#WELL. my ~siblings~ get the reins and here's how they start out: | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

inoreuct · 4 months

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horse girl zoro/prince sanji au that @redgitanako and i talked about way back when because it suddenly crossed my mind OKAY HERE WE GO

zoro’s a travelling bounty hunter with three horses. yes, three. don’t tell kitetsu and enma but wado’s his favourite

wado was kuina’s horse; when kuina died she was so sad because she didn’t get why kuina was gone and for a while zoro had to emotionally support a horse AND himself, but horses are smart creatures. wado understood by herself after a while. they don’t really talk about it.

on that note, zoro talks to his horses. people look at him like he’s a few crayons short of the whole pack but they don’t say anything because he looks scary as hell; built like a brick wall, one eye gone, gnarly scar across his chest and all

(they’ll never know that he’s having an argument with enma about buying supplies where one party is contributing in possibly-misinterpreted horse looks. the crayons aren’t missing— but it’s admittedly a little hard to prove they’re there, zoro, we can’t keep defending you like this)

sanji's the third prince of the kingdom that hires him; sora’s the queen, and his siblings are all decent other than regular sibling assholery. judge is on the run and they’ve made the collective decision that they want his head on a stick.

zoro expects sanji to be a stuck-up priss because he LOOKS like a stuck-up priss— look at his perfect hair. his clothes. his heeled boots and his stupid curly eyebrows

but NO. well, yes, sanji IS a little bit of a stuck-up priss but also, he’s good with horses?? wado takes to him like a DREAM and zoro's flabbergasted because anybody who has ever tried to coddle her other than zoro or kuina has gotten kicked in the head, but sanji's petting at her neck and cooing at her in baby-talk and she's licking sugar cubes and apple slices out of his palm. zoro feels so betrayed.

like of COURSE his horse had to take a liking to the boy he hates OF ALL PEOPLE.

(zoro. at this moment the horse is smarter than you. listen to her.)

reiju’s the princess here, but sanji’s the one who got all the magic-esque affinities. animals LOVE him. he would be a literal disney princess if not for the fact that he doesn’t love them back

like SQUIRREL. WHY ARE YOU SHITTING ALL OVER MY YARD. GO AWAY. WHY IS A DOG TRYING TO LICK MY HAIR. WHYYY IS THIS BIRD BRINGING ME STICKS ALL THE TIME. he’s trying to fall asleep. he hears a TSKTSKTSKTSKTSKTSKTSK. he sits up and gets right out of bed and starts yelling at the lizard on the ceiling.

he does have a pretty mare called maple, though! (and zoro can’t help but love her too; it’s a sign that the mosshead doesn’t clock until much, much later)

and then zoro comes into his life with his three horses and sanji yanks him in by the collar like "listen up, swordsman. i do not CARE how sweet your horses are. i do not CARE how— how— WHATEVER you are. if you stink up my stable i will make you sleep in it, are we clear?" and zoro just nods because he’s having a bit of a gay crisis

sanji is 1. pretty 2. entirely able to hold his own and 3. Wado Approved™ and zoro does NOT know how to deal. at all. he’s holding onto wado’s reins for dear life. he wonders if the same ultimatum would apply if he swapped out the word stable for bed and immediately wants to dunk himself into the horse trough.

meanwhile sanji isn’t spared at all. sora sits on her throne, one eyebrow raised as her son goes on and on about how "mother i hate the swordsman you hired. he's green. and ugly. like a troll. like an OGRE. his hands are too big. his boots are too shiny. his earrings are cute but only because i want them. his EVERYTHING smells like horse. he might as well be a horse with how strong he is, did you know how many hay bales he carried at once??" and she’s just like,,, "honey are you sure this is hate"

she certainly wouldn’t mind them being together. zoro is rough around the edges and does smell a bit like horse, admittedly, but he was clearly raised right— he’s respectful in his own gruff way and he does things with immense care. sora’s noticed. she knows her son well enough to know that he’s noticed, too.

one day sanji bumps into zoro on his way out of the baths and wow. okay. so he doesn’t smell like horse ALL the time and oh his hair is damp and there's a towel around his waist and he is very, very shirtless and sanji turns around in a panic and walks face-first into a pillar.

he watches zoro care for his horses, carefully brushing through their manes and coats as he speaks to them softly, and alright. maybe this guy isn’t all bad. animals, sanji has noticed, are brilliant judges of character; horses especially can be testy and temperamental, and they don’t hesitate to kick anybody they don’t like.

zoro’s horses love him, and it’s obvious. maple looks forward to the snacks he slips her when he thinks that nobody’s looking. that says a lot more about his character than anything else.

after a few days zoro has a solid plan down and sets out to find judge, and suddenly the stables are empty. sanji finds himself going out with maple more and more, exploring the woods around their forest to pass the time because he needs something to keep his mind occupied and there’s only so much he can cook. judge might be a piece of shit, but he’s also an evil genius, and sanji refuses to admit he’s worried even though he is.

and then zoro comes back with judge’s war helmet wrapped in a cloth, gore dripping off the bottom edge as he sets it at sora’s feet.

he’s a little banged up, tired as hell with a couple of scratches here and there— nothing serious, but sanji still drags him to the infirmary and cleans him up perhaps a little more emotionally than either of them had expected

he passes out for a good few days afterwards but sora invites him to stay for a little longer, a time frame that nobody specifies. zoro just kind of… doesn’t leave. it’s strange for him; he’s wandered, always. he gets antsy staying in one place for too long, but this blond prince that is strangely kind and gives back as good as he gets is really something else.

the days pass. they race and bicker and soon enough, all three of zoro’s horses have brass name plaques tacked above what are now their stalls. he had a room in the palace and a place at the dinner table. sanji’s hair has grown long, now, and neither of them talk about the way that zoro’s stay has become something that feels more permanent—

until zoro finally finds the balls to give sanji one of his earrings as a courting gift. it’s the first one of many, but at that moment sanji just looks at it wide-eyed and zoro starts to shrink back all like "if you. don't want it that's alright. i'll get you something new, something else—" because look, he knows he’s not much. he has money, but not enough to give sanji something really nice. not enough to get something that’s more impressive than all the jewels and gold that the prince could have at a whim. he’s a bounty hunter that came from dirt and this earring is the most precious thing he has to offer, but he understands if—

sanji kisses him. yells something borderline incoherent along the lines of about fucking time as he shakes zoro by the shoulders, but he’s smiling very brightly and he’s very beautiful and zoro has a feeling they're going to be just fine.

(sora and the siblings breathe a collective sigh of relief, because the pining looks and dejected sighing were really getting a little ridiculous.)

(they speak too soon. after they get together it somehow gets WORSE.)

this was a ride… (get it. get it.) okay i’ll stop HOPE YOU ENJOYED HEH i know a lot of places are having a flu season/covid wave going around rn so make sure to hydrate and eat well!! muaks 😽

#i have REALLY got to stop sleeping at 4am #horse girl zoro au #zosan #roronoa zoro #black leg sanji #zoro x sanji #one piece #sanji #one piece zosan #one piece sanji #one piece zoro #zoro

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jpriest85-blog · 3 months

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It was a bit early, but I came up with some concept art of @vendetta-if sequel MC. Including portraits of my MC, Akami, Luka, Jackal, and my interpretation of her older brother Konstantin. While Konstantin does share Luka's height and eye color, I headcanon he inherited most of his features from his late Uncle Viktor. This probably triggers a lot of bittersweet memories for Luka when he sees his children playing and getting a very vivid sense of deja vu at how much his son looks like how he remembers Viktor as a child. Either way, he's glad Akami has such a close relationship with her older brother... although it worried Luka at first how many times she tried to bite Kosta as a toddler. Here's some more info about Akami

Vendetta sequel MC

Name: Akami Morozova

Nickname: Ai-chan, or норка (norka).

Gender: Female

Sexual preferences: Lesbian

Birthday: April 8

Zodiac: Aries

Face claim: Mikako Tabe

Body claim: Maika

Height: 5ft.2”/158cms.

Ethnicity: Japanese

Hair: long, straight black hair with blunt bangs

Eyes: Black

Complexion: Pale

Tattoos & distinguishing features: A long thin scar that starts on the left corner of her mouth going down her neck to her collar bone. An Irezumi tattoo on her right shoulder depicts a mink drawn like a kamaitachi wearing a jackal skull on its head.

Personality: Akami tends to come across as a Stoic and intense person, which can be expected considering her role in the family is to assist her older brother,Konstantin, and take out any threats to him or the family. Although many people tend to underestimate her at first since she's rather petite and baby faced. They're quick to regret it, though, as Akami is very brutal. Adopted or not, Akami is still a Morozov, and one of her fathers’ is an infamous hitman, and she very much is Jackal's daughter. She is also intensely competitive and hates to lose. While it did help motivate her to improve during combat training, it did cause problems in less high stakes situations. Such as Akami attempting to bite her brother when they were young children whenever she lost against him playing board games. Thankfully, Akami has outgrown the habit of biting people…mostly anyway.

Despite Akami's history of aggressive behavior, she does have a fondness for cute things and even used to dress in Lolita fashion clothes as a teenager. She also tends to get flustered easily around beautiful women turning bright red and attempting to hide behind her longer hair. While Konstantin will often tease Akami about trying to hide her soft side, he does look out for his baby sister and often tries to play wingman for her. While it does embarrassed Akami, since she's not good about dealing with feelings, other than rage. She does appreciate that her older brother is one of the few people she willingly confides in with personal matters. Besides, it's not like she can ask their dads for advice with girls, and Konstantin is the only other relative, besides their cousin Katerina, with actual social skills.

