute. He snapped out of it― whatever it was ―before he could think too hard about it and carried on.

“Hear that Hon? They said they can bring out dessert with a song!” With a laugh he pulled her past the waitress and towards the table she gestured towards. 

Honyo leaned towards the woman, muttering, “Please don’t do the singing stuff. I think I’ll die at this rate if that happens.”

“Of course,” the woman demurred.

They settled down and made their order. Ace seemed keen on trying everything the place had to offer, but Honyo managed to haggle him down to at least half. 

“We don’t need you going into a food coma before we even get to the dessert,” she chided. The random narcoleptic episodes she could handle, but beyond that she’d be at a loss.

“But if I do pass out can I count on you to carry me home then?” He winked at her over a mug of ale.

The room was getting ridiculously hot again. She tucked her chin into her palm, very carefully looking at anything on his face that wasn’t his eyes― and damn didn’t he just have the cutest freckles ―while mumbling, “Of course.”

The food came. The music was merry. The company was excellent. Before Honyo knew it she was laughing at Ace’s jokes and cracking several of her own. More food arrived. The bar grew rowdier as more people packed inside. 

Ace downed another mug with a hearty sigh, full and content and perhaps a little on the tipsy side. He rested his head on his hand and watched as Honyo finished off her own drink with a light smile. She looked up then and snorted.

“What? Whaaat?” he asked teasingly. “Do I got something on my face?”

“As a matter of fact, you do.” She grabbed a napkin and leaned over the table, swiping at his face. He grabbed at her hand before she could pull away though, and, impulsively, he lightly pressed his lips against her wrist. Her hand slipped easily from his grasp and he let it. He hoped that it was just the room that was getting hot and not himself.

‘Did I just...?’

It had been so light, but that simple graze had set her on fire, the strongest of it being where Ace’s lips met her skin. Coherent thoughts were nearly impossible to form at this point.

‘Did he just...?’

Their internal yelling was interrupted when the waitress arrived with their bill. One look at the numbers and Honyo was instantly glad that tonight’s meal was a dine and dash one. Standing up, she quietly excused herself and made her way towards the back where the restrooms were. On her way there she caught the barkeep giving her a skeptical look. Somehow she didn’t think a clean escape was gonna happen tonight.

Once out of view of the rest of the bar Honyo made a break for the window, sliding through it with ease, and ran around the side of the building. Only a few minutes later and Ace was joining her, an utterly giddy expression lighting up his face.

“Run. Now!”

He grabbed her by the hand, dragging her around the building just as the barkeep stormed out, screaming and hollering at them. A loud whoop escaped Ace in response and soon Honyo joined him with a gleeful crow of her own. The man only chased them for a few blocks, but what an exhilarating chase it was.

They collapsed against a wall some time later, panting, laughing. It had been quite some time since either of them had enjoyed a scam like that.

“We make a pretty good team,” Ace said after finally catching his breath.

“Really?” Honyo brushed her bangs from her eyes. 

He smiled. “Absolutely. We should do this again next time we make port.”

A smile of her own crept up her face. “I’d like that.”

There had been plenty of heart pounding, confusing moments that had happened which she couldn’t make heads or tails of, but it had been fun. Honyo wanted to do it all over again. And if it was with Ace, well... she’d forever deny it, but the thought made her heart pound.

“Come on.” Ace tossed his head over his shoulder. “Let’s head back to the ship.”

“Right!”

[thecrazydragonlady]

📞 kindredshipping. Give us all the Kindred!

“How are things going there,” Yusei asked into the phone as he juggled it on his shoulder.

“As about as well as you’d expect,” Johan replied. “Yubel and Haou had a spat so Judai tried to help them make up but it upsetted a couple of Kuribohs hidding in the kitchen and they exploded but….”

“Please tell me the apartment is still standing.” Silence came from the other side, “Johan…..

[ellenembee]

The Revelation of All Things - 34. In which love is a balm and anger is an analgesic

Read the full fic on AO3.

