#cause Ryker never makes any friends

[chaosduckies]

If Ryker's parents did get the chance to meet Nathan how would they have treated him?

Okay I love this questions but I have no idea why it took me forever to respond.

Rykers parents would absolutely adore him! They’d probably give him gifts and tease the two even more than Dylan and Lucky do. They’d practically treat him like one of their kids! Also, Ryker’s mom would absolutely love to Yao about her favorite books and bake with Nathan since they both love reading and baking ❤️

Now if it was the present AFTER all of the events had happened, they’d be more than happy to let Nathan live with them, especially now that r they noticed Ryker found a good friend and partner! They’d also be grateful for the help of taking care of their human kids

So basically they’d just spoil him and love him just like they do everyone else! Thank you for the ask anon! :D

[countrymusiclover]

15 - Moving to the next Level

Part 16

It’s About Time

Some mature content is in this chapter just as a heads up

Tags just ask - @lover-of-books-and-tea @bvbwestfall @bubble-bluee @liesanddreams @bethanymccauley @skeletonontheroad @ashsallyblue2 @kmc1989

School usually seemed to drag onward throughout the day. And currently at the moment this day felt especially long. I had nervously been tapping my feet on the floor for the last hour not being able to wait any longer. When the last period bell rang I sprang from my seat and outside the classroom finding that Georgie had already found Ryker and Marlowe standing by his locker. “Did you already tell Hannah and Ashley to meet us here too?”

“I simply told them you needed to tell them something and nothing else.” Georgie raised his hands up in surrender.

I heard footsteps coming up behind me in a fast manner. “What did you need to tell us?” Hannah and Ashley both said together.

“So you know the plan I told y’all about where Marlowe and I would fake date to make him jealous and realize his feelings for me. Well I’m happy to report that it actually worked for us.” I moved to stand over to Georgie and he draped an arm over my shoulder mirroring the same grin that I had on my face.

Ryker gasped in shock. “Are you playing with us, guys?”

“Cause you haven’t been telling me anything. You said that he came over to your house to talk.” Marlowe throws his hands around away from his chest.

Ashley wraps her arms around Hannah. “Who cares he talked with her about unless it was to say he has feelings for you.”

“Okay, okay, all of you stop talking so I can tell you the story.” I cut them all off knowing if they kept asking me questions we’d never get anywhere. “So he came over to my house in the middle of the night and basically apologized that he didn’t realize he had feelings for me after all these years.”

Georgie throws his hands up like he was surrendering. “That’s the whole deal so now y’all can freak out or whatever you want.”

“It only took 16 years for you two to realize what we all saw back in 5th grade.” Hannah slapped her hands on her thighs.

Ashley smirked at Georgie and I. “So when should we expect it to be Mr and Mrs. Georgie Cooper?”

“Oh I - um not for a while I’d say.” I felt my cheeks heating up at her question.

Georgie nervously answered. “Eventually we might. I ain’t trying to rush her since we just told her parents but my family doesn’t know yet.”

“Oh I think they already know.” Marlowe chuckled with a smirk crossing his face.

Ryker cursed at his statement. “Damn, he probably ain’t wrong though.”

All our friends had valid points about his family. Missy had definitely already figured out what was going on between us. But my mind certainly wasn’t thinking of marrying him yet since we had only been on one date. “Hey y’all, there’s some stuff I gotta take care of. So I’ll see ya later. Bye darling.” Georgie kissed my forehead waving bye to our friends before he headed out to the parking lot.

Ashley patted me on the back a few seconds after he had gone out the door. “So do you know what he has planned for the next date night?”

“Nope. He wants to keep it a surprise.” I replied to her.

Ryker gave me a raised brow when Hannah came up to me holding me by my shoulders. “Do you know what that could mean?”

“He might want to sleep with you.” Marlowe finished her sentence.

Even though my face turned a little redder again I wasn’t worried about that happening. Hannah and Ryker had done it in the past. In fact she told me and Ashley about it the very next time we were together, just the three of us. “Pfft I’m not all that worried about it. I mean Georgie wouldn’t force me into it.”

“That’s not the point. Y/n the question is would you want him to take your virginity?” Ryker asked almost bluntly but I knew he meant well.

I smiled looking down at my shoes for a minute taking it all in and they all waited for my response to what he had just asked me. “He’s the only guy I’ve liked for a long time. So yes.”

“Well you better tell us what happened the next time we’re together.” Ashley gave me a hug and I fist pumped her. That was our own little agreement between us.

Finishing up my homework and getting done with my shift at Dale’s sporting store I parked my truck in the Cooper driveway seeing Georgie leaning against the driver door of his Mustang he had finally saved up enough money for. “So do I get to see whatever you have set up for tonight now or not?”

“Get in the truck and I’ll show ya.” He tilted his to the side as a gesture and we got in the car together where he drove us out to the old tiny cabin that we had found. He parked the car as close as he could, helping me out and covering my eyes when we walked to the front door.

“Don’t let me trip, Cooper.” I chuckled until he stopped and he pushed the door opened walking me inside, not uncovering my eyes till we stopped walking. He dropped his hands smiling when I gasped at what he had done in front of me. “Georgie, I - I can’t believe you did all this.”

The fold out couch was covered with pillows and some blankets we had brought here when we would camp out with the gang. There were a few fairy lights hanging on the back wall by the old metal stove and a lantern hung above the bed providing more light.

“So what do you think?” He asked, shrugging his shoulders while wearing blue jeans and a red tea shirt tucked inside his belt buckle.

Spinning around on my feet I quickly hugged him and he slowly hugged me back until I pulled back from the embrace. “It’s really cute. Thank you.”

“Good I was worried you ain’t gonna like it.” He smiled resting his hands on my hips moving one to point to a cooler in the corner. “Before I forget I also scored some of my Memaw’s leftover brisket that we can heat up in the stove cause I found some matches too.”

I giggled, wanting our lives to always be like this. Not regretting that it took us away to get to this moment. “You’re the best boyfriend ever.”

“So do you wanna eat?” He asked me.

“Actually I was thinkin’ we could do something else first if you’re up for it.” I lightly smirked up at him.

Georgie asked curiously. “What did you have in mind? - oh yeah we can do that.”

I wrapped my arms around him and pressed my lips against his.

He kissed me back passionately and he gently dropped me down to the bed. My back hit the soft silk sheets before I rose up from the bed staring at him softly and brought a hand to his cheek stroking it softly. He leaned into my touch and he lifted his shirt over his head and threw it to the ground.

“I'll go slow with you.“ He reassured me, grabbing my hand with his. “We can stop anytime if you want. I know we’ve only been on one date.”

“I want to do this.“ I said, wishing my heart would stop beating so rapidly like I was scared.

My best friend still silently looked at me, slowly kicking his boots off. “You’re sure you wanna do this?”

“Yes. I want you to be my first.” My hands started to trace his form, I began to run his fingers up and down his chest softly while I began to feel his hand start to crawl underneath my shirt. He lifted my shirt off my head, throwing it to the ground only once breaking the kiss

He hovered over me and brought his lips down upon mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and embraced more into the kiss. I felt a hard rock positioned at my lower religion, he placed his member at my center and looked up at me. “Darling, this will hurt a little. Just tap my shoulder twice if you want to stop.”

He nodded and aligned himself against me before thrusting into me softly , I hissed out in pain as I felt him breaking through my wall, tears began to well in my eyes. “If I’m lucky enough I’m gonna marry you someday.” He moved slowly against her, I bit down on my lip hard trying to bear through the pain.

Within moments I felt the pain suddenly vanish and began to feel pleasure. I began to move against him and leaned up pressing my lips down upon his. I came moaning out loudly as I felt a wave of pleasure come over me. He came seconds later as I felt him emptying inside of med, both moaning and groaning until we fell back onto the mattress together.

“I’d say yes if you proposed.” I whispered cuddling up into his chest and we fell asleep under the camping blankets he had put on the bed.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[a-crumb-of-whump]

i want carlos to get accidentally triggered into a meltdown in front of ryker's friends :) like a full whimpering and sobbing and incoherent speech meltdown :) i'm sure he'd be absolutely MORTIFIED by that :)

Masterlist

not exactly what was described but i'm happy with it nonetheless :3 lots of fluff

-

Carlos wanted nothing more than to be anywhere but here. Sitting at the dining table with five humans and no opportunity to politely excuse himself due to the never-ending conversation they were having. Over time, his throat had begun to restrict and he was sure he could hear the sound of his heart pounding in his ears. He wanted out. He needed out. 

But no one was paying any attention to him. Not even his humans who were seated on either side of him. If he wanted to leave, he had to make the first move. That was a terrifying realisation to make, and one that only increased his feelings of being trapped. He supposed that may have been what tipped him over the edge to begin with. That and the sudden roar of laughter from all five of them. 

It was like someone had flicked a switch within him, and suddenly everything he’d been trying to hold in boiled over. 

“Hey,” Charlie gently called to him. He leaned forward a little in his seat and reached out a hand, presumably trying to get the vampire’s attention. “Carlos, what happened? Can you say something?” 

He couldn’t. Every fibre of his being worked in an attempt to force something out, and yet nothing could make it past his lips. Nothing apart from a small, choked sob that prompted him to grasp at Ryker’s arm so tight that he was sure to leave some bruising. 

The fact that everyone around him was watching only made things worse. He could feel his face heating up and his leg start to bounce anxiously beneath the table, a habit he was sure he picked up from Ryker. 

“‘m sorry,” he rasped, feeling not only Ryker’s, but Adam’s hand rubbing his back comfortingly as he hunched over in his seat to try and make himself feel smaller. He’d always wished he could disappear when things got too much.  “Please be gentle when you pu-unish me. I’m- I’m sorry.” 

Before he knew it, everyone had trickled out of the room and into the living area. Everyone but Ryker, who had adjusted the position of the vampire’s chair so it was facing away from the table and he could kneel between his legs.

“You don’t have to say anything until you’re ready,” he quietly assured him the moment Carlos struggled to wring another apology out of himself. “You’re not getting punished, nor are you in trouble. I’ve had more meltdowns in that very chair you’re sitting in than you can count.” 

Despite himself, he managed a strained laugh. Not loud enough for anybody but the two of them to hear, but enough to know that it was as genuine as it could get. 

“Do you remember that conversation we had about overstimulation?” he asked. Carlos gave him a tentative nod. “Do you think that all the noise and the people may have caused something like that?” 

There was a long pause. Carlos supposed it was his attempt at stalling until he was able to speak again in a way that was coherent. 

He sniffled. “Maybe, but- but it’s never been an issue before.” 

Ryker shrugged. “I don’t think it’s that it wasn’t an issue. I think the problem is that you were living in a constant state of overstimulation, which you’ve now been free from for, what? Almost a month now?” 

“I think so.” 

“So, unfortunately you’re not going to handle it as well as you would have back then.” The human offered him a gentle smile, using his thumb to stroke the palm of his hand as he cupped it in his own. “It’s okay. Totally normal. Good, even. It means you’re getting better at caring for yourself enough to avoid these things. Of course… that doesn’t mean it doesn’t fucking suck.” 

Despite the few involuntary whimpers he let out, Carlos could feel himself beginning to calm down. He would have crushed the human in a hug by now, if it weren’t for the touch of his hands already verging on being too much. Nonetheless, he refused to let go of them. They were safe. They told him someone he loved was within arm’s reach. There was nothing more comforting than that. 

“I’m sorry,” he tried again. “I know you’ve been waiting to see them all week ‘n’ I know I ruined it for you.” 

The moment it all clicked in his head was obvious. “Is that why you assumed I was going to punish you?” he asked, a slight frown on his face that only deepened when Carlos tearily nodded. “But you know that I wouldn’t, right?” 

“Most of the time,” the vampire mumbled. “So-ometimes it becomes a nagging thought in the back of m’head ‘n’ I convince myself that you would. I know it’s irrational and silly and selfish of me to be feeling that way despite how many times you’ve proven that you wouldn’t, but I can’t help it.”

Ryker rolled his eyes. “It’s not selfish. You’ve survived things that I couldn’t even begin to comprehend. Trauma is inevitably going to come as a result, but hey.” His smile suddenly returned, looking as though it was one of amusement more than anything else. “You’re the one who could toss me like I weigh nothing, aren’t you?” 

He let out a gentle laugh the moment Carlos’ eyes blew dramatically wide. The vampire shook his head and reached out a shaking hand to run it through Ryker’s hair, just enough to push it out of his eyes before settling on his shoulder. 

“Never,” he quietly protested. “I couldn’t. Not to you.” 

“Seems like we’re on the same page, then.” 

Carlos glanced down at his lap, where their hands sat intertwined with each other. “I guess we are,” he quietly agreed. “Thank you, sir.”

Taglist: @choppedflowermuffinchild @dismemberment-on-a-tuesday-night @emcscared-whumps @espresso-depresso-system @inkkswhumpandstuff @pigeonwhumps @pumpkin-spice-whump @roblingoblin285 @sacredwrath @some-thrilling-heroics @stabby-nunchucks @thingsthatgo-whump-inthenight @trans-writes @whump-blog @whumpsday @whumpshaped @paniatheweirdone @whumpycries @why-not-ask-me-a-better-question @thekittyburger @whumpdreamz

[ramblingdrunkenknight]

This compilation of a news article and a few goodbye letters marks the end of Mephiston Godefroy and Ryker Grimm in the FF14 universe, though at the very least one of them will live on somewhere else.

