deadlycupid

[deadlycupid]

~support character moodboards~

Amalie

Callan’s nurse maid, changeling, flower girl

tag list: @andifthestarsweretodie @bloodlessheirbyjacques @bluehourskyeli @deadlycupid @dustylovelyrun @justafrogandherumbrella @ladywithalamp @magic-is-something-we-create @myhusbandsasemni @my-cursed-prince @phantasticdomains @rhikasa @saltysupercomputer @sleepy-night-child @soupopoireau @theguywithnonickname @thewalkingnerd @vampywriter @vsnotresponding @writing-is-a-martial-art (if you want to be added or removed from the tag list let me know!)

#soooo pretty!!!!! #wip: the knights of the alder

[deadlycupid]

~support character moodboards~

Holly

Friend of Aiden’s family, seamstress, kind woman

tag list: @andifthestarsweretodie @bloodlessheirbyjacques @bluehourskyeli @deadlycupid @dustylovelyrun @justafrogandherumbrella @ladywithalamp @magic-is-something-we-create @myhusbandsasemni @my-cursed-prince @phantasticdomains @rhikasa @saltysupercomputer @sleepy-night-child @soupopoireau @theguywithnonickname @thewalkingnerd @vampywriter @vsnotresponding @writing-is-a-martial-art (if you want to be added or removed from the tag list let me know!)

#love this as well!!! #wip: the knights of the alder

[deadlycupid]

Hazel

Henry’s childhood best friend, tailor, loving honorary sister

tag list: @andifthestarsweretodie @bloodlessheirbyjacques @bluehourskyeli @deadlycupid @dustylovelyrun @justafrogandherumbrella @ladywithalamp @magic-is-something-we-create @myhusbandsasemni @my-cursed-prince @phantasticdomains @rhikasa @saltysupercomputer @sleepy-night-child @soupopoireau @theguywithnonickname @thewalkingnerd @vampywriter @vsnotresponding @writing-is-a-martial-art (if you want to be added or removed from the tag list let me know!)

#this!!! #i love everything about this!!!! #wip: the knights of the alder

[deadlycupid]

~support character moodboards~

Gwendolyn

Maya’s mother, witch, follower of the old ways

tag list: @andifthestarsweretodie @bloodlessheirbyjacques @bluehourskyeli @deadlycupid @dustylovelyrun @justafrogandherumbrella @ladywithalamp @magic-is-something-we-create @myhusbandsasemni @my-cursed-prince @phantasticdomains @rhikasa @saltysupercomputer @sleepy-night-child @soupopoireau @theguywithnonickname @thewalkingnerd @vampywriter @vsnotresponding @writing-is-a-martial-art (if you want to be added or removed from the tag list let me know!)

#this is so cozy #omg I love it so much!! #wip: the knights of the alder

[deadlycupid]

~support character moodboards~

Theodore

Aiden's former lover, human farmer's son, lost boy

tag list: @andifthestarsweretodie @bloodlessheirbyjacques @bluehourskyeli @deadlycupid @dustylovelyrun @justafrogandherumbrella @ladywithalamp @magic-is-something-we-create @myhusbandsasemni @my-cursed-prince @phantasticdomains @rhikasa @saltysupercomputer @sleepy-night-child @soupopoireau @theguywithnonickname @thewalkingnerd @vampywriter @vsnotresponding @writing-is-a-martial-art (if you want to be added or removed from the tag list let me know!)

#but we love Theo with all our heart #he’s a soft boy!!! #wip: the knights of the alder

[deadlycupid]

~support character moodboards~

High Lady Sera from the House of Swallows

Talon’s sister, wife of a Highlord and former guard, protective mom

tag list: @andifthestarsweretodie @bloodlessheirbyjacques @bluehourskyeli @deadlycupid @dustylovelyrun @justafrogandherumbrella @ladywithalamp @magic-is-something-we-create @myhusbandsasemni @my-cursed-prince @phantasticdomains @rhikasa @saltysupercomputer @sleepy-night-child @soupopoireau @theguywithnonickname @thewalkingnerd @vampywriter @vsnotresponding @writing-is-a-martial-art (if you want to be added or removed from the tag list let me know!)