Read on Tumblr (desktop)

Josie had secured them passage on a boat that left from Jader, the port city on the border of Orlais and Ferelden, and they rode hard out of Skyhold to ensure they made it on time. The pace left little room for talking, but she wouldn't have wanted to speak anyway. The last few days had been too special, too unbelievable to be able to engage in idle talk just yet.

As she gazed unseeing at the blur of rocks, hills and trees around her, Evana faded into herself to sort through the strange aches and flutters that had plagued her since that day on the battlements. Her tender feelings had flourished under Cullen's gentle care, roots digging in deeper, tighter, woven into intricate, irreversible patterns through her heart. But the way her heart now yearned for him, the way every step away from him pulled at the fragile roots, testing strength as only time and distance could... Would she break under these new and uncomfortable feelings? Would the separation wither the ties between them? Would he change his mind with so much time to rethink their impractical relationship?

A tiny gasp escaped her lips at the sharp, visceral ache that pulsed through her at the thought, an ache unlike anything she'd felt before. She then sighed as one truth became crystal clear. This is going to be a long trip.

They made camp late that night and set off early the next morning to catch their boat. Josephine's connection had offered them passage all the way across the Waking Sea and up the river through the Heartlands to a small port town on western side of Lake Celestine, which meant they'd only have a few days of traveling by horse after disembarking. When Leliana had sent word to Captain Rylen to expect them, Rylen had responded that they had yet to hear from the Champion or Warden Stroud. Evana intoned a prayer as she rode that they were both OK.

Although the prayer was directed to the Creators, she couldn't help the small part of her that wondered if she should also address it to the Maker and his prophet, Andraste. She was supposed to be Andraste's Herald after all, and Cullen's song the other night had moved her in a way she hadn't expected - in a way the songs about the Elvhen lore and Creators never had.

She felt a tinge of shame for even thinking in such a way. But what if Andraste had really guided her through the Fade and given her a mark to fight Corypheus? She still had no memory of what had happened to her in the Fade, but the more regions they stabilized and the more they emerged victorious, the more it felt as though a guiding force had truly taken interest in their mission. The existence of one god did not preclude others, after all.

She pushed the thoughts aside. Her faith in the Elvhen gods had always been more academic than spiritual, but she wasn't ready to jump into another religion quite yet... if ever.

They reached Jader with a couple hours to spare, so they made their arrangements and stopped in for a late afternoon meal at a nearby restaurant. As she absently listened to the idle banter of her companions, she picked at her food. She should be hungry, but the food held no appeal. Halfway through the meal, Dorian's voice finally cut through the haze of her thoughts.

"... I know. But she's clearly not listening to anything we're saying. It's no fun to tease someone who isn't even paying attention to you."

Evana looked up to see her companions staring at her with equally amused and concerned expressions on their faces. "Hmmmm...?"

"There you are. I thought I might have to do some sort of interpretive dance to get your attention. We are supposed to be dancing our way through Thedas, after all," Dorian quipped. After a pause during which she merely rolled her eyes at him, he continued. "So, can I guess what - or rather who - you're thinking of? Perhaps the person I saw kissing you so passionately in the courtyard yesterday morning?"

Varric laughed. "And it's about damn time, too. I thought Curly was never going to make a move."

Evana blushed hotly and looked back down at her food without responding. She wouldn't take the bait. Perhaps she'd be able to joke about it later, but right now, it was too precious a thing to sully with Dorian and Varric's teasing. Bull's voice cut in, much softer and laced with concern.

"I was merely saying that you really should eat, boss. We won't have another meal like this for... well... weeks."

They all gave her their most serious looks. The irony of her three most sarcastic, smart-ass companions being serious for this long was not lost on her. She had to laugh, or she would cry.

"Creators, I'm not made of glass! I'll be fine... and yes, I'll eat, Bull. I was just... distracted."

