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netflixoxygenoxygen · 4 years

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Can you do an aaravos x reader where they were together before he got locked up. Perhaps the reader can punished/lock up somewhere else and once aaravos gets out he saves the reader. Basically just something about them reuniting. Thank you

of course - i got inspired so i wrote an actual fic but i hope u enjoy regardless! thank u for requesting :)

aaravos || together, again

Viren was easy to manipulate, but even so, Aaravos would have stopped at nothing to get you back. (1.2k words, S3 spoilers)

–

He knew misleading Viren had some risks. Not that the dark mage knew anything about that, he seemed to throw himself into anything Aaravos suggested and with him so completely under his control now, it was easier than ever. The other risks stemmed from the resulting fallout, or possible resulting fallout.

But he had no other choice; it was now or never and if it was never… well, Aaravos didn’t want to think about that. Would never acknowledge that.

The baby dragon had been easy enough to get, the moonshadow child simply left to Viren, vaguely familiar to him until the moment he realised just who she was–the child of those adorably stupid moonshadow dragonguards. His guards.

He had to scoff; half of those guards were only there in the event he got out, of course. Dragonguards? Avizandum couldn’t bear the thought of his lair not being enough to guard him so instead he summoned elves from all over Xadia, called them Dragonguards and refused to admit he knew just how powerful his prisoner was.

Well, that was in the past.

Just like you were. But not for long.

No, Aaravos smirked, calling up the vestiges of magic he’d stored away, deep within himself even in his state of disembodiment as he stalked through the hallway into the Dragon Queen’s sleeping area.

Ah, he surveyed, so she was indeed weakened. He schooled his emotions, focusing them into neutrality; it wouldn’t do well to react so strongly with her so close.

If only he was at full power… oh, the things he could do to make them pay.

He inhaled slowly. No, no, he had a mission. Sure, it might not have been the one he’d told Viren–the fool believing him as he said he’d needed to get something from inside the lair before taking the baby dragon–but it wasn’t as if Viren needed to know the specifics.

But the flower was not where it had been before, and for the shortest moment, Aaravos couldn’t help the spike of fear that gripped him. Intensely, unforgivingly.

He calmed himself, refusing to let his resolve waver as he stepped into the sleeping dragon’s lair, scanning the cavern until he saw it–you. Or, no that wasn’t right either; your prison, he should have said.

Sure the flower was gorgeous, bright and healthy amongst all the others–but it wasn’t you. You were far superior, far better, far stronger.

And yet only human, and so Avizandum had transformed you, rendering you into this plant, blooming just before his mirror, just so Aaravos could see you everyday, just out of reach, just to spite him, just to know how much he had failed–

A harsh breeze traveled the room and he shut his eyes briefly, calling back his emotions, quickly eyeing the dragon before moving soundlessly towards the flower. In an instant he was there, by its side, by your side.

A clash sounded in the hallway, reminding him of his time limit, of his situation. Viren must have been overpowering the elf.

He continued on, towards the flower, wondering; what would you say, when you found out just what the world had turned into? Humans banished, elves as prejudiced as ever, but… the Dragon King dead. Righteously dead.

Aaravos fought back that smile of triumph, pooling his magic, pulling little pieces from Viren’s–he wouldn’t notice, if he hadn’t noticed how far gone he was by now he likely never would–as he summoned the spell, reciting the incantation, his arms moving soundlessly as he drew the rune; complicated, but memorised by now (he’d practiced it too many times to not have it memorised; envisioned this moment endlessly).

He didn’t need a vessel for this; not when he had enough magic stored away, and though it would have made it easier, both in the past and for the future, in the event that a few… complications arose, he did not once think about the consequences. Not when the flower began to shine, not when it fluttered, blindingly bright as the spell progressed, growing and spinning until it changed.

He had told himself there wasn’t any need to look, but regardless he was transfixed as the light shone, enough to hurt, enough that he was forced to look away before it dimmed and dimmed and dimmed.

Revealing the same you in those last moments that had tormented him in his captivity. You were sleeping though, so different from the tears and screams that had torn from your throat as those elves ripped you from him and he’d watched in soundless terror–

There was no need to revisit those memories.

Not when you were back in his arms, eyes blinking open sleepily, just like those mornings before everything had changed, your body warm and familiar and everything and nothing he knew.

You were not just a mere floating spirit, though, not like he was. You were physically free, and with each ebb of his magic, his ability to touch you disappeared. With an aching heart, you slowly began to sink through his arms, and though Aaravos told himself it was not for long, it was hard to lose your touch after having missed it for centuries.

“Welcome back, my love…” He hushed, gripping your hand as he helped you sit up. You were disoriented and confused. But he was and ever would be patient. You were always a fast learner, quick to adapt but slow to love him–it was why he cherished that love so much. “Y/N–”

“Aaravos?” You croaked, voice raspy from unuse–though he did not know the nature of your imprisonment. Had it been like his? Or were you blessed and cursed with an eternal sleep–eternal until awoken, that was. “Y-you–” Your eyes widened, looking around the lair, body tensing at the sounds of combat closing in. “Are we still in danger? You’re–” Your grip on him tightened as you both felt it–soon, soon and he wouldn’t be able to feel you any more–and without warning you pulled him towards you, gripping him in a hug he had yearned for far too long.

“It is a rather long story. Centuries long.” He smiled through your hair as you huffed a laugh.

“Has it been that long, then?”

“Yes.”

“Then what is happening now?”

“War–”

“Again? Wasn’t there a war before?”

Aaravos chuckled, pulling back–

Only to phase right through your shoulders. His heart sunk, as much as he had tried to prepare himself, he loathed it the moment it happened. Quicker than he had expected, or maybe he’d just been too caught up in the moment. He always was, when it came to you; caught up in your very existence.

“I’m assuming… you’re in some sort of… predicament?” You asked, forlorn at the lack of contact. You glanced over his shoulder, Viren’s grunts loud enough that Aaravos knew they’d made it to the steps. “We’re in some sort of predicament, aren’t we?”

He nodded, savouring the way you spoke and looked and felt–you were here, finally, finally. “But soon, my love, and all will be over.” He reached a hand towards yours as you mimed the action of taking his. Despite the jarring physical emptiness, your hearts were full; together, again, like he had promised you all those centuries ago.

Aaravos knew that there would be confusion on Viren’s behalf but he also knew that there would be time to explain.

And even if there wasn’t, what did that matter? You were free, you were back, and now the real plan could begin.

#aaravos x reader #aaravos imagines #aaravos scenarios #the dragon prince aaravos #aaravos #tdp aaravos #the dragon prince #the dragon prince imagines #tdp imagines #request #my writing #writing #my work #anon asks #asks #anon #Anonymous

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dent-de-leon · 5 years

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Just decided to do a quick overview of some of the info we have on Aaravos, since he seems like he’ll be really fun:

Richmond: “So they’re called Startouch elves...They’re super duper rare, they’re very mystical and we have a lot of plans for them...”

Ehasz: “They’re star elves and they’re more associated with the heavens and they’re not immortal, but they have more of a time scale that is more like the stars than other elves, so they’re a little bit removed and big picture. But star elves...they’re part of a mystery and myth and we’re going to meet one this season.”

I love that Startouch elves are already built up as so very mythic and more in tuned to a kind of ancient magic that’s very much “removed” from a lot of the world. If Startouch elves are so rare and more focused on the “big picture,” it’s very likely Aaravos is on his own, and more concerned with what happens to the world balance in the ensuing power struggle between humans and elves rather than defending his home.

