#just to be clear bishop uses he/them and likes that ava calls them by she/her too

[dapper-comedy]

Ava belongs to @noriaki-kak

“I think I’d like to be called she. She/her.”

Ava blinked owlishly, looking up at the demiphic before her. He was normally always tense, always on the defense, and it’d taken a long time already for him to reach a point of a relaxed state among the group. But now, Bishop was stiff, shoulders hunched. glowing eyes glowering to the ground as if it had insulted him in some silent manner only he could hear. He was a combination of defense and offense- as if he expected Ava to question him.

Of course she didn’t. Not about that, at least.

“Okay,” She replied, patiently, slowly, “But... why tell me?”

Bishop finally looked up, confusion evident in the way his brows furrowed, wrinkling the space between them. Ava tried again, her own confusion not as evident, but something she had to address. 

“I’m not complaining. I’m... I’m happy you would tell me. But... But I know that you don’t... like talking to me. You have Rose, or Giselle. But me? We’re... We’re both demiphics.” She paused, picking her words carefully, “And there’s something about that you don’t like. I’m not going to ask you why, or-”

“I like you.”

Ava stopped, blinking owlishly as she watched Bishop hesitate, hand raised. And then, after a beat or two, placed it on Ava’s shoulder. His palm was coarse, and worn, littered with scars, just like hers were; his grip was tight at first, as if he didn’t know how to handle things gently. It loosened somewhat, but once again, it was as if Bishop didn’t know where to look, the floor, the ceiling, just certainly not her. She briefly wondered if she should be offended, but it didn’t make sense, and so she was patient.

“I... You... make me uncomfortable.” He admitted, “You make me nervous. You make me think about myself, because you’re right, we are both demiphics. But I don’t... I don’t dislike you. I just dislike the way you make me think about it. Being this. Being me. But you make me think about it, and I think I should think about it.” His nose wrinkled in a scowl, “Even though it’s... not good. It’s not nice to think about. But I don’t think you like it either, sometimes. I dunno.”

Bishop shook his head, letting out a frustrated sigh, and his grip on her shoulder tightened again. He was getting angry again, Ava could tell by the way that certain vein tightened in his neck and how he worked his jaw, she’d grown used to seeing the tells. It was how she was trained, control, cold control. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if she had any tells of her own, or if she’d developed them during her time with the crew. But Bishop began to speak, and she put it aside for another time.

“Maybe that’s why I told you. We’re both demiphics. We didn’t get a choice in that. We didn’t get a choice in being born, or being one or the other, our names, what we grew up to be or do. We didn’t choose... anything. And it’s fucking shit.” He was getting angry, it sparked in the glow of his eyes, the way his halo trembled, but he spoke through it, “And I don’t think anyone else is going to understand that. They’ve got their limits, and their struggles, whatever the hell. And you and I, we’re still different from each other. But I think you’re the only one who gets it. This...” He waved his free hand vaguely, and Ava noted the way his fingers twitched just slightly, trying to grip the feeling he was describing. 

“This space. We’ve got this space, to just. Choose. And learn. And make mistakes. Or even succeed. And it’s... it’s weird, you don’t know where to take your first step, or if that step is right or wrong. And it’s hard to believe that there is not wrong or right step. We get to choose now, and it’s new.”

Ava nodded, quietly, but didn’t speak. Visually, she seemed to just... be thinking. There was a pause, as if Bishop was trying to find some way to express what they were trying to express, and as she waited, she placed her hand over theirs on her shoulder. She could feel them stiffen at the touch, but not protest. That’s new, that’s different, she observed silently.

“I dunno.” He said at last, frustration edging his voice, “It... It wouldn’t be the same, if I told Rose, or Giselle. It... I don’t think it would mean as much. You make me feel weird, and think things I normally don’t want to think, and even though I don’t like it, it’s not bad. But I still end up avoiding you. And I don’t want to. I... I think I want you to understand me, in some kinda way. I want to understand you. And I think maybe you would get... this.” Another vague gesture. But she understood.

Ava smiled- and Bishop had to hesitate a moment. She made smiling look so easy, and yet at the same time, they knew it wasn’t. Because they understood, they both did.

“Thank you. I do.” She replied. Simple, easy, without complexity. And Bishop appreciated that.

“Hey! You two! Rose’s making a pie and Avery’s voting for some weird flavor that I don’t know!” Giselle’s voice called from the other room, before her head poked over the doorway. “What do you guys want? I need to not choose Avery’s option.”

Ava looked to Bishop expectantly. The demiphic could only blink owlishly, before mumbling, “Blueberry.”

Ava looked back to Giselle, and smiled again, “She wants blueberry. I think I’ll go with that too.”

[somebodyhelpthenotdeadfreds]

Savage Siblings + Scandal meeting the Legends or Gary meeting the Six

When Gary wakes up and smells toast, he instantly thinks he's having a stroke. He knows this because of late night frantic google searches when he's feeling like a hypochondriac. Turns out his neighbor had fried their hair in a curler. Life can be funny like that.

What is not funny is coming to, smelling toast, and realizing his legs are cuffed to the chair he's sitting in.

Memories start to creep back of how he got in this predicament. The memories aren't complete, as he can't remember how he got in this big dining room. He woke up in a weird hospital room, and managed to escape it into the hallway, where an arm wrapped around his neck and yanked him into a room. It was then he saw Scandal for the first time in easily ten years. She didn't have any answers for him as to where they were. In fact, the last memory he has before waking up here is seeing a man with a missing hand in the hallway before a sharp pain suddenly struck him in the neck.

And now he was here, strapped to a chair, smelling toast and noticing his sister in a chair just opposite him. She wrapped her fingers around a fork and held it in her lap. Gary shook his head to clear any brain fog, and was interrupted by a cheery voice behind him. "Finally, I'm starving!"

A plate was sat in front of him, a pancake with a whipped cream smile beaming back up at him. The same dish was put in front of Scandal, and the chair between them was pulled back and Bishop sat down. He was all smiles with the pancake in front of him, and Scandal didn't break her glare.

