#duck sibs

[surreal-duck]

catch you!!!

[scrivvle74]

Whiteboard doodles with my sibling

[fluffypotatey]

*smashes in like the Kool-Aid man*

PENDRAGON SIBLINGS YOU SAY????

I have. So many Feels. About Themst™

The complexity?? The layers?? The angst?? Hello??????

Their relationship is just So Much, because you are right, it's all tangled up in miscommunication and missed opportunities, and so many problems that can be sourced back to Uther "War Crimes" Pendragon, who wouldn't know a healthy relationship if it bit him on the ass.

If Merlin and Arthur are two sides of the same coin, then Arthur and Morgana are edges of the same blade.

Because it's the lonely childhoods, the shared grief, the friendship, the vulnerability, the fondness, the teasing, the envy, the jealousy, the almost romance, the protectiveness, the betrayal, the loss, the hurt, the refusal to let go and the desperate hanging on, and the love, the love, the love.

Indifference is the true opposite of love.

Hate is love that's gone rotten.

“If Merlin and Arthur are two sides of the same coin, then Arthur and Morgana are edges of the same blade.” oh fuck….

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH FUCK

WAIT HOLD ON WAIT LEMME PIGGYBACK ON THAT BESTIE @0hheytherebigbadwolf (tagging you bc it will be a couple days after you sent this ask)

(Also, for anyone wanting background context on what me and bestie are bouncing off on: voilà)

OK OK SO

we are all familiar with King Uther being the greatest (worst) dad of all time, correct? places such high expectations on his “only son and heir” whilst never officially acknowledging Morgana as his daughter until the very end?

F+ father of the year :)

he is not above sending his children into the dungeon if they disobey him as seen here:

(Jfc he even put Morgana in chains like wtf)

also, he is not above using emotional guilt towards them when he deems it necessary (aka one of the only times he actually acknowledges them as his children)

UTHER (1x02 Valiant) I trust you will make me proud.

UTHER (1x08 The Beginning of the End) I’ve treated you like a daughter. Is this how you repay me?

UTHER (1x12 To Kill the King) You are the daughter I never had.

UTHER (2x08 Sins of the Father) You would believe a sorcerer’s lies over the word of your father?

not to mention that when Arthur or Morgana try to reason with him or argue with him since they are the only ones with the status to do so, he pulls rank

UTHER (1x12 To Kill the King) May I remind you that you are speaking to your King [...] Take care, child, or I’ll have you restrained.

UTHER (2x08 Sins of the Father) I am your king and your father. You will show me some respect!

UTHER (2x06 Beauty and the Beast) We live in dangerous times, I cannot allow you to undermine my authority.

UTHER (3x10 Queen of Hearts) You have caused this to happen, Arthur. My decision is final.

ngl i could include more but i have already spent hours searching for shit (YOUTUBE WILL DIE BY MY HAND THAT STINGY BITC—) but y’all get what i mean: Uther is an abusive fucker and it has messed up the conditions of Arthur and Morgana

now, about the double edged blade…..

as previously established, Uther is a fucking dick and wants his children to obey him but also adore him. with this behavior, the Pendragon siblings react in two ways: with anger & contempt or submission and remorse

way #1

i’m gonna start with Morgana because anger is the easiest to pick out throughout the show. in the first episode of the first season, our introduction to Morgana’s character is her lecturing Uther about executing the man Merlin witnessed upon entering Camelot (such a warm welcome for Emrys, mh?)

MORGANA I just don't think chopping someone's head off is cause for a celebration. That poor mother. UTHER It was simple justice for what he'd done. MORGANA To whom? He practiced some magic, he didn't hurt anyone. UTHER You were not around twenty years ago, you have no idea what it was like. MORGANA How long are you going to keep punishing people for what happened then?

early on, it is easy to pick up on Morgana’s resentment and anger at Uther, who she believes is blinded by his fear of magic and his need for control (which she isn’t wrong about). also, we find that she isn’t one to back off when poking the bear (Uther). she does it constantly in seasons 1 & 2

MORGANA (1x03 Mark of Nimueh) Why would she kneel on a cold stone floor morning after morning when she could make these things happen with a snap of her fingers? Like an idle king!

MORGANA (1x08 The Beginning of the End) How can this child be your enemy? He's just a boy. UTHER He is a Druid. MORGANA Is that such a crime?…What have these people done to you? Why are you so full of hate?

UTHER (2x04 Lancelot and Guinevere) How many men would you have me sacrifice to save a servant? MORGANA  As many as it takes!

to be honest, i wouldn’t be surprised if screaming, arguing and berating Uther about his morals and ethics is her way of proving that she is not weak or submissive to his actions. i mean, Morgana grew up in a household the complete opposite from her time in Camelot. Gorlois, the man whom Morgana considers to be her father and one and only family member, was said to be “just” and “kind” and someone that Uther even considered a good friend who openly kept him in check. Morgana, until the age of ten, understood parental love and empathy unlike Arthur, who spent his whole life without any good or healthy substance of it.

the culture of Camelot and Uther’s wrath is not something Morgana was ever able to fully acclimate to as Uther himself pointed out in 1x12. She “was at odds with [him] since the beginning” and could never picture herself as a Pendragon (point further proven in 4x05: she looked revolted when Queen Annis compared her to Uther) because she didn’t share in their idea of magic = evil and a king = absolute control.

ironic in terms of future plot events, isn’t it :’)

way #2

compare that to Arthur: man’s respressed af. keeps all his emotions under lock and key if they are anything but haughty and serious. y’all, Arthur even says it himself how he “[can't] disagree with Father [Uther] in public.” whenever Arthur finds himself at odds with Uther, he holds his tongue and waits until he can disobey secretly (2x05 when he leaves to rescue Gwen, 1x08 when he helps Morgana sneak out Mordred in the dark of the night, 2x08 when he sneaks out to meet Morgause for more info about his mom, etc). it is only the rare moments when Arthur feels impassioned enough to speak up without fearing any retribution does Arthur talk back at him (so satisfying 👌)

ARTHUR (1x03 Mark of Nimueh) [Morgana’s] right, Father. You hear the word magic, you no longer listen.

ARTHUR (2x08 Sins of the Father) This is what fuels your hatred for those who practice magic. Rather than blame yourself for what you did, you blame them….You hunted her kind like animals! How many hundreds have you condemned to death to ease your guilt?!….You speak of honour and nobility! You're nothing but a hypocrite and a liar!

ARTHUR (3x10 Queen of Hearts) You can't forbid my feelings any more than I can. I won't deny them any longer, I love her. I love Guinevere.

we can even compare how the two react to Uther’s violence towards them

(ahahahahahaaaaa what a wonderful dad)

on the left, you see Arthur’s face right when Uther crushes the morteus flower needed to heal Merlin (his manservant/friend/????) and on the right, is Morgana after Uther discovers she was harboring a Druid child in her chambers and she refuses to listen to his reason.

notice how both faces are remarkably similar 👀

however, Arthur’s look of shock and dismay come from his hope that Uther would do the right thing. that he would help save Merlin’s life from dying of poison. that he wouldn’t use this as a method to teach Arthur “what it means to disobey and cross the king.” he truly did hope, just like he always does with the people he holds close. Arthur cannot help but hope and trust that those close to him will not betray him and yet so many do. hence the remorse

looking at Morgana, her shock comes from the fact that this might be the first time Uther reacted to her words and actions in a physical manner. my suspicion is that most of the time, all Morgana previously got was Uther reprimanding her and yelling at her to stop questioning his methods (bc, let’s be real, she was the favorite child.) never has he lifted a finder on her like Arthur and i have proof (cue transcript!)

AND! and, Arthur is constantly warning Morgana about not angering Uther any further because of the consequences she might face (consequences this boy is very familiar with) when Uther deems it necessary to “teach” his children obedience.

UTHER (1x04 The Poisoned Chalice) You have to learn there's a right and a wrong way of doing things. I'll see you're let out in a week. Then you can find yourself another servant.

