#and of course Gil wants it to be perfect

[softquietsteadylove]

Hello dear!

So i don't know if anyone already requested this, but we N E E D the proposal in the Ice Queen/Tyrant King AU! I literally crave for this.

Hugs and much love to you!! 🖤✨🖤✨

Gil paced the floor of Thena's flat, muttering to himself. He had been going over the plan incessantly, had calculated every detail, thought through every possible complication. The deal would go through, he was sure of it.

He had never hoped so strongly for it.

There were white rose and lily petals scatted all around the home, over her white shag rug and the white furniture. He had even affixed a few wisteria to the spiralling pendant lights. There was also a trail of the petals leading to the bedroom. Just...if she felt like celebrating.

Gil clutched the ring box in his hand. He was ready.

He had gone back and forth on how to do it, thought about the impact this would make on their lives, their businesses. He had thought about the ring, if he needed one and what she would like if he did get one. They already had their tattoos, after all.

Gil grinned down at his ring tattoo, still his favourite, and for good reason. He loved to think about the matching one on Thena's light, delicate finger, scrawled in white ink in a promise he would never demand she say aloud.

Really, part of him had wondered if she would want him to propose at all. His Goddess of War was a being of practicality, after all. And if they both considered themselves married, then wasn't that enough? Certainly, he was happy to think so. And if she never wanted him to actually ask her--if she never wanted to actually marry him, then he could live with that.

He just wanted to be with her, and for her to be happy, and if those two things could be true together, then he could die a fulfilled man.

If it weren't for Kingo, he would probably still be debating on what kind of ring she would even want. He just had never even considered that the idea of getting married would be even further along in her mind than his own.

But if what Kingo said was true, then she was prepared to face down his horrible family, and she was prepared for their empires of business to have to conflict a little before they really melded at all. Apparently she was prepared to have a traditional ceremony for the sake of his family.

Gil's heart swelled in his chest. He wasn't nearly so willing to oblige them. But the thought that his stubborn and sharp edged Ice Queen was?--for him? It laid to rest any doubts he could have about her not feeling as strongly as he did.

Thena wasn't a poet, and she never claimed to be one. She did better with actions than words, and always had. Even before they were together, he always knew that to understand the state of the Ice Queen, was to watch her behaviours carefully.

Once upon a time, he was just a colleague, seated a respectful table away from her in meetings. He would watch her come in, notice her beauty - maybe indulge in it a little bit - and keep an eye on her. It allowed him to learn about her without risking his life by asking her even the smallest of conversational questions.

Now, they were about to be engaged. He hoped.

Gil sighed, starting his walk around the carpet again, dragging his feet and watching the flower petals move around him. He hadn't exactly thought Thena would be this late, and it wasn't helping his nerves. By the time she got home at this rate, she would be tired from work, and he would have to rush to get his speech out before she could ask him what all this was about.

His phone buzzed on the coffee table, and he nearly tripped in his hurry to pick it up. "Princess?"

"Gilgamesh."

She wasn't alone. Or she just wasn't in the mood for pet names right now. "Hey, are you almost home?"

"I've found myself occupied at my office." She was looking at someone while she was talking. He could hear the way her tongue was dragging over her words.

Was she in danger? "Someone we know?"

"Actually," now he could hear a faint smile on her lips, "your mother's sister is here."

Shit.

"I'm on my way!"

#Ice Queen/Tyrant King AU #pt 1 #don't worry #we're just getting started #it's time #I've been trying to think of how I wanted to do this for some time now #so thank you to those who have been patient about it #it's a big step #it's a big deal #and of course Gil wants it to be perfect #He bought out the florist #the wisteria from the ceiling light look like snow #the lights low and soft #and he's so nervous his heart is going to burst out of his chest #he doesn't know if this is the right way to do things #if this is the right way to ask her #but he wants this #he wants her #so bad he can't take another breath if it's not with her as his wife #here we go!

[funbirdnest]

Blackbird (Translation)

I worked in the translation of the story for the past week and I have been unable to shut up about until now. This translation work was done in collaboration of @spectralpooch who worked as English proofreader and provided a lot of insight of the english grammar and composition. I was also helped by Yuko and Asher who helped with wording.

I hope you get to enjoy, even if just a little, the love we all put in this story that we have been waiting seven years for. 

Blackbird

The fantasy is burning.

—At the end of the day, love always prevails.

—Hard work and good intentions are always rewarded.

—As long as you wish for it with all your might, your dreams will always come true.

Such are the nonsensical, gibberish words that everyone recognizes as downright lies once they reach adulthood. And burning within a bonfire is the pile of papers—the representation of the very innocence of a young boy who earnestly believed in those lies.

The embers of dreams and hopes are stirred by the updraft caused by the hot air.

Ashes and soot soar up, miserably staining the clear skies.

“Aah, what a terrible shame.”

Hibiki Wataru looked up at the sky and, in sharp contrast to his words, trembled with pleasure.

He is a beautiful man.

Long, silver-white hair that resembles moonlight incarnate. A physique blessed with a perfect golden ratio.

He is wearing his elegantly designed uniform in quite an incomprehensible way.

His facial expressions and gestures are refined and effusively charming, and it feels as though wing scales and fluorescent lights should flutter around him with every step he takes.

But it is precisely because he is too beautiful that he can stand out in any town.

Every person who passes by throws him a strange look and either turns away or flees the scene as if having just encountered a monster. It is the most appropriate reaction when confronted with a monstrosity, but—

He wants them to at least scream.

To curse, spit, and throw stones at him.

It hurts the most to be ignored.

As if to convey this point, Wataru gestures towards them in invitation to do so—but the only one willing to approach him is a slightly dirtied pigeon.

"Aah, Gil! Poor you, Gilles de Rais¹! Your feathers are completely sullied!" 

Wataru laments while rubbing his cheek against the pigeon perched on his shoulder.

"When you are covered in soot like this, you look more like a crow than a pigeon! Crows are really smart, and they can become great ‘entertainers’ when trained, but people often hate them for no reason—it's troublesome, isn't it?"

At the sight of Wataru having a conversation with a pigeon as though it were completely normal, the people around him begin to back further away.

"... But right now, I have the feeling that such an individual would be the most suitable companion for me."

As Wataru mutters sadly to himself, the soot-covered pigeon pulls his hair with its beak.

“That hurts?! It was just a joke, Gil! Are you jealous? I've raised and looked after you since you were an egg, so there's no way I could ever discard you and look for another partner! Please cheer up—oya?”

As the pigeon goes all out on him, something falls down from the crevice of its beak. 

Cinders.

The wreckage of a dream that had been carried by the wind from afar.

“That's splendid! This will solve the problem of my ink running out!”

Wataru exclaims with pleasure and mashes the cinders with his fingertips.

Then, with fingers stained in black, he writes his name in the bundle of documents that he had been holding.

“—With this, it’s finished.”

Embracing the bundle of documents as though it were his most prized possession, Wataru trembles again.

“I wonder if he will be happy with this.”

***

There was a war.

A tragic conflict in which boys hurt and killed each other for the sake of their own dreams and ideals—for the sake of love.

Of course, although it has now become a gloomy and sorrowful memory, it was not actually a battle where people fought with guns and blades and bathed in each other's blood.

All of them were idols.

Standing on the stage, singing and dancing, their top priority was to bring people happiness.

However, at that time, their place of residence, Yumenosaki Private Academy, was not an environment in which idols could properly live as idols. Everything was decayed, stagnant and rotten.

There were those who stood up in order to change the situation at hand.

There were also those who tried to fight back in anger and sorrow after everything they held dear had been mangled in the name of the "revolution" the others had raised.

They turned the things that were supposed to make people happy into weapons, abused them, and imposed their own resentment and misery onto others.

As a result, this vast and boundless world was changed only slightly.

But the price that had been paid was extremely high.

—Yumenosaki 's era of conflict.

—The first revolution.

—The beginning of the end.

Regret consumes everyone whenever they remember the tragedy of that time.

***

A hospital room.

The brand new hospital in the vicinity of Yumenosaki Academy had been built with a sole purpose: to provide an immediate response on the occasion that a single person's physical condition changed for the worse.

Leading-edge medical equipment and top-notch doctors had been assembled in order to forcibly prolong his existence—sometimes even diverting attention from other, more urgent patients.

He is one of the world's most distinguished billionaires, the scion of the Tenshouin conglomerate, Tenshouin Eichi.

He is the leading actor in the conflict that unfolded in Yumenosaki.

He loved idols more than anyone else.

However, as a result of the kingcraft instilled in him from an early age by his private corporate tutor, the clear mind he has naturally possessed since birth, and his cold heart, he came to massacre the very thing he loved with his own hands.

The many sins he committed in this ironic twist of fate tormented him and made him sick.

“...”

Tenshouin Eichi is lying down on the floor of a very spacious hospital room.

He is also a beautiful man, but there is a crack distorting his beauty.

Seemingly because he hasn’t been eating, he has become emaciated, and his blond hair, which resembles sunlight incarnate², is disheveled and dull. His hospital clothes, composed of high-quality material, are completely wrinkled and dirtied.

Like a baby bird that fell from its nest.

He had ripped off the intravenous drips and other pieces of medical equipment designed to keep him alive and smashed them to pieces.

There were doctors who genuinely cared for Eichi's well-being and those whose interest in treating him stemmed only from professional duty—Eichi shunned them all equally with curses and threats.

—I don’t want to live anymore.

—So, please, don’t treat me.

—Someone like me doesn’t deserve to live.

“No.”

Eichi, withering and on the verge of death, hears a voice reply to the soliloquy he hadn't expected anyone to hear.

There is only a single small window in the room. No matter how hard one might try to contort their body, it would be impossible to enter through—regardless, it was from that very window that Hibiki Wataru's towering silhouette soundlessly entered. 

It is like a dream.

As if it were a magic trick, he suddenly materializes.

“—It's you. Hibiki Wataru of The Five Eccentrics.”

"That story has already concluded, so will you please stop referring to me that way?"

As he casually replies to Eichi, who had spoken as though in a trance, Wataru strides across the hospital room.

He steps over the countless broken pieces of wreckage scattered across the floor, but never breaks anything.

“Let's readjust our mindset! Now, while we still have the chance to bask in the success of our stage performances, let's sit back and recharge our batteries! That is our duty, Tenshouin Eichi-kun!"

“Just what the hell are you doing here?”

Eichi mutters reproachfully, glaring up at Wataru with cruel eyes.

“Did you come to mock me because I thought I was victorious but wound up losing everything?”

Presumably too prideful to continue behaving in an undignified manner, Eichi staggers to his feet and then takes a seat on the mattress.

Having refused even the cleaning staff, this dirty hospital bed is now his only throne.

“Or do you intend to seek vengeance on behalf of your fellow Five Eccentrics?”

“No, not at all? Although there were some underwhelming parts, you still persevered and accomplished great things atop the stage! You have my praises. I have no reason to make fun of you!”

Wataru continues, his tone cheerful. Scattered, multicolored petals surround a broken flower vase—he gathers them up, grasps them in one hand, and opens his palm to reveal a single perfect flower.

"Besides, my beloved friends, The Five Eccentrics, were not actually killed. They're not that fragile, so I ask that you do not disparage them."

Though his eyes flash with hostility for a single instant, Wataru hides it with the ease of putting on a mask.

“Shu is slowly recovering his strength in the comfort of his dolls and the mutual love they share. Kanata, too, is embarking on a new life together with the inexperienced hero who saved his heart. And, of course, Our Majesty, the Demon King, Rei, too—indeed, someone like him will never die, even if he's killed.”

