#his small; shrew smile he gives after 'never hurt anyone ever again'?

[palismet]

the alt. thanks to them opening boards are going to emotionally scar me for life. look at his face. luz is terrified but desperate with a hope she feels is unfounded, needing that optimism to imagine a way out of this that doesn't hurt; that doesn't end in more tragedy?

she thinks they're on the same level of bad but sad. that she did as much as hunter in the name of helping belos, without knowing the whole truth of who belos was, who he is. she's traumatized by it.

she needs to not be alone in it.

the i'll keep your secret if you keep mine is a knife to the heart. we are in this together, she is saying. whether we like it or not, at least we have each other. at least i'm not alone.

but what do you say to that? how do you make a witch's oath without magic? you take it to heart. you hold it closer to anything. there aren't words for a devotion like that, the kind of devotion hunter has led with his entire life, and now, here, it's for luz. it's for everyone, for protecting them, to be able for them to get home again.

it's reminiscent of that good old golden guard loyalty, but remade in the light of this new world, new life. it's a cause to live by, a goal, a dream; and as the story goes, we can see - there isn't much he isn't willing to sacrifice for it, especially if the cost is only himself.

(he has nothing to return for, after all. he has a graveyard, filled to the brim with bones and masks and a future he only narrowly escaped.)

sacrifice - that is something he's been waiting for his whole life. so of course he's willing to risk everything for them. what better ending is there, where at the very least, his friends can go home to where they are loved? where no one has to be afraid, anymore?

#toh analysis #the owl house #thanks to them #toh storyboards #the owl house storyboards #hunter toh #luz toh #hey u ever think ab how hunter has been trained AND made to be a sacrifice his entire life? for phillip and the coven? #u ever think ab that frame they cut of the end of the danger deep water battle w/ belos possessing hunter at the end of the ep. #his small; shrew smile he gives after 'never hurt anyone ever again'? #i think of that and the smile he gave at the end of hunting palismen. the smile of acceptance. of i am doing all that i can; #of i am doing what is Right. it's the same thing here. that determination. that need to do what is Right. #obsessed with his ARCCCC look at how much he has changed and yet how some things stay! #how it's almost FORESHADOWED right here in this moment? the soft nod of i'm here with you? i will make sure you're not alone? #bc of course it ends in sacrifice. of course he would give everything for them; their kindness; their love n acceptance? #how couldn't he!!!! it's what he wanted + waited for his entire life and the meaning of that? the power of it? magic of friendship 🥺💛 #and then flap :( which he would never expect. why would anyone sacrifice for Him? it's only supposed to be the other way around? #the hurt of it!!!! the love!!! the way he is never prepared in the face of it!!! i'm so normal ab this !!!!!

[doritopaw101]

Arc1, book 2: Chapter: 10

It had been two weeks since the death of Brokenstar and the exile of his followers. Shadowclan was rebuilding, they weren't completely back to normal but they were doing their best. Best they could considering the circumstances.

'Once they are at their best, they'll be back to picking fights with us in no time' Icefire thought. They remembered hearing the news that Marshshadow had went to the moonstone and was grated nine lives and became Marshstar making Blazefang her deputy.

It was more shocking when they came to see his kits, Badgerfang in tow:

-Flashback-

"How do you feel sweetie?" Icefire said softly, keeping his kit nicly wrapped in his warmth

"My chest hurts" Bearkit whimpered

Icefire licked his daughter softly "I know dear, I wish I can take it away and make it better"

Bearkit nuzzled into his fur "I love you"

Icefire felt his heart warm "I love you too my little cub"

"Icefire" Thymeroot mewed "That's enough" the black tom looked just as sad as Icefire did

He gave Bearkit one last lick "Get some rest dear"

Thymeroot brushed herself against his flank as he left, it was a comforting as she could in this situation. Icefire quickly made their way to the nursery but was suprised when he bumped into Graystripe, even more so when he caught the faint scent of Silverstream and Silvertide.

"What did I say about the scent?" Icefire lowly hissed. Only relaxing when he figured Willowpelt was asleep. The Riverclan scent was faint but Icefire was not taking chances.

"Silverstream distracted me" Graystripe replied, lashing her thick tail

"Mouse-brain, even pregnant he has that on the brain" Icefire rolled his eyes "We're having a talk later" he pulled a mewling Flamekit closer to his belly to nurse.

"You're not any better"

"Shut it" he grabbed some lavender from his nest that Nettlemist left "Here, wear it"

Graystripe did just that. She perked up "Uh...Icefire?"

Icefire drew his tongue away from Violetkit "What?"

"I smell Shadowclan"

Icefire shot up, his tail wrapping around his litter.

Nettlemist and Embereyes poked their heads in. "Icefire?" Nettlemist looked hesitant

"Why do I smell Shadowclan?"

"Marshshadow, Blazefang, and Badgerfang are here for you and your...kits" Embereyes replied "They'd like to enter the nursery but would rather you come out to them"

Icefire curled his lip and was about to demand they come here but he glanced at Goldenflower and Frostbite. Goldenflower was protectively hovering over Waspkit and Hornetkit and Frostbite looked ready to kill anyone who'd dare harm her newborns, Snowykit, Whitekit, and Lightkit.

"Fine," he nosed his kits upward "Help me carry them, Goldenflower could you watch Sunnykit, Rosekit, and Shrikekit?"

Goldenflower nodded "Of course"

Icefire picked up Violetkit while Embereyes grabbed Flamekit and Nettlemist grabbed Cloudkit. He spotted the three Shadowclan cats near the leader's den, Bluestar and Redtail close by with Yellowfang not to far off looking like she was making small talk with his daughters and grandson.

He set Violetkit firmly between his paws "Hello Marshshadow" no point in trying to be nice in his opinion

"Marshstar" she corrected "I've gotten my nine lives from Starclan and Blazefang is my deputy, you look well Icebelly"

Icefire nodded "It's Icefire now" he only really moving his tail when Flamekit and Cloudkit were sent down in it.

"They're adorable Icefire" Badgerfang commented

"Isn't one missing?" Blazefang asked "Cubkit was it?"

"Bearkit and she's ill and why does that matter?" Icefire growled, he glanced at Marshshadow's chest "What's with the necklage?"

Marshshadow glanced at Bluestar "Did you not teach him the necklace traditions of the clans? The golden ones? The flower ones?"

"I understand the golden and flower ones" Icefire snapped "What's with the vine with the rock in the middle?"

"It's a piece of the moonstone Icefire, I wear it for two moons after I receive my lives from Starclan" Marshstar's tone was fierce whether she meant to or not

"Whatever, all collars to me" Icefire replied with a roll of his eyes "Why are you here and not dealing with your clan and fixing it back up?"

"I've been doing checks on all of Brokentail's offspring, he's being held away from our camp, blind, and heavily guarded" she lowered her head slightly "they are my kin too Icefire"

"I'm well aware Marshstar, Flamekit looks just like Blazefang" Icefire drawled "Why don't you say what you're really here for and not waste time?"

Marshstar sighed "I worry for the kits sired by Brokentail here in Thunderclan, maybe it would be best if they were raised in Shadowclan with their kin"

"So you want to take my kits from me?" he hissed, pulling his kits closer to his belly "I blind and take one of the basturd's lives and this is the thanks I get" he flashed his golden tooth a bit

"That's not what we're saying Icefire" Badgerfang mewed softly "We're concerned for their well-being"

"We don't think Thunderclan is right for them especially the two kits that take after Brokenstar in appearance from what I'm told are Bearkit and Violetkit" Blazefang said bluntly, her gaze was on the kits

He glanced at Yellowfang who wore an emotionless look. Icefire then glanced at Bluestar and Redtail "And you two agree with this?"

"Until proved otherwise Icefire, this is your call and only yours" Bluestar stated, tail-tip twitching "I'll stand by the whatever choice you make"

"Yellowfang?"

"Make your choice kit, not my say" the older molly said, her voice calm

"Redtail?"

"Laws for half-clan kits state that the dam's clan gets priority especially for cases where rape was involved" Redtail said, his ginger tail lashing "It was designed to protect the victim" Redtail stared down at Marshstar "Is there something you're trying to say about the law Marshstar?"

Marshstar bared her fangs "I approve the law of protecting the victims Redtail" she stated firmly "However, cats can be short-sighted and no kits should suffer because of the sins of the parent" she took a small step "Dewflare had another litter before she left and even for the litter she had before, I'm doing my best to make sure they won't be blamed for what their parents did"

Icefire thought of how Beepaw, Roachpaw, and Flypaw were adjusting to this new life style after having the clan at their paws before. They had Dewflare's love, attention and care, what he never got, what he got was being misgendered, raped and insulted. He knew he shouldn't resent them but at the same time, what did they have they he didn't to even Dewflare's love.

"They are still nursing"

"We have some queens who'll nurse them, Fernshade has offered"

"No" Icefire lashed his tail "They are my kits, they aren't leaving me just because of your pathetic concerns"

"Icefire" Blazefang barked "This isn't about you and what you want, it's about the kits and what they need to live normal lives"

"They are too young, how about you let them decide when they're older" Icefire growled

"How old?" Marshstar questioned

"Four or five moons is the standard" Redtail stated "They'll be sent for a moon and see how they fair there"

"One moon in our camp can compare to the other moons here?" Blazefang countered

"Like the laws say, the dam gets priority" Redtail replied, seemingly bored of the conversation "You act like they kits sire was this great cat that should equal chance and not the monster that raped an apprentice"

Blazefang growled but Badgerfang nudged her "Don't"

"You didn't do the standard" Marshstar mewed, her gaze on Bluestar "You gave them up to Riverclan when they were three moons correct?"

"It was a harsh leaf-bare with little food, Stonefur and Mistyfoot would have died otherwise, this is leaf-bare as well, quite honestly Marshstar they shouldn't leave til there apprentice age"

"Why'd you give them to Riverclan then?"

"I don't have to explain any of my choices to you" Bluestar replied, her voice cool "You're on the way of being chased from my camp with your tails between your legs"

"Marshstar stop" Badgerfang advised "It's better than nothing, take it cause I'm assuming that's all Icefire's offering, right?"

Icefire nodded "Glad to see you know me well Badgerfang"

-Flashback ends-

He had time to calm down, sparing with Bluestar did wonders. It would be at four moons they would go to Shadowclan and at six moons, they would decide.

He's honestly just fine knowing Brokentail was overthrown and wouldn't hurt anyone ever again. He felt more free than he'd ever been. His name change fit him honestly. It helped the fierce feeling he held since taking down Brokentail and Clawface. It the moment he requested for a golden tooth and was granted.

Larkpaw and Seedpaw received their warrior names the day after the battle: Larkwing and Seedspots. Lichenpaw and Smokepaw had showed enough skill to earn their warrior names: Lichenstrike and Smokefur. It was honestly amusing watching Lichenstrike try to beat Sandstorm, she managed after a while. He's pretty sure Chestnutclaw only went easy because Bluestar was watching.

Marigoldpaw's training was given over to Sandstorm since Nettlemist expressed that with more warriors, he wasn't needed and Marigoldpaw deserved better training, Sandstorm was all too happy to gain another apprentice especially her little cousin.

Icefire carried his rabbit over to the fresh-kill pile, Lichenstrike carrying her shrew.

