#do no wol pieces count? are these okay?

[anneapocalypse]

One thing I find so frustrating about Thancred's whole arc in Shadowbringers being about Minfilia (besides the fact that she doesn't even get to have feelings about her own death) is that even for all the angst and the flashbacks their relationship is so told and not shown. I know how they met, I know he was in and out of her life when she was a teenager, I know he gave her a knife. But like what is their relationship, to one another, on a personal level? If Thancred and Minfilia were in a room alone together, what would they talk about that isn't Scion business? If they were going to hang out for an afternoon outside of work, what would they do? If they had a personal argument, what would it be about? What would they laugh about together? Do they have any inside jokes?

I see a lot of people lament how little time we had with Moenbryda, and fairly so, but in the brief time we had her, she and Urianger have a dynamic. They have a vibe. You can count the number of scenes they have together on one hand I think, and yet I don't find it difficult to envision pieces of their history, what a private conversation between them would sound like, what they might have argued over, what they would laugh about. They have chemistry onscreen together (and I don't mean romantic chemistry though you could argue that they have that too, I simply mean the kind of chemistry where you can feel the connection between two characters). And it's not like Urianger is any better at expressing emotion than Thancred at that point; he pretty demonstrably isn't. Yet we can still feel that connection, feel that history.

Where is that for Thancred and Minfilia in all of ARR? I'm still looking, wondering if I've missed something, wondering if there was some really significant moment that just went over my head at the time. I can think of one moment: that time when we walk in on Thancred talking to Minfilia after Ifrit, where he's berating himself for letting the WoL down by arriving late, and puts up the cheerful facade again as soon as he realizes they're listening. Clearly then, she was someone he could talk to more earnestly. But it's just so thin, what we see of that connection.

And I think the way Thancred acts in Shadowbringer would be easier for me to swallow on some level if I just had a stronger sense of what he's lost, what he's still holding out hope of getting back, on a tangible level. A sister, he says. Okay. But what did that look like really? It's a lot easier to understand a character's grief when you have a strong frame of reference for what they lost.

[faelune-home]

FFXIVWrite 2023 #14: Clear

(Spoilers for early Endwalker, post-In From The Cold!! Discussions of disconnection from the self featured in a way.

A/n: By all accounts, having a reflection moment after That One Duty makes the most sense, processing the event and how the WoL would feel from it, most people have tackled the topic by now. But I oddly struggled with this, and just how to display Fhara's anxiety and discomfort. Going too far into the feeling of disconnect felt too strong (even if its not misplaced), so trying to get the right balance was kinda hard.

In a way though I still appreciate this writing piece for being a chance to delve into a deeper, stronger emotional moment for her, since while I've done a few before, this is definitely a more intense time. I do feel I should try and write about some stronger emotional moments as well to try and get more of a feel for Fhara's more intense, non-happy go lucky sides so this maybe doesn't feel as hard to write about in future. She can't be 'anime protag' cheerful all the time aha

At least she has plenty of support when she needs it. ^^

Word count: 597)

It was like the fog had cleared from her mind and she could see once more. No longer feeling as though she was drifting disconnected from herself.

Seeing herself walk and talk and do things she would never do, readying a scythe near Alisaie’s neck, and just after she had finally been freed from that damned collar–

That didn’t happen, stop thinking of things that didn’t happen, we stopped it! We made it in time, it didn’t happen!

‘But it could’ve happened,’ Fhara’s thoughts snapped back at the voice trying to reason with her panicking, still too wound up from the experience, ‘If I was too late, or if he’d decided to ignore me, it could’ve–’

She choked back a sob, trying to stay silent lest the others worry, separated as she was in one of the half standing houses of the camp. They always worried for her, she didn’t want them to hold back for her. They only had a few minutes to rest and collect themselves, and everyone in the camp had insisted she take the time to settle after that.

She wanted to insist on chasing after the duo, because they couldn’t afford to waste time, couldn’t afford to let them gain any advantage toward their goal. But if she insisted that she was fine, if she insisted she could handle it, everyone else would worry, and she didn’t want them to worry.

Fhara bit back another cry, trying to swallow down her fear and her trembling. The sooner she felt more stable, the sooner she felt like she could keep gong, the sooner she could stand without feeling as though she would collapse like she’d forgotten how to walk on her own two legs, as soon as she could look at her hands without seeing cold metal gauntlets in their place–

Someone brushed up against her, sitting next to her and pulling her arm into their own grasp. When did they join her? She had her eyes trained on the opposite wall the whole time, she should’ve seen someone enter, should've heard them walking up to her.

“I’m right here,” the person said, giving her arm a gentle squeeze, “Everyone else is outside. They wanted to be here for you, but they didn’t want to crowd you.”

Fhara’s ear flicked in acknowledgement, even if her mind was still processing that she wasn’t alone anymore, still trying to figure out who it was with her, the panicked buzz still churning over the experience of stumbling through the streets and almost choking on smoke and oil in the air.

Who do you think it would be? Who else insists on refusing to let you deal with these problems on your own, like you always have done. She’s always insisted on doing things together, never letting you do it alone.

“I know we don’t have the luxury of time, but no-one’s leaving here until you feel ready. Until you’re truly okay. And I can’t force you to stop if you tried to push on…but I hope you take this time now. I’ll be with you here, if you want me to stay.”

Fhara finally loosened her grip on herself to clutch at Alisaie’s arm.

“Please stay. I just…I’m not ready yet,” Fhara whispered, her voice trembling, “‘M sorry.”

Alisaie pulled her into a hug, guiding Fhara to rest her head on her shoulder, despite the size difference between them.

“Don’t be. Don’t ever feel sorry for this.” A single sob broke the air, then the rest muffled into the thick coat. Alisaie simply held her tighter.

[eorziapple]

(@driftward) Dirty Alphabet Meme! Oh, we should go easy on poor Apple, should we not? (I)ntimacy, (N)O [something they would NOT do, turn offs], (T)oy, (E)xperience, and (R)isk.

Well, not that easy, I suppose. Pip gets (P)ace and (I)ntimacy

Okay! For Apple (GA Apple to be speicific, WoL is a work in progress):

Intimacy- "Right, what was this study for again? Well far be it for me to stand in the way of scientific progress. Truth be told I struggle with this in general, and it seems to be a sore spot for the few partners i've had. I find myself rather distracted and out of the moment at times, to the point where I've been unsure if relationships are for me at all. I do know that I crave it at times though, I get lonely just like anyone else."

(N)O- "Oh I find myself perusing erotica with enough curiosity that I feel like I might be willing to try many things, I suppose the issue has always been the willingness to actually... do anything that I struggle with? A little odd that I rather enjoy all the fiction and aesthetics though. I suppose to answer your question, anything that is particularly messy would be out of the question."

(T)oy- "Ohohoho, well, in this regard I believe I have some degree of experience in. It's nice to have something at hand to help get focused, not to mention a very efficient and pleasurable way of getting to sleep faster, which I struggle with from time to time. There's actually quite a lot i've unearthed from the Sons of Saint Coinach's delves, though they tended to miscategorize them as lab equipment. Some of them are -quite- elaborate contraptions, which makes sense, given the society's end being brought about by sheer boredom in part. I've cobbled together a few recreations... and taken a few of the pieces from the Free Company's showroom... I dont think Erick would want some poor client or employee pushing one of -those- red buttons. Oh uhh.. yeah, I have many and use them.

(E)xperience: She sighs "I.... have had two partners, and not for very long. It's been a bit of an issue and usually tied to me having trouble with attraction in the moment. I often feel vulnerable or... perhaps I let my mind wander, which caused some degree of awkwardness. It can be frustrating, as I daydream from time to time, and the mood strikes me often enough that I seek out art and fiction, or the recesses of my imagination. I've mostly accepted that i'm a bit outside the norm, I suppose."

(R)isk: "I'm a little more likely to take risks in my profession that in intimacy. It's easy to dive into something dangerous and exciting when you can predict a positive end state. I have trouble picturing that with sex. I suppose I have gotten a little... well lets just say a knock on the door while i'm using said devices has led to some rather enticing daydreams? I suppose that might count as risk, getting caught?"

For Pip!:

(P)ace: "Ummm well shit, I guess it's not hard to tell I do everything to the max! I mean, what's not to love, you get a good cardio in, feels -amazing- and that post-destroyed-or-destroying bask feels better than winning a good fight. Finding a good sparring partner for horizontal bouts can be rough though, not everyone can handle my special moves!

(I)ntimacy: "Ehhhhhhhhhh it's kinda annoying, not gonna lie? I mean yeah yeah yeah I'm the best and who'd want to leave a dynamo like me but.... girl this talented can't be shackled down, it would be unfair to all the realms to keep me for yourself, so really in the end expecting such is quite cruel to the world, and hasn't the world suffered enough? Just be glad you got to tangle with a hurricane, it's the experience of a lifetime, after all" *she flexes at the interviewer and kisses her biceps*

For @biot08 celebrating my tumblr comeback with a megaprompt

[huihuiheart]

Unchained - Wolf! Bang Chan

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Stray Kids Masterlist

Pairing: Wolf Hybrid! Chan x Female Reader

Genre: Angst, Fluff, smut

Summary: You knew your boyfriend was likely up to no good, but you assumed it was just a slight drug problem or something of the sort. At least, until he takes you with him, something you agree to only to know what kind of man you’re dating. Only to find out it’s much worse than you think, he’s been helping kidnap hybrids for illegal underground fights. Something you can’t stomach, but you also can’t just do nothing...which is exactly what the authorities would do. So you decide to break the hybrids out before you leave, only in the process you may end up stuck with a hybrid of your own.

Warnings: Hybrid Fights, Violence, aggression, domestic abuse? (an ex gets a little rough/aggressive), blood, slight gore, underground fighting, mentions of kidnapping, drugs, alcohol, betting, mentions of death, cops/detectives, gun fights, bullet wounds, unprotected sex, cursing, biting, marking (kind of, briefly mentioned), clothes ripping, Chan is impatient, and somewhat feral, bondage, oral (f! receiving), overstimulation, spanking, choking (slight).

Word Count: 14,754

Note: The story starts with you and your soon to be ex, it takes a little bit for Chan to show up...once he does though, oh boy....

Taglist: @lovesfaith​ @blessgguk​

Taeho had been your boyfriend for a long time, years in fact. That’s how you knew as soon as something was up with him. At first, you had assumed it was just something temporary, a lapse in self-control brought on by the stress of his daily life. Which is why you’d kept quiet and to yourself, to begin with, as long as you weren’t having to clean up behind the problem and he wasn’t bringing it home you assumed everything would be okay, and that it wouldn’t be long for him to return to his normal self again.

Only, this all started six months ago and it seemed that if anything whatever it was only got worse. He disappeared more often or showed up at odd times of the night without warning. He never brought any signs of what he was doing home to you, leaving you to wonder if he was cleaning up at his own apartment before surfacing again or if he got into something you hadn’t quite considered before.

Whatever it was, you weren’t sure that you could continue to live in mystery. It was killing you inside not knowing if he’d even show up again or if he’d be dead. Or what if you got a call from the authorities saying he had gotten into trouble while drunk or high. You needed to know what was happening to know if he needed professional help or if you could at least talk some sense into him, for your own sake just as much as his. So you sent the text, asking him to come over to talk while you collect your thoughts.

Taeho comes in and smiles at you as he sets his keys down and gets settled in your familiar apartment, “Hey babe, what was it you wanted to talk about?” 

You take a shaky breath, willing yourself to find your earlier confidence again now, “I wanted to talk about how you’re sneaking around all the time now. It worries me.”

Taeho pouts a little, before chuckling and coming over to squish your cheeks some, “Are you worried I’m cheating on you baby? I could never. You don’t have to worry about that one bit.”

“I wasn’t worried about that being what it was.” You frown slightly at how dismissive he seems to be about the whole thing, “My thing is just that if you’re having to sneak around then whatever it is you probably shouldn’t be doing. I’m worried that whatever it is will cause bigger problems and maybe you won’t come home one day or something. So what is it? Drugs? Alcohol? You can tell me...”

Taeho sighs, pulling away slightly to run a hand through his hair, “You’re right, it’s not exactly legal. It’s not like that though baby, it’s not an addiction. It’s no big deal either, it’s just a way I can make more money for our future. So don’t you worry your pretty little head about a thing, okay?” 

“If it wasn’t a big deal you’d trust me with the details, instead of hiding everything from me and leaving me to have a heart attack when you show up at four in the morning.” You counter firmly, not having any of his excuses.

“How about this? I’ll think about it, and when I leave today I’ll leave your key. That way I can’t get in and scare you in the middle of the night? I have to give you advance warning then?” Taeho bargains and you can’t find it in yourself to argue, nodding softly, and letting things seemingly return to normal for the evening.

It had been about a week after your conversation with Taeho that you got the text. The one where he finally conceded to your wishes. Though now as you read and reread over the arrangement your gut twisted, not sure if this was such a great idea. What exactly had you gotten yourself into? 

Still, you were insistent on figuring out if your boyfriend needed help or not, and there was no way you could do that at home without any of the details. So you got ready, throwing on something simple, just jeans and a hoodie in hopes of being able to be somewhat hidden wherever you ended up. Though you weren’t sure if that would be possible, maybe just being with Taeho would draw attention to you. Either way, it was too late to go back now as Taeho let you know he was at your building. 

Getting into the passenger seat you could swear Taeho could hear your pounding heart. He paused looking at you for a moment as if debating himself if he was actually going to do this, before sighing softly and starting the car up again.

“You don’t have to come, you know. Once you know about this, there’s no going back. You can’t claim you were never involved anymore, if someone finds out you know stuff you could get into serious trouble. Otherwise, you have to stay quiet about it okay?” Taeho looks you firmly in the eyes as if warning you of what was to come. You simply nod though, staying quiet and unmoved waiting for him to drive off.

After about fifteen or so minutes he pulls into an empty lot near a metro station, turning the car off and getting out. Gesturing for you to follow his lead as he heads down into the station, one you weren’t familiar with as this wasn’t considered the best part of town.

“Stay close, or there might be some trouble,” Taeho whispers, offering you his hand to take as you go down and into the station, standing on the platform. 

You quickly notice that there’s no station security here, only one or two homeless and no one else. Taeho waits for the next train to pass, before jumping down onto the tracks and holding his arms out to help you down as well. You’re hesitant, more so now than before with your location, but follow him. 

Taeho notices and tries to ease you some, “Don’t worry, the cameras here are down and the next train doesn’t come for a half-hour. We'll be fine.”

His insistence leads you to follow him down the track in the direction that the train came from until you find a little maintenance platform hidden in the side of the tunnel. He helps you up before following, into the little abandoned inlet, opening the door and leading down the stairs to a basement section. Leading you through a few turns until you came to a door with a man standing outside, no doubt guarding it against any unwanted visitors. 

“Hey Jeup, she’s with me.” Taeho nods to the man who looks over you for a moment, before getting the door for you both and stepping aside to let you in.

Slipping down one last set of stairs you’re in a dimly lit large room, the center area spotlighted as crowds form around it. Money and drinks being thrown around. You spot more than one questionable substance in the area. Three men walking over to you and your boyfriend.

“Hey Taeho, I wasn’t sure you were gonna make it.” The man leading them chuckles and claps your boyfriend on the back, “And you brought a guest.”

“You know I wouldn’t miss this match, it’s big and it’s my fighter. Of course, I’d be here.” Taeho chuckles and you feel your stomach churning as you start to put some of the pieces together. “Yeah, this is my girlfriend, Y/N.”

“Nice to meet you Y/N. I’m Jian, and this is Ungjae and Changbin. They’re two of my best. Though your boyfriend certainly brings in a pretty penny too, he’s found me some of the best fighters. Gotta keep the crowds entertained after all.” The man laughs a little, the other men smirking. 

You feel slightly relieved knowing that it won’t be your boyfriend who is fighting, but still, you have an unsettling feeling about this. You knew that underground fights of any sort were bad news, your lack of details about these only worrying you further. Did they even have any care about rules here?

“She’s kinda shy and new to all this.” Taeho jokes with the men, slipping his arm around your middle. 

“Well, we’ll be seeing you around Y/N. We have a fight to get set up though.” Ungjae nods before the three leave through the crowd. 

That very crowd parting for you and your boyfriend as you come through, people recognizing Taeho, “ If you don’t want to look then just tell me, but otherwise you need to keep quiet.” 

His whisper is harsh in your ear, yet you can barely make it out over the commotion that the crowd is giving as another man slips into the center area to announce the upcoming right as two others push large covered cages into the area. You feel the sickening feeling in your gut bubbling up at just what you’re about to witness. Assuming it would be some kind of fight between animals, ones you might not be able to look at the same way again after today. 

The feeling only gets worse though when the cages are uncovered to reveal two hybrids, their names being announced through the microphone the man is holding. The names mean nothing to you though, even if you could have made them out over the pounding of your heart in your ears. The crowd seems to love it, however, the fighters being two of the big ones here. A wolf hybrid on the left and a lion hybrid on the right. 

“Chan, the wolf hybrid is mine.” Your boyfriend whispers, before sighing as he sees your frightened, or rather appalled look, “Don’t be like that baby...they’re just animals, not like us. If you really can’t stomach it though, go to the back and buy a drink. I’ll get you when it’s over.” 

You shake your head slightly, not sure what you’re going to do. When Chan looks over though, and into your eyes, you almost feel like you’re going to cry. Leaving back through the crowd to go find a drink like Taeho suggested, knowing there was no way you’d be able to stomach what was about to happen. You also weren’t sure there would be a way to stop it either though. 

You down your drink quickly, hoping that along with the cheers of the crowd will be enough to drown out the sounds of the fight. You’re out of luck though as the growls, cries, snapping of jaws, and bones sound clearly through the room. There no way you could drown that out, or the guilt gnawing at you, yet what could you possibly do? You were clearly outnumbered and out forced by people who saw no problems with any of this. Plus you knew the authorities rarely gave more than a slap on a wrist to people who mistreated hybrids. You were so lost in thought that you didn’t realize someone was coming over to you.

“You can’t stomach it, can you?” Changbin asks leaning against the bar near you, “It’s okay, neither can I.”

Your brows furrow as you look at him, “Then why are you even here?”

Changbin leans in and sends you a flash inside his jacket, where a badge is hidden, before moving to whisper to you, “I’m undercover...hybrid division...and I’m trusting you by letting you know this because I can tell you don’t belong here and I don’t want you to end up in any worse of a situation. So if you’re willing to listen to me, then we’ll help each other out here. Okay?”

You glance back into the crowd to ensure that Taeho is still occupied before nodding at Changbin, “Okay, but what can I possibly do to help you?”

“Well...I’m not going to lie and say it’ll be easy or safe...but I’m hoping you’ll help me break the hybrids out. I can’t get it authorized by higher-ups yet, because this ring is bigger than just what you see today. We still need information, so I can’t risk exposing my identity to them.” Changbin starts, taking a turn at checking to see if you two had drawn attention, “I have a copy of the keys to their cages though and on the back way out you’ll pass by them. What I want you to do is break up with Taeho or at least just insist he point you the way out, it’s crucial he doesn’t go with you. Then get as many cages open on your way out, but be quick. Afterward, call me and let me know everything is okay. I’ll have someone check in as protection just in case. Whatever you do though...don’t take any of the hybrids to your house. Can you do that?” 

You debate with yourself for a moment, not sure if you could follow through with what he was asking. At the end of the day though, you’d managed to follow through on getting yourself into this situation and you couldn’t just sit around and do nothing. You find yourself nodding again, holding your hand out for Changbin to slip the keys and paper with his number into. Items that you’re quick to hide in your pockets. Everyone thoroughly invested in the fight as it comes to a roaring end. The fight was closer than anyone could have predicted, as the cheers exploded and the winner helped back into his cage...what’s left of the loser being carted off who knows where. Changbin disappears into the crowd before anyone loses interest in the ring and spots you two talking, leaving it up to you at this point.