KNIGHT OF HOUSE FORTEMPS FOUND DEAD, PRESUMABLY KILLED BY FORMER KNIGHT CAPTAIN

"The Congregation of Our Knights Most Heavenly was riled up after Fortemps Knight Ryker Grimm sent a message accusing Mephiston Godefroy, former Knight Captain of House Fortemps in charge of their forces within the Holy See of Ishgard, of high heresy. Due to former accusations and investigations regarding the former Knight Captain, a force of Temple Knights was immediately sent out towards his residence within the Empyreum. After storming the office of Mephiston, they discovered the dead body of Ryker Grimm, wittnesses say he almost looked like he was drained of energy. Following said discovery, the Temple Knights sent out search teams throughout the entire City, looking for the former Knight Captain. It did not take long before a group of Knights found him standing on an edge near the Fortemps Manor in the Pillars. Witnesses report that he had stood there for quite a while before the Knights arrived, looking out at the horizon. After he had noticed the Knights approaching him, he stepped forward and fell from the edge, getting impaled by a pillar on a lower level of the City, he has been confirmed deceased. Futher investigation will occur, however current evidence suggests Mephiston Godefroy was responsible for the death of Ser Ryker Grimm."

------------

"Dearest family de Marteau, I have caused you many troubles in my short time of knowing you, troubles that can never be truly excused, however despite my frankly impressive ability to make your life hard you have always been good to me. Several months ago I had the device that was supposed to hold my urges at bay removed; I have been working with a learned Scholar to completely eliminate my nightkin curse and get rid of said urges entirely, however that pursuit has proven quite fruitless. Though I could simply ask to have the device attached to me again to avoid risk of submitting to the curse, I have decided that perhaps I should let the inevitable pass. It has been getting harder and harder to stay sane and I am afraid by the time you read this letter it may already be too late. I cannot tell you what exactly will happen; While I can still think freely though, I want to thank you for what you have done for me once again. My life has been long and though Knightdom has certainly kept me from being bored, the past year and a half has been by far the most adventurous and fun time of it all. I'm afraid my legacy will not be a good one, but I hope that I will not be remembered as an aether-thirsty creature in your hearts and minds and instead as a friend. Sincerely Mephiston Godefroy"

------------

"Dearest Anithiya, I do not know how aware of the troubles I have been going through you are, especially as you yourself had to deal with the nature of your own being, however I believe you have heard at least a little about my own condition. Not all too long ago, after I ended my time in hiding, Frayeur attached a device that supressed the urges that my nightkin curse wrought upon me, however in my frustration of being shackled, I established contact with someone that could remove said device and perhaps help me remove the curse entirely. To my dismay, though the device was removed, the curse still remains, as our efforts have proven quite fruitless. Now while urges grow stronger and stronger everyday, as I am getting worse and worse at resisting them, I feel my end is near. We planned to do so much together, you wanted to teach me some magic, I wanted to perhaps show you a trick or two with the sword, however all our plans have never quite come to pass and I'm afraid now they never will. Do not mourn me in any way, truth be told I do not know how exactly I will pass, but I feel it won't be pretty, as by the time I will truly perish, the Mephiston you knew will already be long gone. Your condition remains a mystery to me and I never got around to talking to you about it, truth be told I do not know if you ever found a solution to your troubles, but if you did not, please do not give up for I do not want you to end up like me. I loved talking to you Ani, and I hope you shared a similar feeling. Sincerely Mephiston Godefroy"

------------

"Hey, Ant, this is the third time I have started writing this letter, with the previous two attempts I tried to stay professional as that has been the measure of our relationship ever since I returned, however I see no point in keeping my manners for my last words to you. As you know I had the device that kept my nightkin curse at bay removed a few months ago, I have rarely been around anywhere since then as Veldreth and I had been hard at work looking for a way to completely remove the curse and rid myself of these urges entirely, however we have not made any progress. I will not act like I have no options, afterall I could come running to Frayeur and shackle myself again, but I would rather not repeat that mistake and instead just let fate take its toll on me. The urges are actively taking me over and I'm afraid my age is showing, as it is getting harder and harder to resist; The recent lack of the daily training I had undergone during my Knightdom has proven to weaken my willpower quite a lot and it feels like I will be gone entirely any day now. While I'm still somewhat sane, if I ever truly was, I have something to tell you though. I've known you for just a little more than a year and we've both caused each other a non insignificant amount of trouble, but I'm glad to have experienced every little bit of it, no matter how unpleasant it was. You don't need to feel the same and frankly I couldn't care less if you simply just hate me, for I won't be here to know. We fought quite a lot, some people have probably never seen us talk normally to each other, without you calling me a coward for one thing or another, but now here I am, having gotten rid of my shackles and bearing the fruits of it, you were right, I should never have been the coward I was in rejecting my curse, I should have accepted my end long ago. Whether you like it or not and whether these feelings were shared at any point of our friendship or not, you were one of my closest friends, and I hope you will at the very least not remember me as the coward that disappeared without warning. Sincerely Mephiston Godefroy"

------------

"My only remaining Patron, I do not presume you will care about this letter, frankly I do not expect you to, as I have caused you quite a lot of trouble, but nevertheless I felt it appropriate. Though in the other letters I will send out I went into detail as to why, those details don't really matter to you, so I will get straight to the point; In the following days, presumably by the time this letter reaches you, I will die. The details as to how exactly I die are a mystery to me, but I do know that it will happen, for the urges of my nightkin curse grow stronger and stronger and soon enough Mephiston will be gone, for my power to resist it has been dwindling as of recently. You and I aren't so different in many ways, you might not agree but I certainly feel that way, therefore I do believe many words I could say right now can remain unsaid and you will understand me regardless. Though you certainly make no efforts to prove the opposite, somewhere deep within your bastard heart you're not as miserable and bad as you act. I've already asked much of you, but please take care of Ant, you need each other. Your personal Barkeep Mephiston Godefroy"

------------

THE END

[krattgirl124]

More headcanons and fun facts for TNG AU.

Gothi left the A Team after dying from a fight with dragon hunters, her purple Gronckle disappeared soon after and her flock of terrible terrors are now just wandering Berk trying to find a new trainer.

Spitelout left the A Team after that same fight where his Nadder, Kingstail, was badly hurt and couldn’t fly as well as he used to.

Gustav sold Fanghook to dragon fighting, now Gustav himself has become a bigger threat without his dragon, running around and biting other hunters to keep them in their place.

Gustav does wear a muzzle.

Asdis is going to be the future queen of Defenders of the Wing and Chieftess of Berserker island, this is going to add on a lot of stress to her where she barely has any free time. This in turn will cause Halvor to try and help his sister out as much as possible, trying to lessen her load with everything going on in Berserker Island.

In this AU, Viggo was also there at the chief counsel when Drago destroyed the whole place and the chiefs inside. He was there because his parents were there and he was getting some experience before he became chief. His parents died to an armored Rumblehorn and Viggo was barely able to escape with his life.

Later, Drago went out and destroyed the entire Grimborn village, the only reason why Viggo and Ryker are still around was because their grandfather lead them both deep into the forest to hide out the initial attacks.

After everything that’s happened in the events of Race to the Edge, Viggo has terrible nightmares and tries to avoid sleep as much as possible. He also avoids volcanos as best he can as the intrusive thoughts will tell him to finish the job.

Astrid and Snotlout became almost best friends after they both married their husbands, but that doesn’t stop Astrid from occasionally smacking Snotlout with a chair every time he’s acting a fool.

Gobber has adopted many kids and young dragons, he’s a single father of many and all the gay dragons are all his friends.

Garf becomes mates with a female Deathsong named Harmony, they are very much happy together.

Out of all the original dragon riders, Harmony only likes Astrid and doesn’t try to shoot her on sight.

Meatlug adopts two baby Nadders whose mother died.

Snotlout has an amazing singing voice and will constantly serenade to Tuffnut. He did it once in the middle of the night and got a barrel thrown at him by Ruffnut.

Speaking of Tuffnut, he started suffering with Imposter Syndrome after Gruffnut impersonated him so perfectly that he’s scared of it happening again, so he and Snotlout have come up with a code word that they could tell each other every once in a while to show that it’s still Tuffnut (the word is “Tears”). So now, if Gruffnut does impersonate Tuffnut again and comes across Snotlout, if the code is said and Gruffnut doesn’t respond correctly, his schemes will be foiled instantly.

Puffnut was born on Loki Day, making her birthday April 1st. With this as a point to start, Ethan was born 9 months earlier on July 8th, making Fluffnut being born July 1st.

Dante’s birthday is November 15th.

Runa never blinks when people are watching, it freaks everyone out except Halvor, because he knows stuff no one else does.

During a visit to Wingmaiden island, Snotlout got the chance to name a baby Razorwhip, little guy’s name is Winglout.

[thechaosmuses]

I just wanted to introduce a couple new misc muses really quick- Two of them were made specifically for @intothevxid, those being Rosalie & Rowena - they're kinda one muse in two though because Rowena is Rosalie reincarnated- and then the third and last muse is Ryker who is Rowena's little brother- (little introductions under the cut)

Rosalie Grace Anderson (left); She works at her parents diner in the small town she was born and raised in. She’s the oldest child of five so she was given more responsibility than a child should have had, making her mature way before she was an actual adult. Though she dreams to get out of the town she’s known all her life and become an actress. Ask anyone to describe her and they’ll say she’s a sweetheart, always putting everyone's needs before her own. But besides that she’s very passionate, loyal, adventurous, a bit of an introvert though she has her moments. She’s well-liked by everyone and has never had any trouble in the dating department besides the fact that she’s never really had a connection with anyone. Besides her love of acting she also likes to read, paint and plays the piano.

Rowena Greyson Andrews (right); She works as a bartender in her hometown at a bar owned by her and her younger brother and that was passed down to them from their Uncle. She’s the oldest of three kids and because their Father ran out on them when she was still a kid she’s had to help raise her little brother and sister. She’s an aspiring singer/actress. To the outside world, she’s not very friendly but to those she cares about she’s super sweet and caring. Like Rosa she’s very passionate, loyal and adventurous but she’s way more of an introvert at least when she’s not working and can be pretty sarcastic and a bit of a troublemaker. She’s not super liked by everyone just because of her general attitude though she’s never had any problem making friends or getting dates. Again like Rosa she just can’t seem to find anyone she connects with. Besides singing and acting she loves to read as well, but she prefers photography over painting and plays the guitar rather than the piano.

Ryker Grant Andrews; He works alongside his sister at the bar they co-own. He's the middle child so he often got overlooked by their parents though never by Rowena. The two of them have been close since they were little. He loves owning a bar though he'd love to be a performer of some sort too, whether that be in a band, an actor or theater he doesn't care, he loves it all (maybe because of the lack of attention he had growing up). He's definitely the more extroverted one and is very fun loving and easy going, like his sister he can be sarcastic though he usually leaves that to her, he does like to cause trouble also but he's also very sweet and cares too much about people sometimes. He often accidentally ignores other customers at the bar when he's letting someone vent to him about their problems. He has been in love before, but he got his heart broke so now he's definitely got his guard up when it comes to letting someone in like that. Besides his love of singing and acting like his sister he loves to draw and write either music or poems, he plays the piano, as well as the drums and Row is teaching him guitar.

[evilwriter37]

The other idea was that the riders are all captured and held prisoner on Viggo's flag ship, their dragons all kept on another ship to keep them from escaping. Viggo wants Hiccup to join him and so intends on playing the long game. At first he keeps Hiccup and the riders seperate, never telling one how either of the others is doing. Hiccup is kept in the captain's quarters with Viggo, while the other riders are kept down in one of the dragon cells below the crew quarters. Viggo is civil with Hiccup, almost friendly even, treating him as if he were a member of his crew. Feeding him well, talking to him as an equal, playing Maces and Talons with him, and even letting the younger man peruse his personal library as he wished. He had even had a second bed brought in just as a cherry on top. While just below them, the riders were fed on scraps the crew wouldn't even feed the dragons they hunted and only had a single pile of hay and a thin blanket to share amongst all 5 of them. Viggo wasn't pushing himself on Hiccup in any capacity, wasn't making demands. Once there was even an inkling of trust, be it faux or not, the real games began. Viggo let Hiccup wander the ship - always above deck and always with eyes on him, wether the smaller viking knew it or not. If he behaved and didn't cause trouble or try to escape he was left alone to his own devices. If he did though, the riders were punished in his stead severely, and Hiccup was made to watch. Ryker took that to the extreme, usung any little thing he could as an excuse. Hiccup hated watching his friends suffer, apologizing to them profusely. They kept strong though, assumimg that Hiccup was still woking on a way to get them all out. Eventually though, Hiccup stops trying. When he's good Viggo rewards him; He would give the riders more creature comforts: pillows, blankets, better food, cleaner water, new clothes.