#ahhhh this is so pretty!!! #I love her aesthetic #wip: the knights of the alder

[deadlycupid]

~support character moodboards~

Little Lord Trevor of the House of Swallows

Talon’s nephew, heir of the House of Swallows, mama’s boy

tag list: @andifthestarsweretodie @bloodlessheirbyjacques @bluehourskyeli @deadlycupid @dustylovelyrun @justafrogandherumbrella @ladywithalamp @magic-is-something-we-create @myhusbandsasemni @my-cursed-prince @phantasticdomains @rhikasa @saltysupercomputer @sleepy-night-child @soupopoireau @theguywithnonickname @thewalkingnerd @vampywriter @vsnotresponding @writing-is-a-martial-art (if you want to be added or removed from the tag list let me know!)

#ahhh a baby #how adorable #wip: the knights of the alder

[deadlycupid]

Last Line Tag

Thank you for the tag @sleepyowlwrites ^^

“I told you, Aiden.”

It was the first time he actually said Aiden’s name. His voice was quiet, almost apologetic.

“You should’ve just gone back home.”

I tag @deadlycupid @bunnymermaidwrites and @sleepy-night-child if you want to :)

#hahaha yeah I’m so fine #definitely not lying or anything #wip: the knights of the alder

[deadlycupid]

~support character moodboards~

Prince Rhysand from the House of Finches

Callan’s best friend, future King of the Aspen Court and leader of its guard, lover

tag list: @andifthestarsweretodie @bloodlessheirbyjacques @bluehourskyeli @deadlycupid @dustylovelyrun @justafrogandherumbrella @ladywithalamp @magic-is-something-we-create @myhusbandsasemni @my-cursed-prince @phantasticdomains @rhikasa @saltysupercomputer @sleepy-night-child @soupopoireau @theguywithnonickname @thewalkingnerd @vampywriter @vsnotresponding @writing-is-a-martial-art (if you want to be added or removed from the tag list let me know!)

This will now be a little series guys, be warned xD (support character can sometimes mean mentioned like once, just so you know)

#wait- am I attracted to this??? #why is he suddenly the love of my life??? #wip: the knights of the alder

[deadlycupid]

@deadlycupid @vampywriter

Still remember my god-chosen concept? Remember how I had not one but three AUs for it? Well, this is a writing piece for one of them.

In this AU, Talon is the god of the hunt and Aiden is his god-chosen. This scene is about Aiden being chosen by Talon after he saved the life of various people during an attack to the god’s temple (almost dying himself).

Aiden thought he must be dreaming. Maybe he didn’t survive the night of the attack after all.

Maybe he’s bleeding out on the temple steps and this was merely his mind trying to console him in his final moment.

How else could it be that he stood in front of a god?

And not just any god, but the god of the hunt, his god, that he had prayed to countless times before.

His god, in whose temple he stood now and who stood right in front of him in all his divine glory.

Aiden had never seen him before, only ever old drawings and statues, but none of them did him any justice.

The god of the hunt was truly beautiful, with sharp features, fair skin and golden hair. It was hard to look at him, but also hard to look away.

Aiden was surprised how young the god looked, like he was just about the same age as Aiden himself.

Golden eyes met his own and suddenly he felt breathless. With a stunned gasp he fell to his knees, lowering his head.

Everyone else in the room did the same.

“My lord,” Aiden whispered. He could feel the god’s eyes on him still, but he didn’t dare to look up.

“Aiden. Look at me.”

Surprised, he raised his gaze. How did he know his name? For a second, the god’s mouth twitched into an amused smile, before his pretty face stilled again.

“You think I don’t know the names of those who pray to me?” he asked, as if he could read Aiden’s mind.

He reached out and lifted Aiden’s chin, his touch making his skin burn.

His beautiful eyes bored into him and it was to Aiden as if his soul was laid bare, as if the god before him knew of all of his thoughts, all of his feelings, all of his doubts.

“You might think I don’t listen when you speak to me, but I have always listened. I know who you are. And I know of your deeds from last night.”

He let go of Aiden’s chin. Mourning the contact, the gentle touch of his god, Aiden lowered his head once more.

“I only did what was right. I helped my people in the way I could best.”

The god shook his head.

“Your modesty honors you, yet it does not change the fact that you saved all these people. Not everyone could have done what you did. Not everyone would have. Where others cowered in fear, you acted selflessly and brave. And that deserves a reward.”

