#the lake has frozen a little but like i said. too warm :(

[bsaka7]

bummed bc i wanted to pester my friends into going ice skating like i do every year but my hometown isn't doing the free outdoor rink yet because it's been too warm :(

[kazumiku]

HAI KAZU!!! I wanna request a drabble(?) or is it dabble idk these terms,, a scenario!!!! CAN YOU WRITE SOMETHING FOR KAZUHA, like an icecream date with kazuha!!! VERY WHOLESOME !!!!!! OMGG can yn buy a flavour they never tried and then not like it and they end up swapping ice creams 😣😣 AND THEY WATCH THE SUNSET TOGETHER like they walk around after in a park

I hope this makes sense 💗

HAI NI OMG THIS IS SO CUTE YES YES YES!!!!!!!? 💌💌💌 I LOVE THIS THOUGHT SM ILY INIII fluff gives me da brain fart so i hope this was alright!!! 😭

gn!reader, FLUUUUUUUFF, kazuha in love, he gives u a peck once, modern :3 736 words !!!

Kazuha's eyes has never left you since the start of this little date. An award for going through torturous hours and hours of lectures and classes, the professor's voice still stuck at the back of your head as you had exited the lecture hall wearily. You were done for the day, at least. He greets you out with a smile that sheds light your gloomy worries, and, not soon after, you both find yourself strolling out the campus gates.

"Careful now, dear," Kazuha ushered you to the sidewalk had you strayed further to the road. He had you walk beside him on the safe side of the pathway as the soles of your shoes tap on the pavement in matched steps—a little skip as you go.

His hand was warm intertwined in yours, palms rocking back and forth, in tune to the playful bounce in your walk. Kazuha was no less content in listening to your rants, offering a word of mind when you come to quiet down between sentences, smiling at him all pretty it made his chest tight.

"It seems like a childish act on your professor's part. Had your classmate acted more brash than sleeping, I'd understand, but slapping the poor boy with a chalk eraser as a wake up call is too rigorous," he sighed, his thumb brushing up your knuckles lightly.

"That's what I'm saying! And not to mention—oh," your gaze faltered, straying to the side of the grassy park the both of you just entered. A small stall was perched, with a man dressed in white handing out ice cream to a family of four, whom eat the frozen dessert with smiles on his faces. Kazuha's gaze followed yours, too.

Having caught of the sight just as you did, he tugs on your arm. "Ice cream?" not more was needed to be said when you followed along with a bright face.

"Oh, there's a lot more flavours than the shop we frequent. Would you like your usual?" directed Kazuha, whose scarlet eyes skirted over the options the stall had put up. You're one to stick by only what pleased you once, pleasing you a hundred times furthermore. So, he was no less surprised when you shook your head to his common query.

"I want to try something new!" your eyes widen in fascination as you glaze over the endless flavour options. "Blueberry cheesecake! I've never seen that before, can I try it out?" turning to Kazuha, he knew he couldn't resist that look as he nodded with a weary smile.

"Of course. Just a moment, let me get my wallet."

As now, you both stroll, much more careful as you hold the ice cream cone to your lips. Kazuha ordered vanilla, sweet and creamy, as he always does. You, on the other hand, were slapped by flavours on your tongue. The tang by the crushed blueberries and the taste of cream cheese seemed to be too much for you, as you started glancing over to Kazuha's way, earning you a quirk of the brow.

"Kazu…" a whine left low on your throat, the bottom of your lip jutting as you distance the ice cream the slightest away from your mouth.

You needn't say more than his name, the action informing him enough. He reaches to steer you to a spot by the lake, where you sit on a bench right beside him before the act of exchanging cones was held. He was glad he chose the flavour he did, knowing you'd like it, more than you did with the last.

"Don't rush, lest you want a brain freeze," you enjoyed it more than you let on, and Kazuha can tell. A bite too large on the treat, it made your teeth hurt, but he was no more than soft laughter emanating from his chest. You're too lovely for your own good, even under the streaking red and orange hues that broke the skies.

Kazuha muses, "You're as captivating under the sunset as you are at dawn." Earning a rosy hue to the apples of your cheeks.

"Are you telling me I'm pretty?"

"More than that, in truth," he leans, his lips brushing the corner of yours, cleaning the stray drop of vanilla ice cream that strayed far from your tongue. "You make me awfully smitten. I can't watch the sunset if you dazzle brighter than the sun does, my love."

main navi!

[cassafrassie]

I joined this fandom 10 years too late and there's rarely new fics being posted so I guess it's up to me now!

Dipper makes a little oopsie when texing Pacifica late at night.

Also available on AO3.

---

Read Receipts word count: 2,613 rating: T (language)

He could blame it on the fact that it’s after 2 A.M. and he was up at 5 A.M. for Varsity Swim practice this morning. He could just say it was an accident, pure and simple, like when little kids call their teachers “mom.” He could say he meant to text it to his cousin in Phoenix (he doesn’t have one, but she doesn’t know that). He could claim that Mabel must have been messing with the auto-correct features on his phone again; some sort of mean prank. Hell, he could say it was Mabel who had typed it out in the first place.

None of these thoughts occur to Dipper Pines in this moment. In this moment, the only thought repeating through his head is:

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck

He sits and stares at the offending text. The bright blue bubble surrounding it confirms that yes, he actually sent those words.

Goodnight, love you. 

He watches in frozen horror as the “delivered” text below it transforms into “Read: 2:23 AM.”

Fuuuuuuuuck.

Snapping out of it in an instant, his thumbs feverishly begin tapping out an apology. He stops, erases what he wrote. This isn’t really something you apologize for, right? Would that be weirder than leaving it be? She’s his best friend. She knows he loves her, at least she knows he loves her platonically , and calling it out might draw more unnecessary attention. 

But then, he’s definitely never said those words before. 

Yeah, this is new. It’s weird. He needs to say something.

He starts again, tapping in some bogus message about how life is short and tomorrow is never promised, and hey why not tell your friends you love them? This line of thought is pretty out of character for him, so he blames it on some sappy coming-of-age movie that Mabel was watching the other night. And hey maybe it was kind of saccharine but there’s some truth in all art, right? 

She will totally call bullshit. He erases this too. 

He starts tapping out a simple “ I didn’t mean to send that ” but that’s no good either because he doesn’t want her to think he doesn’t care for her. He just doesn’t want her to know that he’s desperately in love with her, that he thinks about her every night before bed, about how he turns bright red any time his mom innocently asks how she is, or that he printed out that photo of them at the lake last summer and has it taped in his locker at school. 

(“Who is THAT?” his lab partner Tyler once asked, and he just smiled in response. Nothing wrong with letting people think he has a super hot out-of-town girlfriend; he can’t help it if rumors circulate. 

They don’t, but it was worth a shot.)

He’s broken out of his reverie by the appearance of three little blinking dots appearing on his screen. He swallows. 

Pacifica: You know I can see each time you start your message over again, right? 

Dipper feels his cheeks warm. He braces himself and slowly taps out an answer.

Dipper: Yeah, sorry. Overthinking I guess.

Pacifica: You? Never.

Relief floods him. She’s teasing him, this is normal.

Dipper: I know, right? Better call the feds and alert the media.

Pacifica: I’ll start working on the press release.

Dipper: Maybe I can give Toby an exclusive interview. 

This is good, he thinks. They can just banter a bit, and he’ll guide the conversation to another topic and then they can say goodnight again ( sans accidental love confession ) and he’ll push this little slip to the recesses of his brain where he stores every other embarrassing memory. It will live blissfully ignored next to memories of the lamby lamby dance and the time Mabel accidentally uploaded an episode of Dipper’s Guide to the Unexplained to the school server instead of her AV assignment.

Pacifica: So…

Well, shit . Nevermind . 

Dipper: So…

Pacifica: What exactly were you overthinking just now?

Dipper: I mean, I think you know. 

Pacifica: I’d like to know we’re on the same page though. 

Dipper snorts. They haven’t been on the same page about this particular topic since the night he realized just how delectable the smell of champagne and flowers could be, or since the afternoon she entrusted him with her deepest insecurities, and he realized she was one of the most courageous girls he knew.

He smiles grimly as he types his response. Be brave, man. 

Dipper: I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to type that. I know that’s not something we say… not in the way that Mabel and I do, or even Mabel and you do. Sorry if I made you feel weird.

Brave-ish, anyway. 

Pacifica: So it was an accident then?

He frowns. Was he not clear?

Dipper: Well, I mean yeah. 

Her response takes a long time to come in, and he wonders momentarily if she’s fallen asleep. 

Pacifica: Okay, I understand. 

Wait, what?  Is she… disappointed? No, no that doesn’t make sense. She must just be offended, she thinks he doesn’t care about her at all. 

Dipper: No I mean, I do feel like that. Like obviously you mean a lot to me, and that is a real feeling I have. But I just didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable. Since you know, I’m a guy and normally when a guy says that to a girl it means something else. 

That’s better, he thinks, satisfied with himself. Why didn’t he just say this in the first place?

Pacifica: I get it, Dipper.

What the…?

His blood pressure is rising and he feels a jumpy anxiety course through him. Fix it, fix it now his brain screams. 

His finger is tapping the tiny photo of her at the top of their thread and jabbing call before his brain manages to catch up.

She picks up on the first ring. 

“Hello?” answers a small, sniffly voice. 

“Paz? What’s wrong? I’m sorry. What did I do?” 

He hears a quiet chuckle muffled by another sniffle.

“You’re apologizing without even knowing what you did?” she teases lightly, voice still shaky.

“Yes,” Dipper responds without hesitation, not seeing her point.

“You don’t need to apologize, Dip. You didn’t do anything wrong,” she sighs.

“I don’t understand, Paz. Why are you crying?” 

“It’s nothing, don’t worry about it.”

“Paz, I’m going to worry. You’re upset and it’s my fault.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s mine,” she says quietly, so unlike herself. 

Dipper’s head is still swimming, looking for answers. The emotional whiplash he’s gone through in the last ten minutes isn’t helping. 

“Can we talk about it?” he ventures, keeping his voice low. In his urgency to call her he forgot that everyone else in his house is asleep. The last thing he needs is his dad walking in on this conversation and ushering him to bed.

Pacifica is quiet for a few long seconds, but eventually he hears a soft “okay.”

He stays quiet, giving her space to pull together her thoughts.

“I… liked what you said earlier. When you said goodnight. It felt nice. And I guess it made me sad to find out you didn’t mean to say it.” 

Well now you’ve gone and done it. Idiot , he thinks at himself. 

He takes a deep breath, decides to edge a little closer to honesty. 

“I’m… really glad it made you happy. It’s… true. I do…feel that,” he says carefully, not having the courage to repeat the forbidden L-word . “You mean the world to me,” he adds, hoping it will be a bit of a balm to his earlier fumble. 

She sniffles again, but it’s not quite as wet as her earlier sniffs.

He continues, slowly, deciding to edge one more toe a bit closer to the truth. Under no circumstances is he about to confess his undying and likely unrequited romantic love, but he can make her feel better.

“I don’t think you know how much you mean to me,” he adds.

“That’s probably true…”

He puzzles at her response, chewing on his bottom lip. Before he can reply, she continues. 

“That’s why I’m sad. I don’t… know, really , how much I mean to you. In…” there’s a long pause. “In what way.” 

His heart leaps into his throat, hopefully. Could she…? No…

“Oh,” is all he manages to say.

“I wish I did,” she says bluntly.

There’s no avoiding what she’s hinting at. Hell, she’s not even really hinting. He’s so close to telling her, telling her all of it, but there’s that one small, mean voice in his head telling him that she could never return his feelings, that she just wants to clear the air because it’s become so obvious that he’s crazy about her, and she wants to let him down easy so they can go on being friends…

But she keeps talking, interrupting the small, mean voice.

“I want you to know how I feel, too,” she says, a bit more of her usual confidence finding its way back into her tone. Dipper senses that she’s made up her mind about something.  

The only thought present in his mind now is that he’s about to either be the happiest he’s ever been, or have his heart shattered into a million pieces. 

“But can we talk about it in person?” she asks. 

He chokes.

“Yeah, yeah of course, that’s fine,” he lies. 

It absolutely is not fine , his heart wails. He won’t be in Gravity Falls for another two months. How on earth is he going to wait two months to hear the answer to the question that’s been on his mind for the last four years? 

“Can you… ugh this is embarrassing–” she starts.

“What?” He interjects. “Whatever you want, it’s done.”

He winces. Ugh, he’s such a goner.

