#otp: let's just be alive for a while

[the-silver-chronicles]

Siblings Q&A | Silva & Elsa Omar ONESHOT

Tagged by @raresbaby and @inafieldofdaisies

Tagging @voidika @icecutioner @socially-awkward-skeleton @derelictheretic @shallow-gravy @direwombat @strangefable @strafethesesinners @rhettsabbott @josephseedismyfather @josephslittledeputy @imogenkol @cloudofbutterflies92 @skoll-sun-eater @cassietrn @carlosoliveiraa @adelaidedrubman @g0dspeeed @wrathfulrook @afarcryfrommymain @aceghosts @turbo-virgins @shellibisshe @deputy-morgan-malone @softtidesworld @starsandskies @ladyoriza @la-grosse-patate @florbelles @sleepyconfusedpotato @titiagls @minilev @yokobai @thewanderer-000 @omen-speaker @justasmolbard @alypink @thesingularityseries and @nightwingshero + anyone else who wants to join. Taglist here.

Hey guys, SimpleGenius here! Decided to turn this short Q&A into a legitimate Oneshot for The Silver Chronicles, involving two OCs of mine; Silva and her younger half-sister, Elsa, set in a time in Hope County where Silva had no knowledge of Eden's Gate and the Omar's experienced a time of normalcy. There should be nothing but fluff, yes-siree. Oneshot below the cut:

The buzz of the worn-out camcorder complimented the numbing visuals of the frozen static, but swiftly the unused device booted up.

The specter on the screen was both haunting and ethereal, a memory from a time so much simpler. A normality so sparse in time.

With her trusty camcorder in hand, Elsa admired herself in the mirror. Hair twisted in many small blonde braids, wearing a white sundress laced with magenta patterns that looked like flowers.

The camcorder fizzled, the screen going blank for a moment. She gave it a good whack, faded red paint dusting her black gloves, and the camcorder proceeded to work like normal.

Elsa carried the camcorder away from the mirror, passing through into a lounge. Her hermana, dressed in a yellow flannel and black jeans, her dark hair flowing past her shoulders, seated on their couch having a cup of coffee.

"You ready, Sylvie?" Elsa asked, shuffling cards out of frame. Sylvester placed her cup onto the coffee table, laced gloves fixing creases on a dress she's not wearing. Realizing this, she stops the action and awkwardly cups her knees.

"Si, uh, seguro," Sylvester muttered out, clearing her throat, "How does this work?"

"Essentially, from what Rae-Rae told me, this is a fun little game where siblings answer questions for that net-work mambo-jumbo," Elsa explained, and again shuffled the flash cards she prepared.

"And since we're both sane enough to not invite people to put their noses into where they don't belong, I thought maybe, instead of doing this for strangers, we do it for Persephone," Elsa elaborates further.

Sylvester blinks, grey eyes staring at her younger hermana like a doe caught in headlights. She tilts her head, her right cheek sunk in, chewing her inner cheek.

"Elsa, she's una," Sylvester points out.

"Yeah, I know that," Elsa sighs, understanding but exasperated, "But she won't be for long. When she's older, we can show her this. Let her get to know her mamá and tía some more."

Sylvester's lips didn't quite frown, but she wasn't unconvinced either. "Derecha," she nodded, still wrapping her head around the camcorder's functions.

Elsa was likely grinning behind the camcorder, "Exactly! Now, to make this a bit more fun, I shuffled the questions out of order. Now let's begin."

Elsa showed the flash cards, the shuffle complete, and flipped over the first one.

"Question 19: Who has the worst ideas?" Elsa asked aloud.

Sylvester snorted, uncharacteristic of the person she's supposed to be, a small teasing smile on her healing chapped lips, "Well we both know who that is."

Elsa let out an exaggerated gasp, feigned offense, "Why Sylvie, I am but a respectable, humble and pious shopkeeper. Do you insinuate that I am anything but?"

"Bold words coming from the local daredevil who likes to worry her hermana to near-death," Sylvester retorts, arms crossed.

"...I'm guessing Rae-Rae snitched about my escapes on her roof?"

Sylvester had no need to answer, though Elsa must have seen that she had nothing to worry over, as Sylvester's smile held only amusement.

"Next question," Elsa declared, moving on, "Number 7: Most stable romantic life?"

Both wondered briefly, and Elsa states, "I gotta give this one to you Sylvie. You managed one relationship with Irene far longer than any ones I've had in our time here."

Sylvester narrows her eyes at Elsa, raising a quizzical brow, "Is that so? You and Ezekiel were like two peas in a pod every time you both talked with each other."

"That was brief, and we weren't official. Just some one-upping through flirtation. And he had been a real jerk at first, remember? At least you and Irene had a better start," Elsa deflects, waving a hand onscreen as she desperately denied her hermana's accusations.

Sylvester merely nods her head in feigned agreement as Elsa brings out the next question.

"Question 12: Best memory together?"

Sylvester leaned back on the couch, looking up for a moment. With Sylvester pondering which memory she liked the most, Elsa already found one.

"I'd say buying this residence," Elsa admits, "A place we can forever call our home. Wouldn't you agree?"

Sylvester looked to Elsa, and gave a short nod, "Si, it is up there. But... I'd say my favorite would be when it first rained. Just... playing and dancing like kids do... like we should have been allowed to do."

Elsa must have sensed the solemness in her voice, and replied, "At least we got to do it."

Sylvester hummed, appreciative of that fact.

"Question 15: Would you rather not being able to shower for a month or have the same clothes for a month?"

Sylvester was immediate in her response, "Not shower for a month, obviously. We can just bathe in baths instead."

Elsa laughed, cheerful and loud, "Never thought you'd be the one to take advantage of a loophole Sylvie."

Sylvester smile wholeheartedly, grey eyes sincere as she admitted, "I learned the best from my crafty little hermana."

"Aww," Elsa lightheartedly cooed, and proceeded forward, "Question 5: Who sleeps the most?"

Sylvester raised her hand, "Mother of one very curious and fussy niñita, right here."

"No arguments there," Elsa replied, "Question 14: Dream trip together?"

In a moment of synchronized thought between hermanas, they both state, "Spain."

"Question 16: Who's the older one?"

Sylvester raised her hand once again. Elsa flipped to the next flash card, "Question 10: Who had a weird phase?"

Both pondered for a moment, trying to think of any moment in their lives of such a phase.

"I don't think we were ever given a chance to do so," Elsa states. Sylvester hummed in agreement, shaking her head in confirmation.

"Alright then! Question 6..."

Elsa paused, reading the flash card: 'Who's Mom and Dad's favorite? (If there is one?)'

Sylvester waits, worry building in her gut, and asks, "What's the question?"

Elsa hesitated, but responded, "Who's.... mo- ahem, father's favorite..."

Sylvester briefly gaped, but recovered, stating, "Well, we both know the answer to that question is neither of us."

Elsa hummed, throwing the card away as she proceeded with the next one, "Question 18: Role Model? Mine's you, of course. But who's yours Sylvie?"

"I'd have to say Paul," Sylvester mustered out, clearing her throat, "He saved me after all. Raised me. Gave me something that we were denied."

"I wish I got to meet him," Elsa admits, "From what you told me, he was funny and dramatic."

Sylvester smiled at Elsa's words, "You two would have adored each other."

Allowing Sylvester a moment to keep herself together, Elsa proceeded to the next card, "Question 3: Who eats the most?"

She raised her hand this time, the various rings displayed for the camcorder to catch, "That'd be me! Speaking of which..."

Sylvester cringed, swiftly adding, "I had a sandwich earlier."

But Elsa was not deterred, "While that's good, you skipped breakfast nor have you had any fruits or snacks prior to lunch."

"I'll have something later," Sylvester flimsily promised. Elsa, not satisfied, retorts, "I'll hold you to that."

"Question 8: Worst habit of each one?"

Sylvester sighed, "Well, you already know mine. Though your recklessness is concerning considering your condition Elsa."

"I'm not made of glass, Sylvie."

"Elsa, your bones are brittle and break easily."

"...Okay I'm a little like glass, but I'm not stupid. I can take care of myself. I know what I'm doing when I climb a tree, or go bungee jumping or help Rae-Rae around her farm," Elsa defends. Her hermana replies, "I... I know that Elsa, but even so, you've been seeking out riskier and riskier thrills lately, and I can't... help but worry."

"I appreciate it," Elsa assures, and adds, "But you worry way too often."

Sylvester doesn't argue, and Elsa takes advantage of the momentary silence, "Question 4: Who has been on the weirdest situations?"

Neither hermana could think of either one being in a "weird" situation. Sylvester opted to gesture to Elsa, "Well, given your escapades so far, I vote you."

Elsa huffed, "Seeking thrill is not the same as getting stuck in chance and strange situations."

"And how likely am I going to be in such situations?"

Elsa mumbles, indistinctly playful, and moves on, "Question 20: A GIANT insect is on the wall, who's taking care of it?"

Sylvester raises a brow, "Whoever finds it first."

"Pfft, a bug ain't that scary," Elsa comments, "Question 17: Describe each other in three words."

Elsa and Sylvester held gaze for a moment blurted out their answer.

"My badass worrywart-hermana." "Daring little hermana."

There was a silent beat before both responded to such descriptions.

"Surely that is four words, Elsa," Sylvester argued, but Elsa interrupted with her pointer finger as she replied, "Ah, but you forget my lovely older hermana, the power a hyphen holds."

Sylvester shook her head in disbelief, but did not debate further as Elsa brought forth the next question, "Question 1: Who looks the... ah mierda, another one?"

'Who looks the most like dad?' the question read.

"Is it another relating to... him?" Sylvester tested, her lips pursed in a thin line, her voice softer and quieter than normal. Her grey eyes dulled, hands clenched into her jeans.

Elsa sighs, a hand going out of the camcorder's view, probably to play with her blonde locks, and most likely undo a braid in the process.

"I... Do you mind if we skip this one?" Elsa asks, and Sylvester eagerly nods, much to Elsa's relief, "Question 11: Best cook of the family?"

Elsa answers before Sylvester could have a chance, "Yeah, I can't cook for shit, that's you right there, Sylvie."

Sylvester closes mouth, making no comment on Elsa's lack of culinary skill. Elsa flips the next flash card, "Question 9: Who's the most dramatic?! Why that would be me!"

Sylvester nodded with absolute certainty.

"Question 8: Worst habit of each one?"

Sylvester beat Elsa to the tea, "I got this. I'm a nagging worrywart who forgets her own needs sometimes, and you, mi querida hermana, are a crafty daredevil with a big ego that often gets you into trouble."

"Hah! Wow, you know me so well," Elsa said, flipping to the next flash card, but mentions, "However, you're wrong in your description; you're not a nagger."

Sylvester doesn't visibly react to this, but she seems to be stuck in a forlorn gaze. However, the next question snaps her out of this odd pause, and Sylvester listens attentively.

"Question 13... uh, worst memory together?"

Sylvester and Elsa pondered together, brainstorming.

"Our entire childhood was jodido and never the best," Elsa mentions. Sylvester frowns, and points out, "Si, but the run for the docks weren't any better."

Elsa couldn't not hum in agreement, and she moves on, "Last Question. Number 2: Who looks the most like mom...?"

Sylvester looks baffled as Elsa blows a raspberry, "Irrelevant. We've never met nor did we have the same mother."

Elsa throws away that flashcard out of the camcorder's view, much to Sylvester's visible annoyance.

"And... that's it. We finished the game. Yay!" Elsa lightly cheered, her camcorder focusing on Sylvester, "So... food for thought?"

Silva watched herself, younger and with so much more innocence, more hope, than she had now. The camcorder in her gloved hands was running hot, the flashing sunset-red indicating a coming end, but she could care less, holding onto the memory in her hands for as long as she could.

Sylvester chewed her inner cheek and said, "Besides two nosy ones, I'd say it was... nice?"

Elsa's mock offended gasp was as exaggerated as the younger hermana's mannerisms had always been, "Just 'nice'? This is a memorial moment for the both of us. It is evidence for Persephone to watch and rewatch for years to come."

Elsa placed the camcorder on the coffee table, and sat down next to Sylvester on the couch, a big grin spread out, pearly teeth shown. She grabs a hold of Sylvester's laced gloved hands, despite the latter's exasperation over the former's words.

"Wasn't it you who emphasized the importance of this? To immortalize ourselves through memories our family can visit decades after we're gone? Whether it be through ink, our voices or our image? You have to agree that this is quite a viable way to do that," Elsa assures Sylvester, who's doubt dissipated the longer she thought.

The camcorder began to buffer, the orange-red blinking faster, but Silva continued to watch, wanting to savoir this for as long as she could.

Sylvester's grey eyes looked to Elsa, softly asking, "Okay. But I have to ask; are you sure?"

Elsa laughed, her dimples caught by the camcorder's lens, as she says-

Nothing.

The camcorder's screen was blank, only reflecting Silva. The blinking light gone, the heat prevalent, and despite desperately pushing the power button repeatedly, Silva knew she wouldn't get those reassuring words she needed to hear. Not now. Nor ever again.

Silva's shoulders slumped, still sat down on the old wooden floor in the decrepit corpse of her home. The home she had taken care of for almost a decade. Even after her hermana's death, despite the ache for her visits. Even after Persephone's passing, though the yearning for her hija's laughter echoing in the halls hurt more and more with their absence.

And now... her residence, her home, was nothing more than a burned and decrepit husk full of dust and debris. All the memories that mattered, all the memories she held close to her, the journals, the photos, the shrines they rested under, were all tattered and ripped and frayed and singed and gone. Just gone.

And now... with exception to Silva's own visage of Elsa... the last thing of her hermana that she could have shown to her familia, could no longer function. The Collapse had reduced the resources required to charge such a small device to ash. Even if something survived, the camcorder was aged, and had some bugs.

Silva flipped the lid screen closed, clutching the little camcorder in her gloved hands, pushing it against her chest as she let out a shaky breath. The foliage that claimed her house rustled as a breeze swept past.

