#fallen stars brought me into this ship and I love it

[jimmerzz0905]

glaishur? more like GAYshur (looks at Attmoz)

[perdidit-vulpes]

thinking about all the ocs that’ve gotten abandoned because they remind me too much of her. lmao. lmao! lmao

[pallysuune]

Summary: You have been at the Lion's side since he first walked onto Camarth and remembered who he was. Whatever else anyone says about him, you've seen how human he can be, and try to help him in an equally human way.

Pairing: Fem!Reader/Lion El'Jonson

Warnings: spoilers for The Lion: Son of the Forest, I guess. Some good ol' fashioned fluffy smut. No beta we die like fanfic writers.

A/N: I love how different the Lion is in Son of the Forest, how much more mature and respectful he is. I've got a soft spot for the old man. This, uh, may have gotten a little out of hand.

The Protectorate was nearing a state where it would be self sufficient. Where Lion could step away without fear that 'his people' would once more fall to the predation of chaos. It was difficult to tell what he was thinking most of the time, but everyone near him could tell that he was affected by that notion. How he was affected was up to debate, though. His Risen were of the opinion that he was anticipating his return to the Imperium at large, maybe even excited for it in his own way. But you thought there was more to it than that.

Not anxiety, exactly, but something adjacent to it.

While the majority of the Lion Guard would remain in the Protectorate, there was a small number who would be joining him and his sons in their travels. You were one of them. It wasn't much of a surprise, if you were being honest. While you weren't the captain of the Lion Guard, or any other named rank, you served as close to an equerry as he currently had. You'd dare even say you were close to him. Closer than most.

The ship that would carry you all away from the Protectorate wasn't one many would call worthy of a Primarch, but Lion himself had seemed nothing but satisfied with it, thanking the tech priests and engineers who had gotten it in working order with a sincerity that had left them flustered and star struck. It was still, in fact, a little small for someone like him, especially in the private cabins, which was what necessitated him sitting cross-legged on the floor as he currently was.

He'd been sitting there for so long with his eyes closed, you thought he was meditating, or that he'd fallen asleep, when he spoke suddenly.

"You know you don't need to be here all the time."

You fixed him with a flat look, even if he wasn't able to see it currently. "The last time we were on a ship, you took a walk in the middle of the warp and none of us knew what happened to you," you reminded him, in a sharp tone you only dared to use in private.

He opened his eyes and looked up at you. You blushed a little. He didn't intend it, you were pretty sure, but his attention was always so intense that it got to you every time.

The corner of his mouth twitched upward in a faint smile. "My sons were quite upset with me about that," he conceded.

He motioned toward a chair, offering for you to sit, and, in a way, accepting the fact that you were going to be staying there. Triumphantly, you sat down.

Silence fell between the two of you for a moment, before you cleared your throat softly. "Can I ask you something, Lord Lion?" He looked over at you again. For how calm he could be, he still didn't like to be kept waiting, so you went on quickly. "Why did you bring the Lion Guard with you? Not just now, but when you first brought us with you from Camarth. You... don't really need us. Especially now that more of your sons have joined your side. So why...?"

He didn't answer immediately, glancing away instead, his eyes lowering to the floor as he thought about it. "I do need the Lion Guard. I cannot protect these planets alone, nor can I traverse the stars to rejoin my father's imperium alone. Even a Primarch is nothing without people who are willing to trust and follow them."

He looked meaningfully at you.

"In truth, I need you just as much as you needed me. I am still human."

You knew he meant 'you' in a general sense, but your heart still skipped a beat all the same.

His gaze seemed just a little more focused on you, and you suddenly recalled a rumor you had heard once that he could hear so well he could even hear a person's pulse. Was it true? Could he hear how yours was suddenly fluttering in your chest?

"Don't you ever get tired, sir?"

He arched a brow at you. "I slept for ten thousand years," he said, his voice so dry you couldn't tell if he was joking or not.

"That isn't what I meant," you huffed, flustered.

His expression softened ever so slightly. "I do. But there is too much to do to give in to it."

You hesitated again, looking at him. Your heart was beating so fast, you were almost sure it would break out of your rib cage and fly away. "Would you... permit me to help you with that?"

His expression closed off, becoming more guarded, and for a moment, he just looked at you. And then, slowly, he nodded.

You took a deep breath and rose from your seat. After one last second of hesitation - you could stop this before it started, your brain said, pretend it never happened, and go back to serving him as normal - before you slipped into his lap, sitting lightly on his thighs. This close, you could so clearly see the lines at the corner of his eyes, the silver in his blond hair and beard. He didn't move in the slightest, and his eyes never left yours. Slowly, you reached up, fingertips brushing his cheek, before you leaned in and pressed your lips to his.

He didn't respond immediately, but after a moment, he wrapped his arms around you. He was gentle, almost achingly, as if he was afraid of hurting you. His broad, warm form enveloped you. He kissed you back, slowly, and you could practically feel the tension release in his shoulders as he let himself let go and accept the affection and comfort you were giving him. His fingers slid into your hair, his hand cradling the back of your head.

You had seen the Lion fight before. To think that the same hands you had seen kill daemons with such ease could be so gentle when touching you made your heart ache.

The kiss grew deeper, his tongue slipping past your lips, sweeping into your mouth and gliding over yours. You moaned softly.

He smoothed one large hand down the curve of your back, letting it settle low, where the edge of your shirt had ridden up ever so slightly. He slid one calloused finger beneath, drawing over your skin. "Do you wish to continue?"

You realized it was a genuine question. He would not stop you or blame you if you didn't wish to go any further. That, just as much as the warmth of his body and the way he had responded to your kiss, urged you on.

"I do."

The Lion kissed you again softly, beginning to pull your shirt up. He's wearing a shirt that buttons down the front, something made for him on Avalus to wear when he's not in his armor. You fumble with the buttons, fingers slipping on them in your eager haste. You felt the quirk of his lips in a smirk of amusement, and felt heat rise to your cheeks. When he pulls away to draw your shirt over your head, you take the opportunity to undo the buttons since you could see them. You pushed his shirt back off his shoulders.

He was a broad man, muscular and strong, his skin pale, with the ghosts of freckles dusting his shoulders, waiting for the kiss of the sun to bring them out. Scars mark his body, a long with the metal ports where his armor interfaced with his body. It was strange how different it was and yet how recognizably human. You ran your hand down his chest, marveling at him.

He said nothing, watching you silently as you looked over his upper body. When you glanced up, you met his his eyes. That intense forest green gaze. You flushed.

He leaned in and kissed you again.

Lion lifted you with ease, making quick work of the rest of your clothes before removing his own. Naked, he drew you back into his lap. Your breath hitched at the feeling of skin against skin, his cock resting against your sex. His hands roamed over your body as he held you close and kissed you, in utterly no hurry. He trailed kisses down your neck and over your shoulder. He lavished your body with kisses and touches until you were squirming in his lap, panting softly.

It was only then that he laid you back onto the floor, shifting over you. One large hand guided your leg around his waist. His lips pressed softly to your breast. His beard scratched your skin lightly. His mouth was hot as he took your nipple into it to suck lightly on it. His fingers brushed along your folds. Heat and pleasure rushed through you. You were slick and hot under his hand as he circled your clit and pressed a finger into you.

You whimpered softly, your hips arching up into the movement of his hand.

"Patience," he murmured against your chest.

You wasn't sure how he could expect you to be patient when he was slowly fucking you with one thick finger. But you bit your lip, trying to keep from squirming too much.

"Good girl."

His voice alone was enough to make you whine again.

Lion took his time, patient and thorough, fingering you and playing with your clit until you were practically dripping for him, your arousal slickening your thighs. You were nearly delirious with need when he drew back, slipping his finger from you. He raised it to his mouth, and you watched through lidded eyes as he sucked your essence from his fingers.

"A man could lose himself between your thighs," he rumbled, green eyes locked with yours.

"Lion," you breathed.

He pursed his lips, and you were sure it was to hide a smile, and leaned back down over you. He guided your legs around his waist again. You felt the press of his length against your slit. Slowly, he rolled his hips forward, pressing into you, stretching you, filling you. Your back arched, your hips rocking up to meet his. A long, low moan slipped from your lips.

He groaned softly before his lips met yours. He kissed you deeply. You wrapped your arms around his neck, fingers threading in his hair. He was the only thing that existed to you in that moment. You clung to him, grounding yourself in the strength of his body. And you let yourself get lost in the push and pull of your bodies, in the pleasure that seared through your veins. Nothing else mattered.

He began to move faster, chasing the high both of you so desperately needed. His fingers found your clit once more and you keened, pushed over the edge. Your pussy tightened around him, your juices dripping down your thighs as he continued to fuck you through your release. Everything was a haze of sensation, highlighted with the sound of deep, masculine groans in your ear, as your body began to tread that line between pleasure and pain, too much and not enough. You trembled in his arm. He continued fucking you.

He bucked into you and stopped, filling you completely. You could feel the throb of his manhood in you as he pumped you full of his seed.

For a moment, you both remained like that, twined together. You were panting. He was breathing a little hard, too, his face pressed into the crook of your neck. He pressed a kiss there before finally pulling himself up.

You expected him to pull away, get dressed, and return to his meditation. Instead, he drew you close to him again, back into his lap as he shifted to lean back against the wall. He took his shirt and draped it over you. You hadn't anticipated cuddling but, well, you certainly going to turn down the opportunity. You let yourself lay across his chest as his arms came to settle around you again.

Lion didn't speak. But as you began to fall asleep, you could have sworn you felt the touch of his cheek against the top of your head.

[jollmaster]

So the ars goetia in your rewrite are a hellborns and not a fallen angels? Are they immortal? And what gave them the right to rule and command the hell if they are just a hellborns?

