#thank you so so much for sending this ask and enabling me to just. talk about papyrus for several paragraphs

[bunny-jpeg]

hello! i’m here to make a bakery order! id love to see a croissant and loaf of whole wheat bread with a sangria as the side, served by daniel ricciardo! possibly christian horner’s daughter reader 🫣🫣🫣

bakery menu!

want to submit your own order? go wild with the menu! there's all kinds of items on there and i'm working tiredlessly to finish them all! thank you in advance for anything you send! as for this lovely anon, this captured me right away! i find so many love our danny ricc, so thank you for the order!

croissant ("i wonder if your father knows what happens during the off hours. if he knows you're here with me.") + loaf of whole wheat bread ("you're going to shut that mouth and take me.") + sangria (drunk sex) served by daniel ricciardo (formula one)!!

cw: smut/pwp, drunk sex, horner!reader, dirty talk/degrading language, doggy style, snark and sarcasm

daniel shouldn't have let the liquor run his mouth. he knew he should've kept this words to himself, it was so fucking stupid. but what he really needed right now was the devil on his shoulder, enabling his drunken ideas. and his good friend max verstappen was the perfect man in red.

"what colour do you think her panties are?" daniel asked as he turned max's head toward your direction, max was pretty much gone. currently you were seated with a drink in your hand. he knew you were drunk because you were flirty.

max looked at you for a moment and narrowed his eyes. he then chuckled before he took another healthy sip of his gin and tonic. he hit the glass a little too hard against the table and barked, "i don't know, mate. ask her!" then slapped his teammate on the shoulder.

but there was a small problem. daniel was driving for red bull and you were christian horner's daughter.

"what did you just ask me?" you said as you downed the rest of your drink, "do you have a wager or some shit with verstappen." you rested against the table a little, "are you fucking kidding me?" you got louder when you drank, just like your father.

he looked at you with those big eyes and asked, "can i see 'em anyway?" what should've been met with a slap across the face was instead met with him being pulled into an uber. the sound of max's laugh echoed in his brain.

you were both painfully drunk, this was a mistake waiting to happen. but while he couldn't make mistakes on the track. he'd be happy to flip his entire world inside out if it meant getting to fuck your sweet pussy.

"what about your father?" he asked before you made out him in the back of the car, your hands in his tie. his hand up the skirt of your dress, rubbing your upper thigh.

you pulled away and said, "danny. i don't care what my father wants right now? he's not even in the country." which surprised daniel before he pulled back into a searing kiss. you were both hands-y. when the uber arrived back at your home, you left another tip in case for the driver for all their trouble of transporting two drunk idiots.

your apartment was small given your status. but it was filled with charm. you both bumped into things as you tried to kick your shoes off. daniel's lips were on yours as you led him to the bedroom. your back clipped the door frame before you got both of you into the room. you were both stumbling as you got the light on.

"fuck, danny."

"i know, i know. i got ya."

"i'm such an idiot for letting you pick me up with that stupid line." you dropped to the bed and started to take off your dress. you looked so pretty, even drunk as hell with heat in your cheeks. you looked at him with want, "like jesus christ i'm stupid."

he took his tie off and took off his shirt, "well, call me curious. i want to know what horner's daughter wears underneath all those baggy shirts." he laughed.

you rolled your eyes, "fuck you, ricciardo. and stop mentioning my old man."

he pouted palyfully as he swayed a little in his stance. he could feel the alcohol ruining his critical thinking skills. he said, "i wonder if your father knows what happens during the off hours. if he knows you're here with me."

you huffed as you got down to your undergarments. cute baby blue boy shorts and a white bra with a blue bow in the middle. it made daniel stop in his tracks, his hands on his belt. you said in a stern tone, "if you want to keep talking to my dad, i can send you on a flight to let him fuck you." your words were biting.

he got the belt off and snapped it together threateningly, "don't make me gag you, princess."

"oh really?" you tilted your head to the side. the liquor you had gave you a sense of courage, "is someone worried that they're going to be shafted from the team? have to fuck me in a last ditch attempt to have a chance of being as good as max verstappen."

daniel laughed as he got closer to the bed. he got his slacks off and soon his underwear. leaving him naked, but he wasn't vulnerable. if anything there was a darkness that laid under him. the alcohol fueled something in his brain.

"oh sweet little horner. that's really sweet coming from you. at least i win, you can barely get past university. you'll be lucky to find a rich husband that can handle that mouth of yours." he got into bed with you, soon your underwear was off of you and daniel had you laid out under him. his cock pressed against your ass and his bulkier frame kept you pinned down to the bed. he held your jaw and said, "the horner name is only so good. i wonder if your pussy gives you any value. so, you're going to shut that mouth and take me. got it?"

you felt the alcohol flood your head more. you could barely form words, it was like daniel riccicardo melted any processing power in your head. you nodded and daniel slapped your ass.

"see, that's what i like to see. you feel so good under me.' daniel could already feel the heat on his back. his heart raced at the feeling of your soft skin under his hands. you were perfect for him. painfully beautiful. in all fairness, he forgot what colour your panties were, green? pink? whatever, this was more important.

he rubbed his cock up against you until he managed to get in between your thighs. getting right to your pussy, the feeling almost took the breath out of him. holy shit, you were perfect.

"where has your father been hiding you, beautiful?" he purred in a low tone which made your hips shift, "is that why he sent you to boarding school, so you wouldn't be a slut around the paddock." his words were poison and his thrusts were brutal, "i asked you what colour your panties were and you basically were sucking my cock." he groaned, "i bet if max came to you first, he'd be fucking you right now." he kissed at your cheek as he lifted your hips to get a better angle.

"never. god, never." you groaned.

"awww, is verstappen not good enough? get your bastard father and his bastard father in the same room." daniel chuckled, "in-laws from hell."

you groaned and kicked out your legs a little, "stop mentioning my dad, you asshole." but before you could say anything more, daniel had your head in the covers as he started to really work at your pussy.

"why? he's such a lovely man. zero issues with him whatsoever." he panted heavily in your ear, "i wonder if he'd know if you were here. if some loud mouth told him. that you were squirming under me, letting me use and abuse that pussy of yours."

you gripped onto the covers and moaned loudly. you felt your heart racing in your ears as you back arched. he kept you so nicely pinned between him and the best. there was no escaping out from under him.

"danny please."

"you beg so pretty." he said softly, "i should've asked you sooner. maybe i should've flashed them to max. i bet he would've liked to see what horner's been hiding from us." his words were liquid in your brain, frying any cognitive thought. the rush of everything made the liquor move through your head even more. you panted heavily against the covers as he continued to thrust inside of you.

"please, danny. fuck. i just wanted you. you stupid idiot!" you whined, "i wanted you and your dumb cock!"

"you like this don't you? you like having your insides rearranged by me." daniel barked a laugh as he continued to rut against you. he felt so deep inside of you.

"fuck." you groaned, not even able to deny it. it all felt so good, and you wanted to kill him for it. you hated that he polluted your brain like strong liquor.

he chuckled and kissed the side of your head, "see, being my good girl is always worth it. just let me take care of you." but he knew you'd be done soon. his words lived in your head and you panted into the covers.

"you drive me fucking insane."

"oh i know. i'm in your head all the time." he laughed.

"shit. danny." you whined as you clawed at the covers. your back arched like a cat and giving the perfect angle for daniel to fuck up into you. you held on for dear life as you climaxed around his cock. you panted into the covers.

daniel continued to move against you, using your hips to bounce you on his cock. you felt like a dream come true. his cock bullied your sweet pussy. he whispered in your ear, filth as he came inside of you. his hips against you a few more times before he stopped. he laid on top of you for a moment as he caught his breath.

your heart hammered in your chest as he eventually got on his side next to you. he bundled you up in his arms and held you close to him. there was heaving breathing between the two of you.

daniel pulled you in for another kiss, and the liquor in his head told him one thing. he wasn't letting you go.

-

"ricciardo." horner said. he sighed and crossed his arms. he looked like a disappointment parent more than a boss.

daniel put his best smile on, hiding the looming anxiety. why was he called into horner's office like he was a school boy in trouble. he replied, "yes, mister horner."

"you're a good driver. a good man. i hold a great deal of respect for you. so tell me why my daughter has to extend her time at university because she has asked for a semester off?"

daniel raises his eyebrows, "because academia is hard?"

"no, daniel. because according to verstappen you left a party with my daughter and now she turns up pregnant." he sighed, but kept his gaze on the man in front of him, "i hope you know if you skip out on her, you'll be in a world of trouble."

daniel swallowed at the news. he got horner's daughter pregnant. he. got. you. pregnant. the electricity of the news made him stand up, he said loudly, "shit. i have to buy a ring!" he wasn't letting his child go without! he looked to horner and said, "i have to go. tell your daughter to meet me tonight! i'll have a ring for her, sir!" before he high tailed it out of the office.

horner dropped his shoulders. at least the kid was responsible. while he didn't know the details of exactly how you ended up in bed with his driver. but it could've been a lot worse. as he rubbed his temples, it could've been worse. it could've been verstappen. <3

[pocketmania]

🦑 Haihai !! It's vivi I have ideas now !!

I've been thinking about sending more, but I haven't had ideas that I could do, I really love your writing there !!🩷

So so sooo! I got the idea of agian shiver x frye with a partner that's an insomniac? Like they act energetic like they had sweets, but they often can't sleep they just don't talk about it much, they're sweet, loving, and love affection, bur often fake being asleep late at night if one of them are awake :3

Kyaaa!! Hello vivi! Thank you thank you thank you for the support ^^

I'm glad you've got ideas again! Just like 🍊 anon, your requests are always super interesting :0

For this one I'll be doing headcanons since it seems like the best formatting (if that's alright)

Now onto the thingy

‎‧₊˚✧[ Shiver and

Frye w/ an Insomniac!

Reader ]✧˚₊‧

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

(🔫🎨👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩💭) - splatoon headcanons

(reader type) - gender neutral

(‼️warnings) - none ✨️

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

♨ You, Shiver, and Frye have been dating for about 2 years

♨ Which means that Shiver and Frye have both somewhat memorized your sleep schedule by now

♨ you've got a reaaaallyy bad case of insomnia that started when you were in your teens and followed you into adulthood

♨ you don't often talk about it, though, which Shiver actually hates

♨ Frye does the job of monitoring your caffeine intake to make sure you get to bed on time

♨ ❝ AH—! Hold it! That's your 3rd cup today. Give it here. ❞

♨ sometimes, if one of them is up late, you'll fake being asleep so they don't worry

♨ let's say that Shiver was up late at night, badgering their producer about their latest gig on the phone

♨ you were in bed, facing the door and staring at basically nothing. every time Shiver passed by your door, you'd quickly shut your eyes and pretend to be asleep

♨ eventually, you'd fall asleep for real

♨ Shiver usually asks you about how you slept in the morning

♨ ❝ Morning, (N/N). How'd ya sleep? ❞

♨ Since you don't really like talking about your sleep schedule, you always give a lazy response

♨ ❝ Good. I slept well. ❞

♨ Shiver was, like, so surprised to learn you have insomnia considering you're as hyper as Frye

♨ Like, energetic in a way that she needs to put you both on a leash and keep you at an arm's distance away from each other because you enable one another

♨ but trust me when I say that these two are pretty concerned for your well-being

♨ you are their s/o, of course

♨ going back to what i said earlier, Shiver and Frye both caught onto your little "fake-sleep" ploy due to a little slip-up on your part

♨ cue the montage

♨ they'd like. stand over you to make sure you're actually sleeping

♨ ❝ (Y/N)... (Y/N)! Are you sleeping? ❞

♨ ❝ I WAS. ❞

♨ while Shiver tried to pry details about your insomnia, Frye went out and bought melatonin gummies for you

♨ being honest, Big Man gave her the idea

♨ Since she knows you like gummies and sweet things, she thought these were perfect for you

♨ so, while you were getting ready not to go to bed, she popped her head into the doorway and gave you the gummies

♨ you didn't think much of it, so you took them

♨ you slept. like a ROCK.

♨ soooo despite you not really being used to sleeping so well (and not really liking it), they were really proud of you!

♨ it was a fresh start

♨ ba dum tss

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

[larasraj]

this is a bit late, about 9 months and 300 more followers late to be exact, but i didn't feel right ignoring the milestone and not extending my thank yous to every last person who helped me reach it ♡ i have been creating on tumblr since september 2022, and in that time i've taken 2 hiatuses that were about 5-7 months long each... and you guys stuck around in spite of that. i've always been shocked by the idea that my little part of tumblr was important enough for anyone to wait around for. for that, i thank you <3

how are we celebrating? my ask box is open: you have three options!

you can send me a make me choose prompt and i will create a gifset based on my choice (for example: black hair joshua or red hair joshua)?

you can send me an idol + era request (any idol except for the ones mentioned on my pin).

you can send a 'favorite' prompt (for example: my favorite bg music video?) and i will create a gifset based on it.

you are more than welcome to send the ask on anonymous; just keep an eye out for my answer! there is no limit on the amount of asks you can send, i only ask that you be patient with me! i have other things to do including a crazy baby to tend to ♡

now for me to get sappy: shout out to my beloved follow forever.

thank you to my longtime mutuals, including but not limited to: zaynab @hansjisung my very first mutual. @bandzboy my second mutual and the sweetest soul. @soonhoonsol who i love to see on the dash. @aceofvernons who is soooo normal. @seokmins who i miss dearly and was so kind to me when i first got here. and @wnjunhui , fellow huihui and occasional enabler of my delusions <3

and my lovely friends who i met last year. the jeongjan from twice loveclub, @ajusnice @kiimtaehyung @scouped @twiceland (and zay and mery again LOL) | i had the most fun with you guys last year when life was pretty tough. we shared the greatest laughs and the most ridiculous moments (sos is an english song?) and i am forever appreciative. my kpopcc family, too, including @lesseraive @pantropikos @taetheists @woozification and many, many more.

my newest mutuals, @taeraenomuyeppeo, @chwedout @minkwan @wonboos @bellamyblakru @jnwonwoos @fairyhaos and probably a shit ton more that i can't currently remember.

the people whose presence on this stupid site makes me so happy, @ashmp3 @taeiltual @seungkwan-s @leetaehwan @facethesuns @vcrnons @jeonsupershy @jeonwon-wonwoo @eoieopda @jeongtokkie @97-liners @dinotual @junmail @kimsmingyu and about a dozen others who i'll kick myself for forgetting later.

thank you for sticking around despite my inconsistency. you guys mean so much to me. even if we never talk, or talk very little, know and trust that i appreciate you and that you are so special to me.

[xoxo-ren-xoxo]

A Popstar Grian AU - Ari AU (Part One)

Or, @angeart and I put Grian through a lot of pain for no good reason.

Hello! Like two people showed interest in my post about Ari AU, thus here we are. This is not really a 'fic', but it isn't a short summary either. Let your mind go wild. Let your imagination be free. Read my words, boy.

This is Part One. Part Two is here. Part Three is here. Part Four is here. Part Five is here. The tag for this is #ari au.

But before we start, some introductory things you should know.

This is scarian. Don't read if you do not like scarian.

Grian uses he/she pronouns and is transfem genderqueer, I tend to default to she as it helps differentiate her from other characters a lot, but I mix it up.

I somewhat based this AU on attitudes towards celebrities / stars from the 2000s - present day, so this can be read as a period piece in some ways... This concept started with the song 'The Fear' by Lily Allen. I recommend giving it a listen.

This is the "real world", so no hybrids, no respawn, no "code", etc.

CONTENT WARNINGS for this Part: stalking, physical assault, attempted sexual assault, drugging, mentions of vomit, hospitals, me autismposting about music genres.

You can always stop reading! The AU starts out pretty tame and gradually gets, well, worse. But I promise it has a hopeful ending! Eventually!

(also please ask me questions, send ideas, reblog, comment, etc. because I love this AU a lot) (and thank you to Ange for enabling me and adding amazing scenes to this au)

Album One: ‘Sunshine Sedative’

Grian, better known by her stage name ‘Ari’, is a popular singer-songwriter embarking on a world tour to promote her latest album, Sunshine Sedative. The album is indie pop-y and bright, exploring themes of romance, self-empowerment, and subtle references to gender and sexuality. Grian’s style on-stage is hyper-feminine, flashy, and fashionable. He’s known to be a bit prickly, demanding, and stubborn off-stage, slow to warm up to the people around him.

The tour bus carries both Grian and her key crew. Pearl (marketing, PR and organisational work), Impulse (costumes and tech), and Mumbo (tech assistant and main contact for Grian’s manager). Though Grian likes to self-manage, preferring to do her own make-up and plan the set-lists for her own shows. 

Recently, Grian has been running into some issues with stalker fans and online haters, receiving some threatening messages on social media. Mumbo tries not to let him doomscroll on his phone too much, even going so far as to confiscate the phone while on tour. This is Grian’s biggest tour- no one was prepared for her to become a star or “indie darling” type- and the fans are… a bit crazy.

After the anonymous threats, Grian agrees to get a bodyguard. This is where Scar comes in. At first, Scar is a little terrified. The company he works for advised him not to annoy or upset Grian, and to always call her Miss Ari. Never disagree with her or do anything he isn’t contracted to do. 

Scar throws all of this out of the window pretty fast. Yes, Grian is especially difficult when they first meet, but Scar can tell it’s because Grian is stressed. About the tour, about the fame, about the threats. 

A show results in Grian getting a sore throat, and Scar offers her some tea with honey, rambling on about how his mother used to make it for him when he was sick. Grian begrudgingly takes the tea, and tells Scar to just call her Grian from then on. She’s not a fan of the blurring of her private and public life.

