#they mostly come in shadow dragon colors

[fijiitt]

what if the Shadow Dragons had a species based off their symbol. a species that resides mostly in Shadow Dragon territory, where they can be companions to fellow Shadow Dragons, a source of intel via spying, or the biggest headache for merchants and shopkeepers. what then.

[shorelinnes]

hyunjin as haku: redraw [ original ] + background sketch

[kiame-sama]

Humans Are Extinct Yandere TWST x Fem Reader Monster AU pt 46

(Vil's father is a more traditional coloration for Peacocks, and he is regarded as one of the most attractive actors in media. On top of being an actor, Eric is an impressive producer, playwright, and composer. When it comes to the creation of entertainment, Eric knows quite a bit. Vil is determined to stand on his own in the acting world, so he took on the last name of his Mother instead of his father's last name. Eric is extremely proud of Vil in every way possible.)

Warnings; yandere, multiple yanderes, platonic and romantic yanderes, unreliable narrators, myths are partially true but mostly false, descriptors of the Ursus Minor and Major, mention of injury/gore/sickness, gentle scolding, ice cream, smoothies, Harpies, Dragon, Shinigami, Hellcat, mention of Alicorn, mention of Unicorn, mention of Cervitaur, mention of Selkie, mention of Drider, mention of Raiju, mention of Vampire Bat

~~~~~~~~

You walked at a slow and relaxed pace through the field in front of you. Wind gently moved the long golden stalks of wheat in slow ripples. The air was warm and ever so sweet smelling as if something delicious were being cooked not too far away.

Deeper you went into this field as you enjoyed this blissful moment of peace. Even as the plants slowly moved around you, it was hard not to feel relaxed among the dancing fronds as they swayed in the wind. A low rumbling noise filled your ears and you vaguely thought it sounded like slow and heavy breathing.

"... Hello?"

Everything suddenly went still and silent the moment you spoke. The wind died. The wheat stilled. The breathing stopped.

From beyond the field a shape lumbered forward, dark ooze running down the open wounds of the beast as it cried out a feeble roar. Standing before you was a pathetic bear with no meat on the skeleton bones that covered its carcass. Still the carcass moved.

Standing on all fours, the pitiful bear almost looked like it was missing half of it's face. Where fur and flesh should have been, a large gaping wounds covered in flies and rotting from the bone of the skull was on clear display. The 'eyes' of the beast were no more than pits that has been plucked clean by cruel hands. Even the black fur of the beast seemed to be dripping with some kind of decay as the foul stench of the rotting blood inside the creature assaulted your nostrils.

Nothing about this beast was natural and the twisted fangs that glinted in the maw of the beast only made pity weigh down your heart. Each fang had been broken by the neighboring tooth, all overgrown and twisted in the maw of the creature. Some teeth grew up and back into the gums, some teeth grew out jaggedly though the mouth of the creature, and some were empty sockets where a tooth once was.

The beast lowed and huffed, sounding like it was struggling for air as it breathed out ragged sounds of pain. It was a dead bear walking, yet the beast longed for freedom. It needed the release of death yet was cruelly kept away from ever knowing that peaceful end. The rotted blood inside the wretched bear bubbled up past the throat as it cried again to you in agony.

You wished you could help it.

As hideous and beaten this beast was, you were determined to help it, even if that meant shutting the bear's eyes forever. It had long since been a shambling corpse even before it had gotten to you and the pained way it walked on broken limbs hurt your heart as you were forced to hear it cry. This creature deserved the dignity of a swift death.

As you raised your crossbow, another thought occurred to you; the sound of heavy breathing was back. Surely it was just the pitiful and wounded bear that you heard so heavily and deeply drawing in breath. Yet... The bear before you was hardly able to gasp, let alone make the sound you had heard while you were in the field.

The bear standing in front of you was not the bear you had been hearing.

Shadows fell over you as you turned to what could have possibly blotted out the sun. Lumbering behind you, coating by broken weapons that stuck out of the ragged and torn flesh like trophies clicked with the heavy and slow movement of the beast. One blind eye rolled around in the socket of the bear's exposed orbital cavity to look at you.

As the beast turned its head a scream caught in your throat when you saw what this monster had for a second eye. Lodged in the skull of the bear was another skull. An unmistakably Human skull. It was frozen in an eternal scream as the orbital socket of the Human skull was fused with that of the bear.

The Human skull's eye sockets glowed with a faint blue light as they seemed to lock onto you. The bear- or beast, as would be more accurate- reared up high above you, even dwarfing some trees as it let out a loud and piercing Human scream.

~•§•~

You woke with a startle, entire body shivering with each panted breath as cold morning air nipped at your skin. Nothing seemed familiar was you stumbled back, the forest wheeling around you. Your foot caught on something behind you and a sharp shriek left your lips while your body fell.

But you didn't hit the ground.

Instead, you fell into a pair of arms that broke your fall. Standing behind you, just as shocked and surprised as you, was a familiar face you immediately recognized. The older Sphinx Trein stood there holding you in his arms gently as he helped you back up and onto your feet.

"Pr-Professor Trein-!"

"(Y/n), what on earth are you doing out here, Little Cub?"

"What am I doing? What are you doing?"

"Responding to your collar pinging me. You are supposed to be in bed resting like Lord Hades said, what could possibly possess you to come out here alone?"

You finally took a moment to look around, seeing the tall forests around you looming like the trees that seemed so abundant. Above the trees you could see the top of Night Raven College and you knew you weren't far from the school given how close it seemed. If anything, you likely hadn't been in the forest for very long.

"I... I didn't realize I was out here. I was dreaming and then... Woke up here."

"Is walking away from your home normal for Humans while they sleep?"

"... No."

As you began to shiver, Trein was quick to pull his own burgundy top coat off of his shoulders and draping it over you. The warmth already clinging to the clothing seeped into your bones as the Sphinx picked you up suddenly. It was only at that time that you realized you were barefoot and had several cuts along your feet and legs from your unpleasant trip into the woods.

"Come on, let's get you back to your dorm and back to bed. This part of the forest is no place for anyone, with or without magic, let alone a Human."

Trein was nice and warm as he held you, carrying you back to your dorm and ensuring you were cuddled up safely in his arms. Part of you wanted to question the old Sphinx about his cryptic words, hoping they were just in reference to the plentiful poachers that likely stalked nearby. It was during your hesitance to ask that another thought occurred to you; why didn't poachers grab you.

All around you, the woods were unnaturally quiet. There were no birds chirping in the early morning light. There were no squirrels jumping from tree to tree. There wasn't even the sound of poachers scurrying away.

The forest was silent.

"Professor?"

"Yes, (Y/n)?"

"... What did you mean by what you said earlier? About the forest being 'no place for someone with or without magic'?"

"There are things that live in the untamed parts of the world that are best left undisturbed."

"What kind of things?"

"The kind that will kill a child as easily as they would kill an adult all for the crime of disturbing their rest."

You went quiet at this, wondering just what beasts lurked in the darker parts of the forests of Sage Island. Thinking back to that odd dream of yours, you realized that you had seen the smaller of the two bears before. That first night you arrived at Night Raven College and met Grim was the first time you had seen that thing.

Rook had called it some odd name when he explained the wounded and rotting creature to you. It had since slipped your mind as to what these creatures were called, but you just so happened to have your very own History professor with you. Maybe he could shed some light on the dream you had.

"... Do bears live on Sage island?"

"No. Not any that are actually considered alive, at least. Why?"

"I remember seeing one my first night here. It tried to attack me but Rook stopped it. What do you mean 'considered alive'? Are there dead bears here?"

The older Sphinx sighed as he moved with you through the forest, his back leg still dragging behind him. He didn't seem eager to explain himself despite your prying question. Still, that only served to rouse your curiosity.

"Yes. They are known as Undying Ursus Minors. Bears that are the offspring of the Undying Ursus Major. They typically look like shambling corpses and cannot be killed. Many have tried."

"... What is the Ursus Major like?"

This actually made Trein stumble somewhat, seeming to be thrown off by your question. Part of you worried as Trein rarely seemed riled by anything, but was clearly unsettled by your questions.

"The Ursus Major is a true monster. There are many legends that surround the Ursus Major and very few actual facts. He is larger than any other bear, scarred and covered in weaponry from those who have attempted to kill him. Even Lord Hades was unable to contain the beast. He sleeps for ages and is deadly when woken. He sleeps here, on Sage Island, where he is far from the mainland."

"... Why does he have a Human skull in his face?"

This question actually made Trein stop in his tracks, his wide eyes locking onto you in surprise and concern. His response only confirmed to you that the beast you saw in your dreams was the same beast Trein spoke of. But how could you dream of a beast you have never actually seen? More importantly, why would you dream of this beast?

"How do you know that?"

"I had a dream before I woke up out here... There was this golden field that led into the woods when it came up behind me. Its face was torn to shreds, and the one eye it had looked blind. The other eye... It was exposed bone and a second skull- a Human skull- was fused into it. I don't think I've ever seen a bear like that one before."

Trein frowned at this, but said nothing else and continued to walk back to the school. As he emerged from the tree-line, you realized he was not the only one who had responded to your collar pinging. Every Housewarden, Vice-Housewarden, guard, visitor, and all of the NRC staff were frantically heading towards the woods.

You could see the way their panic visibly melted away as they saw Trein emerge with you safely tucked in his arms. Even as they fussed over you and herded the Sphinx carrying you back inside, you were somewhere deep inside of your own mind still, thinking of the beast that came to you in your dreams.

~•§•~

"Little One."

"Hm?"

The sudden voice of the elder Shinigami made you break away from your intense thoughts, staring at the man in surprise. He seemed to be looking at you expectantly and you had to scramble to think of what it was he must have said. Perhaps he asked you a question and you didn't hear it?

"Are you alright?"

"No. Yes. Maybe?"

You had been sitting in the large nest in your room with the elder Shinigami. Despite your fever finally going down, the older man had decided that you should continue to rest. Thankfully, that did mean that he continued to keep Malleus and your other over-eager guards at bay. They had only been allowed into your room when you requested it. It was truly wonderful to feel like you had your own personal space back, even if only for a little while.

"Young Mozus tells me you were walking in your sleep when he found you out there. He also tells me you saw a rather unusual bear in your sleep."

You frowned at this, wanting to confide in the Shinigami, but not wanting to seem insane for what you had to say. Perhaps the elder could offer you some advice on your situation and even offer council. He had been rather honest with you since the moment you met him and it soothed you to know the ancient man didn't seek to deceive you.

"I did. ... Papa Hades, what can you tell me about the Ursus Major?"

"He is father to all Ursus Minor and has walked this world for several millennia. His official name is Mor'du, but most simply know him as the Undying Ursus Major. He is deadly when woken, impervious to all magic used against him, my own included. Many have tried to kill him and very few survived him. Young Mozus is one of the few to survive the beast."

"Trein did?"

"Yes. There are many a legend as to where Mor'du came from, but none are certain to his true origins."

You hummed, leaning back against the large Shinigami as he spoke. The fact that this beast was immune to magic made you wonder what happened to cause such a thing. Magic seemed all powerful, so a beast that could resist magic seemed even more dangerous.

"What do you think he is?"

"... I think he was Human. He has a skull embedded in his face, a Human skull, and I believe it is a remnant of his old existence. Humans don't have magic, so by him having magic like that overwhelmed him completely and turned him Feral."

"Do you think him once being Human is why I dreamed of him?"

This actually surprised the elder as he turned to look at you fully. It would make sense if that were the case. He knew of several species that had prophetic dreams of related family or friends, why wouldn't you dream of a beast that may have once been Human? Perhaps there was something more to your thinking, but the elder didn't want you to believe you could face the beast either. Nothing he knew of could kill Mor'du and he refused to risk your safety for a hunch.

"It's possible. For the time being, I think you need to have one of your guards back in the room with you. This wandering away in your sleep is not healthy for you and it could lead to greater injury than a few scrapes."

"... Hey, Papa Hades, have you ever had ice cream?"

~•§•~

You stood next to the churn, watching it spin and cool the heavy cream, mixing in the sugars and the vanilla. All three of your churns were working and you were thrilled to try and share what you have created. To your left was a blended smoothie of fruits that you planned to add into one of the churns for flavoring.

Naturally, any time you were in the kitchen, your guards were close by trying to sniff out what it was you were creating. They had been more distant from you and you realized that it was was likely a result of Papa Hades also hovering nearby. Whatever he had said to them when you fell ill clearly stuck with them.