In vivziepop univers, at first I liked the idea of the goetia being a descendants of the original fallen angels,it gives a good opportunity to tell story about aristocracy, the"rights by birth" myth and legacy, but that's not what medrano did it's more she created some confusing nonsense and didn't even explain it.

hi 🖤

• in my rewrite Ars Goetia demons are different: some of them are fallen angels, distorted by the influence of Sheol (associates/friends/subordinates of Lucifer, or just someone who did bad deeds and was cast away), some of them are firstborn/first generation demons or embodied spirits, some cases are complicated, like Asmodeus, son of mortal father, though he was a great magician, and half-blood mother

• the common trait is that they are very powerful in certain areas and can pass as deity-like creatures: for example, Andrealfus was Adrammelech for a long time and was in pantheon of local semitic gods

• also, generally, those with bird-like features/shape are fallen angels, this is more natural state for Eden spawn

• Ars Goetia demons are immortal, which is characteristic of firstborn/first generation creatures

• this fact, coupled with a very high capacity for magic (some of them can literally destroy an armada of ships, collapse a hail of stone, stupefy an entire army at once) gives them the right to be considered superior to others: this world was built on magic, at least ✨️

I don't dislike the concept of aristocracy, this could work wonderful, for me it's just somehow... very down-to-earth towards them: it makes the world of Hell seem not as impressive as it could be (oh, at first, let's be honest, Vivienne doesn't show, how rights of aristocracy works! I don't see nobles, they don't behave as someone who was born with this, they're just mean with little exceptions)

and I brought young Stolas from my rewrite in close-to-human form ✨️

Stolas was an angel somewhere, he always loved silver and gold; and he still feels guilty for supporting Helel, the Morning Star

[imabeautifulbutterfly]

If you are still doing your followers celebration I got something for you 😉

To me this fits the Clones so well. There is so many pairs you could do of brothers being there for brothers (I'm talking strictly brother like, not clone shipping).... Like Rex/Cody, Fox/Thorn, Rex/Cody/Wolffe.... Anyways my ask is for you to take this song and do whatever you want with it, with whatever clones you feel this fits to make a brotherhood kinda story of your dreams lol. If you're up for something like that. 💙💙

Thank you @callsign-denmark for such a brilliant request.

I hope I did this song justice: Brotherhood by Miza, Rosendale.

It was such an emotional song, and maybe that's just me, but it really felt emotional.

I apologize for the delay in posting, things got hectic, this week. Like really crazy. I apologize.

Love oo,

Brotherhood

Warnings: Following Umbara arc, mentions of deaths, trauma, grief, pain, guilt, survivor's guilt, I think that's it, if I miss anything please let me know.

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Kix sat on a cargo crate in the hangar, his face in his hands, as he tried to come to terms with everything that happened, with the betrayal of a Jedi, the loss of one of Hardcase, the loss of so many men. 

A shuddering breath escaped from his lips, as he tried not to let anyone notice the tears that were sliding down his face. His eyes shifted from the pile of armour in front of him, slowly focusing on the bodies of his fallen brothers he’d been unable to save. 

No one realized or really knew the sort of toll it took on him knowing he failed them. No matter how hard he tried, how he used all his might to save each and every single one of his brothers, only to fail them, one by one. 

To save so few in comparison to the ones he lost was an overwhelming feeling of defeat and loss. 

Life wasn’t fair, most of the men who lay there with a nondescript sheet over there, hadn’t even been able to live. Most were shinies, never even having a chance to step foot in 79’s or learning how connected you could feel to someone who wasn’t even your brother, simply by holding that special person in their arms. They’d been bred to fight and to die, that’s all they’d known. 

Every one of those men, who were now lying on the cold durasteel floor not even ten feet from where Kix sat, learned only one thing from the moment they were brought out of the growth chambers to the moment of their death: what it was to feel pain. Pain from training, pain from fighting, pain from seeing their brothers die, pain from not eating enough, pain from not sleeping enough. Everyday was pain for them, up until the moment of their deaths. 

Kix took in a shuddering breath once again as he rubbed his eyes, fighting back the tears that were so desperate to escape. 

Jesse had been watching his vod for a few minutes, he could see the turmoil radiating off him, he slowly walked over, taking a seat beside him wrapping his arm around Kix as he pulled him into his side.

“It’s not your fault, vod.” 

Kix didn’t respond to Jesse’s statement, simply wiping his tears as Jesse continued.

“None of the lives lost was your fault.”

“It was my job to save them.”

“It was your job to try your best, and I know you, vod, you always do your best.”

Kix broke down in Jesse’s arms, unable to hold back the unending upheaval inside of him. 

Rex watched from afar, his heart breaking for his vod. Kix didn’t deserve to suffer, he didn’t deserve to have feelings of guilt for the loss of his brothers. 

It wasn’t Kix’s fault. 

It was his own fault. At least that’s what he kept telling himself.  

After all, as Captain, he was the one responsible for sending his men out, all those men’s deaths, all the pain and suffering Kix was dealing with, what all his brothers were dealing with, this was all on him. 

He headed towards his office, paying his respects to his fallen brothers. He simply wanted the confines of his office, he didn’t want to be reminded of more deaths he could be responsible for; every single one of his vode’s faces he looked held the possibility of death in the near future. 

He was near his office when he ran into Fives. It still stung seeing Fives without Echo, and now he lost Hardcase too. It was just too much, it was all too much. 

Fives could see Rex was struggling, he stood in front of him preventing him from moving on. He knew his ori’vod well enough to know he’d never actually discuss what was wrong, but the least he could do was try to get him to open up. 

���Rex, you okay?” 

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Rex took in a deep breath, before he even had the strength to look at Fives in the eye. 

“Come on vod, it’s written all over your face. Talk to me.”

Rex propped himself against the hallway, rubbing the back of his neck as he leaned against the cold steel wall, hoping it would somehow give him the strength to talk. He leaned his head back looking at the ceiling, noticing how meticulous those cleaning droids could be, even cleaning the ceiling. He closed his eyes and for some reason he couldn’t explain, his mouth just started moving. 

“I’ve lost so many good men, Fives. And each one of those men died, because they were following my orders. Not anyone else’s. Mine.”

“Rex…” 

He simply shook his head, he didn’t want to hear it right now from Fives, it was taking all his strength to just do his best to keep the tears back as he continued talking.  

“I’ve been in so many skirmishes, but I still remember each one of my brother’s faces and number. Bellow, those lost in the battle Hisseenian and Christophsis, Hevy, Flash, Cameron, Lucky, Denal, Koho, Buzz, Gearshift, Redeye, Mixer, Hawkeye, Kosmos, Charger, Longshot, Echo …” his voice trembled, there’d been so many deaths and he was responsible for each one. How many more could he bear, and now with how devastating Umbara had been. His hands trembled as he wiped a tear. 

Fives gripped his shoulder, it wasn’t the Captain’s fault, he knew that and somewhere in the back of Rex’s mind, he’d known that too. Fives took a deep breath and offered the only consolation he could think of. 

“We’ve all lost brothers, Rex. We’re all grieving, and feeling guilty for not being the ones lying on the floor beside them.”

“It’s more than that,” Rex shifted his head and looked at his brother, “I’m responsible, you  - - you didn’t send them to their deaths. I did. All those lives lost … because of me. Because I failed.”

“That wasn’t you. None of this is your fault. You weren’t responsible for their deaths. You were following orders. At the end of the day, we’re all just following orders, vod.”

Rex scoffed “To our deaths.”

Fives nodded in agreement, as he squeezed Rex’s shoulder, “At least we’ll meet it together then.”

Rex chuckled as he looked at Fives and nodded, “True. Alright, Fives. Off with you.” He motioned with his head down the hall, the overwhelming emotions finally simmering back down below the surface, “I’m sure you have somewhere to be.”

“Yes, sir.” Fives saluted and carried on his way, hoping at the very least he gave his brother some comfort. 

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[shirolian]

Dark on Me

Once upon a time, long before the seven brothers fallen, a human was brought to Devildom along with her master and teacher. The human fell in love but her time on this Earth was limited. She withered away.

Much later, the soul returned back to the plane of this existence. How? Nobody knows.

Light the night up, you're my dark star And now you're falling away

But I found in you what was lost in me In a world so cold and empty I could lie awake just to watch you breathe In the dead of night, you went dark on me

You're the cause The antidote The sinking ship that I could not let go You led my way, then disappeared How could you just walk away and leave me here?

[skoulsons]

Dialing In All Your Pheromones

• gif from @olisgifs

• title from Novo Amor’s song “Terraform”

Relationships: Joel and Ellie

Word count: ~2800

Authors note: Just some father and daughter fluff :) If you ship them I will tie you to a table and force you to eat wet bread. This is the first proper fic I’ve ever written, so please be kind <3 I do have a ton of other wips I’d love to post eventually, if I ever finish them. But, for right now, enjoy this!

Summary: based entirely on this post which sent me into cardiac arrest when I first read it.

