the-element-siren

[the-element-siren]

It Started With An Arrangement, Pt 5

It was time for the dinner and both of them were filled with nerves.

Vex wondered what she could say to him, even in his letters he maintained a degree of formatlity. She hoped that he would at least smiled even if it was a small one. With a final look check, she joined her family in the hallway.

Percival was filled with nerves that he could barely calm. Despite his protests, he was very glad for the hour warning before dinner. His hands were trembling which made getting dressed even harder. Taking care of the buttons was made harder with his hand injury. Alexa did not take kindly to being ignored and had pecked him hard enough that he needed to get it treated. Thankfully, the cleric told him that it was a flesh wound and wouldn't need stitches; he was sent off with a bandage wrap and a healing tonic. His mother knocked just as he finished dressing and the trio headed to the dining room.

The Vessars were lead to an informal parlor with a table laden with food to the side. The De Rolos were standing by the middle of the dining table just talking. Lady Joanna was the first to notice them and gestured for the Vessars to come forward.

"Welcome everyone"

"Lady Joanna, please accept my apology for my mistake earlier. It was not my intention to insult you."

"Water under the bridge," she then bypassed him and went to the others. Percy and Cassandra were barely able to muffle their giggles.

"Lady Devana, it is so lovely to finally meet you. I was so grateful for all the kindness when we were discussing the domestic matters for our children."

"The pleasure is mine, Lady Joanna. Your home is beautiful and I hope that my words will be helpful for our Vex'ahlia. Speaking of which, my stepchildren Vax'ildan and Vex'ahlia, and my daughter Velora."

The three bowed as Devana said their names.

Joanna smiled warmly as she welcomed them.

"You are all most welcomed to Whitestone," she said right before she took Vex's hands, "Lady Vex'ahlia, I'm so happy to finally meet you. You are more beautiful than we imagined."

Vex blushed and just looked down while Devana greet Percy and Cassandra.

"My daughter Cassandra," the girls bowed to each other, "and I think that you two have waited long enough for this. Come along everyone."

Percy and Vex weren't that far from the rest of the group but it was enough for them. The two seemed frozen even though this moment had been anticipated for a long time.

Despite not being an expert in fashion in general, it was as though her choice of dress had been specifically chosen to beguile him. The red suited her well but he couldn't help but wonder what she'd look like in blue.

Vex was normally on guard when it came to anyone new, especially when they were handsome. Being in his presence, something about him made her relax.

'She was even more beautiful if that was possible,' thought Percy before rembering his manners.

"Lady Vex'ahlia, welcome to Whitestone. I'm very pleased to finally meet you in person."

He grabbed her hand and kissed it as she curtesy back.

"I'm very happy to finally meet you as well, my lord. As I told you in my letters, please call me Vex."

"Then I insist you only call me Percy. You look beautiful by the way."

"Oh, thank you."

"Is your room to your liking? I thought you would enjoy the window seat, I remembered you mention in one of your letters how you loved to stargaze and a sunrise when you were able. That room gets an amazing view for both."

'He's adorable,' she thought while saying, "the room is lovely, thought I will admit I barely explored it. Velora did and has given it her full stamp of approval."

"Well from what you wrote, she has very discerning tastes. I'm glad that the guest room is able to meet her standards."

Vex let out a small laugh, which to Percy sounded like music.

"Percival, there are seats waiting for you if you two would like to join the rest of us for dinner." Percy could hear Cass' barely concealed laugh.

"Yes, mother," he answered before gesturing Vex to the table.

The seats were together and next to Joana, who was at the head of the table. Percy pulled Vex's chair out before taking his own next to his mother.

[the-element-siren]

It Started With an Arrangement, pt 4

The De Rolos converse, plan, and a mother laments the path she's put her son on

The door of his mother's study barely closed before Percy went off.

"How dare he do that! He's supposed to be a politician and yet he made such a basic mistake like that!"

"Percy, it's hardly.."

"Yes Cass, I'm aware but he should have known!"

"Percival, enough."

He turned to his mother, "My apologies mother. I'm sorry Cass, I didn't mean to snap at you."

"My son, I appreciate that you want to defend my sovereignty but it's not the first time that someone has made that mistake and it will not be the last."

"I know Mother but he still should have known. Now I'm beginning to understand how Vex is still unmarried at this age."

"Percival," his mother's tone was full of warning.

"I mean that he's probably insulted any prospect out of Syngorn. He barely addressed you for a minute and didn't even acknowledge Cassandra."

"Just like you didn't even address Vex'ahlia."

"Enough, both of you."

Lady Joanna gestured for all of them to sit.

"What did you think you think of her?"

Percy was hesitant to answer.

"Come on brother, we both want to know."

"The only opinion I can give you is that she's beautiful. I'm not sure what I was picturing from her letters or that portrait but she's stunning."

"I agree, my grandchildren will be gorgeous."

Percy was barely able to choke out 'Mother' as Cassandra started laughing.

"Come now, my son. You know that after a period, you two will have to have children. I don't expect you to have a giant brood but it should be more than two children. Maybe if we're lucky, her first pregnancy will be with twins. Both of you do have a family history."

Percy was willing the ground to open and swallow him. His sister was almost as red as he was from her laughter.

"Alright, Cassandra take a few breaths. We do need to talk seriously, I've decided that tonight we shall do an unofficial welcome dinner. Intimate with only the families in attendance. Dress will be casual and you are not to go to your workshop. I won't risk you forgetting and coming in covered with soot or smelling of brimstone."

Percy sulked and crossed his arms like a child.

"I know that's your normal stress relief but why don't you spend some time with Alexa? She does have a way of helping to calm you down."

"Oh yes, didn't you mention that Vex liked spending time in the woods? It will be impossible for her not to be impressed by Alexa."

"I have been ignoring her a bit these last few weeks. And it would be good for her to have a flight."

