#when I saw the prompt I knew I had to partake

[birrdies]

the ethics of the artifice day 1 of shep's hermitcraft character design event second / lighter version under the cut

[kimbappykidding]

Imagine your boyfriend San getting jealous over the attention you give Yeosang

San knew he wasn't your usual type. That wasn't what bothered him. He could deal with being your new type and winning a girl over. However what he struggled to deal with was how one of his members was ridiculously your type. San realised the second he introduced you to Yeosang that he'd made a huge mistake. You found common interests straight away and San saw that even your personalities were similar. Like Yeosang you were more laidback and introverted. You preferred to observe instead of partaking and so you got along well. San could yell Yeosang liked you because he actually spoke to you and initiated conversations which he didn't do with people he'd just met. San could tell you liked Yeosang because you told him. "So how did you find it?" San asked after you'd left together. You smiled "it was wonderful! They're all so nice". "And who left the best impression?" San asked. He was ready to prompt you when you smiled "Yeosang! He was so nice and cute". San nodded his smile only faltering slightly "yeah he's the sweetest...so what did you think of Wooyoung?" trying to change the subject. "He seemed super fun and exciting...ow and did you know Yeosang is watching the same anime as me? The one I keep trying to get you to watch" you smirked. San resisted the childish urge to say "well why don't you just watch it together" and instead nodded "that's nice".

Soon the members caught on to the similarity between you and Yeosang. "They're basically the same person" Mingi announced while San tried to deny it. "Or they're both just introverts" Yunho shrugged. San was relieved for a voice of reason when Wooyoung ruined it. "San is dating Yeosang! San is dating Yeosang!" he began chanting and Mingi joined in. San rolled his eyes and Hongjoong patted his shoulder "don't worry they're just teasing. We know you don't fancy Yeosang". However that wasn't quite what San was worried about. San watched you and Yeosang continue to become closer and felt powerless. He knew he had no right to tell you who to be friends with and there was no way he could get you to avoid Yeosang without telling you why. He felt really childish but he just hated the idea of you two bonding and knew you must be thinking how similar to your usual type Yeosang was. It was only a matter of time until something happened and he was beginning to see the early signs of it already. It was an Ateez games night and you'd been invited too partly because the guys liked you but also because Mingi was away and they needed even numbers. Everyone had to pair up to get into teams and San of course thought he'd be pairing with you. However when Hongjoong asked you who you wanted to be your partner you picked Yeosang. San was stunned and the members all laughed at his over-the-top reaction but he wasn't really joking. When all the pairs had been decided and they were getting the first game ready San came over to you. "Hey, so why didn't you pick me to be your partner? I kinda thought we'd stick together". You smiled "no reason I just thought it'd be fun and Yeosang could use the pick-me-up". San frowned "why?". "Well, he mentioned you and Wooyoung keep teaming up and he felt left out so I figured he needed to be picked first for once". San sighed "sure but did it have to be you?". You paused "I was the person picking first so for Yeosang to be picked first yes I had to choose him" and you laughed trying to make light of it but San didn't smile. "It's nice you're trying to be a good friend just don't forget about your boyfriend" San replied and walked away. The first game was a quiz and usually San was good at them but he couldn't focus. He barely even heard as Yunho read out the question, he was too busy watching you and Yeosang quietly whisper to one another. You said something and Yeosang grinned grabbing your arm. He nodded and gestured for you to write it down. You did, Yeosang watching over your shoulder admiringly and he high-fived you afterwards. San made a noise and Wooyoung looked up "what's wrong with you? You've been grumbling all night". "Nothing" San said but Wooyoung saw him glaring at Yeosang and his friend instinct kicked in. "You're not worried about Yeosang and Y/n are you? Because you know neither of them would ever do that to you right?". San nodded "yes I know they’d never cross the line and actually cheat but this just short of cheating crap is annoying me". Wooyoung frowned "I wouldn't say whispering is just shy of cheating. Plus you know they just get along because they're so similar". San sighed "I'm beginning to think they should date each other". "Who should?" you asked appearing beside them and San jumped. "Y/n..." he said “hey I didn’t see you there!” trying to distract you but you were still frowning "who should just date each other?". San faltered and your eyes widened "don't tell me you meant me and Yeosang?". "What? No!" San cried but you shook your head "you did! I can see it in your eyes. Seriously San? I pick Yeosang as my partner for one game night and you decide I should date him instead?". "All i meant is I'm pretty sure you give him more attention than you do me nowadays. I didn't mean we should break up". You nodded "hmmm well guess who's going to be getting even less attention than I've been so horribly depriving them of" and you stormed out of the room. San was used to arguing and he never usually backed down. But he knew you wouldn't either. You weren't quick to anger and when something made you mad you stayed hot for a while like a well-fuelled fire. San watched the door close behind you and pretended nothing was wrong. Wooyoung nudged him "you're seriously not going to go after her". San shrugged "why? I haven't done anything wrong". Wooyoung sighed "you basically told her you wanted to break up because she gets on with Yeosang and you're too insecure to handle that" and Wooyoung went after you instead, the rest of the room oblivious. San sat there angrily stewing when Wooyoung returned with you. You took your seat next to Yeosang not even looking in San's direction. Wooyoung sat down and San looked at him "well you brought her back. That's a good sign". "I told her to think of Yeosang not you" he replied and San felt miffed that brought you back in then again maybe he shouldn't be surprised. Throughout the rest of the night you didn't speak, look or even breathe in San's direction. You purposefully ignored him and San could practically feel the wall of ice between you. San wasn't like you with anger, he was hot-headed but his anger was short-lived and fell away pretty quickly. So two hours later he was bored of the whole thing. He'd tried looking at you, starting conversations about things he knew you liked and giving you the chance to talk to him but you didn't go for any of it. So when you went to the bathroom San followed you. "So that's it?" San asked "you're never going to speak to me again?". You looked at him "you haven't said one word to me since the argument so doesn't act like you've been trying so hard". "Hey I went over to the sofa alone so you could join me!" he cried confused how you'd missed his big gesture but you rolled your eyes. "Aww I didn't realise! Thank you so much for giving me the chance to humble myself and join you". San sighed "I hate when you're like this". "I hate when you're like that" you replied "do you really not trust me? Or Yeosang for that matter? What have either of us done to deserve that sort of treatment?". San shook his head "nothing. It's not something I did deliberately you know? I can't help it if I get jealous seeing the two of you so close". "See but that's the thing, you're not helpless in this. You can tell yourself it's nothing or do something to calm yourself. And what you definitely did have a choice over was how you treated me. You could've talked to me about it and explained but no I heard you telling Wooyoung I should just date Yeosang instead of you. How do you think that felt to hear San?". He sighed "pretty shit?" and you nodded. You went to walk away but San followed you this time. "Y/n" he called catching your arm and wrapping an arm around your waist "I'm sorry" but you sighed. "No San you can't just be cute and get out of this" and you walked away. San could hear by the tone of your voice you were going to cry and that broke him. He wanted to comfort you desperately but before he could follow you again Wooyoung appeared and stopped him. "Let her go" Wooyoung said holding San securely and he lost it. "Let her go? Earlier you were disgusted I didn't follow her and now you're telling me to leave her alone? Are you getting a kick out of this or something?". "No! It was a mistake to let her go before but it'd be a mistake to follow her now. You're too emotional and that's not going to work with how fragile Y/n is feeling. Trust me Yeosang is the same and whenever we argue I have to give him some time to calm down before going after him. Give her time to stop crying and for yourself to stop acting so rashly and plan what you're going to say to her". San sighed "I don't know I just want to make it better". Wooyoung nodded "I know but you need to calm down" and he eased San into a chair. "I just can't believe I acted so stupidly! Y/n is the last person in the world I'd ever want to hurt and I spent all night hurting her". Wooyoung patted him "yes but she obviously still cares about you, that's why she's upset so you can save this. You just have to think of what to say to convince Y/n of that". San nodded "will you help me?". "Of course!" Wooyoung cried and together they got to work. 15 minutes later San knocked on the door and walked into the room you were sitting in. "Y/n" he called softly. You didn't turn around but you replied "what?" which he took as a good sign. "Can we talk?" San asked remembering what Wooyoung said about respecting your wishes. You nodded "okay" and he came to sit beside you. "Y/n I'm really sorry I hurt you. I was being insecure and took it out on you. I should've spoken to you about my feelings but I was too scared of getting hurt that I ended up hurting you instead. You know I'd never want you to date anyone else, you're the best thing that ever happened to me". You didn't smile but San could feel you relaxing so he continued. "You're my world and you always will be that's why I get stupid sometimes but I promise I'm going to work on it. I love you y/n". You sighed and San could tell you were nearly there "y/n can I hug you?". You leaned into him and San wrapped himself around you feeling relief sweep through him. "I'm so sorry" he repeated kissing the top of your head and you nodded. "I know, I can tell you really mean that and I forgive you, just please don't do it again". San nodded turning to face you and quickly wiped away your tears "never I promise". You could tell by the gleaming in San's eyes he meant it and rested your head against him glad it was over. "I hate fighting" you sighed and San nodded "and I usually love it but I hate fighting with you. Guess that's a good sign huh?" making you chuckle. "That's better" San said seeing you smile and the tears subside. He gently stroked your cheek and you blushed. "Can we discuss one thing though?" San asked and you nodded "what?". "Next time there's a games night can we please team up? I missed you tonight". You smiled "of course! With the two of us together the others don't stand a chance". "That's my girl" San said proudly and he hugged you tightly once more.

______

I love how any time I picture one of the Ateez guys getting jealous it’s always of Yeosang! He’s just such an angel I bet everyone loves him including all the boy’s friends, families and partners. The impact of Yeosang everyone.  

[mattatouilletkachuk]

John Marino prompt option #1 fits him so well to me

An Anxious Heart and Steady Arms || John Marino

Prompt: 1. B wrapping their arms around A’s waist and pulling them close, whispering in A's ear: "Stay close to me."

WC: 1k+

a/n: I’m trying to finish all of the requests I have before posting my new prompt list. Also sorry to whoever requested this because this took so long.

Summary: This was your first event you were attending since you and John had made things official. It sounded exciting when he first brought it up but actually attending felt like a whole other beast.

The Sweep the Deck Gala was your first event since you and John made things official. When he first asked you to attend the event with him and the days leading up to it, you weren’t nervous. Why should you be? You knew most of his teammates and their wives and girlfriends. It was an odd sort of benefit that came with nearly a year of you and John dancing around your feelings and not facing any commitment issues head-on.

For a year you and John talked nearly every day, went on dates when he wasn’t practicing or playing, and slept together and at each other’s apartments. It wasn’t until two months ago, when he came back from a roadie that the two of you finally sat down and made things official.

Since then, everything has been going well. Your relationship hadn’t changed much, if at all. The only thing new was him asking you to come with him to events the Devils held. Not only were you not nervous but you were also excited. You had never attended an event like this before and were curious to see everything in person.

When the two of you first arrived the place wasn’t packed yet. You had time to take in all of the decorations and events that were set up. You looked at the tables that held signed memorabilia and toward the empty area where the curling would be taking place a little bit later. When you saw more of John’s teammates at their partners and kids arrive you smiled and waved at them.

However, that entire time John was by your side. It was hard to let your mind wander when your boyfriend was brushing his arm against yours or holding his hand against the small of your back. It wasn’t until Nicole had come up to you that John was finally pulled away. You watched from the corner of your eye as he slowly left your field of vision with Nate.

It was then that you started to feel a little ball of anxiety spark up in your belly. You couldn’t help but wonder if Nicole had picked up on it because she stayed and talked with you for at least an hour. You enjoyed her company and felt lonelier when she eventually walked off with Jesper. You understood, though, that you couldn’t monopolize her time and that she had a boyfriend and other friends that she wanted to talk to.

You were torn between staying where you were and wandering around. You couldn’t help but feel like everyone was watching you. You knew it was your anxiety that made you feel like that. Everyone was too wrapped up in socializing and having fun. That didn’t stop you from critiquing every little movement you made. So you decided to walk around, thinking it was better to seem like you were doing something rather than standing in the same place for too long.