To prove her point, she began eating in earnest. She made sure to finish the plate for good measure. As they boarded the ship, Evana tried engage more with her companions, but she found herself drifting into her own thoughts in spite of her best intentions. She wasn't used to having friends who worried about her, asked about her day and expected her to participate in conversations. In her clan, she'd focused on her work and learning from Vash'an and Deshanna. Her peers had all had families of their own, so...

All excuses. You were diffident to your clan and your peers. You had no confidence in yourself. How could they?

During childhood, she'd always felt out of place, but she'd also been less shy, more willing to take chances. However, her odd relationship with her mother, working so hard with Vash'an and then being apprenticed to the Keeper had led her to be more withdrawn. Her relationship with Hanir, even before their bonding, had introduced feelings of inadequacy, and she'd folded into herself even more. Then, after the attack, she'd poured all her energy into learning to protect the clan - to do what she'd hadn't been able to do for them before. She worked hard to become the best at offensive magic she could be. She would not let them down again.

But the clan had taken her dedication as disinterest, her lack of confidence and withdrawn nature as superiority. Deshanna had understood and done her best to pave the way, but Evana knew. Clan Lavellan didn't miss her, didn't wish or hope for her return. If she were honest with herself, she was still working on coming to terms with that realization, but her growing friendships and... other relationships at the Inquisition stood in stark contrast with the years of ambivalence from her clan.

Perhaps that was why she felt such kindredship with Cullen. They had both made mistakes in their past, neglected their own lives to try to make things right. Now they both had great purpose as well as great people surrounding them. It seemed like a chance for redemption that neither of them thought they deserved but both had grabbed onto like an anchor in a storm.

With these thoughts swirling in her head, she took up a spot that would give her the best view of the Frostbacks for as long as the late evening sun would allow. Ironically, an experience that started with imprisonment had made her realize exactly what she'd been missing in her clan. Perhaps she felt homesick now because, for the first time, these people felt like a true home. And she shouldn't let her reticent nature keep her isolated from them.

As if they could understand her thoughts, she turned around to find Dorian, Varric and Bull standing just behind her. She smiled at them.

"So, Varric, tell me more about this game you've been talking about... Wicked Grace was the name, I believe?"

**

The ship docked in a port outside the small town of Velun four days later. Evana had ended up sleeping for most of the trip, the rocking of the boat mimicking the rocking of the aravels of her childhood. She would try to stay awake for longer than a few hours, but the rocking of the boat just put her right back to sleep. She hadn't felt so refreshed in ages. After gathering their waiting supplies, they headed in the direction of the forward camp. They pushed on until dusk, and she took the first watch as they set up camp. She was still wide awake, but the others collapsed as soon as they hit their bedrolls.

Alone once more with her thoughts, she found herself humming Cullen's chant to herself. She couldn't remember the words, but the gorgeous melody echoed in her thoughts along with the golden visage of her Commander.

She'd come to think of Cullen's faith as just another facet of the man, and she could see that he truly did his best to serve his Maker and Andraste. He failed at times, that much he'd told her, and she'd heard echoes of rumors, the vague whispers of other mages in the dark corners of the keep, of the things in his past he had yet to share with her. Although she'd never pressure him to speak with her about it, the fact that he had yet to open up presented an obstacle she knew they'd need to overcome. Additionally, they'd simply agreed to be open to one another's opinion on mage oversight, but they'd not truly reached an understanding. And yet she thought of all she'd learned about him in the last several months, and she couldn't help feeling that they'd come to an understanding eventually.

It was still hard to believe that he truly cared for her, but all the times he'd gone out of his way to please her or make her feel more comfortable went far beyond cursory concern. Even in Haven, before he'd let himself truly show how much he cared, she'd felt and seen his kindness. Just the fact that he'd taken time out of his day to walk and talk meant the world to her. She already missed him terribly, and it made her feel a bit like a love-sick fool.

Too bad I don't care at all.