(Thank you to my lovely beta readers @ellie-licious @sunflower-0180 @swinging-stars-from-satellites *I was too antsy to post but thank you still!!*)

~~~

Note- I know she rode that one horse into Jackson in episode 6, but we’re going to ignore that for the sake of this. I don’t know, say they just walked them there. Or Ellie sat behind him. I’m just saying that she’s never sat and lead/steered a horse on her own before. Also, I know almost nothing about horses, only what I find out through google. So, apologies in advance if I get something terribly wrong or weird

-

Ellie never knew comfort like she did right now. A different comfort to her warm bed on a rainy day or even a lukewarm shower after FEDRA school drills around the gym. A comforting presence. A grounding presence that she could touch. The presence her heartbeat would match with and she could steady her breathing alongside. This presence in a man she has her cheek pressed against and her arms wrapped around, her fingers linking together in front of his stomach.

When she’s not bothering him with questions about construction, Tommy, or foods from Before, or she’s not taking a nap against his back, she kicks at his ankles with the tips of her feet. He ignored it the first two days, simply letting out a sigh when she’d tap his boots in a rhythmic manner, clicking her tongue to make a beat. But now, he kicks back at her, a smile on his face as they fight with their boots against Callus’ side. Joel always knew he won after a defeated “ow…” came from behind him as she shifted her weight to rub her ankles to relieve the pain.

“You kick too hard,” she grumbled, placing her forehead against his back and readjusting her hands to his sides.

Joel smiled, “Ain’t kicking you that hard.”

“Then why’s it still hurt?”

“Need s’more meat on your bones, you’ll be able to take it better,” he argued.

“Or you could kick softer,” she challenged, earning a laugh from him. It reverberated through his chest and back and through her forehead, forming a small, almost reluctant smile on her lips at the feel of it. It felt…warm.

“Sorry, kiddo. Not an option,” he smiled, throwing the lightest kick he could to her foot, just to tease her.

“Oh, funny,” she huffed, leaning defeated into his winter coat.

They continued riding a few more hours, passing car pile ups, fallen over utility poles that stretched across every lane, and overturned tractor trailers. They were getting closer to the highway. Ellie’s cheek was pressed against his back again, arms against his stomach as she held onto each of her wrists to keep a tight hold around him. Callus’ trotting kept a slight bounce in their step, and with the added velvet material of his coat and the steady thump-thump of his heartbeat in her ear, she couldn’t help but relax into his back.

Joel turned his head to the side, trying to get sight of Ellie behind him. She had been still against him the last few minutes. “Ellie?”

“Hm?” she mumbled, sleepiness present in her voice.

“You want to switch?”

Ellie perked up immediately, beaming at the salt and pepper mix on the back of his head. “Really?”

“Yeah, before we stop for the night. That okay with you?”

“Yeah, man!” She shouted, excitedly tapping the sides of his arms at a rapid rate, half expecting her tapping to make Joel slow Callus down faster the quicker she tapped.

Joel brought Callus to a stop along the shoulder of the road (old habit with driving, he claims) as Ellie climbed off first, nearly bouncing with excitement as her feet hit the mossy asphalt. Joel climbed down after her, keeping a hand on Callus’ shoulder as Ellie is nearly glowing beside him, stepping up close to the saddle.

“Alright, gimme your foot,” he instructed, squatting down and linking his fingers together underneath her left boot as she swung her right leg over the saddle. Her feet barely reach the stirrup once she’s in the saddle, so Joel leads her boot through as the tip of her boot grazes the iron.

“Hold on to both,” Joel says, handing the reins to her lap once she’s settled into the saddle.

She eyed him sarcastically, “I know, Joel,” she said, grabbing hold of the reins. “You need a hand up, old man?”

“Cute,” he scoffed, putting his left foot through the stirrup and swinging his right overtop Callus, grabbing Ellie’s shoulder briefly to stabilize himself.

“You just doing this so you can kick my feet better?”

“Mmm,” he hums, raising his eyebrows in consideration, a slight smile on his face. It wasn’t his intention, but since she mentioned it-

“No…” she starts.

“I won’t, I won’t,” he reassures.

-

It was nice. Holding her. Getting to have her against his chest. To keep his arms at her sides as she settles into the saddle.

You’re not my daughter. And I sure as hell ain’t your dad.

He hadn’t meant it. Not really. It was a mess of feelings. His inadequacy and fear. His need for her to be protected, just not by him. And for her to shove him and tell him she cares about him? For him to tell her he cares about her, without missing a beat? Course I do. He didn’t even think when he said it, it came out as clear as any other truth he’s ever spoken to her. Because that’s what it was; truth.

But to say she wasn’t his daughter was the furthest thing from the truth. Over the last three days (their whole journey, really), she was nothing but that. Teaching her how to shoot, start a fire, and do the ‘dressin’’ part of their hunting. Those and the teasing, laughing, bickering, and earth-shattering annoyance with each other is what really sold the family unit. He lied to himself, and he hopes Ellie isn’t thinking about it nearly as much as he is.

Getting to hold her almost felt like his way of apologizing. Of taking back what he said and telling her ‘I’m sorry.’ He’d never say it aloud, but he hopes she gets it, even just a little bit.

“Joel?” She asks, breaking him from his thoughts. “You with me? You haven’t moved or spoken and I don’t exactly know how to get Callus going.”

“I’m good,” he reassures, squeezing her side gently and offering a smile that was more for him than her. “…wait, Callus?”

“Yeah, it’s what I named him. Tommy didn’t exactly tell us his name, so…figured I’d give him one.”

“And you went with Callus?”

“Listen, man, it was the first thing I thought of! Besides, I think it fits him well,” she tries, praising herself at the name she’d given him. “Anyway, I was scared I’d do something wrong and he’d fling us off or something, I don’t know,” she admits.

“He won’t fling us off, kiddo. Well, you maybe…”

“Hey!” She said, throwing her heel back and making contact with his shin.

“Alright, alright. Here-” he started, moving his left hand from her side to both of her hands, grabbing the reins from her as she dropped her hands in her lap. “Hold the reins overhand, like this,” he demonstrated, the reins held securely in the curl of his fingers. “You don’t gotta hold ‘em real tight, just enough so they’re secure in your grip.” He turned his hand over, palm to the sky as the reins draped across his hand. “Show me.”

“Right hand or left?”

“Whichever you want. I use my left so I can draw my revolver or knife easier, but it’s up to you,” he said, reins still draped across his hand.

She brings her left up from her lap, taking the reins from Joel’s hand and holding them as Joel showed her; secure grip in the curl of her fingertips.

“Good,” he said, his left hand falling back her side as his right came up to her shoulder, gently adding pressure. “Release the tension in your shoulders, too. I can feel it all the way back here.”

She rolled her eyes at the comment, but obliged and inhaled deep, held it for three seconds, and exhaled, letting her shoulders fall as she did. Joel’s hand stayed on her until she relaxed, reverting back to her waist when she did.

“Now, for walkin’, It’s easy. You just gotta give him a little squeeze with your legs.” Joel glanced down to where her legs fell, noting how close they were to Callus’ shoulder. “Keep your feet away from him now, cause if they nudge him, he’ll think it’s time to go when you may not be ready,” he explained, Ellie nodding in understanding. “Now, gently squeeze your feet to his side. Gently,” he repeated, wanting them to start slow.

Callus started walking as Ellie tapped his shoulders with her feet, letting them fall back to a more relaxed position in the open air beside him. A toothy grin grew on her face knowing she was the one doing this, not Joel. “Whoa,” she smiled, barely a whisper as the clop-clop of Callus hooves stepped along the pavement.

“How he responds and reacts comes down to your weight in the saddle and any pressure in your legs against him,” Joel explained, Ellie nodding in understanding again as she watched Callus’ mane wave back and forth slightly. “Here, gently tap your feet against him again.”

Ellie did as instructed, tapping her feet against Callus’ shoulders once again. The signal against him made him go from walking to a trot, Ellie letting out a small “whoa,” at the change of pace. Her right hand went to the reins, holding a little tighter to the ropes with both her hands. She felt Joel hold a little tighter to her sides, keeping her steady.

Joel noticed her tightened grip on the reins and he gave her left side a gentle squeeze, as well as attempting a, “hey, relax,” but no words came to him. She didn’t need them. They didn’t need them. One squeeze was enough for her to hear him, and she let her right hand go from the reins, letting her hand fall back in her lap as she inhaled, held for three seconds, and exhaled, letting her shoulders fall again as Callus carried the two of them along in his trot.

After about five minutes of the steady trot, Joel broke the silence. “Alright, Ellie, try and make yourself feel a bit heavier in the saddle and gently squeeze your thighs against him, don’t tap your feet.”

“Feel heavy, squeeze thighs. Gentle…” she repeated to herself, squeezing her legs against Callus gently as he slowed his trotting to walking. Ellie let out a breath as she smiled, craning her neck around to look at Joel, the two of them sharing a smile together.

Joel rubbed his right hand up and down her waist lightly, commending her. “Good job, kiddo.’

“Can we gallop?”

“Ah, no.”

“Joel, please?” She draws out her ‘please’, leaning her head against his chest with a goofy, over-the-top grin on her face.

“You keep askin’ and I may just have to take the lead again.”

“No,” she breathed, a hint of offense in her voice, though sarcastic. She sits up from his chest, her posture straightening as she continues watching Callus’ mane flow back and forth as the clop-clop of his hooves fill their silence

-

They stay in a gentle walk for miles as the sun sets, creating a glow of orange, pink, and a dim purple across the horizon, stratocumulus clouds highlighted by the contrasting colors.

“Joel?” She asks, voice seemingly smaller than normal. Maybe it’s the exhaustion from a day of traveling. Or maybe it’s the setting.

“Hmm?”

“Look, the sunset.” She throws her right hand up in front of them, pointer finger haphazardly out in a pointing motion, like she needed to point to the incredible painting-like view in front of them that nearly covered the whole sky. His head perks up over her beanie from where he kept it down in thought, taking in the view. It was really nice. He could hear her breathing change to controlled, stable breaths. Content breathing as she paused after each inhale and exhale. Joel smiles to himself as he notices the light from the sunset creating a glow overtop her beanie and one shaping Callus’ muzzle. He smiles to himself, knowing that Ellie’s face is definitely also glowing, and it’s not from the sunset alone.

Ellie lets out a content sigh as she drops against Joel’s chest, letting her weight fall against him. Joel smiles at the contact. This is new for them, really new, but it’s nice. The comforting presence they bring to each other; the security. He’d be lying if he said his heart didn’t grow a size or two with these moments. Or even three or four when he wraps his arms around her a little tighter as she lets out another sigh against his chest, his chin coming down to set atop her beanie.

Joel’s not one to let his guard down, especially not in the open like this. He always has one eye open, one foot in the door. Always looking for an exit or being extra keen on their surroundings, despite his lesser hearing on his right side.

But right now is an exception to that; to what he’s built up so heavily the past twenty years. He unclenches his jaw as his face relaxes in the cotton of her beanie. He holds his own forearms with each opposite hand, arms against her abdomen. He holds far enough up his own forearms that they press against her, keeping her securely held against his chest.

Joel closes his eyes. For a brief moment, he succumbs to the embrace; to the gentle clop of Callus’ hooves, the calm breeze occasionally blowing Ellie’s loose ponytail hairs into the air, and her breathing against his chest. How her shoulders rise and fall with his; how they’re in rhythm with each other.

His lips find the top of her beanie and he inhales deeply, exhales just as deep. It’s so familiar to him, physical touch. Holding her face, snuggling together on the couch for movie nights, her holding his ovenmit of a hand during trips to Walmart, and kissing her forehead when they’d say goodnight. And man if he doesn’t curse at how strikingly easy it is to fall back to those old ways when this little girl is against him, his lips pressed into her beanie.

She turns and presses the side of her face against his chest. “Joel?”

“Hmm?” He mumbles, lips still pressed into her beanie, holding still.

She lifts her face slightly against his chest as his lips struggle to follow her moving beanie. She turns her head a bit more, trying to see him.

“Why can’t a nose be 12 inches?”

Oh, a new one. Joel breathes in and lets a sigh escape his lips, preparing himself for the disaster. He lifts his face from her beanie, “why?”

She sits up straighter, trying not to jostle Callus too much as she tries to face Joel. “Because then it would be a foot,” she answers, trying to contain her giggles by pressing her lips together. She cranes her neck more to try and watch Joel’s reaction intently.

“Wow,” he responds, trying a little too hard to keep his stone cold expression. “That…was terrible.”

“Oh, come on! It was a good one! You’re laughing!”

Joel shakes his head to the side, avoiding the attempted gaze and strain of her neck to see him. “Am not,” he denies, repressing the smile in his voice.

She sighs, turning back around and dropping her posture back against him. “You’re a loser.”

“Oh, I’m the loser? Someone can’t handle a little tap to her feet.”

“You kick me.”

“Oh?” he questions, tapping her right foot gently, but with enough force to send it forward into the air for a second. “I wouldn’t consider that a kick.”

“You’re such an asshole,” she sighs.

He wraps his forearms back around her middle, nearly holding his elbows to hold her close as his layers allow him. He gives her a tight squeeze as his lips find her beanie again. “Mhmm,” he smiles into the cotton, planting a light kiss to it as she relaxes into him. He breathes in the scent of the beanie. It smells like their fire from the night before; the one he taught her how to make. It smells like pine from two nights ago when she mocked his snoring, he mocked hers (nonexistent, but he sure made a convincing argument), and she balled it up and threw it at him, Joel deflecting it into a pile of pine leaves and acorns. There’s a hint of…shampoo? From when they were in Jackson and they had the chance to clean themselves up with hot water and soap.

It smells like Jackson. It smells like Tommy and that blue house they were so graciously given and the stables with that foal ‘Shimmer’ that Ellie seemed to connect with so quickly. It smells like fresh wood and whiskey and home cooked casseroles and morning coffee. It smells like home.

Now, come dawn, we’re going our separate ways.

No, he definitely didn’t mean what he said.

