#there are different layers of attraction and the lack thereof that i am working off of

[super-rangers]

My sexuality is probably so confusing to anyone who isn't me and I love being also incapable of explaining it well to anyone

[fireemblems24]

Ao3 Ship Thoughts

To sate my desire to read Three Houses fan fiction and jump in on the shipping comments that have upticked recently, I decided to see what ships were the most popular on Ao3.

Some of it's exactly what I expected, and one in particular is just . . . what, why?

Ao3 is probably the closest you'll get to truly determining which ships are the most popular, or at least have the highest number of passionate fans. So I was curious to see who the top ships were. Here's the ones listed, in order:

Sylvain/Felix

Dimitri/Byleth

Edelgard/Byleth

Ferdinand/Hubert

Claude/Byleth

Dimitri/Felix

Dimitri/Claude

Felix/Annette

Caspar/Linhardt

Hilda/Marrianne

If I exclude the Byleth ships, Dimitri/Dedue, Byleth/Seteth, and Ingrid/Sylvain take up the three missing spots.

Byleth's Ships

I'm shocked. Really, truly shocked that Byleth/Lord is popular. Never wouldn't guessed. I am, of course, being sarcastic. If someone asked me to list who I think would show up in the top 10 most popular ships, the first three I'd list would be Byleth/Lord.

What I find more interesting is that Byleth/Seteth is the fourth option for Byleth. AO3 writers, I officially bow to your taste. It pleases me quite a bit that, if you're not going with one of the main lords, you all want Seteth. This I can agree with.

As for the Byleth/Lord ships, I feel kind of mixed on them. Every lord interacts with characters who have more depth than Byleth, but I still get the appeal. I'm going to deep dive into all of the lords relationships with Byleth later, but here's a quick summary.

Edelgard/Byleth is shoved down your throat so hard it's nearly impossible to ship Edelgard with someone else and even shortchanges her potential to have deep, non-romantic relationships because Edelgard puts Byleth on a pedestal that no one else can reach by her own dialogue.

Byleth's character arc works well alongside Dimitri's. While the relationship is pushed and fanservice-y scenes exist, the game leaves enough breathing room to see Byleth as a mentor/therapist/teacher figure, and Dimitri has no shortage of deep, meaningful relationships with others should you not want to do the whole self-insert thing. It's a good balance.

Claude and Byleth are the opposite of Edelgard and Byleth. They read almost more like friends than lovers. It's a breath of fresh air, honestly. Claude/Byleth seems like the healthiest possible romance for Byleth/lord because the lord in question here doesn't seem as dependent. That said, it lacks lacks romance and shipping fuel. I may complain about fanservice, but the Byleth/Claude dynamic does show why scenes of holding hands in the rain and teasing about badly drawn images might actually come in handy.

Edelgard's Ships

I'm not surprised, at all, that Edelgard has no popular ships outside of Byleth. Dialogue consistently shortchanges Edelgard's relationships with others by having her verbally, repeatedly put Byleth into a special "other" that no one else can reach for her.

Though, I guess I'm a bit surprised at the extreme lack of Edelgard/Hubert. I feel these two have a lot of shipping fuel and their supports left things unresolved. I've come across the sentiment in fandom many times that ship where things are tied off nicely with a bow leave less to explore and aren't as interesting, so I am bummed out no one seems interested in fleshing out Hubert/Edelgard more.

The outlook for Edelgard fanfic and me seems pretty limited. I don't like Edelgard/Byleth for various reasons beyond this scope of this post. I was kind of hoping there were some Edelgard/Hubert or Edelgard/Dorothea character study stuff that could help me get past how much Byleth gets in the way of Edelgard's character growth, but it seems fanfic writers only want to write about her and Byleth, which is a bummer.

On that note, I'm also surprised but also glad that Dimitri/Edelgard isn't a big thing. I thought it might be because tragedy of childhood friends turned enemies by events out of their control is popular. These two seem wildly incompatible though, so I'm glad people seem to agree.

Claude's Ships

Ok. Claude/Byleth. Expected. I'm feel positively towards the ship since they seem mostly good for each other even if it's not getting my heart all fluttering.

