#estinien x ysayle x wol

[theoreticalconstruct]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Final Fantasy XIV Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Ysayle Dangoulain/Warrior of Light/Estinien Wyrmblood Characters: Warrior of Light (Final Fantasy XIV), Ysayle Dangoulain, Estinien Wyrmblood, Alphinaud Leveilleur Additional Tags: Missing Scene, Patch 3.0: Heavensward Spoilers (Final Fantasy XIV), Male Warrior of Light (Final Fantasy XIV), Roegadyn Warrior of Light (Final Fantasy XIV), Mute Warrior of Light (Final Fantasy XIV), Dreamsharing, Developing Relationship, Multiamory March, Multiamory March 2023 Series: Part 23 of Multiamory March 2023 Summary: While resting for a moment after fighting Tioman,the Warrior helps Ysayle and Estinien come to more of an understanding.

[shivasdarknight]

#wolqotd; how was your wolship’s first kiss? what triggered it and what happened after?

...Yeah, so I need to detail five of those?  Just going to put that under the cut.  This is all for Surkie, btw - I don’t really have a lot for the others, at the moment.

(Also yes I know I answered something similar to this but I have more details this time + Gwen is involved now)

Chronological is probably the best route to go with this, so Aymeric’s is first.  It’s also the most complicated one because it really wasn’t a nice kiss.  Even though Surkukteni had been planning on confessing to him that she’d wound up developing feelings for the guy (and she was sort of lowkey having a freak-out over it because she’d never developed feelings for a man before), the assassination attempt happened soon after she got the idea to.  It instantly reminded her of what happened to Ysayle - especially because she’d been planning on confessing and then Azys Lla happened! - and it solidified the fact for her that she was cursed, and anyone she dared to like would get dragged down with her.  So while Surkukteni was swearing she’d never get herself entangled with another relationship (as her ex, Misaki, was abusive, and she’d assumed Ysayle died), the dipshit Aymeric was planning to confess himself.  And he did, while still nursing that injury.  It led to a really tense conversation and a panic attack on Surkukteni’s end as she rejected him on the spot, but it was still a teary kiss that punctuated that rejection: she did like him, she just didn’t want to see him get killed because of her.  So even if they still did things together after that, that pretense of her being deeply traumatized colored everything - including their first kiss.  But like let’s also be fair to them: they did start off their relationship with a really sweet kiss in assurance that they were both serious about things this time around, and at least for Surkukteni it was upholding the promise she’d made back when he first confessed.

Estinien’s the next one and it’s a fucking mess, but what about their relationship isn’t?  During the trip to find the Borlaaq, their first kiss is simultaneously their first time: a slew of bad decisions, getting extremely emotionally vulnerable, drinking more than usual to where it led to things getting handsy - thus, the drunken fling that started this mess.  Surkukteni barely remembers it, just remembers the embarrassment and mortification during the morning after.  Estinien sure as hell remembers what happened and it’s hard to deny since he has faint scars from fumbling kisses and gouging his face on her horns (which admittedly is fairly common with him since they’re both reckless as all hell).  It’s still a really embarrassing subject, so they don’t really talk about it.  Even if they were to bring up the teary kiss after the nightmare instance in 5.3, that’d still be too vulnerable for their liking even if that’s when they solidified their relationship.  So it definitely happened; they just hate talking about it.

Ysayle’s is next, and I’ve written it in a fic!  There’s two instances that technically count: the 5.0 instance in a messed up dream, and then the 5.4 instance where they’re actually in person.  So lemme just-

5.0:

There was something new that caught her attention.  A figure sat at the edge of a ruined fountain, legs curled into themself and back turned towards Surkukteni.  They weren’t too far away, but the dream made it frustratingly difficult to discern who it was.  Curiosity getting the best of her, Surkukteni moved to investigate.

She really should’ve guessed who it was.  Barely illuminated, Ysayle’s hair glistened in the faint starlight as she stared out over the ruins of the Churning Mists, seemingly unaware of Surkukteni’s approach.  But why would she be?  Was this Ysayle really that different from the landscape the Warrior navigated — a figment of the dream she inhabited?  She remained despondent, head turned towards the spot where Ratatoskr apparently died, but Surkukteni couldn’t see her eyes to confirm if that was where her gaze was anchored or if it was to the raging void below.

But of course, Surkukteni was caught.

“Are we doomed to repeat the same outcomes?” was Ysayle’s pained voice, ringing clear from where she sat.  “I thought to make a substantial change, and yet you find me anyways.”

It was embarrassing to admit that Surkukteni flinched, hesitating and doubting herself and her plan.  Her hand retracted, fingers curling in on themselves as she took a half step back, suddenly unsure if this was a good idea.  The half of her mind influenced by the dream told her that Ysayle wouldn’t want to be near her, but the other half reminded her of where they stood and that it frankly didn’t matter — this was Surkukteni’s subconscious fucking with her yet again.

Eyes cast to the ground next to Ysayle, it marked her target as she quietly moved to join her, legs tucked up to her chest and horn resting against her knee to look at the distant face of her dead love.  Her eyes were — indeed — trained on the site of Ratatoskr’s death, red like she’d been crying as she wouldn’t look at Surkukteni.

“I think it’s on me,” she finally muttered, turning away and following Ysayle’s gaze.  “You don’t even know how much I’ve been denying myself — for the sake of others, to not get hurt again.”  It hurt to speak as her head hung low, looking down at her black sabattons.  “I never wanted to hurt you.”

When no response came, Surkukteni was convinced she’d messed up somehow.  That this would truly reveal itself to be the nightmare it was, to delve her further into despair when she was already in deep.  But she instead found herself surprised as Ysayle’s hand closed around hers, getting her to look over at the leader of the heretics.

“Is it that outlandish to believe that I harbor feelings for you?” was a light laugh from Ysayle, deeply self deprecating and sad.  “So outlandish it sets you into a panic that forces us to start over?”