"(Y/n)?"

You glanced over your shoulder to see a familiar and tired expression. Vil seemed hesitant to approach too quickly or be as proud as he usually was, clearly still shaken by what had happened with his mother and your following illness. The Harpy was a welcome sight and you allowed him to approach you despite how hesitant he seemed to be.

"Hey, Vil."

"How are you feeling?"

The Harpy settled for leaning against the counter next to you, watching you keenly as you poured your blended concoction into the churn. He- not so subtly- sniffed in the direction of the blended fruits, seeming curious about the mixture. You figured he could smell the various fruits in the blender and may have liked what he smelled.

"I'm... Not fully healed, but I guess I'm better than I was."

"Why didn't you tell us how stressed you were by all of this?"

"When did I have the chance to tell any of you? I've been dealing with Overblots, near Overblots, a possessive and protective Dragon, a world I don't understand, and others trying to kill me. I haven't really had the time to say that I'm stressed."

"I'm sorry."

You turned to look at Vil in surprise when he spoke, his voice a soft and sad sound which only made you worry about him. Ever the one to want to help and fix things for others, you didn't like seeing Vil so downcast and withdrawn. If anything, you wished Vil would return to his haughty and proud self. It would put you more at ease than the way he behaved now.

"Don't be sorry, Vil. Be better. I know you can be and I know you push yourself so hard just to feel deserving. You deserve to be happy. You deserve to be loved. You deserve it, Vil. I never want you thinking that you don't."

"You're a good person, (Y/n)."

"And you are a beautiful Harpy, Vil. Now, taste this and tell me what you think."

He seemed surprised as you poured the contents into a cup and handed it to the Harpy. At first, he seemed dubious as to what you gave him, but his nose told him whatever it was happened to be delicious. Despite his slow attempts. Reaching his tongue into the cup to sample the flavor his eyes widened. Within moments he slurped down the contents of the cup, reminding you of a greedy bird stuffing their face with available food.

It was difficult to stop yourself from giggling when you saw how eager the Harpy was. Vil slurped down the drink and made an odd cooing sound in his throat. His feathers gently fluffed up as that cooing sound continued, clearly pleased.

"What is this beautiful concoction?"

"Humans call it a smoothie. Usually made of blended fruits, occasionally vegetables, and sometimes sugar. That one is strawberries, blue berries, raspberries, and some sugar. Nothing too wild, but I plan on making more smoothies as well. Guess I can count on you to be a taster?"

Vil let out a purring coo as his wing tips fluttered excitedly at the prospect. Perhaps it was just your perception, but some color seemed to return to Vil's face and he gave you a genuine smile. You couldn't help but smile at Vil's soft cooing and pet his head, letting the Harpy lean into your touch.

"The ice cream should be done soon, I'll go get Tsuno and the others."

Vil hovered behind you as you walked out of the kitchen, noticing the several eyes that flicked in your direction. They all seemed eager to greet you despite how they held themselves back. Despite how the others seemed to temper themselves, Grim didn't have the same hesitation and ran straight into your arms. Though he had been allowed to spend time with you during your illness where the others didn't, he was always happy to see you.

"Mama! What were you doing in the kitchen? Did you make something yummy for us?"

"I did! It is ready for everyone to have some. Why don't all of you come get a bowl?"

This seemed to be the triggering words for everyone as they all rushed forward to have their own taste of what you created.

Despite the week Heartslabyul was assigned as your guards being over, they remained in the dorm with you as another group had not yet been assigned. This meant Riddle, Trey, and Alistair were keen to see what new treat you have created for them and keen to group up around you. Silver seemed pleased with the ungulate company as he rallied up with the three centaur men like a Herd.

Similarly, Vargas, Ace, and Deuce were keen to stay with this forming group of hoofed species. It was almost funny to see how easily they grouped together and took turns looking out for their fellow Herd members.

Cater was even a good member of that Herd despite the fact he was not a hoofed species like the others. He had thankfully been able to settle back into his own routine and took protecting your peace on Magicam very seriously. Apparently he blocked anyone who made any kind of suggestive comment on your pictures and had already blocked several thousand people.

Beyond the Ungulate species forming a Herd, the winged and avian species seemed to be forming similar alliances. Vil, Crowley, Trein, and all of the Shrouds grouped together like a big flock of feathered beasts. Even Lilia and Malleus seemed to group up together with the flying folk despite the difference in their wing types. Sebek simply stayed with Malleus while Rook stayed with Vil.

The forming groupings interested you, seeing how similar species kept together with one another. It was fascinating to you to observe the way they all seemed to find common ground, especially those who were often in conflict like Alistair and Riddle. Even in the groups, there was an obvious hierarchy that seemed to lend itself to how the men all behaved. The only two who didn't group up were Sam and Divus, but they seemed more keen to stay near you.

As you relaxed and doled out the ice cream, it was obvious you were supposed to sit at the left side of Papa Hades who took the head of the table for his own seat. This time, Malleus refused to allow anyone other than himself to take the seat next to you. Unsurprisingly, Malleus was not going to let you get too far from him after being forced to keep his distance during your illness.

He nodded in greeting to you as you set the large bowls of ice cream out and settled down. It was clear Grim was eager to eat the cold treat as the others regarded it curiously.

"Go ahead and take what you all want, just don't eat it too quickly or you may get a brain freeze."

Vil was first of the cautious group to get his own bowl of the treat, letting out a loud coo as he took a spoonful of the fruit ice cream. That was enough to encourage the others to take their own bowls and try the cold and creamy snack. It seemed like the others were pleased with the treat as well and Riddle even let out a thrilled whinny.

Malleus was the one who had the most extreme reaction of the group as he put the spoon in his mouth. A sudden warmth filled the room, akin to the feeling of cuddling in a group of trusted friends on a cold evening. His pallid face flushed a deep almost black shade as a loud and thunderous purr erupted from his throat. The Dragon swayed gently in his seat, humming and continuing to slowly eat the treat you had gifted him.

Grim impatiently grabbed your hand with his paws, pulling it down to place the spoon in his mouth. He began purring the same way Malleus had at the sweet taste, his tail waving excitedly as he let out little mewls. The others seemed in agreement and Malleus leaned over to you, affectionately rubbing his cheek against your shoulder.

"My dearest (Y/n), I would give you the riches of Briar Valley if only you continue to allow me to sample this decadent treat. Such flavor... And so soothing. Numbing. What do you call this beautiful creation?"

"Ice cream. Right now we have Vanilla, a fruit mix, and chocolate- thanks to Sam- so feel free to enjoy the flavors."

"All the more reason for me to adore the many things you do... What a truly magnificent treasure trove you are."

[auraisereigh]

"Feather"

Oneshot

Xaden Riorson x Scribe reader Request: Hi!! I'm dying for some Xaden X scribe reader fics 😭 anything you want. but preferably ones that will give me a cavity from how sweet and fluffy they are. wc: 5.7 ☆ no direct spoilers. i hope it's fluffy enough for you, i wrote it during my free time at my intern and i swear they gave me a headache, there is one woman so freaking mean to me :/ Uses pronouns: she/her. i use Feather as a nickname as y/n sounds weird, and i'm awful with names. (New girl for a story?)

Masterlist ☆ Dragon guide ☆ Star's story ☆ Empyrean guide ☆ Support me

A Featherly Request:

Being a scribe had its perks. The archives were quiet, I didn’t have to talk to many people, and there were enough books to keep me busy.

Today, I was on duty to assist cadets from other quadrants in case they needed anything.

It was a surprisingly quiet day, considering it was Saturday. Usually, it was much busier.

I was skimming through one of the older books when a tall shadow appeared in my vision. I didn’t have to look up to know it was Xaden Riorson.

The tall, shadowy figure—handsome, as always—stopped in front of my desk.

Over the last few weeks, he’d been coming in more often. Asking for books that I’m sure of he didn’t need.

I stood up from my chair, inclining my head in a small bow. His lips quirked upward at the gesture. Every time he did that, my heart raced a little faster.

"How can I help you?" I signed fluidly. I knew he understood sign language, and that he was capable of signing himself, but he rarely spoke. That deep, rumbling voice always made me feel fuzzy inside.

"Just a few books," he said, handing me a paper. Our hands brushed for a fraction of a second, and my heart leaped. I could feel the heat rushing to my cheeks as I scanned the list.

"Take your time, Feather," he said, using the nickname he’d given me—one that referenced a feathered quill.

I hurried down the aisles, searching for the books. They were easy to find, mostly study materials used by scribes, and they were all in the same aisle.

Not even ten minutes later, I returned with the requested books. Quietly, I handed them over to Xaden. He took them with ease.

"Amazing job, Feather," he said again, the nickname rolling off his tongue. The heat from my earlier blush crept up once more.

"No need to be flustered," he mused. "Though, I have to admit, those flushed cheeks suit you."

My heart skipped a beat, and I was sure it was racing now.

With a small smile, he walked away, leaving me breathless and flustered.

♡

A book date

It took Xaden weeks to convince me to go out with him. I preferred staying inside.

Every time he returned books to Basgiath, I would put them away and find little notes tucked inside—his handwriting surprisingly neat—asking if I’d like to go out with him. For weeks and weeks, I ignored them. Until finally… I said yes. Well, I signed it.

Which brings us to the here and now.

Xaden had originally suggested a lake. Though the idea was tempting, it felt too intimate for a first date. Instead, I suggested a library. Despite the fact that I already spent most of my time in one, he didn’t seem to mind. In fact, when I made the suggestion, the grin he gave me told me he was already scheming.

We walked through the cobbled streets of Aretia, a stark contrast to Basgiath. The people here were friendly, warm, the town itself bursting with life. He walked close beside me, but not too close—just enough for me to be aware of his presence.

I was taken aback when we stopped in front of a small but cozy-looking building. The window display was decorated with books on nearly every subject imaginable—fantasy, romance, knowledge, history, and more.

He held the door open for me. A real gentleman.

I stepped inside, the scent of parchment and ink wrapping around me like a warm embrace. The store was small but packed with books, filling every possible space. Near the cashier, I spotted a set of colorful bookmarks. I had to refrain from showing too much excitement.

I scoured the shelves, moving from genre to genre, until I found a book about two soulmates—one cursed to kill the other in every lifetime they met. The female spent lifetime after lifetime trying to break the curse, until finally, she succeeded.

The cover was a soft pink, a gold-foiled heart pierced by an arrow.

A shadow loomed over my shoulder, and I didn’t have to turn around to know who it was.

"So you like fairy tales?" Xaden mused.

"Only the ones with a happy ending," I replied, my voice soft.

I could feel the warmth of him behind me.

He chuckled, plucking the book gently from my grasp. When I looked up, I caught the rarest thing of all—a small, genuine smile.

"Wait outside," he said, a little too casually.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Why?"

"Go." He nudged me toward the door, barely restraining a smirk.

Suspicious, but relenting, I stepped outside into the cool evening air.

A few minutes later, he emerged from the bookstore, carrying a small bag with the shop’s logo—a quill wrapped around a scroll.

He handed it to me, looking almost… shy. Something you never saw on Xaden Riorson.

I peeked inside and felt my breath hitch.

Two books.

The fairytale novel I had picked out… and another one, a poetry collection. The cover featured two foxes curled up together. Inside was a matching bookmark, decorated with the same foxes.

I looked up at him, a genuine smile breaking across my face.

"Thank you, Xay," I said softly, looking him straight in the eye.

His lips curled into a slow smile. "I’m glad you like them," he murmured.

Then, with a gentle touch, he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers lingered, brushing against my cheek, sending warmth all the way down to my toes.

♡

Stuck in history

I had read the same sentence at least ten times.

The history tome I was studying was one of many in Aretia, part of my personal goal to read all of them—to learn, to help the revolution. The problem? Some of these books were centuries old, written in language so dead, it was like deciphering a code.

The sound of a door opening pulled me from my thoughts.

Steam drifted into the room as Xaden stepped out of the bathroom, his hair damp, a towel slung around his neck.

"You're still reading that?" he asked, moving toward where I was sprawled upside down on his bed—his very soft, very silky bed.

"Some people just write in codes," I mumbled, barely stifling a yawn.

Xaden sighed as he gathered the scattered books, stacking them neatly on his desk.

