#once upon a time when i was first thinking of this au i considered changing their names

[tangledinink]

I daydream about Gemini AU and one idea I had was that after leaving the Nexus and becoming slightly less codependent, the twins take up independent titles? Like, instead of both being Gemini, Leo becomes Meteor and Donnie becomes Nova or some other astrological name. Not very likely, considering they both seem to be genuinely proud of being Gemini together despite everything, but I thought I'd share this with you.

Oooh, this is kind of a fun thought? Also I'm just absolutely flattered that you daydream about Gemini the idea that there are other people in the world spending time thinking bout my silly turtles absolutely baffles me ; w ; On one hand, I feel like they, at least currently, love being Gemini and sharing a title. They're so incredibly proud of their career as Gemini. But once they leave the Nexus and stop being so codependent, I think they're probably gonna be a lot more likely to sort of... recognize it for what it is? Something used to manipulate them and a part of their mother's attempts to capitalize off of them and control them. And it'll be very hard, because they are Gemini, it's such a huge part of their identity, how do they let that go...? But at the same time, how can they still be Gemini and heal at the same time?

In addition to this, there'll be at least a period where they... aren't performers anymore. (Which is gonna be super hard for them to cope with as well...) If they're not longer fighting in the Nexus, what use do they actually have for a stage name? Why have people call them anything but Donatello or Leonardo...?

(... But I think there will come a time when they eventually pick up an alias again. And I really like the idea of them each having their own names, but still matching...!)

[sanjoongie]

𝔚𝔥𝔢𝔫 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔖𝔢𝔞 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔐𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔱𝔞𝔦𝔫 𝔐𝔢𝔱

@pirateeznet 's Secret Admirer event

🏔For @staytinyville, i hope you enjoy this, i had fun weaving this tale for you 💞 sorry it was late once again

🌊Pairing: Njord! Prince! Jeong Yunho x Skaldi! Princess! Reader (f)

🏔Genre: smut, angst (happy ending), fluff

🌊Au: Norse mythology au, njord and skaldi au, mythology retelling au, royal au, medieval au, historical au

🏔Trope: strangers to lovers, opposites attract

🌊Warnings: mentions of parent's death, mentions of someone falling deathly ill, hand kink HELLO, fingering (f), wall sex, penetrative sex with no barrier, nipple play, big dick! yunho

🏔Word count: 5,178

🌊Beta's:

🏔Summary: upon your father's murder, a council allows you to choose a husband as recompense--based on what his hands look like. Yunho, a prince of the sea, and you, a princess of the mountains, are as opposite as you can get, so can you make the marriage work?

🌊Author's Note: the story of Skaldi, a giantess and goddess of the mountain and her husband, Njord, God of the Sea, intrigued me enough to want to try a re-telling. I changed the feet to hands, in choosing a husband, and who is better to use that than mofo jeong yunho

Once upon a time, when the world was young, a woman experienced a father's death and was repaid with a choice of her husband.

"But you must choose by his hands."

The woman chose hands that were callused, for surely a strong husband would come from those hands.

Instead, she chose the man who couldn't be more than the opposite of her. This is a retelling of their story.

You stared intently at the set of hands in front of you. Each owner of said hands were behind a heavy curtain so that you could not pick your future husband based on his appearance but based solely on his hands. 

You were hoping for San, if truth be told. You wanted the happy prince who was also known to throw himself into work with his fellow peasants. You wanted to add his giggles to your empty castle, now with your father gone. 

There was one set of hands that continued to draw you back. They were long and lovely but also they had calluses; they had seen hard work. Surely they belonged to San? Without another thought, you pointed to the hands you had been admiring and hoped for the best.

The curtain parted and… instead of San’s pleased smile that he had been chosen, you were met with the wide eyes of Yunho’s. The two of you stared at each other, unable to comprehend that you were to be wed to the prince who lived by the sea, the complete opposite to your mountainous upbringing. 

“Wait--!”

"No, princess, this is your choice,” The counselor preceding over your choice proclaimed. “The death of your father is repaid. You have a husband now.”

You and Yunho were ushered into an antechamber to sign the papers and a small ceremony made it official. It was clear everyone wanted you out of here before you demanded even more over the death of your father. 

“First, you should live in the domain of your husband,” The priest informed you. “You need to understand who he is before you take him to your home.”

The plan was to spend ten days at Yunho's place by the sea and you were already not looking forward to it. The sea was not your favorite place. And once you arrived, it really just confirmed how you felt. 

Except now there was Yunho.

Yunho was a shy prince. He dined with you in the morning, offering options of how you could spend the hours of your day. The walk along the shore was hardly what you would consider romantic. You struggled under the shifting sands, always managing to carry some home with you. The squawking of the seabirds always interrupted your questions towards Yunho in order to learn more about your new husband and his home. You couldn't even appreciate some of the cliffs by the sea, the closest thing to home for you, because of the bashing of the cursed waves against the walls of stone. You were starting to think the gods were playing with you; that they still wanted you to suffer. 

“Princess?” Yunho brought you back to reality.

You had picnic-ed in the dunes beside the sea with a sturdy blanket and practically everything weighed down so that the hefty winds didn’t blow away anything you planned on dining on or with. 

“Apologies, Yunho, what did you say?” You wondered, sipping the strawberry rhubarb wine.

“There’s a story that they tell of how the first king was found. It was said that he would never become king. The prophecy said that when the fishermen of the area would find a diamond in the sands, then their king would finally be found.”

You scoffed at the fanciful tale. “Sounds like no one wanted a king to be found.”

Yunho laughed. “One would think. But truly, what the purpose of the story is, is that kings can be found but the right king, a good one for the people and for the kingdom, is like a diamond in the sand.”

You thoughtfully ate a tiny sandwich--emphasis on the sand part of the sandwich--and attempted to not wince at the grit in your mouth. “So a good king was found?”

Yunho shrugged, blinking furiously when wind blew hair in front of his face. His hands attempted to push it back and you were momentarily distracted. Those hands had been your downfall. “Oh, we had kings alright, but no one has truly found the diamond in the sand.”

Yunho had yet to touch you with those hands. You hadn't consummated your marriage but you were sure that had more to do with this poorly-worded trial period than anything else. Ten days to learn about your husband and ten days for him to learn of you in your realm. The marriage wasn’t made for two romantic fools, it was a settlement on reparations done to you. The lost of your father still panged in the depths of your heart but Yunho’s ‘love’ hadn't done anything to settle the lose, truly. Perhaps your heart wasn’t truly into it. Perhaps--

Yunho sighed and began to pack up. He was used to you losing yourself in your thoughts. “Back to the castle then? I’m sure your handmaiden could prepare a cool room for you.”

Ah, the disappointment coating your husband’s words. “Yunho, I--”

Yunho shook his head. “Do not worry about it, Princess. You head back. I’ll clean this up.” Yunho held out your parasol with a face that didn’t speak of his disappointment at all. 

The two of you spoke the same language but it always seemed like you never understood each other. Yunho was patient and you attempted to show interest in his world but you compared everything; it couldn't be helped.

Yunho’s world was too windy, too warm, too loud, too much. You were used to solitude, you were used to your halls in the mountains. This world Yunho loved so much was too much for you. You often found yourself pulling back to the comfort of your tower that Yunho had declared was yours. He thought the height would help you remind you of home and it did, but in the worst ways. You simply pinned for home that much more.

Before you knew it, the final night in Yunho’s home was upon you. You wanted to go home so badly but you didn’t want to lay it on Yunho. So you smiled politely as he brought you through the town around the castle, a bustling morning market that had you avoiding the touch of the crowd so much that Yunho knew he had failed you once again.

“Princess?” Yunho offered his hand to you. He had one final plan to enact. 

You cautiously gave Yunho your hand and he protectively pulled you into an enclave away from the crowds. Yunho’s height allowed him to tower over you. Suddenly you were very, very close to your husband but he didn’t let go of your hand. 

Yunho sent a hopeful smile your way and you felt a jolt in your chest. What the hell was that? “If you will allow me one more excursion tonight? I promise, I have one final surprise that I would like to share with you. It is my favorite. I left the best for last.”

You bowed your head. “Of course, husband,” you agreed.

The day dragged by. The food that had been hand chosen by you and Yunho had been cooked for a midday meal and Yunho showed you bright gardens cultivated behind the walls of the castle. You smiled and listened politely but you couldn't help but think of what kind of surprise Yunho had been hiding you all this time. Why not surprise you the first night to impress you? Your husband was still a mystery to you, it seemed.

The sun set and you waited in your rooms for your husband to retrieve you. And you waited. And waited. Then you began to pace. Was this waiting on purpose? Was he looking to vex you? After hours passed, you were about to rip the hinges off your door and storm the castle looking for your husband before he politely knocked on your door. You smoothed your hair back, picking something off the skirt of your dress and let your handmaiden know your husband could enter.

Yunho’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “You will need those hiking boots of yours, Princess, and a change of clothes. This is not a dress excursion.”

Yunho led you to the sea and you were beginning to think that your husband truly didn’t understand you. He was simply taking you to every place in his kingdom and expecting you to love it. You weren’t sure if this was going to work, if at all. You couldn't simply throw away what was given to you. It somehow belittled your father’s death. But could you take a lifetime of this?

With a hand raised with a lantern, and your hand in his other, Yunho led you inside of a cliffside cave. For a while, there was only the soft sound of the water dripping down stalactites and the squeak of the lantern on its handle. Yunho didn’t feel the need to fill the air with conversation and you were stewing in your thoughts, if you were being honest.

But when the tunnel through the cave opened up into a larger room, your jaw couldn't help but fall to the floor. Inside was a pool of calm water that almost perfectly reflected the night sky through an opening in the roof. You could see the moon, the constellations your father had taught you, even some fluffy clouds as they floated across the night’s sky. It was beautiful.

“They say this place used to be the home to mermaids. One of my great grandfather’s married one apparently. This place has been kept sacred ever since.” Yunho’s eyes had been raised to the sky but then he lowered them to yours. “Do you like it?”

You opened your mouth but found that you had no words. At least, you had none of the easy words that had been tearing down Yunho and his home piece by piece. “It’s lovely,” You managed.

Yunho allowed himself to smile hesitantly. “Do you know the story about the god who froze their toe and it became a constellation in the sky?”

You moved towards the pool and sat at the edge of it. You were completely comfortable looking at the sky through the portal of the water. “That one always made me laugh as a child. Now I shudder at freezing a toe and breaking it off.”

Yunho sat beside you, dimming the lantern so you two could see the sky’s reflection clearly. “Ah, I suppose that’s a worry from where you’re from.”

You nodded, pushing some hair out of your face. “Yunho…”

Yunho shook his head. “I know we leave for your home tomorrow.”

Yunho’s soft world was not like yours at all. You worried for him. “I don’t expect to find it beautiful,” You admitted.

Yunho smiled somewhat bittersweetly. “Like you didn’t find mine?”

You sighed. “Your world is too much. Too much sun, too much noise, it’s not what I’m used to.”

Yunho's hand beside yours twitched. His pinky moved but his hand did not. “I tried. I shared with you everything I love. I wanted you to be happy, if that means anything.”

“It’s not your fault, Yunho,” You allowed. “I did pick you, after all.”

“You didn’t want me though,” Yunho said.

“You didn’t want me to pick you!” You retorted with a laugh.

Yunho half-laughed with you. “Well, I didn’t expect you to pick me, that’s for sure.”

You cocked your head. Your hand moved a little closer to his. “You’re the one with the pretty hands that are also callused. It’s your fault really.”

Yunho chuckled. His hand moved until both your pinkies were touching. “I still work the fishing boats every Manadagr morning.” He looked at you through the corner of his eye. “And what do you mean my hands are pretty?”

You winced. You had not meant for that to slip. “You know…” you let the uncertain air hang between you two.

Yunho nudged you with his shoulder. “No, I really don’t.”

You sighed again but picked up one of his hands. You played with his lithe fingers, feeling birds thrash against your ribcage. “They’re hard working hands but they’re pretty. I want…” If only your father could see you now, your courage failing you simply because your heart was betraying you right now.

Yunho grasped both of your hands between his. “You want?” He prompted you.

You swallowed hard, not sure if you had it in yourself to tell your husband you lusted after his hands. “Yunho, I--”

“We haven’t kissed since we became husband and wife,” Yunho blurted out. His eyes widened at his own words and then you watched as redness crept up his ears.

That was the second time you were speechless tonight. 

Yunho let go of your hands, dropping them like they were hurting him, and mumbled about going back now.

“Yunho, wait!” You stood up to stop him.

“I’m sorry you don’t feel the same way, but I really like you!” Yunho blurted out again. “I’ve planned all these outings and every time I only seemed to annoy you or let you down. I’ve felt your bad mood darken and develop like a storm in the middle of the sea get worse as it came closer to the coast. I won’t apologize for trying to woo you but I want you to love me!”

It was as if an arrow from Ullr hit your heart. So instead of speaking, since you were failing in that regard, you let your body speak for you. You wrapped your arms around Yunho’s neck, pulled him down and you kissed him. You didn’t kiss him with passion and lust but rather with a need to tell him that he had been enough. 

Yunho looked so confused when you released him that you had to giggle. If you had thought his ears were red before, they now appeared as hot as iron in the forge. “Your ears get red when you’re embarrassed, Husband. Do my kisses embarrass you?”

Yunho’s eyes avoided yours but a smile he couldn't fight was pulling at the corners of his lips. “Your kisses do not embarrass me.”

“No?” You teased, leaning to the side to capture his gaze.

Suddenly, Yunho went from an embarrassed man to a dangerous one. His eyes were dark. “No.”

You raised your chin defiantly. “Then prove me wrong.”

Yunho cupped your head between his beautiful hands and then kissed you. His kiss was different. It was soft but it was deep. His tongue sought out yours and you met him halfway. His kiss pulled the lust that was bubbling deep in your womb. You pushed onto your toes again, meeting his kisses with lust of your own and Yunho moaned into your mouth. 

His hands steadied your hips and he broke the kiss. With his forehead pressed to yours, he panted against your lips. “Will you let me make you mine?”

“Only if you’ll let me claim you,” You countered.

Yunho’s eyes traveled over your face. You didn’t know what he was looking for but whatever he found there, it seemed to satisfy him. “I didn’t mean to lure you here to seduce you,” He admitted, as if he was half apologizing that your first time together would be in a cave.

“I may be a princess, Husband, but I am no soft woman. I’ve fucked in worse places,” You snickered.

Yunho’s eyes widened before he half smiled at your boldness. “Then let me have you by the sea and the sky and let the gods witness our consummation of our marriage.”

You impulsively grabbed Yunho’s hand and sucked on his middle and index fingers. Your tongue swirled around his long digits and you said huskily. “Show me why I picked these pretty hands, husband.”

Yunho’s now slick fingers reached under your pants and pressed to your clit. You tossed your head back in ecstasy as he easily rubbed you, warming you up from the inside out. 

