#prominencesmashchallenges

[actuallysaiyan]

Howling Storm(Shape-shifter!Toshinori Yagi x Fem!Reader)

warnings: mentions of abuse, arranged marriage, fantasy au word count: 1k pairings: Shape-shifter!Toshinori Yagi x Fem!Reader summary: despite you being promised to the prince of Starquake, your knight allows you to run off. you make connections with the wolves, especially the golden leader. and when you're kidnapped by the prince, a golden dragon comes to save you. a/n: for Prominence Smash's first challenge! found the banner picture on google, I don't own it.

The air is cold as you make your way along the path. At your side is Sir Yamada. He looks at you with that classic smile on his face, ushering you to continue walking.

You felt nervous. You’ve never left your kingdom before. Your betrothed lived in the kingdom closest to yours, but you had to make your way there first. The man in question, Prince of Starquake, was rumored to be unkind and malicious. You weren’t happy to be promised to him, but to make the land happy, you decided to go forth with it.

Just as you're about to turn the bend, Sir Yamada pulls you into the shrubs. He clamps his hand on your mouth to keep you quiet. You rest easy against him, having known him your entire life. He’s been your knight forever. He would never hurt you.

“Listen to me, princess.” He whispers in your ear. It’s a stark contrast to his usually loud and boisterous self. “Run away. I will give you my dagger. Please, run away.”

You nod, tears filling your eyes. He was saving you from a nasty future. A future where you’d be kept locked up in the palace and used as a breeding cow. The kind of future where you’d never know happiness.

Sir Yamada hands you a sack of coins and his dagger. Then he hugs you tightly, placing a kiss on your cheek.

“Be brave for me, princess. I know you can.”

He watches as you run off into the forest, and he knows that he has to make up some excuse for you. Even if it costs him his life, Sir Yamada will make sure you do not end up married to that damn prince. 

You run and run until you collapse on a pile of leaves. The forest floor smells of pine and dead leaves and moss. Somehow, it comforts you. Within realizing it, you just close your eyes and you let the sounds of the birds in the trees lull you to sleep.

You dream of wolves. Wolves racing to get to you. But the wolves, they do not hurt you. They pile on top of you, kissing you and licking your cheeks. They whine and howl for your attention.

When you wake up, you feel your cheeks a little wet. You touch them, wondering if maybe you cried in your sleep. But there’s a little voice inside you that says maybe those dreams were real.

With renewed courage, you continue running. You aren’t really sure where you’ll go, but you know you’ll be better off just being on the run. The sun shines so brightly and it feels so freeing to be out here for the first time.

You happen upon a den of wolves and you watch them carefully. They are all so beautiful. They play with one another. There’s a clear leader here, and you admire him.

His fur is golden and his eyes are so blue. You are thankful for your vantage point right now. They cannot see you, but you are able to observe them.

So you do this for a few days. You follow them on their hunt, thankful that you’re able to snag a few rabbits for yourself. Without any prior training, you think to yourself that you’re doing well to keep yourself safe and alive.

One night, you feel warmth next to you. You roll over to find the leader of the wolf pack nestled next to you. You reach out to pet his fur, loving the way he smells of flowers. He keeps you warm.

The following morning, you wake up to find the pack of wolves has gone. You do your best to try and track them down, but it’s almost to no use. They’ve left you.

You walk tirelessly through the forest. Eventually, you do collapse in exhaustion. You pray that someone will find you and take pity on you.

The moment you wake up, you regret that you prayed for someone to find you. You’re locked away in a room, and you recognize the insignia on the wall. You’re in the Starquake palace. The one place you didn’t want to find yourself in again.

The doors are pushed open and you see the prince. He looks furious. He berates you for going back on your word and abandoning him. You desperately beg for forgiveness, which he begrudgingly gives. But it’s not without consequence. 

From your room in the palace, you look out the window. You begin to imagine the wolves running around. How desperately you wish to see them again. Especially the leader. You felt such a deep connection to him.

The days and nights go by and you find yourself falling into a deep depression. You should have been smarter. Maybe if you had just gone to this palace in the first place, you’d have more freedom. And now without anyone you know or trust by your side, you’re even more isolated.

A big storm covers the kingdom with rain and wind. You look out your window, hoping for someone or something to save you. The prince grows even more weary and impatient, finding himself wanting to produce an heir even more despite you wanting to wait longer.

The windows are broken as a giant golden wing pushes through it. Then you see the snout of a golden dragon. It roars loudly at the prince, then picks him up by the scruff of his shirt. You should be horrified but this is what you wanted. You desperately needed to be saved from the abuse and the torture he put you through.

And like something calling you forth, you climb onto the dragon’s back. It flies off with you, and you can smell that flowery smell once more. It lands in an open field and you gasp when there’s a bright light.

There’s a hand reaching out to you from above. It’s connected to a muscular arm. The man has beautiful blue eyes, like the wolf. He smiles charmingly.

“There you are, my princess. I’ve been waiting.”

reblogs and comments always appreciated!

©actuallysaiyan 2024– do not repost on other platforms, copy, translate or edit my works!

[aheckinmess]

Per Contra

(Snippet from a fic in progress called, Cold as Charity)

Read on AO3.

Tags: Enji Todoroki, Endeavor, Female OC, Princess Arya, Royalty Alternate Universe, Royalty AU, King!Enji, Princess!OC, Arranged Marriage, Quirks Still Kind of a Thing?, I Haven't Worked Out All the Details, But Let's Just Say Yes

Word Count: 1,158 words

Summary: King Enji of Boreas is rumored to be benevolent and kind to all, slow to anger and abundant in patience. Princess Arya of Notus, contrarily, is rumored to be cold and callous to her subjects, lacking empathy or a conscience. It takes a proffered marriage proposal for both of them to learn the truth.

