#the advisor lady was kind of explaining things i didn't need explained to me

[mars-ipan]

I DID IT. I AM REGISTERED FOR CLASSES

[cdelphiki]

I submitted my final project yesterday, and took my final exam today, and now I'm officially done with this stupid class and this stupid certificate forever. Lmao. Stay tuned for my rant about how frustrating this experience has been for me, if you want:

I'm so annoyed with this class, because the professor was so frustrating. She didn't grade a single thing I did all semester until FINALS WEEK. She also didn't open up the instructions for the final project until she told me I was done with it (we had teams meetings so she was just verbally telling me what to do). She told me that the instructions for writing the abstract are in the project module, and I was like... what project module? When she finally opened the module and I was able to actually read it, I found that my final project she had just approved as being ready to submit didn't meet the minimum requirements? And when I asked about it she said "yes those are the minimums." LADY? DO YOU HEAR YOURSELF? YOU JUST SAID MY PROJECT WAS DONE??? It was 5pm on Friday, the last day of finals week when she did this, BY THE WAY. I had been working on the project all week, I'd put, like, 30 hours into this damn project already. And she couldn't have been early on like "hey there's a project module" so I could have even KNOWN there was supposed to be a module I couldn't see? This is after all semester long I was emailing her asking 'where is this reading, where is this lab' etc etc because she just simply didn't upload stuff or release it as the syllabus stated she would. I had to ask her for things weekly that should have just been there in the course material. Oh yeah, and those instructions for an abstract? Not in the project module. I just wrote an abstract how I think it should be. Then her exams she writes are just.... she really needs to use grammarly. Some of her exam questions made ZERO sense, because it just wasn't proper English. English is her second language, so I understand why it happened and do not judge that, but I do not find it acceptable when this is a graduate level class, in English, and you mark me wrong if I don't answer the question correctly? Just run the question through grammarly. The final exam had instructions that were like 'for essay questions write a response between 75 and 100 words, this is open book, you can talk to your classmates but your answer must be your own," and that was the instructions. Then 20 of 26 questions just had a single word as the question? Like, what do you want me to do with this? Define it? Explain it? Give an example of it? All of the above? None of the above? And she had one question that I SWEAR said "give three (4) examples of...." like?????????? and another question said "name the three types of...." but there are FIVE types of that thing?

Anyway I went to eviscerate her in the course eval and learned it closed yesterday but I wasn't done with the class yesterday so I was waiting. Oh well. My complaints will be kept to myself. She has strong suits. She's very nice, and when she actually responds to my messages (oh yeah she ghosted me the first half of this last week, when I was working on the project. I was submitting drafts to her via email like she asked me to do and she just simply didn't respond until Wednesday.) she's pretty helpful. I also DID learn a lot in her courses, and in this program overall.

The entire certificate program is sorely lacking, tbh. The first professor I had was also my advisor, and he would just flat up not respond to my emails. I don't think I'm too needy, I tend to get my work done on my own. I asked him the answer to a final question after the final was due and grades were posted, and he didn't reply to me. Like, okay dude. That's kind of rude. It's your job to teach me and I think I'm doing well by actually trying to learn what the correct answer is after the fact? Whatever. The second two classes were this same lady twice, and all my complaints about this semester can be applied to last semester, too.

Overall, I'm very glad my work paid for me to attend these classes and it was not coming out of my pocket, because if I was paying as much as work paid for this, I would have been in the dean's inbox every single semester with my issues lmao. I WILL be a Karen if it's warranted. Not grading *any* of my work until after the semester is over is unacceptable, not providing material on time is unacceptable, having exams that are indecipherable is unacceptable, etc etc. The list goes on. I didn't get my midterm grade until the final exam was open to take, also. If I as a student am expected to keep up with deadlines, my professor, as the professor, should also be expected to keep up with deadlines. (all within reason and with allowances for true problems, ofc)

[fandom-fandom-fandom-17]

Day 5 dancing

The event was for chief and chieftess and high rank officials to get together to form new alliances. That practically never happened so it had become tradition to wear masks. The idea came from a man who was forced to go by his ally and really wanted to avoid a war with a man he knew was going to be there. Those in his alliance wore masks as well out of solidarity.  Those who organized the event as well as those in attendance noticed that that year until the masks fell off that things were much more peaceful.  So it became a tradition.��

Viggo had received the invitation a week ago and as much as he'd preferred to continue to work on his plans gripping to his brother but his grandfather insisted. Hiccup received the invitation with a letter from his father  saying that Hiccup should go in his stead because the location this year was closer to the edge than berk. The location moved every year so that no one could plan anything sinister ahead of time.

So there was Viggo dressed to the nines. Another tradition was to show off ones wealth. Viggo played it safe with the optimum amount that made him look high class without making him a target. So the young man with a prosthetic leg out like a sore thumb. Not he because of the wooden prosthetic ever other guest had one, but because he looked like an easy target. Someone without power the big leagues could make themselves look good. The young man didn't have the age or presence of a chief having likely just been appointed. Viggo hardly ever entertained other guests especially ones that are likely just climbing the metaphorical ladder. But for whatever the young man dressed in a fur far too big for him being harassed had caught his.

The young man was about to trip because he was leaning to far back likely leaning for a weapon that wasn't allowed at the gathering. Viggo caught him at the waist simply stating

"Sorry my dear took me awhile to find the kind of ale you like" Viggo slipped his drink into his new acquaintances hand. He simply gave a small embarrassed nod. He gave the large gentlemen a small glare 

"Its good to see you again advisor" Advisor was said with a tad bit of venom

The two ladies on his sides gave him a look of disgust before walking away.

"Thanks for that" A sneer etched on the mans face

"Some advice from a real chief don't extend beyond your means" Viggo said with a snarl on his lips

"Is that a treat from your tribe?" The man asked with only a slight quiver in his voice

Viggo simply smiled "Who knows? perhaps I need to check in on your tribe and renegotiate  my prices"

The man walked away with fear in his eyes

The young man spoke up "I'm sorry I didn't mean to cause a rift between you too" Viggo simply guided the young man to the dance floor from his grip on his waist.

"Don't be sorry I've been meaning to threaten them they've been filling bags of gold with sand to trick my traders." A frown formed for a moment behind Viggos mask. Then turned chiper "So whats your name? you could at least tell your savior that"

The young man seemed to hesitate "Horrendous of the hooligan tribe"

'Hiccups tribe interesting' The music picked up in the background.  Viggo took his drink back lifted his mask just enough and chugged it.

 "Well Horrendous may I have this dance?" Viggo reached out his hand and Horrendous took it.

Horrendous was well a horrendous dancer. His leg made him unsteady. Horrendous had to lean on Viggo chest for support. Never meeting his gaze likely because he was embarrassed. unfortunately for Horrendous he felt every little twitch and shake and he cant say he didn't it amusing. Like a terrible terror caught in a trap for a much bigger dragon. He explained his usual one had been bent along with his back-ups. That he had the leg lost to a dragon. I told him my tale of my own obvious scar.  We drank , danced and laughed exchanging stories throughout the night. 

