#nikka talks

[sohmiya]

not my dog flirting with the neighbor’s dog when i was napping 😭

[seedlessmuffins]

tagged by my lovely lovely friends @mebiselfandi @leclesbian and @neysdoll, thank you all so much for tagging me! i'm sorry this took me so long!

currently reading: doing the classic k rotation of books, currently it is daisy jones & the six (taylor jenkins reid), gone (michael grant), and why we swim (bonnie tsui)! i need to have a fiction book, a non-fiction book, and a nostalgic book (i would say kids book but more like book i read as a kid) ongoing at all times! all rereads because i love them and the new books i want to read are currently on hold at the library

favourite colour: orange and blue!! something about oranges and the ocean and poetry etc etc

last song: head over heels by tears for fears!! i think i've officially exited my hurts me by tory lanez era and 80s pop is calling to me (by that i mean this one song)

last movie: omg i haven't watched a movie in so long i legitimately cannot remember this is so embarrassing jeez. a movie i plan to watch is la la land, which i am going to watch tonight!! it is one of my favs

sweet/spicy/savoury: yes, but not too sweet/i am slowly working on building my spice tolerance but generally i like spicy things/yes always to savoury!!

currently working on: working slowly on my reading goal for this year and updating my bullet journal for july, but in terms of fanfic i am writing a neymessi au where ney is a mermaid princess and leo is the ogopogo (the loch ness monster of lake okanagan, a lake in british columbia which i go to every summer!)

i'm tagging @liverpool-enjoyer @stargarland @sunofmoon and @white-light-on-my-prism! i think everyone else has done this because i am so late, but if you haven't and want to please tag me!

[kunasthiast]

ICB it's been a year since i started posting my writings &&& i started it with a freaking angst bcs i was too obsessed with angst writings that time that now i can't even try to write one T^T

anw happy one yr anniversary to this story <3333 rlly appreciate all ur love for this !!

Sandwiches and Numbers

It is always the special sandwiches with Sukuna and the bittersweet feeling of knowing you'll leave him again. But, it is what it is... right?

Oh please, yes, I listened to Taylor Swift's Fortnight and Cruel Summer a lot of times already that I've crafted this story because this is what I see everytime I listen to them T^T

Also, this is kind of my first time to post my writing drafts OTL this is part of a series I'm starting called 'Fortnight' – all stories in this series will be in a masterpost and part of the Summer Love!Sukuna AU <333

Hope you'll enjoy this one as I've enjoyed writing this one so far ~

Pairing: Sukuna x Reader (female) Genre: fluff + light angst, Summer Love AU Word Count: 800+ All characters are of age. This story is 18+. Minors don't interact.

It was perfect. The kisses he marked you with on your neck. The tight hugs and cuddles. Your warm body on top of him. The love you shared. Yet, everything comes to an end.

As you stared into his eyes full of love, regret, and pain, you speak up, ”I’ll miss us. I don’t want to let you go again, ‘Kuna.” 

“Then don’t,” Sukuna replied as looked down on your eyes. He hugged you tighter and kissed you on the forehead. With a sigh, you continued, “I wish it didn’t have to end like this.”

“Neither do I, but it is what it is.” You looked up to him and replied back, “Well, I always find my way back to you.” Sukuna released you from the hug and sat up with his back turned back to you, looking for his boxers. He tosses you his shirt and stood up to wear his now found boxers. “What, gonna treat me like your rebound?” He scoffed with a growing smirk as he looked back at you. 

You gladly wore Sukuna’s shirt and rolled your eyes at his reply. You know and he knows he’s not a rebound. You could never. It’s just that, he was the best person to ever happen to you. The best kisses. The best laughs. The best moments. The best sex. The best banters. Just, the best. Funny how the universe works. With those thoughts in mind, you chuckled and tried your best to make the cutest, pleading face to Sukuna, “Yeah, yeah. I’m hungry, can you make me food? Pretty please, ‘Kuna?”

“What do I do with you?” Sukuna groaned and left the room to prep up the food. With that, you also got up from the bed and went to the kitchen to watch him make food. As you walked through his house, there’s a lot of picture frames of him, his late brother, his late grandpa, and his nephew, Yuji. This reminds you of his nephew and as you pick up the picture to look at it better,  you asked Sukuna, “Where’s Yuji now?” 

With his back turned back to you while prepping the food on the kitchen island, he replied with a scoff, “You’ve been here for a fortnight and you just remembered Yuji now?” 

“Well, forgive my fish memory! I haven’t seen him since I got back.” You replied back and put back the picture to where it was before. You continued walking to the kitchen and sat down on the chair near the kitchen island, he said, “Yuji’s in the city.” You looked at what he was prepping and exclaimed excitedly, “Where in the city? I’d love to visit him, I missed his chubby cheeks!” 

As Sukuna finished prepping the food, he slid the plate to you and took a bite at his food. While chewing, he said, “In the big ass university you went to. He’s not a little kid you remembered him to be.” You looked at the plate he gave you and admired the yummy food in front of you.

As always, he makes my favorite snack. A sandwich full of lettuce, bacon, ham, and cheese, with his homemade sauce that makes it all the more special. Before taking a bite, you replied solemnly “Well, that doesn’t stop my excitement to see him again. Can you give me his contacts before I go?”

“Fine.” He exclaimed with a gruff as he finishes his sandwich and pulled out his phone to look for Yuji’s number to give it to you. You gladly put Yuji’s number on your phone and saved it as, ‘Little Yuji.’ 

A few years ago, before you moved to the city, you often visit Sukuna’s house to babysit his little nephew. He practically was raised by you and you take great pride in that. Sukuna, on the other hand, just lets you do what you want with Yuji and doesn’t bother help you babysit him every time.

“Oh! I gotta get your number, too, ‘Kuna. Give it to me.” You excitingly exclaimed and continued munching on your sandwich. Sukuna reached for your plate and his to clean up and casually said, “What’s the use? You’re leaving tomorrow and not coming back.” Ouch, that hurts. He doesn’t have to say it obviously like that. You feigned a sigh, “For when you’re in the city?” 