As he mentions each of the remarkable members of The Five Eccentrics, Wataru smiles.

“And the youngest sibling whom we risked our lives to protect, Natsume-kun, doesn't have a single scar. He quickly found the bluebird you set free, and is venturing forth into his life—not as a member of The Five Eccentrics, but as a human and idol.”

"...They're so strong. Everyone, all of them, are strong and splendid human beings worthy of respect—unlike me. Hiyori-kun and Nagisa-kun, too. It appears that they’ve already begun to move on to their next stage."

Looking somewhat astonished, Eichi hangs his head like a confused lost child.

“Am I really the only one who can’t move? At the end of Yumenosaki's conflict, or the saga chronicling the subjugation of The Five Eccentrics, am I truly the only loser?”

“No, no. I feel the same way. It's embarrassing to admit, but—I don't know what I should do next.”

With a dumbfounded expression that mirrors Eichi's, Wataru fidgets with the flower with his black-stained fingers.

“I'm quite satisfied with how things concluded on that most wonderful stage, even though we had to settle for the second-best result—but I'm at a bit of a loss, as I have no further plans for the future.”

"I see. Would you like me to apologize? By casting you in the role of the villain, a symbol deserving of ridicule and disdain, I turned you into the target of everyone's malice."

“Yes. Thanks to you, no one trusts me enough to work with me, so all of my future plans are now uncertain. I suppose I could arrange a stage and enact a story of my own choosing, but… A one-man show would be a little lonely, wouldn't it?”

"I thought that you would always be happy to stand onstage no matter what—even alone."

“Regrettably, I'm an entertainer whose only purpose is to make others happy. If I were to stand onstage all by myself, I would lose all motivation.”

With a shrug of his shoulders, Wataru quietly offers Eichi the flower.

”And so, I thought I would ask you, the organizer of the most satisfying stage I have ever stood upon, for another commission. That's the reason I came today. Of course, I am also here to visit the sick."

“Was that sarcasm? I humiliated and denigrated you and your beloved friends. I trampled on and killed all of you for the sake of my own dream.”

“No one is dead, Eichi-kun. Everything that took place is just a story.”

”Are you really going to behave like a sore loser and pretend like you all weren't actually hurt?”

"No. If I were to hold a grudge and get angry at you, it would be an insult to my friends' extraordinary performance in their roles as villains. That's why I won't give you the pleasure of my vengeance.”

“I don’t understand your reasoning.”

“It’s a mystery to me too. This is the first time in my life that I have ever felt this alive. It's as though something I cannot quite comprehend is stirring inside me.”

Wataru speaks with an innocent, puzzled expression on his face, as though he were a child who had just tripped for the very first time in his life.

***

“Oops. I went off on a tangent just now, but I meant to give you this gift earlier.”

Suddenly coming to his senses, Wataru quietly hands Eichi the flower in his hand.

The instant that the flower touches Eichi's fingertips, it transforms into a bundle of documents.

It’s just like magic.

“... Oh, my goodness. As always, your magic tricks are beyond comparison, Hibiki-kun.”

“You and I are not particularly close, so don't blurt out things like that as if you know me.”

“I’ve always been watching you.”

Eichi speaks honestly, seemingly too tired to maintain a strong front. He proceeds to look over the bundle of papers.

His expression dawns with astonishment.

“This is—”

“Fufufu. This is the pipe dream³ written by our beloved younger brother and only son, Natsume-kun. He poured all of his heart and soul into it.”

Wataru explains, satisfied with the surprised expression on Eichi's face.

“This is a scenario envisioning a way in which we, The Five Eccentrics, could have achieved victory over you in our final battle the other day.”

“Oh, that's right, just before the decisive battle, you and the other Five Eccentrics had some kind of exchange. I was preoccupied with other matters at the time, so I didn't pay much attention to what all of you were up to.”

Deeply immersed in reading, Eichi flips through the stack of documents carefully. A grin slowly begins to form on his lips.

“Fufu. So cute; it’s really like a fantasy story. ‘I don't want my beloved Five Eccentrics to lose. I want us to have a happy ending where no one has to be sacrificed—’”

"Indeed. He filled the pages with such impossible fantasies and impractical delusions."

“... It was only by defeating you on that stage that we somehow managed to settle things in a conclusive way. If the five of you had won that day, we would still be enmeshed in the middle of an unending conflict.”

"Exactly. I anticipated as much, which is why I was unable to accept this. This present, packed with that child's—with Natsume-kun's—dreams, expectations, and love.”

“And, because we followed the premeditated arrangement, everything went smoothly.”

“That's true. But, just as one would expect from a story desperately written by our beloved child... It's very compelling, isn't it? It'd be heartless to ignore it altogether and just throw it away.”

Wataru gently caresses the pile of documents as if consoling a little baby.

“And that's why I quickly examined the contents, committed them to memory, and secretly copied them. Only moments ago, Natsume-kun burned the original copy himself, so—that child's fantasy should, by all accounts, have been completely erased from this earth.”

Wataru laughs like a naughty child who just successfully carried out a prank.

“Everyone will assume so. And even though this is an imitation, the contents are extremely close to the real thing. No, rather, the contents are only the things that I chose to resurrect in accordance with my own preferences.”

“Hmph. But there's no way you can actually use this, right? It's just a bunch of delusions with no grounding in reality. In other words: worthless garbage. It's nothing more than a work of fiction that fabricates convenient plots for foolish readers who yearn to avert their eyes from this harsh reality.”

Eichi drops the pile of documents onto the dirty bed and sneers at it.

“It has no bearing on the real world. Those kinds of stories only exist in the minds of idealistic writers. It's not the real thing. It's not reality.”

“Right. And so, I'd like to ask you, with your firm grasp on reality, to please rework it.”

“...?”

“You're hospitalized, so you have a lot of free time, correct?”

Wataru smiles, carefully gathering up the documents Eichi dropped one by one.

“Please use that spare time to improve upon this document. And adapt it into a new story in which The Five Eccentrics, your opponents, achieve victory.”

“What would be the point of doing such a thing?”

“You must be prepared for anything the future decides to throw your way, no matter how incredibly low the chances of it actually occurring may be. You know this better than anyone, but you were born with a fragile constitution, so—you could die at any time.”

“...You're right. And now that I've lost my will to live, I'm even refusing treatment.”

“And if you, the main character of this story, were to die and abruptly, nonsensically disappear from the narrative, the entire plot would collapse.”

“.....”

"Do you understand what I mean, Eichi-kun?"

“I understand, Hibiki-kun.”

Eichi's eyes, as cloudy as a corpse's, begin to sparkle.

“I have a responsibility. A responsibility as a protagonist—as an author. I have to be prepared for when my character dies and vanishes from this world—from the story.”

"Yes. However, you don't strike me as an expert storyteller, so I thought it'd be convenient to use something as a basis—for the story. This pipe dream written by Natsume-kun is quite suitable in terms of both content and quality, right?”

“That's right. It's the story that the child prodigy, the youngest member of The Five Eccentrics, wove out of his own life force.”

This time, Eichi doesn’t sneer sarcastically. As he praises his enemy, an honest smile appears on his face.

“Thank you, Hibiki-kun. Since this is a story founded on the premise of my imminent death, I can't let Keito, who hates the thought of me dying more than anyone else, write it.”

Eichi's eyes widen, surprised at the deep affection with which he spoke these words.

He'd assumed he'd lost everything. And yet—is he only now remembering that there are still things worth loving?

“I'll write it. To ensure the story will continue after I'm gone.”

Growing more and more energetic, Eichi stains his fingers with the filth splattered across his bed and begins to scrawl on the back of the stack of documents. His handwriting is so sluggish and messy that no one besides him could possibly read it.

“First of all, let's ensure that I get defeated while I'm still alive. After bringing down The Five Eccentrics and seizing control of everything, I become a power-crazed tyrant. And so, a new generation of heroes stands up to defeat me. It could be Natsume-kun, the surviving member of The Five Eccentrics, or someone else.”

“Yes ♪ And then? What will happen next in this story?”

“It's not enough to merely change the person in power. The masses themselves should mobilize and take action into their own hands to improve the world. Yes, the next step is the people's revolution. That's why... errr... aaahh—”

Eichi is so absorbed in the moment that he scatters the documents. He clutches his head with both hands.

“I can’t work through my thoughts! I'm not a genius, so this is really hard for me! Aah, this is pathetic, and I have no right to ask this of you, but—Can you help me come up with more ideas, Hibiki-kun?”

“Yes, with pleasure ♪ I also have some time to spare, after all!”

Wataru sits on the bed and happily gazes at Eichi, who has become entirely absorbed in the act of weaving⁴ the beginnings of a new story.

“I look forward to seeing what sort of stage I'll stand on next. Aah, in both my past and present, this has always been my only source of happiness.”

“I'm out of paper! I also want something to write with! Hibiki-kun, isn't there somewhere nearby where you could buy some?”

“Yes, yes. Aren't you supposed to be my fan? Are you sure you should be bossing me around like this?”

With a smile that seems to say, Well, it doesn't really matter, Wataru shifts like a bird about to take flight.

“Come on, let's celebrate, let's weave, let's create—a story! In this second iteration, the tragedy will become a comedy! Yes, I'm certain that this next work will be a very enjoyable story!”

“Enough, enough! Stop saying unnecessary things and just hurry up! Before life leaves my body!”

“Yes, yes. You really know how to put people to work, Mr. Author... ♪”

………

And so, Hibiki Wataru chose to assist Tenshouin Eichi in the creation of his story.

Together, they supported one another, engaged in heated debates, and envisioned the future.

It was at the end of that gloomy winter when the two of them, now fine, the rulers of Yumenosaki Academy, were defeated by the revolutionaries of Trickstar.

It was a season when the seeds carried by dirty, exhausted birds finally bloomed into flowers.

1. Gilles de Rais was a leader of the French army and participated in the Hundred Years’ War alongside Jeanne d’Arc as a companion of arms. Later in his life he went on to become a serial killer of children and was condemned to death and hanged. 

In the story “Cinderella on the Stake's Stage,” it’s revealed that Wataru also has a pigeon called “Jeanne d’Arc.”

2. Akira describes Eichi’s hair as “陽光を固めたような” = “As if sunlight has taken physical shape”. Likewise this is also the way he describes Wataru’s hair “月光を固めたような” = “As if moonlight has taken physical shape”.

3. We chose to interchange the words pipe dream and fantasy through the story but they often refer to the same script Natsume wrote.

4. Weaving reads as “Tsumugi” here.

#ensemble stars #ensemble stars!! #enstars #enstars translation #translation #eichi tenshouin #wataru hibiki #ensemble stars! #Blackbird

[shiina-a]

This, right here was the exact moment I started to realize that Nasu was about to do something great with both Hakunon and Gilgamesh's characters.

There's a thing with Hakuno and it's that she isn't the classic kind character who does good deeds without even considering the rest.

She analyzes the situation, figures out what's the best course of action and yet she will do the exact opposite of what she's thinking if her heart considers that there's something wrong.

An example of this is when the noise was consuming Shinji at the beginning, she thinks that it is useless to try and she might even die and the best is to run away but she runs and tries to save him. This is no different.

Who else but Hakunon knows how cruel can Gilgamesh can be? He was very close to killing her just because she looked at him the wrong way and he has been acting like an outsider who finds her suffering (and other's suffering) amusing.