"Maybe they only look like a dead language because you've been at it all day," he countered.

I waved him off, flipping back to the page I was struggling with. "I’m almost through this. If you let me read in peace, I’ll be done faster."

He huffed, clearly unconvinced.

Then, before I could react, he plucked the book right out of my hands.

"Wait—!"

Too late. He had already moved to his desk, slipping one of his daggers between the pages I had been reading to mark my spot.

Then, he turned back toward me.

I blinked up at him, still upside down.

"You’re done," he said firmly.

I sighed dramatically, but before I could argue, he sat on the bed beside me. My head was practically resting against his legs.

His hand reached out, tracing his fingers gently along my cheek.

"Get some rest," he murmured. "I don’t have patrol tomorrow."

The words softened something in my chest.

I adjusted my position, curling up more comfortably on the bed.

Xaden leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to my temple.

I felt my eyes grow heavy. Sleep pulled at me.

Somewhere in the haze of near-sleep, I felt the weight of a thick blanket being draped over me. The fabric was soft, warm against my skin.

The bed dipped beside me.

I cracked my eyes open just slightly.

Xaden had settled in next to me, lying on his stomach, an arm tucked under his pillow. His other arm reached out, pulling me in close.

The warmth of him wrapped around me like a cocoon.

"Goodnight, Xay," I whispered into the quiet night.

"Goodnight, Feather," he murmured back.

Sleep claimed us both, the night bringing the kind of peace we rarely got to have.

♡

[thegnomelord]

I love your monster au so much. It makes the monsterlover/fucker in me real happy. Sorry just wanted to share my appreciation.

I've been thinking too, how would you feel about writing a underwater sea creature reader? (No pressure but I hope this idea tickles your fancy so I'll infodump my ideas on you) They can live on land and stuff but drag their prospective mate into a deep underwater ravine when they want to mate. Idk how to describe it, like I have an idea in my head of what the creature's traits would be but I can't find a way to put it into words.

I'm going to give it a try though, (excuse the fact it won't make much sense, my thoughts jump around a lot. But I'll try and make it coherent.) Basically, my mind went to underwater dragons. So with most of the traits that you wrote for dragons, like the purring and the tails intertwining (and the sharing of scales). But I was thinking without wings, because you don't need them underwater. But we glow in the dark, because we are deepsea creatures we have adapted to become bioluminescent. Oh and also we have gills and stuff still when we are on land.

Idk if this is confusing or just something you don't want to write but I was hoping for you to include a more sfw part with the mating dance maybe and then then an actual nsfw part (dom top male reader??)

But at the end of the day this is just a suggestion and it's up to you if you want to write it or not. (If you do write it can it be with ghost or gaz?? gaz giving us shiny things but sea related, like shells? and/or ghost struggling through knowing how to court us. Both of them being confused of what to do because we are a new type of dragon that not many people knew existed and our courting traditions are mostly unknown??

Okay this is cool and it tickles my brain of having just this big fucking monster that's gigantic due to deep sea gigantism :D, I also picked Gaz cause I like the sea/sky duality.

CW:NSFW, subbot gaz, domtop Mreader, quick and rough

When you first joined the taskforce, Gaz didn't know what to expect. Your species had been newly discovered, barely any information about you, but something about you put some ancient part of his mind on edge, ants nipping on the sinew of his wings until his body begged to return to the safety of the sky.

First time he met you, you reminded him less of a dragon and more of a Leviathan — something that dwelled where the light didn't reach, far too big than anything should be allowed to be, bright bioluminescent markings shimmering against dark scales to lure prey into crushing jaws filled with sharp crooked teeth, horns like spears to pin down what couldn't fit in your maw, powerful legs built to swim and breach the surface of the water to catch unaware flyers like Gaz just to pull them down into the abyss to be devoured.

He would have been more. . . unsettled by you had you not been so nice.

You towered over him even in your mostly human form, but you were a gentle giant, happy to let him use you as a perch and humming along as he talks, joining in on his and Johnny's pranks and hiding them when Price eventually catches them.

And Gaz doesn't even notice when your presence no longer makes his feathers puff up, the shadow you cast over him now warm and welcoming after all the times you'd been a meat shield for him. He tils his head back to catch sight of your eyes as he leans back, soft feathers rubbing against your clothes, "Hey there big man." Gaz smiled.

You hum, your hand coming to loosely hold his hip, holding the pretty thing close to you. "Hi." You purr, the small biolights along your body flickering in seemingly random patterns, but nothing about them was random to you or your kin, your interest in him painfully obvious.

But to your dismay Gaz doesn't understand, just snorts at your colorful display. "What's got you in a good mood today?" He asks, eyes tracing the dancing lights, that instinctual bird part of his mind liking the sight, and the low rumble of your voice, and just. . . being near you.

You blink, "You," You say simply, your people aren't ones to mince words.

Gaz can feel his body heat up at your declaration, feathers puffing up, but strikes down any thoughts about you before they turn inappropriate and cause him to coo at you. "Fine, keep yer secrets." He huffs and gets out of your hold, wings stretching out to purposely show off his feathers as he walks away, tail feathers flickering.

He can feel your eyes follow after him, hummingbirds pecking at his spine and he doesn't know if he should feel that way. And all you can think of is how you could drag your pretty bird down into the abyss without clipping his wings.

. . .

Gaz watches you lazily swim around the lake near their current base in your real form, "Havin' a nice soak in there Nessie?" He asks as he walks the short pier and sits down, dipping his feet in the water as his wings spread out lazily behind him.

A low rumble leaves you like a distorted whale song, your large form pushing through the water like a submarine cutting through the ice. "Nessie?" You ask as swim over to him, "Who's that?"

"Never mind about that," Kyle grins, his eyes roaming along your large form as the biolights flicker once again in that specific pattern that means nothing to him but everything to you. "You look happy."

You shrug, "It's nice to be back in the water." Without a word you heave yourself out of the water and onto the pier, large hands clutching the wood on either side of him, a deep purr rumbling in your chest at how close he is to you now. "Did you need something?" You ask, biolights flickering seductively.

Kyle swallows drily, eyes going wide as he registers you loom over him, can smell the sea and salt still clinging to your scales, something other than fear buzzing down his spine from how close your dangerous teeth are to him. "Oh, right, uh," He clears his throat to clear the molasses clinging to it, wings spreading out in a way that got his feathers shining in the setting sun as he reached into his pocket.

"I, um. . . I got you this." He said, holding out the seashell he'd found for you. His breath caught in his throat as you looked at it, hoping you liked it; he'd spent hours polishing it until it was shining, the colors vibrant and every single scratch buffed out.

"Thank you," You rumbled and took the seashell into your hand. Your pupils dilated, a very pleased purr rumbling in your chest — oh, he was so thoughtful, such a good mate to bring a rare treat for you.

Kyle felt like a bloody peacock at the way his wings spread out, but he couldn't care less about his posturing when you accepted his gift, his heart fluttering like butterflies in a jar.

Then you ate it.

You ate his gift.

His heart shatters like the seashell between your fangs, wings dropping like a rock, never having expected to be rejected like that. "I- what- why did- if you-" He couldn't even form words to say what he wanted, pressing a hand to his face in an attempt to hide the way his eyes prickled with vestiges of tears.

Unfortunately for him, you notice. "Oh, little bird, what's wrong?" Your voice is soothing, biolights pulsing in a slow and calming way as you gently pry his hand from his face, looking into his eyes. "Did I do something wrong?"

Kyle doesn't look you in the eyes, doesn't know what the hell to feel right now, the words spewing out of his mouth before he could control them. "Why would you do that!" He hisses.

You tilt your head. "You gifted it to me." You say like it's supposed to explain everything, reaching up to cup his cheek, your clawed hand cold and wet against his skin. "It was very good." You lean in closer, a deep purr rumbling in your throat, your long tail moving to curl around his leg.

Kyle sucks in a sharp breath as you push you loom over him your hands on either sides of him keeping him in place, feeling himself slowly lay back as you creep over him onto the pier, heart drumming in his chest. "Wh-what?"

You snort, eyes glowing like anglerfish lures, lowering your head down to lick a stripe up his neck, claws raking down his front. "Let me show you my appreciation, yes?"

Kyle shivers at the sensation of your teeth against his throat, body heating up, your scent — of sea and salt and something very very old — invading his nose, an involuntary chirp escaping his chest. "Ah, yeah, sure just-" Kyle yelps as your claws cut through his clothes, wings quivering as they're pressed against the wooden pier behind him.

"Relax little bird," You coo softly, licking around his lips in what counts as a kiss for you when your maw is filled with vicious teeth, tongue trailing down to lick up the drops of his salty sweat. "I'll be gentle."

And gentle you are; softly licking up the blood after your fangs had left marks on his skin, sharp claws holding his trembling hips tenderly as your rough tongue worms inside him, soft purrs and deep rumbles vibrating your tongue against his prostate until he's sobbing, his hands clutching your horns to hold your head closer as his cock leaks a puddle of pre onto his abdomen.

He whines when you continue stretching him with your tongue, "Please, mate, just-" Kyle sucks in a sharp breath as your tongue once again grazes his prostate, thighs clenching around your head. "-just please fuck me already! I can't- I'm not going to-"

Kyle sobs with joy and anguish when you pull your tongue out, the slimy appendage slithering back into your maw and leaving him painfully empty. "Alright, alright," You coo, moving up to drape your body over his, nuzzling your cheek against his as you line your hard cock with his stretched hole. "Relax,"

The tip of your cock breaching his puckered hole has Kyle sucking in a sharp breath, "Easier said than done mate," He chuckles, closing his eyes and just trying to focus on your scent and just you, groaning. Fuck, you're big in all aspects, his body clenching down like a vice before relaxing enough for you to slowly push further, spreading his walls wide until you're fully inside him, your hips resting against his.

"There you go," You purr, letting Kyle adjust as you nibble on his neck, biolights flickering happily when he rocks his hips into yours. "Taking me so well,"

Gaz can feel his body heat up at your words, throwing his head back when you rock your hips, cock hard and heavy inside him, dragging against his walls with every minute movement that has him panting and whining, his legs crossing behind your back to pull your hips closer every time you pull out.

The world escapes your notice, all your attention fully on him as you focus on mating him, pulling needy desperate sounds from Kyle's lips, your large hand gently stroking his leaking dick as your cock rubs against his prostate, your unhurried pace making him cum again and again and again until he's a moaning boneless mess by the time you cum inside him.

[sleepingdiaryzzz]

Ok so I was thinking of Yandere Dick and Starfire with an s/o who’s has a Night fury dragon! So you might be wondering what is a Night Fury well here’s the official description!

“The Night Fury was once considered to be one of the most mysterious and fearsome species of dragons. In fact, until Hiccup befriended Toothless, no one even knew what a Night Fury looked like because they preferred to attack at night, when their black scales allowed them to blend into the night sky, making them mostly invisible.

Night Furies are classified as members of the Strike Class. They have the ability to "dive bomb," meaning that they can plummet from great heights, gaining speed as they continue downwards, then shoot a "plasma blast" at their target.

For a long time, the only information that the Vikings had gathered on this rare dragon was the whistling sound of its speed cutting through the night sky, followed by a bright purple light, then finally a massive explosion.

Physically, they are of medium build with jet black scales covering their body. Night Furies also possess retractable teeth (hence Toothless' name). Rather than firing like most dragons, Night Furies are able to shoot "plasma blasts" from their mouth. They are also extremely swift and use their speed and coloration to blend into the night sky.

While they may initially seem like vicious, dangerous creatures, Hiccup's friendship with Toothless has increased our understanding of the true nature of the Night Fury. They are highly intelligent, loyal and fiercely protective of those they care about.”

I feel this movie quote sums up the Night Fury reputation. “Night Fury.

Speed: Unknown.

Size: Unknown.

The unholy offspring of lightning and death itself. Never engage this dragon. Your only chance: Hide and pray it does not find you.”

So I was thinking of Yandere Dick and Starfire’s love interest would have one. I’m thinking they found there Night Fuury injured and heals them and slowly gains the trust of the beast. Shh we’re going to pretend that most people don’t know about the Night Fury’s. So I was thinking of a fight that forces Ducks and Starfire’s s/o to finally use there night fury at full power. (Go to YouTube and look up Toothless vs The red death full fight and you’ll see what fight I’m talking about👍🏽)

So how would Dick and Starfire react to this powerful being that acts more like a cat? Bonus points if the s/o takes Dick for rides since he can’t fly! Also remember to take care of yourself!

