#especially from quiet and sweet Gilgamesh

[softquietsteadylove]

Hi! I have a request about Zombi au👀 how about when they settled into the new place they meet up with druig and Makkari and they we're just all getting along in the instant and one time they having lunch conversation Makkari suddenly tell how Ikaris roughly handled thena on the supply run when Gil is still pass out and then Gil is not happy about it that thena needed to calm him down before he could kill the guy and assure him she already handled it. Thankyou ❣️❣️❣️

"Hey, you."

"Hey," Thena looked up as Gil circled behind her, his hand drifting over her shoulder as he sat down with a tray of food. "How's cooking duty?"

"Getting there," Gil answered simply. "I don't have the best inventory yet, but there haven't been any complaints."

"I'll say, this shite is better 'an anythin' we've had yet!"

"Gil, this is Druig," Thena introduced, only after Druig had taken the liberty of complimenting the food and then loudly shovelling in another bite. "He also worked here under Ajak in the beginning of things. He worked in psychiatry apparently, but he also is quite good with agriculture."

Gil smiled at the man eating like he had been famished for days, and then at the woman who gave him a cheeky kind of wave and smirk. "Uh, hey."

"Makkari," Thena smiled, putting down her fork and raising her hands. "She's deaf, but she's their top runner. She can cross the entire city in two hours, apparently."

"Whoa, that seems," Gil furrowed his brows, but Makkari grinned, signing something back to Thena. He would have to ask her to teach him during their off hours.

"She was a track champion, she says," Thena smiled, translating in real time as Makkari's hands flew at lightning speed. "She could have gone national if she hadn't been disqualified."

"Disqualified," Gil looked at them both, but Makkari didn't seem particularly bitter about it. She lifted her arms and made bunny ears with her opposite hands, a few times even.

Thena laughed, shaking her head as well as she lifted her fork for another bite, "stealing."

Makkari practically rolled right out of the cafeteria seat in her laughter at Gil's face.

"Extra food," Druig clarified, relieving Thena of translation duty. "Don't worry, she won't nick any of your valuables."

Makkari gave him a wink and a shrug.

"She won't," Thena raised her eyes at the woman across from her (across from Druig, really, but in her eye line). "Because she likes you."

Gil smiled sheepishly, picking at the meal he himself had prepared. "That's what everyone says when they're hungry."

Thena nudged him gently, under the table and away from the eyes of their new comrades. "You know very well that's not true."

He finally took a bite of food, looking around at those whom Thena had befriended in her short time here and without him. She didn't usually end up talking to people, let alone liking them. "How was the run today?"

"It was okay," she smiled, eyes searching him for a deeper worry under his light tone. "Makkari and I went into some higher hotel rooms close by--I told them about the mini-fridge trick."

"I can't believe we never considered 'em," Druig said with only half a mouth full this time, "all this time."

"Thena's smart like that," Gil praised freely and openly, looking at the woman beside him instead of eating his bean salad. Not that she noticed.

It could have gone better.

Thena did look up at Makkari but didn't bother speaking up, resuming eating instead.

Gil frowned at her, "what?"

"It's nothing," she shrugged, reaching for her bottle of water.

Makkari looked at Gil, it did go well, until a certain someone started arguing with Thena over whether to take the stairwells or use a dumbwaiter system in the elevator shafts to get the supplies down.

Gil leaned behind Thena, asking Druig with his eyes to please translate for him.

Druig looked at Makkari, and then at Thena, who must have given him a hell of an expression. He swallowed his massive bite slowly. "Uh, well, it was mostly smooth sailin', apparently. Nothin' to worry about, big fella."

Gil frowned, though. He put his fork down and slid his tray away from him, only so he could slide Thena's tray away from her. She stared at the table, as if trying to figure out what had happened to her meal. She turned and looked at him the way she would look at the devil himself. "Thena?"

She just glared at him, lips pursed (cutely). "It was nothing."

He slid her tray even further away from her. He knew there wasn't much that could break the iron will of the Goddess of War. But withholding her food - so long as it was made by him, which was kind of sweet - was the one way. "Thena, what happened?"

She eyed the tray, knowing he would not make getting it back easy. A faint huff escaped her as she tossed her fork down, "Ikaris and I got into it, nothing worth dragging up again."

"What do you mean," Gil said quietly and evenly, his hands already tightening around the edges of her tray, "got into it?"

"Blondie here is cocky, that's what she means."

"Ikaris, not now," she turned in her seat, all too prepared to bark at him about minding his own business. "It's water under the bridge."

He glared her down, though, crossing his leanly muscled arms at her in his navy t-shirt. "I said we should use a dumbwaiter to get the food up and down. But GI Jane here said it would be better to carry the shit all 'emselves down seventeen fuckin' flights of stairs."

"You can't rely on the cables in elevator shafts anymore!"

"Okay, okay," Kingo patted Ikaris' shoulder beside him, "don't wanna go starting this again."

Gil stood. "What happened?"

"Uh," Kingo looked around, as if he would find a glowing door that would help him escape another scuffle.

"What," Gil repeated, having no problem standing nose to nose with the obstinate guard, "happened?"

Ikaris looked down at Thena, who was still seated, determined not to rise to his bait (as Gil was). He scoffed, "she's savvy out there, but she's got wee arms to be doin' heavy liftin', no? I got my hand around her whole bicep."

Gil tilted his head faintly, trying to absorb what Ikaris was saying. He had held Thena's arm? He had held her by the arm? He had gripped her by the arm? He had fit his entire hand around Thena's slim upper arm?

"If she bruises it's only 'cause she has as much meat on those bones as a pigeon."

Gil grabbed Ikaris by the front of his shirt, backing him up into the seats behind them. Ikaris' knees bent, making him grab the edge of the table behind him. Gil leaned over him heavier. "Don't you ever touch her!"

"Gil!" Thena rose, eager to intervene as others in the cafeteria started gasping and whispering.

"Don't ever put your hands on her!" Gil roared in the guy's face. He didn't care. He didn't care that he was making a scene or making a powerful enemy. He didn't care if he got kicked out for this. "If anything - anything - ever happens to her out there I will kill you!"

"Easy!" Kingo yelled, trying to pry the much larger, much stronger Gil away.

"Come on!" Druig growled, also trying to drag Gil away from Ikaris.

"I mean it!" Gil barked at him, "if anything ever happens to her it's your head!"

"Gilgamesh!" Thena moved between them, pushing against his chest as Kingo and Druig attempted to pull him by the arms. She pressed her fingers into the divet between his pectoral muscles. "Stop it!"

He was out of steam, anyway. But he was still glaring at Ikaris as he picked himself up, huffing and glaring, obviously ready to go on if he was let go. Gil was all but panting, light headed from the adrenaline rushing through him. He couldn't help it. All he felt was rage looking at this bastard.

"Gil," Thena attempted, raising her hand to his cheek and forcing him to look at her, "hey."

He blinked, the edges of his vision expanding again.

"Look at me," she whispered, her thumb against his cheek, "I'm right here."

She was right here, unharmed.

"I'm fine," she assured him, making him look at her instead of over her head at the man he was frankly ready to beat to death.

Gil carefully raised his hands. He knew everyone was watching him. They had seen him lose it twice now, if not more, considering how long he was out of it during his recovery. They probably thought he was some monster of a man.

But he ran his hands over Thena's arms gently, as if just touching her would make the bruising that asshole was talking about appear before his very eyes. Her skin was so soft. "Y-Yeah?"

She nodded, still holding him, grounding his senses in her instead of his rapid heartbeat and boiling blood. "Yeah."

Gil let go of a long breath, letting the rest of his energy leave him. He was exhausted, and he was still on dinner and cleanup duty for the night. "Okay."

Thena smiled, satisfied that he was feeling calmer about the whole thing. She let him pull her closer until she was tucked against his chest, which he would argue was the safest place in the world for her. She pressed her cheek against his clavicle and the collar of his t-shirt under his unbuttoned flannel. "It's okay, Gil."

Druig stepped away from him tentatively, hands still at the ready, "all right, then."

"Come on," Kingo patted Ikaris as he picked himself up. He looked at Thena and Gil, neither apologising nor condemning them. "Let's go."

Ikaris did give them one last glare before storming off.

Gil watched him go. He didn't like that guy, no matter how nice Sersi was. But once he was far away enough, he resumed burying his nose in Thena's hair. "Sorry."

She rubbed his back, as if soothing him after a nightmare, "you're okay."

"What is going on in here?!"

Thena pulled away, looking up at Gil with wide eyes. He was not to say a word.

"S-Sorry," Druig stood as Ajak made her way over. "Me'n Ikaris...y'know."

Ajak gave him a look, but the fact that she so readily believed him really spoke to how well the guard got along with most here in the hospital colony. "How many times, Druig?"

"Aye aye," he nodded, like a teenager getting scolded after curfew. He sat himself back down, "won't make a peep, mother dearest."

Ajak just rolled her eyes at him, despite what she claimed to be a very strict rule about in-fighting. She looked at Gil, leaning against Thena's shoulders. "Everything okay?"

She most definitely knew that it was Gilgamesh involved in the fight, not Druig.

Gil smiled, hiding his fists in his armpits, "great!"

"Hm," she pinched her lips together, at him and then at Thena, "I trust the matter was resolved?"

Thena just nodded, but Ajak seemed to accept the silent promise to her that the fighting was at least done for now.

"Right," the doctor sighed before rushing away to her next fire that needed squashing, her white coat flaring behind her.

Thena looked up at him. "That was too close for comfort, wouldn't you say?"

Speak for yourself, that was the most fun I've had all week!

Thena just glared at the petty thief and friend across from her.

He sighed, sitting down with her and trying to ignore the stares focused on them. He slide their trays over again, half pushing his into her space for her to take what she liked from him. "Sorry."

Thena nudged Druig's shoulder faintly as she picked up her fork again, neither looking at each other, "thanks."

"Nothin'," Druig shrugged, also not looking as he resumed eating his corn (while Makkari resumed stealing bites of his canned fruit).

"You sure I can't come with you?" Gil asked her gently, no longer having any appetite. He hovered closer to her than necessary, even running the back of his knuckles up and down her bare arm. "I'm no 'you', but I'd be better than that guy."

Makkari nodded eagerly.

"That's for Ajak to decide," Thena said gently to dissuade him from his overprotective argument. "And besides, who would make these delicious meals then?"

He sighed. She was appealing to the chef in him, but he would rather crawl through filth with her than serve a hundred strangers his best three course meal. "Come on."