After a few months, when Viggo thinks Hiccup has come far enough along and the fight has all but left him. He even gifts the boy his dragon back. Of course he takes the prosthetic tail fin so they can't fly, but it's a gift Hiccup practically worships him for giving. He asks after the other dragons and it's revealed they were being taken care of. Maybe not as well as the riders would personally, but they weren't being mistreated. From here out, Hiccup is granted permission to go see his friends. Not that he does that often, the guilt of giving up weighs heavy when he looks in their eyes. He can't stomach telling them he isn't trying anymore. Viggo is relatively sure that Hiccup is under his thumb by this point and it's just a matter of time. Slowly he starts to integrate Hiccup into his crew, disguised as small busy work to keep him from getting bored. He learned early on that a bored Hiccup, was a dangerous Hiccup. To both himself, and anyone around him. It's around here that likely a sort of Stockholm syndrome starts to slowly set in. He starts to see Viggo in a more positive light, even coming to the alarming realization that he might actually like Viggo. He can't remember the last time he had felt anything remotely close to romantic for Astrid, even though before they had been stuck on this ship for Thor knew how long at ghis point they had been engaged. That scared him. When had his affections shifted from Astrid to Viggo? He couldn't let either party know. He would take it to his grave. Except that he's a terrible lier. And by now, Viggo can read him like a book.

Viggo's plan comes to a head that night, while Hiccup is struggling with his revelation he says something along the lines of "I've noticed you've been in a messure of some distress today, I'd like to show a bit of fait and offer you an outlet. As long as you promise to come back, and you take someone with you, you can have Toothless' tail fin back and go for a flight." Viggo knows no one on his ship will agree, that it will inevitably end up being the two of them, because the chance to fly with his dragon again will be too much to refuse, even on pride. It's while they're flying and Hiccup is physically relaxing in Viggo's arms at the feeling of the cold wind in his hair and the sound of Toothless' wings in his ears, (the smell of Viggo's cologne in his nose) that Hiccup lets it slip that he might in fact be attracted to him. And that with that bit in the open all of the insecurities of his friends finding out and hating him, thinking he was a traitor just tumble out of his mouth like word vomit. It's what Viggo has been waiting for. He treds lightly, not wanting to spook him, but tells him that his interest is not one sided. That he would not reject him should he want to pursue a relationship.

"If you promise to stay with me, to join my crew, I will let your friends go free. Their dragons as well." Viggo says with full sincerity. "If you betray me,and leave, I can not promise that Ryker will not kill each and every one of them. If you stay, they will have my protection."

At this point the main idea is done and the sub idea was Stoick starting tonbe worried that he hadn't heard from any of the riders in quite some time and when the others return to the edge - because of course Hiccup accepts - they tell him thayvhe sacrificed himself for them. They all try to organize a rescue for him from Viggo. If he tells them of his new found attraction or not could be up to you.

Because my brain likes to add angst it thought to pepper in some sort of repressed gay panic for Hiccup (that maybe only Snotlout keys in on if he tells them. Astrid would also be mad at being very suddenly essentially dumped for Viggo of all people) due to the expected stress Stoick put on Hiccup to "find a nice woman and settle down, and have an heir of your own." That Viggo now has to gently navigate, is more than happy to do, if it means he gets what he wants. Hiccup would be surprised at how gently Viggo regards him, how understanding he is of the situation, and it would probably make his delusion of "attraction" deepen.

I love this!!!! Ooooh, the manipulation is thick in this one. Gotta love it when Viggo manipulates people and plays mind games like that.

This does sound like it would be a multichapter story though. I already have 2 longer multichapter fics going with a short one on the side as well. I’m sorry, but I just do not have the time to write this.

However, I will keep the idea stowed away, should the time and inspiration ever strike me. Thank you for tickling my inspiration and for giving me more Vigcup to think about!

[zozophoenixxx]

Serotonin Booster :D 🐉

How to train your dragon edition

Here are some things I had forgotten or little details I just noticed on my rewatch, maybe even Unpopular Opinions 🤭👀

✨Race to the Edge ✨

SEASON 4

Tuffnut choked on a stun dart- I think I've seen it all regarding the twins HAHDHSHHA

Fishlegs really had Meatlug opening its mouth WIDE JUST TO SAY ABORT THE VERY LAST SECONDHAHSHGSGG

I love how Hiccup and Astrid can communicate without actually talking 🥺

I love how all dragons are a reflection of each of their owners like even tho Barf and Belch aren't the smartest they can be whenever they actually try

- Snotlout and Hookfang are both hotheaded and never really listen

- Fishlegs and Meatlug both are sweet, smart, resourceful and jealous sometimes hehe

- The twins and Barf and Belch are crazy and dumb but can be smart and strong whenever they need to be

- Astrid and Stormfly are both authoritative and badasses but also caring

- Hiccup and Toothless are both natural born leaders

Astrid built the ballista

Fun fact: Mala means bad in Spanish and it makes sense if you think about it cause Mala is BADASS HAHDHSHAHA😂 sorry I make bad jokes like that

Hiccup referring to Tuffnut as one of his best friends is adorable 🥺

"Flattery has no effect on me, mainly because I never hear any" dudeee ruff that's so saddd🥺😭

JAJDHHSJSJS TUFFNUT REALLY SAID "IT'S TIME FOR BALLISTA-NUT" AND JUMPED RIGHT OFF OF TOOTHLESS

And then him actually fighting Gruffnut is pretty badass I mean they threw actual punches and kicks and everything 😳

Why was Hiccup so cold towards Astrid? When she was just trying to help with his bounty problem

The way Toothless prevented Stoick from killing Savage 🥺🥺🥺

Now that I think abt it Hiccup got kidnapped so many times

Stoick punching Ryker and threatening him is one of the best things I've seen 🤩

Dude poor Snotlout was just insecure in ep4 And I love how Hiccup tried to help him and even then Snotlout still tried his best to show that he can be a leader

- i really loved how he learned that he couldn't just stop covering someone, I mean even when Astrid told him to "peel off and help Hiccup" he was like "no way I'm not leaving your wing" 🥺🥺🥺

Submaripper - tidal class, super powerful, prefer deeper open water and typically very reclusive. Extremely territorial and dangerous.

I LOVE HOW THE SUBMARIPPER SAVED HICCUP, and Toothless's face whenever he couldn't get Hiccup out and Barf and Belch breaking the pod to get him 🥺🥺🥺I can't

𝕃𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕤𝕝𝕖𝕖𝕡 𝕕𝕖𝕡𝕣𝕒𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕤𝕪𝕞𝕡𝕥𝕠𝕞𝕤 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕥𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕤

- multifaceted disorder

Uncontrollable euphoria - Astrid

Lack of coordination - Heather

Mood swings - Snotlout

Complete catatonia

Cold ankles

Rash

Paranoia - Fishlegs

I CAN'T LOOKING AT THEM LIKE THIS IS JUST TOO FUNNY. NO ISTG EPISODE 7 IS GOLDDDD AND WHEN THE DRAGONS TOOK OVER 😂

Stoick is so fine 🤩

JAHDHAHSHA HICCUP REALLY OUT HERE FAT-SHAMING HIS DAD when poor Stoick is just trying to tell him that going after Viggo only for revenge is neither safe nor the right thing to do

- "What? What do you mean? You love revenge. Revenge is your thing. Weren't they gonna name you Stoick the Vindictive before... Well you know." *signals to Stoick*

Shadow wings - ep7 they follow, herd and shadow. Big one isn't as fast or maneuverable. Small ones are smart and quick. The big one looks like the submaripper.

AND THE WAY TOOTHLESS DEALT WITH THE LAST OF THEM. It was amazingggg he dived down towards a lil pond but he couldn't see cause of the dust and so HE USED THAT ONE SHOT THAT LETS HIM SEE TO KNOW WHEN TO GO BACK UP AND ALLOW THE BIG SHADOW WING TO CRASH AGAINST THE WATER.

The Flying Shatter-Scatter move with Shattermaster and Windshear was so cool and it's also basically the only thing that has pierced through dragon-proof ships

Bro I really wanted to see Astrid saving Toothless when she saw he was in danger in ep8

I DONT WANT HEATHER TO LEAVE UGHHHH 🥺

HEATHER AND FISHLEGS ARE SO GOALS I CANT 🥺🥺🥺🥺😭 I LOVE THEM TOO MUCH

Everyone's shocked faces whenever Hiccup and Fishlegs weren't thinking the same thing HAHDHSHABA

Toothless's facial expressions whenever he saw Astrid was in danger and the way he grabbed Snotlout and went down the volcano just to try and save her- I love their relationship 🥺

And how Hiccup was so worried when he saw Astrid in the lava and the way he grabbed her 🥺🥺🥺🥺

Dude I shipped Throk and Mala so harddd

And the red night terrors ufff we love them

Tuffnut just killed Macey

Ruffnut is so badass bro I love her she really had a sword to her neck and was like "take your best shot pal"

Project Shellfire: a weaponized dragon, Shellfire - tidal class, Titanwing, bigger than a submaripper, long range firing capabilities.

Hiccup just saved Astrid from falling to the water and the way he looked at her right after he put her down- he seemed so concerned I can't 🥺😭

BLINDSIDED ALSO LOVE THIS EPISODE 🤩🥺

First name Astrid calls out is Hiccup's 🥺

Her eyes omg

The way she started hyperventilating and the way he held her hand with both of his and the way he kneeled down next to her and made sure she knew that he was still there and the way Toothless's facial expression went 🥺😔 and the way he put his wing on her legs to try and cover her or protect her 🥺🥺🥺I can't

I mean Imagine how Astrid must've felt I just can't I'd be so stressed out and desperate and the next day she was just like I'm going to look for my dragon idc

No dude because the way Hiccup grabbed her by the waist to prevent her from falling off of Toothless and how both of their expressions softened whenever he told her not to apologize and whenever she hugged him 🥺

I love how the twins are trying to learn how Astrid feels but Ruffnut takes advantage of "blind" Tuffnut and has him run off of a cliff

AND HOW HE CAUGHT HER AND GOT SO NERVOUS WHEN THEY BOTH FELL DOWN 🥺 wait now that I'm watching it again he actually prevented her from getting hit in the head omg

"Of course she's not gonna hide. What was I thinking? She's Astrid."

MISTAKE whenever Astrid took the dragons out of their pens they weren't wearing their saddles and now that they've found them they have them on.

Them spending time with each other's dragons is so funny

Nonono I can't this is the beginning of it all! The beginning of Hiccstrid dating is HERE!!!! and that scene whenever he tells her that she's strong and they'll get through it and he holds her arm and then slowly moves down to her hand 🥺 I love them too much I can't- I want what they have. HE WAS GOING IN FOR THE KISS TOO I CANTTTTT OK THIS IS TOO MUCH

"There will always be a Hiccup and Astrid. Always."

TOOTHLESS'S FACE 😳

I love how Meatlug got so serious after she heard Toothless's distress call

ASTRID IS SO BADASS I CAN'T SHE'S JUST SUCH A NATURAL AND AUTHORTITAVE I LOVE HER

THE HAND THING WITH ASTRID AND THE TRIPLE STRYKE 😩

Fishlegs riding Hookfang is HILARIOUS

That final scene is gold bro I just can they're too perfect I mean we get Toothless and Stormfly messing around in the background and then we get Hiccup scooting towards Astrid so that their shoulders were touching and also Hiccup asking Astrid if she's really ok and then him telling her that he never stops worrying about her and her saying that she feels the same way AND HER ASKING HIM ABOUT THE ALMOST-TO-BE-FIRST-KISS IN THE FOREST and him getting all nervous and being like "no it wasn't perfect" and telling her that he thinks abt kissing her a lot AND HER BEING LIKE "this seems pretty perfect to me" AND THEN BAMM THE KISS UGHHH IM NOT CRYING OK... yes I am😭

Hiccstrid kiss count: 2😘

I love how Astrid comforts Hiccup and puts her hand on his chest

Wait shit I completely forgot That Snotlout is actually the one that came up with ~Hiccstrid~ hehehehe -> also the first one to notice that they were acting kinda sus (nvm he thought one of them had a gambling problem)

Ruffnut's impression of Viggo is actually pretty accurate

Heather knowing about Hiccup and Astrid and just getting the gang away so that they can have a few seconds alone

OMG THE SUBMARIPPER I LOVE IT!! It is the natural and hated enemy of the Shellfire

The Triple Stryke let Dagur ride him

HICCUP CALLED DAGUR BROTHER I CANT

No and when they kissed IN FRONT OF THE GANG AND THEY WERE ALL LIKE 😳😦 AND "This. Changes. Everything." Iconic

I can't imagine watching this season by season and having to deal with that cliffhanger LIKE WHUT- the whole volcano just exploded and ur telling me that's IT!! Nope nope nope

[howtowhumpyourhiccup]

Winter Whumperland Day 10: Ruin

Summary: Written for Winter Whumperland Day 10. Set in a Modern AU, follows up on Day 9 'Planned'. Darkness was all Hiccup knew during those first three months. Darkness and daily defeat. Ruin was his way back into the light.

Warning: Rape/non-con

Rating: Mature

Characters: Hiccup, Viggo

Pairing: Vigcup, past-Hiccstrid

Words: 4 356

Fandom: How to Train Your Dragon

Prompt: “Poisoned”, “Food deprivation”

Whumpee: Hiccup

Author’s Notes: After posting Day 'Planned', I decided to hold off on posting Days 10 and 11 until I finished Day 12, which still had such a long way to go. It still does, but I have since split Day 12 into two parts and part 1 is finished. So it felt right to post Day 10.