She shook where she sat, holding onto the pain, the knowledge that change has come and another chance away from her before she could appreciate it.

The wood creaked, and Silva didn't want to look at her amor's beautiful face, didn't want to shoulder her with more of her own pain and grief. But a dainty hand cupped her face, and Silva couldn't resist, relenting to her beloved's request.

Her tearful grey eyes connected with the warm green of Faith's. Her beloved, her esposa, her amor. Her Faith.

I am hers. And she is mine. As we both vowed.

And Silva wouldn't hide herself away from her. Couldn't. Even if she tried. How could she? They both knew the best and worst of each other. Intimately.

There was no judgement pitting them against one another anymore. Like now, there was only understanding. The grief for a present that they could no longer return to.

Silva did not resist the tears that fell across her cheeks. Nor did she push away Faith when she wrapped her arms around her. An embrace that held a strength that others underestimated about her. Both possessive and a comfort. All to tell Silva, I'm here.

Silva felt two more pairs of arms hold around her. The first was of her inventive Azriel, her grip unyielding as she buried herself into Silva's shoulder, just like she had done when she found her at age nine.

And the second came from her youngest. Her Mercy, clutching onto her with small hands, light-brown hair nuzzling into her body, perhaps not quite knowing why her madre was sad now that they were out of the bunker, but doing her best to lighten the load with her presence.

Silva placed down the old camcorder, and did her best to compensate in the embrace by wrapping her arms around her Faith and precious hijas. Her familia.

The grief was ever present, but this time, Silva would not be lost to it.

[A/n] I lied, the fluff was merely a front, there's only angst here. Well, mostly at least. Set before Old Dusk (the New Dawn WIP), with only a camcorder showing pre-Silva's Hope stuff. They probably only recently left Silva's bunker and well, Silva's obviously gonna be depressed about the state of everything. At least she has her family to keep her grounded? Also I haven't written in a while, so if it was repetitive or tone death, my bad, I've been trying to get my motivation back. Anywho, hope you enjoyed this lovely (and angsty) oneshot, and see y'all in the next one!

[sweet-s0rr0w]

day 11 of @hprecfest - an underrated fic

with the lights off, I see you, by teatrolley - not rated, 1k, 2015

Summary: It’s funny how having another person’s fingers trail your ribs can make you forget about the hollowness of your chest for a moment. A bathroom stall with non-erasable black marker on the walls is not a place for romance, but for heavy eyelids to be shutting in something other than sorrow or exhaustion.

_________________

When a struggling Harry meets Draco in a London pub, everything might go terribly wrong. Or it might not.

Excerpt: In the beginning Draco’s fingers are ice as well, but then he buys a plant for Harry and they are green. The photosynthesising creature in the corner of Harry’s flat is kept alive mostly by Draco’s night-visits, which says something about how often they’ve become, but Harry chooses to ignore its words. Instead he lets Draco borrow a jumper one November night, and lies back and allows his kneecap to be kissed, even though kisses on body parts that are not private should be forbidden because of the implications they might lead to.

I don't love the concept of an underrated fic, because how do you measure that? Kudos, comments, recs? And even if the most well-intentioned, it sort of seems a backhanded compliment to give to someone about their fic, when they might be plenty happy with how it was received. I wasn't sure what to do, so I've picked an absolutely stunning fic from 2015 (whose author isn't in fandom) but which manages to tell such a detailed, deeply romantic story in so few beautifully chosen words. It'll sweep you away, just like Harry's swept away - gently, without fanfare - and I while I still don't know quite what underrated should or does mean, I think that this fic deserves to be read and enjoyed by everyone.

If you read it, and if especially you love it, please do let me know! And as always, please do take the time to leave the author a kudos/comment <3

day 1 - first fic you remember reading

day 2 - a fic rated G

day 3 - a fic not on ao3

day 4 - a comfort fic

day 5 - a romantic fic

day 6 - a fic for a ship you don’t normally read

day 7 - the best of your OTP

day 8 - a fic that was recced to you

day 9 - a WIP

day 10 - a fest/event fic

[pigdemonart]

Do you ship Fox and Krystal?? Because they were my childhood 🥺 baby's first otp yknow

hahah I do! But with a BIG asterisk. Putting it under cut for INSANE STAR FOX RAMBLINGS

* <- the big asterisk: I ship them, but like I also am okay with them not being end-game. I think their relationship could be so much bigger than that!! OK so, let me explain. When I was a kiddo I shipped them! I was a baby furry and I loooooved that there was a playable girl character in Star Fox FINALLY (though, you know that was for only a split second bhnjmk) But now, I just think the way they were both written in the games was a little boring and one-note. Also just uncomfortable at times, since her first appearance Krystal was made out to be weird kinda-fetishy, sex-appeal and not much else. I don't think that's a controversial statement though LOL Later games I don't much feel for their chemistry either, though they have cute moments here and there. The more interesting parts about them is when they're not seeing eye-to-eye and they're apart from each other, honestly. So in my drawings I was picturing something less canon and more re-imagined. Krystal is the lone survivor of her race and she's on Sauria trying to find the truth about what happened to her home planet while also aiding the local wildlife. I don't imagine the dinosaurs speaking much in my version, but Krystal is telepathic and an empath, she can read their minds well enough to talk to them and be understood. I imagine also she knows about Andross, but doesn't believe he's the reason her planet was destroyed (there's disagreements on if that is canon or not, and I think its pretty silly to blame every bad thing on the one guy.) I think it would be fun if Krystal (never being encased in a crystal because that plot was dumb) meets Fox on Sauria early on in the events of Star Fox Adventures. I mean it would have been GREAT if Krystal was his partner, instead of Tricky. Though in the drawings I included Tricky too, cuz why not? I like the dynamic of Krystal being kind towards all living creatures and Fox having to learn to keep up with that. Nature never seemed like his -thing- ya know. See I like the idea of their personalities crashing a lot at first. They are from different cultures and backgrounds, their understanding of Lylat history is different -- Fox being from Corneria means he views the war against Andross as a necessary thing, something Andross brought on himself and eventually paid for with his life, not to mention the death of his father weighs heavily on him forever. Krystal disagrees, being a firm believer that war is never the answer and the price of peace for some came at the cost of the death of others, including her own people. Like...DO YOU SEE HOW MUCH THEY WOULDN'T MIX, they are just too different and too caught up in their own life missions to really get the other's intentions. But then in spite of all that, they become friends. I think my ver. of Krystal while looking down on Fox somewhat for being a mercenary would also be intrigued by him. She would want to know how exactly this guy and his team defeated Andross, and from there know more stories about his life. Likewise, Fox being stuck on ground on Sauria with Krystal I think would open his eyes a bit more (lmao touch some grass for once) and they would at least bond with each other while also helping each other stay alive. I think they realize on their own that they each bring out good things about one another... at least at first.

In the games Krystal is pretty much assimilated into Star Fox and we don't really see how that happens or how she really feels about it. We just know she eventually breaks up with Fox and cuts ties with the rest of them, something that broke my heart when I was a kid, but I'm not super against or in disagreement with. Personally I just think her sort of beliefs and upbringing would have never lent itself well to the line of work Star Fox does, at least not so easily. It came off to me like she was a young woman caught up in a romance that felt right at first and then became bitter and unfulfilling once reality set in. And in my eyes, I think its more interesting if she becomes disillusioned with Star Fox and the Cornerian Defense Force because, put simply, Krystal isn't pro-military. And that's sad...but it's pretty raw, too. And I love my stupid children's game about furries in space being full of dark themes!! Nintendo already set the domino pieces up, I just feel like we never got to see them all come tumbling down. We were teased with possible ideas that the Cornerian army and General Pepper were morally grey and that Andross had good intentions mixed in with every totalitarian thing he did. Krystal even is the one to defend Andross in one scene in Command, which is fucking crazyyyyyyyy!!! but it doesn't GO ANYWHERE -tears hair out- But anyways, as you can see Fox X Krystal drives me insane. /pos There isn't really an ending I love or subscribe to the most from Star Fox Command. That game really just threw a lot of the fans for a loop with all the drama and "bad," not super fulfilling ends to beloved characters. Though, that being said, I lowkey like the Kursed/Krazoa arc for Krystal, I think it's like an interesting path for a character like her. Like yeah, turn this woman into a hardened butch bounty hunter!!!! why NOT!!! She'd get under his skin better than Wolf ever could!!! Plus, how often does a pairing go from friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-strangers?? Fox can't recognize the love of his life anymore because she's been fundamentally changed by the world HE introduced her to. Now they both gotta live with that with Sauria being nothing but a distant memory. It's tragic, it's messy, it can go in so many different directions and I just think these furries should yell at each other for my amusement. anyways that's all. :] i'm actually normal about them tee hee.

[aingeal98]

Steph for the ask game?

three facts about them from my personal headcanons

-The first woman Steph was ever attracted to was Zatanna. She didn't realise this until later on when she was dating Cass and it clicked that it hadn't just been platonic girl crush appreciation

-She did actually die. The body they put in the ground was actually Steph. Due to reality warping from various villains she ended up in Africa with Leslie who admitted that she hadn't actually let Steph die but tried everything and saw her bleed out regardless. They were both highly confused how she was alive again and they never did fully confirm why.

-She has all the autopsy scars and long lasting damage from Black Mask's torture. She used to play the piano but when she came back her fingers didn't stretch the way they used to and the first time she tried it gave her a panic attack.

a reason they suck

They were created and written by Chuck Dixon, which often meant being a part of his shitty conservative propaganda. She was more of a victim than a perpetrator most of the time, but I'd love to have modern Steph reflect on that and be like "Damn that internalized misogyny was kicking my ass sometimes huh."

a reason they are great

What if the entire narrative was stacked against you, what if your writers and editors looked down on you for being a teenage girl and treated you as nothing more than a pawn in their shitty sexist manpain stories. And what if you survived and triumphed and became loved enough to carve your own narrative. What if people have come and gone from the "family" that once excluded you maliciously but you're still here and kicking, a core part of it now. They put you in the Robin uniform as a consolation prize before killing you but you're still here and you're clawing your part in that history with everything you've got. For everyone that'll say Damian is the fourth Robin there's someone who'll reply "Actually that was Stephanie Brown."

a reason I relate to them

Being an isolated teenage girl who feels a deep anger at the injustice of the world and doesn't quite have anywhere to fit in or fully vent that anger? I was literally two bad days away from going out on the street to fight crime when I was a teen. I tend to relate to Cass more because the specific mentality and issues she have resonate strongly, but Steph also has plenty of material for me to dig into.

(what I consider to be) the top tier otp/ot3 for that character

Stephcass. It's gotta be stephcass. I could give a million reasons but I've yelled about this so much on my blog already. They bounce off each other so well, they've got the backstory and angst and complex dynamic while also being funny and cute together. The accidental romantic narrative they created is so damn good it barely needs anything to canonize it at this point.

five things that never happened to that character that I believe should have happened

A proper go at being Robin. An apology from Bruce. A discussion with Tim about what they did wrong and an apology too. A long talk with Cass after she came back from the dead with (you guessed it) an apology from Cass. Getting to talk to preboot Jason about what it means to be a sacrificial lamb to give Batman manpain and hype Tim up as the perfect Robin.

five people that character never fell in love with and why

-Dean. Even if she hadn't gotten pregnant it would have never worked out. He was simply too old and for all Steph hates herself she would have realized it eventually

-Detective Gage, for exactly the same reasons as Dean.

-Jason. He died before she came along and by the time he came back it would never cross either of their minds to be anything but purely platonic. They can bond but neither of them appeal to the other romantically.

-Kyle Mizoguchi. He's sweet and they could be something but unfortunately she's in love with Cass at this point. Like the entirety of Batgirls is just Steph and Cass being in love and not realizing it. Kyle had the wrong timing.

-Dick Grayson. The hypothetical age difference isn't a problem for Steph. But obviously, it's an issue for Dick. If she were ever to fall in love with him in an alternate universe and confess he'd be highly alarmed to find out why she thought things were possible between them. It might actually be nice for Steph to get an understanding ear and a shoulder to cry on, someone to tell her that it's not her fault and those men were wrong, but that's all. For one thing Dick is not a scumbag who creeps on young girls and for another thing that's his little brother's ex. In no universe could this ever be more than a one sided crush.

[teddybeartoji]

MICKEY YOUR RB ON THAT SMOKER!SUGU POST………. oh i need . lore . so badly

ROOMIE!SUGU BEING A SMOKER MAKES SOOO MUCH SENSE OBVIOUSLY (my heart goes out to depression era sugu and his inherent need for self-destruction 🫡) but i must know …. does he. try to get you to smoke 😳😳 does he … shotgun you……… or does he steal any cigarettes you buy with a teasing grin so you never start………. i need answers so bad misu you are my otp always

(also <3 ily!!! remember to have yourself a nice big meal if you haven’t already!!!!! <33333)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA deep breaths deep breaths...

you're out to get me fr ari you're insane i love you so much. OKEOKE OKE SO we did have a lil talk abt this already buut yeah in the misu world.. roomie!suguru definitely smokes. we have a little balcony in our apartment too so he doesn't have to like.. smoke out of a window or go down the stairs which is nice. aaand we have two little chairs outside too aand a little table and then we have a few plants too (he takes care of those i am awful with plants..) AAAND this is our regular hangout spot!!!!!!!!!! smoking or not, we like to sit there a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ok now to the actual smoking lmao like i already mentioned i am not a smoker but i am not a Cigarette Virgin either so i don't have a problem if he smokes or not. i think smokers are hot and i'm not gonna lie abt he looks SO fucking good while doing it oh my god my heart is going to give out................................. so yeah i definitely grab one from him every so often bc why the fuck not. but... mostly he just shares the cig with me... sometimes he just holds it to my lips so i wouldn't get the smell on my fingers and he always holds eye-contact while doing that bc he's a fucking asshole aaand when i blow the smoke into his face to get back at him he just . grins at me.. (he's so fucking hot ari i really do think i'm gonna die if i think abt him too hard)

he isn't the biggest smoker ever though, shoko definitely does it more than him. buuuut he does always want at least one after a long day and i think that's more than fine (i am drooling rn). oh aaand whenever we're hanging out with satoru and shoko and they go out for a smoke i mostly stay with satoru lmao this is important ok me and him are very very very good friends in this au i baby him i tease him we get along so well that it makes suguru a little jealous and then shoko gets to tease him abt that😭😭😭

liike suguru's just leaning against the balcony railing while shoko sits on one of the stairs and he's just . looking at me and satoru laughing together inside and shoko thinks it's the funniest thing ever hgashdgghsahdghgsa AAAAAAAAND when they come back inside, he always plops onto the couch right beside me (like awfully close) and then puts his arm behind me on the backrest and he thinks he's. smooth lmao pls everybody INCLUDING ME knows what he's doing😭😭😭

mm i don't carry around any cigs but i do always have a lighter with me and while it is very hot when he lights his own cigs.. he lets me do it a lot too and this is also smth that makes me fucking dizzy bc he leans in so close and then holds onto my hand so it wouldn't shake and AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH i hate him i love him i need to punch him i need to kiss him he's awful he's sexy he's the worst man alive

he definitely smokes weed sometimes too but uh. that's uhh. gulps very fucking nervously. that's when uh. Things happen ok i can't go into detail or i'll pass out.. he gets very touchy LIKE VERY TOUCHY i mean like nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck while toying with the hem of my shirt YEAH YEAH YEA H I NEED TO STOP HERE FUCK .