She also received Hans opinion on him. About what he did, about what he is. An arbiter who can't understand and can't be understood.

It's very easy to agree with the perfect example of a good servant but, she opens her mouth and says that no, that Gilgamesh being a murderer is wrong.

Now, Gilgamesh doesn't exactly like the idea of people not being able to understand him nor him being unable to understand others. Which is why Enkidu made him so happy, being understood is something that even a King needs.

So, what Hakuno did was obviously significant.

Yet, he proceeds to tsun his way out of the situation and call himself a monster, because he obviously wasn't expecting this, specially because he himself has a good portion of guilt for what he did to Uruk and probably accepts that title of a tyrant so easily because of it. Gil is the type of character who wouldn't accept redeeming himself because it would mean to ignore the suffering he caused, so just like his way to mourn Enkidu is not having a second friend, his way to apologize to Uruk was dedicating the rest of himself to them and own the weight of his crimes.

Ah, im rambling. But what I want to say is that this moment was perfectly constructed. Nasu constructed the path for this moment very carefully, adding things here and there. Convos and actions. And it's very important because this is the turning point, this is the very reason why Hakuno was able to reach Gil's heart later.

#gilgamesh #hakuno kishinami #Hakunon #fate ccc #Im so happy that the game is finally translated because now I sabor this properly. #gilhaku #meta

[rottenpumpkin13]

More Highlights From the SOLDIER Group Chat

• Every time someone makes a grammatical mistake and butchers the English language, Genesis sends a copy of the Rosetta stone.

• Kunsel changing the group chat name to The Bad Bitch Brigade™

• Angeal's phone and microphone are broken as hell, but he refused to buy a new phone while his still works, so all of his audio messages make him sound like a chipmunk.

• Roche accidentally sent his "most to least attractive" list to the group chat. Genesis was at the very bottom. Genesis didn't shut up for six hours.

• Every time Sephiroth is questioned about something uncomfortable he responds with a model-esque selfie.

Lazard: Sephiroth did you break the training room again???

Sephiroth: *sends a picture perfect selfie of himself basking in the sunlight*

• Zack using the group chat as his personal journal until Lazard told him to stop because "No one wants to hear about the sweet potato shaped like a penis you had for lunch, Zackary, nor do we want to hear about the life advice the drunkard in sector 7 keeps giving you"

• On a similar note, Genesis uses the group chat as his personal to-do list. Lazard also had him stop after the items started getting more and more concerning. The last straw was:

1) Buy fireworks

2) Buy enough duct tape to hold a grown man

3) Summon Sephiroth to the rooftop at midnight

• Director Lazard thought the "😂" emoji meant a sad crying face, so he sent "I regret to inform you all that Mrs. Helen Thompson from the finance office has passed away 😂 💀"

• The day Genesis changed the group chat name to "LOVELESS study club" and began sending his LOVELESS analysis. Everyone left the group chat immediately. Including Lazard.

• The morning everyone hurried to the group chat to see why there were 5K messages. It turns out Kunsel and Zack were RP-ing.

• Sephiroth not knowing that "I'm dying" means the person is laughing. He twice sent paramedics to Genesis's office.

• Angeal, the admin, getting drunk and changing everyone's screen names to something ridiculous.

Sephiroth, Genesis and Zack became Mommy Issues, Used To Eat Chalk When We Were Six, and Hedgehog On Crack.

• Upon figuring out how to change the group chat name, Sephiroth changed it to The Mystery Penis™ Is [Redacted] and then turned his phone off.

• Zack sending a joke picture of him and Kunsel holding hands. Kunsel has hairy fingers so Angeal immediately responds with "WHAT DID YOU DO TO AERITH?"

• Sephiroth learns he doesn't need to respond to every messages and can instead use the reaction feature. This leads to gems such as:

Sephiroth reacted to - Genesis: SEPHIROTH, YOU LIMP DICK, DID YOU TELL LAZARD THAT I STOLE THE POPCORN MACHINE IN THE BREAK ROOM???: 👍

• Angeal changing the group chat name to "Dr. Phil audition tapes"

• Roche selling a used hair dryer and advertising it on the group chat as "USED HAIR, GOOD CONDITION, $20 GIL FREE SHIPPING

• That of course is followed by a mass advertisment spam where everyone is trying to sell their used products. Genesis in particular gets removed from the group chat for "ASSORTED TOYS, NEVER USED, SOLD TO ADULTS ONLY, $ 50 GIL A PIECE + AUTOGRAPH

• Genesis being removed allows Zack to advertise "BOX OF RANDOM SHIT I STOLE FROM GENESIS'S APARTMENT"

• Cloud, an infantryman who's secretly been a part of the group this whole time, finally outs himself the day Reno is discovered to be hiding in the group chat undercover.

• He sent this image:

#ffvii #ff7 #genesis rhapsodos #final fantasy 7 #sephiroth #angeal hewley #ffvii crisis core #ff7r #zack fair #final fantasy #final fantasy vii #ff #crack

[gretagerwigsmuse]

rooster jealousy fic 🥵🥵🥵

I want all of them

this probably isn’t what you imagined BUT it takes place in an eventual universe where bradley and smart aleck have kids. and yes in my dreams bradley goes as ted lasso for his first halloween with smart aleck and it kinda evolves into peewee soccer coach bradley bradshaw when they have kids since his girl digs it so much (it’s the fucking mustache i stg) - enjoy???

ask prompt

"Did you see that? You saw that, right?"

Bradley sputtered, frantically pointing across the soccer field to where you were chatting with Max's dad, Zach.

Fucking Zach. Bradley hated Zach. And his stupid crisp button downs and his smarmy face and his shiny loafers and his ridiculous fucking Shelby Cobra that was in no way safe for a child to ride in, unlike Bradley's family-friendly Land Rover. Plus, his son, Max, was a biter.

But more importantly, Bradley hated the way Zach got so close to you to talk about emerging markets or stock options or some shit like that. Fucking prick.

Beside him, Gil frowned. "See what? Mommy?"

"Yes, mommy," he sassed the five year old, not taking his eyes off you from behind his aviators. Wait, was he - no, he did not just put his hand on -

"- TWEEEEEEEEEET," Bradley blew the whistle hanging around his neck, causing his small battalion of five year olds to immediately freeze where they were aimlessly running on the field. If it also caused Zach to retreat his hand from where it was about to touch your arm then that was just a happy coincidence.

"Alright," Coach Bradshaw clapped his hands together a couple times, rounding up the troops, "good job today everyone - especially you, Maddie S, that flower crown looks dynamite on you, wanna see that energy on Saturday for our game against the Yellow Frogs, alright?"

Maddie S preened under the praise, while the rest of the kids nodded seriously. "We gotta keep that defense tight - that means no getting distracted by Jacob R, okay Emily? Yeah, heard about you at nap time the other day, little grabby for kindergarten, I think? That being said, I think Mrs. Armstrong brought orange slices and apple juice if you all want to head over for your snack - "

They dispersed without another word, except Gil, who was drawing what Bradley thought was a - dinosaur? a dog? he didn't really know - on his play whiteboard. He hazarded a glance across the field to see that you still were talking to Zach. God, your ass looked fucking perfect in your work skirt. How the hell you weren't sinking into the grass with those heels of yours?

"Hey, buddy?" Gil looked up. "Why don't we pack up all this stuff and go get mommy? Think she's talking to Max's dad..."

Gil made a face. “I don’t like Max -”

“- Well, I don’t like his dad,” Bradley muttered, hoping Gil didn’t hear, but the little boy giggled. 

The two Bradshaw men made quick work of picking up all the cones and practice pinnies and tossing them into a mesh bag along with the five or so soccer balls. Gil tried to carry the bag, but ended up dragging it, so Bradley picked it and Gil up and made his way across the field to you. The kid was too old to be picked up, but it made getting over to you quicker - Gil had short legs.

While Bradley and Gil had been cleaning up, Emily K’s dad, Adam, had joined Zach’s little tete-a-tete with you. Of course, none of them had their kids with them. Fucking typical. Emily was probably aimlessly walking around with orange juice dripping on her cleats. Bradley scowled as he approached the group, while Zach tossed him a quick wave. 

“Hey, Brad.” Bradley fucking hated being called Brad. 

“Hmmm, hi.”

You turned around at the sound of his voice and a huge smile lit up your face once you saw Bradley and Gil. 

“Mommy!" Gil squirmed in Bradley’s arms until he put him down, wanting to be let go.

“Hey, little man!” You ran your hands through Gil’s hair as he latched onto your legs in a hug. Suddenly, Bradley was jealous of his five year old and he gave you a longer than probably appropriate for six o’clock on a Tuesday kiss.

“Did you see me? I scored a goal!” Gil exclaimed, dancing on the spot.

You shot a quick glance over towards Bradley to double check. He nodded slightly, knowing you hadn’t seen that part of practice - and not because Zach and Adam had been monopolizing your time.

“Of course, I did! Amazing, as always, did daddy teach you that?” Gil giggled and then burrowed his face in the hem of your skirt when he realized there were two other men standing there.

Bradley took a step back towards you, resting his hand on the small of your back. You leaned into him and gave him a quick smile. “Zach was just talking about setting up a playdate with Gil next week - and then Adam thought maybe Emily could come over, too?”

Absolutely fucking not. The ink on Zach’s divorce papers was barely dry and Adam was - well, Adam wasn’t too bad and he probably had just wanted to see if Emily could have a playdate with Gil. They were in the same class, after all. And she wasn’t a biter. Even if she was a little handsy.

Bradley clicked his tongue. “You know, I think G-man’s a little booked up next week? We got a birthday party and then we’re gonna see Papa at the base.”

Gil looked up at him and his entire face lit up even though they were doing nothing of the sort - well, at least not yet. Clearly, when Bradley called Mav later, he would understand and extend the invite.

“Ahhh bummer. We were just exchanging numbers,” Zach nodded towards you, “so, maybe we can do something the week after?”

“Yeah, of course,” you said politely, “maybe next - ahh - week?”

Zach and Adam frowned at your sudden exclamation, but what they hadn’t seen was Bradley slide his hand underneath the waistband of your skirt and lace panties and dig his fingers into the top of your ass. Or the way he started drawing little circles with the pads of his fingers and dragged his nail down your spine. You swallowed.

He could see the goosebumps rising on your arms. Thankfully, your backs were both to the field and not the mass of parents and five year olds eating oranges.

“We uhh, we can work out the details on - Satur-day?” you stuttered out as Bradley dug his fingers into a rather sensitive knot on your back. 

“Sure, that’s fine...guess we’ll see you two around then?”

Bradley smiled at the two men for the first time since the conversation had started, but his good mood was more attributed to your slightly heaving chest, which he had perfect view of thanks to his height advantage. “Have a good night.”

With a brief glance back at the three of you, the two men set off to find their children - which they should have been keeping an eye on in the first place. Bradley retracted his hand.

You bit your lip and glanced up at him. “So, Coach Bradshaw, you gonna make me stay after practice for some one-on-one training? Promise I’ll try harder..."

“Nah, I got you booked for a private session later.” He leaned forward and kissed you, wrapping his arms around your waist, while you clasped yours around his neck. God, you smelled so pretty - he’d take you on the goddamn soccer field right now if there weren’t about twenty parents and five year olds around them.

Bradley only came back to himself and pulled away when he felt a slight tug on his joggers. He looked down at Gil. 

“Daddy? Can we get ice cream since I scored a goal? Please?”

