#the royal guards get their own spots because I find them all very interesting

[linnoya-writes]

Zutara “unexpected father-in-law” canon-compliant AU

It’s interesting how, in the ATLA finale, there’s no real indication that Katara actually got to see Ozai before he gets imprisoned for war crimes.  

In the finale, everyone, including Toph, gets to throw their own personal jab at Ozai.  Not Katara. And part of me likes to believe that she chooses not to see him intentionally.  Because it’s her rough spot.  Not just because this was a man who waged war and destruction for years... but also because she has a hard time processing that the young Fire Lord she finds herself falling in love with is the son of this horrible, cruel man.  

She doesn’t want that to be true. 

She doesn’t want to accept that Ozai and Zuko are the same blood. And it takes years…. decades… for Katara to finally come to terms with that hard truth, and she pays a visit to her now elderly father-in-law in his prison cell.  

His face is gaunt and hollow at first sight, but when he looks up to her, the flaming, brilliant golden eyes are very much Zuko... and she holds her breath.

Ozai is also speechless, and only manages a grin to mask that curiosity.

Over the years, he’d only been lucky to catch glimpses of his aging brother before his passing and been visited occasionally by Azula.  Zuko, however ironically, had been the one to visit the former FireLord the most frequently… promptly at the first of every month.  It became Ozai’s personal passage of time.  At first his son had come with tea, and as the months went by… he came with news: about reconstruction of their FireNation governments, the peaceful republic of Earth Kingdom colonies encouraged by Avatar Aang, the new alliances and trade agreements made with the Southern WaterTribe.  Zuko mentioned all of this to him not as an insecure boy seeking advice, but as a learned man -- one who’d risen from countless mistakes and had eventually found his own diplomatic resolve.    

It was a kind of confidence Ozai had no idea existed within his son, and it was in this way that Zuko announced in that cell that this young Fire Lord would finally be married. 

“Who is she?” 

“Her name is Katara, of the Southern Water Tribe.” 

“A Water Tribe peasant,��� Ozai muttered, amused.  Appalled.  

“Oh, if you knew even half the things that woman has done for this world, you wouldn’t think the FireNation even deserved her.” Zuko glances down, a shy smile forming. “She is unbelievable.  You’d be lucky enough to meet her.  I hope she’ll come around.”  

And Zuko leaves before Ozai can say anything regarding a tainted mark or brittle branch that will result of this marriage within Fire Nation royal history.  

Over the years, Ozai hears about this marriage, the political alliance that formed from it, the mixed daughters birthed between a peasant and a prince.  When Ozai asks the guards if his granddaughters were borne firebenders, the prisoner doesn’t receive an answer.  Instead, he receives a visit from the children themselves in their royal garb, along with their father.  Ozai sees the familiar golden flame in the girls’ eyes, despite the tanned complexion of their WaterTribe mother.  

The girls take a fire-bending stance, and the old man gets hopeful.  

But it’s when ribbons of blue begin to dance around the girls alongside the fire-bending movements that Ozai’s smile disappears.  

The blue he sees is not Azula’s Fire.  It’s actually not fire at all.  

And when the girls end their routine and smile at their grandfather, Ozai turns his back away from them.  Confused and sad, the girls turn to Zuko and ask if they did anything wrong, and their father kneels down to their level, hugging them tightly… and assures them they did not.  

Zuko’s visits become less frequent after that, only coming in to disclose important decrees and updated policies to the former sovereign.  Ozai hears about his granddaughters through Zuko, year after year, learning about their favorite foods and colors… their interests beyond bending, their worldly education fueled by their parents’ influence as well as the youthful, progressive Avatar.  

When the girls become teenagers, they finally visit their grandfather again-- this time, on their own… and ask Ozai about the war… if their family was indeed responsible for it. 

They ask about it not in an accusatory way, but more an assertive way… wanting to understand for their own sake, their future, and how the world might see them as either a blessing or a threat. How delicate their position truly is.

Over time, Ozai grows accustomed to the water he sees and the stories about the WaterTribe he hears with each of his granddaughters’ later visits.  They become women before his eyes, esteemed princesses of two cultures… and when they leave the palace independently, Ozai hears through news of the guards how these girls- much like their parents before them- are making a difference, changing the world, falling in love outside of their borders.  

It brings the old man to tears.  

The days become quieter, shorter over time.  Nobody visits him anymore, and even Fire Lord Zuko has dedicated his time more to other important matters.  Time runs glacially, erratically.  Ozai combs his now silvery mane of hair with lanky fingers to pass the days, and the last thing he expects is a new visitor approaching his cell.  

Sandwiched between two palace guards is this petite, middle-aged woman he’d never seen before, wearing royal red and blue garb.  He recognizes her face instantly, from the ones of his granddaughters.  

An old grin passes his face.  “I’m impressed the heat of our country never compelled you to flee, highness.” 

Katara grins firmly, finding her breath.  Her eyes are glistening. 

“I can handle the sun, thank you.” 

Despite having spent most of her life adapting to royal Fire Nation courts, Ozai can still hear this woman’s humble origins.  

He looks away in his cell, straightening up in only the way a former Royal can. 

Katara nods to the guards, reassuring that she’s okay and they turn on their heels to give her some time alone with the prisoner.  

Slowly, she pours the old man some Ginger tea in the same delicate way Uncle Iroh had taught her.  She doesn’t hand him the cup, but rather places it down past the rails, which he takes, and watching her then pour a cup for herself. She’s just beginning to graze her fifties, he thinks, noticing the sternness to her brow, the overworked draping to her lids… and yet, it’s the blue of her eyes that makes this woman seem timeless.  

It’s a patient, firm, kind and tranquil blue that Ozai doesn’t understand, but the old man can already sense he will spend his last decade feeling both eased and haunted by it.  

It’s quiet for a long time, sipping their tea.  

Ozai shifts uncomfortably in his sitting. “To what do I owe this honor? Are you here for some kind of absolution?” 

“No. It’s pointless to do that now.” 

Ozai stares at her. “Hmm. Then I suppose you found the urge to gloat over the irony of all this, how the tables turned so beautifully for your people.  I can imagine the spirits of your ancestors are celebrating some kind of victory, is that right?”  

Katara looks at him. “I can see how you’d think that, but no.” 

Ozai stares again.  “Are you waiting for me to beg for forgiveness?” 

Katara shakes her head even before he finishes asking. 

Ozai can only look at her, then.  Katara waits a long moment and gives him a look that could’ve made any instinct of his prepare for battle forty years earlier.  

It’s in that moment where Ozai remembers the advanced, lethal Waterbending technique he’d heard talked about in the palace halls— how it had returned after so many years of outlaw and imprisonment of waterbenders, thanks to women like her sitting in front of him.  Ozai heard that this same woman had managed to master the technique for healing purposes… but looking at her face now, Ozai wondered if she wasn’t against making an exception.  

“Are you here to kill me?” 

He asks this not afraid, exactly, but rather…. tired, alone.

Defeated.  

Her look only lasts a moment, and he sees the woman take a long, deep breath from her center.  She sets down her tea and says “no” looking at him square in the eye, and in her softest voice. 

It leaves Ozai uncomfortably impatient.  “Then, why are you here?”  

Katara looks away, then shrugs, feeling the old skin of a naive, stubborn teenager stir beneath her as she looks back to him.

“Because I love your son.  And… that makes you my family.” 

Ozai hums incredulously, looking out past Katara’s presence for a long quiet moment, and laughs on the way an old man only can.  

She chuckles as well, because it’s funny.  It’s messed up.  But it’s funny.

The room becomes quiet again as they sip their tea.  Katara pours her father-in-law another cup, gently handing it to him through the cell bars.  Ozai receives it.

And that’s how their long-overdue conversations begin.

[voidandabyssal]

Mmkay im gonna talk a little on lusttale.

Now Im not gonna lie, I know very little about the original lusttale, only that there was a lot of controversy around it; supposedly because it glorified sexual assault and sexualised children? I don’t know how true that is tho, so take it with a grain of salt.

But it’s an interesting au anyways, so I’m gonna have my own take on it!

Chara and Asriels death was the start of a slow decline for Monsters. Everyone fell into a dark depression, hope was lost; and though eventually people moved on from their lost heirs, things changed.

Fertility rates dropped shockingly low. Children were becoming increasingly rare. Extinction was becoming a very real threat for Monster kind.

King Asgore ordered the royal scientist to find a fix for this issue.

The lust serum was created. Not that thats what they called it at first, thats just the popular nickname the inhabitants started to call it.

Toriel is one of the few monsters not to have taken the serum. Instead she, and a few dozen other adult Monsters decided to start residing in the ruins. There isn’t as much tension between herself and asgore. He was more then happy to let toriel live there if she pleased (its not like their marriage was thriving anyways).

Though he was saddened at the thought of never having another child like Asriel again.

When Monster children are born, they may spend a few months to a few years with their birth parents before being sent to the ruins

There, they are communally raised alongside all the other children by Toriel and her Keepers. Once they reach the age of majority, they’re given a choice.

Either take the serum, and thus be able to leave the ruins and enter into Monster society with all the freedoms of an adult,

Or stay in the ruins. They would join Toriels Keepers and would help raise the children of the underground. In this case they wouldnt take the serum. They’d be the caretakers of all the little children.

Monsters primarily focus on the lust aspect of a relationship nowadays. A wedding hasn’t happened in a very long time

Most relationships are either casual or very short lived. Some Monsters aren’t even sure love is something they can feel anymore,

How could they when lust is all they’ve known?

Passion (LT papyrus) is a pretty flamboyant guy. His dream is to work for the royal guard and he has a huge soft spot for anything (or anyone) cute looking.

Passions also a hopeless romantic, he’s daydreamed about his one true love since he was a babybones. Which frequently leads to him excitedly jumping into new relationships and then getting heart broken only weeks or months later when he realised they aren’t actually who he imagined they were and breaks up with them.

Him and Undyne have been besties since childhood, Dior jokes that they must’ve had the same mother with how close they are.

Passion worries for Dior, he’s his brother and he can see how depressed Dior gets. Passions not blind, he knows his brother well enough to see through that facade.

Dior (LT sans) is a hard working man. He works at Grillbys as a sex worker. Grillby allows him and his brother to eat and drink there for free so long as Dior keeps bringing in customers.

He’s worked there since he left the ruins. Him and Grillby are pretty close friends. Probably the only person aside from Passion he actually likes.

Diors a real fashionista, he loves designer clothes, shoes and perfumes. Nothing makes him more powerful then a good looking dress and powerful set of high heels.

Very pessimistic man under all those smiles though. He thinks Passion is naive. Love doesn’t exist! Thats something for fairytales and babybones!

he’s worked long enough to know that everyone is just looking for an easy way to relieve stress. ‘Love’ is just some fancy dressed up word for lust!

[exiledelle]

its vengeance au PAPYRUS time (LINKED POST HAS UTY MERCILESS SPOILERS)

i was originally planning on having more sprite edits n stuff for this but unfortunately i think too many of my thoughts would be too hard for me to sprite, at least not currently, but. since i dont want to be spending months on this:

like i mentioned in the original post, after clovers slaughter of a decent part of the underground, and progress toward breaking the barrier being shot back to square one as a result, the royal guard essentially goes into a panic, putting out a mass recruitment.

much to the relatively-newly-crowned empress, undynes, dismay, this includes papyrus. wouldnt be a good look for her to turn down such an enthusiastic volunteer, especially not when the guard is in desparation.

but shes still biased, and doesnt want to see him hurt, so she manages to position him as a royal watchman instead of a guard. instead of capturing a human, his job is just to keep watch, help anyone who needs help in the forest, and if he manages to spot a human, all he needs to do is report the sighting to the rest of the guard. pretty simple and fitting job for him, and hes still very enthusiastic about it!! plus he gets a neat ranger uniform, so win-win (the design stuck)

once frisk escapes the ruins though, and clover chases after, papyrus notices somethings not right before hes able to send his report. theres TWO whole humans, which would surely make undyne and the guard happy, maybe send him up a couple ranks too, but...

his job is also to HELP people. and clearly, frisk needs help. so in a conflict of interest, papyrus opts to help frisk find safety deeper into the woods, and only reports clover, to try and keep them at bay

realizing way too late the kind of threat they are, and that theyre too far gone for his usual approach of trying to talk them down like he does in undertale. he'll attack clover, but only when they have him and/or his friends cornered and its absolutely necessary. papyrus IS tough, so he can at least stall them, but he also knows his best chance is to find an opening to flee (he still has to protect frisk, after all), and that a prolonged encounter isnt really in his favor

unfortunately, being a watchman, as well as undyne being busy with empress duties, means he doesnt have as much time for his usual Spaghetti Training, so he falls back to rations of dinosaur egg oatmeal (calling them rations makes it sound cooler to him), which he gladly shares with anyone

...he gets a little overexcited though. its fine, this is normal for him, dont worry. also, the oatmeal survives this.

also in case youre wondering about sans: hes....actually pretty much the same, all things considered. hes happy papyrus got into the guard, tags along to his outposts, pulls his usual pranks, that kind of stuff. this isnt a sans au (and i dont really want it to be), so theres like. not a lot of emphasis on him, and theres not really going to be. he'll still like. timestop to drag papyrus and frisk out of danger given that hes there, cuz he does want to help protect them both, but hes not going to go all out on clover, at least not right away, and not without backup or a plan.

(also i say timestop and not teleport just because thats my own interpretation of the grillbys scene, and him having attacks start and end in seemingly random spots during his fight, i dont think its definitively canon or anything, but i still lean more toward timestop than simple teleportation)

WITH undyne busy though, papyrus is assigned a different captain to answer and report to.

someone... ...nyafarious... within the guard.

she will come later though. once i can make a sprite or two, and have more details ironed out. (should probably also start making a masterpost for this au at some point)

[rockyroadsmith]

Could you do a retelling of Rapunzel with Hare as Rapunzel, Tiger of the wind as Flynn Rider, Lilim as Mother Gothel, Mocchi as Pascal, Suezo as Maximus, Genki as the royal guard captain etc?

I've only seen this movie once, so I apologize in advance! XD

Once upon a time, a drop of sunlight fell to Earth and somehow blossomed into a Natsumi Berry bush that was all magical and stuff. Lilim, who's an old bag, finds the Natsumi Berries and when she uses them, she suddenly becomes young and sexy again. Just look at those tits! Like anyone who found something so awesome, Lilim uses it to live for hundreds of years and decides not to share it with anyone else, because she's a selfish hoe.