Eventually, Grian gets bored enough to rant to Scar about how Mumbo won’t let him use his phone anymore, and Scar offers to sneak it back to him. They have a laugh scrolling through celebrity news and playing silly games together. Then they get found out and both get a stern talking to from Mumbo and Impulse. (Pearl laughs at them in the background).

As Grian’s tour starts selling out, more tour dates are added, extending their time on the road. Scar continues to sneak Grian’s phone to her, pushing her to have fun rather than scroll through hate messages. It seems like a peak moment for Grian, delighted by the idea that she has so many fans, and beginning to develop a bit of a crush on Scar. Grian even starts acting a little nicer.

Tabloids and Stalkers

The fame comes with more caveats than Grian anticipated. One day, while Scar and Grian are reading some dumb article on Grian’s phone, she receives a random message from a burner account. It’s a picture of Grian, through a hotel window, half dressed. Grian recognises the hotel, one they stayed in a few nights ago just to get away from the tour bus.

Someone knew she would be there. Knew what room she would be staying in. There is a vaguely ominous / threatening message attached. It makes Grian never want to step foot outside again. It makes her feel sick. Suddenly she can’t focus on anything around her.

He has a panic attack. 

Later, as Grian is pacing the floor of the bus, he’s told not to make an announcement about the stalker. She decides herself not to go to the police, and, after some hesitation, not to cancel the tour. They can’t disappoint all those people. 

Over the next few shows, Grian gets closer to Scar. Both because they get along so well, and because Scar is there to protect her. He's clumsy and funny and once he starts talking about something he likes, it’s hard to get him to stop. Grian finds him incredibly endearing and, more importantly, incredibly safe. 

But things are bad. Grian can’t even go to a public bathroom without Scar checking to make sure no one is waiting for her. He feels constantly watched, constantly on-edge, constantly afraid. The paparazzi don’t exactly make it easier.

Tabloids love Ari. She’s a superstar, a real diamond in the rough who came from nothing. They’re obsessed. Anything she does in public can make a tabloid front page. As the tour goes on and her songs rocket up the charts, it only gets worse. The flashes of the cameras have started to scare him.

Scar is an angel, dealing with the paparazzi professionally and confidently. He stands in front of Grian and chases the cameras off. But it feels like they can’t go anywhere. They can’t do anything. Even when they stop at another hotel, Grian can’t tell if the people outside are stalkers or journalists.

The pictures on the tabloid front pages are no longer stunning shots from the shows, but rather blurry snaps of Grian trying to escape the cameras. Images of Grian, wide-eyed and scared by the surprise of a camera flash, before she could put on a fake smile. Grian, through a window in the parked tour bus, with teary eyes. Even private moments are no longer private.

Media outlets start to pay for more intimate photos- anything the journalists might get fired for trying to snap themselves. It gives the stalkers (there are certainly multiple, now) more incentive. Grian keeps the curtains closed in every building he visits, and draws the tiny blinds on the bus. 

Relationship Goals?

In the meantime, Grian’s crush on Scar is getting more obvious, but she’s afraid to say anything. Dragging Scar into this, with all the harassment he would face if they revealed they were together, isn’t what Grian wants. She flinches away when Scar offers a comforting touch, not wanting to risk a photograph. 

Scar is the one, then, who takes the initiative. He sits with Grian on her little fold-out bed at the back of the tour bus, all curtains drawn and the door closed. He holds her close and tells her firmly that no one is going to see them here. They're traveling at 50mph on a motorway and no one can even see through the windows anyway. And that's maybe just enough for Grian to let himself lean into Scars touch. Admit his feelings. 

There’s a sense of shame he's carrying with them. He shouldn't have fallen for his bodyguard- someone who has to stay with him, contractually. She tries to say as much, going on and on about all the terrible risks Scar is bringing to himself by dating her, but Scar cuts Grian off by kissing her, anyway.

As soon as the media gets a hint of the relationship, things seem to go downhill. Diehard fans don’t react kindly to Grian’s choice of man, especially the ones who want to have her for themselves. Someone throws something at Scar when Grian is leaving a show, hitting him on the head. It isn’t a bad injury, but it bleeds a lot, and Grian only feels worse about it when Scar insists he’s okay.

Actual Bodily Harm

The fans seem to get more… intense. Stalking and threats of harm increase, while the fans' behaviour at shows seems to get worse. As the tour is nearing its final few weeks, people start to throw things onto the stage. The first time it happens, Grian cuts the set short without anyone really noticing. The next time, someone throws a glass bottle, and she walks off. 

He tries not to make a big fuss about it, simply leaving without playing a single song. She feels awful, of course, for leaving the normal fans without a show. Perhaps they should refund the tickets, or something. She doesn’t even notice the glass shards in her foot until Scar points them out, horrified. 

Pearl convinces Grian to take a picture of the injury and make a PSA post on social media. Even when the adrenaline wears off, Grian’s resulting breakdown seems subdued. 

No one throws anything at the next few shows, except for a trans pride flag. Grian wears it as a cape, and feels amazing, for once, hearing the cheers and screams of joy at the gesture. She loves that she can be a symbol of hope and love for so many people. It’s even enough of a boost to get him acting more like himself again in private: mischievous, bright, and creative. 

It is near the end of the tour when things go completely, utterly wrong again. Grian and the crew all go to a bar after a show, to celebrate the last week of the tour. Three more shows, and then it’s over. Grian is in somewhat normal clothes, compared to his usual getup, but still puts on his persona just in case they've been followed by the paparazzi (again).

Everyone's having a nice time, drinking a little and hanging out. As always, it is nice to be getting away from the bus. Pearl and Impulse buy far too many shots, much to Mumbo’s dismay. Grian laughs and jokes and raises her voice, not caring if she’s croaky the next day. 

He doesn't notice someone watching him from across the room. Doesn't notice them slip something into her drink when she goes up to the bar. She pays for another pint, and they strike up conversation. Giddily, she chats with them, rambling about how good life has suddenly become. As he sips his drink, he doesn’t register how focused on him they are. How their dark eyes don’t leave him once.

It’s fine, until she stumbles, on the way back to the booth everyone's sitting at, and the stranger catches her before she can fall with strong arms. They're talking, but Grian isn't really listening. She’s nodding along and mumbling about needing to get back to the booth. Back to her friends.

It feels wrong. They keep hold of her shoulders. They're saying something about getting her home safe. Something about how they've been waiting for this…

He realises what’s happening far too late. Panic clutches her chest for a split second. Long enough for him to call out for Scar. She's already being manhandled out of the door before Scar comes to her rescue. Thankfully, by a miracle, close enough to hear the cry for help.

Grian knows something happens to the stranger, because they're on the floor and bleeding. Voices buzz, muffled, around Grian. There are more hands on her. She doesn’t like it. Her head hurts. Scar’s hand is bloody as he hugs her. Grian passes out.

Hospital Visit One

The crew, quite obviously, take Grian to the hospital. He was drugged, and it’s clear what the perpetrator wanted to do. It shakes them all, left wondering whether the creep knew who Grian was, or just randomly targeted a drunk stranger on a night out. Either way, none of them want to go near a bar any time soon.

On the way to the hospital, the press capture pictures of Grian unconscious, or half-awake with no awareness, and by the time the morning rolls in, the papers are already speculating about addiction and ‘gone wild’ narratives. When Grian wakes up, still slightly delirious, he's told, hesitantly, by Pearl, that they have to release a statement soon in order to clear his name and control the narrative. Grian can’t find it in herself to cry about what happened.

Before any statements are made, the police come to talk to Grian. They arrested the perpetrator and searched their house, not that it’ll result in much. They show Grian pictures of rope, duct tape, knives, and a poster from her tour. 

Feeling numb, Grian takes a moment to go throw up in a bin, then tells her team she wants to make a statement now. She wants it recorded, as she is, now. Pearl and Mumbo try to argue that it really isn't a good idea, without a script and looking… bad, but Scar and Impulse back Grian’s choice. Reluctantly, Mumbo grabs one of the nice cameras from his car- the bus was far too conspicuous to park at a hospital- and they record.

They don't know what Grian’s going to say, but, put basically, the video explains everything that has happened- from the stalkers to the glass to the drugging- and apologises to the fans who did nothing wrong. And even the fans who just wanted to know some gossip, because they weren't really to blame. Then she announces that she's cancelling the rest of the tour. 

Mumbo shuts off the camera. Everyone apart from Scar is a bit shocked. Incredulous. Shouldn’t they talk about this? Is it worth it to cancel at the last hurdle? Scar cuts off the protests, pointing out how insensitive it is to try and make Grian perform after everything. Grian stays quiet as Scar somewhat lectures the others. It’s a rambling mess of an argument, but it works. They apologise. 

The statement video is posted online, and Grian is left to rest. Scar remains at his side.

Once Grian is checked over and discharged, they get back to the bus fast. She retreats to her closed-off space at the back of the bus, telling everyone to get on with their jobs. Once she's alone, she replays the images the police showed her in her mind. He thinks about what could have happened. He thinks about the stranger's hands on his shoulders and at his hips. She remembers that she started out just wanting to make music, and she cries.

[numberonetacostan]

I am here to talk about Taco dynamic headcanons. Because the relationships between the Inanimate Island residents are INTERESTING and I enjoy EXPLORING THEM!!!

Starting off with Pickle because. uh. It's complicated. Pickle does not forgive Taco, and he thinks she's kind of a mess and needs to let go of him, but he doesn't like. Hate her? He can tolerate her if he must but will not willingly start a conversation with her and certainly will not start an argument. His thoughts are as follows: "I don't think she's incapable of change or anything. I just want her to be capable of change away from me."

I feel like Taco and Soap would get along for the most part. They're both theater kids who like to sing and are friends with Mic (who I think is really, REALLY trying to get Taco to make new friends). They talk shit about people together and occasionally Taco will let Soap kick her butt in a video game. Soap is the only one reminding Taco to practice basic hygiene. That woman has lived in the woods for the past god-knows-how-long there is no way she remembers to brush her teeth regularly.

My autistic ass has to bring this guy into everything so I bring you: Taco and A.D.A.M. friendship. I like to think that ever since Adam first met Taco during season 1, he knew she was a liar and that there was no way anyone could actually be that stupid. Taco didn't realize immediately that something was up with Adam but very quickly learned he was hiding something: a suspicion that would be confirmed when she saw the Gemory that revealed he's a robot. They were acquainted in s1 but it's not until post-canon that they start hanging out more. They're both secret-keeping little freaks who are desperate for connections with others but push people away anyway. And I'm not saying they would enable each other's negative behavior but like. They would enable each other's negative behavior. Luckily they have Mutual Friend Toilet™ to spray them with a little water bottle and scold them for being self-destructive but they really need to confront their issues themselves. (I have given A.D.A.M far too much unnecessary depth.)

Now that THAT absolute unit of a paragraph is out of the way I shall say that Taco and Balloon NEED to interact immediately and I'm not just saying that because they're friends in my ii save in the Sims 4. They are two sides of the same coin istg. They need to talk about their exile from the rest of the season 1 gang and discuss the arts and go see a Broadway show together. They would probably make fun of each other's voices tbh. They seem like they would do that.

I cannot think of any other characters to throw Taco into a room with. So. This is the end of the ask. I like Taco ii and character interactions.

Hi Marj!!^^ Welcome back, and thank you for sending in an ask!! :]

Soap and Taco should talk shit about the others. Taco knows a ton from her spying and who knows what Soap has found while she's cleaned their rooms. And Soap would be a great help with Taco's hygiene. I do think others like Mic would try to help and remind her too, but Soap would definitely be very on top of it.

Did A.D.A.M. met Taco in season 1? I don't recall him meeting any of the contestants, just calling Mephone. Regardless, yeah, she'd probably see through him, I tend to think she's remarkably skilled in telling when others are lying as well as lying herself. Taco would probably want to hang out with him more post-canon (an au in which he survives, I suppose), since she misses Mepad so much, and A.D.A.M. is also a Meeple product.

And it's true Taco and Balloon do need to interact. Balloon already deals with Nickel, he and Taco could get along swimmingly! Though I think they'd both get a little annoyed about their voices being mocked rather than doing it to each other.

[lalizah]

My heart is breaking for them, but please tell me more! How do they deal with being apart? Do they find each other again? I think you posted about it before? Did it have to do with Liz not wanting to turn or am I mixing things up? Either way, I'd love to hear more, if you feel like sharing. No pressure 💕

Darling Seren, hello! Just wanted to say, again, how much I ADORE When Words Fall Silent and how much it made me explore an angstier, post-turning Naliz route! And no, you're not remembering wrong, friend! It was actually more Masabeth centred but I love the added angst that comes for N, who probably knows that losing the MC is inevitable, either to old age or to their vampirism

The small fic I wrote yesterday helped me get more into Liz's head and how she really feels about turning and being a vampire in general. I think both she and Nate have that need to cling to human life and the world beyond the Agency in common but Liz just. Acts out. A lot.

And Nate desperately tries to understand and be there, but as long as both Adam and Nate play the voices of reason, she can't let go of her pain.

I see Liz initiating the breakup and it's a huge surprise for Nate, and Liz too because Liz does think of Nate and the team as her strength during that hard time. She knows they've done their best, and protected her as much as they were able to, but she still has to give up everything and everyone she loves, especially her first home. Nate does ask her to rethink things and maybe they could try something different but Liz doesn't let him talk her into it. She doesn't just breakup with him because it's all so complicated and messy now, she's also scared of the rage and grief she feels. She doesn't want Nate to feel responsible, or worse, think that he's not a good part of her life. She's incredibly self-aware and knows she's become a horrible, seething ball of anger and she doesn't want to say or do something she can't take back

She breaks up with Nate and leaves the Agency, I hc maybe she stays with the maa-alused for a while because she can finally stop caring more about not hurting the team and just being angry. She misses him terribly, cries for the first three months, and afterwards, just a single mention of him has tears welling in her eyes. She does handle it well though, she can actually feel and be sad, angry, damaged and not worry about hurting Nate or the team in the process

I think Nate would take it badly in the beginning, even hoping he could go with her but Liz chooses otherwise. Especially since Liz goes no contact, he's left with small updates through one of the Agents and that's that. He doesn't want to upset her by following her and of course, respects her boundaries, but he is heartbroken. He feels doomed, in a sense, bound to lose her either to death or this transformation.

They stay apart for five years, Nate writing letters he can't send, Liz keeping her wedding ring close to her heart, wearing it on a chain.

They do find each other again, after those long, terrible five years, and it's purely a coincidence (coincidence, Liz would say. Fate, Nate would correct). Nate's on break, in a small town in Italy and he hears her before he sees her, and when he turns around, she's looking at him. Finally smiling

(ok I will stop before this essay turns into ANOTHER fic oof I'm so sorry but thank you for enabling me Seren 🥹)

[stygiansauce]

Hi again, Sauce, darling!

Thank you for your kind words! I was poking my brain, and apparently your label in my head is just “Sauce, darling” so that’s my nickname for you now, I suppose!

I adore heels because of the height they add. Do they mess up my feet and threaten my ankles? Absolutely, but they are so worth it! I would have more heeled shoes, if I could find them and afford them. Alas, size 11 shoes are neither easy to find nor cheap.

The car seat makes me jealous. I can and will fall asleep in cars when I’m not the driver but it doesn’t mean it’s comfortable!

MOE keeps calling me, begging for a fine tooth comb reading, but I promised myself that I would wait until chapter five, so wait I will. (Do not take this as pressure for chapter five. Chapter five is taking its own time to come, and it will be all the sweeter for the wait and the anticipation.) Your posts about writing are helping me to grit my teeth and work on my own tales. Unfortunately none of my fanfiction, just my original story which is fighting me every single step. So I feel you on chapter five.

All this to say, I’m so flattered that you consider me a mutual. Here is my tiny teacup, it is overflowing with joy. Wishing you all the best with MOE and Crossing Sticks! You got this! You can wrangle those Ranchers! (Pats them firmly on the heads, “You two behave for Sauce now!”)

~Elen 🍠

Elen, my love!

I am so incredibly excited for your MoE read through, it's going to rock my world to peices and I'm going to die and ascend at the same time. I am not....rushing? persay? on chapter five, but I do have an offical deadline that I've set because I'm getting itchy about three months no chapter. It certainly doesn't help that sports au summer has a death grip on me and I'm trying to write the next sticks one shot at the same time.

The issue is that the next sticks shot is ALSO biting me when I try to feed it <3. Something about the pov and the way I'm trying to set up backstory is just noooooooooot flowing. the words are there but the flow of sentences and dialog is not. Either way, I am using the last dredges of my free time to make BOTH happen before I loose my marbles. With the new life series dropping soon too, I fear my time will be consumed entirely by Mr. Solidarity. Poor Mr.sauce, who does not favor Jimmy and would very much rather I watch Bdubs pov again because "his voice is nice"

Orginal work you say??? This is me perking up like a dog (The more I speak the more I realize Hybbat is right (Hybbat is always right) I am simply my pfp. I am 3 feet tall and I sleep on peoples feet.) I would LOVE to hear more about this if you're intrested in talking about it online. I'm very keen on popping into your ask box so you have a place to chat about it. I love supporting orginal works, I'm Kit's second biggest enabler about them.

Because it's fighting you, let me offer some unsolicited advice from my friend circle. Handwrite your work for a little. I wish I was joking but I'm not it reallllly works. I've been hand writing MoE 5 and then typing it up after the fact, it helps the flow TONS. I'm not sure if it's the act of writing it down or maybe its because you have to slow your brain a little to hand write. whatever it is, it works. I hope that helps your story stop fighting you. sending you love <3

[my-castles-crumbling]

Anon Advice Asks - July 2

rabbit anon (new), simultaneous anon (new), frog stuffie guy anon, wise anon (new), default anon

rabbit anon

Hi! Can I ask you something?

