#the rift shall remember

[tbdofficial]

Hello hello, this is the Timekeeper Cookie from the AdoptsomeCookies blog, you may call me Gristle

I offer you a sandwich in these trying times, fellow Timekeeper

[asumi2020202]

Blessing disguised as a Curse

Pairing: Jacaerys Velaryon x Targaryen!reader.

A/N: After the 1st episode of season two I'm currently obsessing over Jacaerys. So, many Jacaerys stories will be uploaded as well as Aemond cuz I Love him too. Thank you for reading this fiction.

Summary: You were Alicent's daughter. Younger than the three, Aegon, Aemond and Helaena but older than Daeron. After returning from Dragonstone, Rhaenyra proposes a marriage pact between her eldest and you. A man your mother had warned you about.

___________________________ฅ⁠^⁠•⁠ﻌ⁠•⁠^⁠ฅ______

People and gatherings made you nervous. Anxiety coursed through your veins everytime someone started a conversation with you. Solitude was what you preferred. Your comfort was your sister and by some means her bugs as well.

Your mother warned you of the people that were coming back to Kings Landing. She told you to keep distance from them. Though you paid almost no mind to her words which were half controlled by your grandsire, you couldn't help but ponder about those people she talked about.

You knew them from the start before they fled to Dragonstone after taking your precious brother's eye. You had felt hatred towards them but 'what if they change?' You had thought countless of times.

You loved your siblings more than anything. Having a father only by name in the court and a stranger in the halls as he supported your half-sister with everything she had done even if it was killing someone.

You love them. You tried to be there for them through everything. You love Aegon even if was arrogant and misbehaving. You love Aemond even if he wanted revenge. You love Helaena even if she is called weird by others and is obsessed with bugs. You love Daeron even if you have almost no memory of him left.

_________________________________________

You were playing with little Jaehaerys and Jaehaera while Helaena was telling you more facts about bugs. She loved that her baby sister also had interest in her bugs and helps her catch them.

"Did you know that butterflies join their bodies together to reproduce?" Helaena asks you meeting your gaze.

"Really? I used to think they flap their wings together." You reply as you played with Jaehaerys while little Jaehaera sat on your lap.

"Hmm. The male butterfly often dies soon after they mate." Helaena spoke as her gaze shifted back on her embroidery.

"So then the female butterfl-" you were going to reply when the doors opened to reveal your mother.

Both you and Helaena looked up at her while the children were escorted away by the maids. " They have landed. Remember what I have told you my sweelings. Be on your best behaviours." Alicent spoke.

"Yes mother we understand " you replied speaking for both you and your sister. Alicent left the room after nodding at you.

_________________________________________

After meeting with her daughters, Alicent left their room. A maid informed her that Princess Rhaenyra had wanted to meet with her.

Alicent let the maid guide her to the room where Rhaenyra was present. When they reached the place, the maid opened the door to let the Queen inside.

Alicent was met with Rhaenyra. She could tell just by the looks that Rhaenyra was pregnant.

"It has been too long since we were granted the chance to converse" Alicent spoke, breaking the silence.

"Indeed it has been. I know you were busy with the royal matters at hand, so I asked for you at a time when you would be free." Rhaenyra replied looking into Alicent's eyes.

"Is there any important matter that you wish to discuss with me?" Alicent asked.

"Yes, there is one actually. The rift between us has lived far too long. I propose a marriage pact. My son Jacaerys will inherit the Iron Throne after me. Let my son and your youngest daughter be betrothed together so they shall rule together.

We are one family. And long before that we were close friends." Rhaenyra said and looked at Alicent for an answer.

"I sh-" Alicent was going to speak but Rhaenyra interjected.

"This marriage will help us reconcile with each other." She said.

"I shall think of it and give you your answer after the feast tonight." Alicent replied. "Thank you your grace." Rhaenyra smiled at her.

_________________________________________

Alicent had requested an audience with her father after meeting Rhaenyra to discuss about the marriage.

"Father I can't just sacrifice my child." Alicent pleaded. "I know Alicent but this marriage can help us take the throne and make Aegon the king." Otto reasoned.

"Tell Rhaenyra that you agree to this proposal. If y/n is married to her son then it will be easier to control them. When the throne is returned to the rightful heir, it will be easier to prevent war." Otto continued.

Alicent feeling defeated, agreed to her father's request.

_________________________________________

You were in your sister's chambers, waiting for her to get finished dressing up so you both could attend the feast together.

Your dress was simple yet the details on it were impressive. It was was a navy blue dress with golden details. It made you look ethereal.

When Helaena was done, the both of you left the chambers together. Holding tightly onto the hands of your sister as the maids escorted you to the feast hall.

All were seated at the table only getting up when Viserys arrived before sitting down again.

You were seated on the right side of Helaena as Aegon sat on her left. Aemond sat at the end of the table. Rhaena and Baela sat on your right. Starting small conversations which you could connect to and laugh with them.

You were trying hard to not feel nervous. You couldn't really face upfront only talking to Rhaena, Baela and Helaena.

Jacaerys had never thought you to be so beautiful over the years. When he first saw you after the years, he hadn't believed it was you. Only five and ten yet you were the most beautiful lady in his eyes. He had seen you accidentally when he was watching Aemond train, you stood in your balcony gazing at the sky. It was he who actually reasoned with his mother to marry you to him.

He couldn't take his eyes off of you during the feast. The way the dress showed your curves. The way you white hair was style. The necklace on your neck. He was in love.

You on the other hand couldn't even meet his gaze after what your mother told you.

'His brother took your brother's eye, who knows if one day he comes and decides to bring harm to us as well.' she had said.

Jace got up, walking upto you. Lending his hand forward, asking for a dance. You looked at your mother who just nodded. After which you had accepted his hand.

He led you to the side. The music had started. As you both started to dance. He didn't seem so bad. He seemed gentle, offering you bright smiles to which you just gave some small ones.

He looked different. Different than how your mother described him. Ruthless, arrogant, selfish and such.

After the feast, when the children went to their designated chambers, Alicent told Rhaenyra that she had accepted the marriage proposal. That she would try to forget the past and reconcile with her.

The two women decided that they shall break the news to the children and the king next morning, bidding each other a good night.

_________________________________________

You woke early as usual. Your maids had prepared you for the day. A knock on the door took your attention.

It was Jace.

The one who you felt some type of attachment to after the previous feast. He stood infront of your door as he said "Our mothers have requested an audience with us at the King's chambers. I was asked to inform you and take you to them."

"Very well then my prince, let us leave at once." You replied, getting up from your seat and walking down the corridor with him.

'My prince?' oh how sweet it sounded coming from your mouth. But he didn't want 'my prince', he wanted 'husband'.

He knew why they both were called, his mother told him yesterday night before he fell asleep. That the two would be married soon.

Upon arrival at the King's chambers, you greeted your mother, Rhaenyra and the king.

"Ah you've arrived. Do sit. Your mother and I have agreed on something and we wish for your answer as well." Rhaenyra said giving a smile while holding hands with Alicent like she used to when they were children.

You nodded your head as a sign for her to continue speaking.

"We have decided that you and my son Jace shall be betrothed together for the harmony of our family. Your mother has agreed and so has Jace but I wish for your answer." Rhaenyra finished her saying.

"It is a most judicious proposition. Wouldn't you agree daughter?" King Viserys who was resting in his armchair spoke up.

You looked at your mother, who stared at you and offered a smile and then to Jacaerys who looked around your face to find any kind of rejection.

You looked up at Rhaenyra, anxiety flaring through and spoke "if it can help the family be whole again and please my mother then I shall agree."

Rhaenyra's face brightened as did Jace's. Alicent only nodded.

"Well then. I believe we can start with the preparations right away." Rhaenyra said getting up to hold your hands as you looked up to her.

_________________________________________

"You've warned me my entire life about them mother, and now you simply marry me off to him. I don't get you." You spoke to your mother calmly.

"Sweetling, I know it is difficult for you but it is for the greater good. It is to uphold the realm and make peace." Alicent reasoned while placing her hand on your face.

No other word was spoken as you went back to your chambers.

You liked Jacaerys after the events of last night but you couldn't help but worry about what your mother told you. You couldn't help but worry about your siblings, you would have to leave your home and go to Dragonstone with them.

_________________________________________

Three days since that day, your wedding was held. You and Jace cut your lips and the your palms. Holding your hands together, you both drank from the same cup with your other hands. The septa reciting the vows the both of you had to take.

Your families bear witness of the event. Of the love that was to blossom.

After the feast that was held, you left for your now shared chambers in the red keep.

Jacaerys came in a moment after you. You felt nervous. It was your first night together. As if a miracle, he sense your nervousness.

"Is something bothering you dear wife? You even left the feast early." He asked softly not to startle you.

Wife. Oh how you knew you will love him just from how that word slipped from his mouth.

"It is nothing lord husband. It's just that I don't fare well in gatherings. I find solace in solitude." You reply back.

"Well I hope that from now on I can be your solace." Jacaerys replied with his bright smile as he came closer to you. Your chest almost touching his lower chest.

He was tall. You had tilt your head up to meet him. You didn't move aside as he cupped your cheeks and looked at your for permission.

As you nodded, he took the sign and kissed you. You both had consummated that night for the first time.

________________________________________

The day came when you had to leave with them to Dragonstone. You would eventually come back when Rhaenyra would be crowned.

You stood before your siblings and parents, kissing the cheeks of your siblings. "Will you come back soon?"

"Of course my little cuddle bears." You said as you crouched down to meet the level of your nephew and niece.

You climbed on top of your dragon, Moonfyre as they all bid you farewell. You heart saddened as you thought that Helaena would be alone now with Aegon ignoring her. Aemond might not even apply his ointments properly. And your mother.. would be lonely.

Moonfyre sensed your worry and sadness, letting out a low groan. She was as beautiful as the night. A white dragon whose color slowly went from white to grey. Eyes as bright as the moon, earning her name when she hatched.

_________________________________________

Viserys was dead. It had been moons since you left. A raven had informed Rhaenyra that her half brother Aegon had usurped the throne.

The weight of the matter forced her to go in labor. Her child was a stillborn. It pained her. You knew it tore her from the inside but she had to focus one the matters at hand.

Ser Eryyk had came with the crown of King Jaehaerys I. Daemon crowned her as the queen as all bowed. Otto came to make peace with them which resulted in rejection straight up in his face.

She sent her sons to earn the favor of other houses.

_________________________________________

"Y/n" you heard her call you from the back as stood near the stairs of Dragonstone, gazing at the sea.

"Come walk with me" she told you. As you both went down the stairs to the beach, you both had a gentle conversation.

"Do you wish to switch sides? I would not blame you if you do for they are your family." Rhaenyra spoke.

"All my life, I've seen them being neglected. By both father and mother. I was their and still am their comfort source.

Aegon always told me that he will not sit the iron throne. He told me that being a king will only hold him down in one place, and that he wishes to fly free like a dragon." You pause, looking at her eyes while gently holding her hand before continuing.

"And now they tell me that he has Usurped the throne. That he is now the king and that he now rules. That doesn't seem like the Aegon i know." You told her as she looked at you and nodded her head.

_________________________________________

You stood in the middle of Rhaena and Baela as see someone tell Rhaenyra a few words as she broke down.

She turned around, her eyes filled with rage and sorrow.

Lucerys was dead. Vhagar attacked him.

You felt helpless. Did your brother intentionally kill the Heir to Driftmark? You knew he had a deep hatred for Lucerys for taking his eye. But he wouldn't go as far as to kill him.

A raven had been sent to Jacaerys, informing him of the news. You couldn't face the queen. She knew you were innocent but that cannot pardon the sin of your brother.

