#the companions are working hard to protect her from getting into trouble just because shes being too nice again

[atelier-melvalda]

Lae'zel flirting with my Tav in front of the WHOLE squad (and Tavs GF aka Shadowheart) caught me very off guard

[flipppyflopp]

“This museum is celebrating its 100th anniversary? Wonder if there will be any pictures of me during its 200th anniversary.” 🎉✨

Happy birthday to my twst oc, Finn Lyder! I wanted to celebrate by doing my own spin on the Platinum Suit cards, so I decided to have Finn carrying a tray of candy apples since none of the other Pomefiore Platinum Suit cards include a snack. Then I let people over on Instagram vote for Finn’s duo partner and they all chose Sebek (which is a perfect pick since they are both in the Equestrian Club), so I included a doodle of what Sebek would give him for his birthday.

Below is a vignette I wrote for Finn and Sebek in the style of the other Platinum Suit cards, so feel free to read it below! Enjoy!

Platinum Suit template by @fumikomiyasaki

Finn’s Platinum Suit Vignette

Finn: This place just keeps going and going. I think there can’t be another floor and then there’s another set of stairs waiting for me. I’m tired of climbing stairs, let’s see what we’ve got on this floor.

Finn: Oh! A picture of the raven that served the Fairest Queen. What a loyal sidekick to have at her beck and call, makes me want one of my own.

???: Who’d want to serve as your sidekick?

Finn: Speaking of sidekicks, looks like I stumbled into one of Malleus’s sidekicks.

Sebek: Excuse you, human! I am not Lord Malleus’s sidekick. I am his loyal knight ready to protect him at a moment’s notice.

Finn: Geez, is there really a difference?

Sebek: What was that!?

Finn: Nothing! Just admiring how this painting captures the likeness of the Fairest Queen’s loyal servant.

Sebek: Really? How so?

Finn: This raven would fly to the Queen’s side no matter where she was or the time of day. He would also bring her ingredients from all over the world for her potions. Talk about total loyalty.

Sebek: How commendable. Going above and beyond should be the goal of any servant if they truly wish to stand proudly at their liege’s side.

Finn: Makes me want my own loyal companion. Imagine all that I could accomplish.

Sebek: What animal companion would you seek to aid you?

Finn: Hmm. I’ve always wanted a trusty steed…but…

Sebek: Ha! That’s a bold comment considering your performance in the Equestrian Club!

Finn: Hey, I do just fine!

Sebek: Your horse, Minimus, hardly listens to your whims. Often he is leading you around and through the courses.

Finn: I think you’re just exaggerating-

Sebek: Just the other day, you tried to lead Minimus through the mud and he kicked you into it. Then you tried to wrestle him into it as well. Riddle was ready to have both of your heads.

Finn: Don’t remind me. I had to clean the whole stables by myself, which took forever.

Sebek: Maybe you’re more cut out to be Minimus’s sidekick.

Finn: What?! Don’t be ridiculous! Me? A sidekick for a horse?

Finn: One day Minimus and I will be the best duo there ever was! Just you watch!

Sebek: Now here’s a painting I recognize. This is the rabbit known for his punctuality according to Deuce’s anecdotes about his hometown.

Finn: Yeah the White Rabbit was always in a rush from place to place. He worked hard to always be on time and do his duty. I don’t know how he did it.

Sebek: Oh, do you have trouble with tardiness, Finn?

Finn: Most days no, but occasionally I do oversleep.

Sebek: How many detentions have you received this year?

Finn: None.

Sebek: None!? That’s not possible if you’ve been late to class!

Finn: Watch the volume! Geez…I have a secret to not getting any detentions or tardies.

Sebek: Really? What is it?

Finn: Parkour.

Sebek: What!? How does that safeguard you from detentions?

Finn: Let’s take last week for example. I overslept because I stayed up to study for a big exam in Alchemy. I’m sure you already know that Crewel is unforgiving of tardiness, so I knew I would receive an automatic fail if I showed up late for oversleeping.

Sebek: He is ruthless when it comes to punctuality.

Finn: So I had to make it to the third floor and I was right in front of the main staircase; however, I encountered an obstacle.

Sebek: Which was?

Finn: Professor Crewel himself.

Sebek: What a grim predicament to be in.

Finn: Exactly. Crewel smirked and began heading up the stairs. Obviously if I wanted to beat him to class I’d have to sprint by him, which would give me a detention and I’d still be late. Instead, I took off into the courtyard. From there I took a running start and swung up onto the nearby archway. I quickly scaled the siding and used a column on the side of the school to climb my way up to the third floor. I jumped from window to window until I made my way to where the Alchemy lab would be on the third floor.

Sebek: What physical prowess! But you still haven’t gotten into the lab.

Finn: Well from there it was down to luck because the person sitting in front of the window was none other than Silver. I quickly tapped on the window and luckily, he turned around and let me in. Then I shut the window and slid into my seat just as Crewel walked in. I wish you could have seen the look on his face. He was so mad, but he couldn’t fault me because I was in my seat before he arrived. So that, Sebek, is how parkour has saved me from getting detentions.

Sebek: I can’t say I approve of you besmirching the school grounds, but I can commend your physical capabilities as not everyone is capable of such feats.

Finn: I would besmirch the school grounds again and again if it means I don’t besmirch my attendance record. Vil would never let me live it down if I couldn’t make it to class on time.

Finn: Oh, I recognize this painting. I used to love this story as a kid.

Sebek: Really? I’m not familiar with this piece.

Finn: This shows the demigod at the end of his journey to become a hero. He had been adopted by a loving couple, but he set out to find his real family because he wanted to know where he came from and where he belonged. At the end of his journey he realized that it didn’t matter who his family was because he had found where he belonged, with those who helped him along the way.

Sebek: What a touching tale. Is it a story your parents read to you as a child?

Finn: No, I grew up in an orphanage. I never knew my parents.

Sebek: I apologize for my carelessness! I shouldn’t have asked something so thoughtlessly-

Finn: It’s really fine Sebek, it doesn’t bother me. I don’t really care to know who my parents are or who they were. I’m me and that’s what matters.

Sebek: Really? You have no need to satiate a curiosity to know your past?

Finn: Yep. Besides, if I didn’t grow up in the orphanage, I wouldn’t have met so many interesting people. I always had plenty of kids to play with, not to mention I got to hear all kinds of stories.

Sebek: I suppose you would get to meet people from all over Twisted Wonderland.

Finn: Yeah, there was never a dull moment back at home. If I didn’t grow up there, then I never would’ve known all those kids.

Sebek: Huh, what a positive outlook to have.

Finn: Of course that’s just how I see it. There are different perspectives and of course things weren’t perfect as they were, but I was happy, and that’s what really counts. I had a place where I belonged.

Sebek: A place to belong…

Finn: But I won’t be going back there after I graduate. I probably won’t ever go back.

Sebek: Bwah!? Why not if you think on it so fondly?

Finn: There’s nothing left for me there as most kids come and go very quickly, so the ones I know won’t even be there anymore. Besides, my eyes are on the future now! Twisted Wonderland’s a big place and I’ve got tons I want to see.

Sebek: Really? Where’s one place you’d want to go to?

Finn: How about…Briar Valley? With you serving as my personal tour guide!

Sebek: What!? How dare you boldly assume I’d serve as a guide for you, human!

Finn: Come on, we’re club mates, not to mention I’m your upperclassman.

Sebek: I won’t allow you to persuade me so easily!

Finn: Really? Then I’ll just go ask Silver and he’ll say yes.

Sebek: Huh?

Finn: There’s no way he’d turn me down, he’s such a nice guy. Thanks for hanging out, see you later Sebek!

Sebek: Wait! Don’t think I’ll let this drop so easily, Finn!

[bxtchycaprisun]

obstinate (3) | a. anderson

summary: you’re a new medic in the WLF base. you’re young, hardworking, and the thing that abby anderson hated the most, stubborn.

notes: fem!reader, medic!reader, protective!abby, soldier!abby, angst, i swear they’ll get along eventually, abby’s just digging herself a deeper hole, size kink if you squint, but no smut (yet 🫡)

taglist: @caitlinisfruity @shaemonyou @mattm1964 @vigelvictoria @liabadoobee @shady-lemur (lmk in the comments if you want to be tagged)

an: i’m sorry to keep you guys waiting for so long! writers block hit me hard.

MDNI!!

for the three dreadfully long hours that remained in your shift that night, the only thing that rang in your mind were those words that abby had left you with.

“you’re not going on that fucking patrol.”

what the hell did that even mean? what exactly was she planning on doing to make that happen? you knew that she had already tried to talk to Isaac once, and that didn’t work. was she really desperate enough to try it again?

and why was she so desperate? you had been independent since before you could even spell the word. you weren’t used to people going out of their own way to ensure your safety. and even then, everyone knew the risks of being a part of the WLF. soldiers put their lives on the line out in the field every day. how was it any different when you did it?

you supposed that her dislike for you was just that strong.

but despite all of those questions, and despite all the confusion, the main thing that really drove you crazy was the fact that abby saw you as utterly helpless, when you were anything but.

you tried to swallow down the awful feeling in your throat as you left your shift that night, and as you slept the following day away, nothing happened.

you checked the schedule posted in the cafeteria regularly, you waited anxiously for a knock on your door with bad news, and you every time a supervisor was nearby, you’d brace yourself for some sort of scolding. but nothing ever happened.

maybe abby was just bluffing.

. . .

it was a tuesday, and you had only one more day to go before you were in the clear for your patrol. you were in a good mood, mainly because your shift was during the day, and the hours didn’t go into the double digits.

and as you finally said your goodbyes to the other medics around 4 pm, you were thankful nothing had ruined your day. that was, until, you heard your name being called from your coworker.

“looks like there’s a note here for you” she says, holding it out to you with raised eyebrows, “says that you need to report to Isaac’s office when you get off.”

shit. shit. shit.

“did ya get in trouble?” she asks with a small smirk. you sigh and drop your head, taking the note in defeat.

“i sure as hell hope not,” you mumble as you begin to walk away, the familiar feeling of dread settling into your stomach.

. . .

the wait outside of isaacs office was long and dreadful. a constant ring in your ear made your eyebrows furrow as you sat stiffly beside his door. the room behind you was silent, and seemingly empty.

every sliver of hope you had that this spontaneous meeting wasn’t about abby was destroyed when you heard a familiar stomp down the hall. you turn your eyes up nervously to meet with your new companion.

the blue hue that typically filled abby’s irises was gone. her eyes were now dark and cold. you clench your jaw as her figure approaches, and instantly stand up to your feet.

“you’re fucking crazy, you know that?” you seethe as she bangs on the door with urgency.

“you really shouldn’t talk to your superior like that,” abby responds quietly, not even looking in your direction. you roll your eyes, feeling your frustration reach an all time peak. before you can open your mouth to unleash another jab, the door swings open, revealing an unamused isaac.

“abby” he begins, “i’d like to speak to you alone first.”

she shoots you a cocky smirk as she steps through the doorway. isaac closes the door behind her, leaving you in the hall with a gaping mouth.

“what the fuck,” you mumble, shocked at how you were just brushed off. you frown and eye your previous seat, deciding against sitting down, and instead opting to press your ear against the door.

it was difficult to make out any words, but the intensity of the argument was clear. “she’s only just got here” you manage to hear. “already low on medics” and “why take the risk?” follow closely behind.

you didn’t hear a word from Isaac during the pauses. either he had nothing to say, or abby was purposely being extra loud, knowing you would hear. it was likely the latter.

you sigh as you press your ear closer to the wood. truth be told, you really didn’t give a damn about the patrol. whether you were working in the infirmary or out on the field, it didn’t make a difference to you.

but now abby changed that. you didn’t want to let her have her way, didn’t want her to win. you wanted her to see just how wrong she was about you, to see how irrational she was being.

footsteps echoed closer to the door, and you stumble back just fast enough to gain your composure. isaac pulls the door open and mutters a short “come in” as he steps back.

you enter the room in slow steps, watching as abby stands stiffly by the window. you narrow your eyes as isaac gestures for you to sit. you lower yourself slowly, struggling to keep your breathing under control.

“abby has..” isaac begins, “expressed some concerns.. about your abilities on patrol.”

“so i’ve heard,” you respond through your teeth, and abby shakes her head, crossing her arms over her chest. “and what exactly do her complaints pertain to? i feel like i’ve proven that i can handle myself on the field.”

abby scoffs loudly and steps closer. “you most certainly have not,” she exclaims, and isaac pinches his nose disapprovingly. “isaac, she was injured on patrol and she hid it. can’t you see how reckless that is? she is not the kind of person that should be out there.”

isaac remains silent for a moment, before turning to you. “well, how many soldiers did you treat while you were injured?”

you’re a bit taken aback by the question, but respond quickly. “four. i treated four.”

“were any of the injuries life threatening?”

“no sir, but neither was mine.”

“bullshit,” abby raises her voice, looking between you and isaac with desperation. “it was an arrow to the back, isaac, she just ripped it out like it was nothing! she could’ve bled out.”

“but i didn’t.” you snap back.

“no. no you didn’t” she steps towards you warningly, “thanks to me.”

“oh please,” you roll your eyes. “who’s the medic here again? hm? last i checked it wasn’t you.” the response may have been childish, but you didn’t care.

“alright, that’s enough.” isaac steps into the conversation, his signature frown creasing his eyes. his hand gestures to you.

“listen, you’ve been really helpful on our patrols. your supervisor at the infirmary says that you’ve prevented at least a dozen infections so far, three of them being life threatening.” he trails off for a moment, and you can sense the let down approaching.

“but?” you ask, unable to hide your look of defeat.

isaac sighs, looking over to abby, who’s expression is unreadable. “but, abby is my best soldier. if she doesn’t think you’re fit for the field, than i’m not comfortable putting you out there.”

you look over to her with a scowl, as if to say, happy now? she, however, wasn’t feeling as accomplished as she thought she would.

“so until you can prove to her that you are capable of patrolling, you won’t be scheduled.”

you throw your head back, pinching your eyes as you try not to make this situation worse for yourself. “isaac. if you’ll just let me-”

“you’re both dismissed.” he cuts you off, his tone firm.

you sigh, keeping your head down as you stand up, at least until you were out of his office. abby shakes her head as she walks out in front of you, bee lining to the nearest exit. the door swings shut behind you, and you stumble to catch up.

