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melodylnoelle · 1 year

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Knight Captain

The Cards Have Spoken - Week 6 (My cards)

Hello! We took the week of Christmas off from this, but still pulled cards. Here is the one that was my cards for last week! The one for this week will be posted later today. We are doing the same thing on Friday with each other’s cards.

Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe Characters: Knight!Steve Rogers Category: AU - Royalty Timeline: N/A Setting: No card pull - Castle Warnings/Notes: Violence. // This kinda got away from me, and I skipped over some details to make it shorter... might make a whole story out of this, we’ll see // We are trying to keep these all to a minimum of 500 words. You can use these same cards for your own story if you like, but please tag me and @brightsun-and-darkmidnight so that we can see what you do! Please enjoy Words: 3839 Summary: Something is amiss within the castle walls, and Steve is determined to get to the bottom of it. Masterlist

Steve walked down the lengthy hall with his team, armor clinking on all of them as they went. He would never cease to be amazed by the beautiful stained glass and vaulted ceiling of the throne room. It was such a stark contrast to the small, nearby village that he came from – one where he had lived in poverty for most of his life. Even tired, battered, and a little bruised as he was, he still couldn’t help but to glance up at the kingdom’s crest encased in the colorful panes of glass as he went.

At least until he reached his destination in front of the throne. Then he joined him team in taking a knee, bowing his head.

The hall was mostly empty now. This wasn’t the cheerful, triumphant return of heroes from their quest – that had been yesterday. Today, it was silent but for their footfalls and armor, and the inaudible whispers of the Royal Advisor to the king at the throne. They had been summoned privately today.

The King had his head turned to the side, listening to his advisor. As they knelt, he turned to look at them.

“Your highness,” Steve greeted, head still bowed.

“I am sure you are curious why I summoned you here today.” He paused, but Steve knew he was not truly expecting an answer. “I am sorry to have interrupted your celebrating.”

“How may we serve you, my king?” Steve spoke for the group, his voice echoing back to him in the large room.

“I was most troubled by your report of what happened on your last mission.”

Steve’s eyebrows knit together at the memory. It had not been the cleanest mission they had ever been on. They were there to prevent an army from amassing to close to their border, and it turned into a brutal fight before the other side was scared off. A few civilians had lost their lives when the battle got too close to a village, and even more of the village itself was destroyed. They had been able to end the battle without too much loss of life, but that it happened at all had weighed heavy on his shoulders. The king had offered his assistance to the village in the form of crews for repairs and money for the families that lost a loved one, but that could never fully make up for the damage done.

Even more so since the king was bringing it up.

“Our apologies or allowing them to get to close to the townspeople, sire. We will be more careful next time.”

The king nodded. “I am sure you will. From this moment forth, there will be an advisor on each mission with you that will be in charge of telling you when it is time to leave the battle.”

Steve’s eyebrows rose, along with his head. He looked the king in the eye. “But sire-“

The king stared back at him with an empty stare, but his harsh words bellowed through the room. “That decision is final. Is that clear?”

Steve shoved his head back down, internally cursing himself. “Yes, sire.”

“There are dangerous times ahead, but that doesn’t mean we need to lose our perspective on who we are fighting for.” The king paused a moment. “We need to keep both our eyes open, or we are no good to our kingdom in the first place.”

Steve’s head rose again, slowly this time. He knew after that outburst that the others would have their head down. They would not see Steve raise his head, his eyebrows raising the slightest bit in question. They would not see the king’s expression barely change, just a bit more set, or the slight wave of his hand toward the adviser, mostly hidden under his sleeve. The advisor would not have seen the gesture, but he did.

This time, Steve held eye contact with the king as he spoke. “Understood, King Fury.” Then ducked his head before the advisor could think anything of the exchange.

“Good. The oversight will be by someone the Royal Advisor chooses for each mission… maybe sometimes even the advisor himself. You are to heed their every word and bring them back home safe.”

“Yes, sire.”

“You are all dismissed. I will call you again when there is a need. For now, return to your guard duties.”

Steve rose first, and the rest of his team followed his lead. They turned and made their way to the door, the king’s silent warning ringing as loudly in Steve’s mind as the echo of armor clanking in the hall.

He went about his duties, ceasing his celebrating to join in the patrolling of the guard. He needed to take some time to think, anyway, and long walks through the castle usually helped him to do that.

Not twenty minutes into his patrol, though, that was interrupted.

“Sir Rogers,” the Royal Advisor spoke as Steve passed through the hall.

He paused, not quite turning his head enough to see the advisor. “Yes, sir?”

“I would speak with you a moment, if you are not in a hurry.”

He turned to face the man but said nothing.

“You seemed to be rather… displeased with the arrangement that the king has decided for you.”

“What gave you that impression?”

“You attempted to protest it.”

Steve shrugged. “I suppose I just don’t like someone else making the decisions that involve the safety of my team.”

“Ah. Is that it?” He chuckled. “Well, I will have you know, I have the safety of everyone in mind, not just your team. You know, it won’t be all bad, I assure you.” The advisor was circling him, like a wolf about to jump down his throat. He had a grin to match. “I won’t get in your way. I will just be there to stop you if things get… out of hand, so to speak.”

“You know, if things get out of hand, it’s not always our choice.”

“I’m surprised you would be so adverse to having such supervision. You who normally is all about order.”

Steve bit back a scoff, tried to keep his voice level. “Order is one thing. Blind control is another.”

“You dare speak of your king’s decisions that way?” His face was reddening, his smile turning into a smug expression.

“No, sir, of course not. That wouldn’t be my place.”

“You’re right, it’s not.” He stepped forward as he spoke, getting very close to Steve. “I wonder if this oversight, this control could have kept you from losing you pal… your Bucky. He seemed to be your sense of reason. Maybe this could have kept him around. But you don’t even know where he is, do you?”

That name sent hackles all down Steve’s spine. Bucky had been his partner before Steve had ever had a team, and he went missing a month ago. He spent weeks trying to find him after he was taken prisoner by another kingdom. The king had given him a monument in his honor, as his actions had led to the rest of the force getting home safely. Both he and the king believed that he was alive. Steve kept waiting for him to come back, searching for any word on someone having seen the knight with one arm.

The fact that that word would have come from someone in his own kingdom was a shock all of its own.

“Do you?”

“Again with the accusations.” His grin was back. He backed away one step, eyeing Steve suspiciously. “What is it you’re getting at here, knight?”

He thought a moment. He had to choose his words carefully, as the king taught him, not to show his whole hand. He made sure his face was expressionless as he spoke next. “Nothing… sir.”

The advisor took one more step back. “That’s what I thought.”

“I will see you on the next mission. Just make sure you’re ready in case things get ugly.” Without allowing him to get another word in, Steve turned and walked around the corner to leave the hall.

It was three days before there was a new mission from the king. Three days of pacing back and forth along the city walls with the rest of the guards. Every once in a while, he would pass by one of his team mates, and he would try to gauge their reactions about their new situation.

“I don’t know… maybe it’ll be a good thing.” Natasha had said. “Then they can see what really goes on. See that it’s not us that wants to bring the fight near the people.”

He hadn’t been sure what to make of that. He wasn’t sure that mattered to anyone.

“Sounds more to me like political posturing,” Sam had argued. “It’s not something that I’m overly fond of, but if it’s what the king wants…” They had trailed off into silence after that. Steve didn’t say anything more, not wanting to give his own thoughts away.

“We’ve let ourself get out of control. Did you see how scared the people were? The king is right, we should be fighting for them, protecting them.” Tony had been angry, maybe had the most weight on his shoulders considering he made the swords and weapons that damaged the town. They had been sold to an opposing kingdom by the king – or someone – and then used against them. But then again, it could even just be the fact that he knew plenty of people from that town. Steve hadn’t envied his position.

The others were all across the map, some echoing his thoughts and some echoing Tony’s, and a few not knowing where they stood. It was doing nothing to ease the thoughts that ran through his mind. The only person who probably could was the king himself, but there was no opportunity for him to speak to King Fury. He was always either with the Royal Advisor, or in the company of so many that Steve dare not even think of speaking any words aloud.

Hours after being called to the throne room for a briefing, Steve stood in the mirror of his chambers, adjusting the pauldron that adorned the king’s crest. He stared deeply into his own reflection, willing himself to decide what to so.

He had learned long ago that he was more of a confidant for the king than the Royal Advisor ever was. He recalled days where he called into the king’s private office, ready for a reprimand, only for him to dismiss anyone else from the room and ramble his thoughts to Steve about the things that were going right or wrong. Even then, he knew King Fury hadn’t told him everything – but then again, he didn’t think there was anyone that knew everything he thought or knew. It was one of those visits when King Fury had asked him to listen for the code words, the phrase that only Steve would know meant something was amiss. Something that maybe could not be said in company. A safeguard, in case there was no safe place for them to speak of these things.

When he heard that phrase in the throne room, he was both surprised and not. One of the king’s ramblings of late had been to express his concern about his advisement – that he was being asked to do things that he did not agree with, or that there was some plot to overthrow the crown entirely.

But now Steve was suspicious that there was no plan to overthrow the crown, but to puppeteer it, which, truly, was likely worse. The king would take the fall for anything that would happen, leaving room for one to step in his place. This was something Steve could not allow. His duty was to the king, and the people in the kingdom, and if the king was concerned enough to warn him, that couldn’t be good for either of them.

And yet, he was torn, knowing that his team would not understand. All they would see would be their Captain defecting – he had never made them privy to the king’s warning and his request, and, if the enemy was within, watching them, he could not do so now. But the last thing in this world that he wanted was to fight against his own team.

Maybe he could convince Natasha. She was hand-chosen by the king, and maybe second to Steve on the list of people he trusted. She had proven herself a valuable warrior, and Steve had trusted her completely. The king had taken notice of her skill in a time that many would have shunned her for her chosen profession. She may have enough loyalty to him to hear Steve out.

Tony, though… that was another story. He was always so focused on protecting the kingdom – a noble trait, to be sure – but sometimes that made him lose sight of the little things going on around them. Whatever move Steve made, it wouldn’t be one that would be sanctioned by any oversight that would be appointed to their crew. Tony would only see it as betrayal, and the thought of that made Steve’s heart feel like a stone.

But then there was the other reason to dig deeper that was clawing at his mind – Bucky. The Royal Advisor spoke of him as if he knew exactly where he was. His best friend, his left-hand man, had been missing long enough. It was time to bring him home. And if this was one step in that direction, he had to take it.

Steve sighed, grabbing the rest of his gear. It was almost time to deploy for their next mission, and he could put this off no longer.

He couldn’t wait for his next mission. His team was getting ready, and he didn’t want to involve them in all of this. Instead of joining them in the ready room, he marched down the corridor that led to the Royal Advisor’s office. He kicked the door in, nearly taking it off the hinges as he did so.

The man was taken by surprise, dropping the book that he was placing on the shelf to the floor. “Sir Rogers! You are absolutely out of line!” His voice wavered, taking any sense of authority that he had in those words right out of them.

“Quiet, or things will be worse for you. I don’t want to make this messier than it has to be.” He took his sword from its sheath. The advisor tried to run, but Steve was quicker, pinning his squirming frame against the bookshelf with the blade to his throat. “But you’re coming with me where you can do no more harm.” His teeth gritted together, his next words coming out as a near-growl. “And you’re going to tell me where Bucky is.”

The advisor took a deep breath. His shout for help was cut short by Steve knocking him unconscious.

Steve shook his head. This was not going to help them get out of the kingdom unnoticed. But he got to work, binding his hands and feet with the rope that he had brought with him. He also found a cloth that he could use to muffle him in case he woke and tried to scream again. When he was secure, he stopped to consider his options. He could just go the way he came, but there were guards at the end of the hall – he would have to render them unconscious, too, or they would surely not let him leave with a captive. He didn’t want to kill members from his own army, even if that meant that they would turn him in when they woke up.

He moved to the window instead, prying it open. The cold autumn wind hit his face as the glass swept outwards. He judged the distance to the ground, cursing himself for the oversight of not bringing more rope. It would be a hard decline to get to the ground from this high in the tower, and even more so with someone on his back. It could kill them both, and then this would be for nothing.

Well, not nothing. At least the king would be free of him. But there was no telling whether he was the worst of the people to be concerned with.

So, hall it was after all. He sighed, re-secured the window and hoisted the heavy man onto his shoulders. He kept his sword in his hand, hoping it would be enough to keep the guards from wanting to challenge him.

He knew it had been wishful thinking. They had their weapons drawn the moment they saw the man on his shoulders.

“I assure you, he is just feeling ill,” Steve said half-hardheartedly. “I am taking him to the infirmary to be checked out.”

The guards eyed him suspiciously. “Then why is he bound?” one of them asked. Their grip tightened on their swords.

“I was kind of hoping you would overlook that.” He threw the man off his shoulders, bringing his sword up to parry the swing from the guard on his right.

He kicked out with his leg, striking the other guard in the chest and staggering him back. He took that moment to shove forward, knocking that guard over and punching him hard enough to knock him unconscious.

His attention flew back to the first guard, who was raising his sword again for another swing. He dodged it, ducking off to the right. He blocked the next two swings of his sword.

When the guard stepped over to Steve’s right, Steve rolled to the left, maneuvering himself behind the guard. He wrapped his arm around his neck, cutting off the guard’s air. He tried to pry his arms off, but Steve kept them locked in place until his head lulled off to the side, unconscious.

He laid him down next to the other guard, and then hurried to pick the advisor back up and start his jog down the long hall. He likely didn’t have a lot of time before someone found them, and he didn’t want to waste any of it hiding them from sight.

It was going well for a while, until he heard the alarm sound. Someone either found the guards, or they had woken.

Either way, things were about to get more difficult.

He ran into more resistance after that. He took care not to kill anyone, but eventually there came to be too many of them to stop and overwhelm them every time. As he got closer to the castle wall, he started evading them as much as possible, keeping to the shadows where he could and running through secret shortcuts in the castle when there came to be too many on his tail.

He was almost in the clear. He had one more corner to round to get to the exit door that would lead to the stables. Then he would just have to commandeer a horse, and he would be able to get away much quicker.

But when he rounded the hall, his heart dropped, and his breath felt heavier.

Tony was there alone, waiting for him.

“Figured you would come this way.” His hand was resting on the hilt of his sword, but it wasn’t drawn yet. “Probably won’t take long for someone else to figure it out, so I’ll make this quick. Put the sword down and maybe the king will pardon you.”

Steve tried to get his breathing under control. He lowered the advisor slowly, leaning him against the wall. He didn’t take his eyes off Tony, and positioned himself as he stood to be between him and the unconscious man. “I can’t do that, my friend. Please don’t make me fight you on this.”

“You haven’t killed anyone yet,” Tony continued, “so at least there’s that. That makes one of you anyway.”

Steve was taken aback. “One of who?”

“You know who.” Tony’s mouth was set in a hard line, fury in his eyes. “Sam, Clint… both of them ran away somewhere, Natasha’s trying to find them. Wanda went and killed some guards trying to keep them off your ass, so she went and got herself locked up.”

No. Steve didn’t know what to think – couldn’t fathom that they had heard that he was up to something and they had just acted. He had no right to have so much loyalty from his team. He needed to find them once this was over, get them out of this situation.

But he had to get himself though this first.

“Come on, Steve, is this oversight really that bad that you need to go and commit crimes against the crown in protest? Is that what this is about?”

“You don’t understand-“

“I do understand! We got to callous, too focused! We got people killed and destroyed a town.” His grip tightened on the hilt of his sword. “This doesn’t have to be a bad thing. This isn’t some random politicals that are controlling these decisions!” Tony yelled, his voice echoing off the stone. “Hell, even if the citizens were making the decisions, that would probably be alright! But this is the Royal Advisor that we are talking about here! We have to listen to him!”

“But it’s not just the Royal Advisor,” Steve shook his head. “Though that’s bad enough. It’s his whole advisement team. Our every move is to be decided by people with agendas, and agendas change. They can be impure.”

“Oh, like ours can’t? Look what you’re doing now!”

“This situation will affect the whole kingdom! There’s more going on than you know, and I’m so sorry I can’t tell you.” He hung his head, not wanting to meet Tony’s eyes. “But this is going south. And if I see a situation going south, I can’t ignore it. Sometimes I wish I could.”

“Captain…” Tony started but stopped short.

Steve looked at him then. He could see that he was torn. He had agreed to work on Steve’s team, follow his lead, as long as it served the greater good. But Steve knew that he would never be able to see that this was the greater good until all the cards were on the table, but that was something that couldn’t be done here. Not without letting anyone who could overhear know that the king was involved in this plan, and that would not be safe for King Fury.

“I know you think what you’re doing is right,” Steve sighed. He reached a hand under the pauldron on his left shoulder – “so do it.” He dropped the pauldron to the floor, the king’s crest landing right-side up. “Just know that I will not like having to stop you.”

Tony set his jaw, and then pulled his sword. “And just know that I am not enjoying this either, friend.”

Steve pulled his sword and steeled himself. This was not going to end well.

