#it's not like he himself didn't plan to go off do his own thing (mage rights) once corypheus was done

[niofo]

really funny thinking about an inquisitor who was neither friends nor enemies with solas. they're showing up in dreadwolf like, solas? ah yes, we were coworkers once, i don't really know the dude, but i guess i need to help to stop some end of the world crisis again before they let me retire.

#dragon age #dragon age dreadwolf #idris was kinda friendly with solas but they weren't exactly friends #and he's is not feeling particularly betrayed by the whole dreadwolf plot #it's not like he himself didn't plan to go off do his own thing (mage rights) once corypheus was done #he's not asking cass or leliana to stop with the chantry bs either let's be fair here

[mrsrookhunt]

Not me forgetting its Mermay until the last day of May. Anyway, idk if it really counts but now I don't have time for plot planning so have an Azul X Reader.

I really love the idea of present day chubby Azul. Maybe he gained weight over stress, I'm not sure. But you still think he's more than adorable when you see him again a year later.

Leave Me Be

Chubby!Azul Ashengrotto x Reader

Warnings: Angst, Self-shaming, Depression, reader is probably also chubby but maybe I'm just projecting

Traveling to the deepest depths of the Coral Sea was less than easy. Honestly, the amount of potions and formulas you had to drink from weaker mages made you feel like shit. Azul could've done far better for you, but upon your accidental return to Night Raven College through some portal you'd found in a puddle, you'd found that he'd left the school and decided to take a year for himself at home.

You were shocked, but there wasn't much you could do; he wasn't returning your messages. You waited a couple of weeks for school to let out, and had Jade and Floyd take you to his home.

You quickly found out that Azul had moved out of his family's home, into the outskirts of town, apparently, according to the rumors, depressed and ashamed of himself.

Alone, with Jade and Floyd already gone to their own destination, you swam unguided to where you hoped was at least the general direction of his new home.

The other Mers had said his home wasn't easy to miss, but for someone as unsuited to water as you, particularly in these dark depths, a serious worry that you would get lost ruminated in the back of your mind.

Around 30 minutes of aimless swimming later, you saw a dim light in the gloom.

It seemed to glow a dim purple, somewhere off in a hole in the side of a massive rock formation.

Bracing yourself to swim upwards quite the distance, you realized just how massive this wall of rock and sediment was.

It was just a guess.

No one had mentioned Azul's home as being on the human equivalent of a mountainside. But then again, it didn't seem like many people had visited him. They spoke strongly of his gloomy, irritated demeanor, and unwillingness to use his magic anymore. It seemed that shortly after he moved, he began rejecting visitors all together.

You pulled yourself along the rough rock wall with your hands, following the light, which became clearer and brighter the closer you swam.

It was just a guess, but you were certain if there was any place the Azul you knew would hide, it would be far away from others, holed up in a spot where he'd be safe and unbothered.

The relatively small opening to the cavern you were less than a few feet from fit the definition to a tee.

Maybe 12 feet across both directions, the mouth of the cavern felt tucked away.

You took in a deep breath when you reached the edge, seeing the gauzy purple light brighten from within, relishing the strange feeling of water filling your lungs instead of air.

"Azul?" You called out, unsteady and feeling small in the vast ocean around you, hands still tightly gripped on the rough rocky surface.

A small flurry of bubbles, and the light turned off with a tick.

"I'm not accepting visitors at the moment." A voice called from within, annoyance pricking every syllable.

You sighed and valted yourself into the entrance of the cave with relief, not going any farther.

"Did you not hear me? Step out of my home, I have not invited you here!" His tone was sharp and outright angry.

You couldn't see a thing in the dark now, but you could feel the soft swish in the water of Azul's swift movements nearby.

"Zullie, it's me." You called into the dark, feeling unsettled.

A silence seemed to fall over the small space.

"...Yuu?"

His voice shook, a little weaker than he had clearly intended it to come out.

"I've missed you." You said tentively, hoping he would turn the light on already.

"Why are you here?"

His voice was composed and sharp again.

"W-well," it was your turn to stutter. He seemed almost angry that you were here. "I found a portal back to school and.. I found out that you had left, and I just..." Though you tried to keep yourself together, tears began to flow freely into the ocean. "I couldn't leave you alone. The first person I went looking for when I came back, was you."

You could hear the heavy breathing from what you could now identify as across the room.

That swish of movement again, and--

"Leave me be."

"What-?"

"You heard me." He sounded solemn. "Go, Yuu. Go back to school, or go back home." His voice was softened and shaky; you could hear small sniffles.

"Azul, please, I've missed you so much!" He must have heard the panic, the hurt in your voice, but he only sank deeper into the depths of his cave.

"I don't want you here." He mumbled. "I don't want you here, and I'm not coming back to school either. Don't wait for me."

"Zullie, please! What happened? What's made you like this?"

"You have," He grumbled into the waves.

Your voice dropped to a whisper. "Me? What did I do?" You sat at the edge of the cave.

He didn't respond.

"I'll sit here until you tell me," you warned, in a voice softer than you thought you could manage.

The silence answered you.

"Azul.. I'll go. Just, listen for a moment. I'm sorry if I hurt you... I.. I really missed you. I'm so, so sorry, I'm--" You were crying into your hands at this point.

A single tentacle wrapped around your arm and gently tugged it away from your face.

"It's not your fault.. I shouldn't have hidden it from you. Yuu.. there was something I neglected to tell you before you left. I.. love you. And I didn't tell you. And I've regretted that every day since. I didn't think I would ever get the chance to tell you again."

The tentacle tightened around your arm.

You wiped your tears away, a wry laugh escaping from your mouth amongst the remnants of sobs.

"That's.. what I regretted too. I didn't tell you either.. I love you too, Azul."

You crawled closer to embrace him.

The tentacle rapidly whished away, and you heard him scoot back. You stopped in your tracks.

"..Azul?"

"Yuu.." You could hear the pain in his voice. "It would still be better if you left."

"Absolutely not! You can't j-just confess and expect to escape it now!" You protested. "I've missed you for far too long. Please, I don't want to leave you right now."

You grasped in the dark, coming into contact with a tentacle you gently pulled toward you, sensing Azul moving closer with it.

"You.. you won't like me anymore." His voice is breathy and he sounds pitiful.

"Who said that?"

"You don't understand... I'm not.. what you remember."

"What does that mean?"

"I look different."

"Your mer form, you mean? I've seen it before."

"No.. I looked different in.. other ways."

"...What do you mean?"

The air that hung between you was dampened by the cold, lonely feeling of sadness.

"I used to be fit, and beautiful, for a time... but I couldn't keep that up after you left. Now I'm just a disgusting remnant of who I was when you knew me. I've done nothing but indulge myself in treats, forgotten all about ideal caloric intake, I've not exercised or--" His voice was tangibly anxious, fast and unstable. You could guarantee his eyes were glazed over with tears.

You squeezed the tentacle you were holding tighter, watching him quiet as he wrapped it around your hand, shaking and softly crying.

"Azul, are you trying to tell me that you've gained weight?"

"I look disgusting."

You cast your eyes downward with solemn understanding. "I doubt that, Zullie. I can't imagine you could ever look anything other than perfect in my eyes." Your voice was whisper quiet, but his breath still caught at the sentiment, whimpers lessening as you gently ran a finger back and forth over his suckers to calm him.

"Don't hate me." He muttered, suddenly pulling away from you and shuffling to the other side of the cavern again.

Click

The light revealed your beautiful octo-mer, still as wonderfully entrancing and gorgeous as you'd remembered.

He took your breath away. You could hardly even see any imperfections, even now. His stomach was rounder, his arms were less toned, his jawline was softer and his tentacles looked more full than before. But he was still the most beautiful man you'd ever lain eyes on.

His icy blue eyes were filled with tears you couldn't overlook, and before he could say another word, you launched yourself upon him in a tearful embrace, soothing him with soft whispers while your tears intermingled with his into the open ocean.

His tentacles wrapped against you, words of love and passion falling from both your lips.

You put your hands on each side of his face, guiding him to look into your eyes.

"Azul, I don't see any difference. You're still you. And I love you because of the Azul up here--" you pushed a finger at his forehead. "Not because your body has changed. I love you, Azul. And I won't leave you again."

He buried his head against your neck.

"I love you, I love you so much, Yuu..."

"Zullie.. I'm here to stay. Do you hear me? I'm never leaving you again."

He pulled you tighter to him, sobbing once again.

"Thank you... thank you for coming back, Angelfish."

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

May 31st, 2023

Yeah, this was healing, I know I'm not fat but damn I feel horrible about my body :(

-Kaori

#fanfiction #azul x reader #azul x yuu #azul x mc #azul ashengrotto #twisted wonderland #twst x reader #twst azul #disney x reader #twisted wonderland x yuu #twisted wonderland x reader #chubby #fanfic #azul ashengrotto x reader #azul ashengrotto x yuu #azul ashengrotto x mc #octavinelle #octavinelle x reader #twst x y/n #twst fanfic

[whumperofworlds]

Whumptober Day 1: Fingers

Now on AO3!

Fandom: Fire Emblem: Three Houses

A/N: WHUMPTOBER BEGINS! I'm super excited to share these with y'all!!! It's my first time doing Whumptober so I'm excited to do this! All prompts will be either OC related or fandom related, and they will all be posted on AO3, so stay tuned for more!

I don't own anyone in Fire Emblem: Three Houses.

Content: poisoned, stabbed with an arrow, mentions of emeto, blood.

ENJOY!

_____

@whumptober Day 1: Safety Net | Swooning | "How many fingers am I holding up?"

Hubert didn't think anything was wrong after the battle. Things were going well against the Slitherers—Byleth's plan had gone well, and everyone was alive and safe.

Hubert met up with the rest of the Black Eagle Strike Force, before he started a head count. Lady Edelgard was there, along with her wife, Byleth. So was Bernadetta and Yuri. Even Caspar was here (though Linhardt had something to do with him being here instead of running off).

Everyone was here.

Except for…

"Ferdinand isn't here," Hubert pointed out, his heart nearly stopping as dread hit him. Where was Ferdinand? Was he alive? No. The last time he saw him, he was fighting against Thales. He seemed like he was handling himself well. Unless…

The mere idea of Ferdinand being captured or worse, killed, frightened Hubert more than he would like to admit. They were courting for just a few short months, and both of them promised that they would live for the other's sake before they officially marry. Ferdinand never broke promises he kept.

Edelgard gritted her teeth, glancing towards her wife, who's eyes were filled with concern. Byleth immediately spoke up, "Then we must split up and look for him. He should not have gone far."

Hubert merely nodded, before he teleported away to the last place he saw Ferdinand. Once he arrived, he saw the body of Thales lying on the ground, blood pooling around him… but no Ferdinand in sight.

Where was he?

"Ferdinand?" Hubert called, glancing around. Shambhala was quite a large area, but Hubert knew that Ferdinand didn't go very far, with Thales now dead. He had to be nearby.

"Ferdinand!" Hubert called again, his heart pounding. Did one of the Slitherers get his lover? No. Ferdinand was strong enough to handle them. He wouldn't go down that easily. …Right?

"Ferdie!" Hubert screamed, desperation in his voice now. Surely him calling Ferdinand by his pet name would catch the ginger's attention.

Silence. But he heard a moan from somewhere.

"H-Hubie…?" Ferdinand's voice was weak, scaring the raven haired man more than needed. What happened to Ferdinand?

Hubert glanced around, looking for any sign of his beloved. "Ferdie! Where are you?!" He cried, his heart pounding so hard he swore he would have a heart attack.

Clang

Hubert jumped at the sound from behind him, before he turned. A lance—Ferdinand's lance—laid on the floor, and Hubert could see the bloody fingerprints on the handle.

Hubert rushed up to the lance, glancing over it for a moment before turning his head to the left. In between two buildings was a flash of long orange hair, blood pooling around the body. Sticking out of the body's shoulder was an arrow radiating a purple glow.

Hubert gasped. It was Ferdinand. And he was hit with a poison arrow.