Surkukteni squeezed her hand back, leaning over to rest her forehead against Ysayle’s shoulder.  “It’s more than that,” she muttered, but refused to elaborate on.  “And it’s not just you that I do this too, admittedly.”

“No, but I presume the others aren’t doomed to follow the same script every time you reject them.”

Those icy fingers found her jaw again.

Ysayle tilted Surkukteni’s head up, forcing them to meet the other’s eye.  That she was crying was just cruel on the dream’s part, or at least looked to have been crying at some point.  “But if my actions are what cause this to repeat, then I’ll stop.  If we’re required to follow this faithfully to its intended course, then so be it.”

In a twist of the script, Ysayle let go.

Pain twisted in Surkukteni’s chest, clutching her heart and threatening to crush it.  Ysayle turning away from her made it worse, scrambling to think of something — anything — to say as she cursed herself out for fucking up yet again.   Her mouth opened and closed to no avail as she sat up, grabbing Ysayle’s wrist in a frantic attempt to catch her attention.

“Wait.”

Ysayle stiffened, but looked back regardless.

“I meant it when I said it was on me.”  Surkukteni loosened her grip, shifting her gloved hand to mirror Ysayle’s pose and pull them closer together.  It was Ysayle’s turn to freeze, her eyes widening just the slightest as Surkukteni stopped them just before her horns might harm her.

“I’m a damned coward, and I can’t keep running away from this — from you.”  You, your memory, your death.  “And for that, I need to fix this.”

Surkukteni closed the distance between them.

Ysayle’s lips were impossibly cold — something she’d fantasized about during their trip, yet was something that simultaneously felt almost like kissing a corpse; frigid and stiff.  There was no reaction, just a still body underneath her as she tried to follow Ardbert’s advice.  But an unreciprocated kiss was never fun, leading to her pulling away soon after to find a look of shock in the other woman’s eyes.

Dread filled Surkukteni immediately.  Her hand faltered, falling off Ysayle’s face as she began to back up.  “I’m sorry.”  Her throat closed in on itself, panic filling her breast in a matter of moments.  “That was wrong of me.  I should’ve left well enough alone, and I’m sorry.”

There was still no response from Ysayle.  She sat perfectly still, a frigid statue in the ruins as her eyes seemed to unfocus.  Truly, this would be where things go to straight to the Seven Hells and leave Surkukteni scarred as it didn’t even appear that Ysayle was breathing.  Would she just wake up from this nightmare already?

But just as hope had begun to abandon Surkukteni, her face was seized once again as Ysayle crashed into her haphazardly and met her in a deep and desperate kiss.

The kiss stole Surkukteni’s breath away, but gods was she quick to reciprocate.  It didn’t seem like Ysayle had cut herself open on her horns — a perfect angle — as Surkukteni further deepened it, pushing Ysayle back as gloved hands slotted perfectly along the curve of her spine.  Ysayle’s own hands began to wander, sliding across her jaw and down her scaly neck.  They toyed with the seam of skin and scale and tucked underneath Surkukteni’s white coat, sliding over defined shoulders to try and shrug the damn thing off — only to meet resistance.

A frustrated sound escaped Ysayle, breaking Surkukteni’s focus as a laugh bubbled out of her.  It was a dream, she’d figure things go smoothly and yet this apparition was struggling to remove her coat.  She pulled back to a noise of protest, a word of assurance slipping from her as she began to undo the buckles of her gloves — deceptive things that reached the middle of her upper arm, thick white fabric obscuring the true heavy chainmail beneath that hit the ground loudly as each one was removed.  She’d not the chance to deal with her coat — the long white, black and gold thing that had been so thoroughly tied to her image as the Warrior of Light back then — as Ysayle’s exploratory hands found themselves under it again.  They traced the curve of her biceps, sliding the coat off slowly as she explored the toned and muscular length of Surkukteni’s arms and exposed them in the process.  She did this all with bated breath, color rising in her face as she stared intently once the long overcoat was finally discarded in a pile near them.

The charismatic leader of the heretics was left speechless.  Her hands trembled as she moved to recapture Surkukteni’s face, not meeting her in a kiss yet but instead taking the opportunity to explore her further — the hard lines of the tendons that defined the column of her throat down to her sharp collarbone; further down still, following the line of her sternum to where her breast band was dangerously tied in the front.  Icy eyes were trained to where her fingers hovered, blinking up for confirmation but still unable to say anything.

5.4:

“I thought for sure I’d only see you again if I died,” Surkukteni admitted suddenly, gripping Ysayle’s hand tighter as her eyes screwed shut, banishing the gold that haunted Ysayle’s thoughts.  “And yet...And yet, here you are.”

A weak laugh escaped Ysayle, realizing the gaelicat would have to come out of the bag soon.  She took one of Surkukteni’s hands in both of hers as she traced new scars and calluses, picking at the marred skin with a heavy sigh.  “I tried to tell you.  To hold out a bit longer, but you didn’t seem to take it well.”

The longest, most painful pause of them all was drawn between the two.  Surkukteni’s snapped wide open, mouth agape as her fangs easily caught the dim light and made them stand out all that much more.  “No godsdamned way.”  Her hands retracted, covering her face as she sat silent, and when Ysayle moved to catch her hand again she could distinctly feel heat radiating from Surkukteni’s face — getting a loud groan in response.  “Oh, don’t you get into the habit of that, too.”

A confusing statement if there ever was one, but it didn’t deter her from cupping Surkukteni’s face as she laughed an awkward laugh, feeling her own face similarly heat up.  “Your remark aside, yes.  If we both mean the odd dreams we were stuck in — a shared memory of the Churning Mists—” Surkukteni’s eyes only grew wider; her face, even hotter, “—then yes.  ...I can only apologize for my inability to clarify within the confines of the dream.  I’d not intended on causing you to spiral.”