"There's chocolate sauce, and blueberries, and strawberry preserves. Feel free to add what you want," Bishop told them, adding butter to his pancake.

Scandal didn't reach for her food or speak. Gary couldn't eat around the lump in his throat, but spoke up in a croak: "What - is this?"

Bishop popped a bite into his mouth, laughing. "Gare, it's a family breakfast. We haven't had one in what, twenty years? Hard to tell, time being what it is."

Ava (but not Ava, but also Ava, because clone, Gary's brain scrambled to focus on anything other than this moment) poured Scandal a cup of hot coffee. Scandal didn't touch it. Scandal still didn't move.

Gary tried again, his big mouth forever unable to stay shut. "Bishop, why - why are we - where are we?"

"Gary, you're home, that's all that matters."

"Answer the question," Scandal bit back, her glare hot enough to melt whipped cream.

Bishop sighed. "But why can't we just have a family breakfast, Scandy? You never were any fun."

"Take the anklets off and let's have some real fun."

Bishop chuckled, poked her nose. He left a dollop of whipped cream on the end of it. "Is that a smile I see?"

Scandal's face didn't move. It was frozen in the same smile a lion gives a gazelle.

"Aw, it is! See, Gare, I always could get her to smile. You would try too hard."

Gary was squeezing his hands together under the table, holding back vomit. The smell of maple syrup was overwhelming and he wanted to run away from them, from this, again. He's done it so many times before, one more time wouldn't hurt, right?

"You guys haven't eaten your pancakes! Chef Ava's worked so hard on them, it would be rude to leave them uneaten!"

Neither sibling moved.

"Guys, seriously, it's a normal family breakfast, we're just-"

"We aren't a family," Scandal cut in, voice like ice. "We share the same blood. But we aren't a family."

Bishop's carefree smile settled into a familiar smirk. He leaned back in his chair, back on two legs, before leaning forward again. He picked up his fork and knife. "Well, if you guys don't want pancakes, I won't waste them. You like strawberry, right Gare?"

Gare closed his eyes as strawberry preserves covered the smiley pancake. He flinched when Bishop elbowed him lightly in the side, a laugh on his lips. "Lighten up."

He cut a third of Gary's pancake and put it on his own plate. He did the same to Scandal, joking as he offered her a bite.

Gary was pretty sure she could bite through the fork if it reached her lips. The whipped cream on her nose dripped into her coffee.

Bishop shook his can of whipped cream, put some in his mouth. He enjoyed his bite, had a sip of coffee.

Gary felt the words come out of his mouth like the remnants of a bad night. "Who was that in the hallway?"

Scandal shushed him, but Bishop smiled, squeezing Gary's shoulder. "Glad you asked, but you don't recognize your brother?"

"What?"

"That was Louis, he was one of our brothers, guys. I think from the 12th century, not sure. It's been a while since I've gone through the records."

"Why isn't he - here? At the table?" Gary asked carefully.

"Well, because he's not special like you guys! Us three, we were important! We meant something to Dad."

Scandal let out a barely audible hiss. "Is he - here?"

Bishop shook his head with a frown, brushing one of her bangs back. The frown changed to a grin when she moved her head back. "Not yet."

Maybe if Gary focused enough, he could melt down into his chair like whipped cream, slip through his cuffs and into the floor so he could disappear forever.

"What are you talking about?"

Bishop put up a finger as a 'hold on', chewing his bite of pancake. He began moving the pancake pieces around, humming a theme song Gary was familiar with. "I don't want to sound like one of those cheap Marvel hacks, but you know the Ship of Theseus idea, right?"

The pancake pieces were put into one complete circle, and Bishop added another smile on top of the creation.

"No? I guess I really did get all the smarts in the family."

"It's a foolish concept," Scandal said through her teeth. "There's no spirit for a body left."

Bishop grinned, all attempts at niceness fading away as he pulled a coin from his pocked and flipped it onto the table.

Gary has seen this soul coin before, so he doesn't give out an audible gasp the way Scandal does. Instead, he goes back to daydreaming about melting away.

"Why are we - why are we HERE?"

"Because we're special, Scandy. You were Dad's favorite, we all knew it. I was thinking your heart, but that's gone all soft. I think he'd want the eyes, what do you think? Gary's good for a spleen or a kidney."

Gary felt like he was going to pass out.

"Oh, don't worry! I'll grow you all new ones. Dad needs the old parts, you know, like when you need to fix an old watch. Gotta use the same parts, have the know-how. But Gary, I have a job for you especially. You always liked the little jobs more, yeah?"

"What do you want?" Gary croaked again. He didn't know what else to do except listen. Once again.

"Well, Gare. You're going to call your little friends. Gotta make homecoming a real party right?"

"I don't know what you're - talking about."

Bishop suddenly reached out and turned his head to face him. His smile held nothing but malice. "I'd say you never did learn how to lie, but they still don't know, do they? I can't believe you'd lie about that, Gare. That doesn't make you a good friend, does it? I mean, even Scandal told her lunch table about Dad."

"I'm not calling the Legends," Gary told him, raising his voice and instantly regretting it.

"Gary, Gary," Bishop tsked, squeezing his chin harder. "Don't you want to do the right thing?"

"Stop."

"The Legends aren't your friends, not if you can't tell them the truth. But we're your family. We don't lie to you, we aren't turning you out into the cold for a silly mistake or two."

Gary didn't look away but he couldn't stop shaking. Bishop poked his nose, making him flinch and then he laughed. "See, Gare? We're all going to be one big happy family again. All you have to do is your part."

He leaned away from Gary, turned to Scandal, and got a face full of hot coffee. He howled, clawing at his face as Scandal shoved his face into his pancake creation.

"Don't forget," she told him as she shoved him one more time for good measure before letting him up. Her smile was pure hatred. "At the end of the day, you're still a box of spare parts for Dad, same as us."