"Babe! I won! My fighter won! Plus I bet on him, do you understand how much I just made for us?" Taeho comes over and tries to crush you in an excited hug, only to be confused as you push his arms away. "What is it, what's wrong?"

"I...I can't be here right now...I can't be with you....not knowing that you're doing this. I...I need to leave right now and I don't want you with me...ever." You get out backing up as you shake your head.

Taeho sighs and advances towards you, "Come on baby, there just animals, what does it matter?"

You scoff, "You say that like it makes it better? If you were dogfighting I'd still be disgusted in you. Besides the only person acting like an animal here is you. Now point me the way out and don't show your face to me again."

Taeho shakes his head pointing towards the back like Changbin had earlier, "If you go that way it's a straight shot out. Don't expect me to just drop this conversation though. I'll give you time and then we're gonna talk about it. I can't just not talk to you about it."

You knew you didn't want that, but you were afraid of what the repercussions of making a scene right now might be. So you simply nodded, shoulders slumping in defeat as you headed out the door leading to the back way out. Creeping your way through the damp hallways, the smell of mold and sewage rampant but something you ignored as you came to the first cage. Checking around once more before quickly unlocking it and starting to work your way through the room hoping to get them all. You were almost done when you heard the sound of voices approaching, signaling that you were about out of time. Turning to leave your eyes locked with the same pair from the ring, only now they held slightly less life in them. Chan having been torn up pretty badly in the fight he'd just been in. Looking like he likely stood no chance if you left him here to face off what would no doubt be an infection in one if not many of his wounds later.

So you worked fast to open the cage, ignoring the growl from the wolf hybrid as you moved to help him out. You knew he likely hated you and for good reason, you were a stranger in this environment that had only brought him suffering and pain. You could worry about the dangers of helping him later though. For now, you just needed to get the two of you out...and fast.

“I promise I’m trying to get you someplace better than this, but if they get us then we’re both dead. So I’m gonna need you to help me out.” You whisper to Chan as you slip his arm around your shoulders, your own going around his center to help him out. Moving as quickly as the two of you can ignore Chan’s grumbles as the voices get louder and start to sound somewhat pissed, worrying you that they’d caught onto your acts.

Slipping out the back entrance you make your way down the street, tossing the keys you’d used in some random trash can so that if they caught up to you no one would find any proof you’d done what you had. You were starting to panic though, Chan needed help...you couldn’t just leave him. Yet, Changbin had explicitly said not to take any of the hybrids back to your house. Doing the only thing you could think, you used your free hand to try and call him on the number he gave you, slipping into an alleyway to let Chan sit down to rest. 

Changbin taking long enough to answer that you weren’t quite sure he would pick up, “Are you alright Y/N? Is something wrong?”

“Changbin, I got all the cages open...but one of them was hurt from the fight...I think you called him Chan. I helped him get out, he needs more though... I’m worried he’s gonna die or something if I leave him. What should I do?” You whimper over the phone taking turns watching between the street and Chan for his well-being.

“You didn’t take him to your house, did you? They have trackers Y/N...if they spot him at your house there’s going to be a whole slew of problems.” Changbin panics over the phone as you hear a car door close, “In fact where are you? I’m on my way to help.”

“I’m still close to the station...too close I’m afraid. In an alleyway.” You urge Chan up again before he can get any worse helping him to slip out the alley and start away again.

“I’m sending you directions now, to a doctor who specializes in hybrids and a friend of mine. Start heading there, I’ll follow the same path and when we cross I’ll pick you and Chan up.” Changbin says, starting up his car, “Oh and Y/N...be careful. I’ll be there soon.” 

When he hangs up, you pull up his directions starting to follow them as Chan grumbles again making you sigh, “Listen...be as bitchy and growly as you want later, but right now your life and mine are on the line so shut it and just come with to the doctor so he can help you.”

“I never asked for anyone’s help. Especially not yours, so why don’t you just run along now to someone who actually gives a fuck. It’s not like you really did anything for me. Fight to live in there or fight to live out here, what’s the real difference.” Chan snaps at you, his harshness stinging slightly despite you knowing it’s his history with people and not you specifically. 

“I’m not just going to leave you to die! I don’t care if I have to drag you there I will, but I don’t think that either of us wants that.” You insist already somewhat dragging him along, despite him holding some of his weight still.

“Why the hell not? Why would you possibly want to help me? Do you want a little pet or something? Cause that’s not happening princess.” Chan scoffs waiting for you to announce some underlying motive behind your actions.

“Because I couldn’t live with myself if I just left you. It’s not right. Leaving someone who’s hurt...who you can help all alone to suffer and die. I’m not someone who wants you for a pet. I want you to have a life, which is definitely not on the table if you die. So let’s get you your health back first and then worry about any other obstacles to you getting a full life after that’s resolved, okay?” You don’t get a verbal response from Chan, considering he had no idea what to say. Not used to being treated like an actual person before, his heart softening some at your conviction, it proving you truly had pure intentions. You get some form of an answer though when he straightens up slightly, cooperating further in your helping him.

Chan’s body language changed again though when Changbin pulled up, not trusting him in the least. His gut trusted you, however, and that’s what won out, convincing him to get into the back of the car with you. Letting Changbin drive you two off to an unfamiliar place. One he also was not fond of with how sterile and medical it smelled, only used to that from whenever those who fought them needed something done...like putting in the tracker that was now going to need to be taken out.

“Minho! We need help! He has a tracker though, so take care of that first and give it to me...I’ll make sure you all have plenty of time here.” Changbin calls into the clinic another man popping out to lead the way.

Minho makes quick work of the tracker in Chan’s arm, handing it to Changbin who runs off with it after apologizing for getting you into this mess and leaving you and Chan to find another way home. Before Minho is laying Chan back and getting things ready, putting in a drip iv since he was both dehydrated and it was the best way to give him painkillers at this point. 

“He’s going to need someone to look out for him while he recovers,” Minho tells you, starting to stitch up an injury. Chan watches him closely, wary of the situation while he slowly starts to fade out of consciousness due to the meds.

“I can keep an eye on him, I might not do a perfect job but I’ll try my best.” You nod at Minho before smiling at Chan, “You just rest up now, and get better. It’ll all be okay, I promise.”

Chan’s not sure where he is or how much time has passed. all he knows is his eyelids are heavy and his brain foggy. Trapped in a haze from the meds the previous night, yet fighting past it as the smell of food wafted throughout the apartment. His brows furrowing as he sits up, in an unfamiliar bed at that. Not that he was used to any bed, even still knowing that this was someone else’s set his nerves ablaze. 

What calmed him though was picking up your scent, this was your bed...yet your scent wasn’t strong enough to imply you slept beside him last night. His assumption confirmed as he looked around and spotted a much less comfortable-looking armchair converted into a makeshift bed while a fit aid kit sat on the night table between the chair and where he slept. 

Chan is slow about getting out of bed, being careful of his injuries and the remaining effect of the medicine, yet unable to ignore the call of food. Letting it lead his way to where you were working in the kitchen, mouth-watering at both the sight and the smell as he watched you closely. He wondered to himself if he’d have to sneak any of that for himself though, would you share with him or would you give him something less grand like everyone had before. He couldn’t deny that you treated him differently, yet everyone had their limits...didn’t that?

“Are you feeling alright?” You ask, having spotted him when you finally looked up, “If you’re in pain you can sit down and I can get you something for that really quick. The food is almost done anyway since you shouldn’t take them on an empty stomach.” 

“I’m feeling alright at the moment actually, better than after most fights like this to be honest.” Chan admits quietly, slowly stepping closer, “Is that for me too?”

You chuckle and nod, “Yeah, there’s no way I can eat all this by myself. Besides I thought that a good high protein breakfast would help you get some of your energy back and help you recover some more. Sound good?” 

“That sounds...that sounds amazing. Thank you.” Chan is flabbergasted, practically in awe of your attitude towards him. As if he was just any other person to you.

“Alright go sit then, don’t strain your injuries. I’ll bring it to you in a minute.” You shoo him away with a smile. Chan’s face is graced with a tiny smile of his own as he moves to listen without much fight for once, looking around to take everything in as he sits at the table. Joined by you with the food after not too long.

“If you’re still hungry afterward I can always make more or you can help yourself to whatever is in the kitchen. Just try not to eat too fast. Minho said sometimes the meds can make your stomach a little sensitive and I don’t think it would be good if you got sick right now.” You advise him as you take your seat, “So...I never actually asked, what’s your name?”

Chan’s brows furrow as he looks up at you after quickly shoveling his first bite of food in, “I mean you know what they called me...Chan...”

You shrug, eating some of your food, ”Yeah, well that’s not what I asked is it? I didn’t ask what they called you, I asked what your name was.”

“Christopher...my name is Christopher.”

The day seemed to pass fairly well, Chan slowly getting more comfortable in your apartment, not that you minded. You encourage him to rest from time to time and let him clean up and put on some clothes you’d run out and gotten for him. Occasionally checking your phone to see if any news came up about what you had done or Changbin texted you anything just in case.

You knew something would come up from last night though you would be naïve to think otherwise. Especially after what Taeho had told you before you left. The chaos coming crashing back into your peaceful little bubble when a fist pounds against your door. Chan’s eyes darkening as he looks over at it, already recognizing the scent on the other side.

“Y/N! Open this door right fucking now! We need to talk!” Taeho yells through the door, making you tense and panic. Your hands shake slightly as you give Chan your phone.

“Chris, take this and text Changbin what’s happening, he’ll send help. Go hide in my room or something, don’t let him know you’re here, or that information might get out.” You whisper to him, knowing that he’d have no problems hearing you. 

Chan debates for a moment, not wanting to leave you...especially if you were going to face your pissed-off ex-boyfriend. Yet, he knew it would be better if the information about what you had done didn’t get out. For your sake, as much as his, he knew these were dangerous people, and Taeho was by no means the worst of them. So he went and disappeared into your room, texting Changbin, who he still didn’t necessarily trust, but if it would help and keep you safe he would do it.

You crack the door open and sigh softly at Taeho, “What the hell do you want? I thought you said you’d give me time before showing up to talk about this again?”

Taeho huffs, forcing the door open, not caring if it stays that way as he advances on you, “Yeah, well that’s before you made the dumbass decision to break all of them out.” 

You back up as he moves closer, body language screaming aggression, and you hope you can either convince him to leave or help gets here before anything can happen, “What are you even talking about, Taeho?”

“Right after you left, all the hybrids were broken out. You really want to tell me that wasn’t you? After you were oh so disgusted by what was going on? I go out and make us good money, and you turn around and do this to me...well guess what, now it’s my ass on the line, so you better start talking before I turn it around onto you. I will throw you to the wolves if I have to for my own sake.” Taeho hisses, backing you against a wall with no way out.

“Sure, I was disgusted, but how would I even have managed to get them out, Taeho? Huh? They were in cages. What could I do?” You counter trying to push him off, but he doesn’t budge.

“They were, and then someone changed that. I’m guessing it was you, considering everyone else there has been there for a good while.” Taeho shoves you back against the wall.

“Once again, how would I have opened the fucking cages, Taeho? What? Did I just see some bolt cutters lying around and decide to take matters into my own hands?” You purposely throw out a made-up way of opening the cages, and it gets him to give you a little space to breathe at least.

“No...they were open with keys.” Taeho’s voice softens slightly, taking a step back enough to let your now sore back finally come off the wall.

“How would I have gotten my hands on those keys? The only person I would know well enough to be able to sneak them off was you? Were your keys missing? Cause that should be your answer right there? Now, if you’re done throwing out baseless accusations, get the fuck out of my house and go look for whoever the person with a new moral compass is.” You shake your head, hand rubbing slightly at your back.

“Oh, I’m not leaving just yet. I have a feeling you know something at least. Even if you weren’t the one who was behind it, and I’m going to figure out what it is.” Taeho insists, looking around your apartment before spotting two sets of everything laying around, “Who else is here, Y/N?”

“No one, what are you talking about?” You play it off, and he rolls his eyes.

“Two cups of coffee I wouldn’t have batted an eye at, but two take-out meals when you’re on your current healthy eating kick...not so much. Before you make up excuses, I can see that both boxes are empty. So save it and tell me who the fuck is here with you.” Taeho hisses, and when you scoff he grabs your arm, squeezing painfully tight, “I don’t have time for games.”

“Let go of me. No one is here, and even if someone was, that’s not your goddamn business. I don’t want you in my life anymore. That means I can have whoever the hell I want over here, and I don’t have to justify shit to you about it.” You respond, trying to pull out of his grip.

Taeho shoves you behind him, cursing under his breath, “Whatever, it is my business cause I’m the one who’s going to have to pay for it if this comes back to you. If you don’t want to tell me, though, I’ll go figure out who’s here myself.” 

“No, the fuck you won’t.” A voice sounds from the entranceway to your apartment. Changbin standing there and walking in, “It seems like you’ve done more than enough damage here Taeho, let’s take this outside.”

“Changbin. So you’re the one, huh? Bet Jian would love to hear all about this.” Taeho chuckles, crossing his arms and scoffing at the other.

“Oh, but he won’t hear a peep.” Changbin counters showing Taeho his badge, “So you can either come willingly, and we can talk terms that are a better deal for you. Or you can make this a whole lot worse for yourself than it already is.”

Taeho huffs before cooperating with the detective, making you wonder just how often he already got into trouble to be able to go along without much direction at all. You truly didn’t know the man he was, the man you thought you loved...who you thought loved you. You were distracted for a moment, though, when Chan rushed out to you, quickly helping you up and looking you over.

“I knew you had been involved! You’re the one who took my fighter!” Taeho screeched heatedly, making Chan’s attention snap to him. His gaze burns through Taeho as he growls towards the man moving to advance on him until you get between them.

“Whoa, easy Chris, don’t do anything to him. He deserves it, but it won’t help you any right now. There are too many people who would use it against hybrids, you and others. Besides, there’s plenty of charges on him right now that he’s going away no matter what, you won’t have to see him ever again.” You insist on trying to be logical, despite knowing that Taeho deserved anything that Chan had intended to do at this point. He had practically asked for it through what he did.

This is why you walked over and slapped him in the face, leaving a mark that would fade by the time anyone else was around, but still giving him a taste of what he deserved, “For the record, though, Christopher doesn’t belong to anyone. You’re just a dumbass who can’t look past his own selfish desires to treat people like they deserve.” 

Chan looks at you stunned before pulling you back to him as Taeho suddenly decided to get aggressive again, trying to get to you. Changbin dragged him away to take care of it.

“I’m going to have my last partner come check in on you and make sure it’s safe for you guys to stay here. He’s one of the few people I trust to look out for you guys in this situation. His name is Hyunjin, I’ll send him over. Until then, keep the door closed and locked.” Changbin tells you before he’s entirely out of your apartment with Taeho.

You gently place a hand on Chan’s shoulder to assure him you’re okay before pulling away to close and lock up your apartment. Chan never far behind as he follows after you still concerned.

“Are you alright?” Chan finally speaks up in a soft tone, and you hum looking at him a little confused.

“Yeah, I mean where I got hit still stings some, but I’ll be fine.” You nod, forcing a small smile to try and ease his worries. Chan gently brushed his fingers over where Taeho had grabbed you harshly, already knowing bruises were forming.

“I meant emotionally after all of that...still you don’t need to lie to me about it.” Chan counters yet does not sound angry or cross with you despite calling you out like that.

“You’ve been through more physically and emotionally. I’ll be fine.” You brush it off with a small shrug, moving to walk away and to the kitchen. Your responses only worry Chan more.

“I was used to that by now, though. You’ve just had everything come crashing down onto you all at once after he lied to you about it for who knows how long. That’s a lot, and you don’t have to tell me anything about it if you don’t want to, but you don’t have to force yourself to be fine for me either. Even if we’re both broken right now, that’s okay...maybe...maybe we can help fix each other...together.” Chan’s voice drifts from concerned to hopeful. He’s not sure he has any idea what he’s doing. He just knows that you don’t deserve this, and you’re making him feel for once like he doesn’t either.

You sniffle, turning towards him with a fresh round of tears in your eyes, “ You know what, Chris...I’d like that.”

Besides going to work pretty much all of your time was spent with Chan in your apartment. Your heart breaking for him, he was free from the cage but stuck here until everything could get worked out. You’d gotten closer to Changbin and Hyunjin, Chan slowly coming to trust them with you. The two guiding you through the process that would lead to the numerous court cases looming over you. Minho occasionally popped in as well to check on Chan and make sure he was adjusting to life with you okay. 

“So the date for the case to determine if Chris can safely stay with you or not is locked in for next week now. Before then, we want you both to meet some people, one is a hybrid. He wasn’t in fights like Chris, but he was in a rough situation too. The other person is the one who helped him get a life back, like how you’re doing. They had to go through similar trials as you two will, so they might be able to give you some insight on how to go forward. That being said...Chris hasn’t really been around another hybrid outside of the fights, so just take it slow, it might be a bit uncomfortable for a while.” Changbin tells you while Chris and Hyunjin are in the kitchen working up something to eat. 

“That would probably help a lot actually. You and Hyunjin have offered a lot of help, but we’re still kind of drawing blind here. Having someone who can kind of guide us on the specifics would probably help a lot with the anxiety, to say the least.” You sigh softly, and Changbin chuckles a little, nodding in agreement.

“Their names are Felix and Jisung. Their schedule is pretty open, we just weren’t sure where you’d be comfortable meeting, so we didn’t invite them over yet.” Changbin explains, pulling out his phone, and you shrugs softly.

“Well, we’re still not wanting Chris to be spotted, so just invite them over it’ll be fine.” You wave him off. Having three guys constantly around your apartment kept it pretty chaotic anyways, what were two more, right? “Speaking of that, though, any idea when the other cases will be?”

“The bust on the ring is happening in a few days, before the first case but not much. Just enough to not put a bigger target on you both by being out in such a public place. It’s just a matter of how long it’ll take to build the case after that. I’d expect it to take about three weeks from the bust, a month at the absolute latest. The hybrid rights case is scheduled for just over a month from now, at this point anyways. Those dates could change, though.”Changbin’s huff tells you he’s no stranger to changing court dates, not that you and Chan are either at this point. Changbin slipping his phone back into his pocket after texting Felix and Jisung your address.  

You nod, processing the information he’s just shared with you, “Okay, as long as the bust happens before our court date, I’m not too worried. I just want everything to be as safe as possible.”

Changbin sighs, his lip between his teeth and face concerned, “Either way, it won’t necessarily be safe...or pleasant...There are going to be people who are very against what you and Chris are trying to work towards.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m not going to back down from doing the right thing because of that, though. As long as the people who started this whole mess are behind bars and not trying to shut us up, I’ll be alright.” You insist, Changbin nodding, but you can tell he’s still worried about you, “Besides, I’d say we have a pretty good support group.”

Chan pops out of the kitchen, beaming proudly at you, “Hey Y/N! Come look at this!” 

You hum, standing to follow the excited man into the kitchen. You watch as his ears twitch, chuckling as you notice him intently eyeing the kitchen timer. Hyunjin, looking up from where he leans against the counter and snickering as well.

“You can open it and look at them, it won’t ruin anything. Besides, sometimes the timer isn’t exactly right anyways.” Hyunjin tells Chan, who shakes his head adamantly. 

“No, they need to be perfect. Besides, they’re almost done.” Chan insists, waiting for the ding to launch forward, grabbing the oven mitts so he can pull out whatever is in the oven as there’s a knock on the door. Changbin calls that he’ll get it as Chan pulls cupcakes out of the oven, “Look! We made cupcakes! And we can make a lot more too!”

Chan’s excitement dropping almost immediately, head whipping towards the door. His expression is sharp and concerning you. You look between him and the doorway with furrowed brows.