Yandere Nightwing x reader x yandere starfire

The cave was a hollowed pocket in the mountainside, so quiet and unassuming that no one thought to explore it. That was why you had come here when you found the dragon, scales as black as midnight and eyes burning with defiant intelligence, its body trembling with exhaustion and pain. The Night Fury had been a myth whispered by few, feared by many, and believed by even fewer. Yet, when its wounded frame had stumbled into your path, its snarling maw daring you to approach, you had done something no one else would have dared. You knelt. You whispered. You stayed.

Healing the dragon had been a delicate process. It wasn’t just the wounds—deep gouges across its flanks, a twisted wing—but the trust you had to earn. Days turned to weeks of patience, leaving food and water within reach but never crowding it. Slowly, it began to accept your presence, its sharp eyes watching your every move. When you touched its scales for the first time, you felt the tension in its muscles, the latent power coiled beneath its skin. But it didn’t lash out. It let you stay.

The bond you forged was unlike anything you had ever known. The Night Fury—your Night Fury—became a shadow that followed you everywhere, a silent sentinel and an unyielding protector. Its loyalty was absolute, its intelligence sharp, and its affection—when it chose to show it—felt like a gift. It nuzzled your side like a great cat, purred low in its throat, and even allowed you to ride it, soaring through the skies on wings as silent as the grave.

Dick Grayson had always prided himself on his instincts. He noticed things others missed, pieced together puzzles before the first piece was even on the table. But with you, there was always something just out of reach, some part of your life you kept tucked away. He and Kory could sense it—the way you disappeared at odd hours, the way your gaze drifted toward the mountains as though drawn by some invisible tether. He told himself it was fine, that everyone had their secrets, but the quiet pang in his chest argued otherwise.

Then, the day came when secrets could no longer be hidden.

The attack was sudden and catastrophic—a rogue warship had descended upon the city, its cannons roaring and its drones flooding the streets. Dick and Kory had moved into action instantly, their partnership as fluid as the shifting tides. But even with their combined strength, the onslaught seemed endless. And then you arrived.

Kory’s fiery hair whipped around her as she hovered in the air, her starbolts cutting through the chaos. She turned just in time to see you standing amidst the rubble, your expression fierce and unyielding. But it wasn’t just you—it was the shadow that moved beside you, sleek and predatory.

The Night Fury.

Kory froze for the briefest of moments, her glowing green eyes widening in disbelief. The dragon was both beautiful and terrifying, its scales glinting like obsidian and its eyes locking onto the warship with predatory focus. When it opened its mouth, a plasma blast erupted like a thunderclap, striking the ship with pinpoint precision.

It was then that Kory truly saw you—not just as the person she had grown to adore, but as something more, something untouchable. The bond between you and the dragon was tangible, a connection forged in trust and fire. And as the Night Fury launched into the air with you on its back, weaving through the sky with breathtaking grace, Kory felt a pang of awe so sharp it bordered on envy.

Dick’s breath caught in his throat as he watched the Night Fury dive. The dragon moved like a shadow given life, its speed and agility defying all logic. He saw the way you leaned into the creature’s movements, the way your laughter carried through the air even amidst the chaos. It was a sight both exhilarating and humbling.

When the Night Fury turned its attention to the warship, Dick’s heart skipped a beat. The dragon's plasma blasts tore through the enemy’s defenses with ruthless efficiency, its attacks precise and devastating. But what struck him most was the way it protected you��shielding you with its body, snarling at any threat that dared come too close.

For all his training, all his years as Robin and Nightwing, Dick had never seen anything like it. And when the battle finally ended, the warship reduced to smoldering wreckage, he found himself staring at you with a mixture of admiration and something deeper, something he couldn’t quite name.

The dragon landed with a soft thud, folding its wings as you slid off its back. Kory was the first to approach, her starbolts dimming as she floated to the ground. She reached out cautiously, her movements slow and deliberate, but the Night Fury merely watched her with those piercing eyes, its tail flicking lazily.

“It’s magnificent,” she whispered, her voice tinged with wonder.

You smiled, resting a hand on the dragon’s side. “He’s more than that. He’s family.”

Dick stepped forward, his eyes never leaving the dragon. “Does it have a name?”

You hesitated, then shook your head. “Not yet. I didn’t want to rush it.”

The Night Fury huffed, almost as if amused, and Dick couldn’t help but chuckle. He stepped closer, his hand outstretched, and to his surprise, the dragon allowed him to touch its scales. The texture was smooth and cool beneath his fingers, and he felt a strange sense of reverence wash over him.

“You know,” you said, a teasing glint in your eye, “he likes flying with passengers. Want to try?”

Dick’s eyes lit up, and for a moment, he looked like the boy Kory had fallen in love with all those years ago. “You’re serious?”

You nodded, climbing back onto the Night Fury’s back. “Come on, Grayson. Let’s see if you can handle it.”

As the dragon took to the skies once more, with Dick clinging to you for dear life and Kory watching from below, her smile soft and bittersweet, the two of them realized something profound. You weren’t just theirs to love—you were something wild and untamed, a force of nature bound by no one.

And that only made them want you more.

BONUS : the flight

The Night Fury’s wings sliced through the air like knives, each movement a testament to its power and grace. The night sky stretched endless above Gotham, the city below a sea of twinkling lights and murmured chaos. You sat astride the dragon, its scales blending seamlessly into the dark, while Dick clung to your waist with a grip that was more panic than poise.

“You’ve got to relax,” you called over the wind, laughing softly at the way his arms tightened further.

“Relax?!” Dick’s voice was high-pitched, his usual confidence stripped away by the sheer height and speed. “I can’t relax when I’m flying on something that can dive-bomb like a missile!”

The dragon rumbled beneath you, a sound that could have been amusement. Its sleek head tilted back, as if acknowledging the man clinging to you. With a flick of its tail, it suddenly dipped into a sharp dive.

Dick’s girly scream echoed into the night.

(A/n: Truth to be told... I've only watched half the show yet😭😞👎 I'm so sorry for the long wait and responding w a short ass reply I swear things looked better in my head😵😵)

[orcusnoir]

More Chain "weirdness" because, honestly, these Links are living anomalies

Time: He knows the time. Exactly. Always, if you ask, you'll get the answer down to the second. (A common headcanon)

Stal monsters are absolutely terrified of him. They'll attack if other Links are around or if backed into a corner. But out in the open? They scatter. The Stal monsters can sense something is just wrong with Time. Maybe it's the Fierce Deity that still lingers within him.

Or maybe, just maybe.

They know what happens to him.

Even his own weapons are anomalies. Wild tried to take a picture of the Gilded Sword for the Compendium, and the Slate crashed.

The magical operating system of the Sheikah Slate hard crashed and, when rebooted, displayed only one line when the image of the Gilded Sword was selected.

"Error: Temporal Anomaly detected"

The image itself could not be displayed.

Twilight: Mirrors will very, very briefly show an image of a wolf whenever the Rancher stares into one.

Goats and other farm animals will always approach Twilight.

The Captain joked that the animals can sense that Twilight worked on a farm and is very good at it.

But do they sense that? Or something more?

Wind: Ever since getting the Phantom Sword, the Sailor's perception of time can randomly slow. The way he describes it reminds Wild of his Flurry Rush, but Wind can't control when it happens. It just does.

Four: The Smithy has a similar effect when it comes to reflections, but his mostly appears in pools of "magic" water, such as the water found around the Great Fairies in Wild's Hyrule.

Whenever he stares into such waters, he doesn't see his reflection, only the Colors staring back.

This also applies to pure silver. Which is why Four went from making silverware to making weapons.

Legend: The Vet has an uncanny ability to just know what magic type something is by just looking at it. And it's not just from experience

If the Vet were to ever face the Gloom, he'd know it's from Ganon without even knowing that Ganon was back.

Hyrule: No matter what village the Chain travels to. Everyone there just recognizes Rule, but can't explain why. Even if they've never met a Link before.

Warriors: His mere presence causes guards and the such to treat him and the Chain with the utmost respect and authority. The Captain could be in his pajamas, and it'd happen.

Wild: People, outside of those closest to him, will just forget his face entirely. Distant friends take a second or two before realizing that they're looking at the Champion.

Sky: The Divine Dragons, if visible, will just follow him. The breeze by him is always comfortable.

The shadows underneath him display a different figure at sunset. One that wears a pauldron on his right arm. None of the Links wears a lone pauldron besides the Captain.

Sky knows who the shadow is.

He was the first to be reincarnated after all.

[science-lings]

Batfam Monster Poll 1: Bruce

*any completely nonhumanoid creature is implied to have a human form for the purposes of this AU

Other polls:

Part 2: Dick (ends 4/1/2025)

Part 3: Jason (ends 4/2/2025)

Part 4: Cass (ends 4/3/2025)

Part 5: Tim (ends 4/4/2025)

Part 6: Steph (ends 4/5/2025)

Part 7: Damian (ends 4/6/2025)

Part 8: Duke (ends 4/7/2025)

More thoughts and information-

Glossary-

Kludde-

demon summoned from the ashes of witches taking the form of a black wolf with bat wings, a birds beak and bear claws. Has glowing eyes, shapeshifting abilities and great speed.

Nachtkrappe-

Giant Raven Boogieman, used to scare children, their whole thing is kidnapping children, some legends say to eat but I think the one that fits here is just the one where it puts kids in a bag and takes off with them. I also found this really sweet-

"The Guter Nachtkrapp (German, lit. 'good night raven') is a rare benevolent version of the Nachtkrapp tale. In Burgenland myths, this bird enters the children's room and gently sings them to sleep."

There are a lot of creatures that are said to kidnap children but this one was one of my favorites.

Other thoughts-

Dragon-

I think the benevolent fairytale-type version of a dragon is very Batman-coded, the kind that protects a kingdom and lives in a cave, the noble kind that protects people and dispences wisdom. Not the kind that is exclusively motivated by greed and violence. You can't look at the batcave and think that it's not a hoard, with the giant playing cards and the coin and the dinosaur. He also hoards information and contingency plans and combat skills and children. It would also track with him inheriting wealth if on of his parents or ancestors was the more typical greedy dragon.

Banshee-

I'm just imagining the pov of a character who is themselves a death omen, even before Joe Chill pulled out his gun, Bruce felt the need to wail. maybe even the moment they left the theater/ opera house. He doesn't know what it means at the time, or maybe he does. He spends the frantic drive to the warehouse Jason was held in holding in screams because he already knows he's going to be too late. I could also see the sound becoming a haunting thing to hear in the streets of Gotham. This is mostly an option because I thought it would be so fucking tragic.

Angel/ Fallen Angel-

Different than a demon, I could see this one even mostly being not heavily religion-based. But the dichotomy between an angel and a fallen angel could be something that happens to Bruce before he becomes batman, and after. Either his wings change color or shape, from fluffy white feathers to black scales. peak wingfic vibes, I feel like an interesting bit of worldbuilding could come from this one. Maybe the Waynes/Kanes were a specific special kind of bird, how grief and mourning affect the care that goes into wings, molting feathers and that kind of thing. Maybe even borderline ABO in they way that there could be societal changes to incorporate the normalcy of wings and other things like that.

[syndrossi]

Resonant Masterlist

Previous pinned post here.

MAIN STORY

RESONANT [AO3] Jon and Rhaegar wake up as children in the Vale during the reign of Viserys I, only to discover that in this life, they are the twin sons of Daemon Targaryen, and hidden since birth.

TAGS OF INTEREST

#resonant fan works: any and all fan works based on/in the Resonant 'verse. Mostly art, all of it amazing!

#resonant asks: you ask, I answer!

#resonant dragon lore: what it says on the tin

#resonant dvd commentary: me dropping the deep lore on chapters, and occasionally a deleted scene or two

#resonant 'verse ficlets: my tag for stories/ficlets

SIDE STORIES

Short stories related to the original Resonant story.