You were looking at the tables filled with memorabilia when someone came over the loudspeaker to announce that the curling event would be taking place. People were instructed to find a place to stand around the area to watch as their favorite players would soon be partaking in the game.

That was when you felt arms wrap around you from behind. You startled and snapped your head back to see who was touching you but before you saw him you felt his deep chuckle as he pulled you against his chest. John. John had finally found his way back to you.

“What’s wrong?” He questioned. His voice was low, only meant for your ears only.

“Who says anything is wrong?” You respond quickly, your shoulders tense at the thought that you were so easy to read. If John could see how out of place you felt and probably looked, that meant other people probably thought so too.

He leaned down to kiss your sweater-covered shoulder before replying, “I know you too well. I saw you from across the room and could see how nervous you looked.”

“I’m not nervous,” you lied and crossed your arms. Refusing to melt into your boyfriend's arms.

“Baby, it’s okay. This is your first hockey event that isn’t a game. It’s loud and there are a lot of people.” John said, his voice still calm despite the edge in your own. “I was nervous for my first Gala. Hell, I was nervous for every event I had to attend my rookie year.”

You were quiet as you took in what he said. The new information made your shoulders relax and you uncross your arms.

“How did you get over the nerves? Because even though I know I’m not someone everyone is looking at I can’t help but feel like every move I make is being watched.

“You find your people,” he said as if it was the most simple thing in the world. His arms tightened around your waist and brought you impossibly closer to him. Once again he leaned down and this time his mouth was by your ear as he whispered, “Just stay close to me and you’ll be fine.”

It felt like his words had control over you because as he said them you finally let yourself melt into his arms. The two of you stayed like that for a while, watching his teammates try their hand at curling.

When people came up to John, whether it was journalists, teammates, or people from the foundation, he never let go of you and even introduced you to the people you hadn’t met and didn’t know. Everyone was smiling and sincere and by the time John had to leave you and go on stage with the rest of his team, you didn’t feel so out of place anymore. Some of the other player’s girlfriends and wives had found you and stood with you as the team talked on stage.

By the end of the night, as you were leaving, with a Devil’s red scarf wrapped around you and your hand in John’s, you realized that despite the small speed bump you had earlier, you actually enjoyed the night and maybe, you thought, you might actually have found the place you were meant to be.

[takes1]

Hi!!! I saw the Osamu x Reader post and as a Suna girlie it breaks my heart just a lil for Suna (very good stuff for Osamu and Reader tho, that was divine) but I was wondering maybe a slight part 2 for this where Suna gets his own happy ending? I say slight part 2 cuz Suna still has his heartbreak from the Osamu story but ends up with a different reader, perhaps? In my head it was Reader's relative who's much more of his type (relative part for slight drama, iykyk) but I'll leave that up to you!! For NSFW I'll also leave that up to you!! If that's not your cup of tea, you can ignore this ask, thanks a lot!!

hi!! thank you!! i def tried to take this in a slightly diff direction, just bc i was a little confused, but i kept the themes the same and the general prompt true to form! i hope this is alright! thanks for the request!!

warnings. sfw, alcohol consumption

info. angsty / hurt/comfort / timeskip!suna / very sad!suna / heartbreak!suna / previous relationship / suna not getting over breakup / misunderstandings / miscommunication / suna checking you out / happy ending / implied needy!suna / __ words

haikyuu collection. more here.

more links. my ao3. masterlist. requests open!

"Old-fashioned. Please," The man beside you was quiet. Raspy, in a young way, but carried an age's worth of reservation in what were so few words.

He was wearing a nice, linen shirt. Orange and yellow danced off of his Harry Winston watch, but it didn't compare to the glint in his eye as he turned to look at your equally classy style.

The name that breezed off of your lips a little too easy.

"Rintarou?"

Other voices from around the rest of the bar fell away. White noise to you- a loud, gray static to him.

His fingers felt ice cold despite not nursing a drink, a decision he regretted not partaking in sooner with the rest of his team, now.

The knot in his throat kept him from responding.

"Wanna start a tap?" The bartender slid his drink towards him. He eyed you when Suna didn't take it right away.

A brief glance between this tense scene was all it took to understand.

He offered his card between two fingers and took the seat next to you without a word.

"This isn't going to work out."

Three years. So many victories, so many trials-- gone. You swore up and down you never felt anything, even after you watched him break down into tears for an hour.

Your passive stare, completely impartial to whether he lived or died, was all the solace he got.

He must've cried for days. He almost didn't show up for graduation.

The twins thought he died.

Suna held an empty stare forward at the glossy counter- fingers circling the mouth of his glass, sometimes twirling it.

Drowning in vat of ice-cold water would be a warmer feeling than this eternal torture.

The memory of you walking out of the gym, holding yourself because you knew what you were doing, and now you had nobody to comfort you for your cruelty.

A shaky sigh fogged the cool glass on his bottom lip before he took a necessary sip.

Something kind, finally.

The heat that crawled down his throat eased your next words enough for him to bare through it.

"What are you doing here?"

Your sad attempt at trying to make conversation set him off.

His nose scrunched with the effort it took to try to pull himself together. Just your voice dragged him so far back into that deep, never ending spiral of insecurity and uncertainty.

His similarly-dressed team taking up space and sound on the other side of the bar was the first thing anyone was bound to notice. After winning a game, they usually went out for drinks- but just like every other time he was dragged along, he found himself not having as much fun as he ought to.

He grew weary of their energy and insistence that he get a girlfriend to cheer him up.

This quiet separation from the pack, his sulky demeanor, and the pain he wore on his brow was evident to even the bartender. He knew you could see it and hated himself for it.

"Celebrating," His voice was so quiet it took you seconds after to completely register it.

Watchful eyes waited for your expression to shift. It made you as uncomfortable as he wanted, but he couldn't keep the fortitude to enjoy it. He opted for his glass in time to watch his ice cube drop, shift in his drink. It looked fuller, now.

He brought the bitter thing up to his lips and handled it astoundingly well.

Your pretty eyelashes looked prettier when you looked away from him. Longer and fuller when you weren't facing him. That flawless makeup, caressed by the soft, warm light of the bar must've taken you hours.

You were different. He tried not to notice.

"How have you been?"

It wasn't an apology. His fingers slipped on the gathered condensation and he hesitated to take another sip so soon.

"Busy," He looked at your glittery shoulder when you faced him again, "You?"

There were a few moments of silence that he didn't notice. His low-lidded study of your little dress was soothing the burn in the back of his throat, a painful mix from needing to cry and the strength of his drink.

Part of him was relieved you hadn't let yourself go. You were a divine gift that any man would be glad to have, and his opinion, should be willing to break himself over.

The dress honored his useless devotion well.

Part of him would never forgive you for not throwing yourself into a pit of despair for your heartless words. His eyes hardened at once, now at the curve of your thighs that stayed crossed under the bar.

"Can you look at me?"

When his eyes shot up to meet yours, it felt like you were staring down a wounded animal.

The full weight of your decision dawned on you and you realized, all at once, that you had been wrong for years.

You hadn't spared him the way you convinced yourself that you had.

Something reminiscent of fear flashed across your face. He left you to think and chugged the rest of his whiskey. His ice clinked in the glass when he set it down and flagged the bartender.

"I didn't mean to hurt you," Slipped out, a little too early, as you both watched the glass refill with golden-brown color.

He squinted down and you were grateful it wasn't a look directed straight at you.

"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard," He snapped as soon as your company left.

With more time spent sitting next you, basking in your presence for the first time in so long, and his inhibition slowly fading, he felt himself start to get belligerent.

"I was-," You sighed, trying to control the frustration in your voice because you knew it wouldn't help, "I was trying to give you more options."

It was quiet for a long minute.

The hateful stare he kept on his own hand told you he was not convinced.

"I knew it would be tough on us, with you travelling for the team."

A tough brow softened, just a little. His thumb slid against the rim of the glass, thoughtful, about a better time. When he had something else to look forward to other than practice, or games.

"I didn't wanna put you through that. I didn't want- to make you choose."

His life was empty beyond the court. He couldn't imagine any scenario that would've played out to be worse than this. His face stung when he spared a sideways glance at your pretty face.

"So you chose for me," He rolled his cloudy eyes.

His words were like acid.

You couldn't swallow the lump in your throat. You turned from him, angry that he wasn't doing well, guilty that it had to do with something you thought was a good decision.

A big breath through your nose.

"And I'm sorry," You bit the inside of your cheek when he froze, "I really can't express how sorry I am."

The apology wasn't something he could rationalize as anything other than genuine, and heartfelt.

Confusion ran through him, made much worse by his buzz-- his eyes burned and he furiously wiped one eye. He had convinced himself you were secretly an emotionless, terrible person for doing that to him. The fact that you could possibly atone for it made him wildly uncomfortable.

His chair scraped when he pushed himself up to stand and face you. He kept one arm on the bar.

"I wanted to make it work!"

His version of loud was by no means actually loud, but it still startled you.

"And- you didn't," He was already back to a soft mutter, but it was wobbly when he kept talking, "I don't know what else I could've done, to be enough for you."

"You were enough," You instantly argued, "I just-,"

Another frustrated, teary sigh, "I didn't think I was."

It must've been muscle memory. Suna didn't realize he was wiping a tear from your face until his hand was already back down by his side.

He hated seeing you cry so much that it trumped his own lingering, maladaptive thoughts. Especially when you looked so good.

Your small, sad smile at his chivalry eased the weight in his chest.

He felt like he could breathe for the first time in years.

"You were everything to me," You admitted.

He had to take his seat at that. Closer, this time.

masterlist.

requests open.

[the12thnightproject]

My gift for @cheese-ception for the @flash-exchange

Title: Heart's Desire

Starring: Yves and Emma

Prompt: Magical Bakery

WC: 700 Words

CW: Might make you hungry

Yves can bake pastries that make dreams come true... for everyone but himself.

Legend whispers of a bakery...

The whispers aren’t about the food, although everyone agrees the baker’s offerings taste delicious:  cakes piped with lacey buttercream, tarts with crusts so flaky they melt in the mouth, and exotic and mysterious truffles.

Nor does the legend center on the delicate good looks of Yves the baker, his deep blue eyes, eyes that hint of hidden sadness. Many a young woman (and a few young men) sighed over him. But this too is not the Legend.

Legend has it that those who eat here are granted their hearts’ desire.

A widow reunited with her first love… a clerk received a promotion… a childless couple discovered they were to become parents. Even tiny wishes were granted, as when a child found her lost kitten.

The legend grew until Yves had too many customers to handle, though he couldn’t afford help. And so one afternoon, he faced the final customer, Akatsuki the bookseller, and apologized for the wait.

“Think nothing of it. I....” Akatsuki paused at the array of sweets. “One would think I had time to decide but…”

Used to customer indecision, Yves studied Akatsuki, then offered him matcha mille crepe cake.

Akatsuki took a bite. He closed his eyes, recalling his childhood in Kogyoku, when the Sakura bloomed and the air had the fresh scent of the sea. “I wanted a taste of home. You have a gift. What is your wish when you bake for yourself?”

“It doesn’t work on me.”

“Ah. That is a pity.” Akatsuki bowed to thank Yves and left.

Yves might have forgotten the encounter, but the next day, before the lunch rush, a pretty girl slipped inside. “What can I help you with, Miss?” Try as he might, Yves couldn’t determine her heart’s desire.

“I’m here to help you.” She grabbed an apron. “I’m Emma – my father sent me.” At Yves’s shocked expression, she continued. “We own the book store. We’re not busy this time of day, but you are.”

“I don’t need any help.” Yves eyed her with suspicion. Was she here to steal his recipes?

“Yes, you do.” She pointed to a line forming already. “I’ll package the items and ring up the sales.”

Too busy to protest, Yves did as he was told. If he were being honest, having Emma around did make things easier. He had more time to create. Even so, at the end of the day, he told her, “Thank you, but you don’t need to return.”

…She returned.

Every day. She never asked for money, or requested a magic pastry.

Soon, Yves was looking forward to the moment her smiling face appeared. For the first time, he regretted being unable partake in the magic himself, for his heart’s desire was, simply, Emma.

