#i was worried the shoulder pauldrons wouldn't work but i think they did!

[sleepyfan-blog]

Questions

Author’s note: A third fic for Nadesir! Previous. Next

Tagged: @egrets-not-regrets

Warnings: none! Please ask me to tag if you find something squicky or triggering

Summary: You ask about those strange teal marines. What you get is a peek into Astartes Internal Politics. 

"Vanya... Who were those strange marines? Please tell me why you've been hovering so closely, as of the past three months. It's not as if those shape-shifting marines have been back... Right?" You ask, staring up at your Night Lord, resisting the urge to put your hands on your hips or cross your arms over your chest defensively. Currently you were in the break room of the hospital you'd been working at, with him as your own personal - if very large - shadow. When he wasn't off on a hunt, he'd decided to stick to your side as if you'd disappear if he didn't see you all the time.

"... I still go on hunts. We aren't together all the time." Vanya pointed out, a small pout on his lips that you refused to think of in the moment as endearing. His wings shifted and flexed against his back a little, and you noted the way that his claws extended and sheathed themselves. You silently wonder if he's aware he's doing that, or if it was a nervous tic. You wanted to know why he - and every other marine in town - had been so stressed. No one was able to get them to talk about it,a nd it was beyond frustrating and worrying. 

"Yeah. As if I wouldn't notice the Salamanders or Ultramarines lurking in my bushes when you're gone. None of you did this before those teal marines showed up, so why? Who are they?" You press. You stand up and make your way over to where he's standing - leaning against one corner of the room, eyes on the windows and the door into the room. You gently take one of his large hands in both of yours, running your fingers over his knuckles and tracing the lines of his palms "You've mentioned that we're bonded... That makes us partners, right?"

"I... Yes. We are bonded. I will protect and care for you for as long as I am able." Vanya responded, his free hand reaching up to cup your face, and gently rubbing his thumb across one of your cheeks. "Never doubt your safety while you are with me... Please." His voice broke a little on that last word, and you could see tears in his midnight black eyes.

"Oh... Vanya. Of course I trust you." You murmur, going up on your tiptoes to give him a kiss on the shoulder - the highest part of him that you could reach without him bending over or you finding something to climb on. "I just want to know what's going on. Why. and I'm not the only one who wants to know why my partner's acting as if we're going to be invaded at any moment. The bright yellow space marines building defensive structures all over town isn't in the least bit subtle. Nor are the steel grey and hazard striped marines trapping the roads in and out of town. What's going on? We want to be able to help! Or at least understand why all of you are preparing for what feels like war."

Vanya flinched a little at the mention of war. He stares into your eyes intently for several moments before letting out a long, deep sigh. "The teal marines are members of the Alpha Legion. They are dangerous, not just because they are Astartes, but because of their... Specific skillset and abilities. They are spies, saboteurs. Social engineers - but unlike the Blueberry Boyscouts who maximize the efficiency of everything around them in order to ensure the optimal happiness of everyone around them - the only ones aware of why and what their goals are is the Alpha Legion themselves... And most likely, their -" He abruptly stopped talking, ducking his head a little. 

You were about to ask more about this Alpha Legion when one of the Space Marine Apothecaries (their equivalent to doctors) came walking in. He was in his primarily white armor, with some green. It was a darker shade of green than salamanders' wore, and the emblem on his pauldron was different. Instead of a drake's head, it was a sword pointed down, with a pair of wings coming out from the hilt of the blade. Two dark green and black painted Astartes followed after him, followed by a chaplain of the same chapter. You didn't recognize the legion emblem, but it was very clear to you that Vanya did.

Vanya scooped you up and tucked you behind him, his wings wrapping around you tightly. You could feel him trembling slightly. He began talking in Gothic - the language that all Space marines spoke (at least in the area you lived in) - very rapidly. He'd been teaching you the language, but you could only pick out a few words "Why." and "You." and "Here." but that was far from the only thing he'd said.

One of the dark green marines began to speak, the bass rumble demanding attention. You caught the words "Legion." and "Reseach." but his accent was very different from Vanya's, making it more difficult for you to begin to understand what he was saying. "Vanya, what's going on?" You ask, gently touching one of his wings to get his attention after the strange marine stopped talking.

Vanya flinches under your touch. "Interrogator Chaplain wants to talk to us. I don't know why he's here. I don't want him here. I've told him that unless I'm being arrested, I refuse to speak to him or his brothers without Captain Urar or two of his lieutenants present."

"... Why would these marines be the ones arresting you? I've never seen them before." You ask. You'd also like to know why he might be getting arrested, but that's a different kettle of fish to fry later. 