So, i had a friend group of 7. One of my friends is homophobic (let’s call her Rabbit). She’s a huge homophobe. We all know about it because she keeps talking about how gross it is, etc.

But one night during a sleepover another friend of mine came out (let’s call her Cat). I already knew about her sexuality, so i wasn’t shocked. Other people in the group also knew. 3 didn’t, but we weren’t too concerned about them because we knew they weren’t a threat. We were mostly waiting to see Rabbit’s reaction, it felt like we were holding a grenade or something.

Cat was incredibly brave to come out after fifteenth years of friendship. She’d been scared of Rabbit’s reaction this whole time. But surprisingly, Rabbit was supportive! She said something like, “Okay, good for you.” And then we never talked about it again. I expected her to avoid Cat or act weird around her, but she didn’t. She still hangs out with us, and even though she remains openly homophobic in general, she’s never been that way toward Cat.

I’m confused by her behavior. As a straight person who has a lot of queer friends and considers myself an ally, I’m wondering: does this make Rabbit an ally too? Or is she just being supportive of Cat?

It’s confusing because she still says she doesn’t like same sex relationships, yet she stays friends with Cat and the rest of us. She didn’t mind when Cat brought her girlfriend on vacation, and she even befriended her.

Thank you!!

Hi!

No, in my opinion, that doesn't make her an ally at all. It makes her a hypocrite. I also kind of wonder if she's truly supportive or if she's just keeping her opinion to herself.

I also feel like I need to give you a tough truth here: if you're not calling rabbit out on her bullshit, then you're not being a good ally to Cat. The thing is, by being friends with rabbit and accepting her for who she is, you're enabling her homophobia. As a queer person myself, I probably wouldn't see you as a safe person, BECAUSE you associate with someone who's homophobic.

I know it can be super hard to call people out, especially when it can affect your social life and can cause drama. But I think if I were you, I would think about my friendship with rabbit, and what that means.

I'm sending you lots of love. I know this isn't easy, and I'm proud of you for thinking about difficult topics like this!

___

simultaneous anon

Do you have any tips on how to come out as trans to your family when you simultaneously want them to know but also don't, if that makes sense?

I think that makes sense!

What if you focus on your presentation, and not the actual words? Like what if you tell your family you want to dress more feminine/masculine, but don't tell them you actually are a boy/girl? If they take that well, you could even ask them to use different pronouns for you? That way it's kind of...a soft launch? I hope I'm making sense <3

___

frog stuffie guy anon

I'm so sorry that you're in this situation right now <3 I hope you know I'm here if you need to vent. I'm sending you so much love!

___

wise anon

(I already have an anon name so don’t feel pressured to give me a specific anon name, I’m just a little embarrassed to admit what I’m gonna say 🫶✨)

I might sound stupid, and very very self centered, so I’m pleading with you not to think of me as arrogant or selfish:

I feel so wise. I’m fairly young, I know, but I feel SO wise. Wiser than some adults I know, and because of my culture, people my age are like, tolerable, but when the adult simply does not want to listen they believe they can just, deny the child an opinion and talk over them, override their existence, and it makes me feel so under appreciated, because I know so much.

I’ve been being so self aware as of late. I’ve been taking accountability, being honest with myself when it’s scary,

I’ve been looking at everything from new perspectives and have been trying new philosophies.

Jack of all trades, master of none, I can play 2 instruments, do many mediums of art, I have a wide variety of books and movies I consume to educate myself, I get top grades in everything, I’m good at acting, I’m grounded in my body and existence,

I’m trying to be kind and honest to myself and others and I feel like I’ve been succeeding.

I just, don’t know how to articulate this, and I don’t even know who to articulate this to. I just feel smart and wise and good enough. And people around me always bulldoze over me and tell me there’s constantly room for improvement—

Which I know!!! I know I know I know! I know that, I know other things, I just know SO MUCH. Why can’t they just tell me that I’m fine as is?

Why do I just have to keep going? I want to keep going in life and in my mind but it feels hard to do so if I feel that the moment I take a break of feel satisfied, nobody’s proud of me anymore.

Everyone around me occasionally tells me I’m wise or prudent or articulate and “sooooo mature for [my] age” (which is also partially another thing entirely), so why don’t they say it more often?

I’m just rambling really. I know what this is and what I’m feeling, but knowing doesn’t equate to fully processing, and the act of knowing doesn’t change things.

I know that my love language is words of affirmation and nobody around me likes to give me that, so I always kind of have to beg.

I know that I know things and that doesn’t equate to my worth, and that I’m worth slightly more than just my knowledge,

I know that this self-actualization has come from years of unaddressed mental issues and trauma

And I know that I could really use some good human connection. Not from my family, but a good deep conversation with someone I’m not afraid of (people who aren’t family members, existing friends, etc.)

I just feel so stupid. A part of me is angry at myself for even saying anything and is trying to suppress all of this.

I just want to feel adequate, I guess

Nobody makes me feel adequate.

And when it comes to adequacy, I don’t actually know if I’m adequate. If enough people just don’t bother to figure out how to like, make me feel adequate I don’t know if I deserve it? It’s not that I get my worth from others, I just get connections from them. And connections don’t feel good when they’re one-sided really.

Aughhhdhshdhshsakckdjdfjjj

This is all from the recesses of my mind. I know what I’m saying is selfish. Very selfish. I guess I just needed to get it out.

Sorry for being self-centered. Your blog is super cool 🫶✨

Hi <3

I don't think you're being wise or arrogant or self-centered! I think you want acknowledgement for all that you've accomplished so far, and there's nothing wrong with that. I was also a 'mature for their age' person, so I get it.

I'm going to be truthful with you, because you seem to want the truth, and you also seem self-aware enough to be able to understand. I'm hoping you don't take any of it as like...an insult? It really isn't <3 I just think sometimes adults don't take the time to actually explain things, so I'm going to try.

Looking back as an adult now, I think sometimes teens (I think you're a teen?) who are mature for their age have this like....dissonance? Because they ARE super smart and want to be treated like an adult, but adults won't do that. So you feel like you're caught in the middle of adulthood and childhood, and it's frustrating. And adults get nervous to give you too much responsibility because they don't want to overburden you or for you to take it and run and make big mistakes. They think you aren't ready- sometimes they're wrong, and sometimes they're right. And then there's the fact that most kids your age ARENT that mature, so connections are hard. It's like a limbo of feeling so fucking ready but being held back.

I can't pretend to understand you, personally, but I can look back and know what *I* didn't know at your age, and it's this: You ARE adequate. You are good enough. You're educated and self-aware. And you're definitely super mature. You're ready for more than adults think, but also, you might lack experience, and that's the scary part that adults see. But You still deserve to have your opinion taken into account, and your feelings should be valued.

But don't forget that books, movies, etc only teach so much. Would the adults in your life be willing to let you try to go out in the world and get experience in the things you want to learn about? Could you volunteer? Get a job? Work with kids? I feel like those kinds of thigs would be so much more rewarding for you and also...you're smart enough to do them. You seem grounded and responsible enough to actually do things like that, and the more you do things like that, the more adults take you seriously.

But remember that no matter what anyone says, you ARE worthy. And I believe in you!

---

default anon

hi default anon here!!

when you started off with 'i know this probably isn't going to be helpful' while answering my last ask just know you were right 😭

okay idek if u remember asks but like i'm just sending this u dont have to answer if this is kinda confusing idk

sorry

but yeah bro im crashing out literally htis is so confusing i cant wait it out and see how ti goes like i literally cant. plus probably nothing si going to happen anyways so theres not much to see how it goes

and i know i probably should just see and not worry about this now and i know this is extreme overthinking but like idk okay

pls helpp ugh sgjsfkjhgjfshg

:(

anyways i hope you're having a great day ty for doing these advice asks <3

hahahaha the beginning of your ask made me laugh.

yeah, it's a lot easier said than done to just...not overthink.

What if you keep writing down your thoughts? You can send them all to me if you want. Like after you see her, just write it all down to get it out of your head?

sending you love <3

[mystxmomo]

Hello! Would you mind answering 6, 7, and 29 for Enclave? Please and thank you! 🙏

6. Who will they take advice from, no matter what it is? Who won’t they take advice from, no matter what it is?

Vhaeraun feels like cheating, so I'll give a better answer, but it feels worth reminding occasionally that for all I play up the comedy of their PvP enabled zone of a relationship, she does actually respect his thought process and opinions (Which is really unfortunate for her, honestly.) She genuinely thinks he has a very interesting way of seeing the world, and even if she doesn't follow whatever advice he gives her she's at least willing to let him pick at her brain and help walk her thought whatever she's thinking.

The god she's always pulled along with aside. Ilphaer also feels like a bit of an obvious answer too, but she IS someone Enclave has had in her life for a while and Enclave trusts her judgement. Actually as I'm writing this, I'm going to take it in a slightly different direction. The framework of the question is specifically in the lens of "Take advice from no matter what" but I do think it's worth mentioning that I kind of do envision Enclave as a character that. Values understanding how other peoples minds work? If she's working with you for whatever reason, she's at least going to try and hear you out. Especially as she gets older and more involved with Vhaeraun's church. I think she does make a genuinely effort to collect everyones thoughts in a group setting.

The catch there being if she's working with you. Good luck getting her to work with you. GOOD LUCK GETTING HER INTO A GROUP SETTING.

On the counter end of things, if she feels like you don't respect her or drow she won't take your advice. There's no one specific I have in mind for that, just as a general rule of thumb. I'm talking complete disregard for the opinion of the second she clocks that you're looking down on her.

7. Describe them in three words. Now let them describe themself in three words.

My description: Lonely. Curious. Exhausted.

Anyway, related to the above answer. I've mentioned it before, but I think the most positive trait Enclave is defined by is her curiosity. She wants to know more all of the time about any given situation before she passes judgement, and she's someone that does place a lot of value on (not being lied to) knowing all of the details of any given situation. It's THE thing that got her to where she is now. Too much... questioning. For a solider to be doing.

Outside of that. Loneliness speaks for itself. I think, for anyone she's surrounded by, she's always going to struggle to connect with people on a sincere level ++ She's so tired all of the time. Just as a character trait. I don't think she knows HOW to rest.

Her description: (I don't think she'd have the introspective chops to immediately come up with something so the first thing you'd get out of her is, "Uh," and then a blank stare for about 20 seconds while she processes what you asked) and then something like, "I don't know, I guess I'm an bit of an asshole," And then "Why are you talking to me."

She wouldn't say the other two outloud, but I think Enclave considers herself funny (In a very specific way, but funny nonetheless.) She's also not unaware of the fact she's a deeply paranoid person, so that would probably be the third thing she focuses on.

29. What recurring dreams do they have?

Funny you ask, because she canonically doesn't dream outside of Vhaeraun using her dreams to rummage around in her head and send visions. I forget which ficlet I put that into, but I think that's something I put pen to paper on. I think, even if you did force her to lay down and sleep instead of trance, she'd sleep in pretty disruptive fits, which doesn't really give much in the way of dream-space.

[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 😁) Also may contain some violence and other themes you may find offensive | 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: 13.1K 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. 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 19.) Scorched Earth.

In the morning following the death of Andreas Garakis and his family, Their Majesties had a morning meeting in their favorite side garden near Marquise's office, after taking their children to school, to debrief what had happened the night before. The jasmine hedges swayed gently in the breeze as if they hadn't just hosted a war briefing disguised as breakfast.

"Well, how are you feeling about last night?" Marquise asks. 

Shanelle placed a hand on her stomach, the weight of her unborn daughter pressing against the consequences of war.

"Last night was a necessary evil. Andreas tried to hurt us and our people. He had to be stopped. Do I like that his family became collateral? Hell no. I'm a mother first. Children should never be casualties." Shanelle replied. 

"Indeed it was. And at the very least, his family's deaths were quick and as humane as possible."

"Thank God for that," Shanelle said as breakfast was served. 

A pancetta, Fontina, and potato frittata for two, honey vanilla Greek yogurt with berries, an assortment of breads with plenty of apple butter, and the Dark Roast coffee and cinnamon rolls from Book-A-Holic Cafè.

"Remind me to thank Dee for enabling my cinnamon rolls addiction," Shanelle said in between bites of a warm cinnamon roll.

"Didn't James tell you to stop sending Dee flowers every time you eat one of those?"

"Sir I don't even listen to my husband, why in the world would I ever listen to hers?"

He laughed into his coffee. "You're a menace."

"No no! I'm in love. With Book-A-Holics cinnamon rolls."

"They do make good coffee so I can't complain too much."

"Exactly." 

Shanelle took another bite and moaned. 

"Mmm! Sooo good!" 

"Are you moaning over a cinnamon roll?"

"Don't judge me, sir."

Marquise shook his head. 

"So what do you have planned this morning?"

"Not much. I need to meet with Lady Emmeline to finalize the details of the upcoming charity Polo match in Portavira. What about you?"

"Meeting with the Military Defense Council to discuss our next steps."

"Mind if I tag along?"

"Not at all my love. You are the Queen. You go wherever you please. Although fair warning you might not like this meeting."

"Why?"

Marquise took a measured sip of his coffee. 

"Because I invited Lord Gallagher to the meeting."

Shanelle froze mid-bite. 

"Excuse me?! You invited who?" she asked with a mouth full of her cinnamon roll. 

"Lord Gallagher."

"Are you insane?! You invited him?!" 

"Before you start throwing plates around, let me explain." 

"Talk. Fast."

"I invited him to the meeting because I want him to see what happens when he's not around. I want him to see the council thriving despite him."

"So you want to throw it in his face?"

"Precisely."

"And you have the nerve to call me petty."

"Aren't you the one who once told me that you put the petty in pretty?" 

"Touchè, Your Majesty." she said as she finished her cinnamon roll. 

Soon their plates were cleared. 

"So how are you really feeling?" he asks. 

Shanelle didn't answer right away. Her hand drifted to her stomach again, where their daughter kicked as if to remind her she was still there — still growing, still watching.

"Tired. Weary. Angry. And so goddamn ready for all of this to be over."

"I understand my love. I understand why you're weary. This has been going on for months. It's been exhausting. Lord and Lady Gallagher have been a constant pain in our asses for months now. On top of the fact that we have declared war against Sulovaria and we are dealing with four active traitors. It's a lot to handle on an everyday basis, but it's even more stressful with you being pregnant."

"Yeah. But I knew what I was getting into when I married you and took the helm as Queen. I just want the rest of my pregnancy to go smoothly. We are getting closer and closer to my due date in December. This is September. On top of the Conclave in a few weeks. Plus...I'm getting really tired of not being able to punch people in the face for always playing in mine." 

"Didn't you punch Kenna in the face?" 

"Oh, that? That was a love tap." Shanelle said with a small dismissive wave.

Marquise snorted as he finished his coffee. 

"Been meaning to ask, how are you feeling about meeting Dr. Tourè?"

Shanelle cleared her throat. 

"I am...cautiously optimistic. You know how I feel about strangers being around our children. But at the same time, he did introduce himself at the open house and he does come highly recommended, both by the school and by Nadia. So we'll see."

"Indeed we will, my love."

Marquise checked his watch. It was time for the Council Meeting. 

"Well, are you ready to go piss off a few pains in our asses?"

Shanelle snorted. 

"Lead the way, Your Majesty." 

Their Majesties made their way to the conference room where the Defense Council was gathered. They walked down the hall slowly. Enjoying the peaceful quiet before the monsoon they were walking into. 

When they got to the conference room doors, they were greeted by a smug, sour looking Lord Gallagher. 

"You're late." he sneered at them. 

"Considering that you aren't even supposed to be here because you're no longer a member of the Military Defense Council, you don't get to clock our moves."

Marquise patted Shanelle's arm. 

"Now now my love. Decorum first, he is an invited guest."

"At least one of you remembers your stations." Lord Gallagher muttered. 

"Yes I do. So allow me to remind you of yours, Milord. You DO NOT EVER speak to your Queen in any manner that is not respectful. If you don't know how to address us both properly, then I strongly suggest that you learn the art of shutting the fuck up." Marquise warned him. 

"Boom!" Shanelle said smugly. 

Lord Gallagher rolled his eyes. 

"Whatever." 

Marquise raised an eyebrow at him before turning to Shanelle. 

"Now everyone, shall we?" 

Their Majesties entered first followed by Lord Gallagher. The polished obsidian round table gleamed with the reflection of tense faces, and for a moment, the only sound in the room was the soft ticking of a grand clock on the far wall. It sounded like judgment itself. Slowly ticking. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. 

The tension was so thick you could slice it in half with a Lythikos cleaver. Something the Scarlet Duchess would definitely approve of. 

"Good morning everyone. It is good to see all of you. And no you're not seeing things, I asked Lord Gallagher to join us. He is merely here to observe, nothing more. Now please have a seat so we can begin. We have much to discuss."

With everyone seated, the council meeting began. 

"Now we are gathered here today to discuss the war we now find ourselves in. Let me say this plainly, declaring war is never an easy decision to make. But it is always a necessary one. Even when some don't agree. Her Majesty and I did not declare war on a whim. We were attacked. On more than one occasion. That kind of violence can only be answered with violence. This is where we are."

"What are you proposing, my King?" General Greenwald asks. 

"Now is when we send troops in, on land and sea. We have monitored the situation long enough. It's time for action. We will coordinate with the Kasnian Military to plan a strategic attack. So General Greenwald I will need you to plan a strategy meeting with General Moravich." Marquise replied. 

"At once sire."

Lord Gallagher rolled his eyes and huffed in annoyance and Shanelle caught it. 

"For someone who's not supposed to be saying or doing anything, you sure as hell are being real loud."

"I haven't done anything."

"Are you breathing? Then you're doing something."

"You sure love to pick fights you can't finish Shanelle."