"Not to pick sides, but T's right, big guy," Druig piped up, again with his mouth full. T? "I ain't eaten like this in a dog's age, and I bet the rest of 'em here'll get how invaluable you are right quick."

No one else here talked like that.

"I can handle myself," Thena assured him more quietly. She even let him pull her knee so her thigh could rest against his. "You don't think I would let him grab me and not nail him right in the nuts, do you?"

Gil chuckled. No, of course she had gotten in a shot directly to his biggest weakness. That was the Goddess of War he knew (and loved). Thena leaned in gently as he pressed a kiss to her hair, "of course not."

[fuwafuwamedb]

Courtships and Fellowships Pt 6 (Hakuno, Sigurd, Gudako)

Previously: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

___

“I’m not really an exception though, am I?”

She didn’t really know him per say. They had just bonded a bit with one another. That was all. Sure, she’d fought alongside him in a few trainings together, but that didn’t mean that they would be getting… a…long…

“I thought you might like something sweet to eat. It’s passed the time for breakfast and there weren’t many options available.”

The man set a small container of ice cream before her, the orange treat coated in rich brown syrup and sprinkled with fresh fruits. She couldn’t help but find her eyes lingering, her stomach growling at her. Like claws, her stomach hounded at her, seeing the goodness before her and knowing full well that she would enjoy what she saw.

“Y-you got this for me?” Hakuno glanced over at him, earning a soft laugh.

It was such a quiet laugh, more like a chuckle than anything. Then there was his gaze, that blue gaze and that expression were so relaxed that she couldn’t help but to feel a strange twist in her gut.

“You’re my master. I’m supposed to take care of you.” He rubbed at her back softly. “Eat what you can, but don’t force yourself. Whatever remains can either be saved or thrown away.”

“Or you could join me.”

The man blinked.

Did he really think she’d eat all this by herself in one go?

Hakuno scooped up a bit of the ice cream, holding it out for the man.

“I’m not a strong master, but I don’t mind sharing my food, especially when someone goes about helping me get it in the first place. There’s more than enough and I could use the company while I try to figure out what to do.”

“There’s nothing to figure out.”

Says the man who was looking quite pleased as he took a bite of her ice cream. The man slid up next to her, helping her lean against him and offering her a little more of the food. She half expected him to be wrapping an arm around her or giving some kind of comment about her.

After all, it was what she was used to with insistent servants.

Imagine her surprise at having him simply accept a couple more bites before going to get another spoon. He didn’t go far, simply to a tray that was nearby. And then he was back, offering her bites in return.

“I should get back to my room.”

“Gudako is gathering your things for you.”

“Hmm?”

Sigurd shook his head. “It was shortly after I brought you back here. Gudako offered to help make things easier so she went to gather your things up for you. She’s been handling the situation for your movement.”

“Sigurd…”

That wasn’t good.

No, she could think of exactly three problems off the top of her head with that.

1)     She’d look like a coward to Gilgamesh.

2)     Gilgamesh

3)     Enkidu

She didn’t even need to go into detail about the two servants, instead simply just stating their names was enough. Enkidu was an enabler, one of the worst caliber. Even if she wasn’t accepting a contract with them, she knew better than to leave Gilgamesh and Enkidu together for too long. She was there as a balance and, if not her, then someone else that she could trust.

They’d torn apart Ishtar’s room. They’d thrown toilet paper about in the conference room. They’d wrapped Hans’ entire room and every item within it in tin foil. She’d seen them get into a pissing competition outside the facility in the snow. She’d had to help them take their frozen selves to the infirmary, both of whom had spent the next few hours laughing at one another. They left whipped cream in one another’s hands. They superglued things. Often.

The two were so accustomed to their games when they were bored that she’d had a time and a half getting them to behave. For Enkidu to be unleashed to that extent would be mayhem.

Not to mention- Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh would be raising hellfire and brimstone. There’d be storming. There’d be yelling. She would see him soon enough, coming through the door to ruin this ice cream timeframe and haul her from the room. She’d have to listen to the backhanded compliments, the halfassed threats, the tiresome volume that made her ears ring.

A knock came at the door.

“Hello hello?” Gudako stuck her head in. “You guys alright?”

“My master just woke up,” Sigurd told her simply. “I assume you’ve gathered Hakuno’s things.”

“It didn’t take long. Hakuno didn’t have much from what I’d seen.”

The woman pulled a couple suitcases into the room, shaking her head.

“The duo in her room also didn’t help much either. If I forgot something, just let me know and I’ll go get it for you.”

“How bad are they?” Hakuno dared ask.

The two stared at her.

“Gilgamesh and Enkidu… what are they up to?”

“Archer is playing a racing game and Enkidu was trying to detangle their hair. They’re sitting in front of the television… or I guess, they were when I was there. They were just quiet. Did you want to go talk to them or something?”

Something felt off about that.

“Hakuno?”

“Gil was quiet?”

“Didn’t breathe a word. I honestly thought he’d lose it, but he just continued to play games and sit by Enkidu.”

Enkidu was Gilgamesh’s best companion and friend. It made sense that, in the end, Gil would let her go without a fight. He had his lover with him. Everyone else, they didn’t matter.

“Gudako, just set the bags by the door,” Sigurd offered.

“Yo, Hakuno. You look upset.” Gudako moved forward a bit. “If you want me to go get the two and bring them-“

“Gudako.”

Sigurd’s voice hardened, his arms pulling her close as Hakuno pressed a hand to her face.

Her fingers were getting wet for some reason.

“…Alright. Alright, just… If you need anything, Hakuno, you know where to find me,” Gudako replied.

The door shutting could be heard nearby. The arms wrapped around her tightened, the servant holding her pulling her in closer.

“Master,” Sigurd murmured. “What do you normally do when you’re upset?”

Hakuno shook her head.

“Look at me,” the servant murmured.

She shook her head again, hopeless in the end as he slipped his fingers beneath her chin and made her look up. His expression was no better than how her chest felt right now.

“Master, whatever is broken in you, whatever has made you feel this way, you only need to tell me. You are my master in the end. Your heart will end up swept away over time, I can promise you that. You have a volsung as a servant. My family thrived on claiming our own and knowing where our loyalties lie. Mine lay here,” he pressed a hand to her chest. “Right here, at this heart that weeps for two servants too foolish to understand.”

“I don’t really feel like talking about this,” Hakuno murmured.

“Then let me tell you of olden tales,” he murmured. “Dragons and rings, elves and mead; I’ll make a volsung out of you in no time at all.”

His embrace was warm, the light glow to his chest drawing her attention.

“Let’s see,” the man murmured, brushing a hand through her hair. “Perhaps I should bring Skathi back to help you feel better. She was as smitten with you as I was.”

“You weren’t smitten.”

“Oh?”

The man leaned in, his soft smile laced with skepticism.

“Then tell me, why am I so tempted to kiss your sweet face and hold you in my arms until all you want to do is eat ice cream and smile for me?”

[green-spear-of-causality]

Cascú + Caster Gil Friendship Headcanons (oh yeah, I'm back in business)

It was literally hate at first sight

Cascú may be wiser than his counterparts, but there's something about Caster Gil that rubs him the wrong way...especially after seeing how his Archer counterpart acts. Yeah, no, not dealing with that if he doesn't have to

Caster Gil, meanwhile, has barely interacted with any of the Cús, but after going to the 5th Singularity with his Master he's...reluctant to even be considered the associate of someone who lives for the sole purpose of killing

And then, their Master takes them both to farm Assassin Ascension materials. It couldn't get any worse; they were sending each other casual but scathing insults which were born from their perspective of the other, and tensions kept rising

"Are you all bark and no bite?"

"That's funny, considering that you let your treasury do the work for you."

Their Master got fed up with it. Once the team was done and returned to Chaldea, they pushed the two Casters into a room and said "Talk it out. Now. You know, you two have more in common than you think." before slamming the door and locking it.

It was silent for around a minute before they started to step around the subject, Caster Gil making a mental note to get back at his Master for this while Cascú sighed and dropped onto a spare couch.

"When do you think they'll let us out?"

Caster Gil closed his eyes as he leaned against the wall, already knowing the answer. "Who knows?"

Cascú glowered at him. "You son of a bitch...you already know, don't you?"

Caster Gil kept his expression neutral as he cracked open an eye, staring at Cascú with utter disdain. "It seems your penchant for petty insults remained even as you grew older."

If looks could kill a Heroic Spirit, Caster Gil would be six feet under right now. Cascú had begun to growl, hands curled into fists at his sides as he held himself back. "Don't act like you know everything there is to know! You go around with that pompous air of yours, using those chains when you can't handle the small fry yourself. I know the truth; those chains are En-"

"You do not have the right to say that name, cur," Caster Gil hissed, both eyes open now as he pushed off the wall.

Cascú smirked, standing up even as he spat venom-filled words back at him. "I was right; you're exactly like your Archer counterpart. It seems even being a different class doesn't fix that arrogance of yours."

"I could say the same thing about you, Cú Chulainn."

The arguments escalated from there into a full-on fistfight, the two Casters tussling on the ground as they punched and kicked whatever they could

It was about 10 minutes of fighting before they stopped, backing off and sizing the other up.

Cascú was the first to speak, spitting a gob of blood onto the ground. "I gotta say...for a king, you sure know how to fight."

Caster Gil wiped his mouth. "I must say the same of you. For one who has chosen the path of a Druid, you were able to land quite a few hits in."

"I have to protect myself somehow if my Runes fail me." Cascú chuckled before straightening up, all signs of humor gone. "I'll cut to the chase. You had plenty of opportunities to use your Gate of Babylon on me. Why didn't you?"

Caster Gil seemed to ponder the answer to that question, mulling over a few replies that he would rather carry to his grave. Instead, he just looked away and sighed. "You are a mage; figure it out yourself, mongrel."

Unlike the other times he's called Cascú names, this one has no bite to it. Cascú grinned, laughter escaping him even as his wounds stung. "I figured that was why! Who knew the King of Heroes was - "

"When did I permit you to speak? Silence yourself."

Cascú walked over and sat down with his back against the wall, motioning for Caster Gil to do the same. After a moment's hesitation the King of Heroes did, making sure to keep some space between them as he let out a puff of air to relax himself.

Cascú stared up at the ceiling, his head resting against the wall. "...About E-"

"Don't." Caster Gil said sharply. Then, with a humorless smile, he added "Did you forget that I can see the future? What you are about to say...does not need to be uttered aloud. I understand, and what king would I be if I could not forgive?"

