#warlord gar red wind

[kariachi]

Some Kwarrel/Gar fic! Because they deserve it.

~~

He hated to admit it, but Kwarrel might, possibly, have been getting old. In theory.

It was, of course, impossible to tell precisely how old he really was (this he swore), but there were signs. The greying of his hair. The thinning of it. Some added weight that probably shouldn’t have been there. Aching joints. Blurs to his vision. He could swear things didn’t taste like they used to. And all those he could make excuses for, after all prison wasn’t exactly a nice place and he was living a more luxurious life on a new planet now. Point being they were all things that could be explained away.

He’d finally gotten to see another member of his species that day and had immediately been ‘Grandfather’d. ‘Grandfather’d and all but waited on.

Nice enough young man, but Kwarrel had still wanted to hit him.

“Is there somebody I need to kill for making you sulk like this?” He didn’t bother to open his eyes, just sinking deeper into the warm bath he very much deserved thank you. Besides, he could tell where Gar was by the sound of his voice, and the movement of air as he settled on the edge of the tub.

“I’m getting old,” he said. There was no answer, and after a moment he allowed on eye to crack just enough to make out Gar looking at him like he was an idiot. Given Kwarrel was normally the sensible one of their relationship, it was somewhat new.

“Beloved,” he said, slowly, “you’re sixty-four-”

“Allegedly.” The look got worse.

“Sixty-four. ‘Getting’ is well past done.” Kwarrel glowered at him.

“I will take the children and leave.” Gar smirked back.

“The children are grown, Looma is Warlord, and Kevin is married, forgive me if I’m not concerned.”

“If I asked nicely Looma would abandon the throne, and I’d hardly even have to ask Kevin, he and Argit would leave just because I was.” Somehow this did not seem to make Gar any more worried about the matter.

“After all the time they spent getting us together? Never. You’d have mutiny.” With a halfhearted scowl- it was impossible to actually be mad with Gar- Kwarrel sent a splash of water his way. On instinct, really, and he was going to regret it once he thought about it, but for now he was more interested in how smug his partner looked.

“I can deserve much better than you, you know,” he said, as if it wasn’t the biggest, fattest lie.

“True,” Gar answered, again as if it wasn’t the biggest, fattest lie, and stood back up. “But you’re an old fart,” he said, beginning to shuck what little clothing he had on, “so you’ll never get it. Now shove over, some of us actually are in their ‘getting’ years.”

Resisting the childish urge to stick his tongue out- it’d practically be an invitation anyway- Kwarrel did.

After all, if he had to get old, the least the forward passage of time owed him was a handsome young thing to cuddle up with.

[thistlehawk]

Saw that post you reblogged about Kuphulu X The Mummy, so here's a quick headcanon of mine that I want to share regarding TM.

His name is Tut and he was a prince of the Thep Khufan people, albeit somewhat on the poor side of things. As such, he couldn't afford much outside of the clothes on his back and came to work for Zs'Skayr under the promise of riches, only to be frozen with Liquid Nitrogen, buried under dried concrete and then eventually trapped within the Null Void by Team Tennyson for his efforts.

He would eventually escape by currently unknown means (most likely helping Kevin, Argit and OTTO off-screen) and have a few random adventures across the Milky Way Galaxy of his own before eventually becoming stranded on Khoros, where he was then given a place to stay out of generosity by Warlord Gar Red Wind. A little while later after that, he would then finally make his way back home, meet Kuphulu and the two would begin dating.

I haven't decided if this last bit should be included permanently, but bonus points if Tut and Princess Looma share a bond while Tut is staying on Khoros and become almost like brother and sister in a way. I just think that would be fun, especially concerning any banter that might come up between them.

i like how the fans care more about the side characters and villains than anybody working on the series. do you think when they first made the mummy they knew people would be creating names and backstories and relationships for them. anyways this is an incredibly poggers thing to send me and ive read it five times now.

[omnipedia]

Tetramand (Fourarms’ species) Headcanons

What’s Canon:

Due to constant conflicts, Khoros' culture has long since devolved, turning from a confederation of thriving city-states into scorched and boundless wastelands. Nomadic tribes ruled by bloodthirsty warlords ceaselessly roam the landscape, seeking out ancient relics of Khoros' past glory, all in hopes of rediscovering the long lost secrets that will gain them an advantage over their enemies. Society has since recovered overtime, mixing the barbaric design with Level 4 Technology. The most dominant country on Khoros is the Red Wind Kingdom, currently by King Gar Red Wind. He will eventually be succeeded by his daughter, Princess Looma Red Wind. 

The wildlife on Khoros is some of the most dangerous in the universe, with numerous large and vicious predators. Tetramands evolved their multiple limbs and impressive strength in order to survive. The wildlife has even been tamed in some cases, with Ziboson becoming a staple of Tetramandian culture. 

Although not as intelligent as species such as the Galvans or Cerebrocrustaceans, Tetramands are excellent builders. They are particularly well known for their automobiles, with Tetramandian engines being the toughest and most durable engines in the entire galaxy.

Much like humans, Tetramands are extremely emotional creatures. Combining this with them being a warrior race, the majority of the species are fairly aggressive and favor violence. This can be seen clearly in the way their society functions. 

Female Tetramands are often stronger than males and usually considered the better warriors. Due to this, if a male Tetramand, or a male of any species in some circumstances, manages to defeat a female Tetramand, the male becomes the female's chosen husband.

Tetramands are very strict in the upholding of their laws, with even minor offenses such as jumping turnstiles resulting in being buried up to the neck in sand. Tetramands are not big on exceptions, even to other law enforcement such as the Plumbers and have come into conflict with multiple different races because of this. Tetramands have a unique way to ultimately decide court cases if the legal issues are too complicated or difficult to solve; Fight. Tetramands get to fight with their accusers in a battle arena and the winner of the Tetramand Trial of Combat wins the case. Envokers of the rule are not required to be Tetramands, or even stay as a Tetramand in the case of Universe vs Tennyson. 

Headcanons:

Tetramands have gradually overcome the many threats posed by predators on Khoros, but one species has yet to be fully conquered: the Rinochoerosus.

The bond between a Ziboson and its rider is a rather important detail in Tetramandian society. One’s character is often judged by the way they treat their Ziboson, with abusers or mistreaters being shunned by all members of the community.

Before their society collapsed and devolved into barbarism, Tetramands were on the brink of achieving full space travel. A select few members were able to leave the planet during its downfall, with one family landing on Earth and aiding in the creation of the Egyptian Pyramids.

Although the majority of Khoros is a barren and desert-like landscape, there are two sections of the planet that are exceptions. Two large and vibrant forests exist at each of the poles, veritable oases in an otherwise harsh environment. Both of them are ruled by a single tribe that has spread itself to both overtime. Unlike the rest of Tetramandian society, these tribes are primarily matriarchal rather than primarily patriarchal. They are also somewhat more peaceful than the other tribes, fighting honourably with each other in friendly spars and welcoming any visitors that may find them.

(Full credit for the Rinochoerosus and the ideas behind it goes to CreatureMasterProds on Deviantart. Please go check them out, they make brilliant Ben 10 stuff, some of my favourites in fact.)

[kariachi]

In honor of learning that Looma’s mother is alive, some fic of her and Gar based on an older fic of mine, set in one of my digimon xovers

~~

Zaell hadn’t expected to hear anything about the off-world Chosen before the Gates opened again. The closure of them had cut so many off, even those on the same worlds, and had been so traumatizing- She still remembered, like a brand in her mind, Gar and Looma’s night terrors afterwards. The way her husband had clutched their daughter as if he could shield her from this curse that should’ve been the greatest blessing he could see bestowed on her. She was fairly certain nobody had managed to contact their friends and loved ones from across the galaxy. She didn’t know if half of them had any idea how. And many had probably been dealing with the same struggles they had.