You guided his other hand to grope your breast and you watched in awe as his fingers nimbly pulled at the tie at your chest in order to spill your breast out for him. He neatly tugged and pulled and played with your nipple. 

His fingers became bolder as they dipped lower to find your own slick dripping from between your folds. “Wife of mine, why are you so wet?”

You moaned. “You, Yunho, it’s all because of you.”

“Do my fingers give you that much pleasure?” Yunho teased you lightly.

“They look so pretty against my body,” You admitted. 

Yunho whirled you around suddenly, your back to his chest. It gave you an easy view of Yunho twirling your nipple in one hand and his other playing with your cunt. You swallowed hard, suddenly very tempted by your own husband’s hands.

“Will you come undone simply from my hands playing with you, princess?” Yunho wondered, his voice husky against the shell of your ear.

Your mind was silent and empty, with only one voice chanting ‘feels so good feels so good feels so good’ over and over. You had a one track mind, and it was coming against Yunho’s fingers. You gyrated your hips into the motions of Yunho’s fingers. Your first orgasm came easy, tempted from the nimble hands that had condemned you to your current fate. 

Your hand went behind you, behind Yunho’s neck, for support as you trembled against his chest. “Oh Yunho, oh gods, it’s so goddamn good, Hel’s left tit.”

“I'm not sure if I should be proud of that,” Yunho laughed behind you.

“Oh, you should be proud of that,” You assured him. “I can’t brag of many men that could get me to climax that fast.”

Yunho pulled his fingers from you and you turned your head and watched as he cleaned them diligently. He hummed as if he had a taste of honeyed wine and you pressed your lips together. “Will you take me now?”

With Yunho’s other hand, he cupped your face and ran his thumb against your lips. “I would see your face when I bring you to your next peak,” Yunho informed you.

You nodded and immediately Yunho’s hands went around your waist to hoist you upwards. You had no choice but to wrap your legs around Yunho’s waist as he sought a section of cave wall that wasn’t dripping with water. 

Yunho's hands dived into your hair to hold your head in place as he kissed you again. Yunho was hungry for you. His lips went from pink to red as they became swollen from the kissing. His tongue twirled around yours, looking to intertwine with every part of you. He only set you down so that you could strip your pants off and he could push his down to his thighs. You pulled at the rest of your shirt, giving Yunho complete access to your chest. 

Your back was pressed up against the wall again, legs around his waist, except now Yunho’s curved, glorious cock was pressed up against you. “Yunho,” You cooed his name.

“I’ll go slow; so slow. I’ll be careful,” Yunho promised. 

Yunho's hand tilted your head so that he could place kisses along your neck as he rubbed the underside of his dick against your wetness. His kisses continued along your jaw as his cock slid downwards. You held your breath to wait for him to penetrate you but Yunho simply fucked his cock between your thighs, the top of his cock now getting a good coating.

“What if I don’t want it slow?” You growled.

Yunho laughed, his shoulders shaking under your hands. “I must. You can endure it, surely?” He tilted his head flirtatiously, although it was still a challenge directed to you. 

Yunho didn’t wait for you to answer, he brushed the head of his cock against your hole. You cocked your hips to give him easier access and you both moaned loudly as he entered you. Yunho spent equal time watching your face as he watched his cock make its way into you. He slid inch by precious inch with dedication only a man with grace could manage. You wiggled your hips and whined, but Yunho simply cupped your face and pushed a thumb into your mouth to silence. 

Yunho braced himself against the wall with his free hand and reached under one of your legs to cock it so that you were spread even wider for him. “Let’s make the motion of the ocean jealous.”

“Gods, Yunho,” You cried out.

His hips worked between your legs that were stuttering at best. Your cunt fought him for every inch he could manage. Yunho was soon sweating and stuttering. “You’re so--gods, so tight! I--” He moaned, biting down on his lower lip. “Your warmth encompasses me so completely.”

“I never imagined being with you would be so consuming,” You whispered to him.

“I have needed you for such a long time,” Yunho told you, kissing you sweetly. “I thought you would never let me touch you.”

“I would never let these hands not touch me, husband,” You informed him.

Yunho paced himself inside of you. He didn’t pound into you until you indicated to him that your climax was approaching. “I’ll not last any longer than you,” Yunho admitted, “I’ll follow your lead.”

With that said, Yunho reached under your other leg and you had nothing to brace against except the wall behind your back. Yunho had complete control of the pace and it was grueling. He fucked you mercilessly, the slapping of skin against skin echoing against the rock walls. With a scream, you came hard, and Yunho was good on his word. He came as soon as your pussy walls fluttered around him. He gasped, high pitched and desperate. 

The two of you came down slowly, breaths intersecting each other as you kissed lazily. Yunho’s thrusts came to a stop eventually and he let down one leg, then the other, leaning back to pull his softening cock from your cunt. 

You gathered your pants and tied back up your shirt. “Yunho…”

“I’m sorry,” Yunho squeaked. 

Your head shot up to look at your husband. His ears were red-hot and his eyes were shaking slightly. “Sorry for what? For giving your wife your seed? For giving her a climax? What’s to apologize for?”

“I--I don’t know what took over me!” Yunho said with wide eyes. “I just knew I had to bring you to your climax and you looked so pretty with your eyebrows furrowed and your mouth parted, I simply wanted to come with you as well, I--” Yunho laughed at himself, scratching the back of his neck. “I’m making a fool of myself, aren’t I?”

“Yunho.” You grabbed his hand between yours and kissed it. “You are fine. Everything is fine. You were wonderful.”

Yunho smiled, then wiped his face blank, then smiled again. “You were wonderful,” he murmured, biting his lower lip again.

“Will you escort me back to my room?” You suggested.

“Will you hold my hand?” Yunho replied.

You both knew the answers to your questions.

Your trip to the mountains was a different one from the sea. You and Yunho huddled inside a carriage for the better part of the day. Which was fine between the two of you. You kissed and giggled and acted like newlyweds, finally. You had Yunho and some heavy fur coverings and you were heading to your childhood home, where you would reside for all of the winter months. You had no worries hanging over your head. You had been too drunk on love to realize that as much as you hated Yunho’s world, the same would be true for him.

That evening, in your grand, empty hall the two of you dined. You were at one end and Yunho in your father’s seat. You were so far apart, neither of you talked much. The servants offering each course and the clatter of utensils against plates were the only sounds in the vast space. 

You had a gnawing uncertainty in your gut but it was quickly banished when Yunho came to your bed that night. You rode Yunho in your childhood bed, rocking your hips and making him hold your breasts in place as you coaxed the both of you to an easy climax. You fell asleep in Yunho’s arms and thought everything was right in the world.

Except it wasn’t for Yunho.

It was worse because he always attempted to brush it off. You would watch him smile brightly when you asked him if he was cold, but then he would frown and run his hands up and down his arms. He denied getting lost and insisted he wished to see the sweeping views your castle offered. He told you it was picture perfect but you had a sense he simply wished to go back inside. 

Not that inside was any better. You offered him walks along the long corridors lined with your ancestor’s portraits. He yawned as you explained each of their hard-earned exploits at protecting this castle. He glanced cursory over the fine treasures that your family had accumulated during their reign. 

Eventually, you two spent less and less time with each other. You began to spend long hours in your father's study, writing letters to your vassals to be sent by carrier pigeon. You weren’t entirely sure what Yunho did with his free time, but you often caught him staring off into the air, like he wasn’t even present. 

You watched your glowing prince of the shore fade. It killed you when you made love and could see the tired circles under his eyes. And still Yunho would smile at you and insist that he was alright. Yunho would stop showing up for dinner. When he collapsed on his way to your bedroom one evening, that was the end of the line.

You immediately sent Yunho away. He was bundled up in the same carriage that had brought the two of you to the mountains. Your wise woman traveled with him to inform the doctor’s in Yunho’s land of what ailed the prince. You promised with a soft kiss, careful of how frail Yunho appeared, to follow him as soon as you could. 

The first month when you didn’t show up, Yunho sent a letter. He made plenty of excuses on your behalf. He understood you had to rule in your father’s stead and you had been away for a while by meeting with the council and visiting his kingdom. Then when a month turned into two, he asked about your health, which was fine. Then the third month, your husband showed up on your doorstep, banging on your bedroom door.

“Yu-yunho!” You stuttered, shocked to find your husband in your castle, let alone in your kingdom.

“What have I done now?” He raged. “Why have you not come back for me?”

You were taken aback by his questions and his anger. You had never seen this side of Yunho before. Your mouth opened and closed but you found that you could form no words. Your husband was always making you speechless.

“I promise you I’m not a sickly individual. You needn’t worry about our heirs. It was just a lapse. I can do better!” Yunho informed you as he strode into your room.

You quietly closed your door and watched as Yunho paced in your room. His hands moved around as he spoke and you cursed yourself for always being drawn to them.

“Yunho,” You said his name quietly, gathering up his hands. You kissed the back of each hand and looked up at him forlornly. “Living with me made you sick. It was your love for me that made you fade. I don’t want you to die.”

Yunho blinked at you, a cute moment that you had to push away because of the serious discussion. “What?”

“You can’t live here. It’s detrimental to your health. I can’t live with you, it would drive me insane. We simply aren’t meant to be. I think it would be better if we--”

“No.” Yunho shook his head. “No, I will not get a divorce.”

You frowned. “Yunho, we must.”

“No!” Yunho said more forcefully. He gathered you to his chest, with your head against his breast. You could hear the beating of his heart, quick but firm. “I won’t let you.”

You allowed yourself one more moment in your husband's arms and then you pushed him away gently. “It’s not meant to be, Yunho. We’ll only end up miserable with each other. I don’t ever want our love to twist into hatred.”

Yunho’s lips dipped downwards and it looked like he was fighting some tears. “But I love you.”

You felt your throat tighten. “I know you do.”

“Don’t you love me too?” He pressed. 

“I do but it’s not enough. My love won’t keep you healthy. My love isn’t a sustenance which you can live on. My love--”

Yunho cupped your cheeks with both hands, your head feeling tiny in his large hands. His thumbs rubbed against your cheeks. When had you started crying? “I can’t take care of you, Yunho. It’s all I want and yet I’m not capable.”

“I don’t care what it takes,” Yunho said. “I will build a castle at the halfway point between our kingdoms. We will make every official travel to us to deal with the problems of both kingdoms. But I cannot remain separated from you. I will die from that, that I can promise you. You don’t want me to die from a broken heart, do you?”

You tipped your head up, to see Yunho’s half smile, part somber and part hopeful. You loved him, you loved him with all your heart, you knew that. But wouldn’t your love kill the both of you? Spirit, body and mind?

Yunho shook his head. “Don’t think with your mind, for once, think with your heart.”

“Yunho--”

Yunho put a finger over your mouth. “Husband,” he quietly corrected you.

You admitted defeat. You knew you would also die from a broken heart if you couldn't spend the rest of your days on Midgard with Yunho, with your husband. You barely survived your father’s death, you couldn't handle another loss. 

“I love you, husband of mine,” You whispered.

With a choked sob, Yunho gathered you in his arms once again, hugging you tightly and kissing the crown of your head. The soft kisses turned into hard ones, Yunho desperate for you, hungry for you, since he hadn't been with you for months. You moaned into his mouth and pressed your body even tighter against his. 

 “Will you let me make you mine?” You echoed the words Yunho had once spoken to you in the sea cave. 

“Only if you’ll let me claim you,” Yunho repeated your words back to you.

 “Then let me have you by the mountains and the rocks and let the gods witness our love for each other,” You said, solemnly. “You never know, maybe they’ll write our love story into a saga.”

[sinner-sunflower]

A HH Lucifer-centric AU 18/?

PART 1, PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, PART 6, PART 7, PART 8, PART 9, PART 10, PART 11, PART 12, PART 13, PART 14, PART 15, PART 16, PART 17, PART 19, PART 20, PART 21, PART 22

I've really debated whether or not I'll post this particular part today or do another mystery and have it revealed in a flashback or something.

But then I said nah I'll give it now so you all can enjoy!

Very dialogue heavy.

I appreciate again your reblogs, likes, and very especially, your comments. Something about seeing your reactions or theories motivates me even more. Nothing says writer's pleasure like the suffering of their readers <3

-----------------------------------------

Once upon a time, all Lucifer wanted was to create and be happy. To love and be loved just the same. Being the Angel of Creation and Humility, his Father often sought his counsel regarding the first creations. He was affectionately called 'my Morning Star' by his Father, reminding him that he will be the first light His creations shall see.

When tasked with guarding the Garden, he embraced that duty wholeheartedly. But with Adam's growing ego and Lilith's festering defiance, he could feel himself struggling. He had tried so hard to make it comfortable for the both of them but it was never enough. The only reason Lilith stayed in the Garden for as long as she did was because Lucifer refused to leave right away.

Lucifer: It's my duty, Lily!

That's what he had said. He loved Lilith but he was still very much afraid of what repercussions his Father may give for his disobedience.

Then comes Eve.

Eve was a lovely girl. She's Lilith but softer. She's Adam but kinder. But she has no free will. Adam treated her like a maid and she took it all with a graceful smile.

And well, you know what happened next.

An apple. A sin. A trial. A fall. Darkness. Fire. He wants to get outOUTOUTOUTOUT!-

A makeshift table with 2 chairs appear in between him and Roo. The Root of All Evil moves to sit and motions for him to join her. Lucifer hesitates but follows.

Roo: See, dear fallen, your old man damaged me enough that I can't get my original form to heal like it was before. And just when I was recuperating my power, you and your sinful lot sealed me! Low blow, by the way. Thanks yo you, my vessel is truly destroyed.

Lucifer: That's why you take on these forms?

Roo: Yoou got it! I can show you what I originally looked like but it's merely confined in this space. Like every caged animal, I crave freedom. Freedom I am not willing to have without a proper vessel.

She giggles as Lucifer's expression dawns in realization.

Lucifer: You... want me? As your vessel?

Roo: Yup!

Lucifer: But- Why?

Roo: Consider it an investment! Why, I can't think of anyone better to powerful enough to control Hell and dear enough to hold against Heaven.

It was Lucifer's turn to scoff.

Lucifer: Hold against Heaven? I don't have any value to the people up there. I am no longer an angel?

Roo had to put a hand in her mouth to prevent her from laughing too much again.

Roo: Naive, little fallen. You really think that?

Lucifer: I know that! Or did you forget that I was exiled into this god awful pit?!

Roo: Ah. But that's all, isn't it?

Lucifer: I- huh?

Roo: Your angelic status is all that they took from you, no? And this place is merely a change of office. You still answer to Heaven, whether you admit it or not. You still watch over humanity, albeit the worst ones. And most importantly, you were not stripped of your heavenly powers. You know why? Because you-

She boops his forehead and it took all of his willpower not to bite her finger off.

Roo: -are God's little favorite.

Lucifer: That's not true.