At one point in the night Viggo had picked up Horrendous from behind and twirled him across the floor. They were certainly getting strange looks but neither cared.  They both felt the heat in their checks and the chemistry between them but they didn't act so that they didn't ruin the rhythm. They twirled and dipped and dance moves that were quite dancing. Simply what felt right.

We were probably once of the last people dancing seeing as the musicians having gone home awhile ago. But Viggo hadn't bothered to look up and check for his eyes were on the beauty in front of him. Horrendous hands were linked behind Viggos head. His lips only a few inches away. Viggos hands were lower on Horrendous hips then they probably should have been, but neither Viggo or Horrendous seemed to mind. Horrendous used the hands behind Viggos neck to bring himself up to Viggos ear. His lips ghosted his ear

"Wanna see something cool?"

Viggo knew he couldn't see his dopey smile so he just gestured for him to lead the way. Horrendous lead him outside. Viggo simply gasped in awe. It looked as tho hunderes of dragons were dancing in the sky.

 "A nadder is migrations coming through here. They preform their mating dancing on that island over there" Horrendous pointed to a island barely in sight. Viggo turned to Horrendous and slipped his thump under his mask.  Horrendous caught his hand. Viggo closed his eyes and Horrendous followed. Viggo  slipped the mask off hold it in his hand along with his own. The kiss was messy and sloppy but it eventual found its way.  Viggo slipped his hands  into Horrendous hair. Not long after slipping his tongue in. They went until they had to come up for air. Horrendous turned way flipping up his hood simply stating 

"Next time I'll bring a mask you can kiss me in"

Viggo caught his wright "Next time?" questioned Viggo

"Right here next month" Horrendous turned around covering Viggos eyes in the same instant giving him one last kiss. 

Perhaps Viggo thought to himself this party hadn't been all that bad.

No beta 1074 words. I had no idea what to do for this one.

[zi-i-think]

12 | The Universe has Other Plans

Pairing: Zuko x Ama (OC)

Word Count: 6200+

.☽☼☾.

~ Ama ☾ ~

         The bachelorette party came way too quickly. Katara happily agreed to letting Suh join us. Something about how I've made her feel uncomfortable, and that she needs to feel safer with us girls. Oh if only she knew that Suh wasn't here to stay.

         By midday, everyone stood at the village entrance to bid farewell to the groomsmen. The walls of ice were curved around the town and there was a large archway with the Water Tribe symbol carved at the top as the entrance.

         "Have fun, you guys." Katara told all the men, stealing a hug from her fiance.

         "Oh we'll have lots of fun!" Sokka exclaimed with excitement. "Booze, strippers and parting is what I've been waiting for." Suki playfully smacked Sokka's chest.

         Aang tilted and shook his head. "Sokka, that's not what's happening."

         "What!" Sokka gave Aang a disappointed look and then looked over at Zuko. "What kind of bachelor party did you plan?"

         Zuko looked a little uncomfortable with the sudden question. "He planned the kind of bachelor party I asked for." Aang responded for him.

         "Sokka will you act civil for once in your life?" Katara reprimanded her brother with her hand on her hip.

         "The answer is very simple. No." Sokka grinned just to taunt our sister. I chuckled at them while Katara sighed in disappointment.

         "Alright, well I think we should go if we want to make it Milu Island before sundown." Aang interjected the bickering. "Bye, sweetie." He leaned down to give Katara a chaste kiss.

         Suh skipped to Zuko, wrapping her arms around his neck to give him a hug, he in turn wrapped his arms around her waist. He and I shared a quick look. Reminding me that I had to keep a close eye on the suspicious girl.

         After all the short goodbyes, the four men climbed up Appa to go to the small Earth Kingdom island. "There's still gonna be booze though, right?" Sokka wondered as he climbed over the saddle's side.

         "Alright, miss maid of honor," Toph started to ask, drawing the attention to me. "What do you have planned for us?"

         "Well, as per Katara's request. We don't have strippers." I turned to my sister, seeing her shake her head at me.

         "Wow, you and Aang really are meant to be." Toph quipped.

         "What is it with you all and strippers?" Katara wondered loudly. Her expression was genuinely confused and she looked a little concerned. "Don't you all think it's a bit degrading?"

         "Course not." I shook my head and warped an arm around Katara's shoulders. "They're wonderful people. I spent some time with a small group a few years back. A lot of them enjoy what they do and get paid well. I learned a few moves, too. If you want sis, I can teach you for your honeymoon."

         My sister immediately turned red and shoved me off her. "Ama!" The girls and I laughed at her reaction. "Can we just get to the bachelorette party! Please!"

         "As you wish, princess." I teased her. "First stop is the spa." I announced, leading the group of girls through the town and towards the beginning of what would be an insane night.

.☽☼☾.

         After spending a couple hours at the spa, we headed back to the palace. I had some of the maids decorate the living room so that it would look more like an actual party than some boring hang out.

         There was blue and yellow confetti on the tables, where there were some snacks like seal jerky and kale cookies placed on top. The couches and the floors were covered in blankets, because I doubt any of them will make it to the bedrooms. And my favorite touch to the setting. An ice sculpture of shirtless Aang, posing with his air-staff.

         Katara hated it at first, but quickly gave in to her own embarrassment. Blushing a deep red, but still taking the seats closest to it. I didn't find Katara's modest behavior annoying or weird. I knew that Katara just liked to keep some things private and I respect it. I just couldn't help but tease her and push her a little bit out of her comfort zone. I made sure that the sculpture was the only thing that was over the top.

         The girls were chatting for some time and eating the snacks set forth while I grabbed an activity. I made sure to keep an eye on Suh. Currently, she was talking to Suki. And I noticed her glance out the window.

         "All right ladies, we have one game to play before you all black out and I have to keep you all from puking all over the place. Grab a drink and take a seat." I announced, handing Katara a glass of hard wine. I gave the others a moment to get settled in their seat before explaining what was happening.

         "So, this will be more on the bride-to-be than anyone else." I started. "Basically, I asked Aang a series of questions, but Katara doesn't know what he answered. So I'm going to ask the questions and if she answers the same as he did, you all take a sip from your drinks. But if she doesn't, she has to take a sip."

         "Ha!" Katara laughed confidently. "Aang and I know everything about each other. I don't think this game will get me to drink a lot."

         "We shall see dear sister." I cocked one of my eyebrows and unfolded the paper with the list of questions and Aang's responses. "First up. Who's the better kisser."

         "Easy. Me." Katara gave her self-assured answer.

         I shook my head. "Apparently your fiance believes that he's the better kisser."

         Katara scoffed and shook her head as the girls giggled. "That doesn't sound like Aang. Are you sure that's what he answered?"

         "Positive." I nodded. Katara sighed, but still took a sip from her glass. Her face cringed a bit at the strong alcohol.

         "Looks like you two don't know each other as well as you guys thought." Suki teased.

         "Oh please, it was one question." Katara pointed out, still being confident about how she'd answer. "Next question."

         Holding up the paper again, I looked at the next thing on the list. "Who said "I love you" first?"