"How's Cinderpaw?" the golden molly asked as she dropped her catch

"Doing well the last I heard from Deadfoot" Icefire replied "They're improving well, should be back soon but it'll take time"

Lichenstrike smiled "I'm glad"

"As am I" the voice was of a cat he'd been avoiding since Cinderpaw's accident, Mossthorn. He didn't want to face their wrath, using any excuse to not be in camp.

Icefire kept his eyes on the ground, his nerves growing knowing Mossthorn's stare was on him.

"Lichenstrike, why don't you go find Sandstorm or Smokefur?"

Lichenstrike sounded nervous but obeyed "Okay"

Icefire refused to lift their head, Mossthorn did it for him "I'm not mad at you Icefire"

he snorted plainly "You should be"

"Did you push Cinderpaw on the Thunderpath?" they asked

"Of course not!"

"Then I have no right to be mad at you"

Icefire finally met Mossthorn's gaze, there was nothing but calmness and concern.

"They've been doing alright, it could've been alot worse"

"I know" Icefire mewed

"How's Bearkit?"

Icefire sighed "Not any better, Tulipkit's joined her, they need food"

Mossthorn rested their tail on his back in comfort

"I'm scared" he admitted "What if she..."

"Do you trust your healers?"

"With my life, I just don't want to lose her, I'm trying so hard to be better than Dewflare and here I am dumping them on Brindleface cause I just couldn't sit still"

"They love you Icefire" Mossthorn mewed "They've said so proudly, Brindleface doesn't mind from what I've seen"

Icefire flicked his tail "Don't know why they're proud of me"

"You're doing great and I'm sure Goldenflower or Frostbite would've told you if you did something wrong in parenting"

"Like what Robinwing does?"

"Especially that" Willowpelt hissed "I had to nurse Ravenkit when Rosetail couldn't"

Icefire snorted "Thanks Willowpelt"

"Anytime" the pale gray queen replied "You're doing fine Icefire, better than I did when I had Darkstripe"

"Is he a kit of Leopardstorm or Tiger-roar?"

Willowpelt shook her head "Archeye of Shadowclan, not the first time the clan disapporved of me, if it wasn't my blood it was my choice of mate"

"Blood?"

"I'm not clanborn, raised alongside Redtail and Spottedleaf by Ambershine and Torndust, blood means nothing"

"Ain't that the truth" Icefire smirked

A sudden yowl made Icefire, Willowpelt, and Mossthorn jump. The yowl came from the nursery, Brindleface's yowl.

Icefire rushed over to the nursery entrance "Brindleface, what's wrong?"

"Ashkit, Fernkit, and Cloudkit are missing!" they said franticly

Icefire's heart dropped "What?" he looked around "Where did they go?"

"I don't know" Brindleface replied "I had them all down for a nap and closed my eyes for a bit then they were gone"

Icefire looked around the den, he spotted a kit sized hole near his nest "They left through here" he called "We have to find them"

"What's going on?" Brackenpaw mewed

"I heard yelling" Lynxpaw added

"Cloudkit, Fernkit, and Ashkit are missing, can you two help me find them?"

Brackenpaw and Lynxpaw nodded

He and the apprentices quickly headed for the entrance to camp, knocking past Robinwing and Larkwing.

"Icefire!" Sandstorm called "Wait up, I want to find them too"

"Keep up slug" they snapped "It's snowing"

The snow was getting thicker and thicker as they trud through it. Icefire ignored the snow pushing into his face, he had to find the kits.

"Why would they leave in the first place?" Brackenpaw asked

"I don't know" Sandstorm said "Why did they have to chose now to go missing"

"And Cloudkit's white so it'll be even harder to find him" Lynxpaw realized "I can barely see you Icefire"

"Focus on any moment" he said "Anything"

He felt his pads scarp rocks, he ignored the inevitable blood. He had to stop for a moment to get his barings. He spotted movement near a tree, a vole. A sudden ball of white pounced on it.

"Cloudkit!" he called rushing over to his son

"Icefire, badger!" He ignored Sandstorm's yowl, his kit was the only thought in his mind. The badger, large for one appeared out of no where and rush at Cloudkit. He slammed into the badger head on, taking the bite meant for his son.

"Lynxpaw!" he hissed as he tried to free himself from the badger's hold

"I got him" she replied

He saw Sandstorm leap on the badger's back, biting with enough force that the badger opened its jaws. Icefire struck the badger across the muzzle as soon as he was free, Brackenpaw rush forward and bit into the badger's neck. The badger roared with pain from all sides, the black and white creature bucked up suddenly throwing Sandstorm off and threw a swing at Brackenpaw earning a painful yowl from the golden brown tom.

The badger seems to have enough and ran for it, shoving past a bleeding Brackenpaw.

Icefire rushed over to the injured apprentice "Brackenpaw? Are okay? Can you walk?"

"My paw hurts" he replied, he slowly go to his paws "I think I can walk?"

"Lynxpaw?" Sandstorm called

"I'm with the kits" The golden and black apprentice replied, the three kits safely under her, Cloudkit had the vole in his mouth

"Good" Icefire mewed as he padded over "Are you three injured?"

The kits shook their heads.

"Let's get you three back to camp" he glanced at Sandstorm "Sandstorm, help me carry them. Lynxpaw, help Brackenpaw"

Lynxpaw nodded and padded over and help her fellow peer stand up.

"Cloudkit, cling to my pelt" Icefire mewed

His son nodded, his jaws shut to keep his vole from falling. Icefire picked up Ashkit while Sandstorm picked up Fernkit. The group quietly made their way back to camp.

"Ashkit! Fernkit!" Brindleface cried as they ran over "I was so worried"

"Papa!" Icefire heard his other kits mew

He placed Ashkit down and let Cloudkit climb down to his sisters.

Bluestar padded forward, a stern expression on her face "Why did you three leave camp? Did you know how worried you drove your parnets?"

"We wanted to help Bearkit and Tulipkit" Fernkit mewed

"They needed food" Cloudkit added, holding up his vole "We got it"

Bluestar sighed "You three had good intentions but you worried the clan when you disappeared and you could have frozen to death" she glanced at the vole "You did well catching this and I'll allow you to give it to Bearkit and Tulipkit however you three will take care of the elders for a while"

"Okay" they said

"Brackenpaw!" Lionheart rushed over to nuzzle his son "What happened to your paw?"

"It's fine dad" the apprentice growled "The badger got me while I was helping Icefire and Sandstorm"

Lionheart rounded on Icefire "Badger?"

"Lionheart" Bluestar warned

Icefire fought not to flinch with that intense stare "We found the kits, turns out we got there just i time"

"Who's idea was it to go out in the first place?" Lionheart asked

"Mine" Cloudkit mewed proudly "Papa taught us to follow our gut when helping others"

"How fitting" Lionheart sneered, he whipped back at Icefire "So this all your fault"

Icefire gaped "How is this my fault?"

"Who taught this roach that 'follow your gut' was a good idea? Certainly not Brindleface"

"Don't call my son a roach" Icefire hissed "and I never told him to go out of camp"

"Might as well have and you just had to take my son and niece with you"

"I never forced them to go with me" Icefire hissed

"It's true, me and Lynxpaw wanted to help" Brackenpaw added

"Don't defend this curse Brackenpaw, this cat should've never been allowed in the clan to begin with"

"Lionheart" Bluestar growled

"I'm right Bluestar" Lionheart retorted "Ever since he came here, we've lost Thrushpelt, Featherwhisker, Sweetheart, Rosetail, Spottedleaf, Cricketsong, Dappletail, Adderkit, Leapkit, and why did Palepaw die?" he hissed "Because Brokenstar wanted the kits Icefire bore-"

"I didn't-"

"Quiet" Lionheart hissed

"Lionheart" Leoaprdstorm growled "Stop talking"

"No and I'm not the only one who thinks this. He's nothing but a curse with the death he brings and the brood his kitted"

"Lionheart" Bluestar hissed even louder than before

"No, he's an awful cursed little worm who attacked Graystripe the night before he entered the clan and his a horrible father, pawning his kits on poor Brindleface, news flash Icepaw if you didn't want to care for them you should've gave them to Marshstar"

"Give kits to the clan of the sire who raped him?" Mossthorn snapped

"Spottedleaf was killed because of him, in my opinion he deserved-" Lionheart was cut off when Tiger-roar hit him across the face

"Take a walk you heartless mouse-heart"

/

"Are we taking it back or just passing by?" Icefire asked Redtail. This was the frist patrol he had been on in the last three days. He gave Brindleface a break despite their protests. He only really left camp because Tiger-roar convinced him, the older tom had been one of the only cats to keep him sane.

"Leaf-bare is almost over but it isn't gone, we need as much prey as possible" Redtail replied "No more skin and bones"

"Those fish-faces don't deserve it if they are just going to lay on it all day" Amberpaw added

"They just waste it honestly" Ebonypaw mewed

"Let's make this quick and simple" Tiger-roar advised, tail-tip twitching "We don't want more death"

"Or look like cowards" Nightshade growled "Not like Thrushpelt, at least Rosetail could get things done" She spat out Thushpelt's name like bile.

"Of course not" Amberpaw mewed, rolling her eyes "Redtail knows what he's doing"

Redtail raised his ginger tail for silence. Icefire saw a Riverclan patrol coming over. Oakjaw was leading it, he saw Suneyes, Leopardclaw, Mudbelly, Condorpaw, Lakepaw, Vixentail,Grasswhisker, and Frogleap.

Redtail padded to the edge of the slope they were standing on. "These lands belong to Thunderclan" he spoke loud and proud, no sign of fear.

"That's a laugh" Suneyes cackled

"R..Redtail we're outnumbered" Smokypaw stuttered

Redtail seemed to ignore all replies "Stand down it will not end well for you"

Oakjaw's ears were pinned to his head "Never" he hissed

"Death is their wish" Amberpaw drawled

Redtail walked to the patrol, they made way for him. The tortie stopped and turned back and hissed "Thunderclan attack!"

They all obeyed.

Icefire bit into Grasswhisker's shoulder and dug his claws into the tabby's shoulder. He tossed the fish-dung like bones. Sending the tom tumbling to the side, sliding with the mud. Amberpaw pounced, Grasswhisker bit the tortioseshell molly's ear and began another brawl.

While his sense of hearing went through the sky with horrid ringing sounds, his sense of feel didn't change. He stepped to the side, Condorpaw hit the ground face first, his upper half skidding with the mud with his lower half in the air.

Icefire smirked as he pinned the fellow albino down. "Not bad" Icefire chuckled "But you'll have to do better than that Condorpaw"

Condorpaw coughed "Not my fault my eyes were acting up" the younger tom was slashing his back legs with his lower claws. He didn't really hurt.

"Excuses Excuses" he purred, he'll admit he likes to toy with his opponents, Condorpaw was no different. He got off him "Go"

Condorpaw nodded and dashed away into the fray. Vixentail was fighting Ebonypawpaw. Leopardclaw and Nightshade were locked. Tiger-roar was in a brawl with Lakepaw Suneyes, and Mudbelly.

Icebelly spotted Redtail and Oakjaw dooking it out. Oakjaw had Redtail pinned down at one point "Give up Redtail"

"Never" the tortie tom spat

"Just as stubborn as your leader" Oakjaw growled

As Icefire struck Frogleap across the nose, he noticed a large rock start to fall towards the deputies. He rushed as fast as he could to warn them but it seemed Oakjaw noticed as well. The gray tom's throat had been slashed open but with the last of his energy she shoved Redtail out of the way. The loud screech of pain and crack of bones rang through the clearing.

