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questforgalas · 2 months ago

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Storm Blue Eyes and A Scottish Brogue: Reasons Simon Riley Came Back to Life

For @daredaredoodles!! Happy Ghoapmas!!! Here is some very oblivious and very yearny Ghost for you!! Oh, did I mention lots of fluff? :) I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it!!!

Thank you @forsaire for hosting!!!!

Ao3 link

Summary: It was supposed to be a holiday season like all of the others - nights filled with reports, and a base haunted by a Ghost while everyone wandered home. Three knocks on Simon's door change those plans entirely.

Words: 5K

No CWs, just tooth-rotting fluff and Gaz so done with these two

It was supposed to be quiet tonight. An intimate date between Simon, the desk in his room, and the pile of reports that magically remain the same height regardless of how many hours are put towards them (a detail Captain Price never misses). Does Simon happen to write a little slower to aid that magical spell so that he has a proper excuse when Price inevitably comes knocking on his door and asks why he hasn’t filed for leave again this December? Possibly, but that little detail belongs between Simon and the twenty minutes during which he contemplates which words to use instead of “infiltrate” and “detonation”.

He should have known nothing ever goes according to plan. Three familiar knocks rapping against the door certainly proved that right.

Cut to Soap MacTavish standing on the other side, a smile curling his lips and azure eyes all the brighter against the navy jumper wrapping across his broad chest. Words were said, something about a night out which made sense since Soap wore dark jeans that seemed made specifically to torture Simon, and there was a glint in Soap’s eye not dissimilar to a child’s on Christmas morning.

Ah, so, Price was picking up the tab.

As Soap stands in the hall, punctuating his pitch to coach the lieutenant out of his room with perfectly placed smiles and a wink or two anyone else would find gratuitous but Simon found infuriatingly endearing, Simon swaps his hoodie for a black jumper, grabs his jacket, and has the door locked just as Soap says, “‘nd it’s not tha team without ma favorite lieutenant.”

The calendars say “December”, but the unseasonably warm air makes the jacket hanging over Simon’s arm feel like overkill, making him contemplate turning around and throwing it through the door, but instead he rolls up the sleeves of his jumper. In the corner of his eye, he sees Soap watch as the fabric folds back and reveals Simon’s forearms - corded with muscle, covered in scars, one completely inked over.

Simon wanted to tell himself that the way Soap ogled at the skin didn’t make his own feel a size too small. He wanted to tell himself the way Soap’s Adam's apple bobbed and the dusting of pink at the tip of his ears didn’t match his own. He wanted to tell himself he wouldn’t tuck this moment away safely in the gilded chest labeled “Moments He Can Pretend” that he stored in the safe recesses of his heart.

He wanted to tell himself all of that, but unfortunately, that would make Simon a liar.

Soap rambles on about some combination of some chemicals that Simon doesn’t understand a lick of - he’s just happy he remembers to nod at points that seem right for it - and they walk side by side through Hereford.

“What fresh hell is this,” Simon mutters, the revelry from the pub greeting their ears when they’re still a block away.

“Don’t fret, Lt.” Soap nudges him with his shoulder. “I’m sure it’s just ol’ Gerry with tha music up because he finally accepted he cannae hear for shit.”

It was, in fact, not Gerry with the music up.

The Green Pony quite literally glows on the corner. Green garland lit with soft, white lights frames every window, and electric candles flicker at the streets. Two wreaths adorned with a red ribbon bow hang on the dark wood doors, and through the windows, matching garland and lights line the entirety of the bar. A large tree pulls it all together, lighting up the far corner much to the chagrin of some patrons looking for a secluded corner away from the crowd.

They shoulder their way through the entry and are immediately sucked into the chaos that is the Green Pony operating over capacity. Behind the bar, Gerry, the owner, a man who Simon is convinced was born in this pub, slings pints and jabs faster than any of the youngsters helping alongside him, and when he catches sight of the two men, he throws a lazy salute and points in the direction of their usual table. They break through the crowd, and the sight of Captain Price and Sergeant Kyle “Gaz” Garrick greets them at their usual booth.

“Well fuck me,” Gaz says as they approach. “Good to see ya Ghost, but you just lost me 20 quid.”

“Pay up,” Soap holds out his hand as he scoots in besides the other sergeant. Gaz grumbles something about “unfair advantages” as he fishes out his wallet, and hidden under a black medical mask, a smile pulls at the corner of Ghost’s lips. A terrible bet by Gaz, really. Might as well be the title of Simon’s memoir:

Storm Blue Eyes and A Scottish Brogue: Reasons Simon Riley Could Never Say No.

Gaz of all people should know this, and Simon’s pretty sure Soap does do.

Simon settles in next to Price who silently nods in a way of greeting, but Simon doesn’t miss the way his mouth curls up in a smile around the lip of his glass. “Never become predictable, Sergeant. Easier to kill that way,” Simon offers. Two pints sit unclaimed on the table. Simon grabs one while nudging the other towards Soap. “‘nd have some respect. I’m worth at least 40 quid.”

“Sound advice, sir.” Gaz tips his glass to Simon then takes a strong swig.

The rounds disappear and reappear over and over. The older patrons begin to make their way home, thinning the crowd some but not enough to avoid Simon’s shoulder - large enough to breach the end of the booth - becoming a human bumper now and again. Someone’s hijacked the jukebox, and Mariah Carey’s been serenading them about Christmas for the past twenty minutes. Price said his goodbyes a round ago, but not before assuring “Yes, sergeants, the tab will still be open,” and he threw that look to Simon that said “They’re your circus now”.

Now, Gaz sits at the table, chocolate eyes glassy under the lights, and a finger absentmindedly circles his pint. A dopey smile sits on his lips, and every few minutes he mumbles along to Mariah before she drowns in the din of the crowd. A word hasn’t been spoken between them since Price left - an understood respect by Gaz who knows Simon’s need for silence as much as Soap’s need to fill the air - and Simon wishes he could enjoy it. He wishes he could give Gaz that much. Instead, a dainty hand attached to a brunette he faintly recognizes from base is demanding all of his attention.

Moments ago, Soap delivered their newest round with a thunk, earning a curse or two from Gaz who saved his pint just in time, but instead of sliding into the space next to Simon - a space he occupied as soon as Price said his goodbyes - he grabbed his pint and beelined to the bar. There, a brunette waited. They were familiar, that Simon was sure of, and Soap kept flashing that smile that Simon was desperate to be turned on him.

And then the hand. The hand gripped Soap’s bicep, gave it a squeeze, and a laugh, airy and bright followed. The hand remained. That smile flashed brighter.

Simon hated that hand.

She was pretty enough. Glossy hair, high cheekbones, an ass Simon assumed would be appreciated by the right eyes. Eyes that weren’t azure blue and rivaled the bays of Islay. Any eyes except those.

The hand slides from Soap’s bicep and cups his elbow. Simon’s knuckles have gone white. He really hated that hand.

“Ghost, mate,” Simon hears from across the table. “Bruv, that glass is about to lose whatever battle ya’ve picked against it.” Simon tears his gaze away from that hand and sets it on Garrick who, bless him, doesn’t flinch. “Mind tellin’ me what that poor glass has done to you?”

“Don’t know what you’re on ‘bout,” Simon answers and sets his eyes back on that hand that’s smartly retreated back to its owner. Lucky her, she gets to keep it.

For now.

Soap’s pint is forgotten on the bartop, he says something to the brunette, and the cute crease that appears when the Scot is trying to puzzle out an equation is between his brows. Simon adores that crease. His hands itch to smooth it out and fight whatever has caused it.

He misses the questioning look on Gaz’s face and when he follows Simon’s gaze. He misses when the sergeant puts two and two together, but what he doesn’t miss is the sigh that’s pulled from Gaz’s chest and the thunk of the sergeant’s forehead against the thick, wooden table.

“Ya’ve got to be bloody kiddin’ me.” Stunned, Simon watches as Gaz thunks his head one, two, three more times, then snaps back up. His face is nothing but anguish. “Talk to him.”

“What?” Simon smartly replies.

“Talk. To. Him.” Gaz accompanies each word with a thump of his pint as if hammering them into the wood would hammer them into Simon’s confused brain.

“Talk to who?”

“Bloody ‘ell!” Simon thinks Gaz is being a bit overdramatic, what with throwing his hands in the air and acting as if Simon is the densest person in this pub. Problem is, Simon has no idea what he’s supposed to be grasping. The sergeant rubs a hand down his face, and once he’s collected himself, the stare he throws at Simon pins him to the booth. “Talk to Soap. I’m beggin’ you, Ghost. Talk to him, and save us all from havin’ to keep watching you two dance around each other like a bunch of school boys who don’t know what a crush is.”

The words make sense. Well, they make sense that they’re words, and they’re going in one ear. But not all of them are processing and some of them are going right out the other ear leaving a jumbled tangle of words like “Soap” and “you two” and “crush” that are rattling around in the empty space of Simon’s mind. Yes, it makes sense that Garrick just said something, but the implications are mad enough that he has half a mind to order him to a psych evaluation at once.

“Might’ve finally lost it, Garrick. Imaginin’ things now.” It’s really all he can muster past his lead laden tongue.

Crushing on Soap, well, that was as easy as breathing. But crushing is too trivial a word, wasn’t it? Crushing was what you did on the schoolyard when the brain hadn’t learned the words that threatened to burst from your heart. Crushing was soft glances across a room and sheepish smiles dripping with honeyed words. Crushing wasn’t a deep seeded trust that you’d make it home alive as long as that one person was beside you. Crushing wasn’t intimate knowledge of a body learned in the lowlight of safehouses while rough hands guided needles through skin. Crushing wasn’t hushed confessions in the dark as you accepted your mortality.

No, Simon did not have a crush on Soap MacTavish, because a crush was too simple. A tapestry of moments woven from a tarmac to now - the bar lights catching the hidden caramel strands of Soap’s mohawk - blanketed along Simon’s very being, and no longer could he ignore that his British heart had a Scottish flag planted firmly in place.

And because life loves to remind Simon that he is not a man destined for gentle touches and even gentler words, he watches as the brunette grasps Soap around the forearm and leads him out of the pub. “Told ya,” the words taste more bitter than he intended. “Imaginin’ things.”