#the cards have spoken #writing #royalty au #mcu

2 notes · View notes

janetbrown711 · 3 years

Note

I request the scene we discussed 😂 Lena returning after eloping with William

Important note: I’m officially making the Angelina 1 Lives alternate timeline/au thing a story, and this is technically the beginning. I’ll string the other two into the plot line eventually, but yeah XD sorry for the confusion, I tend to write what I want before I write what makes sense :P

Princess Angelina II was engaged to Sir William the Good, though it was in secret. After all, he was just a knight and she was the princess. For a moment, Lena thought their luck might be on their side when her mother fell deathly ill, but by truly miraculous means, the queen survived, which meant they had to continue in secret.

However, secrets had a cost to them, in the sense that no one else knew. This meant that Lena still had to deal with suitors coming over and trying to romance her, while she had already sworn herself to William. Needless to say, time was wearing on William and Lena more than they had originally thought. Still, they remained hopeful and patient that their time would come.

“Angelina, you have to at least accept one of the suitors. It’s better to at least not hate your future husband before marriage,” Queen Angelina the First gave her daughter a quick glare as she looked over papers.

“I don’t like any of them, what can I say?” Lena shrugged.

“You know, I really hoped it wouldn’t come to this-”

“Something I highly doubt,” Lena interrupted her mother.

“Watch your tone,” Angelina warned, and Lena stepped down.

“As I was saying... I hoped it wouldn't come to this, but since your impertinence has given me no other option, I will be selecting the suitor for you,” She said, signing one of the papers. Lena paused.

“I-I’m sorry, what?” She blinked.

“You’ve only done this to yourself, Angelina, I’ve no other choice. You aren’t getting any younger here,” She eyed her daughter up and down.

“I- uh- will you excuse me, mother? I need to go,” Lena asked. Her mother looked at her suspiciously before nodding. Not wanting to be in there for a moment longer, Lena bolted out of the room and ran across the palace, all the way down to the royal stables, where William was.

“Lena? What’s the matter?” He asked as he got off his horse.

“My mother... she said...” Lena panted. “She said... she’s gonna... arrange...”

“Lena, you aren’t making sense. Have you been running?” William raised an eyebrow. Lena rolled her eyes and paused to catch her breath.

“My mother said that because I didn’t pick a suitor, she’s choosing for me,” Lena explained.

“Oh... oh that’s not good. What are we gonna do?” He asked her. Lena thought.

“We... we need to get married. Now,” She said.

“What- now now?” William asked.

“Well yes, I don’t know how long I’ll have. We need to do this, and we need to do this now,” Lena said, grabbing his hand.

“Where are you going?” William questioned.

“The underground servant's tunnels. They go all over the kingdom. If we go far enough we can find a town with a priest and be married there. Hopefully, they won’t mind the short notice,” She explained.

“Or the fact you’re the princess,” William pointed out.

“...Yeah, that too,” Lena said, realizing she hadn’t thought that through. Still, she didn’t stop walking and soon enough they made it to one of the entrances.

“So... where to?” She asked him. William read all of the signs before snapping his fingers.

“I know a place where I know they won’t refuse us,” He winked, taking his fiancées hand.

“Oh? And where is such a place?” She chuckled, enjoying the moment of rebelliousness.

“Acme Falls, my home town. They love me there, I’m sure they’d love you too,” He smiled at her, and together they ran down the dark tunnels for hours, only stopping once or twice to catch their breath. Eventually, they surfaced and wandered right into the middle of the plaza.

“So... now what?” She asked.

“William? Is... is that you?” A very attractive blonde woman asked.

“Heloise!” William smiled at the sight of his childhood friend.

“William! What on earth are you doing here?” She ran and hugged him. “And with the crown princess-?! Oh my- I’m so sorry, your highness,” She immediately dipped into a curtsey.

“Oh please, any friend of William is a friend of mine,” Angelina smiled. “If I may, you are quite gorgeous,” She added.

“Thank you,” Heloise chuckled, embarrassed.

“We’re here to be married,” William explained.

“You’re engaged to the princess???” Heloise asked. “Aren’t you two supposed to have a giant wedding ceremony with the whole kingdom invited? Isn’t that how royal weddings are supposed to go? My- I didn’t even think a knight could marry a princess,” She thought out loud.

“Actually, he- can’t. Not with my mother knowing anyway,” Lena explained. “That’s why we came here- to be married in secret.”

“Oh eloping is very romantic,” She nodded understandingly. “William knows where the church is. I can get the priest and a few townsfolk if you want,” she offered.

“That’d be great, thank you,” William smiled. Heloise nodded, and ran off.

“I guess you weren’t kidding about this place, huh?” Lena chuckled.

“Acme Falls is practically perfect, what can I say?” He snorted. “Shall we?” he offered his arm. Lena took it with a smile.

“We shall.”

And so Princess Angelina Contessa Louisa Francesca Banana Fanna Bo Besca II and Sir William the Good were married in Acme Falls, with the town as their witnesses, and Lena was the happiest she had ever been in her whole life. Happily, they walked back to the castle, but they both stopped right before reaching the exit.

“Are you ready?” William asked.

“I don’t know. Why do we have to return?” Lena questioned.

“Because it’s almost nightfall and you’re the princess and your mother would likely send a search party and it’d be a whole catastrophe,” Willaim joked, but Lena wasn’t in the mood for laughing anymore.

“I’m frightened William,” She said.

“It’ll be okay, Lena. I’ll always be here for you, remember?” He said, giving her hand a squeeze.

“Right,” Lena nodded, about to step forward before stopping herself.

“Stay with me tonight?” She requested. William nodded.

“Of course, my love,” He said, and they shared a kiss.

“Let’s go then,” Lena took in a deep breath, and together they stepped out onto the castle grounds.

And so Lena and William slowly crept their way into her bedroom, far enough apart as to not raise suspicion, and spent the closet thing they’d have to a honeymoon together. In the morning, William kissed her goodbye, and climbed out the window, and went to his training, and she missed him terribly (despite being only a few buildings away).

Therefore, their secret engagement now turned into a secret marriage; a marriage that Lena realized she was going to have to tell her mother about sooner or later before it was too late and she was already in the middle of another wedding ceremony. However- she wasn’t quite ready and preferred to hold onto her nights of paradise with William however long as possible before her mother tried to ruin it somehow.

Except she couldn’t, Lena reminded herself. Divorce was simply unheard of, especially for royalty, so her mother would simply have to deal with it. That was the main reason they eloped in the first place.

The good/bad news was that William had been promoted to be a guard inside the castle, so Lena would see him much more often than she used to, but it was awkward because she couldn’t talk to him, much less flirt. Plus, he often watched over her mother in the throne room, and he said that it was “the most stressful situation he’d ever been in”.

“Excuse me, Princess, your mother said she’d like to see you,” A servant girl stood outside of Lena’s room.

“Whatever for?” Lena asked, setting down her book. The girl shrugged. With a sigh, Lena set down her book.

“Does she seem upset?” She asked, getting up and heading out of the room.

“No... in fact, she seems almost happy, your highness,” The girl said.

“My mother? Happy?” Lena blinked. “This can’t be good...” she said, picking up her pace. With haste, she reached the throne room.

“Lena, there you are,” Her mother smiled at her, “You’ve met King Benedict,” she gestured to the king standing by her throne.

Uh oh.

“Why, yes I have,” Lena nodded at him, sharing a quick glance with William in the corner.

“He’s the one you’ll be marrying,” She announced.

Shit.

“Mother, may I have a word with you- alone?” Lena asked with a nervous smile. Angelina frowned.

“It’s already been decided for you, Angelina. You didn’t decide and because of that-”

“I know, but I do need to talk with you,” Lena interrupted her mother before she could think to stop herself. The queen’s eye twitched.

“Fine.” She huffed. “King Benedict, you may wait in the grand hall,” she said. He nodded at her, then Lena, and left. Then, her mother’s focus went back to her.

“This better be good Angelina, or so help me,” The queen threatened, and Lena felt a shiver crawl up her spine. She looked at William for support, and he gave her a weak smile. She took a deep breath.

“Mother, I can’t marry him,” She said.

“You don’t have a choice,” Her mother rolled her eyes.

“I’m serious. I can’t,” Lena said again.

“And why is that?” Angelina rubbed her forehead.

“Because I’m already married,” Lena announced. Her mother froze.

“To whom?” She demanded.

“Sir William,” Lena admitted. Angelina’s eyes went to William, and he remained still as a statue.

“Really now?” Angelina chuckled darkly.

“It’s true. We eloped in Acme Falls three nights ago,” Lena said.

“You expect me to believe that?” Angelina continued to laugh it off.

“Well- yes. We have certificates and everything- it was legally binding,” Lena didn’t know how else to explain such a simple fact to her mother.

The queen leaned on her throne and thought for a minute.

“Well, I suppose it’s a simple fix really, I could just have him execute-”

“A-and I’m pregnant!” Lena shouted over her mother, and the room fell utterly silent.

“Y-you are..?” William blinked.

“Yep,” She lied, laughing nervously.

Definitely no going back on that one...

“Guards, leave,” The queen ordered, her face utterly unreadable. William and Lena shared a look of anxiety before he was forced to walk out. Once they left there was a long stretch of silence, before Angelina slowly took off her gloves, stood up, approached her daughter, and struck her across the face.

“You stupid, pathetic, wretched child! Do you know how much you’ve just cost me?!” She shouted. “I’ve spent years upon years upon years finding eligible bachelors for you, and yet you never gave them a second thought, and for what? Some bastard from Acme Falls?!”

“Don’t you dare talk about William like that,” Lena protested, and Angelina struck her again, this time causing her to fall onto the floor.

“I will say whatever the hell I want because I am your mother and I am your queen,” She said, towering over her.

“If you kill him I’ll kill myself and you’ll be left with nothing,” Lena looked up at her.

“Of all the impertinent, aggravating, abominable things you’ve done, you’ve decided to top it all off by marrying a filthy peasant,” The queen was barely keep in her anger. “I just- I can’t believe my own flesh and blood would betray me like this.”

“Oh please, like you’ve ever treated me like ‘flesh and blood’,” Lena muttered.

“I have done nothing but care for you. I’ve clothed you, given you a home and an education, and provided you with numerous options for your future and future suitors. It’s not my fault you’re so impertinent that you refused to consider them for even a moment,” She clenched her fists.

“You’ve never loved me,” Lena said, tears beginning to stream down her face. “If you did, you’d be happy for me.”

“You never think anything through, Angelina. Did you not stop to think about how this would impact the kingdom? How this would impact me?” She asked.

“I hate you,” Lena glared, and Angelina hit her again.

“You are going to pay for your actions, Angelina. The hard way,” She declared.

“It’s too late mother. There is nothing you can do to undo what’s been done,” Lena smirked.

However, she quickly regretted her pride when her mother angrily yanked her hair and pulled her up, and then proceeded to drag her all the way up to the tallest tower of the castle. Her mother then tossed her in there and locked the door with a key she kept in her pocket.

“You will not be leaving this room until you have understood a fraction of the pain and agony you have caused me,” She said, before storming away.

And so Lena stayed in the cold, dark room and found herself sobbing and sobbing and sobbing and sobbing until she was sick to the stomach.

Things were supposed to get better. She was supposed to be untouchable. She and William were married now- it was supposed to be okay.

Instead, now she was locked away for who knows how long in a dark, cold room with a bare-bones bed, a broken mirror, a blanket as thin as paper, and a window.

Lena picked up a shard of the broken glass, and without thinking, she chopped her hair off.

That was one less thing her mother could manipulate...

And William... what was going to happen to him?

Would she kill him? Could she? He’s a trained knight, one of the best across all the lands, surely she couldn’t kill him “the old fashioned way”. Surely that would mean he would be okay... right?

And what if she was pregnant? Sure, she lied out there but she could be right. Oh, what terrible circumstances to be born into...

And so Lena remained sobbing, eventually setting the glass shard down, and laying on the horrible bed and holding herself, trying to get some sense of comfort.

However, soon she felt another pair of arms wrap around her, and to her complete surprise, it was William.

“William- w-what-? H-how-?”

“Shh, it’s okay Lena, I’m here, it’s okay,” he hushed her. Lena didn’t argue.

“B-but how?” She asked.

“I climbed,” He said.

“Th-that’s like- 50 feet. You could’ve died,” Lena broke the hug.

“Lena, it’s okay. I made it, and I’m here, that’s all that matters,” he placed a hand on her face, wiping away a few tears. Lena didn’t have it in her to argue further, so she hugged him again and continued to sob.

“Th-things were supposed to get better,” She cried.

“I know... I’m so sorry, my love,” Wiliam was crying too, and he stroked her head of freshly cut hair.

“Did she do that?” He whispered. Lena shook her head.

“She just gr-grabbed my hair a-and just dragged m-me s-so I cut it off,” she explained, trying her best not to hiccup. William hugged her tighter.

“I’m so sorry, Lena...” He said.

“I’m sorry too,” she said. “You’ll probably b-be killed or fired or de-knighted o-or something.”

“I don’t care, as long as we’re together,” He kissed the top of her head.

“As long as we’re together,” she repeated those words to herself. Despite everything, they were a little comforting.

“It’ll be okay, Lena. I-i don’t know how or when, b-but it will be okay. Someday...” he swore to her, and for a moment, Lena believed him.

Someday it will be just she and him... maybe a few kids running around in a sunny field collecting wild flowers... and they’d be happy. Safe. Her mother would be dead and gone and they’d all be happy and safe and together.

But it wasn’t “someday”. Lena’s reality was a cold tower far away from the ground and her friends and familiar faces, and her studies and books, for who knows how long, and she was miserable,

but at least she had William, and that made things at least a little bit better.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10

#animaniacs #my fics #queen angelina i #queen angelina ii #sir william the good #angst #feels #tw abuse #tw mental breakdown #tw mention of suicide #long post #fluff with an angsty ending #aldjfjejdjsk #this took forever #this better make y'all cry i swear-#jkjk

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diyeoracha · 4 years

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IwaOi Fanfiction Masterlist with 90+ Works

Hello! In celebration accumulating over 290 bookmarks on my AO3 account featuring IwaOi, Haikyuu S4 part 2, and @haikyuuweek2020 (Day 7 - Free Choice), I decided to create a masterlist of all of my favorite Iwaoi fics in order to keep myself organized as well as contributing to more traffic for those works! Works are split up into genres such as alternate universe (either not childhood friends or set on Earth), angst, canon compliant (post timeskip with spoilers), canon divergent (childhood friends but divergent timeline post timeskip), high school, and university au

Formatting update: Jan 13, 2021 (spacing is wonky on the mobile app!).

Fic update: Jan 7, 2021

This is incomplete as I got distracted while re-reading a lot of these and have only gone through half of my bookmarks, but feel free to check my own page here for the rest of them! I really do hope you guys enjoy reading these and leave comments and kudos! Please reblog and like so more people can enjoy

Titles marked with (♡) are my absolute favorites and there’s a chance I cried while reading them but otherwise they’re in alphabetical order

Alternate Universe

an allegory of all the things we could’ve been

Word count: 16k

Summary: “I don’t know anything about some red string,” Iwaizumi murmurs into the cracks of Oikawa’s skin, “or even about lifetimes or fate. But no matter where you are, I’ll find you. Gods or otherwise.” Reincarnation AU

And All the Prince’s Men

Word count: 65k

Summary: “Father only loves that which he owns, and I am the one thing that can never truly be his.” Royalty AU

Built a Temple in Me

Word count: 55k

Summary: Up the mossy mountain steps, past the komainu guardians and the faded red gate, and beyond the boundaries of the green shrine—that’s where the forest and the spirit world within it lies. That’s were Hajime met him, and where their story began.But intertwining of destinies can be ugly business, Hajime finds, when their first meeting begins with blood and the too-human eyes of a beast. God Oikawa AU

Quote: It fills his heart anyway, heals the hole in his chest that had been bleeding since he cut Tooru so forcibly from him.

Cotton Breathing

Word count: 13k

Summary: Long-distance and summer only but childhood friends AU

Conquering the Great King

Word count: 105k

Summary: Oikawa's lips twitched into a smirk and he brought them hovering just over Iwaizumi's, "One time thing, Two time thing, what's it matter as long as it's not a Relationship thing?"

Quote: Oikawa's eyes twitched wide for less than a second, his knee pressed in hard against Iwaizumi's thigh, "I may be gorgeous, but I'm not a doll."

dear diary, i met a boy

Word count: 15k

Summary: Iwaizumi's first impression of his upstairs neighbor involves getting woken up at two in the morning to the sound of Oikawa singing along to trashy pop music. He'd thought it would get better, but it all just goes downhill from there. Modern AU

Desperado

Word count: 82k

Summary: Clearly Iwaizumi had a checkered past. Kyoutani has never asked about it, nor has Iwaizumi ever brought it up. He knows it’s a sore spot for his mentor, just like the gorgeous Monte Carlo he keeps hidden away is, so he leaves it alone. Out on the streets, you learn a little something about when to turn a blind eye in order to survive; Kyoutani knows better than most to leave the past of men like Iwaizumi well alone. Heist AU

Even Heroes (have the right to dream)

Word count: 20k

Summary: Oikawa Tooru, ace reporter of the superhero beat of Asahi Shimbun, hates superheroes. Or maybe he just hasn’t met the knight one yet. Superhero AU

♡Infinite Risks

Word count: 8k

Summary: “It’s my fate,” Oikawa responds slowly. He’s crying. “It’s too lonely,” Iwaizumi’s heart sounded broken. “And I’m not there with you. Not really.” Edge of Tomorrow AU

In Defense of Reptiles

Word count: 9k

Summary: In their seventh year, Oikawa is chosen to be the Hogwarts champion in the Triwizard Tournament, and Iwaizumi suffers. Harry Potter AU

Quote: “You are so spoiled,” Iwaizumi tells him, but lets him shuffle down until Iwaizumi’s hand is now running through Oikawa’s hair instead of rubbing his shoulder.