Bishop glared at her through strawberry preserves, wiping his face. "Then let's play double or nothing, Scandy. Gary brings Dad's friends, you get to walk home.

"He doesn't?" He slid a photo across the table and Gary watched Scandal's face dissolve into anguish.

"The first person Dad visits is his grandson."

[homeformyheart]

running - felix hauville x f!detective (twc)

author’s note: i was talking about my F-mancing detective with some discord friends, particularly about which of our detectives was the rebellious type, and this scenario wouldn’t leave my head. i hope you enjoy!

copyright: all characters, except my oc detective, are owned by mishka jenkins @seraphinitegames. series/pairing: the wayhaven chronicles – felix hauville x f!detective (harley bishop) rating/warnings: 13+; minor swearing, descriptions of fear word count: 1.8k based on/prompt: discord conversations about our detectives, thanks @ohnobbwhatisyoudoing summary: harley has to face the fact that her combat skills and instinct to protect and defend loved ones won’t be of help against supernaturals and sometimes it is better to run.

running

the quiet of the darkness around them made the hairs on the back of hayley’s neck stand on end. she couldn’t see anything, not even the leaves on the trees around them. the only thing keeping her from panicking was knowing that felix was by her side and could see in the dark, his gold eyes flitting over to look at her every so often, giving the appearance of fireflies against the dark backdrop.

she could feel her fingers twitching out of anxiety and fear and tried to enclose them into a fist. soft, warm hands curled around hers, unraveling her fingers one by one before interlacing their fingers tightly. she tensed slightly from anticipation, a shiver working its way down her body to her toes as felix pressed himself to her side.

“you okay?” his eyes searching hers and hayley felt herself being drawn in, the amber in them calming her nerves.

she nodded, knowing he could see and sense the movement. it still caught her by surprise sometimes at how natural their relationship felt, being with him just felt right. she could feel herself moving toward him when the gold of his eyes suddenly disappeared.

“what is it?” she whispered, as felix’s grip on her hand tightened slightly.

“we’re not alone,” he whispered back, letting go of her hand and shifting his body in front of hers.

hayley finally heard what felix had noticed a few minutes earlier, which in her experience so far with the supernatural world, meant that whatever was lurking in the shadows was practically upon them. she shifted her weight to lower her center of gravity, positioning her legs so she could easily run or attack and stilled, listening for the leaves crunching softly and branches shifting from multiple directions.

“how many?” she asked quietly, knowing that the odds of them surviving a direct confrontation were slim to none.

“too many,” he whispered back, nudging her further behind him. “we need to run.”

a low, sinister chuckle from the dark mass in front of them sent fear shooting up hayley’s spine and settling at the base of her neck.

“what a surprise, pretty boy wants to run,” a deep, hoarse voice reverberated in the still forest, and hayley felt felix tense beside her.

“what did you just call my man?” hayley called out defiantly.

she heard another set of footsteps to her left, but still couldn’t see anything. “aw, pretty boy has a little human to protect him. how cute.”

a chorus of laughter reverberated through the trees and hayley tried to follow the source of it with her eyes before they widened in realization. they were surrounded.

“why don’t you go be assholes somewhere else?” she heard herself call out and was inwardly surprised at her own audacity. she assumed somewhere ava was rolling her eyes. clearly, this wasn’t the time for false bravado.

sinister chuckles seemed to reverberate throughout the forest around them, sending chills down hayley’s spine. she had never felt so powerless, but then again, she had never been in a situation where none of her senses could help her. it was not only completely dark, but the world was silent around them. no bird calls or animals scampering across the trees. no breezes gently shuffling the leaves.

“c’mon, ava told us not to engage if we can avoid it. this was supposed to just be a recon mission,” he said, trying to nudge her to move behind him.

hayley let out a growl in frustration. “ava’s not the boss of me,” she whispered stubbornly, but even she knew felix was right.

“babe, they’re not trappers, they’re supernaturals. i care more about us getting out of here in one piece, please?” felix pleaded, reaching for her hand.

“no one insults my baby,” she muttered half-heartedly, the tension leaving her shoulders in resignation.

despite the very real and very dangerous circumstances they were in, felix couldn’t help but smile and swoop in to catch hayley by surprise with a kiss.

“and i love you for that, but please, can we run?”

hayley’s voice caught in her throat and it was all she could do to just nod. it was definitely not the time or place to address the fact that they hadn’t said those three words to each other before and felix definitely wasn’t aware of what he had just said.

her attention was brought back to the present as his grip on her hand tightened. an unnatural wind whipped around them, growing faster and sharper as it grasped at the loose tendrils of hair from her bun and scratched at her skin. she reached down and grabbed her volt gun from its holster. just as quickly as the wind started up, it stopped. the air had stilled once more, to the point where hayley was afraid to take a breath.

“hayley,” felix whispered, “run.”

she sprinted behind him, letting his grip on her hand guide her over any roots or obstacles as she willed her body to move as fast as it could, her thighs burning as she strained to keep up with him. the whispered taunts and movement through the trees were all around them, beating loudly in her ears and threatening constantly to send her into a panic.

hayley kept her volt gun charged and if she needed to, she could grab the dmb spray from her pocket, but she tried to focus on maintaining her pace, the reassuring warmth of felix’s tightened hold the only thing she had to guide her.

she knew she was slowing him down. tree branches scratched her skin relentlessly and she kept stumbling over a root or rock every other step. it was all she could do to hold back the yelps of pain at the back of her throat and keep moving.

she was always holding him back.

“felix, i can’t—” she panted, her calves aching.

he held on tighter and tried to pull her closer. “no, don’t even think about it. i can see ava and mason, just a little more, babe.” he didn’t sound the least bit winded, and hayley would’ve been annoyed if her lungs weren’t on fire.

just a little more, his voice echoed in her head like a mantra and hayley just begged her body to keep going, keep running, even as her breaths burned up in her lungs and the stitches in her side started spreading up and down her body. her limbs were starting to go numb, but she kept flexing her grip around her volt gun, with a finger firmly on the trigger.

sudden movements too fast for her eyes to notice appeared parallel to them, judging by the way felix’s head kept turning left and right. they were almost at the rendezvous point, where the rest of the team was waiting, but she could tell these rogue supernaturals weren’t backing off based on the yelps and grunts from felix as he tried his best to dodge and keep them away from her.