Icefire went to Redtail's side, the tortie's wounds looked deep. "Redtail?"

Redtail stared at the rocks that had Oakjaw buried underneath. "I cut through his throat and yet he-". Redtail stood up with a jolt "We're ending this now"

Icefire followed Redtail as the deputy leaped up on a smooth but long rock. "Oakjaw is dead!"

The Riverclan cats froze at the news. "Retreat!" Leopardclaw called

The patrol cheered as they watched Riverclan retreat.

"Everyone head back to camp" Redtail mewed, he was still on the rocks, close to the water. His paw looked broken

"I'll help him to camp" Tiger-roar sighed

"You'll need the help with that stuborn cat" Nightshade added

"We should have a feast" Amberpaw purred

"I get the squirrels" Ebonypaw laughed racing the tortie back to camp. Most of the patrol following. He followed close behind the apprentices eager to return to his kits but Icefire had a feeling, Raveneye wasn't with them and seeing Goosefeather gazing to the direction of Sunningrocks definitely added to that. He doubled back to Sunningrocks, well as fast as he could with a limp leg.

He saw Redtail but he also saw Tiger-roar and Nightshade, they said they were going to help him. It remined him all too well of Thrushpelt's death, he wouldn't put it past Suneyes to have been the one to kill him.

He spotted Raveneye close by but said nothing.

"That was awesome, didn't need help either" Redtail purred

"Only because you had me,Icefire, and Tiger-roar to back ya'll up" Nightshade hissed, she wasn't exactly wrong. Tiger-roar and Nightshade were Thunderclan's best warriors beside their sister, Chestnutclaw, and Icefire apparently. Some cats could argue he was giving Tiger-roar a run for his name.

"That was reckless Redtail how could you even agree that was a good idea when we were outnumbered and the apprentices could have died" Tiger-roar's lip curled in a snarl.

"We won but at the cost of death" Redtail replied "Oakjaw, he saved my life"

Nightshade unsheathed her claws, her green eyes narrowed "What a waste"

"Tiger-roar? Nightshade? what is this?" Redtail growled

"Just as the stars told" Goosefeather mewed in his ear

"You plague this clan, too soft" Nightshade spat the last part like a hairball

"I'm the true leader of this clan, I won't make it soft" Tiger-roar added, his long front claws out "You get a choice, leave or fight"

Icefire's felt his heart drop, another cat with lies, how could he have been so stupid?

"Leave?" Redtail said like these two cats were crazy

"I'll get Pouncepaw, Amberpaw, and Lightpaw for you Redtail, just leave and don't come back" Nightshade mewed, she was closer to the tortie.

"Make your move Redtail" Tiger-roar said simply "I will become deputy of this clan, by any means nessasary"

Redtail seemed to be realizing something when his amber eyes widen in shock and horror "You two planned Thrushpelt and Rosetail's deaths didn't you?"

"Smart"

Redtail's eyes narrowed "He was your brother! He helped raise you as did Rosetail"

"Prices have to be made for greatness" Tiger-roar said, he started circling the tortie tom "Come on Redtail, you know you won't win"

"What will happen?"

"The deputy spot in free and I or Nightshade will be picked"

"And if Bluestar chooses someone else?"

"They will be 'dealt' with" Nightshade sneered "Tick tock Redtail, wouldn't want to end up like Thushpelt or Featherwhisker"

"What do you mean by that he killed himse... you two killed him with a snake?!"

Tiger-roar laughed "I applaud you Redatail"

Redtail noticed Icefire and Raveneye for a moment but said nothing about it. "Starclan may take me but you will never win" Icefire knew Redtail was telling him and Raveneye to avenge his death. Redtail launched himself at Tiger-roar. Leaping onto the great tabby's back, going for the neck. Nightshade bit into the tortie's leg and threw Redtail off. The dark brown tabby grabbed the tortie with one powerful arm, dragging Redtail across the rocks. He slashed Redtail's throat with ease.

Redtail wheezed as blood gushed out but then something more rotten happened.

Nightshade shoved Redtail off the rocks causing Redtail to fall into the river. He heard Redtail's low screech as he was being washed away. He hoped Redtail died from his throat wound before he hit any rocks. He knew why Nightshade did that, no blame could be placed if Redtail fell into the river.

Icefire had flicked a bush with his tail in his panic. Tiger-roar raised his head, Raveneye slammed Icefire down. The two crouched low and began moving, as soon as they could they ran as fast as they could back to camp.

Blackfoot saw the rise and fall of Russetfur's pelt as she breathed. He slowly padded into the nursery, it looking clean and soothing than it had in the past moons under Brokentail's rule, it took him back of his own kithood. He saw Dawncloud curled up with Ratkit and Snowkit resting near her head and Cloudykit and Hemlock-kit asleep in her tail.

His eldest, Foggyclaw was already dozing off. Her belly plump with one of the last litters Brokenstar would sire. Aside from her, Goldenmint, Marshstar, Blossomhaze, were the last cats to bare any of Brokenstar's kits, the clan only really knew that because Blossomhaze had been keeping track. Dewflare's new litter: Adderkit and Fangkit were being nursed by Fernshade with her own kit, Ravenkit.

He knew Blazefang would rather forget that her own brother had no problem mating with her but she had the evidence forever with the birth of her son, Timberkit. The tom was small for a kit, he was missing a front leg and was sickly. Not like Marshstar could forget either, still expecting and dreading the birth.

He didn't think he'd have kits again since bringing Elderpaw to the clan but things happen. He had a new litter to worry about. His and Russetfur's. He slowly rested a dark paw on her side "How are you?"

"Sore from being on rat duty" She replied, her nicked ear twitched "Your daughter and son have been causing a ruckus, glad I had Darkflower and Dawncloud to help"

He looked and saw two kits who looked just like their mother, Rowankit and Cedarkit, two moons old and causing chaos for all. "Little monsters they are" she mewed, licking his cheek, he flinched slightly which Russetfur noticed.

"My bad"

Blackfoot sighed "It's fine, it's just.." he trailed off

"That's the tamest reaction I've seen when someone likes the Broken scar"

This thing on his left cheek, it would forever follow him and make him remember the lowest point in Shadowclan's history.

"Whitethroat still feels bad for hissing at Crowcloud and the chicks"

"She already forgave him" Russetfur replied "Should've saw it, she refused to let him sleep by himself had to drag Littlecloud over"

He curled up with Russetfur, grooming her ears softly. "A new era for us all" she mewed sleepily

"It will be good" he replied letting sleep take him

/

Blackfoot yawned as he woke. He crept out so he wouldn't wake anyone. His eyes stung as they felt the sun's rays. He gazed at the fresh-kill pile that looked more full that than it had in seasons. Blackfoot grabbed a toad and sat near the warrior's den. He felt at peace and less destructive than he had ever been.

Things in Shadowclan had been somewhat peaceful.

The clan was somewhat smaller since the clan was mostly made up of Brokenstar's elite. Pineshadow and Crowcloud had a choice to leave the clan but they chose to stay. Crowcloud had her litter of three: Garlickit, Sloekit, and Twilightkit and Pineshadow also had her litter of two: Foxkit and Larchkit.

Clawface's body wasn't taken to the grave yard. Marshstar had the body run over by monsters then they buried the remains. In Shadowclan burying the dead was deemed a big dishonor but when it was a vile cat it was the rule to do so, he was dishonorable in life so he will be dishonored in death.

Cats wanted to be renamed: Marigoldcloud took on the name Goldenmint in honor of her brother Mintkit and Hollowheart took the name Darkhollow.

He felt a tail rest on his shoulder, he turned his head to see his sister.

"You're up early" Fernshade's tired mew called. He heard a yawn from Whisperleaf, Lizardstripe had gotten her good in the right eye.

"Yeah, my body thought I should be awake" He nudged his toad at the two mollies. Whisperleaf snatched it and began to eat.

"Shadowclan honestly seems better" Fernshade muttered leaning against him

"Let's hope it sticks" Blackfoot replied

He spotted Slatepaw, Sootpaw, Copperpelt, and Elderpaw padding out of the warriors den. His son, Slatepaw, and Sootpaw were usually a night owls like the rest of the clan but they had their moments like everyone else. Copperpelt honestly preferred to do stuff in the day time. He wasn't the only one: Littlecloud and Goldendusk preferred to do things in the day time.

Speaking of Goldendusk, he felt the golden tom rubbing himself against him.

"Missed you last night" Goldendusk purred softly

Blackfoot rubbed his check against the golden tom's "I was with Russetfur and the kits"

"How are they?" Fernshade asked, licking her paws

"Great" he replied

"More kits for our smaller clan" Goldendusk added

Marshstar was changing Shadowclan for the better but there was one thing she wasn't going to get rid of, which was understandable. Marshstar had her own elite, it wasn't necessary but Shadowclan had founded this rank and it was rare that a Shadowclan leader didn't have one.

Raggedstar didn't have an elite, thought it was unnecessary and looked how that worked out.

Marshstar's elite was small but the clan had gone down since the exile of Brokenstar's followers, she had: Tangleburr, Russetfur, Fernshade, Badgerfang, and Blackfoot. He was a little surprised that she chose him but didn't decline the offer.

He felt Goldendusk nip his ear gently, he smirked at the golden tom. He looked to the right and saw Blazefang padding over. They bowed to their deputy.

Blazefang flicked her thick tail to the camp entrance, she made the signal for five cats, she then made a straight line on the ground. She wanted a patrol near the Thunderpath.

Blackfoot nodded, he signed [I'll join]

Goldendusk and Fernshade did the same thing. Whisperleaf shook her head, the torbie yawned.

Blazefang let out a low hiss at Cinderfur and Sootmask, they padded over. Today would be good.

The night of the gathering was as chilly as always, the cooler it was the more calming it was for Icefire as strange as it was considering what had happened. Tiger-roar had said that Redtail had fallen into the stream and they've been looking for the body but needed help. They did find Redtail's body, the tortie had been caught between some rocks.

Sandstorm, and the rest of Redtail's family had been understandably heartbroken.

-Flashback-

Icefire flicked the last of the mud from his paws. He watched Tiger-roar drag the tortie's body as they made their way back to camp. He and Raveneye joined the search party so they wouldn't look suspicious. He did notice Nightshade wasn't around.

He ducked his head as they walked through the gorse tunnel. The rain was just now starting to clear up but the mud was still there of course. The clan turned their attention to the arriving cats.

Raveneye was glued to his side, he'd been more silent than ever.

Tiger-roar tossed Redtail's body close to where the highrock was.

Sandstorm, Birchstep, Brindleface, Lightpaw, Amberpaw, Leopardstorm, and Pouncepaw dashed to Redtail's body. Lightpaw, Amberpaw, and Pouncepaw were sobbing in Redtail's fur. Sandstorm was crying a paw-step away, Birchstep holding her close. White-eye and Willowpelt walked over to her.

"A..auntie...Gr..grandma" Sandstorm murmured

White-eye pulled Sandstorm and Birchstep close. Willowpelt hugged Lightpaw and Pouncepaw. Redtail had appeared beside Icefire, not speaking but just gazing at his family mourning him.

He felt Raveneye gripping his tail, the black tom's own tail was flicking back and forth. He didn't glance over to Tiger-roar, worried the older warrior would suspect him or Raveneye.