"They're Dark Angels." Vanya says, as if that's supposed to mean anything to you. It really does not, but you can tell that this is Not The Time to ask clarifying questions about strange astartes. "Is there any way I can help? I do have my phone." You are barely whispering, but are well aware of just how sensitive Space Marines' hearing is. 

"Please text one of your coworkers who is bonded... To an Ultramarine. I think they have a better relationship to the first than Salamanders do." Vanya responds. He isn't making much sense, but hopefully he will explain once this situation is dealt with.

You nod and text Melody [Four Dark Angels - including someone called an Interrogator Chaplain according to Vanya are in the break room. Can you send Arrios and Vitius in here to help? Vanya's scared :(]

The bass-voiced space marine spoke again, this time you could clearly understand him "Night Lord Raptor, you will set down the human you are currently holding in your wings and come with us. We'd like to talk to you about your encounter with a squad of Alpha Legionnaires."

"... There isn't much to tell, chaplain." Vanya countered, and you could tell he was trying very hard not to sound as worried as he was to these strangers "As I informed Captain Urar months ago, I was headed back to the home I share with my bonded - who I am currently holding and she has not asked me to put her down, so I won't - after hunting some of the... I believe they are called elk? and was carrying the elk I had killed home in order to dress the body and prepare the meat and bones for consumption when I heard her speaking to someone who was using a copy of my own voice. I dropped the deer and sprinted to her side at full speed, calling for assistance as I had noted the tracks of more astartes around our home territory and knew that none of the local astartes would tread so close to our home and not be in easy sight line so as not to provoke a misunderstanding. I found an alpha legionnaire pretending to be myself and drove him out of the house. Two squads of flamer-wielding Salamanders chased them into the woods."

"You did not hunt down the Alpha Legionnaire for invading your home territory and pretending to be yourself to your bonded?" Bass asked, sounding equal parts skeptical and surprised.

Your phone buzzed. You read the text from Melody [Vitius and Arrios are on their way. ETA 1 minute. Any bloodshed?]

That didn't help your nerves at all. Thanks Melody! You think sarcastically as you text her back [None yet. Four against one aren't good odds, even if Vanya can fly. Though he's currently wrapped me up in his wings.]

"I was focused on making sure that my bonded felt safe in our home and securing the internal perimeter. I have been working alongside the other tracker-trained astartes who live here to try and find the Snakes hiding in the woods, but, as you should well know, trying to find a hiding alpha legionnaire is about as easy as catching smoke in high winds when they don't want to be found. I do not know if anyone else has had run-ins with these particular shapeshifters, you'd need to request information from the acting chapter master." Vanya answered, his wings tightening a little further around your body, though his shaking had slowed down a little.

"... And the acting chapter master is...? Do you recognize him as your chapter master, and all that entails, Night Lord?" Bass-y Astartes asked. 

Vanya's answer came after a long pause "The acting chapter master of this town is Captain Urar... And if you insist on knowing the answer to the second question..."

"I do." Bass pressed.

"... I do recognize captain Urar as my chapter master, while l live in this area. In this time." Vanya responded, voice quiet but steady. 

"Interrogator Chaplain Sariel, is there a particular reason why you and your... Brothers have deigned to grace this hospital with your presence? None of you are injured." The familiar and welcome voice of Apothecary Arrios called out, sounding equal parts annoyed and exasperated. "And I know for a fact that there aren't any injured Dark Angels being tended to in this hospital."

"We have been tracking the movements of several different alpha legionnaire squads in this region. When I noted that one of the more influential squads came here I brought my brothers to investigate why they came here." Bassy responded with a small huff in his voice.

"Well if you figure that out, please do tell the rest of us. As far as any of us can figure, the damned snakes decided to try and steal one of our bonded humans for the entertainment value. If you have any more questions, please direct them to captain Urar or Lieutenant Dexrial, who are our acting Chapter master and first captain respectively. Please stop badgering random members of our rag-tag community without warning, it's stressful for everyone involved." Vitius interjected, also sounding annoyed and mildly bored. 

"... Fine, although I will remind you of just how dangerous allowing traitors in your midst is. Good day, brother apothecaries." Bass growled. 

You could hear the sounds of several astartes leaving the room. Vanya did not put you down.

"How are you holding up?" Arrios asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

"I am unharmed. Your arrival was quite timely." Vanya murmured. You could hear the gratitude in his voice. 

"Good! Throne, this is getting more annoying by the week. First hydras trying to steal our dear humans away, now a throne-cursed Dark Angel Interrogator Chaplain and his goon squad here. Fuck! I was hoping to avoid this kind of nonsense when my human decided to move to a town of this size. See you around." Arrios called out, before you could hear another set of astartes sized footsteps leaving.