Aiden’s breath caught in his throat. “A reward?” he whispered. Never would he have thought that his actions from last night would lead to this.

He hadn’t thought anything at all. He just wanted to help, acting purely on instincts. He didn’t expect to end up in front of his god, being not only praised, which was already an honor greater than he thought he’d ever deserve, but also given a reward.

He wondered what it might be. Seeing the beauty that was the god of the hunt from up this close was enough of a reward for him already, more than he could’ve ever wished for.

What else could he possibly want to offer him?

The god must’ve known what Aiden was thinking yet again, because he smiled down on him before addressing the people behind him.

Aiden had almost forgotten that they were there, too stunned by the proximity to the god he spent all his life worshipping.

“You all have witnessed the bravery of this young man. You have witnessed how he risked his life to save that of several others, the highest form of service to the people and with that to me as their god,” the god said to his followers.

“Such service, such loyalty must be rewarded.” He faced Aiden again, in his eyes an unreadable look. “Stand up.”

Aiden hesitated only for a moment, taken aback by the order. Then he stood, face to face with his god.

He reached out to touch Aiden again and the boy closed his eyes in anticipation, the pleasant feeling of the god’s touch earlier still lingering in his mind.

“Hereby,” the god’s fingers on his skin were soft, warm, as he touched Aiden’s brow.

“I declare you a chosen one of the god of the hunt. My love and trust will be yours, as long as you swear to stay faithful to me. You will serve me with all your loyalty and in return receive my blessing for as long as you live. This is what I offer you. Will you accept?”

Aiden felt like he couldn’t breathe. Him? A god-chosen?

Being chosen by a god was rare and it was an immense honor. Even if he wanted to decline, he couldn’t have. One doesn’t turn down a god, it was an unwritten rule.

Not that Aiden was thinking about declining even for a single second, even if he still couldn’t see how he was worthy of an offer as meaningful as this.

There would be no greater honor, no greater purpose in the life of a simple hunter such as himself, than to serve the god of the hunt. It was what thousands of people dreamed of. It’s what he himself never even dared to dream of.

He was so stunned that he couldn’t speak. His silence hung heavy in the room. Where people have been gasping and quietly talking at the god’s offer, they were now dead quiet.

The god raised an eyebrow, silently waiting for a reply. Aiden realized that he should better answer quickly, lest the god mistook his silence for a refusal.

He bowed deeply, before taking all his strength, look into the golden eyes of the deity before him.

When gold met brown, a sudden calmness washed over him and with a voice much steadier than he expected from himself, he accepted the offer.

Changing his life forever.

#You think I don’t know the names of those who pray to me #<- I’m gasping for air #this was so good omg #I love everything about this!!!! #wip: the knights of the alder

[deadlycupid]

If my silly levels get too low I die

#oc: Noah #only difference he’s already a ghost 💀

[deadlycupid]

Would you look at that, another writing post! This time about my beloved Cyprian and his king <3 This idea has been on my mind quite a while, I'm glad I made time to write it now!

It was a risky mission. Rook didn't feel comfortable with sending his men out on such a dangerous quest, but it had to be done. The beast needed to be stopped, or else they'd all be in danger.

Whole villages had been damaged and people injured, some even killed by the monster that roamed the forest these past few days. No one knew where it came from, but they all knew it needed to be stopped. And that it was his court that would have to take the risk.

He would've faced the beast himself if he could, but he had other, equally important things to take care of, so he send out his best men to find and stop the monster and put his most trusted and skilled friend in charge to make sure things would go well.

Still, he had a bad feeling. This monster wouldn't be easy to kill. It was far more dangerous than other forest demons and that meant something.

Cyprian, brave, loyal Cyprian, sensed his worries miles away and reassured him, ever a good general and friend. "It will be alright. It won't be easy, but we will find the beast and kill it. For our king, for our home. You can trust me."

The king smiled at that. "I do trust you. More than you can imagine. But I worry for you, too."

"There's no need," Cyprian reassured him. "I will not fail you. I will fight and I will succeed."

Rook knew that if there was one person beside himself that could do it, it was Cyprian. But despite his friend's reassuring words, he still couldn't help but be worried for his men. His dear general especially.

