#thorfinn locks

[prplocks]

♡☆♡ thorfinn wallpaper

reblog if you save ▪︎

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[gogoani]

Vinland Saga Zodiac Signs

[4seasonsofart]

Modern AU | Askeladd when introducing his family to people...

Askeladd: "I'm gay, their mother is gay, and all of my stupid motherfuc—I mean, beautiful children—are gay."

Bjorn: "I'm the mother; I take care of Askeladd. They are quite sweet children. Garm, stop trying to murder your brother! Canute, you cannot exercise the demons out of Thorfinn! We already tried that once already..."

Thorfinn: "Tell me again why I have to make a stupid introduction." Askeladd threatens to take away his guitar and alternative music. "I am Thorfinn, son of Thors. These people are not my family... I was kidnapped..." Garm attacks Thorfinn again.

Canute: "I am princess Canute. Our Lord and Savior, Nicki Minaj, gave me the ability to be a woman." Eyes Garm and Thorfinn suspiciously. "Mom-! Garm keeps stealing my dresses and wearing them... Thorfinn keeps stealing my make-up to do his stupid satanic rituals!"

Thorfinn: Thorfinn threatens to punch his sister. "I'm sacrificing you first to the demons."

Garm: "We're sacrificing people? Am I allowed to do it to Principle Ketil?"

Askeladd: "Only if you're paying for your bail."

Garm: "Is that a yes...?"

Bjorn: "No."

Garm: "I'm taking that as a yes."

Bjorn: "Introduce yourself Garm... we will talk about those arson charges when we get home."

Garm: points to himself. "Garm."

Canute: "That's close enough to Gay."

Garm: "I will steal all of your dresses and wear them out of retaliation."

Canute: "You wouldn't dare! You'll stretch them out with your broad shoulders!? Dad! Mom!"

Bjorn side eyes Askeladd.

Askeladd: "You're the one who said you wanted kids."

[shinjisdone]

Hii, can I request a scenario with Thorfinn and the reader where the reader finds a comb on one of their expeditions/ raids and brushes Thorfinns hair? (Lord knows he needs it)

i truly salute thee if u uhm somehow still awaited an answer from me and i hope i wont disappoint 🙇

Comb

prompt: Thorfinn refuses to have anyone touch him fic: oneshot

A grin etched itself on your face when you spotted no blood on the wooden comb. Without really thinking you grabbed it in the dead of the night into your pouch, hurrying out of the burning house and into the fiery ocean. Thin strands of hair of someone long gone were entangled in the teeth that you removed one by one, fingers gliding over the wood before blowing the rest off.

"It's a good one. Well crafted." You showed the tool to your friend Thorfinn, who had his hunched back turned to you, idly cleaning his dagger. He had argued with you that this thing was not needed and that you are wasting your space in your pouch - but he was always quick to grow tired of arguing with your stubbornness. Instead, he gave a hum.

With a brief shove to the shoulder, you had the comb hover next to his face. The blonde stumbled, rocked back and forth like a swing and gave only a pout at the comb right next to him. It still had hair, how gross. "Brush mine first. I don't wanna have any of your lices." Though your jab was met with a scoff, Thorfinn tugged his weapon away, turned around and grabbed ahold of the tool. Patiently, you positioned your hair for him to begin. "This is a waste of time I told you." He grumbled and you looked back with a glare. "And I told you I don't want to deal with lices. People don't have these in their homes for leisure. You still trying to trick me that you never had any lices?"

You were first met with silence, before one of his hand grabbed ahold of the crown of your head, while the other roughly tugged at your locks with the comb. You groaned in pain. "I just run my fingers through it." "Oh yeah, and then have them crawl underneath your nails, "You suppressed another yowl through gritted teeth, "And then eat with those fingers. It's a miracle you aren't dead."

Another louder cry escaped you when he flicked your head. His strength, especially for his size and age, was inhuman and you bit your tongue at the childish act. "I'm tough, unlike you. I don't fall by some diseases or critters. You're wasting your time worrying."

"Still, could you try to be gentler? You're yanking all my hair out!"

"You won't have any lices when bald."

"Thorfinn!"

A small chuckle escaped him but without another beg, he held the side of your head gently and brushed smaller locks of hair one after another. Tangled strands loosened and he never noticed how soft your hair could be when he ran his fingers through them. You seemed to enjoy it too, the gentle wood on your scalp leaving you soothed. The blonde hesitated to tease you again and held his tongue.

After a while, he wordlessly gave the comb back.

Turning around, you urged him to do the same. He only rose a brow.

"I told you already."

"Even if you are a unyielding warrior, I don't want you to get sick. Or have you toss and turn and lose sleep over some critters. Let me do this for you quick."

Thorfinn pouted at the small smile lingering on your face. He did not like to be touched by anybody. Not by Askeladd's blade, not by Björn when he brutishly puts his joints back together, not by the other bandmates and their attempts at jokes nor by the bloodied hands of the enemies on the battlefield.

But with you he seems to lose all edge.

Your touch can be just as vicious as any other viking yet it is soft with him when necessary. Your touch seems more human than anyone else's. Something he can allow to come in contact with him.

Slowly, he turned around. Stubbornly he refused to meet your gaze and lowered his head as you began to comb through his hair. The blonde locks are tangled enough to leave a mother gasping at her child, split hair ends that smelled ever so faintly. The session, for how long it took, seemed like leisure to him regardless. You hummed and talked, jabbed a few times when you did find dirt and grime but kept the teasing to a miminum. The feeling of the comb teeth on his scalp left a shiver running down his spine, making him sleepy almost. But letting his guard down is not something he could afford - perhaps however, he could with you.

A waste of time. Waste of space in one's pouch, playing house as if you were a family taking care of each other. He did not like to be touched like that but he could grow to like it when it came from you.

[lexalotli]

Slightly Yandere!Canute x Thorfinn

I saw this post about how there isn’t more like dark Canute and how it would make sense, how he’d see Thorfinn as the one who got away (though that’s technically his own fault but whatever lol).

I’ve been thinking about this for two days, so I wrote a stream-of-consciousness thing. (Yes, I know season 2 has been out for a year lol) It’s probably slightly disjointed because I wanted to get all my thoughts down but I hope people enjoy. :)

Thorfinn was terrible, frightening, rude. His tongue was as sharp as his daggers, cutting deep, seeking to destroy. He was disrespectful, bitter, and when he wasn’t focused on challenging Askeladd to a duel, he was unkempt, somehow finding newer ways to disgust Canute.

Thorfinn was base and crass, though not in the same way the rest of the crew of Vikings were. He was efficient in killing, but never took pleasure from it. He always insulted Canute’s effeminate nature, yet always seemed to be by his side when he needed to be. He was there in that strange way he tended to be after Ragnar was killed, and even though he bore a constant scowl, his face took on a boyish softness in his sleep.

He was short in stature, feral like a wild puppy. Thorfinn was beautiful. Thorfinn was terrible. Thorfinn was like the storm, like lightning striking the ground. He was a victim and a perpetrator of their cruel world. Yet, he was somehow set apart from it, holy in his own way. He was a like a wooden idol that one locked away in the innermost sanctum of his home. If he locked Thorfinn away, would he finally be at peace? Would his nightmares end? Would he accept Canute’s love?

Such thoughts used to be troubling, back when Canute was a more religious man. Such thoughts were already bordering on blasphemy, a worship of the creature instead of the Creator. However, they became evidence of Canute’s own tendency to discriminate, to favor one vassal over all others, a tendency that only led to more heartbreak, more bloodshed in the end.

So, when he sent Thorfinn away, he wanted to feel relief that he wasn’t a hypocrite, that he could live up to his own ordeals, that he was capable of bringing forth his utopia. The broken look in Thorfinn’s eyes was more than enough evidence that he was only a man. However, Canute wished he would have locked him away instead, kept him hidden away, so that he wouldn’t have felt so empty.

[i-have-no-enemies]

Another AU I think would be super funny is a pretty simple one that’s just “Thorfinn doesn’t care about killing Askeladd in a honorable way, but he doesn’t want Askeladd to know (he knows though.)

— Askeladd sleeps with one eye open and locked doors and windows. He never sleeps in the open anymore.

— One time someone caught Thorfinn slipping raw meat into Askeladd’s pockets when they were walking through a forest that were well known for having a lot of wolves.

— It got so much worse when Thorfinn learned how to use a bowl.

— Thorfinn will very clearly aim at Askeladd and throw his dagger just to go “oops, didn’t see you there.” When he misses.

— He has on many occasions tried to “make peace” with Askeladd by offering him a strange bubbling and glowing (???) soup.

In this AU Askeladd isn’t just balding, he is completely bald, and yes, of course it’s Thorfinn’s fault.

[metalandmagi]

The Real Anime Awards of 2023 part 2

Every year, I become increasingly disappointed in the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, so I started making my own Anime Award lists THAT ARE FOR THE ACTUAL YEAR IN ANIME! IF CRUNCHYROLL WON'T INCLUDE FALL SHOWS THEN I WILL! I've already done my silly version for 2023, so now it's time for my serious picks. But it's still just for fun, so don't take any of my nominees too seriously or get offended that I didn't include your favorites. Even I can't watch everything.

Full disclosure, I don't include all the same categories that Crunchyroll does (just most of them). These are also only for television shows, so I didn't include any movies (and I really don't watch enough anime movies on a yearly basis to include a movie category).

Anime of the Year

Vinland Saga season 2

Zom 100 Bucket List of the Dead

Oshi no Ko

Frieren Beyond Journey’s End

Pluto

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (I don’t care what MyAnimeList says. It’s made by Science Saru, so I'm counting it.)

Best Continuing Series

Vinland Saga season 2

Dr. Stone New World

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2

Spy x Family season 2

Attack on Titan the final season (just assume I mean the last special from here on out)

Best New Series

Buddy Daddies

Oshi no Ko

Tengoku Daimakyou

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Migi to Dali

Best Animation

Tsurune season 2

Trigun Stampede

Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village arc

My Happy Marriage

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2

Attack on Titan the final season

Best Character Design

Overtake!