“would you hold on for a second?” you follow behind her, staring at her tensed back. she doesn’t stop, nor does she respond.

“abby, slow down” you call out, shuffling your feet faster as you try to reach her. when she ignores you for the second time, you just about scream.

“god damn it abby, would you stop and just talk to me?” you yell, but she brushes you off once again. you stare at her, looking absolutely dumbfounded as she continues her storm out the room. you shake your head, breaking into a jog to catch up with her.

you put your hand on her shoulder and grab her slightly, pulling her torso to face you. she jumps back from your touch, and whips her face to meet yours.

“you heard the man,” she spits out. “no okay from me, no patrol. there’s nothing more for you to say.” she attempts to shake you off, but you grab her arm.

“oh there is a lot more for me to say.” you respond hastily, and her eyes flicker between your face and your hand. “tell me abby,” you demand, “how many other medics are you having private meetings with isaac about? or is it just me?” you ask rhetorically, glaring up at her.

she scoffs and throws her head back, moving her hands to her hips. “jesus, you’re so fucking difficult,” she mutters.

“no tell me, abby. why is it that you only try to control me?” you demand.

she watches you with a lip curled in frustration. “you know why” she says, more quietly than she had been before.

and as she stared into your eyes, your pupils filled with both anger and desperation, her brows furrow in confusion. what kind of question was that? she asked herself. were you really going to make her say it?

“no i really don’t,” you reply with a harshness to your voice, but there was a clear hurt laced in it. “i don’t understand what i’ve done to make you despise me so much!”

she blinks for a moment, the disbelief settling in. “wh- what?” she asks blankly.

“you heard me,” you await her answer with raised eyebrows.

“i…” she takes a breath, crossing her arms defensively over her chest.

what the hell are you…

her eyes widen, and she looks astonished at your words.

“you’ve got it all wrong,” she shakes her head, putting her hand out and stepping towards you. you instinctively step back.

“i’m not doing this because i dislike you, i-”

“you what then?” you demand, throwing your arms up. “you and i both know this isn’t about my abilities on patrol. you know that i can handle myself out there, i know you do.”

all urges to try to convince you that she does in fact like you quickly fade away at your words. that wasn’t something she was going to agree to.

she says your name cautiously, her tone becoming more stern once again. “you can not be trying to have this conversation again. you are not built for that kind of work, whether you think you are or not.”

“i am!�� you exclaim. “i know i got hurt when you saw me on that patrol, and i know it was stupid to hide it.” you begin to ramble, “but i’ve had successful patrols before that one, ones where i’ve been a great asset!”

your words go in through one ear and out the other, and abby just lowers her head disapprovingly. “i don’t care about your other patrols.”

“oh come on,” you groan. “you act like you’ve never been injured on the field.”

her eyes meet yours in an instant, as if you’ve just opened a new door. “oh i have.” she says slowly, and her tone makes you gulp. “but i’ve never been stupid enough to hide it. and i really don’t think you want to go down that road with me, i haven’t been hit or shot in over a year.”

as much as you know you shouldn’t root for her to be injured seriously, that last part bothered you. it certainly didn’t help your case. you pause for a moment, taking a deep breath.

“i admit that i made some dumb mistakes,” you say carefully, and you struggle to keep your composure when you see abby nod arrogantly. “but i am capable. i’m good in combat. i’m good with a gun. i can defend myself.”

abby’s eyes don’t leave yours, and your impressed by your own faux calmness.

“prove it then” her words are simple, but her tone is icy.

“prove it how?”

she stays silent for a few seconds, and you see her tongue roll on the inside of her cheek. she seems to make up her mind about what to say, and nods her head sharply.

“come at me then,” she takes a step back, gesturing her hands for you to follow. “take me out. if you really want to prove how capable you are.”

you stare at her as if she’s crazy. there’s no way she’s actually suggesting that.

“what?” you ask in disbelief. “no way.”

“oh come on,” she whines a bit mockingly. “if you’re so tough, then take me out.”

you tilt your face away from her a bit, thinking she might actually be crazy.

“you said your good with combat,” she hums, “pretend i’m a scar. what’re you going to do?”

you were confident in your abilities, you always had been. you’d trained yourself well in self defense, you were always a natural shot. but this was different. an enemy like abby was one you’d simply pray never to come by. and she knew it.

you step away, shaking your head. “forget it,” you mumble, and she grins, leaning towards you.

“not so confident now, are you?”

before you can say another word, you yelp at a sharp pressure on your wrists. abby leaps in your direction, grabbing your arms with one hand and instantly pinning them above you . your back hits the cold brick wall, and you feel her free hand on the back of your scalp, softening the impact.

“abby!” you yelp, immediately squirming in her grip, “what the hell-”

“well go on then,” she urges, leaning her face close to yours, “break free. since your so capable.”

“get the hell off of me,” you kick your legs at her upper shins, but she doesn’t budge.

“y’know,” abby coos dangerously, “there are about thirty different ways a scar could kill you right now. that i could kill you.”

a frustrated groan escapes your lips as you thrash under her grip. her free hand travels down to your throat, her fingertips just brazing your neck.

“you could be choked,” she whispers. her hands go to your stomach, and she pinches you roughly on your ribs, causing you to yelp. “stabbed… shot.. hell some of those scars are pretty big, they could even beat you to death.”

abby wasn’t sure why she was continuing, knowing she made her point, but she was too riled up to stop.

tears well in your eyes as she continues her taunting, and you kick her leg even harder, causing her grip on your wrists to falter. the instant it does, you shove her off of you with all your strength.

she moves back about two inches, before she’s got your waist in her calloused hands, and your tumbling onto the ground.

her knee digs into your thigh, pinning your leg down as she glares at you from above. each of your hands are in hers, sprawled out above your head. she brings her lips close to your ear.

“nice try sweetheart,” she whispers sharply. her breath is cool against your neck, and her nose brushes against your jaw.

“get the fuck off,” your voice is shaky and uncertain, and your face is bright red. how dare she taunt me like this? manhandle me like a child?

how dare she make me like it?

your chest heaves with your panicked breaths, the straps to your flimsy tank hanging loosely off of your shoulders.

abby’s face grows hot as she removes her knee from your upper thigh. sweat glistens on your chest and collarbones, and she makes a point to keep her eyes off of it.

she quickly regains her composure, and controls her breathing. you watch silently as she removes her hand from your wrist. she slowly grabs the thin strap of your camisole, pulling it gently back to its designated place on your shoulder. her thumb brushes your skin when she pulls back her hand.

she climbs off of you, and you quickly sit up. you run your fingers desperately through your hair as you avoid her piercing gaze.

a sharp sigh escapes her lips, and you stare at the ground with wide eyes.

“i think i proved my point,” her voice is low and sultry. you don’t say anything in response.

abby rises to her feet, the muscles in her back tensed. she stared down at you for a moment, and you bring your eyes to hers, your lips parted in both anger and shock.

she steps away from you, and walks down the hall, the sound of her heart beat too loud to hear anything you call out to her. that is, if you said anything at all.

her hands are clenched into fists, glued to her sides as she takes her leave.

as she opens the door to the cool seattle air, she quickly shuts it behind her and lets out a guttural “fuck”. she rubs her temples, trying to clear her clouded mind.

you, on the other hand, remained sat on the tile floor, staring down the now empty hall.

you were furious at how far she took things. furious that she had embarrassed you in front of isaac once again. furious that she had such an unwarranted hatred towards you, and furious that she would use her physical strength to humiliate you.

but you were especially furious at the familiar heat that gathered between your legs when she had held you down, when her fingers brushed against your warm skin.

it was that same heat that built up in your body the night at the bar, when she had flashed you that toothy smile, asking for your name.

her name rang through your mind with a thick anger, but also a certain want that you could no longer ignore.

and your name rang in hers, all the same.

abby abby abby abby

[housecantori]

Okay Brighid's opinions on companions so far, will update this as I recruit them:

Carver: My Sweet Baby Brother Who Is Only One Inch Tall. *Carver swings a big sword and chops a monster in half* He Is So Small And I Have To Protect Him. (He's also not responsible for any of the trouble my magic attracts. He's right. They're my Templars. He shouldn't have to make enemies on my behalf.) I Will Make Enemies On His Behalf Don't You Dare Hurt My Baby Brother.

Varric: Smooth talker. He wants something from me, but it's so hard to figure him out. He might be trying to cheat us; but he's willing to help us scrape up the sovereigns to become his business partners. I can't imagine why he would get into scraps and walk around sundermount with us if he just wanted to screw us over. There are easier ways of screwing someone over. Still, I'm not sure I trust him. I keep forgetting to look down and running into him, also.

Aveline: She denied Carver a place in the Guard. We wouldn't be in such a bad spot looking for work if Carver had a stable job like her. She spies on Carver and I. She agreed enough with the Templar mentality to marry one. But Mother felt for her, and she had Carver's back against the Darkspawn, and I was worried about being able to protect us without Bethany; so we traveled like family. I think she assumes we think of her as family. I'm not sure she's earned that sort of relationship.

Merrill: At first I thought she was being kicked out for being a mage or being gay or something; now, I figure it's because of the blood magic. She's so sweet compared to the Maleficarum my father warned Bethany and I of. She sounds like she's on the brink of crying all the time, and I want to hug her so tightly. I've chosen to keep her close mostly because I'm curious what she's up to. (And I can't stand to leave the poor thing to fend for herself)

[thoughtsonhurtandcomfort]

Continued from this

Author's Notes: gonna see where this Cloe story takes me

Content Warnings: winged whumpee, captivity, broken bones, recovery, reluctant caretaker, mentions of death, 'it' as a pronoun

----

This morning when Galea left home Cloe was still asleep. But when she returns midday he's finally awake, lying on his back and staring up at the high ceiling. When she enters he carefully sits up.

Galea shuts the door a little too hard and Cloe jumps. He holds his splinted arm protectively and keeps his head down.

"I'm not going to hurt you," Galea says, not to comfort him but because it's a fact. She hands up each of her weapons one by one and removes her outer layer.

"Am I yours now?" Cloe asks cautiously.

"Just for today."

"Then what?"

It should be easy to tell him, but Galea hesitates. In the silence Cloe draws his own conclusion.

"Then I go back to him?"

"Not exactly."

"Please tell me," Cloe pleads, eyes welling with tears. "Why am I here? Why bother patching me up if he's just going to hurt me again?"

Galea isn't sure herself. She makes a mental note to stop sitting at Omeron's table. It will save her a lot of future trouble.

"He plans to get rid of you," she says bluntly, seeing no point in sugarcoating it. "He gave you to me for the day to try out. That's all."

Suddenly Cloe is very pale and still.

"Get rid of me," he quietly says to himself. "How?"

"Come on, you don't really want to know."

"He's going to throw me off the mountain." It isn't a question.

Galea frowns. "How did you know that?"

Cloe pulls Galea's cloak tight around himself. He's shaking and staring blankly ahead.

"We find them sometimes, you know. The ones who get dropped. We find their bodies on the ground or caught on branches. They're so shattered and bloody sometimes we can't even tell who it is."

A chill runs through Galea at the mental image that conjures.

"I don't want my family to find me like that," Cloe continues softly. "If he's going to kill me, fine, but please...not like that. Anything else. Please."

"It's not up to me," Galea says.

But as she says it, she considers...maybe it could be up to her. She has no use for Cloe, but has no doubt Omeron would let her keep him if she asked. Maybe she could give him some dignity in death. Even the hawks and falcons her people keep as companions are given that, while the small-wings are discarded like spoiled meat.

Cloe is now fully enveloped in the cloak, hiding his face while he cries. Galea offers no comfort, but does set a jug of water and a plate of fruit and nuts out for him before she leaves.

-

"So," Omeron begins. Galea can hear the smirk in his voice before she even looks at him. "What do you think?"

"Nothing yet," she answers coolly, "it's too damaged to do anything."

Omeron scoffs. "If it can walk it can work."

"With one arm?"

"Yeah, who cares?" Omeron leans in, a wicked grin on his face. "Don't tell me you're getting soft, Gal - "

In an instant she has his head pinned to the table and one of his fingers in her hand, pulled back just far enough to hurt.

"Go ahead," she dares him, "say that again. You don't need this finger, right?"

She bends it further and Omeron yells.

"Okay, okay! Come on, I was joking! Let me go!"

Galea keeps him like that another moment. She bets he never gave in when Cloe begged. Picking on something so small and helpless...coward.

Finally she releases him. He sits quickly sits up and scoots away from her, shaking out his hand and laughing nervously.

"How about I let you keep it another few days?" he offers.

Galea doubts a few more days will make her decide to keep the small-wing. But she has already made up her mind that Cloe is never going back to Omeron. She tells herself this isn't sympathy, but spite towards the boastful warrior who gets his kicks torturing things weaker than him.

"Deal," she says, turning back to her dinner. Omeron wisely takes his meal elsewhere.

[presidentdisastraofgallifrey]

Ranking Companions I've Seen So Far

(Because I can)

(Purely from memory so is possible I forgot someone)

(They are bulleted instead of numbered because there's a character limit for blocks and it restarted the numbering when I broke it up. They are, however, in order from favorite to least favorite)

Sarah Jane: She hides it under professional veneer, but she is autistic chaos personified. She has the most chances of anyone to just go home, and even when she claims to be fed up she always gets back in the tardis. She is high on adventure. She thinks the Doctor has died at least once per story, and for the first 3/4 of her run they never actually get to take a fun break from constant danger, and she is hooked. She eats an orange without peeling it. She met the Doctor because she snuck into a scientific conference to investigate disappearances and then walked right into the tardis to look for him. She had no trouble believing she'd moved in space and it took only the barest evidence to have her fully on board with time travel; I think she always half believed in magic. She's excellent at bluffing but only for very short periods. She's very much about the ends justifying the means and always a little confused when people are mad since everything turned out fine, which is very Doctor of her. And their dynamic really was silly best friends.