Cascú snorted. "Damn mind reader."

Caster Gil sent him an exasperated look. "It is not mind reading, you primitive mage, it's - "

"I'm sorry."

Caster Gil blinked, seeming to see Cascú for the first time. The Druid kept his gaze on the ceiling, but his eyes gave away the difficulty of expressing his apology.

Cascú continued. "I was...wrong, about you. You're not the same as the golden-armored dick who walks the halls like everything is his property. I said things that hurt, and I did it with the intention to hurt, so...I'm sorry."

Caster Gil was quiet next to him. Cascú then heard a faint hum of recognition as the other Caster looked up at the ceiling as well. "While I am not sure how to feel about you unintentionally calling me a "golden-armored dick", as you put it, I confess that I have made the same assumptions. You may be your counterparts, but at the same time you are your own individual person. I knew this, and yet it was easier to avoid the issue altogether since at the time it was a minor annoyance."

Cascú tiredly punched his shoulder, although he made sure that it didn't hurt him. "Oi, who are you callin' a minor annoyance?!"

Caster Gil gave a quiet laugh, which had a different impact compared to his loud, pride-filled ones. It was genuine, it was raw, and maybe...Cascú could actually like this guy.

"It seems that we need to start anew with each other. I am a Servant of the Caster Class, Gilgamesh: the King of Heroes."

Cascú felt his eyes slip shut as he introduced himself. "Servant Caster, Cú Chulainn at your service. I wish I...was summoned as a Lancer, though..."

He fell asleep, head tilted to the side yet not falling completely over. Caster Gil huffed in amusement at the sight, settling against the wall for a bit of shuteye himself. What a brash introduction, and yet...no other would have fitted.

Master found them in a couple of hours still asleep, leaning against each other and littered with both cuts and bruises

From then on, the two could hold normal conversations, which never ceases to surprise their Master as well as the other Servants in Chaldea

Fsn Cú one day asked his Caster counterpart, "When did you get all chummy with the King of Heroes?"

Cascú just gave him a mysterious smile. "I could say the same thing about the bowman you claim to hate so much."

Caster Gil and Cascú meet with each other at least thrice a week at night to discuss their Magecraft

Cascú will never admit it out loud, but he never ceases to be amazed by Caster Gil's Melammu Dingir

Caster Gil would rather die than admit that Cascú's Wicker Man has gotten him out of a few tight spots during a battle, and is surprisingly useful outside of fights

Cascú ends up learning how to read the symbols inscribed in Caster Gil's tome

Caster Gil actually picks up on Runecraft and can now use a few himself

The two will do all sorts of crazy experiments "For Magecraft" and if Merlin joins them then it's game over for Chaldea's sanity

(One day, Ishtar will be able to go a full week without her hair being dyed a horrendous color)

Mondays become their unofficial "Hangout Day". Better to start off the week on the right foot, right?

They end up getting into some board games, and -

"H..How...How did you pull out that Jenga piece?! There was no way to pull it out without the entire thing falling!"

Caster Gil's voice was smug. "Because I am the superior mage."

Their insults aren't gone; the venom and hostility in them, however, are

They often remind each other to go to sleep at a reasonable hour...at least, what they considered a reasonable hour

Cascú introduced night raids in the fridge to Caster Gil and, honestly, the King of Heroes became hooked

Cheese. He likes to steal cheese. Once Cascú found out, he went on to call Caster Gil "Mouse" for a couple days until Caster Gil threatened him with the business end of his axe

Sometimes, they go to a Singularity on their own for camping (it was Cascú's idea)

Caster Gil always put up a fight, but gave in once Cascú had introduced s'mores to him (he has a bit of a sweet tooth)

Actually, Cascú pulls Caster Gil to do stupid shit 99% of the time

The 1% is when Caster Gil does, and usually Chaldea comes very close to exploding once his idea of "fun" is put into place

Overall, an enemies-to-friends situation. They don't confess their deepest fears and concerns to each other, but whenever one of them has something on their mind the other is a constant presence at their side, offering wordless support.

[dreamcrow]

» Hhhhh here's a bundle of them! 1, 8, 9, 10, 13, 18, 20? (@skraelofthenorthwind)

aaa, what bounty indeed!! ty again for such a lovely distraction. these were good fun (even if i did end up having to answer them twice, lmao) ( ´∀｀ )♡

1.) if you’re an author, how many wips do you currently have? (be honest!)

in terms of "things that are in progress and i still genuinely want to finish"...probably around a dozen? a little less than that, surely. of things i would genuinely love to finish/publish, not just vague ideas kickin around. (new year new me but no promises hahaha)

8.) bed sharing or roommates au?

bedsharing! roommates isn't awful (friends-to-lovers potentiality...good), but bedsharing has so many potentially sweet, soft dimensions that i really enjoy: the nearness, the quietness, the imtimimcy... the waking up feeling "more refreshed than they had in years... i'm. old very soft, u see

9.) fake dating or arranged marriage?

fake dating. arranged marriage...squicks me, in almost every instance (not intrinsically but just—in practice, as it's realized in fic), but the thought of hanging out and doing something fun and pretending you're not gonna really catch feelings, pff? especially if it's a friend. also not 2 b quarantine on main but maybe a bitch wants to go out and do things again!! maybe even hold a nice handsome hand while doing it

10.) mutual pining or enemies to friends to lovers?

how DARE you make me choose between two of the greatest tropes in all of TIME 😂yes, both, all the time, always, two great tastes better together!! 

the ideal degrees of each are up for debate, and probably variable depending on individual fic context. but. at its heart. it's about the complements. the realizing that you were wrong about a person. maybe even admitting it. (about the—oh. oh.) it's learning new things about yourself and about someone you might have thought completely different from you. the slow cultivation of mutual respect; the reconciliation of opposites; the recognition of self-in-other/other-in-self. not wanting to endanger that fragile understanding; of caring more for the other person's happiness than your own selfish fancies; of becoming accustomed to, even grateful for, what was once such a strange presence. but how could this be wrong—? truly. if this is so wrong—how can a heresy feel so good—?

13.) exes or established relationship?

while i am not entirely immune to exes (as a certain fashion au has helped to bolster) i am...in my old age i've gotten very fond of established-relationship stuff, haha. knowing each other so well, knowing how to complement each other's strengths and weaknesses (and surprising them with food they like or doing chores you know they hate), all while still being there and at their side, wanting to be with them and have new adventures all the same...! ´ A `

18.) do you have a fic reading/writing routine?

oh i read. pretty anywhere and everywhere, lol. in the car/on the bus, before falling asleep, waiting for my pasta water to boil. as for writing: once upon a time i was very virtuous and attempted to write consistently for like..an hour or so before bed? unfortunately due to the whole [gestures] that's kind of fallen by the wayside. but ah... perhaps the thought of writing consistently might inspire me back towards something like a vaguely human sleep schedule...? 🤔

20.) do you have a favorite fanfic or author? if so, tag them/post a link and share the love!

cultic epithets of the god janus (disputed) is one of the most incredible pieces of fic (and even writing) i've read in a very long time. surely by now it's a stricklake staple, but each time i've reread it, it's so clever and funny and heartbreaking and electric, all in one. all the allusions to the epic of gilgamesh, how cold and precise stricklander is against how he's so guileless against a human child; the lady and the unicorn metaphors! (i'm definitely biased because the author mentions some of my favorite parts of history, but...it probably doesn't help i also used to live in chicago, haha.) 

a bit further afield from my usual fare (though not always, for this blog): @alphacygni-8's ds9 fics are all incredible, but to this day i have a particular fondness for proof (clever, bittersweet, tender, moving comments on youth and literature and culture and ritualized banterflirting) and deep space birthdays (carefully learning things very foreign to you to make a partner feel more at home). my trek nerdery is a little more passive these days but these fics continue to always inspire (very warm) emotions.

[moonraccoon-exe]

Your headcannons for Ardyn are just amazing and adorable! Omg! I love them so much! （〜^∇^)〜 can I ask for smol child Ardyn at the moogle + chocobo carnival?

[Adding a Keep Reading to some point; beware mobile users]

Hahaha, aaw, thank you! ♡ ～(‘▽^人)I had thought there was probably more people interested in all that, but the Ardyn posts (except for the ‘with a baby daughter headcanons’) were rather unpopular, so I thought maybe I hadn’t done a good job and all this had turned rather boring.

So your entry is pretty sweet, makes me not regret the time I spent on previous posts, hahaha. I’m super glad you did enjoy them. So far one person enjoys, I’ll happily answer again.

Here goes yours, especially for you! ('u^人)

Smol child Ardyn goes to the Moogle Chocobo Carnival:

Remember, smol children need adult supervision in a place as full and wide as this is, so

Babysitter Gilgamesh on duty. B|

“Ardyn, you’re too big to go around in a onesie.”

YOU DON’T TELL HIM THAT >:(

Smol child Ardyn’s gonna ignore you anyway, no way is he attending the carnival if he’s not in his moogle onesie.

Remember, he loves moogles.

First thing smol kid Ardyn does is look at the prizes to offer at the exchange stall.

Unclemesh has to pick the smol child and sit him on the counter cause he just won’t shut up about the prizes to get.

Smol kid Ardyn is in a moogle onesie sat at the counter questioning you and your life.

“But what about you give me that, and then I come back with the medallions? :3″

Ardyn, it doesn’t work like that.

“But why. Listen, what about I give you one medallion then you give that to me and then I come back and give you the rest? :3″

Ardyn, you have to first win the medallions then exchange them for prizes, not the other way around.

“But why”

Smol kid Ardyn is constantly questioning everyone and everything.

He’s rather ecstatic to earn prizes already, he caN’T WAIT.

Unclemesh has to follow him places when kid Ardyn decides he’ll be the fastest earning the Choco-Mog medallions. 

Nope, kid Ardyn just got distracted with the chocobos.

“This is pretty :3″

Ardyn it looks exactly the same than the other chocobos.

“This is pretty too”

Well ofc they still look the same.

“*GASPS* This is super pretty!”

Ardyn, wtf, THEY ALL LOOK THE SAME.

Smol kid Ardyn is currently speaking with the chocobos.

In chocobo language

Unclemesh is not impressed.

Smol kid Ardyn is telling the chocobo a story.

“Kweh, kweh, KWEEEEH, kWeeh, KweEEh, Kwe… *looks around* *whispers* keww kewkek keww.”