You had began to open up but now your alone again. The little child seeking solitude. Hiding from people.

_________________________________________

A raven had arrived, delivering a letter to you. It was from the Red Keep. It was Aegon.

Dear Sister,

I know what has been done cannot be changed, but Aemond didn't actually wanted to kill Luke. It was grandsire. He got in his head like mother. He lost control over Vhagar.

I don't wish to rule. They told me that inorder for Rhaenyra to rule, she would have to kill us. That she would kill us all to secure the throne for her and her son. Grandsire said the same thing to Mother the other day, I had overheard it.

This war shouldn't happen. It will tear all of us apart. We are not the enemy of the blacks nor are they ours. Our enemy is Otto Hightower. He wants to rule the kingdom indirectly by being the hand.

Tell our half sister that we must work together. That I am willing to lay down my throne. She will be the Protector of the Realm. I know this is a crucial time for you but stay safe.

-Yours truly

Aegon.

You didn't know what to say. You were Alicent's daughter, who would believe you. They might consider you a traitor as well. You clutched the letter to your chest.

You walls finally broke. You broke down on the bed. It was him from the beginning. Otto Hightower. Anger and pain surrounded you. You cried as you brought your knees to your chest and hid your face there.

The door slowly opened which you hadn't noticed. It was Jacaerys. He had a melancholy look in his eyes as well as of guilt and hatred.

He hated seeing you cry. His Lady Wife. He gently put his head on your back. You looked up to meet his gaze with a tearful look.

The way he looked broke your heart. He looked used and betrayed. You got up and met his gaze again never letting go of the letter.

"Lord husband-" you started but he shakes his head as a no.

"Don't. Don't speak." He tried to say it normally but it came out cold as he walked towards the desk in your room to perhaps look for something.

"Please listen to me. He is innocent. I got a ra-" You started again but got cut off.

""Innocent?! He killed my brother! How can you possibly call him innocent?! My brother went as a messager. He vowed not to fight and Your Brother!..... Took advantage of that!" He screamed at you. For the first time. You had never seen him so angry even when your brothers teased him. He looked at you with hatred.

Tears flooded your vision again. He had never raised his voice at you. You knew it was due to the loss of his brother but that didn't hurt any less.

"I understand your pain. But you must listen to me! At least once hus-" you reasoned which angered him further.

"How can you understand My pain?! T'is I who lost my brother not you. And whats there to listen to? That your brother killed him accidentally?!

Tell me. Were you also a part of this? I truly thought you had loved me. But it seems you're the same as well!" He shouted again coming closer to you.

"I truly do love you. Please believe me!" Your tears flowed freely.

"No you don't. Tell me... Was this marriage also a scheme of you and your family?! Shut up, just shut up for once!"

Your eyes went wide. He wanted you to shut up. You were bothering him. He doubted your love for him. His own eyes widened a bit when he realised what he said. He left the chambers in a hurry not wanting to discuss about this further.

Your chest felt tight. You couldn't breathe properly. You had trouble while trying to inhale the air.

_________________________________________

As Jacaerys left the chambers, he felt as if his clothes were too tight for his body. He saw Baela and Rhaena bringing your food to your chambers like they have been since the day they received the news of Luke.

They nodded at him as he reciprocated.

As they went inside the chambers, a scream could be heard. Possibly from Baela. It could be heard from all the corners of the castle.

Jace heard it before anyone else as his heart stopped. He rushed straight back to the shared room as he saw Baela cradling your unconscious, small form to her chest while Rhaena panicked and told the maids to call for the maesters.

His breathing stopped as he saw his mother and Princess Rhaenys enter the room along with the maester and maids. His mother looked at him as his eyes filled with tears.

First he lost Lucerys he can't lose you too. He didn't mean anything he said.

_________________________________________

Jacaerys paced around the hall infront of your room. He watched as Rhaena guided his little brother Joffery to his room. Joffery was fond of you which warmed Jace's heart.

As the maesters came out both he and Rhaenyra stood up.

"How is she?" He asked them.

"She has a heavy fever. It possibly happened due to excessive stress. She must have bed rest. " The maesters spoke before leaving.

_________________________________________

It had been 2 days. You were yet to wake up. Moonfyre's cries and wails could be heard from everywhere. She was uncomfortable. Her bonded sister was not well and she could sense it.

Jace held your hand as he apologized over and over again. His tears wetting the sheets.

Your eyes slowly opened. Adjusting to the bright light. Jace looked up to see you now wide awake, trying to sit up.

"No no lay down. You need rest. The maester said you were stressed." He said. His voice quivering.

"Don't cry. I understand your part. I'm sorry I am not what you wish for. I know you wouldn't want to be with a murderer's sister. Hence I give you full permission to take a second wife." You gently said while looking at him.

"No shut up." He said lowly not believing what you said. "I didn't mean anything I said that day. I am sorry." He spoke.

You looked out the window remembering the last time he had asked you to shut up. Tears again filled your eyes which you blinked away but Jace noticed.

"My love i didn't mean it that way. Please believe me." He pleaded shaking his head as held your hand tight.

News spreads fast in the castle. A maid had informed the rest that you were awake. Daemon was with Caraxes and lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys were somewhere on the beach.

Rhaenyra, Rhaena and Baela came to the your chambers. The sisters came beside you as they held onto your hand.

Even though you were the daughter of their enemy, they loved you. You were different.

Rhaenyra looked at her son before turning her gaze to you. She felt disappointed in her son after she learned about the argument.

You asked Rhaena for the letter kept on your bedside table as your body was too weak to move. You probably need a few more weeks to be healthy again.

You asked her to give it Rhaenyra.

As Rhaenyra opened the letter and read it's contents, she felt clueless. She didn't realise the state of the other side. Her companion was manipulated from the start.

She held your hand and gave you a sad look. She handed the letter to Jace as she thought that he should read it as well.

His heart broke. You tried to tell him everything but he refused to listen. You tried to explain everything but he only badmouthed you.

Rhaenyra promised you that Otto Hightower will be punished and that none of your siblings would be harmed.

_________________________________________

Calling of your name came from two bubbly voice as they ran to you. You crouched down and opened your arms. The force of your nephew and niece's weight made you fall flat on your butt.

Jacaerys smiled as he saw the reunion. Infront of him stood your four siblings whom you kissed on the cheeks and hugged after getting up.

It was Rhaenyra's official coronation day. Otto Hightower was beheaded for his schemes against the crown.

Rhaenyra and Alicent were finally together again after Rhaenyra found Daemon with Nettles.

All of the royal family stood as King Jaehaerys' crown was placed upon her head. All gave their respects to their first queen.

Jacaerys held your hand tight as he smiled at you which you reciprocated.

_________________________________________

As night fell over kings landing, you and Jace retired to your new shared chambers.

"Husband. Join me in bed." You requested. Your body glowing in your night gown because of the moonlight.

"Of course avy jorrāelan." Jace replied as he climbed on top of the bed and over your body, pinning you down.

He kissed you passionately as one of your hand cupped his face while the other held onto his neck for support.

His naked chest glowed like yours in the moonlight.

"You are most precious thing I have my love." He said as pulled away from your lips.

"And you, my lord husband, came in my life like a blessing disguised as a curse." You said as you both looked at each other and hungrily kissed each other.

The two of slept a long time after consummating the entire night.

He truly did came in your life like a Blessing disguised as a Curse.....

-Lillian

[evilwizard]

The Lich Who Stole Christmas

Every tumblrina in tumblr liked Christmas a lot.

But the lich, who lived just north of Tumblr, did not!

The lich hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season! Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason. It could be his skull wasn’t screwed on quite right. It could be, perhaps, that his skin was too tight.

But I think that the likeliest reason of all… was his heart was encased by a strange lead-lined ball.

“Last year I made something that I thought in would usher

A new age of magic—my prized OrphanCrusher.

But my patents were stolen, and my sweet new invention

Is now being used… with good-ish intentions.

You see, Christmas wishes contain lots of magic;

And my device extracts it through methods so tragic

That I dare not mention them directly here

Though the name might clue in certain readers, I fear.

The Wizard Council, now that they possess this device,

Might use it, this year, to stamp out wizard vice.

Though the process might turn quite a few kids to carrion,

The Wiz Council’s ethics are utilitarian.

So what shall I do? What is to be done?

It seems rather clear that this Christmas can’t come.

But I’ve read a few books, and I know a few tricks

So this year I’ll steal Christmas, while dressed as Saint Nick!”

So the wizard of evil returned to his lair

Stitched a red suit, and did up his hair

Built a sleek sled—and—who among us,

Could hope for a much better Rudolph than Krongus?

They took to the skies, that next Christmas Eve,

And tailgated Santa, whom they hoped to deceive

At every house he left presents, they quickly descended,

And stole the decor and the gifts he’d intended.

And when the dark wizard’s sleigh was full-loaded with gifts,

He tugged at the reigns, and they made for The Rift!

A place where the veil between worlds was thin…

And a brilliant place to dump the gifts in!

“You see,” he told Krongus, as they approached that strange crack,

“Once something goes in, it can never come back!”

“Moreover, it’s perfect,” the wizard did sing,

“For The Rift destroys every part of that thing!”

“Every instance, every atom in all multiverses,

Will be undone as though by my special dark curses.

Not a gram, not a dust speck or mote shall remain,

And no one will even remember their name!”

“But sire,” muttered Krongus, “would it not be more precise,

If you simply put in the OrphanCrusher device?”

The evil wizard thought of this, parking his sleigh in the snow.

He’d made quite a trip, and this seemed quite a blow.

“I do have one here,” he told that weird devil.

“But destroying Christmas seems rather more evil!”

Then, far behind him, and the gifts he had pillaged,

He heard a small noise coming from Tumblr Village.

It was simply a song, of holiday spirit,

But the wizard was utterly shocked just to hear it.

“It came without ribbons! It came without tags!

It came without packages, boxes or bags!”

Then the lich thought of something he hadn’t before.

Could it be Christmas was some kind of contagion or spore?

What happened next? Well, in Tumblr, they say,

The lich’s dead heart exploded that day!

And the combustive force of that villainous blast,

Airlifted the sleigh, and brought it right back,

To the village, where Tumblrinas rejoiced!

Then continued to sing, and lift up their voice.

And back at the rift, the lich, with head in a spin,

At the edge of the rift dropped the OrphanCrusher in.

So Christmas was saved, by accident mostly,

Though performing a good deed turned the bad wizard ghostly.

“Come, Krongus—we must now return to my tower,

While I wait several months to return to full power.”

And at Wizard Council HQ, certain strategist seers,

Saw all this occur through the orbs that they peered.

They smiled, and high-fived, and struck up the band,

Pleased that these events had gone just as planned.

[theguyinthemathexamples]

Sunday meeting the Creation while (unknowingly) ascending to Aeonhood !!

A lil' something for y'all after my longlonglonglonggggggg disappearance :3

If the sinners couldn't be rid of by Their divine hand, then he shall do it himself. But his— her God pertains the notion of sparing the evil and giving them a chance to seek solace in THEIR thousand voices, or the ones of the Primaxus Deus.

Sunday wishes to see her vision one last time, to see with his own eyes if these sinners could truly turn back to the right path. He's done this before countless times before— but he wants to put this belief of hers to yet another run. Was it to reminisce on lost time, or run from his own sacred beliefs?

And yet still, he doesn't see nor hear the sounds of the battle, neither could he speak in this newfound space; all he can see was this shining path, a separating rift from the boundless luminescent seas it tore through.

He takes a cautious step forward and all of the nearby stars were already flocking towards his shoes with reverence, whispering things of the comprehensable mortal plane to the maddening knowledge of the divine. Some know of his current predicament, while some predict how his future would be another footnote in history, success or otherwise.