CARAXES POV [AO3] [TUMBLR] Caraxes’ POV of the kidnapping in Resonant, chapter 15. (340 words)

VISERYS POV [AO3] [TUMBLR] Viserys’s POV after receiving Daemon’s letter in Resonant, chapter 13. (1170 words)

SER KELWYN POV [TUMBLR] Ser Kelwyn's POV of meeting Daemon and the twins in Resonant, chapter 13. (1610 words)

RHAEGAR’S FIRST IMPRESSIONS [TUMBLR] Rhaegar’s POV upon first meeting Jon in Resonant, chapter 1. (250 words)

RHAEGAR’S REFLECTIONS [TUMBLR] Rhaegar reflects on Jon after knowing him for a while. (310 words)

DAEMON’S TWINS ARE TOO PERFECT [TUMBLR] Otto Hightower is annoyed at how perfect Daemon’s sons are. (2170 words)

DAEMON’S TWINS DON’T BURN [TUMBLR] Otto Hightower has some questions upon seeing that the twins don’t burn. (550 words)

PILES OF COLORFUL LEAVES [AO3] [TUMBLR] Daemon takes the boys and hatchlings to play in the autumn leaves. (1130 words)

STRAY BLACK CAT [AO3] [TUMBLR] Shadow and Qelebrys meet a stray black cat while “guarding” Daemon. (1010 words)

HEADACHE [AO3] The twins care for Daemon when he has a headache, set sometime post Resonant, chapter 28. (1140 words)

QELEBRYS VS. APPLE CIDER [AO3] [TUMBLR] The twins have a little fun with Qelebrys’s vendetta against apples in all forms. (1280 words)

HAIR BRAIDING [AO3] [TUMBLR] Jon lets Helaena braid his hair. Rhaegar tries not to judge. (890 words)

EARLY BIRD [AO3] [TUMBLR] Rhaegar and Daemon veto Jon’s attempt to wake up early. (730 words)

SCARY STORIES [AO3] [TUMBLR] Jon gleefully terrifying his brother and cousins as he tells scary stories by candlelight. (1220 words)

THE GREAT MUD WAR OF 116 AC [AO3] [TUMBLR] [ART] A day that shall live in infamy. (1570 words)

BAD HAIR DAY [TUMBLR] A companion piece to @textbookchoice’s “Bad Hair Day” ficlet, from Daemon’s POV. (1980 words)

PILLOW PRINCES [TUMBLR] Daemon overhears a new ballad positing a more sinister motivation for Crayne’s attempted kidnapping of the boys and reacts about as well as you’d expect. (3780 words)

SICK DAYS [AO3] Daemon panics about the twins falling ill for the first time. (4100 words)

STIFF NECK [TUMBLR] Baelon is dealing with a stiff neck when Aemon comes to visit the family. (1220 words)

PRANKING COLE [TUMBLR] Cole is expertly pranked by the twins. (640 words)

SCARS [TUMBLR] Alternate moment from Resonant, chapter 13, where Jon has scars from his past life. (145 words)

PRINCES OF WINTER [TUMBLR] Helaena declares the twins the Princes of Winter. (940 words)

DAEMON AND THE DIREWOLF PUP [TUMBLR] The twins come across a direwolf pup at Runestone and beg Daemon to let them keep him. (900 words)

SNOW DAY [TUMBLR] Daemon is woken by an excited Rhaegar on a snowy day in Raventree. (510 words)

NIGHTMARE [TUMBLR] AU where Catelyn is summerhalled into Alicent Hightower. (190 words)

[bluethehuntress]

I’m a console player, so I can’t mod but hear me out:

The Crow casual wear in red silk/brown leather. Especially if the shirt is burgundy.

The thought inspired me enough to write a bit featuring my Rook (they’re mostly vague, though)

Rook/Lucanis

Except it’s just Lucanis starting to feel things lmao

Wine-Red Silk

Lucanis hates Teia.

Loathes is probably a better word.

And he has to direct it at Teia because he couldn’t be mad at Rook. Not when they’re practically beaming at the compliments of the group.

“Teia took my measurements a while ago. After the dragon attacks, she felt like she owed me something and asked if she could get me anything.” They shift some. “I asked for some clothes, ‘cus I lost most of what I had, and she practically gave me a wardrobe.”

And Teia - as a Crow and as an Antivan - would, of course, gift them with some sort of luxury. (Lucanis is pretty sure the woman doesn’t feel like it’s enough. However, as he’s come to know Rook, he knows they believe it to be too much.) Not only that, instead of the soft, cool violet or blue most Crows would wear, she’d given them red. The color of their home, and their people, the Shadows.

Typically, they wear the few sets of sleep clothes around the Lighthouse, switching between their gifted ones and the ones they’d kept.

Which brings him back to his current loathing.

Rook isn’t in their usual comfortable clothing. Instead, they’re in a wine-red silk button up with only half the buttons done and the sleeves rolled to their elbows. It’s perfectly fitted, defining the strength in their shoulders and hugging nearly point of them. The dark, gleaming silk also seems to brighten the color of their paint and tattoos, the rose-colored snake on their left forearm vibrant in comparison. The shirt is complimented with leather trousers only a shade darker than their own skin.

So Lucanis stands, with his mouth dry, his face warm, and his heart so loud in his ears that he can’t even hear what everyone else on the library is saying. Stands seething, because of course Teia’s expertise would make them look incredible in something so simple. ‘Maker, do they look good in red.’ And because part of him is envious he didn’t think to do that before they were prompted by her.

Rook’s close by, maybe two steps away, their attention focused more on the whole group than any one person. When their hand comes up to adjust their collar on the left side, he catches a glimpse of another tattoo in the same red as the other. The thought of pushing the soft silk aside to see what it is - to see if they have any others hiding under their-

He feels his face flush.

And he is now forced to confront the part he’s been attempting to avoid - that he likes them in such a way, something he hasn’t felt so strongly before.

There’s a tightness forming in his chest.

“Thanks.” To his surprise, there’s a flush of bashfulness to their cheeks. It’s hard to see under the joy their friends’ praise gives them. “Thought I’d switch it up a little, y’know?”

“Breathe, stupid!”

The sharp sound of Spite’s voice startles a gasp out of the assassin, and his vision swims a little as oxygen returns to his brain. And thank the Maker for his training, or that slip up might’ve been caught by everyone else in the room.

‘This is Teia’s fault.’

[mythals-whore]

OC Tag Game!!

Thank you for the tag @rookamell i love to yap about my girl

Name: Cyrilla Mercar

Aliases: Rook, Cyri, Aegis (for reasons you may find out later)

Gender: female

Age: 29

Place of Birth: Minrathous, Tevinter

Spoken languages: Trade, Tevene, a little bit of elven (very bad elven)

Sexual Orientation: Probably bi but she’ll never find out because she likes to play with men’s feelings for fun (:

Occupation: PRE-VEILGUARD: Praetor turned Shadow Dragon, part-time criminal, professional menace to the Minrathous elite/Venatori, VG: Varric's Second, Leader of the Veilguard, POST VEILGUARD: Archon's personal guard (and special advisor), part-time consultant for Minrathous Murders & Monsters (rip MM&M from my cold dead fingers)

FAVOURITE

Color: Red(: mostly bc she thinks she looks good in it (she does)

Entertainment: Loves live music! Fun fact is that she took the quest where you say all the buskers in Minrathous very personally. Also fighting. She loves a good scrap.

Pastime: Plays the piano, but doesn't get a lot of opportunities at it. Vandalism. Going to a dive bar to drink and dance and get in a fight. RIP Cyri you would have loved After Midnight by Chappell Roan(:

Food: Khinkali (they're little dumplings with meat and vegetables in there)

Drink: Whiskey girl

Books: has read a lot of military theory, think Art of War but the Thedas equivalent. If some old Tevinter Legatus wrore a biography, she’s probably read it. And her feelings about it are probably similar to Davrin's feelings on the Monster manual guys. She has specific beef with Archon Hessarian who wrote several canticles for the chant of light and still had time to write an entire novel on his life and strategy in the war with Andraste. It has a lot of overt religious teachings in it and Cyri always thought it was ridiculous that they were forced to study it as some kind of war strategy because it has very little to do with the actual war.

1000% becomes the biggest fan of Bellara's serials though. Finds herself getting way to invested. She says they're over dramatic and cheesy but she fucking loves it.

HAVE THEY

Passed university: Uhm if you count the Tevinter military academy I made up then yes!

Had sex: Yep!

Had sex in public: as in, intentionally in front of people? No. In the backrooms of taverns/back alleys/a balcony/rooftop/Arlathan forest? Absolutely. She loves a messy night out.

Gotten tattoos: No, mostly because they'd make her more recognizable

Gotten piercings: Nah, liability in a fight.

Gotten scarred: Yep!

Had a broken heart: Assuming this means romantically, yes (when she was still pretty young) but she would barely count that. I am going to count losing her entire cohort during the Antaam invasion. Definitely the worse her heart has ever broken

Been in love: she would say no, but the answer is definitely yes she's just deep in denial and the moment she starts feeling anything resembling feelings she runs far far away.

ARE THEY:

A cuddler: Yes but she'd say no. My girl loves to deny herself the simple pleasures.

Scared easily: Yes! One of my favorite character traits about Cyri (that I gave her lmao) is that she's afraid of everything: the underground, heights, drowning, fish etc. But she kinda just does it through gritted teeth.

Jealous easily: Difficult to answer because I would say definitely not BUT um, there are specific instances. She's never been in a committed relationship (before Davrin) so she's never really had cause to be jealous. And also once they're established and there's no more uncertainty where that's concerned I'd say the answer goes back to being no. She knows that man is obsessed with and devoted to her. (gods help anyone who doesn't know it, honestly)

Trustworthy: Actually yes. She can definitely keep a secret and is very reliable, at least to her friends/people she's loyal to. So they have to earn it, but she will 100% come through for you.

FAMILY:

Sibling(s): None!

Parents: Adopted parents are both alive, but she's been somewhat estranged. They thought she was dead for a long time, they got her back for a little while and then she left with Varric and didn't write them because she assumed someone else would. It's a little complicated considering she's like a wanted criminal...

Children: None unless you count Assan, which she wouldn't ONLY BECAUSE she wants to spoil him and not be the disciplinarian so she's only Assan's mom when it's convenient.

Pets: She had a cat growing up that she brought in off the street and hid. she got to keep it. It's gray and very old now. his name is Smoke and he still lives with her parents. and Assan, ofc.

I AM TAGGING: @flowersforthemachines @thedissonantverses @basedonconjecture @complikatedd @gingervitus @cute-ellyna (((: tell me about your ocs let me love them

[sleepyisnotagamer]

wizard101 worlds in sort of order but I tell it how it really is

Wizard City - you've been isakai-ed off of Earth by this old man and his owl and suddenly you're like the chosen one who has to save the city and fix everybody's problems. you get the feeling that this theme will continue.

Krokotopia - the kroks sure are here but it ain't a utopia, it's a takeover! and also these archeologist dogs are here. you don't know it yet but you hate them.

Grizzleheim - your scandanavian sanctuary against the evils of the world(s). also there's evil in this one but you're having a good time about it. only little bits of saving at a time.

Marleybone - this is where those dogs are from and yeah, they suck. cats are the enemy for no good reason and you'd prefer not to save the smog-ridden sky but you're a good person.

Wysteria - aren't you supposed to be speedrunning through the worlds so you can catch this necromancer dude? why are you suddenly asked to take part in a wizard school competition that feels depressingly like cleaning up yet another set of messes (because you are. cleaning up other peoples' messes. again.)?

Mooshu - this is a breath of fresh air, and you feel cheered by the color in the world. you're really not into how many miles you have to run to save it, though. also is like all of asia here? accidentally?

Dragonspyre - this is where the big baddie you've been trying to apprehend this whole time comes from. it's in ruins now but you can judge the architecture anyway. after tromping through far too many red-bricked streets you stop the man from resurrecting his dead wife and surely you will never see him again.

Celestia - so apparently some aliens (in a universe of separate worlds that are inhabited by mostly anthropomorphic animals and sometimes humans are here too) invented astral magic and you should team up with those blasted archeology dogs to learn it. so you do, because you are but a pawn in this game. it sucks.

Zafaria - you explore africa at large to rescue some students and along the way meet an archnemesis, learn to loathe elephant tombs, and don't catch the new baddie on the horizon: goth lady.

Avalon - you're stuck in an entirely unfunny version of monty python and the holy grail and it's just young wizard and the quests that you didn't sign up for. this sword you get doesn't make up for the dragons you have to slay.