The chocobo’s like “Kewh?”

Ardyn’s like “KEWWWH KWEEEH!”

Are they talking romance problems, are they talking business, are they talking Gilgamesh’s private life?

Nobody knows but it’s a deep conversation they’ve got there.

Smol kid Ardyn is pretty convinced he can speak Chocobo.

He’s chocolingual.

Or so he says, with those words.

Smol kid Ardyn is softly petting a chocobo with so much love as if it was his own pet.

“All chocobos cute. All chocobos deserve love. All chocobos need hugs.”

Smol kid Ardyn is standing on his tiptoes and hugging a chocobo like it’s death-sentenced and they only have that moment left for a hug.

Smol kid Ardyn is telling good things to the chocobo.

“You so cute. You so fluffy. I love you, chocobo.”

It’s too adorable, everyone’s like (ಥ﹏ಥ)

Ardyn is taking so much time loving one chocobo, then goes with the next one and repeats.

He’s telling every single chocobo he loves it and he’s gifting them hugs.

Unclemesh is carrying him in arms so he’s the height of the chocobos’ head, and so he can pet them there. 

Smol kid Ardyn is hugging Unclemesh when he’s done with the chocobos.

“Little one, i’m not a chocobo.”

“No, but you good,too. You have a hug, too.”

Well…okay.

Is thAT THE MOOGLE MASCOT *GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASP*

ARDYN. HAS. TO DANCE. WITH IT.

The moogle mascot is like “Oh, who’s gonna dance with me next?”

The kids are like cheering and clapping, but Ardyn is furiously jumping up and down yelling “ME” like his life depends on that.

Smol kid Ardyn is doing the moogle dance.

Smol kid Ardyn is nailing it.

He’s even adding his own steps.

Moogle mascot has to follow this time. 

Unclemesh is still not impressed.

At first it was adorable and super fun, watch that kid dance so energetically, haha :3

…okay, it’s been five minutes straight, can you please stop now.

Smol kid Ardyn had to be retrieved by Unclemesh.

Unclemesh just calmly walked towards him, picked him by the onesie like he weights nothing, and walked away with Ardyn still dancing while in the air.

He likes dancing and moogles, nobody’s going to stop him doing the moogle dance.

Who thought it was a good idea to take this moogle obsessed child to the MOOGLE carnival, omg

Unclemesh already put him down yards of distance from the moogle, and smol kid Ardyn’s still dancing and singing on his own. 

Unclemesh can’t stop him.

Unclemesh picked him by the ankles.

Nope. The kid’s still dancing, upside down as he is in the air.

At first it was adorable and a laughing matter.

It’s been fifteen minutes, smol kid Ardyn can’t stop dancing. 

Unclemesh is rudest uncle on earth.

He’s shamelessly dropping the kid in the water.

Smol kid Ardyn comes out of it and starts laughing. 

You’d think smol kid Ardyn is upset?

Nah bro. He’s asking Unclemesh to keep dropping him in the water.

This is the oddest thing you’ll see in your visit to the Moogle Chocobo Carnival.

There’s this GIANT MAN in armor standing at a bridge, holding a little boy by the ankles and dropping him off the bridge and into the water, little boy comes out made a laughing mess and runs back to the man asking him to do it again.

Well, at least he stopped dancing.

It’s been 10 minutes again.

It’s been twenty minutes,smol kid Ardyn’s still asking to be dropped.

His onesie is all soaked now, he can’t go around in it or he’ll catch a cold. 

Unclemesh just bought him carnival clothes moogle themed and a chocobo-themed hat.

It’s stupid. And adorable.

Unclemesh is walking around Altissia with kid Ardyn on his shoulders.

There’s this small stall that says “I sei mogurini”, along a sign that says the “Brothers Kupomazov” are lost and that you have to photograph them.

Smol kid Ardyn doesn’t understand it’s a game. This is real business to him.

“ GASPS Σ(°ロ°)  THEY LOST, GIGIMESH. WE NEED TO RESCUE THEM.”

Unclemesh is trapped in this hell that’s called “spot six TINY ASS moogle plush toys in the huge maze city of Altissia because if you don’t this child is never going to sleep again.”

Unclemesh and smol kid Ardyn are strolling around in the search.

They spot the first one on a lamp.

“GIGIMESH, IT THERE. WE NEED TO SAVE HIM.”

Gilgamesh is trying to explain the point of this game and how they’re not meant to ‘rescue’ anyone and that they shouldn’t move that moogle off its plac-

Smol kid Ardyn just ignored him and warped straight to the top of the lamp.

When smol kid Ardyn warps back, Gilgamesh starts chiding him and nagging insisting Ardyn goes leave the moogle back in its place.

This is smol kid Ardyn, pretty red hair, in his carnival outfit, hugged to the moogle toy, looking up at Gilgamesh and giving huge, watery puppy eyes at him.

… >:(

… :’(

“No, you’re not convincing me, you go back and leave that moogle up there again.”

“…Gigimesh, please… o(TヘTo)“

You can do this, Gilgamesh. You’re a strong warrior. You’re the most fierce creature. You can’t let this tiny-ass little boy with those stupid sad eyes and that…adorable face and that…sad look and…

“…ugh, okay, take it with us.”

Ardyn, that little shit, always gets what he wants.

Gilgamesh’s going to explain to the game owners what happened and will offer to return them to their place himself when they’re done, or something, he’ll fix that later. Right now it only matters smol Ardyn can calm his poor heart in distress of rescuing the moogles.

They’ve rescued two more and are currently standing on a bridge. The clue took them there, but the moogle’s nowhere?

Both are looking around rather confused, a gondola passes under the bridge they’re on, they keep looking and suddenly smol kid Ardyn is gasping.

IT’S ON THE GONO-GANDO- 

Smol kid Ardyn has better business to do than pronounce Gondola right.

Smoll kid Ardyn just warped off Gilgamesh’s shoulders with no explanation off to the distant gondola.

Gilgamesh is losing his shit and running the closest he can to the gondola, opening his way among people and stuff.

Smol kid Ardyn is on top of the gondola’s edge.

“GIGIMESH! Look, I found him! \( ´ ▽ ` ) He-!”

Smol kid Ardyn just fell into the water.

Gilgamesh is losing the little shit he had left.

Was not seeing where he was running; just ran off an edge and into the water himself.

Unclemesh is starting to think this kid is a magnet for water bodies. Curious for a lover of fire.

Unclemesh had to buy him yet another set of clothes.

Gilgamesh is convincing smol kid Ardyn to stop the search to go eat something, and has to lecture him on how they need energy to continue searching because no way is Ardyn going to be convinced about dropping the search until they’ve found them all, but what “gigimesh” is saying has sense, so okay.

For some odd reason smol kid Ardyn is screaming “NEW RECIPEH” while ordering food at the SE café. 

At first Gilgamesh thought it was a good idea to eat there, the kid is quiet.

….but now that they’re done smol kid Ardyn is losing his shit because IT’S THE TRIVIA MOOGLE MASCOT.

Smol kid Ardyn is pretty darn convinced that he also speaks moogle.

He’s trichocomoglingual.

Or so he says. 

The Trivia moogle is currently having a deep conversation with smol kid Ardyn in moogle language.

Nobody has an idea what’s going on, but it’s pretty funny so a few people gather to watch this kid furiously moogle moggling with moogle.

They’re laughing and telling jokes to each other except it’s all “moogle moguri” words.

Right as soon as smol kid Ardyn is asking the moogle to dance, Gilgamesh interrupts and picks the kid up because no way on eos is he allowing this child to enter his dancing mode again.

EVER.

Do you know what it takes to stop this child from dancing the moogle dance, geez

As they’re exiting smol kid Ardyn’s suddenly like “GAAASP MOOGLE”

Gilgamesh can’t even question him when the little ass just warped again up to some beam to catch a moogle sat there.

Smol kid Ardyn’s falling down.

Gilgamesh’s catching him.

“WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT WARPING TO HIGH PLACES!? >:(”

“Sowwy, Gigimesh… (╥﹏╥)“

Aw, come on, Gilgamesh, the child was only trying to save the moogle. :’(

Gilgamesh can’t be mad at him for too long, he’s adorable ;____;

Gilgamesh just worries the kid will hurt himself pretty badly, he still isn’t the master of warping.

IT’S GAMING TIME.

Smol kid Ardyn is ecstatic about whack-a-cactuar. 

Smol kid Ardyn was smacked by the cactuar :’(

Smol kid Ardyn is crying.

“Oh, not on my watch >:C”

Unclemesh best uncle just went into the whack a cactuar rink because things just got personal.

Unclemesh and smol kid Ardyn are not allowed back in the whack-a-cactuar because Gilgamesh just destroyed both the cactuar and the toy sword in two hits.

“I’m sorry we were shooed away, Gigimesh… :’(”

“Nah, kid, it’s fine. I regret nothing.”

Smol kid Ardyn is gasPING THERE’SAMOOGLETHERE.

THAT MAKES IT 6 MOOGLES, OMG.

“But kiddo don’t you want to try the Tiromatto before-?”

NO TIME FOR THAT, GILGAMESH, DON’T YOU SEE THE MOOGLES NEED TO ALL GO BACK HOME!? GEEZ, PRIORITIES, GILGAMESH, PRI-O-FUCKING-RI-TIES.

Don’t worry that was me explaining Ardyn’s feelings, the kid doesn’t curse yet.

No time for tiromatto, they’ve got all 6 moogles now, gotta head back. 

Smol kid Ardyn insists on carrying all six himself.

“You only have two hands, kid.”

You don’t tell him that.

Smol kid Ardyn is carrying two in hands, two in elbows, one trapped between his shirt and his neck (the head out so” it can breathe”) and one on top of his head.

“SIR, SIR, we found all six and brought them home instead of photoga- pho- taking a picture, ISN’T THAT AWESOME, HERE THEY ARE”o(≧▽≦)o

Gilgamesh is explaining the situation to the attendant while kid Ardyn screams of his adventures through Altissia to the other attendant.

Attendant understands.

“Oooh, so you brought them all back! That’s real nice. Say, truth be told, they’re a bit bored of their house. Why don’t you take them all to yours?”

“GASPS REALLY? .A.”

Gilgamesh is quietly asking the attendant if he’s sure. “Don’t worry, we’ve got replacement ones c:”

Attendant is good person.

Smol id Ardyn is hugging attendant and telling him nice stuff like he did with the chocobos because Attendant good. Attendant needs hugs.

