#he quietly fell from her arms he was a king…etc etc

[anyca786]

"WHAT IS THIS PLACE?"

Daemon Targaryen x sister/aunt!Targaryen x Rhaenyra Targaryen

WARNINGS: Canon typical incest/targcest (brother and sister, uncle and niece, aunt and niece) kissing, smut warning: fingering, p in v, poly?, dirty talking etc)

Here's the series

Daemon's eyes lingered on Daenys, who flashed him her infectious smile. She quickly went down the stairs, and the man didn't hesitate to pull her into his arms and kiss her affectionately,

'Uncle," Rhaenyra said, making him aware that she was there too.

"Ah, Rhaenyra." Daemon said, but he shot his niece a smirk that he meant well. Rhaenyra clung onto Daenys's arm like a child, not wanting to let go of her favourite toy.

"Now, where is it that we are going, Uncle?" she questioned. Her eyes lingered towards Daemon, taking in his godly appearance.

"That is for you to see." Daemon smirked when he noticed Rhaenyra was checking him out.

The two Princesses grab onto his arm as he began to lead them out of the Red Keep. The two of them happily walked with him, taking in the commotions in the busy streets.

While Rhaenyra chose to wander and break free from his hold, Daemon moved his arm around Daenys's waist with a strong grip as he led her through the crowd, occasionally placing small kisses on her cheek,

"You both are familiar with the streets walking in daylight where it is peaceful, but at night, it is madness." Daemon said.

Daenys scrunched her nose at the littered streets of Kingslanding and the horrid smell of blood, sex, wine and garbage.

"Are you scared yet?" Daemon's husky voice brushed against her ear, making her feel butterflies when he nibbles on her right ear.

" No," Daenys stated bluntly, but the glint in Daemon's eyes made her wonder if she should be. Daemon then had gotten them drinks, which Rhaenyra did not hesitate to drink in one go while Daenys took small sips, tasting the wine. Her face pitched at the strong taste of it, making the other two Targaryen's laugh.

She tried to grab Daemon's drink only for him to drink the remaining contents. "Hey, Give me that," Daenys whined, a pout resting on her face, making the Rogue Prince melt a bit.

Rhaenyra had chosen to slow down a bit so Daemon and Daenys would catch up. "I've never thought I'd actually sneak out and visit the streets in the middle of the night.. and l'm dressed as a boy." Rhaenyra exclaimed.

"A pretty boy," Daenys added, as she flashed the cutest smile that made Rhaenyra's heart flutter, and Daemon felt soft again.

Rhaenyra was slowly falling for her aunt and surprisingly infatuated by her uncle. From what the Realm delight could tell, Daemon was also in love with her Daenys.

The night continued to follow as it was. Daenys danced with Rhaenyra through the crowd and drank more wine. Rhaenyra happily kissed her on the cheek before pushing her toward Daemon.

He threw his arm around her waist and kissed her pouty lips affectionately, still tasting the wine on them.

A blush fell on Daenys's face as she snuggled close to his embrace and deepened the kiss. Rhaenyra flashed a smile but was envious of their closeness. Daemon was smirking at his niece, practically rubbing it in Rhaenyra's face.

The trio moved their way through the city, stopping at a play happening that the two Princess' found amusing,

"And now we come off the great Iron Chair and whose bum might bear." the actor spoke, making Rhaenyra giggle quietly.

"Our good King, names his daughter, a girl, his heir." The crowd protested at the words of Rhaenyra being named heir. Rhaenyra looked around in sadness while clutching her aunt's hand in shock.

Daemon stands behind Daenys and wraps his arm around her waist, placing his chin on her shoulder as they continue watching the play.

The play continued to make fun of the royal family, Rhaenyra claimed the throne, and how Aegon being the firstborn son should sit on it instead.

Rhaenyra booed. "Lies, slander! Boo!"

"Rhaenyra!" Daenys protested but looked equally infuriated.

"Jest, if you will, but many of the smallfolk are likely to believe as a man, Aegon should be heir," Daemon spoke the truth of reality.

Daenys nodded - knowing a lot of people had the mindset that a woman is not fit for the Iron Throne and how women are only meant to produce heirs, until they can't anymore.

"Their wants are of no consequence," Rhaenyra replied, turning around to leave.

Daemon chuckled, grabbing Daenys's hand. They followed her, "They're of great consequence if you expect to rule them one day."

"For one night, I wish to be free of the burdens of my inheritance," Rhaenyra said longingly. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, and then she decided it would be a good idea to steal something from the vendor.

As Daenys chased after her niece, laughing, she didn't expect her to run into Ser Harwin and Sir Criston

"And what are you doing here, Princess Daenys?" Ser Criston's voice raised a bit, seeing her wandering alone at night. "It is not safe to be out here this late without protection. Someone could hurt you." Sir Harwin said to both the princesses.

As if on cue, Damon appeared with a light sigh of relief when he saw Daenys along with Rhaenyra, Sir Criston recognizing Daemon let out a grumble and then stared deep into Daenys eye's which made the pit of jealousy erupt in Rhaenyra's stomach.

"Next time you won't be so lucky, boy," Sir Harwin said to Rhaenyra, deciding to go along with her disguise.

Sir Criston leaned closer to Daenys and whispered, " Careful out there," and then both the knights disappeared into the streets.

When they left, Daemon came up, "Enjoyed that, didn't you?" Daemon asked, wearing a teasing smile. But there was a hidden look in his eye at the display he had just seen. Daenys wrapped her arms around Rhaenyra's neck, pulling her close. "Do not pull that shit again."

Rhaenyra relaxed in her embrace and smiled mischievously, "Who knows when l'll next get this kind of freedom?"

Daenys let out a laugh. Together, Daenys walked in the middle, swaddled to Daemon's side while intertwining her hands with Rhaenyra, walking deeper into the alleyways to their next unknown destination.

While they continued their walk, the shrill moans of women, laughter, and voices grew further into the streets they'd walked when Daemon had finally led the girls to his favourite place where he'd go whenever he wanted to escape from his responsibilities.

Daneys's cheeks flustered at what she was seeing. She knew Daemon would come here often since he was very young.

Rhaenyra's eyes wandered curiously, eyes training dancers and many occupants in the room with barely any clothes on. Her eyes fell on the two women in the corner of the room, kissing and hands touching one another in scandalous places.

By now, Daemon had shed off his cloak, and his messy silver hair showed and wore a white tunic. "Come."

"Daemon," Daenys stopped him, "I don't think it's a good idea," she said concerned.

'What is this place?" Rhaenyra asked quite bewitched by the scenes happening around them

"It's a um.. pleasure house...," Daenys murmured, still nervous. Daemon held a faint smirk, seeing Daenys crimson cheeks.

"Fucking is a pleasure you see....," Daemon spoke cruelly, his raspy voice had made Daenys swoon a bit at the way he whispered in her ear. His hands held her waist tightly, drawing circles with his fingers. Daemon leaned closer and placed a kiss on her neck, sucking that area for a bit.

Daenys breathing increased as she closed her eyes from the feeling, but not before peering over at Rhaenyra, who was staring at them intently in utmost desire.

Daenys felt incredibly hot despite the chillin' the air. He pulled her closer, almost like she was a moth against the light.

"..From fucking who we want." Daemon continued as he slid a finger down her jawline.

He had now led them to a sheer curtained area. There were naked men and women piled in the room. Heavy breaths and moans could be heard, and the smell of sex was everywhere around in the air.

Daemon continued to lead Daenys into another room, guiding her from behind. "Whether it would be a man or a woman - or even both." his eyes lingered on Rhaenyra, who was momentarily staring at the men and women pleasuring each other with their mouths and fingers.

"D-Daemon?" Daenys was about to speak, but when he pressed his lips onto hers, she let out a soft moan. Before she could register anything, she could feel Rhaenyra's hands yank her away from Daemon, allowing her to crash her lips against Daenys. The two girls moaned softly, lost in the sensation of their lips against each other.

Daemon admired the scene in front of him, but he craved attention. He had dragged both of them and pressed Daenys up against the stone wall.

Daenys let out a noise of protest but begrudgingly went back to kissing Rhaenyra, who happily accepted and began placing kisses down her neck, to her upper breast.

Daenys knew that once they had stepped inside into the pleasure house, their reputation would be tarnished. However, she knew that as long as she kept her hair covered, she would at least be saved.

Seeing the lustful expression on Daemon's face, Daenys got on her toes and kissed him this time, landing her hands on his shoulders. He slid his finger down her jawline before cupping her chin, deepening the kiss.

He pulled away and, this time, focused his attention on Rhaenyra - beginning to untie the knots of Rhaenyra's trousers and letting them fall to the ground.

Daemon's large body shielded the two girls from any watchers. Daenys spun around and frantically pressed her mouth against Rhaenyra's again.

Rhaenyra had ripped her cloak successfully before tugging on the drawstrings of Daenys's dress, revealing her full breast. Daenys shivered at the cool air, hitting her exposed skin.

The prince eagerly turned her around and brought her closer, taking in the sight of her exposed breasts before moulding his lips on her pink nipples. He then looked back with his purple-eyed princess.

His eyes trained on Rhaenyra, who watched them with fascinated lustful eyes watching her uncle lift her aunt's gown to her thighs before feeling her cunt.

Daemon let out a groan when he entered his fingers inside her cunt. A loud moan escaped Daenys's mouth, throwing her head against his shoulder.

"Fuck you're soaking, my love" Daemon felt himself getting hard when her moans got louder as he began to pump inside of her.

Taking in her sweaty, flustered appearance, "So perfect for me. You are everything l want," he purred.

The way she was pressed up against him, her breasts now bare against his chest. He wrapped his other arm around her to from collapsing while the other continued to finger her harder.

"Daemon," Daenys whimpered, "Please, do not stop,' she begged. He leaned back to take a sharp breath. "Do not say things you don't mean or I wouldn't be able to control myself."

Daenys grabbed his hand and pulled it further above her wet cunt. "I wish for Rhaenyra, too." she tried to speak but was cut off with he pinched her. The Princess let out a squeak and tried to move, only for him to smack her arse.

Daemon kissed her cheek and continued to rub circles up to her clit mercilessly.

He looked at Rhaenyra before gesturing to come closer, "Our beloved wants you, Rhaenyra"

"Rhaenyra," Daenys moaned out, and the younger Princess walked forward eagerly and cupped her face, placing a soft kiss on Daenys's lips.

Daenys's hand travelled down Rhaenyra's legs to feel her glistening core and let out a gasp. Daenys's unravelled from Daemon's grasp and went to her niece's arms.

Yet Daemon continued to work his way under her dress. The older princess arched her back when Rhaenyra started to plant wet kisses down her chest and sucking her nipples. The Heir's teeth scraped over her erect nipples making Daenys whimper out load.

"Nyra." Daenys chanted as her hands weaved into Rhaenyra's hair. She didn't care about the consequences anymore. She wanted pleasure. She wanted Daemon and Rhaenyra.

Rhaenyra nestled against her chest and peered up at her aunt like she was a goddess, "You're gorgeous. The most beautiful woman in the realm. The Realm's Beauty"

Daenys's eyes glazed at her words. Rhaenyra desperately wanted her aunt to take her then and now.

Before Rhaenyra could command Daemon, he stepped away. It was like Daemon had realized where he was and who he was with, and what he was doing. He had removed his fingers from Daenys's clit, earning a painful cry of protest from her, "Daemon, what the fuck."

There was a troubled expression in Daemon's eyes before giving them one last look before leaving them.

Daenys tugged down her dress with red stained cheeks adorning her face. Her lips were swollen and felt cold. She felt empty when Daemon no longer pleasured her.

Daenys did not bother to wait for Rhaenyra. Instead, she chased after Daemon to yell at him, leaving Rhaenyra on her own.

🥀

Daenys breath become heavy as she walked around the Brothel in search of Daemon. Men and women eyed her, semi naked form like a hunter eyeing its prey.

"I would pay for that blonde with all my gold," someone announced. Daenys pulled out her hidden dagger, from her thigh strap. Heavy footsteps followed her, turning back ready to attack-

"Fuck!" She exclaimed, dropping her dagger and releasing a shaky sigh. " Daemon!"

Surprised by her frightened form, he walks slowly to where she stands. "What's going on?" He asks.

"I thought..." But Daenys couldn’t get the words out of her mouth. She let out a sob,"I thought..someone," she tried

"Shh. It's okay." Daemon takes her in his arms. She buries her face onto his shoulder, his cologne hitting me with every breath.

He strokes her hair and kisses the top of her head. Daenys couldn't take it anymore. Her body's so jacked up at this point on adrenaline, anger, lust, and tension that she act without thinking.

She pulled his head towards her and pressed her lips against his. He kissed her back, his lips firm against her.

Daenys kissed him harder, aggressively holding his body close to her own as she dissolved against him, her Prince, her Daemon, her brother, her lover.

Daemon understands how badly his babysister needs him. The tip of his tongue traces her lips, and she parted her lips for him, tasting him, tasting the wine on his lips.

He takes control, moving her backwards and pins her to the nearest wall with his hips. His hands graze across her body, and shivers run down Daenys's spine.

She let out whimper into his mouth as a dull ache resurface between her legs, and he takes her bottom lip between his teeth. "Are you sure about this?" He asks

Daenys nodded, locking her arms around his neck. He bends down and lifts her effortlessly from the ground. His hair is soft between her fingers.

He carries her to a door, a secluded room in the Brothel. She expected him to take her to the bed, but was shocked when he sat her on a smooth, polished wooden table instead.

"Tell me," he says, ripping the gown of her body completely. "If I put my hand between your thighs right now, how wet would you be for me?"

"Why don't you find out," I say bravely, a smirk plastered on my lips. But he doesn't just put his hand there. He sinks to his knees, spreading her thighs apart with his hands.

Daenys was exposed, breathless, and shaking for him.

"Please, " she whispered.

"Begging for me already?" Daemon smirked, his fingers brush against her clit as she crys out.

'Fuck," he groans, rubbing slow, torturous circles around her wet cunt. Daenys's head drops back in bliss, and he moves lower, dipping his finger inside of her, just barely at first.

He teases her until she can't take it any longer and then pushes deeper, while her cunt tighten and clench around his finger, over and over again.

"Such a tight little cunt," he says.

She whimpered his name," Umm.. Daemon, " and finally he takes her in his mouth. His tongue flicks over her clit. Daenys forgets how to breathe as everything was clenching inside of her. She quivered against him.

As if it wasn't already torturous enough, he pushes two fingers inside of her, and she crys out as he sucks and fucks her with his hands.

Everything grows and peaks, and her fingers link through his hair as she comes undone around him, almost sobbing as she calls out his name.

His thumb brushes reassuringly where he holds her waist, the gesture somehow more intimate than his face buried into her, and he pulls away

"My good girl," he tells her, praising her"| wanted to make sure you come before I fuck you."

He now carries her to the bed. Heat and excitement flood through her body once more. She unbuttoned his shirt, pulling it from his shoulders.

Her eyes widen as he pulls his cock free. It's long and hard, thick with veins, and she wonders how she'll be able to take it all again.

"Don't worry," he says. "I'll be gentle this time," he said.

Daenys holds his jaw with one hand. "Maybe I don't want you to be."

He rubs his tip against her, grunting at her wetness, "You're going to wish you hadn't said that." Without any warning, he enters inside of her with one long thrust.

Daenys crys out, stretched wide, with all of him buried inside of her. He stays there, muttering something in High Valyrian, his eyes scanning her face for any sign of pain.

She clenched around him, "Fuck," he groans, eyes rolling back. "You okay, my love?"

She nodded. He kissed her hungrily as he begins to fuck her mercilessly. Her body jolts from the hard force, the headboard slamming onto the wall behind them with each stroke.

Daenys tightened her grip on him as he plunged into her faster and deeper. Relentlessly, he pounds her until her legs were shaking, and she couldn't hold it back any longer.

'Are vou going to come for me already, princess?" He asks.

"Yes, " she lets out a breathless whimper.

"You're such a good fucking girl. Taking my dick, so well, Princess." He said as he drills into her.

The orgasm rips through her. The intensity is unfathomable as her back arches, and she falls apart while he buries himself into her, groaning at his own release inside of her.

Daemon leans into her while she tries to recover. They pull apart, their lips brushing. Daenys mind did wonder off to Rhaenyra for a second worrying about her,

"We left Rhaenyra all alone," Daenys panicked,

Daemon wraps her in the blanket and nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck, sighing at the feeling of her in his arms. "I'm sure she'll find her way back to the castle,"

A pang of guilt surfaced Daenys, but eventually, they both fell asleep, unaware of the disaster they would have to face in the morning.

A/N: Got shit ton of assignments, and the deadline is near☹️ Pray for me.

Anyways, I'm open to ideas and suggestions- help your girl out.

[pillsopa]

this Sargent work (death and victory) is part of Harvard’s art collection which depicts victory death and a soldier in one painting…which means it wouldn’t be crazy to say that Adam still carries the gangsey with him even after trc and while in college. is this something

[muichiroslover]

Heyo could I request a ban x reader

Where ban and y/n first started dating before elaine so when elaine got into the picture she was a little jealous of their relationship and would try and break them up. And so one day ban and y/n got into an argument, the next day y/n and all of her stuff was gone. Elaine thinking it was a perfect time to take ban tries to comfort him but all he can think about is y/n. So eventually he finds y/n and apologizes in which y/n forgives him.

HAPPY ENDINGG

(Srry If its 2 long u don't have to do it if u dont want 2) (also I do not hate elaine xD)

Hi hi!! Yes I love this idea I love me some angst with happy ending 👀 I hope this is to your liking butterscotch!! <33 enjoy (●’◡’●)ﾉ♥︎♥︎

(Sorry it’s a little late ☹︎)

Pairings: Ban x reader

Warnings: Mentions of blood and wounds (not bad)

Genre: Angst with happy ending

_______________________________________________

You and ban had been a couple for as long as you could remember, at first it was kind of hard to approach him when you guys first met but when you guys had warmed up to each other you guys were absolutely inseparable

You guys did everything together and you were so well known your couple name around towns were “The bandit couple”

As you guys explored the world one night Ban brought up news about this drink that could give you immortality, using the sly line

“Then we can be together forever”

To which you laughed and hit him playfully, but he was entirely serious, you sighed and ended up agreeing to your adventurous boyfriends plan, if it wasn’t real at least you guys would have a fun time

So you guys began your journey to the fairy kings forest, when you guys had finally got to the tree you looked up and groaned

“That’s a huge tree, do we have to climb it?” You ask and he snorts as he already begins getting his hands and legs ready to climb

“You don’t have to, you can wait down here” he says smugly and you glare at the back of his head

“No I’m coming, I might as well see it through” you mutter annoyed to which he laughed

“That’s my girl” he says and you look away in embarrassment, feeling flustered at the comment which almost sent the blue haired man flying off the tree in amusement

As you guys climbed and finally made it to the top a girl, a little one at that looked at you both with a straight face as she puts her hand up and a huge wind blows you guys off

You scream in fear as you get blown far back and far above the ground, Ban grits and teeth and clicks his tongue as he grabs you as you guys start falling and takes the impact

You quickly got off of him and looked at him, tears almost in your eyes

“Oh my god! Ban! Ban I’m so sorry I didn’t mean for you to take the impact! Ban!! Ban-“ you frantically said to the man on the ground who’s eyes were closed

“If you keep calling my name out like that it’d be plain bullying if I didn’t wake up” he groans as he slowly sits up and you quickly hug him to which he chuckles and embraces you back

“Alright let’s try again” he says and your eyes widen slightly

“But ban-“ you begin and he just looks at you with his normal goofy smile you can never turn down, you sigh, deeply may I add and look at him

“Okay..I trust you” you say and he grins even wider as he grabs your hand and stands up as you guys started running towards the tree

The same thing happened a few times, it hurt, a lot but Ban never let you get too injured, always taking the impact of the fall even if you tried to fight with his grip in the air

The last time you guys got up there Ban grabbed his weapon and your eyes widen slightly thinking he was gonna attack the little girl

But he manipulated his staff and instead grabbed the cub with his weapon, You gasped as you two got quickly bounded by trees and the girl took the cup from Bans hand

The girl stands in front of you guys seemingly doing something then she lets us both go, Ban started explaining why you guys wanted immortality and those of such, You didn’t expect him to tell her his whole life’s story but

“Well shes too strong Y/n, let’s just go back” he says smiling at you as he holds out his hand, you smile lightly and nod as you grab it and you both head back down the tree

You guys were camping near the tree those days you were climbing it, you decided you’d stay another week since the fairy kings forest is actually quite pretty and you wanted to explore a bit before leaving since this opportunity may never come again

One night as you laid asleep in your sleeping bag you felt moving, you opened your eyes groggily to see your boyfriend quietly leaving the tent, you thought nothing of it, maybe he was going to pee or he was extra hungry or there was something dangerous nearby

Ignoring it you let yourself fall back into a deep slumber

But as the days and nights continued he kept sneaking out, you started getting suspicious so on the 4th night he snuck out you waited a little bit pretending you were sleeping and after a few minutes you slowly crept out of the tent

You looked around whispering your boyfriends name, this could be a huge misunderstanding after all

You went all around the forest and no sight of Ban

You went back to the tent and looked in, maybe you missed him?? But nope he wasn’t in there

You finally stopped in front of the tree and looked up, remembering the girl that resided there, logically speaking she was older then both of us since fairy’s live longer

“He didn’t” you whisper, you didn’t want to think, no you absolutely were wrong, must be seeing the wrong picture

Your boyfriend of years and hardships is not sneaking out at night to meet up with another girl, no it sounds absurd even thinking about it

‘I’ll just climb and check and I’ll be wrong, I’ll take the wind blow’ you think nodding your head reassuring yourself

You start climbing up the tree as quietly as possible, when you finally made it up and peaked up your mouth fell agape as you saw Ban and the girl chatting and laughing, all close

It surprised you so much that you lost grip on the tree and fell back, you rolled down the tree as if it was a hill, your limbs flying to and fro as you finally hit the bottom

You groaned quietly in pain

“What was that?” Ban says as he stops his conversation with Elaine hearing a soft thump

Elaine looks to the side

“ I didn’t hear anything?” She says and Ban shrugs as they continue to talk

You on the other hand shakily get up as you look at yourself, your arm was bleeding but you don’t know from where, your left ankle was sprained for sure, and your back was killing you it probably had a horrible bruise forming

A tear slipped out as you limped to the tent, you sat down as you grabbed bandages and started cleaning your wounds, the blood was coming from a gash just below your shoulder, probably from a sharp branch

You put a stick in your mouth as you took a deep breath, you grabbed some of Bans alcohol and poured it over the cut, you bit down harshly on the stick but no scream made it through, tears can’t say the same though

You spit out the stick as you breathed hard, every breath of air seeming like you haven’t had oxygen for a while, you take a bandage and wrap it around your arm securely

Usually you would make herbs for wounds and etc, but your hands were shaky, mind a daze and eyes blurry from tears

You wrapped up your sprained ankle and just let your back be in pain because there wasn’t much you could do about the pain back there

You sat silently in the tent waiting for your boyfriend to arrive, he did not arrive till the morning, about an hour and a half before you would usually wake up

When he opened the tent and saw you staring blankly at his empty sleeping bag he went to you and was about to touch your shoulder to ask you what was wrong but you jerked back

He was surprised as you looked at him, your eyes puffy, a huge sign you were crying

“Y/n what-“

“Where were you last night Ban?” You ask and he goes silent

“No in fact where were you the past 4 nights??” You ask and he sighs

“Y/n I just went out to explore and hunt, the foods not gonna come to us-“

You scoff, tears forming up, if he’s lying then is it true that he..

