#she chooses peace instead of a chance at a future. she wouldn't leave him behind while he was figuring this out

[lingeringscars]

The thing with harper is that...she's a good soldier. She'll do what needs to be done, and she won't complain. She'll do what she can and do her duty to help as many people as she can. But if given the choice between duty and peace, she will choose peace. She will choose to grasp at the moments where she can live in that peace, comfort, and safety for just a little while longer.

[river-muse]

First up, thanks so much for the tag! That was such a nice surprise!

Second up, in the spirit of the ask game, wanna maybe talk a bit about "To Break Not Once, But Twice"? The title absolutely piqued my interest 👀

Wish you a good one <3

Ooooo you picked one of the hefty ones to ask about owo The document for this is past 26k words.

Fun fact about "To Break Not Once, But Twice" before I start talking about it: this is actually one of the very first DMC fics I started writing last year before I started making NASNAH! I plan to return to it at some point even if I never post it. I just got caught up with my current works and definitely want to revise a few parts of it in the future before continuing it.

I was partially inspired by a few songs. Most notably this cover of Alice since the song has just a really bittersweet feeling to it overall.

This is gonna be lengthy so I'll hide it under a cut. <3

This fic was a "what if" that took the series back to even before the DMC3 manga, following Vergil as he meets my version of Nero's mother, him leaving, returning by chance, and choosing to stay not out of love but out of something he can't quite name. However it wouldn't last forever because Vergil would be even more desperate to seek protection for his newfound peace and family. That would lead to him still working with Arkham to break the seals so they can raise the Temen-Ni-Gru. When they're broken and Vergil returns to Fortuna to guide them somewhere safe to lie low- he's met with a very familiar and heartbreaking sight of a house on fire and blood covering the path leading up to it. His motivation to raise the Temen-Ni-Gru changes after that night as he's certain that they'd met the same fate as his mother.

I have scenes ranging quite a ways through the timeline for this one, but that's the main gist of where the title for the fic comes from.

I'll share a few excerpts with you, too! These are all heavily unedited and before I got back into the swing of writing after a long break so I can't promise any level of quality. I hope you enjoy them all the same. (I will be redacting the name I use for Nero's mother because I'm still on the fence about sharing it though.)

“Or burned at the stake, based on their beliefs. I’d rather-“ Vergil stifles a yawn “-on my own terms.” “I feel the same.” She says. Then, she’s leaning over in front of Vergil to look him in the eyes. She plucks the cards from his hands “But I think for now it’s time for me to put you to bed, instead. I had no clue that just two cups could get you like this. Come on- up you go.” She grabs Vergil’s arms to guide him up, and Vergil grabs her arms back to keep from swaying as he stands. He snaps up Yamato from where it was resting beside his seat and almost stumbles over. “It’s not right- for a Son of-“ Vergil mumbles without finishing his sentence at all. He allows her to guide him down the hallway to a bed, but won’t let her set the Yamato aside. He holds onto it in his hand and snarls when she tries to pry it from his grasp. “Very well. Sleep with it.” Her gentle tone curbs the knife of desperation that tears through Vergil’s body. She manages to get him out of his coat and pulls a blanket up over his shoulders. Vergil doesn’t know when he falls asleep. Just that the crickets outside and the snoring that starts up behind him is enough to tell him that he’s safe.

-

“It doesn’t have to go down like this, Vergil!” Dante shouts, avoiding a Judgement Cut and stabbing forward with Rebellion. “You know nothing.” Vergil spits “You haven’t lost anything!” “Is that the game we’re gonna play then?” Dante taunts “What’s worth opening the gates to hell for? You trash my shop, wreck the city-“ “They’re dead, Dante!” Vergil’s voice cracks as he raises it, bringing Force Edge off of his back and meeting Dante’s strike in the middle. His eyes are filling up with tears and blurring his vision. It’s too painful. It’s too raw. He transforms because the embrace of his own demonic power is just enough to keep him sane. His wings fan out in an attempt to intimidate. Force Edge comes down with each of his thoughts that emerge through his distorted voice “It’s gone! All of it! My home, my peace, my son, his mother-“ Dante falters at the initial outburst and recovers enough to meet Vergil’s flurry of blows. He braces himself on one knee because Vergil’s fighting style has never been sheer exertion in an attempt to overpower. Then there’s a break in the swings and Dante stabs Rebellion forward through Vergil’s chest- spilling blood over them both. Vergil’s transformation shatters apart in blue embers. He falls and Dante catches him. Vergil coughs up blood while Dante supports him from collapsing entirely. “Whatever you’re thinking- it’s not going to bring them back. Trust me.” Dante’s voice falls quiet as he eases Rebellion out of Vergil’s chest.