“close your eyes!” ava’s voice cut through the dark and gave hayley the reprieve she never would’ve expected from unit bravo’s leader; she felt her breath finally escape her lungs and catch in her throat at the sound.

she suddenly felt her body fall forward before being yanked sideways and thrown against the rough bark of a tree. her spine hit the bark right before a bright, blinding white light flashed through the forest. she squeezed her eyes shut but not before she was enveloped in the warmth of felix’s rapid heartbeat melding with her own pulsing one.

her chest heaved and her breath came in large, loud gulps to ease the burn in her lungs. she tucked her forehead against felix’s collarbone to further shield her eyes from the blinding light, which she could see even through her closed eyelids.

time seemed to slow down as shrieks from their pursuers resounded loudly before fading into the distance. the forest was still again, except for leaves crunching underfoot of the other members of unit bravo. hayley took a shaky step forward as felix released her from the tree, keeping a supportive arm around her waist. she was sure she’d collapse to her knees otherwise.

“are you both okay? are you injured anywhere?” nat’s worried voice made hayley smile, she could finally breathe easy.

“we’re okay. you got here just in time,” felix said in a cheerful tone, but hayley could hear the serious undertone that indicated he had been really worried – for her.

even though she still couldn’t see them clearly, hayley knew that ava was nodding. “let’s get back to the warehouse. we’ll debrief in the morning.”

back at the warehouse

hayley had been quiet the entire ride back to the warehouse, letting felix’s occasional chatter fill the space of the roomy agency suv. now that she wasn’t in mortal danger, her mind kept replaying the night’s events over and over in her mind, analyzing the mistakes she made and trying to identify ways she could be less of a burden on the team.

if that was all she was thinking about, she’d tell herself to get some sleep and deal with it in the morning with a clear head. unfortunately, one particular scene wouldn’t dislodge itself from her brain and as she followed felix to his room, she knew she wasn’t going to be able to get any sleep until she got some answers.

felix flopped on the bed and let out a groan. “what a night. you doing okay, babe?”

“yeah…” hayley trailed off as she made her way slowly to the bed, sitting down next to him and tucking her knees under her chin.

he sat up and looked at her, brow furrowed with worry. “what’s wrong?”

hayley bit her lip nervously and hesitated before meeting his gaze. it was probably better to just be direct about it. “do you remember saying that you love me earlier?” she asked slowly, her shoulders tense with anticipation.

felix’s eyes widened and she thought she saw a flicker of fear before he tried to laugh it off. “oh, well, you know, i was caught up in the moment and didn’t mean to say it. not that i didn’t mean it, i wouldn’t say something like that and not mean it - you have to know i do mean it, right? but i don’t want you to feel pressured – am i rambling? i’m rambling aren’t i?”

hayley just smiled and leaned in to give him a kiss, feeling his lips curve upward into a smile under hers. she pulled back slightly to whisper, “i love you too.”

she knew she’d never get tired of seeing felix’s amber eyes glimmer with utter happiness, but tonight, they were the brightest she’d ever seen.

* * * * * permatag: @kelseaaa; @kat-tia801; @anotherbeingsworld; @crackerdumortain; @pearlsandsteel; @gloynporslen; @writer-ish; @sosolenoo; @alyssalauren; @fhauvilles; @wayhavenots; @gingerbreton; @takemyopenheart;

[drabbletrashcan]

Dovakhiin

It is said that only a Dragonborn can kill a dragon. After the Dragonborn kills a dragon, he or she will devour and consume its soul. Over the centuries, this has proven to be true. Man can most definitely weaken and injure a dragon but can never put an end to its life. Only the Dragonborn has accomplished this feat.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!”

Bishop dove behind a boulder just in time. He could feel the blazing heat all around him, and his heart hammered thinking about how his companions could easily be caught in that inferno. Karnwyr whimpered, huddling closer to his master. He was scared out of his mind.

Casavir thank the gods above for blessing him with such luck. He had managed to find a small cave he could barely fit in but provide shelter from the hell outside. Yet, his eyes scanned his surroundings frantically, searching for the others.

How lucky to be quick on your feet. Cael had taken cover in the dense vegetation, unseen, unheard. All he had to do was wait it out. Where the hell were the others? Oh, gods, what if they were caught in the fire?!

A loud roar shook the earth, fire hailing from above. The dragon swooped low, searching for his prey and leaving destruction in its wake. Cael finally spotter two of his companions. As the dragon rose up into the sky, he dashed towards Bishop, the closest one, and crouched behind the boulder.

“What the fuck are we going to do?!” Bishop yelled. “We’re dead. We’re just a late afternoon barbeque!”

“Please calm down, Dark One, this is not the time and place for more agitation.”

Bishop’s jaw tightened visibly, holding himself back from decking the blonde in the face. Managing to grab the paladin’s attention and beckoning him over to them, the small group hid behind the boulder, praying to whatever god out there that the dragon would not find them.

“Oh, gods.”

Casavir let out a horrified whisper, his eyes widening. He turned to the two men, fury and desperation burning in his eyes.

“Where is Ava?!”

A question that made their blood run ice cold. Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. Oh please gods no. Cael grabbed Bishop and Casavir’s arms, his hands resembling iron claws. He pointed towards the open field the dragon was circling.

With wild blonde hair fluttering in the wind, there stood Ava in all her glory, clad in her steel armor. She unsheathed her Warhammer, staring at the dragon ferociously, just daring it to try and attack her.

“Has she gone completely mad?!”

The dragon finally noticed her, and it swooped down. It opened its mouth and let out a mighty roar before a river of fire poured down upon Ava.