“Just finish your sandwich.” And so you did. 

Looking back on the two weeks you’ve been back in this town, you missed this slow life as compared to the busy, bustling, fast-paced city. You missed everyone. You especially missed Sukuna. His sweetest grin, his lovable laugh, his fluffiest pink fluff of hair, and his most adoring eyes.

Where did everything go wrong? As you thought and realized. Oh yeah, you cut him off and didn’t contact him for over 10 years only to go back to him two weeks ago out of nowhere and you’re leaving again tomorrow with an indefinite time if you'll ever be back again in his arms.

[doyoulikethissong-poll]

What song did you personally like the best out of this round? Did a song make an impact right away or did it require the full version? Did the artist reveal change your opinion of the song itself for better or for worse?

(note: this is not a popularity contest or to vote for a favourite artist out of loyalty 💖 it’s still about the song.)

[aresmarked]

Im not in a position to draw rn (and itd be sketchy AF anyway so)

Japanese-Canadian Albertan miku who is

Listening and nodding seriously along to Gakupo talking about grasses not being maintained around rural roads being a hazard in the Nikka Yuko gardens

Doing the land acknowledgement for the next vocaloid concert at Rogers Place

Venting with Luka about the province complaining about not having enough immigrants sent there earlier in the year and then saying we don't want any more coming ('hm the immigrants are primarily from Mexico, Nigeria, and India. Wonder what's up with that')

Getting a chinook headache

Calling the rat sighting hotline

Signed up for the Indigenous Canada course from UoA

Really excited for cultural wear day at school

[perfusio]

A furious ranting about how Kaido sucks and Yamato should have been the final boss of Wano

To be clear, i don't like Kaido. He's not interressing, the guys (kanjuro) that worked under him were more interressing than him. For me, he always was some kind of of Temu evil version of Shanks.

What does have as a villain. He enslaved and poisoned the land, beat his son, aaaaaand..... killed Oden ? ( i dont really care about that im sorry) thats just one more Crocodile look alike. I know Oda loves that them, slavery, moral degeneration, cruelty, corruption, keeping hope despite evrything etc, etc, but Kaido is the guy that for me the least embody any of the usual theme that Oda has.

I dont think there's enough beef with Luffy. Personnal beef i mean. The kids are cute but they do not have the same presence or charisma of Vivi or Chopper. Monosuke & co were never tragic chracter for me because we sat on their sad backstories for too long and they were insufferable.

Kine'mon made me sad but for me it didnt translate for a fear or a n hatred for Kaido. It made me hate Kanjuro because he was a monstruous liar and it hurt that Kine'mon was hurt but never really against Kaido.

And my big big BIG problem with that, is that Kaido is the reason we have Nikka. Im not going to talk too much about my deal with Nikka now, but its so big of a power up that i feel its wasted on Kaido.

Kaido is just a sad drunk old man, that does not really hate Oden ( because he respected him in some way) who can't die( that aspect is barely explored ).

So my proposition is Yamato instead of Kaido as the big Bad.

Yamato has everything to make a good turn around and become insane and evil. He has a sad backstory involving his dad beating him up, being inspired by Oden old friends, being very inspired by Ace and his desire for freedom and happiness, having to wear explosive cuffs, a long promise that Ace did break with the key moment of the paper burning, and tada, you have a villain.

A guy that goes around after killing his dad ( or emprisonn him idc), terrorising everyone, killing rando or emprisonning them, acting like king of the island, and finaly being confronted by Luffy and they can punch their feelings out in their fight.

( I think all of this stem from my frustation that none of the fights felt personnal in any way except maybe with Izou )

So conclusion for my rambling, yamato should have been the bad guy in wano

[the-kr8tor]

"I think we deserve a soft epilogue, my love. We are good people and we've suffered enough." — from "Seventy Years of Sleep" by Nikka Ursula

When the war was over, Ekko knew he had even more things to take care of now. The Firelights had to rebuild themselves as well as Piltover and Zaun, it was unexpected, to say the least, when he got told Sevika was now a council member.

She did try to get him to become a member himself, aware of his pristine work with the Firelights, but alas, he would never set a foot on that damn city if he could.

But you, oh you. Ekko knew you were going to be his sore spot, his tender side. No, not a weakness, you make him stronger, actually. He just can't help but listen to you whenever you give him some advice.

After much talk, Ekko accepted the role with two conditions; he won't be setting foot on the council but rather have his own meetings with Sevika to exchange plans, and that your safety would be kept.

Ekko had even more responsibilities now, but he still had you to come to at the end of the day, to die in your arms and be held close within your warmth.

He had never thought about it, but maybe, just maybe, he wants to retire sooner than lated. So he can watch you grow old by his side, hand in hand, heart by heart.

— 🎏

The quote 😭😭😭

Daily Ekko HC 💚💚💚

This is giving ink and bedrock AHHHHHHHHH

Imagine if r was already in Zaun/Piltover during the war and is friends with everyone else and has a soft spot for Ekko already and whew the war would've been over quicker if she was there lmaooo like ekko disappearing? Yeah she's doing everything to find him and get him home

Also also r coming with Ekko to the meetings and you two look like a proper power couple!! Sevika will def make a joke abt it lmaoo (he better watch out or she might steal you from under his nose 🤭)