Still, at least he saw her two blissful hours every day when she worked cheerfully and competently by his side.

One day Yves noticed something different about her. A distracted look in her eyes. Pain twisted in the pit of his stomach. He knew that look. She was in love with someone and wanted a pastry.

When the crowd left, he turned to her. “Wait.” He would give her a pastry, but he couldn’t bear to hear her ask for it.

Yves decided he would bake her something new. Nothing but the best, even if he was breaking his own heart to provide it. When inspiration struck, he retreated to the kitchen to create.

Sometime later, he returned, half-hoping that she had given up and left. But… no, she was patiently reading.

With a flourish, he gave her one perfect pale pink macaron. “Raspberry macaron, with lavender ganache and raspberry curd.”

“It looks almost too pretty to eat.” Still, she lifted the confection to her lips, took a nibble, and sighed in bliss. “Mmmm.”

Yves waited, heart breaking. Any moment now, she would leave to find her heart’s desire. But she didn’t move. Finally, heart aching, he asked, “What was your heart’s desire?”

She took his hands. “I didn’t ask for my heart’s desire. I asked for yours.”

Then, with a hint of shyness, she kissed him.

Surprise gave way to joy, as he lost himself in magic’s kiss.

Thank you to @lorei-writes @cheese-ception and @nuttytani for organizing another great event. I always have such fun reading your prompt reveals and writing my gifts (even though the word limit breaks my soul sometimes).

[jellyfitzjelly]

May I request a prompt where Zevlor accidentally overheard his shy gn reader (crush) struggling to say something to Tilses so he misunderstood that they're confessing to Tilses because of how nervous they are but he heard them trying to confess to HIM?

Of course! Hope you like it! [READ ON AO3]

Zevlor was strolling around in the forest, enjoying the fresh air and the quietness. He was wondering where Tilses had disappeared to; he hadn't seen her for the past hour. He couldn't help but worry about her.

"I–I wanted to see you today because...Because...."

Was that Tav's voice? Zevlor frowned, puzzled, and approached the source of the sound. He stumbled upon Tav and Tilses visibly discussing something. The Commander felt curious, and decided to stay hidden and partake in some harmless eavesdropping.

"What is it, Tav?" Tilses asked them with kindness and an encouraging nod.

"Well.... I wanted to see you...b–because I l–like you! I–I've been charmed b–by you ever since you fought off those goblins at the gate!"

Zevlor blinked, stunned. Tav had a soft spot for Tilses? The revelation made his heart ache, but he harshly reminded himself his lieutenant was a far more better fit for the beautiful adventurer than he was. He may have fallen immediately for them when he saw them fight, but they were still half his age and full of life. Besides, he had a duty to fullfill. He wouldn't have been able to make them happy. No...it was better like that. Better to leave now before he hurt himself some more.

Zevlor left the forest quietly, trying to deny the wound in his heart as he made his way back to the Grove. He plunged himself back into work, but Tav couldn't leave his thoughts. He never had any chance. Of course he knew this, but to be faced with the reality of it felt like leaving Elturel again.

When Tilses came back almost an hour after his return, she acted as if Tav didn't confess their feelings to her.

"Nice walk?" Zevlor asked tartly, looking for blood.

"Commander?" she asked, hurt and confusion in her eyes.

Zevlor's anger left him, guilt needling his heart. He sighed wearily.

"Forgive me, Tilses. I am in a sour mood. I shouldn't have talked to you like that."

"Is something the matter?"

"I'm just tired," he lied with a smile.

The hours went on and night fell, yet Zevlor persisted in staying up to work, unwilling to be left alone with his thoughts.

"A–Am I disturbing you?" a familiar voice softly asked.

Zevlor lifted his gaze to see Tav in front of him, clutching their lantern as if the object might grow wings and fly away. They seemed very nervous.

"Are you well?" he asked with concern.

He watched Tav's throat work as they gulped.

"I–I wanted to–to see you today."

"Why?" he asked, rounding the stone table to face the adventurer.

He observed their hands shake.

"Because....because I– I like you! I've been ch–charmed by you ever since you fought off t–those goblins at the gate! I've been–"

"Are you kidding me?" he erupted.

Tav looked at him with wide eyes like a terrified deer.

"Did you recite your speech to everyone? Has everyone around here been blessed already to receive your affection? Or is that just reserved to Tilses and I?" he snarled, angry.

He would not see his lieutenant hurt by uncaring people. Enough of that. She had already suffered enough with the Descent!

"I heard you in the forest," he continued.

"Y-You–"

Tav stopped themselves, eyes filling with tears, hands shaking even more. It broke Zevlor to see them like this, his anger melting away at their obvious distress. He was regretting his words already.

"You could have just say no," they whispered as tears streamed down their cheeks. "Why did you have t–to be so cruel? I–I spent the whole a–afternoon with Tilses rehearsing!"

"Rehearsing?" Zevlor repeated, puzzled, mind finally working again.

Oh no. What had he done?

"Yes, rehearsing!" Tav burst out, anger giving them confidence. "A whole afternoon trying to formulate the admiration and attaction I had for a man I thought was good! And kind!"

"Ilmater's ashes," he murmured, despaired.

"I never knew you could be so cruel," they told him, hurt.

"I'm sorry," he started saying, but Tav chuckled bitterly.

"Now you're sorry?"

They turned away to leave, and time slowed down as Zevlor felt his heart pound in his chest. He had ruined it all. His thick head had ruined the thing he never thought possible in the first place. He couldn't bear to see them leave, to lose them forever.

He grabbed their wrist and pulled them flush against him, tilting their chin up to crash his lips against theirs. For the first few seconds, Tav resisted, but they quickly melted against him. They deepened the kiss as Zevlor wrapped his arms around them.

"By all the watching gods, I've been a blind fool," he croaked when their mouths finally separate. "Here I thought you were playing with Tilses' feelings!"

"What?" Tav blinked, all traces of anger gone from those stunning eyes.

"I heard you in the forest," he whispered, embarrassed. "I thought you were confessing to her."

"But she was helping me," they answered as if it was obviousness itself.

Zevlor chuckled fondly.

"You haven't chosen the sharpest sword in the forge," he told them softly, caressing their cheek.

"Maybe," they shrug, "but I love you nonetheless."

He kissed them again, smiling against their mouth.

[theyhavetakenovermylife]

Shadows Entwined: Part 5

BatmanVsTmnt!Leonardo x sidekick!reader

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 / Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Bonus (18+)

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

A/N: Boy, did this take longer than I had thought it would. Anyway, it is finally going again!💙

Also, how have I been so thick that I did not know commissioner Gordon is Batgirl’s dad?? My Batman loving little brother would hate me if he knew…

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

You learn about a break in at Arkham Asylum and get a little closer to the leader in blue.

Warnings: None in this one. Just a little fun before the horror.

The reader and the turtles are 19.

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

You watched curiously as the four mutant turtles started eating their pizzas, causing tomato sauce to be smeared all over their face. And you watched in amusement as they turned down Alfred’s offer on napkins, causing the poor man to enter yet another state of mental crisis. And here you thought your and Damian’s antics in the Wayne Manor was bad enough, but so far the turtles had already caused Alfred more trouble than you and your brother had ever done in a week.

Leo noticed the way you were looking at him and his brothers, and shot you a questioning look.

“Uhm…”, you said, holding a finger up to your face. “You got a little…”

“Oh!”, Leo said in sudden realization, quickly getting his face clean with the back of his hand. Once more you couldn’t help but laugh, and Leo found himself more focused on the beautiful sound instead of the pizza slice in his hand.

As Batgirl was about to take a bite of her pizza, and you finally managed to get a piece from Robin, Batman’s voice sounded behind you.

“Batgirl, Robin, (H/N). Shredder and Ra’s will be looking for something to replace the Cloud Seeder. Any leads on where they might find that?”

“Not right this second, no”, Batgirl said, quickly whipping the pizza grease from her face.

“Then that’s what you should be working on”, Batman said before walking away.

Suddenly the pizza in your mouth didn’t taste as great as it did a few seconds ago. You saw your brother stare down at the uneaten pizza in his hand, before he let out a sigh.

“Yes sir”.

“Come on, dude”, Michelangelo said, following Batman with a slice of pizza in his hand. “You can’t fight crime without partaking in a cheesy slice!”

“This isn’t the time for pizza”, was all Batman said, causing Mikey to stand back in shock and sadness, not believing what he had just heard. This prompted Donatello to comfort his brother with the same pizza slice, soothing his head while shushing him.

A familiar beeping rang out through the Batcave, with the well known bat logo taking over the big computer screen.

“The Bat Signal”, Batman said, turning back towards you and the rest of your bat family. “Robin, (H/N), Batgirl. Let’s move”.

“What about them?”, Batgirl asked, nodding towards the turtles.

“What do you mean, what about us?”, Leo asked, his eyes finding yours for a short second, causing your chest to feel a little lighter. “We’re coming with you”.

“Please no”, Robin said, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “If they come along she'll never keep her eyes straight!”, he exclaimed pointing in your and Leo’s direction. Your face suddenly felt hotter than the pizza slice you ate a few moments ago. You did not dare to look at Leo’s face, but had you done it, you would have noticed how his face has gotten just as hot as yours.

“I don’t know Shredder and I don’t know the Foot. Leonardo and his brothers are important assets”, Batman said, handing Raphael his sai back. “But, you’ll have to follow orders”. Batman eyes narrowed in on Leonardo. “This is still my city”. That comment did not go past the leader in blue. Batman wasn’t just talking about Gotham. He was talking about you as well. Asking Leonardo to follow his order on his ground, and his order when in regards to you.

“Deal”, Leo said, holding out his hand for Batman to shake on, only to be interrupted by Michelangelo, carrying the last of the uneaten pizza.

“We’re definitely gonna want road pizza!”

And with that you left the Batcave and went straight to the source of the Bat Signal. You did not find it surprising, to find the location to be Gotham City Police Department, and you found it less surprising when you saw Batgirl’s father standing on the roof, waiting, mumbling to himself like always.

“Hmm… Ninjas… As if he didn’t have enough problems in this city”, you heard commissioner Gordon say.

“Commissioner Gordon”. The old and tired commissioner turned at the sound of Batman’s well known voice. “What have you got for me?”

“It’s Arkham”, Gordon said, pulling a folder from his jacket. “The alarms went off an hour ago, but when…” He stopped, seeing the company that Batman had brought along. You, Robin and Batgirl was not an unusual sight for him, but four humanoid terrapins. That was something new. “What are those?”

“Teenagers”, Mikey smiled brightly.

“Mutants”, Donnie pointed out.

“Ninja”, Raphael growled.

“Turtles”, Leo finished.

“Have your boyfriend and his brothers been practicing or something?”, Robin asked you in a whisper, causing you to flick him over the head with your finger. Leo swallowed, acting as if he hadn't heard that.

Commissioner Gordon sighed, rubbing his temple, mumbling about a nice retirement where turtles didn’t talk.

“It’s okay Jim”, Batman comforted the commissioner. “They’re friends”. Jim Gordon took a second look at the four mutant turtles, thoughts spinning in his head, until Batman brought him back to reality. “Arkham?”

“Right”, Gordon breathed out, fixing his glasses. “When my people tried to move in they were attacked by ninjas. Like the ones that have been knocking over laboratories”.

“Shredder”, Leo grumbled, punching his left fist into the palm of his right hand.

“We got the perimeter locked down, but we have to assume there’s hostages inside”, commissioner Gordon continued, looking back down into his folder. “Guards, doctors, nurses. I need you too…” Jim Gordon looked up to find that all of you had already left. No trace of the people he just had been talking to. “Sure”, he mumbled to himself. “Leave before I finish, pff, that never gets old”.

You jumped and ran from one roof to another, right in the heels of Batman and Leonardo, listening as they were discussing the information commissioner Gordon had just provided.

“The Foot have been robbing high tech laboratories all week”, Leo said as you ran across the rooftop. “It doesn’t make sense for Shredder to take over an asylum all of a sudden”.