A wicked smile crept across your face. “Yeah, daddy, can we get ice cream?”

Bradley threw back his head and groaned. God, you were fucking killing him tonight. He shot Gil an amused look. “If you can carry this bag,” he nodded towards the mesh bag at his feet, “all the way to the car, then we can get ice cream.”

Gil considered this and then grabbed the bag with his little hands. “Okay, I can do it! I can do it!”

The two of you laughed watching him slowly drag the bag across the grass and towards the parking lot. Bradley threw his arm around your shoulders pulling you close. 

“So, Max’s dad, huh?”

“Hmmm.”

“What do you mean hmmmm! I could see him making eyes at you from all the way across the field -”

“- He was not!” you protested.

Bradley snorted. “And you just happened to wear that tight little skirt to come to practice, huh?”

“Noticed that, did you - Gil, wait until your father and I catch up before going into the parking lot!” You glanced back up at Bradley. “I like when you get jealous, bubs, it’s cute -”

“- Cute!” He scoffed. “Hardly -”

“- Well, I suppose that’s not true, you were practically groping my ass on the field - isn’t that a Title IX violation or something?”

Bradley groaned. “Sweetheart, at least wait till we get home to start the dirty talk.”

“I make no promises - coach.” You winked and then walked ahead to meet Gil, shaking your hips with every step. “I’ll take Gil to Dairy Queen and we can meet you at home?”

Bradley stopped by his car. “You want ice cream, too?”

You turned around and scrunched your nose. “Not really, I actually have other plans in mind for dessert tonight...” Bradley groaned. “See you at home, daddy.”

thanks for reading x

prequel (ish)

#you're probably thinking - 'why the fuck did you name him gil?' #well this was the most ridiculous name sol and i came up with and now i'm oddly attached to it #i don't like the whole 'harry potter let's name our kids after people who died' thing so yeah #bradley bradshaw x reader #bradley rooster bradshaw x reader #bradley bradshaw #bradley and smart aleck #top gun #writing #asks #bradley fic

[celiciaa]

GILBERT VON OBSIDIAN EVENT STORY....

EPILOGUE.

Rhodolite’s horror night.

translations are not 100% accurate. expect mistakes.

trigger warning: mildly suggestive

minors and ageless blogs dni.

After the sudden test of courage, there were a lot of twists and turns, Emma and I became engaged.

And I still think about it in the summer.

(I’ve messed up….)

Looking down at my own body in front of my room.

Although my black military uniform didn’t show much, the stain was not something that could be covered up.

(And most importantly, it smells.)

I have some concerns, but I can't do anything about it, so I took a breath and opened the door.

Emma: Welcome back. You're late.

As expected, Emma was waiting in the room.

At first she greeted me with a smile, but she soon noticed.

Emma: This is….

It only took a moment for her cheerful expression to be replaced with fear.

Emma is a normal thinker, despite the fact that she is engaged to the big villain.

To be afraid of a bloody man never meant that she’s to crumble.

I was relieved about that.

Gilbert: Don't worry, okay? It's all blood.

Emma: I…see.

Gilbert: I normally do better than that.

(It was not good to use a sword unusually.)

Emma started to move after being frozen for quite a while.

Seeing her walking towards me, I restrained my hands.

Gilbert: Stay away. I don't want to dirty you.

Emma:….

Gilbert: Ah, I don't feel well, so I’ll go ahead and take a bath.

I turned my back on Emma without looking at her.

When I took off my blood-soaked military uniform, I heard the sound of the door closing behind me.

Gilbert: Oh no, little rabbit, how shameless of you.

Emma: I just thought you might need a change of clothes!

True to her words, she was holding a black shirt in her hand.

(Despite you’re scared, you’re such a worrywart.)

Emma hasn't left, even after placing down my shirt.

Gilbert: Would you like to join me?

Emma: No——

At first, Emma shook her head but then stopped as if she had a second thought.

Emma:….No, I feel like I would bother you.

Gilbert:……

Emma: But…now I think G-Gil wanted me to join.

Gilbert: Yeah, but I didn't think you'd actually nod.

Gilbert: You're shy about these things, aren't you?

Emma:…I thought it would be nice to do this once in a while.

(I don't know what kind of circumstances that is.)

Emma seemed to be serious and the two of us soaked in the bathtub.

The aristocrats, who were still terribly corrupt, gradually faded from my mind.

Gilbert: Hey, do you still smell the blood?

Emma: Not really.

Gilbert: If you say so.

When I hugged Emma, who was at a perfect distance from me, the scent of soap tickled my nose.

It's strange that even though the soap she used is the same, it feels sweeter with Emma.

When I buried my face in her skin to feel her scent more closely, she did not resist at all.

Gilbert: Weren't you scared just a minute ago?

Emma: Yes. …I still fear Gil from time to time.

Gilbert: You've opened up.

(Far better than being lied to.)

Emma: But I don't want to be scared.

Emma:….The more scared I get, the more it hurts Gil. // The more scared I was, the more hurt Gil looked.

Gilbert: What, that's new to me.

(I don't remember being hurt.)

Emma: Then again, maybe it's just my imagination…..

Emma:…Do you remember? The day when we played the test of courage at Rhodolite.

Gilbert: Of course, how could I forget?

(I got jealous because you were scared of ghosts.)

It brings back memories of when I mistreated Emma because I was uncomfortable with the idea of someone other than myself scaring her.

Emma: It was like Gil seemed to lookout for me, even though he was scaring me.

Emma: With a worried face, all the time….

Gilbert:…..

Emma:….I've been thinking since that day that I wanted to accept your scary side.

(If that were true, it would be too pathetic.) // (If that were true, she’s too pitiful.)

I thought I was good at faking facial expressions, even though I didn't want to lie.

However, it seems that I had become defenseless in front of Emma.

Emma: I don't think there's anyone with a more complicated and mysterious mind than Gil.

Gilbert: Ahaha, is that a compliment?

Emma:…I wish you were a little easier to understand.

Emma: It’s just….

Emma turns around and pecks me on the lips playfully.

Emma: Don't you dare scare me, my heart is already full of Gil.

Gilbert:…Hmm?

(I can't believe you were aware of all that.)

In front of Emma, everything may become irreproachable.

Gilbert: So, you want me to fill you up more?

When I bite her lightly in return, Emma accepts a deep kiss while the hot water swayed.

The more we entwined our tongues, the more we sweated on a midsummer night.

It's hot, yet I can't stop.

(I feel dizzy….)

I rubbed between her legs and Emma pulled her face away.

Emma: Not in a place like this…..

Gilbert: It's impossible to take a bath and do nothing.

Having her legs spread open and I stroked her heat with my fingers.

Gilbert: You were really hoping for it too.

I gathered enough of her nectar to make a clear difference even in the hot water and displayed it in front of Emma’s eyes.

Emma turned her head away from my stringed/soaked fingers.

Emma:…Gil is more troublesome than the ghosts of that day.

Gilbert: Of course.

As I plunged one more finger inside her and reached her sensitive spot.

Emma shivered as the water splashed, and her sweet voice made the air in the bathroom hotter.

Still tormenting her without removing my fingers, Emma shook her head, saying that she is at her limit.

Gilbert: Hehe, I won’t stop.

I couldn't suppress a wicked smile as Emma’s body trembled violently.

(I'll make sure you know there's nothing scarier than me.)

(….I'm the only one you'll ever remember.)

 ▸       [  previous ]

#ikemen prince #ikepri #ikemen prince spoilers #ikepri jp #ikepri translations #ikemen series #cybird #gilbert von obsidian #ikepri gilbert

[telli1206]

I Won't Let Go

Happy Holidays @bucket-barnes! I'm your Descendants Secret Santa. I did my best for a little Harry hallucination holiday angst for you. I hope you like it!

Harry is dealing with past trauma in Auradon during Christmas, and Uma and Gil are there to get him through it. Just a little fluff and angst for the holidays ❤❄

AO3

Uma’s hand tightens on the doorknob. Her eyes are tilted downward, following her own movement as if in a trance. She’s trying so hard to focus on the dinged-gold gleam of the metal rather than the words being spoken to her.

“Uma? You get what I’m saying, right? It’s for his own good. T-to, help him, I guess? I just…I want to keep him safe.”

Her chest feels tight, and the next breath she sucks in is borderline painful. But she plasters on the most genuine-looking smile she can muster, looking Ben in the eye with her chest puffed in fake bravado.

“Of course, Ben,” she coos, brushing her hand along his arm in a reassuring way. “If there’s anyone here that knows what’s best for us, it’s you. If you think Harry needs this, I’m in.”

Ben flashes her a grin, the most white and straight and perfect one she’s ever seen still, despite being surrounded by them now in a world of prim princes and princesses. There’s a sadness in his eyes, though. Uma feels like she’s been recognizing it more often. Whenever Ben has to acknowledge how the Isle has made their lives different, she sees it. And she finds she can really appreciate that about Ben in this moment. Neither of them wants to do this, but they both care enough about Harry to know it needs to be done.

“So, you really want to be in there, with him? I’d hate to keep you confined, too.” Ben’s chewing his lip, his brow furrowed with worry. “Once I lock the door it has to stay that way. The clock’s going to start ticking down the minutes to the parade in about…10 minutes?” He tells her with a brief glance to his watch. “And then the bells go off for a full minute after that. I think Harry’s going to need the full night to recover. After what happened at that Tourney game, I can’t risk it. The gash on Jay’s leg isn’t even fully healed yet.”

Uma winces at the thought. That wasn’t the first time they realized the Tourney bell could set Harry off, but it was definitely the worst. He had lunged at Jay simply because the boy was closest to the direction of the sound, so he got the brunt of Harry’s swing. Jay hadn’t stood a chance.

She shook her head sternly. “I’m not leaving him alone, Ben. He needs me.”

And I need him. The thought goes unsaid, but the tiny smile quirking at the end of Ben’s lips makes his understanding clear. With a gentlemanly wave of his hand, he grants Uma’s entrance through Harry’s door.

There’s no hesitation in Uma’s step. She charges through the door with the same determination and confidence she always has when she’s coming to see Harry. Like she wants to be here. Because she does.

In this moment, there’s nowhere else she’d rather be.

The second he meets her eyes, Harry’s smile gleams so bright. Warm and all-encompassing, reaching all the way to the crinkles of his ocean-blue eyes.

He always smiles that way when he sees her, Uma knows that. Because she always feels that same familiar heat pool in her belly when he does it, like she’s the only thing he ever needs to see again. The only thing he wants in his life, forever.

“Love, you’re back!” Harry proclaims, his arms already outstretched for her. He waits patiently that way, his wide grin unwavering until Uma’s in his arms, her tangle of braids spilling into his face as he envelops her.

“I was hopin’ ye weren’t gonna make me spend Christmas Eve without ya,” he said, voice muffled into the side of her neck. She shakes her head vigorously at that, making him chuckle.

“Don’t be a dolt, Harry. You know that would never happen.” She pulls back to smack him on the chest, the gesture missing all its animosity as she couldn’t fight the smile off her face. Harry ducks into her space, looking up into her eyes with a teasing smirk on his lips.

“A dolt, am I? But I’m your dolt, so what does that make you?”

“Well-“

“CAP’N! HARRY!”

Uma’s eyes whip to the door when Gil comes bounding in, practically toppling over Ben as he tries to open the door. She swallows a snort at the comical way the blond boy rolls over the king’s arm, flipping into a somersault and jumping up to his feet in an almost graceful flop. He flashes a toothy grin when he’s finally standing in front of them, panting audibly as he tries to offer a little bow for them.