Yet when the day came and the group of brave men were to leave, he gave them their orders with the steady voice of a regent who was sure of himself, of the orders he gave. The men kneeling in front of him had no clue about his doubt. He couldn't let them see his worry, so he hid it away.

It was only when Rook called Cyprian to him that his worry threatened to slip out again. "Cyprian," he said and had to keep his voice from cracking. "I entrust to you my best men, for you to find the beast that threatens our lands and to kill it."

He hesitated only for a moment, then he grabbed his friend's chin, lifting it up so that he looked at him.

"After it is done," he said, voice quiet so that only Cyprian could hear. "Come back to me."

It was almost like a ritual of good luck by now. Rook ordered him to come back every time they were separated, the words "don't get yourself killed, I don't want to lose you" implied but never once spoken.

Cyprian nodded firmly. He understood. "I will, my king. I promise."

...

He almost didn't make it. Five of his men were dead and Cyprian had almost been the sixth. But he didn't give up.

I can't fail him, he told himself as the beast attacked them.

I can't fail him, he thought after it had injured him, after he was bleeding so much he got dizzy.

I can't fail him, he said to himself as the beast was finally dead and he all but crawled back to his court. To his king.

He was still bleeding, still dizzy and weary, when he slowly carried himself to the palace steps. There were people that came running but then stood frozen in shock as they saw him.

Cyprian didn't pay them any mind. All he could think of was making it back to his king, to his friend. Just like he promised.

And there he was, shoving aside courtiers to see what was going on. Cyprian tried to smile, but it probably looked more like a grimace.

He stumbled over something, but he couldn't see what it was, because everything was a blur.

Everything but him.

With his last remaining strength, Cyprian stumbled towards his king.

He had to make it to him. He had an order to fulfill. A promise to keep.

Cyprian's legs gave out shortly before he reached him, pain and anger at his own weakness washing over him as he fell to his knees and hands.

He wanted to get up but couldn't and suddenly he found himself wrapped in someone's arms.

That someone gently moved him to a more comfortable position until he all but lay in their arms. They whispered his name and brushed a stray strand of hair away from his face.

Cyprian sighed. He willed himself to open his eyes. As he looked up, he was met with the blurry image of Rook looking down at his friend with worry. The young man smiled as he realized that it was his king that held him now.

He made it. He fulfilled his order. With the last bit of his strength, he reached for Rook's face. "I came back to you, my king."

"Yes," he heard Rook say. His voice sounded just the slightest bit unsteady. He grabbed Cyprian's hand. "You did."

That was all Cyprian heard, all he needed to hear, before the world turned black around him and the king carried his knight inside the palace.

.

tag list: @andifthestarsweretodie @bloodlessheirbyjacques @bluehourskyeli @deadlycupid @dustylovelyrun @justafrogandherumbrella @ladywithalamp @magic-is-something-we-create @myhusbandsasemni @my-cursed-prince @phantasticdomains @rhikasa @saltysupercomputer @sleepy-night-child @soupopoireau @theguywithnonickname @thewalkingnerd @vampywriter @vsnotresponding @writing-is-a-martial-art (if you want to be added or removed from the tag list let me know!)

#Alexander and Hephaestion if endwokeness had a say in it #kidding this is the best thing I’ve ever read #obviously they kissed #I was the palace walls I know #wip: the knights of the alder

[deadlycupid]

I apologize in advance for all my Taiden stans, but Aiden and Theo are so good too, I just had to write for them

"I never understood why Thilda turned you down." Theo didn't look at him when he said it. His finger kept drawing circles on the barn floor, only inches away from Aiden's own hand.

Aiden studied the boy in front of him, the very first boy he ever kissed. Back then, they were just children, hiding in the barn much like they did now.

Mathilda, Theo's sister, had been Aiden's first crush, but it was that one kiss with her brother that he still held dear, for it had taught him things about himself he didn't know before. Also, it was a very good kiss. As forbidden as it might have been in the eyes of everyone else, for him, it felt right.

Afterwards, the two had separated from each other like frightened deer and never spoke of it again. They've grown apart then, but here they were now, closer than ever before. And Aiden had to admit to himself that he was still very fond of this boy.

Looking at Theo now, with his words hanging in the air between them, sounding almost like a confession, he wondered if he felt quite the same. If maybe he would have a chance with him.

"If I would've asked you instead," he tried, carefully resting his hand over Theo's, making the boy freeze in his movement. "What would you have said?"