So, walking into the palace for the first time in over a year, fresh from a successful campaign and ready to celebrate come morning, she was surprised to see her favorite beauty stood proud in the dim hall but very clearly weary. His eyes were dark, his muscles tense, and when he held her near as tight as he had their Looma those years ago she could do nothing but hold him back as tightly. He breathed in her scent, relaxed minutely, and said

“Eva’s son is in the room across from Looma’s.” Which made no sense, even as Zaell double checked her memories. After everything that had happened, she certainly hadn’t forgotten.

“He’s long dead, my home.” Gar shook his head, buried in her shoulder, and chuckled tiredly.

“Eden, though he goes by Kevin now.” Oh, that explained it then. Wasn’t as if it was unheard of, and Osmosians were like that. Not surprising, either, that he would choose to take a name after “Devin is dead.” Oh. That was very different.

“The galaxy is surely a much colder place for it.” Devin had been good, even compared to the other Chosen Gar had introduced her to over the years. It had been no surprise to her when he’d told her his gods had spoken to him, given him a Duty to fulfill. She could’ve hardly thought of a better vessel for the will of a deity. ‘I hope you fulfilled your purpose, my friend…’

“What is he doing here,” she asked, turning her attention to important things, like why Gar was upset and Kevin was here without his mother (it had to be without his mother, Eva’d have been teasing them for being lovey by now), “how did he get here?” The Gates couldn’t be open, another Chosen was in her army and would’ve given her word if they had. Another tired laugh passed his lips, she could feel him smile. Zaell couldn’t resist smiling with him.

“The why, he came to challenge Looma for her hand.” His tone was fond, as one could only expect in the circumstances. “I told him she’s too young for me to be authorized to accept challenges on your behalf.” He was silent for a moment, as if reveling in the image of he and Eva’s children wed, then heaved a sigh. “As for the how, I couldn’t tell you. He’s been here a week and already proven smart enough to make his mother seem a fool, and he has an Erinaen teen with him, but neither of them will give details. I was lucky, I think, to learn that Devin’d passed, and…”

Zaell allowed him several moments of silence before urging him on.

“And?” He took a deep, steadying breath.

“He said some things, that make it sound Like Eva threw him out.” Threw him-? He wasn’t that much older than Looma.  “I can’t think of any reason she would except-”

“Except that he’s Kevin.”

“She’s not that sort’ve person! Or at least, I thought she wasn’t…” He clutched her tighter and she returned the gesture. He couldn’t be blamed for being upset at this, the two of them had been so close for so long before the Gates closed, there was nobody Zaell would’ve expected to know her better but her brothers. She had been Gar’s best friend from when they were small. Had been there when he’d challenged her, cheering him on despite the looks she got as the only human in the crowd. To think he may not have known her so well, that she may have been the sort to cast out her own child (and after all both of them had gone through to have even one each!) couldn’t be easy. He shook his head. “It’s been a week, and I’ve meant to track her down since but… I don’t know what to say.”

Gar pulled her head from her shoulder, worry and hurt written on the crinkles of his face like words in ink, and looked at her like she held all the answers.

“What if this is really who she is?”

‘Then I will crush her skull for betraying you, Devin, and her children this way’ was her first thought, but Zaell did know what ‘diplomacy’ meant despite Gar’s teasing. Now wasn’t the time for talk like that, not when he was already hurting and there were children in need of care in her home. She reached up and cupped Gar’s cheek, tracing her thumb over his cheekbone.

“Then, even if he doesn’t win his challenge, we’ll still have that second child we wanted.” He chuckled, clearly despite himself.

“Don’t forget his little friend,” he said. Zaell just shrugged and gave him her most reassuring smile.

“Three children, two children and a child-in-law, I’m sure we can figure something out.” Finally, finally, losing the tension in his shoulders, Gar kissed her with relief. At having her standing at his back as much as anything, she was sure.

“I missed you,” he murmured, too quiet to be heard if they weren’t so close. “More than words can say.”

“I thought of you every moment I wasn’t thinking of Looma.” Or both of them at once, which she found to be the most efficient way to live. Though from the sounds of things she was going to have to expand that portfolio anyway.

That room always had been meant for Eva’s spawn.

[kariachi]

Okay, I don’t think I ever posted this and don’t know why- some Gar-pov fic in one of my digimon aus, set immediately after Kevin goes to challenge Looma.

~~

The name was different, and time had of course made many changes, but that didn’t stop Gar from beaming with familiarity as he walked out to meet the children. Who knew how many Levins there were in the galaxy, but he had seen Eva at this age, had seen Arnie and Carlos, and so there was no way he wasn’t going to recognize his old friend’s eldest.

“So,” he said, looking down at the young hybrid and his Erinaen companion- and wasn’t that the farthest thing from shocking, “you were hoping to challenge my daughter.”

“Yes sir.” The look was respectful, a little intimidated- though Gar couldn’t tell you whether it was honest intimidation or not- but overall it was calm and serious. He’d said the child was going to end up like her, hadn’t he.

“Well, come in so we can talk properly.” The children froze as he turned and headed back inside, waving off the guards. There would be no looming over Eva’s child, not in his capital. Quickly small footsteps came after him.

“You know,” he said offhandedly as they headed towards his main den, “legally Looma can’t marry anyone who can’t sire her children.” The tempo of their footfalls changed, slowed and became more careful. It was concerning. Honestly, Gar didn’t know what he was doing besides his best here, but he wanted to make sure they were all on the same page. “I recognize the Jones features,” he explained. “Your mother and I were friends until you were about yay big.”

That didn’t seem to help. In fact, when he held the door open for them the children seemed even more uncomfortable. Gar called down the hall for one of the servants to please bring some food, and to have his daughter sent down, before shutting the door behind himself. The boys were settled into a single large chair on about the other side of the room, chirping at each other in some strange combination of Erinaen and Osmosian. Both were eyeing the room like it might bite and if it did they’d take the chance to steal its fillings.

“Really, Kevin,” the warlord continued on, making sure to take a seat a fair distance from them, avoiding crowding the children, “I’m amazed you’re here without her. Or at least your father or siblings.” Kevin made a quiet noise in his throat and the Erinaen began to fiddle with his hair comfortingly.

“Dad’s dead, nine years now.” Oh. Oh.

“I’m sorry. That’s, a great loss for the galaxy.” Devin was dead. Devin. The man who’d cooed over Looma like she was his own despite hardly knowing the Red Winds. Who’d always been so pleasant and friendly and kind.

“It’s fine. Been long enough to deal.” Gar really hoped Looma wouldn’t end up ever looking like that when she thought about her mother. Neither of them were near over her, but Kevin just looked defeated even after so long. It certainly didn’t help his ever-growing worry.

“And your mother?” Kevin went quiet, though his friend continued his soothing efforts.

“It’s complicated,” he finally said. “Let’s just go with ‘my being a freak wasn’t making anybody happy’.”

The statement confused Gar. How complicated could things involving her be for him to have ended up here, all but alone, trying to marry Looma? And what did he mean a ‘freak’? Was this about his no longer being Eden? Eva had been happy to have a daughter yes, but mostly she’d been happy one of her children survived, and Gar struggled even to picture-

“That doesn’t sound like the Eva I know,” he said, quickly continuing when Kevin tensed, “but it has been over ten years since we last spoke. You weren’t even one.” He certainly hoped he was misunderstanding the situation. He’d known Eva since the two of them had been younger than the children were and never had she seemed to him the type to take issue with this sort’ve thing. But if she was… Well, clearly if she was she wasn’t the woman he thought he knew, and certainly didn’t deserve to be a parent.

“Father?” Immediately Gar’s mood lightened, even as he noted that she still wasn’t knocking.