“What is it Chris, what’s wrong?” The slight waver in your voice draws Chan’s attention to you for a moment. A feeling of guilt bubbling in his gut at worrying you like that.

“Don’t worry. It’s just a cat.” Chan snorts, only confusing you more until you see Changbin appearing with two people. One of them being a cat hybrid, his tail flicking anxiously behind him until he spots the cupcakes.

“Did you bake those?” The cat hybrid perks up, mirroring Chan’s earlier excitement. Chan looks between the cupcakes and the other hybrid, still wary but eventually choosing to interact with the cat hybrid.

“Yeah. I’ve never baked anything before. Hyunjin was showing me how.” Chan slowly answers, and the other man nods along.

“Well, they smell really good. You should go ahead and try them. I bake a lot, and usually something that smells this yummy is.” The cat takes a step away from the cupcakes giving Chan a bit more space to go towards the cakes. Chan hesitates for a moment before holding one out to the other hybrid, much like a peace offering.

“I’m Chris,” Chan speaks, still watching the cat closely but slowly trying to let him in with the same compassion as you had first shown him.

“My name is Felix! We’re here to help you with some of the details for your case, but if you want we can be friends too! I could show you just how many different kinds of things you can bake!” Felix eagerly offers, making Chan light up a little more as he nods along. Slowly adjusting to the fact that, like people, not all hybrids are threats to him either.

You look at Jisung and smile softly, “Thank you for coming. I think this will be really good...for both him and me.”

The day of your first case finally arrived as you stood in front of Chan, fixing his tie for the umpteenth time, trying to calm your own nerves. Chan gently takes your hands into his own, trying to comfort you some.

“I’m nervous too, but it’ll be okay. Everyone is going to be here to stand up for us and help us out.” Chan reassures you, squeezing your hands gently before letting them go as your lawyer arrives.

Seungmin looks between the two of you, “It’ll be alright, just remember what we talked about and it’ll be okay. They’re going to try and throw you off and get under your skin, so don’t let them. Just stay calm and answer like we practiced.” 

You and Chan nod before following Seungmin into the courtroom and following him to your place. Passing by where your support group sat, everyone, having cleared their schedule to be here for you even if they weren’t going to need to testify. You glanced back at their smiling, encouraging faces from where you were seated between Chan and Seungmin, before taking a shaky breath to calm yourself. Changbin had told you that you were lucky to get the judge you had, Yang Jeongin, he could be a tough judge, but he was fair when it came to hybrid cases. He treated them as a person, one who could speak for themselves and had a right to do so, which is more than many judges would right now. 

Your hand held Chan’s under the table, letting Seungmin do his job knowing that you and Chan would likely be the last ones questioned based on how everyone prepared you for today. So far it seems accurate as Changbin was called up first.

“So Detective Seo would you please explain to everyone how you can to know the defendants?” The prosecutor asks, and while you knew that the question was coming you still felt your nerves spike at that moment. Chan’s history and how you all met was something you knew could either make or break your case today, and you could only hope for the best.

“I was working undercover as part of an operation to take down an illegal hybrid fighting ring. Chan happened to be one of the fighters that they held there by force.” Changbin answers calmly, trying to leave you out of it. The prosecutor is having none of it though, looking between him and you for a moment.

“And what about Miss Y/N? How did you meet her?” They continue to question. Chan picks up on how your heartbeat speeds up, squeezing your hand softly to try and calm you down.

“Her boyfriend was a part of the ring and brought her one night to show her what he did for a living. She wanted out that same night but was concerned for her safety. So -” Changbin goes to defend you, but the prosecutor cuts him off.

“So if I understand you correctly Miss Y/N was unable to read her boyfriend of many years. So how can we be sure she’d know if Chan was going to do something or not? If she can’t be trusted to speak up to someone she was so intimate with, how can speak up to someone she’s known for barely a month?” The prosecutor inquires rhetorically to the judge, before going to sit again.

Seungmin shaking his head and standing to take his place at questioning Changbin, “ Detective Seo it seems the prosecutor cut off the rest of your earlier statement, could you please finish it for us?”

“Sure, since she wanted out, but was concerned for her safety. I suggested how to handle things with her boyfriend at the time and gave her a number in case she needed police protection of any kind. On the way out she released the hybrids and afterward we met to give Chan medical aid.” Changbin finished and Seungmin nodded along as if in thought.

“Would you say this is the kind of thing you see often in your job? Where a criminal’s significant other gets pulled into situations such as this?” Seungmin’s next question is something you weren’t expecting but it gave you some hope of redemption.

“Without a doubt, a lot of criminals are excellent liars so they can keep what they do a secret for a long time. Then when they do finally reveal that world to their significant other they tend to put a lot of fear into them. Mostly to ensure their own protection. Scaring them into not speaking up or anything. Usually, it’s entirely justifiable too. When these people threaten things, they mean it. For example, in Miss Y/N’s case, her boyfriend forced his way into her apartment, invaded her privacy by trying to search her home, and even used physical force to try and coerce her into things after that night where I helped her get away. Had things escalated again we would have had to move both her and Chan to a safe house.” Changbin answers and Seungmin nods.

“So really, Y/N’s morals speak for themselves. As soon as she realized what was going on she freed the hybrids and stood up for what was right even at the price of her own safety.” Seungmin concluded before they let Changbin down from the stand. Him giving you both a small smile in passing.

Minho getting called up next. Putting the pressure on Chan now instead of you, not that it really helped your anxiety too much right now.

“So Dr. Lee, you first met Y/N and Chan when they came in after that fight to get him medical attention. Is that correct?” The prosecutor starts simple, before continuing after Minho voices his confirmation, “ Would you share with us some of the observations you made of Chan at the time?”

“I observed that his injuries appeared to be repeated injuries, likely from years of fighting. He also appeared to be dehydrated and not properly nourished, along with being somewhat agitated. Something not uncommon for someone in that amount of physical pain.” Minho explains and the prosecutor nods.

“What of his mental health? Did you make any observations about that?” The prosecutor presses and you know where he was going. Seungmin and Changbin had warned you they might try to argue that Chan needs to be in a facility after the way he’d been treated in the past.

“I am not authorized to make any observations other than basic of that sort. That being said I can request that a patient of mine go to receive a psych evaluation if I notice things seem to be an issue, based on the basic knowledge of that field I have. When Chan came in I deemed that was unnecessary. I simply suggested that both he and Miss Y/N look into therapy for various reasons as it might help.” Minho answers and that’s enough for the prosecutor to run with.

“Your honor, as you can see the doctor suggested therapy without that medical professional in their life can we actually be sure that their mental states are in a place where they would be safe in a home together?” The prosecutor presses before Jeongin dismisses him and invites Seungmin to question Minho if he chooses.

“Dr. Lee, could you please share with us your reasoning on why each of the defendants might benefit from therapy?” Seungmin inquires and Minho nods.

“In Chan’s case after all he went through it might be prudent to talk things out after them being bottled in for so long, or perhaps to find some underlying PTSD after what he went through. Allow him a way to adjust to having a free life again. In Y/N’s case, it would be due to what her boyfriend of the time did. How he lied to her and then betrayed her trust and even brought harm upon her. Since they have not known each other long, even if trust is there they may not have learned how to fully communicate or might not want to burden the other, which is where a therapist could assist.” Minho responds and Seungmin thanks him, allowing him to leave. 

That’s when the real worries set in as the prosecutor sets his eyes on the pair of you, calling Chan up to be questioned first. Saving you for the very end.

“Chan, can you share with us what you remember of your life before the fight happened?” The prosecutor’s questioning Chan about a touchy subject and you know it, not knowing much yourself about his life before the fights.

“I don’t remember much. My parents weren’t around for long, they were sold off when I was little. When I got a little older that family got a new hybrid, a younger one, and threw me out. It was pretty much the streets and then being taken to the fights.” Chan does surprisingly well at staying calm you notice, more so than you would likely do in his shoes.

“So the fights weren’t the first stroke of bad luck you’ve had in life then?” The prosecutor’s question makes Chan roll his eyes.

“Well I was born a hybrid, so no not really. Bad luck tends to follow us around in this society.” Chan huffs softly, slightly more irritated at that question. Making the prosecutor smirk at getting under his skin for a moment.

“How would you say that has impacted your daily life then?” The prosecutor presses further but doesn’t get what he’s looking for in immediate action as Chan calms down again.

“To be honest, it haunts me. A feeling of guilt knowing that you did things you didn’t want because there wasn’t a choice. The pain of losing the few friends you had. The memories of the things you’ve seen and lived through.” Chan answers and the prosecutor nods, turning him over to Seungmin.

“I just have one question for you Chan, that’s it. How would you say that Y/N impacts your daily life?” Seungmin questions and for the first time today, you think you see Chan genuinely smile some.

“Well for starters she taught me not to hate all humans, along with a few other friends I’ve made. Which is another thing she taught me how to make friends again, I don’t have to be afraid of losing them. Or be afraid that all humans will treat me the way I have been before. For once I’m actually happy and she’s teaching me about the world. How to be a part of society and stuff, well as best we could while hiding out until the ring was taken care of and it was safe to go out. I can take care of myself and others even for the first time in my life, plus I feel like I have a life now.” Chan smiles at you and if this were any other time you might let yourself get emotional. 

You know that right now you have to stay calm though. That you have to keep it together considering that you’re going to be called up next. 

“Miss Y/N, do you have any history working with police or anything similar in nature to your current involvement?” The prosecutor asks and when you respond with no he continues, “What about history when being around or working with hybrids?”

“No, I don’t have any history with that either.” You respond softly, worried that any answer you give might just be what changes things for you and Chan again.

“Then this must all be quite daunting for you, isn’t it?” The prosecutor continues and you shrug softly.

“I mean...at first it was yes. I’m used to it now though. I feel better too, knowing I did what was right and helped people as best that I could.” You respond honestly, knowing that he was just getting started.

“So would you say you have it all figured out then? That you know how to handle anything that comes up with Chan perfectly?” The prosecutor presses.

“Well...no, but-” You go to defend yourself, yet he cuts you off before you can finish much like he’d done earlier with Changbin. 

“As you can see your honor, they don’t really know what they’re doing when together. They have good intentions, yes, but there are too many unknowns between the two of them.” The prosecutor takes his seat. 

Seungmin comes up to you, offering a small smile, “Miss Y/N can you please finish what you were saying before the prosecution interrupted your statement?”

You give a small nod, “I was going to say that while I don’t know what I’m doing perfectly that’s normal. I’m human, I’m naturally imperfect. Mistakes happen, but I’m willing to try my best, and if a mistake does happen to take responsibility for that. Just like with anything else in life.”

Seungmin hums, “Since you mentioned responsibility would you mind sharing with us what has been on your plate this last month or so? What all have you been responsible for?”

“Sure, it wasn’t safe to be out too much either of us. Especially Chan though, in case someone from the ring spotted us and followed us back. So I would go to work, pick up any groceries on the way home. Or just anything that either of us needed. Then at home, I would make sure we’d eaten and taken care of anything needed for the detectives or the doctor so that I could take it to them the next day. Or arrange an appointment at a time when we could discreetly get Chan there in a safe way.” You answer easily, used to the routine after so long.

“And you did this every day?” Seungmin continues, making you nod softly.

“Yeah, every day except for Sundays. Usually anyways, Sundays we tried to relax or I would try to teach Chan something new.” You respond and Seungmin smiles helping you down and letting you know that you did well. 

“Very well, we’ll take a thirty-minute recess to review everything that has been presented. Afterward, we’ll have closing statements, followed by the verdict.” Jeongin announces before the recess begins. 

One of the guys brought you both water as they all tried to encourage you, saying they thought it would turn out well for you both. You still weren’t as positive though and Chan could tell, squeezing your hand he leans in.

“It’ll be okay. No matter what you did your best and we can be friends either way.” He whispers his reassurance and you find yourself giving a small smile for his sake.

Thirty minutes was both too long and not long enough. Dragging it out made you more anxious and yet you weren’t sure you wanted to know what the verdict was. You tuned out the final statements, not processing that at this point. Your focus was solely on the judge as you waited to hear what decision had been made.

Jeongin clearing his throat and looked between both sides of the room before beginning to speak, “After analyzing everything and deliberation it has been decided Bang Chan will be allowed to remain with Y/L/N Y/N, however, they will attend 12 hours of mandatory therapy to assist with these new circumstances.” He nods at you and Chan, “And I’ll see you both bright and early for that case against the hybrid fighting ring. Until then, stay safe and don’t cause any trouble.”

You look at Chan stunned, until he happily pulls you into his arms and hugs you with a laugh, “I told you that you didn’t have anything to worry about!” 

You chuckle and nod, “ You did, but still it’s a lot.” 

Seungmin smiles at you both, “I’ll see you later to discuss the other cases, until then just enjoy this. Detectives Seo and Hwang will escort you home. I believe they had something to discuss with you anyways.”

“Come on we’re going out the back. There’s a crowd out front and they won’t be too happy when they heard what the verdict on your case just now was.” Hyunjin tells you both before leading the way. Changbin following behind you both just in case.

“Okay, what was it that you two wanted to talk to us about though?” You question as you follow their lead easily.

“Ah, about that...it seems someone who works with the ring is still out. So for your safety, we’re going to be moving the both of you to a safe house until after the trial, unless we can secure the suspect sooner.” Changbin admits, sighing softly, “You can get your things from home, and then we can take you there.” 

Chan helped you to get your things out of the car and into the safe house. The two of you sitting on the couch while Hyunjin and Changbin made sure the house hadn’t been compromised in any way before letting you both get settled. They had taken care of your work and everything for you so that you both could get to the safe house and made arrangements for anything else that would be necessary while you were in the safehouse. 

Hyunjin rubs the back of your neck as he comes over, “So since we didn’t have much time to get this together this place only had one bedroom...one of you can probably take the couch, but even off shift at least Changbin or I will be here to supervise the officers and make sure you’re both safe...so we might be sleeping here too. I guess basically what I’m trying to say is there’s not enough beds or couches for everyone.” 

You blush a little, but wave him off, “I mean Chris and I are probably okay sharing a room if you and Changbin are okay taking rotations on the couch or something...if that’s okay with everyone else?”

Chan chuckles and nods, “Yeah I don’t mind, that’s pretty much what we did at the apartment for a few weeks anyway.” 

Hyunjin nods and sends you and Chan off in the direction of the room to get settled. You finish up before Chan, sitting on the bed and watching him finish up. Chan looked over at you and laughed softly.

“So what do you want to do now? Read a book?” Chan snickers flopping down beside you.

“I don’t know that we’ll find any entertaining ones around this house.” You laugh a little yourself, “Probably should have thought about that a little bit more when they said we’d have no phones or internet for three weeks.” 

“Yeah probably, we’ll find something to do, for now though, I’m gonna go let them know that we’re all good and see if there’s anything else we’re supposed to do before trying to gain some semblance of normalcy here.” Chan smiles at you, reaching out to gently brush your hair out of your face before getting up to leave the room again. In effect, leaving you all alone for now.

After a moment you got up, glancing towards the window. You thought for a moment before deciding to take a peek through the blinds. Nothing that would risk you being seen, just enough to take in your surroundings for now. Hearing the door you turn to face Chan with furrowed brows.

“Get away from there, it’s not safe to be around the windows.” Chan calmly says watching you step away and picking up on your confusion, “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Who are the men that just showed up outside the house? Are they more officers?” You try to keep your voice from shaking. The way Chan’s eyes widen at you your question doesn’t help the uneasy feeling bubbling in your stomach though. 

He quickly takes your place, ears twitching as he sneaks a lookout. Before grabbing you and pulling you out of the room. Startling Changbin, Hyunjin, and the others who were there to protect you.

“Four armed men just pulled up. I’m guessing by the look of them that they aren’t with you.” Chan growls out before his ear twitches again, hearing a sound from outside.

He’s quick to drop to the ground with you in his arms. His body wrapped around you for protection as gunshots rang out. His hearing gave him a split-second advantage to get you two in a safer area, even if it still wasn’t a good place to be in. Hyunjin and Changbin round the corner to meet you not long after, guns are drawn and keeping an eye towards the front.

"Are you two alright?" Changbin asks while Hyunjin covers you before having to reload. When both of you voice that you're so far unscathed he continues, "There's no way we're making it out the front with how many guys there are. We're going to have to go out back before they can surround us. When I tell you two to go, run. Outback and look for a car. Don't look back and if we aren't right behind you then just go. Head straight to the police station and let them know what happened."

"Alright." Chan nods, grip firm on your arm, ready to get you out of there as soon as Changbin tells you both to run.

"Go now!" Changbin tells you as for him and Hyunjin lay down cover fire for your escape. About the time you reach the door you hear him cry out in pain though. Looking back you see Changbin hit the ground, leg bleeding from a gunshot wound as Hyunjin tries to cover you and drag him towards the back door.

"Chris they're not gonna make it." You gasp, causing him to glance back as well.

He's quick to shove you out the door, growling out a demand, "Go. Find a car. We're right behind you."

As much as you didn't want to leave them you'd never heard Chan speak to you like that before and your body was on autopilot, listening to what he told you to do right now. Searching outside before finding a somewhat trashy car abandoned between the fence and a rotted out shed. It didn’t matter much what it looked like though as long as it ran well enough to get you all to safety. Wasting no time you run over, yanking open the rusty driver’s door. Sliding in you scour the area for keys, thanking the heavens when you drop the visor and they fall into your lap. Wishing with all you have as the car stalls that you’ll get lucky again. You pause for a moment, before trying again as you see Chan helping Changbin out the door, followed by Hyunjin. Right as panic was setting in the car roared to life, letting you pull forward to let the other get in.

“Drive. I’ll guide you straight to the hospital. Don’t stop for anything. I’ve called it in, so we should be getting an escort meeting up with us along the way.” Hyunjin tells you his arm out the window, firing at the house still.

You waste no time peeling out, following Hyunjin’s direction until the flashing lights of cop cars end up ahead of you and lead the way themselves. Pulling into the ER in a flurry of chaos. You and Chan try to follow Hyunjin and Changbin in, only to have cops stop you, insisting on taking you to a new safe house.

“I’m not going anywhere until I know he’s going to be okay. Besides. Do you even know how they found the last safe house? Until you know I’m just as safe here as I would be at a safe house.” You counter, holding your ground with a stern look.

“We’re. I’m staying with her, and the detectives.” Chan adds, hand moving to rest on the small of your back and guide you through the group of officers and into the hospital. 

You sat waiting in the room with Hyunjin and Chan, staring down at your hands still waiting for word from the surgery Changbin had been in to remove the bullet and repair the damage. Chan’s hand sliding over your shoulder as he offers you a cup of coffee.

“I have a feeling you won’t really be sleeping much tonight, so you might need this.” Chan’s voice is soft, his gentle side showing through again and it almost brings you to tears. Looking between him and Hyunjin who both seem rather calm, nursing their own cups.

“How can you be so okay right now? We don’t even know if he’s going to be okay.” You whimper. Chan shushing you as his arm slips further around your shoulders pulling you closer to him, his warmth surrounding you like a blanket.

“As much as it sucks...what’s happened, happened. There’s no changing it now. We have to live with it now, there’s no other option. It’s hell, but you get used to it...well in your case I hope you never have to, but some of us get used to it.” Hyunjin sighs softly, looking down at the black liquid in his cup as he swirls it, “As for Changbin, he’s gonna be okay.”

“How can you be sure?” You ask, Chan, rubbing away your tears almost as quickly as they’re falling.

“Because...it’s Changbin...and because he has to be okay.” Hyunjin gives you a small forced smile, almost as if he was trying to reassure himself along with you.

Your shoulders slumped, bag dropping to the ground as you and Chan entered the safe house. Hyunjin trailing behind as he checked the perimeter once again.  