In the Telling

Word count: 6k

Summary: Muggleborn Iwaizumi could not be less impressed with pureblood Oikawa Tooru. Harry Potter AU

♡Lockdown

Word count: 72k

Summary: Within the first few months of his stay, Oikawa gets caught up in a war between cellblocks, becomes a prime target, and must decide just how far he's willing to go to protect Iwaizumi Hajime. Prison AU

♡long nights, no peace

Word count: 18k

Summary: It's the steady knowledge that Iwaizumi Hajime will always be someone that he can rely on, that no matter what the world throws at the two of them, they share in a piece of each other's soul. Pacific Rim AU

Quote: Quiet settles between them softly, like the warm pressure of the blanket, or Iwaizumi's fingers curling to lightly hold the fabric of Oikawa's shirt.

The Long Light

Word count: 36k

Summary: Iwaizumi Hajime's seventh year at Hogwarts begins, and begins, and begins, and begins. Somehow, Oikawa Tooru is always there. Harry Potter AU

Magic Man

Word count: 12k

Summary: Oikawa is named the most desirable wizard in France. Iwaizumi is not impressed. Harry Potter AU

Quote: You keep saying partner or them. Is it rude of me to ask you to clarify?

Meet me in the grey area

Word count: 24k

Summary: Set in a hero/villain AU with Iwa as our trusty hero and Oikawa as our charming villain

Saw You at the Fish Market

Word count: 14k

Summary: In other words, Oikawa befriends hot part-time worker Iwaizumi and tries to impress him both off and on the court, in hopes of more.

♡♡ (sing with me) A Song of Conquest and Fate

Word count: 26k

Summary: When Seijou receives a missive from Aobajousai to discuss a potential peace, its emperor Oikawa Tooru could not have foreseen the series of events that would follow. Historical fantasy AU

Similar Creatures

Word count: 53k

Summary: "What's your name?" "Whatever you want it to be."(Or, Oikawa gets directions from an attractive stranger on a street corner.). Escort AU

♡Something Like Us

Word count: 28k

Summary: Friends since childhood, Oikawa and Iwaizumi now live together, both playing for the National Team. It's no secret that athletes who are bonded perform better. So if the two of them happen to bond...It'd be for the good of the team, right? A/B/O AU

Space

Word count: 44k

Summary: Tries not to think of his rooftop garden, or the apartment he used to inhabit, or Hajime’s broken expression on the night they whispered their goodbyes before Tooru’s launch, attempting to push it all to the back of his mind behind visions of this alien world terraformed. Astronaut AU

Stop the Time

Word count: 10k

Summary: Iwaizumi Hajime, 27, E.R. nurse at University of Tokyo Hospital. Hospital AU

♡♡The Loyalty of A Traitor

Word count: 76k

Summary: Iwaizumi Hajime was an undercover officer with a single objective: Infiltrate the Seijoh Syndicate of the Yakuza and tear them down from the inside out. His primary target was the boss, Oikawa Tooru. The job itself was simple enough, until Iwaizumi got in too deep and absconded not only from the mission, but from the city itself. Yakuza AU

These Flowers I Stole For You

Word count: 3k

Summary: ANBU don't cry. They tear themselves apart, bit by bit, and then they stitch themselves whole again. Naruto AU

on shipwreck shore

Word count: 8k

Summary: “I’m going to murder you in cold blood and feed you to the basilisks,” Iwaizumi says conversationally. “You can’t do that, I’m your boss,” Oikawa sings, positively sparkling. “Also we’re partners, which means,” he points at Iwaizumi and leans in, “you’re stuck with me.” Detective AU

Page 305 of 304

Word count: 53k

Summary: “…she called you ‘papa’,” iwaizumi managed. oikawa just stared for a moment longer before relaxing in a smile. “yeah. cute, right? but you can call me ‘daddy’ if you want.”

Temporary fix

Word count: 12k

Summary: “And you’ve shampooed his hair how many times now? Hmm. Yeah, that’s not technically a bromance.” A/B/O AU

Tokyo Boy

Word count: 16k

Summary: He has feelings for Iwaizumi Hajime, who probably has casual lovers just like him in every major city he visits on business. Oikawa is just his Tokyo Boy, just another pit-stop on Iwaizumi’s travels. Businessman AU

Trial by Fire

Word count: 78k

Summary: (lawyer!AU - in which Iwaizumi loves his objections, Oikawa is beautiful, and they have more chemistry than two opposing attorneys probably should.)

Watch Me

Word count: 32k

Summary: Oikawa's a cam model. It’s been a month since Iwaizumi first spoke in his chat. When they meet in person, things get complicated. Cam model AU

Angst

open when

Word count: 1k

Summary: Iwaizumi knew it was coming, but it still hurt. It still hurt when he opens one letter and drowns it in the tears he cannot keep at bay.

Chasing Paper Suns

Word count: 10k

Summary: Post-high school, Oikawa makes it to the national volleyball team but Iwaizumi doesn't. The next three years become an exercise in growing up without growing apart

Quote: “ ‘it’s just—I’m just trying so hard—’‘What, and I’m not?’

Timeless (We Have 30 Days)

Word count: 12k

Summary: Or AU where you're branded 50 days before you die. But Oikawa doesn't tell anyone so now there's only 30 days left.

the weight of water

Word count: 6k

Summary: “Again,” he says, the smallest tremor in his voice, and Oikawa blinks at him a moment before smiling, soft and sweet. “Iwa-chan,” he replies, and Iwaizumi closes his eyes. “Again.” “Iwa-chan.”

Canon Compliant

Are You Listening?

Word count: 4k

Summary: 30 times oikawa said i love you and 1 time he didn't have to

Quote: “Iwa-chan, watch out for the log—!” Oikawa looked on in horror as his best friend tripped and fell flat on his face.

Edge of the balcony

Word count: 8k

Summary: Iwaizumi looks older, he realizes. Oikawa knew he had aged as well, and so did everyone around him, but the thing was when you see people often, you don't notice the subtle changes in appearance. And Oikawa hadn't seen Iwaizumi in four years.

How can this loser ever win

Word count: 2k

Summary: everyone is in stupid love with Iwaizumi Hajime and he has no idea

♡♡♡Lost in Translation

Word count: 9k

Summary: Because misfortune come in threes, Iwaizumi Hajime starts his Thursday having a screaming fight with Shittykawa, spends his lunch break listening to the UCI women's volleyball team gossiping about how Ushijima Wakatoshi had gone public about his longtime love affair with Oikawa Tooru, and closes out the day by drunkenly dropping his phone into a sewer grate.

maybe we could be enough

Word count: 9k

Summary: iwaizumi hums in reply as the car goes silent, frank ocean crooning from the speakers. they stop at a red light when iwaizumi feels eyes at the side of his face, and turns to look at oikawa.

Most people never even get a single high school rival

Word count: 5k

Summary: Team Argentina gets to know Iwaizumi Hajime (27) Athletic Trainer.

Primavera

Word count: 8k

Summary: They say it takes twenty-six years, for certain breeds to fully bloom.

Quote: Did you know that distance is only me, growing towards you?

♡♡♡rest on your laurels

Word count: 4k

Summary: In Iwaizumi’s heart of hearts, untouched by time, they are young and alive, burning with the hearth of home and bright as winter light. Unbreakable. Invincible.

♡♡♡Something Borrowed

Word count: 16k

Summary: In which Oikawa and Iwaizumi have always been a foregone conclusion to everyone else, but a massive, unanswered question to one another.

‘Til Infinity

Word count: 2k

Summary: “Hey,” he says, “that cloud looks kind of like a dick.”

Quote: “I got you ladybug”

♡♡♡ You Set Off a Dream In Me

Word count: 15k

Summary: In which Oikawa is 41 and ready to retire. He's at the top of his game and ready to find a new challenge. Turns out his new challenge is pretty familiar. It's high school, round 2.

Quote: A past with an Iwaizumi that wasn’t on the opposite side of the net, monsters on all sides, guiding a setter that had lived the dream left behind in the ruins of Tooru’s past self.

Canon Divergent

a world alone

Word count: 60k

Summary: Iwaizumi has his medical books on the musculoskeletal system. Oikawa has his research papers on parallel universes. It isn't until much, much later that they realize they have each other.

♡Almost a Stranger

Word count: 16k

Summary: Iwa-chan's leaving Kapan. Tooru's not sure he can forgive him, but he's not going to admit his long-held feelings, either. A trip to Miyajima complicates everything.

Quote: There are only two things that have ever broken Oikawa Tooru’s heart. Iwa-chan would say Tooru has no heart to break, but that’s simply untrue.

Count your blessings, it goes 1,2,3, me

Word count: 7k

Summary: He's unsettled by the undefined boundaries of their relationship so it's all his luck that he accidentally wins three wishes to be granted just for him, and all that comes to mind is Iwaizumi.

Quote: Now, as an adult, past convenience of circumstance and the haze of hormonal lust, exactly none of his feelings have worn off

♡♡♡the courtship ritual of the hercules beetle

Word count: 66k

Summary: Tooru is pretty sure he could manage the mating habits of a mosquito. It’s the mating habits of people he can’t seem to get right.

♡days fall away

Word count:17k

Summary: Except now he’s back home, so close to his old haunts and to Oikawa himself, and it's—weird.

Quote: “You and Tooru,” he begins, and then shrugs. “I was just thinking, you look at each other a lot.” And he walks away, leaving Hajime winded, and sort of aching, somewhere deep in his chest. Whatever that means.

♡here comes your man

Word count: 8k

Summary: Iwa-chan, it reads, Have a good day today! Good luck! <3 <3 <3 Suga chokes. It’s hard to imagine anyone calling the scowling and fierce Doctor Iwaizumi “Iwa-chan.” But marriage probably comes with all sorts of liberties. Doctor AU

♡♡In damp earth my body

Word count: 15k

Summary: Onscreen, the nation’s favorite setter has arranged himself so that he’s bowing, forehead pressed to the court, like he’s thanking everyone for their kindness thus far, like he’s asking for forgiveness. Hajime thinks: shit, it’s really happening

In the Business of Love

Word count: 22k

Summary: Meet Oikawa Tooru: He's a best-selling shoujo manga artist, a hardcore romantic and you won't believe where he's getting his lovey dovey fodder from...Enter Iwaizumi Hajime: He's Oikawa's best friend, a realist who also happens to be a wedding magazine writer despite not believing in romance...

Quote: A flare of pride lit in Oikawa as he watched Iwaizumi's eyes crinkle with mirth and in that yawning second, it bloomed into a warmth that bordered on a burn, forcing a bittersweet inhale.

it's been so long (nobody knows me the way you do)

Word count: 8k

Summary: Tooru hums, only half-listening. Somewhere along the way, Hajime’s palm has settled itself over the curve of Tooru’s cheek, thumb tracing over the line of his jaw.

Quote: Iwaizumi blushes even more. “That you’re here, I mean. I’m happy that you’re here. With me.”

♡♡♡Mint

Word count: 19k

Summary: It's the December after Iwaizumi’s last year in university when Tokyo welcomes him with a new ad campaign for Bright Days toothpaste, and Oikawa Tooru—fresh off a run at the 2016 Summer Olympics—has decided to grace the city with his signature grin, a flip of his wayfarer sunglasses, and the most irrepressible tag line for the signboard above.

Quote: "To be able to tell him, in the new year." This comes under Oikawa's breath, so low that Matsukawa and Hanamaki can't hear, and the game continues.

Six-Month Lover

Word count: 89k

Summary: Iwaizumi barks out a laugh. “I’m still trying to get over the fact that you made a PowerPoint presentation about why we should date.” Oikawa doesn’t tell him the file has existed for the last twelve years, constantly receives updates, and that the original copy contained almost a hundred slides before he forced himself to get a grip.

Special Relativity

Word count: 22k

Summary: Time moves differently for people in different inertial reference frames. Oikawa goes on a two-year exploratory mission in space. Iwaizumi's been waiting for a lot longer than that.

♡♡sunset towns

Word count: 33k

Summary: In the summer of 2020, Oikawa Tooru returns home from his first successful stint as captain of Japan’s national volleyball team. In one hand, he holds the undisputed weight of an Olympic medal, and in the other, his unresolved feelings for a childhood best friend.

♡♡Thirty Years and Change (the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad)

Word count: 19k

Summary: It’s July 10th, 2024, and Oikawa Tooru is an Olympian. His smiling face airs on an NHK promo every 45 seconds. He’s captain of the national men’s volleyball team, reigning star of the professional leagues, and he hasn't spoken to Iwaizumi Hajime in two years.

Quote: Oikawa’s grin in the last set of the morning’s game. Oikawa’s grin as they sat on their asses on a golf course. Oikawa’s grin when they were in college. When they were in high school. When they were twenty-two, seventeen, fifteen, twelve, six.

High School

Bet On It

Word count: 13k

Summary: Hajime knows exactly how shitty Oikawa's personality is, and has no scruples whatsover about betting Oikawa six thousand yen that he can't be nice for an entire week.

Quote: The whole instant-compliance thing was seriously creeping him out. Oikawa from a week ago would have made a crack about how if he'd wanted something cold, he could have just put his face on Hajime's shoulder.

Betweens

Word count: 2k

Summary: Iwaizumi is asleep in the club room. Oikawa is blindingly awake in the club room. The sun moves slowly across the sky, and Iwaizumi’s skin is gold underneath it. Oikawa watches the changing shadows on Iwaizumi’s face and thinks about nothing in particular.

Don’t think too much

Word count: 6k

Summary: In which Oikawa and Iwaizumi have a confusing, drunken encounter and then deal with the (sticky) consequences.

Quote: As soon as that thought crossed his mind, though, Oikawa did what he always did: exactly the opposite of what Hajime wanted

Gates

Word count: 12k

Summary: The day after their graduation ceremony, they drive to the beach at Shirahama. Iwaizumi drives, because it’s his car, and as he has told Oikawa on multiple occasions, he’d rather die than let him touch the wheel.

Quote: ‘Yeah,’ he says, because they’re on a beach, and they’re supposed to be on a metaphorical journey, and they’re supposed to be growing up, and completing rites of passage, so it’s honesty, today - just for today, at least.

♡♡i sing the body electric

Word count: 8k

Summary: It was never part of the plan, falling in love with his best friend, but then again, most things in Iwaizumi’s life that involve Oikawa rarely unfold the way he thinks they will.

Quote: But Iwaizumi thinks about Oikawa laughing with that girl in the low light of the gym, a particular kind of quiet intimacy that Iwaizumi’s only ever read about in books hovering in the air, and all it makes him feel is small and petty and spiteful.

it’s better than words

Word count: 3k

Summary: [ or : oikawa makes iwaizumi participate in three bonding activities for new friends, and iwaizumi just wants to know why oikawa's being so weird about this]

Make sure you cross the line

Word count: 4k

Summary: With graduation just around the corner, Iwaizumi knows he has to gather the courage to really ask Oikawa out.

Quote: He’s been asking Iwaizumi to go out with him every single day this past week, increasingly panicked about getting his time and attention now that they’re nearing the end of this season of their lives.

Only the jellyfish know

Word count: 6k

Summary: Their third and final year at Aoba Jousai has come to an end, and the guys decide to go to the beach the day after graduation. That day, the ocean water is salty, the watermelon is sweet, and the people are sweeter.

static

Word count: 6k

Summary: Being snowed in with all of Seijou volleyball in his childhood home brings back a lot of memories for Iwaizumi, because it's kinda Oikawa's childhood home too.

Quote: It's fate that brought them together and choice that keeps them that way. The closest description in Hajime’s vocabulary is partners, but only because Oikawa taught him what its true definition is.

Told before and told again

Word count: 3k

Summary: This is how Hajime and Tooru fall in love, through the accounts of those around them.

Quote: When Oikawa lets out a long, heavy breath, Iwaizumi looks up at him and frowns, and flings a towel over Oikawa’s head to cover his face. Then, he tugs, once, on Oikawa’s fingers, and leads him down the hallway, Oikawa walking quietly in tow.

♡we can do better than that

Word count: 16k

Summary: Oikawa and Iwaizumi go on a road trip during the summer after their high school graduation. It doesn't go as expected, but maybe that's not such a bad thing after all.