"Good, go now and I'll have a servant get you an hour before dinner. I want to be sure that you have time to be ready."

"Mother, I can be trusted to be ready for dinner by myself."

"How many nights have you stayed past midnight and missed dinner this week?"

Cassandra giggled as Percy grumbled point taken.

"Now, go on while I tell the servants about the change of plans."

Both of them got up with a 'yes mother' and left her study.

As she leaned back in her chair, Joanna wondered. As she had done many times these last few months if she was doing the right thing. She had been so lucky that her marriage had turned into a love match and she just wanted the same for her children. It was easier to find a match for Percival since he was her heir. Though many assumed, like Ambassador Vessar had, that he would become the ruling lord once the marriage went through. Just the thought of marrying someone herself made her ill. What she had with Fredrick had been a true partnership and she doubted that she could ever find anything similar ever again.

Joanna hoped that tonight's dinner would help. She hoped that Pelor would hear her prayers and that her son could be as lucky as she had been.

---------

So any guesses on who Alexa is?

[the-element-siren]

The Darkling: Baghra whispers a few accusations in your ear, and off you go. Did you ever stop to think of what it would mean for me, for all of Ravka, if you just disappeared? Alina: No?! Neither of you is Mal?!

[the-element-siren]

title: kisses word count: ~630 ships/characters: vex/percy, vax summary: Vex was so happy to hear his voice again. ao3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/60019693

x

Vex stared at his face - sunken cheeks, chapped lips, dark circles around his eyes - and she'd never seen a more beautiful, perfect sight in her entire life.

She took several deep breaths as the sound of his voice, a voice she never thought she'd ever hear again, filled her ears. She was so, so relieved. Her heart was still beating so fast, it felt like her chest was going to burst.

"...Vex," he whispered, his voice scratchy and hoarse.

Unable to stop herself, she grabbed his face and pulled him towards her, pressing their lips together. She needed to feel him and she didn't care who was watching.

Percy kissed back immediately, though his shaky hands struggled to grab onto her.

Vex pulled away for a brief moment, allowing Percy to speak again. "Vex, I-"

No. Hearing his voice just reminded her of the mistakes she'd made. She kissed him again, peppering small kisses on his lips and all around as she mumbled against his skin, "I love you, I love you, I love you."

His grip on her arm strengthened and he kissed her back feverishly, almost as if he'd just escaped from an endless, hellish nightmare. "I-I love you, too, but-"

She ignored him, kissing him still. Vex needed to feel him and touch him and hold him. She needed to make sure he understood exactly how much she loved him. She should've told him before and she'd never let him go without hearing it again. "I love you so much," she mumbled, barely aware of the tears that continued trailing down her cheeks.

"Please, Vex'ahlia-" Percy lightly shoved her shoulder, his hand barely able to keep a grip on her top. "I...this is very, um." His cheeks were bright red, positively burning, and he stared down at the floor.

Vex blinked twice, gently swiping her thumbs across his face. She quickly glanced around the room to find that most of their team had looked away from them (Scanlan and Grog excluded, of course), but the publicity of her displays of affection were leaving Percival deeply embarrassed.

She smirked at him, no longer feeling like she needed to cry. She felt almost normal for the first time in a long time. "I need to get some color back in your cheeks, darling. Makes you look more alive."

Percy huffed and looked back up at her, smiling. His eyes sparkled and he leaned forward to kiss her - just briefly, nothing like she'd been doing to him - and he pulled back to take a deep breath.

"Are you two done? I don't think I can take anymore of this," Vax called out from the other side of the room. Cassandra made a noise of agreement, though the look on her face showed that she was happier than she'd ever been.

"For now," Vex responded, helping Percy sit up straight. She kept one hand on his back and the other on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. "We should get you bathed and fed, darling."

"That sounds spectacular," Percy responded, leaning against her as what was left of his strength gave out.

Vex took another deep breath and allowed the rest of the team to take their turns hugging and kissing their newly revived friend. Some of them joked about how bad he smelled and she was surprised that she didn't notice anything wrong with him at all. All she could think about was how much she loved him and how happy she was to see him alive and breathing again. She had to stop herself from reaching out and grabbing him - he needed time to breathe and to be with his other friends and family again.

But Gods did she want to hold him and never let go.

[the-element-siren]

title: say it again word count: ~1500 ships/characters: vex/percy, cass summary: Vex visits Percy in his room a few hours after he comes back. ao3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/60056530

x

They hadn't had a chance to talk yet. Not really.

Which was fine with her, if she was being perfectly honest with herself. Vex was still so shocked and awestruck and happy that he was back and he was alive that she hadn't taken the time to figure out what she wanted to say to him.

She doubted that he'd heard what she’d said before he woke up. And even if he had, he probably wouldn't remember it. His body and soul had gone through so much that she had absolutely zero expectations. She loved him dearly, but there was always a small chance that he was angry with her for walking away from him. 

Maybe he even hated her.

Vex took a deep breath and leaned her head against the wall. She didn't really think that he hated her. But the guilt she felt was overwhelming and she needed to talk to him before she started crying about it again.

It was difficult, though. He'd been bathed and fed and rested. Then everyone wanted to chat with him, update him on what he'd missed. Keyleth seemed especially excited to tell him about her and Vax, though Vex never got the impression that Percy even noticed what was going on between the two of them.

His sister was with him at that moment and Vex certainly didn't want to interrupt them. Cassandra had been absent from the group’s discussion about reviving Percy - the magic that Vax has described reminded her of the Briarwoods and though she wasn't going to stop them from trying, she was scared to get her hopes up on something that sounded so dark.

Vex was happy that she came around. She was Percy’s only living family and Vex thought it'd be nice to get to know her better. If they had the opportunity.

“Vex’ahlia?”