Many years later, King Golem and Queen Holly are expecting a child, but Holly becomes deathly ill. Golem sends out his army to find the magical Natsumi Berries from legend and since Lilim sucks ass at hiding something so important to her even though she's used them for hundreds of years, Golem succeeds in finding the Natsumi Berries. Holly is given the magical berries and survives her illness, which leads her to giving birth to her newborn son, Hare, who is born with ridiculously golden colored hair from the Natsumi Berries. In celebration, the happy parents release a lantern into the sky, and they all live in peace... until Lilim breaks into the castle to get some of that damn hair. When she cuts a lock of Hare's hair, it turns to a normal brown color and loses its magical properties, so the Pixie hybrid does what any sane person would do; steal the baby, of course! With their child stolen, Golem and Holly mourn and every year on Hare's birthday, they release lanterns into the sky in hopes maybe he'll see them and come home someday, without caring about the amount of trash and potential fires they're creating by just releasing so many lanterns out into the world.

Eighteen years later, Lilim has been raising Hare as her own child and has Hare be her personal spa treatment by keeping her from aging. She keeps Hare from leaving the tower by telling him that if he goes out into the world, he'll be violated by fetish fanart and furries, so he's nervous to leave. His only friend is Mocchi, a dopey monster who doesn't add anything to the plot and is just used for movie merchandise marketing, so Hare gets bored. Hare's hair is now super long and durable, so he's able to use it for a bunch of things, and he spends his time painting NSFW artwork around his room. Oh, and he painted a picture of himself with lanterns in the sky, but that's not as interesting as all the hentai. Hare wants to go see the lantern display for his birthday, but Lilim tells him to suck a dick and that the world it too dangerous for him, so Hare feels defeated.

Elsewhere, Tiger of the Wind steals the crown of the lost prince from the castle with his two partners, Daton and Datonare, but they're spotted by the royal guards, and they begin to chase them down. In a savage display of ruthlessness, Tiger betrays the other two thieves to escape the guards, and he continues to retreat with the crown. Genki, the captain of the royal guards, just likes having a sword to swing around and is pretty much useless. His trusty companion, an eyeball monster named Suezo, is determined to kick Tiger's ass and proceeds to hunt the wolf monster down until the duo end up in a scuffle, resulting in them dropping the crown and for the duo to fall off a cliff like an old Loony Toons cartoon.

After grabbing the crown, Tiger takes off to get away from Suezo and ends up hiding in a cave before he stumbles upon an old tower. The wolf monster decides to hide in the tower and as soon as he scales the whole freaking thing, he's immediately smashed in the head with a frying pan, which knocks him out. Hare, who's never seen anyone besides Lilim and Mocchi, is very curious about the newcomer and even though he fears it might be one of the people Lilim warned him about, he decides to stuff him into his closet. He then finds the stolen crown and hides it before Lilim can see it. Hare decides he'll show Tiger to Lilim to prove he can handle himself, but Lilim tells him off before he can, and this pisses Hare off. Hare deviously lies about wanting new paints for his latest erotic painting and to get him off her back, Lilim agrees to make the three-day trip to get them.

When Tiger wakes up, he's bound by Hare's massive hair rope and after learning Tiger isn't there to steal his hair, the rabbit monster decides to make a deal. If Tiger brings him to see the lanterns and then brings him back to the tower before Lilim finds out, he'll give the wolf monster the stolen crown. Tiger agrees, and immediately regrets it the moment they leave the tower and Hare begins to happily run around like an idiot. He then feels guilty for betraying Lilim, but Tiger encourages Hare and then decides to take him to lunch.

Down the road, Lilim runs into Suezo, who immediately tries to grab her ass so she bunts him into the nearest tree, before she runs back to the tower to check on Hare to make sure no royal guards found him. Sure enough, the tower is empty, and Lilim loses her shit at finding the crown and a wanted poster of Tiger. Assuming Tiger kidnapped Hare, the Pixie hybrid grabs her favorite kitchen knife and sets off to make sure Tiger can never procreate.

Tiger takes Hare to a crappy diner full of Baddies who want to turn Tiger in for the reward money, but Hare's happy go lucky demeaner and exclamation about following his dream makes everyone in the dumpy restaurant become hopeful. Lilim sees this through the diner window like a creeper, and she's angry Hare doesn't want to return to the tower. The royal guards show up, but the Baddies help Hare and Tiger escape through a secret tunnel, which Suezo follows after them soon after. At the end of the tunnel, the duo fends off the guards waiting for them, and Tiger is surprised Hare can use his long hair as a weapon, and he's quickly saved from Suezo killing him by Hare lassoing the eyeball monster. Suezo flails around like a dumbass and causes the dam to break, so a rush of water overtakes the group. The water rises and it seems all hope is lost, but this is a Disney movie so it can't end like this. Hare suddenly remembers his hair can glow, because somehow he forgot such an important detail about himself, and they use his hair to light the way out of the cave.

Once they escape, both Hare and Tiger share their backstories with one another, and once Tiger goes to get firewood, Lilim appears. Hare admits that he wants to stay with Tiger because just listen to that voice, goddamn. Lilim is upset and gives Hare the crown to test if Tiger would stay for Hare or if he's really just a greedy dirtbag, but when given the chance to give the crown to him, Hare gets too nervous.

In the morning, Suezo shows up to kick Tiger's ass, but Hare convinces him to let Tiger get him to the lanterns, so they agree to a truce. At the castle, Hare has the time of his life at the celebration and even Tiger and Suezo enjoy themselves. Mocchi just sits on Hare's back like a drooling vegetable. When night falls, Tiger takes Hare out on a boat to get the best view of the lanterns, and suddenly everyone in the city releases lanterns into the sky. Hare and Tiger both release one of their own, too, before Hare gives Tiger the crown. The wolf monster is hoping to release something besides a lantern tonight, hint hint, and says he doesn't care about the crown anymore.

Near the shore, Tiger spots Daton and Datonare, and he decides to investigate without telling Hare what was going on. Tiger freely gives them the crown and apologizes about betraying them earlier, but the two other Tigers know about Hare's magic hair and want him instead. They set it up so it looks like Tiger has run off with the crown, abandoning Hare, and before Daton and Datonare can catch Hare, Lilim knocks them both out and looks like the hero. Hare is devastated at what he thinks is Tiger's betrayal and goes back to the tower with Lilim. Meanwhile, a bound Tiger with the crown near him, floats in a boat to the castle where he's promptly arrested and sentenced to death.

At the tower, Hare listens to My Chemical Romance while wallowing in self pity, until he pieces together that behind all the tits and dicks, all the smut he painted formed a silhouette of the royal crest. Suddenly, fuzzy pieces of memories enter his mind, those of his parents who somehow gave birth to a rabbit, and he realizes he's the missing prince. Hare angrily confronts Lilim about this and, in standard villain fashion, she refuses to let Hare leave the tower. Oh, and she breaks an expensive mirror.

In the city, Tiger is in a prison cell awaiting to be hanged and just as he's pulled away to meet his end, the Baddies from the diner show up and release him just in time. Huzzah! Tiger is catapulted over the stone wall and lands painfully on Suezo's back, and the eyeball monster is pretty sure he just got about six herniated disks from that maneuver. Even though Tiger is much faster than Suezo, the wolf monster digs his claws into the back of Suezo's head and gives him a quick kick to his side, forcing the eyeball monster to slowly hop down the road while mumbling swears under his breath the whole time.

When the duo gets to the tower, Tiger leaps off Suezo, leaving the eyeball monster to flop dizzily onto the ground, and he calls out to Hare to let down his hair. When Hare's hair is thrown down to him, Tiger uses it to climb up the tower, but it's a trap! Hare is bound and Lilim stabs Tiger in his side with her trusty knife, leaving the wolf monster to call her a crazy old fossil, which makes the Pixie hybrid sulk. Hare tells Lilim that if she allows him to heal Tiger, that he promises to go freely with her without a fight. Lilim agrees and unties Hare, allowing the rabbit monster to run to the wounded monster's side. Before Hare can heal Tiger, the wolf monster slashes at Hare's hair and cuts it completely off, leaving just a brown puff on the top of his head. He then turns to Lilim and grins smugly while shouting "gotcha, bitch!".

Lilim becomes frantic as her only means of staying young is taken from her, and she pulls up her hood over her head so no one will see her wrinkled ass face. After not doing anything this entire time, Mocchi suddenly turns into a savage and uses Hare's cut hair to trip Lilim out of the window and even though she has wings, she plummets out the window and turns to dust. Mocchi then goes back to being a derpy mouth breather.

Hare tries to heal Tiger, but it fails since his hair was cut. He's completely devastated, even more so as Tiger shows an uncharacteristically sappy side of himself, and he's crushed as Tiger dies. Luckily he doesn't have time to turn into a Lost Disc and when Hare's tears fall onto Tiger's face, they're able to heal him since the magic is still inside him. Once Tiger is revived, Hare flings himself at the wolf monster, but he immediately covers Tiger’s eyes as he realizes he can see all of his dirty paintings in his room.

At the castle, King Golem and Queen Holly are alerted that the lost prince has been found and as soon as they see Hare, Golem brings Holly and Hare into a rib crushingly tight hug. At seeing Tiger standing awkwardly in the back, Golem grabs him and brings him in for it, too, and Tiger can't help but wonder how the hell Golem and Holly even made Hare. He decides not to think too much about it. In the end, Hare is able to live out a happy life in the kingdom where he belongs with the family who had been searching for him for so many years. Tiger also asked Hare to marry him, which he happily accepted, and they finally got to live out some of Hare's erotic fantasies. The end!

Sorry this was so long! XP

[classiqals]

{tessa thompson, 33, cis female, she/her} We are so glad to see you safe, PRINCESS NOMENAOLITIANA "HENRIETTE" HERINIAINA RATSIFI of MADAGASCAR! It’s dangerous out in the world these days, but I hear that you are SCIENCE-FORWARD and COMPASSIONATE enough to handle it. Just don’t let your INSECURITIES bring you down! Stay on your guard, because with your secret being at risk for exposure, you wouldn’t want everyone to find out THEY HAVE A LOYAL FOLLOWING SHE CARES FOR AND FINANCIALLY SUPPORTS WHO WOULD FOLLOW HER INTO BATTLE IF SHE MAY SO REQUEST IT OF THEM, EVEN AGAINST THE RULERS.

BASICS;

behind the name: malagasy names tend to be a minimum of 12 characters, and are often derived from physical or emotional attributes relating to the infant. later, names may be changed, added onto, or adjusted to fit the needs of the developed adult. nomena is gift, and olitiana is curly hair, making her given name nomenaolitiana - the gift with curly hair. as she matured, she gave herself an additional name, being in nature, or "heriniaina". the gift with curly hair in nature. it is also common for those in madagascar to adopt french nicknames, and so for her dealing with other nations, she tends to go by henriette because it sounds similarly to the way heriniaina is pronounced. see more info on malagasy naming conventions here.

nicknames:  due to the long nature of malagasy names, nicknames are very common, and different between the exact relationship! for example - those who knew henri as a child (such as family) may call her "nomy", "nomena", or "no-no", shortened versions of gift. others (friends, neighbors) may call her "oli" or "oliti" for curls. those she met later in life, could call her by "heri". but typically... you can call her henriette, or simply henri. you have full permission to come up with a nickname your muse may call her (these suggestions or otherwise!) if you feel it is fitting!

sexuality: bisexual.

relationship: lovelessly married to risa ratsifi, banished ex-royal of thailand. has all but closed the door on her heart when it comes to romance by now, much to her dismay.

date of birth: july 20th

zodiac sign:  cancer

moral alignment: neutral good

hobbies: very big on knowledge and learning, gardening and agriculture, reading, chemistry, astrology, biology, and invention making... she also loves nature walks, swimming, baking/cooking, getting her hands dirty (non-violently), and has grown an interest in themes of divination and magic and spirituality, is searching for her own belief set currently. enjoys sleeping under the stars, bird watching, sewing, and understanding new concepts.

dislikes: rejection, happy married couples, war, general themes of suffering, being confined, small spaces, shoes.

languages spoken: malagasy and french best, but can do passing english, thai, and some other african dialects. is trying to learn hindi.

politics/loyalty: does not tend to be political, is more humanitarian based, but will do what is needed for her family as long as it does not come at too great a cost to her moral code.

inspirations:

DETAILS;

her earliest memories are nothing too fond - she remembers cold nights, helpful strangers, and the sensation of hunger. the fate of her family remains unknown, but when she was six years old, henriette was rescued by staff to the ratsifi family, before they ever came to be in power. the estate owners saw a treasure in the wild curly headed girl, and chose to raise her as their own, perhaps a soft spot growing for her from the mere month age gap between one of their other daughters.

it was better as a lady to an estate like that of the ratsifi clan, practically a palace from the start compared to where henri had come from, despite her rough beginning. for a time, she was shy and reserved, prone to watch and unwilling to accept help, having trouble to fully adjust to a life of luxury compared to the world she'd known of need before. there were many times she would awaken early to make her own bed, light her own fire, and prepare her own breakfast in attempt to beat the servants to it.

there was always a level of guilt associated to taking the luxury offered; but as the years went on, and she grew more comfortable in her place in the family, bonding with her siblings, until she, too, felt she belonged. even so - there were often times that the girl would go missing for long stretches of time, off to the tribal villages or scattered towns that the estate governed. henri knew what it was like to be in need, to be left wanting, to feel fear for where tomorrow would bring you, and she wanted to give back some of her found fortune, working to learn medicine and cooking and even themes of invention to improve the quality of life for everyone she could reach.

henriette did her part in uniting madagascar into one cohesive unit, and even was able to put her scientific mind to work in the creation of unique weapons and supply systems to fully liberate from power's reign. when madagascar rose to royalty, henri found pride in her family - but took this adjustment difficultly, too.

from a lady of wealth and privilege to a castle built, and the staff tripled, and suddenly - every door felt open. she was terrified to make a mistake, and when an opportunity came to strengthen the family defenses against their foes through a marriage, she did not hesitate to agree.

time was not slow to reveal that love was not in the cards for henriette and her new wife - and while things were tough in the beginning as she reconciled with her disappointment, the pair managed to find some way of cooperating enough that their union was not hostile, nor unfriendly. in fact, henriette has come to be quite fond of her wife, even if she faces jealousy for those who have found love. perhaps her need to be a helping a hand, to save everyone, had a higher price than the princess realized.

not finding what her heart needed in her union, henri turned to the citizens of madagascar, and spent more time in the villages as she assisted in building them up, growing her skills, and creating agricultural systems to quicken the process, and lessen the work load for others. it felt more comfortable than home, after all, and thanks to her long-standing dedication and wide-open heart, many communities around the palace came to see her as their sovereign, moreso than the family she came from. child of the wild - they whispered, and would revere her almost as a saint, much to henriette's discomfort.

now she has come to india with her family, though leaving home has placed a hole in her heart for all she's left behind, it has inspired her to learn more, grow more, and become her full potential and aid in this conflict the best she can. very rarely has she left madagascar - so this is mostly new to the princess, and she is very curious to see all that she can, and protect her loved ones from harm.