But he thinks he can hear a smile in her response, which calms him a little. “Could you tell me some things you like about me, in the meantime?” she asks. “I’m… uh… feeling a little vulnerable right now.”

“Oh… yeah, yeah of course.”

He thinks for a beat, cataloging the thousands of images, feelings, and memories currently flooding his mind. 

“Well just to get it out of the way first because it’s incredibly obvious, you’re gorgeous. But you don’t need to hear that from me.”

“But I like hearing it from you. I like hearing… you say that,” she repeats, with emphasis.

He’d have to be pretty thick to not catch her meaning there, and Dipper may be many things but he’s not a complete idiot. 

Emboldened, he goes on.

“Alright, well, you’re stunning. Like, the way your eyes match the sky, and when the sunlight hits your hair and it just kind of shimmers.” He makes a waving motion with his fingers even though she can’t see it. “And when you smile, I swear it makes everything brighter. Whenever one of my friends down here sees your photo…” He almost tells her about the locker photo, but decides against it. No need to out himself as a total creep just yet. “They’re always just like, shocked, that I even know someone like you.” 

Pacifica giggles. “Okay, okay, I get it. You think I’m pretty.”

“It’s not just that though,” he adds quickly. “The way you stand up to your parents– and I know you can’t go full-on rebel-mode– but you do it in your own subtle ways, and I just want you to know that I see that, and I think it’s amazing. You’re brave; you always have my back when we’re exploring. You’re hilarious, even if half of your jokes are at my expense… I don’t mind it. Because they’re usually true. And I like that you’re paying attention to me. I like being seen by you, too.” He swallows. “I’m happy when I’m around you. Even if you’re driving me up a wall. It… it feels good.”  

His honesty, rather than feeding his insecurities, has him feeling bold.

“I like it when we’re together. I think we’re good together,” he finishes. 

And it sort of feels like he just took a flying leap off a cliff. 

“I think we’re good together too,” she says. 

And it’s also like landing in a soft, warm, solid bed. 

“Okay,” she starts. “Okay, I feel better. Thank you, Dipper.” He hears her sigh contentedly. “I can let you go now; I know you’ve had a long day.”

But he’s still feeling brave. And he’s not really used to the feeling when it comes to this, so he doesn’t want to let it go to waste.

“Hey, not so fast, missy,” he says, keeping his voice playful. “I can’t let you go to bed hearing all those sweet nothings without getting some for myself.”

She giggles, and his heart soars.

“Okay, mister,” she teases back. “Fair is fair.”

“Feel free to start with my devastatingly handsome features, too. Rogue-ish good looks. All that.”

She giggles again and ugh he’s going to get addicted to the oxytocin that floods his brain at the sound. Oh, who the hell is he kidding? He has been for a long time. 

“Okay well, yes, you do have a certain inherent charm that is somewhat related to your cute, cocky smile, I suppose…” Dipper feels himself grin involuntarily. “But what I like most about you, devastatingly roguish features aside, is your character. How you care about right and wrong. How you challenge me to be better, but never make me feel judged. How curious you are about the world around us, and how you help me learn new things, too. How you love your family, and stop at nothing to protect them… and me. You make me feel safe. And I just… I admire you.”

“Paz, I don’t want to wait until June for–” He almost says “for this” but realizes they haven’t exactly called a spade a spade yet, and he wants to keep up the charade they both know they are playing until they are face-to-face. “--to talk about this.”

“...what are you doing Saturday?”

“This Saturday?” he asks, surprised. 

She hums in confirmation. 

“Uh… well, nothing. Some people were going to the movies, but that– that’s so not important.”

“Well, there’s… this little city off the five, near Mount Shasta, it'd be about a three hour drive for each of us. We could both leave early… have a late breakfast together… it looks like there’s this arboretum that could be cool, or maybe just walk along the river…”

“Wow, you know a lot about this particular town, Paz,” Dipper teases.

“I’ve never been, but… I might’ve done some research into the area…” she admits, and he thinks he can hear a shy smile breaking through in her voice. 

“Sounds like a date.” And he grins at his own cleverness, at the double meaning. 

“Yeah,” she laughs. “I guess it is.”

“I’ll see you Saturday, then,” he says, and the butterflies in his stomach somersault happily. 

“See you then,” she replies, and he knows he can hear her own grin now. “Goodnight, Dipper.”

“Goodnight, Pacifica.” He pauses. Fuck it. “Love you.” 

“I love you too.”

Dipper lets the phone drop on his chest as he falls backwards onto his bed, dopey smile plastered to his face and pleasant warmth coursing through his body. 

He starts thinking of all the ways he can tell and show her just what she means to him– just as soon as she’s in his arms. And as these pleasant thoughts slowly shift into dreams, he gives in to sleep with an unburdened mind and full heart.

[danikamariewrites]

Hello! Could you write a story where reader falls into the frozen lake and Helion saves her and then takes care of her? Thank you!

P.S

Your stories are awesome! ❤

Chills

Helion x reader

A/n: Thank you anon❤️ Also all I can think of is that scene in Little Women when Amy falls in the lake while skating lmao

Warnings: lil bit of angst and eventual fluff

You had always loved the snow and bundling up in warm comfy clothes. When Helion told you that you were visiting the Winter Court for a week you were ecstatic. You and Viviane are close so you were also excited to spend time with your friend.

Once you arrived and saw Viviane you both started screeching as you held onto each other. As your husbands talked about court politics she took you around the palace. You had hot cocoa and gingerbread cookies by the fire in the grand sitting room. “So,” she starts, “how are things with you and Helion? I feel like I haven't properly seen you since the wedding.”

You and Helion had gotten married five months ago. Since then life has been hectic with him following in Rhysands footsteps and making you High Lady of the Day Court. “It's been wonderful. A little hectic with the High Lady stuff but that's what we have our little club with Feyre for.” Viviane giggles throwing her snow-white hair over her shoulder. “It certainly is.”

“But everything between us is the same, if not better.” Ever since the wedding Helion has been more attentive to you. And you're not complaining. “I'm surprised you're not pregnant yet.” Viviane laughs. You feel your cheeks heat up at her comment. Before you can respond Hellion and Kallias walk-in.

Kallias speaks first “Now that politics are out of the way are you two ready for the fun to start?” Viviane claps her hands together, pulling you from your chair.

The couple took you to the frozen lake behind the palace to ice skate. Viviane told you that Helion requested that you do this during your visit because you had always wanted to learn. After a few minutes of Viviane and Helion teaching you, you could skate on your own. “You're a natural!” she yelled across the lake as you floated effortlessly across the ice.

As the four of you skated around and talked for the afternoon you became more confident in your skills. Going out farther across the lake and circling back into Helion's arms. On your latest pass of untouched ice, you felt a crack under the blades of your skates.

Trying not to panic you take a tentative step back. You heard Helion calling your name but you were too focused. Taking two more steps back to try and step back on thicker ice, the ice around you splintered. Before you could react, you fell into the icy water.

Your eyes were closed and you were kicking your feet wildly. It wasn't doing much, the skates weighing you down. You resorted to relying on your arms to attempt to carry you to the surface.

Opening your eyes you could make out the hole in the ice and three shadows above you. You heard a splash and felt Helion's strong arms wrap around your waist.

You hit the freezing surface, coughing and sputtering, sucking down air. Kallias and Viviane we're apologizing profusely. Helion held you to his chest as Kallias winnowed you all into the grand sitting room.

Viviane ran to get you both new clothes as Kallias added more logs to the roaring fire. You were shivering violently. Helion pushed wet strands of hair from your face, “You're ok, I got you.” he said. After Viviane brought your clothes and a towel, she and Kallias left, closing the doors to give you privacy.

“Do you want me to help you change?” You nodded in response, too cold for words. Helion strips you of your wet clothes, drying you off as he goes. Once he's done he changes himself and sits with you in front of the fire. He pulls you into his lap, rubbing your arms to warm you.

“Thank you for saving me.” He pulls you closer, tucking your head under his chin. “I'll always save you, my love.” You relax into his warmth, the chill finally ebbing from your body.

tags: @nyotamalfoy @auggiesolovey @bubybubsters @baybay123455 @msiecrane

[su8arandspite]

Feels Like Forever

Summary: It’s Valentine’s Day 1991, and Steve has a romantic getaway planned for himself and his girlfriend. But it might be a little more than a weekend away. Or, alternatively, the one where Steve has a very important question he wants to ask Beth.

steve harrington x female!oc

warnings and content: not proofread, probably not geographically accurate, established relationship, tooth-rotting fluff, smut, mentions of breeding, slight praise kink, unprotected sex

Just a lil (tiny bit late) valentine’s day blurb and some self-indulgence in oc fics. I have mixed feelings about this tbh but i love steve and beth so much & i’d like to send a big thank you to @powderblueblood for encouraging me

word count: 2.9k

(psst: want more beth & steve? Here 1 2 3 are some old classics from the vault ;)) )

“ARE you sure you know where we’re going?” 

Beth turned her gaze away from the passing countryside to lock onto the man sitting in the drivers’ seat beside her. Steve drummed his fingers against the steering wheel in time to the beat of the radio, which he had turned on low.

“Yes,” he scoffed. “Maybe. I’m pretty sure it’s just straight down this road and then we turn after the… cornfield”

Steve’s cheeks pinkened. There were miles of cornfields, nothing but them, as they drove through rural Indiana. The laugh that Beth gives in return is kind, mirthful.

“Oh, Steve,” Beth reached to retrieve the map from his glovebox. As she unfolded it, she broke out into a playful grin. “Where would you be without me?” 

She clicked her tongue playfully. Steve tore his eyes away from the road just in time to witness the glow in her eyes as a ray of sunshine caught the hazel and warmed it into the color of fresh honey. He reached for her, gently squeezing her hand in his.

“Darling,” Steve shook his head and pressed a feather-light kiss to her knuckles. “I don’t wanna know.”

“Good,” she breathed over a giggle. “‘Cause you’re stuck with me.”

“Promise?”

Her laugh and the soft hum of agreement she gave with it was like smooth butter melting over toast, and Steve was just as soft. 

This little Valentine’s Day weekend getaway was much-needed. Beth had been working herself too hard, taking up extra shifts at the hospital, and Steve had missed her terribly. She came home tired and overworked more often than not. Beth took care of everyone around her—in and out of work; he only wanted her to feel taken care of, too. It took minimal convincing on Steve’s part to talk her into a weekend for just the two of them. He took Nancy’s suggestion of a place off of Lake Michigan where she and Jonathan had gone some time prior.

“Okay,” she said, tapping at something on the map. “So, I think the turn’s just up the road…”

Sure enough, the sign stuck out of the cornfields just enough for her to spot it. 

“Well, would you look at that,” she teased. “It was by the cornfield.”

The eyeroll Steve gave in response was half-hearted. “See?” 

Beth shifted in her seat as the car finally turned off the gravel road. She tilted her head to look out the window, leaning against it like a little kid. It wasn’t long until the cabin came into view, a quaint little structure that looked cozy and inviting in the winter cold.

Despite her best efforts, Steve refused to let her help him carry the bags inside. She acquiesced and took him up on his suggestion to check the place out instead.

Steve watched with a lovestruck grin as Beth rushed to the back deck. She gripped the bannister and stared out at the view. Even in the dead of winter, the scenery was breathtaking. Lake Michigan was just visible through the trees and what bit of it Beth could make out was frozen solid. Winter or not, she doubted they would have any trouble staying warm in their cozy little cabin.

Mischief shined in her eyes as she completed her visual sweep of the back deck. The jacuzzi had a perfect view out on the nature below and clear through to the water.

“Ooh,” she lilted. “Look, Steve: hot tub!”

This finally pulled him away from the bag he was busy rummaging through and out to join her. Steve padded over to her side like a puppy, eager to find her touch. He hooked his chin over her shoulder. A content sigh rumbled through his chest as his hands slid around her waist, fingers gripping to pull her flush against him. Steve’s breath tickled her neck as he spoke:

“Whaddya say we test it out?”

His hands were warm as they slid under her sweater, heating her where the chilly air hit and spreading from the inside out. Beth shifted in his embrace until their faces were mere inches apart. 

“I’d say: ‘let’s do it, lover boy.’”

The sweet sound of Beth’s laughter faded into a shriek as he lifted her clean off the ground.

“As you wish.”

Steve insisted on planning the weekend for the both of them; he kept as much of it a surprise from Bethany as he could get away with. She only managed to pull it out of him once they were in the car that he was taking her to that zoo she had mentioned wanting to see for the day. Dinner was still a mystery, but she had until 7 PM to weasel her way to that information.