Time seems to slow here, atleast that was how Sunday saw it. His path was solid yet it made ripples with each step he took but, it never splashed water. He had half a mind to keep walking.

The stars do not have eyes— as if it would ever, yet he still feels as if he was being stalked, being followed by a presence. He wants to ask, yell out who it was, but his mouth was sealed shut. With no other choice does he continue walking. Faint cackles, and the sound of distorted heavenly choir whispers could be heard in the distance.

At last he sees something in the distance other than endless starry seas: a large, disembodied arm. Well, it looks that way anyways. The rest of the body looks to be shrouded in darkness.

Sunday got closer and closer to this arm when a sun suddenly rose up just ahead of his path. He can't help but feel familiar with this sun. The ones beside his feet tell him it's the one in his solar system of origin. But... he's seen and looked at countless stars upon the starry skies, how can he remember something that glowed hot and bright on the days when he was trying to keep survival closer with his sister?

The smaller beads of light beneath his legs gently pushed him towards the right direction, humming familiar tunes along the way.

Yet again, it was another long walk to his new destination. Sunday doesn't feel tired, if at all from walking all this way when he'd usually need a break by now. The stars provided decent entertainment along the way, luckily enough.

He carefully approaches this large hand, now as big as one of the walls in the Dewlight Pavilion. Memories of his death resurfaces in his mind. A small curse is stifled under his breath. No matter, he'll get rid of the concept of death in his promised dreamscape soon enough.

And just as he begins to tentatively sit on the beckoning heat of the hand, exactly as the stars excitedly encouraged him so, the space shook harshly and he falls. Sunday looks around in a panicked apprehension, which the beads of stars expressed as much if not more.

The large hand brushes along his figure in an almost comforting way, till it disappears after a few swipes. The stars dissipate as well in fear, leaving him in the neverending darkness.

He clutched his chest, almost in agony, a baffled look on his face when he tried to search for the warmth of the hand. Sunday hadn't asked them his question yet.

"So... Why does life slumber?..." He asks to the dark, not expecting answers. Machine parts clammer along his movements.

"Because... someday..."

"We will wake up from our dreams!"

And so does he, too wake up from his own slumber. And along with his shattered will, the stage beneath him crumbled and fell.

Sunday lets himself drop untowards the Golden Hour, reaching out to the world where he promised an impossible pledge to countless souls, unable to fly back where he wished due to his clipped wings.

The night is still... too short...

Arms cradle his figure and bringing it to a tight hug. This action brought him out of his stupor, embracing his sister in reflex.

He dipped his head low, imminent defeat having already been accepted. Yet again do memories flash his mind, but they were only about his 'dream.' What did it all mean?

"Brother..."

"The dream... is over."

[eternalera]

im sorry but love IS the main theme in jjk, no not just in the movie but ALL of jjk.

dont believe me? fuck it, fine, i'll explain

lets start it out with the obvious, jjk 0. this is the prequel to the actual anime and manga series (although i guess actualy isnt the correct term... you get the point) and it starts all because of yuuta and rika who were both children when they fell in love.

rika gives yuuta a ring and tells him that its a promise ring and that its a promise that they'll be together forever.

yeah rika DIES

but dw, she gets turned into a curse... by yuuta, but it was on accident so... yeah fun-

then geto shows up and basically attacks the school and yuuta and rika save it using LITERALLY the power of love. then soon enough gojo ends up telling yuuta this 'love is the greatest curse of all'

yeah love is literally the main theme of that, yuuta's love is what cursed rika and caused her to become a curse but what of gojo? why is he saying 'love is the greatest curse of all'?

well soon after this he mentions his 'one and only' and its heavily implied (actually canon) that its suguru geto, YEP the mf who attacked the school. now lets take it back a few notches shall we <33

gojo and geto went to school together where they became extremely close friends (implies lovers as they do a TON of romantic stuff in japanese culture such as giving geto second button to gojo aka the one close to his heart and them riding on a bike together which is illegal in japan but its also considered romantic to break the rules with your lover so like??!?! yeah theyre gay)

soon after they have a mission to protect the star plasma vessel and imma spare you the details lets just say that it goes HORRIBLY wrong and it ends up causing a rift between gojo and geto. gojo ends up awakening becoming a better version of himself for it and is trying to show it to geto. yet he doesnt know that what happened with him and how he basically got a power up did NOT happen to geto.

geto was left to question who he was fighting for anymore and this caused him to... get a little silly and kill an entire village anyways the kfc breakup happens yada yada and remember that these two were really really REALLY close friends at least and most likely lovers (how i'll be referring to them from now on)

now what day did geto attack the school aka the night of 1000 demons parade? december 24, the same date which is the most romantic in japan (to my knowledge) and the same date which gojo killed him... YEAH THAT SHIT WAS PLANNED

but lets move onto something a little more... recent.

ITAFUSHI!!!

honestly my fav ship and why im all writing this in the first place. their love for each other was literally so great that they killed the king of curses. the whole reason that megumi locks in is because he realizes that yuuji is gonna be sad if he dies and that he doesnt want yuuji to be sad

these two care for each other so much and its basically shown at the start of the manga, how megumi sees yuuji and saves him without hesitation, he just doesnt want to see a good person die.

he then says 'what if someone you saves kills another in the future' and when yuuji asks him that megumi cant answer. and when he can yuuji literally flips back and kills himself in order to save megumi and mind you he was fearing death a few seconds ago, saying how he didnt want to die yet and how he had regretted eating that stupid finger

yet when it came to saving megumi all of the sudden that didnt matter anymore, in fact when sukuna offered to bring him back he said no because he didnt want sukuna hurting more people... speaking over that-

SHIBUYA!!! yeah sukuna takes over yuuji and kills a bunch of people- kinda ironic seeing how megumi asked yuuji 'what are you gonna do if someone you save kills those later?' even MORE ironic that before that its revealed that yuuji swallowing the finger caused a bunch of parts of sukuna to wake up and start killing people and both of them realized this and went 'imma not tell the other cause thatll make them sad'

anyways megumi gives his bf a pep talk and then BAM megkuna and yuuji goes batshit against sukuna <3

anyways before megumi separates from sukunas body he says that he's gonna try living for someone else just one more time and its pretty obvious that this person is yuuji.

ALSO fun little thing.

love the greatest curse of all won against the king of curses, sukuna. sukuna who refused to feel or care for human emotions. aint that something?

[crackedegotheories]

when there's smth strange in the new mark vid who you gonna call?

crackedegotheories!!!

(got thrown into a swirling rift in what I can only guess is the fabric of reality and told I needed to find an ax to help someone talking in blue lettered text)

You rang? (Side note, YouTube lost its notifications privileges with me, so I saw this message before I saw Mark's new video. It's probably the only reason I had enough time to type this post up before I head off to the airport, so thank you!)

Okay, to recap: We have a really weird drive by bee attack. No relation to the lore or anything, just bizarre. RIP, bee, you went out stinging. Then we have Mark talking about his love of being dropped into horrors beyond his imagining (not a masochist) and deep lore, before asking Lixian to show us something very deep--"throw them in the hole!"

Lixian says to the viewer, "I guess it's your turn to go into the hole" (my emphasis, we'll get back to that), before we go into a pink, flaming hole. It's tempting to draw the comparison to the wormhole from ISWM, but what's interesting is the color--the only time we see a pink wormhole in Space is when Wilford calls us a ride after ours, uh, was "mysteriously" stabbed.

Inside the hole, there are swirling clouds and flashes of blue lightning. Near the end, there's a break in the clouds that actually kind of looks like a side path to the left, but unlike In Space, we don't have an option of left or right here, we just plummet through the main hole to be met with darkness, and blue text.

"Help me", "Please, help me", and "Only you can find the axe."

Someone is asking for help, someone who claims that only the viewer can find the axe. So, let's talk about the axe, shall we?

First, we start with my boy, Damien:

In DAMIEN, the very first thing we see is Damien himself, chopping down a tree with an axe. This is apparently a daily thing for him, and he chops down a LOT of trees, but in the climax of the video when finally confronting Actor Mark, Damien doesn't have his axe. Instead, Celine arrives, using the axe to break through to Damien and, uh, giving it to Actor Mark to hold for a second.

Chronologically, the next time the axe is picked up is at the end of the fan game for Damien made by Lixian, just for Mark. At about the 48 minute mark, Damien/Dark sets his axe down as he's greeted by Wilford, which is then picked up by Lixian himself.

Lixian is scratched up, presumably from his fight with Lunky in 3 Scary Games #61 which has Lixian attempt to cage Lunky only for Lunky to break out.

It's in the following, unnumbered 3 Scary Games that we first see Lixian wield the axe, to split Lunky in half. (Brutal!)

He would then go on to use the axe in 3 Scary Games #64 and 65 to kill the horror abominations of Mark featured in those videos, and attempts to use it again in #66 only for it to bounce off.

Lixian tries to attack, and gets captured for his efforts, and we next see him in #75, waking up outside of the mysterious Plier Corporation and realizing he doesn't have his axe.

Since then, as far as I can tell in what time I have left to type this, the axe hasn't shown up again. It's missing, and someone needs our help finding it, but who and why?

Part of the explanation may lie with what the monster in #66 says at the beginning of the video: "The end is nigh. He has opened the door. The great Eldritch Plier is coming. Your end is here."

We get a hint at who this "Eldritch Plier" might be in 3 Scary Games #69, which begins with a man standing outside of a pink (!) portal, through which pops out Spider!Mark (one of the same creatures Lixian killed when he had the axe).

This man resurrects Lunky, its two halves barely clinging together, and the next time we see it is with Mark, who admits he doesn't actually remember making Lunky.

Lunky's most recent reappearance is in 3 Scary Games #103, where now whole again he uses the viewer as a sacrifice in his ritual to go back and seek vengeance, presumably against Lixian.

So the safe bet is that it's Lixian asking us to help find the axe so he can take on Lunky, right?

Except...why would he send us through a portal to tell us that? And why would he think we would be the only ones who could find it?

It would make more sense if someone else, someone who is well aware of the workings of the channel and the viewers' place in it, someone who may know of this Eldritch Plier and the danger he poses and shares his ability to summon portals, to do so.

Someone like one Wilford Motherloving Warfstache.

Or, y'know, Dark. He might also be involved.

[nikethestatue]

Are you freakin' kidding me...

Elain 'Shall I tend my little garden forever' Archeron, who first Saw Dusk Court, who Saw the Rift, who Saw EVERYTHING, whose Sight was first recognized by Azriel, who murmured 'she doesn't need anything. It's we who need...the Cauldron made you a Seer', whose magical dagger that no one else touched was touched by her hand and delivered a fatal blow to an ancient King, and in whose presence the Cauldron, the most desirable thing by the Asteri, the thing that made the Trove objects and from which all life began, that Cauldron PURRED in her presence because of how incredible she is,

that Elain is not going to have a book? That Elain is going to be reduced to some silly mate bond with some silly Lucien? That Elain, my Elain, is in some absurd made-up competition with some Gwyn, whom most people don't even remember from the book?

Are you kidding me?

Today, my Elain overwhelms me with her bottomless potential.

Elain doesn't even have to step on the page and she is already incredible.

[ewanmitchellcrumbs]

Careless Words

Pairing: Aemond Targaryen x nameless female character (third person perspective) Warnings: Angst. Toxic/abusive relationship dynamics. Mentions of death. Allusions to smut. Word count: tbc

Summary: She has always given her best to Aemond, but they both know he can't say the same. Based on this request. Author's note: I wanted to explore the darker side of Aemond's personality and how this might manifest itself in a relationship where neither party is particularly healthy in terms of their mindset. This was a cathartic piece for me to write. Lately I've been working through some resurfaced feelings linked to a past relationship that was based entirely around trauma bonding. It may be a triggering read for some, so please approach with caution (and try to remember the story itself is a work of fiction).

