#rel; a light from the shadows shall spring | Zelda [ regnantlight ]

[flameleads]

tag dump #4

[flameleadsarc]

I will choose HER HAPPINESS over mine every time

[wyrdify]

@regnantlight​​ asked: (Roy, engagement/early marriage?) Zelda is quiet at first, observing him as though trying to determine if he truly was crying or if she simply misread the situation. But there’s no denying it, his reddened cheeks still showing a sheen of not quite dried tears. She tucks a cover over him, strumming a gentle thumb over his shoulder before giving it a small, hesitant kiss. Then she leaves, only to return with a book that she reads while sitting nearby, perhaps on the bed, perhaps on the chair tucked into the corner, but never too far.

Cried Themself to Sleep | Currently accepting.

Roy prepared himself for bed the same as he did every night: bookmark placed in the text he read, clothing for the next day set out, teeth brushed, pajamas on, and his gloves safely put away in a drawer. He followed this little routine of his for years, making adjustments as needed for changes in setting and a variety of other, miscellaneous circumstances. In this case, explaining said routine to his bride-to-be fell into that latter category. It didn’t come as much of a surprise with his military background. Despite previous appearances, he did prefer order.

Turning off the light was the last step. Simple. Something he did plenty of times. Yet, as his hand hovered over the light switch, it trembled... and it wouldn’t stop.

If he turned off the light, he wouldn’t be able to see. Those black hands would coil around him as they dragged him into the portal. When they finally finished with him, he would open eyes to nothingness, blackness. He wouldn’t be able to see, to fight, to defend, to protect---

It was an ordinary day. Why was his mind back at the portal when nothing related to it happened? They hadn’t discussed alchemy or anything related to that day... had they? Heartbeat loud in his ears, he couldn’t remember. Sweat formed on his brow as he glanced around the room in an attempt to once again memorize where everything was. He was fine. Everything was fine. He could still see, still function. If he turned off the light and went to sleep, he would wake up able to see just fine.

Why was he shaking? Why couldn’t he do something so simple as shut off the light? For goodness’s sake, he was the leader of Amestris and the Flame Alchemist. The embodiment of fire itself, whether it be in the form of a small flame on a candle or a wildfire that spread over acres of land. He kept those around him warm while sending others to hell. Nothing should scare him, especially not darkness.

The tears came without warning. Leaving the light switch alone, Roy tried to wipe the tears away to no avail. No, that was the problem when he cried: once more than one tear got out, they all had to come out. Years spent holding in every emotion and putting on masks had an effect. He’d sleep with the light on then. That was fine. When asked, he’d just say he forgot---got too caught up in his book or something.

Thus, he curled up on his bed and let himself silently weep. He couldn’t say how much time passed between when he lied down and when he fell asleep, a pillow tightly held to his chest. A cover over him and a gentle kiss to his shoulder---did she see his face? If she did, she did not comment on how tear stained it was, nor did she ask him what caused it. Nay, she stayed close by. When he opened his eyes to look at her, he saw the book she held in her hands.

He could see her. She was right there. Slowly, not wanting to startle her with sudden movement, he moved a hand out from under the cover and reached out for one of hers. A faint smile on his lips as he admired blond hair, the studious look she wore when concentrating. Most importantly, though, he admired how he didn’t say a word or ask for help, but she came to him anyway. Without prompting, she knew what he needed.

“Thank you.”

She had his heart in her hand, and he thought of no place else he wanted it to be.

[flameleadsarc]

@regnantlight​ asked: 𝄫

Music Headcanons | Currently accepting.

𝄫 - For a song/piece, or a small playlist, that describes our muse’s relationship.

I wanted to use a few songs to get a sort of feeling for ZelRoy here. My brain assigned instruments to them, to start: piano for Zelda and acoustic guitar for Roy. So, these song choices may not come as surprising with that in mind.

King by Lauren Aquilina This is definitely a song from Zelda to Roy, particularly during two spots in his timeline. After he loses his team, but before the Promised Day, is one spot. The other one is after the Promised Day takes place, and he’s trying to determine his next move. “There’s no logic in your sadness,” is such a Zelda quote to me.

The Book of Love by Peter Gabriel From Roy to Zelda, most assuredly. More than anything, he wants to be a voice of reassurance for her, and he wants to make it clear that love is often not easily understood. I can also imagine this is a song he would dance with her to.