The Washington Park Zoo teemed with families and couples alike. As they strolled through the gift shop, Steve absently rubbed his thumb over the back of Beth’s hand that he was holding. He was pulled from his thoughts by her voice:

“Look, Steve! He kinda reminds me of you,” She held up a small stuffed lion. “You know, sweet face, cool hair…”

Steve took the toy in his free hand and held it up close to his face, puppeting it, “Funny you should say that, because he and I just so happen to both think that you are the most beautiful woman we’ve ever seen.”

She flushed, “Why, thank you.”

“What’s that?” He held it up to his ear, nodding in agreement. “He says he wants to come home with us.”

Beth’s eyes sparkled. Playing along, she took another half-step closer to Steve and gripped its little paw in her hand. “Yeah?”

“Welcome to the family, little guy,” locking eyes with Steve, she beamed. “Say hello to your new Daddy.”

Beth turned on her heel and sauntered further down the aisle. Steve’s cheeks burned and he stood, stunned, until his brain caught up and he ducked away towards the checkout counter before she could even tell him that she had only been joking.

When time to leave for their dinner reservations rolled around, Steve was the last one ready. Beth stood in the living room, leaning over the mirror by the foyer, and giving her lipstick one last glance over, while he was nowhere to be found.

Steve had been fully dressed for a while—crisp button down, even a tie and sports coat— but he was so busy running over things in his mind that he lost track of time. Only the sound of her voice calling his name was enough to pull Steve out of his stupor.

He reached a hand into his pockets one last time; some of the tension released from him as his hand gripped around velvet. Squaring his shoulders, he rushed out to meet her.

“Wow,” he breathed. “You’re gorgeous.”

“Thank you,” she leaned into his touch to meet his kiss. “And you look very handsome.”

“Is that so?”

“Mhmm,” She nodded. “Very.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” Steve pulled away enough to whisper. “I love you.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” she repeated. “I love you, too.”

Steve leaned in for another peck, but didn’t quite make it there.

“Ah,” she gently placed her palm to his chest, head shaking. “As much as I love where this is heading, we have to go. We’ll be late.”

An exaggerated whine escaped him. Steve hung his head. He lingered just a moment with his nose breathing in the scent of her perfume:

“All right,” he lifted his head, pressing a chaste kiss to her lips to punctuate each word. “Just. One. More. Kiss.”

Reluctantly, he pulled himself away from her. While Beth went ahead to the car, Steve made a show of turning the key. He didn't turn back to join Beth until the lock clicked back into place and the deadbolt was retracted. With the door left unlocked, Steve jogged over to his car. Step one: check.

His breath caught in his throat at the sight of her leaning casually against the beemer, her blonde locks cascading effortlessly over her shoulders, and the flowy skirt of her cherry red evening dress peeking out from beneath her coat. She was the picture of beauty, and Steve nearly forgot how to think.

Adjusting his jacket, Steve pressed one final kiss to her cheek. He opened up the passenger door and helped her inside.

As he rounded the car, Steve tapped his hand to the trunk twice. And now: dinner.

“Okay,” Steve lowered his hands. “You can look now.”

When Beth opened her eyes, she blinked a few times to adjust to the new lighting. The cabin was dimly illuminated by candlelight, affording a soft glow to the room and emitting a pleasant vanilla scent. Rose petals scattered the floor in a path down the hall, guiding her towards the living room. She followed hesitantly, bolstered by the gentle squeeze of Steve’s hand to her shoulder.

The trail led into the main room where it tapered off just before a semi-circle of candles. Steve moved to stand in the center of it. Tears slipped from his eyes before Steve even hit the ground. He knelt on one knee and, with shaky hands, clumsily opened the ring box.

“I love you so, so much, Bethany Lynn Sullivan—honestly, I have for a very long time now—and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. You make me happier than I ever thought I could be. And, if you’ll let me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you feel the same. Will you marry me?”

From where Steve knelt, the candlelight just brushed over her face and the single hall light hovered over her head, reflecting like a halo over her blonde hair.

“Steve, yes. Of course, I’ll marry you!”

His hands shook as he slipped the ring onto her finger. It slotted into place like it was always meant to be there. Robin was right, he thought, it was the perfect ring. The band was a shiny yellow gold that stood out against the halo setting. Smaller stones of white diamond and emerald clustered around a one carat diamond that Steve had saved up for for months.

Wiping stray tears from his eyes, he stood, quick to pull her in for a tight embrace. He kissed her with everything he had. Unable to contain his excitement, he lifted her up off of the ground, spinning in a heated smooch.

“Did you do all of this yourself?”

“No,” He shook his head. “Actually, I had a little help from Robin and Eddie. Wanted to keep it a surprise, you know?”

“It’s perfect,” she hummed.

Steve’s heart swelled within his chest so quickly that he was surprised it didn’t just beat clean out of his rib cage. The kiss was a messy blur— his teeth and greedy tongue nipped away her lipstick, grasp liberally taking handfuls of hip and ass, and her hands tangled up in his hair. She tasted of champagne and sugar from the ice cream they shared at dinner; it was every bit as sweet as Beth was. 

The moments that followed were a blur of kisses and champagne. Steve can’t even remember how they ended up in the bathroom or if it had been him or Beth who started the bath. Their clothing long since forgotten, the couple clambered into the soapy water.

Steve sat up on his knees, turning around to face outside the bathtub. He slotted into place between Beth’s knees from where she sat on the edge. His hands slid over the smooth skin of her thighs, grip tightening to hold her in place. Steve spread her open with one hand, licking a long stripe from her wetness up to her clit. His eyes fluttered shut with a groan of arousal and he finally wrapped his lips around her clit, suckling greedily. Every sigh that Beth breathed out went straight to his cock. It twitched with want, neglected, save for what tiny bit of relief he found from bumping his hips against the tub.

“God,” he whined against her. “Such a good girl. Taste so fuckin’ sweet. My good girl.”

Her canary yellow nail polish popped against Steve’s chestnut locks which she grabbed handfuls of and pulled at the roots of in just the way she knew drove him crazy. More praise dripped freely from his lips, every word hurdling her closer to the edge. Pure pleasure and white-hot pressure built up inside Beth until she could hardly stand it. With one last cry of his name, her thighs clenched tightly around his head.

His iron grip on her thigh was the only thing to keep Beth in place through her climax, centering her between each convulsion. Finally, Steve pulled away from her core with a lewd pop. He planted one final sweet peck to her inner thigh, muttering just loud enough for her to pick up on: “I love you.”

Gently, he helped lower her into the warm water. Beth settled facing him, her legs straddling the bottom parts of his thighs. She dropped a kiss to the corner of his jaw. “I love you, too.”

Her kiss-swollen lips slotted against his in yet another sloppy make out. Blindly, she reached her hand between their bodies and palmed lightly at his erection. Her touch was tentative, teasing, as she wrapped her hand around him and slowly began to twist her wrist.

Steve’s jaw lowered in awe. The new jewelry sparkled each time it caught the light and fuck did it look just perfect wrapped around his cock. It was a nod to Steve and the rest of the world that Beth was his fiancée, soon his wife. And the idea alone nearly made him spill into her hand like an overeager teenager. 

“Fuck, sweetheart,” he whined. “Ah, I need to be inside you. Please”

“Yeah?”

He didn’t have to tell her twice. Beth stabilized herself with her hands now gripping his shoulders. Careful not to slip, she straddled him fully and sank herself down onto him. Steve reached to clasp her hands in his as she began to slowly ride him.

It’s messy and sweet, like the rosewater bubbles that had started to fade away around them.  Water sloshed softly with every rock of her hips, slightly drowning out Steve’s whimpers in the same way Beth’s pants muffled out into the warm skin of his shoulder where her head drooped to rest against.

“Ah, ‘m gonna cum,” he bucked his hips up to fuck into her in tandem with the slow rock of her hips. “Gonna come inside of you and— shit, just like that— fuck a baby into you.”

“Me too,” she whined. “Steve, ‘m gonna cum”

Steve’s grip was bruising as he stilled her, fucking up into her one last time. He swiped his thumb lazily over her clit until her second orgasm milked him. Beth was pliant in his arms, slightly sweaty skin plastered to his.

“You know,” Steve broke the silence as he wiped her clean. “I’ve actually been holding onto that ring for a while now.”

“Really?” She smiled, opening her tired eyes to get a good look at him. “For how long?”

“A year.”

He paused his fingers where they had been combing through her hair. Steve’s cheeks burned and swelled as his lips curved into a sheepish smile. 

“It’s perfect,” Beth assured him.

“And so are you.”

As Steve rinsed the shampoo from her hair and Beth turned to start on him, he let her in on another secret: “How does September 16th sound?”

“I think it sounds nice.”

“Good,” he hummed. “I, uh, I don’t know if you remember this, actually, but I wanted it to be then because it was on that day when I first thought I wanted to marry you. I mean, okay, technically, we were 6 and it probably doesn’t really mean anything, but I meant it. You kissed me on the playground behind the slide because I punched Tommy for destroying your art project.”

“God, I’d forgotten about that,” she laughed. “But, yeah. That sounds perfect, Steve.”

“Good,” he hummed. “Okay, so a fall wedding it is.”

“Sounds like a plan to me. So, who’s gonna be your best man? Eddie, or Dustin?”

Steve thought it over for a minute, “Dustin, definitely. After all, he is the one who pushed us together in the first place.”

She laughed. “That’s true.”

Steve grinned and splayed one hand over her belly, musing, “We should name our first born after him, actually.”

“Woah, slow down, there, Mr. Mom,” she patted her hands to his, laughing. “Wedding first, then we can talk about babies.”

Steve pushed his lower lip out in a playful pout, “Fine. But, for the record, you’re gonna be really cute when you’re pregnant”

Her cheeks flushed. “I’m actually not sure about the name, though. I may or may not have lost a bet to Eddie and drunkenly promised to name my eldest child after him.

“Okay,” He snorted, “How does ‘Eddie Dustin’ Harrington sound?”

“It has a certain ring to it.”

Another idea occurred to him as they finally clamored out of the rapidly cooling water, letting the tub drain as Steve grabbed each of them a fresh towel.

“Hey,” Steve perked up. “We can still practice making babies, right?”

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t quite stifle the chuckle this pulled from her. “Yes, you idiot.”

“Okay, good,” he hummed. 

Steve cupped her cheeks in his hands. It drew her eyes to his. He didn’t even wait for the laughing fit to subside before he leaned in to kiss her again. She clasped her hands over hers, and he massaged his thumb over the diamond on her engagement ring.

“I love you, Mrs. Harrington,” Steve whispered as he wrapped the towel around her frame. 

“I love you, too, Mr. Harrington.”

pls excuse any typos, to be edited later

[zzoomacroom]

Last Line Challenge

Rules: in a new post, show the last line you wrote (or drew) and tag as many people as there are words (or however many as you like).

Thank you for the tag, @kydrogendragon! 💗💗💗

Today I've been working on outlining the Retired!Dream mpreg fic (sequel to "The Seeds Are Bursting, The Springs Are Seeping"), which is turning out to be a lot longer and more involved than I originally planned. I'm researching and learning a lot about goddesses of fertility/pregnancy/childbirth! Yes, this is a very cracky fic, but I'm having fun with it. 😅

The last thing I actually wrote is from "Nothing But Flowers," which is my 2089 fic where Hob is the last person on Earth. This scene is a flashback that takes place right after the beach dream from Sunday Mourning, although I fiddled around with the timeline for plot reasons so that he talks to Death after that dream instead of before (there's an in-universe explanation for that later in the story, but I might cut that out if it gets too convoluted).