“Come on in,” he said, smiling and mouthing a ‘thank you’ to the platter-laden servant to followed after her. “Take a seat, darling, there’s some guests I’d like you to meet.” Looma settled onto the couch between his and the children’s seats like a proper lady, or at least a mostly proper lady, exchanging curious gazes with the boys. It was almost galling, seeing this Ossy chick manage to be heavier than his daughter.

“Looma, this is Kevin, his family is old allies to ours. Kevin, my daughter Looma.” He leaned back as the two shook hands. “Haven’t had you in the same room since you were still in diapers.”

“Uh, hi? This is Argit.”

“Hi.”

“Hi.” Looma leaned back in an almost perfect mimic of Gar. “Okay, you’re an Erinaen, so I’m guessing you’re Osmosian?” Snorting, Argit almost doubled over as Kevin threw his arms up in disbelief.

“How do people always fucking guess?!”

“You take a bit too much after your father.” A bit of warmth fluttered in Gar’s chest as he spoke. It felt right, having the children there together. He couldn’t have articulated why- though he was certain it had to do with those night terrors Looma had had after the Gates all closed- but he liked it. “If you boys would like, you’re free to stay here as long as you wish.” Even if Looma hadn’t been chuckling at the way their eyes went wide, even if Kevin hadn’t been the son of one of his best friends, he wouldn’t have been able to cast them out. Ever. Not with how skinny Argit looked, and how sad Kevin seemed beneath it all.

The boys slowly nodded and he beamed down at them.

“You kids reconnect then,” he said as he rose to his feet, “and I’ll go make sure you two have rooms ready after dinner.”

‘Then, tomorrow, I can see about finally getting back in touch with Ms Jones…’

[kariachi]

I have officially hit a brickwall for my other fic, so have some Gar/Kwarrel stuffs. Namely a soulmate goose au.

Gar’s goose was a hulking monstrosity of a bird. Reaching easily as high as his breast, it came complete with nasty spurs as long as a man’s finger, a beak and tongue lined with fierce, rasping teeth, and a braying honk like death itself running you down. There was no man or woman on Khoros who wished to cross it, or even to cross its path, out of fear for their lives.

Of course, Princess Looma had named it Flick, a crime which was excusable due to her being nine when it appeared.

Not that it had much cause to be a menace at first. Gar had been married to Warlord Zaell for nearly twenty years by the time it showed up. This wasn’t unheard of, sometimes you chose wrong and sometimes the geese were just plain late. This turned out to be the latter, as for the first three years the bird was no trouble at all. It even seemed fond of her. Or at least it didn’t glare at her as much as it did other people, and sometimes even slept next to her. Easy proof that Gar had been right in his choice of woman, and a fitting edition to their family.

Zaell died three years after it appeared.

Flick gave Gar a year before it started losing its shit.

Unfortunately, that didn’t make much of a difference. If it had been one of the men and women under him that had a goose trying to drive them towards some unknown soulmate Gar would’ve all but ordered them to go, payed their way, whatever it took, but this… He had a kingdom to run. A daughter to raise. He still ached every time he thought of his wife. There would be no getting him out into the world, hunting for some stranger. Not even the constant attacks of his goose. For yet another year he simply endured it, the bruises and gashes and bites. The unending noise. He found himself fighting the goose, hating it. Damnit, he didn’t want a new soulmate, didn’t need one!

His annual car show eventually came around and somehow the goose got worse. Nobody would even come near him, which he couldn’t blame them for it. The beast had gained an attitude like death itself. Gar was shocked he hadn’t lost another limb or eye to it yet. Only gained so very many more scars that the beast continued to try to add to, lashing out at his back and legs if he stood still too long. At this point he was used to it enough that he could mill about without care to the fact it kept trying to move him in one direction or another, ignoring the fate-driven creature as best he could.

Really it was by pure coincidence he ended up where it wanted him.

He’d been looking for Looma, wanting to check in on how her day was going, and paying no mind to whether the goose was happy or not with his actions. She hadn’t been difficult to find, which always surprised him given her small size but it turned out she could more than make up for it in personality and volume. One of the food courts, is where he’d eventually tracked her down, sitting with a young Erinaen, a youth of a species he didn’t recognize- which, given the Erinaen, probably meant an Osmosian- and a grown Perison that the goose immediately honked at. Gar didn’t pay him much mind either at first, throwing a smile at the group in general as he approached.

“I take it you’ve made friends?” Looma smiled and nodded, gesturing to her companions.

“These are Kevin, Argit, and their father.”

“Kwarrel,” the Perison said, smiling at him. He had rather charming scars and reached out a calloused hand to shake, “it’s a pleasure, Your-” He never got the finish.

The goose had settled in on the bench beside him, looking very pleased with itself.

Gar stared. Kwarrel stared. The children all gasped in unison. This was, unexpected. Maybe if Gar had paid more attention it wouldn’t be, but he hadn’t, and now… Now his heart was starting to ache more than usual, screaming rebellion against the idea of someone new. He shook his head and took a halfstep back.

“I can’t,” he said, vaguely noticing Looma and the others fidgeting and watching them like birds of prey, “not now.” ‘Not when I still hurt so damn much. Not when I miss her so keenly. Not when anyone else would be living in her shadow.’ Withdrawing his hand, Kwarrel slowly nodded, watching his face. He seemed embarrassed, not offended or hurt, and Gar hoped he could see the apology in his own expression.

“Alright,” he said, like it was just that easy, and Gar almost relaxed. He offered Kwarrel a smile again.

The goose reached over the table and bit him.

Kwarrel hefted it out of biting range.

So if nothing else Gar could like him.

[kariachi]

So @mellenabrave and I were discussing a youtuber au this morning, then spent the afternoon discussing a fostercare au, so I ended up sorta melding the two into tonight’s fic.

Kevin Levin shows off his family.

“Hey everybody!” Kevin’s grin seemed to fill his face, to fill the screen, a flash of bone in a sea of metal and scars. “I know a lot of you have been wondering how the fuck I know so many youtubers who are into such different things, so I decided today I’m doing something special. Since everyone’s here for my older brother’s birthday, you all get to meet the family!” He rose from his seat, leaning into the camera.

“This is gonna be great.”

~~

“First up, the three lowest grade disasters in my life- about half my sisters.”

“What the fuck Kevin?”

“Seriously?”

“I’m calling lowest grade disaster.” Kevin was still grinning when he came back into view, swinging an arm around the reptilian alien.

“And that’s why you’re my favorite.” He gave her a kiss on the temple before turning back to the camera, the other two girls rolling their eyes bemusedly in the background. “This is Helen, along with Shar and someone you may recognize- MagicCat250, or as we know her, Hey You.” A stuffed cat flew across the room and collided with his head.

“Kevin Ethan-!”

“Okay, okay, my other lovely younger sister, Gwen. Better?”

“Much.” Sighing, Kevin shook his head.

“Just, say hello to the internet people girls.”

“Hello, Internet People.”

“Hi guys.”

“Hello.”

~~

“And here we see the Heroboy-”

“Holy fuck Kevin get out of here!”

“Taking a shit.”

“Out!!” Kevin burst into laughter as a roll of toilet paper flew passed his head, stumbling backwards out of the bathroom. When he swung the camera back up is was full of a blue a white furred face, trying very hard not to smile.

“Also my older brother Blonko, who you may recognize from his cooking channel, Tastes of Home.” Blonko shook his head, waving at the camera.

“Hello, Kevin’s viewers.” He looked around the camera. “Why are you accosting Ben in the bathroom?”

“For views.”

“Of course.” With a sigh, he shook his head again. “Please show the rest of our family with their clothes on.”

“I make no promises.”

~~

“And here she is, the radiant, the powerful, the glorious-”

“This is the sort’ve introduction I could get used to.” The camera zoomed in in the brown-skinned woman’s face as she smirked.