Roo: Yes it is. Tell me, Lucifer. If God was to punish you for the greatest Sin ever committed, why leave you with power to rule it? If that was you, wouldn't you take away all of their being and leave them to rot in the very bottom of the grave they dug themselves? Why would I cast them out them make them rule it? That's just absurd.

Lucifer: You're speaking nonsense.

Roo: Am I? The old man obviously loved you enough to let you keep your divine powers. He probably could not stand the thought of His beloved son suffering at the hands of some lowly human souls.

The Sin of Pride wants to rebuke but can't get the words out. He always did wonder why he still had his wings, why he could still create, why he was made the King.

'Was it really your love, Father?'

He shakes his head and leaves that thought. He may not be at the bottom of the food chain, that doesn't change the fact that he did not, is not suffering.

Lucifer: And you think saying all that will make me give your reign on my body?

Roo: Of course not! But you asked and I gave my answer.

Lucifer: And what happens if I say yes?

Roo: Not a matter of if, fallen. I know you will.

Lucifer: I need you to be more specific.

Roo: Insurance. We already established that you do not have anything else to trap me with and I'd be more than happy to consume all of Hell. It will be a nice snack before my comeback. So, really, what other choice do you have?

Lucifer: I am not just going to let you use my body to get out of here and destroy Hell another way!

Roo: Woah! Who said I'll be destroying Hell? I just want a vessel so I can explore! Plus, as soon as I enter your body, your little Ring would be back to normal.

She produces a golden contract out of the blue and lays it down for Lucifer to see.

Roo: So, let's make a deal.

Lucifer: No.

Roo: Hush. Let me finish. I get my vessel and I won't touch a single thing in Hell anymore. Your body will act as my new "container" by which, until your demise, will remain yours.

Wait.

Lucifer: What? My demise?

Roo: Yup!

Lucifer: I'm immortal. If we go through with this, you'll never see the light of day again.

This is too good to be true. Not only will Roo be sealed for good but then Hell will safe. So why-

Roo: Then what's the fuss? You trap me forever and with you being immortal, won't even have to think about the other end of the bargain. Fun, right?!

Lucifer: No. What are you not telling me? Why after my 'death'? Is something going to happen that will permanently kill me?

She just gave him a menacing smiles.

Roo: Time is relevant, fallen. There will always be slips and an ancient being like myself, I'm bound to see something in between.

Lucifer: Quit being cryptic!

He is at his wits end. The longer he stays here the worse it gets outside!

Roo: Let me put down the basics of this offer then: I get my vessel and I'll stop this little party trick of mine. I will reside inside you until your 'hypothetical death' by which I'll claim all your being, powers and all. I'll even throw in a sweet deal of letting you keep your soul or have you give it to whoever you wish.

Lucifer: .....

Lucifer: I want to add conditions.

Roo: Be my guest~

Lucifer: In the aftermath of my death, you will do everything in your power to protect Hell and its people against anyone or anything that puts it in danger as long as you reside in my body. That means I also prevent you from leaving this vessel for another to get out of that clause.

Roo: Wonderful-

Lucifer: Hold on. I'm not done. Since you said that you do not wish to have property of my soul, you are to give it to Charlotte Morningstar. She will also ascend as acting ruler of Hell upon my death, not you. But you get to keep being the most powerful demon in Hell.

Roo: Hmmm. Sounds fair. I like those odds, my friend. So-

Roo holds out her glowing red hand. She no longer wore Charlie's face but instead she is now a blob of shadows and eyes. Lucifer has to narrow his eyes to prevent him from being blinded.

Roo: It's a deal then?

Lucifer can already feel Roo's energy inching inside him

Lucifer: Deal.

A handshake. A drop of blood. And a binding contract.

The game is set.

-------------------------------------

Holy shit?? This was so long??

Fun fact: this was one of the scenes I wanted to do in my first AU post, the radioapple one with Lilith and Eve. But this is more fitting here now.

ENJOYYY

please leave what you think!

If there are some changes then it's me proofreading it after posting a;sdkla

[rindragon-from-twewy]

Mmmm forte swap au brain rot upon ye!

I've already completed designs for everyone at the NDA but I wanna space out the posts a bit cuz I don't think I'd be able to say all I'd want to in just one post!

Ramble about character info below; (+spoilers for all of mdarc)

Obviously this is based on my silly doodles for rain code ship week but I've actually started putting a lot of thought in to this now! (I've had waaaaaaay too much free time recently and I'm blessed with the ability to come up with lore/world building very quickly given enough motivation!)

So first off: Why Storm Cypher? Well cuz it's a protagonist swap! Desuhiko's now the amnesiac trainee being haunted by Shinigami so it made sense in my opinion to make this au's name reflectant of his last name, Thunderbolt. So that's where the 'Storm' comes from. 'Cypher' because it's a form of code and... well I just think it sounds nice basically! I do what I do for my own enjoyment, I don't always need to have a reason - no matter what my teachers say.

Also I decided to change some (Not all) character's last name's to better reflect their newly assigned fortes.

Anyway- It's character info dumping time!!!

Desuhiko, like og Yuma, has absolutely no memory of his past. While his personality remains fairly intact, he boards the Amaterasu Express hoping to figure out who he is along the way. While nobody there knows who he is, he instead finds he have a knack for word-play, puns and pick up lines, leading to accusations of secretly being a circus clown as opposed to a detective. This attitude is only solidified more upon meeting Shinigami, the death god with just as many innuendos to make as he does. They get along almost dangerously well, even more so when he learns she has a humanoid form. After completing the first mystery labyrinth, he decides that being a detective HAS to be his true calling, since solving the case was pretty fun all things considered, and receives his hoodie from The Chief to help keep him dry once arriving in Kanai Ward.

Yuma on the other hand, takes the place of co-star of chapter 2. At first he comes off as cool and charismatic but he breaks down almost immediately at the slightest hint of conflict. He's been a very famous musician for years prior to becoming a master detective, though he finds it hard to fully express himself through anything other then his appearance and music. The anxiety induced from an excess of fans, attention, and not knowing who to trust anymore thanks to his own popularity, he was ecstatic to be scouted by the WDO for his talents in disguises. Once it blossomed into a fully fledged forte and he was allowed to work as a detective properly though... they started regretting hiring him. Chaotic, anti-authoritatian and impossible to track down, he's more of a vigilante then a real detective. He was selected to go to Kanai Ward due to it's predicted high mortality rate, the higher ups hoping to dispose of the troublemaker without being too obvious about it. What does APAB mean you ask? All Peacekeepers Are Bastards!!! The Chief wasn't very happy to see him wearing it but permanent marker is permanent.

I haven't decided if I'll change Shinigami's humanoid design yet. If I do though, it'll probably just be more remenicent of her beta design. I haven't decided if I'll swap the Amaterasu Express detectives either though but... maybe I will. Since its forte swap though, the peacekeepers will all remain the same.

I'm hoping to write a fanfic for this, as opposed to like... a comic. But I'm partial to the idea of maybe doing an ask blog as well? I don't know yet. Either way, I'll probably post more for this tomorrow! <3

[sbk-zgvlt]

Twisted wonderland au the only change being that, instead of meeting Ace on the first day Yuu meets Sebek.

HE GOT LOST 💀💀💀

He was trying to find Malleus through Lilia's directions ("He's probably admiring some marble and stone during these hours." "???? I DONT UNDERSTAND.") and mistook Lilia's cryptic comment referring to gargoyles to be about the statues of the Great Seven.

Of course, he was surprised when he happened upon a human with their monster-cat??? familiar???? When he was expecting his young master

He immediately provokes them on sight, shouting why they're here. Yuu says that they were just passing through!!! Before Grim asks him about the statues. Sebek's jaw drops because??? These guys dont know who the Great Seven are??? PREPOSTEROUS (Proceeds to info dump to them)

Things actually go smooth from there!!! Sebek is pleasantly surprised that Grim is genuinely interested in the Great Seven and Yuu butts in with their own insightful questions. It all crashes to the ground when Sebek makes an offhand comment of how he can't believe that the school allowed a human walk around, especially with a CLEARLY not trained pet.

Cue Grim scorching the statue of the Thorn Fairy instead!!! Sebek is AGHAST. He is wailing on the ground begging for forgiveness, even before Crowley happens upon them. Crowley sighs and orders them to wash the windows, things go the same once more!

You might think: Oh, Sebek would NEVER ditch Yuu and Grim like Ace did, ESPECIALLY since its a punishment given from the headmaster himself. Consider the fact that Sebek has not seen nor heard from Malleus ever since he entered school premises, was trying to find him and is STOPPED from doing so because a human and their cat who probably has rabies scorched the THORN FAIRY'S statue.

He's going to try and find Malleus, ditching Yuu and Grim.

Now this is getting too long. So.

They actually catch Sebek without any help since Grim was unable to ditch Yuu 🫶

This Yuu is a bit more...wild (They fling Grim at the chandelier so that the chandelier could LAND ON SEBEK)

Crowley threatens expulsion and Sebek WAILS

The crying was so pathetic that Crowley told them to bring a magestone within the day, not before the sun sets/lh

They get to the mines, and Yuu and Sebek are BICKERING the whole time. "I CANT BELIEVE A PATHETIC HUMAN LIKE YOU HAS DRAGGED ME INTO YOUR MESS!!!" "WHO DITCHED THE PUNISHMENT THAT THE HEADMASTER HIMSELF GAVE US, HUH??? I CAN STILL SEE THOSE TEAR TRACKS" "SHUT UP!!!!"

Grim tried to butt into the conversation but Sebek and Yuu literally couldnt hear him over their shouting 💀

They encounter the ghosts 🔥🔥🔥 Sebek SCREAMS. Yuu makes fun of him as they run away and theres a slight hint of Sebek being scared of ghosts because of someone who "liked to dress up for halloween" (Lilia)

MAGESTONE SPOTTED 🔥🔥🔥

BLOT MONSTER ALSO SPOTTED 💀💀💀

They run away again, but not without Sebek saying bullshit about telling Yuu to run away WHILE IN THE WAY OF THE BLOT MONSTER. "STOP YOURE GOING TO DIE" "GET OUT OF HERE HUMAN, BEFORE BOTH OF US DO!" "ID LIKE FOR BOTH OF US TO STAY ALIVE ACTUALLY"

Yuu is able to convince Sebek to retreat and confronts him about his self-sacrifice bullshit. Sebek says that he's more durable than a human anyway. Yuu's concern is replaced with frustration, not knowing that Sebek is...technically right (THEY DONT KNOW HE'S HALF-FAE LMFAOOOO)

THEYRE STILL ABLE TO GET THE MAGESTONE!!! They distract the blot monster by making GRIM bait ("WHY CANT THE HENCHMAN DO IT" "YOURE SMALL AND YOU CAN BREATH OUT FIRE, YOU WANT TO SEND A HUMAN OUT THERE!?!!?!?" "Should i be offended") and Sebek uses his magic to defeat it. Yuu grabs the magestone and theyre OUTTA THERE

Grim eats the blot stone, except Sebek Heimlich maneuvers the fucking stone out of him. YEAH. THATS RIGHT. WE'RE GOING CANON DIVERGENT BABY (The stone reminded him of Lilia's cooking he not letting a bro go through that by a fucking STONE)

They get back to Crowley's office only to find him sleeping. Better be glad Sebek didnt find him with the expulsion papers he wouldve bawled

Yadda yadda, Yuu and Grim become one student, yadda yadda, Sebek and Yuu agree to NEVER speak about this experience ever again. They both expect to never bump into each other ever again

...Sebek finds out its past curfew and he's been locked out of Diasomnia (He would sleep in the courtyard but its so fucking cold no way in hell) (He knocks on Ramshackle's door looking like a kicked puppy) (Yuu lets him in out of pity)

Then ACE busts down the door, expecting NO ONE inside Ramshackle

Book 1 baby

yeah this shit long lawl uhhh id say ill continue but ill most likely forget send me an ask for each book about this if yo have low faith in me remembering 🙏🙏🙏

[meetinginsamarra]

mayprompts2024 #3, familiar

Read part one (using the prompt "box") here

+++++

The Perfect Place - Part Two

Sherlock should have listened to John’s expertly recited explanations about the important boxspring bed features like the firmness of the mattress, the springiness of the boxsprings, the delightful cooling effect of premium silk coverings and what must have been a million more obviously vital-for-buying-a-bed things that had to be considered.

Sherlock briefly wondered how John was able to remember such a boatload of utterly boring nonsensical dull facts. Could it be that John had a similar construction in his brain like Sherlock’s mind palace?

(John had not, of course. As a former student of medicine, he was pretty well used to memorize tons of facts with questionable usefulness in a short amount of time in order to pass his exams.)

But then Sherlock focused on watching John Watson’s body language change while he advertised the bed and it was utterly fascinating. Sherlock was absolutely pleased with himself to find out that all the deductions he had made about John Watson over the past two days when he had stalked him had been correct.

Now, Sherlock saw John Watson transform into the man who was familiar with walking the battlefields, was no stranger to keeping calm in the face of volence and was accustomed to dangerous situations and people.

The immediate danger of getting fired if he did not sell this bed had already changed John’s posture into standing more erect and he was safely using his bad leg whithout the walking cane that leant forgotten against the counter. John’s eyes had become bright and alert, losing their dull sheen of desperation and boredom and when he pointed with his hand at various parts of the bed it had become steady and showed no signs of its previously intermittent tremor.

When Sherlock had first laid his eyes upon John, he had immediately deduced the man’s history. Doctor, soldier, invalided home. Once an acclaimed hero and saver-of-lives, now a depressed suicidal reject with no perspective in life.

How could this Bernie person have hired John as a shop assistant and been convinced that this was a good idea? It was blaringly obvious that John did not belong into this place and would be a terrible salesman on top. Was Bernie blind?

Forcing John to work here was like confining a majestic Bengal tiger in a cage and watch him pacing to and fro, going slowly mad and starting to gnaw on his leg while banging his head repeatedly against the iron bars. Maybe Bernie was just cruel on purpose.

(Bernie was not. Either. But he had been smoking weed before the job interview with John and found his supposedly customer-friendly smile charming. When the psychedelic effects had worn off, Bernie realized what mistake he had made but it had been too late and he had to stick to employing John for the four-week trial period.)

“… and that’s basically all there is to know about the ‘Royal Metropolis Deluxe’ boxspring bed,” John ended his advertising monologue. “What do you think?”

“Awesome.” Sherlock breathed, thrown back into reality. (Meaning John, not the bed.)

“I’m very glad to hear this,” replied John. (Wishing the client had said that about him instead of the stupid bed.)

+++++

Sorry, that's all I could manage today. Possibly typos in there but it's late and I am very tired. The Bed Shop AU will continue tomorrow!

tagging some people (tagging on desktop seems to work) (I hope) @calaisreno @totallysilvergirl @peanitbear @raina-at @lisbeth-kk

[muffinsin]

literally the best cassandra dimitrescu writer on tumblr. can you write a cassandra reaction to her gf getting a full body wax done by another female? like in the village (not modern au but we can just pretend waxing is a thing) there is a female who specializes in waxing and cassandra’s gf books an appointment just to make herself prettier for cassandra. but cassandra is satisfied with how her gf already is, and does not want another female seeing what is hers, so she gets possessive and doesn’t want her gf to go.