[strangeweirdgirl]

Lets talk about Annabeth and Thalia reaction after Luke's dead. (Not immediately after but the few snippets we got from hoo)

Annabeth:

Honestly the reaction we hav from annabeth checks out. She doesn't really wanna talk about him and that's perfectly fine. The guy who you saw as a brother then crush turned to a bad side and unfortunately you weren't able to help but in the end he still choose the right path, it can be confusing for her i think. She might blame herself that if i tried harder maybe i would be able to save him and he'll be alive. I hope though that she talks about it with someone cuz it will help the trauma. Anyways In tlh, when jason shows her the pic she doesn't wanna talk about him and that's fine hes a stranger but jason says a darkness comes upon her face.

From this I'm guessing after everything she's blocking everything and trying not to think or process it esp after percy goes missing. But as i said before it checks out. After everything it can be hard and confusing for her. Esp since in the short story hermes put it all on her. So she may blame herself and refuse to talk or think about it too much.

Another theory i have from her reaction, when Jason asks who luke is, is that she is angry with him. He went too far and didn't accept help(debatable) and destroy much in the way. Because a lot of demigods that died annabeth must have known personally and may have grown with them so while she may still have a soft side for him and proud that he sacrificed himself but is angry that his choices caused that much destruction and death. So yea in a way she also in this theory is confused and angry and frustrated with him.

Thalia:

Uff man Thalia. Im so confused about her as a character. She became antiluke in tlo but in tlh she calls luke her best friend like it was nothing and like she wasn't completely against him. I get after his sacrifice she became softer towards him (they're my otp so i would love this but) but girl you left him on his own, clearly against him in tlo, spew some lies about his father loving him when he didn't show any signs for it and now 3 4 months you calling him your best friend again. Uffff i cant process it or actually take it seriously

I do wanna say though because rick is kinda inconsistent with her character im not sure what to take as canon. Because after ttc she became a side character rick just doesn't focus on her or who she is as a person cuz i feel she keeps changing from what she is introduced to us before. She trusts Luke so much in ttc and yea seeing him like that can make her change some thing but to go all out like that idk. She completely switched to being antiluke in tlo and saying things that weren't even true. Then in tlh he is her best friend again. Alongside this i would also say her not showing any big reaction to Jason's death is completely out of character as well, at least what i perceive her as. Many ppl also think her reaction wasn't right to who she is thats why i say rick is inconsistent with her character just because she has become side and maybe he doesn't put much thought into it.

[lamialamia]

hai!!! are there any sledgefu fanfics or writers u could rec to me?

Anon I'm so sorry it took me so long to get to this. I was swamped with exams and deadlines and traveling. But gosh. I GOT CHU. I got recs!!!

This got insanely long so I'm putting a read more

Fanfic - Canon-verse (no AU)

Sleep Aid by someonesgrlbomb. Gosh. Okay. We all know the weird, fucked up bond between Sledge and Snafu is so interesting. They are traumatized young men who are wrestling with their humanity in hellish conditions. And this fic is one amazing look into this bond.

C’est ta main dans ma main doucement oubliée. by ijustlookatpictures. This one is heartbreaking. Not healthy in the slightest. But if you want to be devastated, this fic is for you.

I do my best because I'm counting on you counting on me by ijustlookatpictures. A groundhog day AU set in the war so I still put it here. I love this fic for its Snafu's voice. Trust me, Snafu is a tough character to write for because he is a layered bastard who has so much going for him. I re-read this fic like once every few months.

As It Was by SJtrinity. Possibly one of the best post-war fics for sledgefu out there. This fic might be formatted a little weird on Ao3 but trust me, it's worth it. Sledge and Snafu's road to a happy endings isn't easy or simple and this fic makes them earn their happy endings (even after surviving a war). READ THIS FIC PLEASE. I'M ON MY KNEES BEGGING YOU.

i’m the diode, you’re the kerosene by getmean. This imo is one of the required reading sledgefu fics. I mean, I would say that about any of getmean's fic but yeah. Realistic about PTSD but so perfectly balance with the slow-burn romance we all crave. Simply magnificent.

an angel like a memory by starblessed. Another incredible fic that nailed Snafu's voice.

gone but not entirely by marinersapptcomplex. Angst for the ages. Sledgefu is treasure trove of angst and in the right hand, it would fuck you up. Because this fic fucked me up. It's so good and deserve thousand of kudos.

The Boy and the Magpie by harin91. Oh this is a special sledgefu fic. It moved me to tears. It showed but never told. It got me craving for all the pretty jewels and lost loves and fairy-tale dreamings one could possibly have. If I think about this fic too much I might lost it.

Come Take Me Home Again by ThrillingDetectiveTales. Ehehhe, very sexy and very cute and made me giggle every time I re-read this.

Let Me Know The Way by bearkare. Epistolary story telling is no small task to pull off. Something which was done here so good it felt like I actually get to step into the characters' heads and dive into their inner turmoil. Another fic that takes the slow road to Sledgefu's happy ending. Love every word of this.

a collection of fragmented thoughts that were never written and never sent by canimo. Underrated. So fucking underrated. All the angst, and well, sledgefu have a tendency in many fic to not end happily at all. They are after all two very different people and with everything that happened, no matter how much love they might share, it isn't easy.

I Was Fixed on Your Hand of Gold by Cinderscream. Another epistolary fic that amazed me with the ease of how they manage to make story unfold within the limited confinement of letter writing. Love this one to bits.

friends who share your past by kinnoth. Once in a while, you had to let your OTP be toxic and unhealthy and unable to communicate and lead them to their downfall. Yeah.

fill in the holes you've made by foreignconstellations. Relationships are complicated. This one managed to capture that in just 2.5k words, which I absolutely can not comprehend.

Sweet Water, Wash Me Down by modernature. Atmospheric and very gripping. Amazing world building where the world felt alive and wriggling and squirming in the best possible way.

Leave your baggage here by malmanagement. Sometimes, we needed a groundhog day AU to make stubborn idiots understands.

Fanfic - AU:

got a fire but you just can't use it by getmean. I binged this instead of sleeping. Worth it.

catch it down in new orleans by starblessed. This is one of my comfort fics of all time. It's so funny and so charming. Never failed to lift me out of a bad mood.

Unknown Number by harin91. In which our favorite idiots tried long distance and it is endlessly entertaining.

lest we fall into the dark by gingerwerk. Oh everything about this AU is incredible. The slowburn is so good I wish I can lost my memory to read this again completely fresh.

Oh! Darling by Anonymous. I waited years for this fic to finally finish. I screamed when I saw the final update. Sexy and lovely. Can not recommend this fic enough.

Author:

getmean. Well you can't mention sledgefu without this author. No matter what their fics deliver. I aspire to write as good as them one day.

SJtrinity. I don't know what to say about this author because... my english could never measure my awe and love for their works

starblessed. You saw how many times I rec their fics? Yeah. Read everything this author write please.

Stolperzunge. I love them and their works. I could write a love letter here but I don't wanna be cringe.

bearkare. ANything written by this author made me feral <3 <3 <3

Honorable mention: eugeneshelton whose sledgefu fics gave me diabetes, and endlessly inspire me with his sledgefu ideas :*

[khoicesbyk]

The Royal Romance.

Forevermore.

A/N: this is the next chapter in the journey of my OTP. Follow along for the fun.

Rated: Mature (at times can and will be Explicit. I'll be sure to change the rating when and if that happens). | Contains sexual content and strong language. (You know? The usual. Y'all should be used to this from me by now 😁) | Bolded and/or italicized words are conversations and thoughts of the characters. | Main Characters: King Marquise Rys (LI) and Queen Shanelle Miller-Rys (MC) | All Characters and names: (except MC and original characters created by me and/or other authors [their characters have been mentioned and/or used in the story with their permission] ) are property of Pixelberry.

Current Word Count: 9,510 words. (may be slightly more or may be slightly less. Look, I stop counting after editing and re-editing and driving myself insane. 🤷🏾‍♀️)

If you’d like to be added to my tag list. Just reblog or DM me and I will gladly add you! 😁😘

This series is rated Mature and/or Explicit. It is NOT reading material that is safe for those under 18. Reader discretion is STRONGLY advised!

Missing a chapter or want to read a chapter again? I got you covered! Click ——> Here!

Tag List: @choicesficwriterscreations @tessa-liam

Chapter 11.) Present.

Lord Tariq Sauvageon stood in front of Their Majesties alive and well. But this is impossible because Tariq has been dead for almost 3 years. Right?

"No! It can't be!" Shanelle said in shock. 

Marquise just stood still. 

"I know this is a shock to you both. But if you'll let me, I can explain." 

That snapped Marquise back to reality. He turned to Captain Felix. 

"Captain! What the hell is this?" He asked in a demanding hiss. 

"With all due respect my Liege, I think it's best to let Lord Tariq explain it to you." Captain Felix replied. 

Marquise inhaled deeply then exhaled slowly before he turned to Tariq. 

"Talk! Now!"

 "This will be a long story so why don't you both sit down," Tariq suggested. 

The couple looked at each other before taking a seat on the thrones. That's when Tariq began his story. 

"As you both may know I was adopted as a baby but what you two may not know is that I'm also an identical twin."

Marquise blinked. 

"What are you talking about?" he asked Tariq. 

Tariq looked at Marquise. 

"As you may know, Your Majesty, my parents adopted me from an orphanage in Ethiopia when I was 5 months old. At the time, they were told that I was an only child, when in fact that wasn't true. I had an identical twin. A brother named Malik Yusef. We were separated when I was adopted." Tariq replied. "My parents didn't know he existed until I was 2 years old."

Tariq wrung his hands nervously before clearing his throat. 

"When my parents found out I had a twin they looked for him. They went back to the orphanage I was adopted from to find him but by then he had been sent to a different orphanage. Every year for almost 10 years my father would go back to look for him. He found him when I was 11 years old. Malik was living on the street with nothing but a tattered blanket to his name. He was filthy, scared, and begging for food. It broke my father's heart."

Tariq took a deep breath. 

"So my father decided to save him from a miserable life on the street. He brought him home to meet my mother and I. He and I bonded immediately and my mother fell head over heels in love with him. They started the adoption process in Ethiopia and it was approved by their government. But when it came to this government, your father wouldn't approve the adoption. King Constantine said that while he sympathized with my brother's situation, he was not going to approve the adoption because my parents already had their heir." Tariq said with a sigh, "But my father knew the reason why King Constantine wouldn't approve the adoption was because he and my father never got along and your father just wanted to be petty and spiteful."

"So what did your father do?" Marquise asked. 

"It broke my parent's hearts to have to send my brother back. So instead my father sent him to live with a family here that offered to take him in. My father would send money to the family every month to cover expenses. My brother proved to be a quick learner; within 4 years he learned to read, speak, and write in English and was taught about Cordonian governance. He applied for citizenship using the foreign exchange exemption and was denied by both Kings Constantine and Edward. So he tried again two years later when we were 18, and a temporary exemption for six months was granted. And he came to live with us, when his exemption ended my parents couldn't stomach the thought of losing him, not after we had finally got him home. So we hid him in a guest cottage until we could figure out what to do next. This was also right around the time I was matched with Naya." Tariq replies. 

"That explains who your brother was. But it doesn't explain any of this." Shanelle said to him. 

"I understand, my Queen. I promise I will get to that. When King Constantine named me as Ambassador to Ethiopia, I used my position to find out information about my birth parents. That's when I..." Tariq trailed off. 

"That's when you what?" Marquise asked. 

Tariq looked back at the door he came out of. Two women wearing Hijabs, one older, one younger, and three small children came walking in. 

"That's when I met Salema, my wife. This is her mother Saba and our children. Our son Yusef and our twin daughters Mailka and Jamila. Saba and her sister Eisa ran the orphanage where my brother and I were placed. It's because of them, that I found out my birth mother, Jamila, died from tuberculosis a week after my brother and I were born and that my father Kofi didn't even know my mother was pregnant." Tariq explained as he looked at his wife, "When Salema and I met it was love at first sight as I'm sure you and Her Majesty both know. There was just one problem."

"You were already married?" Marquise asked. 

"Yes. But I had no feelings for Naya and she never had any for me. Our marriage was a financial one, not a loving one. She never even batted an eye when I would be gone for weeks. And whenever I did check in with her from time to time, she was cold and closed off. Always acting like I was bothering or inconveniencing her. I couldn't even have a simple conversation with her about how her day went without her blowing up on me. Besides, Naya was more concerned with winning His Majesty back than she was with our marriage. So on one of my trips to Ethiopia, Salema and I got married." Tariq replied. 