-

Vergil may not have noticed in the haze of pain and on the brink of death, but V understands all too well. The child that was harboring Yamato is no doubt of Sparda descent. In Fortuna. If Vergil had truly caused such harm- No. V shakes his head to clear his thoughts. “You okay there, Shakespeare?” Griffon asks, tone concerned for once “You spaced out pretty hard.” “Merely contemplating something that’s of no real concern right now.” V says “Ah, so the kid.” Griffon says, swooping in front of V and landing on a nearby lamp post “You know it’s never too late to send a card and some flowers. Something along the lines of "sorry for taking your arm because I was dying but I’m your old man and want to get to know you ‘cause I thought you were dead." Maybe twenty bucks in the envelope to be safe.” “I doubt that would fix anything.” “Okay, so thirty bucks. Got it. What’s that courier ad we saw a block back-“ “Griffon.” V hisses “Enough.” Shadow leaps down from V’s tattoos and weaves around his legs. He rests a hand on its head. “Go easy on him? I promised I’d stop calling him princess so I’m not treating him like one anymore neither!” Griffon ruffles his feathers “What’s done is done, and we’ve gotta take care of that big bastard that took Yamato with him before he brings hell to Earth!”

Thank you for asking about it! I hope you have a great day!! <3 <3 <3

[mo-mo-and-porkchop]

Hehrlana

Hehrlana

Vikings fan fiction

Chapter 4 (Chapter 3 here)

*I do not own any part of the Canon Vikings characters. It is simply my interpretation. I make no profit off of this.

**I do own the original characters and everything associated with them.

Tagging for updates: @kenzieam , @wilddrabble , @oddsnendsfanfics , @thoughtsmeander2tumblingblindly , @captstefanbrandt

"You can not be serious father?!" Arlen exclaimed hurt and angry. Their sister would be taken away by a heathen of all people. "He is nothing more than a pagan brute!" he growled.

"Arlen!" Ehrlana scolded.

"He can not be trusted sister," he spat firmly in reply.

Harald's anger rose with Arlen's accusations, even if he was mostly right. He was a brute. Ruthless in times of war. He even lied when necessary to further his ambitions of becoming King. But this time, however, things were different.

The Celtic Princess stirred emotions deep within that he long thought dead. His breath caught with her presence. His heart raced. His mind voided itself of everything except her. The woman, unbeknown to her, had him under her spell. He wanted Ehrlana. Yearned for her; almost as much as he had desired Elisef.

He set his utensils down and readied himself to argue his defense when they were both cut short by the King.

"Watch your tongue!" he roared before Harald could intercede.

"Father, he will surely kill her the first chance he gets," Arlen pleaded much more quietly.

"King Harald is our guest and I will not have such disrespect at my table! You and I will discuss your punishment later, but for now I suggest you leave before you lose what dignity you have left," he finished definitively.

The King resumed his meal as the growing tension seemed to fill the room. Awkwardly they sat in silence as Arlen stared his father down. The king ignored him and continued eating; his word final. His eldest son pushed himself angrily from the table and left. If he wouldn't listen then he would take care of the matter personally. He would protect his sister from the heathens with or without his father's help.

"I apologize for my son," the King began once Arlen was gone.

Although he agreed with him, it was not his place to decide Ehrlana's future; a future directly tied to the fate of their people. An alliance with Harald and the great heathen army would be beneficial for all. If his son had only controlled himself long enough he would have found the same truth.

"He is very....passionate at times," he explained as nicely as possible.

"It seems to me he is full of hatred for my kind," Harald retorted with disdain.

"He is upset over the recent attacks. One Northman is the same as another to Arlen unfortunately," he further explained, slight sorrow in his voice. "I, on the other hand, understand the benefit of our alliance." He glanced over at his daughter and gently held her hand. "Even if it means losing my daughter."

He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before letting go for the last time.

"Arlen may be misguided, but he is a formidable warrior," Liam chimed in, his attenetion still on his food. He casually ate and drank as if his brother hadn't just caused a scene.

"I will handle Arlen," the King firmly, yet calmly professed.

"I would not underestimate his anger or his passion father," he warned finally looking to him.

"If he can can not control his anger or his passion, then I will handle him," Harald said finally breaking his silence. Nothing was to going stand in his way of making her his wife. Especially her ignorant brother.

Ehrlana's heart froze and her chest tightened with the threat. She could feel the truth of his words in her veins as they slowly turned to ice. Her nerves tingled and for a moment she feared Arlen was right.