CONNECTIONS;

tba

[holden-norgorov]

I was wrong: an apology for Show!Kaz.

Listen, at first I didn't even want to write this post down, but as I noticed that a considerable amount of people have been showing disappointment toward Kaz not being "smart enough" in comparison to the book, I feel the need to point some things out with the hope of making you re-evaluate your line of thinking.

The thing is, Kaz Brekker in the show is a character that very much grows to book-readers with a needed careful and attentive rewatch.

I binged the whole season in a consecutive-7h-long binge-watching session during April 23rd, and came out of it feeling mildly disappointed with the way Kaz had been written (but not portrayed; Freddy was truly amazing). The one aspect that really bugged me at first was that his typical modus operandi when it came to plotting and scheming (by which I mean, keeping the big picture of his plans to himself and revealing just tiny pieces to everyone else according to each one's strengths and weaknesses, so as to make sure to reach the maximum potential of success while risking failure as little as possible) seemed to be kinda absent. I could easily make peace with Kaz not being as ruthless as he is in SoC, because the writers couldn't possibly make only-viewers willing to root for someone like Kaz without presenting at least some way in which he was vulnerable compared to other villainous characters. And to be honest, the fact that Kaz was ambushed by Pekka and forced to his knees not only nicely ties up with him wishing for Pekka to kneel in front of him at the beginning of SoC, but it also provides a reason as to why he would become closed-off and hesitant to apologize to Inej in the future. He was so concerned and willing to openly apologize to Inej in this scene that he lowered his guard enough without thinking and ended up giving Pekka access to Inej's name and revealing to him his own soft spot for her, before being beaten up.

That said, this was not my issue with the character. My issue was with the absence of his modus operandi as a masterful planner. I just didn't feel it during the binge-watch. But then I carefully rewatched the show, paying close attention to the actual succession of events more than to how accurate the characterization of the Crows was compared to the books. And I completely changed my mind.

If you pay attention, you can see that Kaz has been manipulating Arken from the very beginning, and everything Arken has accomplished was made possible because Kaz wanted it to happen, so that Arken would believe to be one step ahead of him and not see his betrayal coming. He quickly realizes that he and Arken think alike, and that he has to find a way to outsmart him.

As soon as the Conductor appears in the show, Kaz points out that he reached out to him not only because he can make them cross the Fold, but also because he smuggles Grisha who are unwilling to fight out of the Little Palace. He immediately grasps that the Conductor actively profits from the existence of the Fold and therefore that his own transport has to be constantly operative and effective. Which makes him realize that there has to be a political interest in his smuggling business for it to be allowed to flourish and survive undisturbed, and that someone has to financially back him up and subsidize the mantainance of the train and the feasibility of the crossing.

Soon after the Crows discovered that Nina had been captured and could no longer guide them to the Little Palace, Arken tries to sabotage their mission by convincing them to abandon it. This is where Kaz understands that he is actively interested in their kidnapping of the Sun Summoner to not happen, and begins suspecting he might have a separate agenda.

He purposefully risks the whole mission on Jesper not gambling everything away while looking for alabaster coal by deciding to grab the goat by himself, which is a less time-consuming task. This grants him the opportunity to attend to a quick rally for West Ravka's independence led by General Zlatan, where he sees Arken retiring with him in a private tent. His suspects about Arken are validated, and he understands that Arken has been smuggling Grisha out of East Ravka to the West with the support of Zlatan, who is also making some kind of alliance with Fjerdians and keeping a blind-eye to druskelle hunting and capturing Grisha (as we find out later on).

While they are crossing the Fold, Kaz is visibly skeptical of Arken's story about the transport being conveniently effective because of his knowledge of engineering and physics, and a chunk of luck. Arken seems to know too well how to safely cross the Fold, and the trasport seems to have worked far too many times for it to be the product of the underground, illegal practice of just one man.

In East Ravka, Kaz comes up with the Royal Archive Heist with the hope of stealing the Little Palace blueprints from the Palace of Kribirsk. But there's a very short scene here, which apparently seems unimportant but is actually pivotal: Kaz gives Arken money to make friends with East Ravkans so as to grant them a safe passage to Os Alta. Keep in mind: at this point Kaz is sure that Arken has been given by Zlatan a personal agenda to carry out regarding the Sun Summoner (I genuinely believe he also grasps that the secret plan is to kill her, so as to prevent the Fold from being destroyed and their smuggling business from being no longer profitable), so he knows Arken has total interest in making sure that they actually have a ride to the Little Palace. Which means, by urging him to "make some friends", Kaz already knows Arken will come up with a plan to be able to arrive to Os Alta and carry out his own mission at any costs, if the blueprints of the Little Palace that they are planning to steal end up being useless. And not only that: he wants Arken to believe he is being one-step ahead of them by "saving their asses" with this back-up plan, so as to easily come to the conclusion that the Crows have no reason to distrust him (how could they, when he finds them a second way-in?) and completely disregard the idea that Kaz might stab him in the back before he does the same thing to them. This is some mastermind thinking and completely IC for Kaz, because all the inner workings of his schemes go completely unnoticed on the outside.

Now that Arken proudly looks like the one who managed to grant them passage to Os Alta, he has no reason to believe Kaz might have ulterior motives when he decides to be the one carrying out a preliminary exploration of the Little Palance's hallways, despite his wounded leg making it difficult for him. But here's when Kaz sees Marie and immediately understands that she's supposed to be a decoy for Alina. So he coldly plans the whole kidnapping operation so as to make sure Arken ends up trying to kill (or directly killing) Marie. Which is why he shows no surprise when Arken reveals he can actually open the Fabrikator-made door with a device he carries with himself (probably provided by Zlatan to be able to get access to Alina's private rooms, or maybe already in his possession from when he had smuggled other Grisha out previously), and shows no hesitation when saying outwardly to everyone that Arken will be the one actually carrying out the kindnapping just because "he knows his way around Grisha locks". I actually believe Inej senses that there's something going on that she doesn't fully know when Kaz so light-heartedly allows Arken to lay his hands on their 1 Mln Kruge prize, but her suspicions (likely born out because she knows Kaz too well) are quickly put to rest and given an explaination only after Arken effectively falls into his trap.

After Alina escapes from the Crows in the following episode, we are led to believe that Kaz abandons the idea of kidnapping her again because of Inej, and this turns out to be actually true (despite Inej herself being incredibly suspicious of this, because of how unseemly it would be). Inej also believes Kaz to be so calculating that she points out that he might have planned to let Alina go in the first place and to detonate Arken's transport so as to travel with the same sandskiff Alina is embarking on and kindap her there. Inej would not have such a suspicion if Kaz's reputation didn't live up to that modus operandi.

While we actually learn that Kaz was being genuine with Inej about having abandoned the idea of kidnapping Alina, we also quickly learn that Kaz has spent the last two episodes silently coming up with a whole new other plan to make sure they can go back to Ketterdam without being killed by Dreesen and Pekka Rollins.

Now, as you can see, this is actually a lot. And this whole progression of events is handled so smoothly by the writing that it's fully admirable only by rewatching the show and paying close attention to Kaz's actions, while also knowing how his mind works. All of this is internal workings, which is typical Kaz.

So, I was wrong. His modus operandi is very much present. It's just barely detectable, as it should be for it to be believable. I hope this might reassure some deluded fans who came out of their watching session feeling let down by Kaz not looking "smart enough". It's all there! And the fact that so many of us couldn't see it at first hand, if you think about it, is just further proof that Kaz's intelligence and ability to scheme were handled extremely well. They couldn't make his mental workings too obvious to the casual viewers, or the character would have lost what actually makes him brilliant, which is the ability to outsmart others without being detected, exposed or anticipated.

[romanticahwi]

Stray Kids as Princes

requested: no

genre: fluff + a bit suggestive

ship: skz x gn!reader

warnings: a bit of suggestiveness of sexual deeds, mentions of swords and fighting, mentions of injuries, lmk if there is more

not proof read! (minors dni)

a/n: we apologize for being so inactive recently! here’s a new work we’ve been working on, we hope it makes up for our long absence.

Bang Chan

    •    Probably one of the sweetest rulers ever

    •    Incredibly approachable

    •    Gives you the best advice you’ve ever heard sometimes whenever you’re having problems

    •    Sometimes you forget he’s royalty because you just feel so comfortable around him

    •    Lots of people swoon over him because honestly how could you not? Especially since he’s so sweet literally 24/7

    •    Nobody has ever seen him unhappy before, and he has certainly never been seen angry - only slightly annoyed but that itself is a rare sight

    •    He has a big soft spot for puppies and just all things cute

    •    He might have once proposed to change the name of his kingdom to something puppy-related (Succeeded in changing the national flag to something that had puppy paws in it)

    •    He enjoys swimming a lot, and there will almost always be a crowd of fans watching him and cheering him on every time! He may get really shy about it, but on the inside, he secretly likes it and it motivates him to do better!

Bang Chan As Your Prince

    •    As a lover, this man treats you like you’re royalty too, even if you aren’t!

    •    He will never allow you to degrade yourself or put yourself down but if that’s your way of coping, he won’t hesitate to give you his full, undivided attention…and then he’ll shower you with love and very kind words (he’s incredible with them - it never fails to blow you away)

    •    His singing voice is lovely, you often ask for him to sing you to sleep which is something he loves to do! He sees it as a way to get in some minutes of practice so he can improve himself

    •    He always wants to better himself and take care of others so much to the point that he’ll ignore his own needs, so he’ll definitely need someone to take care of him

    •    You sometimes can’t believe you’re lucky enough to call him yours, but he feels the same about you too, and he’ll always make it known (You swear your heart melts a little (in the best way possible) whenever he gets shy)

    •    He’s very cuddly, he loves giving you hugs; if there’s a day that goes by where he doesn’t give you one at least once throughout the day, then you know something is wrong

    •    He giggles a lot, and anything can set him off but you find it to be incredibly endearing

    •    He is just so soft…especially in the bedroom, but there are times when things get a little more heated

    •    “In a world that was dark and grey, you came along and painted beautiful, vibrant colors”

Lee Know

 •    He seems unapproachable at first because of his icy stare, but that’s quite the contrary actually (he’s actually an incredibly warm human being)

    •    Loves to crack jokes! Most of them are cat-related, but don’t comment on that or else he’ll probably stare at you weirdly and will continue to do so until you let it go

    •    Don’t tell anyone, but he secretly loves playing with cats in his free time, and sometimes whenever he has to spend a full day tending to his ✨ royal duties ✨ you’ll find him squeezing time in to pet some stray cats or to rescue them

    •    Speaking of rescuing stray cats, he’s incredibly passionate that no cat should be homeless and each should be loved and taken care of

    •    Not just cats, but he believes any stray animal shouldn’t be left without a home or a loving owner (He himself has three cats)

    •    He’s basically the president of the kingdom’s animal rescue team, and he often checks up on the shelter to either play with some of the animals there, or he’ll chose one and spontaneously run around the kingdom to promote how adorable they are in hopes of finding them a home at the end of the day

Lee Know as your Prince

 •    You must be an animal lover like him, because you guys will spend so much time together at the shelter to play with them!

    •    He’s a little awkward when it comes to affection, specifically hugs, but with given time, he’ll warm up to it! Plus, he’s awkward in a cute way

    •    He’s gifted you a cat plushie which you’re unable to sleep without at night, sometimes you’ll catch him stealing it from you because he claims that it’s just too adorable

    •    You guys have ice cream dates a lot, because he seems to have a second stomach for it

    •    Whenever you go with him to get his portrait painted, he loves to pose in funny positions and make funny faces, there are a lot of portraits consisting of him doing so, finding a more serious one is kind of rare but hey…you’re just glad to see his true personality that he’s a bit hesitant to share with the rest of the kingdom

    •    You happened to discover this on accident, but he likes it when you ruffle his hair and look at him fondly, it makes his heart race

    •    He often guards his emotions, but you feel thankful whenever he opens up to you because sometimes you get worried when he bottles them up for a little too long

    •    He can be a bit evil sometimes, and that shows in the bedroom but he makes sure to never do something you’re not comfortable with - your needs come first  

   •    “You are my pride and joy, I feel so lucky to have you”

Changbin

• SUCH A FUN MAN!

• Nicknamed the prince of fun! Only by a few people…everyone else refers to him as the “pig-bunny prince” because he has a big obsession with Dwaekki (he might even be the face of the kingdom…literally. aka the national flag)

• You can trust him with practically anything. But do expect him to playfully tease you most of the time!

• He can be really loud! Even if you’re a few rooms down from whatever room he’s in, there’s no doubt you’ll be able to hear him

• He really loves music, he’s in charge of anything music-related (He’s hosted rap classes before, and a lot of people found them to be a bit on the difficult side because he can rap incredibly fast)

• He’s pretty chill, and kind of like a best friend to everyone - he’s that open to things and he’s incredibly reliable (He’s got everyone’s back, whether you’re close to him or not.)

Changbin As Your Prince

• He’s a very fun lover as well, your love life together is always full of excitement

• Certain activities could possibly cause him to get severely injured, and you always mentally note that you should tell him to stop, but seeing the pure joy on his face…you can’t help but to change your mind. (He’s a little daredevil, it’s kind of rare to see him mellowed-out, and when you do, you should probably be concerned when he isn’t being his loud, hyper self)

• He can be pretty affectionate when he wants to be but he displays his love for you through other actions rather than physical affection

• He too, is very good with his words! He makes you feel like you’re on cloud 9

• That “cool guy” act that he’s got going on? It doesn’t show up as much when he’s with you, because he’s just that comfortable with you. (Plus he thinks that you deserve to see the true Changbin…the man behind the prince that everyone else doesn’t get to see)

• His playfulness shows up in the bedroom too, along with ruthless teasing, like sometimes you’ll have to beg for him to have mercy on you but in his opinion that just makes things more exciting

“What was my life before? Ever since we met, I can’t seem to live without you anymore”

Hyunjin

the softest when it came to serving his kingdom

his gentle voice and soft smile always brought people to ease when they were around him

an equestrian. when not attending to royal duties, he’s always riding a horse or in the stable

as the only child and only son, he must take over the kingdom, no questions asked

throws an annual winter wonderland festival to show his gratitude to his subjects

his kind smile is loved by all

Hyunjin as your Prince

so so so loving oh my

would help you make bracelets for the small children in the kingdom

would press loving kisses to your face with that shy smile of his

would also take you on horse rides! in the morning, middle of the day, at night? you name it!

intimacy between you two was so loving and soft

he would show you how much he loves you with sweet kisses and gentle words

“everyday when I watch the sunset, I realize I’ll get to spend another day with you.”