She turned her head to find Cass standing outside Percy’s room and staring straight at her. “Hi,” Vex responded, not sure what else to say.

“Have you slept at all?” Cass asked, walking closer and laying her hand on Vex’s arm. “You looked exhausted even before the ritual.”

“Can't sleep.” Vex sighed and gave the younger woman an awkward smile. “I need to talk to him, but…well. How is he? Maybe I should let him rest, or-”

“He's been talking about you quite a bit,” she interrupted. “I think you should go see him now.” Cass tilted her head in the direction of his door. “I've no doubt he wants to see you.”

Vex didn't know how much Cassandra knew about their relationship prior to her embarrassing, romantic speech during his revival. There wouldn’t have been much time for Percy to tell her before they went off on another world-saving mission. It was nice to know that she approved, though.

“Right,” she responded, pushing herself off the wall. Her heart started beating faster as she realized she still hadn't figured out what to say to him. “Thank you.”

“Just remember that he's still recovering,” Cass said semi-jokingly as she walked off. “Don’t exert him too much.”

Normally such a comment wouldn't have embarrassed her, but Vex felt herself blush at that. She did want to touch him and feel him again, but at that moment she just wanted to hear his voice and make sure he knew how she felt.

She knocked lightly on the door and opened it, wincing at the creaking sound before poking her head in. “Percy?”

His eyes widened and almost seemed to light up at the sight of her. “Vex!” he said excitedly, adjusting himself into an upright position.

Vex came into the room fully and closed the door behind her. “How are you feeling, darling?”

He smiled at her with that insanely charming smile that she loved, loved, loved. “Better. Not my best, but…well. Anything’s better than being dead.”

“Don't I know it?” she replied cheekily, walking over and taking a seat on the edge of his bed. She'd taken a moment to decide where exactly to sit - her natural instinct was to scoot him over and plop her butt right next to his, but the rarely-used, more rational part of her brain told her to sit further away. Next to his legs. Neutral territory.

They silently stared at each other for a few comfortable moments, then Vex took a deep breath. “I'm…sure you're feeling overwhelmed. With everyone talking to you at once.”

“It's been fine,” he answered quietly, staring down at her right hand. It wasn't too terribly far away from his own, and his fingers twitched like they wanted to feel her against him.

“Right.” She lifted up her hands and held them together in her lap, playing with her fingers. It was difficult to come up with the words she needed to say. “I just…I wanted to say…”

Percy held his breath, staring at her profile.

“I'm so sorry.”

“Sorry?” Percy asked, genuinely confused. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Vex.”

“Of course I do!” She whipped her head towards him, frustrated that tears were pricking at her eyes again. “I shouldn't have-! I…I was a coward, Percy. You opened your heart to me and I walked away. It was awful. Unforgivable. I…it was cruel.”

He blinked slowly at her, then smiled sadly. “It's fine. I knew you weren't ready to say it and pushed you anyway.”

Vex shook her head. “But I should've been. I was holding myself back and I…” She took a deep breath and leaned towards him on the bed, staring straight into his eyes. “I love you, Percival. I'm in love with you.”

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes wet, her hair a mess, and her voice slightly hoarse. She felt desperate - needing him to know how much she regretted not telling him how she felt sooner.

Percy’s expression softened and he gave her a dreamy smile. “I know.”

Not expecting that response, Vex’s cheeks burned hotter and she glanced away from his gaze. “I-I know, but…I wanted you to hear it from me. It's not the-”

“I did hear it.”

She shut her mouth and connected with his eyes again, blinking slowly. “...you heard?”

Percy groaned and sat up even straighter, scooting as close to her as he could, and grabbed her hand with his. He gave her hand a tight squeeze and smiled again. “I heard every word, Vex’ahlia. Your voice grounded me, made me remember who I am.”

The blush on her cheeks didn't go away as she considered just how vulnerable and open she'd been at that moment. She used her free hand to play with her hair. “...I meant it. All of it.”

He tugged her hand, pulling her towards him, and Vex was more than happy to comply. Their lips touched and it felt like a fire was ignited in her heart - she breathed out every moment of longing she'd felt about him and melted into the kiss. She'd missed him so, so much.

Vex pulled away for air and was about to dive right back in when Percy lifted a shaky hand to her face, gently caressing her cheek with his thumb.

“Could you say it again?” he asked, eyes closed and lips reddened with her lipstick.

She smiled and pecked his lips once, then twice. “I love you, Percival Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo. I love you so much and I cannot wait til you have your strength back so I can show you just how strongly I mean it.”

Percy chuckled and kissed her again - a deeper, stronger kiss that time, though it only lasted a few seconds as he pulled back for some air. “I'll keep that in mind while I'm recovering,” he said with a charming smirk.

Vex felt like a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders as he held her face in front of his and kissed her once again.

“What would I do without you?” he mumbled softly against her lips.

She took another deep breath and lifted her hands to grab his, holding them against the top of her chest. “Let's never find out, darling. Neither of us are allowed to die again anytime soon.”

Percy turned her hands so he could hold hers and he exhaled loudly. “I’d hate to go against the direct orders of a Whitestone noblewoman.”

At that, Vex felt the dam break. The thought of being a Lady in his home, a part of the thing he held most dear, the chance to be with him in such a beautiful place with such wonderful people - made the tears spill from her eyes again. She laughed and leaned forward to kiss him once more. “I love you.”

“And I love you,” he responded eagerly, wiping away her tears. “Will you stay with me tonight?”

She shook her head and reached out her hand, laying it on his chest to feel his heartbeat. “I'm not leaving your side ever again.”

He smiled and put his hand on top of hers. “I wouldn't want it any other way.”

[the-element-siren]

ok the gentle care list… perc’ahlia and “oh…oh we’re hugging about this okay”

"Oh - okay - we're hugging about this, okay."