"I do not doubt that," Liam replied. "My sister's safety is all that matters to me. As with Arlen. We are very protective of her," he continued.

When Harald's eyes found hers, he immediately relaxed his demeanor. He wanted her as his wife, not his enemy. His heart clenched seeing the fear in her eyes.

"Then you have no need to worry. She will be in the safest place in all of Norway," Harald offered trying to back pedal a bit.

"For your sake I hope so," her brother countered, glancing at his sister before going back to their meal.

-------

"You can still change your mind," her brother, Kieran reminded her. He glanced over his shoulder at Harald and his men as they carried the remains of their camp onto their ships. "The winters are much worse than here," he tried convincing her as he brought his attention back to her.

"You have been speaking with Arlen too much," she replied with a small laugh. "Liam will be with me until I am married. I will be fine. Do not worry," she reassured him as she hugged him goodbye. "Please try and convince Arlen of the same and take care of Siobhan," she said before giving him one last squeeze.

"You have my word, Queen," he replied with a smirk and a playful bow.

She pushed him playfully; her brother laughing in return. "I will miss you," she said with a sad sigh once their laughter died down.

"And I you," he agreed just as sorrowfully.

"We will see her again," Liam cut in, seeing Kieran's anguish. He'd done well hiding it from their sister, but he never could fool him. His brother was about to break down.

"You watch that King," he replied lowly, locking eyes with Liam. "We have to know he can be trusted with her."

"I will make sure she is safe before I return. You have my word brother," he said squeezing his shoulder reassuringly. The two brothers locked eyes and it was clear Kieran wasn't completely convinced Ehrlana should go. "My word," he reiterated with a firm squeeze, silently forcing his brother to get control of his rising anger.

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

Ehrlana watched her brothers and father at the shore as the boat pulled away. Liam beside her, his arm wrapped caringly around her shoulders. She was leaving her home behind. Sadness gripped at her heart as it slowly grew smaller. As much as she dreamt of this moment, she would miss it.

"Are you ready for this little sister?"

She sighed and leaned into him, hugging him gently. "I don't know," she replied with a small shake of her head. "But I am ready to find out."

Liam was the first to turn away from the sight. Ehrlana couldn't bring herself to do the same and watched until the shores of Ireland were out of sight. She pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders before finally turning away herself.

------

Moonlight danced along the ripples left behind as small waves crashed gently against the ship's underbelly. A gentle breeze strong enough to carry their sail blew across the seas. Harald's men were casually scattered across the longboat; some working, some sleeping. Others sang softly to themselves as they sharpened their swords. They were nearly done their trip and it had been peaceful.

"I have heard your men say the Gods are happy," Ehrlana said as she made her way next to Harald at the ship's prow. "But they are surprised by this. I suspect it is because my family is Christian," she continued a bit dejected with a shrug. "I hope my brother Arlen will not be proven right about my safety once in Vestfold," she added hugging herself slightly against the wind.

Harald's heart sank with her words and the hidden worry in her voice; though he understood her concern. His younger self would have done exactly that. "You are their Queen," he said wrapping his cape around her shoulders. "No one would dare harm you."

"I am not their Queen. Not yet. We are still to be wed," she reminded him, glancing back at him. The extra warmth was welcomed and she pulled it closed around her.

"You became my Queen when you were given as my bride," Harald sighed, leaning against the edge of the ship, facing her.

"But I am not their Queen," she reiterated.

Harald's eyes found hers and saw her worry. A slightly frustrated, quiet sigh left him. At least she wanted them to accept her. That was more than he could say for most other Christians he'd met. His heart tugged with care - a small sign he had been right about one thing.

She was different.

"If that is what you truly want, then you will be," he reassured her. "They will see you as I do. They will have no choice but to accept you."

She softly smiled, slightly sad. "And how is it that you see me?"

Momentary panic coursed through his veins when he realized what he'd said. Instead of falling apart from embarassment he reached for her hand and pulled her closer, settling his arms around her waist and intertwining his hands at the small of her back.

"I see you as my Queen," he said smoothly.

Her worry and sadness slowly began to fade. He was trying; which meant her belief that Arlen may have been right faded to a distant memory as she stood in his arms.

Ehrlana smiled gently at him before snuggling against him. "I hope you are right. I quite like the thought of being your Queen," she said softly with a sigh.

A smile spread across his face; pride swelling within his chest. Perhaps the Gods had not cursed him after all.