HE WANTS TO RETIRE SOON BECAUSE HE WANTS TO GROW OLD WITH YOU QIZNWKXJWKMS HELP

[sohmiya]

unsolicited self-indulgent hcs i came up with during the sg trip with my family because i’m obsessed with my own ships

qiu x emory

idk if qiu owns a car but considering he still uses the same cheap supermarket soap, i’m assuming he’s not above being a commuter. i headcanon him buying a bouquet for emory from one of those flower vending machines at mrt stations

them going to the fountain of wealth at suntec city. once a smartass, always a smartass so despite the instructions given at the fountain, qiu goes to tell em “put your right hand above the fountain, make a wish then walk around it three times clockw-” “qiu i know how it works” “right. yeah. sorry” and i know that boy would be blushinggggsgshsh babey <3

emory used to make matching santan flower bracelets for her and qiu. she always loved flowers so qiu takes her to the gardens by the bay

if it was crowded, he would book a room at marina bay sands with a clear view of gbtb and or make a dinner reservation at a rooftop restaurant

shay x bianca

shay would 10000000000% take bianca to sentosa. one of those couple who would hold hands on the handrails in the train. would promise bianca a day at universal studios if she went indoor skydiving with him

shay can’t bring his mountain bike everywhere so he and bianca would probably rent bikes and ride around the city. i genuinely believe shay prides himself on being bianca’s personal tour guide

on a hot day shay would get bianca a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice from an ijooz vending machine just because she got so excited the first time she saw one (so was i. lmao)

there’s a coffee + beer place where my family and i stayed at and as soon as we walked in, i immediately thought “yeah shay and bianca would go on a date here”

most likely to have spontaneous late night dates at clarke quay

nat x jasmine

these two would have the Most Touristy dates ever. taking the Most Touristy pictures and going to the Most Touristy gift shops. stuffing themselves full jumping from one hawker center to another. nat would tease jaz “it’s like you’re not from here” and she just goes “new york’s my home now” <3

nat and jasmine studying the mrt map and jaz pointing at a station along the circle line: “remember labrador park? 😏” LMFAO

despite jasmine feeling more at home in america now, nat would sometimes go out of his way to try and make singaporean cuisine at home so she won’t feel too homesick

ok bye

[tired-truffle]

Yet Broken Still You Breathe

An AlistairxOC fic

Chapter Word Count: 5k

Part 54/54

"We deserve a soft epilogue, my love." - Nikka Ursula

Masterlist

The sense of weightlessness was abruptly replaced with a soft, yet heavy pressure against her chest, causing her body to sag into the cushioned ground beneath her. Her throat was aflame and dry, as if she had swallowed a bonfire, and a lingering headache pulsed behind her closed lids. Slowly but surely, sensation returned to her once-limp limbs, still weak and brittle, but whole and alive. 

A terse stillness settled around her as if the entire room was holding its breath in anticipation. Gwen’s mind, still muddled from slumber, struggled to make sense of it all. She’d just been with Lucy, they’d talked for… she had no idea for how long, and then she’d been here. Her body refused to obey her commands to open her eyes, but she could sense a change in the atmosphere. The scent of lavender and sandalwood permeated the space, calming yet also unsettling. Something was different, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

“Did it work?” 

Gwen's heart fluttered in her chest as she heard that voice, so familiar and beautiful and wavering with nerves. The tension that had been coiling inside her dissipated like a gentle stream, flowing away with each word that poured out of his mouth. It was like a river calming after a storm, the sound soothing and comforting to Gwen's soul.

Nothing else mattered as long as Alistair was with her. 

“Give her a moment. It will take a while to wake up out of a deep sleep like that.” A different voice spoke this time, but it had also been present when she’d last been conscious. 

“Anders.” His name was used as a warning. 

“Don’t give me that,” the mage snipped. “Try holding her hand and talking to her, I don’t know. You just have to give her time, Your Majesty.” 

“It’s been far too long.” Alistair's hand slipped into hers, his grip firm and warm, a low growl rumbling in his throat. Her absence had made him grouchy and Gwen could feel the rigidity radiating from his body. She desperately willed her eyelids to open so she could see the familiar pout that always accompanied his grumpiness. "I swear, if I have to wait much longer, I might just start talking to myself. Would anyone like to hear about the time I ran into the dining hall in nothing but my knickers during my Templar training?"

“Alistair, be patient.” A soothing, velvety voice pierced through the restlessness. Gwen had bid farewell to Leliana with a heavy heart, thinking it would be their final meeting. She should have known better than to doubt the Spymaster's unwavering determination to keep her word. “Gwen is strong and horribly stubborn, but she needs a moment to gather her strength.”

“I swear it’ll work. It has to. Look at her! She’s already looking like a gloomy ghost instead of a full-on wraith.” Darcy’s voice pitched light and teasing in an attempt at his aloof brand of humour.

Alistair sighed, his thumb brushing over the back of her bony hand. “It has to. I can’t… I need her to recover.”

Footsteps padded across the floor, and Leliana moved closer. “She will wake up, Alistair. She knows how much you care, she wants to come back to you.”

“Have a little faith,” Darcy’s voice was closer now. “We tested the cure as much as we could, and Gwen’s a fighter. If anyone can pull through, it’s her.” 

His confidence was touching, if only her body would listen to her commands. 

“I know.” The bed sunk as Alistair sat beside her and she wanted so badly to reach out and touch him, to hold him and pepper kisses across his face until there wasn’t an inch of skin her lips hadn’t touched.

Come on, she urged her body, please, for the Maker’s sake just fucking work!

“I just—“ Alistair’s words were cut short by a sharp gasp, his hand spasming in hers as he felt her finally, finally, move. It was a seemingly insignificant twitch, so much effort for so little movement, but it was enough to get his attention. 

His fingers brushed gently against her shallow cheeks, his breath ghosting over her skin. The soft touch of his fingertips was the trail of a shooting star, a wish made in earnest, begging to come true. He seemed to trace every contour of her face like a map he had memorized in his youth, knowing every hill and valley by heart. “Gwen?” he asked, his voice full of longing and uncertainty. “Was that… did you mean to do that?”

“See, what did I tell you? All in good time,” Anders said cheerily. 

Gwen wanted to open her eyes, to see Alistair, Darcy, Leliana, even Anders - anyone who could prove to her that she was alive, that she had somehow made it. 

Gwen felt the bed sink again as another weight joined her on the other side. “Gwennie? If you’re keeping your eyes closed so you don’t have to subject yourself to Alistair’s ugly mug, may I present to you a better option? I promise I have aged like a fine wine, or at least that’s what Zevran tells me.”