“You’re lying Ban, you’re lying to me” you grit out and he looks at you a little confused but mostly surprised

“What?”

“You were up there in that tree with that girl..” you say dangerously quiet and he sighs his head falling as he realizes he’s been caught and it looks totally wrong too

“Y/n..” he begins and you shake your head

“No no dont Y/n me, why did you lie and why were you sneaking out?!” You shout

“Y/n we were just talking I swear, I lied because I didn’t know how you would react-“

“HOW I WOULD REACT? HOW WOULD YOU REACT IF I WAS SNEAKING OFF LATE AT NIGHT AND MEETING UP WITH SOME GUY BAN?? HUH??!” You ask pushing him back but you wince as the wound near your shoulder moves

Ban notices this then notices the bandage on your arm and ankle

“Y/n what happened?” He asks quickly as he pulls your ankle into his palm to examine it, but you pull it back quickly

“You’re not even answering me, I-I can’t believe this, I can’t.” You say as you lay down in your sleeping bag, you were extremely tired from staying up the whole night already

You laid on the opposite side you usually lay on because of the wound on your other shoulder and thankfully it was the side not facing Ban

You guys didn’t speak for the whole day and when night came you woke up only to see Ban gone

“Y-You’re kidding” you whisper, you quickly get out, you run to the tree as you go up the route you began to remember with your mind at this point

You climbed up skillfully fast ignoring the roaring pain in both your ankle and shoulder, you peaked up and not to your surprise you see Ban and Elaine speaking under the oh so romantic fairy lights

With no sound you climbed back down, you walked to your tent and went in, grabbing your bag you grabbed your herbs, bandages, clothes and canned foods, leaving some for Ban even in your mood

You rolled up your sleeping bag and dig the dirt under as you grabbed your bag of coins, you and Ban always hid your money in case of any intruders, you guys were bandits after all

You take your money and put it in your bag as you get out the tent and leave

Ban returned back in the morning, he had asked Elaine what he should do to fix things and what a girl usually would like in this type of situation, you guys had never fought so bad to the point you didn’t speak the whole entire day

He was scared you were actually done with him, he had a few picked flowers in his hand and he took a deep breath as he opened the tent

But his eyes widen when he sees your stuff gone and your sleeping bag rolled up, he drops the flowers as he looks around frantically

“Y/N?? Y/N WHERE ARE YOU?!” He yelled, he ran everywhere around the forest looking for you, but you were no where in sight

By the time night fell he still couldn’t find you and it felt like his whole world was collapsing in front of him, he couldn’t think and he couldn’t even yell anymore bc he was sure he lost his voice by how loud and long he was screaming your name

He quickly wiped a tear that rolled down his cheek as he quickly climbed the tree, Elaine looked over at him worriedly

“You didn’t come at our usual time I was worried” she said and looks away blushing slightly

“She left Elaine! She left and I can’t find her anywhere” he says as he falls onto his knees and the tears finally come out

“She left me Elaine I-“ he says hoarsely

Elaine frowns sadly as she goes over and hugs him

“Well Ban...maybe she wasn’t the right one..there’s other people who can make you happy” she says

“Her injuries, she had bandages on her right arm and an injury on her ankle as well! She can get really hurt out there I have to find her” he cried

“Ban she left you, maybe it’s time to move on” Elaine says hintfully and lets go of Ban as she flies to the cup, she gives it to Ban and smiles at him

“Really?” He asks and she nods blushing a bit, he drank it slowly and when Elaine wasn’t looking he poured some inside of a glass bottle

“Ban I like-“ Elaine begins but Ban gets up

“I’m sorry Elaine I think this is the last time you’ll be seeing me, I checked every inch of the forest last night so that means Y/n has left the forest, I’m gonna be leaving as soon as I make it to the tent and get my stuff” he says to the girl who’s face falls in despair

“W-What wait but Ban she-“ she began

“She left? She had a good reason, if I was in her position I’d be upset too I can’t blame her” he says running a hand through his hair

“B-BUT SHE-SHE” Elaine tries to plead but stops when she sees Ban smile at her

“No matter what she did or does, she’s the only one my heart races for, in life or in death Y/n is my one true love so...wherever she goes I’ll chase her” he says and with that he jumps off the tree

Elaine falls to her knees as she watches the spot Ban once stood in, her head falling down as tears fell on to the tree

Ban had gotten to the tent and began packing all his stuff he got his money bag from under his sleeping , though he wonders where you hid yours and leaves

He travels for towns and towns looking for you, he had finally found you but much to his dismay you got captured since you were injured and were in a pretty tight situation as you were on death row

He watched as you and other prison mates were in a yard just doing your own things, you were laying on a bench staring at the sky

“Pssst”

You look up quickly and look around not seeing anyone, you were about to lay back down

“Pssst Y/n!”

You look around again noticing the familiar voice

“I must be going crazy” you mutter as you hold your forehead

“You’re not! Look over here!”

You slowly look to the side of the fence you were near and your eyes slowly landed on a bush, soon blue hair popped up from behind the bush and Ban gave you that grin of his

“Ban!” You say, a smile on your face, but you quickly replace it by a scowl and look away from him

He smiles slightly at that

“Y/n come on look at me” he whispers and you begrudgingly look over at him and he smiles, causing you to get flustered and your scowl to shake trying not to smile

“What are you doing here, you better hurry up and escape before they catch you too” you whisper not looking at him, instead watching the guards

He laughs

“As if I would leave you in a jail cell, come on let’s go” he says and you look at him stupidly

“Let’s go? No thanks death row isn’t that bad” you say coldly and he sighs

“Fine, guess we have to do this the hard way” he says shrugging

“HEY GUARDS” He shouts and your eyes widen as you sit up and block him with your body as the guards and inmates look at you

“UHH YEAH GUARDS, UHM YOUR ZIPPERS DOWN” you say and cringe deeply when the guards both look down and one coughs as he zips up his zipper, the inmates laughing

When everything died down you looked at Ban deadly

“Are you crazy?” You whisper

“Crazy for you”

Your mouth closes as you try to not blush but it’s inevitable as your brows unfurrow and a small smile takes over

“There’s that smile I love” he says and you roll your eyes as you huff slightly

“You better explain, I’m not giving you another chance so don’t you lie to me” you say and he nods quickly like a dog, you can basically see the tail behind him wagging

“Now step back babe, you’re boyfriends here to save you” he says smugly and you roll your eyes as you back up

He takes out his staff and in a swift motion breaks the fence, the guards all look over

“HEY” one shouts and you gasp as Ban quickly scoops you up and starts running

“It’s okay! I’ll take this bandit off your hands!” He shouts amused as he runs, he runs into a forest and does many turns eventually losing the guards who had to return back before any other inmates escaped

He puts you down lightly and you cross your arms to which he snorts

“I can run you know” you say and he shakes his head as he leans down and takes out a jar of green stuff

“They’re not as good as yours but they should do” he says and he gently takes your leg as he pulls up the inmate suit and sees your swollen ankle

“Tch stupid guards didn’t even treat it” he mutters as he takes some of the green cream and slowly and gently rubs it over your ankle

You can’t lie this felt really good but

“The first night I went up to try to plead for the youth drink” he says and you look at him

“The second night I went up to try and bribe for the youth drink”

“The third night I spoke to her, I tried to get to know her so she can see we have no bad intentions but one night wasn’t enough”

“The 4th night she had decent trust in me, so we continued talking”

He sighed as he started wrapping the bandage around your ankle softly, you don’t think you’ve ever seen Ban this gentle

“And the 5th night?” You ask and he looks to the side, you noticed a slight blush

“The 5th night I asked advice on what I should do to make you forgive me..” he mutters and your mouth falls agape slightly, it slowly forms into a small smile

“I’m sorry for not letting you explain..” you say and he shakes his head

“No, I can see how this looked from your perspective” he says as he rolls up your sleeves and switches the old bloodied bandages on your arm

You chuckle softly

“So I guess we can’t be together forever” you say sighing and as he rubs the herb cream on your bruised back he raises his eyebrow and pulls out a glass bottle with pink liquid

“Sorry but you’re not escaping me so easily” he says and you gasp as you grab the bottle and look at it

“This is really it??” You say looking back at him and he nods proudly

You slowly open it and drink it, but you didn’t feel that different

“Did it work?” You ask and he shrugs to which you deadpan

That day you both held hand as you jumped off a cliff, when you landed you guys sat up as you laughed and high fived, it worked

After a few months both you and Ban were caught purposely cause life began to get boring, you both sat in the same cell, after 33 executions you both are still alive in confinement

“I win” you say as you cross an all three X’s on the tic tac toe you made on the dirt in the ground

“You’re cheating” Ban replies and you laugh

Soon the door blows open and you two looked over to see a short man with blonde hair, you both smiled as Meliodas smiled back at you two

“Glad to see you two are still lovebirds”

[narcissisticmf]

come back, please | peter pevensie x fem!reader

description: y/n lives in narnia and after the pevensie siblings leave, she feels like her connection with peter was left unfinished. she begs aslan to go see him in his world.

trigger warnings: angst, violence, sword fighting, mentions of anxiety/depression, etc. read at your own risk.

word count: 3.1k

You stood beside Caspian as you watched Aslan stand before the crowd of Telmarines and Narnians. The air was rather brisk that day, you felt your clothed arms grow subtle goosebumps all amongst them. You attempted to avoid eye contact with anyone except Aslan, for you were unable to look to the Pevensie siblings without shedding a tear or two, or many more. You felt Caspian nudge your arm softly with his elbow as a way to comfort you without using words. You forced a small smile to your glossy lips and continued to look at Aslan.

"If any Telmarines wish, I will return you to your forefathers. I'm not referring to Telmar, either. Your ancestors were seafaring brigands. Pirates run aground on an island. There they found a cave, a rare chasm that brought them here from their world. The same world as our kings and queens," Aslan trailed off and continued to explain more about where he would send any of the volunteers.

When he'd mentioned the kings and queens of Narnia, your eyes flickered to the Pevensies. The warmth in your eyes slowly started to grow cold when you locked your gaze with Peter, who looked back at you with a gentle expression. Through your lashes, tears blurred your vision. You felt as though you shouldn't be crying, you did your best to fight it, but the tears continued to trickle down from your waterline, along your cheeks staining your soft skin.

After a family had offered to go through with Aslan's offer, he awaited upon another volunteer. You bit the inside of your cheek, knowing what was coming when Peter stepped forth.

"We'll go," He swallowed thickly, his gaze bounced from Aslan to you.

"We will?" Lucy's voice raised in pitch.

"Come on. Our time's up," Peter released a breath and walked towards you and Caspian. His attention was solely on the prince as he pulled off his sword. "After all, we're not really needed here anymore," He handed the sword over to Caspian who took it in his grasp.

"I will look after it until your return," Caspian spoke with incandescence.

"I'm afraid that's just it," Susan spoke up. You glanced up to her with a knowing expression. "We're not coming back," She finished.

You felt Peter stand before you, but your eyes refused to look up to him. Without making any weeps, hot tears fell down along your flushed cheeks. Your blurred vision caught a glimpse of Peter's hands motion towards your face. His warm palms caressed your wet cheeks, making you finally look up to him.

"Why must you go, Peter?" You released in a soft whisper, nearly inaudible.

"I've learned what I can from this world, Y/N.. it is time for me to live in my own," He spoke gently, a subtle sadness under his tone.

"I will miss you so much," You choked out, in an attempt to keep your voice steady, but you failed miserably.

Peter parted his glossy lips and stared at you with the most comforting gaze you could imagine. He snuck his arms around your shoulders and buried his face into your shoulder, squeezing you tightly. You wrapped your arms around his torso with all the emotional strength you had left in you. You couldn't let go, not until he would first.

"Don't forget me," You whispered, lifting your head up to look at him.

"Never," Peter pressed a soft kiss to your forehead. You fluttered your eyes closed in response and let the warmth from your forehead spread throughout the rest of your body.

You felt Peter pull away, his fingers grazing across your sides as he stepped back, keeping his eyes upon you as he made his way to stand beside his siblings. Caspian and Susan shared a goodbye beside you, but you continued to watch Peter as he did you.

A burning sensation overtook your eyes as you watched the Pevensie siblings make their way between the trees of which Aslan had made for anyone who wished to go into another world. As soon as they stepped between the trees, they disappeared and you were left with your heart sunken into your stomach. More tears trickled down your cheeks as you stood silently watching the same spot Peter once stood.

More Narnians and Telmarines volunteered to go, but not all. Many people chose to stay. You planned to stay in Narnia with Caspian and the rest of the Narnians. You continued to stand still, watching the same place Peter was last seen before he disappeared.

.

The night was rather cold in Narnia, brisk wind and starry nights. You remained in the same spot for hours on end, still staring at the same tree. You hadn't known why you felt so weakened by Peter's departure, but you knew there was no way you'd be able to cope in any healthy manner.

"Don't you think it is time you get some rest?" Caspian's voice was heard from behind you. You couldn't break your gaze from the trees as more tears begun to fall.

"He's not coming back," You whispered through your parted, dry lips.

Caspian begun to walk up along the steps behind you. He stood to your side and followed your gaze to the same tree. "If it makes you feel any better, I am just as unhappy to know that Susan will not be back either," Caspian stated quietly.

"Knowing we are both miserable makes me even more unhappy," You released a soft breath, feeling emotionally tired.

Caspian sighed and continued to stand beside you, for even his company may do some good for you. After hours upon hours of looking through the trees, you broke your gaze and looked at Caspian. His eyes found yours and your parted your dry lips, breathing slowly.

"I've done enough mourning for one day," You spoke, "Goodnight, Caspian."

Starting down the steps, you walked along the stone of the fortress and headed towards your chamber. With sleep, prehaps, you'd be able to regain some emotional strength for the days to come.

.

The sun's rays snuck through the curtains of your chamber and struck your eyes mildly. You groaned and turned over, in no desire to awaken just yet. Your body felt awfully heavy and the skin around your eyes puffed due to how much you'd been crying.

Slowly, you fluttered your eyes opened and felt the mixture of mucus and tears harden along the inner corners of both your eyes. You took your knuckles and rubbed them away, releasing a deep sigh as you did so. You begun to sit up against the headboard of your bed. You pushed yourself off the mattress and walked barefoot about your room. You quickly changed from your sleepwear to your armor. Although not needed, you decided to practice some sword fighting early that day, in hopes of getting your mind off of Peter.

You pulled your boots on over your barefeet and grabbed your sword from the case at the end of your bed. Hurrying across the hall, you made your way out into the field where many Narnians were gathered. You kept your eyes peeled for Caspian, in hopes of asking him to practice with you.

"You're looking well rested this morning, Y/N," The voice of Caspian was heard from behind you, making you jump.

"Don't creep up on me like that," You scolded softly and watched him chuckling lightly. "Mind practicing with me for a little while? I need to get my mind preoccupied."

Caspian nodded his head, "Allow me to get my sword first." You nodded in response and scurried out further into the field, where you both would maintain a harmless battle away from the rest of the Narnians.

Awaiting in the field, you held your sword by the handle, having the blade kiss the grass. The sun's rays were potent that day, the leather armor against your body grew hot against your skin. When Caspian was seen in the distance with his sword and two shields, you released a breath and felt the adrenaline begin to build.

"We can't fight without shields," Caspian offered a grin as he tossed one to you. You rolled your eyes playfully and held up the shield in your free hand. "Ready?" He asked as he stood relatively far from you.

"Are you?" You offered with an evil glint, swinging the blade towards him as he dodged it with his shield. When Caspian tried to strike you from the head, you bent down so that you'd dodge his hit. You took the opportunity to swing your sword at his feet, causing him to stumble backwards.

You stood straight and watched as he slowly got up, swinging his sword towards you from the left and right. A grunt left your lips when your blade came to contact with Caspian's shield, a spark flew off the metal.

You couldn't help but remember Peter, how you and he would often practice together. Mostly because your sword fighting needed some work, but never directly spoke of that. You missed him truly and it grew harder to come into terms with when you knew you'd never see him again.

Caspian's strike to your blade kicked you from your thoughts. You mentally thanked him for that. You let out another grunt and swung your sword to his, the strike so powerful that it knocked it from his grasp. Caspian looked rather surprised and when you kept swinging, he dodged almost every hit with his shield.

You swung beneath his feet, which caused him to jump, swiftly avoiding your hit. You watched as Caspian reached for his sword upon the grass, making you swing to his shield again.

The both of you froze when you turned to notice Aslan was watching over the field at the top of the castle, overseeing all the Narnians. You released a soft breath and slowly brought your blade down, endless thoughts of Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy ran through your mind. You dropped your sword and begun to run back into the castle.

"Y/N! Where are you going?" Caspian called, but you were already hot upon your feet, too fast to turn back.

You scurried up the stairs, making left and right turns until you'd make it to the top, where Aslan stood overseeing everything and everyone. You needed to take the opportunity you had to speak with him yourself. You opened the doors to the top and looked straight ahead, seeing Aslan still there, before the same tree you spent all of yesterday looking at.

"Aslan," You breathed out and watched as his head turned to look at you. His light green eyes found yours, his mane moved softly with the brisk wind. You made your way towards him and stopped once you came to the edge.

"I see you've been practicing on your skill, dear one," Aslan stated, turning his head toward you.

"I need something to occupy my mind," You bashfully admitted.

"Missing them, are you?" He asked, with concern.

"More than I would like to admit."

"I miss them too, Edmund and Lucy will return eventually, in a few years potentially," Aslan continued to look at you, finding your face was written with distress. "What's the matter, dear one?"

"I must see Peter again," You spoke in a shaky tone. "I want him to come back and be here."

"Y/N, Peter has grown and learned all that he could from this world," Aslan said, his eyes softening.

"Can't I visit him in his world?" You spoke gently.

"Yes, but only for a little while," Aslan breathed out.

"How long?" You whispered.

"Two days of their world and then you will return."

You nodded gently, parting your lips as you stared at Aslan. He nodded in response and motioned towards the trees, the wind picked up in and the leaves rustled against the thin branches. You watched with a mesmerized gaze, keeping your eyes locked with the leaves. The color of the sky faded into a dark grey from a light blue. You squinted softly and turned your head to look before you. The road was slick and droplets from the sky fell rapidly down upon the ground. Puddles overflown against the sides of the road.

Glancing down at your clothing, you noticed you'd been dressed in a maroon colored uniform with your hair now straightened against your shoulders. You parted your lips and turned to look around, noticing how busy the streets were.

Slowly, you stepped forth to make sure no oncoming vehicles would hit you, when both sides of thr street were clear, you scurried across and made it to the other end, seeing that many a persons walked about the concrete. You'd been in Narnia so long that you'd forgotten what the streets were like during the daylight. You questioned if daylight would still be referred to as the same despite the gloomy whether that arose over England.

You turned your head to notice several people were exiting the underground railway station. You felt a nervousness grow deep inside your stomach. The center of your palms produced a thin layer of sweat when your eyes were met with four people you knew all too well in your world. You parted your lips softly and watched as Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy came up from the staircase and upon the same sidewalk as you had been upon. You were unsure if they'd recognize you, being so far away.

Your eyes locked with Lucy as she turned her head and noticed you. She had a wide grin upon her face as she reached to tug Peter's sleeve, her gaze never breaking with yours. Your lips formed into the most beautiful smile, shining ever so brightly on such a dull day.

When Peter looked to Lucy, she pointed towards you and her eldest brother followed where her finger led to. When his deep blue eyes fell into your warm ones, he froze in a state of shock, but also great happiness as you could tell his smile was rising. You missed everything of him, his smile, his eyes, his voice, his arms and his incandescent attitude. Susan and Edmund were the last to notice you, smiling happily.