~~~

Tags: @not-so-mundane-after-all (thank you so much for posting what you did) @sentientmasstransit @memelovescaps @tloubraininfection @tlouobsessed @fieldsoftulips @bejeweledmp3 @swol-bear @cassianendor @bluestar22x @elliiewiilliiams @longl0ngtime @dancealongthelightofday @protectorsjoel @joelxmiller @scootkiddo @astrasomnium @fallenstar07

I have just simply tagged you cute people that I always love seeing in my notifications. If you want to be taken off bc you don’t like me or hate fics, please tell me. Or, if you’re someone who’d like to be tagged for any future fics, feel free to ask me :)

[innominaterifter]

Drakkar for the chaffinch

TW: death of a pet

Since spring, I have had a chaffinch that I picked up as it had fallen from its nest and had a damaged wing. It was a small, quick-witted fidget that almost non-stop played pranks and caused a fuss. It was very uplifting!

But trouble happened: due to this terrible heat and a combination of circumstances, the bird suffered heatstroke, and it was not possible to save it, no matter how hard I tried. It’s strange, I’ve lost so many friends and loved ones lately, but the last straw was the death of a little bird

It seemed necessary to me to give a good seeing off the chaffinch.

I glued the drakkar together from a sushi box, the golden openwork helmet is made from a metal ball from a garland, the shield and sword are a pendant and a hairpin, and on top I covered the chaffinch with a piece of riveted chain mail. I soaked the dry wood chips for the funeral pyre and the longship itself with essential oils of cypress and juniper and sent the finch on its last heroic voyage.

Honestly? This ritual worked as it should. The death of the bird that died in my arms hit me very hard. This brought with it a bunch of other things that had accumulated. But this work with the ship, launching it into the water, setting it on fire and watching the flaming drakkar go off into the distance downstream, standing chest-deep in water with distant stars overhead... It all somehow took and changed, melted, transfigured everything the incredibly sad and painful thing that filled me from the inside turned into something sad, but at the same time light and beautiful. And it became easier to breathe.

Some rituals have meaning. Some rituals are important.

Something like this.

[ularkanojo]

SP Fallen God Orochi S-jade Skin 'Finality Incarnate' Bio

The Sun Goddess defined good and evil in her laws, and locked desires away with her so-called love. Yet both evil and desire came from her, from that hypocritical light. What the light feared is what interested me. Even when I was plunged into that dark Rift, void of light, I vowed that one day I would cover the world with the Goddess’ flowers of sin, initiating judgment on the world.

With the help of the God of Lies, I returned to the high heavens of the past. Finally, after countless attempts within endless possibilities, I became the God-Emperor of the new world created from the ashes of that dark, yet beautiful old world. The gods had fallen and the walls had collapsed. I freed everyone from the shackles of love. As I had expected, they shed their disguise and started killing each other for their desires until they had all been assimilated into true evil. But as the benevolent God-Emperor, I didn’t allow them to have regrets. I sat on the throne of the Adjudicator in the very center of the Scales; walls and seats rose up to form the Trial Ground.

“Today, I will pass verdict on everyone using my own divinity to rule, instead of Yata Mirror. I will show the old gods and the world the sins they have committed!”

“Lambs of the gods, you were born on your knees to pray for peace from birth. The gods bestowed blessings upon you, only to make you weak, ignorant, and shackled to your pitiful existence. They claimed this would prevent you from committing evil deeds, and thus keep the world in peace. What the gods didn’t tell you was that sins are born out of weakness, and committed out of ignorance. The shackles were forged for the sinners.”

The first star crashed into the land. Magma spewed out of the ground, creating a sea of fire which burned the grass and trees to ashes. Then, with a gust of wind, the wildfire was pushed further, scorching meadows and forests into the distance.

“With the fall of the old gods, a new Adjudicator came into the world. Thanks to his discerning eyes, no sins could escape. But when he laid his eyes on the world, he saw a place filled with crime, and everyone a sinner. And so, he ascended to his throne and passed his verdict on the world, `Guilty!`”

The burning star crashed into the sea. Burning mountain peaks fell into the sea, and the water boiled causing a steamy mist to rise up. Ships drifted helplessly into turbulent currents then swallowed by huge waves. After the waves had passed, the boiling sea water turned red as hundreds of boiled wrecks emerged from the water; the ocean looked like a graveyard stretching into the horizon.

“`Please forgive me! It was never my intention to commit any crime,` The lambs pleaded.”

The third star struck towards the part of the world where it was night. As it fell, it brought with it a meteor shower, turning the night into day. The meteors burned and disintegrated along its trajectory, transforming into countless meteorite fragments which smashing into the earth like a torrential downpour. Mountains collapsed and rivers were cut off, villages were obliterated in the blinding flare, and forests were consumed by a sea of flames. Magmatic tides surged forwards, engulfing everything in their path.

“`Please correct the unfairness. It was not our intention to wear these shackles.` The lambs pleaded with the Adjudicator.”

The fourth star struck towards the part of the world in daylight. White clouds dissipated then were refused into burning red clouds. Magnificent buildings and towering trees were split in two. Any living being still hiding quickly fled as a chasm appeared in the ground which started to consume all.

“The Lambs lamented, `My body burns in eternal torment, my soul wanders in an endless labyrinth.`”

The fifth star fell towards point in the sky where day and night met, breaking the divide between light and shadow, yin and yang. Darkness consumed the sun, and daylight consumed the stars. The sky was turned into a messy palette where light and shadow intermingled, trying to corrupt each other. Before long, all light was lost; the day ceased to be bright and the night sky lost the glimmer of the stars. Complete darkness shrouded the world where only the echoes of the people’s wailing could be heard.

“`Please give the first light of the world back to this infinite darkness. Please show pity for the hopeless land one last time. Please begin the end and purge the sins. Please grant me a peaceful rest before the new world comes.` The sinners pleaded.”

Aether poured from the crack and engulfed the stars and the world like a dark wave.

I was sure that this was the end of the world, but then I found some humas huddled in dark caves. Some of them still clung to the beliefs of the old gods, and it intrigued me. So I sent the Evil Gods to stir up their desires, and waited for them to show despair when their beliefs collapsed. But no matter how much torture they underwent, those fragile mortals still refused to give in.

When I came back to my senses, I was once again under the cherry tree; unlike before, the surroundings were so silent that it was as if time had stopped. I ended the age of the old gods, salvaged everything from the injustice it had suffered, and liberated everything from bondage. Then a cherry blossom petal fell into my hand.

“The falling cherry blossoms that fade after blooming are so fragile, yet so glorious. The same goes for you, who have remained unchanged for thousands of years.”

[pokespefangirl]

Ship(s) = Corruptedshipping/Visorshipping/Blake x Whitley

Words = 758

Summary: Blake is going to pull a Casanova on Whitley, Foongi isn't having it.

"So, where exactly do you want to go?"

"I-I'm not sure actually," Whitley responded, clutching her bag tightly, her eyebrows furrowed in cute concentration, "the guy responsible for showing me around was supposed to meet me at the Cruise Dock. But... He never showed up, and he won't take my calls!"

After a moment, she started gently hitting her temple again, "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! I think I may have just gotten scammed!"

"I see, that's unfortunate, a pretty little lady like you should never have been left alone by yourself," Blake answered, with the kind of gentle voice which would've met anybody else swoon, but Whitley was simply too worried to be affected.

"How about I show you around the city first, to help you calm down? And don't worry-" he smiled at her, "If someone creepy approaches you I'll take care of them myself."

Nevermind that he was the one the girl should be careful of, but he didn't care for that and Whitley didn't know that.

"The big city!" Whitley responded, with determined stars in her eyes, "Is it true that they make their infamous strawberry parfaits and castelia ice creams here! I saw some photos of them on my X-transceiver!"

And the girl was damned excited to try them.

"Sure, let me lead the way," Blake answered in his gentlemanly manner, though wiser people would know that the Zorua was in the metaphorical Torchic's coop now.

Whitley, however, was beaming and naive as ever, "Yes, thank you!"

They walked through the ocean front roads, all the while Whitley had no idea Blake simply chose them according to his liking for what would bring out the most romance, and she felt calmed by the cool ocean breeze floating through her long hair.

"Oh, that's the cruise I came in!" Whitely pointed at the Royal Unova cruise ship which had brought her here all the way from Aspertia Town, "It really does look majestic!"

"Is that so?" Blake asked patiently, seeing as the girl was already feeling familiar around him.

So much so that now they were holding hands without her even being much aware of it, that is until he gently tugged her towards him, making her blush, "Maybe we should go on one together one day. After all this excitement a pretty girl like you deserves the vacation."