Changbin looks up from his spot on the couch and chuckles softly, “The day went that well huh?”

You sigh shaking your head, “Did you hear the verdict yet? The judge had us leave before they went into deliberation so that hopefully we could get through the crowds and back here quicker. Even out the back way though it took us an hour to even get past the protestors...I was really worried...I expected more people to be there for hybrid rights, but it seems like everyone was on the opposite side today.”

“Sorry I couldn’t be there with you guys today. After the second day, the judge said they wouldn’t need me anymore and that I should rest instead.” Changbin frowns, “People were supporting hybrid rights though, they were just on the opposite side of the street. So they must not have been visible the way you went out...they were certainly much calmer than everyone against them anyways. I’m glad you guys got back okay.”

You chuckle humorlessly, “Next time, I’m the one taking the bullet.”

“Oh don’t worry there won’t be a next time.” Chan shakes his head lightly, heading to the kitchen to get you both some water, “How’d the physical therapy go today Changbin?” 

“Average for physical therapy...it’s hell in the moment, but after a bit, things go back to normal.” Changbin shrugs as Hyunjin joins you three inside. His radio is going off as the station contacts him.

“Turn the TV on, they’re about to announce the verdict,” Hyunjin informs the rest of you.

You go to stand by Chan’s side as he puts down the bottles, turning to look at the television from his place in the kitchen. Changbin quickly turned it on and changed the channel to where they’d be able to get the announcement. Your hand clutching Chan’s tightly, gnawing at your lip. Finally releasing your breath when the guilty verdict was announced, most of the group getting a sentence of twenty years to life, a few with less or opportunity for probation. That would be something to take care of when the time comes though, for now, the fact was that they couldn’t get to you, Chan, or any of the other hybrids now.

You throw your arms around Chan before realizing what you were doing. He’s quick to slip his own arms around your center though as if it was the most natural thing for the two of you to do. Chan nuzzling at your hair taking in your scent, one of his biggest comforts since all of this started. Before he’s pulling back to look into your eyes, brushing your hair out of your face.

“You’re safe now! And free!” You beam up at him, a few tears of joy glittering in your eyes as he smiles back at you.

“No we’re safe now, and free to do whatever we want without worry or looking over our shoulder.” Chan’s eyes never leave yours as he finds himself leaning in. 

His eyes flick down to your lips before meeting your eyes again. His lips brushing against yours as he pauses for a moment, searching for any hesitance from you. Instead, you close the last of the space keeping you apart, pressing your lips against his. A kiss he’s been waiting for...that you’ve both been waiting for, and now that it’s finally here neither of you is holding back any longer. Chan’s lips devouring yours, craving more of your taste already. The two of you pulling away only to breathe, not even care about your audience currently. Panting as you look wordlessly at each other, cheeks flushed with heat.

“Two down, just one to go. Afterward, you’ll be free to do that in public too.” Hyunjin chuckles as you and Chan finally look to the two detectives whose eyes long left the television in favor of you.

“I’m not worried about it...I have a good feeling about all that’s to come.” Chan honestly responds before beaming at you again, “Especially some things.”

You didn’t like sitting behind Chan in the courtroom for a change. You didn’t necessarily like sitting in the courtroom at all, but at least beside him, you could hold his hand as some form of comfort. Felix glances at you from his spot beside you, gently grabbing your hand to give it a small squeeze.

“He did really good, and he’s fine even with you back here. I’m sure it’ll be a good verdict.” Felix whispers his assurances to you. Chan’s ears twitch as he picks us the conversation and glances back at you, winking at you with a small smile.

“You helped out a lot too Felix. I don’t think we would have been able to do this without you, especially when you were a good example up on the stand. So thank you.” You squeeze his hand back, making him shrug.

“Hey, anything for family. Though now that you guys are like family I hope you know you’re stuck with us now.” Felix giggles making the others agree quietly.

“For good at that.” Jisung adds chuckling softly, “But you two better quiet down, the judge is coming back.” 

You’re rigid, but also practically trembling in anticipation as you wait to hear the court’s decision. Knowing that no matter what you’d always stand by Chan’s side, yet wishing for a positive answer for his sake either way. 

Jeongin cleared his throat, pausing as he always did before announcing the verdict, “This court has decided after deliberation to grant Bang Chan full citizenship and rights. If he so chooses to legally change his name from what was given to him in a hybrid facility he can do so at the same time as he signs the citizenship papers. This court is dismissed.” 

Felix hugs you before helping you make your way up to where Chan is, “ Congratulations. We’ll see you this weekend for a proper celebration, but until then you two have fun...and be safe.” 

You playfully smack his arm at his suggestive teasing, “Whatever. We’ll see you guys this weekend. Be careful getting out of here, it’s crazy outside.”

The others nod as you move to Chan’s side, hugging his side as he looks over the papers. Changbin and Seungmin there as witnesses to sign the papers in addition to Chan and the judge.

“Congratulations. Is there a new name you’d like to legally have?” Jeongin inquires pointing to the blank area where Chan could put in whatever name he’d like to take on.

“Christopher. Christopher Bang.” He smiles at you knowingly as he writes it down before they finish signing everything. 

You both shake hands with the judge as he congratulates you both again. Before doing the same with Seungmin, thanking him excessively for all he did to help you both.

“Alright, let's finally get you two home again...it’s been a long month.” Changbin chuckles, leading the way to the car that already had all of your stuff in it, ready to be taken back into your apartment once again.

The car took quite a beating on the way out. Those against the decision throwing things at it in protest, until those who were there in favor of equal rights for hybrids stepped in to help your car safely get out and away from the irate group. Your head falling to rest on Chan’s shoulder relieved that all this was finally over and went well so that you could be home and back into your routine once more. Though no doubt with a few changes now too...not that you’d give them up for anything.

The drive took longer than expected, but you made it nonetheless. Kicking off your shoes as you step into the familiar and yet somewhat forgotten home. Stepping deeper into it knowing that Chan was following behind, stretching and checking your phone that was now in your possession once more. Eyes still glued to it as you turned around towards Chan again.

“What do you want for dinner tonight?” You question scrolling through apps for your favorite takeout places.

“I know what I’ll be having,” Chan growls out, in the same voice he had when he told you to leave the safe house. The voice that lit a fire in your gut and had your eyes snapping up to meet his darkening ones.

You don’t get much time to read the feelings filling his eyes though before he takes your phone and puts it aside so as not to distract you anymore. Closing the little gap remaining with a searing kiss. Not having any patience or games, having waited long enough for you by now. Something your heart, mind, and body wholeheartedly agreed with as you feel your arousal starting to pool between your legs. Chan easily picks up the scent of it and nips somewhat harshly at your lower lip with a rumbling growl.

Chan’s arms slip around you and lift your, heading back towards the bedroom, “Fuck, I’m so glad this isn’t illegal anymore...not that it would have stopped me anyway, but still.” 

Your giggle is cut short by his lips finding yours again. This kiss is much shorter than the last, but not less heated. Simply ending when Chan tosses you back onto the bed, crawling over your form as his eyes take you in.

“Remind me why we didn’t do this sooner? It’s obvious we both wanted it.” Chan’s question is wanting an answer, yet he’s not making it easy for you to give it as he nips over your neck soothing the little marks with his tongue and lips. 

“Because...because we weren’t alone...the others were right outside the room and could have come in at any time.” You pant, already getting more worked up by his actions. Chan’s growl turns into a chuckle as he notices your legs spreading on instinct, already so eager despite still being fully clothed.

“You say that like I would fucking care. I didn’t care if they heard...or saw because at the end of the day you’re mine and it would have just proved that to them...besides I might have been gentler if I had not had to hold back for so long. I don’t know that I can anymore though.” Chan’s teeth are still against your throat, drawing out soft mewls from your lips and teasing you by rutting his clothed bulge against your thigh.

“Then don’t hold back. You’re always talking like you’re the big bad wolf and like I should be so scared of you, so show me what the worst you can do is.” You taunt knowing him well enough to know that just that little bit will be all it takes for him to fully snap. 

His hands gripping onto the hem of the dress you wore to court today, ripping it down the middle with no concerns other than getting to your skin beneath it. Giving you no time to argue as he nips over your chest now. Your hands are moving to try and work on pushing off his suit jacket and gripping at his hair. 

Chan pulls away snarling at you and pinning your hands, “I don’t think so kitten. You made me wait, so now it’s your turn to wait. And it would be in your best interest to do so too, cause little disobedient kittens don’t get what they want.” 

If the scent of your arousal building at the way he grumbled out that threat didn’t give you away to him then the growing wet patch on your panties certainly did. Chan licks his lips and smirks softly at you before deciding to make things a little more challenging for you, tossing his jacket aside. His tie, however, he lays close by on the bed for when you inevitably snap and disobey him. He tugs his shirt off next, with almost as much force as he had your dress, sending buttons flying across the room. His mouth on your chest again, hands gripping firmly at your sides for a moment before trailing up over your form to remove your bra. 

Chan pinches one of your pebbled nipples, earning a quiet hiss from you, “Hm so sensitive for me, aren’t you? Trust me you’ll only be getting more sensitive as the night goes on.” 

He nips at your other nipple, before suckling softly, fingers eager to give your other nipple equal pleasure. His eyes locked on your face for a reaction as he switches sides, growling in his chest around your nipple when he watches your hands moving down towards him again, his only form of warning to you. 

Chan knew if he kept it up though it would only be a matter of time before you gave in and touched him again. He was counting on it. Trailing his mouth lower as his hands ripped your panties off and out of his way. Tongue darting out to flick over your clit, raising a brow at you as your legs fall open and hips twitch up towards his mouth. His hands are quick to hold you firmly in place before fully pressing his face against your core, tongue curling deep into you with little growls and grunts sending vibrations through your core. Chan intent on getting every drop of you on his tongue as he possibly could even as your arousal builds more and more, slicking up his face. 

He’s mildly impressed at the fact that you manage to keep your hands to yourself even while trembling in need on the precipice of your impending orgasm. It only encourages him to go harder though, sucking on your clit as he suddenly presses two fingers into you, curling them perfectly against your spot. What finally sent you over that blissful edge though was when his teeth grazed over your clit with the tiniest bit of pressure. 

Through your fucked out haze of pleasure you didn’t realize you’d reached down and weaved your hands into his hair until a few moments after Chan had helped you through your release. Looking up at you all too pleased with himself at getting you to finally snap and touch him again. 

He grabs your wrists and moves your hands away from him again, “I warned you kitten, now get on your hands and knees.”

“But Chris-” Your whining gets cut off with a sharp cry as he swats at your thigh.

“No buts, now do it before you get yourself into more trouble kitty,” Chan growls, this time it’s a bit more playful though. Letting you know this had been his plan all along and things were going exactly how he’d hoped. 

His fingertips tap down your spine as his other hand grabs the tie he’d laid aside. Before doing anything else though his hand crashes down on your ass, hard enough to leave a lasting sting but the pain bleeds into pleasure and it makes him snicker when he can tell you liked it. His hands gripping your wrists to bring them behind your back and tie them together with his tie.

“Filthy little kitten, now you have no choice but to listen.” Chan taunts spanking the other cheek now, before kissing over the sensitive flesh before biting instead.

His desire to fuck you senseless is on the verge of driving him to insanity, but now that he’s had a taste of you he won’t be satisfied unless he makes up for all the previous times he’s wanted a taste of you too. His hands gripping your ass and spreading you open more to give himself unrestrained access to you. Not wasting another second before his mouth is on your core again. Using to his advantage every sensitive spot he learned from your first orgasm while also looking for more to bring you to your next. Pulling away after that one to lap up what he’d missed that had dripped down your thighs, knowing he wouldn’t have the restraint to hold himself back for much longer. He was sure he’d be able to bring you to a third orgasm before that little thread of restraint left snapped though. The determination makes him return to your core with fervor. Like a man starved...which in a way he had been, just not starved of food, just of you.

You’re still trembling from your third and latest orgasm when you hear shuffling behind you before his tip is running through your folds. Collecting your wetness before pushing in as slowly as he can bear for your sake, wanting to let you adjust and not hurt you. His hands gripping at your hips before moving, slowly at first, once he hears your soft moans starting to fill the room, however, he picks up the pace. His hips slapping against your ass, watching the way it moves and enticing him to spank you again. The action makes you clench around him, crying out and clawing at the tie around your wrist at his hard thrusts and the way his hand meets your ass, making him quickly repeat the action, growing out as you clench around him again.

“Fuck...you’re so fucking perfect....so filthy and you love how I’m treating you right now don’t you kitten? Go on, scream my name, let everyone know how good I’m treating you.” Chan grips at your bound wrists, pulling you back into each of his thrusts. His other hand reaching around to rub at your clit, “Shit, you’re going to cum for me again aren’t you? Gonna cream all over my big fucking cock, huh? Do it kitten, but don’t think the night will be over just cause you do.” 

This time when you cum Chan doesn’t slow down for a second, if anything he does the opposite. His hand leaves your wrists to slip around your throat and pull you up against his chest. Angling his thrusts to brush against your spot each time as he feels himself getting close to his own edge, but refusing to go over it without you cumming again too. His hips stuttering as he feels your pussy spasming around him on the brink of release once again.

“It’s okay, kitten. Let it go. You’ve done so good for me.” Chan whispers in your ear, nuzzled against your neck as he encourages you to fall into a world of pleasure one final time tonight. He bites down on your neck, roaring out against it as he cums shortly after, riding you both through your highs.

His hands carefully undo your bound hands as he gently lays you down on the bed, slipping away to go get a washcloth. He’s gentle as he cleans between your legs before grabbing a sweatshirt and some panties for you, in just sweatpants himself. Chan leans in gently stroking the hair away from your face, kissing your forehead.

“I’ll help you get cleaned up more later...for now though...how about we seriously think about dinner?” Chan chuckles before blushing a little, “Not that there’s really anything to talk about though...considering I already ordered your favorite. My timing is damn good too, I scheduled it for five minutes from now.”

You laugh, shaking your head slightly at him and playfully smacking his shoulder, “Five whole minutes? Hm you mean you had time to make me cum again and you didn’t?”

Your teasing makes Chan growl and playfully nip at your ear, “Careful what you say kitten, we still have a whole night at our disposal. Who said anything about stopping before sunrise?”

He gets up to go answer the door at the knock, winking at you before his eyes rake over your form again, licking his lips. You two would certainly be celebrating and making up for lost time tonight.

[ashintheairlikesnow]

Paul Higgs: Baby Daze

Tomorrow I will return you to your regularly scheduled whump programming. Today... this is what wanted to be written.

CW: Teen pregnancy, some crass language surrounding said pregnancy, brief gun reference, some organized crime references

Approximately eighteen years before Tristan Higgs became another casualty of WRU…

-

"Well, look who’s here! Billy Higgs’s boy, come to see us after school, then?" Sean Malley claps him on the back and Paul nearly stumbles forward, just barely catching himself as he crosses the threshold from the sun-warmed walkway with straggly weeds growing stubbornly up through the cracks into the chilly shadowed warehouse. His sneakers scrape along the ground, but he stays standing.

He's hardly even as big as a stick compared to his dad's work buddies, all older guys with thick muscled forearms and sleeves rolled up to their elbows. He’s never had much muscle on him at all, but then his dad didn’t have much in old photos either. Maybe he’d get some as he got older, if he worked here. If they let him. "How’s things, hm? Keeping your grades up?”

Paul smiles, a slightly strained expression. The smile is automatic, it’s what everyone expects with small talk. At school he mostly doesn’t even bother with it, but with his dad’s friends… well, a smile’s polite. Right? Friendly. 

He tries to look more friendly. He needs them to say yes to what he’s about to ask for.

“They’re fine,” He says, squinting as his eyes adjust to the change in light. “Same as always, A’s and B’s.”

Mostly B’s, but they don’t need to know that.

“Good, good.” Sean slides an arm around his shoulders, jovial as always. Paul tries not to be visibly uncomfortable at the touch. Everyone is always touchy, in the world, and he’s never liked it much. Except with Ronnie, but… that’s different. “So, talk to us, Paulie. What's got Billy’s boy mucking around here at the Garden with the old-timers?" 

It's not actually much of a garden, unless you count the dandelions in the sidewalks and the bits of scraggly grass along the edges of the pavement as your rows of plants. Instead, the big warehouse stretches wider than two Walmarts, chopped off into pieces by the standalone temporary walls inside that don't reach the ceiling. 

The ‘Garden’ is a place where things happen that no one with a badge is ever supposed to see. There's shouting, good-natured calling out of sums and figures and code words Paul doesn't know, bouncing and echoing in a constant chaos of sound. Metal scrapes, an odd clicking Paul vaguely recognizes but can’t quite place until he thinks of his dad cleaning his guns now and then at night, carefully putting them back together once he’s done. 

All that noise lays heavy like a blanket over his skin. He pushes past it - he's got a reason to be here, and he won't let Ronnie down. He can’t let her down.

"I'm here to work," He says, going for strong and loud. He doesn't change expression when the men around him laugh. 

He doesn't think their laughter is meant to be unkind, and besides, he doesn't really care if it is. These men have all known him since he was born - if anyone’s going to give him what he needs, it’ll be them. "My dad told me I could pick up some shifts this weekend as a lookout, that you pay cash at the end of the shift, right away. That I could get a couple hundred if I’m good at it, maybe five if I do some running, too.”

"Oh he said that, did he?" Sean meets eyes with Cilly, whose real name Paul has never learned. He isn’t entirely sure anyone here has ever given him their real legal name. Not even Sean. "Will might've let the family know first before he sent his boy here, hm? 

"Well, it's. It's important I get cash. Um. Fast. I just spoke to him, probably he'll call you in a bit thinking he's giving you a warning." Paul tries for another smile, and hopes it's warm enough. A bit of coppery strawberry blond hair falls over his green eyes as he looks hopefully from man to man. 

He's not even eighteen yet, but really, isn't that even better for a lookout? He knows where they do their business, he knows who to watch for, and he doesn’t look like he’s one of them at all. He's paid attention, sat up at night making maps of where they work and what they do. He knows they’ve gotten into business with WRU, even, the big Facility up in Berras has been sending people down here now and then. He’s good at this sort of thing. He knows he can do this. He’s going to make a living at this one day, and everyone starts somewhere.

He just… has to convince them. These men aren't unreasonable, and they're family. Well, sort of. In a way. In that they all commit crimes with his dad. And some of them actually are real family, although he’s not always sure exactly who.

"What d'you need cash for that can't wait for your parents to come back from Florida, then?" That's Cilly, scratching idly at a red spot on his face, sipping a mug of hot tea like they're at a kitchen counter and not a fold-out table by a warehouse door. The others all have takeout coffee cups, but not Cilly. 

Paul's mom buys him new mugs on all her vacations. A gentleman among thieves, she said once. 

Nah, Paul's dad had said. Just a thief. But he puts on airs for you. 

All the more reason to show him my appreciation, Bill. 

The mug he’s drinking from now was one of Paul’s mom’s presents to him. It has a little palmetto tree on the side and Nothin’ Could Be Finer written in swirling script. It came from a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina when Paul was seven. 

He hated that trip. He never liked sand. Or the ocean. Or the noise of all the people everywhere in the street. He would have been happy with a book on the couch in the condo if they’d have let him stay there. 

"They're not in-"

"Think they're in Georgia," Conor pipes up, the oldest with hair gone nearly gray, cousins to the real boss, a man Paul has met maybe three times and knows only as Mr. Sondheim - which isn’t even a little bit his actual name. 

Conor makes Paul’s skin prickle, the way he thinks maybe a cat feels when it sees a mean-looking dog across the street. Paul's dad came home once with blood he had to wash off his hands and a shirt he had to throw out. When Paul asked, he said only, Conor's temper is going to get someone who matters killed one day. Too bad his grandson's as bad as he is. "Aren't they?"