I'm surprised there's no Claude/Petra or Claude/Hilda. Those two are my personal favorites for him. I would've given Claude/Petra the edge given how they can uniquely relate to each other, but Hilda's scene in CF really gave Petra a run for her money. Even more so that Petra and Claude have obligations to two different nations and Hilda has no such complication.

But whattttt???? Claude/Dimitri? It's in the top 10?? More people ship Dimitri with Claude than Dedue?? I thought lord/lord might be popular, but I honestly thought Dimitri/Edelgard would take it, not Claude/Dimitri. They never really talk. So I'm a bit confused about this one. Though, intrigued by the idea.

Can I take a wild guess this partly stems from Claude having no real other viable M/M ships outside of M!Byleth and fics that plays up the chapter I'm about to play in AM (Dimitri saving Claude) or "what ifs" VW routes where Dimitri doesn't . . . you know.

I am really curious about this dynamic though. Because I like Claude - a lot. He's a character I want to get attached to. From experience, the fastest way for me to like a character is to give them a significant relationship I enjoy with a character I already love and the new character gets absorbed by proxy. So, fans, please, tell me more about this Dimitri/Claude. I am curious.

Dimitri's Ships

I am as unsurprised by Dimitri's being one of the biggest repeat offenders on here as I am by Edelgard being Byleth or bust. If Edelgard is written to fanservice the player by making the self-insert her one and only, Dimitri is fanservicing the player by being a shipping magnet. The writers knew what they were doing and who they were trying to appeal to with these two characters.

Dimitri/Byleth is a given. The game plays up the romance angle, but it's not at the expense of Dimitri's other relationships.

What I'm more interested in, though, is Felix/Dimitri. Between angsty CF stories, post-AM slow-burns, or fleshing out missing scenes from their shared childhood, there's just a lot to work with and a rich context to use their relationship - spun romantically - to explore each character. Felix and Dimitri's relationship is layered, complicated, heart breaking, and potentially healing. The fact they're two incredibly attractive guys doesn't hurt its popularity either, I'm sure. I'm not surprised it ranked that highly.

Claude/Dimitri surprises me. If two lords were going to get on this list together, I would've put bets on Edelgard/Dimitri. Since Claude and Dimitri's relationship is fairly unexplored, I'm really interested to see more about what exactly this is about. Don't get me wrong. I figured people would pair two main characters who are that good looking together, I just didn't think it would rank that high.

I am, slightly sad, that Dimitri/Dedue isn't a bit higher, but happy it seems to have some steam. I get it though. Dedue's not as flashy as some of the others on the shipping list and their relationship is so full of fluff by their A support it lacks the angst Felix/Dimitri and Dimitri/Byleth can draw out nor is as much of a play around with "what ifs" as Claude/Dimitri is.

Non-Lords/Main Characters Ships:

This list, more than anything else, shows AO3's penchant for writing M/M and F/F works for better or worse. Whether this phenomena stems from lack of representation, fetishizing by the fanbase, deeply ingrained gender roles making fictional M/F ships either less appealing to many fanfic writers, or M/F romances often getting assumed leading to less substantial writing compared to friendships - I don't know. Probably all of it.

There are a few surprises here for me. Felix/Sylvain is that popular? I figured they'd make the top 10, but #1 is surprising. Though, looking through the first page of the tag, it's true Felix/Sylvain have fics just for them, but it also seems like a common pairing in Dimitri/Byleth and Dimitri/Claude fics. It's the same story with Caspar/Linhardt, who I honestly didn't expect to see. They had a fair number of their own fics, but it seems many CF fics put them together rather than focus solely on them. Felix/Annette also balances being the main focus and an adjunct pairing. Marianne/Hilda seemed to have less fics where they took center stage and more they were one of many ships listed.

Ferdinand/Hubert having a lot of fics isn't surprising. I don't really care too much for it personally, but I can see the appeal of it.

I'm surprised Catherin/Shamir is nowhere in sight. Likewise, Rhea is absolutely nowhere. Kind of sad by the lack of adult characters in general. Especially Rhea. I think it's a pretty big sign of how the writing's treated her that such an important character is totally absent in this list.