IT’S FIREWORKS TIME.

Smol kid Ardyn is running around the gondola because HE’S SO EXCITED.

“Stop running.”

“Okay ( ˙꒳​˙ )“

…. “also jumping.”

“Okay ( ˙꒳​˙ )“

“…stop dancing.”

“Okay ( ˙꒳​˙ )“

“Kiddo, please just sit down and stay quiet and still.”

“Okay ( ˙꒳​˙ )“

Would you believe, this little kid is obedient as hell with the people he likes. Good job Gigimesh.

Both are patiently waiting for the fireworks, and when they come off, smol kid Ardyn is standing up and reaching for Unclemesh’s hand, takes it, and ounces on his feet pointing at the sky.

“GIGIMESH GIGIMESH LOOK THEY STARTED”

No shit, Ardyn.

FIREWORKS ALL OVER THE SKY.

“WOAAAAH ∑d(°∀°d)“

Gilgamesh himself is pretty impressed.

It’s all a wonderful sight, there’s colors everywhere.

Smol kid Ardyn’s like 

“WOOOOH (☆▽☆)“

Chocobo and moogle figures on the fireworks.

“OOOOH ヽ(>∀

LOOK, the entire sky’s full of colors!

“AAAAH! (ﾉ´ヮ`)ﾉ*: ･ﾟ“

Ah,, look at these precious explosions of magic.

“AAAAH! ( ´ ▽ ` ).｡ｏ♡“

Omg, it’s fireworks and also fire explosions down on ground level.

“YASSSS (✧ω✧)“

“Gigimesh, I want to cover this entire city in more and bigger flames of raging fire until everything burns in ashes and colors and matches my hair and soul   (╯✧▽✧)╯“

…

“Oh…okay?”

Surely it’s just this kid saying nonsense. 

…

Right?

Smol kid Ardyn’s marveled by the fireworks and he doesn’t speak about anything else on their way back to the hotel.

BUT he’s also pretty damn tired from the long day rescuing moogles and playing. 

So there goes Unclemesh, carrying with three moogle toys and a smol kid asleep nuzzled at his chest, hugged to the other three moogles. 

Smol kid Ardyn’s adorable when sleeping, look at him.

N’aw♡ ～('u^人)

Hope this is fine, dear anon. Lil Ardyn is a playful, adorable mess.  ～ ♡

[sineatcr-archive-blog]

AU; POKEMON

( trainer card made by @gnzlngr / base here )

Ardyn Izunia -- as he calls himself these days -- is a rather mysterious Admin of Team Flare, very charming and cheerful and prone to generally screwing with people when he’s not taking up space at any one of Lumiose’s many cafes and drinking way-too-sweet lattes. He’s not well known as part of Team Flare, but he’s pretty well known as ‘that weird cafe hopper’. No one knows what he’s up to at any given moment, but he’ll happily give young trainers advice and/or creep them out.

In reality, though, Ardyn is Ardyn Lucis Caelum, immortal thanks to the backlash of the ancient machine created by AZ -- while he is not directly related to AZ, his line were one of the noble lines that remained after the war. He works with Team Flare, having the same goal of destruction using the weapon as Lysandre, though he also intends to use the destruction (which he’ll survive) to call the legendary Zygarde that comes when the ecosystem is threatened, who he hopes will end his immortality.

In the meantime, he enjoys as much of the modern world as he feels like, hiding his bitterness and rage at having to suffer this unending life, and occasionally screws with his descendants. Especially a certain young man who seems not only to not want a part of his legacy, but who attracted a legendary almost unwittingly.

POKEMON:

Aegislash: Nickname ‘Gilgamesh’. His companion Pokemon for thousands of years. It’s been with him since before he was immortal, and he’s incredibly fond of it. He can wield it himself if he so chooses without suffering the curse, but doesn’t -- he’s fond of it and calls it Gil, even though it’s a very long-suffering, paternal sort of Pokemon.

Gengar: Nickname ‘Erebos’. Another Pokemon that’s been with him for thousands of years by virtue of it being a Ghost type. The two are mutual tricksters and love messing with people, and Gengar is the one who tends to be his go-to when he’s feeling especially vindictive and wanting to screw with people.

Zoroark: Nickname ‘Lazarus’. The third and final of his original Pokemon, cursed just as immortal as him. It is just as bitter and angry at the world, and will never leave Ardyn’s side. Likes to shapeshift into cute Pokemon when his master is feeling sad or into scary ones to screw with people. It’s basically just like Ardyn in personality.

Absol: Nickname ‘Eclipse’. One of his newer Pokemon. He rescued her a decade ago from people taking out their town’s misfortune on her -- he saw himself in that a little, the harbinger Pokemon, and took her in. She’s very quiet and withdrawn, but she’s loyal to a fault. 

Hydreigon: Nickname ‘Scourge’. A Team Flare experiment he discovered and confiscated because he may be a bitter, angry man planning to help destroy Kalos, but he loves Pokemon and trying to artificially make a Pokemon (especially one that’s already messed up) Mega Evolve is a big no. This one’s wild and vicious, but listens to Ardyn unquestioningly. 

Mimikyu: Nickname ‘Lavender’. He found it in a shipment from Alola, having hidden there for whatever unknown reason, and he thought it was adorable. Cute little ghost, trying to pretend it’s something it’s not, wearing a fake little smile and hiding loneliness...yeah. He likes his little guy.

[egaohitotsude-archived]

NAME: Miko. Some people do call me Sakura or Sumeragi so you do you GENDER: Female EYE COLOR: Brown HAIR COLOR: Black RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single ZODIAC: Gemini FAVORITE COLOR: not a single colour but I do like white and purple a lot FAVORITE SEASON: It’s summer all year round here but I do like autumn because aesthetics and it seems to be the right temperature FAVORITE PLACE: hmm hard to decide but I like quiet places. Cafes are nice FAVORITE HOLIDAY: Uhm I guess Christmas?? I like mid-autumn festival a lot but it's not a holiday here.   FAVORITE VIDEO GAME: I don’t play games. But for the games that I did play, I enjoyed Dragonnest a lot. LAST SHOW YOU WATCHED: I... It’s HxH (wOW SURPRISING, IK. SURPRISE OF THE YEAR) But other than that was Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu S2 WHAT’S YOUR HONEST OPINION ABOUT YOUR MUSE?: HAHA. Of course, I love her. To be very honest, I wasn’t that fond of her at the beginning -- my affections were directed to Rin -- mostly because I don’t tend to like sweet, quiet characters like her. Though, it’s through RP-ing as her, that I really start to connect with her, and appreciate her. At this point in time, rather than saying that I’m in the Fate fandom, I’ll say I’m in the Sakura fandom. WOULD YOU DATE YOUR MUSE?: Nope. If anything, I see her as a little sister to be protected. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE KINDS OF THREADS?: Surprisingly, or unsurprisingly, it’s angst. I really do enjoy painful threads because it’s usually in these that I can get to develop my muse further and monologue. And then there’s comedic ones (though I don’t tend to lean towards that sort for Sakura.) Light-hearted ones are also good because I don’t have to think as hard compared to angst; it’s much more relaxing to write. ARE YOU A SELECTIVE ROLEPLAYER?: In a way. I wouldn’t usually approach blogs which I haven’t seen the source material for. Mostly because I’m someone who hates spoilers, and with the possibility of seeing the source material one day, I would avoid. Though, if they’re the ones who approach, I’m willing to take a look in spite of the spoilers thing. About pages are very useful.  DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MUSE?: At this point in time, I have three muses, one of which is such a minor character that I have to develop her before I can even consider her for this question. I like writing both Sakura and Gon in different ways. Sakura is definitely easier to write since I’m a lot closer to her in personality than Gon. Not to mention, even as a mun, I usually have no idea what goes on in Gon’s mind. Though, it’s definitely more fun exploring Gon because he’s so very different from me. That said, I adore Sakura. She’s been with me for two years now, and I am biased. WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO JOIN THE FANDOM?: *cracks knuckles* backstory time. Back then, I really liked Gilgamesh, and was looking for some blogs before I came across a Gil blog who spurred the creation of MHGW. I chatted with the affiliated Kerry at the time and he made an offhanded suggestion that I should join as a Sakura and BAM. Spur of moment thing. @thepurpleblossom (prev @motherfuckingsakura) is born. Now I’m back with this as a new blog while that one stays as a Sakura-centered blog. DO YOU SEE YOURSELF STAYING WITH THE FANDOM FOR A LONG TIME?: Of course. I started two years back. With one year of break and then came back. And I don’t think it’s going to change. Especially since there isn’t a lot of Sakura blogs in the first place, so if people wishes to write with one, I’d gladly accept!

TAGGED BY: stole it from @tinyholygrail (we’re just stealing memes from each other now XD)  TAGGING: @motherfuckingqueenoflances, @bewitchingserpent, @ask-ishtar, @ofoblivium + you all

[sineatcr-blog]

AU; POKEMON

( trainer card made by @gnzlngr / base here )

Ardyn Izunia – as he calls himself these days – is a rather mysterious Admin of Team Flare, very charming and cheerful and prone to generally screwing with people when he’s not taking up space at any one of Lumiose’s many cafes and drinking way-too-sweet lattes. He’s not well known as part of Team Flare, but he’s pretty well known as ‘that weird cafe hopper’. No one knows what he’s up to at any given moment, but he’ll happily give young trainers advice and/or creep them out.

In reality, though, Ardyn is Ardyn Lucis Caelum, immortal thanks to the backlash of the ancient machine created by AZ – while he is not directly related to AZ, his line were one of the noble lines that remained after the war. He works with Team Flare, having the same goal of destruction using the weapon as Lysandre, though he also intends to use the destruction (which he’ll survive) to call the legendary Zygarde that comes when the ecosystem is threatened, who he hopes will end his immortality.

In the meantime, he enjoys as much of the modern world as he feels like, hiding his bitterness and rage at having to suffer this unending life, and occasionally screws with his descendants. Especially a certain young man who seems not only to not want a part of his legacy, but who attracted a legendary almost unwittingly.

POKEMON:

Aegislash: Nickname ‘Gilgamesh’. His companion Pokemon for thousands of years. It’s been with him since before he was immortal, and he’s incredibly fond of it. He can wield it himself if he so chooses without suffering the curse, but doesn’t – he’s fond of it and calls it Gil, even though it’s a very long-suffering, paternal sort of Pokemon.