Even though she relished in the heat that coursed underneath her palms, Ysayle still dropped her hands with a sigh.  “But the dreams were mostly just that.  I’d thought it wish fulfillment at first, but you seemed too aware of the circumstances.  I only want to apologize for my actions then, as I should have assumed you’d moved on after—”

In a rush of movement, Ysayle found herself silenced.  Her words were smothered in a frantic kiss, pain shooting through her cheek as warm blood dripped down and off her jaw.  A sharp gasp escaped her, eyes blown wide as before she could reciprocate, Surkukteni pulled back — frantic and startled.

“Shit.”  A rough hand dragged over the wound on Ysayle’s face, and it was then that she caught the blood that faintly glistened on one of Surkukteni’s black horns.  “I didn’t mean—I’m sorry, I should’ve—”  She paused, swallowing hard.  “I should’ve been more careful, hurting you is—”

Surkukteni was silenced, much the same as Ysayle had been.  She felt the other side of her face scraped in turn, but it wasn’t nearly as deep as the gouge that still bled freely.  Besides, it was worth the risk, was it not?  Why say with words when actions could surely suffice?  Surkukteni startled beneath her at the kiss, but returned the affection in no time.  ‘Twas only after they parted did Ysayle feel that delightful heat return to Surkukteni’s face tenfold.

“Gods, let me fix that,” Surkukteni muttered, shame of all things welling up in her voice.  “Please.”

“That’s not my foremost concern,” Ysayle said through a laugh, brushing the blood from her face and wiping it on her frilly, blue dress.

Yeah I’m.  A tiny bit obsessed with them.  Again, here’s the fic.  I swear I’m normal.

Gwendoline was during 6.0.  And I’m awful, because even this hurts me.  The kiss happens during Ultima Thule, right after most of the group had been sacrificed and it was down to Surkukteni, Gwendoline, and the twins.  Which means Estinien and Ysayle did that bullshit in Reah Tahra, Y’sthola (Gwendoline’s girlfriend) was gone with Urianger and Katsuro, so needless to say both Surkie and Gwen were stressed and distraught!  Especially because Gwendoline didn’t buy that they could come back.  ...So get to the part where the twins sacrifice themselves, and Gwen goes with them.  Surkukteni obviously protests this - it’d leave her alone, she didn’t want to see the twins end up like this after promising Ameliance that she’d keep them safe, the fact that two people she considers family and her best friend were about to all sacrifice themselves - but that’s when Gwendoline stops and apologizes.  Visibly confused and starting to shut down and go non-verbal, Gwendoline continues through Surkukteni’s silence to apologize for not being braver and saying something sooner; something at a better time for when she could’ve actually done something about it and they could’ve had something.  A secret she’d kept to herself for years, but only now choosing to act on it when all else was gone: kissing Surkukteni good-bye, and wishing her the best in overcoming the Endsinger.  And it all hits Surkie like a load of bricks as she watches her best friend disappear like that; admitting something she hadn’t even realized was a thing and immediately having her heart break for the third time that day and nearly paralyzing her with guilt and grief.  Because all the feelings she’d once had for Gwen suddenly came rushing back and reminding her that yes, she did like her best friend and now her best friend was gone.  It very nearly kills her, and it takes Surkie’s everything to keep going. ....And y’know, everyone does come back.  Which is something not a lot of them thought would happen, which included Gwendoline.  So after the (REWRITTEN) scene of the Scions coming back and them preparing for the Dead Ends, Surkukteni goes to confront Gwen about that kiss.  And without explaining herself, she just grabs the front of Gwen’s dress (since Gwen is a fair amount taller than her) and meets her in a passionate, reciprocating kiss.  Admitting that yeah, the feelings were mutual and she wants to see things through so they can actually act on this for once. AND THEN THE ENDSINGER FIGHT SHIT HAPPENS.  AND THE FINAL FIGHT. So yeah, they’re even on “scaring the other to death at the end of Endwalker” thing.  And yes, they’re finally together - after seven fucking years.

For Venat, it was during 6.2.  They’d started to somewhat see each other - and Venat was also seeing Ysayle? - but nothing had really happened except dragging Venat across the realm so she could experience the place for herself.  Get to 6.2 and the group is headed off to the Void, and Venat goes to see them off and present Surkukteni with a present: a conjured scythe she’d created from leftover Hydaelyn nonsense so that she might better protect herself in the Void.  Completely taken aback by the gesture, Surkukteni was at a loss for words and just kissed her in thanks instead.  ...In front of everyone.  Y’shtola and Estinien don’t let her live this down.

Bonus for Gwen and Venat: during the gap between 6.1 and 6.2, Gwen spends a lot of time around Venat as she helps her get on her feet and actually recover a bit better.  The two spend a lot of time together just talking about how much things had changed; about how Venat had truly picked the worst people for the job considering Gwendoline’s necromantic studies.  And it’s while they’re talking about Gwendoline’s seeming ill-fittedness among the Warriors of Light - and her acknowledging that Hydaelyn was more of an answering machine than anything conscious - Venat admits that at some points there was a bit more deliberation, especially when it concerned those close to Charon’s reincarnation.  And she admits that she knew what Gwendoline was doing and knew that it wasn’t malicious - just a pure curious streak with all intention of reviving magicks that could potentially help people.  And it’s under the starry night sky in the streets of Radz-at-Han that Venat admits that it was more about the strength of Gwendoline’s character that she’d shown back in Elpis; knowing the person she’d become, and wanting to help nurture that growth and that curiosity even if it didn’t seem reasonable at the time Gwen’s Echo awakened.  Gwen tries to dodge around the topic suddenly, but it gets brought up that she stupidly caught feelings for Venat immediately upon seeing her - the second person for that ever to happen for her - and muttering about how hard this was, and how she didn’t understand how people functioned like this normally.  And Venat just takes her by the chin and asks her if - if allowed - they could get to know each other better so that the feelings can make sense to Gwen.  Whiiiicchhh leads to their first kiss.