“It doesn’t matter”, Batman said, keeping his eyes ahead of him as you got closer to the edge before the next building. “Arkham and its inmates are too dangerous to take any chances”.

You jumped over the edge and the alley underneath, seeing the moon light cast shadows on the street below, before continuing onto the next roof. You heard as Mikey laughed and roared, riding his skateboard like a mad man.

“Last one there pays the pizza!”, he called out to Robin as he rode past him.

“It’s not a race!”, Robin yelled back in annoyance.

“Not with that attitude it isn’t”, Batgirl said, bringing out her grappling hook, before shooting away over the night sky.

“You gotta step it up, little brother! Otherwise I would like a family size!” you smiled, increasing your speed so you could get ahead of him, inching ever closer to Leo’s side. His blue eyes catching a glimpse of you out of the corner of his eye. “What do you say, Blue? Last one there have to do push ups?”

“Just because I’m a turtle, it doesn’t mean that I am slow!”, he called after you as you raced ahead, a smile spreading over his face.

“I’ll have to see you ahead of me before I’ll believe it!”, you called out, jumping to the next building, your hair flowing behind you as you did so.

Doing his best to ignore the burning look from Batman, Leo sped out, jumping right after you. A laughter escaped you as you noticed he was catching up. Wasn’t all of you on a daring mission on your way to Arkham Asylum, with your father’s heavy gaze right behind you, Leo wondered what he could do when he caught up to you. Would he dare to hug you? Just the mere thought was enough to make him scold himself mentally. Just a moment ago he had thought of what Shredder’s plans might be, and now he wanted to hug you.

Leo watched as you jumped onto yet another roof, a level further down than the one you just came from, way ahead than the rest of Leo and the rest. Disappearing from his vision, Leo couldn’t help but get a little worried. He increased his speed even further, before jumping down to the same roof. But Leo’s worry only grew further when he couldn’t find you on said rooftop. A mild panic managed to settle into Leo’s head, worrying what could have happened to you. Did the Foot take you? Or Ra’s al Ghul? What would Batman say? Were you okay?-

“Boo!”

Leo jumped and turned, finding you laughing your warm laughter. He couldn’t help feeling relieved, seeing your happy smile in front of him. But how you managed to sneak up on him was a mystery. Yet another thing he wished to learn about you.

“I’m sorry, Leo”, you said, holding your stomach in laughter. “I couldn’t help myself”.

“No, it’s okay”, he said, taking the time to admire your face and your smile, just as Robin jumped over your heads and landed on the roof, his feet still moving as he ran.

“You gotta step it up, big sis!”, he yelled over your shoulder. “I doubt Turtle Boy can pay for my deep pan!”

Leo caught a glimpse of your face turning deep red under your mask, before you started running after your adopted brother.

“You little maggot!”

Leo couldn't help but chuckle as he started running after the two of you. Maybe it wasn’t so bad to be dreaming about hugging you. Especially not if you looked that adorable with a red face.

[audreystjames]

Happy Saint Valentine’s

Prompt: New Beginnings (for @elriel-month 2024)

Tags: fluff, angst, hurt/comfort

Gifted to: @sirenarts

This is my first fanfic ever so I hope you enjoy it ♡

They probably don't celebrate Saint Valentine's Day in Prythian but a girl can dream.

Elain hated Saint Valentine’s.

It was a holiday full of things she loved: roses, chocolate, and love. And yet she hated it for she could not be part of it. While her sisters would be covered in beautiful flower bouquets and delicious boxes of chocolates, she would not partake in any of these merriments. While they strolled around Velaris stealing kisses from their mates, she would be alone in her room, staring at the ceiling. 

She hated it. She hated it all.

She hated Saint Valentine’s because it made her hate herself. It turned her into a jealous, self-pitying little creature, and she could not stand it. She didn’t want to be jealous. She wanted to be happy for her sisters, as she normally was. She did not want to feel pity for herself when she had so much to be grateful for.

But most of all, she hated Saint Valentine’s because it made her hate, and she hated hate. She was made for love. And yet, wasn’t that the problem? She was made to love and be loved, and yet she didn’t seem capable of finding someone with whom to share that feeling. But that was not true either. She had a mate. She would probably receive just as many gifts today as her sisters, maybe even more, since Lucien tried to compensate for their lack of mutual affection with presents. And still, Elain felt utterly alone during Saint Valentine’s, for in her mating bond there was no love. 

At least, not on her part.

No, there was only one person that Elain wished to share Saint Valentine’s with. But after Solstice, the Shadowsinger had made it very clear that he did not want any part of it, and Elain could not blame him. Who would want to get involved with a mated female like her? Especially someone like Azriel, who could have whomever he wanted? He could have his pick of females this Saint Valentine’s; Elain was very aware that she was far from being the only admirer the Spymaster had. He could have warriors, aristocrats… Valkyries. Why would he choose someone as quiet and boring as Elain?

Elain was lying in bed, deep into such thoughts, when she heard a sound on her balcony. 

A sound of something heavy landing on it.

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

Azriel stood by the window, hesitant. 

Was she awake? If she was, would she welcome his presence or would she consider he was violating her privacy, arriving at her room unannounced?

Elain had seemed so distant the day before.

She was a reserved female by nature, but she usually enjoyed the company of the Inner Court and participated in their conversations in her quiet manner. 

But not last night. 

Last night, Elain had remained shut up like a clam all throughout dinner. She had barely eaten anything and responded to comments directed to her in the most concise way that politeness allowed, preventing the conversation from going any further. Her usual calm demeanour had turned somewhat irritable. Azriel had even seen her snap at her sisters at one point, and then quickly apologise and retire to her gardens, an odd look on her face. 

Azriel knew that look all too well. 

It was a look of unsurmountable loneliness. 

She had tried to mask it as best she could, but Azriel could see beyond that mask. After all, he saw that look every day when he looked at himself in the mirror. 

And he knew Elain better than anyone at the Night Court, for he had taken the habit of observing her every move. He was now more of an expert on anything Elain than even her sisters were.

It wasn’t hard for Azriel to get to the root cause of Elain’s distress. 

He was also painfully aware of which date it was tomorrow. 

For centuries, he couldn’t have cared less about this particular day, normally completely forgetting about it altogether, but this year was different. Ever since both of his brothers had found their mates, Azriel found himself more and more left out. He knew that they didn’t do it on purpose, and he did not begrudge Rhysand and Cassian for their happiness, but still, he couldn’t help but feel that he was the odd one out. Truth be told, Azriel was also actively drawing away from his brothers. Seeing the two Illyrians happily mated reminded Azriel of a truth that had been engraved on him as a child: that he was unlovable.

Last night, he had perceived in Elain some of that same darkness. 

He could not bear it. 

Elain was everything that was pure and beautiful in the world. She should not harbour inside her any of the pain that stained Azriel’s soul. He wanted nothing more than for her to be happy.

That is why he now found himself on Elain’s balcony, Velaris sleeping below him; to take the female’s sorrows away.

Encouraged by the memory of Elain’s sad doe eyes, he decided to take the risk and gently knock on her window.

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

Tap, tap, tap.

Elain startled. She stood in her bed and held her breath, straining her ears for another sound. 

Tap, tap, tap.

There it was again. The heavy sound of something landing, the gentle taps on her window… There was certainly someone on her balcony. 

She hastily rose from her bed, covered herself as best she could with her nightgown, and headed to the window. Clinging to her lacy garments, she opened the window that led to her balcony. 

A cold gust of wind welcomed her, but that was not all that awaited her on the balcony. A flicker of shadows curled and danced around her, before swiftly drawing back.

Back to their owner.

Azriel.

The sight of Azriel on her balcony was almost enough to make her combust. He was clad in his usual black attire, his blue siphons shining bright. The full moon that graced the sky that night favoured him with her light so that Elain could see him leaning against the ivy-covered bannister. The terrace’s sweet smell of roses was laced with a scent of pine trees and cedar wood. 

Azriel was one with the darkness of nighttime. One more shadow of the night.  

The most beautiful shadow Elain had ever laid eyes upon.

“Ahem”. Azriel discreetly cleared his throat.

Oh, no. 

She had been staring. 

Elain had not even been aware that she was conducting a thorough examination of the Shadowsinger. She could not help but do so every time she encountered him, but normally she went about it discreetly. 

Not this time. 

She had inspected him in a completely unabashed fashion. Besides, since the incident on Solstice, they had barely been alone, both of them doing their best to avoid each other.

Blood rushed to her face at the realisation, her blush matching the light pink tone of her nightgown.

“Azriel”, she said softly, beaming up at him. “Please come inside, February nights are too cold to be outside”.

Azriel offered her a shy smile and followed her inside her room.

Elain turned to close the window. On turning round again, she found Azriel facing her with a bouquet of flowers in his hands. The most beautiful flowers she had ever seen.

“What type of flowers are they? I don’t recognise them, and I praise myself for my knowledge of plants”, she whispered. 

The Spymaster chuckled at the remark. “They’re called icy lilies because their petals seem carved out of ice. My mother grows them in Rosehall. I figured you might like them so I brought some for you”, he said while offering the bouquet to her.

Elain was shocked. 

Azriel never mentioned her mother. 

“I love them”, she answered truthfully, accepting the flowers. But Azriel did not let go of the bouquet. Instead, he placed his hands on hers, closing them around the blossoms. Elain could not help but gaze at his hands. They were callused and covered with scars. She knew that Azriel was self-conscious about them. She had often seen him hiding them if he caught her looking, or drawing them away after reaching for her, as if he were scared that his hands could somehow corrupt her. 

None of that seemed to matter to him now. 

His tanned hands caressed hers, whilst he drew closer to her. He was so close she could feel his breath on her hair. Elain grew painfully aware of how little fabric she was wearing. The only things separating their bodies were the delicate white flowers and Elain thought that no matter how beautiful they were, she wouldn’t mind crushing them into pieces if that meant feeling Azriel’s body on her body. 

The Shadowsinger bend down his head, placing his full lips close to her pointed ear. 

Why are you here Az? she wanted to ask. But she wouldn’t, lest the question might drive him away. 

She didn’t want him to leave.

Ever.

“Happy Saint Valentine’s, Elain”, he whispered into her ear. 

Her name on his lips, spoken in that hushed tone, as if it were his most precious secret, almost made her knees give out from under her. 

She drew back, just enough to look into Azriel’s heavenly face. His gaze was intent on her, his stunning hazel eyes warm and inviting. Elain wished to drown in them, and drown she would, for those eyes exposed the myriad of wounds and longings that the Shadowsinger kept suppressed and concealed. 

But there was also love and devotion in his gaze. 

Elain hoped for nothing more than the smallest taste of the heaven that those eyes promised.

“Happy Saint Valentine’s to you too, Azriel”, she managed to say back. 

Azriel shifted his feet, suddenly looking insecure. As if he wanted to say something, but couldn’t find the words. Or as if he had the words already prepared and now couldn’t find the courage to say them. 

Elain softly pressed his hands, stepping even closer, until not even one more flower could have fitted between them. She gazed up at him, smiling. Her honest smile was encouraging enough for him to finally speak. 

“Elain, you deserve everything”, he spoke under his breath. “You deserve a moonlit walk along the Sidra, a diamond necklace on your neck, a bed covered in rose petals. And I wish, more than anything I wish, that I could be the one to give it all to you. The perfect Saint Valentine’s Day every day”. He stopped to catch his breath, now ragged, and continued, more decisively this time. “I hate to think you don’t know just how breathtaking you are. I hate to think of you locked up in your room, denying the world of your beauty, today or any other day. But most of all, I hate to think of you feeling lonely and abandoned. I know what it’s like to feel lonely. I’ve felt lonely all my life. But upon meeting you, part of that loneliness left me. I now wish to return that favour and chase your loneliness away. Because you will never be lonely again. I may not always be able to be with you physically, but rest assured that if I’m not breathing the same air as you, I’m thinking of you. Always”. 

Tears started to run freely down Elain’s pale face and she let them. She couldn’t have stopped them if she tried. “Azriel, I don’t need the diamonds nor a bed of roses. I don’t even need a stroll along the Sidra. I only need you. These flowers I have in my hands are worth more to me than any treasure in the world because you were the one to gift them to me. What is a diamond necklace worth if it’s not you that ties it around my neck?”. 