Gaz tracks the pair through the crowd. “I’m the best interrogator on the team,” he says. Simon’s brow shoots up, and he’s about to question what the hell that has anything to do with this when Gaz holds up his hand and continues. “I’m the best interrogator on this team. I can read body language at a level that, often, I wish I couldn’t. The amount of people’s secrets that they don’t even know but I know is a burden I’m cursed to carry.” Pint abandoned and a finger getting closer and closer to Simon’s chest, Gaz continues. “I don’t know what the hell ‘appened in Las Almas…well I do, I read the report, but I mean between you two. I noticed it the moment we stepped into Ale’s safehouse, and it’s only gotten worse since. We, the 141, are a team. Price and I are teammates. You and I are teammates. Johnny an-”

“He doesn’t want anyone callin’ ‘im Johnny.” Amusement dances across Gaz’s eyes, and Simon knows he fell into his trap.

“Exactly. Anyone except?” Gaz takes Simon’s glare as confirmation. “All I’m sayin’ is, Soap and you? You’re more than teammates, Ghost. You’re the best in the world - as much as I ‘ate to admit it - not because of hours of training together or years of missions. It’s like you two are one soul, it’s absolutely mad to watch. And it’s not just on missions either. Ya both have a starin’ problem, that’s for sure. Though neither of you would know because it’s always when the other isn’t lookin’.”

“We - what?” Simon can’t fit Gaz’s words into his understanding of his relationship with Soap.

“The heart eyes? At each other?” Gaz flutters his lashes, and Christ, it actually gets a chuckle out of Ghost, as annoyed as he is. “Ya’d think for someone whose eyes are the only part of his body he shows, you’d be better at schooling them, but I swear I’ve seen those lines at the corners actually melt whenever Soap walks into the room.”

Oh, Gaz is proper teasing now, and Simon wants to smack the smirk right off of his face. He wants to tell him he’s delusional and that he can’t accept the image Gaz is spinning because it means taking the feelings he keeps packed away in that gilded chest in the safe corner of his heart and laying them all out there. Yet, the denial never comes, and instead, he feels his traitorous mouth curl up.

Is that…relief easing his chest?

Gaz’s face softens. “Remember the first thing ya told me when I joined the team?”

“Our job doesn’t guarantee tomorrow,” Simon says automatically. “Take the good moments while ya can. Don’t know ‘ow many ya’ll have.”

“Maybe time to start takin’ your own advice, huh?”

“Who’s advice we takin’?”

Gaz and Simon jump at the new voice, both reflexes fast enough to keep the pints from spilling over. Simon peers up, and his heart stutters. There stands Soap with cheeks rosy from the cold, and Simon has well and truly lost it because he desperately wants to loop his arm around Soap’s waist and tuck him into his side to keep him warm.

“Just Ghost’s words of wisdom,” Gaz supplies easily.

“Ah, only an eejit wouldn’t listen to the Ghost.” Soap stares down at the table, and he clears his throat before he continues. “Actually, Lt. I - I was hopin’ I could pull ye away?” He rubs the back of his neck, and the red on his cheeks spreads to the tips of his ears. “Unless ye don’t want to! Dinnae me - mean to interrupt, probably discussin’ something - never mind I…”

“Relax, Sergeant.” At the sound of Simon’s voice, Soap’s shoulders drop and his breaths come easier. He meets Simon’s gaze, and Simon has never seen this look in those storm blue eyes. Timid. Unsure. Bashful? “Was just finishin’ up. Garrick, ya good?”

Gaz waves him off. “Out of ‘ere. Your dark cloud is bringin’ down the festive mood.” He throws them a wink and stands from the table, smoothing out his jumper as he eyes six feet of muscles and a jawline that could break glass leaning on the bartop. Instead of walking around them, Gaz cuts right between Simon and Soap, and just before he steps away, he leans into Simon’s ear. “Talk to him.”

The hour hasn’t cooled the air so Simon and Soap opt to wander through Hereford instead of hailing a cab. Simon blames the beer and Gaz’s words buzzing in his ears, but he feels attuned to every one of Soap’s footfalls and every sway of his arms. The street is empty, plenty of room to stroll, yet the two of them walk with barely a hair between them. A tug Simon will always follow, and maybe Gaz hasn’t completely lost it, because Soap does too.

But because Simon can never make things easy for himself, he says “Where’s the brunette?”

Soap looks at him, face scrunched and that crease is between his brows. It would be so simple to reach out and gently smooth his thumb along it. “Wha’ brunette?” Soap asks because he can never make it easy for Simon, either.

“The brunette at the pub. Seemed…cozy.” If a sniper took him out, Simon wouldn’t complain.

“Cozy?” An incredulous laugh circles around the word. He’s really going to make Simon spell it out.

“Ya. Cozy. Thought, well, -” Simon picks at the nonexistent lint on his sweater. “Thought she was makin’ good company.”

Soap is silent, and it’s making Simon’s skin crawl. He focuses on his steps, one in front of the other. He creates a new mission right then: get back to base, say goodnight to Soap, and not emerge from his room until everyone has left for the holidays. He has rations hidden in his desk, he can make it until then.

“Oh, Simon,” Soap says softly between them.

They don’t speak for the rest of the walk, but there’s a spring in Soap’s step, and whatever millimeter of space that had existed between them is eaten up entirely by the Scot. When they arrive on base, Simon prepares his goodbye, ready to go down his hall while Soap goes down his, but when he turns to depart, Soap grabs his wrist and guides Simon with him.

They arrive at Soap’s private room. The Scot jumbles his keys, nearly dropping them on the ground, and struggles to get them into the keyhole. Simon thinks to point out that the process would probably be easier if Soap just let go of his wrist, but call him weak because that touch is more intimate than any stitch Soap has put in his body.

Finally, the lock turns, Soap pushes open the door, swiftly kicks it closed, and the two of them stand in the soft glow of the lamp on the bedside table.

He’s been in Soap’s room plenty of times before, but this, this moment is different. A delicate thing Simon could almost hold in his hand, and he hopes that door never opens again. Hopes that they can stand here away from the responsibilities and the enemy bullets and bask in the warmth of this thing between them. This thing that Simon prays to a God he doesn’t believe in that he’s no longer imagining and is ready to stop ignoring. Since the pub he’s felt exposed, as if every emotion he’s tried to hide away for the better part of a year is now written across his skin for a pair of azure eyes to read. As he spies the rapid rise and fall of Soap’s chest, he thinks he’s not the only one.

Words sit on his tongue, but just before they tumble from his lips, he pulls them back. He’s pictured this moment 1000 different times and 100 different ways. None of it practiced. He has to get this right. He takes a breath. He has to figure out a way to tell Soap that if he wants to take the plunge, Simon is on the ledge with him, but he also wants to leave the door open so that if he’s misread everything, nothing needs to change between the two of them. The jumper is beginning to cling to his back.

But it’s Soap who speaks first. “I got ye somethin.”

“Ya got me somethin’?” Simon repeats back.

“Aye. It’s - one second.” Soap steps around him and rifles through his jacket. When he straightens, a dark rectangle is in his hands. He holds it out to Simon who has lost all function of his arms and stares at the object.

“What is it?”

“A present.”

“A present?”

“Holy ‘ell, Simon. Yes! A present! Ye know what a present is, aye?”

Simon is only more confused by the answer. Soap shoves the rectangle into his chest, and Simon’s brain catches up fast enough to wrap his hands around the object that he now realizes is a thick, wooden box.

“For me?” Seems his brain hasn’t moved past two word sentences though.

Soap rolls his eyes and his hands plant his hips. “Yes, it’s for you. It’s what I was talkin’ to Heather about.”

“Heather?” Christ, Simon needs his brain to wake up.

“Aye, Heather. The lass at the pub. She helped me get this.”

“So, ya weren’t -” Simon feels his ears burn. “Ya weren’t…flirting?”

Soap’s eyes widen for half a second, and then he tries to hide a startled chuckle with a cough as he looks down. Simon’s pretty sure he hears “Fuckin bampot” mixed in there. When Soap looks back up, he seems shy, almost embarrassed, cheeks back to that pink that’s starting to drive Simon wild. “No, Lt. Heather gets handsy after some pints, but I wasn’t flirtin’ with her.” Azure blue locks him in place. “I had someone else in mind for that.”

Bloody hell. Simon’s first instinct is to retreat. Flirting wasn’t wholly a new thing between them. They’d lost comms privileges on more than a few missions with Price - Gaz never had the power to pull the plug though he always made his grievances known - but it was all coy, innocent, dangling off the edge of friendly banter. None of it was ever so brazen, so laid out in the open. But here was Soap, taking the first step, leaving a small part of himself bare, waiting to see what Simon would do with it.

“You didn’t have to,” Simon says, holding up the box.

“I wanted to.” It sounds so simple coming from those lips.

Simon’s jacket joins Soap’s, and he holds the box in both hands. What he mistook for black is actually a deep, rich mahogany polished by an expert hand. The box easily lays in his palms, and he’s acutely aware of Soap watching him as he lifts the lid. Simon’s breath catches.

The inside is lined by a black silk, and nestled in the middle lies the most beautiful knife he has ever seen. He can tell that the blade is of the best steel, a straight spine across the top meets a point sharp enough to tear through his toughest gloves. He runs his thumb along the edge to the heel and revels at the ease with which it knicks his skin.

Where the blade is all wicked grace, the handle is a work of art. Stunning black onyx catches the light as Simon delicately lifts it from the box. At first glance, it’s smooth, but when he rubs the stone with his thumb, he catches other carvings. He moves to the bedside table, and when he holds it under the lamplight, Simon nearly drops the knife.

Sapphire blue and rich hazel streak through the black stone, tangling together perfectly. Simon turns the handle. On one side is a blue bar of soap. It matches a doodle Simon has seen on scraps of paper left in briefing rooms and napkins in the mess and on the corners of his reports when a certain sergeant comes to visit. He flips it, and on the other side is a hazel ghost. Another doodle Simon has spied on the pages of a journal kept close to that same sergeant’s heart.

“Do ye like it?” Soap shifts on his feet. He’s rubbing the back of his neck again, and Simon fights back a laugh.

The absurdity of it all, that Soap could be nervous right now.

No. Not Soap. Not anymore.

Johnny. His Johnny. He’s always been his, from the tarmac to now as Simon stares, gobsmacked, at this immortalization of them in stone. At this declaration of every intention and feeling and dream Simon’s been too afraid of. Johnny’s blue streaking through the darkness, dancing perfectly with Simon’s hazel. Ghost and Soap always side by side. He decides right then that he’s done tucking the feelings away in that gilded chest. He’s done with moments that live only in his fantasies. He’s done pretending he’s ok with it being just Ghost and Soap forever and that he hasn’t craved Simon and Johnny.