Harry bursts out a laugh at that, picking up Uma in his arms to bow them both in return, eliciting a giggle from her while she clings desperately to his neck. Harry stands up quickly though when a loud cough erupts from the doorway.

“Eh, well…I guess Gil…we’ll see you in the morning too?” Ben stammers slowly, his smile halfway curling in an uncomfortable way. “Just, you all have a good night. And Merry Christmas!”

Ben waves as he closes the door, barely nodding an acknowledgment at the way Harry waves wildly back, almost dropping Uma to the ground as he does so. She lands on her feet though, brushing herself off quickly so she can jump on Gil and hug him tightly.

“Gil, what are you doing here?” Uma demands, smiling easily when he hugs her close. He’s sighing happily, and she lets it happen for a few moments before pulling back to look at him.

“Really, you should be out, enjoying the holiday stuff! You don’t need to be stuck inside.”

Gil’s brows knit together as he stares at Uma, clearly dumbfounded.

“Why would I want to do that when you an’ Harry are in here? That stuff doesn’t matter if I don’t have you guys! You know I love you, don’t you Ums?”

Uma bites her lip at that, holding her breath to fight down the swell of tears that’s starting to build.

“Yeah, Gil. Yeah. I know.” She smiles at him, turning to stand beside him to throw an arm over his shoulders.

“And you love our first mate too, right? We both do,” she adds with a wink, relishing in the way Harry beams back at them.

“Course!” Gil agrees, quickly jumping on Harry. They fall back on the bed in a hug, Harry nearly bellowing with laughter as Gil squeezes him tight, tickling his neck when he buries his nose there.

“I was bummed when Ben told me you guys couldn’t come out of this room, so I made him lock me in too,” Gil added in his muffled voice. He lifted his head to look at Harry, his expression changing to confusion when he sees the smile unexpectedly slip from Harry’s face.

“Locked…in?” Harry repeats. “So we can’t get out?” He glances at Uma. “What’s he talkin’ about?”

Uma huffs, but forces a smile back on her face. As much as she loves Gil, sometimes he could really stand to have some sense knocked into him.

“It’s nothing!” She waves it away, walking up to Harry to grab him by the forearms. “I wanted to have a nice Christmas, just us. I told Ben not to let anyone bother us, ok? I’m sick of all bells and lights and singing and that…eggnog crap that tastes like spoiled milk with cake mix thrown in.”

She emphasizes her last comment with a fake gag, forcing a slight chuckle out of Harry. She throws a quick glance over Harry’s shoulder to Gil, who’s just staring at her, eyes blank and confused. She tries to give him a little wink, but she’s sure it’s not enough for him to understand what she’s doing. Still, she tips her head their way, indicating for Gil to join them, and her shoulders relax when he simply shrugs and follows her.

“Can we snuggle Harry? I just need some time with my boys. This winter weather is shit. I’d like nothing more than to lay in bed and maybe watch a movie on the laptop.” She grabs Gil and yanks them both to stand beside her.  

“‘Pirates of the Caribbean’?” She adds, pouting her lips hopefully.

Harry grins instantly. “Oh Cap’n, you always know how to get me to do yer biddin’.”

She smiles brightly, pushing Harry back towards the bed. As he crawls into place, Uma is quick to pull Gil close to her.

“Clock ticking’s about to start,” she mumbles quietly, eyes still on Harry. “Make sure you have both arms around Harry as soon as we lay down, got it? The next 10 minutes are gonna be real tough on him. And us.”

She looks up briefly to Gil, relief flooding her chest when his eyes widen in recognition. He nods and scrambles quickly onto the bed, prompting another cackle from Harry when he leaps on top of him, wrapping his arms and legs around him and locking them together on the bed.

Uma manages a shaky laugh at the sight, her eyes darting quickly around the room for a second. She spots Harry’s hook on a high shelf, where Ben had made him set it when they arrived in Auradon. His sword is mounted in a case on the wall, out of commission.

She sighs in relief and crawls her way onto the bed, carefully positioning herself on the other side of Harry. He’s still laughing, and she offers a loving smile as she lays her head on his shoulder, placing a hand over his and Gil’s on his chest. Her grip tightens as the clock ticks its first, and she’s fast to swing her other arm behind Harry’s shoulder, holding firmly as his eyes bulge at the sound.

Harry’s face quickly twists from fear to anger as his fists begin to clench. Uma plants a small kiss to his shoulder before closing her eyes and bracing herself.

“Love you Harry,” she whispers softly, before the silence of the room is lost to a heart-wrenching scream.

#descendants #huma #gil descendants #harry descendants #uma descendants #descendants fandom #disney descendants #descendantsgiftexchange #bucket-barnes #garry #gil/harry/uma #gil/harry #gil/uma #harry/uma

[prismaticpichu]

Picture this: Seph winning Zack a plushie that he was staring at in the rigged claw machine. It’s too cute I can’t—