Quote: Because Iwaizumi’s known Oikawa nearly all his life and never felt anything more than vague affection usually followed by intense irritation for him. But then suddenly at eighteen years old and nearly two weeks into a very badly planned road trip, it’s like someone flipped a switch somewhere inside Iwaizumi

♡when it starts to rain, they go inside

Word count: 33k

Summary: “Where?” starts Iwaizumi.“ My parent’s old lakehouse, silly, didn’t you hear me the first time?” OR: Oikawa takes Iwaizumi to his lakehouse for two weeks, post-graduation.

reassemble it

Word count: 15k

Summary: When Tooru was six years old, he discovered—unbeknownst to him at the time—two of the most important things in his life: volleyball and Iwaizumi Hajime. It was ironic that he had stumbled upon them hand in hand—quite literally, too.

♡things that change, things that stay the same

Word count: 8k

Summary: Oikawa realizes he's in love with his best friend; it sucks for a while. (But only a while.)

Quote: Iwaizumi’s expression right now is less terrified than it used to get back then, but he’s tight-lipped with concern, and his broad body blocks out other passengers as if their stares might be a danger to Tooru too.

University AU

An Archaeology of Affection

Word count: 23k

Summary: For Hajime, it is a riddle and simultaneously so evident. It fills his chest, surging like water, paints heat up his neck. In retrospect, it eats up his days, makes them its own until it feels like his heart has always been in his throat at the smile thrown over Oikawa’s shoulder, the stilling of his fingers on Hajime’s sleeve.

closure

Word count: 22k

Summary: In his first year of university, Oikawa builds a new friendship and upgrades an old one. Or: Ushijima is not a great wingman, but he tries his best.

Quote: “On the first day of his university career, Oikawa Tooru walks into his dorm, spots his assigned roommate, and turns one hundred and eighty degrees and walks right back out. He dials a familiar phone number - the first one he ever memorized - and starts complaining before Iwaizumi even gets the chance to say hello. “Iwa-chan,” he says, “tell me why Ushiwaka is in my dorm room.”

♡♡♡galaxies, within you

Word count: 21k

Summary: Hajime and Tooru move in together at the start of university. Too bad they’re stuck with the two gremlins that haunt their apartment.

Quote: I AM A HEADASS

Hands to yourself

Word count: 11k

Summary: He missed his parents, and he missed Takeru, and Takeru's badly behaved puppy. He missed Aoba Jousai, and he missed the volleyball team. He even missed Karasuno and Shiratorizawa, just a little.

Home, and how we made ours

Word count: 3k

Summary: “No, I like it here.” There’s a rustling as Iwaizumi shifts, inching closer. “I like it here, as in this crappy apartment—with you.”

Quote: “Do your fights end up being like—you know, about actual things and then extending into toddler days and suddenly you’re accusing Iwaizumi of kissing the girl you used to like in preschool?”

in progress to you

Word count: 6k

Summary: The eventuality of Oikawa and Iwaizumi falling toward each other is dramatically lackluster. Still, it's a process to go through.

Quote: “But what if you didn’t eat my pudding all the time?” Iwaizumi asks flatly, ignoring the way Oikawa is slapping his thigh to get out of his chokehold. “Do you think I buy them for you, huh? I buy them for me, you turd.”

Like we’re made of starlight

Word count: 6k

Summary: (a look into iwaizumi hajime’s journey of falling in love with oikawa tooru, from when they’re babies meeting for the first time to young adults moving in together.)

Ninety nine percent

Word count: 14k

Summary: more than anything, oikawa tooru wants to be with iwaizumi hajime, but he's only ninety nine percent of the way there.

Quote: Their ace was lining up for the ball, knees bent and arm pulled back, just as Tooru tosses the ball……to Hajime.

no sleep in the city

Word count: 7k

Summary: Along their journey to find Tokyo's best ramen, Iwaizumi finds himself asked again and again why Oikawa is still single.

Quote: “I was only telling Hanamaki literally yesterday that your personality isn’t as vile as before,” Iwaizumi informs, slightly stiff from the way Oikawa’s got an arm looped through his own. “Why do you make me such a liar to people I care about?”

Out of nowhere

Word count: 8k

Summary: They move in together after graduation and it's doing weird things to Iwaizumi's heart. He's a little in denial about it.

Quote: Oikawa excitedly ran up to him when Iwaizumi came home with groceries the other day. Not about the food but just to say how boring everything is when Iwaizumi's not there, eyes shining, and he couldn't meet his gaze after from blushing down to his neck. He doesn't know how much more he can take.

♡♡shiver

Word count: 16k

Summary: Oikawa was always the brave one. Hajime just followed two paces behind.

Quote: “I’m in love with you,” Oikawa tells him three days after they graduate junior high, head in his lap and hands gently folded over his chest and completely and totally unconcerned that he’d just shattered Hajime’s world.

Terpischore

Word count: 38k

Summary: They’d ended up going to different universities, Tooru and he. The distance was good for them. The confession Hajime dropped in both their laps wasn’t. That’s how it’d ended – a lifetime of friendship crumbled to dust in the space of five minutes. (Or, a lesson in learning to move on from things you can't have, in finding old loves in new ways and in understanding that life is never truly simple... till it is.)

terrarium

Word count: 11k

Summary: At this point, is he really happy with just staying best friends forever? Will he be writing journals and collecting rocks forever (he will, he knows, but that is aside from the point)?

these foolish things (remind me of you)

Word count: 3k

Summary: Oikawa helps Iwaizumi move into his new college dorm.

Quote: He’s desperate for something to happen. It must show on his face because Iwaizumi blushes and looks away. The thing is, Oikawa always looks at him like this when Iwaizumi isn’t paying attention.

They say it rains diamonds on Jupiter

Word count: 35k

Summary: "You're in love with him. "Hajime considers denying it. "Yeah," he says instead.

Quote: “Share the weight of your feelings with me, Hajime wants to beg when he hears Tooru's first hitched breath. Let me carry some of your burdens”

to be first, to be best

Word count: 26k

Summary: Hajime is apparently something of a masochist, and as he stares down at the tie-dyed AREA51 T-shirt in his hands, he thinks “I’m totally in love with this asshole, aren't I?”

Undecipherable

Word count: 4k

Summary: "Koi no yokan," he says. "The sense one can have upon first meeting a person that the two of you are going to fall in love."

Quote: Because for all the bravado, for all the flaunting Oikawa does, he wants Hajime by his side, and no one else.

♡we shine like diamonds

Word count: 26k

Summary: "You know Abe-kun from class?" they snicker, hands cupped around their mouths like they're passing along a filthy secret. "I hear his older brother is... gay."

Where you are (I’ll be)

Word count: 6k

Summary: Theirs is a love that starts out like a seed and it takes two sets of hands tending it for a shoot to appear. There are no dramatic declarations of love, only a pair of hands that find each other again and again and again.

Quote: Oikawa broke off into giggles as Hajime slowed the descent of his hand from a slap to the back of Oikawa’s head to a gentle ruffle of the taller boy’s hair

♡♡with every second that you could give

Word count: 9k

Summary: The journey of Iwaizumi and Oikawa going for gold.

Quote: He knows they’re too close. Iwaizumi knows it too, and they both decided to move in together anyway.

Your love is sunlight

Word count: 6k

Summary: It's Iwaizumi's birthday, and they have a talk about the future.

Quote: But Hajime doesn’t think any present could top this: them, kissing in a sun-dappled bathroom, Oikawa’s skin warm under his hands, and the promise of a life together stretched out before them.

#haikyuuweek2020 #iwaoi #oikawa tooru #iwaizumi hajime #i spent more time on this than all of my edits combined pls appreciate this

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dramatical-gatsbytalia · 3 years

Text

A Messy Love Through the Ages - A SidLink AOC fic (Chapter One)

Well. Turns out you have to be invited to AO3. So I guess this is going up on Tumblr until I get my invitation. What a way to come out of fanfiction writer retirement.

Bit of warning; I have yet to play Age of Calamity yet. I traded in two of my unwanted games and had just enough to get a copy of the game, but it sits on my shelf waiting. Calling to me.

However, this RP was done with someone who has played Age of Calamity in all of its entirety; @wilclhero and I have our second RP that I’ve decided to flesh out because there are few AOC SidLink fics out there. So thank you @wilclhero for your permission and so many great ideas when developing this with me. :)

And I also sat through the 2-ish hours of cutscenes strung together on YouTube to make a film. So like…it’s fanfiction. No one is expecting 100% accuracy. And since this game throws out any time things that make sense in regards to the timeline in Breath of the Wild, I can do it too. Because Jeremy Bearimy said I could.

Chapter 1

It had been a long and treacherous battle. Mipha had been holding off Ganon’s Water Blight for as long as she could, but she had exhausted most of her powers. And as the monstrous beast loomed overhead she had thought for a moment this was the end.

But she would live to see another day. For out of nowhere a trident shot catapulted through the air, destroying what she had been expecting as the final blow that would end her life. And as she looked up at the Zora in front of her she gasped. His deep red scales that matched her own, that charisma in his grin, only a twinkle in his youth, fully realized from the shy boy she had known in this timeline. That voice calling out towards the scourge. “I will not let you take her again!”

“Sidon?”

And just in time too. Joining her side was the courageous hero, Champion Link of the Hylians. And just like that, the tides turned, and Ganon’s Blight was defeated. From the jaws of defeat, they emerged victorious.

But Link’s footsteps were heavy as he, Mipha, and Prince Sidon emerged from Vah Ruta. His mind was still spinning, utterly exhausted from the hours of nonstop battle leading up to this moment. Things had moved so quickly he barely had time to reflect; the Calamity was here, King Rhoam of Hyrule was dead, and he had only barely managed to drag his screaming daughter, Princess Zelda, from Calamity Ganon’s clutches.

It had been King Rhoam’s command. But he didn’t feel any less a coward as he pulled her away to safety instead of aiding him. Sure, he was Zelda’s personal knight, but this was the ruler of his Kingdom. What hero was he to leave the king for dead? And after all of their preparations, things seemed so hopeless. All of the other Champions were still trapped inside their assigned Divine Beasts.

All of their hard work, those sleepless nights, hours training and hardening themselves for battle…all for nothing. In that moment, even the Hero felt doubtful.

Hyrule was going to fall. And it would be all his fault.

His gaze ended up locked on the tall figure in front of him. This wasn’t the little prince he knew. The Sidon he, only knee-high to a grasshopper, was always so shy and so quiet. Where had this prince come from?

And why had he saved them—saved Link? No one had ever saved the Hero before. He was always the one doing the rescuing. He was supposed to risk his life for royalty, not the other way around.

What was this feeling?

As he trailed behind the siblings he slouched. He couldn’t remember a moment in his life he had felt so tired and hopeless. But there was still so much to do. Three more Divine Beasts. The Yiga Clan. Ganon.

“I…I can’t keep going…” he whispered, though apparently loud enough, as the siblings stopped in their tracks to face him. He was going to die, he knew it. He couldn’t protect everyone, and Ganon was going to win because of it.

Mipha approached Link, searching for the calming words that could pull Link from the depths of his hopelessness. Something to give him home. But she was still searching, mind still reeling from the recent events, pulling herself from despair and her resignation that she was going to die.

It was Sidon who spoke first and broke the silence. Sidon approached them both, crouched down to their level—when had the two of them gotten so small? He towered over the two of them. He took Link’s hands in his, a sun-kissed tan swallowed in a sea of red scales. Had things always been this small?

Sidon didn’t know the reason for what he said next. He remembered looking up to Link, literally and figuratively, but it hadn’t ever gone past gazing up to his elders and seeing greatness. And perhaps the tiniest boyhood crush. But he wouldn’t let the other know that. In that moment there was something else…he couldn’t put his fin on it.

He squeezed Link’s hands ever so slightly, the other looking him straight on before he spoke. “You can do it. I believe in you.”

Mipha nodded in encouragement. “That’s right. You can do it. I know it seems like all hope is lost, but we must believe. We survived this. Who isn’t to say we’ll survive even more?”

Link looked wide-eyed to Sidon and Mipha. He was already so spent; what if the other Champions were already dead? But…but he knew that he had to try. He had people believing in him.

With a nod, they set off. One down. Three more to go.

---

It was hours before they were able to meet up again. But by the Goddess, that small amount of hope had been enough to get them all through. Everyone had now regrouped, and now with three additional party members from the future by their sides, they were triumphant in each and every battle against Ganon’s Blights.

But their most recent battle against the Thunder Blight had done a number on Link. It had been so fast, and seemed to land several blows on him despite the blond constantly adjusting his strategy to keep up with the blasted thing. And now, run ragged from exerting his energy in multiple battles, he needed Mipha’s help badly to recover.

Even with her healing powers being pushed to the limit that day, the Princess of the Zora still had room for her favourite Hylian. His skin practically sewed itself up again with her help, and he couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious despite Mipha having done this countless times before. He had always hated being the centre of attention, that feeling of constantly being watched.

What didn’t help was that it was the eyes of not one, not two, but three members of royalty keeping a close watch on his healing process. With his role keeping watch over Zelda and Mipha doing the healing, he hadn’t thought that her brother would be getting a front row seat to his broken and bruised body stitching itself back together again. For some reason, his gaze felt the most intimidating.

When their eyes met he looked away. The prince had saved him, and it was impossible to wipe that from his mind. If it hadn’t been for that first battle, for the prince quite literally dropping in from nowhere, and his words of encouragement, he would not have made it through the day.

Link was just a lowly knight. Why did they all care so much? Especially Sidon.

As the last of his wounds were treated he ended up looking over again, their eyes meeting once more. Once again, he quickly looked away, willing away the redness that threatened to spread across his cheeks. Goddess, what was wrong with him?

Sidon couldn’t see it, but he could feel something there as well. He had always been enamoured by the other as a child. He was tall (or at least back then he was), brave and…handsome? Yes, that was it. He couldn’t place that feeling in his youth, and had been unable to pursue any feelings he had as a hatchling. After this was all over perhaps he could--

“There,” Mipha said as she was all finished. Link went to get his tunic, letting it fall back over his torso before going to pick up his sword. Even in the safety of their small, fortified camp, he could never let his guard down.

And it was then it hit Sidon. Yes, of course. Mipha was alive. His sister was alive! Those feelings he had had needed to be pushed aside; she had never been able to pursue her own happy ending in his timeline. It seemed a shame, but it felt like the right thing to do. He wouldn’t get in the way of his sister’s affections for Link. He would see to it that she had her chance.

“Are you alright? Feeling better?”

Link nodded despite feeling like shit. While fantastic at fixing wounds, her healing powers could do nothing when it came to the exhaustion washing over him like a tidal wave. He tried to hide it, but it was obvious in the way he wobbled. Sidon, not wanting to interrupt but noticing the uneven sway in his step, put his hand to his back to even out his footing.

When Link looked to him in thanks he knew in that moment suppressing any burgeoning feelings was going to be a difficult task indeed. His balance restored, Sidon removed his hand, offering a charismatic smile to those in the tent with him. “You’ve all done well today, I knew we could do it!”

Ah, but it seemed perhaps he was just a bit too energetic for the mood in the room. It was late. Any leftover troops were gathered outside making quick meals to regain their strength. Perhaps it was time to eat and sleep. No doubt it would be a busy day tomorrow.

“It’s imperative we all rest. I’ll take my leave, I hope you all get an opportunity to get a good night’s rest.”

Mipha nodded and stood up. “Yes, I think that’s the best option.” Zelda only nodded in agreement, the weight of the day now resting heavily on her shoulders and rendering her silent.

But Link shook his head in protest. Not so much because he didn’t want to sleep; his body begged him for rest. But he had a job to do. How could he sleep with all that had happened today, with all that could still happen that evening? What happened if he wasn’t there, alert and ready to defend what was left of their small army.

Sidon seemed a bit shocked by Link’s answer, so he shook his head resolutely once again.

“…right…then I wish you all a lovely evening and a safe watch over us all tonight.”

With that, Mipha and Sidon exited the Zelda’s tent, Link following shortly after to keep guard outside. It wasn’t until they walked closer towards their own tents that Sidon really let his opinions be known.

“Does Champion Link really need permission to sleep at a time like this? Dear sister, this is ludicrous! We can’t just let that poor man stay up, it’s clear as day how exhausted he is!”

Mipha let out a small laugh, though it was mainly at her brother’s reaction rather than Link remaining awake. “I’m serious!” he continued. Didn’t you see the way he shook when he stood up and walked? Surely we won’t be able to put a dent in the Calamity if he’s in a similar state!”

She shook her head. “I was laughing at the way you’re so adamantly coming to his defense. It’s good to see that you’re still the hatchling I remember. Always kicking a fuss when he couldn’t get his way.” She meant no offense to her brother, and was quick to put his shock at her words to rest. “But you’ve grown…and it’s nice that your stubbornness for someone else’s sake rather than your own.”

She gave a heavy sigh though as she changed the topic. “I wish it were so easy to tell him to get some rest, believe me, I’ve tried. But it’s complicated. He takes his job as Zelda’s personal knight almost too seriously…”

Sidon huffed in response, crossing his arms, and then quickly uncrossing them as he saw his sister already laughing once more. Though as he passed a small faction of Hylian guards left over from King Rhoam’s army the wheels in his head began to turn. As he turned from his sister she looked on as he approached them, all smiles as he propositioned them for the chance that, as he would phrase it, could make or break their career as a knight and a hero.

