#cullen x poppy

[mfshipbracket]

welcome to ghost mod's thought experiment, the m/f ship bracket bonus round where every single m/f ship from the original round is pit against reylo of the 97/3 #shreksweep infamy.

why, you ask? mostly cuz of this.

they're going from lowest to highest per the original rankings, starting off with our newcomers adam/eve. 9 polls per day will roll out on queue throughout the est evening from may 12th-18th! after polls are closed one week later, i will post the final rankings of who swept the hardest (or failed to sweep...)

all polls can be found under the #bonus round tag, and this masterpost also contains links to each specific poll. there is also a spreadsheet with current bonus round standings and stats from the original bracket if you like numbers. :)

disclaimer: not a reylo hater. i'm just ardently devoted to the bit

DAY ONE

1. Adam/Eve (The Bible) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 2. Barbie/Ken (Barbie) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 3. Branch/Poppy (TROLLS) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 4. Hori/Kashima (Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 5. Naegi/Kirigiri (Dangan Ronpa) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 6. Fakir/Ahiru (Princess Tutu) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 7. Jake/Amy (Brooklyn 99) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 8. Sonic/Amy (Sonic the Hedgehog) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 9. Vax'ildan/Keyleth (Critical Role/TLOVM) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars)

DAY TWO

10. Barry Bluejeans/Lup (The Adventure Zone: Balance) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 11. Westley/Buttercup (The Princess Bride) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 12. Lucas/Max (Stranger Things) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 13. Bella Swan/Edward Cullen (Twilight) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 14. Kaz Brekker/Inej Ghafa (Six of Crows) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 15. Zagreus/Megaera (Hades) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 16. Greg/Rose Quartz (Steven Universe) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 17. Orpheus/Eurydice (Hadestown) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 18. Sans/Toriel (Undertale) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars)

DAY THREE

19. Megamind/Roxanne (Megamind) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 20. Inuyasha/Kagome (Inuyasha) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 21. Mamoru/Usagi (Sailor Moon) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 22. Anne/Gilbert (Anne with an E) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 23. Mako/Raleigh (Pacific Rim) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 24. Nancy/Jonathan (Stranger Things) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 25. Wanda/Vision (Marvel/MCU) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 26. Aragorn/Arwen (Lord of the Rings) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 27. Rayla/Callum (The Dragon Prince) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars)

DAY FOUR

X. Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars VS King Charles/Camilla (United Kingdom) 28. Anakin/Padme (Star Wars) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 29. Anthony Bridgerton/Kate Sharma (Bridgerton) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 30. Percy/Vex'ahlia (Critical Role/TLOVM) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 31. Kyo/Tohru (Fruits Basket) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 32. Batman/Catwoman (DC) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 33. Tenth Doctor/Rose (Doctor Who) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 34. Cassian/Jyn (Star Wars) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 35. Joyce/Hopper (Stranger Things) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 36. Aang/Katara (ATLA) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars)

DAY FIVE

37. Mermista/Seahawk (She-ra and the Princesses of Power) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 38. Robin/Starfire (DC/Teen Titans) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 39. Tamaki/Haruhi (Ouran High School Host Club) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 40. Mulder/Scully (The X-Files) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 41. Glimmer/Bow (She-ra and the Princesses of Power) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 42. Zuko/Katara (ATLA) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 43. Steven/Connie (Steven Universe) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 44. Han/Leia (Star Wars) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 45. Beast Boy/Raven (DC/Teen Titans) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars)

DAY SIX

46. Edward/Winry (Fullmetal Alchemist) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 47. Peter/MJ (Marvel/MCU) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 48. Katniss/Peeta (The Hunger Games) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 49. Marinette/Adrien (Miraculous Ladybug) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 50. Kim Possible/Ron Stoppable (Kim Possible) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 51. Darcy/Elizabeth (Pride and Prejudice) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 52. Roy/Riza (Fullmetal Alchemist) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 53. Miles Morales/Gwen Stacy (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 54. Zelda/Link (Zelda Series) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars)

DAY SEVEN

55. Twilight/Yor (Spy X Family) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 56. Sokka/Suki (ATLA) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 57. Hunter/Willow (The Owl House) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 58. Chidi/Eleanor (The Good Place) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 59. Ms. Piggy/Kermit (The Muppets) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 60. Rapunzel/Eugene (Tangled) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 61. Howl/Sophie (Howl’s Moving Castle) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 62. Percy/Annabeth (Percy Jackson Series) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars) 63. Morticia/Gomez (The Addams Family) VS Kylo Ren/Rey (Star Wars)

[itsss4t4n]

Who I write for /Rules

Masterlist

I'm new-ish to writing (i used to write fanfiction when i was like 13. i'm 19 now and write very rarely) but I really wanna do it again.

So this is a list of characters/fandoms I write for as well as some rules for asks. Some things may be missing from this list so if you dont see something on this list, feel free to ask. :))

Do add as much detail as you want to a request and please ALWAYS have at least some sort of prompt, as i'm really not good with coming up with storys on my own yet.

I WILL NOT DO SMUT SO DONT REQUEST IT! I might however do spicy stuff (Nothing more than making out or somewhat implied stuff tho).

My writing will be mostly pg 13 but please still be careful if the fic-warnings include sensitive topics, and i might repost some 18+ things so be careful when navigating my blog.

Please be nice and have manners when requesting.

Also please include what gender/pronouns you want the reader to have (i write for all genders). If its not included I will default it as gender neutral. :)))

I also write poly relationships and AUs.

Some things I will not write include: Pregnancy, toxic/yandere, student x teacher, love triangles.

(Also english isnt my first language, and even though, in my opinion, i speak it really well, if they are any mistakes, thats why.)