You couldn't hold yourself back any longer, you begun to run towards them with pure excitement running through your veins. The adrenaline ran through you like wildfire, spreading about beneath the surface of your skin. The pit of your excitement lied within your chest, where your heart was palpitating like crazy.

"Peter!" You smiled as he started running in your direction. Behind him, the rest of the Pevensie siblings ran to you. You released inhaled deeply once you were close enough to Peter. His smile was wide as he wrapped his arms around your torso, lifting you up and spinning around with a sweet laugh escaping his lips. You hugged his shoulders and buried your face into his neck.

"Ah! Y/N, I missed you," Peter spoke as though a large weight was taken off of his shoulders.

"I missed you.. all of you," You let happy tears trickle down your cheeks as Peter placed you down onto the concrete. You slowly peeled back from him and took Lucy into a hug, along with Susan and Edmund.

"How did you get back?" Susan asked with a grin to her lips.

"Aslan, I will be here in your world for two days," You released a breath.

"Why two days?" Lucy questioned.

"I suppose it has a lot to do with how much I miss you all.. how terrible it was to let you go the first time.. it'll hurt no less the second time," You sighed gently.

You looked from Lucy to Peter with a softening expression. "If it's okay, I would like to speak to you," You mentioned softly.

"I'll catch up with you, wait at the traffic light for me," Peter looked to Edmund, Susan and Lucy as they all nodded and headed up along the sidewalk. You turned to look at Peter, who was already staring down upon you.

"I couldn't bear it," You released in a gentle breath. Peter offered his hand and you gladly took it, feeling an overwhelming sense of butterflies in your stomach. He lead you to a small bench before the road and you took a seat in it, soon after he did as well.

"Peter, I wish you could come back with me," You admitted.

"I wish I could as well," He pressed his lips together, "But I'm afraid I am just grown too old to go back."

"You're never too old for Narnia," You spoke softly. Peter offered a thin smile and took your hand in his own, entwining your fingers together.

"Come back, please," You felt your eyes brim with tears, "There's so much I haven't gotten to tell you."

Peter gently took his free hand and brushed away the tears from beneath your eyes. "What is it that you haven't gotten to tell me, Y/N?" He whispered and leaned in closer, making the moment much more intimate.

"Two days won't be enough time," You looked up to him.

"Come back, bring Lucy, Susan and Edmund.. Narnia needs you. I need you," You admitted ever so gently. "I'm unsure if Aslan will ever do this for me again, Peter."

Peter rested his forehead against yours and looked down at your fingers intertwind with his own. "There's only one thing Narnia has that I would go back for in a mere second," His voice lowered.

"What is it?" Your eyes flickered up into his own, a deep nervousness kicked back into your stomach.

Peter pulled his head back gently and smiled, his dimples caving in as he did so. You parted your glossy lips and watched as his blue eyes locked with yours. You felt your body move closer to him, not physically, but rather emotionally.

Before you could comprehend it, your lips were overtaken by Peter's. You fluttered your eyes closed in response and gave into the kiss, feeling your lips mold together in the most perfect sync. You felt his chest press against your own. You took the opportunity to cup his cheeks with your palms, feeling pure gaiety within your body. You missed Peter more than you could even begin to explain. You were unsure where else this kiss would lead, but you had no intent to rush there.

.

a/n: hello lovies!! so this may have been one of my favorite things i've ever written. i know it's angsty but those are the types of pieces i love writing the most. i hope you enjoyed this one and who knows maybe i'll write a part two? hmm? haha! anyway, thank you so much for reading! be safe and treat people with kindness. — angelina.

[my-darling-luna]

Your Majesty Chapter 7

Let me know if I can change anything to make it more accessible to everyone (ex. Be less descriptive, etc.). I want to make sure that everyone can read this!!

Your Majesty Masterlist

Summary- It has been more than a decade since the Kingdom of Ultron lost their princess. (Y/n) was just a 17 year old that didn’t know much about her past. Realizations happen and lives are crossed. How will (Y/n) handle the new pressure?

Stucky x reader

—

“I’m so sorry.” Steve broke the silence, reaching out to grab (Y/n)’s hand. 

“Don’t ever touch me.” (Y/n) pulled back, not letting him even make contact with her body. Bucky looked concerned, his eyes trained on the girl in front of him.

“Doll?” His voice was soft and careful.

“Leave me alone.” She was quiet and Steve and Bucky watched on as tears rolled down her cheeks. Her eyes were locked on the outside, her body tense and unmoving even with the carriage bouncing on the uneven ground.

The rest of the seven hour trip was completely quiet; tensions growing in size as time ticked by. Once the carriage slowed, Steve and Bucky were the first out, the two watching and holding out their hands so that (Y/n) could grab on and get out onto solid ground quicker. The two hands were ignored as (Y/n) pulled herself out of the carriage without even a glance towards the boys who she had festering feelings for.

A woman with dark brown hair walked out of the castle, a polite, but childish look in her eyes. She curtsied before holding out her arm so that (Y/n) could link with hers. (Y/n) did and the two walked inside.

“I’m Wanda, your Lady in Waiting. It’s so nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too.” Wanda smiled despite the feeling that (Y/n) did not want to be here.

“Here’s your room, I can help you with your clothes.” (Y/n) waved her hand.

“No thank you. Just don’t let anyone that comes to my door in, please.” Wanda nodded her head, her eyes confused, but her body language not showing it.

“Not even the king, miss?” (Y/n) shook her head. Wanda assumed that the only reason she was here was for the prince. “Well, I’ll have your dinner sent up. Have a nice rest.” She left with a click of the door and only when (Y/n) heard no more talking between the guard and Wanda, she got up and moved. Looking in the mirror was shocking. She looked sad, her eyes clearly red from crying, her face tacky because of her tears.

Sighing, the princess moved to her trunks that where placed by the bed and began to rifle through them. Clothes and little trinkets were pushed to the far corners as (Y/n)’s hands got more and more frantic as time went by. Her hands stopped elbow deep in the second trunk as her hands grabbed for a leather bound book at the bottom. Pulling it out, she grabbed a ink bottle and fountain pen before sitting down on her bed. The ink bottle was held in between her legs to stabilize it as she hunched foreword and began scribbling down words on a page.

How often am I supposed to feel trapped? For the longest time, I was glad that Rhodey found me in the village square, but as time goes by, I feel like I would rather be home with my adopted parents more than anything. Father gives me love, sure, but today I feel as though that love is cracked and there is no amount of power that could fix it. He sent me away to live with men I barely know in a kingdom I don’t know at all. Steve and Bucky were wonderful after our failed meeting, but how am I supposed to feel after they and the rest of the kings decided that I should be sent away? I don’t know if I can trust them anymore. Or even if I can love them anymore and god, I want to love them so badly if they would let me. I don’t want to be here.

“Princess?” The door opened after the knock and a man came in with a tray of food. “Here’s your dinner.” She thanked him and he nodded before closing the door softly. Her eyes slid over to the tray of food on the table, but the thought of eating after a day like this felt awful for her. With her entry done, she placed the book between a stack of clothes before changing into a nightgown and slipping into her. Before she fell asleep, her eyes scanned the grandfather clock in the corner, the hands sitting at 6:30. She closed her eyes.

***

“Miss? It’s morning.” Wanda opened up the door, her eyes drawing to the uneaten food on the table before moving to the girl still lying in her bed. “I am supposed to wake you up for breakfast at the command of the king.” (Y/n) shook her head while still buried in the pillow and comforter.

“Tell the king no thank you. I just want to be left alone.” Wanda huffed.

“But princess he insisted.”

“Then tell him that I insisted not to come. Thank you Wanda.” Her voice was muffled, but Wanda got the message and left the room, closing the door once again.

***

It took two and a half minutes for the banging on the door to start. Huh, a minute more than I thought. (Y/n) laughed to herself quietly and continued to ignore the knocks while simultaneously trying to fall back asleep.

“Doll?” Steve’s voice was loud, giving (Y/n) an idea that he had his face pressed against the door. “(Y/n) please let me in.” She groaned quietly and shoved the pillow over her head to muffle out any noise.

“Darlin’?” Bucky’s drawl was still audible through the thick oak. “Can we talk? Just us three?” The knob was jiggled before there was a scuffle outside. The guard must’ve stepped in and (Y/n) was perfectly fine with that.

“Stand down!” Steve yelled and the scuffle became quiet. A few more words were exchanged before the door was unlocked and shut shortly after. “(Y/n)?” He shuffled over to the bed that was housing a shape under the covers. “Hey, what’s going on with you?” Pulling away the pillow, Steve caressed her back while trying to get her moving. (Y/n) reached out her opposite hand and grabbed along the sheets. Bucky’s hand found hers and he huffed when a quick slap came to it before grabbing a hold of a pillow and hitting Steve with it.

“What has gotten into you?” Bucky demanded and Steve gave him a warning look. (Y/n) ignored him and tried to pull the pillow back over her head. “(Y/n) stop!” He grabbed the pillow off her head.

“Buck.” Steve mumbled before kneeling down to be face to face with (Y/n). “Darlin’ what’s going on? Why are you acting dismissive?” His voice was soft, but his words made (Y/n) furious.

She sat up quickly and looked at the two boys sharply. “Oh I can’t imagine why I would be feeling ‘dismissive’. Maybe it’s because my father kicked me out of his castle because you two agreed with him.” Bucky sighed before sitting down on the bed, it sinking under his weight.

“Doll, you know that we agreed because we’re scared. We don’t want those threats to succeed in harming you.” (Y/n) dully noted how Bucky refused to say Hydra.

“That’s none of your concern. You do not have any say in what I do. You’re not my family nor do I have any real relationship with you both.”

“What if we want to?” Steve said quietly, shifting his weight as he still sat on his knees.

“What are you talking about?” Bucky grabbed (Y/n)’s hand and Steve grabbed her other one. The two men made eye contact.

“What if we want to be in a ‘real’ relationship?” Bucky mumbled, not looking up from their joined hands.

“You’re joking, right?” (Y/n) laughed awkwardly and the men’s stomachs fell in disappointment. She stopped at their faces. “No, that’s not what I meant. I mean, I want to. I guess I was just shocked.” Bucky looked up with surprise.

“You want us? The both of us?” (Y/n) nodded and he flung himself forward to wrap his arms around the girl. Bucky reached out for Steve who fell into the pile along with the two others.

“I’m still mad at you.” (Y/n) said quietly. Steve chucked and rested his head on her right shoulder.

“We know.”

—

Taglist- @austynparksandpizza @aikeia @simplyfandomish @baby-noodles @lili-ann-love @rebloggingeverything @spookyparadisesheep

[lifeofroos]

Part 60. I hate Minos, me my homies all HATE Minos.

In short: Nico gets therapy from Dionysus. In this chapter, he has decided he wants to talk to King Minos. Dionysus quietly agrees, but only so long as someone comes along. The story is also on AO3 and FanFiction.net! And in Tumblr tags like Dionysus, Nico di Angelo, percy jackson fanfic etc.  This Might Be Crazy: Chapter 60: Pomegranate Iced tea 

‘Did you bless the Jacksons’ house when I was there last time?’

Dionysus looked up. ‘I did. Sally Jackson runs a sanctuary. We can’t have monsters coming in.’

‘Very good.’

‘Now tell me the real reason why you came here. You can’t be here just to ask something you already knew.’

‘I mean, no.’

‘Spill.’

‘Don’t you trust...’

‘Nico!’

‘I want to go talk to king Minos. I want to know why he chose me.’

Dionysus took a moment to think about that. ‘Isn’t it clear why Minos chose you?’

I shrugged. ‘It might be. Because, you know, I was going around raising the dead and opposing Percy, which was very convenient for him. Still, I…’ I shrugged. ‘I want to talk to him. I want to know how he thinks.’ 

Dionysus thought for a second. ‘Minos is dangerous.’

‘So I can’t go?’

He thought for a second. ‘I can’t control you. You’ll go anyway, no matter what I say. Yet, I have a requirement.’

‘Being?’

‘Someone must be there with you. I am not letting you talk to a psychopath like Minos on your own.’

I sighed. ‘Who must it be?’ 

‘I’ll ask Persephone and Hades first. You’ll hear the answer tomorrow.’

‘Alright.’

--------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning, early as all hell, I heard a knock on my door. ‘Nico. Come.’ 

I scrambeld out of bed. ‘Eh, I will.’ Whoever you are. ‘Can I put on some actual clothes instead of my pajamas first?’

‘Five minutes.’

‘Okay, okay!’

Within five minutes, I was done and I stepped out of my cabin. I raised my eyebrows. ‘Ariadne?’

‘The very one. Persephone will come too. She’s waiting for us near Elysium.’

‘I mean... cool.’ I tried to shrug, but half-way through we were already teleporting into the underworld. My shoulders hurt when I got there. 

-------------------------------------------------------

I disliked standing in front of the gates of Elysium again. It was soul-crushing to see all of the spirits, some of them hopeful, some of them sure they wouldn’t get in. 

I noticed Persephone standing near the judges. She was looking up at them, with her hands on her hips. She looked around when Ariadne called her name. ‘Still okay?’ She asked to the other goddess. 

‘As okay as it can get.’

‘Good.’ Persephone straightened her back. ‘We’ll let him do the talking.’ She pointed at me. 

‘And we’ll keep an eye on everything.’ Ariadne confirmed. 

Persephone nodded. ‘Come,’ she told (mostly) me. I nodded. We walked past the lines, to the three judges. The spirits didn’t seem to mind. 

Ariadne held up her hand. ‘Minos.’ All three of kings turned around. Minos mouth fell open. ‘Go on,’ Persephone commanded the judges. ‘Except for Minos. He comes with us.’

Minos got up, with a suspicious look in his eyes. 

---------------------------------------------------

‘What is it, my queen?’ he asked Persephone as soon as we were away from the line. His eyes ran past Ariadne without adressing her. His eyebrows raised when he saw me. ‘You brought me your own stepson? Unbelievable! Now why would that be?’

‘He has questions for you. We would like to see you answer them.’

‘And that’s all?’

‘That’s all.’ She gently laid her hand on my shoulder for a second.

‘Terrible to see you again,’ I began. 

‘You are the one bothering me.’

‘Still.’ I tilted my head. ‘I have my suspicions, but I wanted to know why you chose me. Why you had to haunt me instead of somebody else.’

‘You’re the son of Hades.’

‘I am.’

‘Doesn’t that seem like reason enough?’

‘Maybe. Yet, it would have been way easier for you to get a random scared kid to raise the dead for you. All the things you taught me are things you could have taught most other people. Raising the dead with Happy meals? You don’t need me for that. Don’t get at me with wanting to help Luke. You are way too selfish for that.’

Persephone and Ariadne gave each other a look when they heard me mention raising the dead with happy meals. Minos went on: ‘My goal might not have been to aid him, but perhaps what he had in mind spoke to me.’ Persephone crossed her arms. Minos smiled sinisterly. ‘My queen, don’t act like you didn’t know, even if I would never confess it.’

I pointed at him. ‘Didn’t you just…’

‘Let it go, Nico.’ I looked up at Ariadne, who nodded towards Minos. He still had not aknowledged she was there.  

‘I was easy to manipulate, but still on no-one’s side,’ I continued. ‘Any other demigod might have gotten dependent on you. They would have been your string puppet.’

‘But they would have had less power. Why have a string puppet when they aren’t useful for all sorts of things? Also, di Angelo, you can’t act like you weren’t dependent on me. You were so wrapped up in your silly hate and grief you didn’t see what was going on.’

‘Perhaps.’ Ariadne and Persephone tensed up. Maybe I had been more of a string puppet to Minos than I liked to think I was. Still… ‘Still, I did manage to break out. I listened to Percy after he showed me the truth. An agent of Luke wouldn’t have done that. They would have turned a blind eye and kept following you.’

‘The Jackson kid cared for you.’

‘He would have cared for any other demigod as well. You could have told them to play apologetic and then you would’ve had a spy. It would have been easier, it would have lead you to bigger things...’

‘What is it that you want? I picked you because you were powerful. That’s it. Every strategy has holes in it. It was a gamble to pick you over some nobody and…’ Minos bit his lip and did not say more.

‘And you gambled wrong,’ Persephone finished the sentence. 

Minos shrugged. ‘You win some, you lose some, my queen.’ 

Ariadne gave him a disgusted look. ‘Perhaps.’

‘You were a powermaniac,’ I concluded. ‘It would have been safer, be it a little harder, to use a minion from Luke’s army. Yet, I had power, and you fell for it.’

Minos shot me a disintegrating look. ‘Watch your words, demonspawn.’

‘Sounds like a weakness to me.’

‘Nico.’ Persephone slowly shook her head. 

‘I think I have what I wanted,’ I told Minos. 

‘Leave, then. I’ve got a job to do.’

‘Playing judge, jury and executioner even in death,’ Ariadne stated.

‘It comes naturally.’ It was the first time he acknowledged her existence. ‘I’d watch your mouth if I were you. Some of us might be power hungry, but we aren’t reckless traitors. Each their own.’ He grinned, before looking at Persephone. ‘If you don’t mind, I’ll get back now, my queen.’

‘I wish you wouldn’t.’ 

He curtsied, before turning around and walking away. I had to bite my tongue to not yell after him that he was a terrible person, a terrible king, a terrible father, a terrible husband and a terrible judge.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘He is terrible.’

‘He is manipulative,’ Ariadne stated. ‘The gamble analogy is apt. He gambled he could take control of the kingdom by banning his brothers. He gambled that he could contain the Minotaur and make Athens pay for it, and he won that bet twice, until…’ she sighed, ‘Until someone messed with his stack of cards. Every gambler misses now and then, and so did he. Terribly, a few times…’ 

Persephone clenched her fists. ‘And then he still didn’t, because my father had to give him the power he desired in death as well.’

I slowly nodded. Persephone sighed and pushed something into my hand. It was a can of Pomegranate sweet tea. I left it in the underworld a little while ago. 

‘Did you learn anything?’ Ariadne asked. It sounded as if she was somewhere else with her thoughts.  

‘What I thought about king Minos was proven. And I once again realised that maybe I should not always go through with my strange ideas.’

‘At least someone was here this time. I can’t tell what that man would have done we hadn’t been there,’ Persephone mused. A little smile appeared on her face. ‘I wanted to come too. Honestly, I wanted to see if it would be better to kick him out. And well, that is more than proven. As soon as I can get rid of him, I will.’

Ariadne looked just as surprised as I felt. ‘They needed to be sons of Zeus, right? The judges?’ I asked. 

‘Yes. But that friend of yours is here now, too.’

‘Jason.’

‘The very one. I think we might have a job for him.’

---------------------------------------------------------------

‘Coming with you was my own idea,’ Ariadne told me when we were back in Camp half-blood. 

‘Ah,’ I said, while I nodded. 

‘I mean Dio didn’t ask me to come. I wanted it. I wanted to see how Minos would react to you, to see if he was really still like that.’

I nodded. ‘Well, so did I. Thanks for coming anyway.’

She nodded, although she didn’t smile. ‘I think it will be lunch soon.’

‘Eh... yeah. I think Dionysus is in the big house.’

‘Then I’ll go there.’

It was clear we were both too busy with our own thoughts. I said goodbye and went to the dining pavilion. Will would want to hear my story. I assumed Dionysus would already have heard it next time I saw him, which was, if I can be honest, a relief. 

A/N: I was originally going to do this with just one of the ladies but then I thought of this and it was good. 

Finals are over today which is good now on to results haha help

[fantasyoverreality98]

Desire

Pairing: Drake Walker x MC

Book: The Royal Romance

Prompt: day 04: mistakes for @choicesmonthlychallenge

Summary: Riley confesses her feelings to Drake.

Author’s Note: I started this a while ago, but the prompt helped me to figure out an ending and motivated me to finish it, so here we go! Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read, like, etc. (you know the drill) you guys motivate me to keep going!

Word Count: 2,600

-----

Ballroom music swelled, and Riley tried her best to focus on Liam.

This was why she was here. She was competing to win the prince.

But no matter how hard she tried, she kept glancing at the corner of the room. Her eyes locked with a pair of dark brown ones, and she saw Drake tense from across the room. He looked away and she felt her heart ache.

Do you think all of this…do you think it could’ve been different…between us?

It would’ve been different.

“Are you enjoying the ball, Lady Riley?” Liam’s warm breath caressed her ear, and she closed her eyes, imagining that she was in another person’s arms.

Riley nodded. “It’s lovely.”

The music ended, and the two of them parted ways. Drake was standing outside on the balcony, looking to the maze beyond the palace.

“Nice evening, huh?” Riley leaned against the doors, crossing her arms over her chest. She wanted to cross over to him more than anything.

Body tense, Drake turned to face her. “What are you doing?”

She frowned, taking a step closer. “What, I’m not allowed to talk to you now?”

“Brooks, you know that—” His attention shifted to behind her, and Drake took a step even further back, turning away with a sigh. “Go back inside. I’m sure Liam will want to spend more time with you.”

Riley took a step forward, her heels clicking on the stone. She began to reach out, but stopped, her hand hovering inches away from Drake’s shoulder. “Drake—”

He refused to look at her. “Just go back inside, Brooks.”

Chewing on her bottom lip, Riley considered staying. But she knew that there were too many people around. And once they caught on to the fact that the two of them were friends, that she wanted to be more than friends…

It would be game over.

Without a word, she twirled on her heels and walked back into the ballroom. Liam found her in an instant, leaning down to whisper in her ear that they should go somewhere for a bit. She followed him. She always did.

They fell into a familiar pattern, and Riley tried her best to forget about how much she wished that she was with someone else.

“I’ve been waiting to get away all night,” Liam mumbled, his lips brushing against her neck. He pulled back to look at her face, the excitement reflected in his brown eyes feeling like a knife through her heart.