Bleach Thousand Year Blood War part 2

Oshi no Ko

Blue Lock cour 2

Tokyo Revengers season 2

Mou Ippon! (Yes I'm 100% serious. I actually respect this show’s character design a lot, considering the artists were able to make realistic, distinct, varied female characters of all shapes and sizes without making them into moe blobs. So that's why this is on here instead of another shounen of the week.)

Best Romance

Tomo-chan Is A Girl

My Love Story With Yamada-kun at Lv999

Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts

Skip to Loafer

Insomniacs After School

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces

Best Comedy

Buddy Daddies

Cool Doji Danshi cour 2

Skip to Loafer

My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999

My New Boss is Goofy

The Hundred Girlfriends Who Really Really Really Really Really Love You

Best Action

Trigun Stampede

Demon Slayer Swordsmith Village arc

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2

Attack on Titan the final season

Hell’s Paradise

Honorable mention: Bleach Thousand Year Blood War season 2 (sorry, I just wasn’t as impressed with the action in this season, but it still deserves a shout out)

Best Fantasy

To Your Eternity season 2 cour 2 (is it cheating if it's only counting the last cour of the season 😅)

Ousama Ranking: Yuuki no Takarabako

Hell’s Paradise

Mononogatari season 2

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Mushoku Tensei season 2

Honorable mention: Hikari no Ou (I never finished it but the vibe was there.)

Best Drama

Vinland Saga season 2

Oshi no Ko

Pluto

Ooku: The Inner Chambers

Tengoku Daimakyou

Migi and Dali

Honorable mention: Undead Girl Murder Farce- it's more of a mystery than a drama, but I still wanted to include it somewhere.

Best Slice of Life

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces

Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible

Cool Doji Danshi cour 2

My New Boss is Goofy

Insomniacs After School

My Clueless First Friend

Best Protagonist

Thorfinn (Vinland Saga season 2)

Mitsumi Iwakura (Skip to Loafer)

Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries)

Arikoto Madenokoji (Ooku: The Inner Chambers)

Frieren (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End)

Kouya Madoka (Overtake!)

Best Antagonist

Eisuke Nikaido (Tsurune season 2)

Canute (Vinland Saga season 2)

Millions Knives (Trigun Stampede)

Taiju (Tokyo Revengers season 2)

Ibara (Dr. Stone New World part 2)

Reiko Ichijou (Migi to Dali)

Honorable mention: *SPOILERS* The Bureau of Traditional Music (Mononogatari season 2). These guys were squad goals, not gonna lie.

Best Boy

Vash the Stampede (Trigun Stampede)

Every Single Boy from Cool Doji Danshi cour 2- THEY’RE ALL GOOD BOYS OKAY!?

Sousuke Shima (Skip to Loafer)

Taiyou Takada (My Clueless First Friend)

Einar (Vinland Saga)- Yes Einar instead of Snake. Snake is a lovable antihero, but Einar is best boy material

Yukichi (The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today)

Best Girl

Tomo (Tomo-chan Is A Girl)

Runa Shirakawa (You Were Experienced, I Was Not: Our Dating Story)

Kana Arima (Oshi no Ko)

Amit (Niehime to Kemono no Ou)

Akane Kinoshita (My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999)

Mitsuri Kanroji (Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village arc)

Best Score

Trigun Stampede

Vinland Saga season 2

Insomniacs After School

Bleach Thousand Year Blood War part 2

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Best OP (yes there are 8 nominations, I couldn't decide 😭)

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 (“Specialz” King Gnu)- I really think this season’s OPs should be taken as a pair, but when it comes down to which OP will stand the test of time, I think this one will be more iconic.

Vinland Saga season 2 OP2 (“Paradox” Survive Said the Prophet)

Oshi no Ko (“Idol” YOASOBI)

High Card (“Trickster” Five New Old)

Hell’s Paradise (“Work” Millennium Parade)

Tengoku Daimakyou (“Innocent Arrogance” BiSH)

Bleach Thousand Year Blood War part 2 (“Stars” w.o.d.)

The Legendary Hero is Dead (“Shinda” Masayoshi Ōishi)

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (“Song of the Dead” Kana-Boon)

Honorable mention: Link Click season 2 (honestly this is probably the best OP of the year, but since the show isn’t Japanese, I have to exclude it 😣)

Best ED

Tengoku Daimakyou (“Dare mo Kare mo Doko mo Nani mo Shiranai” ASOBI Doumei)

Oshi no Ko (“Mephisto” Ziyoou-vachi)

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (“Anytime Anywhere” milet)

Dr. Stone New World part 2 (“Suki ni Shinayo” Anly)

Spy x Family season 2 (“Todome no Ichigeki” Vaundy ft. Cory Wong)

Migi to Dali (“Skyline” Nulbarich)

Best VA Performance Japanese

Uemura, Yuuto As Thorfinn (Vinland Saga season 2)

Takahashi, Rei as Tomo (Tomo-chan is a Girl)

Satao, Gen as Ganta Nakami (Insomniacs After School) His laugh is so pure and genuine, I could listen to it forever!

Inoue, Marina as Armin Arlert (Attack on Titan the final season)

Tanezaki, Atsumi as Anya Forger (Spy Family season 2)

Nakamura, Yuuichi as Satoru Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen season 2)

So there you have it! My picks for the real anime awards of 2023. Like I said, don't take this seriously at all, it's just something fun I like to put together every year. I always try not to nominate the same things, but it's easy to end up playing favorites. It's so hard to try to include a variety!

[tirednamelessguy]

Okay, context: This is just a little scene I typed out in the middle of the night recently for a fanfiction (which isn't really one, it only exists in my head in the form of a bunch of different scenes and some backstory). It's for the manga and anime series Vinland Saga and is a Thorfinn x oc/reader fic. That's all that I wanna say for now, I'll probably reblog this to really get into the nitty gritty of this fic (like giving the actual context of the story). I just really wanted to share this one because I can't get it out of my mind so I gotta. Anyway, enough of me yapping, enjoy.

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The moon hung low in a star studded sea of darkness, shining down on the land. The deep blue river surged on, seeming to carry a thousand shimmering stars in its bosom along its path; to flow for miles before joining at a greater vastness eventually. The glowworms didn't come out that night, painting the two familiars in just the light of the world above. They were staring at the waters in silence, both lost in thought. Erik's fingers subconsciously found their way to her hair when the strain of its bounds started to get a little painful and released them, letting her hair cascade down her shoulders, curled and tangled. A faint sigh left her at the relief to her scalp. She saw a faint outline of her face in the water, watching her locks cup her face but couldn't tell much besides due to the meagre light. She brushed through them with her hand, taming them a bit before her eyes naturally went to Thorfinn, finding his gaze already on her.

They were sitting pretty close to keep warm but the distance hadn't meant much until now, when it felt miniscule yet immense at the same time. Erik's stare wandered from Thorfinn's eyes but not far, finding home in his face still, running over his features— his nose, his brows, his hair, his temples, his cheeks, his ears, his jaw, his chin, his lips; she thoroughly traced it all with her eyes, reading each shape, each rise, each dip, each scar. In its totality, his face looked dreamy, like a haze was pulled over it. Or perhaps it was her who was in a haze, finding contentment in simply gazing at him. It was about time she said something, she was aware of that but words struggled to take form in her head, let alone break free from the confines of her mouth.

"You look beautiful." Finally, he spoke. His voice was gentle, not rising above the gushing water in front of them as a rule. Their eyes reunited and for a second, he stumbled, eyes wide as if he surprised himself with his own words but soon, he collected himself. That was his nature after all. He always knew what to say and each word that left those perfectly shaped lips of his was like the mead of poetry for which she would be down to trickery just to get a taste of.

"It... suits you... this way."

The tug on the corners of her lips grew stronger, a fluttering in her chest made her take in a deep breath; the chill, fresh smells of grass and damp soil filled her chest. Her gaze grew softer and that was answer enough for him. 'Thank you', her smile told him. She wondered what he was thinking, his honey-brown eyes refusing to leave her. What she had in mind was crystal clear though. 'I love you', that was all. She wished she could say it. She probably could but she knew neither of them wanted to break the fragile, sanctious tranquility between them.

For that reason, he let his actions speak, extending a hand and delicately caressing her cheek with his knuckles. In harmony, she closed her eyes, feeling every inch of his hand. If she could somehow collect this feeling of his warm, scarred skin on her face, make an ocean out of it and slowly drown in it for eternity, she gladly would. His hand brushed along her shadowy locks and she ached to look at him again. He had moved— no, he was moving, just so slow that it was barely noticeable.

Their eyes were set on each other, locked in place. As he neared her, she could see his eyes more clearly. Shining in the moonlight, they held not only the colour but also the effects of the most divine mead to ever make her drunk. And from the core of those wells grew his pupils ever wider, a darkness that beckoned her to get closer as well. And she did, hypnotised, leaning closer both to his palm that cupped her cheek now, and his bewitching face. His lips were parted ever so slightly which she replicated. Her eyelids grew heavier, fluttering half way down. His thumb brushed her cheekbone, almost as if to make sure this was real. He lifted his chin and tilted his head to the right and his breath tickled her cheek so intoxicatingly, her eyes couldn't stand to remain open. And if she wasn't dying to feel his lips, she would probably fall back and swoon right there.

He didn't drag her anticipation. His lips connected with hers, feather-light and softer than clouds. That alone was enough to leave her breathless— head feeling light and heart soaring. She wanted to say his name, over and over again until her breath ran out, like it was the chant of Gods, an elixir to the parched lips of a lone traveller. She didn't. Solely because she couldn't with the way his lips blanketed hers, moving in a drawn out way. He was making his point, showing her he meant what he said and more. Erik returned the affection, kissing him with all the softness and all the love she had in herself. Her hand went to hold his free one that rested on his lap, lacing her fingers with his.