Azteca - this is a beautiful world and you know what? you're rather keen to save it. there's a comet looming and as the chosen one you're destined to save the world from the apocalypse. that doesn't happen. you don't save the world. you don't- you don't save the world. also dead wife guy is a zombie now?!

Khrysalis - welcome to bug world, please don't state your name for the record and: infiltrate the shadow ranks, save a precious deermouse bean, spend way too long finding all kinds of new bugs for your monster collection, meet this totally harmless hermit guy and finally squash that goth lady.

Polaris - so it turns out the harmless hermit guy was actually a super old cosmic entity named grandfather spider, very estranged husband of grandmother raven, who by the way has been in your ear from time to time during your questing. anyway spider is bad so let's go join a couple entirely separate revolutions and don't freeze out there in the snow. also. Ratsputin.

Arcanum - oh by the way, even though you spent all your time doing extracurriculars (saving the spiral), you've still managed to graduate wizard school! so you get to go to wizard university! yay.

Mirage - you get the distinct impression that you're in a very extended reference but, gee, idk, whatever could it be? anyway you cross the deserts and fight the spider guy and he gets away, taking a new friend that you just made with him. dang. you just can't have nice things.

Empyrea - you get to use a space ship! unfortunately it comes with annoying pigs. but you get to experience top pop culture, and there's a bat! man. you labor throughout this endless world until you finally get to...sing songs and get the most ancient couple in the world back together. hooray? the spiral is saved. probably.

Karamelle - what if. what if candyland was not, in fact, a wonderful magical place, but a bureaucratic nightmare? it would not be fun.

Lemuria - it's a good time! there's a neo-noir detective mystery to solve, and also this guy that isn't anything is becoming something! and he is your friend. this is very important.

Novus - so the colonizers are colonizing and you are not a fan of that. and the nothing-something guy that is your friend is having an existential crisis but that makes sense because he kinda just pseudo-exists. sort of. he's like. um. becoming a world!

Wallaru - the dreaming! is bad. and the combat wombats! are uncanny. and. and you have to defeat this frog. and deal with petulant spiky balls that lowkey drive you to drink...dreamwater, maybe. but uh. you do it! wait, did you just save it all? everything? that's kinda chosen one-core, babe.

Selenopolis - what if - and hear me out - you went back to krokotopia. but this time you went to a section where you got to learn new magic skills and learned how to cheat at cards? well. learned how your enemies cheat at cards, anyway. and! it was. nice looking. eh?

presumably you acquired some sort of dwelling place where you have lots of nice couch potatoes growing and your pets scamper about and you can just chill where nobody can bother you. and your achievements only have to happen on a volunteer basis. and you can make stuff. and show off your stuff. and not save the world. again.

[athenasdragon]

Reflection Ruesday

I was tagged by @becausedragonage for her new Tuesday fic activity, Reflection Tuesday Ruesday! The idea is to go back into your WIP folder, find something old you actually like, and share it. Maybe you go back to it, maybe you don't, but at least it gets seen!

This is actually a fic I was writing for Uprooted by Naomi Novik. The prompt was a fake dating AU and it features Agnieszka and the Dragon going to Kralia together and trying to convincingly present themselves as a couple. I even sent what I had to @wherestoriescomefrom for beta reading circa 2021, but I just never came back to it! I've left in my notes to myself because I always think it's interesting to see how other people block out story beats.

I will tag @bbcphile, @laurelsofhighever, @saessenach, and anyone else who wants to participate <3

...

I rested my elbows heavily on the stone frame of the Dragon’s window and looked through the thick, warped glass down to the courtyard below. I could make out the skirts of the women who kept flitting back and forth: bright splots of color that swayed and paused and vanished into one door or another. Emerald foliage studded with flowers nodded from the corners, casting shadows over the figures.

He had a better view than I did, of course. I wondered whether he had chosen our rooms. Probably not—but it was one more annoyance on the pile.

“Come away from there,” he said absently from behind me. “Someone will see you and start talk.”

I turned, still leaning against the wall, to see him running his hands over two coats which lay on his bed—comparing their material. “Don’t you want people to think we’re together? Isn’t that the point of all this?”

He gave me one of his sharp looks. “I want you protected at court, and appearing strategically together is the best way to accomplish that. Having you seen at my bedroom window at odd hours of the day and night could do quite the opposite.”

I pushed away from the wall and came to stand next to him as he finished selecting a bottle green coat with bronze embroidery around the sleeves and collar. He shrugged into it, wincing a little as he maneuvered his right arm but turning to hide it from me. His scar must have been hurting him—my rush healing job had been far from perfect. I bit my lip and said nothing.

I wondered if he saw me biting back replies whenever we spoke. Part of me felt that I had earned the right to question and bicker after saving the Dragon’s life twice in the Wood, but since our arrival in Kralia I was too restless and exhausted to find satisfaction in prodding him. When we argued at the Tower he would often retreat to the library or some other remote room, allowing me time to spend as I pleased. Here, I shuddered to think of him leaving me to my own devices.

He seemed tired too, though he was careful to hide the cause. Perhaps nightmares of the Wood woke him in the night as they did me. Perhaps he had yet to recover his energy after such severe injury followed by a week’s travel. Perhaps he was simply worn out by whatever meetings kept him busy for long stretches of the day. Whatever the reason, both our sharp edges were dulled enough by our present situation that our time together was mostly civil, and I didn’t comment on the room or his winces.

“All right, let’s practice. Change your gown.”

Once again passing over an old argument for the sake of efficiency, I complied. “Vanastalem.” My already-dirty dress from that morning, a “simple” rust-colored gown with a lace overskirt, rustled and swirled as more petticoats blossomed beneath the skirt. The sleeves ballooned like sails as the fabric transformed into pearly white silk with deep green and bronze brocading to match his coat. I felt cold emeralds at my throat and a weight that told me more jewels had appeared in my hair.

“Good.” He nodded with an air of frank approval that was rare for him and I felt the back of my neck grow warm. “You certainly look the part—let’s see if you remember the motions too.”

Look the part of your lover? I wanted to ask. Of a castle-born noblewoman? The thought was irritating for reasons I didn’t care to examine closely.

He cleared his throat and indicated his arm, which I had not realized he was offering to me. I stepped next to him and took it, gingerly placing my hand on his forearm.

We both looked at our reflections in the small mirror on the opposite wall. I stood slightly taller than the Dragon, although my hair and jeweled headpiece made the difference look greater. He looked stiff and stern, as though he was posing for a portrait. I looked like I was obliged to hold something distasteful, like an overpoweringly scented bouquet of flowers gifted by someone you don’t wish to offend. An uncomfortable laugh bubbled out of me at the sight.

His reflection raised its eyebrow. “Is something funny?”

“We don’t look convincing.” I fidgeted with the jewels at my neck, which were starting to feel like a collar.

He frowned. “The dress looks fine. You just need to practice your bearing.”

“No, I mean no one will believe that we’re—together. Unless you want people to think that we’ve formed some kind of reluctant power alliance.” I gestured to the mirror, indicating our postures and the space between us. I tried a smile to show that I was making a genuine suggestion. “It looks like we hate each other.”

This time I felt his arm shift under mine as his frown deepened. “We look appropriate for hinting something at court. This isn’t a dance in the Dvernik square. Just stand up straight.”

I scowled at him but straightened my spine. “Fine. Good enough?”

“Adequate. Now watch me.” He stepped one foot in front of him and sank down as he bent deeply at the waist, pausing for a moment with his forehead pointed to the floor. “For a formal court appearance, you should bow this deeply. If this were a first introduction you would wait to be instructed to rise. Since it is not, you need only hold the position for a breath.” He straightened, his eyes on mine in the mirror. “Show me.”

Stepping one foot forward like he had, I curtsied low, sliding my hand down his arm slightly as I did. He bit off a hiss and I felt him tense. I stood up quickly enough to see his wince.

“You’re still hurt.” It was meant to be a question but it came out as a statement.

He jerked his arm away from mine. “It is healing.”

“Let me look at it, I might—”

“Just try to focus for once, please. I really don’t have time for—”

“Sarkan.” His eyes widened and he stopped trying to speak over me. I had only used his name sparingly since he had shared it with me, and each time he reacted the same way: surprised and almost confused, as though he felt the same power I did when I spoke it. It made me wonder why he had told me, but it was useful when I needed his attention. “I used Jaga’s spell for burns but it was meant to be a quick solution. I might be able to do more now.” I grabbed for his arm and this time he glared but didn’t stop me—possibly still stunned from me speaking his true name.

He watched as I gingerly pushed back his sleeve. “I haven’t relied solely on your work. I have applied Grosho’s [?] spell for burns, but the burn itself is healed.” He was correct: his arm was smooth and pale as always. Only that gnarled silver scar remained like a vine growing under his skin.

“And it still hurts? Here?” I pushed away the memory of what had caused the scar in the first place and the heart-pounding fear it conjured and brushed my fingers over the raised silver skin.

This time he didn’t bother to stifle his hiss of pain. “Yes,” he ground out through clenched teeth. “It would seem that there is still magic bound up in the wound. Magic that I cannot control,” he added pointedly.

I frowned. “You think my working is preventing it from healing fully?” I had never heard of such a thing, but then again, I had little experience with healing. My magic did seem to have a mind of its own at times. “Let me try something.”

Surprisingly, he made no protest, though I could feel his gaze burning through me as I stroked my fingers over his arm again. I mentally flipped through Jaga’s spellbook. The scar was like a vine, but I didn’t want anything for killing plants—or for growing them, for that matter. Tracing the raised shape again, another similarity came to mind: it looked like my haphazard attempts at sewing when my mother had decided I was old enough to mend my own dresses. I recalled Jaga’s spell for hiding seams and smoothing edges. It was as good a place to start as any.

Closing my eyes for a moment, I took a slow breath through my nose and centered my focus where my fingertips rested against Sarkan’s feverish skin. “Mikew,” I breathed. “Mikew, mikew, mikew,” encouraging the skin to smooth and soften and forget that it had ever been split.

[She senses the remains of the working that she did with Solya to heal the Dragon in that field after the Wood.] There was a seam between my magic and the Falcon’s, like the line where one river feeds into another and the waters don’t quite mix.

[While casting, she manages to communicate that Sarkan should join her working. Together they heal the remaining damage and cast a unified healing in the way that A and Solya couldn’t. Their magic combines in that same way it always does, although not quite as intense as the rose illusion, and they move closer. A feels a pull to finish the working by kissing his wrist and looks away, confused and resisting the instinct.]

[She sees them in the mirror as they stand now, heads tilted together, her hands gently cradling his arm, bound together by power, and sees how they could appear convincingly as a couple, just as the working ends]

[In the pause after the spell ends, before Sarkan can pull away and roll down his sleeve, she tells him to look and comments that they look convincing now. He flushes and leaves, telling her not to be late meeting him for the event tonight and they will just have to make do with the practice they’ve had]

[Watching him go, Agnieszka’s annoyance returns and she reflects how impossible Sarkan is to please, even when she tries to play along with what he wants and even heals him]

[thetravelingtyper]

On The Same Page pt 6(Simon 'Ghost' Riley x Reader Bookshop! AU)

Stuck in by the rain, you, Simon, and Sam receive important news over dinner...

Part 5, Part 7, Masterlist

Image from GIF by tana-the-dreamchaser

Simon followed you up the stairs like a shadow, his steps even but quiet. If not for his hand seeking yours you would have thought him a ghost. He seems to seek you like a moth to starlight and you find yourself relaxing with his close presence. You reach the door at the top of the stairs and push it open to be met with the smell of a simmering spice. You perk up instantly and call out for Sam. His curls pop out of the kitchen and seeing your entwined hands he smiles.

“Are you making what I think you are making?” You ask hopefully, eyes softened towards your friend. You step into the living area and release your hand from Simon’s. He abides by it but lingers close to you, choosing to take in his surroundings. 

The vibes of the apartment are, well, eclectic. Amongst the thriving house plants, SImon can see little bits of you and Sam. The worn love seat a dappled plum color, a plush leather couch, and, he looks at the floor and chuckles, a fox in a sweater welcome mat. You move to the kitchen after asking Simon to make himself comfortable. He nods and moves to the loveseat, taking your backpack off and setting it to the side before taking a seat. He observes further as you step into the kitchen to talk to Sam. 