Hold Me by The Sweeplings To the outside world, Zelda and Roy have to present certain ways non-stop. They don’t have the luxury of being anything short of their best, which means no vulnerability. When it’s just the two of them, though, they can let down those walls and let one another in. 

Tourist by Yuna I think this song describes how they slowly fell in love with one another. It especially rings true from Zelda’s point of view with how their friendship in Amestris began. Then, over time, the feelings started. Though, one could also take it as Roy’s point of view when he goes to Hyrule. 

[flameleadsarc]

@regnantlight​ asked:

Her head was rested on his shoulder, hand clasped lightly around his, as they sat in silence beneath a blanket of starlight. Zelda’s chest felt heavy. Numb. Her thoughts were lost in old memories, and it felt as though they would never return.

But Roy most assuredly was feeling all of that and more, and so her thoughts had to return. Her heart had to drag itself up from the bottom of her stomach and somehow bring back more— more strength, more compassion, more empathy— even when she had been certain that her well was dry and empty.

She brought the back of his hand to her lips and placed a gentle, delicate kiss before snuggling in just a bit closer, gripping him just a bit tighter.

I’m here, Roy.

I’m here.

He always loved the stars. From the moment he saw them for the first time at the Hawkeye estate, he became enthralled by their existence and beauty. They were not the same as the city lights that kept the dark at bay, allowing him more safety as he walked home. No, they were farther away, and they shone brilliantly for anyone who dared to look up. Stars were a reminder that the world was far vaster than one city, one town, one desert ravaged by war and violence...

Whenever he looked up at the night sky, choosing to leave the warmth of his tent behind, the stars guided his thoughts. He was but one man among millions, only capable of so much on his own. Yet, if he chose to be like the stars and gathered more around him, he could brighten the sky---brighten Amestris and make it better. Where to start, though? Naturally, his eyes wandered down from the sky and to the star right next to him. His northern star, the one who guided him and helped him navigate out of the desert, through military blues, and to the top. That was what Maes Hughes was, and it was why when he was lost, his mind made its way back to him.

It was under the desert sky that he realized he was in love. Was it the first time in his life? He couldn’t say. It didn’t matter. With all of his heart, he loved the man at his side, and he wasn’t sure he could ever love someone like that again.

Until now. Until he sat under a starry sky with his betrothed and he found the universe in her eyes like he did with Maes. One look at her, and his heart swelled as the words stayed behind closed lips. He loved her. He knew what love was, and he knew what he felt right at that second. All he wanted to smile at her, gaze at her and adore her without another thought in his mind other than that love.

Alas, his mind was cruel, and heartache had no time limit. Tears pricked the corners of his eyes as realization hit him again. Did loving her erase the love he felt for him? Rationally, he knew it didn’t. Using the logic the both of them favored, he understood that his current love did not invalidate his past feelings and vice versa. Did that stop his heart from shrinking, though? From racing due to panic? From the guilt on his shoulders? If he could trade what he had now---this love, this relationship, this happiness---for his first love back, he wouldn’t. Not only was it impossible, but it... he couldn’t.

And it hurt.

Sentences refused to finish themselves in his mind, leaving him trapped while silent tears ran down his cheeks. God, what would she think when she looked at him like this? Would she even want to be next to him or marry someone with this much baggage and heartache? A gentle kiss to the top of his hand and a stronger grip on him answered that question. Her silent affirmations---he heard them. She spoke in a language, and he understood. Even when she had limited strength of her own, and her thoughts running from her like his did, she found him.

She was right here where he needed her to be. His tears hadn’t stopped, and they likely wouldn’t for another few minutes, but his heart felt just a tad lighter in his chest. Carefully, he wrapped one arm around her, providing a gentle squeeze before letting her rest against him.

Thank you, Zelda.

I’m here for you too.

I love you.

[flameleadsarc]

@regnantlight​​ asked: "Do you regret it? Saying yes, I mean. To marrying me."  

Truth Serum | Currently accepting.

A fair question, he thought. Pausing his evening reading, Roy peered over the top of his glasses to gaze at his fiancée. Whether or not anyone believed it, two incredibly determined and persistent people could have doubts. Their anxieties rarely went beyond closed doors, of course, but that did not mean they were nonexistent. Zelda, in asking this question, proved that point. Arranged marriages weren’t commonplace in Amestris. Even then, most people who were on their way to marriage had some anxiety about the whole affair.