theres a lot here,

[cinnabun-faerie]

FFXIV {May 2022 Masterlist}

✧Group HC & Reactions✧

F!WoL singing Girls/Girls/Boys (Lyna, Minfilia, Y'shtola, Ysayle)

WoL buying a house in Ishgard (Aymeric, Estinien, Haurchefant, Lucia)

WoL being taller than them (Aymeric, Emet-Selch, Estinien, Fandaniel, G'raha Tia, Thancred, Y'shtola, Zenos)

Sick WoL (Aymeric, Urianger)

Miqo'te!WoL who bunts & purrs subconsciously when they're around (Ardbert, Artoirel, Erenville, Gaius)

Worst moments ffxiv character could confess to the WoL / Asking the WoL to marry them (Haurchefant, Emet-Selch, Urianger)

Fandom Dads - He escorts you down the aisle (Barbatos, Edmont de Fortemps, Estinien, Lucifer, Shota Aizawa, Simeon, Thancred, All Might, Urianger)

Special Threesome HCs (Zenos x Reader x Fandaniel)

They comfort the WoL after they receive some bad news (Emet-Selch, Urianger)

Antagonists & the films they'd choose for movie nights (Emet-Selch, Fandaniel, Hermes, Zenos)

How they'd protect their beloved WoL if they met someone who made them feel uncomfortable (Artoirel, Aymeric, Estinien, Haurchefant, Hythlodaeus, Urianger)

How they’d handle the Ishgardians' negativity towards genderfluid!WoL

WoL that absolutely loves picking fights with others for the sake of thrill or battle glory (Alisaie, Alphinaud, Estinien, G'raha Tia, Thancred, Urianger, Y'shtola, Zenos)

WoL gives them a flower crown (Alisaie, Alphinaud, Estinien, G'raha Tia, Thancred, Urianger, Y'shtola)

Tank!WoL is reckless yet protective of their S/O (Alphinaud, Urianger)

✧Solo HC & Reactions✧

G’raha with a Miqo’te WoL S/O

Crystal Exarch realizes that the WoL is using his old bow he left behind when he sealed himself away in the tower

WoL misses Alphinaud so much that they pay him a visit in Garlemald

Estinien Proposal HCs

Aymeric Proposal HCs

WoL finding out Y'shtola can purr

Artoirel Proposal HCs

Alphinaud Proposal HCs

Whenever Miqo'te!WoL and Y'shtola sit together, their tails unconsciously wrap around the other's

Haurchefant Proposal HCs

G'raha Tia Proposal HCs

Emet-Selch playing Neath Dark Waters for the WoL

Y'shtola Proposal HCs

Alphinaud reacts to an Asexual WoL

With a demisexual lover who confesses to their crush, who doesn’t care/is using them

Alphinaud with a sick S/O

Fandaniel Proposal HCs

Zenos Proposal HCs

Urianger Proposal HCs

Thancred Proposal HCs

Gaius Proposal HCs

Erenville Proposal HCs

[eemamminy-art]

fanfic ask game! 14, 15, 44 😊🧡

14. Go on, who are your BroTPs?

I dooon't know if this is something I'd call a brotp in the sense of like bro kinda vibes, but I assume by that terminology it's just like, characters I like to imagine as good friends? And the first thing that comes to mind for me is this AU my friend and I have where Emet hides Ryne away from Hydaelyn and she ends up becoming a little sister to Zenos 🥺 When I'm thinking about platonic characters that's where my mind first goes!!

For something a little less deeply obscure and uncanon though haha I like the friendship between Vrtra and Estinien, or the potential friendship anyway, and I would like to one day write a fic of Estinien helping Vrtra get through the emotional rollercoaster of 6.X patches. In his awkward, very Estinien way.

I don't know if this counts either but I love to think about all the friendships my wol has. He has a brotherly sort of relationship with Thancred and with the thaumaturge guild masters, and a very complicated friendship with Haurchefant. Minfilia was his best friend and he's still very torn up over everything that happened to her. I want to think he was pretty close with Lyse and tries to mentor Emmanellain (even though he's just as immature himself lol) too. I pretty rarely ship oc/canon with my own OCs but I love to think of their friendships and found family!!

15. Is there an obscure ship which you love?

Like… any f/f ship in ffxiv… They're all obscure 😭 Notably I really really like Fordola/Lyse, Ysayle/Heustienne, and M'naago/Kurenai to name a few off the top of my head. I also really like Hien/Yugiri but like, if Hien was a butch.

44. What ship do you feel needs more attention?

This might sound weird but I feel like the more attention a ship gets the more people get weirdly hostile toward it (for being perceived as popular, or genuinely becoming popular), or otherwise start diluting the ship down to something generic. I used to really crave seeing more works from other people about ships I like but lately I'm just kind of like, let me keep them to myself and my trusted group of friends who can be normal about things 😂

Fanfiction questions

[tenebriism]

Ship Bias + Estinien

Ship Bias - [ ACCEPTING ] ;;

Estinien x Aymeric ( of course ).

Estinien x G'raha Tia ( IT'S CUTE. Q_Q He would begrudgingly get attached to that sunshine cat man so quickly. )

Estinien x WoL.

Estinien x Ysayle ( oh, look! Another TRAGIC ship! )

[7marichan714]

[Bad ending DSR AU]

Nidstinien x Forgiven Lament 💔

Triggered when Estinien doesn't survive after the posession of the Eyes, and Stellaris impales herself with her spear, after failing her promise to Alberic of saving Estinien.

During ShB, the Exarch summons the WoLs, including the twisted spirit of Stella and she becomes a sin eater called Forgiven Lament. She only craves peace and rest with her beloved. Unable to do so, becomes a menace for everyone, summoning the spirit of Estinien and Nidhogg to fight alongside her.