Riley ran her hands through his hair, peering over his shoulder to see if anyone would come looking for them. Silence. They were alone. She sighed, letting Liam lead her further away from the ball.

This was the way things were meant to be. It was the way they must be.

---

Riley lay awake in her bed long after the ball had ended. She snorted quietly, staring up at the extravagant canopy. The closest she’d ever come to a bed like this back in New York had been when her parents decided to go for the nice hotel during one of their rare trips when she was a teenager. And even still, the mattress had somehow managed to keep her awake the entire trip.

The brief exchange with Drake kept replaying through her head, stuck in a constant loop. And then she thought of Liam, of his hands all over her, believing that they were the only two that mattered in those stolen moments. She closed her eyes and pressed her palms against her eyelids.

What was she doing?

Spending her nights thinking of Drake Walker, of Liam’s best friend, would never help her win. Riley was here for Liam. Liam. And he clearly had feelings for her.

Yet, she often found herself wandering to fantasies of the commoner. Someone like her. Someone who could understand how out of place it felt to be at these grand balls, to try their best not to curse in front of a noble when the only appropriate word that came to mind was shit or asshole.

Her guilt increased with every stolen glance in Drake’s direction. It wasn’t that Liam didn’t appeal to her at all, because how could she deny that life as a queen would far outweigh an ordinary life? But that had never been on her mind. When the group of four men came to the bar she worked at, she would’ve never guessed that one of them would be a prince. Not just a prince, but the future king.

Someone as sweet as Liam deserved better than her. He deserved someone who felt the same. If it were up to her, Riley would withdraw from the competition immediately. She would storm into Drake’s room right now and confess that she had feelings for him.

The only thing that kept Riley from making that grave mistake was the disappointment she could imagine receiving from Bertrand. Right now, it wasn’t just her own reputation at stake. If she followed her heart, if she gave in to her desires, if she abandoned all courtly etiquette that she already failed miserably at…House Beaumont would suffer. She could never be that selfish.

Shadows passed under her door, the dim light in the hallway enough for her to see that someone stood outside. Riley sat up, holding her breath. With a shaky inhale, she stood from the bed and crept across the room. She put her hand against the sturdy wooden door. The figure on the other side breathed steadily.

“Drake?” Her voice boomed in the silence.

Whoever stood on the other side of the door startled, and she watched the shadows withdraw. All Riley glimpsed when she threw the door open was a figure disappearing around the corner. No one else made any noise in the palace. Guards often patrolled the halls, but there didn’t seem to be any here right now.

Riley stepped into the hall, chewing on her bottom lip. It was foolish. It was completely irrational and stupid, but she found herself walking through the palace toward Drake’s room.

Just once. All she needed was to experience a moment with him just once, and then she would focus all her attention on Liam. No matter how much it might break her heart.

The door swung open before she reached it, and Drake looked down at her.

Neither of them said a word as they stared at each other. Riley could see that he was trying his best not to step closer. Finally, with a sigh of defeat, Drake reached out to touch her face.

Her eyes fluttered closed as he ran his fingers over her cheek, cupping her face in his hands. When mere inches separated their lips, a loud bang came from somewhere down another hallway.

Drake jolted, opening his mouth to say something, before he shook his head and quickly retreated into his room, slamming his door shut. Riley stood in shock for several moments. It wasn’t until she saw movement in the corner of her eye that she hurried down the hallways back to her room, closing her door with a quiet gasp.

Footsteps passed outside her room a minute later. With a sigh, Riley leaned against her bedroom door and slowly slid to the floor. She rested her forehead on her knees and thought back to the time in Lythikos when she’d chosen to follow Drake out into the snowstorm. That had been the first time he truly opened up to her. It had also been the moment she knew with certainty that he was the one she really wanted. She liked him.

Liam had caught her attention in New York, mainly because he possessed a great amount of charisma. But every moment after that night she had focused her attention on Drake. Whenever they found themselves in a room together, Riley couldn’t help but direct her gaze in the direction of the man who chose to wear denim to royal balls.

There was just something about Drake that caught Riley’s eye. His grumpy exterior often cracked, and she could see the true person behind the reserved front. Thoughts about how things could be if they’d met under different circumstances lingered in Riley’s head all night.

When sunlight streamed into her room, she was still sitting on the floor, thinking about Drake. The pressure of winning Liam’s affection weighed down heavy on her shoulders.

“Riley? You awake?” Maxwell’s voice was muffled through the door as he knocked. “I can hear you!”

She sighed, slowly rising to her feet. “Yes, I’m awake, Maxwell.” For a moment, she caught sight of her reflection in a mirror, and winced. It was not a pretty sight.

Maxwell pushed his way into the room, behaving like his usual cheerful self. He talked to her, but Riley had a hard time listening. She spent most of the day stuck in a daydream.

When night came around again, she was surprised to finally have nothing to do. Liam came knocking, asking for a date, but she declined, ready to spend the next few hours staring at her ceiling.

Until another knock pulled her from her thoughts.

“Who is it?” Riley called out, ready to send who she assumed was Maxwell away.

“It’s me.”

She shot up in her bed, fumbling for a proper outfit. “One second!”

Drake. It was Drake.

What was he doing here?

After scrambling around for a minute, Riley stumbled across the room to her door. She threw it open, the smallest part of her hoping that this would be the moment when he declared his love for her.

“Do you want to go out for a bit?” Drake’s hands were tucked into his jean pockets, his eyes looking anywhere but her face. “I was going to head out, so I figured you might want to come with me.”

Riley studied his face, her lips parting when she found herself staring at his mouth. She cleared her throat, crossing her arms over her chest. “Are you sure they’ll let us leave? Without an escort?”

Drake smirked, finally meeting her eyes. “What do they care what two commoners do?”

He had a point.

Seeing no better opportunity to spend time with him, she nodded. “Sure. Let’s go.”

Ten minutes later, the two of them walked side by side along the quiet Cordonian streets. No one really paid them much attention, much to Riley’s relief. She missed feeling like a normal person.

Once they reached a corner café, she turned to face Drake. He avoided looking at her once more, the tension in his shoulders obvious. Memories of the night before flashed in her mind, and Riley sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. There didn’t seem to be a better opportunity for her to have a serious discussion with him about what had happened.

“About last night—”

“Drop it, Brooks. I didn’t bring you out here to talk about that.” Drake hesitated a moment before his shoulders sagged, and he sighed. “I’m sorry. I just—Liam likes you, okay? He’s crazy about you. That means that you are off limits.”

Riley took a deep breath, stepping closer. She reached up to grab his face, forcing him to look at her. “What if I don’t want Liam?”

People inside the café were watching. Drake noticed, sighing before he grabbed her wrist and led her away from the prying eyes. Once they’d rounded the corner to a deserted street, he turned back to her. “You can’t say things like that. You’re here for Liam. Don’t forget that.”

She frowned, reaching out for him again. “I’m not here for Liam anymore, Drake.” Once, she had thought that she could do this, that life as a queen was something plausible. But ever since that night in Lythikos, her heart had slowly begun to desire another. And he was standing in front of her right now. “I’m here for you.”

Drake shivered at her words, closing his eyes. “You shouldn’t say things like that, Brooks.”

“And why not?”

“Because…” He opened his eyes again, frowning as he looked at her. “We can’t be together.”

The little bit of courage she’d had began to fade. Riley stepped back, trying to stop the tears that threatened to fall. She wanted to tell him that he was the one she wanted. Not Liam. Not any other noble.

Her heart belonged to Drake Walker.

Riley chewed on her bottom lip, turning her head away as she searched her mind for things to say. “I guess—maybe we should just head back to the palace then. People might start to look for me.” She started in the direction of the palace, facing away from him.

“Wait.” Drake’s voice was low, but she ignored it, knowing that it would just end with the same excuse. She’d been a fool to believe anything would change. “Riley.”

Her steps faltered. It was the first time he’d ever said her first name. Slowly, she turned back to face him, unsure of what to expect.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. They stood a couple feet away, watching each other, both afraid to speak the truth that hung between them.

So, they closed the distance instead. Riley threw her arms around his neck, pulling Drake into a kiss. His hands tightened on her hips as he kissed her back.

Anyone could pass by and see, but neither of them cared. Far too many weeks had passed with this unspoken attraction. Riley knew she wasn’t alone in her feelings. She knew that Drake had to feel the same way, that he’d been trying his best to keep his distance for a long time.

His stubble scratched her face, but Riley didn’t mind. She’d dreamed of this moment far longer than she wanted to admit. For weeks, this had been on her mind, haunting her body and soul. When Liam touched her, she wished it was Drake.

Now, she finally had him. Even if just for a moment.

Drake’s breath was hot against hers, his teeth briefly grazing her lip as they kissed without hesitation. Any worries about what might await them at the palace vanished as Riley held him in her arms.

It wasn’t until a loud noise interrupt them that the two separated. Heat rushed to her face at the way Drake looked at her. Riley cleared her throat, straightening her appearance before she turned and walked away without a word.

For the rest of the trip back to the palace, they walked side by side, their hands brushing every few steps. Once the palace was within sight, the two of them put some distance between themselves.

“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow,” Drake said once they reached Riley’s bedroom. He cleared his throat, looking down at her. “Sorry we didn’t actually go anywhere.”

“It’s fine.” She couldn’t resist herself with him so close. Riley stood on her toes, pressing one last soft kiss to his lips.

A quiet gasp echoed in the hallway, and she jerked in surprise, bumping her forehead on Drake’s nose. He winced, taking a step back.

“What the—” Maxwell’s voice was deafening in the quiet hall, and he quickly clamped a hand over his mouth, watching the two with wide eyes.

And suddenly it was clear. Some mistakes could never be erased, no matter how hard someone tried. There was no more hiding the truth of her feelings.

Riley tried to swallow the lump in her throat as she turned to face Maxwell, finally accepting it was time to confess her secret.

[skgway]

1823 July, Tues. 22

7

12

1/2 hour in in the stable talking to the plasterer, and afterwards in the cow-house – Letter from M– [Mariana] (Lawton) dated yesterday,

“last Tuesday in coming downstairs my foot slipped and I fell down and sprained my right shoulder, till Saturday I was unable to use my arm at all, and even today I feel writing painful. xxxx has been my amanuensis but I am fearful of her, acting that part to you, lest you should fancy me worse than I really am” –

She thinks I “have exaggerated” her “feelings” on the subject of my last letter, “more than” her “letter warranted” – She seems to keep to her old opinions, yet so modifies them, that as she observes “to enter more upon the subject could do no good, therefore we had better drop it” –

She adds ‘I have never doubted your faith tho I have your prudence’ Wishes me to be circumspect. ‘I have a feeling on the subject which no earthly power can remove, and great as the misery which it would entail upon myself might be, I would endure it all rather than the nature of our connection should be known to any human being’ 

She had before observed that when she complained of my attentions to Miss Maclean I had owned they were foolish. I really don't remember this  – Both Isabella and Charlotte told her last summer I did Mrs. M[ilne] harm –

Letter also from Miss Henrietta C– [Crompton] (Esholt hall) Disappointed at my not going – The Gilbert C– [Crompton]s still there – To stay till tomorrow – 4 pages the ends, under the seal, and the top of page 1 crossed – Miss Fawkes of Farnley speedily to be married to Sir Edward Barnes, governor general of Ceylon – She is to go out with him almost immediately –  

“young Kaye is soon to marry Miss Arbuthnot with £60,000 – Accomplished and pretty, but I should hope weak for accepting him” –  “Pray read ‘Quintin Durward’ it is charmingly interesting, I think superior to Peveril”

The C– [Crompton]s are going to woodend – They are to be at Leeds as today to see the exhibition –  “Dr. Camidge has had a serious dispute with Mr. Greatorex where or how he is to stand” at the approaching musical festival –

Wrote the above of today, and went down to breakfast at 9 1/2 – At 10 3/4 in spite the perpetual showers (very rainy all last night) set off to H–x [Halifax] – A heavy shower at the top of the cunnery lane lasted till I stopt at Mrs. Wilcock’s door – Went in for 2 or 3 minutes to ask Miss Pickford if she would allow me to drive her to Haughend – (George rode Percy) – The Priestleys and Astleys, 2 Miss Butlers staying in the house, and Mr. John Edwards of Pyenest, all assembled in the drawing room soon after our arrival –

Sir John gave me 3 franks, for Mrs. Norcliffe tomorrow and for Miss Henrietta C– [Crompton] and Mr. Marsh on Thursday – Gave Mrs. H[enry] P– [Priestley] Mr. Marsh’s letter to read, and she instantly and handsomely gave me her name as a subscriber to Miss King’s poems – Lady A[stley] would have done the same, but Sir John, on reading the letter thought there was a particular etiquette to be attended to in these sort of applications – That he, as member for the county of Wiltshire, ought to have been applied to at home (at Everley) –

The printed names of the subscribers he knew well – Knew many of the people mentioned intimately – If Mr. Marsh applied to him, he would be happy to put his name down – Would be happy to do anything to oblige him – I might hint this when I wrote – Sir John had said I might hint this, before I asked his permission (it was granted) to tell Mr. M– [Marsh] that, if the thing was named to Sir John) I knew he would be a subscriber – The recent but worthy baronet took some pains to assure me, there was a certain etiquette in these matters, as member for the county, necessary to be attended to – He knew I was aware of this etc. etc. –

At this moment (5 p.m.) I am quietly smiling at all this importance – It might be a subscription for raising a Wilshire corps of volunteers, or for some great concern of vital consequence to the interests of the county and its members; instead of a 5-shilling subscription to a small volume of poems, published for the benefit of a poor girl and her family, reduced to indigence by agricultural speculations! ‘Tis but a little trait, but yet how biograph of Sir John! 

On coming away, it was more than I expected to hear lady A– [Astley] invite me to Everley with seeming cordiality – I might visit Mr. Marsh – Winterslow was only (16 or 20 miles I forgot which) distant from them (the A– [Astley]s) and they would be very happy to see me – They are not to have Haughend till the 11th of next month; of course, therefore, I expressed my hope of seeing them again –

The 2 Miss B– [Butlers] are vulgar looking girls – Miss A– [Astley] seemed much at home with them – Appearances made no very individual distinctions between them – I suppose his contested election cost Sir John £70,000; and he has 12 or 14 thousands a year – Lady A– [Astley] said to me when I dined there, “Sir John is of a very old family – They were barons in the time of tilts and tournaments” – Does not the present importance of the house of Everley restless upon the manners than the money of the family? Perhaps their county is yet but young – But they are very civil to me, and little ween this ink shed of my pen –

From Haughend drove to Mill-house – Gave Mrs. W[illiam] H[enry] R– [Rawson] the letter to read she said something about hoping I was not begging for a subscription – There were so many subscriptions – With their family . . . . . . . but, seeing it was only 5 /. [shillings] said she never thought of my asking for anything less than a guinea, and handsomely enough gave me her name – Wanted to give me the money but this, of course, must be paid when the book is received – Saw 8 of the children (there are 10), and drove off to Thorpe –

Gave Mrs. J[ohn] Priestley the letter to read – She hummed and ahed, asked what Miss King – If she was related to the Kings of Wakefield – It was a long way off – Many charities at home – Of course, I agreed – Said it was quite enough if she had taken the trouble to read the letter, and instantly turned the subject – Which must have been a relief to her, as she had turned red, and might have hammered and stammered a little longer but for my ready consideration –

I guessed their dinner was waiting – and after staying a few minutes drove off – Made no remark on the subject to Miss P– [Pickford] marvelling, however then, as now, that she never once named the thing, or made the least offer to subscribe – How can this be? They say, or I fancy Miss P– [Pickford] has seven-hundred a year – She must be poor – Perhaps all she can spare is given to her friend Miss Threlfall – Yet not 5 /. [shillings] for an occasion like this! Many people can do what I think I could not – I know the value of money as well as most; but ‘tis the dross of gold, and may it never draw its dirty line along my spirit! –

Talked a little of Miss Threlfall as connected with beauty, flirting sentimentality, etc. Real refinement of sentiment perhaps almost peculiar to the lettered mind – At all events I could not concede it to a flirt – Wondered Miss Threlfall had never married. ‘She must have had some good offers’. Miss P[ickford] made no answer. I did not like to look full in her face but soon after said, ‘Forgive me, it is a very odd thing to say, but you are the last person in the world I should ever have thought of marrying. Tho you are very agreeable and I like your society I cannot fancy you making anyone happy in married life.’ ‘I forgive you,’ said she. 

‘Have you’, I asked, ‘any objection to my making such a speech?’ She answered ‘no’. ‘I thought so’, said I. Convinced by her manner it was the thing to suit her, and persuaded that the connection between her and Miss Threlfall is most probably what I have all along suspected. The persuasion struck me. I laughed and said, ‘I can outwit you. I have more worldly nous than you.’ Said she, ‘I often think so.’ We smiled and parted. She must guess to what I alluded –

She had told me Doctor Macbride was not happy he married because he was young and his wife coquetted. In fact, he is a lettered man of fine and warm feelings which his wife cannot emulate or return. His good principles make him try to be happy, but he cannot. His wife is odd like a gentlewoman but not stylish not talenty. Her oddity is not of the gentle feminine king [kind] – 

Got home at 3 after setting down Miss P– [Pickford] at Mrs. Wilcock’s door – Talking to my uncle and aunt – With the latter in the stable for a little while – Came upstairs at 4 3/4 – Wrote all the last page and so far of this which took me till 6 –

Did nothing in the evening – Came upstairs at 9 at which hour Barometer 1 1/2 degree below changeable Fahrenheit 57 1/2º – Rainy day – Fair and tolerably fine in the evening (vide the last line of page 74) –

At 9 1/2 sat down to write – Filled 1/2 a sheet to Mrs. N– [Norcliffe] to ask if she would have 1/2 a bed to spare for me in her house in Petergate, during the festival, and told her the news I had this morning from Miss Henrietta C– [Crompton]. Then wrote 3/4 of a 1/2 sheet to Mr. Marsh – the following is what I have written about the subscription 

“Shibden Thursday 24 July 1823 

My dear Mr. Marsh – I received your letter on Sunday, and an only assure you, it is one of the most unlikely things in the world, that I should think any application you write can or will make, “impertinent” in any sense of the word. It will always give me real pleasure to do anything that can at all oblige you; more particularly when an obligation is, in fact, conferred on myself, thro’ the satisfaction that one always feels in doing the good, however small, which may be in our power – 

As far as I am individually concerned, your simple request would have been enough; but I can say this much for myself alone, and am sorry to add, that my intercourse with my neighbors is too limited, – too infrequent, – to give me any claim upon them in behalf even of so meritorious a young person while she is so distant and unknown –

I had a letter from Miss Marsh the other day, in which she mentioned having got you 48 subscribers – The paltry addition I can make, might not be named even with the widow's mite – But will you put down my uncle’s name and my aunt’s for one copy each, and my own for two copies?” –––– 

Unless my mind changes, I shall not trouble my neighbors much about subscriptions, however small – I shall explain the thing to Mrs. Henry Priestley – To Mrs. W[illiam] H[enry] Rawson, I shall probably never name it – It will be forgotten or if thought of at all, Mrs. R– [Rawson] with all her family may be well enough pleased to save her 5 /. [shillings] so easily –

[bittersweetmelxdy]

I wanted to say I love your stories and HC. Just read Gavin's AU prologue. I really like this series. I wanted to ask if you can write a continuation of this story where main character is pregnant and Gavin's dad tell her he needs a grandson as in his thinks only "son should inherit everything and girls are worthless etc etc". But Gavin fights his dad as he will love the child no matter of their gender ? It's ok if you need time or you don't like the idea. Take care, Stay blessed 😘

Thanks dear for the praise, so here it is, the much awaited 3rd part to this series (that may need a name eventually), although the situation is very fluffy for Gavin and MC, sadly due to Gavin’s father (hateful man) this does have about 2tbsp of angst in here. That being said, I hope you like this

Title: to be the bearer of bad newsPairing: Gavin x MCWords: 1,853

Ever since the pregnancy announcement in the pavilion, it now felt like you had obtained a second shadow. Gavin somehow hadn’t left your side since the news had broken, either he was with you doing whatever you wanted to do, or he had you sat within sight range whilst he performed his duties. You often sat on the benches in the pavilion watching the recruits train whilst Gavin threw glances at you from his post as overseer. You laughingly had told Gavin when he worried over you that he had nothing to worry about, you would just sit back “and increase” (Gavin for some reason didn’t find this as funny as you did). You splayed your fingers across your swollen stomach, drumming your fingers lightly against the muslin of your dress. Closing your eyes, you could still remember the day you first felt what most matrons had referred to as “the quickening”, you had been sitting with Gavin in his study, him being behind his desk working on paperwork and you sat reclined on the sofa he had installed after the broken foot incident. The two of you had been working away quietly at your separate pursuits, when you felt it. You immediately gasped and started to sniffle in the joy at feeling your little one stirring in your belly. Gavin’s head whipped up in your direction, and at the sounds of your cries was quickly at your side, soothing you and trying to ascertain what you were feeling and how to fix it. Struggling through your tears, you began to giggle, further confusing your panicked husband, but you managed to finally get your point across when you clutched his hand and pressed it firmly against your stomach.

“It happened, Gavin.” your free hand cradled his face.

Gavin realising your predicament, his eyes widened and with he pressed a kiss against the soft cotton of your dress that covered your stomach, “Our child, our precious baby.” he whispered reverently.

“My Lady?” Kiki softly asked, knocking her knuckles against the wood of the pavilion, rousing your gently from your train of thoughts and back to the present.

“Yes, Kiki?” you answered, folding your hands atop your stomach.

“Lord Qi’s carriage was spotted approaching the drive.” she replied.