Percy's hungry. It's his own damn fault; one day, he'll remember to bring food with him before locking himself in his workshop all night, but, alas, today is not that day. He'd never dream of waking Laina at this hour, so he emerges from his den, bleary-eyed and ready to fend for himself.

The halls of Greyskull Keep are barely lit, just some candles in sconces every ten yards or so, so it's slow going. He's ravenous by the time he reaches the kitchen, which is pitch black. Cursing himself for leaving his lantern in his room, he fumbles around, sure that Laina keeps a book of matches somewhere nearby to light the stove, if only he could—

"Percy?"

He lets out a rather undignified yelp, sending something clattering to the floor. A few moments later, a candle flickers to life, and there is Vex, in her nightdress, looking at him and the knocked-over dinner at his feet with an one eyebrow raised.

He grins, embarrassed. "Ah. Yes. Hello."

"Hello, darling." Her words are light, but there's something off about her tone. "Did you need something?"

He can tell he's interrupted something; he just doesn't know what. "Feeling a bit peckish."

"Mm, yes, you missed dinner. Again." But there's no animosity in it, just general acknowledgement. "Well, I've made myself a little spread, if you'd like to join me." She gestures to the kitchen island between them, which is cluttered with a few cheeses, some strawberries Percy knows to come from Keyleth's garden, and a half-drunk glass of red wine.

"Oh, a midnight snacker after my own heart." He comes around the island to start picking at the makeshift charcuterie board. "So what as you up at this hour? I'm a workaholic, but usually you're rather insistent upon your beauty sleep."

She sticks her tongue out at him, then pops a cube of cheese into her mouth. "Just...couldn't sleep." She shrugs. "It happens sometimes."

He's well familiar with that, isn't he? "Lots of ghosts in the night, aren't there?"

She hums in agreement. There is a minute of silence between them, marred only by small sounds of chewing, and then she asks, "Did you like your father?"

He almost swallows a strawberry whole. "I—sorry—" He finishes hacking before he continues. "Did I what?"

"Your father. Did you like him?" She sips from her glass nonchalantly.

Percy blinks. "I—well—hmm." This was not a question he'd contemplated in a very long time. "He was a complicated man, my father. Not very affectionate, stubborn as a goat, more children than frankly he knew what to do with." Vex laughs at that. "But...I never thought he didn't love us. Me. You always knew where you stood with my father. If he was pleased, he showed it. If he was cross, you knew why." Percy pauses. "To be honest, I'm not sure I knew the man well enough to know if I liked him. He died before I got the chance to understand him as someone other than my father."

"I see." Vex swirls the wine in her glass round and round and round. "My father is an incomparable prick incapable of love."

Percy has no idea what to say to that. He just stares at her, slack-jawed, as she calmly finished her wine and sets her glass down on the island. Then, in the most shocking move yet, she throws her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. He catches her automatically, his hands splaying on her back. "Oh—okay—we're hugging about this, okay."

The de Rolos were never huggers. Too saccharine. Too vulnerable. But the twins were raised differently, he's aware; Vax is always touching somebody, and Vex's first instinct when she's tired or bored or yearning to be anywhere else than where she is is to tip her head onto her brother's shoulder. And that's probably what this is—in lieu of Vax, Percy is Vex's available option when in need of comfort.

So he rests his chin atop her head, feels her shake with sobs, with rage, with careful control, who knows. "You know, your father may not be much use as a father, but that doesn't mean he can't be useful."

"What?" Vex muffles flatly into his shirt.

"Well I, for one, find few things as personally motivating as spite."

Vex tips her head up to frown at him. Her eyes are warm and deep in the candlelight. There's a long silence, and Percy's worried he's stepped in it, but then she snorts out a laugh as her face melts. "You're not wrong, darling." She steps back, and for half a heartbeat, Percy considers not letting her. "A great number of my actions have been motivated by spite, for better or for worse. It can be satisfying, can't it?"

"Undoubtedly so." He doesn't reach up to tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, because to do so would be insane. "Are we feeling better?"

Vex smiles. "A little food, a little wine, a little company...yes, I think so." She rocks up onto her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "Goodnight, Percy."

And then she is gone, and Percy is alone with the cheese and the strawberries and the feeling of her lips on his face, a lingering warmth in this drafty kitchen. He stands there, unmoving, unblinking, until the candle burns low, until the chill of her absence forces his body toward bed, toward dreams he is not yet ready to understand.

[the-element-siren]

235 FAVORITE SHIPS OF ALL TIME (ranked by my followers) 02. jake peralta and amy santiago - brooklyn nine nine

[the-element-siren]

It Started WIth an Arrangement, Pt 3

Vex gets a little sibling time and talks about her current observations of her betroth

The private moment only lasted for a few minutes. A knock on the door followed with a warning before Vax and Velora came in.

"Hi Stubby, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," she said as she helped lift Velora onto the bed.

"He is very handsome, Vex. He needs to smile, though."

"You think so?"

"Yes, your babies will be so cute!" Velora beamed at her sister, not noticing the slight blush on Vex's face. Vax snickered, seeing her face, and Vex glared in return. Velora was the only reason she didn't throw something at him.

"I wonder if he's nice. He only talked to Father, but Father didn't look happy with what he said," Velora mused, not noticing her older siblings' antics.

"Father misspoke about their family, I wouldn't let that go either."

"How?"

"Percival explained in one of his letters that his Mother is the ruler of Whitestone. Most of the time, men are in charge, but things work a little differently here. But Father assumed that Percival was the ruler because his Father died."

"Oh," was all Velora said before she decided to explore Vex's room.

Vex realized that she hadn't looked around after entering. It was a lovely room, big with lots of space and lots of natural light. She had just realized how comfortable the bed was. She briefly wondered what Percival's room looked like or if they would get a new room altogether.

"Stubby?"