He noticed that unlike the others, Redtail's wounds weren't healed.

"Bluestar" Robinwing called "Who'll be deputy now?"

"His body isn't even cold yet" Sandstorm hissed. Featherears got in-between the two mollies.

"A deputy needs to be named" Smallear said

Bluestar didn't look up from Redtail's body "Tiger-roar will be the new deputy of Thunderclan"

Icefire shared Redtail's outrage but felt more awful knowing he was the only one hearing Redtail's screeching.

-Flashback ends-

Riverclan and Shadowclan hadn't arrived yet, but Windclan was already there. Duskstar gave Bluestar a respectable nod, Deadfoot seemed to engage in conversation with Bluestar like old friends.

Tiger-roar took his place on the deputy rock, proud and regal.

Icefire spotted Weaselwhisker and bounded over to meet him. "Hey Weaselwhisker" he mewed, he yearned to nuzzle the brown tabby but he remembered that this was a gathering. Raveneye almost didn't want him to leave and was sticking to the medicine den.

"Hey Icefire" Weaselwhisker replied "How are you? How's your family?"

"I'm alright, Violetkit, Flamekit, Sunnykit, Rosekit, Shrikekit are okay, Cloudkit gave me a scare and Bearkit...has greencough"

"Oh I'm so sorry to hear that" Weaselwhisker seemed to want to show affected too.

"How's Cinderpaw doing in Windclan? Your family okay?" Icefire asked, changing the subject

Weaselwhisker chuckled "They're a easy learner that's for sure, Deadfoot kinda has his paws full though, Stagleap and Wrenflight are fine, Wrenflight's new litter are doing well"

Icefire smiled "How's being a big brother treatin ya?"

"They bite my tail if they can't find Wrenflight's" Weaselwhisker replied "Harekit is kinda glued to Cinderpaw and Poppykit had to be removed from my leg so I could come to the gathering, Dandelionkit's kinda shy"

"Cinderpaw has plenty to tell me when their back, anyway how's Morningflower and the kits?"

Weaselwhisker chuckled "Morningflower's alright, the kits are getting hectic"

Icefire chuckled "Really now?"

The brown tabby sighed "Brairkit's the ring leader of their antics"

Icefire purred with amusement

Rabbitwhisker toke a risk, he lifted the white tom's chin with his paw "She said she wants to see you though, after the gathering"

Icefire smiled "I will, it's been awhile"

"Also Juniperleaf brought some kits to camp"

"He did what?"

"Yeah"

Icefire was trying to calm the shock when two different smells hit his nose, Shadowclan and Riverclan.

"Finally" Weaselwhisker growled "I thought I was gonna freeze"

Icefire did his best to calm and shrugged "I prefer the cold"

"That's because you have fluffy long fur" Wetfoot called "Not like us short-furred cats"

"Though that fur must be a pain in green-leaf" Appletooth added

"It would, feeling hot all the time" Badgerfang finished

The three Shadowclan cats were as snappy as ever but looked happier and more fed than they did in Brokenstar's time.

"How have you three been?"

"Great" Appletooth smiled, her longer canines made it hard for her to show emotion but she managed to make it work "Taking care of Snakekit is work but I love him"

"How do you Shadowclan cats mange to eat and talk with those teeth?" Weaselwhisker asked in pure curiosity

Wetfoot chuckled, he traced his own fangs with a claw "Make sure they don't get too long to the point where you can't eat or talk, some have longer fangs than others though like Apple and Badger here"

"Runs good in my family" Badgerfang shrugged "How are you Icefire?"

"I'm fine Badgerfang, it's fine" he said stiffly 'soon they'll leave'

Icefire felt a pelt brush past him "Hello, Frogtail right?, Darkflower's brother?"

The black tom nodded, he then signed [Badgerfang is right, your eyes are beautiful]

Icefire smirked [Why thank you kind cat of the night]

"He's just like Blossomhaze" a black molly with ginger markings added "Looks just as attractive as a snowy crow"

"Excuse me?" he said baffled, out of all the insults he's been called, a crow has never been one.

"Oh right sorry need to explain in Thunderclan: crows and ravens are viewed as very beautiful birds in Shadowclan, I was complimenting you not insulting you"

"Flirting more like Turtleshell" Appletooth mewed gruffly "Stick to basics"

Marshstar let out a yowl for attention, the moonstone necklace still around her neck. The gathering had started.

"Duskstar you wanted to speak first" Marshstar mewed, stepping back and letting the older leader speak.

"Thank you Duskstar, Windclan has been alright these past moons, leaf-bare is fading and new-leaf begins which I'm sure we're all thankful for" Duskstar mewed

The cats mewed in agreement. No more hunger, greencough, or shivering pelts.

"Windclan has been blessed with kits: Marigoldwing has given birth to Bristleclaw's kits: Graykit, Grasskit, and Rock-kit , Appledawn has given birth to two kits: Dawnkit and Sunkit. Rabbit-tail and Sorrelflight has also given birth to: Birdkit, Windykit, and Hollykit. Also five kits were brought to Windclan and have been named Flowerkit, Softkit, Pinekit, Crystalkit, and Blossomkit"

"Those five are the kits Juniperleaf brought" Weaselwhisker mewed

"I have more siblings" Icefire sighed 'Better from him than Dewflare, at least I know he won't fuck them up, we are certainly having a talk next time I catch him'

The cats of Windclan cheered the new kits.

"Stormstar" Duskstar backed away "You may go"

The gray tabby tom padded forward, he looked tired but tried to wave it off. Icebelly hadn't been to Riverclan in a while and honestly it was for the better considering what happened recently and Riverclan's fish problem, he doubted he'd be safe around the camp with cats like Blackclaw and Suneyes around.

"The fish is flowing well in Riverclan" Stormstar began "Our nursery has new additions: Flameshell, Greenflower, and Sliverstream are expecting, Mistyfoot has recently that their litter of three: Primrosekit, Pikekit, and Perchkit, as well as having a new warrior in Shadepelt"

Icefire's jaw dropped 'Why wasn't I told? What is it with my sisters not not telling me shit'

Stormstar bowed his head "We also mourn the deaths of Cedarpelt, Lakeshine, Echomist, and Oakjaw, may Starclan welcome them"

A brief silence went through the clearing in mourning.

"Marshstar" Stormstar backed up

Marshstar padded forward, her head high showing her scared right side which revealed more teeth and her scared eye that left her half-blind. "Shadowclan has been well these moons, we have new warriors in Prickleback, Batwhisker, Copperpelt, Lizardswipe, and Muddyclaw"

Shadowclan cheered the new warriors.

"We have nothing else to report other than we sighted a fox on our territory and chased it off, from what I'm told it went into your territory Bluestar"

Bluestar understandably didn't look pleased with this news "Perfect" his leader said through gritted teeth. Bluestar padded forward, her blue eyes showing nothing.

"Redtail has died, Tiger-roar has taken his place as deputy" Bluestar mewed, Stormstar looked ready to spit something but Bluestar beat him to it "Riverclan had nothing to do with it, Redtail had lost too much blood and fell into the river"

That shut Stormstar up.

"My patrols have been picking up the scents of Brokentail's followers, I shouldn't have to tell you all to be cautious"

Marshstar's ears were pulled back "Bluestar, if you'll allow me I could send some of my warriors to help track them down"

Bluestar glanced at Marshstar, it wasn't a furious look but it wasn't a thankful one either. "One or two Marshstar, if your warriors take any prey there will be consequences"

#warriors #warrior cats #warriors au #trail of flames au #warrior cats rewrite #warrior cats au #warriors rewrite #fireheart #albino firestar #redtail #nightshade #tiger-roar #tigerclaw #nightkit #raveneye #ravenpaw #blackfoot #fernshade #russetfur #onewhisker #arc1 #book 2 #chapter 10 #tw: murder #tw: death #weaselwhisker #marshstar #hopekit #blazefang #wishkit

[anime-or-anigay]

Haikyuu x Shakespeare: Taming of the Shrew (also: 10 things I hate about you)

This is going to be the first in what I hope will become a series of Haikyuu x Shakespeare AU ideas, because I like Shakespeare and Haikyuu and have too many feelings, ok...

This is based off Taming of the Shrew, although I have combined it a bit with the storyline from 10 Things I Hate About You, which was inspired by Taming of the Shrew in the first place, so we have come full circle. 

Pairings:  Iwaoi, Bokuaka, Kuroken (side)

Hajime and Keiji are brothers.

Keiji, the younger of the two, is utterly beautiful and much sought after by men and women alike across the land. 

Hajime, though also gorgeous and smart, is abrasive and considered too grumpy and brutish for someone in the upper class, therefore, many label him ‘undateable’. 

He doesn’t care though - he’s not looking for a suitor and anyone he does meet is never worth his time, so why should it bother him if people don’t want to date him?

Things change though, when Keiji turns 18, because suddenly his suitors are no longer distant admirers and many start to ask for his hand in marriage. 

Therefore, in order to stop the onslaught of people asking for his son, the two brothers’ father comes up with a rule - Keiji cannot date anyone until his older brother finds a suitor.

Of course, since no one wants to date Hajime, this is the perfect plan to stop the suitors and slowly those asking for Keiji’s hand start to fall away. 

Bokuto, a lowly college student, however, is completely head over heels for Keiji, so when he hears of this new rule in place, he is distraught. 

He goes out with his best friend, Kuroo, one night and speaks of his distress, of how unfair it is that he should not be allowed to ask Keiji out.

Kuroo, seeing how upset his friend is over this, devises a plan. He says knows of someone who can woo anyone, even the famously bitter and undateable Hajime. 

This persons name is the infamous Oikawa Tooru, otherwise known as ‘The Grand King’. 

Bokuto goes to The Grand King and outright asks for his help, but Oikawa refuses, saying ‘what’s in it for him?’ 

At first, Bokuto tries to play the card that ‘conquering the unconquerable Hajime will be good for his reputation’, which Oikawa considers, as he is a lover of his reputation, but he refuses, saying it’s not really worth the trouble as his reputation is already pretty amazing. 

In the end, Bokuto ends up offering him ¥30,000 to do it, which is nearly all his earnings for a month, but, as far as he is concerned, Keiji is worth it. 

Oikawa, seeing how desperate the man is, finally agrees, although he points out that Bokuto hasn’t actually won Keiji’s heart yet either, so surely all this could be entirely pointless.

Bokuto counters that he is determined Keiji will like him, so Oikawa just has to win Hajime’s heart and everything will be fine. 

For more, see below the cut...

Thus ensues Oikawa wooing Hajime shenanigans. 

He tries everything from bringing flowers to researching Hajime’s likes and dislikes, but every attempt of his gets shut down by the other. 

He almost makes it to the point where he is ready to give up the  ¥30,000 and declare the other is not worth it but Oikawa Tooru cannot lose (and if he finds he is actually enjoying the challenge of wooing the abrasive Hajime, then no one needs to know).

Meanwhile, Bokuto is working on Keiji. He has managed to persuade Keiji’s father to hire him as Keiji’s tutor for college entrance exams (though this often leads to Keiji pointing out he actually knows more than his tutor on a number of occasions).

But Keiji finds the crazy tutor endearing, and they are starting to fall for each other, only held back by the knowledge that Keiji cannot date until Hajime does. 