Leela: Everyone else was either kidnapped or invited along. She pushed the Doctor aside to invite herself, because she didn't want to have to stay home and be a leader (and she too craves adventure). She never completely understands what's happening, but she jumps into every situation fully anyway. And asks a ton of questions. And, once she's been taught about something, she maintains a good understanding of it (no one in-show acknowledges how smart she is and how hard she works to catch up from not having the same education as every other character). I enjoy how ready to stab and shoot people she is, and how often she winds up with guns no matter what the Doctor says. But she's also so genuine and protective and their bickering is sweet and she's best friends with the dog even before she's left alone on Gallifrey with no one who respects her but the dog. (The whole noble savage trope is problematic but I still enjoy a great deal of her character)

Donna: She's outspoken and best friends with the Doctor and no one has ever thought he was less hot. With her the dynamic really is just we're flying through time and space playing dress up. Her fear response is indignant anger. She's a temp who has been told by her mother her whole life that she's a failure, and she's the most important person in the universe. She has terrible self esteem but never lets that get in the way of speaking her mind. She loves and supports her trans daughter. She forgot it all for 15 years and then, married with a teenager, casually moved in with her old best friend.

Bill: Even when she couldn't go to college, she was so determined to learn that she just appeared in the Doctor's lectures and was excited when she didn't initially understand things. She was his student, and his friend, and once or twice his protector, but she never did the Clara thing of putting all her time into keeping track of the Doctor and protecting him from himself. On her first alien planet, robots that spoke emoji tried to kill her, and she still kept traveling. But she never gave up her life at home or her education, either. She had a gay crush in her first episode that she never even got to go on a date with, and then ended up spending eternity together as noncorporeal beings by the end. She helped rehabilitate the most evil Time Lord. She's iconic.

Romana I: She is the sheltered excellent grades autistic. She's so baby and innocent, but also knows more about what the Doctor is talking about than any other companion (and sometimes the Doctor). She can fly the tardis, because she read the manual. She plays dress up constantly but rarely in any sort of context appropriate to where they're going. She wanted to be called Fred. She literally can't lie to save either of their lives. She's charming and beautiful and capable, but might think she's even more capable than she actually is. She was horrified by what a failure of a Time Lord the Doctor was until she realized he was happy, and that that was an option.

Yaz: I love how she seems so normal and together, got involved by chance doing her job, but slowly it becomes clear that she was never ok and somehow this was the best thing that could have happened to her. She was kidnapped into this but instead of missing home she fell in love. She gets stuck on Earth without the Doctor twice and spent both times (1) pining and (2) taking charge to save the world. She talks like she knows what to do better than any other human in the room (and often does), but still works well on a team. She ran into a kid she'd vaguely known in elementary school and his step-grandfather and then ended up traveling with them for years and becoming best friends. She should not have been a cop, however, and would have made a better social worker.

Ryan: He can't ride a bike at 19 but has yet to give up trying. It doesn't come up as much as I'd like, but he is casually disabled. He has a temper, which sort of led to him allowing a murderous alien onto Earth, but he is also so full of compassion for every random person in need they meet. He actually had a life at home and, though he stayed willingly (after getting kidnapped), he struggled with missing his friends and the normality and comfort they represented. It took running around saving worlds to make him admit he should forge a familial bond with his dead grandma's husband. He also made up with his dad (he really did the opposite arc of starting with a strong family and pulling them apart when he left). He got to leave when he chose and be safe and happy, but never stopped trying to protect his world.

Jamie: He also never understands what is happening, but he's mostly fine with that. He's just happy to be along for the ride with the Doctor, being gay and Scottish throughout time and space, ready to stab people (he would have gotten along with Leela tbh). He's good at drawing connections between things he has no context for and the closest thing he understands, and I love it because my brain does that thing too of drawing comparisons to things I've seen. If the Time Lords didn't take his memories, he would have stayed with the Doctor until eventually dying for him.

Susan: She is sensitive and autistic and not cut out for so much drama. Sure, she understands what the Doctor is talking about, and she wasn't technically kidnapped, but she was happy pretending to be a human girl in 1963 and I don't think she ever particularly wanted to keep going adventuring. But she's still enthusiastic and outgoing and just doing her best. She sort of adopted Barbara as her weird protective aunt.

Clara: She was never a normal person. She is naturally manipulative, bossy, controlling, and a bit ruthless. She didn't use most of these traits overmuch until she met the Doctor, but they were there. Luckily, she also has a fairly strong moral compass, so she isn't really a horrible person. But watching a human person surprise the Doctor by out-Doctoring him is delightful. She is also addicted to the thrill and adventure of it all, and no matter how much she likes the idea of having a normal life on the side it could never compare. I don't think she'd have survived going back to a normal human existence like Sarah had to.

Zoe: "The Doctor is almost as smart as me." She is somehow a teenager and a space librarian with a perfectly normal education level for her time that makes her a genius nearly everywhere she goes. Important to note, she is also an actual genius. She helped fend off cybermen one time and got adopted by a gay alien and his historical boyfriend, both of whom are determined to protect her but both of whom are also considerably less competent than she is. She would never have gone home if she wasn't forced to.

Martha: She is one of the most normal people on this list: a hardworking medical student with a loving but mildly dysfunctional family. Her choice of one trip in the tardis after the hospital situation is actually a pretty normal one even: who would say no to a chance to time travel? But she makes herself extraordinary through pure kindness and determination. She's so full of caring, but won't put up with people walking all over her or allow any sort of cruelty. She is one of the only ones with the strength to leave when she needs to, to take care of herself, but even so she can't forget what she knows and abandon people and quickly ends up working for UNIT and then on her own to save and protect people.

Barbara: Omg she's so weird. She's a history teacher who gets to travel through history, and is understandably delighted and horrified by this. But her response to being concerned for a student and unable to contact her family was to stalk this child to her home and then into a police box in a junkyard; it's kind of her own fault she got kidnapped, though the throughout time and space part was unpredictable. She saw an autistic alien teenager and realized no one else was going to parent her, so took that responsibility upon herself. Despite never stopping trying to get home (and eventually taking a great risk to do so), she really was delighted by so much of what they ran across. She is one of four people who know that the Doctor's manipulative curiosity is responsible for the daleks threatening the universe. She's so great.

Jo: Assigned companion because no one knew what to do with her, not even really liked by the Doctor at first, but threw her entire self enthusiastically into the job. She did not believe the Doctor could travel through time and space and really thought it was just a quirk that he was always trying to fix his time machine, but she liked him anyway. I'm not convinced she believed he was an alien, either, or knew enough about science to realize (at first) that his was more advanced than it should have been. But she was happy to help, and to learn, and just generally be along for the ride.

Liz: Thought she was too smart to be working as the Doctor's assistant, and she was right. A proper scientist who absolutely understood that his science was alien and advanced, but also how ridiculous these situations were and wasn't afraid to challenge the science that shouldn't have made sense or refuse to believe something until she saw proof. Left, of her own choice, without anything horrible happening to her; a minor miracle! Also counts as a historical queer icon, even though technically that didn't come up in the show. It is canon and I like to imagine between the lines her life as a queer lady in the 70's.

Vicki: Not a genius by her time's standards, but her standard education makes her one almost wherever she goes. Left to her own devices stranded on a planet and orphaned, she adopted a giant alien creature as a pet and set up a routine for survival. Tried to go on a relaxing Roman vacation once and ended up poisoning Nero. Adventurous, clever, and easily bored: no wonder the Doctor liked her.

Victoria: The daughter of a scientist who couldn't care less about science. Orphaned by the daleks and immediately adopted by the weird gay alien and his boyfriend who was historical even to her. Later more permanently adopted by a very nice couple in a century she's not even from. She taught Jamie to read.

Ian: Ok, so stalking a teenager into a junkyard wasn't his idea, but he did go along with it. A science teacher who got to see futuristic space science, though I don't think he enjoyed a lot of it as much as Barbara did. He was a good practical balance for everyone else in the tardis, though.

Graham: He's so ordinary, in the best way. I love how consistently his job as a bus driver is plot relevant. He brings sandwiches because the Doctor can't be bothered to feed them regularly. He's down for adventure but also practical about it.

Ruby: She has such a fairytale quality. She loves her mom, she isn't running away from anything, but she sure is running. She's running around the universe playing dress up. And I suspect that with more time separation, she will start to seem less normal and well adjusted and weirder in her own way.

Dodo: I actually only saw her in like 2 serials because so many are missing, and her departure felt sort of forced, but I liked her. She was SO enthusiastic about everything, and had no intention of listening to anyone who told her what to do.

Dan: I like him fine, and although it wasn't for fun he did sort of choose to stay and then to leave when he was ready. He's not the most interesting, though.

Rose: She is my line between companions I like and companions I don't. She's both caring and imperfect in ways that can be fun, but she was a little too consistently mean to Mickey (and her mom) for my taste, and had a habit of worrying about her own enjoyment above all other concerns, at least when people weren't actively being killed. Was definitely addicted to the adventure. There's nothing strictly wrong with a character with any of these traits (except for writing in Mickey just to have him bullied constantly), but she's not really my thing. Still, she's mainly THIS low on the list because I'm tired of the fandom focus on shipping her with ten constantly and also smoothing out all of her flaws.

Steven: His backstory and initial appearance were so cool, and then his actual character was kind of a wet noodle.

Amy: Yes her backstory was interesting too, but she mostly could have bee replaced by a lamp and it would have made no difference.

Rory: Like Amy but worse; he could have been replaced by a hat on the lamp.

Harry: He did have a personality, and it was the wrong one. I don't even usually include him in my companion lists because I disliked him so much. 50% of his personality was being sexist to Sarah while she coped more competently than him, and the rest was just being annoying.

[punkins-place]

DRAGON AGE THE VEILGUARD SPOILERS AHEAD.

Seriously, do not read if you don't want possible spoilers.

So I'm working on a fanon Rook au that will NEVER EXIST IN GAME, but I will probably create it in CC sometime. These are all ideas bounced around in the Lucanismancers discord server!

The world state is custom because heres what the sitch is. I may write this au at some point, but I also might not

Rook is a factionless character. So just some rando who got into some big trouble, got out of it, and caught Varric's eye. So, it turns out, this Rook is Varric's DAUGHTER from a fling in kirkwall way long ago. (Shes like 25) and he has NO idea that they're related.

Obviously, she gets with Lucanis (who am I, someone who knows variety?) But there is a liiiiitle difference in the rest of the companions. EVERYBODY GETS A ROMANCE (except Neve because she's hardened, and I don't think they should be able to romance when hardened in the first place. Gotta focus on Minrathous girlie.)

So Emmrich still gets with Strife. They originally learned of each other from Bellara's letters, and then they met and it was a cute relationship.

Davrin and Bellara get together, Davrin protects the Griffins in Arlathan and Bellara and him research them and find out how to breed more. Bellara comes with him on Warden business sometimes, and she invents gadgets for him to use in battle. She knows all the Griffins by name, and they love her. Now that Bellara has been infected with Blight she can sense it where it's thickest and help Davrin root it out.

Taash and Harding still get together, but Harding does die, unfortunately, in this au. I couldn't think of a way to save her that wouldn't be kinda cliche.

Rook doesn't find out until after she learns varric has been dead the whole time that he was her father, and she laments the time lost with him and the time gained. She wears his necklace as tribute.

That's all the ideas so far for this au, I may expand on it later though.

[mizukixtsukiyomi]

Guess what I'm doing...Gojou x Kagome x Getou

“Are you okay, Kagome-chan?” Getou asked over his shoulder as they stopped at one of the more open areas of the torii gates.  

“Huh?” She blinked out of her thoughts. “Y-Yeah...I was just enjoying the quietness.��  

“Oh, then I’m sorry for interrupting your peace.” He smiled.  

Kagome shook her head, “n-no, it’s okay. I was content.”  

Getou’s expression softened at the sight of her smile. His thoughts sprinkled back the memory of Gojou mentioning her pure energy. The energy she could emit naturally.  

“Are you okay?” Kagome asked back. “You seemed more troubled than me.”  

“Yes,” he replied, “just a bit tired.”  

“Probably because we are both tired of babysitting these two girls.” Gotou yawned.  

Kagome’s glare snapped over to Gojou, “is that so? Don’t get so sad, Gojou-kun. We all know you are going to miss us once we leave you.”  

Gojou turned to her and inched closer to her face. “You really think so, huh? You think I’m going to miss your ass that much?”  

“Oh I know you will!” She stuck her tongue out.  

“Maybe you’re going to miss being by us hot guys!” Gojou blew a raspberry to her.  

“You two...,” Getou nervously laughed as he saw the two were going at it back and forth.  

Laughter erupted from the other end, making the trio turn to see Amanai losing her mind. She held her stomach with her two hands before clearing out a tear from the corner of her eye. “You three are too funny together!”  

Kagome and the other two relaxed back, smiling as they saw Amanai was more than relaxed at that point. It was the sight they wanted to see before sending her off.  

“Well,” Amanai spoke, clearing her throat, “it’s good to see that friendships grew out of this small trip. Thank you...all three of you for making this a special moment in my life.”  

Getou nodded, “well, thank you to everyone for working so hard to do what they could.” Looking around, Getou saw the bigger of the torii gates just a few steps away. “We’re inside Jujutsu High’s barrier now.”  

Amanai grabbed the cloth towel from Misato’s hand before using it to clear the sweat from her forehead. “What a relief!”  

“Satoru.”  

Gojou looked over to see Getou looking over to him with a smile of his own. “Hm?”  

“You really worked hard this time.”  

A heavy sigh escaped Gojou’s lips. 

Kagome’s shoulders tensed as she sensed Gojou’s aura shrink in size. Is that why she felt the air so thick? It was his aura she was feeling? ‘That’s why he was exhausted...he must have had a protective spell of sorts to protect us and keep an eye out.’ It had her wondering if she should have done the same to help. Her head flashed back to his warning.  

‘You are to not use any of your abilities while this mission is going on. Do you understand?’ 

Her fingers curled into her palm. She wanted to help!  

“Like I said, I’m just happy to stop this babysitting mission!” He rolled his eyes. Parting his lips to speak again, Gojou felt a sharp object pierce through his chest making his eyes widen as everything around him slowed down. Eyes slowly lowered to his chest only to see a big blade resting with his blood staining the point and red droplets drip to the sand.  