So yes, it is absolutely absurd that Johnny could be nervous right now.

“Heather’s da used tae be in tha service ‘nd makes these custom now. I ken you’re picky about the blades. Think I drove ‘er up the wall goin’ back ‘nd forth makin’ sure it was the best -” Johnny is rambling, and he’s looking everywhere except at Simon. If he was, he would have seen Simon reverently place the knife back in the box. He would’ve seen Simon rip the medical mask off of his face, and he would’ve seen Simon eat the space between them in two strides. If he was, he would’ve been ready when Simon cupped his face, and crashed their lips together.

Simon has no idea what he’s doing. He doesn’t know how to do soft and gentle. He doesn’t know how to exist in a space where there’s acknowledged interest that’s so much heavier than a tumble in a bed. He doesn’t know how Johnny MacTavish, full of joy and thunder and blazing glory, found his way into Simon’s endless darkness. But Johnny kisses him back and grips his jumper, and Simon’s heart is no longer his own.

“Hi,” Johnny says once they catch their breath, and Simon can feel the smile against his lips.

“Johnny,” Simon mumbles, and it sounds like a prayer. He pulls Johnny closer and feels the strong muscles of his arms circle around Simon’s waist. He cradles Johnny’s face, thumb softly rubbing against the stubble on his cheek, and he leans in again. This, Simon thinks, is his own personal version of heaven.

They’re pressed together now, chest to chest, and Simon is certain he’d be fine dying right here.

“How long?” Johnny asks, and he leans into the palm of Simon’s hand.

“Fishin’ for compliments, Sergeant? B’neath you.” There’s a swift slap on his shoulder. Simon nuzzles into the crook of Johnny’s neck to hide his smile.

“Awa’ an bile yer heid.” There’s no bite in the words. “How long?”

“Las Almas,” Simon admits against his skin. “The way you looked at the rig when the missile ‘it. I couldn’t look away from you. Still haven’t been able to.” He pulls back just enough to rest their foreheads together. “And when I saw Graves bullet ‘it…well, not even Price would’ve been able to keep me from huntin’ him down.”

“Hells bells, Simon. That was over a year ago!”

Simon ignores the outburst and kisses a rough, uneven scar barely hidden within the sergeant’s hairline. Johnny’s newest, only a couple weeks old “But then Makarov -” It takes a moment to fight past the lump in his throat. The arms around his waist tighten.

“In the hospital, I promised meself - “ Johnny turns his face into Simon’s neck, “that if I made it out, if I got one more shot, I was done runnin’ from ye.” He pulls back, freeing one hand and brings it up to cup Simon’s cheek. “While I lay in that bloody bed, all I could think was, ‘Ye didn’t get tae tell him. Ye didn’t get tae tell him, and now he’ll never know.’ So let me tell ye now.” Johnny cups beneath Simon’s jaw, forcing him to meet his gaze. “I love ye, Simon Riley. In this life and the next, I will always love ye. God help any sorry soul that ever tries to take ye from me, because I will burn this world tae tha ground until I find ye. I don’t know how long this life is willin’ to give us, but I’ll take whatever it’s generous with as long as it’s with ye.”

And well, Simon isn’t quite sure what to do with that.

There’s a jumble of emotions rattling around in his heart threatening to spill into his gut if he thinks too hard about it. He’s aware that Johnny is staring at him, adoration and patience swimming in stormy blue, and his hand is softly carding through the curls at Simon’s nape. He remembers Johnny back on that tarmac - nearly two years ago now - brash and cocky and willing, and wonders what would have happened if he’d known how his fate was written, how his own heart was on the line. If he had known on that first mission what that annoying sergeant would come to mean to him, what would he have done? Would he have kept Johnny at arm’s length, protecting him from the jagged mess that is Simon’s darkness? Standing there, basking in the glow that is his Johnny, he doesn’t think so. He doesn’t think he could have.

Simon threads a hand in the back of Johnny’s mohawk - it’s beginning to flirt with deregulation - and snakes the other around his waist. “Take the good moments,” he mutters in the space between them.

“Aye,” Soap says, smile bright in the lowlight. “Take the good moments.”

So, they spend the evening trading lazy kisses and honeyed words. At some point, boots are forgotten and jumpers join a pile in the corner. They tumble into bed, legs tangled, and even as sleep takes them, not an inch of space is allowed. Johnny’s breaths fan across Simon’s chest, deep, content. Sleep is pulling at Simon’s lashes, but he fights it a little longer. In his last moment of consciousness, he grazes a finger along Johnny’s hairline, catching on the rough scar, and he thinks the memoir needs a title change:

Storm Blue Eyes and A Scottish Brogue: Reasons Simon Riley Came Back to Life.

And in the morning, there’s a folder waiting on Price’s desk. He sips his coffee, picks it up, and smiles at the familiar weight. When he flips it open, there’s simply a location: Glasgow.

“Merry Christmas, Simon,” Price says and watches a jeep pull out of the base.

Johnny is singing Mariah at the top of his lungs, and Simon doesn’t remember the last time he was this content. The mask is forgotten on the desk in his room, and a new knife is tucked by his side. They turn onto the highway, Glasgow waiting, and Soap lays his hand out between them.

Simon can feel it, the wispy end of a filament stretching between them. The past collisions and the future moments. He can see it, that future laying on the other side. That future full of lazy kisses and even lazier mornings. Of days together, never questioning if the other walks through the door. Of Christmases in Scotland and maybe a cabin one day, too. For now, they have to make due with stitches in safehouses and easy touches in helis. Stolen kisses in private rooms and hidden words between the commands.

For now, he reaches over and takes Johnny’s hand.

#my first ever exchange!!!!#this was so fun ahhh!#ghostsoap #soapghost #ghoap #simon ghost riley #john soap mactavish #call of duty #2024 ghoap holiday exchange #tay writes

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sunrise-imagines · 1 year ago

Note

Can I get some childhood friends to lovers hcs for Finn? Like the reader grew up with him and now they're dating as adults? Gender neutral or male reader also please :3

Of course!! I love this idea so much. Hope you enjoy!

TW: Light angst, lots of pining, hurt and comfort

Adult Finn x Reader Childhood Friends to Lovers

• Being the only two humans in Ooo, it was only a matter of time before you met each other at the ages of 12.

• Similarly to Finn, you had been found as a baby by a couple from the Candy Kingdom, and they raised you as their own with the help of Princess Bubblegum, her and Marceline becoming sort of older sister figures to you.

• One day, while visiting the castle, Ice King burst in from the wall in an another attempt to kidnap Princess Bubblegum, snow blowing everywhere as you looked up in fear.

• But then, out of nowhere, a boy with a bear hat and a magic dog burst in, beating the crap out of Ice King who fled back to his castle.

• When he turned to look at you, you both became shocked. Neither of you had any weird mutations or odd features, and he certainly wasn’t made of candy. He was human. You were the same.

• And from that day forward, you and Finn became inseparable friends, with you sometimes joining him and Jake on their many adventures.

• You watched as he grew up, fell in and out of love, found an entire island of other humans, met both his biological Mom and (deadbeat) Dad, lost his arm, and eventually prevented a war/world ending event. You sat with him as Fern lay dying, and went with him to plant the seed that would eventually sprout a new willow tree.

• Sometime after the end of Adventure Time, Finn and Huntress Wizard amicably broke up, deciding their relationship worked best as good friends/occasional work partners.

• Having developed a longtime crush on him, you had hoped that now was your chance, but your nervousness and not wanting to ruin your friendship got the better of you so you continued to admire him in secret.

• That was until Jake passed away, and Finn’s personality reverted back to when you were kids and the only thing that mattered was fighting monsters and adventuring.

• You grew concerned as he started to go on more and more dangerous missions, often times for no reason other than the thrill of it, and time after time he’d come back with even worse wounds. But you were always there to patch him up, no matter how bad it got.

• But today was different. After Simon had opened up to him and expressed his depression and how he felt out of place in this world now that he lost his magic, Finn had the bright idea that a life-threatening adventure was what he needed to cure his sadness.

• This of course went terrible for Simon, but Finn thought it was great, and when he came back afterwards with a giant slash on his back and told you about it, that was it.

• You went off on him, telling him that while you know he’s still grieving, almost getting himself killed all the time isn’t the answer. You were tired of seeing him get hurt, and in your righteous anger, you finally admitted that you were in love with him. Tears flowed down your cheeks as you softly admitted that you’d loved him since you were kids, and seeing him act like this after all of his past growth was hurting you.

• Finn’s eyes grew wide, he had no idea that you had felt that way about him. And even more, that you reciprocated the feelings he’d had since you were 18. But with everything going on, adventuring and eventually Jake’s death, he felt like he never had time to pursue a relationship you.

• So he pulls you into a hug, stroking your hair as you continue to cry into his shoulder. He apologizes for making you worry, saying that he didn’t know why he acted the way he did, he just needed a distraction from the pain of losing his brother. But in doing that, he had forgotten he still had you.

• He puts his hand on your chin, directing you to look at him. He smiles down at you, wiping away your tears with his thumb as he confesses that he felt the exact same way.

• Your tears change from ones of sadness to joy, and you feel the urge to kiss him. Luckily he has the same idea, and gently pulls you towards his lips and kisses you sweetly.

• Eventually you both pull away, and in that moment, everything feels like it’s exactly how it’s supposed to be.

• After you officially start dating, he stops going out on adventures as much, instead opting to spend more time with you and Jake’s kids.

• Of course, adventuring is still a part of him, but he focuses more on helping people than fighting and killing things, and of course he brings you along for the ride. Finally, after so many years waiting, the two of you are together.

#adventure time x reader #adventure time #adventure time imagines #finn mertens x reader #finn the human x reader #fionna and cake x reader #adventure time fanfic #finn the human #fionna and cake fanfic #fionna and cake imagine #sfw #finn x reader #adventure time fluff #fionna and cake fluff #light angst

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corvus-ix · 1 year ago

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Winter King x GN!Reader

Another day and a certain king need to be another rescue, again.