Gengar: Nickname ‘Erebos’. Another Pokemon that’s been with him for thousands of years by virtue of it being a Ghost type. The two are mutual tricksters and love messing with people, and Gengar is the one who tends to be his go-to when he’s feeling especially vindictive and wanting to screw with people.

Zoroark: Nickname ‘Lazarus’. The third and final of his original Pokemon, cursed just as immortal as him. It is just as bitter and angry at the world, and will never leave Ardyn’s side. Likes to shapeshift into cute Pokemon when his master is feeling sad or into scary ones to screw with people. It’s basically just like Ardyn in personality.

Absol: Nickname ‘Eclipse’. One of his newer Pokemon. He rescued her a decade ago from people taking out their town’s misfortune on her – he saw himself in that a little, the harbinger Pokemon, and took her in. She’s very quiet and withdrawn, but she’s loyal to a fault.

Hydreigon: Nickname ‘Scourge’. A Team Flare experiment he discovered and confiscated because he may be a bitter, angry man planning to help destroy Kalos, but he loves Pokemon and trying to artificially make a Pokemon (especially one that’s already messed up) Mega Evolve is a big no. This one’s wild and vicious, but listens to Ardyn unquestioningly.

Mimikyu: Nickname ‘Lavender’. He found it in a shipment from Alola, having hidden there for whatever unknown reason, and he thought it was adorable. Cute little ghost, trying to pretend it’s something it’s not, wearing a fake little smile and hiding loneliness…yeah. He likes his little guy.

[softquietsteadylove]

Masterlist

By popular demand, I have done my best to compile things here for you! I will keep it as updated as I can, and I will still use my same tagging system. Chronologically, you can start at the bottom and work your way up!

Thenamesh 18+ List

Part 2 List

Without further ado:

Thenamesh Tomb Raider AU

(Thena is a freelancer who retrieves historical artifacts outside of the usual archaeological duties, although sometimes this conflicts with fellow freelancer - but in no way ally - Gilgamesh) 

Second // First

Thenamesh Vow AU

(Thena suffers an episode which makes her forget the last five years of her life, including her marriage to and even meeting her very sweet husband Gilgamesh)

Elephant in the Room // For Better or Worse // Second First Date // Reminiscing // In Sickness and In Health

Thenamesh Addams Family AU

(Thena meets Gilgamesh, the son of a respected and affluent family, but at least he seems much more pleasant company than their equally dry parents)

Love Stories // Beautiful Weather // The Lee Family

Thenamesh Hamptons AU

(Gil is the private chef for Thena, a reclusive heiress of old money who lives in the Hamptons, and seems really sweet even if she’s only ever said a few words)

Monster’s Ball // Worth its Weight in Gold

Thenamesh Reverse AU

(In a reversal of roles, Gilgamesh is cold and frightening to most, but for the quiet but beloved Warrior Eternal, he’s nothing but soft and warm)

Sunshine // Reversed

Thenamesh Inmate AU

(Thena is an inmate in a women’s correctional facility, where Gil works as a guard and is quite sure there’s more to her than meets the eye)

Safe and Sound // Fair Trade

Thenamesh Cook and Critic AU

(Gil is in the cooking track at a culinary institute which also offers studies such as molecular gastronomy and review for critique, which is how he meets Thena, the critique student with a perfect palette and no personal skills)

The Main Course // Amuse Bouche

Thenamesh 10 Things (I Hate About You) AU

(Sersi is forbidden from dating unless her shrewish sister Thena accompanies her, which Dane accepts with the help of reputational bad-boy Gilgamesh)

Out of the Shadows // Young Love(18+) // To Have and to Hold(18+) // A House Divided // Wherefore Art Thou // Star Crossed // Much Ado // A Midsummer Night

Thenamesh Hunger Games AU

(Gil volunteers for his brother Phastos back home in District 4, and meets Thena, a frighteningly competent but oddly helpful girl from District 2 who volunteered for her younger brother Druig)

In The Wild // In Preparation

Olympia AU

(Sersi uses the unimind energy to bring Gilgamesh back to life, and this ends up with Thena becoming pregnant, but the two aren’t alone in raising their young Eternal)

New Star // Olympia

Thenamesh President AU

(Thena has come into office of the presidency following Ikari’s deposition, with the most key support of her personal assistant, Gilgamesh)

Long Distance Relations // Diplomacy // In Private // Protection Detail // Small Reprieve // Behind Closed Doors

Thenamesh Wildfire AU

(based on Those Who Want Me Dead, Thena is a wildfire fighter who used to do search and rescue, but has sequestered herself to perimeter patrol, where she runs into fellow forest fire fighter Gil)

[Coup de Foudre] // Enclosed // Key // Safe // Slip Up // Sanctuary // Sparks

Thenamesh Circus AU

(based on Water for Elephants, Thena is a star trapeze artist for a travelling circus, married to ring leader Kro, but undeniably fond of the new veterinarian, Gilgamesh)

Snapped // Out of Sight // Just Out of Reach // Just Us // From Afar // [Just Us]

Thenamesh Gladiator AU

(Gil is a gladiator who fights for Queen Ajak and Princess Thena, who - against all odds - has actually spoken to, and maybe even become fond of, him)

Peace // The War // The Battle // Declaration of War // Tournament Rules // [Declaration of War]

Thenamesh Human AU

(Gil gets weakened to a human status by a Deviant attack, leaving the rest of the Eternals - especially Thena - to protect the Strongest Eternal)

Shattered // Paper Skin // Glass Bones

Thenamesh Dressage AU

(Thena is a champion equestrian and competitive rider of Olympia, whose new caretaker Gilgamesh gets along with the stubborn mare surprisingly well)

Guy Talk // Friends...? // Stallion // High and Mighty // Bales // [Friends...?] // Escaped // Hanging Out // Too Nice

Thenamesh Photographer AU

(Gil is a freelance photographer who has come to work with Thena on various modelling contracts--enough that she’s come to maybe like his company)

Comfy // Three is a Crowd // Natural

Thenamesh Mermaid AU

(Thena is a mermaid who one day saves Gil the fisherman after falling into the water, and they only become closer from there)

Not Today Poseidon // Yearning(18+) // The Morning After // Feeling pt 2(18+) // Expressing pt 1(18+) // Green Around the Gills // Touching(18+) // Not Sharing // Sharing // Forbidden Treasure pt 3 // Forbidden Treasure pt 2 // Forbidden Treasure pt 1 // Home // Protective // Safe // Cuddlefish // Catch and Release // More Human // A Gift // Beautiful

Teach Me to Love AU

(based in this work from Ao3 called Teach Me to Love, in which Thena is a single mother to Druig, whose teacher is Gilgamesh; this has become popular to ask for drabbles on this platform, and thus gets its own section)

Butterflies // Consequences // Tiny Terror // Team Effort // Personal Space // Quiet Night In(18+) // Parent Day // [Personal Space] // Overheard // Bad Dreams // Mister Dad //  Teach Me to Love Again(18+) // Home Sick // Visitation Rights

Thenamesh Hanahaki AU

(Hanahaki is a disease in which love will form in the body as flowers, which can worsen until fatal if gone unrequited or even unspoken)

First Bud // Dying Roses // [First Bud]

Thenamesh Doctor AU

(Thena is a doctor who runs the ER, and is the unofficially official work-wife of Gil, one of the best and certainly the most popular paramedic there)

The Little Things // On Break(18+) // Up Close and Personal(18+) // Search and Rescue // Too Little Too Late // Thanks for the Save // [Up Close and Personal] // 5+1 This Time // Grieving Spouses // Revisiting(18+) // Interrupted(18+) // Red Roses for Love // Dreams // Love // Late Lunch // Ongoing Treatment // Wife Talk // Dropped // If You What // Trapped // A Doctor In the Making // Jealous // Hovering // Threat // Dozing Off // Adrenaline // Dream Team // If Only

Thenamesh Special Forces AU

(Thena is the head of a team of agents, although Kingo is keenly aware that she and Gil feel more strongly about each other than commander and agent)

A Little Help // After the Fight // Fighting for Love pt 4 // Fighting for Love pt 3 // Fighting for Love pt 2 // Fighting for Love pt 1 // Transfer // Guard Dog // First Impressions // Cover Blown // Fall Back // Staying Late // And He Did // Come Back // [A Little Help] //  [First Impressions]

Thenamesh Runaway Bride AU

(Thena is a princess who has run away from her arranged marriage to Prince Eros and found Gil, the very sweet and kind lumberjack who takes her in)

New(18+) // Anniversary Night(18+) // Ruined Celebration // Returning to the Scene // Bedridden // Budding Love // Blueberries // Ran

Thenamesh Bodyguard AU

(Gil is the private bodyguard for the very famous and popular singer, Thena)

Dreams // Cuts the Deepest // Silent Admiration // Sounds of Comfort // Where Is He // Trust Goes Both Ways // Caught in 4K // 5+1 Protection // Duet // Date // Slipped // Contract Negotiation // Sounds of Breakfast // Altercation // Trust // Recovery // Stage Rush // Live // Ambush // Cover // [Live]

Thenamesh Pokemon AU

(Thena is a professional Ace Trainer who works in Victory Road for the League; one day Gil - her best friend and a Pokemon Ranger - rescues a Teddiursa in need of a home)

Antidote // [PSN Heal] // Joining the Flock // [Antidote] // Gil Was Hurt by Poison // First Encounter // Take your Kid to Work Day // 5+1 Interruptions (18+) // Rich Boy Eros Wants to Battle // Just Ask // A Great Fall // Something In the Water // Paldea // Calling In Sick // Accident // Rescue // Poachers // First Checkup // Teddiursa // [First Encounter]

Thenamesh Beauty and the Beast AU

(Gil gets dragged into going up the mountain to look for the cursed beast said to roam around the abandoned castle grounds, unrelated to the missing Princess)

The Eye of the Storm // Search and Rescue // Searching for More // Something in the Mountains

Thenamesh Goalie AU

(Gil is a goalie on the high school hockey team who meets Thena the figure skater in between their practices)

No Practice // Rough Practice

Thenamesh Ghost Files AU

(Gil is an amateur ghost hunter, and an avid believer despite his fear, while Thena joins him whether she believes in ghosts or not; conceived with Taran)

Lying // Forward // Be Still, My Beating Heart

Thenamesh Maleficent AU

(Thena and her brothers Ikaris and Druig visit a larger nest from some southern islands; Gil is a nest guard entrusted with guiding and protecting the visitors)