In one fell swoop, Zelda not only gave her thoughts a voice, but she determined it was safe for her to ask him, to confide some amount of worry in him. To Roy Mustang, a man who couldn’t trust easily, such an act mattered, and it proved yet again that he made the right decision. He put his book to the side and gave her his full attention, hands clasped together on his lap.

“No, I don’t.” To emphasize, he shook his head. “I don’t make those sorts of decisions lightly, and I spent a lot of time considering as many variables as I could. I’m sure you did something similar. In thinking about it, I knew this wouldn’t be easy: all relationships require work, and ours isn’t any different. That’s just one way we fit the mold for once.”

Smiling, he rose from his seat and crossed over to her, taking both her hands in his. With additional gentility, he brought her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. While those words likely answered her question, he wanted to be absolutely certain. Anxiety was never kind in how it plagued one’s mind, and he knew it well. But, neither of them had to battle it alone. They had one another to lean on and ask for support.

“I’m not here because I have to be, Zelda. I said yes because I want to marry you, and I’ll continue to do that for as long as we live. You will never be a regret of mine.”

[flameleadsarc]

@regnantlight​ asked: R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in their relationship?) ❤️

SFW Alphabet Asks | No longer accepting.

Roy treasures the little moments the two of them gradually earned each other’s trust. Every time they brought one another tea to help with work, the unspoken understanding of what their jobs demanded of them, conversations late into the night---he thinks of them fondly. She always showed him such thoughtfulness, even when he couldn’t quite see past his own nose because of work and grief.

Though, if he had to pick one moment, one thing he loves is hearing her talk about home. Her passion came through loud and clear, and her smile was radiant. Unbeknownst to his conscious mind, Roy decided then and there that he needed to make her smile more often. Now? He gets to do that for the rest of his life, and he’s so happy about that. 

[flameleadsarc]

@regnantlight​ asked: "Your eyes," Zelda mused as she took another sip of tea, a small smile at play, "or, rather, the bags beneath them. I presumed that someone who looked so tired was either very dedicated to their work, or very careless toward their responsibilities. I'm pleased it was the former."

First Noticed | Currently accepting.

"It was that obvious, huh?” He rubbed the back of his head while looking away. Perhaps he should have looked in a mirror more often back then to avoid this issue. Well, too late now. “Thank you for not berating me for it. I appreciate it.”

[flameleadsarc]

tag dump #5

[flameleadsarc]

@regnantlight​ asked: It was difficult to sit through certain meetings. Stressful. Tedious. But, Zelda found with some surprise, it was far easier when she was beside Roy’s side— holding his hand beneath the table, out of view of photographers and journalists, who narrowed their gaze at every accidental touch the two shared. Zelda squeezed his hand a bit tighter and brushed the back of his palm with her thumb. Yes. It was certainly easier.

Sweet Asks | Currently accepting.

Meetings, if Roy had nothing to do, were difficult to sit through. While he could get away with some fidgeting as a Colonel, the President of Amestris had to hold himself to higher standards. He had to sit up straight, make regular eye contact, keep his tone steady and even, and not fiddle with his pen or tap his fingers on the hard surface in front of him. Completely professional: that was what he had to be.

Thankfully, he learned how to keep at least one hand busy. A pad of paper sat in front of him as he took notes from the meeting in his usual shorthand. For this purpose, he kept his glasses on.

Every so often, he stole a glance to his side, to Zelda. Of course, every time he did so, he had to suppress a smile. The media had them under a magnifying glass enough as it was, and he certainly didn’t need to give them more fuel. They scrutinized every accidental touch, every facial expression they wore around one another. So, of course, they couldn’t know how they held hands under the table. Her thumb rubbed the back of his palm, and he had to pretend such a small action wasn’t comforting or enough to add color to his face.

She knew, though. Gently, he squeezed her hand in response. Meetings were difficult, yes, but her presence at his sidemade them easier.

[flameleadsarc]

Anonymous asked: How long before you and Zelda have a kid?  

Personal Questions | Currently accepting.

"We’re not even married yet, and you’re already asking?” Roy raised an eyebrow. “Either way, it’s none of your business. You’ll find out when everyone else does.”

[wyrdify]

@regnantlight​: “Look into my eyes”

Look into my eyes | Currently accepting.