Her older brother also helps Akami rein in her temper since she's also prone to active impulsively. Having grown up together Konstantin knows his sister well enough to intervene early before she does something reckless, although sometimes he does have to physically restrain Akami, and he's one of the few people with both the physical strength and trust with her to be able to pull it off. While Akami's relationships with her brother have grown more professional since he became the new family head, it's not always completely serious. They will still affectionately tease each other and get into childish arguments with each other when in private. They're still siblings, after all. Once in a while, Akami and her brother still indulge in the same dumbass stunts and games they enjoyed as kids. Like Akami convincing her older brother to use his laser vision to blow up a watermelon or pumpkin filled with fireworks! From a safe distance and with safety gear, of course, they don't want to risk their father, Luka, freaking out and putting them both on house arrest again like last time.

Additional info & Headcanons

Akami didn't speak until she was an older toddler. It worried both Artyom and Luka when they first brought her home. They had many doctors and specialists check on her, and they didn't find any physical impairments to her delayed speech. The doctors tried to assure her fathers that she's still within the windows for her first words. Unfortunately, the first words they would hear from their daughter weren't Dada or Papa. It was hearing Akami telling Takashi to “fuck off” after he annoyed the little girl by fawning over her too much and pinching her cheeks. Thankfully he wasn't too offended after the initial shock of hearing baby Akami cursing at him, and most of the family found it funny. Luka took a bit longer to find the humor that his youngest daughter's first words were cussing out an ally and family friend like she was a tiny Samuel L. Jackson.

Akami had a hard time making friends with other kids her age growing up. So her older brother Konstantin was her only friend for a while since he was one of the few people who always figured out how to get her to open up.

Akami has a stuffed Axolotl plushie Konstantin won for her at Carnival game when they were kids. She was upset she was too small to ride anything fun, so her brother made a point to win her the giant salamander plushy to cheer her up. It was her favorite toy, and she still keeps it even as an adult but would never admit it.

Konstantin was also the first one to take Akami out drinking when she was old enough. While it was fun Akami did give her brother a heart attack the next day when he went to check on how she's handling her first hangover by crawling out from under her bed doing a very convincing impression of Sadako from The Ring. It's not like she did it on purpose, but the fact Akami is naturally pale with long dark hair combined with her bloodshot eyes, and unsteady gait while hung over gives her an eerie resemblance to the iconic ghost girl popular in Asian horror films.

Akami received the large scar on her face and neck from an early assination mission that went sideways. She narrowly avoided getting her carotid artery cut but thankfully survived. Both her fathers and brother were furious that someone would dare scar Akami's pretty little face but they were proud to learn she did worse to the bastard who cut her, by tearing out his lower jaw…until she asked if she could keep the piece of jawbone as a trophy.

Akami has an affectionate nickname based on an animal. Her family calls her норка (norka) since it's the Russian word for mink. Her grandfather was the first one to use Nickname since, like the animal, Akami looks small and soft but is quite an aggressive predator. She even received a mink coat from him as a gift, and even as an adult, Akami prefers wearing mink coats when it snows.

Both Akami and Konstantin have a close relationship with their older cousin Katerina, to the point she's become a maternal figure to them. Like how Aunt Cara used to be a mother figure to Katerina when she was young.

Akami and Konstantin are also raised in a multilingual household. They both grew up speaking English, Russian, Cantonese, as well as Japanese considering their close relationship with the Aikawas.

Likewise, they are also close to Katerina's SOs Ash and Rin. All three of them had some influence over Akami in some way. Kitty would often take Akami shopping and dress her up, which is partly why Akami is fond of cute clothes. Rin helped instill a love of music with her, and Ash helped Akami with combat training.

Ash also unintentionally inspired Akami's arsonist tendencies. As a toddler, Akami would always giggle and get excited whenever she saw Ash create a small flame. Granted, Ash is usually more careful about using her abilities around the kids, but how could she say no to little Akami pleading to see her make fire appear on her finger tips. Especially with how cute the little girl is when she giggles and claps like she's watching a magic show. Until Akami starts trying to make her own fires. Thankfully, Luka is experienced in dealing with short tempered girls who start fires, although he makes sure to check that Akami isn't taking any flammable materials with her before she leaves the house.

While Akami also grew up close to the Aikawa family, both as allies and in-laws, since Rin married her cousin Katerina. Rin also helped influence a love of music in her. Akami was a very aggressive child, and Rin noticed early on that music had a soothing effect on her, which came in handy whenever Kitty volunteered to babysit her cousins. Akami does wind up taking music lessons growing up and does develop a beautiful singing voice, although she rarely sings in front of anyone outside her family. Akami has a preference for R & B, Soul, Jazz, and Blues music and even took up playing the drums as a teenager.

While Akami shares both her fathers distaste for large formal parties, she does try to restrain herself. Unfortunately for Akami, that restraint means punching a man in the crotch instead of stabbing him when he incessantly asked her to dance after she already said no. Thankfully, Konstantin knows his sister well enough to prevent such incidents by introducing her to groups of pretty women. Sure, Akami doesn't say much, but she's more likely to come across as adorably shy by being flustered around a group of socialites. Instead of insulting a potential ally's family by punching someone (although that one jackass did deserve it by not accepting his sister's refusal).

#vendetta sequel mc #rough concept art #Akami Morozova #Luka #Jackal #Konstantin #mc info #poor Luka is going to grey before Akami even finishes 4th grade

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wen-kexing-apologist · 11 months

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La Pluie Stray Thoughts

In the spirit of @bengiyo I will be stealing this format, mostly because I currently do not have time to do full analyses about hands and body language and trope subversions, but I NEED TO TALK ABOUT THIS SHOW RIGHT NOW.

Lomfon

So first of all shout out to my new best friend, Lomfon for having a level head and ensuring that Tien did not go running up the mountain and creating two people in need of rescuing. As an EMT, one of the first things you learn in training is that you need to make sure the scene is safe before you can treat a person in danger. If you dive in to the water to rescue someone drowning and you don't know how to swim, you now have two people drowning.

So cheers to Lomfon for being calm enough in this emergency to rein Tien back in. AND ALSO HELLO? CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE WAY LOMFON WAS GONNA RIDE OR DIE WITH TIEN IN THIS EPISODE??? Did Lomfon say "if you go up the mountain there will be more problems?" NO. NO HE DID NOT. He say "If you and I go up the mountain" he was not about to let Tien go anywhere alone.

And goodness me, I am so here for the juicy new reveal about Lomfon being able to hear both Patts and Tai. Great way to prove definitively that the soulmate connection is bullshit. (Either that or #throuple but it's not going that way, not with the way that Lom and Tien are heading).

Tien

Thank GOD we finally had a crack in the dam. This boy has been a ball of extremely well controlled energy for far far too long, and we have known it was bullshit from the beginning. I love this sibling dynamic so much. Tien loves Tai so much, he knows how fucked up Tai was about their parents divorcing and while we still don't really know if it messed with Tien or how badly the divorce messed with Tien, I love the confirmation and the way Lomfon got to see that there is far more depth to Tien than originally thought. I hope we get to see more of it, like most of the tumblr clowns, I think we might start shifting focus towards Lomfon and Tien's budding relationship as Lomfon, Patts, and Tai try to figure out their rain connection.

And I am *so* looking forward to seeing the comparisons between Tien and Lomfon's relationship to Patts and Tai's both in terms of knowing Lomfon is connected to Tien's brother, the limbo feeling Lomfon is starting to get stuck in, and the fact that the romance between Lomfon and Tien follows a much more natural progression/standard romance. They aren't in each other's heads, they would never know if they were meant for each other, and if something happens between them, Tien and Lomfon never have to see each other (or hear from each other again).

Also, I love the hug. Which hug? Both hugs. The way that Tien finally has support. Lomfon pulling him into him from behind and showing, telling, shouting at Tien that he is right there. And Tien relenting, turning and purposefully wrapping Lomfon in a hug. Like????? Also, the sibling relationship is written so well, Tai: "your lunch is over there because I don't care", Tien breaking down because he is so worried about Tai, then beating himself up because he didn't immediately think about the connection to the mountain, Tien hugging Tai so tightly and telling him to never do shit like that again, and then punching him in the leg. Superb.

Kung and Bow

They were holding hands in the tall grass when Patts came running back in asking about where Saengtai was, so I have unilaterally decided that means they fucked nasty. That's all.

Patts and Tai

Listen...listen....

LISTEN

I LOVE THEM. I love that they are being adults about this, that Tai wasn't jealous or angry, but just forced to confront his thoughts about what being a soulmate means. AND I LOVE THAT HE AND PATTS CONCLUDE TOGETHER THAT THEY LOVE EACH OTHER REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THE SOULMATE THING IS REAL.

AND FURTHER, I LOVE THAT WE HAVE LOMFON BEING ABLE TO HEAR BOTH PATTS AND TAI LITERALLY IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAI AND PATTS HAVE DECIDED THAT WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE SOULMATES DIDN'T MATTER. I like the possibility that Lomfon may try to drop that as evidence, like an ace in his back pocket, and Patts and Tai being like "that's fine,". No angst or agonizing from Patts and Tai anyway. Tai already hit his breaking point and he and Patts talked about it like adults. I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it.

I will probably go back and look at everything again, and analyze body language, and read too deeply in to every word of their conversation on the mountain, but for now my only thoughts are. I loved this episode, I loved this conversation, I loved the source of Tai's mountain journey, I loved Tien's break down, I loved Patts' patience, I loved their kisses, and where they are at the end of the day.