She turned to look at Vax, who looked a little anxious.

"Sorry, just lost in some thoughts."

They kept their voices low so Velora wouldn't hear. They loved their sister but she had yet to learn to keep confidences and often relayed conversations to nearly anyone who would listen.

"I asked what you thought of his lordship."

"Well, he readily corrected his mother's title, so that seems promising. He didn't even speak to me."

"That did earn some favor, any man who will defend his mother like that can't be all bad. He and his sister were very grave though. Like Velora said, no smiles."

"Hhmm"

"What exactly is the situation with their sovereignty? I'm assuming he explained it in one of his letters."

"His family has reigned for a little over two hundred years. The inheritance is actually gender-neutral,  so there have been a handful of female rulers. His mother was heir to the current line, she had an older sister but she died from illness young, and her husband was a second cousin or something like that. His grandfather arranged the marriage to combine the branches or something along those lines."

"Vex, come see!"

The twins looked to see their sister at the window seat. They shared a smile and headed to see what captured Velora's attention. The view was absolutely lovely; she could see some of the grounds that ended in the woods. The whole view looked like something out of a book.

A knock interrupted and servants filled the room with her belongings. They moved quickly and Devana came in just as they finished.

"There you are."

"I wanted to see Vex," Velora sheepishly answered.

All three of them just smiled at her innocence.

"Well, the servants are working on organizing your room but I told them to leave your toys. I expect you to keep them all in line while we are here."

"They didn't put Sir Baboon near Lady Badger, did they? They're currently in a terrible fight."

"Why don't you go see?"

Velora rushed out of the room, leaving her family to giggle at her adorableness.

Devana sat with the twins, looking straight at Vex. She knew that Vex would tell Vax everything, so there was no point asking for privacy. One of the few good things of the last year was that the twins had grown close with their stepmother. She wasn't their mother, for no one could ever replace Elaina, but there was a warmth between them.

"Well, my dear?"

"Well, what?" Vex knew what she wanted to know but the words wouldn't come out.

"Vex"

"There is nothing to tell, he didn't even say hello to me."

"Did he measure up to his letters? From the painting that was sent, I thought he'd be more boyish. At least he's very handsome."

"Between you and Velora, I think I have to worry about one of you stealing him. He is handsome, from the way he described himself, I had the same image from the painting but maybe a bit older."

"What happened with Father making that mistake with the titles? Doesn't seem like him, I would have thought he'd have memorized the whole family's dossiers."

"Most humans follow male primogeniture, and with the death of Lord Fredrick a few years ago, it seemed the nature assumption. Your father is in an uproar, especially with Lord Percival correcting him like that, his poor aid is going through the worst of it right now."

"It looks like he's used to having to correct people but I think it's a good sign of character that he won't let his mother be slighted like that and he held his own against father so easily."

"I agree and if you're both feeling up to it, Lady Joanna would like a private dinner with both our families. Dress is casual but make sure to wear something nice," Devana said that last part while giving them a look that said 'no antics'.

Vax and Devana got up to get ready. Before she left, Devana suggested that the new red dress, which she noticed had become a favorite of Vex's quickly. She also reminded her that red was a lucky color.

If anyone has ideas for what red dress should look like, send it to me as an ask. I'll post the dinner in response to my choice

[the-element-siren]

It Started With an Arrangement, Pt 2

A little prelude with the families finally meeting in person

Playing with the hierarchy of ruling for Whitestone

From the windows, Percy and Cassandra could see as the carriage entered the grounds. They also saw the excessive entourage of carriages that followed. That caused Percy to raise an eyebrow.

"Well, that certainly explains their slow pace. Vex'ahlia said that her father insisted on a great show but I didn't think it would be this excessive."

"Vex'ahlia may be illegitimate, but she is his oldest daughter. Maybe he's just trying to show off. Elven lords don't normally allow unions with humans and they're also closed off with most cultures."

"Hhhmmm"

The siblings left the window and started for the entry hall. They met their mother at the top of the staircase. She fussed over their appearance before sending Cassandra on ahead.

"Are you nervous, my son?"

"How could I not be? Were you this nervous when you met Father?" Percy knew better than to lie to his mother.

"Absolutely, but I was young, only sixteen, and your father was older and already very intimidating. I wish we could have been allowed to write to each other, but I'm glad that you listened to me and wrote Vex'ahlia. It's a start that I'm sure will help."

Joanna kissed his forehead and gave him a smile. He offered his arm, which she took and they headed down the staircase. Their entrance coincided with the entrance of the Vassar family.

"Presenting Lord Syldor Vessar, his wife Lady Devana, their daughter, Lady Velora, his children, Lord Vax'ildan and Lady Vex'ahlia."

Syldor was exactly as Percy expected, he stood tall and his pride and sense of superiority radiated from him. Lady Devana and Velora seemed as anxious as his mother. Vax'ildan looked stern, trying to intimate him. Not surprising, in his letters to Vex'ahlia, she mentioned that he was protective and might try some intimidation tactics. Percy knew he'd do something similar if his sister married.

Nothing could have prepared him for her! She was beauty itself, the poets could spend centuries creating lines to her beauty and never capture it completely.

His mother stepped forward to welcome the party.

"Lord Syldor, welcome to Whitestone. We are so happy that this day has finally come."

"Thank you, Lady Joanna. My family and I are very happy to be here and to finally see Vex'ahlia settled in marriage."

'And yet, he argued over every single decision made in our negotiations,' thought Percy. He glanced at his sister and could tell she was thinking something similar.

His mother, ever the politician, ignored the careless remark. She gestured for Percy and Cassandra to step forward.

"My daughter, Cassandra, and my son, Percival."

"It is a pleasure to meet The Lord of Whitestone."