On the coffee table, there is a vase of sunflowers, the TV stand is an old steamer trunk, and lining the far walls across from the door are books. Upon four shelves is a library’s worth of books and Simon stands and approaches them. Upon further expectation he cracks a smile, the inner panel of the bookshelves are painted the same as the ceiling of the bookstore. A rough hand comes up and he traces the spines of some of the leather-bound books. There are books of all kinds roughly categorized by genre. Littered amongst the shelves are other things, among them, Simon finds things like a cow teapot, a Union Jack mug holding pens, leather-bound notebooks, a dragon beanie baby, and something else that pauses his searching. 

On a desk in the middle of the two sets of shelves is a collection of mechanical parts. The smell of gun oil and steel pulls memories from service and he leans down, turning on the desk lamp to examine it closer. In the middle of the desk is a typewriter. The carriage is set aside from the body of the typewriter and the smell of oil gets stronger. He looks around the table and finds a myriad of cases, some big and others small, mostly belonging to what he assumes to be typewriters. 

You pop your head out of the kitchen to call for SImon but you find him engrossed in his examination. You smile, unsurprised at his curiosity, most visitors are drawn in by the book before stumbling upon your workstation. You step out of the kitchen and call to him. He looks up and turns to you in question. 

“Dinner is ready.” 

You say it with a growing grin as Sam had made enchiladas in a Tex-Mex style you missed. Simon looks back to the disassembled typewriter once more before he approaches you and follows you into the kitchen. If the living area was eclectic the kitchen was more so. Along the walls of the modest space hung pictures of every kind. Along the side wall, under a window was an old dresser or antique buffet that held a beaten-up record player. Along the wall were art prints, old diagrams, and book posters. On the buffet, next to the kitchen table was a collection of tabletop books, big glossy things meant as eye candy. He huffs a laugh at the selection: fox photo collections, Jules Verne releases, and typewriters. 

He turns his attention to Sam who is already sitting at the table, three places set for you guys to eat. Even the cutlery and plates are a mix of wild colors and subtle finery. You move to the stove where a baking dish holds something excellent smelling. Grabbing some oven mitts (fox chefs of course) you take the dish and set it on some ceramic pot holders on the table. 

“I hope you like enchiladas.” You say it with a pleased expression before shooting Sam a nostalgic smile. You motion for Simon to sit and he does before you take the seat next to him. 

You all begin to eat without much fuss, conversation passing in softer words between you and Sam while Simon chimes in every once in a while. However, after about 15 minutes in, Sam pauses as if remembering something. 

You see a look pass over his face before he reaches behind him and picks up a letter off of the counter behind him. He offers it to you and you recognize the handwriting.

“Sofia was here earlier, she looked urgent and dropped this off mentioning for you to read it. Something about a collaboration of some kind for a release over here. She wouldn’t give me more details than that before she was rushing off to her next appointment.”

“Huh,” You work on prying the envelope open gently, “she would normally call.”

Sam shrugs but watches with curiosity as you pull out a typed document. The paper at first touch is heavy, almost a thin cardstock, and the smell of ink and paper is crisp. There is even a wax seal holding the paper close and you want to roll your eyes. The sneaking familiarity seeps into your bones as you swipe a finger under the seal breaking it and unfolding the paper. When you read the heading your stomach clenches. It was from your old company. Something in your demeanor must have changed as you lean back in your chair feeling suddenly winded. Sharp eyes turn to you and Simon and Sam both stop eating.

“What is it? Sam asks with concern, leaning forward in his chair. Simon next to you frowns as your eyes skim the letter, your shoulders getting tenser and tenser. At the end of the letter, you bite your lip before slowly closing the letter and handing it across the table to Sam without a word. He about tears it open and reads it himself. 

“This is bullshit.” These are the first words out of his mouth and he tosses the letter onto the table. You don't reply, instead pushing your almost empty plate aside and putting your head in your hands with a sigh. Simon’s hand finds your knee under the table instantly and you eye him through your hands. There is exhaustion in your eyes, one that is familiar to him. You move to lay your head down with a sigh, leaning towards Simon naturally for comfort. 

“What is it, Dove?” He asks, voice low.

“Read for yourself.” Is all you offer and he does so, reaching a long arm for the letter before reading. 

The letter begins with a ‘greetings’ in a faceless text. Following are niceties and a “wish you are well’. One that you wanted to scoff at, given your last encounter with your previous publisher. He continues over the unnecessary and gets to the meat of the letter. 

… due to the raving success of your last book under our services, we have decided to do a release tour and event of James’s new book under your direction. We have already reached out to Sofia for contact with you.  Given both books' American popularity, we expect such a collaboration to benefit not only you but also White Owl Publishing. We expect James’s arrival in London this Sunday. If you have any questions please reach us at…

Simon frowns and looks at you.

“When the hell did James start writing?” Sam asks you but you just groan and pull yourself up, a hand reaching under the table to squeeze Simon’s in silent thanks. Something serious settles over you,

“I don’t know. Maybe when he started sleeping with the CEO’s daughter.” 

You bite it, voice sharp as a knife. The woman was an accomplished author under her fathers' direction and specialized in YA and new adult romance novels. You used to hold a lot of respect for her when you first joined the company but she soon, after learning of your specialization in children's literature, became downright dismissive. That dismission partnered with a giggly fascination with James, turned you away from her and towards the more quiet of the other authors and editors. However, given her status as the CEO's daughter, there was no escaping her influence, thankfully Sofia was always with you, and due to your focus on children, you didn't have to interact with her much. Other than events like the Publisher’s Gala, and well you know how the last one turned out. 

After the gala, you had learned from one loyal person, a fellow children's author named Sarah that the affair had been going strong for months. She hadn’t known until a drunk Sabrina had bragged on his arm at an after-party that faithful night. She called the moment she discovered your plans to leave and wanted you to know. 

Back in the moment, you debate your options. Given the publication’s no doubt about you after the Gala, you couldn’t risk saying no to this. Why they wanted to associate with a ‘failure and second rate nobody’ you didn't know. You look to Sam, his family's business was now connected with one of the largest publishers in America, and you weren't going to risk their skins because of disgust and fear. A silent resolution lit up your face, Sam, seeing this, grins. 

“You're going to go with this.” It's not a question out of his mouth. A shaky smile hits your face at that. Simon just looks to you, something about your determination makes him want to smile. His hand turns to entangle with yours under the table and you look at him, taking this as his support. 

“Johnny will want to knock some heads” His voice surprises you and laughter bubbles out of your chest. It quiets down to giggles a moment later and you pull your plate back to you. He wasn't wrong. A few tea times after meeting the man you had told the Scot the story of why you ended up in London. His brows furrowed and looking at you he cursed.

“Cheat? On a prize like you lass? Need me to do him in?”

You mention this to Simon in a giggle. He smiles.

“Good man, Johnny is.” 

He runs his thumb over your knuckles and you breathe out as your heart skips a beat, tension draining from your form as you take another bite before nodding in agreement. Simon gives you a small smile before he turns back to his food with a hum, but his hand remains in yours through the rest of dinner. 

--- 

After dinner, you stand up to collect the dishes. Sam gives you a look before shooting up to race you to the sink. You beat him by a foot before splashing him with cool water. He chuckles at you, eyes brightening at your mirthful expression. You hear the sound of a chair and Simon stands. Sam looks at you with a grin and a raised brow before he pulls himself into a stretch. 

He looks at Simon and then back to himself.

“I may have a shirt and some sweats if you’d like to change Simon.” 

The taller man moves around the table and pauses, looks down at his jeans, and gives a nod. With the confirmation, Sam winks at you and leaves the kitchen for his room. You shake your head fondly before going to wash the dishes, but a hand stops you. Simon is next to you then, the proximity quickening your heart once again.

“I’ll do ‘em,” 

is a statement and he nudges you aside gently with his large frame. You realize then just how big he is. While you were by no means tiny, Simon was tall. Sam was easily 6’ but you had to tilt your head to look up at Simon. He started dutifully washing plates without any more comments so you studied the side profile of his face. With a strong jawline cut with a few scars, your eyes focus on his eyes, focused and quiet as he works. The action, so domestic, calms something in you. While you loved being with Sam, you missed being with a partner sometimes, the attraction and the comfort. You loved Sam like a brother and that came with the typical roommate squabbles sometimes, you laugh mentally. You missed James some though despite everything. Having another person to hold was a human element absent in your life. 

But, your heart murmured, there is Simon.

You sigh inwardly, your heart skipping a beat as you envision his smiles. They lit up his face in a way that took the weight of his service, the exhaustion, off his shoulders for even a brief moment. He had seemingly been open, but respectful about some sort of feelings towards you, and you cherished his careful support. 

Your hand on his arm pauses Simon, and his eyes flicker down to yours in question. Without much thought your hand traces what is exposed of his forearm, fingers swirling around the inked skin, you linger a moment. Then, with a steady exhalation from Simon, your hands follow up his arm and over the sleeve, feeling the strength of his bicep Simon stills. His other hand reaches for the hand towel and setting the plate down he pulls back from the sink and turns his attention fully to you. 

You look engrossed in your study of him, like a jeweler over a diamond or precious stone. You lift for a moment seeing the towel and step back, allowing the man to dry his hands before he takes the next step to follow you. Your eyes widen in realization when your back hits the side counter and Simon steps comfortably, naturally even, into your space. 

Your breath catches in your throat when he raises a hand to your face, it ghosts over your cheek before, heart pounding, you lean into his palm. It is rough, worn from years of work, but it's warm, and something deep in you preens at the touch. Honey eyes find yours, widening a moment as you lean in, before lowering in reverence. Here you were, he thought, 

“Sweet thing.” 

It comes out in a whisper and your heart clenches. You close your eyes, raising a hand against his, cherishing the feel of the touch. His heart stutters then when you reopen your eyes and give him a sweet smile. Your hand runs down his arm and the other wraps around his abdomen and you close the space between the both of you with an embrace. His arms drop in surprise, but as your head comes to rest against his chest, they soon engulf you in the scent of leather and smoke. 

With your ear against his sturdy chest, you can hear his heart pick up, you smile to yourself then, happy the effect is mutual. Simon inhales the scent of old books and baked goods and hums, the sound reverberating through you. He chuckles before setting his head on yours just enjoying the feeling of you in his arms. You mutter something and he questions you with another hum. You repeat it a bit louder.

“Want dessert?” The question incites a chuckle from him and his arms loose to look down at you. Something swirls in his eyes, warm like syrup, and his lips quirked up in a smile. 

“Sure, Honey.” The two syllables of endearment are languid and you bask in them like a noon sun. His eyes flicker down to your lips a moment and your breath catches, but the sound of footsteps alerts you to Sam. You know him well enough, he doesn't want to interrupt so you smile at Simon and run your hands up his arms before stepping out of his grasp. Sam enters a second later with a bundle of clothes. His eyes are lit up and after glancing at you he grins at Simon.

“Here you are, Mate.” He gives a mock British accent and hands the bundle to Simon. You then pat the taller man's arm.

“Guest room is down the hall, Sam will show you. There's a bathroom too. I hope you eat cheesecake?” 

You ask him and he just nods before Sam motions to him to follow. Simon gives you one last glance then heads after Sam. Once both men are out of the kitchen you grasp at your pounding heart as your stomach flutters. You felt giddy, a childish wonder in your heart at the affection. Simon was so warm and you felt safe in his arms. You hum to yourself as you pass to the fridge, opening it and examining the inside. 

Beside produce and leftovers sat your quarry, made a day or so ago. There sat a glorious strawberry shortcake cheesecake, made by you. Albeit there was a slice missing courtesy of Sam but the cake was an absolute unit. You pull the covered dish out carefully as Sam pads into the kitchen alone. He leans against the counter as you work and regards you. 

You hum more as you work, relaxing further in his presence, reaching to grab three plates. You then cut modest slices for each of you before sticking the rest of the cake back in the fridge.

“You’re thinking too loud Sammy.”

You then turn to him, a knowing look on your face. What surprises you is the serious look on his, Sam’s arms are crossed as he leans. You set the plates on the table before approaching your friend.

“What’s wrong?” 

Green eyes turn to you, dark as English ivy, and they flicker down to you.

“I think James means trouble.”

It is all he offers. You sigh, taking a seat at the table. You think a moment. You wondered why your manager, Sofia wouldn't have called you, but this seemed like such a sudden onset by your old publisher. Given her sudden rush to leave you wondered where this put Sam’s family. Hearing your story the small publisher was happy to take both you and Sofia under their wing. White Owl Publishing was small, but they had cherished new classics under them. Your eyes flick up to meet Sam’s.