“NO!”

Bishop and Cael and Casavir froze, not believing what they had just witnessed, not wanting to believe it.

The fire cleared up, leaving charred vegetation in its wake. In the middle of a blackened, ashy field, there stood Ava. The ward she had cast wore off, and she gripped her weapon tightly. The dragon came circling back, this time intent on tearing its prey into pieces. It got closer and closer, its maw opening again.

“Fus…ro dah!” a large blast on energy launched itself from Ava towards the dragon, knocking it out of the air and crashing ungracefully in the dirt. Wasting no time, she lunged at it, bringing down her weapon and impaling its skull. Blood spurted out, coating her armor in a shiny ruby red. The dragon let out a roar of anguish as it got its bearings back. Ava attacked mercilessly, dodging the dragon’s fire storm and countering it with her own Shout.

By now, she had rendered the beast incapable of flying. She let out streaks of lightning through her fingertips, her eyes blazing with magicka.  

This was her only opening.

Letting out a scream of effort, she launched herself off a cliffside, landing on the dragon’s back. The beast shook, trying to knock her off. Jumping up, she brought her Warhammer down, its blade burying in the dragon’s scull.

For a few seconds she was in the air before crashing against the ground. She wheezed for air, struggling to stand up. The dragon wobbled towards her, not intent at dying at the hand of a mortal. Ava unsheathed her sword. She trust it upwards, the blade going straight through its scaly throat.

She stared the beast in the eye, watching the life drain out of it. It let out a final roar before collapsing.

Ava crawled out from under it, scrambling to her feet as she clutched her side. It hurt like hell. But it wasn’t over yet. She limped towards the corpse and dislodged her weapons from it and placed her hand on the snout of the animal.

A single muffled boom resonated throughout the valley as the wind started to pick up. She was absorbing the dragon’s soul. Multicolored lights surrounded her body, and she felt the familiar energy of the soul entering her body.

Blood oozed from her side, staining her armor and fingers. Yet she continued to ignore the pain, for now came the hardest part.

Explaining to the boys.

Bishop, Casavir and Cael emerged from behind the boulder, walking towards her slowly. She turned towards them, exhaustion visible in her eyes. Without a word, Cael sat her down and tended to her wound. She looked down, avoiding their gaze. Bishop crossed his arms, piercing her with his icy glare.

“Hey, ladyship,” he said, painfully monotone. Ava cringed before looking up. “You mind telling us what this is?”

Ava bit her lip. “Well…I’m Dovakhiin…it means Dragonborn in the dragon tongue…”

“Yeah, I got that. What I want to know is why you didn’t tell us sooner?” he asked in an accusing tone.

“I…I don’t know…”

“Oh, you don’t know? Well what do you know, Ava?!”

“Stop it, Bishop. What is your problem?” Casavir gently pushed Bishop.

Bishop pushed the paladin back, annoyance evident in his golden eyes. “You want to know what my problem is? My problem is that after months of travelling with us, she never thought for a second to tell us who she actually is!”

“Enough, Bishop,” Cael stood up, running a hand through his blond hair. “I understand your anger, and if anything, I agree with you to some extent. But this isn’t what she needs right now.”

“No, what she needs is to stop lying to us and tell us everything she’s been hiding!”

Ava’s eyes shot up towards Bishop. Lying? The bastard. She stood up, radiating anger.

“Lying? How the hell have I been lying?”

“You literally hid your identity? Don’t you think it would have been useful to at some point come up to us and tell us you’re the Dragonborn?”

“At some point I would have told you, you ungrateful ass!”

“Ungrateful?” the ranger scoffed.

“I just saved your sorry ass from a fucking dragon, and this is how you treat me, you bastard?!”

“Oh, yes, please, excuse me for having the audacity to not kneel down in front of you and kiss your boots. See, this is why I have trust issues in the first fucking place.”

“What the fuck do you have against me?!” her accent became more noticeable.

“I don’t trust you! All you do is drag us into abandoned caves and hide behind us, then expect us to follow you like lost puppies. And on top of that, you’re the Dragonborn. The person who’s, you know, supposed to be saving the world, but instead you go and prance around Skyrim, with not a care in the world. You’re pretty useless for someone who’s supposed to defeat the World Eater.”

Ava froze. Hurt, betrayed, insulted. This was what she was feeling. After everything she had done for him. After nearly sacrificing her life to save him. After hoping one day he would notice her feelings for him. Finally, something snapped.

She stepped forward and put her hands against the ranger’s chest. And pushed him. She pushed him so hard he stumbled backwards before falling on his back.

“Useless? Useless?! Is that what you think of me?! Then do yourself a favor and fucking leave, you mean, annoying, greedy, selfish, perverted piece of shit! How dare you?! After everything I’ve done! You have the nerve to call me useless?!”

Her screams echoed throughout the valley. She could feel hot tears streaming down her face. But she didn’t care. Bishop looked up at her, surprised. Heavy sobs started to rack her body, yet she didn’t stop.

“You want to know why I didn’t tell you?! Do you?! Here’s why: I’m fucking scared! I’m terrified out of my mind! Do you think I want this?! My life is literally written in stone. I am the Dragonborn. I’m supposed to sacrifice my life to save the world from Alduin. Do you know how it feels to literally have the weight of the world on your shoulders?! No, you don’t, you run away from responsibility all the time. I don’t want this! I never wanted this! So fuck you, you asshole! Fuck you and everything you stand for!”

The words lingered in the air before disappearing, and with it Ava felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She hung her head, wiping furiously at her eyes. Bishop slowly rose and stepped towards her before stopping.

“I’m going back to Whiterun. If you want to keep travelling with me, I’ll be at Breezehome. You’re free to leave at any time, all of you.”

 *

 The smell of baked potatoes and chorus of yells made Ava wake up, furrowing her brow in confusion. What the hell? She threw on some clothes and grabbed her dagger, just in case. Walking downstairs, she stopped and stared at the scene unfolding before her.