“Gentlemen! I hope you are in high spirits after today’s grueling yet victorious fight! Say, are any of you lot on night watch? I was hoping we might have a moment to talk.”

---

As Link stood outside the tent, soon taking a sitting position as his legs were too tired to continue standing, he was quickly met with a problem. While there was nothing going on around him that put them all in any heightened state of alertness, that meant his mind had nothing to occupy itself. And with nothing to stimulate his mind, he quickly found himself succumbing to sleep.

He tightened his grip on his sword to try and force himself to stay awake, but as he rolled his head to stretch his shoulders he felt his eyes becoming heavy. And then shaking his head awake only worked in the beginning. Frustrated, he finally rested his chin against his chest. Perhaps if he let himself relax, just a small bit, it would be enough to keep him going.

It wasn’t long until he dozed off, lucky that his sword didn’t go clattering onto the ground.

Nearby, Sidon was leading the guard brave enough to volunteer his services towards Princess Zelda’s tent. “I don’t know if this will work, your highness. Master Link is very particular and doesn’t appreciate others meddling in how he keeps watch over the princess.”

Sidon waved that concern away. “Oh no, no, no, don’t think of it as meddling! Think of it as…” he paused for a moment, he needed to really sell this, “training! Yes, her personal knight is the Hero of Hyrule after all, perhaps you could learn some useful tips from him! Consider this akin to an apprenticeship!”

As they got closer he raised his hand to wave to Link, fully committed to convincing the other that he ought to really show this eager guard the ropes of what it took to be a true hero. Though upon closer inspection, and thankfully before his boisterous voice said anything to disturb him, he noticed Link had fallen asleep. Aha. He knew the other had been tired.

“Hmm…” he said, pausing for one moment to think. It occurred to him moments later what he could do. "Wait right here," Sidon said, and quickly retreated to his tent, where he took one of the blankets that had been given to him to use off the mattress. It wasn’t in the best shape and was far too small for himself, but was the perfect size to cover Link’s small frame and provide him some form of warmth while he got some much-needed rest.

He made haste in going back towards Zelda's tent where the Hero sat sleeping and the other guard stood waiting nervously. When he returned he carefully draped it over Link’s body, careful as he got closer so he didn’t wake him.

Much better. He stood up and pat the other guard on the back. “You can put your best foot forward to stay on guard. Wake him in case anything happens, but I have the utmost faith you will rise to the occasion.”

Giving the guard a thumbs up and whispering his thanks, Sidon moved to return to his own tent.

TBC

Do I know the order of events in the game? No. Do I care? Maybe a little. But this game doesn’t care about continuity, so why should I?

This is my first time writing fanfiction in…uh…ten years? Okay well not my first time in ten years. My first time in ten years was a few weeks ago for the SidLink gift exchange. That said, it’s my first multi-chapter fic in ten years.

I’ll do my best to keep updates…somewhat regular. If I can crank out 2-3 chapters a month that would be awesome. But I’m busy as hell 80% of the time. And the 15% I’m not busy I tend to spend on a nap. Constitution Day is coming up though so I’ll have some free time at the end of April and beginning of May.

Fingers crossed. I desperately want to get into writing again. That gift exchange fic was a good kick in the pants and I hope it lasts.

Thanks. And see you.

#sidlink #sidon x link #aoc link #aoc sidon #aoc mipha #botw sidon #botw fanfic #botw aoc #probably gonna be slow burn #i don't know #this is based on an rp #and i decided to sit my ass down to write it #this is only the first few entries in the rp and I managed to flesh it out to over 2k words #umm i guess theyll bone in the earlier chapters so maybe not a slow burn #but there gonna be angst folks #buckle up buttercup

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hk-magicalhumanau · 2 years

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HK HUMAN AU- Expansion on Princess Weiss' (The White Lady AU) illness and Prequel.

Note: this is just my AU and and my imagination gone wild. I am inspired by the characters but I end up changing a lot of their personality and the settings of their home. This is practically fanfiction and is NOT in the game whatsoever. There will be a lot of OOC characters that not many will like.

All Credits goes to Team Cherry. I am only inspired by the Russian Revolution, the Romanov royal family, and Hollow Knight.

I was searching on the common types of illnesses of royal families and the most common one seams to be hemophilia, or the blood's lack of ability to clot.

One of the most famous royalties that have hemophiia is the Russian royal families, specifically Anastasia Romanov. Most of her siblings have hemophilia.

Actually, I like the conflict the Russian Royal family went though and might be inspired by it to that to Princess Weiss story arc. PK/Shiro will also play a major role in it. This is more like a prequel on how PK/Shiro met Weiss and helping her on the problems her Kingdom is having. This takes place 500 years in the past. Think of Medieval times.

Sort-of, the technology is mixed with magic so the timeline will be very wonky.

----

The Hollow Kingdom that Princess Weiss (The White Lady) inherited is a mess since they are nearly bankrupt, there is a food shortage, and the officials and advisers are corrupt. Weiss is also born with really bad hemophilia, she can't really do much without compromising her own health and dying early. Her own mother died giving birth to her and her father died from an infection that would be harmless to a healthy citizen. Leaving Weiss an orphan when she was 15. There is also an underground war by the noble lords that is being kept secret from her.

Besides that they are also having problems when a nomadic tribe settled on the entrance route that is within the Kingdoms territory and declaring that the Kingdom pays them so anyone can pass.

The underground gang is caused when minority of the noble lords are in the verge of planning a revolution to overthrow Weiss since the more extreme ones blame the Royal Family for the food shortage.

The remaining Lords though are loyal to the Crown, thanks to the efforts of Weiss' father, the late King Wilhelm. So they are trying to subdue the revolutionist. Weiss is not really up to date on that since the Loyal Lords knows of her illness and how stress makes it worst, so they kept it a secret from her for the sake of her own health.

The main color of the nobility in the Kingdom is red, to show their status, they wear clothing in red like cloak, cape or coats. So the revolutionist are called the "Red Army".

The nobles supporting the Crown though, to show their loyalty to Princess Weiss, take the color of her name, white. So they call themselves the "White Army".

#magic human au #alternate universe #hk #human au #hollow knight au #hollow knight #reimagining #Princess Weiss #hk au Red Army #hk au White Army

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alex-fa-ch · 3 years

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Trope Kingdoms Timeline, updated

Under a cut bc long

@boombiotch here u go this is the timeline of the au dskjfsdk

Pre Story / Backstory

- Alex, Potion, and Skulk (in that order) are born to the Angst Kingdom regency. Alex, the oldest, is the crown heir to the throne.

- The parents die of Plot Disease and leaves behind the kids. Alex, age 13, takes the crown instead of appointing a regent.

- Around this time, Potion is sent/chosen to go to the Charm Kingdom, to marry their heiress and become the princess there.

- Skulk leaves for the Horror Kingdom, eventually becoming their Czar

- A neighboring kingdom, seeing the opportunity with only one regent with no heirs, and that regent is a child, decides to try and take over the Angst Kingdom.

- Alex, about 15 around this time, refuses to engage them. They instead challenge the opposing king to one on one combat. Alex wins, and peace is kept.

Though, it results in the notch in their ear.

- Alex continues to be a good king, actually even managing to negate the “curse of the throne” with their efforts. Admittedly, them having been crowned so young helps. The optimism of a child proved to be beneficial. There are still problems and suffering, but the kingdom is knowing peace it would later sorely miss.

- Almond, from the Adventure Kingdom, plants a maple seed in Alex’s Forest, and Alex kinda pops out of nowhere to thank her. She pulls a sword on them. The two of them fall in love and get married, all that fun stuff.

- Alex and Almond have their first son. They name him Rigel, and he is the Crown Prince to the throne. He doesn’t have any extra limbs, but he is the most Connected to Alex’s inherited divinity than the other two.

- A couple years later, Adrian is born. They have wings.

- A couple years after that, Scar is the last prince born. They have horns and oh my god don’t think about that too much.

- The three princes grow up fairly normally, for royalty.

- Rigel begins to date a person called Silas, who is also an arsonist. Rigel thinks he’s keeping it a secret but yeah everyone knows. Eventually, his brothers find out and snitch, so that doesn’t help.

- Adrian finds the skull mask and begins to wear it. It makes them powerful, but unstable. They begin to struggle with the impulse to hurt and kill people. They can keep the truly dark impulses at bay, for now.

- Silas and Rigel break up.

Main Arc

- Almond leaves to visit and explore other kingdoms, as well as for diplomacy. She is gone for around a month. When she leaves, her family is whole and everyone is alive.

- Silas lures Rigel into an abandoned building, and then lights that building on fire. They only meant to scare Rigel, not truly hurt him. Much less kill him. But the fire quickly spreads out of control.

- Alex rushes into the burning building to save Rigel, and they lose their life in the process. Rigel falls unconscious right after escaping, and isn’t aware Alex isn’t with him.

- Rigel wakes up to Scar shaking him, and Adrian yelling at some poor knight. They tell him the awful truth, that Alex is dead. There’s not even a body, just the pieces of gold.

- Adrian, though relieved at first that Rigel is alive, blames him for Alex’s death. It pushes him over the edge and causes him to snap.

- Rigel doesn’t take the crown immediately, instead taking about two weeks to mourn. It’s hard to accept that Alex is gone, and taking the crown would mean that they really are. But, finally, Rigel does take the crown.

- Rigel is only king for another two weeks. Adrian eventually takes Rigel’s axe, and murders their older brother in cold blood. Scar is a witness to this, and it traumatizes him.

- Alex, due to being a god, is revived. They had no idea they were going to live. They rush for the castle, only to discover that Adrian is king now. Which can only mean

- Alex’s finds Rigel’s grave and with it, Rigel’s ghost. His spirit is bound to the grave. Alex uses their divine powers, though still weak, to change this. They bind Rigel’s spirit to a star shaped necklace with an emerald in it.

- Almond returns from her trip, only to learn that Alex is dead. Not long after, she learns of Rigel’s death as well. She breaks down completely, borderline shutting entirely down.

- Rigel tells Alex exactly what happened. Alex is set on resolving things peacefully, with no further violence. They decide not to head for the castle, and instead try to come up with a different plan.

- Scar tells Almond what really happened, but Almond is powerless to do anything. Scar feels he might be too, but he comes up with an idea. He decides to make a coup attempt, and works with the hands to do so.

- The Hands, Rhodes and Addict. Adrian’s right and left hand men. I think they’re even similar to a retainer, some combination of a bodyguard and servant. At this point, they are both still loyal to Adrian. They alert Adrian to Scar’s plan, but they remain quiet.

- Scar and Adrian have dinner together, with Adrian having poisoned wine. Adrian reveals that they know of the plan, and throws the wine in Scar’s face. Scar is taken to the dungeon, and set to be executed for treason.

- Adrian decides to make the execution quite the event, and sets it up so that Scar will fight in an arena against several trained warriors. Scar has no prior combat experience. Adrian invites the entire kingdom to the event, turning it into a whole spectacle.

- Alex and Almond, separately, catch word of this.

Alex ends up withering the paper on which the event is written in their hands. Rigel, being still in the necklace, can borderline feel their anger. A peaceful resolution is no longer an option.

Almond visits Scar in the dungeon. She’s crying, because she knows she’s about to watch her last child die. But she tells him she’s still going to be there. It’s better than not being there, and she doesn’t want Scar to be too scared of death.

- Scar is taken to the arena. He’s given a sword and told good luck. Practically the entire kingdom is there, watching. Including a hooded figure, standing very close to the edge there...

- The figure jumps into the arena and saves Scar. Their cloak is cut away, revealing an alive and furious Alex. Alex, using their power, summons a wall of maple wood to keep the combatants at bay for a moment.

- Scar, and everyone, is in shock that Alex is alive. But Alex is sort of in a rush. They tell Scar to run, that their maples can’t hold people back forever. Scar doesn’t want to, because their mama is alive. But Alex tells Scar he won’t be alone, and gives him the Star Necklace. Alex tells him to run, and that it doesn’t matter where he goes, they’ll find him. Scar, reluctantly, runs.

- Scar escapes as Alex drops the other maples and begins fighting the warriors. It seemed everyone forgot that Alex is a very skilled swordsman, and is holding their own just fine.

- Adrian, completely outraged by this turn of events, calls down to Alex in fury. They put a sword to Almond’s back, threatening her life. This is the only thing that gets Alex to back down.

- Alex is taken to the dungeon, which Almond is forbidden from visiting.

- Adrian confronts Alex in the dungeon, and threatens to destroy everything they love. Alex, heartbroken and angry, tells them that they should take a knife to their own chest, then.

- Adrian and the Hands drag Alex and Almond out into the maple forest. Adrian is punishing both of them for different reasons. Mostly though, they just want Alex to suffer. They light a torch, and begins to burn the maple forest in which the kingdom lies to the ground.

- Scar is still making his escape as the fire begins to engulf them. However, an ex-assassin meets him and helps him. This is Cherry, who takes Scar to a different kingdom. In that process, they meet up with Silas, as well. And while Scar isn’t happy with their presence at first, he knows they need all the help they can get.

- The fire hurts Alex both emotionally and physically. The hands hold them in place as they scream in agony. At first, it’s angry but it slowly dies down into silence and sobbing. As the fire finally burns out, leaving nothing but char, Alex is dropped to the ground. They are left there. Almond is left behind as well.

- This is the first time the hands begin to question themselves in following Adrian. It’s one thing to murder your family for power, who hasn’t, but another to do something so needlessly cruel. Not just to Alex, but to all life in the forest. It was widespread destruction because Adrian was angry with like, maybe three people.

- Alex has completely lost hope and energy, and just lays on the forest floor for a long time. Almond tries to talk to them, but to no avail. Then Almond remembers something. She pulls a maple seed from one of her pockets, and plants it in the ground. She then gently puts Alex’s hand on the mound of dirt. Alex senses the life within, and Almond reminds them that all life can regrow.

- Almond takes Alex to a different kingdom for shelter and so Alex has the chance to heal from everything before trying to do something again.

- Adrian begins to unravel further, losing their mind more and more and getting paranoid. They begin threatening and hurting even the hands, who are meant to be their most trusted.

- Addict eventually pushes back against this. In return, Adrian hurts them. This tips Rhodes over the edge. He had only stuck around to stay with Addict, their closest friend. Addict is badly hurt, and Rhodes is absolutely furious.

- Scar, Cherry, and Silas are convincing the kingdom they’re staying in to help. Silas makes peace with Scar for their role in Alex’s death, which is a bit negated since Alex is alive anyways. Scar gives Silas the Star Necklace. Silas and Rigel make peace as well.

- Potion only just catches word of Alex’s death, as the Charming Kingdom is relatively far from the Angst Kingdom. She also becomes aware of Rigel’s death, and the fact that Scar is now missing. She decides to intervene, as a way to honor Alex’s memory. She has no idea Alex is actually alive.

- Skulk received word of Alex’s death a bit sooner, but was taking the time to grieve before making any decisions. But they too decide to intervene, as it seems Adrian is harming innocent people. Additionally, there have been refugees from the Angst Kingdom to the Horror Kingdom.

- Alex and Almond actually don’t try to involve the kingdom their sheltering in. Instead, Alex makes it clear that they are going back, healed or not, to try and do something. Almond of course supports them, and they decide to try and take this whole thing down together.

- Horror, Charming, and the other one (I wanna say Musical?) all have more to be gained than lost if Adrian is allowed to remain on the throne. And Adrian is hurting innocent people, including one of the people they were meant to trust the most.

- The Angst Kingdom now has three enemy kingdoms to contend with. This drives Adrian further into madness, finally reaching a point where they outright kill Addict. Rhodes has enough, and sends contact to the enemy kingdoms and orchestrates a strategy. He lets them know where to be, and when.

- This is the first time Horror, Kingdom, and the other one are aware that any of the others are also intervening. Skulk and Potion meet up, reuniting and both mourning Alex. And both knowing that they’re doing what Alex would have wanted.

- Adrian’s knights abandon them. The kingdom’s people turns on them. The other Kingdoms are at the gates, ready to do whatever it takes to remove Adrian from power. Scar leads the charge with a lot of courage, just wanting to make things right again.

- Almond and Alex show up too, having disrupted some of Adrian’s other plans and orders among the people. Basically they were vigilantes among the citizens.

- Adrian is surrounded and defeated. They look to Rhodes for support, but Rhodes takes the opportunity to explain that he’s behind the sudden invasion. Adrian finally gains a small sliver of sanity, and begs Scar to kill them.

- Scar refuses. He will not add to the blood that has been spilled in this family. Furious as he is, he instead leaves Adrian to Rhodes. Rhodes happily obliges Adrian, telling them that this is for Addict.

- With peace being achieved at last, Rigel’s spirit is able to move on to the next life. He and Silas have a tearful goodbye, and Silas keeps the necklace.

- Potion and Skulk reunite with Alex, both crying with joy that they’re alive. Alex is crying too, because they did miss their siblings even if they could never see them.

- It’s first suggested that Alex is king again, but Alex refuses. This change of power was always meant to happen, it just got a bit messy. But they turn to Scar, with a “Are you ready, King Scar?”