WE NEED TO BE GETTING LOUDER AND GAYER ABOUT LA PLUIE IMMEDIATELY

Edit: i have processed this episode and turned on my analysis brain so you can read my La Pluie Ep 8 meta here

#la pluie #EVERYONE WATCH THIS SHOW RIGHT NOW #la pluie the series #patts x tai #patts x saengtai #tien x lomfon #la pluie thoughts #I simply will not be normal about this show

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keep-the-wolves-close · 3 months

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Steady Heart

Chapter 10: Pick Me Up

* Pairing: Slow-burn Kayce Dutton x OFC Stella Daniels

* Rating: M? (Still figuring out the rating system) (might eventually be M anyhow)

* Warnings: language, sad Kayce and sad Stella

* Word count: 3,139ish

I would love to give credits to @dameronscopilot and @deanscroissant for being sounding boards for me during this whole process, giving outsider insight, being cheerleaders, and allowing me to screech at them about things that have happened during the writing process. I seriously couldn't have gotten this far without y'all

Author's note: I hope everyone is enjoying so far! I hope you love this chapter as well! This one is a bit of a filler, but some semi-important information is mentioned about our girl Stella.

Stella hopped off one of the newly acquired geldings. She’d been working with him for a good part of the morning. She started with some ground work to see what level he was at, and moved up from there. All of that took time and patience. John had gotten him from Travis, so the gelding had been started and taught manners for the most part. John had chosen the horse that was the greenest though to give Kayce something to work with.

She felt a presence behind her and turned to see who was hovering. It was her brother. ‘I should’ve expected as much.’ She smiled at him. “Hey.”

“Hey.” Ryan remained stoic. The silence between the siblings was awkward.

“You wanna yell at me and get it over with?”

Ryan rolled his eyes. “No, I don't want to yell at you.��

“Then what is it?”

“What’s gotten into you?”

“Like I said, I don’t have an answer for you.” She shrugged, struggling to come up with an explanation. “I was just frustrated and over all of it. Rip just opened his mouth at the wrong time.”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean go and try to fight him.”

“I know. It was dumb. Lesson has been learned. And I wasn’t even really fighting him.”

Ryan studied his little sister’s movement when she turned back around to readjust her hold on the gelding’s reins. He could tell she was tired mentally. It had been a rough month for everyone. “You doing okay? You’re not bottling anything up, right?”

“Yeah. I’m okay. I’ve had time to do some soul searching since I can’t be here all the time.” She smiled at Ryan and Colby joined them. “Promise.”

“In one day?” Ryan asked.

“Being a cowboy is a lonely life, brub, so yeah.”

“You haven’t even talked to Kayce?”

“No. He’s busy with Monica. He doesn’t need to hear about my troubles or what I’ve gotten myself into.” Stella scratched her head. “He would worry and he’s already doing enough of that.”

“How’s the horse coming?” Colby asked to disrupt the solemn turn the conversation had taken.

“Which one?” She chuckled. “There’s two I’m working.”

“I meant, what did you name him?” Colby shook his head. “Kayce’s horse?”

“Oh,” she laughed, “Tank. He’s good. You boys are just scared to use him.”

“Stella!” Rip bellowed from across the yard interrupting them.

She sighed and turned to face her latest annoyance. “Yes dearest Rip?”

“Quit mingling. Finish up with that horse and go home.”

Stella pulled her bottom lip in with her teeth. She fought with every fiber of her being to keep her mouth shut. “Alright.” She said through her teeth. Looking at Ryan and Colby, she nodded her goodbye and began to walk off. Hooves could be heard behind her, which caused her to stop the gelding.

“I need you tomorrow morning. We need all hands on deck because of that bear.”

Stella sighed. “How early?”

“Early. We have to either take care of it, or haze it out.”

“Okay. I’ll be here.”

Stella walked in through her door with a huff. This whole coming back home right away was really killing her vibe. She understood the reasons, and knew that the rules were the rules, but it didn’t make it suck any less.

She dropped her keys on the small end table in the entryway and hung her backpack and coat on one of the coat hooks. The silence in her house was annoying to her. She went into her living room and turned on her sage green vinyl player. The last record that she had on there was the greatest hits of B.B. King. She smiled at The Thrill Is Gone coming through the speakers.

Once there was background noise she went back to the entryway and took off her boots. She made her way to the kitchen because she was hungry. She had some leftovers in the fridge that she could heat up. ‘It's better than nothing, babe.’

Stella set to work on heating the food up. She hummed along to the music in the background and tried to decompress from the craziness of the day. The smell of chicken rice blossomed in the kitchen as it crackled in the microwave. As she got a drink out of the fridge, the microwave beeped behind her. She placed her drink on the table and turned to grab the bowl and sat down to dig in.

Stella took the last bite of the chicken rice and made a face. Since she was still banned from the ranch during off work hours, that meant no dinner there too. She was good in the kitchen, but nowhere near as good as Gator.

‘You're banned, you hear me? Until further notice!’ Rip’s words echoed in the silence of her mind. It was so loud it almost was as if it tore through the whole house. Rip was stubborn, but so was she. Petty even. Spiteful enough to drag the problem into the ground and below the earth's crust. Her phone buzzed from its spot on the table and distracted her from the hateful thought pattern. It was probably her brother.

Stella

It was Kayce. The tone of the text felt wrong from the second she saw her name. The device buzzed in her hand again.

Please come help

She pulled her brows together and her heart sped up.

Blonquist Motel room 5

That was between her house and the hospital. Her eyes rounded as she realized. ‘Shit, Monica.’ Stella stood from the kitchen table, grabbed her bowl, and dropped it in the sink.

She quickly made her way through the downstairs of her house and turned off the lights as she went. The lamp at the entryway table stayed lit for her later. More of Rip’s words ran through her head. ‘Kayce will be the death of you and you’re in denial about it.’ She shook her head to rid it of the heavy words from Rip. Tucking her feet into her boots she threw on her dark green Carhartt, grabbed her keys and backpack and was out the door.

The motel was dimly lit off the side of the highway. To anyone not from here, they would look at it and think that it’s definitely a serial killer’s playground. To Stella, it was familiar. Safe. She’d stayed here plenty when Monica was in the hospital when Tate was born.

She spotted Kayce’s truck from the road, and gently turned into the driveway. As she pulled up next to his truck, her headlights illuminated him sitting in one of the chairs outside the room.

As quick as the wind she threw her car in park, turned it off and raced over to Kayce as he stood from his seat. She wrapped him in a hug so tight, he almost thought he couldn’t breathe. Kayce’s arms wound their way around her. He started to tremble with unshed tears. Stella rubbed his back. “Shh, it’s okay. Everything's gonna be fine. Let it out, cowboy. I’m here.” She whispered.

Kayce relaxed into her hug and the tears started to fall as he answered her unasked question, mumbling into her shoulder. “We got her home. Everything was okay. We were talking outside and then she fell.” Kayce sniffled. “It all happened so fast. I thought she died.”

Stella pulled back and looked up at him under his hat. “Hey stop thinkin’ like that! She’s strong and stubborn. Hell, she married you.” Stella laughed. “She’s gonna be just fine and come home to you and your little boy.” They pulled apart, Kayce still sniffling and Stella playing with the end of her jacket sleeve.

“So tell me what I can do for you to make things easier right now. Do you want me to take Tate to his grandpa, stay here with him while you go to Monica in the mornin’?” She trailed off not wanting to overwhelm him with suggestions.

Kayce looked around, trying to get his jumbled brain straight. “Uh, can you come to the hospital with us in the mornin’ to sit with him? He got upset by himself the last time we were there.”

“Of course, cowboy.” She turned to walk to her SUV.

“What are you doin’?”

The trunk hatch opened and shut before she answered. Stella poked around the side of her vehicle and held out something. Kayce squinted in the dark of the parking lot. “I’m gettin’ my sleeping bag.”

“Oh.” He smiled softly. “You ain’t gotta do that. I’ll sleep on the floor.”

Stella scoffed. “No sir you will not. If those designer bags under your eyes are any indication, you need that bed more than I do.”

The door opened behind Kayce and a small voice called out. “Dad?”

Stella quickly put on a face for Tate. “Hey buddy.”

“Aunt Stella? What’re you doing here?” The little boy screwed up his face.

“I’m gonna keep you boys company and go with you to see your mom in the mornin’.”

“Oh okay.” He looked sad at the mention of his mother.

Stella pushed past Kayce and into the room. “Hey, do you wanna help me get my sleeping bag set up on the floor?”

Kayce smiled at the tender moment of his best friend doing her best to distract his son. He followed them into the room and shut the door. Clicking the lock into place, he walked fully into the room and sat on the corner of the bed. He watched Stella talking idly to his son, listening intently when he responded or asked questions keeping his mind busy.

The friends made eye contact over his son’s head and he looked at his invisible watch. “Hey bud,” Kayce started to catch Tate’s attention.

There was a small groan from the boy. Stella watched him roll his eyes when he turned to face his dad. She smirked at that. ‘I gotta stop rolling my eyes around him.’ He was definitely picking up on it quickly.

“Yes dad?” There was a little huff after he asked.

“We’ve got an early morning tomorrow. We should all probably hit the hay.”

The little boy headed toward the bed he’d chosen for himself. Stella piped up. “Ah ah. Head for the bathroom, mister.” Tate stopped walking and turned to face his “aunt”. “Your mother would murder me if I didn’t have you at least brush your teeth and wash your face.”

“But I don’t have a toothbrush.”

“But you forget, dear nephew, I come prepared for anything.” Stella marched out to her car and into the trunk to grab the bathroom essentials emergency kit. It had a couple toothbrushes, some travel sized toothpaste, face wash, q-tips, feminine hygiene.

Tate squinted trying to read what the bag said. “Bag of,” he trailed off.

“Bag of tricks, kiddo. Here,” Stella handed him the travel bag. “Now go wash up please.” She smiled watching him walk away. A hand on her elbow made her turn and find Kayce coming in for a hug. “Oh, hey.” She let him settle into her. “Everything is gonna be alright Kace. There’s also a toothbrush for you too. I expect you to wash away the gross vibes from today.”