UTHER (3x10 Queen of Hearts) You have caused this to happen, Arthur. My decision is final [...] This is for your own good. - UTHER She will die. The enchantment will be broken. You'll see I was right.

UTHER (2x08 Sins of the Father) I am protecting you from your own foolishness!

so educational 🥰 but see, because Uther presents his punishments as lessons, Arthur himself views them as just a fucked up but meaningful way of his father’s concern because “yeah, I am the first born son and only heir to the throne. of course I need to learn not to do silly things like disobey, talk back to him, be my own person.” <- I’m paraphrasing here

Arthur does and has never seen a way out of the life thrust upon him by Uther (see 3x06). succeeding Uther as king, marrying a noblewoman of high standing for heirs and alliance strength was always expected of him. Arthur never saw a way out of this. even when he and Gwen were in their secret relationship phase, Arthur had to remind himself that this would never last. he loved her and knew she loved him, but there was always that reminder (that sounded a lot like Uther) in the back of his head telling him that it would never last so long as he was prince. he had a duty (constructed by Uther) to serve Camelot and going against his father would mean (in his eyes) that he is going against Camelot (as Uther always presented it to be).

so unlike Morgana, he did not kick and scream but stood firm because that was what he believed was stronger. if he stayed in his lane and did his part, then he would be a good king, maybe even a better one than his father, for Camelot. however, the show proves that differentiating himself from Uther actually made him the better king and more respected, but this is not the meta for that. I am getting side tracked.

OK: so we’ve established parental issues between the two siblings. now onto their very complex, complicated yet beloved dynamic

sO, as i mentioned in this post (because i am lazy and too tired to copy/paste the evidence from there), these siblings do care for one another. they just go about it in the most hilarious and repressed and in-denial way (hilarious to me 😤)

when we meet them, it’s established that these two have known each other for some time. enough for them to bicker and have banter, you know, as you do with a Pendragon. also, should add, neither character are ever aware they are blood-related until s3 (because of some weak-ass bitch named Uther), so you have that very, uh, interesting subplot in s1 that everybody forgets about until you rewatch it. (honestly, I have so many questions. number 1: why???? number 2: it’s only in s1—was it scrapped??? is it like it never existed???? what was its purpose to the plot??? bbc explain yourself—)

however, despite how much it is shown that they do care for one another, they’re relationship in s1 is still undefined and vague as if they also don’t know how to accurately define what the other means to them. it’s very similar to the whole “i really love this person so much but is what i’m feeling platonic, familial, or romantic?” because….you know, guy and girl besties who are close are typically expected to grow romantic feelings for each other, so tbh i would not be surprised if both mistook their love as romantically inclined in the beginning bc, reminder, neither of them were aware they were siblings until much later.

[and this is ALL i am saying on this subplot. i do not want to cause any negative discourse, so if anyone has a few choice words about it, either keep it to yourself or feel free to talk about it with people you know. personally? not a fan of the ship and never will be, but i am not here to post about that.]

anyway, have some featured receipts showing Arthur and Morgana slipping up and showing how much they care for each other.

SEE!!!! LOOK AT HOW THE CARE!!!! SEE HOW THEY WORRY FOR THE OTHER AND WISH TO PROTECT THEM FROM HARM!!! (and see how even when they’re on opposite sides there is still that same love. just more warped and corrupted T^T)

^worried/protective Morgana

^Arthur’s face after Merlin informs him that there’s an intruder heading to Morgana’s chambers

Morgana is very aware of Arthur’s trusting nature. Arthur is very aware of Morgana’s empathy and righteous nature. they understand each other so well which is why Morgana knew just how to harm Arthur in later seasons and why Morgana’s betrayal hit Arthur so hard. it’s also why he never stopped trying to reach out to her in s4 & s5. as @merlinemrys said in this lovely post, the show’s driving force is love. love of all kinds. whatever conflict it is, love is there at the center of it all and, in Arthur and Morgana’s case, it does not save them (just like how love does not save Merlin or Arthur from what lies ahead, as the op of the post pointed out).

that is what makes their relationship/love be like a double edged sword!! that is why they are edges of the same blade!!! they protect and fight for what they believe in and for the people they love, but the same blades cut deep and twist their wounds into a lasting scar.

it is because of Arthur’s love for Morgana that he cannot help but hope and mourn the woman he once knew. it is because of Morgana’s love for Arthur that her feelings of hatred are so strong and ugly.

like honestly,

look at them T^T compared to before

their relationship is so tragic T^T because we knew them before it all went wrong. we knew they cared and understood each other. we knew that for some time, they only had each other to rely on for a friend, a crutch, a breather for when the royal life was too much. both of them were fighters and strive to honor their values. both of them had once leaned on the other for support, had wanted nothing but happiness for each other.

fuck, they didn’t even get the chance to really be siblings because they found out too late, and by then Morgana was on a war path and Arthur only found out at the last minute.

like fuck, man

two sides of the same blade: forged with love, yet used for blood

screencaps brought to you by me, @sourdough-morbread, and farfarawaysite

[snowshinefivez5]

Let's get creative with the sibs ✨️

@HuguiCrafts 🐓

@💜Cat_Tunes💜 🐈‍⬛

@DR21 🐕

[fantasticenthusiasttale]

IMAGINE THIS. the duck cousins find out Abner is dating Donna

Donald is breaking out into a cold sweat like he ran a marathon from Gladstone's jokes

Della wants to win the rivalry AND steal her from Abner

Fethry is (or trying his best to) taking care of Dugan

Abner doesn't even remember their names

HDLW and Scrogge are trying to count how many relatives this family is missing

Duck Cousins

What Duck Cousins dynamics would you like to see?

[bochedogmeat]

I hit chilchuck with harpyfication beam for 500 mana and blow him into one million pieces. Drivel below vv

I think chilchuck is some kind of likeeee wren? Chickadee maybe? Maybe even a cardinal? Some kind of small songbird, i just wanted him to have some kind of warm-colored wing with white speckles (my lazy ass did NOT use a reference for these shitty little doodles but if I ever end up making solid refs for them I’ll do more research), I thought about maybe hummingbird wings butttt idk I couldnt get the shape right and I wanted him to have more of a traditional harpy look. I combined elements from my harpies (wings and arms, jewelry/piercings, feathered tails) and canon harpies (FEATHER TIT WINDOW‼️ kind of feral, sharp teeth, etc) and kind of mashed them up. I TOTALLY FORGOT to give him jewelry on his arms and stuff but maybe I’ll go back to that laterrr idk like i said these r quick shitty doodles. So i guess hes kind of half harpy. I was like MANNNN wouldnt it be funny if he got his soul fucked up and had to navigate the rest of his life as a chimera. Lol. What if he had to relearn how to be human. What if laios had to teach him. Haha would that be fucked up or what. He could have also just been like that when they first met him and that would be cool too i think. What about the Implications??? Are his wings sensitive? What abt his tail? Are his senses even sharper?? Does this change his diet? Are his taloned hands still clever enough to pick locks? THEN i started thinking about the others…. Laios n Falin r some kind of owl. Snowy owl probably their northern asses but I also like the idea of them being some kind of seabird. Big ole albatross Touden sibs. Senshi is probably also sone kind of owl, maybe even some kind of chicken? Vulture might also be cool. Marcille is definitely a duck or swan tho (GASP unless SHES the hummingbird!! I will come back to this later). Izutsumi is already a cat, but if she had wings too shed be a corvid of some sort fo sho. Idk about yhe others because I cannot lie to u idgaf about them. ANYWAYS i love to talk about wings and harpies and how that affects team and overall social dynamics so if anyone has anything to add please do‼️

[thatdeadaquarius]

Soon.

☆

With a puzzled squint, you could see the adeptus was running over what you said in his mind, trying to parse out the meaning. Xiao then threw his head up out of his slight bow, almost glaring at you, “There is no task nor person more important than guarding you, my Lord. I will stand guard, worry not about my state.”