Her lips twitched at the corners, a laugh stuck within the confines of her throat. Alistair ignored his friend in favour of pulling her limp hand to his chest, cradling it with a delicacy that concerned her. Was she truly so fragile, or was he simply being over-cautious? 

“She moved again! Darcy, did you see that? Tell some more jokes at my expense.” 

Unable to contain the joy flitting about her chest, Gwen’s face cracked into a fleeting, weak smile. It only lasted for a second, but she had managed it, enervated as she was.

“I’m not sure that’s necessary.” Darcy chuckled. “Gwennie, if you want me to keep making fun of Alistair, give him a good kick and I’ll know you mean it.”

“A kick, seriously? Isn’t that a little ambitious?” 

“I believe in her.”

Gwen's patience was wearing thin from this constant bickering, and with one last surge of willpower and strength, she willed her heavy eyelids to lift open. The room materialized before her gradually, the darkness giving way to hazy shapes that became clearer with each passing moment. She first noticed the rough, uneven texture of the stone walls surrounding her, cool and unforgiving. Candles sat unlit along the edge of the room, and as her vision sharpened, she turned to see a familiar figure sitting beside her, their silhouette illuminated by a dim light shining in through the balcony doors.

Alistair was both achingly familiar and startlingly different. The strong line of his jaw - once rounded with youth that he’d shed during the beginning of his reign - the warm brown of his eyes remained unchanged from her memories. But his hair, once a soft sandy blond, now showed streaks of silver at the temples. Faint lines creased the corners of his eyes, marking years of laughter and sorrow endured over time. And there, just above the bridge of his nose, a thin white scar cut across his skin - long since healed, but new to her.

Time had passed - far more than she had ever imagined. The man before her was both the Alistair she knew and a stranger, a living embodiment of all the years they had been apart. She searched his face, seeking traces of the boyish charm and ready humour remembered so well.

Alistair's smile was a red rose given in courtship to a blushing maiden, it was sunshine breaking through the clouds, it was a wolf’s tooth necklace made by hand and gifted with love. It lit up his whole face, making his eyes sparkle and the weariness fall from his features like rain in a silent forest.

“Good morning, my love,” he whispered with a reverence that had her wanting to laugh and cry and kiss him until she couldn’t breathe anything but his name. 

Her lips parted, trembling as she tried to form the words that her heart ached to say. She longed to tell him how much she loved him, how every moment without him had felt like a lifetime, and how bitterly she regretted ever leaving his side. But her throat was parched and raw from neglect, the words choking in her throat like dust had invaded her insides. All she could manage was a weak, ragged cough that made her wince with discomfort. Her eyes pleaded with him to understand the depth of her emotions, even if her voice failed her.

"Shh,” he shushed her, “I know, Gwen. You don't try to speak yet, you don’t have to say anything right now." Alistair soothed, gently caressing her cheek with his calloused fingers. "Anders, can you get her some water?"

But she wanted to speak, to tell him how much she loved him, ask him all her questions - how was she alive, what was this cure, how long had it been? 

“You should listen to him, for once,” Darcy said, pulling her gaze to him.

Gwen turned her head slowly to the side, her neck stiff from lack of use. There sat Darcy, flashing her a familiar, teasing smirk. The years had been kind to him, his once impish features now matured and refined. His jawline had filled out, becoming chiselled and defined, and strands of silver were starting to appear in his thick black curls, evidence of the passing time. But it was his eyes that held her gaze the most - they still sparkled with mischievousness, like they had always done.

"Don't worry, Gwennie. I know it's a shock seeing this old man sitting beside you," Darcy said, gesturing at himself with an almost seductive shimmy of his body. "Just remember, I'm still devilishly handsome."

A fragile huff of laughter escaped Gwen's lips, but it was quickly stifled by a sharp pain in her throat.

Alistair shot Darcy a reproachful glare, though his eyes shone with amusement. "Give her time to adjust before you start putting ideas in her head." He turned back to Gwen, “And I think we’d need nothing short of a miracle to get her to listen to me.”

Gwen scowled at him and he laughed. “Oh, how I missed that scathing look.”

“Move aside, dear Darcy. My heart is eager to greet Gwen once more, just as yours is. I have missed her too, you know.” Leliana’s radiant face swam into view. Gwen's breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of her dear friend Leliana. Though her once vibrant red hair was now streaked with silver, framing her face in a mature, elegant style, Gwen could still recognize the glimmer in her bright blue eyes. There was a gentleness about Leliana that seemed only to have grown over the years, her smile lines reflecting a life filled with both joy and hardship.

With a bump of her shapely hip, she forced Darcy back, much to his vocal protests. "It is good to see you awake, my friend," Leliana said, ignoring Darcy, her voice as melodic as Gwen remembered. She reached out and clasped Gwen's hand warmly between her own.

Gwen tried to speak, but could only manage a hoarse rasp. Leliana's brow furrowed in concern as she studied Gwen intently.

"Your voice will return in time," she reassured. "For now, know that you are safe here among those who love you."

Gwen nodded weakly, squeezing Leliana's hand in gratitude. She had never been one for many words anyhow, perhaps it was for the best.

Darcy cleared his throat, patting Alistair on the shoulder and giving Gwen a smirk that had her bracing for his crassness. “It truly is wonderful to see you awake again, Gwennie. I missed your surliness and quiet brooding more than I care to admit. But don’t think I’ve forgiven you for trying to die on me. You betrayed a direct order, which I must say, is rather rude.” He pushed himself off the bed, dusting off his leather pants, Leliana releasing her hand and standing with him. “Zevran is somewhere in this castle, probably pilfering something he isn’t supposed to, but he’ll want to know how you’re doing and I suppose I should tell him the good news. Plus, I’d be a pretty poor friend if I didn’t give you some private time to catch up with your over-eager lover.”

At Darcy’s wink, Alistair’s face flushed a light pink that spread to his ears. Time may pass, but their friendship never changed. 