“We can’t risk your family’s reputation. Not after everything they've done for me and Sofia.”

Sam’s jaw clenches and you are taken aback a moment when his muscles tense. Sam had always been the most level-headed person you know. 

“I don’t give a shit after what he’s done to you.” It is firm, Sam stands taller at the statement. You think back to the firm grip on your neck. Showing up at Sam’s door with tears streaming down your face, the choked sobs. It was the first but not the last time the man had laid hands on you. Weeks before the gala was marked with a possession like no other by James. In hindsight making up for his affair but you didn’t and still don’t understand why Sam triggered it. 

“I should have knocked his teeth in the first time he touched you.” 

Sam’s voice is even but you can sense the rage simmering. You get up and go to him seeking to comfort him but you jump when you see the form of Simon at the entrance of the kitchen. Your surprise has Sam turning as well, the simmer broken.

“He grabbed you, Dove?”  Simon’s voice is ice. If you thought Sam was simmering rage, Simon has the look of a soldier. His eyes are dark and his lips are up in a snarl, but he is collected, with a refined rage, trained to kill. You gulp. You nod slowly. 

“In the past month or so before the gala, when I found out he was cheating. James got possessive.” You say it calmly but there is a bubble of anxiety, black and vile, in your stomach. You try to shake it off, but the shadow of the experience hangs over you. Simon, fresh from the shower steps into the kitchen, hands open in an offering. Sam watches as you glance at Simon before stepping into the man’s embrace, something in his chest settling with firm contentment. 

Simon on the other hand wraps you in one arm and uses his hand to smooth down your hair. He rocks you slowly and you melt in his arms. You calm in his arms, staying a quiet moment before running a hand over his shoulder and reluctantly pulling back. You look up to Simon with a shy smile,

“The cake will get warm.”

He lets you go slowly and follows you and Sam to the table. He takes the same seat and is met with a heavenly smell. The smell of vanilla and strawberry draws his eyes to the masterpiece in front of him. Sam offers him a smile before taking a large bite out of the cake that makes you giggle. You look at Simon before taking your own, albeit more modest bite. Simon follows and is met with heaven. Strawberry bursts on his tongue as the combination of heavy cheesecake and fluffy shortcake mix into a powerful combination.

“Fucking hell Love.” Is all he offers and you laugh, not expecting such a reaction from the stoic man. Your laughter is music to his ears,

“Glad you like it, Simon.” 

He could get used to the sound of his name rolling off your tongue. 

End Chapter 6

Taglist!

@ghostlythots, @tapioca-milktea1978, @cmbghost, @nexthyperfix

[ashton-the-draconid]

The people seemed to like Buddy as a drake, so, time to do more of that, this time with Chase's design! >:) (Please ignore any spelling mistakes I'm begging you)

For those of you who aren't able to read the text, I'll list it below along with some additional information! - Chase ShockWave / Shiver ShockWaves are highly social dragons who live lives similar to many crocodilians. Their main prey is fish, however, they won't hesitate to pick off something smaller. They use their electric powers, which they gain from absorbing sunlight through their photoscales, to sense movement through the water before sending a burst of energy to stun the prey before they swallow it whole with their jaw that can split open (Chase does not have this feature). They are extremely touchy with members of their flock or clan, using their photo scales to transfer energy as a friendly greeting! Shivers are mostly solitary dragons who have an instinctual love for all things metallic and shiny, however, they're also known to be excellent crafters. Though quite stubborn, if a Shiver takes a liking to something, they do everything in their power to protect it, even if it's something living! Gift-giving is in every Shiver's nature, and a good sign of trust is being given or even made a special item by these dragons. With their hot breath, being one of only 3 dragons who can breathe fire, they are no easy prey despite being the smallest species. They fight their battles hard, using everything to their advantage. Their unique ability of being able to send chills through a dragon by locking eyes with them, temporality paralyzing them out of mental fear, is something still being studied. - Buddy Lochin / CastGloom Lochins are the only drake species within the world, and they are the most resourceful of all draconic life. With their ability to shapeshift, they love playing tricks on both friend and foe. Consuming even the tiniest bit of blood, skin, scales, even bones can allow them to mimic any dragon almost perfectly, almost. Though they cannot maintain this form for long, as their need for moisture causes their disguise to fail as soon as they become too wet or dry. Most Lochins live a purely underwater life however, living among large pods where they work together to hunt fish, crabs, urchins, and many other sea life which they crack open with their well developed beaks. They use the patterns on their body as a way of communication, showing off, and intimidation, which each Lochin's pattern being a genetic mix up from their parents! CastGlooms are a sister species of the ShockWave, both coming from the same "true" species of SplitJaw. Just like ShockWaves, CastGlooms go after small prey which they swallow whole. However, that's where their similarities end really. They lunge from the shadows that conceal their bodies like portals, pinning down prey before delivering a fatal blow with their strong arms and swallowing it whole. With incredible paitience, they can track down anything they set their mind to, all while observing undetected. These dragons thrive on the element of surprise, their dark coloration keeping them hidden until a moment too late for whatever they have their sight set on. Though CastGlooms are not the most friendly or caring of dragons, winning the affection will make them show great loyalty, even in the face of moral challenges other dragons would gladly choose themselves over.

This is a series I've had for over 5 years now, and I enjoy turning characters I love into dragons to put into the world. Though I have my own story and characters to share too! Please, feel free to ask away any questions you have, I love sharing my creations. Whether it be about Dragon!Chase / Buddy / Deacon, another fandom I'm in, or my own story.

[amandakassis]

Masterlist - Dark Desires

Tell me, what is it that your heart desires? When nobody knows, nobody judges, do you long for villains or heroes? I, for one, have a soft spot for the villains 🤭

Here you’ll find all my fanfiction dedicated to some of my favorite morally gray characters or outright villains, such as Aemond Targaryen, Coriolanus Snow, and Eric Coulter 🤍

Ratings: Mature or Explicit 🔞

Stories available on AO3 and (mostly) on Wattpad. Don’t repost on other platforms.

SERIES | Modern Tales of Bronze and Silver

Modern short stories about Aemond and my original character, Katheryn Royce—the oldest daughter of Daemon. Each time, witness as they meet under new circumstances, navigate Westeros throughout different levels of power within House Targaryen, and deal with the inner wars that the Blacks and Greens wage against each other.

Some things you’ll find here: marriage of convenience, dragons as cats, dark and possessive Aemond, angst and fluff, light or mild smut.

‼️ WARNING: canon-typical targcest

COMPLETED | Bronze, Silver, and Valyrian Steel

Synopsis: When it comes down to matters of the heart, bronze can hold greater value than Valyrian steel.

In modern times, the Targaryens rule the nation of Westeros behind smoke and mirrors. During the patriarch's funeral, both sides of the family are reunited, including prince Aemond and his cousin Katheryn—Daemon's eldest daughter—who share a deep sense of loneliness. As the succession reveals the true colors of its most power-driven members and a murder accusation threatens to destroy their dynasty, the two of them must decide if they'll follow their duties or succumb to the attraction that makes their dragon blood sing.

Main trope: enemies to lovers

Read here

ONGOING | Consequence

Synopsis: Westeros entered the 21st century free of the shadow of the Targaryens. The gods among men no longer ruled, and their dragons were gone, but the family still remained wealthy and clung to some of their centuries-old traditions. After the death of their patriarch, a marriage between the notorious drunk Aegon and Katheryn—Daemon’s oldest daughter—is planned to consolidate an alliance between both sides and avoid bloodshed. However, the young woman ends up setting her eyes on Aemond, the mysterious and disciplined brother, who will truly rule the family’s company in the shadows. On this journey about love and power, Aemond might discover that duty isn't the death of love but a consequence of it.

Main trope: marriage of convenience

Read here

SERIES | The Wicked Universe of Eric and Kate

Here you’ll find 4 standalone stories about Divergent’s hottest and most complex character, Eric Coulter, and my OFC, Kate Kempton. Every work presents a different universe and the narrative gets a little darker.

Leave a Light On is a twist on the first movie; Bloody Vows is a world filled with ruthless vampires; Wretched and Divine is a mix of Dynasty and Gossip Girl—meaning that you get a high-stakes corporate drama with marriage of convenience and friends to strangers to lovers, all of it being witnessed by high-society and Twitter! Who doesn’t love that? And last, but definitely not least, Leave a Light On has an AU: Matters of the Brain and the Heart!

Looking for a badass OFC going through an existential crisis? Kate’s your girl! Oh, don’t worry, everything is consensual! I’m all for a couple that you can ship without bending your morals (too much)… Or needing to throw them out of the window (just sometimes)!

NEW STORY | Matters of the Brain and the Heart | Leave a Light On AU

Synopsis: Loving someone means letting go of self-preservation—that’s why the brain and the heart will forever be at war.

A few weeks ago, Kate Kempton was promoted to the position of Erudite’s ambassador. If her promising career continues on track, the young woman is looking at a leadership role soon enough. However, when an unknown enemy attempts to steal a dangerous serum from one of their labs, her life crosses paths with Eric Coulter, the cruel Dauntless leader who got intertwined with the deranged schemes of Jeanine Matthews—Kate’s mentor.

Main tropes: power imbalance, morally gray OFC

Read it on AO3 or Wattpad

COMPLETED | Leave a Light On

Synopsis: Allow yourself to accept every single thing about you that makes you gray.

A change in leadership means that Kate, the Dauntless ambassador, is now tasked with working closely with the young and ruthless leader Eric. While everyone around her worries that Kate won't survive him, they forget to consider the dangers lying behind her sweet smile and sharp-witted solutions. After all, she doesn't navigate the city council with only her looks as a weapon.

Political games, a conspiracy on the horizon, and a twisted romance will challenge the fragile balance that keeps Chicago from crumbling. When all is said and done, will there be a future for what is left of humanity?

Main tropes: power imbalance, boss x subordinate, morally gray OFC.

Read it on AO3 or Wattpad

COMPLETED | Bloody Vows | Vampire AU

Synopsis: Over 200 years ago, vampires crawled from the shadows to conquer the human race, which led to the collapse of modern society. In Chicago, the bloodthirsty creatures divided themselves into five factions, and the humans, upon reaching 20 years of age, had to partake in the Choosing Ceremony that decided which faction they would pledge their loyalty to. Blood in exchange for protection against other dangers hidden in the darkness.

Kate Kempton is a human on a mission. Her older sister's mysterious death led to a dangerous resolve. Upon coming of age, she would join Dauntless to find out what really happened three years before. Unfortunately, on Choosing Day, Kate draws the attention of Eric Coulter, the cruel and young faction leader, who had never been intrigued by a human before.

Can she survive the warrior faction and find answers? What will get her killed first, Eric or the secrets buried deep into the faction?

Main tropes: vampires x human, young woman x old vampire, forbidden romance, murder mystery.

Read it on AO3 or Wattpad

ONGOING | Wretched and Divine | Modern AU

Synopsis: In 2024, Chicago is under the rule of five powerful families. Due to an unexpected reunion, the public eye is set on two of its high-profile citizens: Kate Kempton, a Public Relations Officer set to inherit a pharmaceutical empire, and Eric Coulter, a veteran who becomes the new CEO of Dauntless, a private security giant, after his father’s death.

Initially bound by a marriage of convenience, these former childhood friends have to navigate a web of family secrets and survive the power plays of Chicago’s elite, while fighting for control over their personal lives and trying to understand their growing feelings for each other.

Main tropes: marriage of convenience, corporate romance, friends to strangers to lovers, gossip girl style.

Read here

Coriolanus ‘Coryo’ Snow could only ever belong to Lucy Gray Baird. However, does that mean they should end up together?

ONE-SHOT | Memories Carved Into Snow | No Hunger Games AU

Synopsis: The Hunger Games were never more than an idea on paper, yet the children of the districts struggled. Being born outside of the Capitol was a life sentence of misery—except for Lucy Gray, who found beauty and melodies all around her. The artist enchanted crowds and found her way to the big city, where her path crossed with Coriolanus Snow, a man destined for great things at any cost. Love blossomed, but wickedness had corrupted his heart, and their relationship crumbled. The bird was free of its cage… Or was it? Two years later, a knock on Lucy Gray’s door and a final request from his heart might rewrite their ending. Could rotten things still be worth loving?

Read it on AO3 or Wattpad