Content warnings: heavy angst, Hob being really mean and unfair to Death (don't worry, it all gets resolved and everyone lives happily ever after...eventually):

He remembers being happy when he awoke. He was still crying, and exhausted, and more than a little drunk, but happy. Morpheus had said he loved him. He’d said he’d come back. But Death said otherwise. It had taken him a moment to place her, but he recognized her when he awoke. He had flashes of memory—meeting her on the battlefield, on frozen winter streets, at the bottom of a lake. He told her about the dream he’d had. He thought she’d be happy that he was alive after all. But when he told her he had faith that he would be back, that he’d promised he would wait, she had simply given him a sad smile. “That was just a dream, Hob,” she says gently, like she’s talking to a bloody child. “He’s gone. He took my hand and I brought him to the Sunless Lands.” “I don’t believe you,” he says flatly. “It’s never just a dream. You should know that, you’re his sister.” “I’m sorry, Hob,” is all she says in reply. Her kind, dark eyes brim with tears, and for a moment she looks just like him, even though they look about as different as two siblings possibly can. “No. That’s a load of bollocks,” he declares. How can she be so infuriatingly calm about this? How can that be all she has to say? “And if you are right, you ought to be ashamed of yourself for taking him. Sorry excuse for a sister, you are.” That was over the line. He knows it the moment the words are out of his mouth. But he continues to stare her down defiantly. Her smile only falters for a second, and in that second he sees her as she truly is. He sees the rot and decay, the pointless waste of billions of lives, the darkness at the end of it all. He sees a wolf doggedly pursuing its prey through the bleak winter night, tearing into tender flesh, spilling blood on the snow, leaving the bones for the vultures. He sees the inevitable end of all things, all creatures, even himself. His breath hitches, but he does not look away. “You only see half of the truth, Hob. He made his choice, as you made yours.” Her eyes are still warm, but her voice has turned icy. “Which reminds me: do you still wish to live?” “You...how dare you? No, really, how fucking dare you?” he snaps. “You don’t get to ask me that. And at a time like this...yes, I bloody well still want to live. And no, I’ll never want to stop living. Not if it means you will be the one waiting for me at the end. Leave me the fuck alone, and don’t bother asking again.” He knows he’s being unfair. Childish. Cruel. He doesn’t care. “Even if you’re right—and I don’t believe you are, not for a second—but if you’re right, if it’s true I’ll never see him again, I’m still never going to die. I promise you that.” She waits impassively while he finishes his tirade. She smiles again, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes this time. “Very well. You’ve made your choice, although you may come to regret it one day. But if that’s what you wish, then I won’t speak to you again unless you call for me. Goodbye, Hob.” He doesn’t answer. And then she’s walking away, leaving him slumped over his beer (or had he been sitting under a tree? Had she even been there at all?). He buries his face in his hands and weeps silently. He really hadn’t believed her, at first. But now...now he thinks she must have been telling the truth, much as he hates to admit it. It’s been sixty years and not a single word. True, he’s gone more than double that without seeing him, but...it’s different now. He dreams about him sometimes, of course, but it’s not him. He knows the difference. Besides, it’s not like dreams mean anything anymore, not without him to govern them. It’s just his desperate, pathetic mind reminding him of what he’s lost. She must have been right. She would know better than anyone, after all. He’d just been too stupid and too stubborn to accept it. He’s gone, and Hob is all alone, and that’s that.

No pressure tags: @tryan-a-bex @tj-dragonblade @fleabagoftheendless @signiorbenedickofpadua @delta-pavonis @mallory-x and anyone else who wants to join in! (If anyone I tagged has already been tagged, feel free to link your post in the comments if you want! I'm always curious about what my mutuals are working on!)

[bropunzeling]

matthew/leon: 1 and 12 brady/quinn: 7 and 20

all under the cut! also i treated them as combos because that was more fun

(things you said at 1 am) + (things you said when you thought i was asleep)

It's a risk spending the night at the hotel when Matthew's entire family is back at his house. Matthew knew that when he looked for Leon across the bar they all ended up at after the skills comp; he knew that when he downed a shot and a beer for plausible deniability; he knew that when Leon hooked his fingers in Matthew's beltloops and leered, sweaty and red-faced and still too sober to really get away with it. He knew that when he waved Johnny off to slip out to the street; he knew that sliding into the Uber where Leon was already waiting; he knew that when Leon shoved him up against the hotel door and bit his lip until Matthew let him in.

Knows that now, phone lighting up with unread messages on the nightstand, glowing against the wood.

He ought to get up. It's a busy weekend. Big day tomorrow. And if he slips away now, he'll avoid the walk of shame in the morning, the pointed questions from Brady and pointed lack of questions from his mom.

But Leon's hot against his side, arm heavy across his torso, breath warm and damp against the skin of Matthew's shoulder. Matthew can feel the steady inhales and exhales that he knows means Leon's asleep, or just about. He wouldn't want to disturb him.

And, of course, there's the part where Matthew doesn't actually want to slip away from Leon. Has never wanted to, not really. Even when he left last summer, trading out salted roads and frozen hands for sand under his feet and the sun on his face, he told Leon exactly where he was going. Hoped that if he did, this thing wouldn't break apart between them.

So far, it hasn't. That has to mean something.

"Fuck, you're heavy," Matthew says softly into Leon's hair.

Leon doesn't say anything back. His mouth is wet against the skin of Matthew's throat.

"And drooling," Matthew adds. If Leon were awake, he'd be offended, and they'd have a little argument, half flirtation and half annoying each other. Right now, though, he can just state a fact.

Nothing. Just Leon's breathing, slow and even, and the occasional buzz of Matthew's phone against wood.

Matthew rubs his hand up and down Leon's spine, feeling the bump of vertebrae under his fingers. Traces the moles on Leon's back, drawing constellations. "I wish we had more time," he admits to Leon's sweaty hair.

An inhale, an exhale. The glow from under the edge of Matthew's phone, bright in the dark.

-

(things you said while we were driving) + (things you said that i wasn't meant to hear)

During the drive to the lake house, Brady stretches out in the passenger seat, shoving it as far back as it will go and slouching down until his knees hit the glove box. He's jetlagged from the flights; Matthew told him he was pushing it to go from two weeks with family in Europe straight into two weeks in Michigan with Quinn, and Brady told him he was a bossy know-it-all.

Brady is pretty dead on his feet, though, so maybe Matthew does know a thing or two.

It's easy to drift off, closing his eyes as Quinn drives. Quinn's a good driver, not distracted like Jack or aggressive like Taryn or just plain bad like Matthew. He has a playlist going, some soft, quiet indie shit that certainly wasn't one of Brady's recommendations, but it's nice enough. Soothing.

A few minutes in, Brady realizes Quinn's singing along under his breath. No, not singing, not even in that tuneless way Quinn has. Talking quietly. "Yeah. Yeah, we're on our way."

Brady slits open his eyes. From the angle, he can see the curve of Quinn's jaw, the rumpled mess of his hair, the threadbare collar of his t-shirt. There's a hole near the shoulder seam, and Brady wants to stick his finger in the hole, touch the skin beneath.

"Yeah," Quinn's saying now. "I picked some up earlier." A pause. "Seriously? Well, I'm not gonna stop for more. Brady's wiped, man. He's already asleep."

Over the speaker, Jack's voice is crackling and mumbling, hard to decipher. Quinn's is clear, though. "Come on, Jacky. Let me get Brady home first."

More talking. The car is pulling up to a stop. At something Jack says, Quinn's gaze flicks over to Brady, then away. "No," he says. "I want this to be a good trip for him."

Jack replies, then cackles. Quinn's ears turn red. "Fuck off. You know he doesn't -- it's not like that."

The car starts to move again. The acceleration has Brady closing his eyes, or maybe it's the afternoon sun, warm through the windshield. The last thing he hears is Quinn's voice, quiet. "Yeah. See you soon."

[neyswxrld]

swept off your feet

Jesse x reader (gn)

summary: Ice skating with Jesse!

warnings: none, it's just fluff

word count: ~550

advent calendar masterlist

a/n: this is the first fic for my advent calendar! i hope you enjoy!

p.s. english isn't my mother tongue, sorry for misspellings! 

"Are you sure?" you ask, looking at him curiously. Jesse smiles at you and nods.

"Come on, it'll be fun!" he assures you. "Hmm... Okay. I haven’t been ice skating since forever," you agree.

An hour later, you are standing in front of a frozen lake.

It is surrounded by trees and some mountains. The tops of the mountains and the trees are white from the snow, just as the ground and the ice. Here and there, little colors of green, brown or gray shine through. Even though the sun is shining, the air is cold, and your breath comes out of your mouths in small clouds. Nonetheless, this place is beautiful. You almost can't believe you are the only ones here.

While Jesse excitedly pulls on his skates, you take your time and, admittedly, play a little bit dumb. It is just so much fun to see him help you. Just as you are thinking that, he goes down on one of his knees in front of you and carefully ties the laces of your shoes.

"Come on. I'll hold your hand so you don't fall," he promises you, pulling you up and onto the thick ice. You comply and follow him happily.

At first, you are a little bit wobbly on your feet. Like you said - it is the first time in a long time that you go out on the ice again, so it feels a bit weird in the beginning.

"You're doing great. Just do it like me, left and right, left and right," Jesse explains, and a smile tugs on your lips. You hold his hand a little tighter and feel his warm fingers squeezing back. Even though your hands are separated due to gloves, you can still feel some warmth spreading.

As you go on, you are getting more confident in your movements, and after a short time, Jesse is just a little bit too slow for you.

"Hey, I thought you had never been ice skating before!" he yells after you as you leave his side to skate a little bit in front of him.

Laughing, you turn around and start sliding backward. Yes, sometimes Jesse isn't the only show-off in this relationship.

"I haven't said that!" You giggle and reach your hands out again. He grabs them, and together you circle each other in a playful way.

Chuckling, you draw closer after some rounds, and the closer you come, the quieter you get.

In the end, you are standing close to each other and looking into each other's eyes. Slowly, you move your face closer to his, and just as your lips are about to touch, your foot slips, and you are falling.

Jesse, a gentleman through and through, tries to catch you. Instead of helping you, you accidentally pull him down with you. A moment later, you are both hitting the hard ice with your asses.

Well, you at least. Lucky as always, Jesse lands right on top of you and starts chuckling.

"Well, I knew I was good, but I never thought I would sweep someone off their feet literally," he hums happily.

"Haha, so funny." You try to be serious, but your lips betray you as you start to grin uncontrollably.

He isn't wrong; he has kept sweeping you off your feet since the first time you met.

TAGLIST:

@isthereanechoinhere96

[xxsycamore]

𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘧 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘧 𝘖𝘧 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘦. . . GILBERT X GN!READER

►"Hey Gilbert, today is about doing things for each other, right? Is there something you want from me?"

Gilbert x Gender Neutral Reader • rating: G • wordcount: 986 • tags: fluff; holding hands; dates; Valentine's Day • masterlist

a/n: Happy Valentine's day! This fic was meant to happen waaay earlier, but where I am it only snowed properly like last week, which was the needed boost for finishing this. Now it gets to be a Valentine's Day fic! Prompts used are "I said that I'd teach you how to ice skate, I didn't say that I know how to ice skate." (#6, fluff list, 'Tis the Season of Love by me and @voltage-vixen ) and "Are those hearts in your eyes that I'm seeing?" (#9, Be My Valentine CCC 2.0 by me and @chaosangel767).

I really just want to see Gilbert having fun in the snow. Hope you enjoy ❤

The temperatures dropped drastically the night before your date with Gilbert.

The soft crunching of snow under your feet is surprisingly welcomed today, and the weather is not cruel enough to take from your excitement.

Gilbert hums an unfamiliar tune as he walks by your side, your hands separated by two thick layers of glove but clasped together all the same. The way his fingers would be freezing to the touch when without a glove to protect them from the cold, you can't demand for feeling his skin on yours. Not because it's not pleasant, no, you just want him to be as warm as possible, at least while under your watch.

The carriage is far behind your backs now, and even if Gilbert took something with him upon your departure, you still suspect this might turn out to be just a nice walk, after all. And if that's the case, then surely a nice walk it is - hills upon hills of snow-covered evergreens outstretch in the distance, and you feel tiny where you stand, alone with Gilbert. The way he always carries himself in tar black from head to toe, you'll never lose sight of him even if you were to let go of his hand. Not that you have such intentions.

Tiny snowflakes fall from the sky, so tiny that they remind you of specks of dust dancing in an ancient library. The sky is bright too; a second more and the snowflakes will completely cease to fall, maybe even the sun would peek behind a cloud to see where your mysterious date leads to. You're just as curious. And as Gilbert remains unusually quiet still, you're closer and closer to begging him to spoil the surprise.

You are too concentrated on the man by your side and his adorable little swinging of your joined hands, to notice the change of scenery.

"I didn't know there was a lake here. I haven't explored much, haha…"

"The books were more interesting?" Gilbert tilts his head, giving your hand a soft squeeze. Without waiting for a reply, he lets go and takes a step ahead on his own, at the very edge of the frozen lake. His cane comes in contact with the glassy surface, and Gilbert gives it a good tap or two, as if testing its thickness. "This should be fine."