- Scar does become the new king, and I like the idea of Rhodes still being a hand there, as way to make up for it all. Scar rules with the same wisdom and kindness that Alex once had, bringing the kingdom back to peace.

- Almond and Alex decide to travel together, like Almond had before she met Alex. They spent so much of their life living Alex’s life, having to stay in one place in one kingdom. Now, they’re going to live Almond’s life - just exploring.

- And things are finally good again.

#trope kingdoms #word count: 2400 #yeah basic timeline mhm

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erza155-writes · 4 years

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Trephacard dark royalty!au

Ok, I know jack shit about Castlevania video game lore except "what is a man" line and I'm just spit balling and weaving webs as best as i can, but bear with me.

So, best!/worst! timeline Trevor/Alucard/Sypha is post killing Dracula, they are kind of a bit broken, and a lot weary.

Alucard just killed his own dad. Trevor discovered the ruins of his family and that they were basically harvesting angel magic/enochian scripture [I haven't watched season 2 in a minute, so I might have to retcon that], and Sypha has left behind she knows for a prophecy that says she becomes a murderer-- but like, for the good of humanity.

And the thing is, I'm taking to thinking of Speakers as the 'do no harm' medics and that's nice. But Sypha after experiencing everything that she does adds the 'but take no shit' addendum.

Anyway, the 3 of them just defeated Dracula and had their worldviews kind of shifted, if not outright overturned and usurped. So, they kind of bunker down together. Cause fun fact about experiencing trauma as a group, is that it tends to make you attached [if you don’t splinter and fall apart at the seams in an attempt to avoid any further trauma]. Anyway, in this au Sypha and Trevor don't even consider leaving because Alucard has the 'I killed my dad' breakdown way sooner than expected. And Sypha is like, 'I can't imagine ever killing my family and the toll that would take on me. And it's easy to say that it was for the greater good, but he was still your father, and it's ok to be sad.' Meanwhile, Trevor is hanging about 'I know what it's like to be the last member of your line and the kind of emptiness and loneliness it breeds, so I will be here for you, but words are hard.' So, they stay and start building a relationship and a home, I guess?

They combine the Belmont Holding and Dracula's castle, and it's beautiful for one brief shining moment. But the thing about humanity and people in general is that they're stupid and paranoid and xenophobic. So the trio are trying to live in the woods and they're chilling and are kind of content.

Except, one day Trevor goes hunting for their food, and surprise surprise, gets abducted by townspeople/knights in the name of one king or the other and is thrown into a dungeon and tortured for information about the 'abominations' living in the woods. But Trevor, as always, is Trevor 'Fuck You, Personally' Belmont and sasses them and he pays a very hefty price for it. Like extensive and graphic medieval torture, and minor amputations if I can stomach writing that. Meanwhile, Sypha and Alucard are Very Worried and are tearing apart the continent looking for Trevor and things are not great for people who stand in their way. Because, once again, group trauma, and romance, and they don't feel complete when all 3 of them aren't together. And it starts out with Alucard and Sypha being polite because they were raised that way, but they're always met by closed doors and scornful eyes, and they're getting desperate, and some stupid idiot tries to disparage the Belmont name, and Sypha loses it. I haven't decided how, but it is not pretty, and Alucard barely pulls her back from the brink of madness. [Hint: they're all already mad. They just don't know it yet.]

Anyways, now that THAT incident has happened, they're more willing to use any means necessary because it has been A While since they've seen Trevor. Meanwhile, Trevor is being tortured in a dungeon and is slowly breaking down that he's going to be abandoned like this (a voice whispers in the back of his head, "like you always are. did you think anyone could care for you or love you? how delusional.") And it's not great. Anyway, Sypha and Alucard manage to find Trevor, but he is on the brink of death. It has been a while. So, Sypha tries to heal him using her magic, and Alucard's life energy, and it somehow creates a soul bond between the 3 of them. (Because, frankly the idea of Trevor and Sypha dying and leaving Alucard behind can suck major hiney.)

So, Sypha and Alucard leave a kingdom in tatters, and retreat to their home to nurse Trevor back to health. And he doesn't come back the same, (because, again, tortured for a Hot Minute) but he's learning to trust in Sypha and Alucard to take care of him.

But while they're doing that, there's an entire outside world that's out of balance and looking for leaders. And somehow, despite the fact that none of them want to do it, and they're some of the scariest motherfuckers this side of the continent, they become rulers. [I may not have emphasized it enough, but Trevor's 'Healing' involved a whole lot of fucking and love declarations btw.]

Sypha is the face that handles the people, Alucard handles infrastructure of their kingdom, and Trevor handles security. And everyone's kinda confused as to how their relationship works cause it's a game of musical partners. Like, they all sleep in the same room??? But Sypha is not married to either of them??? And Trevor and Alucard goad each other a lot??? Like, it should not possibly work, but apparently they do. And a lot of people try to test that, but they're a united front and no one knows how to break that because they don't know about the soul bond!

I like to imagine that at first they start ruling by accident, and they're just trying to make things better for their people, but Sypha looks around and says 'we can make things better' and Trevor and Alucard are in love and would set the world on fire for her, so bringing her kingdoms is nothing in comparison. Anyhow, they take over Europe, and it's equal parts bloody and innovative. Like yes, the wars are bad, but Trevor and Alucard are tyrants and they usually make sure their victories are complete and that everyone is too beaten down to consider fighting back. And then Sypha comes in and provides them with aid and technology and makes life better, and that's how they gain a lot of people's loyalty.

And so that's how it goes for about a century or so, until people get stupid (as they always do) and there's an uprising. And it somehow works because the people are being backed by Angels [who are now, and forever always will be bastards. Ameen. Thank you, supernatural and good omens for that influence] because Angels are not happy with progress because if you're busy being happy with science, you're not spending enough time and being worshipful of God, I guess. (Is this very thin and transparent and weak logic? Yes. But I'm just listing thoughts) so, the trio die together, defending what they loved [each other] and that's the end because idk how to be happy, I guess. They absolutely die holding each other btw.

Link to the mood board

Addendum:

I like to imagine that they become rulers because post torture Trevor throws himself with gusto into the predetermined Belmont Protector role. Sypha remembers looking for Trevor and how unfeeling people were, and she wants to make that world a better place. And Alucard loves them both enough not to realize he's essentially becoming his father, but with two human leashes. And it's all fun and games until assassination attempts, and power corrupting. Also, I know I said they died, but I'm definitely adding an epilogue reincarnation because if I do put anyone through all of that, they deserve a sliver of happy ending

#Castlevania #trephacard #sypha/trevor/alucard #sypha belnades #alucard #alucard tepes #trevor belmont

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onigirimsby · 4 years

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Royal!AU Akaashi x Reader? Also, I'm the anon who sent in the idea! I hope this is enough information. (:

Hi! Thanks for the idea! I’m so sorry this took so long :) I got distracted lol Anyway, I couldn’t decide what kind of royal au so i said why not 3 diff ones? hahahaha I hope it’s okay that it’s fem!reader

I feel like a proper royal au has GOT to be multichapter tho! You need room for the development, and the pining! 🥰

Royal AU Headcanons (akaashi x fem!reader)

The appeal of AUs is the idea that no matter the universe, they will find each other; no matter the timeline, they will fall in love.

Medieval Royal AU

You are a young princess, and Akaashi is your brother’s best friend.

He’s a duke’s only son who likes to play knight, and his family has been loyal to yours for as long as history can remember.

On this particular day, your brother yells out Akaashi’s name and you can’t help but lean outside your window.

There he is, on the palace grounds, looking lean and strong and majestic upon his horse. You want nothing more than to run down to meet him.

You can’t help admiring the way he dismounts his horse.

As soon as you think that, he looks up, as if he’s heard you (impossible). He smiles and waves while your brother chats absentmindedly.

You blush and wave back, glad he can’t see you very well from that distance. Your brother playfully punches him on the shoulder when he realizes what’s happening.

As soon as they’re looking away, you retreat back to your room and beg your lady-in-waiting to let you finish your embroidery later. It takes a lot of pleading and promising but she finally relents.

You run as fast as your heavy skirts allow and the palace staff have to pretend they’re not witnessing something so scandalous.

“Akaashi!” As soon as he hears you calling, he whips around, smiling as you approach him all flushed and with your hair messy from the exertion.

“Your Highness” He bows and you remind him he can call you by your name.

In a moment, a servant arrives with your favorite horse saddled and ready. Akaashi helps you onto the animal. His grip on your waist is respectful, though he lingers a beat too long that even your brother notices.

When you straddle the horse instead of riding side-saddle, Akaashi blushes, and you wonder why, since you’ve always ridden that way when it was just with family and very close friends.

Your brother sets a comfortable pace as the three of you ride, but it’s not long before it turns into a race.

You win, of course, and you’re not surprised when Akaashi follows in second, not too far behind. You dismount, and watch him ride into the secluded hollow that was the finish line.

As soon as Akaashi dismounts, you pull him close to you.

“Your Highness, it’s not proper.” He says, though he’s smiling as he presses a kiss to your lips.

“Akaashi, you’re going to have to stop calling me that.” You say, reluctantly pulling away from the kiss. “People are going to assume my fiance has forgotten my name,” you kiss him again, and this time his arms wrap around your waist as he pushes the two of you deeper into the shrubbery. “Besides, that’s not how you address a duke’s wife.”

“Oh, forgive me, your grace,” Akaashi corrects himself as he smiles into your kiss.

Ancient East Asian Royal AU

Your household is in a flurry as Akaashi unexpectedly visits your sprawling mansion. He’s young, but experienced in battle, and rumored to become the Emperor who will unite your nation. Or at least, that was his goal.

And you were the daughter of a nobleman who’d gained renown for being especially clever and wise.

When you reached marrying age, the expected suitors arrived, that much was normal. What no one expected was how difficult it would be to woo you, and how much of a prize you really were.

For starters, you’ve refused to show your face, despite rumors that you were beautiful, and you’d insisted on conversation and strategy games as the methods through which you’d pick your groom.

Another oddity was how you attracted suitors in the first place. Why would a well-respected, wealthy man work so hard, only to be rejected by someone they’d never seen. Sure, you were a nobleman’s daughter, but there were many of those in the country.

You were rumored to be beautiful, yes, but what really drew them was the challenge of outwitting you when no one else had. What had them coming back was the shame in being outwitted by a woman time and time again.

This is what had the young future-Emperor visiting your home. Akaashi knew if he were to unite his people, he needed a wise Empress to rule by his side.

When you welcome Akaashi into the room he kneels in front of your shrouded dais, and your glad he can’t see how nervous you are. You aren’t prepared for him. If he weren’t the future Emperor, he would’ve had to ask permission to visit, or announce his intention. And you had never expected to attract his attention in the first place.

Akaashi admits he isn’t especially eager to marry, let alone someone he’s never met, but he tells you he only wants someone wise and capable to rule by his side. He’s humble, and obviously cares for his people, and you guard your heart. You’ve fallen for those tricks before.

So, you give him his first riddle, and though it takes him days to solve it, in the days between, he visits you, still, just to talk.

The second puzzle is a task. It’s an impossible task, of course, unless he happens to listen to the advice of a lowly maid who has no right to talk to royalty.

The “maid” is always you in disguise. You want to see how your suitors treat those they don’t seek to impress.

To your surprise, Akaashi listens to the “maid”, and is thankful when the advice proves useful.

It goes on like this for an entire year; longer than any other suitor’s attempt.

He takes his time solving your riddles and puzzles, and you do your best to determine what kind of person he is. And all that time, he never once asks for your hand in marriage.

On the weeks he is absent to tend to his duties, you find yourself missing him. And upon his return, you’re excited to talk to him again.

He returns one day looking tired and bedraggled. He apologizes for his appearance and says he’s preparing for battle, one harder and more dangerous than any he’s faced before. And finally, he asks for your hand. If he survives - if he wins - he could not imagine anyone more capable to rule by his side.

To his surprise, you push aside the curtain of your dais so he can see who you really are.

“Let that be the final task, then.” You tell him. “Come back to me, win the battle, and I’ll be your bride.”

Modern Royal AU

You didn’t think you’d actually end up in the same class as the Crown Prince.

Of course, you knew he was entering the same university, since it was all over the news. You just didn’t think...

You try your best to act normal around him, because lord knows it must be weird enough being a prince. And you try not to get too annoyed when random people try to get pictures of him as he’s entering and leaving class.

You cringe at the thought of accidentally ending up in one of those pictures. Not that anyone would recognize you.

Your luck runs out when you end up working on a major project together.

How were you supposed to do your best and get a good grade when you were so intimidated by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Akaashi the Pretty or whatever?

And when he asks if you can work in his apartment (for obvious privacy reasons), you don’t expect a whole penthouse.

For what it’s worth, Akaashi does seem a bit shy about the opulence, and you do your best not to stare.

When you end up on the cover of a magazine (Scandal: Prince brings home mystery woman), Akaashi immediately apologizes and gets “his people” to take everything down.

You almost feel bad for him (after all, it was really just a blurry shot of your back), but you’re sort of terrified. It was a creepy invasion of privacy.

The next time you work on the project, you decide to book a study room in the university library.

The room feels too large and quiet, since they’re usually for larger study groups, and it’s awkward.

So, you babble to fill the silence and tell him it’s okay, and you feel worse for him. Until you realize how inappropriate that is, and apologize profusely. But you’re surprised to find him smiling.

Things warm up between the two of you after that. He’s a perfectly nice and well-adjusted person after all, and your a breath of fresh air from his formal and constrained life as a prince.

You’re surprised that you’re a little sad when you have to turn in the project, because that means no more convenient excuse to hangout.

That is, until Akaashi bashfully asks you out.

And he’s shy and scared because he knows his life is high-stakes, and it’s anything but casual, so he’s even more surprised when you say “yes”.

#Anonymous #haikyuu!!#haikyuu #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu!! x reader #akaashi x reader #akaashi keiji #akaashi keiji x reader #for masterlist

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homesteadchronicles · 4 years

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Kingdom Come: Writing Excerpt (“A Baptism by Blood”)

With my hiatus nearing its inevitable end, I’ve found myself looking for a means make writing natural again. Not having done so for a long time left me feeling anxious whenever I wanted to wipe off the rust and write my heart out. Thus, I want to try something new: writing prompts.

These won’t always be canon, these won’t always be excerpts from the actual project itself. They’re glimpses into the past, into the could-be future, into alternate timelines. They are what will allow me to expand my imagination and hone my skills until I feel confident transforming my outline into a draft once more.

For now, enjoy a snippet into the pasts of two protagonists: Royan and Oeden. Before friendship, before prophecies, before princehood...before the Vault.

___

EXCERPT DETAILS

Project: Kingdom Come Timeline: 5 Years Before Book One’s Beginning Character(s): Oeden “Halflife” Sincairn, Royan Godewine, Sigurd Godewine, Elyk Sincairn Content Warning: Blood, Warfare, Character Death, PTSD

___

The battlefield drank the felled king’s blood with vampiric patience. Each inch of soil sat agape, holes dug from the rush of boots and hooves sitting open like anxious mouths awaiting dinner. Common bodies could not satiate this thirst - the ground hungered for a royal feast.

Oeden could taste it, too. His tongue, his lips, his fingertips: each bore the gravemaker’s stain. Blood had baptized him, a life of innocence laid to rest. He had expected to die somewhen in this war. He had not considered death could take his youth but leave his life.

Royan, however, had not just lost life - he had taken it. And it, in turn, took its toll on his soul.

Hundreds of soldiers, Norian or otherwise, encircled them like a carrion banquet. Anointed armor lay entangled between the mangled limbs of their unnamed assailants. Whoever wished them harm had done well to ambush them. Swords, arrows, the clash of steel and Seals: all an unexpected prelude to this newfound cemetery.

How had they survived when so many a knight met their end? I almost didn’t, Oeden realized. I wouldn’t have, if not for Royan.

Their king, however, had not his nephew’s fortune. Sigurd Godewine, once seated on the Frozen Throne of Norire, now sunk into a basin of bone and snow. The lance that stole his life still sat lodged in his torso, its tip stretching upwards as though it might break through this bodily barrier at any moment and continue its skyward course.

Yet, of the innumerable bodies of knights strewn about, none looked half as bad as the only survivor amongst them.

Royan shivered from a cold no winter could summon. His hands gripped the spear that pierced his uncle’s chest, the very thing that felled his family now allowing him to stand. What armor of his remained intact would soon rust from gore. Most remained in place, despite the casualties - a lost plate strap, the misplaced bracer.

But even through the blizzard, Oeden could see the shine of magic thrumming from Royan’s bared skin. He could feel it, the power a song that beckoned him. Oeden ignored the summons and approached Royan.

Mumbled apologies - or were they prayers? - fumbled from his mouth into unhearing ears. Noticing an unexpected presence, Royan spun about. Blue eyes froze upon recognition of a friend, a glare thawing into gladness. His knees buckled, tipped, spilled onto spoiled dirt.

Royan crumbled, but Oeden caught him.