“My older sister, Charm. Perfection. Best big sister.”

“Only big sister.”

“Still.” He turned the camera back on himself. “She doesn’t have a youtube channel, she deserves a youtube channel-” and the camera focused back on her- “leave a Like if you want to see her face on youtube regularly.” Charm rolled her eyes.

“Okay,” she said, leaning towards the camera, “I’m done.”

The screen went black.

~~

“Sorry about that,” Kevin said as video and sound returned. He was in a new room now, one with couches and a flatscreen tv. “I forgot to mention that Charm is also the worst sister ever born. But there are better things now! Look!” The camera’s focus was turned to the center of the room, where a preteen and two small children, all similar in appearance to Blonko and Shar, were putting together a puzzle. “Smalls!”

“Hi Kevin,” the preteen said, waving. The children perked up. In a heartbeat they were on one of the couches, crowding around the camera.

“Are you making a video?”

“Can we be in it?!” The was a very small gasp from the larger one.

“Can we?!” In the background, Kevin and the preteen were laughing.

“You already are,” Kevin said. The smallest suddenly rose up and disappeared from view, camera circling the couch until it turned to show Kevin sitting on the floor beside the preteen. The youngest was placed in his lap and the older one darted passed the camera to nestle into their sister’s. “These are the youngest, everybody. This is Shim-” he nudged her shoulder with his own as best he could. He was over twice her size- “and these are the nameless brats.”

“Revonnahganders,” Shim noted, “choose their own names. They are still too young.”

“Much too young.” The kids were visibly trembling with excitement, much to the older two’s amusement. “You gonna say hi to the internet people?”

“Hi!”

“Hi!!”

“We’re doing puzzles!” The look Kevin gave them was pure fondness. He grinned at the camera again.

“Congratulations,” he said, “you guys get to watch us do a puzzle.”

~~

“Wasn’t that the most fun you’ve all had in forever? I’m sure it was.” The camera was making its way down a hall, the walls covered in framed photos and children’s drawings. Some projects from earlier videos could be seen hanging on display. “But it’s time to move on to bigger, better things, things like food and the birthday boy-”

“There you are! Going around harassing everyone else with a camera.” Thankfully the new voice sounded amused, even as the ground went away. Kevin laughed and turned the camera back towards him.

A tetramand girl was holding him up by the back of his shirt, smiling and waving for the camera as he stretched to try to put his arm around her shoulders.

“Princess Looma Red Wind, everyone, of the Red Wind Kingdom. Another of my younger sisters.”

“Not quite.”

“Close enough.” There was more bemused headshaking, something that seemed to be a common thread among Kevin’s family so far.

“You’re impossible.”

“Impossibly awesome.” Looma moved the camera to focus on her face.

“I am so, so sorry for him.”

“Rude.”

~~

“Scratch what I said before, Looma is the worst sister ever. I have a lot of those. Now I still haven’t been able to track down the birthday boy, but I found the next best thing.” Kevin and camera rounded a corner and strode into a massive dining room. “More youtubers!”

“Goddamnit Levin!” A familiar face turned away from the camera with a familiar scowl. The other three just smiled and rolled their eyes.

“You may recognize Manny-” the focus went to a tetramand boy nearly a foot shorter than Looma- “and Alan-” an even younger black boy whose fingers blazed when he waved- “from their budding webshow, which you will all watch if you haven’t already because I’m linking it like five times.”

“Hey, Kev’s fans.”

“Adoring public.” Barely contained chuckles could be heard in the background.

“And I’ve done collabs with this one.” The camera refocused, this time on a chubby, blond white boy about Alan’s age. “Cooper, also known as TechLord, who still owes me twenty bucks for that cinnamon challenge bet.” Cooper blew him a raspberry, but smiled for the camera nonetheless.

“Hey guys, nice to be on the channel again, shame it isn’t kicking Kevin’s butt.” This time the raspberry came from behind the camera.

“Little shit.” Kevin turned the camera to the last person in the room. “Then, of course, we have somebody I know you all recognize-” he circled the blond to get a shot of his face, but he turned away- “the star of Fright Night-” more circling, more turning- “Sparkles, my beloved brother-” now he was flipping off the camera as he avoided it- “the biggest little shit in this house- Come on Mike, say hello.”

“Bite me.” How he wasn’t dizzy at this point… How either of them weren’t… Manny, Alan, and Cooper came into view with each rotation, fists against their mouths as they fought back laughter.

“Your fans love you, Mike, love them back.”

“No.”

“You callous bastard.”

“Go away, Kevin.” Finally, the turning stopped, Mike still facing away from the camera.

“Alright, you asshole,” Kevin said, scowl audible, “I hope your fans abandon you to an early grave.”

“Eat a dick.”

“Gladly.”

The other boys collapsed in their laughter.

~~

The camera was looking into a bedroom with two beds. A redheaded young man similar to Gwen was sitting on one of them, strumming a bass. Beside him was a hispanic boy with quills and a skunk stripe, watching along.

“I don’t want to disturb them,” Kevin whispered, “because they’re awesome and busy, but here’s my oldest brother, Ken, and third oldest brother, Pierce. Don’t worry, Ken’s gonna be in a video soon, you’ll meet him properly then. Pierce is gonna be in one too, but that’s a little ways off. You guys’ll love them.”

~~

“Date, April 19th, 2009. Place, my family home. I still haven’t located the birthday boy. I’m not giving up though! I will find him before the day is out. But first, I’ve come across more family for you all to see.” Turning the camera from himself, Kevin pointed it out the window facing the backyard. There were two large aliens in it.

“I’d like you all to meet my dad-” the camera zoomed in on the shorter of the two, large and green with a scar across his eye and a stump where there had clearly once been a tail- “and my stepdad.” Shifting to the right, the massive tetramand came into full view, complete with his scars, eyepatch, and missing arm. “He’s Looma’s dad. Warlord Gar Red Wind. They only just started really dating but, damnit they’re a match.” The camera zoomed back out, just enough to get them both in frame. They were chatting about something, sharing brief, easy touches as they did.

“These two are-” the breath hitched in Kevin’s throat. “They’re the only parents I’ve had in my life that were worth bothering with. That were worth anything.” He took and released a deep breath.

“We’re all fucked up here, in some way or another,” he said. “Dad, he found me when I was at my worst. During my worst downward spiral, when I was in the worst headspace, when I wasn’t worth shit. But he, he took me under his wing. He helped me. If it weren’t for him, I can’t promise I’d be alive right now. I can’t promise a lot of us would be alive without him. He’s the greatest dad anyone could ever ask for.”

“And Gar- We met Gar and Looma a few years ago, when Dad took us to his auto show after Ken, Blonko, and I begged. He’s always been good to us, even though some of us have histories that really should have had him refusing to allow us in his presence, nonetheless letting us hang out with his daughter. Treating us like family from the word go. Shelling out the money for this place so we could have more space. We were so crowded before, I mean we still are but we were so fucking crowded you would not believe- And not even for some underhanded reason, just because he loves kids and even then he liked my dad. He just, he wanted us happy.”

“They’re the best dads ever.” There was a halfhearted chuckle as Kevin turned the camera back on himself, wiping at wet brown eyes. “Fuck, I’m rambling.” He grinned at the camera again. “I’m just, gonna take a few minutes, okay? Then I’m gonna finally track down my fucking brother. Promise.”

~~

“This mother fucker took me three hours to find in a nine thousand square foot house!” The rodent-like alien on screen smirked, setting the large black shirt he’d been mending on his lap.

“Not my fault you couldn’t find your own ass with both hands and a map.”

“You are no longer allowed to talk to Mike. What are you even doing in here?” The other boy looked around the room, which was full of children’s toys, and shrugged.

“I wanted some quiet.”