He’s probably just thinking longterm, which could be as far as thousands or even millions of years into the future (if he’s so much like stars, that is). Which raises an interesting question--what does appearing to aid the humans, and in particular Viren, get for him longterm? What’s the end result of empowering humans and introducing them to new magics?

“There’s also the visual design of Aaravos, a mysterious elf who ends up consulting Viren through the mysterious, magical mirror...He looks like the midnight sky, but the more time we spend with Aaravos, the more his charisma and personality steals the show.”

Ehasz: “We have long planned this character. We’re happy with this beautiful character design. The concept and execution that went into realizing this character. He’s a beautiful elf man. He’s really compelling to look at.”

“Elarion, black-eyed child/her twisted roots spread deep and far/The humans’ might sparked the light/of Aaravos, her midnight star.”

“Mysterious and charismatic, Aaravos is a rare kind of elf few have ever seen. He is secretive yet charming, and even Viren finds himself compelled by Aaravos’ cryptic words and gifts.”

I’m especially intrigued by the fact that not only is Aaravos able to communicate with Viren through the mirror--something Runaan claimed was “worse than death” and was kept “in the lair of the Dragon King and Queen”--I’m especially intrigued by the fact that what he has to say is also compelling enough for Viren to actually listen. I imagine the “gifts” he gives are very much a kind of magic.

Also worth mentioning here that there’s been some discussion on how we have primal and dark magic, but those two might not be the only options. Perhaps Aaravos is able to offer Viren some third path that combines or deviates from the two? “Yes, there’s a path to do magic. For humans, it is X. And for elves, it seems to be Y. But is there any kind of crossover point? And I think that’s an interesting story.” Given that Aaravos is also referred to as “the light” “sparked” by “humans’ might,” and “her midnight star,” it seems pretty clear he’s going to--or already has?--bring some groundbreaking magic to the humans.

“Star magic is little understood. It draws on the vast and timeless power of the cosmos, and involves diviniation, cosmic vision, and seeing into the ‘beyond.’ Creatures connected to Stars are extremely uncommon and rarely seen.”

In terms of planning far off into the incredibly distant future, divination would certainly come in handy. There’s also a kind of curious imagery in linking someone who is associated with stars, with a sense of “looking” out into the beyond--star gazing, seeing into the future, Aaravos’ apparent connection to the mirror--I don’t know, I just love the thematic implication of vision with peering out into the unknown here, and how it relates to this character. Anyway, I’m really excited to meet this charming elf!!

#the dragon prince #aaravos #tdp #dragon prince

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barbitone · 5 years

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So Aaravos x Lotor crossover

Before you read this keep in mind that it was developed in two hours on four hours of sleep. Entirely in text messages. (And feel free to change anything about it I just want to read Aary and Lotor)

Lotor’s ship crashes or he just lands there to hide

But we don’t know exactly how old he is just that he’s roughly ten thousand. And idk when Voltron takes place so I’ll make Lotor like 9000 since tdp takes place in medieval Europe

So he lands there because earths atmosphere is oxygen and he’s like “I got air and it looks like they have a lot of stuff I could eat to survive”

OH FUCK IF SENDAK FINDS HIM THE ELVES ARE GONNA THINK HES A MAGICAL ANIMAL AND ATTEMPT TO TAME HIM JSJSJSJSKJS

Anyways he lands in a forest in human territory and they attack him thinking he’s some sort of elf and try to capture him but they have wooden spears and Lotor’s been training for nine thousand years with the galra so he has to kill them when he can’t reason with them

And he starts walking and survives in the forest

And like it’s really easy because you just havevall these small animals?? just running around?? and fruits? everywhere?

And he ends up in Xadia. And he’s smart so after a few days he figures out the moonstone path

And he gets there and he gets a few weird looks because he’s in full armor and also where are his horns? Is it birth defect? But he has pointy ears and white hair so he passes mostly unnoticed. But some of the attention is also from the purple skin because “startouch elf?? Here?”

And there’s the headcanon that startouch elves are pompous douchebags that are too good to hang out with the rest of the elves. Also they do weird rich ppl stuff

So they just assume Lotor is a startouch elf but dimmed the stars on his skin

And startouch elves aren’t warriors but Lotor is wearing full armor

But they brush it off because nobody understands startouch elves

“Why did he cut off his horns?” “Idk man but why do startouch elves do anything?”

And idk if I should set it before Aaravos is inprisoned

Cause if I do it before then he meets Aaravos while walking through Xadia

Because Aaravos hangs out with everyone and doesn’t give a shit about startouch fancyness (also humans. He’s a human fucker too)

And Lotor is intrigued “you have the literal sky on your skin? Such an intriguing speeches. I’ve never seen these constellations before? What galaxies are they from?”

So Aaravos is intrigued by him bc “I thought you were a startouch elf. I must admit I did find it strange that you have no horns but given that my own mother broke hers in half for ”“fashion”“ I assumed you did the same. My father attempted to dip his in molten gold. Oh that’s a story ”

And ong the magic systems just CRASHING

Because quintessence is pretty ominous like they never explain what exactly it does

Meanwhile tdp developed this big ass lore and have everything set up

“I have the power of the universe at my fingertips”

“Oh I didn’t know planet Earth discovered quintessence”

“Quin- no! I’m a startouch elf. ????!!!”

And technically star elves do control the universe since they are the universe

And Aaravos doesn’t care about the Galra succeeding or anything he’ll still rule the universe

And just- I love this

AND AND

Then they leave each other for a while and Aaravos gets inprisoned in the mirror and Lotor kinda moves on bc “1000 years?? ok he left me”

But wait

They meet way before Aaravos was inprisoned

Let’s go with Lotor is almost 8050? And meets Aaravos and they explore space

And Aary reruns to earth at some point

Maybe I’ll make Elarion his child or student?

He’s like “I have to go back. The plan is in motion ”(since he can see the future and all that. And like I’m headcanoning that he set up everything. The whole war and dark magic. Cause I assume elves were just looking for an excuse to kick people out and Aary saw the opportunity and started dark magic)

And teaches Elarion but something goes wrong and he ends up inprisoned

Maybe Elarion was supposed to be trapped in the mirror but she placed the blame on him and ran away. Or they discovered that Aary helped and they’re both inprisoned separately

So he doesn’t come back for a thousand years so Lotor eventually moves on

“Did we really have anything?” And waits for him to come back but you know it’s been a thousand years and he started developing feelings for Allura and then the show happens

Then he gets trapped in the quintessence rift and Aaravos finally escapes the mirror (he manipulates Viren and I’m not gonna ramble about Viravos because you already know the deal)

So idk if he does develop feelings for Viren or just manipulates him. We’ll see

AND AND Voltron makes a big deal out of time and realities

And Lotor arrives on earth through a worm hole. So he was supposed to arrive in idk the 90s but the worm hole landed him in medieval Europe

So basically he accidentally time traveled and when he went back to the universe with Aaravos- so like

>they travel through space

>Aary says “I gotta go and do my star magic plan”

>(Aary kisses him right before he leaves and that’s their first kiss and Lotor is surprised but doesn’t have time to reply. And basically [ill wait for you to come back speech] [kiss] [Aary disappears]

>Lotor leaves earth through a worm hole

>worm hole takes him to the future where VLD events happen

>he doesn’t hear from Aary since he left and when he meets Allura he decides its time to move on. Maybe he’s dead? Lotor doesn’t know and Aary has no way of contacting him

>when Lotor dies in the quintessence fiend he gets reunited with Aaravos because Aary is literally the universe and Lotor got consumed by it

#fic prompt #submission #aavaros-aaravos #This fic prompt is great @_@#omg Lotor wandering around Xadia is amazing #he would have the wackiest adventures tbh

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blogthebooklover · 5 years

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Finished watching The Dragon Prince on Netflix yesterday

And I loved every second of it!!! I love the mix of 2d backgrounds with CG characters. The character designs were incredible, especially Aaravos. I love the designs of the dragons. I think my personal favorite scene was the five kingdoms meeting, when Viren conjured up the illusions of the MoonShadow Elves and the night of the attack.