"Nah," Sean says, shaking his head. "Florida. Definitely Florida."

"Actually," Paul starts. "They're in-"

"I thought Texas," Cilly says, almost thoughtful. He interrupts Paul thoughtlessly, and Paul’s face colors a little with embarrassment. He feels like the odd man out in a conversation meant to be about him. 

"They went to Alabama," Paul finally says, soft. Thinking no one’s listening, but they all look at him then. That's worse than when they weren't paying attention at all. He never meets any one person's eyes, instead focusing on Sean Malley's forehead, a spot that'll look like eye contact without having to be it. He's never liked having to look too many people in the eye. 

Or anyone, actually. 

"Ah, all right then. Alabama. Well. What couldn't wait for them to get back from Alabama, Paulie-Wol?"

No one's called him Paulie-Wol since he was eleven - and he hated it then. He blushes even darker. He's always been easy to make blush, and they laugh again. It's a little meaner this time. He has to not care. It’s important not to care, so they’ll let him work. 

Paul Higgs straightens his narrow shoulders and pulls a crumpled but of paper, shiny on one side, out from his back pocket. "This is why. I need money. Fast. For this."

He can't help how his voice dips, hushed, almost in awe. Sean is the first to take the little piece of paper, eyes widening in surprise at what he sees, before he hands it to Conor, who whistles through his teeth. Cilly takes it next, with a soft exhalation that's either curse or prayer. 

With this group, it could be either. Or both. Paul’s dad always says God doesn’t care overmuch about the difference.

"You're a bit young, aren't you? To need money for this?" Sean asks, and he's… concerned, Paul thinks, and he tries to square himself up even taller. “What’re you, Paulie, fifteen?”

"S-seventeen. It’s-... we didn’t plan on it, Sean, it just happened." This time when his face stays red, heat burning under the smattering of freckles across his cheeks and nose, they don't laugh. All their smiles are gone, too.

They've gone serious, these men who aren't quite blood but might as well be. They aren't laughing at or with or because of him. They look worried about him.

"Paulie," Conor says, shaking his head. "Paulie, you know better than this. Don't they teach you how to make sure this shit don't just happen? Thought we’d stop having teenagers knocking each other up once we got past the eighties.”

"They did. I had a whole health class where we-... but it doesn’t matter, it still. Happened, okay?" The absolute last thing he wants to do is talk to these old guys about Ronnie, and why, and when. If they ask him he’ll melt into the floor, and die, and just be dead right here and now.  

“So, when you say you need money… Are you looking to drive her up to Berras?”

“No, that’s not... We talked about it, but she said she already thought about it and made her decision. This isn’t… Don’t look at me like that. I like her decision. I’m happy.”

“You are?” Sean blinks, surprised.

“Yes! I'm happy, so don't tell me I fucked up, because I did. I know I did, but… but I talked to Ronnie, and we have a whole plan and I need money for my plan. And just. Look at it.”

Sean glances back down, taking the paper back, smoothing it out. Shiny on one side, it's a printed black and white image, a smeary blur of monochrome shades. Unmistakable in its center, more or less, is a gently rounded blob of white, topped with another and with other little blobs coming off its sides. Labeled along the top is Baby Botham, 14 weeks 3 days. 

“Botham?” Sean asks, head cocked to one side.

“That’s… that’s Ronnie’s last name. She, uh. She didn’t tell them… Because we’re not married.” Paul squares himself up again. “Yet. We’re not married yet.”

He tries not to think about Ronnie crying on his shoulder about how her parents and her sister had screamed at her when she told them, that no one was talking to her and they might throw her out, like this. His throat will close up if he does, in hurt for her, and in anger. 

His own parents he’d just told on the phone today, heard the long silence on the other end. Whispers that didn’t quite carry through the line. Then his mother had said, brisk and no-nonsense as always, So what does Ronnie want to do? We’ll help however we can. Will she need somewhere to stay?

“You’re not married yet,” Cilly repeats, not with derision, just with a kind of flat uncertainty. “You’re seventeen, Paulie. Little young to be talking marriage, don’t you think?”

“Well, we’re talking it, anyway,” Paul says firmly. “And don’t tell me it’s stupid. We already made our minds up.”

“Well, far be it for me to question your judgement,” Sean deadpans. “Since you’re clearly making excellent decisions already-”

“I got married at sixteen,” Conor points out. “Wife and I been married forty-two years this December, too. Sometimes it works out.”

“Different world, different times,” Cilly counters, and Conor has to nod in agreement to that. “Lots of those didn’t work out either, now did they? Besides, kids got options now we didn’t have back then.”

“Ronnie doesn’t want those other options,” Paul says, forcing his voice to be loud enough to carry, surprising all three men, who give him a new kind of look. Maybe even seeing him as nearly a man and not a kid, just for the moment. “She doesn’t. I never told her to do or not do anything, we talked about it, and she knows what she wants to do, and I agree with her. Ronnie and I want to get married, and we’ll need somewhere we can live when-... when the baby comes. So I need to start making money. And I want-... I need some fast, this weekend.”

Cilly’s expression goes cold. “Don’t tell me your folks are making you find a place that fast. I’ll take Billy to the woodshed myself if he’d be such a bastard to his own kid when things get tough-”

“He’s not,” Paul says quickly. “They’re not. Mom and Dad aren’t-... but they get it, they’re helping us. It’s not for an apartment, not yet. It’s so I can buy her some stuff.”

"This is a serious thing," Sean says, and he rubs his thumb over what Paul is pretty sure is his baby's head. The blobs are all sort of odd to look at, but… he's pretty sure that one's the head. It’s where he would put the head, if he were designing a person, anyway. "But I can see you’re quite the serious young man, now. What sort of stuff are you lookin’ to buy, Paulie?" 

Paul swallows, nervously rubbing his palms along the seems on the outside of his pants. “I… I don’t know. What do you buy someone who’s pregnant? I thought, like, baby clothes? Or a crib?”

“No, no, no.” Sean shakes his head. “You can’t just get her baby stuff, not this early. You are not starting with a crib, Paulie. You got nowhere to even put one yet.”

“Then… what do I buy?” Paul looks from man to man. “I’ve never known a pregnant person before, not anyone I cared about.”

“You were around for my wife’s last pregnancy,” Sean says, mildly offended.

Paul shrugs. 

The three older men look at each other, and then sigh nearly as one. Someone pushes out the fourth chair from the fold-up table and Paul sits, each of the other men sitting in turn. Sean picks up his phone and dials. “Hey, Don. Let everybody know we’re off-limits for the next couple hours, ‘til lunch. Yeah, Billy Higgs’s boy stopped by. He’s sniffing around for some lookout work this weekend. Find him some decent jobs for me, will you?”

Paul starts to smile, and it’s genuine this time. Sean hands him back the little picture of the blob that will become a baby, his and Ronnie’s baby, and he tries not to crumble it fully in his hands, worried his sweat will smear the ink. She’ll get another one in a few weeks, said her doctor told her it’ll look more like a person, then. Less like a weird frog. Or like a really, really bad painting.

“Thanks, I’ll owe you.” Sean hangs up the phone and grins, leaning on his elbows on the wobbly little table. The sun shines warmly through the open warehouse doors on Paul’s back. “All right. Between the three of us, we’ve got, what, ten kids?”

“Yeah, but five of those are all Cilly’s,” Conor points out. “And mine stopped bein’ kids decades ago.”

“Yeah, but babies don’t change, and they don’t need much. You need a pen and paper to write things down, Paulie?”

“Write… write what down?” 

“What you’re gonna spend your money on, for your girlfriend. You don’t just show up with baby clothes, kid, you gotta go all out. Let’s talk date, let’s talk gifts for this Ronnie, let’s talk it all out.”

“What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” Cilly says. “They all get that book, right? Isn’t that the one?”

Sean snorts, derisive. “Don’t get her that, not this early. That damn book had my wife in fucking tears telling her everything that could go wrong. We need to think of a happier book than that.”

“Well, call your wife and ask her what she’d want, then.”

“Maybe I will.”

“You should!”

“She’s liable to start planning a damn baby shower if I do. You know how Christa is about little ones.”

Cilly grins. “Think she’ll make those deviled eggs I like for the shower?”

“Cilly, for God’s sake, we found out about this five minutes ago.”

“Right, but... deviled eggs.”

Paul takes a deep breath, and sits back in his chair. “I’ll remember, whatever you say. I promise. I don’t need to write it down. Just tell me what I should get her, what I should do.”

“Right. Well, then.” Sean spreads his hands. “Let’s talk gifts.”

-

Tagging: @burtlederp , @finder-of-rings , @endless-whump , @whumpfigure , @astrobly @newandfiguringitout , @doveotions , @pretty-face-breaker , @gonna-feel-that-tomorrow @boxboysandotherwhump  , @oops-its-whump  @cubeswhump ,  @whump-tr0pes  @downriver914 @vickytokio @whumpiary @orchidscript @moose-teeth @nonsensical-whump

[chysgoda]

Family

Not long after taking sanctuary with House Fortemps, Alphinaud finds himself the only one who can comfort the Warrior of Light’s foster daughter.

Another piece for Sea’s 30 day WoL Challenge

No drastic spoilers just feels

It was nearer to dawn than dusk when Alphinaud dragged himself back into Fortemps Manor. He should have just stayed at the inn attached to the Forgotten Knight, but it would be easier to give the Count a prompt report in the morning if he returned to the manor house. The night footman took his coat and Alphinaud politely declined the offered cup of tea. He felt every step up the stairs and down the hall, even if he did not remember the walk itself. He had placed his hand on the door handle of his assigned room when he heard sniffles and muted tears. He looked at the ceiling. For a moment he hoped that Art’imis or Tataru would miraculously appear  to handle what he was hearing drifting out from the parlor nearest to the Scions rooms. But Art’imis was in Falcon’s Rest and Tataru was working the night shift at the Forgotten Knight. He sighed and dropped his hand back to his side. 

The parlor was not the grandest in the manor, meant as it was to serve as a shared sitting room for the few guest rooms in this hall. But it had the same sturdy elegance he associated with House Fortemps. The fire in the hearth had burnt down to almost nothing and the murky red light cast ghastly shadows about the room. On the couch in front of the fire a pair of drooping lavender ears that shivered slightly in time with the sniffles. Bel Aliender huddled under a blanket that she had dragged off her bed (or possibly her foster mother’s bed) and had wrapped herself tightly around a stuffed chocobo toy. She was obviously trying not to wake anyone up. Alphinaud walked over to the hearth and took up the poker. He pushed the wood about for a moment until the choked fire had enough air to come back to life. For good measure he grabbed a log out of the iron basket and carefully put it on the fire

Alphinaud turned back to the couch to look at the little Miqo’te girl. For a long few moments they stared at each other neither sure what to do with the other. He blew out a breath and sat down at the opposite end of the couch. “Is there something troubling you?”

Bel wringled a bit so that her entire miserably pink face was visible above her cocoon. “I’m sorry I woke you up.”

Alphinaud frowned but waved it off. “I am just returning. Why are you out of bed?” 

The child ducked her head back down so he could only see her eyes and ears, for a moment it made him think of a baby adamantoise. “I had bad dreams.”

“About Ul’dah?” Alphinaud had to work hard to keep from flinching. He remembered Ilberd talking Art’imis into bringing the child to a state banquet. Hindsight being what it was now he could see that Ilberd had wanted a bargaining chip that couldn’t fight back. 

“About the lady in white armor and gun gloves.” Bel flinched back from her own words. Alphinaud wanted to kick himself, he’d forgotten that she had been at the Waking Sands during the raid. Urianger and Papolymo had tried to cover long enough to get the child to teleport to Ul’dah and sanctuary with First sword Mylla. 

“Do you need a glass of water?” He floundered for something to say. Bel shook her head and curled tighter around her soft felt companion. He frowned and steeled himself for sobbing tears about wanting Art’imis. For several moments nothing happened and he began to relax. 

“It’s okay if you wanna go to bed. I know you don’t like me.” 

Alphinaud’s breath hissed out as his diaphragm contracted suddenly. He cleared his throat. “I’ve never said that.”

“I heard you talking to Thancred about how Mama gets too distracted by me.” Bel’s voice was small and muffled by the quilt, her ears drooping against her head. “I didn’t like you either. You treated Mama like a cheap sword. Ilberd at least said please” 

He stared at her. He opened his mouth to deny the accusation. He snapped his jaw shut. He raced through his memories. Had he really never said please? Art’imis was just always there, always the shield between Eorzea and everything that threatened the realm. He had always just assumed… 

Alphinaud blinked and looked at Bel forcing himself to actually see the child and connect disparate things he had heard but had not linked together. Urianger and Papalymo had discussed in hushed tones about how she had kept herself together far better than they had expected in a Garlean detention cell. He had interrupted an impromptu knife lesson between Thancred and Bel, looking back with the benefit of hindsight Thancred had been annoyed at the interruption. Minfilia drying tears and listening to some story told through distressed hiccups. Y’shtola teased her about being the Warrior of the Nightlight. This child who’s echo had awoken to protect her from Ifrit’s will and since then caught glimpses into the memories of all the tragedies that plagued the realm. He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath so that he could let it out slowly. 

“I can only offer an apology.” Alphinaud looked into the fire ordering his own chaotic thoughts. “I did take your mother for granted, just as I assumed that all my plans could never fail. I don’t think I understand how much my arrogance hurt you in my disregard for Art’imis and yourself.”

Bel pulled her chin up out of the quilt again. “I’m sorry I put nettle powder in your boots that one time.”

Alphinaud blinked for a moment drawing a complete blank. Then he remembered a day in Gridania when his feet had itched and ached to distraction during a meeting with the Elder Seedseer. After the meeting his feet overrode his pride and he’d gone to the conjurers guild. One of the junior conjurers had said it was nettles and he must have walked through something that worked into his boots. He’d had to discard that pair of socks entirely, and have the inside of his boots cleaned three times before he could wear them without an itch. He stared at the little Miqo’te child who watched him with one jade eye and one aquamarine eye. A laugh bubbled up from his gut and he let it escape unfettered. Bel grinned and her ears perked up as her lips curled upwards. 

“Mayhap we could start again?” Alphinaud asked gently. 

Bel loosened her grip on her stuffed toy so that she could hold out her hand. “I’m Bel Aliender.”

“It’s a pleasure Miss Aliender. I am Alphinaud Leveilleur.” He shook her hand firmly. 

Bel wriggled and scooted across the couch so that she could curl up against his side. She grabbed the arm that hovered awkwardly over her and pulled it down to wrap around her shoulders. “Mama forgave you. She told me that even if you’d made bad mistakes you were still our family and we keep and protect what’s ours.” 

Alphinaud’s throat tightened and he hugged the little girl close not trusting that his voice would not crack if he spoke. Next to him Bel yawned and began to slip into sleep. The snap and crackle of the fire in the hearth kept his thoughts company until he drifted off into sleep as well. 

[vaniccio]

sea’s wol challenge — xviii. blessing

“Do you think the Echo is a blessing or a curse?” she asks one morning as she tightens the fastenings on his armor, fingertips gliding over the rough material in a well-rehearsed manner.  

He yawns and lifts an arm when she prods at his side. “Don’t know. It depends on the day. And on who you ask.”

“Well, how do you feel about it today?” 

“You’re rather awake this morning," he mumbles, rubbing at his eyes. "What brought this on?”

“Just curious. And I like to hear your thoughts on things.”

“Despite not listening half the time?”

“Hey.” She firmly tugs on a clasp by his ribs, cinching the material and making him grunt. “I do listen. I just do things my own way every now and then.”

More like always, he thinks dryly and turns when she nudges at him again. “I’d say it’s a blessing then, considering the plan for today.” 

“Are you expecting trouble?”

“Shouldn’t I be?” 

“Hopefully, no. But also I try not to expect the worst,” she says with a slight frown, finishing up and resting both hands on his shoulders. “I almost forgot how you look in this. It’s much bulkier than Tataru’s set. Does it still sit alright?”

He gives an experimental roll of his shoulders. Twists his torso a few times. She takes a step back and watches with a critical eye as he tests his range of movement. 

“Feels fine to me,” he finally declares, straightening out with one last stretch. Tataru’s gear is finely made and he’s since gotten used to it, but putting on his old gear felt like slipping into a second skin. It’s comfortable, familiar, and well-worn—he’s long lost count of how many battles it has seen him through. 

“Glad to hear it.” She gives a satisfied nod, then crosses the room to rummage in her closet. “I should be able to join you mid-way through the patrol. Lyse mentioned there’s been some unexpected developments, though, so I’m to see her first.” Her voice goes muffled as she steps further into the closet. He hears the sound of hangers clacking together. “Do you remember what I told you about the empire’s weaponry? What models to expect, if any show?” 

“Aye. And I remember enough of them from Bozja.” 

The brief stretch of silence lets him know she caught the sour note in his voice. 

“It won’t be like that,” she tells him, peeking out from the closet. “Truly, it should be a quiet patrol. And that’s not just me being naively optimistic. Alphinaud has since been keeping up with the missives from Raubahn—you can ask him yourself, if you’re worried.”

“No need,” he mutters and busies himself with his gauntlets, flexing his fingers. “I believe you.” 

But sometimes he wonders just how she’s made it this far with that sort of mindset. Granted he’s also in the habit of expecting the best in people and things, and giving second and third and even fourth chances—but that practice has since been tempered. 

“Okay,” she says, eyeing him for a moment longer before ducking back into the closet. "Thank you. Feel free to use the linkshell should anything happen. Not that you need telling, but be careful regardless."

"Duly noted." And with one last glance over in the mirror, he heads for the door. But he doesn’t get far, stopping at the sound of her grumbling under her breath.  

His gaze slides back to the room. She’s taken up the same spot in front of the mirror as he had seconds ago, though this time fumbling with the armor she’d had made nearly a moon ago. The sight of her twisting and trying to tie together two incorrect pieces would be comical if it wasn't as worrying in equal measure.

She jolts when he enters the frame behind her. "Oh. You're still here." 

"Turn around," he says, gesturing with his finger. "I'll help."

"It's alright. You'll be late if—”

"They can wait. Turn around." 

Her mouth snaps shut. She holds his gaze in the mirror, eyes bright and curious, then slowly turns to face him.

His practiced fingers fly over the various clasps and fastenings with ease, figuring out the set within moments. 

"Huh. You’re good at this.”

He grabs her hips and turns her, then gets to work again. "Armor is armor. There are only so many ways it can be worn."

"It's too heavy," she mumbles. "And clunky. I feel like a turtle."

"You grow used to it." Then he pauses, hands hovering over the belt at her waist. "Though if it's that much of a hindrance…"

"No. I promised you that I'd wear it."

He frowns at the stubborn look on her face. "And while I appreciate your word, I'd be far more reassured with you being able to move freely. If—"

"Ardbert." She rests a hand over his. "I said I promised you. It's different from what I'm used to, yes, but it's hardly something to hold me back. I'm just complaining."

Still, he hesitates. “If you’re certain…” 

“I am,” she says with a small smile, and his gaze softens at the sight. “Promise. Now come on, or we really will be late.” 

[eliniei]

Proposal - A!WoL/Emet-Selch

Summary: Persephone surprises Hades by coming home early from her Convocation duties to spend the Starlight Celebration with him, but finds herself surprised instead.

A/N: Written for the lovely @aoirohi for Christmas. (Sorry I’m a little late on posting this LOL, it was always on ao3 I just got lazy with tumblr)

Word Count: 2414

Masterlist: here Ao3: here

When I opened the door to our apartment, I was greeted with an unusual silence. 

Often when I would come home after my time travelling to other cities, I would find Hades on the floor in our living area, blueprints for a myriad of concepts spread out around him, a charcoal drawing pencil between his teeth as he approved, denied, or made logical changes to the things submitted to him, muttering garbled words to himself as he worked. 