Azriel leaned down towards her face and carefully kissed her tears away. His touch spoke of reverence, adoration and devotion. 

“May this be the first of many Saint Valentine’s together, ” Azirel spoke under his breath. A devilish grin spread over his face as he added, “Even if we have to celebrate them in secret”. 

There were no other secrets that Elain would rather keep.

[siverwrites]

Night Protector

Ghost Swap week! Following the prompt: "Kamila has a nightmare, Sissel helps comfort her"

Read below or on AO3! https://archiveofourown.org/works/56440273

-

Sissel didn’t need sleep, but that didn’t mean he didn’t partake in the trance state of cats everywhere—when he wasn’t leaving to explore, with or without his body, that is. As it turned out it was a good thing he had stayed in tonight as the sound of a muffled sob reached his ears.

He jumped down from his place amongst her toys and books on her shelf and padded over to her bed where he smoothly jumped. As his weight hit the bed there was a hiccup in Kamila’s breath and he saw her sit up against her pillows.

Sometimes, when she was upset, he would fetch Jowd or Alma, but they were both exhausted tonight, he knew. Besides, it wouldn't be the first time he comforted her in this lifetime and another. He couldn’t reach out to her core anymore, thankfully, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t reach out to her at all. He rested a paw on her knee with a low mrrp.

“S-Sissel.” One hand gripped her blanket. The other reached out to scratch behind his ear. He leaned into her hand and purred.

“It was dark,” she whispered. “More than now and cold and I couldn’t find mom or dad or you. I don’t know where I was, but I was so scared. Sissel…Something was really bad.” She sniffled. “I don’t even know what. That’s silly, isn’t it?”

Sissel nudged her head harder. Never silly, especially if the little lady really knew.

“Dad says it’s never silly, but dad’s brave.”

So are you, Sissel thought.

She reached out her other hand to stroke along his side and he felt the nudge in the gesture.

Message received; he stepped into her lap, settled into a loaf across her legs, and purred louder. She stroked his fur.

“I’m glad you’re here, Sissy. And mom and dad are just asleep, right?”

“Brrrp.”

“Yeah… It’s funny. You’re such a little kitten, but I think you keep us safe somehow. I feel safe with you.”

He kneaded the blanket over her lap. It was easier these days certainly, mostly. Kamila gave a breathy little sigh that turned into a tiny giggle.

“And you always make me feel better. Will you stay with me tonight?”

He really needed to figure out a clearer way to communicate with her, but at least she generally seemed to get his meaning. He stepped off her lap, and remained by her side, so she could lay back down. When he was certain she was settled he curled up by her shoulder and started up another low purr.

When Alma passed by Kamila’s room to check on her in the morning, she saw her curled up with Sissel nestled in the crook of her arm, warm and peaceful.

[historianofgalar]

The Mothim and the Queen Vespiquen

Throughout history, Mothim have always been seen as a symbol of laziness, with how they always steal the food of Combee and don't partake in raising their young. This fable is an old Sinnoh story about a Mothim that tricked a Vespiquen and took all of her honey.

//prompt from @nerdpokemonheadcanons from this post they made. Also my plural from combee is still combee cuz I imagine that's how pokemon plurals work

One serene night, a mothim was searching the forest for a bite to eat. The nectar pf the flowers wouldn't do, and the mothim thought that the pollen of the flowers was too little. "Oh, what am I to do?" wailed the mothim.

As the mothim was about to sit down for a rest on a nearby branch, he smelled the wonderful smell of sweet combee honey. "Aha!" said the mothim. "What a wonderful smell! That shall be my meal!" The mothim followed the sweet smell until he was brought to the hive in the middle of the forest.

When the mothim saw the large hive and the amount of Combee guarding it, he knew he would have to make a plan. For you see, his plan was to trick the Vespiquen Queen into thinking he was going to marry her, only to leave her at the altar and take all of the hives honey. Then, he could be fed for life! He quickly gathered small wildflowers along the forert floor, before flying up to the entrance, which caused the combee guards to stop him. "Hault!" they all shouted. "Who goes there?"

Most bugs would have gotten flustered in this situation, but not mothim. The mothim swiftly replied, "Do not fear combee, for I am but a humble mothim looking to court your queen." He held out the flowers he had gathered, showing the combee guards. "I have gathered these flowers as a gift for her."

The guard combees whispered among themselves, discussing how to handle the situation. "Okay, mothim." Replied the guard combee. "With our presence, we shall take you to see the queen."

The guard combee brought the mothim inside of the hive, and the mothim stared in awe at the sight around him. Surrounding the hive were glistening pots of the most sweet-smelling honey, with it almost seeming to glow. The mothim's mouth watered, but he continued to follow the guard combee, less he be given away.

The guard combee took him to the Queen Vespiquen's throne room, where the mothim was placed in front of her. The Queen Vespiquen got up from her throne to look down at this lowly bug. "Who are you, and what are your reasons for entering my hive?" She commanded.

The mothim was completely unfazed though, and bowed when she was done stating her intentions. "Your majesty," he started. "The forest speaks so greatly of your beauty, and I have traveled far and wide to see it for myself. But standing here, I see how striking you are in person, and I would like to ask for your hand in marriage." He held out the wildflowers he had gathered, holding them up to the Queen Vespiquen as an offering.

The Queen Vespiquen was taken aback by the mothim's boldness. Under normal circumstance, the Queen Vespiquen would've said no to such a lowly bug offering such a lowly gift. But when she saw the mothim's handsome face and charm, she couldn't refuse. Taking the wildflowers, she said, "I accept your offer. Give me and my hive all of the day tomorrow to prepare, and we will have the marriage ceremony at moonhigh. You may sleep in my chambers tonight." The mothim bowed, and the guard combee escorted him to the Queen Vespiquen's chambers.

As he entered and the guard combee left him alone, he saw more pots of honey next to the bed, and he immediately went in for a taste. The sweet honey tasted like heaven, but he restrained himself. After all, he can get all the honey he wants tomorrow night, and never have to work for his meals again.

The next morning came, and the Queen Vespiquen, honoring her words, spent the entire morning arranging the ceremony, along with the rest of her hive. However, to keep intruders from entering her hive, she kept the guard combee outside, with all of them keeping watch of the honey.

As of now, the mothim followed the Queen Vespiquen and the other combee into a beautiful clearing. The combee immediately started working, making seats and wreaths for the wedding, with some of them gathering help from the local silcoon to use their silk and make a dress for the Queen Vespiquen. As the Queen Vespiquen was commanding her subjects, she turned to the mothim and said, "May you help out too?"

But you see, this mothim was very lazy, and did not want to partake in setting up for a wedding he wasn't going to show up to. So, he quickly made up a lie. "I would love to help, your majesty, but you see, I have a secret outfit I have prepared, made from the leaves of cherry blossoms. I want the outfit to be a surprise, but I have forgotten to pick it up at the edge of the forest. Since it is a days trip, I need to go now to pick it up."

The Queen Vespiquen smiled and clapped her claws together. "What a lovely outfit it must be! You may go." With her permission, the mothim left the clearing.

But the mothim didn't go to the edge of the forest, instead going back to the combee hive, planning to retrieve his honey. But as he got closer, he saw the wall of guard combee guarding the hive. How was he supposed to retrieve the honey if the guard combee were in front of it?

Suddenly, he had a plan. Quietly flying high above the combee guards, the mothim then used the move poison powder, sprinkling it all over the guard combee. The guard combee were then poisoned, and were all quickly getting hurt. And while they were poisoned and couldn't figure out what or whom did it, the mothim used a powerful air slash, whooshing the combee far away, where they all fainted from the poison and shock.

The mothim quickly took this opportunity, quickly flying into the hive. Finally, he was able to have all of that magnificent honey to himself! He gathered as many pots as he could carry, flying all the way to the edge of the forest where no one could go so he could hide them. The mothim spent all day and some of the night making many trips, making sure to take the honey all to himself. As he held the last pots and was at the edge of the forest, he collapsed at all the energy he had used. "How tiring! How tiring!" He shouted. "I'm never working that much again! As a reward for all of my hard work, I shall have my meal!" As the moon was rising high, the greedy mothim started slurping up all of the sweet honey without a care in the word.

Back in the clearing stood the Queen Vespiquen, where she was patiently waiting for the mothim to return. She wore a beautiful dress made from the silk of a silcoon, which appeared to glowning the moonlight. She wanted to look the best for her wedding night, after all. At moonhigh, the Queen Vespiquen still waited, assuming that the mothim was just late. After an hour of waiting, her patience grew thin. "Where is that mothim?" She asked herself. But as she was saying that, a swarm of guard combee came flying to her. "My queen! My queen!" They all shouted. "Something terrible had happened!"

"What is stressing you so badly?" Asked the Queen Vespiquen.

"Someone has poisoned us, blew us away with heavy wind, and stolen all of our honey! Not trace of it is left!" The Queen Vespiquen and the rest of the combee all gasped in shock. How could someone steal all of their hard-earned honey? The Queen Vespiquen quickly led all of her subjects back to the hive, to find that were her guard combee told her was true. All of the honey was missing! Every last drop! "How could this have happened!" She bellowed.

As she was lamenting her loss, a young combee appeared from the crowd. "My queen," he said. "I have found this. It might be a clue!" The young combee held the object up to her. It was a small glistening orange scale covered in honey, too small and soft to be that of a dragon's. But, what other pokemon had orange scales? Suddenly, it hurt her! The mothim who asked for her hand in marriage had been gone throughout the entire day, mothims can learn poison powder, mothims can learn flying type moves, and the scale matched that of a mothim. The mothim had stolen all of her hives hard-earned honey!

"That lowly greedy maggot has tricked me!" The Queen Vespiquen shouted, so loudly that the entire forest could hear her. If the mothim heard her? Well... he was too busy slurping up his new honey to care.

[mouwrites]

can you do a kyle comforting gender neutral reader when they feel lonely?

YAY I actually kinda like how this one turned out :) hope you do too!!

Word count: 988

South Park - Kyle Comforting You When You’re Lonely

You tugged the zipper of your jacket up higher as the chilly wind nipped at every inch of your exposed skin. Fall was coming sooner than you had anticipated; though perhaps you should’ve expected this, considering you lived in South Park.

But it wasn’t the temperature that was behind the sullen look on your face. You watched the surge of people flowing from the building break off into pairs and groups. Everyone seemed to have someone to go to, someone to be with. You scanned the crowd, finding no such companion for yourself.

You shoved your hands in your pockets and kept your gaze on the ground as you boarded the bus. The boisterous noise of gossip and laughter only made you feel more melancholy; you knew you’d be partaking in none of it. How could you, all alone at the back of the bus?

You huffed, pulling out your phone and cranking your headphones to max volume. But you were ignorant to think that you could catch a break. Looking out the window, you only saw more groups and pairs of friends walking home. You just closed your eyes and tried to focus on your music.

But this proved to be a mistake; you were asleep before the end of the first song. You didn’t even know that you were tired. Well, you were “tired” of seeing everyone being all buddy-buddy and friendly with each other, but you didn’t feel tired-tired.

You woke up to the bus driver shaking your shoulder roughly. “Last stop!” She crowed.

Panicking, you jumped out of your seat. Your heart sank at the sight of the empty bus. Grumbling, you threw your backpack over your shoulder and hopped off. It was going to be a long walk home.

You could make the walk shorter if you went through the park, though, which you took advantage of. You were surprised that no one was in the area; it was a nice enough evening. The sun hadn’t even set yet. The trees actually looked pretty lovely… and yet you were the only one in the whole park. You stuck out your lower lip. At this point it was like the universe was trying to make you feel like a loser.

On a whim you decided to try and cheer yourself up by admiring the trees. So, you planted yourself on a park bench and leaned back, glancing around at the colorful leaves around you. Oranges, reds, yellows, some stubborn green here and there, all painted against the gray-blue sky, a pasture for fluffy clouds moseying by in the gentle breeze. It was beautiful. You couldn’t help but feel just a little better.