Percy frowned at the mistake, shocked that a seasoned diplomat like Vessar could make it. It wasn't the first time that a noble had made the mistake of assuming that his mother was only a consort or merely acting in his stead but it still annoyed him that even elves couldn't see past gender roles.

"Lord Syldor, my mother is the reigning Lady of Whitestone, I am only her heir. My proper title is Baron."

"You must forgive my husband, the long journey has affected us more than we thought."

"Nothing to forgive," his mother interceded before he or Cassandra could say anything else, "my servants will show you to your rooms. The official engagement ball will be held in a week, with the wedding to follow a week later."

The servants appeared quickly to appear and the Vessars left quickly up the stairs. As she was ascending, Percy wished that Vex'ahlia would turn around and look at him.

His mother called his name and the three went to her study.

Percy wondered if this would be the only stumbling block or the beginning of the headaches.

[the-element-siren]

A soon-to-be bride has a moment to lament the last year

It felt like the last year was starting to catch up with her, Vex was just grateful that she could finally have some time to herself. The last year had been filled with more than enough stress. First, her father arranged her marriage with no input from her, which was not surprising. She knows that he'd been trying to get rid of her through marriage ever since she came of age. What's the point of having a daughter if you can't sell her for the best deal? Fortunately for her, being illegitimate and only half-elf deterred most of the eligible bachelors in Syngorn. That had caused him to expand to the human world, but nothing serious had popped up, at least until the De Rolo family of Whitestone.

This De Rolo family had been perfect, they were nobility in the far north and were completely alright with her background, she's sure father paid them an overly generous dowry to keep her far away. They had been a surprise for her as well, she'd never heard of a groom insisting on a correspondence just to see if they liked each other. Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III, or Percy as he wanted to be called, did admit that it was his mother and sister's idea, but he did like the idea of them at least being more than strangers before the wedding.

During their correspondence, he'd sent books about Whitestone and its history as well as some of the favorites of himself and his family, and she returned the favor. Once she'd written her consent to the match and the negotiations started, that's when the stress really started. Father must have been paying the mages a fortune for all the communications crystals he burnt through. From what she and Devana were able to overhear, the De Rolos were not letting him get away with any frugality. They were insisting that he help with all costs and he was not allowed to argue. Father was often in an even worse mood than normal on most days, even Devana wasn't immune from his temper.

Vax had been nearly as bad, his protectiveness had gone up to near possessiveness. He hated this whole situation and she was dreading being separated from him and Velora. From his letters, Percy didn't seem like he'd be too averse to letting them stay with them, at least for a time, or perhaps regular visits.

There had been some advantages, one being that she got a whole new wardrobe. Devana had worked some magic and Vex was able to have full control over all the clothes. They even had some clothes done in the De Rolo colors and some decorated with their family crest. It was one of the few times that Vex had been able to pick something for herself since coming to Syngorn.

The packing for the journey was organized chaos. The journey was only supposed to take two weeks, but with all the extra carriages, they had to travel slowly, and it took an extra two weeks. Let no one say that Syldor Vessar would let his daughter, illegitimate or not, go into marriage like a beggar. On top of that, Devana explained exactly what her marital duties would entail right before they left. She used books and drawings, needless to say, it took a while before both their faces went back to their normal skin tone once it was done.

The meeting with the De Rolos had been painful, everything that she'd been practicing to start with had died on her tongue. Percy was not what she'd been expecting. From his letters and own admission, she'd been expecting an awkward and maybe gangly youth. What she saw was a tall and pale man with white hair and looked almost statuesque, he was far from how he described himself in the letters. He wore glasses that would look silly on anyone else but on him, they highlighted his eyes. He was gorgeous and Vex didn't think she'd have too much trouble doing her marital duty. The thought of her marital duties with Percy made her go very red in the face.

His mother, Joanna, and sister, Cassandra, were very welcoming and steered most of the conversation. She had barely been able to say anything besides hello before they took her to her room. The wedding was set for two weeks to give the couple time to adjust to each other. Father had also wanted to finalize more details about their agreement.

It was going to be a long two weeks, she thought as she fell asleep.

[the-element-siren]

"are you wearing my hoodie?" in bime!!!

I know you enjoy some Perc'ahlia on occasion, so I hope you like this little drabble. This is set in Be In My Eyes. "Are you wearing my hoodie?"

Percy was used to the cold, so wearing short sleeves in cold weather was not odd. What was weird, though, was that he couldn’t find his favorite navy blue hoodie, which caused him some distress. Percy had looked everywhere, from his closet to the suitcase with summer clothes stowed on top of his wardrobe – one never knows where something might be hiding. He even asked the other guys if it had been mixed up with their laundry, to no avail. His hoodie was gone, and there was reason to cry over spilled milk. 

Unfortunately, Percy had only brought that one hoodie to Emon. Due to last night’s sudden weather change, they had woken up to a blanket of snow outside, which he intended to enjoy. Alas, no hoodie in sight, he opted for an alternative, a long sleeve shirt and a woolen sweater that would be equally warm. 

Percy had just turned the corner into the living room when he saw a disheveled Vex’ahlia stomping her feet on the entrance rug, her hair in a mess with melting white snowflakes, and an equally soggy Trinket. But more importantly – and why Percy let out such a loud gasp upon seeing her – Vex was wearing a very familiar navy hoodie, one that Percy was sure she had not been able to get unless she had raided his wardrobe.

“Vex’ahlia, are you wearing my hoodie?” He asked in shock.

Vex looked at him with wide eyes, and the corner of her lips curled up into a mischievous smile.

“Oh, this?” She tugged at the fabric on her chest. “Is it yours, darling? I apologize. I thought it was my brother’s. Would you like it back?” She asked with a smug look.

“Why–Very much so, yes. Please?” Percy hesitated.

“Alright,” Vex shrugged. She crossed her arms in front of her torso and brought her hands to the hem of the hoodie, pulling it up over her head. 