Heartbreak high

Harper Mclean

Quinni Ghallager-Jones

Darren Rivers

Spencer "Spider" White

Anthony "Ant" Vaughn

Malakai Mitchel

Sally face

Sal Fisher

Travis Phelps (male or gn readers)

Larry Johnson

Ashley Campbell

Harry Potter

Fred Weasley

George Weasley

Charly Weasley

Bill Weasley

Cedric Diggory

Olliver Wood

Draco Malfoy (+6th year only)

Theodore Nott (+6th year only)

Marauders

James Potter

Sirius Black

Remus Lupin

Regulus Black

Evan Rosier

Barty Crouch jr

Pandora Rosier

Lilly Evans

Marlene Mckinnon

Hogwarts Legacy

Sebastian Sallow

Ominus Gaunt

Gareth Weasley

Poppy Sweetings

Imelda Reyes

Die drei fragezeichen / the three investigators

Bob Andrews

Peter Shaw

Justus Jonas

Skinny Norris

Twilight

Jasper Hale

Emmet Cullen

Carlisle Cullen

Esme Cullen

Rosalie Hale

Alice Cullen

Sam Uley

Paul Lahote

Charlie Swan

Leah Clearwater

Jacob Black

Pjo

Let me know if you want book or show

Percy Jackson

Annabeth Chase

Luke Castellan

Clarrisse La Rue

Selena Beauregard

Charles Beckendorf

Ethan Nakamura

Nico di Angelo (no romantic fem readers)

Rachel Elizabeth Dare

Will Solace

Travis Stoll

Connor Stoll

Hazel Levesque (no romantic)

Jason Grace

Leo Valdez

Piper Mclean

Magnus chase

Magnus Chase

Samirah al Abbas ( no romantic)

Alex Fierro

Blitzen

Hearthstone

Mallory Keen

TJ (Thomas Jefferson jr)

MCU (Avengers)

Bucky Barnes

Steve Rogers

Tony Stark

Sam Wilson

Natasha Romanoff

Yelena Belova

Peter Parker (tom holland and andrew garfield)

MJ

Wanda Maximof

Piedro Maximof

Clint Barton

Scott Lang

Stephen Strange

Kate Bishop

MCU ( Guardians of the galaxy)

Peter Quill

Daredevil (Season 1)

Matt Murdock

Karen Page

James Wesley

X-men universe

Deadpool

Wolverine

Francis

Xavier

Mystic

Angel

Kurt

Venom

Eddie Brock

DC

Harley Quinn

Jason Todd

Dick Grayson (any version, young justice, robin, nightwing,etc.)

Wally West (youngJustice)

Artemis (young justice)

Roy Harper (young justice)

Disney Descendants

Mal

Evie

Carlos devil

Jay

Benjamin Beast

Chad Charming

Audrey Rose

Jane

Lonnie Fa

Uma

Harry Hook

Gil

Rise of red

James Hook

Hades

Bridget

Ella

Cloe

Red

Morgie

Kingsmen

Eggsy

Tiny Pretty things (Netflix)

Bette Whitlaw

Oren Lennox

Shane Madej (no romantic fem readers)

June Park

Jennifers Body

Jennifer Check

Colin Gray

Ever after high

all characters

Redacted Audios

(no x reader, just ships)

literally all characters

[slash-aaa]

⭐ ( gimme all of u i’m greedy ty x )

send a ⭐ for muses i would be interested in throwing at yours / potential muse combinations.

madison montgomery & john bender - just because of the attitudes and how potentially toxic they would be.

alex russo & michael moscovitz - i just think they would absolutely vibe. they're both so chill. he can play some music and she can do whatever she wants.

aurora renaud & jack skellington - i'm imagining aurora wandering into the feywilds and ending up stumbling upon jack, who is also lost in there lmao.

verna & omen lancaster - omen is a witch and a wanderer who helps creatures and monsters where needed. it's giving kind of opposites vibes, but they'd have a mutual respect i think.

addison montgomery & mateo rivera - mateo is my ga oc who starts as an intern at the hospital and obviously moves up from there. he's an ex con, so everyone either is scared of him or whispers about him. maybe he can work with addison and she can see he's not bad.

stu macher & any of your scream muses - i have verses where he survived, so we can work with a bunch of stuff.

carlisle cullen & joyce byers - doctor moves to the small down several years ago to help out. he's probably seen the boys come through his clinic a lot and he's grown fond of joyce. he wants to help where he can.

taissa turner & natalie scatorccio - with tai paying for nat's rehab, i would just love to see their dynamic more. also when they're teens.

tatiana vasiliev & genevieve belmont - both vampires. gen is on the run and is hiding out in a poppy house / vampire lounge, so maybe tatiana can frequent there or go there for information or something.

sydney kaiser & cain fahey - can be rival assassins, or she can meet him after he goes rogue. or she can even be the one sent after him when he goes rogue.

ra mi young & rick grimes or joel miller - love me some apocalypse things, so i'm down for either ra mi young being the doctor in rick's group, or her tagging along with joel / ellie or even meeting her where tommy is.

ares asare & john wick - i didn't see any information for ares, but i'm sure there's a ton of potential.

johanna avery & dana polk or daniel le domas - take your pick of my final girl or my final boy. they can bond or hate each other. and perhaps get into another horror Together.

[sunchasingstar]

Just woke up with a twilight x marauders idea

Carlisle and Esme Cullen are Fleamont and Effy Potter (giving esme the personality she deserves) Emmett and Rosalie are Marlene and Dorcas, Alice and Jasper are Lily and Mary (Mary is NOT a confederate solider) Edward is Regulus. Bella would be James’ dumbass, book Bella specifically. Sirius gives me Garrett vibes and then Remus would be a mix of Kate and Jacob ( I still want him to be a werewolf but like Sirius mate)

OR

James, Remus, and Barty are apart of the tribe and Fleamont and Effie are the Elders. That would make the Cullens be Minnie and Poppy as Carlisle and Esme, Emmett and Rosalie are still Marlene and Dorcas, (Marlene just gives me major Emmett vibes) Alice and Jasper would be platonic Pandora and Regulus leaving Edward as Sirius. Idk what to do w Lily or Mary tho because I thought ab making them apart of the Denali coven alongside like Peter but idk 

[bloodtwin]

CHARACTER TOUCHSTONES. this looks like i am copying @accultant, which i AM, but i've actually had this list sitting in my drafts for a while anyway. most of these are characters, but i threw in some musical inspirations too because those are just as, if not more, important to understand his vibe.

legoshi (beastars)

laios touden (dungeon meshi)

laura palmer (twin peaks)

madoka kaname (madoka magica)

edward cullen (twilight)

shigeo kageyama (mob psycho 100)

vash the stampede (trigun)

leland palmer (twin peaks)

jonathan joestar (jojo's bizarre adventure)

gon freecss (hunter x hunter)

patrick bateman (american psycho)

the worm (hmltd)

three cheers for sweet revenge (my chemical romance)

trust ceremony (jhariah)

i disagree (poppy)

the family jewels (marina & the diamonds)

BONUS:

[shannaraisles]

In Marcher Fields - Chapter 21

Poppy Hawke was never the daughter her mother wanted, the sister her twin preferred, the hero Kirkwall desired. They do not see the woman who stands between them and the chaos that threatens. No one takes the time to look, until she crosses the path of a certain Knight-Captain with demons of his own to battle …

[Read on AO3]

9:42 Dragon, Late Drakonis

The journey back to Skyhold was oddly subdued. Despite the victory, the Inquisitor and her inner circle were very aware of what had been lost to ensure that victory. Everyone was very careful around Poppy as the army made its slow way back toward the Frostbacks. Thus, when Cullen announced that he and his wife would catch up with them in a day or two and drew her away toward the town of Val Firmin, no one argued.