Nodding to you, he abruptly turned on his heel to shift to the side of the entrance to the mansion, his spear tall and ready. You’d have twitched a smile at him if you could, as you're sure he’s gotten a little more comfortable with you than when you first officially met. You’re also sure from meeting Zhongli just once in person that he’d have a small heart attack if he saw some of Xiao’s informal behavior.

But you’re glad he hasn’t, the more relaxed they are, especially considering your form, the better.

You duck inside, though the ceilings are so raised that you don’t have to go that low surprisingly. Huh, it was nice to be anticipated in a building usually sized for human heights. Wow. You’ve really reached the point of casually calling yourself inhuman.

…well, to be real with yourself right now, it might actually help to get more accustomed to that in case you’re never human again.

You also put that possibility back into the vault at the back of your mind.

☆

HEY I live, again,

I had a big life update what with my sib graduating grad school (getting their masters degree) at the same time we both moved like 2 states over from our home state 😅

and unfortunately, i wasnt able to get my monster of a sequel out in time to post it remotely to get it out to you guys while i was afk

(as i havent had wifi/free time consistently in like 2-3 weeks)

which, phew, im finally able to be settled in one place enough to write again, and have enough time in the day to not be dealing wiht my apartment to write ToT

i hope you guys arent too mad at me! (or have forgotten me?? sobs)

also.

i hear Natlan's coming out. 👀

I don't think it'll be out before i post the full (3 chapters total planned) sequel, but just in case, disclaimer-

🪄I am not to be held liable for not writing about Natlan bc it wasnt out yet woooo🪄

anyway, yeah its also taking a bit bc i wanna post the completed thing all in one go, over the course of like 3 days or so, that way u guys can actually look forward to the next little chapter in a reasonable amount of time lmao

well yknow, if anyones still reading this or my blog lol

happy summer you guys! I hope u all are having a good one so far, esp those of you in school, heart going out to yall fr <33

Catch you on the flip side (ao3 side?)✌️

Safe Travels,

💀♒

If you wanna join a taglist, DM me what for! "Pspspsss, please tag me for [All SAGAU posts, Only SAGAU Language AUs, diff fandom, etc.]!"

(If you ever wanna drop, just DM me! "No more taglists/[specifically this AU/fandom] please!")

♡the beloveds♡

@karmawonders / @0rah-s / @randomnatics / @glxssynarvi / @nexylaza / @genshin-impacts-me / @wholesomey-artist / @thedevioussmirk / @the-dumber-scaramouche / @chocogi / @fallen-starr / @areaderofbooks / @devilangel657 / @esthelily / @justinsomniachild / @nanithefuck / @questionotmystopit / @chinuneko / @silvers-tongue

@karmascreeches / @yomilyy / @0rah-s / @idontknowwhatimdoingbutweball / @blackstar-gazer / @voidsgarden / @a-gay-piece-of-paper / @oxyotl / @thefirstonetoeverlikemeback / @kurayamioterasu / @randompersoninyourworld / @byakuren100 / @lemonade7255

[gummygoatgalaxy]

Monster Sibs Au revamped!

My AU where there was a curse that the next generation of McDuck/Ducks are cursed to be monsters. May and June were made at the same time as Webby. All kids grow up together in the manor, which makes Huey super shy, Dewey super inept at reading situations and Louie more socially awkward.

Each of the kiddos powers:

Huey Duck = Healing/Fire

Dewey Duck = Super Speed/Water

Louie Duck = Illusions/Rocks/Gems

Webby McDuck = Invisibility/Light

Debby(May) McDuck = Telekinesis/Lightning

Beby(June) McDuck = Super Strength/Ice

Also larger wings are for lazy gliding, smaller wings are for speed, medium wings are a bit of both

[underdark-dreams]

Rolan x Fem!Tav Unnamed: Hurt/Comfort.

Grateful thanks to @obibail for letting me take inspiration from their headcanons for our beloved Tief sibs. (read them here---they are excellent!)

In Corpore Sano

"Where does it hurt?" Rolan accepts her offer to mend his broken self. To his reluctant surprise, she is tending to more than his flesh.

Tags: Fem Unnamed Tav, Hurt/Comfort, Injury

Word Count: 2,213 [Read on AO3]

"Welcome to the infirmary!"

Rolan’s favorite cleric stood at the entrance to her tent, holding the flap open for him with a smile. He glanced back over his shoulder toward the campfire. Cal and Lia were still sitting deep in conversation with the loud friendly one—Karlach, he seemed to recall.

Yet again, Rolan wondered whether he made the right choice accepting her invitation tonight. She had posed it as a social event to reunite his family and her motley group of companions—a credit to her discretion, one that he appreciated. She and Rolan both knew the true reason.

One bright morning last week, she had walked into the Sundries with her companions in tow. He droned the usual greeting before catching sight of who it was. She was intelligent; one look at his face and a short conversation were all it took for her to piece things together. 

She'd respected his pride, however, not asking any prying questions in front of her friends. Only after she descended the stairs from a meeting with his master did she pull him aside privately. 

Rolan knew from personal experience that she was a gifted healer, but she could be very convincing as well. She phrased it as if he'd be doing her the favor: as if she'd be so grateful if he just agreed to let her help him. Her eyes swayed his resolve.

 Perhaps it was his reluctant happiness at seeing her again and the chance to spend even more time with her. Or perhaps it was the lingering ache in his ribs that made it painful to breathe let alone incant. Rolan gave in.

And now he was here, and whether or not he might wish he could, it was too late to back out now. Rolan ducked under her waiting arm.

Inside, his nose was hit with the smell of fresh herbs and candle tallow. She’d packed her bedroll away in the corner; instead, a couple threadbare cushions lay in the center of the space. An abundance of candles burned here and there, shedding enough light for her to work no doubt.

"Have a seat," she invited, fastening the tent flap securely behind them. 

Rolan did so, sitting cross-legged on one of the waiting pillows. He tucked his tail in carefully, mindful of all the hot candle wax surrounding him.

She kneeled down opposite with a little "right." He pushed away the knowledge that she would be laying hands on him in a moment.

"Where does it hurt?" She began.

"Where doesn't it," Rolan grumbled. He'd instantly made himself sound pathetic—excellent start.

Her eyes flashed with something, but she moved on. "Let's start at the top," she suggested.

She pushed up her sleeves and pressed palms together to concentrate her magic; a pale light glowed between them. Then she reached out to place them on the top of his head.

The gentle pressure on his scalp was pleasant in a way he didn't expect. He felt her magic reaching out through him, searching steadily for any signs of injury, soft as a bird's wing. He ducked his head to let her reach past his horns more comfortably.

"So, want to tell me why you're doing this to yourself?"

From this angle he couldn't scowl at her the way he wished to. "Jumping right in, are you?" A scabbed wound under his hair closed up as he spoke.

"I just don't understand why you're putting yourself through this," she said calmly. "You always seemed smart to me."

"It's hardly any of your damn business." Rolan's hackles rose in defense. He thought he'd have longer to prepare before her inevitable meddling.

"I disagree, actually." Her fingers searched lightly through the rest of his hair. "You're my patient now."

Though she made a fair point, and he already felt her touch soothing away the aches and pains, Rolan wasn't about to entertain this conversation to any lengths. "You wouldn't know the first thing about what an apprenticeship with an archwizard is supposed to be."

"Maybe," she admitted, and guided his head back up to continue the exam; her expression was impassive. "I certainly don't understand how this helps you study the Weave."

"You don't just study the—" He momentarily lost focus as her fingers felt along his pointed ears. "It's about attuning each of your senses with the Weave, learning how to channel it with your whole self each time you cast the simplest spell. Master Lorroakan is teaching me how to set aside distractions of the body." He would probably earn a losing mark on that subject at the moment.

"Doesn't the pain make it harder, though?" She asked. Her focus had moved to his face, which he knew was in a pathetic state. 