Tariq's wife stepped up and bowed her head. 

"My English...is not...good. But my husband...is a good man." Salema spoke before looking up at Shanelle smiling softly, "he tells me...you are...pregnant."

Shanelle nodded before looking at the children.

"How old are your children?" Shanelle asked. 

"Our son is 5 years old and our girls are 2 years old," Tariq replies. 

Marquise let out an annoyed sigh. 

"I mean no disrespect to your family, but none of this explains anything! How are you even alive?" he asked Tariq impatiently.

"I'm alive because I had my brother to take my place here in Cordonia," Tariq replied. 

"How?" Shanelle asked. 

"When I married Salema I knew I wanted to bring her to Cordonia but first I had to get her passport straightened out and then have her apply for citizenship. So I told my brother to assume my identity until I could get Salema's paperwork finished. I intended to divorce Naya and declare Salema as my wife." Tariq explained, "Everything was going according to plan. I had almost everything in place. I just needed a little more time."

"A little more time for what?" Marquise asked.

"To have the paperwork for Salema submitted." Tariq replied, "After getting her paperwork submitted, I was told it would take up to a year for it to be approved. So in the meantime, I stayed in London with Salema and had Yusef continue to be me. Everything was going according to plan." 

"Yusef? I thought you said your brother's name was Malik." Shanelle said to Tariq.

"He went by either name. His last name was Mohammed. Like the prophet." Tariq said to her. 

Shanelle and Marquise looked at each other. 

"So what went wrong?" Marquise asked. 

"Yusef had become an expert at our deception. He had everyone fooled. Even the two of you. As I said, everything was going according to our plan until the night Naya lost her mind. He called me panicking after Naya attacked Her Majesty at the state dinner you held. He told me that you would've stripped them of their titles and lands if he didn't make the deal he made with you. He said he was afraid she'd discover us. I told him not to worry because Salema's paperwork had just been approved and that I would return soon to start the divorce proceedings. I had contacted a divorce lawyer here and was preparing to divorce my former wife." Tariq replied. 

"You were preparing to get a divorce?" Shanelle asked. 

"Yes. That's really the reason why Yusef told her to wait for him to finish the deal with DuPont Exporting. Because I had just started the divorce process and we were using that as the cover for it." Tariq explained, "Two weeks before the deal was done was the last time I ever spoke to him. I remember him telling me that he hadn't been feeling well. Neither of us knew or even thought he was being poisoned." 

Marquise shook his head. 

"I never thought she'd kill him. I knew she was unhappy with our marriage but not even I thought she hated me to the point that she thought murdering me was her only way out." 

Marquise ran a frustrated hand down his face. 

"There is no way you and your brother pulled this off on your own. So who else knew?" Marquise asked. 

Tariq chewed his lip. 

"Sir Jenkins...and my father knew. They helped to train my brother on how to act and interact with the nobility. Yusef was a good man. All he ever wanted was to live a life free of poverty and strife. And he achieved his dream. My brother...my poor brother...he didn't deserve to die like that." Tariq replied. 

"You could've come forward but you chose not to. Why?" Shanelle asks. 

"Because had I come forward I would've lost everything. I couldn't risk it. As cold as that sounds I needed the world to believe me dead." Tariq replies. 

"Does your mother know you're alive?" Marquise asked. 

"She didn't know I was alive until just recently. Like the two of you and so many others, she thought I was dead and had lost track of Yusef. That's also why I'm here." Tariq replied. 

"What do you mean Tariq?" Shanelle asked. 

"My mother has only days left to live. My father thought it would be good for me to grant her one final wish. To say goodbye properly as myself." Tariq replies.

Tariq looked at Marquise who looked unmoved. 

"I mean this with all due respect, Your Majesty, but the look on your face is a lot like the look your father had on his face when my parents brought my brother to him." 

"I can understand why. Because I'm having a hard time trying to understand what this is supposed to prove. Other than the fact you're alive and well apparently."

"I know Naya was convicted of murdering me and I wish to have that conviction overturned." 

"Unfortunately that can't happen."

"Why not?" Tariq asked. 

"Because a man is still dead. That can not be ignored. On top of the fact that we now have to inform the Ethiopian Government that one of their own is dead and has been dead in a case of assumed identity for almost four years now." Marquise replies, "You would've better served Naya and yourself for that matter by staying dead."

Marquise let out an annoyed sigh. 

"You do realize the firestorm you're about to start don't you?" Marquise asked. 

"What do you mean?" Tariq asks. 

"There is no way this is going to stay quiet. So here's what you are going to do, you are going to come out and tell the world you've been alive all these years, and then you will deal with the fallout that this will cause."

"But Your Majesty—" Tariq started to say before Marquise cut him off, "furthermore, your co-conspirators will have to answer for this as well. There are laws here against adultery and polygamy. You have broken both laws. That can not be overlooked."

"But Your Majesty! I explained to you why I did it!"

"Yes, you did. But I can not overlook the laws just because you explained yourself. Your father and Sir Jenkins will face aiding and abetting charges as well. While she was convicted of murder, I will allow Naya a small form of justice. She will be permitted to sue you for alienation of affection. And Tariq, you will meet with Naya and tell her everything."

"But what if she doesn't understand or accept my explanation?" Tariq asked. 

"Then that's your problem to deal with. Not ours." Marquise replies.

Tariq swallowed but nodded his head sadly. 

"What about my family?" Tariq asked. 

Marquise looked at Shanelle.

"If you can prove that your wife's paperwork was legitimately approved, she and your family will be permitted to stay. If you can't, then they will be deported," Shanelle replied. 

"If you're staying here Tariq, where are you staying?" His Majesty asked. 

"We bought a house in Duchy Arnaud. But I was hoping that you would allow us to live at my family's duchy." Tariq replied. 

"No. The duchy was turned over to the Monarchy after Naya's murder conviction. And that is where it will stay. Thankfully for you, I am sympathetic to your mother and will allow you to say one last goodbye to her before all of you answer for this." Marquise replied before turning his attention to Captain Felix, "Is there anything else you want to tell us while we're sitting here?" 

"No sire. That is all." Captain Felix replied. 

"How did you find him, Captain?" Shanelle asks. 

"We didn't. He contacted us and after verifying that it was indeed him who was contacting us, we brought him here to the two of you." Captain Felix replied. 

Marquise nodded before addressing Lord Tariq again.  

"There's more to this story than what you've told us, Tariq, but for now you have a press conference to get ready for." Marquise said to Tariq before turning to Captain Felix, "You can escort them out of the throne room now." 

The couple watched as Tariq and his family were escorted out. Once they were gone Marquise let out an exhausted sigh. 

"Well, this is a fine kettle of fish," Shanelle said to her husband. 

Marquise groaned. 

"Fine kettle of fish my ass! This is just one more thing we have to deal with." he hissed. 

"Tell me about it. How are we supposed to address this?" Shanelle asks. 

"We aren't. He is. It's just now we have to contact the Ethiopian Government and inform them that this Yusef person is dead." Marquise replied. 

"And what about Naya and her conviction?" 

"Her current conviction will more than likely be vacated and she will have to be retried and convicted again. This time of killing an international exchange resident." 

"Assuming Tariq is telling the truth." 

Marquise sighed heavily. 

"Like I said earlier he would've been better served staying dead."

Shanelle thought for a moment. 

"Maybe we can use this."

Marquise gave his wife a questioning look.

"With the inquiry into Anton's death coming up, we can use this situation as a distraction from it."

Marquise smirked at his wife. 

"Well look at you scheming." he teased. 

"Correction: I am trying to figure out how to spin this situation in our favor. You forget I have a Masters in Public Relations." 

"Call it whatever you like. But you're right we can use this." 

"I knew you'd see things my way."

"Of course. I always do."

"Uh-huh."

That's when Margo came into the throne room looking startled. 

"Are you alright mama?" Marquise asked. 

"I think so? I had just seen a man who looked like Tariq." Margo replied. 

Shanelle chuckled dryly.

"That's because that is Tariq." 

Margo stared at Shanelle in disbelief.

"What?! That's impossible! Tariq is dead."

Shanelle looked at her husband. 

"You tell her," she said to him. 

Marquise sighed. 

"Sit down mama. There's something you need to know."  

Marquise told her everything they learned. Afterward, Margo was stunned. 

"My God. So he's been alive this whole time?! What about Naya?" she asked. 

"Apparently to the first. And to the second, that's what we're going to have to find out but more than likely Naya will be retried and convicted of murder all over again." Marquise replied. 

"Again?" Margo asked. 

"Yeah. Even though Tariq is alive his brother is not." Shanelle replied. 

Margo shook her head.

"That poor woman," she said with a sigh, "this entire situation is just sad."

"Indeed." Marquise quipped. 

"As if you two don't have enough to deal with. You now have to deal with this. I don't envy either one of you." 

"Gee thanks, Margo." 

Marquise sighed. 

"I'm going to contact Carlo since he was the prosecution in Naya's case and see what can and needs to be done."

"Okay," Margo replied. 

"In the meantime, I have a military meeting to attend to and of course the inquiry into Anton's death."

"Do we have to do this inquiry?" Shanelle asked. 

"Yes, unfortunately. Since Lord Gallagher is the Head Of State he can request a formal inquiry into Anton's death," Marquise replied.

Margo scoffed. 

"I try to be impartial but I really don't like him."

"You don't like anyone that causes me trouble," Marquise said to her. 

"Well excuse me if I don't take too kindly to others wanting to take away what my son and daughter-in-law have worked for and what my grandchildren have earned."

Marquise snickered. 

"That is why I love you. You are loyal, loving, and fierce in your defiance of those who dare to oppose me." 

"And I always will be."

"I'm just happy she called me her daughter-in-law." Shanelle piped up. 

Margo chuckled. 

"I have taken up enough of your time. I will go check on the little ones and let you get on with the rest of your day."

"Alright. We'll see you later."

Shanelle watched Margo leave before turning to her husband. 

"So this military meeting of yours, it doesn't have anything to do with the impending war in Kasnia does it?" she asked. 

"Not in so many words but yes. The Sulovarian Forces have started their campaign towards the capital city. So I will be meeting with the Generals Greenwald, Howell, Castor, as well as The Defense Council to see what action can and needs to be taken."

Shanelle nodded. 

"Do you mind if I sit in on the meeting? I don't have much on my schedule thanks to you."

"That's by design, you are pregnant after all. But to answer your question, of course, you can attend the meeting my love. 'Tis your kingdom as much as it is mine." he replied as they began walking out of the throne room, "Just be warned there will be a few unfriendly faces there." 

"Who?"

"Well for starters, Bradshaw and Isabella will be there."

"WHO?!"

"You heard me."

"Why?"

"Because Lythikos needs to be represented in this meeting and since Olivia is out on maternity leave with her and Amalas's new son. She needed someone with military expertise so she appointed Bradshaw and Isabella in her stead." 

"But it's Bradshaw and Isabella!"

"I know. And as much as I hate to give them any credit, Bradshaw does have a good military mind. And well, I'd rather have his evil powers with us instead of against us. And as far as Isabella is concerned she wanted to get away from his kids. Not that I blame her. Also apparently he has a grudge against King Demetrius."

"I guess that tracks. So who's the other unfriendly face?"

"Lord Gallagher."

Shanelle groaned. 

"You've got to be fucking kidding me!"

"I wish I was but I'm not. He took over his father's seat on The Defense Council when he became the Head Of State of Comery Isle." 

Shanelle's face soured. 

"You know he's going to do nothing but stonewall just to prove a point right?"

"Oh, I'm counting on it. But you see at the end of the day, we have the final say. So as long as you and I agree it doesn't matter what he says or does in this meeting." 

"What are you leaning towards?"

"I'm strongly leaning towards deploying troops to the region. King Balthazar has a good army but they are no match for King Desaad's forces."

"Why does King Desaad want their kingdom so badly?"

Marquise shrugged. 

"Only one reason why. Greed. He took over his other neighboring kingdom Alevendia just after he came into power."

"How was he able to do that?" 

"Before he came into power, Demetrius was a high-ranking Commandant in the Sulovarian Armed Forces. And after leading the military coup that took over their capital Wyrion he was named King." 

"He staged a coup?"

"Yes. He and the military forced his cousin, the former King Apostolis out."

"Wow. So he's VERY ruthlessly ambitious."

"Indeed. He tried for years to get Bradshaw to align with him."

"Oof! I bet that went over well."

"It would have if Queen Ermina hadn't insulted Bradshaw's mother Mathilda." 

"I take it Isabella didn't stop her."

"Not even close. Which is why Bradshaw is holding a grudge against King Desaad."

"And you think we can use that grudge to our advantage."

"It's certainly worth a shot."

Shanelle nodded as they made their way to his office door. 

"Good point." Shanelle says before taking a deep breath to steel herself, "Well shall we go into the lion's den, Your Majesty?" 

Marquise fixed his cuff before offering her his arm.

"Let's go slay the beasts inside." 

Upon entering they were greeted by their Generals and members of The Cordonian Military Defense Council.

"Good afternoon everyone. Please, be seated." Marquise said to everyone in the room, "Now we have much to discuss in terms of aiding Kasnia's defenses."

As Marquise and Shanelle made their way to their seats, Lord Gallagher scoffed. 

"This is a waste of time! We have better things to attend to than worrying about some fledgling kingdom."

Marquise raised an eyebrow at him. 

"Okay fine. Let's say we don't aid Kasnia and we just sit back and let King Desaad take over Kasnia like you're suggesting, what do we do when his greed disrupts a major supply chain for us? Or worse, he sets his half-witted sights on us? What then?" he asked Lord Gallagher, "because I need you to realize that this is about more than just aiding a fellow kingdom in need. King Desaad is used to always getting his way by either strong-arming his opponents or worse - taking over entirely. This is about protecting our neighbors and the region. Ensuring all of us are free to trade and work together. This is about fairness for us all."

Bradshaw awkwardly cleared his throat.

"As much as I hate to agree with His Majesty on anything, he's right. Demetrius is maniacal. And will only ever look out for himself. His taking over Kasnia by force will be catastrophic for everyone involved."