You frowned, not remembering if Lord Qi had mentioned he was coming to call on you, “We’ll be there soon, please direct him to the daylight room we’ll receive him there.” Kiki smiled and curtsied before returning to the house.

Kiki leaving the pavilion, alerted Gavin, and after dismissing the squad he and Minor made their way in to check on you. Once he was close enough to you, Gavin sat next to you, his arm wrapped around your form to caress you shoulder.

“Are you well Love?” he asked gently.

“Yes, Kiki just informed me that your father’s carriage was seen entering the estate.” you informed him, smiling sweetly at him.

Gavin frowned but gently helped you to your feet, and although you felt perfectly capable to stand on you own, you thought better than to argue with your protective husband. Minor hovered behind the two of you, as Gavin slowly escorted you back to the main house, but he quickly made sure to the run in front of the two of you to gallantly open the door for the two of you. You thanked Minor for his service, and you had to stifle your giggles into your hand at how Minor almost preened at the thanks you and Gavin bestowed upon him. Entering the daylight room, the two of you were quite happy to know that you had preceded your unexpected guest. Gavin had settled you on the couch, which was a light blue with white trimmings, matching the blue and white wallpaper of the room, hence why you had named it the daylight room, as along with the sky-themed colour scheme the room also featured large bay windows allowing for maximum light. Gavin had barely sat down; before you could hear a muffled shouting happening in the normally serene hallways. Your eyes widened and looked to Gavin in concern, but his jaw only tightened, and his hand clutched yours tightly, as if he was gripping a lifeline.

“Lord Qi, Milady, Milord.” Minor huffed breathlessly, bowing as Lord Qi pushed past him, and he carefully closed the door behind him.

The silence stretched on between the three of you, and endeavouring to break the tension you smiled slightly at your father-in-law, “Forgive me for not standing, I’m a little indisposed at the present time.” You gestured to your stomach.

“Yes, I heard about your... condition.” you felt a shiver run down your spine as Gavin’s father paused before the word ‘condition’, and the coldness in his tone.

“Why are you here?” Gavin spat out at his father.

“You never did show true respect to your elders did you?” Lord Qi, glared at his son, “I came with ask what you plan to do if it’s not a boy, as I’m sure you are probably entertaining some fantasy about not caring if the babe is a son or not.”

You were in shock, Gavin jumped to his feet, and in a moment, you worried if he would strike his own father, “I beg your pardon!” you voice wavered in panic.

“Of course, daughters are of no use to the family unless they are preceded by boys, seeing as they would inherit nothing.” he sneered at you, and you gasped in shock, casting a glance at your husband who’s hands just tightened into fists until his knuckles were white and his hands were shaking, “Although I worry for any heir you produce, with an Evol-less disappointment for a father, one can only expect an equally useless son.”

A deafening slap was heard echoing off the wall of the bright room, before silence reigned between you.

“How dare-” Lord Qi began.

“You forget yourself, Lord Qi.” you sneered the title, “As my family had only one child and that child was me, so as your daughter through marriage I would assume that daughters are of some use to  family, though not in the same way as boys.”

“You-!” Lord Qi took a step towards you, and you reciprocated, leaving yourself a couple of inches in front of Gavin.  

“And no matter what you think, I am proud of Gavin as the father of my children, no matter whether they be an heir or not. “

“You insolent child!” Lord Qi raised his hand, and in an instant Gavin had you safely in his embrace and his hand was wrapped tightly around his father’s wrist.

“You really are scum, if you were just about to raise your hand against an increasing woman.” Gavin’s honey-eyes steeled in resolve.

“Stand down Gavin, I can still disinherit you.” Lord Qi stated as if to get a physical reaction from Gavin, the tone of his voice made you sick.

“Go ahead, this estate was gifted to me by the King himself, and if you want to weather the public scrutiny of disowning your son, who is the top general in the King’s army, by all means go ahead... Father.” Gavin addressed his father devoid of emotion, but you could fell his hand trembling at your side.

Gavin flung his Father’s hand from his grasp in clear disgust, “Leave now Father, and don’t bother coming back, you are not welcome.”

“You unfilial, ungrateful child, your child will never be acknowledged by the family.” Lord Qi spat before quitting the room and slamming the door with a resounding bang.

Once he was gone, Gavin turned you, by pushing at your hips until you were facing him, his bangs covered his eyes, and he had a tight grip on your hips.

“Love, I’m so sorry you had to see that, are you well?” he asked his voice barely above a whisper and thick with emotion.

Your eyes flooded with tears, and you carefully navigated the two of you back to the sofa, and with prompting, Gavin eased you down, to sit, still keeping his eyes shrouded by his bangs. Your hands shook as you slowly reached up and held Gavin’s between your hands. Knowing how hard Gavin must be taking the unexpected visit of his father, you caressed his cheeks with your thumbs trying to coax him into looking up at you.  

“Gavin, it’s okay, we’re okay.” You soothed releasing his face with one hand to rest it on your stomach.  

This apparently had the opposite effect you were hoping to achieve, Gavin sighed and then brought you in closer, tighter, as if hoping he could meld the two of you into one body. He buried his face into your neck, and you felt and heard his shuddering breaths over your shoulder. A couple tears spilled from your eyes, as you carded your hands through Gavin’s soft tresses, hushing his breathless, choked breaths that had you convinced he was trying not to sob.  

“It’s… It’s…. It’s not…” Gavin started.  

“Gavin breathe, it’s fine, you’re safe, I’m here.” You replied keeping your voice soft.  

“I thought I was braver than this…that he couldn’t hurt me anymore, but I’m still that scared little boy when it comes to him.”  

You couldn’t believe Gavin was beating himself up about his father, from the few conversations the two of you had about his father, you knew live in the Qi household was very difficult for Gavin. But he wasn’t to blame, your strong, protective husband, with a heart so full of love, was definitely, in no way at all to blame for whatever pain and suffering his father had intentionally caused in your household.

“Gavin, what you did just then was nothing less than brave, you protective me and the baby, and I’m sure our little one is very proud of their brave, brave father.” you pulled away, to Gavin’s protest, and gently placed his hand atop your stomach, and as if your little one knew their father needed comfort, Gavin felt a soft thud against his hand.

“Love was that-?” Gavin’s eyes were wide with child-like wonder.

“Our baby, yes Gavin, and let them be evidence that I will NEVER love you less, or feel you are anything but the most amazing man with the biggest heart and I’m so glad I married you.” You locked eyes with Gavin, hoping to convey the sheer amount of emotion you felt for him.

Gavin’s eyes softened, and tears spilled over, and he linked his arms around your hips burying his face in your stomach, and sobs began to rack his body. Finally, after years of suppressing the buried emotions caused by a rocky relationship with his family, he was now in a safe, loving environment and was finally able to let go and release everything. Knowing how much Gavin needed this, you continued to card your hand through his hair, soothing him as the man you loved broke down, and the sounds of his broken sobs were the only sounds echoing as he was at last surrounded by a loving family.

[colorseeingchick]

Hello!! Can I get a Knb matchup? My preferred gender is male! I’m Infj 2w1 Capricorn. I have chest length dark hair with round eyes, and I usually wear girly outfits! People around me think that I am calm, mature and kind. I think this is because I'm reluctant to express negative feelings directly. I feel most rewarded when I am helpful to others. I'm good at listening to them for a long time and encouraging them by saying positive things. But I also seem a little reserved because I actually don't talk much about myself. I think my strength is that I am intelligent and sincere. I am a student who focuses on studying quietly at school with a small group of friends. I'm good at remembering things, so I can easily remember useful things while I can't easily forget bad things at the same time. I sometimes become overly serious since I tend to think about trivial things unnecessarily for a long time😂 I'm very good at spending time alone and I have bunch of indoor hobbies (like watching movies, drawing, reading etc..) I can even play card games ALONE when I'm too bored! Thank you💖

Hello dear! I match you with an underrated (and uncrowned) king

Kiyoshi Teppei!!!

You and Kiyoshi as a couple would be opposites that complimented each other. He’d adore you and be so soft for you, while you’d be supported and comforted by him at all points in time. You and Kiyoshi’s mbti are also an ideal match (he’s an ENFP).This is gonna be such a soft matchup AAAH I’m so excited.

Everything about you made you a perfect candidate to be a team manager. And with your good friend Riko being the coach, you were a perfect completion to Seirin’s team. When she agreed to be the coach her first year, she asked you to join as well. And while you were reluctant to join because you didn’t know any of the boys, you decided to go for it.

That’s when you met him. The founder of the team - a tall, handsome, charming man, Kiyoshi Teppei. He was glad to know he had a capable manager (he’d heard good things) and he looked forward to working with you. Those were his first words to you. You nodded and smiled, returned the ‘I look forward to working with you too,’ before leaving. You missed the way his eyes lingered on you while walking out though.

“Don’t be creepy, Teppei,” Hyuga would scold him.

“Ah, sorry, that wasn’t my intention! I promise.” He was a bit flustered at being caught, but he was just dazed thinking about how cute you were.

He’d slowly learn you were more perfect than he imagined. With a captain like Hyuga and a coach like Riko, the boys often felt a bit attacked. But your sweet encouragement kept the boys motivated, and they knew that if they had a problem, they could come to you to vent about it (they’d be scared to tell Riko or Hyuga directly) and you were quick to problem solve. Your strong memory helped with logistics and game planning. You were also a model student with good grades, acting as a good influence on your club members. On top of all that, you genuinely enjoyed helping the team and its members. Kiyoshi saw all of this. As someone who considered the entire team as close friends who he cared for dearly, his heart leapt when he saw you care for them similarly. He’d sometimes fish for your praise because he liked it so much. He always knew you would only say things you really meant, and that made it so much better.

He fell for you a lot quicker than he’d like to admit. He realized it was more than friendship and a lot more like a crush when the team got together for the first time outside of practice. You were so pretty as is, but the way you dressed, walking through the gym doors, Kiyoshi thought you were even cuter. He actually got smacked in the head with a basketball, smashing onto the ground, because he got so distracted staring at you. Did Hyuga do it intentionally? The world will never know. You obviously ran over and asked if he was okay, and he said no (even though he was fine) so Riko asked you to take him to the side and treat him. He just wanted alone time with you and Riko knew that, but she played along anyways.

He just looked up at you as you turned his head with your hands, checking for bruising or swelling.

“I think you look okay. Is there anything I can do to make it better?”

“If you went out with me on a date, I think that’d make me feel much better.”

You blinked at him, in absolute SHOCK because, oh my gosh, what did he just say? I don’t think he really planned to say that either - it just came out his mouth - because he immediately started apologizing.

“Oh my, I’m so so sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking, that was too forward, I should’ve-”

He’d be surprised when you put a hand on his arm and said his name quietly to cut him off.

“I’ll go on a date with you, if you still want that…”

Kiyoshi had the goofiest grin on his face and turned a bit red as he stood up and lightly grabbed your shoulders, saying thank you and that he’d take good care of you.

It was basically history from there. He tried to woo you and impress you as much as possible on the first few dates, and with him being the absolute gentleman he was, it worked. You were his, and he never planned on letting you go.

As a couple, Kiyoshi knew what you were like and always wanted to take care of you more than he already did. He knew you weren’t one to talk about the bad stuff going on in your life, and didn’t talk about yourself much. But he’d try and get as much information out of you as possible- he wanted to know you better ! And when he knew you didn’t want to say more, that was fine. He’d try and learn by observing you. What types of food did you like? What colors did you pick the most often? What made you upset, and what made you happy? He’d internalize all of it so he could know you without having to ask all that info of you. But don’t get me wrong, if he thought you were sad or frustrated, he’d ask you to vent and he’d always comfort you even if you didn’t want to say a word. He was well aware you got into your own head with how seriously you thought about things, so his ‘just relax and enjoy’ mentality would calm you down and bring you out of your own head.

On the team, it was a running joke that you two acted like a married couple because of how mature you both were. The joke always had Kiyoshi blushing like crazy and would fluster you a bit as well. It didn't help that you both remembered all sorts of random moments where you seemed like a married couple while working with the team, and the amount you remembered always impressed Kiyoshi. He knew you remembered some bad stuff too (not necessarily from your time with him, so he’d try and override those memories by making new ones. He loved to be with you at his home or yours. Watching movies together or reading in silence was a lot of your “couple time.” He just loved being by you. And if you wanted time alone, that was okay, too. As long as he got to check up on you and know that you were okay, it was more than enough for the man who loved you so much.

~~~

Hello 2w1 Capricorn Anon (I'm sorry i have no idea what else to call you HAHA) I hope you see this :3 . Please let me know if you liked it! You seem like an absolute sweetheart. Have a good day dear :)

[modernagesomniari]

Fic ‘I am Changed’

Part of the Mala Suledin Nadas Series (Eli Lavellan).  You can read it on AO3 here.

The parallels between In Hushed Whispers and Solas' situation have always made me unneasy (which shows good writing tbh) but I wanted to explore how different Eli and Solas' attitudes are towards this sort of thing, how it's a natural part of who they are, which is why they'll oppose each other eventually.

PG-13, ~1750 words

I Am Changed

It was the new sparkly kid who told them what had happened, not their Eli.  This was the first thing that set off the warning bells in Varric’s head.  The second thing was that, within minutes of Dorian starting the story, she’d quietly warned him off exaggeration.  The third thing was that he then did what she asked.  In Varric’s opinion, men like this one didn’t tone down their exaggerations for anything.  He should know.

Not that wasn’t like Eli to be quiet - she’d spent a good deal of the first week or so barely saying a word unless you spoke to her first, but Varric could understand that.  She’d just been thrown into a situation so far from anything she’d experienced, anyone with any brains at all would take a few days to take the lay of the land before they started throwing their weight around.  She’d picked up about day eight, starting to initiate conversation and get to know her new surroundings.  Cheered right up, if he was honest, he couldn’t fault her strength.

This was different.  She was sat in the circle they’d made around the camp fire down the King’s Road from Redcliffe.  None of them had particularly wanted to stay in the town, so they’d kept walking and camped halfway between the town and the camp.  Once the sun had set and they’d eaten, inevitably they’d asked what had happened.  She was playing with a piece of leather in her hands, twisting it and tangling it only to thread her tiny fingers through it and smooth it out before starting all over again.  She watched the fire, something violent in the way it reflected in her huge green eyes, but there was nothing on her face.  This had moved her, deeply.

He kept his eyes on her as he listened, mostly horror struck, at what Dorian was telling them.  The red lyrium clenched his gut, but the new kid’s description of who they found and how was worse, far worse.  Poor Leliana.  It was a sobering thought, the idea that a world where he himself was dead had existed.  Not for long it seemed (only it had also lasted a year?  Only it hadn’t?  There was no way he was going to be able to put this into any book, was there?), but still the reality of it was a cold slap in the face.  No one liked imagining a world where they were dead.  Eli, apparently, had seen and experienced it.  Watched some of them die.

It was only when Dorian was finishing the story, trying to tell them that it was all ok, that they’d found the amulet, sent themselves back, none of it ever happened, it was all a bad dream etc etc that Eli looked up, something wrong and fierce in her eyes now.

“It wasn’t just a bad dream, Dorian.”

Her voice was low, but something about it quietened the whole damn camp.

“Well it might as well be.  Otherwise I’d have to live with the reality the whole rest of my life and nightmares do play havoc with age lines…”

“We can’t just pretend it all didn’t happen because it’s easier.”

Now her voice was raised and she’d sat up, leather clenched tightly in her fist.  “Dorian.  It happened.”

“Technically, no it…”

“Yes.  It did.  To us.  If it hadn’t happened, we wouldn’t be here.  Alexius still sent us forward and then we came back, so if it hadn’t happened, we’d still be gone.  And then it would have happened.”

Varric considered himself a clever sort of bastard, but he was having trouble keeping up.  There was something frustrated but pained in Sparkler’s face.

“I see your point.  But that doesn’t change the fact that they don’t fit into this world any more.  For us to be here now means they never have to exist.”

“That doesn’t mean they didn’t exist.  Just because they don’t fit anymore doesn’t mean they didn’t exist when we were there.”

Andraste’s ass but there were tears in her eyes now, not falling but glinting just enough in the firelight he knew they were there.  He could never stand it when people cried, damn it.

“Then where are they?  I know you think I’m being cowardly about this, but what do you want me to do?  Cassandra is sitting right here.  Solas has as impeccable a skin routine as when I first met him, not a red vein to be seen.”

“So they didn’t die?  Is that what you’re saying to me?”

Varric definitely preferred it when she’d raised her voice to this quiet fury she’d switched to now.

“I didn’t say…”

“But that’s what you want to believe.  What’s easier to believe.  They died, Dorian.  They died so that we could come back.  And they were real.”

She shook her head, her face crumpling slightly as she couldn’t keep the tears in anymore.  The brokenness of her voice did nothing to the ferocity in her eyes as she stood across the fire from Dorian, not flinching even as the tears ran down her face.  “I am changed, Dorian.  Their fight, their death, their sacrifice.  They have changed me.  And I am real.  So they are, too.  Think me foolish for mourning them if you must, but I will.  And I will not forget.”

She turned, refusing to wipe her eyes but clearly not wanting them to see any more.  They let her go.  Silence fell over the fire as they all watched her take herself to sit on a rock at the edge of camp, looking down the ravine at the hinterlands below.  No one said anything.  It made Varric respect the new Tevinter mage slightly, that he just nodded solemnly and poured himself another drink rather than try and continue to fight his corner now he had no opposition.  As for Varric, he took a sip of his own drink before casting a quick look around the fire.  Most people were staring into their cups, uncomfortable and pensive.  One of the few who wasn’t was Solas, who was looking after where Eli had gone like he couldn’t look away, something unreadable but deeply uneasy in the expression on his face.  Varric’s inner alarm bells started going off again.  This didn’t bode well.

“Was it so bad?” The Seeker asked after a while.  Clearly tired, Sparkler just shrugged and nodded.

“I know what you look like after being speared by a Terror demon, if that paints a picture.  And I’ve seen the difference between human and elven eyes when exposed to truly horrific amounts of red lyrium, which tops it all off nicely.”

“There’s a difference?” Varric asked, immediately wondering why he always asked questions he didn’t want the answer to.  Dorian’s gaze was slightly haunted to match his hollow laugh.

“Elves are apparently more susceptible, or perhaps it’s just the same thing that makes their eyes glow at night.  I don’t know.”

He took another swig of his hip flask before gesturing over to Solas.  “You were a bloody breath of fresh air.  Barely had to explain anything - caught on quick as a whip.  Have you known her long?”

Solas looked as confused by the last question as Varric felt, eyebrows drawn together as he shook his head.  “No.  Didn’t think so.  You get on though, don’t you?”

“If you are suggesting some sort of elf connection…”

“No.  No I’m not.  It’s just…”

Dorian paused, flicking his gaze over to the silhouette that was Eli, back at Solas and then back at the fire.  Finally he just shrugged.  “Oh, she’ll tell you if she wants to.  If I were either of you, though, I’d find a few moments on the journey back to Haven to remind her you are both, in fact, still alive.  She took your deaths pretty hard.”

No one said anything after that.  No one really moved either.  Varric wondered what it was - the horror, the reality of this Elder One, or just the realisation that their Herald wasn’t strong because she was all-powerful, but because she didn’t let her fragility shatter her.  She would mourn, she would let her heart break for this world that should never have been and then she would allow it to make her stronger.  Varric had seen it before, watched a person take more pain than he thought possible and turn it right back into fierce determination and unshakeable loyalty.  Maker’s balls, but he was going to get in way over his head again, wasn’t he?

Solas got up first, quiet and graceful, stepping around them all as he angled towards the tents.  Varric watched him go, wondering at what Dorian had said and hoping that what he suspected was going to happen wasn’t going to.  Because he’d been there before, too, and there was nothing there but hurt, he knew it.  So some part of him started silently willing Solas to keep heading towards the tents, even as he watched him slow down.  Knew that there was a suspicious squint to his eyes as he watched Solas draw to a halt, looking over at where Eli was sat at the other side of camp.  Felt something release as he turned away, back to the tents and clench right up again when he hesitated.  If a low ‘Don’t you dare, Chuckles’ left his mouth under his breath, he couldn’t be blamed.

His heart sank as Solas changed his mind again, something reluctant in his gait even as he turned once more towards Eli and started walking towards her like it was despite himself.  Honestly, Varric would almost say that the man was even more irritated at himself than Varric was for not being able to leave her.  He watched him hesitate one more time, just behind her, before he took one more step forward and sat close beside her.

Varric couldn’t hear what they were saying.  Knew damn well that he wouldn’t be wanted there even if he could.  He watched her body sway slightly before she let it lean gently against Solas’ arm and his heart was heavy enough he actually sighed into his ale as he watched that arm come up around her shoulders, pulling her in.  Damn that man for being an idiot, damn Eli for being, well, Eli and damn himself for seeing so much and caring even more.  He’d seen this play out in Kirkwall, seen it a thousand times in every tale of every hero in Thedas.

There was no way this was going to end well.

[desiraypark]

Love in Writing [Chapter Four]

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Chapter Three: Confession Content: Angst; fluff; love-triangle; references to military life. Note: It’s not mentioned in this chapter, but I’ve decided to name the royals’ home city “Jediah” (jeh-dye-uh). So, Finn, Darla, Ben, etc. live in the city of Jediah, in the country of Alderaan.  ____________________ Darling Darla,

I’m sorry for taking so long to get back to you. Things have not been easy for me during this second round of training. Duties are simpler, but I fear that thoughts of you and what’s going on have been a distraction. I can barely think these days. On the brighter side, resentment within my unit seems to have dissipated. Gone is “General Okani’s kid” or the nickname “Sir Alderaan”. Now, among my mates, I’m just “Finn”. My superiors still rag on me, but not as much as before.    These days, after our training and other daily duties, we return to our barracks in the evening and are freer to go out among civilians. We frequent nightclubs, parties, and even picture shows. Who would have thought? You should attend one, Darla--they’re not as bad as the nobles of Jediah claim. In fact, I think I’d much prefer them to the theater. The movies reflect a world that exists beyond our ranks. I look forward to your next letter, Darla. And as always, I love you very much. All My Love, Finn PS: Please tell your grandfather that I much enjoyed my peach cobbler and fear that I already crave another. 

“How’s your girl?” Slip looked up from his magazine to ask. Finn smiled and folded his letter. “Alright, I suppose.” “She still giving the guy hell?” Finn laughed and nodded. “So, it seems. She’s resorted to silence, now.” “Ah,” Slip grinned. “Nothing scarier than a quiet woman.” “Any letters from your wife?” Finn asked. He placed his letter in an envelope and rested it on his nightstand for the time being. Slip pursed his lips and shook his head. “Nope.” He fell back on his bed. “Sounds like she’s just giving me permission to stray.” “No,” Finn interjected, shaking his head. “Don’t do that, man. Just give her some time.” Slip sighed. “Yeah, I’ll try.” He turned on his side to face Finn. “What about you, man? I think you should--you know. Have a little fun yourself. Your girl’s being courted, granted by a dickhead. A few dates won’t hurt you,” Slip suggested. “No, I’m alright, Slip. Honestly. I can manage. Besides, I am gonna get my girl back.”

“From your mouth to King Luke’s ears. Or Prime Minister Tico, I guess,” Slip resigned. 

____________________

“You two enjoy your evening,” Amala beamed. “Thank you, Mrs. Teven. I will have her home by 10,” Ben said with a smile. Darla had long glided to Ben’s car. She tugged on the door and climbed inside, as Ben said goodbye to her parents. With frowns, Amala and Dekari watched their daughter shut herself in Ben’s car, as he strolled down the walkway alone. “What are we going to do with that girl?” Amala asked. “She is her mother’s daughter,” Dekari said. “I wasn’t that stubborn,” Amala said. Dekari raised an eyebrow, smirked, and walked away from the door. “What’s got you bitchy tonight?” Ben asked as he climbed behind the wheel. He closed the door and started the engine. “Other than your presence? Nothing in particular.” Ben sighed and accelerated out of the Teven driveway. They rode in complete silence, then Ben got a glance at Darla. “You look beautiful.” Darla huffed, folded her arms, and looked out of the window. “You do. Our first evening unchaperoned and you come out of the house looking like this? I can’t help but think you’re actually trying to impress me,” Ben said. “This is a nice dress. I don’t let nice dresses go to waste. I look great in this dress. So, I will be seen in it. Despite the present company.” This time, Ben huffed. Suddenly, he pulled the car over onto the side of the road. “What are you doing?” Darla asked nervously. Ben turned the engine off and took a deep breath. “What is this?” Darla asked. “Look, Darla. I’m sorry,” he said. She rolled her eyes. “Start the car, Ben. I don’t want to hear this.” “You know me well enough to know that I don’t give a shit what you want to hear, Darla…” Darla crossed her arms again and looked out of the window. “I made a mistake. I made an impulsive decision. And I’m sorry,” Ben continued. “It doesn’t matter, Ben,” Darla mumbled. She looked at him and was startled by the genuine hurt in his eyes. “This union has been signed, sealed, and approved by the king, by the prime minister, and the public. It’s too late for apologies.” Ben took in another deep breath and stared at his dashboard. “Why did you do this?” Darla asked. “And I don’t want to hear, “because I can” or “because I wanted you”. I know it’s bullshit. I know it’s a front. Why do you hate Finn so much?”

“I don’t hate Finn,” Ben said, stretching his legs awkwardly. 

“You don’t? I just really find that hard to believe, Ben.”

“I don’t hate Finn. I just love you,” Ben answered. He looked Darla in her unbelieving eyes. She shook her head and looked away.

“I’m never going to get an honest answer out of you.”

“That is the honest answer,” Ben said softly. “I’m in love with you, Darla.”

“Oh, yeah?” she asked. She whirled her head back in his direction. “Since when?”

Ben stared directly into Darla’s eyes--a light breeze blew outside--moving the trees and their shadows behind her. 

“Since my 13th birthday,” he answered. “When you came with your parents. Wearing that blue dress with the white shoes. You had that white bow in your hair…” 

Darla’s eyes knitted together. Speech eluded her.

Ben chuckled to himself. “You did cartwheels all over the yard. Even after your mother told you to stop, you still did them when she wasn’t looking…”

“Ben, that was ten years ago,” Darla said. “You’ve been holding on to that memory all this time?”

Ben leaned against his seat. “It wasn’t just that memory, Darla. There’s been many since. Ask Finn. He knows. He pretends that he doesn’t. But he knows.”

Darla stared at Ben in shock. Finally, he sat up, restarted the engine, and they drove to the Canto Grill in complete silence. Then, they quietly dined over their porg breast dinners and champagne. 

[dinfeanoriel]

Ocean Secrets

Slowly but surely fulfilling these requests! I promise, I am still alive. Thank y’all for being patient with me! 