Bishop, clad in his leather armor and a chef’s apron, was stirring at the cookpot, mumbling something about how he does everything in this household. Casavir and Cael were fighting over which set of plates to use. Casavir insisted to use the blue china plates, while Cael stressed about how they should simply eat off of the usual metal plates. Karnwyr, who was lounging by the fire, perked up at the sight of her and gently rubbed his head against her. The house looked brand new. Her weapons, sitting neatly on the weapon rack, were polished with great care. The floor had been swept and polished, her books organized, her potions and alchemy materials neatly stored in the cabinets, and not a stray of dust was visible.

Noticing her, the boys froze. Awkward silence settled between them. Ava raised an eyebrow, her eyes darting around the house, examining every detail. Finally, Cael cleared his throat, walking towards her.

“Morning, sparrow! Uh, why don’t you take a seat?” he led her to the table, pushing down on her shoulders.

“Did you sleep well, milady?” Casavir set a blue china plate before her, earning an irritated glare from the Forsworn.

“Uh, yeah, I guess.”

“How’s that wound? I should change the bandages…”

“Milady, would you like mead or milk? Oh, there’s also some wine…”

“My sparrow, I remember you had to do some tasks for the Jarl, but Casavir, Bishop and I can take care of it. You should rest for today…”

“Ok, wait. What the hell is going on?”

Casavir and Cael exchanged looks before looking at Bishop, where he still stood stirring at the cookpot. Ava raised an eyebrow, shifting to face him fully. Bishop rolled his eyes and scratched the back of his neck, approaching hesitantly.

“Um…look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said what I said.”

Ava stared at him for a few seconds before rising from her seat. She stood in front of Bishop, staring into his golden eyes. He avoided her gaze, studying the tip of his boots. Ava smirked and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight. Her action made Casavir’s and Cael’s jaws drop. She could feel Bishop tense in her embrace, his arms suspended awkwardly in the air. She pulled back and embraced the other two men.

“You’re all idiots! But you’re my idiots, and I’m glad you decided to stick with me.”

[thealicecapulet]

love was an act of defiance

WHO: @montaguevin & Alice Capulet (also a bit of @theposeycapulet and mentions of @jim-ofalltrades-montague)

WHEN: Friday July 27th

WHERE: The gardens of Verona’s Cathedral

SUMMARY: Vin and Alice take matters into their own hands regarding their relationship

Note(s): Surprise!

Alice felt a whirlwind of emotions, so much so that she hardly slept at all last night. Today was a risk. She knew there was going to be fallout from it but....honestly, the pros outweighed the cons. She wanted to be with Vin. She wanted his collar around his neck. She wasn't a child, and she didn't take this decision lightly. She knew the risks and she was willing to take them. She'd take whatever came after, whatever anger and upsets it'd cause in her family. She'd take it all and it'd be worth it. Vin was worth it. So early that Friday morning she found herself at the cathedral with Posey, getting ready in one of the back rooms. "You don't think I'm absolutely insane, do you?" She asked quietly as she glanced up at her, her cousin gently curling the ends of her hair for her.

Posey hums softly as the curing iron wraps gently around the weight of Alice's hair, letting the dark lock spring back into place before moving onto the next, her own hair and makeup done, her lips curving into a soft smile. "...A little, but clearly Lady Bea hasn't seen you together, and I'm proud of you. You're doing what you genuinely want for the first time you know? Like.. Rocking the boat.. You guys are meant to be even though it took you ages to get your head out of your ass, it's .. It's happening. And besides. You're gonna be a Montague... So even if we still get kicked out? You guys are together for better or worse"

Alice watched the way Posey's lips tugged into a smile and she rolled her eyes at her fondly before smiling back and she letting out a breath, slowly nodding at her words. Posey was right. Alice was always one to go with the flow of things...to let others win and to mediate peace. She never really fought for things. But this. This she was fighting for. "It wasn't that long.." She replied teasingly. She exhaled slowly again, feeling jittery and nervous, wringing her fingers lightly in her lap, not wanting to wrinkle the soft, flowy material of her dress before she smoothed her hands over it and nodded again, "Thank you. For being here for me. For everything."

Posey: "People have like ... Half a baby in that time. You could literally grow half a human..." She trails off, before pressing her cheek gently against Alice's, her arms wrapping around her careful not to ruin her hair or makeup, her voice soft but warm. "I wouldn't be anywhere else, you know that. I've got your back no matter what happens. And that man standing in the garden? He's so in love with you. You're doing the right thing.." She rummages in her bag, pulling out a tiny champagne bottle, enough for two glasses before securing them and pouring them out before passing Alice one. "...I can't give a maid of honour speech.. But you're one of my best friends, and you're kind and caring and I'm sorry our Lady decided to use you as a pawn in the ongoing Montague and Capulet claim, but you deserve this more than anyone, and I love you, and I'm proud of you, and I'm even looking forward to seeing you become Dr Alice Montague" before clinking her glass with Alice's and taking a sip and looking up as the knock at the door sounds before asking quietly "....So you're ready to do this? I stole Jim's keys just incase you had a moment of insanity and changed your mind"

Alice laughed softly, shaking her head, "I think you're thinking of Will and Ginny." She teased, even though she knew Vin had been in her life since the beginning half of the year, so she wasn't all wrong. She closed her eyes as Posey's arms went around her and she hugged her back, smiling warmly as she leaned into the girl that had always been like another sister to her. She let Posey go and snorted as she saw the mini bottle of champagne, shaking her head fondly again, "I'm not even surprised you pulled that out of your purse." She teased, reaching for one of the glasses. She listened as Posey began an impromptu 'speech', smiling all the while and feeling something warm settle inside herself at the words. She was proud of her. She was doing something to be proud of. She clinked her glass into Posey's and laughed, shaking her head again as she heard the knock, "I'm not about to be a runaway bride. I'm the one that planned this, remember?" She reminded her as she moved to stand, "And...for the record? You'll still get your speech. We're hoping to still have a reception sometime soon....if Bea doesn't ban the rest of the family from seeing me ever again." Her smile faded a bit as she said that, a little bit of nerves coursing through her before letting out a breath and shaking her head to herself. There was no point in worrying in that. She'd deal with the consequences later. For now... She drank more of her glass and moved to the mirror at the other end of the room, adjusting her hair a bit and her dress and nodding to herself before turning to face Posey, "Okay...I think I'm as ready as I'm gonna get."