         Katara smiled lightly, taking a moment to think back. "He did."

         "Correct-a-mundo." I nodded and turned to the girls. "Ladies take a sip."

         "Katara better get most of these right cause I'm trying to get wasted tonight." Toph commented before grabbing her glass.

         "Me too." Mai, surprisingly agreed. She was usually a light drinker, but I guess this was the one exception.

         I chuckled at them and took a quick look at Suh. Noting that she was hesitant to drink and glanced out the window. Perhaps Zuko and I were right. Maybe she was anxious because she was supposed to be meeting the others tonight, but was here instead.

         The night proceeded. I made sure to keep Suh in my line of sight. She avoided me for the entire night, which I was glad about. Instead she was speaking with Ty Lee, who was just a bit more chipper than usual with the alcohol in her system.

         Suki and Toph were both talking with Katara. The bride-to-be was the most out of it compared to everyone else, followed by Suki and Ty Lee. Toph was the furthest from a lightweight, her words slurred a bit but for the most of it, she could hold herself up. Suh had barely drank anything since the end of the drinking game earlier.

         Mai was slouched across the sofa and I sat on the floor beside her. I had to be completely sober to be able to properly manage everything. And Mai, despite being a bit tipsy, could still hold a decent conversation. The alcohol made her more giggly than talkative, which I admit was a bit weird.

         "Ama, are you even listening to me?" She frowned with a whine.

         My head snapped to look up at her. She held her head up with her hand and looked at me with confusion. "I'm sorry, what?"

         "I was talking about how Kei Lo's mom absolutely hates me." She stated and glanced over to where I was just looking. "You've been looking over at Suh a lot tonight. You really are jealous."

         "Am not." I rolled my eyes. Here we go again.

         Mai repositioned herself to lay on her stomach and rest her chin on her hands. "Ama literally one week ago, you and Zuko were cuddling up on the couch. No one asked what happened that night, but-"

         "We told you all, we were reading and just fell asleep." I interrupted to remind her.

         "Okay." She huffed an unbelieving laugh. "You're just lucky Suh wasn't the one who found you guys like that. I don't think I'd be able to handle another one of her screeching rants." Mai rolled her eyes and sipped her wine. "I really don't want to deal with her. As a Zuko’s advisor I’m bound to run into her at least once a week."

         I wanted to tell her that she wouldn't have to worry about that because Suh was a fake. But then again, while Zuko and I were almost positive of it, it was just a conspiracy. "Good luck." I told her instead, getting her to chuckle.

         Loud shrieks caught our attention. I was almost ready to get into a fighting position, but it was just Suki and Katara. Their arms were wrapped over each other's shoulders and their glasses were held high up in the air as they sang loudly.

         "Horror, let's talk about the horror!" They sang incredible out of tune. Toph sat beside them with her hands covering her ears. "I'm the melancholy one! I live my life as if I'm yearning!"

         Mai and I laughed loudly at them. Katara and Suki couldn't even finish the song because their giggling kept getting in the way. Katara set her glass of wine down and doubled over in laughter. Lucking they were sitting on the floor.

         I shook my head at her and grabbed my glass of water to have a sip. Until a large crash interrupted everyone's good spirits. The large living room window was crashed into by two large men completely dressed in black and ski-masks covered their face and hair.

         I jumped up immediately, so did Toph and Mai, ready to fight. Suh scurried away, pulling the drunk Ty Lee with her. Toph stood in front of Suki and Katara protectively. The two girls were trying to get off the ground, but they had way too much wine and their stances were off. I found it ironic that the two girls who made it the most clear that they wanted to be drunk were the two most sober to fight off the intruders.

         The men rolled on the floor and stood up. They used earthbending to pull up chunks of the stone floor up and throwing them at us. Toph, protected herself and the two girls behind her by creating a wall out of the stone floor. Mai and I dodged the chunk thrown at us. Each of us in different directions.

         Mai being the prepared person she was, had her knives with. So while dodging the chunk of stone, she threw the knives at our attacker. It barely grazed his arm, cutting through the black fabric.

         I was jumping in the direction of Katara and Suki. "Get behind the couch!" I ordered them.

         "No, we can help." Katara claimed. But based on her slurred words and her weak waterbending beside her, I knew she was way too intoxicated.

         "Get behind the couch!" I repeated, more violently and authoritatively. I'd be damned if I allowed her to fight in the state she was in. She could barely stand correctly and she wanted to fight?! She'd get hurt.

         With a frown, Katara and Suki scurried behind the couch. I bent the water that Katara just had and held it by my side. I scanned the room for Ty Lee and Suh. But they were nowhere to be seen. They must have already hid somewhere.

         Bending the water, I used it to create a chunk of ice and threw them at Mai's opponent. He had his attention on Mai, throwing stone after stone at her while she gracefully dodged each of them. He didn't see the large ball of ice and it crashed into his side and threw him on the ground.

         Toph slammed her foot into the ground and the stone floor shot up, engulfing her attacker. He was unable to move, thus unable to bend. I took her example and bent my water to engulf Mai and I's attacker completely in ice.

         "Too easy." Toph said cockily.

         "It was way too easy." I grumbled skeptically as I walked to one of the glaring men.

         Toph went over to the other with her arms crossed. "They over estimated themselves, obviously. A bunch of intoxicated girls in one place alone." Her hands rested on her knees while she bent down to one of them. "We just need to know why they did it."

         I sighed, but supposed she was right. At the same time, Toph and I removed their face covering. My breath hitched when I pulled the mask off. I knew this man. He had light brown hair, a wrinkled forehead, despite not being middle aged yet, brown eyes and an unmistakable deep scar that ran across his face.

         I felt like I couldn't move. He just looked up at me with a knowing smirk. He recognised me. He was getting joy from seeing me after he hurt me in the most painful way possible.

         "Ama!" Katara's voice shouted fearfully. My head snapped around. My eyes widened even more when seeing Katara being held by none other than Azula. She stood behind my sister with one arm around her neck and blue fire in her other hand.

         "You know, you should really invest in some better guards." Her venomous voice said while Katara desperately tried to remove Azula's arm. But the firebender only tightened her arm, choking my sister lightly.

         "Let her go, Azula." I demanded with a glare. I wasn't completely sure what the connection was between Azula and the earthbenders that just attacked. I just knew that Azula had my sister in a vulnerable state.

         The woman snickered at me. "You saying that has no effect on what I choose to do."

         "And what if I caved your face in with a boulder." Toph growled, bending a large piece of stone beside her.

         "But you won't." Azula confidently smirked. "Cause I have the Avatar's finance in one hand, and a fire in the other. And it's getting dangerously close to her face." The fire only got closer to Katara's cheek. "What do you say? Should I give her and Zuzu a matching scar?"

         "Stop!" I ordered, but it came out more like a beg.

         Azula looked at me with the most menacing smirk on her red painted lips. "Drop your weapons and stop your bending. And free my friends." She told us. Mai, Toph and I all shared the same questioning look, before dropping our knives, water and stone as well as freeing the two demons. "Thank you. I'm just here to talk." Azula said, moving the fire away from Katara's face, but keeping it ablaze.