Full story coming soon. Snippet below the cut.

She knows she is fighting a losing battle before she even opens her mouth to speak, yet she cannot help herself. She is a moth and Aemond is her flame, ever bright and eternal, the very center around which her entire world revolves. Nothing has ever seemed so final though, what pieces will there be to pick up and place back together once he is someone else’s husband?

Standing before him, she juts out her chin defiantly, willing herself not to cry in spite of the lump in her throat and the insistent stinging around the rims of her eyes. “You’re really going to go through with this?”

He sets his jaw, sighing, a visible dismissal of her feelings that makes her ache and wish she had the courage to simply walk away from him. “Don’t ask questions you already know the answer to.”

“What will become of me, of us?” She asks, her voice raising an octave, threatening to crack.

“That is inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. My brother’s succession takes precedence over everything. Marrying one of Lord Baratheon’s daughters helps strengthen his claim to the throne. Listening to your heedless fretting does not.”

She feels heat rise to her cheeks, swallowing back her anguish, attempting to sound fiercer than she feels. “Perhaps I shall decide to marry too then.”

Aemond’s scoff is so subtle it’s almost imperceptible. “Who would marry you? Your virtue is mine, always has been. You’re fortunate I still desire you.”

His tone of voice is so practical, only the slightest hint of irritation giving it an edge. He may as well be addressing a chambermaid who has not made his bed to his liking. She longs to grab him, shake him, beg him to give her any sort of indication that this is hurting him as much as it’s hurting her, because to think that he’d let her go so easily, after all these years, is more than she can stand.

Instead she says nothing, simply watches as he turns to leave, counting down the moments until he returns to her, his words sweet once more and eager to heal the rift between them, just like he always does. She craves the storm and the calm in equal measure, but they are always on Aemond’s terms, never hers.

[daitranscripts]

Doom Upon All the World Deleted Dialogue

Doom Upon All the World Masterpost

Various snippets of dialogue that didn’t make it into the final cut of the game - listed in scene order.

—

Corypheus: I knew you would come.

Leave them alone. How could I resist? It ends here.

Leave them alone. PC: Leave these people alone. This is between you and me. Corypheus: Then stop me, by all means.

How could I resist? PC: As if I could resist an engraved invitation. Corypheus: Allow me to provide another.

It ends here. PC: It ends here, Corypheus. Corypheus: And so it shall.

Party Comments:

Cassandra: Go. The rest of us will defend these people.

Blackwall: He’s yours—go, We’ll deal with everything else.

Iron Bull: Go kill that asshole. We’ll keep things together down here.

Solas: Go. We will attend to matters on the ground.

Vivienne: Run along, dear. We’ll take care of these demons.

Dorian: Go on. We’ll keep these people alive.

Varric: Go ahead, Inquisitor. We got this.

Sera: We have his pets. Give him the business.

Cole: Go. I’ll help down here.

Party comments:

Cassandra: And… be careful.

Blackwall: And… be careful, my love.

Iron Bull: And kadan? Kick his ass.

Solas: And.. be careful. Our hopes rest upon you now.

Dorian: Just… don’t die. I’d be sad, you know.

Sera: And just please remember… I’m wearing your underpants. (Giggles.)

Soldier: Go ahead, Inquisitor. Stop him, and these demons won’t matter anymore.

Corypheus: You dare.

—

Corypheus: I shall not stand here and endure such insult!

Corypheus: Away with you!

Corypheus: I will crush you—I swear it!

—

Corypheus: Your dragon is persistent. I will tear it from the skies! Corypheus: Challenge me if you dare, dragon! Corypheus: The dragon must perish—I command it! Corypheus: Very well—I shall deal with you instead!

—

Cole: You’re afraid. Wondering who whispered, no dragon, no Dumat, making yourself the answer because you dread the dark.

—

Corypheus: The last strike shall be mine! Corypheus: There! My power is restored! Corypheus: Now this ends! Corypheus: The orb sustains me! Corypheus: You cannot defeat me, fool!

—

Corypheus: (Cries out.) How can this be?

—

PC: You wanted this power? Here. PC: No more! PC: For all the suffering you’ve caused. PC: Speechless at last. PC: Any last words? Didn’t think so. PC: Bye! PC: Your defenses have been Breached. PC: Guess I “rift” you a new one. PC: Better to burn out then Fade away!

—

PC: I hope we’ll still be able to work together. Cassandra: That largely depends on you.

—

Josephine: There you are, darling! Josephine: Inquisitor! There you are.

—

Morrigan: (Gasps.) Morrigan: Mother? Morrigan: What have you done?

[meowcats734]

(prompt response) You're the villain that the Chosen One is meant to defeat. Once they arrive, you notice they're just a teenager who barely knows how to swing a sword. Angered by your opponents sending children to do all their dirty work, you decide to help the teen get revenge.

The Silent Parliament may have been ruthless, but they weren't stupid. They knew that Odin was turning their populace against them, and they remembered that Odin's opening move in the war was contacting possible sympathizers through the vehicle of dreams. So they'd taken countermeasures. While I was gone, they'd erected obelisks at the barriers of the city, and although I couldn't make heads or tails of how they worked, it was clear what the end result was. The few times that Odin did try to show up in people's dreams, the reports were that they were fuzzy and incomprehensible, their attempts to reach out to anyone in the Silent Peaks stymied.

But all that changed after our classmate went crazy and tried to blow us off the side of the mountain.

It frustrated me that I not only had absolutely no idea what the Silent Parliament was doing to keep Odin's dreams out, I hadn't the faintest clue what Odin had done to counteract that. Trying to catch any true information about the war through the waves of confusion and propaganda was like chasing my shadow around a dying fire.

But it was undeniable that after Odin played their hand and turned the Silent Academy's mind-wiped soldiers against them, the dream-wards on the outskirts of town were no longer effective.

So when I went to sleep next, something touched my soul, and I was no longer Cienne, witch of six magics, a student of the Silent Academy who was just trying to survive the war.

I was Odin, Demon of Empathy, and I had come to expose the Silent Peaks for their hypocrisy and lies.

###

"Prepare to meet your end, foul demon!" The slim, wobbly-kneed teenager tried to swing her blade at me. Unimpressed, I simply took a single, surefooted step back, navigating the corpse-strewn, muddy battlefield with ease. Nobody had taken the time to teach the poor girl the importance of a good pair of boots, and her pitiful slog through the mud would take ages to catch up with me.

"I have a name, you know," I said mildly.

"The only name you deserve is barbarian, you monster!" The girl shrieked as she charged at me. One of my soldiers appeared, brandishing a ball of fire, but I shook my head. This was the fourth would-be hero the Silent Parliament had thrown at me, and I'd given all of the first three a nice pat on the back, a reassuring pep talk, and in one case taken in a runaway who had no stomach for the churn of endless violence that made up an active battlefront.

I may have been a demon, but I was a Demon of Empathy. On occasion, I let others into my heart—which was more than I could say for my enemies.

"I recommend you stop following me," I said, taking another calm step back.

"Never!" The girl snapped. "They said you would try to sway me from my path with your wicked words of deceit!"

"Actually, I'm just trying to point out that you've been following me into enemy lines for the past two minutes." The girl froze as she looked around and realized that the black-and-white emblem of the Silent Parliament was nowhere to be found. "On the plus side," I mused, "it's not exactly as if you can get any more surrounded than you already are."

"Then I shall go down in a blaze of glory!" The girl leapt at me, blade crackling with heat, and I raised an eyebrow. This one knew some magic, evidently. Nevertheless, it was fruitless; she'd misjudged her leap and landed in a sprawl on the floor.

I sighed, walking towards her—ostensibly to give her a hand, but this was the fourth time I'd played out this pattern, and my enemies would be predicting me. I kept my eyes on the sky, watching for the telltale flash of—

There.

Quick as a flash, I slashed one hand through the air, tearing open a rift between here and the Plane of Elemental Darkness. A fraction of a heartbeat later, an eerily silent column of holy light struck the ground around us, crisping the mud into brick and setting the corpses aflame—but beneath the shelter of the rift of darkness, the girl and I were kept safe.

"That was an artillery strike," I gently explained, "ordered by your army's commanding officer on your position, in the hopes of taking me out while I gave a fallen child a hand. Scorn me all you like, but do yourself a favor."

The girl's eyes were wide and shellshocked as they met mine.

"As long as you continue working for the Silent Parliament? Don't think of yourself as the hero."

I stood, leaving the shocked girl staring at the destruction her own commander had wrought—the destruction that I had protected her from—and went to exit the battlefield.

But before I could return to my warcamp, the girl croaked, "Wait."

I stopped, then turned, raising an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"I..." The girl swallowed. "This can't be right. They wouldn't just... they wouldn't just throw me away..."

"But they have." My gaze was not unkind as I knelt by her side. "Would you like to see how?"

The girl got to her feet, sword abandoned in the mud, and mutely nodded.

Then I closed my eyes—trusting her not to strike me—and reached into my soulspace, delicately carving away a portion of my memories. The memories of the first three heroes who had come to stop me, who I had spared, and who had been quietly vanished by their superiors without a trace.

The first one, of course, didn't believe me. Neither did the second, even when I presented him with the memories of his predecessors. The third simply broke down when I showed him the names and faces of the previous "heroes" who had challenged me.

But the fourth?

The fourth grew angry.

"This... this isn't right." The girl clenched her fists. "The Silent Parliament—they can't get away with this."

"They have so far," I gently said. "And they will, if nobody stops them."

The girl trembled with fury. "You told me that I could not call myself a hero, so long as I worked for the Silent Parliament."

Slowly, I nodded.

"Then let me call myself a hero." She held on to the fragment of my soul that I had gifted her. "Let me show everyone what happened here, so that another child like me is never tricked onto this battlefield again."

A quiet, fierce grin spread across my face, and I squeezed the girl's arm.

"I will remember you," I said. "My name is Odin, and I am the greatest Demon of Empathy to walk this world."

"My name is Haionn," she said, "and I am a hero."

Then Haionn strode to her own side of the battlefield, wielding memory and truth where once she held a blade.

###

"I don't buy it," I said the next morning.

Lucet, Meloai, and Tanryn were the only ones in earshot, but Lucet still reflexively looked around with her soulsight. We were alone in the strange vault that Lord Tanryn had built to keep his daughter safe from the last war the Silent Peaks had waged. I found it ironic that we were using it to the same end.

"What don't you buy?" Meloai asked.

"The dream," I said. "The Silent Peaks are fucking awful, but for all their evils..." 

“I left a child in a warzone,” Witch Aimes snarled, getting to her feet. “A helpless, imbecilic child who it is my job to re-educate and protect from the Redlands. To protect from monsters like you, in body and idea.”

"They don't use child soldiers," I said. "And they protect their young."

"I mean, how would we know if they did?" Lucet asked. "What are we going to do, ask around if anyone had any missing children as of late? The watch would wipe our memories of the last week just to be safe if they thought we were questioning them."

"That might very well be Odin's aim," Meloai pointed out. "The watch's stockpiles of liberosis are already running low; they don't have enough resources to keep everyone safely mind-wiped. Having them waste resources on debunking an unfalsifiable accusation might be the sole goal of their broadcast."

"Well, hang on." Tanryn hopped into the conversation. "I don't know about this Odin fellow—"

The three of us chuckled. It was sometimes... endearing, how out of touch with current events Tanryn was.

"—but you said they sent you all a soul fragment, right? If it's a memory, it has to have some grain of truth to it, even if it's carefully chosen."