~~~~~~~~ It was of no surprise that the Links kept secrets. Dark ones, embarrassing ones, normal ones, etc... Secrets they never told and held close to their hearts or secrets they uncovered and openly revealed. Every one of them were made of secrets they kept under lock and key. 

Some nights, a few would share a couple and the Links would discuss or listen. They always accepted them without any judgement. 

How couldn’t they? 

All of them bore secrets they never dared to speak aloud. They had all done and seen things that- to any ordinary person- would seem far-stretched or impossible. They’d experienced unspeakable horrors and unfathomable adventures. They’d committed deeds they often looked back upon in retrospect and regretted. 

Warrior was one of them. However, this little secret of his, wasn’t dark. It wasn’t normal. And it most certainly wasn’t embarrassing. 

It was downright pathetic. 

Incredibly pitiful. 

Highly contemptible. 

Warrior refused to say a word concerning it. He elected not to. Instead, he remained silent. In the back of his mind, he knew this to be a foolish decision, but how could he bring himself to admit this flaw of his? 

He knew it would be wise to at least confide in someone, but who? His sharp, considering, gaze fell upon Sky. Sky would be compassionate and understanding, yes, but Warrior couldn’t approach Sky about this matter. He skipped over the experienced Legend, amorous Wind, and level-headed Four. Wild was a no and Twilight? Warrior and he hardly interacted for reasons the Knight wasn’t sure of. They just...rarely spoke to one another unless there was a need to. 

Hyrule would most likely not be able to aid him but he could lend an ear. Yet, that wasn’t what Warrior wanted or needed. 

He settled on Time. The eldest and wisest of the bunch. 

Out of all eight of his companions, Time would be a likely choice but Warrior was reluctant to broach upon this sensitive and timid subject. 

It was a serious concern. One Warrior had not once voiced before. After all, there had never come a time where he’d had need to, but one day, it would come back to haunt him. 

He wanted to do all in his power to prevent it but how? 

It wasn’t pride that held him back. It wasn’t fear or doubt. Nor was it embarrassment. Warrior had crossed that line long ago when he took up this façade as a chivalrous Knight who was vain and well acquainted with war and bloodshed. 

And that was the crux of the matter. The reason why Warrior couldn’t understand this one weakness of his. The only other person who knew of it was Proxi, but Proxi wasn’t there. She couldn’t help him. 

Even Volga, the Dragon Knight of all people, had learned this terrible secret of his. Much to Warrior’s surprise, he hadn’t made fun of him or made any condescending remarks of this weakness. Rather, he’d been the one to aid Warrior seeing as Warrior was completely unable to help himself. 

He was ashamed. Perhaps that was what caused him to bite his tongue. 

The Captain heaved a sigh, hanging his head and allowing his golden-blonde bangs to curtain his eyes from view. 

He was stuck. Trapped. He had eight others he could turn to, but Warrior wouldn’t. He couldn’t. And so Warrior remained silent and suffered alone. 

~~~~~~~~

Battle. Monsters. Swords. Weapons. 

Warrior hardly broke a sweat when the time came to pick up arms and fight to protect, honor, and defend. He was quick to give orders, shoot strategy after strategy, and come up with impeccable plans that guaranteed the survival of his companions. 

Tactics shot from his tongue in rapid fire and the Links were quick to obey, trusting in his judgement and clever mind. Warrior was cunning. This they knew and recognized almost instantly. Warrior himself knew he was sharp-minded. As awful as it was to admit, he found himself at home on the battlefield. 

He’d dedicated his life to becoming a Knight and trained often. He devoured books discussing strategy and efficient battle plans and was a beast at chess. Back home, he was unparalleled. The chess master. Which came as no surprise. 

Battle, for Warrior, was similar to chess. Position the pieces in tactical places, execute a plan and adapt the strategy depending on the circumstances, and the game was won. He knew the Links’ strengths and their weaknesses. He knew who worked best with who and when to partner up different Links depending on what they needed to get done. 

There was more pressure when it came to reality. 

In chess, the King, Queen, pawns, and knights were all inanimate objects. They weren’t living, breathing, creatures. Yet, here, Warrior relied on his knowledge and skill to keep his friends and companions alive. They looked to him- trusted in him- to keep them safe and guarantee their survival. Yes, some would gain cuts and bruises here and there, a few might sustain minor injuries, but never anything life-threatening. Warrior intended to keep it that way. 

When night would come, Warrior often found himself wondering at all the possibilities and what could have gone wrong. He conjured up new plans and wrote vigorously in the journal he’d brought along, jotting down different tactics or strategies he could use to better their chances at succeeding and securing victory. 

Then the doubts would come to him, crawling forth from the deepest, darkest corners of his mind until Warrior was forced to confront them. 

If the Links knew...If they were ever to find out Warrior’s one weakness, would they still trust in him? 

He found himself severely doubting so. Their trust would be shaken. They might become reluctant to listen to him. 

Warrior was at a loss for what to do. 

A second reason why he withheld this secret. 

When he would fire off a plan, he kept himself as safe as possible. That wasn’t to say he didn’t do the same for the others- he did. He did his best to keep them all safe. He would try to fit himself somewhere near either Time, Twilight, Sky, and Legend. 

He could trust them to defend him. Warrior was the only one who’d managed to waltz off the battlefield unscathed. A feat the Links deemed should be impossible. Wind was positively amazed. 

It needed to stay that way. 

The Knight heaved another sigh and slumped back against his bedroll. Cerulean blues were instinctively drawn to the moon, estimating the time. 

It was late. 

Yet another difficult night for him. 

He blew out a harsh breath and ran a hand down his weary face. 

“I need to tell someone,” He whispered to himself, unafraid of being overheard. Twilight was the one on watch, but he’d headed into the woods earlier and Wolfie returned. The great beast had set himself down beside Wild- as was to be expected. 

The wolf’s ears perked up and his large head pillowed on his paws turned to look at him curiously. 

Warrior could swear that animal could understand every word they would speak. 

Wolfie also bore a strong resemblance to the Twi wolf Midna had accompanying her when she came to his Hyrule’s aid. 

Warrior smiled wanly. He sat up and grabbed his pack, flicking the flap open to return his journal back to where it belonged. 

His ears twitched when they caught the sound of the wolf standing and coming over. The metal chain clinked quietly as he walked. Wind had wondered about it, voicing the question they were all undoubtedly wondering. Time and Wind claimed the wolf had had the chain when they first met the beast. 

Warrior looked up and almost started when he came face-to-face with intelligent blues. Wolfie tilted his head to the side, making a soft sound as if inquiring as to what had Warrior so troubled. 

But, surely, Warrior was just imagining things. There was no way animals could be this intelligent. Then again… Agitha’s butterfly friend had led them to where they’d needed to go during his adventure. A clever little insect. 

He also couldn’t shake the nagging sensation that this wolf was more than just a wolf. It was no ordinary beast. Wolves didn’t typically befriend Hylians or willingly protect them from harm. 

“Go back to Wild, Wolfie,” Warrior murmured quietly, glancing down and placing his pack to the side, “He tends to sleep better when you’re with him.” He tiredly raked a hand through his hair, sleep clinging heavily to his lashes. 

He wanted to give in to the temptation to sleep, but Warrior couldn’t bring himself to stop thinking of everything that could go wrong if he doesn’t tell someone about this matter. 

“Stop,” He harshly told himself, startling the wolf briefly, “Sorry, sorry. I was talking to myself. Midnight thoughts. Terrible things.” He found himself explaining before looking towards Time for a couple of seconds. “I really should tell someone...Don’t you think?” He cast Wolfie an uncertain look, then made a face, “I don’t even know why I’m asking you. It isn’t as if I need any prompting or validation but...as a soldier, a Knight and Captain, I know the dangers. I recognize all that can go wrong but I can’t bring myself to say anything.” 

He slumped forward, his elbow digging into his knee and chin resting on his hand. His fingers were curled as Warrior scowled to himself. Wolfie couldn’t have been any more confused. 

He nudged Warrior’s cheek with his nose, emitting a quiet whine of concern. 

Strangely enough, Warrior could understand what he was saying. 

“There’s no need to be worried, Wolfie,” He murmured, “It’s nothing bad...Although…” He frowned steeply. 

It is something that could take a turn for the worse should it happen at an inopportune moment or unprecedented time… 

He groaned and cradled his head, fingers digging into his hair. 

“I hate this...I’m so used to being the one telling others what to do and giving advice...” He peeked through his fingers into the fire with sorrow and a tinge of nostalgia, “I always had Lydia, Juno, or Veronica to turn to if I needed help. They knew what to say, what to do, and what I needed. Why is it that I can help others...but I can’t even help myself?” 

He met Wolfie’s eyes with his troubled ones as if the wolf bore all the answers he needed. 

Wolfie released a puff of air, the warmth caressing Warrior’s cheek before dissipating from the coolness of the night. The beast could only curl up near Warrior, giving him comfort from his presence alone. 

Warrior managed a weak grin and tried to settle back into his bedroll. He tugged his blanket up and over his shoulders. 

“Thanks, Wolfie, but I think I’ll be fine.” He assured the beast, “Wild has greater need of you than I do.” 

Clearly, from the look Wolfie pinned him with, he disagreed. 

The one-eyed, stern, glare made Warrior instinctively shut his mouth but it also nagged at him. That look was so alike to the brooding stare Time would often give Legend, Wind, or himself. 

How was that even possible? 

~~~~~~~~

The next day, Warrior awoke somewhat later than usual. In fact, he was normally the first to wake but this morning, it was Time. 

Apparently, this was a sign to Time that something wasn’t quite right. The Old Man had caught onto the fact that Warrior had appeared somewhat distracted these past few days and would often slip deep into thought for hours on end. 

Warrior didn’t pay him too much attention and immediately went about packing his things and waking Wind. 

Twilight returned shortly afterwards. He moved past Warrior, pausing briefly and looking to him as if analyzing him. 

Warrior quirked an eyebrow at him, arms full of blankets, but Twilight only grunted and went straight to Time. 

Warrior saw them in the corner of his eye speaking in low tones with Time discreetly looking his way at certain points in whatever conversation they were holding. When he would turn his back, the hairs on the back of his neck would rise and he knew either Twilight or Time- maybe even both- were looking at him. 

He didn’t realize waking up later in the morning was such a great cause for concern. 

He brushed the thought aside for now. 

He had been greatly fatigued. Even now, weariness seeped deep into his very bones and his lashes were still heavy. He found himself almost dozing off during breakfast. At one point, he was talking to Wind but trailed off in the middle of the sentence and his head bobbed. 

If it hadn’t been for Wind nudging him sharply in the side, Warrior was certain he might have fallen asleep with his soup cradled in his lap. 

It was amazing, Warrior figured, how physically drained he could become from doing nothing but thinking. 

It was an arduous activity at times. 

Breakfast was a quiet and almost sordid affair. Warrior didn’t miss the odd looks he was given from the others. His uncharacteristic silence apparently unnerved them. He would have forced himself to speak, said a couple things, but Warrior didn’t care enough to try and appease them. 

Legend was eyeing him closely. As was Time. 

Warrior determined to ignore them. They were taking his uncharacteristic behavior far more seriously than they should. 

Once he finished his soup, Warrior decided enough was enough. If he needed to keep up the charade, then so be it. He didn’t want them to think something was seriously wrong and he very much disliked having so many eyes on him. 

“Alright everyone,” He began, drawing himself to his feet and returning the bowl to Wild, “Hurry up and finish. We have a lot of ground to cover.” 

Whatever happened next was a blur for Warrior. 

They were ambushed again later that day, much to Warrior’s annoyance. These bokoblins, moblins, and lizalfos were grating on his nerves! Again, Warrior fired order after order and called out techniques that the Links were quick to follow. 

Once through, Time decided they would camp somewhere nearby. 

Warrior found this a little odd. They still had four hours left before the sun would begin to set, but he supposed the Old Man had to have his reasons. 

Wind and Four did look especially exhausted. Sky was, as expected, drowsy and could barely keep his eyes open. 

They had been walking a great deal for the past week. 

As the night drew near, the moon making her appearance in the sky after the sun vanished, Warrior went to refill his water pouch and to wash his scarf. The fabric had been stained by monsters’ blood and Warrior couldn’t stand it. 

He traversed beneath the trees looming o’er him, unwrapping the scarf from around his neck and grimacing at the amount of blood. 

He never had an issue with how much blood was spilt during battle and war. He’d seen gruesome sights none could ever come close to imagining. The carnage and body count? He’d grown used to it. Almost desensitized. 

However…

He still had one, itty-bitty, problem. 

Warrior’s eyes lit up when he’d found a small stream not too far from the encampment. He knelt immediately and filled his water pouch first before turning to his scarf. The clear water drenched the fabric, the trickling of the stream filling Warrior’s ears and helping him to relax and lose the tension that had been gradually building up within him. 

The melody was a soothing one. 

But the peace was soon to be broken. 

“Agh!” Warrior flicked his hand up when a sharp, stinging sensation suddenly exploded in his palm. He whipped it up, turning his hand over…

His heart sunk deep into the pit of his stomach at the nauseating sight that greeted him. Panic slowly began to settle and Warrior desperately fought against it. 

There was blood. 

He’d somehow managed to cut his hand on a sharp stone. Just his blasted luck. 

Warrior swallowed thickly, immediately looking away. 

Already, he could feel the effects taking place. 

His head was growing light. His stomach was churning. His body felt faint. 

Warrior squeezed his eyes shut, clenching his fists tightly and ignoring the short, bursts of pain this movement provoked. 

Why? Why now? Why him? 

He felt sick. Severely ill and nauseous. 

How was it that he could handle seeing others’ blood but not his own? Anytime he cut himself, whether it be incredibly small or large, if he saw his own blood seeping through, Warrior would come close to fainting. 

Purposefully keeping his eyes fixed on some point straight ahead, Warrior dipped his hand into the stream, willing the water to wash away any and all traces of blood. 

He couldn’t afford for his weakness to get to him. Not now. Not ever. 

He suppressed the urge to vomit, but his head was still reeling and his stomach uncomfortably queasy. 

After a few, especially long, minutes, Warrior finally conjured up the courage needed to take his hand out of the water and turn it over. 

It took longer to muster up the courage to look quickly and see whether or not the blood was gone. 

It isn’t even that bad of a cut, Link! He tried telling himself, hating this weakness of his. But it was so ingrained in him and imbued in his mind that he couldn’t overcome it. He’d always had someone to care for his wounds but here, now, he didn’t. 

He didn’t know why it affected him so strongly, seeing his own life-force leaking from small slivers when he knew it wasn’t going to kill him. 

Volga had never judged him for this. Neither had Proxi. The fairy would often tell Warrior to close his eyes while she bandaged the hurt or healed it as best she could. 

Normally, the adrenaline kept him preoccupied him and prevented him from focusing on his wounds until the battle had drawn to an end. 

Warrior could often remember scraping his hands and knees as a child and it was Lydia, Juno, or Veronica who would bind the hurts to hide them from view. 

Why it made him so sick and faint to see blood was beyond him. And it wasn’t just any blood. Monsters he could handle. The wounded soldiers in the garrison and at Hyrule Castle? Those lying dead on the fields? Warrior could stomach the ghastly sights. 

His own blood? 

It was his downfall. 

Warrior released a shuddery breath and hurriedly glimpsed at his hand. 

Nope. 

There was still blood. 

He groaned when his stomach revolted and the world spun worse than before. He leaned forward, touching his forehead to the ground and closing his eyes. 

He hated this with a passion. How could he protect others, defend them, and fight when he was so easily disarmed by the sight of his own blood? 

This was why he was so hesitant to tell someone. Anyone. 

Warrior wasn’t sure what happened afterwards. The next thing he knew, he was lying on the ground and there was a worried Wild hovering over him. A hand was shaking his shoulder, Wild’s voice calling his name in concern. 

He sounded so far away even though he was knelt down beside him. 

“Warrior? Warrior!” Wild appraised him quickly, but there was no obvious sign of injury. “Where are you hurt, Warrior?” 

The Knight’s mind was muddled, his stomach still protesting. 

“‘M fine…” He mumbled, drowsily battering away Wild’s hands. The Hero fixed him with a deadpan look. 

“You’re fine?” He challenged Warrior, gesturing to him. The Knight cringed. “You’re fine? I found you lying unconscious on the ground by the stream, Warrior! I don’t think that tells me that you’re fine! If anything, it tells me that you are anything but fine!” He sternly eyed the Knight, “I thought you’d been attacked or worse-” Guilt slammed in Warrior at Wild’s admittance. 

“Now, tell me what’s wrong.” The younger teen commanded. 

Tell him what was wrong..? 

Ha… If only he could. 