The group fell silent as they saw their companion frozen in place from the shock and pain. Kagome’s eyes widened with shock as she saw the long blade resting in Gojou’s chest. Red. Too much red. Her sense immediately snapped her out of her shock to see a black-haired male standing behind Gojou’s body with his hands holding onto the hilt of the sword.  

‘W-Wait a minute...,’ Kagome’s throat went dry, ‘there’s no way Gojou-kun got stabbed! Didn’t they say we were inside Jujutsu High’s barrier?! Then why?!’ The priestess watched as the mysterious male slowly withdrew his blade from Gojou’s chest, only for a gush of blood to spill under his feet. A smirk decorated the man’s lips as he twirled the hilt of his weapon in his hand. This man oozed of corruption.  

A curse.  

Turning his head over his shoulder, Gojou forced a smirk over his lips. “Have we met before?”  

“Don’t worry about.” The mysterious male’s voice was deep and low, but the tone was enveloped with confidence. “I’m terrible at remembering guys’ names, too.”  

Gojou’s eyes scrunched. What did he mean by that? 

“I once went to go see the brat born into the Gojou clan with the Six Eyes on a lark,” he continued. He scoffed at the memory of the little Gojou kid once watching him with those icy blue eyes. “Never before or after that had anyone noticed me standing behind them. That’s why I wore the infamous Gojou down.”  

Kagome’s pupils enlarged as she heard the man’s plan. ‘You stupid girl! You should have placed a barrier! You should have helped! You should have used your powers! Now-!’ 

The sound of gushing blood and flesh ripped into their ear drums as they saw the black-haired man stab Gojou once more.  

Gojou quickly twisted his upper body to throw a gust of curse energy towards him and blast him away from his person. As soon as the male was thrown away from Gojou, Getou’s body took an offensive stance and released a worm-like curse out of his collection to attack their enemy. Kagome’s eyes watched as the beige colored worm exploded out of thin air and stretched out in a blink of an eye to the size of a bus to pin the man.  

Kagome’s ears picked up the sound of coughing, making her turn to see Gojou falling to one knee and clutching his chest. “G-Gojou-kun-!” She stopped in her tracks as she saw his palm signaling her to stop.  

“I’m fine...,” he forced another smile. “I didn’t make it in time with my technique, but it missed my vitals.”  

Her brows furrowed out of worry, “vitals or not, you need to be healed!”  

“I strengthened myself with cursed energy so the blade couldn’t be swiftly drawn out.” He tried to reassure her with a gentle smile. “It was like passing a safety pin through a knit sweater. Prioritize Amanai first – the mission.”  

“That makes no sense!” Kagome exclaimed. As she took a step forward, she felt Gojou’s hardened glare on her person before his gaze shifted over to Getou.  

“Get her out.”  

Getou blinked – who? Amanai? Or was his priority someone else-? 

“I’ll deal with him.” Standing up, Gojou faced the cursed spirit worm as it began to shake uncontrollably. Stretching out his arm in front of his chest while holding it down with his other arm, he sighed. “Suguru, get her out of here. Trust me, it would do us no good or Jujutsu High to have her captured.”  

“Satoru...,” Getou whispered under his breath as he turned his attention to both Amanai and Misato. Both laced in fear yet taking their defensive stance. Shifting his focus over to the priestess near him, he watched as her fingers began to flex. Was she getting ready to fight? He closed his eyes in thought. He knew the mission, yet knowing his best friend, he also knew that demand from him wasn’t related to the mission at all. He sighed as he grabbed Kagome’s wrist within his grasp.  

[akqrus]

hii! :DD

i've seen you are taking requests based on the prompt list and i came here to send you an ask :)

sooo... 14. "it's a blessing and a curse." with ladynoir?? idk but i think it would be cute! and you can write it as a headcannon, one-shot, drabble, whatever you prefer!!

keep safe, bye!

HELLO! I totally didn't procrastinate or experience the worst writer's block hahahahaha

Ao3

It was supposed to be short, but I got carried away LOL.

~

The night was mesmerizing, starry night twinkling while the cold wind breezed through them. Her red ribbons gently brush her neck as she stares at the painted sky. 

The sight calmed her down, but it was mostly her companion's presence that caused this serene atmosphere. 

Marinette forgot all her troubles and stress when she was with Chat. 

Such a powerful presence, he was. 

“M'lady?” He interrupts her ongoing thoughts. 

“Yes, Chaton?” 

“This… This life that we're living, do you find it to be a burden? a calamity? a tragedy?” he asks. What made him think such thoughts? Could it be? Could it be that he found his job of protecting the city a tiring one? Or was it her? Is he bored of her?

Her heart stops for a second; she couldn't think of such things. He cared, didn't he? 

“Why? Why would I find my life a burden? Especially when I'm with you, Chaton.” forcing a smile. She silently begs that he doesn't want to give up on this.

On them. 

“Well, it's been years, and we still haven't defeated Papillon.” 

“That's what is making you think this?” she giggles. 

“There are other reasons, of course,” he responded. 

“Like what, Chaton?” 

“Like how hard it is to maintain my personal life and this life. My schedule is packed at least for the next three months, and Papillon isn't even tired of pulling 3 am akumas.” he muttered, rolling his eyes with exhaustion filling up the air. 

She draws herself closer to his body. “I know… I know how it feels,” placing her palm gently onto his cheek as she softly rubs her thumb. “Work and akumas have been taking a toll on my life,” she adds. “I mean, I'm running out of excuses to make when akumas pop up during my shifts.” Sighing, she then rests her head on his chest. 

Taking her in her shoulder, rubbing gently and soothingly. “That too,” laughing dryly. “It's starting to become overwhelming, I guess?”

“Yeah… But I think the best part about this is that we met each other, don't you think?”

“Of course…” placing a soft kiss on her head. “Even that is ruined by papillon.” Oh? He stops for a second before speaking once again. “Well, not in a bad way, of course! Hahaha." 

“I mean, what I meant is that we have to be careful and cautious.” His smile fades. He's right, they have to tiptoe around with their relationship. None of her friends know who he is, nor do his friends know.

Nor does she know who he truly was. 

Occasionally she wonders about his personal life. What annoys him in the morning? How does he like his coffee? Bitter or something sweet? Does he prefer a tartine or a baguette with butter and jam? Or maybe viennoiseries! Does he have annoying co-workers? Does he also have questions about her life? 

“Oh Mon Chaton…” lifting her chin up to face his direction. “I know how hard it is to keep everything from the closest people you know. I mean, I want Maman and Papa to see you and get to know you, but I can't-” She stops and realizes that everything is Papillon's fault. If he wasn't willing to endanger them or their loved ones.

“I would also love to meet them.” smiling, causing Marinette to forget her struggles for a moment.

His smile was just that strong…

“Maman would love you! She would make so much food for you, because you're so skinny. She would make her famous peking duck, or maybe dim sum or Xiaolongbao! OoOoh Xiaolongbao is so good! They're so juicy! But Papa, on the other hand, would probably be his overprotective self and act all tough, but he'd eventually realize that you're great and start to ease up on you.” She silently wishes that she gets to see that day happen. Where she finally can be free from papillon and let her parents know about her amazing boyfriend.

“But don't worry, he's actually sweet! He wouldn't hurt you or anything, hahaha.” She wouldn't want to scare him away from her father. (even if he had scared him enough when he thought she loved him as Marinette a few years ago….)

“I don't know, it seems like I should be scared…” he forces a grin. “And also… I'm not skinny, I'm just fit!”

“Sure Chaton…” she wiggles her eyebrows teasingly. 

“Oh you!” crossing his arms, a gentle pout formed his lips, visualizing his so-called anger. “Since I'm so skinny, I bet you wouldn't like to hug and cuddle such a thin, bony person anymore!”

She dramatically gasps in response to his words. “Noooooo! How dare you forbid me of such warm and lovely bony arms!” She answers with the back of her hand on her head, wearing a smirk indicating her mockery. “How can I live another day without my beautiful Chatons cuddles?” 

Rolling his eyes while locking her with a deadpan expression. “Stop making fun of me! I'm serious!” and well, his pleading didn't work. Because she was now laughing so hard at him, she could barely breathe…

“I'm sorry, Mon Chaton. But your face!”

She was in fact not sorry.

“Listen-” she continues before he gets to reject her apology. “I'm just saying that if Maman saw you, she would've shoved all the food that was in our house into your mouth.”

“I'm not even that scrawny.”

“Well, according to Maman, you most likely are.”

“Fine! Then no hugs or visiting your parents!”

 

“Noooooooo! You can't threaten me like that! How could you ever let me- Your lady! to ever experience such a dreadful incident?”

“Stop making fun of me!” gently wrapping his arm around to headlock her. “You will feel my wrath!”

“Ahhhhh, help me!” She jokingly cries for a savior. “I'm being terrorized by a raging kitten!” 

“Don't even dare to try to run away from me!” as he squeezes her firmly. “Let me give you a taste of your own medicine!” She bursts into laughter from his dramatic tone and choice of wording. 

“Oh no! What shall I do to escape my unfortunate fate?” He attempts to contain his laughter but fails due to her invincible humor, of course! 

They fall into laughter as the stars cast a twinkling reflection against them. 

~

He stares at the midnight sky, realizing his question was left unanswered, leaving him increasingly curious.“Y'know you still haven't answered my question.” interrupting the cold silence. 

Stuck, eyes gazing at the scattered twinkling sky. She turns to face him. “I find this a blessing disguised in the shape of a curse.” She finally answered his question with a beaming smile. 

Providing a returning smile, he moves closer to her and wraps his arm around her waist while rubbing her side softly. “What a lovely curse…” giving her a soft look.

His expression held reassurance, indicating to her that everything will be okay…

~

Send me an ask!

[tosxah]

It wasn't like Ajax was looking for it. He wanted a hot drink that's all it had been. That's just how it had started. It. This... aquintance-ship. The only place in this town that opened late enough for him to grab a coffee. He'd made a bad habit of having coffee a few hours before bed. All because dreams plagued him since his childhood or even longer perhaps. Demons crawling under his skin. The sensation of something ripping him apart from the inside out. These images mixed with places he'd never been, faces he's never seen. There was no comfort in his slumber. Coffee had become a very easy to come by way of delaying his sleep, even just for a little while, enough to try and keep his sleep dreamless; hooked on a black IV of consciousness all because a sweet nun took pitty on the troubled child. Years later and now it barely touched the sides. He did some weird substance as a teenager that his unit gave him, he couldnt remember the name but wow it really did the job. However it was expensive and made him more volatile than he already was, which lead to worse things. So coffee. That was the middle ground he found between nothing and hard mostlikely illegal drugs.

Though, thanks to his habit, he got to meet her. Huh. If there was such a thing as fate it sure was funny.

"HR God. Honestly, I think he's looking for any excuse. I also think his... Do God's have boyfriends? Anyways I think one of them tried to poison my coffee last week." He said casually and took another sip tjough he had no proof of this. Her funny turns of phrase and address made him smile. Ajax did a little bow as he walked with his hand on his chest, "your majesty, I'm glad to hear you can fend for yourself but I shall protect you if such occasion arose." She was so petite and short and pretty, he thought, the world was cruelest to those it could take the most advantage of.

The trufulness that shifted in her tone caught his attention. For all the months of this ritualistic routine, their conversations had be short, slow and cavalier at first. It seemed neither of them were good at making fast friends. Possibly didn't help for weeks he thought she was scared of him, or possibly even hated him for whatever reason. It seemed she had calmed since, and it let him relax a little too. Enough for them to converse more, for him to get to know her a little, for him to ask her out for dinner. As a friend. Just as a friend.

"Don't worry about it, really." Ajax swigged the last of his coffee and threw it in a bin as they passed by. "I was going to be having pizza for dinner anyways, food is better shared with company or something. And I meant it, you work hard, you deserve to have someone treat you for once. I would have invited your brother but I'll be honest I think he'd find some elaborate way to kill me in public and make it look like an accident. I think the only reason he doesn't do it in the shop is liability." It was just a joke. He maybe didn't totally think Aether would kill him.

The neon glow of the Pizza place's sign cast shadows in all directions, giving everything the light touched a yellow and red hue. It was 9.30 at night. It was very possible the place would be closed and low and behold the sign was turned... but the door was open a crack. Ajax turned to his companion, "stay here I'll be right back."

He disappeared into the store, most of the lights on but chairs were elevated and wet floor signs were out. After about 5 minutes or so he returned, gently shutting the door behind him. "Follow me." He said, and started walking to the side alley between one shop and another. Dimly lit was each step he took, leading the way through the well kept parting between one shop and the next until he go through to the garden at the back with fairy lights illuminating the scene of picnic tables and greenery. Ajax sat himself down at the one closest to them and gestured for Lumine to take a seat too. "The manager owes me a favour." He spoke to try and bring some clarity to the situation.

Lumine's routine had been quite boring for the past centuries, or at least that was how someone could define them looking at her life from outside. Especially after a past where her home had been the whole of the universe with her brother by her side.

She enjoyed that routine. She enjoyed that peace; hearing the coffee machine in the morning, the scent of Aether's experiments in the kitchen, watching silly movies by his and Xiao's side. And well... Hat guy when he was around. Even he seemed to have softened around them. Somehow, Ajax had just become part of her evenings too now...

There was no more war to fight, no more blood to spill. So the Travelers had only started a new journey of their existence where, for once, they could rest their weary souls.

"I don't drink that much." Her lips formed a small playful pout. She didn't even remember when it was the last time she had tasted any alcohol at all. It's not like it really worked with her anyway...

"I think we were watching a horror movie on Netflix..." She pondered on the memory of the smell of popcorn in her hands, forcing her brother and the Yaksha to sit with her through what was a cheap fighting movie that had more blood than any realistic person could ever even carry.

Ajax's comment twisted something in her chest she couldn't really define. There was a sharpness in his observation that had always made her feel uncomfortable. She was afraid that his gaze would only be able to strip her soul, layer by layer, and reveal all the secrets she had carried quietly.

"You could say so." Her fingers tightened inside her coat pockets. Her soul was bound anywhere Aether was, where now her new family was the only solace in a world where they had all lost something.