Haha I wouldn’t agree to the first statement, but I appreciate it a lot nonetheless! :)) Absolutely! Let’s get into it! :)

Masterlists

When you first find out about an opportunity to get a wax in the village, you’re thrilled

You’ve been thinking of waxing for a long time already, particularly to surprise Cassandra

She is waxed, or shaven at least, after all

Though you doubt she goes to the village for this. Maybe she does it herself?

Really, you’ve never seen her with a full bush, so you aren’t certain she can even grow all that much hair aside from the one being on her head. Being flies and all

Not that it matters. You certainly grow some, after all

Upon finding this opportunity, you immediately make an appointment for the next day

Eagerly, and most of all too eager to wait until the next day, you tell Cassandra

“Mhm, nice”, is her initial response

Then, she whirls around at last, eyes wide and grabbing your hip, asking you to repeat yourself

When you do, she immediately frowns

“No!”, she then says. Why’d you want a waxing? Why’d you let some woman see you like that?!

Cassandra immediately tries to convince you of the dangers of the village

Flame and pitchforks and all

It’s a little silly, considering this is about a waxing

Nonetheless, she doesn’t want you to go

When her danger approach doesn’t work, her possessiveness shines through

Who is this woman to dare see you in such a state of undress! To see those parts of you, all parts of you!

She is well tempted to simply pay the village a little visit

When you explain your reasoning, her possessiveness and anger turns to confusion

But- you’re perfect to her. Why’d you want to change a thing about yourself?

She’s still very grumpy about the idea afterwards, even when you explain your reasoning

Cassandra is well tempted to be controlling. To simply forbid it. To make you cancel, or rip the villager’s throat apart, she doesn’t, though

She does love you. And has, at least once, promised to try to understand you and act less irrationally

This doesn’t stop her possessiveness, as you will later discover

She could do it for you!

Should you persist, so will she

Very well, go to the appointment. BUT, she is joining you

She will not have some lowly villager ogling you

Before your appointment, she is still enjoying what she has of you. Tasting all, biting and marking, looking at and taking in your body throughout

At least, in the village, hushed whispers and fearful glances follow you on your way to the appointment

You don’t mind, and Cassandra thrives off it. She dares any of them to ogle you, to look at you for more than a second

Not a single one dares to. Even a second-long glance at you has her snap to them and has her bare her sharp teeth

“As if those lowlifes stood a chance!”

Throughout the entirety of your appointment, she glares daggers at the woman

Multiple times you must squeeze her hand tightly to avoid her lunging at her. Also, this helps with the pain

It hurts a lot more than you anticipated. Having Cassandra with you, helps a lot

She also practically showers you in kisses and has her hand on you nearly constantly

This makes the work a little difficult, but if it means the poor woman waxing you survives, this is more than acceptable

Cassandra smirks at every single uncovered hickey. She’s made sure to cover you throughout for your appointment

There’s barely any spots left unmarked

Having you blush as the countless marks are uncovered, all over your body, makes her feel even better

She’s proud of her work, and even if you originally feel mad- can this persist at her stupidly proud grin and stupidly attractive smirk?

After this appointment and a few hours after when you aren’t sore all over anymore, she will “test” the work out

[mimissubway]

Once upon a time

pairing: scaramouche x reader implied fem but gn pronouns

tw: kinda ooc scara, scara being possessive, kinda being referred to as a property but its implied

tags: prince x servant au, childhood friends to lovers au? slight kazuha x reader

word count: 2k words (this is the longest ive written so far)

author note: I love kuni so much ; hakama is the male ver of the kimono, furisode is what unmarried women wear instead of a kimono

You've been a servant to Scaramouche's family since you can hardly remember. Your mother and father were a maid and butler respectively, so it was only a matter of time that you followed in their footsteps. Since you were a little kid, you’ve always tried to help in your own ways.

Whether it be helping clean up the messes the prince would make in the garden, carrying the prince’s books back and forth from the castle library to his study room or sneaking snacks from the kitchen to the prince when he wasn’t allowed to eat them for being grounded by his mother, the queen, you’ve always been on the prince’s side. So, it wasn’t a surprise when the prince appointed you to be his personal servant.

His attitude to you has changed over the years from considering you as his best friend when the both of you were younger to calling you merely an assistant when anyone questions his red face after you compliment him. Honestly, you didn’t think much about it, you’ve always assumed that his mean insults towards you was genuinely. That’s why you became perfect at your job as his personal servant. Every single opinion made by him was memorized by you to a tee. No matter if it’s his distaste for sweet food or what saddle he preferred to use for which horse you knew everything at the back of your hand. Everything but his feelings for you.

To say you were dense was an understatement, well technically Scaramouche’s insults were not helping but it was quite obvious from his attempts of opening up about his feelings. Ultimately you took those attempts as him telling you to do some sort of task, that’s why he has your pillow in his possession not that he’s complaining.

“My lord, today you have to meet up with the prince of the Kaedehara clan on opening a new school for Isshin Art,”

You inform Scaramouche of his main task of the day. He nods as he gets dressed by the maids. You step outside mentally preparing for today’s task. The Kaedehara clan is extremely influential in Inazuma, having their support and backing will be immensely helpful to Scaramouche’s family.

Scaramouche steps out of his room, dressed in a dark purple Hakama. He looks at you and raises an eyebrow.

“What? Are you waiting for me to dress you up?”

You furrow your brows, confused at his words.

“What do you mean my lord?”

You asked him and he rolled his eyes at you.

“Are you deaf or just stupid? You’re coming with me, today.”

Okay that’s harsh, and totally not in the plan but you can’t disobey the man, so you excused yourself to run back to your room to get your pink and white colored Furisode. The maids quickly put your hair in a formal bun. When you go to the waiting room, Scaramouche took a second glance at you, feeling the heat rush through his face.

“Could you have not taken any longer?”

He insults you again trying to cover up the fact he blushed so hard at your beauty. You apologized and the both of you head off to the Kaedehara clan.

The both of you stayed quiet throughout the ride, Scaramouche had previously made it apparent that he hated small talk. It wasn’t long until the both of you arrived at the Kaedehara clan castle. The guards helped you and Scaramouche step out of carriage.

You were greeted by the prince of the Kaedehara clan, Kaedehara Kazuha. You know that Scaramouche has met him on several occasions, but this was the first time you had met him, and God was he pretty. He had medium length white hair with a red strand of hair. His hair was tied in a short ponytail, and he was dressed in a red Hakama. He smiled gently at you and Scaramouche.

"Welcome to the Kaedehara Estate,"

He shook Scaramouche's hand and held yours up for kiss. Earning him a blush from you and a glare from the prince.

"The pleasure is ours Prince Kaedehara,"

Your courtesy towards him and his laugh fills your ears.

"Please, call me Kazuha,"

You blush from the prince's flirting while Scaramouche continued to glare at him.

"Well Kazuha, shall we start discussing about our plans,"

Scaramouche emphasized on his name in a sort of mocking manner. Kazuha however didn't take it to heart.

"Don't you worry about that Prince Scaramouche for we have a lot of time for that, for now let's have some tea,"

Scaramouche perked his ears up when he heard the word tea. He loved tea, all kinds of it but especially the ones that you brew. He couldn't put his finger on it, maybe it's because it's brewed with love or perhaps because there weren't many moments where he could enjoy your brew, but he particularly liked yours.

The three of you sat at the Kotatsu. You and Scaramouche on one side and Kazuha on the other.

"This is my favorite brew, Cherry Blossom tea. It's usually not available during most seasons so when it is, I tend to drink it most of the time,"

Kazuha explains.

"Oh! That's what I brew for Lord Scaramouche,"

You share, Scaramouche suddenly feels an ick knowing that it wasn't just him that could like this tea and it had to be Kazuha who just now turned into his romantic rival.

Scaramouche nods and tries it; it doesn't taste the same.

"However, the one that name brews does not taste like this, in fact the one name brews taste even better,"

Scaramouche praises your ability to brew his favorite tea, you blushed slightly at his praise. Feeling immensely proud of yourself.

"Is that so? Then I must try it,"

"If the ingredients are here, then I can make them for you,"

You suggested, all you needed was the teabags and some milk anyways, so you didn't see it as much of a problem, however Scaramouche wanting to gatekeep it did.

"I don't think it will be that authentic here though,"

He tries to convince you otherwise, but you brushed him off. Kazuha's maids led you to the kitchen where you were off brewing your concoction. Kazuha smiled conniving at Scaramouche.

"You have quite the cute servant there,"

Kazuha commented with intent of stealing you away from him.

"Well, she is my cute servant, I'd suggest you keep your hands to yourself and drop your hopes in ever getting my servant, Kaedehara Kazuha,"

Scaramouche emphasized on you being his, Kazuha chucked at his possessiveness.

"We'll see Scaramouche,"

That statement angered the prince greatly, but he must stay calm, as this is enemy territory it wouldn't be very smart to hurt the crown prince, especially with the amount of people that could catch him off guard.

Your return was greeted by a fuming Scaramouche and a highly amusing Kazuha. Your hand held a tray with a teapot filled with your tea and three empty teacups. You placed it atop of the Kotatsu and poured each cup with both hands. You offered Kazuha the cup first which made Scaramouche glare at you. Kazuha drank the tea and felt pure bliss.

"My, this is indeed the best tea I've ever tasted, it's a shame that you can't make this every day for me, if it was the case I'll forever be grateful,"

Kazuha tries to string you along with his lowkey offer which made you peak your ears up however your loyalty lies with Scaramouche.

"Indeed, it is quite a shame for you,"

Scaramouche chuckled knowing very well where your loyalty lies to him and only him. You were not completely sure what went down between the both of them, but it was certainly not a good sign.

You tried to lighten the moment with small talk, asking Kazuha about his life on the island. Which somehow made Scaramouche even more angry, but you couldn't care too much about that. The man was always pissed off anyways plus you needed to make good relations with the Kaedehara's for the kingdom. The king and queen would not be happy to hear that the relation between the two nations became sour. Especially if they knew that this was the first time that you had join. It would make it seem like you were the cause of it. (Which technically is true)

The both of them stared at each other with a piercing sharp eye as they both drank the tea. Luckily, it wasn't long until the time came for the both of them to discuss plans, when that happen, they manage to put their feelings aside to talk business.

By the end of the day, the both of you were exhausted from all the talking and just wanted to go home. You and Scaramouche bid Kazuha farewell.

"I'll be looking forward to the next time we meet Scaramouche, and I do hope you bring name back so that I could have more of that tea,"

Kazuha says and Scaramouche side eyes him. He most certainly will not ever bring you back here until you were wedded to him but that would certainly be a long time till then. Scaramouche nodded at the fellow prince.

The ride started off quiet with the both of you trying to ease your mind from the events that happened today. Until Scaramouche broke the silence.

"Please do remind me that I should never bring you to these meetings ever again,"

He said rubbing the temple of his head. You took that a bit offensively. You already did your best to keep the peace between the both of them even being able to nab a term in your favor and this is all he had to say? You were more than mad.

"Maybe I should have said yes to his offer,"

You grumbled quietly under your breath, but Scaramouche had certainly heard it. He grabbed your chin towards him and looked you dead in the eye. His eyes showed him visibly mad at your statement.

"I dare you to repeat that,"

He was scary but you already felt so angered by him that you couldn't even care.

"Maybe I should have said yes to him!"

You said it loud and clear, it made Scaramouche shock, his loyal, good, and obeying personal servant, talking back at him? Talking back and their lord? For the first time in his life, he was scared that you actually meant it.

"No, you are mine you hear me?"

He puts his foot down, declaring his ownership of you.

"Everything from your name, your body, it's mine, and not even an archon can take that away from me, do you understand?"

You stay quiet as he continued.

"You were mine since the day I met you and you will stay mine until the day you die,"

With that he did the unexpected, and crashed his lips into yours. You did not expect that at all and through instinct pushed him away at first. Your face completely red from his sudden action.

"I-I wasn't ready,"

You manage to choke out. For the first time in a long time, Scaramouche looked you with soft eyes.

"I'm sorry,"

That statement alone made you completely stun, never in his life had he apologies to someone a rank lower than him, especially his servant. He started to feel anxious, did he really spill his feelings for you just to have it be one sided. You had to reassure him.

"Wait, I'm ready now..."

You said to him and held his shoulders pulling it closer to you, now you are initiating the kiss. Your lips were soft, the kiss was gentle. He could really feel the shape of your lips, every detail, every crease made felt like it was molding just for him.

He finally felt complete like a heavy burden was lifted from his shoulders, for the first time in his life, he felt free, floating. Unbeknownst to him, you felt the exact same.

For the both of you, it was just the start of your fairytale

[elitadream]

You’re Body Swap Au is such an interesting concept especially when one considers what that would do to Luigi? Would he know immediately something was wrong with his brother? If not one could only imagine what Bowser would do to Luigi, what torture would he put Luigi through.

Then you got concept of Luigi meeting Mario in Bowser’s body which would be jarring as well.

Then you have the aftermath of it all, whatever Bowser did to him while he had control over Mario’s body even if it was just imprisonment would definitely have leave Luigi with some trauma.

Imagine the two of them are just spending the day together, maybe just outside and Mario reached his hand out to ruffle his hair or pat his back and Mario unfortunately is standing where the sunlight is shining just enough to make his eyes red and Luigi just flinches. He regrets it immediately but the damage is done and Mario’s shattered expression breaks his heart. Luigi goes to apologize but Mario just hugs him and says ���I’m so sorry, for whatever he did to you while he had control over my body.”

Luigi hugs him back immediately “It’s okay, he didn’t do anything that bad, n-not whatever your thinking of. A few bruises and scrapes. Just… in the lightning, your eyes.”

Mario hugged him tighter, “I’m sorry.”

Luigi would shake his head, sensing Mario’s guilt, “I’m sorry, I know you would never me.”

Mario squeezes him tighter reaching up and holding the back of Luigi’s head protectively, tears stinging his vision, “Never.” The mere thought of hurting Luigi, even unintentionally made him sick to his stomach. “Never, fratellino.”

Then the two would sit there, holding each other tightly.