“I’m just...tired...I suppose.” It was a lame excuse, but Warrior knew he could play it off. “Haven’t been sleeping well...You can ask that wolf of yours if you don’t believe me.” 

Wild pursed his lips tightly together. 

Warrior looked pale. Sheet white. The shadows beneath his eyes were more pronounced due to the lack of color in his face. Weary cerulean blues met his own, and Wild noted the somewhat glazed tinge they had taken on. 

He moved drowsily, his limbs heavy with what Wild interpreted as lethargy. 

“You should have said something earlier, Warrior,” Wild gently chided, heaving a sigh. The tension in his shoulders and back lessened now that he knew Warrior was unhurt. “Imagine if this had happened during battle? Or a worse time. What then?” 

Warrior let him scold him. It was true, he knew. He’d already thought about everything Wild was saying and his guilt intensified. 

“Sorry…” 

Wild paused, eyes flicking up to Warrior’s contrite and guilt-ridden face. He sighed. 

“Just...let us know next time, Warrior. We need you.” 

I know… 

“Hey, Wild, you find him yet?” 

Warrior tensed upon hearing Legend’s voice floating along the breeze. From the direction it had come from, Warrior knew Legend had emerged from the woods behind them. 

Wild lifted his head and turned to face the red and gold-clad Hero who’d paused on the edge of the trees, taking in the sight that greeted him. Warrior crumpled on the ground and Wild kneeling beside him. 

Concern crossed his expression before it vanished. 

“What’s wrong?” Legend immediately demanded to know, stalking over. 

Warrior groaned. 

It was bad enough Wild had found him. Now Legend? 

He wished the earth could swallow him whole. Wild might have easily passed off his collapse as being due to fatigue, but Legend? Legend wouldn’t be so easily convinced. 

“He’s fine,” Wild said as soon as Legend reached them, “He just needs plenty of rest. I don’t think we’ll be moving out tomorrow as Time originally planned.” He shifted and stood, “Stay with him for a minute, would you? I’m going to grab my pack.” 

Legend crouched down in the space Wild had vacated seconds before, hands dangling from his knees as he appraised Warrior. 

Warrior tiredly met his gaze. 

Legend’s eyes narrowed and Warrior cursed his bad luck. 

“You might have been able to play the tired-card with Wild, Warrior, but not with me.” Blunt and straight to the point. No beating around the bush. 

Warrior hadn’t expected less of Legend. 

But Warrior refused to tell Legend what had been the cause of his collapse. 

“You were injured, weren’t you?” 

Nope. 

But Warrior had instinctively moved his cut hand when Legend asked the question, and the Hero had caught the movement. Immediately, his arm snapped out and Warrior’s hand was captured in Legend’s own. 

The snarky Hero turned it over and Warrior immediately shut his eyes, turning his face away. He couldn’t risk seeing the cut again. 

Apparently, Legend had seen this also. 

He quirked an eyebrow, “Can’t handle a little blood, Warr-” 

He cut off almost as soon as he began, thoughts racing through his mind as he put two and two together. 

Warrior wanted to disappear. 

“You can’t…” Legend realized, his voice the ghost of a whisper,. “You can’t handle seeing blood.” 

“Just my own.” Warrior admitted quietly, tugging his hand free and curling it close to him. He refused to look Legend’s way. “I don’t know why it affects me so strongly...but I can’t…” 

And there was the shame. That unconventional, unpleasant, and wretched feeling churning in the pit of his stomach. 

Legend said nothing. 

The silence was deafening for Warrior. He wanted to wither and die. To vanish. For the ground to open up and engulf him whole.

It was such a silly thing. So utterly stupid. 

As a child, Warrior grew up wondering how his sisters could rely on him to protect them and their household when he couldn’t deal with the sight of his own blood. How could they believe in him? How could they have allowed him to go and join the Knights Academy and train when they knew of this weakness of his? 

Though his sisters would have struck him if he dared call it weakness. 

They were always so understanding. Warrior didn’t know how to feel. Guilty? Horrified? 

After all...Trauma was not to be taken lightly. An experience Warrior had had in his childhood he’d not so easily forgotten. A scarring incident he’d forever remember. How couldn’t he? 

“Idiot,” Warrior heard Legend grumble and his hand was pulled away. He looked when Legend dropped his pack next to him and plopped down on the ground. “You can’t treat this by yourself.” 

The red-clad Hero glanced up at him when Warrior continued to stare at him and scowled, “What? We’ve got to bandage your hand, don’t we? Can’t have you fainting again. I don’t want to be lugging your heavy self all the way back to camp.” 

But there was no bite to his words. No actual sarcasm. 

Warrior stared then swallowed and lowered his gaze. 

“...thanks…” 