"I'm sure your wife's face would disagree."

Marquise gave Shanelle a warning look and she merely shrugged. 

"Where will we strike?" General Castor asked. 

"I will meet with King Balthazar to see where to best place our troops on the ground in Kasnia. Sulovaria has been gaining ground on the ground. I want to cut them off at the pass. So they don't gain any more ground. Now members of the Council will each receive a flash drive." Marquise announced before they were distributed, "These contain current coordinates of Kasnian troop placements, courtesy of King Balthazar."

Many of the members of the Defense Council started talking to each other and over each other. Discussing and arguing over the decision to send troops in. No one but Marquise, Shanelle, and General Greenwald knew that the coordinates on the flash drives were fake.  

“Everyone must remember Kasnia’s people didn’t ask for this,” Marquise said. “They’re not diplomats or soldiers. They’re farmers, teachers, artists. This is happening to them.”

"My King! Are you sure this is the right decision?" General Castor asks. 

"I am indeed. We are past the point of being civil." Marquise replied. 

"I'm not so sure this is smart, my King. I'm not saying that we don't have the capacity to defend and protect but is putting our troops really necessary? We are formidable but should we continue to poke the bear?"

"What are you saying, General?" Shanelle asks.

General Castor shifted uncomfortably in his seat. 

"I understand why you and His Majesty are upset with Sulovaria my Queen. Especially after everything that has happened recently. But I feel that it's not wise to go to war with them. Especially over a petty grievance." 

Shanelle blinked like she was hearing things. 

"A petty grievance? You call retaliating against the kingdom who sent Demos Garakis here to nearly kill His Majesty, the same man who took the lives of 35 of our own, the brother of Andreas Garakis. The same Andreas Garakis who set off car bombs in our kingdomafter his brother's failed assassination attempt, hell he set two car bombs off here at the palace, endangering the lives of me and my children, a petty grievance?!"

Shanelle was furious and in disbelief. General Castor started to speak before Shanelle cut him off. 

"Let me remind you, General, my life was in danger. The lives of my children were endangered. This is not just some petty grievance! If it was your wife or one of your grandchildren, wouldn't you want the bastard who tried to harm them to pay?" 

"My Queen, I understand your anger. Really I do. And to answer your question, yes I would want revenge too. You are well within your right to be angry. Because you're right, we were attacked but something this extreme, a decision like this shouldn't be made because you're angry."

General Howell spoke. 

"I agree with General Castor. King Desaad is a lot more formidable than we are giving him credit for. What happens if he tries again with the car bombs? Her Majesty just said that he's already struck once. What happens if he tries again? Only this time it won't just be here at the palace."

"What are you saying?" Marquise asked. 

General Castor cleared his throat awkwardly. 

"While I do sympathize with Her Majesty and her reasoning behind wanting revenge, she is pregnant and she and the heirs could've been seriously injured, I think it's time to step back from this war. Before this gets any worse." General Howell replied. 

"Finally! Two people with common sense!" Lord Gallagher said smugly, "and here I thought, me being invited to this meeting was supposed to teach me a lesson." 

General Greenwald shook his head in disbelief.

"Are you two serious?! After everything King Desaad has tried to do to our home, you two want to tuck your tails in like cowards and run?!" he asked them. 

"Jonas we don't know what we are really dealing with in terms of King Desaad. He could already be planning another attack. Is it really wise to put our people through an endless war with no guarantee that we would even win?" General Castor asks. 

"Thaddeus do you and Silas know how long I have been supreme General? Since 1997 when His Majesty's mother, Queen Eleanor hand-picked me to lead our military. May her soul continue to rest peacefully. I have seen threats a lot worse than Demetrius Desaad. I will not sit back and allow our kingdom to become a casualty of King Desaad's greed. He has proven what he is willing to do to get what he wants. So now it's time for us as a kingdom to respond immediately and accordingly." General Greenwald replied. 

He was disgusted with both of them. 

"We have a military that is twice the size and three times as powerful as the Sulovarian Armed Forces. We will not cower in fear and we certainly will not back down! His Majesty said it perfectly, civility and discussion are out the window now. The type of violence that was shown to us HAS TO be returned. Full force. And that is what I believe we should do."

General Howell shook his head. 

"You're not thinking clearly Jonas. This is not a matter of military strength or prowess. This is a matter of wits. Demetrius Desaad is not just some flash in the pan. He is dangerous. He will destroy us if we don't back out now!"

"I'm not thinking clearly? You're talking about a full retreat! You want us to sit back and watch King Desaad destroy one of our allies? Is that what you're saying?"

General Howell took a deep breath.

"Yes! I won't ever let this kingdom blindly go to war with a King who is stronger than we are. Especially for a kingdom like Kasnia! They've done nothing but bring us trouble! It's time to leave them to their own devices and let them figure it out on their own." 

"Silas is right Jonas. Listen to him, please! Let's end this war before it ever begins!" 

General Greenwald slammed his fist down on the table. 

"This decision is mine and Their Majesties to make! You will get in line! Or face being stripped of your ranks!" General Greenwald growled. 

The meeting dissolved into bickering between council members about the right direction to go in. Many agreed that escalating the war is the right move. While others, including Generals Howell and Castor disagreed and said that the kingdom should walk away before it was too late. 

The arguing lasted for a good 45 minutes until Marquise slammed his fist down on the table to quiet the room. He cleared his throat. 

"Now I expected some opposition to declaring war. That's normal and natural in this type of situation. But General Greenwald is correct. We must answer the violence shown to us with violence. But because I am very democratic, we will have an official vote on the matter." he announced, "all those in favor, say aye."

"Aye!" several members of the council said. The loudest coming from Duchess Olivia. 

"All those opposed, say nay."

"Nay!" from the remaining members of the council. Including the loudest Nays coming from Generals Howell and Castor. 

"The votes are counted, the Ayes have it. The retaliatory strikes are approved. The declaration of war is adopted and war will begin." Shanelle announced. 

"So what now?" Lord Gallagher asked. 

"That's none of your concern Aldon. You are here as an observant. Not a commentator." Shanelle replied. 

"It's Lord Gallagher." he corrected her. 

"It's whatever I see fit to call you. Since you love to act like my title is nonexistent then so is yours."

Marquise cleared his throat. 

"Now does anyone have a name for our new war goal?" he asked the room. 

"I do!" Lord Gallagher replied, "Let's call it Another Great Failure of a Bullshit King!"

Marquise scoffed

"Well, what do you know? You and I have something in common, Aldon."

"My name is Lord Gallagher! And you and especially your incompetent, simple-minded, arrogant pregnant cow will show me respect!" he sneered at Marquise. 

"Why you—" Shanelle started to say before Marquiss stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.

The room went quiet as Marquise rose from his seat.

 He walked over to where Lord Gallagher was sitting before rolling his neck and shoulders and cracking his knuckles before grabbing the back of Lord Gallagher's head and slamming it down face first, hard on the table. Knocking him out cold. 

Everyone watched him crumple into a heap on the floor in shock. Shanelle stifled a laugh as she watched. Marquise adjusted his cuff as guards swiftly escorted a very dazed Lord Gallagher out of the room. 

"Anyone else?" he asked after clearing his throat. 

"I have one." Duchess Olivia replied. 

"Nothing about crushing our enemies into dust, Duchess," Marquise warned her. 

"Must you ruin my fun?" Olivia pouted. 

"Yes. Now does anyone else have a name?"

"I do," Shanelle replied. 

"Yes, my Queen?"

"Operation: Scorched Earth."

Olivia scoffs with a smirk. 

"Of course, you go there Shanelle." 

"I was trying to honor the Great House of Nevrakis, Livvy. I respect the Scarlet Duchess and your house and bloodline."

Marquise nodded. 

"I like it. Easy. Simple to remember. Thank you, my Queen. You have once again proven to be quite invaluable. Now I do believe this meeting of the council is adjourned." Marquise to the room. 

The meeting was over, but the battle was far from won. As Shanelle and Marquise walked back through the palace, hand-in-hand, to his office, their minds buzzed with strategy, betrayal, and something heavier still — the look on Khari's face when they finally talk to her about the war. They know that people have been talking around her about it, but now it is time for them to sit her down.

"Well, you were in rare form today."

Marquise shrugged. 

"NO ONE insults my wife in front of me without facing consequences."

"He's called me names before. Why is now any different?"

"Because he disrespected you, your pregnancy, and your title. No one does that and walks away with their dignity still attached. He should be grateful that I didn't break his nose."

"With how hard you slammed his head down onto the table, I'm not so sure that you didn't."

"Trust me I didn't. You and everyone else would've heard the cracking of the bridge of his nose." 

Shanelle shook her head. 

"I thought we aren't allowed to assault anyone without any physical provocation, sir."

"Special circumstances. Rather than just raise my voice I chose violence."

"So you're a hypocrite?"

"My love, my violence is earned. Yours is just because. There is a difference."

Shanelle rolled her eyes. 

"How are you feeling?"

"Resilient and resolute. I wish that we didn't have to do this but I will not back down. I will not retreat. This wasn't a war we started. But I will make goddamn sure that we are the ones who finish it." 

"There's that fire I know and love. How is our Ellie girl doing?" 

"Kicking me like she's playing soccer in the womb. Ow! That hurt little girl! I swear I'm gonna fight this kid if she kicks me again."

Marquise placed a hand on her bulging belly. 

"Hello, my little one. I hear your legs are getting stronger. Great job. But let's limit the more painful kicks to a minimum. Shall we?"

The baby kicked again and nearly knocked Shanelle off her feet. Thankfully Marquise was there to catch her. 

"That's it! Me and this little girl gon fight!" Shanelle muttered as she held her stomach. 

Marquise helped her sit down on the couch in his office. One hand bracing her back and the other on her stomach. 

"Ugh, thank you! I swear this child is trying to kill me. She kicks harder than the twins or Khari ever did."

"I know I was there. Also she's not trying to kill you. She's just showing off her very powerful legs."

Shanelle scoffed. 

"Easy for you to say. You're not the one who's pregnant."

"True enough."

Shanelle laid her head on his shoulder. 

"So how are you feeling about the council meeting?" he asks.

"The turncoats I mean the generals couldn't have been more obvious even if they tried. I was ready to expose them right then and there."

"I'm glad you didn't. Don't worry, my love. Their day of reckoning will come. We'll expose them and your cousins soon enough."

Shanelle chuckled bitterly. 

"I am still so mad at myself. I trusted those two. And so did you. I let those foxes into my henhouse and now look at the carnage. When I told Edwin that his brothers were traitors, he was heartbroken. He thought like me that they were on our side. That they understood that their loyalty is to the kingdom. Not their parents. He said that he has worked hard to repair the damage his father caused during his reign as King and it hurts his heart that his brothers would choose to betray him and destroy what he is still working to repair." 

Shanelle shook her head. 

"I cannot wait to face them. I will personally make them pay for betraying me."

"I have no doubt that you will, my love. In the meantime, we will continue to act as if we know nothing."

"I know. Even though it's getting harder for me to do so."

"I know you. If you can withstand our Ellie girl's kicks then you can withstand anything."

"Please don't encourage her."

There was a sharp knock at the office door. 

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

It was Captain Felix. 

"Good afternoon My Liege and to you, my Queen. I come bearing news." he said with a crisp bow. 

Marquise raised an eyebrow. 

"Go ahead."

"According to the embedded spyware, the flash drives you gave out have each been uploaded. Especially the ones you gave Generals Castor and Howell." 

"They took the bait?" Shanelle asks. 

"Yes ma'am. They uploaded the information to their clouds."

Marquise opened his laptop to the monitoring software and sure enough, it indeed showed that the spyware was uploaded. It showed all the email correspondence that both Generals shared with Andreas Garakis. The most recent correspondence was a week ago. Before Andreas's death. Both have been trying to reach Andreas for days. 

"They have no idea that Andreas is dead."

"Perfect. We can begin closing the walls in on them," Shanelle says to Marquise before looking at Captain Felix, "what about my cousins?"

"They are currently chasing another dead-end lead. They are in Korvoria and should be back in a few weeks." Captain Felix replies. 

Shanelle nodded. 

"Good. Because it's past time to end this. I want these traitors dealt with before the Conclave."

Captain Felix bowed.

"I will continue my monitoring, my Liege." Captain Felix said to Marquise. 

"Of course. And keep me updated on your spies in Sulovaria."

"By your command, my Liege."

Captain Felix bowed with a fist over his heart before taking his leave. 

Shanelle sighed, her hand instinctively resting on her belly as Ellie rolled again beneath her ribs. The weight of betrayal, war, and motherhood pressed down on her at once. And yet, somehow, it wasn't the coming council or the threat of Desaad that gnawed at her—it was the look on Khari's face when she heard the word war.

Later, with the children home from school and the twins off with Margo in the garden, she and Marquise knew it was time to talk to their daughter. As much as neither one of them wanted to, they knew this conversation had to happen. 

"You and Mommy wanted to talk to me, Daddy?"

"Yes, Precious. We do." Marquise patted his lap, and she crawled up without hesitation. "We want to talk to you about the war."

"We want to know how you're feeling about it," Shanelle said gently.

Khari's normally snarky, bright, bubbly demeanor vanished as she fidgeted with her fingers.

"I don't like it. I don't like it at all," she said quietly, her eyes cast down to the floor.

"That's okay," Marquise said, tilting her chin up so she'd meet his gaze. "We're here to answer any questions you have."

Khari's lip trembled. "Why are grown-ups fighting, Daddy? I don't understand."

Marquise took a deep breath. "This war isn't about fighting just to fight Precious. It's about protecting. King Desaad wants to take what isn't his—by force. If we don't stop him, he'll hurt people who've done nothing wrong. We can't let that happen."

"But people will get hurt anyway, right? I don't want anyone to get hurt."

"We don't either," Shanelle said. "But sometimes, protecting others means standing in the way of someone dangerous."

Khari looked down again. "I remember the bomb going off. I remember the loud booms when we got home from karate. I remember the palace shaking. I remember you falling, Mommy. I thought something bad would happen to you and baby Ellie."

Shanelle nodded. 

"It was scary. But Grammy and Pop Pop were there to help me, and I was more afraid for all of you than I was for myself."

"Really?"

"Yes, baby."

"But...why can't we just talk to King Desaad? Why do we have to have a war?"

"Because he doesn't want to talk, Precious," Marquise said quietly. "He wants power. And people like that don't stop unless someone stronger stands in their way. Mommy and I would rather not fight. King Desaad is greedy and selfish. And when you let greed like his continue to grow and fester, it soon becomes harder and harder to control, much less stop. So if we don't defend our kingdom—our home—then no one else will."

Khari sat quietly for a long moment, then leaned into her father's chest. As if to remind herself that her Daddy is there.

"But...what if something happens to you?"

Shanelle smiled softly at her. "Then your father and I will come back as ghosts and haunt the hell out of anyone who tries to hurt you or your brothers," 

Khari blinked, then giggled.

Marquise raised a questioning brow. "Not exactly how I would've said it, but...yeah. We're not going anywhere. You think I'd leave this world before walking you down the aisle someday?"

"Ew. Boys are gross, Daddy."

"I'm a boy. And your brothers are boys."

"Still gross Daddy." 

"Well then," Shanelle grinned, "guess we're staying a while."

That made Khari giggle again, the tension beginning to drain from the room. Khari gave her Daddy a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. 

"I'm still scared."

"And that's okay," Marquise said. "Bravery doesn't mean you're never afraid. It means doing the right thing despite the fear."

"I'm gonna be brave too," Khari said, sitting a little taller. "Even if it's scary."

Shanelle kissed her forehead. "That's my girl."

They sat for a quiet moment, the weight of the world softened by the warmth of family.

"You know, I was five when I first saw war," Marquise said. "Your grandfather Constantine had declared war on Rutherland. They bombed part of the palace in retaliation. I remember the shaking, the loud boom, and hearing things crash to the ground, and especially the fear. I even remember hiding under my bed...but mostly I remember my mother."

"Grandmother?"

"Yes. She made it all feel smaller. Told stories, made up games, sang silly songs with me and Uncle Leo. She shielded us from the worst of it. That's what your mother and I will do for you and Kylo and Zyon and Ellie."

Khari's voice was soft. "She sounds really cool. I wish I could've met her."

"I do too, Precious. I do too."

There was a beat of silence before Khari asked, "Will it always be like this, Daddy?"

"No, not always. But you'll need to understand these things. Because one day, when you're Queen, you might have to make hard decisions like this too."

Khari blinked. "Me?"

Shanelle nodded. 

"Yes, sweetie. Someday you may have to make the same decision that Daddy and I have to make. Not all the time. But sometimes."

"How about this," Marquise offered, "you come with us to the next Military Defense Council meeting."

"Really?" she gasped.

"Yes. It'll give you a chance to meet the Military Defense Council and see how it works." 

"I think it's a great idea," Shanelle chimed in.

"Will I get to make decisions?" Khari asked eagerly.

"No," her father said flatly.

Khari pouted. 

"Aww! Why not?"

Shanelle snorted. "How old are you again?"

"Almost seven."

"Therein lies your problem. You won't be making ANY royal decisions for at least another decade or so. Thankfully for me." Marquise replied. 

Khari huffed. "Will you still name a destroyer after me like you promised?"

Shanelle cackled at the look on Marquise's face.

"I should've kept my big mouth shut," Marquise muttered.

Khari gave him her best side-eye. "Well?"

Marquise sighed defeatedly. He has taught his daughter too well. 

"Yes, Precious. You'll get a destroyer named after you."

"I accept your terms, Daddy."

Shanelle was still laughing again as Khari kissed her father's cheek, gave her mother a tight hug before she adorably ran off to find her grandmother and brothers.

The office fell quiet.

"You know she's right," Shanelle said, smiling.