Isabella nodded. 

"My husband is right. King Desaad is as selfish, self-centered, greedy, and brutish as they come. Now I admit my husband and I have our own faults, but to let King Desaad take over is to give into cowardice." she added. 

Lord Gallagger snorted derisively. 

"You'll forgive me if I don't take advice from those who lost their kingdom."

"That's enough Lord Gallagher!" Shanelle said to him, "As His Majesty was saying we're here to discuss how best to quell this situation before it explodes in all of our faces," 

Lord Gallagher rolled his eyes but said nothing. 

"You know, mi'Lord, you don't have to be here," Shanelle warned him.

"I am a member of The Defense Council! I have every right to be here!" he snapped at her. 

"As long as I allow you to be." Marquise warned, "Now ladies and gentlemen, let's get down to the matter at hand. Kasnia has reached out to us for assistance and it is strongly in our best interest to find a way to help resolve the issue before it gets way too out of hand." 

General Greenwald cleared his throat. 

"After assessing the situation and conferring with Generals Howell and Castor, it is in our very best interest to deploy troops to the island. His Majesty King Balthazar will be giving us access to several of his outposts around the capital city," he said to the room. 

Lord Gallagher let out an annoyed sigh.

"I still say it's a waste of time. Our resources should only be used if the situation is dire. So far King Desaad has done nothing to warrant such a dire response. Also while Kasnia may be our neighbor but that does not make it our responsibility to swoop in and be a hero." 

Shanelle leaned over to whisper to her husband. 

"Told you he'd try to stonewall us."

Marquise nodded then shrugged. 

"Very well, Lord Gallagher. We'll go with your suggestion and back off."

Everyone in the room looked to Lord Gallagher who suddenly looked self-conscious. 

"Look, I'm not trying to be an ass. I do want to help but right now there is no dire need to do so."

"So what do you say to those that the Sulovarian Armed Forces have already forced out of their homes?" General Castor asked. 

"Again I want to help them, I do, but sending in troops should only be done if Sulovaria makes a move against the Kasnian capital. Listen I feel for those who have been pushed out of their homes I really do, but until the capital is under siege we should hold off on sending troops in." Lord Gallagher replied. 

"So what do you suggest we do in the meantime?" Shanelle asks. 

"We should continue monitoring the situation on the ground. As far as the people who have already been forced out of their homes are concerned, leave that to His Majesty there. Now I'm sure King Balthazar has shelters set up to assist those that are homeless." Lord Gallagher replied. 

That gave Shanelle an idea. 

"What if we open shelters here for those who have lost their homes?" she asked the room, "since Lord Gallagher is adamant about not sending troops into Kasnia right now, we can still help by opening shelters here for those who are seeking refuge."

Many in the room began to murmur in agreement. Marquise looked over to see a very flustered Lord Gallagher. 

"I think it's a great idea. Especially since Lord Gallagher feels it's a waste of time and resources to send in troops at the moment. So here's what we'll do, we'll send over as much artillery aid as we can while opening up shelters here for those who are being forced out." Marquise said to the room, "now I'll put it to a vote. All in favor?" 

"Aye!" many in the room replied. 

"All opposed?" he asked the room. 

Marquise looked around the room but got no opposing votes. 

"The motion passes with no objections. I will convene my advisors to have shelters opened up for the Kasnian people." 

Lord Gallagher sighed defeatedly. 

"Something wrong my Lord?" Shanelle asked. 

"No, Your Majesty," he replied. 

"Are you sure?" Marquise asked, "You seem very ill at ease." 

"I'm fine," he replied impatiently. 

"If you say so," Marquise said with a smug smile and a shrug. 

The rest of the meeting which took up much of Their Majesties afternoon, went fairly smoothly. Except for the occasional objection from Lord Gallagher and glare from Isabella to Shanelle. When the meeting ended, Their Majesties shared a mini victory. 

"You were amazing in that meeting, my love. Even if you were met with a few eye rolls." Marquise said to his wife. 

"Thank you hubby bear. It was fun to attend the meeting. I normally let you handle them but I felt compelled to join today."

"I'm glad you did. It didn't go exactly how I wanted it to but it still was very productive."

"Indeed. Even though I almost threw a chair at Isabella's head."

Marquise snorted. 

"I wouldn't have stopped you." he said as the alarm on his Apple Watch went off, "ahh! It's time to get the Princess from school." 

"I'll go get her. Besides, Momma just texted that the boys are down for their nap, and you have another meeting with the head of the dungeons to get ready for."

"Alright. Oh and if you find yourself going by Book-A-Holic don't forget my chocolate croissants!"

"That's it! You're going on a diet!"

He looked at her indignantly.

"I will do no such thing!" he protested. 

"We'll see about that."

Marquise smiled tightly at his wife. 

"Go get my daughter. Now!"

Shanelle rolled her eyes playfully. 

"Yes sir."

"Good girl."

"See you in a bit."

Marquise watched his wife leave before he started prepping for his next meeting. As he was prepping there was a knock at his door. 

"Come in!" Marquise called out to the door.

"Pardon my intrusion, sire."

When he looked up his brother was standing in the doorway. 

"Leo?!"

"Tch! Look at you! Always working! How your wife and my niece and nephews put up with it I'll never know."

"What are you doing here?" Marquise asked. 

"Last time I checked not only did I grow up here but my brother is the King. Maybe you know him? He's an arrogant jackass  with a heart of gold." 

Marquise shook his head with a smirk before hugging Leo. 

"Welcome home big brother. I wish you would've told me you were coming. I would've rolled out the red carpet."

"Would that have been before or after you tripped me?" Leo asked. 

"Yes," Marquise replied. 

Leo snickered. 

"It's good to see you, big brother. You should've called."

"Where's the fun in that?" Leo asked. 

"Never change big brother. Never change."

"I came here because I have a few announcements to make. And what better way to do that than to force you to listen to me?" 

"Gee...thanks...I feel so honored." Marquise deadpanned as Leo took a seat across from him. 

"First of all, go to hell. Second, I've decided to move home. Permanently."

Marquise stared at his brother. 

"You serious?" Marquise asked 

"Yeah. I'm ready to come home. If you'll have me." Leo replied. 

"Leo, you didn't have to tell me. You can always come home. This is your home too. This will always be your home. You know this."

"Wait until you hear why I want to move home."

"Leo it doesn't matter why. If you want to come home then just come home. I would never tell you that you can't."

"Thanks. I appreciate that."

Marquise looked over his brother's shoulder to see Margo standing in the doorway

"Does Mama know you're home?" 

"No. I haven't told her or my mother that I'm here."

"Well, I hate to tell you this but..." Marquise trailed off. 

"She's behind me, isn't she?" Leo asked. 

"Yup."

"Prince Julian Leonardo Rys!" she said to Leo who winced. 

Leo slowly turned around to see Margo standing with both hands on her hips and a look on her face. 

"Man, you are so busted!" Marquise whispered to his brother. 

"Hello, Mama! It's good to see you! You look absolutely marvelous! Doesn't she look absolutely marvelous, little brother?"

"No, you don't! You are not about to drag me into this." Marquise said to him. 

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming home?" she asked him. 

"You know that's not my style. You know I love to keep people on your toes." Leo replied. 

"If only I didn't love you as much as I love your brother."

Margo shook her head before hugging Leo. 

"Welcome home my boy," she said to him. 

"Thank you."

"Will you be staying for a few days?" she asked. 

"Actually I will be moving home permanently," he replied. 

"Really? That's wonderful news. It'll be good to have you home. Now does Joanna know you're home?"

"No, not yet."

"You haven't told your mother you're home?"

"I wanted to surprise her. After I leave here I'm going to go see her. Wait until you and this one find out why I've come home."

That's when a pair of running feet were heard. 

"Uh oh! Is that who I think it is?" Leo asked before Khari burst through the door.

"UNCLE LEO!" Khari exclaimed.

"There she is! There's the bestest, most amazing coolest Princess in all the realm! Come here kiddo!" he said to her as she ran into his arms. 

"You're here! You're here! You're here!" Khari said to him excitedly. 

"Wait! Hold it! Let me look at you." he said as he put her down, "somethings different about you! Have you gotten smarter?" 

"I'm always getting smarter," Khari replied. 

"Hmm...then maybe...aha! I got it! You've gotten taller!"

"Well yeah. I'm growing up even though Daddy hates to admit it and thinks that I'm always gonna be a little girl."

Margo guffawed at the look on Marquise's face as Leo wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. 

"She's a natural. I love it." 

That's when Shanelle walked in with the twins. 

"Well, at least I know why she bolted after talking to one of the attendants." 

Leo grinned at Shanelle. 

"There's the woman of the hour! And might I say you are glowing my favorite sister-in-law."

"I'm your only sister-in-law."

"Exactly. I don't need another one. And there's my boys! Gimme some!" he said to the twins with both fists out.

"It's a fist bump, boys," Khari said to her brothers. 

Both boys toddled over and gave Leo a fist bump. 

"Atta boys!"

"So what are we gonna do tonight Brain?" Khari asked her uncle. 

"The same thing we do every night Pinky! Try to take over the world!" Leo replied. 

"Will you please stop trying to corrupt my daughter?" Marquise asked his brother. 

"Never! I will not rest until we run the world!" Leo said to his brother. 

"Alright, that's enough out of you," Marquise said to his brother. 

"What brings you home Leo?" Shanelle asked Leo. 

"You mean besides the greatest niece and nephews ever and being happy about you being pregnant again? I was just telling your husband that I'm moving back home permanently." Leo replied.��

"Yay!" Khari and her brothers cheered. 

"Really? That's great. It'll be good to have you home."

"Thank you. Someone has to keep His Majesty humble."

"You do realize that I can kick your ass right?" Marquise asked Leo. 

"Psssh! I'd love to see you try." Leo replied. 

"Boys! That is enough!" Margo said to the two smirking brothers. 

"Now that I've missed. If only Papa was here to greet me too."

Margo smiled. 

"He would've been over the moon that you're coming home."

"Hah! He would've had us and the boys out on the golf course," Leo said with a fond smile, "as fun as all of this has been there is another reason why I'm here."

"What is it?" Marquise asked. 

"Not what little brother. Who." Leo replied. 

"Who, Uncle Leo?" Khari asked. 

"Me." a voice behind Khari answered. 

When everyone turned around Lady Hana Lee was standing in the doorway.

"No way!" Shanelle said. 

Hana smiled. 

"Hello everyone! It's good to see all of you."

Leo smiled sheepishly at Marquise. 

"Umm...would you believe Hana and I are together?" he asked Marquise. 

"What?!" Marquise asked. 

"And we're engaged," Hana replied, showing off a very impressive diamond engagement ring. 

"WHAT!!" Marquise said. 

"Oh my God!" Shanelle quipped. 

"Congratulations my boy! That's wonderful!" Margo said to Leo. 

"You're getting married, Uncle Leo?" Khari asked. 

"Yep. That's right kiddo. And I'm gonna need a flower girl and ring bearers. Do you know any?" Leo replied. 

Khari giggled. 

"Me and the boys can do it!" 

"Perfect!"

Marquise looked at his brother. 

"You and Hana? When? How?" Marquise asked. 

Hana stepped up taking Leo's hand. 

"We started dating four years ago. With my work in the Foreign Ministry, we were always running into each other." Hana replied. 

"And you're just now telling me?" Marquise asked Leo.

"You would've been all sappy about it." Leo replied, "Besides nothing beats shocking you."

Marquise rolled his eyes good-naturedly. 

"Now I need to ask you a question," Leo said to Marquise.

"What?" Marquise asked. 

"While it is my every intention to marry this amazing woman right here. I can't. At least not yet." Leo replied. 

"Why?" Shanelle asked. 

"Because I am but a lowly Prince, in order to marry I need His Majesty's blessing since I will be marrying a beautiful woman outside of my station," Leo replied. 

Marquise died laughing. 

"Yeah yeah! Laugh it up, chuckles." Leo sneered at his brother. 

"And all of this could've been avoided had you NOT abdicated. Because now you need me!" Marquise said while laughing.

"It's not that funny," Leo said to him. 

"Yes, it is. Because didn't you tell me that you wouldn't need me?"

"That was when we were kids!" 

"Still counts."

"Does not!"

"Does too!"

"Does not!"

"Does too!"

"Does not!"

"Does too!"

"Does not!"

"Does too!"

"Does not!"

Shanelle leaned over to whisper to Margo. 

"This was a regular thing, wasn't it?" she asked. 

"All the time," Margo replied with a chuckle. 

Shanelle snorted. 

"Okay, you two. Break it up!" Shanelle said to them. 

Marquise shook his head with a smirk. 

"Just like old times?" he asked his brother. 

"Just like old times, little brother," Leo replied. 

"Leo, you don't need my blessing or permission. If you love Hana then that's all you need to get married."

"Thank you, Marquise. Really."

"Of course. Now I will honor Cordonian tradition and officiate your wedding."

"So that's the officiant, flower girl, and ring bearers all knocked out in one conversation. Sweet! I like this." 

Marquise rolled his eyes before hugging his brother. 

"Welcome home and congratulations big brother. I couldn't be happier for you."

"Thank you. It's good to be amongst family." 

"It's good to have you home."

The next day after back-to-back meetings, His Majesty was finishing up some paperwork at his office when his wife walked in. 

"What a day yesterday, right?" she asked. 

"I'll say. Leo and Hana are not only together but they're engaged! And nobody knew!" he replied. 

"Yeah, but I'm happy for them. They seem like they really love each other."

"I am too. I've always wanted him to be happy no matter what he chose to do in life. And Hana makes him happy, that's enough for me." 

"Who knew beneath all that snark you actually love your brother?"

"Of course I love him. Giving him a hard time is a rite of passage. Besides, it makes up for all the times he made me bow to him when he was Crown Prince."

Shanelle snorted. 

"You two are something else. I'm glad he's coming home. Speaking of yesterday, after all the excitement, were you able to have your audience with the head of the dungeons?" she asked. 