AHHHHH THE FEEELS 😭 BRILLIANT MIND! ❤️

~~~

“You want one, don’t you?”

It was hardly even a question: Zack had been staring at the box of plushies for over forty-five seconds now, an obvious longing in the bright blue eyes that Sephiroth knew took every ounce of his willpower to bridle. Well-played by the diner, to have a claw machine placed strategically in the corner of their restaurant. It was practically magnetism—an irresistible force aimed to draw in youthful, innocent, somewhat-impulsive spirits. And conveniently for them, Zack fit perfectly into that bill.

Sephiroth wiped away his smirk as Zack turned back towards him.

“…Maaaaybe,” Zack admitted sheepishly, but the kind of sheepishness that told Sephiroth he was still comfortable confessing such a thing. A playful smile brightened his lips. “Can I borrow some Gil?”

Sephiroth scoffed, not harshly. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah!” Zack chirped. “I want that Elfadunk!”

Sephiroth cast a brief glance towards the machine—and, oh, there it was. Nestled between a cluster of other monsters was indeed a small, felty, beady-eyed Elfadunk turned on its side against the glass. Turned on its side, so it could of course be in perfect position to maximize its allure—a tantalizing treasure with big beady eyes that was gazing right back at them.

Oh Gaia.

“Soooooo….” Zack blinked. “Can I have a coin?”

“You don’t need it.” Sephiroth cut another piece of his food.

“But it’s so cute!” Zack continued, like it was the most sound reasoning he could give. “Pleeease Seph? I lost my wallet again.”

Ignoring the implication that he was going to have to pay for both of their meals—and the concerning addition of “again”—Sephiroth put a hand over his eyes, unable to help himself from rippling with quiet, amused chuckles at the sheer stupidity of what it was Zack wanted to do. Zack, a SOLDIER First Class, one of the best in the military, wanting nothing more than to win a stuffed creature that he could put on his bed and cuddle with and most likely name. It truly was stupid.

But, he supposed…. it was the precious kind of stupidity. The irreplaceable kind. No one else in his life would dare ask to borrow money so they could spend it on a cheap arcade game. No one else would even dare bring him to a place where such a thing would even exist. No one would even dream of it. No one would have the heart to.

Shaking his head, Sephiroth reached into his pocket and slid a shiny gold coin across the table.

“There,” he said, peeling his hand away from his eyes. “Go wild, my friend.”

Zack’s face exploded with glee. “Aww man! Thanks, bud! You’re the best!”

The smile lingered on Sephiroth’s lips as he watched Zack zip across the room and over to the game. He watched him insert the coin, watched as the machine came to life. Watched as he skillfully maneuvered the claw over the respective spot he wanted—just where the tip of the Elfadunk’s trunk poked through. Watched as he pressed the button, as the claw descended, as it grasped the trunk, as it pulled it out, as he maneuvered it back to the little pit and—

Dropped it.

Sephiroth frowned, a full and deep crease on his lips. What on Gaia was that? He had the plushie—right there. He had done the hard part—the skillful part—had accurately hovered the claw in the exact spot that it needed to be in order to get the toy he desired. He had it. The claw had a firm grasp on it.

So why on GAIA did it drop it?

Sephiroth frowned, rising from the booth and making his way over.

Zack looked utterly deflated as he stared at the plushie—mere feet away from the pit where he needed to drop it.

“No dice,” he said sadly, glancing up at the warrior and shaking his head in defeat. “Oh well. Guess it was fun to—what are ya doing, Seph?”

Steely, determined, Sephiroth remained silent as he inserted another coin into the machine and watched the mocking beads of illumination come alight. Eyes fixated on the Elfadunk, Sephiroth maneuvered the claw until its shadow stretched over the toy. Double-checked all angles to make sure it would grasp it.

He pressed the button, and watched the claw descend.

Down. Down. Down.

The claw fell over the toy.

The claw closed.

And the claw ascended.

…

…

…

With nothing in its grasp.

Sephiroth remained silent for several beats, motionless. Blank. Well—blank, that was, until his vacuous expression slowly morphed into a sharp, indignant glare at the toy still sitting pretty amid the other plushies. A glare slow powerful that one would think the glass would melt away under its heat. A glare that little saw, and little would like to see. A glare reserved for only the most horrible, treacherous, unbearably vexing complexes in the world.

…..What?? WHAT?

Was the claw made of grease? Was the claw made of GREASE? What kind of nonsense was this…..?!

Zack stared again at the Elfadunk, a whole new wave of defeat crashing over his face. “Aww man…” he said, before turning his attention back to the General. “That was so close, bud. Thanks for trying.”

Sephiroth gazed at the boy’s face for a moment—at the disappointment in his eyes against the bustling backdrop of the diner, at the slight wobble to his smile that told him he really wasn’t smiling much at all. It was a look of sorrow, a look of sadness. And Sephiroth’s heart twisted taut.

He… had let Zack down. He had just wanted to get him the plushie when he had so rightfully deserved it. And he had failed. He had failed his best friend.

….No.

He wouldn’t fail a friend. Not now. Never again.

Sephiroth whipped his head back towards the claw machine, the green eyes narrowing to daggers.

This… this was personal now.

And that’s how every eye in the restaurant became fixated on the incredulous sight of General Sephiroth spending dozens of Gil on a old-timey claw machine. Waiters stopped in their paths, customers stopped eating their food. Sure, people were starstruck when the man first walked in; but that star had exploded into a supernova, and no one could look away.

Not that Sephiroth cared.

Up, down, the claw went.

Up. Down.

Up. Down.

Nothing.

Nothing.

Nothing.

Up. Down.

Up. Down.

Up—

And, finally, it happened.

It happened.

Sephiroth watched with unwavering intensity as the claw went down for the 21st time, as it grasped around the toy. As those metal fingers cupped around the plushie’s body, as those metal fingers closed. As those metal fingers cupped around the toy and closed and began lifting the elusive Elfadunk into the air. As those metal fingers cupped around the toy and closed and began lifting the elusive Elfadunk into the air and—

Dropped it.

…

…

…

Into the pit.

The diner erupted into a tempest of applause. People cheered, roared, high-fiving one another and waving their napkins. It was a sight to behold, truly—bigger than any recent sports victory in the city, a concourse of triumph and joy and domination.

But Sephiroth didn’t hear a single one of them, didn’t hear a single clap or shout. His mind was too focused on something else.

Sephiroth practically sank to his knees as he lowered to the belly of the machine and reached in to grab the plushie. It felt like touching a ghost, as his fingers grazed the real, tangible, uncaged felt before him. He withdrew the plushie from the machine with a swell in his heart—and a swell that only grew bigger as he saw the sheer joy on Zack’s face as he handed him the toy.

“You did it, Seph! You did it! You actually did it!” Zack hugged the toy against his chest, squeezing it with asphyxiating strength. “Thank you thank you thank you I love you so much!” And, suddenly, it wasn’t the toy that Zack was throttling anymore as he raced forward, and gave his friend a monstrous, grateful hug.

Sephiroth didn’t miss a beat. He wound his own arms around the boy in turn, his joy contagious and the man’s pockets empty, embracing his closest friend with the Elfadunk like glue between them, neither wanting to let go.

“Awwwwwwwwwww,” the diner harmonized.

Sephiroth’s cheeks flared coral as he realized—very sharply—that they were indeed still in public.

Well, ok. He let go then.

———

The Elfadunk was later christened Fidelis, a foreign translation of “loyalty” (Zack Moogle-searched it). Fidelis was slept with every night—and became quite iconic around Midgar. Even more iconic was the newspaper-captured story of General Sephiroth spending all his pocket change for his lieutenant. “Generous Sephiroth” some SOLDIERs would call him—a nickname that Zack adored but Sephiroth would quite frankly want burned to the ground. But what did any of that matter, anyway? Zack was happy that day.

Which meant Sephiroth was too <3

#sephiroth #ffvii #zack fair #crisis core #ff7 #randomness #asks #ty!! #pichu writing #this devolved into insanity ooopps #it was originally gonna be more genuine I promise 😂 #idk WHAT HAPPENED #THOSE STUPID CLAWS MAN

[gilver-showing-up-archive]

DMC Questions Anon here!

What do you think are the biggest fears of each of the DMC cast (that you want to talk about)?

Some of these or more evident than others I think.

Vergil for instance, is basically stated to be most afraid of being powerless in Visions of V, and that's basically what started the plot of DMC 5.

For Dante, there's less explicitly said about it, but I think he's most afraid of being alone, which is interesting considering how he pretty consistently tries to inflict this on himself, though that's mostly because it goes hand in hand with his other biggest fear, which is the people he cares about dying because of him, spawned mostly from his time as Tony Redgrave (thanks Gil).

Nero is also afraid of being powerless, though it's more specifically not being strong enough to save the people he loves, as shown by the pre DMC 4 demon attack with Kyrie, the death of Credo, and climaxing in stopping Dante and Vergil from killing each other.

The rest would basically be up to head cannon, but let's say that Trish is most afraid of losing her free will (huge missed opportunity in 5), and Lady is most afraid of being betrayed like her father did to her, which is why she acts so abrasive.

I'm not really confident about any others, but I'm sure someone has thought of something really neat with Patty and Kyrie and Credo etc.

Also, obligatory Gilver mention: Gil is probably afraid of being inferior to the Sons of Sparda. He was designed to be a perfect combination of their combat data after all, it only makes sense that he's better than both of them. He of course isn't, hence his big nonverbal freakout upon his death.

#anon showing up #dmc questions anon #this was a fun one

[that-angry-noldo]

A fic where Finarfin meets Elrond and Elros during the War of Wrath!!

tumblr user thelordofgifs. grips your shoulders. this fic has been haunting me all day. whole day spent brainstorming and i still have no idea how do i want to proceed. gazes at you grimly (/lh)

"-and then he CHARGED AT IT WITH A SONG, ELROND! Elrond, I may have accidentally fallen in love with how absolutely unhinged he looked. Elrond-"

"You cannot fall in love with your great-granduncle," Elrond grunted, and pinched Elros, prompting him to sit still while he was quickly braiding his hair. "Besides, he's married."

"No- no, Elrond, you don't understand, it was absolute perfection. That Balrog didn't stand a chance."

"It stood a very good chance," Gil-Galad groaned from the other side of the tent. "Which it proved. Your great-granduncle didn't slay it. It was almost quite the opposite, really."

"Excuse you," Elros protested, "it pretty much was almost dead by the end of the fight! It fled, I saw it with my own eyes!"

"And your great-granduncle almost lost his life in the process!" Gil-Galad snapped. "Was it heroic? Yes. Was it idiotic? Absolutely! You don't charge at Balrogs, Elros, you find the quickest way to escape. For Ulmo's sake."

Elros rolled his eyes. "You're so boring, cousin. I bet you also think Fingolfin challenging Morgoth was dumb."

"Let's not talk about my opinions on Fingolfin. Elrond, you should visit the healing tents when you're done with your twin. They might need your help."

"Sure."

"I'll go with him!" Elros perked up. Elrond rolled his eyes.

"Of course," Gil-Galad sighed. "Whatever to get you out of my sight, you reckless child."

~

The tents were quiet. Sometimes someone would groan in pain or whisper a few hushed words of delirium; but all the serious cases were already taken care of, and Elrond couldn't help but feel relieved at that.

"Elrond!" someone cried quietly. It was a healer, one of the main ones. He quickly made his way to them. "I'm glad you're here."

"I wanted to offer my help."

"How good are you at playing harp?"

Elrond froze, taken aback by the question. Elros scoffed. Imagine if Maglor heard this. Do you think he'd take that as an insult to his parenting abilities?

"I am... alright at playing harp, I guess? I know how to play a song or two."

"Excellent. Follow me."

"It's about the King," the healer continued. "He's in stable condition, but he's weak, after that- stunt he pulled. He can't rest properly, any sleep is interrupted by nightmares. Music might help him."

"Alright," Elrond said. "I'll see what I can do."

~

This wasn't the first time Elrond saw Finarfin. He saw him leave for battles, or walk through camp; the King was always cool and collected, with strong voice, steady eyes, and an aura of security that radiated through him.

Well, Elrond was a healer. He knew what wounds do to the strongest of warriors.

The room was barely lit. There was a simple bed in the middle, and a man lying on it, half-lidded eyes wandering the ceiling. His body was covered in bandages, breath shallow; long golden hair was glowing with a weak unsteady light.

"Your Majesty," Elrond called quietly, and gestured Elros to get on the other side of the tent. "Can you hear me?"

The man's eyes opened, and his gaze fell on Elrond. It lingered there for a second. A faint smile painted the King's face.

"You must be one of Eärendil's boys. You look just like your parents."

Elrond smiled. "Yes, I am. I am Elrond, and over there is Elros. How do you feel?"

The King closed his eyes. Elrond waited until they opened again.

"Imagine if... you were whipped, and then slammed with a sledgehammer."

"Yes, I suppose that's what happened. Are you in pain?"

"A bit. Nothing- unusual," the King breathed, and then smiled again. "It's nice to - to finally meet you, Peredhil. I would- meet you before, but Ereinion-"

"You shouldn't talk, you Majesty."

"Finarfin. Or Arafinwë. Whatever you prefer."

"We've been calling you great-granduncle," Elros said, insecure. The King laughed, then winced and coughed. He lay back on the pillow, exhausted.

"Well. That works too, though I'm a- great-great granduncle, am I not?"

"Yes, but that's a mouthful."

"Ah. I guess you... have... a point."

"Quit talking, your Majesty," Elrond sighed again, tugging at the harpstrings experimentally. "You should rest. Try to sleep."

The King closed his eyes slowly. Elrond looked at his twin, and Elros nodded.

They Sang a lullaby - the one Maglor would sing to them during thunderstorms, or to chase away their nightmares. By the time they finished, the King was fast asleep, his face still pale, but his breath steady, and his body relaxed. Elrond nodded to his twin, and they quietly left the tent.