A grunt was his only reply.

~~~~~~~~

For the next few days, Warrior was tense. He lay waiting. 

For what, He wasn’t sure. Legend didn’t treat him any differently. He poked fun at him and directed scathing remarks his way. Warrior retorted as usual, but with less fire. The barbed words he threw back lacked their usual poisonous sting. 

The Knight overheard some of them inquire of it that night when they’d settled for camp. He’d chosen to retire early after dinner. 

“Is Warrior okay?” Wind quietly asked. 

Warrior felt a pang in his heart. How would he feel? Knowing Warrior had kept such an important secret to himself? 

“He has been acting strangely.” Wild piped up, quiet and thoughtful. “He didn’t even eat tonight.” For which the Captain felt awful, but he couldn’t stomach food. 

“Maybe he’s falling ill?” Sky suggested, and Warrior sensed a concerned glance being tossed his way. 

“No,” Twilight shook his head, “There’s more to it than that.” 

“Off days, perhaps.” Four shrugged, lifting a stick in the air, “We all have those.” 

“That doesn’t fit either.” Hyrule denied. 

“Nah,” Legend waved them off, much to Warrior’s surprise. “You guys worry too much. He’s fine.” 

“What do you mean, fine? Have you seen him?” Wind gestured Warrior’s way. 

Legend rolled his eyes. “He’s fine. Just exhausted. He’s been doing triple the work because of those monsters. It’s taking its toll on him.” 

The Links, thankfully, left it at that. 

Hours passed since then… 

Warrior still couldn’t sleep. It was getting harder. He thought it would be simple. Travel with this group and never reveal the truth. They would part ways and they would only remember “Warrior,” The Hero. 

With a frustrated sigh, he sat up and saw that Legend was on watch. The snarky Hero turned to glance at him. 

“Just out of curiosity, how long were you planning to keep it secret?” He asked when Warrior rose to his feet and moved to walk past and take a moment to clear his head. The Captain paused and considered his question. 

“Answer me this,” He returned, “Why do you treat me no differently?” 

Legend waved a hand in the air with a scoff, “Doesn’t matter to me.” Understanding dawned on him and he snapped his head up, “You were never going to tell us.” 

“So you do have a brain,” Warrior gruffly huffed. Legend allowed the jab to slide. 

“And if you hadn’t and something happened?” He quirked an eyebrow. 

“Nothing’s happened so far.” 

“That argument is weak and you know it.” 

Warrior bristled. He knew Legend spoke the truth, and that was what made it worse. 

“I didn’t plan for this.” He moved antsily, agitated, “Growing up was hard enough. Getting slapped with the title ‘Hero’ after Hyrule failed to protect herself? Convenient for the kingdom, perhaps, but for me?” He snarled, “What else was I supposed to do? Leave those idiots to fend for themselves?” He scoffed sardonically, “No. I had to take this upon myself because it was what I was supposed to do. The mantle I was born to bear. I had to become who Hyrule wanted me to be otherwise we were doomed to die- and I do so apologize, but I wasn’t quite ready to die.” 

Legend just listened. He never spoke a word. He sat there, eyes on Warrior, and listened. 

Something Warrior needed, but hadn’t gotten. 

“I was constantly compared to him. After all, I am of his li-” Warrior’s mind slammed to a halt, his mouth snapping shut with a click. He battled within himself, quickly conceding defeat, and deflated. “It never affected him...so why should it affect me? Hyrule would never have trusted in me. Never would have believed me capable of protecting her and her people.” 

He’d almost revealed the truth. And that would have been a terrible thing to do. 

“Doesn’t matter. I was hoping to make it through this adventure and part ways without anyone finding out.” He sighed heavily, “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that things don’t quite work the way I want them to.” 

When do they ever? They were Links. Heroes. Their lives weren’t quite their own. 

“This could get you killed.”

Warrior rolled his eyes and smiled wanly, “Anything can get you killed. What’s it matter?” 

Legend shrugged. He couldn’t disagree with the point Warrior had made. “It’s up to you whether you tell them or not.” His eyes didn’t leave those of Warrior’s, striving to drive his point across. 

“We all have secrets. Dark ones we don’t share. This one is mine.” Warrior looked to him and Legend shrugged again.  

“It’s not my place to tell. And I wouldn’t.” 

But Legend had other, creative and resourceful ways of not telling but telling. 

When Warrior left the campsite, he didn’t see Legend smiling to himself in a triumphant manner, or how Time cracked open his eye with a frown as the Knight disappeared from view. 

This could get you killed. 

What had Legend meant? What did their entire vague conversation allude to? 

Anything can get you killed. What does it matter? 

And what had Warrior meant by those words?

[four-loose-screws]

FE4 Suzuki Novelization Translation (Gen II) - Chapter 8

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———————————

Chapter 8 - The Soul of Thracia

The moment Travant saw Altena, he yelled, "Altena! What is the meaning of this!? Why didn't you fight in the attack on Munster Castle!?"

"Father, I…"

"I don't want to hear any excuses! If you want to say something to me, then carry out your orders first! Just what was that!? Not only did you disobey your orders, but you also watched on in silence as your allies fought. Then, you shamelessly ran away, an act that embarrasses all of Thracia! Wouldn't you agree!?"

"..."

"After you ran away and came home, the rebels attacked Mease Castle, and it was captured. It was a terrible loss, but Maikov and every single member of his unit stayed and fought honorably until the moment they died. Meanwhile, what did you do? Do you think I'll treat you differently because you're my daughter?"

Altena had nothing to say in response.

'If your only other option is to run away, then choose to die a glorious death.'

That was not just an idea taken from “the aesthetics of destruction.” It was also the saying that had become known as the Soul of Thracia. While it originally praised being honorable even in defeat, and other similar actions, it had become the standard to which mercenaries were held when they were contracted for work. It was the only option for an entire country living in poverty. (Though of course, no one would openly admit to such a thing.)

This "Soul of Thracia" was drilled into the soldiers' heads, and even Altena had been raised that way.

"My next plan is to quickly attack and retake Mease. I order you to lead the unit that will attack the castle.”

"Yes, Father. I will restore my honor."

However, they were unable to carry out the attack right away. This was because Travant realized that the liberation army was much stronger than he'd thought.

And so, he finally signed an alliance treaty with Emperor Arvis, who then announced that he would send reinforcements.

There were, of course, many people against that decision.

General Hannibal could not keep silent about the agreement, and sent a messenger to the king.

His message read, "It is true we haven’t fought with the empire for twenty years. However, they would undoubtedly try to invade if they found an opening from which to do so. I cannot agree to allying with an empire like that, no matter the circumstances. I think we should first call for a ceasefire with the liberation army."

But Travant rejected that proposal after one mere glimpse at it.

"What a fool. Not once in the history of Thracia have we ever called for a ceasefire with an enemy we've lost to."

A few days later, Travant went to Hannibal's Kapathogia Castle, and kidnapped Hannibal's adopted son Coirpre to hold him hostage.

Hannibal was known as the "Shield of Thracia," and having his fighting spirit questioned was the most insulting thing to him in the world.

'It is pathetic to be shamed like this after so many years of loyal service. And then he expects me to fight gloriously and die?' Hannibal thought when he received orders to deploy his army, the strongest unit of armored knights in all of Thracia.

An army led by Bishop Judah of the Loptr Church was the first of the reinforcements that arrived from the empire.

He was granted rule over Grutia Castle, then he immediately gathered up the smart, good-looking children from the castle town, and sent them to Miletos.

Rumor that child hunts had begun in Thracia immediately began to circulate around the country.

Travant went to Grutia Castle to confirm the truth.

"When you signed a treaty with the Grannvalian Empire, you also accepted the Loptr Church. And our one and only god Loptous wants innocent children. If we do as he wishes, both the empire and Thracia will receive his blessing, and prosper. 

“I also come bearing good news, King Travant. I've received word that a powerful dragon knight unit from the empire has arrived in Miletos. They'll probably enter Thracia within the week."

"Is that so?" Travant's voice was unusually gloomy. "Then let’s finally begin our attack."

-

"We will now attack Mease Castle, whether we succeed or die! All units, attack!"

As they flew towards Mease Castle at full speed, Altena thought, 'We're going to fail.'

She had this realization when she saw that General Hannibal, who she could see from her left, did not move at all.

But she couldn't blame him.

'Father took his son hostage, so there's nothing he can do. He's probably looking for a place to die as well. So we'll probably try to fight honorably all on our own.'

Altena was ready to die. And now that she felt ready, she no longer worried.

Even as she watched the members of her unit fall one by one, she was completely calm.

'I'll follow them shortly.'

Her dragon dived, and as she skimmed the ground, a soldier with a very small build jumped out in front of her.

They weren't holding a weapon, but waving their arms and shouting, "Please wait, Lady Altena!"

She landed her dragon in front of the soldier, and realized that she was about to raise her lance.

'What am I doing? He must still be just a child.'

He looked to be about seventeen or eighteen years old, and through the nervousness in his expression, she could see some childishness left in his face.

'Killing a boy like this would bring no honor.' She thought, and lowered her lance. 

"Yes, I am indeed Princess Altena, daughter of Travant."

"I am Leif of Leonster."

"Leif? Oh, that's right, you must be the son of Quan, whom my father killed. Are you going to tell me you want to take your revenge out on me?"

"No, Lady Altena. You are my sister."

"What!? Don't be stupid! Have you lost your mind because this is your first battle?" 

"No, I'm serious. The proof is that lance."

"What? What about this lance?"

"It is the Earth Lance Gáe Bolg, which passed down through the Leonsterian Royal Family."

"This is Gáe Bolg? If it really is the legendary weapon you speak of, then how can I, a member of the Thracian Royal Family, wield it?"

Just then, she saw a cavalier rush up to them.

She started to raise her lance, but saw that he wasn't carrying a weapon, either. Then she realized that all the other dragon knights had disappeared already.

"My name is Finn. I am a knight that served Prince Quan." He dismounted his horse and greeted her.

"Eighteen years ago, Prince Quan and Princess Ethlyn were leading the Leonsterian cavalier unit through the Aed Desert when King Travant attacked and killed all of them. At the time, you were two years old, and the princess had taken you with her, but you went missing. Gáe Bolg, which Prince Quan had with him, was also lost. But there it is, in your hand, right now! I often saw it right next to me, so I'm sure that is the Gáe Bolg. And, if I may say so…" The knight started to say, with tears shining in his eyes. He saw Quan's features very clearly in Altena's face. "I apologize for losing my composure. But your eyes and mouth look so much like Lord Quan's… Princess, it is so good to see you safe…"

She couldn't imagine this knight before her was lying. Though the memories were fuzzy, she had a feeling she remembered hearing the name Finn before. 

However, there was no way she could believe a story that turned her entire world upside down right away.

"I can't believe you. The person I believed to be my father, you're saying he's my true father's killer? ...There's no way… it can't be…"

"It's the truth. Please, look straight at me. Then you should know whether my words are a lie or not. Please, Sister."

There certainly wasn't any sign on the boy's serious face that he was lying.

"Sister, please…"

"Princess…"

"Wait. I'm going to go confirm this with Father. I'll decide everything after that."

She interrupted their words, then ordered her dragon to take off into the sky.

-

As Altena stormed into the reception room, Travant glared at her. 

"Altena, what are you doing? Did you abandon your unit and run home again?"

"Father! I have a question that I want to ask you. Is it true that I'm not your child? Am I Prince Quan's daughter?"

"Hmph… So you finally figured it out. ...But that is fine. I knew this day would come.

“Yes, you are Quan's daughter. But what of it? Warriors are taught that it is kill, or be killed. I thought about killing you back then, but did not make any attempts on your life. The one who raised you instead of killing you was me. There is no changing that fact."

"Then… Father… you… killed… my real parents…"

"I did. I am the one who killed Quan and Ethlyn."

"Grrr… I won't forgive you! You tricked me… Father! No, Travant!"

Arion saw her reach for her sword, and cut in. "Stop, Altena!"

"Do not stop me, Brother! I will kill this man. I won't let anyone get in my way."

"I won't let you. If you will turn your blade against Father, then I will fight you."

"W-Wait! I can't fight you!"

"You're too late!" Arion swung his sword. 

"No, Brother!" 

Altena leaned against Arion as she fell and collapsed on the floor, then did not move again.

"Did you kill her?" Travant asked quietly. "You didn't have to go that far. …Though this too may have be fate…

“Arion, since things have come to this, I will go. There is nothing more that I can do. I leave everything to you."

"Understood. You can rely on me, Father."

Travant stood, picked up the lance that had been leaning against the throne, and handed it to Arion. "I give this lance to you."

"This… This is Gungnir, isn't it? You said you're going to deploy soon, so why give it to me? ...No… Father…"

Travant did not answer, instead looking far off into the distance. But before long, he began to tell a story, still looking away.

"Our country was founded by Dragon Knight Dáinn. Dáinn brandished the Heavens Lance Gungnir, and fought the dark emperor. And it has been told that the founder of the Kingdom of Leonster, Lance Knight Njörun, was Dáinn's younger sister…"

Arion had no idea why his father had begun telling such a legend, but knew he was serious, and listened quietly.

"I often dreamed for a very long time that I was flying slowly in the skies above Leonster. You were to my right, holding Gungnir. And Altena was to my left, holding Gáe Bolg…"

Travant turned towards his son, and continued on in his normal tone of voice. "But that dream is gone. And not just that dream. For twenty years, we did not allow any other countries to invade Thracia. Now look what's become of us. The rebel army is in Mease, and the empire is stationed in Grutia. You will decide what will become of this country from now on. They do not hate you."

"Are you telling me to call for a ceasefire with them? I too am a warrior of Thracia. I would also find it difficult to agree to a ceasefire."

"I'm telling you to do as you wish. Since you always think first of the people, I would just get in your way. Please take everything into account, and do as you wish. I am happy that someone worthy of Gungnir will inherit it. Farewell, Arion."

"Father!"

Travant did not look back.

 Arion was frozen in shock, but the voices of the soldiers shouting from far off reached his ears.

"To battle!"

"To battle, King Travant!"

Travant only led the senior dragon knights, who had fought with him for a very long time.

"Show them the bravery of Thracia’s soldiers!!"

Everyone knew what he really meant from those words alone. However, they did not feel sad about it. They all deployed looking as if they were only going out on reconnaissance.

Once they were close to the enemy army, they each chose a target, and attacked.

"I am King Travant of Thracia! Out of my way, you insignificant fools!" He yelled, then advanced towards the enemy army. Those who carelessly approached him immediately fell prey to his lance.

"You won't win in head-to-head combat! Defeat them with bows and magic!"

In response to Lewyn's words, Ced cast a wind magic spell. 

Travant’s dragon fell to the ground, but he got up. He readied his lance, and shouted once more, "I am King Travant of Thracia!"

The other dragon knights had already each achieved their own glorious death.

"I'll stop him!" Febail yelled, and drew back Yewfelle's string.

His aim did not falter, and the arrow shot straight through the Thracian King's heart.

"I am Thracia…" Those were Travant's final words.

-

"Altena! Altena!"

She could hear a voice in the distance.

'Brother is looking for me.'

She didn't know why, but she was recalling a memory of them playing hide-and-seek when they were kids. She thought he would never find her, but at the same time, she wanted him to find her right away, grab her hand, and pull her out of her hiding spot.

'I'm here! Hurry and find me, and laugh when you see me.'

"Altena! Altena!"

The moment the voice got closer, Altena snapped back to reality.

"Are you awake? I'm sorry about earlier. I pretended to cut you and cause a vital injury. It was the only choice I had."

"I know that. But, Brother, where is Father… no, King Travant?"

"He can never come back."

"..."

"He's probably attacking the rebel army right around now."

"What… What does that mean?"

"You shouldn't ask. You are already Prince Quan's princess. You don't know the feelings of the Thracian King."

"Brother, what should I do?"

"There are people waiting for the new you. Return to them."

"But then I won't see you ever again…"

"That is also fate. You are already the descendant of a Crusader. You gave no choice but to fulfill your duty."

"Brother, let's request a ceasefire! If King Travant is gone, you shouldn't have any obstacles standing in the way of that anymore. I can't fight you."

"If I hadn't heard Father's last words, that might have been true. However, it's too late. Go, Altena."

"I'm going to go talk to the liberation army and come back. Please at least wait until I'm done."

Altena started to hurry out of the reception room, but Arion called out to her. 

“Altena!”

"Yes, Brother?"

"The next time we meet will be on the battlefield. And I will not hold back. Prepare yourself, Altena."

[askbittyerror]

Wedding RP part 3

with-bells-upon09/27/2020 "...please come out?" they reach for Fresh, pausing long enough to give Greylu a 'please just let me have this right now' look, before offering their hands to their rad buddy, clearly in much need of a hug and nuzzle from their bitty pal.

salty darkness09/27/2020 Greylu pauses, watching his spouse reach for the bitty. He looks away, grumbling under his breath... but he doesn't seem as openly opposed anymore.

Askbittyerror09/27/2020 Fresh opens his wings and lands on Bells' hands after a few flaps, immediately flopping over and nuzzling with many soft purrs.

with-bells-upon09/27/2020 He is immediately hugged. Just, immediately. Much nuzzles. "...I'm glad you came. Sorry I didn't really get to talk to my husband about it beforehand- the cutiegoop kinda vanished on me to go grab his friends, I guess."

salty darkness09/27/2020 "..." Blushy goop! "Cutiegoop?"

with-bells-upon09/27/2020 "...oh please, hardly the first time I've called you that." The smile Bells offers him is just a bit more collected now, and maybe a tiny bit teasing. "would you prefer, 'my king of starlight and shadows?' 'my starlit king?' 'my beautiful nightmare?'"

salty darkness09/27/2020 Greylu stammers a little, face glowing a bright, bright blue. "I mean- well- I wouldn't be against it, but-" A tendril baps Bell's cheek, gentle and careful. "Shut up."

with-bells-upon09/27/2020 a giggle, reaching to catch the tendril gently. "-but I love that shade of blue on you, beloved!"

salty darkness09/27/2020 The tendril baps them again, a little harder. "And we have a perfectly good honeymoon for this behavior, beloved. At least not in front of our guests."

with-bells-upon09/27/2020 A huff, but offend. "...I like showing you off, but fine. Grumpy."

Askbittyerror09/27/2020 The bitties giggle, staring to look fond, and Fresh chuckles. "Ya'll are cute." He nuzzles Bells.

salty darkness09/27/2020 Despite himself, Greylu smiles, warm and happy. "I suppose we are, aren't we?"

with-bells-upon09/27/2020 "I think to think so," Bells agrees, giving their new husband an utterly soft look. "...the people at the shop when we went to pick out clothes for the kids seemed to disagree. but they also missed our babies being abso-fricking-lutely adorable, since they decided to all go running out of the store in a panic like that. you'd think they'd never seen a king of darkness, a lich, and an army of excited toddlers show up to get clothes for a wedding."

Askbittyerror09/27/2020 The bitties giggle. “Oh!” Magnus yells, shooting up, grinning wildly at Bells. “We got you gifts!” “But…” He deflates. “They’re with Huitzi.” The goopdad/grandparents/great-grandparents look at each other and vanish for moment, returning quickly with a wide, flat box, a small (at least for biggies) ribbon-tied bag, and a pair of envelopes. “Gifts!” They shout.

with-bells-upon09/27/2020 "...oh?" Bells seems a bit intrigued, and decidedly curious. "Is this part of that wedding gift thing that my friend Candy mentioned earlier?"

salty darkness09/27/2020 Greylu glances to the bitties, raising a brow. Tendrils curl around Bells, grabbing their wrist and giving it a soft squeeze. "...what are they?"

with-bells-upon09/27/2020 "Um, apparently 'gifts to celebrate and help the new couple get settled.' I'm not sure about the second bit, but celebrating I can get behind." Another nuzzle to Fresh, before gently shifting him to their shoulder, as they hold out their hands to accept the gifts. "-may we?"

Askbittyerror09/27/2020 “Of course.” The goopdads offer the gifts, Domino speaking. “The box is from our family and Huitzi, the bag is from Flare, one of the envelopes is from Dame and Moose and, uh… we, don’t really know who the other is from.”

with-bells-upon09/27/2020 "Thank you-" they accept the gifts, looking at them curiously. "-oh, and remind me I need to talk to that tall red winged dork later, would you?"

salty darkness09/27/2020 Tendrils pick the bag up and out of Bells' arms, carefully opening it. "...remind me to make sure that 'tall red dork' doesn't attack me, would you?"

with-bells-upon09/27/2020 "...yeah, that's coming right along with 'sorry our child made a solid effort to bite you in the face for looking at her da funny.'"

Askbittyerror09/27/2020 Inside the bag is a small glass jar that fits neatly into his palm. It’s filled with dried fuschia petals and has a handwritten label. It reads; AlcheLust Echo Flower Petals STRONG APHODIASIAC, USE ONLY A LITTLE Enjoy your honeymoon~

with-bells-upon09/27/2020 "..." "Remind me to have a few other words with that man too." They are not. Blushing. Shush.

salty darkness09/27/2020 The goop closes the bag so very, very fast. "..." "Beloved? Maybe be careful with opening the rest. Just in case."

Askbittyerror09/27/2020 "What is it?" Magnus frowns, trying to somehow see through the bag.

salty darkness09/27/2020 A tendril bats Magnus away with a lot more force than what's probably necessary. "NOTHING."

with-bells-upon09/27/2020 Brightly green flushed cheeks, which they try rubbing at with an embarrassed mutter of agreement, opening the box now, and pretending that didn't just happen. "...nothing. if Flare gives you a present for your wedding, uh... be, careful." [4:27 PM] "..." a frown, and narrowed gaze to their beloved at this.

Askbittyerror09/27/2020 Magnus squeaks and gives Greylu a reproachful glare. "Me bitty." He gestures to himself. "You be careful, or I go squish. Understand?"

salty darkness09/27/2020 "..." "Sorry. Just, uh- don't look inside the bag. Please."

with-bells-upon09/27/2020 "...do not squish my 'new dad.' he' a massive improvement over the last."

Askbittyerror09/27/2020 "It's okay." Magnus says, giving Bells a incredibly soft, fond smile. "...thanks kiddo, I appreciate it."

salty darkness09/27/2020 "..." Greylu glances to the box in Bells' arms, trying to see what's inside.

Askbittyerror09/27/2020 Inside the box is a circlet, roughly the size of Bells’ head, carefully cushioned on a small mountain of tissue paper. The circlet’s base is intricately carved from mountain mahogany with little painted Aztec symbols for blessings of luck, happiness, good health and swift victory over ones enemies. Wound around and through it are strands of gold and black metal, twisted and spiraled to form simple feathers and delicate tendrils. Set in the wood and weaving are a pair of opals that shift between violet and gold, two dark, river smoothed pebbles that shine with flecks of neon in the right light and a single turquoise stone, a simple, stylized raven cut into it. “We made it.” Domino smiles softly, the bitties looking proud. “All of us. It was supposed to be a ‘welcome to the family’ present, but…” He shrugs. “We figured this was as good a time as any to give it to you.”

with-bells-upon09/27/2020 "..." A soft, soft smile, tears springing to the lich's eyes. "Th- thank you." They whisper. What more personal, sincere gift in the world could their new family give them, than a circlet like the ones they themselves wore? What better way of saying... you're one of us too now? "...thank you... so much."

salty darkness09/27/2020 Greylu smiles, looking down at the beautiful thing. "..." He looks back up at the bitties, tendrils gently wiping Bells' tears away. "Thank you. Thank you all."

Askbittyerror09/27/2020 Fresh nuzzles them gently and Magnus looks to Blue, the whole family all at once overtaken by the sudden intense need to hug. “You mind if we move over to the kid for a moment, beloved?” Magnus asks.

with-bells-upon09/27/2020 "Go on," Blue whispers, nuzzling him softly.

Askbittyerror09/27/2020 The bitties fly, teleport and swing over to Bells, curling up around and partially on top of Fresh, sitting on Bells' shoulder and nuzzling against their chin, and all just collectively giving hugs and soft little purrs.

salty darkness09/27/2020 "..." While Bells is being hugged, Greylu picks up the letters. He opens one of them with just a little difficulty, tilting his head.

with-bells-upon09/27/2020 Bells does their level best to cuddle and nuzzle every available bitty, while Blue watches quietly, more than willing to give their kid this moment. They still had moments like this too... Their family? Was everything to them.

Askbittyerror09/27/2020 The envelope contains a purple and black coupon, a note scribbled at the bottom in pink pen. The coupon is for a free bitty (or bitties within reason) adoption, all fees waived and all bitty items, clothing, toys, furniture, medicine, etc., considered paid for. Applicable at all Fell and Friends Bitty Rescue locations and affiliates. The note reads; We didn’t know what to get you, but we hope this suffices should you find someone you wish to bring home. Congratulations on your union! Signed, Dame and Moose

salty darkness09/27/2020 Greylu is quiet, reading the note. Then he reads it again. And again. And once more with feeling. Then he looks to Bells, clutching the coupon tight in his hand. "Beloved- Odium-"

with-bells-upon09/27/2020 "..." they look over his shoulder- their breath catches softly. "...oh." a whisper, faint, followed by a slow smile. "Do you think, we could find someone willing to be our baby's partner?" There's definitely hope in their voice, if hesitant. "I mean, the babs are evenly numbered right now, but there's no way to tell when the next seed might-" They pause at this point, realizing this probably sounds strange to their bitty family. "...what about your baby?" Blue presses, sounding concerned.

Askbittyerror09/27/2020 "Are they okay?" Magnus asks, the entire bitty fam, Fresh included, making worried noises.

salty darkness09/27/2020 "..." Greylu sighs, taking a deep breath in and out. "It's... complicated. The way guardians work in our Multiverse is that they have to have a partner that they're bonded with- Mea is Raine's partner, for example. Almost all of our children are bonded with eachother, except Odium." "...if they don't have a partner, they... have health complications. And generally don't fare too well overall. As I said, it's complicated."

[necroarchy]

Father’s Day

   SUMMARY: In the wake of the Second Battle of Light’s Hope, the Lich King contemplates his Deathlord in a strange, rare moment of camaraderie. Except not really.

   OR a conversation that doesn’t end with anyone dead for once, but just barely.

    NOTE: Reposting 'cause we live that life around here and also it’s got lines I needed to find.

   WARNING: This is from Arthas’ perspective, so it’s just all kinds of awful. Mental and emotional abuse, as well as references to past physical abuse. Manipulation, intimidation, victim-blaming, etc. etc.

     “ What’re you doing, Lich King? ”

     The unsettlement of air announced his Wraith just before her voice, the syllables carrying with them the distinctive sensations that made up the patchwork of her presence - the whisper of ice, of shadow, of wolf’s teeth and bottomless hunger. He did not turn to the child as she leaned irreverently against the balustrade that wrapped around the overlook they stood upon, the hollow thunk of saronite striking saronite muffled by the material of her coat. He had forgone his helm for a short while today, and she stood just at the edge of his peripheral vision if he focused on her. ( He didn’t. ) The wolf, cleverly, settled between Lord and King. While the barrier of fur and bone and blood would not be enough to make Arthas so much as hesitate should things edge towards violence, it would stop Zoen in her tracks.

     Idly, he wondered why she was here.

     “ Observing. ” Beneath them, knights-in-training battled furiously against one another while instructors waded fearlessly amidst the fray, shouting threats and criticisms. The din was almost pleasant, yet another form of background noise to join that of the endless clamor of murmuring souls that echoed through Arthas’ skull. “ You could benefit from doing the same. ”

     He heard the shift of metal and leather as she turned to split her attention between him and the knights. “ They’re awful. ”

     “ You were worse. ”

     She scoffed in disdain, and he glanced at her just in time to catch her unconsciously raising a hand to rub at where her throat had been sawed open barely a week following her rebirth. He did not try to suppress his smirk. “ Inaccurate, and not the point. ”

     “ Isn’t it? ” He tilted his attention further to her, both approving and condemning how she rocked back on her heels away from him.

     Wariness of him was smart, was right in a knight of his, no matter their errancy - especially due to their errancy. The Ebon Blade yet had treasons to atone for, sins whose punishments he’d flay from their souls as soon as they had returned, properly, to the heavy fold of his sovereignty. Amusing though it was to watch Acherus’ children scurry around doing his bidding while stubbornly clinging to their delusion of independence, he ached for when they’d kneel in reverent, dutiful loyalty at the foot of his throne, minds reconnected to the grand nexus of the Scourge and the chains of their wills wound firmly around his wrist.

     From beneath came an especially loud shout, followed by a gradual decrease of noise. Arthas looked down and saw a rough circle of acolytes forming around what appeared to be a newly-disarmed initiate who stood clenching his lone fist whilst an instructor shouted at him. At their feet lay a severed, leaking limb. The instructor roared for a few more moments before apparently dismissing the acolyte, who took the chance to snag his arm off the ground before stiffly making his way towards the doors that would lead him to the nearest necromancers’ hall. The clamor from before rose back up, knights fighting knights with renewed vigor.

     “ See? ” Zoen murmured, tone edging irritatingly similar to smug. Was she closer than she’d been before? “ Awful. ”

     “ If any of them surpass you, Deathlord, I’ll replace you. ”

     “ If any of them surpass me, Lich King, I’ll deserve it. ” She twisted around to rest her back fully on the railing, dismissing the knights below with silent contempt. The consequence was that she now no longer had anything to really focus on save Arthas himself, which she seemed to only truly understand at the end of her little rotation. To his entertainment, she seemed incapable of regarding him for any protracted length of time, as though he were the sun and to look directly at him would burn her eyes. No, not the sun, he thought. A god, his divinity too darkly radiant for a creature of such profound imperfection as Zoen Mith to gaze upon without suffering vastly for it. The idea pleased him enough that he magnanimously declined to call out the weakness for what it was.

     The moment extended awkwardly --- for the girl, of course, not Arthas, who really couldn’t care less about her dilemma except the ways it may compliment him --- wherein Zoen shuffled between gazing down at her dozing wolf and sending furtive, disturbed glances at the sculpted skull of his right pauldron. Her eyes dropped to her feet and her hands fell from the railing to inside her coat’s pockets. She pulled out what looked to be an old, brass pocket watch and frowned briefly at it before curling her fist tighter around it and jamming them both back into her coat.

     They fell into silence, leaving one another to their distractions: Zoen her growing unease, Arthas his supervision of his knights’ training. Nothing so gruesomely inconvenient as dismemberment plagued any of the remaining acolytes, though such mercy could not be attributed to hesitancy or consideration on behalf of their brethren; indeed the tide of their ferocity and bloodlust seemed to rise higher in concurrence with the growing length of time that their mock battles stretched on. Except mock began to seem too trite a word, now that he thought about it, its connotations almost too passive for the crashing violence that swept across the floor below - as though it was not a legion of fallen, desecrated heroes pitted in a dozen vicious wars but a pack of squealing children artlessly swinging sticks at one another. Puerile, even - and of course thoughts of puerility inevitably drew his attention (and eyes) toward the child leaning artlessly against the balustrade at his side, one of her hands curling loosely around the hilt of her overhyped stick.

     It dawned, suddenly, that he had never before shared any moment of remarkable length with this child of his that did not involve violence of either a physical or mental capacity. He would not call what they dwelled in currently peace, aware as he was of the literal and proverbial wolf slumbering between them, and the blades they both carried at their sides should the metaphorical beast awaken. But it was not violence, nor teeth-clenched toleration that would only last the very bare minimum of time until they could hastily part ways. It was, temporarily, a state of coexistence.

     Arthas seized the opportunity to really, truly look at Zoen. His child was a mess of poor construction, avian bones wrapped up in lambskin with shark’s teeth jammed into a too-small mouth, her own weak jaw muzzling her better than any man-made contraption. Lordship had settled heavily on her shoulders, rounding them until he wondered for a moment if they had been wrenched from the sockets. He could see the tension in her neck, how the tendons were taut as bowstrings beneath the skin. The dark shadows that clung to her eyes spoke of an exhaustion she could not even experience anymore. Her cheekbone was splattered with the telltale discolorations of a nearly-healed bruise, and below her jaw, just above the line of her coat’s collar, a sloppy row of stitches ran diagonally down her throat.

     “ You look atrocious. ”

     Candid, but he had never been the liar between them. She grinned sardonically, and at the corner of her mouth he could just make out the faint, silvery line of where a blade had broken through the skin long ago, trailing from the edge of her lips to the swell of her chin. The scar was unnotable enough on its own, but compounded with his intimate knowledge of the mutilation that destroyed the other side of her face, its inconsequence was practically insulting. Arthas entertained the thought of taking a blade and digging through that pathetic blemish, turning it into another emblem of ruination. Another lesson.

          Perhaps this time, she would learn it.

     “ Do I? What a shame. ” Her voice was a desert. “ Somewhere between slaughtering demons and leading armies I suppose I let my skincare regimen fall to the wayside. ”

     “ If you crumble, child --- ”

     “ Yes, you said, ” she snapped, and he so dearly desired to reach forward and pluck out those teeth she dared turn against him. Petulance could be amusing, and spite had its charm, but little mitigated such outright disrespect. “ You’ll replace me with one of your pets. I’m very sure they’ll have better luck attacking the paladins than I did. ”

     “ That would not be difficult. ” He rounded on her, paying no heed to the growl building up in the wolf’s chest as it scrabbled to its feet and backed up against his Wraith, its fangs bared uselessly at him. “ Your failure was a spectacular display of the incompetence characteristic of your Ebon Blade. ”

     Below them, the din of battle lessened as distracted knights turn from their combatants to the storm quietly brewing on the overlook. Arthas lashed out at their minds in painful chastisement, disgusted at such a large-scale lapse on their part. He would not allow his loyal servants to succumb to the same weaknesses that crippled his traitors - crippled his daughter, who for all her snarling, sputtering outrage could inspire only a swell of disgust in the Lich King.

     “ We aren’t --- ”

     “ Maxwell Tyrosus and Liadrin were at your mercy, ” he spat viciously, “ and rather than bring them into --- ” my “ --- your fold, you chose to leave them crumpled on the ground, battered but alive. Tirion Fordring rests peacefully in his grave still, because you were too weak to claim him. Time and again, you are given chances to prove yourself, and time and again, you fall short of expectations. You disappoint me. ”

     The effect was immediate; Zoen reeled back, face crumpling in a way that brought to mind Archimonde’s destruction of Dalaran; the experience of watching something vaunted be brought down by a power so totally beyond its scope that resistance was completely inconceivable. She built herself back up, brick by brick --- swept away her horror and dismay behind a curtain of rage and hatred, but he could still see it through the gossamer threads, he still knew how fragile the foundations of her construction were.

     “ I disappoint you, ” she sneered, shaking her head, as though that might bolster the illusion enough that he couldn’t see through it. “ I disappoint you how, Lich King? ‘Cause I didn’t slaughter my way through Light’s Hope? ” And he could kill her for the ghost of guilt he saw cross her face. “ It only took me four knights and a handful of ghouls to reach their Sanctum. You sent ten thousand soldiers and you didn’t even get through the door! ”

     “ Tread lightly, ” he warned softly, taking a step toward her. His Wraith almost tripped over herself in her attempt to not mirror him with a step back, and this was godhood, was sovereignty, was power, this ability to dominate with nothing more than a twitch and a breath. “ Mograine died for you, Deathlord. Don’t throw that sacrifice away out of petulance. ”

     But godhood, sovereignty, power --- none would be nearly so gratifying if the whole world simply rolled over, quavering in fearful submission, meekly accepting his dominion without giving rebellion a fleeting thought. Zoen tilted her chin up, the line of stitches across her throat stretching, and Arthas delighted in the defiance as much as he loathed it. There was incredible satisfaction in possessing something that had once fought tooth and nail against being owned.

     “ I’m right, though, ” she said coldly, hollowly. The lack of arrogance ensured that his loathing did not outweigh his delight for now. “ Other than bringing back Tirion, we’ve done everything right. Got the weapons, got the Horsemen, got a couple mountains’ worth of dead demons behind us, got a… glowy, floaty, singin’ thing hangin’ out in the corner of Acherus that I should probably throw back into the ocean or something ‘cause it’s giving everyone a headache and it clashes with everything and we’ve got a bloody aesthetic to maintain --- ”

     The wolf chuffed, breaking the flow of Zoen’s ramble. She spared it a blank, indecipherable look before returning her gaze to Arthas.

     “ So --- so you could kill me ‘cause I’m petulant, and replace me with one of those --- those unborn brats down there, and see how that goes. Or you could… not kill me, and not replace me, ‘cause so far that seems to be working out pretty well. ”

     “ Is this a plea for mercy, Deathlord? ”

     A laugh tore its way out of her throat. “ Mercy’s a sin. I’m asking you to be practical. ”

     It was not pride that unfurled, sleepy and disoriented, beneath his rib cage, but its precursor. The acknowledgement that pride could exist within him, that one day it might settle in his bones, that looking at his Wraith would not inspire frustration and betrayal and and a sinking, clawing feeling that he could not name. And if she could scrabble her way towards such glory as the Death God’s approval, imagine what the rest of her brethren could accomplish, those whose only disappointments had been betrayal.

     A crooked grin crossed the Lich King’s features, and that precursor must have bled through because Zoen lowered her chin, looking somewhat disturbed. “ Then consider yourself forgiven, Deathlord, ” he said with all proper magnanimity of a god. She wasn’t, really, wouldn’t be for a long while, but if she could offer candor, he could offer lies. “ I’d suggest returning to your knights before you need seek it again. ”

     His Wraith, for all her faults, was not quite foolish enough to dare stay when a clean exit was offered; and thus with a short whistle to her wolf, she lurched away from the balustrade, hands raised and wreathed in shadow as she wrenched open a death gate. The wolf padded obediently through the portal, and she had nearly taken her first step through when:

     “ Though I do wonder, Zoen, why you came here today at all. ”

     With her back to him as she stood before her gate, Arthas could not see what sort of emotion might have twisted her features, but he knew enough from the stiffening of her shoulders, the way her hands curled into fists before she shoved them into her pockets, that it would have been interesting. And as the silence grew between them, festering like an infected wound, he began to consider reaching forward, yanking her around that he might find out.

     “ It’s Father’s Day, ” she said at last, and that strange, sinking feeling clawed at his insides. “ Thought about just sending a card, but I’m pretty sure the postage would’ve bankrupted me. Suffer well, Arthas. ”

     And then she was gone, the gate sealing neatly behind her, nothing left behind to indicate she had ever been there at all. Arthas found himself staring at the space she’d occupied for a moment too long before finally returning his eyes to the knights training below, clashing in their mock battles like a pack of children.

    Father’s Day.

    The claws sunk deeper.

    He should have carved up her face again.