Posey smiles at their glasses chink before helping Alice with the last minute details, quickly grabbing the lip-balm and dotting a bit in the middle of her bottom lip, an old makeup trick before stepping back. "...You look gorgeous. I'll head out first okay? I'll see you out there"

Alice smiled at her, letting out a slow, calming breath before nodding, "Okay." She agreed, moving around the room and grabbing her little bouquet ( https://i.pinimg.com/564x/07/3a/3b/073a3bc97f92c390d09a67153d3e705d.jp) and handing Posey's hers as well, squeezing her cousin's hand and then letting her head out of the room and to the garden first. Her heart started to race a little bit as she waited in the doorway for a second to compose herself, and all the while she wondered what Vin was thinking, if he felt those same little nervous butterflies she felt.

Vin is pacing around the small garden. The nerves in his stomach fluttering up a whirling storm, though Jim's steady presence at his side is calming since he's 'got his shit together'. The fact they're going against Beatrice's wishes is a niggling thought in the back of his mind. But he knows himself, he knows Alice and that they've been dating just as long as Ava and Sinna have before they claimed, and honestly? The need to see his collar around Alice's neck outweighs wanting the fiery Domme's approval. He paces again before the door opens and Posey steps out, fiery hair billowing around her before stepping up to the makeshift altar and giving him a beaming smile, one he returns before looking over as the door opens again, and Alice steps through. She looks /beautiful/ there's no other words for it, and any oxygen leaves his body, making him light headed and hyper focused on the submissive in front of him before shaking his head to clear it and just muttering "....Holy shit, I'm so lucky" though the small laughter coming from Posey and Jim has him realising that they've probably overheard him.

Alice let out one last calming breath before she was moving, walking through the doorway and heading outside. She appreciated that they had even spread little rose petals down the makeshift aisle to where the 'altar' was, the Bishop at the head. Posey was on one side, Jim the other, and the Princess was to the side as well, smiling all the while. And then she caught sight of Vin and all her nerves flew away. Any consequences, any anger that would come their way at doing this in secret vanished and all she cared about was the Dom standing ahead of her. He was her future...this was who she was meant to be with for the rest of her life. She felt the dress gliding behind her a bit as she walked, her heart beating quickly but a smile on her face as she made her way to the front, eyes on Vin all the while. "Hi." She breathed out softly, looking him over. He always looked handsome, especially in suits at the various ceremonies they'd attended together. But this? This was something else, and for the millionth time she wondered how she got so lucky, how he actually chose her to be with.

Vin can feel his face breaking into a smile as Alice all but floats towards him. His own suit snug around the shoulders before taking her hands in his as she approaches before echoing quietly. "Hello" unable to take his eyes off her. He briefly wonders how long they've been gazing at one another before squeezing her hand gently, whispering quietly. "...We're actually doing this Kitten. The rest of our lives start right now" before turning his attention to the bishop as he starts talking, nodding along at all the right places, his nerves only swooping slightly remembering that as well as their traditional vows they're going to do a small section of ones that they've written for themselves, his hands still entwined with hers before mouthing to her as the bishop continues talking. "You look so beautiful"

Alice felt a little blush tinging her cheeks as he called her beautiful, her heart skipping as realization set in that he was right. This very moment was the beginning of the rest of their lives. It was a bit surreal. She snapped out of her thoughts as the bishop turned to her so she could say her vows and she let out a breath, shuffling a bit on the spot and squeezing Vin's hands, "Vin, you....you came into my life when I absolutely least expected it. When I'd just stopped looking for love because every other person in my past hurt me. I thought I was just destined to live my life alone, that maybe my work would have to be enough to fulfill my life. But then you showed up..and you became a friend. You became someone I could talk to, I could depend on. Someone whom I felt safe with before I even realized it. I felt safe from the very moment we met--and maybe that's why I felt okay to let a stranger into my house at dawn." She laughed softly, grinning up at him. "You never rushed me into anything, and slowly our friendship bloomed into something more, and for that I am so....so grateful, because my best friend is now the love of my life. I was meant to meet you that morning on the way to work. I was desolate, alone....and the universe finally gave you to me. And that's why I know this is right. It doesn't matter to me how long we've been together, or how quick this is, because it's right. You're the person I'm meant to spend the rest of my life with..the person I want to have children with and grow old with. You're my future. And I want my future to start as soon as possible."

Vin exhales slowly as Alice's words wash over him, each one ringing more true than the last and he lets go of one of her hands to reach into the envelope stashed in his tux, sliding the paper out before deciding to put it back in. "...I tried writing everything down. But nothing seemed to capture how I felt about you. Putting it on paper felt forced, the words seemed shallow and I've never been good with words, but what I am good at? Is action and using my hands. But I can say this. I loved you from the moment I saw you, hazy and through a swollen eyelid and I don't regret how slow we took it at the beginning. Because we got to know each other, those small details that might seem insignificant. And I got to prove myself worthy of you. You never ran from the challenge of what being with me could pose, but rather stood beside me with your hand on my arm and told me we'd take it together, that my name didn't matter to you, that who I am? Is something to be proud of. You've made my life better Alice Capulet, and I promise to spend the rest of our lives making you as happy as you've made me, and for you to never feel inadequate or not good enough again. To stand by your side and be your strength when you feel like you haven't got any, and hold you while the storms pass. And I can't wait to sit on our patio surrounded by grandchildren and tell them the story of how we met, how we came to be. Our story. Where our new chapter begins and Alice Capulet becomes Alice Montague; and I'm the luckiest Dominant in not only Verona, but the world'

Alice watched him take the paper out before sliding it back into his pocket and she blinked up at him as he began to speak, almost immediately feeling tears beginning to spring to her eyes at his words and how they made her feel. He made her feel important- like she was the most important thing in his life, and it was overwhelming in the best way possible, to mean that much to someone. She let out a watery little laugh as he spoke of their grandchildren and she swallowed back her emotions as she nodded, gripping his hand a bit tighter. Alice Montague. It was perfect. "I love you."