Aww 😢 The aftermath sure is bittersweet to think about! 💔 I remember that's something I had contemplated back when I first elaborated the concept as well. To what extent Luigi and Peach would be impacted by those events, and how this lingering fissure would continue to be felt later on. 😔

What Bowser would do to Luigi entirely depends on the level of angst you'd want to give the story, but one thing for sure is that both brothers would need time to adjust once everything would go back to normal. Would they have endured this for days? Weeks? Months, previously? That's another element I've never given much thought to. 😧

I can picture the nightmares, the heightened anxiety, the hidden sorrow, the long road to full recovery... But they'd be in this together, both safe and sound in the end. And that alone would be enough. 💞🌅

-

As a side note, I think it's really interesting that some of you guys perceive the eye color change in a literal sense! I've always emphasized this particular detail to avoid confusion and convey the inner switch very clearly to anyone who would stumble upon one of these posts without context, though in my mind, the eyes actually stay the same. However, I love that I'm seeing different interpretations of this! 😇 If anything, it goes better with the lovely scenario you've sent, and you're entirely free to see it one way or the other. ✨️

[sassyandclassy94]

10 Questions for 10 Writers

Thank you SO much for the tag, @coneygoil !! You have no idea how much I love being included in these things🫶🏻

1. Is writing a hobby or a way of life?

Sadly, it’s just a hobby. My life’s kinda too busy to make it a lifestyle

2. A journal full of notes, or a clean completed manuscript?

A clean completed manuscript, thank you very much. Which is pretty ironic, given I’m a pretty chaotic woman.

3. Who (or what) is your writing inspiration?

SwanFire and ThePhoenixFeatherQuill. I went through a Once Upon a Time phase became a huge SwanFire shipper after my first rewatch and one night while I was lying in bed, I looked up SwanFire fanfics. The Phoenix’s masterlist was like, the first or second search result? So I clicked on it when lo and behold! The Spinner’s Son captured my interest. I clicked on it and fell in love. I looked for other medieval AUs but couldn’t find any so naturally, after seeing posts about writing what you went to read, I decided to try my own hand at writing one.

4. Which is worse: Someone you ‘idolize’ reading your first draft or listening to you sing?

Well… I’m not a singer (I sing WITH people sometimes) so, definitely having someone I look up to read my first draft. I remember when Red (an awesome writer who I also look up to and tumblr friend - check out his Into the Woods, it’s amazing!!) told me he checked out Secrets, Lies and Blessings after we met and started interacting during covid. I was mortified and wanted to crawl into a hole.

5. Has writing from someone else’s POV changed your perspective?

Um, maybe….? I delved into OC stuff this year and wrote a fic about Gale Cleven. Two people with totally different personalities and characterization than Baelfire and Emma so, I guess yes? Maybe it didn’t change my perspective but it’s helped me grow as a writer maybe? I don’t know, maybe I don’t understand this question…?

6. Tumblr, AO3, LiveJournal, or FFN?

AO3 and FFN by far!! They’re my favorites and go-tos. I started out on those babies! I think FFN is slowly dying though😔

7. AO3 word count? And are you satisfied with it?

105,744 - No, I wish it was higher. If it was it’d mean I’m more prolific.

8. What movie/book gripped you irrevocably?

Once Upon a Time started my writing hobby. I needed Neal to be happy and I was gonna write that, darn it! But with running out of ideas, writing SwanFire for 6 years straight, and going through a kind of heartbreak, I got really burnt out and kinda stopped for a while. It was The Boys in the Boat and Masters of the Air that inspired me to start writing again❤️ Don and Gale, man! They have a hold on me!!

9. What’s the highest compliment you could ever be given, and have you been given it?

That my writing is better than I give it credit for. And yes, Red told me that four years ago. He said it more articulate than that though (former English teacher and all, lol!) and him saying that made me feel a little more confident in my writing. I’ve gotten some pretty nice compliments about keeping my characters’ personalities true to canon and that’s pretty high praise too because I go real out of my way to do that.

10. What defines your writing style?

I… don’t even know? Even though most of my stories are romance, there’s also a heavy emphasis on friendship because a good old fashioned friendship is important to me (e.g. Emma and Eleanor). Theyre also very emotional. Whether it’s someone falling in love, preparing for parenthood, or suffering from PTSD, I want my readers to feel what he/she is going through and to be able to relate to them on a personal and intimate level.

Tags: Not me racking my brain to think of all the writers who follow and/or engage with me, and/or are in my notes🤕 @phoenixwrites @ljf613 @solo-pitstop-vibes @okieedokes @swanfireprincessmydear @fictional-at-heart @redbone135 @heatherfield @strangethings-everywhere @plasmabluefire @themeepyfreak And whatever other writer sees this and wants to participate, please consider yourself tagged! You can even say I tagged you. I want you all, especially new writers, to be included🫶🏻 No cliques in SassyAndClassy’s house!!! Oh my gosh is that ten??? DID I DO IT???? We won’t talk about how long that took me to come up with all of you🥴 I hope none of you will be annoyed that I tagged you🫣

[ventiffy]

𝓕𝓪𝓽𝓾𝓲 𝓗𝓪𝓻𝓫𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓻𝓼 𝓪𝓼 𝓟𝓮𝓷-𝓹𝓪𝓵𝓼 ♡

Pov: In the middle of the night you woke up wanting a fresh glass of *drink you find suitable for a late night beverage*, before letting your feet reach the ground you notice the tip of an envelope sticking out from under your pillow,

"Who put it here, how did it get there in the first place?" You wonder.

Warnings: Slight mentions of stalking, characters may be out of character since not much information are given about most of them. I write the harbingers in the same way I hc them to be. (This is almost my first post (aside from my introduction) I also hope to be able to write more of these pov and maybe hcs soon! SLIGHT MODERN AU BUT IT'S STILL IN TEYVAT.

Option one: From Columbina

The letter was found placed neatly under your pillow. The light pink envelope smelled of roses and somehow felt extremely cold. You wondered who could have written this unknown message. Some rosewood colored sealing wax was used to seal the letter. You had a hard time opening it without tearing the paper. Upon figuring what was inside, a folded sheet of paper was presented right in front of your eyes. The writer remained anonymous as they signed their own message with "Your beloved". You had a hard time reading the contents of the sheet of white paper since, it was written in cursive. The one who sent you such message referred to you as "my dove" or "my love".

Content of the letter:

Greetings my love!

I have been meaning to write this letter to you in hope of finally introducing myself. I always see you at *your workplace* and hoped to one day meet you in person but, I guess writing this letter will suffice for now! I hope you're doing well, my dove, although you've never met me, I was wondering how you were doing, you haven't been present these past couple days at your workplace and I've been starting to worry for your health. I hope we'll meet soon in person, but for now you can wait till my next letter.

Goodbye for now, my love.

-From your beloved.

*so uhh you may see this same message for Capitano but I really love her and I wanted to write her letter just so that I don't feel like this post is missing something but I hc to be kind of childish but she can be VERY intimidating. But she hides that scary side of her to her lover.

Option two: From Dotttore

Upon looking at the letter. You notice quickly the coffee stained envelope who strongly smelled of something close to gasoline or of some metallic odor. curiosity got the best of you and you quickly opened the envelope who was just sealed shut with a bit of glue. You find the contents of the letter easy to read even though the handwriting used by the writer was slightly messy and seemed rushed. At first, when you opened the letter, aside from the handwriting, you also found a folded rose who seemed a but destroyed from being stuck in such a tight space for so long. At the bottom of the page you found two drops of what seemed to be from a red substance but, you didn't think of it that much.

Content of the letter:

Good morning my dear. From what I could predict you're possibly reading my letter right after your awakening which surely is during what you consider as your morning. To begin this message, I'd hope to make one point clear. I've been interested in you for quite some time and I could only hope to know your psyche much more personally. I hope that we can meet soon but, to make things fair since I already know much more about you than you could possibly think. I'll give you my brief introduction as to remark this first letter. I'm a doctor from Snezhnaya who studied in Sumeru Academia. My only goal is to accomplish my researches on immortality and creating a new god. I find humans quite interesting for the sake of my experiments and only hope to meet you once more in person. Although you have never seen me, I truly hope that will change soon.

Well then, till next time y/n.

Option three: From Capitano

Upon glaring at the envelope sealed with sealing wax, you were quickly able to open it and inside you found a sheet of paper that was folded although it's ends were facing you. (So yk when you fold a paper there's like the bent side and the ends, yeah for all the harbingers who fold their letters your have to pull out the letter by its bent side but not for Capitano.) The contents of the letter were written in a fine handwriting where all the letters looked the same, as if it was written by a writing machine thing (yk what I mean).

Content of the letter:

To my love,

I have been fascinated by you, yet It seems I am not able to figure how why. I believe I am amazed by you with the reason that we are made for each other. So, why would I need a reason to have such strong adoration for you if we were to be soulmates. I decided to write you this letter after some configuration with some of the people I know, who also told me I should write you a letter first then we could meet face to face. I have spent countless hours figuring out what to say, yet they felt as long as the time I spent on the battlefield. You see, I am one of the Tsaritsa s' loyal harbingers. Even while on duty I only could worry about your safety, if I were to have written this letter sooner, will you still be alive to read it. Before one of use meets our end I wanted you to know of my person and I wanted to know that you acknowledge me, as the writer of this letter. I truly hope fate will allow us to meet but, my time is running out so. Till next time we meet, my dear.

-Your loyal follower.

*To be honest I only wrote for him only because I love him and his character a lot and I knew that I would feel miserable if I didn't write for him. Yeah so I hc him to know the dangers of being a soldier and I also hc to worry a lot about his (soon to be?) lover s' health.

Option four: From Tartaglia

The letter is not sealed with anything, its just a plain white envelope, nothing else. Inside there's a folded sheet of paper when just the ink slightly appearing on the other side of the page is presented to you, yet you don't know why it's there in the first place or it's purpose. hen you finally take out the sheet and flip it around to see it's content, you can only focus on the small doodles of hearts and random shapes along side the text written in a rather fine handwriting.

Content of the letter:

Hey there (buddy/girlie) , I hope you are in perfect health while reading this letter. Lately I've been amazed by your strengths, from just being able any heavy object to having some skill in fighting. I truly hope I could soon make your acquaintance, maybe when the time comes and we meet in person in a proper manner, maybe we'll be able to spar but who knows! Maybe we can meet when the both of us aren't really busy. You look like the perfect fighting comrade for me. you may not have realized it by now but I've been admiring you for some time, each time I see you at that café or park you always go to, I can't help but wonder on how could one be so pretty and strong at the same time. I am writing this letter to you in hopes that maybe you'll be able to difference me form the rest each time we meet. Because, I truly think not once have you shot a glance at me. But well farewell for not comrade.

-yours truly

Option five: From Signora (...No not from ashes..)

When you were looking down upon the white envelope, you could only notice the scent of some perfume, a perfume rich in scent who smelled in an odor you couldn't describe due to how powerful it smelled. Upon opening the envelope, you noticed a black silk bag tossed behind the letter neatly folded and placed inside the black envelope that was decorated with small gems to which some had a heart shaped form. The bag was tied shut by a red silk lace who quickly got unfolded when you pulled at the tip of the wing (?) of its ribbon that was formed by how it's was tied. Inside was a necklace who had a silver chain with a black diamond pendant resembling a cross. You then proceeded to read the letter who had been written with a find cursive handwriting, although you were able to read since the letters barely seemed to even had been written in cursive, it was like the writer didn't even raise their pen while writing but yet wrote normally.

Content of the letter:

My dear y/n,

These past couple of days or maybe weeks, I have felt as if I have fallen in love with you. I love the way you dress with that *fashionable piece of clothing you have*. But, from what I saw each time I meet your presence is that you never seem to where a necklace. So, I figured that it would be nice for me to give you one. I figured that I didn't know which one you'd simply like so I decided to give you one of my own. To make this letter short, my only point is that I truly wish to know you soon enough, I already know your age, name, birthday, and your address but I don't seem to quite get you sense of fashion, maybe when we meet in person we could go to any sorts of store and possibly go shopping for new clothes for you.

*The letter ends with the writer signing their name as "Rosalyn" although you find it weird, you've never met a Rosalyn before. The letter has a heart after the writer s' name and the first mention of your name. (So basically after the "dear y/n".)

Option six: From Scara- (wait who?)

The letter didn't have an envelope (I hc him to not really use envelope for this stuff idk why) the letter was yet in perfect conditions even though it was tossed under your pillow. The handwriting was clear, not messy or not to formal (cursive ,I guess). The letter had few doodles representing stars (hah get it? "the stars, the sky, it's all a gigantic hoax.")

Content of the letter:

Lately, I've been seeing you around, maybe by just simply making your way to your workplace (Author note: or school if you'd like). Each time I see you you're possibly just listening to music or anything like that. I was able to see your playlist on *app used by you for music* (exemple: spotifiy, youtube etc.). Although your style is not my favourite I still listen to it, in hopes of getting closer to you in a way. I hope we meet again. I barely know you and you don't even know me but, I just can't help to find you so pretty. Till then y/n..

-Secret admirer.

(Kinda took inspo from the fact all anemo boys are associated with music of some sort so yeahh- but for this pov scara is not wanderer yet..)

Option seven: From Sandrone

*Author note: I hc sandrone to be really creative so yeah..)

The letter was found in an envelope that smelled of gasoline, It wasn't sealed at all. Upon opening it you can still smell the ink from the pen or machine used to write this letter. All the letters looked like the ones of a keyboard so you guessed the sender used a writing machine or printer to write their message. although, the text was shaped in a heart form, and the sides of the text you found many heart shaped doodles. (Yeah for the content of the letter I'm not doing the heart thing, so I guess you could imagine it to be like that. But if you don't know what I mean by heart form, imagine a heart, fill it with words where you have to read from left to right yeah. uhh idk how to explain it, I'm trying to make her different I guess.

Content of the letter:

As I'm writing this, I can still feel my oblivion to what to say. I have tossed some many tries and fails upon writing this letter to the point this feels like as if I'm writing down about all my failures and not about my love to you. I heard about you from two friends of mine which one of them visits your workplace quite often to which another stays in the shadows and observes you. They aren't the type to easily be fascinated by others, strangers even. So, when you came in as a subject in our conversations, I could only feel my curiosity wanting to know more. So yesterday I went to see who you truly were. The second I saw your beauty I started to relate to all the compliments my friends were giving you. You were perfect, if there was a word to describe something or someone who is more than perfect, that'd be you. All of the compliments describing how you were so ethereal that I had the chance of hearing, I figured that they were true. Upon hearing all the information that my co-workers got about you, I quickly figured where you lived, so I now decided to write you this in hope of somehow finally getting to know each other. Knowing that you're possibly reading this right now feels like a fortune to me. Being able to create something that will soon be in your hands feels like something that I don't deserve somehow. but I truly hope to be able to see you once more, if not a thousand more.

-Your soon to be lover ♡

*btw her friends are Arlecchino and Columbina. And I hc her to fall in love with people she admires for being perfect.

Option eight: From Arlecchino

The letter was not placed in an envelope, although it was a bit ruined due to maybe how it was placed underneath your pillow, maybe you moving as you were sleeping kind of ruined it. As you took the letter who was almost at the tip of the top of your bed about to fall off. You noticed all the bunny doodles around the writing. The text was written in a small handwriting and the distance between words was quite spacious.