But of course someone had to ruin it. You were snapped out of your whimsy by the sound of giggles. A little ways’ away from your bench, there was a pair of friends. They were leaning up against a tree, murmuring fondly to each other as they gazed at the view you could no longer admire.

Hugging your knees to your chest, you tried to squeeze some more joy from the view. You turned up your music to drown out the din of their chatter. But it was futile. They were there against the tree. They were there in your head, along with all the groups and pairs you’d seen today. Your eyes glazed over. You weren’t seeing the sky anymore, nor were you hearing your music.

You were so stuck in your head that you didn’t notice someone approaching you. You nearly jumped out of your skin when you felt a tap on your shoulder.

“Woah, chill.” It was Kyle. He was holding his hands up passively, a friendly grin on his face. You saw how it faltered, and suddenly you were aware of the tears brimming your eyes.

“Kyle,” you greeted, giving your eyes a quick wipe on your sleeve.

“What are you doing here? Isn’t your place, like, ten blocks from here?”

You just sighed, returning your gaze to the sky. “Yeah.”

There was a pause. You felt the subtle impact of Kyle sitting on the bench beside you. “Okay, what’s up,” Kyle prompted; less of a question, more of an I-know-something’s-wrong-and-I-want-you-to-tell-me statement.

You looked at him out of the corner of your eye. “I don’t know,” you began slowly. “Everyone’s got a friend or something. I don’t.”

“I’m your friend. Or something.”

“I meant today. It’s all I’ve been seeing. And I haven’t had anyone there for me.”

“I was just with Stan and the others. You could’ve joined us,” Kyle suggested. Then, realizing that wasn’t really what you needed right now, he muttered: “Sorry.”

You blinked sluggishly, still gazing blankly at the sky.

You were surprised to feel an arm sling around your shoulder. You blinked again, much more alert this time. You looked at Kyle, who was a little pink in the cheeks as he stared at the sky. “I’m sorry you were lonely today. I wish I’d known. I would’ve invited you to hang out with me—us, I mean. Hang out with us.”

The feeling of his arm around you brought some warmth back into your bleak heart. A little smile played on your lips as you leaned into his shoulder, allowing that warmth to spread in your chest.

You stared at the sky again. The gray-blue had changed to an enchanting purple, wonderfully contrasting the warm colors of the leaves. They rustled in the breeze, but the chill wind didn’t bite you now. You wondered if it was the warmth of Kyle’s neck, so close to your face, that protected you, or if it was the warmth of his company. Either way, you were grateful.

“Thanks,” you whispered.

He squeezed your shoulder in response, tightening his grip around you. Neither of you looked away from the sky for a while, but if you had you would’ve seen a matching blush on each other’s cheeks.

Thank you for reading, and thank you anon for the dandy request!!! <3

(divider by saradika)

[chocoblep]

#5: Putting Out Fires

Prompt: Stamp

The early evening’s dying light streamed in through a large window, illuminating Illian’s workroom in a soft coral glow and casting shadows as it caught on the various magitek parts and enchanting materials strewn about every surface. He had already lit the work lamp on his desk, though he knew that soon the entire room would be dark save for that one little bubble of space if he didn’t take a break from his project to see the wall sconces lit. Sighing, he rose to do just that, striding over to the wall and flicking a wall switch next to the door. The sconces flared to life with a soft, yellow-white arcane glow, courtesy of the connection that the switch made to the crystals housed within, and soon enough Illian was sitting back down in front of the small machine he had taken apart to repurpose.

This little heating unit was mostly done, and with fall’s cooler weather fast approaching, he wanted to get this installed as soon as he could. He’d been making sure the new suite of rooms that Rath had ordered prepared for his new bodyguard were in working order, and unfortunately, the temperature control unit had had to wait until he could source more of the airship controls. He’d never outright made them before, but he knew how to modify them to handle arcane energies from crystals rather than their ceruleum. As he brought his welding gun close to the bottom casing, the door flying open caused him to jump and nearly singe his pants as he dropped it. He hastily grabbed a towel and dropped it onto a small patch of rug that had caught fire as he turned the gun off, and then stomped the towel to ensure the fire was out before glowering in the direction of the interruption.

“Do you mind? I was nearly done with–” he cut himself off when he saw that not only was it M’rath who’d stormed in, but he had a look on his face that was perturbed, which was unlike him. “Whoa. What’s wrong?”

“I had to put him down,” the Miqo’te began. “As soon as I got into his head he latched on and I couldn’t get out.”

After setting the welding gun back on his worktable, Illian came over to stand in front of his employer and best friend, laying his hands gently on the other’s shoulders. They were tense, as he expected, and he tried to send calming energy Rath’s way as he worked his thumbs gently against the muscles there. He knew how the man got when he was in this specific mindset, and to have it turned on its head and directed back at him… He couldn’t imagine how badly that had probably messed with Rath’s mind.

“If you would like, I could draw you a bath… or perhaps you would like to see your partners? I’m sure they would love to hear from you.” Illian fixed his bright blue eyes on Rath’s green-and-golds, and the pair stared at each other for a moment. He couldn’t really read what was going on in Rath’s head right now–but then, he wasn’t the one with that sort of power, anyway.

“I…” The emotions that passed through his expression were uncharacteristic of him to show. Worry. Discomfort. A sort of vulnerability he’d only seen a handful of times. “I do not wish to bother them with this. I am not in the best mindset to be good company for them.”

Illian just sighed. Of course M’rath would not want them to see him in this state. Especially not after the activities he’d been partaking in just a short time before. Still, this was as much a part of the man as all the others, and what sort of friend would Illian be if he couldn’t call him out on that?

“You do realize,” he began, “that this sort of thing is precisely something they would want you to talk to them about?”

Rath’s hands curled into fists at his side, his knuckles going white, and Illian wondered if he’d have bloody nail marks in his palms when he relaxed them again. “I know,” he ground out. “I just…”

“Call and see if they’re available,” Illy replied firmly. “Do not shut them out. You will come to regret it if you do.”

When the Miqo’te looked into Illian’s face again, there was something else in his eyes that Illian hadn’t seen in a good, long while. Guilt.

“I would not be surprised if they refuse, it has been too long” he said, his voice quiet. “I just need someone steady right now. An hour, and I will be fine.”

Illian glanced back at his work table and the nearly finished control unit, and then back at M’rath, who still looked a bit rattled. “Fine. But you’re calling on them tomorrow. I know you’ve been busy with your quarterly visits, but you’re nearly done with them now. Come, let’s go relax.”

As he led his friend from his workroom to Rath’s quarters, he tried to think reassuring thoughts. M’rath was not a bad person. His manifestation of the Echo had never treated him kindly, and sometimes when he picked up a new guest, their crazy seeped into his mind a little more than it should. Rath had spectacular impulse control, and he’d never acted on any of his borrowed neuroses, which always managed to impress the half-elezen. Regardless of how he felt about the torture that Rath put his guests through, it was the only way that the man had found to cope with his own traumas, and Illian couldn’t begrudge him that. Especially when his guests were the worst sorts of people, and deserved every mindfuck they got.

As he settled in a lounging position on Rath’s bed, he waited for the Miqo’te to lay down beside him before pulling his head onto his thigh and massaging his scalp.

“They do, don’t they?” Rath asked, his voice wavering a bit as he relaxed into the touch and curled in toward Illian.

“Mmm?”

“Deserve it.”

“You were listening in, were you?” Illian asked with a little smile, and then allowed his thoughts to become more intentional.

You are not a monster. You are loved. And you are doing everyone a service by taking out the trash.

The silence following those thoughts was heavy with hesitation, and Illian calmly reached over to Rath’s nightstand and found the remote he’d made for the room’s orchestrion. Clicking it on, he set it to play one of Rath’s favorite calming piano pieces. It wasn’t until the Miqo’te began to melt against him that he responded, sounding tired and only half-convinced.

“I am not a monster,” he repeated. “I am doing a service.”

“You are,” Illian agreed aloud. “Unless you’re trying to cook. You do no one a service, then.”

He didn’t even know where the pillow came from, only that it flew into his face with a decent amount of force, and he grabbed it before it could get away so that he could smack Rath back with it. “Excuse me, I did not deserve that!”

M’rath’s mind suitably diverted from the horrors he’d been subjected to before, Illian kept bantering with him until he fell asleep, and then tucked him in and crept out of the room. 

He was lucky that Illian was the kind of friend who would absolutely dispose of a body.

[stayarmytinyzenmoa-l]

NCT Spooky Season [Day 2]

Tombcraft

TW: Undead(?), Slight Body Horror Genre: Romance Pairing: Park Jisung x Reader YN Pronouns: Not specified Word Count: 1.0K Prompt: "Can I put my tomb next to yours?"

[NCT Masterlist] | [NCT Spooky Season Masterlist] | [Yesterday] | [Tomorrow] [Ao3 Link] | [Wattpad Link]

Notes: Spooky season is officially here! And since I skipped 20 days of NCT for Christmas last year, what the hell, why not do spooky season instead? Disclaimer: Please remember that this is an AU and a work of fiction, obviously the idols mentioned/written about in this story would never partake in these actions. The idols mentioned in this work are meant to be seen more as face claims rather than the actual idols themselves.

Feedback is greatly appreciated!! Thank you for reading!

It was the hottest game on the market right now, Tombcraft. You play as a living person designing their tomb for once they kick the bucket and head to the afterlife and, for organization nuts like you, it was simply perfect.

Or maybe it just gave a breath of life to those who no longer had it.

"Gosh, I missed having bright eyes like that," you watched your character move about their freshly decorated tomb and, to the corner of your screen, you saw the join request from your boyfriend, Jisung. You rolled back on your chair. "Jisung? I'm literally right behind you, you can just ask," you laughed.

Both you and Jisung actually died quite a while ago, freak accident, go figure, turns out when you get hit by a truck you don't get isekai-ed into a new world, nah, you just die. Luckily, you both were buried together so you ended up popping into the after-life at the same time and now you were existing just as you had lived. Living in a small crypt and in debt, turns out your life's debts are simply transferred to your death. And yours combined with Jisung's was just a trainwreck, if you knew you'd still be working a minimum wage 9-5 in the after-life maybe you would've tried harder to stay in the land of the living.

Jisung, though, seems to have no regrets. If anything he got bolder after being separated from the mortal world, and such was clear when he asked you to live- er- rest in the same crypt and now you've just been chilling playing this video game together. He looks around and smiles.

"Just in case! Sometimes you get so in the zone," he says, adjusting the screws in his head, "well?"

"Yeah, duh," you accepted his invite and Jisung's character appears on screen.

"Whoa, your tomb is so nice," Jisung comments. "Wish our house looked like this," he looks around your shared room and it was, as most crypts are, desolate.

"Would be nice to afford our own tomb," you sighed.

"Hey, wait, actually! Would it be cool if I put my tomb next to yours?" He asks.

"Stop! We could be neighbors!" You grinned. "Do it!" And, in seconds, his character successfully transfers over to your world and he takes the empty lot next to your tomb.

"Oh, darn, I didn't think this through," he says, staring at the literally empty lot, "the burden of creative freedom," he sighs.

"Hey, let's build a tomb together!" You offered, "it'll be fun! The one I'm in was one of the premade ones," you navigated your character to the empty lot, watching your two avatars interacting.

"Yes, that would be great," he says, "I was thinking of doing a classic mausoleum type?"

"Whoa, that's classic, classic," you muttered. "We have the funds, why not go gothic church?"

"Oh, I've always wanted a gargoyle!"

"Me too!" You beamed. "Wait, let me sell my tomb so we have enough."

"Maybe we should hold off on that for a second," Jisung waves his hand, "we still need a place to live for now," he says.

"Ooh, are you asking to move in with me?"

"(Y/N), we've been buried together for, like, ages."

"I know! But I still get giddy talking about it! Makes me feel alive, ya know?"

"I don't, actually."

"Oh, right!" You both laughed.

"I wonder what the others are up to," Jisung hums. "I miss our old friends," you heard the hint of sadness and you snapped your fingers.

"Wait, Jisung! This game has an option where we can play multiplayer with the living world!"