“Royan? Listen to me,” Oeden pleaded. When his requests went unheard, he yanked his liege’s helmet towards him. “Look at me, Royan. Not at him. At me.”

Royan’s gaze flickered away but once. He met Oeden’s eyes without thanks.

“There you are.” Royan’s face did not mirror the smile in Oeden’s tone. “You see me, right?” A pause, and then a nod. “Then hear me: I know you want to stay, think you need to, even, but we must leave. Now.”

His eyes followed a red tear trailing down the metal helm. Before there be no more blood to spill. The teardrop dripped off of the visor, both boys watching its descent, until it rippled across the back of Royan’s hand. Crimson waves could not drown the truth beneath: a Seal had surfaced on his flesh.

Not an hour ago, that skin had remained devoid of defect. Now, the Timekeeper’s mark made its home on his hand. Had it always been lying dormant within him? Or had Sigurd done something to awaken it in his last moments on earth?

Oeden would have lingered in his dread, had that Sealscarred hand not lurched forward to clutch at his cloak. It searched for an escape Oeden could not provide.

“What do I do?” Royan asked, his voice a quiver. “Everyone will know what I am. They’ll want to make me king, Oeden!” He screamed the word as though it were a curse. “I can’t hide it, can’t ignore it, can’t discard it.” He sobbed: a single, broken howl. “I’m...trapped.”

Oeden knew all too well of such bindings, had borne invisible shackles that chained him to pariah-hood since conception. He refused to let another life be lost to unwarranted imprisonment. “Not if I can help it”.

One hand ripped a strip from his cloak. With the other, Oeden sought a weapon. A knife, a sword, anything would work. The only solution within reaching distance - as Royan made no motion to rise - came attached to the once-king’s corpse: Sigurd’s clawed gauntlet.

Before Royan could protest, Oeden had unbuckled the straps that kept the armor intact. You’ve already doomed his future, Oeden thought with a spite he was glad only God could hear, at least spare his present. One last tug and the gauntlet came free.

Oeden did naught but mumble an apology as Royan stared on with muted confusion. This might hurt, he thought, and swung the gauntlet across his master’s hand.

Royan scrambled backwards with an unseemly yelp. For a beat, the fear of betrayal ran rampant across his face.

Oeden waved the fabric like a white flag. “Trust me.”

Whether out of need or desire, Royan obeyed. The prince bowed in submission as his squire bandaged his hand - an unthinkable act elsewhere. But in the aftermath of battle? No one cared for class, race, creed. Those that outlasted death clung to the living with blind desperation.

As the treatment neared its end, Royan whispered what might have been a word of gratitude, if Oeden had not awaited the inquiry.

“...why?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Oeden sensed from his lord’s blank stare that this trauma had overridden his survival instinct. “You can’t keep this a secret forever. But for now? Making it look like an injury will let you avoid suspicion long enough for us to - God willing - get back to Almsgard unscathed and out of enemy territory.”

“No, that’s not...I meant...” Royan fumbled, biting his lip. He seemed a child all the more then, somehow lost in a war zone. “Why, as in, ‘why are you helping me?’”

Oeden could have laughed, should have, even. What a ridiculous question! Oeden’s very existence as a squire meant ensuring the survival of his liege. Sure, they had never shared an intimate bond before, but that did not annul his duty. His occupation aside, who would not seize the chance to have the Northern royalty indebted to them - especially one as persecuted as he?

But the truth? That confession confused him, frightened him. But it spoke to him of a kindness he had not seen in all of Norire - a kindness, he hoped, could become consistent.

“You saved my life,” Oeden reminded him, “or have you forgotten already? Given the choice between protecting me and protecting your uncle, you came to my aid. Couldn’t tell you why you would do something so stupid - something I cannot, might I remind you, ever hope to repay. But I’d say I owe you this, at least, don’t you think?”

“I wasn’t looking for a refund...”

That sincerity warmed the frozen corners of Oeden’s heart. “Be that as it may, I’m indebted all the same.” He rose to his feet, dragging Royan’s weakened form along with him. “But we can decide on debts later. For now, we need to find the other survivors.”

If there are any, he thought. The battle’s gruesome nature left little guarantees of finding life amongst the carnage. Sealed God, if you’ve ever listened to me, let Lord Elyk have lived. Oeden didn’t dare imagine his mother’s reaction should she learn her husband died. She did not deserve to lose anything else.

The boys stumbled about the bodies, avoiding the ravens that had already begun their scavenging. They dared make no further noise, lest the survivor they see be an enemy in waiting. Oeden noticed Royan searching every face, some making his own fall.

These are his men, Oeden realized. His servants, his soldiers. Lifelong friends and family. All to save a king he damned...a king he might become.

When they had thought their search fruitless, Oeden heard a faraway cry. In the distance, obscured by sleet and mist, stood a host of knights. Two men, arms outstretched and voices raised towards them, awaited their arrival: Knight-Commander Magnus and Knight-Captain Elyk.

Our fathers live, Oeden thought, and the relief was enough to set him sprinting. Elyk did likewise, bounding towards his son until he could scoop him up in his arms. Oeden did not swallow his laugh or roll his eyes the way he would when his father embarrassed him elsewhere. Elyk did not think of dignity or disguise his affection for the sake of his men’s approval. Here, now, all that mattered to them both was that they had defied the odds. Their family had outsmarted death.

When both their breaths had been spent, Elyk placed Oeden back down, a kiss pressed to his forehead. “Thank the Seals you’re safe...”

Oeden curled further into his father’s embrace, but his gaze ventured beyond them to hover over Royan’s hand. No one is safe anymore...

#writing excerpt #my writing #original writing #writing #writeblr #write #writer #bookblr #author #drabble #kingdom come #oeden halflife #royan godewine

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rexcrystallis · 6 years

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However being the analytical salty girl I am, I can’t help but be confounded by the entire context of the screens. For one, there’s a set of exchange between the chocobros stating it can’t have been more than a day since the four left Insomnia and the treaty signing failed.

Wouldnt they then be able to see the imperial dreadnoughts approaching the crown city? The overall timeline just got fucked up.

And a friend points out that kings knight requires an account and internet use, and the bros are playing the game simultaneously with their road trip, so that means unless theyre at a rest stop in a motel or outpost with WiFi, theyre using LTE or 4G. :)))))))) and that makes them quite easy to track.

So. Overly visible car, the Regalia

Overly visible get up, Lucian royalty black

LIGHT BEACON cellphone usage that effectively is like a torch to imperials broadcasting where Noctis is (ASIDE from Prompto’s really very disastrous picture taking)

What else?

It makes me gripe because it makes Gladiolus and Ignis appear to be especially INCOMPETENT in their jobs as Shield and Chamberlain respectively. You’d think as Shield Gladiolus would know crucial security knowledge in keeping his charge the prince safe. So does Ignis.

But apparently NOOOOOO lets play a game that BROADCASTS where we are and LIKELY uses location services and have time to gd chat like this isn’t a lethal road trip.

:’))))))))))))))))))

The entire game is already riddled with inconsistencies and plot holes. Let’s make the gd characters idiotic as well.

#salt mine

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fatecivilization · 5 years

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A Universe where Time has fluctuated and Kings of Old meet as if this was a normal world. From the King of Knights in Britania to the First Emperor of China reigning in the East, down to the Ancient Egyptian Pyramids where Architect towers over all, Kingdom of Babylon with its Tyrant yet wise King with the road of Rome connecting to them all. The ‘peace’ between them is fragile waiting for a wrong misstep, a misspoken word could shatter it.

Many believing in their own rights, divinity, or their purpose while the warriors seek to honor and the common people seek their own joy. In such a fantastical world where will you reside?

_________________________________________

Fate Civilization is an Alternate Universe diverging from the Fate Timeline incredibly where the great heroes are all alive to a degree.

This group is very heavy literature driven RP group as focuses on the relationships and interactions of royalties with each other as well as the masses. Note you must be 18+ of age to join the group only because since is meant to be based on the time when the Pharaohs, Medieval Kings, Roman Emperors, and Chinese Emperor were alive certain subjects might be graphic at times.

Which will be allowed to explore without repercussions to the mun, this will be of course be one on one Characters. Meaning is if someone already claimed a Gilgamesh it can’t have another version of the same character and it’s set in stone. Unless they no longer have interest in the muse anymore.

Note that despite how serious the group seems because of all this, in reality, it is quite a lax and drama free area! This is meant to be a fun group that talks about the cultures of their muse, differences, and celebrate history for the good and discuss the bad. Also, your characters can be decided by you and how you want to play them. So if interested come in and don’t be shy~!

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multimask · 5 years

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Session 4 Rundown

So, last session we hit level 3 and our paladin swore her Oath of the Crown. To Queen Tatiana, queen of the Summer Court, ruler of the Seelie Fey. We'll get back to that. Oh, and we had a sort of heart-to-heart conversation with the party. It was a super fun and intense session, and I'm still somewhat reeling from what happened, but damn if it wasn't fun and we didn't get some cool threads from that. Apologies for the suuuper long post, but lots of things happened and this got very very wordy.

TLDR; fought some gnolls at the cave and found the druid girl, confirmed a 3rd party existence, Queen Tatiana and Iriph showed up to for the Oath, my rogue ended up then also swearing allegiance? aligning themself? to the Summer Court, and we found another entrance to the gnoll cave system.

We last left our party outside of the gnoll cave entrance, having just fought some gnoll door guards and being unable to stop one to raise some sort of alarm. Gnoll!Candle backs off into the woods to retrieve their stuff and change back to their tabaxi form before moving forward with whatever the plan is. While Candle is retrieving their stuff, the party backs up to the tree line to watch the cave and see what comes out.

What comes out is the gnoll shaman we fought being dragged by a barbarian-esque gnoll and followed by a gnoll that looks almost cleric-y ish? They look around and see no one. The shaman is killed and its body tossed to the side of the cave opening. The other two gnolls go back in to the cave. The party waits a few minutes for them to be gone and then go up to the cave entrance and look over the shaman’s corpse, then start to creep inside the cave.

The first little bit of the cave isn’t too interesting, just a tunnel that curves and opens into a small room with some rotting kills and a torch on the far wall. Not too much of interest, but is somewhat dark. Ren is not a fan of the light level and sends a mental link message (bc Kalashtar) to Candle, once again startling the poor cat… The group continues to stealth forward with Candle in the lead and Elias just behind, and the dice continue to remark at just how urban a creature Candle is with her rolling poorly enough to be spotted by a gnoll with a hyena just past the room. Initiative!

Just behind that gnoll is the “cleric” gnoll and the druid woman Candle had spotted earlier. There’s some brief back and forth, cut short when the woman declares that “[we] have been a nuisance, and so my master wants you dead” and attacks. We take down the barbarian gnoll and severely damage the other two, who turn and flee deeper into the cave and collapsed the tunnel behind them.

The party is hurting, and we flee into the forest, stopping in a clearing to catch our breath and lick our wounds. While we’re patching ourselves up the best we can without hit dice (yayyy multiple combat encounters in one in-game day at lvl 2…), we receive a visit from the Knight and the Queen of the Summer Court. The world goes silent and the two step out from behind a tree. (We as players knew that *something* was going to happen with our paladin bc of hitting level 3 and the whole oath thing, but we weren't exactly sure as to what it would be. Bc of chatting with other players, the DM, and some friends, I knew it was going to be fey, but I was not expecting the Summer Queen herself. This also happened earlier in the session than the DM was expecting bc of how we players took things, but it all worked out so it didn't really matter)

The Knight, Iriph, looks over the party, his gaze pausing and narrowing on Candle, but he said nothing. Candle slowly works their way to the back of the party and is Decidedly Not Happy with the two figures in front of the party. The Summer Queen has Poppy swear her Oath of the Crown to the Summer Court while the rest of the party is more than a little shaken by the appearance of The Summer Queen and her Champion Knight. That’s a thing that happened. Our paladin swears her oath to the Summer Court, and the Queen transforms the paladin’s warhammer. It is now a +1 magical weapon that has a single white rose etched into the head.

And then the Queen turns her attention to Candle. The Queen bears down on Candle and she is all but cowering against a tree in the Queen’s imposing presence. If Candle has been useful to Poppy, then Candle should be on the court. Candle has no idea who these people are or what the Courts even are. At this ignorance towards the Courts, the Queen gives a brief rundown of the two courts and what's going on with the Seelie and Unseelie.

(The actual timeline of these events is a little jumbled bc I as a player could not take as detailed notes as I usually am able bc *holy shit* that scene, so apologies for any contradictions. Since being a changeling is out in the open, along with persona/true names, I'm going to continue to use their persona name except where they are directly called their true name. I'm not sure how I'm going to call them for future rundowns, might stick to whichever persona/form is up. For now, they'll remain Candle)

Edit: I went back over my notes and cleaned up the timeline

The Summer Queen is intrigued to see a changeling here, and one so unallied with any Court, and offers to take this stray into the fold. The rest of the party (except Elias) are chiming in with their thoughts on this. Poppy is pushing for Candle to accept, while Ren and River are pushing for Candle to do what they themself want to do. Candle declines the offer, and the Queen is not happy and restates her offer. This is Candle's "one chance" to accept the offer. Poppy pushes for Candle to reconsider. Candle is more than a little confused as to why the Queen cares about her and is not happy to be put on the spot by an authority figure who is royalty Just a little intimidating...

Cue this intense and intimidating dialogue btwn the two:

The Queen asks for Candle's name. They respond "I am called 'Candle in the Rain'."

"A fine name for a tabaxi, isn't it. What is your name, changeling" She spat. (By this point, I as a player had a death grip on my fan and was curled up in my chair experiencing this and also messaging a friend who had wanted to sit in on this session for this event but couldn't join us)

Candle hesitated and replied, “I am called… Nix.” At this name, Iriph perks up and quietly informs the Queen that this is the youngest sibling. At this Candle, aka Nix, perks up and is surprised to learn that they might have family alive. (And I as a player go flying for my private chat w/ aforementioned friend and session notes bc welp, I’m caving also goddammit DM I know I should have expected something like this when I gave you the siblings last week). In order to sweeten the deal (and also make Candle owe her something), the Queen fully heals Candle.

While Candle is hesitating and trying to turn down the offer again without being insulting, the Queen gets fed up with the side comments distracting Candle from actually giving an answer and silences the area. Everyone can hear Candle and the Queen, but Candle can only hear themself and the Queen. The two go back and forth some more, and Candle caves. If they get to meet their family/siblings, then they shall agree to the Queen's offer. (Yeah that's totally not going to bite them in the ass down the road)

The Queen is very pleased at this, and transforms Candle’s rusty old rapier into a +1 magical weapon with a rose for the basket-hilt. It blooms and then closes up into a rosebud, with the implication that if Candle stays loyal it might bloom again. Satisfied with what transpired, the Queen and her Knight leave. After they’re gone, Candle wheels on Poppy and demands to know what they just got themself into. Poppy insists that this is the best thing to happen, and is super glad that they’re on the same side now. Everyone is a little suspicious of how much Poppy is singing the praises of the Summer Queen; as players it’s bc you never trust the fae oh dear gods no, and as characters, well, everyone has their own reasons.

The characters decompress after that encounter and find another entrance to the gnoll cave courtesy of blood trails from corpses being dragged off. After we find the temple, we set up camp and decompress and Poppy explains the way that the fey courts work. And the session fades to episode credits as night falls. As we settle in to camp, and since it’s only mid afternoon, the party asks if there are any other secrets anyone wants to get out in the open and if there are any other forms that the group should be aware of from Candle/Nix. They hesitate at that and then show the persona of the sun elf Soliana. We don’t learn much about Ren, and we learn that River is an empath and has a box that is a family heirloom and magically sealed. Elias had a person named Maria in his life who was the brains behind the guns that he has. The empath feels grief off him when he brings her up.

And the session fades to episode credits as night falls.

That was quite the session and now I’m going to go make my backup character for my Tomb of Annihilation campaign bc we’re about to go die tonight.

#isa babble #i plays dnd #nix's misadventures #candle's misadventures #session notes #aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

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effifioc · 7 years

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About the OCs: Eonan

Name: Eonan Alt Names: Eònan | Ionan Titles: Fairtheoir / Faireoir; Prince

Eonan’s title, Fairtheoir, is commonly translated to Sentinel by those who study his country’s language, but the meaning is more complex. Sentinel is not an entirely incorrect translation, but the title is passed down through generations and has gone through linguistic changes. It means, loosely, that the holder is both a defender and an peaceful observer to their homeland. In short, there’s a duality to the title that is necessary for times of war. The word Fairtheoir has similarities to the word Faireoir, which would be commonly translated to Watcher. In Eonan’s homeland both titles are technically correct.

General:

In certain company Eonan must introduce himself as “Eonan of Nord-Süd Sineath.” Sineath, Eonan’s homeland, was once two nations known simply by its respective peoples as “The North” and “The South” (or Nord and Deisceart in their respective languages; the alternate spellings of Eonan’s name are due to these cultural differences). About 200 years before Eonan was born there was an agreement to merge the two lands based on friendly alliance. This didn’t go over quite as well as the monarchs hoped, and though the country was technically now one, the divide was very clear. It was Eonan’s parents that finally put an end to this divide by marrying for the sake of unification. As such, Eonan’s culture is a mix between his mother’s Northern heritage and his father’s Southern heritage. Despite rumors to the contrary Eonan is the third royal child, and second in line for the throne.