I love how two ATLA voice actors return for this series, Jack De Sena (Sokka, Prince Callum) and Erik Todd Dellums (Koh the Face Stealer, Aaravos). The rest of the voice cast are pretty new, they all sound great! However, I'm still kind of mixed on Ezran's voice. I do know that he's voiced by a child actor, and I usually let child actors slide for two very obvious, and very big reasons:

1. They're still kids

2. They're still learning

I don't know, maybe as the series progresses, Ezran will get better (same voice, not replacement). Overall, I do like his and Callum's relationship. So far, the representation has been excellent! We have, not one, but TWO mixed race characters (Callum and Ezran), a lesbian couple who were LITERAL QUEENS OF AN ENTIRE KINGDOM, a deaf woman who uses ASL and is a GENERAL OF AN ARMY, and a blind pirate; Callum is Erzan's stepbrother, King Harrow is black, Queen Sarai is of Asian descent, and two interracial couples (Harrow x Sarai, the Queens of Duren). Keep on going with the representation!

I can't wait for what season 3 has in store for everyone. I want to see more of this world. I want to know more about Xadia, and how the magic works in this world.

#the dragon prince #netflix #atla #avatar the last airbender #prince callum #prince ezran #rayla #aaravos #viren #soren #claudia #tdp claudia #tdp soren

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aaravos-afterdark · 5 years

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Distant from the Talent - Aaravos/Viren

Rating: Explicit (Smut) Fandom: The Dragon Prince; Aaravos x Viren (Viravos) ft. Harrow Word Count: 6,400

A/N: Two different versions of the same idea - Viren is a manager and Aaravos is the talent. They're not supposed to be anything more than that. // all writing account: @lokiiwood

Alternatively read on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/18441164/chapters/43685558#workskin

Version 1 - “Call Me Sir”

Inspired by the 80's AU fanart of Abigail Salier! Twitter Link 1 Twitter Link 2

Viren was early - again, much to his annoyance. He didn’t care what people thought about him, at least that’s what he told himself when he heard the rumors about him ‘not having a life’ and ‘not taking care of his kids’ as the reason he was always first to arrive and last to leave.

Hard work is never appreciated around here. He sighed and debated gathering his belongings and leaving before anyone saw him. No, he wouldn’t do that. This wasn’t college.

“Viren?”

Oh, too late. Viren quickly scattered his folders, pretending he was just rearranging and not packing it up.

“Oh! Harrow!” he said, forcing a smile. Harrow was the only person he wanted to see, but even that wasn’t enough to relax him.

Maybe because Viren still thought of their fling every time Harrow’s gentle eyes fell on him in an empty room. Viren avoided eye contact, but all he saw was Harrow’s beautiful locks falling down his trimmed chest, their rainbow beads accenting his shirtless hot pink suit. Viren couldn't understand how he still dressed as peculiarly as the youth at his age. Was it because no one would ever say anything negative to the ‘King' of Katolis Records? Viren didn't have that luxury and he certainly didn't have the guts.

“Early again I see. I’m so glad we work together,” Harrow laughed, deep and mellow, patting him roughly on the shoulder. As the new co-manager of Katolis Records but an old friend, Harrow could be as friendly as he wanted when they were alone. Viren appreciated that. But not these meetings.

“Now Harrow-”

“I know, I know. I apologize,” Harrow sighed, shaking his head as he went to set his folders at the head seat. “But this is an important one, I promise.” Harrow dropped them and grinned as he turned to face Viren again, a smirk on his face. “Hey, I even moved the morning meetings back an hour so you could drop Soren and Claudia off at school. Am I not the best boss?”

Viren sighed. He couldn’t complain. “Yes, Harrow, you’re the best boss.”

His companion laughed at that and eased down in the head chair, his large - and warm, as Viren couldn’t forget - hands smoothing over the armrests. Even when he wasn’t, Harrow always seemed like the biggest person in the room.

“As I understand it,” Viren began, “We’re headed in a ‘new direction’ despite the council's wishes." He sat down in his own seat at the opposite end of the grand, wooden table, the distance seeming to get longer each time.

“The council will change their minds after today. There are some risks involved, but with your reports from before, I think we’ll be just fine.”

“My reports?” Viren didn’t bother hiding his disbelief. It seemed everyone at K.R. was out to get him. They all used his data but they hardly acknowledged it. If Harrow blatantly used his reports to make a point for a monumental decision, Viren wasn’t sure it’d even go over well no matter how useful.

Harrow smiled and nodded, flexing his fingers as he eyed him down. Reflexively, Viren turned his gaze away.

“I want you managing again.”

“E-excuse me?” Viren scoffed, glancing behind him to make sure no one was else had entered the meeting room just yet.

“I’m quite serious. You used to be fantastic at it. Now you think you’re too high and mighty for it, but I think it’d do you some good. You’re getting too distanced from the talent and from the people.”

Viren scowled. “Oh, I see what this is about. You’re just like the rest of them.”

Harrow laughed, letting his grin speak for itself.

“My kids and I are just fine! C-Claudia even has shown an interest in producing, I’ll have you know.”

“And what of Soren?” Harrow hummed out, eyebrow raising.

“Soren is! Soren is - he's - not eating paste anymore." Viren fumbled his words but looked down his nose proudly.

“Yes, well,” Harrow said with rolled eyes, “When you have more to report to me than the activities of your nearly-adult children, such as dating or leaving your home, please do let me know so I can change my opinion.”

“...I’m not managing.��

“I certainly wouldn’t force you to.”

Harrow returned to checking over his documents with that quiet smile on his face and Viren, defeated, did the same. It wasn’t long until the room was filled in. Viren continued to pretend to be checking his binder, alone while everyone else spoke excitedly amongst themselves.

He’d be disappointed, but it was always like this.

“Alright, let’s settle down now.”

Harrow didn’t have to raise his voice to be commanded, and the council promptly sat down, eager to hear from the King.

“As you all know, Katolis Records has been on a steady decline ever since the XadiAlbums merger, doubling their territory and tripling their efficiency with producing colored records the people are eating up. We’ve been mostly keeping afloat from the goodwill of dedicated fans and our foreign investors, but the time has come to make bold decisions lest we fall entirely. The world is changing quickly, and we need these records top standard and demanded by disc jockeys everywhere.”

Murmurs and nods of agreement came from everyone except Viren, who felt a long shadow passing over him.

“Now, there have been many brilliant proposals from you all and while I do thank you, I am not firing half the staff. Whoever suggested that you're definitely the first to go."