"You sure you're alright?" Vitius asked after several moments had passed.

"Yes, I'm fine. A little off-balance from one of them showing up unexpectedly, but nothing I cannot handle." Vanya responded. "... Tell my bonded's boss that she's coming home early with me. I... I need to keep her close. Keep her safe in our nest. She really doesn't like it when I growl at her patients."

Vitius answered "Of course. Captain Urar's likely going to want to talk to you, when you're ready to handle that."

"I... I know. It's... I will." Vanya responded, his wings curling a little tighter around you.

You gently rub his wings, hoping that the touch is grounding for him. You'd like to protest that you'd like to finish the rest of the work day... But Vanya is still shaking, and he sounds so vulnerable. If extra cuddles is what he needs to calm down, extra cuddles are something you're happy to offer him.

"Thank you, Cousin." Vitius murmured. "Take care."

"I will." With that Vanya, still holding you, walked out of the hospital. You wiggled a little, but all that provoked was a small, anxious whine from your Night Lord, so you stayed still until he eventually put you down, wings unfurling from around your body.

You weren't surprised to find that he'd taken you home. You smile gently up at him and ask "Hug?"

"Hug." He agrees, once again picking you up as his strong arms wrap around you. He buried his face in your shoulder, breathing in deeply as you ran your fingers through his long black hair.

[painting-the-universe-art]

Gladiator            -               King

had some fun with david’s sakaar looks ;3

💚REBLOGS make my day!!!💚

My Commissions are OPEN!

[liza011]

Hello and welcome to the DADWC! How about "horse riding" for Blackwall/F!Trevelyan? (Since he always hangs out at the stables.)

4. Horse riding (Blackwall/f!Trevelyan)

RATING: G

For @dadrunkwriting.

@melisusthewee Thanks for the warm welcome and the prompt. Hope you'll enjoy.

---

"Protect your leg with your shield," Blackwall called out. "And keep your back straight."

Valda was riding her horse in the training area, in full armor, carrying a stick as a weapon and a wooden shield. She had asked Blackwall to teach her the day before, as she'd seen him fight as well on horseback as he did on foot.

Blackwall was also carrying a stick, standing in the middle of the training area, acting as her opponent at the same time. "Alright, slowly ride towards me again and try to block the blow."

They were training the moves in slow motion, so that they wouldn't hurt neither the horse nor themselves.

She did and saw that Blackwall's blow wasn't aimed at her, but at the horse's legs and so she moved her shield to deflect his weapon.

"Well done!" Blackwall praised. "You're getting better."

She felt proud. "Thank you!"

"Turn back around and try to strike me."

Blackwall picked up his own shield and Valda turned her horse around. She feinted a strike at his legs and then quickly struck his shoulder when his shield was down.

"I did it!"

Blackwall smiled at her. "That was a fine strike. Should we call it a day?"

She nodded. "Yes." She dismounted and he took the reins while she took off the saddle.

They went on to brush the horse and then lead it back to the stable.

"How about we go and eat something?" Valda asked.

"Absolutely. I'm starving." He automatically reached over to undo the straps of her breastplate while she took off her helmet.

"Thanks for the training session."

"You're welcome."

"I need the joints on my pauldrons adjusted. They're a little too tight, I can't fully lift my left arm," Valda noted as she undid more straps.

Blackwall and her worked well together. She was out of her armor very quickly. "Then let's bring them to the blacksmith before we go. When are we heading out again?"

She ran a hand through her hair and sighed. "In two days, we're headed to the Exalted Plains."

They dropped off her armor and when they finally arrived at the tavern, one of the maids brought them each a bowl of stew and a pitcher of water.

Valda thanked her and then turned to Blackwall. "Look at that, it's deer stew."

Blackwall laughed. "Guess we got lucky today. Our favorite food after a hard day of work."

"Yes. I don't think I would have enjoyed having turnip soup again for the third time this week."

Their best hunter had had an accident and was still recovering and it had meant no fresh meat for a few days.

"At least the other new hunters are getting better at their job now," Valda grinned.

"Indeed. I was worried we'd have to put down the lame horse to make ends meet," he joked.

Valda punched him in the arm. "I would have gone out to hunt myself if it had become necessary."

"Oh, yes, I know. And you would have dragged me with you for it, to set up traps for smaller game," he laughed.

"I would, never you worry."

He wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug. "I would never worry about you leaving me here to die of boredom. You'd drag me all across Thedas just to keep me entertained."

"How right you are." She returned his embrace. She'd move mountains to make him happy.