         "Is that why you sent two guys to attack us and now have my sister?" I snarled the question.

         "When was I ever one for a less than dramatic entrance?" She pointed out arrogantly. "I'm just a little offended that I wasn't invited to the wedding. After all, if it weren't for my threatening to capture you all, who knows if the bride and groom would even be in love today."

         "Get on with it, Azula." Mai grumbled at her ex-bestfriend.

         Azula sighed and shook her head. "Mai. So impatient. I'm just here to leave a warning. To Ama" I narrowed my eyes and tilted my head. "You remember when you chained me up all those years ago. You interrupted the Agni Kai between Zuko and I. That was cheating."

         "You lost that Agni Kai when you aimed for me. And I couldn't just let you hurt Zuko more than you already did." I clenched my jaw, wondering where she was going with this?

         "This isn't about him. This is about you." She scoffed. "You beat me. Hurt my pride a bit, I'll admit. But no worries, cause I'm here to take it back."

         "You're doing all this cause you got your feelings hurt?!" Toph shouted.

         "Well it's not like I have anything better to do." She laughed. This absolute sociopath. "Look, this doesn't end here. I just need to give Ama a bit of insight about what I'm capable with. Remind her about what she still has to lose." Azula started to move around the couch and moved towards the broken window, dragging Katara with her. The two men also walked closer to the window. "Your little girlfriend was just the beginning."

         Once that was said, Azula threw Katara on the ground and the three of them jumped out the window to escape. I skid over to my sister, holding her in my arms as she wept out of fear. Mai and Top ran to the window. Hoping to maybe take them on now that Katara was safe.

         "They're gone." Toph announced with confusion.

         "They're gone?" Suh's voice came in, peeking her head into the living room from the hallway. "Spirits, that was terrifying."

         I was too concerned with Katara than to stress over Suh. Even though the annoying woman wasn't involved in this little fight, I was somehow even more convinced that she was involved with Azula.

         "I'm going to kill her." I grumbled with my jaw clenched and my arms holding Katara tightly.

.☽☼☾.

         The boys finally got back sometime during the afternoon the next day. After Azula left, the bachelorette party was essentially over. No way was anyone able to get back to that festive and joyous feeling.

         Appa landed in the courtyard and Sokka jumped out first. "Suki, I wrote you a song!" He announced with a grin. But the atmosphere was gloomy and no one smiled with him.

         Katara ran to Aang, engulfing him in a tight hug. "Sweetie, what happened?" He asked her with so much concern.

         "Zu-bear!" Suh ran to Zuko and jumped on him for a hug. "It was so bad. Azula came in and..." She explained everything so rapidly.

         Zuko looked over at me, but I was looking somewhere else completely. My jaw was clenched and I fiddled with my nails. My anger or nerves haven't calmed down at all since last night. I barely got sleep. And I still didn't completely understand what was happening.

         I knew that Azula threatened my sister and basically just told me that she was behind Mulan's death. But also. I looked at the face of Mulan's killer. The man who took her from me. It was all too much too fast. I felt hurt and sad and angry and a thousand other emotions at once.

         I refused to look at anyone and just headed back inside the palace. Tears threatening to spill from my eyes.

.☽☼☾.

         The night sky was filled with bright stars. Being a waterbender, I've always been drawn to the nighttime more than the day. And since a child, I'd stare up at the night sky, keeping an eye out for constellations and finding patterns.

         Mulan and I layed in a clearing together, our shoulders touching as we looked up. Her rough hand was intertwined with mine while my right hand was pointing up, showing her the constellations. "...and if you look there, you can see the twin badgermoles." My hand outlined the stars.

         Mulan didn't say anything for a moment as she tried to find where I was pointing. "I don't see them." She shook her head and her eyes shined in bewilderment.

         "Here." I said, I took my hand that was intertwined with hers and pointed up again. "It takes a moment, but focus more on the brighter stars."

         "I think I see it." Her tone was unsure. I couldn't see her, but I was positive that she had one of her eyebrows cocked upwards and a lopsided grin on her face.

         "You think or you know?" I giggled, letting our arms fall back beside us.

         She giggled along with me and brought her hand up to her face. "I don't know. I think I see it but I also might be psyching myself out." I shook my head and moved to my side to wrap an arm around her waist, keeping my eyes up at the sky.

         "Hey, Ama?" She started with a questioning tone. I hummed a 'what', allowing for her to ask her question. "What do you think about settling down soon?"

         I moved off of her and rested my head in the palm of my hand. "What do you mean?" I wondered. I mean, I was sure she meant what I was thinking, which was stopping from fighting bandits all the time. But I didn't want to just assume.

         Mulan moved into a more seated position to lean on her elbows and look at me. "Well not now, but maybe like next year or something. What if we moved on from this chapter of our lives. We could buy a house. I've always wanted a big one. Somewhere to house all the kids who've been kicked out by their parents."

         I grinned widely at her. She was so pure I loved it. Despite wielding a blade and having a fighting personality, Mulan never killed. She always had hope for people and always looking out for the underdog. Specifically children. I wasn't surprised at her idea to house rejected kids. After all, at 13 her own parents kicked her out for her sexuality.

         She looked down at me, seeing my loving gaze. Her cheeks flushed red and a nervous laugh escaped her lips. "What?" I shrugged, moving to sit next to her. "I think that's a great idea." I told her, looking into her green eyes. "Someplace by a lake or ocean, preferably."

         "And fertile soil." She added, biting her bottom lip in a happy manner. "I want a garden. Or two. One for vegetables and one for flowers." If there was one trait she took from her hateful parents, it was her love for nature and plants. She knew more about them than anyone I'd ever met. Other than Ursa, that is.

         "We can sell our harests for money." I added, already planning a way to earn money.

         "Su Ga Village." She grinned. "It's out west, the beaches are so clear and blue, you'll love it."

         "Sounds like a plan." I laughed excitedly.

         "Really?" A soft exhale left her grinning lips.

         I moved to sit on my knees and got closer to her. My hands cupped her cheeks and smiled contently. "Really." I finalized and leaned down, pressing a chaste and loving kiss on her lips. Mulan's hands cupped my cheeks as well, deepening the kiss.

         She pulled away first, with the happiest smile. "So it's settled. One year from now, we're going to get the house."

         "And we're settling down." I finished. Or so I thought.

         "And I'll finally meeting your friends and family?" She gave me a hopeful shrug and pressed her lips into a thin line.

         I took a moment to think. I loved Mulan so, so much. It was time I got over this fear of not being accepted, and introduced her to the other people that I loved. "Yeah." I nodded. "It's about time they knew about you."

         She squealed excitedly, peppering kisses all over my face as I laughed. "We'll invite them to some sort of housewarming party! You can make your cookies and I'll do the lemonade! Oh, I hope they like me."

         I chuckled at my girlfriend, pulling her face closer to me. "They're going to love you. You know how I know?"

         "How?" She intertwined our hands together, leaning even more until our noses touched.

