#maia writes fic

[celestial-jazzie]

Hypothermic Health Risk (sdv)

Pairing: Harvey x farmer OC

Summary: Farmer Maia stays out too late during the coldest months of winter and her husband Harvey has to come to the rescue

The sun had started setting hours ago, and the cold had made its way under her gloves and into the very bones of her fingers as soon as she'd stepped outside that morning. Tending to the animals and the garden alongside her husband had stopped her feeling it so much, for being around him was warming in itself, but Harvey had now gone back inside to finish up the week's patient notes under the shelter of the roof. The rest of their land still needed clearing, and only one of them had the axe experience to complete the job. She wouldn't have minded at all if it wasn't the coldest day of winter, or at least felt that way. Hands locked around the axe, she felt her eyes closing with the setting sun. The six o'clock start was getting to her more than usual, but the patch she was working on was so nearly done. Another swing at the tree and it fell, leaving the trunk to be chopped up and collected to either allow Robin to build something out of at a later date, or firewood. Likely the latter, for without worrying her husband too much, winter on the farm didn't allow for excessive spending. That being said, he'd seen how small the crop hauls were at the moment. Just a few more trees and then she could call it for the day, despite the heaviness of both her arms and her eyelids telling her that it just wasn't possible to keep going.

Harvey was onto his seventh reading over of his notes, onto the third spellcheck and grammar review of them to the point where they were no longer simple notes. It felt impossible for him to do the next task of making dinner before his wife came home, or at least until he knew where she was, that she was safe. And right now, he knew she was outside chopping wood, but she was taking far too long for him to feel content. He fought with himself, was he being too worried? Would she start finding that annoying rather than endearing, especially when there was only so much he could give back to the farm? After getting too distracted by his own anxiety to continue his eighth re-read of his notes he came to the decision that even if she was absolutely fine, checking on his wife wouldn't change anything for the worse, and would certainly allow him to continue with his own day. She probably just needed a reminder of the time, it wasn't unlike her to get distracted in her work and forget to stop. It wasn't unlike either of them to be so absorbed in what they loved, and it was why they became so close in the first place. He half expected the door to open and for her to appear as he moved his pile of papers to one side and buttoned up his coat in preparation to face the weather outside, so when she didn't, the pressure to make sure she was okay only doubled. 

She'd stopped for a quick break, she'd told herself, and had tried to count the seconds but was slowly forgetting how to string the numbers together in a sequence. Leant over her axe, she'd found closing her eyes was incredibly comforting, and the chill of the season was slowly leaving her almost so suddenly that the urge to remove her coat had started creeping up on her. Following it immediately was a sense of dread. She'd stayed out too long. 

What had started as a calm walk out across their land had ended as a terrified run as he spotted her right against the cliff edge, lethargic fingers struggling to undo the zipper of her coat. He was trained to be accustomed to the signs of hypothermia, which was very valuable knowledge in such a rural town.

"Honey, you need to keep that on, it's below zero out here," he gently reminded her, taking her hands and moving them away from her coat. 

"Doesn't feel like it," she mumbled, falling easily into his arms and instantly giving up on anything else. It was safe there, and dark, and so incredibly comfortable. 

"You need to come inside, I'm already worried about you," he gently told her, but without saying a word it was clear she was reluctant to leave. It didn't take him long to realise that her collection of tools was what was keeping her back, they weren't cheap. One arm still in contact with her, he began to collect them up. "Let me take these, we can leave the wood for tomorrow." Taking the axe from her last, she snuggled against his left side with her arm around her as he carried her tools against his right. The walk back might be longer than it needed to be, but as long as she was okay, that didn't matter too much.

"I'll teach you how to chop it," she muttered to the snow immediately in front of her, unable to lift her line of vision much higher. While her husband guided her back to their house, she didn't need to.

"You'd be most welcome to," he softly smiled, seriously entertaining the idea for a moment. "Come on."

Frustratingly, most of his equipment was in the clinic. He only kept the more basic versions of his equipment on him, and they were certainly high quality enough, but they weren't the highest and giving his wife less than perfect treatment felt jarring in his mind. It was his best option while reluctant to leave her on her own, and feeling it unfair to call Maru to run such a small errand for him so late. Besides, his wife was in such a condition that the ear thermometer he kept with him would give out an accurate enough reading. 

Her worst and most obvious symptom was easily how quiet she was. During every other medical exam or procedure, both things he'd performed for her or occasions prior to moving to Pelican Town she'd told him about, she'd talked throughout. As he processed the numbers on the thermometer, Harvey realised she hadn't said a word since she'd come inside. The only thing that reassured him was that she was still clinging onto a healthy enough number for her state to not technically yet count as hypothermia. 

"If you were any colder I'd be calling an ambulance out here," he told her, packing his own equipment away and returning to hold her, all the covers and blankets they own wrapped around themselves while she held onto a mug of hot chocolate. "Maybe even driving you to the nearest hospital myself." Brushing her hair away from her face, he kissed her temple, hopefully making it clear he wasn't just in doctor mode and that if he was, he'd come out of it now. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't feel that bad," she said. How much effort talking took was obvious. "I thought I could do it."

"You don't have to apologise, love," he told her. "I'm only worried about you. I worry about you a lot."

"I know." She took another sip of her hot chocolate, more out of her own want, rather than just to please him. "I appreciate it. I appreciate you." 

"And I, you," Harvey told her. "Can we have a slightly lazier day tomorrow? You can help me tend to the animals and crops, and then we can spend the day indoors?" He realised the question he really needed to ask. "Can the wood wait a day?" She looked at their fireplace and the stack of wood beside it. 