"Are you serious?!"

"Yeah! Let's try getting into contact with one of our old friends," you opened the search tab and Jisung wheeled over to you. "Let's try Mark, he'll lose his head when he sees it's us!" You put his name into the search bar and after a few minutes the user 'Tigrrr' popped up. You opened the chat with him.

YN: Mark, it's (Y/N) and Jisung!

MK: HUH??? No way, whoever you are I'm gonna block u

YN: NO DON'T IT'S REALLY US

MK: Sure!

"Quick! Type something only we would know!" You slid the keyboard to Jisung and he went to work.

YN: Hyung! It's really us! Remember that day before we died we went to the beach together and you got really drunk and told us that you thought that almond milk came from cows who only ate almonds?

MK: omg

MK: send a pic rn or i won't believe u

YN: dammit mark

"Get over here," you pulled Jisung closer to you and took a quick picture and sent it.

YN: (Image)

MK: OH MY GOD IT'S YOU TWO

MK: Ew, you're missing a chunk of flesh on your face, (Y/N)

MK: I GOTTA GET THE GUYS

YN: Okay!

"Wow... that went smoother than I thought," Jisung hums. "I hope they don't mind that we're like... dead."

"Wow! Rude!" You pointed at the comment he made.

"I mean... you are missing a chunk of your face."

"Because you bit it off!"

"I tried to kiss your cheek!"

"And now it's gone," you puffed your cheeks(?) and crossed your arms. Jisung sighs and wraps his bone arms around you.

"And I'm missing my arms."

"Yeah... if only we had enough to replace them," you nuzzled(?) into the bone. "Anyway, looks like we got more people joining our server!"

"Yes! Finally!" Jisung scrambled back to his chair, ready to commune with the living.

General Tag List: @stopeatread @bat-shark-repellant @raeincitizen @umbralhelwolf @yangsrose @kazooms @sadcoffeecritic 

NCT Tag List: @cherrylovr @minjiville 

If you want to be added to either tag list or removed just send me a reply to this post, and ask, or a DM and I’ll add you as soon as possible!

[uniasus]

Whumptober 23 - Day 17 - BBC Merlin

This whole fill turned into 2.5K so I'll add it to my whump 23 collection on Ao3 once I edit it, but for now have the bit related to today's prompt.

-----

Merlin tries to think of it as a game. Dress up. Just like when other royalty comes to Camelot dressed in their finest with well-crafted leather tack and embroidered cloaks, so Arthur has to dress up when he visits another kingdom. And just like sometimes visiting princesses like to dress in red or gold as homage to their host (and maybe show off how good they’d look in Camelot’s colors) so too is Arthur partaking in Midden’s fashion sense.

Which so happens to be slaves.

He does his best to ignore the itch, but it’s hard. The collar around his neck was a gift from Midden’s new king, Catmor, and engraved and enameled the way a pendant might be. He was too new a king to have had it commissioned, so it had to have been something from his backers across the sea. Backers that allowed him to sail to the Isles and capture a small kingdom.

His sudden arrival, and vilent taking of a chunk of the ruins of Daobeth, made many rules nervous. Not enough for Uther to come himself, but for him to send his heir at least. A sign of respect, Uther had claimed, to the man sitting in a ruined citadel that had once been the greatest in the Five Kingdoms and had that potential again, despite the dragon-chared stone.

“Don’t upset him,” Uther had told his son. “Do what he wants, for this trip at least.”

And King Catmor had requested small retinues – one representative, two guards, and one slave for serving.

Arthur had apologized as he put it around Merlin’s neck before they came in sight of the new kingdom, Leon and Gwaine looking on as Arthur promised to remove it any chance he could. Merlin had believed him, of course he did, and Arthur had held true to that promise.

It’s just hard tonight.

It’s their third night. Arthur had begged tired the first two, first from their travels, the second from a tour around the city, which had really been excuses for Arthur to hang out in his chambers and remove the collar from Merlin’s neck.

He’d hissed when he saw it the first night, swore the second. There was no mirror for Merlin to look into to see how bad it was, but he could guess the severity by the grimace on Arthur’s face. Merlin told him that it was fine. He’d survive. It was just chaffing.

It wasn’t just chaffing.

From the outside, the enamel made it hard to tell what the collar was made of. Yet Merlin knew exactly what it was from the first click around his neck. Iron. It’d been tempered with some other metal, it wasn’t the cold iron that disrupted magic, but it was pure enough Merlin could feel the effects. Itching where it touched his skin. A strain on his throat, like it was being squeezed and hard to breathe. A hitch in his lungs as the longer he wore it, the harder it became to breathe.

[outeremissary]

How about 3, 14, and 32 for Balthazar and Tristian?

Hello Cassy! Thanks for the ask, and apologies as always for the tardiness.

[prompts from here]

[and to have a posterity note at the top instead of just the tags for once, significant Kingmaker chapter five spoilers throughout]

3. By contrast, what was the moment that first made their ~heart~ Soft for the other person? Not necessarily a conscious realization of “I love this person,” but a moment that had them like “Oh…I adore them…”

(note: I think I may have played it a little loose with this one... apologies!)

There had long been a sense of protectiveness on Tristian's side of things, but it was a sense born out of obligation and guilt: on the one hand the obligation to do his duty to Nyrissa and the need to return to his goddess, and on the other the guilt of treachery that dragged on and on (even if the victim of that treachery wasn't exactly Tristian's favorite person). There was always a twist of terror when Balthazar was in danger or astonished respect seeing him persevere through what should have been the end, but none of that was that soft feeling. The first time for that feeling was probably some time after Balthazar's wings came in, when Tristian, still anxious from the lingering effects of the Bloom and attempts on Balthazar's life, caught Balthazar attempting to slip out of the capital by himself one afternoon and insisted on accompanying him (doggedly ignoring attempts to lose him). Following the reluctant baron to the privacy of the countryside, he learned that Balthazar had been attempting for some time to adjust to the wings on his own. Before that it was clear that the wings had been unwelcome and that on some level Balthazar was fighting it, and it had stirred some amount of envy and resentment in Tristian to see the ungrateful aasimar rejecting what Tristian yearned to have back. But seeing the open vulnerability as Balthazar tried to come to terms with his changed body felt painfully familiar, and as he attempted to offer advice under the flimsy veil of having known another aasimar at his childhood temple (lies, all lies, and for what?) he began to feel a sense of connection with Balthazar. It wasn't the first time he had seen Balthazar vulnerable- there were more than enough of those throughout the Bloom, and awkward moments littered their history before that. But it was the first time that pang of sympathy blossomed into a deeper sense of understanding. As the initial tension eased the afternoon became comfortable, conversation becoming easy and unguarded. It was awkward but genuine. It may have been the first time Tristian saw a soft, warm smile on Balthazar's face- something that would haunt him a long time after.

For Balthazar, the first spark of excitement (long before he could pin down what it might mean) came when he managed to coax Tristian into a dance at the first festival held in the wake of the fall of Trobold. The dance had been meant as a tease- a bet with Octavia and Regongar that he could get Tristian onto the floor, nothing more- but he was caught off guard when his success didn't come in the form of the cleric passively following along. Watching Tristian linger at the edge of the festivities, not joining in on the celebration he had himself insisted on, Balthazar had guessed that Tristian was held back by insecurity. Tristian came off as so naive and sheltered that it stood to reason that a noisy northern festival would be far outside of their depth- as would partaking of the dance with an admirer on their arm. He expected to overwhelm Tristian, to enjoy teasing him and leading him along. Instead, after relenting to the dance Tristian proved a quick learner (or perhaps already knew the dance from somewhere): he matched Balthazar's pace without ever being thrown for long, and the threat of being challenged for the lead began to occur to Balthazar. When they broke apart at the end it was Balthazar who was breathless, caught in the fascination of his partner. The mystery of that moment lingered on his mind- he'd thought he had Tristian solved, but he was wrong. After that he noticed Tristian in a way he never had before- he watched for answers, but along the way began to drink in the details of Tristian he never had before. Maybe that dance wasn't itself so soft, but it opened the floodgate of everything after: a growing affection for the awkward innocence that had frustrated him, an amusement with the stern edge Tristian's voice took on when lecturing (so often with undeserved boldness for his ignorance), the sudden sorrow that would soak into his expression at the most inexplicable times. Becoming bound up in pursuit of that pattern began to wear away at him to the point of distraction.

14. What makes them feel loved? Would they build up the courage to ask for it?

For Tristian, more than anything, simply physical presence. It's comforting to have Balthazar present, to feel supported and less alone. Tristian never built many close friendships before the betrayal- easier to keep just a bit apart from people you'll let down in the end, and to avoid becoming caught in the messy tangle of mortal lives to leave without regret at the end (or at least, as little regret as can be managed with the circumstances). But despite that, Tristian is a lonely person, and there was something about being drawn again and again into time with Balthazar that became something of a comfort. That loneliness intensifies after the betrayal: their relationships with most people they know in the Stolen Lands have been soured by their actions, and leaving Nyrissa behind meant leaving even the illusion that one day they might return to Sarenrae. Simply having Balthazar present brought a sense of normalcy that kept them grounded. And similarly, there's something about physical touch that's grounding. It makes them feel at home in a body that they're still struggling to accept. It reassures that despite all of the misdeeds and the hurt, they're still worth touching, worth being in contact with. When they can feel Balthazar at their side they know without a doubt that they have a place in the world still, no matter how much has changed. Sometimes they might ask for that presence or that touch: it's easy to ask for and easily granted. But the truth is it's rarely necessary to ask for it- these are things Balthazar always wants to give.

For Balthazar, more than anything it's verbal reassurance. It's not enough to be close, to spend time together- he needs to hear that he's wanted. He wants to know that he's a choice, one made freely, that he's not just what Tristian has resigned himself to. Maybe some part of him is afraid because of his long, long history of transactional relationships- it's hard sometimes to internalize the idea of a relationship where no value needs to be proven and offered. And he's afraid that a better offer is out there: it's abundantly clear that Tristian wishes he could return to the life he had as a deva, and doubt seeps in that anything Balthazar has with Tristian is only because Tristian is trapped. So he wants to hear it: that he's wanted, that he's loved, that he's irreplaceable. Tristian is so terribly sincere, despite all the deception. It's reassuring to hear it voiced. But Balthazar himself is only half aware of this need, and he'd never ask for it if he came to understand what it was he wanted. It would feel like begging. It would be pathetic and too vulnerable several times over. He can get to it only halfway- teasing and baiting out affectionate words or gentle chiding, demanding that his partner be vocal in intimate moments- but there's always a hunger for something else, something he can't quite name.

32. How do their friends react to finding out they’re a couple? Do they have lots of mutual friends? Did their friends know, perhaps before they themselves did?

Obviously there's a significant shared social circle, even if not everyone in it could be described as "friends." ^^;; And it was certainly clear to most people in that circle that something was going on before there was any relationship cemented. There was a period where the two of them were suddenly spending much more time together and there was significantly less animosity between them than there had been previously. The shift may have been most noticeable with Balthazar- after all, this coincided rather cleanly with breaking things off with Regongar (accomplished by avoiding Reg until he got the message. Balthazar is an asshole). Regongar and Octavia were the first to put a name to Balthazar's side of things because of that (in not especially kind terms), although they certainly weren't alone. Tristian, on the other hand, was more of a mystery to most: although certainly not a friend, the person who clocked that one best would have been Nyrissa of all people. The pattern of her skylark's distraction wasn't hard to guess at- a frustrating obstacle with an increasingly useless pawn. This also makes Nyrissa possibly the only person who could tell that these feelings were indeed mutual.

The reaction to the news of the relationship could generously be described as lukewarm. Very, very generously. Everything came together very close on the heels of the betrayal and fallout, and between lingering tension regarding Tristian and some scattered concern about Balthazar's judgment in the wake of everything the general mood could be summed up as "wow! I don't know about this one, guys." Eventually the mood cooled into reluctant acceptance- after all, if two of the most drama prone people you know decide to date, who can stop them, really. Distinct award for least supportive goes jointly to Jaethal and Regongar. For Jaethal, becoming emotionally invested in Tristian was the worst mistake Balthazar had yet made- a mistake which boded ill for the future and she counseled him at every possible opportunity to correct. On Regongar's side of things there was lingering (and justified) resentment over being abandoned seemingly for Tristian. The person who could be most generously described as supportive would be Jhod, with the faint hope that maybe the two of them would keep one another in check. A relationship helps with the maturity, after all.