"Ferdie!" Hubert cried, forgetting the lance as he rushed towards his fallen love. He knelt down to Ferdinand when he was close enough, before cradling his broken body in his arms. He was careful not to tousle his wounded shoulder, as he looked over the ginger's pale face.

"H-Hubie…" Ferdinand whispered, his voice cracking due to the sheer pain he was feeling. He breathed heavily, trying to fight to stay awake.

"Ferdie, dammit," Hubert cursed, helping Ferdinand's head so it would lay on the mage's lap. He brushed away orange, sweat stained hair from Ferdinand's face as he tried to keep his own breathing under control. He shouldn't be panicking now. He had to get Ferdinand help, and fast.

He lit up a Fire spell, before he threw it up in the air. The spell exploded once it hit its furthest point, the embers flying everywhere. Surely, one of the Black Eagle Strike Force members would see it and rush to their aid.

"H-Hubie…" Ferdinand gasped, tears now pricking at the corners of his eyes. Hubert gritted his teeth—seeing his beloved in that much pain broke his heart in many pieces.

"Shh," Hubert whispered. "Don't talk, Ferdie. We'll get you help."

Seeing Ferdinand's heavy breathing and his struggle to stay awake made Hubert worry the more time passed. Where was Edelgard? Byleth? With so many members of the Black Eagle Strike Force, someone had to see the signal by now.

"Ferdie," Hubert spoke, his voice firm. He moved slightly so he could hold one hand up for Ferdinand to see. Hubert held up three fingers, before he asked him, "Ferdie, how many fingers am I holding up?"

Ferdinand looked at his hand, squinting at it. Hubert gritted his teeth. Not a good sign at all.

"F-four?" Ferdinand guessed. "I-I cannot tell."

DAMMIT.

Hubert knew that Ferdinand was at the late stages of the poison. He needed to get him help, and soon.

"Hubert!" Hubert recognized the feminine voice of Edelgard a few feet away. "Did you find Ferdinand?!"

Hubert breathed a sigh of relief. Finally. Help had arrived.

"Yes!" Hubert called. "But he's been poisoned! Do you have Linhardt or Manuela with you?!"

"Both of them are here with us," Edelgard answered, her voice closer now. "Hold on! We're coming!"

Hubert merely nodded, taking Ferdinand's hand. He glanced down at his beloved, frowning as he squeezed the ginger's hand slightly.

"H-Hubie…" Ferdinand croaked, tears now falling down his face. "I-it hurts…"

"I know, love," Hubert soothed, "just keep your eyes open for me."

"S-s-so tired…" Ferdinand whimpered, hiccuping as he tried to hold in a sob.

"Ferdie, look at me," Hubert spoke in a firm tone. Ferdinand slowly glanced up at his love to meet his eyes, though Hubert could tell he was struggling. "I need you to stay awake, okay? Linhardt and Manuela are coming."

"I-I-I…" Ferdinand whimpered. "I'm trying…"

His voice was growing soft, and Hubert gulped as his heart pounded in his chest. Ferdinand didn't have much time left—each minute that passed, Ferdinand grew weaker. Where were Linhardt and Manuela? Dammit, where were they?! They should be here by now! How much longer—

"There they are!" Linhardt's voice broke Hubert's panicking thoughts. Hubert could hear footsteps approaching before Manuela and Linhardt appeared. When Linhardt saw how much blood Ferdinand had lost, and how some of it was discolored, he nearly fainted on the spot. Manuela glanced at him, her eyes indicating that Ferdinand needed help now. Linhardt, understanding the look, nodded weakly before he and Manuela rushed forward to the duo. Manuela helped Hubert pick up Ferdinand, carefully pulling out the arrow. Ferdinand hissed as the arrow was fully out of his shoulder, and blood sputtered from the wound. The blood looked more purple than red, which Hubert gritted his teeth in disgust. He had made poisons to kill people, yes, but he had never seen the poison get to this stage.

As soon as the arrow was pulled out, Linhardt took that moment to cast a healing spell to heal the wound. He looked away, nearly gagging at the look of the blood as he did so. Once the wound was nearly closed up, Manuela wrapped a small white cloth around Ferdinand's shoulder, and she could see the blood seeping from the wound. She helped Hubert bring Ferdinand back to the group, who all looked on in worry.

"Ferdinand…" Edelgard gasped, a hand over her mouth.

"He'll be just fine," Manuela reassured, "his body needs to get rid of the poison before he can heal properly. For now, we need to go back to the monastery."

Hubert sighed in relief. Finally, Ferdinand was going to get the help he desperately needed. He looked down at his love, seeing that he was unconscious. But his face was starting to gain a little more color. That was a good sign, at least…

_____

Three days. It was an agonizing three days for Hubert. He knew that Ferdinand would survive the poison, but he couldn't help but worry over him.

He sighed, trying to look over the paperwork he was working on to no avail. Whenever he tried to focus, his thoughts returned to Ferdinand. He knew that Manuela and Linhardt could take care of him, but Hubert's intrusive thoughts kept coming back. What if Ferdinand had complications and died? He couldn't live without his beloved, especially since this whole thing was entirely his fault.

"Promise me you'll stay alive so we can marry, Ferdie."

"As long as you do the same, Hubie."

He remembered that promise oh so clearly. Ferdinand never broke promises; surely he would keep fighting for their sakes… right?

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. He shook his head to get rid of his thoughts before he turned his head to the door.

"Who is it?" He called.

"It's me, Manuela," the feminine voice called. "May I come in, Hubert?"

Manuela. That meant that something had happened to Ferdinand. Hubert gulped down the lump in his throat that kept coming back. Did that mean that Ferdinand was…

"Come in," Hubert spoke, waving a hand at no one in particular.

Manuela entered then, her hair messy and her clothes disheveled—apparently, she was working herself to the bone trying to keep Ferdinand alive. She sighed, wiping off the sweat from her brow before smiling.

"He'll live," she spoke.

Hubert's heart skipped a beat. Ferdinand was going to live? He had never thanked Sothis for miracles, but this time, he quietly did so. Ferdinand was going to live. He would be okay.

"He needs more time to rest," Manuela said, "his body is currently flushing out the poison in his system, but he will be fine."

Hubert merely nodded, a small smile cracking on his face. Oh, thank Sothis.

"...Can I see him?" Hubert asked, his mind begging, hoping, that she would say yes.

She nodded, to which Hubert mentally sighed in relief. "Just note that he's still out of it."

"Thank you," Hubert only said, before he rushed out to the infirmary. He had to see Ferdinand now—paperwork be damned.

_____

Upon seeing Ferdinand's pale face, Hubert's heart nearly stopped. He looked so deathly ill, and yet he was still smiling in his sleep. How in the world can this man deal with such pain and still smile? Hubert had to admit he was quite strong for that.

"Ferdie?" He asked, an intense frown on his face.

Ferdinand startled from his slumber, his head turning to face his lover. He smiled, but Hubert could tell it was strained. His eyes were half-lidded; tired as expected. "Hubie…" Ferdinand whispered. "You came to see me."

Manuela wasn't kidding that he looked out of it…

"Yes, of course," Hubert replied with a nod. "How… are you feeling, Ferdie?"

"Sick," Ferdinand chuckled, but stopped when a coughing fit began. He was even gagging; Hubert guessed that he had been vomiting up the poison, judging by the bucket near his cot. "But Manuela and Linhardt said that I'll be up and about in a few days. So don't worry about me, love."

"Ferdie…" Hubert sighed, guilt hitting him. While he was glad that Ferdinand had survived the entire ordeal, his guilt remained. If only he came with Ferdinand to fight Thales; he would have protected him from the poison arrow. Ferdinand wouldn't have nearly died.

"Don't blame yourself, dear," Ferdinand's voice broke his train of thought.

Hubert shook his head to get rid of his thoughts. "Wh-what?"

"I know what you're thinking," Ferdinand said. "You think it was your fault. It's not, Hubie, I promise."

"Still…" Hubert trailed off for a moment. "I should have come with and protected you. Then you—"

"None of that, Hubert," Ferdinand gently scolded, his voice firm. "If anything, it was Thales and the Slitherers who caused this, not you. They're gone now, so there's no need to worry about them. So no more blaming yourself, okay? I hate to see you beat yourself up over something not under your control."

Hubert sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. Yes… Ferdinand was likely right. "...All right. As long as you're still with us—with me, I'll stop."

"Good!" Ferdinand chuckled, his smile growing wider.

Hubert sat with Ferdinand for a few minutes, occasionally placing a hand on the ginger's forehead while talking nonsensical things.

"Is there something you need, Ferdinand?" Hubert asked.

"You being here is enough for me." Ferdinand replied with the same smile Hubert loved so much.

#whumptober2023 #no.1 #“how many fingers am i holding up?” #fire emblem three houses #fic #emeto mention #poisoned #blood #my whump stories #ferdinand von aegir #hubert von vestra #ferdibert #background edeleth #manuela casagranda

[cheeriecherrymain]

As we know in the future Viktor will come the Machine Herald, well what if the reader was a mage and went away, but she came back after a long time. The question will be that the New Viktor is still in love with the reader?

Listen, listen. I know....so very little about the Viktor lore. And I am currently in adamant denial about him becoming what he does - in my head he lives happily and healthily XD I'm too attached to him and it's gonna end my life when he removes his emotions.

Like, guy turns into a machine? I'm totally cool with that, and I think it's neat, and I'd still kiss him x1000. but it makes me so sad that he takes his feelings away, and i have such a hard time believing that it would even be possible. Because like. like. everything is feelings. and he does some super morally dubious stuff, which i am in full support of, but it! the feelings!!!! passion is a feeling, love is a feeling, care is a feeling - why would he continue to do any of what he does if he didn't have at least some kind of desire to? desire is a feeling! i don't know if this is touched upon in the lore!!!

anyways thats my rant and if i ever write more MH!Viktor it's going to continue to be horribly ooc because its my fic and i said so XD

MH!Viktor x Reader (SFW)

-When you’d left Piltover, you hadn’t thought it would be the last time you saw the man you loved.

-It’s just for a month, you’d said, trying to convince yourself that everything would be okay. One of your old friends had alerted you to a kind of magic that could potentially save your partner’s life, so you…you had to take the chance. For him. For both of you.

-And then your plans had hit a snag, and you’d been forced to stay away longer than initially planned - years longer. Even though your journey is fruitful, you’re a ball of anxiety on the way back to Piltover.

-You were terrified of what you might find. Would Viktor still be there? You wondered. Would he have waited for you? Would he even still…be alive? 

-Both of you had worked tirelessly to find ways to extend his life, and avoid his fast-approaching end. You knew in your heart that he would have had to find a solution on his own, with how long you’d been gone; the little vial of fairy tears you’d collected after a series of arduous tests was moot, because he wouldn’t have survived so long without some kind of help.

-When you arrive back home, everything is…the same. Sort of.

-It looks the same, on the outside, but you can feel the energy in the air. Something had shifted within the city, and not for the better. You could practically taste the fear and anguish on your tongue.

-The first thing you do is locate Jayce, a beloved friend and Viktor’s lab partner.

-Or you supposed…ex-lab partner. According to the man himself. He scoops you into a tight hug the moment he lays eyes on you, spinning you around a couple times before setting you back on your feet. It’s an emotional meeting for the both of you, especially when the happenings of the last few years are relayed to you.

-An explosion. Chaos. War. Outrage in Piltover and death in the undercity. And Viktor, exiled from the city of progress, back to the place he once called home.

-Jayce informs you that he hasn’t heard from Viktor in over a year now - not that they really had much reason to speak to one another, anyways. He practically begs you to stay, to keep working on the projects you’d left behind, but you can’t.

-Not until you knew what happened to the man you love.

-You depart for Zaun in the wee hours of the morning, slipping unnoticed by every enforcer you come across, until you’re in the heart of the undercity. But now…where to start looking?

-You search for him for a week, asking around and dropping coppers where needed. But so few people know of a stray scientist, and those who do are either dead, or their information culminates in a dead end.

-And then you meet him.

-You’re sitting on a crate in a dark alleyway, fighting off tears, when a strange mechanical whirr catches your attention. It’s not loud by any means, but that makes it all the more confusing. It almost sounds…hydraulic? But far smaller than you’ve ever heard from such a machine.