Kayce pulled back. “You tryin’ to say I smell?”

“Good lord no. I’ve lived in the bunkhouse. I’ve smelled way worse,” she laughed. “But we’re gonna change the outcome by washing away the gross.”

“Thank you Stell.”

“Of course, cowboy.”

The bathroom door opened and Tate meandered his way over to his bed. Kayce made his way over to tuck him in. Stella chose to leave the boys be and go wash up.

“Psst.” Kayce whispered to Stella. She jerked, but didn’t wake up. He stood, careful to not make too much noise and wake Tate up. When he was sure his son was still fast asleep, he moved silently over to his friend on the floor. He leaned toward her face. “Stella.” He poked her shoulder trying to elicit a response.

Stella jumped and gasped while her eyes shot open. Seeing Kayce standing above her in the dim light filtering in through the thin curtains made her heart slow down. She quietly groaned as she sat up. Reaching for her glasses, she squinted at her best friend.

“What?” She asked low pitched assuming they were whispering because Tate was finally asleep. Instead of verbalizing an answer, Stella watched as Kayce nodded his head to the outside.

She sighed and flipped the top of her sleeping bag off her legs. With a quiet grumble she stood, grabbing her coat and boots. Kayce had left the door cracked. Stella looked back to make sure she hadn’t woken Tate up. When she saw his breathing hadn’t changed, she made her way out to the sidewalk and shut the door gently behind her.

When the door clicked her heart dropped. She closed her eyes. “Please for the love of god tell me you have the room key.”

Kayce chuckled. “Yeah Stellee, I do.” He wiggled the key in his hand before he shoved his hand back in the warm refuge of his pocket. “Here lemme steal you a chair.” He walked briskly over to the neighboring room and stole it to sit next to the one for his room.

Stella sank down into the plastic chair stiffly and tucked herself into her coat, followed by Kayce sitting next to her. She looked out to the road with a thousand yard stare. Rip’s words bounced around in her head. “How the hell did we wind up in this mess Kace?”

Kayce tapped on the arm of his chair. He wasn’t sure how to answer her. It always seemed to be him that caused a ruckus, and Stella was stuck in the middle somehow. “I dunno. I’m sorry for involving you.”

A dissatisfied frown took over her face and she groaned. “That sounds like Rip.”

“It is.” There was a long pause that followed his admission, which caused Stella to look at him. “He’s right, you know?”

“Oh Jesus Christ, not you too.” She huffed and made a motion to stand back up. “If that’s what you brought me out here for, I’m going back to bed and you can fuck off.”

Kayce’s arm shot out to stop her. “No no no. Wait.” His eyes pleaded with her. When she semi-relaxed back he continued. “I’ve gotten you and Monica mixed up in a bunch of shit that you don’t deserve. I’m not good for people.”

“Kayce John, that is the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard you say in my entire life! And I’ve heard you say some dumb shit.” She locked eyes with him. Angry eyebrows furrowed. “I’m an adult. I know what I’m signing up for. You don’t force me to do anything.” She sat on the edge of the chair. “What you were being held for the other day was a bit much, but I still chose to show up. Monica is a grown ass woman too, and it wasn’t even your fault she tried to break that fight up at her school.”

“I know, but—,” Stella interrupted him.

“—but nothing, Kayce. No matter what Rip has up his ass right now, I will always choose you. No matter the lifetime, but I’m glad it was this one.” Silence fell over the two of them. It was heavy and thick with the confession. “I always have.” Stella finished softly. She slumped back against the chair. “He’s just gonna have to get over it. I’m tired of hearin’ his voice in my head. My brother has.”

Kayce observed her. “Is he giving you a hard time?”

“Yeah, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. I might get myself into a heap of trouble doing it, but I can manage it.”

“Whattaya mean?”

“I’m banned except for doing my job. He and I got into it after you left. He just couldn’t keep his mouth shut, with him being in a sour mood from the morning and all. He handed me my ass, and then I talked to your dad. Who offered me an interesting position, by the way.” She changed subjects quickly, hoping to avoid Kayce noticing she said Rip handed her ass to her.

His eyebrows raised in surprise. “Did he hurt you?”

‘Damn it.’ Stella scratched her forehead. “No Kayce. Just knocked the wind outta me. It’s fine.”

“If he tries it again, you tell me.”

“I will do nothing of the sort. But anyway,” she shuffled in the chair. “Your dad offered me a new position. And asked me my opinion on money and business outlook.”

Kayce huffed at her ignoring the problem at hand and decided to play along. “Oh, did he now? What is it?”

“Helping you with the horses and being in charge of broodmares if he chooses to get involved in that. He’s doing some research into it.” She sniffed, her nose running from the cold. “So you were right. He did have something better in mind. Even though you stole my previous position.” She smirked at him while shoving his leg with her booted foot.

“Hey now…,” he grabbed her foot and gently pushed it back.

“It’s fine. He wants you around more.” She bit her lip, not sure if she should have admitted that. “Probably for your own safety. Especially if you’re gonna take over the ranch one day.”

“Now hold on, I don’t know about all that.”

She held her hands up in surrender. “I’m not forcing you to do anything. I’m just talking.”

“Yeah, but I don’t know if I want that cursed ranch.”

“And that’s a decision you’ll make when you’re ready. And that’s fine. I’m here whatever you decide.”

Kayce locked eyes with her, spellbound as to how he ended up so lucky to have someone like Stella in his corner. “I never did get to say thank you for the other day.”

Stella looked away when she felt a blush heat her cheeks. She shrugged. “Nah, it was nothing. It’s not like they’re gonna take me to jail for trying to get you home. I had nothin’ to lose. Except for some dignity when they told me no and then I had to talk to Jamie.”

Kayce actually laughed. “Why do you hate him so bad.”

“I don’t hate him. I just wanna punch him.” Stella looked at him doe eyed. “A couple hundred times.”

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you still had a thing for him.”

“I have never had a thing for your brother. Good Christ. It was never him.”

“So there was someone though.”

“Oh my god we’re not having that conversation, Kayce.”

“I’m gonna find out, you know.”

“Yeah, good luck with that cowboy.” Stella stood and placed the neighbor’s chair back. “Let’s go. Time for bed.”

#yellowstone #kayce dutton #yellowstonetv #luke grimes #ian bohen #ryan #kayce dutton fan fiction #yellowstone fanfic #yellowstone fanfiction #kayce dutton fanfic

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sapphim · 1 year

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So! I've been talking a bit about malcolm and his relationships with his kids, and I received a question about what carver had said about malcolm that I was referring to. Which got some great responses! But as I promised I would, I've collected some direct text from the in game dialogue and codex, and world of thedas about carver that I feel is illuminating in that regard, with some extra concerning leandra/bethany/hawke where I felt like it.

Prologue

Carver's codex entry if he died in the prologue:

Carver grew up surrounded by magic he couldn't truly understand. He cared deeply for his family, but sometimes felt like the stupidest person in the room. Carver foundered in Lothering, caught between the gifts of his apostate sister, Bethany, and the growing skill of his more focused sibling, Hawke. But even as Carver groused about his lot, he remained dedicated to protecting those he loved. He didn't think twice about sacrificing himself to save his mother during the flight from the darkspawn, and although Carver struggled to find his way in life, there is gratification in knowing his death had purpose.

Act 1

Carver's codex entry if he survived the prologue:

Strong and strapping, Carver is a skilled warrior set on proving himself, although it's not always clear who he is trying to impress. The son and sibling of mages, he grew up surrounded by magic he couldn't truly understand—and he feels like something was expected that he could never deliver. He cares deeply for his family, but sometimes feels like the stupidest person in the room. Carver foundered in Lothering. He blamed his lack of direction on not wanting to draw attention to his family of apostates at home. After his father died, he started down a military path; however, the Blight and rout at Ostagar ended this career almost before it could start. While he knows that swift flight was the only reasonable course in the face of the darkspawn advance, he almost would rather have stood and fought. Doomed though the effort was, facing the horde had purpose—something Carver had been searching for.

Birthright

Hawke: [Be happy for Mother.] You could slap on a smile for a few days. For her sake. Carver: She's not interested in what I think. She wants to provide for us, and you're making sure it happens.

Hawke: [No one is holding you back.] The "second child" act is getting pretty stale, Brother. Carver: Try it from this side, always running after you. Or taking care of Mother while you mark your territory. Hawke: That's enough, Carver. Carver: Even back home, what could I be? The lone blade in a house of mages? If I excelled, it brought too much attention.

Hawke: [You're being an ass.] You hating everything I do is really losing its charm. Carver: Sure, make light. Why take anything seriously? You're the eldest, you lead by default. Hawke: I don't see you taking the reins. Carver: When should I do that? When I'm following you around, or when I'm caring for Mother while you tame mighty Kirkwall?

Hawke: Well, good talk. Carver: [Sister./Brother.] Carver: I feel… I don't know. It's like Mother, taking everything out on us. She was just scared. Carver: I don't have a place in the life she is trying to bring back. Carver: I'm here if you need me, but I must find my own way.

Family History

Carver: These are by Father? Are you sure they aren't meant for you? I bet another mage could get more out of them.

Hawke: [Ser Maurevar was a good one.] Father must have felt he was worth honoring. Carver: A man who let him look ahead, and a name that would always mean "skill thoughtfully applied." Hawke: Seems like he thought it held some promise. Carver: Not a link back, but how to go forward. That's what I was to him. Carver: I… don't know what to say. Except… thank you.

Carver: I wonder how it compares to yours. Hawke: I'm sure someone thought far too long about my name. Point is, this was a swordsman. Carver: A man who let him look ahead. It would always mean "skill thoughtfully applied." Carver: Not exactly "master of all blades," but… Father actually thought there was worth to a swordsman. Carver: Thank you, [Sister/Brother]. It's… a connection I didn't think was there.