Percy’s legs wavered underneath him, for he quickly realized his mistake. Standing in front of him was Vex’ahlia in a black sports bra that did barely anything to conceal the shape of her breasts, handing Percy his inside-out garment with a wink. 

“Here you go, darling.”

Percy hemmed and hawed, mouth open and pupils blown wide with the vision in front of him. He already thought Vex was a beautiful woman and had seen the way she was so carefree about her appearance – gods, he still hadn’t forgotten the dress she wore the first time they all went to the bar – but he had never seen her be so nonchalant about the lack of clothing around their male roommates. 

“T–thank you.” Percy mustered, quickly looking everywhere but at her. He could already feel the heat on his face and his blood boiling. But it wasn’t until he felt his body betray him that Percy turned around and returned to his room, closing the door behind him and panting hard. 

“I thought you were going out,” Vax asked him, looking surprised.

Fuck. Percy looked at his roommate, but the image of what had just transpired between him and Vax’s twin sister was still engraved in his mind.

“Changed my mind. I’m going to take a shower.” Percy exited the room again, leaving a very confused Vax to look at the door and wonder what the fuck was wrong with Percy and why he had just gone to shower with a hoodie in his hands but no change of clothes or a towel.

[the-element-siren]

"I don't want to see you again." Perc'ahlia? Eating up the angst

25. "I don't want to see you again." setting this in vamp machina!

Percy is not a religious man. The gods have never played much a role in his life. He couldn't even bring himself to pray while on the run from the people who slaughtered his family before his eyes. But standing here, in front of the woman he loves, the vampire he can't keep himself from, he's praying to each and every one of them, begging for the strength he needs to do this.

It would be easier if Vex'ahlia weren't so fucking nonchalant about this whole thing. The stake in his hand. The fact that she's been knowingly sleeping with a vampire hunter for months. The way his throat is thick with the betrayal of it. She's just pouring herself another glass of wine, a vintage red he got her for her birthday.

"If you're going to stake me, at least have a drink with me first."

Maybe this is her way of making it easier for him, by being so godsdamned frustrating that he has no choice but to kill her. "I don't think I'll be having a drink with you."

She rolls her eyes. "We're having a fight, darling. It's not the end of the world."

He makes a choking sound. "A fight—"

"Yes, darling, a fight." She takes a loose swig from her glass. "So I'm a vampire, you're a vampire hunter. It's not the strangest arrangement in history."

He's squeezing the stake so hard he's lost feeling in his fingertips. "I would love to hear about the others."

"How about we talk over dinner? I'm in the mood for Marquesian, but I could be talked into Zemnian."

"I'm not going to have dinner with you, Vex'ahlia!" He's aware that he sounds hysterical, but then, he is. "I'm going to kill you!"

She sighs, the lines of her body as liquid as her wine, as blood. "No, you're not."

His teeth grind audibly. "I'm not?"

"You're not." She sets the wine down on her marble coffee table and stands, crossing her arms. "If you were, you'd've done it by now."

"Maybe I'm waiting for the right moment."

"Maybe you're waiting for me to give you the permission you so desperately crave," she snaps. "Well guess what, Percival?" She rounds the coffee table, stands so close the intoxicating smell of her perfume nearly makes him go to his knees. "I will give you permission. I'll give you permission to stay."

There's a ringing in his ears. Stay? With her? What kind of fucked up life is she suggesting? Date nights where she rips open some poor bastard's jugular and he drives a stake through the heart of one of her friends? Does he just forget the sound of his sisters' screams, the pattern of arterial spray on the wall above his father's corpse, whenever he sees her fangs? There is no staying, not with her.

So he'll go.

He tosses the stake onto the couch. "You're right. I'm not going to kill you. I'm too weak."

"You're not—"

"But I don't want to see you again. I'm going to walk out of here, and as far as I'm concerned, you will be dead. You and your brother will leave us, me and Keyleth, alone. And we..." He swallows thickly. "...we will pretend this never happened."

Her face is a kaleidoscope of emotion. He doesn't know what she's thinking—he never knows what she's thinking, it's what makes her so maddening—and he realizes that he doesn't want to know. He doesn't wait for her to collect herself. He simply walks for the door, one foot in front of the other. He wraps his fingers around the doorknob and freezes when, from behind, he hears a cracked, "Percival—"

He waits. Silence. He leaves.

As he begins his long walk home, in the brilliant light of the Dawnfather's sun, he prays once more for the strength he needs—this time, to not turn around and rush back to her.

[the-element-siren]

BEN BARNES photographed by Mallory Turner for 1883 Magazine // February 2022

[the-element-siren]

dark steggy recs

here are some fics i found although you didn't specify what kind of dark fics you were looking for so i hope these are okay:

All Day, Every Day (ao3) - roboticonography M, 21k

Summary: Steve is on his mission to return the Infinity Stones when his quantum suit glitches, and he finds himself sliding sideways through alternate realities, encountering different versions of himself. None of whom are particularly happy to see him.

Can he do this all day? Time will tell!

Dark Appetites (ao3) - beautifulwhensarcastic E, 11k

Summary: Peggy avoided asking anyone for help, but this time there’s no other choice. However, entering vampire’s stronghold forces her to face darkness and feelings she’s perhaps not equipped to deal with.

Dark Ways (ao3) - indiefic E, 10k

Summary: Erskine was wrong. The serum twisted Steve as much as it twisted Schmidt.

Modern day setting. There will be 3 sections, which will jump around a little in time.

Respire (ao3) - MelliaBee T, 17k

Summary: The year is 1944, and Hydra is targeting Captain America with a weapon designed specifically to kill him. As Steve Rogers fights for his life, Peggy, Bucky, and Howard race the clock to find a solution. Darker than some of my other work, this features semi-graphic blood and injuries.