Theo looked up to him, grey eyes reflecting the pale moonlight as their eyes met. He hesitated only for a moment.

"Yes," he said then, slowly turning his hand to intertwine his fingers with Aiden's. "I would've said yes."

*

tag list: @andifthestarsweretodie @bloodlessheirbyjacques @bluehourskyeli @deadlycupid @dustylovelyrun @justafrogandherumbrella @ladywithalamp @magic-is-something-we-create @myhusbandsasemni @my-cursed-prince @phantasticdomains @rhikasa @saltysupercomputer @sleepy-night-child @soupopoireau @theguywithnonickname @thewalkingnerd @vampywriter @vsnotresponding @writing-is-a-martial-art (if you want to be added or removed from the tag list let me know!)

#running laps around my room right now #WHY HAVE YOU NEVER TOLD ME #can’t believe you didn’t tell me about them omg #it’s giving Tommy and David in another universe #and you know how fond I am of Tommy and David as a ship #but this right here omg #much to think about now 🙇🏼 #wip: the knights of the alder

[deadlycupid]

Alles was bleibt

Sie saß in der Küche, ihre Hände unsicher in ihrem Schoß. Diese Angst und Sorge würde sie eines Tag von innen zerfressen, angefangen mit ihrem Magen bis hin zu ihrem Hirn, das wusste sie.

Auch die große Kanne gefüllt mit Schlafblütentee brachte ihr keine Ruhe. Ihre Augen bohrten sich langsam und quälend durch das Glas und in die indigofarbende Flüssigkeit.

Ra. Alle ihre Gedanken kreisten um Ra. Sein Zustand verschlechterte sich von Tag zu Tag und all die Mittel, die ihm sonst halfen, erwiesen sich nun als nutzlos.

Ein Teil von Cyra gab sich selbst die Schuld an seinem Zustand. Sie hätte dickköpfiger sein müssen, sturer, sicherer. Doch auch die Selbstvorwürfe würden nun nichts mehr ändern.

Sie rieb sich mit der Hand über ihr müdes und ausgetrocknetes Gesicht, ihre sonst so strahlende Haut nur noch eine graue Schicht, gezeichnet von Sorge und zu wenig schlaf.

Ein schmerzerfülltes Stöhnen drang durch die Schlafzimmertür und die junge Solian zuckte zusammen.

So ging es nun seit Tagen: Ra lag im Schlafzimmer, die Fenster verschlossen und verdunkelt, was den Raum in ein endloses Nichts hüllte. Er bewegte sich nicht, nur hin und wieder gab er ein Lebenszeichen von sich in der Form von quälenden Lauten.

Anfangs konnte Cyra sich nicht dazu bringen Ras Seite zu verlassen. Nun war es ein Segen für sie, die Tür schließen zu können. Sie ekelte sich über sich selbst. Ra war ihr Seelenpartner, wie konnte sie ihn in solchen Zeiten bloß alleine lassen, in dieser Dunkelheit? Sie schüttelte sich, ein erbärmlicher Versuchen diesew Gefühl des Verrats wieder loszuwerden.

Aber was sollte sie noch tun? Sie hatte alle Bücher gelesen, alle Schriftrollen und Skripte, hatte mit allen Heilern und Apothekaria gesprochen, alle möglichen Heilmittel gekauft oder selbst hergestellt. Nichts half. Ras Zustand hatte sich trotz all ihrer Mühe nicht verändert.

Sie vergrub ihr Gesicht in ihren Händen. Sie fühlte sich Hilflos und Nutzlos und völlig verzweifelt.

⊹₊ ⋆ ᵗᵃᵍˡᶦˢᵗ ꜜ—

ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵒʳ ˡᵉᵗᵗᶦⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵃᵍ ʸᵒᵘ, ˡᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᶦᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵃᵈᵈᵉᵈ/ʳᵉᵐᵒᵛᵉᵈ

@deadlycupid @poetinprose

#love this! #it’s so full of emotions 😭 #wip ; kosminastris

[deadlycupid]

Masterpiece – Part One

Welcome to another episode of “this could’ve easily been its own short story, but I am too attached to my Alder OCs to not make everything about them”.