Candy Queen have kidnap your boyfriend again, when it first happened you were worry sick but after rescuing him, Winter King reassure you that the whole Candy Queen kidnapping him happen quite often and you shouldn't worry too much

Dumbfounded might be an understatement when he told you that

NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR BOYFRIEND GETTING KIDNAPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU?! How can you not worry about that?!

And Winter King is indeed right with the kidnapping happening often, it happen so much that you somehow manage to make a whole routine when it happen to rescue your boyfriend when Candy Queen kidnap him again

But this time it's different with an alternative version of himself with Fionna and Cake

Both Winter King and Simon were kidnap by Candy Queen, you went and prepare to rescue them both with the two Ice Scouts, Fionna and Cake

To say that Fionna ways of handling the candy people is.... something, while you deal with the Candy Queen

Simon was saying something about Candy Queen but you really didn't understand because your focusing on not getting stab, knocking Candy Queen unconscious and slicing the rope that bind Simon and Winter King, you notice something off about the crown and decided to imbued most of your magic to Winter King

And you were glad you did, Winter King start to change and now look alike more... Simon. The crown lost it magic but the Winter Kingdom is still fine... mostly fine but still fine thank to your own magic

After the crown lose it magic Candy Queen change and the other Simon called her Princess Bubblegum

Now you understand Candy- eh Princess Bubblegum past obsession, Winter King has alot of emending need to do but your even after learning about everything and the truth, you still remain at his side as his lover and going to help him to make emends

And with that your days has become more busier with Winter King or you should say Simon but you enjoy it non than less

Author's Note:

I honestly have a lot more in my mind but this is all what I could write

#adventure time x reader #adventure time fionna and cake #adventure time winter king #winter king x reader #adventure time winter king x reader

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blackberrysummerblog · 1 month ago

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Hi all! I’m just out here being three weeks late with my 2024 Writing Round-Up, and thank you so much to @monbons, @forabeatofadrum, @confused-bi-queer, @rimeswithpurple, @nausikaaa, @prettygoododds, @ileadacharmedlife, @artsyunderstudy, @best--dress, @j-nipper-95, @roomwithanopenfire, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe, @imagineacoolusername, @mooncello, and @thewholelemon for tagging me! I hope I didn’t miss anyone, and thank you as well to everyone who’s been tagging me for Six Sentence Sunday and WIP Wednesday this month. Without getting too much into it, I am BURNT. OUT, and it’s making me retreat from even the things I enjoy the most, like writing and catching up on everyone’s beautiful fandom works.

But, I’m determined to make this round-up post, even if it takes me a couple of days to put together. There’s a lot here! Almost all of it was from COC, which I was hellbent on finishing this year, and did! Here’s the list, in chronological order, of all published writing for 2024:

The Field Trap, 1/2 (5272, M) This has been sitting unfinished for a bit, but I do anticipate it being completed. I discovered a real love for Watford-era fics toward the end of the past year, but it probably all began for me two years ago when I wrote Field Trip of Dreams, the prequel to Field Trap. At any rate, I haven’t forgotten the fic, and Field Trap may end up with an E rating in the second chapter.

Time Will Lie Down and Be Still (26,201, M) This is the fic I’m most proud of this year. It’s the result of my COBB collab with @rimeswithpurple, and it’s been such an inspiration to work with Arianna! I highly recommend the experience :D This fic has 3/5 chapters published so far, and I’m getting there with the 4th. I’ll share that Arianna finished the art for Chapter 4 the other day and it is STUNNING, so I need to get my part done! For anyone who doesn’t know, the fic is a retelling of the movie Practical Magic (I’ve never been able to get very far in the book, for whatever reason, so I wouldn’t count on the fic lining up with it). This one is close to my heart for many reasons, but I’ve especially enjoyed building Dev’s character and his relationship with Baz.

Absolutely everything else I published was for COC, and I’ll put it below a cut due to length. Thanks to everyone who read my work this year! As always, the output of this fandom is just incredible, and I’ve enjoyed being able to take it in as well as contribute a little myself. Happy New Year, everyone!

Something Old (1146, T) Simon finds something unexpected while clearing out space in the wardrobe.

Chosen (880, G) Agatha and Simon have just begun dating and Philippa attempts to engage her in a little friendly roommate squee. Agatha isn’t quite so sure.

I Hate You, Never Leave Me (2339, M) Simon and Baz have found a new and better way to settle their differences, by getting each other off all over campus. Will it evolve into anything more, however? (I love this one, honestly. Might have to someday write a more extensive version)

Greek (1565, T) Simon has to keep a very close eye on Baz in Greek class, for reasons.

Let Me See You (1205, T) Simon is the one to find Baz draining a deer in the forest instead of Agatha. His reaction is not what either of them was expecting.

Truth or Dare (2608, T) Does what it says on the tin—the gang play a game of Truth or Dare, and the dares reveal a little more truth than anyone expected. (Definitely not a groundbreaking take on the prompt, but I never really tire of reading truth or dare fics, and hoped readers would feel the same :P)

Gently, Gently (668, M) Simon and Baz spend the morning in bed, skiving off class and not regretting it at all. (I came to realize that an embarrassing number of fics I write either start out with the boys waking up in bed or that is the entire premise of the fic. “Waking up” is a weird fetish to have, but OK me, I guess)

Looking for Knives, Looking for You (1181, T) Baz reflects on all the wounds he and Simon have given each other over the years. (Despite the vicious sounding title and depressing summary, this one was meant to be sort of cute and sweet)

Hold You Safe (1015, G) At the start of Eighth Year, Dev and Niall’s relationship is still very new as they get some bad news from home.

Dinner (Guess Who’s Coming) (3525, T) It’s half term, and Baz’s parents want to take him to dinner. They invite him to bring a friend, but unfortunately for Malcolm, he pisses Baz off first, and Baz decides his guest will be Simon—the Mage’s heir, his family’s mortal enemy, and Baz’s undying secret crush. (As with nearly all my COC offerings this year, this fic was knocked out during my lunch break the day of, and it shows. It really could have stood to be longer and more developed, so maybe I’ll revisit it one day, since I did like the premise)

Stay with Me (878, T) It’s Eighth Year and Simon gets home late and injured from a mission. Baz arrives at a resolution. (I was a little baffled to get a comment about the Mage already being dead, since this fic takes place during the school year and makes mention of a very much alive Mage in multiple places. It was more of a statement than a criticism though, I think.)

A Charmed Life (1449, E) Baz and Simon have an utterly normal morning getting frisky in bed. (Again. Huh.)

A Horse Named Jane (736, T) Simon has that song stuck in his head again. The one Baz can’t stand. They work out a (sort of) compromise.

Sour and Sweet (3060, G) It’s Baz’s birthday and Agatha has just given Simon his walking papers. Oh no :P However, the breakup does little to lift Baz’s spirits. (This one has two chapters and filled two prompts, sour and sweet, natch. Chapter two’s summary is: Simon decides he needs to make something sweet for Baz’s birthday, even though he’s two days late and doesn’t know how to bake. Well, he’s got magic at his disposal, so things are sure to turn out just fine. :P)

Punk (828, T) Baz is making Simon join him for lunch with Fiona again, but Simon figures he’ll debut a new look & attitude. Will they actually make it to the restaurant? (I really enjoyed writing this one. Simon being frustrated with Fiona’s behavior and still being silly with Baz about it was just a happy place for me)

Surprise (733, M) Simon and Baz are engaging in one of their classic Mummers’ House tiffs. What will happen? :P (I did write a little surprise into this one, but it was very much in keeping with some of my favorite themes)

Cast in Fire (791, G) Simon comes to Watford and learns about how his roommate will be chosen.

Fluff and Nonsense (1627, T) The prompt is ‘fluff’ and did I once again take the opportunity to write a light-on-plot secret relationship fic about Watford-era Simon and Baz being cozy and silly in bed? Yeah, I might have. Simon is going home with Baz over the Christmas break. Not a lot going on here, they’re just really comfy and in love.

Pieces of Me (1557, M) Baz has been having nightmares. Simon comforts him and encourages him to open up.

The World Was Open (956, T) Agatha and Niamh attend Simon and Baz’s wedding, and Agatha overhears another guest making a snide remark.

Find Me (2374, M) Eighth year at Watford was unremarkable, and Simon and Baz last saw each other when they graduated. Seven months later, Dev and Niall drag a pining and protesting Baz out to a club for a night of drinking and dancing, but there’s a familiar face behind the bar. Simon Snow is serving drinks, and worse, he’s flirting with a Baz lookalike. What will happen :P (This was yet another fic that could have been developed a little more, but I was still happy with the result overall)

Warm Spell (1795, M) Goatherd Simon has been almost-encountering a beautiful stranger for several weeks now, but one hot summer day, they finally meet.

Lost and Found (575, G) The boys go shopping together and Baz temporarily loses Simon, but it’s all pretty plot-free :P

Truce (1101, M) Simon pesters Baz while he’s trying to study, and needs to learn a lesson. Will they be able to call a truce? (This one was where the trouble began—I changed my settings to allow comments from unregistered users, because I like to fuck around and find out, I suppose. And find out I did! Luckily, the rude comment I received took aim at some writing element that didn’t even make sense for this particular fic, and I quickly realized it was a bot. Not long after, I started getting comments on other fics as well, all very nonspecific to the fandom, characters, and genre. I’m so sorry because I know it upset a few readers who were very kind to clap back and reassure me, and I changed my settings back so that it wouldn’t happen again.)

Savour (1189, T) Simon has been away on one of his missions for the Mage, and Baz has been awaiting his return by leaving out plates of food in their room every night. (Bot’s review: “the worst fic in the fandom”. It’s not even the worst fic in my own oeuvre, so joke’s on you, guy XD)

We Were Always Together (2239, T) During cotillion class, Simon is forced to dance with Baz. The horror! (I flipping loved writing this. Full on had a blast and Would Write Again)

Let It Snow (925, M) It’s almost time for Christmas break at Watford, and it may not turn out as the boys planned. However, thanks to a spell gone wrong (or very right) it may yet work out for the best :P

Always (551, G) It’s Christmas Eve and Baz has just finished putting the kids to bed. Simon is putting the finishing touches on the Christmas tree.