         "Because I love you." I told her. "And if they don't I'm just going to have to freeze their bodies until they do."

         She shook her head at me. Lightly pushing me back until my back was on the grass floor and she was on top. Our hands were still intertwined. "I love you." She said softly, kissing me passionately. I responded blissfully. Slowly, her lips started to go down my neck and I moved my head back to give her more access.

         But a loud crash interrupted our moment. Mulan jumped off me and I sat up. We exchanged the same concerned look. It sounded like a small scale rock avalanche, which was already concerning as is because we were at a mountain side. But what made it even more terrifying was that it came from the campsite. Where everyone else was.

         The two of us jumped up and sprinted to the campsite. We were both incredibly shocked to find the scene. We were idiots to pick a place by a cliff. The entire side of it had collapsed, burying out entire site in it's gray rock and yellow-brown dirt.

         I sucked in a sharp breath and started to look around for any sign of the rest of the Miraculous Bastards. "Masha!?" Mulan shouted. Getting no response. "Bono!? Taon!?" I ran to the rubble, digging though the rock and dirt.

         They can't be gone. They can't. I'd never have another taste of Masha's meals. Bono would never share his poetry with me. Taon and I wouldn't  go on another adventure. They still had lives to live. Masha and Taon were going to get married!

         I breathed heavily, ignoring the light jabs from the small rocks. Mulan skidded next to me, digging through the rock and dirt with me. She already had tears streaming down her face. They were her family. She knew them since her teen years. They were outcasts together.

         Neither of us saw it coming. A rock about the size of my head was hurdled at us. Luckily, it didn't hit either of us. We jolted our heads up, seeing two men standing at the top of the fallen rock. Both were quite buff. One had light brown hair while the other pitch black hair.

         They had disgusting grimances on their faces while they bent more chunks of earth by their side, throwing them towards us. Mulan and I had to jump away from the rubble to avoid the rock.

         The men jumped down towards us, each landed a few feat away from us. I opened my waterskin, bending the water out and created ice bullets from it. One by one, I shot them at one of the men while Mulan had her katanas out and fought the one with light hair.

         The man I fought with shot columns of earth out at me, but I dodged each of them. My feet stepped lightly from one place to another in a spinning motion as I maneuvered through the moving rock and towards the attacker. Once I got close enough, I created ice claws around my fingers and threw them at the man. They stuck into his bicep and he cried out in pain.

         I sprinted even faster. The man used his good arm to create a wall of earth between us. I almost crashed into it, but stopped just inches away. I grumbled in anger and used a jet of water to push myself off the ground and over the wall. Jumping down the wall, I used the jet of water and forced it onto the man.

         He didn't see it coming and it pushed him back. He fell on the ground and I created an ice sword, pointed it over him. "Where are my friends?!" I demanded to know, refusing to believe that they were dead. The man clenched his jaw, looking at me at me like I already knew.

         A screech caught my attention. Mulan. She was in trouble. I immediately abandoned the man there and ran in the direction of the cry. Using a water jet to push myself over the wall I ran to the scene.

         Mulan was stuck in between the ground and a boulder pressing on her. The earthbender had a satisfied smirk on his face as he saw her struggling against the rock. He saw me running over and in the last moment before I could waterbend at him, he raised the rock a few feet above the air and then let it fall.

         It seemed to be in slow motion. Mulan let out a blood curdling cry while the boulder fell through the air. I made an attempt to save her, sending a forceful push of water, turning into ice at the ends to push the rock away. But it was too late. It crushed her, hitting her chest and gut more than anything else.

         I let out a horrifying shout at the impact while Mulan's voice stopped. In anger, I turned to the man who just crushed her. Light beads of sweat dripped down his face and a pleasurable smile was on his face. I used up all of the water from my waterskin, but there were still the trees.

         I focused on bending the water out of the trees, and the bark and wood broke off, killing the piece of life. I sent ice spears at the man. His smile went away real quick and he jumped back. And I sent more spears while he jumped back more and more until he tripped over a tree root and fell.

         "A-ama..." A weak voice called for me. I immediately stopped my bending, but kept my arms out. This was my chance to get back at him. Bu Mulan needed me more.

         I glanced at the man. "Run." I growled at him. And he did. He scurried up from the floor and ran away.

         I sprinted over the Mulan.The boulder still pressed on her. I bent the water from the ice spears towards me and turned them back into ice under the boulder. I created it like a ramp and the giant rock rolled off of her. I immediately turned the ice back into water and let it float beside me.

         I knelt down to my girlfriend and pulled her weak body onto my lap. "Hold on, okay." I held the tears in. I bent my water over her chest and it glowed over her while I tried to heal her. But even I, a moderate healer, could feel that there was so much damage in her chest. "Hold on."

         "Ama." Her voice was raspy and choked up. I looked from her chest to her face. There were cuts and bruises on her once rosy cheeks. Scarlett blood dripped slowly out of her mouth. Her rough, bloody hand reached for my wrist, removing it from her chest and pulling it instead to her cheek. "It's okay." She assured me with a weak smile.

         "No. No." I shook my head and tears already spilled from my eyes. My thumb lightly wiped across her cheek to make her feel safe with my touch. "We have a plan. We need to get that house. The kids, they need us. And your garden."

         She gave me a tiny smile, her green eyes looked at each of my features as she took me in one last time. "Maybe in my next life." She told me. Her hand that held mine on her cheek got noticeably weaker.  "Ama, I love you."

         I tried to speak. I tried to tell her that I loved her too. But instead I was choked up and a sob escaped my lips instead. Mulan dragged my hand to her lips and placed a soft kiss on my palm. I shook my head. I couldn't let her leave me. We just planned our future. "I love you, too." I finally choked out.

         The redhead smiled that lovely smile, her teeth shining and everything. And then her hand spilled off of mine and her body went limp. I held her in my arms as her soul left her body. "No!" I sobbed. My heart broke right then and there. I hunched over and cradled her into me.

         I shook my head. My tears were making my hair stick to my cheeks. All I could think was that this couldn't be real. The woman I loved couldn't have just died in my arms. But she did.

         I wept for what felt like hours. Finally, I set her body down on the ground. Her eyes were still open. The once bright green eyes were now dull and painful to look at. Another sob forced its way out. My hand covered my mouth as I reached over, closing her eyes.

         This was all his fault. He killed her. Murdered her and then I had to watch the life leave her body. This wasn't fair. Everyone was gone. I was alone. But all I saw was red.

.☽☼☾.

         It was only nights later. I spent my days tracking them. The two men responsible for my pain. My heart was broken and they were about to feel my pain in a different way.

         They were sitting by a fire. Having casual conversation and drinking beer like they hadn't just murdered four people nights before. They were truly monsters. I clenched my jaw and my blood boiled at the sight.

         I jumped out from behind the tree, a curved ice swords in my right hand. They both jumped up at my surprise attack, I kicked the dark haired man back. And my sword swung to the light haired man. I didn't realize how close I was to him, because my sword cut his face. It went from his forehead down to his opposite cheek, being deeper at the cheek. Really, it worked in my favor.