Author's Note: This is based off of a challenge from a Discord server I'm in. The mood board for the challenge is pictured below.

“Look at me, Princess.”

King Enji of Boreas sits across from me with a menacing aura that has settled nations without lifting a single sword. The countries around him herald his nature as benevolent and warm like the fiery power he possesses just as they curse me to be malevolent and cold like the icy magic trickling through my veins.

Ironically, neither proposition rings with much truth from my observations.

“You have given me a week to court you and convince you of a marriage alliance with Notus.” I begin, setting down my teacup. “What if I were to tell you I’ll give you a week to sell the grandeur of Boreas to me?”

“I’d say you’re a fool.” Enji captures me in a heated gaze. “Why propose a marriage with me if you weren’t already placated with the kingdom you seek to become a part of?”

“Frankly, Your Highness, information about neighboring kingdoms offer little to satisfy me. Your scholars have surely told you of my country’s most recent war with Erebus, surely?” “Yes. And how your family is the direct cause.” He growls out.

“Of course, you’d know that.” I nod, lacing my fingers together on the table. “But what your scholars can’t tell you is that right now the kingdom of Notus thrives with recovery efforts despite the despicable actions caused by my parents – they can’t tell you that our farms flourish with people banded together for good, or that the only reason my parents have sent me to marry you is because they intend to banish me with the hope it’ll cripple our land.”

“Lady Lachlan has told me about their motives, as you’ve asked.” Enji nods to the woman sitting under a Pagoda tree in the distance. “But that does little to convince me of seeing you as a suitable candidate given your reputation.”

“Ah, and that is another reason I do not trust common knowledge regarding the information related to your kingdom.” I sigh, forcing my facial expressions into submission.

He catches the irritation that flutters across my face before I can stop it, however.

“Is that so? A princess who is said to be cold and cruel. It would fit the preceding mold of your parents, who started a war for their own gain, don’t you think?” Enji leans closer over the table. “How can I trust that your offer isn’t just an attempt to elicit my sympathy and take my life? Is that why you won’t call off your guard dog? When you kill me, you’ll need a witness of your innocence, right?”

I’ve all but forgotten Toshinori’s presence behind me. Ever since I can remember he’s been charged with keeping me safe. He is my perfect protector, a shadow trailing after me wherever I go who has proven himself a symbol of peace and prosperity.

Across from me, the king of Boreas intends to intimidate, but only succeeds in making my blood buzz with a challenge. His cold blue eyes burn with passion that I find myself yearning to fuel.

“Were those rumors to be believed, that must mean you are a king benevolent and kind to all. A king slow to anger and quick to patience. Yet, here you sit, subtly accusing me of plotting your assassination as we sit for a cup of tea.” I chuckle, waving Toshinori off. “Leave us, Toshinori.”

He stiffens behind you.

“My princess–”

“That’s an order.” I ground out. “Give Lady Lachlan some company if you desire, or stand at the perimeter. But leave us.”

It takes a moment or two, but with a set jaw and a curt bow, he takes his leave.

“Does that offer you more comfort?” I raise a brow.

“Walk with me and I’ll decide.” Enji demands, rising abruptly.

I ignore the way Toshinori snaps his head in my direction when we walk by him and onto a trail into the nearby garden outside the courtyard. When he takes a step in my direction, I halt him with my hand.

“You’ll have to forgive Toshinori; he has protected me since I was a babe.” I observe the dying rose bushes and revive them with a wave of my hand.

Silence answers me as Enji walks straight ahead, leading me into a gazebo where he takes a seat and offers me the spot beside him. His warmth seeps into my skin as he crosses his ankles and pulls me against his side by the shoulders.

“You are fearless, I’ll give you that, Princess.” He holds me captive in his gaze – his demeanor relaxes for a breath – before his features crinkle with disdain. “But many princesses before have tried courting me and all have failed. Let’s say your story is true and your parents really are seeking to banish you to my kingdom, what’s the benefit of a marriage? Why shouldn’t I just send you back to Notus?”

A sharp breath skates past my nostrils as I let my hair hide an amused smile. Why shouldn’t you send me back? Well, I’d surely die. Of course, that means little to you. 

Memories swirl in my mind like smoke as death reminds me of Grandpa. Of Grandpa squeezing my hand on his own deathbed – You will be a wise ruler one day and they will hate you for it, but if you remember nothing else, remember this: trust yourself. You are smarter than you think, my heart.

“You are free to do as you wish, for you are a king.” I shrug, shocked when his fingers link in mine. My heart drops to my toes while pink paints my cheeks. “But if you send me away you lose insider information on a neighboring kingdom that you’ve already discerned has rulers capable of foul play. I don’t care if you believe me or not, but sending me back to Notus will be my death sentence. With me by your side, regardless of if you trust me, I have information you will not find elsewhere at your disposal.”

An autumn breeze combs my hair and threatens to topple my crown, but I’m much too distracted with drawing fanciful shapes into the calloused skin of Enji’s palm.

I shiver and his hand comes under my chin. The rough, frigid edges of his glare dissolve into soft sunshine. Sunshine that sparkles and sprouts in my stomach until it encroaches around my lungs, making it impossible to breathe while in his radius.

“You are nothing like the rumors claim, Princess Arya.” He leans down.

“Neither are you, Your Highness.”

His lips brush against mine with enough pressure to please despite the brevity. My eyes close to help me reorient as he spins my world on its axis. When he withdraws, my mouth follows him with parted lips.

I swallow, blink, and straighten my back as he peers down at me.

“It is settled. I will take you as my bride.”

“You will?” I gasp.

“I will.”