Liam watched closely as his sister cuddled into the King. He held his own reservations over their marriage, but he couldn't deny that she looked happy in his arms. He could only hope it would last.

-------

They all deboarded at Vestfold's shores; Ehrlana and her brother escorted to the main hall to prepare for the wedding.

"Halfdan!" Harald yelled as his brother came walking down the pier.

"Brother!"

The two men embraced in a joyous reunion.

"I hear you have brought a Queen home with you, but I see no woman here," he said glancing around teasingly.

Harald chuckled quietly. "Her name is Ehrlana. And she is not here because she is off preparing for our wedding," he countered with a smirk.

Halfdan returned the small smile before falling serious. "Are you sure this is the right thing to do?" he asked tentatively.

Halfdan knew his brother's weakness when it came to women; always choosing the wrong ones. But he'd always been there to catch him when he fell. He feared this time however that even he wouldn't be able to help if things went sour.

"A king needs a queen," he chuckled lightly, squeezing his brother's shoulder reassuringly.

"But she is Christian," he added as they headed away from the shores. "An outsider. How do we know she can be trusted?"

Harald fought the urge to let his smile fade as well. He knew this would come up with Halfdan, but the marriage was going to happen. It was good for both parties to ally with each other and his brother could either accept it or not.

"Wait until you meet her. Then, if you feel the same, we will make sure she will never think of betraying us," he offered in in compromise to keep him from spoiling the upcoming festivities.

Halfdan contemplated his brother's compromise a moment before grunting slightly in agreement. He doubted she would change his mind and he would soon prove himself right - allowing him to once again make sure Harald was protected from the fairer sex.

----

"I am nervous," Ehrlana admitted to Liam as various thralls dressed and readied her for marriage.

"I will not let any harm come your way, but if you have decided against this marriage then --"

"About tonight," she cut in.

Her brother chuckled. "Sleeping with your husband is what makes you nervous?" he asked rhetorically.

"Not all of us can be whores," she teased him, but her nerves were real and they made her voice quiver slightly.

"Listen," he started understandingly. "There is nothing to worry about. Sex is not as big of a deal as everyone makes it out to be. It is fun, I will not lie..."

"Liam, please. I already know of your exploits."

"It is fun, but it is not a life changing experience. You will be fine Lana."

She appreciated the effort to comfort her. Liam always knew how to calm her fears, but this was different. Harald would be the first man she ever lay with. The first to ever see her nude body. To see her truly vulnerable. And her soon to be husband's reputation for prowess hadn't missed her.

"Just, be honest with him," he added with an empathetic sigh, pulling her in for a reassuring hug. "If he has any decency at all, he will understand. And besides," he said leaning back to look at her. "I will be here at least until morning. Come and find me should he not."

[robbiessutcliffe]

— blue neon - beckett harrington

A/N : I started listening to the song Blue Neon by Aidan Gallagher, and it took me a while... But eventually I saw how it could possibly connect to the relationship between Beckett and MC! So I decided to write a fic about it, even though it’s past 1:30 am.

Obviously, I skipped some lyrics to choose the ones that fit him and my MC the best...

Also, this is loosely based off of the eclipse party diamond scene with Beckett. Not really, though, considering it doesn't follow that storyline at all... But still.

Pairing : Beckett Harrington X MC (Eden Pryce)

Warnings : None.

Word Count : (no idea, as of right now)

Tag List : @brightpinkpeppercorn @melodyofgraves

Feel free to tell me if you'd like to be added to my tag list in the future!

(can't add a keep reading link as of right now, because I'm on my phone, but I will when I can!)

—

In my mind, flowers surround her name.

Beckett Harrington had never been one, and never would be one, for parties of any kind. But when one Shreya Mistry and one Zephyr Hernandez mentioned something about an party in the forest, that celebrated the upcoming eclipse, he was quite partial to the idea of going.

No, not for the party itself. But for the flowers and wildlife he knew that he could find out there in the forest.

And another reason may have been because Eden Pryce was attending as well, but he didn’t find it necessary to include that bit when Shreya asked him exactly why he was getting excited over a party.

So when they finally reached the party, he quickly found the best time to slip away, and did so. He wanted to wander, and look at the gorgeous flowers that were surrounding them on all sides. Maybe it wasn’t as peaceful an environment as he would have liked, but he supposed he’d have to settle.

As he wandered on the edges of the party, inspecting the different species of flowers, he found himself glancing towards the rest of the party, at least one or twice. Every time, his eyes found Eden in the crowd, smiling and laughing as she talked to Zephyr.