"At times," Rolan said, begrudging. "But that only proves I can focus harder."

They were both silent for a while, and he was relieved to feel the subject finally drop. Outside the walls of her tent a chorus of nocturnal insects and the muffled conversations near the fire were the only sounds filling the air. 

He sneaked a glance at her face as she hovered close, concentrating on a deep bruise over his temple and cheekbone. He knew she'd healed the spot once the dull headache lifted from him. It had been there so long he forgot how light his head could feel without it, and he sighed to release a knot of tension curled up in his chest.

"I never noticed you had so many freckles," she said suddenly, her lips curving up in a smile. "They're cute."

Rolan had no clue how to respond to that; no one had ever described him in such terms before.

"Other children used to tease me," he said, the admission surprising even himself. When was the last time he thought about those days? Why bring up the miserable past now, with her of all people.

She met his eye with curiosity. “In Elturel, right? That’s where you and Cal and Lia grew up?”

As her hands continued to ease the bruised flesh on his cheek and jawline, he decided she deserved a simplified version of the truth, at least.

“Where we met. They’re brother and sister, but we’re not blood kin.” Rolan closed his eyes to focus on the soothing ease that spread outwards from every spot she touched. Not seeing her face also made the talking easier. 

“We were orphans. We met each other in one of the city’s worse homes." Behind his eyelids, snatches of those days floated back to him. Dark, crowded rooms. Gnawing hunger in his gut. Always someone crying. Rolan steered his mind past them like always.

"After a while they just wouldn’t leave me to my damn self. They were young and hungry. And I was old enough to work, and I didn’t have anything else keeping me from—” He stopped, redirected himself. “They needed me to protect them from some of the world. I told myself I took them in, but in truth, they adopted me.” 

She had paused her work as she listened. "No wonder they love you so much."

"They're a couple of damn idiots," he said, the bridge of his nose wrinkling with frustration just at the thought. "But they're my responsibility."

His eyes were still closed, but he could hear a soft note in her voice. "I'm sorry that little Rolan went through all that. But I appreciate that you told me…it means something to know."

Something soft grazed Rolan's forehead, and he realized with a jolt that she had kissed him. His eyes flew open.

"Sorry," she said, looking just as shocked by her own actions as he felt. "It's—an old human folk remedy. Forget it.”

There was not a gods damned chance of that, but she was already leaning back on her knees to a professional distance. "Did I get everything? Any other spots?" She asked.

As his heart drummed against his ribs, the wound there twinged in reminder. The idea somehow felt far more personal than her hands on his face. Then there was the embarrassing thought of having to disrobe in front of her. Could she heal him through his clothes? Healing magic was not Rolan's area of expertise; he couldn't be sure.

She was a battle cleric, he reminded himself, she certainly wouldn't be affected by his bare torso. Not the way he would, anyway. To her he was just another poor stray in need of her kindness.

"Here," he said, indicating the spot. "Feels like a cracked rib."

Her brow furrowed. "Show me?"

Rolan undid the clasps of his robe, just enough to gingerly work it over his shoulder, clenching his teeth as he freed his one arm. The motion hurt like hell.

She leaned close to inspect him in the candle light. He felt the same searching warmth of her magic around the spot. Whatever she discovered, her face was somber as she drew up to meet his eyes.

"I don't care if he's the archwizard of Baldur's Gate," she said. "Find someone else to teach you. Please. Anyone."

Her face was almost enough to make him ashamed of defending his choices. Almost. "If you're going to bring this up again—"

"You've been hit here other times, haven't you?" She pressed. "Recently."

Rolan set his jaw. "He's got a temper."

"Rolan, I am begging you." She truly was, hands clasped toward him, her eyes large. "Don't go back to that tower tomorrow. What if next time—what if he—" There was no need for her to finish.

Rolan stared her down with every shred of his stubborn certainty. "Whether he knows it yet or not, Lorroakan of Ramazith is going to make me the most powerful wizard in Faerûn," he told her. Told himself. "I've known it's where I belonged ever since I was that little nothing on the streets of Elturel. And if this is the price it costs, then I'll fucking pay it."

He hadn't convinced her, would never convince her, he saw that in her face. As he watched, her eyes welled with liquid that spilled out, one droplet rolling a path down her cheek. Rolan had never felt more fucking monstrous.

"I'm sorry—I'm sorry," he repeated dumbly, grand ideals gone from his head for the moment. Whatever it took to stop her tears. Her palm wiped the wetness away as she looked down at him.

"You're always sorry for the wrong person," she sniffed. "I can fix you. You're the one who's going to keep getting broken."

She was crying for him, and he couldn't remember the last time anyone did that. Before he could find what to say, she gave herself a little shake back to herself and bent wordlessly to tend to his side.

Rolan sat quiet in his guilt as she worked on him. Before long a prickling sensation of warmth spread out along his ribcage, as if his sinews were stitching themselves back together under his skin.

"Your collar bone was broken as well, wasn't it?" She was bent in such a way that Rolan couldn't see her expression, but her tone was almost back to normal. Cautious relief filled his chest.

She went on. "It's healed, but the bones are set wrong. Does it hurt to raise your arm?" Without waiting for his assent, she straightened up to start gathering the magical energy between her hands again. "I can fix that too, but it'll take a while."

"Thank you," he finally said, far later in the evening than he should have. 

She gave him a little smile. "You're welcome. Now, hold still."

Her face leaned very close beside his while she worked. A short pang of discomfort in his shoulder was followed by the same sensation of his viscera being mended from the inside out. Her fingertips brushed his skin as she guided small bursts of magic through him.

Rolan examined her features in the moment, bathed as they were in the pale light of her own spell. There was a tenacity to her that he found irritating and endearing in equal measure.

A strange spirit possessed him, and he brought his hands up to rest them on her hips as she worked. Her fingers paused almost imperceptibly on his skin, but she didn't look at him.

"There." She pulled away slightly, though not out of reach of his grasp.

Rolan flexed his shoulder forward and back, testing the range of motion. "Damn that feels good," he said appreciatively.

"I'm glad," she said with a smile. "Is there anything else?"

The question hung in the air between them. Rolan's hands still held her as he tried to decide how best to proceed.

"Would you mind if we stayed here for a while?" He asked boldly. 

She cocked her head at him. "That depends. Are you planning to be nice?"

He was, he very much was. Rolan drew her a little closer to him in answer. Cal and Lia would interrogate him endlessly at the soonest chance, he just knew it, but he'd deal with them later.

Her forearms rested on his shoulders, drawing him nearer to her through the candle light. "Come here, then."

And he did, and he did.

[inoreuct]

undercover op with sanji in a dress?? i think judge would be pissed asf if he picked a backless one and decided to own that metal spine bcs he’s a badass 😏😏 (unless cyborgs are discriminated against. are they? are they common in this au?? or are sanji and his sibs the only ones?? I’M SO INVESTED PLS 🤲🏻)

ooooh anon anon anon,,, YOU READ MY MIND WITH THE BACKLESS DRESS also cyborgs are pretty uncommon but they aren’t really discriminated against— more seen as things to be put on pedestals and not people, though. some see them as feelingless machines, and sanji’s siblings definitely aren’t helping that rep :((

there are other cyborgs but the vinsmokes are the most well-known, and their power + skills and apathy (save sanji) have people kissing the ground they walk on with a mix of fear and reverence. sanji just wants to be a Normal Guy, though, and zoro treats him like one, and it both pisses sanji off and makes him immeasurably happy. make of that what you will 🤭

“Found him.” Zoro frowns at his monitor, double-clicking with his mouse to zoom in. “Grey jacket, next to the beer taps.” 

“Yeah, I see him.” 

He tracks Sanji over the security camera, watching the blond slink through a crowd that parts for him effortlessly without even seeming to realise. Zoro can’t blame them, seeing as he looks good enough to stop traffic. “Remember, he doesn’t know what’s—”

“Going on, I know, I know,” Sanji mutters under his breath, weaving around a woman who gawks with her mouth slightly open as he flashes her a soft smirk and a wink. “Keep him unaware and get the drive. I could do this in my sleep.”