I shook my head. "Odin can do nonsense with soul fragments that I didn't even know was possible. Case in point: none of us have any idea how they sent the exact same soul fragment to the entire city, simultaneously. I wouldn't put it past them to be able to just... completely fake a memory. And some parts of it have to be fake. I've seen Odin fight personally, and if they had the power to casually open rifts of that size, I'm certain they would have used it against Witch Aimes. I don't know if it's, like, an intimidation tactic, or a tutorial on how to counter light magic, but it's definitely not real."

"So we're left with two competing sources of obviously false news," Lucet summed up. "Well, I suppose that's better than one."

"Not strictly true," Meloai pointed out. "I could add as many sources of obviously fake news as you want, and the situation wouldn't improve." At our blank looks, she elaborated. "As some examples of unhelpful false reports: bees are fish, snow is hot, and Iola is a good person."

I couldn't help but giggle at that. Meloai's sense of humor took some getting used to, but... I was glad we had her, during these times. I could use a smile every now and then. "Odin's lies are a little more subtle than 'bees are fish', but I take your point. We shouldn't take *anything—*either from the broadcasts or the dreams—at face value."

"So then... what do we trust?" Lucet asked. She folded her knees inwards, hugging her legs as if she was a giant egg. Tanryn gave her a scandalized look for putting her shoes on one of House Tanryn's precious chairs, but Lucet didn't even notice. "I mean, for all we know, we've already lost the war and Odin's about to kill us all. Or we won yesterday, and the only reason the Silent Academy is still showing those broadcasts is to fuel some completely unrelated conflict. And I hate that. I hate that so much."

I bit my lip, thinking. "Well," I slowly said. "The last time I didn't trust the Academy's narrative on things..." I almost laughed from how much simpler those times were, when all I had to worry about was what counted as Academic and what counted as Fell magic. "I asked someone who had been there personally."

Meloai and Tanryn gave me confused looks, but Lucet straightened up. "I thought you said Jiaola hadn't come back yet."

"He hasn't," I agreed, "but there's one person with oracular powers and a highly motivated interest in knowing what happened to him."

I stood, stretching my back, and prepared to open a rift back to realspace.

"I think it's time I paid Uncle Sansen a visit," I finished, and tore open a gate back into the Silent Peaks.

A.N.

Soulmage is a serial written in response to writing prompts. Stick around for more episodes, or join my Discord to chat about it!

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[sgiandubh]

Cait was very emotional towards Sam during season 7 promotion

I wonder what she will look like during the promotion for the eighth and final season?!

Dear Emotional Anon,

A frantic local schedule forced me to switch off a bit, and I either missed a BIG something or just stepped into a time rift. Never mind and bless your heart, anyway.

You must be the same person regularly making the rounds, over and over again, with this same monothematic ask, every single time things are slow in here. At the moment, I am full with Shipper Mom's wonderful cheese pie (feta, eggs, mint, mascarpone & phyllo) & shamelessly sleepy. Thus, I can't really remember if I answered you already - I mean, I think I might have.

We agree C was emotional during S7 promo. It's plain to see why and I shall not discuss the obvious.

As for the eighth and final season, just two things: next promo will be the one for the second half of Season 7. It is next to impossible to know what she will look like during the promo for a season they have not yet started to shoot. Unless you'd expect fanfic from me - not this shop's specialty. At all.

If you need your cheap fanfic fix, go chez Marple - her acrid curiosity expanded now to the Norouzi & Khourieva Christmas Lollapalooza, which would be fun if it weren't really, really sad and none of our business.

So take it easy, Anon and get into that Xmas spirit, instead of projecting like crazy on C. They are fine. Trust me they are. The troll's stringent need to introduce the adventures of a sideline player into the plot should be enough evidence of my very confident S&C assumption.

[theregencywriter]

(8) A Gentleman's Pursuit -Benedict Bridgerton x Reader

Dearest Readers,

It seems that the Bridgerton brothers have found themselves entangled in a most unconventional dispute, and the subject of their contention? None other than the captivating Miss Y/N.

Whispers from the household suggest that Anthony and Benedict Bridgerton came to blows, their passions ignited by their conflicting affections for the enigmatic young lady. Eyewitnesses recount a tumultuous scene, where words escalated to actions and brotherly bonds were momentarily forgotten. But what could have driven these distinguished gentlemen to such extremes? It is said that Miss Y/N, with her charm and spirited nature, had inadvertently become the cause of this familial strife. Though the details remain shrouded in secrecy, one thing is certain: emotions ran high and blood was spilled.

In the aftermath of this fateful encounter, Y/N was seen attending to Benedict, her caring nature evident as she tended to his injuries. The servants' whispers and knowing glances have not gone unnoticed, leaving little doubt as to which Bridgerton brother has won the fair lady's heart.

Could this be the moment we have all been waiting for? Has Y/N made her choice, seemingly favouring the wounded and vulnerable Benedict over his elder brother? I shall leave you with these burning questions as I continue to unravel the tangled web of society's affairs.

Remember, dear readers, true love is never without its complications. In matters of the heart, it seems even the esteemed Bridgerton family is not immune to the follies and furies that passion brings.

Yours ever faithfully,

Lady Whistledown

--

Y/N entered the breakfast room, her gaze immediately drawn to Benedict's now bruised eye. Concern etched across her features, she instinctively took a step toward him, but her motion stalled as she noticed Anthony's piercing glare. Sensing the tension between the brothers, Y/N hesitated for a moment before choosing a seat further away from Benedict.

As she settled at the table, the room felt heavy with unspoken emotions. The once warm and inviting atmosphere had been replaced by an undercurrent of discord. Y/N's heart ached as she glanced between the Bridgerton brothers, caught in the midst of their rivalry over her affections.

Violet, ever perceptive, could no longer bear the strained atmosphere that hung in the room. With a determined expression, she spoke up, her voice carrying a mix of concern and authority. "Enough," Violet declared, her eyes shifting from Anthony to Benedict. "This tension between you two cannot go on. It's tearing our family apart."

Benedict, looking weary and defeated, attempted to interject, but Anthony, his anger still simmering, abruptly rose from his seat and stormed out of the room. The door echoed with his departure, leaving a palpable void in his wake. As the silence settled, Benedict's gaze followed his brother's path before he sighed heavily, resigned to the situation. Feeling the weight of the conflict, he quietly excused himself and retreated to his room, seeking solace and reflection.

Left in the wake of their turmoil, Y/N felt a pang of sadness and helplessness. She wished for a resolution, for the harmony that had once graced the Bridgerton household to be restored. But it seemed that the rift between the brothers was deeper than she could have anticipated.

She turned her attention to Violet, who wore a troubled expression. Y/N could see the worry etched on her face, the concern for her sons and the wellbeing of their family. It was clear that Violet longed for peace and unity as much as anyone.

Violet Bridgerton watched the retreating figures of her son, Anthony, and the solemn departure of Benedict. Concern etched deeply into her features as she contemplated the rift that had formed between her beloved children. It was a burden she could no longer bear in silence. Turning her attention to Y/N, who sat nearby with a heavy heart, Violet reached out and gently touched her hand. Her voice carried a mixture of motherly affection and an urgent plea.

"Y/N, my dear," Violet said, her voice tinged with both worry and hope. "Would you be willing to talk to Anthony? Perhaps your words can reach him, where mine seem to fall short. We need him to understand the importance of healing our family." Y/N met Violet's gaze, sensing the weight of her request. Understanding the gravity of the situation and the importance of familial unity, she nodded with a determined look in her eyes.

"I will speak to him, Lady Bridgerton," Y/N replied, her voice steady and resolute. "I'll do my best to help him see reason and find a way to bridge the divide."

Violet offered a grateful smile, her eyes shimmering with gratitude. "Thank you, Y/N," she whispered. "Your presence has brought a light to our lives, and I believe you have the power to bring it back."

With a sense of purpose, Y/N rose from her seat, ready to face the challenging task ahead. She felt the weight of responsibility upon her shoulders, knowing that her words could potentially mend the fragile bonds of the Bridgerton family.

As she walked away, Y/N carried with her a flicker of hope. Hope that through open dialogue, understanding, and a touch of compassion, the love that had been overshadowed by discord could once again shine brightly within the walls of the Bridgerton household.

--

"Anthony!" Y/N called out, her voice filled with a mix of urgency and determination. She quickened her pace, closing the distance between them as she reached out a hand to touch his arm, silently pleading for him to halt. Anthony turned around, his features reflecting a mix of surprise and reluctance. He had expected Y/N to keep her distance after the altercation, but her persistence caught him off guard. He waited, reluctantly, as she caught up to him.

"Please, Anthony," Y/N implored, her voice soft yet filled with sincerity. "Let's talk. We cannot let this divide us any longer. Your family needs us to find a resolution."

Anthony's gaze softened as he looked into her eyes, searching for answers and reassurance. He had grown accustomed to shielding himself from vulnerability, but Y/N's unwavering presence compelled him to let his guard down. With a sigh, Anthony nodded, reluctantly agreeing to the conversation she sought. "Very well," he said, his voice tinged with a mix of resignation and hope. "Let's find a quiet spot where we can speak privately."

Together, they veered away from the crowded paths of the estate, seeking solace amidst the serenity of the garden. As they walked, Y/N's heart raced with a mix of trepidation and determination, knowing that the words she would share held the power to shape their future.

They found a secluded bench nestled beneath a blossoming tree, the fragrant petals drifting gently through the air around them. Anthony's voice trembled slightly as he revealed the haunting memory that had shaped his view on love and marriage. "I was faced with an impossible choice when my father passed," He confessed, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "I had to decide between saving my mother or the child she carried, a sibling I might have never known. In that moment, I realized the weight of responsibility and the potential heartbreak that accompanies love."

Y/N listened intently, her heart aching for the pain Anthony had carried within him for so long. She reached out, her hand finding his and offering solace in her touch. "I understand your fears, Anthony," Y/N said gently, her voice filled with compassion. "But love doesn't have to be synonymous with heartbreak or impossible choices. It can be a source of strength and support, a partnership where both parties uplift and care for each other."

Anthony looked into her eyes, a mixture of vulnerability and realization crossing his features. "You're right," he murmured, his voice laced with a newfound conviction. "I have been holding onto a skewed perception of love, one born out of fear and pain. But I see now that I should aspire to find a love that brings joy, not sorrow." Their conversation continued, unravelling layers of vulnerability, doubts, and hopes. Anthony opened himself up to the possibility of a genuine connection, of a love that transcended duty and expectation. In that intimate space, they shared their dreams, their fears, and their aspirations.

As the conversation drew to a close, Y/N smiled softly, her eyes filled with warmth and understanding. "Anthony, I believe it's time to apologize to Benedict," she suggested, her voice gentle but firm. "He deserves to hear your truth and to see the growth and change within you." Anthony nodded, his expression a mix of gratitude and determination. "You're right, Y/N," he acknowledged, his voice filled with sincerity. "I need to make amends and show him that I've learned from my mistakes."

With newfound clarity and a renewed sense of purpose, Anthony and Y/N rose from the bench, their hands still intertwined. Together, they walked back to the Bridgerton residence, ready to confront their family, their past actions, and to pave the way for a future.

---

Anthony made his way to Benedict's room. He paused outside the closed door, taking a moment to gather his thoughts and summon the courage to face his brother. The weight of his actions and the pain he had caused Benedict weighed heavily on his conscience. As he entered the room, Anthony found Benedict sitting by the window, lost in his own thoughts. Benedict's eyes flickered with surprise and guarded caution as Anthony approached, unsure of his brother's intentions.