“Well, too bad.” Turning the camera as he went, Kevin dropped down beside his brother on the small bed. “This is the guy, everyone,” he said with a grin, “the birthday boy himself, sixteen as of today. How does it feel?”

“A lot like last year’s birthday, but with less cake.”

“There will be cake, Alan promised.”

“Well then a lot like last year.” Smiling, Kevin threw an arm around his narrow shoulders and pulled him in close. He rolled his eyes as Kevin did so, but relaxed into his side all the same.

“Seriously guys,” Kevin said into the camera, “all else being equal Argit here is my favorite sibling. Best brother, best friend, and the guy who’s drug me out of more death spirals than I’d care to admit on film. Which is why I chose today to make this video, why I’m uploading it today, because this guy as wonderful and I need for every single comment on this to be wishing him a happy birthday. Every. Single. One.” Argit’s ears were lowered and he looked blatantly embarrassed as his elbowed Kevin’s die. It had no effect.

“If that’s the sorta sappy-ass video this is,” he said, “then I got shit to say too.” He resettled himself on the bed and looked into the camera. “On behalf of our family, I gotta thank you guys for subscribing to Kev’s channel. He’s been through a lot of shit and knowing you guys like him, that you guys look forward to his videos, has been really good for him. You guys give him the confidence boost he needs and a reason to keep getting up in the morning. So, yeah, thanks for being here for him. We all really appreciate it.”

“Okay,” Kevin said, pale face going pink, “between that and the stuff with Dad I think that’s enough sap for one day.” He grinned at the camera, shifting around to rest his head on Argit’s. “That’s my family, guys, I hope you loved them as much as I do. Thanks for watching, be sure to check the links in the description below for everybody’s channels, remember to Like to help me get Charm a channel and to wish Argit a happy birthday in the comments section.”

“Have a good night, everybody.”

[kariachi]

Oh, look, some daemon fic. Gar and his Isead, those difficult teenage years that plague late bloomers.

~~

“At this rate they’ll be married by the time we even get a chance for them!”

“You’re overreacting, Gar.” Isead rolled her eyes at him, leaping from their dresser to their bed (in their parents’ house, of course, because he couldn’t even go and become a proper warrior yet, it wasn’t fair-) in the form of a small reptile. “Have you seen them fight? We have plenty of time.”

“No, we’re doomed.” Shaking her head, she shifted into something feathery and slipped into the space between his left arms.

“What happened to my optimist?”

“He had his heart broken.” By her. He’d look back on this conversation later and hate himself for having such negative thoughts about his precious Isead, but right then, right there, it was the truth. Because at fourteen- which their father kept reminding him was a perfectly normal age- she had yet to Settle and until she did his life was nothing. He couldn’t join the army, he couldn’t even become an apprentice, and he certainly couldn’t challenge Princess Zaell for her hand in marriage. Wonderful, powerful Zaell and her ziboson daemon, who’d settled two years ago and had been fending off challengers who very much weren’t him and Isead for all of that time. That was the law, you couldn’t challenge or be challenged until you had settled, and it was killing him.

They’d had feelings for her and Kraphal for as long as they’d been old enough to want to hold someone else’s hand, to look at other people and go ‘they’re cute’. It had been nearly a decade of yearning and befriending and planning to marry them someday and now-

Now.

“Gar, it’s fine. If they haven’t lost a fight yet I doubt they will anytime soon.”

“You know what would make sure they don’t lose before us? If you would settle.” She huffed into his side.

“Gar.” He groaned and turned over, careful not to catch her small form. Gar buried his face in a pillow.

“I know, we can’t force it, but come on, Isead. Can’t you at least try? For me? For them?”

“That’s not how it works,” she said, hopping aboard him and getting comfortable in the space between his shoulderblades, “mother said so.”

“Maybe she’s wrong.” Isead laughed.

“And maybe the stars are jelly.” She pecked at the back of his head. “We’ll settle when we settle.”

“But will life be worth living by then?” Again, a beak against his skull.

“Of course it will, you great oaf. Just watch.”

Gar really, truly didn’t believe her. The rest of the day was spent falling apart, riddled with teenage worries, doubts, and drama.

But when they were seventeen- exactly two years, four months, sixteen days, seven hours, and twelve minutes after even Eva and Rufus had managed to settle- and he woke up to Isead- beautiful, graceful Isead- perched on the foot of their bed, all banded feathers and long talons. When he’d pinned Zaell- perfect, wonderful Zaell- to the arena floor and his Isead had nearly taken out one of Kraphal’s eyes. When they yielded and all their friends and relatives burst into cheers and applause. When Zaell grinned up at him, and Kraphal gently ruffled her feathers with his nose.

He had to admit, it was worth it.

[kariachi]

Gar and little Looma? Playing, bedtime stories, whatever floats your boat!

“I know you’re here somewhere, little warrior…” There was agiggle from a pile of plush pillows and toys against one wall, but Garcarefully ignored it. Instead he went to look under the bed, biting down hissmile at the next giggle. “You can’t have gone far; your legs are too short.” Oh,how he wished that one was true. It was only recently she’d grown large enoughnot to fit in the tiny spaces that, when her mother was born, had beenbabyproof. There had been too many heart attacks over a playing daughter forhis comfort.

“Where could she have gone,” he said to the room at large,gently kicking away a ball as if he thought she may be hiding behind it. “No.She has to be in this room, she promised.”This time the giggling was muffled, like she was trying to stop herselfanswering him, and he couldn’t hold back his smile.

“Wait a minute,” grinning, he turned slowly towards the pileand knelt low, I think I know where she is…” He sprang and there was a squealas he catapulted into the soft pile, rolling onto his side as he landed andgathering his precious little girl into his arms and close to his chest.

“There she is, the greatest of all Khoros!” Looma laughedinto his skin, hugging him as best her small arms could. “You have a bath toget to, little warrior.”

“I don’t wanna!” She lifted her head and tried her deepestpout, but he’d had five years to learn how not to give in.

“Well that’s too bad,” he said, pushing himself to his feet,“because you’re getting it anyway. And when you’re done, bed.” Her little facelit up and his heart was gone all over again.

“With stories?!”

“With stories.” The noise that came out of her was pure,childlike glee and she tried again to wrap him in a hug with the biggest ofgrins on her face.

Neither of them could have been happier.

[kariachi]

Oh, look, fluffy Gar/Kwarrel fic!

Warlord Gar Red Wind, ruler of the greatest kingdom on Khoros, the wealthiest single man in his third of the galaxy, known for things like winning the hand of the then most capable warrior on the planet and once heading back into battle with a freshly-missing eye just to make an impression, appeared to have discovered that Perison courtship didn’t generally involve large amounts of blatant flexing and compliments on combat technique.

Not that Kwarrel had minded either of those, but the flexing had seemed amusingly teenager-like and out of place coming from a middle-aged widower. It had taken a great deal of his self-control to not ask if this was how Gar’d tried to announce his interest to Zaell. Mostly he’d just had no idea how to respond to it. The compliments he’d easily been able to return, he enjoyed sparring with the warlord and was truly impressed by his strength and skill, but how was he supposed to answer a muscle flex? Flex back? Were the just-as-blatant appreciative looks he’d given acceptable or was he supposed to vocally acknowledge him? Swoon maybe? Kwarrel had no idea and had to admit that it had caused him some amount of stress (and embarrassment, he was older than Gar by some years and definitely more experienced in courting, there was no way he should have been the one worrying about these things). But this new development, this he knew how to handle.