I think that this thing is the darkest fic I've written to date, the final chapter in Hiccup's story left unexplored. There is still plenty left, but those won't be from his perspective. ;D

Constructive criticism is appreciated.

Enjoy!

Ao3

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"Are we not as lively today as we usually are, Hiccup?" One afternoon in late August, this is the question Viggo asks. His gaze is indifferent, if slightly pleased, as it lingers on the young man sitting opposite to him at a table.

Hiccup looks a little lost as he sits there with him, a barely played chessboard between the two. He's hunched, appearing small, and tired. He's lost weight, but he's not as thin as he was a week ago, when he first left the downstairs area of the Grimborn home, the basement.

When a question is asked of him, he looks back at Viggo and realizes it's been a few minutes since he's made his move on the board. And yet, the older man isn't wondering why Hiccup is taking so long, knowing well enough what the cause for his downtrodden mood is.

He's feeling a little down, a little fatigued. It's not too crazy after what he's been through, after what he's survived and gotten out of. if anything, Viggo is pleased to see him this way. He's never liked Hiccup's 'loudness' from before, though others would argue that Hiccup isn't loud at all. Not in the way Viggo thinks.

"Um, I'm sorry, I'm..." Hiccup apologizes, but he's unsure what he wants to say. He hasn't just been spacing out during their game, he's been doing so throughout the day and during previous days, too.

Does it have something to do with the things done to him? He's certainly still recovering from it and not just mentally, his body is trying to catch up, too. Though his ribs and knee have healed and Viggo is putting enough food in him, he's still worryingly thing and that doesn't help his mental health. It all contributes to the tiredness that he feels.

"It's okay, my Dear, I know that you're having a hard time." Viggo understands, but he's only pretending to be nice, pretending to be concerned.

Hiccup looks down at himself, picking at the loose skin on his fingers. He's hurting, he feels like crying, he feels such shame and he can't see a single part of himself without remembering.

Without a doubt, Viggo can see the emotion growing in his eyes, can see a non-physical weight physically weighing him down. His response to that? Taking his glass of wine to sip from it. In his eyes, this is progress.

But as painful as those venomous memories are, they make Hiccup think of an important question.

"Can I- can I ask you a question?" Hiccup asks cautiously. There is something he needs to know, though he is afraid of the answer. He is very afraid.

"Make your move first, Hiccup, I don't appreciate to be kept waiting. After that, you can ask." Viggo responds, gesturing to the board, and so Hiccup turns his attention quietly back down to their game.

It's only because of Viggo that he knows how to play chess. He might've been a little curious at some point, he knows Fishlegs certainly has been, but it wasn't until Viggo came into his life that he learned how to play.

Maybe he could be good with a little bit more practice, Viggo is quite an experienced players, but his fatigue doesn't allow him to think of any good moves. When Hiccup makes his next one, it's the first one he can find. It might not be the best move, but he's not in the right mindset to even try to go for a win either. He's afraid of what'll happen if he does win.

Besides, he doesn't have the energy for it, he just wants to ask his question and have his answer.

Viggo hum disapprovingly and Hiccup holds his breath for one tense moment.

"Go on, ask your question." But fair is fair, so Viggo awaits his question.

"Do I... Um.. Do I have to ever, you know?" Hiccup can feel his heartbeat growing louder, can feel it pounding against his sternum. He acts subdued, but on the inside, he's full of turmoil and fright.

"Do I ever have to go back? Down-downstairs?" But Viggo is a patient man when Hiccup doesn't make him angry and he manages to ask. Hiccup fears the answer he may receive.

Viggo crosses his arms and hums as if in thought. It is nothing but an act as he already has his answer. He likes to keep Hiccup on his toes, likes to make him worry and stress. It's good, it's how Hiccup knows to behave.

"Well, no, not as long as you're a good boy. I won't have a reason to send you back if you listen and are good, do I?" That answer is barely comforting and Viggo's almost endearing smile doesn't help.

So long as Hiccup doesn't step out of line, he has nothing to worry about. So long as he listens, is a good boy, does everything that's asked and expected of him, he'll be okay. But then, what exactly is 'stepping out of line' to Viggo? Is it when he falls back into his old behavior? When he tries to escape? Or is it something as small as speaking out of turn?

Hiccup could ask, but maybe asking is considered stepping out of line and he doesn't want to risk that.

Thinking back to that place hurts so much and it makes him sick to his stomach. It's awful, so very awful. And the only reason he's sitting in the dining room with the afternoon sunlight filtering in through the window now is because he's given in to him.

He hopes he never has to go through something like that ever again.

"Oh my Dear," Viggo offers a hand and his support as he notices the tears growing in Hiccup's eyes. "My wonderful Dear."

He knows that he's hurting, that was the entire point of keeping Hiccup down there for the first three months of his time here. How can Viggo trust him to be a good boy upstairs if he hasn't learned to obey first? And learning to obey always hurts, learning to be his perfect partner hurts. His tears are a sign that it's working. This is a good thing!

Hesitantly, Hiccup accepts it and places his hand in Viggo's, the man squeezing his in return. Unless it's erotic in nature, Hiccup doesn't get affectionate gestures like this, so it's nice to just have his hand held for once.

Viggo's hand is warm, too. As much as he fears and hates the man, it's just nice to be held.

He knows Astrid liked to walk hand in hand with him, knows his friends liked hugs, he misses those simple things.

Hiccup's lower lip trembles, a lump in his throat, and the tears are impossible to hold back. The affection and thinking of his friends and girlfriends don't help. A thumb rubs the back of his hand comfortingly.

"It'll be okay, Hiccup. Just be a good boy and you don't have to go back. All you need to do is to remember that and listen." Viggo tells him, as if that is a reassuring thing to hear.

As long as he listens, he doesn't have to fear the basement. As long as he's a good boy, he doesn't have to worry.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ryker running Hiccup over with his car injured him gravely, but broken ribs, a dislocated knee, and a hurt hip only kept Hiccup from fighting back for so much. If Viggo has ever hoped that they would, he was wrong.

Once Hiccup got his bearings, once he comprehended the position that he's in, he has only one goal in mind and that is to escape.

The cuffs that were there when he first woke up were only used to keep him from flying into a panic and injuring himself further. The near panic attack Hiccup had was already enough to endanger him.

The next time and the next and every time he wakes up afterward, they aren't there. If he were healthy, maybe they would be used to tie him down, but he isn't and Viggo must believe his ribs enough to hold him down.

He was wrong, of course.

Hiccup is free to leave the bed. And though he can't breathe properly without the painkillers provided by his abductors, Hiccup has enough experience walking around with his bad leg that the dislocation of a joint meant little to him. He can jump and land wrong and it will pop out, this is nothing new to him.

So carefully and slowly, making use of the hours he's alone, he inspects every nook and cranny of the room they keep him in. When Viggo is at work, Ryker doesn't care enough to visit, so that leaves him with plenty of opportunities to explore.

The bathroom, while objectively nice, only has the bare essentials. A toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, a hairbrush, that sort of thing. None of them are the brands he uses, rather they are the ones his abductor personally prefers.

In his little living space, there is only the bed and that's that. The mattress is decent, the frame sturdy, and the covers and pillowcase soft. Though an asshole, Viggo has a standard he does not lower unless it comes to his murder cabin, which Hiccup won't know about for months.

Besides the bed, there is no nightstand, no shelves, and nothing to entertain him with. Either Viggo hasn't thought of it, didn't care, or purposely didn't want Hiccup to keep himself busy.

There is only the chessboard, the one thing he would sometimes bring down to the basement with him. It takes only a week for Hiccup to hate it with a passion.

But though they don't keep him confined to the bed, his injuries do keep him from doing much to escape. Exploring is one thing, but attempting to fashion some sort of weapon or lockpick or something to undo the hinges of the door is beyond him. What little he already does leaves him breathless.

Besides, it is in his best interest to reserve his strength.

Because when the hours pass and Viggo eventually comes home, he needs it.

In the beginning, they started out as touches. Hiccup could tell that this was purely because of his injuries. If he could breathe right, if his hip and knee could be used at all, his first days in the basement would've already been the closest thing to hell he's known in his short life thus far.

They were small things. Viggo would help him sit up, would give him his painkillers, seemingly normal stuff, but the hand would linger. It would be on his upper arm, his back, his side, eventually on his thigh. And even there, there's a journey closer and closer to his center.

They are discomforting and Hiccup moves out of his reach every time, letting out a discomforting chuckle each time. He just doesn't know how to deal with such intrusive attention.

And then, one day, Viggo dares a kiss and Hiccup punches him for it. His lips aren't wanted on his and Hiccup makes sure he felt it.

He has only been kissed without his consent once before and that was by Dagur. He'd been in complete shock back then, utterly frozen and defenseless. He'd promised himself since that kiss that he would never let anyone kiss him like that again. But Viggo has and so Hiccup acts accordingly.

But then he regrets it shortly afterward, of course. The sudden upwelling of violence makes his wounded ribs scream. He holds it, collapsing to his knees while Viggo stands over him and holds his lower jaw, flexing it angrily.

"I suppose it was foolish of me to think you wouldn't fight back, though you've certainly surprised me with the violence you appear to be capable of." There is venom in his tone and eyes, his anger barely restrained. His pride has been hurt.

Hiccup groaning and struggling to draw in any oxygen on the floor does nothing to him.

"But don't worry, it's been duly noted and will be dealt with appropriately." With those final words, Viggo takes his leave. Turning and walking away, locking the door behind him as he goes.

But as time passes, there is no retaliation, no punishment. Though Viggo has been angered, there seems to be no reaction of any kind. Hiccup thinks it strange, but he's never been kidnapped by an obsessed man before.

Dagur certainly tried once with his convincing a 15-year-old boy to run away with him, but he's nothing like Viggo. So Hiccup still doesn't know what to expect. If he had, that meant he would've seen the red flags, and that meant he might not even be in this situation.

And then, Hiccup is plunged straight into hell.

Because the next day, his breakfast is brought, as per usual. Though always cautious, Hiccup takes it and eats it because he wants to heal, wants to regain his strength, and that's when the trouble begins. He doesn't know what could've been used, but that innocent bowl of plain cereal was poisoned.

He remembers Viggo bringing it to him personally, his fond smile turning into a malicious smirk when Hiccup reaches the end of his meal. He takes the bowl back and then leaves, wishing him a "pleasant time" in the basement.

And now here he is, clutched to the toilet like his life depends on it.

Ever tried vomiting with two broken ribs? This is Hiccup's first time and he can attest to how excruciating it is.

Every lurch isn't just accompanied with the usual burning throat and foul taste, but also with the agony of his injured side forcible contracting together to get the contents of his stomach out of him.

His stomach, plagued by horrible cramps, wants to be relieved and at the same time, his lungs would love some air. They battle to have their needs met and that just makes the entire experience about a hundred times worse than it already is. A hundred times more traumatizing, too.

Sitting on his bad knee and hip helps little. With the urge to throw up, there is the urge to do anything but kneel in front of the toilet on the hard, tiled floor. About every part of this is pure, unadulterated torture.

To make things even worse, there is the constant fear of a broken rib moving and collapsing his lung. Ryker certainly wouldn't care enough to take him to a hospital in time and Viggo might rather want to clean his hands free of him than risk being caught as a kidnapper. They wouldn't come to his aid, they will let him suffocate to death instead.

Every time the urge to retch comes, he tries to suppress it. For the sake of his ribs, to have control over his own body again, sobbing, coughing his airways free. Every time he tries, it gets so much worse, but that makes him want to try harder, and so the cycle continues.

Time passes, the cycle is endless, the pain is torment and all Hiccup can do is beg.

"Please, don't make me throw up any more." He whimpers, everything hurting, throat burning, voice hoarse.

All day this cycle goes on and on. Every half an hour the urge strikes, until it continues long after there is nothing left in his system to give up, until all he does is dry heave in desperation, until the wee hours of the night.

Sweating, trembling, beyond exhausted,  and grossly sobbing and hiccuping, Hiccup still clutches to the toilet bowl hours after his tainted breakfast.

He wants it to end, he wants to sleep, but his stomach is still upset and he doesn't want to leave the safety of the bathroom.

It's been at least an hour since the last time he threw up and that means he's carefully allowing himself to hope that this is it, that this is the end of his suffering for the day. If he could, he would fall asleep right here on the cold floor.

His right side is on fire and his abdominal muscles are sore after the workout they've gotten. He can barely swallow, throated burned from all the stomach acids.

Conveniently, after not showing his face the entire day, Viggo decides now is the time to make his entrance. Hiccup could've used a little support during the day instead of being forced to go through those long hours of torture completely alone. He has pleaded for his mom and dad at some point.

Watching him shiver with a look of sadistic satisfaction, their gazes meeting, Viggo can see the pain and the tiredness in them. Hiccup's arm is on the seat, his head resting on the limb while he sits there limply.

"Learned your lesson?" Viggo asks with an air of arrogance to him. It's as if he expects him to fall to his feet and beg for forgiveness right then and there.

"Water? Please?" He asks softly, tone barely above a whisper.

"Hm-hm, have you learned your lesson?" Viggo repeats. If Hiccup wants to have that glass of water, he needs to earn it first.

"Please, Viggo. Please," Viggo, believing this to be an admittance of defeat, takes his suit jacket to lay over Hiccup's shoulder, he must be cold after all of that.