Their kiss deepened slightly, the yearning that was in the back of both of their minds taking reins. Her brows drew close. Her heart was crying out, her throat hurt from keeping all the emotion down, the only outlet being her lips which did their best to convey all that they could. Soothingly, Thorfinn brushed his thumb over her warm skin again. He understood, she could tell. Because he felt it too. All those years spent away from each other crumbled and turned to dust before them; disappeared, never to separate them again. Nothing ever could, not anymore. For their hearts would always show the way to the other. Even if the heavens were to rip them apart, even if they were stranded on opposite sides of the world, they would find a way back.

'I love you', her heart whispered yet again and he listened. And he said it back, all in the simple motion of the kiss.

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Just wanna add that I've written more after this but am debating whether or not to put that up as well. I'll probably let it marinate in my notes for a while and post it anyway idk

[giggly-squiggily]

TickleTober 2023 Masterlist

Happy Tickletober2023 everyone! :D I've made a masterlist for the event! :D

Full Masterlist

Day 1: Anticipation (SK8: Lee!Langa, Reki, Ler!Joe)

Day 2: Accidental (Collar x Malice: Lee!Ichika, Ler!Kei)

Day 3: Cuddles (Demon Slayer: Switches!Obamitsu)

Day 4: Weak Spot (Hell's Paradise: Lee!Chobe, Ler!Toma)

Day 5: "I'm Not Ticklish" (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Lee!Abbachio, Lers!Mista, Narancia)

Day 6: Chase (Jujutsu Kaisen: Lee!Gojo, Ler!Utahime)

Day 7: Flustered (Tokyo Revengers: Lee!Chuuya, Ler!Baji)

Day 8: Truth (Moriarty The Patriot: Lee!Sherlock, Ler!William)

Day 9: Lie (Buddy Daddies: Lee!Miri, Lers!Kazuki, Rei)

Day 10: Ghost (Demon Slayer: Lers!TenRenMitsu)

Day 11: Squeal (Black Clover: Lee!Leopold, Ler!Yuno)

Day 12: Bites/Nibbles (Bungo Stray Dogs: Lee!Dazai, Ler!Chuuya)

Day 13: Sneak Attack (Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: Lee!Grusha, Lers!Rika, Iono)

Day 14: Soft (Hell's Paradise: Lee!Yui, Ler!Gabimaru)

Day 15: Tickle Fight (My Hero Academia: Switches!Bakugou, Midoriya, Todoroki)

Day 16: Unusual Spot (Demon Slayer: Lee!Akaza, Ler!Douma)

Day 17: Interrogation (Spy x Family: Lee!Loid, Lers!Anya, Yor)

Day 18: Magic (Toilet Bound Hanako-Kun: Lee!Hanako, Ler!Nene)

Day 19: Arms Up (Blue Lock: Lee!Chigiri, Ler!Nagi)

Day 20: Relentless (Chainsaw Man: Lee!Aki, Lers!Denji, Power)

Day 21: New Discovery (Code Realize: Lee!Lupin, Lers!Cardia, Impey)

Day 22: Ticklish Kiss (Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: Lee!Brassius, Ler!Hassel)

Day 23: Incoherent (Vinland Saga: Lee!Thorfinn, Ler!Einar)

Day 24: Pinned (Hell's Paradise: Lee!Yuzuriha, Ler!Sagiri)

Day 25: Gang Tickles (Haikyuu!!: Lee!Semi, Lers!Tendou, Shirabu, Goshiki)

Day 26: Counting (Blue Lock: Lee!Isagi, Ler!Bachira)

Day 27: Hysterical (Dr Stone: Lee!Senku, Ler!Gen)

Day 28: Massage (Bungo Stray Dogs: Lee!Atsushi, Ler!Akutagawa)

Day 29: Wake Up! (Blue Lock: Lee!Nagi, Lers!Barou, Chigiri)

Day 30: Caught (Jujutsu Kaisen: Lee!Nobara, Ler!Maki)

Day 31: Aftercare (Fruits Basket: Lee!Tohru, Ler!Kyo)

[justaghostingon]

When History Forgets, I Will Remember

There are few true humans left in the galaxy. Askeladd would know, his mother was one of them.

While helping a young Thorfinn with his homework, Askeladd reflects on the nature of history.

There is no greater struggle in life than the task of helping with homework. Wrestling with a kid for hours to grasp the concept of a topic sentence; racking your brain to remember math you've long since forgotten; staying up late to help a kid glue a diarama together for a science fair they were absolutly going to lose; it was enough to make a person to take a short walk into the void of space.

Askeladd was half considering just locking the next person they needed tortured in a room with Thorfinn before a big math test for a few hours, and seeing how long it took for them to crack. The only thing holding him back from enacting his plan was that Thorfinn would probably refuse to let the prisoner help out of spite and then Askeladd would be stuck dealing with the fallout.

"Alright what's it today," Askeladd clapped his hands, looking down at the scowling face of his youngest crew member. "Need me to hold your hand through basic addition?" He laughed at his own joke.

Thorfinn's face tightened like he'd been sucking a limon, but he managed to grunt out, "History test."

Huh. It must be more serious than Askeladd thought. Usually Thorfinn put up way more of a fight before accepting Askeladd's help. A better man would stop teasing the boy and get straight to work.

But Askeladd was not a better man.

"What's this? Thorfinn is struggling with history? After deliberately ignoring me every time I tried to teach it to him? It's almost like he's experiencing consequences to his actions!"

"Shut up! Your teaching is shit. Nothing you talk about comes up on tests."

"Well that's just rude." Askeladd sighed. "Makes me wonder why I put in all the effort. Maybe you should go run to Bjorn instead."

"Maybe I will!" Thorfinn snapped back, jumping to his feet. This effect was somewhat ruined by the fact that he was not much taller than when he'd been sitting down. Ever the scrawny runt.

Askeladd raised an eyebrow and waited. They both knew Thorfinn wasn't going anywhere. Not for history.

Askeladd had not, initally, helped Thorfinn with his homework. In fact when Thorfinn was first enrolled in school, as per the laws of the Galactic empire, he'd hoped it's uncompromising schedule would keep Thorfinn off of his ship. Missing the first and last part of the year to join the summer raiding party wouldn't go over with any school, and they'd doubtlessly insisted he stay on Planet Gorm. He'd be free one murder happy kitten getting underfoot, and Thorfinn would be trapped in Gorm's School system learning his ABCs. Or so he thought.

But being the nephew of the leader of an entire planet had its downsides. Namely that certain kissup teachers and staff might decide to adjust Thorfinn's schedule so he could spend his time in the late spring and early fall online, and transition to in-person in the winter months when the crew rested in the village. Anything for the kid Askeladd was enrolling.

Sometimes he was just too popular.

The result of this had been Thorfinn going to school on the ship. Which meant when he'd had problems with said school work on the ship, there was nowhere to go to avoid the tantrums that would follow. It didn't help that Thorfinn was far to stubborn, keeping at a problem he didn't understand while letting out frustrated yells long into the night.

Eventually in the interest of his crew's functionality, he'd had to step in and try to tutor the kid. It had been an uphill battle, but after four years, Askeladd had to admit he was a little proud.

Of himself. For surviving it.

"What time period is the test over?" Askeladd asked after Thorfinn calmed down.

"First Space Age." Thorfinn grunted.

"That's not hard," Askeladd said, flipping open the review sheet, "Everyone knows about the First Space Age." Or thought they did. Funny how much propaganda the Danes could shove into their history classes. Anything to justify their betrayal.

"Here's an easy one." Askeladd's finger stopped on a line. "What does DANE stand for in the DANE Project?"

"Durability, Agility, and Neuroility Evolution Project."

"Neurological Evolution Project." Askeladd corrected. "And do you know why they chose to use this term for our empire even to this day?"

His mother had told him it was because the scientist who first created the DANEs was Danish himself, and wanted the project's name to reflect his homeland. But that detail, along with the entire planet it hailed from, was long destroyed. No one bothered to remember the names of the insignificant countries on the long forgotten planet of Earth.

As if to prove his point, Thorfinn answered, "because they were the first to go to space," with a roll of his eyes. Not a thought to the world that came before. "Can we move on now?"

"Maybe if you could get the answer right." Askeladd said. Technically, it was good enough for a test, but Askeladd was overcome with a longing to speak the truth, forgotten though it was. That someone might hear and remember it. "DANEs weren't the first to go to space. Humans were. DANEs were only the first synthetics sent out to explore the galaxy."

A foolish move. Creating a race of beings stronger than them and then sending them out to explore, believing they'd remain loyal. Oh how his ancestors had paid for that naivety.

Thorfinn looked unimpressed. "Humans don't count. They didn't colonize the planets. And they're not around anymore besides. The DANEs were the real ones who conquered the galaxy for our use."

There was pride in Thorfinn's voice, back straight, synthetic eyes shining and far to detailed to be anything but unnerving to look into. You'd never tell he wasn't human. Not really. But then again, in this age who was? In this vast universe, only a handful of true humans remained.

Askeladd would know. His mother was one.

"Wrong again," he crowed, feeling petty. "The terraformers went first. You'd know them as the people of the Anglo and Saxon systems. They made the galaxy livable for all lifeforms. the Dane may have found the new locations, but it was they who made those locations livable."

Their alliance had not been long. Soon the DANEs would covet the land the terraformers had created and turn on their kin, synthetic vs synthetic, seeking their wealth for themselves. But it still lasted long enough to colonize the galaxy.

Long enough to turn on the humans.

"That's not what the textbook says," Thorfinn frowned, looking from his review sheet to his open history book. "It just talks about how DANE strength led to our victory over the galaxy."

"Textbooks aren't always right," Askeladd placed a hand on Thorfinn's shoulder. "You've got to learn to read between the lines of propaganda."

He doubted even textbooks in the Anglo or Saxon systems would reference the war against humanity, where the created turned on their creator. To much bloodshed for a people group that identified themselves as humble followers of the Gentle Shepherd God.

No, it was only the humans who remembered, the last survivors of the slaughter, eeking out a living atop the backs of the Great Space Whales who were their only shelter. They'd made it work, even raising kingdoms upon the different whale's backs. But the great works of science and art they'd accomplished were far behind them.