Something New (990, T) Simon and Baz have a little tiff near the end of eighth year, but it’s not fated to last long. I’ve written a lot of secret!relationship Watford era fics for COC this year, some that could go together and some that were in separate universes. It’s been so much fun to write about the boys sneaking around, but this is…something new. :P (In which I was very pleased with myself for how I wrapped things up in accordance with the prompt. I really, really enjoyed COC this year :D)

Thanks for reading! I’m sure most everyone has already made their own round-up posts, but consider these no-pressure tags and hellos: @valeffelees @stardustasincocaine @bookish-bogwitch @facewithoutheart @c0nsumemy5oul @jasonfunderberkerthefrogexists @tender-ministrations @basiltonbutliketheherb @ghostpepperworld @larkral @letraspal @cows4247 @fiend-for-culture @palimpsessed @hushed-chorus @shrekgogurt @raenestee @cutestkilla @drowninginships @youarenevertooold @iamamythologicalcreature @beastmonstertitan @ic3-que3n @supercutedinosaurs @stitchy-queerista @alexalexinii @asocialpessimist @shutup-andletme-go @prettygoododds @ivelovedhimthroughworse @j-nipper-95 @wellbelesbian @bookishbroadwayandblind @orange-peony @papierhaikuphoto @martsonmars

#snowbaz #baz pitch #simon snow #year in review #coc 2024 #carry on countdown #carry on countdown 2024 #cobb #Cobb 2024 #carry on big bang #wow I’m even tagging these late #my brain has been mush lately #eep #72327 words in 2024 #40854 for COC alone #31473 words of other writing

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larkral · 27 days ago

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Happy WIPsday! I have been wanting to post for approximately 2 weeks, but it's been chaosville at my house, so I haven't done it. I'm not seeing any tags, so I'm going to start us off this week!

So.... in the past two weeks I've written almost 2,000 words on Simon's Two Mums AU and about 4k words on Firstprince Soulmate BS. This is a lot for me! I'm excited about both of them! Soulmate BS is marinating after having had a very important scene written, so finally (already, always) got some overdue attention, and I'm really enjoying where it's going.

Simon's two mums:

Then, mum says, "Is it standard practice to cast spells on students without their agreement or parental assent?" "I'm sorry?" [omitted for spoilers] says. "Mum," I hiss at her. "I'm sorry, Simon, but I'd be very curious to know if this is a common experience for students here, or if it's something that's happening particularly often to my son." Her voice is hard and angry. Her lawyer voice, the one that knows she's going to win, and doesn't mind letting you know as well. "It's…" [spoiler again] sits back down. "It is, actually, quite common, but it is also very likely that it's happening particularly often with Simon." Mum seems surprised at how easily he goes along with her. "I'd appreciate if you would draft a policy document that provides students and their parents with more explicit knowledge of circumstances in which they may be subject to magical correction or intervention." "Of course, yes," [this person's name would spoil you] says. "Absolutely." He moves to stand again, and then sits back down. "Is there anything else before Simon returns to class?" "No," Mum says. "Unless you have anything you'd like to talk about, Simon?" Mummy asks, and I could cry. I almost do.

Soulmate BS and tags below the cut because I know what y'all here for.

BRILLIANT SHIT I say. Welcome to some soulmate lore knowledge.

"Mmm, yeah," Henry says, then with a little more clarity. "Sorry, what are we having a hard time believing? It's been quite the night in that regard." [quip removed for spoilers] Alex says. Henry hardly gets in his demure Indeed before Alex says, "I don't think it's that hard to believe that I'm a better dancer than you.” "No," Henry says, and then he presses his thumb into his phone and turns the screen towards Alex. You're Linked! the Heartlink banner reads, overlaying an illustration of red, pink and brown confetti. "Oh, shit." Alex says. Congratulations! Your bandmatch was calculated at a 97.82% level of synchronization. That's well above the threshold at which we recommend a parallel re-sync. Your concierge, Alana, will be in touch within 24 hours to facilitate contact with your soulmate. "Quite," Henry says. Alex can feel his heartbeat in his stomach, suddenly. It's a little bit nauseating, like he might throw up.

Thanks to @talentpiper11 for the name inspiration for the soulmate matching app. Which obviously every soulmate universe must have.

Tags and hugs to all my fandom friends. I hope you're making it through this week, lovelies.

@stitchyqueer @confused-bi-queer @facewithoutheart @whogaveyoupermission @cutestkilla

@hushed-chorus @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @ileadacharmedlife @bookish-bogwitch @artsyunderstudy

@captain-aralias @petedavidsonscock @artsyunderstudy @martsonmars @nausikaaa

@chen-chen-chen-again-chen @that-disabled-princess @shrekgogurt @palimpsessed @fatalfangirl

@blackberrysummerblog @valeffelees @youarenevertooold @emeryhall @run-for-chamo-miles

@talentpiper11 @orange-peony @thewholelemon @wellbelesbian @mooncello

@aristocratic-otter @roomwithanopenfire @monbons @kiwiana-writes

#BS stands for Brilliant Shit #at this point I might just name the fic that #I won't (probably)#but I could!#is it relevant to the content of the story?#nah #but like #Alex is in it #so #snowbaz #finally (already always)#simon's two mums #carry on #simon snow #simon stephenson-shaw #alex claremont diaz #henry fox mountchristen windsor #firstprince #red white and royal blue

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captain-mj · 1 year ago

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Love Potion <3

Hey, think of the consent issues you can think of when a person is under a love spell. Take that into consideration moving forward. Keep an eye on Roach.

Soap had been wanting to be part of the guard since he was old enough to hold a sword. He finally had been accepted, though it took a while to be able to. Not just because his age, but also his history of trying to sneak into the guard made them not believe him when he was actually of age.

Mostly, he was looking for purpose in life. Some thing outside of himself that he could believe in. And what better than protecting his people from the evil things that tried to destroy his kingdom?

Elves were constantly going to war with them. They seemed to despise them constantly and Soap did find their looks to be… alarming. The long pointed ears, the odd makeup most wore as well as the unnatural paleness they had. Being as they were the main sources of most magic as well, Soap found himself hating them.

At the current moment, the current evil creature terrorizing them was a weird thing that stalked the woods at night. Soap was not sure if it even existed but he knew that most of the citizens of their city thought that and in the end, that was really what was important. Even if his presence was more symbolic, he eased their minds.

Soap got up and started to pull on his armor. It was not a full suit, as he likely would not be going into battle today. Maybe some basic sparring but he wasn’t up for a lot at the moment. He planned to mostly just patrol and see if he could maybe get a glimpse at his Lieutenant.

Simon “Ghost” Riley.

Everyone was interested in him, but he only paid his Lord and Lady attention. He was quiet and sharp when he did talk and he struck both fear and… something a little closer to infatuation in almost everyone he met. Something about his presence…

Soap was not immune to this effect. Not one bit. Sometimes, it felt like he got it more than anyone. When Ghost was in the room, it felt like the only way he could breathe is to look at him.

He was sure that everyone felt this way a little bit.

Soap finished his musing and left their barracks. He went straight to his favorite baker. In all honesty, the only retreat he was interested in was Roach’s company. He was lovely company, though he was cursed to be unable to speak. Soap had never seen a nice, cooler person. Even if he had a strange choice in headwear, constantly having a mask on to cover his mouth and a helmet on.

Roach noticed him and he perked up, quickly scuttling off to get him a cup of coffee and some form of…

Soap wasn’t sure exactly. Just that it was a form of bread and had meat on it. He was skeptical until he took a bite.

“Roach, if i was allowed, I’d marry you in a heartbeat.”

Roach blushed a bright cherry red and smiled even brighter somehow visible through his mask. He took his money, counting it quickly before dropping it in the cup he used for collection.

Soap didn’t understand why so many found him off putting. Despite his curse, he was pleasant. He made idle chat, careful not to interrupt his business, just there to enjoy his company.

“MacTavish.” Ghost whistled and Soap quickly turned around to look up at him.

“Lieutenant! Need something?” Soap smiled politely, hands behind his back in a perfect parade pose.

Ghost glared at him. Presumably. He never took off his headgear, meaning no one ever saw his face.

Soap thought about it. Had drawn different versions of him more times than he could count to see if he could possibly get close. Like always, Ghost drew all of Soap’s attention.

“No…” Ghost brushed him off and got some food from Roach. “Hey, Sanderson. Nice to see you.”

Roach fluttered his eyelashes at him and quickly made him a cup of tea and a… scone? Soap was man enough to admit that he didn’t actually know the words for most of what Roach sold.

Ghost… lifted his mask.

For a moment, a bright beautiful moment, Soap thought he’d take it off completely. That he would see the scarred gruff man beneath.

What could he expect? Salt and pepper hair? Stubble? Dozens of scars? He was probably much older than Soap.

Ghost lifted his mask to just barely reveal his mouth as he started eating. He dipped his biscuit into his tea before taking a bite. When he paid, he gave Roach a thankful grunt and ruffled Roach’s hair.

Roach looked enamored, face bright red. He noticed Soap watching and quickly started to clean, looking very embarrassed.

Soap tried to ignore the jealousy he felt at this entire situation and made himself scarce. Ghost was too obsessed with his job to ever entertain any of them. Least of all Soap. But seeing the rare moments where he gave out affection and it wasn’t directed at him…he felt so ignored.

During the day, Soap mostly stood in one place and looked intimidating. At night, he hesitated between going back to his barracks and guarding the house of the town’s lady and lord. Logically, he should go to the barracks as he hadn’t been told explicitly he was on the night shift but it had been roughly four days.

Just to be safe, he went ahead and went to their home.

Home was… well. It was basically a small scale castle. He thought it was honestly a little grandiose for his taste.

There was no one around. Just a very soft silence.

Soap gritted his teeth. Yeah. He was definitely supposed to watch them. Why the previous watch had not waited for someone to relieve them was beyond Soap entirely.

He went inside to check if they were okay, but was unable to find his lady or lord.

It didn’t occur to Soap that continuing to look may make him stumble on something he shouldn’t. He was too focused on making sure that his charges were okay and safe.

A cracked door.

Never good.

Soap stared at it, hearing… something.

Breathing.

Anxiety rolled in his gut but he had to make absolutely sure his charges were safe. That was his whole job. The place reeked of roses, chicory root and jasmine. Nothing directly sinister but definitely seemed like the components of magic.

So he silently looked through the door, just to make sure.

Soap covered his mouth.

His lady was in a knight’s lap. He knew the moment he saw the armor who it was.

Ghost.

That would explain his one track mind when it came to this.

She had taken off his helmet, having tossed it to the floor at some point. Her hands ran feverishly over him as her husband spoke. He seemed to be ordering them both around.