"One day," she agreed, emotionally coming around to the idea far faster than her logical brain was. "If you'll cook for me."

"I assumed that went without saying," he smiled. "I'd like to keep you awake a little longer, make sure you're warmer before we go to sleep, if that's okay? Tomorrow we can do nothing but sleep if that makes up for it."

"You're the doctor."

[lietpolski]

i think this is the greek in me showing but hws bulgaria as a skiier is sooo important to me actually (context is that every person from the balkans hears the word bansko and foams at the mouth because we all travel there for skiing) him teaching romania how to ski.... sharing a hot chocolate at the chalet.... ogufhghgh.... and then traveling to banya next door and going to the hot springs together.... blush emoji!!!!

[elronds-meleth-nin]

Never Too Late - Part One: The Awakening

This is something entirely different from the things I've written before. I don't know what made me want to write this beyond hearing one of Adar's lines from S2E8. For those who stick around for this ride, thank you in advance. I know this might not be everyone's cup of tea, but here we go nonetheless! Things will begin (I hope) to make more sense in the second chapter.

Disclaimer: I know this is not how the Maiar or the Valar or any of canon works. I do not care. This writer is playing in a sandbox.

Cross-posted to AO3 here.

~*~

Adar (RoP) x Maia!Reader

[A/N: There will be smut in future chapters, so 18+ ONLY, MINORS DNI!!!]

Warnings: An exploration of Adar's origins, discussions of the first Elves, Elf x Maia romance, he falls first, feelings of unworthiness, fear, Morgoth's manipulation (discussed further in later chapters), brief mentions of pain, regret.

~*~

The whisper of the wind in the trees was hypnotic to the Elf with no name. He was among the first to wake. He'd tasted the sunlight as it spilled across his lips in gentle caresses for the first time. Warmth had trickled into his limbs, and soon he'd found himself wandering happily, joyfully through a meadow full of flowers.

For a time he continued in that manner, exploring the world around him, lying in the sun on a riverbank, tasting the sweetness of berries as they hung ripe in the sunlight. Occasionally he would encounter others who looked like him. Other Elves who did not yet have names. Though they did not know it, they would earn them in time.

A small group formed together, giving each other names and forming a small community in the newly-made world. In time, he found that he enjoyed crafting words into set structures, playing with them as one of the other Elves toyed with carving wood, and as another painted pictures.

As he tinkered, he found that the name given to him was not right. It did not fit him correctly. The meaning was not how he saw himself, but he did not argue it, choosing instead to string more words together. They could know him however they wished, but that name was not how he knew himself. The land, the light, and the beauty of the world inspired him to create stories and poems. After a time, however, he found that the flow of his words had slowed in favor of simply experiencing that which he found so lovely.

So, when the thought struck him to walk along the riverbank he favored so much and listen to the birds singing in the trees, he did not hesitate to strike out. Familiar sights and scents surrounded him, wrapping him in a veil of contentment.

Then a different sound met his ears: the gentle whisper of fabric amongst the breeze. The Elf's green eyes opened curiously, and he looked around him for what could have made such a noise. His own clothing - brown leggings and an off-white tunic - were too silent to have done so.

That was when he caught a glimpse of her for the first time. She seemed to glow of her own accord, despite the brightness of the sunlight streaming down upon them. A dress that seemed to glimmer in the light adorned her, translucent and bright. But it was her eyes that drew him to her. They met his for barely a moment, but in that glance, the Elf felt as though she called to his fëa.

She gave him a small smile, and flitted back into the trees as quickly as she'd appeared. So amazed was he by the appearance of such an ethereal creature that he could do no more than follow mutely in her path.

But, he did not find her that day, nor the next. For nearly a fortnight, all he had to remember her by were the dozen-or-so poems that had poured forth from his mind the night after spotting her. He read them aloud to himself by the riverbank amongst the swaying sage blossoms as he tried to perfect them. She - whoever she was - had captivated him and deserved no less than the most perfect tribute.

The way she'd smiled at him made him long for more. To see her laugh, to watch a sunset with her, to feel the rain dampening his skin as he held her in his arms. Undoubtedly, this was something important. He'd seen other Elves feel this way about each other, but never about one who was so clearly Other. Granted, their existence was young, but without a precedent, the Elf wondered what he was to do about these feelings.

Midway through the revision of one the poems he'd written for her, he paused his reading and scratched out a line in favor of a correction. He was so lost in his work that he did not register the sound of approaching footsteps until someone knelt in the grass beside him. The Elf looked up and–

Paralyzed by the warmth in her gaze, he was amazed to find the very woman he'd been writing about was less than a hand's breadth from him. The wind swirled around them, blowing a few strands of his dark hair into his face. Before he could fix it, however, she reached up and brushed it carefully behind one of his pointed ears. Her touch lingered for a beat longer than it should have, and the Elf felt his heart beating wildly in his chest.

Her skin was softer even than that of his own people! He could write for years about the simple sensation of being so close to her.

"Such beautifully-crafted words." Her praise was more nourishing than even the most filling meal.

"For you, my lady," he admitted in barely a whisper. "All for you. No greater beauty have I seen in all my days as a part of this world."

His voice was so quiet that he was afraid the breeze might spirit it away before it reached her ears, but she heard him. Of course she heard him. A warm smile stretched her lips, and a silvery laugh spilled from her throat.

"Oh? And what have I done, kind wordsmith, to earn such a gift?"

'Existing' was the simple answer, but he could not say that aloud. It was too honest, too forward. She would surely be offended by such a low creature's desires. He shook his head quietly.

"Wonders deserve to be praised, híril vuin," he murmured dropping his gaze to his paper.