"Benedict," Anthony began, his voice filled with sincerity and regret. "I have come to apologize, truly and deeply, for my actions and the way I have made you feel."

Benedict glanced up, his expression softening as he listened to his brother's words. He remained silent, giving Anthony the opportunity to continue. "I see now that I have been blind to the pain I have caused you," Anthony continued, his voice tinged with remorse. "I allowed my own fears and insecurities to cloud my judgment and hurt the one person I care about deeply. I should have respected your feelings and supported your connection with Y/N."

Benedict's gaze softened, and he nodded slowly, accepting Anthony's words. "It hurt, Anthony," he admitted, his voice carrying a trace of vulnerability. "But I also understand the struggle you faced. We are brothers, and love should never be a competition between us."

Anthony's shoulders sagged with relief, grateful for Benedict's understanding. "Thank you, Benedict," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me." Benedict's eyes met Anthony's, the weight of their shared history and bond shining through. "I forgive you, Anthony," he said, his voice carrying the weight of their brotherly love. "Let us move forward and support one another, for the sake of our family and our happiness."

As the two brothers embraced, a sense of healing and reconciliation washed over them. They had weathered a storm of misunderstandings and hurt, but their bond remained unbreakable. United in their love for each other and their desire for Y/N's happiness, they set aside their differences and began to rebuild the bridges that had been strained.

[return-to-twisted-wonderland]

🔆anon

Familial anger. It’s something Baul knew all too well. It wasn’t too long ago when he was upset his daughter married a human. He was so upset that they had quit talking for a while. Baul had to make a conscious choice to let them back in and let himself meet his son-in-law, allow himself to learn was a good man, no matter the race.

It took a long time to let himself do such a thing, it took years to let himself consider it. Even after they reconnected, Baul kept fighting his own feelings, he was the one who caused the rift so he had no right to feel upset, and his son-in-law seemed kind and genuine, so it was stupid to feel upset to see his daughter go off with him, it was just his biases acting up. To this day, he still struggles with it. But he wanted to be there for his family more, and he even made it a promise to himself the day his grandson was born.

Now he has a chance to see it from the outside. He saw Dusk was furious at his father, no matter how he made the surface seem. It was understandable. The younger Vanrouge was taken from his father from so long, likely yearning to come home, and he did come home only to find out his father never mentioned him and even took more kids. That’s a pretty easy way to feel betrayed.

As of now Dusk had gone away to simmer in his feelings. If Baul was able to believe he was leaving to actually feel his feelings, he would have left the kid alone, yet Baul fully knew he wasn’t going to let himself heal. While he couldn’t fix it for Dusk, he could help, so he followed until he caught up.

Baul: Younger Vanrouge.

Dusk: *jumps* Mr. Zigvolt! I didn’t hear you, sorry.

Baul: You still can just call me Baul. Also, I am trained so that another wouldn’t hear me, you have no need to apologize. I just wanted to talk to you.

Dusk: You did? About what?

Baul: What you’re doing now.

Dusk: You’re kinda being cryptic here.

Baul: You came out here to feel your feelings but have no intention of letting yourself do so. You intend on letting your emotions rise up only to blame yourself for feeling them, calling them invalid.

Dusk: I- Wha- I wouldn’t-

Baul: Remember, we are trained veterans. Both your father and I understand how to read people. I may not be able to understand specifics, but I’ve been through a similar situation before.

Dusk: *looks away* Jumpscaring someone only to bring up a serious topic isn’t the most common way of getting someone to open up to you.

Baul: I apologize. I just didn’t want you to cause more damage to yourself if I could step in. I just wanted to say, you are allowed to feel angry if a situation happened and negatively impacted you, or just impacted you at all. You are allowed to feel upset if it’s no one’s fault. You are allowed to feel upset if someone did the best they could or the right choice. You are allowed to feel.

Dusk: …

Baul: This wasn’t meant as a form of lecture, I just wish you can take some some solace in my words. I do not intend to intrude on your space any longer. Have a go-

Dusk moved out his hand to stop Baul. The younger Vanrouge stopped his floating to sit on the ground while pointing to the spot next to him. Baul quickly took his place, wrapping an arm around Dusk.

They sat together for a while. Pure silence. Baul couldn’t tell exactly what was going through the kids head, he just hoped it was something a long the lines of giving himself a break. What he did know was Dusk eventually fell asleep there. Baul simply scooped him up and brought him back to his family.

Baul: I have gained another grandson and I shall protect this one. Lilia.

Lilia: Baul?

Baul: Having children is a precious gift, please do not neglect such a thing.

Lilia: ...understood.

[wowstrawberrycow]

Another Gigolas Drabble

Hello again! This one took me a while and wow is it a doozie. Thank you for the highly emotional prompt recommendation @viiluen! I feel like this piece challenged me in the best ways. I honestly appreciate that so much.

The Day We Saw Each Other

Pairing: GimliXLegolas-Gigolas

Warnings: heavy emotional pain, angst, healing depression with tears, and heavy comfort (I promise it ends decently)

Length: 2,513 words

This is the music I used to pull the writing out of me. I take no credit for the music, only the writing.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JUPoUnqDArk&pp=ygUcZW1vdGlvbmFsIG11c2ljIGluc3RydW1lbnRhbA%3D%3D

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u5Rz06tMw5g&pp=ygUOIGZlYXIgYW1iaWFuY2U%3D

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=74QT6_P4ZQY

❤️‍🩹Please remember crying can help heal you too. You’re brave for it.❤️‍🩹 - me

Most beings could not fairly describe striking beauty such as the trees within the golden wood. The rejuvenating majesty within the air was undeniable. However, stifling aversion hung within the bodies and minds of all who crossed paths with the roots of trees. Unadulterated was the might of the wooden veins, for they themself held more than wisdom within. The eldritch mingle of refinement and consternation was even more alarming given the words Legolas had remembered about these trees despite their simultaneous welcoming energy.

“For all who dwell and all who visit the wood, Those whose hearts are adorned in icicles, Those whose fortress pinned with false shelter, For joys deceptive, All shall break upon the roots born here, So only the truth may remain.”

Truth? What truth would be torn from their being? What uncanny powers lay hidden in these wooden vessels? A shiver sprinted up their spine. This especially was so after the meeting with the lady of the wood, Galadriel. Being peeled like fruit, even silently, had their mind swirling into a flux of questions. Nevertheless, as the lady of the wood bore eyes undoing them, the stone coldness of their state that legolas kept remained unchanged. It was only after they had witnessed the dwarf's unwavering chivalry, that their mind shifted. 

How gracious the stout fellow was. How humble his soul was. How honorable this man was... The elf felt their cheeks burn brightly before they could no longer handle themself in the eyes of company.  The man's eloquent use of speech was also something they hardly expected from the man's kind.  Maybe there was more to Gimli than they expected. The dwarf certainly did prove himself to be quite the gentleman in the company of the lady. Could this be the truth Gimli hid?

They had always been perplexed by the dwarven race ever since they heard Thranduil speak of them. Their curiosity only grew ever since having dealings with them over the misty mountains. Dwarven kind never struck Legolas as particularly foul, despite actively having to shun the limited-statured fellows for public blending purposes. Their sister had utterly shaken them, as she had eyes for a dwarf herself. They couldn't comprehend it at first. But now,  perhaps maybe after a while of observation, they could finally see. Father was wrong. Legolas had learned that the man was wrong about many things. 

 Rifts strained harder at the seams of their mind. They caught themself thinking back to the gathering in Galadriel's court. The dwarfs' pulchritudinous words echoed ripping through their soul. Their cheeks still dashed with shades of red, while feeling butterflies cut through their stomach. It felt so sudden. What was that?  Perhaps it was the trees holding upon them. Mist filled their vision while they paced frantically attempting to grip at their rigid composure. Father’s freezing reminders crept back to their thoughts.

“Losing yourself is the first step to folly”

“Exposure leads to death. Remember that child.”

“No, little one. You must always remember that attachment too great, opens one to peril.”

They collapsed once feeling safely hidden while twisted in thought. The recent memories made in the woods captured them. Gimli's words to Galadriel chilled their core, yet broiled their heart. Legolas mournfully wished a man would speak to them in such a lovely way...

Shattering splashes of loneliness washed over them. They felt their mind reeling over their current crush downstairs who only had eyes for Lady Arwen.... Feeling glassy, they helplessly ground their teeth. The short-circuiting processes of age-old habits tore their heart further after regards to their friends fighting loved ones. They felt the divide before the group even set off from Rivendell. Friends and lovers, the mortals in the party they were. Then there was Legolas. They didn't have much at home, save for the trees, a sister who had her own path, and a parent who was more interested in alcohol, and hiding. They would gladly say they set upon this quest for the sake of their people. That is very true enough, but their personal life felt so desolate. Journeying far away from all the distractions of home made them realize just how alone they were. Physical jolts of pain seared their body in retaliation for the suppression.

Their voice finally cracked under whistling breaths. Legolas held their knees to their chest cuddling themself as they had no choice to give in. Their body simply could not handle the sharp pains attacking their muscles. Their breaking mind yearned for any gentle touch, while their eyes burned with eons of tears that were never shed. The natural soothing energy the elven land had radiated gave Legolas little comfort at the moment. As those same energies had forcefully rendered them to this state. 

Suddenly, there was a firm yet gentle touch to the elf's shoulder. "Oi laddie, what ails you so sad?" Gimli's voice rang clear and soft like dew on spring leaves.

For once caught off guard they sprang up with unparalleled terror in their eyes. Destroyed from salty streams and beaten red they were. They scooted backward fearfully as if they were a deer caught in a trap. How embarrassing it was to be in such a pitiful state. "nothing that you could remedy I'm sure... Please ... Leave me at peace with my solitude," they replied in a begging tone. Anguish pooled heavily in their eyes when they stood up to find a different, more secluded weeping place.

Gimli stared at the elf baffled by such a vulnerable display. He hardly thought it possible for elven folk to express such emotions. Through his experiences with such people, he assumed them to always seem cold or arrogant at the best of times. That is, outside of their blind merry-making. Legolas was the last he would ever expect to see weeping so fiercely even in solitude, as the royal was so quiet, awkward, and aloof constantly. Gimli finally stepped forward feeling a growing magnetism in his heart. Real kindness in these parts was never hidden among these roots, "Please, I insist.” 

“Stay back!”  legolas held the eyes of a cornered beast, growling as they whipped out a knife in their shaking hand. 

Gimli paid no mind to the royals' request. He easily disarmed the elf and grabbed them by the hand and pulled them to them closer.

"You won't leave even if I demanded you to do so, would you..." Legolas sniffled as unusual stating the obvious. Their seas of salt halted in the presence of company. Their once wavering voice went back to its void, calm, air. However, the numbness was easier to gather via the monotone of their pitch. Their abused, flushed skin that surrounded their eyes began to uncontrollably burn as suppression seeded their actions.

To this Gimli scowled. "No, I won't. There is no use hiding it either my lad. You gave yourself away with that display," unable to set the royal’s hand free he guided them through the wood. The elven vulnerability was a marvel. Gimli felt himself dwell on the raw smolder he saw curled up only moments ago. His own heart pounded relentlessly, unable to relinquish the exquisite pain of the elf's emotional state. As horrible as it was, his heart was entranced in the devastating beauty.

Legolas smiled hallowly at the gentle contact and followed the man. Though they couldn't say for sure why. Perhaps it was only the work of the forest making it feel easier to be among company? But Legolas shook off the feeling, allowing the present numbness to grow stronger at the man's words. "I can't muster anymore of it. It has passed. Just old memories and some newer. That's all. There's nothing anyone can do about things that lay in the past " the elf spoke solemnly but they also made no effort to break away from the dwarf's touch. 