“But not too much catching up,” Anders cut in, placing a cup of water on the bedside table. “I will not have you doing any vigorous activities with my patient. King or not, I take my healing very seriously.”

Alistair spluttered, his blush deepening to a lovely crimson as he stumbled to find the right words. It was entirely un-king-like, but it made her laugh, raspy and whisper quiet. It felt good, she felt good. 

His eyes darted back to meet hers, glimmering with a softness and adoration that made her heart skip a beat. She could feel his gaze on her like a gentle caress, a bandage over an open wound, and felt like home.

As her heart raced with thoughts of Alistair, she barely noticed Darcy's swift movement as he linked his arm through Anders' and led the mage out of the room. Leliana followed close behind, a sly grin playing on her lips as she shut the door behind them. The sound of their footsteps echoed down the hall, blending with the muted chirps of birds outside the windows. Streaks of sun rays poured in through the tall windows, but none of it mattered when Alistair was the only thing she ever cared to look at again.

With trembling fingers, he reached up to caress her cheek as if she was made of fragile glass, afraid to break her with even the slightest touch. His intense gaze roamed over every inch of her face as though he was drinking her in like a man who’d stumbled upon a desert oasis. As if he feared that if he didn't capture her essence in his mind, she would disappear like a fleeting dream.

Gwen cleared her throat, and once again tried to speak, but her voice was strained and raspy from disuse. She tried to form words, but her parched throat refused to cooperate, only producing weak, unintelligible noises.

“Stop that,” Alistair admonished, a frown marring his face. “You’re only going to hurt yourself. You don’t need to say anything, you heard the healer, give it time.”

Gwen's eyes traced the streaks of grey that had leeched the youthful colour from the sides of his once reddish-blonde hair. Gwen figured she’d already given it enough time. Incapable of speech, she chose instead to do the only sophisticated thing she could think of pulled her lips back, baring her sharp teeth in a silent snarl.

Alistair huffed a laugh, rolling his eyes. “Yes, Dear, even as little more than a ragdoll you are very intimidating,” he said placatingly and she narrowed her eyes at him. He paid her no mind, instead, reaching for the cup of water that sat at her bedside. Gwen's body was weak and frail, but his touch was gentle as he helped her tilt her head up, cradling her skull with the utmost care. Slowly, he poured the cool liquid into her mouth, watching as she drank in small, careful sips.

As the drops touched her tongue, Gwen felt like she had been transported to paradise. The coldness woke up every one of her senses, reviving her tired body and giving her new life. Alistair's eyes were fixed on hers, ready to take away the cup if she drank too quickly. But Gwen was mindful, taking small sips and pausing to catch her breath.

When she finished, Alistair set the cup back down on the bedside table and eased her back onto the soft pillows. As she settled in, Gwen cleared her throat again and was pleased to find it less scratchy and irritated. Her tongue could now move freely in her mouth without feeling strained or cracked. 

“Al—“ She tried again, but cut herself off with a cough, irritably huffing at Alistair’s concerned and fluttering hands as he tried to figure out how to stop it. But there was no thick, black blood choking her lungs, no Calling ringing in her head, her joints didn’t ache - she was free. 

With a voice like a jar of angry bees, she whispered his name, “Alistair.” The sound was both pained and joyous, but it was worth it to see the way his face lit up in response. His eyes danced with happiness, mirroring the fluttering butterflies in her stomach.

He swallowed hard, his throat bobbing as he returned his hand to her cheek, his thumb swiping across the curve of her cheekbone. His fingers rested just above the hole in her cheek, but he didn’t appear to think anything of it.

“Gwen.” Her name rolled off his tongue with equal ardour, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. There were so many things she wanted to say, wanted to ask, but when he smiled so softly at her, gazing at her with deep and boundless devotion, there was only one thing that came to mind. 

“I love you, Alistair.” 

Bowing forward, his warm breath brushed against her forehead as he placed it gently against hers. The corners of his mouth lifted in an airy chuckle that sent a tingly sensation through her body. “That’s what you so desperately needed to say that you’d risk damaging your throat? I already know, and Maker’s Breath, do I love you too.”

Her eyes fluttered closed, breathing in his scent as it surrounded her - the earthy aroma of worn leather mixed with pine needles and musk. It was so familiar, yet different too. The pine was sharper, the leather richer. It was the scent of time passed and experiences lived.

Beneath it all, she could still detect the subtle hint of the polish he used on his armour that always seemed to cling to him - even now that he had servants to perform such duties. It brought her back to quiet nights around a campfire, his arm draped over her shoulders, enveloping her in warmth and security as they shared stories and laughter. Those memories felt like another lifetime, a distant dream that she longed to hold onto forever. But dreams had a way of vanishing in the wake of reality.

“I… wanted you to know.” 

He sighed, his other hand coming up to caress her other cheek. “What am I going to do with you?”

Gwen would leave that decision up to him, right now she had far more pressing concerns. With tremendous effort, she managed to place a shaking hand on his chest, silently asking him to give her some space. She longed for his touch, his lips on hers, to feel his weight pressing down on her against the bed, but first, she needed this. 

Worry etched deep lines into his brow as he complied, slowly moving back just enough that she could see him entirely. Good, she thought to herself, she didn’t want to let go of him yet, or ever if she was being honest. The way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, the slight stubble on his chin, the warmth of his hand in hers - she wanted to hold on to every detail, memorize them and keep them close to her heart. 

“Is everything alright?” he asked as she dropped her hand, no longer having the strength to keep it there. “Should I fetch Anders?”

Gwen shook her head. No, she didn’t need a healer. 

“How long?” The question hung in the air between them, heavy and pressing like a mountain had rent the room in two.

Alistair sucked his lips between his teeth, exhaling sharply through flared nostrils. He watched her with his gorgeous brown eyes, unsure how to soften the blow, like a sad puppy, even in his aged state. 