"Then, should you not be writing about yourself?" He question drew an incredulous laugh from him, but she was entirely serious. "The light of the Valar lives within your people."

He shook his head.

"You are light itself," he asserted. "I could hope for no greater a muse than you."

They spoke for many hours that day and for many days after. Those days added up, and the pair continued to meet beside the river or amongst the trees, speaking of everything and nothing, wandering where they wished.

He did not mention having seen her to the others, but he did overhear a few of them, one night. They were speaking around a fire, taking turns speaking about the Valar and the Maiar. He paid no mind until one of them mentioned something familiar.

"One of the Maiar hides within the woods near the river," the blond Elf said. "She has been glimpsed, but none of spoken to her. I witnessed her eyes glowing from deep in the trees, but before I could approach, she disappeared."

"Why would one of the Maiar hide in the forest, much less take a physical form?" One of the others with brown hair asked.

"Who can tell? It is not our place to know the minds of the Valar or the Maiar," the blond said decisively, and at that, the group began dispersing for the night. Only the blond Elf and remained when the Elf with no name approached him.

"What does she look like, the Maia in the forest?" He asked, knowing in the racing of his pulse that it was her to whom he'd spoken and about her whom he'd been writing. It was as obvious as the leaves on the trees and the sun in the sky.

"None can see any details beneath her glow, but that is not unusual. Those who have caught sight of the Maiar say that they only show themselves to those whom they wish. They can hide their visages, only taking physical forms when they choose to do so."

When he retired to bed that night, he clung desperately to the secret of their conversations together. She had chosen to reveal herself to him and only him. Even if he did not know why, he was honored, and he hoped he could one day prove himself worthy of her trust.

As the days became months, then years, there was a particular bend in the river where he would meet his lady. Wandering for hours, sometimes days, he became as close with her two people could without delving openly into the realm of romance, though, he did harbor those feelings for her. His heart raced whenever she was near, and he knew that should he ever have a family, he would want it to be with her.

But, he was not worthy. He never would be. No matter how much he may want a daughter with his hair and her eyes, or a son who favored his mother's light, an Elf could never be worthy of one a Maia's love.

As he returned one night, musing over his situation and feeling his heart twist itself into knots over the futility of his love, he found the others in an uproar.

"What has happened?" He called as he neared the group of terrified Elves.

"Three of our number rode out earlier. They were meant to return at sundown, but it is near midnight and there is no sign of them," one of the painters said, twisting the sleeve of his robe compulsively.

"They could simply be late." One of the others said trying to calm the group, but the painter wasn't swayed.

"No, they are lost! Taken! There was something dark at work this morn. Two of the three who left expressed misgivings about the Valar ere they left." With their numbers added, that made seven so far who had disappeared. "'Tis the darkness! The shadows seek to blot out the light, even that within our hearts."

That was the beginning of his trouble. Hearing his kin speak of such darkness ignited within him a curiosity. He wished to understand why those who left chose to do so. Why would they willingly put themselves at risk when they had everything they needed here? The Valar provided for them in abundance. Why should they seek the bleak nothingness of the shadow?

So, in his attempts to understand, he began to study that which he should not. The shadow no longer seemed as dangerous to him, but a welcome respite from the perfection of the light.

In his zeal, he began visiting the river bend less frequently, but his lady appeared no less glad to see him when he did make the trip to see her. On the last of such occasions - which he had no way of knowing was the last - the sun was gentle, the river babbled away happily, and the trees shivered beneath a soft breeze. Everything was sweet and lovely...perfect.

Even the way she looked at him was particularly tender. He read her his latest composition, but he found midway through that his words, as excellently chosen as they always were, did not adequately express how he felt about her. Eventually, her fingers laid atop his arm, and his breath caught in his throat.

"Darling wordsmith, what troubles you?" She asked, and he felt exposed before her. Guilt wound its way through his heart for having explored what he ought not. Would she recoil from him? Cast him from her sight forever? Instead of a confession, however, a question slipped from his tongue without his permission.

"It has been said that one of the Maiar wanders this wood. Are you she?" He asked, and she did not hesitate to smile up at him.

"I am, but you have known that for quite some time." Brushing a few strands of his dark hair behind his ear as the wind shifted, she lifted an eyebrow. "Now, what truly troubles you?"

Swallowing nervously, he caught her wrist lightly in his grasp, laying a reverent kiss upon her skin. He had never been so bold before. He had never dared touch her or express his adoration so openly.

She did not object or move away.

"I trust you have heard about the Elves who have disappeared?" She nodded her head even as her expression became solemn. "I have been considering a course of action for some time, and...I intend to seek them out."

The Elf with no name looked for the woodland Maia's reaction only to find tears gathering in her eyes and spilling slowly down her cheeks - sparkling, diamond droplets seemingly glowing of their own volition. The sight lit a spark of alarm within his breast, constricting his lungs and urging him forward until he'd gathered her in his embrace.

With a bit of adjustment, she sat in his lap with her face buried in the crook of his neck and her arms around him. He held her close, but he could not find the right words to say to her. Ultimately, he murmured to her his apologies and felt one of her hands glide onto the back of his neck. Her lips brushed against the shell of his ear, and she spoke barely above a breath.

"Should you need me, you need only call my name." She told it to him, and he could not help clutching her tighter at the sound of that word encapsulating all that she was. Eventually, she pulled back just far enough to press her forehead softly against his own. "I will always come when you call. All I ask is that you do not surrender your own light. You will need it ere long."