“I know,” Zoro echoes, even as he holds back a scoff and an eye roll. He’s in a bad mood and he knows exactly why. 

He’s scrunched up in his chair in sweatpants and a ratty tank top, a half-drunk can of beer steadily forming a puddle on the desk next to his keyboard as he watches Sanji sidle up to the bar and order a drink. Their target sneaks a look to the side before ducking his head and taking a gulp from his own glass. 

The man’s a small-time photographer who looks clean-cut but understated— Insignificant. He’d been chosen precisely because of that fact; GERMA66 had deemed him acceptable as an oblivious carrier of a thumbdrive that supposedly contains plans for whatever the hell Judge is up to next. 

Their job is to intercept it before it gets to Charlotte Linlin, or anybody she’s affiliated with. 

The bartender returns with Sanji’s drink and he takes it with an elegant incline of his head. “Old fashioned?” he asks, gesturing to their target’s glass, and there’s a pause before the poor man looks around quickly. 

“A-Are you—?” he starts, pointing to himself. 

Sanji laughs, silky and soft. Zoro takes a controlled breath. “Who else?” He raises his own glass to his lips, and Zoro knows what’s in it. A rum and orange cocktail with Kahlúa and cacao nibs in the egg white foam on top. “That is an old fashioned, isn’t it? Yeah.” The blond’s lips curl up behind the crystal rim, a bold red and sharp at the edges. “You seem the type.”

“You seem the type,” Zoro mocks silently, scowling at the screen. He doesn’t even try not to scoff this time; his chair complains with a loud creak when he throws his weight back, sullenly crossing his arms over his chest. 

Look. He’s not sulking, alright? It’s just— difficult. Sanji twists sideways, leaning one elbow on the bar, and the back of his dress dips low enough for his entire spine to glimmer silver-wet in the dim lights. Where was he?

Right, difficult. Sanji’s over there buttering up a literal nobody, and Zoro has to sit here, in his apartment, in this shitty rolling chair with no back support where he’s close enough to go in if Sanji needs backup. He listens to his partner flirt over the comms and grits his teeth as he tries to consciously keep his fists unclenched. 

He’s not jealous. It’s just that he’d gotten used to the idea of there not being anyone else, he supposes. Neither of them have any time for romance outside of their jobs, and at some point being together had just become routine; and Sanji’s a flirt, sure, but at the end of the day it’s always Zoro that he ends up with. They have toothbrushes at each other’s places. Sanji has weights by his shoe rack and Zoro has a block of chef’s knives tucked into the corner of his kitchen counter.

Sanji’s laughter grabs his attention, and Zoro realises that at some point he’d lost the thread of the conversation. The blond pinches the collar of their target’s grey windbreaker between his thumb and forefinger, running down the length of it, and their eyes meet through the camera as Sanji pushes off the countertop and the man scrambles to follow. 

His dress drags along the floor. The red satin is made heavy by crystalline beading, draping down to just above his hips as he makes his way to the lift lobby, and the man trails behind hanging onto his every word like a starstruck fool; Zoro suspects he himself isn’t much better. The lights of the lift lobby are harsh as they make their way up to the hotel above the bar, and Zoro switches from camera to camera all the way until the man’s sliding a key card into a lock and disappearing when Sanji shoves him into the room with an exaggerated giggle. 

His expression sobers when looks directly at the camera across the hall. Strands of hair are drifting out of his chignon and catching in his lashes. “Sorry, mossy. Gonna have to sign off for now,” he whispers, and Zoro can hear the soft smile in his voice before he pulls his earpiece out and shuts the door.

Silence. 

…Yeah, Zoro’s jealous.

It’s enough to have him finishing his beer in two chugs, leaning back to drag his hands over his face and groan. He knows what it looks like. Knows what it’s supposed to look like; a hookup, plain and simple. Judge can’t know that Sanji’s the reason the drive won’t make it to Linlin. It’s risky, sure, but they’re banking on the fact that he doesn’t know that Zoro knows anything about how Judge still has Sanji under his thumb. And if Sanji gets some fun out of it, well— Zoro can’t fault him. 

It doesn’t change the fact that he feels sick to his stomach, and it’s pissing him off because he has no right. None at all. He isn’t entitled to anything; Sanji doesn’t owe him, or anyone, anything. It doesn’t matter how he feels. It doesn’t matter how close they sit when they’re falling asleep in the middle of a movie on Sanji’s couch. Sanji’s already been backed into a corner by his bastard of a father— Zoro refuses to complicate things for him any more. 

He’ll get up in a moment. Grab a bottle of something stronger this time. The apartment will be his till morning, anyway, so what’s the rush?

And then he hears the front door beep as somebody enters the passcode, and he nearly falls out of his seat sitting up straight. 

Zoro glances at the clock as footsteps echo through the entrance; it’s only been twenty minutes, give or take. 

Multiple hard somethings clatter onto his desk, and he looks up to find Sanji leaning against the doorway. “Help me out. I’ve got a screw loose,” he says, grinning, and then there’s a moment before Zoro groans.

“If you think that’s funny then you clearly do,” he replies tiredly, standing as Sanji sits on the other side of the table.

He picks up the screwdriver he’d been given, reeling a little. Sanji isn’t supposed to be here, and yet— Here he is, pulling pins from his hair left and right and dropping them all over Zoro’s desk as his chignon untwists itself. A weary sigh leaves Zoro’s lungs. “Where?” 

“L4, R6, L12 and 16, and… R23.”

“23?” He frowns. “That’s lower than usual.” 

Sanji grimaces. “Slept wrong last night, I think.” 

“Hm.” Zoro flips the tool in his hand as Sanji gathers his hair over his shoulder; it’s gotten long now, enough to dust the tops of his shoulder blades with soft, shimmering gold. He rests his thumb at Sanji’s hairline and drags down gently until he gets to the first corresponding vertebra and he’s careful as he fits the screwdriver head in, turning slowly until the joint tightens.

“Did you sleep with him?”

Sanji makes a pfft sound and doesn't even turn, used to Zoro’s straightforward questions. “‘Course not. What, not confident enough in my abilities?” 

“No.” Zoro clamps his mouth shut when he realises how defensive he sounds. “No,” he amends, voice marginally less tense, four fingers wrapped over the edge of Sanji’s ribs as he moves down. “I just thought… You were having a good enough time. He liked you. No reason not to.” 

“I didn’t want to. That’s the reason,” Sanji says, and it’s flat enough that Zoro knows to ease off. “When we got into his room I knocked him out before I nicked this,” he taps the thumbdrive he’d tossed onto the table with the screwdriver, “out of the lining of one of his jackets.”

Zoro narrows his brows. “Knocked him out how?”

Sanji shrugs a shoulder. “Compressed his carotid. Pretty sure the poor guy was enjoying it, honestly.”

They’re quiet for a while after that. Zoro holds Sanji’s side, elbows digging into the table as he crouches down to see what he’s doing. He resists the urge to press his nose to Sanji’s skin. Beading digs into his knuckles as the screw clicks into place.

“Zoro.”

He stills. They rarely use each other’s names. “Yeah?”

“Did you—” Sanji’s breath catches, the moment suspended until he shakes his head. “Nevermind.” 

He’s beautiful, Zoro thinks. The scarring that frames his spine is smooth under his thumb. “Did it hurt?”

“Hm?”

“When he…”

“…Yeah.” Sanji puts the heels of his palms on the table, fingers curling over the edge, thumbs pressing into the sides of his thighs. “He said it was my fault, anyway,” he sighs, letting his weight drop so his shoulders hunch up to his ears. “That I wasn’t even supposed to feel pain, but I ruined it before he could… perfect me.” 

Zoro lets his eyes flick up, gaze falling on the elegant curve of Sanji’s nape before he focuses on the last screw. 