You're puzzled and with a couple of questions on the tip of your tongue, none of which matter when you're with Gilbert. You're sure you'll see in due time, as you're not left hanging along with the invisible question marks in the air for long. You skip your way to the nearby log that Gilbert pointed towards, hurrying to join his side.

He has you seated down on the log. The bag he's been carrying since earlier is introduced in the scene again and this time you get to see the contents. It's ice skates.

"Oh- Oh, I can totally put them on on my own-"

You find your leg gripped tightly by Gilbert's now ungloved hands, not giving you the chance to pry it from his grasp if you wanted to.

"Now, won't you be a good bunny and sit still while I spare you the effort? I thought today we're meant to do things for each other."

Ah. It's Valentine's Day, after all. You can't deny that. And he's already doing so much…

Getting onto the ice with him is more fun that it is stressful, you discover. You share that you have no experience with this, and he gives you that sweet smile. Promises to teach you all you need to know.

You think you must have some kind of influence on him in that moment, because his movements are just as wobbly as yours. He laughs it off; strengthens his grip on you wherever his hands fall on your body. You're determined and try to watch your feet more than his pretty face, it's hard but you do. You're looking forward to be praised for maintaining balance.

"Gilbert…? Are you sure you know how to do this?"

"I said that I'd teach you how to ice skate, I didn't say that I know how to ice skate."

You've had a handful of chances already to realize this, yet you denied until hearing it from his mouth. It shouldn't surprise you that much, but it does, and it shouldn’t throw you off-balance when you've never actually relied on him for balance, but it does.

How you both get off the ice without failing is beyond you. If Gilbert wasn't laughing merrily right now, you wouldn't be either.

"Hey Gilbert, today is about doing things for each other, right? Is there something you want from me?"

Gilbert's laughter fades to a smirk holding the aftertaste of it, but more sinister somehow. The way he grips your chin lacks the familiar cool feeling of his naked fingers, but you can imagine it just fine. You wonder just when you fell inlove with the feeling of his cold fingers.

"Are those hearts in your eyes that I'm seeing? Very well… We're all alone here. I wonder what I should do with you, little bunny."

You desperately want him to take something from you, in exchange for the mess of emotions he put inside you. It's not fair, he should feel loved too.

"I think we have time to learn. It was fun, and now I want to take you to skate on top of every lake Rhodolite has to offer. We need to be quick, or the spring will arrive."

You nod enthusiastically, recalling how well you kept your balance earlier, even if for a couple of seconds at best. But he doesn't let go of your chin at that.

"As for now… You can help me discover what our snow angel would look like, if we are on top of each other!"

Taglist: @arsnovacadenza @ale-teodora @kimi00twin @otomelady @privilegedpancake @g-kleran    @pumpumnnnp @thesirenwashere @ravenarld @kimmy-banana @devonares @animeworldsposts @galaxyprison @sadshaxk @starshards26 @acethephoenix256 @ikevamp-shrine-2 @nad-zeta @crystal13unny @keen19thcenturygoatsstudent @lordsister @ikemen-banshou   @themysticalbeing @canaria-blackwell @otome-scribbles @rhodolitesrose @coornn @kpop-and-otome @queen-dahlia @kisara-16 @chaosangel767 @ikemenlibrary @queengiuliettafirstlady @aurora-morning @aquagirl1978 ​ @ikemenlover24 @violettduchess @mcofthemansion @tiny-wooden-robot @joy-the-reader @katriniac @ikemen-writer @gilbertvonobsidian @atelieredux @tele86 Let me know if you want to be tagged/untagged!

[dreamdepot]

Dreams of the Kingdom - Chapter 4: The Frozen Sky

Edited 7/9/2024 - Updated with full chapter.

Previous < First > Next

Time for the trip into Hebra's frozen tundra and to Rito Village!

AO3 Wattpad

or below!

Even with your Snowquill armor, the cold clung to you. You and Link realized it was too dangerous for your horses to continue, so you had left them at the Tabantha Bridge Stables, instead choosing to travel the rest of the way on foot. “Just a little farther, and we can glide the rest of the way down,” Link grunted, as you helped pull him up onto the rocky ledge.

You scanned the horizon with the Purah Pad. “Looks like we should be on track. Good call on climbing instead of using the road. Should save us plenty of time.” You put it back into its holster before rubbing your hands for warmth. “Can’t wait until we’re across Lake Totori though. The sooner we can get warm food and rest the better.”

The two of you leaped into the air, letting the air currents carry you across to the edge of Rito Village. The blizzard had only grown stronger as you got closer, and now flurries of snow stuck to the two of you.

The normally sunny and green village was covered in several feet of snow. One bridge had already collapsed under the weight, and the remaining ones didn’t look trustworthy. The fish ponds had frozen solid, and even Lake Totori was starting to ice up far below you. With the exception of the trees and monster encampments, the closer you got to the swirling storm, the more Hebra seemed to be turning into a snowy wasteland. Link used a fire fruit to light a torch, just to give the two of you a little more warmth.

As you waded through the snow to the entrance of Rito Village, you could hear some young voices singing.

Once, a god fell from heaven, stilling the Hebra winds.

The heavens grew lifeless, just as the air below thinned.

With the world in upheaval, we pledged to help the lord.

A line of ships soaring, built as a passage skyward.

The god ascended to heaven, leaving behind an ark.

Its winds brought us new life, thanks to its great, divine spark.

Despite the rather bleak sounding song, you clapped. The Rito children gasped, but then beamed upon seeing you approach. “Uncle [Y/n]!”

Before you could react, you were knocked into a snowdrift by one, two, three, four, five brightly colored Rito children. “You came, you came!”

“We were so worried!”

“We heard you disappeared!”

“Girls, it’s okay, Link and I are gonna fix whatever is causing that storm.” You said, wrapping your unofficial nieces in a huge hug. You often visited Kass’s family, especially now that he was traveling. The girls basically adopted you. Speaking of Kass though, “Where is everyone? Did your father make it back safe?”

Their sad faces made you regret the question. Notts finally answered. “Daddy’s supposed to be home by now.”

You pivoted quickly. “I’m sure the storm has him delayed. In that case, don’t worry, Link and I are here to figure out how to stop it so your Daddy can fly home. Where is everyone else?”

“The adults are out trying to scavenge for supplies,” Genli said. “We’re taking care of things here.”

“But,” Cree added, “Elder Teba, Saki, and Tulin are still here. I think they’re up at Revali’s Landing.”

“We’d better check in with them then,” Link said, helping you back up. “Don’t worry girls, we’ll figure it out,” he added with a smile.

“No fair!” came a sixth voice. It was Molli, the bowyer Harth’s daughter. She was quite a bit younger than the others. “I wanted a hug too.”

You opened your arms and let her hug you too. It was hard to imagine what it must be like for such young children to have to keep the village running all by themselves.  “You all just stay warm, okay? Everyone will be back home safe and sound soon.”  

The two of you let the girls get back to their chores. You mounted the steps towards Revali’s Landing, but noticed Link lingered behind. “Everything okay?”

“Look at this.” Link held the torch next to the snow, even letting the fire lick against the ice. “It’s not melting.”

He pulled the torch away, and you touched the snow. “Not even slightly warmer. Not even a mark from the soot… what’s going on here?”

“The Demon King,” Link said simply. He tried to scrape some of the snow away, but as soon as a bit fell off, more cursed snow appeared to take its place. “We’d better hurry.”

==============================

The two of you approached Revali’s Landing and could overhear a rather loud discussion. “That’s not fair at all, you know I can handle it!” Link gave you a concerned look – you both knew that voice. “Checking out that huge cloud wouldn’t be hard! I could even do it alone! If we don’t do anything… the village–” The argument cut off as the young Rito caught sight of you two. “Huh, is that you?” The young Rito barreled over to Link, his bright blue eyes sparkling. “It IS you! Link!”

Teba seemed relieved. “Link, Prince [Y/n], it’s good to see you both doing well.”

“It’s very nice to see you again,” his wife Saki added. “I hope your trip wasn’t too troublesome.”

“Not at all,” you said. “I’m glad that you’re all well, Elder Teba, Saki, Tulin.” The young Rito was too excited to talk to Link, showing him his favorite bow. “We came to see if we could help.”

“We certainly appreciate all the help we can get,” Saki said. “Most of our village is out scavenging what provisions we can. Our children have been helping to keep the village running in the meantime.”

“Tulin has been doing well to protect the other hatchlings here,” Teba said. “He’s grown quite a bit, though perhaps not quite grown up.”

“Dad, I’m not a hatchling!”

“As long as you still think you can take on the world by yourself, you’ll always be my little chick.”

“What, you think I can’t?! I’m already fully-fledged you know!” Tulin put away his bow and walked to the edge of the landing. “You’ll change your tune when I ace today’s scouting trip! You all can keep wasting your time treating the Song of the Stormwind Ark like it’s real, but not me!”

“Listen, you-” It was too late. Tulin was riding the wind across the lake. “Unbelievable. Tulin wants me to let him go find what’s causing the blizzard, and he’s having trouble hearing ‘no’.”

Saki sighed. “He still hasn’t learned one of our most important lessons. One cannot accomplish great feats without allies at one’s side. I hope he realizes that soon.”

“I’m sure he will,” you said.

Teba shook his head. “Even if the Song of the Stormwind Ark is just a children’s rhyme, I suspect there is something lurking high in the sky, but the air is so turbulent now, that no Rito can fly close enough to look into it. This is why I say we need to make careful preparations to find the truth, but Tulin… he thinks we cling to that song out of cowardice.”

You crossed your arms. “I seem to recall another Rito warrior who tried to charge into battle against an ancient evil, one I had to patch up afterward.”

“This is different,” Teba winced. “He’s…”

“Your son,” Link finished. “We’ll talk to him.”

“You have no idea how much of a relief that is to hear. He may not listen to me, but I know he will listen to you.”

“Part of me hopes Tulin is right,” you said. “The Stormwind Ark is supposed to show up in apocalyptic times, isn’t it?”

“Are you saying a storm freezing Hyrule over isn’t apocalyptic?”

“No, just trying to be optimistic,” you said with a little laugh. Teba cracked a smile. “Don’t worry, Link and I will investigate. And – when your son inevitably follows us up there – we’ll make sure he stays safe. Any advice on where we should start?”

“Same place that I’m sure my son ran off to.” Teba pointed at two bonfires across the lake. “Try talking to Harth. If you hurry you might catch Tulin before he gets himself into trouble.”

==============================

The Hebra Trailhead Lodge had been around for years and was the best place to stock up before any hiking trip up Rospro Pass. Even before the Calamity, you spent time warming up here with Zelda and your guards before any trip to investigate Shiekah Shrines - or the more important Sturnida Hot Springs. Now the lodge had become the staging area for the Rito scavengers. A few guards stood watch while others gathered and chopped wood. As you and Link approached the door, you could hear voices inside.

“Aww c’mon Harth, you gotta let me!”

“Tulin, if you go charging in alone, the monsters up there are going to…”

Link pushed open the door to see the small Rito, who blushed at being caught. “Uh, hi!”

“Tulin,” Link said, “it doesn’t matter how old you are, you can’t just go running in without thinking.”

“But… but you’re so cool, and you go adventures all the time!”

“Yes, but one, I have experience, and two, I’m not alone. [Y/n] is by my side, and we watch out for each other.”

Tulin looked up at you, then back to Link. “But… but…”

“You’ll be able to go on adventures of your own soon enough, but you have to be smart about it. It doesn’t make you less of a warrior if you need help.”

“Not to mention it sure would’ve been scary if you were alone and needed help. What would happen if you lost your bow or got overwhelmed by monsters?” You added. “Even Link and I have been in some tough spots before, especially during the Calamity.”

“Alright,” he sighed. “But can you please take me with you? Please?”

You pretended to think hard. “I mean, your father probably wouldn’t want you to go…”

“Aww c’mon [Y/n], having a skilled Rito with us would be helpful,” Link said with a wink., “especially if we’re that high up. I’m sure Tulin will be careful and follow exactly what we say, right Tulin?”

“I will, I will! I’ll be super careful, promise!”

“True… well, I suppose then Tulin can come, but it is getting late. We should rest before starting the expedition.”

“Yes!” Tulin cheered, hugging you. “Thank you, thank you! You won’t regret this, [Y/n]!”

Link patted Tulin’s head. “C’mon buddy, let’s go grab some wood outside and make sure we have everything we need.”

“Okay!”

As Link and his biggest fan left (well, second biggest after you), Harth let out a small laugh. “You sure about this?”