Marquise sighed. "I'm not her father. I'm her doormat."

"Pretty much."

They leaned into each other, the weight of leadership lighter—for a moment—because they carried it together.

"Promise me we'll finish this," Shanelle said softly. "Not just for her. For all of them."

Marquise's jaw clenched. "I swear it. No half measures. No more mercy for tyrants. We burn every lie they've told to the ground—and from those ashes, we build something better."

"Operation Scorched Earth?" she asked.

He smirked. "Damn straight."

A week later, Their Majesties were getting ready for their meeting with Dr. Quincy Tourè. While Shanelle was cautiously optimistic about Dr. Tourè, Marquise was curiously eager to meet him. As they rode to the boy's daycare center, Shanelle was nervously looking out the window and Marquise noticed. 

"Penny for your thoughts?" he asked his wife. 

"My thoughts are worth diamonds not pennies, sir. But since you asked, yes?" 

"Why are you so nervous?"

"I'm not trying to be but I can't help it."

"Do you want to cancel the meeting?"

Shanelle shook her head no. 

"No. We can't cancel it now even if we wanted to. "Don't mind me, I'm just being hormonal," she said.

"You say that every time your gut's right."

She looked at him. "And yet you never listen."

"That's what husbands are for."

She smirked. But her fingers drummed against her thigh.

They soon arrived at the boy's school, The Crestwood Early Learning Center. They were met at the reception desk by Mrs. Melinda Bernardi-Tourè, the daycare center director. 

"Your Majesties! Good afternoon! Welcome back to the center! I am happy to welcome you both." she said in greeting. 

"Good afternoon Director. Thank you for welcoming us." Marquise replied. 

Mrs. Tourè smiled at Shanelle. 

"Good afternoon my Queen. You look beautiful today. That dress you have on is truly beautiful," she said to Shanelle. 

"Thank you, Director. It's great to be here again." Shanelle replied. 

"That Sage green is definitely your color ma'am. It reminds me of the yellow striped dress you wore on the boy's first day of school a few weeks ago. I hear you're well known for your excellent fashion sense."

"Thank you so much, Director."

The director nodded with a warm smile.

"Let me escort you both to my husband's office," she said to them. 

The director led Marquise and Shanelle to Dr. Tourè's office where he was waiting. 

"Your Majesties, you remember my husband, Dr. Quincy Tourè don't you? I promise you both, he's been great with all the children here. They call him Quincy the Clown." Mrs. Tourè said to them. 

"Your Majesties! Welcome to my office! It's great to see you both again. Please have a seat." he said with a bow in greeting. 

"Thank you for welcoming us Dr," Marquise replied. 

Dr. Tourè gestured to the seats at his desk as Their Majesties sat down. Dr. Tourè's office overlooked a large playroom.  

"I wanted to meet with you both while the boys are having lunch in class if that's alright." 

"That's fine," Shanelle replied. 

"I am here to answer any questions you both may have about the meeting."

"What exactly will happen during this meeting?" Shanelle asks. 

"This meeting is to observe the boys in a controlled environment." Dr. Tourè replied as he gestured to the giant picture window in his office, "The goal of today's session is to observe the boys in a natural environment. This room is designed for safety and ease—children learn best when they feel safe and can explore freely. I encourage your presence. Seeing you both will help them feel relaxed."

Shanelle nodded. 

"Okay I think that's a good idea." Shanelle said to Dr. Tourè.

Dr. Tourè noticed the pin on Marquise's lapel. It was the Kenyan flag. 

"Ahh Mother Kenya. You have ties to the country, Your Majesty?" Dr. Tourè asked Marquise. 

"Yes. My mother was born in Kenya." Marquise replied. 

Dr. Tourè nodded. 

"As was my father Kwasi. He was born and raised in Nairobi. He went to school in Deutschland where he met my mother Frieda. Do you speak Swahili?" Dr. Tourè asked. 

"Ndio ninafanya. Kwa ufasaha. (Yes I do. I speak it fluently.)" Marquise replied. 

Dr. Tourè nodded respectfully.

"Ah! Muzuri sana. (Very good.)”, Dr. Tourè replied before turning to Shanelle and asked, "And what about you, Your Majesty?" 

"No, unfortunately. I only speak English and Bad English. He's the one who collects languages like they're infinity stones" Shanelle replied.

Dr. Tourè chuckled before checking his watch. 

"I believe it's time to meet with the boys. So if you'll both follow me." 

The boys were brought in by their teacher Mrs. Walsh. She smiled at His Majesty when she saw him. 

"Good afternoon Your Majesties. It's good to see you both." she said to them before addressing the boys, "Look who it is! It's Mommy and Daddy!"

The boys squealed happily as they ran to their mother's arms.

"Hi my babies. I've missed you." Shanelle said to them as she hugged them. 

"It's good to see you, Your Majesty. I trust you're staying out of trouble. Especially now that your brother is home?" Mrs. Walsh asked Marquise. 

He snorted. 

"Yes Ms. Nottingham. I'm staying out of trouble. I haven't broken anything valuable in years."

"Meh. I don't know about all that. You still believe in indoor soccer during a thunderstorm." Shanelle quipped. 

Marquise rolled his eyes good-naturedly as Mrs. Walsh chuckled. 

"Still handsome and troublesome as ever." she mused. 

"Yes I am. Do tell Lord Walsh that he owes me a few rounds on the green."

"I will do that."

Mrs. Walsh smiled at Marquise before taking her leave. 

Kylo made a beeline for the block bin, his tiny sneakers skidding on the mat, while Zyon belly-flopped into the stuffed animals like it was a royal treasure pile. As the boys explored the room, their laughter bubbling up like tiny fountains, Shanelle relaxed visibly, her hand resting gently on her stomach. Marquise gave her a small, knowing smile.

"Bocks (blocks)! Yook (look) Mommy! Bocks! Right dere (there)!" Kylo said to his mother. 

Zyon finally came up for air in the pile of stuffed animals, holding one up proudly. 'Stuffies! See, Mommy? See?'"

"I see, baby. Before we go play, can you two say hi?" Shanelle asked. 

The boys stopped and smiled brightly at Dr. Tourè who smiled back at them. 

"Hello, boys! It's good to see you again!" Dr. Tourè said to them. 

"Kencee (Quincy)!" Zyon said to him. 

"Where funny nose Kencee?" Kylo asks, pointing to his nose. 

"My nose? Oh right! My clown nose! I don't have it today but I'll have it again soon. Okay?" Dr. Tourè replied. 

"Otay (okay) Kencee," Kylo answered. 

"Now boys, before we play with the toys, can we play a game?" Dr. Tourè asked. 

"What game Kencee?" Kylo asks. 

"Come find out," Dr. Tourè said to the boys before turning to their parents, "Mom, Dad, care to join us?"

Everyone gathered around a small child-sized table, where Dr. Tourè produced a deck of cards. 

"Okay, boys, I'm going to give you cards, okay? And Mom and Dad I'm going to give you the same cards."

Dr. Tourè passed out the cards. They were cards with colors, objects, foods, and animals. 

"Now that we have our cards, let's play," Dr. Tourè said, smiling, "Alright boys now pay close attention, okay?"

"Otay (okay) Kencee!" Kylo replies. 

"Boys, can you show me the color...blue? Mom and Dad, can you also show me the color blue? 

The boys put on the cutest thoughtful looks on their faces. Zyon was the first to speak.

"Bue (blue)!" Zyon said to him. 

"Yeah yeah! Bue (blue)!" Kylo said. 

"Mom and Dad?" Dr. Tourè asks. 

They both showed the color blue.

"Wonderful! Now boys, can you show me the color...green?" Dr. Tourè asks. 

Both boys looked for the color, Kylo was the first to find the color. 

"Yook (look)! Geen (green)! I found it!" Kylo said. 

Zyon also showed the color green. So did their parents. 

"Very good. Now I'm going to show you a card. I want you to tell me the color. Okay?"

The boys nodded. 

"He held up a bright red card. "What color is this?"

"Wed (red)!" the boys said together. 

"Excellent! Now can you tell me this color?" 

"Lellow (yellow)." Kylo replied as he and Zyon held up their cards. 

Dr. Tourè looked up to see their parents holding up the color yellow. 

"You two are way too smart for me. You're doing great. Now can you both show me your parents' favorite colors?" Dr. Tourè asked. 

Zyon picked up a card. 

"O'ange! Daddy yike (like) o'ange! " Zyon replied. 

Kylo spoke up next. 

"Burble (purple)! Mommy yikes (likes) dis one!"Kylo said to Dr. Tourè.

"Okay what is your sister's favorite color?"

"Bink (pink)!" the boys answered together, holding a card with the color pink. 

"Fabulous!" he said to the boys, "now let's switch gears. Can you both show me...an apple?" 

Both of them found the card with an apple on it. So did their parents. 

"Fantastic! I'm very impressed by you both. And you two as well, Your Majesties. All of you are very smart." Dr. Tourè said to everyone before asking the boys, "Let's see...who can find a banana?"

Each boy showed him a banana. 

Dr. Tourè made another quick note on his iPad, his expression unreadable for a heartbeat. Then he smiled, warm and wide again, as if nothing at all had passed.

"Now boys, I want you to really think about this next one, okay? Can you boys show me a...house?" he asks. 

The boys each searched their cards for a house. They each found a card with a house on it. 

"Howse (house)!" Zyon said. 

"I dot (got) Howse (house) too! See?" Kylo replied. 

"I see boys! Both of you are doing so well. It's rare to see this much potential so early. It'd be a shame to let it go to waste." Dr. Tourè mused.

Shanelle tilted her head, brow furrowed for a breath before smoothing it away with a smile. Probably nothing.

“Now which one of you can find…a tree?” Dr. Tourè asks. 

The boys instantly found the card with a tree.

“Chee (tree)!” the boys squealed. 

"You two are geniuses! Okay one more before we move on, can you show me a giraffe?"

Zyon hesitated, holding up a zebra.

"Ooh! Close!" Dr. Tourè chuckled. "That's a zebra. Want to try again?"

Zyon found the right card, grinning.

"G'affe!" he said proudly.

"Very good! Now Kylo, can you show me a pig?"

Kylo looked at his cards and then picked a bear.

"Dis one?"

"No but good try. Let's try again, okay?"

Kylo was getting frustrated because he couldn't find the card. Marquise noticed and stepped in. 

"Do you want Daddy to help you look?" 

Kylo nodded. 

"I tan't (can't) find it, Daddy." Kylo said, slightly dejected. 

"Okay. Let's sound it out. What sound does a pig make?"

Kylo thought for a second. 

"Oink oink!" 

"Good so let's you and I find the one that says oink oink."

They found a cat, a dog, a parrot, and finally a pig.

"Found it! We did it, Daddy!" Kylo cheered as he held up the right card. 

"Yes, we did, my love. You did great my boy." Marquise said to him.

As Kylo held up his pig card proudly, Shanelle watched his eyes light up and wondered how much longer they’d get to keep their innocence. Her stomach twisted not just with pregnancy, but with something nameless, a foggy dread she couldn’t quite shake.

Dr. Tourè made another quick note before smiling at them. 

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I normally like for the children to figure out how to solve problems on their own, but every now and then it's good that they have help along the way. It helps to build and shape their confidence. This game helps us see how children recognize, recall, and associate ideas—through play of course," he said with a smile, tapping his iPad. 

Marquise noticed a subtle change in his demeanor but brushed it off. 

The meeting continued between Dr. Tourè and the boys. Including a hilarious moment where he asked the twins to draw their parents. 

"Zyon, I want you to draw your mother and Kylo, I want you to draw your father. Okay?"

The boys nodded and went to work trying their best to capture the essence of their parents that their little brains could handle. 

"No peekting (peeking) Daddy!" Kylo warned his father who wasn't even looking. 

They were way off but Shanelle didn't care. Her boys just made the best portraits of her and Marquiss ever. 

"These portraits are going in the Hall Of Portraits! I have decreed it!" 

"Like I had a say in this." Marquise quipped as he viewed Kylo's interpretation of him. He's pretty sure his son drew a mix of a sasquatch and an octopus. But he loved it just the same.

"Beauty like art is always in the eye of its beholder, Your Majesty." Dr. Tourè said to him. 

Before Marquise could reply, there was a soft knock at the playroom door, it was Director Tourè. 

"How is everything going?" she asked as she popped her head in. The boy's faces lit up when they saw her. 

"Hello little ones! How has your day been?" she asked them. 

Both started talking at once. Their adorable toddler babble lit up the room. 

"Well you two have had quite the day it seems," she said to them before addressing their parents, "I hope you both enjoyed your time here today."

"We did. Dr. Tourè has been amazing with the boys," Shanelle replied. 

Director Tourè smiled at Shanelle. 

"That's wonderful. Quincy the Clown has been a hit with the children here. He knows that his job can be confusing and sometimes scary for children the heirs' age. So he created Quincy the Clown. It helps him connect with the children. But personally, I just love to see him with his clown nose." 

She and Shanelle shared a laugh before the door opened a little wider, revealing Khari and her guards. The skirt of her uniform was wrinkled but her smile was as bright as ever. 

"Looks like we have a full house of Royals." Director Tourè mused. 

"Indeed we do." Dr. Tourè added. 

"Hi everybody!" Khari said to the room. 

"Sissy!" the boys squealed as they ran into her arms. 

"Hi, boys! I've missed you! How was school today?" she asked the twins as she hugged them. They did their best to tell their big sister about their day. She also made time to say hi to her parents. 

"Hi Mommy! Hi Daddy! Hi Ellie!" she said to them. 

"How was class Precious?" Marquise asked. 

"It was good Daddy. We have a new music teacher, Mr. Bancroft. He's really nice." Khari replied before her brother grabbed her attention. 

"Say hi Sissy! Say hi! Say hi!" Zyon said to her. 

"Is this your teacher?" she asked the boys. 

"Dat's Kencee the Clown sissy," Kylo replies. 

Dr. Tourè bowed with a smile. 

"Hello, Princess! I'm Dr. Quincy Tourè. But your brothers and the other children know me as Quincy the Clown. It's good to meet and see you again," he said to her. 

Khari curtsied.

"It's nice to see you too, Dr. Tourè. I met Director Tourè when my guards and I got here. She's very nice."

Director Tourè smiled at her. 

"Thank you, Princess. That means so much to me."

"And you're very handsome Dr. Tourè."

That comment caught him off guard. 

"Oh why thank you, Princess." 

That comment also earned her an eyebrow raise from her father. 

"Hmm?"

"I have eyes, Daddy. I can see." Khari said to him. 

Shanelle cackled at the look on his face. 

"Uh huh." he deadpanned. 

"Well I think my husband and I have taken enough of your time, Your Majesties. Again it was an honor to have you both here today. And the twins and even their sister are an absolute joy. You two are very lucky to have such precious children." 

"Thank you, Director," Marquise said to her before addressing Dr. Tourè, "is there anything else you need from Her Majesty and me?"

"Oh no, Your Majesty. I have everything I need right here on my tablet. I will be in touch if I do any more finite details from you or Her Majesty. It was a pleasure and an honor to meet with you both and your boys. I will be observing them some more in the coming weeks, while they're in class to monitor their behavior in a classroom setting. From what I have seen of the Princes, Kylo likes the musical instruments and Zyon seems very relaxed when coloring and painting.” 

Marquise nodded. 

"Alright," Marquise said to Dr. Tourè before addressing his family, "Now who's ready for a snack from Book-A-Holic?"

The kids each raised their hands. 

"Well, it's unanimous, Your Majesty." Shanelle said to her husband. 

"To Book-A-Holic we go," Marquise announced. 

Dr. and Director Tourè shared a quick look as they watched The Royal Family depart the daycare center. Laughter echoed faintly down the hall as the children chattered about muffins, books, and who got to pick the first story at Book-A-Holic.

"Lovely children," Melinda murmured, her arms folded lightly. "And she—Khari—is very sharp, poised, and highly impressive."

"She is," Quincy replied, watching them through the window, his smile pleasant but unreadable. "The whole family is."

The director tilted her head. "Get everything you needed?"

"For now," he said, fingers tapping lightly on the screen of his tablet. "We'll see how the next few weeks go."

Later while at Book-A-Holic Cafè, Their Majesties discussed how their meeting with Dr. Tourè went, while they waited for their order and their children picked out books to read. 

"So final verdict?" Marquise asked as their order arrived. 

"I like him. Dr. Tourè was very gentle with the boys. Patient. He seems to genuinely enjoy working with children."

"Are you still feeling nervous?"

Marquise studied her face. "Still feeling nervous?"

"No not anymore," she said, stretching her back. "I think earlier I was just hormonal, hypervigilant, and, you know...very pregnant."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. It's what happens when you have a tiny terrorist treating your insides like a jungle gym."

"My daughter is not a terrorist."

"Oh I'm sorry. Are you pregnant?"

"No."

"Oh okay. That's what I thought." 

They shared a quiet laugh, one of those worn-in, married laughs that lived in the ribs. A little tired. A little warm. Whole.Across the café, Khari handed Kylo a picture book and patted Zyon's curls back into place. She caught her parents watching and flashed them a knowing smile. Wise beyond her years.

Their Majesties have always loved spending time with their children, it always grounded them. Reminding them of why they are the Monarchs. And prepared them for the storms to come. 

Starting with finally entrapping and exposing the traitors in their ranks. 

The time had finally come to expose the generals and Shanelle’s cousins the Princes as the traitors that they are. And Their Majesties would not be holding anything back. 

Their Majesties called a meeting with Generals Howell, Castor, and Supreme General Greenwald in the Military Defense Council Conference Room. When they arrived Their Majesties were already seated at the table. Each General bowed with a fist over their hearts. 