He’d made a promise to himself on that fire escape. The metal melded to Sanji’s back is a constant reminder to both of them that he’s a double agent. Everything they do is a risk; hell, they both lose sleep over it. Zoro’s used to his phone ringing in the middle of the night. Sanji’s finally starting to allow himself to call. 

The blond’s head is hung low as the strap of his dress slips off his shoulder, and Zoro slides it back up and lays it in place. He’s done with Sanji’s spine. “How’s that feel?”

“Hm?” Sanji blinks as he looks up, before rolling his shoulders back. “Better.”

“Alright.” Zoro barely stops himself from drumming his fingers on the table as he bites his lip. He turns around under the guise of readjusting random things on his windowsill. “It’s late. You staying over?”

“…Oh, fine,” Sanji relents, waving a hand. “Too tired to go anywhere, anyway.” 

It’s second nature to leave a set of pyjamas on the bed; Zoro usually takes the couch, if only because the springs are hell for the tactile sensors in Sanji’s spine. He’s just leaving when Sanji steps out of the adjoining bathroom with a wash of warm air with a towel around his waist. 

“Pretty sure your bed’s meant for two,” he says lightly before grabbing the clothes and disappearing back through the door, and Zoro blinks. Sure, he’d splurged on a queen-sized mattress, but he’s never shared it. 

He ends up lying down anyway and swiping through his phone mindlessly until Sanji comes out again, hair brushed back. The covers pull as Sanji climbs under and he stretches to turn the lights off, before they’re laying there in silence. 

Zoro’s half asleep when he hears it. 

“We didn’t do anything in that room.” 

“It doesn’t matter if you did.” 

“But we didn’t,” Sanji insists, and Zoro hears I didn’t want to do it, any of it, and he doesn’t even realise he’s reached for Sanji’s hand until their fingers brush. 

“I know,” he says, gentle. Their hands lay in the space between them until Sanji threads their fingers together, rolling onto his side. 

“Just, uh,” he begins, clearing his throat gruffly. “Just wanted to clarify.”

Zoro laughs against his will. His shoulders shake with it, and he hisses when Sanji kicks his shin. He finds the knuckle of Sanji’s thumb as he brings their hands up between their pillows, rubbing over the bone. “Go to sleep, curly. We’ll go through the drive tomorrow.” 

Sanji’s lashes flutter before he swallows. “Okay.”

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, marimo.”

He turns his face into his pillow. He smells like Zoro’s body wash.

Zoro stares at his ceiling and wonders just how much he’d be willing to give to protect this man falling asleep next to him.

(He wakes not long after sunrise the next day. 

Sanji’s ribs rise and fall against his palm, the corner of his borrowed shirt riding up. He’d rolled over Zoro’s arm sometime in the night; his other hand is tucked close to his chest, his ankle skin-warm and pressed to Zoro’s shin. His hair is all over the place and Zoro’s pretty sure he’s drooling. 

He smells even more familiar now, like cheap lavender detergent that Zoro buys on a discount, leftover hair wax and orange from the night before. Just a hint of mint toothpaste. There’s the slight rasp of stubble when Zoro drags the heel of his hand across Sanji’s jaw, and the man mutters in his sleep, flipping over to face the other way and hug Zoro’s arm to his chest.

Well. Zoro doesn’t usually sleep in. He’s a busy man, he’s got weights to rep and evidence to process— But seeing as his arm’s trapped, there’s not much he can do, is there?)

(The next time he opens his eyes it’s past noon. He smells caffeine and hot butter, and it drags him out of bed to the kitchen; Sanji’s standing over the stove, hair shoved up into a haphazard bun with a blue ballpoint pen, spatula in one hand and Zoro’s laptop balanced on the other.

“About damn time, you log,” he huffs, jerking his head towards the table. “Coffee’s ready, help yourself. You won’t believe what bullshit Judge is trying to pull.”

Zoro raises both eyebrows and decides to save himself an ass-kicking by keeping his mouth shut. He pours himself a mug of coffee and sits down. “S’that my pen?”

“It’s—” Sanji frowns. “I picked it up off the floor.”

“Hm. I was wondering where it ran off to.”

Sanji rolls his eyes, leaning over to put the eggs down. “You’re fucking horrible. Are you telling me you only have one pen?”

“No. I was just looking for this,” Zoro reaches up and yanks it from his hair, “pen.” He yelps a laugh when Sanji swats him over the head and drags a chair out. “It looks better down, anyway,” he chuckles, wrapping a curl around his finger and tugging before he lets go. “Now run me through what’s going on.”

The blond gives him a stink eye and sighs, turning the laptop so it faces them both. “Okay. So…”)

(Zoro settles in, drinks his coffee, and he still hasn’t figured out how much he’d give. He’s starting to think there isn’t a limit.

He thinks he’d be okay with that, though.)

(part 1 | part 2)

[bananatemilkshake]

When my cousin introduced me to roblox spray paint, of course the first thing I'm gonna draw is freaking Siffrin

Extra doodles and ss under

Rare Nickolas appearance yippew!!

A frog for my other cousin's req and a duck for my sibs

Me and said cousin (there was a griefer but i don't have any fucks to give we just be balling and drawing)

Ough forgot abt this little fucker (/affectionate). It's my other sona but roblox sized hhh

[bundoesnotcompete]

Reader is kaeya's blood sib and is roughly two years younger then Kaeya. Kaeya is a little less than a year younger than Diluc. I fudged with the already vague timeline a bit. Reader is a Fatui Harbinger. THE X READER IS PLATONIC

The biting cold of Snezhnaya was unpleasent against your skin. Whatever clothes you had borrowed from the unsuspecting Fatui agents did little against the cold. The clothes were either too large or too small for your sixteen year old frame. You had lost a tremendous amount of weight since you left Mondstat. Well, it felt like being exiled to you.

The look your brother had given you when you had happily approached him was one you would never forget. The sheer hatred and disgust in his eyes and he yelled at you was seared into your brain. The fact that he was crying made it worse. Then, you had found out Master Crepus had died.

The next few days had been tense as everyone seemed to ignore you. Not to mention, the fight between Kaeya and Diluc had left your blood brother injured. Then, when you had asked Diluc why everything was happening and why he was so cold, the hatred and anger in his face and eyes hurt you more than any flesh wound could. It was also then that you had basically lost your home.

"Why? You're asking me why when you are both traitorous spies?!" Shock filled you face as he began to yell. "How else am I suppose to feel when both of my siblings are traitors and my father is dead." A weak protest barely left your lips as you began to cry. "Get out of my office. I don't want to see you right now."

When you had asked Kaeya what had happened, he did not answer at first. He had given you a blank eyed smile before just saying that it had been a simple arugement. After pushing, he finally revealed that he had told Diluc about where you both had came from. You were a little angry with him after that, but did not leave until a few days later.

No one wanted to give you straight answers to anything. Diluc was ignoring or being down right nasty with you and Kaeya avoided questions, even though he looked guilty. The maids merely gave you looks of pity and told you not to worry.

Crepus's funeral had been tense and you decided that you would leave that night. From the stares to your family ignoring you, it seemed to you that you were not welcome in Mondstat anymore. So, you packed anything of great importance to you and left.

You had no plans when you had left, so you had wondered north. Bartering and haggling with traders to get supplies. You were getting good at manipulating people to get what you wanted. When you made it to Snezhnaya, you were plum out of supplies and seemed to be unable to find your way out of the frozen hellhole.

So you stole and bartered your way to survival, even setting up a couple of "accidents" to happen after some of the camps were hostile to you. You looted what you could from those accidents and moved on. One of your favorite pass times was manipulating and gaslighting the Fatui camps into doing things for you, or turning them against eachother. Looting them was always easier when they were fighting.

The few times you had gotten caught, you had managed to talk your way out of it. With a bit of luck and some gambling, you squirreled your way out of some sticky situations. You even got good at gambling and cheating in order to get supplies. The Fatui in the area did like to play poker, and you just happened to make good bets.