Content of the letter:

Hello, my bunny.

You may know me after I introduce myself but, I think I have fallen in love with you. If you can't recall me, I an the customer you always serve at *name of cafe*. It always pleasures me to see you, whether your making my drink or doing basic chores. I'm the one who always leaves you a tip before leaving. You know, the one with with and a bit of black hair. These past days I didn't go to see you since I was busy with work and I was also thinking about what to write for this letter. To make my point, I don't want you to see me as a customer, I want you to seem et he same way I do. As a lover. i truly hope you understand. I can't figure what to say now but,

I love you.

-Arlecchino

*I know a lot of people will be mad after reading this, IF I didn't add her. Tbh I hc her to be really soft around her lover and not always being rude. I thought about how people describe her as a "wolf in sheep s' clothing" and though what if she were to call her lover petnames because people refer to her as a "wolf..".

Option nine: From Pantalone

At first glance, when you saw the letter it seemed as if it wasn't supposed to be there. The sheet used for the envelope was rather fine somehow and the sealing wax used to shut the envelope seemed expensive somehow. It's red color with a crown type of symbol at the top stuck out to you the most. Not trying to rip it, you successfully opened it. Behind a sheet of letter which you an only think could be the letter that the envelope came with was neatly placed about thousands dollars worth of money bills. You wondered if this letter was truly for you and if you should truly be the one holding such value of cash. Maybe it was normal for the sender to have someone break in and give the receiver this delivery. If you were right, did the sender perhaps send their message to the wrong person? After contemplating for a long time, you opened the letter just to see it's content in hopes of not seeing any form of evidence for criminal activity.

Content of the letter:

To my dear darling,

I have took an interest in you a long time ago and now decided to write this letter to you with hope that you'll acknowledge my adoration for you. Although from your situation I have found myself worrying for your sake and so I decided to give you not even a fraction of what I have. I wanted to inform you of my being in hopes that maybe one day when we meet you wouldn't treat me the same way you treat a stranger. And that maybe you will feel the same way for me as I do for you. I hope the money I sent you will suffice for now and maybe try not to be too surprise when my next letter comes as maybe we can write the each other and then as time goes on I could deliver you all that you need knowing you will be there for me when time comes.

Goodbye for now, my dear.

*The writer seemed to have forgotten to write and introduction or sign their name at the bottom of the page. Yet, you were still fascinated by how pretty their cursive handwriting way.*

I REALLY DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE REST OF THE HARBINGERS SO UHHH, yeah if you want me to do Pierro and the Rooster then I guess I could do a part 2? But if I do so I'll also add the Tsaritsa I guess.

Please send me your requests: If you didn't read the rules yet please make sure to do so! Thank you!!

[lya-dustin]

All is Bliss

(in the court of Aemma the Great)

Or Aemma Velaryon is forced to marry Aegon to keep them from usurping her and her mother, only the marriage nor the scheme work leading her to consider the only option left: usurping him.

(Aka Aemma x Aemond in an Au inspired by the Great)

Gif by @merlinaddams

@darylandbethfanforever9 @mercedesdecorazon

Rated M: for canon typical things like underage drinking, alcohol abuse, court intrigue, mentions of sex, stillbirths etc🔞

No matter how much they tried, her wedding to Aegon happens.

Perhaps marriage will change him.

Those are the only words mother can say as they dismount and change into more acceptable clothes.

Aemma has known since she was old enough to understand that Aegon was to be her husband to keep the peace.

Not Aemond whom she had been closer to in age and friendship, Aegon simply because he was born first and was mother’s challenger to her place in the succession.

There were many stories about Aegon and all were bad.

He had fathered a bastard on Lord Beesbury’s niece, another one on a girl who’s maidenhead he won at the Street of Silk and reportedly sired the stillborn twins on his sister, who had been married off to Daeron Velaryon at great haste.

She hoped that last one was false, gods know Helaena did not deserve that nor Daeron.

Aegon was a drunk, a lecher, a fool and had no taste for being useful.

But perhaps he won’t be as bad as they say, maybe he is just judged to harshly, Aemma tells herself as she pretends to be happy as they are put into a carriage and smuggled into court like criminals.

She is utterly disappointed upon their first meeting.

To give them a chance to know each other, they are given exactly one orchestrated accidental meeting in the godswood garden.

Septa Teora is to pretend she is reading on a bench, Ser Erryk is to stand there and make sure she doesn’t run for the hills.

“You look shorter in your portraits.” He says as they almost stand on equal height.

Aegon reeks of wine even if he looks well enough to stand.

He is handsome, but there is no desire to it.

They’ve never gotten along, once she decked him for pulling her hair and breaking her dolls and his mother had the fucking audacity to say she brought it on herself.

But that was then, this is now, she tells herself.

“I inherited the Velaryon height, your highness.” Aemma pretends to be demure when all she wants to do is be anything but that.

“And the looks, and the blood I see.” He said thinking it a clever jape.

A clear dig at her brothers being Harwin’s.

“I have been told I have an uncanny resemblance to my late aunt.” Aemma simply nodded.

“Glad to know you have grown into a real princess and stopped being the insolent brat you were six years ago, dear niece. My dear, dear sister really outdid herself, I hope to thank her for giving me such a fine mount.” He said with a wink.

Oh joy, she might have to take up Daemon’s offer to make her a widow the moment the need arises.

“First, third and fourth and even fifth, I wonder where the second went?” Aemma wonders out loud as she perused her grandfather’s private library, hoping to find something to occupy her time before her books arrive later today.

“Over here.” A voice said from behind her. It sounds vaguely familiar, but she cannot put her finger on it.

“Thank you, good ser.” She says turning to take the offered book.

“Neither a knight, nor good, but I will take it as a compliment.” Aemond One Eye says with seemingly bored look.

Same bored look he had when he wanted to look mature at one and ten.

“Thanks anyway, Aemond.” She does something else, gives him the third volume in exchange for the second.

“I did not take you for a girl who likes philosophy, Aemma.” He says and both take a seat on opposite couches.

They used to hide here from Aegon and their family and read on the rug on the floor.

Sometimes Helaena would come, just not as often as Aemond.

Grandfather let them and even introduced them to philosophy.

Something needed if they wish to rule justly, he had said as he asked them to read the first book.

A shame it couldn’t be Aemond she married.

“I enjoy a good novel just as anyone does, but grandfather did say to be good queen I must understand how to rule.” Aemma said kicking her pattens off and stretching out on the couch.

“If only Aegon knew that.” He grumbles thinking she didn’t hear.

If his brother spoke of him like that, then it was worse than she heard.

“I am quite fond of Boethius, I am relieved to know there is at least one person here who reads his works too.” She supplies in hopes of getting him to converse with her.

Only a few hours here and already she feels so lonely.

“There are few us here, the Faith added his works to their lost of condemned books, but they cannot touch father’s library under penalty of death.” He responds, letting her know Queen Alicent the Pious’ reign of terror is still ongoing. “Mother is very adamant on enforcing the High Septon and the Most Devout’s orders in Court.”

And so they spend the next hour.

Catching up on each other, the on goings of the realms, books, Boethius’ The Consolation of Philosophy (of which they were reading in its original High Valyrian) and anything that came to mind until her Septa came looking for her.

“A shame I have to go.” Aemma admits as they part ways in the hall.

If only he had been born first.

The wedding is fine, everything appears to be exactly as it is supposed to.

Aemma dances with her groom, his brothers, her brothers and while he is not completely horrible, Aegon is still Aegon.

If you opened him up, it would not be blood but wine pouring out of him.

He reeks of drink when he kisses her at the Sept, he is a drunken fool by the time the dancing is in full swing.

He fondles servants and noblewomen alike, complains that she is taller than him in her heeled shoes and calls her dull when she and Helaena talk about books with Aemond at some point.

By the time the bedding comes she has drunk more wine than she has ever done in her life.

She isn’t what you would call drunk, but she knows she will be regretting it on the morrow and not remembering a damn thing after this last glass.

But it helps, especially when men with their grubby hands and dirty japes disrobe her and leave her as naked as the morning she was born.

It is Aemond who provides a bit of relief.

“I will carry her, you sots are too drunk to treat your future queen as she deserves.” He says picking her up in his arms with care and looking ahead instead of downwards.

Something she thanks him for as he carries her into the bridal chamber.

He chuckles as he deposits her safely onto a divan by the bed, “You did call me good ser this afternoon, Aemee.”

“I wish it had been you.” She says wanting to kiss him.

“You don’t mean that.” He said pulling away and leaving just as drunk women deliver a naked Aegon to the chamber.

----

Notes: Boethius is a 6th century Roman philosopher who's works were on the list of condemned works in 13th century by the Catholic church. He influeced virtually all medieval philosophy.

[bionicdragonguardian1]

I have jumped face first into the deep end of @fialleril Amavikka world building and even further into @booklindworm Amatakka dictionary and a thought has occurred to me.

With a phrase a heavy, both culturally and literal, as “dukkra ba dukkra” (freedom or death) I can’t help but ponder the further possibilities of how a change in the pronunciation of “ba” (or) could open this sentence to even more meanings.

I am by NO means an expert in ANY language but I’ve been exploring tonal languages- specifically how to pronounce the different tones nearly the same letter could pronounce depending on how it’s written- especially when comparing to more Eurocentric letter modifications.

(1st thru 4th tone marks or pinyin vs the vast spread of diacritical markers vs tones and accent contours. [see below cut for examples] Or something adjacent to those. All while considering consonant modifier options [specifically things like “ß, ł, ń, š, or ż” comes to mind].)

With a language as- theoretically- old as Amatakka and a culture as vast as Amavikka (looking specifically to A Call For Help by BarinSidhe on AO3 and specifically how the “freedom” euphemisms/terminology/ phrasing changes from one planet to the next [as is logical in my mind and nifty little tidbit {and it remembering Obi-wan’s time on Bandomeer which most fics seem to forget} I love this fic for] and can thus lead to some minor misunderstandings even amongst fellow Amatakka speakers and Amavikka who have been further removed from their culture when moved to new planets) I would be less surprised to find out that such things simply fell out of use and have changed greatly over time than I would be if it stayed consistent.

One of the things I’m considering that could’ve fallen out of use is tonals. Not entirely, of course, but I’m wondering if once upon a time Amatakka had words with far more nuance to them but in order to make it easier for newer learners the tonal forms of many words fell out of use, and new- different- words took their place.

Returning back to “dukkra ba dukkra” (because I SWEAR I have a point).

One: I’m half convinced that once upon a time Dukkra would’ve had two (or more) pronunciations, even if it was just the newer Amavikka doing so & it tended to fall out of use the longer they were enslaved.

Two: imagine if different pronunciations of ba had different meanings, different tonal sounds that could lead to the word meaning something entirely different than simply “or”.

Meaning, hypothetically, “dukkra ba dukkra” depending on the tones used could go from “freedom or death” to:

- freedom is death / death is freedom (these two feel okay to interchange)

- freedom from death

> death from freedom (I see a few ways this could swing interestingly)

- freedom and death / death and freedom (gotta love the implications of listing order)

- freedom of death (see next)

> death of freedom (these two are SO different that I think you’d need to have pronunciation differences between each “dukkra” to clarify which is which)

- freedom in death (largely implied already in Double Agent Darth AU)

> death in freedom (I just think this is an interesting concept)

Etc.

And Three: as a midwestern American I have the unique standing of hearing how even those of us on the same continent (the same country, the same region, the same state even) have minor changes in pronunciations of the same word that while it doesn’t change the meaning of the word it can immediately tell everyone around you where you’re from and truly shows off the limitations of the written word to correctly convey sounds in a way everyone will understand. (Long vs Short “a” sound in the word “bag”, if you want to get specific.)

While we know this occurs in Star Wars due to IRL ascents (ref: Leia), I’m ignoring it. As it leaves several more pronunciations up for grabs.

(But it also leaves me kinda scratching my head if I’m even approaching nearly half the Amatakka dictionary correctly. Which is why I bring the concept up in the first place, because I think for a Conlang these types of things need to be conveyed.)

But… yeah, that’s what’s been rattling around in my brain for the last few weeks.

Thoughts?

For reference:

Mandarin tones / Pinyin marks

Diacritical markings

Accent contours

[catsandgoodbooks]

I have this random AU that I've been thinking about for a while but haven't really talked about before, so yeah. The base plot is just everyone trying to kill each other and failing, and then getting mad when someone actually succeeds, but we need some background information first.

Gods are real, and they are active participants in the world. Occasionally, they bless certain mortals with the ability to cheat death out of an honest desire for companionship, for someone that could understand. This is the traditional way to achieve immortality, the right way. This is how Phil got his immortality, and it's the way that George is heading towards.

Other gods have special chosen mortals, crusaders and champions of their names. Most are not granted the immortality that those who can charm a god are, or at least those can be killed, with extreme effort. Technoblade is the Blood God's champion, and is blessed with supernatural strength and prowess for it, as well as an extended lifetime. Still not quite immortal, but close.

Then there are those rare people who seek out gods to make deals, instead of the other way around. They offer something, and if it is enticing enough and if the god finds their courage amusing or admirable, they get the deal they want. Often, these include immortality.

DreamXD is one of the gods most open to this, as there is something material that he needs and can be offered. That is how both Punz and Foolish's pacts come from - offering to collect and feed him the souls he needs to survive, because gods can still die. Foolish ended up changing the terms of his deal as he settled down but kept his immortality - he can be killed, but XD will just bring him back. Punz still stays with the souls pact; they reap the souls they can and give them to XD, and grow stronger in exchange. For their devotion, XD has bestowed a special gift upon them - being able to suck the soul out of anyone they have skin-to-skin contact with if they have time and can concentrate enough. The proper immortals - i.e. Phil, Sam, Eret, and Foolish; George and Techno aren't quite there yet, even if they have the potiental - all know about this, but no one else does. However, most of them are not very thrilled about this ability and lead some to regard Punz with a bit more detachment and apprehensiveness, as it could cause the permanent death of a couple of them.

Not all immortality is granted by the gods. Some mortals go out and take it instead. Sam is one of these cases, having acquired his immortality through redstone and engineering and cloning. As long as the original body - the real Sam, the one version of himself he did not create - remains intact, Sam can just enter a new one whenever he dies, leaving him essentially unkillable unless someone knows where the original body is.

Not all ascensions are intended, or beautiful. Eret was once human, but their long, extended exposure to the corrupted otherworldliness through the wither cult has made them something...different. Maybe even eldritch. But either way, they can't really die, and that's enough for the others. Phil thinks they might be becoming a god. Callahan knows they're not.

Callahan is a minor god of forests and growth and all things hidden. He uses his power to try to stitch the world together again and again and again; the one thing that never changes is that it is always inches away from collapse, and Callahan doesn't know why. He wants to know why, but, until he does this is the best he can do. As is, he haunts the world like a ghost, there one moment and the next gone. He's...friendly with the once-mortals, he knows what they are and they know what he is, but that's about it.