         I breathed heavily in anger. The man touched his cheek, and looked at the blood on his fingers. "You bitch!" He growled and looked at me. His brown eyes glared at me, and I glared back.

         "I'd rather be a bitch than a monster like you." I snarled. He and his friend both levitated chunks of rock to hurdle at me. I frowned and took in deep breaths, knowing that I had the upper hand.

         Not only was it the middle of the night. But it was also a full moon.

         I created two large walls into a triangular shape in front of me to shield me from the rock they threw at me. While being temporarily protected I got into my stance. And when I was ready, feeling the energy of the moon, I let go of the shield and they splashed into the ground.

         I focused on the water into the men's blood. My eyes were closed, hands were out in front of my and my fingers straight. The grunts of pain from the men confirmed that I was indeed bloodbending. I opened my eyes, seeing them hovering over the ground with stiff bodies.

         "You will pay." I said through gritted teeth. My left foot moved to step in front of my right and my hands went down, my fingers curling slightly to suffocate them lightly at first. I could only admit this to myself, but I enjoyed seeing them like this. Terrified expressions and slightly trembling. Completely at my mercy.

         "Please." The dark haired one pleaded. "We can explain."

         I shook my head. "I don't need an explanation. I need revenge." Venom spilled from my lips. They killed Bono. They took away the lives of Masha and Taon. They murdered Mulan.

         I was about to do it. I was about to crush their disgusting bodies and rid the world of these horrid excuses for men. But I couldn't. I thought back to what I said just moments before. That I'd rather be a bitch than a monster. Would I be a monster if I killed them?

         This technique itself was invented by a woman so unethical, that it's now illegal. But even Hama never killed anyone. Just imprisoned the citizens of the FIre Nation. Now I was planning to take someone's life with it.

         They deserve it. My own voice told me. And they probably did. But Mulan wouldn't want me to.

         I didn't realize that I was hyperventilating until I let go of the bloodbending. The stress on their bodies for so long made the men pass out the moment they hit the floor. I fell to my knees, more tears of grief and terror escaping my eyes.

.☽☼☾.

I hope there was enough angst. I haven’t written fanfic for like a year because of school, so I think I’m starting to get the hang of it again, but even before my writing was trash.

Hang loose, amigos 🤙🏼

[athenril-of-kirkwall]

HEY YOU DIDN'T TELL ME YOU WERE ACTUALLY WRITING BLACKWALL/CASSANDRA! YOU DARK HORSE! XD Well now I definitely need me some "Grace, Dark, Holding" for Baewall and Cass! xoxo

Hoho! Got you by surprise there, didn’t I? Figured since nobody else was writing them, I’d step up to the plate :D

Blackwall/Cassandra, “Dancing in the Dark” (AO3)

The Winter Palace.

“Ugh,” Cassandra groaned as she stepped out onto the balcony.

“What’s the matter?”, Blackwall asked, looking out into the night sky.

“As though we have not had enough maudlin drama this evening already, I had the misfortune of walking in on our beloved Inquisitor and Solas being sickeningly sentimental,” she said as she joined him on leaning on the parapet.

“Why, Lady Seeker,” he said, “you sound envious.”

Groaning again, she turned to him, unamused. “Ever with the clever comments, Blackwall. When we first met, I thought you a completely different individual.”

“Oh?”

She explained, “The perfect picture of the stolid, honour- and duty-bound Grey Warden, with perhaps the rare ironic statement. Now, as it turns out…”

“Yes?”

“…you really are no better than the comedians the Inquisition seems to attract. I shudder to think what terrible foolishness Sera would have unleashed upon the collective Orlesian nobility, for example.”

“Here I thought you would have approved,” Blackwall said. “You’ve never had a kind thing to say about all this poncery and artifice, have you?”

“I suppose not. But at the expense of the Inquisition’s reputation…”

“One could argue that it would simply playing the Game with different rules, such as the former Grand Duke’s affectations of gruff rejection of the whole thing.”

Rolling her eyes, Cassandra retorted, “Or one could reject that for the sophistry that it is, given that I see very little diplomatic or political point to shoving an open jar of bees down a marquis’ breeches. Oh, stop smirking. As though you’ve never considered it, either.”

“You see, Lady Seeker,” Blackwall said mirthfully, “you can keep up with the best of us.”

“Maker help us all if I ever did. Someone like Sera, who cannot even explain one of her demented plans without breaking into laughter over her own cleverness, anyone could see a mile coming, Blackwall. Who in this age would ever expect me to come up behind someone and pull their trousers to their ankles?”

Blinking, he said, “Maker’s balls, you’re right. Perhaps you should corner the market on the grim and stolid types.”

“But seriously, Blackwall,” Cassandra asked, “How do you manage it?”

“Manage what, milady?”

She shifted on her foot, choosing her words carefully. “Manage to…switch between modes. Many whom I know have said that there is no difference between my public and private personas. That I present such a stark image of myself in both spheres that it is impossible to imagine any other side to my character. And yet…”

“And yet?”

Staring down at the gardens, she said, “And yet, you at first were not so different, but in your time here you have seen fit to reveal your…well, shall we say, more spontaneous side to us, your companions.”

Turning himself around so that they were now both leaning away from the Winter Palace, Blackwall faced Cassandra, asking, “So, the Lady Seeker’s one weakness, the one flaw in her shield, is that she lacks spontaneity?”

She stared him coldly in the eyes. “Warden Blackwall, I assure you that if I wished to seek out mockery, I would gladly subject myself to the mercies of whatever Varric has planned for me back in Skyhold.”

“No mockery, none at all,” he said gently. “Unsurprising at it may be to you, it certainly numbers low amongst many people’s evaluations of your…imposing stature.”

“Yes,” she muttered, “quite so. I know I can confess this to you given that you have proven the height of discretion, if not necessarily sombreness.”

“A secret between two, milady, is a secret broken. Shall we put your spontaneity to the test, Lady Seeker?” Blackwall asked, stepping away from the parapet.

“Should I be concerned?” she retorted, suspiciously.

“Not at all.” Clearing his breath, Blackwall performed a perfect Orlesian bow, asking her, “I believe the band is playing on into the night. Lady Cassandra, may I have this dance?”

Looking hurt, she said, “So you are mocking me.”

“I am not, and I apologise if I sound as though I have. I suspect that despite your total rejection of the ways of the court that you had to have learned the Cumberland Two-Step at the very least. Besides, everyone in there is so drunk that we could perform a duet of Shepherd’s Shuffles and they would declare it the new style of the Age.”

Unable – despite her best – to suppress a chortle at the image alone, Cassandra regained her composure, saying, “You may well be right. But why should we dance?”

Leaning in perhaps a touch closer than strict professionalism permitted, Blackwall pressed on, saying, “Imagine it, Milady, the ball winding down to its close, its torches burning down to their embers, most of the guests retired to their quarters, just the dashing hero and his companion, or well, the spirited heroine and her partner, dancing to the gentle beat of the last song of the night right in the middle of the Winter Palace…is that not spontaneous?”

Exhaling sharply, she said, “You read far too many novels.”