Her nose touched his briefly as he swore to her that he would do as she said, and grief coiled in his heart when he felt how damp her skin was. He had not meant to make her weep. Reaching carefully up, he cupped her face in his warm palms and whispered quiet comforts. She deserved more than this - every happiness in the world, in fact - but he would still give her all that he was able.

Not for the first time, he wondered what it would be like to be bound to her as her husband. An Elf could never be worthy of a Maia, but he imagined what it would be like to be entangled with her like this every day. Her tears or her laughter, soft sighs or pleasure-filled breaths - anything she chose to give him would be a gift beyond measure, just as this moment was.

She allowed him to comfort her, to hold her. He savored the contact, even if he did regret bringing her unwelcome news. They stayed there on the riverbank until long past midnight. The moonlight, gentle and cleansing, caressed their faces as they lay down in each other's arms. Quietly, he caressed her face, tracing the bridge of her nose, the curve of her lips, the softness of her smile.

When they eventually parted, it was only after she'd placed her hand over his heart, whispering words in a language which he did not understand. Her fingers had begun to glow, and that light bled slowly into his chest, floating seemingly beneath his skin until her touch retreated. He did not know what she'd done, but the determined glint in her eyes made him wonder if it was some form of protection.

With great reluctance, he returned to his home. Before the next morning dawned, however, a call trickled into his ears, rousing him from his rest. It was time. All that he ever desired awaited him. He need only seek it. Low, guttural, and tugging at his very being, the voice - if it could be called a voice - dug a tendril of shadow into his mind.

He and five others rode away before daybreak.

The journey was a blur, and when he came back to himself, he found that all six of them were in a cave. Their horses were gone.

The Elf with no name looked around him but could perceive only darkness. Only shadows writhing and dancing before him. He'd been tricked. This was not the liberation he'd been led to believe the others had sought, nor was this something from which he could save them.

"Who are you? What do you want from us?" He called into the oblivion surrounding him, and a sinister laugh curled from its depths scratching fear from deep within the Elf's heart. The other five shuddered as well, but smiles broke across their faces. Was he alone in his regret?

"I am Morgoth." The voice seemed to echo and twine through the darkness, through the air, and bury itself deep within his heart. The Elf with no name dropped to his knees along with his kin.

He assumed that the voice in the darkness, the being who called himself Morgoth, would kill them. Mournfully, he recalled the face of his lady, his muse, his joy. How disappointed she would be with his actions! When she visited the river next, she would not find him there. No longer would he be able to write and recite poetry for her. Gone were the days wandering through the forest with her, seeking its privacy for their conversations.

He had not been worthy of her - his current position proved that - but he still lamented the thought that his death would sadden her. Her gentle spirit would not allow the death of a friend - low creature though he may be - to pass without notice. He had seen her weep before and it nearly shattered him to pieces even as he comforted her. He would not be there to do so this time.

The darkness rumbled again, and this time, pain streaked up his legs, making him crumble to the ground as he cried out.

"Six you are, and seven have come before you. Those who survive will be rewarded, but live or die, you are mine, now."

What had he done?

~*~

Taglist:

@asksizworld @bigblissandlove1 @gandalfthepimp @horta-in-charge @zoya-olenko

[aran-morinorea]

Also I am once again asking about Donating Blood because what is a maia boyfriend for if not Science

a Maia boyfriend is a kind of laboratory specimen if you're not a coward

He’s right to be. Quite soon, Celebrimbor is back. He hands Annatar a steaming liquid in an actual drinking vessel. Annatar takes it, and looks at it, and says, “This is the same thing you gave me five minutes ago, just decanted into a cup of coffee, isn’t it.” Celebrimbor is sheepish but not repentant. “…Maybe so,” he says, with wide eyes and an obviously deliberate pout, “Will you drink it anyway? For me?” Annatar does not set anything on fire, because he is the pinnacle of politeness and self-control.

[tethrras]

ELF BOY I LOVE YOUUUUU

[baladric]

The Cruelty of Water by baladric and celebros

A Goblin Emperor fic, feat. pirates, queer longing and found family

Summary: Maia woke with his quartermaster’s stern fingers digging into his shoulder.

Tags: AU - Canon Divergence, AU - Pirate, Slow Burn, Politics, Lack of Communication, Codependency, Maz - Freeform, Pirates, Varenechibel Is A Dick, so many original characters, Explicit Language, Canon-Typical Homophobia, Canon-Typical Gender Bullshit, POV Multiple

Language: English

Chapters: 1/13

Words: 14,669

[professional-termite]

im so cooking with this chapter. ness is flirting because thats just how the convo seems to be going (autistic man with no social skills just going with the flow) and mike is stuttering and being unable to string together a coherent sentence and somehow still accidentally hitting on ness (loser autistic man cannot have a normal conversation to save his life)

[chemical-processes]

Shavean finds out that Maia is showing favor to Arbelan by taking dinner with her, so she ingratiates herself to the emperor and requests that he takes private meals with her as well. Then Shavean takes advantage of the opportunity to start slowly poisoning him so that the court (and Maia) will think that he's taken ill and died of natural causes and she can put her son on the throne.

[aotearoa20]

To Return - Part Two

// Part One // Part Two // Part Three // Part Four // Part Five //

Celegorm woke with the dawn to a softly dying fire on a low hillside. The wind rippled the long grass in soft waves. The forest was a dark line at the edge of the sky but he didn’t worry. The cloak still rested on his shoulders shielding him from watchful eyes and if he had not been intercepted all night they should still be an hour or so longer. He sat up, eyes fixed upon the being on the other side of the embers.

He was at least a head taller than him. His dark eyes flicked up at him the moment he had stirred. It was uncanny to find such familiar mannerisms on such a foreign form. The sun rising behind him, cast his cropped silver hair in warm light. And his claws also.