Vin The final vows are spoken between them, both parties echoing the bishop quietly and if Vin could focus on anything else, he'd wonder why Posey and Jim were still standing there since it's clear the couple only have eyes for each other, before Jim steps forward with the box containing the collar. https://78.media.tumblr.com/194f0e864f1fe1f87865bb... , it's small, delicate, but enough that she can wear it at the hospital or at Lavinia and still show she's claimed. Collared and he opens the box slowly before intoning quietly. "My collar is a promise. Something steadfast that will be a sign of our partnership, something to ground you, and a piece of me to carry with you. It shows my love, my commitment, and a promise to love, honour and cherish you above all else" before drawing a shaky breath as he finally, /finally/ lifts it out of the box and clasps it around Alice's neck barely breathing until he hears that tiny 'click' of the clasp sliding into place, a weight he didn't even know he was carrying lifted off his shoulders.

Alice felt her breath catch as he opened the box, her eyes zeroing in on the beautiful collar inside, how it nearly glinted in the sunlight. It was delicate, intricate, perfect. She just barely tore her eyes off it as she instead focused on him, listening to him and taking in the words, the promises he was giving her. It was all all she'd ever wanted. She bowed her head slightly, closing her eyes and she felt a little shiver roll through her as the metal touched her skin, her breath catching as she heard the click of it securing in place. It felt like that final puzzle piece of her life had slid into place at the same time. When she blinked her eyes open again there were tears in them and she reached up tentatively, almost reverently as she touched the collar now around her neck and she let out a shaky breath, only snapping out of her thoughts again as Posey cleared her throat quietly and she turned towards her cousin, giving her a watery smile as she took the small box from her and then turned to face Vin before opening the box. https://78.media.tumblr.com/30bcb24d9fa8d25b0f3615... "I bought this for you last month...after my birthday. I didn't know when we'd get claimed but....I knew you were it. I knew we would. And when I saw it I thought it was perfect. And this cuff is my promise to always love you and support you. To always stand by your side. It's a promise that I'll always accept you and all parts of your life. There is not a single part of you that is something to be ashamed of. You should be proud of your accomplishments in life, because I know I am. I'm so proud of you..and I'm proud to be with you. I'm proud to belong to you, and I always will." As she spoke she took the leather cuff out of the box and moved to wrap it around his wrist, her thumb brushing along the inside of his wrist just over his pulse point as she clicked it into place.

Vin lets his thumb brush Alice's hand as the cuff locks into place. They've done it. Short of signing their official paper work. They're claimed. Though once the bishop speaks the words quietly. "You may kiss your claim.” He can't resist sweeping Alice into his arms, letting his lips brush hers, one hand coming up to brush at her cheek, his wrist feeling the collar around her neck before pulling back, eyes bright. His head shakes in disbelief as they're taken to the small table to sign their papers before looking over at her, still in awe. "...We actually did it Kitten. You're mine"

Alice felt like her heart might burst out of her chest. She listened as the bishop finished up and when he said they could kiss Vin was on her, pulling her in and knocking the air out of her lungs and she melted into him, a tear slipping down her cheek and her lips pulling up into a smile as she kissed him back, her hand all the while still curled around his wrist, around the cuff that she'd put there, that signified that he was hers as much as she was his. She let out a little laugh of disbelief as she shook her head, grinning up at him, "We did it." She echoed, unable to stop smiling as she looked down at the papers, letting Vin sign his half before she did the same, taking her time in signing the bottom as Alice Montague before she leaned up and kissed him again, "I'm yours."

Vin looks down as Alice signs her name with a flourish, the final signature being the icing on the cake. His arm around her, the collar glinting on her neck and even Jim beaming from ear to ear has him in a state of happiness he never knew existed before laughing quietly, a finger touching the dry ink. "...So how long have you been practicing that signature hmm?'

Alice leaned into him all the while, just staring down at their names signed on the paper, the final touch to this being complete. She watched him reach down to the paper and she laughed, rolling her eyes as she nudged him playfully with her elbow, "Shut up.." She teased even as she turned in his grasp, wrapping her own arm around him and looking up at him. "I love you." She told him again, love and happiness shining in her eyes as she met his and she knew, she knew this was the right choice. She'd take every single consequence head on, because at the end of the day, she finally found the happiness she's been wanting her whole life.

Posey waits to the side as Vin and Alice sign their names, only stepping forward when it comes time for her and Jim to sign their names on the paperwork before they're free to go, before stepping forward to Alice and offering an envelope, her smile uncharacteristically shy. "...So if anyone asks? Sir Jim definitely didn't tell me about this place and it's not a present from us both.. But we figured since you kind of can't do a proper honeymoon just yet? It's a one night stay.. Tonight specifically at a little bed and breakfast about an hour away... But it's something. I'll handle feeding Cheshire, but you guys.. Just enjoy it okay?" before wrapping both of them in hugs before stepping back. "...Oh Vin's car is out front too. Jim brought it over for you guys to take.."

Alice looked down at the envelope in her cousin's hands, listening to her before blinking in surprise and letting out a happy little noise, laughing as she moved to hug her, "Thank you, Pose." She kissed her cheek and then moved to hug Jim as well before heading back to Vin's side, her hand easily slipping into his, the feeling of his cuff brushing against her skin feeling almost as perfect as the collar around her neck. Tomorrow they could deal with the real world--for now, she was happy to focus on her and her Dom.