“Good morning, Generals. Her Majesty and I thank you for your presence on such short notice.” Marquise said to them, “Please have a seat.”

The generals sat down in their usual seats. 

“Thank you for having us, my King.” General Greenwald replied before addressing Shanelle, “And a very good morning to you my Queen. You are looking radiant as ever.”

Shanelle smiled politely at General Greenwald. 

“Thank you General. I just wish I felt as radiant as I looked.” 

Just then, the door opened, Captain Felix flanked by Princes Mordecai and Malachi walked in.  

“Good morning everyone. I do hope we are not interrupting.” Captain Felix said after bowing. 

“Of course not Captain. Please join us.” 

Marquise said to him before addressing the Princes, “Gentlemen, welcome home. Please have a seat.”

The Princes bowed before taking a seat next to Generals Howell and Castor. Prince Malachi spoke after clearing his throat. 

“Thank you my King,” he said to Marquise before addressing his cousin, “hello cousin. You look beautiful. Positively glowing. Pregnancy is suiting you well.”

Shanelle smiled politely at her cousin.

“Thank you, cousin. I appreciate your kind words,” she said to him, “being pregnant has shown me how carrying something as precious as an unborn child, makes one aware of who can be trusted with that child.” 

Captain Felix shared a small knowing glance with Marquise as he closed the door to the Conference Room and stood at attention in the corner. 

Marquise cleared his throat and steepled his fingers together. 

“In times of war, loyalty is more precious than gold,” Marquise said. “And betrayal…well, it always finds a way to reveal itself. Now that all of you are here, we can get down to business,” he said to the room, “now General Greenwald have you met with General Moravich?” 

General Greenwald nodded. 

“Yes sire. We will meet with her formally next week.” General Greenwald replies. 

“Good. I want our troops in place as soon as possible. Sulovaria has started a campaign toward the capital. We can not allow them to advance any further.”

General Howell looked down to his phone nervously, Shanelle noticed but said nothing. She kept it to himself. For now at least. 

“Now where are we with Commandant Miller?” Marquise asked. A subtle nod to the Princes. 

“I have spoken with the Commandant. He and the HMS Leonidas are stationed close to the North Kestovian Sea.” General Howell replied. 

What he didn't know was that the coordinates were wrong. Just what Marquise wanted. He was silently thankful that Commandant Miller was in on exposing the traitors. 

“Are you sure, General?” Shanelle asked. 

“Yes ma'am. I spoke with him yesterday.” General Howell replied. 

Shanelle nodded. She knew he was lying. 

“Very well General. I will take your word for it.”

General Howell kept looking down at his phone. And Marquise seized on the opportunity. 

“General, are we keeping you from something?” he asked. 

General Howell finally looked up, face flushed. 

“Oh uh no! No, not at all. Please continue, sire.” General Howell replied. 

“You seem very ill at ease, General. Is there something wrong?”

“No, my King. Nothing is wrong.” 

Marquise raised an eyebrow at him as he sat his phone down on the table. 

“Good. Now have you spoken with our commanders on the ground?” 

General Howell’s phone buzzed and he picked it up in a haste. Shanelle pounced. 

“General, why is your phone going off?” Shanelle asked. 

“Because of me.” Captain Felix replied. 

“What? How did you get my phone number?” General Howell asks. 

“I gave it to him, Silas,” General Greenwald replies. 

“What? Why would you do that, Jonas?” General Howell asked.

“Because you've been lying. That's why.” 

“What? I have been doing no such thing!” 

“Yes, you have, Silas,” Marquise said to him. 

General Howell stared at Marquise. 

“No, Your Majesty. I haven't!”

“Yes you have,” Shanelle spoke up, “Hell, you lied to me earlier when you said you spoke to Commandant Miller.”

“Cousin…with all due respect…My Queen, surely you're not accusing one of our kingdom’s most decorated generals of treason?” Prince Mordecai interjects. 

“Dumbass…” Shanelle thought to herself. 

General Howell started sweating.

“My Queen…I may have misspoke but I never lied. I swear it.” 

Marquise produced a folder. 

“If you haven't been lying then maybe you could clarify a few things for me. Take a look at these if you will.” 

He slid the folder across the table to him. After General Howell opened the folder, his face paled. It was a transcript of his last text message and email to Andreas Garakis. 

The folder was heavy with consequence. Inside were emails, wire transfer slips, and one chilling photograph of the General, shaking hands with a Sulovarian diplomat. No insignia. No uniform. Just a traitor in plain clothes. Marquise had an identical folder. He pulled out a photo of General Howell meeting with Andreas, maybe exchanging a flash drive under the table. 

“That's you, General,” Marquise said to him. 

“That could be anyone!” General Howell sputtered. 

“Operation Icarus: Fleet redeployment scheduled for 02:00 hours. Key weak points encoded per arrangement.” Marquise read aloud. 

“Silas…what did you do?” General Castor asks. 

“I–i–I–” General Howell stuttered.

“He committed treason of the worst kind.” General Greenwald announced. 

“What do you mean Jonas?” General Castor asks. 

“Silas sold us out to Sulovaria! That's what I mean Thaddeus!” General Greenwald replies. 

“No. Silas you didn't!” General Castor said in shock. Not knowing that his time was coming next. 

“I…these…they're false! Their Majesties are trying to set me up! It’s a witch hunt!” General Howell announced. 

“No, it's not Silas. You've been selling our military secrets to our enemies! How could you? How could you turn on your kingdom?” General Greenwald asks. 

“Forgive me, Supreme General, but you seem awfully quick to accuse a decorated hero. Jealousy, perhaps?” Prince Malachi quipped.

“We don’t know the whole story yet. Perhaps we should give General Howell the benefit of the doubt.” General Castor said, trying to ease the tension. 

“Curious, that’s exactly what a guilty man would want.” Shanelle snapped at him. 

“I am not guilty! I have done nothing wrong! As far as I know this could be planted to frame me!” General Howell declared, “I will not stand for any more slander! Not from you Jonas! And certainly not from The King and Queen!”

Marquise cleared his throat. 

“If this is a witch hunt, General Howell, then maybe you can explain this,” Marquise said to General Howell before producing a recording device. He played a phone conversation between Andreas and General Howell discussing the car bombs being unsuccessful. The Princes exchanged a silent glance and General Castor in his seat shifted nervously. 

“That General Silas Howell is you. Discussing the car bombs that went off around our kingdom! The same car bombs that endangered me and my children!” Shanelle hissed at him, “All this time you've been a wolf in sheep's clothing! I bet this is why you wanted us to stand down isn't it? This is why you wanted us to drop Kasnia, isn't it? You lied to me! And in lying to me, you endangered not only your kingdom…but my unborn child. That’s treason, General Howell!”

General Howell couldn't hide it anymore. He was caught. 

“I vouched for you Silas! I defended you when others questioned your loyalty! You sat at my table! I introduced you to my daughter! You held my grandson!” General Greenwald shouted at General Howell. 

“You were too soft to see what this kingdom’s become, Jonas! Loyalty to the throne isn’t loyalty to the people. I did what I had to do!”

“DID WHAT YOU HAD TO DO?! YOU SOLD US OUT! I TRUSTED YOU WITH OUR KINGDOM’S GREATEST SECRETS AND YOU SOLD THEM TO SULOVARIA FOR A FEW LOUSY SULOVARIAN DRACHMS! HOW COULD YOU?!” General Greenwald shouted at him. General Greenwald was shaking with rage, “I HOPE THOSE BARBARIANS WERE WORTH IT! BECAUSE THEY HAVE CEMENTED YOUR DOWNFALL!”

General Greenwald shook his head in disgust.

“You saved my life at Durnham. I dragged you from the rubble at Ardell. And this is how you repay me? I buried men beside you, Silas! We bled together. I carried your wife’s casket when she died. And now I find this? You were like a brother to me! You were supposed to be family! Instead you’re a sniveling coward! You are not fit to wear the uniform you don!”

Marquise cleared his throat, grabbing the room’s attention. 

“If all of this is fiction, General, then tell me the name of the Sulovarian diplomat who wired you thirty thousand drachms last week,” Marquise asked, “Because that money didn't just magically appear in your account.”

“How did you?” General Howell asked. 

“I am the King, my good man. There is NOTHING in this kingdom that I don't know about. And there certainly isn't anything that I can't find out.” a warning to General Howell but it was also a coded message to General Castor and the Princes. 

Marquise noticed General Castor’s fidgeting. 

“You seem uncomfortable, General Castor. Feeling guilty for defending a traitor or worried we might open another folder?” he asked him. 

“No sire. But I just can't see Silas as a traitor. What would be his motivation?” General Castoe asked. 

“Oh? You need more evidence? Say no more.” Marquise turned on the giant TV screen, on the screen was General Howell, speaking to Andreas Garakis at Book-A-Holic Cafè over coffee. 

“You see, this is why I love that cafè. And don't just mean it because I know the owner of the cafè personally.” Marquise said to the room, “The workers are fellow Cordonians who were more than willing to cooperate. They scrubbed their footage and turned over everything they had. So what more do you need to know?” 

General Castor’s eyes shifted nervously. He couldn't defend General Howell anymore. 

“I had no idea, my King. I thought he was a friend. A brother in arms. But I see I was wrong.” 

General Howell rounded on him. 

“You goddamn son of a bitch!” he sneered at General Castor. 

“Enough!” Marquise's voice boomed, “I have heard enough!”

He took a deep breath then straightened his spine as he rose from his seat.

“General Silas Everett Howell, you are hereby stripped of your title and military rank. And will hereby be arrested and charged as an Enemy Of The Crown.” Marquise announced before looking at Captain Felix, “you can get this traitor out of my sight!” 

Captain Felix stepped forward and arrested a very resisting General Howell. As one of Captain Felix’s guards dragged him away, he shouted. 

 “You think I’m the only traitor in that room?! You two have no idea who your real enemies actually are!” he shouted at Shanelle and Marquise as he was dragged out. 

Shanelle let out a breath she’d been holding in, while holding her belly. As she gathered herself, she noticed her cousins whispering to each other. 

She managed to catch part of their conversation.

“This is getting out of hand!” Mordecai whispered to his brother. 

“I still haven't heard anything from Andreas.” Malachi whispered. 

“Something wrong gentlemen?” she asked, catching their attention. 

“No, my Queen. Nothing is wrong. We are just…shocked is all. We never would've thought that General Howell would be a traitor. I never would've tried to defend him, if I knew the truth.” Prince Mordecai replied. 

“I see.” she said with an eyebrow raised. 

Shanelle was starting to lose her patience but she kept her cool. It wasn't time to reveal their treachery. Not yet. So she took a drink of water to mask her irritation. 

General Castor awkwardly cleared his throat. 

“I too am shocked. Like Jonas I've known Silas for decades. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that he’d be a traitor. Your Majesties, Jonas, I am so sorry. I brought him in with me.” he said to Marquise and Shanelle. 

Marquise looked at him coolly. 

“Is that so?” he asked. 

“Yes sire. I never would've nominated him to be third in command if I had known that he was capable of such treachery.” General Castor replies. 

“Then I guess this meeting will be adjourned unless…”

“Unless what, Your Majesty?” General Castor asks.

Marquise took a drink of water. As he set the bottle of water down, there was a knock at the conference room door. 

“Come in!” Marquise says to the door. 

The door opens to reveal General Castor’s wife Lady Fiona Avalantis-Castor. 

“Fiona! What are you doing here?” General Castor asks her. She had a look on her face that worried him.

“Are you alright? What's wrong? Why do you look like that?” he asks as she silently enters the room. 

When she got to him, she took a deep breath and then hugged him. When she pulled back she slapped him. 

“You son of a bitch! How could you?! How could you be so cowardly?!” she asks. 

“What are you talking about?! Why would you slap me?!” he asked, holding his cheek. 

“You betrayed our kingdom! That's what I‘m talking about!” she yelled at him. 

He looked at her confusedly. 

“What are you talking about?” 

“You have been spying for Sulovaria!”

General Castor was stunned. 

“You betrayed me! You betrayed our family! Especially our son! Have you forgotten that he's a soldier in the Cordonian Army?!” she yelled at him. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking—” he started to say before she cut him off, “They know Thaddeus. Their Majesties know everything!”

“What?” he asked. 

“They know that Andreas Garakis turned you against your kingdom. They know that you had that animal in my home! How could you?! How dare you! You brought that creature into our home! Have you forgotten that those barbaric people killed my brother?! And you just invited him over like we were having tea!”

“Fiona, what did you do?”

“I told His Majesty everything. I showed him everything! He has the bank transcripts and wire transfer receipts! He has enough evidence against you to put you in chains for the rest of your life! And I hope he does! Since you've decided being loyal to me no longer interests you, then being loyal to you no longer interests me!” she sneered at her husband. 

When General Castor turned around, Marquise had a smug smile on his face. 

“Well I guess this meeting isn't adjourned quite yet,” he said to General Castor. 

“I ran into Silas as the guards were leading him away. He called you a coward and a traitor just like him. He's right. You are a coward! And you're definitely a traitor.”

She turned to Their Majesties. 

“My King. I am done with him! You can do whatever you wish with him.” she said to Marquise before looking at Shanelle with tears in her eyes, “I am so sorry my Queen. I never thought my husband would betray the kingdom he swore to serve. I am ashamed. I can only hope that you'll forgive my family.”

Shanelle softened slightly as she looked at her sympathetically. 

“My lady, you are not responsible for your husband's heinously stupid actions. We do not hold you or your family responsible.” 

Lady Fiona nodded gratefully as Shanelle passed her a box of tissues.

“Thank you, ma'am,” she said as she dried her eyes, “you’re way too kind to me, Your Majesty.”

Shanelle smiled softly at her. 

“Again this is not your fault,” Shanelle said to her before giving General Castor a venomous look, “your husband made a conscious decision to betray his oath to his kingdom. He chose to betray you and your family. Especially your son. My heart breaks for you. I do hope that now that the truth is out, you can breathe.” 

“Thank you again.” Lady Fiona said tearily before turning to Marquise, “Your mother Eleanor was one of my greatest friends. She welcomed me with open arms when I got married. I would do her memory a grave disservice if I stood idly by and allowed my husband to betray her son.”

Marquise nodded. 

“Thank you, my lady. My mother would be very appreciative.” he said before snapping his fingers, “take him away.”

Guards quickly surrounded General Castor and dragged him away. Lady Fiona and General Greenwald watched together. 

“Fiona, may I escort you home?” General Greenwald asked. 

“That would be great. I don't think I can be alone right now.”

Lady Fiona let out a breath.

“It’s always the ones closest to you, isn’t it?” Lady Fiona asks Shanelle. 

“Yes. Unfortunately…it is.” Shanelle said. 

General Greenwald nodded before facing Marquise.

“Your Majesties, I think it’s time that I took my leave. I have much to do and orders to send out. But thank you both for helping me suss out the snakes in our ranks.” he said as he shook Marquise’s hand. 

“Thank you, General. Your intuition about both of them was spot-on. I can only imagine the damage they would've caused if we hadn't found their treachery out in time.” Marquise said to him. 

General Greenwald bowed with a fist over his heart before leaving with Lady Fiona. The room fell eerily quiet for a moment as it was only Marquise, Shanelle, Princes Mordecai and Malachi, and Captain Felix left in the conference room. 

“Well now that all the ugliness is over we can finally adjourn for the day,” Marquise said to Shanelle. 

“Before we do that I would love to know who the Princes are texting so much.” Shanelle said before turning to her cousins who were whispering nervously, “Gentlemen is everything okay?”

The Princes finally looked up. 

“Uh yes my Queen. Everything is fine.” Prince Mordecai replied. 

“Are you sure Your Highness? You both seem nervous.” Marquise said to him. 

The twins glanced at each other. 

“No sire. We are okay. We were just checking up on our lead to make sure we didn't miss anything.” Prince Malachi replied. 

“Very well. If you all will excuse me, I have a phone call to make.” Marquise said before he stepped outside. Leaving Shanelle alone with her cousins. 

“So tell me more about this lead, I thought the trail went cold,” Shanelle said to them.

“Oh uh it did but we like to be thorough. We want to make sure that we have exhausted all of our avenues.” Prince Malachi replied. 

“Perhaps I can help?” Shanelle asks. 

The Princes looked at each other. 

“We are not sure how. We didn't know you were familiar with our case.”

“Oh yeah. His Majesty filled me in. It's okay. I believe you two are looking for a contact?”

“Yes. That's right. How did you know?” Prince Mordecai asks. 

“Oh well I know because he's dead.”

“What do you mean?” Prince Malachi asks. 

Shanelle steeples her fingers together. 

“You’re both looking for a text from Andreas Garakis. You know? Your handler?”

The Princes blinked. 

“I know that you two have not only been in contact with him but you were helping him undermine and threaten your kingdom.” 

Princes Mordecai and Malachi sat there shocked. They've been outed by Shanelle as traitors. 

"Nothing to say?" Shanelle asked. 

The pretense had fallen then. 

"Congratulations cousin. You caught us." Prince Malachi replied, clapping slowly. His voice dripping with venom. 

Shanelle was not about to back down 

"I should've seen this shit coming. I should've known that you two traitors couldn't be trusted!" 

"We are not traitors! We are honoring our kingdom!" Prince Mordecai hissed at Shanelle. 

"You mean MY kingdom! South Cordonia belonged to me! I was the heir to the throne. How do you think I got my first title of Princess? It was always MY kingdom. Not your mother's kingdom! And certainly not your son of a bitch father's kingdom! IT WAS MINE! Our grandfather named ME the heir before he and our grandmother died for a reason!"

Shanelle was PISSED!

"I can not fucking believe I trusted you two. You were fucking vipers and I knew it and I STILL let you both bite me." Shanelle said before chuckling bitterly, "Congrats you two! You got me good. You played the game. And accomplished your goal. Unfortunately, it's gonna cost you. EVERYTHING!"