Hajime, on the other hand, is getting increasingly confused and frustrated by the attention this ‘Oikawa Tooru’ is showering him with. 

Oikawa is everything he hates about upper class society - pretentious, snobbish and dishonest. 

Things change, however, (as they often do) at a party, when Hajime sees his ex, the one person he ever tried to date, trying to hit on Keiji (Bokuto, as only a tutor, wasn’t invited to the family/high society party). This person, Hajime had thought, had been the one person who seemed to share Hajime’s views about upper class society and expectations and they had dated for a while, til the person had screwed him over and turned out to be everything Hajime hated and only dating Hajime to get to Keiji in the first place (and then people wonder why he won’t date).

Hajime decides he’s tired of all the rules and regulations of society and the way even his own family and people he’s supposed to consider friends whisper about him and how he’s ‘a disappointment’, and he gets shit-faced drunk. 

He makes a fool out of himself but he couldn’t care less, until it’s Oikawa taking care of him and taking him home. The pair start to open up with each other, Hajime confessing his history with the person at the party and why he doesn’t date and Oikawa confessing that, despite his reputation as a ‘playboy’, he actually doesn’t sleep around and cares more about finding something meaningful in a relationship then he lets on. 

After this night, the pair start to warm to each other, and, much to Hajime’s distress, he finds Oikawa working his way into his head and heart, and eventually he agrees to go on a date with him.

In celebration, and much to the father’s dismay, Bokuto finally asks Keiji to date him. 

Keiji, of course, agrees, although only if he never has to have Bokuto try to tutor him again. He points out that maybe he should be the one doing the tutoring.

The happiness is not long lasting, however, as Hajime’s ex, bitter now that Keiji is allowed to date and hasn’t chose them, reveals that Oikawa was paid all along to woo Hajime. 

Hajime, hurt and furious, immediately breaks up with the other man, realising that of course it had all been a plot all along. 

But Oikawa, now, really has fallen for Hajime and he tries to explain that when he found he really had feelings for the other he had given the ¥30,000 back straight away.

It isn’t enough though, so Oikawa does everything he can to try and get Hajime back, including totally embarrassing himself by totally destroying his perfect reputation in front of everyone at one of his own family’s lavish parties when he reads out a poem called ‘All things shit and terrible’ (that he and Hajime had started when drunk after some high society party they had attended together when they were dating) instead of giving a speech like he was supposed to. It went a little like this:

“There are plenty of things shit and terrible, about parties and riches and rules, The fuck-ups, the make ups, The lies and the break-ups, The only thing decent is you.  There are plenty of things shit and terrible, about manners and people and truths, They shape us, the make us, They wreck us, they hurt us,  I never meant for them to hurt you.  There are plenty of things shit and terrible, about con-men and liars and fools, But through all of the madness, The lies and the sadness, I will only ever be a fool for you.”

And resulted in him being thrown out of the party for disgracing his family, using such foul language in front of the other guests. 

Hajime, overcome with both second-hand embarrassment and mirth at how shit the poem still was, also leaves and catches up with Oikawa outside. 

He finally agrees to take Oikawa back, even though he still thinks he’s a total idiot, and they make-up and make out outside the party.

“Was it really worth it, though? I mean, embarrassing yourself like that, earning the disappointment of your family and everyone else with it, all for... whatever this is.” Oikawa smiled softly, a rare genuine smile, something Hajime had learned to cherish when they were together. He let out a small chuckle. “Yeah. Yeah, it really was.”

Then there’s a final scene with Oikawa, Kuroo and Bokuto arguing over who really has the best boyfriend now. Kuroo argues Kenma is clearly the best because they’ve been together through all of this with no drama or issues like the other two had. Bokuto argues that Keiji is obviously the best because, well, he’s Keiji. But Oikawa says that he thinks, after everything, Hajime has actually turned out to be the best boyfriend because, despite the gruff surface, he is the most caring and cherishing of the three boyfriends by far.

This argument results in a ridiculous bet whereby they will prove who has the best boyfriend by playing ‘the catching test’. This basically entails them running and jumping into their boyfriend’s arms when they aren’t expecting it and if they catch you, you win, but if they drop you, you lose. 

Kuroo goes first because “obviously Kenma will catch me, we’ve been dating for three years so our trust is impenetrable.” He goes for it when Kenma is standing waiting for him playing his video game. Kuroo runs and jumps, but he falls just short of Kenma and lands butt first on the tarmac in front of his boyfriend. Kenma doesn’t even look up from the game. 

Bokuto, cackling, goes next, determined that his Keiji would never let him fall. He runs and jumps, but Keiji, on reflex, sidesteps at the last minute, and Bokuto, too, ends up in a heap on the floor. (”Bokuto-san, that was incredibly dangerous. You should be well aware that I am not capable of carrying your weight. Please never do that again, or you will hurt yourself.”)

Finally, it’s Oikawa’s turn. He runs and jumps at his boyfriend, who yells “Not right now, Shittykawa, I’m carrying drinks!” But he drops the drinks straight away, letting them crash to the floor as he stretches out his arms and catches his crazy boyfriend. 

(Oikawa saunters back to the other two, who’s jaws have dropped considerably. “ And that, gentlemen,” he grins, mimicking a scissor motion with his outstretched fingers, “is what you call perfect trust.”)

Oikawa wins the bet. 

#this is so dumb #and yet i wish i was talented enough to write a fic #literally if any writer actually wanted to write this #I would draw all the art in the world for them as payment #I just can't write fics to save my life #welp #haikyuu au #taming of the shrew #10 things i hate about you #iwaoi #bokuaka #kuroken #akaashi keiji #iwaizumi hajime #oikawa tooru #bokuto koutaro #kuroo tetsurou #kozume kenma #the starring cast #au #fic idea #haikyuu fic #fluff #angst #i guess #i love a good classic cliche #honestly #haikyuu #text post #haikyuu x shakespeare

[pixiealtaira]

My favorite places to eat…

pairing: Kadam by the end

There’s a little diner on the northern outskirts of Lima that Kurt’s mother would take him to between picking him up from his dance class and taking him to the garage to be watched by his dad while his mom taught her afternoon piano lessons.  They stopped for French fries and small milk shakes and always split a piece of pie or cheese cake.  In winter they had hot chocolates instead of milkshakes, with whipped creams and chocolate sprinkles.  As soon as Kurt learned to drive and got his license, he headed there whenever needed time to regroup and gather his wits, whenever he needed time to just get through another day.   LuLu knows him by name and always had hot chocolate with sprinkles or a blueberry shake ready for him within two minutes of his arrival.  He went with the girls from Glee Club once.  Rachel threw a fit over the lack of vegetarian choices and Mercedes was rude about the lack of tater tots and Santana and Brittany skipped out as soon as they pulled in the parking lot.  Only Tina was relatively nice about it.  Kurt didn’t bother bringing anyone else from glee.  Kurt never took Blaine there, not in all the time they were together. Not After Blaine’s response when they had had to pull into the truck-stop diner on the way from Dalton to Lima the one evening when the snow was coming down so badly Kurt could not see any longer.  Blaine’s sneer and refusal to sit and eat anything amidst such ‘low-life’ as common truck drivers made Kurt vow never to allow him close enough to hurt LuLu or any of the others at the diner, even though it hurt to not be able to share that part of himself with Blaine. It made Kurt feel…less.

Two blocks down and two blocks over from the loft is a small diner Kurt found during Rachel’s first ‘I’m queen of the whole world’ phase.   He heads over quite often.  Nana Jo feeds him all sorts of ‘New York’ foods, but his favorite thing served is their seafood hot sub and the ‘old-fashioned port’ soda. He doesn’t get to order it often, though, because Nana Jo wants him to try everything at least once.  He took Adam there once, on their first dinner date. Nana Jo adored him.  He never took Blaine there.  He almost did, but Blaine scoffed at the store front as they walked by and Kurt decided it was just be his place to enjoy when he needed a place to get away. He invited Elliot and Dani to join him there after Santana and Rachel were no longer in the band.  They liked it as much as he did and Nana Jo always talked to Dani about new dishes she could try that Dani would like.  Soon Nana Jo has quite the business with Dani’s vegetarian friends.

Down from the theater where Kurt ended up with a work study job as an errand boy and usher after he came back to New York from Lima, leaving Rachel to run the glee club and Blaine to happily shack up with Dave and Sue Sylvester to be utterly insane…all without him, is a Diner with an old fashioned soda counter and booths that remind him of Grease.  It reminds him a little bit of the Spotlight, where he managed to get his job back because he could sing with the guys and girls where ever Gunther needed an extra voice. He drops in on the way to work for breakfast and a coffee every day.  Ms. Bessie reminds him so much of Debbie from Queer as Folk that Kurt walked out and looked at the name of the diner to make sure he hadn’t walked into a different reality. He loves her as much as he thinks he would have loved Debbie, too.  She introduced him to biscuits and gravy and scones with honey butter, and Kurt eats their fruit bowl and granola three days a week to make up for the other two.  It turns out many of the theater workers frequent the diner and after one very stressful day when Kurt was at his wits end due to the director having ‘issues’ with the stage manager and airing them loudly for all in the theater to hear, witness, and unfortunately for Kurt be runner for…Ms. Bessie came running in with a banana split milkshake with cherries and hot fudge for him and milkshakes for the others stuck there. One of the actors, who had the smarts with all the other actors to vacate and move practice to someone’s apartment when the stage manager started throwing things, had informed Ms. Bessie that Kurt and the few others stuck at the theater still needed something good. She bustled Kurt and the two stage hands left in the line of fire into a dressing room to eat and then left.  When Kurt and the others left, well…the director and the stage manager were no longer at odds and Kurt made sure to steam clean the sofa on stage before anyone used it the next day.  When Rachel came to town, demanding Kurt get her an audition for something where he was working, because ‘Jesse managed and Kurt didn’t want to be behind in the best friend race did he?’, and Kurt said no just to have Rachel storm around threatening him, his whole career, and everything else in front of everyone he worked with…everyone…Kurt spent the evening at the diner.  Luckily a few apples and Elliot came back into his life before Rachel came back to NYADA…queening it about as if she’d never left.  They spent hours at the diner down the street from the theater Kurt worked at after Kurt got a stage hand job after his work study and hours at the diner by the loft.  The post work-study job fit nicely into his schedule since he couldn’t get his Vogue job back after going to Lima for so long.

He ran into Adam again at a diner not far from the theater where Adam was playing in an off-Broadway modern-day version of Taming of the Shrew.  Kurt was there to meet up with Lenny, who he had worked with during his work study and who had landed the stage manager job in the show Adam was in. He’d just seen the show on the tickets Lenny had given out to friends he’d worked with before. Lenny had been a great co-worker and Kurt had been excited to see him and catch up with him after several months of not seeing him and Lenny had insisted he need to talk to Kurt and share news.  Kurt hadn’t expected to see Adam.   He hadn’t known Adam was in the show.  Adam was brilliant, beautiful… breathtaking.   Kurt had left quickly and waited for Lenny at the designated diner, his mind no longer on Lenny and his news but on Adam.  Lenny came in and Kurt’s attention settled a bit, long enough to head Lenny’s news of marriage and a baby on the way…which Kurt was really happy about since Lenny and his girlfriend had been trying to have kids for years…but then Adam came into the diner and Kurt couldn’t help but stare.

“Kurt?” Lenny said, after noticing Kurt had not been listening to him.  He followed Kurt’s gaze to where Adam was sitting.