"Let us get you washed up and hydrated." He tells him, playing nice now that Hiccup's down and beaten. The dirty towel, used to wipe his mouth during the day, can be taken care of later.

But what Viggo doesn't realize is that Hiccup isn't a fast learner when it comes to things like this.

He doesn't throw up again, but it takes him a week to get better, which is nearly a week of lying in bed and recovering from whatever's been fed to him. Just sleeping and drinking and eating the few light meals his stomach can handle at that time.

But once he's there, when Viggo deems him healthy enough to try and force his tongue down his throat again, Hiccup still doesn't stand for it and shows his dismay by fighting back in any way he can.

So he's sick for a second week after his disobedience. Once he's recovered from that, a third week follows. Viggo quickly realizes he has to switch to a new tactic.

Because eventually those injuries heal and that means he can be a little meaner to Hiccup.

There is something Viggo wants from him and he's adamant about getting it.

Besides, with those ribs better now all that food, when not poisoned, is only good for one thing and that is all that extra energy that Viggo deems unessential.

So he cuts Hiccup off. When Hiccup rejects Viggo's hugely inappropriate advances once again, he's denied food for the rest of the day. The first time, he only misses dinner, so that means he's quite hungry by the time breakfast arrives.

But Hiccup automatically denies that meal, too, having learned from the three times he's been made terribly ill through poisoned food to be wary of breakfast.

Lunch comes and Hiccup accepts that meal, but it comes at the price of more of the older man's forceful affection, which he'd strongly rejected once again. At dinner he stays away, breakfast Hiccup misses on purpose, lunch is spoiled by Viggo trying to kiss him and pin him to the bed. It becomes a cycle, with lunch becoming the sole source of his food.

The three weeks of illness has severely weakened him, but by the day he grows even weaker, only given enough to not get him in trouble. That makes it so much harder for him to fight back and Viggo doesn't care if he loses a couple of pounds in the process. And with no injuries getting in the way, Viggo can afford to be a little rough.

If anything, it's fun to see how long Hiccup can keep this up. Everybody has a breaking point and his doesn't seem so easily reached.

"No, please, don't! Stop! Viggo, you're such a piece of shit, stop!" He would shout, he would push, he would kick, but his attempts weaken as his body does.

So naturally, the night comes when Hiccup can no longer fight back and he's run out of energy to do much of anything. By the time he's just shy of being nothing by skin and bones, he's tried everything he can think of to keep Viggo from stealing from him. The younger Grimborn even sports a deeply blue bitemark at some point, to which Ryker's only amused response is; "So he's kinky."

But while his attempts work to deter him for another night, it's not enough in the long run and the lack of strength has put a full stop to his escape plan, too.

Reserves empty, all out of tricks, too run-down to even sass, black and bruised all over, Hiccup eventually can't stop Viggo from taking what he's been after since the first day they met.

He forced himself onto him, raped him, and it's a first time he could've done without.

"Now was that really so hard?" Viggo asks him afterward in a mocking tone as he dresses, leaving Hiccup to curl up and hug himself. There is no comfort afterward and it's on purpose. Viggo doesn't even stay, making Hiccup wallow in the shame all alone.

That night he cries for his parents, pleading with them to come get him. He hasn't cried for them since a dragon attacked him and he had to be flown to the nearest hospital. But being pinned down and raped will certainly do the trick.

During his stay, Hiccup will have a hard time admitting it even to himself that it happened. The mere thought, while the memories are always there, is always cut short.

The next morning is his first breakfast in much too long and Hiccup cannot reject it, despite his fear. It's like a reward for losing.

No matter how awful accepting it makes him feel, he can't refuse. Viggo sits down on the bed next to him as he eats, much too close, his hand on his thigh, and it makes Hiccup sicker to his stomach than being poisoned made him feel. But he couldn't reject the food, couldn't ask Viggo to leave, because his body despairs for that food.

And then afterward, there is a new cycle, a new game. It's one of choice, if you will. Either Hiccup gives in or he starves. Wanting to live and make it out above else, he chooses the former.

That is how his three months in the darkness of the basement went.

In a way, anything after that is child's play compared to what he suffered downstairs. Perhaps, the time spend in the Grimborn home afterward, is time he spends gathering up the pieces of his shattered spirit to put back together again one by one until the holiday trip that leads to his freedom.

It's a shoddy job in the end, but he survives.

Viggo comes to get him on the anniversary of the third month of his abduction with more presentable clothes for him to wear. Something other than the hoodie, shirt, and jeans he'd been taken in, which were dirty and smelly by now.

There's a broken and dull look to Hiccup when Viggo tells him to wash up and dress in them. He quite likes the sight of it. He's fond, even.

The clothes don't fit, appearing to be too large on him. But is that really surprising when the sizes are based on a time before all that weight loss?

When dressed, Hiccup stands before Viggo, staring down at the first decent clothes he's had in much too long, the first clean clothes. They're not his, they're not even the kind of clothes he would wear during formal events. They're so ill-fitting they look almost ridiculous on him, too. That is, he would look ridiculous if the sight of him didn't spark the more natural reaction of; "Oh my God, get this man a doctor."

Viggo is fruitlessly straightening out his clothes that don't fit, but he doesn't seem to mind. Once they're about as neat as he can get them, he cups a hollowed-out cheek and brings Hiccup's face up to have their eyes meet. The entire time, Hiccup has his gaze downcast.

"I want you to know how proud I am of you, my Dear. You've learned your place." Viggo tells him, staring into eyes that are rather empty with a satisfied glint in his own.

When he draws his hand back, Hiccup's gaze is soon downcast again.

Stepping away from him, Viggo motions towards the door, the same one that's been locked for three full months, even whenever Grimborn was down here.

"This is a special day." Hiccup is told.

"You've earned this." He's told.

And now, Viggo wants him to take the stairs up.

The door is opened to him and Hiccup lifts his eyes up. He can see the stairs, can see more of it as it opens wider. There is the soft throbbing of longing in his heart, of excitement.

Is this really it? Is he finally going up there and leaving the basement?

The stairs revealed, Viggo puts a hand on his lower back to gently push him towards it. The steps are wooden, they're filthy, but they're the best stairs he's ever seen.

But even better is that the door on the other side at the top isn't just unlocked, it's open and Hiccup can see light coming in. Natural light! His eyes aren't used to that much anymore and it is blinding, but he refuses to look away and squints.

But it's open, he really is leaving.

The tears he wants to cry then are of joy. There's a spark inside of him that Viggo will come to regret.

He's survived and, in the end, he fights back.

He's not broken.

[multiverseforger]

WITCHBLADE WIKI

WITCHBLADE WIKI

Ian Nottingham

 EDIT



Ian Nottingham is a British and Native American descendant and first appeared in Witchblade #1.

Formally a Captain of the Special Airs Service for the MI5 (British Security Service). He underwent modifications towards his behavior to be able to go undercover perfectly. He has been raised since a child by Kenneth Irons, who wanted to mold him into the perfect warrior. This included beating and torturing him so that his body would be able to withstand� pain. He is a master Sun Tzu's Art of War and as an adult, stays employed by Kenneth Irons. He has also once been romantically involved with Sara Pezzini.

>

History

Ian was born April 21, 1966. In Witchblade Destiny's Child, he and his brother were orphans. Young Ian was a troublemaker and a bully. He was adopted by a man who wanted to turn him into a killer. His "father" succeeded.

When sent on a mission to Japan to kill a woman, Nottingham fell in love with his target and with the Japanese culture. The tumultuous end of that love affair had a hand in making him so cold, so controlled. "Never again." became his motto. In the end, he returns to England. Ian is single, and lived in New York, NY with Kenneth Irons.

Nottingham was indebted to both the Yakuza and to Kenneth Irons. He's considered a member of a Yakuza family, not unlike Jackie Estacado of the Darkness who is the adopted son of a Mafia family. He has attained a high rank in the Yakuza, yet remains a ronin of sorts, working for whomever he chooses. [1]Ian & SaraIan undergoes a constant internal battle between his feelings for Sara Pezzini, and his loyalty to his mentor, Kenneth Irons. His relationship with Irons can now only be qualified as a hate-use relationship, although Nottingham once considered Irons to be his friend. Obviously that was not the case. Irons volunteered Ian's body for super secret government testing under the aegis of PROJECT ODIN. The experiments have fused Nottingham's adult DNA with some undisclosed element. Because of the testing and certain special conditioning, Nottingham has been the only man to "successfully" wear the Witchblade. Ian has been shown to possess a number of mystical powers, including enhanced speed and strength.

The odd markings on his right hand, courtesy of Irons, allows him to bond with both the Witchblade and the Darkness powers. And for a short time both powers preferred him over Pezzini and Estacado. As the villainous Sonatine put it, Nottingham's body and soul were built to absorb mass quantities of power, "whether voluntarily or not." He didn't ask for the Witchblade. Sonatine, the nemesis of Jackie Estacado, asked Nottingham to take the Darkness. When he said no, Sonatine bewitched him and suddenly Nottingham was a puppet. In a strange twist of fate, Estacado and Pezzini encountered Nottingham in a museum, and police detective and Mafia hitman had to work together to save the world from him.

Apparently when the Witchblade and the Darkness powers -- both fairly malevolent entities -- meet in one soul, they transform that soul into a doomsday machine. Together the Witchblade and the Darkness are Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Which roughly translates into one of the Seven Seals of Armageddon. Jackie took back the darkness power and prevented destruction, however Witchblade chose Ian over Pezzini that time. Unknown to all participants a new entity, Weave, had born out of the union.

When Irons' obsession with the Witchblade sucked him in, Nottingham was deeply curious about how the gauntlet would feel on his arm. But once the rune met the stone, he quickly came to wish he had not been curious at all. Because the Witchblade is a sentient power, ungovernable by any who have not been born to wield it -- and even difficult to those chosen women. And Nottingham, despite his extreme cool, his self-possession, and his strength, could not bend the Witchblade to his will. In fact, the gauntlet controlled him. He eventually lost the Witchblade to Pezzini in a battle which gave him serious injuries.

He was nursed back to his health by a Japanese girl called Setsuke. After she made an attempt at Gavin Taylor's (a famous rock star turned guru with connections to Kenneth Irons) life, Irons made him kill her, and Ian angrily obeyed. [2]Kenneth & IanRecently, Ian has acquired Excalibur which has brought a new edge to Ian's life. The depths of this newfound power, and its effects on Ian's life have yet to fully manifest themselves. He cannot really control it yet either. If he uses Excalibur, he gives in to it and it takes him over, pretty much just like the Witchblade did. Ian Nottingham believes in the power of the human will and that through sheer force of will almost anything can be accomplished. Ian also has the belief that all life is chaos and that the control of life is fleeting at best. These beliefs have proven themselves time and again throughout his life. Now, in the possession of Excalibur, Ian is forced to struggle even harder to control that life.

Ian, with Excalibur, killed Tora No Shi during the Deathpool storyline.

Ian lost Excalibur, revealed to be part of Witchblade to Sara after she beat him senseless in a fight. [3]With the WitchbladeIan has recently reappeared, pursued by Yakuza assassins and begging Sara for help. He also seems to have lost Excalibur since he never uses it to defend himself, was asking if he could borrow the Witchblade, and later is seen stealing The Blood Sword from the Curator's Artifact shop. He uses the cursed katana to kill off any opposition and take control of the local Yakuza and when Sara shows up invites her to join him in his life of crime. Sara is not impressed. After arresting Nottingham, she returned the cursed katana to the Curator's shop.

Ian's stay in jail was a rather short one because Ian escaped Ryker's prison and then had a Central Park battle with Sara. Ian offered Sara to follow him so they can live a life of love making reference to Sara's current life that was full of stress and constant battles because of the Witchblade. Sara refused, causing tension between the two character which resulted in one of the best fight scenes during the series. After hitting pregnant Sara a few times, one with a crude haymaker to the face, the other a side-stepping kick to the stomach, Ian makes a sexist comment before Sara disposes of him using the Witchblade. Detective Pezzini arrests Ian and sends him back to prison. It should be noted that Sara decided to give up the Witchblade because of this battle

[boraxquinn]

I have a random question about your muses. First, I love the way you talk and describe your muses. I can tell you really love what you are doing and you respect them as real people. My question is, how are each of your ships different and what do you like about each of them?

( Thank you so much omg?! I do love all of my muses and I love writing for them. Cause they are all different personalities too. But if the idols are problematic I’m not afraid to call them out too. But they are good beans so that doesn’t happen often. ^^ 

As for your question, this is going to be a long answer but I’ll try to keep it as short as I can. 

Let’s just start with Bora. My main girl, the queen of all queen. We all know she LOVES SHINee. Always been a fan, is friends with them, loves working with them. Any chance she can get she just loves to be around them. And she has always said SHINee has lots of her ideal type of men in the group. But never in a million years did she actually think she would date, AND marry one of them. But that’s Taemin for you! Coming in and stealing the heart of a Key biased girl xD All seriousness, I really love them together. It’s playful, silly, but he respects her too and takes care of her. Even if he is busy, he makes sure to see her everyday and give her some affection cause he loves her. He knows she is a strong woman that can take care of herself but if she needs help, he is 100% ready to step in and do whatever she needs. And even though she said no so many times when he would ask her to marry him. He didn’t give up and waited for when she was ready. And I REALLY respect that. He helps make her dreams come true and helped her through a really dark time in her life so I love them together. Plus I just love the mun lol @youronlyace love you! 