She woke Varric at midnight for his watch and lay down to sleep. She felt like she'd only closed her eyes for a moment when a hand shook her awake.

"Come on, sleepy head, time to get up and go kill things," Dorian cooed in her ear. "It's your favorite thing, I know."

She grimaced as her body protested from sleeping on the hard ground. It was amazing how quickly a person could get used to a shemlen bed. As they rode further west, the heat and sun intensified. By the time the sun set, they were all exhausted once again. After another night on the ground, they rode into the forward camp as the late morning sun beat down upon the rows of tents and supplies marked for the Inquisition's extended stay in the Approach. Scout Harding greeted them with a wry smile.

"Inquisitor, welcome to the Western Approach. We've sighted Warden activity to the southwest, but no one's been close enough to figure out what they're doing. Between the sandstorms and the vicious wildlife, we haven't made it far out here. One of my men got too close to a poison hot spring and gave me a slightly delirious report of a high dragon flying overhead."

"A dragon!? Yeeeeessss!!"

Evana shot Bull a death look, and he shrugged. Harding paused and shot an amused look between the two of them before continuing in a faux chipper tone.

"In short, this just might be the worst place in the entire world."

Evana gave her a sympathetic look. "I assume you've got your orders to head to the oasis next?"

"Yes, your worship. I will be heading out there soon. And Captain Rylen and his company are out fighting off a group of varghest from our water supply."

"Please tell the Captain when he returns that we're going to find the Grey Wardens. I hope we can end this quickly."

"Be sure to let us know if you think you need back up. Good luck, and be careful, Inquisitor."

Evana saluted Harding and pulled out a map of the area. She found her direction, and they set off. They had to fight through a couple of rifts and multiple attacks from wildlife and Venatori before they finally approached the Grey Warden ruin several hours later. To her great relief, she saw Hawke and Stroud crouching outside the tower's entrance. The lines in Stroud's face pulled deep as he turned his agitated gaze on her.

"I'm glad you made it, Inquisitor. I'm afraid they've already started the ritual."

The green light emanating from the tower told her all she needed to know about the situation. A cold stab of fear shot through her, but she looked at the group of warriors gathered around her and shoved the fear away. Whatever lay within those walls, they would defeat it, as they had done countless times before.

As they approached, they could see a Grey Warden walking away with a rage demon following closely behind. He joined a line of other Wardens bound to various other demons standing eerily still on the tower platform. A dark-haired man in Tevinter-style dress looked up from his Warden thralls and called out to them.

"Inquisitor! What an unexpected pleasure." The man bowed, a twisted smile splitting his face. "Lord Livius Erimond of Vyrantium at your service."

"You are no Warden!" Stroud shouted at him across the platform.

Erimond's eyes narrowed as he looked to Stroud. "But you are. The one Clarel let slip. And you found the Inquisitor and came to stop me. Shall we see how that goes?"

Evana's blood boiled. Corypheus sure knew how to pick the most arrogant, self-important asses for his dirty work. At least if they're assholes, I don't feel as bad about setting them on fire. She pointed to the dead Warden on the ground before Erimond.

"Looks like you've already done some of my work for me."

"What? Him? We simply needed his blood. Oh... were you hoping to garner sympathy? Maybe make the Wardens feel a bit of remorse? Wardens! Hands up!"

The Wardens lining the path to where Erimond stood mechanically lifted their hands like puppets on a string.

"Hands down!"

The Wardens lowered their hands. Evana's heart plummeted to her stomach as she took in the vacant eyes staring out into nothingness. Beside her, Stroud positively radiated anger. She wondered sadly whether he knew any of the enslaved Wardens.

"Corypheus has taken their minds," Stroud choked out.

Erimond shook his head, a sick smile still twisting his lips. "They did this to themselves. You see, the Calling has the Wardens terrified. They looked everywhere for help."

"Even Tevinter," Stroud growled.