“As, I suspect, you do too,” he replied.

Cassandra’s eyes narrowed. “Now who have you been talking to?”

“Oh, that’s not important,” Blackwall said, waving carelessly. “I doubt there is much, if any, shame, in your past, but I can well suspect that might be cause for embarrassment. Confronting that surely is a key step in developing your spontaneity?”

“Sophistry and more sophistry,” Cassandra said, stepping away from the parapet. “I shall be seeking out the author of Swords and Shields with extreme prejudice when we return to Skyhold. But…you may well have a point. It is not as though there are any functionaries of importance left save our advisors in the ballroom, and I trust Rivka and Solas can keep this to themselves at any rate, assuming they can bear to pry themselves away from each other.” She extended her hand towards Blackwall, saying, “However, right that you are, it has been…a while. How well can you lead?”

Smiling, he stepped towards her, grasping her hand with his, and gently taking her by the waist. “I confess to being…a little rusty myself. Maker, this was a better idea when I was a little less sober.”

As they stepped experimentally on the balcony, slowly remembering where to place their feet around each other, Cassandra let out a little laugh, saying to Blackwall, “You lead well. Tell me, Blackwall, was this part of your training in the Orlesian Army?”

They were close enough for her to not only see, but feel, the hot flush on his neck. “Ah, well, In a sense.”

“In a sense?” she asked, raising an eyebrow inquisitively.

“You see, even the lowest of chevaliers in the imperial orders is expected to participate in the Game, what with the hiring of bards and throwing of balls and dances, so – mind the back-step there, Milady – Ser Lanval, freshly accoladed and promoted to command my cohort, needed to learn all of the necessary waltzes and courantes.”

“I don’t understand.”

“He…ah, paid a very fine bard to teach him all of these things, but he didn’t have enough coin to keep her around all the time. Among all his captains, I had his total confidence, so…”

Her eyes widening, Cassandra released him and took a step back, unable to keep amusement from creeping into her voice. “Are you saying the great Warden Blackwall has a history of tutoring chevaliers in the courante?”

“Let us just say that he needed a partner to recall all the steps involved in both leading up to his cotillion ball and never bring this up again,” he huffed.

“My, Blackwall,” she said, “that does not seem spontaneous.”

“And so the tables are turned,” he replied. “What will you do with your newfound power over me, Lady Seeker?”

“Why,” Cassandra said, smiling, “I think I shall request another dance. A waltz, if you will. That at least is more personal than the ridiculous skipping and hopping of a courante.”

“So you do know the steps,” he said, taking her by the hand and waist again.

“Yes. Maker knows what forces you have unleashed this night, Blackwall. Dancing with you here, now, in the dark hallways of the Winter Palace, may well start me on a path to degeneracy on your level.”

“The world will tremble,” he said.

“Come,” Cassandra said, gently breaking away from him, softly leading him by the fingertips on their gloves. “Not here. I still hear the music playing in the ballroom. Shall we prove how spontaneous the two of us can be?”

Slowly following her by her hand, never breaking their brief, slight, contact, Blackwall paced into the corridors leading to the ballroom which had been the site of so much drama this evening. Maker help him, he was falling in love with this woman.

@dadrunkwriting

[fenharel-babe]

Comfort From a Lover

Solas x Lavellan fic

I got back into Bloom from DAI and I got the Lavellan clan mission and apparently...all of them were killed. Bloom's entire clan was killed (if I remember the report correctly) and I had this idea.

Context so you can understand why she's so upset: Bloom left her clan when she was young because of distrust and personal feelings. She lived the rest of her life until present in a circle with her friends. She's romanced Solas and this is taking place before they broke up. Just to make things kinda better and sweet in some way :). Hope you enjoy and feel my sadness with me!

And hehe knowing about Joseph (her brother) is very confusing and will be explained whenever I get to writing her whole background out-

.

.

Bloom was on one knee as she helped plant a batch of elfroot in an area of the garden. She finally got the time and resources to upgrade the Skyhold garden, so she took some time to take care of it. She didn't want to leave all of the work to the workers. However, she wasn't just doing this for them, she was doing this for herself. She needed a distraction and doing anything with plants was a welcomed distraction.

Her work as inquisitor took so much effort and energy, and she wanted a way to enjoy her time. Thankfully, gardening was more fun than she thought it would be.

She wiped her hands together as she finished the batch and reached for other seeds to plant some regular flowers. However, she was interrupted when she felt a tap on her back. She stood up quickly and turned around to see one agent that helped Josephine.

"Oh, hello. Is there something the matter?" She gave a kind smile and hid her own issues. An important message was being given, so she put her own feelings on the back burner.

The agent looked at her with sadness and cleared his throat. "Lady Montiyet needs to see you as soon as possible. Her news is...quite urgent."

Bloom tilted her head with confusion but nodded and dismissed the agent. She grabbed a hand towel from her pocket and wiped the dirt off her hands as she walked to Josephine's 'office'. She opened the door and her heart dropped at the worry on her face.

She quickly rushed over to her. "What's the matter? Did someone try to hurt you again?" She remembered how someone tried to kill Josephine and how she was saved by Leliana's agent. She dealt with the issue of her family, but something could've still happened.

Josephine shook her head and reached into a drawer from her desk and pulled out a scroll. It had an inquisition seal on it, so it was news from a recent order that Bloom called.

"I got news about the Dalish situation, and I thought you should see this right away. And see it privately." She rarely felt afraid to show any information to Bloom or the advisors and rarely felt such clear sadness. Bloom noticed and got nervous as well.

She grabbed the scroll and bowed her head at Josephine. "Thank you for letting me know right away."

"No problem, Inquisitor."

Bloom walked away and headed for her quarters. She closed the door and let out a deep sigh. "Oh boy, this is going to bad."

"It most likely will be. I'm not excited either," Joseph said. His voice echoed in her head and made her anxiety worse.

She pushed herself off the door and walked up the stairs to her desk. Joseph pushed the chair away from the desk, trying to help her. She pulled it back and sat down. She held the stamp that held the scroll together and hesitated.

"What do you think happened to our clan? No one seemed happy."

"Well, doesn't that say everything?" His voice was soft and weak. He had a feeling that he knew what happened.

"Maybe it's not as bad as we think it is?"

She took in a breath and opened the scroll. It addressed Josephine and she felt her heart drop as she read the rest. The forces made it there, but many of the elves were killed, and all of the Dalish were killed. She gasped when she read that and her whole world broke apart. When she was a kid, the clan practically loved her until Joseph died. After that, she had problems within the clan, but she never hated them. Then she eventually left, but no hate sprouted in her heart. She cared for them and wished them no harm. When she first got the call for help from them, she responded immediately and prayed to the Maker that they would be safe.

"They're all dead," Joseph whispered. He echoed Bloom's thoughts and only made it worse.

She read it over and over again, trying to take in every detail. Part of her wanted to believe it wasn't real, that it was just a wrong report, but why would they lie? It had to have been real, but still...a part of her denied it.

"It's real, sister. We can't deny it," he reminded her.