Now for Etzio, there relationship in as simply as I can put it, he makes her feel young and innocent again. Being around him takes Bora back to a time where she had no worries in the world and was just happy to be in love. Again another person who saw Bora at her lowest darkest moments, so he is very caring, careful of her feelings. And she is super protective of him but he is too with her. These two are just in there own happy love bubble and no one can pop it. But oh god these two can’t keep there hands off each other xD Skinship is a big part of there relationship. And I do see them getting married one day if all goes well. Again, another sweet mun too that ships with every single muse I have so I love them. <3 All the muses they have are super cool and different so I like reading his writings in secret sometimes ^^ @izbrane

Next, the lovely Irene~ If you don’t know I’m a big EXO-L have been since debut so when I found out that Ryker had feelings for Irene, I was like “YES THIS IS SUCH A PRETTY SM COUPLE!” lol so yes I love them. Ryker really pushes Irene to come out of her shell while still knowing how shy and uncomfortable she can get. She was never into skinship either but he has show her little ways to show affection to each other. They are just half human, immortal, freaks of nature that fell in love and they are so beautiful together. 

And last but not least, my badass batshit crazy Yuta. Mister ‘I’m having eye sex with everyone 24/7″ Scorpio energy lol Yuta has two marriage ships. We have YuWin which you don’t see a lot on my feed because the mun is more active on discord so mostly everything happens there. But they are SO cute! Yuta just babies Winwin and Winwin is just adorable and clings to Yuta like a koala. Wholesome ship. They just want a cute house filled with cats and to grow old together. 

With Cason, it’s a little mixed roles cause Yuta can be super dom but also since Cason is the leader of NCT, Yuta will still listen to him as that role and give up some of his dom energy. But at the same time, Cason acts like a little puppy around Yuta. But I like it! I like how he can turn off and on these different parts of his personality to fit his husbands mood. At the end of the day, Yuta is a master at romance so he will do and say anything to please his lovers. Very perfect dream man. Again, another amazing muse by @izbrane 

...okay that wasn’t short but you asked for it xD ​

[countrymusiclover]

16 - The Day My Life Changed

Part 17

It's About Time

Tags just ask - @lover-of-books-and-tea @bvbwestfall @bubble-bluee @liesanddreams @bethanymccauley @skeletonontheroad @ashsallyblue2 @kmc1989

3 years ago

The football came flying at me where I caught it in my hands seeing Georgie grinning back at me. It was Saturday so we could just chill out with each other with no real worries. “Dang, you might be better at this than I am.” He nervously chuckled.

“Oh I doubt that, Cooper.” I raised my hand back and launched the football in his direction and he managed to catch it against his chest.

Georgie tossed it from one hand to the other. “I may be smaller than some of the other players. But my dad thinks I’ll still be good at it in high school.”

“Hey uh - have you ever thought about having kids when you grow up?” I asked him where he sent me a raised brow where I thought he wouldn’t reply but he did.

“Maybe. I don’t know. Why do ya ask?”

I paused looking at my white sneakers and the pavement. “I was just curious. I mean I think I might want’em when I’m older. I didn’t have siblings but I treat your brother and sister like they are.”

“If I have kids I’d want them to do sports and hopefully be good salesmen.” He threw the football back at me and I nearly dropped it on the ground.

I snorted back a remark. “And they definitely should love Connie’s brisket and tater tots.”

“See that right there is why we’re best friends.” Georgie chuckles pointing at me and I smiled back at him. All the while neither of us knew this conversation might be more serious in the future.

A few months later

I groaned rolling over under the blankets of my bed just not well with bad cramps just shooting through my body. I needed to go to school today for a math test but I couldn’t manage so my mom called the school saying I had really bad period cramps so I wouldn’t be there. Someone knocked on my bedroom door calling out my name. “Y/n, you’re friends are here. Do you care if they come in?”

“Uh yeah, mom. They can come in!” I called out lifting my head up from the bed laying my head back down when the door opened.

Hannah and Ashley entered the room and one of them shut the door so we could talk, sitting down on the edge of my bed. “How are you doing? You’ve been missing school lately.”

“I’ve just been feeling dizzy and sick in the mornings. I’m not sure why - it might be related to my period being late.” I explained trying to rack my brain around why I was still feeling so bad. I had never had a cold as bad as this one.

Hannah reached inside her backpack drawing out something. “How many times have you and Georgie slept together?” She holds up a pregnancy test stick in her left hand.

“Are you kidding me? It only happened one time. We aren’t like you and Ryker.” Covering my face with my hands I fell back on the pillows not really wanting to announce everything about our relationship even if I loved having such curious friends.

Ashley sent her a raised brow. “How did you even get your hands on that?”

“My mom thought she was pregnant after she had my little brother a few months ago. So hopefully it still works.”

Uncovering my eyes I glared at her. “I’m not taking a pregnancy test, Hannah.”

“Then what do you think is making you so sick? Cause you know you can’t go get a test at the hospital without an adult’s consent.” She pointed it out to me.

Signing heavily I sat up thinking for a second. “I know someone who could help and won’t ask questions. His Memaw Connie. She can drive us there.” I did the best to get out of the bed by throwing on some different clothes and my sneakers. Hannah, Ashley and I didn’t get any questions from my parents since they had both finally gone to work for the day.

Ashley knocked on the women’s front door after she drove us to her house. “Hey girls, what’s going on?” Connie opened the front door seeing the three of us standing on her front porch.

“Connie, please don’t ask questions but can you help me get a test done at the hospital?” I asked with pleading puppy dog eyes.

She paused for a minute before grabbing her keys. “Uh - of course. What kind of test?”

“The pregnancy kind.”

She nodded beginning the drive to the hospital without another word. The four of us entered the hospital and thankfully got a room without any questions. The nurse came into the room helping me into the bathroom leaving me to do the test. By the time the nurse came back in with the results I didn’t know what to think as she shut the door behind her sitting on the chair while I sat on the exam table. “Ms. L/n, I need to fill in some information before I give you the results.”

“Okay.” I nodded nervously wanting to know the answer already.

The nurse drew out a pen. “How old are you?”

“17.”

She eyed Connie. “And who is she to you?”

“A family friend. My parents are both at work so she said she’d take me here today.”

The nurse nodded and scribbled some more notes down on the paper, looking back down at the pregnancy test results avoiding my gaze. “The results of your test are this Ms. L/n. You’re three months pregnant with a baby.”

“Oh my god.” I covered my mouth feeling my chest tightening at the thought, not expecting to hear her say those words to me.

Connie touched my arm, signaling the nurse to leave. “Honey, listen to me. I’m gonna be here if you need anything. I have done this the wrong way with my daughter so if you keep it I’ll help you do it right.”

“Y/n, are you going to tell Georgie?” Ashley asked me.

Hannah stands by her side seeing that I was shaking with nervousness. “We won’t tell the guys or Georgie since it’s your kid with him.”

“I’ll tell him at some point.” I muttered under my breath, threading my fingers through my loose hair. My friends had dropped me off back home giving me time to think everything out yet unknown to me Connie was getting into a heated conversation with Georgie about me.

Georgie was working at Dale’s store stocking inventory until the store door was opened and slammed shut. He glanced over his shoulder seeing it was his Memaw who had entered. “We need to talk now!”

“O-okay.” He nervously responded, sitting the stuff down and following her into Dale’s empty office since he was off helping a customer so she locked the door behind them. “What is it we need to talk about?”

She dropped her arms down at her sides knowing she couldn’t tell him the thing that was super important. It was his girlfriend’s decision. “I can’t tell you exactly what it’s about cause it’s about your girlfriend.”

“What about her?” He asked her.

She shakes her head no. “It ain’t mine to tell. But you need to go talk to her. I’ll drive you to her house and you better not wait much longer.”

“Okay - uh let’s go then.” Georgie nodded slowly and the pair made their way out to her car making the trip back to the L/n house. He climbed out of her car rushing up the stairs knocking on the front door. “Y/n, Y/n, you home!”

Connie peaked her over the car standing outside of it seeing something her grandson hadn’t. “Is her bedroom window always open like that?”

“I know where she’s gone.” Georgie whipped his head around noticing what she had seen running back to the car and they drove off with him giving her directions to go find his girlfriend.

[a-crumb-of-whump]

ANB Drabble: Adam's Treehouse

A New Beginning Masterlist | Comfortember Masterlist | @comfortember

~ Comfortember | Day 5: Treehouse ~

Content: Implied minor whump, loss of bodily autonomy, parental whumper, minor implications of childhood (sexual) abuse, suicidal ideations.

This takes place when Ryker is nineteen. No actual minor whump takes place, nor are there any graphic conversations about it, but it is implied.

-

Nobody had been able to get in touch with Adam today. Ryker tried, through his own phone and by getting their friends to contact him as well. Nothing worked. 

So after waiting out most of the morning in hopes of a response, he said his goodbyes to Carlos and grabbed his bag before starting in the direction of Adam’s place, hoping he’d find him hiding out in the one place only he knew about. If not, he’d have to ring the doorbell and potentially speak with his partner’s mother, someone who he really did not like and who did not like him back. 

Quietly, he snuck past the front of the house and trekked down to the gate at the bottom of their backyard. It was rusty and creaked with every movement, meaning that if Adam was where he thought he was, he would definitely have heard him coming. 

Sure enough, a head appeared a few seconds later from up in one of the largest trees on their property. It was home to one of Adam’s few safe spaces. A treehouse filled with emergency food, old bedding and all the plushies he’d ever collected over the years. The moment he saw it, Ryker visibly lit up and began trudging through the long grass to get to the treehouse, relieved just to see his face. 

After hooking his bag on one of the smaller branches, he climbed his way up the permanent steel ladder that was there and was met with a light kiss upon making it to the top. 

“Whatcha doin’ here?” Adam asked quietly as they both crept through the archway that led to the inside. To block out unnecessary light, the piece of fabric that he used as a makeshift door went up, meaning the only light now was coming from the window on their right. “Not used to you coming by without an invite.” 

Ryker hummed, already seated in the corner where all the bedding and plushies were kept. “Was concerned. Everyone’s been sending you messages but you never responded to any of them.” 

“Ah. That would be because I got my phone confiscated.” There was some obvious agitation as he said it. Without waiting for Ryker to get comfortable, he collapsed dramatically on top of him and let out a heavy sigh that could be felt against the younger man’s chest. 

It wasn’t often that he initiated contact like this. Ryker didn’t move, concerned that one wrong touch would have him getting up again just as he got settled. It wasn’t until Adam guided his arm around his neck, hand naturally settling on his shoulder, that he relaxed a little and nuzzled his nose against his temple. 

“Isn’t it embarrassing?” he eventually heard him mumble. “Still under my mother’s control in my fucking twenties.” 

“We’ll get out eventually.” He chose not to comment on the things he didn’t agree with. They’d spoken about it plenty of times in the past and it was clear by now that it wasn’t helpful. “Another year or two and we’ll be on our own, doing everything we haven’t gotten the chance to do yet. I promise.” 

Adam’s voice was slightly muffled against the fabric of his shirt. “Like what?” 

“Well… I’m gonna take you to the beach, for starters.” He ran the palm of his hand lightly up and down the smaller man’s arm a few times, a way of soothing him some more. “We’re gonna watch the waves and play in the sand and find shells ‘n’ shit. You’ll be free to dye your hair eventually, too, if you still want it by the time we’re gone.” 

Adam’s hair was soft and light in between his fingers, allowing him to push it out of his face a little in a way that caused him to hum thickly. “I’ve always wanted that.” 

“I know,” Ryker murmured, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards as he thought back to all the times Adam had talked about eventually colouring his hair. It wasn’t even just about changing the colour itself. He just wanted control over his body and what happened to it. Right now, with their current living circumstances, that was far from possible. “I’ll eventually be able to afford ongoing medication for my ADHD. We’ll both be able to get jobs and keep whatever money we make. How exciting is that?” 

It wasn’t until he felt a few damp drops on his shirt that he realised Adam had started to cry. He brought him a little closer and allowed the small smile to curve back into a frown, his heart sinking as the man’s fingers gripped at his shirt. 

Just as he went to apologise for upsetting him, Adam shakily spoke up. “It all seems so far away,” he whispered. “I can’t see myself even being alive this time next year, let alone planning to move. You know?”

“Yeah.” Ryker forced himself to swallow the growing lump in his throat, and he adjusted his position a little so they were better able to look at each other before reaching out a hand to wipe at Adam’s tears with his sleeve. “I can’t either.”

"So, what do we do?"

The younger man shrugged numbly. "I don't know. I suppose the most honest I answer I have is that we'll just have to make it through every day until we eventually realise that we can leave."

It clearly wasn't the answer Adam wanted, though it was the answer he'd been expecting. For a moment Ryker assumed that he was going to pull away as the expression on his face deepened and his eyes started to dampen. However, instead he pushed himself even closer and tucked his face away against his chest with a small, depressed noise.

Neither of them said another word. The lingering fear and anxiety in the atmosphere, blanketing them in a way that felt just as suffocating as if it were real, said more than their words ever could.