“How long?” She repeated, fear fluttering in her throat. His eyes wrinkled at the corners, his crow's feet prominent. She knew it had been a long time, but she needed to know exactly how long. 

“Eight years.”

A sudden rush of air escaped her lungs, as if all the oxygen had been sucked out of her body. The overwhelming weight of time pressed down on her, like a boulder crushing her bones into a fine powder. Eight years… Almost another decade had gone by, leaving Alistair old and grey, broken-hearted as he waited for her. Again. 

Tears came unbidden to her eyes, rolling down her cheeks as her bottom lip wobbled. With a patience she still did not understand, he simply smiled softly, brushing the tears away as they reached his fingers. 

“Don’t fret, my love. I’m still as spry as I always was, if not slightly wider around the midsection. All those fine cheeses have finally caught up to me.” He grinned at her, lopsided and boyish and it made the years shed from his face like peeling away a worn mask. All she could see was that twenty-year-old man she’d fallen madly in love with. Who she had left behind in some misguided attempt to keep him safe.

“I’ve made you wait so long.” Her voice shook, tears clogging up her still scratchy throat. Eighteen years since she’d left him, and yet he still looked at her like she hung the moon and the stars. It was as if time had frozen for him, his love never wavering. For the life of her, she could not figure out what she had done to deserve it. 

With a tender touch that only made the flood of tears blur her vision even more, Alistair's unwavering gaze held hers as he whispered, “I would have waited an eternity for just one more second with you.”

A primal, gut-wrenching sob forced its way from deep within her chest, escaping her lips in a strangled noise. She fought to inhale, wheezing and gasping for air. The weight of his words hit her like a Warhammer, shattering any remaining pieces of her heart. She felt it splinter and crack, the pain shooting through her body like lightning. Guilt surged over her, inescapable in its force.

“Eighteen years, Alistair. I wasted eighteen years.” How did he not understand? Why did he look at her like that was not an unforgivable, egregious act?

He pressed a featherlight kiss to her forehead, his lips trailing along her pale skin. “You may not have been with me, or awake, for all of those long years, but I cherished every single one as I got to love you. I would never consider loving you a waste.”

Again, more words that tore at her heart.

“Stop saying kind things to me,” she pleaded, yet even as she spoke, her hand reached for his hip, grabbing onto the fabric of his tunic, unwilling to let go. 

“I refuse,” he stated simply. “I missed you, you were here but you… were also not. I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again. Every day we didn’t have a cure was torture and I… can’t bear the thought of spending another day without you, without being able to shower you with every ounce of love I have to give." His eyes shone with unshed tears as he continued, "And trust me, I've built up a lot over these years."

Before she could offer a rebuttal, before any protest could be voiced, he closed the gap between them, kissing her with all the desperate need of a man who’d waited for another decade to kiss the woman he loved. 

Before she could even think of a response, he closed the gap between them, his lips meeting hers in a burst of pent-up passion. His hands cradled her face gently but with an urgency that conveyed years of longing and desire. Every touch of his lips sent sparks coursing through her body, igniting a fire that had been smouldering as she slept. In that embrace, she could feel everything he had ever wanted to tell her but couldn't find the words for.

Gwen's entire body melted into Alistair's kiss, the familiar press of his lips igniting a tidal wave of need within her. She clung to him with an almost desperate fervour, her fingers twisting in the fabric of his tunic as she anchored herself against the onslaught of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. Relief, joy, sorrow, guilt - but above all else, love - surged through her, years' worth of pent-up feelings now bursting forth. It was as though she could feel every single second they had been apart and every moment they had longed for each other, all at once. And in that one perfect kiss, their love was reignited with a ferocity that shook Gwen to her core.

The absence of him had created a deep, gnawing ache within her, one that threatened to split her chest in two. All the moments they could have had if she hadn't been locked away in her own mind, all the tender caresses and passionate embraces lost to the mists of time. Alistair's touch was at once foreign and familiar, his hands gentle yet desperate as they cradled her face, her back, reminding her body of the pleasure it had forgotten.

With a soft gasp, she broke the kiss, vision blurry beneath her tears. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I should have fought harder, been stronger." The confession spilled from her lips, raw and pained.

Alistair silenced her protests with another searing kiss. "No apologies," he murmured against her mouth. "No regrets. Not when I finally have you back." His thumb traced her cheekbone tenderly even as his body pressed flush against hers. "Every moment we have now is a gift. All I care about is loving you, here and now."

His steadfast devotion, his complete forgiveness, threatened to undo her. She blinked back tears, smiling up at him with wonder. "I don't deserve you," she breathed.

"You do, but even if you didn’t, you’d be stuck with me anyway. I’m much too difficult to get rid of." Alistair teased gently, eyes glinting.

Gwen let out a soft, watery laugh, her heart swelling with affection. Even after all this time, he could make her feel like the most important woman in the world. "I suppose I'll manage," she quipped, feeling completely at ease with him by her side.

She pulled him towards her with a force that was both gentle and irresistible, drawing him into another long, slow kiss. They had a decade or two to make up for, but time and distance dissolved as they embraced in a perfect moment of reunion.

“You do know you’ll have to put up with my terrible jokes forever now, right?” Alistair's lips curved into a grin against her own.

Forever with Alistair seemed almost too good to be true. And yet, she would do as Lucy asked. She would let herself be happy. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

For almost twenty years, King Alistair had reigned with stability and prosperity. The horrors of the Blight were now a distant memory, replaced by the flourishing kingdom of Ferelden under his wise and just rule. His reign had been marked by unwavering peace, abundant prosperity, and a strong sense of unity among the people, though there had been a few bumps in the road along the way.

Under Alistair's steadfast leadership, the kingdom flourished. The once-scarred trade routes were reopened, bustling with carts filled with exotic goods and travellers bearing stories from distant lands. These new ideas and resources breathed fresh life into the kingdom, improving the lives of its people. As the tainted blood was washed away from the land, fertile fields sprung up in its place, bursting with crops and sustaining a thriving agricultural community.