Only record keepers like his mother remembered them, spending their whole lives devoted to learning one important piece of the old knowledge so that it might be passed on. Living time capsules, each and every one of them.

Not that knowledge of Earth's legends did his mother any good while enslaved.

"I'm being tested on the textbook, not what's between the lines," Thorfinn said, breaking Askeladd from his thoughts. "I don't need to know what it's not saying. I just need to pass."

Typical Danish answer. Askeladd's upper lip curled into a sneer. Keeping himself blind to the truth, content to live believing himself a superior being, when he was only the descendant of a lab experiment that turned on its makers. Just the same as the rest of the Vikings, whose synthetic hearts longed only for destruction. Sometimes he wondered why he even bothered.

"It's important you brat. You need to be able to think! To know when they're manipulating you!"

"Whatever." Thorfinn rolled his eyes, looking away from Askeladd. In a quieter voice he said. "It won't change anything anyways."

Those words froze Askeladd in place, pulling him back to cold garages and stables filled with exotic creatures but never enough food, and most of all his mother's voice, still reciting to him the truth she guarded, even when her mind was long gone.

Hadn't he thought the same, when she told him the truth of this universe? That the last humans escaped earth on the grand ship Artorius. How they built synthetics in their image with a technology so advanced they were indistinguishable from people, and how they were betrayed. A truth erased by history. One no one but his mother and her people bothered to remember.

It did them no good, knowing these things. His mother's status as a true human did not save her from the cold, if anything it made her more vulnerable. No one was coming to save them as the great ship Artorius saved the last of humanity. It was only him, a misshapen, half human, half synthetic atrocity left to defend them both.

Knowing changed nothing, and yet when his mother passed he kept her words alive in his mind. Telling her stories to himself over and over again in the dead of night for fear he'd forget them. Even as he led a very band of the DANEs he hated, as he watched with indifference of the synthetic on synthetic violence they waged (but not against humans, never against humans, not as long as he was captain).

A hopeless legacy, a pointless endeavor. And yet all he had left of his only true parent.

"So cynical," Askeladd clicked his tongue at Thorfinn. "I take it this means you're forfeiting our next duel? Since your loss is predetermined after all."

"What? NO!" Thorfinn wipped his head back to turn his burning glare at Askeladd. "I'll kill you this time! Don't you dare back out!"

"No ten year old is ever going to beat a grown man in a duel." Askeladd sniffs. "But if you really still want it, you'd better stop your yapping and start listening. Failing your test will lower your grades after all, and then you won't get your fight."

"Nuh-uh!" Thorfinn snapped, turning back to his review sheet with new zeal. "I'm getting that duel, just you watch!" Pulling at his text book, he began frantically flipping the pages to find the answers.

"Kids," Askeladd laughed to himself as he watched. So easy to motivate. But at least it looked like Thorfinn had it under control now. Askeladd was free to leave.

It had been a while since he recited his mother's stories, he thought as he turned towards his captain's quarters. He should do it again now he had a space all to himself.

And maybe, one day, he'd tell them to Thorfinn. The boy already carried one hopeless legacy on his back, what was one more?

[sailtomarina]

In Absence of Towels and Rules

Hermione had always been more of a shower person.

The idea of filling a gigantic basin full of water only to dirty it up, empty it, and fill it once more to rinse and soak seemed extraordinarily wasteful. There were droughts out there, for goodness sake! People dying of thirst, crops drying up, and perhaps even most mind-boggling of all, the entire endeavor taking entirely far too much time—all of it was unacceptable.

She’d heard of the Prefect’s bathroom even as a firstie, of course. Rumors abounded around legendary ladykillers like Bill Weasley and Thorfinn Rowle. When Harry got his first taste of the bath and described the experience to her in detail, she thought it sounded far too elaborate. Who needed so many types of soap bubbles? She certainly didn’t fancy the idea of a mermaid watching her scrub away the day.

So when doing her rounds as Head Girl late one night she noticed a trail of footprints heading towards the notorious 5th-floor room, Hermione assumed what anyone else would have assumed. Students were obviously hooking up.

This was one of the parts of being Head Girl that she hated most. Catching students out of bed after hours was a given—she shooed snogging couples away from the castle’s nooks and crannies all the time. Usually, she didn’t have to deal with anything more explicit than that. Most students had the common sense to conduct their more extensive explorations in complete privacy. In the rare case that she actually did catch sight of more—she’d never look at Blaise and Luna the same again—she felt like every bit the intruder that she was. Why couldn’t they just do the sensible thing and shag behind doors, preferably with iron-clad locking and silencing spells?

Like this person. The footprints marked a clear path to the closed door and, given the nature of them, were fresh. There was an oddly sweet scent in the air, but she attributed it to spillover from the bathroom.

Readying her wand, she strode up and was just about to knock and announce herself, when a loud moan froze her solid.

“Mmmmmmmmfffffffff.”

Did they not even have the decency to cast a silencio? Whoever was in there should be caught and punished for the simple failure to cast the obvious spell.

“Fuck, that feels good.”

Her stomach dropped as she recognized that voice.

Going against the voice screaming in her head to do her duty, Hermione cautiously cast a muffliato on her person and unlocked the door to nudge it open just far enough to peek inside. It was hard to see past the steam that filled her view, but she could make out what looked to be one figure in the water.

Well, she’d already come this far. She might as well go all the way.

One disillusionment spell later, Hermione slid through the doorway and along the wall of the bathroom. She wasn’t going to stay long; she just needed to confirm the student was who she thought it was.

Peeking over the cubbies and squinting past the fragrant clouds, she could still only see one body. 

Odd. Where was the other student?

She arched up onto her toes to look at the water’s edge closest to her, partially hidden by the very cabinet she stood behind. Hermione didn’t account for the shadow she cast on the wall.

How the student could see through the steam when she could not would later bother her. As she leaned over to look along the pool for any hint of another body, that same voice cried out before she could react.

“Petrificus Totalus!”

The spell hit with deadly accuracy, and Hermione found herself toppling to the side with a resounding thunk onto the tiles. The sound of someone emerging from the water and walking over to stand above her only compounded the shame that burned deep in her gut. Not only had she been found out, but she now looked like some kind of voyeur.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Granger.”

To her surprise, she felt the spell release and she scrambled to her feet to confront her attacker.

Draco Malfoy stood before her in all his sodden glory, platinum hair slicked back, water dripping down his broad chest—several scars marring the otherwise smooth surface—and a fluffy white towel wrapped around his torso.

She tried not to let her eyes linger on the lower half of his body, but she couldn’t help staring at the rest of him. By the time she got a hold of herself and snapped her eyes back up to his, a knowing smirk graced his face.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of the Head Girl’s presence?” His drawl lacked any concern, as if it was only obvious that he’d bathe at such a late hour.

“Where are they, Malfoy?”

The crease that formed in his brow was too natural to be an act. “Where is who?”

“Whoever you brought in here with you!”

“We’re the only two people in here, Granger, unless there’s someone else sneaking a peek. Theo gave me the password to wash off the muck from our potion.”

While his stance remained relaxed, he did glance around in curiosity. Hermione could feel the claws of mortification creeping up her neck, threatening to betray itself in a brilliant shade of red across her face if she didn’t get out of here soon.

“I’m sure you’re aware, but it’s late. You can’t be here after curfew.”

His attention swung back her way, and the upward curl of his lip returned, eyes scanning her from head to foot in a manner that had her shuffling in discomfort. She wasn’t sure what he was thinking, but it couldn’t be anything good.

“You’re here.”

“I’m on my last rounds. I’d be in my room by now if I hadn’t noticed the trail you left behind.”

Stepping closer, he continued to hold her gaze, his smile only growing wider as she fought every instinct to bolt for the door.

“There’s nothing stopping you from leaving now.” His voice had dropped to an aggravating purr, like a gentle flame licking at the edges of her well-maintained border.

“I can’t just ignore you in here, Malfoy,” Hermione insisted. She had duties, rules to uphold. She was simply following through on the trust the teachers had placed in her. She was absolutely not interested in studying the suds running down his chest, or the slashes from Harry’s sectumsempra.

“Why don’t you join me, then? I’m still covered in soap.”

He chuckled at her gasp, and she tried not to miss his warmth as he stepped back towards the water. Keeping an eye on her, he tossed aside his towel–no, she did not look down–and descended slowly like some kind of water nymph hoping to lure Hermione to her death. He then turned his back to her and waited.

There was no way she could join him.

It wasn’t proper.

She was Head Girl.

She was supposed to send him to bed.

His words kept replaying in her mind. She couldn’t send him to bed still covered in suds, could she?

She might as well supervise him until he was finished then escort him to the dungeons afterward.

The entire time Hermione fought with herself, he maintained his position. Only once she started to remove her clothes did he shift, raising one pale arm to smooth his hair back. She caught sight of the dark mark along the forearm before it vanished beneath the bubbles. Hermione wrapped a towel around her head in hopes of keeping her curls dry.

“I’m coming in.” Her voice trembled, try as hard as she might to sound confident.

“Just tell me when I can turn around.”

To her surprise, the water wasn’t scalding like the hot tubs she’d experienced on family vacations. The bath was a perfect temperature that tugged you into its embrace and loosened your muscles all at once.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, oh!” She squeaked when she realized she had audibly sighed. Well, now his earlier moan made sense.

She spotted Malfoy’s shoulders shaking, and for a moment she was concerned that there was something wrong. It wasn’t until she stepped closer and caught the sharp intake of breath that she realized he was laughing at her.

Her slap on the water sent a wave over his head, ruining the slick tresses. In a flash, he spun around to smack water back her way, and she sputtered at the bubbles that filled her mouth.

“Mmmmmmmf, bloody hell, Malfoy!”

“You started it!”

“You were laughing at me!”

“Yeah, well, did you hear yourself?”

That earned him a whole armful of water, which he avoided by ducking. A second later, Hermione’s eyes widened comically at the hand that grasped her ankle before she was yanked under the surface.

Her hair!

The grip on her leg had disappeared the moment she went under, and she surged upward with a roar of fury.

She was going to kill him.

“Malfoy!”