The world fails to be saved since the four WoLs are required to trigger Azem crystal, however with Stellaris corrupted this wouldn't be possible.

Only way to avoid this would be saving Estinien with the new DSR timeline too, where Haurchie and Ysayle live.

[starrysnowdrop]

🔥 shipping perhaps?

Unpopular Opinion (On Shipping)

There are several ships that are popular in the fandom that I just don’t see happening realistically, or that I feel like there’s no romantic and/or sexual chemistry. The biggest one that fits this category for me is Aymeric x Estinien. Outside of a platonic friendship, I just don’t see it happening. I don’t think they are compatible at all. In terms of NPC ships, I think Aymeric x Haurchefant would have better chemistry, or Ysayle x Estinien even. But the best ships I see for both Aymeric and Estinien are Aymeric x WoL and Estinien x WoL.

Thank you for the ask @e-dragoons!! 💖

[sarrie]

Relationships: Those who know me know I think shipping is tons of fun, and ofc FFXIV sets us up with the perfect setting to indulge. That being said, this will now contain spoilers up through Endwalker!

Y'shtola was Aeryn's first major crush. Her dry sense of humor and sarcasm suit Aeryn's style of humor perfectly. Being new to the area, she also appreciates how absolutely insanely smart and well-read Y'shtola is. The two would spend hours discussing any aspect of history or magic theory - especially as Aeryn made advances as a conjurer into a WHM. Their relationship never progresses outside of flirting and maybe an awkward hand holding here or there. During and after the events of the Bloody Banquet Aeryn fears she loses Y'shtola without being able to tell her how she feels.

Haurchefant is easy to like. Unlike other Ishgardians he is easy to talk to, full of optimism and romanticism about the world. Mourning and exhiled, it is easy for Aeryn to return his flirtation as it becomes something to get her out of bed in the morning. While they become incredibly close friends, their relationship never strays outside of a friends-with-benefits scenario. They become besties in that platonic soulmate kind of way, and anything sexual is no strings attached.

I did absolutely ship Aeryn and Aymeric as an endgame, but Aeryn evolved so much as a character I don't think I could see it working out long-term. There was a spark, maybe, but anything that could have been was quickly buried by the war and trying to make sure Ishgard doesn't fall apart.

After losing Haurchefant, the world becomes very heavy. Aeryn becomes more reclusive, sad, angry. So angry. At some point Estinien and her start to become very argumentative and it totally leads to them, uh, lashing out. Verbally, and then beating the shit out of each other under the guise of sparring which has led to another kind of physical activity once or twice. This leads to a very interesting relationship as the two of them just… start getting along. (Much to Alphinaud's confusion and Ysayle's amusement. She teases them relentlessly.) Getting along is too strong of a word - their insults and fighting have less bite. After Heavensward the two do become pretty solid friends, and now in current msq timeline Estinien is one of Aeryn's closest friends.

Stormblood doesn't really offer Aeryn any New Romance (tm) chances as it's so much running around and political exhaustion the poor thing is just trying to make it through the day. Emet-Selch. Hades. I uh. Am one of those Azem x Hades people. Shadowbringers features a very exhausted Aeryn. Being the WoL and seen as a savior to the entire planet is kind of a lot. There's a lot of hero worship from total randos, and it weighs on Aeryn. Of course her friends/the scions don't treat her any different than they used to, but she's so tired of being an unstoppable force. In contrast, Emet treats her as weak, as mortal, as someone with flaws. It's a wonderful blend of Y'shtola's dry sarcasm and Estinien's verbal bite. It's refreshing. She doesn't have to worry about breaking him (but gods she wants to). End of Endwalker and she doesn't remember a lot of Azem, but she remembers how she felt back then. And she knows how she feels now. MEANWHILE. . . Ok this is cracky AU stuff but Zenos is so good for Aeryn. I mean he isn't. But hear me out. There was nothing until this idiot puppy of a man kept coming back. Infatuated and obsessed and the worst thing is, he's the part of Aeryn she doesn't want to acknowledge. To those she defeats she's the bad guy. She's killed. She's arguably done horrible things and it's only justified because of which side she's on. And she sees that every time she looks at Zenos. And he's strong as hell - there is maybe no one left on Eorzea who matches Aeryn's strength and every fight is one wrong move away from her dying. It's invigorating and she hates him but he's the only one who understands.

[rcsetorn]

Valentine's Day - Romance Media Edition

This is really about to expose some of my villain x heroine obsession.  Or those with angsty bits like one being a monster or being a “bad boi”. lol

Movies:

The Princess Bride Labyrinth Phantom of the Opera Stardust Beauty and the Beast The League of Extraordinary Gentleman- Mina x Dorian

TV Shows:

Hazbin Hotel- Alastor x Charlie

Anime:

Gankutsuou Kamisama Hajimemashita Bleach- Orihime x Ulquiorra

Video Games:

Legend of Zelda- Vaati x Zelda, Kafei x Anju FFIV- Cecil x Rosa x Kain FFIX- Beatrix x Kuja (don’t @ me, they had tension) FFX- Seymour x Yuna FFXIII- Lightning x Caius FFXIV- Shiva x Hraesvelgr, Ysayle x Estinien, WOL x Zenos FFXV- Shiva x Ifrit Dissidia- Emperor x Ultimecia, Kuja x Terra Kingdom Hearts- Marluxia/Lauriam x Larxene/Elrena Dark Souls- Knight Lautrec x Ash Maiden Anastacia Mass Effect- Shepherd x Garrus Code Realize- Cardia x St. Germain Pandora’s Tower- Aeron x Elena

Books:

The Forbidden Game- Julian x Jenny Lothaire- Lothaire x Elizabeth Eon- Eona x Ido

Manga/Comics:

Hades x Persephone- just them from mythology and different media in general tbh

Tagging: anyone that enjoys any of these pairings lol

[shiratamako]

I'll do this! I have a lot of thoughts in my head that need consolidating. Current ships in order of brainrot, though they're all fairly equal in terms of brain occupation:

WoL x Ilberd

WoL x Haurchefant

WoL x Estinien

WoL x Aymeric

WoL x Ysayle

Heavensward got me uhhhhhhhhhhhh

Ship and OC Relationship Creative Process Ask List.