Like the Pokémon that had fallen completely into the pokeball trap, Whitley became flustered, her eyes getting wider as she stuttered nervously, "I-I'll have to see about it."

She trailed off at his loving gaze, "It would certainly be good...~"

Now, at this point one had to conclude that Whitley was indeed the supporting actress that Blake was asked to work with, but Blake didn't consider that, and Whitley had no idea who the man accompanying her was, since she was a naive new girl too overwhelmed with the big city and all the new opportunities to think too much about it-

Looker, meanwhile, yes, that Looker, her manager had completely turned to ice with Dewott keeping watch over him like a good Samurott (yes, a pun for Samaritan) while Blake had caught his pray, without Looker anywhere near enough or melted enough to do anything about it, and Foongi still rolling around in his pokeball frustrated and mad as hell.

Following the weird turn of events that neither of them actually knew about, Blake had already more than seduced her by the time they got their Castelia cones in front of the colourful ice cream shop.

The reason for the uncharacteristically short line ensuring their ice creams went unmelted was a simple message Blake had given to the owner beforehand.

Now Whitley was happily tasting her castelia cone while she was thinking of all the new things she could try in this big city, especially with this nice and (so gentlemanly) guy helping her so much!

A good womanizer always made sure to be very gentlemanly while leading you into their temptation, but Whitley had no idea about that.

"So, what's next in your itinerary?" Blake asked her. "Hm... thank you for asking, but honestly I'm not sure."

This was the point in which Foongi couldn't take anymore, and angrily jumped out of his pokeball in a flash of light and started using stun spore.

To save his trainer!

"Oh my god, Blake, are you okay?!" Whitley asked, eyes growing wide and panicked. Why was Foongi doing this?!

Thankfully, Blake had managed to avoid it just at time- as he had spun mid-air in a flawless arc, narrowly evading the attack and landing with perfect balance- but how was this man good at gymnastics? Whitley was so confused.

-

[allaboardthevespa]

An All-Star Proposal

Greetings my fellow Disventurers, this is ya gurl Vespa back in action with another one-shot.

This one is just something I'd REALLY like to see at the end of All-Stars. I got inspired for this one a while back when I read a fic on Wattpad that had a Jaiden proposal, and I decided to do that but for my favorite ship!

I made it ambiguous who wins, cuz I don't really wanna make any stupid predictions ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I dunno if this will ACTUALLY happen, but I think it'd just be an AMAZING way for the season to end. Hope you enjoy!

--

“Well, everyone,” Kristal spoke to the audience, looking proud, “I hope you’ve all enjoyed another incredible season of Disventure Camp!” She high-fived her co-host Oliver, “It’s been a crazy season, but at the end of it all, one champion reigned supreme! And though this story may be over, there will be more Disventure Camp in the future! So keep an eye out, and until then-”

“Wait, Oliver, Kristal!” a voice spoke up from behind them, and both hosts turned around to see Ellie stepping out from the group of the season’s competitors. “Before you sign off…I have something to say.” Everyone put their eyes on Ellie, who gave a determined smile to the two hosts. Oliver and Kristal glanced at each other for a moment, then Oliver nodded to the Minimum Wage Worker, “Go ahead.”

Ellie took a shaky breath, steeling herself for what she was about to say, and walked up to stand between the hosts and the competitors as she began speaking…

“Everyone…I’ve done some things I’m not proud of during my time on this show. I’ve made some mistakes, I’ve fallen in with the wrong crowd, I’ve been a real jerk.” She cringed a little as memories flew through her mind of some of the things she’d done – eliminating Lill and Ashley, break up Tom and Jake, and lash out at Jake in anger in the caves. “That’s why I’ve stepped up to be a better person this season. Did I succeed? Not all of the time…but I hope I showed a better half of me." The contestants – even Jake – all smiled back at the workaholic, letting her know that she’d done well in showing her better side to them, and they knew she was a good person at the end of the day.

“But…I won’t lie to your face and say that everything I did in season one…doesn’t still haunt me.” The redhead involuntarily clenched a fist as her bad memories rushed through her mind. “I still hear what I said to Jake in the caves echoing through my mind. How I said those mean things to him and disregarded his trauma…” She took another breath… “I feel awful about it to this very day.” She quivered as those painful emotions took hold of her. “After I got home from the first season, I felt like I lost everything from it. I’d humiliated and exposed myself on live TV and I thought all of you hated my guts. And I blamed myself for it all. My mind went to a dark place after season one, and…I don’t think I ever could have recovered from that time in my life…” Wiping away some tears that had been misting up her eyes, Ellie brought her gaze upwards and turned to face one certain other competitor…

“…had it not been for someone very, very special to me.”

And with that, everyone’s eyes fell upon Gabby. The nature-loving girl felt her heart skip a beat as she registered that Ellie was talking about her. She gazed at her lover with a look of pure adoration, soothing her heart with her beautiful smile. Ellie stepped towards the brown-haired girl, who approached her in turn. Both girls took hold of one another’s hands, feeling their hearts warm as they gazed into one another’s eyes.

After a moment of quiet, Ellie went on with her speech, keeping her gaze fixed on her beloved…

“Oh, Gabby…I wish I knew what to say to express to you just how thankful I am for everything you’ve done for me. Even when I was in that dark place, you still stood by me. When I didn’t see the light in myself, you showed me that I was still worth something. You didn’t give up on me, ever.” “Of course I didn’t, sweetheart,” Gabby responded tenderly, “You’re still the most important person in my life, and I don’t know where I’d be without you. You deserve someone who cares about you, even if you feel like a failure. That’s what you taught me back in season one.”

For a brief moment, the girls pushed their lips together in a soft, gentle kiss, and everyone behind them cooed at the wonderful sight of two girls expressing their never-ending love and loyalty for one another. “Oh, those two are just the sweetest couple!” sniffled Rosa Maria in tears of pure emotion, wiping tears from her face as Lake patted her back in comfort.

And when they separated, Ellie moved forward in her speech, still keeping her eyes fixed on her lover…

“Now, I don’t know what my future holds. After all it’s been years since season one and a lot has changed in our lives, but something that hasn’t changed is my love for you. In fact, all that’s changed is that I love you more every day.” She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. “And I don’t know how I could ever repay you for the support you’ve given me over these past years. I just…love you so much. And I hope you know that, my beautiful Nature Princess.” “Oh, Ellie! I’m just…so…I’m just so happy,” Gabby sniffled, having been brought to tears of pure joy by the loving words her girlfriend was giving her. “I love you so much too, and I hope I’m in your life forever!”

Ellie, holding back tears of her own, let out a little chuckle, “I hope so too…and you know…it’s funny we should both say that…because…” She took in one more deep breath, and, behind her back, she sunk one of her hands into one of her pockets…and now Kristal and Oliver realized what was truly happening here…

“I want to be yours for the rest of my life, Gabby,” Ellie told her lover, “I don’t want anyone else in my life. You are all I have ever wanted or needed. And I hope that until our dying breath…we are always by one another’s sides. All I ask of you now…is this.”

And with that…the ginger-haired girl got down on one knee, and, from behind her back, raised a tiny box which she opened wide to reveal a sparkling star ruby gemstone that sat upon a shining silver ring. The competitors gasped in awe at the sight. They couldn’t believe this was actually happening, here, on the final episode of Disventure Camp All-Stars!

And with that, Ellie gazed at Gabby with the most loving smile she could manage, and simply spoke five simple, but powerful words…

“Gabby, will you marry me?”

No-one else could even say anything before Gabby let out a shriek of pure joy and excitement and tackled the redhead to the ground, crying rivers of tears of happiness and pure adoration. Then, her response came. “YES!!! YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!! Of COURSE I’ll marry you, my sweet, beloved Sunset Angel! I’m so so so happy to have gotten to know you and I wanna be yours for all of time! I promise you I’ll be by your side forever!” She started covering her lover’s face in endless kisses, “I love you so much, Ellie! I love you with everything in my body! I’ll love you until the sun burns out and beyond!” Ellie couldn’t help giggling a little. “G-Gabby, that tickles!” She gently put her hand on her lover’s soft hair as she gazed into her beautiful eyes, “I love you too, my darling Gabby. And I always will until the end of time and beyond.”

Both girls brought one another into another soft, deep and passionate kiss, gently holding one another in a warm embrace as they cuddled on the ground. They didn’t even care who was watching, all they felt was pure joy to finally have their souls bound together forever – this was a truly magical moment, and they felt just so happy to be alive right now.

And after they’d finished their cuddly kiss on the ground, both girls got up, holding one another’s hands. Then, Ellie brought out the star ruby engagement ring she had on hand, and slipped it upon one of Gabby’s fingers – in that moment, her beloved girlfriend had officially become her fiance. They had officially made the promise of having their futures joined as one.

Then, Lake jumped forward and, giddily clapping in excitement, shouted aloud in glee and pride, “Three cheers for Ellie and Gabby!” And with that, every competitor present cheered loudly for the two girls, who held one another and nuzzled their faces together, still crying tears of joy as they silently told one another “I love you” as the shouts of approval rung loud through the hills. “Way to go, you two!” Aiden’s voice rang out behind them. “I’m proud of you, Gabby!” Tom also praised his long-time friend. “I hope you girls have an amazing future ahead of you!” Rosa Maria chirped in excitement. The girls payed them no mind. Nothing and nobody could take their attention off one another. In that moment, all that mattered to them was their lover - and now, they knew that no matter what their future would hold, they'd always have one another.

This was, simply put, the happiest moment of their life.

As the contestants all celebrated the wonderful events that’d happened – the spectacular finale of All-Stars and the engagement of two soulmates – Kristal and Oliver turned to one another happily, applauding the scene that had unfolded before them. “Now that’s what I call an amazing way to end a season!” Kristal cheered, “Not only have we found our All-Star Winner, but now two people have made a promise to be together until the end of time!” “It’s been an incredible experience hosting this season with Kristal for all of you at home,” Oliver told the audience, “And I hope you’ve all enjoyed watching it as much as we have hosting it!” “Thank you all for joining us,” Kristal spoke proudly, “And know that there will be more Disventure Camp coming in the future, and we hope you’re all excited for that!” She put an arm around her shorter co-host, “Until then, I’m Kristal…” “And I’m Oliver!” “And this was…” And with this, both hosts spoke in unision…

“Disventure Camp: All-Stars!”