"Who knows? Perhaps taking me out," She stressed those last words, a humoured glint in the stars of her hues "It will raise the wrath of a very powerful and vengeful God." Her voice lowered, her expression trying to stay serious as she kept eye contact with Ajax ,"the HR God. You wouldn't want to upset him."

She couldn't help but giggle again, at his awkward demeanour, at the way he was juggling between words, trying to save a cause that was already lost.

"You shall not fret, oh distressed Knight. I think my kin is aware the Princess can look after herself." She stated solemnly, her line of sight following his to a sign that was lighted up between a few others in the empty streets.

"I don't think I have been out to eat something with a friend in a long time..." Her tone was lost in the night, carrying a sadness that tinted her voice whenever her mind travelled to memories lost in the past.

"So thank you. For taking me out." The chilly evening air tickled her skin. It was definitely that had given her cheeks a rosy shade.

[dourpeep]

Imagine being friends with Signora, Tartaglia, Scaramouche

Like you're not even part of the fatui you're just some person who they vibe with and owns a teashop (of course you're strong but you prefer to just sit down and enjoy a cup of tea and talk about the weather) like can you imagine the power you'd have?(both mentally and physically) I'd be pretty amazing. People would be worried about you thinking they might kill you soon even though you tell them not to worry. Also to add a bit of comedy they all 'low-key' have feelings for you but you don't notice (or maybe you do ;)) and you think that's just their way of telling you they care about you or consider you their friend

-no primogems

Primos I-

Someone physically restrain me before I end up getting carried away with writing again- oh no- I...got carried away.

I think that this is another favorite thing of mine because you're just living peacefully, probably out in the Liyue countryside. It's beautiful and rather out-of-the way. More a place that depends on word of mouth rather than foot traffic.

So, taking advantage of this, of course the trio of Harbingers would find themselves at this secluded area for a short break.

There is just one rule: do not cause trouble.

This isn't a problem at all, your customers are well behaved enough to not spread rumors within the walls of your shop and the Harbingers aren't really ones to cause a ruckus if it's unnecessary.

After a few more visits, they get to witness just exactly what happens if you break the rules. Quick and resolute, you ensure that the gentleman who disrupted the peace is dealt with. No using visions, nor physical force. Just a short phrase.

Get out.

And he does.

Of course, the Harbingers are there to witness just exactly how powerful you are. To be able to utter two words and the man leaves with a frightened expression and nearly begging for forgiveness?? What sort of power do you truly hold? It grabs their interest, and now, you see the three of them visit on their own now and then.

With running your shop, you also believe it is good to relate to your clients. To offer fresh tea personally, start a short conversation, or even just listen to the stories they have to offer.

Tartaglia is the first to speak to you.

He's young, bright-eyed, and recounts a few of his own battles (to which his companions' body language suggest that he should not). As always, you sit with your legs folded beneath you and listen. They're fascinating, really, and tell you a lot about his passions. You also hear a bit about his family--parents, siblings, his homeland, definitely a bit more about a certain younger brother who'd journeyed to Liyue on his own (Tartaglia assures you that his brother, Teucer, was entirely unharmed).

Next, would be Signora.

No doubt, the beautiful woman has caught a few eyes as she sits in the serene silence. But, she didn't speak. Not like Tartaglia. Instead, she'd invite you to sit with her and enjoy a cup of tea--a reward for hard work that certainly is earned.

The wind flows and the gentle tinkle of bells sounds from the ornament hanging from the tea shop's window.

As for Scaramouche, he seemed to be most stubborn of them. A moment of reprieve is fantastic, but he seldom stops by unless he's accompanied by his coworkers.

Rather than striking conversation or inviting you to join him, he watches. You can nearly feel his gaze on you, trying to figure out who you are. If you should be considered a threat.

Luckily, your calm, amicable nature quells that. Though that still doesn't stop him from believing there's more to meet the eye. Rather similar to himself, actually. Between you, there is an unspoken respect.

There isn't a chance that the three of them would confide in the other about their feelings. Until a passing comment Tartaglia makes on the trio's way to the shop piques interest. You weren't married, not from the way the shop is owned and ran by you just to the side of your small home, and not from the way your fingers were bare of any ring.

Nothing more than a little glance towards each other is exchanged at this revelation.

But, you notice, that they have often had gifts delivered. A new, exquisite tea set (you set it aside for when the three of them, together or individually, visit), the finest quality tea leaves (you notice they're a particular type of tea from Inazuma), jewelry, even (which accept gratefully but do not use, it would be considered rude to decline a gift).

This idea isn't out of the ordinary when you tend to be close to your clients. Often, they'll drop by with gifts, though not of this quality. In fact, the reason for having such a wide variety of tea sets is due to your dear customers.

So you take these as a sign of goodwill between you and them.

When they offer protection or a steadier source of tea leaves, you decline. It's a nice gesture that you are just as grateful for, but it's unnecessary when you can protect yourself and have no need for such large quantities of tea.

Of course, this is frustrating when you're essentially being courted by three of Snezhnaya's most powerful soldiers.

But you, a humble teashop owner, have all the time in the world to figure that out.

[highoncaffeineheadcanons]

Headcanons for the NXX headquarters vacuum cleaner because why not

· Vyn is actually the one who buys the vacuum cleaner. He is thoughtful when it comes to the state of their headquarters after all, and keeping it tidy only feels natural to him. Since hiring someone to clean the place would not only cost them money (not that this would be an issue for any of these men) but also endanger the absolute confidentiality of their mission, there was no other choice but to buy an automatic cleaning robot. It wasn’t supposed to be anything more than a useful cleaning tool, really… but things develop from there. Not that Vyn minds. He enjoys watching the resulting shenanigans from the sidelines and finds it highly entertaining.

· Marius is the first person to duct tape a knife on top of it and use it for meme purposes. Artem is equally confused and threatened by the tiny machine scurrying towards him, unsure whether he should bring it up to the other members or just accept it as part of the usual chaos. Little does he know that Marius has filmed this little moment of bewilderment and is definitely going to send it to Rosa. Besides that, he considers it very useful and wants one for himself. He might just add a vacuum cleaner enterprise to the long list of companies PAX has a contract with…

· Speaking of Artem… at first he isn’t sure how to deal with the new companion. Is it polite to greet the object when he arrives at headquarters, or would that seem too unprofessional? He really feels like the device deserves some praise for working so hard, but he doesn’t dare to say this aloud as long as the other members are present. He becomes very protective of it though, and he’s the first one to subtly nudge it with his foot when it gets stuck somewhere.

· Luke uses every chance he can get to modify the functions of the vacuum cleaner whenever he has the time to. It’s his personal project and he’s very proud of the assets he includes. One time he gave it its own voice lines when it bumped into objects. It was all fun and games until, during a power outage, Luke blindly stumbled into it and nearly died from shock when it replied with an accusing “ouch, that hurts!” After that, he decided that maybe a vibration alert on his phone would suffice to let him know when his personal project got into trouble.

· Rosa thinks the little cleaning assistant is super cute, and the boys secretly enjoy watching her interact with it. She has developed a subconscious habit of speaking softly to it whenever it is stuck somewhere and she needs to rescue it from difficult spots. Whenever it bumps into her feet under the table during meetings she greets it, and the other members can only do their best to pretend they’re not dying on the inside from how adorable she’s acting.

[rowanaelinn]

Safe Place

rowaelin month day four : librairies @rowaelinscourt

warning: not descriptive nsfw content

Rowan Whitethorn Galathynius could be described as a calm male. Out of all his companions, he probably was the one with the most self-control and he thanked the Gods for it every time one of his friends said something stupid.

However, it didn’t apply when his wife was concerned. Around Aelin, Rowan’s self-control seemed to vanish. She had the ability to get him angry, to become a blushing mess or a soft idiot with just one sentence. There was no control around his mate and it was one of the reasons he loved her.

But when he woke up in the middle of the night to an empty bed, Rowan lost the little human part he had in himself. Rowan lost all control the moment he smelled a lingering scent of fear. Her fear.

Has she been taken again?

Has it all been a dream? Had he not got her back?

In a second, Rowan was standing, knives at the ready around his waist. He would fight to get her back if he had to. Not having Aelin by his side made him feel like all the air in the world was gone.

Rowan wanted to yell at himself for falling asleep, he should have protected her.

In all the times her Fireheart was in danger, Rowan was never there to protect her. What a poor excuse of a husband and mate he was. He still didn't know why his queen was keeping him and hadn't already thrown him out. He was useless. Completely useless.

He kept complaining because of the royal duties, kept saying he liked being a prince just fine because it didn’t bring him any mess. His only role as King Consort, mate, and husband was to protect Aelin and he had shown the world how bad he was at it. Multiple times.

She wasn’t okay, he could feel her sadness from her side of the bond. Rowan felt like a prick for being relieved at the feeling of her emotions just because it meant she was still alive and not in a damn iron coffin that blocked every chance for them to communicate.

First, he came out of the royal apartments, following Aelin’s faint scent. She had become so damn good at hiding herself with her magic, a trick Fenrys taught all of them. It was a useful skill to have, Rowan was relieved most of the time no one could track her with her scent but he wasn’t tonight. Not when he needed to see her.

Thankfully with Aelin’s condition lately, her scent was stronger which meant she couldn’t cover up all of it. He refused to imagine she had been taken away until he had searched the entire castle twice. She had to be here, somewhere.

He went first to the kitchen, hoping to find her behind the counter, a plate with chocolate cake in front of her. She would look up, fork still in mouth and she would smile guiltily at him. She would apologize, saying she was always so hungry lately and he would shake it off, taking another fork and join her even if he hated cake. Just to show her she wasn’t alone.

But when he opened the door, the kitchen was empty, making Rowan’s heart clench.

Next, he went to the throne room, hoping to find her sitting on her throne, a sad smile on her face she would try to conceal with a smirk. He would ask her what she was doing here and she would tell him she needed to be alone and to feel in power, and what better than her throne to make her feel powerful? But this room was empty too, and Rowan’s heart crushed a little further.

Maybe she was in the inside cemetery, kneeling between both her parent’s graves. She would look up at him and wouldn’t try to hide her tears. She would have a smile on her face, telling him she needed to feel close to them. To be between the two of them without waking up with blood everywhere. Rowan would nod and sit behind her, letting her rest her back on his chest and he would let her cry bringing her all the comfort she needed. But she wasn’t here, and Rowan didn’t know where to look for her now.

If they were in Rifthold, he would probably think she was speaking to either Sam or Nehemia, telling both of them everything about what happened in their court since the last time she spoke to them.

But they weren’t in Adarlan so it left only one place where she could be. His walk to the library was slow, slower than he wished. He could just shift and fly instead of taking all the stairs but if she was there she would make fun of him for it, she had enough to tease him already.

When he arrived at the library, as always, he was dazzled by the splendor of the room. The last time the librarians counted, Aelin and Rowan owned three hundred thousand books and that was a decade ago, just after the construction work was finished.

Aelin had cried and laughed and smiled for hours when she first saw it, walking through all the sections to see every book, then made love to Rowan on the floor, more tenderly than they were both used to, to thank him.

As if seized by a frenzy, Rowan walked like a mad man through the library to find her. He regretted giving her something so big, having to look at every fucking row. There were so many places to hide.

After what seemed like hours, Roan saw familiar blonde hair. He let a sob come out in relief. She wasn't gone. There was no Valg Queen that had pulled her away from Rowan, no, his Fireheart was just sitting on a couch that looked very comfortable, six pillows behind her back.

"Rowan?" She asked, raising her eyes full of concern. "Is everything okay?" Her eyebrows were furrowed.

Instead of answering, he rushed to her side, falling onto her lap to be on the same level as her and scanning her entire body to make sure she was okay and truly in front of him.

His eyes fell on a small scar on her right knee, a scar she had made during one of their training sessions. He remembered kissing the mark every night for weeks when he noticed it after enjoying his wife's goddess body. He hadn't noticed that she was injured during their workout and he felt terrible about it.

Aelin kept telling him he was fussing, but he knew deep down she liked it. She loved to be cherished and protected. He dropped his head to her lap, unable to fight a sob. She put her book aside, sitting straighter and one of her hands found her way in his hair. Rowan hated himself for the tears streaming down his face as he looked up at her, he hated himself even more for the look of agony on his mate’s face.

“Speak to me, please.” She begged him, her hand still playing in his hair.

He swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice even and strong but he couldn’t. “I thought you were gone.” He breathed deeply, trying to calm down and focusing on where he touched her, his hands and arms on her legs. “I woke up to an empty bed and your fearful scent and I panicked.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Rowan.”

“You weren’t supposed to go anywhere either last time but you still did.” He hated the poisonous words the moment they felt his mouth but his mate didn’t seem hurt, knowing anger was his way to cope.  “I’m sorry,” He hid his face on her leg, not wanting to see her hurt face.

“Don’t be,” Was the only thing she said as she kept stroking his hair. She was too good to him, she had always been. She had known so much pain her entire life but she was still an amazing person, Rowan didn’t know how much strength it must take her. The Gods knew Rowan lacked that particular strength when the time had come, he had turned into the worst version of himself. He admired his Fireheart.

After a moment, Rowan looked back at her and she smiled, his entire world brightened at this. She was okay, she was right here with him. She was safe.

“How are you?” He asked, feeling selfish for crying when she was the one who had a nightmare.

“We’re both okay, Rowan.” She reassured him as her free hand came to rest on her slightly rounded belly. Rowan’s heart swelled at the sight, he still couldn’t believe it. After years, decades, of trying Azlin was pregnant. She had been glowing for the past four months, even if she said otherwise.

“Is she still kicking?” He asked, one of his hands joining Aelin’s.

“Your son is restless, I hope you slept enough in your life because he’s not going to let us sleep much once he’s here.”

Both Aelin and him had a divergence of opinion on their baby’s sex. Aelin was sure it was a boy, whereas Rowan believed it was a girl. A girl had been their oldest in the vision he had for months when Aelin was gone. It had been too realistic to be a dream, had felt too real.

Yrene knew and had asked them if they wanted to know, but both of them agreed they wanted to keep it secret. They had too many surprises in their lives and none of them had been good, but this one would be. No more surprises unless it’s a good one.