I am still pondering how best to approach some sort of "ship" for one of my OCs, but it's proving to be quite the challenge to wrap my head around. So what better way to learn more about how other people approach the topics of sex and relationships with their characters than to put together a little Ask List. Not just focussed on ships between OCs and canon characters, but also open to relationships between your OCs - or your OC and someone else's OC (or OCs, as we are all very polyamory inclusive around here).

Did you create your OC with a plan to ship them with a specific character or another OC? Or was their relationship something that evolved all by itself?

How important is your OCs relationship(s) to their story? Would it still make sense without it? Or is their connection to this other character integral to their development?

Were there any barriers to you establishing your OCs relationship? Perhaps social or cultural stigma? Or a concern that "ships" with that character were already overdone? Or simply a fear of being seen as "cringe"? If so then how did you overcome this?

How graphic or explicit are your explorations of sexual interactions involving your OC? Do you happily name body parts and actions? Or do you prefer to leave the mechanical details to the imagination?

If your OC's relationship involves a gender or orientation different to your own then how confident did you feel about exploring or writing this? If your OC and the character(s) with whom they are in a relationship are the same as you in terms of gender/orientation then was this a conscious decision?

How easy do you find it to write (or otherwise portray) non-sexual affection between characters? This might include terms of endearment, "pet-names", descriptions of cuddling or stroking the other's head in their lap etc.

How important is other people's investment in (or enthusiasm for) your character's relationship? Was this a consideration when you were planning it? Have you ever changed a character's relationship(s) due to other people's response to it?

To what degree do you use your OC as a means to explore your own romantic proclivities (or shortcomings)? Is your OC a self-insert and the relationship a form of wish-fulfilment and/or an means to explore certain fantasies? Or do you enjoy exploring something completely different to your own experiences and preferences?

How confident are you in writing about or otherwise portraying kissing between characters? Did this take practice? How much detail is enough? How much is too much?

Is it important to include tension or outright areas of conflict in a relationship? If so then how do you explore these? Or does this not appeal to you?

Does it matter to you how many other people also ship their OC with a particular character? Would this make it more likely that you will compare your material to theirs? Or does this not enter into your thinking?

How much does your OC's background and origin affect their approach to relationships? Are there specific insecurities or preferences that lead on from their past?

How easy do you find it to write romantic (or sexual) dialogue for your OC? If they are in a relationship with a canon character then how difficult is it to keep these interactions faithful to their established character and communication style?

How do you feel about answering questions about your characters sexual/romantic activities or preferences in character?

Did you build up to your OC being in their relationship? Or did you put them into it quite quickly and then filled in the background in retrospect.

Is there a relationship between characters in another setting that particularly inspired you? What is it about this portrayal that you enjoy?

Does it matter whether other people consider your OC sexually attractive? Did this inform your thinking when you were creating them? Also was it important that you put them in a relationship with a character who is generally considered "attractive"?

Do you have specific music that makes you think about your OCs relationship?

Do you have a sense of how your OCs relationship will evolve in the future? Or is it quite a fixed in terms of dynamics and story?

Is it easy to write or otherwise portray other characters (or OCs) reactions to your OCs relationship? Are these interactions important to your characters story? For example, is the relationship one that can be publically acknowledged?

How important is it that your OCs relationship is "realistic" for the setting in terms of the characters values and attitudes? Or are you happy to explore psychological or sexual issues that might more reflect contemporary concerns?

Do you consider your OC to be sexually attractive? Or pretty/handsome? Would you still be able to write about their relationship if you didn't?

What is something you feel you have improved at in terms of portraying sexual or romantic relationships?

How do you feel about people producing fanart of your character's relationship or ship? If this were NSFW would you want to be asked first?

Other than your own characters' relationships, can you give an example of someone who is particularly good at writing or otherwise portraying romantic and/or sexual relationships? What is it about their work that really stands out for you?

Have you given much consideration to specific "kinks" or sexual likes and dislikes for your character? If so then is this something you feel comfortable talking about or describing?

Is there a particular "trope" for relationships that you especially enjoy - e.g. enemies to lovers etc - and is this something that you set out intending to explore?

Is there something you historically felt (or still feel) awkard about describing in terms of your character's relationships? Whether sexual acts, bodyparts, pillow talk, romantic declarations or using the "L word". How did you overcome this (if you ever have)?

What makes a scene or situation "romantic" in your opinion? Is this something you find easy to portray?

What advice do you have for someone considering creating a ship for their character? Or for someone unsure about writing relationships and/or sexual scenarios?

When portraying romantic or sexual scenarios involving your OC, do you aim to inspire a particular response in the reader or viewer? Whether a warm fuzzy feeling, or getting really quite turned on (or possibly both)?

If you ship your OC with a particular canon character, then what was it about that character that drew you to them? Is it that you have a certain "type" when it comes to shipping? Or did you surprise yourself with who you felt drawn towards? If your OC is in a relationship with another OC then did you change any aspects of either of their backstories or personalities to make this work?

To what degree is your OC a self-insert, particularly in terms of their relationship? Do you sometimes use your character's relationship to explore your own feelings about a canon character or another OC?

How confident are you in writing angst or portraying conflict or tension within a relationship? Or is this something you avoid? If so is this because it doesn't much interest you? Or because you're unsure how to approach it?

Is there a way in which your portrayal of your character's relationship subverts the reader or viewer's expectations? Was this deliberate?