You crossed your arms. “We have to admit, Tulin is a gifted archer and flier, especially with his ability to create gusts. I’m not sure if Revali would be proud or jealous.”

Harth shook his head. “He’s a good kid, but still…”

“We won’t let him out of our sight. Besides if we said no, it’d crush him, and he’d probably follow us anyway.” You turned your attention to the maps on the table. “Any advice for us when we head up there?”

Harth flipped through a couple of the giant maps before settling on one depicting Hebra Peak. “Here’s where we think would be the best place to approach it, especially for one without wings. The rising chain of islands should help you get closer to the storm. With your gliders, it’ll probably be easiest to start from Talonto Peak and head northeast until you get a foothold. From there, northwest and back should do it.”

“Thanks Harth, that’s a huge help.”

“Just be careful, we’ve been seeing a lot of falling rocks from those islands. The footholds might not be stable.”

“We’ll do our best.” As Harth went back to the maps, you turned your attention to the other Rito in the lodge, one you knew quite well. “Amali, how are you?”

“Holding up as well as we can,” she said. “Have to admit, I have it pretty easy. Cooking is better than scavenging these caves. What I wouldn’t give for some of the produce from Hateno though.”

Admittedly the stew she cooked didn’t look the most appetizing, being made from various mushrooms and potatoes into a semblance of a creamy stew. Despite that, it smelled delicious. “Looks like everyone is in good hands with you here though. I think you could turn anything into a tasty meal.”

“Oh, you’re too sweet, [Y/n],” Amali said, bottling some of the soup for you. “Thank you, by the way. The girls and I really do appreciate what you’ve done for us. The help with the clothes, the books…”

“Helping out to make sure you’re all doing well is the least I can do. What kind of uncle would I be if I didn’t at least do that?” You sighed. “You haven’t heard from him, have you?”

Amali paused, staring into the soup. “My husband has always been a wanderer, so I’ve never worried, but something with this storm and being gone for so long… I can’t help it.”

“I’ll do everything in my power to find him.”

“I know,” Amali resumed filling bottles, but she couldn’t quite hide the tears in her eyes. “You should get some sleep. We have a few more beds in the shed in back, should be enough room for the three of you.”

“Think I will. This climb is not going to be easy.”

==============================

The dream changed yet again.

Clouds spread out before you as far as you could see. The market stalls and castle were so far below now, they looked more like toys. You wrapped your blue robes around you a little tighter as the chilly wind grew stronger. You then heard a familiar flapping and ran back to the entrance of your home – a stone manor that inexplicably stood atop the clouds. A passing bird dropped a familiar boy in green on your doorstep.

“You’re back!” you cheered.

This incarnation of Link flashed you a thumbs up as he caught his breath. The change in elevation must’ve been hard for the surface dweller. “Everyone is so thankful you helped out Grandpa Gregal. Have you had a chance to talk to him?”

“Yeah, I checked with him before I had to go to Castle Town.” You then noticed the glowing Light Arrows in his quiver.

“Great! Granny Siroc said I could show you the way if you’re ready. I’m glad that you took the chance to grab some supplies. The Palace of Winds is pretty decrepit these days. Even we don’t go there much anymore.”

“I bet. If it was already this dangerous to climb the cloud tops…” Link said.

“Complaining isn’t going to change anything,” a cranky voice said as Link’s hat suddenly folded itself upward. The bird-like tassel squawked, “C’mon now, no dawdling!”

“Whatever you say snagret,” you snickered.

“Snagret? Don’t go making up words. My name is Ezlo!” The hat crowed, bouncing on Link’s head. Link reached up and grabbed the end, pulling Ezlo back down.

Your grin faded as you led them closer to the updraft that would take them up to the palace. “I just hope you two are careful up there. Not only is the palace dangerous on its own but it’s also mating season for the Wind Gyorgs. They get awfully territorial.”

“We’ll be fine,” Link said. “We’ve been doing this adventuring thing for a while now. I’m sure it’s nothing we can’t handle.”

“All the same…” You reached up to your hair and unpinned a crimson feather tipped with white. You reached over and pinned it to Link’s lapel. “My father said that feather is from an ancient bird our people used to ride. I hope it brings you good luck.”

“Thanks,” Link said with a hint of a blush.

Ezlo was gracious enough to give you a moment, before pecking Link’s head. “Hurry up! Vaati is only getting stronger the more we sit and chat!”

“Right!” Link ran up the stairs and hopped into the updraft. With a roar the wind carried him high into the sky towards the circling Gyorgs and the Palace of the Winds. “May the winds guide you, hero.” You said. “I hope you can find the sacred treasure up there.”

==============================

Much like your dream, you soon found yourself climbing higher and higher into the sky. A flotilla of sky ships, sailing on the tempest, guided you up the ruined sky archipelago. A small scattering of Aerocudas and Zonai Soldier Constructs blocked your way, but the real challenge was the cold and the wind. One wrong step on the icy stone ruins would certainly mean a long fall to a snowy grave. It didn’t help that each safe foothold was farther and farther away, and even with Tulin’s help, some of the jumps you just barely made.

Link helped you up as you scaled another pillar. “Take it slow, it’s slippery. Don’t want the love of my life to be a pancake.”

You stopped to catch your breath as you flopped up onto the top. “Gotta say, of all your new handy abilities-” Link snorted. You smacked him lightly. “It wasn’t meant to be a pun. But that Ascend ability is looking pretty nice right about now.”

“Sorry I can’t carry you,” Tulin said, setting down next to you.

“Nah buddy, you’re helping a ton,” Link said. “Without you, we probably wouldn’t have gotten this high.”

You sat up and looked for the next safe platform. The Purah Pad helped not only as a telescope but as a good way for you to mark your progress. Link, meanwhile, scanned the sky for enemies. Tulin hopped side to side, excited to keep going. “Those ancient soldier things are pretty easy. No one’s a match for us!” He looked around. “Like that guy! I bet we can take him out. C’mon!”

“What guy?” You said, putting your Purah Pad away. It was too late; Tulin was diving past an icy platform down to a massive construct you’d never seen before.

“Oh no,” Link muttered under his breath. Before you could ask what he meant, he was in the air gliding after Tulin. That was all you needed to follow.

As you landed on the platform, the ancient behemoth soon turned its attention to the three of you. It towered over you and wasted no swinging its boxlike arms at you. “Okay, I fought one of these before,” Link said. “It’s called a Flux Construct. You’ve gotta – Tulin, wait!”

It was too late. Tulin was already charging in with his bow. His arrows bounced harmlessly off of the Zonaite body. Almost immediately, the Flux Construct disassembled and reassembled next to Tulin, slamming its arms down and knocking the boy aside with the shock wave. “Tulin!” You shouted. Thankfully, he wasn’t knocked off the small platform.

“[Y/n]! The eye!” Link used his Ultrahand to grab a few of the blocks, pulling them away from the body. Next to you, you could see the foot had a different block with a spinning eye gear. You slammed your sword down. Suddenly, the machine seemed to reset as its body fell apart. You took your chance, batting the cube towards Link, who took the killing blow, causing the core to explode.

Neither of you took the time to catch your breath, instead running to Tulin’s side. “Are you okay, little buddy?” Link asked.

Tulin sat up; the wind knocked out of him but he was thankfully in one piece. “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m sorry.” You started to check him over.

“Tulin, you promised you were going to be careful.”

The poor Rito looked devastated at being chastised by his hero. “I’m sorry… Dad was right, I should’ve listened. I guess I am just a hatchling.”

Link thawed a bit. “Listen it’s all part of growing up. You have to promise you’ll learn from your mistakes though, okay? No more running off.”

“I promise.”

“Just be glad you only have a few minor scrapes,” you said, dabbing a little ointment from your pack on him. “Otherwise, I might have to do to you what I did for your dad.”

“W-w-what did you do?” Tulin asked. You said nothing, but the evil glint in your eye sent the message. “Wait, are you the reason he doesn’t eat wildberries anymore?”

“I can neither confirm nor deny.” You helped Tulin up.

Meanwhile, Link took the construct’s core and fused what remained to a spare Soldier’s Claymore, creating a rather menacing weapon. “Not sure what else we’re gonna find as we get higher,” he said, handing it to you. “Gotta make sure you’re safe too, right?”

“Why would I need to worry when I have you?” Link blushed, but for the briefest moment, you saw uncertainty in his eyes.

“I hope I find someone to go on adventures with someday,” Tulin said, watching the two of you. “Though no kissing. That’s gross.”

“Eh, you might change your mind when you get older,” Link said, planting a quick one on your cheek.

“Ewwwww…”

“C’mon little buddy, we got a lot more to climb.”

==============================

If you thought it couldn’t get colder, you were soon proven wrong. As the three of you climbed higher and higher, the weather was growing unbearably cold. You and Link stopped several times to drink the elixirs you brought, and despite Tulin’s protests, you helped him to bundle up as well. He wouldn’t admit it, but he snuggled into your blankets whenever you stopped to rest.

Finally, you reached the highest point in the ruins, leading into the swirling wall of the tempest. Here, the fleet of sky ships circled around and around. The wind roared, and you pulled a scarf tighter around your nose and mouth. The air was growing thinner. The three of you had to pause at the edge of the ruins. Ice gathered on your eyelashes and hair. The chill pierced you to the bone.

The three of you summoned your courage. Link flashed you a thumbs up before leaping into the air. You and Tulin followed as Tulin used his gusts to guide you to the first boat. Each sail bounced you higher to the next row of sky ships. The wind tugged at your scarf, and it felt like you could barely open your eyes. Despite that, your small party continued, ever higher, ever farther.

The final sail flung you higher than you had ever been. Everything fell perfectly still. The wind was completely silent, and you could see perfectly into the eye of the storm. You could also see all the way across Hyrule, from your beloved Akkala Citadel to the distant Gerudo Desert to the speck of Eventide Island on the horizon.

A flash of light caught your attention as you saw a beautiful white dragon making its way across the sky. A stream of light flowed from its forehead, shining like an aurora. You felt your breath catch, knowing you were looking at the mythical Light Dragon. The legendary beast only appeared a few times in history, and only for great heroes. Having it here for you certainly felt like a blessing on your adventure – and hopefully a sign of safe return for your trio. Seeing the light stream from its forehead made your head sting as well, though you were sure it was merely in sympathy.

For a moment, you could have sworn it looked at you.

“There it is!” Link shouted, snapping you out of your distraction. He guided his paraglider forward. “We have to dive for it!”

“Right behind you!” you shouted back, surprised how hoarse your throat felt.

One after another, the three of you dove down. At the very center of the storm was a dark mass. As you got closer it became clearer – a giant warship, built to last any disaster that should befall the noble Rito: the Stormwind Ark.

[baejax-the-great]

Cold Fish

Patroclus x Achilles | Post Sunset in Your Veins | Fluff | G

Achilles thinks he will never get used to the cold, and when Patroclus suggested they go even farther north to spend a week in the darkest part of winter, he could not understand it. Surely they should go to the coast, to the sea whose breezes would warm the air and revitalize their skin, but Patroclus convinced him that he would like it.

He does. The snow blanketing the forest makes everything so quiet. He has gotten used to the noise of Patroclus’s home, but here there are no strange orange lights changing the color of the sky at night, or people walking outside their windows at every hour of the day, or sirens, or cars. The air is fresh and clean, the cabin is small and warm, and Patroclus introduced him to ice skating on the little lake. Even the smell of the fire in their hearth seems to be better here, sweeter.

“We should live here,” Achilles said the second night, and Patroclus laughed and pressed his nose into Achilles’ chest.

“That’s what everyone says when they are on vacation.”

“Is it not better here?” he had asked. And Patroclus agreed and then reminded him of how in this new world, they needed money to live, a concept Achilles still finds overly complicated and more than a little annoying.

This morning as he holds his cup of hot cider steaming up the window, there is something new. Far across the lake, brightly colored tents have gone up on the ice.

“Is there a market, Patroclus?” Achilles asks. “Should we go see?”

Patroclus peers over his shoulder wrapping his arms around his waist. “No, it is not a market.”

“Then what is it? I can see another setting up a tent.”

He can feel Patroclus smiling into his shoulder. “You would not believe me if I told you.”

“Tell me.”

“Inside each tent is a man, maybe two, and they have cut a hole in the ice of the lake. They will spend the day sitting very quietly next to that hole, with a line in it, hoping to catch the sleepy winter fish.”