Not surprised at all to see Felix also get so many ships. He, like Dimitri, seems designed on purpose to ship with many characters. I do really wish Dorothea and Seteth would get more attention though.

What do you guys think? Anything that surprised you? How do you feel about any of these ships and there popularity or lack thereof? Are there characters/pairings you wish got more attention? Any popular ships you despise (spill that tea)?

[thegarbagechute]

((Follow-up on this.))

Reality had gone and left space for fallacies to reign over the conscious and subconscious mind both in its absence. Fallacies such as the notion that she was covered by inches of sand and had to dig her way out. So that was exactly what she attempted to do when she weakly lifted up her hands and tried to dig up, dig herself out of this mess.

Only there was no mess.

It needed a moment to get through to her, but before long she came to realize her fingers were merely brushing the air. The cool air. Directly thereafter she also registered just how sore her entire body was and her arms were instantly dropped onto the ground on which she lay and it did not all feel like sand at all. Thankfully.

Finally she opened up her eyes. Where there used to be an overabundance of light, there was now a lack thereof. Despite the poor lighting making it tough to tell at first, her vision was blurry, but after a quick moment everything seemed to be back to normal.

"Take it easy," a voice called from nearby, "You're all right."

In a different time, in a different place, the unmistakable Imperial accent with which the voice spoke might have been cause for alarm, but for whatever reason, Tel'nara was not concerned by it as she kept staring at the dark, rocky ceiling above her while trying to piece her thoughts together at her own leisure.

After a silence that lasted longer than she made it out to be, the same voice, undoubtedly male, called out again.

"I do have to ask you to say something, though, if you don't mind. In case the minor head trauma is not so minor after all."

"I'm awake. I am fine... I think," she responded, her voice sounding a lot clearer than she expected it to be. During the following silence, memories of what had transpired started coming back, little by little, until they formed a whole picture.

"Did you kill it?" she asked, her gaze still fixed on the rocky ceiling.

"Killed what, the sand devil?" the voice responded somewhere on her left-hand side and he let out a soft chuckle. "No, I scared it off. You were quite unfortunate to have attracted the attention of easily the biggest specimen I have seen yet."

That felt like a little bit too much information for her poor troubled mind to take in straight-away as it in turn also raised numerous questions and she squeezed her eyes shut to try and block it all out, redirecting her focus to her breathing instead.

Once she felt well enough, her eyes slowly opened again and the need to have some questions answered grew ever stronger.

"Could you, briefly, explain what happened... And... what they are? ...Briefly."

"Of course." Just from those words alone she could tell he was slightly amused by her double appeal to keep it short and sweet, like he had anticipated it.

"Those creatures of which you saw just one go by many names on this planet, but sand devil is the most commonly used one and I feel it's quite appropriate. They're Force-sensitive. So far they have only learnt to conceal themselves... However, as it turns out, the more mature ones are also able to play tricks on their prey's mind. They are drawn to other Force-users, such as yourself."

He indulged her with a short pause to soak in all of the information thrown her way - or perhaps because he had hoped to spook her with the knowledge that she was a Force-user, but she assumed he had found her lightsaber. She definitely hoped so anyway, unsure if it was even on her person right now.

"As for what happened, it's been some time ago since I last saw and let alone heard a sand devil, so when I heard the indisputable screech of one not too far away from my little abode, I decided to go look." Another pause. "I'm guessing they have only relatively recently discovered their sensitivity to the Force, because any blunt Force attack used against them tends to scare them off. A good force push, or trying to pick them off the ground always works for the younger ones, or trying to get inside their own heads, and so on."

"Ah, I see... So you're a Force-user yourself too then?" she wasted no time in asking.

"Seems like your mind is getting clearer, so I think am right in saying that you got off with only a mild head injury and likely some sore muscles, fortunately for you, but yes, I am indeed Force-sensitive too." the voice replied.

"And judging by the Imperial accent, I'm thinking it's fair to say you're a Sith."

There was no direct response. Distant noises suggested the individual accused of being a Sith had shifted, presumably in his seat.

"That would be true, yes," the voice answered before long.

Finally, she unhooked her gaze from this one meaningless spot on the ceiling and ever so slightly rolled her head to the left, but did not see anything of interest other than a rocky wall and a low-burning oil lamp hanging from a pin smashed into it.