It seemed now that your schemes had caught up to you after a few months. The too big boots were crunching the snow beneath your feet as you ran. The camp you had robbed had a Harbinger in it. Well, at least you managed to screw them out of quite a bit of money before going back to rob them. Then you had discovered the tall, old man giving you a disappointed dad look as he caught you.

You managed to duck out of his grab as you ran out. You malnourished body getting you quite far. You were quick to run out of energy. Between the thick snow and tall trees, ypu energy was sapped out of you. You could see you breathe as you took a small breather. It was snowing again.

You took a few wet breaths before you began to cough. The wet sounds of your coughing were loud even when you tried to muffle them. It seems the cold was continuing to aggravate you chronic illness. The black tar that you heaved up wasn't a good sign. You haven't had a flare to this bad since you were a kid.

Heavy footfalls and the sound of snow crunching caught your attention. You needed to run but you just couldn't stop coughing long enough to catch your breath in a meaningful way. You were on your knees by the time he caught up to you. A warm hand was on your back as you coughed. He patted your back in order to help you.

When you finally stopped coughing, you accepted your fate as a caught mouse. You sat down fully and looked to the man kneeling beside you. The thick clothes and cloak he wore made him far more intimidating. The half mask along with his greyed hair a beard made him look horribly old. He looked at you with a curiosity when he saw your eyes.

"Finally done coughing?" He asked and took your wrist when he saw you about to flee.

"You've been causing quite the ruckus." You tried to free yourself from his grip and scoot away but he merely hauled you up on your feet. "We will discuss that later though, I am taking you back to camp first." His grip never loosened as he dragged you back to the camp. When he put you into a chair in one of the tents, you knew you were toast.

The guards waited outside as the man sat across from you. The fire inside the tent was keeping it wonderfully warm. You were still sopping wet from the snow, so you were still a little cold. You finally gained the courage to speak.

"What are you going to do to me now?" The man across from you never wavered in his gaze.

"You've caused many to be killed with your actions and managed to talk your way in and out of many situations. Not only that, but you have managed to negotiate with the more traditionally hostile locals for food, a feat even some of our more experienced Diplomats couldn't accomplish." He listed off. "Tell me, what do you think will happen?"

You shuffled nervously in your seat.

"You'll send me to prison. I know you have to be mad about what I did to the camp by the river." He hummed in response.

"It would be a waste of your skills, even as unrefined as they are, to send you to prison. As director of the Fatui, I have the power to pardon your crimes at a price. Tell me, would you be intrested in joining the fatui?"

The old man you had later found out was called Pierro. You had negotiated with him and you were shuffled into the ranks of the Fatui. Your skills in manipulation and diplomatic affairs had quickly sharpened. With a willingness to gamble and the ability to turn what would seem like a political disaster into an advantage, you rose the ranks fast. Your skills only continued to grow as Pierro quietly indulged you in a few lessons from him.

Soon, you rose to be a harbinger in a few short years. The tenth harbinger, Brighella, The Diplomat. The Fatui had soon become a family. Sort-of. You wouldn't trust any one of the harbingers to save your skin, but you did care for them a bit.

Among the lower ranks, you were known for being the best to work under and for being somewhat normal compared to others. Though, those that worked closely to you would disagree. Your recklessness and bad habits were going to turn your secretaries' hair grey. You had a saying, treat your employees decently, and they will produce better results.

Unlike Sandrone or Il Dottore, you did not work your lower ranked people to the bone for little to no rewards. By being a decent person you had earned the unwavering loyalty of many underlings.

Mondstat and your sibilings were buried in the back of your mind. Even when someone like Scaramouche threw your past in your face you did not care. You were someone new. Someone better. Not the scared youngest sibling. Though, all that was going to change with your next assignment.

It had been many years since you had been back home. Here you were, riding on horseback back to Mondstat after five or so long years. The trail to Mond from Snezhnaya was well worn from constant travel and enemies were few and far between. You had even ran into Grandmaster Varka's crew along the way, though he seemed a bit disappointed that you joined the Fatui. He did not treat you unkindly and it had made for a pleasant rest stop.

The breeze even smelt the same as you remembered. The weather and warmth was wonderful and nothing like the cold your new home was constantly in. Having air that didn't aggravate the abyssal sludge in your lungs was nice too.

You arrived to Mondstat with no fanfare. The guards waiting at the gate were asleep due to it being the middle of the night. Oh, Jean will be thrilled when you tell her of the sleeping guards.

Taking your stead up the stairs and to the Goth Grand Hotel, you were met by two diplomats, Mikhail and Lyudmila. Lyudmila took your horse to the stables when you got off of her while Mikhail took you the rest of the way to the hotel.

"The entire hotel has been on lockdown as ordered." He spoke as you passed by the door guard and entered the hotel. You hummed in response.

"Good. In the morning order every diplomat to the main hall. Seven am sharp. Do not inform them of my arrival. I am going to have a nap. See you in a few hours Mikhail." You waved him off as you wandered into what would normally be Dottore's office. Flopping on a comfortable couch, you sunk into it. The delusion on your belt hanging down as you drifted off. Il Dottore always got the nice seats, it wasn't fair.

At seven sharp, every diplomat was gathered into the main hall. You were dressed into a nicer outfit and cleaned up by the time you came down the stairs. The bath had been wonderful, but duty called and you were going down the steps of the second story at the agreed time. Lyudmila's sharp yell of formation had startled the diplomats and they quickly sorted themselves into rows.

Lyudmila and Mikhail were at the front facing the diplomats. Only one was missing and that was Luke, the loyal man made for a good door guard dog.

"Everyone is here as ordered, Brighella." You stood between the two diplomats and gazed at the group.

"Is everything and everyone ready?"

"Yes, my lord." They replied at the same time beside you.

"Good." You raised you voice as you spoke. "I want everyone to kneel on one knee." You commanded. There was hesitation before everyone kneeled.

"My arrival early was planned. We have rats in our midst." You began before calling out. "My dears, tie the filth up please." Several pyro agents came out and tied up five diplomats before setting them in front of you and kneeling.

"As you can see, we have rats. Now you souls are lucky, I cannot kill you. However, Il Dottore has requested you, so you will be going to him." Fear appeared in their eyes. "Now, next time everyone in this room will not be lucky. Next time, we will go back to stoning. We all know what happened in Natlan, I would like to avoid that. Take the rats away." The pyro agents did so. They would deliever them to Il Dottore.

"Now, I have other matters to attend to. Dismissed. Get out of my sight." The remaining diplomats were quick to flee. You turned to the two remaining diplomats.

"I have a meeting with Grandmaster Jean in twenty minutes. Mikhail and Lyudmila you are both dismissed. Good work. I will see you compensated." The two nodded and fled. Well, time to stroll your way to the headquarters.

You swallowed down the lump in your throat and made your way to the Knights headquarters. It had been so long and yet, so little has changed. As you opened the door to the headquarters, you were promptly ran over by a small red child when she had slammed the door open and ran out.

You did not fall, but did take a few steps back and catch the red child. Klee you think her name was.

"Klee is so sorry! Oh please don't be mad!" She cried to you as you set her down. She looked up at you and gave out a soft wow. "Your really pretty and I'm sorry for running you over. "

"Thank you, but I'm a bit in a rush. You are forgiven as long as you run off to play." She smiled and took off, waving goodbye as she did so.

The meeting was to take place in a large room on the second floor. A guard was quick to come over and take you to the room. She was quick to flee too. Entering the room, you felt the shock ripple throughout the room. You hadn't been seen in Mondstat in five long years. Closing the door, you gave you standard diplomatic smile.

"I apologize, I ran into a certain Spark Knight on my way in." You spoke and took notes of everyone in the room. Jean was rather pale but kept her composure much like Lisa did. You saw some family heads you did not care about. Kaeya seemed unbothered, but you knew him too well. You knew he was shocked by your appearence and who you were working for. Diluc kept his face neutral, but you could see his eyes flicker to the delusion hanging on your belt. Was that guilt in his eyes? Oh, it didn't matter, what matters is the present.