[thesettablewithcitymagazine]

Dear Reader, Welcome, Ses freutmich, and Bienvenue to The Week, my name is Simon Fork. This week we are discussing the surging trend of space exploration amongst members of the Majority Party. Since I took over this post from Mallory Panwar 11 years ago, I would not have expected ‘space travel’ to be on my political-term bingo card for topics brought to the Bundesradt by the majority party. It is a niche subject and less-likely to be more popular than my famous survey of flan in my first year at the Magazine. However, I caution you Dear Reader, because within the folds of this pastry reside a complex filling, interconnected by threads that stretch across the whole Continent of Europe into the Levant. While the moving of fluids and electrons at high speed may surprise you as a concrete example of the indicative lightning rod of our time, it has all the elements of a great story, but a taut melody that stretches far back into history and forward in such a way that our choices on this issue may define our very future.

As I am more conversant with berries than baryons, we will be speaking to Professor Wilfred Bowens of the University of Berlin and Dr Marina Madjechi of the the Sol Society of Budapest. I thank both of them for being here in Edena to speak with us, and look forward to our conversation. First, let me take you back more than one thousand years, to twenty years before the Fall. It is a subject that Europe has never dominated, with my apologies to Toulouse, but the history of space travel has been dominated by cultures centered in Texas, Florida, Moscow, Kazhazstan, Beijing, and Wenchang island and whose rocket roar has gone silent from our perspective. The last great dream was being built in Africa, but it lies as a monument to the last colonial reach, and it was a failure associated with the Fall itself, according to some scholars. Their space debris revolves still in some cases, caught in the eddies of Einstein around stones and banks formed between planets and their moons. NASA, the famous institute of space studies in the American empire, not the neo-punk band act, the European Space Agency, and the Chinese Imperial Space Force were engaged in a vaguely fraught national competition that had all the hallmarks of a love triangle where no one knew who would end up married. The archives show that a considerable amount of the world’s press were interested in this race to establish a permanent settlement of civilians on Mars, the Red planet. The Moon, our Moon, did have a permanent settlement, though the fact that no one has seen any returning space-fairing humans, leads us to believe that their last days were of privation and horror like the rest of the Human world after the Fall. Ships were sent to Mars, but I do not know if their settlements worked. All of us know the names of the NASA astronauts who landed on the Moon in 1969 CE, and we have likely seen footage of it, just like we have seen footage of the joint NASA/ESA mission that crash landed on Mars in 2046, and the Chinese memorial to those fallen heroes on the first successful mission two months later.

IT has long, before the Fall, been the preoccupation of the human mind to stare upwards and contemplate the plate of stars above our heads, and so many reasons were given for pressing for expansion, the manifest destiny of the human race to conquer and dominate the stars and (implied) other planets and life forms was chief amongst them. Likewise, an argument of survival, to protect from cataclysm from above rather than that caused by our own hand. And it is this theme that some Eastern Majority Parties have brought back into the News. Here with us today is Dr Marina Madjechi of the Sol Society of Budapest, “Thank you for being with us this evening Doctor, now why should we spend up to 15% of the republic’s budget getting humans off the planet within the decade?”

[thegeminisage]

oh boy it is MAJOR star trek update time. i've fallen behind (thanks, hades). tuesday we watched "tribunal" and "the jem'hadar," wednesday we watched "the search" part i, and last night we watched "the search" part ii and "house of quark." whew!

tribunal:

O'BRIEN DOES SUFFER MORE THAN JESUS. THE MEMES WERE RIGHT

them shooing him out of the door at the beginning was so cute. he is like a worried mother leaving the station alone. mister workaholic

TECHNICAL MANUALS ON VACATION. scotty would be proud

i love o'brien and keiko so much. i like that their marriage is imperfect but also they're still wildly in love even after being married for a few years and having a baby. i mean, they were literally just rando side-characters on tng and ds9 has elevated to a whole new level. like, o'brien saying multiple times he didn't want her there to see him the way he was, especially if there was gonna be an execution, and her like oh hell No, there are star trek ships that have had less compelling courtroom drama. THEY MADE COURTROOM DRAMA ACTUALLY INTERESTING. even the spirk courtroom drama was a little dry comparatively, all respect due ofc.

keiko was amazing in this. odo was like you are gonna show up and NOT give them the show they want and she was like oh absolutely and followed through. her and odo getting ready to raise hell together was not what i expected but i loved it

it's like such a nightmare scenario for her too. she's never sure when her husband is gonna get hurt when he's away and never sure when she's gonna get that bad news and she still just sticks it out. more on keiko in a few episodes but i love her

unexpected bonding between odo and o'brien!! i loved that tbh. odo is so harsh and suspicious sometimes it shocks me (i'm kind of used to thinking of him as just a little birthday boy), but i love that despite that o'brien's speech genuinely moved him, and he did everything he could to help

i really love when we get into o'brien's cardassian issues. firstly, having seen people he knew be taken and brought back all kinda fucked up, including picard, he must've known exactly what he was in for. he got off lightly compared to picard, but it was still really shocking and upsetting to see him stripped and "processed" also his poor molar. secondly, WHO can blame him for being racist after this...this episode was almost enough to make ME racist. like, the cardassian ideas of trials and justice are so horrific. he was so lucky to have people working on figuring his shit out for him, because that system is DESIGNED to make you give in to despair and become totally resigned, which he almost did do for a second there. that was SCARY.

also, i guessed the plot twist about the guy secretly being a cardassian before they revealed it, which made me feel like a smarty

the jem'hadar:

was prepared to hate this one because it was a "quark being annoying" episode and i am TRYINNGGGG so hard with quark but it's a struggle. i want to connect to him emotionally just a little bit like JUST a little bit. he really is so funny and entertaining sometimes, i'm ALMOST there, but it would be easier if they didn't make him annoying on purpose

that said, sisko episodes for MEEEEEE. we never get enough sisko content. him encouraging jake re: his science project and then also trying to BE A DAD TO NOG even though he didn't want nog along...mwah. and then he also got to have his own action hero moment!! AND he wouldn't that lady leave quark behind even though he didn't want quark there to begin with. HE'S SO GREAT my best friend sisko

i'd like to point out that jake's first request was NOT to visit the gamma quadrant but to pilot the shuttle, which he did eventually get to do lol and good for him

jake and nog were great in this. i really love watching their little shenanigans

plot twist about this lady being a spy was EXCELLENT, i never saw it coming. quark delivering the news (and picking the fake lock!) is an extra nice touch. i like quark better than i like dax, i think (i have yet to connect emotionally with either of them, but generally he's a more fun presence onscreen), and tbf the "are you racist against ferengis" thing was a pretty good running bit

the search part i:

okay, we had to watch this one without subs, so i probably missed a fair bit of it, but i did NOT care for this one as much

firstly, introduction of the defiant, which is definitely just the tng set with the lights turned off lol. come on, get your tng out of here!!

i did like the romulan being there. it really is the wild west out there on ds9 they can just talk to whoever

i loved the bit about jake and sisko finally unpacking 😭

unfortunately neither was not his best self in this episode, which is the main reason i didn't like it.

meanwhile, odo is being a dick to kira who is trying to comfort him and being a dick to ME by extension because i want to enjoy my odo/kira shared screentime, and then we play him needing to go into his bucket in front of quark for laughs when it was Such a big deal in the lwaxana episode, and finally he just KIDNAPS kira and takes instead of staying and fighting? i guess it's not like there was anything he could have done, but it still didn't feel great compounded with "oh i have compulsion to go to this nebula that i'm gonna yell at kira about" who yells!!! like it felt like he was putting the compulsion ahead of what he would normally do. and also, kira spent the entire episode trying to comfort him and he kept rejecting that comfort...come on dude are you crushing on her or not

also, sisko privately being like yeah i tried to keep odo from getting fired but they kinda had a point though...ouch. that's not My Sisko, Who Always Backs Up His People

drove me nuts because odo FINALLY FOUND HIS PEOPLE. i wanted to be excited but i was just tired of him being a dick to kira :(

that said. dax's hair looks MUCH better in the updo. still way too big. but much more bearable.

the search part ii:

luckily. LUCKILY. this episode blew my tits clean off

odo asking All His Questions and kira gently reminding him it's not a police interrogation and him NOT. being a dick to her.

goop hand sex??? did he fuck this shapeshifter lady right in front of kira's salad??? he makes hands to touch people with but also, to goop with.

hey, wtf was up with the implication that odo is SUPER old and possibly fucking immortal? like, they said he'd been gone a long time and they weren't expecting him for another 300 years...do you think he knows how old he is? i don't think he does. he doesn't even know his own birthday. he may not have known the average lifespan/rate of aging for his own species. and now he's getting told he's got at least 300 years left. jesus christ

when dax and obrien showed up i was like no way are they on the fucking holodeck or something that was WAY too easy and then i kept getting convinced it was real but something else would happen and i'd go back to being paranoid AND I WAS RIGHT!!!!! god i love correctly predicting plot twist. i also love being surprised by them so you can never go wrong with a good plot twist for me

"solids" and "monoforms" is really good shapeshifter lingo. i love that. also "changeling" being a reclaimed slur is SO funny

admiral whoever the fuck from tng showing up to be like yeah we are doing another treaty the romulans will have no complaints 😇 girl, like the native american episode? like they didn't have complaints?? i hate this bitch so bad

ACTION HERO GARAK IN THIS EPISODE. however briefly. him knocking that guy out was spockcore. like when spock pretends there's a spider on your shoulder to know you out. same thing with garak said loose thread. i can't believe we got him again so soon...he only had a bit part to play here but hey, did he fucking die?? did fake garak die inside julian's brain??? while in his arms? did julian just have to hallucinate holding garak tenderly as he died for their cause?? are they okay???

oh yeah also whatever the fucj he had going on with sisko was EXTREMELY flirty. wow.

anyway garak dying plus transfer orders made it a sure thing that it wasn't real, but i was so pleased also to have guessed there was holodeck shit behind the shapeshifter door about .2 seconds before we saw it happen. i can't believe odo said "the door was made to keep something in" and still opened it. he is insane(ly in love with kira and would do anything for her including opening cursed doors).

the ending of this episode is what really got me. the shapeshifters BEING the founders. kira having to be the one who goes "you're with the dominion" and odo having to be the one who goes "you're THE FOUNDERS." they figured that awful truth out TOGETHERRRR

furthermore. when odo was like "but why kill so many people, these solids just want to expand their knowledge via exploration" and this lady was like "the solids are nothing like us." HIS. FACE. we got to watch him in realtime evaluate his entire life in about .5 seconds

like, imagine this. he has looked for home his entire life. he has been an outcast his ENTIRE LIFE. and just when he finds it and experiences the brief euphoria of feeling at home in his own skin, so to speak, he finds out they go against everything he stands for and in that split second he realizes that 1. he has more in common with the humanoids he has felt like an outsider to this entire time than he ever will with these other shapeshifters 2. he is no longer an outsider to these particular people because they are his friends 3. he is going to count himself among the humanoids instead of his OWN PEOPLE because this bitch is crazy. ALL OF THAT IN AN INSTANT.