But above all else, it was Alistair's innate compassion and unwavering sense of justice that endeared him to his people.

He treated every citizen, from the lowliest beggar to the wealthiest noble, with equal amounts of respect and fairness. And while he ruled with a firm hand when necessary, he always strove for diplomacy before violence.

As the years passed and Alistair's reign continued, one thing remained constant - his unwavering love for Gwen. To many, she was an enigma, a veiled woman who seemingly materialized out of thin air to become Alistair's mistress. But those who were privy to their relationship could see the depth and intensity of their love in every interaction. They moved with a synchronized grace, their gazes locked in a silent understanding that spoke volumes about their unbreakable bond. It was a love that transcended kingdoms and titles, a rare and enduring connection that stood the test of time.

Whispers and rumours had spread like wildfire throughout the years, each one weaving a different tale about her true identity. Some claimed she was an Elven mage, skilled in the ancient magic of her Dalish clan. Others insisted she was an Orlesian noblewoman, seeking refuge at court to escape a troubled past. But regardless of the stories that swirled around her, few dared to question her presence after seeing the pure joy and contentment she brought to their king's heart.

She may never be able to marry him, but after so long wasting time apart, she did not care if the Maker blessed their union. Their love was only for them, she did not need more.

No matter how much she wished to change the past, it could never be undone. But despite all the obstacles and challenges they faced, Gwen and Alistair had built a future together. Come what may, their love would sustain them. As they strolled through the blooming gardens, the air was fragrant with the scent of lilacs and freshly cut grass. The sun cast golden rays through the leaves, dancing upon their skin as a gentle breeze whispered secrets of love and hope. She tucked her arm comfortably in his, smiling up at the man who held her heart, and knew she was finally home.

A/N: 54 chapters and a lot of angst later, they finally get their happy ending <3 It only took about eighteen years… but hey, I was originally going to make it twenty!

Thank you so so so much for reading and commenting on my silly little fic of these silly - and often times ridiculous - characters. I have had so much fun, but I am going to miss them terribly :') HOWEVER, I plan on writing another little epilogue-type thing soon, so let me know what lingering questions you still have and I will try to address them! I would love to hear what you thought of their ending :) It should be posted sometime next week!

I also have two other dragon age fics planned - One I mentioned in a previous chapter is an OC(Ashvalla)xCullen, and the other is a different OC(Lily)xAlistair, but set in Inquisition times with a Warden Alistair. Ashvalla's will be likely a similar length to this one, but the Alistair one will be shorter, closer to fifteen to twenty chapters. I'll be posting Ashvalla's story next before going back to writing Alistair. So it'll look like Ashvalla's story starting sometime before three new year, and LilyxAlistair around the middle of next year unless I cave and miss that sweetheart too much! Though I will always miss writing for Gwen (and Darcy!), so more to come soon!

I don't know how to end my last author's note, other than to thank my readers for making this all possible, and I hope you enjoyed their adventures as much as I did!

[aaliyahunleashed]

ON THIS DAY Saturday, OCTOBER 27, 2001

B.R.E.A.T.H.E Breast Cancer Benefit Concert 2001

Aaliyah was scheduled to perform live on stage with three-time Grammy winner Seal at Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, California. I wonder what songs they arranged to perform together? What a duet that would have been, and for a good cause.

<< Source of details from LA Times, Billboard.com and MTV.com >>

----------

Seal had just met Aaliyah 2 weeks prior (In August 2001) when they got together to talk about which songs to perform at the event.

“You meet and touch somebody and then, two weeks later, they’re dead. I kept thinking: ‘It’s just a dream. I’m going to wake up in a bit.’ But she isn’t here,” Seal said. “It’s really sad. She was so young and with such a promising future.”

Seal would go on to perform with Stephan Jenkins (of Third Eye Blind); Jenkins told LA times that he "cried like a baby" after hearing of Aaliyah's death.

Rashad Haughton presented a $41,000 check donation (from the Aaliyah Memorial Fund) to the event prior to Seal and Jenkins taking the stage.

The money raised at this event was donated (in Aaliyah’s name) to the Revlon/UCLA Breast Center and New York’s Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Performances at this event included: Crazy Town, Deftones, Jurassic 5, Lil’ Kim, Nikka Costa, Run‐D.M.C., Seal, Sugar Ray, and Third Eye Blind.

[dropout-if]

hi izzy!! i’m not sure if you’re still doing the emoji asks hehe but can i ask for 🖍️🌈🌪️🌠☄️ for all the ros please?? thank you <3

Hi Nikka~ I'm still doing them yep🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️ I was looking forward to someone asking a few of those ty💕

🖍️ CRAYON - what advice would you give to them?

Generally, I'd tell everyone to see a therapist (I'm very tough-love-approach when it comes to giving advice so picture me saying all this menacingly).

Jade/Jean- it's okay to not be perfect, it's okay to not be needed.

Uma- your pain is valid but so is everyone else's. You should communicate more openly.

Statler- take a break. You deserve it.

Wanda- you think everything is dandy, but ignoring your problems doesn't make them disappear.

Kai- eat your veggies. Please. Take better care of yourself.

Travis- sometimes it's better to talk things out instead of bottling it all up.

🌈 RAINBOW - what advice would they give to their younger self?

Jade/Jean- “Don't be afraid to take risks and follow your dreams. Trust yourself more and remember that setbacks are just opportunities to grow stronger. And don't forget to cherish the moments with loved ones along the way.”

Uma- “Explore your creativity fearlessly. Don't worry too much about what others think. Embrace your uniqueness and let your heart guide you. Your journey is your own, and it's worth every twist and turn.”

Statler- (they're the kind of person who gives advice but doesn't really apply it to themself) “Don't be afraid to express your feelings and show vulnerability. People value your compassion and support.”

Wanda- “Don't be so trusting of people who promise you the world. Be safe. Love yourself. Take chances, have fun, and don't be afraid to express yourself. Follow your passions and let your infectious energy inspire those around you.”