But today, he wasn’t there.

“Hades?” I called. I set my bag on the table in the kitchen as I passed, then heard a crash in the back of the apartment. Brow furrowing, I made my way towards the noise. “Is everything okay back there?”

“Seph?” he asked me as I poked my head into the bedroom. “Is that you?” I raised my brow when he stepped out of the closet. I took in his appearance, the tie in his long, white hair loosened, his red mask askew. Boxes of paperwork and small knick knacks we’d kept stored in there were strewn around the floor at his feet. I crossed my arms over my chest and chuckled.

“Who else would it be?” I shot at him, amusement in my voice. “Are you alright?”

“Oh, yes,” he said, a hint of nervousness in his tone. “Perfectly fine, just searching for something.” He stepped over clutter to join me, then, wrapped one arm around my waist and pressed a kiss to my temple.

“What is it? I could probably hel-”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll just look for it later.” I frowned as he began heading for the front room again, pulling me along with him.

“Well, aren’t you going to at least clean that up?” I asked, tilting my head back to look at the mess. He huffed a laugh and snapped his fingers. 

“There, all better.” I clicked my tongue and rolled my eyes as a smile spread across my mouth, letting him lead me out of the room. “I heard you come in,” he began to explain. “But I thought you were Hythlodaeus.”

“Oh? Getting yourselves into trouble again?”

“Us? Trouble?” he asked, releasing me and putting his hands over his heart with a histrionic gasp. “The little faith you have in us pains me, my love.”

A short laugh escaped me. 

“Please. You act as if I don’t know you at all.” The front door opened again and Hythlodaeus stepped inside, immediately shouting.

“Hades are you-” His gaze fell on him as we approached, his face breaking out into a wide grin when he realized I was home, too. “Seph! You’re home!” 

I smiled as he sauntered over to me, throwing his arm across my shoulders. My arm immediately went around his back, as always, as he squeezed me tightly.

“Just in time for lunch,” Hades said as he fixed the tie in his hair, then reached for his long over-cloak that hung from a hook by the door. “Ready?”

When we got outside, he squinted in the brightness of the day, shielding his eyes with his hands as he took in his wide surroundings. “When did it snow?

“How long have you been holed up in the apartment this time?” I asked him, then turned to Daeus for the more accurate answer I knew he would provide me with.

“Not that lo-”

“Two weeks.”

“Hades!” I whirled back to him. “Just because I’m travelling doesn’t mean you can neglect to take care of yourself!”

He laughed, scratching at the back of his neck through his hood. “I guess I just lost track of the time. It’s not as if I stopped eating entirely .” I clicked my tongue and shook my head.

“You always get too wrapped up in your work.”

“As the Architect-”

“I have a responsibility to the people of Amaurot-,” Daeus and I recited, mocking his serious tone of voice before we paused and looked at each other in momentary surprise. Both of us burst into a fit of laughter and Hades rolled his eyes.

“Really, you two-”

“I know, I know,” I said, playfully shoving his shoulder as I interrupted him. “You don’t know what you’d do without us.”

With an exasperated sigh, he twined his fingers between mine before pulling me down the sidewalk. “Let’s go or we’ll be late. You have no idea how hard it was to get reservations the day before the holiday, even for me .”

The grin on his face didn’t escape me.

When we got to the newly opened cafe, Hades apologized profusely for having to add a third seat to the reservation, though the hostess smiled, saying it was not a problem, that they were “honored to just have the Architect visit their humble establishment .”

I exchanged an amused glance with Hythlodaeus as she gushed, obviously missing the fact that I was as Convocation member in my own right, though my seat was nowhere near as popular or powerful as his. Hades, embarrassed by the public attention, cleared his throat and nodded along with her words, a pained smile on his face as she praised him and his work.

“Oh, I am so sorry,” the girl said, finally. “You’re here to eat, aren’t you?” She chuckled and led us to a table.

“We didn’t think you’d be back yet,” Daeus informed me as we ate. “Hades was in such a mood that you wouldn’t be home for the holiday, so I suggested we go to lunch, at the very least.” I hummed, a small smile appearing on my lips as I reached out to him, wrapping my hand around his and squeezing lightly. Our friend sat back in his chair, crossing his arms in front of him. “I offered to keep him company tomorrow, as well, but that was an emphatic no from our beloved Architect. Probably planned to throw himself into more work while he sulked.”

I raised a brow and looked at him.

“Now that’s not-”

“Oh please,” Hythlodaeus interrupted. “Don’t deny what is the truth, my friend. What else would you have done? Sit on the couch and stare out the window?”

“Would you let me just-”

“Well, it’s a good thing I got back in time, then,” I said matter-of-factly with a nod. Hades relaxed next to me, releasing a breath of a laugh at our teasing. 

“I’m glad you did,” he said quietly as he turned his hand over, wrapping his fingers around mine. “Last I heard, matters probably wouldn’t be resolved beforehand.”

“Mm,” I hummed, running my thumb along the back of his hand. “I think those I was meeting with were anxious to get it all wrapped up so we wouldn’t be working on the celebration.”

A sound of disgust from across the table pulled my attention and we both looked to Daeus, one of my brows raised as he continued sitting with his arms crossed, cringing as he took us in.

“The two of you are so sweet it’s actually sickening to watch sometimes.”

I burst into a fit of soft laughter and shook my head. 

“You should just get-Ow!”

The table shook, suddenly, our plates and glasses rattling with the movement, and I could only assume Hades had kicked our friend over whatever it was he was about to say. I sat back in my chair to give him a look, but his gaze was intently fixed on Daeus, eyes narrowed. I opened my mouth to question him, but our waitress arrived to clear the table, asking us how our meal had been, and my question was forgotten for the time being.

As we were heading back to our apartment, Hades came up next to me, sliding his hand into mine. I smiled, softly and leaned into him as we walked. He released my hand and wrapped his arm around me.

“I missed you,” I said, quietly, laying my head against his shoulder. He hummed in response and rubbed my arm up and down. I lifted my head with a quirked eyebrow and peered up at him, my grin turned playful. “Didn’t you miss me too?”

He breathed a chuckle and looked at the ground with a nod. “Of course I did, my love.” I tilted my head in confusion, my brow furrowing slightly.

“Is everything okay?” Immediately, he brightened and leaned in to press a soft kiss to my temple.

“Yes, I’m-”

Immediately, he stumbled to the side, his hand tightening around my shoulder, pulling me with him. 

“What-?”

“Did you forget I was still here?” Daeus’ voice called from behind us. Hades had balanced us both and he reached behind his head. When he pulled his hand away, it was wet with snow. He frowned and whipped around to find our friend with another snowball in his, poised to throw it.

“Hythlodaeus, don’t you-”

When the snowball hit him square in the face, he froze in shock and I jumped to the side to avoid getting hit by any wayward chunks.  As it melted against his skin, it started sliding down his face in pieces, revealing his mouth hanging open. 

I began laughing at his expression, hugging my stomach as the giggles took hold of me. 

As I wiped tears from the corners of my eyes, I watched Daeus bend down to gather another handful, pressing it into a tight ball, then looked up at me. 

“Oh, no you don’t!” I exclaimed, quickly forming my own snowball and shooting it at him with all of my strength. With a gasp, he moved to the side but it still hit his shoulder. He tossed his, but I was able to duck out of its path. Next to me, Hades clicked his tongue and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Aren’t the two of you a little too old to be still playing in the snow like this?”

“Oh please,” I said with a roll of my eyes. With a conspiratorial nod to Hythlodaeus, we both aimed our next projectiles toward the Architect . “You know what they say, my darling- All work and no play…”

He rolled his eyes, but I saw the tug on his lips as he couldn’t help but smile, then uncrossed his arms and held them up in surrender, accepting his fate as we pummelled him with snow. 

A while later, we said our goodbyes to Daeus outside of our apartment building, wishing him a happy celebration. When I turned to head inside, I heard them whispering to each other.

“Did you bring it?” Hades asked.

“Of course, my friend.” 

I turned around to find Hades dropping something into the pocket of his wet robe. With a wave, Hythlodaeus started heading towards his own living area. I raised a brow, but Hades offered no explanation before leading me upstairs.

After we changed into dry robes, I went to the kitchen and poured milk into two mugs, heating it with a small amount of aether. I took a cannister of powdered chocolate, something Daeus and I had been working on and perfecting since this time last year, and stirred it into the steaming liquid. 

Satisfied with the taste, I smiled and made my way back to the living area, where Hades was waiting on the couch. He accepted it gladly, and took a long drink.

“Mm,” he moaned, quietly. “That’s nice and warm.” I breathed a chuckle as he opened his arm to me and I took my seat, curling into his side.

“Are you going to tell me what Daeus gave you?”

An amused smile spread across his lips and he set his mug down on the arm of the couch, then removed his arm from around me. 

“You know,” he started, turning to face me. “You always manage to ruin things in precisely the best way.” 

“Oh, and how is that? What exactly have I ruined?”

He reached out to me, running a hand through my hair as he examined my face with awe. “I had planned this for when you returned, of course, but you came home before either of us were expecting.”

I searched his eyes for a moment and opened my mouth to respond, but he continued.

“You never cease to amaze me, Seph. Everything about you- how your mind works, the pout of your lips when you’re trying to figure out something particularly tricky…”

My smile faded into surprise and I felt my cheeks start heating up with his praises.

“The bright, clear sound of your laughter and how it makes even my darkest days fill with happiness...the way your hair seems to shine blue in the sunlight.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box, then slid to his knees on the floor.

“I had Daeus...procure this for me. He brought it today so that I could hide it and have it here for when you returned.”

My breath caught as he opened it. Inside sat a small, simple, golden band that sparkled in the light coming from our main room window. 

“When you came home, I was looking for a place to hide it and you startled me.”

I felt my heart rate pick up as he held the box up. 

“Persephone,” he started again. “Would you spend eternity with me?”

I gasped, tears springing to my eyes as I covered my mouth with my hands. I tried to form words, but they seemed to escape me as I looked between him and the ring he was offering. After a few long moments of silence between us, he breathed a nervous laugh.

“Are you going to leave me hanging, my love?”

“Oh, Hades,” I whispered, finally, knowing if I spoke at a normal volume my voice would crack. Without warning, I threw my arms around his neck. With a gasp of his own, we both fell backwards, crashing into the rug.

His free arm went around my waist as we tipped and when we landed, we both laid on the floor laughing.

“I take it that that’s a yes?” he asked me, pulling me close. I plucked the box from his hand and slid the ring onto my finger, holding it up so both of us could examine it.

“Of course it is,” I said as I lowered my arm, laying it across his stomach, and turned into him to nuzzle my nose in the crook of his neck. “I love you, Hades.”

“I love you too, Seph.”

[ishgard]

emet & exarch >:3c

AAAA GOOD YES. I’mma just… put it under a cut cuz it got a bit l o n g. 

First impression

When we first saw Solus? As he is up there? ”It’s Ardyn.” Pretty much. I won’t count the first time we saw him in a casket cuz that just amounted to ‘he dead’… which was WRONG.

Impression now

“It’s Ardyn.” Okay, not really, I think they’ve got a lot of similarities, but gosh, I could not have been prepared for what SHB did with him. I’m… still not okay. Just looking at that gif and I’m emotionally compromised all over again. Him and Ardyn share a top spot for Final Fantasy antagonist - possibly just most media in general, really. Anyway, I adore him, the tragedy of it all, and for me personally I suspect he’s going to be The Bar that all other antagonists fall woefully short of.

Favorite moment

…..Oh… oh that’s… That might be the toughest question honestly? I mean. Just one? Impossible. I loved every time he’d answer our questions, I loved when he fucking peaced out on us in Rak’tika and everything when he came and saved Y’shtola and oh absolutely yes the scene at Bottom Rung was So Good. The scene after Innocence? The talk with Hythlodaeus? The ENTIRETY of the everything leading up to and following the final confrontation? Augh. A U G H. …I’ve put myself in a state again.

Idea for a story

I had an idea I was working on where the WoL holds onto a piece of the auracite and begins having dreams and visions of communicating with him; just a small piece of him that remains much like a shattered version of himself. There’s so many other things though… plenty with Persephone, and the other members of the Convocation. The idea of a shattered Hades ‘reincarnation’ even many years down the line from where we are now in the story seems interesting too - not necessarily as someone inherently important to MSQ, but someone experiencing the world as it is now and learning to fall in love with it. Ahhhhh….

Unpopular opinion

-looks into the camera like i’m on the office- ….Favorite characters aren’t a political opinion. But no, really, I think there’s a pretty clear divide on whether folks wanna see him come back in some capacity or another. Me? I don’t hate Zenos, but if I had a choice, I’d trade that return for a return of Emet-selch in a heartbeat ngl. idk if I want him to be an outright ally in his return, but I think it could be very interesting if he has a hand in our victory in whatever comes next (defeating Zenodiark? Overcoming Elidibus? I had a vague idea of us moving towards untempering plots and all, and us actually untempering Eli somehow) Overall, if Ishikawa is in charge, I have a lot of faith in her doing such a plotline justice. 

Favorite relationship

I love whatever relationship it is he has with the WoL. I try to steer away from “their relationship with the WoL” for this one as much as possible, but that one in particular, and in this case especially, was just… it was so good imo, and so deeply intriguing. Whether he comes back or not, I really hope we at least get a chance to somehow glean more into what came before. Really kick us while we’re down and show us what we lost.

Favorite headcanon

Shoebill. :| Okay, that’s more of a conspiracy theory, but it gives me hope. Favorite HC is probably… WoL as Persephone. A bit less of a HC for HIM, but deeply related. I have a headcanon that his empress was actually the Source’s shard of Persephone before they died and were ultimately reborn as the current WoL. 

First impression

G’raha: “Who the fuck is this little shit?”

Crystal Exarch voice in WoL’s head: “Who the FUCK is this little shit?”

…So it goes.

Impression now

G’raha then: ; ^ ; I love.

Crystal Exarch now: ; A ; I LOVE!

But yeah, there are obvious… ‘differences’, all things considered, between the two, so I’ll keep this primarily to the Exarch, and good god do I adore him. I will rewind a bit to say that while I did love G’raha a lot! he was by no means a super big all-star fav of mine. But once we’d gotten that first art of the Crystal Exarch and there were the details that the Crystal Tower would be important to SHB story, the dots were pretty solidly connected in my head and I couldn’t wait to see what happened. Needless to say, I was not let down one bit. He’s just such a good boy and seeing how much he loves and cares for you is so moving - oh look, I’m crying again.

Favorite moment

R o u g h. Two that come to mind though are, well, the whole instance with him in Kholusia with that one dwarf whose name presently escapes me, and the scene with him on the cliff top which I’m just gonna smoosh together cuz the other one, probably obviously, is the one after Innocence which… -gesticulates dramatically- E M O T I O N S. MY INSPIRATION!!! ; A;

Idea for a story

My idea is mostly this: Ahru and the Exarch curl up together and take a long-needed and much-deserved cat nap. That’s it. Might not be a long or riveting story, might be more of a snapshot than anything else, but that’s it, and it’s important to me. Also just going on adventures together in general.

Unpopular opinion

D: ..I don’t think I have one? I don’t think this is an unpopular opinion per se, more just personal thoughts, but as much as I love the ExarchxWoL ship, I can’t quite wrap my head around it for an Ahru ship (and I’ve shipped her with just about everyone at some point or another.) which is awful cuz gosh he loves WoL so much. ; - ; 

Favorite relationship

That said! I do love ExarchxWoL SO MUCH, like Emet, the way it was portrayed especially in Shadowbringers was so good. His interactions with everyone were fairly interesting though, and his relationship with Lyna and the people of the Crystarium were also very moving and sweet.

Favorite headcanon

Oh here’s one maybe? I don’t see him as being quite so… shy and passive? as I think he’s often portrayed. I think once he’s found some self-assurance he doesn’t lack for confidence and is apt to playful teasing. (side note: I’m thinking mostly along the lines of a close/romantic WoL-based relationship).

(Send me a character)

[relentless-endurance]

Character bingo: Raubahn, Ardbert, and Asahi!

Raubahn:

Raubahn good!!! What a great character!!! Also he is a dilf which is always a plus. The dynamic with Nanamo and with Pipin makes me emotional. (Also love the fact he see lil guys and is like 'ah yes will adopt them'). The fact that he would love to drop everything and fight beside the wol lives in my head rent free. I am always excited to see him in whatever quest even if its brief. Raubahn good!!!! One day I will make an older milf for him and then you will all see

also. worlds best potato slicer.

Ardbert:

WELCOME to the Ardbert cycle. Where you go from "okay who's this fucker" to "ARDBERT 😭😭😭". A lot of my crying in shadowbringers was because of him. Idk how far you are but there is a gut wrenching scene with him that makes me sob everytime. He is such a great character. I recommend doing every role quest eventually if you can, you get bits and pieces of lore about him and his friends and the meta quest after is really good too. I love him. The fact that this game took mr default man and not only made him a good character but made me feel things?about him is a testament to the games writing. (This is what i mean by cool looking)

Asahi:

It says a lot about this games writing that I actually like a lot of its villains and antagonists, and count them among my favorites, because I am not much of a villain enjoyer usually. Asahi? Is NOT one of these characters. Asahi deserves superhell for all eternity. Asahi fuckers, which unfortunately exist, need to be bullied for all eternity

i will say though please look up how he threatens Lalafell in that one cutscene on the beach because its so fucking funny

[fmlfpl]

Lineup Lamentations - GW38+

Our Transfers, Captains, and Starting 11s for the week!

—

WALSH ON FREE HIT

TRANSFERS:

OUT: free hit

IN: free hit

Free Hit (subject to leaks and shit on Sunday morning obv)

GK:

Lloris (cry)

We fucking suck with nothing to play for I expect us to just turtle and limit the damage. Season can't end fast enough. Mou has them Mouing their lives away and we have scored like two goals in the last bunch of games....hard to see us scoring. French guy in.

DEF:

Alderweireld & Aurier (cry)

Going with the treble up on Mou's defense.

I feel like we have looked completely all out of sorts in our set piece defending lately. Missing Benteke and Gazza...now Mom is out...if we run Dann and Kelly out and also Millie might still be fucked...suddenly we are a team of mainly little people. I'd expect them to get their fair share of corners and shit this game so maybe I spike one with Toby, who knows.

Really not a huge fan of Serge but making a last-minute switch for him in for Davinson. Totally forgot about Dier being back and also Vert's last game fuck I don't really know who he will pair with Toby even though I think it should be Davinson after some solid wins.

Aurier doesn't have such question marks and at least he gets to go attack down the side of baby Mitch. Bleh. Couldn't really justify Bavies over Serge even though I wanted to.

Alonso (WOL)

Feeling anxious that if he goes in the offseason this might be the last Marcos A game available to us in FPL. As such, I feel like I owe the man and he well deserves a spot in my free hit. I expect this game to be cagey and even though Chelsea don't really do clean sheets...maybe they'll dig deep for this one. Put to boot he's got those direct frees and has been roaming up lately maybe he gets something here. I'm anticipating Franklin will just match formation and although going up against potential Adama feels not greattttt.......I don't really see loads of other defenders jumping out at me. Fun punt, ok Marcos A.

MID:

Silva & Sterling (NOR)

Pretty straightforward here...Razzy been in form so he is an easy pick. I'm expecting Dilv to get the whole game and the lads will be looking for him so that he may go out in style.

Norwich are banter, and in a fixture that means nothing, the score should get run up. Just trying to get as many pieces of the pie as I can.

Salah & Mane (new)

A switch...after doing more digging and seeing Keita not in many predicted teams with Mane seemingly with a nothing to have missed yesterday I'm going to put him back in as I had originally planned. Newc defense is really in tatters and even though Livp guys could be rotated and drunk still think there could be a lot a lot of goals in this game.