-You glance towards the sound with tired eyes, expecting…something besides what you see. Two orange eyes, staring right back at you. Bright and unnatural within the dark.

-You don’t have the sense to feel fear anymore. All your fears had come true, anyways - your plan failed, and the only person you’ve ever loved is dead. Nothing mattered anymore.

- “You are incredibly difficult to find,” the person speaks. You glance behind you, thinking perhaps there is someone else in the alleyway - but no, it’s just you. You and…whoever this is.

-You idly wonder where he’s from. His accent is thick, almost like…Viktor’s.

- “What do you want?” you ask, with a sigh. “I have no debts to be paid, and all I’ve ever held dear is long gone.”

-The person is silent for a couple moments, and then slowly steps forward. Tall and slightly menacing, in the dim lighting. Covered in armor, you guess, if the sheen of light is anything to go by. Until you notice the limb protruding from his back, and you freeze.

-Or was he made of metal?

-You warily keep your eyes on him, until he comes to a stop not a foot from you, and kneels down so you’re at eye level. “Do you not fear me?” he asks, curious.

- “I don’t have fear anymore,” you rasp. “How can I, when I have nothing left to lose?”

- “You have your life, do you not?” he inquires again, and your patience snaps.

- “What good is my life when I have lost everything I hold dear?” you hiss. “I failed, and those which I love paid the price for it. I don’t want to live! Not without….” you trail off, your eyes welling up with tears. “Not without Viktor.”

-The strange machine-man goes quiet again. Then, most surprising of all, he reaches out to touch you.

-Startlingly gentle, given his stature and imposing nature, as well as the fact that you don’t know each other. You stare at him with wide eyes, unsure of what to say to such an action.

- “I thought you had stayed away on purpose,” he says, lowering his voice. “Thought that perhaps you’d finally had enough, and had left for a new life. But then…then I wondered: had you met your end, as I, too, soon would?”

-You frown.

-He continues, “Now you’ve returned, and I know. You are alive and well…and you fought hard to come home.”

-The tears in your eyes flood over your lashes, and burn hot trails down your cheeks. “Viktor?” you ask, your voice wavering. He strokes his thumb over your cheek and -mechanical or not- the action brings you comfort. 

-And then you’re in his arms, tenderly wrapped up in metal while you sob and cling to him. It shouldn’t feel like home - it shouldn’t feel like him. But it does. He does, despite being so vastly different.

-He brings you to his home after that, scooping you up with ease and marching you right into his abode. Most of it is littered with spare parts and projects that you don’t recognize, and he admits to you that he doesn’t do much else besides work, now.

-And then he takes off his mask, laying it on a nearby table with a dull thunk.

-He looks so different, you think. Yet there, in his face, you can see traces of who he used to be. The little crinkles by the corners of his eyes, the crease between his brows, the little moles and freckles you used to love to kiss.

- “I am not…the same…as I used to be,” he explains. “I don’t feel like I used to, not in any sense.”

-Your heart sinks.

- “You don’t feel for me anymore,” you wobble, despair clawing its way through your chest. Of course he wouldn’t love you still, after so long of being away. You’re grateful that he’s alive, but you’re…angry. Downright pissed, that you’ve still had to lose what you love, despite him standing in front of you.

-And then.

- “I still feel for you,” he utters, once again bringing a large mechanical hand to rest on your jaw. Engulf the side of your head, more like. “In fact, you are all I feel for. The only memories that haven’t hurt too much to keep. And now, you’re here.”

-Hope blooms within you.

-He wasn’t the same as he was when you’d fallen in love - but neither were you the same as when you’d left. But he’d held you dear enough to keep you in his heart when he’d changed - and you’d be damned if you let the opportunity go. Perhaps you’d have to relearn how to coexist, but the love was still there, even if only for each other.

#viktor x reader #viktor arcane x reader #arcane x reader #viktor headcanons #big robot man loves one thing and its his significant other #that is the takeaway from this jot-note story #requests are open!

[fake-married-my-dead-fiance]

And I wrote some fan fiction. Read it below or on AO3

*****

Random snippets of Mu-deok/Naksu's diary:

Master Kill List: -trader who sold Mu-deok -Joo-wol nah she's cool -Jang Uk I promised I wouldn't, but I might... - Park Dang-Gu (I mean, I like him but he's related to Park Jin so I have to keep him here) -Jin Cho-yeon (no regrets there) -Lady Jin -Sang-ho (how dare he not let me in to Songrim!) -Jin Mu -That guy who knocked the meat stick out of my hands -Crown Prince he can live

-This jerk is the most spoiled, most picky, most annoying, most whiney human being I have met in my life. I did not know people like this even existed.

-The Danju abandoned me, guess I'll go watch my own funeral. Not sure what else to even do. This body is the worst body. I used to have actual muscles. Like how long would it even take for me to be able to climb up the side of a bridge? Ridiculous.

-My only option is this idiot...

-The poisoning plan worked perfectly. No regrets

-If Park Dang-Gu or ANYONE touches my hair or attempts to pat my head ONE MORE TIME I am killing them right then and there. I don't care if they're mages and I'm powerless. Poison. I'll use poison.

-Why does Jang Uk take so many baths? I don't get him at all. Before I guess he got cold because his gate of energy was closed but he's supposed to be normal now. Why the baths? WHY?

-This is the best luck ever! As long as Jang Uk doesn't die figuring out how to use it, he's going to have a whole ton of energy! This dude is so lucky.

-Jang Uk thinks I have to try not to fall in love with him?! Full of himself much? Now Seo Yul...

-Jang Uk randomly hugged me today just because he was happy despite the fact that I was covered with filth. He's so weird. I wish he had spent some of his lazy childhood actually learning how to fight because watching him was embarrassing.

He did manage to draw his father's sword though. Progress!

Crown Prince seems fairly easy to manipulate, Seo Yul not so much. I gave my sword to the C.P., not happy about that but I didn't have much choice. Jang Uk cannot fight with the C.P. again until he's stronger.

-Jang Uk was crying. It was awkward so I left.

-Jang Uk is still sad. He does not understand the basics of burying the hurt until it becomes hatred which is used to fuel your relentless training. It's how I became so powerful. (I need my power back!) I'm not actually sure what to do other than kicking him. I have no use for a student who won't learn.

-Master Heo has horrible self-control for someone his age. Finally got my useless student to move. Also, weird seeing Park Jin and he has no idea who I am. Even weirder with Seo Yul...

-Came here to focus on training and Jang Uk just wants to take baths again...

-WHY WON'T HE JUST DRINK THE CHASTE TEA??? I would in a heartbeat if I could get my powers back. I would cut it off permanently! I would give up a hand! This is Master Lee! He is legendary. He is the strongest mage I've ever seen. Drink the freaking tea!

It's some weird guy thing. I do not understand men.

-Threw a knife at that bastard, he deserved it. I'm going to burn the whole cottage down if he doesn't start training.

Went into town and almost got dragged away. Learned that this body can't tolerate alcohol which is just... perfect.

-It's so strange to be here with other people. Far less lonely I guess. I wish I could climb my tree. I can hardly climb a shrub in this useless body. Jang Uk still can't control his hand.

-Jang Uk thought he was so fast but I poked HIM in the eyes. That's what he deserves. He said some weird stuff about my soul marks and standing close to people. Ridiculous.

-Decided to hand him over to stay alive. It's only right... Traded my life for a damn bird egg. But Jang Uk actually did Tansu! We might survive this duel after all

-WHAT DO THEY MEAN I'M NOT ALLOWED IN SONGRIM?

-Now that Jang Uk got what he wanted he might just leave me behind. I'm not staying here and working as a servant for the rest of my life. I should have blackmailed him before he went; I didn't know the stupid rules. How could he do this? Trained him to win and now I'm left behind. He better not forget about our promise. But unless I'm there how will I make sure he keep training? I'm not staying in this pathetic body for years...

-Is the Crown Price in love with Mu-deok? Also, I cannot even express how much I hate cinnamon.

-Shit. Why did he have to say that? What is wrong with him? It was *not* a love letter.

-HE IS SAD AGAIN! I do not know how to deal with sad people. Why does this jerk have so many emotions? Why is he so lazy? You just keep going no matter how much pain you feel.

Also, Songrim wont even beat a student who won't train? They also suck at torture. How has this organization even survived? Pathetic.

-Ha ha! Bet my bird egg to make Jang Uk train. Was forced to admit I value the jade egg. Overall worked great. I do hope he manages to get it back. Because I want my power back and that would prove he's improving, no other reason.

-Jang Uk keeps hugging me. It's weird. Why is he so clingy? At least he's happy now. I'll bring him some snacks.

Another woman attempted to bring Jang Uk snacks. I wonder if I should kill her?

-So do I love him? Maybe? Doesn't matter if I do; once I get my powers back I'm gone. He's the crazy one who thinks we could possibly have a future after all of this. It would never work. It doesn't matter, love is useless and fickle. It's not worth risking your life over.

-Stupid love. Stupid ice stone. Stupid giving up my chance at powers. Stupid people that I love didn't want to see die being inside the ice stone. Stupid stupid stupid. Now I'm stuck in this useless body forever.

#and there's the fan fiction #knew that would happen eventually #alchemy of souls #naksu #mu deok #jang uk #Random thoughts from her diary

[silvyavan]

OK I read the chapter and I finally realised why I can't Lucius seriously.

This man is giving eldest sibling syndrome, chuunibiyo and airfried energy so hard.

Like, all things considered, I don't think the majority of twitter really sets in that Lucius, even if he is the last baddie, is still the fuckhead that raised the Zogratis sibs.

This man is the reason Dante, Vanica and Zenon turned out like that and it SHOWS. (Under the cut cause I ain't making you read me dragging these 4 bitches to dirt)

Dante is the definition of narcissism, a man who thinks he's better than everyone but refuses to work for that title. He has the emotional intelligence of both a 50 year old boomer and a spoiled edgy 12 year old and it changes like a metronome. Even Lucifero dipped his ass. He's a misogynistic fuckwad with little to no mental development. This fucker absolutely copy pasted this shit from Lucius "I am The Chosen One" Zogratis.

Vanica. Look at her. This milf chasing trauma machine runs solely on the desire to fight because she's very much socially undeveloped and doesn't believe in familial love. Bitch couldn't understand why Acier wanted to protect her family and it took Noelle beating her ass halfway to death to even grasp the concept of friendship and it missed the shot so hard. Her healthiest relationship is with Megicula and that's an insult to Lucius' parenting methods.

Zenon. Zenon Gay Disaster Projection Zogratis. Where do I even begin with the most mentally incapacitated youngest child? This dude almost, ALMOST got out of the toxic family clutches and could have eloped with his childhood sweetheart Allen but Lucius (im pretty sure the dungeon incident was his fault, you can't tell me it aint) got so fuck ass mad over Allen "steering Zenon away from what he's supposed to be" that he sent out a hit on him to get Zenon to crawl back so traumatised he literally copy pasted the Lucius Manifesto into his head and went on a depression episode that lasted 15 years. Man self projected his self blame, flaws and everything he hated about himself onto Yuno because he saw the Parallels. Man sold his SOUL to Beelzebub for a cornchip victory that never came.

You telling me these three are the pinnacle of plotting? For all I can tell, Lucius sacrificed all of his sibling for whatever agenda he had and the minute something goes even a millimeter off the prophecy, he immediately tries to kill it instead of working around it.

Man is so hellbent on forcing his chosen one timeline he has no fucking long term planning skills. This man started a fight with Asta in front of two royals, a 500 year old sealing mage and all of whom know how to use Ultimate Magic. Mimosa is Literally the Senzu Bean of Black Clover. Noelle has killed MULTIPLE demons. Secre can banish Lucius' ass faster than he can ask what's going on. This is not the plan of the century, ESPECIALLY if he started this shit in the Royal Palace where MULTIPLE high ranking and strong mages reside.

You look at this man and tell me he ain't a deep fried chuuni who fell into a white supremacist reddit forum and got a 5 year plan that is a botched 20 year plan involving mass genocide. I don't believe it.