Truly he’d known Huan was no common hound. Anyone with eyes could have see that. But he was the Hunter’s gift and so he’s strangeness could always be accounted for so. He felt his face heat up as he thinks of how he’d treated him. Not poorly to be sure, not till the end, for he had loved him but still like a beast and not like a person.

“You slept in my bed. You slept at my feet” he whispered, “Celebrimbor would ride you when he was little enough.”

Huan - he winced, it seemed strange to name him so now - sat cross legged in the grass, drumming little rhythms on his leg. His brow furrowed just slightly and he spoke as one not yet accustomed to elven words.

“My Lord asked if I would look after you, for the longest time it was my best joy.”

Celegorm sat up shaking his head. He startled as Huan offered him a plate. Game from the moors they sat amid. He scanned the campsite for a bow but found none. There was blood on the Maia’s lips.

“You left with me and brought my curse upon you.”

Huan smiled softly with bloody teeth. His eyes found the fire but he made no move to rekindle it.

“Every day we’d leave Nargothrond to tear up the Dark Ones wolves I’d think, perhaps today I will meet him. The one greater than the rest.”

Celegorm stiffened. He’d known his companion’s doom in his heart - as well as he’d known his own. But he’d never spoken of it. Not to his brothers, certainly not to his hound.

“It never frightened me,” Huan carried on, “I thought I would die as I lived, fighting the darkness with you.”

The sun had risen high enough that Celegorm’s shadow fell over the Maia.

“But when the time came you were not there.”

He felt heat rise to his face, “You left me - ”

“You-“ Huan’s voice is cut off by a snarl, “You…”

Celegorm bit his lip until it drew blood. He’d determined not to ask for anything if he’d ever be permitted to leave the halls. After all he’d taken he could not deserve it. He’d offer his apologies. Offer himself in any way that would demonstrate his sincerity. But he would not presume to ask forgiveness. Even if it was only to save himself the hurt of being denied.

So he did what he hated, which was nothing, and waited. He did not reach over as Huan hunched over, a small whine escaping his throat.

Finally, Huan spoke, “You changed.”

“The Oath…”

“Do not - with that!” Huan snapped at him, “I know it all, I was with you through it all! You gave it up! All of it! All of us! And for what?”

“I’m sorry.” he says unable to stop himself

“I loved you.”

“I’m sorry. Please…”

He shoves the rest of the words down his throat. A silence draws out between the two of them but he doesn’t trust himself to speak. He aches for the time he could sit in comfortable quiet with him. Now the horse he’d been given in Lorien nickers beside them and makes his stiff muscles jump.

“Have you a plan?” Huan said finally.

Celegorm shrugged and looked across the plain. He’d not thought that far ahead, except in broad strokes. The cloak to keep a low profile. Head down to the sea. Find a boat.

“The way is closed, the last ship arrived years ago and none can return.”

So they say, but had anyone tried. Either way his brother is across the sea. He shrugged, “I will.”

“How?”

“I will do it.”

“You don’t know how to sail.”

“I’ll find someone who does.”

Huan sat back on his heels, eyebrow raised, “You’ll send another Telerin sailor to their death trying to cross the sea.”

“I… did not consider that. I’ll go alone.”

“How, Celegorm? On whose boat?”

“I’ll swim Huan! I dont know!”

“You never do,” He sniffed and they fell once more into silence. Celegorm was half a moment from taking his leave when the Maia spoke again, “I know of a Telerin elf that could get you across, favoured by Ulmo.”

Celegorm frowned, “Young?”

“No but he’s part Noldorin, he’ll not hold it against you.”

“Someone I knew?”

A pause.

“No.”

Celegorm stared at him a long moment before looking away.

“You don’t need to do this. You have more than fulfilled the Hunters wishes.” He gestured back to the new woods of Doriath. To Lúthien’s people. “You’re free to go.”

He can’t place the expression on hop the Maia’s face. He blew a stray strand of hair off his eyes before getting up and saying, “I am always free, Tyelkormo.”

The elf opened his mouth and closed again. Instead he sighed and shrugged before walking to where his horse stood grazing. He could here Huan coming up behind as he rose up into the saddle he’d stolen from home. Frown he looked back down, unsure if he should offer the Maia a seat beside him but Huan had already started walking east and south towards the sea. With a sigh he urged her forward down the green hills of the Blessed Lands.

[griffin-wood]

family christmas. || kaia.

a/n: (probably) final fic for the year, happy holidays everyone. 💕

well a year ago, who would've thought that there's a new addition to their circle, but as it reaches christmas eve, maia sits by the couch with a small bundle in her arms, atlas while kent is prepping their mini christmas tree.

“do we need more ornaments?" She asks giving somewhat of a helpful hand, as she rocks the little boy gently in her arms.

"no, I don't think so." he adds as they gaze upon the decorations, it's simple but it's theirs.

and at the sound of Kent's voice, atlas begins to coo for his daddy. The sound of it alone makes her smile, "hey, someone misses his dad."

Kent places the boxes aside and hold atlas gently, despite almost being 1 year old; he still feels the fragility and often gets nervous when he was asked to hold him. he never told anybody that, but the smile that atlas gave him was enough to calm his nerves down.

"hey kiddo." he whispers gently and rocks the little guy in his arms gently. Atlas opens his eyes gently and coos happily at the sight of his dad, making Kent smiles too. The crooked teeth of his visible to the peripheral vision, and those who know - that's when you made the kent zarneki smile.