Hermione didn’t anticipate him standing quite so close, nor did she notice the angle of the floor at the edge of the pool with its upward slope. It was only once she stood above the water that she realized her breasts were not only completely exposed, but level with Malfoy’s very open eyes.

“Ackkkkkk!”

She thrust herself backwards into the safety of the water, submerging herself almost up to her nose. She didn’t know it, but her curls floated around her, giving Malfoy the impression that he was facing an angry tentacle monster intent on strangling him.

“Um. Sorry about that.” He cast his eyes off to the side, his throat bobbing and pale skin flushed pink.

“You saw nothing.” Even her hiss sounded like a sea creature.

He nodded, still not looking at her.

“And you’ll say nothing.”

This time he looked over in exasperation. “Of course I won’t say anything, Granger! Who do you think I am?”

“I don’t know, only the biggest, most boastful prat in existence.”

He rewarded her glare with one of his own, his irises darkening along with his tone. “Look here, Granger, I don’t kiss and tell—”

“We didn’t kiss!”

“—and I certainly don’t share.”

Hermione wanted to die of embarrassment, wrapping her arms defensively around her chest. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” he swam forward to crowd her space, “that I don’t want anyone else to see your magnificent tits.”

She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He had to be joking.

“You said you didn’t see anything.”

“No, you said I didn’t see anything.”

She made to shove him for his snark, but he caught her arm in a firm grasp and didn’t let go. Hermione’s eyes traced along the subtle flex of his pectorals, to the tense muscles in his neck, and up to the eyes, still so dark, that held fast to her own. She couldn’t help licking her lips in nervousness, catching her breath when his gaze flitted down to watch the movement. His hold on her arm tightened and he shifted closer.

“Malfoy…”

“Tell me to stop.”

He still stared at her lips, and she realized she didn’t want him to stop. She let them part in an invitation, and he immediately accepted.

Hermione had kissed before. There had been Ron, adrenaline pumping through their veins and pressing them into a kiss that felt like a natural flow from which they found themselves stumbling not long after.

There’d been her neighbor, Shawn, before that, their tentative explorations a series of firsts. Theirs had been a safe curiosity, and fleeting.

There was Viktor, dear Viktor, whom she’d met up with once more after the war. Now both adults, he taught her to not be ashamed of her sexual impulses. They hadn’t gone beyond touches, and their parting brought with it a sense of finality.

Draco’s kiss was like none of the others before it. It consumed her in dueling temperatures of heat and frost. He tasted of peppermint and ice, but the warmth of his tongue gliding along hers and the arms that moved to pull her against him fanned the earlier flames into an inferno. She was simultaneously terrified and exhilarated by the immediate yearning that filled her to capacity.

Fingers tangled in her hair and a palm caressed upward, brushing the underside of her chest. Alarm swept through her.

“Wait!” 

She wasn’t sure why it surprised her as much as it did when he immediately stopped all movement. He remained close, though, breathing heavily into the crook of her neck.

“What are we doing?” she whispered.

Hermione wasn’t an idiot. She knew exactly what they were doing. She wanted to hear his explanation, as if that would make what they were about to do acceptable.

She couldn’t help the gasp that escaped her as he latched his mouth to her neck and left his signature before answering.

“What if I said we’re fulfilling a fantasy I’ve had for a long, long time?”

It took a moment for the words to sink into her muddled mind and for the meaning to make itself clear. She tried to jerk away, but he refused to let her go. He at last looked up at her, the silver in his eyes glinting strangely.

“What, to shag someone in the bath?” she said, afraid of his answer. Here she was, about to become another notch on the bedpost of Draco Malfoy, all of her own volition.

“Yes, and no,” he replied slowly, the tension in his own voice tight.

She tried in vain to yank her arms away once more, but they weren’t going anywhere. She’d likely have bruises to show for it in the morning. “Well, which one is it?”

“Yes, I’ve dreamt about shagging in the bath, and no, not just any witch. Just. You.” He punctuated the last couple of words forcefully, like they hurt him to say.

“Well, thanks, that’s so romantic,” she spat before continuing. “What shall I do next? Bend over the ledge?”

His eyes darkened with each word that sprang from her mouth, but she was too focused on her own hurt feelings to notice.

“Or how about over there, on the bench? We could go through an entire yoga set’s worth of poses–”

His lips crashed down on hers, silencing her tirade. Still in the depths of her indignation, she bit at his lip.

“Fuck! Granger, just stop.”

“I will not let you use me as you like, Malfoy!”

“I’m not trying to use you; I’m trying to get it through your thick skull that I like you!”

She stared up at him, mouth open and finally devoid of any further insults. His confession was the very last thing she had ever expected to hear. It certainly beat hopes she had about Harry and Ron returning to Hogwarts, or of any of the castle elves speaking with her again after her S.P.E.W. campaign.

Hermione knew the wards hadn’t been completely repaired following the Battle of Hogwarts and that apparition was currently possible, though prohibited. 

She might enforce the rules, but she did a piss poor job following them. 

She apparated straight to her dorm in an attempt to escape, not taking into account that Malfoy still held her arms, that they were both stark naked, and that they were completely wet. They dropped heavily onto the couch, instantly soaking through the cushions.

“What the bloody hell, Granger!” Malfoy bellowed at the top of his lungs.

“Why didn’t you let go of me?” she screamed back.

“You can’t just panic apparate! We could have been splinched!”

“You basically splinched my fucking head!”

“Uh, guys?”

The sound of a third voice snapped their attention around so quickly, it was a miracle their heads were still attached. Theo Nott lounged in his armchair next to the fireplace, legs crossed and wearing an expression of distinct amusement.

As Head Girl, Hermione shared a private dorm with the Head Boy, who just so happened to be the same Theo who had given Malfoy the password to the Prefect’s bathroom. In the time it took for the naked duo to process his presence and place blame at his feet, they came to the same terrifying conclusion.

“Wait, what are you doing? Stop it! Stay back!”

Hands still joined, they ran at the terrified brunette and grabbed onto him with their free hands.

“Your go, Malfoy.”

“With pleasure.”

Theo’s scream sounded high and long as they disapparated and reappeared in the air above the same bath from which they’d just escaped. The trio fell with a splash that drowned out his cries. Hermione knew just how much time her roommate spent on his immaculate curls that made her own best efforts look like the perfect imitation of a bird’s nest.

As the three students screamed and laughed, sending waves of water towards one another in a storm of steam and hot bubbles, the mermaid in the nearby portrait yawned and went back to sleep. She’d seen far more ridiculous things in her years on the bathroom wall, and as pretty as she thought Draco, she preferred gingers like that de-li-cious Charlie Weasley.

Hermione could keep the Malfoy boy, and perhaps that Nott one, as well. They’d do well together, if only they could get out of the bathtub.

Cross-posted on AO3

WC 2899

DHRMonth Prompt: Week 1 - Hogwarts, September 5 - Prefect Baths

I actually had so much fun with this prompt, even though I ended up having to bend the rules a bit regarding apparition on Hogwarts grounds, but Hermione wouldn't mind some rule breaking, right?

I snuck in a hint of TheoxHermionexDraco - I can't help it!

Smut almost happened, but I yanked it back from the precipice because I want to give everyone blue balls, myself included.

[neonscandal]

Thanks for answering my ask from a few weeks ago @neonscandal ..... If you don't mind me asking (again), what are your top 10 (or top 7) favorite media (can be books/ manga/ anime/movies/tv series)? Why do you love them? Sorry if you've answered this question before....

Thank you for asking in the first place! ❤️

Not at all unique is the fact that, as soon as I get asked a question about my top faves, I immediately draw a blank on everything I've ever enjoyed or watched, ever. 😅 I'm sure that's not the first time you've heard that. No need to apologize, as you can probably tell from other asks, my answers change regularly. This is my anime/manga blog so without any regard for order:

Life Lessons with Uramichii-Oniisan (anime) - depending on how old you are, there's a cognitive dissonance that occurs when you're no longer younger than nor the same age as your favorite protagonists in the stories you grew up with. This is the anime that eases the blow of that like the ibuprofen you now keep at home, at work and in your purse. And it's hysterical.

Attack on Titan (anime/manga) - There is something to be said for the eloquence of the exposition in this story which, when you know Isayama spent years shopping his art around to no avail because of the roughness of his style, makes perfect sense. While refining his art, he had all this time to pore over the story, hide little easter eggs so there'd be one string that gathered up all seeming loose ends. Just an incredibly interesting story to unfold. It's the kind of thing you wish you could read again for the first time but that's laughable because, every time you read it, you notice something you hadn't the last time.

To Your Eternity (anime) - This is the Grey's Anatomy equivalent in anime. Like, oh. You're emotionally constipated and need a good cry? Pick an episode at random. Watch a whole season if you're really about that life.

Sasaki to Miyano (manga/anime) - TBH I tied between this or Horimiya. They are not the same story but hold similar places in my heart. What I love about Sasaki to Miyano is how delicate it is. Yea, slow burn, whatever. But no, it just kind of gives Miyano space to come to terms with himself and Sasaki is the safety net that accepts him in all forms. Can love be this sweet?

Goodbye, Eri (manga) - Fujimoto is off the wall. Chainsaw Man is an excellent representation of that. Seemingly unfocused and always good for some sort of shock factor. I've been wanting to write, for some time, about how Fujimoto is like a trickster of a genie but I'll shelve that for the time being. Goodbye, Eri's disjointed narrative as if told in photographs and the art style which shows movement despite its static medium. It's a really elegant piece with a plot twist you don't see coming because, of course you don't. That, in fact, is part of the whole message of the story, isn't it?

Ranma 1/2 (anime) - Nostalgia. This was the first anime I ever watched that I locked into. It started me on a path of drawing, it encouraged me to seek out other shows.. this series is what started it all wayyy back then (okay, not that far back then, this was in the 00's). Tsundere x tsundere, yes but also just the immediate identification with characters who couldn't authentically be themselves because they kept bending and breaking under external pressures. I could very much relate and empathize even if the chaos of their universe was too fanciful for my own. Also, pretty sure Rumiko Takahashi is the longest running mangaka with consistent chapters in Shonen Jump for the last 40+ years is wild.