Legacy - Malcolm's Will

Malcolm: I may have left the Circle, but I took a vow. My magic will serve that which is best in me, not that which is most base. Carver: "That which is best in me." Father used to say that, didn't he? To you and Bethany? Carver: She never felt like she could live up to him.

Carver: Father didn't want a child with magic? He got that one wrong twice over. [Act 2, friendly Carver] Carver: He sure didn't show any regret back home. The attention he gave you and Bethany… Carver: Well, I guess he figured the worst that could happen to me was tripping on my sword. Hawke: [He had confidence in you.] He knew you didn't need protecting. You were the strongest of us. Carver: Sure, it's easy to believe that now. But I think… I just wanted to help. [Act 1] Carver: He can't have meant it. You and Bethany, you were his favorites. Weren't you? A: Hawke: [You know that's not true.] You can't believe that. Carver: Maybe not. But you had your little guild and I didn't really meet the requirements. Hawke: [No we weren't. Grow up.] Only relative to his disappointment for you. Of course we weren't his favorites! Carver: All right, all right, but you did have your little mage guild. Carver: I suppose he knew it would be dangerous for you. That templars were the least of the problems. Carver: Bethany didn't like it. Did you know? She wished she was "normal." Like me. B: Hawke: [We should have been.] The amount of complaining you do, I wouldn't have blamed him. Carver: It wasn't easy being outside your little guild, you know! Carver: And no, inside was probably no better. But even if father didn't want you to have magic, you still had that connection. Carver: I was always outside. Hawke: [You were free.] Right, outside with the dog. But you had no leash. Not like we did.

Hawke: [Why did you join the templars?] Carver, shouldn't all this make you want to, I don't know, offer a reason for joining the order? Carver: I have to defend the one moment I stopped waiting and did something? Hawke: If you wanted to spite me… [friendly] Carver: I'd hoped those wounds were at least scabbed. It wasn't you. It never was. [rival] Carver: No! See, right there is the problem. For the longest time, I thought it was you, but it wasn't. Carver: We spent so long running, and why? Because of magic, the Blight, money, and abuses. Carver: Well I'm no mage, I'm no Warden, and you didn't need me. But maybe… maybe there's one thing I can do. [Family history completed] Carver: Father believed in a templar. Why can't I? [else] Carver: For more than me. And you.

Bethany: Do you remember when Carver ran away and enlisted in King Cailan's army at fifteen? Hawke: He came clanking back in so much armor he could barely lift his legs. Bethany: Father didn't know whether to burst with pride or lock him in the cellar.

Legacy - Post Plot

Hawke: You never liked that he spent so much time with Bethany and I, but it wasn't all bad. Carver: He started training me too, best he could. Then I picked up some things from those soldiers who came through. Carver: Remember when I beat him? Took the blade clean away. Hawke: He was holding back. Carver: On magic? Sure, but not the blade. After that… well, he knew I could handle the house while he was off with you. Templar Carver: Another way you take after him, if I remember correctly.

Hawke: You know, I don't think we had it that bad. For a while. A short while. Carver: I think I blinked and missed it.

Bethany: You know, as much as he had to spend time training me, he was so proud of you and Carver. Bethany: His little soldiers. Bethany: His scoundrel and his soldier.

World of Thedas

I'll end with some excerpts from his WOTv2 entry.

Said he wanted to protect his family. That someone had to, because his father had died and, well, you know how the Champion turned out. Carver took it real serious, and I could tell he was hiding some family shame…. Carver said his father taught what he could, but he'd mostly watched mercs sparring when he was young, then aped it with whatever wooden waster he could get. I knew how it was, I did my time with a stick or two. That's what you do when you're on your own for lack of money or interest. Or whatever concerned a father like his…. We were far back from the named companies, supporting the "glory" of their charge or whatever. So far afield, I barely heard the call to attack. Not Carver, though. He ran as fast as he could, and damned if he didn't cut a wedge in the horde. A few of us kep the 'spawn off his flanks and used him as a spear… I never heard a retreat, but I heard the yelling when the royal colors went down. And then the Wardens, too. And I thought we were done without them. But not the Hawke boy. The more ground we lost, the harder he swung that plank of a sword of his. He was shouting that we had to win, that it was to keep our homes safe. I swear he was crying when we finally tackled him… It took three of us to drag him to cover. I had to slap him back to his senses, to make him see that killing five or ten more 'spawn wouldn't matter. The wall was on us, and dying there wasn't going to help anyone. I said if he wanted to do his family good, he'd get them safe. This wasn't his failure….

#da2 #dragon age 2 #carver hawke #canonical texts #hawkeposting

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kringletheelf04 · 1 year

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Boo-hooing

(Chapter 13 of two souls entwined in the North Pole)

"What's all this boo-hooing going on here?" Bernard asks, magically coming from somewhere in the kitchen, pita sandwich half eaten in his hand.

"Hey, how ya doin?" He nods to Neal, mouth half full of food.

"It's nothing Bernard. We're just saying goodbye to Charlie." I explain.

"What goodbye? Charlie, you still got the glass ball, right?" He asks, swinging his free arm around my waist.

"Yeah." Charlie nods, brushing tears away.

"Well, all you gotta do is shake it whenever you want to see your dad or sibling." Bernard explains.

"Really?" Charlie asks in awe.

"They can come back to see you anytime of day or night." Bernard reassures.

"Hey, have I ever steered ya wrong?" He asks.

Charlie shakes his head as Neil and Laura approach us.

"Nice sweater. Did we make this?" Bernard asks, trying to check Neil for a tag as he shakes him away.

I chuckle. I don't know if he's genuine or not, either way it's funny. He turns and looks at me with a love struck look. Walking over to me he caresses my face.

"Your laugh is the most mirthful noise I have ever heard in my sixteen hundred and twenty two years of living." He says as I stare into his captivating chestnut eyes.

I snap out of it hearing Neil's distressed voice. Bernard's hand drops from my face to entwined with mine. Turning, I see Neil approaching Laura.

"Laura! They're sucking us into his delusions. Look at the elaborate measures they've taken. " Neil tries to reason.

"Neil, relax." I say.

Stepping into the chimney, Bernard gives me a kiss and poofs into glitter. Dad follows me. Placing a finger on the tip of my nose, we shoot up the chimney. On the roof sits our sleigh and we load into it. From down below on the street we hear voices.

"Chief! Look up there!" I hear a police officer shout.

The voices of children ring out through the quiet night. Hushed whispers of parents are also hears. All of them talking about us.

"Merry Christmas to all! And to all a good night!" Dad calls out and cracks the reins.

The reindeer take off and we are gone in the blink of an eye, soaring through the black night sky. We place presents under every tree from Illinois to Ohio. Suddenly a light with Charlie's face on it starts rapidly blinking. Pressing on the button beside it, we are teleported to Laura's living room.

"Hey sport!" I call to Charlie.

"Dad! (Y/n)!" He runs to us with his arms open.

"You miss us already? We've been gone, what? Ten minutes." Dad asks checking his watch.

"We were on our way to Cleveland when we got your call, sport." I ruffle his hair.

"Do you wanna go for a quick ride?" Dad asks him.

"Yeah!" Charlie jumps up and down in excitement.

"Of course, it's up to your mom." I chime in.

"Please mom?" He gives her his signature puppy dog eyes.

"Go on. Get outta here." Laura jokes.

"All right. Hold on." I say grabbing ahold of dad as he boops his nose.

Back in the sleigh we continue to deliver all the presents, this time with Charlie with us. Landing back in front of Laura's house, I give Charlie a quick hug.

"Now, I know I'm only a shake away, but I'm gonna be packing for the pole. So if you need me again, just call my cell." I tell Charlie.

"Sport, I love you so much. I couldn't have done this without you." Dad gives him a kiss on the cheek.

We take back off and land on our roof.

"Dad, just fly back without me for now. I've got to pack our things, and a big, green sleigh shouldn't be on our roof in the morning when people wake up." I hug dad goodbye and open up our house.

Going upstairs, I open my room. Taking out my suitcase, I start packing all of my belongings. I had all of my clothes already folded, so this goes by pretty quickly. I go into Charlie's room and pick up his stuffed bear dressed like Santa. I can't help but think, how often will I get to see him. I guess he could always FaceTime me, if there actually is wifi in the pole. I decide to take it with me, a souvenir of my little brother.

"What's wrong snowbird?" I hear a voice I've grown to love ask me.

"Just thinking about Charlie." I say turning around to face Bernard.

"You know, your dad isn't the only one who can teleport." He grins.

"What do you mean?" I ask, quirking my eyebrow.

"Since you're technically the spirit of Christmas, all you gotta do is picture where you are and wiggle your ears, and you'll be there." Bernard swings his arms around my shoulders.

"That would have been nice to know, ya know!" I playfully smack his hand off me.

"I'm sorry!" He feigns a hurt look. "But just to let you know, the rest of the elves can get your stuff. You didn't have to come here."

"I figured, but I wanted to make sure I got my bag and Charlie's bear." I smile down at the bear.

"Well, now that I'm here, I can take that for you." He says taking my suitcase from me.

I grab a hold of his hand and entwine our fingers together.

"Would you like to do the honors of taking us home, snowbird?" Bernard asks, a gentle smile gracing his face.

"I'd love to." I grin back.

Wiggling my ears and thinking of my dad, we appear in the workshop. He's standing in front of all the elves when we appear in front of him. He stops mid sentence and gapes at us.

"Sorry, dad. I'm new to this." I apologize and drag Bernard off the stage and down the hall to my room.

"This is new, but as long as you're here with me, I think I can manage." I say smiling at him.