"Took you some time to answer. Why the hesitation?"

The voice was quick to respond this time around as if to make up for the faltering previously and it was clear from the tone with which he spoke that he was amused. "You know, for someone who has suffered an head injury, albeit a minor one, you do talk a lot and ask a lot of questions, you know that?"

Here Tel'nara couldn't help but to grin and it felt like as though she hadn't done so in ages.

"Yes, I've been told that..." she answered back, trying to hide her own amusement in her voice, "Once or twice."

"Hmm, thought so."

Her grin slowly faltered during the time they did not speak again. For a second she considered sitting up, but abandoned the idea in case it would make her feel unwell. Before risking that, she first wanted to figure out with whom and what she was dealing with right now. A life-saver, surely, but perhaps a captor as well.

With her fingers she felt how she was separated from the hard rock floor by what felt like a couple of layers of blankets or something similar in nature and a thin mattress. It wasn't much, but at least her head was supported by a proper pillow and that alone was almost like a blessing.

"I'm guessing this is set into one of the outcrops... Did you make all of this yourself?"

"I merely expanded on what was already there and filled it with stuff I could get from the merchants and locals. It's not a whole lot and nothing too fancy..." His voice cut off at the end, indicating he wanted to say more but clearly felt like that would be too much information. Considering what she had already uncovered so far, she had an inkling of what it might have been. But she decided against pushing her luck any further - for now - in spite of her burning curiosity.

From what she could determine, her host - for the lack of a better term - had managed to construct two more rooms. There was a passageway not too far on her right, patchy curtains blocking her from viewing what was there. They looked like they did not smell of roses at all. The second room would be beyond the larger passageway two meters or so from her feet. It looked new and there were no curtains obscuring her view. Two oil lamps there too hang from the walls and allowed her to see a pile of pillows and blankets strewn across, almost like a nest.

And the nest wasn't empty. On top of it lay a long, dark figure that did not appear to be moving. For the first time since she had woken up, she felt a twinge of fear and her heart-rate climbed and her eyes widened.

"Don't mind her, she will do you no harm. She's asleep and a bit grumpy I took some of her stuff to accommodate you." Her attention had been so fixed on the strangely shaped silhouette that the sudden voice startled her. She exhaled sharply through her nose and got a grip on herself.

"Who... and what is she, if I may ask?"

"Her name is Kieda and she is a Varactyl. I very kindly took her off the hands of some hunters a little while ago. I have been taking care of her ever since."

A sense of relief came over her upon hearing that it was actually a familiar creature. The Varactyl in question was probably just curled up in such a way that Tel'nara did not recognize it in a second.

However, for all the relief she may have felt, there was also a downside, as the adrenaline that had been briefly coursing through her system settled and brought about a bit of a headache. She close her eyes and sighed, suppressing the urge to rub her temples out of concern it may actually worsen it.

"You wouldn't happen to have an aspirin of some kind, do you?" she murmured. A calm chuckle was the first response she was given, followed by the sound of chair legs scraping over the stone floor.

"I sure hope I do," her host laughed as he audibly rummaged through some stuff, opened up a metal box and - to her delight - poured water into something. Hopefully a glass. Hopefully for her.

No matter how hard she tried to get it under control, her heart started pounding faster and louder against the inside of her chest, but this time due to hearing footsteps coming closer and coming to a halt right next to her. Carefully, she opened her eyes and turned her head to face the being on her left.

"I would be a terrible doctor otherwise," the rutian Twi'lek laughed as he knelt down and handed her a mug of water.

[arianakristine]

anonymous asked: I have a question, in the enchanted forest, Graham/Huntsman having archery skill and never missing. Does he ever teach Emma archery or does she pick that up from her mother?

Title: Between the Shadow and the Soul (Part 3) Note: I’m working backwards in the timeline. This is maybe a couple months after they’ve met. Anon, it looks like you’re getting a new graphic each time but because of this, the princess is getting instruction on a newer weapon.