(worth noting that i already have a fic with similar idea! it's called "the king and the healer" :) finarfin and elrond discuss their problematic family)

#it actually turned out nice!! i'm glad #elrond #elros #finarfin #war of wrath #and before you ask no finarfin didn't willingly fight a balrog #he was cornered and had no other choice #thank yoi for the prompt!

[sanhatipal]

So.....my PH 15th music box came in the same box with that one Alice keychain from the anime (I wanted her for a long time,it was very cheap so I added it) and honestly? I'm losing my shit

SHE'S. SO. SMOL.

Tiny doesn't even begin to describe her. She's miniscule. Teeny tiny. Itty bitty

Next to a NENDO

A Nendoroid Petite

Next to the chibi Oz figure from vol 20 and my custom Alice chibi

She's basically Cu poche Alice's Alice doll

Hell this is her next to a Takara Tomi mascot figure and those are tiny on their own right

I

Am

Cracking up

I'm gonna choke laughing

Of course the only perfect place for her is on Gil's head.

#Pandora Hearts #jun mochizuki #alice baskerville #My merch #I'M LOSING IT GUYS #I love her but I can't stop laughing 😭😭

[bigasswritingmagnet]

Ruined

Fandom: Girl Genius Pairing: Bangladesh Dupree/Vole (discussed), Agatha/Gil (background) Summary: Bang has seen Vole's new look, but only now learns that the man she fell for has changed on the inside, too.

It's clearly all Gil's fault.

Ao3 link

“You ruined him!”

Gil ducks the knife automatically, but is caught enough off guard that Dupree’s foot actually manages to make contact with his jaw. He hits the ground and rolls as another knife pings off the stone floor. With an inelegant but effective twist, he’s on his feet again, but the tears in Dupree’s eyes stop him short.

“He was perfect!” Dupree wails, clutching her knife to her chest. “He was perfect and you ruined him!”

“What are you talking about?” he demands. The next knife barely misses him, and Gil is honestly not sure if Dupree is not putting her all into trying to kill him, or if her aim is affected by her crying.

It’s rather horrifying.

“Wait—Wait, are you…do you mean Vole? That was almost a year ago, why are you mad at me now?”

“Because I didn’t know until now! You made him an even bigger monster than before, but only on the outside!

"Wh—Hang on—"

“I’ve been looking all over for him! And when I finally found him, and I asked him out, do you know what he said? Do you know what he said?”

Gil silently shakes his head, mystified.

“He said he doesn’t like to kill things for fun anymore!” Dupree sobs.

Gil bursts out laughing from sheer surprise, and then immediately takes off running as Dupree hurls herself at him. He serpentines down the hallway, knives zipping past him.

Where does she keep them all? He thinks, wildly.

“Castle! Maybe you’d like to do something about the attempted murder of your lady’s consort?” he shouts at the ceiling.

‘You must know I do not.’

Gil swings around a corner, jumps up, lands on the wall, pushes off, flips over Dupree’s head and takes off back the way he came. Behind him he hears Dupree collide with and be toppled over by something metallic and heavy , but he knows it’ll only stall her.

“Agatha will be really upset.”

‘I think the young lady has a legitimate grievance against you,’ the castle says, primly.

“Oh of course you do!”

Gil makes it as far as the stairs before something hits the back of his head, hard, with a crash of breaking pottery. He goes tumbling halfway down before he manages to grab hold of the banister and stop his fall. Sprawled on the stairs, Gil looks up. Dupree stands at the top of the stairway, glaring down at him, eyes blazing through tears. She looks like she walked off the set of a particularly melodramatic penny opera.

“He was the only man I ever loved,” she says, sounding as histrionic as she looks, “and you ruined him.”

“You knew him for five minutes,” Gil points out. “You didn’t even have a conversation with him, you just listened to him rant about how much he wanted to set Europa on fire!”

“That was all I needed," she snarls.

“What is going on out here?”

Agatha and Zeetha have appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Agatha has her hands on her hips, her brow furrowed. Zeetha is finding great amusement in Gil's difficulties, but what else is new.

“Dupree is mad at me because Vole is no longer a ruthless homicidal maniac.”

“Vole?” Zeetha repeats.

Agatha gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. She looks up at Dupree, wide eyed.

“You two would be perfect for each other!” she says.

“Not now! Not after Wulfenbach got done with him!” Dupree cries. “He doesn’t even want to set anything on fire anymore! He said he was tired of fighting!”

Gil watches in open mouthed astonishment as both women walk straight past him to fuss over Dupree. Agatha pulls her into a hug and Dupree sobs against her chest.

“You poor thing,” Zeetha says, with all signs of genuine compassion.

“It’s not fair!” Dupree bawls. Agatha shoots Gil a disapproving look.

“All I did was pull him out of the time stop!” Gil cries in protest. “It’s not my fault that the process put him through a personalized metaphorical hell that caused introspection leading to a changed outlook on life!”   

No one is listening.

���Come on,” Zeetha says, gently. “Let’s get some chocolate in you.”

“He’s not the only bloodthirsty, amoral monster you’ll ever meet,” Agatha reassures Dupree as they guide her down the hallway.

Gil sits up, puts his elbows on his knees, and his chin on his fists, glowering at the far wall.

“I didn’t hear anyone complaining when we used what I learned to get Tarvek out,” he grumbles.

‘I think you should be a little more sympathetic,’ the castle says. Gil chokes.

“Are you serious?”

‘I knew Vole of old,’ the castle says, and adds, mournfully, ‘Their wedding would have been a bloodbath.’

“Oh, shut up.”

#girl genius #bangladesh dupree #gilgamesh wulfenbach #bang/vole #do they have a ship name I don't know #i FINALLY finished something and also was satisfied with it enough to post

[feyhunter78]

Hiii would you be able to do hcs for Elrond on his wedding day? I just went to a wedding tonight and I’m feeling very 💓 at the thought of him just being so happy and in love while preparing to spend the rest of his life with his s/o skdjsksk thanks so much!!

I'm so glad you had a good time at that wedding anon, I loveee weddings!!!! Here's my take on your request!

Elrond Wedding HCs

A wedding is a big deal for Elrond. To have found someone he wishes to spend his life with, who accepts and cares for him to such depth that they are willing to bind their soul to his, is something he’s longed for since he was a child.

He loves love and loves the idea of having someone by his side forever. He’s been left so many times and the fact that you’ve stayed, despite all the obstacles, no matter what happened, he’s just so grateful.

Of course, you’re grateful, too. Elrond is a wonderful partner who cares so deeply for you, and when he asked you to marry him, it was such an easy choice. You loved him with your whole being, and knew he felt the same.

You honestly don’t do much of the planning, Elrond is so on top of it. Of course, he’s always asking for your opinion, but he gets so “in the zone” that you really only have to focus on what you want to wear. This at first was a little odd to you, but you were so busy with your own work that you didn’t mind. If Elrond wanted to do it, then you were going to let him.

He just wants everything to be perfect for you, and honestly wears himself a bit thin. So, you end up having to pull him aside and remind him that you are more than capable of helping—that you would love to help, and that you want him to be able to enjoy the wedding as well.

He finally relents and you both spend time together planning, looking at flowers, tasting cakes, and just generally enjoying each other’s company. It’s these little things that made him fall in love with you, and it’s his dedication to your happiness that made it so easy for you to say yes to him.

Celebrimbor definitely made y’all’s rings, and he helped Elrond figure out what he’s going to wear. It’s an adorable sight to see your future husband so dazzled over (one of) his hero(es) so invested in your wedding. Elrond is taken so aback by how much the other people in his life want to be involved.

Speaking of outfits, dress, pantsuit, robe, whatever you wear, Elrond is going to cry. He already thinks you look absolutely beautiful even when you’re a complete mess, so seeing you all dressed up, walking towards him with such a radiant smile on your face? He can’t wipe the tears away fast enough. You end up having to do it for him, which makes him fall even deeper in love with you.

He's just so happy to have you, he could get married in the ruins of Mordor and still be the most joyful being in Middle Earth. And obviously that didn’t happen, you got married in Lindon in a beautiful ceremony that Gil-galad officiated, surrounded by your friends and family. It was a whirlwind and of course some drama occurred, but as long as you’re there holding his hand, Elrond is content.

Tag list: @nyctophilic0vitnir, @elronds-pointy-ears, @elrondscalaquendi, @dilf-superiority, @jesticace

#meg's writing #anon request #thanks for the request! #i hope you like it!!!! #elrond headcanons #rop elrond #elrond rop #young elrond #elrond x reader #elrond x you #elrond x y/n #elrond peredhel #young!elrond #young elrond fanfic #rop fanfiction #rop

[softquietsteadylove]

Ahhhh second first date! Second first date! Of course i need to know how it goes!!

"And the server was definitely super jealous of me."

Thena laughed again. That was all she'd been doing since they left the house, she was quite sure. Since Gil 'picked her up', that was to say.

It was very sweet. He had showed up at her guest room door, dressed up and with a charming smile, even making an attempt to look nervous. He asked if she was ready, offered his arm; he was the perfect gentleman for their first date.

Her second chance.

Of course she had to know more about their first-first date. And Gil was happy to elucidate her once she insisted enough that telling her that much would not cause her brain to catch fire (as the doctor seemed to have implied in some way).

"But it was a nice dinner, then I walked you back to where you were staying at the end of the beach," he recounted, his eyes completely starry. "I had never gotten to actually have a romantic walk on the beach, before. Total bucket list stuff."

"It sounds lovely," she remarked mildly, without much choice with no memory of it for herself.

"The moon was out and everything, and it looked really pretty with your hair and your white dress, and the shawl thing-y you had on over it." Gil gestured vaguely to simulate the flowing garment she had worn over her bare shoulders. It certainly painted a picture, and she was quite sure she knew what he was referring to, having glimpsed a long white shawl in their closet.

She tried not to laugh too hard, mindful of the gentle atmosphere of the bakery. The tables were really just for people waiting for orders. They didn't have a fancy coffee machine, or an official barista. But Gil did bring out cups of real, boiled hot cocoa from the back--a secret only for their own, of course. They were waiting on their fresh baked pastries to come out and cool.

"I was so distracted by you that I didn't even realise when we were back at your doorstep," he sighed, but his comedic tone faded. He looked at her more softly, leaning his cheek against his hand. "I told you flat out that I was having such a good time I wished you were staying further away."

Thena attempted to laugh into her mug, this time.

"You laughed at it then, too." He sounded more wistful now. "But I told you I was serious and asked if I could see you again. I don't know why you were so surprised."

Probably because she had never been one to be asked out by someone like him. Men, sure, but not very sweet, very funny, very honest gentlemen like Gil. Just...men. She wasn't approachable enough for someone as sweet and charming as Gil.

She still thought that, to a degree.

"But you agreed, and I asked if I could kiss you too," he at least smiled at this part of the story, although his longing for the past remained. "You said I didn't have to ask, which wasn't a yes, but I guessed I was supposed to read between the lines."

Again, the Thena in the story and Thena herself in the present were different people. But she felt her stomach clench faintly at the idea.

"I did kiss you," Gil sighed, returning to his lighter, more jovial tone. "And it totally blew my mind. I mean if I wasn't in love with you already, that would'a done it."

"Gil," she admonished lightly, partly laughing and partly sheepish at the description of this passionate kiss she couldn't remember at all.

"What?" he chuckled before taking a sip of his own hot chocolate. "You wanted to know. And that date changed the rest of my life, sweetheart."

She liked it when he called her that. She nodded, looking down at her mug. "I suppose I did. It's a nice story."

"Yeah," Gil concluded, although his sigh felt a little heavier.

She still didn't have any memories of her own to contribute. But she attempted to jump over that wave of guilt, trying to put a smile back on his handsome face. "What was our second date like?"

He clearly knew what she was trying to do, but he kept quiet about it at least. He pulled himself up in his seat and started his next story. "Well, we were still on vacation. I asked a little more about you, and you at least told me you were an artist, and you were there on leave because you found teaching wasn't really your thing."

Thena winced faintly. She was sure that was an understatement. She did have memories of teaching before moving to their current residence, and none of them made her glad to have them instead of memories of Gil.

"I told you that I had been a boxer in college, and that I was just working some boring office job and also wanted," he paused to shrug and make a face, "a change of scenery."

They were both in the midst of becoming different people when they met. How fascinating, Thena mused. Although she was quite sure Gil had always been sweet and charming and funny. Just a feeling.

"It was actually you, on that date, who asked what I liked to do for fun," he admitted much more quietly. He looked down at the table, picking at a chip in the lacquer. "I told you I liked baking and you said I could try working part time in it, just to see if I liked it enough to make it my job."

"It sounds like something I would suggest," she agreed. It was hard to imagine the man she knew now doing anything else, really. Although it was almost funny to imagine him stuffing those muscles of his into a regular office suit.

"I said I'd give it a try," he chuckled, reaching for her hand. She gave it reflexively, sense memory knowing Gil much better than her own mind. He kissed her knuckle. "And now I have the best job in the world."

She smiled down at their adjoined hands as well, feeling as if the weight of the world were on top of them. "The date, Gil?"

"Right, right," he chuckled, allowing her to move the story away from the more emotional of the topics. "Well, you suggested that, and I asked about your art some more. And since the restaurant looked kind of full, and I didn't think that was your scene, I asked if you wanted to walk along the boardwalk a little first."