-

"anyone called for uncle nick and gray, because we got presents from the north pole!" The one and only nick wiseman begins to shrike as she sighs.

"hey nick-nack." She says as she pulls nick into an embrace. "You're all early, we're supposed to meet at mom and dad's tomorrow no?"

Nick nods at the statement, "well, I'm playing Santa and I wanted to surprise my nephew. Right gray?"

The nudge nick gives to gray as he gives a polite smile pulling Maia into a hug. "Merry Christmas eve maia."

"thanks gray, forgive my brother for dragging you into his ideas." She adds with a playful smile, as gray just shrugs.

"so, where's the little guy?" Nick asks excitedly, wanting to see his nephew. he already planned in advance all the cooking lessons, and everything he wanted to teach atlas as he grows up and despite her chuckle hearing those, she wouldn't have it any other way.

And on cue, Kent steps into the room with atlas in his arms. A small smile before nick and gray coos over the child, "do you wanna hold him?"

gray shakes his head at that before nick tried to convince him, "hey, it's okay, you can do it. C'mon, hold out your arms."

And gray did as told, and atlas is safely tucked against the arms of Grayson black. "See, you can do it." Nick says in a positive light, smiling.

Kent and maia stands back and then, watches as the two of them coos over atlas.

"atlas already got everyone wrapped around his finger, he's gonna steal Christmas this year." She says with a smile, as she lays her head against his shoulder feeling his arms wrapped over her waist.

"it's his first Christmas out of many, he's gonna steal the show." He says straight to the point and there's truth in them, as she watches how gray and Nick is interacting with him, made her heart flutter with gentleness and love.

Her eyes fall onto gray and nick together, as maia looks at him. "Well, it's gonna be one hell of a Christmas party then."

Kent chuckles, the sound feels like symphony to her in agreement. It's gonna be one hella of a Christmas party tomorrow, and she can't wait.

-

The next day; the day of the christmas dinner.

"do we really have to wear it?" Kent asks quietly, staring at the matching sweaters that's splattered over their bed.

"it's Christmas, kenzie." Maia says softly as atlas is sleeping quietly in his baby bed.

She begins to slip into the sweaters, as Kent just watches; both intrigue and amusement.

"see, proper christmas energy." She poses and then passes him the sweater.

Kent just cocks an eyebrow his way, a protest of some sort. But, deep down he knows he'll wear it. He just likes seeing her try.

"or do you want me to put it on for you, love?" She proposes which cause him to smirk at the suggestion. He just nods, as Maia returns the gesture with a smile.

She pulls off Kent's black t-shirt off and toss it to the side, her eyes trying to not stare at his chest. But, failed anyways; which brings out a chuckle from him. Her hands slowly gesture over her chest, slightly; enjoying the view. The quietness drown over them, as the slight intimacy was captured between them. It's Christmas, she shouldn't be thinking of unholy thoughts this early morning - but, she's human. She feels his hand tips her chin upwards, as she stares into his eyes.

The smile he has can be compared to a Cheshire cat, knowing and playful. He closes the gap between them, as their lips met. Every kisses that Kent gives, it wasn't the sloppy kind. But it ranges from the feeling of melting into a puddle to the feeling of wanting to be [redacted].

Their tongues battle slightly from the kiss, until she pulls away remembering their itinerary for the day. "We have to go to my parents, love."

Kent cradles her face gently in his hold and chuckles, "I know." But neither of them move truly, and that's the thing. They can be fashionably late and they wouldn't mind.

She breaks into a chuckle at that, and puts his sweater on. "Keep the sweater on, and you might get to redeem your gift."

And that is enough for him to nod in obedience. As Maia grins at his behavior, the sound of small cries break their moment.

"our little boy has awaken, let's get him ready for his first Christmas." The words bring a new excitement, it's atlas's first Christmas with the family too.

-

Nick's home has become the venue for the Christmas dinner, as everyone has arrived. The place is decorated with fake snow, and a large Christmas tree with presents surrounding it. The smell of food filled the place and chatter, everyone is prepared for the festivities.

"the party has arrived!" Maia says excitedly as the family was greeted by the rest. Kent follows behind with bags of gifts ready, which they wrapped beforehand. Greetings were exchanged while atlas has been kidnapped by the Wiseman's family members.

John is holding his grandchild with a wide smile, blowing raspberries. Hope is sitting by the side, in awe at the little baby. Gray is there chatting quietly with Daphne by the corner, his arm wraps gently over Daphne's waist a subtle move. Maia notices the matching sweaters and the sight of it make her smile, a reindeer matching ones. Adorable.

Nick is still prepping the food, as she squeezes into the kitchen. Kent is talking to the phone with Ferro, who's back at his mom's home, but promises to be back by new year to celebrate it together.

"need any help, nick-nack?" She muses with a smile as she glances at the trays of food.

"ah, button. Can you help me with the dessert?"

She nods in command and helps to pour the cream on top of the cake, as it ends up spectacular. "Done, as always."

Nick returns with a smile, as he takes off his apron. "Where's the little guy?"

"no, hello and how are you my amazing little sister?"

He chuckles and then holds her hands up, "fine, so how is my amazing little sister?"

That brings a smile to her face, "she's doing good, mother duties and graduation. It's a hassle, but..I'm feeling good."

Nicholas observes her sister for a moment and then nods. The voices out there in glee chatting and catching up, as the kitchen is contrasting.

"I know..it's been a difficult year button. But, I'm always proud of you, for everything. I know I told you this a lot, and well I'll tell you until the end of time if I could. I'm happy to see you glow again." Nick says quietly, and then turns to look at her.

Maia tries to hold back her tears by groaning instead, "nick..don't make me cry on Christmas!"