-

Comfortember taglist: @topsheepstudent

ANB Taglist: @choppedflowermuffinchild @dismemberment-on-a-tuesday-night @emcscared-whumps @espresso-depresso-system @inkkswhumpandstuff @lumariane @pigeonwhumps @pumpkin-spice-whump @roblingoblin285 @sacredwrath @some-thrilling-heroics @stabby-nunchucks @thingsthatgo-whump-inthenight @trans-writes @whump-blog @whumpsday @whumpshaped @paniatheweirdone @whumpycries @why-not-ask-me-a-better-question @thekittyburger @whumpdreamz

[ramblingdrunkenknight]

[ A continuation/answer to this post by dear @emmondsokolov ] // In an undisclosed part of the Black Shroud //

It had been a few days since old Godefroy sent Ryker out to find his pen pal, he was slowly but surely growing impatient, even suspecting that Ryker had simply ignored the task he was given and went back to his regular duty, suffice to say, Mephiston was relieved to find a letter smelling of lavender at the drop off point when he visited it during his early morning walk.

"Hah, I still can not believe I didn't figure it out until I was already gone." he chuckled to himself, no one but a small Antelope around to hear it. Any other day he would continue his walk after having checked the drop off point, but this was not any other day, the thought of finally returning made him rush back to the hideout so he could set his plans into motion.

It had only been a week since he decided it was time for him to stop running and make up with all the people he left behind so recklessly, for Mephiston though, it felt like an eternity.

Arriving back at the hideout, the old geezer threw off his coat, one of the few things he took with him as he left home, and sat down on the pieces of cloth he called a bed, lighting up a candle to brighten up the area as he was settling down, having lost his glasses at some point within the last few months, he needed all the light he could get to read and write comfortably.

"Now then, dear Marloix, let's see if you're the kind of man I hope you to be." he said while opening up the letter, almost expecting someone to answer. Having gone ahead to read the letter with a kind of excitement he hadn't felt for a long time, Mephiston had fully expected his pen pal to ask for some kind of proof that he was really the old geezer, and Marloix did not disappoint, after all Ryker never tended to give off a feeling of trustworthiness.

Godefroy didn't plan on delaying it any further though, so he took out his notebook, feather and ink pot, adjusted the light, and got to writing.

'My dearest Patron,

indeed it has been what feels like ages, I couldn't blame you if you forgot your dear old barkeep altogether. Now, I cannot overstate enough how much I would love to have the good old pen pal exchanges we used to have once again, but I am afraid business will have to come first, before we can once again indulge in such pleasantries.

I remember the line all to clearly, though I must confess that before I concluded you to be my partner in crime, the crime being exchanging letters, I had set my eyes on Harlowe Hornbeam and may have let that oh so poetic line come his way, I apologize if that caused any trouble for you.

"Deep waters invite a thousand deaths."

I hope that is enough proof for you my friend, I'm putting a lot of faith in you here. Though the Shroud is a lovely place, I do miss Coerthas, I will move my camp into the Central Highlands, when you are ready to meet up with me, find me on the cliff overlooking the city to the west of Steel Vigil, I will draw a crude representation on how you would find it on a map on the back of this letter.

If you decide not to help me, I wish you the best of luck with whatever troubles you have found yourself in, dear friend. However if you do decide to help me, well, see you in Coerthas.

Signed, Mephiston Godefroy'

/ Upon turning the letter around, a drawing can be found /

As he put the feather down, he sighed, Mephiston barely knew Marloix and was unsure if this entire ordeal was a good idea, but something told him that choosing Sir Beraskia to help with this was the right choice, and afterall, he had nothing to lose. After the ink had dried, he started gathering everything he needed for his journey, he could send off the letter somewhere along the way to waste as little time as possible, and perhaps dear old Mephiston was also in a hurry because he was excited to finally go back to Coerthas, to finally go back home.

[rykerandersdrabbles]

Drabble 46

Dog, Water and Drinking - March 5, 2021

"Man, if you want to talk to her just go up to her, you're acting like she's a dog in heat and that's not really cool. If you keep doing what you're doing she's going to get creeped out and bail. Don't you know anything?" Ryker's head shook before the beer he was gripping pressed against his lips; he chugged the rest of it then tossed the empty glass bottle in the nearby trash bin. It was only number four so he wasn't quite there yet, nor did he think he wanted to get that far. It wasn't too often you could find him drinking beer, let alone really drinking at all lately, all it seemed to do was affect his mood and cause him to bring up the past. But, at his therapist's request here he is, who knew, maybe everyone was pressured just as much as he was and everyone he crossed paths with tonight was only out to appease someone else.

Ryker looked back over his shoulder and made the two finger jester to pass another round over for him and his buddy. "This is the last one then I'm out, I have to go home." He wasn't necessarily telling the truth, it wasn't like he had to be home for Noah, if his son was home this weekend he wouldn't even be out. But since his mom insisted he find something to do he decided to go along with it and meet his buddy; quickly regretting that decision based on his buddy's current actions and extremely immature motives. Ryker's gaze moved around the small hole in the wall bar, it was more his speed. He hadn't been interested in going out to a larger dancehall since he was in the early twenties, that was when he and his friends followed a local band around from small town to town.

It was good times, he made a lot of memories with his friends, some he'll never forget but it wasn't anything he wanted any part of any longer. "Just go talk to her, you better hurry up before someone else does." He urged his friend, he knew more than likely he probably wouldn't, he was the type to stand back and wish he had later on. "While you are screwing around I'm going to the pool table." He muttered seeing a familiar face make her way over to one of the tables in the corner and she wasn't with anyone. When Ryker got closer she looked up from working the table and spotted him, waving him over he felt a little relieved that it was now her idea. "Want to play?" He offered and pulled her into a hug, it had been a long time since they had crossed paths.

"Where have you been? I haven't seen you around town lately." He asked out of curiosity and grabbed a pool stick and walked down to the far end, giving her the other end to break. His gaze staying on her for a moment while she wiggled down onto the table, just as he remembered; she could always break really well and she sunk two right off the bat. "I should have known.." He spoke watching as she made her way around the table, squeezing between him and the table, he already knew he wasn't going to win this one. "I'll just take a water and get her another whatever that pink drink is she's drinking." He said when the waitress walked up to take their orders. That was one thing he always remembered about his friend, she always drank the same thing every time he saw her but he never found out what it was called, he just knew it tasted like cotton candy according to her.

[bekahdoesnerdshit]

20, 27, 35, 40, 50, 59, 67, 88 for All Eight Characters (one each but if you wanna go Hog Fucking Wild feel free)

Alright so. I’m not going hog wild but! I decided to do two guys per question, one who was my first gut instinct for that question, and then one random character to spice things up! Do some character building in a direction I might not have thought to go, you know? 

Also bro this got so long so just. Putting it. Under a read more because I do respect your time and dashboard.

20. How would your character define love? Caspian: Love is when people stop to listen to you. When they smile when they see you, and sneak you an extra dessert when no one is looking. Love is being willing to bend the rules to make you happy, teaching you to hold your head up high even when you’re getting in trouble, and telling you to always look the world right in the eye when it wants you to back down. Love is giving up whatever you have to without a second thought for the other person’s sake, and knowing they would do the same for you. Love is taking the lessons they taught you, carrying them in your heart, swallowing your fear and setting out to bring them home. Ryker: Love is fleeting, and fickle, and fragile. Love is at best a luxury and more realistically a bargaining chip. It’s real, sure, but its primary use is to blind people to what’s hidden behind it. Some people may get lucky, but only a fool would bet on those odds. ...if you are lucky enough to find it, though, hold on tight. Real love, genuine, honest, reciprocated love, is worth doing anything for. The people you care about should know how you feel by what you do, not by what you say. Show love with discretion, but show it fiercely. 

27. How much have they given up to get to where they are in life, willingly or unwillingly? How much do they think they would give up to get to where they want to be, in the future? Raini: Raini I think is super interesting because I think she’s given up a fair bit, and she’s completely fine with the sacrifices she did make because she decided the benefits outweighed whatever she had to give up to get it. But on the other hand, giving something up unwillingly? Having something taken from her? Absolutely a cause for retribution at any cost. idk if I’m explaining the difference in a way that makes sense, but that distinction means the world to Raini because, even if the sacrifice is hard to swallow, at least she was in control of it. And like, the whole premise of the campaign is giving up shit! Giving up everything! And was it willing at the time? Yes! But coming out on the other side of it and not remembering making the decision and, quite frankly, not agreeing with the decision you made is rough! You’re yourself, you know because you’re you, but you’re also not yourself because that’s the whole point of what you did, so did you really do this? Was it someone else in a body you now inhabit? What happens to this new you when you regain your old memories, because there’s no way in hell you don’t at least try to get them back? It’s a lot to think about!! And that, and the core of this question, is why Raini doesn’t let this end without a Wish to restore the memory of whoever wants it. I don’t think she sees erasing them the first time as a decision “she” necessarily made -although whether that’s a philosophical issue or one of diverting guilt is open for debate- so she wants to reclaim what she sees as having been taken from her unwillingly. Pip: Tbh, the plot and premise of Strahd aside, Pip has lived a pretty charmed life. He fucked up plenty, but he always seemed to manage to stumble his way into where he needed to be when he needed to be there. Honestly, even within the module things didn’t go too badly for him! He lost a good friend at one point, and nearly died in that same fight, but other than that he fared pretty well. The biggest thing he’s given up in his life was his place in his home village, but honestly it’s like 50/50 on whether that was willingly or unwillingly. Like, he feels bad about the accidental arson? But also. It kinda kicks ass that he did then just like. Leave and it was fine. With his campaign over, I don’t really have much in the way of future goals for him! He’s just. He’s just fucking vibing. You know? So! Seems like he’s getting out of giving up anything in the future.

35. What is their most prized possession? If they have one that is. Ryker: For sure have talked about this before: it’s his hammers. He has two enormous hammers that he fights with, named Last Chance and Misery’s End. They’re sturdy orc made weapons with their names hammered into the side of each head in orc, that have been passed down from clan leader to clan leader for generations. They hit well, they don’t do much else, but when you’re regularly shattering knees, ribs, and skulls, what else do you need them to do? They’re sturdy, practical weapons. Reliable, and they remind him of home. He’s more comfortable putting his life in their hands than anything -or anyone- else’s. Brilliance: Her armor! For several reasons: 1. She paid extra to have it enchanted so that it repels dirt and blood and grime. After crawling through cult sewers to clear out some nasty boys, Brilliance decided that never again was she going to spend her short rest having to wipe blood or shit off her nice armor. When she upgraded to splint mail, she absolutely forked out that Armor of Gleaming enchantment. 2. Her shield specifically was decorated by her fiancee! Sienna likes to paint, and when Brilliance first got her shield for guard duty at the church Sienna took it upon herself to get out her paints and paint on a wreaths of vines and roses and birds and other lovely things, so that her love could always have a piece of her with her 💖

40. Do people expect a lot from your character or look up to them for something? Why or why not? Ayen: Unfortunately, Ayen is baybe. And even though she hasn’t outright told anyone how old she is, it’s becoming rapidly apparent that. Hey? They might have figured it out. It’s literally inconceivable how they could have pieced it together though?? I mean, how does anything about her not read as completely mature and put together elf woman thank you I’m an elf??  So, no. I don’t think anyone looks up to her. And that’s okay!! Yes she is a young adult with her own set of skills and her own value to add to the world and the people around her, but she would not thrive in a position of leadership like she thinks she would. She needs time to mellow out and settle down, and to learn how to make decisions quickly and responsibly. I think, one day, she’ll be able to show a lot of people how to do a lot of good. For now, though, she’s happy trotting along after Dad and rowing her and her new friend around in circles in a row boat, just because it’s fun to mess around sometimes. Auriga: Interesting question! Interesting question. I think in the collective sense, as part of the Court of Stars, definitely yes. They’re the rulers! They guide their people through the knowledge and wisdom accumulated over the course of millennia! I think Auriga specifically even is seen as having a closer connection to this wealth of knowledge, being a cleric and all. But I am toying with the thought that outside of the context of the council and the court, the people that make it up don’t have as much weight? There’s still respect of course! But while one star shining on its own is all well and good, without the context of those around it how are you meant to learn from what it has to say to you? Auriga understands this, it’s just part of their culture, and he’s in no way troubled by it. It’s the way things are meant to be, and so they will continue to be until it is clear that something needs to change! 