"Why are we stopping here?" she asked as they rode into the town together, but all he gave her was a mysterious glance, almost a teasing glimmer in those whiskey-warm eyes of his.

Val Firmin was a jewel, she had to admit. Built on a sloping hill overlooking Lake Celestine and the Imperial Highway, it sparkled in the gathering dusk as torches and candles were lit to hold back the night. The Chantry dominated the top of the hill, as many chantries did in Orlais, but that was not where Cullen was leading her. He drew her to a quiet district, to a neat little inn, claiming her hand in his own with an encouraging smile to lead her inside. A few words to the innkeeper, and they were sitting down to a hot meal together in a corner of the taproom while a room was prepared above them.

"Why are we here?" Poppy asked him again, curiosity overpowering the faint numbness of grief that had overshadowed everything in the past days and weeks.

"Am I not allowed to gift my wife with comfort and privacy every now and then?" Cullen countered, the sheer force of suspicious innocence in his expression drawing a weary smile from her in return.

"Cullen. I'm fine."

"You don't have to be fine, Poppy." He reached across the table, enfolding her hand within his grasp. "Not with me."

She shook her head, her smile regretful, letting her thumb stroke over his knuckle. "I don't know how to not be fine," she murmured back to him. "I've always been the one everyone else leans on."

"Lean on me," he told her, raising her hand to press a gentle kiss to her knuckles.

"I don't know how," she whispered hopelessly.

Cullen smiled tenderly at her, turning her hand to kiss her palm. "Let me show you."

How could she refuse? She had been strong for him. And, despite her protests, there had been occasions when she had leaned on him in the past. She knew he would look after her, wrap her bleeding heart in his love and hold her until the pain eased away, however long it took. She knew she needed it; she needed to feel the pain and let it pass through her before it congealed and turned her bitter in its wake. Alex wouldn't want that. Not even her mother would have wanted grief to change her into a bitter parody of herself. Leandra may not have been the mother she would have liked, but she had loved her eldest daughter, in her own way.

Hand in hand, Cullen drew his wife to their reserved room in the quiet tavern above the taproom, where a fire was lit in the hearth, the light dancing over the surface of the steaming bath set before the fire itself. The air smelled of honeysuckle, and for the first time in what felt like an age, Poppy actually smiled without being prompted. Honeysuckle. The oil she used on her hair and skin for preference, and somehow Cullen had convinced the innkeeper to infuse the bath with that same oil. He caught her smile, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand, and pulled her across the room to gently divest her of her travel-stained clothing.

Only when she stood bare in front of him, tired eyes watching his gaze flicker over her skin, did he pull his own mantle from his shoulders, shaking his jerkin away and rolling up his shirt sleeves. Then he pulled her into a gentle embrace, callused hands soft against her skin, reveling in the sensation of an embrace that did not include leather or plate or weapons. He waited for her to relax, until he heard the faintest hitch in her breathing, and bent to lift her into the bath, easing her down into the steaming water as she shuddered through her aching hurts.

The water was just hot enough to sting, the heat sinking into her bones, forcing her muscles to relax as Cullen guided the cloth over her skin, the soap into her hair, working the lather in until she lolled in the bath. His hands were still chilly, thanks to the lyrium withdrawal, a pleasant counterpoint to the heat that seeped into her. Each pass of the cloth was punctuated with a gentle kiss to her shoulder; the rinsing of her hair was done so gently she might almost have been a small child in his hands. And she knew he had learned to do this for her. Somehow he had learned to wash hair and skin without scrubbing or becoming impatient, just for her. How had he known he would need these skills? How long had he been quietly dreading the day when she would be the last of her bloodline to stand?

When he lifted her out of the bath to dry her down, she tried to still his hands.

"You don't need to -"

"Poppy."

He paused, curling his palm to her jaw, meeting her eyes with fierce certainty that made her melt a little inside. What had she done to deserve a man who loved her like this?

"I know I don't need to," he told her softly. "I want to."

She actually laughed - just a gentle huff of amusement, but it was a genuine laugh, a sound that lit up his eyes with relieved affection as he rubbed the water from her skin and hair.

"You are impossible to argue with these days," she murmured fondly, smiling as he leaned in to kiss her.

"I learned from the best," he answered, letting the damp towel fall only to wrap her in the warmth of a blanket and lift her into his arms once again.

Poppy sighed, strangely contented as he settled in the wide armchair in front of the fire, holding her curled up on his lap, She nestled into him, her forehead tucked into the crook of his neck, and just ... let herself be. She could hear the crackle of the fire, the rattle of hooves and wheels over the cobbles outside, the rumble of conversation from the taproom below; closer to, she was aware of the sigh of Cullen's breath, and the gentle beat of his heart. And slowly, she became aware of something more.

Cullen was singing.

"Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee all through the night ... guardians shall the Maker send thee all through the night ..."

An old Fereldan lullaby, a song her father had sung to her when she was small and could not sleep. When shadows had threatened her peace and nightmares had haunted her young mind, Malcolm Hawke would kneel beside his children's beds and sing this lullaby to them as sparkling lights danced on his fingers, his low voice a promise that he would always be there to guard them against the fears of the night.

"... soft the drowsy hours are creeping, hill and dale in slumber sleeping ... I, my loved ones' watch, am keeping all through the night ..."

She remembered snuggling down into her blankets with Alex as their father sang; remembered the nights when Bethany would join them, and Carver, too, the four Hawke siblings protecting each other against the nightmares that might come for them. Through the years they had dropped away, one by one ... Father, Carver, Bethany, Mother, Alex; all gone ahead to a place that had to be better than the world that had hurt them so badly, and only Poppy remained.

"Hark, a solemn bell is ringing clear through the night ... thou, my love, art Maker's hand winging home through the night ..."

But not alone. No, she was not alone, not abandoned. Despite her grief, she had love still, and hope. As Alex had said, she had a future. She had Cullen, her husband; Varric, her friend. She could gather new friends around herself as she had done once before, build a family from them to cushion her against the loneliness of knowing her own kin were lost. She was loved, and that made all the difference.

"Thedas dust from off thee shaken, soul immortal shalt thou awaken ..."

Curled in the arms of the man she loved, bathed in firelight, wrapped in gentle affection, her bleeding heart began to heal, secure in the knowledge that she would never again be alone.

"... with thy last dim journey taken home through the night."