How do you ensure that the dialogue (or other portrayal) of a canon character is true to their personality and (more importantly) way of speaking? Do you spend time studying their "official" dialogue in order to get it sounding authentic? Or did it just come naturally?

What is something you try to avoid - or think everyone should try to avoid - when portraying sex and/or relationships with their characters?

What is your favourite depiction of romance (or sex if you prefer) that you have produced? Or if you haven't produced one yet, then what is your favourite example from another creator?

What, if any, is your biggest source of fear or anxiety when it comes to writing or otherwise portraying romantic or sexual scenarios?

What is something that your friends or mutuals could do to support and encourage you when it comes to your creativity around your OCs relationship(s)?

[phoenixmiko]

Pairing Ask Meme: Final Fantasy XIV

OTP: Haurchefant x Warrior of Light.

Favourite NPC pairing: Urianger x Moenbryda. Estinien x Ysayle is a close second.

Worst pairing ever: Asahi x Zenos.

Guilty pleasure pairing: Thancred x Minfilia.

A pairing you want to see more: Aymeric x Lucia.

That pairing everybody likes but you’re like “LOL NO”: Emet-Selch x Warrior of Light.

Favourite non-romantic pairing: Alphinaud x Warrior of Light. They are my BrOTP. Alphinaud is like a little brother to my WoL and is one of her closest friends in the Scions of the Seventh Dawn.

[cinnabun-faerie]

FFXIV {February 2022 Masterlist}

✧Group HC & Reactions✧

You present him with a flower crown (Aymeric, Haurchefant, Zenos)

Scenario: WoL uses Azem's magic & brings back someone they've lost (Emet-Selch, Haurchefant, Hermes, Hythlodaeus, Ysayle)

Modern!WoL singing songs from their world (Alisaie, Alphinaud, Estinien, G'raha Tia/Exarch, Thancred, Urianger, Y'shtola)

HCs: WoL doesn't return after the final fight in Endwalker (Alisaie, Alphinaud, Estinien, G'raha Tia, Thancred, Urianger, Y'shtola)

HCs: You fall Asleep on their shoulder (Emet-Selch, Erenville, Hermes, Fandaniel, Hythlodaeus, Jullus)

✧Solo HC & Reactions✧

G'raha Tia Childhood friends to lovers HCs

Alphinaud Childhood friends to lovers HCs

Aymeric Childhood friends to lovers HCs

Dating G'raha Tia HCs

Estinien x Injured!WoL HCs

[shivasdarknight]

#wolqotd For those who rp, write fanfic, or come up with headcanons for your babies, what are some of your favorite plots or aus you’ve come up with?  Feel free to share photos of them if you have that too! 

...So I haven't really talked about this one, but I do have one AU stewing in my head that's a cross of two I have talked about.  Timelines converge and when Surkie thinks she's dealing with an imposter, she instead runs into another version of herself...yet there's something off. (more under the cut, as always)

So, it’s 6.X.  Surkie’s still recovering from Endwalker and trying to scale back the amount of shit she does - partly because she’s still recovering, partly because she’s trying to figure out what exactly happened when her voidsent Diarmuid partly fused with her, but mostly to actually spend time with her family (three fiances, new girlfriend, and three kids - two of whom are infants) + work on the project to give Venat a chance at life on Etheirys.  She’s clearly extremely busy and word of something like an imposter would definitely throw a wrench in that.  It’s nothing new - her ex Misaki took advantage of “auri woman who tanks” to do the same thing - but it’s still troublesome and something she has to investigate.

She takes Gwendoline - oldest friend in Eorzea, also newly her girlfriend - and Melisande (ally and friend) to go investigate and what they find is a Surkukteni that looks harrowingly like her from a few years ago - as in Stormblood era.  Startling green eyes, hair bound by a braid, none of the same scars, yet all of that same anger from that time.  For as scarily accurate as this other Surkukteni is, something’s off that’s bugging the group.

For starters, this other Surkukteni doesn’t at all recognize Gwendoline or Melisande - which is issue number one: she knew them both during Stormblood.  She then balks at the idea of being with anyone of notable standing in Ishgard, but especially the Lord Speaker and Azure Dragoon - had this truly been her from back then, she’d’ve responded bitterly about Estinien, but not denied feelings towards Aymeric as it was a complicated matter.  But things turn from confusing to bad when this Surkukteni attacks the group with a wicked claymore she conjured from nothing, much like Surkukteni’s own conjured weapons tied to Bahamut that were corrupted by Nidhogg - yet unlike 6.X Surkukteni who figured out how to revert them, this one was still a Nidhogg form.  When the clash didn’t end in an immediate kill, the other Surkukteni transforms into some warped demonic creature that all too resembled Diabolos - but Surkukteni killed him back in Heavensward.  Despite being so painfully similar, all of this was wrong.

Because this Surkukteni isn’t the Warrior of Light.  This is Heretic Surkukteni who loudly declares her bitterness towards the actual death of Ysayle - of whom she was the right hand of.  This is a Surkukteni who fell off the map to avoid persecution for heresy, this is a Surkukteni who lost everything and had no support net.

This Surkukteni sees the WoL Surkukteni as a slap in the face to what she could’ve had but was denied by the death of her lover.

Drag out fight ensues which results in the Heretic losing even after trying to call upon her primal form - modeled after an old Coerthan god, Hel - and getting her ass beat by the significantly more experienced Warrior of Light who’d not fused with Diabolos, but the eldritch Diarmuid.  Of whom she cooperated with rather than subjugated.  The experience of the Warrior of Light wins out over the Heretic and they bring her in to figure out what is going on, and all it really does is just deeply upset her as she’s reminded of what she lost.  Lillith is the Warrior of Light in that timeline, and he wasn’t able to save Ysayle.  Gwendoline wasn’t a Warrior of Light; that spell had never been invented that kept her suspended after her fall.