The Princes both blinked. 

"You see I feel bad for your siblings. Especially your brothers."

"What are you talking about Shanelle?" Prince Mordecai asks. 

"First of all, it's Your Majesty to you! And second, I'm talking about Edwin and especially Morgan. Your older brothers are CRUSHED to know that you two, their younger brothers, are traitors to your kingdom. Especially Morgan. How do you think we found out? You think Andreas only approached the two of you? Newsflash! He went after Morgan first. But at the very least, Morgan remembered where his loyalties lay!"

"This is not our kingdom! We don't serve you! Or your pathetic husband!" Malachi sneered at her, "We are Princes of South Cordonia!" 

"You're right. You don't. You serve your god-awful excuse of a mother and that living breathing walking talking parasitic infection that you dare to call a father! But what's worse than that is you two turned on your people. On your brothers! On your family!" 

Shanelle shouted at them before taking a deep breath.

"But that's okay. Because neither one of you is a member of this kingdom anymore anyway. You're the property of Sulovaria now. Which also means you're both dead."

Malachi scoffs. 

“You don't have the heart! You’re as spineless as your husband, even more so now that you're pregnant.”

Shanelle cocked her head to the side. 

“You're right Malachi. I don't. But he does.” 

The Princes turned around to see their brother Morgan and Marquise standing behind them. 

“Hello Morgan. Thank you for coming.” Shanelle said to him. 

Morgan had his lips in a thin line. He was ready to explode. 

“Take your time Commandant.” Marquise said to him. 

“My own flesh and blood. My little brothers…traitors. You two would risk our home. OUR HOME! Just because you don't like our cousin?”

Mordecai chuckled bitterly. 

“I don’t know what spell they have you under big brother but I wish you'd wake up!”

That set Morgan off. 

“A spell?! You call being loyal to our kingdom being under a spell?” Morgan yelled at his brother.

“This isn't our kingdom Morgan!” Malachi said to him, “Our kingdom was stolen!”

Morgan stepped forward with a rage behind his eyes. 

“THIS IS OUR KINGDOM! This is our legacy! Our bloodline! Cordonia is who we are. Not just our titles! You two are a disgrace to our family!”

Morgan shook his head bitterly. 

“I want nothing to do with the two of you! So whatever our cousin and especially our King decides…I’ll be sure to tell our parents that you two went down like the cowards you are!” he sneered at them. 

“Guards!” Marquise called out. 

The guards filed in, flanking Captain Felix. Shanelle stepped forward. 

“I'll make sure that your deaths are as grotesque as your mother’s attitude.” she said to her cousins before addressing the guards without flinching, “SEIZE THEM!” 

The twins tried to run but were apprehended swiftly. With both twins resisting arrest. They had to be wrestled to the ground before being dragged out. 

It was over. After months, the traitors to the crown and kingdom were dealt with. But just as Their Majesties started to breathe a little bit, it was time for the ultimate showdown. 

It was time for the Conclave. 

Shanelle couldn’t wait for the day to come. She was ready to close this miserable and ugly chapter. Marquise? He was ready to burn the whole book.

They arrived at the Parliamentary Building the afternoon of September 30th, dressed to the nines, to the waiting paparazzi outside ready for the ultimate scoop. 

“Your Majesties! Over here!” Many reporters shouted but all they could do was smile and wave, they didn't have time to speak. 

They entered the building and were confronted by the families of Lord and Lady Gallagher. Including Lady Makenna’s father Prince Dante and brother, Lord Oliver. Marquise allowed them to attend the vote because he wanted them to watch Makenna lose. 

Marquise smiled smugly and waved at both families as he and Shanelle walked by. He enjoyed seeing the looks of disgust on their faces. 

“Go ahead and smile all you want Your Majesty, you won't be smiling after the votes are counted!” Prince Dante shouted at them as Their Majesties entered the Conclave room. 

The ancient building walls and hallowed halls held the secrets of Monarchies past and currently holds the secrets of the present Monarchy. 

After Marquise and Shanelle took their seats, Lord and Lady Gallagher made their entrance. With their family flanking them. Smug, cocky, and overconfident, they sat across from Shanelle and Marquise. 

All four are ready for the vote to be announced. With the gallery of onlookers set, it was time for the vote to be heard. 

Duke Bertrand Beaumont, Duke of Ramsford, emerged from the voting room. Members of Parliament had been voting for three hours. 

“A vote has been reached,” he announced, “after three hours of deliberation, the Parliament is deadlocked. The vote is 10-10.” 

The gallery went from whispering fiercely to talking amongst themselves. 

“So what now?” Lord Gallagher asked Duke Bertrand, “The vote is over isn't it?” 

Duke Bertrand shook his head no 

“Not quite my Lord. Now we turn to the Charter of 1780. In the event of a tie vote, a tie-breaking vote must be cast.”

Many in the gallery, Shanelle included, looked confused as they tried to figure out who would cast the tie-breaking vote. Especially since Duke Bertrand couldn't. 

“Will Prince Sebastian please step forth?” Duke Bertrand asks. 

“What?” Shanelle whispered. 

Many turned to the back of the gallery, Marquise’s cousin Carlo stood up and stepped forward, the light catching on the Rys signet ring that had once adorned his grandfather’s King Leonardo’s hand. He slowly walked to where Duke Bertrand was standing in the middle of the room.

“Your Highness, you are called here today because you possess the power of a tie-breaking vote. Have you made your decision?” Duke Bertrand asks. 

“I have, Your Grace,” he replied. 

“What say you, Your Highness?” Duke Bertrand asked. 

“This vote is precious. So precious in fact, that it is rarely called upon. The tie-breaking vote belonged to my father, Prince Sebastian Giancarlo Rys I. A great former General. When he was killed, the vote passed to my mother, Duchess Dr. Nadia Adrianna Sorvano-Rys. As she is his widow. But when I turned 18, the vote became mine. And has been ever since.”

Carlo glanced back at his cousins, Marquise and Leo, who was sitting behind his younger brother and pregnant sister-in-law. 

“I stand here not just as a Prince, but as a member of history. Not just any history, Cordonian history. My ancestor, the same ancestor of Prince Leo and His Majesty, Queen Kenna Rys fought almost 500 years ago to unite five struggling kingdoms into the powerhouse of Cordonia that is today. I am a living testimony of her resilience. She laid the groundwork for which my family and I stand. It would be foolish to ignore Cordonian history. It would be perilous to upend it.”

Carlo took a deep breath before squaring his shoulders. 

“So today, instead of upending nearly 5 centuries of rich Cordonian history, I am choosing to preserve it. I am choosing to honor it. I am choosing to continue it. Because I am choosing to vote for Their Majesties, King Marquise Constantine Rys and Queen Shanelle Dominique Miller-Rys!” 

“The tie breaking vote is cast! Their Majesties have won the Conclave!” Duke Bertrand announced. 

The gallery erupted. Many cheered the victory of Their Majesties while others questioned what would happen now that Lord and Lady Gallagher have lost. 

Lord and Lady Gallagher sat at their table in stunned silence. Lord Gallagher tried to speak but nothing was coming out. And Lady Gallagher felt like someone has just knocked the wind out of her. They had lost and they couldn't believe it. 

Meanwhile, Shanelle felt like she could FINALLY breathe. After months of being undermined and pushed to her breaking point, it was over. Her kingdom was safe. And her reign would continue. 

Marquise on the other hand was as smug as ever. He knew about the tie-breaking vote but said nothing. He wanted it to be a surprise to everyone. Especially his wife. 

“Thank you, Carlo. Truly.” he said before embracing his cousin. 

“Always. We are the Rys Bloodline. This kingdom started with us and will continue with us.” Carlo replied. 

“Man I had no idea you and Aunt Nadia had the power of a tie-breaking vote,” Leo said to him. 

“That's because you never paid attention cousin. You were too busy causing trouble to learn our history.” Carlo said to him with a smirk. 

Shanelle was still too in shock to speak. Marquise gently squeezed her hand. 

“Are you alright love?” he asks. 

“You knew didn't you? You knew this whole time that Carlo had the power to break a tie?” Shanelle asks. Her voice trembling. 

He sat down next to her. 

“Yes I knew. I've known for years.”

“Why didn't you tell me?!”

“Because Carlo has never been needed until now. When I said there was no way we would ever lose, I meant that. This kingdom belongs to us. Period. So now you can breathe my love. Because it's over. This chapter is closed.”

Shanelle let out the breath she had been holding in. 

“It's over. It's finally over.” she whispered as tears started to fall, “I can't believe that it is over.”

He kissed the crown of her head. 

“Believe it, my love. Because now, we can celebrate our great victory.”

Their Majesties were still celebrating their victory at the Conclave—way too distracted to see the danger slithering just beyond the shadows. Sinister smiles. Deeper plots. Sharp eyes. Enemies like vipers. Venomous, coiled, and waiting to strike. When they least expect it.

[moghraidhs]

wheel of time zizibenny be upon ye ;) couldn't have done this without some enabling so thank you killy!! i had a blast with this

enjoy :))

They're talking about her again.

Zizi can't hear them, but she can see them. The novices, whispering behind their hands. The sisters, from her own ajah and others, watching her with drawn brows and narrowed eyes.

She shifts the daggers in her palms and looks away, back to Gale. "Again."

They've been doing this almost every day for the past few months, ever since she came back to the Tower. Zizi knows the whispers are directed as much at her training with an unbonded warder as with actual weapons instead of the One Power, but she doesn't care. Gale is as stubborn as she is, refusing to make things easy for her, and he doesn't ask any questions. Not even about why she's training with him instead of Benny.

Zizi doesn't want to think about Benny. She doesn't want to think about anything. That's why she's here.

She takes a deep breath and adjusts her stance. "Ready."

Thrust, parry, deflect. After all this time, it's become a comforting rhythm. Easy not to think. She likes that. Even with the Power humming under her skin, practically begging to be used.

She ignores it. She's gotten very good at ignoring things.

"Sister Zizi?"

Though she recognises the voice, Zizi doesn't turn around. Not until the third time, and then she moves as deliberately as possible. "Yes?"

Sister Evyla's narrow lips have all but disappeared, pressed together as they are. "Perhaps you would like to assist me in a demonstration? There are a few novices who require instruction." She gestures to a gaggle of wide-eyed girls behind her, watching Zizi warily.

Zizi wonders how much they know. For a place that prides itself on secrecy, rumours spread in the Tower like a disease. Besides, it's not as if she doesn't have the scars.

"You're one of the strongest in the Red Ajah," Evyla presses. "And it's not as if we couldn't use the numbers. A demonstration might help some of these novices decide where they want to go after their Test."

Show me what you can do.

Zizi reaches up to her neck before she can stop herself.

Nothing there. Just like yesterday and the day before, but that doesn't stop her from feeling it anyway. Cool metal against her skin. Blinding pain.

She hands the daggers back to Gale and reaches for her outer robe before answering. "No."

Evyla's dishwater-pale eyes widen. "Excuse me?"

"No." Perhaps it's wrong of her, but Zizi takes a malicious delight in the shock on the older woman's face. "I have other things to do."

She starts to walk past, but Evyla's hand shoots out and grips her arm. "It's been months. The Amyrlin might have told us to be patient, but there are limits to what even you are allowed."

The unexpected touch sends the world spinning, leaving Zizi teetering on the edge of dark emptiness. Evyla's words are lost to the roaring in her ears, the overwhelming urge to lash out and run.

"That's enough."

Zizi feels him more than hears him, the bond pushing awareness through her bloodstream and bringing her back to the present.

Benny moves between her and Evyla. For once, Zizi is glad of his height; the shelter of his broad back allowing her to regain some control. No one else needs to know just how close she had come to losing herself - again.

She takes advantage of Evyla's loosened grasp to jerk free. "The next time you put a hand on me I take it off. With the One Power. Will that be enough of a demonstration for you?"

Evyla's mouth drops open, but Zizi doesn't wait for her to answer. She brushes past Benny and heads towards the stairs, fists clenched tight at her sides.

She's free, but the touch still lingers. She wants to scrub it off, burn her robe and tear the skin raw. A reminder to herself to never let anyone lay a hand on her against her will again.

Footsteps echo on the stairs behind her and she stops. "You don't need to follow me, you know."

"I know."

Zizi turns around and then wishes she hadn't. The longing in his eyes is like a blade to her chest, carving through flesh and bone.

"So why are you doing it then?"

Benny shrugs. "What else should I do?"

She can feel him, hurt and love and devotion all at once and it's too much. Inviting her to break down when that is exactly the opposite of what she wants right now.

She steps closer. "Maybe I should mask the bond. Would that be enough for you to leave me in peace?"

It's cruel, and she knows it. Part of her readies itself for the fight, even as the other part cringes from the pain in his eyes, the knowledge that she's hurting him as much as herself.

Go on, she thinks. Tell me I can't do it. Give me a reason.

A reason not to fall apart.

He doesn't. Just looks at her as if he can see right down to her bones, then moves back out of her reach. "As you wish."

He turns and walks back down the stairs. Pain flares in Zizi's chest, almost cutting off her air.

She wants to call him back.

She doesn't.

~

Josie visits her the next day.

With over a dozen witnesses to what had happened in front of the training ground, Zizi had half been expecting to be called before the Amyrlin. What she hadn't expected was for the Amyrlin to come to her.

"You know, I should make you do penance for this. I always forget how long the walk is between your chamber and mine." Josie is smiling, but Zizi can see her eyes scanning the room - the smashed mirror, the abandoned robes, the empty hearth. With a graceful move of her hand, flames spark among the ashes, banishing the cold.

Zizi swipes her hands on her breeches awkwardly. "You could have just called me to the Hall."

"I could. But I think we've known each other too long for that." Josie looks at her. "What happened with you and Evyla?"

"She wanted me to channel for the novices. I said no."

"She claims you threatened her."

It's instinct that has Zizi baring her teeth, anger flaring before she allows herself to think about it. "She was lucky I didn't have my knives."

The words spit into the air, ugly and mean. There was a time, long before this, when Zizi would have died sooner than threaten a sister - even one as infuriating as Evyla. That time is long gone. She doesn't recognise herself now: an animal backed into the corner, snarling at the slightest movement. Just another part of all that had been taken from her. All that she'd let the Seanchan take from her.

"Zizi," Josie says gently, and Zizi realises with horror that her eyes and cheeks are wet. She turns away, scrubbing the traitorous tears from her face ruthlessly. Josie doesn't stop her, or try to touch her. She just stands there and waits, and for that Zizi is both humiliated and grateful.

"You should send me away," she says later, seated in front of the fire. Josie had had some food brought up and the remains now lie between them, along with some tea and spiced wine.

Josie brushes crumbs from her gown. She looks younger in the dim light, more like the girl who'd shared Zizi's dorm for months than the head of the entire White Tower. "Why would I do that?"

"I don't belong here anymore. Not after…" She touches her neck automatically, tries not to flinch. "I can't channel. I won't."

"No one is going to make you," Josie says quietly.

"I can feel the Power, but if I try…" Zizi stares into the flames. "I can't tell if it's me or not. If someone is making me do it. I won't let anyone make me do anything ever again."

"What about Benny?"

The mention of his name tugs at something under her skin, raw and wanting. She avoids Josie's gaze. "What do you mean?"

"You're rarely together these days. Do you want to break the bond? Start over?" Josie's voice is light and even. "Reds rarely bond warders, so I doubt anyone would question it if that was your decision."

Zizi's fingers dig into her palms. "He could die."

"He's dying right now." Josie doesn't raise her voice, but the words still feel like a slap. "When you were gone he was beside himself. All those stories we used to read about being warders lost to grief…right in front of our eyes. You're home now, and yet that pain hasn't gone away. For either of you."

Zizi closes her eyes. "He wasn't there."

"No, he wasn't. But he felt you nonetheless and he still does now." Josie sighs. "People like to say our lives are not our own - bound to the Tower, bound to serving the world around us. I'm not so certain I believe that, though. Our lives are not our own because they are bound up in the people we meet here. Friends. Lovers. Warders. You are a part of me as much as I am of you, but so is Benny. And I do not believe you want to cut him out."

Tears threaten once more and Zizi bites the inside of her cheek until it bleeds.

I'm afraid.

Josie's hand rises and Zizi feels herself tense, but the fire merely stirs to life again. "It's cold," the Amyrlin says. "I would rather not see you fall ill."

She smiles a little, and Zizi feels the gentle touch as clearly as if it had actually been given.

~

It's hard to sleep. Zizi blames it on the bed, a world away from the thin, hard mattress in a Seanchan cell. The kind they'd given her after she'd broken.

She sits up, nausea swirling in her stomach. Barely manages to make it to the basin on the washstand before she throws up.

After, she goes downstairs. The tower is quiet at night, but there always people around: sisters returning from or going on journeys, the occasional novice working out their penance, a sleepy servant or two. No one seems to notice her, or if they do they pretend not to.

Zizi doesn't mind. Her throat still burns and she can feel herself trembling, reflexive little shocks running through her body. She wants…She doesn't know what. Doesn't want to admit it, even in thought.

She finds Benny in the training yard, practicing. He doesn't see her at first, but his dog does. The huge animal, part wolf apparently, pads softly over to her, nudging at her hip with his nose.

Zizi crouches down and strokes through soft grey fur. As if sensing her distress, the dog nuzzles closer and whines.

"Zizi."

Sand scrapes beneath Benny's feet. He sits down next to her, close, but not enough to touch.

Zizi doesn't look up. She doesn't dare. "I couldn't sleep."

"I couldn't either."

Silence.

"You were scared," Benny says at last. "I could feel it. Are you alright?"

Zizi looks at him then. Really lets herself look, for the first time since coming back.