[softkostyk]

is it just me or casteel is a mix between nikolai lantsov and edward cullen and that is why I love him very much

[serpentsandscorpios]

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJ7YgoN3/

[edwrdarchive]

[totally anon] jj ? what a nerd. like, I can't believe she would sit here and listen to me rant and comfort me when I'm down. like, how dare she make me laugh and cheer me up, and be, not just one of the best people I know, but also one of the funniest and kindest dorks ever. and not only that, but she also has the biggest heart. like, how dare she be so sweet and talented. absolutely disgusting xoxoxo

anonymously tell me something you think about me   💭

suddenly i can’t read

[dismalzelenka]

Life update this ship has become very much not platonic because I am hopeless Jowan trash. Anyway, they're banging now, in both AUs. Not sorry about it. 🤷

Gryffindor girl and Ravenclaw boy relationship Aesthetic

[dustjacketmusings]

Age gaps in fiction

Unpopular opinion but age gaps don't really bother me in fantasy. In a world where someone can live to be 1000+ years old, what are the odds they find someone within +/- 10 years? Really pretty low. Especially in scenarios where no one else lives that long.

That said, age gaps in YA bother me a lot, for pretty much the exact same reason as real life. Age is just a number... once you're an adult. Until someone is an established adult, age is a very good indicator for development.

So a 1000 year gap is the same as a 100 year gap is the same as a 10 year gap I just don't care, until people start pairing adults with teenagers. And then I care about pretty much any age gap, immortality doesn't make it better.

Given our Mortal human point of view, the concept of living forever has no meaning, really. I can't comprehend what being 500 years old would be like. What we really should be asking is "how old is this immortal emotionally?" And the answer is usually somewhere over 30. Established with a steady job and is the leader of something or other? 30+ right off the bat. Probably 35, to be honest. Which makes the dynamic of a teenage love interest pretty gross. Darkling? Gtfo. Rhysand? Do not like.

There is a noticeable outlier here in YA romantic interests, the dude who started it all (That's giving twilight too much credit but whatever). Edward Cullen still goes to high school and doesn't hold a job. So even though he's pretty intellectual (pretentious), he feels college age at most (which still makes his relationship with Bella a problem, but slightly less of a problem).

So you could just re-run romantic pairings with any immortals over 30 as 30, for a quick litmus test

Quick tip: re-run the ages with the immortal being 30

Alina and the Darkling (17 and 120) 17 and 30 - no good

Bella and Edward (17 and 107) 17 and 30 - no good (I age Edward at 24 but that's still no good)

Feyre and Rhysand (19 and 500+) 19 and 30 - no good

Nesta and Cassian (24 and 500+) 24 and 30 - sure

Poppy and Hawke (18 and 200+) 18 and 30 - nope

Mercy Thompson and Adam (31 and 60+) 31 and 30 - yeah that's fine (Adam is solidly 35+)

Emmeline and Lachlain (80 and 1500+) 30 and 30 - yeah that's fine (lachlain is also solidly 35+)

Mariketa and Bowen (24? And 1500+) 24 and 30 - sure

Man fiction sure does love young, disadvantaged ladies. Anyway.

There is another part to it though. I said previously that age is just a number after being an established adult. The ESTABLISHED part matters. The last three couples are from adult fantasy, and in all three cases the woman has financial and skill independence from her hero. Because in real life, teenagers and young adults are moldable. If they aren't independent prior to a relationship with an older person, they never gain independence. And it is very easy for an older person to use this to their advantage. The darkling and rhysand pretty heavily use their experience against their naive heroine. They steer her were they want her to go, and that's an issue.

It's one of the biggest differences between Nesta and Mariketa, who are the same age but their romance feels very different. Mariketa is one of the youngest of Kresley's heroines, but by the end of her book she is leading her coven. She did not just step into the shoes of Bowen's mate (because it's adult romance, Bowen is kind of a trophy husband. It's a good look for him).

This is one of the easiest ways to negate the age power imbalance - give the younger LI more power in the relationship. Which is, honestly, partially why ACOSF nesta x cassian fell flat for me. Nesta pre-acosf had signs that she would do this. She was an emissary (a very different role from cassian), so it seemed like she would have her own power and her own finances. But ACOSF stripped all that away and made the age imbalance between her and cassian a bigger issue. She was no longer independent from him and she never gained her independence back. In fact, she kind of took the role of cassians support system, which sets the tone for their relationship moving forward. Ideally she would have gotten financially independence and finished establishing the valkyries, not just started the process. So while the ages check out, the way it was actually portrayed make the age gap still an issue.

[remythologise]

kira!! pls share what you're watching atm + if you know what you'll watch next 👀

delightful request anon!!!! I am currently watching:

TWIN PEAKS: THE RETURN, OR, WHAT IF WE INVESTIGATED WHY THE VIBES WERE OFF AGAIN LIKE 25 YEARS LATER — watching this VERY slowly because it really does try my patience of needing everything to happen at a good pace and for a storytelling purpose. I skipped through the bad parts of Twin Peaks s2 because I was like I only live so long and well so far The Return certainly is... more of the same. I definitely think it's a fun reference point for the X-Files (and subsequently Supernatural) etc. in terms of influence but it is still frustrating to me, as a show-watching experience.