Man probably even made up Julius entire identity around his own self and then got shocked when said second soul then doesn't wanna listen to him.

I ain't even mad about Tabata making the 4th Zogratis Julius Sibling theory cannon now because the way it comes off, the only true way to stop the 3 Demonic Musketeers Of Apocalypse is to defeat their weirder, more unstable and bigoted eldest sibling who raised them into those disasters.

At this point, the only thing that could make this EVEN FUNNIER is if Lucius didn't account for the possibility of "eating a supreme devil's malice fueled heart immediately purifies them and reincarnates them as humans", which is to say Asta could be Astaroth's Unbothered, Moisturized, Happy, In My Lane, Focused, Flourishing Human Version and Asta simply talking is giving Lucius an aneurysm.

#black clover #black clover manga #asta black clover #black clover spoilers #lucius zogratis #dont mind my memeing ass rambling but Lucius all according to keikaku ass is making me laugh #silv writes

[brineffxiv]

I feel so sad for F'lhaminn; she had only just reunited with Minfilia when she was stolen away. Now she has to face that her daughter isn't even alive anymore in a different world. It's all so unfair. I am amazed she doesn't seem to carry a shred of bitterness in her heart.

Oh no. Corporeal aether is the stuff that makes up their bodies, right? If that's becoming unstable... And you say it's getting worse in the order that they were summoned? That tracks with it being caused by their souls not being in their bodies.

Not good.

Hah, I forgot that you knew G'raha when he was a member of the Students of Baldesion. Must be hard to reconcile the impetuous young man you remember with the esteemed Exarch you've heard tales about. He's had over a century in the First to mature and grow, not to mention however long he lived in his original timeline (I know it took two hundred years to bring Cid's plans for time travel to fruition, but I don't think it was ever said how much of that G'raha was awake for? Only that he awoke after Cid had passed away).

A summary? Uh, okay. So y'all are like balloons, and the string tethering you to the ground is fraying, and we really don't want to find out what happens when you float away.

Well that, at least, is reassuring.

My friend, far be it for me to contradict you, but I think there is more to being a gifted mage than simply having the raw power for the spells. I would wager that it also takes quite a bit of ingenuity and skill to execute the damn things.

I am glad to hear it.

No! Don't you dare-

HAH! Ah, I am so glad I caught part of that. Go Alisaie. Show G'raha we're not supporting him killing himself to save everyone else.

Yeah! Wait. No. That's not what I...

Ha haaa.....

(Okay, tangent, but like. Yeah, I have totally noticed how... there's a lot of people, on both the Source and the First, who revere me in the way one might a God. And we know what Gods are in this world: primals. So like, theoretically, could this belief in me be used to summon a "me" in primal form? A "Warrior of Light" primal? Or, Warrior of Darkness, as the case may be? Further, could I summon the power of my own primal incarnation into myself à la Shiva? Food for thought...)

Oh, okay, compare and contrast?

Oh, you're right.

Okay, I mean, I knew this, but I LOVE that the game is using what is a necessary gameplay feature (allowing you to have your same inventory and equipment across both stars) as a pivotal plot feature. This isn't the first time it's done that - everything to do with Feo Ul springs to mind - but the fact they're actually drawing attention to it and using it!! I just! Beautiful.

Cool cool, we'll just turn you all into rocks and I'll carry you home. Excellent plan.

That's a scary looking Nu Mou. I didn't know that was possible. Alright, off we go then...

#ffxiv liveblog #rhesh'a tag #f'lhaminn #krile baldesion #crystal exarch #g'raha tia #alisaie leveilleur #urianger augurelt #baseless speculation

[raiiryuu]

Bonds Stronger Than Blood - Guildmaster of Fairy Tail

Laxus had...mixed feelings, to put it mildly, about being chosen for the position of guildmaster. It prompted the first one on one conversation between him and Makarov since the Grand Magic Games, but despite it not ending in an argument he still wasn't quite convinced. They left off with Laxus asking for some time before the announcement was made, to gather his thoughts and make a decision within a week.

This week was spent seeking advice -- the Raijinshuu, the other S-Class mages in the guild, a few others. The individual conversations varied, but the general consensus was the same -- the only one that seemed to be quite so worried about it was Laxus himself. He eventually did agree to it, on the condition he and the team took one last S-Class request on before he took up the mantle fully. An unsurprised Makarov agreed, and the announcement was made a day after the group returned.

Though he knew it might cause a bit of friction, Laxus wasted no time in lining out how he intended to change things within the guild -- starting with their relations with the Council. He didn't go into too much detail on what Makarov's connections had pulled for them in the past, but he did make it clear there would be far less tolerance for the property damage many Fairy Tail jobs caused. Fairy Tail would be the strongest guild, but with that strength would come responsibility. The Council wouldn't be painted as some sort of 'bad guys' constantly pushing them to disband for seemingly no reason -- when a mage is just as much a danger to the requester as they are to the target, that's a problem.

He wasn't merciless with it, however -- he offered to help train anyone that would need it on how to focus their magics if they found things difficult to control, and certainly wasn't expecting anything to change overnight. He'd talk with individuals privately about the worst infractions/what they needed to work on based on guild records, at a later point.

He'd also hint at an upcoming S-Class trial, with many of the Tenrou Team already on his mind. Though he would've liked to give them all the rank out of hand for their work fighting Acnologia and Alvarez, he's all too familiar with the risks of S-Class jobs -- he wouldn't send anyone else into that without ensuring they're ready. He'd already be working through plans in his mind of how to test someone, based on his experiences on requests and his own trial. He'd likely handle it differently from how Makarov did, mainly in having there be a trial period where an S-Class mage (in some cases Laxus himself, when he can) accompanies them to mentor/watch their progress. Instead of a yearly event, it would likely be something that's done year-round, one or two prospects at a time, depending on the S-Class mages' availability. Laxus avoids anything to do with Tenrou Island once the war is over, and would rather see that part of Fairy Tail's history over and done with.

Though he may sometimes be out working with an S-Class prospect, most any other time he makes it a point to be at the guild and available, should anyone need him. He's still a bit awkward at dealing with people, but being put in this sort of position is helping him learn to take the first step himself, if he needs to. His door's always open if someone needs to talk, and he can usually be found near the guild's bar or in his office. (He's got a decent feel for the noise levels and knows roughly when brawls are about to start; if someone else doesn't intercept before he gets out there, he will. He had a more durable training area built specifically for people to let off steam, if they need to.)

He also leans on the Raijinshuu and the other S-Class mages of the guild for support while going through these changes, setting an example (albeit mostly unintentionally) by both asking for help when he needs it and offering support to others that might.

[More TBA! This is mostly just drilling down the bigger points I made here. ]

#v;; guildmaster { bonds stronger than blood }

[elisaphoenix13-cullrian]

Barely Breathing (But Still Alive) (Ch.4)

It took another week for Dorian to recover enough to stand on his own two feet. And in that entire week, his supposed savior hadn't come to visit him. He wasn't sure whether to be offended or relieved, and even told himself that the commander was a busy man. He was likely getting defenses added to their newfound fortress so what happened at Haven wouldn't happen again. But that was assuming that Trevelyan told him that Dorian had recovered.

Dorian couldn't look unappreciative though. Cullen saved his life and he had to find the man and thank him for not leaving him behind to be possessed despite the mixed messages he was receiving from the commander. Cullen would look at him like he was a plague on Thedas, and then the next he would do something as mind boggling as saving Dorian. 

He thought he was an expert at reading people but this proves him wrong. At least he thought so? Cullen was a conundrum nland had the mage questioning a lot of things and Dorian wasn't sure he liked it. Well, he didn't, but he did like challenges.

So when he was finally well enough to stay on his feet without collapsing, he asked where he could find the commander and started for the tower overlooking the front gate with a purposeful stride. Not only to thank the barbaric–and admittedly very handsome– man, but to also question him. What happened that night? How did he stop Dorian from being possessed when he could practically feel the nails of the demons digging their nails into his flesh? He thought he was too far gone to be saved from that point.

When he arrived at the tower, Dorian almost walked in with his usual flair, but he hesitated at the last moment. If he barged in, his gratitude may not come across as genuine and maybe even half-hearted. The thought didn't sit well with him. So he knocked instead.

“Enter.”

Dorian took a breath and gingerly walked into the tower, taking some time to look around the makeshift office before settling on the commander himself. The man was obviously exhausted. Hunched over his desk looking at missives like he had the world’s problems sitting on his shoulders, and Dorian supposed that he did in a way. Trevelyan may be the one with the Anchor in his hand, but Cullen was behind most of the plans of attack. He was the one commanding the troops, making sure they were in locations that would help the Herald if he needed them. Cullen had to think three steps ahead and while Leliana and Josephine were helping in their way…

“You look how I feel,” Dorian finally says.

Cullen looked up so fast that the mage was pretty sure that he heard a crack. “You're awake. How are you feeling?”

The question threw Dorian off for a moment. “I…alive, I suppose. I actually came here to thank you,” he says quietly. “You risked your life to help me and I'll admit that I don't even know how. So…thank you.”

Cullen’s face fell a little bit. “I wouldn't thank me just yet,” he sighs and rubs his eyes.

Dorian blinks and then looks at him suspiciously. “Commander…”

“There was only one way to save you and I wasn't even sure that it would work. When I was still with the Templars, there were theories but nothing ever worked. Then there was one that never got tested…at least while I was still with them.” Cullen starts to explain carefully.

Dorian took a breath, expecting the worst but trying to keep calm. At the very least, Cullen did whatever he did just to save Dorian and he hoped that it stopped there. “...and what was this theory you tested?”

The commander straightens from his slouched position and rubs the back of his neck briefly before sighing heavily again and dropping his hand to the pommel of his sword. A nervous habit that Dorian noticed in Haven. “I'm sure you've done your research on Southern Templars as I've heard that the Templars in Tevinter are mostly for show. In Ferelden and Orlais they have phylacteries. They're used to help track down mages that go rogue,” he says. “Ironically it's a form of blood magic and I hated it. But what I did is similar in a way."

“You're not a mage–” Dorian starts.

“No. But I was a Templar. I didn't need to use blood magic. There was a theory that Templars could form a bond with a mage that does the same things a phylactery can. So I attempted it. I had enough of my Templar abilities to Silence you and…establish the bond.” Cullen surprises Dorian when he starts taking off his gauntlets and the leather beneath. When his sleeve is pulled up to his elbow, the mage stares. On the man's forearm was a snake coiled around it, with its head resting on his wrist. “A sign that the bond took. Unnecessary when the amount of magic you were using drained my body of any remaining lyrium.”

Dorian’s mind immediately halted. “What do you mean remaining?” He asks.

Cullen hesitates, rubbing the back of his neck again. “I stopped taking lyrium shortly after I left Kirkwall. That was about three or four months ago.”

“Commander, are you insane?” Dorian balks. “Continuing to take it is preposterous of course but nobody knows what could happen if you suddenly stopped! And now with this…this bond–”

“Actually…” Cullen interrupts, causing Dorian to look at him incredulously. “I haven't felt this good in a long time. I think the bond I formed with you safely used up the lyrium in my body. I haven't had many symptoms since.”

Dorian remained silent as he mulled over all of the new information. Cullen stopped taking lyrium, possibly saved both of their lives by forming a theorized bond with him, but he still had questions.

“What does this mean?” Dorian asks calmly. “Am I on a leash now and you can decide when I can or can't use magic?” He practically hissed out the last bit and regretted it when the Commander’s face fell again.

“Maker, Dorian, no. That's…not who I am anymore.” He moves around the desk to walk over to Dorian and stop a couple of feet in front of him. “Yes, I would be able to find you if you disappeared, but I'm just here to help you balance out your magic until it stabilizes again. Ever since I created the bond, I could tell that your magic wasn't calm anymore. Even now I can tell it doesn't heed you like it should.”

Cullen was right. Dorian still struggled to make a simple mage light. It was like trying to aim a fireball but it went left instead of straight or fizzled out…he felt useless right now. How could he help the Inquisition if he couldn't use his magic like he used to? Dorian almost wished Cullen didn't save him.