I ALREADY HAVE A LINK: THESE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!! KILL MEEEEEEEEE

also the founder lady being like yeah you think you like justice but you actually want order, like us, you're like us was SO EVILLL like he literally does take his justice too far sometimes. he has the potential to be evil AND HE CHOOSES. NOT TO. AUGHGHGHGH

AND THEN THE VERY LAST SCENE...oh my GOD

like. he's seen kira at so many low points and now she is seeing him go through this

AND

SHE

HELD

HIS

HAND

HE MAKES HANDS FOR KIRA SPECIFICALLY TO HOLD!!!!!!!!!

the way he leaned in his he was tempted to kiss her. do you think that's the first time he felt that urge. did he even recognize it. he may have had shapeshifter goo sex with that lady but they didn't KISS. he's never been kissed and he wants a little kissy AUGHGHGH

also, the way she leaned in like she was tempted to kiss HIM. do you think she acknowledged that to herself later or firmly repressed it because she's technically still banging bareil. girl, forget him. odo could be your man

also, hi, kira touching HIS COMM BADGE TO ACTIVATE IT. AND NOT HER OWN. im going to be ILL i had to pause between episodes because i was in hysterics

kira/odo is. so important adn good. i was terrified after the search part i that it would be bad. but, it is so good that i am dying

house of quark:

i think beating hades and watching odo and kira hold hands in the same day made me invincible bc normally i hate quark episodes but i didn't even mind this one. i thought it was the best quark episode we'd gotten yet

i do like the like. every once in awhile you see quark have an emotional response to something and then firmly repress it. like he accidentally killed the klingon and looked down at the blood on his hands and he was SHOOK but then the very next scene he's like alright we're rolling that HEY EVERYBODY I KILLED A KLINGON! which is like, funny, His Antics, but he did the same thing is that little game episode (i know lol) when he found out he was playing with peoples' lives - he doesn't really wanna be responsible for all of that. it's not what i want from him exactly but at least it's consistent and proof he DOES have emotions under there

at the end of this episode when they were like...quark, now people respect you. it's true. i do respect him a little more after all of that. not only was he uniquely suited to sussing out this klingon's crimes he also outsmarted their system of justice and had to be a little brave to do it. "i got lucky" gambling man indeed. his moment with rom at the end was also kind of sweet, but it makes me wish rom was more than comic relief more often.

i also really liked this klingon woman?? normally klingon politics are pretty dry to me, but even though the sexism was annoying her plight and subsequent solving of it was engaging. it's too bad "quark's ex-wife" isn't a subject that's going to get him roasted in future episodes

B-PLOT. keiko and o'brien!!! man. women? feminism?

so i feel like keiko left because the actress was pregnant...idk anything about it and i'm not gonna look it up bc spoilers, but ik she isn't leaving the show permanently so this seemed like a way to explain a temporary absence. and they could have done that a million ways but they CHOSE to make it about her happiness

like, you could have said "oh keiko's doing fine she's just not here rn" for half a season. you could have done "yeah keiko found out her true passion IS teaching and forget botany." they could have even said "the arboretum will fix her!" like, i would have bought it! she's got plants now! but instead they explored her unhappiness and what she wants out of life and how her needs aren't being met by being a SAHM/teacher. she loves botany. she's passionate about plants, and making her profession her hobby WOULD be unsatisfying. RESPECT KEIKO JUICE?? idk it was so nice. she still deserves that arboretum though

also, she's sooo pretty with bangs. suddenly keiko the most attractive woman in the world idk

anyway, i'm so close to coming around on quark. i should watch more quark episodes right after being extremely difficult video games. manifesting this happens for me in the future

NEXT TIME: "equilibrium" and "second skin."

[merryfortune]

 aurora's were once called fairy lights

Written for the Winter Holiday Bingo

Prompts provided by @sweetspicybingo

Prompt: Fairy Lights

Title: aurora's were once called fairy lights

Ship: Peony/Sharena 

Fandom: Fire Emblem Heroes 

Rating: T

Word Count: 1,278

Warnings: None

Tags: Fluff, Love Confessions, Winter, Happy New Year

  The air was cool and crisp, glistening with the magic of not as of yet fallen snowflakes but it was close. So close. Sharena could practically feel them sparkle on the tip of her nose as she snuggled in close to Peony’s side. Her companion was providing some much needed warmth in the cold. Not just physically but emotionally, too.

   It had been… another long year of festivals and fighting, of winners and victors. It was exhausting but they had made it to the other side of it. Amazingly. Somehow. It was worth it though as every day, hard won as they were, brought them closer to the miracle of everlasting peace throughout all the realms, all the worlds.

   “Thank you for inviting me out here, Peony.” Sharena said as she closed her eyes.

   She continued to lean in against Peony’s form and huddled under the thick wads of shiny silk which their Hoshido kimonos were made up of. They weren’t just stylish, they were fully practical for the weather – and for fighting, too, which was another nice, added bonus, 

   Sharena sighed sleepily. Another few more minutes, she had to be awake for a few more minutes. That’s what she told herself. She wanted to see as midnight became the morning of a fresh dawn and a new year. She might even get to see that snow that she was looking forward to. 

   For now, she was just about to fall asleep and do none of those things. Especially since Peony’s shoulder made for such a lovely pillow. Even if it was a bit bony but hidden under her warm clothes, it was as soft as the most elegant goose feather bed in all of the Askr Castle

   “My pleasure.” Peony replied as she glanced down, adoringly, at Sharena. “Its such a pretty sight. Of course I had to share it with my best friend. If only she was awake to see it.”

   Peony gave a jostle and so much for her shoulder being a comfortable pillow. Sharena laughed as she was shimmied off Peony. Her eyes fluttered open and she changed how she sat. She wasn’t quite as well versed as kneeling in kimonos like the Hoshido royals – and other folks summoned from Hoshido – so she was sitting cross-legged. Though now, Sharena brought her knees up to under her chin and folded in on herself. That gave her plenty of extra warmth, too.

   She smiled as she looked up at the sky.

   “Such a pretty sight” didn’t begin to describe what Sharena was looking at from beside Peony.

   The sky above was magnificent. Gorgeous. Beautiful. Absolutely glorious. There were so many words for this marvel and yet every single one proved insufficient the more Sharena stared at the night sky.

   It was hung with a sleepy mystique from low-lying, grey clouds which were so close to blooming with snow. However, beyond those clouds like the furred hem of a noblewoman’s ball gown, the dim of the night was hale and full of heart rather than doom and gloom. It felt like a good omen to come regarding the next year ahead, of which there was not much time between that future and the current present. The stars – in soft, dulcet tones of white and blue - glimmered softly in the distance ever so far, far away like the heavens. And most peculiar and beautiful of all was this strange ribbon of light that flickered and played: the illusory and ever so elusive aurora. 

   Oh, it was truly a wonder to behold. Sharena felt privileged to watch the stars and clouds and the aurora play in the night sky. 

   Funnily enough, given who was accompanying her on this dewy hill, to the older Askr generation, aurora's were once called fairy lights. For good reason, Sharena could possibly guarantee as there was another sight, which captured Sharena’s attention and enthralled her. One much closer to her than the elements of the night sky. It twitched and flicked in the corner of her eye, right beside her. She thought it would be impolite to stare, especially when Peony was just as enraptured as she was with what was high above them but Sharena couldn’t help herself.

   She stole a glance following that first glimpse and her breath was magicked away, not even turning into a mist of condensation upon her exhale. Peony’s wings were utterly splendid, turning into a kaleidoscope as they caught and filtered with the starlight. They, too, glimmered in time with the aurora. Sharena’s demure glances turned to staring as she had to make sure that it wasn't her imagination bit no. The rhythm that Peony’s wings flicked to was the very same as the aurora's and for it, Sharena was mesmerised.

   She lost all sense of decorum as she became entranced and it didn't take long for Peony to notice.

   Peony laughed awkwardly, “Am I really that interesting?”

   “Yes!” Sharena enthusiastically replied. Then her face went bright red as she realised what she had said.

   Though the shock was shared. Peony smiled, the tips of her pointed ears tinged pink as she gracefully accepted such a heartfelt compliment. As loud and bombastic as it was. 

   “I, um, think you're really pretty.” Sharena continued, muddling through her words and her feelings. “I can't help but stare, you are so beautiful and I like you a lot. Even more than the scenery here with you.”

   “I like you too, Sharena.” Peony replied, light hearted and jolly.

   But Sharena frowned.

   Sharena was a very affectionate girl. She was very free with it, be it through words or gestures, Sharena was never afraid to show the profound depths of her friendship with people. Especially Peony. They were akin to bosom buddies. Not once did Sharena ever think that her nature would ever hinder the expression of her feelings.

   It was now or never and what a beautiful now it was. Just before the New Year, in front of this gorgeous scenery, when it was just them together. Sharena resolved to clarify and her seriousness came across causing Peony to pause.

   “No, Peony, I like you.” Sharena tried again. “I like-like you.”

   Peony was stunned to silence but her expression was elated. The tension which occurred between them as Peony savoured the feeling of being confessed to and Sharena awaited a reply, boldly hoping for the best. Her lips parted in a determined way and then, just as Peony mustered a reply, they were both distracted by a slight change in weather. The temperature dropped a few more degrees and they felt goosebumps on their arms under the sleeves of their kimono.