THE TERROR, OR, WHAT IF WE MADE A TV SHOW ABOUT THE ARCTIC EXPEDITIONS THAT GOT LOST AND NEVER RETURNED AGAIN AND FOR SOME REASON PEOPLE WENT YEAH I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TERROR AND MISERY IN MY LIFE I'LL WATCH THAT — I am watching this with friends and I'm sure it's very gay or whatever and probably the best piece of horror media made but honestly the threat of mass death due to inaction despite looming doom is too real for me at this present time. Also I kind of think the slightly problematically Noble-Savage-linked supernatural being attacking them is totally unnecessary as a device like girl they're facing enough death and danger due to their own stupidity. Watch in a well-lit room and then watch a poppy kdrama immediately after. Also do NOT google image search 'the terror' there's real mummified corpses out there :/ GUARDIAN: THE LONELY AND GREAT GOD ("GOBLIN"), OR, WHAT IF THIS ONE LEGENDARY WARRIOR WASN'T ALLOWED TO DIE UNTIL HE MET HIS 'BRIDE' AND ALSO A GRIM REAPER WAS HIS ROOMMATE — I think I tagged my thoughts on this somewhere but here they are again: the lead girl in this is WAY too young for my liking and it's throwing me off the whole show. Which is a real shame because the leading men are sensational, as is their chemistry. The female lead is ostensibly 19 but she's still in high school and spiritually FEELS like 16 or younger in terms of how she acts and the male lead is literally called out as looking like he's mid-30s by her (and he's immortal!) so like... it's not even an Edward Cullen situation where he LOOKS younger or is more immature. I'm very bitter that this show isn't about the enemies-to-and-they-were-roommates no-memories-vs-too-many-memories romance between the grim reaper and the goblin because that relationship is so much more engaging and I'm not just saying that because I love to see gay subtext (which there is also a lot of.) I'll stick with it because I very rarely skip through or give up on shows (despite skipping through twin peaks, a rare exception), but we'll see. Still early days, I'm only on episode three! THE DEVIL JUDGE, OR, WHAT IF WE WERE IN A DYSTOPIA NOT UNLIKE OUR OWN REALITY AND YOU WERE THE STAR OF A REALITY JUDGING SHOW TO PERSECUTE CRIMINALS AND RESTORE FAITH IN THE JUSTICE SYTEM AND I WAS YOUR FOR-LOOKS-ONLY ASSISTING JUDGE SECRETLY INVESTIGATING YOU HAHA UNLESS...? — well! I've only just started this show and I'm on episode three but I AM HAVING A FUN TIME. Absolutely suffers from what seems like a very common kdrama three episode rule where the first episode was confusing but then REALLY picked up and now I'm hooked. I mean I literally just watched the heroine-coded hero save the evil-seeming byronic hero from a bomb and then wake up in his bed in his gothic mansion with creepy servant and girl in a wheelchair while he's basically trapped there and the titular Devil Judge undresses him and tends to his wounds and so on. 10/10 gay catholic symbolism gothic horror romance law crime class war dystopia it's a double thumbs up from me so far. SEMANTIC ERROR, OR, TALENTED GRAPHIC DESIGNER FUCKS WITH EXTREMELY SERIOUS ROBOT-LIKE PROGRAMMER, PROGRAMMER GETS REVENGE, THEY FALL IN LOVE WHILE WORKING ON A STUDENT PROJECT TOGETHER— mainstream kdrama may not have (canon) lead gay romance but that doesn't stop webseries from doing so! this one is very cute although it definitely doesn't have the plot or production quality of a mainstream tv show it's still very watchable and pretty. A fun lunchtime watch with a shorter run-time even if the type of 'group project' work hits wayyyy too close to home for me.

THE UNTAMED, OR, I HAVEN'T WATCHED ENOUGH OF THIS SHOW TO SUMMARISE IT BUT I KNOW IT'S GAY, I KNOW IT — I have only seen 4 episodes of this show and I KNOW it's going to hit and everyone adores it but I haven't been able to get into it. I know the beginning is universally confusing but I also feel like I'm saving it for a bit and then I'll try to watch it again. Having said that I did watch ten minutes on the train just today until it got to Wei Wu Xian looking at Lan Wang Ji (Lan Zhan? WHY DOES EVERYONE HAVE LIKE THREE DIFFERENT NAMES) naked in a stream and I was like well that's not fit for public transport.

and I have just watched: MOON KNIGHT, OR WHAT IF EVEN OSCAR ISAAC CAN'T SAVE MARVEL FROM MEDIOCRITY — Honestly the less said about this the better. You will never be Yu-Gi-Oh!!!! CRASH LANDING ON YOU, OR, WHAT IF A SOUTH KOREAN MILLIONAIRE MET A NORTH KOREAN SOLDIER AND THEY FELL IN LOVE — Best rom com I've ever seen quite frankly like 11/10 it WAS a bit cheesy for me at times but by god that's what it's about! Really tremendous and makes you believe in the power of heterosexual love. The supporting cast is also SO amazing as is their dynamic. I laughed, I cried, I give this 5/5 stars. BEYOND EVIL, OR, WHAT IF YOU WERE THE MURDERER I WAS INVESTIGATING AND I WAS ALSO INVESTIGATING YOU AND WE BOTH SPIDERMAN POINTED FINGERS AT EACH OTHER UNTIL WE FELL IN LOVE — 11/10. Gay as hell. Go watch it.

And I have been recommended to watch in future, or want to watch:

Slings and Arrows, MASH, Heaven's Official Blessing, Word of Honour, Hotel Del Luna, It's Okay To Not Be Okay.

Annnnd I didn't even put anime on this list but frankly nothing particularly interesting or worthy this season or last EXCEPT:

TIGER AND BUNNY: S2, OR, WHAT IF WE GOT A SECOND SEASON OF THE BEST GAYBAIT SUPERHERO ROMANCE OF ALL TIME — Ugh SO mad this season wasn't as stellar as S1 was and also wild that the production quality has not massively improved since 2011. Anyway in 2011 this was revolutionary but in 2022 it's not pushing boundaries enough (making them canon gay) or like doing much (a plot or villains that is interesting) but it's not totally hopeless (ryan is there) and it's still very entertaining viewing if you're a fan it's nice just to see the gang together (even if the new characters literally are pointless and add nothing and their character design is SO uncreative on a historically creative show and—) anyway. Pity Netflix dropped this all at once it's really suffering for it but I suppose we'll get a second half of the season regardless of ratings.

[lilnoobie]

know about me!

im vv anxious

self conscious and insecure

i have panic/anxiety attacks

im introverted and i cant handle too much stimulation

i may be too verbal or not verbal at all, it fluctuates

i need straightforward communication, i need honesty, if youre not clear i may get confused

miscommunication might be common as i dont always know how to say what i mean clearly

really bad rejection sensitivity disorder

im considered hyper empathetic and very sensitive to others around me if my empathy isnt drained (which it normally is)

you dont have to treat me like fine china but honesty and kindess is rlly all id want in a convo/rp

i tend to believe ive done smthn wrong or seem off or annoy others, so if i get annoying or anything, please tell me, id rather have an honest response than a wellmeaning lie, as lying will hurt me more tbh

i have adhd (and possibly autism too, unsure)

i hyperfixate on tons of different things! i really like sonic the hedgehog, the lion king, nbc hannibal, and other medias! i also really like animals of all kinds but i mostly prefer cats.

bad things for me

being too social (or around too many people)

bright lights

loud sounds

being ignored

rudeness or creepiness

being vulnerable

about me!

im open for roleplay but im anxious and shy, so please be nice and understanding

i like a lot of baby stuff (im scared to admit, idk it feels weird) like diapers and pacis and bottles etc.

i draw a lot and color too! i might draw or color smthn for you if we interact! i do this to show that i care about you/think about you!

i love plushies and stuffies! ive got a little collection irl! i also rlly like action figures!!

i like to read comics (that are easy to read, too much detail is not my thing)!

i also like specific cartoons (tom and jerry, sonic boom, sonic x, pokemon, alvin and the chipmunks (80s), etc)! i dont like steven universe, the owl house, she ra, etc. those shows annoy me for some reason.

media i enjoy specifically for agere !