"We walked by a bakery there, and you asked me what everything was, since I was 'the expert' and all."

That also sounded like something she would say; Thena attempted not to roll her eyes at herself.

"I pointed out the regular stuff," he shrugged and even looked at the pastry cases in front of them in the moment. "Croissants, cupcakes, they had some tarts. You asked about one in particular."

Thena tilted her head as he paused, but she leaned back as he did, having been so sucked into the story that she didn't even notice Ajak coming over with two small plates.

"Thanks," Gil smiled at the petite woman, obviously familiar with her.

"Thank you," Thena added, keeping her eyes on the woman who only smiled and waved in response. Ajak knew her, Thena was aware, but Gil had been determined that they could meet formally when Thena felt more ready to reintroduce those parts of their life to herself.

"This is called a petit four, just a small cake," he chuckled, turning his own plate so she could admire the little dessert from all sides. "It's pretty old school, but you asked me about it when I pointed it out to you. I bought one so you could sample it, even though you told me not to."

Thena eyed the little dessert. It seemed to be vanilla, small and glazed completely white. There was something on the top of it.

"I add just a little sea salt to mine. Call it a secret ingredient."

It was just a hint of salt, but it sank into the sweetness immediately. Just like on that day five years ago, she had tasted the saltiness of the ocean air around them as she took a bite. She could remember the wind on her skin, and how warm Gil's hand was in contrast. The smell of the little shop and the breeze around them, and Gil's cologne wafting gently over to her.

Thena whipped her head up at him. He blinked at her sudden movement but didn't say anything. He was trying to read the expression on her face.

She didn't have any other memories of it. Just that one moment had jumped out at her as she had tasted that same taste--perhaps an improvement upon it. She could remember Gil's smile as she had told him that she liked it.

"You promised."

"Hm?"

She blinked, trying not to cry over a silly little cake. "You promised you would make me one sometime. I told you I expected it to be better, since you were indeed, 'the expert'."

Gil teared up immediately. Of course he did, the gentle hearted giant. "Y-You-"

She looked down at her cake again, the pressure immediately mounting. "It's just that one moment. I can't remember past that. But-"

Thena startled as he launched from his seat across the tiny cafe table from her. He caught her lips at a funny angle, but they both tasted like chocolate and vanilla and sea salt. Her eyes fluttered.

"Sorry," he chuckled, offering a sheepish grin as he seated himself, ignoring the worried glances of other bakery patrons. "Couldn't help myself."

"Hm," she pursed her lips faintly, and he returned to his cake, unable to keep himself from staring at her. She dabbed at her lips, resisting the urge to fan herself. She still had her coat on, but it felt far too hot now in their little corner by the window. "Whatever happened to asking?"

"You told me I didn't have to ask."

#Thenamesh Vow AU #thank you so much sweetheart! #I love this au so I'm very happy to write more believe me #so in the movie she actually never regains any memories at all #which I did find interesting #but I think Thena and Gil have been through enough #taste really can unlock a deluge of memories and sensations #and now that they've made this progress #Gil is gonna be obsessed with making her stuff they've had together #Thena tells him not to get too ahead of himself #she's worried about disappointing him if she doesn't remember more #but he's just so overcome with happiness #people in the bakery look at him like dude calm down #and he's like #sorry can't a man kiss his WIFE in a moment of passion? #Thena drags him back into his seat because he's embarrassing her #Ajak is just behind the counter like ah young love #Now Gil wants to repeat all their dates #in a sense of the word #They literally get home and have brunch right after this but still #Thena texts Kari like wow had a wonderful first date #Makkari: WITH WHO #Thena: my husband obviously

[lordrethandus]

Daily Writing Challenge November 2023 Day 2

Success / Sin ( @daily-writing-challenge @kthalentia )

World: Final Fantasy 14

Theme: Steven Lynn - Main Theme

U'tova and Aurant had camped out on this cliff for half a dozen bells, waiting for the searing Thanalan sun to stop pounding on the badlands and disappear beneath the horizon to rest. As the sun dropped, so too did the temperature, with the sweltering heat giving way to the bitter cold. Why anyone would willingly live in such an extreme place is something the Ishgardian could never understand– but to Tova, this place was home.

Aurant had spent his nights in the warmth of seedy taverns that he never learned the golden rule of Thanalan, but he was learning it now. The night chill cut through his light clothes like a hot knife through butter, and it was particularly windy all the way up here from their vantage point. U’tova, on the other hand, simply draped her tail over her legs to block out the wind, with a collar stuffed with chocobo down to keep the cold from creeping down her neck. Her green gaze held a golden glow in the dark, allowing her to see much farther than the Elezen could– even if wasn’t missing an eye. With just a smidgen of moonlight her vision was sharper now than it was midday, and making her the perfect candidate for this trial.

“I see someone…” She whispered, catching his attention. He shuffled forward on the ground to lay beside her, but he couldn’t see anything himself. 

“Describe them.”

“Short black hair. Hyur. Kind of stocky.”

“Scar on his face?”

U’tova inhaled sharply as she focused. He was walking with a chocobo behind him but he turned at just the right angle all the same. “Starts near his lips and goes all the way past his ear.”

“That’s Tigrund Waterstep all right.” Aurant glanced over at the Miqo’te beside him, almost tempted to ask if he could use her tail to help fight off this brutal wind. “Be a dear and take the shot, won’t you? And avoid a headshot… or he won’t be recognizable.” U’tova clenched her jaw as she prepared to take his life. She pulled back the bolt and slid the round into the chamber, flicked the safety of her rifle off, pressed it against her shoulder and took aim.

“Wait…” She muttered, feeling her heart run cold. Behind Tigrund atop of the chocobo was another person– this one considerably smaller. “There’s a child with him… a boy…”

“Don’t shoot the boy. Old Tigrund is the only one that needs to taste some dust tonight.” Aurant replied, seemingly trying to half-bury himself in the warm dirt. She couldn’t tell if he was serious or if this was more of his dry Ishgardian wit, but if he was joking he would usually admit it shortly after. “Tova…? You have a clear shot, don’t you?”

“I do but…-” 

“Tigrund is a Black Adder. Wanted for armed robbery, murder, arson, and kidnapping.” He even consulted the bounty note he was using to help warm up his chest. “He helped kill a lot of good people and he’s part of the reason why I have to wear an eye-patch. The bounty on his head is fifty million.” He paused to let that sink in– if only for a moment. “You wanted to join us… this is what we do. We kill Black Adders and turn in their corpses for gil. If anything you’ll be doing the boy a favor by getting that monster of a father out of his life so get your smallclothes untwisted and take the bloody shot!”

U’tova could feel her heart racing– all she could think about was the devastation that boy would endure. Someone killed her mother in a similar fashion, cut down in front of her adoring husband and seven summer old daughter; setting both on a course from which they could not veer from. Yet her mother was not a criminal. She wasn’t wanted for murder, for kidnapping, for armed robbery– none of it. She was just a humble merchant madly in love with a cranky gunsmith.

Her mouth was dry when she took aim. Her ears flattened against her head to help block out the sound, and she closed an eye to better line up the shot without distractions. All it took was a gentle squeeze of the trigger and a handful of heartbeats.

BLAM! 

A cup of dust kicked up from the other side of the man, with the startled chocobo flailing from the sudden sound echoing down the valley. Tigrund took three shaky steps forward as he rubbed at his chest, but he didn’t even have time to look down at the blood soaking his fingers before he collapsed into the dirt.

“Papa…?” The boy asked after getting the bird under control. He jumped off the saddle and ran toward his father, still in shock over what just happened. “Papa…?! PAPA!”

“A clean hit.” Aurant sighed, before pushing himself up to his feet. “Stay here… I’ll get the body.”

And a clean hit it certainly was. The bullet vaporized his heart and took him out before he could even feel a thing… which is far and above a better death than most of the victims of his crime sprees got. U’tova lowered the rifle and watched the boy try to shake his father like he had fallen asleep, but she didn’t say a thing back to the Ishgardian. There was nothing for her to say, really.

#lordrethandus #{ the blackened barrel } #novemberdwc2023 #novemberday22023

[celiciaa]

GILBERT VON OBSIDIAN EVENT STORY....

CHAPTER TWO.

A beast’s dream fulfilled by beauty.

translations are not 100% accurate. expect mistakes.

spoilers from gilbert's route.

minors and ageless blogs dni.

Lord Gilbert introduced me to a dog and a cat as potential friends.

(I honestly didn't see that coming…..)

Emma: Where did they come from in the first place?

Gilbert: They were originally kept at court. They lost their masters in the war.

(…..They've lost their masters in the war.)

It was easy to imagine Lord Gilbert protecting these sad animals.

Gilbert: They all want to be your friend.

Emma: I am happy. I really am, but you know it’s not it.

Gilbert: Ahaha, do you want that many friends? // Ahaha. Do you want to be friends with humans that badly?

Emma: Yes, I want to.

Gilbert: Even though I'm here.

Emma: Gil is my fiancé.

Gilbert: How about a fiancé and a friend?

Emma:….Are you really that jealous?

Gilbert: That's one thing, but I don't want you to get hurt.

Emma: Get hurt….?

Gilbert: There are two kinds of friends.

Gilbert: Either your friends betray you, or they don't.

Gilbert: And in my experience, most friends betray each other.

Gilbert: Your kindness will hurt you, you know?

Gilbert: But I'm the only one who can hurt you...right?

(….What happened in the past?)

Lord Gilbert normally says that he wants to be friends,

But he didn’t seem to trust friendships at all.

Emma: I have never been betrayed by a friend, have I?

Gilbert: You're talking about Rhodolite, correct?

Gilbert: But this is Obsidian, the land of deception and corruption.

Gilbert: Even your position is different. You are my woman, which means you are a member of the royal family.

Gilbert: So give up on making friends. // So give up on your friends.

I am not convinced, even though he says it with a fresh smile.

(Certainly, there were people in Rhodolite who changed their behavior just because I was friendly with Lord Gilbert.)

(But if you are afraid of that, you will always be alone.)

Gilbert:….You're a very poor listener.

Lord Gilbert held my chin with his cane——

I gasped as I looked into his beautiful red eye and he bit me on the lip.

(….Ouch.)

Gilbert: I'm just trying to protect you.

Emma:…You’re too overprotective.

Gilbert: Sorry for being so restrictive with my love?

Emma:……

Gilbert: But don't worry. I'll fill you up so much that you won't even think you want a friend.

His cane was still on my chin, as his cold lips pressed against mine, taking my breath away.

It was such a perfect kiss that even words of rebuttal were not tolerated.

(I understand Lord Gilbert is concerned about me.)

(….And that it won't change the way you think about friends.)

The kisses were so overwhelming that I desperately wanted it to stop,

In a corner of my mind, like Lord Gilbert, bad ideas began to sprout.

(——Okay, I got out.)

I took off the hood I had on my head and slipped into the bustling street.

I somehow made it to the town by using a loophole that Lord Gilbert had told me about before.

The purpose, of course, is to make friends.

(I'm sorry, Lord Gilbert, but for me it's a matter of life and death.)

I casually walked through the town of Obsidian.

Come to think of it, this may be the first time I have come here alone.

(Once again, it's a really nice town.)

I don't know the details of the former Obsidian's internal affairs but,

In the current town under Lord Gilbert's rule, the people's faces were shining, and I liked it as much as Rhodolite.

(I need to find someone I can be friends with as soon as possible——)

Woman: Kya—

Emma:….! Are you okay?

I catch sight of the fallen woman out of the corner of my eye and rush over to her.

The woman was probably on her way home from shopping and vegetables were scattered around her.

Emma: You’re injured. Can you walk?

The woman sits on a nearby bench and quickly gathers up the scattered vegetables.

Woman: I'm sorry.…thank you very much.

Emma: No, I'm glad it didn't turn out to be serious.

Woman: I'm always like this. I'm so clumsy….

Emma: Now that bad things have happened here, something good will surely happen next time.

Woman: When you say it like that, it really sounds like it could happen.

(This woman might be about my age.)

Woman: That’s right! Let me thank you for something.

Emma: No, I didn't do anything that big. // No, it's not that big of a deal.

Woman: You helped me, didn't you? There's a great pastry shop nearby.

Woman: I've been wanting to go too, so why don't you join me?

Emma:…Well then, can I take your word for it?

(An early opportunity presented itself.)

The feeling of being able to become friends makes me feel inwardly excited.

Pretending to be calm so as not to look strange, I handed over the vegetables that had been placed back in the bag.

The woman who received it suddenly looked at the ring finger of my left hand.

Woman: That ring is….

Emma: Oh, my fiancé gave it to me.

The ring with the black obsidian rose shining on it was given to me by Lord Gilbert at our engagement ceremony.

Woman: Obsidian….

Woman: I am terribly sorry!

Emma:….Eh.

The woman who suddenly changed her behavior bows deeply and leaves as if she were fleeing from a ferocious animal.

I was taken aback by what happened in a moment.

(….What? What happened?)

(This ring, you can't be serious!?)

???: Ahaha. You poor thing.

As I stood dumbfounded, a cold body embraced me from behind.

I was not surprised because the shock of the woman's escape was greater.

Emma:…Lord Gilbert, I don't understand.

Gilbert: Only members of the royal family are allowed to wear obsidian rings. // The obsidian rings are only allowed to be worn by the royal family.

Gilbert: You didn't know?

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#ikemen prince #ikepri #ikemen prince spoilers #ikepri jp #ikepri translations #ikemen series #cybird #gilbert von obsidian #ikepri gilbert