He looks tired. Has more stubble than before, cheeks hollowed in. His eyes are the same though: kind, even with fresh pain swirling in their depths.

"I don't know," she says. "I'm not sure…I know what that means anymore."

The tears break through at last. She's too tired to squash them.

She can feel Benny watching her, feel him holding back even as the echo of her pain travels through him. He won't touch her, Zizi knows. Not unless she wants him to.

Somehow, that knowledge gives her the courage to move closer.

It takes several moments and more than a few steadying breaths, but eventually she gets close enough.

He doesn't move.

Tentatively, Zizi rests her head on his shoulder. Braces for the worst.

There's no pain. Nothing bad happens. For some reason that makes her cry harder.

She's not sure how long it goes on, but it's a while. Benny stays the whole time.

~

"I can't channel anymore," she says after it's over. There's a bittersweet relief in saying it at last, after carrying the fear around in her chest for so long. "I can still touch the source, but I…I don't want to channel. Not yet."

Maybe not ever. That part remains unspoken, but he hears it anyway. Like she knew he would.

"You're still an Aes Sedai," he says. "And I'm still your warder."

"I'm sorry. For earlier. I don't want to break the bond." Admitting it feels like weakness. Zizi forces herself past the yawning chasm of fear to say the words regardless. "I don't want to lose you again."

Benny presses a kiss to her hair, so light she almost thinks she imagined it. "I'm here. As long as you want me."

Always. She doesn't say it. It's late, and she's never been one for foolish admissions. This peace is new, fragile, but it feels better than anything has these past few months. Like a beginning.

She closes her eyes and lets herself doze. If there are nightmares, at least she's not alone.

[seventeenlovesthree]

Digi Dynamic Shipping Game

Send me two names among the following 12 and I’ll write a short analysis post about them:

Taichi Yagami | Yamato Ishida | Sora Takenouchi | Koushirou Izumi | Mimi Tachikawa | Jyou Kidou | Takeru Takaishi | Hikari Yagami | Daisuke Motomiya | Miyako Inoue | Iori Hida | Ken Ichijouji

Whether canon provides input on them or not.

Unfortunately I didn't make it before the end of Pride Month, but - while there are a lot of potentially queer ships in the subtext of the Digimon universe that fit the tone, there aren't as many of them that came this close to technically being confirmed as having a valid (canon) baseline as this one.

To ask if canon provides input on Daisuke and Ken - or Daiken, Kensuke, Daisuken, however you want to call them -, is, once again, like asking if water is wet; they're the most elaborated relationship in the entirety of Digimon Adventure 02, the majority of Ken's development is tied to his bond to Daisuke... If you want to read more about why I value their relationship so much, I definitely recommend this post here, because they're just... Endlessly fascinating to me.

The good-hearted goofball with self-esteem issues that lead him to play a role to impress others initially - meets a corrupted genius and literally slaps the darkness out of his system. They turn from fated rivals to fated partners, facing the powers of darkness together and eventually, they become better people in the process thanks to one another. Daisuke's entire priority system changes upon wanting to give Ken a chance, he not only becomes more honest and less defensive, but also lets his personal sense of courage and friendship shine through; Ken, who's initially reluctant to take the hand Daisuke is offering him due to all the guilt he feels, slowly but steadily becomes the kind and gentle soul that was always within him, because there is someone by his side who has his back. Always.

It's a beautiful story of two complementing souls, whose bond enables the first real Jogress evolution, despite the fact - or even because - they couldn't be any more different. It's a story of repentance, forgiveness, learning to befriend others despite your own trauma and differences - and the story of a romantic subtext that almost hits you in the face if you're not careful enough. There is a reason why the screenshot above exists - the most recent movie literally acknowledged that, even after all these years, the bond between Daiken has not vanished and has, instead, gained a somewhat (actively) flirtatious nuance. While it used to be Ken who blushed due to Daisuke's (oftentimes oblivious) bluntness, the same Ken is now forward enough to openly praise Daisuke in ways that make it impossible to overlook the potential implications here - well, for anybody who isn't Daisuke himself at least...

Whether I think why and how they’d work.

Given the circumstances that we're, unfortunately, not talking about a canonically confirmed ship, we just gotta pretend that there will be a day when Ken's attempts of asking Daisuke out will be answered in two potential ways: 1.) "Huh? YOU WERE FLIRTING WITH ME THE ENTIRE TIME????" or 2.) "Huh? I thought we were together this entire time anyway???" Because both of these would be somewhat plausible "Daisuk-esque" reactions in my opinion.

I thoroughly believe that these two would work out romantically in fantastic ways - even though it'd take a lot of work, but which relationship that intends to last doesn't? They both chose careers that require enormous amounts of time and energy - and very irregular working hours. Granted, the latter applies to the majority of the Chosen Children, but an aspiring chef of his own Ramen cart may only be able to see an aspiring police officer if the latter's break time allows him to grab a meal at a Ramen facility that is coincidentally very close by... Gate hopping may have made that a lot easier, but at this point, we don't even know if that is still a thing anymore.

I still maintain that, as much as they'd be married to their jobs, they both still have quite a romantic side to themselves once the curse is broken - so they would make time, just like they did throughout all these years. While their interests in general might also be quite different, they would always find a way to bond over their mutual love for sports, football in particular. Ken needs someone who pulls him out of his head - and Daisuke needs someone who grounds him, which, as The Beginning suggested, is (basically) exactly their dynamic. They always enjoy group gatherings with their friend groups, food tastings are always a reason for Daisuke to invite everybody over - especially to lure Ken away from work. And let's be real, I can also see them go on cheesy dates - that mostly consist of them doing sporting activities (any kind of ball sport, rollerskating, hiking) where Daisuke can (pretend to) be competitive and Ken knowingly plays along with the teasing, just so they have an excuse to be close. Because they'd be cheesy like that, oh Lord, they'd be so cheesy in the most wanna-be-bro way possible.

Whether I’d prefer them as platonic or romantic ship.

In a universe in which Miyaken doesn't become canon, there is literally no reason for Daiken not to be endgame - unless the writers actually had some guts and turned them into an official OT3 in The Beginning. Of course I can always enjoys them as just platonic life partners, bros 4 life, you don't even have to give it a label, as long as they remain as close as they are. Because they simply belong together, one way or another.

[lily-alphonse]

Since you've mentioned it -- what's your take on Halex? They somehow simultaneously make sense and don't make sense to me. Maybe this is what makes them a good ship. I was wondering what are your ideas about their dynamics? :)

Y'all are enabling the hell out of me istg lmao

Pretty sure this is in reference to this post where I mention having a Halex agenda. I have posted about them before but it was a few months ago.

Okay so picture this. Haley has a bit of a reputation as dumb and mean.

She is actually smart, but refuses to try to understand things that she sees as irrelevant to her or boring. So she won't pay attention in math class but she will be able to estimate the total cost of a dress with tax minus the sale discount all in her head.

She is a genius at Instagram, getting a decent following pretty quickly.

She is good at reading people, and has no patience for anyone who isn't straight to the point or clear in their intentions. Which is part of why she likes Alex so much, because he's got about as much depth to him as a kiddie pool, and needs protecting.

She also understands how he sees the world more simply because she kind of has a foot in that world too with how "dumb" she is about certain things (but again, just not caring to put the effort in to learn).

Alex is a sweet himbo and has major fucking heart-eyes for his girl. (This version of him has already had his feminist awakening where he unlearns the misogyny instilled in him by his upbringing)

He doesn't talk much because he's used to people seeing him differently when they realize he's got nothing interesting to say. He's also used to being shamed for asking questions, especially with the history of child abuse. He is extremely polite because of that too. Everyone is Sir or Ma'am.

But you know who he does talk to? Haley. Because they have enough trust and openness that he knows she will tell him if he is boring her. But, she never does because she has an incredible soft spot for him. She will listen to him talk about gridball all day just to watch his lips move, his cheeks dimple when he smiles.

His girl is high maintenance and he is a PROUD maintenance man. He opens every door, carries every bag, takes pictures of her on the beach for hours for her Instagram.

I like to picture them as having a major size difference, like Alex is 6'1 and Haley is 5'2. But Haley always wears huge heels to appear average height and she absolutely commands a room with her big attitude and her even bigger man behind her teehee. She calls him baby and he calls her baby, my girl, or Sunflower (thanks to @wrightingdungeon for that one)

Send me any Stardew Valley rarepair and I will tell you how I would make them work! (Even non-marriage npcs) If youre lucky you may get a mini fic out of it. Check the list below to see if Ive already answered yours

Rarepair Masterlist

[cyanityy]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE HARIN ART IT FILLS ME WITH JOY AND IT WAS SO UNEXPECTED

but but do u write oc x oc? if u do how do u think harin would interact with one of ur ocs?

AAA YOU'RE WELCOME ANYTIME !! I'm glad you liked it, she was such a delight to draw! I don't write OC content often but I can definitely try. I don't have any other OC besides Sonya (yet..) so I'll be dedicating these interactions between her and Harin!

[I've interpreted OC x OC as platonic for this ask.]

Sonya is both intimidated and fascinated by Harin's greaser status. On the one hand, she's brewing all sorts of conversation starters: should she say something about her jacket? but she can't just ask where she got it from..what if she gets angry, or worse? on the other hand, if something feels like daggers in the back of Harin's head it's Sonya focusing really hard on being friendly.

Once they move aside from their first impression, the first mention of Harin's Elvis vinyl has Sonya looking at her saucer-eyed. Not wanting to betray her girly outlook, she waters down her enthusiasm a LOT. Harin doesn't mind, she also thought that maybe Sonya wasn't into her music taste, but after several niche names were dropped during some "simple questions" she caught onto the fact that Sonya is VERY interested, actually.

Harin is very self-assured in her style, so she takes Sonya thrifting for a taste. She doesn't haggle but boy does she know how to get the good picks without a fuss and eventually even Sonya gets the hang of it. She admires Harin for this as it reminds her of her uncle, who she had a very close bond with (also a diehard thrifter). Sonya's got Harin to thank for a lush wardrobe of Jeans, skirts and an old Marshall radio!

Sonya could be a pushover sometimes, especially around her clique. The day that she told Harin about how Mandy invited her for a girl's day out only to be told she came on "the wrong day" was an inspiring one indeed. Harin met her eyes after a pause and goes "I thought you were cooler than that" Before the shock wore off she continued "Mandy's lame. She doesn't look and talk that way because she's happy with herself you know?" Even if Harin had a tough way of showing it, she still cares about Sonya's happiness. After that evening, Sonya sleeps a little easier knowing that Harin's got her back.

Sonya drives like she's always on five stars, if Harin's telling her to stop the car then she probably can't hear it over the sound of wind breaking against her ears.

Harin's idea of a good time is trespassing onto Vale property to stargaze on someone's roof, says there's "less smog here" and.. she's right? You can see how the stars are a little brighter than those in New Coventry if you don't think about the security gate, the CCTV, or the car alarm going off at the wrong gust of air, even Sonya's string of murmurs that she thinks somebody saw them.

Safe to say they make a truce that Sonya will drive responsibility in exchange for Harin to find new, less incriminating hobbies.

Sonya's a physical affection girlie, Harin is not. Whenever Harin sees that girl walking to her with her arms held wide, better believe she'll stop her by the shoulders. Hugs feel too stuffy to her, in fact, any proximity is annoying and opts to spend quality time instead. it's something they disagree on.

Horrible enablers to each other. Not the good kind of horrible, it's the Awkward, tried-your-best kind. Imagine being the victim of their insults and it sounds like "Who died and made you the queen of bad taste?" "-ruler of yucktopia" "which is only a little island" "-made of garbage" - It could go on for a while.

I think their dynamic has potential for complexity especially because Harin would be one of the first greaser girls she gets along with - excuse all her questions and poking, she's just happy to be here!

thanks for sending in a request!

[einsatzzz]

Hello ❤️ I have some meta asks for your ocs

Kana: What controversies/drama would your character incite in fandom?

And (yes she gets two because I am biased and looking for crumbs)

What is the quote between your character and their love interest/whoever they might be shipped with that their fans would latch onto?

Kurumi: What would be the ‘incorrect but wildly popular’ interpretation of your character in fandom?

Yui: If your character had a breakout show/film/comic, what would the plot be? Who would be in their supporting cast?

- 🍎

Hello 🍎Anon 🫶✨👀 Thank you for sending this over and enabling me to yap more about my blorbos 🥰🥰🥰 I only know what to talk about when I draw them, but for pure text posts I often blank out on what to say, so I love asks! I will try my best to give you Kana crumbs too!

🍎Kana: What controversies/drama would your character incite in fandom?

If Kana were a canon character, Kana and controversies/drama are like blood brothers, like soulmates. They are a set package. It wasn't there at the start or perhaps there will be initial discourse about her gender. But fandom will find out eventually that they have bigger fish to fry. As more and more layers of her character gets revealed, the more fandom discourse there is. She is certainly not a character for people who view things in a black or white manner or those with low reading comprehension 😭🤣😭🤣 *looks at those gear grindingly loud mfs on twi//ter*

On the surface, she would prob be reduced to either a some kind of siscon (memes included) or straight-up a cruel/heartless character with ulterior motives ("maybe her love for Kurumi is just a facade? and she has ulterior motives?"). If you peel off the first few layers, you will see that she really does genuinely love Kurumi and her family, for better or for worse. If you peel off more layer, you will see an asshole. If you peel even more layers, you will see an even bigger asshole banned from hell.

Also do you know that one meme where they keep putting Oi\\kawa (from Hai\\kyuu, a VOLLEYBALL series) in a line up of actual villains/war criminals?

Kana would be there, except she kinda deserves to be there. People who don't get the joke would complain about why Oi//kawa keeps getting included in these fuckass lists that includes Kana and other messed up characters lmao (truthfully i didn't get it at first when i saw it and was lowkey pissed since im an oi//kawa oshi lmaooo now it's just funny every time i see it. still crazy to see him lined up with characters like d//io or aiz//en or gri//ffith like damn wwwwww)

Did you know? My favorite character from Monster is Joh//ann Lieb//ert hahahaha nothing important, just wanna say it haha,,,hahaha,,,,, pls ignore if you don't know Monster sdkjfsdhvfsd

🍎Kana: What is the quote between your character and their love interest/whoever they might be shipped with that their fans would latch onto?

The least spoilery thing I can come up with on the spot on is Hibari telling her "You're so stupid (affectionate & relieved)" after she does (and says) something objectively very stupid that could even give YuiRumi&family a heart attack & a stroke simultaneously.

Short, simple, effective. ME, personally, I will lose my mind and latch onto it even on my deathbed.

If you want something that could potentially come from a Kana POV, I do have a quote like this saved:

🎀Kurumi: What would be the ‘incorrect but wildly popular’ interpretation of your character in fandom?

For Kurumi, I think modern fandom would focus too much on her gender? There would be a divide in the fandom based on how they interpret the "Gender: ?" in her profile lmao We can see a lot of people insisting that she's non-binary. That's fine and all, everyone is free to interpret characters as they like (except if the creator has reiterated clear rules and boundaries for it). The problem is that we can also see people say that you can't refer to her as anything else but non-binary sjdgbhjsdfvhjsbfd

🤖Yui: If your character had a breakout show/film/comic, what would the plot be? Who would be in their supporting cast?

My understanding of this question is that it's asking for a Yui spin-off where he's the MC! It would be in a light novel format under the romantic comedy genre (with some sci-fi, perhaps? because he loves making robots hahaha inb4 it becomes a mecha story). The story's main couple would be him and Hiyori, because that's what Yui would've wanted. He is delusional and down bad.

In terms of shipping, we actually have three main ships we've committed to. It's just that I often end up posting about the two CanonxOC pairs more sjkdfjskdf but the third one is an OCxOC pair between Yui and Hiyori (YuiHiyo). Sowwwwyyy Yui! uwu Hiyorin is holding me at syringe-point and telling me to shut the fuck up about it.

[samwinchestersgirl83]

🦉Positivity owl reporting for duty! This was sent by a friend who wants you to smile as much as your posts make them smile. Please list five things that make you unique, four things you are super passionate about and why, OR three of your favorite memories. Feel free to send the owl to those who you feel deserve to smile🦉

I’m gonna do 4 things I am passionate about 🥰

1. My wife. She is my biggest supporter, the love of my life, and she enables my SPN addiction 😂🥰🩷 But no seriously, she is my partner in crime, in life, in love, and I would never dream of having anyone better for me than her. She is it. My soulmate 🩷

2. Supernatural. I could talk about it all day. The show itself is literally amazing. I really hope for a reunion soon. The stories, the hunts, I see things in everyday life and be like “I could see this being on SPN” 😂🩷

3. Wincest. Jared and Jenson have the most phenomenal on and off screen chemistry I have ever seen in my life. I ship them so hardcore it has altered my brain chemistry 🫠 and listen, I know they are married with families, again which I respect and would never be that person to force a ship on them when I do get to meet them (yes, I am meeting them in December 😍🙌🏼🥰) but come on. They were born and raised in Texas, one of the most repressed states. You CAN NOT tell me that they themselves have not atleast been curious about one another. Maybe even shared a kiss together in secret private. I know actors can have some great chemistry in general but they appear as if they are genuinely long lost soulmates 🩷

4. Halloween! It’s not only my favorite holiday but my favorite movie. I have an unhealthy obsession with Michael Myers. In fact as I am typing this, I have a Halloween marathon going on in the background. And not only that, my wife and I’s anniversary is on Halloween! We married 10/31/21 🩷🩷

A secret not so secret 5th fact, I also have a passion for Jared 😂🩷 that man is so fine and just continues to age like fucking fine wine 🙌🏼🙌🏼🩷🩷🩷

Thank you for the fun positivity ask anon!