(plus the characters i prefer as caretakers in fanfic!)

doctor who (tenth doctor, donna noble, twelfth doctor, clara oswald, thirteenth doctor, yaz khan, graham o'brien, dan lewis)

sonic the hedgehog (doctor eggman, shadow the hedgehog, rouge the bat, amy rose)

five nights at freddys security breach (sun/moon/daycare attendant/etc)

poppy playtime (huggy wuggy, kissy missy)

death stranding (cliff unger)

hannibal nbc (hannibal lecter, will graham)

twilight (carlisle cullen)

camp camp (david, gwen)

good omens (aziraphale, crowley)

mao mao (mao mao, badgerclops)

ok ko lets be heroes (professor venomous ((NO BOXMAN I DONT LIKE BOXMAN))

twin peaks (dale cooper)

rick and morty (rick sanchez ((specifically from season 4))

sanctuary (helen magnus, will zimmerman, john druitt, nikola tesla, james watson)

solar opposites (korvo, terry)

scrubs (perry cox, john dorian, christopher turk, carla espinosa, jordan sullivan)

stan against evil (stan miller, evie barret)

gravity falls (stan pines, ford pines)

robots (2005) (rodney copperbottom)

harry potter (severus snape)

constantly updating this btw so changes will occur

[genericmuses]

Supernatural:

Bobby Singer (canon, hunter)

Ben Braeden (headcanon based, hunter)

Remiel (oc, archangel of hope & mercy)

Helena Moseley (oc, hunter & psychic) 

Felix Manganella (oc, prophet)

Máximo Espinoza (oc, hunter)

Ari Espinoza (oc, hunter)

Cameron Sorin (oc, bad witch/hunter)

Evana Holmes (oc, good witch/hunter) 

Seth Morello (oc, good witch/hunter)

Kaidan Singer (oc, hunter) 

Camael (oc, archangel of war, strength & courage)

Navin Rai (oc, hunter)

Fandomless:

Oberon (fairy king/god, Supernatural influences)

Dean Akkerman (witch & magic shop owner)

Dorian Zaman (wereleopard)

Mianni (wish fairy)

Wesley Lightfoot (half-fae information dealer)

Leo Moore (hunter & doctor)

Surendra Egillsson (conspiracy thoerist & provider of supernatural intel)

Richard Morgan (witch)

Ali Jensson (witch/hunter)

Gabriel Akkerman (witch & con artist)

Derek Strand (witch)

Fen Norwood (shapeshifter)

Frank Fisher (witch & runner of a “neutral zone” bar)

Terry Beckett (vampire)

Jonnny Tregenza (vampire & 70s rockstar)

Mythology:

Hades (Greek, god of the dead & king of the underworld) 

Hecate (Greek, goddess of magic and witchcraft) 

Hathor (Egyptian, goddess music, dance, joy, love, sexuality and maternal care)

Bastet (Egyptian, warrior & sun goddess)

Brynhildr (Norse, Valkyrie)

The Morrígan (Irish, war & fate goddess)

Twilight:

Billy Black (canon, human)

Jack Swan (oc, vampire or human depending on the timeline)

Lillian Cullen (oc, vampire)

Welcome to Nightvale:

Carlos Palmer (canon, scientist)

Dana Cardinal (canon, former mayor)

Marvel (various movie worlds):

Tony Stark (MCU canon, Iron Man)

Wade Wilson/Deadpool (Deadpool canon, mutate)

Neena Thurman/Domino (Deadpool canon, mutant)

Ororo Munroe/Storm (X-Men canon, mutant)

Night World:

Thea Harman (canon, witch)

Rashel Jordan (canon, hunter)

Poppy North (canon, vampire)

Caspian Harman (oc, witch)

Morgana Harman (oc, witch)

Other:

Rupert Giles (Buffy the Vampire Slayer canon, watcher)

Isabelle Lightwood (Shadowhunters canon, shadowhunter)

Margo Hanson (The Magicians canon, magician & king)

Jack O'Neill (Stargate SG1 canon, member of SG1)

The Tenth Doctor (Doctor Who canon, Time Lord)

The Fourth Doctor (Doctor Who canon, Time Lord)

Romana (Doctor Who canon, Time Lord)

[dismalzelenka]

Chapter three updoot!

The next update from @dismalzelenka and I is live! Abby and Rylen are back mwuahaha, plus we get a taste of our other new POV

Chapters: 3/? Fandom: Dragon Age (Video Games), Dragon Age II, Dragon Age - All Media Types Rating: Explicit Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Female Amell/Cullen Rutherford, Rylen (Dragon Age)/Original Female Character(s), Female Amell/Jowan (Dragon Age), Female Trevelyan/Male Hawke, Female Hawke/Anders Characters: Solona Amell, Abigail Henderson, Cullen Rutherford, Rylen (Dragon Age), Rylee Hawke, Garrett Hawke, Jowan (Dragon Age), Jonathan Rullus, Mara Trevelyan, Fenris (Dragon Age), Isabela (Dragon Age), Anders (Dragon Age), Varric Tethras, Female Tabris (Dragon Age), Aveline Vallen Additional Tags: Modern Thedas, Canon Butchery Part Two: Electric Boogaloo, Canon Typical Violence, Drug Use, Mage/Templar Conflict, Explicit Language, Mage Rights, Implied Sexual Content, Explicit Sexual Content, POV Multiple, Vigilante Justice, Political upheaval, Cheating, Divorce, Implied Infertility, Trauma, PTSD Triggers, Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault, Dirty Talk, age gap, Police Violence, Infidelity, References to Suicide, suicide ideation, Murder, Angst, Blood Magic, Demons, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse, Addiction, Part Two of a Story, have we mentioned this whole thing started out as a goddamn brooklyn99 au, ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°), we love you, Pregnancy, Dom/sub, Other Additional Tags to Be Added Series: Part 4 of And the Sky Will Burn Summary:

A thick fog of uncertainty has blanketed Kirkwall City in the shadow of the upcoming Prime Minister election. The Free Marches are more divided than ever, mages are reportedly going missing without a trace daily, and a mysterious glowing red substance begins showing up in crime scenes across the city.

Abby is determined to investigate. Solona would rather binge drink herself to sleep every night. Rylee struggles to balance her duties with the Mage Underground with the terrifying prospect of impending motherhood when a ghost from her past crashes back into her life.