History:

Eonan separates his past into distinct categories: his happy childhood and his refugee adolescence.

As the third child of aging monarchs, Eonan had a very different experience growing up than his older siblings. Dario and Yvenna are only one year apart in age, but both of them are about eight years older than Eonan. They didn’t share tutors because they were so much older, and they didn’t really make time to play with Eonan once he was past his toddler years. Eonan’s friendships were regulated by the royal council and consisted mostly of crown employees (those weren’t truly friendships, but Eonan was too young to understand that).

Even so, Eonan was happy. He spent his days glued to his father’s side. Queen Alba considered them a matched set moreso than even herself, and after the first few initial weeks of Eonan sneaking into classified meetings to seek out his father people stopped trying to keep them apart. King Nuada would often take naps to get a second wind to deal with the day and one could always find him in his study with Eonan napping on his chest or tucked against his side. They were as close as a father and son could be while still having to take care of their respective responsibilities. This closeness didn’t vanish over time, and soon enough Eonan was playing the role of confidant to the king. This was his first foray into politics, though it was a small one, and many rumors were started by unhappy parties about the possibility that Eonan wasn’t truly the son of Nuada and Alba. Though Eonan knew about these rumors thanks to his Princeguard he never payed them any mind. He never doubted his place in his family, and moreover he never doubted his family.

It was then that things took a turn for the tragic.

Eonan’s family was betrayed when he was fourteen. Eoghan, a member of Eonan’s Princeguard, sold information to Glacea, a hostile neighboring country, that allowed an elite squadron of assassins to slip past the castle defenses and launch an attack during one of King Nuada’s many state-of-the-country briefings. Queen Alba was in attendance as well as several dozen Kingsguard and Queensguard, council members, bodyguards, and crown employees. It was a swift and underhanded battle that resulted in the breaking of a country. Eonan, who was also at the briefing, was the only one left alive. He witnessed the attack and subsequent murders of his family, shared heartfelt and devastating last words with his father, and was forced to flee his homeland.

That incident, which Eonan later refers to as The Coup due to the status of Sineath in his present timeline still being occupied by Glacean troops, marks the start of the second category of Eonan’s past.

As Eonan and Aoife, the only surviving member of his Princeguard, attempt to flee the capital they witness a single airship headed away from the city. Dario and Yvenna, who were in separate parts of the castle when the attack began, came together and fled with their respective guard units. This left Eonan and Aoife no real choice aside from hoofing it to the border and trying to disappear into the neighboring country. They lived this way for quite some time, willfully letting their people believe that Eonan had died with his family while he learned how to control the ability he inherited from the late king.

That’s when rumor of a resistance caught Aoife’s ear. They dropped their concocted life immediately upon hearing of a resisting group of survivors from the capital and set out to meet them. After two weeks of searching and dealing with increasingly more complex riddles to find their location, Eonan stumbled across the resistance. He was happy to see it was led primarily by a surviving member of the Kingsguard that had been on medical leave during the attack. Oisín was as much a constant in Eonan’s childhood as his father, and the familiarity was too tempting to resist. Eonan spent the next two years helping the resistance cultivate resources and earn under-the-table backing from Sineath’s formerly allied nations. This effort eventually culminated into a battle with Glacean forces that the resistance, though determined, lost. Those that survived were scattered, and Eonan, nearly seventeen, fled with Aoife across the world. They spent a year and a half traveling under the cover of night, protected by Eonan’s celestial abilities, before they entered the plains region of Duscae in the peaceful kingdom of Lucis.

Celestial Power | The Fairtheoir

The royal bloodline of Sineath is gifted with a celestial power in the form of a bow that can be summoned at will. Sineathean mythology states that a person’s ancestors become stars when they die so they can watch over their families and provide light in the darkness. Sineathean royalty dates back 400 to 500 years before unification, and their ancestors have clustered together to form constellations. It is said that these constellations saw a need for a guiding light and gifted the royal family with their strength.

While King Nuada only used the bow to fire physical arrows (of which Queen Alba made and carved with good luck charms), Eonan’s bow has three functions. He can, as his father did, purchase or make arrows and fire them through the bow. Its primary function, however, is the firing of arrows formed by magic and willpower that explode in different spacial fashions (such as very small black holes, or blinding stars).

In times of need Eonan can also request guidance from his ancestors. King Nuada wasn’t able to make use of this power, but some of his ancestors had, so it isn’t a complete surprise to Eonan when it happens. It is entirely up to the ancestor whether or not they respond, but if they choose to they can descend temporarily to earth in the corporeal form their constellation is named for. In the five or so years Eonan has trained this ability he’s only managed to summon three different ancestors. He calls them sentinels: Orion (a fully-armored knight that fights with a lance, always answers the call, Eonan secretly suspects his father’s star is now part of the constellation), Lir (an octopus that specializes in healing horrible injuries), and Fenrir (a wolf that will not fight, but will stand guard over Eonan while he sleeps).

Persona

Despite the tragedies Eonan has lived through he remains a generally happy person. He tends to be shy upon first meeting due to his lack of social interaction with people his age growing up, but warms quickly to most people. He is slightly less trusting than he was before The Coup, but it isn’t a level of distrust that’s detrimental to him. He wants to believe the best in people but won’t hesitate to cut ties is someone proves themselves to be unworthy of trust or friendship.

Eonan hopes to reunite with his siblings some day, even just to talk, and is glad to hear they’re doing well in a kingdom Yvenna recently married into. He does have mixed feelings about being left behind and denied help from them when he asked on behalf of the resistance, but he’s adjusted and moved on with his life since then. He hopes to one day find happiness with someone the way his mother and father did, but knows that might be difficult given his refugee status and ambition to one day free his country from Glacean control.

( read more about Eonan here )

( how does Eonan fit into FFXV? ) (coming soon)

#ocEonan #About the OCs #I plan to do more of these in the future #fandomFFXV #( implied )

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ciathyzareposts · 4 years

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What I Can Tell You About DragonBlade, GayBlade, and Citadel of the Dead

Where fortune and fame await the oold? What does that mean?

An awful lot of administrative work and emulator-fighting went into tracking down, sorting out, an running the three variants of this exceptionally mediocre game. This was not time well spent. When Dragon magazine, home of the modal five-star review, gives your game no stars and calls it the “worst dungeon-crawl, you-do-the-mapping, oops-you’re-in-a-trap-and-your-torch-went-out, mindless click-the-‘attack’-button game I’ve seen in a decade,” you know you have a problem. This is an account of why I didn’t get very far with these games and why, at least for now, I’m not interested in trying harder. To judge by the manual and character creation process (the only part of the game I could really experience), DragonBlade, offers essentially nothing that Wizardry (1981) doesn’t except for color graphics. But even worse is the re-skinned GayBlade, which bills itself as the first gay-and-lesbian-themed CRPG, which it probably was, but only in the most superficial way. If I were a gay CRPG Addict, neither game would satisfy my gayness nor my CRPG addiction. That GayBlade received so much press in its day goes to show how starved the genre really ways for authentic gay representation in games.

The timeline is a little confused because a lot of sites give GayBlade as a 1992 game and DragonBlade as a “straight fantasy variant of GayBlade.” In fact, the reverse is almost certainly true, particularly since the “About” screen for GayBlade is still titled, “About DragonBlade.” There are a lot of sloppy bits like that in GayBlade. (That double-entendre is gayer than anything in the game.) Making things more confusing, author R. J. Best went on a Macintosh Garden forum last year and claimed he wrote GayBlade and released it for free in revenge for a distributor withholding royalties from Citadel of the Dead. But it’s clear from both news accounts and magazine reviews that GayBlade was available in 1993 while Citadel didn’t come out until 1994. Citadel, as far as I can tell, is just DragonBlade with a new title screen and a few bug fixes.

Let’s talk about DragonBlade first. The manual offers the most generic backstory possible: Once peace reigned in the land, led by a community of knights and mages who followed “the gentle philosophy of DragonMagic.” They were headquartered in the DragonKeep and ruled by High Wizard Alastor. But a demon army led by Lord Xygor invaded the land, lay waste to the keep, and imprisoned Alastor in a “dimension of frozen souls.” A party must brave the now-monster-ridden keep to rescue Alastor.

The game opens on a menu town with a “training yard” (character creation), tavern, general store, guild (for level advancement), magic shop, healer, and dungeon door. Classes are fighter, mage, priest, samurai (fighter/priest), wizard (fighter/mage), and master (fighter/priest/wizard). Races are orc (c. 10%), ogre (10%), elf (40%), gnome (20%), and dwarf (20%). When you roll a new character, his race is randomized along with his attributes: strength, wisdom, intelligence, constitution, dexterity, and hits. Each attribute is rolled from 1 to 15 (there are no racial modifications), and the aggregate determines your available classes. So far, with the exception of the monster races and no human race, things are identical to Wizardry

Except for low hits (which prevents him from being a “master”), this character has some unusually high stats.

The manual doesn’t tell you the prime requisites for each class, so I spent far more time than made sense noting the minimum scores every time an option came up and then figuring out the associated probabilities. First, there isn’t an equal probability of each number between 1 and 15 appearing for each attribute. For some reason, 8 is heavily weighted, accounting for about 15% of values. The numbers 1 and 15 are weighted low, accounting for about 3% each. Everything else is in the 6-8% range. Priests require at least a 12 in wisdom and mages require at least a 12 in intelligence; each comes up as an option about 21% of the time. Samurai require 13 strength, 12 dexterity, and possibly smaller values for the other attributes. They come up only about 5 times in 1,000. Wizards require at least a 12 in wisdom and dexterity and a 13 in intelligence; they come up 6 times in 1,000. Masters have at least a minimum requirement of 12 or 13 in all attributes (I’m guessing a bit) and come up less than 1 time in every 10,000 rolls. I only ever got one once, and I forgot to click the “Master” option when selecting him, so I accidentally made him a fighter. That hurt.

Starting items in the store.

It turns out that much like Wizardry, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to sweat through thousands of re-rolls for the perfect character anyway, since Level 1 characters might as well be wearing red Star Trek uniforms. This is particularly true for DragonBlade, where enemies attack the moment you enter the dungeon, before you can even light a torch, and never stop. Combat is also Wizardry standard. Each character can attack, parry, use an item, or cast a spell, although it executes the action immediately (more like Might and Magic) rather than running through the entire round at once.

Combat against giant rock ants.

The game uses Wizardry‘s “slot” system (e.g., a Level 6 priest gets 3 first-level spells, 2 second-level spells, one third-level spell), but there are only 11 spells for each spellcasting class. Mages get “Light Wound,” “Evade,” “Light,” “Heavy Wound,” “Invisibility On,” “Invisibility Off,” “Locate,” “Lightning,” “Fireballs,” “Ice Storm,” and “Castle” (as in, “return to”). Priests get “Disarm” (the only way to disarm, since there are no thieves), “Light Cure,” “Compass,” “Cure Poison,” “Resist Fire,” “Resist Ice,” “Raise,” “Heavy Cure,” “Eye of Death,” “Cure All,” and “Restore.”

Looking at spell options while facing an undead.

It soon become clear to me that the programmers had built DragonBlade to serve up a combat once every n clock cycles and hadn’t accounted for faster models. (If I don’t have that quite right technically, I’m sure someone will correct me.) Thus, the combats never end and you never get to explore the dungeon or even retreat out the back door. I tried Citadel of the Dead and ran into essentially the same problem. I could actually get a torch lit and occasionally move a step, but generally speaking I was trapped in an endless succession of combats from the moment I entered until they finally overwhelmed the party. Death is permanent in the game, although one weird feature is that enemies continue to attack slain party members in combat, slashing and bashing their helpless corpses. I guess that’s good news for the survivors but still somewhat gruesome.

An inevitable message in my DragonBlade experiences.

The Basilisk emulator that I use for Mac games doesn’t offer dynamic clock speed scaling the way that DOSBox does, and I was unable to find a Windows version of DragonBlade even though it existed. (I think Citadel was Mac-only.) I fiddled around with other models and settings in the Basilisk GUI, but I couldn’t find anything that wasn’t too fast. Thus, I tried GayBlade, for which I could only find a Windows version. This was my first experience emulating Windows 3.1, and it went about as smoothly as all my experiences with a new emulator, which means it took several frustrating hours to get it right (and would have taken longer if my commenter Lance hadn’t given me a head start with his configuration).

There’s no way it’s the world’s first. What about Leather Goddesses of Phobos? What about the game version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show?

GayBlade is a gay-themed game if by “gay-themed” you mean taking all the trappings of a typical computer role-playing game and replacing them with trappings of gay life. Not real gay life, but stereotypically flamboyant gay life, and not “replaced” in any thoughtful way but clumsily and senselessly. Let’s start with the classes. In place of fighters, samurais, wizards, and priests, we get queers, drag queens, guppies, and lesbians. Mages and masters aren’t even translated. Prime requisites are lowered significantly, and instead of default-naming every character “Dufus,” this game picks names that begin with the character’s class. You can only create four characters instead of being able to create up to 8 and only assign 4 to the party the way the other games work.

Assembling a gay party.

Then we get to inventory. Instead of useful items like armor and swords, we get aprons, mace (not the weapon, but the chemical spray), blow-dryers, press-on nails, and condoms. If the relative positions are any guide, purses are substituting for cloaks, tiaras for helms, press-on nails for gauntlets, and condoms for shields. Okay, I just got that last one. That’s a little clever.

The ostensible goal of the game is to rescue someone named “Empress Nelda.” But once you enter the dungeon, you’re just in the same medieval dungeon as the straight versions. Some of the monsters are replaced with menaces to gay people, such as “FBI Probes,” homosexual thugs who say “you fag” when they attack, televangelists, KKK grand dragons, and spineless politicos. You even have to face some external representations of inner demons such as suicidal tendencies and age spots. But there are also regular monsters carried over from DragonBlade, like giant insects and rats. The spells aren’t “translated” at all. Drag queens get the priest spells.

The characters face an “FBI Probe” led for some reason but a naval officer.

I tried to last long enough to explore the first level. I’m pretty sure it’s only 10 x 10. I didn’t find any special encounters or navigation tricks. But my queers and lesbians and their mace and hairdryers were far less effective against enemies than the swords and armor of the fantasy versions. I hate the control system in all three games: they’re mouse-buttons only, even for movement. I also hate the perspective, which insists you’ve hit a wall (not only subtracting a hit point but making you acknowledge a message) even though it looks like there’s plenty of space.

Sure, it was “plainly marked.” ONE SQUARE AHEAD of where I am.

I’ll leave it to you, gay readers: what impressions do you get from this description? Are you happy to have any acknowledgement, even if the best it aspires to is high camp and doesn’t really succeed even at that? This will be better served in a longer entry specifically on the topic, but milestones that I can remember for gay representation in RPGs are:

Ultima VI (1990): Earliest game that I can remember that allows same-sex sex, albeit with a gypsy prostitute.

Ultima VII (1992): Continues the tradition, albeit at a brothel.

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002): Made things equal-opportunity for creepy sex predators, as Crassius Curio will sexually harass males and females alike.

Jade Empire (2005): Introduced BioWare’s from-then common theme of offering at least one same-sex partner, often a bisexual who could also be romanced from the other side. I remember accidentally falling into a gay relationship based on some tricky dialogue options.

Fallout: New Vegas (2010): In a game famous for not introducing “romance options” with its NPCs, the only exception (sort-of) is for lesbian characters.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011): Introduced full equality. Any character who could be romanced, married, and bedded could be done by both men and women with no additional commentary. Unfortunately, all relationships were a bit boring and bloodless.

Dragon Age: Inquisition (2015): Kicks up the complexity a notch with a wide cast of characters with a variety of racial and sexual preferences–plus mature attitudes (and a sense of humor) about sex and sexual situations.

I’m sure more experienced readers can think of more, but for 1993, I think you’d be better off playing a regular CRPG and just imagining the protagonist as gay rather than paying homage to this penis-lollipop take on gay themes. Even if you feel differently, I simply can’t bring myself to fight rednecks with press-on nails and blow-dryers for 13 levels. Thus, I guess I’m rejecting the entire group on “notability” grounds, although I’ll hold myself open for taking up one of the medieval versions if I can get Basilisk to slow it down. I’m done with it for now; the game has kept me too long from Ultima VII. Note: The title of the gay version is perhaps a reference to Zorro: The Gay Blade (1981), which not enough people have seen. Ironically, the authors removed swords and daggers from the game so that the characters no longer have any blades.

*****

I’ve put Planet’s Edge on the back burner because it’s clear that I’m going to have to start over. I’ll pick it up again after a couple of games have gone by; this isn’t going to be another Magic Candle III. I just hate doing the same things I’ve already done, and I needed some space in between.

source http://reposts.ciathyza.com/what-i-can-tell-you-about-dragonblade-gayblade-and-citadel-of-the-dead/

#retro games #dos games #retro #crpg #adventure #amiga #oldcomputers #8bit #16bit #blog #repost

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