So, with that over with, Technoblade tries to hunt Sam down post-Daedalus because he really doesn't want this guy to be alive any longer (considering the locked-Techno-in-prison thing and let-Techno's-friend-get tortured thing and the killed-Techno's-protege thing and the kidnapped-a-baby thing), and he ropes Phil into this. Phil knows that they can't actually kill Sam normally, but he's not a big fan of Sam either, so he calls Punz up to see if they can do anything about it. They can, so they show up and Techno immediately distrusts them but leaves when Phil tells him that it's fine and they can handle it.

Then Punz sucks Sam's soul out of his body, which is actually what Phil wanted them to do. After that, Punz decides to not give the millennia-old soul to XD or use it to strengthen themself, but to make a deal with XD to grant Dream that measure of immortality Punz themself has, with the soul as essentially a downpayment. When Phil finds out about this, he is not happy, primarily because he thinks that Dream is fucking evil and does not deserve that power. Punz then storms out, leaving Phil alone with his thoughts, while Punz goes to find Dream, who is, as one might assume, not doing well with his sudden, rushed ascension.

Oh, and Foolish is really really mad at Quackity because of how he's been treating Foolish, so I'm sure nothing bad will come out of that at all.

[mecchantheotaku]

Fuck it I know I got a chapter of my AU to finish but have a little thing based on this post. Consider it an extra for the AU.

Hunted twitched helplessly on the floor. It took just one mistake for him to fall off the side of that cliff. He had been dodging the pursuit of that cat that just wouldn't leave him alone, but he accidentally dodged in the wrong direction once, and this happened.

He had just gotten his breath back, but he still couldn't move. He was lucky to have survived without fatal injury.

He saw people passing by and weakly called out for help, but it looked like they didn't even notice him.

He closed his eyes and began to cry, when he was suddenly found by the person he least expected.

"Hunted? Hunted, are you... can you move?"

It was Opportunist.

"N-no... whenever I try, it feels too tense, like something's going to break..." Hunted answered, tears still falling down his face.

Opportunist then gently ran his hand down Hunted's back to make sure nothing was broken. He looked visibly scared doing this, which was unusual for him. He breathed a sigh of relief when he determined nothing was broken.

"Okay, I'm gonna pick you up. Tell me if you get that feeling again."

Opportunist picked Hunted up. Hunted gasped in pain as he was lifted, but calmed down once he was nestled in his fellow ex-voice's arms.

"I felt it a little when you lifted me. But it's better like this." Hunted said.

"Okay, I'll take you back to the apartments now. You could do with some rest." Opportunist said, walking to the apartments.

At this point, Hunted needed to speak up about Opportunist's change in demeanour.

"Why are you only now more open and honest?" Hunted asked.

He could always sense Opportunist's true feelings, but he was confused as to why he was openly showing them now.

Opportunist stopped in his tracks, took a deep breath and then spoke.

"I shouldn't talk about it here. I'll talk when we get home."

Hunted understood. It was still a public area. Opportunist would never have that sort of talk where people could hear him.

"Okay. I don't usually think this, but right now, I trust you."

---

Opportunist laid some pillows down in Hunted's 'bed' for support and then laid him down in it.

Opportunist hesitated to show vulnerability, but he sighed and spoke up.

"You know Witch, right?" He spoke.

"Yes. I know you and Hero encountered her along with Wing in that one loop. Does this involve her?" Hunted said.

"It does. I didn't want to have my back to her as we attempted to leave, but Wing insisted we go first. Something about doing right by her. I didn't want to do right by her, though. I knew she was up to no good." Opportunist explained, smiling the whole time but clearly distressed.

"And then...?" Hunted asked, in a patient tone to let Opportunist know he was listening.

Opportunist took another deep breath. It was clear he was afraid to open up.

"And then, as we were heading up, she threw us down the stairs. We broke our spine. So did she. We were stuck there, until she was taken, and we separated from Wing at the mirror." Opportunist said.

Hunted looked at Opportunist, who was still smiling despite his obvious trauma. If he could move, he'd comfort him.

"And seeing me in that state reminded you of that." Hunted said.

"It did. I... I didn't want you to go through that." Opportunist's mask was beginning to crack. He was clearly holding back tears.

Hunted spoke softly to reassure Opportunist. "It's okay to cry. You're afraid of being looked down upon. But I won't look down on you. I understand how you feel."

Opportunist began to sniffle. "Promise you won't tell anyone?"

"I promise."

Opportunist finally let the tears out. Hunted used whatever mobility he had to gently comfort him with his fingers.

After Opportunist had a good cry, he spoke to Hunted with genuine kindness.

"I hope you get better soon. I should let Stubborn know what happened."

"Thank you." Hunted replied.

Opportunist genuinely smiled, touched by hearing those words.

[anxious-witch]

Inertia 7

Summary: Newton's first law expresses the principle of inertia: the natural behavior of a body is to move in a straight line at constant speed. In the absence of outside influences, a body's motion preserves the status quo.

Jan choose a direction of his life the moment he walked out of his parents house and cut all contact with them. He didn't want anything to do with them, or God anymore. Even his soulmark he wished he could leave behind. But when Nace Jordan joins the band, with a mark matching his own, can Jan keep going the same way he did? Or will the force make him change a direction?

Pairings: Jan Peteh/Nace Jordan

Warnings: None, I think? Please do tell me if I'm wrong I'll edit ot immediately

Notes: AO3 link

urprise! Early update of the last chapter. Thank you everyone who made it this far, especially people who consistently commented throughout. I have several things to say before you jump right in.

1) I am aware JO didn't actually preform at the EMA, but since this is already and au and I really liked the concept of the scene, it is here. Just roll with it 2) There will (hopefully) be two fics following this one, one with the focus on Bojan and the other on Kris. I am not sure exactly when I'll be writing and post them though, since December is quite busy, but until then, at least this is finished.

Anyway, this part is pretty much all fluff and very cheesy at the end, but I figured we all deserved it after all the angst

I believe that witness is a magnitude of vulnerability. That when I say love what I mean is not a feeling nor promise of a feeling. I believe in attention. My love for you is a monolith of try.

The woman I love pays an inordinate amount of attention to large and small objects. She is not described by anything. Because I could not mean anything else,

she knows exactly what I mean.

Once upon a time a line saw itself clear to its end. I have seen the shape of happiness. (y=mx+b) I am holding it. It is your hand.

What Space Faith Can Occupy By TC Tolbert

Jan wondered if light green walls of the therapist's office were suppose to somehow elevate the space. Made it seem more colorful.

Personally, it only reminded him more if a hospital.

Still, just as in all previous sessions, he had to remind himself he wasn't there just for himself. Kris had been genuinely worried after his breakdown. Jure and Bojan didn't know about it, but they likely suspected something had transpired.

He would need to tell Bojan about him and Nace eventually. But that, at least, was a problem for future Jan.

There was also Nace to think about. In the past three weeks, there had been slow, almost painful progress made between them. Still, he was trying. That counted for something, right?

He turned his attention back to the matter at hand.

His therapist was a young woman, Jan would guess somewhere in her thirties. She hat jet black hair and looked perfectly put together. She reminded him of Kris in that regard.

Which made sense, considering he only got a spot so quickly due to Kris' connections. Jan really, really didn't want to think about how he managed that.

"So, Jan," Nina said, "do you want us to continue on where we stopped last time, or do you have something from this week you'd like to discuss?"

Her voice was unkind, or even cold, but Jan still had to force himself to talk sometimes. His trust issues weighted heavily on him in moment like these.

"Well, no. Except that Nace and I actually went to play basketball, but I mentioned we will last week anyway."

Nina patiently waited for him to continue. When he didn't, she spoke again.

"How was it?"

Jan sighed. It was awful. Jan felt genuinely bad for even going along with it, considering how much Nace hated any sport that you had to play with the ball. It ended when Nace didn't manage to catch the ball one time Jan threw it. It hit him in the face and made his nose bleed.

Jan supposed there was a metaphor there somewhere.

"It wasn't great. Nace is...really bad at basketball."

She quickly wrote something down and Jan tried his best not to feel judged.

"And how did you feel about it?"

"Shitty, I guess. I didn't make him play, but it kind of felt like I did."

Nina tapped her pen to the notes.

"From what I have here, it seems Nace usually initiates these activities and they seem to be activities you like. Am I correct?"

Jan shrugged.

"Yes."

"And what do you think about that?"

How many times could she ask him that? Wasn't she supposed to tell him what to think about that? Jan felt increasingly annoyed.

"Why do you keep asking that? If you want to say something, then say it."

She pursed her lips.

"I am not here to tell you how to feel, Jan. I am here to help you verbalize it."

That was the dumbest fucking answer he ever heard.

"I already said I feel bad about it. What more do you want me to say?"

"Have you thought about doing the same for him?"

Jan paused. He haven't. Or well-he had, but he wasn't really sure there was an activity Nace liked that they could do together.

"I don't know if we have anything in common. Other than music, I mean. I know he is trying, but maybe this wasn't a good idea, after all."

Nina nodded, his face neutral. Always so goddamn neutral.

"Have you talked to him about it?"

"What, and break his heart? He'd just try even harder. I don't-"

I don't know what to say to make him give up on me. Jan clenched his teeth.

"I think you should consider trying one of his activity. Surely, there is something he likes that you don't hate."

Jan took in a deep breath. He was fighting the urge to mess up his nails even more, but if he started bleeding during practice again, even Bojan will notice.

"I guess. But that doesn't solve the main issue, does it?"

Nina sighed.

"Alright. How about you think about it, and we talk about something else for the rest od the session?"

Jan agreed and they moved on, but the thought stayed with him. Was he simply not putting enough effort?

The question haunted him enough for him to drive to Nace's apartment few hours later. He only sent him a text asking if he was home, and once he got a confirmation, he sat in the car and drove here.

It was probably rude, but Jan figured that if Nace had an issue with him being rude, they wouldn't be here in the first place.

It wasn't until he rang the doorbell and heard the barking did he remember Nace had a dog. Ollie.

He knew that, of course. It was just that the two of them usually met outside of Nace's apartment and several times they came here, Ollie was being babysat by Nace's sister.

Well. Jan supposed it was bound to happen to or later. If Ollie hated him, did that mean he was immediately disqualified from soulmate status?

Nace opened the door, trying to keep Ollie from rushing into the hallway. Jan felt caught off guard, despite the fact that he was the one who rang the doorbell.

Nace was wearing a tank top. Had Jan ever seen him in one before?

"Please get in before he runs out, I don't feel like trying to catch him."

Jan quickly stepped into the apartment and Nace closed the door behind him. The Nace carefully let Ollie come closer.

Jan kneeled down, offering his hand for him to sniff at. He liked dogs well enough, but he was always at a bit of a loss on what to do with them.

Cats you had to build a bond with. Usually just being in their general vicinity was enough at the start. You let them come to you. Even if you offered them treats, you had to leave them at the same distance at first.

Dogs? Dogs were unpredictable. They could love you or hate you your smell. Or whatever it was that they could feel around you.

"Dogs can always tell if a person is good or bad", his brother used to say. Jan, who had dogs both love and hate him for no clear-cut reasons over the years, couldn't quite agree.

Dogs could feel something, certainly. But that something was only a first impression and they choose that intangible thing as a base to be loyal or not.

Cats, at least got to know you first before making any judgments.

Ollie sniffed his hand and cocked his head to the side, as if trying to gauge if he was alright or not.

"Hello," Jan said awkwardly.

Ollie came closer, nudging his snout against his hand and Jan carefully petted him on the head, waiting to see the reaction. When he started wagging his tail, Jan felt relieved.

Nace's dog hating him wasn't something he wished to deal with. There were plenty of other things that made him want to turn back and run away.

"He seems to like you," Nace said softly.

One bad call he share with his owner, Jan thought grimly as he stood up.

"That's good. I think we should talk."

Nace sighed.

"As much as I love how direct you are, that sounds very ominous."

Jan simply took his shoes off and shrugged off his jacket.

Ollie followed them as they went into the living room. Jan wondered if they were creating some sort of bad karma for the place, having all their fucked up conversations here.

Or perhaps he spent too much time around Bojan and his superstitiousness was starting to rub off of him.

"Do you want something to drink first or-"

"How about we just get this over with and then after you can offer me stuff if you want me to stay?"

Nace awkwardly sank into the couch, far enough that Jan would have to stretch to be able to touch him, despite his long arms. Was it for his own comfort, or for Jan's?

They were closer physically since they talked the last time. Sitting closer, hand brushing against each other, squeezing each other's shoulders on occasion. That sort of thing.

Now, though, there was no of that. As if Nace was already getting used to the distance. Which Jan supposed was fair, even if he felt a familiar burning at the soulmark.

Before Jan could say anything, though, Ollie jumped on the couch and attempted to nuzzled at his chest. Jan felt thrown off balance a bit as he petted him, which only prompted Ollie to settle in his lap.

"I don't think I am doing this whole thing right," Jan confessed, not taking his eyes off Ollie.

"Could you please be more specific?"

Jan scratched behind Ollies ear. Matej's dog liked that. Ollie made a content sound so Jan continued.

"You keep putting so much effort into liking things that I like and trying them out. And I-I mean I can do it too, but I don't know if it's even right. Like, shouldn't we already have matching interests? Is it even healthy if we both have to change?"

He took his hands off Ollie and clenched them in frustration. He hated how his tongue always felt like lead when he was supposed to talk about these things. He harshly pulled at his hair and tied it back with the tie around his wrist.

"This works like any other relationship would, Jan."

Jan scoffed.

"Does it? I don't remember any of my friends tailoring their interests to fit me."

Nace took in a deep breath. Jan learned he always did that when he was frustrated, like he was stopping himself from saying anything before he was ready.

"Really? Kris never tried listening to metal for you? He knows you favorite brand of tea on accident? You always keep ear plugs in your car if he gets overstimulated because, what? You did that before you were friends?"

Jan felt speechless.

"That's-

"Different? Yeah, of course it is, because this is Kris we are talking about."

Nace sounded resigned. Hurt, even. Jan slowly looked at him, but now it was Nace avoiding his gaze. He was staring at his hands, his expression troubled.

"I don't mean to say discard your and Kris' friendship. I think it's amazing you have him, but I'm jealous. Not because I think there is anything going on, but because you seem to allow others to get close to you while keep me at arms length. And I don't know what to do at this point to change your mind."

Jan's heart squeezed painfully. He never heard Nace so resigned. He was always the one to try and find a solution and not give up.

He gently set Ollie on the couch, despite his small, protesting whine. Then he stood up sat closer to Nace. Close enough that their shoulders touched. This time, he was the one to take Nace's hands in his.

"I'm sorry. You are right."

Nace's head slowly rose, like he barely dared to be hopeful and look at Jan straight on.

"I was, well I am scared. We said we'll be friends, but I don't think I can be your friend. From the moment we met, I kept you at arm length and for one single moment I didn't, we ended up hooking up. You terrify me, Nace."