Evana could tell Stroud wouldn't last much longer with the talking portion of this interaction. She needed more information, though. What was the plan? Why do this? Luckily, she didn't even have to ask as Erimond provided the information freely. How accommodating of him.

"Yes, and since it was my master who put the calling into their little heads, we - the Venatori - were prepared. I went to Clarel full of sympathy, and together, we came up with a plan... raise a demon army, march into the Deep Roads, and kill the Old Gods before they wake."

Evana rolled her eyes. "Ah, I was wondering when the demon army would show up."

Erimond looked a little nervous for a moment. "You... knew about it, did you? Well, then, here you are. Sadly for the Wardens, the binding ritual I taught their mages has a side effect. They're now my master's slaves. This was a test. Once the rest of the Wardens complete the ritual, the army will conquer Thedas."

Blood magic at its worst. Leliana's words in the dark future at Redcliffe rang in her ears. And mages always wonder why people fear them... no one should have this power. Evana felt the rage inside her grow at the thought. This was why people feared them - feared her. Weak-willed fools who would try to control others with their magic. How many mages' lives had been ruined by the actions of those few who gave them all a bad name? Those who misused their power for their own personal glory or even in misguided attempts to do good?

"Thank you. That's all I needed to know," she spat out at him.

Erimond sneered and lifted his hand. It glowed red as he extended it toward her with a vicious snarl.

"Oh, please."

Suddenly, a stab of pain pierced her hand and shot up her arm. She stumbled, fell to her knees and bent over, clutching her hand to her chest in agony. But she refused to give him the satisfaction of hearing her cry out. She was too angry for that.

"The Elder One showed me how to deal with you in the event you were foolish enough to interfere again," Erimond continued, oblivious to Evana's rising temper. "That mark you bear? The anchor that lets you pass safely through the Veil? You stole that from my master. He's been forced to seek other ways to access the Fade."

Arrogant fool! Evana took several deep breaths to push back the pain, and while Erimond babbled on about his power, Evana focused as Solas had taught her. The anger became a tool, feeding her destructive force, and she stood up slowly, with purpose, raising her hand.

"When I bring him your head," Erimond finished, "his gratitude will be-"

Erimond suddenly cried out in pain as Evana used her anchor to overpower and subdue him. He flew backward a few paces and the rift the Warden had opened to summon the rage demon closed with a vicious snap. Erimond got up slowly, terror dawning on his face. In the next moment, he turned tail and ran, shouting over his shoulder.

"Kill them!"

Chaos broke loose around her as the enslaved Wardens and their demons attacked. At least all of Stroud's pent up frustration could now be put into action. A deep sadness on his behalf mixed with her fury as she worked through her forms, fighting against the men and women who once stood as heroes of Thedas. She knew the Calling had them all frightened, but this? Surely they could see they were being manipulated!?

Evana took a hard hit to her right side, forcing her to focus more fully on the battle. She called down barriers for her team as often as she could, but she mainly focused on icing out the rage demon to keep her companions from getting burned. The other mage Wardens were not difficult to kill, and finally, with one final freeze and a jolt of electricity, the rage demon exploded into a thousand pieces before her. As horrible as she felt cutting down the enslaved Wardens, the demise of that rage demon felt good.

Her blood hummed with left over adrenaline as they regrouped. She passed out a few healing potions for Varric and Hawke, who'd taken the brunt of a demon attack before she'd been able to get a barrier up for them. Dorian had been able to keep himself protected, and Iron Bull just shrugged off the damage. Hawke guzzled the potion and then shook her head.

"They refused to listen to reason."

Stroud sighed. "You were correct. Through their ritual, the mages are slaves to Corypheus."

"And the Warden warriors? What of them?" Hawke asked.

Stroud wouldn't look at Hawke, and the other mage seemed to understand. She closed her eyes and shook her head again.

"Of course, sacrificed in the ritual. What a waste."

Evana's ire was still up. She tried to be sympathetic, but surrounded by so much blood and chaos, she began to understand why Cullen might have difficulty feeling sorry for a person like Samson.