50. What’s their earliest memory? Auriga: Now full warning this is going to be a lot less detailed than Cog’s is just because I know him less, but I think Auriga earliest memory is something sweet and warm like. Sitting in one of his older sibling’s laps (while he’s the Baby of the family!) and just. Dozing against their chest while the rest of them sit in front of a roaring fire and just talk. He doesn’t remember a word of what was said, he just remembers being little and held and loved. Their family mostly interacts in the council room, I think, because when things get busy with ruling it’s so easy to just fall into work and let family time fall by the wayside. But when things get stressful, when he realizes he hasn’t interacted with his brothers or sisters outside their meetings in a while, I think this is one of the memories that comes to mind and encourages him to set aside whatever he’s reading and go off to be intentional about spending time with his brothers and sisters :) Cog: One of her earliest memories was when her magic first manifested! She was maybe six or seven, and Mama was busy at church and Daddy had gone out to check on some of the folks that lived a bit further out from town, and baby Cog was bored to tears. She knew she wasn’t supposed to leave home alone!! But there were some Cool Older Kids she wanted to impress, and they were going to sneak out and explore the swamp. They were big kids! They were like thirteen! Surely, nothing bad could happen if there were big kids with her! So she followed them out of town, and by the time they noticed their tag-along it would have been Way too much work to take her back home. Whatever. It’s fine. They start poking around the edge of the swamp, looking at weird fish and bugs and poking at mushrooms or whatever kind of shit grows in swamps. Probably getting eaten alive by mosquitos.  Well! Cog is having a grand old time playing with frogs and cattails, and she’d wandered off from the teenagers she was supposed to be staying with. She was up to her calves in the brackish water trying to recapture a frog that escaped her when she looked up to see a long, thin shape darting through the water straight for her. It was a cottonmouth, mutated by the Wasteland and nearly as big as she is. It hissed as it closed the distance between them, mouth open wide as it readied itself to lunge and sink its fangs into her. Cog screamed and threw her arms up to protect herself-  And then there was a burn of something wild and unfamiliar in her chest, a warm hand on her shoulder, and a flash of light so blinding that people swore later they could see it from town. Cog stood there for a moment, frozen and trembling, but when she gathered the courage to open her eyes everything within five feet of her was scorched clean, and the corpse of the snake that had charged her was bobbing, almost completely unrecognizable, in the water in front of her. Mama was furious with her when they made it back home, of course, but after hearing what happened? After hearing that Cog had finally managed to channel a spell, some rudimentary form of Word of Radiance? Well, there were much, much more pressing things to worry about, all of a sudden.

59. Have they ever had an encounter with someone that changed their whole life? Cog: HA Morgan opened up a can of “Talk About Ace” SOUP and folks it’s fucking lunchtime. Drink up assholes!!! I know I’ve talked about this a hundred times but I’ll never be sick of it: they’re JUST such good friends and they’ve been so so good for each other. Before they met, Cog was in a place in her life where she felt trapped and perpetually anxious, and Ace was restless and angry at the world. Neither of them felt like they could measure up to the expectations other people had for them, and Cog had turned that worry self-destructively inward while Ace had turned it outward. Ace’s straining at his leash brought him to Lafaroh, and Cog’s -at the time, Charlotte’s- soft heart had her defying direct orders to slip up to this stranger and warn him that he needed to leave before he got hurt. And Ace looked at Charlotte, at the genuine worry on her face for someone she’d only just met. And he looked at the town around them, at the way the people who passed by looked at him and how that look shifted from suspicion to shock and outrage when they saw Charlotte with him. And he did some math, and he realized whatever the hell was going on in this podunk town was a thousand times more interesting than anything that would ever happen back in New Alexandria proper. So of course, he settles in to pry. Charlotte, bless her, has many, many strengths; reading into people’s intent is not one of them. So when Ace starts asking questions, she’s happy to answer to impress upon him how important it is that he goes home! And the more she talks, the easier it is to just... keep talking? This man, this stranger from the Academy, is talking to her, listening to her like nobody ever has. And more than that, he actually seems to care! He has no reason to care that she’s worried she won’t be able to step up the way she knows her mom wants her to, but he’s clearly concerned and invested in her story. And even though she’s trying to keep things vague, she’s never been very good at deceiving people. Pieces start to fall in place, Charlotte lets more slip than she means to, and by the time they’ve been talking for an hour or so Ace has a pretty good picture of what’s going on here. It’s not safe here, not for him and certainly not for her, so he doesn’t even stop to consider whether it’s an offer he can make when he holds out his hand, both literally and figuratively, and tells her he can take her back to the Academy with him. And to Charlotte, who less than an hour ago had been weighing her odds of surviving the Wasteland alone if she ran away on her own, the door this man just opened to her? The way he’s reaching back through it to offer her a hand, to pull her through to a better, safer life? How can she say no?  They fought their way out of Lafaroh that day. Charlotte almost certainly wanted to try to slip out unnoticed, but they’d already attracted too much attention by letting townspeople see them talking. Charlotte goes home to quickly pack, and she doesn’t come back out of the house. Ace waits, and the sun starts to set, and she still hasn’t come back out. Something isn’t right. He knocks on the door: there’s no answer. He knocks again, louder. Then again. Finally, an angry looking man opens the door and starts to tell Ace to get lost, but there’s clear sounds of arguing inside coming from just out of view of the doorway. The man is big, but Ace is fast enough to duck inside and around the corner in time to see Charlotte struggling to get around a woman who looks strikingly like her in order to make a break down the stairs and toward the door. The next several seconds are messy and disjointed; no one expects someone in high level caster robes to take the staff off their back and start attacking with it, but the next thing Charlotte knows Ace has her hastily packed bag slung over one shoulder, has planted her firmly behind himself, and is holding her hand with one of his own while he levels his staff at her parents with the other. His voice is calm but hard as he explains that they’re leaving, because Charlotte made it clear that she isn’t safe or happy here. If they try to stop them, Ace can and will bring the full force of New Alexandria’s wrath down on their tiny, shitty town. He’s going to take Charlotte away, find her a place in the Academy, and they’re not going to say a word. And so they leave! With all of Lafaroh absolutely seething behind them, with Charlotte gripping Ace’s hand as tight as she can and willing her own not to shake, they set out together into the Wasteland and, ultimately, to New Alexandria.  I have Such a vivid mental image of the two of them camping out in the Wasteland the night before they made it back to New Alexandria, with the lights of the city just peeking over the horizon in front of them. They’re eating dinner over a fire Ace made Such a show of lighting with magic instead of the tinderbox one of them definitely had, and they’re talking about names Charlotte could use in New Alexandria because she’d quietly admitted earlier that day that the name “Charlotte” has so much baggage that she doesn’t want to carry anymore. And Ace, while he is trying to help, is also a dork. He’s throwing out every name that pops into his head, good or not, trying to see if he can get her to laugh at one of them. They spend a few minutes talking, Ace muses aloud over “Charlotte Olivia Grace” a few times, looking for some cute nickname he can pull out of a name like that. And then he pauses, and sits up, and looks at Charlotte, and nods. The suggestion that she go by “Cog” makes her laugh, but that’s a good thing. Ace is grinning too because some dumb shit he said finally got a smile of out Charlotte for the first time since they left her shithole town. She’s sort of laughing in spite of herself, and it eases some of the heaviness that’s been hanging over them the last few days, but after considering it for a moment? She loves it. Taking the name she was given, and making it her own in a way she knows her parents would hate? It feels good! She’s grinning ear to ear when she turns to Ace and nods in agreement. “Cog” it is. “Charlotte” dies in the Wasteland that night; Cog enrolls in the Academy the next day. In Cog’s eyes, Ace’s intervention literally saved her life. She went from being a scared little girl in the middle of nowhere with no future beyond the ramshackle walls of her small town, to an incredibly promising up and coming student of the Academy. She went from being told that the only use her magic had was what it could do for the Church, to blowing away professors who expected her to barely be able to manage a cantrip and being praised for her intuitive understanding of magic. And for Ace! Cog was the first person his actions truly, directly helped. He saw a problem, he stepped in, he fixed in. In a slow moving, insular city like New Alexandria, that wasn’t something he’d been able to do before. He saw how the good he’d done in helping Cog reflected and redoubled in the way she treated the people around her, and saw her making the choice to be kind not in spite of but because of everything she’d been through growing up. Bro like Ace’s character bio says “self-appointed big bro to Cog” and “he sent a letter to Cog thanking her for being a positive influence in his life”. This question got SO out of control as I wrote my Cog and Ace fanfic but! They deserve it! AND the party is going back to New Alexandria next session, so!! More Ace content soon folks stay tuned! Raini: Did you think I ran out of soup?? Did you think lunchtime was over? FUCK you! This is MY blog and I’ll wax poetic about my dnd characters and their friendships for as LONG as I want to! And there’s nothing you can do to stop me!!!!! Now this one in fairness probably won’t be as long as Cog’s was, just because I know that all the people who follow me are like. Actively in the campaign and various group chats where we discuss how important our characters are to each other. But do NOT make the mistake of assuming it’s because I love you any less. I love you so much. Yes homo. Where do we start? At the beginning, with our lizard. Y’all ever uh. Y’all ever met a dipshit lizard who you’re pretty sure you can trick into taking you adventuring but plan to ditch the second they become deadweight (i.e. whenever they go down for the first time, probably), except then you became like best friends and siblings by all but blood and you realize you’d rip the world in half for them without them even asking and you can’t even begin to imagine how you’d reconcile the hole they’d leave in your life if they left it? Have you ever slowly realized that you’re adding “except for him” at the end of every generally grumpy statement you make about the world? And then realized even more slowly after years of friendship that somehow the bastard managed to extend “except for him” to “except for them”, and you’re so much less disengaged from and disinterested in the world around you? Y’all ever had that happen to you?? Shit’s wild. And then. Y’all ever met a fucking cop who clearly has, like. An actual metric ton of baggage she’s refusing to even glance in the direction of? And at first, it’s a pain to have to circumvent her “morals” in order to get shit done. Honestly, it’s kind of always a pain. But even your crotchety ass has to admit there’s something about sticking so firmly to your guns regardless of the situation you’re put in that’s admirable, that the world would be a much better place if more people had that same iron will and a refusal to be moved. Even if they’re standing up for stupid shit, at least they’re standing up for something. And maybe you take some of that resolve and tuck it away in your chest, to give you something to grip onto when you need to dig in your heels and refuse to let the world knock you around. And then. Y’all ever met a druid who burns with an anger you, honestly, kind of understand? Who wants to be more than the world wants her to be so badly, in a way that you definitely understand? Have you ever gotten to watch over the course of weeks and months as she time and again made the choice to take that anger and that drive and point it at things that would hurt the people she cares about? By god, she’s leaving her mark on the world, and she’s doing that by burning the shit out of it. But, without fail, there’s always a circle of uncharred, untouched ground around each and every party member. And when you notice this pattern, you can’t stop yourself from noticing it again, and again. And you learn: sometimes, you’re angry at the world. Sometimes! You’re angry at your party members! But that anger points outward. Always, and unequivocally. You have your friends’ backs, even if you’re furious with them. And then you meet a fish and you learn that sometimes things just need to be hit a lot of time in a row, really hard, with a big fucking hammer.  Okay but you meet this fish who, somehow, despite being monotone and weird and a fish and clearly an outsider to like. Land culture? Which you guess is a thing, apparently. Despite all of that, they have an emotional intelligence that’s off the fucking charts. And quite frankly! For a long time, it makes you really, really uncomfortable! If you don’t tell somebody how you’re feeling, and you don’t, then they shouldn’t be able to figure it out. But, slowly, you start to see the value of it. Your lizard is upset about something, and they won’t tell you what, but you’re able to squint at them and slowly figure it out so you can fix it. A few days later a joke a party member makes rubs you the wrong way, and you swallow your pride enough to admit it and they just. Apologize? Just like that? They promise not to say it again? And fish expressions are so hard to read, but you can just Tell that they’re over there looking smug, the bastard. But while you’re definitely not ready to commit to this being a daily thing you can, begrudgingly, admit that you can see the benefits of “communicating” with the people around you. 

67. What was the most acidic remark your character’s ever given to someone? And their reaction? Brilliance: In like our third session, our warlock had disguised himself as a “beautiful woman” in order to flirt with the guy we were there to talk to to get information out of him (Note: They did not ask Brilliance, at any point, if she was willing to flirt with him instead. She would not have been, but they could have at least asked). So Brilliance was hanging out at the bar near this dude’s private booth while the warlock chatted him up, and when the warlock got up to leave the dude reached out to try and grab her arm. He missed, but Brilliance was on his ass in a second with her sword out like “If you had grabbed her hand, you would have lost your own. She’s not interested in you; let her leave.” He thought it was funny and kept calling Brilliance “sweetheart”, but I did get to put my sword through his gut before the end of the night SO. Who’s the real winner? Ayen: I rolled Ayen for this one and I want to respect that and not cop out, but I don’t think it’s super in her nature to snark at people. She’s just gonna tell you like straight up that you’re a dickhead, and that’s that. I think the only time we might get to snarking is if someone (Dad, a party member, etc.) said “leave it alone” and Ayen is Not Done. She might send some parting shots over her shoulder then, like a “You’re lucky I like this guy so much, or we wouldn’t be done here” or “Show your face again when my dad’s not around, if you’ve got the balls.”

88. Assuming they aren’t one already would your character prefer to be a Vampire, a Werewolf, or a Demon? Pip: Potentially a cop out! However. A little..... vampire frog? Hello Mr. Strahd. Are we friends now? Could be a vampire! We have seen that vampires are cool and hot and powerful if perhaps a little amoral but that’s okay, because they’re cool and powerful.  Caspian: I literally spent fucking forever looking at this because. She literally worships and derives her Sun Soul monk shit from Pelor, the god of the sun. So like! How the fuck you gonna be a vampire or a werewolf with that going on. Dude hates the undead too, so vampire struck out twice. Demon’s iffy too, because it very much goes against the whole “good aligned” thing she has going on. So I guess?? Werewolf is the least offensive?? She’ll just pray and hope Pelor is like. Cool. With it. Haha? Also objectively, a werewolf that worships the god of the sun is VERY funny so there is that.