"Mmmhmm. Everything is set for the audience next week. And I even spoke to King Balthazar about The Defense Council's decision yesterday." he replied. 

"How did he take the news?" 

"He was very...diplomatic about the news but I've known Richard my whole life so I know when he's disappointed. But he and Aunt Audrey are thankful that our borders will be open to their people."

"That's something at least."

"Yeah. He and Audrey know how fickle the nobles here are. I just wish I could do more."

"I mean technically we can override the council's decision and send troops in. But I know that it won't go over well and so do you. So it's six in one hand, half a dozen in the other."

Marquise sighed. 

"Yeah, I know."

There was a knock at the door. 

"Who in the world is that?" Shanelle asked. 

"I have no idea. It's late and I have no known audiences this late." Marquise replied. 

The door opened to a figure standing in the doorway. 

"King Elgin?" Marquise asked. 

The former King walked in using a cane and a portable oxygen tank followed by his attendant. 

"I hope this isn't a bad time," Elgin spoke. His voice was low and gravelly. 

"No, not at all. Please come in." Marquise said to him. 

King Elgin sat down across from Marquise. 

"This seems like a private conversation so I'll see myself out," Shanelle announced. 

"No no, stay Your Majesty. You'll want to hear all of this." King Elgin says to her. 

Shanelle took a seat behind her husband on his bookcase. 

"What brings you here, Your Majesty?" Marquise asks. 

Elgin chuckled dryly. 

"Oh, I was in the neighborhood. Y'know since my palace was burned to the ground under very mysterious circumstances," he replied to Marquise with a smirk on his face. 

"I don't know what you're talking about, Your Majesty," Marquise said innocently. 

"Hah! I was born at night, not last night. It was a brilliant move though. I have always appreciated a good opponent, His Majesty of all people knows that." 

"You're not angry?" Shanelle asked. 

"No. After all, your husband took a page out of my book. I may have done that to an enemy of mine in my heyday as King." King Elgin replied.

"You did something like this?" Shanelle asked. 

"Oh yes. One of my wife's old suitors' estate mysteriously burned to the ground while his dog was inside. Apparently, the student has become the master." Elgin replied. 

"Why do I get the feeling there's more to this than what you are letting on?" Shanelle asked. 

"You ask too many damn questions, woman," he replied dismissively. 

"Well excuse me for being curious." 

"Isn't that what killed a cat?" he asked her before looking at Marquise, "now pass me a damn drink. I'm parched."

Marquise shook his head with a smirk before pouring him a whiskey neat.

"Aren't you on dialysis?" she asked King Elgin who gave her an annoyed look. 

"Not that it's any of your business, yes I am. And since I'm eventually going to kick the bucket, I'm gonna enjoy whatever time I have left on this earth the best and only way I know how to!" he replied. 

Shanelle looked at her husband who merely shrugged. 

"Just so we're clear, THIS is Naya's father?" Shanelle asked. 

"You sound shocked." he replied before downing his drink and then telling Marquise, "pour me another one!"

"I am shocked. You seem down-to-earth while your daughter with all due respect...is insane."

King Elgin shrugged. 

"They said the same thing about her mother when we were married. Bernie had her peculiarities but she was a good woman." he said before looking around the room, a hint of disgust on his face, "I used to hate this office. Mainly because of your father. Whenever he wanted to be a smug bastard he'd summon me here. And brag about how my wife would still be alive if only she'd taken the deal he tried to make with her."

Shanelle shuddered at his words. 

"It's a whole lot worse than what you're thinking, Your Majesty," Elgin said to her. 

"You're right about one thing. Constantine was a no-good bastard." 

King Elgin regarded her over the rim of his glass. 

"I suppose no one would know that more than you and my boy here," he said before downing his drink, "I suppose I should hate you, my Queen. Both of you actually for presenting my daughter with the very same godforsaken deal that got her mother killed. But I can't." 

"Why not?" Shanelle asked.

"Because the deal you two offered Naya saved not only her life but it saved my granddaughter's life as well. I am in no position to raise a child. And I would not want my granddaughter growing up without a mother like her mother or worse like His Majesty here." he replied, "The laws of Cordonia are complicated, more often than not they are up to the interpretation and discretion of the Monarch. I would know. As a King, I had to abide by and determine them myself. I love my daughter. Very much. I would do anything for her. But murdering her husband is something even I wouldn't have been able to overlook." 

Shanelle and Marquise shared a look. 

"What?" King Elgin asked. 

Marquise sighed. 

"It's a good thing you're sitting down. Because there's something you need to know before it goes public." Marquise replied. 

"What is it?" King Elgin asks. 

Marquise explained everything that he and Shanelle learned the day before. Especially learning that Tariq is alive. 

"That son of a bitch! He set my daughter up! I want his head! I want him arrested! I want her conviction overturned! I want—" he started to say before a fit of wheezing coughs took over. 

"Your Majesty, please sit down." his attendant said to him before putting his oxygen mask over his face, "there, now please calm yourself my Liege." 

After a few deep breaths, King Elgin calmed down. 

"Thank you, Eugene. I'm...I'm alright." King Elgin said before taking another deep breath.

"I wasn't trying to upset you, Elgin." Marquise said to him, "But you deserved to know."

Elgin waved him off. 

"He's alive. And has been alive this whole time! That son of a bitch will pay for this! He and his father will both pay!" King Elgin seethed. 

"Indeed they will. But as far as your daughter's conviction is concerned, as you just said Cordonian Laws are complicated. And while her conviction of murdering Tariq will more than likely be overturned, that does not mean she is free. She will still have to answer for murder. Just not Tariq's." 

King Elgin scoffed. 

"You mean this so-called brother of his?" King Elgin asked. 

"Yes. It can not be overlooked. You know this." 

King Elgin shook his head. 

"I always knew you'd be a good King, Marquise. I just wish that just this once you'd look the other way."

"You know I can't do that and you know why I can't do that."

"Yes yes. If you do it for my daughter then you'd have no choice but to do it for everyone." King Elgin said in disgust, "I want to meet with him. And you're going to make it happen!" 

Shanelle got ready to speak but Marquise stopped her. 

"Very well. I will arrange it for you. It's the least I can do. Just promise me you won't kill him." 

"Fine." 

"Now I've known you a long time, Elgin. I know you didn't come here for a simple drink." Marquise said to him as he poured him another drink. 

"Astute as ever my boy. You're right, I didn't come here for a drink and I certainly didn't come here so you and your wife could drop a bomb on me. I came here because I wanted to talk about this challenge of my niece's." 

"Speak your mind my Liege." 

Elgin took another drink before clearing his throat. 

"When you became King and this one became Queen, many were excited. Because it signaled the end of that rat bastard you and your brother called a father. And her uncle as well. Those were exciting times. For almost 9 years you've proven yourselves capable as the Heads of The Monarchy. You saved our home from ruin, the likes none of us had ever seen. Not since the kingdom split over a century ago. And while I will never be too keen on you breaking my daughter's heart, I understand why you married your wife. She has proven herself a leader as have you, my boy. You have made this kingdom a better place than when it was handed to you. You take pride in all our people and the successes of them. You two have made sure that this is a kingdom that all of Cordonia's children can live in. Not just your own. For that, I commend you both."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Shanelle said to him. 

Elgin nodded to Shanelle before looking at Marquise. 

"Get your recorder out, Marquise. Because I want what I'm about to say to be on the record."

"Are you sure Elgin?" Marquise asked. 

"Positive my King," Elgin replied. 

Marquise nodded before pulling a recording device out of a drawer and setting it down on his desk. 

"Whenever you're ready, Your Majesty." 

Once Marquise pressed the record button, Elgin cleared his throat and then began to speak. 

"I was a King once. So I understand the unique challenges that come with ruling a kingdom. You aren't just making decisions based on your own selfish whims. You are making decisions for your people. Decisions that will affect their lives in the present and their generations of the future. Some decisions are easier than others. Some are well-received and others not so much. It comes with the territory of being the Monarch. You and your decisions won't always be popular but you must always be focused and practical in your decision making. You can never make decisions based on petty grudges and pessimistic grievances. That is how you lose a kingdom and its people. That is how Constantine and Edward lost their kingdoms and their people."

Elgin cleared his throat. 

"Being a Monarch is also about trust. The people must be able to trust that you know what you're doing. They must be able to trust that you will always put them first. They must be able to trust that every decision you make is for them and the betterment of their daily lives. They must never look at the Crown and be in fear of it. The Crown should always inspire all those it serves. That was another problem with Edward and Constantine. They chose to rule by fear and intimidation. You two have once again made the Crown a symbol of hope and prosperity. You both have walked that fine line only a ruling Monarch can walk. You have been trusted with the most precious gift. To tend the garden known as Cordonia today. You have laid the groundwork for all to thrive and prosper."

Elgin paused. 

"I don't know how much time I have left on this earth. Hell, I could easily die tomorrow. And if that happens I want to be able to rest easy and assuredly knowing that the kingdom I spent my life serving is in good hands. I will be able to rest knowing that the Cordonia I always envisioned will be realized. I will be at peace with the fact that my granddaughter will be able to live comfortably because the Cordonia that is for the Crown Princess and the Princes is the same Cordonia for her as well. That is why I am giving you all my support in this challenge. Despite my personal reservations about Her Majesty, I believe in the future you two are trying to build towards. It is a future that includes the health, safety, happiness, prosperity, and overall well being of my granddaughter. I want that future to continue to flourish. Not die."

Marquise nodded. 

"Are you sure Your Majesty?" he asked King Elgin. 

"Yes I am. I don't trust my niece or her judgment. She is so much like her father. Arrogant, petty, vindictive, pessimistic, selfish, callous, and worse self-centered. And her so-called husband is even worse. There's a reason why his Grandfather Roland could not be trusted. They would seek to destroy all of the positive progress you two have made just to be petty. I don't want that. I want to see Cordonia stand strong in the world. Not withered into nothing. So yes, I am certain that you and Her Majesty have my pledged support. Also, if this is my only chance to stick it to that incompetent ninny I call a younger brother, then so be it." King Elgin replied. 

"And you're not here under false pretenses or against your own will?" Shanelle asked. 

"No, my Queen. I am here of my own volition. I am of sound mind, body, and spirit because I believe in a Cordonia for all, not just the meager few." King Elgin replied. 

Marquise nodded before switching off the recorder. 

"Thank you, Elgin."

"You know it's funny. When I look at you my boy, I have no choice but to smile. Because in a way I got the revenge I always wanted. I watched as you took his kingdom and I...I outlived that rat bastard by almost 8 years! If that isn't the sweetest form of revenge I don't know what is." 

Elgin stood up and extended a hand that Marquise shook. 

"Good luck my boy. To you and yes even to her." Elgin said, nodding to Shanelle, "You are the present and future that Cordonia deserves to have." 

"Thank you, Elgin. I have always valued you as a friend and a mentor."

"You needed one since that sorry excuse of a father of yours never gave a shit."

"Indeed."

"I've taken up enough of your time. Good luck once again." 

Their Majesties watched King Elgin leave. Marquise let out a breath he'd been holding in. 

"I did not expect that," Shanelle said to him. 

"I didn't either but I'm glad to have his support all the same. He taught me how to win. That's how I met him and Naya. He's always been a practical man. He's one of the reasons why I love to play chess. That's one of things I always respected about him."

"At least he didn't tear me a new one." 

"He wouldn't do that. Despite what he said earlier, he never wanted Naya and me together. He was always afraid that my father would corrupt her. That's one of the reasons why he married her off to Tariq. So my father wouldn't be able to get his hooks into her." 

"Talk about a devoted father. Reminds me of you."

Marquise smiled softly. 

"Thank you, my love." 

"Since it's now on the record, when does his statement go out to the public?" she asked. 

"I'm thinking maybe after this inquiry is over and done with," he replied. 

"Okay."

Unfortunately, His Majesty wouldn't be afforded the luxury of waiting. The next morning while having breakfast with his family an attendant pulled him aside. 

"Apologies, sire. I don't mean to interrupt your family's breakfast but I do have urgent news for you." 

Marquise nodded. 

"Go ahead."

"We have just received word that His Majesty, King Elgin...passed away in his sleep last night."

Marquise swallowed and then nodded slowly. 

"I understand. Thank you. I will contact his daughter as soon as possible."

"Yes sire."

The attendant left and Marquise returned to his breakfast. 

"What was that all about?" Shanelle asked. 

"Elgin. He...he passed away last night."

"Oh no. What about Naya and her daughter?"

Marquise sighed. 

"I'll reach out to her. In the meantime, because he is a former King, I have a state funeral to plan."

Shanelle nodded. 

"Well at least we know why he came to see you yesterday. He wanted his last words to be in support of you."

Marquise sighed. 

"Are you okay?" Shanelle asked as she rubbed his arm. 

"Yeah I'm alright...it's just...I should've known something was up."

"I'm sure he was at peace. I know you considered him a friend." 

"I can only hope he was. Let's finish breakfast and then I'll go get started. I will text your father about putting out a statement about his death." 

"And what about inquiry?" 

"I would love nothing more than to cancel it but I don't want to give Lord and Lady Gallagher the satisfaction."

"Okay." 

After breakfast was done and his daughter was off to school, His Majesty found himself preparing a statement with Damien.

"Elgin. Gone. My God. I never thought it'd happen." Damien said as he sat down. 

"I didn't either. But here I am. Preparing a state funeral for one the last great Kings of Cordonia. No disrespect to your father." 

"None taken. Elgin was a great King. He always reminded me of his father."

Damien noticed the look on Marquise's face. 

"Are you alright son?" Damien asked. 

"I guess I'm processing. Like I told Shanelle, Elgin was a friend and a mentor. He always kept me on my toes. He's the one that pushed me to pursue chess and he celebrated me when I won and challenged me when I lost." Marquise replied. 

"The loss of a friend is never easy. But I'm sure Elgin would be proud of you." 

Marquise smiled wistfully. 

"I appreciate that."

"I have everything I need. I'll put the statement together and get it out."