"Human sacrifice, demon summoning..." She shook her head in disgust. "Who looks at this and thinks it's a good idea?"

Hawke answered simply with, "The fearful and the foolish."

Tension arced through the air as Stroud responded. "The Wardens were wrong, Hawke, but they had their reasons."

Hawke leaned back and crossed her arms in front of her. If looks could maim, Hawke's eyes would be considered deadly weapons.

"Yes. All blood mages do. Everyone has a story they tell themselves to justify bad decisions... and it never matters. In the end, you are always alone with your actions."

Hawke's words pierced her anger, and all former sympathy for the Wardens flooded back to her. Evana's response was quiet but firm.

"Perhaps you're right, but a person who makes a bad decision may also still be redeemed."

Hawke looked at her curiously, but merely tilted her head in acknowledgement.

Evana's statement seemed to ease the tension, and Stroud finally spoke again.

"I believe I know where the Wardens are, Your Worship. Erimond fled in that direction." Stroud raised his hand and pointed south. "There's an abandoned Warden fortress that way - Adamant."

She nodded. "Good thinking."

"Stroud and I will scout out Adamant and confirm that the other Wardens are there," Hawke offered. "We'll meet you back at Skyhold."

Hawke took Varric aside, their heads bent together in whispered communion, and then she left with Stroud to scout the fortress. As Evana looked over her companions, her mind, still roiling from the adrenaline, swirled in several directions at once. Finally, Dorian pulled her from her thoughts.

"Uh, not to rush you, my dear, but we are standing among a bunch of dead Wardens and demons. Could we move on soon? I'm worried I'll get blood on my shoes."

Evana looked down at the other mage's blood-soaked armor and boots, then looked back up at him with a raised eyebrow, her lips quirking in a disbelieving smirk. "Blood on the shoes, eh? Little bit late for that." Then, turning to the others, she huffed out a long sigh. "Well, it's still light, and I'm worked up from that fight. I know it's hotter than dragon's fire out here, but... should we look for a few more rifts before heading back to camp?"

"Bianca's all in," Varric affirmed.

"Yeah, I'm up for it, Boss."

She looked at Dorian, who sighed dramatically. "Only you would ask me to trudge around in soiled armor and blazing heat to kill even more demons. Shall we practice our dancing in the sulfur pits, too?" Evana's mouth twitched with a barely suppressed smile, and Dorian's shoulders sagged in defeat. "Oh, I suppose since we're here and my boots are already ruined, we might as well."

She gave him a lopsided grin and headed off in the direction of the next rift on her map.

[askygokindredshipping]

The good news: Would you believe I actually have another one shot written? 👀

The bad news: It is part of an event so I can't post it just yet. 😫

[askygokindredshipping]

Since I'm stuck at a laundry mat, why not a laundry headcannon?

Laundry is a big deal in the Fudo-Yuki-Anderson home.

Mainly because Yusei manages to get grease on everything even when he doesn't work with anything mechanical (which is far and in between).

Johan usually gets some type of food on himself. Usually while he's cooking.

It usually takes one of the other two to let him know.

He presoaks all of his clothing immediately.

Judai owns exactly two outfits: the same one he's worn since Duel Academy and one he wears when he has to wash that one.

Bold of you to assume he wears anything to bed anymore.

He only did in high school because he was rooming why Syrus and Chumly for the longest time.

Not that he sleeps regularly anymore or needs to but that's a totally different headcannon.

They do not have a washing machine at home. So, once a week, they make a trip down to the local laundry mat.

It's not a bad place. Johan has befriended the owners and he usually has a pleasant conversation with them while the clothes get cleaned.

Judai has befriended the kids that are usually there. He's a hit. The kids love playing with him- especially when he does that trick where he summons Winged Kuriboh to play with them.

Parents explain it off as him being a complicated magician or something. Judai doesn't correct them but Haou, the Professor, and Yubel get a kick out of the idea.