The council laughed but quickly fell silent, shoes tapping and bodies leaning in.

“However, while we will implement many of the proposals over time, time is not our luxury. Thus, I am politely asking for volunteers to manage and take a chance on upcoming talent that I’ve gathered here.”

Viren could’ve sworn Harrow locked eyes with him, but there was no way to prove it. Gasps rang out from the council.

"Go back to managing? Will we take a pay cut?" Opeli inquired.

“No, no, there will be no pay cuts from council members who decide to manage.”

Harrow waited as they whispered amongst themselves for a few moments before he took out a slim, green neon-wrapped binder. What a monstrosity.

“Here, I have the ticket to the revival of Katolis Records. I have three fresh faces that XadiAlbums didn’t swoop up - yet. We have to make decisions and we have to make them today - within the next few hours. I won’t force any of you to manage, but I would appreciate volunteers.”

Amaya raised her hand and signed, to which Harrow shook his head. "No, sorry, I really can't extend the deadline. Alright. Here it goes.”

He pulled out a full-color picture - how much did that cost - of a woman with a thick, black afro and golden hoop earrings longer than her neck. Elarion. A rising star in the choir scene with opera training. The catch? She refused to do anything but acapella and was renouncing her religion for ‘dark magic.’ Oh boy. Viren kept quiet.

Slowly, a hand finally half-raised.

"Thank you very much, Gren." Viren rolled his eyes. Of course, Gren would volunteer first - that young man was fine with just about anything. How did someone with no self-preservation even get here?

“Alright next.”

Another woman, but very young looking, possibly a child. Ellis. Viren couldn’t place his finger on what was off about her. She wore shimmering stripes of tan and neon blue - which was odd enough - except it was also a winter coat. She was a rising star in the pop scene, completely home-grown and relatable to the people. Maybe a bit too relatable, because the catch was that she refused to perform without her pet wolf which was banned in every part of the country he could think of. Viren kept quiet.

“Amaya will do it,” Corvus announced proudly. Small claps rang out as their gazes shifted to a smiling Amaya. Yeah, she would do something deliberately dangerous.

“And last we have a peculiar case. But please, keep an open mind, as I believe it’s the most important one of them all.”

After the last duds, Viren knew for sure he was going to let Harrow down.

But as soon as Harrow produced the picture and before he could explain, Viren’s hand shot up. Everyone in the room turned to stare at him. Awkwardly, his hand began to lower, but he stared straight ahead at the photograph.

Viren didn’t even have his name yet, but he had his appearance. An elf. An elf at Katolis Records. An elf with black and yellow in his gaze and white specs on blue skin. It had to be a painting - was this a joke? Doubt plagued his mind. Oh no, did he just embarrass himself over a joke from Harrow? Words failed him.

“Why thank you, Viren. You will be managing the first elf talent ever employed at K.R. He’s a bass singer who has mastered over three hundred dances, only recently looking into being signed. We’d be extremely lucky to have him here.”

Harrow passed the photograph down the table. Hands hesitated to stare closely at the picture until it finally arrived in front of him.

“Please meet me after this - Gren, Amaya, Viren. Oh, apologies Manager Viren. Your talent’s name? It’s Aaravos.”

----

“Dad? Why are you...like that?”

Viren’s hand was quivering against his cup of coffee. God dammit. He checked the clock - definitely late.

“I-I thought it was hot chocolate,” he admitted, setting the mug down and staring into the thick, brown liquid. Heated swirls filled his nostrils and Viren wondered how he even made such a mistake.

Claudia gingerly joined him at the living room table and Viren looked up only to cringe.

“What the hell are you wearing?”

She grinned. "You don't like my shoulder pads?"

“I don’t like that you’ve torn up those jeans I bought you for your birthday. Did you hate them?”

“No, I love them!” she gasped, frowning before smiling again. “That’s why I made them trendy.”

Viren didn’t have time for this nonsense. But he was wide-awake despite his body’s wishes so he sat there, grumpy.

“Why are you up, Claudia?”

“Soren’s coughing woke me up again.”

Again?

“What...what’s wrong with Soren?” Guilt filled his heart. He thought it was rather quiet around here recently, but he enjoyed it instead of questioning it.

Claudia shrugged, looking towards the stairs that led up to their bedroom. "I think it's a cold. Usually, it only lasts a day for a tank like him, but it’s been three days now and doesn’t seem to be getting better.”

Viren swallowed. He didn’t know colds came and went for Soren. Right now, Claudia was being a better father than he was.

“I-I can’t sleep, so I’m going to the 24-hour pharmacy to get some medicine. So you can sleep in my room, alright?"

“What? Really?” Excitement made Claudia jump up, but then she paused. “Wait, well, how long are you going to be out?”

“Not too long. But don’t wait up for me. Get some rest.”

“Thank you, dad!"

Claudia hugged his sitting form tightly and Viren grimaced as her shoulder pad pressed hard into him.

“Ow…”

“Oops! Sorry! Yeah, goodnight.”

With a pep in her step, she hopped up the stairs. It was just a waterbed, why did his kids always get so excited?

Viren threw his jacket on and snatched the keys from where they hung on the wall before heading out. Oh, he was definitely getting old. The chill of the night air jabbed into his bones much harsher than what he remembered. He hurried to his car, cranking it on and shivering while he waited for the heat to disperse.

What an exhausting week. Ever since he raised his hand to manage that damn elf, his day-to-day had been chaotic. Was he cursed? Was it self-inflicted? Maybe he deserved it, although he couldn’t pinpoint which regret was his downfall. Just thinking of work always circled back to the same thought. The cassette Harrow gave him of Aaravos’ clips haunted him. He felt like it was pornographic with the way he moved his hips, stared directly into the camera, and the number of clothes he didn’t wear. The only thing Viren didn’t have was his singing, which Aaravos would demonstrate tomorrow. They told him that voice could melt a license plate, but what did that even mean? The thoughts always went back to those hips, the barely visible sweat dripping down his toned abs and into his tight pants...

Ugh, it smelled like a gym in here. Viren checked the seat behind him to see Soren's clothes. Yeah, he figured.

With a sigh and a bittersweet smile, he began his long trek to the pharmacy. It wasn’t his favorite one, but it was conveniently open at times like this. The blistering neon lights of clubs and bars that shone through his windows made him shake his head. There were more than before. At this rate, the peace of his neighborhood would shatter under the hypnotic weight of dancing bodies.

Warily, Viren pulled into the parking lot and waited. Was it even safe anymore to just waltz around? He was getting old and he definitely didn’t like to fight. The car beside him was huge with tinted windows - its purple exterior off-set by ‘jewels’ of bedazzled white sprinkled around. How tacky. Its lights were on - more gold than white - and shimmered elegantly in the huge rims of the tires.

Well, whatever. Viren exited and locked the car, fast-walking with his back straight and head high when he entered through the doors. The pharmacy floors were littered gruesomely. What in the world? He couldn’t buy anything for his child from such an establishment!

He glared as he began to walk toward the register to complain, but stopped when saw there was no one behind the counter. Three children - er, young adults - were spraying themselves with glitter and crazy straw and Viren had a suspicion they were the reason the store was in such disarray.

He shouldn’t get involved. No, he shouldn’t, but -

“What exactly are you all doing? Can’t you see you’re making a mess?”