Redmond (SHU)

Redderz, alongside Woodman and Dilv, were the first three names in my team. Another sentimental emotional pick needing to have a twirl with Redderz in the late stages of the season.

He's low key been returning 4 in 8 at a 1 in 2 clip..pretty fucking good. Soton have been hitting stride since the restart and even though it feels like a bad on paper fixture it is one of the very few games with both teams having nothing to play for. I like goals in those sorts, so let's do it Redderz.

FWD:

Jesus (NOR)

There aren't a ton of forwards I like and so Jesus kinda picks himself. Mahrez or Kevin or whatever would be fine but again, in the absence of forwards that I really want to go for Jesus feels like a strong option. Stats been great and been looking good on the eye as well - hoping he's involved in their goals.

Greenwood (lei)

Don't really love this pick but fancy him over the other cheap forwards.

Gayle would've been more fun but I haven't danced with Ladwood all year and even though this is a game with both teams to play for, in which I would ideally not have an attacker, but he just seems the best option.

I looked at Gayle for a fun punt but feels a little bit too insane even for me. I'll prob be watching this game out of the ten on offer so maybe having a guy in it is okay in the end.

CAP:

Silva (NOR)

Raz is probably the "right" pick here but I would like to have fun with El Mago.

He's one of my favorite players to watch since I got into the prem and has been on and off my fpl team more times than I could possibly count. An era is coming to an end and it will be strange to watch the prem without him, but for one last day he'll be my captain.

—

ALON ON FREE HIT

TRANSFERS:

OUT: free hit

IN: free hit

Free Hit (subject to leaks and shit on Sunday morning if I wake up).

I didn’t make any changes (yet?) from the team I ended up with on the Twitch stream.

GK:

Martinez (WAT)

I duno. Can Arsenal clean here? They can. But it’ll be tough with Watford sending the kitchen sink at’em but I think that gives Martinez a nice high floor of save points and maybe bonus points with the potential high ceiling if a clean comes in.

I like it and he’s cheap as hell.

DEF:

Alderweireld & Aurier (cry)

Palace is the best or second best clean fixture in the league at this moment in time and a Mou team should do a job here.

Alonso (WOL)

Reasoned out ‘Zo on the aforementioned stream before even seeing Pod Partner’s lambs and then here we both are with him in the side.

Feels like somewhere to punt and spend money and super high ceiling. We expect Chelsea to match Wolves’ back three and Alonso to push up at wingback. A clean is unlikely but certainly possible and assists and goals are both possible too.

MID:

Sterling & Silva (NOR)

Yeah Mahrez probably better if he’s starting over Daveed but fuck it. Everything Walsh wrote above about Dilv as his cap is all the emotions right there. I cannot add anything to it. And watch Mahrez get subbed off on 50ish minutes again... Lol...

And Raz yeah Raz is obvious.

Salah (new)

Haven’t had any Liverpool guys in a while will be cool to have Mo in there. He said it himself he just wants to play 90′ all the time forever he haaaaaates getting subbed off. Go on Mo <3<3<3.

Redmond (SHU)

I don’t have the feels personally for Redderz in this moment but I’m trusting Pod Partner and trusting the lore. End of season Redderz turns into Henry. (Henry not Henry).

FWD:

Kane (cry)

Spoken about Harold ad nauseam and don’t have enough fucks to type out the reasoning behind it but I trust him here. Feel good about it.

Gayle (LIV)

My shout for highest xChaotic match is NEW vs. LIV and I’m purely backing that fact. Liverpool haven’t been playing defense for about a month straight or so and I think it happens exactly one more time in this extended preseason.

Jesus (NOR)

Making up my City triumvirate in what should be about an 8-0 or so. Seems good.

CAP:

Sterling (NOR)

Don’t feel very strongly about something else so just going with the clear best pick. Feel meh about it.

We’ll see what fuckery I get up to at about 9am if I wakeup in time lol... Good luck have fun everyone.

Slackers... see ya there <3

[faelune-home]

FFXIV Write 2020 #9: Lush

(A/N: No WoL featured this time, instead I did an NPC focused piece. Then again, as a post-Stormblood piece, miqo!Fufu would probably be the most likely one in this timeline, but the WoL doesn’t even come up so it doesn’t matter.

So here’s another mourning piece, in similar vein to my piece for Minfilia posted pre-ffxivwrite. With Lyse in the Shroud. :’’) I had this idea a while ago actually, but this got me the spark to actually write it.

Given how open the prompts are, part of me wonders if I’m still on prompt here when I don’t use the specific word and I don’t draw a lot of attention to the word meanings a lot. :’D I tried to allude to the word here by focusing on the life in the forests of the Shroud, but idk if I still miss the mark there. But it’s good to get me writing anyway, which is the point.

Spoilers for end of HW patches at least for a character death

Word count: 1395

@ffxiv-writers)

The East Shroud had ever been so full of life. In the treetops, in the ferns, in the tangled bramble patch, even deep in the twisted forest of the sylphlands, the creatures ever stirred. It was almost hard to imagine that only a scant few weeks before, a vicious primal that could’ve ended it all had hung over the imperial castrum at the forest’s edge.

That end never came, if only due to the acts of one man.

Near Amarissaix’s Spire, Lyse stood silent, staring at the metal walls of the castrum, so alien compared to the greenery surrounding it. So alien, yet so familiar to herself, with all the time she’d spent as part of the Scions fighting the Empire. Under another’s name…

She shook her head of the thought; she missed her sister greatly, of course she did. But then maybe the way she’d handled it hadn’t been the healthiest. Even so, Papalymo and the other Scions had indulged her odd grieving method. In a way, as much as she maybe could’ve been set straight long before now, she’d still come out okay. Maybe?

“Oh Papalymo,” she sighed, “sometimes I wish you were still here. Even if it wasn’t to have you help me - even if I still feel like I need the extra hands, especially running a whole resistance - at the very least...I want you to see how much I’ve changed.”

She smiled ruefully. “Of course, sometimes it feels like I haven’t at all. But I know I can’t just go crumbling when people need me. And at least I have Naago to keep me right...but it’d be nice if you could do it too.”

But there was no-one to respond to her. The only sound in the forest was the buzzing of insects and the rustling of the leaves. She sighed again.

“H-hey, excuse me miss!” she jumped as a voice called to her; a hyuran man in a Twin Adder Private’s coat ran up to her, “I’m sorry miss, I-I’m gonna have to ask you why you’re here. Idle loitering an’ all.”

Lyse flinched. Had she really been standing there long enough to look suspicious?

“I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to be here this long or I would’ve told an officer or someone at the Hut. I’ll be on my way soon, if someone from the Reach doesn’t come shortly after me,” she told him, shuffling on the spot. His eyes widened.

“Hold on, you’re- I’m so sorry, Commander Hext, I didn’t realise it was you!” He bowed, embarrassment clear on his face.

“Oh, no no, it’s fine, like I said, I shouldn’t have been standing here without telling someone,” she spluttered, surprised that he recognised her.

“I-it should be alright for you to stay, I can tell my commanding officer you came ‘round. But uh- why are you here, if you don’t mind me asking? I figured if it was official business like, you’d have an entourage or you’d be in the city.”

“I...Well it’s nothing official,” she shrugged, then looked back at the wall, adding, “I was just here to pay some respects. I was almost done.”

“Your old partner?”

She started, eyes wide at the young man, to which he flinched again and said, “Sorry! I didn’t-”

“No, I don’t mind,” she said quickly, trying to calm the jittery soldier. Gods they were both so flustered at that point, somebody could jump and reach the trees quicker than any Ishgardian dragoon. She looked over his uniform again, spying the Third Class emblem on the arm. He was still only a new recruit. “I just didn’t expect you to know him, that’s all. How long have you been an Adder then?”

“Not that long, ‘fraid to say. I remember seeing you and the lalafellin man around the city as part of the Scions before I signed up. Heard he passed at some point during the raid on the castrum.” Lyse frowned, looking to the structure with a hard look in her eye.

“B-but I helped with taking back Ala Mhigo,” he said, a proud smile spreading across his face. “Hells, I was with one of the groups storming the city as well.” The woman gawped. He looked the same age as her, and barely a new recruit at that.

“Well, I’m surprised. Grateful but surprised,” she said. He gave his chest a beat with his fist, and said, “Was only happy to help, Commander.”

“Lyse,” she smiled, “Just Lyse is fine. I just didn’t think Gridania would want to send such a new recruit all the way into the worst of the fighting and risk losing a fresh soldier. Not that you probably aren’t capable but-” She stumbled, worried it would sound like she was dismissing him, but she stopped when he shook his head.

“Nah, you’re right. I’m as green as any leaf in this wood here, But I asked to go in. Me and the rest of my unit, sprouts the lot of us.”

“...why?”

He shrugged. “Ours isn’t a common opinion in Gridania, I’ll say that first. ‘Cos most folk are still bitter about the Autumn War, even if it were years ago now and barely anyone that took part back then is still around. Some few are, aye, but not a lot. But my comrades and I thought, ‘If the alliance can forgive Ishgard for not doing their part for so many years while focusing on their war with the dragons and still take them back, then we could do the same for Ala Mhigo. Let bygones be bygones and help them out now they need it most.’ And if we were needed most in the thick of it, then we were gonna be in the thick of it.”

“That’s a good sentiment,” Lyse smiled, “I’d say Gridania should be proud to have a soldier like you in their ranks. It’d be nice to have more good thinkers like you and yours.” She sighed.

“Gridania’s always had some problems, and it’ll take time to sort it out. But one step at a time, right? But then I could say the same about Ala Mhigo.” She looked to the sky, her mind flashing back to that night as the mimic of Dalamud hung in the clouds, holding fast to its draconic prisoner.

“That’s why I wish he could be here to see it all now,” she mumbled, almost forgetting her company.

“What was he like?” the soldier asked. 

A smirk crossed her lips. “He was stubborn as anything, and feisty. His tongue was sharper than any whip if he caught you saying or doing something ridiculous. I can attest to that right now.” She laughed, ignoring the prickling feeling at the corners of her eyes.

“But for all he said he was the no nonsense type, he could be lenient. Oh, he was lenient for a lot of things that he probably would’ve been snippy over otherwise. For every 10 silly questions I asked or stupid statements I said that he gave me grief over, there’d be another 5 things that he’d just let me have even if it was wrong or foolish or I should’ve known better.” Her words trailed off into a sob as tears flowed freely. In her mind she could almost hear a familiar voice chastising her for breaking down so easily in front of a stranger, especially with her new position.

To his credit, the soldier held out a handkerchief to her and said solemnly, “He sounded like a good man, Lyse.”

She nodded, taking the cloth and dabbing her eyes. “Yeah. He was a brilliant man. Brilliant and smart and ridiculously patient for someone that could blow up so quickly. He put up with me for so long.”

She sniffed, “Imagine, some brilliant scholar like him having a silly girl like me trailing around after him for years. Gods above, it’s a wonder anyone took us seriously.” Eyes dried, yet still watery, she handed back the handkerchief.

“Like I said before, I didn’t know him,” the man said, taking it back and pocketing it, “But from what you’ve said here, he would’ve been proud of the woman you are now. I feel pretty certain saying that.”

Lyse smiled again. “You know what? I feel certain enough to say you’d be right. He would be.”

[natsunoomoi]

Problematic Hades

So like, that story really rocked me so I’m still thinking about it and searching about it.

But in doing that, I saw a bunch of posts complaining about how Emet-Selch is fascist or created fascist empires. I wouldn’t actually call him himself so, but yeah he did create them, but for a reason explained in the story. While I don’t approve of what he did, I can totally understand why he did it. For what he wanted to do, that seemed like a pretty sound way to do it.

Spoilers for Shadowbringers.

Okay, so like a couple of things. Yes, he created fascist regimes. I totally don’t think he should have, but I can understand how he came to think that was the only way. And the thing is, as awful as fascist regimes are, his literal goal was to destroy the shard worlds on purpose in order to restore his own. If you want to fuck shit up on purpose, fascism is a good way to do it. We’re all acknowledging here that it is a horrible regime and one that fucks up the world royally and causes a lot of social inequality and so forth, which is bad for us, but the Ascians are trying to do those very things ON PURPOSE because it will lead to a Rejoining. In order to do that you have to maximize how miserable you make people feel, so they chose the most efficient option.

Ascian society itself though was a lot more equal and arguably more democratic.

As for how the Ascians and Emet-Selch treat WoL and company and the other people on the Source, First, and other shard worlds, yeah, it’s deplorable and it’s a real disappointing thing that these Ancients couldn’t see these people as people. However, perhaps they could if they couldn’t literally see the souls of their friends and family in every person. The split souls even.

Some people tried to create equivalences to the story plot points to real life hateful people, but like...there’s similarity in action mostly and not necessarily what they are. That’s a key difference. I’m not even siding with them, but it’s kneejerk stupid to make a false equivalence like that. The difference between an Ascian and the people on the Shard worlds is actually different. Ascians were gigantic and had a whole lot of powers and such that none of the Shard people have. There’s a huge difference in ability as well as potential and even state of mind, so it isn’t really that surprising that they would find the humans to be lesser on the Shard worlds. My argument with them as WoL is that they should count them as worthy because they have sentience, but apparently arguments about sentience didn’t happen among them or at least among those 3 unsundered.

Real life people who are discriminated against though are not different at all from the people who are discriminating against them. There is no actual difference in abilities. There’s a lot of bullshit made up differences, but nothing that can be proven to be actually true. That’s a huge difference between us in the real world and the characters in FFXIV. In the game, there’s an actual difference.

Plus like, I have issues with how the humans in the game treat the beast tribes. Like in Camp Bronze Lake there’s one beastman that just wants to take advantage of the hot spring, but the asshole Yellow Jacket won’t let him through because he doesn’t like how he happy dances. WTF. The beast tribes themselves have actual sentience and are able to communicate with the humans. If anything is actually discriminatory, it’s stuff like that. There’s no actual difference in ability between the beast tribes and the humans other than maybe they talk different.

The Ascians vs Sundered People though, is a situation that has come up in other media in different forms and is a classic thought experiment situation that will come up in our future as we make scientific discoveries and expand our knowledge base. It’s the basic question of when do you consider something alive. It dips a bit into abortion stuff too because a lot of people can’t agree on when life starts. (For the record, I’m pro-choice.) Those same arguments will be applied in the future as we head into genetic engineering. Like say a lab is able to artificially create a lifeform using their technology. That life does not have parents. Is that life property or is it a person? How much freedom should it have or should the company give it? If it has offspring even naturally with a mate, is the child of that created lifeform property or a sentient person? What about robots? We are at the cutting edge of AI. Computers as of yet are not able to compare to the complexity of a human brain yet and still have many failings, but one day when we are able to create a sentient AI, will it have rights? Does it have a right to life or can we as humans do whatever we want with it? These are the questions that I think that are most applicable to the game because essentially, the Ascians vs Shard people is very similar to the gods of Ancient Greece and how they fucked with human lives or the Immortals in Chinese myth and how they guided dynasties. They are higher beings with far more abilities than the humans over whom they oversee and can choose to help or not help whoever they want. I’ve seen some commentary where one person equated the Ascians to people who play the Sims. Do people who play the Sims care about their Sims? Some do, sure. But some also try to kill their Sims person and make entire houses designed specifically for Sims to eventually kill themselves. Like there’s one Try Guys video where Keith is with Kelsey and they made Sims of all the Try Guys and then put them in a house with that exact intention. The craziest one where the only way to get into the house was to swim through a pool maze and Eugene drowned trying to get to the house. This is considered fun to us right? If Sims were sentient, would it be as fun? Would we be different from the Ascians? And like I also play Civilization. It’s so fun and educational, but there are multiple ways to win the game and one of them is to build up your military and just murder all of the other civilizations. That’s not my preferred way to play. I usually like building up my science and technology or aiming for a cultural victory, but when you have a lot of technology and you’re more advanced than the other civilizations it is really, really easy to have one city make a nuclear missile and then travel it down all the roads that you had your engineers built and bomb your neighbors to oblivion. This is actual entertainment for us real life humans and it isn’t considered wrong. That is the position that the Ascians are in, only it’s worse.

The Shard people aren’t merely literal lesser beings with less powers, but are actual pieces of former Ascians. Their literal friends, family, acquaintances, co-workers, etc. These are people they actually know, and they were chosen by their people, elected even, to decide things for them. Those people died though and came back in a sense. From their perspective, them continuing on the way they are without consideration for the Shard people is not different from a loved one who gives you the right to decide if you can pull the plug on them if they are on life support.

This is a thing I actually had to do when my Dad died. Rather, he had a stroke and they couldn’t find the blood clot and when they did another brain scan again later he was functionally brain dead because the clot had blocked all oxygen to his brain cells. The machine at that point was keeping him alive, and it fell to myself and my sister to decide when to stop it. I hate it. I didn’t want to decide. I wanted my Dad to come home and be my Dad. But he couldn’t. Whatever he was wasn’t there anymore. His brain was dead and gone, and he wasn’t able to decide for himself when to do it because he was not functioning enough to have an opinion. We talked with our Uncles about it, and it came down to what our Dad would be happy with and it honestly wouldn’t be stuck to a hospital bed attached to a machine for years. There was no question we had to let him go.

And the thing is, to the Ascians, the Shard people to them are just like brain dead versions of the people they knew. Objectively they are way more functional and have more sentience than that, but they can’t function as Amaurotines so the quality of life is drastically different so they must imagine them to be not really living in that way similar to a life-support aided relative. In that respect, I can understand. I still don’t agree because the key thing is sentience and potential for a lot of positivity and a lot of other things that make human life worth it, but I understand where they are coming from and why they must think they can do whatever they want because their people entrusted them with the resuscitation order.

The thing with Hades/Emet-Selch though is that I don’t really think he 100% wanted to go through with this plan. He even mentions himself about how he lived among the humans and found a lot of fault with them. As I mentioned in another post, he’s not wrong. There’s a lot of fault with real life humans too and I question whether as a species we should all be alive because some among us are actual garbage fires and collectively we do a lot of damage to our planet and the other living things around us. He tried though to see if they were worthwhile and found that they paled in comparison to the quality of life and people that he knew. I don’t think it’s a fair assessment or question though also because he’s biased by the fact that he’s grieving and surrounded by constant reminders of his reason for grieving, so mileage may vary, but I appreciate that he tried whereas Elidibus and Lahabrea seem to be cold and matter of fact about the whole thing. Well, Laha was actually kind of crazy and evil for the sake of it, but Elidibus seems cold. It remains to be seen of course if they develop him any further, but based on what Hades says about how Elidibus summoned him back after he died as Solus already, I think Elidibus is in charge. Hades may have found a way to work on his own in some capacity and like go into his depression hole and terrible methods of coping, but like, he was trying to cope and trying to move on. I know from experience that it is pretty impossible to do as long as reminders are around you. I lost one person though. He lost everything. After the funeral I didn’t touch my travel bag for like a month because putting that stuff away felt like an acknowledgement of what happened, and escaped into the internet and video games to get away from my reality around me. Hades didn’t really have that. Every single person he looked at was a reminder. I think he liked theatre so much though because it provided him a little narrative escape even though he could still see the souls of each of the actors and also recognize them as his fallen people. It just wasn’t enough. Normally you need to like actually get away and make new memories and new friends and stuff, but like, he couldn’t because literally everyone around him everywhere was a sundered person that haunted him. That is literally some kind of hell. And a hell, that Elidibus didn’t really aid in taking care of. Like as a boss, if he is the boss, he didn’t really do a good job of checking in on those under him to ask how they are doing. If Hades would have been able to have any kind of support, it would have been from the other paragons, but they just left him alone. He went with the plan and kept going with it and was tempered himself, but he suffered along the way and actually tried to have hope to find a way out or another way. The Tales from the Shadows chapter about how for a moment he actually had hope and love for his son is beautiful and heart-breaking. His son lived until his 20s so at least for that time he like believed that maybe it would be okay, but his death just reminded him of all the faults he had discovered all of the years and the position he was in and who everyone around him actually was. Just reading that, I really thought that maybe, if his son had lived he would’ve given the whole plan up. It was possible.