He breaks into laughter, and then raises his hands up. "That's my job since you were born, button. I got the extra cookies to cheer you up, and I can pack some specially for you and Kent later if you want?"

She gives him a smile at that, and hugs him. "Thank you, nick-nack."

Nick returns the hug too, "anytime."

And they both returned back to the living room, as dinner has commence.

-

Kent and Maia took turns in holding Atlas as dinner begins, and fortunately, the little guy loves the attention. Everyone keeps giving atlas funny faces and love the whole day, making him feel welcome.

Maia watches for a moment as Kent holds atlas in his arms gently, making funny faces. She fell in love with him much much harder, and it's impossible not to fall in love with him at this very moment. She takes a sip of her glass of wine before taking a picture of them both together, it definitely will make it's way to the Christmas dump of the year.

"now, dessert courtesy of miss maia wiseman." Nick announced her name as all eyes on her, the cake was presented and everyone begins to dig in.

"and now..presents!" Nick says once more as everyone get their own slice.

-

After unwrapping it, the record holder of the most presents fall upon the main character of the dinner. Atlas himself, a variety of toys, books, clothes, and many baby stuff were given to him.

"I have a special gift for my nephew!" Nick announces excitedly as he brings a box to the pair, Kent holds atlas gently in his grasp as Maia unbox it. It's a soft kitchen set.

Maia chuckles at the sight of it, "is this early training for him to he a chef, nick-nack?"

"indeed it is, he'll grow up to be my assistant in the kitchen. A fellow family member of mine must be splendid at the kitchen." Nick smiles proudly at his own words, as Maia rolls her eyes earning a bunch of laughter in the room.

"maia is quite a cook, Nicholas." John pipes in between the conversation.

"dad..she almost destroyed my kitchen." Nick retorts as Maia hides herself behind the couch pillows, while Kent just chuckles. He remembers Maia telling him that.

"dad.. nick..don't embarrassed me on Christmas please?" She groans as the rest laughs in amusement.

"that's Christmas in the Wiseman's for you." Nick winks before pulling her into a hug.

She turns to look outside the window, snow on Christmas day. Perfect. Everyone's attention fall upon the view.

"Merry Christmas everyone." John says in enthusiasm, as Maia smiles in awe at the sight of it. Everyone else is hugging each other, she saw from the corner of her eye; gray, daphne, Sally and Kent in conversation, smiles together.

She pulls away from Nick and hugs the girls, their bond. The year comes to an end, and she's grateful for this year. The hardest but..she got everyone she needed.

They said their final goodbyes for the night, before stuffing the gifts in Kent's mustang. And they finally went home.

-

Baby atlas slept on the way home, as she rests her head against Kent's shoulder on the way home. The intimacy feels familiar, but this time around there's a new addition in their small family.

As they arrived, he helped her out of the car before carrying the gifts for them all. It was filled from everyone, from her mom and dad, nick, gray and daphne together, sally. but the star of the day receive the most gifts.

She carries atlas and place him in his baby cot and turns in the baby monitor before returning back to help Kent with the rest of the presents. As everything is done and dusted, the snow thankfully is not too heavy on the road. They manage to arrive safe and sound.

She plops herself against the couch of their home, and sighs. "That was a fun dinner, don't you think?"

Kent takes a seat beside her and nods, "it's quite a Christmas."

She heard the solemn tone in his words, and then takes his hand giving it a squeeze. Christmas can be hard for some families, and she hopes her family and friends can give him the comfort of a good Christmas to him.

His gaze softens at her hold, and when words failed them both. The actions speaks louder, thousand times louder; when he leans closer, his lips land against her forehead pulling her close.

"we did it, together as a family." She whispered softly and then caress his face gently. And the word family feels..new to him, a foreign concept. One where he wasn't expected to be perfect, to fit a certain narrative. And this Christmas was just that, a whole lot of love that he couldn't express properly through his words, but deep down his heart is full. She always calls him a part of her family, and her parents already accepted him as their family too. And with atlas, they're definitely a new family.

He'll try his best to keep his family protected in his own way, love and cherished. As she pulls away, they we're greeted by enthusiastic shih tzus.

"oh! I forgot my present for our little furry kiddos. Both of you girls aren't forgotten." Maia says excitedly pulling a box passing it to Kenzie.

He opens it to reveal a bunch of doggie sweaters custom made. "It will boost their petpix account! They almost reached 500 followers no?"

And that's it - the little things. As his love for her grows more and more everyday. The pups jump excitedly and licks maia's cheeks in excitement, despite not understanding of the situation. He smiles, crooked teeth and all on display for them. This is...what Christmas is all about to him, he got a new meaning to this. Something to look forward to.

"Kenzie?" She calls our for him.

His attention swift's back to her, "you alright? You seemed to be out of the loop tonight, love."

He squeezes her hands gently and kisses her knuckles. The words, when you know..you'll know hits different now. Because he knows now. But he changes the topic right away, "I kept the sweater on, what's my gift?"

Her cheeks grow red at that, and then she smiles. "Indeed you have."

She stares at the baby monitor, and atlas is sound asleep. Her enthusiasm betrays her, as she pulls his hand as they disappear to their room for the night to fulfill her promise, apparently one of their many many festivities of the day.

-

"merry Christmas kenzie." She whispers lovingly before her eyes begin to close, slumber land calls for her.

As he holds her close his lips hover over her forehead, everything feels perfect for their first family Christmas.

It was indeed merry.

THE END.

( tags for kaia lovers out there heehee: @wayhavenots , @yakov-vasilyev , @ambrosykim , @thedeadthree happy holidays guys mwah!)