With chaos looming on the horizon, an increasingly polarized city faces a series of difficult choices, and a cornered group of mages sets off a chain of events from which there will be no return.

[shannaraisles]

In Marcher Fields - Chapter 17

Poppy Hawke was never the daughter her mother wanted, the sister her twin preferred, the hero Kirkwall desired. They do not see the woman who stands between them and the chaos that threatens. No one takes the time to look, until she crosses the path of a certain Knight-Captain with demons of his own to battle …

[Read on AO3]

9:41 Dragon, Firstfall

"So that's decided, then. We'll head to Adamant immediately following the Ball at the Winter Palace - everything should be in place by the time we get there."

Xena nodded firmly, patting the table in front of her. It had not taken more than an hour to settle everything for what looked like an assault on the Warden fortress - between Leliana's scouts, Josephine's contacts, and his faith in his own men and their abilities, Cullen felt sure they had more than a fighting chance, even with the probability of demons.

"And Lady Hawke?" Josephine asked, in a deceptively mild tone.

Cullen didn't miss the way both she and Leliana glanced briefly in his direction, feeling his face heat up at the implication that he should know what was happening with Poppy. Alex had remained in the Western Approach with Alistair, both of them keeping an eye on the slow gathering of Grey Wardens at Adamant while Poppy came back to Skyhold to report on what they had found out after Erimond's aborted attack on Xena. Apparently there had been a fair amount of friction between Poppy and Alistair, which was another reason to keep them as far apart as was feasible. Cullen was just a little ashamed of his quiet pleasure on hearing that the hero, Alistair Theirin, hadn't managed to charm Poppy enough to keep her from sharing her opinion on blood magic and idiocy. But only a little. He was more distracted by the looming conversation he had promised her brother he would have with her.

"She'll be coming to the Winter Palace with us," Xena was saying confidently. "Lisette already ran up a spare uniform, it just needs to be fitted. And let's face it, we're going to need every bit of leverage we can get in Orlais."

"Grand Duke Gaspard may not appreciate -" Josephine began, but Leliana interrupted.

"To have the Champion of Kirkwall alongside the Inquisitor is a valuable asset in such a setting, Josie," she reminded the ambassador. "Hawke is well able to navigate Orlesian society and politics. We will just have to keep her away from Lord Cyril du Montfort, that is all."

Xena perked up. "Oh, does she have a history with him?"

Despite himself, Cullen was smiling as he answered before Leliana could.

"She was involved in the circumstances of his father's death, I understand," he told the Inquisitor. "It was very hushed up, but she was at Chateau Haine when Duke Prosper died."

"I did not know that," Josephine admitted with some surprise. "Lord Cyril is now one of the Council of Heralds ... but no matter. If Lady Hawke remains with one of us, there is little chance she will cross paths with him."

"An excellent idea, Josie," Leliana agreed. "May I suggest Hawke accompanies the commander for the evening?"

A slightly alarming smirk passed between the two women as Josephine considered this. The sheer level of knowing impishness in the room increased smartly, raising suspicions in Cullen's mind. He knew what Orlesians were like, especially in a formal setting. He wasn't particularly looking forward to the ball in any case.

"I'd feel better knowing she was somewhere easy to find," Xena volunteered. "Does that work, Cullen?"

"So long as she doesn't have any objections, then I see no reason why not," Cullen agreed, trying not to sound as hopeful as he felt. If he could guarantee Poppy's company for the entirety of the ball, he could also guarantee that the worst of the advances would never come to pass.

"She's agreed to come, anyway," Xena said, jumping down from the carven block they'd had made so she could stand at the war table and not feel like a child in front of the humans. "We can sort out the rest another time. When's dinner?"

As the discussion devolved into the familiar debate about just why Xena wasn't allowed to eat her dinner in the Herald's Rest when they had nobles visiting the castle, Cullen stepped away, making a few notes that he would have to make sure were circulated by the end of the day. There was always so much to do - orders to give, reports to read and sign, requests to confirm or deny, tactics to arrange, training to oversee ... He was generally the last to leave these war room discussions, trailing out in the wake of the ladies by several meters at least, frowning down at the notes in his hand as he stepped into the crumbling corridor.

"Cullen?"

Surprised out of his fierce concentration, his boot caught on an upraised corner of flagstone, bringing him to a stumbling halt as Poppy pushed from her lean against the wall. He hadn't expected to see her there; wasn't ready to see her one-on-one. All right, so he'd had several weeks to mentally plan the conversation Alex had asked him to have with her, but Cullen had thought he might have at least another day. The Poppy he remembered had always enjoyed the night immediately following any sort of mission that took her away from home as a time to be with herself. As the thought crossed his mind, he instantly knew what was different. No home, too much time alone. Of course she would want to spend the time with people.

She tilted her head, meeting his gaze with blue eyes that were so much more guarded than he remembered.

"Can we ... talk?" she asked softly.

He could have sworn she seemed almost nervous. But Poppy was never nervous or, if she was, she never let it show. Letting it show was a weakness that could be exploited. That was the sort of thing you only shared with people you trusted, people you ... People you love. And she was nervous - it was there in the flicker of her gaze, unable to hold his eyes for more than a moment before sliding away; in the hand that wrapped about a hank of her loose hair, no longer black but restored to the swaying brunette he recalled, gently tugging once or twice before falling to her hip.

"Of course," he assured her, buoyed up by this clear indication that he might not be wrong in his hope after all.

She glanced around the open corridor, her expression just a little bemused.

"Ah ... in private?"

"Oh! Oh, yes, of course." Cullen wanted to slap himself for fumbling that. "Ah ... my office is usually quite stuffy at this time of day," he said. "Shall we ... shall we walk on the battlements?"

The nervous glimmer in her eyes fled at that, reassurance that she did actually want to talk to him, and not just have someone to walk with through the Great Hall. He'd seen the nobles clustering around Josephine's door, eager to be able to say they had spoken to the Champion of Kirkwall. He didn't envy her having to navigate that maelstrom of entitled asses every time she had to pass publicly through the castle.

"After you," she said, gesturing for him to lead the way. "You know Skyhold best, after all."

"I think the only person qualified to know it best may be Sera," he said, moving to guide her through Josephine's office, ignoring the curious smile on the ambassador's face as she watched them walk by. "If only because she has a terrible habit of investigating every crevice at the most inopportune times."

Poppy snorted softly; a glance at her revealed a quiet smile that was achingly familiar. He missed seeing that smile on the pillow beside him. He missed everything, but now was not the time to suddenly declare his heart.

"I would say she sounds like Merrill, but somehow I don't think they could possibly be compared and found similar in any way," she murmured in amusement, wiping the smile from her face as Cullen drew the door open.