"Thank you, Damien."

Marquise watched his father-in-law take his leave. Leaving him alone with his thoughts. He looked down at the signet ring on his finger before taking out a pen and paper then began writing the eulogy for his friend, King Elgin's upcoming funeral.

[sinisterexaggerator]

Genuinely curious: How did you get hooked on Banaka?

I have an enabler, that’s why. A few, but none so great as @allsystemsblue and I thank her every day for that. Not only do we have daily discussions about those two, but it makes the ideas run wild in my head. The more and more I think about them, the more ways I see them being good together, so much so I name them my OTP.

At first, like most Bane Stans, I was like, nah, he’d hate him. Hondo would annoy the fuck out of Bane, and while that may be true, that doesn’t account for things such as nuance, or growing to be obsessed with your “enemy” to the point it becomes homoerotic. >D

But I sell myself short. I have thought way too long and hard to give a simple explanation such as this, so let me delve a little more into the idea by explaining a bit of their canon backstories, and then my own takes on how they work well together and why.

Bane grew up on Duro, specifically in New Tayana, and lived in an area called the “Descent Ghetto.” It was not a nice place. Hondo was raised for a time on Sriluur, a not so nice place either, in Hutt Space where his mother taught him how to pick-pocket, among other things. Eventually, he was sold into slavery, but he knew deep down I am sure that it was for the money. He escaped, but we can determine they both have a rough start in life.

At this level we might say there could be an understanding. A mutual respect for a man who is self-made. In this they can relate, and while Hondo has his own set of problems commanding an entire crew, both could possibly confide in one another and discuss life’s ills.

As I mentioned in a previous post, Jango and Bane are an “item” if you will, for a period of time. I have yet to decide all the determining factors or all the things I want to cover in this part of my story, but based on what I know about Jango, he was not an affectionate sort. Gruff, surly, to the point, a man of few words, and with a short temper who has little patience for bullshit. If we take that and add to it a cunning, outspoken, brash, ill-tempered, sassy, aggressive Duros, to me that equates to an unhappy ending, or a clashing of personalities are they are both so similar. In this case, opposites attract.

If Jango and Bane were to part ways, Hondo being in the picture and observing their relationship, seeing the value in Cad, becoming fascinated and absorbed in him, regardless of if Bane knows or acknowledges that fact, should he give the Weequay a chance, all those things he has been denied through Jango easily come into fruition via Hondo Ohnaka.

This man needs love, support, a friend even, healing. He is traumatized in part due to his past (my story), and Jango is not that empathetic or concerned.

Hondo is attentive, charming, a deep thinker despite his clownish façade. If Bane can get past his petty grievances, if they were to share a moment or two alone, if they had a chance to talk, to linger in each other’s presence, if BANE ALLOWED HIM A SHOT, I think Ohnaka could sweep him off his feet. He would see there was more to him than just the flamboyant, foppish pirate.

Granted, Bane is untrusting. He sees the women; men; sentients, that Hondo brings to Florrum. He knows of his sexual escapades. He knows he’s a flirt and a scoundrel, so it is tough going in the beginning for Bane to accept what he is experiencing or receiving from him is genuine.

Perhaps they engage in something together, possibly among others, that is a sexual awakening in Bane. I see Hondo as giving to Bane things he has never felt before or even knew was possible.

He would hate it. It would unnerve him. He wouldn’t know what to think, to do, how to address this feeling inside himself, and it would soon devour him alive.

Maybe he needs more of it, despite wanting to inflict violence or damage against the person (Ohnaka) that made him feel this way. It becomes a need, a thirst so infuriatingly strong in him that it must be quenched.

This could develop in to a tentative, informal, even secretive relationship. It could go on for months, weeks, Hondo one of the few people who can bounce right back after one of Cad’s terrible mood swings. He doesn’t take offense to his words, or rarely if that, something more personal perhaps, but he is able to deal with this terrible, bratty boy and knows just how to placate him, how to soothe him.

Maybe casual sex “digresses," or “upgrades” to feelings being involved, real affection occurring, yet also hidden behind closed doors.  I foresee angst, drama, hurt, comfort, and a whole plethora of other tropes occurring between these two.

One is the concept of “sun” and “moon.” Hondo is the sun to Bane’s moon. He is the sunshine one, the happy one, the one who can get this bounty hunter out of his funk on more than one occasion, despite his jealous, possessive tendencies.

To me they are perfectly complimentary. That’s basically it. Not only that, Hondo knows when he needs his space, when not to crowd him, when to stand down, and even though Bane may raise his hand against him, Hondo would never afford him the same reaction. Not like Jango.

Though Hondo speaks many, many words, actions speak louder to Bane, and Hondo can read him, whereas many cannot.

Pair that with his almost obsessive interest in Bane, and the fact he is without a doubt attracted to him from the moment Fett brings him to Florrum, and we have for a most interesting potential ship, IMO.

[patbworship]

Mod Introduction #1 (Welcome to the Blog! Narf!)

Hellooooooooo Tumblr!!! If you are seeing this, you have stumbled across the newest Pinky and The Brain exclusive blog (as hinted by the title of course!) that will be dedicated to celebrating the legacy, brilliance, and gayness of the PaTB franchise! I am Mod Pinky (my other half will be making an intro very soon) and many of you may know me from my main blog @theonethatyaks93 where I post Animaniacs and PaTB content for a living. I am really glad to share this fun new project with my bestest partner and we are both excited to be sharing our love for the mice with all of you! Now I am aware that the fandom is not as active as it once was, and many blogs like this one have been abandoned. Still, we are excited to be keeping the fandom alive and we are looking forward to helping cement this show into public conscious for a while longer. But enough about that; we'll be making another post to describe the blog in more depth at a later time. Let's get to the fun, actual introduction part of the post:

Name: Please call me Pinky or Mod Pinky if you'd like

Pronouns: She/They

Basic Interests: Writing, Singing, Acting, Animation, Drawing,

Dream Job(s): Voice Actor, Author, Writer on a PaTB Reboot

OTP: Brinky

My History in the Fandom: Surprisingly, I've been involved in the Animaniacs fandom since 2020 and the PaTB fandom since 2021. I got into the show thanks to the trailer for the Animaniacs reboot and I instantly fell in love. I was actually more into the Warner Siblings when I first watched the original series and I spend the first months in the fandom obsessing over them. However in 2021, I got really, REALLY into Pinky and The Brain. I believe it was because I saw people talking about them everywhere. And I started shipping Brinky as well. The mice just appealed to me specifically, and as I was going through the worst time in my life, they were there to help me out. Since then, nearly three years later, I've become an expert in all things PaTB. Pinky and The Brain has actually gotten me interested in other things shockingly, including neurological science and even rodent care, believe it or not. These mice have a death grip on my life and I am looking forward to growing my love for the series even more.

Favorite Episodes of PaTB (All episodes that I've seen so far) (In no particular order):

A Pinky and The Brain Christmas

This Old Mouse

A Pinky and The Brain Halloween

Broadway Malady

Brinky

Brain's Way

Talladega Mice

Narf Over Troubled Water

Of Mouse and Man

That Smarts

Megalomaniacs Anonymous

Snowball

Welcome to the Jungle

Future Brain

How The Brain Thieved Christmas

Groundmouse Day

Pinky Suavo (Yeessssss)

Plight of Hand

Brainie the Poo

Brain's Night Off

Happy Narfday

Mouse Madness

Royal Flush

Mouse Congeniality

How To: Brain Takes Over the World

Spell-Bound

Yes, Always

Brain Meets Brawn

Bubba Bo Bob Brain

Inherit the Wheeze

Where Rodents Dare

Pinky POV

Favorite Moments from PaTB: You guys are going to have to wait for the blog. I wanna make posts about them and talk about why I love them so much. But one of my favorite moments, of course, is the ending of the Christmas episode because it makes me sob every time I watch it

Most Underrated Episodes (Again, in no particular order):

Brain's Song

Pinky's Dream House

Anything from the Animaniacs Reboot

Melancholy Brain

The Pinky and The Brain Reunion Special

But That's Not All Folks!

Dangerous Brains

Beach Blanket Brain

Pinky at the Bat

You Said a Mouseful

Brain Drained

Hoop Schemes

Napoleon Brainaparte

Battle for the Planet

Win Big

When Mice Ruled the Earth

Favorite Songs:

Just Say Narf!

Brainstem

Pinky's Memories

Cheese Roll Call

The Really Great Dictator

A Meticulous Analysis of History

I Ate a Rock

Pinky's Dream House (Song)

Brain Doggie Mambo

International Mouse of Mystery (For the vocal performance alone)

Most Interesting Opinions on the Show:

I really like Snowball. He's my favorite side character from any iteration

Julia (from the reboot) is AMAZING in her second and third appearances. Not in her first

I prefer the fan versions of Billie to her canon character

I do not like Phar Fignewton very much. She isn't a very interesting character

I think Pinky and The Brain thrived in the late 90's while Animaniacs faltered a bit. Seasons 3-5 of Animaniacs had some good episodes but quite a few duds while PaTB had an incredible third and fourth season

To me Brinky is canonized in the reboot. Not in the traditional sense but it's pretty obvious

The reboot PaTB episodes are really good

I am not a big fan of the episode Brainania. It's not bad but I find it a bit slow in the pacing department

Mousechurian Candidate (from the reboot) is the worst episode of PaTB ever made

Pinky, Elmyra, and The Brain is not as bad as people think and there are some good jokes. But it is nowhere near the quality of the rest of the franchise

Pinky is the best character ever created (not biased)

My favorite episodes of the show are usually the ones that focus more on character dynamics and emotion

The animation of the show is very inconsistent. My favorite studios are TMS and Rough Draft since I think they capture how they characters look the best. Wang could be pretty good too but in other episodes they made the mice look strange. Akom did some weird lighting techniques but they did great on the episode Snowball, and the less said about Startoons the better.

I like Pinky and Brain's reboot designs a lot. And I think there are some improvements (i.e. Brain's more expressive face, the details in the designs, Pinky's more angular body, Pinky's tail, their cute little fangs). But I like them in the original series for the softer edges and more classic feel

What am I Going to Do on this Blog: One of my biggest ideas (along with getting to share my love of the mice with everyone and my partner-in-crime) is maybe to do a weekly thing, where I analyze an episode or moment from the show. I also want to review fanfictions and post random funny mouse things. Maybe I can show you guys the comics I have or my ever-growing merchandise collection. I will be opening the ask-box to suggestions at some point so if you want me or my partner to look at a specific moment, feel free to ask. I might even make some Tumblr-exclusive fanfics to post on here too. This is mainly just a fun place for us to express our love for Pinky and The Brain so it might seem random at times. But I can assure you all that I want to do some fun stuff to build up excitement. These are all things I wanted to do on my main blog but I think it will be better to do it here.

Once again, I would like to say that I am really excited for all that we have planned! This is a project I have been secretly wanting to do for a long time, and now I have someone to do it with. My Brain is perfect and I know that we're going to do so many amazing things with this blog! She's the greatest. Stay tuned for another intro coming soon and be prepared for more regular posts to come out in the following days.

The Revolution for Gay Mice Supremacy begins!

Mod Pinky over and out! Narf!

(this is not an elaborate plan to take over the world I promise you)

[salty-an-disco]

Yeah, sure, gonna do this too. Here’s a list of some of my ships and also just some dynamics I’m really fond of:

Gonna start with my explicit romantic ships, ranging from OTP (my personal description of an OTP is a pair I cannot imagine in any other relationship) to ships I’m just very fond of.

ContraHero (duh, my OTP of all time)

ParaCold (smth of a secondary OTP, I’d say, since I also can’t imagine them in any other relationship lmao [at least, long-term])

Foreign Body (Quiet/Stranger) (I can’t imagine the heart not being Stranger, tbh, and also, smth about the both of them having a ‘monstruous’ form aksmdjddj)

Skeptunist (it’d be a slooooooww and LOOOONNNG burn, but I think the progress would be so interesting and the eventual relationship so weirdly sweet)

Ghost Lily (Spectre/Witch) (reaching OTP to me, ngl, as I can’t bring myself to be invested in other relationships involving them lmao)

Sweethearts (Smitten/Damsel) (have no problems imagining them with others, but this is still my primary ship for them)

Eternal Challenge (Stubborn/Asversary) (same situation as above)

Aaannnnd that’s it for explicit romantic pairs I think, I’m. actually a pretty picky shipper akmaksmdjkdmd

Now let’s move to what I call my OTBesties. When you ship them, but in a ‘they’re besties!!!’ way :D

Dark Comedy (Contra&Cold)

Strategy Game (Skeptic&Cheated)

Shining Shield (Hero&Para)

Bare Root (Wounded Wild&Thorn)

Nightmare&Spectre

Witch&Hunted

Hunted&Stubborn

Mending Hearts (Smitten&Broken)

Prisoner&Cold

Spectre&Paranoid

Confined Minds (Prisoner&Skeptic)

Thespians (Oppy&Smitten)

Hunted&Stubborn

Those are the ones that actively takes up more brain space, and ones which I most rotate around my head. Here’s some general dynamics I like exploring:

North Star (Cold/Oppy): their toxic yaoi wouldn’t last a year and be horrible for the both of them (mainly Oppy), and I’m all here for it.

Smitten and Skeptic, while not in OTBesties tier for me, is also a friendship I’m very fond of. I think they’d have coffee in the morning together.

Nightmare’s possible dynamic with anyone would be so interesting to explore, but especially with Tower– just. imagine the chaos

Speaking of– also Tower’s dynamic with Razor. Put her in the same room with some of the most relentless and violent vessels, I wanna see what happens

Wraith and Cheated would be an interesting dynamic when taken out from their chapter’s context tbh– Wraith is resentful because of how she’s been treated and only resorted to those drastic actions because that’s what you left her with. I think Cheated would sympathize with that and realize the hand he played (if you get him in her chapter) to get her like this.