Han

he gives off the vibe that he wouldn’t want to rule the kingdom after his father.

he wants to pursue music, but the king is against it.

so against it, that Jisung has to do what he loves behind his father’s back

very playful; loves sword fighting and horseback riding

everyone in the kingdom as a slight crush on him

he’s known for being very heroic; he’s saved many people and the protected the kingdom with an iron fist

he may not want to rule in the future, but he still cares about his subjects like family

very giving as well; always there if anyone is in a bad situation, whether it’s big or small.

Han as your Prince

very loving; loves pressing kisses all over your face, and having his hands on your body

very protective. If anyone looks at you with barely even a little interest, it’s all over.

when you two get intimate, I see him being the one to initiate everything

he would take care of you, kissing down your body with soft praises and soft touches

holds your waist gently while doing the do

“ there are many bright stars in the sky, but you’re the brightest out of them all, baby.”

Felix

the sweetest prince ever.

cares so much about his subjects; maybe more than himself

everyone loves him, and are very ready for him to take over the kingdom

hosts monthly bake sales that the entire kingdom can participate in, which also helps feed people in need

dances when he’s not attending to royal duties, and oh my, he’s a beautiful dancer

during the cold winters, he hosts as much shelter for people as he can

being the only son in his family, he needs to find a significant other soon because his father is getting old to keep running the kingdom

Felix as your Prince

no surprise, but he’s the sweetest

he can’t keep his hands off of you when you’re together

hands on your waist, holding your hand, any skinship, he’s doing it.

when you two were intimate, regardless of his roll, his eyes would be filled with so much love.

loves it when you run your hands through his hair, tugging it gently

nonstop kisses. he’s completely addicted to your lips.

“i might be the kingdoms pride and joy, but you are my absolute universe.”

Seungmin

very strategic and well educated. he knows what he’s doing, and knows how to do it well.

extremely brave. he’s saved the country multiple times.

he comes off as cold, but behind closed castle doors, he’s an energetic puppy.

loves to sing in his free time

often gets caught singing in the castle garden, and gosh he sounds beautiful

extremely protective over his family. You hurt them, he hurts you.

Seungmin as your Prince

cold on the outside, warm on the inside

will not go father than keeping his arm out for you to wrap around when you’re in public

but within castle walls? he’s all over you.

kisses kisses kisses galore

smiles brightly only for you :(

sings you to sleep every night

when you two are intimate, he usually wants it soft and slow so he can show you how much he loves you

soft praises and slow, romantic kisses

holds your hand the entire time

“you are more beautiful than the cherry blossom blooms on a sunny day.”

I.N.

playful but caring

he always is holding a smile on his face. there’s never a point and time where people weren’t seeing him smiling.

however he takes his royal duties very seriously. when someone is in trouble, he’ll put the villain in their place.

a fencer. he finds such a thrill in fighting someone with a sword.

since he has an older brother, he doesn’t have to take over the kingdom, and he’s happy about it.

ideally want to live in a forest, surrounded by trees and wonder.

I.N. as your Prince

so so so caring. he cares about no one when it comes to you.

he loves to press gentle kisses all across your face, neck, jaw, etc. he just thinks you’re so beautiful.

would love it when you showed up to his fencing matches. he loved it when you were there to cheer him on.

you two would stay up till the rise of the sun singing and giggling with each other.

would hold you close when you two eventually fell asleep.

this sweetheart would let you take any role when it came to intimacy. he was an absolute fool for you.

“When the sky is filled with sweet, bird songs, I get reminded of you.”

- atalia & arya

[saphirered]

Hopefully, this is not too vague... I was wondering if you could do fluff with Molly; his nickname for the reader is 'princess'. (I have had a rough couple weeks, found out some bad news regarding my dad's health, and am just wanting a little pick-me-up. You are literally my favorite writer of the lavender tiefling trio.)

A load of fluff with some hinted spice coming right up. Sorry about your dad, sweetie and hope things take a more positive turn. Either way, I hope this is the pick-me-up you're looking for. 😘

-

You’re no stranger to waking up alone but never does it stop you from reaching out to the spot next to you. When you’re not met with a soft groan or arms wrapping around you, pulling you close begging for another five minutes of peace you know your lavender tiefling has begun his day before you. Rolling over onto your back you stretch taking in a deep breath. Time to get ready for the day, maybe find some breakfast? Breakfast sounds nice.

Mollymauk walks down the beaten path, a skip in his step and a small bouquet of wild roses clasped in his hand. He’s been up and about for a good hour now and like the good carney he is he’s working on quite the show in his mind; a show that requires the aid of a pretty face, charming smile and honeyed words he alone cannot provide. No he needs assistance and if he plans on getting this assistance he better work for it. Okay, maybe it’s not his plan. Maybe this is all just the result of a major fuck up on his end but still, it will make for some good fun… if all goes well… and you agree… The fact he gets to pamper you is a huge bonus. It’s been a while since he’s gotten the chance to show you just how much you mean to him.

Could Molly just ask for your help? Of course he could. And would you agree to join him on this endeavour? How could you refuse that devilishly handsome man? But where’s the fun in that. Let’s keep things interesting. Raise the stakes a little bit and see where his charm will get him. Or perhaps more, see how long it takes you to catch on tp the mess he made and pray to the Moonweaver you’ll be merciful. A test of his charm perhaps? Whatever excuse best justifies his actions and desires to spoil you rotten.

Stretching your arms with one final yawn you leave your tent. It’s too early to be up but you best keep an eye on your tiefling before he gets himself thrown into jail and you have to break him out… again. Wandering the camp the other members of the Fletching and Moondrop Carnival of Curiosities are waking up and going about their morning business at their own paces. You search for Molly but when you don’t find him you take to the road, following it towards the town. If he’s caused any trouble there you’d find out soon enough.

A lovely melody reaches Molly’s ears. He knows exactly who it belongs to and hears you before he sees you. All he needs to do is follow your song. Curving over the elevation of the path he spots you, lost in thought. Smile on his face he approaches you, flowers behind his back, and joins in whistling along to the melody. The way your eyes light up at the realisation of his presence are enough to make his heart melt knowing that one creature could look upon him with such unconditional love.

“Good morning, your royal highness.” Mollymauk takes a bow befitting of greeting royalty if not a little exaggerated and offers you the flowers. While he tries to keep his gaze on the ground you catch him peaking for your response as you take the flowers from his grasp breathing in their scent.

“Good morning to you too. And thank you, I should say? What’s the occasion?” You ask, not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth but you can’t help feel a little suspicious at Molly’s very deliberate theatrics.

“Can a most loyal servant not present his beloved princess with flowers?” Molly rises and you get the slightest flash of fang from the smile he offers you.

“You know I am never one to deny your gifts and gestures of affection. What I’m referring to are your apparent needs for theatrics.” You speak with eloquence feeling yourself slipping into the same act he’s putting on. Dammit Mollymauk, for playing into your actor side and letting you slip up into the role he’s setting you up for. You know damn well he’s aware of what he’s doing.

“I am merely your humble servant. A humble servant with impeccable manners.” You snort as Molly offers you his arm. You lace yours through his and he begins leading you back the way you came.

“Impeccable manners you say? Because I recall not but two nights ago copious amounts of drinks, illegal gambling and theft were involved. And let’s not even mention the… desecration of the fountain within the gaze of the Platinum Dragon’s statue.”

“You say that as if those of noble birth do not partake in such activities, princess.” Molly counters. Touché. As you’re about to take a step to the right fork of the road Molly gently pulls you into the left direction instead. Confused you give him another suspicious look but he hushes you leading you down the path.

You find yourself retreating within your thoughts trying to pinpoint whatever shenanigans Molly is up to, planning or has been up to and why the need to be secretive instead of just telling you. Molly couldn’t hope for a better moment for you to stop your interrogation for he fears any more prodding around for answers and he will spill the beans and come clean. He can’t hide a single thing from you when you’re determined and he knows it.

The path slowly turns from trodden earth to more fine sand until it fades into the beach. The sound of waves and a seagull or two make for a pleasant setting. You see just far enough away from the shoreline as to not become victim to the tides, is a basket set on top of a blanket. Molly leads you over, guides you to sit upon the blanket gracefully before plopping down himself with much less show. Within the basket you spot several packed goods. Molly takes a few out and sets them down upon the blanket, unwrapping them as he goes. Some bread, a selection of fine jams, some cheese and delicious sugary sweet pastries.

“Okay, time to drop the act. While I appreciate all this, what did you do and how bad is it?” Molly takes out a bottle of what looks like expensive champagne along with two glasses and pours them, handing one to you.

“What makes you say that?” Molly takes a sip playing it cool and innocent.

“The top shelf bottle of champagne that is very much above our collective pay grades. Where did you even get this?” You take a sip. It’s not bad but not the greatest you’ve ever had either. A weird taste that can only be suitable for some upscale party or the nobility passes out to their guests to impress them simply because of the associated name and or price tag. What can you say? Rich people.

Molly hesitates but drops the innocent act. Best he comes clean now. You’ve caught on fully. Game over. But that definitely doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this delicious breakfast with him, can you? Mollymauk takes a slice of the fresh bread, adding a nice layer of strawberry jam and takes a bite. At least the expensive jam was worth the money. Then again, it wasn’t his money that paid for it. Doesn’t mean it wasn’t money well spent.

“Now, I need you to promise me one thing first, love. Promise me you’ll let me tell you the whole thing before you judge my poor decision making.”

“I can do that.” You lean back and relax taking one of the pastries and taking a bite. Bearclaws with cinnamon? Delicious. Let’s hope for Molly’s sake it will keep your judgement somewhat at bay.

“When we were doing our usual rounds and you were off on your own I may or may not have let it slip to someone who happens to be part of the local nobility, several someones to be more precise, that you may or may not be a princess in hiding. And I may or may not have played a little bit too deeply into the story…”

“Okay, that’s not actually that bad?” Just wait for the second part. It gets worse. On second thought. He may be regretting telling you and not just convincing you to hide away for the next few days in town until you’re back on the road.

“And these poor suckers may have fact checked it finding some evidence of a princess from another continent who supposedly is traveling in disguise. They came to see the show and I want you to remember they left a most generous donation along with an invitation for you to attend a ball held in your honour.” Molly awaits your response as you stop mid bite.

“So they left an invitation for a princess? What about it? Just don’t show up and done.”

“That would work if the local lord did not gently hinted at exposing said princess and sending the guards to return them to their family as they ran away and the good favour of either side of that royal family should greatly benefit this town. I’m sorry, princess but your presence has been demanded.”

Okay… This is bad. You do not feel like being hunted by the guards and it’s not like you can make an inconspicuous escape now people might look at you as royalty. You set down the pastry clasp your hands together closing your eyes. You inhale and exhale deeply as Molly briefly fears for his life.

“You… really need to learn to hold that tongue of yours, Molly. It’s getting you in all sorts of trouble.” He bites back a comment about using that tongue of his for plenty of other good things. He’s having trouble reading where you stand on this all and doesn’t know wether you’re upset with him or disappointed or if he has to be the one running for his life soon.

“Let’s talk to Orna and get some appropriate dress for the occasion ready and wearable even if that means she’ll have to sew us into our garments.” You sigh.

“Us?” He questions and he does not like the mischievous look on your face. Whatever you’re plotting, he hopes you have mercy on his soul.

“Oh, I will not be attending on my own. No, a princess does not go anywhere without their loyal servant. A princess needs their escort to attend to their every whim.” You hold your chin high as you move to sitting on your knees pushing your palm flush against his chest exercising a little pressure to push him to lean back onto his elbows.

“Every whim you say?” Molly asks with a devilish grin as you swing one leg over him gently keeping him in place with your body and wrapping your arms around his neck playing with the short hairs at the back of his neck. Maybe the turnout isn’t so bad.

“‘Every whim you say, princess’.” You correct mimicking his grin and leaning in closer. Molly goes to close the distance but you raise your index finger to his chin. “Ah-ah.”

“May I not kiss you now, ‘princess’?” He mocks and you give him a stern look.

“It’s unbecoming of a mere servant to make such a bold move.” You pull on his hair when Molly tries to land a kiss on your cheek rather enjoying the turn of events this morning.

“Yet you appear to be the one in full control.”

“He knows his place. Good boy.” You praise with a pat to his cheek and you guide his face to yours, your lips meeting in a deep kiss, the food forgotten. Molly’s hands dance over from your hips to your lower back pulling you closer to him. You earn an unsatisfied grumble when you pull away a moment too soon.

“Must you torture me so with your touch, princess?” Molly laughs fully aware what direction this is going, raising a hand to caress your cheek fondly.

“Will you finally learn how to behave?” You trace the peacock feathers curving up the side of his neck and jaw. You don’t get a verbal reply but instead Molly’s lips find their way to your neck leaving a trail of kisses and little bites as he goes enough to make you giggle and squeal in surprise whenever he finds just the right spot, taking your mind far away from the details of the fuck up that lead you here in the first place. Not that you mind anymore. If this is the treatment you get for being dragged into one of Mollymauk’s lies gone south you’ll gladly take it a thousand times over.

[iminye]

oh i'd love to hear about aiwe!!

Yaayy!! So glad you asked about her because she's probably one of my oldest Silmarillion OCs! I made her all the way back in 2017 when I wanted to give Celebrimbor's mom a face and a backstory.

Also this became waaay longer than expected because I just ended up writing down her entire story as I have thought it out until now. I hope you don't mind reading :)

First off all, to up the angst potential for her character I have to clarify that Aiwë is, in fact, one of the Teleri.

She is the oldest child and only daughter of the best Silversmith in Alqualondë, Thulwë. Due to her father's reputation and talent he attracts people from all over Valinor and especially from amongst the Noldor who wish to study under him - Fëanor has learned from him in his youth for a while, and Curufin, ever eager to follow in his father's footsteps, also goes to Alqualondë for a few years to learn from Thulwë.