His living room was full of flowers and ribbons and valuable trinkets in bright colors. Blues, yellows, purples, oranges, it was like there was a rainbow sitting on every flat surface. Kevin stood next to him, having been waiting at the door to give him the note Gar had sent with the mass of gifts, bouncing on his heels with the same look he held when he watched sappy films with Looma, Argit had walked in, muttered something about needing a new family, and gone to bed, and Kwarrel- Kwarrel felt himself getting warmer as he looked out over the array and fought to keep his expression subdued enough to not look more at place on someone his sons’ age. He picked a mass of yellow flowers off his chair and sat, turning them in the light. Haza, a pale wildflower fondly remembered from his childhood, and wasn’t that just the sort’ve thing Gar would get him…

Yes, this he knew how to respond to. Now he just had to figure out what one got for the man who literally had it all. Humming contemplatively, he plucked and bit the head off a haza, tender enough to have been picked that morning. Being close friends with a warlord didn’t guarantee you a job that brought great riches- though Gar had offered, bless that massive heart of his- and he could never hope to afford anything nearly extravagant enough to match even half of this display. There was still the possibility of making something though, that was always acceptable, and he could think of a few things that he doubted the grizzled veteran had seen many of in his miles and miles of harsh desert.

“Kevin,” he asked, smiling as his youngest cleared off a bit of couch to splay out on, “how are you at making flower crowns?”

[kariachi]

@kuphulwho A long bit of fic (like, nearly 2000 words) that isn’t quite for that au we were talking about earlier. More like, vaguely adjacent to it.

Kevin has a suitor. Looma sets Tasks. It’s a whole thing.

~~

Coming to the palace at all should’ve been considered an act of courage. Or foolishness, as his friends swore up and down. Kreth was an adequate enough fighter, but the prince- The prince, who came into his shop three times a week to buy parts, could more than easily beat him. May the Goddess help him, he was a more powerful fighter than his sister, who’d proven herself unweddable already. There was no way he could win an engagement challenge, but he had to try. He couldn’t imagine another way to get a prince- adopted yes, off-worlder yes, but still a prince- to notice him.

Maybe he’d get lucky and be challenged in turn to better results.

So of course, when he’d declared his intent to the royal family, it had been the princess to step forward. Immediately Kreth began fighting off panic. This was off script, it should’ve been Overlord Zaell stepping forward to accept his challenge in her son’s stead. Maybe this was part of preparing for her eventual takeover? She’d looked back at her mother, then turned to him with a grin.

“My brother’s aren’t Khoron,” she started, and Kreth could’ve died right out of pure nerves (this is why he’d never become a warrior, he didn’t have the constitution for doing more than defending his store), “and I’ve questioned whether it’s appropriate to marry them off the Khoron way.” Somehow her grin got wider and more frightening. “Especially since they’ll most likely be supplying my heirs, surely the challenge would have to make up for both of us.”

He was going to die, a sentiment only heightened when he glanced towards the princes and saw ‘his’ with his face in his hand. The elder of them looked horribly amused.

“We’ve spoken before about the differences in these things between our cultures,” she continued, “and from Earth there’s a challenge I think is very appropriate for the situation.” She managed to stand straighter and taller and Kresh tried to do the same. He was well taller than her, but she still seemed to loom over him. Named appropriately, apparently.

“If you want to marry my brother, Prince Kevin of the Red Wind Kingdom, you will bring me three things- the sweetest sound, a star from the sky, and the fresh head of a forgehunter.”

Yep, definitely going to die. How? He ran a shop too small to have employees, how was he supposed to get a fucking star? And a forgehunter head?!

And then there was Kevin, out the corner of his eyes. A smile, small and apologetic and sending his heart straight into his throat like it always did…

“As you ask, Your Highness.”

~~~

Of course saying it was easier than doing it, and three days later found the door to his shop closed and Kresh sprawled behind the counter, staring at the ceiling. He didn’t know where to start.

“Are you alive in here?”

“Well since none of you will let me die in peace I suppose so.” The door to the backroom slammed loudly shut and his sister Prehra knelt by his side. She too looked horribly amused.

“Still trying to figure out how you’re going to win your little prince?” He didn’t even turn his head.

“I’m a failure. I can’t do this.” Tutting, she shook her head and stood up. The till chimed, but Kresh ignored it. He owed her money anyway.

“You know how his brother sometimes shops at Luxxi’s?” Her sister-in-law’s shop, little everyday things- hairclips, pens, that sort. The elder prince was an uncommon customer, but Kevin’d once said he enjoyed the quality of buttons they sold there.

“Yes?”

“Well, according to her, Zin asked him to confirm the gossip about this whole weird situation and he said that the key to the whole thing was to the smart about it.” The entire royal family hated him, he was sure of it.

“Because that answers any question ever asked.”

“I think,” she said as she knelt by his head, counting out money, “it means your expected to be creative with it.”

“There’s only so many ways to get creative with bringing in a fresh forgehunter head.” Prehra tutted again.

“You’re a smart man, I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”

~~~

‘The sweetest sound’ was the least straightforward of the ‘items’ required of him, so Kresh decided to start there. It was practically a riddle. What was the sweetest sound? It had to be subjective, right? So was he looking for what she considered the sweetest sound? What Kevin did? That of the greatest segment of the population? (If the right answer turned out to be the sound of sugar boiling or something, he was going to throw something and someone, possibly Princess Looma herself.) In the end, he decided to hedge his bets on his own preference and gossip that the princess was just as bad as he was.

The next time Kevin walked into his shop, flashing him one of those heartsnatching smiles, he started recording.

~~~

‘A star from the sky’ was somehow easier and harder at the same time. At least there was a riddle and hope involved in this one, it was a straightforward request, but oh was it a request. There were plenty of creative ways to interpret it, and things he could do for it, but he didn’t want to risk not meeting standards…

He wasn’t a wealthy man, but he also wasn’t new to risky investments. There’d been no time limit, so he took a few months to track down and purchase a boxful of iron meteorites that he immediately upon delivery took to one of the smaller local forges to be worked. On his way back, he’d stopped into another local store to commission a simple box in the dimensions he needed.

A week later he had had a star-shaped box in his livingroom, along with a cut sheet of meteorite iron to match and the equipment to attach it to the lid.

He was careful to fill the box with the sort’ve parts Kevin was always looking for.

~~~

The forgehunter head that really had him worried. He wasn’t a warrior, not anywhere close, and it often took several of them at once to kill one of the great, spider-like beasts. It was a certainty that bringing back the head of a baby one wouldn’t be near enough, not for a prince, not for Kevin, not when he was already being smart enough with the other items that he kept thinking this must be some sort’ve trap. No, he couldn’t go easy, he couldn’t go smart, he was going to have to get an actual head, actually fresh, from an actual adult forgehunter.

As soon as he figured out how to do it without dying.

He’d been in the process of fretting over this, compulsively cleaning the shop into the night as he considered if he could maybe scrape together the money to get somebody to kill one for him when a loud thud had sounded in the backroom. Rarely a good thing, especially since he knew none of his kin would be visiting. It was a tense Kresh we made his way to the door, grabbing his battle axe along the way and slowly, cautiously, opening it to find a forgehunter head.

A forgehunter head, as fresh as could be expected, its wounds cauterized to prevent mess, and a stripped tail passing out of sight outside, familiar to anyone in the capital by now.

Kresh’s heart lodged in his throat.