And then like, some people like think Square isn’t aware that Garlemald is fascist. There’s an evil Empire in most of their games. They are aware of this. They are also aware of it because they are a Japanese company and as a people Japan has to grapple with its own Imperial fascist history. There’s a bunch of Stormblood specifically that his really similar to historically what Japan was like to other nations in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, and even what Japan was like post-war and occupied by the US. These days modern Japan is pacifist and a lot of Japanese people shun the Imperial days and there is often news and hubbub about how they choose to teach that history to future generations when their neighbors find out, but it’s really no coincidence that those themes end up in a game by a Japanese company. I think in that respect, if you look at the game through that lens, they definitely don’t think Imperial times were good or that’s a good thing. The complexity they add to the characters though, even if they are villains, is realistic because no one in real life is evil for the sake of being evil. Even during WWII there were a number of Japanese soldiers that did terrible things. It’s recorded and undeniable. But at the same time the assumption by the Allies that “all Japanese” thought the same and would actually fight down to the last man was racist and a huge over-generalization. Everyone had their own reasons. Kamikaze pilots who were much feared were also bolted into the planes. Soldiers who were soft or didn’t obey orders could have word of their reprimand travel back to their home and cause patriotic neighbors to shun or bully their families. Like people were basically extorted into the situation by social pressure too, which is why some lines are blurred and why there is much controversy and disagreement in regards to some things like Yasukuni Jinja and those tried for war crimes. I agree that those tried should not be glorified at all, but I can understand that at least some of them thought they were doing the “right thing” because higher ups made a horrible fucking decision or fed them propaganda that they just believed wholesale. Those are the real life controversies and gray areas and some of the Military Tribunal for the Far East was not actually handled well because the US was out for its own agenda and some people got away with stuff and some people were improperly tried for other things, and it was a hot mess. I don’t think that means the whole thing should be thrown out like some Japanese nationalists believe, but I just acknowledge and recognize that true justice was not really served during that tribunal because of personal interest and that sucks. But that’s a real life gray area and one that sparks huge debate everywhere in the world. But what’s a safe way to think complexly about the subject and the gray areas for war and different sides of a conflict? A game. This is a safe sandbox way to think about complicated issues without getting steeped into huge controversy. It isn’t a 1 to 1 direct comparison to what happened to real life, but the idea is just to present that these things are complicated and not everyone on the other side is an outright asshole. That’s the point. 

I speak on this as a Chinese American who majored in Japanese. I have multiple perspectives on the conflict, and basically I just stand on the outside and sigh because I can’t take anyone’s side. Like I grew up with the horror stories from my Chinese relatives about what they went through. I understand their hatred. I don’t feel it, but I understand why they feel that way. The American perspective I studied in school, and a bit of the Japanese perspective, but there’s a bunch of that I learned on my own at uni after starting to study the language. The American perspective though is mired by American self-interest but also actual racism in terms of how they thought about Japan. Japan is complicated in how to think about it, but ultimately I don’t think they would have gone down that path if Western Imperialism wasn’t so douchey in Asia. A lot of what Japan did on its own Imperial path stemmed from fear of not having the country end up like China which was carved up literally by Western powers. As a country I think it got carried away in that don’t be like that path, but ultimately I think they learned from the others in the world what to do to become stronger and unfortunately the other strong nations in the world at that time were largely huge douchebags. Like even Great Britain was an Allied nation and “good”, but like they weren’t a whole lot better to their colonies or to the countries they went to that they claimed in the name of the Queen and try to “civilize” and incorporate into the British Empire. They didn’t cause actual human atrocities, but let’s not pretend that their hands are clean either. Nor the US and what the country has done throughout history to police the world or “protect US interests”. 

Like a lot of people are criticizing these characters for their role in the story, but in all likelihood they are ignorant of the crimes their own country may have committed even if it wasn’t officially “fascist”. You don’t have to be a fascist to be a douchebag. Ultimately, Hades is forgiven and well-received by many fans because despite what he did, he did try to not be a complete douchebag and gave people chances and tried to look for another way. While also doing the bad thing, but like hope for the best prepare for the worst. Like he still has an immediate job to do even if he hopes for a different future. If you have no options to do another way in that moment, you just do the things you can and follow the plan you do have until an opportunity comes. For the Ascians they weren’t aware of another way so that’s just how it went.

[eliniei]

Not As It Seems Part X - Emet-Selch x WoL

Summary:   One night, against Emet-Selch's wishes, the Warrior of Light drags him to a festival.

Word Count: 2057

Masterlist: here Ao3: here

As always, if you have any requests you’d like to see show up in this series or any other Emet/WoL one-shot you’d like to see me write, please let me know!

----

That night, I was late getting back to my room. I had to stop at a stall in the Musica Universalis to buy a few things before heading to the Pendants. He was already waiting for me when I got there, eyes instantly going to the bags in my hand.

“What’s this?” Emet-Selch asked as I set my things down on the bed.

“Tonight, I’m taking you somewhere.”

“And where, praytell, would that be?”

“Well, I suppose, technically you’ll be taking me but…” I breathed a laugh and dug into the paper bags I’d brought back.

“Are you going to tell me?”

“If I tell you, you won’t want to go.”

The Ascian crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow at me. I pulled out two sets of folded clothes from my bags and set them on the bed next to each other. He came up next to me and inspected them.

“Absolutely not,” he said, his voice suddenly annoyed. I smirked at him. 

“Absolutely yes.”

A while later, I was changed into my bathing suit. I slipped a small, short-sleeved jacket and a short skirt over top and watched him from the corners of my eyes. He was still being stubborn. 

“It’s not that bad,” I assured him. “No one will know who you are.”

“That is not what I’m worried about, hero.”

“Then you shouldn’t be worried about anything,” I countered, and went to the bathing room to pull my hair up. “It’s warm right now, on the Source. You’ll be hot in all that fur and leather.”

“I told you, I’m not going.” I sighed and turned to look at him, holding my hair up in its place with one hand.

“I go along with your whims all the time with little complaint. Surely you can sacrifice a few hours of your precious time to escort me to the Faire.”

He narrowed his eyes at me, jaw clenched. I shrugged my shoulders and spun back around to tie a ribbon around my long locks. I watched in the mirror as he rolled his eyes, then snapped his fingers and the clothes I’d brought for him were on his body. He crossed his arms again and I gave him a sly smile through the glass. Twelve, he looked good in swimming shorts and an open button-down.

“See, that wasn’t so hard,” I commented. Once my hair was in place, I walked back up to him and held my hand out.

“Costa del Sol, if you would.” 

With a tsk, he grabbed ahold of my fingers and snapped. 

When we materialized on the Source, a little ways out from the aetheryte, the sun had already started setting and the paper lanterns were being lit. Sounds of merriment filtered their way to where we were standing. The bustling noise made me smile and I breathed in the salty sea air. 

I could feel the Ascian’s eyes on me, carefully scrutinizing everything I was doing.

“You mortals…,” he began, but his voice trailed off. I shook my head and grabbed his hand, pulling him towards the festival.

“Well, let’s go!” I exclaimed, tugging on his arm. He stumbled the first few steps before righting himself. 

“I hardly see the point-”

“Does there have to be a point?”

He hesitated, but sighed, and waved his free hand, a motion telling me to go. He followed me willingly. I looked back and gave him a soft smile, which he seemed quite perplexed about. 

We entered the festival and he looked around at the different stalls.

“What is this faire for, anyway?”

“Hmm,” I hummed, stopping at a game booth. I dug into my coin purse and handed the smiling elezen behind the counter a few coins. “To celebrate summer, perhaps?” She handed over some darts. I took three of the six in my hand and dropped them in Emet-Selch’s hand. “Break the bubbles.”

I aimed one of my darts at the bubbles floating at the back of the stall. When I threw it, however, it missed entirely and stuck itself in the wood. I smiled and looked at him. He was still standing there, staring down at his hand, frowning. I nudged him with my hip. “Come on.”

Finally, he acquiesced and tossed a dart. I giggled as it missed and he clenched his teeth. I put my hand on his arm. 

“It’s just a game, don’t be so sour.” Suddenly, I threw my arms out dramatically, mimicking him and he narrowed his eyes at me. Someone walking down the aisle hopped out of the way to avoid my flailing. “Lighten up, my dear Ascian.” 

When I had sufficiently thrown his own words back at him, he huffed a laugh and shook his head. Still staring down at me, he threw a dart. I watched as it hit a bubble, right in the middle. My mouth dropped open at his accuracy. He threw his last one, popping another. 

I threw the last of mine, as well, but to no avail. He leaned down close to me.

“You have terrible aim, hero.”

“I’m a mage, not an archer,” I pouted, crossing my arms and turning away from him, turning my nose up. “I don’t need to be terribly accurate to damage my target.” His sigh was histrionic and he shrugged.

“Excuses.” I rolled my eyes.

“What prize would you like, sir?” the elezen asked. Before I was able to turn to see what he chose, I felt him stretch something over my head. I ducked out of the way, putting a hand to my hair. 

“What are you-”

“Stay still, hero.” In his hands, he held two wooden masks in the shape of a moogle’s head. One side of my lips tugged upward and I let him sit it on the side of my head. He did the same thing with the second one. I breathed a laugh at how at-ease he looked and nodded in the direction of another kiosk.

“Are you hungry?” He quickly matched my pace.

“I suppose I could eat something.” I pulled a few more coins out of my bag and exchanged them for two steamed pork dumplings. I offered him one as I took a bite of the other. He eyed me suspiciously for a few moments, but eventually took a bite. He looked off to the side, his attention caught by something bright. “What’s that-?”

He took off in the direction of the stall. “Hey-” I called, my mouth full. “Wait!”

When I caught up to him, he was staring down at a child trying to catch a small, orange fish. “This looks simple enough.” My chest shook with silent laughter as he motioned for me to pay the employee and handed over his dumpling. 

He knelt down with his little paper spatula as I nibbled on my food. I watched as he put it in the water, but when he went to scoop the fish into the cup in his other hand, the sodden paper broke. He paused for a moment, eyes wide, like he didn’t understand what had just happened. I coughed, nearly choking on my mouthful at his reaction. He looked back at me with contempt written all over his face.

“You think you can do better?”

I swallowed my food and tossed his bun back at him. I motioned for him to hand over his remaining paper spatula and knelt down by the tank, holding the rest of my food between my teeth. 

Easily, I scooped a fish into the cup. Behind me, he scoffed. “Well, at least you’re good at something.” I stood, tearing a piece of my dumpling off as I removed it from my mouth and chewed. 

“I’ve been playing faire games like this since I was small,” I retorted after I’d swallowed. I leaned down towards a passing child, putting my hand on her shoulder as she passed. She stopped, looking up at me. I smiled and handed her the fish I’d caught. “Why don’t you take this? Take good care of it, okay?”

She gasped and nodded enthusiastically, a toothy grin on her face as she slid the cup out of my hand and skipped down the aisle, excitedly calling for her mother.

When I looked back up at the Ascian, I caught the hint of a smile on his face at my interaction. I threaded my arm through his. “Let’s go. There’s more to see.”

We continued on down each aisle, but he stopped abruptly at another game stall. He stared down at the activity, brow furrowed. 

“Do you want to-”

“I can’t believe you mortals subject yourselves to such a thing for fun.” I looked down, watching a small hume as his head was dunked in a barrel of water, trying to catch a faerie apple with his teeth. “How terribly unsanitary.”

“Hmm,” I hummed. “I guess I never thought about it.”

I shook my head and shrugged, then pulled him along. We stopped at one more stall near the end to buy a cold treat- some flavored ice pops- before making our way down to the water. We walked the length of the beach in the wet sand, soft waves hitting our ankles every few seconds. 

I watched as children, further out in the water, chased each other under the light of the moon. I smiled, then turned back to him.

“I’m glad you-”

The Ascian was not at my side anymore. I spun around, looking for him, only to be met with a facefull of water. I gasped as the cold hit me, and his laughter was bright and clear. I stood, stunned, staring at him with wide eyes and mouth hanging open. Water was dripping down my skin and one side of my hair was sodden. I blinked the water out of my eyes to see him standing knee-deep in the ocean, his arms folded over his stomach, trying to contain his amusement at my expense. 

“Your face, dear hero…”

I  narrowed my eyes at him, dropping what was left of my popsicle into the sand. He paused at the look of revenge in my eyes and took off running. I chased after him, trying to splash him. 

When he had to stop for breath, I finally thought I had a chance, but he snapped. Multiple, small balls of water surfaced from the waves. I stopped in my tracks as he snapped again and they started flinging themselves at me. 

With a small shriek, I turned, covering my head, and they burst against my back. I looked over my shoulder, and when I was sure the last of them had come, I turned and leaped onto him, the mask flying off my head. 

We both went tumbling into the ocean. The ribbon in my hair loosened and was quickly lost to the waves. I wrestled him under me and straddled his stomach with my legs. Our chests were heaving as I leaned over him, a smug smile on my face, my hair falling over my shoulders, lying in wet curls in the sand around us.

“I win.” 

He reached up to meet me and pressed his mouth against mine for a moment. “I suppose you have.” I stood off of him, and reached down to help him up. When he was on his feet, he snapped and a dry towel wrapped itself around my shoulders. 

Once we had dried off, I found a spot in the dry sand to sit and watch the fireworks, the night slowly coming to a close. He conjured a blanket and sat down. When I joined him, he wrapped his fingers around my arm and tugged me down with him. I laid my head on his chest, and his around went around my shoulders. 

“I hope this night wasn’t a complete disappointment for you,” I said as the show started. I swept my eyes over the skyline, the bursting colors magnificent across its dark hue. 

“I do admit, my dear hero, that it was rather enjoyable.” 

I smiled and lifted myself up, twisting my torso so I could lean over him. “I’m glad.”

He reached up, weaving his fingers into my wet hair. I leaned into his touch, closing my eyes, and he pulled my head down so my lips met his. 

[faelune-home]

FFXIV Write 2021 #31: Bonus day

(a/n: I managed to write a bonus fic for the anniversary extra day. :D I wanted to make it a happier fic to end off my 2021 writings, especially after day 30 ended up being more melancholic or bittersweet feeling.

This specific fic is related to a pre-Write piece I did, and one I drew inspiration from in the Soul entry as well at that; how the guiding light wavers. A long fic for me to bash out any naming troubles I had with my WoL. This fic specifically is a follow up to it, a friendly validation of Fhara’s worries from that fic.

Unlike the Soul prompt, where it was more like “the themes/ideas match up but you don’t have to read that other fic”, here this is a direct follow on, so an understanding of that fic might be needed. :’D My apologies for that.

Anyway, its been a good year. ^^ A good try for writing. I feel more invigorated to go back to an old idea I started last year but have most been sitting on otherwise. I’ll get back to editing and posting these pieces on Ao3 soon tho as well!

Set post-5.3, mostly spoiler free though tbh, altho some broad mentions of the Callings.

Word Count: 977)

It was just a light stroll through Gridania for Fhara and the twins that day, while they were still considered ‘on break’ from their Scion duties after all that had happened; mostly running a few errands, catching up with some friends at the guilds, and allowing the younger pair a chance to stretch their legs and relax after their long slumber. The sun shone through the treetops overhead, bringing a pleasant warmth to their travels. All in all, a day full of high spirits.

They had just left the Conjurer’s Guild, leaving behind the young hyuran girl to be rushed off her feet by her companions. Talks of tea and lunch and where to go for the afternoon snack--

“We passed a lovely little café on the way here, no doubt supplied directly by the Botanist Guild from the fruits of the Twelveswood.”

“I don’t doubt that, but Mother Mionne’s tea is always nice! I always try to grab a cup when I come back here, and she also supplies herself from the Guild.” “I for one would like to return to the Rising Stones for some of F’lhammin’s tea. Not to say I would dislike whatever Gridania has to offer, but I would sooner prefer to get back to work and supply Tataru with the materials she asked of us.”

“Come now, brother, no talk of work, please. Many would say we’re still in recovery and I for one am quite happy to enjoy it for a moment more, especially on such a good day. And Tataru would understand if we’re home a touch later with her wares.”

--were briefly halted at the arrival of the Elder Seedseer from the Lotus Stand.

“Greetings, my friends,” Kan-E bowed, a warm smile gracing her lips for the three visitors, “Tis good to see you all hale and hearty after our previous troubles. Many of us within the Alliance worried greatly for you, even upon receiving updates from Mistress Tataru and Miss Fufu as to your work on the First.”

“A pleasure to see you again, Elder Seedseer,” Alphinaud said, returning the gesture, “We are rather glad to say that there should be no more need for worries now that the Scions have returned to our regular selves. Many of us are still in recovery, but we are eager to get back to work as soon as possible.” To the side, his sister shook her head at his declaration. Kan-E herself seemed amused at least.

“I admire the enthusiasm, Master Alphinaud, but please, take all the time you need. The Alliance is better suited to having the Scions at their full strength to aid us.”

“Thank you, Elder Seedseer,” Alisaie nodded, casting a glance back at her brother, “I have been trying to tell him that myself. It took rather a lot of convincing to get him to join Fhara and myself on this little jaunt to Gridania in the first place.” Kan-E’s eyes flashed for a moment, a quick glance at the suddenly nervous miqo’te of their trio, her tail flicking and her eyes pointedly looking away. The Seedseer’s guards shared their own curious look behind her.

“I see. Well do take your time, as you can see, it is a lovely day in the Twelveswood for an outing. We would be more than happy to have you. I overheard you all discussing the matter of lunch?” With a knowing smile directed at Fhara, she added, “I’m sure Fhara herself has attested to Mother Miounne’s fabulous tea, but did she tell you of her baking? I have it on good authority that she has been preparing some tartlets for the day.” Fhara’s ears perked up, worries momentarily pushed aside in favour of sweet treats. Her stomach growled out at the same time, bringing a blush to her face and a ramble of laughter to her company.

“I believe that would speak for all of us,” Alisaie grinned, “Especially since those tartlets do sound a lovely treat with the weather.”

“Of course. Would you mind if I joined you?” Kan-E asked, “I would be glad to hear of your experiences on the First, if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Not at all, I’m sure my sister and I both have plenty to share of our time there, even before Fhara was able to join us,” Alphinaud responded. With plans made, Kan-E nodded, satisfied. 

She turned to her guards and asked, “May I go without you? I’m sure I would be more than safe in the presence of the Warrior of Light, not to mention Mother Miounne wouldn’t allow any scuffles or troubles within her halls.” Despite the wary frowns beneath their masks, and a moment of stuttering from one trying to dispute the request, they both eventually nodded and stepped away, leaving Nophica’s Altar, and their charge in the care of the Scions.

“Shall we then? The Aethernet would be quicker of course, but after a morning of meetings, a chance to enjoy a walk through the city would be a relief to myself,” the padjal said. Despite her still immaculate posture, she was clearly rolling her shoulders to ease her tensions. Alphinaud had already started to lead the way out of the glade, striking up a conversation with the woman as they went.

“And we said, there is no trouble at all, is there,” Alisaie said, smiling back at Fhara, before picking up speed to follow after her brother and the Elder Seedseer. Fhara let out a breath she didn’t even realise she’d been holding.

Nothing to be afraid of. Nothing to be questioned. She was just Fhara, and it was more than okay for her to be that. The Elder Seedseer had accepted it without question.

A relieved smile crossed her face, and her shoulder relaxed. And she chased after her friends, with a light bounce in her step.