“What if it never does?” He finds himself whispering.

Cullen looks at him with…empathy? Dorian wasn't sure how he felt about that but at least it wasn't pity. “Magic is just a part of you…but it doesn't make you who you are. It took me far too long to learn that,” he says softly, surprising Dorian for the second time that day. “You can still research, and I've seen you fight with your staff. You are far from useless or powerless.”

Dorian opens his mouth and then closes it in his bewilderment. He wasn't even sure what he could say about that. For the last couple of months he knew Cullen, he always thought the man hated mages or at least him, but it obviously wasn't the case. He put his own life at risk to try to save him and even stood vigil at his side when they safely got to Skyhold. The prayers he heard floating between sleep and awareness were the Commander and Dorian still didn't know what to do.

This amount of attention and care wouldn't even fill his father's pinky and Cullen did it in just a few days.

“You should get some rest,” Cullen says gently when Dorian remains quiet, pulling the mage out of his inner musings. “I think it helps your magic.”

“Is that why you haven't come to visit?” Dorian blurts out, making the other man blink.

“Excuse me?”

Dorian clears his throat. “You said you could feel my magic, yes? What exactly do you mean by that?”

Cullen tilts his head thoughtfully and Dorian has to keep himself from rolling his eyes when it reminds him of that mabari puppy he had seen in Redcliffe while out with the Herald. “It's like a bee. It buzzes under the skin because it's restless and confused. The buzzing became worse when you woke up because I could tell you tried to use it. So, yes, I knew you were awake. I'm sorry I couldn't come see you. There was a lot to be done to make sure Skyhold was safe.”

“You don't need to apologize Commander,” Dorian puts his hand up to wave him away. “I…truly appreciate what you did for me. You gave me a second chance and you're not pulling my leash.”

“It's not a leash, Dorian,” Cullen says. “it’s a…connection.”

Dorian simply nods and turns away. Only time would tell if Cullen would be true to his word, and so far that seemed to be the case. If it were a leash, he was sure the Commander would have kept him silent all this time.

Not to mention that he could have simply made him Tranquil.

Dorian holds out his hand in another attempt to summon a mage light, but sighs heavily when it barely forms a spark. Before he could drop his hand though, he felt Cullen carefully glide his hand along his arm until it stopped under his. Without saying a word, Dorian attempted the mage light again. He could feel his magic churning happily within him and part of it finding its home again and the spark flared into a soft blue light above his hand.

Cullen chuckling by his ear made Dorian shiver.

#cullen rutherford #dorian pavus #cullrian #dragon age inquisition

[greypetrel]

Once more for the ship ask! >:3 Garrett and Anders?

HELLO! and thanks!

Soooo. Garrett, which I haven't showed much, is a chill dude. Really, he's chill. Doesn't want fame, doesn't want power, he's happy to research magic and making friends, his sister can climb the social ladder and show off and bathe in money. He'd like a quiet life in the countryside, if he can do good he will. Refused the role of Champion, actually tried to prevent Varric from including him in the book (agreed because he's the first to recognise his raccoon-sister needs some help).

He actually was friend with Anders. He was, tried to understand him and take a step towards him, learnt Spirit Healing from him. They could have worked something out romantically and done each other good, imagine something of a mentor/student dynamic at first and then there's more. They complement each other nicely. Anders dragging Garrett in a more active use of his abilities when Garrett would just... Live his very private life, be the friendly neighbourhood blood mage attracting no attention to himself because he learnt from Malcolm to lay low all too well. While Garrett could give Anders some stability and accepting that it's ok to just go with the flow more.

I still think it would have been a very, very rocky relationship. Garrett is chill and very open minded: He did learn spirit healing from Anders, and he did learn Blood Magic from Merrill, when she started being a fixed presence in the mansion. They always got along pretty well (Merrill's his little sister, she'd be welcome in the family in 3, 2, 1.) and hearing Anders treat her the way he did... Eh. Discussion. Discussion about Fenris. Discussion about this and that and that other... They could have made it work, but with a lot of quarrelling. And Raina throwing boots first and furniture later to the wall their rooms share to have them PLEASE stop yelling she's trying to sleep Merrill can you turn them both into toads or something.

Anders: "The situation here is terrible!" Garrett: "Ok? I know?? Meredith saw me?" Anders: "What are we gonna do?" Garrett: "Ehm... Deal with it? if it's too much we could buy a house I don't know, in South Reach and grow potatoes." Anders: "..." Garrett: "Mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes, we could stick them in a stew..."

Supposing they last that long, Garrett would 100% dump him for lying to his face and not giving him the chance to know what was going on and yet dragging him (and Raina) in his plan, making them do the dirty work without telling them why. Will have two or three things to say that even if they didn't knew the real reason behind his requests... They still were the one to give him the materials. He made them all accomplices anyway, and that's NOT something Garrett accept in friendship, and would really be a huge, ginormous red flag in a relationship, and show him that their story is NOT based on trust. And he's not really looking for a friend with benefits. Saw Raina with Isabela at the start and how much of a mess she was. No thank you, not for him. He wants a house and a pack of dogs and adopting children if he'll choose a male partner and grow his own vegetables. (Picture Fenris with a straw hat being forced to help him planting pumpkins and laugh, I'm doing.)

Not that he would have helped him (sees his reason and distress. Can't condone the explosion and the people who died in a place they thought safe). But still, the very least he could have done was either not saying ANYTHING or... Tell the truth. Not that half-measure that put him and Raina in danger without a real reason to be.

Ship meme

#ship meme #garrett hawke #I'm not Anders biggest fan so I won't tag him xD #Sorry if it's your favourite character I think he's a lot of wasted potential #And he's very mean to Merrill so you see as a member of the Merrill Defense Squad I can't love him #Garrett is a chill bear #who likes dad jokes too much

[vivinightingale]

Hi there!! I just wanna say before I do my ask that the Anders Candy Hearts was so cute oml 💗💗

Anyways, you said you do Awakening posts, so can I request a romance Xander HC? Y/N (masc pronouns if you please) isn't Corrin, preferably if you can mix in some references to Y/N being a mage, goofy like Henry and studious like Miriel (from Awakening). If this is too specific feel free to exclude or include whatever you choose! Thank you, and I look forward to seeing what what make!!

Ngl this feels like it referencing an Oc, which I don't mind at all 👀. So like if you or anyone wants oc specific requests message me 💜

I'm also basing this off of Revelation because I'm a sucker for everyone getting along 🥺💔

This came out more GN then I intended if you want me change/rewrite just let me know 💕

You were the first to join Corrins army, not only were you one of the few to be close to her during her time in Nohr but you promised Xander you would protect her (mind you that was years ago but you still hold it close.)

It didn't go unnoticed by anyone how odd you behavior was on and off the field.

On the field you giggled at your enemies. Squeeling in delight at the blood that came from said enemies.

Though your love for blood spilled rivaled Pieri's you were more contained and less prone spill blood of those around you which Xander appreciate.

While off the field you were almost cold and very calculating on the armies next moves.

Which was another thing he appreciate quickly. You lifted the burden of having to plan troop movements so that Corrin and him could focus on other things that call for their attention.

Though the behavior confused almost all the Royal siblings Xander didnt seem to mind it in the slightest. By now he was use to it. In fact he found it very adorable of how quickly you changed on off the field though he would never admit it to anyone

In fact the more time he spent with you the more he loved the little things you did. How engrossed in your studies you were, when you would bite your lip when your trying to figure something out, the quiet good mornings followed by your sleepy smile, and the peace you gave him just sitting beside him.

Was....was he in love?

He was quick to ask Camilla if his suspicions were correct, and of course with a sly giggle she confirmed that he indeed had feelings for you.

He was hesitant at first to say anything. What if you didn't like him? Or worse what if you didn't like men, and you found it weird or disgusting? Gods it worried him to no end.

It worried him so much that he began to distance himself from. Maybe if he put distance between the two of you he would harbor these feelings and he won't ruin the friendship the two of you had. However, as the saying goes "Distance makes the heart grow fonder."

So with heavy heart he made his way to you ready to put it all on the line. He found you not to far from your tent scolding laslow about bothering the female troops. When he noticed the Prince makes his way to the two of you he waved you off with a laugh before yelling you it was fine.

Before you could protest Xander stood beside you almost whispering your name.

"May I speak with you....in private?"

You nodded opening the flap to your tent (ngl I assume they live in tents since it seems like the only person who has home is Corrin 👀) inviting him in. There was a heavy silence between the two of you before he cleared his throat and began speaking.

"(Y/n)....what I'm about to tell will change how you view me, but I can't keep to myself any longer. I just hope you won't hate me." He took your hands in his own, and wait for any sort of negative reaction from you. When you showed nothing but curiosity and worry for what he was about to say next he steeled his nerves and continued.

"I am in love with you (y/n). You've been nothing but good to me and my family since we met...it's was hard no to fall for you."

Your initial silence scared him, was this it? Were you going leave? Make fun of him? Or-

You wrapped your arms around his neck bringing him down closer to you as a giggle left your lips.

"I love you too Xander." With that your lips met his, and right then has never been so happy to take a risk before.

#fire emblem #fire emblem conquest #fire emblem fates #xander nohr #fire emblem xander #fire emblem x reader #Xander x reader #Xander x male reader

[weebsinstash]

(feel free to ignore cause this is long, i just have too many thoughts on remarried empress)

Tbh Rashta might have had good intentions (although YEAH it is pretty fucking dense of her to think Navier would be cool with her husband bringing in a mistress and she is expected to just deal with it). She enviosioned a perfect life where she has a lover and his wife is cool with it, and (which I personally think is delusional even for her) pampers her as well. Like not only did she want the security from Sovieshu, she wanted affection from Navier too like?? Girl??

But she genuinely becomes such a manipulative hypocrite. She is used to crying to get her way, but when the hired mother does the same thing, she thinks its annoying how someone is turning on the waterworks to get what they want. And when the possibility of Sovieshu bringing in another mistress is brought up to her, she dislikes it as well. Honestly, it's not unreasonable for someone in her position to grab the opportunity of being a mistress to an actual emperor, but the way she starts behaving after coming into the castle, antagonizing Navier, being clueless about why someone's wife doesn't want to be buddies with you (the "we are sisters cause we have the same husband!! :D" pissed me off so much), ripping the bird's feathers and saying "why is the Empress making me act like this, if only she liked me :(" to put make Navier seem bad... The list goes on.

She is a great villain though, and sometimes I feel really bad when Sovieshu makes it really clear he doesn't actually love her and is just like a pet he has fun with. Like when he took a look at her pregnant belly and thought to himself it would have been better if Navier was the one pregnant. Ouch. And also, how he becomes colder, more distant to Rashta as the chapters go on, esp. when she starts learning things and needing to rely on him less (like reading). She is there to be available, pretty, dumb and a cheerful presence to his ego. He thinks she is stupid and he likes it that way.

Dare I say, if Navier could get pregnant by him, Rashta and her kid would be pretty much screwed.

What I like about the Remarried Empress is how complex the characters are. You can understand their perspectives, both Rashta's and Sovieshu's, but I can't sympathyze with Rashta despite her valid reasons and background and Sovieshu is straight up trash.

Also to this day I do not understand why Sovieshu didn't tell Navier of his plan of remarrying. It would still be shit, but the fact he wanted to dump her and expect her to wait in the dark for a whole year when she doesnt even know about the plan and come at his beck and call when he wanted to marry her again? Dumb move on his part.

Honestly if Rashta hadn't tried to basically try and force Navier to like her and begin following her and trying to copy her and literally trying to get Sovieshu to make Navier like her, things probably would have worked out extremely differently? I guess Rashta thought she NEEDED Navier's approval, but is it because she needs people to like her or because she felt her new position was threatened?

There's also just tons of unnecessary shit she tried to do to bother Navier on purpose that was totally uncalled for, like trying to pretend she was the prince's pen pal? Or assuming Navier is the one spreading "rumors" about her being a slave when bitch no your own slave master literally shouted it in a room of people, you don't "suppress" word of mouth.