I had this idea a while ago and thought it would be perfect for who? You guessed it! Aiden and Talon. So I wrote this. I decided to break it up in two parts, with part one being posted on Aiden's birthday - so today (Yay!)

I hope you'll enjoy it! ^^ (also Happy Birthday to my boy Aiden <3)

The young knight’s hair shines golden in the light of the sun that falls through the window behind him, illuminating the scene.

His armor is black, a stark contrast to the lightness of his hair and skin. He kneels before a tall figure dressed in finest robes of gold and black.

The man before the knight is young as well, probably not much older than the knight himself, but the crown adorning his dark locks leaves no doubt about his position.

The knight’s lips are pressed to the signet ring on the other man’s outstretched hand, a pledge of loyalty. His eyes never leave those of the young king, who looks back at him, seeming pleased.

There are other people in the background, too, but with the light that falls on the king and his knight and the look the two share, it feels almost intimate, as if they are the only ones in the ballroom.

Out of all the paintings at the Willow Museum of Art, this one is Aiden’s favorite. It is one of the lesser-known pieces, tugged away in a corner of the museum that isn’t as well visited as the rest.

A little treasure he had discovered on his very first visit as a freshman in college.

Aiden has been interested in art ever since he was a little boy, guided through an art gallery by his mother’s hand. But never before had he been so drawn to a painting.

He stumbled over it by accident, sitting down the nearest bench to tie his shoelaces. As he looked up, the painting caught his eye and Aiden found himself unable to look away.

There were many things to admire about the painting. The composition, the play between light and dark contrasts, the carefully painted details. But what really caught his attention were the two men portrayed.

One, a knight kneeling before his king, looked almost ethereal with the light that illuminated his handsome features and golden hair.

The sight of his beauty stirred something deep inside of Aiden, a feeling he couldn’t quite explain.

The knight’s lips were pressed against the knuckles of the other person at the center of the painting, his eyes fixed on the man in front of him.

Following his gaze, Aiden took a closer look at the figure – and couldn’t believe his eyes. Startled, he took a step back.

The other man – undoubtedly a king, judging by the crown on his head – looked exactly like him. He gasped.

It was as if Aiden himself was looking back at him from the painting. Or at least a version of himself. It was scary, really.

The king in the painting could’ve been his twin.

They had the same unruly dark locks, the same deep brown eyes and olive skin, even their noses were the same. If Aiden had to guess, their ages seemed to match, too.

For a moment, Aiden wondered if this king ever really lived, or if he only existed in the artist’s imagination.

He studied the small info sign by the painting, but it couldn’t answer his question. The piece was painted by an unknown Croatian artist.

It was a scene like he had seen on other paintings before, a knight showing his loyalty to his king.

Yet this was different, somehow. There was something about the fondness in both their eyes and the careful, almost gentle way the knight held the hand that he kissed, as if it was that of a lady he courted, rather than that of the king that he served.

It looked so much more private than one would expect from such a gesture. Intimate, even. Aiden almost felt like he wasn’t supposed to look at them, wasn’t supposed to witness this moment they shared.

Ever since that first encounter, Aiden had been enchanted by this painting. He came by almost every weekend just to look at it, to study it, to wonder what story the artist intended to tell with it.

He even made some sketches, using his new favorite painting as inspiration for his own art.

He did research, too, about the masterpiece and its creator, but without much success.

No art historian, no critic knew who the mysterious artist was. Just that he presumably was Croatian, because that was where the painting was from and that whoever it was must’ve been extremely talented to create such a fine piece of art.

There weren’t many interpretations for the painting itself, either. Aiden only found a handful of them, since it was by far no famous painting, even though he thought it should be.

One of these interpretations caught Aiden’s eyes in particular.

“What we see is a moment between a king and his loyal knight. But with the way the normally so formal gesture is portrayed, it could just as well be a private moment between lovers, hidden away behind the pretense of a normal courtesy.”

Lovers.

That seemed right. Aiden found it quite fitting. It matched the feeling he had whenever he looked at the two men on the painting, at the look they share, at the way the beautiful knight held the hand of his king.

It felt warm. Familiar.

These two obviously had a deep connection and Aiden somehow felt a connection to them as well. He didn’t know why.

Maybe it was because one of them looked so much like him.

He studied the face of the young king again. In his eyes lay such fondness that Aiden was certain that the man must be in love with the knight kneeling in front of him.