Lookalike // Nesting // Preening // Healing // Trinket // Rescue // Morning // Exchange

Thenamesh Rus AU

(I headcanon that the Eternals were in Kievan-Rus for a time, during which Thena was the war advisor to Saint Olga)

Doomed to Fail // Yours // Warming Comfort // If It Were You // Wounded Pride // She’ll Live // [Warming Comfort] // Soft Water // Warming Up // [Yours] // [She’ll Live]

Thenamesh Ballerina/Boxer AU

(Thena is a ballerina who teaches classes with Sersi across the hall from Gil and his boxing studio)

Fallen // Holding Back(18+) // Life Imitates Art(18+) // Morning Stretching(18+) // Same Territory Different Angle // Territory // Swan Fight // Night Out // Locker Room(18+) // Friendly Match // [Wandering Eyes] // Friendly Fire // Kiss // Performance // The Swan

Ice Queen/Tyrant King AU

(Thena and Gil are rival mob bosses in the same city; Gil is a gangster who runs Koreatown and everything therein, while Thena controls the diamond industry)

Retaliation // Matching // Lovers’ Quarrel(18+) // 5+1 The Little Things // Meetings // Boyfriend Stuff // Family Visit // Engaged(18+) // Proposal pt 3 // Proposal pt 2 // Proposal pt 1 // Frisky(18+) // Rings // Home Again // Tell Me // Physiotherapy // [Tell Me] // Shots Fired pt 2 // Shots Fired pt 1 // Standing Up // Lying Down // Tied(18+) // Skating // Lost // [Boyfriend Stuff] // Target Practice // Lunch // Reconciliation(18+) // Committed pt 3 // Committed pt 2 // Committed pt 1 // [Meetings] // Targets // [Target Practice] // Poisoned // Dates // It’s Fine // [Business Casual] // Resolution(18+) // Tension

Thenamesh Life Interrupted AU

(based on the prompt of Girl Interrupted, Thena is a patient in a psych ward, where Gil works in the cafeteria)

New Perspective // Unfamiliar Territory // Getting Better // Bad Day // Outside // Hiding

Thenamesh Receptionist AU

(Thena works as the personal receptionist for Gil, who runs a ‘shipping’ business, but is actually a mafia leader)

Best Served Cold(18+) // Above the Table(18+) // Under the Table(18+) // Free(18+) // Cells // Sundubu Jjigae // Meeting Gone Violent // Shopping // Party // Meeting Gone Wrong // Back in the Office(18+) // Wounded // Sick Day // London(18+) // [Shopping] // Kidnapped // [Sundubu Jjigae]

Thenamesh Actors AU

(Thena and Gil are both professional actors; Gil is famous for doing his own stunts, Thena’s sister Sprite is a big fan of his)

Falling Harder // Sexiest Man Alive // Rubbing It In // Old Wounds // The Big Speech // Too Early for This // (No) Competition // Bewitched // Encouragement // Working Up a Sweat // Never Again // Late Dinner // Red Carpet // He and She // On His Arm // He’s Done // High Score // The Skittles Diet // Salad // Eros’ Panel // Rehearsal // Conference // Movie Night // Sling // Stunt Fall // Paparazzi // Interview // Finally Meeting

Thenamesh Proposal AU

(Thena and Gil have worked together for some time, but when Gil wants trick his father into thinking he’s engaged, he asks Thena for help, and things only get more out of hand from there)

Just Five More Minutes // Just the Dishes // Just One Dance // Just a Snack // The Decaffeinated One // The Beach One // One Bed // The One // Dress Fitting // [One Bed]

Thenamesh Zombie AU

(Thena finds Gil at the end of the world and they decide to stick together)

Candlelit // If Anything Happens // More Than Just Us // Good In the World // 5+1 Injuries // Later // Safe to Sleep // Shed Tears // A Little Help // First Leaving // Train // [First Leaving]

Thenamesh College AU

(Gil and Thena meet through Kingo)

Halloween // First Sight

Thenamesh Spy AU

(all agents have partners, although Thena and Gil might be closer than most)

Relief(18+) // Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing // Rescue Mission // Eyes Elsewhere(18+) // Eyes on Her // Eyes on Target // Extrication

Jack and Thenamesh

(I would consider this somewhere within their canon but not strictly adhering to the rules of the film)

Family Valentines // Day Off // Multigenerational // Confused // Fathers’ Day // Party Guests of Honour // Home Alone // Dog Park // Family Christmas // Bake Sale // Talent Show // Trick or Treating // Prizes // Episode pt 2 // Episode pt 1 // Pick Up // Soccer // Natural

Thenamesh

(I consider these close enough to what we know of the canon to be part of that particular timeline - although not necessarily connected to each other - and dynamic, including Babylon, Australia, Tenochtitlan, etc. I will include things during and close enough to the movie’s timeline, and not things potentially taking place much further from that)

Sleeprunning // Promise of Paradise // Stars // Healing // Warmth // The Sun in Babylon // Three Days Later // Instinct // Be Mine // Out of the House // Comfort // You, Here, This // Aftermath // Hurt // First and Harder // The Bath Halls // Gil’s Nightmare // Woken Up // Nightmare // On the Beach // Drunk // Unwelcome Advances // Sleepwalking // Overly Affectionate // By the River

Thenamesh AU

(every au has this tag, although as soon as it gains a second installment it loses it and becomes part of that running au; anything from slightly outside of the movie’s canon to completely separate ideas)

My Kingdom for a Heart AU // Far Out in the Australian Desert // Bittersweet // Enemies to Lovers // Human and Eternal // The Last of Us Remaining // Academic Tension // Unbearable Love // Last Christmas (This Year) // Curve the Bullet // Sorry to Keep You Waiting // The Tourist // Jujutsu Kaisen AU // Cake // Unspoken // Runaway Love // Camp Counselling // Scream // My First and Only AU // The Tube // Young Babylon // Mind Control // Onions // Only the Mahdness // Socrates // Isn’t it? // This is Him // Mr. And Mrs. Lee 2.0 AU // His Recipe // Passing Notes AU // Intervening // Dane Meets History // Hit a Nerve // Given Enough // Family Bonding // Wedding Reception // Inevitable // Reunion // Total Erasure // A Running Leap AU // Something New // Christmas Cookies // Lifeguard AU // Panic // Pet Store // Sculptor AU // That Time // Lawyer/Client AU // Arthur // Amnesia AU // Family Dinner // Believe in Love // Flirting // Mr. and Mrs. Lee 1.0 AU // Public Episode // The Australia Chronicles AU // Mid Fight // Mafia AU // [Wedding Reception] // Wedding Gift // Birthday // Interfering // Territorial

Thenamesh Week 2022

(stand alone entries from pre-selected prompts)

08 - Reunion // 07 - Chaotic Family // Spicy 07 - First Time // 06 - Hurt/Comfort // 05 - Soulmates // 04 - Canon AU // Spicy 04 - Outside // 03 - Remember // Spicy 03 - Sweet and Slow // 02 - First Kiss // Spicy 02 - Shower // 01 - Modern AU // Spicy 01 - Wedding Night

[softquietsteadylove]

Love your stories. Was wondering about a story where Thena and Gil get a pet.

"No."

"But-"

"We have enough at home," Gil sighed, pulling Thena's hand into his in an attempt to lure her away from the lizard display. "Why did we even come here if you were only going to look at the lizards? We could've just walked into the garden at home."

"But this one is different," Thena countered, pointing over her shoulder to the bearded dragon who seemed just as distraught to be separated from her.

"I have enough lizard peelings to sweep up already, thank you," Gil chuckled, smiling as Thena at least matched his pace to walk beside him. "Isn't there anything else you'd consider?"

Thena stayed quiet, looking around at the various displays.

"What about a dog?" Gil suggested, pointing to the Australian Shepherds garnering by far the most attention. "You could take it hunting with you."

"An animal will only slow me down," Thena countered easily, and of course, she did have a point. She was faster and stronger than any mortal animal, and a mid size dog was probably not meant to be out hunting ostriches with the Goddess of War.

"We could get a bird," Gil tried again, pointing out the conures perched prettily in their cage. "They live a really long time."

"Gil," Thena sighed, but gave up her next argument at the look on his face.

He had suggested getting them a pet because he worried about having to leave her alone when he went to the market, and especially since he'd started going out further to other trading posts. They'd been in Australia long enough now that people were starting to recognise and get suspicious of Gil's completely unchanged appearance (handsomeness).

Thena could concede that perhaps some company wouldn't be the worst thing for her when he was travelling to other towns. Gil was mostly worried about her being lonely.

"You are only ever gone a day, Gilgamesh," she would chide him and his sensitivity.

"I still miss you," he would pout his lips at her cutely. "Don't you miss me when I'm gone?"

Like she could rip open her chest and hand him her heart to take with him. But she wasn't going to let that stop him.

"What about a guinea pig?--they come in two's!" Gil beamed at the squeaking little monsters. He pointed out specifically two cuddling together, one with a black coat of fur and the other so lightly blonde it was almost sheer white. "They're like us!"

"No."

"Thena," he chuckled, moving his hand from hers so he could pull her closer by the waist. He nestled his lips next to her ear, "I'm not leaving here empty handed, so find something, Sweetheart."

Thena nodded with a sigh. This was more for Gilgamesh than for her--if she thought about it that way it would be easier. She ran through the animals she would consider, although admittedly even if they weren't lizards they were still mostly reptilian. "Gil?"

"Gilgamesh?"

He was slowing to a stop, craning his neck to look at the kittens in their little enclosure.

"Stars above, help me," Thena sighed as she followed him over to the display of feline abominations. She glared down at the little mongrels. "Why are you so enchanted by these quadrupeds?"

"Oh, come on," he dismissed her grouching easily, looking down at the little cuties. "They're sweet."

Thena disagreed. She thought they were far too smart a creature to be as domesticated as they let humans believe. And they demanded the same attention as canines did, if not more so, only without the obedience to be sent away.

Gil had ooey-gooey eyes.

Thena sighed again, leaning over his shoulder as he held his hand out. The tiniest of all the kittens scrambled up into his palm, pressing low as Gil lifted it up. "You really want a feline?"

Gil said nothing, holding the kitten up for Thena to examine for herself. The kitten was white, fluffy, had massive ears ears it would have to grow into and big green eyes.

Thena had to admit, it was not as unpleasant as some cats she had encountered. She looked past those eyes at Gilgamesh, "this one?"

Gil's big, ooey-gooey eyes glittered at her. "He looks like you!"