Achilles sighs. “You have been spending too much time with Ajax. Your tales are as tall as he is. Who would fish in a solid lake?”

“I told you that you would not believe me.”

Achilles slides Patroclus’s arms off of him so he can study his face. He does not appear to be lying to him, and he does not crack when Achilles narrows his eyes. He usually cracks. He must be telling the truth.

Achilles looks back at the tents and feels pity for the men inside. “Did these fishermen not prepare for winter? Do they not know how to dry their fish to make them last longer?” At this time of year, they should be resting and keeping warm, not toiling on frozen lakes during the scant daylight hours, and if they are so hungry they must fish through solid ice, then the lord of this land should be providing for his people. “I thought the people of this time could have food whenever they wanted without catching it themselves,” he murmurs more to himself than to Patroclus. Then he decides. He has such a fondness for this little forest where Patroclus has brought him, that he should be generous. “Invite them to our table as our guests. They have no need to freeze.”

After, he will teach them to dry their fish so they need not starve again.

But Patroclus is smiling again, teeth whiter than the icy lake. “They are not hungry, Achilles. That is not why they do it.”

“What else could lead to such desperation?”

“They are not desperate.”

He does not believe that. “Then why are they out there?”

“They think it’s fun.”

“Fun?”

“They bring beer and stay all day, listening to music sometimes, relaxing in their tent, and catching whatever sluggish fish see fit to bite.”

“Fun?” Achilles asks again.

Patroclus nods. “Would you like to try it and see for yourself?”

Achilles has tried many new things in this foreign land. Some he enjoyed, some he did not. He was skeptical when Patroclus showed him boots with blades at the bottom for sliding across the frozen lake, but it did end up being fun, and they have gone every day since. Drilling a hole into that ice and sitting next to that hole for an entire day is a bridge too far over a layer of ice that would reach up to his knees if he cut into it.

“No,” he says with confident finality.

Patroclus wraps his arms around his waist again. “Maybe next year, then.”

[danceswithdarkspawn]

????? feral raccoon hours (aka idk what day it is)

It takes a few boat rides to get the group across the lake, save for Bodahn, Sandal, and Maggie who we leave behind on the shore.

Boat rides, of course, mean being over water. In the dark. Endless depths all around that I could easily fall into. Never to be seen again. I elect to take the final trip over, and Eran, sensing my distress, insists he accompanies me.

Eran pushes the boat from the shore and clambers in after it. As the vessel rocks against Erans weight, water laps against the wood, and my hands start to ache from my fingers digging for purchase. He bids a quick apology to our ferryman, then sits next to me. I gratefully lean into him when he wraps an arm around my shoulders.

“Afraid of a little water?” he teases.

“Shut up.”

He laughs and shakes me a little. His fingers flex against my arm, trying to approximate a soothing pattern, as we set off into the abyss. Meanwhile I sit there frozen, hands clutching white-knuckled in the fabric of my breeches, and my sights remain on an imperfection in the bottom of the boat.

“So,” Eran says, causing me to start, “do you want to tell me what was actually going on back there?”

My voice comes out meek. “What are you talking about?”

“Listen, I know something has been bothering you lately, and I—”

“Eran,” I sharply warn, “do we have to do this now? On a boat in the middle of the fucking lake?”

“Well, I can’t get you to talk about it any other way, and there’s no one here to stop us so—”

I jam an elbow into his side and the boat rocks. My stomach lurches in protest. “You’re an ass, you know that?”

“I didn’t want to say anything before because I could tell you needed space,” he quickly explains. “But now it’s been a while and after what happened back there, I’m getting worried.”

“You’re worried about everything, Eran, that’s just you.”

“I know you like her—”

“I swear on Andraste’s fucking pyre—”

“Is this really that difficult for you? Why can’t you just tell her how you feel?”

“Because she’s my fucking friend, you idiot!”

He raises an arm in exasperation. “That’s exactly what you said about Nola!”

I jab him in the ribs again, harder this time, and he yelps. “Don’t talk about her,” I reply through clenched teeth. “Don’t you dare—”

“Trouble with love, eh?” 

Eran and I both look at our ferryman, who seems to pay us no mind, instead craning his neck to look about as he pushes the boat along. “When I was your age—”

“Do you mind?” Eran snaps, and the ferryman falls silent.

Feeling suddenly warm, I look to where my hands rest scrunched together. I turn them over one another, pressing my thumb across my once-injured palm.

“You should tell her.” Eran leans into my shoulder, enveloping me, and says, “Anything could happen between now and tomorrow. I don’t want you to regret this, too.”

Regret. I hate that word.

“I don't regret anything.”

He lets out a ragged sigh. “Don’t say that. Yes you do.”

“I regret that she died.”

[ask-sad-ghost-piett]

Posthumous Admiral's Log - Entry 38

Read the full log on Ao3.

In a strange twist of events, it turns out that our Star Destroyers were not pilfered by the Rebel Alliance. Instead, it appears they were stolen and frozen by our esteemed Emperor Palpatine, who is, oddly enough, still amongst the living.

Now, the fact that the Emperor lives has been known to the deceased Imperial community for some time. That said, none of us ever really found the need to visit him. I feel a tad guilty about it now, considering that the years clearly have not been kind to our poor Emperor.

We found him sitting around cackling to himself in the cavern system, not far from the lake of frozen Star Destroyers. It seems he’s been dwelling on the desolate planet of Exegol in the Unknown Regions for the past thirty or so living years. Apparently, the “abundance of dark side midichlorians”, to use his words, prevents decomposition on this planet and has wonderful anti-aging effects. I suppose this would explain why none of us have started decomposing yet. However, I can’t say that our Emperor is great proof of the planet’s anti-aging effects. His fingers are half rotted off and he looks awfully haggard, though I suppose that must be part of being over 110 years old.

The Emperor then rambled on to explain how he was grateful to us for “donating” our Star Destroyers and how the fleet would be perfectly preserved in ice. I tried to explain to him that being submerged in frozen water would ruin the Star Destroyers and that we would very much prefer to have them sent back to the afterlife, but Palpatine didn’t seem to be paying attention.

He then attempted to order me to serve as fleet admiral of his frozen Star Destroyers. I respectfully declined. The Emperor did not take kindly to my answer. Fortunately, his attempts to electrocute me had little effect saying as one cannot electrocute ghosts. Upon realizing this, the Emperor simply started cackling again and muttering about how the frozen fleet was all part of “something special” he had planned for the Rebellion.

It was then that our group came to the unanimous decision that it was best to leave the Emperor to his ramblings. Both Jerjerrod and I have had exceptionally negative experiences with the Emperor’s “special” plans and have no interest getting involved in them beyond the grave. Perhaps Grand Moff Tarkin can visit the Emperor and convince him to relinquish our submerged Star Destroyers. Until then, I only hope he will not be too lonely.

Now, we are faced with the dilemma of returning to the afterlife. If we cannot decompose on this planet, our only way back is via exorcism or transport to a planet where we can rot naturally. The trouble is that it’s awfully hard to order a space cab as a ghost. It’s difficult to make contact with anyone among the living for that matter.

I fear that I may have no option but to contact my mother for assistance. She’s rather skilled with séance and exorcisms. However, she will undoubtedly view this incident as a failure on my behalf and nag me about it during our future séance sessions. Furthermore, she’s hated Jerjerrod for being a “corrupting presence” ever since he brought me to a cabaret on Tinnel IV many years ago. I doubt she’d react well to his undead presence now.

Max thinks that I’m being silly and ought to have called her ages ago. He says he’d like to meet her. Now, I understand that Max is a bit of a thrill-seeker when it comes to perilous situations. I understand he wants to prove that he’s daring and fears nothing. But this is my mother we’re talking about. Until I met Lord Vader, she was easily the most terrifying person I knew. She makes Grand Moff Tarkin seem warm and fuzzy by comparison.

My point is, Max does not know what he’s saying, and therefore, I shall not call my mother unless I absolutely must. That said, I do not know how much longer I can last like this. Motti and Jerjerrod have been getting awfully handsy with each other, and Needa has been getting on my nerves. I feel a tad mean saying the latter, but if he tries to make small talk with me about the weather one more time, I might just snap. The weather is bleak and foggy on this planet, just as it has been since we arrived. That’s it. There isn’t anything to talk about.

This is why I miss my pocket dimension. What I wouldn’t give to curl up there now with a warm blanket and a copy of The Imperial Guide to Love and Probe Droids.

- Admiral Piett

[dansnaturepictures]

13/12/2022-Lakeside and home 

It was good to see two Common Gulls on beach lake again after yesterday, I got a better view of them both today. They were delightful birds to see on top of the ice, with their sharp yellow legs glowing on a mostly overcast day they were an electric pattern with their ringed bills stood together, I took the third and fourth pictures in this photoset of them. It seems weird to think it was only a week ago I got the glimpse of the first one at Lakeside I’d seen this winter, with these and one seen elsewhere over the weekend this species I admire has become a big part of my time spent birdwatching in a short space of time. Coot, Moorhen and Great Crested Grebes with possibly two for a change of the latter were lovely birds to see well around the lakes again, as was Mallard which I took the ninth picture in this photoset of. I was thrilled to see the Tufted Ducks drifting around the unfrozen parts of the now frozen Concorde lake the one that wasn’t until now, this time with the hint of zebra coloured males was a warm brown female in fine plumage as if knitted with quality wool I do like their colours. It’s been great to enjoy them here in recent days, I took the eighth picture in this photoset of the female. An eccentric crow lurked at the edge of a tree then burst into flight over the fenced off meadows, a joyful Jay. I once again saw Robins well at Lakeside with some smashing intimate views, they are a pleasingly regular sight here of late. A Wren on the edge of vegetation and fleeting glimpses of the Dunnock that comes into the garden going into next door’s and going into the forsythia hedge opposite at the start and end of my lunch break were other lunch time gems. I enjoyed getting a photo of a Woodpigeon today at the end of my lunch break after seeing one yesterday, the bird shown in the tenth and final picture in this photoset I’d not seen too many Woodpigeons at home lately so this was nice. It is nice how the make up of birds around changes a little in cold weather.

Fleabane seed heads, mistletoe I believe in the clump of trees visible from my room at Lakeside, catkins and some green leaves still on trees were nice plant moments at lunch time.

The ice dominated the landscape again with as I said all three lakes frozen to some degree now, and the scenes were interesting, intricate and inspiring for photos of the lakes gripped by the ice and increasingly paths too. Fallen leaves and cone type things from the distinctive trees of Lakeside scattered across the ice were beautiful and enticing scenes, I took the seventh picture in this photoset showing this one of a few photos I liked experimenting with. I took the first two and fifth and sixth pictures in this photoset of views at Lakeside at lunch time too. It was an overcast winter day today but some sun just managed for a minute or two to slightly poke through the clouds creamily at lunch time which created a nice winter scene and then a vaguely pink strip formed across the sky behind bare trees I tweeted photos of this on Dans_Pictures tonight and it was lovely.

Wildlife Sightings Summary: Two of my favourite birds the Jay and Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, Herring Gull seen nicely again, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, I seem to recall Magpie, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove seen well from home too, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird seen nicely, Great Tit, Goldfinch and Grey Silverfish one big one and a small one seen very well in my en suite today. I heard the evocative cry of a Carrion Crow late on from home today and the whisper of Blue Tit in the garden earlier on in the day.

[loud-brain]

Some thoughts on lake ice resilience and global warming

Monday, January 29th 2024 College Library overlooking the seemingly almost unfrozen Lake Mendota - Madison, WI 1:26pm

__________

I sat here because I wanted a closer look at the lake. From a far it looks completely melted, blue as late spring and still as late fall on the only day with sun and absolutely no wind to make the surface all choppy, from a distance the lake is a blue plate of jello, a watercolor pallet, matte blue-green with specks of white where maybe people had drilled holes for ice fishing or the wind pushed together two massive ice plates like continental margins being formed, little Himalayas among a flat green Tibetan plateau. From here up on the second floor of Helen C White it looks about the same. I can see a blue tent in the distance on the ice, though no other signs of human activity are present. I fear that the ice is too thin to walk on and no one wants to test it. Maybe the blue tent was a bold ice fisher who set up his tent a couple days ago and got hit with the unseasonably warm rainstorm that melted most of the snow on the sidewalks and roads and flushed salty runoff into the lakes, and sitting out there on one of these temporarily stationary tectonic plates floating atop increasingly warm and increasingly salty water masses felt like an increasingly bad idea.