His affection seemed to practically radiate from the painted canvas.

It was the same for the knight in question, golden eyes filled with affection just as much as those of his king, if not more.

Everything in his posture spoke of pure devotion and fondness, of a loyalty deeper than that of a guard.

No, there was truly no doubt, at least not for Aiden. The more time he spent studying the painting, the more obvious it became.

These two were more than just a king and his knight. They loved one another.

That thought made Aiden smile.

He was so absorbed in the painting and his own thoughts that he didn’t notice the person that came to stand beside him, looking up to the painting with the same wonder Aiden did the first time he saw it.

Only when said person let out an awed gasp did he notice the young man. But he didn’t get a proper look at his new company because he already moved forward.

All Aiden saw was a flash of gold that caught his eye as the stranger passed him with fast steps, getting closer to the painting, presumably to get a better look at it.

Looking back at it, Aiden couldn’t tell what moved him to put aside his sketch book and approach the stranger.

Maybe it was just a feeling. Maybe it was because he never saw someone beside himself so fascinated by this painting before.

Or maybe it was destiny.

Either way he stood from the bench and came to stand beside the stranger, who looked up to the art piece, lips parted slightly in astonishment.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Aiden looked up to the painting, then he turned his gaze to the stranger.

The young man startled at his words. Quickly he turned to the side, facing Aiden with golden eyes wide with surprise and shock and Aiden felt like the world stopped turning.

He blinked. Once, twice.

He couldn’t believe his eyes. Looking right at him was the knight from the painting.

Well, he wasn’t really the knight, of course. But he looked like him. Same fair skin and sharp features.

Same blonde hair and eyes of molten gold. He was handsome in a way that was almost otherworldly.

It was like he had just walked out of that painting, exchanging his armor for black jeans and a black sweater with a white collar.

Aiden saw his own surprise mirrored in the face in front of him. Apparently, the stranger had recognized the similarity between Aiden and the king on the painting as well.

Taking a step back from him almost as if he had just encountered a ghost, he put some distance between them, looking back and forth between the painting and Aiden’s face.

“How…” That was all that he managed to say.

Aiden couldn’t help but laugh. “I don’t know. I’ve been asking myself the same question ever since I first saw it.”

He looked up to the painting again. “It is kind of creepy, seeing your own face in a painting that is hundreds of years old. But at the same time, it’s pretty cool!”

He looked back at the other, smiling. “I’m Aiden, by the way.”

Aiden held out his hand to the stranger, who still seemed stunned, but took the offered hand anyway.

“Talon,” he said. And now he was smiling, too.

“Nice to meet you, Talon.” Aiden grinned.

“I never thought I’d get to meet the knight to my king.” he added, nodding to the painting.

Though he rolled his eyes, the other’s cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink at his words, much to Aiden’s delight.

“Do you want to know more about the painting? I could tell you about it. I’m sort of an expert by now.”

Talon smiled at him again, a soft smile that reminded Aiden of the knight on the painting and made his heart skip a beat.

“That would be nice.”

.

tag list: @andifthestarsweretodie @bloodlessheirbyjacques @bluehourskyeli @deadlycupid @dustylovelyrun @justafrogandherumbrella @ladywithalamp @magic-is-something-we-create @myhusbandsasemni @my-cursed-prince @phantasticdomains @rhikasa @saltysupercomputer @sleepy-night-child @soupopoireau @theguywithnonickname @thewalkingnerd @vampywriter @vsnotresponding @writing-is-a-martial-art (if you want to be added or removed from the tag list let me know!)

#look who finally got around to reading this #I was so scared tumblr would jump around again #but it behaved! #also I love this sooo much #it sooo good 😭 #wip: the knights of the alder #art student aiden au

[deadlycupid]

@writerfae talon and aiden pre friendship (and pre romance)

two guys who sleep in each other’s arms at night because they’re both afraid the other will try kill them in their sleep

[deadlycupid]

so I just read @writerfae little snippet and I was reminded that Tommy runs hot in his sleep and Nico is always cold and they are the perfect duo to sleep together bc Nico just places his cold hand and feet on Tommy and Tommy just huddles Nico close to him and keeps him warm the whole night

#it’s been a while since I thought of them 😭 #so have this little fun fact #writeblr #wip: the angels of death