Aiwë herself also learned from her father but was never really interested in forging. To be honest she can't really stand the heat and prefers to wander around the endless beaches of Valinor that are only barely or not at all illuminated by the two trees. She always goes out there to look for pretty seashells and stones from which she then makes jewelry. When she is in the mood she combines the two things. She also really and I mean really loves boating. One of her uncles gifted her a small boat when she reached adulthood and since then she sets out into the sea regularly, where she ends up spending hours just stargazing.

She is the older of her parents two children, her much younger brother is named Eärillo and he becomes a guard for the royal family (but only after the kinslaying as he is still adolescent during that time). She loves her family very much and would do anything for them.

Now Curufin. As I mentioned he went to study under her father for a few years as well and had a bit of a hard time proving himself worthy. Thulwë mostly teaches the art of jewelry making and Curufin has more of a knack for making practical rather than pretty things - such as hunting knives for Celegorm or new chisels for his mother. Let's just say he had a hard time trying to make very delicate hairpins...

Interestingly enough, they don't meet up until the second year into Curufin's apprenticeship because Aiwë was away with her mother to help out a cousin who had married into a Vanyarin family and just had their first child. They meet at one of Aiwë's favourite seashell collection spots. Thulwë had sent his students off to go and find inspiration for their next piece and Curufin just had wandered around aimlessly until he had found himself at the beach. Now he sits there and looks at a few seashells he collected, when Aiwë approaches him and asks if he came here to collect seashells as well. Just please imagine the most adorable meet-cute and following courtship imaginable, alright? These two start off INCREDIBLY cute and happy. Also he gives her his final and best project that he made under Thulwë's tutelage as a betrothal gift.

Long story short they get married with both of their families blessings after a proper courtship. It's the first wedding of any of Fiwnë's grandchild and therefore very grand. Half of Valinor is invited and the rest is coming anyway.

Aiwë goes to live with Curufin to Tirion, although they do go back to Alqualondë regularly because Aiwë misses the sea and Curufin finds it rather calming to sit at the beach and just watch his wife. He loves her very much, ok? They have Celebrimbor a few years later and she names him Tyelpërinquar because she has a vision of him forging rings of magnificent beauty and power. Out of her brother-in-laws she gets along best with the twins because they remind her of her own little brothers. She also likes to sit with Caranthir and later his wife when they do embroidery.

She also goes with Curufin to Beleriand but mostly for Celebrimbor's sake who is still a child and doesn't want to be parted from his father's family - even though said family just slaughtered his mother's kin. She has a more distant relationship towards Curufin for the following centuries but he actually really tries to make things better again. The only high their relationship ever reaches again in the first age is in the first year of them staying in Nargothrond which is also when they have their second child. Aracundo. Both of them actually believed that things could get like they were before again… and then the Lúthien incident happened and Aiwë broke away from her husband in fear of his greed. She takes Aracundo, still a child, and also Celebrimbor after Curufin and Celegorm get chased out of Nargothrond and leaves with them and enters the service of Cirdan and later Gil-Galad.

She doesn't see her husband again but hears of his death and the horrors of the second kinslaying from Oropher and Thranduil, who bring with them princess Elwing and the Silmaril. There is a moment where Aiwë sees that stone and has to resist the urge to prey it from Elwing's small hands and toss as far away into the sea as she can. She does mourn Curufin and what could have been if the oath never happened for a little while.

She meets her brother and father again when the host of the West arrives in Beleriand because both Thulwë and Eärillo volunteered to help sail the army across the sea. It's the first time she actually feels happy again - not that she wasn't happy when Aracundo was born… but that was a different kind of happiness one mingled with at least a little bit of grief. This now is genuine happiness.

(Celebrimbor doesn't remember his grandfather at all, even though he should've been old enough when they left Valinor, nor does he remember his uncle who is just a few years older than him and greets him like an old friend. Aracundo is just happy to know that not all of his family consists of mass murderers and he gets to challenge his grandfather in a game of chess which is nice.)

Aiwë is offered to return home with her father and brother once the war ends but declines the offer. She wishes to remain for a hit longer and help rebuild before she finally sails. She also wants to see that her children are happy and settled in.

She stays with her younger son at the High King's court until the two (Aracundo and Ereinion) get married, then she moves to Eregion to be with Celebrimbor for a while. She is wary of Annatar but doesn't voice her concern. It fills her with joy when the day arrives on which she sees the vision she had after Celebrimbor's birth come true. When Eregion falls and Celebrimbor dies she is there but manages to escape with Galadriel and Celebrían.

She sails not long after.

[runtedfiction]

nicer

day 1: facade @zelinkweek2021

ao3

* * *

Years later, when Link faces the castle’s crumbling walls, he thinks about the Princess.

* * *

The day King Rhoam announces this year’s Harvest Festival is also the day his subjects know they're doomed. Officially, it’s supposed to be a normal holiday. Unofficially, the language in the announcement—“the last celebration before the fight against Calamity Ganon”, “the last time the palace will be open to Castletown until the fight is over”—convinces everyone that they’re partying in the face of the apocalypse.

“They have no faith in me,” Zelda says, putting down her pen. “Ganon is brewing deep beneath the castle. Everyone knows it. Everyone knows I can’t stop it. This is their last chance to let loose before all hell breaks loose.”

Impa frowns and hands her the final page of raw Guardian data to clean. “You're too hard on yourself. You still have time.”

“I just have Mount Lanayru next week.” She focuses on the Silent Princess above her desk. It's wilting. “Do you think I’ll be wise enough? Maybe Hylia will smite me right then and there for being an idiot.”

“Princess!”

“I know, I know.”

* * *

They wrap up that afternoon’s study, an incredibly useful session in quantifying the powers of the Guardians, to get ready for the ball.

Zelda’s dress is her signature blue, but a bit more fluid and feminine than the one she normally wears. Made for dancing and a summer night.

“Collarbones,” Impa notes, and Zelda laughs. “A little off the shoulder as well! And the subtle constellation pattern in the tulle--how stunning!”

“Don’t act as if you didn’t design it.”

“Guilty.”

Impa’s dress, an even deeper blue, is similarly gorgeous. It’s long sleeved, form fitting, and silky.

“Impa, I just want to say—” Zelda pauses, looking at their reflections in the mirror. When will they ever look this nice again? “Thank you for being my friend.”

Impa' smiles. “Of course. And Princess—if I may.”

“Yes?”

“With all your talk of the world ending, of doom coming.” Her voice gets small. “Do you think it would be worth telling him?”

Zelda stiffens. She thinks of him somewhere in the castle, dressed in his best uniform, walking to find her.

She lies. “No.”

Three quiet, efficient raps sound against her door. Zelda’s heart lurches.

* * *

In the hot, overcrowded ballroom, she can’t stop wondering if he thinks she looks pretty.

There are important people here she needs to talk to: researchers from the Royal Ancient Tech Lab, religious leaders, captains of industry, and so on. She finds her father and tries to reach some common ground on the one night they aren’t preparing for Evil Incarnate. (She fails.) She should find the court poet and give him the dance he’s been writing about for the past month.

But all she wants is for Link to look at her.

He’s indeed in his best uniform. His gloves and boots are blindingly white; his collar sits high and stiff against his neck. He’s uncommonly handsome, and the uniform emphasizes it. When someone pulls him in to dance (technically he should be keeping watch, but that someone really insists), she hates the jealousy that blooms in her chest and takes the hand of the poet. When she twirls, when she makes conversation, when she curtsies--she tries to see it all from Link’s perspective, if he can even find her in the crowd.

“Princess, are you feeling alright?”

“Oh.”

The poet looks at her in the way that a puppy looks at its master. The neediness satisfies and repulses her.

“Yes,” she says, smiling quickly. “Thank you for asking. How are you?”

“Wonderful. I was sitting in the courtyard the other day and...”

It’s easy to tune him out and appear to be interested with the right amount of “mhmm” and “oh?” and eye contact. But every time he twirls her around, she tries to spot the top of a Royal Guard cap in the crowd.

She knows she’s being stupid. Even in the incredibly unlikely scenario where Link’s interested, what could they do? Given that her powers aren’t working, there’s only a sixty percent chance they’ll get through the Calamity. She thinks back to what Impa said earlier. Something about letting him know in the face of impending doom.

(Maybe it doesn’t make sense to do something that would possibly be useless, a tiny voice in the back of her head says. But on the flip side, it’s also possible that nothing will matter soon, so why not tell him?)

She scowls and lets the poet dip her far too low for common courtesy.

* * *

Link is definitely lost in the crowd now. The next song requires that they rotate between multiple partners, and she can’t spot him anywhere. There’s no way that he’d be looking at her anyway, because why would he? He’s the chosen one, kind and strong and handsome and blessed. She’s the failed reincarnation, mean and headstrong and cursed.

If (when) the world ends, it’ll be on her.

Zelda admits to herself, swaying in the arms of someone else who doesn’t matter, that because the world has an uncomfortably high probability of ending, it follows that maybe, possibly, probably it makes sense for her to say something.

A sense of urgency unfurls in the pit of her stomach. Where is he?

* * *

She tries to find him. She doesn’t know what she’d do--ask for a dance? Strike up a conversation? Maybe it's the heat getting to her, but it worries her that she's lost him. She walks the length of the ballroom and comes up with nothing.

There’s no way she could summon him, but…

She grabs a glass of water and walks out the ballroom to the nearest balcony.

Except in this very specific circumstance, it’s infuriating how easy it is for him to find her. Even when she doesn't want to be found, even when she’s actively running away (and nearly dying in the process), there he is. The knowledge that he’s almost always aware of her presence burns.

“Hello,” she says after a respectable amount of time.

He steps out behind her. Unfortunately, the moonlight’s softness makes him look angelic. “Hi.”

Zelda very rarely has no plan. She’s the one always bossing him around, deciding where they’ll go next and how they’ll get there and what they’ll do. She’s at a loss for words right now.

“Ah--hm.” A cooling night breeze passes by. “Are you--are you enjoying the festival?”

“Yes?” He looks confused. And hot, her unhelpful brain adds. Very hot. “Are you?”

“Yes. It’s quite warm inside, but I enjoy the music and the dancing.”

“The band is nice.”

She agrees and scrambles to find another conversation topic. Damn it. Still no plan. Think, think.

“Uh--” he starts the same time she asks, “Are you ready for Mount Lanayru next week?”

He nods, and she hates how she made the conversation about work. But he looks more confident now--talking about work is easier than trying to have whatever kind of conversation she had in mind. “Yeah. I read about the region and it seems relatively safe. We might see Naydra too.”

“That would be incredible,” she says. “I’d love to capture it on the Slate.”

He nods again. A silence passes (a horribly awkward one that eats at her) before she asks: “What were you going to say before I interrupted you?”

“Oh yes.” Link clears his throat, and the fact that he looks a bit nervous sends her heart pounding. Can he tell what her subconscious is trying to do? “I’ve been meaning to ask (oh God, oh God, what has he been meaning to ask)--are you avoiding me?”

She blinks. “What?”

He won’t make eye contact with her. Triforce of courage, my ass. “Are you avoiding me?”

“No?” She’s stunned. Avoiding? All she’s been doing for the past week is pining!

“But, I feel like.” He pauses to look at her briefly. Again, his nerves kick off her own. “Ever since we got back from the desert, you haven’t really talked to me.”

She needs to think. A week ago, what happened?

They were at the Kara Kara Bazaar, and she nearly died because she intentionally (stupidly) lost him. She relives the feeling of it now--the panic that came with facing certain death when she realized it wasn’t Link following her, but the Yiga, then the shock when he appeared out of thin air wielding the sword. His back, so strong and sure. His concern as he helped her get up afterwards.

How once she could process what happened, something kicked in her chest, and everything was so obvious so suddenly.

Then getting back from the desert, what did she do? She wrote a diary entry, spent a sleepless night deciding she had feelings for him that she didn’t want to name, and tried as hard as possible to conceal them. The pining was unbearable, and--oh. Looking at him made her face burn, so she turned away. She never knew what to say around him, so she chose to say nothing at all.

Perhaps she approached her yearning by offsetting it with its opposite.

They really haven’t spoken. Zelda shakes her head, and mentally kicks herself. How can someone like you back if you don’t even talk to them? “I promise, I’m not trying to avoid you.”

He furrows his brow a little. Cute. Unfair. “Really?”

“Really.”

“Ok. If you do--if you ever need more space, let me know.” He smiles a little. “I do have to follow you, but I can do it farther away or something.”

She smiles back. Please always follow me. “Thanks. No need.”

“Alright,” he says. He glances at her arms.“Do you want to go back inside? It’s a bit cold. You’re getting goosebumps.”

She didn’t even notice. An idea is forming in her mind, bright and hot and something that needs to rush out right now or she’s going to overthink it to death.

“Going back inside sounds good. When we do, would you--would you like to dance with me?”

The question leaves so quickly that she’s not too sure if he understood it. She holds her breath; she might throw up.

“Sure,” he says, and the disappointment that she expected to punch her gut doesn’t come; a flood of something wonderful washes over her instead. Sure is yes, her mind sings. “How about I find you before the last song? I’ve been doing a bad job of keeping watch.”

“Sure,” she echoes. Hopefully her excitement isn’t too obvious when she turns back and nearly runs into the ballroom.

* * *

When the band announces the last song of the night, Zelda lets go of the poet and steps back immediately.

“My Princess,” he says, and the normal repulsion she would feel turns into joy when she spots a navy blue cap making its way through the crowd. “I would be honored to have your final dance, if you would have me.”

“Another time,” she says, already turning to pick up her skirt and mosey her way through the last group of people separating her from a flash of sandy blonde hair. “Thank you though!”

She doesn’t wait for the poet’s response because the crowd is gone and Link is right in front of her, handsome and smiling slightly. Her heart is at a million miles a minute when she drops her skirt and steps forward to place her hand in his.

This isn’t like her. He must think she’s acting so strange. Either that, or it’s obvious just from looking at her what she’s thinking. It’s a frenzied array of thoughts, ranging from the obvious (handsome, handsome, smells so good?, handsome, kind eyes) and the embarrassing (The smallest, least repressed part of me has dreamed about this all week.)

The music starts and swells and she’s still dreaming. His hand on her back is firm. Thanks to the design of the dress, she can feel his glove pressing into her. She wonders if he can feel the heat of her skin.

“How are you doing?” he asks when they fall into a rhythm, and she smiles too fast, idiot, calm down.

“Great, how are you?”

“Good,” he says, and they spin. He smiles back. “Good to know you’re not avoiding me.”

“Of course not.” Stupid, you avoided him!

He dips her a perfectly appropriate amount.