You took the only open seat and began.

"I am Brighella, tenth of the Fatui Harbingers. I have full authority over the Fatui while I am here in Mondstat. Now, We have much to discuss. So let's deal with the first issue: the complaints..."

-------

End notes:

Me oh my what was supposed to be a small drabble turn into 2500 words, oopsies. Nothing is proof read as usual. Pumped out in like two hours. Hope you enjoyed!

[chairwritexv]

Can i request platonic hc rottmnt little sibling reader who's admiring their older brother leo?

Like they love how cool he is, how calm in stress situations & how he even outsmarted big mama in battle nexus champion and counted for EVERYTHING.

Reader is trying their best to be just like them and this warms leo's heart and help him emotionally since reader is trusting him & looking up to him.

AFDJSJSJAJXH THIS IS SO CUTE

ok so

he has self-esteem issues and- you wanting to be like him???

AJFHSJSJS

it helps his mental/emotional health so much not even kidding

means absolutely everything

don’t stop mk? mk

shows off for you ALL. THE. TIME. (it usually ends badly)

it annoys the crap out of his siblings

oh my god

means so much

he is SO smug about it on the outside tho

but inside

he’s MELTING

and the trusting thing?

someone actually looks up to him??? and trusts him???

extra sibling points for you

ok but SERIOUSLY

he’s so used to his family NOT trusting him with plans it’s expected at this point but then his little sibling is ACTUALLY showing trust and love and even wants to BE LIKE HIM?.???

he’s platonically in love

youre now his favorite sibling

you definitely play with his odachi pretending to be him when he’s not around

but when he saw you??.?

ducking. melted.

ABSOLUTELY teaches you how to use them bc he doesn’t want you to hurt yourself

if you hurt yourself he will drop the smug-ass act and tend to your wounds which he learned from donnie

will ‘scold you’ (tells you not to do that even tho it wasn’t on purpose)

then immediately goes back to teaching you

loves it sm

means absolutely everything

will protect you with his life

i mean he would before but ESPECIALLY now

afdjsjskaja

bonus blurb thingie for being one of the first 3 requests below !!

you watched leo with awe in your eyes as he took down another foot clan member, his swords swing gracefully in the air as he decapitated the paper fiend, your eyes widening in wonder from behind the box as he did so. ok, so you weren’t technically supposed to be here. your brothers didn’t think you were ready to fight yet, which you were mostly fine with, but you just had to see your big brother leo in action!! he was your idol, basically. you looked up to him so much, he was just so awesome! you’d trust him with your life. i mean, you’d trust all your brothers with your life. but specifically leo. so, here you were. hiding behind a bunch of boxes and watching your brother kick ass. what could be better? well, maybe if that foot clan member hadn’t noticed you… the member’d snuck up behind you, ready to attack, unnoticed to you. you were too busy watching your brothers. until leo looked straight at you, his eyes, flashing to concern and worry as he used his swords to create a portal and jump through it. you tilted your head in slight confusion before you heard a noise behind you, you immediately turning around to see what it was. which was when you saw leo jump out of a portal and onto the foot clan member that was about to attack you. he swiftly cut the paper fiend in half, the paper bits flying around. after getting over the slight shock, you ran over and hugged leo, despite yourself. he jumped back, surprised before hugging you back. before he even had the chance to ask if you were alright, you’d already started singing his praises. “leo!!! that was awesome!!! thank you so much!! that was like- like amazing!! you’re like the best brother ever!! i’m gonna like- i-i’m gonna be like exactly like you when i’m older!!” as you rambled on, leo could feel his face heat up. he was awesome? someone wanted to be like- like him? you just gave the the confidence boost he didn’t know he needed. he didn’t say that, of course. he put on a smug smile and slung his arm around your shoulders, cutting off your rambling. “yep, i’m awesome~ c’mon lil sib, let’s get donnie to check on ya-“ “i’m fine-!” ”mmm, we’ll see…-“

hope you enjoyed! thanks for requesting !!

[tangledinink]

I AM COMING IN WITH DUMB NOT AT ALL PLOT-RELEVANT SWANTELLO IDEAS BECAUSE OF THAT DUCKLING ART YOU JUST POSTED!!!

So, what if one day a fight between Odile and Swannie results in a mother duck being a casualty, and her nest of eggs is left alone. Swannie is devastated about it, and their sibs are very quick to figure out a way to get an incubator out at the lake so the eggs can be cared for and Swannie can see them and watch over them (technically it wouldn't matter if Swannie saw them or not because of the memory wipe, but his sibs knew he'd want to watch over the eggs if their memories could last more than a day), eventually the eggs hatch and Donnie, constantly checking on them, would be the first person they saw, so they imprinted on him, and even though he doesn't remember them when he leaves the lake every evening he would quickly get attached to the little brood of ducklings following them and would be very protective of them. Good luck to Odile if she ever touched one of the babies, that wouldn't end well for her at all

Ahem. Sorry. Had to get that out there after seeing that art. Continue on, don't mind me

I love it. Accepted. Canon. Swannie raises three fucking cygnets. Now they're three swans on the lake that he's particularly fond of. He'd even remember them, because it's not the type of thing that the lake's magick would feel the need to erase. He is SO dedicated to raising these swans for a while. It's a PROJECT and it is SCIENCE and also it's SOMETHING TO DO, DAMMIT.

[little-babybell]

Heyo again!!! :3

So sorry for requesting so much I just really enjoy your posts and literally was so happy when I saw the CG!Ghost headcanons, it rlly means a lot since I’ve been STRUGGLING to find any COD Agere related stuff and my autism has made me hyper fixate sm on it so I literally nearly cried from happiness when you responded 😭💗💗

Obvs take your time but if it’s possible (pls don’t stress urself out w it u don’t have to do it 😭) would u be able to make CG!Soap or CG!König headcanons

Tysm for responding last time - hope you have a wonderful day!!! 💗💗💗 ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ

Okay okay haiii!! Also I hope YOU have a wonderful day as well!! So like I was reading this and I just thought "WHY NOT BOTH???" so yeah (＾• ω •＾)

Cg!König headcanons!!!

He's liek tall like I think giraffe kinda tall

He really loves carrying his Littles or just holding them up oh and PIGGY BACKRIDES!!! Best thing ever

I believe he'd be like kind of chill but also very energetic yknow?? Just fits up with your energy

Especially good with younger regressors

Calls you mein sohn(my son), meine tochter(my daughter), or just maus which is mouse in German (I need to stop doing my German lessons so late at night)

I don't know If he'd be a good cook but he could make those microwave smores

Okay now Cg!Soap AAAAAAA

Okay so I think he'd be more ljke just an older sibling more than like seeming like a parent yknow what i mean?

I personally headcanon he has a big big collect of rubber ducks so that's just perfect for bath time!!

I just remembered that video where it's like "Does soap enjoy a bubble bath teehee ^w^ Does soap enjoy a bubble bath??? Ô_õ"(I tried to make it seem like eyebrows) but he DEFINITELY ENJOYS A BUBBLE BATH especially like washing your hair and giving you a bunch of bath toys to play with

He's like a playful caregiver ^w^ like a nice older brother you can be silly with

He usually calls you little sister/brother/sibling or just sib/bro/sis for short

He's REALLY FUN like I also feel like he's kind of a prankster so I feel like you two would just start pulling pranks on people

Okay that's all hope u enjoy!! ^w^

[newtonsheffield]

Anthony posting a photo of them taking a bath together with two rubber ducks. That was the last straw for Edwina and the Bridgerton sibs, they’ve all blocked them

But also Anthony getting a rubber duck made that’s painted to look like Kate in one of her iconic outfits.

Taking a little post training dip with my girl

And Edwina’s just typing furiously like “Anthony, me having to see this could be seen as abusive I’m sure!”