Also you know something I think is going to come up again was, wasn't Sovieshu beginning to eye the child mage Navier was sponsoring and acting like he was tempted to adopt her for her to be "his and Navier's" child? This motherfucker better not kidnap a child just to try and manipulate Navier into running back to him. I also wonder what the issue with the magic disappearing is because I have a theory it is being physically stolen or drained out of the mages and it has a connection to that necklace that was given to the child mage which, wasn't Duke Elgy holding one of those and appearing to let some kind of light out of it? Sussy sussy

Man Rashta did so much ignorant shit it's hard to remember it all, although I found a lot of her reactions very real and I give props to the author. Like when she is given a piece of her baby's hair and she fell asleep with it laying out and she got mad Sovieshu saw it, so she threw it on the floor and then had immediate guilt? That's such a human reaction. She's mad "at the hair" for causing disruption between her and Sovieshu and potentially ruining her safety but she immediately feels ashamed because that's still her baby's hair

It was honestly kind of sad to see her tell Alan she has no interest in meeting her son because I believe she truly wants to but has now gone down the path where she is leaving her child behind if he will jeopardize the safety of her future and of her new baby's future which, you know is definitely another step down her wannabe villainess character arc

I know certain future spoilers because people in comments sections can never spoiler warning their shit and I gotta say, Navier was right, Rashta IS quite the schemer, although it is ever so satisfying to watch her fail. Like lmao she finally got married to Sovieshu and dumb bitch ruined her wedding dress! He even told her it looked ugly and to get changed! AND NOT A SINGLE NOBLE IN THE ENTIRE KINGDOM SENT HER A WEDDING GIFT LIKE GET FUCKED. Not one single person was willing to try and suck up to her. She became Empress in name only and it is very clear the nobles, for lack of a nice phrasing, basically just consider her a lowly man stealing whore. Shattered her delusion of her fancy new noble life to PIECES. Girl NO ONE likes you and the one servant who WAS extremely loyal to you, you cut out her fucking tongue because she had a minor crush on Sovieshu! Bitch won't even keep her allies safe anymore!

Also like +500 douche points for Sovieshu for suddenly shoving her into the deep end on trying to learn when he was running around fucking her but couldn't be bothered to TEACH HER HOW TO READ? Why wouldn't he, as a decent human being, even if he wasn't infatuated with her, if he was so concerned for her well being and life, why didn't he try to teach her ANYTHING until it was time for Rashta to basically become a tool for him? She barely knew how to fucking read and he was wanting her to memorize entire textbooks in a single day??? What the fuck dude??? That's beyond tough love you are asking the impossible and then bullying her for not learning quick enough when this whole thing was your fucking idea? Absolutely busted ass man. He just ruins everyone around him.

It is like legitimately a horror story that if Navier hadn't made the preparations to remarry right then and there after her divorce that Sovieshu 100% would have had all authority to lock her up in his manor and force her to stay by his side and wouldn't let her remarry. Like, even when the high priest approves Navier's remarriage this motherfucker starts having people dig through textbooks on how they can overturn the legal precedent? And he STILL tries to keep her locked up to the point she has to literally escspe? Gee if only he had put that much information into being a decent fucking human being. Absolutely garbage man. I want to see him absolutely fucking ruined. Also like, dead on Rashta is like a plaything for him. Jesus even when she started to read and become more well learned, THEN he commented on how "oh I missed the way you used to talk"? Aka her talking like a kid and referring to herself on the third person? You miss the way she used to talk before she started becoming acruslly educated as part of YOUR plan? Youre in love with the innocence that sees you as God, not even the person behind the admiration, like, God I can't wait until Navier's new wedding and he has to face reality that she is officially another man's wife. It'll break him and it'll be so tasty tasty

[writingonesdreams]

Bloodless Heir x Tears of Iron AU

I have been daydreaming this scene in the car today. This is Zephyr and my gang being actual part of Bloodless heir universe as Pyrians, living and fighting (secretly against) under the Usurper, waiting for a good leader to support. I rarely know the lore so well as to dare to do this, but ofc I also might be off. Enjoy.😂

For @bloodlessheirbyjacques

Part 2 here

Zephyr put the water glass down on the table and threw himself into the seat, finally having a break, when someone marched in through the front door.

"We are closed!" He called, hoping to get rid of the intruder. The bar that was actually a training room late at night was exhausting as it was. Maybe he should close up sooner. Oh well. He didn't want to be suspicious. They lived in the Usurper's land after all.

The man ignored him and took his sweet time walking through the bar as if he owned the place. Zephyr wiped at the sweat forming at his face - the heat was terrible today - and stood up abruptly. "I'm very sorry Sir, but we are truly-"

Zephyr stopped in his tracks, his brain shortcircuting.

The man, well dressed in a fancy coat and styled hair...looked very similar to...no it couldn't be...Usurper's son was exiled some years ago...last time Zephyr asked around for him, they said he sailed away somewhere...

"Not a bar at all?" Elijah asked, smirking at him as if exiled princes appeared in underground bars in the capital city all the time.

"I don't know what-"

"Let's cut the chit chat and shallow lies. Yes, I know what you have been doing here, training young Pyrian fire mages, that instead to military came to you. You have gathered some nice numbers I hear. You have been causing ruckus and making schemes. Hidden. Secret. In the shadows, not daring to step into the light of the volcanoes." Elijah looked at him cunningly, observing him from head to toe. Like he was measuring if Zephyr really fit such a reputation. "To do what you really want to do," he whispered in a conspiratory voice.

"This could be the end of hidden crawling in the dark. The true heir of Pyria has returned. I'm offering you to be part of the revolution that's coming."

Guy could make a life-threatening risk sound like a kind offer, Zephyr would give him that. But that was about all that spoke in his favour.

Zephyr sighted, throwing the dirty rag he cleaned the tables with over his shoulder. Transforming from the nice and polite barkeeper, average and inferior, eager to please and easy to forget to the persona he showed his students. The person he was polishing, preparing, keeping in the dark for the right opportunity for the truth.

The man opposite him was cunning and a smooth-talker, and maybe he even really was Elijah, the exiled prince. Which wasn't really helping his case.

Two could play this game.

"You are his son." Zephyr said, eyes blazing. "Just make good with daddy and the throne is yours. That's hardly a revolution."

Elijah narrowed his eyes, noticing the change in demeanour. His smile didn't waver though.

"No. Someone else. I said true hair, didn't I?"

Zephyr let his surprise and scepticism show. Every gesture and word were a chess move here and he had to be careful.

Who could he mean? Who would be a true heir? Only King Ezekiel's kids...could they have survived? But those are just fairytales...

"Well? Are you and your guys in?"

He really didn't like Elijah's smug face.

"Listen, buddy. You can't seriously expect me to promise anything on a rumour and some riddled hints."

Zephyr walked closer. He needed to see his reaction, he needed to see past the masks and bravado about what was truly going on here. And if this wasn't a trap and he didn't just give himself out.

"I don't know what's true. There is no truth. That was the first thing that died here with the royal family more than a decade ago." Zephyr jabbed his finger into Elijah's chest, calm steel in his voice.

"What I know, is that whatever you are planning with this 'revolution', you need allies. Meaning you need me, much more than I need you. So if you want to make any deals, what about you show up with your 'true heir' and convince me?"

Elijah clicked his tounge, throwing a quick threatening look towards Zephyr's hand. Then he, infuriatingly, dared to grin again.

"I'll convince you just fine, if that's what you want. Let's meet up. Today at midnight. Same place. Bring your most trusted. You will get to meet the real deal, legends and heirs."

Elijah turned to leave, nonchalantly sealing a deal for time and place to Zephyr's advantage. Was he that arrogant? That fearless? That stupid? Was this all a trick?

Was this all really the truth?

Elijah turned back once, just before opening the door. "We'll see who needs who."

I have been daydreaming this scene for a scenario where Zephyr, Skye, Leander and Kieran are Pyrians living under the Usurper, secretly training others, that could help put Astrea to get the throne. I'm ofc tototally clueless about how the second book and the fight itself will go, so this just my theory - fanfiction - of how it could look like after her arrival in Pyria. I'm not sure if Skye is Pyrian too, do they have immigrants from other lands as well? And do all magics need to be from royal blood lines if they aren't common or corrupted? If this was the case, I was thinking they would mostly be fire mages, with Skye really interested in other countries an cultures, aiming to be a Pyrian diplomatic representative and fascinated by all kinds of magic, and esp taking interest in the corrupt and the combined ones, making her very curious about Astrea. Zephyr is just the same, someone who likes to train and help people and is really skilled in fighting and magic. I just imagine Usurper Pyria like a dictatorship, and this is how my parents grew up and it's a history I'm drawn to for its horribleness and the bravery of those who looked for ways to fight and not get killed by the regime. So the gang would totally train and fight and look for a new heir, and be very sceptic about that heir and about Elijah,...idk stop me if this is waaaay off.🤣

#writeblr #wip crossover #bloodless heir x tears of iron au #my writing #Zephyr #Elijah #these two meeting what can I say XD

[natsubane]

it's been a month since i finished days. whoops!

i already had super high expectations for days because mage had been whispering in my ear about it, and i'm still working on the secret reports for this while i don't have a ton of time on my hands but god i fucking enjoyed days. i think it's now been too long since i played it so it's not fresh any more but i still should talk about it before i forget so.

the story makes it so easy to care about the characters and i think it brings out each individual personality very well! roxas is a really interesting narrator to watch the developments with because of how he doesn't know anything and doesn't even have memories, and also how easily influenced he can be by the other org members because of it... and also watching how he grows while knowing where he ends up in kh2 just. hurts? you see him being happy and hanging out with his friends and then you remember that he cannot win his fight with sora for his right to be himself... (maybe this is also influenced by the awful /pos posts i see often about roxas and resentment and just in general how little the narrative cares about what he actually wants. but. yeah)

i remember talking a bit about unreliable narrators while i was reading the story? i think it's an especially enjoyable experience because of what we've learned about nobodies in kh2 (like how they supposedly don't have hearts? i went through a lot of days knowing that the nobodies do feel emotions and hearing them repeat that they don't have hearts to feel with over and over they don't when you can see roxas clearly having feelings more and more as time passes... is a compelling argument for the unreliability of the knowledge you get, or at the very least this specific statement) and how biased sora is against them in comparison (to go as far as antagonising them on the spot, which is one thing i didn't exactly like when i was playing kh2... i really wished we got to see them integrate the org into the story better and understand them before we take them out). in that sense i'm really glad that days gives you the opportunity to actually get to know the nobodies, especially the ones that you don't get to see in depth in com! (this is how i ended up getting interested in demyx? the fact that apparently we don't know anything about him still also bumps my enjoyment of him up quite a bit? he's so funny. tell me more about him.) (i'm also glad we got to see their side of their goal and the justifications they have for pursuing them...! even if they sound like a fucking cult!)

anyway, roxas not knowing anything and the org deliberately keeping him in the dark about everything was really fun to read because. you can tell all he wants is to chill out with his friends and eat ice cream after missions and instead the people around him treat him like a tool and have plans for him and xion and keeping him in the dark so that they can use him better is just the best way of handling things to them... you really can feel how frustrated he is by the end and how he's doubting everything he's been taught because of all the times he's been brushed off and not been told the truth. and you can see the moments when the carefully constructed and curated web of (rather, lack of) information around him (and xion, too) starts to crumble and he starts fighting to get out... even at the end after he decides to choose his own path and be willing to fight for it (while being able to see the consequences of xion fighting)... without truly finding out who he is or being able to find his own purpose or anything, he ends up immediately getting violently thrown into a situation completely out of his control and this time it feels like the world itself is straight up poking fun at him? and still nobody is telling him anything? and when he does things he actually wants to do he ends up being punished and feeling alienated for it? like as i kept playing i kept thinking ough..... no wonder roxas is so easy to like... he's just a guy trying to find purpose and meaning for himself in a place where he isn't even allowed to want that and it fucks me up tbh

i'd heard that seasalt trio were the best-written trio friendship in the series and yeah i can fucking tell why. and you're telling me these guys don't even fully understand what friendship is? man. it was genuinely really enjoyable watching them just chill and banter over ice cream? i honestly really enjoyed the "friends are people you eat ice cream with" thing because of how sincerely it's taken and how much roxas and xion believe in it... i can still hear that "who else am i gonna eat ice cream with?" line clear as day from day 357... i also still feel ill about the line namine says about not expecting them to try so hard to become their own people... in the end neither of them end up being allowed to become their own person after all... ough......

also now knowing how roxas left axel by the end makes me feel even More ill about axel dying before he could see roxas again properly... i liked seeing the contrast of axel with roxas and xion, and seeing how they bring out a more caring side of him even if he ends up doing his tough love thing... but he's still the one who brings them together by saying that if they remember each other they'll always be together... and he's the one who says they're best friends... i'm glad we get to see him and understand why he was so desperate in kh2, i'm glad we get to know him... i can tell there's still a lot to uncover about this guy but he's a fun guy... i want to see him again.........

i've probably forgotten tons of points i wanted to say here but it was a fun game!!! i enjoyed the gameplay as well and i enjoyed the perspective it gave on the previous games! i'd really like to go back to kh2 prologue and also com to better understand what happened there as well, but since i'm kinda gauntletting these games and i'm pretty busy recently it's hard to find time for it... i will do my best to enjoy the games as much as i can......!