“She’ll be worth every sleepless night.” His lips turned into a smile at the idea of a little Aelin and Rowan.

Aelin snorted. “Wait until you have to change diapers.”

At that, Rowan laughed, soon followed by Aelin. When he saw a hint of sadness in her eyes, his smile faded. “What did you dream of?” He asked, needing to know why his wife had left their room after a nightmare instead of waking him up.

She lost her smile too, her body tenser than moments ago. “Nothing important.”

“Please, tell me.”

She took a deep breath and some time to answer. Rowan didn’t mind, he’d give her eternity if she needed as long as he knew what troubled his wife. He got up, lifted Aelin's legs so he could sit next to her, and then rested her legs on his while he caressed her thighs in comfort. “I was you.”

“With Maeve?”

She shook her head making his confusion grow. She had already told him about nightmares of him being taken on that beach, of him being whipped and tortured for months. He had held her as she cried, as she told him the pain of losing him would have been so much more than the pain she experienced all these months away from him.

“In Arobynn’s cave.” She whispered as tears pooled in her eyes. He wouldn’t take her in his arms, he would wait for her to do it first, no need to overwhelm her. “With your eyes missing, whole body destroyed and a cold body.”

Oh.

Oh.

“Fireheart…”

“Have you ever dreamed of me like that?” She asked and he knew she didn’t mean just dreams of her, dead.

“I did.” He admitted, his heart beating faster at the thought of it. “First in Wendlyn, when you left for Rifthold. Every time I closed my eyes I lived the day I found Lyria over and over again. But it wasn’t her small body that I saw, it was yours. It haunted me for months.” He took a deep breath, controlling his emotions. Aelin was crying, she didn’t need someone else to become a wreck. “Then when you told me you were pregnant, it started again.”

It happened more than he wanted to admit. He knew it wouldn’t happen, it was impossible, but he still could see her dead body in front of his destroyed mountain home.

Aelin didn’t say anything but she straddled him, his hands finding her waist as her fingers slipped through his hair. Her forehead came to rest on his as they both closed their eyes, enjoying each other’s company. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

His hand stroked her back, his fingers drawing the lines of his tattoo he knew by heart now. Every part of her body was written in his mind. “You were sleeping so peacefully, I know it’s rare lately.” Her warm hand cupped his cheek and he sighed in her embrace. “Whenever I don’t feel okay and you’re not around, I come here.”

“The library?”

“Or the theater if I feel like walking.” Which wasn’t a lot lately, his wife’s pregnancy was taking her so much energy they didn’t go to the theater in months. She was always so tired or in pain, he knew she missed it. “Whenever I’m here, I feel so close to you, as if part of your soul was here between these walls.”

His heart clenched at it, he lifted up his head, his lips settled gently on hers. He kissed her languidly, generously, putting as much love and passion as he could. He loved her so much he felt like dying. He would die without her.

Slowly, she began to unbutton his shirt, her tongue continuing to play with Rowan's. The kiss turned from passionate to needy. He needed the reassurance she was here, she was with him, and his mate knew it.

In a matter of moments, Rowan was shirtless and had pulled her nightgown over her head, revealing her naked body. Aelin had gained weight in the years since the war, her body that had once been too thin was now full. She had had a hard time adjusting, she had been starving most of her life. Even during her years with Arobynn, she was always under a strict diet to stay the best. She had never been in a stable enough place for her to thrive.

So when her flat stomach rounded out, thighs grew and cheeks filled out, it was a shock. Rowan had been there to worship her body day and night, reminding her that she was just living, and seeing her happy was the most beautiful thing Rowan had ever seen.

One of Rowan’s hands was teasing Aelin’s sensitive nipple, tearing little cries out of her perfect, delicate, lips. Her hands undid his buckle quickly as Rowan lifted his hips to slide his pants and underwear down, freeing his hard member.

Aelin didn’t waste time before taking him, her hand around him applying just the right amount of pressure. His hand slipped between her legs, directly finding her wet and warm entrance. They moaned together as Aelin’s hand movement quickened and Rowan plunged two fingers in her warmth, hitting that spot inside of her that made her scream every time.

As good as it was, Rowan craved something else, so when he groaned Aelin understood. He pulled out his fingers, bringing them to his mouth to taste her. No matter how many years had passed since the first time, Rowan kept being surprised at how good she tasted. He moaned around his fingers as Aelin teased her entrance with his erection before sinking down, making both of their heads drop back.

Being inside of her had always felt so good, had always felt so right, as if he had been born just to do this. Her belly prevented their chests from touching but Rowan didn’t mind as he ran his hands on every inch of her skin as she started moving.

Aelin kept bouncing slowly on top of him, taking her time as she chased her pleasure, and once again Rowan realized how much he loved her. His Fireheart, his mate, his wife, and his best friend.

He loved her so damn much and he told her so, repeated it over and over again as they both fell over the edge, gripping the other’s skin as they reached the peak of pleasure.

They were both breathless as he lifted her up, pulling out of her and he used his shirt to clean her up. He didn’t want to get dressed not yet, anyway. He lied on his side, tucking his Fireheart next to him. That way, every inch of his front could touch her back. One of his hands came to rest on her belly as he took her book, opening it to where she had left a bookmark.

“What are you doing?” She asked him, her voice sleepy. He used his magic to extinguish most of the candles in the bookstore, leaving only the ones behind him lit to give him some light. "Shhh." He said softly into her ear, moving slightly to be more comfortable, and pulled her even closer to him. "You don't have to come back to reality now."  He told her then began to read her book aloud.

He couldn’t see her but deep down, he left her smile as she put her hand against his, both of them holding their baby as they hugged each other.

Aelin fell asleep quickly but Rowan didn’t stop reading, even if after many hours his voice became hoarse and his throat hurt. But if his Fireheart heard him maybe she would know he was still here, even in her sleep.

—————

@sheharahu // @morganofthewildfire // @thestoriesyoutell // @fromthelibraryofemilyj // @swankii-art-teacher // @itsforeverinnocent-blog // @becarefuloflove // @imnotsogoodatthis // @rowaelinismyotp // @a-court-of-milkandhoney // @feysand-loml // @surielandiareendgame // @live-the-fangirl-life // @story-scribbler // @loves-books // @fangirlprincess09 // @theysayitscrazy

[heniareth]

Okay!!!! Time to “yes, and”

You are. so correct about the Warden-Companion configurations T_T This will be hard to chooooooooooose!!! There are so many good tropes in the different options!!! The comparison of our lil guys to Garahel and Isseya!!!! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!

So, let me try to list our options with their various implications, see if that gets us anywhere:

Both are Wardens, recruited at the same time: Like you said, Garahel and Isseya, which is a comparison I’m going nuts for. Because somebody would make the comparison. And... Garahel dies. Who is the Garahel in this situation?? (It doesn’t have to be anybody, but they know nothing of the Dark Ritual yet, so let’s have them agonize about it for a bit). This is the worst option for poor, poor Cyrion, who lost his wife, and not one, but BOTH of his children on the same day a few years after. Somebody give this man a break. And then the news from Ostagar hit that the army was massacred... Ouch ouch ouch ouch this is a LOT of pain X’C On the bright side, Novhen and Astala get to do the Joining together! :D :D :D Another kinda traumatic event to add to the list! Yey! And! They both wreak havoc at the arl of Denerim’s estate.

Both are Wardens, recruited at different times: I think this applies to companion!Novhen, right? He is a warden; the companion!Astala AU I had featured her as a non-Warden. Same benefits as above, except Cyrion gets his heart broken twice instead of double (that is, the wardens take both his children, on different occasions. Don’t know what’s worse tbh). And you have both going through the Joining alone, but one (presumably Astala) gets to have the benefit of having a sibling who already went through it, might tell her what to prepare for (no idea if Novhen would tell her. What do you say about the Joining? “Hey, no worries, you’ll drink darkspawn blood and maybe die but I did it and I’m fine?”). We get the added angst of one knowing what the Joining entails and having to watch their sibling drink the darkspawn juice. And maybe die. fun stuff :D Also, only one goes through the arl of Denerim’s estate.

One is a Warden, the other a companion: This goes for companion!Astala, probably. Cyrion only loses one child, which is good. I also think these two could lie well enough to keep one of them out of trouble in front of the guards, same they did with Soris. The only problem would be to have them decide in the spur of the moment which one is going to take the fall, and with how protective they both are, I think they might both try to shoulder the punishment. Which might backfire and result in a double recruitment as per option 1. Also, why would the remaining sibling leave Cyrion behind after one already got recruited? That’d be a bit harsh on Cyrion. I think the best way the one Warden - one companion configuration would work is if one of them (presumably Astala) already lived elsewhere. In my companion!Astala AU I had it so that she got into too much trouble and had to be married off somewhere else to avoid serious repercussions. If she hears about Novhen’s recruitment, I could very well see it that she’d sneak away to visit Denerim out of worry for everyone. And then on the way she could have an encounter with darkspawn and, surprise, Novhen shows up! Tearful reunion! And of course she’s tagging along now! In this option, she might have a husband, maybe a kid??? (Although, if she did have a kid, she might just kick herself off the team if Novhen doesn’t do it. She’s got somebody to look after, she can’t just go traipsing around the countryside killing darkspawn). And she might’ve married into Highever and her husband happened to be a servant at teyrn Cousland’s estate. It could give grounds to some interesting dynamics 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

Both are companions: I think for this they’d have to flee Denerim after the wedding. For a time, that’d be the plan, until things have cooled over. There are no Wardens to recruit them, so they take the blame in front of the guards, make a run for it, maybe hide in the sewers until nightfall, sneak home (and hope the guards aren’t smart enough to set up a trap there), say their goodbyes and... make for the Dalish, maybe. And then the Warden finds them. It could happen differently as well, but the more canon option is to have them locked away in the arl of Denerim’s estate and it takes a long time for the Warden to get there. And we want these two out and about. And the having them flee could be a way to achieve that. We’re going to ignore the heightened risk of a purge if these two make a run for it, eh? In this version tho, they could both get to kill everybody at the arl of Denerim’s estate. They could both be having the wedding, or only one of them. It leaves a lot of freedom. Another way they could get away without the wardens is if they get imprisoned at the arl of Denerim’s estate, and then escape when Howe takes over. I doubt that Howe’s takeover was violent, though. The arl of Denerim died at Ostagar, and Novhen and Astala would’ve taken care of Vaughan for Howe. Damn, it doesn’t feel good to play into somebody’s hands like that :C

I don’t know if this listing is going to make it necessarily easier to choose, but hey, it’s a start. Have I forgotten anything? How do you see this, is the list comprehensive and did I read the different options right?

Regarding differences in approval: I think there would be few XD XD XD XD XD She woould disapprove of the blood magic ritual that sacrifices Isolde to save Connor, but that’s not because of the blood magic per se (although she is wary of it), and rather because you’re killing Isolde. Who is a noble and yada yada but she’s still Connor’s mother. Connor should get to keep his mother. The differences might be about minor things. She disapproves if the warden seduces either Ghenya or Cammen in the Brecilian Forest. And maybe certain ways of going about the whole werewolf thing might garner disapproval as well. If she’s not the Warden and free to judge as she pleases, she will not be happy with Zathrian dying, with the werewolves dying, and certainly not with the Dalish dying. Similarly, she will be happy with neither Bhelen nor Harrowmont. In-game that doesn’t make a lot of sense, but out of game, if we take this as a story, Astala is an idealist, and none of these options are ideal. The approval drops would be minor. There would be an approval drop at Ostagar if the Warden doesn’t bury Cailan’s body. And if she’s not a warden, she’d disapprove even of letting Avernus continue to research ethically. “Continue what you’re doing, but this time without killing people”... she just doesn’t trust the guy not to kill people. I don’t know how this differs from Novhen’s opinions XD XD XD

EDIT!!!: Astala would feel a bit iffy about killing Flemeth. Flemeth did, after all, save their lives (or Novhen's life. Or her life, depending on who is Warden) at the battle of Ostagar. That should mean something. They can't just kill the person who saved them. But, on the other hand, if Morrigan says that Flemeth is out to posess her... then that's not good. That has to be solved. But the idealism strikes again and while Astala won't stop anybody from killing Flemeth and will help, she'll feel a bit iffy about it (she would definitely feel much more iffy about lying to Morrigan about killing Flemeth, as this seems to be a matter of life and death). This might not apply to an AU where Novhen and Astala are both companions tho. In this case, her loyalties lie strictly with Morrigan. In fact, if Astala isn't present at the battle of Ostagar, she might ask Novhen if that wasn't the woman who saved him, but she'll have way less qualms about killing her.

If Adaia had difficulty conceiving, I imagine she and Cyrion would be very attached to both Novhen and Astala. Add the memory of how they tried so hard to the fact that both children are now off to stop a Blight. Angst! Angst everywhere! Give Cyrion a break! Adaia as well but she’s dead ToT

Astala and Novhen having a bit of a power struggle going on at times would be amazing, but the image of Novhen leaning towards Astala to whisper something that she then brings into the conversation is hilarious! Why not both? Siblings don’t always get along, and there will be moments when they’re working as a team, and others where they’ll want different things. Particularly if Novhen is very obedient to Adaia, while Astala is more defiant. And it’s funny, because Astala would be more obedient towards Valendrian. She’s got a bit of a legal good thing going on. She’s gonna run with Novhen, of course she is, but she’ll complain and try to get him to stop disobeying the elder first! Quiet kids can cause a load of trouble indeed. Also, I think I recall Novhen’s not so good with speaking in front of crowds. If he ends up the one in charge and he’d like that, Astala could be kind of like the First Mate to the Captain. Captain gives a speech and some orders, First Mate rounds everybody up and repeats the orders via shouting so that everybody gets it and does their job.