Salt lowers the melting point of ice. This means that salty water can stay liquid even below 0 degrees Celcius. That’s the principle behind de-icing salt that suburban family dads dump on their sidewalks by the bucket-full. That salt dumped on the sidewalk does a good job of melting the ice there on the sidewalk but that salty water that results from melting sidewalk ice doesn’t simply disappear. The salt stays in the water, or the water dries and the salt evaporates and stays on the sidewalk until the next rainstorm or snowfall comes to interact with it and the melting point of water again, keeping the water in liquid form where it can flow more readily, always downhill and always to larger bodies of water like lakes and rivers and eventually oceans. That water flows downhill is among the most fundamental laws we know of. Salt flows with water is a corollary, which is important to remember when one feels bold enough to tempt fate and walk out on the beautiful but unquestionably unseasonably thin ice so one can experience that sublime solitude that frozen lakes offer. Salty lake water makes for a sublime frozen lake experience when said ice grows thin and one wrong step can mean a very cold and very quick death of hypothermia.

What happened to the owner of this blue tent way out there? Is he still sitting there inside the tent, bent over a hole in the ice, trying to remember what thickness the ice becomes unsafe to walk on? Or maybe the tent got abandoned during the rainstorm and refroze, deeper than before, into the lake when all that fallen rain turned back into ice overnight, as the air temperature dropped below the freezing mark one again? Such questions aren’t common this time of year, but its seems likely they’ll be more top of mind as the winters get warmer and our lake ice days grow shorter and shorter until one season, maybe 5 or 10 years from now, the ice never comes and the lake remains liquid for an entire year stretch, for the first time in millenia.

When was the last time this lake went a whole year without freezing? Has it ever happened? This lake is not that old. This lake was born out of the last glacial maximum, which peaked around 12,000 years ago. We’re still technically in an ice age, geologically speaking. Of course all the fossil fuel burning that releases greenhouse gases is making this transition happen much more quickly than it would have otherwise, but the average temperature now is still relatively cool compared to say 50k or 100k years ago. Is that correct? I actually don’t know. I sound confident but my timescale may be off. All I know is that the Holocene epoch has been characterized by lots of cold and ice and glaciers and frozen water, and the thousands of years that predated that epoch were warmer. But I also don’t think Lake Mendota existed before a 10,000 years ago, so it very well could have experienced an annual winter freeze every year of its 10,000+ year lifespan. Limnologists will know the answer to this, but I’m just speculating because that’s what I’m good at.

Someone is walking on the ice now. Looks like a student, a girl, wearing a white backpack and white puffy coat, shuffling along on the slick ice surface, jumping slightly and sliding with both feet now and then. She walks past a white patch, what looks like an ice fishing hole. She looks down into it, and I fear she will try to stand on the crystal clear frozen ice surface of the hole — assuming the hole is old enough to allow ice to form over its surface. Doing so would probably result in the girl breaking through the ice surface, given the mild air temperatures this past week. But she just looks down at it and then keeps shuffling. Others walk by on the lakeshore path, solid concrete and in no danger of breaking under human weight, or truck weight or boat trailer weight.

Concrete, the new and improved ice, the forever opaque ice. The unidirectional frozen water. What starts as a fluid, a slurry of rock and clay, becomes one big grey crystal in whatever shape you molded it. Unlike ice, concrete requires no specific temperatures for effective application. Though new concrete does like being sprayed down with a hose, or rain, every few hours for the first couple days after it’s been poured, just so it cures evenly and doesn’t crack. Ice cracks when it warms, and cracks when it cools, splinters and fragments musically when it comes together, the forces of two respectively lake-sized sheets of transparent concrete shoving up against one another under the force of wind and water currents underneath. Or sometimes the two ice plates will diverge, create a divergent boundary like Oldovai Gorge in Tanzania or the basin and range province of Nevada and eastern Californa. Two plates pulling apart leaving liquid between them, forming volcanoes and lava flows in the case of mineral rock and smooth ice skate-able glass water in the case of lake.

I might be overreacting, or maybe I’m showing my ice ignorance. It is true that climate change will make lake ice increasingly rare as temperatures get warmer. But I also do not know what thick vs thin ice looks like. I do not know what “normal” frozen lakes are supposed to do or what appearance they are supposed to project. I know that I am deeply deeply afraid of falling through thin ice into a 33 degree (F) body of water and flailing my arms and legs trying to scramble back onto the frozen surface and possibly burning my energy out or cramping my frigid muscles in the process and slipping back down into the deep dark icy depths to die. But I have also spent only four winters here in Wisconsin, several of them shortened by travels back to California in November or December to visit family in the much warmer locales of Los Angeles or San Diego or to Las Vegas, NV where winter temperatures can be in the 60s (F) without anyone really blinking. So my knowledge of lake ice is limited, and my perceptions shaped by my fears.

The blue tent I described earlier is now gone. I caught a glimpse of its owner walking back toward picnic point to the west, pulling a sled behind him/her. Very casual, no worries, just another day out on the lake. A third person is seen walking on the frozen surface, now bending down to inspect the plate boundary, white with broken pieces of ice crystal. They have a tripod set up next to them and they run back and forth sliding on the ultra smooth surface. Something I myself have done many times, though in much colder weather (if at the same time of year).

Perhaps the lake is not in danger of losing its ice cover just yet. It has only lost the white blanket of snow cover that usually sits on its surface, giving the appearance of a vast arctic tundra, solid as concrete and infinite as the planet itself. The albedo is lower now as little snow remains, and the light shining down from the sun penetrates the clear ice before being absorbed in the water somewhere several meters down, scattering blue-green light that bounces back up through the ice. This is what makes the ice appear so thin, makes it appear so (liquid) water-like. But appearances can be fooling. Caution is certainly still warranted and I may have to tread very lightly if I choose to venture out onto the lake in this comfortably disturbing late-January warm spell, but the lake system is more resilient than I perhaps gave it credit for. It will take much more than a few weeks of sup-freezing weather to transform the lake from its present state. But it can happen, and it may happen — likely will happen — someday. I hope I'm not standing on the lake surface when it does.

[sabu-rina]

Ice skating \\ Shouto/OC

tags\\ fluff

Shouto has a surprise for Eun.

The streets were busy for such a cold, cloudless evening. Perhaps it was because Christmas was around the corner and most couples loved a good wander down a street lit up with all kinds of string lights and displays. This was the first year she could relate.

Eun cupped her frozen hands over her mouth and huffed, cursing herself for forgetting gloves. She leaned against the wall of the cafe while looking up and down the sidewalk for any sign of red and white hair. Shouto Todoroki was usually on time, leaving her to wonder what made him 20 minutes late.

“Maybe…cold feet?” she muttered into her palms, half-smiling at her own stupid joke. They were far too many dates deep for him to back out now, and getting kicked out of a restaurant on the first should have been enough to give him second thoughts on associating with her.

Soon enough, as she watched a particularly cute old couple walk by, familiar footsteps stopped beside her, and a hand touched her arm. Shouto looked like he’d run a mile in under a minute, cheeks flushed from both the exertion and the cold, and maybe a little guilt for making her wait. Eun smiled and lowered her hands from her face.

“‘Bout time,” she teased, “I was starting to think you’d changed your mind.”

Confusion crossed his features as he went to state the obvious, then instead, he smiled back at her, the corners of his lips just barely quirked upward. He moved his hand from her arm and took both of her numb, pale hands in his own. He’d forgotten his gloves as well, assuming he needed them at all.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said, “Fuyumi needed help and I lost track of time…” As he apologized, she felt his skin warm up on hers, held just on the edge of lighting. As the feeling returned in her fingers, a small fluttering feeling grew in her gut. Thankfully, he was looking down to focus and couldn’t see her blush creeping from ear to ear.

“So, uh…where are we going, exactly?” she asked. He let her go, although somewhat hesitantly, and finally met her eyes. If he noticed the color in her cheeks, he didn’t mention it.

“It’s a surprise,” he said simply, causing her to pout slightly. She had no interest in pestering for more information, knowing well that Shouto could be a brick wall, so she huffed and moved to his side to hold his arm. She rested a puffed cheek on his shoulder.

“Alright, then, lead the way,” she said, “The suspense is killing me.”

The big surprise was the park, which only made her more curious. The ground was crunchy from frost, although no snow had fallen yet, and as they walked under a clear sky in the scarcely populated park, she let out a shiver despite wearing a thick coat. They followed the main path for a few minutes, occasionally passing other couples, but then he turned them onto a smaller one that led into the trees.

“I’ve seen movies like this,” she said, glancing back at the lamplights disappearing behind trees. She wasn’t nervous, considering present company, but there was still an unease from simply not knowing.

“Like what?” he asked.

“Oh, you know… Teenagers going into the woods and getting murdered. I guess we’re okay if we don’t—” She cut herself off, unable to bring herself to finish the joke as he gave her the most innocent, confused look ever. Of course, he’d never seen a horror movie, even she only had access when her current guardian was passed out drunk. Thankfully, he didn’t push.

They continued the walk for a while, settling into their usual comfortable silence, until they slowed to a stop at the edge of a clearing. Moonlight was now their sole source of light, giving the icy grass and trees a sort of glow, and it was because of it that she realized the clearing wasn’t a clearing—it was a lake.

“This is it,” he said, looking over at her. She still hadn’t caught on yet remained impressed by the beautiful sight. It was too late for a picnic, and too cold for a dip, so she gave him a questioning look.

“You said you’d never gone ice skating, right?” he asked. She blinked.

“Did I?”

In truth, she knew she had. She distinctly remembered standing next to him and watching the people on the outdoor rink, couples holding hands and giggling, kids going too fast and falling, only to get back up as their parents laughed, and the occasional solo skater in their own world. Unfortunately, she also remembered the look a couple middle-aged women had given her, whispering behind their hands and glaring at her. When Shouto asked if she had tried before, then offered the opportunity, she made up an excuse to get home early and dragged him away.

Shouto could be a little naive, but he always had a killer eye for details. Now, as they stood alone by a lake, it clicked that he’d seen those women too, and knew by her reaction that she could never step on a rink with strangers. Not after…

That fluttery feeling in her stomach bloomed and spread to her chest.

“I thought you’d like to try,” he said, stepping away from her as bits of frost formed on his fingers.

She watched him kneel by the edge of the already partly frozen water and reach out, then gasped as his ice rapidly overtook the surface of the lake. The world around them lit up like daytime thanks to the moon, the air filled with glittering diamond dust like tiny fireflies. She stared out in wonder, barely noticing Shouto return to her side until he took her hand.

The boy was pretty, with his fine features and cool demeanor, and even the scar over his left eye did little to lessen the attraction. Eun found herself gazing at him when he wasn’t looking. And when he was. But it wasn’t until now that she realized just how beautiful his Quirk was too. She hoped, prayed, that one day she’d have the guts to tell him so, that he glowed like the moonlit ice before them, and like the embers he used to warm her fingers.

“I-I…don’t have skates,” she said dumbly, drawing a chuckle from him.

“Me neither. We’ll have to make do.”

He stepped out and took her other hand as well, watching her expression as he led her toward the ice. Her first step onto the slippery surface was nearly a disaster, but Shouto was ready. He held her hands up so she could gain her footing without falling, smiling but not laughing as she flailed a bit. After a moment, she stilled and the two of them slowly slid along the ice.

“Better with skates,” she said, breathing somewhat heavily from nerves. He nodded.

“You’ll get the hang of it. Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall.”

It wasn’t long until the two of them were sliding around like children. Well, Eun was like a child, and Shouto was ever vigilant in case she was about to wipe out. Not that he wasn’t laughing and having a fantastic time as well. He helped her spin, she helped him spin, and they tried to make shapes, but only managed some kind of squiggle. They raced across the lake, and Eun won despite refusing to cheat with her Quirk. Granted, he let her so he could see her grin and hear her laugh, with the added treat of cartoonish confidence with which she told him to “suck it.”

The fun lasted an eternity, until they fell into the grass on the bank. Both of their faces were red and blotchy, Eun’s pert nose especially red. His high came down first, although the smile never left his face as he watched her continue to giggle, her shoulder sometimes bumping into his. As her laughter subsided and she grew tired, she put her full weight against him and let out a content sigh. He slipped his arm around her waist and rested his head on hers as she rested on his shoulder.

“Thank you, Shouto,” she said softly, “That was really fun.”

He wasn’t sure what to say, so he gave her a squeeze and kissed the top of her head.

Thank you for reading! Sorry if anything is confusing. I reference a main story, but it isn’t written.