She shook her head and felt tears slide down her face. "No, it can't be. They were strong, nothing could hurt them." More tears fell down her face and she couldn't stop them. She let them fall and soft sobs filled the rooms silence. Memories of her clan filled her mind and it only made the sudden hole in her heart worse.

.

When she finally couldn't take the silence and loneliness, she walked out of her room and let her feet lead her somewhere, anywhere. Before she knew it, she opened a door to a familiar room.

She found herself in the Rotunda. A place she loved so much, and it was all because of one elf. The Rotunda was Solas's room. She remembered walking in one day to find him painting. He looked surprised and a little embarrassed. She always made sure to compliment him on each one, and she smiled each time she remembered his shyness.

She walked to the desk in the center of the room and saw some books left open. She grabbed one of them and could tell it was about the fade. She was interested in the fade, but she couldn't focus. Her thoughts kept coming back to how her clan was gone. She put the book down and looked up to see Solas's paintings. She walked to one and took it in. She never had time to really look at them, so seeing them brought her some type of peace.

"They really are beautiful, aren't they?" She moved closer and laid a hand on the wall. It was cool and she could tell he put hard work into it. He always put hard work into everything. "I wonder if you'll make a painting for me," she whispered.

She gasped softly as arms slowly wrapped around her waist and a soft voice spoke to her.

"I would be glad to make a painting for you," Solas whispered. He placed a kiss against the back of her neck.

"Solas, you scared me." She giggled softly and leaned back into him. His presence was comforting and she was glad he found her.

"But first may I ask what you're doing here? Usually you'd be asleep by now." He twirled her around to face him and gave her a worried look.

She placed her hands on his chest and his eyes went down to the scroll she had. She sighed. "I got a report from Josephine earlier today. It...it's not good, Solas." Her voice cracked at the end. She didn't want him to see her like this, but she couldn't hide it anymore. Her grief was spilling out of her, and she needed him. "I have to ask you for a weird favor."

He placed a hand on her cheek. "I'll do whatever you ask of me, Vhenan." He had a look of love and it made Bloom smile in return.

However, her smile disappeared as she backed up and handed him the scroll. "Please, read it to me. I...I need to make sure that what I read was real."

His heart dropped at that. If she didn't trust herself, then this was serious. She rarely talked about her duties with him since she only wanted to relax with him. However, now she was asking him to read an important report to her. He could see the sadness and anxiety on her face, so there was no way he would deny her. Even if he knew it would cause pain.

He unrolled the scroll and read it aloud. He read each word and had to see her face cycle through emotions. There was anger, sadness and despair. It all went through her and she couldn't take it. She fell to her knees, not even caring to catch herself. Her knees ached at the fall, but she didn't care. She curled in on herself and held her face in her hands. She began to sob again because now there was no denying it. They really were dead and gone. The only ones alive were her parents that stayed at the Inquisition. Her past friends, her keeper, and innocent people were now dead.

As she sobbed, she heard other noises follow her. She heard the scroll drop to the ground as Solas knelt next to her. He wrapped his arms around her small form and pulled her against his chest. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in the crook of his neck.

"They're gone, Solas! They're gone," she whispered. Her voice shook as she spoke and she felt like she would die in that moment.

He ran a hand over her hair. "I'm so sorry, Vhenan." He did his best to reassure her, but he didn't know how. She lost an important part of her life, people she cared deeply about, so how could he ease that pain?

Instead of using words, he began to slowly rock with her. She never liked to sit still for too long, so he did his best in this painful moment.

.

After some amount of time, her sobs stopped and her grip on him went limp. "They're all gone, Solas. Only my parents are left."

"I'm sorry, Vhenan. You did all you could," he repeated.

She pulled back and looked at him. "Did I really? I should've gone myself and protected them. I should've seen them again after all these years and let them know that I can protect them, but I didn't. And now they're dead, Solas. They're gone."

He cupped her cheeks and wiped her tears away. "This isn't your fault. You did everything you could have. And they will live on in your memory. I promise you that they were proud of everything you've done. How could they not have been?"

She placed her hands against his and gave a small squeeze. She felt like she didn't deserve his comfort, even though he was so willing to give it. She opened her eyes and smiled weakly. "Can you stay near me? Please?" She knew he was busy studying and working on the shards she had collected recently, but she needed him. She needed his presence.

He smiled back. "Of course. I don't want to be anywhere else." He helped her stand up. "Now, where do you want to go?"

"Can we please go to my room?"

He nodded and they began to walk. They didn't get far, however, before he realized she'd been slightly limping. He remembered that she fell on her knees and that she'd probably worked herself to her limit. He stopped and picked her up bridal style.

"Woah!" She was shocked at the sudden change, but she was grateful for it. Her feet and knees instantly felt better and she gave a relieved sigh.

"Are you comfortable this way?"

She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. "Yes, I'm very comfortable." She smiled up at him and laughed at the small blush that appeared on his face.

He carried her all the way up to her quarters, and felt grateful that no one was left in the halls of the castle. Once they reached her bedroom, he gently laid her on the bed.

"Wait, can you help me get changed?" She sat up and scooted to the edge of the bed.

His eyes widened slightly and a darker blush appeared on his face. "I-I mean, are you sure? You don't feel well and I don't think it'd be appropriate to do that to you."

"I love you, Solas, and I trust you. And you're not going to see me completely naked anyways." She giggled at his nerves.

"If you say so." He leaned down and pulled her shirt over her head. He closed his eyes until she poked him gently on the forehead. He opened them and saw that she wore grey fabric covering her chest.

"I told you. You're not going to see me naked."

He nodded and knelt down to help her remove her boots. He then stood back up and helped her lay back down on the bed. He tucked her in before sliding in on the other side. He scooted closer to her and let her cuddle up to him.

She wrapped her arms around his chest and used his chest as her pillow. She could clearly hear his heartbeat and it brought her peace. "Your heartbeat is really nice, you know?."

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. "No, I never knew that."

"Well, it really is. It's steady like you." She yawned and snuggled even closer. "Goodnight, Solas. I love you."

He laid his cheek against her head and smiled. "I love you, too. Goodnight, ma Vhenan."

After a few minutes, her breathing evened out and he felt sleep calling to him, but his thoughts stopped him. He wished he could sleep peacefully like she could next to him, but each time he was next to her, his mind fought with him. He shouldn't be with her, he shouldn't love her like he did, but he couldn't help it. His heart and thoughts always gave in to her, and he couldn't think of a way to stop it.

And deep down, he didn't want to.

He just hugged her closer and followed her into the fade, ready to give in to her again.

.

.

OKAY SOOO!! This wasn't as good as it could've been. My first writing of it was basically the same without as much touching bc I wrote it with the context of them broke up when this takes place. However, I love them together, so I just decided to let them be together even tho when this report comes in, they are most likely broke up by that point so-

BUT YEAH!!! I hope you enjoy this!! I love it and sorry if there is any words spelt wrong or things that look weird. I'm not the best writer even though I have everything in my head :(. But yeah I'm back into Solavellan and thoughts are filling my head.