This is a (mostly) canon compliant Surkukteni confronting the one who spit in Fate’s face and clawed her way towards something better.  It’s an older Surkukteni confronting her younger self and that anger and trauma from when she’d still believed Ysayle to be dead - but this one wasn’t being misled and held onto a tangible grief that’d never be resolved.  It’s about WoL!Surkukteni working through her lingering issues after years of repressed trauma and grief as the Warrior of Light; it’s about Heretic!Surkukteni attempting to move on and working towards a future that Ysayle would’ve wanted which leads to her eventually joining the Scions.  ...Attempting.  It’s still Surkukteni and she makes dumb decisions, and very likely would end up with Cylva and spend Endwalker in the same camp as Y’shtola in figuring out a way to get back to the First.  But at least it’d be a healthier approach than WoL!Surkukteni’s fling with Cylva.  ...Maybe.

Anyways, this is the difference I mean between the two (WoL vs Heretic):

[grecianfilipina]

@twotonedechoes and I have an Estinien x WoL ship, it's a classic touch starved bastard and touch-is-my-love-language sunshine. They have given us the most delightful angst, fluff, and shippy feels!

And the honorable mention that I ADORE is the third wheel Eyri to Estinien and @timidghost 's Ysayle. She and Ysayle are pretty platonic but it also makes my heart happy when all three of us go do things. Eyri loves her Ishgardian tols.

Hey! I'm in big dumb shipfeel city, so give me a reblog and show me your favorite screen of your XIVship, I wanna see them!

Whether it's OCxCanon, OCxOC, or CanonxCanon, whatever! Or even if it's a platonic, besties relationship and not romantic, whatever! Maybe share your favorite thing about them if you want?

[headcanons-n-shit]

The main Elezen boyz with a Miqo'te reader..??

Reacting to miqo behaviors like purring, ear wiggles, tail movement

>:3c my main is a miqo’te ive thought about this a shameful amount.

Estinien

He is absolutely fascinated. 

You achieve such stillness when you are hunting, ears pointed forward, pupils blown wide, spear in your grip. Your tail moves so subtly to maintain your balance as you creep through the underbrush, completely silent on your feet. 

The dragon raises its head from its meal, its gaze sweeping around the forest, and Estinien’s breath catches in his chest as it slides right over you. You don’t even stop moving, ilm by ilm getting closer to your prey, and it doesn’t even notice you. Not even when you stop at the very edge of the treeline, and at this distance he can only see the way you crouch in preparation of a leap, your tail finally going still, the triumphant smirk across your face.

And yet. You, little couerl, little apex hunter, let him wash the blood out of your fur at the day’s end. Sat between his legs, eyes scrunched closed, ears flicking joyfully as you purr and he combs the mats out of your tail-- killing dragons is a messy business, no matter how good you get at it. Little couerl, little apex hunter, so docile and sweet under his hands. He rubs at one of your ears just to hear your purr rise in intensity as you try to turn your face into his palm.

You are fascinating.

Aymeric

He wonders if even you know that your ears twitch when you’re annoyed.

He also wonders if the nobleman across the table understands just how close he is to being drowned on dry land.

You’re trying your best, you really are, sitting up straight, hands folded in your lap, with a face of polite disinterest, but Aymeric can see the little signs that your patience is reaching its end. Your ears twitch. The tip of your tail swishes back and forth. From your side, he can feel the low rumble, the start and stop of a growl that you’re doing your level best to keep under control as the nobleman just. keeps. talking.

Aymeric shifts very slightly. Just enough to run the tip of his shoe up your calf.

“Perhaps--” he says when the nobleman finally pauses to take a breath-- and, well, would you look at that, conveniently loud enough to cover your surprised mrrp!. “-- it is about time we adjourned for a break. Honorable and disciplined as our guests are today, some of us are accustomed to a less... sedentary lifestyle, and will focus better with a moment to stretch our legs.”

You narrow your eyes at him in a sharp glare, but your tail gives you away, slashing through the air in wide, excited arcs. He only smirks down at you.

He never said just how long the meeting was to adjourn for. The two of you have time, and he is quite eager to see how you vent your excess energy.

Haurchefant

He finds out about the purring thing completely on accident.

He knows about how expressive your ears and tail are, of course. How your ears wiggle in joy, how your tail lashes back and force in anger. When your tail curls around your hip and your ears press into your hair, oh, how he wants nothing more than to put his hands on you and soothe you.

The chance finally comes late in the night, just the two of you in his office, as you spill all your stress and fear about the war coming down around you. You look so small, curled in on yourself, and he just can’t help himself. His fingers dig gently at the base of your ear and, oh, wow, your fur is so much softer than he ever imagined it would be. You look up at him, confused, but he only strokes his fingertips gently up your ear, base to tip, and then back down against the grain of your fur, and your eyes fall closed and--

The purr starts deep in your chest, rusty with disuse, and Haurchefant lets out a near-inaudible gasp. His other hand comes up to your other ear, an assault on two fronts, and for the first time in a long time you let yourself relax, leaning your weight into his chest and trusting him to hold you up. He loves the sound of your purr. He never wants to hear you make any other sound.

BONUS

Ysayle

If you are wondering why the ice-faced elezen is staring at you with such intensity, it’s because you are, without question, the cutest thing she has ever seen. Those ears, that tail! How expressive, how adorable!

But its your growl that really endears you to her. It is a horrible, terrifying sound, but at this point Ysayle is well and used to horrible, terrible things. A growl, rumbling up from the depths of your chest as your eyes flash and your hands reach for your weapons? Is a comfort. A creature that wants to kill you doesn’t growl. A growl is a warning. A courtesy. 

It’s your growl that makes her believe in you. You, who would give warning to an enemy you could have just as easily cut down before they had the chance to notice you. You must be honorable. You must be kind. 

And perhaps, she thinks as she watches the tip of your tail twitch back and forth and her fingers itch to catch it, you may be exactly what she is looking for.