"Ahhh, I see. Well, you are right about that. But clearly it is still painful. It's a shame you don't express yourself more. I like that side of you much better than this mask you put on for show " Gimli looked up at the other to see their lips quiver in restraint.

Gimli’s sensitivities sent Legolas’ heart thumping again. Their cheeks blazed before taking a shallow breath. Their hand subtly trembled in the dwarfs. This blasted forest had a way of effortlessly pulling them to the brink of despair. " I don't know what you mean. I am as I always have been. I'm simply me." their voice revealed the timid fawn that buried itself deep inside their being.

"Oh? Is that so? Well, then perhaps it is my imagination that I sensed pain and saw you flip to a chilly face after your burning eyes were drenched," He emitted the warmest glow with every word while giving the elf a little nudge to the side. 

Legolas couldn't hide their shuddering body, "Fine. Then what would you have me do, I wonder?" they looked down at the man with disdain.

"Why not sing the pain away? You do it often enough. I may not know well the tongue in which you sing. But, I do say you sing beautifully nonetheless," Gimli chuckled deep and jolly. 

Legolas broke their stride whipping around with wide eyes. "You've heard?! When and how?! I coveted my solitude! I'm sure no one could hear my private voice!" The elf’s eyes flashed with embarrassment and inflamed irking. Their voice scorned heavily upon the man.

"Oh yes, one might think you were a maiden with that lovely voice." The dwarf jeered delighted to get a rise from the royal. Though jokingly said, he completely meant it. The elf did have a gorgeous singing voice despite their cold expression worn even in private places.

Legolas scoffed but said no more as their hand was firmly cradled. They found themself again unable to fight the dwarfs' lead. Something was soothing about Gimli's simple act. Physical contact was welcomed after lonely years of thirsting for any drop of affection. 

Gimli triumphed in this situation but said nothing. He simply sat in front of the water that he just noticed at his feet.

Following Gimli's lead Legolas planted themself nearby. They turned their head staring off into the distance leaning against a cool boulder beside them as if it were a person. They placed a hand upon its surface in need.

Gimli sighed gently, caressing the elf's arm, "Your heart is aching. In'et laddie? There is no sense hiding it any longer."

Legolas nodded, daring not to deceive their companion any further in such a pristine place. 

Gimli squeezed Legolas' hand. He couldn't offer many words so he sat with the elf respecting their silence. 

Legolas tucked their blonde locks behind a pointed ear. Looking gratefully at Gimli, their words stumbled out, "I'm going to dub thee elf friend… I-I think," their cheeks tinted themselves pink, right before beginning a melody of sorrows under their breath. No tears were able to form as they still had an audience. Albeit, just one, it was still an audience all the same.

Gimli smiled half-heartedly as his friend finally took his advice. After some time the dwarf scooted closer testing the waters of his company. 

The trees seemed to rustle victorious while working their healing magic. No truth be hidden in Lothlorian so long as the lady dwelled there. Legolas certainly was receptive to the elven magic. They were now feverish from numbness. Their physically ill expression turned to one of almost childlike fear. They quivered feeling intensely distorted as their fever set in their bones. 

Gimli immediately took notice pulling the elf into a comforting embrace, "oi... There's no need to suffer alone. Speak your mind. You've held it quite long enough." With a large hand, he petted Legolas' hair. His eyes widened at the softness of the golden locks. The royal looked delicate as if they were a wilting flower in the snow. His heart skipped while it also crumbled to dust.

Legolas peered up from the man's lap feeling a wave of comfort wash over them. As if hypnotized, the elf's bottled emotions were broken free once more. Tears abruptly poured from their eyes as if salt had been dumped into a wound, "I-I-I... have... n-no-one," their voice broke out into shuttering cracks. 

What was left of Gimli's bleeding heart sank. Even he was not impervious to the centuries of suffering that flooded from the taller form before him. Such sensitivity was a myth until this moment. Witnessing such fragility, urged the dwarf to gently grasp the elf pulling them to his chest. He hardly had a chance to realize he had followed through with his heart's request.

Legolas nuzzled instinctively into the man. Tears assaulted the fabric of Gimli's tunic. The closeness was far more soothing than they could ever explain. Pain escaped, leaving them lighter as their fever finally began to die. 

Gimli rocked them gently, he too began to tear up. With his large hands, he caressed legolas’ trembling shoulders. Hearing the elf’s whimpers only brew up further, allowed him to finally speak, "You have your friends in this fellowship laddie. We work together. You are as much a part of that bond as I or anyone else is." his own voice cracked but there was no falter in him.

"You aren't wrong I suppose." Legolas nodded lifting from their spot only to be pulled back with a gasp.

"No, I can still feel the pain. I'm not so proud that I cannot be a friend in your time of need, " Gimli gave the other a dominant yet gentle expression.

The elf's breath was taken away. Their own heart skipped beats, causing them to breathe shallowly before giving in to the dwarf's command. Such action allowed for a sweet grin to draw upon their face. They could feel the tears finally stopping. They could feel themself now drifting into elven meditative rest. With eyes still open, the exhaustion of the moment had finally taken its toll.

Gimli on the other hand, was still caught in the awestruck radiance that Legolas was. The elven figure was not merely a stoic, pretty face. It was sometimes easy to forget that raw emotions lay behind all faces, even elven ones. Today was quite something... The lady and now Legolas had opened his eyes to much. 

He'd need to be more vigilant with the elf from now on. He often saw Legolas sitting alone pondering. Now he knew sadness was the royal's inner company. How awkward Legolas might feel among expressive mortals? loneliness could drive one to madness. That was something he'd rather not see someone so fair experience. This was especially so, now that he could see the need for love and acceptance in Legolas' heart. Gimli rose carrying the elven flower and with the utmost care. Despite his stout stature he handled the larger body well, "Rest lighter my friend," He tucked the elf into a bed provided for them before going to his own.

[alexanderlightweight]

I posted this to ao3 for someone i know who doesn't have a tumblr, but I'll share it on here as well.

this is a follow up and expansion into Magnus/Alec's battlelust date in portugal when the rifts open

-

Magnus stops his art to admire his canvas, enjoying the tilted face and closed eyes, the long lashes trustingly resting on high cheekbones that Magnus is brushing over.

“I adore you,” Magnus can’t help but whisper and his breathe fans over the glitter he hasn’t yet set, spreading magic across Alexander’s face.

“I love you too,” Alexander murmurs back. “But if you keep doing this, I’m going to ruin your hard work by kissing you.”

“I wouldn’t mind.” Magnus freely admits, perfectly fine with the passion he has for his boy, “I can start over.”

Alexander peeks his long, gloriously thick lashes open and squints suspiciously at him.

“Babe, you’ve restarted three times. I thought we were going to that flower festival somewhere?”

“You and your flowers,” Magnus teases lightly. However, he’s pleased more than actually upset, delighted at how much Alexander has opened up with and for him, how the keeps trusting pieces of himself with Magnus and then entrusting even more.

“Yes, my flowers.” Alexander says smugly and wrinkles his nose, like a bunny. “Now hurry up, I’d like to have time to watch you pick your clothes.”

It’s a charming habit that Alexander enjoys watching Magnus find them both the perfect outfit.

Magnus finishes his artwork, the petals carefully drawn out and set with shimmering lines of magic that won’t be smeared or lose their sheen.

“Now, then—” Magnus announces and uses magic to throw open their closet doors. He’s about to start when a fire message comes his way, he reads it and his smirk grows. “Change of plans, lovely! A dozen rifts have open in the south of Portugal, coordinates to come. Shall we take a detour, go to the festival tomorrow instead?”

Alexander grins, a matching expression of gleeful delight. “Sounds nice.”

“Oh—” Magnus can’t help how his expression falls, “I’ll have to do something about this.” He murmurs and reaches out, magic sparking on his fingers and Alexander captures them, kissing the magic away.

“Don’t you dare, Magnus.” Alexander says, voice low and eyes amorous, “this is a date, not a mission. Are you trying to take my flower crown away, babe? I thought you liked them on me.”

“Never,” Magnus says in delight as he magicks a small cluster of flowers over from the vanity and he snaps them both into their battle-gear. “I have a matching boutonniere, my dear.” And once it’s tucked into the pocket of his vest, he cups his boy’s face. “I was merely worried about the shine of the glitter affecting your vision.”

Instead of melting at the concern, his darling boy huffs in disbelief and his face twists into a scowling pout.

“I’ve killed demons half blinded by ichor before, Magnus.” Alexander grumbles as he summons his weapons and makes sure his boots are tight enough.

They are.

“Honestly, Magnus. Glitter is annoying and can be uncomfortable sometimes but it doesn’t literally sear you raw and take out your sight. Your priorities, babe. Sometimes they make no sense.”

Magnus stares in utter shock as he gets the last of his own outfit ready. “Alexander, did you really just try that with me? Do you not remember your own priorities? Or that time you tackled a demon off that resort balcony — while naked? On the fifth floor might I add!”

“It was trying to steal our breakfast Magnus and there were strawberries with the waffles. What was I supposed to do, let it win?”

Magnus stares at this ridiculous, hopeless man who he has so ardently dedicated himself too and been met with devoted to in turn.

“Oh, lovely how do I ever try to resist you.” Magnus says and he crosses over and pulls his boy into a passionate, hungry kiss.

“I didn’t know you tried.” Alexander murmurs, voice low and hoarse and his lips chasing Magnus’ own.  They kiss, unhindered or distracted for a few minutes before Magnus pulls himself away with a slick pop and forces himself to make a portal. 

“Your battleground awaits, my love.” Magnus says holding out his hand for Alexander to take before he steps through the portal and he exits first, using his magic to keep the portal open as he helps Alexander out, a warrior descending from his chariot.

His love is magnificent, a circlet of plum blossoms crowns his brow and the outline of a peony in full bloom across his face, the lines a soft peach that shimmer in the dying sun.

Alexander looks like a god of war, come to scatter petals for the dead and destroy whoever dared stand before him.

Magnus personally chose his clothes, a leather jacket woven with abyssal silk and studded with demon pearls, every single one imbued with a different array of protection or spell of endurance, each the red of Magnus’ battle-magic.

The only adamas Alexander has ever allowed on his battle-gear after he met Magnus, is the steel tipped toes of his boots and the tiny spikes of adamas on his soles.

Magnus wears dragonscale shoes in return, just in case they want to dance after a battle and Alexander steps on his toes, again.

A graceful warrior his shadowhunter may be, but a graceful man in the face of Magnus’ delight he is not.

Magnus’ own outfit is as dark as Alexander’s but threaded with spidersilk harvested by moonmoth fairies. They spin the webs on willow branches in the light of the moon until they shine with the same glow. It also is the same glow as Alexander’s blessed weapons and witchlight. Magnus wears a circlet of magical platinum, pure grade and harvested in the mines of the Spiral Labyrinth.

Perhaps it’s not quite as charming as his Alexander’s own crown, but the magic stored in it is what helps Magnus tames Edom’s magic and harvest what his flames devour to renew himself.

Together, they step onto the ravaged earth and look across. There are shadowhunters and warlocks working together across the plain and Magnus casually disintegrates a demon that scuttles too close.

“Oh dear,” he murmurs, and he surveys it with a friend. “I’m sorry darling, I fear I expected a bit more. Is this too boring? We can still make the festival.”

“But Magnus.” Alexander is looking at him with feral delight, his eyes huge and wondrously amorous, “it’s been so long since we’ve danced.”

Then Alexander is ducking under the sweeping but lumbering tail of a demon, gloved hand touching down, his bare fingers brushing the earth as he lashes out with his foot.