Oppy and Hunted feel like they’d have a weirdly close and strong bond. Not OTBesties or explicitly romantic, but a secret fourth thing

Oppy and Contra have beef at first sight to me. They either completely ignore each other, or swear to make the other day’s worse, whatever they feel like atm

Also– since me and the folks in the discord started headcanon that while alive, Narrator could’ve been groomed by a cult and that’s why he has such a deep fear of death, and think eternal bliss is the best alternative for that– I’d like to see more of his dynamic with Broken. In a what-if scenario where they both got over enough of their bagage to have an actual conversation together, I think they’d have a lot to talk about.

Also, shout-out to my Happily Single Tokens, aka, characters I hc as non-partnering/not interested in romance/‘just not in the mood for it, dude’:

Cheated, Broken, Thorn (aro hc for her caught my the throat and won’t let go, I’m sorry Modeus), Prisoner, Narrator (AroAce and romance-repulsed king, tbh), and Hunted

[curious-kittens-ocs]

I'll Watch Over Her

Dakota Evans x Spencer Reid (OTP: Coffee & Pistols for Two)

Everything was drained from Dakota, all of her energy, her thoughts, her emotions. Everything was nothing. She had returned from the crime scene where they had arrested another Unsub.

After days of sleepless nights and endless terrible take-out food. Finally they had cornered the Unsub, she had known she was caught.

"Alright everyone, do what you need to do. Go home, get a drink, whatever it is you need to do to decompress." Hotch sighed rubbing his eyes - clearly exhausted.

"I'm going to bed, call me if you need me." Derek wove goodbye, dropped his bag on his desk and u-turned out the door.

Dr. Reid had noticed that everyone was unusually quiet, especially Dakota. She hadn't said a word the entire flight back to Quantico. She had just blankly stared out into the night sky during the plane ride.

Gideon watched the Doctor focus his eyesight towards the woman who passed in between the two men. She didn't bother dropping off her bag, she kept it with her as she moved to the break room and shut the door behind her.

"Spencer," Gideon muttered taking a foot towards the young man. "it seems our newest addition might need a bit of help after this case."

"Me? What am I supposed to do?" Spencer dropped his scarf onto his desk and met Gideon's eyes.

"It doesn't take a genius to figure out that she's hurting Spencer." Gideon watched the emotions cross over Spencer's face. He saw concern, anxiety, sadness, and realization. "Just be there for her if you can, she tends to keep things close to her chest."

"I guess I'll do my best," Spencer paused a moment seeing Gideon's expression change to compassionate to fatigued rather quickly. Even the talented Gideon knew this case was going to take its toll on the team. "I'll watch over her."

Gideon pat his back and made his way up the stairs to his office.

Spencer took a deep breath and made his way to the breakroom door and knocked quietly. He waited a beat before entering the room. Eyes scanned until they locked onto the small figure sitting on the couch. She didn't move or even acknowledge the Doctor.

"Kota..." Spencer tried to probe for a response. Nothing. He ventured closer to her then halted his movements. He let her have her space. he grabbed a mug from the cabinet and started to grab a drink mix.

"Could we have done anything?"

"No. She was determined to go out the way she did." Answering the question wasn't going to bring either of them comfort. He popped open the microwave and set a timer. "There wasn't much we could do."

"It didn't seem like she wanted to die," Dakota adjusted herself on the couch and observed the Doctor in the kitchenette. "You would think that she would prefer to be alive given we finally found her son."

"She believed that the others were we son, and she eventually realized what her actions were and how what she'd done would end up having the repercussions they did." Spencer grabbed the mug out of the microwave and gave it a quick stir with a spoon. "Dakota you came from California with no experience in profiling." Dakota shot the Doctor a glare in her lack of knowledge.

He walked over to the coffee table and sat on it. He sighed and held out the mug to her. "While in California, you single handedly found an Unsub who was going after women who worked in strip clubs, went undercover to find him, found him, almost got yourself killed in the process I might add... and ended up saving another woman."

She took the mug from Spencer and smiled realizing what he had made her. "I get that Doctor, I just can't understand it..."

"If anything this job has taught me is that the way the mind works is always going to be unpredictable until you ask certain questions."

Dakota took a sip of the drink and smiled over to Spencer, "Hot chocolate?"

"You can't stand cold coffee, even if we are in the hottest place on earth you still get hot coffee. It makes you feel better about the cold and horrible things we see. Plus chocolate can increase levels of serotonin, the "feel good" hormone. It also contains compounds that can help reduce stress levels and promote relaxation." Spencer rubbed his hands on his slacks to try and focus on the actual facts rather than emotions.

She smirked up to Spencer. "You can't help but enter a fact or two into every conversation you have, can you?"

"It made you smile didn't it?" Spencer quipped quickly. The smile remained on Kota's face causing Spencer's own smile to grow. "When you're done with your drink I will take you home. I'll be in the bullpen working on paperwork until then." Spencer stood up and walked over to the door.

"Hey Spence?" Dakota called over to the man. He turned back after hearing her voice. "Thanks."

"Yea... of course Dakota."

~~~

Forever tag:  

@arrthurpendragon , @superspookyjanelle , @bravelittleflower , @eddysocs , @twofacedharveydent

(If you want to be added, or taken off of a tag. Just shoot me an ask, specifying. Thanks!)

[microtyalm13]

burenyyaa OTP questions, yaasssss!! (a lot of them bc I love these sillies)

7. Who's clumsier?

14. Who falls asleep during a movie?

27. Craziest place they had sex?

39. Do they get along with the other's family? If not, how do they deal with the other's family?

YAYYY thank you thank you! i'm glad that someone is enjoying them hejhgejhgjdc for this ask game 😋

7. who's clumsier?

— marthaaa that's for sure. veniamin's job requires him being constantly aware of his surroundings, of the way he moves, and he's just naturally more agile. and while martha is a model (quite famous one at that. i didn't mention it before bc i . forgpr) and cann most definitely run in heels, she would occasionally bump into corners and doorways. or trip over nothing and fall. oh baby you have the most mysterious leg bruises...

14. who falls asleep during a movie?

— honestly both. most of the time they are either 1) tired, or 2) settle for a really boring movie bc no one wanted to watch whatever the other one wanted. ven is into stupid anf cheesy romcoms (his most embarrassing secret after the fact that') while martha is all about psychological thrillers and bodyhorror. so they pick something they both don't usually watch and end up making out, watching tiktoks, or snoring their asses off.

27. craziest place they had sex?

— ahhhh. a rooftop of the restaurant. they felt very spontaneous and initially went for a quicky...... but ended up missing for like. an hour. they usually go for very private places tho, giving how their relationship is already risky in itself. allso. they used vibrators with remote control on each other in the past. in restaurants, bars, serious meetings (dumb bastards). until they got in an active gunfight and someone had to drive&shoot with a vibrator inside of them.

39. do they get along with the other's family? if not, how do they deal with the other's family?

— veniamin's family is long gone. his childhood is really blurry and he can't recall much of it, but remembers his mother. he was in a bunch of foster families, didn't stay in each of them for too long. turned 18, started immediately working. his current boss is like a. mother figure to him (he will never admit it to anyone. NEVER), but martha doesn't know her personally, so there's that. martha only has a father who veniamin works for. he has a professional relationship with her dad, respects him and all that. maybe a little bit intimidated by him. they have very neutral feelings towards each other, down the line martha's father won't be against their relationship. and, of course, ven regularly makes jokes like "oh your dads gonna skin me alive for that" or "dont tell your father i let you do that, he's going to fire me".

[lifeofkaze]

💜🧡🤎 brown for when stars ignite 😊

I will never not love you for loving this book without having read it. You have no idea what that means to me 🥺

💜 Purple: Name one song you're listening to while writing your next/current fanfic. How or why does it help the writing process?

So when When Stars Ignite was still a fanfic AU, there was a whole playlist for it, with each song corresponding with one chapter. If I had to choose one and one only from this list, it would be the song that played in my head writing the finale, which is Alive by Arrows to Athens.

🧡 Orange: When in the day do you typically write?

I answered this in general earlier, so here's my spin on it - both versions of Leon's song in WSI (because it changed significantly from fanfic version to original version) were written in the dead of night on my phone because the lyrics just wouldn't let me sleep.

I hate it when they do that.

Lies.

🤎 Brown: How did you decide to write (or why are you writing) a certain fanfic? (Asker, feel free to choose a specific story you're curious about. You can also let the answerer choose the story.)

Okay, storytime.

Originally, WSI was supposed to be a VERY short project of three loosley connected shorts that put my HPHM OTP into a mature and real-life setting, to let me explore a different dynamic for them without their canon suffering the consequences. I told @the-al-chemist about it and we had some fun throwing headcanons back and forth and...

Half a year later we had a 160k manuscript which was - and still is - being reworked into my first original novel.

Not suffering consequences my arse.

[relaxxattack]

hwy so i saw ur poll ab arasol and f they were matesprits or not and ive been into homestuck for about 7 years and its a special interest and im autistic and thwy are my first and tbh only otp anf so if this is ok i wld like to infodump my opinion/hcs ab them bc i just 🥰 i love them sm 🥰 (def not frothing at the mouth at the idea of an audience for my opinions bc everyone irl is sikc of me lmao /lh)

ok so i deffo think they ar e matesprits BUT i think they never liie. clearly confirmwd it while aradia was alive. and once she became ghost aradia i think she got so distant and aloof (i think thats the right word?) about everytuing that it made sollux feel like she disnt love him anymore, and he eventually just had to move on, even thouvh it hurt. and feferi was there, not necessarily as a "rebound" but as a shoulder to cry on. someone for sollux to confide in, and to listen to him because he didnt have anyonw else he felt like woild. and i feel like feferi was def nto him and wanted to be his matesprit but i think sollux wasnt really. and i think they developed a kind of mixed/blurred lines relationship and the whole ghost and aradiabot phases pushed him and aradia furhter apart because aradia was dealinf wth so so much and in turn sollux was dealinf with the loss of his presumed (unofficial, wtv) matesprit, because that wasnt the aradia he knew and had fallen in love with. the ghost thing wasnt a bother - he loved her, not her physical form - it was the personality shift, i think.

and so when she reached god tier and regained her body nd her sense of identity, ithink they started to rekindle what they had nefore, if that makes sense? like aradia was his aradia again, an aradia interested in life and adventuee and archaeology and not this stupid, stupid game and suddenly not everything felt like it was collapsing around him and he felt like things could be okay again. and she helped him and he helped her and together they did make thinfs okay again. with each other.

and i think aradia's living>ghost>aradiabot>godtier timeline is a good allegory for depression and how it can absolutely shatter your sense of self and strip your world of colour and how that can make you push people away and self isolate and whatnot. idk thats just how i see it but :3 yea

i havet checkwd out the epilogues or homestuck^2 btw so this is based solely off of andrew hussie's homestuck bc i love it sososo much anyways yea !!!! tysm if anybody took the time to read this i love u all!! and ty for letting me drop this in ur askbox lolz and yea :3 srry if this isnt v comprehensive i just got off an 8hr closing shift at work lmao <3

this is a REALLY good analysis and i really love it, thank you for sharing! this makes complete sense to me.

aradia's depression being the catalyst for their split is very true! especially since she then sort of broke his trust with the whole sgrub thing-- and before that interacting with her was hard because sollux felt so guilty about what he did to her. it's just sad on all accounts, and i'm glad they both got better

honestly my poll was more to ask the question; "so we all agree that aradia and sollux were matesprits right because they do NOT act like moirails lol but it's funny because if they're matesprits that makes the feferi business weirder", but i don't think it came across in the post correctly, pfft

yes i definitely agree that they were matesprits, and also the idea that feferi was more into sollux than he was her is a really interesting one-- i also wonder if maybe feferi was maybe less into sollux than she thought, herself-- it's possible she threw herself into that relationship because she was just so relieved to be finally cut off from eridan and "allowed" to have relationships like that. but that's just my thought!

at the end of the day they're all just kids trying stuff out and it's kind of adorable and not that serious. i'm an arasoler at heart but there's nothing wrong with solfef either

[munkustance]

20, 25, 26, and 29 for tuggoffelees?

Yee, the classic Tuggoffelees!

20. What do their family/friends think of their relationship?

Oh this is a fun one when it comes to these two. At first Munkustrap was too oblivious to notice until Cassandra or Bombalurina straight out pointed it out. And of course Munk was fine with it, but not before giving Tugger a heartattack by making him think he wasn't.

Victoria knew before either of them did (same with old Deut). Hell, she was actively shoving Misto at Tugger. So she was over the moon when she found out they finally got together. Alonzo however will give Tugger a death glare or two since he knows about Tugger's disobliging ways. (Although in reality there's nothing to worry about.)

25. Who needs more assurance?

They both do, although neither of them will admit it. Tugger is more about his selfdoubt and insecurities. While Mistoffelees's also struggles with insecurities it's not as bad as Tugger's. And his magic, although Tugger is the best hype man so it isn't as bad as it was before. So in short, Tugger is the one who needs the assurance more and you can bet your ass he gets it.

26. What would be their theme song?

Ooo, it might not be a theme song but 'You must love me' from Evita (I listen to the Unmasked: The Platinum Collection version) is so them before they confessed their feelings for each other. Especially these lines for Tugger: "How do we keep all our passions alive, as we used to do?" and "Give me a chance and I'll let you see how, nothing has changed." And then these lines for Mistoffelees: "Why are you at my side? How can I be any use to you now?" and "[...] you believed in me, I believed in you." Also the refrain is both of them to the T.

29. One headcanon about this OTP that breaks your heart.            

Like the song I mention suggest, they don't think they deserve each other. Mistoffelees thinks he's not enough and that Tugger will one day just leave him. While Tugger doesn't see himself deserving any kind of love, let alone from Mistoffelees who he loves so much. To drop in another piece of lyrics: "Frightened you'll slip away. You must love me." It just encapsulates both of their insecurities so well. I highly suggest giving this song a listen.

Another headcannon I have is that Tugger regrets showcasing Mistoffelees's magic infront of the tribe, and not to self premote but I dive into that a little bit in my fanfic Kidnapped by the fire :))