"I'll always be here snowbird."

#fanfiction #bernard the arch elf #bernard the elf #bernard the head elf #the santa clause #x reader #fanfic #the santa clause two #bernard the elf x reader #reader insert #xreader #bernard #david krumholtz #character x reader #christmas lights #elves #my fanfiction #self indulgence babey #self indulgence time

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insomniac-jay · 5 months

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For the Record

After the arrest of the Music Meister, Barry learns a shocking truth about the musical villain.

Misc: Baby's first time writing Flash, Flash/Barry Allen experts (my mutuals) please tell me I got him and Iris right

@calciumcryptid @honeysgalaxy

•

Flash watched as the police took Music Meister away. For a theater guy, he was stronger than expected. Not to mention his hypnosis powers threw Flash in for a loop. But nothing he couldn't handle.

Still, something the Music Meister said stuck with Flash.

"She's waiting for me at home."

Who was "she"? His mother? Maybe a younger sibling? He felt bad for the guy. Sure he tried to rob the bank, but knowing that there was someone he had to take care of made the arrest bittersweet.

For now, Flash hoped that Music Meister would start reforming sooner or later. He'd even help him if he wanted. For now, the law would taking the reins from here.

•

The courthouse was packed with reporters, spectators, and lawyers all awaiting the trial of the Music Meister. Outside, an even larger crowd formed, mostly made up of journalists trying to get the inside story and a glimpse of the criminal.

Barry had his eyes on a group of women sitting in the front row. The one in the middle looked like she'd been crying for hours while the other two were comforting her.

"It's okay, Christie," one consoling her told her. "He's gonna be back home with you in no time."

Both Music Meister and the judge arrived at the same time, making the room go quiet. His muzzle was back on, preventing him from using his powers.

Music Meister and the crying woman made eye contact with each other. Barry sensed the intimacy and unspoken feelings between them. The woman didn't look angry or disappointed; rather, she looked forgiving and sorrowful. As for Meister, Barry could tell he wanted to reach out and wipe the tear forming in her eye.

"Who is she?" He whispered to Iris.

"That's his wife."

Barry stopped.

"His wife. Music Meister is a married man."

"His who?"

This had to be a lie. No way. Absolutely no way that the distraught woman at the front of the courtroom was Music Meister's wife. Also, the implication that the "she" Meister talked about before his arrest made him added even more questions. When did he have time to get married? Was it even legal?

"You're lying to me."

Iris narrowed her eyes. "I'm not. Why don't you look at his records yourself, genius?"

"It's just...you never hear about rogues being married."

"I know. Couldn't believe it when I first read his records, either." Iris snapped pictures now that the trial began. "And to a civilian too. That's not something you see everyday."

After a nearly 4 hour trial, the verdict was delivered. Music Meister was sentenced to three years for robbery but had the possibility of parole.

Fitting his status as a Metahuman, he'd be sent to Belle Reve.

Barry watched as Meister and his wife, whose name was Christine, embraced each other. No tears threatened to spill out her eyes again. He then planted a kiss on her forehead with the muzzle still on.

"Are you sure that's his wife?" He asked Iris again.

The hard time he had believing that not only was Music Meister married, but to such a well put together woman was apparent.

Iris wordlessly handed Barry the file as she took pictures of Music Meister being escorted out of the courtroom, Christine and her friends following behind him.

Later that night, Barry busied himself looking through Music Meister's records. Sure enough, his martial status confirmed what Iris said, but also had additional information such as his previous arrests for misdemeanors in his home state of Louisiana and a copy of his marriage certificate.

"Poor Christine," Barry mumbled. Given how sad she was over the news, he guessed that they had a good marriage. "I better go pay her a visit at some point."

#jay's writings

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jardaddy-a · 1 year

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JARDINAE FOLLOWING LOVE LETTERS FOR NEW YEAR ! This post is dedicated to my beloved mutuals , consider this as a belated Christmas present , New Years Greeting &&. a thank you . This will be under a read more because of chibi-esque art &&. long messages for people , miss Reine Surrealis talks a lot , ok ? ok ! To my newer mutuals , hopefully we can interact more next year , thank you so much for supporting this original existencial mess !

Thank you all for supporting and writing with my OC Universe / World . I wish everyone a Happy New Year and a better 2023 !

@serpentsexile / @bellusnymphine - Angel Dior Demiurge my belovedest ! Bestie , I can't believe that we've been friends for 4 ? 5 ? years ! Tumblr is where the three of us met those many years ago and we've seen each other's lore and characters . It feels like yesterday when Envy was brunette, to blonde to sable-haired , to the white haired destruction daddy we know and love today WWWW , you also watched Jardin / Natura / Existencia develop over the years and we hit each other with our angst . You're my literature buddy , YOU KNOW WHAT I LIKE . WE'RE TIRED OF ROMANCE WE WANT DARK FANTASY AND MURDER /JJJ , we always plot unhinged threads and exploration and i really love studying in-depth characterization with you . You also influenced me in many ways in writing and in spiritual world-wise . i'm super blessed to have met you and welcomed you into my life . I deem you and Rose as my platonic soulmates / siblings . We better make that cottagecore dream happen / SRS . Anyways , I know life is terrible but just know that I'm always here for you and when you need me , I'LL NEVER JUDAS YOU BBGIRL, WE RIDE AND DIE AND GET HATED BY GROWN MEN / CHRONICALLY ONLINE TWITTER KIDS FOR BREATHING . Anyways , Invidia / Envy is best destruction God and Hydrangea is best bimbo princess , my reprisal OTP . I'm still flabberghasted over how long its been , i still remember our first interaction being two of our lead characters : Invidia and Marigold , how far these two have gone . I am excited for your creations and what you will make in the future . I want my signed limited edition copy of Reprisal once its out , ok ? Anyways , I love you bestie , Happy New Year .

@lexpape / @laxmaisonxdieu - ROSE MY BBGIRL MY BASIL , pleASE COME ONLINE MORE / J . You're always busy and you always get fucked over by Alistair literally . I love spending random times with you when you stay online and rambling about random shit and we literally kinassigned ourselves as Sunny and Basil , You gon help me hide dead bodies fr <3 BYEEEE . Either that or the three of us just laugh at cringy shit together , it's our favorite pasttime <3 . It's endearing how bullyable you and your characters are <3 /JJJJ . But you're so funny and for what , but I admire how sweet and hardworking you are . Invite me to your wedding , bestie . Whose ? We'll find out ! LMAO . You inspire me a lot and I miss your presence and your furries , bc of you i'll force myself to tolerate furries :(((( , come back to us girliepoppp BYEEEE . Let you know that I'm always here for you and I miss your ocs and characters , when are you gonna update your lore , Angel and I are always waiting for food . One day when we finally crash at the same place , cook for us , ok ? I always wanted to try your cooking . I was supposed to draw Alistair too but fuck him , this isn't about him . I love you bestie , Happy New Year !

@sangdelune / @theircurse - STELLA !!!! ILY STELLA !!! I still remember several months ago I came across your promo and said ' oh worm , someone who write children very well ! ' and hit that follow button so hard . BUT STELLAAAA we've known each other for some months and we only really started to dm a lot when we finally exchanged discords , but our convos have been so fun and ofc bc canon is so terrible to Misha and Yumeno , I have decided that Jardin / Natura canonically adopts both of them <;3 I care for you a lot and Alice and you two have been the sweetest and funniest companions ever . I hope to write with you more next year bc we did promise these two will interact with everyone in Jardin LMAO . But I super love your interpretations of these two kids , they feel like your characters now and I'm excited for your upcoming oc multi . ONE OF US ONE OF US !!! Anyways ILY and Happy New Year !

@embxllmer / @kunsttgalleriie - ALICE ALICE ALICE ILYSMMM !!!! We've been friends for months now , My fellow IDV Player and Joscarl Enjoyer . We both share the love for Joseph and Aesop and getting annoyed with toxic players <3 . Thank you so much for listening to my long ass Existencia Lore and I love your Historia Gallery lore so much and your characters , I cradle them in my hands . Tysm for keeping me company even on times you're super busy with work and school . We talk about Joscarl / Naibemma IDV in general , we ramble , rant , and share lore . I feel super connected with you and I feel super blessed I managed to meet and Stella this year , you two have been like gifts on my tumblr return . Thank you so much for being my friend and I want to spend more years of friendship with the two of you !!! Wait for me guys , i'll be kicking in Germany one day bc of the health care !!!

@imarahuyo - SOPHIEEE , you're one of my biggest insps and fellow peenoise . I admire you so much when I see you on dash , and i cackle during our discord chats . your writing is so artistically poetic and i love your interpretations of canons esp miss sen , i love miss sen sm , i hope the gacha gods finally have mercy on you and you get her in your next 20 pulls ! your writing & metas are so beautifully articulate so i can't wait to see you more on my dash . ( your commission is still halfway done so take this offering for now while you wait <3 ) . i hope to write with you more next year !

@crxstallium - SERIN ! ! ! Another big inspiration of mine , I love miss Crystal so much you have no idea . I love the silly moments we have on discord , and Crys really kicked in the gates of Jardin and bothered this supernatural found family and became Mimosa's sugar baby/JJJJJ . One of the best female ocs ever , I love your writing style your prose is so well-thought out and constructed that it takes me an hour to reply to your threads because of the :sparkles: QUALITY :sparkles: I hope to interact with you more & your other ocs and canons next year <;3

@vibraea - CLEFGA ! Gemiya is another favorite female oc of mine , I love how you made her so flexible in any verse and scenario and she's always a delight to see in my dash and I love that she's just welcomed by Jardin and meshes well with a lot of my characters . I love all of our threads and I'm excited to write more with you in the future .