“Ahh.    Yo! Kurt!” Lenny said a bit louder.  Kurt looked back to Lenny with a bit of a blush.

“Sorry.” Kurt said.

“So, have a bit of a crush on the resident heartthrob?” Lenny asked.  “You aren’t the first to stare at him and I’m sure you won’t be the last.  Do you want me to introduce you?”

Kurt shook his head. “No. It’s ok. Now, are you hoping for a boy or a girl?”

Lenny smiled. “After all we’ve dealt with I just want a healthy baby.  Are you sure you don’t want an introduction?  Adam is…”

“Pleased to see you here,” Adam said from behind Kurt. “I love this diner.  Did I hear right?  Congratulations Lenny.”

“Thanks, Adam this is…” Lenny started.

“Kurt,” Adam said very softly. “I was hoping it was you.”

“Adam, you were breathtaking.” Kurt whispered.

Lenny sat back and raised his eyebrows as Adam reached forward towards Kurt’s face before pulling his hand back.

“Isn’t that my line?” Adam replied with a smile.

“Adam, you were breathtaking.” Kurt repeated, smiling back.

“Thank you.  How have you been?” Adam asked.

“I’ve been.” Kurt replied. “It’s been life, you know….good bad ugly messy…and you?”

“I’ve been good. Better now I’m back in the US and working a steady job.  How are thing between you and….Blaine wasn’t it?”

“They aren’t and it had been an unmitigated disaster for much longer than I ever should have allowed. Oh, God Adam, I am so sorry…sorry for how you were treated by Rachel and Santana and sorry for how I treated you and sorry you were touched by the catastrophe that was my life and…just sorry. I was such a mess and I had no right letting it all touch you in any way without giving you a whole lot more warning first.”

Kurt’s outburst came with tears and Lenny handed Kurt a napkin, reminding the other two men he was still there.

“Oh, Lenny. I am so sorry….I didn’t mean to ignore you.” Kurt said.

‘Oh, no…it is fine.” Lenny said.  “I need to be heading home anyway…Jewel likes me to be home close to on time.”

“Tell her congratulations from me and that as soon as she wants I’ll take her shopping.  I know the best places to dress your little one like a star for very very little money!” Kurt said.

Lenny laughed. “I’ll tell her.  I’ll leave you two to your…reunion?”

Adam chuckled. “I met Kurt his first semester at NYADA.”

“Ahh…anyway, later.”

Kurt and Adam watched Lenny leave and Adam slid into the bench Lenny had been sitting in.  “Mind if I eat something?  I’m starving and I have nothing at home to fix.” Adam said.

“Go ahead.  I think I’ll grab something as well…and then you can tell me what you’ve been up to.”

Their grab something turned out to be multiple somethings as they talked for hours.  They met Missi and Kendra who kept them in coffee and fries and then Jamie Lynn who introduced them to the diner’s famous breakfast bowls. Adam and Kurt saw them every night for about six weeks for hours after Adam was done with his show. By that time Adam had been introduced to Ms. Bessie and been reintroduced to Nana Jo. After six weeks they stopped by a lot less in the diner by Adam’s work and a lot more in the diner by the loft…as Adam moved in with Kurt as roommates.

Two years later Kurt took Adam to Lima.  LuLu greeted Kurt at the door with a hug and a kiss on the cheek and pulled out photos of Kurt and his mother eating there to show Adam.  She produced peach pie for Adam and Cheery cheesecake for Kurt, to match his still cherry like cheeks.  She and the other waitresses who’d worked there when Kurt was a wee tot told Adam and Kurt tale after tale of little Kurt’s adventures and teen Kurt’s heartaches.   Kurt left with the promise for it never to be so long between visits and to bring Adam back with every time he came home to Lima.   It is never longer than six months between visits again.

Years later, in an interview after his first Tony award, the reporter asked Kurt about his favorite place to eat.

“Diners.” Kurt answered. “There is just something mystic about Diners.  Magical people work there and there is always something incredible to eat.”

#glee fanfic #Kurt Hummel #Kadam

[broomballkraken]

Title: Stronger Together

Fandom: Fire Emblem: Three Houses/Fire Emblem Heroes

Pairing(s): Balthus/Byleth

Word count: 6534

Warnings: N/A

Summary: With the war finally over, Balthus travels to Kupala with Byleth, eager to introduce his new fiancée to his mom. A small part of him was nervous about how his two favorite ladies would get along, but luckily, he had absolutely nothing to worry about.

Written for the FE3H Ultra Rarepair Big Bang (Art can be found here)

“C’mon sweetheart, you’re not getting tired already, are you?”

“Hmm, you’re the one falling behind. Do I need to stop and carry you?”

Balthus barked out a laugh as Byleth glanced over her shoulder at him, an eyebrow raised as a small grin spread over her face. Their journey across Fódlan had been a long one, but they were currently crossing into the outskirts of their destination: his mother’s home of Kupala.

It had been a while since Balthus had visited the quiet mountain village, as the war had obviously kept him rather busy. He was happy to finally be able to see his mother again, but he was even happier that he was not alone, but rather accompanied by the woman that he loved more than anything else in the world.

“Heh, you better watch what you say. I may...surprise you!” Balthus suddenly sprinted up to Byleth, and before she could react, he scooped her up into his arms and held her tight.

“Balthus!” Byleth laughed as he spun her around, and, Goddess help him, Balthus would never, ever tire of that ethereal sound coming from her. It was hard to believe that this was the same, practically emotionless woman that he had met in Abyss all those years ago.

Balthus remembered that day well. Abyss was in a tissy about an ‘intruder’ from the surface, but this so called intruder was just the new, and apparently curious, professor at the Officer’s Academy. She didn’t look like much, but the blank look in her eyes had unnerved him a bit, as well as the lack of emotion in her tone as she spoke. He had been surprised to learn that she was also a mercenary, and a damn skilled one at that, as their first battle together had clearly shown him.

From that day on, Byleth became a regular visitor of Abyss, and she always made a point to stop and talk to Balthus while she was there, which was another thing that surprised him. Most people were pretty intimidated by him, but she always seemed unphased when they were chatting. He liked that, and decided that he wanted to see more of her, so he asked to sit in on her lessons sometimes. She actually let him - and her surprising him was starting to become an interesting trend - and he had learned more that he had anticipated from her when he did show up to her lectures and training sessions. She really had a natural knack for teaching.

As they grew closer over time, Balthus started to notice subtle changes in Byleth’s demeanor, mostly in respect to her emotional state. Instead of blankly staring at him with her bright blue eyes, she would actually smile in response to his over-the-top boasting about his grappling skills, or raise a dubious eyebrow when he asked her for money, and she had actually laughed when he made a stupid joke while they had tea one time. It was the first time he had ever heard her laugh, and it was a moment that would be etched into his memory for a long, long time.

When Jeralt died, Balthus had been a close witness to Byleth’s first expressions of sorrow. She had shut herself away for a few days after the fact, and Balthus had become worried enough to actually venture to the surface to find her. When he did not find Byleth in her room, he searched the entirety of Garrag Mach, the last place he looked being the Goddess Tower.

And sure enough, there she had been, standing at the railing overlooking the entire monastery, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight. Balthus could hear her soft sobs from where he stood by the stairs, and it was a sound that he never wanted to hear coming from her again. He had crossed the room and stood silently next to her, waiting for her to notice him. When she had finally turned to look at him, his heart clenched painfully at the devastated, broken look in her red, puffy eyes. He did the only thing that he could think to do at that moment; he pulled her into his arms and let her cry against his chest.

Balthus held her silently, as his hands ran gently over her back and through her hair, until her tears had run dry and she had cried herself hoarse. Balthus had smiled at her as he wiped the tears from her cheeks, before he pulled out a bottle of wine he had been saving for a rainy day. He joked that he had managed to find some of that ‘fun juice’ that they had missed out on when they won the Battle of the Eagle and Lion, and he smiled when she let out a quiet laugh. It was a bit lackluster, but it was definitely better than hearing her cry, anyway.

They sat together for a while, passing the bottle back and forth and watching the stars. They talked about whatever came to their minds, as long as it didn’t have to do with the terrible current events, and eventually an exhausted Byleth fell asleep with her head resting on Balthus’ shoulder. He had watched her peaceful, sleeping face for a while, and he hoped that someday she could be that peaceful while awake too. Balthus had carried her back to her room, wrapped up nice and warm in his coat, and he was happy when he saw that she was acting more like her old self the next day.

In the month to come, Balthus had trained hard with Byleth, and noticed the fires of revenge blazing in her eyes, and he was all too eager to help her achieve that goal of vengeance. He had grown wary, though, of her getting too reckless in battle, and he voiced that concern when she helped him fight off some goons sent by his stubborn shrew of a stepmother. He wanted her to keep out of it for her own safely, and it was then that she said something that genuinely shocked him.

‘I can protect the both of us.’

Balthus had always been proud of how strong he was, and he had no problems fighting his way out of even the most perilous of situations. He never really gave any thought to having someone protect him. The King of Grappling, needing a protector? It seemed a bit pointless to him. But, if it was going to be anyone watching his back, it really couldn’t have been anyone other than Byleth, the mercenary-turned-professor who had begun to unknowingly pry her way into his heart.

Life could be a cruel mistress, Balthus knew this well, but the day that Byleth disappeared reminded him of that fact in the most bitter and heart-wrenching way possible. For five long years he wandered Fódlan as a mercenary, helping those that he could and returning to Abyss every once in a while to make sure it was safe. He kept himself busy, but not busy enough to stop him from thinking of Byleth every single day. And eventually, he figured out the exact reason why: He had fallen in love with her.

He couldn’t pinpoint exactly when or how it happened, but as soon as the possibility crossed his mind, Balthus could think of no other plausible explanation. Byleth was an incredible woman, with a good head on her shoulders, a refreshing sense of humor, a fierce loyalty and protectiveness for those she had taken under her wing, and Goddess above, she was the most beautiful woman that he had ever met. How could he have not fallen head-over-heels for her?

That’s why it hurt so much, not knowing when or even if she would return. Or even if she was still alive at all. That thought haunted him for many nights, but Balthus stubbornly refused to believe that Byleth would die so easily. It was the thought that she was still out there fighting the good fight that helped him push forward and continue to live his life the best he could with a war raging around him.

It was by chance that he had been back in Abyss at the same time as the monastery's millennium festival that would have been celebrated had the place not been completely abandoned. The buzz among the Abyssians was that the Knights of Seiros had returned to the monastery, but nothing could have prepared Balthus for the moment when he looked up from cleaning his gauntlets to find Byleth standing before him, looking just the same as she had five years ago.

After he had hugged and twirled her around for a bit in an uncontained fit of joy, relishing in the fact that he could listen to that godsdamn beautiful laugh of hers again, he promised to help her out in any way that he could. And just like that, things between them went right back to normal. Well, as normal as they could with a war going on, anyway.

They trained together, talked about his mother and Kupala, and shoved as many tea breaks in as they could in between the many grueling battles. All the while, Byleth began looking more and more like the woman of his dreams, so Balthus tried desperately to come up with a plan to confess his feelings for her.

Unfortunately, he really couldn’t come up with much of anything, besides coming across the perfect ring for her and blowing a good chunk of his savings on it. Balthus had decided then to focus on finding a way to secure protection for Kupala first in order to give himself more time to plan out a perfect way to ask Byleth to marry him.