Aaaaaaaaaand Adaia’s disappearance. I think two disappearances are a good place to work off of. 9:25 for Adaia’s death leaves Astala and Novhen at 16 years of age, which is so much more time than Astala has with Adaia in my canon :') If there’s maybe a year or so between her liberation during Leliana’s song and her death, there would be time for Astala to have to run the household, get sick, and when her mother is back, confront her at some point, accuse her of being careless maybe. Or, alternatively, if Adaia is not doing well (which an extended stay in prison will do for you), just keep it aaaaaaall in and let it fester. Regardless, there would be some distancing (no doubt Adaia would notice, and Novhen as well, and Cyrion as well. I’m curious about what Novhen would think of Astala’s reaction. Does he think her unfair? It’s a very legitimate thing to think). Astala would have some time to harden herself around the hurt and the shock of Adaia’s first disappearance, and that would leave the time and space for Novhen to have his breakdown. Astala will be very scared for him. I can see her at some point telling Novhen to please not die as well. She can’t lose them both. But she will do her best to help pull Novhen out of whatever hole he’s inside. I agree that cuddles won’t fix everything. But at least, Astala can try and keep alcohol out of his reach.

Aw shit, he’s a rogue

Also, yey for the Tabris family and an unhealthy relationship with alcohol ToT Between Shianni and your canon Novhen... and Astala also doesn’t have the healthiest relationship with booze. And she works at a tavern, where alcohol is readily available. Something has to get you through the 235th night shift in a row. Speaking of work, originally in my canon I have Astala start working at age 14 because Adaia disappeared. Since in this AU Adaia is sticking around for a bit longer, Astala might have more time to... actually be a kid. Or she starts working, then her mother comes back and and she stops, and then picks it up again after Adaia’s death. How’s the work situation looking for Novhen? Astala will appreciate the stealing, but it will also set her terribly on edge bc what-if-he-gets-caught-and-then-he-dies-as-well. But it’s definitely better than being totally disassociated from reality

Also I love me a good grilling for a love interest from a sibling ^^ Novhen also can have such a quiet threatening aura about himself. I’m imagining Zevran hovering close to Astala, and Novhen just locks eyes with him and doesn’t. break. eye contact. until Zevran gives a kind of apologetic grin and sloooooooooowly withdraws XD XD XD Astala I agree would have to catch Morrigan unprepared. The urge to escape awkward situations via bird transformation is strong XD XD XD XD Although, Astala would definitely give the bird her lecture as well and just trust that Morrigan in her animal form can still understand her XD XD XD XD XD XD Also, Astala will tease him with the “can’t help liking bad boys (gender neutral)” XD XD XD XD And with the catching feelings. “What were you expecting, honestly? You’ve got a soft heart, just like Da.”

Also YES Astala would DEFINITELY let Novhen tell her about Morrigan. She would ASK in fact. Hey where’s your girlfriend? The archdemon is dead where is she? Did she dump you? Did you dump her? Do I have to talk to her? What’s going on? She’d probably notice Novhen being miserable (and he would be miserable), unless Novhen takes great pains in hiding it around her. But yeah, Astala will definitely sit down and listen. Pat him on the shoulder. Give him a hug. If he wants to cry, he can. It’s not like they haven’t seen each other cry before.

Speaking of the devil, or rather the demon: would Novhen tell Astala about the Dark Ritual? Otherwise he has to deal with a panicked Astala because there is a very real chance of one of them dying (”There was always a chance” “Yeah but this is inevitable! You can evade a blade but not the magical forces of destiny and Blight-fuckery!”)

And you know... Novhen meeting Adaia in the Fade is going to sting a bit. Because Astala doesn’t (unless I change that up). She is happy that Novhen could meet her and have her support but... what about her?

EDIT: Also also BANTERS!! I think DMs would definitely be best for that 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀 Idk what your time and availability is tho. Maybe we can hash that out over DMs too

Also regarding the nickname: Novris is the more correct option. Please excuse, I did have that stored somewhere in my brain but it didn't come out while writing :P Have I mentioned that I love what you're doing with Alfish? Because I love it. It's amazing. I am just a liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittle bit envious of Novhen for getting his own language while poor Astala... doesn't. I really should do something about that at some point. I wonder if, in this AU, Novhen would also be the one to use Alfish more, or at least have more fluency in it. As far as I understand, both Alfish and the references of Jewish culture you've baked into your stories are part of broader Alienage culture and not specific to the Cult of Fen'Harel, right?

So!! I've been wanting to do this for a while, but life got in the way, so now I'm here to take that thing up again because!!! Fun!!!! This is about the relationships between OCs, and I don't want to impose anything but. Regarding how Novhen and Astala would get along:

What if they HAD grown up together? Maybe not in the same family (although, it would be fun 👀👀👀👀👀👀 they are very similar and very different from each other in different aspects. For example both are very loyal and community oriented, but also Astala is loud and boisterous while Novhen is quieter and more underhanded), but definitely the same Alienage. They'd know each others' quirks and habits. Maybe Novhen got frustrated with Astala because she'd always hide in these really obvious spots when playing hide and seek and Astala in turn would never be able to find Novhen? Maybe Novhen would at some point have stolen a plum tart for her and maybe Astala would've helped him against another kid who made fun of Novhen? Maybe, if we wanted them to meet up later during the Blight, Astala had to move away from Denerim at some point. I think she's a bit older than Novhen; maybe she got married elsewhere. Or, if not, now we gave more elves storming Vaughan's estate, which is alwats fun. I think Novhen would get to lead that one operation until Nelaros's death, because before that, stealth does seem to be the best option.

I think these two would get along well, differences aside. Astala would make an effort to lower her if needed, and having a familiar face to lean on during the Blight year would probably be a big comfort to them both. I think they'd be comfortable enough with each other to talk about the recruitment and how it didn't exactly happen willingly; they could gripe about nobles and politics; they could just. Sit in silence after Broken Circle and try and digest Sloth's nightmare. They could kill the slavers at the Alienage together!!! I think having a like-minded person from the same cultural background would help enormously.

One thing Astala probably wouldn't be on board with is the Cult of Fen'Harel. She'd let Novhen practice alright and defend him if accusations about this were levelled against him, but I think she would either have fallen out of it if she'd ever been introduced to it (it didn't save Adaia after all, so...), or never warmed up to the idea of this elvhen trickster god

These are my thoughts as far as they go. What do you think? Also I hadn't thought of it, but if you want to move this conversation to DMs, they're open ^^

(And if this doesn't tickle your fancy anymore, feel free to ignore ^^)

👀👀👀👀👀 I am eating this ask up like breakfast. Or, er, ramen. Which is the thing i am actually eating atm. But yes yes yes to all of this, i love it so much

Full response under the readmore for length, but i'm realizing now my response is mostly about them as kids 😅 Oops

[Ask Game]

The way i play with companion!Novhen, i'd assume he and Astala are probably either siblings or cousins (i waffle), except this time on their mothers' sides. I don't know Astala's exact age, but Novhen was born in *pulls out notes* Wintermarch of 9:7 Dragon. If we try to stagger them based on Adaia's death, that's probably close to a decade between them which seems a tad bit higher than it should be. We'll just have to dance around that matter

Even if Astala isn't significantly older, there's probably never a single moment where he's taller than her XD Add onto that that girls tend to hit puberty first, there's gonna be quite the height difference around age 10

But yes, their personalities go in very different directions but are probably pretty compatible, especially if given the benefit of a shared childhood! They're both very sociable, but i suspect most people like Astala more, especially authority figures. She's much less of a troublemaker, and Novhen definitely took a while to come into his own as a social mastermind. (This also would make her the ideal candidate for a distraction whenever Novhen’s a-scheming. That’s gonna do her a lot of favors when trying to get him to steal plum tarts for her XD These two are the real blight as far as anyone in the alienage is concerned XDD)

Oh, actually! If they knew each other, i can imagine pretty well him practicing with or studying Astala to get better at social situation! And clearly it worked! (A: "Ok now make an angry face... You just look like you can't find a chamberpot. You have to scrunch your eyebrows like this." *jams her thumb down his forhead*)

Astala seems to prefer her hair shorter during the Blight, but how was it as a child? Because if it were in some sort of puff, i can imagine her child-level object permanence resulting in her hiding in an empty barrel with the puff still peeking over the top! (Artist's Rendition Below)

I don’t think he’d be too frustrated with her poor stealth outside of team games at least! (If they’re partnered is another story…) He does sometimes tease her that she’s not going to be a very good criminal when she gets bigger. Idk, how would she respond to that? Because how does she feels about the fact that she's not going to follow in her mother's footsteps (or how aware of that she'd be as a child) or maybe she would retort about how she’s already bigger or something else? Definitely a lot of ways to take that one lol

But also the idea of Novhen as alienage king of hide and seek is kinda cute. He's usually the last one left (all that damn thief training), so it’s not unheard of to see a parade of Astala, Shianni, Soris, and whoever else they've wrapped into their game (which with Astala could be quite a number) turning the alienage upsidedown to find him. There's probably at least one time he gets found in the first minute, and he thinks he's going to die of embarrassment. Because of that, they almost never let him be a hider in the first round. Sometimes when he’s hiding, they'll accidentally pick up seekers who weren't even playing along the way because they want to see him knocked down a peg XD That's what happens when you win too much!

Astala probably has him beat at wrestling tho! And the game where i imagine they’re most evenly matched would be arm wrestling. As an archer, Novhen has insane upper body and especially shoulder strength, but Astala has insane everywhere strength

On the less competitive side, imagine them as dance partners as little kids ☺️ Astala’s probably the more enthusiastic one about it, but i’d imagine she could drag him into it Easy whether through blackmail or Ole Reliable (puppy dog eyes). There have to be lots of events in the alienage that call for dancing, so it’s good to have a go-to dance partner! And if they ever get a Silly Urge while dancing, the one thing that i’ve found little kids most reliable to do is spin so fast they nearly make themselves sick, and when there’s two of them spinning each other, there’s no stopping them until the centrifugal force throws them both to the ground. At least they’re having fun lol

The Cult of Fen'Harel thing makes sense. I wouldn't expect Astala to be into that. I imagine in this case that Cyrion and Adaia agreed to expose the children to both sets of beliefs, so they could choose once they got older

It's a good thing Novhen's good at keeping matters hush because otherwise Astala would likely get stuck constantly mediating between Novhen and Ilanlas on matters of religion 🤭

Tbh Novhen would slightly begrudge her for choosing the Chantry, but i don't think he'd ever let her know if he could help it. It's just not worth it, and you can't talk about that without talking about Adaia's death which nobody is excited to talk about. Still, it's a potential source of drama, esp as the politics of DA:D are winding up

Back in the present day, if the endgame configuration is one where they live in the same location (which i think could only be the case if they were both companions), Novhen would offer her once for him to educate her child/ren in the way of the Cult of Fen'Harel and/or the Vir Banal'ras fighting style, probably get denied at least on the first one, and never bring it back up. He knows she's Andrastian and also wouldn't expect her to teach them that fighting style herself (too rogue-based), but if he had permission, he'd want to at least try to expose them to their family's traditions, so they could make a choice themselves like Novhen and Astala did

And honestly, if he's present for the origin, once Nelaros dies, Novhen would more than happily hand leadership of the mission over to Astala. Stealth only goes so far, and she has first dibs on revenge #SupportWomen

And with Unrest in the Alienage! As soon as Caladrius is dead, Novhen is scampering over his corpse to pick the lock on Cyrion's cage. Doesn't even wait for someone else to pilfer the key. Astala is free to react to that little scene however she wishes, and we get the whole Tabris family reunion after

Whoever’s Warden, i imagine those two leaning on each other a lot for emotional support during the Blight because not only are they the only alienage elves in the party, they’re family (or at the least childhood friends). Once we personalize the Broken Circle dreams, they get upsetting fast. If either of them get sent into that mission (or Maker forbid both of them), they’re definitely going to need to share a blanket by the fire for a minute

EDIT: the paragraph looks like it's been eaten but also! Novhen would be very cautious about Astala's Zevran romance at first. ("Yes, Stala, he's very dreamy, but let's not forget he's only here because he was hired to kill you.") We know he's very protective, and they're both so eldest sibling-coded

[cauldron-be-damned]

Bro like STOP trying to tell me that gw*n and azriel look good together or that their vibes mesh. They DON'T. Every fanart I see of them looks wrong. It's all very contrived. Their personalities don't mesh either. You KNOW he's an introvert, he's not just quiet and aloof bc of trauma or whatever. Introverts get their energy from spending time alone and having quiet time to recharge. He likes the quiet and his shadows are there to keep him company in the quiet, right? (Az and his shadows are definitely endgame.)

I can say that as a very strong fellow introvert, I'm not super comfortable in a group of lots of people either. Even people that I know well! Especially not being in a room with the rest of the IC, who are rowdy AF and have no trouble filling the silence without Az needing to weigh in. He clearly prefers to be one-on-one. You get a LOT more of his personality in ACOWAR (Feyre's POV), ACOFAS (Rhys's POV), and ACOSF (Cass's POV) when you're seeing him one-on-one with each of them. And he certainly has a personality and a sense of humor, it's just subtle and dry.

This is nothing against extroverts of course, but I think gw*n is an extrovert. Now it's hard to say bc she's only made an appearance in ACOSF and we've had way more books to get to know Az (not to mention we've encountered Elain and her also-subtle, quiet presence in literally all the books so far). But her vibe is much more forward and assertive and social-butterfly, at least to me. She seems to be more extroverted and outgoing. At a party she's not gonna sit in a corner bathed in shadows. I really do like her character, especially as a friend to Nesta. She seems like a very loyal person and she's funny and determined. And it's not that Az isn't exciting. But I feel like she'd be better suited to someone who could party with her, who would challenge her, who makes friends everywhere they go, like her. She seems like the life of a party, honestly. And that's great. But as someone who relates more to Az and honestly Elain more than any other character, Gw*n would not be my go-to romantic choice (not bc she's a female, I'm bi and fiery redheads are HOT.) Why? Because long-term, I would someone who can be my quiet companion. I just don't see that in her. An awesome friend to hang out with, someone who won't let you pull punches? Sure.

There is something to be said for a companionate love where you and the other person can sit in complete silence doing nothing or doing your own thing and enjoy the shit out of it. That's what it's like being an introvert married to another introvert. I personally love that my husband and I can feel like we're spending quality time together while not actively filling the silence or socializing. We also don't feel the need to be around other people all the time.