Rest for the Wicked (ao3) - sagesiren E, 62k (WIP)

Summary: She could see why he'd been described as 'charming' by the last agent who tried to get close to him. It had been written in the report the Agency had received days before that agent was found washed up on the banks of the East River.

(Steve is a mobster in Brooklyn, Peggy is undercover to infiltrate his organization, and they both are in over their heads)

- Tori

[the-element-siren]

Steve and Peggy (Steggy) Masterlist 3

part one, part two

Ain't Love a Kick (ao3) - roboticonography M, 33k

Summary: Steve wakes up after the crash to find his life has changed dramatically - the main change being, he's married to Peggy Carter.

A Lot of Issues (ao3) - linascribbles T, 66k

Summary: Peggy Carter is a Fashion Editor at Sakaar magazine. She’s used to juggling egos, drama queens and ridiculous assignments from her boss all the time. She's even used to dealing with gorgeous six foot blonds on the regular. But none of that really prepeared her for Steve Rogers, his fumbling charm, or the gorgeous way he blushes.

Steve Rogers is a graphic designer who only models to make ends meet. New York is the perfect city for that, but just as NYC's fashion word is prolific, it is also... bizarre. In his line of work Steve's gotten used to losing significant chunks of his dignity quite often (He has a photo album about it, lovingly curated by the one and only Bucky Barnes), but maybe, just this once, he could avoid making a mess of himself in front of that beautiful model on this shoot. No such luck.

Certain I'm Yours (ao3) - Spacecadet72 G, 1k

Summary: Steve wasn’t suspicious, at first.

The Howling Commandos are less than subtle in their attempts to matchmake Peggy and Steve using a gift exchange.

church bells ring, carry me home (ao3) - mybestgirl T, 18k

Summary: A how-to guide on getting Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter married: step one, bachelor party. Step two, wedding. Step three, honeymoon.

Coffee Talk (ao3) - indiefic G, 1k

Summary: Jack Thompson is sick of Peggy Carter thinking she can do whatever she wants.

Don't Miss a Moment (ao3) - agentofvalue T, 40k

Summary: The war has been over for years. After five years, Steve even came back from the dead. Peggy married him and that should be the happily ever after. But, they are still Captain America and Agent Carter. With them, nothing ever goes according to plan. Not even impending parenthood.

I Just Keep Falling For You (ao3) - BuckyWithTheGoodHair86 G, 10k

Summary: Steve is starting to make a habit out of unexpected falls and sticky situations. Fortunately, Peggy always arrives in time to get him out.

In Bourbon Veritas (ao3) - doctorhelena T, 3k

Summary: There were actually two beds. Peggy just didn’t seem interested in getting in the other one.

International Incident (ao3) - linascribbles E, 112k

Summary: Peggy Carter rose through the diplomatic ranks in the midst of the Incident and in her short career already stablished herself as a skilled and well-connected negotiator. Stationed in the Washington DC embassy, she's right on the front lines of the fallout of Project Insight. Governments get purged, new and unexpected doors open, and Peggy Carter is nothing if not resourceful.

As she gets plunged into a world of spies, mad scientists and superheroes, familiar faces start to pop up. Particularly one pesky Captain America, who seems to have no idea what international law entails and considers country borders mere suggestions.

in the heat of battle (ao3) - littlereyofsunlight M, 42k

Summary: “After this is over,”—and wasn’t that everyone’s favorite pastime, here in relative safety, playing After the War as though one could even pretend to make plans for a life, as though this blasted conflict hasn’t already completely changed everything in this world, forever—

Peggy Carter has always been a fighter.

Just In Case (ao3) - captaindoritoes G, 2k

Summary: Hope you enjoy this a bit of angst, a bit of comfort fanfic - four times Steve and Peggy share a kiss, just in case it’s their last one. Their love language is touch - in this essay I will -

Letting Agent Carter In (ao3) - cadkitten E, 4k

Summary: Steve is still learning to draw the human form and when he finds the perfect solution in his head, he's not sure he can actually ask for it in person. But he'll be damned if he won't give it a try.

Pin Curls (ao3) - SomewhereApart T, 3k

Summary: Peggy Carter has imagined how she’d feel at the return of Steve Rogers a hundred different times. Still, she's unprepared for the reality of him, standing on her porch on a Sunday afternoon.

She Wanted (ao3) - TriplePirouette E, 3k

Summary: Peggy wants to eat Skinny Steve alive.

The Shops on Shield Street (ao3) - fluffernutter8 G, 5k

Summary: Running a small business is already hard enough without someone trying to sabotage things.

Time and Again (ao3) - Beshter N/R, 163k

Summary: When an insane man who claims he can travel through time appears out of nowhere, Peggy Carter agrees to go with him to save the world, little expecting the strange new life she'd be stepping into on the other side.

We Still Talk (ao3) - roboticonography M, 9k

Summary: Newlyweds Steve and Peggy take a holiday to get away from it all - but the great outdoors might hold more challenges than they bargained for!

we were born to be national treasures (ao3) - meidui G, 1k

Summary: “I’m back,” he chokes out artlessly into her shoulder, into the soft dark waves of her hair and the spiced floral of her perfume. He stopped believing he would ever get to go home after the war a long time ago, or that there would ever be an after the war for him, but—

“Right on time,” Peggy whispers, her voice shaking, and Steve’s next breath breaks on a sob.

Where poppies grow (ao3) - beautifulwhensarcastic T, 1k

Summary: The night preceding the procedure Steve can't sleep, which leads him to a surprising, touching discovery.

you can count on me (ao3) - sokovianaccords (thesokovianaccords) N/R, 5k

Summary: A Christmas mission for Agent Rogers and Agent Carter brings some things to light

[the-element-siren]

Trial (1/1)

Everyone has an opinion on Alina Starkova’s trial.

[the-element-siren]

Awe!!! Thank you!!!