[durotoswrites]

Winter prompts....!!!! I would love to see..... Reinhard x Alice..... #16...... S'il vous plait, if you have time??? 👀

Hello, and thank you for the request!

I am such a sucker for the "caught under the mistletoe" trope that this one ended up into a whole fic! I'm planning on posting these onto Ao3 with each chapter being a new prompt, and a link will be posted shortly!

Thank you again for the ask, and I hope you enjoy! 🥰

Winter Themed Prompts - Asks are open!

"Caught Under the Mistletoe" Reinhard x Alice

Although she saw him as a man before she did as a knight, Alice had a hard time containing her shock at seeing Reinhard wear something other than his usual armor.

“It was difficult talking him into joining this holiday party as a civilian,” Beatrice had whispered into Alice’s ear. “He was rather upset when I presented him with that suit – he thought that I was gathering his measurements for a backup set of armor from the capital. Perhaps you could convince him that he doesn’t look out of place.”

Alice’s eyes traveled over his outfit. The custom suit had a beautiful tailcoat featuring embroidery in a lovely copper hue that brought out the color in his eyes. He wore a jacquard vest underneath, and as he turned his head to stare shyly at the floor, she noticed a coordinating silk ribbon tying his hair back. She couldn’t help but notice that he looked uncomfortable standing in the corner of the room, his face flushed with embarrassment.

Alice’s own cheeks felt warm. “He’s… er, rather, that’s a gorgeous suit. You have good taste.”

“As do you,” Beatrice replied with a giggle. “I only commissioned Yuki to create something that would pair well with one of her more recent designs someone ordered.” She gave Alice a keen look.

“Huh?” Alice peered down at her own gown. She knew the embroidery looked familiar. “Y-You commissioned it so that he would match me?”

Beatrice’s smile grew. “Priscilla and even Scarlett agreed that my idea would be very romantic. He doesn’t know that your outfits coordinate. Why don’t you go and greet him? I’m certain that he’d be pleased to see you.”

Alice struggled to catch her breath. “Y-You what?!” Her eyes flew from his outfit back to hers a few times while a whirlwind of emotions ran through her. “I, uh… That’s very kind of you, Beatrice.”

“If it helps, think of it this way: you are the only one who will be able to allow him to take the evening off for himself. I told him that there was no need for him to attend this party as my chaperone. I’m afraid he has grown accustomed to being my guardian for so long that he feels the need to be one every waking moment.” Her last couple of words were terse. “It is not that I do not appreciate the assistance he provides, but there are even times when a young lady wants to be just that.” Her eyes shimmered as she looked at the snacks. “I wish to partake in this party the same way anyone else here would. It will be nice to dance freely with whomever I choose and not be passed around like some sort of showpiece.”

“I think you deserve to be able to do that,” Alice replied.

Beatrice smiled, lacing her fingers together. “I’m glad that you agree. I also feel that Reinhard is allowed to have the same liberty in his own way.”

Alice’s gaze slowly traveled back toward the young man and she wrestled with her pounding heart. “Reinhard deserves… so much...”she breathed.

“I’m grateful that it is settled, then. I’m certain that he would love to spend some time with you.”

“Wh-Why me, though?”

“Surely you want to, no?” Beatrice curiously tilted her head. “After all, you just said he deserves so much. I am a little curious what that all entails… It sounds like one of the romance novels that I read recently… Perhaps we could all talk it over during the next sleep over party.”

Ah, I said that aloud, didn’t I?!

Alice shook her head emphatically. “I-I’ll go! Willingly, of course!” she assured her.

The restaurant was decorated in tinsel, glass ornaments, and lavish poinsettias provided by Ludmila. The scent of delicious hors d'oeuvres and mulled wine tickled her nose as she made her way across the planked floor.

Reinhard typically socialized with the other young men in town during events, and to see him standing aloof in the corner left her a little concerned. The friend groups had been intermingling a bit, exchanging in conversation, snacks, and jokes. Randolph gracefully led Yuki across the dance floor as the music played, and Lucy shyly extended a hand to Priscilla to participate in the current waltz. Cecil and Ryker were happily sharing some snacks. Heinz was telling them the punchline to a joke and while Ryker rolled his eyes, he couldn’t help but grin at the genuine laughter from Cecil. It truly seemed that everyone was thoroughly enjoying themselves, except...

“What are you doing off in this corner all by yourself?” Alice tried to keep the tone light.

Reinhard looked up from the floor, taken aback at her sudden intrusion. “Ah, p-pardon me, I seem to have been lost in thought.” His eyes widened as he took in her appearance, shamelessly staring for a few moments before shyly leaning forward. “Ah, m-may I?”

Thinking he was asking to dance, she agreed, and she was taken by surprise when he gently smoothed out her disheveled hair. His fingertips lingered as he slowly dropped the blonde locks. “You look absolutely breathtaking.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Her stomach fluttered as his eyes traveled between their coordinating outfits. “My word… Lady Beatrice is a sly one, is she not? Or were you in on this little ruse as well?”

Alice managed a soft chuckle. “I didn’t know about it at all. Apparently she asked Yuki to make yours special to match mine.”

“Well, Yuki’s handiwork looks absolutely splendid on you,” he gushed. “Ah, I already said that, didn’t I? But… I do believe it’s worth mentioning twice.”

Her heart leapt. “Well, you haven’t given me much of a chance to return the compliment. You look fantastic!”

He flushed deeply. “I look a fool. Beatrice dressed me as a nobleman – I am hardly fit to wear these clothes. The cost of these garments alone would probably feed my family for a month.”

While it was likely that the outfit had been costly, a month sounded like a small food budget.

Then again, if his family has been eating what he’s grown used to...

She remembered the color of the dish he had ordered when they went to the restaurant together for their first date and closed her eyes for a moment, allowing her sense of smell take the lead. Spiced drinks and fine foods returned.

“Reinhard, you deserve to take part in this as much as the rest of us. Every one of us is dressed up and having a good time. You are allowed to do the same. B-Besides…” a goofy grin spread across her lips as she leaned in toward him, “I’m sure the only one here who looks like a fool is me, gawking at you the way I am. You don’t look like you’re trying to fool anyone in those clothes. You are a gentleman, and you look every bit the part.”

Her words did little to sway him, although she did notice color dust his cheeks at her confession of staring.

“I look the part? I should hope that I do, as gentry was my first lesson in joining the knighthood.”

Her hands reached for his, and when she took hold of them, he shyly looked away.

“You’re more than just a knight, Reinhard. You’re a human being.”

“You misunderstand. Being a knight is an honor, and being denied the right to play that role tonight has me feeling all out of sorts.”

“Beatrice is surrounded by loved ones… and so are you,” she added with a whisper.

His cheeks went scarlet. “My apologies, Alice. It wasn’t my intent to ignore you.”

She smiled good-naturedly. “It’s okay; I know that. I just want you to be able to enjoy yourself here.”

Shyly returning the smile, his eyes became downcast. “Ah, it’s just that… I’m so accustomed to keeping my eyes open for any sort of unusual behavior and guarding the exits that I have a hard time finding a reason to do otherwise.”

Alice’s smile faded. “Can… I be your reason?”

He looked around them. “I suppose a restaurant is quite different than a royal ballroom as far as security is concerned… But all of that aside, I would be honored to have you be my reason.” He took her hand, giving the knuckles a gentle kiss. “May I have this dance?”

Seeing the tension leave his face made her heart lift. “Reinhard – I’ll always be happy to dance with you.”

She rested her hand over his, and as they walked out to the dance floor together, she couldn’t help but feel a little giddy. Once he was absolutely convinced that he was allowed to have fun like the rest of the people in town, he was entertaining company. Polite and doting, his gentle touches and chivalrous manner often left her breathless.

His dancing lessons from the beach had stuck in her mind since they day he had instructed her. As the holiday lights twinkled around them, she couldn’t help but be reminded of that night. He gave her a spin and she giggled with delight as he pulled her close.

“If I may be so bold, are you thinking of that evening as well?” he whispered, carefully lacing his fingers with hers. “The fireflies dancing around us among the waves?”

She rested against his shoulder, her heart floating. “It feels like it was just last week. So much has happened in such a short period of time.”

“Indeed. And you have only grown deeper and taken up a larger place in my heart with time.”

Nearly stumbling into him, she clung to him, her jaw dropping.

“Alice, I promise that I will try my hardest to attend to all of my duties, including my favorite one.”

She leaned in a bit closer, delighted that his eyes were glowing with joy. “And what might that duty be?”

He dipped her and pulled her against him. “That my partner be well attended to.”

“Oh? And… how do you intend to do that?”

He gulped, looking down at her hooded eyes. They were gazing upward, and she was slightly cocking her head in the same direction. When his eyes followed hers, he gasped audibly.

A kissing ball of mistletoe was directly above the couple.

“Ah, this is Ludmila’s doing, no doubt.” He looked away, his face deeply flushed. Despite his apparent embarrassment, he didn’t move from the spot, pulling Alice closer.

“A group of volunteers from SEED hung them up, so who is to say who hung which decoration?” Alice supplied innocently.

“You’re making yourself out to be highly suspicious,” he teased, not looking at all bothered.

“I didn’t know that you would’ve confined yourself to this side of the room,” she insisted.

They stopped dancing and he gently tilted her chin upward with gentle fingers. “Whoever it was that hung it… I thank them for it.” He leaned in slowly, aware of the goosebumps that were peppering his skin. In that moment, no one existed but the two of them, and he wished to make it last forever. He cupped her cheek with his hand. “I must say, this is one holiday tradition I never imagined myself partaking in, but now that the opportunity lies before us, I could wish for nothing more. Alice, if I may be so bold… m-may I…?”

She shyly nodded, her hand covering his. “Nothing would make me happier, Reinhard.”

He bent down to kiss her and she clung to him, the voices and music fading around them.

One kiss wasn’t enough. Nor were two.

The pair’s lips parted and they looked at one another with surprise, slightly panting in their excitement. Alice’s arms had wound up snaked around his neck, and Reinhard felt a little regretful when they left him and properly moved to his shoulder and hand in correct dancing form once more.

“Ah, I’m starting to understand why couples will go through great lengths to make sure they pass under the mistletoe,” he mused quietly.

“Me, too,” she replied, quite certain her ears were as red as his cheeks.

“I’ll have to properly thank the group of volunteers from SEED for decorating, although none of it can hold a candle to your beauty.” His shone not only with sincerity, but also affection.

His new forwardness was exciting, Alice realized with a jolt. Murmuring her love-drunk words of thanks, she rested her head against his chest and they danced once more. It seemed her heart wasn’t the only one that was pounding.

Suddenly, another pleasant sound – warm laughter rising up from his chest as an upbeat song played. He led her with grace, and the two spun and whirled together with the beat. As the song ended, they held each other at arm’s length, catching their breath.

“This is definitely something that I could get used to,” he declared, beaming.

Alice resisted the urge to pull him into a tight hug. She nodded in agreement. Stretching her arms over her head, she realized that they had traveled a far ways across the dance floor. She froze, her eyes widening. In their revelry, they had danced underneath another familiar cluster of white berries.

Resting a gentle hand on his chest, she averted her eyes, blushing deeply.

“Reinhard… look above us.”

“My word! It seems we have fallen into the same trap as before…” His words indicated no discomfort – rather he sounded delighted, and she thought that she saw an unfamiliar smirk at the corner of his mouth.

Wait… did he stop here on purpose?

They laced their fingers together, smiling at one another.

“It is often tradition to reflect at the end of the year and meditate on the things that deserve the most gratitude. This year, I am grateful to you, Alice.” He leaned in close, his lips hovering over hers.

Her heart swelled. “And I to you, Reinhard,” she whispered, closing the gap between the two of them, her eyes sliding shut.