Vinland Saga (anime) - I honestly don't even know what to say about this story. But I think my favorite observation is a post I saw someone make where they wrote "No one will know the violence it took to become this gentle" with a picture of Thorfinn. And they were so poignantly right. Phenomenally twisted revenge story that is not at all satisfying. 10/10.

Link Clink (donghua) - This show is a vibe. If it hasn't been on a recommendation list yet, it's coming. The music, the art, the unfurling back story of the main characters as they untangle the lives of others? It manages to be both gutting and cerebral at the same time. Like every time I watch I'm like... I need to read the source material because the complexity of the concurrent storylines makes it such a head scratcher as to the larger plot.

Jujutsu Kaisen (anime/manga) - *Gestures vaguely to the rest of my blog.* We're still in the throes of how this story is going to play out which is nerve wracking and exciting for all its possibilities. I hold out a lot of hope that we'll see some stunning exposition in future chapters that we won't see coming.

Belle (anime) - It's just beautiful. 😘👌🏾 I talk a lot about my niece and nephew because I've turned them into my dorky little mini-me's. Also, being an aunt is like the best job. Belle is a movie that had them both gagged with the animation. If a show or series can get both of them to put their ipads, books, art supplies, etc. down, then I know I put them onto something special. Honestly, anything I enjoy with them makes it that much more special to me, personally.

This was lovely. I'll get back to posting lists soon, feel free to check out other recommendations!

[thorfinnrowlex]

where: three broomsticks who: @zabinixevelyn

Thorfinn didn't know how to feel about the plan, but he had to put his trust in Emma, despite the gnawing voice in his head. With the workday ending, he made a small stop before heading back to his manor, and found a table to the side. His drink was placed in front of him, glancing around the room when his eyes fell on the woman that walked through the door.

Evelyn Zabini

He was always quite intrigued with the rumours that followed her, feeling there was more truth behind them. Their eyes locked, his head gesturing to the empty sit beside him, if she cared to join him.

[shinjisdone]

To Soften a Warrior’s Heart (Vinland Saga; Thorfinn; Part 5.1)

In which you have joined Askeladd’s band…and grow closer to the Son of Thors. Though it is more difficult than anyone can could ever imagine…

[Headcanons of how it would be like to meet and crawl your way into Thorfinn’s heart (based on season 1; both platonic and romantic)]

Part 1 is here - meeting Thorfinn at the age of 14 and how he is at that age

Part 2 is here - meeting Thorfinn at the age of 16/17 + headcanons of growing closer (slightly following s1 story)

Part 3 is here - blooming friendship with Thorfinn (slightly following s1 story)

Part 4 is here - Thorfinn unwittingly opening his heart as he realizes he does not want you to die

Part 5.2 is here - other sweet thigns Thorfinn would do for you (headcanons)

Part 6 is here - Becoming Canute's guard while Thorfinn accepts your relationship and bond

Part 7 is here - Canute grieving over Ragnar and Thorkell catching up; Thorfinn leaves you alone for revenge

Part 8 is here - Thorfinn wins against Thorkell; Questioning your bond with Thorfinn

Part 9 is here - Meeting Leif and Thorfinn dueling Askeladd; Losing while Askeladd told him the truth of his constant losses

Part 10 is here - Thorfinn and you bound by heart; Promises of Vinland broken and abandoned

[Mentions of wholesome things now happening between you and Thorfinn in your daily lives as vikings :)

No awful things this time - except potential harrassment of the other bandmates is mentioned. Many female examples in general + gender-neutral ones.]

Also literally had to split my original post in two because tumblr said no 🤡 one more word and youre out

i simply have;;;;;; too much brainrot ughhh too many thoughts

Sweet Things Thorfinn would Do For/With You Now That You Trust Each Other And Get Along And I Have Too Many Thoughts In No Order :)

Just as a heads up:

Never, never ever would Thorfinn ever express his feelings for you verbally, no matter if platonic or romantic. Not a living soul is going to know what's really going on inside of him (not like he even knows what he's really feeling!). Even you could be the one asking him why he's doing what he does and what he feels in his heart but Thorfinn would only scoff and leave you with no answer. If anything, he'd just come up with a light counter question.

The blonde is careful when he handles you. Do not misunderstand, there will be no signs or touches of affections from him. Oh, no, no, no. Thorfinn pushes, drags and pulls whenever and however he pleases. It's just when he does it with you, he keeps reminding himself to be gentle.

Not because he sees you as fragile, injured or not, but because he wants to be gentle with you. He's just not used to it, hence the remembering.

When he pushes you, he does so with half of his strength and because he wants to keep you out of harms way. While others roll down the hill and break their necks, you stumble.

When he drags you, he is, well, dragging you. Maybe you talk for too long, you're distracted or you're being too slow, ya drag. Again, he doesn't haul you by the collar but instead clasps your wrists and leads you elsewhere.

When he pulls, he is first guiding you, then giving you a brief shove into the right direction with his hand on your back. Sometimes he does pull on your hair though to wake you up. The guy is cheeky like that at times, only when you two are alone though and then he has the gall to say with a grin that he just pulled some hay out of your hair (if you have light-colored hair, then he has the excuse that he couldn't just see the hay and...pulled on a handful of locks). And if he doesn't do that, you can bet he pinches your nose long enough to wake you up.

Over time however, there will be not need to remind himself to be gentle. Thorfinn will just become gentle with you. It's like he's learning.

In general he would not think of anything of your gentle or soft touches. Thorfinn takes it that you find his company pleasant too so he wouldn't be surprised if you were kind with the way you are handling him.

However, he might freeze up like a cat that got in contact with water or even have the slightest of blushes on his face (very faint and very rare though!) if you show him any signs of affections or intimacy.

Your grin could rival the sun or you can giggle like a princess and Thorfinn would only smile at the brief joy you can share. It's nothing that flusters him.

However, if you were to tell him how, depsite everything, glad you are that you met him or that even he can be sweet in the same breath, then prepare to meet widened eyes and lips stretched to a line. It's hard to read what he's feeling in situations like these.

Bonus points if you are being affectionate with him. Nothing grand but something akin to gently brushing his hair out of his face when checking for injuries (the sensation of your fingertips gingerly gliding over his skin is foreign), tapping his face when trying to wake him up (your 'Hey, hey!'s that form as warm breaths hit his skin and your own hand is warm on his cheek) or when he drags you away with his grasp on your wrist, your fingers sometimes graze over his palm (You don't seem upset when he does that. It's like you let him know that you are there). All of these little gestures stun him at times...and yes, he might blush. Do NOT ever point it out or you're dead!

Even so, sometimes...just sometimes...if you are being reaaally cautious, you can catch him being affectionate as well.

It's not his fault. Your affection just has infected him.

The young man doesn't even notice. There isn't a change of behaviour or character, it is just a simple action that passes by like a breeze if you blink. When he thinks your joke was lame, he teasingly gives you light shove pat on your noggin (he acts like he's 'punishing' you for that bad joke even if his touch didn't hurt at all). When he cuts your hair or untangles it, he runs his fingers through as a last check-up (or maybe he does it twice, very gently too). When you are too tired or injured he gives you a piggy-back ride if the band has to move on, careful not touch your thighs (in fact he balls his hands up in fists so he can't have his fingers brush you) and adjusting you so you can be comfortable. You can bet he will tell you to hold onto him tightly so you won't and can't fall off. When he wants to wake you up, he nudges his head with yours, right next to his.

Thorfinn doesn't even realize these things can be seen as trusting or intimate. He just...does them. After all this time, why should he be rough with you?

When on baot, both of you have no choice but to share the same sleeping spots with the other men, no matter how much you dislike them. Either you'd wake up before them to enjoy the stillness or sleep in as much as possible until you have to get up. Since neither of you are of any help on the ship (rather Thorfinn refuses to when there is nothing in it for him and for your age you aren't as strong as the others to row).

On land you can bet your camp is faaaaar away from the others. Even when there are not on the battlefield, they are loud, sing, tell each other stories, pillage houses left behind or end up arguing which always leads to a duel. It's not pleasant to be with them so you two prefer each other.

If there are truly no enemies near, both of you feel free to fall asleep...but after that stunt from Askeladd, Thorfinn would always insist on staying up at least a bit before sunrise. It doesn't matter if Askeladd himself comes near, any of them men could be a potential danger (especially if you are a woman).

You wake up and get ready for breakfast. Anything that is edible will do and you both quickly decide who does what. Both of you are okay with whatever task needs to be done, so there isn't much arguing (neither is there in general). You cook, eat, and Thorfinn often trains during the breaks before the band moves on. He refuses to train with you though. On one hand, since he aims to kill, he cannot afford to go easy in general even if it is for sparring. On the other hand, he doesn't want you to get hurt. The blonde doesn't really believe he ever would, even on accident while training, hurt you (the guy is a bit unaware of his strength though...like, he totally could accidentally hurt you. If you told him so, he wouldn't believe you.) - but, as mentioned - Thorfinn does not risk anything when it comes to your safety.

You can best believe he would never admit that though. It's one, if not the only thing he is very much self-aware of - wanting to keep you safe. So if you ever ask why or you insist on training, he will bluntly and briefly tell you no.

If he doesn't train, you check each other's weapons or prepare yourselves while casually chatting. Better be safe than sorry.

If there isn't anywhere to go or anything to do, you'd usually go through your routine or do things that need to be done.

Patching up clothes or repairing weapons near a river while the other one catches some fish for lunch or as provisions. Getting familiar with the area or finding other useful material in the wild (breath of the wild style).

Wether you like or not, both of you have to bathe sooner or later. It gets rid of the stench, of blood, potential infections and diseases. You can't go on sailing the sea when you are this filthy.

I feel like Thorfinn in general is not fond of bathing. He would only do it if he has to, so he probably waits until the day he really, really needs to. When he is stinky and gross. Go ahead and tell him so while covering your nose, he might immediately defend himself but he needs the reality check.