[ophidion]

Fandom: The Rings of Power Fanfiction Pairing: Galadriel / Halbrand | Sauron Rating: M Chapter: 1 of 2 Word Count: 4,535

read 'halcyon' on ao3

It's diagnosed as sea longing. Galadriel of the Noldor had conveniently dodged the condition for much of her long existence. Her husband tries to not think of the coincidence of timing. Only now, when the evil was truly gone from Middle Earth, did the feeling suddenly consume his wife.

From a distance, Celebrían watches her mother turn to stone on the shore. Sea longing was not sufficient to describe the begged benediction of magic her mother was weaving in her mourning.

Yet, her father remained an incorporeal spirit—singing variations on the same refrain, yet unable to heed her mother's pleas.

----

Middle Earth's Great Tragedy, from the Second Age to the Fourth.

(barely canon divergent.)

[lietpolski]

i love pruhunaus because they have every reason to hate each other but there's this understanding between them u could call it clown-to-clown loser-to-loser communication used-to-be-a-great-power-and-im-forever-bitter-about-it support group vibe but the support group is more punching each other in the face before making out and then sharing a cigarette about it and like it works for them!! also i neeeeed more messy aushun like gilbert is NOT a positive influence but rod and erzsi would have fought like cats & dogs over the first and the later centuries of their marriage + post-divorce (and gil prob found it funny and also hot or smth idk he's a freak) i just have SOOO many thoughts about them

[maeflower]

my mcs + social media / alma wiseman (ft. @griffin-wood's button maia!)

x, playlist

so alma's info dump (bc i got lots of brain rot while working on this hdjhj):

loves puppies, rom com and everything sweet. hobbies include volunteering at local animal shelter & playing games (which she streams at twitch), esp animal crossing

usually very, very shy, easily intimidated and socially awkward. but turns 180 degree when talking about or handling tech stuffs, she becomes very serious and terrifyingly competent

her insta handle matches with sally! hers is .zip bc she's a hacker & sally is .jpg bc she's an artist

doesn't like having her pictures taken but loves taking pics of her beloved ones (& things). that's why her insta handle is .zip bc she posts compilation of all her favourite things

definitely has borrowed annie or cass several times to do a puppy photoshoot session. has been granted the puppies coparent title by kent

best friend w @/griffin-wood's maia! idk the kind of multiverse power needed to make 2 buttons existing in the same timeline sdjhk but they're def going to underground music venues together or having double dates w glitch & kent every weekend

she loooves leverage, it's her fave tv series growing up. she learned hacking bc she wanted to be like hardison and her moral alignment chaotic good mostly came from watching the show. fave character is def parker

the muppet highlight story is for nick and her friends bc.. she loves muppets! she still sleeps with her old kermit the frog plushie until now

likes things the old fashioned way: flowers before date, being serenaded, love letters. keeps every poetry glitch's ever written for her in a box under her bed

[ethereal-maia]

It’s here!!

Marya was very intruiged by how this girl thought. She was very different from all the girls Marya had grown up with, the girls who always had somewhere to be, who acted like they knew better than you. Dahlia seemed more… real? Actual? Like someone who wouldn't hold your relationship at arm's length, only to be brought in after careful consideration and casual degradation. This new girl didn’t act that way. Dahlia was sincere, genuine. She seemed determined to make a unique impression on everyone she met.

—

In which Marya Hendriks meets Dahlia Remanse for the first time.

—

This fic as a whole is meant to flesh out Marya Hendriks’ character and give her a girlfriend because I think she deserves it. I would be over the moon if you gave it a chance!!

[goddevouringserpent]

tagged by @dmagedgoods for the last sentence challenge (thank you so much!!!)

RULES: Post the last sentence you wrote (fanfic / original / anything) and tag as many people as there are words in the sentence.

the actual last sentence I've written is not in a shareable state because it ends abruptly and features not one but two instances of "[INSERT WORD HERE]". so instead I'm using the last sentence of a Kaija/Camellia fic I've been working on for literal months lol:

Kaija's gaze darts towards Camellia's mouth; towards her plush, cracked lips, the delicate curve of her mirthless smile, the slightest hint of her all-too-perfect white teeth.

we love toxic yuri

I'm not sure who to tag here because a) I'm pretty sure most people with writing WIPs must've been tagged already, b) that is way too many words & I don't think I know that many writers 😭 so if you're seeing this and want to do it: open tag be upon ye, consider yourself tagged / feel free to say I tagged you~

[constantfluxx]

The Children of Flames, CH 27: My Name Is Ruin

An ashen hand snatched its tip, mere inches from its mark. The smell of burning flesh began to fill the air, but Caine’s cold stare remained void of any pain or even rage. As his brother curled beside him, cradling his bleeding wound, he began his slow and calculated advance, further wrapping the whip around his hand with each step.

She struggled against him, trying everything in her power to recall her weapon, but even as it seared more of Caine’s hand still he did not falter. When at last he’d gathered enough of it in his grip, he wrenched it fully from her and tossed it behind him - only then did he allow a triumphant sneer to infect his visage. “This is not your fight, little cherub. Stand down.”

Izzy steeled herself, refusing to turn from Caine’s threatening advance.

It gave Jace just the opportunity he needed to slice the edge of his Seraph blade down along the length of his arm.

Aggravation hissed through Caine’s teeth as he recoiled from the strike. He whirled on Jace, dark eyes alight with rage that rippled across his face in a sneer. “Alright, Golden Boy,” he growled. As he shifted his stance, his wings wrestled themselves free and flexed behind him. “You wanna go?!”

Read the rest on AO3.