#blue/- #blue/seafoam #seafoam-sunset #seafoam-playthrough #seafoam-thoughts #honestly i have no fucking clue if anything i said was correct or even made sense #literal word soup direct from my head #i'm honestly really bad at these but i think i Should just so i get to think about the game and how it works #this was a bit late though i think i shouldve done it earlier. i've been ridiculously busy though so please do blame me for it

[casspurrjoybell-29]

Forging Ties - Chapter 37 - Part 1

*Warning Adult Content*

Hamish had gone to help out with construction of what he had already begun calling Magic Town The Second and had soon found himself trailed by a small group of mages who barely knew which end of a hammer to hold but who were very eager to please.

These were some of the first freed mages who had been sent to them.

When he finally managed to get one of them to speak more than a few words, she told him that they had been factory workers.

They'd barely even been outside before.

They didn't end up getting much work done even though the mages tried their best but it was time well spent anyway.

There was something truly magical about watching a group of people admire a butterfly for the first time.

To them, it was no less magnificent than the many pixies who inhabited the nearby trees.

Hamish had absolutely no regrets about the adventure he'd gone on but now that they were back, he wasn't itching to go on another.

There was so much to discover and appreciate right here.

Maybe that would change over months or years but for now, Hamish was content.

As the sun began to set and work finished up for the day, Hamish wandered down to where a big pot of stew was being cooked up for all of them and gathered up the food scraps into a bucket.

He had another friend to pay a visit to.

On the way back onto the ship, he passed Perry coming off, pushing his belongings on a cart with the help of the robot.

"Oh, hello," Perry said when he saw Hamish.

"Have you come to see Cookie? I think she's the only one still on board right now. I saw her in the corner of the store room when I was getting the last of my things together."

"That's the plan," Hamish said.

"Somehow I knew she would still be here, so either I'm arrogant and coincidentally correct or Kit's up for a conversation. Are you staying at The Spire, then?"

"I am," Perry's bony face didn't translate into a smile all that well but Hamish could hear it in his voice.

"I talked to Yore and he helped get me an audience with Libby and she's offered me a job in the Spire library preserving and making copies of books. There's even a room up there that I can stay in. Libby says it isn't much more than a closet with a bed on the floor but what else do I need, really?"

"You'll have to come down and visit us sometimes. We're still mostly living in tents but there are plenty of nice spots to sit and have a chat."

"I'll be sure to," Perry said.

"I'd still like to make my own records and writings. In a place like this, I'll never run out of interesting people to talk to. I hope Skye will still be willing to share his story with me. It's only become more interesting with Nim's involvement."

"He's a bit distracted with riding bears and being a courier but he seems to like you. I'm sure he'll find some time for you once he settles in."

"Hopefully," Perry said.

"Anyway, I best get these things over to The Spire. Everett's leant me his robot to help get everything up to the library but I don't want to take up too much of its time. It has a lot of duties to attend to on the ship."

"Good luck. I hope you don't have too many stairs to walk up."

Perry laughed.

"I suppose I'll find out."

Hamish picked his bucket up and headed below deck.

When he entered the storeroom, it took him a moment to spot Cookie.

She was laying on top of a large, wooden crate, tucked snuggly into a dark corner.

Hamish placed the bucket on the ground and Cookie oozed herself off the crate.

She bumbled over to the bucket, shoved one hand deep into it and pulled out a fistful of slop which she fed into her mouth.

Hamish made a face.

"Is this why you're always sticky?"

"No," Kit said as they appeared out of nowhere.

"Cookie's very clean."

"I'm not sure I believe that."

Kit shrugged.

"Believe what you want."

"So, are you planning on staying with the ship, then?"

"For now. It's an easy way to get to places that are normally difficult to get to."

"And we want to make sure the ship gets past the sea monster again even without Skye here," another voice cut in without warning, making Hamish jump.

A teenager girl with long, straight black hair and dark, almond shaped eyes sat on the edge of the crate, swinging her legs.

"Izzy, I assume?" Hamish asked.

She nodded, a hint of a smile on her lips.

"Nice to finally meet you."

Izzy's smile broadened.

"What, you don't count me sitting on a bed with you in panther form in a dream as meeting? Tch. It's all the same to me."

"If you say so," Hamish said.

"So, should I expect you back or is this just goodbye forever?"

"You think we plan that far ahead?" Kit asked.

"Maybe you'll see us next week or five years from now or never again. Who knows. We go where the wind blows."

"More literally than usual in this case, what with the sails on the ship and all," Izzy commented.

"But Kit's right. Who knows?"

"Well, I hope I see you again soon," Hamish said.

"I liked having you along on our adventure."

"Hmm, well, the feeling's not mutual," Kit commented.

"We read the thoughts of everyone around us all of the time, see through their eyes. We see some shit and we're used to that but fucking hell, Hamish. You're a visual thinker and I hate it."

Hamish stifled a laugh.

"Ah. Sorry about that."

"No you're fucking not."

"You're right, I'm not," Hamish admitted.

"Well, I hope I see you again but if I don't, it's been good. I know we have our banter but I appreciate you. Both of you and Cookie and just... everything you are."

"Ugh, sentimentality."

"We appreciate you too, Hamish," Izzy said.

Kit shot her a look.

"Look at us becoming two different people with wildly different opinions again. Good, bad, I don't know but it's something I now have to deal with like an individual. Very annoying."

"We don't have to. Nobody's making us."

Kit took a long, slow breath in and then heaved out a sigh.

"You stopped shifting once we were at the cabin. You didn't want to be a person anymore. Afterwards, when we became this hideous lump of flesh, at least we were together. You couldn't fucking leave me then, huh?"

"It was never about leaving you."

"Obviously I know that. I even knew it back then. But it's still what happened."

"I know. And I know how you feel about it. How you felt."

"Maybe that's the problem. There's not a single thing we don't know about one another anymore but that doesn't really feel like a resolution, so then we end up having an argument in front of this weirdo pervert."

Hamish held his hands out.

"What does me being a weirdo pervert have to do with any of this?" Kit shrugged.

"Nothing but you are one."

"That's fair, I guess," Hamish said.

"It seems like you two have a lot to talk about, anyway. I should probably get back to the others."

"Yeah, this is honestly an extremely energy inefficient way to work out our issues and also we could be anywhere we can imagine and I can imagine way better places than the storeroom of a ship," Izzy said.

"We'll see you around, Hamish."

"I hope so," Hamish said as Kit and Izzy blinked out of existence.

Cookie had her head stuck in the slop bucket and was wandering around, walking into walls.

Hamish almost tried to help her get it off but then he remembered that she didn't have eyes for a bucket to blind and did have hands of her own, so everything that she was doing was a choice.

An odd one but a choice all the same.

When Hamish made his way back up from the dock, he found that people had begun to gather around the bonfire in preparation for the evening meal.

[theunavoidableone]

(AN: This is a story I wrote for my dnd character Howard, a silly guy who really needs a hug.

TR: Violence, darker themes, abuse

Hope you enjoy!)

Didn't have any jokes this time. Thought he had something at first. A quip, or a witty remark that would make this situation seem all the more amusing. Maybe a ditty or a song to sooth his captors. Something moving, something catchy, that you could hum on your way to work. They would play cat and mouse for a little while, pretend that they were winning, then he would do something clever and the audience would cheer and adore him! 

For no matter how bad a situation was, Howard never failed! No matter how unlucky, Howard pulled through! 

Guess he had finally run out, huh? 

Guess the world had finally gotten annoyed, as everyone else did. 

He called them his friends. Did he even truly care about them? The mage, the paladin, the turtle with a head harder than the earth he commanded. He had fought beside them, broken bread with them, narrowly avoided being bonked in the head by one of them. 

How many times had they fought for their lives? 

And how many times had it been all his fault? 

Howard counted the days going by in his cell. He stopped early on, like he could commit to a habit, or any discipline. How many days had he counted? Three? Three days was all it took before he was back to how he was before. Four days and he was doing the exact thing he professed to hate. Get angry, get mad, boy was he good at getting mad! Red faced, stomping around, the buckle on his belt swinging back and forth as the bells on his cap let out a sharp whistle. Not like he could do anything about his anger. Punch a wall and he'd bleed, let it fester and his soul would slowly bleed out. 

Don't let your anger out. A good girl, a strong girl needs to control his temper. 

Watch your tone, child. Don't you know it's disrespectful to use that voice with your father, the one who loved and raised you? 

He shouldn't be angry. It was his fault anyways. His fault for shooting himself in the head. His fault for going off on his own, through a dark kingdom, standing in solitude because in his head, he was immortal. Bullets grazed his flesh, monsters were seduced by his charm and quick wit, and the shadows withered in the light of his smile. He could do anything and get away with it because he was immune to authority! Men like him did not deserve to bend to laws and codes, men like him were stronger, wiser- 

He slammed his fist against the wall. His knuckles bled, bits of concrete and iron wedged into his flesh. 

He let his hand hang limp at his side, leaned against the wall as he slowly slid to the ground, mute as the blood from his hand dripped, dripped, dripped, forming a puddle. 

And his eyes turned to she who put him here, his captor and queen. 

Her flesh was like the chains that shackled him, cold and gleaming. The moisture that lined her body could have been mistaken as sweat, had it not been for the stalactites dripping down upon her. A stray rat scuttled by, which she crushed beneath her feet, letting out a sharp "hmph" that echoed throughout the cavern, from the walls and back to Howard's cell, drowning out the screaming in his head. 

Her arms were crossed behind her back. Posture upright, limbs as stiff as iron rods, expression never changing beyond an eternal grimace. Every vial checked, statistics looked over once and once more, every cog and wheel in place, according to plan. 

Yet as she inspected her equipment, she noticed something. Wires, shining through a crack in the metal casing, barely dangling out. With a roar she tore the entire device out of its hinges, beating down upon it as metal spikes protruded from her back, stabbing downward. Howard coughed as dust and ash were blown through his cell. 

And when it cleared, there was no sign of damage. Just the queen working, working, working. 

Content as can be. 

Neither darkness or light, or day and night. Just the dimn light of his cell and the women that stood beyond it. Never speaking to him, or even glancing his way. 

But in glimpses, flashes in the moments between moments, where he wondered if he was just imagining it, he saw a wretched thing. A thousand ears, listening for what would come. Twisted mouths and silver tongues, upside down and inside out, leaking bile and the black speech. 

He knew those words. He'd heard them his whole life. 

You will never be good enough. 

He wasn't. Never would be. 

On her chest, a cross. Holy, set apart, the judge, jury, and executioner. Screaming at him in the halls. A scared little child, sleeping on the floor, a room without a door. 

Let your no be no and your yes be yes. 

Didn't want it to be her. Didn't want what he saw to be true.

His eyes should have lied to him. If only it were that easy- 

Funny, how she took men as concubines, leaving bastard children in the ashes. 

"I love you," He had yelled. "I love you, isn't that enough?" 