She feels brave. It’s the adrenaline getting to her, because the rational part of her can’t stop (giddily) telling her that she’s dumb when she asks, “Why would you think that I'd avoid you?”

“Hm.” He looks away to consider the question. The tips of his eyelashes catch the chandelier light. “I thought that maybe last week was a bit too much.”

She thinks about how warm his hand was when he helped her get up after saving her life. “It wasn’t.”

“It’s ok if it was.”

“No, no, you’re too kind.”

Link clears his throat. “So you’re not avoiding me because I kept trying to follow you through the bazaar when you clearly didn’t want me to?”

She laughs. “No, it’s also incredibly stupid that I tried to lose you. Besides, what would’ve happened if you hadn’t?”

Link clears his throat.

She chooses to change the subject by asking an easy “What did you make for dinner tonight?” in an attempt to soak up the final minutes she has in his arms. He starts talking about mushroom risotto, and she can’t stop smiling.

* * *

At the end of the night, when he escorts her to her room, it’s late enough that silence is acceptable.

She’s decided that she needs to do something, but she doesn’t know what. A hug would be different, but too strange. I like you is simple, but too plain. Thinking about you makes my heart soft is embarrassing. I know I’ve been an incorrigible bitch but now my walls are down and I like you is too honest.

She turns around when they reach her doors.

“Tonight was fun,” she says.

He smiles. Zelda knows romance books don’t lie when her heart jumps at the sight of it. “It was.”

This is the moment. She takes a deep breath as quietly as she can. She has that nauseous feeling again. If nothing matters, tell him. Everyone knows the apocalypse is coming.

“Hey, listen,” he says right when she opens her mouth. He pauses to look at her. If she thought he looked nervous earlier when he asked her if she was avoiding him, it’s nothing compared to now. He does a visible gulp, and—

“I think I have feelings for you.”

She blinks. What?

“And I understand if you don’t feel the same way,” he continues, tense and fast, looking right at her, “especially in light of everything going on right now. But I just had to put that out there.”

What?!

She closes her eyes--what is happening right now--and when she opens them he’s still there. This isn’t a dream.

Holy fuck. “Really?”

He nods. “Really.”

“Huh,” she says. He beat her to it. “Huh.”

“Huh?”

She laughs. He beat her to it, and now all she has to do is the easiest thing in the world.

“I think I have feelings for you too,” she says. It’s so dark now she can’t see the blue of his eyes, but she can imagine it easily.

He’s surprised. “Really?”

“Really. In fact, I was meaning to tell you just now.”

“Really?”

She laughs. “Really.”

She smiles and takes his hand. He stiffens at first, then relaxes as she threads her fingers through his.

“Oh, actually, here, let me—” He lets go. Disappointment hits her briefly before she sees that he’s taking off his glove. Some of his scars are alabaster in the moonlight. He has so many.

(She wants to kiss all of them.)

His hand is warm and rough and lovely when he slips it back into hers.

“This feels nicer,” he says, and his voice is almost shy.

There are a million things she wants to say--what are we going to do if I end the world, what are we going to do if you save the world, how long have you known for, Hylia is going to smite both of us for being fools--but she settles on squeezing his hand instead. He squeezes back.

“Yes,” she agrees. Very gently, she cups his cheek with her other hand and leans in. He’s closed his eyes already. “Much nicer.”

[butterflydm]

wot reread: lord of chaos (chap 10)

spoilers for lord of chaos

1. “For a moment Rand wished for the days when he could have strolled the Palace corridors alone”. What? This never existed, Rand. The last time you were here, pre-Dragon knowledge, you were under guard the entire time, on account of being a potential threat to the Daughter-Heir and/or security of the palace. I guess he means it in a more general way -- he doesn’t like always having his bodyguards around but... he’s never been allowed unguarded in the Caemlyn Royal Palace. So it just strikes me as kinda funny, I guess.

2. Rand on his duty here in Caemlyn: “it was like being beaten to death with feathers”. lol. Anyway, I’m glad he’s thinking about making sure that the pensioners’ are still getting their payments. He notes that he’s put the Waygates here, in Tear, and in Cairhien under guard, but he doesn’t know if he’s got them all covered since some of the knowledge is lost.

3. Haha, he does think about how he would definitely still have been under guard in the old days, “when he had to worry about providing a coat for himself”, okay, I take back my ??? from earlier. He just needed some time to get there.

4. Taim showed Rand the trick about not letting the heat touch you, so Taim has now taught him that trick plus how to detect men who can potentially channel but haven’t touched the Source yet. Aww. Rand notes that the Maidens are Making An Effort to understand wetlander humor.

5. It’s interesting that Rand is very aware that his own complete disinterest in the Two Rivers is done because he’s trying to protect it from people who might otherwise tried to use it against him as a hostage, but he doesn’t wonder if Bashere’s apparent disinterest in what is currently happening in Saldaea might have a similar basis. I don’t know if it does or not, but it’s interesting that the possibility doesn’t seem to occur to Rand. But Rand does feel like he’s abandoned the Two Rivers and feeling that way had added another weight to his self-hate -- now he wonders that if he were able to find a way out of his fated death, if he even deserves to take that escape.

6. Rand thinks about how his strong ta’veren nature twists luck to the breaking point for others’, both in good and bad ways, and also thinks about how Masema (who has made doubting Rand a crime) needs to be reined in. Yeah, you probably should do something about that. Probably personally, since you’re the only person he would take seriously.

7. Bashere brings up the rumors being spread that Rand is a false Dragon who killed Morgase with Aes Sedai help (ah, the one that reached Gawyn, or similar to it). Aww -- “Andor would be the one land he did not split apart in war. He would give Elayne a land as unblemished as it had come to him. If he ever found her, he would.” Once again, my frustration against the Aes Sedai as a group is incredibly high. If Elayne had come to Caemlyn with that upcoming embassy, Rand would have been so happy and relieved to see her that he probably would have been willing to make a deal with the Salidar Aes Sedai on the spot (but if Elayne had gone to Caemlyn with the embassy, there wouldn’t have been narrative room for Rand & Min to happen, which is the main reason that she did not get the chance, imo).

8. Three of the Ladies & Lords who had originally been loyal to Morgase (and tossed out of the city during Gaebril’s time, for that loyalty, to isolate her) have returned to the city, though they have not yet answered any messages. Rand also learns that there are two Aes Sedai arrived, who have taken rooms at an inn in the New City.

9. When he goes out into the Palace gardens (no longer kept green by Elaida’s use of the Power), he spots Aviendha, and wonders if he loves her. He thinks about her, then Elayne, and ‘even Min’, and then LTT gets consumed by thoughts of Ilyena. “What he did know was that he was dangerous; he had nothing to offer any woman except pain.”

10. “The few occasions he found to just enjoy anything were precious.” BABY! He is a whole baby. He never has time to do things just to enjoy them. No wonder he’s getting harder and tighter and all wound up. Some moments of relaxation are needed just for the human brain to work properly, Rand.

11. When Rand goes to the inn to meet the two Aes Sedai, he is shocked to find a whole bunch of Two Rivers girls, including Mat’s sister Bode. There are a dozen women that he recognizes to one degree or another. re: Bode - “The only thing about her that looked at all like Mat was a mischievous something around the eyes.” Rand learns that the only thing that “Lord Perrin” told them of him was that he was off having adventures and wearing fine coats. Bode anxiously asks after Mat and says their mother worries over him, and Rand says that Mat is well.

12. Rand is kinda ??? about “Lord” Perrin but doesn’t get a good explanation tbh, just that everyone corrects him “in the perfunctory way they might someone who said horse when he should have said sawhorse”. Rand regrets the potential deaths that might not have happened if he’d gone to the Two Rivers himself instead of letting Perrin go, but reminds himself that all his choices come with a price, at this point in his life. He cannot be everywhere at once. Aw, this conversation is actually a really sweet break for Rand, even with his guilt. I’m pretty sure it’s about to be ruined tho.

13. Alanna and Verin show up to say that the girls are not going to Tar Valon at this time. He says that they must have heard the Tower is broken, and they tell him that it needs to be discussed privately. After some discussion, it is just the three of them, with no Warders or guards.

14. Awww. Rand does want to know if the rebels will support him, but he really really wants to know if Elayne is there. He tells himself that it’s just about Andor, because he’s Too Dangerous To Love, but he wants to see her so badly. Rand is disappointed but not surprised when they tell him that even if they knew where the rebels were, they would not let him know.

15. Then Alanna tricks Rand into letting her bond him as her Warder. Because she believes that it does him no harm, she can tell him “nothing I do here will cause you any injury” despite it being something he absolutely would not want and she did not ask permission to do. He’s immediately aware of both himself and Alanna in an intense way and feels dizzy and confused. After bonding him, she attempts to shield him, so he immediately shields her and Verin instead. He sees that Alanna feels contentment after bonding him, even after she can see how upset he is.

16. Outside the bubble of the void, Rand can feel shock and rage. He tries to force himself to be calm, but part of him is blaming himself for trusting her even enough to potentially heal him. Rand tells them that they WILL be staying in Caemlyn and should be grateful he’s not planning to tie off their shield and leave them that way. He tells them that they must stay away from him and the Inner City is barred to them. If they try to go there, he will shield them again, leave them that way, and dump them in a cell.

17. Outside the room, Bashere has told the Emond’s Field women about Rand being the Dragon Reborn and, when he is questioned on this and told that he’s making it up and lying to people, Rand snaps and scares them by using the Power on them. Bashere says it’s probably for the best that they’re scared of him, and Rand reluctantly agrees. But he wishes he could have talked to them “a little while longer” about home. “Best that they were afraid of him. Best that he forgot the Two Rivers”.

[owo-shenanigans]

Hi! Can i request royal au prince!childe x princess!reader where they meet in a party and get bored so they run away

Yeah this is a cute idea! Thanks for the request, heehee. I’ll try to keep this GN, but bc you said princess I’ll use femme pronouns if need be. This takes place in the 18th-19th centuries, but without the sexism because I said so <3. Requests are open <3

Prince!Childe x Royal!Reader - escape

Word Count: 900

Childe swirled the wine in his glass, a blank expression on his face. He had a break from talking to sycophants, and was making the most of it in a back room. Every word out of their mouths was an irritation to him. He wasn’t even allowed to watch over his siblings- the royal babysitters in charge of keeping them away.

Because of course they couldn’t ruin the party by running up to Childe. After all, the party was a facade to find Childe a partner. His country was unstable, their trade routes repeatedly destroyed by storms for years now, and his parents were forced to rely upon his pretty face to save their country.

His grip on the glass tightened- and the glass shattered. Staring at his bleeding hand in muted shock, he carefully picked the glass shards out of his skin, discarding them onto the table. Just another rotten addition to an already rotten day.

“Are you… Alright?” An unfamiliar voice shook him from his staring, and he forced his gaze away from his bloody hand. “What am I saying,” they continued. “You’re bleeding from the hand. Do you need gauze?”

Without waiting for an answer, you began to rummage through the cabinets, finding a roll of bandages and sterilizer. Holding it out in a silent question, he answered by taking the items, sterilizing his own hand with the practiced ease of the eldest of several troublesome siblings.

“Thank you….” He trailed off, indicating that he needed your name. You flashed a smile and gave a half bow.

“Ah, my apologies. You may call me….” You trailed off yourself for a moment, your mind at work. You had been at this party to find a partner; preferably the first child of another royal family, as you were the third child of your parents. But you had no interest in looking for a partner, at the moment. With the last few years of your youth, you wanted to avoid the connotations of your royal title. Scrounging up the memories of the invitation, you settled on a lie.

“You may call me (Y/N). My parents required my help to cater the event, but as of now I am free to roam the party.”

Childe could tell that you were lying. No peasant would speak in such a refined manner, but he couldn’t tell why you were lying.

“You can call me Childe. I snuck in for the food.” He gave you a wink. You had been kind enough to help him with his hand; he didn’t want to get sick of you and your sycophantic ways when you found out who exactly he was. He would go back to the party, go back to finding a partner soon enough. For the moment…. He was curious. And bored.

 Unknown to the both of you, your reasons were similar, though not the same.

“However,” He continued, “The people at this party aren’t quite as wonderful conversationalists as I would have assumed of nobility. Tell me, (Y/N) - How would you like to go explore the town?”

If you were who you said you were, you likely would not have accepted. Yes, the man was handsome, but you would have been in a castle for a party for likely the first time in your life. However, as one from a royal family, you had very little experience with towns outside of chaperoned outings. Thus, you agreed with a lovely smile. “That sounds like a fine idea!”

Flashing you a smile in turn, he opened the door for you with a flourish, allowing you to leave first as he followed. You soon snuck out of the castle grounds, shushing each other each time a guard came near your hiding spots. Once you got out safely, he turned to you.

“So, my friend, where would you recommend we go? You are a local, after all.” He was testing you, to see if your lies were simply about how you got in or who you were as a person.

Fortunately for you, your carriage had taken a winding route, so all you had to do was recall things that you had seen before.

“I believe that I spotted a street cart on my walk here. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my coin purse with me.” You pursed your lips in annoyance, blinking rapidly when Childe tapped your nose.

“Don’t worry, my friend - I made sure to pack some food before we left. Can’t have an adventure on an empty stomach, now can we?”

Your face had reddened slightly at the nose tap, before you shook your head slightly to try and clear it. “Then, I believe I saw an advertisement for the carnival nearby. Would that not be fun?”

Childe’s eyes softened at that. “I remember my younger siblings wanted to go. Come, lead me to it.” His bossy tone rubbed you the wrong way, but the mention of his siblings tugged a smile out of you.

“I will.” You held your hand out to him, and after a moment of registering what you were doing, he took it with a soft smile.

(And that’s that! It was going on too long, so I decided to cut it here. If y’all want a continuation let me know! <3 It would cover the carnival.)

[vintage-writes]

Come here, Captain Levi Ackermann x Reader

Pairing: Levi Ackerman x Reader

Summary: Getting kidnapped by the Scout Regiment was not on today’s agenda. Levi Ackermann being the one to watch you was an unexpected turn of events. However, don’t be fooled, You’re still in charge.

Warnings: NSFW, Smut, Oral (M. receiving) Fem!Dom!Reader, Sub!Levi, Corruption Kink (if you squint). 

18+ ONLY

A/N: This was originally just supposed to be fun and then I decided to add some spice.

Word Count: 2 070

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The streets of Trost were quickly filling up with people. The crowds were letting loose a series of cheers and shouts, all jeering in excitement for the King’s generosity. His decision to open up the royal food supplies to Trost was like a saving grace to the starving. 