*

               Emma fumbles with loading the pistol, huffing impatiently as the powder spills onto her hands. She takes a deep breath and begins again, trying to force the parts together. After a long moment of messing with it, she hurls it away in frustration with a hoarse growl. It lands heavily in the dirt at the edge of the enclave with a muted clatter, and she revels in the sound.

               “You are quite violent, Your Highness.”

               She turns, the familiar tones of his voice twisted into playfulness. She tries to glare and isn’t fully successful. She blushes at the sight of him, decked in his leathers. Sometimes she forgets how handsome he is; he likes very much to hide himself away beneath layers of cloth. Now, he is dressed for training, sleek and powerful. She shies away from his eyes in order to hide her reaction to merely his presence. “It deserved it.”

               “Of that, I am sure,” he replies wryly, and bends over to grab the gun. He looks it over carefully, hands gentle as he turns it side to side. “You managed not to break it, however.”

               “Great,” she mutters.

               His eyebrow rise in amusement. “Next time, Princess, I’m sure you’ll be much more successful in annihilating it.”

               She rolls her eyes at him, trying not to laugh at the lame joke. “Is that why you’re here? To make fun of me?” she grouses.

               He shakes his head. “You didn’t inform Their Majesties of your whereabouts,” he admonishes lightly.

               She crosses her arms in front of her chest. She knew it would only be a matter of time before her parents sent out the majority of the castle to look for her. Though there hasn’t been a threat to the kingdom in years, they will never be comfortable with letting her off on her own.

               For pity’s sake, it is her own backyard, and her mother was a bandit at her age. And it isn’t like she can’t take care of herself … tricky pistol notwithstanding.

               She pouts slightly, trying not to look as defeated as she feels. “I was trying to practice a little more before I make a fool out of myself next week.” She is to be tested on her skills, or the lack thereof. She just hasn’t gotten a handle of the weapon yet.

               “The pistol is new to you,” he muses, rubbing his hand across the stubble on his jaw. “You are competent with the bow?”

               She nods. “Archery is fine. I’m perhaps not as skilled as father, but I’ve good form. My tutors are pleased, at least,” she says. She is much more competent with the sword, but as an archer she can hold her own.

               He smiles, and she has to stop her breath from catching. It is such a genuine look, his whole face softened by it. “That might be the issue. Archery is a much different practice, aside from the basics.”

               “I know that,” she grumbles and looks away, feeling her cheeks heat in embarrassment. She doesn’t want to look foolish in front of him, either.

               “I can help, if you wish?”

               “You know how to use one?” she asks grouchily. He is known for his archery, of course, though that was decades ago. She didn’t think he knew much about the newer weaponry.

               His smile turns a little grim. “Yes. I needed to learn as the technology changes. I am more comfortable with the other, of course, but I still never miss.”

               She bites her lip, and then turns to look at him. Her hair is coming loose from its updo, soft tendrils making the otherwise innocent glance a little coyer. There is nothing arrogant in his words, and instead it is the smooth confidence in his skill that has her intrigued. Finally, she nods. “Sure.”

               He quickly loads her gun, his movements swift and precise. He hands it out once he is finished and she can feel the heat from his skin as it is passed. “Let me see your form.”

               She turns to the target and readies her stance. She squints like she would with a bow in her hands, and then fires. It misses completely, the ball grazing the post instead. She squares her shoulders and hisses at it.

               “Okay,” he says, his voice is soothing. He is in her space, just over her shoulder, but not close enough to touch. He smells like rain and pine but also something warmer, and she tries not to distract herself in naming it. He takes the handle just above her grip and raises it with her. “You’re aiming straight, but not allowing for the kick. It’s explosive, not the smoothness of the arrow.”

               She nods and tries to settle into a better position with the empty gun. To her disappointment, he moves away as well.

               “Wait.” She turns with wide eyes. He reaches his hand out, and she follows the wordless instruction to give him the gun. Instead of reloading it like she anticipates, he replaces it with his own. She weighs it in her hand. It is far less intricately designed, but also much lighter. “Try this, it’ll be easier to learn on,” he finishes.

               She nods and clicks back the charge. She faces the target again, elbow bent straight.

               “You’re much too stiff.”

               She frowns and tries to roll her shoulders.