Kai- “Be more confident. Care less about what people think. It's okay to be different and march to your own beat. Embrace your curiosity and dive deep into your interests.”

Travis- “Trust in your intelligence and your ability to achieve your goals. Focus on your long-term vision and don't get too caught up in petty conflicts. Your determination will lead you to success.”

🌪️ TORNADO - what is the biggest change you've ever made to them? how have they changed from their original version?

Jade/Jean- I think J has always been J in a way. They were the first character I created for dropout and I've always had their character very clear. There's one thing that's spoilery to say but I did change their main conflict.

Uma- wasn't a tattoo artist originally, just a struggling artist trying to get through life. Uma wouldn't really want a life in which they didn't work through art, so tattooing was a very fitting solution (I was also cleaning one of my tattoos when I thought of it lol).

Statler- has probably changed the most? They used to be very stuck up and unkind they were honestly a little annoying to write? Their high school version retains some of those qualities but I like this self-sacrificing version of Statler much more.

Wanda- Gabi's dad was an important character in Wanda's plot but to my own daddy issues I completely erased him from existence lol.

Kai- wasn't originally into the whole sleeping around thing lol. They completely rejected people, even the idea of friendship. Kai atm is much more approachable, they want to be around people (but not too much).

Travis- there used to be no grievances between Travis and MC. He was the third best friend but as I developed his backstory... things changed. It's made his entire disposition towards MC generally more angry.

🌠 SHOOTING STAR - if they could make any wish with no repercussions, what wish would they make?

Jade/Jean- unparalleled success and recognition. Also enough motivation to finish their book.

Uma- inspiration to finally create a painting worthy of being in an art gallery.

Statler- world peace + the ability to heal and bring happiness to those they care about.

Wanda- to change the past.

Kai- to travel the entire world for the rest of their life.

Travis- complete control over his own destiny and the ability to shape the future.

☄️ COMET - what do people assume about them? are they right?

Jade/Jean- J is always confident and has their life together. It is accurate to an extent. While J exudes confidence, they also struggle with their own insecurities, moods, and past regrets.

Uma- people often see Uma as carefree/careless and aloof. Uma is indeed a little serious toward strangers, but this is not the case with their friends. They also have a deep emotional complexity beneath their carefree exterior.

Statler- their life is perfect, as Statler themself is perfect. People also assume Statler is always the dependable and caring friend. They are most definitely not perfect, nor they have had the perfect life. Statler's caring nature is genuine, but they also grapple with their own challenges, including Noir.

Wanda- people tend to think Wanda is careless and naive due to her bubbly/vibrant personality. Wanda generally portrays a positive disposition, but she faces her own struggles as a single mother and has her own set of concerns.

Kai- a carefree fuckgirl/boy who doesn't seem to care about anything or anyone but themself. In reality, Kai's adventurous spirit hides deeper emotions, and their relationships have more depth than meets the eye.

Travis- people assume Travis is cold and unforgiving. Though they are partly right (he is somewhat spiteful) Travis' thought process is a little more complicated than that.

[leonsliga]

hi, bri! sorry for coming to bother you in your inbox. first of all, i love your content and all your gifs you are amazing. and i know i already said that but well, nothing wrong with saying it again because you deserve all the love <3

but i'm here to ask for help since i think you are the only kunessi scholar i know: there is any nickname kun calls leo? it's for a fic :3

Omggggg hi Nikka!!! You don’t have to apologize, and you’re not bothering me in the slightest 💜 you seriously made my night, and I can’t thank you enough for all your kind words!! I love your content too; anytime I see your posts and rbs they always make me smile :) I love you as much as you love Licha!! You deserve the whole world and more!! You’re such an incredibly kind person and I promise you you make footyblr better just by being here.

And as for the Kunessi question, you’ve come to the right place! Kunessi just so happens to be my very first footy ship. Those two idiots in love were what got me into this fandom. In terms of nicknames for Messi, I haven’t heard many. I know Kun tends to pronounce his name as “Leo” when talking to interviewers and “Lio” when he’s talking to the man himself or friends of his. If I remember correctly, Lio used to be the nickname Leo’s friends, family, and teammates used, but over time it sort of evolved into Leo, especially for fans. I’d like to think Kun still uses the original pronunciation because he’s pretty much been there for Leo since the beginning. Kun also affectionately calls Leo “Pa” when they talk, which, as far as I can tell, is his way of teasing Leo for being one year older than him. So if you’re looking for a nickname to use from time to time in fics, especially if the tone’s a little more lighthearted and banter-y, this might be the one. Ok, little ramble over 😂 I hope this helps! I’m honored you consulted me :) Feel free to stop by if you have any more questions, Nikka. You’re always welcome 🫶

[cryingforcrocodiles]

in the tags on ur f1 post u said carlos. pls dont tell me ur talking about carlos sainz.... the carslow sainz...

brother my dear brother. yes him. he looked like a 50s dead actor man in those BNW photos man. he did. and it was crazy. but i know barely anything about him other than nikka isn't his biggest fan n thats good enough for me.

[ugartecoco]

hi iza!! merry xmas!

for the asks of the year i'm going with 4, your movie of the year please?

merry xmas nikka!!! 🫂☕️💞

hmm i didnt watch many movies this year...but one that i remember most vividly is 'talk to me' 👻 horror movies for me are usually fun in the moment but not good if you get me?? but this one had me invested in the story and left me thinking (also the gore was well done and scenes involving eyeballs always make me squirm hehe) other honourable mentions: monster (a japanese movie that made me cry) and spiderman across the spiderverse (gorgeous gorgeous animation i want to eat it)

end of the year asks

[neon-d0rk]

When you get this respond with five things that make you happy!!! Then send to the last ten people you got notifications from (anon) :)

i'm not sending anon at all <3

HEY NIKKA 👋🏾

Music

My friends (irl and internet)

Watching sports (sometimes, right now it seems like the Dodgers, Barca, and Milan are the only ones bringing joy)

Going to my school’s indoor net night

Talking to my mom on the phone