Or rather, it’s excellent bribery. The king has been desperately trying to garner support from the lower class. This is most definitely due to the rising conflict within the government. Erwin Smith, Commander of the Scout Regiment, has been placed behind bars and will most definitely be executed. Whether or not that would be today or tomorrow, I’m sure they wouldn’t let me know.

Two days ago You approached the higher ups about the arrest of the Scout Regiment. They were uninterested in what You had to say, fully believing that the anomaly known as Eren Jaeger would be the end of humanity. Their fear is driving them forward and the Scouts were apparently plotting to harbour this secret titan power for themselves. You pointed out that that was ridiculous and was immediately slapped for my ‘insubordination’. 

Whatever the case. You’re now patrolling around the Trost district. The watchful eyes of a few of your subordinates are keeping you in check as many apparently believe that you’re a step away from chasing after the scouts and pledging my loyalty. All information regarding the situation has been kept away from you, you feel as though you’re being locked up in a cell despite your freedom to walk down a street.

This is ridiculous. A General shouldn’t be monitored by a bunch of recruits. They’ve even confiscated your gun, leaving you vulnerable with nothing but a knife. 

You adjust your jacket, the military police insignia sewn proudly onto the back. The Unicorn, the perfect creature for the biggest joke in the military. 

Glancing behind your back, you notice that one of your ‘babysitters’ is currently occupying themselves with a lost child. A young boy was tugging on his pants while he awkwardly tried to pull him off.

Perfect.

You duck behind the nearest corner and dart into the alleyway. Your boots thudding gently on the pavement. The thrill of finally dodging the watchdogs was like a fresh breath of air. And then.

“Don’t move”

Of course you would run into the only dumbass in the world willing to rob an MP. A knife’s sharp edge presses at your throat. The hand that grasps it connects to a young boy with blond hair and sharp eyes. Although, despite the fiery look in his eyes your instincts tell you that he wouldn’t follow through with his threat. He quickly grabs a ball of fabric from his pocket and stuffs it into your mouth. You let out an indignant shout but it’s muffled by the cloth, however before You can grab the brat You hear another voice, this time from behind you.

“Lift up your arms.”

Behind you, a heavy metallic object nudges you slightly forward. A Rifle, no doubt.

You slowly raise your arms as you feel the presence shift forward and grab them. You expect him to tie them together but instead he hesitates. It feels as though he is unsure of himself. Instead he brings your arms behind your back and simply holds them.

Well this is certainly awkward.

“You’re coming with us.”, says the blonde in front of me. 

You raise your eyebrows at this. Robbing an MP is certainly a bold move but kidnapping is a whole other ball game. Whoever these guys are, they’ve certainly got guts.

About an hour later You’re sitting in a remote part of Town in a stuffy warehouse. Luckily, you’re gagless as it appears no one here has anything to tie my hands together with. After the long faced asshole with a stupid hair cut tossed me into the corner you pulled out the gag and threw it at him. It smacked his head with a wet thud before rolling away. He let out a high pitched wail before vigorously rubbing at the spot, tossing insults at you like they were going out of fashion.

“Oi, Brat!” shouts a rather familiar voice. “Quiet down.”

In walks Captain Levi of the Survey Corps. The pieces begin to click together as you realize what’s going on. Despite the missing Wings of Freedom sigil on everyone’s back, you can tell that you’re looking at the Scout Regiment or more specifically, the Levi Squad.

Humanity’s strongest soldier is currently staring down at you, completely uninterested. You, on the other hand, are very interested to see him. Despite being a relatively strong soldier and Erwin’s right hand, he’s generally rarely seen around the Capital. His appearance has been described as plain but I disagree. His features are sharp and he’s incredibly lean and muscular. His dark eyes never miss a thing, an air of constant alertness surrounds him. He’s certainly the most attractive man you’ve seen by far.

You shift backwards a bit, your back now resting on the table. Two Glasses sit atop the wooden surface, completely empty. Levi notices the slight movement and turns to the two boys. 

“Why isn’t she tied up?” he says, face remaining stoic.

“Because I’m not into rope”, You respond dryly.

He sends you a glare before ordering them away to find something suitable to keep you still. You roll your eyes at this before fixing them on Levi. He leans on the locked door, the only other exit besides a window barely small enough to crawl out of three meters above you. His eyes feigning disinterest but any soldier with a brain can tell that he’s watching very closely. 

“So-”, You begin to say.

“Shut up.”

Excuse me?

“I thought I was here to answer questions?” you say instead. Why else would they go through all the trouble of kidnapping you?

His eyes study me and you can see he’s contemplating something.

“I figured Daddy’s little girl might have other uses.”

Ohhhh, You get it now, somehow Levi has figured out that one of the King’s dear advisors is your father. Little does he know, that man will likely rather leave me for dead. You couldn’t be a worse leverage. Although the phrase “Daddy’s little girl” coming from those lips have you smirking up at him. How very kinky, Captain.

“Well you know-”

“Quiet”

Oi. Let me speak.

“Captain”, You say with warning.

“General”, he retorts. His voice is surprisingly rough and low.

Who do you think is in charge here Captain? Despite what it may look like, You don’t think he has as much power in this situation as he thinks he does.

You shift forward preparing to stand up. You’re done being stuck in this stuffy place, you need to escape before everyone else comes back. Levi immediately straightens up in front of you. Despite his size, the amount of danger radiating off of him is immense and you don’t have a weapon on hand. The slow sinking feeling that maybe you’ve underestimated him begins to settle in. 

“Sit back down. You’re not leaving.”

Reluctantly, you shift back into place. Maybe escaping right now isn’t the best option.

He begins again, this time his voice drops considerably deeper, "If you move one more time, I swear I’ll choke you until you pass out”

His eyes have turned to slits. Suddenly you feel as though you’ve made some kind of mistake. However, despite his pretty face staring angrily into your soul, you feel incredibly excited. 

Leaning your head back, your eyes spot the two glasses sitting on the table. You tip your head to make eye contact with him. You hold his gaze. Warning signs flashing in his eyes as you turn your body to face the table. Eyes still locked on his own. You raise your right hand and sweep it across the table, knocking them onto the floor. The glass shatters instantly upon hitting the ground.

The look of surprise on his face sends your heart racing. Eyes widening as his face flushes red. You turn back to face him

“Alright”, You say.

You tilt your head back, looking down your nose at him. You brush your hair away from your neck and continue to stare intently at him.

“Come here, Captain”

He backs away a step. Excellent, you’ve caught him off guard.

“What’s wrong, Captain?” You taunt, “Are you not going to keep your word?”

He straightens up quickly and presses his lips together. 

Good. Let him put his mask back on so You can rip it off again. You quickly straighten up and hop onto your feet. Slowly, step by step, you make your way forward, until you stop right in front of him. His eyes burn into yours.

You lift up one hand and bring it to his chin. He exhales sharply. You bring your lips to his ear. Gently breathing in his sweet musky scent.

“Are you not the one in charge here, Captain? Or have you finally remembered that I outrank you?” You breathe against him before moving your head back. His face has completely reddened.

With the hand still on his chin you gently tilt it upwards and apply pressure, effectively pushing him back into the wall. 

“As a General, I don’t particularly like taking orders”, You say moving both hands to his shoulders before beginning an achingly slow descent. “I’d rather be the one giving them. Now stand still and be a good boy.”

Both hands finally reach the top of his pants and with a single finger begin to slowly trace the inside, moving across the inside until you reach his pants button. He jerks his hips towards you. He releases a sharp breath as you begin to unbutton each one before opening them. You run your hands back around to his waist and tug them downwards. They softly thump against the floor. You look into his eyes as you drop to your knees, he still hasn’t said or done anything to stop you. Excitement flares within you. The idea of having humanities strongest wrapped around your finger has heat flooding downwards.

You pull away the last layer of clothing separating you from his dick. His hand flies to the back of your head. Fingers tangling into your hair. You stare up at him. He doesn’t make a move to push you forward or away. The ball remains in your court as he simply stares down at you, licking his lips, breaths short and heavy. 

“Levi”, You say gently, breath brushing against his member as he begins to squirm. You smirk, “Do you have any idea how sexy you are?” 

You place a kiss to the inside of his thigh. Another slightly higher, and higher again. His hips buck forward.

“Stop moving”

He stills beneath your hands as you decide to finally grab onto his hardened member, dripping with precum. Slowly but surely, you pump him up and down as he sighs out. you lean forward and place another kiss at the base of his cock. You run your tongue from the base, to the underside and all the way to the top where you twirl your tongue around the head. The grunt that accompanies this action urges you on as you begin to suck deeply.

He Whines out, “Y/N” 

You pause and he squirms some more. Hands gripping your hair harder. 

“Yes?”

“Please”, he blurts out. “More”

“Do you want to cum?”

He nods vigorously. Good, let Y/N break him. You do your best to relax your throat and breathe deeply through your nose. With a slow push You push forward all the way to the hilt. He Gasps. He’s panting now.

“Please”, he breathes out. Mumbling over and over again. You pull back slightly and let your tongue swirl around the head again. You look up and make eye contact. Mouth hanging open, eyes wound shut. His lips let out moans and whines.  

“Oh God!” He lets out before releasing in your mouth. You swallow everything before standing up again. You run your tongue over your lips before looking at him.

Pants pooled around his ankles, eyes glossy, mouth slightly open as his breathing begins to slow. His face is of pure ecstasy. 

“So are you willing to listen to me now?” You smile at him gently. “Or do you want to take a minute?” 

[anonniemousefics]

hi!! i’ve read all al your “his monstrous bride” and cardan pov fics and i’m in love with them, could you do maybe one about the scene when you declares his love for jude just before they face madoc, i’d love it 🥺👉🏻👈🏻

You guyyyyys 😂 I feel like this is the laziest writing ever. 🙈 Like, the dialogue and the action are already there - I’m just hacking into Cardan’s brain and rehashing what we already know? I feel like it’s the writing equivalent of lying on the floor and dumping Doritos into my mouth. I mean, I’m still gonna do it. Just...don’t judge me. 😂

For reference: His Monstrous Bride Parts I, II, III, and some other Cardan POV stuff.

---------------------

The day after Jude took him on the floor, Cardan wakes before his wife and watches gentle waves of dust play in the golden sunlight streaming across her bare shoulders. Jude still sleeps, turned on her side, facing him. Her auburn hair spills over the silken pillowcase next to his. 

“I missed you,” she’d whispered in his arms the night before, bare and tangled in his limbs. “In the mortal world, when I thought you were my enemy, I still missed you.”

His heart soars at the memory. He brushes fingertips to her soft, kiss-swollen lips, and she sighs in her sleep and inches closer to him, never opening her eyes.

How glad he is she’s returned. He has never before woken to such peace.

He pulls her into his arms, fits her head beneath his chin.

For the next two days, this is how he wakes. In fact, his whole waking world is shifting now that his days are bookended with Jude in his arms. He spends his waking hours with Jude and their war council, hunched over maps and battle strategies – a thing he never imagined tolerating. Jude makes all things tolerable.

He tucks each day away in his memory, so that, regardless of how this ends, he will always have this to savor.

Because it does very much feel as if an end approaches.

Madoc’s forces have been spotted. A meeting has been arranged.

Evening falls when preparations for parlay have concluded, and Cardan waits in the royal chambers with Jude and her family, preparing to walk to the dais. Jude looks every inch a High Queen, wrapped in green and gold with a gilded crown at her brow. Her lips have been stained a formidable blood-red, and, as much as it makes Cardan want to kiss them, he wants the world to see her like this more. His queen. The fierce creature he’s always known her to be.

For a moment after her family leaves, it is just the two of them, and she looks…Jude looks like someone who could win a battle all on her own. She could go forth from these rooms and command the attention of every fae in these halls.

She looks like she doesn’t need him.

And that’s all right, he supposes. She wants him. She missed him. She may even like him. That’s enough.

Her brows are furrowed now as she looks up at him. She’s worried. She – along with everyone else, Cardan included – has feared Madoc’s manipulations and his desire to draw Cardan into combat.

“Madoc says you will duel for love,” she says, quietly.

“Whose?” Cardan asks, frowning, because Madoc must not know him at all if he’s kidnapped some fae maid Cardan flirted with once in an attempt to goad him.

The only person Madoc could use to goad Cardan stands before him now, shaking her head as if she is completely clueless. As if she hasn’t spent these last nights in his bed. As if she isn’t the girl he gazes at in golden sunlight.

Tell her.

What does she think of herself, really? It’s true, he does not have a history of chivalry, but he had thought he made himself clear on his feelings toward her. He did marry her, after all.

Tell her.

He curses this nosey busybody of a conscience he’s grown. Jude has only recently seemed to begin to care for him – this is all but certain to mortify her. But, he thinks, for the sake of their plotting and strategizing, she must know. If Madoc means to use her against him, she must be prepared to protect herself.

“It’s you I love.” He has to choke it out like he’s reading a report. He must not attach feelings to this – it is simply in her best interest. She has been clear that she could never reciprocate.

Jude looks so flabbergasted, so taken aback, he finds he must defend such a statement.

“I spent much of my life guarding my heart. I guarded it so well that I could behave as though I didn’t have one at all. Even now, it is a shabby, worm-eaten, and scabrous thing. But it is yours.”

Jude’s only growing more wide-eyed and uncomfortable, and the impending rejection looms like a tidal wave over him. He can’t bear it.

“You probably guessed as much,” he says, moving for the doors. He wants to get away from this as fast as he can. “But just in case you didn’t.”

And he throws open the doors, much preferring the company of the Living Council to whatever’s about to happen in the royal chambers. At least now she knows. At least now she can protect herself.

----------------

Tagging: @yellowavocadopit, @dagypsygirl, @ireallyshouldsleeprn, @booklover-sleeplover, @mwejh, @courtofjurdan, @faeriequeenofwest, @sugawsites, @loveyourselfsolid, @owl0y0s, @feelinglikecleopatra, @akaloto, @charrise, @persephxnecoven, @raging-bisexual-alert, @rteme, @nahthanks, @addies-invisible-life, @elorcanislife, @snusbandxknifewife, @poeticbrownmermaid, @duarteegreenbriar, @thefolkofthefic, @alittledribbledrabble, @carmensworld17, @annejulianneh111, @amandlas, @elriel4life, @idk-what-name-to-use, @thewickedkings, @juliazato, @woodsbeyond1, @booksmusicandgoodvibes, 

[poptod]

hello! i'd like to make an ahkmenrah x reader request! maybe present-day reader gets teleported back in time to when ahkmenrah was alive and they eventually get to the palace and stuff happens? maybe they tell him about modern life? and maybe reader is unnaturally beautiful to the ancient egyptians because humans evolve to be more attractive as time goes on so a person from our time would be hot shit 4,000 years ago? this is long lmao. thanks!