               “No, no,” he says and then stands behind her again. He helps to lift her arm, just at the juncture of her billowing sleeve and her skin. Once he has dropped her into position, he places his hands on her hips, gently twisting them. “Like this. Keep your arm up and your sight down the barrel.”

               She swallows. It isn’t appropriate, she knows. While there is nothing but instruction in his mind, his hands are far more intimately placed than is allowed. She knows how this would look if anyone was to turn the corner into this little enclave, that she should pull away before that happens. Despite this, she can’t bring herself to move. His warm voice is in her ear, that gentle accent doing extraordinary things to her belly. She feels strangely safe. She lets herself relax against him, and his palm flattens across the corset on her stomach.

               “Breathe,” he instructs, and she follows the swell of his breath against her back with her own.

               She has a moment where she forgets the hollowness under his chest is, her muscles unfurling as she matches him. Her skin tingles wherever his body meets hers, and she sinks into his warmth. She thinks she is hiding her reaction well enough until she feels his breath hitch before abruptly evening.

               She glances up at him, watching as his grey-blue eyes turn to meet her. There is something fiery in his gaze that he is trying desperately to hide. His lips are parted, breath hot on her cheek. Finally, he blinks and looks at the target. He licks his lips and then presses them together, eyes hardening. She watches his face a moment more, noting the jump in his cheek as his jaw tightens deliberately. A wash of giddiness coils inside her at the fact that he is affected just as much as she.

               “Focus on your target,” he reminds, even though his voice is husky.

               She nods and looks forward. Her movements are light in this newfound knowledge, and she is delighted that he hasn’t moved. Confidence is suddenly imbued within her.

               “Now pull.”

               She does as instructed, and a shatter sounds to answer the crack of the pistol. She gasps in surprise, finding the target decimated. “I did it!”

               He steps back, out of her space, but she is so excited that she barely acknowledges it.

               “I did it!” she cries again, and then whips to face him. She is smiling ear to ear, lightheaded between the success and him. “Thank you!”

               He gives a small smile, then turns his head away as it broadens.

               Somewhere in the adrenaline she finds the courage to throw her arms around his neck, hugging him hard against her. He is stiff at first, but then melds into her as a candle melting. With one hand, he cups the small of her back, the other spread between her shoulder blades, and he presses her close.

               Dizzy. That is only word she can find to describe the feeling. Like she is falling but also firmly grounded, her body whirling as her mind centers. She feel a click inside her, attraction mixing with something deeper.

               He is the first to pull away, and when he does so, it is abrupt. He steps back a few paces to create a deliberate distance between them. She feels a wash of cold, her brows pulling in confusion, but then hears the footsteps. She clears her throat and awkwardly sets the pistol down on the barrel her ammunition rests on.

               “Emma, there you are!”

               Her eyes flash to him once more before she greets her mother. “Mom. I was just practicing.”

               Her lips are pulled into the coming reprimand until she sees him there. “Oh, Huntsman, you’re overseeing? Thank goodness.”

               He only ducks his head, the slightest bow, to answer her mother. Emma frowns, absently wishing he’d speak up more around others.

               “Emma, dear, next time just let us know. We were worried,” she fusses.

               “Mom, I’m fine,” she insists. “I just needed some time.”

               Her mother sighs, reaching forward to pet back her hair. She feels like a teenager again, and nearly huffs in frustration. “I know, sweetheart. We just worry. I’m glad you had someone helping, though. It just isn’t safe to be by yourself.”

               “Yes,” she says hollowly, knowing arguing wouldn’t get her anywhere. She regards the remains of her target, wishing that the evidence would be useful in convincing her mother. She knows her, though, and knows Snow won’t be satisfied by her insisting that she knows how to defend herself. Suddenly, she brightens with an idea. “Perhaps if I have just one guard, and I can choose which …?”

               Snow’s eyes flash with worry before she finally nods. “Of course. Compromise, of course.”

               She looks over to smile at him, to see if he shares in the excitement of the chance, but she finds only empty space. Somewhere in the conversation, he ducked out. Her heart tugs slightly, and she glances down to compose herself. But now she has that kernel of feeling, knows its reciprocation … she can do much with this. She smiles brightly at her mother. “This will be better.”

               This will be a start.