Nace's breath stuttered. Jan leaned his forehead against Nace's and closed his eyes.

"I had all but convinced myself everything about soulmates was bullshit, that all that was stories and people kept confirming them because they were desperate for it to be true. But that was all it was, a placebo effect. And then you came along. Shattered everything I thought I knew."

For a moment, there was silence. Then Nace's hand touched his neck, just a bit below the soulmark. Jan took in a deep, shuddering breath.

"May I?"

"Yes."

The first time Nace touched the soulmark, Jan was too terrified to even appreciate the sensation. But he did now. The feeling was warm and safe. Jan expected his heart to race, but instead it calmed down, as if soothed by Nace's touch.

Something about a gesture made something deep inside him uncoil and words just started pouring out of him.

"When I was fifteen, I started secretly listening to metal. The first time I did, I felt so guilty, I ended up crying and not allowing myself to eat for a day, as a penance. For weeks, I had been worse off than if I had never listened to it. It took me months to gather the courage to try again."

Jan hoped Nace would understand he was saying. He wasn't sure he could say it outright. Nace hummed.

"You are afraid, but you also know that doesn't mean this is bad because you are afraid."

Jan nodded, but Nace didn't say anything immediately after. When he finally spoke, he didn't say what Jan expected him to.

"When I was twelve, I was bullied a lot because of my weight. I remember being terrified of going to school. The only place I felt safe in was the church, because nobody bullied me there. I felt safe. Even if the conditions and rules weren't perfect, it was still better."

Jan opened his eyes, almost indignantly.

"I am not a church."

Nace cracked a small smile.

"No. But you are a safe space, even if the conditions and rules you impose aren't perfect."

Jan's answer was to kiss him. Not roughly, like he did before, but softly and slowly. Giving Nace time to pull away.

He didn't, instead he kissed him back and pulled him closer. One of Jan's hands curled around Nace's nape and the other reached for his wrist. He knew exact moment he touched his soulmark, because Nace shivered.

The only way Jan could describe the feeling was that the bond between them sang. Like the world slightly tilted and found a perfect balance.

Like they were perfect together.

Jan had to pull back from the kiss, fighting a near overwhelming fear that washed over him. Nace didn't let him go far this time, instead pulling him in a hug.

"It's okay."

Nace's voice was soft, and he was warm and comfortable and it was almost unbearable.

"I know it's fucking okay," Jan said, his voice breaking.

He buried his head in Nace's chest and hope he didn't feel the tears soaking his shirt. Nace didn't say anything after that, he simply held him as he cried.

Until the tears dried out and the fear slightly pulled back. Still, some doubts remained.

"What if the rules and conditions can't be improved anymore? What if this is just...who I am?"

He pulled back a bit, to study Nace's face as he answered. Unexpectedly, Nace grinned.

"Well, if a church gets a new priest-"

Jan rolled his eyes at the awful joke.

"You've been hanging with Bojan too much."

Nace was still grinning.

"A priest can also recommend new way of worship-"

Jan groaned loudly and pushed Nace back, so he landed on his back, laughing openly. He had a beautiful, infectious laugh that Jan couldn't help but laugh along as well.

"Please don't use church metaphors anymore. They are awful."

Nace stretched his arms over his head, exposing his muscles and tattoos even more. Jan couldn't help, but let his gaze linger on them.

"Make me."

Jan was never the one to avoid temptation. And Nace had always been so tempting. Almost like a red apple in a garden without color. Jan leaned down and kissed him again.

Nace melted into the kiss and reached out to him again. His hands reached Jan's hair and Jan tense slightly, but Nace gently pulled at the tie, until his hair spilled from the ponytail.

Jan was distracted enough by the kiss to let him. He wanted Nace closer and-

They were interrupted by a loud, insistent whine. Jan pulled back enough to look in the direction it came from, finding Ollie looking at them with the saddest expression he could possibly muster.

Nace burst out laughing, his whole body shaking.

"I think he doesn't like me hogging his new favorite."

Jan chuckled, sitting back up. He held his hand out and petted Ollie gently, immediately receiving a lick on his hand.

"Maybe I could have some sort of tea, if the offer still stands," Jan said, not looking away from Ollie.

"It absolutely does. I have mint tea Kris mentioned you liked."

Traitor, Jan thought, giving away my secrets.

"Nace?"

"Yeah?"

"Which one is your favorite?"

Jan turned his head to look, catching a surprise that flitted across his face before it melted in a soft smile.

"Probably chamomile."

Of course. The calming thing one always drank when they felt unwell to soothe and comfort. It fit him.

"I'll remember that."

With that Nace went into the kitchen, and Ollie brough Jan a ball he could throw for him. Jan took in a deep breath, feeling as if he just climbed a mountain. Whatever happened after this, he had a feeling he could handle after.

As terrifying as it could get.

Jan was nervously tapping his fingers against the wheel, resisting the urge to bite his nails. It was not a smart thing to do while driving.

"Are you really not going to tell me where we are going?"

He chuckled a bit at Nace's pleading tone. This really was an unusual role reversal for both of them, wasn't it?

"I told you, it's a surprise."

Nace huffed and settled back in his seat. Jan sneaked a glance at him when he stopped at the red light. Nace had his arms crossed over his chest, his warm brown jacket tightly wrapped around his biceps.

"One would think I am taking you to get shot," Jan teased, turning his gaze back to the road as the light changed to green.

Nace laughed at that, at least, his shoulders relaxing.

"No, I just-I am not used to surprises. You barely gave me any hints on what to wear!"

Jan smirked.

"I said wear something comfortable that you don't mind getting dirty."

He could feel Nace's unimpressed stare on him.

"Very helpful."

Jan chuckled and took a left turn, parking to the side. Nace immediately started glancing around, trying to gauge where they were. Jan couldn't help but think it was kind of cute.

He unbuckled his belt and got out of the car, waiting for Nace to do the same. When he did, he led him to a nearby building.

Nace was frowning, trying to piece together what they were doing. Jan decided to take pity on him.

"It's a pottery class."

His head immediately snapped towards Jan, his eyes widening.

"You are taking me to a pottery class??"

Jan swallowed, growing nervous all of a sudden. Did he misjudge? Did Jure mix something up?

"Jure mentioned you wanted to try it since your sister did pottery. I thought..."

"No! I mean, yes, I love the idea!"

He sounded so eager, so terrified that Jan would change his mind and snatch the offer away from him. Jan felt bad. Was he truly treating him in a way that made him think he'd play him like this for a joke?

"Alright then. Let's go."

There were people inside already, and their teacher quickly introduced himself. He gave them instructions on hand-building techniques with clay, saying they need to get used to that before they can move to the pottery wheel.

The process was messy and Jan underestimate just how bad he was at shaping the clay. When Nace looked over and saw his wonky cup, he doubled over laughing.

Jan side-eyed him, before taking a bit of clay and smearing it over Nace's shirt. Nace gasped.

Then he grabbed a piece of clay and smeared it over Jan's cheek. Jan slapped his hair away, trying to rub it off.

"If this gets into my hair Nace, I swear-"

Nace laughed again and someone shushed them.

"Can you two please let the rest of us work?" A blond man left of them said.

He was short, with blind hair just below his ears. He was frowning at them intently, reminding Jan of an annoyed cat.

His tall, tattooed friend-or partner, how could Jan know, really-gently pulled him by the sleeve.

"Lovro, com'on. They are just having fun. Look at this."

The man, well maybe even a boy, with how soft his features looked, immediately turned to the other man. He looked at him like...oh.

Jan looked at Nace, who was clearly eyeing the situation, seeing if Jan could handle it or if he needed to get involved.

Jan was hit by the sudden realization of how much he had come to care for him. Despite all the back and forth and his own grievances, he was-

He stopped his thoughts before any bigger words came to mind. It was still too early to think that. But maybe it wouldn't be, eventually.

Jan never thought of himself as someone who could settle down and yet that spark of hope still lived, nestled deep in his chest.

Maybe.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Nace asked, titling his head to the side.

Jan shook his head.

"Nothing. Let's try to shape these into something decent before we do that...wheel thing, yeah?"

Nace smiled, like a sudden light igniting in the dark.

"Yeah."

As Jan tried to save his clay cup, he suddenly felt bolder. He could ask, right? At worst, Nace will refuse, but when did Nace refuse him before? Jan cleared his throat.

"You could...come over after, if you'd like. You didn't meet Igor yet."

He didn't look up as he asked the question. It would be easier to take a no when he didn't have to worry about which expression he was making.

"You want me to come over?"

There was that tone again. Like Nace was shocked by this. Like Jan wasn't trying to do better for weeks now. He supposed he'd just have to keep trying.

"If you'd like to, yes. I did get some chamomile tea recently."

He sneaked a glance in Nace's direction. His eyes were soft and his mouth was lightly open, as if in wonder. Jan's heart started beating fasted.

"I would like that," Nace said quietly, looking directly at him.

Jan had to look away, but he couldn't help but smile slight. There was slight fear in his stomach still, but there was no ringing of the church bell, or an urge to reach for a necklace that wasn’t there.

He was still himself and he was still in control of it all. Simply taking steps in the right direction. It had been as if he was in inertia for very long time. After being stuck for so long, it was hard to get back into motion, but once he did, he knew it would get easier.

All he had to do was keep moving.

All Jan could hear was a drum of his own heart as they waited for the host to announce them. Thud. Thud. Thud.

It was finally time for them to preform at EMA. To try and get chosen to represent Slovenia at Eurovision. The importance, the fragility of the moment made all the colors more intense, almost as if they were in new, swirling patterns.

Jan took a look at his bandmates. Each of them in a different outfit that fit them perfectly. Bojan, in his loud combination of green shirt and pink pants, that he somehow managed to pull of regardless.

Kris, in a gold sleeves shirt and lighter pink pants that match. Of course-Kris always knew how much attention to draw to himself. Not too much and not too little.

Jure, with sky blue button up that perfectly fit his sunshine personality and darker purple pants for contrast.

All of them looked amazing, really. But it was Nace that Jan couldn't look away from.

Nace, who finally wore color. A purple suit with a silver shirt underneath. The suit had intricated details that made Jan want to run his fingers over the material and feel it's shapes.

When he arrived, he was always pale beige in their mix of chaos and color. Slowly but surely, that changed. And here they were now.

Jan shuffled closer to him, almost as if pulled by an invisible force. He could feel it, but he found it more comforting now, rather than scary.

"Ready?" He whispered, smiling at him.

"Ready," Nace answered, briefly brushing his hand against Jan's.

"And next up, we have Joker Out!"

They stepped on the stage as the people clapped and Jan could feel the adrenaline fully hitting him. He couldn't concentrate on whatever Bojan briefly said before he started singing.

All Jan could focus on was playing. His fingers slid over the strings just as perfectly as they did the very first time he nailed a song when he was sixteen.

Everything else faded away, like looking at the world through a sort of fog. Only music existed. Even Bojan's singing was slightly muted in that moment. Like Jan was alone with his guitar.

Then his gaze slid to Nace and he found him already looking in his direction. Nace, who still had the ability to be in Jan's bubble that one else could touch.

He didn't mind the company, though. Not anymore.

He sent him a little wink and watched as his cheeks turned slightly red. Then he turned back to the audience and took a deep breath. Then let the bubble snap and all the sound and sensations rush back to him.

Because there was never really a need for the bubble at all. Not when he was at the safe space.

There was no divinity here. None other than the music itself, that they shared with the audience.

When they played the last note, there was a thunderous applause and part of Jan already knew. He could feel it in their bones that they won.

The knowing of being at the right place, at the right time. With just the right people, too.

The rest od the night passed in a blur. Jan knew he talked to people, but later he'd be unable to recall what he said. He'd remember the high of the announcement that they won and all of his friends rushing into a group hug.

It wasn't until they all changed back to their everyday clothes and were waiting for Bojan in the cold, that the realization finally started to sink in.

"We won," he whispered into the night air.

"We did," Kris said, smiling.

Whatever makeup they put on him made him look more ethereal than usual. He looked more content than Jan had seen him for awhile.

"What is Bojan doing for so long?" Jure wondered, his eyes lingering on the doors they all cane through.

It was odd. As much as Bojan paid attention to his looks, he never took this long.

"I'll go check," Jan said, getting to his feet.

Jan felt slightly guilty, over how little he talked to Bojan outside of the practice in recent weeks. Being caught up in the whole soulmate dilemma, he didn't take the time to pay as much attention to his friends.

Well, that was another thing he could start fixing now.

He found Bojan in the changing room, completely dressed, but staring off through the window.

"Bojan? Is everything okay?"

Bojan flinched, as if woken up from a very deep sleep. He blinked at Jan, confused.

"Ah, yeah! Yeah, I was just a bit lost in thought. Did you guys wait for me for long?"

Jan stepped closer, putting his hand on Bojan's shoulder. Bojan leaned into the touch, breathing out slowly.

"Are you sure you are alright?"

"I-" Bojan bit his lip, his gaze jumping around the room almost frantically, never staying for long and completely avoiding Jan's face.

"I just...this is a lot. It feels enormous. And of course, of course I am happy we won. It just feels like we set a new course all of a sudden, if that makes sense. Like it feels like my life already changed."

Jan pulled him into a hug. Bojan took in a sharp breath and then relaxed, hugging him back. They just stayed like that for a moment.

"I know. It's terrifying but it's going to be okay. You have us, alright?"

Bojan's arms tightened around him for a bit.

"Yeah."

They were silent for a bit and Bojan already pulled away from the hug when Jan spoke again.

"I actually owe you an apology. With how I reacted when you brought up soulmates for all these years."

Bojan shrugged.

"It's fine. I figured it was a sensitive topic."

Jan shook his head.

"Yes but it's not an excuse. I am sorry, Bojan. You were allowed to be excited at prospect of meeting them without me putting you down for it."

He rubbed tips of his fingers against the nail of his thumb. Resisting the urge to mess it up more.

"I won't say I completely understand, even now with Nace. I still very much love being independent from him. But I am saying I understand more."

Bojan smiled, reminding Jan that if Nace was the light in darkness, Bojan was certain a sun, his rays bringing about a new day.

"Thank you for saying that. I am excited to meet her, one day. Whenever destiny decides we are ready."

Jan rolled his eyes, more for the dramatic effect than anything else. That was still extremely cheesy, but it was very on brand for Bojan.

"Sure, lover boy. Now, can we go before the rest of them freeze outside? It is December, y'know?"

Bojan laughed and grabbed his bag. He dramatically pointed to the door.

"To wherever destiny may lead us!"

Jan cracked a smile, unable to keep up the brooding persona.

"To whenever destiny may lead us," he repeated quietly.

Then he stepped over the threshold after Bojan and for the first time in many years he knew everything would be alright. As long as he had his family, soulmate included, by his side, everything would be alright.

No matter the challenges that awaited them.