Notes: god ive always wanted to do this kind of storyline but i was worried about like,, logic and stuff getting in the way of the storyline. anyway! i was so fucking elated to receive this request. i got a bit carried away so apologies! WC: 3.2k

+

Okay. It isn't that bad.

Would you ever see your family again? Probably not, but you weren't ruling the possibility out.

Would you ever get to have sour patch kids again? Probably not. But even during the time you lived in 2020, you had eaten more concentrated sour patch kids flavor than all of the people around you combined.

This little village on the outskirts of ancient Thebes is hardly L.A.––though that's probably a good thing––and is small enough for you to know every inhabitant. Your shop there is small to suit the town, and well known ever since your arrival in this time.

They found you beside the river, thought you to be a gift from the Gods. You were hazy, though––whatever had so forcefully pushed you back in time had made your head spin, making you sick and unbalanced. So, when they asked if you did in fact come from the Gods, you had no way of defending yourself either way. Generally you've been denying it––they think you are a god, and the only way you've convinced them you're not a god is by saying you're a gift from them. It explains the way you look, unnaturally beautiful and alien amongst the more pure genetics of earlier humans.

Your shop is pretty simple. You make portraits from paint, more realistic than anything else that exists, and it only affirms their belief in your god-like status. Fortunately word seems to not have gotten out––the village has remained small, and no one from Thebes has run into you. Every now and then you get unreasonably anxious that a noble will find you and turn you into a slave. It's a worry most people around you have, so you find comfort in the fact that you're not the only one. Still, you're not quite accustomed to such an atmosphere––the thought of nobles and Kings noticing you still sends terrified aches into your stomach.

It's about two weeks in that it gets bad. People start to pass by the village, more than you would've thought, and they're all looking to trade goods, food, and information. The people of the village talk about you––you're something interesting, you can't deny that, but they don't know just how worried you are. Whenever you see someone you don't recognize outside your home, you refuse to come out.

Five days later and there's soldiers in your home, looking over your paintings on their way back to Memphis from conquering the realm of Kush. You hold a deep contempt for them––you don't know all that much about history, but you know how Egyptian soldiers and Pharaohs reigned power over the people of Kush.

The soldiers aren't all that worrying. What really gets your heart pounding is the final man to enter your hut; a man bearing a crown and a long sword, with golden braces around his wrists and a chest plated in green scales. Your fingers dig into the wood of your counter when he notices you. The crown on his head––it's the crown of both upper and lower Egypt.

This is a Royal.

"Where did you learn this skill?" He asks you, eyes trained on one of your bigger drawings. It's just on papyrus––not for sale––and hung on the wall as a display of your talent.

"I spent a little while travelling the world," you answer. Technically, growing up in the modern world was a bit like travelling the world; you got to see the cultures and practices of many, many people. "The rest of it's practice."

"The peasants here, they... they claim you came from the Nile. Is that true?"

"Well... that is where I was found," you say carefully, but you can already tell you've fucked up. The look on his face is indescribable beyond the fact that he's pleased.

"How would you feel coming back to the capital with me?" He offers to you, setting his hands on the counter and leaning forward. "I think my father would much like to meet you."

"I – I don't think I'm really cut out for -"

"Nonsense," he dismisses with a smile, taking your hand from its' spot on the wood. "We shall teach you proper writing skills, give you a beautiful home, and the salary isn't horrid either."

You can't just say no. If you do, he's going to ask questions––he's going to get confused, and he's going to get suspicious. No one would turn down an opportunity like this; free schooling, free housing, and much more money for something you already do.

"Well... alright," you say quietly, looking to the home around you that you built with the help of the other villagers.

"Wonderful. My name is Kamun."

He's not a very nice person, you come to find. Or perhaps he's just not your tastes––the soldiers seem to like him well enough, at least the ones who aren't completely subordinate to him, but his attitude towards women and poor people is scathing to say the least. Otherwise he's very amusing, with a good sense of humor and quite generous with his food and wine as long as he gets his fill of it first.

The boat back to Memphis, where the royal family currently stays, is a long ride filled with various entertainments. It's clear these are not soldiers accustomed to rough conditions––the dancing women and flowing beer is enough to tell you that. Instead, you surmise these are faux war-heroes; people adored in their hometown for doing nothing but intimidating others in a foreign country. They try to get cushy with you, soften you up to their words and touches. It doesn't work.

He keeps you close to him. You let him do it, sort of––it's better than telling him no. Better than starting a ruckus. Then again, avoiding a ruckus is what got you here in the first place, standing before the doors of the courtroom where a false God on earth rules the Nile.

"Father, I bring you a gift from Thebes," says Kamun, pushing you forward by the small of your back. You can't bring yourself to meet the Pharoah's eye, so you fall to your knees and bow.

Everyone is staring at you. You don't look normal, and they all know it, and you know it. You could cry from the heat of their eyes on your back.

One of Kamun's soldiers steps forwards, handing the Pharaoh and his wife several of the drawings they'd taken from you. Silence passes as the two scan your work.

"How did you achieve such a mirror of the human face?" The Pharaoh asks in a slow, deep voice that sounds as he looks––old, weathered, wise.

"They came from the Nile," Kamun answers for you, and murmurs take the crowd by storm. You, on the other hand, feel your heartbeat increase in massive increments, speeding your already uneven breath. "A gift from the Gods, the locals said."

"I can't – I am not magic," you rush out, hoping your clarification clears you of any responsibility to the Pharaoh. You know he rules everything––if he says you are to stay here, you have no choice, and you don't like it here. Too many people. "I cannot give you anything, my King."

"I think you're lying," says a voice, its' tone soft and a velvet low. It catches you off guard, brings you to raise your head and meet the eyes of someone you don't know; a young man dressed in gold beside the Pharaoh's throne.

You almost lose your breakfast as your eyes bulge, your mind instantly recognizing him and connecting the dots. You were, by far, not a historian, but you knew a fair amount of Egyptian history––namely a family in the Old Kingdom who was headed by the Pharaoh Merenkahre. The remaining statues and busts of the King and his son are astonishingly accurate, and there can be no doubt in your head.

That being said, there also can't be any reaction on your face. You try your best to reign your expression in.

"I..."

Actually, you do have something to offer now. You know the names––memorized the history, committed each event to memory, and now you can pull their lifestory off from the top of your head. Wouldn't that be valuable to a King; a seer of the future, to predict the rise and fall of the economy and the coming armies. Besides, you can't just say he's wrong. That'd be treasonous to them. So you have to agree you're hiding something, come up with an excuse as to why you hid it, and it proves harder than you thought. You're quickwitted, though––it got you away from the villager's wrath, and it will promote you to noble living now.

You hide a smirk beneath a calm expression as you address the younger prince.

"They gifted me foresight," you say quietly, pretending as though it hurts you to tell the truth, "but told me to never inform others."

"You are in the presence of Ra once more," the Pharaoh reminds you.

"And others," you point out. "I would... it would be better to discuss such matters.. in private."

Detailed information about already-past events is enough to sway him to believe you. The Pharaoh is surprisingly easy to convince, and with a few, meaningless predictions of the future, he gives you housing in his own palace. Kamun looks proud of himself––puffs his chest out in front of his father and earns no compliment. Ire laces his glare as it falls upon his brother, Ahkmen, praised for his ability to see through your obvious lie.

The Pharaoh asks his younger son to guide you to your room. Apparently it's closer to his room than it is to Kamun's, and evening is approaching fast. The walk there, while short, is marked by a conversation composed mainly of Ahkmen's questions and your answers. When the two of you reach your room, he doesn't leave––actually, he follows you in and locks the door.

There's nothing more terrifying than a man with unchecked power, and there is no one watching you.

No fail safe.

You gulp.

"I know you're still not telling the truth," he says, and though it dismisses several of your worries it still begs the question; how did he notice? "Just thought I'd spare you the embarrassment in front of my father, but my generosity ends there. Now I won't hurt you, and I won't tell anyone––I'm just curious."

Oh thank fuck. He's not going to rape you.

"I'm not Egyptian," you blurt out.

"Obviously," he interrupts, but you glare him into raising his hands defensively.

"I'm from the future."

He stares at you. For a minute. You know this because you count it––he just pauses right in his stance, doesn't move, and stares at you for a whole minute like you just told him you're made of gold.

"I'm sorry, what?" He says, laughter suddenly wracking his body.

"It's how I know what's going to happen to your family," you say, hoping he'll believe you. Otherwise this handsome, seemingly-nice man is going to think you're insane for the rest of time. "I studied your family for years as a side-hobby, I don't know how to predict the future for anything but you and your father."

His laughing pauses, or lightens at least; enough for him to say, "actually?"

"Yes," you say, completely serious. This seems to gain his interest once more. "You have to help me. I know at some point people are going to ask me questions about other things and I'm not going to have an answer."

"Just do what all our priests do," he says with a chuckle.

"What do they do?"

"Lie," he says. You can't stop the grin that spreads across your face from the stupid joke, and when he sees that a shit-eating grin spreads across his own face, delighted he could make you laugh.

"Yes, well... I guess I could do that," you mumble in a laugh.

"There's no need for you to worry. Now that I know the truth, I can help you," he says, offering you something that takes nearly all the anxiety out of your brain. After two days travel with a prince, it feels like it took 50 pounds off your shoulders.

"Thank you, so much," you chuckle in relief.

"Of course. I do have questions though, and I want you to answer them."

"Anything."

These questions of his, they come at all times––almost at a constant rate when he takes you on long walks, which he does often. He passes it off to his father as an interest in your beauty, and it apparently works. This little lie also helps you enormously in avoiding the romantic advances of many of the people you come into contact with. You're still not quite sure how it works, since Egyptians supposedly had a strong sense of patriotism, but you look rare and they idolize it. Every eye that falls upon you sees something beautiful, and you can't understand it.

At least Ahkmen is normal. He doesn't talk about you being beautiful. Ever.

And it kind of makes you sad.

"Would you say people on the whole are happier in the future or in the past?" He asks you, his words surrounded by the warmth of a summer day in Egypt.

Birds chatter loudly in the trees around you, singing in the humid air that marks the mating season for many of them. The flowers that surround you are already familiar––you thought it would take longer for you to commit the shapes and colors to memory, but here you are. Dressed in gold-laced silk and turquoise necklaces.

"I think the happiness of a population is dependent entirely on the circumstances surrounding it," you say. Sometimes your answers relate more to the human condition than the progress of time on the human race; he likes these answers, too, so you tell him exactly what you think. "Six thousand years from now, there are times of great misery. One is even called the Great Depression, but five years before that were some of the most prosperous times my country had ever seen. The same cycle is evident here."

"So.. great misery and great happiness come in waves?" He asks, pace slowing as he tries to understand what you're saying. You pause along the pathway, allowing him space to think.

"It's a pattern, actually. When the economy goes up, it will always come down. Recessions happen right after economical booms. And yes," you say before he can ask, "a time of unease will follow the prosperity of the current years. But it won't be for a time yet."

"Will it happen in my lifetime?"

He's murdered about three years from now. You think you might be able to stop it, but if you do, it'll alter history quite a lot. Either way, he wouldn't live long enough to see the recession the building of the great pyramids caused.

"No," you say. "But I'd prepare for it anyway, if only to keep your citizens safe."

"Of course. You... you are a great scholar," he tells you, resuming the slow walk down the shore of the Nile.

"Oh. Uh, thank you," you mumble as a blush fills your cheeks.

"What did you do in your time?"

"I was an artist, but I spent a lot of time giving lectures on the role of autistic people in ancient Egypt. Autistic people are often timekeepers," you say, and you know he'll figure out what you mean. Autistic isn't a term here, but many timekeepers of these ancient times were autistic, and considered highly by their societies.

"You might be able to give lectures again, if you'd like," he suggests. "People would come from far and wide to hear you speak. And you've got things to say that I know many scholars will find interesting."

"Mmm," you wince, "I kind of want to stay away from altering history too much."

"Oh, yes. My apologies," he says in a softer voice.

"It's alright," you say. "I'm glad you think I would be a good choice for that kind of thing, though."

He chuckles bashfully as he turns to the ground, scuffing his sandals as he walks.

Ahkmen is sweet––much sweeter than any of his family members, and you find yourself appreciating that every time you pass by his room. You pass his door often, always stopping a second to contemplate the tall, wooden doors. He's on the pathway between your room and the library.

Most of the time he's not in his room. Actually, you can usually find him in the library––there or outside in the markets or near the stalls. Today is different; he's been missing all day, and only when you walk the path back to your room do you hear his voice, talking to himself in his bedroom.

"They're bombarded with just such compliments, though. I can't – I can't stand out!"

"Or maybe you should, because you still haven't said a single thing yet and they probably think you're completely uninterested and that's why they aren't noticing you?"

"You and your... logic," Ahkmen spits.

"Come complaining when you kiss them under my advice."

As you attempt to peek through the crack in the door you stumble, knocking your hand against the wood. You barely hesitate before knocking again––cool and collected, smooth to slip into another lie.

"Oh! Hello, um – hi," he says awkwardly, slipping out of the room when he sees you. He quickly closes the door behind him, careful to keep you from seeing the other person in his room, but you can't bring yourself to care about the stranger.

Think of an excuse, why am I here?

"Oh, that's... I like your flower," he comments softly, eyes flickering between your eyes and the flower tucked into your hair. You'd forgotten about it, but raised your hand to touch the petals as you smiled. The perfect excuse

"Thank you. I thought you might like it, so I," you take it out of your hair and grab his hand, holding his palm upwards, "wanted to show you.. um, here."

Setting the flower in his hand, you curl his fingers around its' stem and push his hands back into his chest. He stares at you for a moment, confused by your strange behavior, but accepting of your gift anyway. You know him well enough now––he'd never decline a gift from you.

"A white iris," he tells you in a lofty tone. "A symbol of the dead. Funny it looks so lively on you."

You need to get out of here before your chest combusts.

"I need to go now, but I'll see you this evening, yes?" You ask, stepping instinctively closer. He doesn't back away.

"Of course. And, um," he takes your hands, keeps you where you stand as he slips the flower back behind your ear, "keep it. I want to see it on you at dinner."

He's close to you––close enough that it gets hard to distinguish his breath from your own, when you started holding his hand. When his other came up to your face. When he leans in and kisses your forehead. It's barely there, just barely, but there's no mistaking the soft plush, the affection clear behind gentle, precise movements.

You rush away the second he lets your hands go.