Their laughter quieted to giggles as they sized him up. Viren gritted his teeth and went about his business. He didn’t want to buy from such a place on principle, but Soren came first in the end. Where in the world were the employees? Hearing the door chime, he peeked his head around the corner to see the three people had left. Good. Viren tiptoed over the garbage on the floor as he approached the ‘cold’ aisle, fumbling with the thrown around packages as he desperately searched for anything resembling liquid or chewables.

But it was still quiet. Viren paused his search to check the counter. No one.

He finally found what he needed. Something called ‘Groovy Kids Grape’ had a smiley face on it - perfect for his boy. Soren liked grapes, right? He’d stopped eating them after he accidentally swallowed one whole, but surely he was over that by now.

Viren hurried to the counter, but there was still...no one. He glanced around - no cameras either. He couldn’t wait here forever, he needed to at least attempt to sleep for tomorrow. It was the big day, his ‘talent’ was finally coming and a poor first impression would not be ideal. Viren cursed under his breath.

“Hello? I would like to check out, please.”

He waited for a moment. Nothing.

With a sigh, Viren bit his lip and took out his wallet. Damn, not a lot of cash. It wouldn’t cover the full box. Checking around him one last time, he threw down the quarter and rushed to the exit, straightening his back to leave with dignity. He wasn’t stealing, not really. The shop wouldn’t close over missing a few dimes, they had far bigger problems on their hands than that.

He froze as soon as he exited. Silly straw and glitter mussed the hood of his car. Rage quickly disintegrated into sad resignation. Sigh. Of course, they wouldn't simply leave. When had things gone right in his life to expect something simple like that?

“Car troubles?”

Viren jumped. A deep voice.

“W-who?”

His mouth fell open as he stared into the impossible. The other was there, but he wasn’t. An already dark figure hidden in the pharmacy wall’s shadows smiled down at him. He had to exist, Viren saw his outline - but he felt nothing, as one might a photograph of someone they know. Viren couldn’t even see his full eyes, only the glint of soft yellow that widened for just a moment. Did he know him?

He couldn’t go to jail over Groovy Kids Grape. Did people actually go to prison for petty theft? What would Harrow think? Claudia? Maybe the person didn’t know about the cold medicine, maybe he did just witness the vandalism.

Viren steeled his nerves. "Ahem, yes. It appears I've been vandalized. But it should come off easily."

The person said nothing, pupils eyeing him up and down like a piece of meat. Uncomfortable, Viren began to head for the driver’s seat.

“You are Viren, aren’t you?”

Damn.

He turned to him and squinted. “Yes, I am.”

The shapes of his pupils narrowed. Viren couldn’t see his mouth, but he knew he was smiling. A cold sweat broke out down his back.

They finally removed themselves from their hiding spot and Viren gasped.

“A-ara-you! Aaravos?”

Longer than the shadows suggested, the elf stood tall before him, dressed in subdued colors he never thought he’d catch him wearing. Where were his headbands? His animal prints? The Aaravos before him was nothing like he envisioned, dressed in a plain navy suit that resembled one of his own. The only thing decorative were the pink and yellow feather earrings he wore in one ear. But he still twinkled everywhere his skin was exposed - his neck, his hands, his collarbones, his face.

“I-it’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” Viren stuffed the box under his armpit and extended his hand to formally shake.

Aaravos didn’t take it, eyeing the medicine.

“They told me you’d keep me ‘in line.’ But what will they think if they know you’re a petty thief?”

And there went his reputation.

Viren didn’t know what to say, flabbergasted by the turn of events. But Aaravos laughed and finally took his hand, shaking it warmly and not letting go. “I’m joking. That employee ran out an hour ago. But…”

“B-but?”

“But I still might tell. I’m not very good at keeping secrets or lying.”

Viren exhaled, trying to maintain control. “I left money.”

“Mm, so you say…”

Aaravos tilted his gorgeous head. “I couldn’t possibly ask for a better first meeting. This is far more comfortable for me. Come, let’s sit in my car.”

He glanced towards the tacky purple truck of a car and Viren scoffed. Right…

“It’s late.”

“I know,” he smiled. “We won’t be long.”

“F-fine...if it won’t be long.”

Viren rescinded his hand and opened his own car, throwing in the medicine before locking it back and following Aaravos to the back doors of his vehicle. Aaravos opened it for him and Viren blinked twice to clear his vision. Colorful mood lights glittered around the ceiling and the plush, red velvet cushions reminded him of a love motel.

Biting back a snarky comment, Viren hopped into the car and Aaravos followed, closing the door behind them and then locking them all.

“So...I-I don’t have any of the documents on me, but I’ll go ahead and introduce myself properly.”

Aaravos laughed and shook his head. “No need for that.”

“Er, then…?” Why was he here?

“I saw your picture and read all about you,” Aaravos explained. “I’m very honored you volunteered to manage me.”

Viren hoped the lights would flush out the heat he knew was crawling on his face. “Oh - er - someone told you that. Yes, well, I-I just thought maybe I was getting a little too detached from the talent...and the people.”

“Oh. Is that the only reason?”

Viren tugged at his jacket sleeve, acutely aware that his knees were brushing Aaravos’. It sure was starting to feel cramped in here. In the close proximity, Viren could see the detail of Aaravos’ glowing freckles and his deep voice rattled him with even the softest of responses.

Talent had only scared him in his early industry years, nowadays it just felt like they were all unruly children who gathered other poorly behaved children around them. The sense of being ‘starstruck’ faded with age, but Aaravos was nothing like them. Viren felt rooted to the spot and unable to pull his eyes away - like how a teenager might in the presence of their idol.

But idols didn’t look like this and especially not naturally.

“Manager Viren?”

“Oh! Sorry, I’m a little tired and distracted tonight.” Not a complete lie.

“It is a sudden meeting. I apologize.”

“Yes, well, what are you doing out so late? If you don’t mind me asking. I’m sure you’re new to the area.” And in this part of town. Viren could already see the trouble Aaravos was going to be if he liked to be in sketchy places at all times of the night. Bodyguards for stars were becoming normal around here.

“Hmm...I just had a feeling.”

“A feeling?”

Aaravos pointed at his freckles as if that was a proper response. Was this an elf thing?

“Sorry, I’m not sure I understand.”

“Oh…” Aaravos sounded disappointed, but an amused smile stayed on his face.

“Well, I also heard you’re close to Mr. Harrow.”

“We’re longtime friends. Um - does anything you know about me have to do with my experience?”

Aaravos laughed. “In a way.”

So Aaravos was a serial not-question-answerer. Viren would have to jot that down.

“How close exactly?”

Viren nearly bit his tongue trying to keep a straight face. “We’ve been friends since high school. Very, very far back.”

Aaravos hummed and checked out the window before facing him again. “Just friends? I heard otherwise.”

“J-just...friends,” he lied.

“So it’s true that you’re single with two kids?”

“Harrow also has two kids and a very lovely wife.”

Aaravos stretched his shoulders in the small space as he eyed Viren.

“Well, how about you, Mr. Aaravos?”

These were not the questions he wanted to ever ask or answer, but he may as well take the pressure off himself.

“I’ve been single and lonely a very long time,” he nearly whispered.

Viren gulped as his eyes fell for just a moment to Aaravos’ pouting lips. Why in the world would he think his new talent was flirting with him? But the idea was there and it sent his heart pounding. He needed to get out of here and reassess his values.

“Is it alright if I call you Viren?”

The words were cruel. They tasted his ear, smokey and deafening. Viren would’ve said no in any other situation.