I'm basically making a case for Elriel here because just look at Elain!! A kindred spirit! She loves her quiet afternoons in the sunny garden just doing her own thing. Yall see how Az went out there to sit with her while she was doing that? Do ya think there was a ton of convo going on? Does he know shit about gardening? Most likely not. But he was SUNNING HIS WINGS. Illyrians are taught to protect their wings at all costs, and they only open them up when not flying if they're comfortable around the person they're with (and/or if they are peacocking, which you know he absolutely was.)

And who was the first person to offer to take her out to the garden in the first place?? 👀

This isn't even a question of whether Az likes Elain. It's been very clearly confirmed in the bonus chapter and by LITERALLY EVERY INTERACTION BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM. The question I guess is who is endgame for Az...

In a companionate love there is still passion. But when you're an introvert you need a lover AND a friend who can sit in silence with you and not make you feel like you have to do any emotional work. You need someone who wants to leave the party early with you so you can go home and snuggle on the couch and watch your couple-show. And then have some great sex afterward!

Maybe I'm missing something that gw*nriels are seeing, but I feel like they are blatantly ignoring all the things SJM has been very obviously trying to tell us about elriel. I don't understand the connection. Don't even get me started on how beautiful Elriel's whole "light meets the darkness" aesthetic is.

ALSO sjm loves the light-meets-dark thing. Remember in chapter 56 of ACOMAF when Feyre was glowing and Rhys went all king-of-darkness and the 2 blended together? It's yin and yang, people.

[twilightpoison]

It’s been brought up to me that a lot of my content is Isekai based. However I didn’t want this to be a Ieskai HC post. Instead let me tell you all about a stupid thing I came up with as a kid that I’ve been meaning to make into a fic for so long.:

What if the characters you play actually can feel your presence and/or can hear your commentary when playing?

Fair warning I never play Hyrule Warriors and Twilight Princess so let me know if I got things wrong.

Head canons under cut!

General head canons (These are all platonic headcanons btw.):

- Let’s say that the simple reason that you are here was to help the chain. Think of it like you’re the groups companion on this journey. Who better then someone that knows about each hyrule?

- The people who dealt with a lot of magic recognize you at first. The others need a bit of a push to connect the dots but everyone gets there.

- The connection wasn’t as strong at times during their original adventures, so its not like they could always hear you or sense you.

Time:

- You saw him and it was clear he has another sibling now.

- Time knew you where telling the true, that you followed both of his adventures however he wasn’t going to be fully open to you.

- Guess who isn’t scared of Time? You.

- Literally at one point you’ve pointed at Time and with a straight face says “thats a child”.

- This is also how the chain found out that Time actually fought the moon technically.

- “You fought Majora on the moon while it was falling. That’s not the same thing.”

- You meet Malon and it was an awkward first meeting since how do you explain this in the first place.

- Yet the two of you got along amazingly.

- When you and time are alone you instantly ask Time if he knew how she got the cow in his house. He kinda just… stares at you? Like you just met his wife and thats what your asking about?!

- The answer was that he wasn’t sure how she did that but the cow isn’t in his old house anymore. Since different timelines and all.

- It’s honestly weird for him to have someone remember both of his adventures in confidence.

- All be a little awkward hearing someone go, “oh yeah! Time had to do something similar.”

- Early on Time did go over boundaries since he really doesn’t like to talk about his adventures to much.

- So instead you both agree to be as cryptic as possible or at least there is an attempt on your part. Since your the only other person that can confirm or deny his claims.

- And no. You also don’t know his true age. But your guess is the closest.

Twilight:

- Since he is one of the Link’s that is drenched in magic, he recognizes your aura instantly.

- Chaotic sibling energy.

- If he is giving Wild or any of the other Link’s a hard time you are by his side calling Twilight out. Unless if the person in question did something truly idiotic then you let him go off.

- Speaking of, you call this man out as much as you possibly can. Like hell if you’re going to let the others think he isn’t a gremlin.

- He did try to stop you by covering your mouth but you licked his hand. So…. guess what he isn’t trying again unless it’s necessary.

- Somethings are kept a secret though. Since he did live through it and even if it was stupid he still could of gotten really hurt.

- You both play good cop, bad cop to the younger Links all the time.

- Twi is surprisingly very open with you about his adventure, to finally talk to someone about it with out having it sound crazy is nice.

- He also has some questions about you and your life. Since before this adventure started you just disappeared.

- The two of you honestly get along like two best friends who haven’t seen each other in years but still can banter like its the good old days.

- Knowing only small amounts about what they all been through it’s nice to know that you’re looking after the others as well.

- That feeling makes him really push himself to protect the family he has here and luckily you are here can smack him upside the head before lecturing him.

Warriors:

- heeeeey… you know what happen the last time he met someone that was suppose to be watching over the hero’s spirit?

- Yeah, so….War’s isn’t so keen on trusting you like some of these Heroes.

- You seem nice and not obsessively crazy. If anything what makes him decide to give you a chance. It’s seeing you get along with the other Heroes post battle or around the campfire when you think no one is watching.

- The moment that he recognizes you. You were cursing out some monsters and calling Dink every name under the sun. Which he actually remembers hearing your panicked voice briefly when fighting Cia.

- Anyway, you guys are a sass duo and even a trio when you get Leg involved.

- You steal his scarf sometimes with Time and Wind’s help

- He finds you and Wind wrapped inside of it leaning on time and his heart just- clenches, he has more siblings now!

- Then Warriors realizes he has another sibling… another sibling that will prank him…

- You two can be found discussing tactical strategies. Mostly him teaching you though since depending on the person not many people will know how to lead an army. Yet he is a good teacher and you catch on pretty quickly.

- Same with Twi, Warrior’s needs someone to pull him back sometimes it seems. Who better then to remind him then the person that already saw his lowest moment when his ego got the better of him?

- Seriously speaking. He wouldn’t come to you to talk. If anything he will try to avoid you if he wasn’t his best. In his head he has a reputation to uphold. Which will lead to a heart to heart. No sass. No banter. Just you and him sitting down to remind him that he is human.

- He needs a hug. Please give him a hug.

Sky:

- Sky actually didn’t recognize you at first!

- Yes he felt your presence and hear your voice in his adventure, but that was a while ago at this point. Also he isn’t as connected to magic as the others are.

- He does slowly befriend you despite everything.

- It wasn’t until you referred to a certain demon lord as a ‘B*tch A** Clown’ and a flood gate of memories open up for him. Memories of you cursing out Ghirahim, calling the imprisoned an ‘avocado with feet’ and so on.

- Nothing really changes between you two honestly, he just accepts it.

- If anything he becomes more open to you about everything, setting clear boundaries on what he doesn’t want to bring up. He will tell everyone about the curse eventually, but just hasn’t found a good opportunity too. Things like that.

- You do have to argue with Sky that the curse wasn’t his fault since you were also there when it was put on him, also the fact that he didn’t asked to be cursed in the first place.

- Most of the time you two are together its to get away from the chaos that the group of nine heroes could bring.

- Walking or sitting in silence is how you two end up most of the time together. It may not look like you two are bonding. There are some days while Sky is wood carving you would work on your small hobby as well. Then there are days he plays the harp and your reading.

- Despite it all he really enjoys the peace you bring. There is a sense of comfort that you have.

- When you and Sun finally meet. The first thing you ask him is to be invited to the wedding and it may or may not been in front of her too…

Wild:

- The recognition was really slow for him like Sky. Since Wild just got off of his first adventure he didn’t actually notice you were gone.

- It was until he realized that he couldn’t hear your panicked voice or snarky remarks when fighting in his head. That he finally realized you where outside of his head. He was quick to connects the dots after that.

- There was a moment where he didn’t know how to react since he just figured that you were just from his imagination.

- He now has another adventuring buddy with Hyurle! Though luckily you do keep the both of them from harm. Mostly because if something happens to them you will get in trouble with like Twi and Leg and thats never fun.

- Though you have your moments. Shield surfing and paragliding are on top of that list and Wild is all up for teaching you the ropes.

- The topic of the history of hyrule gets brought up a lot with the two of you. Since his era has a lot of connections to the past era’s. He is all up for learning about what came from where. Soon theories start to fly about.

- When You, Him and Flora are finally all together. There is nothing stopping you all from bouncing off theories. With your outside knowledge mixing with what they know. Things start to fall into place.

- The answer to why the timeline is like this doesn’t get answer. But hey! At least you all are having fun!

- If you can’t cook he will teach you that too! If you can! Well buckle up your going to share your knowledge with him whether you want to or not.

- Once you know how or get used to cooking while camping, you help him out a lot and its these moments where you both talk the most.

- It’s comforting to him to know he wasn’t alone this whole time.

Legend:

- As soon as you two locked eyes he felt instant dread. Yes he knew. No he isn’t going to opening up to you.

- Playful Insults to bond? Yeah that’s literally how he talks to everyone so no special treatment.

- He keeps you at a distance but its not actually working.

- You talk about his adventures so casually like it happened a few days ago. You avoid Link’s Awakening though. If you got hurt with the plot twist then you could only imagine the pain Leg went through.

- “I’m still trying to process the fact you married a tree.” “Hey remember that one time with Yuga, you slammed face first into a wall so hard you knocked yourself out?” “God do you not wear pants because of the fish thing?”

- This relationship is literally: Only I can bully this one.

- He fears the moment you meet Ravio and Fable knowing full well you all will bond over teasing him.

- Overall though he knows you got his back no matter what, to the point he finds himself confining in you slowly.

- Guess who is also teaming up with Hyrule to get Legend to sleep. It you.

- Once you probably have forced him to sleep by getting wolfie to lay on him. It was the wolf or yourself. In the end it was both of you and he was trapped.

- A sign that he was becoming soft towards you was when he started sharing his items with you. He trusts that you know how to use them and if you don’t he is actually willing to show you.

- He regrets giving the bee badge to you.

Hyrule:

- Another person that is drenched in magic. It only took one look at you for him to realize who you were.

- The two of you were awkward as anything at first. Since to you he never really spoken in his adventure so you didn’t know how to picture his personality.

- There’s a lot of mystery in your mind about him since again there isn’t much to go off of with what your given in game. It’s weird for him to hear about how you interpret his personality from that perspective.

- Hyrule didn’t honestly expect you to try and befriend him tbh. It mostly him over thinking it.

- You do follow him sometimes when he wants to wander around and explore. Mostly because you claim he finds the coolest things when he does.

- But its just a excuse to actually get to know him.

- The two of you trade stories and questions about each of your lives. There might be things you know that he might not know of about his adventure and his hyrule.

- Of course never going into to much details since there are things you couldn’t tell him.

- Hyrule honestly was dreading the day you all would land in his Era. He loves his home but is also very aware of it not being the most…welcoming place.

- So it’s more then surprising to him that there is even more then the glint of familiarity and excitement on your face. Knowing full well what dangers where a head of you, you still were open to exploring his world to the fullest.

- It’s honestly refreshing to see someone love his era as much as he does.

- Another boy that needs hugs, please give him a hug.

- You both cheer each other on though.

- This relationship is just aggressive support between you two and the others.

Four: (I’m actively mixing the Four Sword game and manga just to be clear.)

- Not sure if he would know exactly who you where since during the second adventure your voice and presence bounce between the four of them.

- Yet I also feel like he took after you because he was a child in his first adventure, which worries you a lot. Since you did have choice words for Vaati.

- The first to realize was Vio then it went Blue, Red and Green. Despite being in the same head it was just a theory they had over all. They all had their own ways of confirming it.

- Vio noticed the small things you do around Four. Like not stepping on their shadow, and covering Four when things got chaotic in their head. Small references here and there. When the two of you are alone he almost quizzes you about things. Just to see how much you know and to see if your telling the true or not.

- Blue recognize your mannerisms being something he picked up on during the first and second adventure. Only vaguely since again he was a child / there was only a small part only with him. Your fighting banter when your in battle made you see where Blue got his colorful language from…

- Your comfort was what clued Red in. He remembers your presence more clearly then the others from the first and second adventure. It was a comforting (yet chaotic) presence in their adventures that he latched on to. More so from his first adventure since as a kid he made an imaginary friend to process the fact he could sense and hear your presence. When you came back in the second time around it felt so natural for Red to have you there and really helped make him go forward through his small journey.

- For Green? It was a lot of things but when he see’s you treating each color differently when they are in charged. It’s a refreshing sight to be honest. He just enjoys hearing and seeing that his brothers had someone to confide in. Even when they switch who is in control you some how could tell and spoke to them accordingly.

- They were all some what surprise that none of the others picked up on your treatment of him swapping so much. Yet their also glad because their not ready to reveal themselves quiet yet.

- As Four or as you nicknamed him ‘Rainbow’ the two of you tend to sick together when the world’s shift around. Since his body needs more time to recover.

- You two are another pair that cheers each other on when the moral is low.

- He introduces you to the Minish! Getting you a jabber nut so you can speak to them too. You can’t shrink down to properly talk to them so this was the next best thing.

- The four of them makes you a dagger to bring home to remember him by, there’s a kin stone imbedded where the blade meets the hilt.

Wind: (hello self projection my dear friend)

- Wind didn’t recognize you ether at first, yet he didn’t even blink when you join everyone. He was fully on board with getting a new member and is easiest the most opened.

- It was when you two are alone together that something clicked in his head. You see during the Wind Waker he was alone most of the time when he was on land. So he had to face a lot by himself.

- Having you was reassuring to him when facing some of the monsters alone, especially with the puppet ganon fight. The two of you both agree that it was creepy.

- CHAOTIC SIBLINGS PART 2… well kinda

- Wind is a lot more mature then you realized but you two still have those moments.

- You, Aryll and Grandma get along too! So he and his family basically sees you and the chain as family.

- Pranking buddies! You’re targets would never know. Mostly because your covering up for him. You two team up with Four and Wild so the pranks can get chaotic at times.

- No matter what age you are compare to him and if your ok with it he does like platonic physical affection. Your going to be trading off with Warriors a lot of the time for cuddles or it’s the three of you together.

- You teaching him our worlds sea shanties and him teaching you his? Heck yeah! Even making up songs with the others is something on the table and in the works which is nice.

- It’s another thing to bring back home thats personalized!

Honestly since I’ve written all of this down I want to write the fic more. Though I’ll probably not only because idk if people would even read it lol. So it will just be a bunch of head canons. Anyway rambling is done.