The next morning, as the papers talked about the fresh meat gifted in the night to the orphanages, schools, and hospital, he packed up the head and his other gifts and made his way back to the palace.

~~~

His gifts- a star box with a meteor lid, a forgehunter head, and a recording of his prince’s laughter gathered over several visits that was playing on repeat- sat on display in front of him as Princess Looma and Prince Argit looked them over with critical eyes and Kresh tried not to fidget.

It was very difficult.

They kept muttering between themselves as their family watched on, in tones too low to be understood even if Kresh had known the languages they were speaking. There was gesturing, eye rolling, snapping of teeth, checking inside the box and then more muttering over the contents.

“So,” Overlord Zaell asked when, he assumed, she got bored of the show, “has he met our exacting standards?”

“Well,” the prince said, still eyeing the items, “the head’s pretty small.” Kresh glanced up to see Kevin, stood at Warlord Gar’s side, silently glaring murder.

“We already knew he wasn’t a warrior,” the Warlord pointed out, and his children hummed a reluctant agreement. Crossing his arms, Argit looked Kresh over.

“Don’t make us regret this,” he said, “or you’ll regret it.”

All the tension of the past months sloughed away like sand from a glass as the princess lifted him off the ground in a hug and the warlord and overlord stood to clap hands on his shoulders. Everyone was talking, congratulations he thought, but there was nothing in his world but Kevin, still stood by the thrones, with such a smile on his face.

Like a hidehund who’d managed to snatch a whole beast from the dining table.

~~~

“So, were you hoping to move into the palace or…?”

“I assumed I had three years to judge the extra space versus your sister’s… enthusiastic reputation.” Leaning on the counter, Kevin snorted, still with that smile on his face after two days.

“Yeah, she’s a bit of a spitfire-” Kresh would’ve have been surprised if she could, if some of those rumors were true “-but she’s a nice sort. And she likes you, she and Argit both, no matter that little show they put on to rattle you.” Pausing in the sorting of his latest purchase (Prehra had pulled him aside when he’d told his family to remind him that fiancés got a discount, no more) Kresh levelled him with a concerned look. This wasn’t the first time they’d spoken since his won his prince, but they hadn’t really talked about… things.

“Even if I’ve put their brother’s honor in danger?” He’d been thinking about that since the head had been dropped off, a stone of guilt sitting in his stomach even as he couldn’t bring himself to reject it and get one himself. It was cheating, he hadn’t earned this, and though the damage going along with it would do to his reputation if anyone realized was great, the damage to Kevin’s was…

Kevin looked at him in confusion, then realization, then simply waved the matter off.

“When a man’s set Tasks,” he said, the capitalization audible, “there’s no rule saying his potential spouse can’t help if they want. In fact, there’s some very famous stories where they do pretty much half the work.” Kresh resisted the urge to chew his cheek.

“Really?”

“Yep.” A wicked edge came to his smile. “Besides, like I said, they like you. Why do you think you got set Tasks in the first place?”

“I assumed to ensure an early grave.” Kevin chuckled.

“I’d have never forgiven them.” Flashing teeth, he used the counter to lever himself high enough to kiss him, a welcome surprise that killed all of Kresh’s higher brain functions. “Looma knew damn well you couldn’t win me in an actual fight.”

“I, suppose I should thank her then.” He could never remember sounding quite that faint.

“Yeah, we probably should.”

[kariachi]

Oh hey look, it’s some digimon au! More specifically a version of my original Chosen AU, wherein Kevin’s mom and Gar Red Wind were both Chosen and close friends!

Eva Jones will not let him not live the dream...

“I can’t do it.”

“Of course you can.”

“I can’t.”

“You can.”

“Have you seen her?” She stepped back and levelled her friend with a critical stare. Never in her life would she have thought him able to be nervous, nonetheless to fidget with said nerves, but he was doing so now.

“Yes I’ve seen her,” she said, “and listened to you talk about her. Over, and over, and over, and over, and just go challenge the woman already!” He stared back at her, all four eyes wide with his nerves, fists clenching and unclenching, legs trembling.

“But Eva-”

“But Gar-”

“I’m not good enough for her!” Sighing, Eva patted his side, smiling softly.

“You,” she said with just enough force to keep his attention, “are a Chosen. Are one of the most important and mazing people ever. And the best fighter I know. If anybody is good enough for Little Miss Overlordess-In-Training, it’s you.” Gar managed to smile down at her. The nerves were still obvious in his body language, but he took a deep breath in an attempt to calm them.

“You think so?” Eva rolled her eyes.

“The entire Digital World thinks so, Gar. She’d be a fool not to accept your challenge, and we’re all betting on you to win.” Gar narrowed his eyes at her, but his muscles started to lose their tension.

“And just how much money do you have on that bet, Ms. Jones?” Her smiled grew into a smirk.

“My life savings,” she said, shaking a finger at him, “so I better see you winning out there.” He laughed at that, quick but deep and full, and his smile widened.

“I suppose I’ll have to now, huh?” Eva grinned back.

“Good luck, buddy.” He rolled his shoulders, staring straight ahead.

“Thanks, Eva. I’m going to need it.”

[kariachi]

I refuse to edit shit but here, have ch8. This arranged marriage au finally has a fucking marriage in it.

Argit hadn’t felt this outnumbered in years. He had maybe eight people at this event, while the room before him was filled to the brim with them. Over there the Red Wind family, he recognized from various meetings and events over the years, too many Tennysons, his father’s old and ongoing enemies, what felt like the entire Imperial Pack, but was probably only a small fraction. Somewhere in the sea of Osmosians, humans, miscellaneous species, he had support, but From the Depths he was struggling to find them. From his position totally not hiding in a doorway he could make out his father, sat in pride of place with the Emperor and Argit’s soon-to-be mother-in-law, but his younger siblings and Psyphon had by now been completely swallowed by the crowd.

A shift in the music marked the start of the ceremony and with the same effort as if he’d been wearing lead weights Argit stepped out of his safe little spot out of sight and into the limelight. Heart pounding, he locked his gaze on the spot at the head of the room that had been pointed out to him earlier. That was all he had to do, get to that spot and stay there, stay upright, ignore the sound of claws on tile on the other side of the sea of people, just get there and stay there. And when he was there, they both were there, and that unfamiliar shadow dropped over him, look up, and up, into the face of his future.

He’d known the images he’d been given and could find wouldn’t paint the right picture, they were all from before he pupated, before he was grown, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t taken aback slightly by the difference. The short muzzle, sharp teeth, and dark scales in sharp contrast to the pale-skinned ‘mammal’ that had been in all those images. The eyes stayed mostly the same though, a deep dark brown like Argit had never had much opportunity to see. Argit managed a nervous, toothy smile, tongue tied behind his teeth. Should he say something? He was going to be spending the rest of his life with this man (fuck) surely he should, but what did you say? Maybe it would be better to just not, but he didn’t want to offend-

“I apologize in advance for my sisters.” Fuckfuckfuck he was a moron what sort’ve greeting was that?!

~~

It seemed like everyone Kevin was on good terms with, and a few people he wasn’t, were at this fucking wedding. All his siblings, all his cousins, his almost two dozen nieces and nephews. Every friend he had from Cooper to Looma, sat like a monument in the center of the room with Kuphulu under her arm. All having come, many a great distance, to see him stand up in front of a room full of people and agree to spend forever with someone. Everyone whose opinions mattered to him, all in the same room, all watching him, full of hopes and expectations.

He wasn’t sure if he wanted to vomit or eat someone as a warning to… somebody. Anybody. The world.

The music changed and automatically Kevin stepped into the room, made his way forward. One foot in front of the other, on autopilot, focus only on how he could fuck this up. Trip over his own two feet. Faint. Snap from stress and hunger and slaughter his fiancé. Forget what he was supposed to say. So caught in his own head he was that he almost walked right passed the spot he was supposed to stand, stopped only by Argit’s existence in his path.

He was small, even smaller than Pierce’s dad, and looked absolutely nothing like Vilgax. Which was a good thing, really, the man wasn’t exactly something to look at. Argit, on the other hand, looked almost like a particularly dangerous plush toy- all pudge and thick grey fur, long dark mane and big golden eyes. It was a good look on him, he’d admit. Clawed toes briefly tapping against the floor, Kevin did his best to stand straight and tall and make a good impression on this man who was about to be his (fuck). Still, when Argit spoke he couldn’t help but laugh and give him an anxious smile.

“And I apologize in advance for my friends.”