“Yes, that’s...fine.”

Aaravos leaned in and Viren pretended not to notice. “Well, you did say short...we’ll have lots of time to talk soon.”

“Viren, wait…”

The almost begging tone in his voice was manipulative. Viren’s hands balled into fists. Maybe Aaravos wasn’t so different from the other talents after all - they thought because they were gorgeous or could sing and dance that everyone would do what they wanted.

“I really must be going soon. It’s very late, Aaravos.”

“Okay,” Aaravos sighed. “But before you go, how about a goodnight kiss?”

“Funny. Goodn-”

“Oh, it wasn’t a joke.”

Viren’s teeth clamped against his lip and he hissed. “Ah! Damn, ouch…”

“Oh, it’s bleeding,” Aaravos frowned.

“It’s fine, when I get home-”

Aaravos’ hands flattened under his chin and drew Viren in for a chaste and sweet kiss.

“I-what-”

“I fixed it.”

Viren quickly touched his lip to find it was healed, if not better than it was before.

“How did you…?”

Aaravos grinned. “It’s a secret.”

Right. He was just healing him - somehow. It wasn’t a real kiss. Viren nodded slowly. Now it was really time to go.

“I can fix more than lips,” Aaravos suggested.

“What?”

"Yes...I can show you if you want. I have a special interest in humans."

He should go. He should say no. But Aaravos wanted him here - someone was giving him his full attention, potentially flirting with him, and looked like this.

But Viren was his manager and he wasn’t a young man anymore. Everything happening had the start of a hook-up. Hooking up with an elf, not unheard of but uncommon. No. Viren was entertaining thoughts he never had before. But his curiosity kept him in place.

“Special...interest?”

“Yes, would you like to see?”

Viren licked his lips involuntarily. When he spoke, his voice was hoarse and unsure. “Yes.”

Aaravos smiled wider. His arms reached all the way around Viren, resting on his hips and pulling him closer with a strength that didn't fit his toned body.

“What are you going to do?” he said weakly.

But Viren knew. He knew from the hungry look in Aaravos eyes and the sensual way he gripped him, hands slipping under his jacket and shirt to charm skin, and how his leg moved to rest on top and trap his own.

Viren wanted this, and the admittance hurt his chest.

“Kiss you.”

Aaravos nibbled Viren’s pout before pressing a long kiss to his mouth. His arms trembled at his side, unsure what to do as Aaravos’ soft lips consumed him even though they were slow and thoughtful. They were lover’s lips, completely unexpected and flooding Viren’s mind with promise. It wasn’t a hook-up. He wasn’t doing this. Aaravos wasn’t his talent. He was getting medicine for his child and Aaravos was just showing him something - who was he to judge elves? Right?

“You taste so good,” Aaravos moaned low into his mouth, making Viren gasp. The sensation of his deep voice vibration was only beaten by the feel of his long tongue taking the opportunity to slip over his teeth and explore his mouth.

Did he taste...good? Could he still be an object of someone's desire? Was he being set up?

His arms finally reached to press into Aaravos’ chest.

“Wait…” Aaravos slowed and removed his mouth, smiling so sweetly down at him that he almost felt bad for stopping.

“Yes, Viren?”

“I can’t - we shouldn’t - um, it’s not appropriate.”

“Is it appropriate if I want it?”

“Want...it?”

“What if I want you?” Aaravos pressed a kiss to the side of Viren’s mouth and waited patiently, his hands now hot against his bare skin and gently scratching. He almost felt safe here, despite only meeting him minutes ago. Was he under a spell? But it felt so right…

When he didn’t answer, Aaravos leaned forward again to lick across his mouth and continued down, peppering dry and warm kisses to his throat that were achingly smooth. Viren grunted, his hands gripping Aaravos’ suit to steady himself, but he couldn’t move away. He even leaned in. Aaravos’ touches were so comforting, so patient. He didn’t remember the last time someone touched him like this - it was an experience that only came after years of being with someone. But Aaravos gave it all immediately.

It wasn't until the third button down did Viren even realize Aaravos was undressing him. His jacket was neatly placed over the front seat and Aaravos's nimble fingers worked down his button-up. He did it like it was Viren's first time being intimate, careful and loving. Aaravos kissed every newly exposed spot of skin, down, down, down…

Viren huffed, watching what felt like his wedding day lover kiss at his belly button right before the final button was unclasped. Aaravos didn’t care that his skin was wrinkling or that he was developing a belly, it even seemed to entice him. Aaravos purred into his skin, biting playfully before looking back up into his eyes.

“Do you have any requests?” he asked after a moment of silence passed between them.

Viren’s throat was dry. He didn’t know. He wanted everything and nothing. Wasn’t he supposed to be leaving?

“Not...i-in particular…”

Aaravos smiled and continued his work, unzipping his pants while they continued to lock gazes.

“Come on, Viren,” he drawled, his tongue caressing his name, “Help me get you out of your clothes.”

Viren was throbbing. Every word Aaravos uttered snatched him deeper underwater. He only vaguely remembered something about medicine, and his sinking head told him the windows were indeed tinted - that this was alright. His hands moved slowly in the oceanic depths of Aaravos’ control, lifting up and tugging down his pants. Aaravos latched onto him, mouth open.

“Ah!”

He sucked his tip through the fabric and bit by bit, the moisture from his mouth wet through. Was Aaravos really going to...for him? Viren’s arms scrambled to grab onto the cushions around him as he watched the elf nuzzle him, his horns seeming to glow under the drooping lights as he bent his head forward.

Aaravos growled low before his fingers tugged down Viren’s underwear, finally exposing the member he caused to be so embarrassingly beading and eager.

Aaravos laughed, his tongue dangerously close. “You seem like you do have ideas. Tell me.”

His dick twitched. Damn - god - where was his pride?

“I-I’m fine with...what you…” Viren couldn’t finish his sentence and Aaravos tilted his head, the very edge of his lips ghosting his aching cock.

“Hm? Go on. Tell me, Viren. How may I serve you? You’re in charge.”

Viren tried to calm his breathing. He was in charge, that’s what Aaravos said. But he sure didn’t feel in charge. Trying to shake back the sense of authority he furiously clung to every day, Viren sat up a little straighter.

“I-I want you to suck it.”

He felt absolutely ridiculous, but his practiced straight face came through.

“Yes, of course.”

Aaravos’ tongue lapped at the leaking tip. It was longer than any humans, wrapping around the edges of his head and swirling at its entrance. Viren’s knuckles went white as his hands strained to hold onto the cushions. Alright, no one had ever done that.

Satisfied he’d wiped away all the precum, Aaravos adjusted himself and his tongue squeezed around the head. Viren gasped, then again as Aaravos began to swallow him down. The tongue remained pressuring where it was as Aaravos bobbed up and down. One of Viren’s legs involuntarily kicked near Aaravos and he met his eyes, a twinkle in them.

Aaravos’ two arms wrapped around his legs, harshly tugging Viren completely on his back and pushing them apart. Viren couldn’t move in his hold, but he didn’t want to. Control, Aaravos said. What control? Aaravos sped up his bobs, drool leaking from his mouth and pooling at the base of Viren’s cock. Viren’s eyes threatened to flutter close as he lost himself to the sensation, but he quickly remembered his pride and reached his hands forward. He didn’t know much about elf biology - would it hurt?