@terraeferae - KENNIE MY LOVES !!! Like Angel and Rose we've been mutuals for a long time now BYEEEE . I am loving the new and improved Wildlands ( pls post more metas on your blog i'm especially waiting for those ) , I drew Maiko beloved ( I owe her i recall when I got sick I'm so sorry it took so long <3 I'll draw better fanart one day . ) Hope to write with you more soon !!!

@fxtelism - We've been mutuals for a long while , you're a comfort to see on dash ! ( i dont think you remember me from my very old blogs , and i hope you don't ! LMAO we erase that cursed memory . ) I appreciate Alice's friendship with Venus sm , I hope to write with you more soon and have more of our ocs interact !

@aesthetiquement - Hi bes , you think you've seen the last of me ? Hello my labs and fellow peenoise too HAHAHA Thanks for being my textmate minsan bes . I love Meisha sm and our rambles and shitposts on dms , hope to interact with you more next year ! Bless Miss Meisha for tolerating the slowburn Knight DnD addict and my theiving British Dressmaker .

ADDITIONAL MESSAGE : @dcmure , @khaloymes , @phantasmaw , @londonfallen , @wonderloste , @spiritwhispers , @nulltune , @purewhiteprophet / @acandlelitdeath , @aceparagon , @sheyearns , @sapphiresands , @gainsflora , @earthssprout + everyone of my mutuals !!!

If you're reading this , I just want to let you know that you're one of my biggest writing inspirations and your presence on dash makes me incredibly happy ! I hope when the days get hard and you doubt yourself . Please be reminded that there are people who support you and your work and that your presence will always make a single person happy ! Keep doing what you enjoy doing ! I hope I have the pleasure to see you more next year and we get more interactions . I wish you all a happy new year and I hope 2023 is kinder to all of us !!!

#˗ˏˋ┊ 👑 &&. * 𝙎𝙐𝙍𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙎 .#( * JARDINAE FOLLOWER LOVE LETTERS )#( its still like 730 pm here but better post it early bc spending time with the besties + family <3 )#( happy new years everyone !!! )

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cornertheculprit · 1 year

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okay. see. imo the thing about godot is like. if you're going to call him a misogynist then first of all you can't really use the "kitten" nickname as suitable ammo because he doesn't just refer to women with it. he calls ron delite a kitten as well. he passes out condescending nicknames like candy to everyone i'm not sure what anyone expected. i think the only real ammo anyone has to say that has any real merit is this exchange:

Franziska: Enough! I believe I have the measure of you. You are the very worst kind of prosecutor. What could be more important than a trial?

Godot: ... Who's the wild mare, Trite?

Phoenix: This is Ms. von Karma. She was the acting prosecutor in your absence today.

Godot: Ha...! Well, I guess I owe you one then. But you can go now, princess. It's time for the big boys to take the reins.

Franziska: Just who do you think you are!? This case is my...

Godot: Hey, Filly. Know your role, and shut your mouth. I can't stand women like you. I'm only going to say this once, Lady von Whippingberg. Go home!

and he DOES start being very misogynistic here. there's no way around that. and i think all i can really say about it is that. i can kind of understand why he's being so nasty? he's a chronically ill man who just spent like 36 hours trapped on a small chunk of freezing cold land after being wounded and having to commit murder in order to save the little sister of the woman he loved (and her life was only in danger in the first place because of his dumbass idiotic ridiculous excuse of a plan but that's not what this post is about) and then some nineteen year old comes up and starts trying to preach at him about how he's a terrible fucking prosecutor because he didn't show up for a trial (because of the reasons listed above). and. i mean. i would probably start getting nasty too. does it excuse the language? no, but looking at any ace attorney character with the rose-colored glasses of "this person better have SQUEAKY CLEAN MORALS AND LANGUAGE or else i'm TOSSING THEM OUT ON THE STREET" would eliminate pretty much every character in the trilogy.

and in that same vein if you're GOING to hold those lines against godot (which people are perfectly within their rights to do. i Get It i Understand) i think you also have to hold other people's lines against them for THEIR misogynistic language. take edgeworth for example. he not only calls mia a bimbo, he ALSO refers to franziska as a "wild mare" (EXACTLY like godot does). but when people bring that up it's either to joke about it or to say how it's alright when he says stuff like that to franziska because they're siblings. and it's like! no! that's a double standard! edgeworth can just get away with more because he's a fan favorite (and the fact that he's one half of the biggest ship in the fandom doesn't hurt either). but imo if you're going to hold one character accountable for speaking like this, you have to hold them ALL. and given that the trilogy was a series of games made in the early 2000s, that could take...literally all day lmao.

i don't particularly know if i have a point to this? i just think that trying to make him out to be the Woman Hater Supreme like i've seen some people do is not only an injustice to his character (which is MEANT to be flawed) but it's also just. wrong imo. and besides if we're going to flatten his character into one sentence i don't think it would be "biggest misogynist of the series" i think it would be "sad and funny coffee man." does this post make any sense

#THE POINT IS THAT HE'S FLAWED!!! THAT'S THE POINT!!!! but if you're going to hold something like this against him at least hold it against #the other characters as well!!!!#just like how THEY'RE ALL FLAWED AS WELL!!!!#idk. idk!!! just. thoughts

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tabletopresources · 1 year

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Don't know if this is the right place to ask. I've been gifted DnD Castle Ravenloft for the holidays and I unpacked it last night... mother**** this thing is incredibly serious! Where do I begin? I want to teach my sons a love for DnD, but i can't afford R1900 just for the starter pack. Here in South Africa it is massively expensive.

How can I make this tabletop game into something they would like?

Thanks for the question! I’m so happy to see more parents considering D&D (and similar tabletop games) for their kids.

Honestly, I could go on and on forever on the many benefits of getting young people into the tabletop hobby but given you’re looking for guidance and not an entire treatise let me point you to some amazing resources, both for quickly jumping into a family-friendly game AND for more info for everyone on why to even bother.

First, I want to start with a few general resources that provide far more than I could (or probably should) here.

Level 1 Geek provides a whole article with info and resources on D&D for Kids. I was actually surprised to find they’d missed how effectively D&D (and similar) teach kids subjects like math without them even being aware they’re learning!

Wizards of the Coast provided a similar article of their own. They even provide free adventures with all you might need (including advice on best approaches for ages) called Monster Slayers: The Heroes of Hesiod. It was just the start of a great series.

DMing Dad has more resources and modules for you and your family as well!

I’m gonna rein myself in as that’s likely more than enough to get you and yours started. A few pieces of advice if I may:

Not all kids love combat and killing stuff. In fact, many don’t. So let them find animals they can befriend, help a goblin whose siblings are missing, gather wacky ingredients for a 50-story cake to celebrate an ancient dragon’s 1,000th birthday, etc. They love adventure. Let them eat cake, pet the displacer beast, and make some neat and strange friends.

Rule of Cool applies ALL THE MORE for kids. Let them use what rules they MUST (and those they like) to maintain some sense of structure and cooperation, but please at least consider encouraging and instilling in them an “anything fun for all is good for all” mindset. It’ll teach them the best part of D&D - we’re in this together.

Keep the statistics to a minimum. Use only the rules you need. The adventures sourced above use only the barest beats from D&D to tell a coherent story without it being bogged down in rules and the usual (admittedly) “character-stat-spreadsheet”. Keep it simple. Let THEM grow it outward from there as THEY see fit. And feel free to let them shrink it again when anything bigger or wider becomes unwieldy to them at all.

Start with excitement, keep it up, let THEM expand it. What you run for them CAN and likely SHOULD be simple and straightforward. Take cues from them when they want something to run deeper or get more complex. Your baddies don’t require complex gray morality. Your adventures can get by with few and even ZERO unexpected twists. Again, watch. Listen. Learn. Kids are very good at telling you, often and loudly, what they want.

Keep it short. Adults are better with longer sessions and adventure threads than kids usually are. Don’t be afraid to run a game no longer than an hour, or even less if they want to move on. Don’t take it personally. When they ask for another run plan a similar short one. If they beg for a little longer, reward them with just a teeny bit more. And repeat that as needed. Always keep them wanting more right?

Be kind and respectful. We’re all in this together. Manners can be learned and mastered around that gaming table and certainly shouldn’t stop there. This is true for adults too, but to each their own I suppose.

I hope that helps! Let us know how it goes!

And if this was interesting or useful to you at all, consider checking out Tabletop Gaming Resources for more art, tips, and tools for your game!

#tabletop rpg #rpg #tabletop gaming #pen & paper #roleplayer #roleplaying gamer #games #inspiration #pen & paper games #dnd #d&d #pathfinder #dungeons & dragons #Dungeons and Dragons #fantasy rpg #parents #kids #family-friendly #dm tips

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anoddopal · 2 years

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!!Masterpost of Details on My Personal Crash AU(s)!!

These are fully self-indulgent and exist purely for my own amusement. Selfship content ahead! You have been warned!

Other Warnings: Fictional character being in a romantically ambiguous situation with an AU version of themselves, mentions of periods of turmoil in relationships, mentions of canon/headcanon deaths of characters

Everything is fine and healthy in the end!! :)

Normal/Canon Timeline: “Normalverse”

- Follows the canonical events of the games (with some self indulgent modifications).

- Nefarious returned to his original universe after the events of Crash 4. FemTr.opy returned to hers. He spends loooooots of time kissing up to his wife, though he eventually ends back up in Opal’s good graces.

- Not too much to say about this one! The protagonists win. The villains (Tr.opy especially) are immensely humbled. Everything is well! (…. For now??)

Alt!Tawna + FemTr.opy’s original Timeline: “Tawnaverse”

- Follows the events of the dimension where our beloved bandicoot protagonists are no more. A bittersweet reality.