~~

The two stood there together, tails, and in Argit’s case ears, twitching despite their best attempts. The room was all-but buzzing with their nervous energy, such that Gar was like a rock in a storm as he stepped into position before them, all calm demeanor and professionalism.

“Deep breathes, boys,” he whispered to them, “you’re going to be fine.” Squaring his shoulders, the warlord looked out over the room, all the family and friends who had come to see this, his own family and others. This would be a good day, he could feel it.

Out in the hall, the clock ticked over to 2:31.

“My friends,” he began, “it is a great honor to welcome you all here today, as we come together to witness the joining of two families, two governments, and most importantly two young men it has a been a pleasure to know and to work with these past several years. Before us today Prince Regent Argit of the Vilgaxian Empire and Hero Kevin of the Imperial Clan stand together. A pair I’ve known for years to both be cunning, analytical, fiercely intelligent, and endlessly stubborn. Which means either they’re going to drive each other mad or, as I’m sure their families are hoping, stand together as a force that will bring the entire galaxy to heel.” There was a pause for a few brief chuckles among the crowd before he continued.

“Marriage is a challenge, as many of us know, and also one of the greatest things a person can experience. You fight, you laugh. One day you may swear you could never continue, only to wake up the next loathe to be apart. Together you build a home and life, together you watch it all seem to crumble away. And through it all, every hardship and every blessing, love grows stronger. Whether you’ve known each other all your lives or only met on the day of your vows, as long as you move forward with mutual respect, honesty, and an open heart each year your love, and with it your union, will grow stronger until no force can match it.” At this Gar’s gaze became wistful and he sighed as he focused his smile on the young couple.

“It’s with that in mind that I ask- Prince Argit, will you vow to respect and honor Kevin? To tend his ills, cheer his victories, and stand beside him against all life and the many challenges it will throw at you, for the remainder of you life?” Taking a deep breath, Argit’s eyes flicked between Gar, the guests, and Kevin- stood unnaturally still as he visibly fought not to fidget. Even with his nerves he had a charming smile. Argit nodded.

“I will.”

“And Hero Kevin, will you vow to respect and honor Argit? To tend his ills, cheer his victories, and stand beside him against life and the many challenges it will throw at you, for the remainder of your life?” Kevin’s teeth were clenched so hard he was amazed nothing cracked, gaze locked steadily on Argit as he stood there before him- picking at his fingers, ears twitching tensely. It was so so nice to know they were equally nervous. He released the breath he’d forgotten he was holding, then returned the nod.

“I will.”

The joy and affection Gar was feeling was palpable, sliding off him in waves as he stepped back and spread his arms as if displaying the two of them. His grin was wide and sincere.

“Then I am proud to name you wed.”

[kariachi]

Digimon AU Connection Things

Relevant Chosen

Gen 1

Arnold Jones Sr (1959-1998)

David Miyamoto (1961- )

Drew Saturday (1964- )

Warlord Gar Red Wind (1963- )

Empress Istora of the Incursean Empire (1970-1986)

Gen 2

Arnold ‘Casey’ Jones Jr (1986- )

Gen 3

Princess Looma Red Wind (1994- )

Kai Green (1995- )

Zak Saturday (1994- )

Argit Levin (1993- )

Relevant Tamers-

Gen 1

Carlos Jones (1962- )

Gen 3

Ken Tennyson (1991- )

Relevant Hunters/Generals-

Gen 1

General Eva ‘Slasher’ Jones (1965- )

Gen 2

Valerie Jones (1984- )

Primary Partners/Crests

Gen 1

Arnold Jones- Veemon [Sincerity]

Jyarimon>Gigimon>Veemon>Rhinomon>Vajramon>SaberLeomon

David Miyamoto- ToyAgumon [Kindness]

Choromon>Caprimon>ToyAgumon>Tankmon>MetalTyranomon>Deckerdramon

Gar Red Wind- Chemon [Optimism]

Pururumon>Miramon>Chemon>Cirmon>Halimon>Tridamon

Drew Saturday- Ryudamon [Knowledge]

Fufumon>Kyukyumon>Ryudamon>Ginryumon>Hisyaryumon>Ouryumon

Istora - Harumon [Tenacity]

Laulmon>Iimon>Harumon>Mauchomon>Junumon>Taunmon

Carlos Jones- Ganimon X

Pitchmon>Pukamon>Ganimon X>Tylomon X>Anomalocarimon X>Plesiomon X

Eva Jones- DemiDevimon

Poyomon>Tokomon>DemiDevimon>Soulmon>MetalPhantomon>Daemon

Gen 2

Casey Jones- Dorumon [Courage]

Dodomon>Dorimon>Dorumon>Coredramon(Blue)>Cyberdramon>WarGreymon

Val Jones- Goburimon

Yuramon>Tanemon>Goburimon>Fugamon>Digitamamon>Titanmon

Gen 3-

Looma Red Wind- Cyomon [Love]

Botamon>Pemon>Cyomon>Chaymon>Avumon>Chordamon

Kai Green- Salamon [Courage]

SnowBotamon>Nyaromon>Salamon>BlackGatomon>WereGarurumon>Duftmon

Zak Saturday- Dracmon [Reliability]

Kuramon>Tsumemon>Dracmon>Devidramon>Megidramon>Armagedemon

Argit Levin- Shimon [Resilience]

Puffmon>Kirmon>Shimon>Camon>Hasetmon>Ohkinmon

Ken Tennyson- Labramon

Paomon>Xiaomon>Labramon>Siesamon>Caturamon>Dinotigermon

[kariachi]

Just a little list of headcanons about Khoran culture and the Red Wind family

Matriarchal. Things have become more gender equal over the years, but traditionally families and governments are run by women. This is a direct result of women being so noticeably more powerful than men.

Gar’s position as Warlord is Complicated

There’s three different words which get translated to Warlord which mean, respectively, “Conqueror of Territories”, “Holder of Territories”, “Guardian of Territories”

The first denotes, basically the first of a royal line

The second is their heirs going back to them

The third is regents

Gar is actually a regent, holding the throne in Looma’s stead until she’s ready to take over. The throne was originally his wife’s

Looma’s mother was a year older than her father and the two were in their late teens when they got engaged

They only had the one child, though they were trying for about a decade before Looma came along

There was strong crushing going on on both sides prior to Gar’s challenge

The challenge portion is extremely important, especially for royals. Lower classes can get away with just saying their fiance of choice won a fight, but royals need a public challenge and fight, legally.

Same-sex marriage is legal for the general public, though the laws for legals vary, sometimes generation to generation

Right now the law is that heirs must marry somebody who can give them children, though with no restrictions on the gender of said

Gar was a low class soldier before marrying into royalty

He lost the eye prior to Looma’s birth but lost the arm when she was tiny

It was at that point his wife banned him from the battlefield. Not because she didn’t think he could still kick ass and take names down an eye and an arm, but because she was worried this was going to be a theme

She was almost right- Looma ends up losing a leg in her mid-forties and just like her father like shit that’s stopping her

Looma looks like her father, but personality-wise she’s so much like her mother it gives relatives deja vu

[kariachi]

Gar

How they sleep (sleeping position, schedule, etc): He tends to collapse onto his back around 11-ish, generally wakes up on the floor around sunrise

What music they enjoy: Little bit of everything, very eclectic tastes

How much time they spend getting ready every morning: A good long time. Gar Red Wind is not a morning person

Their favorite thing to collect: Cars

Left or right-handed: Right

Religion (if any): see ‘Looma’

Favorite sport: Wrestling

Favorite touristy thing to do when traveling (museums, local food, sightseeing, etc): Gar sightsees, it’s adorable

Favorite kind of weather: Sunshine, he’s sorta gotten used to it

A weird/obscure fear they have: …

The carnival/arcade game they always win without fail: Strength challenges. Fear him.