Testing, his hands fell on Aaravos’ horns and Aaravos responded only by going faster. He was going to milk him out at this rate. But he wanted it - Viren wanted to cum down his gorgeous face's throat, he wanted Aaravos to gag on him. With the admittance, he got bolder. Viren tugged on his horns and got just what he wanted. Aaravos gagged on his cock but didn't slow down, moaning each time Viren pulled and pushed, taking control.

It affected him more than he thought it would.

“W-wait, stop. Stop.”

He pushed Aaravos back, who promptly released him and gasped for air, a pleased smile on his face and wet around his mouth.

“Yes?” he rasped, excitement coating his voice.

“I was close,” he admitted. Of course he wasn’t going to actually cum down this throat. He was a classy man.

"Even more curious why you stopped, then."

“I-it’s...alright?” he asked, incredulous.

“I have a much better idea. Why not take me?”

One of Aaravos’ fingers led Viren’s eyes down his chest and to his crotch.

“An...al?”

Viren’s head was fuzzy again. Images of him bending the taller elf over, seeing if his stars flourished across even his most intimate areas, were making him sweat. They were perverted thoughts he’d thought of only once and briefly when he first saw a picture of him. But Aaravos was here, requesting it.

Aaravos shuffled and bent over between the front seat chairs, reaching into his glove box to pull out two items. Viren’s breath hitched and he timidly took them. A condom and lube.

He’d already gone this far.

“Stay there,” he demanded.

Aaravos froze but obeyed. Viren hurriedly pulled down Aaravos' pants to his ankles and slipped on the condom. Oh, tight. He’d forgotten how tight they were. He poured some of the lube over himself and then pulled down Aaravos’ studded, cheetah boxer briefs. Of course, there was the animal print. He dismissed the thought as soon as it came as his finger traced down the curves of Aaravos’ ass. Not a wrinkle in sight, only stars that all lead to the same hole. Viren’s lubed fingers worked at his asshole, coaxing him open and finding Aaravos was already well-prepared. He stretched easily, meaning Viren didn’t need to wait.

Trying not to appear as eager as he felt, he brushed up against Aaravos, his fingertips outlining the shape of his back before going under his chest to fondle his nipples. Control. He was in control.

Aaravos’ hum of pleasure shot heat down Viren’s body once again. He pressed against him as he lined himself up, slowly pushing in and listening for his reaction. Aaravos did nothing, surrendering himself. It boosted Viren’s confidence. This was easy - he could top. He wanted to top.

Another small push and Aaravos groaned loudly. Damn, he was so tight. Was Aaravos doing it on purpose? Viren wheezed and pushed again, but this time Aaravos pushed back to sink him all the way in.

No. No. He was in control.

Telling himself not to cum, he focused on a steady rhythm, pinching Aaravos’ nipples and watching how his head moved up and down, side to side, unsure where to look to prevent the pleasure. Viren left one nipple to tug a horn back, forcing Aaravos to look up. Aaravos laughed and moaned all at once, still somehow looking so dignified in his suit as Viren pumped into his tight ass.

Viren refused to complain about it, it felt too good.

“Viren…” Aaravos gasped, leaning his head back into his grip.

God in heaven. He almost came from it alone.

The hand still on Aaravos' nipple left to caress the tip of his cock. He couldn't see properly but even so, he could tell how much bigger it was than his. But it was also slathered in precum just as his had, and Viren used it to pump him best he could.

Aaravos got louder with the addition and Viren pounded into his ass. He wasn’t going to be able to last. The more noises Aaravos made, the less he felt himself holding on.

“Please, Viren…” Aaravos sighed.

Relief washed over him. Thank goodness. Viren continued pumping Aaravos’ cock as he came. It felt like years’ worth of buildup shooting out of him - almost uncomfortably. His light moans were drowned by Aaravos’ deeper ones as the elf’s cum pooled in his hand. They both filled the car with gasping voices and ecstasy, trying to come down from a high.

Aaravos reached into the glove box again, taking out a tissue and handing it to Viren.

He couldn’t even manage to thank him, but wiped off the cum and moved out of the way for Aaravos to sit down next to him. Aaravos took out a small garbage bag hidden under the seats and they both discarded their...evidence.

Viren’s cock was still half-hard as he tried to puzzle together what he was supposed to do now. It was the best sex he ever had. And that was an awful thought. The best sex he ever had was a stranger’s one-night stand, off-limits, but going to constantly be at his side. Damn it all.

He almost jumped when Aaravos’ head leaned against his.

“Aaravos…?”

“Yes?”

“It’s...late.”

Aaravos hummed, pulling his head away. Viren turned to look at him, but Aaravos lips were there. He delicately stole a kiss that certainly didn’t feel like a goodbye.

“Alright. Then I’ll see you tomorrow,” he smiled.

Viren's heart was beating wildly as it had at the beginning of this. There was something about the way Aaravos touched him that sent him craving. But this was a hook-up. It couldn’t happen again and Viren hoped Aaravos knew that.

They both quickly dressed and Aaravos fixed Viren’s hair, smoothing the top of his head and his beard down. He exited the way he came, the door opened by Aaravos, looking as polite and professional as ever.

“Goodnight, Viren.”

“Goodnight, Aaravos.”

Viren got into his own car and looked at Aaravos’. But like he already knew, he couldn’t see inside. The windows were tinted. Disappointment fell over his face before remembering that Aaravos could very well be watching him. He quickly turned away and cursed this whole night.

He needed to get home and sleep, but he felt more awake than ever. Damn. In fact, his whole body felt rejuvenated. That pain he felt often in his leg was gone, too. Did Aaravos actually heal him somehow? He surely wouldn't go through all of that just to help him? What did this mean to him? Viren nearly hit his horn. It was just a hookup, Viren, get it together. He scoffed.

It was just a hookup, Aaravos didn’t really care about him. It might’ve all been a sick game, to conquer someone he knew he shouldn’t.

So it didn't matter. It was a one-time thing.

It was just a meaningless hookup, he thought to himself as sorrow ached in his bones. It was just a dumb, stupid hook up and tomorrow, he'd been an undesired member of the council again who couldn't touch or kiss Aaravos. He'd do his best to prove what Harrow said he was – distant from the talent.

Alternatively read on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/18441164/chapters/43685558#workskin

Version 1 - “Call Me Sir”

#tdp #the dragon prince #citrus scale #tdp aaravos #aaravos #tdp viren #viravos #fanfiction #aaravos-afterdark #the show goes on #distant from the talent #mine #viren

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neuxue · 4 years

Text

Dear Yuletide Author

Thanks for writing for me! I’ve probably written too much here, so...when in doubt, write the story you want to write, and I'm sure I'll enjoy it! The below are more guidelines than actual rules.

GENERAL

Likes:

Fictional characters in pain (physical, mental, other).

Complicated dynamics between characters (friends, enemies, strangers, all of the above, other). Bonus points for enemies-to-friends/friends-to-enemies/enemies-to-lovers/any movement on the friendship-ally-enmity axis, really.

Betrayals, pseudo-betrayals, etc (see above about complicated dynamics). Bonus points for betrayals made out of necessity. Double bonus points if the betrayed doesn’t know it’s necessary.

Villain-by-necessity or antagonist-by-necessity.

Exploration of power (individual, interpersonal, or both. Again, can be as dark as you want, if you are so inclined.)

Ambiguity, in pretty much all its forms.