When the war was finally won, Balthus was left dumbfounded when the spy he had paid to watch over Kupala informed him that a contingent of knights had been stationed in the remote village already. There could only be one explanation for that, so with all of his plans thrown out the window, Balthus knew that it was now or never.

He climbed the Goddess Tower that night, crossing his fingers the entire time with the hope that Byleth would do the exact opposite of what he expected and accept his proposal. She looked as beautiful as always standing there in the moonlight, and he started rambling at her immediately before he had a chance to lose his cool.

After asking Byleth to marry him in about the most embarrassing way that he possibly could have, Balthus thought his heart might give out as he waited for her to give him an answer. She gazed at him for a moment, those beautiful eyes of hers never leaving his, before she smiled and said yes.

She said yes, and that night, he became the happiest godsdamn man alive.

“Um, Balthus?”

Pulled from his thoughts, Balthus blinked rapidly as Byleth poked his cheeks with her fingers, and he laughed as his arms tightened around her.

“Heh, sorry. Got a bit lost in thought.”

“Oh?” Byleth raised a curious eyebrow. “That’s unlike you. What were you thinking about so deeply?”

Balthus grinned as he leaned up, pressing his lips against her cheek, coaxing a pretty little giggle out of her. “Why, you, of course! About how lucky I am that a goof of a guy like me is engaged to be married to the most beautiful and amazing woman in the entire world.”

He watched with an amused glint in his eye as Byleth’s cheeks flushed a deep pink, and she cupped his face with her hands as she pressed her forehead against his. “Well, this goof completely stole my heart, so I feel like I’m the lucky one.”

“I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree there, love.” Balthus’ voice dropped to a whisper as his eyes locked with hers, and she leaned down to press her lips against his in a tender kiss. Gods, he swore that he could get piss-drunk just on the taste of her lips, considering the fuzzy, weightless feeling that rushed through him every time they kissed. Their intimate embrace lasted a bit longer, before Byleth pulled away and wiggled out of Balthus’ arms.

“We should keep moving,” she said, adjusting the pack on her back as she held her hand out to him, “I’m eager to finally meet your mom. You’ve always had really nice things to say about her.” Balthus smiled as he took her hand in his, their fingers lacing together as they continued up the mountain path.

“Oh yeah, I’m sure she’s gonna love you!” Balthus chuckled as he let go of Byleth’s hand and slung his arm over her shoulders, “I know exactly what she’s gonna say too: ‘How’d a big doofus like you manage to charm a pretty woman like her?’” He had pitched his voice up to try and imitate his mother’s tone, but he definitely failed miserably at it.

Byleth held a hand to her face to muffle her snort as she tried not to laugh. “I wonder the same thing sometimes.”

“Ouch. There’s that biting wit that I love so much, sweetheart.” Byleth couldn’t contain her laughter this time, and Balthus laughed along with her as he hugged her tight to his side.

Byleth suddenly tensed up against him, and Balthus immediately understood why. He could hear shouting coming from up ahead, and the sound of metal striking metal caused a pit of fear to form in his gut; Kupala was in danger. His eyes flicked over to meet Byleth’s for a moment, before they both whipped out their weapons and charged on ahead.

Soon enough, they stumbled upon the source of the commotion; the Knights of Seiros were locked in combat with what looked to be just some common bandits. Balthus clenched his jaw as he charged into the fray without a second thought. He wasn’t going to stand idly by and let them harm his mother, or anyone else in the village. With a few swings of his gauntlets, Balthus had already made quick work of three bandits, but when he blocked an attack with both gauntlets, another bandit made a jab at his exposed flank.

The bandit’s blade never made contact, however, because he was impaled and sent flying by Byleth’s wicked awesome whip-sword. As it began to snap back to her, Balthus laughed and shot her a wink as he pummeled the bandit in front of him.

“Yeah, nice one!” he called out, but when he turned to look at her again, his blood ran cold at the sight. A bandit was closing in on her from behind, his ax raised over his head, and Balthus knew that she wouldn’t be ready to block his attack in time.

“Byleth!” This time his voice was frantic, and he started sprinting towards her, praying that he would make it to her in time. Even just the thought of losing her...was like driving a knife through his heart.

However, as he watched in horror as Byleth turned around, eyes wide and locked onto the bandit about to attack her, the bandit was cleaved across the neck with an ax and knocked hard to the ground, dead on impact. Time seemed to stop for a moment as Balthus tried to comprehend what had just happened, but when he realized exactly who had just saved his beloved, a huge smile slowly spread across his face.

“Are you alright?” his mother asked as she hefted her ax over her shoulder, and Byleth nodded as she sheathed her sword. Balthus noted that the knights seemed to have finally run off the rest of the bandits, so he strode up to his mother and Byleth. His mother hadn’t changed one bit since he last saw her, with her curly black hair pinned up in a bun and a bandanna wrapped around her head. Her strength certainly hadn’t dulled at all either, and she seemed to be as healthy as always. Balthus was grateful for that.

“Well, well, I can see where I got my scrappin’ genes from!” Balthus watched as his mother turned around, her confused expression morphing to one of shock and then joy in the span of five seconds.

“Balthus? Is that really you?” She laughed as she cupped his face with her hands, and he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug.

“The one and only!”

“Oh, my Baltie! I’m so glad you’re safe!” She pulled away and gave him a once-over. A small frown crossed her face as her brows furrowed thoughtfully.

“Hmm, you seem to have kept up your strength all this time, but you do seem a bit thinner…”

“Mom.”

“Have they been feeding you properly in that Abyss place? Oh, I’ll have to get some proper meals in you while you’re here.”

“Mom…”

“And what is this mess on your head?” She reached up to pinch a bit of Balthus’ hair between her fingers. “Didn’t I teach you anything about grooming yourself properly, boy?”

“C’mon mom…”

“Oh, and you still haven’t introduced me to your friend yet. Where are your manners?” She gave him a light slap on the arm, and Balthus sighed as he glanced at Byleth, who had been watching their exchange silently with an amused smile on her face. Balthus grinned and grabbed her hand to pull her to his side.

“Byleth, this is my mom, the one and only Ariana von Albrecht! And mom,” Balthus said, turning his adoring gaze onto Byleth for a moment before he looked back at his mom, “this is Byleth Eisner. She’s the love of my life, and we’re engaged to be married.”

Ariana looked back and forth between Byleth and Balthus a few times, with a dubious eyebrow raised, before she leaned towards Byleth.

“How’d a big doofus like him manage to charm a pretty woman like you?” she asked with a chuckle, and Byleth immediately burst out laughing, while Balthus groaned and smacked a hand over his face.

“See? I told you she was gonna say that!” Balthus said, but his own laughter soon joined theirs, and when it died down, Ariana pulled Byleth into a hug.

“I’m just teasing you, hun,” she said to Byleth as she pulled away, “It is very nice to meet you, Byleth. I do hope my dear son has been behaving like a gentleman around you.”

“I’m not sure he knows how to do that,” Byleth deadpanned, and Balthus gawked at her.

“Hey!”

“Oh, you’re probably right.” Ariana let out a defeated sigh and shrugged. “I raised him the best that I could, but I guess some things went in one ear and out the other.”

“I’m standing right here!” Balthus pouted as Byleth giggled and his mom grinned at her, but he couldn’t help but smile at the two most important women in his life. The fact that they were getting along so well already blunted the blows to his pride a bit.

“Well, we should let the knights handle the clean up here,” Ariana started, before mumbling under her breath, “Although they really shouldn’t have let it get this bad in the first place…” She then smiled and grabbed Byleth and Balthus’ hands. “Let’s get to the village. You two must be tired after your long journey, and I must tell everyone the good news. Oh, and preparations must begin quickly…”

“Uh, preparations for what?” Balthus asked with an eyebrow raised.

“For the celebration of your engagement, of course.” Ariana waved off his question as if the answer should have been obvious. “There’s lots of food to cook and barrels of ale to crack open before nightfall!”

“Oh hell yeah! I’m always up for a good party, aren’t you, sweetheart?” Balthus said, wrapping his arm around Byleth. She smiled and nodded enthusiastically.

“Of course. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Great, follow me then.” Ariana strapped her ax to her back and started towards the village, with Balthus and Byleth close behind. Balthus knew that this night was going to be one to remember, for all of them.

*

Byleth was certain that she had never been anywhere quite like Kupala before. The villagers were friendly and welcoming, especially after finding out that one of their own was engaged to be married. They had been quick to prepare for a celebratory feast, and before she knew it, Byleth found herself sitting by the largest of many bonfires scattered throughout the streets of the village. With a full mug of ale and some of the best food that she had ever tasted filling her stomach, she was already having the time of her life.

“Ah, here you two are! Drink up, there’s plenty to go around!”

Byleth smiled as Ariana sat down next to her, handing her and Balthus full mugs of ale. The three clinked their mugs together before taking a swig, and Balthus’ arm fell back to rest over Byleth’s shoulders. She giggled when he pulled her close and placed a kiss on her cheek, and Byleth was glad to see a small grin cross Ariana’s face as she took another slow sip of her drink.

“Heh, watching you two being all cute and cuddly really brings back memories.” Byleth tilted her head curiously as a pensive look crossed Ariana’s face, but she quickly changed the subject. “Have you two made any plans for the wedding yet?”

“Nah,” Balthus said with a shrug, “I would’ve been fine with getting hitched right after I proposed, but I know you’d have killed me.”

Balthus chuckled as a sour looked crossed his mother’s face. “Of course I would have. I can’t believe you’d even consider getting married without inviting your own mother.”

“Geez, I was just kidding, mom. I’d never dream of leaving you out of the happiest day of my life!”

Byleth smiled at that, and she felt herself blush as her face grew warm. The happiest day of Balthus’ life would be the day that he married her, huh? The thought made an excited giddiness bubble up within her, and Byleth knew that she would feel the same once that special day finally came.

“You better be kidding, boy.” Ariana raised an eyebrow at him, and her gaze shifted to Byleth. “How did he propose, anyway?” Byleth glanced at Balthus, who had choked a bit on his drink. When he recovered, he let out a nervous chuckle and rubbed at the back of his neck.

“Ah, it was really nothing too special, no need to go into detail-”

“He rambled on for a bit to stall and then said ‘Marry me, pal.’” Byleth deadpanned, and an absolutely horrified look crossed Balthus’ face. Ariana stared at them for a moment, before she burst out laughing so hard that tears were streaming down her face by the time she recovered enough to speak.

“You...you said what?” Her voice came out in a wheeze, as Ariana was still trying to catch her breath. “Oh, Byleth honey, I am genuinely shocked that you still said yes after that. You must really love this big goof.” She barked out a few more laughs until she started coughing, and Byleth turned to find Balthus pouting at her.

“Sweetheart! You promised not to tell anyone about that!” he said, and Byleth tilted her head at him.

“But I thought you’d want your mom to know at least.”

“She’s the last person that I wanted to know!”

Byleth couldn’t help but giggle as Balthus sighed, but he was soon laughing too. When they all recovered, Balthus pulled Byleth into his arms and hugged her tightly.

“You guys gotta give me a break here,” Balthus said, and Ariana raised an eyebrow at him, “I was really nervous that night, and I...didn’t actually think that you’d say yes.”

“Oh?” Byleth blinked as she turned her head to look at him. “I thought how I felt about you was obvious.”