Yusei has befriended one kid. He's shy and spends most of his time just looking through a deck of cards he put together.

They're all cute zombie monster cards.

The kid approached Yusei one day after working up a lot of nerve to tell him that he was a fan and was so thankful that Yusei did a lot to help save New Domino.

He asked if Yusei would mind dueling him and giving him feedback on his deck.

Yusei normally turns down duels (especially because he's been so busy with the Yusei Wheel project and designing newer and better D-wheels for all types of duelist) but he can't say no to that kind of request.

They end up dueling every week.

When the clothes are done, they fold them for transport home.

Judai always does something ridiculous like putting one of their underwear on his head before just walking around with it on.

Yusei and Johan aren't even phased by him any more.

They take their clothes home.

Judai immediately changes into his every day clothes.

Johan gets exasperated with him because the ones he was just wearing end up on the floor.

He makes Judai pick them up.

Johan and Yusei end up putting the clothes away together mainly because Judai is a disaster at organizing and they like the alone time.

Gives them a chance to sneak in a couple of small pecks over warm clothing.

The day ends with them all piling onto the couch for a tv marathon, wrapped in warm, fresh blankets.

If you like these heqdcannons/drabbles, why not join me in the Kindredshipping Korner Tumblr chat?

[askygokindredshipping]

Staying Home Headcanons

Is it horrible of me to want to do Staying Home Headcanons? I think I’m going a bit stir crazy. I’m going to put those feelings to good use and talk about the bois whom I’ve been neglecting. 

I’m actually doing this under a read more. I want everyone to be safe so if mentions of staying home in these trying times is harmful to your mental health, please avoid this post. <3

- Judai is practically safe because he stays at home twenty-four/ seven and/or is in the Spirit World trying to keep duel monsters from starting their shenanigans again. 

- Yusei has a mild chance of contracting anything. He still has to go to the lab everyday but his team is exceptional and jumped very early into the health procedures posed by the W.H.O. 

- Yusei doesn’t stay at work all day. He stays long enough to make sure everything is running properly before he heads home. This usually takes a couple of hours but no longer than noon. 

- He rotates the teams frequently. He, course, gives them full pay and if anyone shows signs of being sick, he immediately gives them sick leave with pay. 

- Johan runs the most risk as he works at the local duel academy. 

- However, the headmaster decides that it is best to do distance learning for a while which means that he ends up at home with Judai for a while.

- Cuddle monster Judai is more than happy with this. 

- Johan enjoys the extra time he has for a bit but then when it becomes clearly apparent that they will not be returning to the Academy for this school year, he becomes a bit depressed. 

- Judai and Yusei do their best to cheer him up. 

- Johan appreciates it and after a while, he does get better. Part of what helps is making and sticking to a schedule. 

- Johan also has digital office hours where he can conference call with his classes and demonstrate the new content that they were going to work on. 

- The kids absolutely love it. Especially because Judai and Pharaoh are usually in frame doing something ridiculous. 

- They also really love when Judai and Johan give exhibition duels to demonstrate said technique. 

- Even more so when Yusei makes an appearance. 

- Yusei does do a lot of work from home but that’s pretty par for the course for him. 

- Yusei was also the one that, as soon as the news broke, made sure that they had their supplies up to date. He didn’t go crazy about it but he did buy enough to make sure that they would be okay for a couple of weeks without too much stress. 

- Judai, when not cuddling one or the other or both, took his sewing skills (something he picked up in his travels and dimension hoping) to make masks for charity. 

- Johan helps him when he gets to his free time by cutting out the pieces and sewing. 

- They manage to make about hundred each week that they clean carefully before shipping out. 

- Pharaoh is irritated at the fact that his humans are home more often than not now. 

- Haou is always irritated but he becomes even more so the longer that Judai is cooped up. Something about not being able to connect properly with the universe and all that. 