Dark fic. You don't have to, but you absolutely 100% can. This is a blank cheque on content warnings, up to and including the major archive warnings.

Plot! You absolutely do not have to write a complex plot, but if that's your thing...go wild. Political machinations or detailed worldbuilding or some absurdly complicated scheme or that sequel you wish were written.

Fic formats I am very happy with, if they’re your thing: fic-as-character-study, theme-and-variation (so 5 times fics are 100% cool with me), or unconventional fic formats of any kind! But more conventional or linear formats are also A+. This is another ‘blanket permission to do whatever you want’

Dislikes/DNW:

Explicit sex, unless it’s absolutely essential to the story (if it IS absolutely essential: fade-to-black is fine, lightly explicit but not quite porn is usually fine. If I’m going to read sex I’d actually prefer it to be a bit darker in some way - definitely doesn’t have to be related to consent, though it certainly can, but I’d prefer there to be some tension/pain/angst/tragedy/betrayal/darkness/power dynamics to it.y)

Romance as the central focus of the story (partial exceptions include enemies-to-lovers or ‘complicated character dynamics’).

Children (child characters or characters having children).

Alternate setting AUs (like Hogwarts AU or Modern AU or A/B/O, etc. AU that alters canon events - eg ‘X doesn’t die’ or ‘Y happens differently’ is completely fine).

Fluff (humour is fine; sweetness is fine in moderation).

FANDOM-SPECIFIC

His Dark Materials - Marisa Coulter, Lord Asriel

HDM was very much a Formative Fantasy Series for me, and these two were defintely my uh...Formative Fucked-Up Pairing. Enemies, lovers, partners in damnation: they have it all, and they move fluidly between all of those. Individually, they’re some of my favourite characters in the genre: forces to be reckoned with, powerful and capable and driven, terrifying, and somehow still human.

Together, their dynamic is…everything I want in a story. It’s a mess, but it’s a devastatingly beautiful and functionally destructive mess that has the capacity to take down heaven and earth.I love their complexity, both individually and together, and I just want more of it.

“I wanted you to come with me, and I thought you would prefer a lie” has always been my favourite line for these two, if that helps. But really anything about their fucked-up contradictory mess of a series of betrayals and antagonistic workings that somehow form a relationship.

Feel free to include any other characters (nominated or otherwise) you see fit, but I would prefer the focus to be on these two (though if you think an outsider viewpoint, for instance, is the best way to do that, I have no complaints).

As a point of clarification, because romance is loosely on my DNW list: There’s definitely an aspect of Marisa/Asriel that could be called romance, and I have no objections to you exploring that in the context of the rest of their clusterfuck of a dynamic (but it’s the clusterfuck I love the most).

The Baru Cormorant / Masquerade Series - Svirakir

I have this bad habit of loving minor characters, but was rather delighted to see Apparitor not only get some screen time but even get a name in the second book. So I just want...more about him. He was hardly in the first book but was very present on the sidelines, once you know what to look for: what was he up to? What does that look like from his side of things? What did he think of Baru then? What’s his origin story, from his perspective, beyond the brief pieces of it we hear? What other tasks has he carried out in his role as Apparitor? Where has he travelled? Where does he want to go? What’s his great secret, his true aim? What was his first mission, or what would his version of a book-one-esque beginning look like?

Any of the above, none of the above...I’m being frustratingly nonspecific here, but I really will be happy with mostly anything. He’s a good candidate for fic-as-character-study, if that’s your thing. Or if you’re a plotty sort and want to write him and the others carrying out some absurd heist, I’d be 100% here for it. Or if, like me, you enjoy some good old-fashioned whump and just want to rough him up a bit...yeah, he’s the sort whom suffering looks good on.

Really, knock yourself out. Include any and all other characters from the series as you see fit, or don’t.

The Dragon Prince - Aaravos, Runaan

I feel like I should maybe apologise for this one, especially because it’s a children’s show and yet my immediate thought on this one is ‘if dark is your thing, go dark here’. If dark isn’t your thing that’s absolutely fine, of course, but if it is...yeah. Have fun. Go wild.

I’m happy to read either of these characters individually, if featuring both of them doesn’t work with what you come up with, but if you do feel like including both, that would be excellent. Maybe they meet somehow -- do the coins and the mirror lead to the same place, and they’re both trapped and meet as uneasy allies? Or as enemies? Or as friends? Or perhaps they’re both trapped and completely separate and never actually meet but their experiences run either parallel or opposite. How did they each get to where they are? What happens to those who are shut away from the real world? Any or none of the above, really.

I’m just super curious to see what is even happening with either or both of these two. Trapped and powerful and mirrored and mysterious...it’s a whole lot, for me, however you decide to slice it, and the world that’s been built is still an open playing field, so have fun!

If it helps, my favourite moments of these two individually are:

Aaravos - when he responds, in that voice of his, to Viren asking ‘why should I trust you’ with ‘You shouldn’t. Yet.’

Runaan - that first shot we see of him chained to a wall.

I know. I’m sorry.

Oh, also, I know Season 3 is meant to come out before Yuletide fics are due; include or ignore any content from that as you wish.

Machineries of Empire - Vauhan Mikodez

This whole series is really just designed to ruin me, full as it is of characters who are all My Type in different ways.

So first of all, feel free to include any other characters from the series you see fit. Personal favourite candidates include Kujen, Jedao (either version but mostly the first), Cheris, Istradez, Zehun, any of the other Hexarchs/Heptarchs including Faian, any of Kujen’s anchors...the list continues.

Mikodez is fascinating to me because of the contrast in...not quite how he presents himself versus who he actually is, but in how he fully embodies the persona his role demands -- the murdering, amoral, ruthless, scheming, pragmatic Shuos Hexarch -- and yet also manages to be one of the more morally grounded characters in the series. He just doesn’t let anyone (often including himself) see that. So he ends up perceived as having taken a similar path to, say Kujen in terms of murdering his own conscience, stifling his ability to feel pain or empathy in order to become what he must, but he hasn’t. He just follows that path as far as making it clear, to himself and everyone else, that those feelings are a privilege the Shuos Hexarch cannot afford; but he feels them anyway, as himself, and it’s just a whole Problem for me.

And so the way he interacts with other characters, especially those like Jedao and Kujen, is rather fascinating to me. But so is his relationship with Istradez, because again, based on how he presents himself, you wouldn’t really expect Mikodez to be generous and understanding, but he so very much is.

Mikodez is another great option for fic-as-character-study if you want to go that route, or just go all-out and throw him in way over his head, or let him watch from the shadows, the longest-serving Shuos Hexarch, as everything else plays out. Apologies for not really giving much in the way of prompts here, but I’m pretty much game for anything, and I’m super curious to see what you might come up with.

Sunshine - Robin McKinley (any - Charlie, Rae, Onyx, Con, Mel, Rae’s grandmother)

Knock yourself out. Go wild. Pick any one of the 189237 loose ends this book left and run with it.

Who the hell even was (is?) Onyx Blaise? Actually, if you feel up to it, anything involving Onyx and his mother (Rae’s grandmother) would be fascinating to me. Or, throw Mel and Con and Rae together in some mess they have to work together to solve. Or just give me Mel’s backstory. Or Con’s. Did Con and Onyx meet, and what was that like? What does Rae’s life look like after the book ends?

If you have an idea for this world, for any or all of these characters, write that. I will read anything, because there’s just so much there to play with.

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