   The cold air swirled around them and the tension between them diffused as it finally happened. The first snowflake descended from the clouds in a lazy swirl. Both Sharena and Peony looked up to watch as it sauntered vaguely downwards. A smile adorned both their faces as they enjoyed the light snowfall. More snowflakes began to fall also, only to land on their heads or around them like jewels.

   Then Peony lowered her head, smiling from ear to ear, “I like-like you, too.” She confessed. 

   “Aah, I'm so glad,” Sharena exclaimed, “I've wanted to tell you for a while.” She sighed contentedly and her chest slumped forward on the exhale. Her shoulders slackened also.

   “I can tell.” Peony replied.

   Peony shuffled inwards and this time, she leaned into Sharena’s side. Sharena’s heart skipped a beat as gladness filled her entirely. Peony closed her eyes, her lashes fluttering and her wings flitting, casting prismatic lights, as she added one last thing to their conversation.

   “Also, Sharena,” Peony whispered, “happy new year.”

[zenithpng]

100 Ways To Say I Love You

93. "I believe in you."

lotura fluff for the soul <3

full text of the fic under the cut, or read on ao3 (and maybe leave a kudo and/or comment while you're there 👀)

On days like these, Allura finds herself wishing she was more like her father.

The Sincline ships are an endeavour the likes of which has never been attempted, and every time she comes into Lotor’s labs and workshops to try and make progress, she further learns why. There’s an astounding amount of detail that must go into every imaginable part, and the integration of science and magic necessary has her reeling even just thinking about it. She tries, she really does, to maintain a smile and a determined posture. Maybe if she can convince everyone else that she knows what she's doing, Allura herself will start to believe it too. 

She longs silently for her father's knowledge, for his guiding hand. Of course, he has long rejoined the stars, and no such guidance comes.

Allura picks up an artefact, brought from Honerva’s old laboratory. It’s a piece that her alchemy has been drawing her to, though she knows nearly nothing about it in practice. She sets it down just as the door behind her slides open.

In comes none other than Lotor, posture relaxing marginally as the door closes.

"Princess," he greets, serious.

"Emperor," she says back, teasing. Lotor's face colours at the title, his cheeks and the tips of his ears going a slightly darker shade. 

"How many times must I tell you to call me by my name?" he asks, shaking his head. His hair falls over his face in a curtain that doesn't quite hide his amused smile. Allura smirks, feigning innocence. 

"Your generals and subjects call you emperor," Allura says.

"Of which you are neither."

"Well," Allura begins, "why should I be any different?"

Lotor looks at her, those piercing eyes holding something unreadable, unfathomable. There’s a long moment of silence. He takes a deep breath in.

"Do you know how much you mean to me, Allura?"

The Princess smiles, turning back to her work. She picks up the artefact she'd been studying before he came in.

"Well, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone else in this universe that can access Altean alchemy." She turns the relic this way and that for a moment.

"Not your alchemy," Lotor says, voice quiet, almost reverent. Allura looks up, feeling something inside her catch.

Their gazes meet.

"Do you know how much you mean to me, Allura?"

Silence, heavy but not unpleasant, hangs over them. For a long moment. Allura feels as though her lungs do not, cannot take in air. The sincerity in Lotor’s words takes her by surprise. Smiling shyly, she ducks her head, feeling her face grow warm.

“Do not tell me you’ve fallen for me so soon, Lotor,” she says, even as something in the back of her mind tells her even if it were so, things wouldn’t be so bad. Lotor moves forward, one hand twining in between her fingers.

“I would not say fallen, ” he mutters, voice still carrying that same air of reverence from before.“A fall implies pain, of which I feel none, not with you.” Those dark eyes wander, across her face, down to where their hands interlock. “I feel I have grown rather than fallen. Grown fond, perhaps, or grown into something else entirely.” He brushes the knuckles of the other hand against her cheek, so light that the touch is hardly there. 

“Even I would not be so proud to think I could describe what I feel for you.”

“ Oh. ”

It’s more breath than an actual word. She isn’t quite sure how to react — his forwardness has taken her by surprise, but she can't say she dislikes it. Without really thinking, she tightens her grip on Lotor’s hand. He squeezes back, holding her gaze.

She can't say the same about him, not yet. It is still too early for her to make such confessions, especially their statuses, especially with the universe hanging in the balance. But soon, maybe. Soon she will look at him with just as much adoration.

"I'm–" She's usually rather good with words, having been brought up to be a diplomat before all else. And yet, now her words fail her, mind racing to keep up with just what is happening in this moment.

"I am flattered," Allura finally manages. "Truly, Lotor, I– I have no words." She laughs, a breathy thing, coming from the overwhelmedness she's feeling more than from actual humour. “I’d implore you to hold off on such confessions, though. You haven’t yet seen my lack of progress on your ships.” Lotor waves, dismissive, as if such things pale in comparison to the girl before him.

“Have I not just told you that it is you, not your alchemy that matters to me?” he says, a gentle reminder. “Besides,” he continues, bringing their hands up between them. A smile, so soft it looks almost out of place on him. “I believe in you, Allura.”

There’s an ever-so-slight touch of lips against the back of Allura’s hand, so gentle that at first she questions whether or not it actually happened. And then Lotor is pulling back, releasing his careful hold, turning back towards the door.

He glances over his shoulder just before the door shuts, staring at her as if she is the most beautiful of constellations.

She watches as the door closes, and wishes for the day that she can look at him the same way to come faster.

[thesevenwondersofawitch]

Watching Star Trek: Picard, s3 ep2 'Disengage'

Getting some guardians of the galaxy vibes with the music

FENRIS RANGER SHIP? IS IT SEVEN??!

Damn, it isn't

This Ranger dude is sketchy, and I don't think he's legit

I don't trust him as fr as I can throw him

Ah, Romulan Ale😂

Oh Jack, you're a sketchy dude but I respect it

OH SHIT, WHO TF IS AFTER JACK

I don't think the Titan Captain is gonna want to aid Picard and the Crusher's

"COMMANDER Hansen." I WILL HURT YOU YOU BASTARD THAT IS NOT THE NAME SHE PREFERS

The way everyone looked like they wanted to speak up on behalf of Seven but don't because they have to listen to the Captain 👀

What's so familiar about Jack?🤔 IS HE ACTUALLY WESLEY'S SON THAT BEVERLY RAISED

I SWEAR IF THEY KILL OF BEVERLY I'LL SCREAM

Oh Raffi😭 she looks so upset

"Here... We are." I'm sobbing the emotion in her voice has me sobbing 😭

She definitely seems to be at her breaking point with this mission Starfleet sent her on

"'Disengage?' No. Hell no." IS THIS WHY SHE GETS IN A FIGHT

"118 should you continue. Do not join the dead." I really think Worf might be her handler

"I guess I'm on my own." 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 You're on your own kid, you always have been

"I love how Seven "You could be the hero who saved heroes. Or you could be the Captain who let two Legends die." YEAH WHAT SHE SAID

Since they went after Jack, and Picard did the transport inhibitors, it makes me wonder if Jack isn't Beverly's son by blood, but was entrusted with him for his protection (it would certainly make sense why she kept him secret from her friends

YEAH BABY THE TITAN HAS ARRIVED!

"Bring em all onboard, we're basically a hotel now." 😂 Hotel Titan that just makes him a Hotel manager😂

WHERE'S BEVERLY

If they left her on the ship I'm gonna scream

Oh Raffi is so gorgeous

OH MY GOD IT'S JAE

"Gabe says you ambushed him at his baby's doctor." While not wrong, still rude

"Ambushed? So that's what my son thinks of me?" I'm sobbing she just wanted to meet her grandbaby

"I chose my son, my art. And that was enough for me. But not for you." I'm sobbing so freaking hard rn

Fuck, he's making her chose between her son and talking to the guy who could be responsible for killing hundreds of people, that isn't fair at all

Thank God they got Beverly

"She said not to trust anyone and you've basically brought, everyone." I like Jack😂

The way all of them turned when the Ensign said Captain 😂

I don't like this other Captain Lady, she's big creepy

Oh shit, they're outside of their justification

Oh damn, the Captain Lady just threw a ship at them👀

Holy hell, it tore a hole through deck 11👀

Love how Geordi taught his daughter that any law of physics could be broken

"The Fenris folk." I would like to punch you sir for how disrespectful you are being

I don't think he's a con man in that he's not Beverly's son

"And you? You are no better." FUCK YOU

"You are relieved of duty for insubordination." FUCK YOU YOU ASSHOLE

"This man is getting what he deserves, so is she." I HATE YOU

OH MY GOD, 'Do the math, Jean-Luc." OH MY GOD IS JACK PICARD'S SON

I'm screaming a bit

I love how Jack is calling Picard out on his bullshit

"Who is your father?" "I NEVER HAD ONE!"👀 The plot thickens

The fact Jar owns a bar is not surprising, kinda funny honestly😂

Haven't you heard Sneed? Smoking kills.

"In my experience, Artists are unknowable assholes who live in their head instead of the real world."👀

First wife? Does that mean he remarried?🤔

SECTION 31?!👀

I feel horrible for Raffi that she had to do a drug 😭

Oh my god, Sneed beheaded T'luco👀

HELL YEAH SHE STABBED SNEED!!!!!

Oh no, she's fallen🥺

WORF!!

I KNEW IT!!!!!!!!!!! I RECOGNIZED THE SPEECH PATTERN AND KNEW IT! HELL YEAH!

I get why Shaw doesn't want to endanger his crew and I respect that, but I still don't like him.

Love how Jack broke out of the brig😂

OOOOOOO RIKER IS WAKING BEVERLY!!!!!

I don't like this Captain lady, but I applaud the actress because wow

"That was some specific standing up, Admiral." 😂

Oh shit, the whole ship is now looking for him😂

"I don't give a damn what rank I do or don't have, I need a tac team to Shuttlebay ASAP." VOYAGER SEVEN VIBES!

"He's protecting his mother." HELL YEAH

BEVERLY!!!!!

Oh MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD

That look😭 she looks kinda ashamed that she kept him from Picard

"Because he's my son." I'M SCREAMING

Now that kid is protected because his dad is an Admiral

Yeah I'm loving this so much

AND AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Oh wait till Laris learns she's gonna be like a stepmom

So awesome

I'm screaming so much I fell off my bed😂

I WISH I HAD THE NEXT EPISODE ALREADY

Also, based off the body language, I feel like the Captain Lady is actually Moriarty