- Yubel keeps him in check but even they are getting irritated. 

- This eventually leads to some outings to the spirit worlds just to calm them down. 

- Johan usually goes with him but Yusei passes- mainly because of the trauma. 

- They don’t do much; maybe a picnic every now and then and playing a couple of games with the Kuribohs that pop up. 

- Anything to stave off the insanity of being in the house 24/7. 

- The three of them recognize how lucky they are to have each other to help. However, they do make time to speak to others through video calling. 

- Yusei definitely talks to Aki a lot. He knows she’s on the frontline as a doctor and how stressful the situation is for her. He shows her the tattoo on his arm- the Dragon’s head that he got a couple of years after the Crimson Dragon left- as a sign of support. 

[askygokindredshipping]

Y'all know that meme that's going around now where it's the person laying in bed and is like "Ah, yes. Me. My girlfriend. And her $500, 5' sheep" or something like that.

Imagine as Kindredshipping!

Yusei taking the photo "Ah, yes. Me. My boyfriend. Our other boyfriend. And the fifty different duel spirits."

[askygokindredshipping]

I made a group chat! I'd love to talk to everyone about ideas and headcanons and more!

[askygokindredshipping]

Saturday Asks

Uh. What a weird day. Both Yusei and Johan managed to get the day off so I'm getting extra cuddles (score!) and I guess we'll open the inbox.

I'm also not giving them an option.

- Judai

[askygokindredshipping]

I forgot to mention that I have also all my headcanons collected on AO3! Check it out!

Since I'm stuck at a laundry mat, why not a laundry headcannon?

Laundry is a big deal in the Fudo-Yuki-Anderson home.

Mainly because Yusei manages to get grease on everything even when he doesn't work with anything mechanical (which is far and in between).

Johan usually gets some type of food on himself. Usually while he's cooking.

It usually takes one of the other two to let him know.

He presoaks all of his clothing immediately.

Judai owns exactly two outfits: the same one he's worn since Duel Academy and one he wears when he has to wash that one.

Bold of you to assume he wears anything to bed anymore.

He only did in high school because he was rooming why Syrus and Chumly for the longest time.

Not that he sleeps regularly anymore or needs to but that's a totally different headcannon.

They do not have a washing machine at home. So, once a week, they make a trip down to the local laundry mat.

It's not a bad place. Johan has befriended the owners and he usually has a pleasant conversation with them while the clothes get cleaned.

Judai has befriended the kids that are usually there. He's a hit. The kids love playing with him- especially when he does that trick where he summons Winged Kuriboh to play with them.

Parents explain it off as him being a complicated magician or something. Judai doesn't correct them but Haou, the Professor, and Yubel get a kick out of the idea.

Yusei has befriended one kid. He's shy and spends most of his time just looking through a deck of cards he put together.

They're all cute zombie monster cards.

The kid approached Yusei one day after working up a lot of nerve to tell him that he was a fan and was so thankful that Yusei did a lot to help save New Domino.

He asked if Yusei would mind dueling him and giving him feedback on his deck.

Yusei normally turns down duels (especially because he's been so busy with the Yusei Wheel project and designing newer and better D-wheels for all types of duelist) but he can't say no to that kind of request.

They end up dueling every week.

When the clothes are done, they fold them for transport home.

Judai always does something ridiculous like putting one of their underwear on his head before just walking around with it on.

Yusei and Johan aren't even phased by him any more.

They take their clothes home.

Judai immediately changes into his every day clothes.

Johan gets exasperated with him because the ones he was just wearing end up on the floor.

He makes Judai pick them up.

Johan and Yusei end up putting the clothes away together mainly because Judai is a disaster at organizing and they like the alone time.

Gives them a chance to sneak in a couple of small pecks over warm clothing.

The day ends with them all piling onto the couch for a tv marathon, wrapped in warm, fresh blankets.

If you like these heqdcannons/drabbles, why not join me in the Kindredshipping Korner Tumblr chat?