Soap felt a tiny bit better than she wasn’t sleeping with Ghost outside of her husband’s knowledge, but the entire situation was disturbing. While he’d never fault someone for their kinks, he would’ve never guessed his Lieutenant would have such… proclivities.

She shoved him down on the bed, due to his size, his head lolled off of it and hung down, giving Soap a sudden and very aggressive view of his face.

Three things were noticed in very quick succession.

One, Ghost was more beautiful than Soap could’ve guessed. Soft lips. Beautiful curly hair. A chest and taught stomach that made Soap wish more than anything that he was the one currently making his way down his body instead of the lady of the town.

Two, he was an elf. Long pointed ears. Unnaturally pale features.

Three, perhaps most horrific, his pupils were wrong.

Heart shaped.

Meaning he had a love potion on.

Ghost didn’t smile. He didn’t enjoy this. Even under the influence of magic, they couldn’t force him to pretend.

Soap fled like a coward.

#Johnny “Soap” Mactavish #Simon “Ghost” Riley #Gary Roach Sanderson #Soap Cod #Ghost COD #Soapghost #Ghostsoap #Soap x Ghost #Ghost x Soap #Macriley #Call of Duty #Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 2 #ghost x roach #roach x ghost #roach x soap #soap x roach #ghost x soap x roach

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kosmicdream · 2 days ago

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decided to type up my FFAK characters sexualities/preferences.. honestly i dont know why. just felt like it. probably forgot a few characters but i tried to include as many as possible!

FFAK characters sexualities

Knife - gay. Strictly a top because he’s often sex repulsed and needs to be in as much control as possible. Also pretty HARDCORE monogamous because of his jealousy and control issues.

Simon - bisexual, except only romantically attracted to men. He does enjoy dominant/mean women though. He’s a switch and actually leans more into being a top, but enjoys challenging tops so he is dominated. For Knife, he was very dedicated to being a submissive as part of his loyalty to him.

Fork - closetted bisexual, he’s also a switch but is more of a service top as he is desperate for praise.

Crimson - crimson is a genderfuck so its hard to put labels on her for anything. Generally considers themselves as a lesbian of all things but actually gets crushes quite often on men. A switch, but leans top for most scenarios. It depends on the personality. If Crimsons close with a person and deeply romantically involved, he’s usually the submissive instead.

Dylan - bisexual and a sub/brat. Generally prefers women, but it never lasts long because shes actually way worse with women than she is with men because of her attitude. Most men aren’t worth her time, even if shes also not worth most people’s time either..

Aeschylus - He sees no gender. Generally a top, somehow. He’s more of a submissive in other aspects of a relationship than in the bedroom.

Antony - gay. Bottom. However, he is basically married to a woman (Celadon) for magical tax evasion (trying to dominate the world)

Celadon #1 - lesbian and a top. Crimson's the one exception to this for preferences since Crimson is a lot of things at once..

Celadon #2 - a top-leaning switch, not attracted to any gender in particular so probably IDs more with pansexual.

Celadon #3/Galore - a bottom. Actually had more of a preference to men, but is more pansexual at this point in her life. Probably would only top as a service kind of way and generally very vanilla.

Evil Mother - as long as she is the top, a hole is a hole!

Good Leadman - bisexual, bottom, into muscles or very cute, androgynous people. enjoys being taken care of so he's kind of vanilla.

Locket - bisexual, but leans towards men because he has a difficult relationship with women and guilt associated with his sister. Generally a top, just because he likes teasing people. He definitely gets crushes on strangers very fast.

Key - bisexual, bratty bottom. She enjoys having a harem of boys at her disposal to order around, however.

Mirror - has no preference, in some ways is somewhat asexual. But she loves to be able to control anyone around her, so she likes to play the game of sex and WIN.

Nail - gay, but he is very lax about it cuz its like whatever.. He is generally into men that are bad for him and he finds repulsive. Strictly a top unless money is involved. (for Mop's case, anyway)

Paper - mostly a lesbian, but in the world of worms there’s a lot of genderfuckery around so that gives some wiggle room on that aspect. Generally a bottom unless the personality is right, then shes a doting top. Still deeply attached to Crimson even after all this time.

Penelope - straight, but actually leans towards being a top! She likes to be the boss of the bedroom, unless the guy is very confident then she might indulge in being a pillow princess, but usually that annoys her because they don't know what they're doing or try too hard to be like the macho guy. Rome was her first, but since their break up she's had other boyfriends or flings.. Currently in a new relationship with an older man.

Cash Leadman - pansexual and a top. If she tries bottoming its like someone giving you a thumbs up and giving you a round of applause when you finish, she doesn’t really get much out of it herself. Despite being pretty casual with sex, she pretty much friend zones everyone in the world. Simon, while also just being her friend, is probably the closest thing to a committed relationship besides her husband.

Randall - gay. A bottom? He doesnt really know yet. He’s still a virgin after all. Plus, Aeschylus just gave him a vagina...!?!?

Rome - straight. He doesnt know what tops and bottoms means even if antony has tried to explain it to him before. He’s a PROUD ally though, gay & trans rights!!!!!!

Steal - says he’s straight but.. He also is desperate for any kind of affection.. so it probably wouldn't take much convincing. he definitely has a kink for robots as well.

Rowan - bisexual and also poly. I probably could list poly for some other characters above, but this was specifically pretty important to him specifically.

Pluto - HATES women because of trauma involving dylan torturing him. Pretty much just loves his king and ducky. That's it. Top because he is STRONG and must prove his strength to everyone.

Jacket - as long as he can torture them, he doesn’t care about the gender of his victims. If they don't have a hole he'll make one.. 100% sadist (what a shocker)

Destroy - lesbian, not sure of her preferences. Work keeps her out of the dating world so she actually is a bit inexperienced, which she's a bit ashamed about..

Dr Atropa - asexual but deeply in love with Priam. It is mostly a devotion of faith rather than romance, but she is in love with him too. Their relationship is kind of ambiguously D/S coded as well. Definately the submissive in this dynamic.

Priam - has gotten bored of sex, but he used to be pansexual. Top still though, no question about it.

Dollop - NO preference and finds almost any person sexy, especially if they are very unique in some way. Very flexible with positions. LOVES horses too much which used to really be a turn off for Fork.

Helix - hasn’t had enough experience to really know his gender or his sexual preferences, he has a crush on fork however.

King Aldebaran - when he was alive, he was deeply in love with Rowan. That was really the only person important to him, besides himself of course. He was very attracted to himself for sure.

Canary (amnesia) - Doesn’t really know his preferences or gender, and kind of doesn’t care at all about them? He has a crush on Rome and Locket, however.

King Canary (original) - he was pretty self centered, but he wished for his father’s approval and also had a sexual fixation on good leadmen. Used everyone else as a tool. 100% pillow princess, however. Wasn’t interested in doing ANY of the work.

King Lucid - sex repulsed, actually found this frustrating as his role as a king worm - which usually causes worms around you to be sexually charged from the pheromones. His sex repulsion came from a fear of being eaten, which is also quite a worm-like activity when it comes to sex. If he had lived long enough, maybe he would have found someone he could trust- but that never happened in his lifetime.

Lauma - bisexual and a switch through and through. Actually was genderfluid, just didn’t realize it in her lifetime. Was HARDCORE poly in the way where wanting all her partners to also be poly. Always trying to advance the polycule agenda!!!!

Laima - bisexual and a top, although she enjoyed dievas taking the lead sometimes, which made her very flustered when he did. He was the only person to get that kind of reaction out of her, however.

Dievas - closetted bisexual and generally a bottom. He was always nervous about his performance, but Laima helped give him confidence. He was deeply romantic and tender to the point where it probably was nauseating for most people, but Laima adored it.

Velns - bisexual and a switch. He never got to explore his bisexuality outside of when his wife wanted to experiment “being a boy” which he thought was awesome and fun. He was pretty DTF with whatever idea she had and also liked to spoil and surprise her back. He didn’t think too much about anything beyond that. LOVES boobs.

Mouse - gay. Bottom? Very boring and basic. Although he is open to romance with the right partner even if its outside his usual preferences. He had a girlfriend once, they held hands.

Chain - lesbian but is also like ANY HOLES A HOLE horny levels. Shes a 500 year old virgin.

Aunt K - lesbian but is pretty resigned to never having any kind of attention in that way. It doesn't bother her as much as it used to.

Mr Boot - he was straight but.. Mirror changed his mind. He is a bottom and not very romantically inclined, mostly from being so old and jaded.

Mr Apple - he only had one relationship, can you guess with who? (it was knife) That did not end well. Since then, he’s more concerned about other things. Mirror has tried to fuck him before though.

Rembrandt - he’s kinda pan, i guess. He hasn’t had a lot of relationships in his life, but he was very attracted to Ted.

Rock - straight? He was comfortable with himself until Rem made that complicated. Bottom

Rem - is a robot, but he was deeply gay for Rock. That didn’t work out well, however.

Slate - Slate is old and tired.. He’s like, generally straight in the way that he barely pursues anything so its safer to just assume that. He and Cuddle had some history, however. BOTTOM for sure

Cuddle - a top for sure. besides that, gender is kind of whatever for both categories. Not into serious stuff or too much romance, he has ghosted so many people who wanted more from him.

#ffak #feast for a king

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fahye · 1 year ago

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book recs: oct/nov 2023

I read an obscene number of books during my weeks travelling in the USA, so here are some highlights!

A GENTLEMAN UNDONE by cecilia grant - I actually read all three in this excellent series, but this is the highlight. a tense, engrossing regency romance between a gentleman desperate to make money in gambling halls and the woman who teaches him to count cards, who unfortunately happens to be someone else's mistress. extremely horny and very smart.

SHADOW MAGIC by jaida jones & danielle bennett - after HAVEMERCY I desperately needed the rest of the series, and happily I had dinner with jaida and dani and was given them! this one is classic political fantasy: assassins, ambassadors, a devoted bodyguard and his beautiful prince, and a flamboyant little chaos magician who wonders why nobody else in his delegation is enjoying the beautiful local Fashion Robes. this book has never had a heterosexual thought in its entire life.

AMERICAN QUEEN by sierra simone - okay, this is a rec for the entire series (AMERICAN PRINCE & AMERICAN KING follow), a modern arthur-lancelot-guinevere retelling where they're american politicians and they're all in love and kinky and fucked up about it. mostly smut, lots of angst, occasional plot. maybe the hottest thing I've ever read in my life?? damn, sierra simone knows what she's doing.

THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS by robert a. heinlein - what if we were a moon colony and we decided to stage a revolutionary war and we asked a bored AI computer to run the logistics for us? I'm such a sucker for logistics, and heinlein delivers in spades. very funny, great worldbuilding, fun characters. has aged surprisingly well, I think.

10 THINGS THAT NEVER HAPPENED by alexis hall - a pure shot of gay grumpy/sunshine delivered via FAKE AMNESIA TROPE and a plot lovingly and lampshadily borrowed from the classic sandra bullock vehicle while you were sleeping. alexis hall's protagonists and glorious supporting casts always grab me, and this was no exception.

THE FALL THAT SAVED US by tamara jerée - do you like the good omens setup of bookshop angel vs. snarky demon, destined to be enemies but oh no we're in love, and you'd like to add some recovery from family trauma + sex scenes + also they're sapphic? yes. good. enjoy.

CHAIN-GANG ALL-STARS by nana kwame adjei-brenyah - holy shit!! finished this one yesterday and will be thinking about it for a long time. premise: criminals can choose to compete in deadly televised gladiator matches instead of remaining in prison. this is an absolutely brutal examination of the prison industrial complex and the violent commodification of bodies (especially bodies of colour) under our capitalist hellscape. lyrical, wonderful, cutting. very queer and very angry. I flew through it. what a fantastic book.

#book recs

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darcyolsson · 1 month ago

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ok i'm finally getting around to this hello again. so my main issue with malec is mainly the oversaturation right. you look up content for anything else and malec is just constantly there, and I could forgive this if it didn't start bleeding into canon! cassie visibly shifted the way she started writing malec as they got so popular, and now they're so perfect and nothing can go wrong with them.

i'm sorry but they were so much better when they were toxic!! idk alec actively sabotaging magnus and magnus being way too emotionally absent for alec (who was in his first relationship and also barely not a child) and yet the way they still went back to each other every time! when they were broken up but still obsessed with each other - when magnus ended their break up by telling alec he loved him!! real shit right there!

but now they can't be flawed anymore :( i'm sorry i just do not care about them as parents. i'm so sorry i know everyone's obsessed with rafe and max but in my heart i think alec and magnus should be touring the world constantly breaking up and getting back together and having insane sex unhindered by infants. domestication of wild animals has never sat right with me.

and i know you said you loved the eldest curses but omg that series is my worst offender. first of all i know not everyone has this issue but i can really tell that it's cowritten by someone else and it's just a bit grating. second of all - why did the red scrolls of magic take away their fun holiday!! this is such a small grievance but what do you mean they had one adventure and then gave up and stayed at home. noooo they should have been getting it on all over europe nooo noo that will NEVER sit right with me.

and the lost book of the white.... mm mm didn't hit the spot sorry. the tmi gang have such a special place in my heart and i just... didn't really care about them in this book? i'm sorry i am one of the people calling tec fanservice because while i sometimes love fanservice this just didn't work for me - sammael felt like a hugely wasted villain and i didn't care about shinyun, plus my issue with tmi gang characterisation.

but my one big shining star of disappointment. malec didn't even have a proper arc in the book? absolutely nothing changed in their relationship. ik that's because this book was written between other books but you can't spin out a three book series and have NO meaningful development between the MAIN CHARACTERS. yes, development is taking place over time between the books, but it's not happening in the tec books themselves, rendering them obsolete! alec was a bit concerned about magnus not being honest with him but ultimately went nowhere with this and it just ended with them being super badass husbands again. by this point i'm sorry i'm BORED.

i know a lot of these grievances are just petty and ultimately i am mostly just getting into this rant for the bit, but a part of me is genuinely a little sad that the flaws of the characters, which are what made me enjoy them so much in the first place, just kind of don't exist anymore. like the fact that alec, who was the most conservative of all the tmi gang by far particularly about downworlders (was still uncomfortable that simon was a vampire in cohf), becomes the head of the downworlder shadowhunter alliance and is suddenly really friendly with all downworlders?? that would be kind of sweet if anyone would acknowledge that he had previously been mostly against their existence beforehand, but no one ever does. the development post tmi is basically completely skipped over. (side note it will forever irk me that alec is head of that alliance instead of simon, and that its meetings are held in simon's old flat discussing issues very relevant to simon's life experiences, but WHATEVER.)

alec becoming shadowpresident and living his best life is great and all but i miss the tension... the drama... back when he was properly bitchy. and i hate to say it but i actually prefer reading about magnus in the past series when alec isn't around because frankly magnus will always be mostly compelling to me as a charming isolated loser! i have to speak my truth.

anyway many apologies for this but i hope you enjoyed regardless. i actually didnt even get round to complaining about fandom at all but this is getting way too long anyway. down with canon and may jimon stay strong forever (i was the jimon 😢 anon)

first of all, the quote "domestication of wild animals has never sat right with me" regarding malec will never ever leave my head after reading this. what an incredible way to put it

it's so interesting that you mention disliking the tmi gang characterisation in tlbotw! i both get it and i don't. i read tlbotw right after reading tmi, and to me they did quintessentially feel like the tmi gang, but the gang we saw in the 1st half of tmi. i dont see people talk about this very often but i feel like the first half of tmi is SO different from the other half in tone. it's very silly and doesn't take itself too seriously, while the second half mostly lacks that vibe with the exception of a few chapters. it literally feels like two different series sometimes.

tlbotw definitely is more of a sequel to that tmi gang and the magnus we see in the bane chronicles than it is to the version of the gang we see in eg tda, but i personally didn't mind it. lower stakes and less seriousness for a side book feels appropriate, and i love the silly vibes in tbc and earlier tmi.

i DO agree with what you said about sammael though! when reading tmi the greater demons feel like this massive threat, but in later shadowhunter books (like tlh) they just... don't, because they don't get the same buildup. tlbotw is a really extreme example of this i feel, because what's supposed to be this massive villain gets defeated in just one book, and a book where none of the characters really take it seriously at that. taking what's supposed to be this huge evil and presenting it this way, imo, makes the greater demons as a whole a lot less interesting as a threat. if their supposed limitless power can be stopped in what feels like a low-stakes story, why should we worry about them as a threat in eg twp?

anyway. back to malec, who this is about: i do get it. i also love past magnus, and i was genuinely devastated to find that camille made no appearance in tlh, because their relationship has always been SO interesting to me. to me it feels very obvious that this is because any content we get about magnus is now about magnus-and-alec, meaning camille (alongside magnus as the messy, devastatingly lonely immortal) has now fully disappeared. he essentially became like tessa: as a character she is so defined by her relationships to jem and will that we never once see her as a main character in a story without them, even though we know she spent most of her life without either jem or will (and went through some crazy stuff in the meantime).

i really get what you're talking about when you say magnus & alec have become almost too perfect as a couple, and that you would prefer some more goold old fashioned toxicity. i get it! however i am going to hold you hand when i say this. you and i are not looking at this like the average reader does. we are people who always want characters to be Worse. and as my good friend julian blackthorn has let me know...... this is not a common sentiment among tsc fans (or perhaps YA readers in general).

malec post-tmi are written as a happy ending, and people would probably literally show up at cassie's house with torches if she did anything to them. this applies to all the main couples, we're also not going to see emma & julian, or even jem & tessa go through any significant struggle after their story is already finished, but obviously this applies to malec even more because theyre SO popular. and i DO agree that this puts malec in a really weird position re:bonus content, because theyre both the fan favourite so they cannot experience any kind of legitimate struggle or cassie will have to start worrying about her house getting burnt down, but at the same time they are the fan favourite so they must get a lot of fan content. i think there has to be a way to efficiently balance the two (i'm curious to see how jace and clary's recently announced Better in Black story turns out for this reasin) but ultimately, regarding malec, cassie will always play it safe, especially because alec as a character is important to her personally since he was written for a late friend of hers, as well as to loads of fans.

i do feel your struggle though! i am content with current malec, because if i miss bitchy alec i can simply return to tmi, but i will say that the magnus we saw in tbc will forever be my favourite and that i dont think i'll even enjoy alec's character as much as i did that time when he tried to mortality-trap his bf into never being with another person again. also i think magnus should have kissed matthew and/or camille in tlh and i do fully believe he would have had it not been for #malec, in that sense it's very clear tlh magnus was affected by the existence of present-day malec, which i think is a shame, because messy, serial 17-year-old-boy-kisser magnus was my favourite.

basically: i don't mind the current characterisation of malec as it being their happily ever after, because i think it suits the series and (most of the time) i know not to expect content like that from tsc/cassandra clare, but i also wish that magnus as an individual wasn't defined by his relationship to alec so much even in stories that take place long before alec was even born (but were written after #malecendgame happened in tmi)

(also, very true what you said about simon. ive thought of that before too!)

this was incoherent and long as hell, hope this makes any sense. sorry it took me so long to answer your ask i knew this reply would become massive so i kept putting it off lol

#answered asks #anonymous #tsc #tmi #anti malec #not really but tagging just to be safe #personal

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themagical-soup-spaghetti · 1 year ago

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Not requested!

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Courting Headcanons

Edgin Darvis

Definitely tries to serenade you all the time

Talks about you non-stop to everyone when you're not there

Is always giving you compliments

Rides / walks alongside you to talk to you

Listens to you over everyone else

Asks you to join him and the group on their adventure

Is ecstatic when you agree to join

Tries to hold your hand when he's nervous

Literally jumps for joy when you make a move on him

Gets you your favorite foods / drinks at pubs

Physical contact >> any other way of doing things

When splitting up to do things, he will decide that the "only person" who is fit to go with him is you

Holga Kilgore

Protects you no matter what

Rides / walks behind you just incase

Gives you weapons as a present

Is almost always by your side

Likes to have you in her sight at all times

Volunteers to go with you when the group needs to split up

Jumps in front of you when in battle

When in pubs, she'll sit across from you with your favorite drink and you guys will talk about everything for a really long time

Likes when you compliment her on small things (her eyes, her hair, ect.)

Lets you hold her hand when you get scared / nervous

Xenk Yendar

Is absolutely horrible at showing he likes you

Actually scared of how he was feeling around you until he talked to Edgin about it

Has Edgin as a wingman

Gives you gifts a lot (Jewelry, satchels, holsters, ect.)