No matter who you are or how close you two might be, I don't believe Thorfinn would want to bathe with you. He'd prefer to do it alone for...no reason really. He is done with it quite quickly too anyway, so he wouldn't need the help or company. It's just not something he'd like to do (yes, he'd find a way to wash his own back if it means he won't have to bathe with you).

He wouldn't want to bathe with you if you are female anyway. So it's not even a question.

In the meantime, he does not mind if you watch his belongings, inlcuding his dagger. The young man wouldn't let his dagger out of his sight for a second but he trusts you to watch it. However, he'd appreciate it if you wouldn't touch or clean it. He would rather do that.

Thorfinn has no problem with you washing his clothes though! Don't be stranger, go ahead! (Well, you did say he reeks. And what's the point in bathing if the clothes stink as well? He's washing himself right now, he doesn't have time, so...)

But in return, he'd do the same for you.

You can go ahead and bathe, he'll watch your belongings and if you ask, well, fine, he'll also wash your clothes.

Again, if you are a woman, he'd definetly will keep watch over your belongings and for you. The blonde would stay near and have his back turned to you as he keeps watch of the area. He can't risk any of the bandmates or others to see you or steal your clothes while you are bathing.

On a note; when he is washing your clothes, he would only go so far as for your pants, top sections, cloak, belts and pockets. He would not touch your underwear. You can go and do that yourself. It's better this way (Thorfinn would in return not expect you to wash his underwear either. Like, ew.).

Aside from bathing, you'd also groom yourselves.

Both of you have no qualms about brushing each other's hair, epecially when it comes to taking out lices. When asked Thorfinn would drop what he was doing (well, if it wasn't anything important) and brush your hair, no problem. The first few times he did that for you he most likely to definitely hurt you and got stuck on some tangled locks multiple times. He does get better though and gets gentler over time.

However, the blonde only insists on help when he is really being terrorized by lices. Even if he has a few, as long as they don't keep him up at night he does not see a reason to brush his hair. Bro could look like a scarecrow but he still wouldn't ask. Thorfinn does not care for his outer appereance as long as he can f i g h t grr.

(Okay incoming angst here: Another reason why he might not want to get his hair brushed is because it might remind him of the old, english mother who did that for him - before he ended up getting her killed. If you were in the middle of brushing his hair like she did, he might freeze up and tell you to stop - sorry, I know I said this would be wholesome but it just came to me,,,, ಥ,_｣ಥ I'm sowwy, if you want wholesomness pls ignore this)

Back to the wholesomness haha: If you do brush his hair, no matter if you talk to him/tease him/are completely silent, for the first few times, Thorfinn would definitely get embarrassed.

He knows it's done for the sake of hygiene but...he can't help it. Having you take care of him through such an motherly act is...touching as it is equally embarrasing. It would not help if you started just casually talking to him, or tease him for his behaviour or start humming like a mother taking care of her fledgling. PLEASE. JUST STOP.

And if you compliment how nice his hair looks? That you like how blonde he is? Gods, p l e a s e. just s t o p. You're embarrassing him, he's gonna go red as a tomato!

It's another reminder of how...normal of a person you are. That this moment that you shared was a moment of normalcy.

Normal, everyday interaction. Something akin to what friends, family and lovers have.

You two have long learned to not do this in the presence of the others. While the men simply wash themselves when it rains and groom themselves by running their (usually dirty and bloody) fingers through their hair, they see your way of taking care of yourselfves as too intimate. It's the same result and something many villagers do but it still makes these prideful vikings laugh.

So when you do take care of yourselves, you do it in private (You grumble how anyone can be so childish to mock something as normal as brushing your hair with an actual brush).

This includes cutting hair.

In his opinion, Thorfinn's hair doesn't get in the way so he seldomly cuts it. He can cut your hair whenever you like though.

He'd even use his dagger. There isn't much going through his mind when using said weapon - he might admire it in one hand while holding a few of your locks in his other before starting. The same blade that belonged to his father, which he killed people with and defended the both of you with, he would now use to cut something as simple and light as hair. He'd feel a bit more sentimental though if the point of cutting your hair was benficial to your general safety.

The blade that kills and defends would now keep you a bit safer (would his father agree?).

Aside from all this sentimentality, you can bet all your belongings that Thorfinn is an awful hairdresser.

He'd take a fistful of your hair, just the amount that you said you wanted gone, and just...cuts it. No corrections afterwards whatsoever. He is as gentle as a mother but your hairdo still looks like trash.

Well, in the world or vikings where you could die at any time and at any battlefield, looks don't really matter.

Still, there is something going on in his mind, you can tell.

After or during the haircut, Thorfinn looks at your cut locks in his hand, blinking with an unreadable expression before having the wind slip them out of his grasp.

Perhaps he is thinking that even something like long hair can be a danger out on the battlefield and the sea. Maybe you actually like to keep your hair the way it was but simply had to cut it and saw it as a shame. Or he might have thought how pretty your hair is. Who knows.

Thorfinn is the kind of guy who overthinks but keeps most of these things to himself.

Injuries are common as mercenaries and when you do have some, you two are the only ones taking care of each other.

In fact, either of you would refuse to help anyone else on the ship.

Men who raid, kill and follow a man who tried to get you killed are not worth to fuss over (yes, you both are still salty about that).

They can get sick and rot as much as they want, they won't get any help from you and Thorfinn.

When it comes to injury and sickness, it is one of those times where the both of you treat the other like glass. Gingerly and carefully while ordering that there will be no more working, helping and fighting until they are better. Thorfinn is a bit more stubborn to disobey and fight regardless and you've told him dozends of times how foolish that is. In fact, you might have had to save him a few times because he was being too stubborn.

On that note, you both save each other. It's an unwritten rule and there are no favors expected at the end. You save him and he saves you because both of you want to. Both of you don't want the other to die.

That can lead to arguements on what is considered dangerous. It's all out of tough love, however.

And when the day draws to a close, you two perpare to rest. Food is shared and the sleeping spots prepared. On boat, you are on the far back, huddled close and leaning against the raling to sleep. On land, you either camp or sleep on some hay in a stable.

Nevertheless, before anything can be done you two decide who will keep watch first. The decision is done quickly and whenver the other one starts to feel tired, they nudge the other one awake to switch.

If it gets cold and the wind bites you, well...you and Thorfinn were thinking of cuddling not to freeze to death. It's embarrassing (definitely for him, you could be a total different case entirely).

First you tried to share your blankets but keep some space. That would mean neither of you gets to move though. Besides, what's the point of keeping warm if you can't feel the body temperature of the other?

So...it seems like you have to physically touch. It's easy if both of you are sitting and just lean against each other, maybe even have one rest their head one the other's shoulder or head. Knees touching as your hunched small and close, though Thorfinn is very hesitant to wrap his arms around you. It's different when he is simply patching you up or leading you elsewhere...here he has to keep you warm.

Will most likey not initiate any kind of cuddling/wrapping his arms around you AT ALL. Dude is too embarrassed. And if you are female, then he is certainly hesitant. What if you don't want him to be close at all but have to endure it due to the cold? He surely can't touch you then.

However, if you tell him it's alright or if you initiate it, then...well, he needs time and a bit more encouraging but he will accept. Gingerly so though, and constantly overthinking where he even should put his arms. Finally decides to just have his arms around your shoulders, maybe rest his hand on your head.

Speaking of heads, he really, really, really prefers to have your head on his shoulder and not the other way around. As comforting as the thought may be...it also makes him feel small, like he is being taken care of. Just let him rest his head on your head, alright?

Please do not talk to him during this. It's beyond embarrassing but also...flustering. Thorfinn wouldn't know what to say anyway. Sleep, it's the reason why you are so close in the first place, right?

Now if you were lying on the ground...uh oh.

Thorfinn would not ever cuddle with you while lying down. He'd rather freeze to death.

No, no, no, no. He can't handle that.

But if you were the one freezing? If the cold, howling wind bites you and snow starts covering you like a blanket? He would do it. No question.

Again, please take the initiate. Just...tell him what to do, briefly and bluntly with no teasing. The blonde doesn't have the patience for that.

Thorfinn could never spoon in general, let alone be the BIG spoon. You and him...aren't like that. And have him be the little spoon? No, feeling your arms around him from the back is also just too much. It messes with his head and seldomly might even make his heart speed up.

Ugh, how annoying.

No spoons. Just not dying. That's it.

It's best to just sit and sleep if you have to cuddle.

Having your arms around each other, being so close, lying on the hay, your face so close to his...and then, maybe you even snore and he feels your breath fawning over his lips...

Bonus points - or rather, to add to his anxious horror - it would even be worse if you move a lot in your sleep.

You could cuddle into his chest, neck or face. That'd just be awful. How is he supposed to move? How is this going to look like in the morning?

AND IF YOU MOVE AWAY FROM HIM AND HE IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP YOU CLOSE SO YOU WON'T GET COLD??? BRO HE IS TRYING TO HELP YOU.

Does he seriously have to physically pull you close to him? What. A. Drag. He shouldn't have to be dealing with this.

The young man is already battling with himself where he is supposed to keep his hands when pulling you back to your original position. Oh, hell no, he going to wake you up and tell you to stop moving (stop snoring while you're add it btw).

Oh, also a VERY important point: You are not shorter than Thorfinn. Period. You can be the same height or taller but Thorfinn keeps on being the short one, capiche. He. Remains. Small.

So because of that when lying next to each other, you are probably face-to-face most of the time.

It is...bothersome. Thorfinn can't turn away nor look anywhere else when your face is right there.

He might even tell you so since he cant see anything with your mug right in front of his face when he has to keep watch. You offer to make yourself small and it inevitably leads...to you nuzzling into his neck (or chest if you hunch real small. Your back is gonna hurt in the morning though). The young man supposes it's better than nothing. The only way even perhaps.

He keeps a hand on the back of your head to keep you from moving and blocking his sight. Does not help when he feels your warm breath hit his neck.

You are either both asleep, or you switch, nudging the other awake to keep watch.