Like the fuzzy bits of a nightmare, barely recollected, she replied. 

"No, no it is not." 

Mother knew best. 

"Do you recognize me," she said, head swiveling to the side to face him. 

Yellowed teeth gleamed in the dirty light, cracked and bloodied lips split into a grin. 

"Do I recognize you? What kind of a question is that! How are you doing mommy? Subjects treating you well, authoritarian policies still in place? By the looks of it, surgery on your wrinkly old ass didn't go so right. Surgeon have a bone to pick with you too? Did you leave him like you left us?" 

Her body trembled, bolts and screws all shaking within. Her hair of silk split at the seams, pieces in tatters flapping around to an invisible current. Mechanical insects, spiders and crickets chirping away, crawled out of the cracks in her back. They laughed with her in a ghastly chorus, directed to Howard, shot through his heart. 

Assuming he had one. Judging from the gaping hole in his chest, he assumed it was currently on someone's carpet. 

But really, they should be grateful, that carpet was a piece of shit anyways and any piece of him would up the resale value by a massive amount. 

Oh yes? What was he focused on again? Why, his whore of a mother! 

Apparently she was speaking. Apparently he should have been listening. 

"My, my son, you've grown wise with words! I'm so very proud! It's been so long, since the days when you were but a wee little lad following dad around. You used to look up to him so much. Didn't you want to be a noble just like him? Speak with authority and watch legions of men flock to your side? What happened to that whimsical dream you tooted around so much-" 

She spat out the word son. Howard's lip twitched. 

Her high heels slid down the stone floor, and the scent of chemically grown roses wafted down Howard's nose. He would have thought she looked sexy, had it not been on the account that she was his mother. 

Claws pressed against the bars. Fake teeth spewing oil, in cellebration of his return, the heat of her mechanical body pressed against his flesh. Howard moved back, grin widening. 

"Why did you change? Who is it that I see before me, an imposter in poor man's rags? What happened to daddy's little bundle of joy, who never thought to ask or question or doubt. What happened to your faith? Faith in which what we cannot see, but know will come to pass." 

Her eyes darkened, like black saucers. Her grip on the bars loosened. 

"Your father was not a kind man. But don't you think he was a fair man? Don't you think he had your best interests in mind and don't you think it was wrong to throw it all away. His roof, his support, his generosity?" 

The spiders jumped off her shoulder, landing in Howard's hair. They cut and snipped as he writhed in his chamber, hair a nest for the damned. 

Only dolls for Christmas. A neat bow tie and ribbon for daddy's little girl. All while the boys marched away and played games of war. Bloodshed and fury! Was it too much to ask for Howard to join in on the fun? To smite so he would no longer be smitten? To take what he had never been given? 

Hair cut short, by a razor of his own hand. 

Couldn't cut it short in Father's house. 

A game of war. How he longed to plunge that razor into mother's heart, into Father's breast, if only he weren't held back by notions of mercy. 

Why couldn't he just pull the trigger? 

Did it to himself, why not to someone else? 

Ruffling up his hair, he let the spiders stay in their nest. He even fed one some breadcrumbs out of his pocket! They were quite appreciative really, being under the thump of a dictator didn't pay well, you know. Times were hard, the stock market was crashing, and all the while the conservative politics of their mistress left their good country in shambles! Suddenly you couldn't go anywhere without people whining about the non-existence of the class war, or how magic should not be trusted and science was the answer to all of their problems! 

Bogus stuff, right? 

"Seems even your minions prefer my company to yours, mother. If dad had my back then why did you leave, hmm? Why were you this close to plunging a knife into his back? You can talk about his stewardship and faith all day long-" 

Hand clamped against mother's throat, a viper in his eyes. It burned. Didn't matter. 

All he wanted was her pain. Let her know what she had done. Let her feel what he had felt. 

Nothing more dehumanizing than that. To be at the mercy of another. To be told of what you are not. 

"If you'd just listen, if you could just please-" 

"Did I tell you that I was listening?" 

"Are you listening now Mother?"

His hands began squeezing the metal that made up her neck, crushing it like a cylinder. One hand shot up, gnarled fingers going for the throat. 

His veins bulged, his pupils dilated. Heart racing a thousand miles. Hair standing straight, spiders crawling and darting around. And his eyes never left poor mother. His glazed over eyes finding their spark as he held her there, her smile unwavering as the strength she had birthed held her captive. 

"Oh I am listening. What are you going to do? Choke me out? Kill a poor old woman? What fire in your eyes, what passion. Tell you what-" 

A sword slid down her arm. She handed it to Howard, cupping his hand as he gripped the blade. 

"Go on then, kill me. This is what you wanted right? The chance to right a thousand wrongs. The moment you've thought of ever since you left that place you once called home. Enjoy this moment, savor it dear. Twist that blade into my chest and watch the iron fall to reveal my naked, marred body. Watch me bleed out and revel in the fact that you have done this world a service by getting rid of me." 

Breath caught in his throat, Howard said nothing. Every thought, every wrong turn, had led up to this moment. And now that he was here he could do nothing but stand and stare. 

"Isn't this what you want? By killing me, you'll feel better, all of your misdeeds forgiven?" 

Smile twisting, lines weaving in and out of his face, he dropped mother and the blade. 

His hands became fists, and Howard scowled. Mother sat down, crossed legged, as she let the child get it out. Let them blow smoke, let them be angry, then once they ran out of steam you could pull them by the ear and keep them on the straight and narrow. 

He was the child, and she was the parent. Right? 

Parents knew best. Parents knew what was right. Parents could do their child no harm. Parents held your hand, were with you through thick and thin. 

Always by your side. 

Howard bared his fangs, lunging at the bars. Invisible ropes seized his arms, pulling him back.  

He frothed at the mouth. Flies buzzed and bathed in his scent. Worms crawled out of their cracks and giggled. The light flickered and in its absence the snarling beast was shown. The snarling beast who could not do a goddamned thing right. The beast who felt more than he knew. Whose emotions led him to his own ruin, a slave to thought. 

It shrieked. It pounded against the walls of the cell, as the light was devoured by it. Two emerald orbs danced in the dark. And it's voice, it's chipped voice. 

"Don't you use that tone with me, young lady!" 

And he bit his tongue. 

No more. 

No more keeping it in. No more pretending it was alright. No more smiling for the sake of happiness, so the world could be content that it hadn't failed another. No more half truths. No more saying "I'm fine." No more putting up with everything and everyone because they deserved his respect. 

Where was the line? Where was the balance in this, in this world that had told him to be one way while he chose to be another? 

Mommy and daddy wanted a son. 

Well he was right here! 

Time to show them what a real man could do. 

"You're right, you know." 

The queen shivered in her seat. His voice, it hadn't changed. In fact, he looked no different than before, other than the passion in his eyes. Other than the way he lifted his sword and felt its steady weight fall into his hand. Felt right, like an extension of himself. 

Like it would do his bidding. 

"It won't make me feel better. But I don't expect it too. You think I will feel a wave of euphoria? You think suddenly everything will be okay, as if you could erase that past? You think I can escape the man I am, just by ending your life right now? No-" 

He looked up and laughed. The cavern quaked. 

"I made my choices, so I either live or die by them. Just as you will do. What do you say mother, shall we both die? Burn in this mechanical monstrosity together? Or do we hug, kiss, and make up? Fancy a cup of tea mother?" 

He darted. One cut was needed. Thin red line, pierced armor. 

She was bleeding. 

"Fancy a relationship! Fancy a life outside of this castle? Did you ever wonder once where I was? Did you ever consider his lashes, Did you ever wonder if I was okay? Did you even think to ask? With all of your power and might and majesty you couldn't have saved one bastard child?!" 

He knelt down as a dozen blades shot out. He let them pierce his body, as he went limp. 

She spewed oil and mucus. Shakily getting up, the queen let loose one more blade, straight for the head. 

SHATTER. 

Like glass, scattered on the floor. 

Howard blew the smoke off of his revolver. It whispered in his head, told him to finish her off, end her suffering now and let this old dog die. 

He had other ideas. 

"Strong enough to have it all. Too weak to take it." 

He kicked her in the stomach, sending her rolling down the chamber. He ripped out clumps of hair, flinging his spiders at her body, crushing their little sacs. Flash brimmed in the cracks, and a shockwave rung out, knocking mother against a wall. 

He smiled. Perhaps it was the first real smile in a while. 

Mother gagged up a word. 

"Please…." 

Another kick, this one to the ribs. And then another, feeling the crunch of bone underneath his boots, let him dig his worn out soles into her chest. 

He knelt beside her, putting a finger to her lips. 

"I used to wonder why dad left you. I used to think I did something wrong. Dad's old dog can't learn any new tricks. But if I'm a dog, then what does that make you, hmm? Dog shit? A shadow of a shadow, a withered ghost. Look at you, look at what you've done to yourself. Ever wonder if you made that suit to hide from him? Think your metal can withstand his beatings?" 

He ripped off his tattered shirt, exposing the scars beneath. One for every sin, and ten more for the heir that never was. 

"If he did this to me, then how much more did he do to you? Ten scars, twenty, a thousand? How much could you take before you broke? How much could you endure before you left your only child behind?" 

She darted past him like a snake. He threw the sword. 

It hit. 

Arm pinned to the wall. Barely clinging to life. 

"You think I'm done with you yet? Do you think we've scratched the surface of what you did?!" 

Her voice sounded like a dying television, the last of its color fading out to static. 

"Son….please…." 

He stood over her, back arched, hair casting a shadow over her face. His body had stopped bleeding, a black mist emanating from his pistol, resealing his wounds as his eyes grew dark. As the mist coiled around his body, as his glasses were abandoned in his cell and he stared away, as he scrunched up his face and tensed his muscles, the queen realized one thing. 

He looked like Father. 

But she couldn't even move. 

Good old times, right? 

When Howard spoke, it was monotone. Like he was engaging in everyday chitchat, and wasn't particularly invested in the conversation. 

"No…" 

He blinked. 

"You don't get to say please. You don't get to beg when for years I've been begging for your attention, your validation. You think you're owed mercy? You think justice hasn't come for your head?" 

He sat down beside her, placing a cold hand on hers. 

"All I wanted were three simple words. Only three. Didn't need to have earned them, didn't need to have pushed myself past my breaking point to even cross that final frontier, didn't need to fit into your mold, this image of pigtails and dresses and dances at the gala." 

He sighed, head hung. 

"But now the moment has been spoiled. I don't need you or him to be proud of me. I don't need anybody else but me to tell me who I am." 

He buried his head into his legs, shaking. Tears ran down his eyes, and he sniffled, coughing up spit and saliva. Mother did nothing, chest bobbing up and down. 

"You ran away so you didn't have to face him. Well, I did." 

Chest inflated, arms crossed, crossed legged. 

"There comes a point where you can only take so much. Being called daughter, insistent that I fit into his idea of me, and not loving me for me. Rants against those who defiled their body, who you secretly loved and hated because at least they were living their lives. And, even if he hurt me, even if I was marred in the end, at least I'm going to be who I want to be-" 

He bit his words, wiping his face before he continued. 

"At least I'm going to be the man he never saw in me. At least I have to stop hiding. Because I would rather take the pain than spend another day lying to myself and him." 

He picked up his gun, standing up, back turned to mother, mom. 

"I've been wondering all of this years if I made the correct choice. And you know what…" 

A bullet grazed the side of her head. A warning shot. 

"I did the right thing." 

He took aim, eye on the trigger. 

"So before you meet your Maker, I have one last request." 

Her response was a series of moans and grunts. 

"What is my name?" 

Silence. Tighter on the trigger. 

"I said….what is my name?" 

She really tried, bless her heart, bless her poor, agonized soul, but she was only able to get out a hoarse "h…." 

Howard screamed. 

"SAY IT!" 

"H…..o…..w" 

He grinned. 

"Yeah, easy goes it. Come on mom, you can do it. Make it past the finish line! It's almost over, and the day hasn't even started!" 

Final breath. 

".....a….r….d" 

He winked. 

"And don't you forget it!" 

He fired. His friends wouldn't make it in time to save her.