Thena tried not to be insulted by that. She looked at the cat again, who took a cautious step towards her. She leaned in closer, hearing the soft purring it began emanating from its body. "Fine."

Gil lit up. "Really?"

Thena blushed, unable to look directly at him as if the sun were in her eyes. "Yes, but I will not tolerate having to compete with this thing for run of my own home."

Gil just chuckled. Thena didn't like that cats weren't afraid of her. He held out his hand, "you should hold him on the way home."

"Gil-" Thena blinked as he deposited the cat into her - very dangerous - hands without a second thought. The kitten attempted to balance itself in its newer and smaller platform of dwelling. She turned her hands to look at it. "Hello."

"Mew!"

Gil held back his laughter at the sight of the Goddess of War with ooey-gooey eyes.

[softquietsteadylove]

05 - Soulmates

Your skin will have a peculiar colour to it, which will only clear up when your soulmate touches there for the first time.

What utter horseshit.

Thena didn't - and had never - believed in the whole 'soulmates' thing. And she was in the minority for it, considering the actual physical evidence of them filling the world around her.

She had seen people find love without the need for their soulmate. Some results were good, like when Sersi and Dane found each other, despite their lack of soul pairing. Sometimes it didn't work out, like when Sersi and Ikaris had been together for years before that.

Makkari had successfully found her soulmate in a dour little gremlin, as Thena liked to call him. Druig was a little sour upon first meeting, but he was as soft as a marshmallow at his centre, especially for Makkari.

She had described 'the moment' as if her entire world had shifted in that one instant. Things were brighter, clearer, her head felt light and quiet for the first time.

Thena had joked that maybe her real soulmate was an antihistamine.

She never let anyone see her mark. She claimed it was on an area of skin that didn't need showing off anyway, which always raised some eyebrows. She was happy to let people imagine what they wanted of her and her supposed 'other half'.

She didn't need anyone's soul linked with hers. Some people didn't have soulmates at all! Some had platonic soulmates, some had multiples. Good for them, but she wanted no part in any of it.

"Oi, T!" Druig shouted despite the crowd in the restaurant staring at him for it.

"Sit down," she glared at him as she joined them in the booth, next to Sersi and across from Makkari. "Your boyfriend has terrible manners."

That's actually why we wanted you two here, Makkari beamed with all her usual exuberance. She looked at Druig for a second before slapping her left hand down on the table (just as loud and unmindful of the atmosphere as Druig). That's fiance to you!

Thena and Sersi's jaws dropped. They looked between themselves and then back at their friend, now a bride-to-be. When did this happen?!

Last night! Makkari laughed silently, looking as if she'd won a drinking game as opposed to gotten engaged. I was going to text you two, but Druig wanted to tell you in person.

So sentimental, Thena smirked at him.

He blushed and ruffled his mop of dark hair. "Well, you're the most important people in Kari's life, I thought it'd be important."

"That's very sweet, Druig," Sersi smiled, willing to be the one with any social grace if no one else was.

"Well, let's get started then," he chuckled, his arm settling around his beautiful Makkari's shoulders.

"No shots," Thena pointed specifically at Makkari, who shrugged as if she were the picture of innocence. Thena rolled her eyes; Makkari could out drink an elephant, and they all knew it. "Maybe just a bottle of sparkling, like normal people trying to celebrate."

Druig called over his shoulder, "since when are we normal?"

Thena continued up to the counter, digging her wallet out of her purse. "Can I leave you my card? My friends got engaged and I'd like to pay for us at the end of the night."

"Oh, wow, congratulations!"

Thena looked up. Sound vanished, the light from outside became brighter, casting a golden glow over everything. All that existed was the man behind the counter, smiling at her like she was the source of the light and not the sun itself.

Shit.

He seemed stunned as well, and Thena almost hoped that he didn't. Because then maybe it was a mistake, and she could go on disbelieving in all this. But no, he was staring at her, slack jawed and grinning like a maniac. A cute maniac.

Dammit.

Thena inhaled, pulling her frayed nerves together. This was not 'the moment'. There was no 'moment'. Because she didn't believe in soulmates, or 'the moment', or the idea that a single person could alter the course of your whole life. She was no half a person, thank you.

"I'm Gilgamesh--Gil, actually."

"Gilgamesh," she repeated mindlessly, but it tumbled off her tongue, as if she were holding a diamond in her mouth and it slid from between her lips. It was a hell of a name--it was long and unwieldy and cumbersome. But it sounded so beautiful.

Fuck.

He continued to smile at her. Hearing his name off her lips made him seem to glow from within. His hands, previously preparing an appetiser of some sort, went still. He wiped them on the towel over his shoulder before offering it to her.

She looked at his hand - no discolouration - before shaking it. But her hand in his felt like the most natural thing in the world. She had to get away from this man. "Thena."

No, she had to get away from him, not tell him her name and stay rooted on the spot staring at him.

He blinked a few times, as if she had told him something amazing. "That's a beautiful name."

It was a line she'd heard plenty of times before. But distressingly, she knew that he really and truly meant it, from the depths of his sizeable heart. And how would she knew how big a heart he had? She just met him!

"Are those your friends?"

Thena inhaled again, dragging her eyes away from Gilgamesh to where he was pointing. Sersi and Makkari were leaning all the way out of their seats to watch them. Druig was kneeling on the seat, peeking at her from over the back of the bankette. Dread filled her chest (she would take it over the bizarre fluttering feeling that had started). "Yes."

"Uh, listen," Gilgamesh started quieter, and more sheepish. When she looked at him again, he was drying his hands in the towel needlessly. Was he shy? That was adorable. No, it wasn't. "Don't worry about it. I'm happy to pick up your bill for you--my gift to the couple."

"You don't have to do that," Thena frowned, determined to stand her ground on this. She didn't need him doing her any favours. "Just because we're-"

Gil's brows raised; he waited for her to finish the thought. She refused. His smile returned slowly, "because we're...what?"

Thena's shoulders raised and she set her jaw stubbornly. Her cheeks were not burning hot (at all). She turned away from him, toying with the ends of her hair idly, and not just to distract herself. "Nothing--because we are nothing."

But Gilgamesh was back to staring at her as if she were brighter than the sun, the moon, all the godforsaken stars in the damned sky. "Well, we're at least acquaintances, right?"

Thena sighed as she saw him wave past her. "They're waving you over?"

"Sure are," he grinned at her, setting his towel. down and untying the apron around his waist. Why were his arms so big? He walked out from around the counter with a much more confident stride. "Shall we? I should meet the couple who I have a feeling are about to drink me out of house and home."

"You could just not let them if you took my card," she glared as he walked beside her.

He shrugged though, as if it were nothing for him. "It's my restaurant. I can pick up the tab for the friends of my new...acquaintance."

A shiver ran up her spine as he said it, low and deep, close to her ear.

She hadn't even realised his hand had come up to the small of her back as he said it. But the tingling there gave her a terrible feeling.

[fuwafuwamedb]

Beneath the Euphrates Pt 10 (Hakuno, Enkidu)

Previous Parts: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine 

___________

She stopped just short.

Thank the gods that she did, they weren’t really sure that they wanted to see the woman end up killing her only son, especially since that was the reason that they were alive in the first place.

“…Explain yourself, Enkidu.”

Ninsun was pulling back, calling off her weapons as Hakuno scooted further from the woman.

That wasn’t going to help anyone.

They moved over to the young maiden’s side, giving a small smile and asking for one of the nearby guards to bring her something sweet to eat. The distraction of food would allow for her to be out of the conversation while they spoke with Ninsun.

Sadly, that wasn’t going to play out.

“Wait until I give the command,” Ninsun demanded.

The woman was pure power, standing in a manner that said that anyone that defied her would be met with a strict and vicious punishment. Between her words and the fact that she had nearly killed Hakuno over merely existing, no one was going to go against her.

They didn’t blame the humans, but it was still quite frustrating.

Enkidu waved a hand to Hakuno.

“Hakuno-“

“Kulullu.”

That was not helping.

“Hakuno,” Enkidu stated with emphasis. “Can you please tell the great goddess of steer and of all that is good in the world about your parents and their deaths?”

She shook her head.

This wasn’t the time for shyness.

“I can get her to speak.”

“Please, dear goddess,” Enkidu argued. They knelt down to look at the woman and found her frowning more.

“…There is something wrong with me,” Hakuno murmured.

“Yes, but that can be fixed by telling the goddess about what you are and not what she believes you to be.”

Hakuno shook her head, her frown deepening.

“Goddess Ninsun?” Enkidu glanced back at her. “Would you please come here a moment. At least talk to her.”

“Enkidu, we should be slaughtering the thing.”

Still, she moved closer, her ire growing as Hakuno moved closer to them as Enkidu remained near. Those red eyes drifted over her, catching onto the bands around her ankles and neck.

“Who decided that you needed gifts?”

“They’re um… Remaining attached for now.”

The smirk on her lips said she understood. In fact, at her understanding, Ninsun simply leaned back a little, looking the young maiden over again.

“So you cannot do anything as a Kulullu with the bands on your person. Such a shame. Truly, your god must have abandoned you to leave you in such a weakened state.”

“If you undid the bands, I could leave. I would just swim back out to the large waters and never come back.”

The woman looked her over a moment before coming closer.

“I don’t hurt people. I just… exist. I swim in the waters and I help humans catch fish. Sometimes I walk on land too, but the land is rough.”

There was the who power that Kulullu had as well, but Enkidu remained quiet.

Ninsun was making her own opinions of the woman on her own.

“You wish to prove that you are not dangerous?”

Hakuno nodded after a moment.

“Ninsun…”

“You will go every day to the temple of Enki and to the temple of Ereshkigal,” Ninsun told her. “You will beg for drink from Enki’s child at sunset and you will beg for a blessing from the temple of Ereshkigal before the sunlight hits her temple at dawn. Both of these things will be for Gilgamesh. You will prepare the food that he eats and see to his needs until he is capable of standing on his feet once more.”

Hakuno nodded.

“If you fail to care for him in any way, if you fail to show up when the sun sets at Enki’s temple or before dawn’s earliest light hits Ereshkigal’s temple, I will kill you.”

Another nod.

Enkidu cursed mentally as the goddess stood up.

“Give her no sandals,” Ninsun instructed the guards. “See that the sharpest of rocks are set upon the many paths through Uruk.”

It was going to be torture for the young Kulullu.

“I will return in a month… should you be successful.”