The demon explodes in a burst of ash and ichor as the spikes on Alexander’s boots and the force of his kick crush it’s orbital bones into its brain.

“You are a delight.” Magnus admits and he sends a spear of magic through a demon thinking it might sneak behind. “Well, then, a waltz to begin?” And Magnus ducks under Alexander’s arm as his love draws his bow, notching an arrow and plucking a demon from the sky.

“If we get closer to the rifts, we might get around to a tango.” Alexander, his charming boy chuckles, dark and hoarse and alite with the thrill of a brutal, deadly dance.

—

Alec lets himself settle into the rhythm and delight of a good battle with Magnus at his back.

There’s a simple joy in it, in the harmony of their backs pressed together, of knowing when to duck and trust or when to take the lead and protect. There’s an indescribably beauty and Alec knows the luxury he’s been gifted.

A king’s ransom that other shadowhunters would kill to experience.

Magnus changed, after Edom and Alec is certain that now, that in the entire world there is no one more powerful than Magnus.

Alec is still stunned by it, in awe of it and flustered by it.

Magnus is still Magnus, despite all his power and glory and Alec adores him all the more for it.

Like how he spends his time painting flowers in a prism of magic across Alec’s face or grows entire trees just to gather blossoms for Alec’s crowns.

Each time Magnus wreaths him in magic and flowers, Alec feels his heartbeat thud as if he’s meeting Magnus again for the first time.

It’s with a smile that he shoves his fist through a demon’s maw and rips out its jaw, hissing at the sting of ichor.

No sooner has he felt the sting than it’s soothed, the flower petals on his brow glowing softly as they imbue him with healing and Alec can’t help the small, tiny smile that it brings him.

“You can’t smile like that,” Magnus bemoans and Alec knows he’s just teasing so he smiles a little broader, hopelessly charmed by Magnus’ teasing. “Alexander, my heart. How can you tease me so in the middle of such a dance.”

“How can I not smile when I look at you?” Alec asks, “when I think of how much you love me. How amazing your magic is and how I’m covered in it. What am I supposed to do, Magnus? Pretend I’m not awed every day at how much you love and want me?”

Magnus makes a mournful sound and then his magic explodes, bursting out of him in a shockwave that disintegrates every demonic being within three-hundred yards and sends two dozen shaowhunters flat on their asses.

Magnus grabs him and dips him, kissing Alec with a fervor that ignites Alec’s battlefever and his lust. He chases the kiss, but Magnus pushes him back with a smug, laughing smirk.

“Oh, the things I’m going to do to you when we’re done.” Magnus promises and Alec lets a laugh of delight and draws another arrow, waiting for the demons to recover and ignoring the ache of his hard cock against the seam of his pants.

“I can’t wait.” He promises because it’s true.

—

“Commander!” Alec hears and he mutters a scathing remark that has Magnus tittering and blasting a demon with a bit too much force as he tries to stifle it.

“What?” He asks as he avoids ducking and instead stabs the approaching demon. Ichor splatters across his face and Alec can’t help it. “Fucking demons better not stain my goddamn flower crown.”

He turns to see a shocked, frightened, and clearly worn hunter.

“Commander, are you reinforcements, what should be done? I’m not sure what formation to send them out in.”

He’s asked Alec rolls his eyes because he’s honestly disappointed.

“You’re a ranked shadowhunters, you know what to do or you wouldn’t be here. Focus on your own people and let us be. I’m on a date, not here to save you.”

Alec leaves the gawping hunter to return to Magnus’ side, irritated about the absence even though it lasted mere moments.

In a battle, mere moments can decide victory. It’s with an extra vicious kick that Alec accidentally knocks the demon’s head clear off, the toes of his boot severing the spinal attachment and sending it bouncing across the field. It rolls for a moment before it explodes, as if the body had only just realized it was dead.

They fight until they’re bored, dusk turning into twilight and Alec is ravenous for a different kind of battle, a different kind of fight where he has no intention of winning and every intention of absolutely enjoying his loss.

[imfluentinfangirlandgay]

A Father's Resolve - Ch 5

Ingo returns after a decade - with two extra cars in tow. Years later, his kids are swallowed up by time in the same way he was. Will he be able to find them? Will they be able to make it out alive?

Word Count: ~1600

They arrived at the location swiftly. It seemed like the fields were pretty close to the village. The twins followed a few security guys in red and Laventon to a small clearing with a trunk, a campfire, and a couple tents. Some people stood around, talking. 

"This is the Fieldlands camp," Laventon announced. "If you ever need to heal up or just need a break, think of this as a safe spot." The twins followed him into the camp as he greeted some of the people here. 

"Now," he said, "your trial is to catch a Bidoof, a Shinx, and a Starly, yes? You know how to throw pokeballs, but you need to practice the ways of survey work. Some members of the Survey Corp have offered to help show you the basics." Two people in blue waved from the fire and stood. 

"Let's get started, shall we?"

–

The Bidoof was a piece of cake. Rei even petted it as he was pressing the ball to its furry head. Two others watched on, not a care in the world. 

The hard part with Starly was getting close enough to catch without startling it, but Rei remembered all those times in Chargestone, trying desperately to find the rare Tynamo and manage to hit the teeny tiny thing with a ball. Needless to say, Starly was nothing, especially after the tall grass trick. 

Shinx was a tad more difficult. The Survey Corps member showing them watched it with disdain and she described being struck by a Thunder Shock. Pokemon attacked people in this region? Now he understood why Dad was always talking about how dangerous it was. 

They battled the Shinx, but it seemed too young to have learned any electric moves. Even Oshawott excelled against it and they each had an electric cat pokemon in no time. 

"Congratulations, you two! You've completed the first trial and are well on your way to completing the pokedex! This calls for a commemorative photograph!" Laventon pulled out a box with a lens on the front. Rei assumed it was an old camera. 

The flash just about blinded Rei on impact. He had to blink back the spots burned into his retinas as Laventon shook out the photograph. "Excellent. Now, let us not keep Captain Cyllene waiting! Time to head back to Jubilife, eh?" Rei shook off some dirt from his jacket. Akari pulled a leaf out of her silver hair. They followed Laventon again, heading back to Jubilife. 

"Do you have a bad feeling about all this?" Rei whispered to his sister in Unovan. 

Akari nodded. "But what else can we do? We have nowhere else to go." 

Rei couldn't argue with that. They continued to talk to each other for a bit in Unovan, not wanting to be eavesdropped on. "I wonder what year it is… what year did Dad say we were born?" 

"I think 1836," Akari said. 

"That sounds right." Rei pondered dates. "Because we left in 1841 and he was dropped around 1830."

"Well, that doesn't make any sense," Laventon said in perfect Unovan, not looking at them. The twins both froze. He could speak Unovan? "I'm from Galar," he added, smiling back at them. "I did not mean to intrude, but I could not help but notice the inconsistency. It is currently 1831. There is no way you could have been born five years from now!" 

They said nothing for a moment. They looked at each other. Rei shrugged. Akari blinked at him three times. Rei nodded and then gestured to Laventon. Akari sighed and nodded. With that settled, Rei spoke, still making sure to be in Unovan, "We think we were taken through time," Rei admitted. "We uh… immigrated to a different region at a young age, but we were born in Hisui."

"Time, eh?" Laventon looked up to the rift hanging above Mount Coronet. "Then it must be a space-time rift." 

"Please don't tell any-" 

"Professor?" One of the guards was watching them speak. "What are you talking about?" He could only speak Hisuian, Rei assumed. 

"Oh, they believe they must have been brought from Galar. It is their homeland, as well as mine. We were just discussing where from. Galar is a rather large region!" Laventon fibbed. The guardsmen shrugged and continued to walk. 

The twins said nothing else, but nodded at Laventon in thanks, as they continued on. 

—------ 

Emmet sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew he could be difficult. He knew Elesa could be difficult. He knew Ingo could be difficult. 

But by Arceus, it was hard to get anything done when they were all being difficult in opposite ways. 

Ingo had his day bag on his shoulder, haphazardly packed, as he stood paces away from the door, a feral look in his eyes. He hadn't shaved at all, his lengthening beard only adding to the madness. Elesa was standing in front of the door, the only thing between it and Ingo, staring him down, her eyes like daggers. Emmet was trying to wedge between them to make them not fight each other. The very air was charged and electrified, a battle going on without any pokemon involved. Emmet took deep breaths. He had to be the rational one, and as such he had to keep his head level. 

"I'm going," Ingo ground out, his voice raspy. 

"Not until you take a nap first," Elesa countered, her lips pursed. "Or a shower."

"What if something happens!" 

"Then we go a bit further in time and stop it. You're acting like we can only travel to a single spot." 

"I'd rather just have nothing happen in the first place!"

"That's what time travel is, idiot!"

Ingo grinned his teeth as he huffed and stamped his foot. "We're wasting time!"

"We can't do that if we're traveling!" 

And that was enough to break his resolve. "WOULD BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP!" Emmet finally snapped. He was done being the rational one. They wanted to fight like they were children? Then he'd act like a child. Both of them jumped, surprised by his outburst. He shoved Ingo back, nearly knocking him over. "What's going to happen when we get the kids home and see you've worked yourself so hard you lost years off your life? You already look like a walking corpse! A strong gust will blow you over! What will they think," he growled at his brother, who looked at him with wide eyes. His hands trembled on the strap of the bag. "I've lost you once and I'm not losing you again." And then he rounded on Elesa. "And you! None of us knows how time travel works. None of us knows what's happening or how it's going to happen or how easy it'd be to fix. We want your help and we need your help but for the love of Arceus, both of you need to SHUT UP! None of this is helping anyone right now, least of all the twins!" He stomped off to the table and grabbed a ball, opening it and releasing Chandelure. "You wanna talk about wasting time and then just stand here and scream at each other? Fine! I can waste some time." She swirled in the air silently, taking in the scene in confusion. "Chandelure," Emmet commanded, "take Ingo to his bed and make him sleep. I don't care what you have to do." 

She turned and saw the state that her Trainer had left himself in. Ingo protested, shouting incoherently as he was suddenly surrounded by a purple glow and lifted off his feet. "You can't just do that!"

"I can and I did!" Emmet screamed back. Ingo was dragged off to the other room by the ghost, his bag falling off his shoulder and onto the floor even as he yelled. "I don't want to see you come out of that room for at least four hours! And I swear to Arceus, those bags under your eyes had better be gone!" Then he pointed at Elesa. "And you need to take a walk! Have a battle, get some coffee, do something other than just screaming in my living room. I want you back here after you've cooled off, and no sooner! Do I make myself clear?!" 

Elesa scoffed at him and threw open the door, slamming it behind her. 

Emmet stood in the middle of the room for a moment longer, his fists clenched and shaking. Then he sighed. His shoulders slumped, his knees buckling. His face lost its smile. The exhaustion washed over him in a wave as the rage drained, nearly sending him crashing down.

He sunk to the couch and sighed, propping up an elbow on the arm and holding up his head with his hand. Galvantula crawled to his lap, clicking her mandible in concern. He sighed and petted her soft fur as she got comfortable, looking up at him with her big blue eyes. "What are we going to do? It's hardly been over a week and we're already losing it." He leaned down so that he was more horizontal, laying on the couch, his head on a pillow as Galvantula moved to lay on his chest. The constant hum of static in her abdomen was comforting. "I shouldn't have shouted like that, Butternut. I want them back, too. I miss them. I'm worried about them." He sighed again as he patted her head. He could feel the prick of tears in the back of his eyes. "I don't know what to do." His voice choked up.

He continued to lay there as the sun set outside the back door. Galvantula nuzzled against his chin and tucked her pedipalps under her head as a pillow. Slowly, his eyes drooped shut, and sleep finally overcame him. 

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