“...You can be a bit hard to read sometimes, to be fair.”

“And you,” Ariana cut in, “can be a bit dense, Baltie. You two seemed to have your work cut out for you, trying to court each other like that.”

“Ugh, I guess…” Balthus mumbled, downing the rest of his drink in one gulp, “You guys need more?”

“Oh, of course,” Ariana said, and Byleth nodded. Balthus smiled as he stood up and gathered up the empty mugs. He made to leave, but paused for a moment to lean down and place a chaste kiss on Byleth’s lips.

“Be back soon, love.”

Byleth smiled fondly as she watched him go, and she turned back to Ariana when she heard the older woman chuckling softly.

“He’s such a handful,” Ariana mused, “I do hope that he was on his best behavior when you introduced him to your parents.”

The smile fell from Byleth’s face, and her gaze slowly shifted to the ground. “I, ah, my parents are...dead.” Before now, she never really gave any thought to the fact that her parents wouldn’t be present for her wedding, and now that the topic had come up, it really made Byleth’s heart sink.

Ariana didn’t respond right away, but she did shift closer to Byleth and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry, hun. Losing loved ones is never an easy thing.” Byleth lifted her gaze back up as Ariana gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze. “Will you tell me about them?”

Byleth hadn’t really talked about her parents since Jeralt’s death, but for some reason, she felt very comfortable around Ariana. This seemed odd to Byleth, but it might have had something to do with the fact that she was the mother of the man that she loved. Nodding slightly, Byleth took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“Well,” she began, “I never knew my mom. She died shortly after I was born. But...My dad told me that she smiled the most when she was pregnant with me, and that she loved me with all of her heart.” Byleth swallowed thickly, trying to clear away the lump that was trying to form in her throat before she continued.

“My dad was all that I had. He taught me everything I know, especially about fighting. He...wasn’t the most emotional person, but then again, neither was I. But he always supported and encouraged me to be the best that I could be.” Byleth stared down at her hands, which were clenched into fists in her lap.

“He...was murdered while I was teaching at the Academy. The day that he died was the first time that I ever cried...He seemed so happy that my first tears were for him…” Byleth tried to say more, but she choked on her words as tears that she did not know that she was shedding fell down her face. She sucked in a shaky breath, trying to compose herself, but a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around her, and she was pulled into Ariana’s warm embrace.

“There, there, it’s okay,” she whispered, and Byleth let out a sob as Ariana gently guided her head to rest on her shoulder, and Byleth started crying in earnest. The last time she had cried this hard was when Balthus had come to comfort her after Jeralt’s death. It was an interesting coincidence that his mother was the one who was comforting her now.

“You’ve been through so much, Byleth,” Ariana said, rubbing a hand over Byleth’s back soothingly, “I know that we just met, but I can tell that you are a good woman, and that your parents would be very proud of you.” Byleth swallowed thickly as she lifted her head from Ariana’s shoulder, and she choked out a small laugh as she rubbed her eyes.

“T-Thank you.” Byleth took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I really hope that I’ve made them proud. I heard from a good friend of my dad’s that I really was the most important thing in the world to him…”

“Oh I don’t doubt that for a second. It seems like he was a good man.” Byleth nodded as Ariana spoke, and she held Byleth’s mug of ale out to her. She gladly took it, and downed the rest of the contents in one go. Ariana chuckled softly as she took a sip of her own drink.

“You know,” Ariana said, “I always knew the day would come when my Baltie brought home someone he loved and wanted to spend the rest of his life with. But there was a small part of me that worried about exactly what type of person he would choose.”

Byleth listened intently, and Ariana smirked and shook her head as she continued. “It was silly for me to worry, though. Balthus may have a history of making poor financial decisions and jumping head-on into brawls, but other than that, he always did have a good head on his shoulders. And, more importantly, he has a good heart.”

“He...really does,” Byleth interjected, “There were many times that he risked his own life to protect Abyss and Garrag Mach. I know that he also worried about you a lot, too.”

“I’m well aware of that.” Ariana chuckled as she turned her gaze to the other campfires scattered about the village. “That fool boy, spending money that he didn’t have to send spies here to watch over me, and the rest of Kupala.”

“I am...eternally grateful that he still cares about me so much,” Ariana said, a sad smile crossing her face when she looked back at Byleth, who tilted her head, confused, “It broke my heart when I had to leave him with his father when he was still a boy, but I knew that he would have a chance at a better life there. He really did grow into a wonderful man, and I am so proud of him.”

Byleth smiled and reached out to take Ariana’s hands in hers. “You’re a good mom, Ariana. Balthus was and is lucky to have someone like you to look up to.” Ariana stared at Byleth for a moment, before she laughed and shook her head.

“It’s nice of you to say that, hun. I really was worried for nothing. My Baltie really found someone special to spend the rest of his life with.” Byleth blushed with embarrassment when Ariana placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled.

“I am really looking forward to welcoming you into the family, Byleth. I never had a daughter, but if I had, I think that I would have wanted her to turn out like you.” Byleth’s eyes widened at Ariana’s words, and she could feel fresh tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. “I wouldn’t mind if you started calling me mom from now on, if you’d like.”

“Mom…” Byleth whispered, and a warmth that she had not felt before welled up inside of her chest. Byleth had never had anyone to call mom before, and being given the opportunity to do so now was quite overwhelming.

“I...I’d like that...mom…” Byleth said, and she brought a hand to her face as she started crying again. Ariana’s warm embrace engulfed her again, and Byleth sobbed harder when she felt her place a gentle kiss on the top of her head.

“Er, am I interrupting something? Should I come back later?”

Byleth looked up to find that Balthus had returned, and his eyebrows were furrowed as he looked back and forth between the two women. As Byleth wiped the tears from her face, Ariana rolled her eyes and grabbed him by the arm.

“Get over here, you goof,” she said, and Balthus laughed as he set down the drinks that he carried and wrapped his arms around Byleth and Ariana.

“Well, I can’t say no to my two favorite ladies, can I?” Byleth giggled when he kissed her cheek, and Ariana smirked as she ruffled his hair.

When they all parted, Ariana grabbed one of the full mugs of ale and held it up. “How about a toast?” she said. Byleth shared a glance with Balthus, who smiled fondly as he handed her a mug and hoisted his own into the air.

“To the happy couple! May your future be filled with all of the happiness and love that you two truly deserve,” Ariana said as their mugs clashed together and laughter filled the air. As the night went on, full of merriment and mirth and lots of love, Byleth knew that she would think fondly upon this moment in her life for many, many years to come.

*

“You warm enough, sweetheart?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Balthus placed a kiss against Byleth’s hair as his arms tightened around her, and he heard her sigh as she pressed her back flush against his chest. From their spot cuddled up together on the roof of his mom’s house, Balthus gazed out across the village, where the last burning embers of the many campfires were finally starting to snuff out. The quiet of the night was a nice contrast to the excitement of the celebration, and Balthus was glad to finally be alone with the love of his life.

“That was some party, huh? I almost forgot how much the people here like to let loose,” Balthus said, and Byleth giggled as she turned her head to look at him.

“I had a great time. Kupala really is a wonderful place,” Byleth said. Balthus smiled as he gave her a quick kiss and nuzzled his cheek against her own, coaxing another string of giggles from her.

“I gotta say, I’m pretty glad that my mom seems to like you so much already.”

Byleth placed her hands over his and nodded. “Yeah, she’s really wonderful. She told me outright that if she had a daughter that she would have wanted her to turn out like me.”

“Well, you are the most amazing woman in the world, so I can see why she’d say that.” Balthus grinned when Byleth rolled her eyes at him, but she then shifted in his lap so that she was facing him.

“You’re so cheesy,” Byleth said as she leaned up to place a kiss on the tip of Balthus’ nose, causing a light blush to rise high on his cheeks. “She also told me that she’s...really proud of you, Balthus.”

“...Really?” A tightness formed in Balthus’ chest, his eyes becoming a bit misty as he looked up at the stars. “I...always kinda thought that I was a bit of a let down, you know, because of my recklessness and, er, money issues.”

Byleth was silent as Balthus ran a hand through his hair, letting out a deep sigh as a few tears fell down his face. “I just...sometimes feel like I should have done more for her, you know? If I hadn’t been such a screw up, she could have lived a better life.” He hung his head dejectedly, and his eyes widened when he felt warm hands cup his cheeks. His eyes wandered up to lock with Byleth’s, and a small smile crossed her face as she wiped away his tears with her thumbs.

“This kind of talk is unlike you, love,” she said as she pressed her forehead against his, “I think your mom is perfectly happy here, and you already have done so much for her. She knows that you’ve been sending people to watch over her and Kupala all this time. I can tell that she loves you so, so much. And I know that she knows that you feel the same.”

Balthus lifted a hand up to brush away some of Byleth’s hair that had fallen into her face. She was right, of course. He was being unnecessarily self-critical. The past was done and over with, and he needed to focus on becoming a better man for the future. Wrapping his arms around Byleth, he pulled her tight against his chest as a huge smile crossed his face.

“You’re right, sweetheart.” His voice had dropped to a whisper, and he heard Byleth sigh contently as she practically melted into his embrace. “I’m the luckiest bastard in the world, you know? I still don’t think I’m worthy of your love in the slightest...But I promise you that I’ll never stop working to better myself, to become truly deserving of you.”

Byleth laughed as she lifted her head from his chest and raised an eyebrow at him. “I already told you that I love you just as you are, Balthus.” She paused to take his hand in hers and entwine their fingers together. “When we exchanged rings that night, you said that being able to protect each other was what marriage is all about, right?” Balthus nodded. Of course he remembered that; every beautiful detail of that night would forever be etched into his memory.

Byleth smiled softly and lifted his hand to her face, placing a kiss on her mother’s ring that wrapped around Balthus’ pinky (it was too small to fit on his ring finger). “Well, I think a big part of protecting each other is to help each other improve in every way possible, so that we will be stronger as individuals. Which would make us stronger together, to be able to handle anything that life throws at us.” Balthus stared at her with wide eyes, before a tender smile crossed his face as he cupped her cheek with his free hand.

As her hand moved to rest on his chest, Byleth leaned up and pressed her lips to his. Balthus’ eyes slipped shut as he deepened the kiss, and feeling her smile against his lips made him feel a certain kind of happiness that he never really got from anything else. When they finally parted, the way Byleth’s eyes sparkled when she looked at him would have taken his breath away, if the kiss that they shared hadn’t already done so.

“You’re absolutely right, my love,” he said as he gently caressed her cheek with his thumb, and Byleth’s face flushed a cute shade of pink. “When I first met you, that day in Abyss all those years ago, I never would have dreamed that you’d end up being the love of my life. I love you so much, Byleth.”

“I love you too, Balthus. You’re the only one who has and will ever have my undying love, always.” Byleth smiled sweetly up at him, and a sly grin crossed Balthus’ face.

“Heh, and you called me cheesy.”

The sound of laughter filled the air as Byleth delivered a playful swat to Balthus’ chest, and soon Byleth was wrapped in his arms again as they both gazed up at the beautiful, star-filled sky. As they spent the night basking in the warm embrace of each other, Balthus was looking forward to seeing what the future held for him, especially when the love of his life would be with him every step of the way.

#fire emblem three houses #balthus von albrecht #byleth eisner #balthus/byleth #fanfiction #jade writes fanfiction