If it is Thorfinn, well, lucky him. He definitely can't sleep when you are cuddled up to him like that...though he tries to see it as something useful. He won't ever fall asleep while on watch and neither would he get any nightmares when he's awake.

Especially if you snore.

But perhaps you don't snore. You talk in your sleep instead.

It could be about anyhting; A dream, nightmare, a memory, family, your past, something that just happened a day ago. It depends on you if Thorfinn is familiar with it.

He'd stare, not knowing what to do. As long as it isn't anything that causes you to panic, he lets you sleep. Having no choice, he probably must listen to your rambles, wether or not you both like it.

If he hears anything personal, he won't mention it in the morning. You didn't mean to spill any beans, it just happened.

If you seem to be in discomfort, oh boy, does he not know what to do. Thorfinn might try to rub your back and he might try to pat your head but if it doesn't work, he shakes you awake. No use if you panic in your sleep right next to him.

He tells you of your discomfort but wouldn't know what to do afterwards. You can either try to sleep again or take over watch...

[too...many...thorfinn thoughts...overtaking...my...brain...not good...

also there literally are no pictures of prologue Thorfinn smiling :,) there is that one thing where he makes fun of Canute but thats no smile...thats basking in mockery :,)

little thorfinn is cute thou]

[dhr-ao3]

Hypothetically Speaking: What If Your Hot Roommate Is A Serial Killer?

Hypothetically Speaking: What If Your Hot Roommate Is A Serial Killer? https://ift.tt/GTbJ9q7 by disasterdump prompt: your roommate is the serial killer on [the news]. however, he’s probably one of the nicest people you know, and he’s very respectful, discreet, and moral in his deeds. neither one of you bring it up until one day he says “i’m bored. got anyone for me to… y’know?” - Draco as Dexter AU but I’ve never seen Dexter or the caps lock button in my life Words: 1518, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling Rating: Not Rated Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: F/M Characters: Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter, Theodore Nott, mentions of: Corban Yaxley, mentions of: Thorfinn Rowle, mentions of: Antonin Dolohov, extremely brief mention of Cormac MacLaggen Relationships: Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy, Minor Theodore Nott/Harry Potter - Relationship, Hermione Granger & Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy & Theodore Nott, Draco Malfoy & Harry Potter Additional Tags: Not Explicitly Romantic but i mean it’s There, Ambiguous/Open Ending, but personally it’s a happy ending in My Head and i’m who matters here, i’ve been reading dramione since 2012 and this is my first time writing it oops, cort (hypothetically) got my ass with this prompt, Draco is a Serial Killer, Hermione is distinctly cool with it actually, like if a drabble was written by an insufferable bitch who loved commas, inside joke, the inside joke is Murder, Murder is the number one best way to woo a witch, or so it is beginning to seem, when he kills your enemies :D, idk someone take away my internet privileges via AO3 works tagged 'Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy' https://ift.tt/uGWnN5H November 02, 2024 at 08:06AM

[4seasonsofart]

Hunter or the Hunted? | Hybrid Thorfinn (Part 1)

A young Snow Leopard hybrid meets a Siren hybrid in the most unlikely of cases. Will a friendship blossom, or will the tides of fate pull them under?

Season 1: 6 year old Thorfinn meeting you. S1 Spoilers!

Hybrid Thorfinn x Reader

Hybrid Thorfinn (Part 2) Season 1: Thorfinn sees you after eleven years.

1002: Iceland

The gentle breeze of Mother Nature has gone through the village occupied by so few. Small flakes of crystalline coldness settle on the ground as those few trek through it. A sultry sound mixes in with the ocean waves as if an angel fell to earth and was trapped beneath the sandy shore. The sounds of hungry animals can be heard far off as the lull of the inviting waves draws Thorfinn closer.

The young boy was banned from playing with the others after he broke one of the other kids arms. He couldn't understand why; he was just having a little too much fun.

● Thorfinn met you by chance that day, as he saw you tangled up in one of Leif's fishing nets and crying out for help. Your voice was like the sweetest music he had ever heard in his ears. He almost didn't realize you were crying until he inspected you closer.

● He is always told by his father to help both humans and hybrids alike. You seemed to be a hybrid, much different than him. You were dangerous; that's what Leif had told him. In one of his many long-winded tales, he was informed that Siren hybrids were some of the most dangerous and atrocious hybrids there are.

● They lure humans and hybrids underwater and drown them. Sometimes they eat them, and sometimes they mate with their prey. They may hate humans more than hybrids, but they are not kind to either. One almost forced Leif to marry her, or so he says.

● He couldn't believe his eyes to be in the presence of such a creature, and yet his childlike curiosity did not allow him to feel scared of you.

His tiny hands reach the edges of the net as his eyes scan your body to realize the indents of chains on it. Swollen purple bruises are adorning your starved body as your jagged ribs are sticking out of your skin at a ghastly angle. Even your tail did not come out unscathed from whatever horrors you witnessed last. Long gashes run along the sides of your tail as many glittering scales have been ripped from their very place.

Your music sounded so broken and lonely, as Thorfinn realizes something. You had the same chain marks as the human slave they found earlier in the snow.

His curiosity only grows rapidly as his rounded leopard ears stick up in the air at the sound of a ship approaching. He quickly gnaws you out of the net that was binding you and picks you up as if you were nothing more than a rag doll.  

● Thorfinn takes you back to the hut and tells his mother and older sister about what he found. They both stare at him in pure horror. Both are mixed with a distraughtness over your condition and a fear over your strange arrival at such an inopportune time, the same as the slave.

● While you are being taken care of, Thorfinn gets scolded for poking and prodding at you like a strange animal. You were a strange animal, but so was he.

● You are sleeping peacefully next to the slave as Thors speaks of the promise of Vinland to the both of you. The slave slips into the enigmatic afterlife as you curl up and refuse to make contact with any of them.

This confuses Thorfinn greatly. The young boy yearned for adventure and all that it could provide him with. The young Siren had already seen too much adventure in their short life.

● He cannot ponder that for long as Halfdan knocks down the door and ends up arguing with Thors.

"I found them. Pardon my bad manners, Thors. I'm the rightful owner of that slave and hybrid. Give them back to me."

● Halfdan is one of the cruelest creatures on the planet. That creature has a hybrid owner. One that thinks that any hybrid is below them as they are humans and therefore superior. Someone who locks hybrids up in horrific conditions or treats them like the finest trophies It was obvious that you got the short end of the stick with him.

● Thorfinn tries to defend you as Thors takes over the conversation. Soon enough, Halfdan is leaving with over half of their livestock and a promise of more to come. After all, siren hybrids are rare, valuable, and incredibly dangerous. Anyone with a handful of brain cells would know your worth. 

● Thorfinn pouts at the loss and continues to try to engage with you, but to no avail. He is told that you need rest and food before you are able to even speak again.

● Over the next few weeks, Thorfinn will continuously visit you in the extra room that Ylva set up for you in their now-half-empty barn. He tries to get you to speak and regails all of the stories he has heard from Leif. He is set on making you talk to him, and he will have to talk one day.

● Of course, he would never tell you how he was banned from visiting you in the first place. Everyone in the village was.

● You were seen by many as bad luck, and they didn't want you around. Thorfinn didn't mind you, though. He liked your company, despite how you didn't talk. He could already imagine all of the adventures he could set out on with a siren at his side. You could guide him through the seas and show him Vinland!

● One day is unlike the rest, as he comes in to see you finally sitting up. He runs up to you with an excited smile and invades your personal space. He just wants to know more about you. His tail is wagging excitedly, and his leopard ears are perked up to their highest extent.

He watches your sluggish figure push off the animal furs that cover your slowly recovering body. Your battered body was still covered in an assortment of wounds, although they were fading. Even your stomach seemed to be a little more rounded and your ribs less prominent. Thorfinn could barely contain himself as he saw that you had human legs now instead of a tail.

"Woah, you look so much more human now! No gills, talons, tails, or scary eyes." He states it in an innocent tone, although it could inadvertently come off as offensive.

He sits down next to you on the small cot and is practically buzzing with joy. You look at him with those tortured eyes, and he instantly feels his body shut down. As if time stopped for everyone but the two of you. Your mouth begrudgingly opens to form a single word.

"Sorry."

● He shakes you suddenly and begins squealing at the fact that you just spoke to him. He spends the next few hours talking your ear off once again as you warm up to him more. You were around his age and still so quiet. He is unable to understand why you wouldn't talk. You must know so much, and perhaps you even saw Vinland! He tries to coax you to talk more as he talks about his day and other random things.

"Then where does everyone who wants to run away from here... go?"

"One day we'll both go to Vinland. I am sure that you can lead me there."

"Thors took away my weapon. He told me that I didn't have any enemies. Halfdan seemed pretty evil to me. Wouldn't he be your enemy?"

"I almost got attacked by the sheep hybrid today just because I took his animal fur blanket! I was going to give it back. Just borrowing."

"I want to have some of that bread we had a few weeks ago. It was really, really good. There isn't anymore of it. Not a lot of crops grow here. The snow and stuff make it hard on the plants."

● Another week passes as you regain some of your mobility, and Thorfinn leads you out towards an empty warship. He leads you into the water and tells you to follow the ship as it moves. So you do.

● You were already getting anxious enough to be in one place for so long. Hunters never seem far behind in these lands, and you had a really high bounty on your head.

● You had no one then. You have Thorfinn now. So you follow him underneath the waves with immense difficulty. Your injuries aren't completely healed, and you can barely use your water magic. You are six; what does the world expect of you?

● You end up swimming under the water near a rock formation. You feel the hairs on your slimy skin stand up as you shriek. The underwater world goes dark as, above the water, a battle is raging.

● Thorfinn's life passed in the blink of an eye as he watched his father die at the hands of this vile man.

● In that moment, something breaks inside of him. That innocent expression on his face is now nothing but crestfallen hopelessness. He searches for a sign that you are alive under the water.

A single sign may save him from the hatred he is drowning in.

You're gone.

You disappeared.

You abandoned him.

Did you?

That innocence within him drowns under the tsunami of fury now ever present within. He will murder that man, as it is only his right.

Not just for his father, but for whatever happened to you.