Offers to go with you on missions

Takes you back with him when he leaves the group

Gives you a place to stay

Is actually really good at calming you down

You sleep in the same bed

When you want to go exploring, he comes with you

Helps you with your problems

His love language is acts of service/ quality time and he thinks it's yours too

Doric

Freaks out because of her feelings for you

Doesn't really court you in a normal way

Acts of service >>>

Gives you like, things from the woods / nature as gifts (flowers, leaves, ect.)

Tells Simon that she thinks she likes you, and he almost told you on the spot the next time he saw you

Freaks out when she sees you for the first time after she realizes she likes you

When the battle at the end of the movie is done, she gives you a handshake cause she's nervous

Simon has to tell you that she likes you (which she freaks out at him for telling you)

Simon Aumar

Knew immediately after seeing you that he liked you

LITERALLY ASKED IF HE COULD COURT YOU

"If you wouldn't mind, I would like to take a chance in courting you? 🥺"

Got super excited while talking to you and that's how Edgin found out that he was courting you

Talks about you non-stop

Up talks you to literally everyone he's ever talked to after you guys met

Preforms magic tricks for you and fails about 50% of the time

Gives you his cloak when you get cold even though he's cold too

Would protect you with his life

Likes to give you gifts

Will buy things if they remind him of you

Likes to listen to you talk

When you "accidentally" mentioned that you enjoyed him courting you, he fell backwards off his chair

A/N: That's it!! If you want more for a specific character please don't hesitate to ask :D

#dnd honor among thieves #headcanon #simon aumar #edgin darvis #holga kilgore #doric the druid #dnd doric #honor among thieves x reader #honor among thieves #gender neutral reader

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somepsychopomp · 1 year ago

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Vampire!Simon AU Timeline

I tried to keep this loose and simple but it ended up being a lot more detailed than I expected. This is a pretty comprehensive timeline of my AU's backstory for anyone who wants to know more or just wants a clear idea what wtf is happening. Enjoy!

Ok so pre-Mushroom War:

This remains largely unchanged- Simon finds the crown, loses Betty, etc.

Maybe due to Simon’s interest in ancient artifacts, he’s aware of vampire lore and has even found some ancient stakes with traces of an unknown species’ DNA on them on past expeditions

He’ll never have the chance to publish the results of his findings

After the War (aka post-apocalypse Simon and Marcy):

Simon finds Marcy and instantly knows he has to protect her, she learns about the crown’s influence, etc

They encounter the Vampire King and his court

VK is initially surprised to see a non-vampiric magic user, especially one as strong as Simon, until he realizes that it’s all from the crown (he witnesses Marcy plead with Simon to take off the crown bc he’s going too nuts)

VK also has an interest in Marceline, the little girl that keeps trying to suck out the Fool’s soul as he toys with her. She's clearly not human and that piques his interest

VK defeats Simon and takes the crown. He’s not interested in Simon himself but does think Marcy might one day become a powerful member of his court. But she’s fiercely loyal to Simon so VK strikes a bargain- Simon lives if Marcy comes with him. (Really, at this point he was willing to kill Simon and just take Marcy but VK saw the madness the crown inflicted and thinks Simon can advise him on how to resist it)

As part of the King’s court:

The Vampire King isn't interested in letting humans live in his hive unless they're soon to be butchered.

So Simon is bit and turned. He’s told to abandon his human name and accept the once given to him- Temperance, one of the three arcane virtues. It represents patience and moderation ordinarily, but represents discord and conflicting interests when inverted.

Marcy still calls him Simon in secret

Simon is stunned that the VK can resist the crown’s madness to a certain extent as he masters its control over snow and ice

The hardest part about being a vampire for him is no longer being able to enjoy sunlight, as on his expeditions and while taking care of Marcy, he fundamentally understood that daylight = visibility and safety and that night= danger

Marceline will be bitten when she turns 18. In the mean time, she’ll be tutored by Simon and treated like a princess by the minions.

Marceline gets her own room, all the food she can eat, a soft bed, etc. She wants for nothing not out of kindness, but bc the VK knows this is an easy way to win her over. Marcy isn't stupid, but she is just a kid. After the trauma surrounding being sent away by her mom, and believing she was unwanted, Marcy is terribly tempted to follow her less than human instincts in the face of a better life for herself

Simon worries for her and tries to keep her close to him. Which isn't easy, as the VK is cunning and ruthless

Marceline also begins training at a young age. She learns to hone her power of sucking souls and when its learned that she can gain the unique abilities of her victims, the VK brings in all sorts of prey for her- humans, wolves, birds of prey, snakes, etc. in the belief it will make her stronger.

The VK is only ever kind and patient to Marcy as she grows up, almost like Simon but with an unspoken air of absolute authority. Still, it convinces her that he's not all that bad despite the fact that he's wiping out all the humans. Since Simon isn't human anymore, Marcy doesn't really feel that protecting humans = protecting him.

But the problem is that Simon hates being a vampire. He hates the taste of blood despite his inability to consume human food. He begins looking for alternative solutions and find that vampires can merely consume the color red

He's ostracized by the court for his meek personality and his frequent pleads for them to stop killing humans. What little power he had with the court is threatened as the VK requires his aid less and less over time. The VK begins to consider manipulating the sky itself so his kind is safer in the day

When Marcy is 16-17, Simon ushers her into a secret chamber beneath the vampire hive. For years, he'd been slowly stockpiling supplies so they can escape. Things like weapons, sturdy clothes, food, etc. What's more, he'd managed to find and repair a car! They can escape together and get away before anyone even notices they're gone.

Marcy is stunned that Simon wants to go back to a life of constantly being on the run, hungry and afraid. Having no home or safe place to sleep in. And with his condition, he'd have to be extra careful of the sun. Simon says how much he hates being a vampire and that he doesn't want this for her, he did all this to save her!

But he never did ask if Marceline herself was opposed to becoming a vampire. However, her love for Simon still outweighs her loyalty to the VK. She agrees to run away.

One of the funniest parts of the Stakes miniseries is that the VK is confirmed to have telepathy but he only really used it to psychically give Peppermint Butler and autograph. So I'm going to use that- the VK has been reading Simon's mind for years without letting him know and has known for a long time that Simon's been trying to run away

Simon and Marcy don't get very far before 2 things happen: the VK himself goes after them, and they're stopped by a small army of survivors lead by a pink haired girl (idc if PB would still be a tiny wad of gum at this point in the OG Ooo timeline it's my AU)

The VK ignores the attempts to assassinate him as he takes Marcy back to the hive. Meanwhile, Simon is captured by the humans and left for dead.

Here's the fun part- Simon's unique vampire power is a remnant of the crown's influence on him. He can cover his body in dense ice that acts like armor. It can be chipped away or melted, but resists damage really well

after multiple failed attempts to kill him, Simon tries to strike a bargain with Bonnie. Let him go, and he'll help her kill the vampire king

meanwhile, Marcy is crying in her room bc she thinks Simon is dead and she blames herself bc she never should've gone with him (something that the VK tells her he agrees with)

but Simon manages to come back unharmed. The only way he'd be able to do that was if he killed the humans that captured him. The VK is begrudgingly impressed. He'll still have simon separated from marcy for a year as punishment, though.

Marcy hugs Simon and tells him that she's glad he's alright. And that it'll be okay. He spent so long protecting her, from now on she's going to protect him (after all, the last time she thought she'd ever see him, he was about to be killed by a human mob. That event cements Marcy's belief that following the VK is what's best for her and Simon)

It absolutely breaks Simon's heart

Marcy turns 18 and Simon cannot stop her from becoming The Star

(while Simon is in isolation/solitary confinement, the VK frequently taunts him over a telepathic link- telling him how hard Marceline is working to become strong. To become a killer. The VK finds that messing with Simon is so utterly delectable)

As Temperance and the Star:

Marceline and Simon go by their vampire names when they’re among others but still use their human names in private

The VK brings on the sunless sky that allows vampires even more freedom than before

he ignores Simon's pleas to return the world to its natural ways. After all this time, he finds Simon's ways not annoying, but oddly endearing. He is the contrary voice to the whole court, after all; and though he might not have much power, the bravery to speak out against the king is commendable to some extent

Marcy begins her unending feud/hate-crush on Bonnie, who Simon secretly aids

Simon is mostly left to himself since Marceline is her own person now.

He starts growing a small garden of red food, assembling a library, etc. But most importantly, he tries to save any human child he finds

The VK got Marceline as his ward, why can't Simon have his own? He promises the court that the child will be his full responsibility and the king, mostly out of amusement and curiosity, lets Simon adopt his precious human children

however, Marcy can't help but feel like Simon is doing the exact same thing her mom did- he's scared of her or doesn't love her anymore, so he's trying to go away. Except this time, he's replacing her in front of her very eyes with some tiny, fearful brat that can't appreciate just how kind and loving Simon is

over the next few centuries, every member of the king's court except for the Star dies off. In every instance, Marceline takes advantage of their death to suck up their essence. The VK admires her for this.

at the same time, no ward of Simon's has managed to survive to about 11-12. Sometimes it was a hungry vampire that killed them, most of the time it was Marceline sneaking behind his back to kill off her replacement, and sometimes it was mere disease that ended them. He lost poor Shoko to infection after Marceline took her arm in a jealous rage and that put off Simon from taking on another ward for a hundred years

HOWEVER, Marceline still really loves Simon and wants to be close with him again. She's... just not sure how anymore. Simon still smiles at her and tells her stories and lets her crash in his library when she wants to avoid boring meetings or whatnot, he cares for her yes- but he never seems proud of her for accomplishing great feats like killing 100 human rebels in one night or taking Bonnie's eye

Simon still holds out hope that there's good in Marcy and that she can be persuaded to help him and Bonnie kill the king/her other dad

And then Finn comes along.

(For anyone wondering, I haven't really touched upon how the VK ends up infatuated with Simon bc I'm still figuring that out. But also, I don't think it needs to be clearly defined, it'd be a lot more fun to just see Simon winding up in essentially an arranged marriage

HOWEVER I will say this- the vampire king once asked Simon for a special gift in an attempt for them to become closer. He asked Simon to give him a mortal name, as all he knows is a life as an undying king.

Simon obliged and after much thought, he chose the name Leonidas. They are the only two beings who know the king’s secret name and use it, it’s something not even Marceline knows.)

#simon petrikov #fionna and cake #vampire au #the vampire king #finn the human #marceline the star #fionna and cake spoilers

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