But one time, upon glancing, he realized that she had disappeared. He looked quickly through the crowd, trying to find her again. That is, until he heard a cheerful chirping voice coming from behind him, “Beckett! What’cha doing?”

Alarmed, Beckett looked towards her. In the darkening sky, her pale skin seemed to glow. The white-blonde hair that usually cascaded over her shoulders was instead braided like a crown around her head, a hairstyle done by the one and only Shreya Mistry. Her golden eyes sparkled excitedly as she looked up at him from her short height.

Looking at her now, Beckett decided that he’d like to, one day, find a flower that could compare to her beauty.

Blue neon skies.

Clearing his throat, Beckett nodded towards the flower that he had previously been looking at. “I’m looking at the wildlife out here, of course. If I’m going to be forced into going to a party, I might as well make the most of it.”

Eden rose her eyebrows, looking rather intrigued. She gave a sweet smile, before nodding, "Oh of course, that makes total sense." She hummed in response, "But wouldn't you rather look at the flowers around here in more of a, I don't know... peaceful environment?"

"Of course I would prefer that, but I highly doubt anyone of you would let me leave without a fight."

"Why include me in that?" Eden asked, looking at him rather incredulously, "Beckett, I may be enjoying myself now, but I've never liked parties. So, any chance I could take to get away from this for a bit?" She paused, leaning forward with a rather mischievous grin as she whispered, "I'd gladly take it."

Light up her eyes.

Beckett could feel his heartbeat quicken as she leaned forward. It was like she was commanding all of his focus to be on her — which was something she likely didn't have to worry about, because that's where his focus always was in the first place.

Looking in her eyes, he could swear that he saw the stars of the bright blue sky overheard reflected there. Her usually dark gold eyes had lit up, a color similar to that of the sun that hung in the sky.

"So? What do you say?" Eden hummed in a low, yet cheerful tone, "You can study your fancy flowers, and I can get away for a bit. And of course, it's always nice to get a little extra time with you." She added the last bit, almost as if it was an afterthought. But the way she said it, implied otherwise.

Clearing his throat, he glanced away from her. He could practically feel the blood gathering in his cheeks. He hoped that the blush wasn't that noticeable, but he knew that his wish would not be granted, especially with the neon lights shining through the clearing.

"I suppose that that wouldn't be the worst way to spend the night," Beckett finally responded, after clearing his throat just slightly.

"Wonderful." Eden purred, her grin growing ever wider. She straightened back up on her heels, grabbed Beckett's hand, spun around on her heels, and then they were off into the expansive forest.

In a dream, I memorize,

Her fingers were entwined between his. It seemed completely natural, like they were two pieces of a puzzle that were designed to fit with each other.

Those are the thoughts that Beckett found occupying his mind as he looked down at their locked hands. Part of him almost forgot that he was coming out here to look at the wildlife. It wasn't supposed to be to spend time with Eden! His studies always came first.

But what if, maybe, they didn't?

Beckett definitely didn't like that thought. It was far too... intrusive. Of course he put his studies first. Maybe he was forming some sort of feelings for this upbeat, sarcastic girl, but that didn't change his entire life focus.

Did it?

Maybe it did. Because the more he thought about it, the more he found himself thinking about her. His time was mostly occupied by her and her group of friends (which, even he had to admit, they were growing on him the slightest bit).

He found that he took each of her compliments to heart. And even all of her not-so-subtle criticisms about his sociability, he was concerned with changing that for her, too.

Only when they stopped in a small clearing, far enough from the party that the noise was just muffled, did Beckett look up from their hands. He instead looked at her with widened eyes. He looked at the girl who had changed the world in a few weeks.

All the details of her face that night.

Eden looked back at him with her soft smile, the one that she seemed to reserve for only him, only when they were alone. The sweet smile that indicated the caring that was behind her very sarcastic words.

And in the light of the moon, right then and right there, he kissed it.

It was an urge, all of a sudden, as something he had to do. That if he didn't do it, maybe his entire world would fall apart. But he would never know if that would have happened. Because he did do it.

And god, was he glad he did.

The feeling of her lips against his, in that perfect fit that he would only ever feel with her, in the softness of the light around them. It felt like maybe they were the only ones. Like this moment was made only for them.

Finally, moments after, he pulled away, flushed but smiling. Their hands were between them, fingers intertwined.

But the best part of all of it was Eden's grin, and the happy twinkle in her golden eyes. He felt like his brain was working overtime in this one moment, so that he could remember every single little detail.

"It's about time you did that, Beckett." Edeen breathed as she rested her forehead against his.

Beckett let it soak in for a moment, before he finally responded.

"I know."