The clustering nobles drew back as commander and Champion stepped smartly into the Great Hall - it was that or be mown down. Without needing to discuss it, Cullen found himself matching his pace to Poppy's, allowing her to quicken to a long stride that took them out of the hall within moments, leaving the nobles to mutter and complain among themselves in the wake of two warriors who clearly had other things on their minds. They kept that pace all the way through Solas' study, and into Cullen’s office, where Poppy finally slowed.

"Sorry," she apologized, her expression just a little tight. "I don't have much patience with nobles these days."

"Understandably," Cullen assured her, settling his notes safely on the desk.

He was a little surprised, though. She had always had patience with the nobles of Kirkwall, even when they had messed her around. But then ... four years with only her brother for consistent company, four years of avoiding population centers. It was no wonder her levels of patience with the useless and inane had diminished. It made sense.

"Well ... shall we?"

He gestured toward the northernmost door, letting her take the lead this time as they stepped through and passed across the gatehouse, through the still decrepit second gate tower, and out onto a quiet stretch of the battlements. A pointed look at the guard patrolling this section sent her marching smartly away to lurk on the other side of the next tower. This length of battlement would be safe enough, with Commander Cullen and Lady Hawke there.

Yet now they were here ... nothing was forthcoming.

Poppy said nothing, her eyes focused on the distant mountain tops as she stepped into the sunshine, resting her forearms against one of the merlons that had not yet been restored. The sunlight shone in the honeyed highlights of her brown hair, the longer length making his fingers itch to glide into those waves and curls, to feel the softness and hold her against him, to breathe in the honeysuckle scent of the oils she used to strip blood and dirt from the mane that crowned her. Gone was the shapeless clothing; her tunic and pants fitted her snugly, displaying the toned form that was still a little too slender for his liking, the evidence of a life lived hard these past lonely years. Blue eyes that had always reminded him of the summer sky over Ferelden looked out over the Frostbacks, distant in thought as her teeth tugged at the pillow of her lip.

The silence grated on his nerves. They needed to talk - words that had gone for too long unsaid needed to find expression somehow. But how to begin?

"It's, ah ... nice day," he blurted out, inwardly cringing at the ridiculous opening.

"What?" She blinked, dragging her gaze from the snow-capped mountains to look at him with mild bemusement.

"I, ah ..." Cullen cleared his throat, pulling his hand down from its nervous creep to the back of his neck. "You said you wanted to talk?"

"Oh! Oh, yes, I ..."

Poppy hesitated, twisting toward him in her lean. Her hand opened toward him, then drew back, folding anxiously over the other as she looked down at her fingers. Cullen moved closer, taking up a lean of his own against the same crumbling merlon she had chosen. He could see her turmoil, the roiling emotion she couldn't quite hide from him, but he still knew how she needed this to go. She needed him to keep his mouth shut so she could say what was on her mind without distraction.

"Cullen, I, we ... that is, I didn't ... fuck, this was so much easier in my head ..."

She closed her eyes, missing the affectionate smile that rose on his face on hearing that. He watched as she drew in a deep breath, let it out slowly, and finally just committed to the sentence she had prepared.

"Cullen, I love you," she blurted out, opening her eyes after this spilled forth. "I never stopped loving you, I've missed you so much, but I don't know if you can ever forgive me for what I let happen in Kirkwall, and for running away afterward when I should have stayed to face -"

He raised his hand, gloved fingers gently stopping the burble of words from her lips. She stilled, her eyes wide with worry and hope as she stared at him, swallowing down whatever else had wanted to escape in that flurry of verbiage. And Cullen felt ... he felt. For the first time in years, he let himself fully embrace what he had thought was lost, the feeling that she was here, she was his, that she loved him as he loved her. Alex, you were right, he told the man in the silence of his mind. Thank you.

"There's nothing to forgive," he told her gently, his thumb pressing just a little more firmly against her lips to prevent any interruption. "You were right. Though the method was extreme, Anders was right. I should have listened to you sooner. But none of that changes how I feel about you, Poppy. I love you. You're the only woman I have ever loved. Whatever else has changed in my life, that never has, and it never will."

"But -"

"No, love." He felt the scar on his lip tug tight as he smiled at her confused delight, a feeling he had not actually enjoyed since she'd left his life. Without her, that scar was a reminder of what he had lost; with her, it was a reminder that she had chosen to be with him. "No buts, no sorries. No more apologies or regrets. Stay with the Inquisition, Poppy. Stay with me."

He shifted closer, finally allowing himself to trail his fingertips along her jaw, into the fall of her hair, thrilling to the way she tilted into his touch, leaning into him as he leaned into her.

"No more running, Poppy," he whispered, tasting her breath on his lips for the first time in what felt like an age. "Be with me, always."

"Yes ..."

It was barely more than a whisper, but it was there, her agreement, her longing, heard and tasted and felt, and so much more than just a word between them. It was a promise, a promise that begged to be sealed with a kiss ...

"Commander!"

And in a flash, the moment was gone.

Cullen groaned, his jaw clenching at the familiar sound of his most enthusiastic messenger's voice directly behind him. He closed his eyes, opening them to find Poppy's brightest grin shining back at him, the dance of her eyes promising that the only reason she wasn't laughing was because she was sure this could get better. His hand uncurled from her jaw as he straightened up, turning to glare at the luckless Jim.

"What?"

He watched as the boy faltered in the face of his obvious disapproval, as the eager eyes flickered back and forth between Commander and Champion who was, no doubt, still grinning like the cat that ate the canary from her lean against the wall. She's doing nothing for my reputation here, he realized, but was quick to squash that thought. She's more important than your bloody reputation, you oversized nug-rat.

"Uh ... it can wait," Jim quavered, backing away only to turn and run for the nearest door - anything to be out from under that particular scowl.

Cullen sighed, shaking his head as he turned back toward Poppy. "I'm sorry, there's always - mmm ..."

Her lips on his, her hands in his hair, and all the Jims in the world could not have stolen this moment from him. This moment, this feeling, Poppy in his arms once more, wrapped around him as he tugged her close to his chest, breathing her in with the freedom he had missed for so long. The world could go hang so long as she kissed him, so long as she let him kiss her, lips soft and gentle and loving as they traded that long-denied affection back and forth until breath became more necessary than kisses. To hear her laugh that familiar breathless laugh as they drew back just far enough, to feel himself chuckle along with her as she held him close ... it was as though the years that had passed had never parted them.

Cullen grinned as he pulled Poppy close, burying his face in the honeysuckle sweetness of her hair, and sighed in slow delight. She was here, she was his. He was home again.