I see:

Absolute Conviction  |  Aggression  |  Ambition  |  Anger  |  Anxiety  |  Apathy  |  Arrogance  |  Bloodthirst  |  Bravery  |  Compassion  |  Confidence  |  Conflict  | Courage  |  Darkness  |  Defeat |  Denial  |  Desire  |  Despair  |  Determination  |  Devotion  |  Disappointment  |  Distrust  |  Dominance  |  Emptiness  |  an Enemy  |  Enlightenment  |  Envy  |  Excitement  |  Exhaustion  |  Elitism  |  Experience  |  Fear  |  a Friend  |  a Future  |  Gentleness  |  Greed  |  Grief  |  Guilt  |  Honesty  |  Honor  |  Hope  |  Hostility  |  Ignorance  |  an Illness  |  Insecurity  |  Integrity  |  Intoxication  |  Kindness  |  Lies  |  Loneliness  |  Longing  |  Loss  |  a Lover  |  Loyalty  |  Malicious Intent  |  Mania  |  Melancholy  |  Misery  |  Negativity  |  Overcompensation  |  Pain  |  Paranoia  |  Passion  |  Perseverance  |  Pettiness  |  Pity  |  Positivity  |  Pressure  |  Pride  |  a Purpose  |  Racism  |  Regret  |  Resentment  |  Resignation  |  Resolve  |  Sadness  |  Self-Hatred  |  Sexism  |  Shattered Remains  |  a Shining Light  |  Something Familiar  |  Spite  |  Stress  |  Stupidity  |  Submission  |  Tranquility  |  Trauma  |  Trust  |  Vengeance  |  Warmth  |  Wisdom  |  Wrath  |  a Cry for Help  |  Something Eating Your Mind  |  the Years have Changed You

You’re:

Animalistic  |  Approachable  |  Broken  |  Closed-Off  |  Cold  |  Crafty  |  Crazy  |  Defensive  |  Devious  |  Difficult  |  Disheartened  |  Emotionally Detached  |  Frightened  |  Frightening  |  Genuine  |  Guarded  |  Headstrong  |  Heartless  |  Human  |  Immature  |  Impatient  |  Inhuman  |  Insane  |  Intuitive  |  Lost  |  Mature  |  Noble  |  Patient  |  Pitiful  |  Primitive  |  Pure  |  Reliable  |  Remorseless  |  Reserved  |  Resourceful  |  Short-Tempered  |  Simplistic  |  Sly  |  Soft-Hearted  |  Struggling  |  a Threat  |  Trapped  |  a Troublemaker  |  Trusting  |  Understanding  |  Unique |   Unpredictable  |  Unwavering  |  a Victim  |  Wicked  |  Feeling Vindictive  |  Guilty of Something  |  Hiding Something  |  Lost in Thought  |  Planning Something  |  Scared of Me  |  Scaring Me  |  Someone I can Trust  |  Someone I Can’t Recognize Anymore  |  Someone to Fear  |  Someone Worthy of Respect  |  Weak to Manipulation  |  Weighed by Something

You:

Aren’t Being Yourself  |  Belittle Yourself  |  Don’t Want to Hurt Me  |  Don’t Want to Leave Me  |  Drown Yourself in Something  |  Feel Alone  |  Feel Empowered  |  Have a Plan that Involves Me  |  Have No One Else to Turn to  |  Have Nowhere Else to Go  |  Have Seen Some Things  |  Haven’t Been Sleeping  |  Lie to Yourself  |  Lost Faith/Trust in Me  |  Lost Something/Someone Important  |  Need Me/my Help  |  No Longer Believe Me  |  See Me as a Thing  |  See Me as Someone Else  |  Seek to Hurt/Harm  |  Seek to Manipulate  |  Think Highly of Yourself  |  Think I’m Hiding Something  |  Think Little of Yourself  |  Think You Know Best  |  Want to Hurt Me  |  Want to Protect Me  |  Want to Sleep with Me  |  Want to Use Me

[wyrdify]

@regnantlight​ asked:  Roy makes Zelda feel comfortable and listened to, which is quite nice! She feels a bit of a kindred spirit with him as someone who is also in a leadership-type role and revolves much of their life around their work/duty.

Feelings | Currently accepting.

Zelda deserves to be heard! Roy understands the position she’s in, and he wants to make sure she’s not only listened to, but she’s comfortable enough to share her thoughts and ideas. He sees her as a real professional with intellect and empathy to match.

I love these two and their dynamic so much.

Someone please tell them to sleep.