- FemTr.opy was married to Opal up until she murdered Crash, Coco, and her dimension's version of Co.rtex. Upon learning of their demise Opal was completely heartbroken. She packed her bags and fled. The woman joined the remaining bandicoots (who had teamed up with Tawna to take down the great evil that loomed over them). Here she met Ami. A romance blossomed between them and they went on to marry.

- In this particular instance, FemTr.opy was forced to return to her home world after the events of Crash 4, where she would eventually be caught and imprisoned for her crimes. She would remain locked up until her eventual passing.

- In this timeline, Opal essentially became a 'werebilby' due to drinking one of Brio's concoctions. It took her a while to get control of, but now she can phase between her human form and bilby form as she pleases.

- In the end, all those who deserve it get to live out their happily ever after in this universe... except for Crash and Coco. This fact looms over the heads of all the survivors. No matter how much time passes, it doesn't get easier for those who knew the siblings.

Most Commonly Depicted Timeline: “OT3verse”

- Follows an AU where the Tr.opys reign supreme but are constantly reined in by their significantly shorter, good-doer wife. Hijinks ensure.

- This timeline is the result of Nefarious bringing Nefertiti back to his original dimension after the events of Crash 4, rather than returning alone as he did in other AUs.

- Opal was NOT HAPPY when her husband brought back his other self. How dare? He invalidate?? The sanctity of their fucking marriage?? She was this close to separating from him/wouldn’t even acknowledge FemTr.opy. Both Tr.opys freaked out. The course of events may have played out VERY differently if it weren’t for FemTr.opy’s determination to make things right. It took months. Opal eventually was willing to give them both a chance but they had to start from square one. Trust had to be established. Rules and boundaries had to be made. Eventually one thing let to another and before they knew it they were planning the largest wedding celebration the world would ever see. 🕒🐇🕒

- The Tr.opys technically win in this universe. Of course Opal wasn't about to let them get away with smiting their enemies, so a compromise had to be made. It was agreed that a brand new dimension would be created to satisfy the masters of time while the bandicoots (and basically anyone else they don't care for) would live undisturbed in another pocket of the universe.

- Having lost her beloved wife (not to mention basically everything) in her old timeline, this FemTr.opy has taken it upon herself to not repeat her past mistakes. She isn't an entirely different person by any means, but in order to make things work this time around she needed to drop her cruelty to animals and find more... constructive ways to manage her tendencies.

- The relationship between the Tro.pys isn't inherently romantic. For them, it's more like having a clone to relate to. Why, imagine being a self-absorbed individual with a mirror reflection that can interact with you! In other words, they view the other as an extension of themselves. Certainly there's flirting between them, but that's mostly it.

- That being said, both Tro.pys know what if it came down to it, Nefertiti has the capacity to throw Nefarious into a raging fire with little to no remorse. She has more of a mean streak than he does, and she is fully determined to not lose what she had a second time around. He does not care to get on her bad side,

- Opal keeps her horologist spouses in line. They need someone to keep them in check. Hey, they can still be evil, sure! They just need to be evil within reason.

MORE SHIP DYNAMIC INFO:

Opal/Tr.opy- The exact moment Nefarious started to take an interest in her was when she worriedly asked Dr. Cor.tex about his obvious jaundice. She wasn't trying to be mean, but everyone who was present at the time broke out into laughter at Neo's expense. Opal and Nefarious share a love of history, traveling through time, and appreciating the cultures of various societies- both old and new. They both also enjoy puns, though he only takes interest in time-related jokes. Their relationship has an air of nostalgic decorum. However there is a small point of contention, as ever so often Nefarious lets it slip he thinks he's smarter than her (in multiple contexts he is but that's not the point).

Opal/Tr.opy (f)- Their relationship is surprising, given Nefertiti's pension for brutality. In the Tawnaverse, her sadistic tendencies were the reason Opal insisted upon a divorce. In order to make things work the second time around, the female Tr.opy had to redirect her destructiveness into more conductive avenues. She is incredibly soft on her wife, and has a hard time telling Opal “no”. They bond over history and exploring the world via time travel as well, but with an added fascination of the more morbid elements to reality. The Mistress of Time can be ice cold at the best of times but she'll absolutely melt in Opal's presence. It's a bit of a sight to behold.

Opal/Ami- They're two super soft dorks. Both are 100% fully grown individuals who are ready to cry over anything from an a fictional character's death to an adorable bunny at any given moment. They like indulging each other's interests, so much so that they've successfully converted their respective spouse dabble in the other's hobbies (Opal does a bit of noncompetitive racing and Ami now has immense respect for creative processes). Ami encourages Opal to be more active while Opal reminds Ami to settle down and chill out regularly.

RELEVENT ART/POSTS:

HERE

#felt like I needed to gather everything in one place!#as you can see I have wasted a lot of head space on this #most of the angst stems from an irl cycle of heartbreak/denial/acceptance/WHOO NEW WIFE #don’t care about reblogs on this but if you’d like to support my linked art- it’s always greatly appreciated!!#time twisted wife #time twisted husband #bandicute wife #my art tag has more of my recent work too btw!!#S/I: Opal

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thedevotedtm · 5 months

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“Now THAT’S a castle.” Pippa declared as they rounded the last bend on the road to Cair Paravel. Percy stared up at it as they reigned in the horses and came to a stop. It certainly was larger than home, and brighter, but there were similarities. Cair Paravel stretched down the cliffside, overlooking the Great Eastern Ocean. Hartsmoor, the looming keep of the Wardens of the North, sat atop a mountain, sneering down at Ettinsmoor and the Witch Country.

“Actually, I think it’s a palace, not a castle.” Em corrected, her blonde hair coming loose from her braid and blowing in the sea breeze. Of all the Hart siblings, Em most closely resembled Mother. Mother always claimed her family was descended from the Great Northern Star, but Percy had his doubts. Firstly, there was no documented case of a star coming down from the heavens to have children, with the exception of Liliandil, who was a queen. But when Percy looked at his baby sister, he could picture maybe she was part star. At only 10, Percy could see the beauty she would become.

“Well, whatever you call it, it’s certainly grander than home.” Pippa flicked her dark braid back over her shoulder. Percy could tell she was impressed with what she saw before her. Pippa had been the most excited by Mother’s summons to the seat of royal power. This was her best chance to escape Mother’s schemes for her, most of which involved marriage to some backwards, grubby, dull Northern Lord. There had been a parade of suitors last summer. Pippa had not been impressed by the sons of the North, and Mother had not been impressed by Pippa’s attempts to reject her suitors. This trip would be a fresh start for all of them.

“Of course it’s grander than home! It’s Cair Paravel!” Em exclaimed. Pippa opened her mouth to reply, but Percy cut her off. Whatever came out of her mouth was sure to hurt Em’s feelings. Pippa didn’t like being challenged, and she could be quite mean. Her sharp tongue rivaled Mother’s, while Em was soft and easily bruised.

“We should get going. I’m sure Mother’s waiting for us.”

She was standing in the courtyard as they rode in, blonde hair piled in an elaborate knot on the top of her head, and hand already on her hip. “Really, Philippa? Breeches?”

“Well, I could hardly ride all the way here from Hartsmoor dressed as a court lady.” Pippa replied, swinging down from the saddle and tossing the reins to a waiting groom. “Then, you would chide me for ruining my dress.” Mother frowned sternly. Pippa had a way of pushing Mother’s buttons. Percy quickly dismounted and pulled Em from her horse.

“They make overskirts for riding outfits. You do not have to parade around as a man.”

“I doubt anyone would mistake me for a man while I’m carting these around.” Pippa grabbed her breasts in a crude gesture. Mother’s face began to turn red. Percy knew he had to intercede before things turned ugly. He quickly stepped between his mother and twin.

“Hello, Mother.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek.

“Hello, Percy.” She replied, giving him a quick peck on the cheek in return. “How was the journey?”

“Dusty, but we made it.” He gave her a small smile. She almost returned.

“Well, come along. We must get you cleaned up before you are presented to the court.” Mother turned on her heel and began walking away.

“Presented? What do you mean, presented?” Pippa chased after her. Percy motioned for Em to start after them.

“There is a full court dinner and dance that you will be attending.” Mother answered without slowing down or looking.

“Really?” Em exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

“Not you, Emiliana. You are far too young for that.” Percy physically saw the joy leave Em’s body. Pippa grabbed Em’s hand.

“Then why did you even bring her here?”

Mother finally stopped and spun around to face them. They had been on a journey through twisting corridors and stairwells. “I could hardly leave her home all by herself with everyone else in the family here. That would be cruel.”

“And dragging her all the way down her just to exclude her from everything isn’t?” Pippa began to raise her voice.

“Not here, Pips.” Percy whispered sharply, grabbing her shoulder. Mother would never forgive them if they made a scene in the castle corridor, especially on their first day.

“Harumph.” Mother spun on her heel and continued walking. “It’s not for too long. Once Sebastien finds a wife, Emilie will return to Hartsmoor with him.” She came to a stop outside a set of double doors. “And I can focus on you two.” She looked over each of the two twins, and Percy could tell in her expression that neither of them were up to her standards. “Now, these are the Hart family apartments. This will be your home for the time being.” She nodded to the attendant who then swung open the doors. They walked through an entry way, a parlor, and into a private sitting room. Percy hadn’t even seen the bedrooms yet and he could tell it was a magnificent suite of rooms, very befitting of the family’s station. He wondered just how big the apartments were.

“It’s amazing!” Em gasped, staring around in wonder. Percy felt a pang of nostalgia for a time when he was allowed to so shamelessly display his opinions and thoughts. Mother had not been as strict with Em as she had been with the older children.

“Do you think so, Daisy? A familiar voice asked from an overlooked chair in the corner.

“Willian!” Em shrieked, dashing across the room and literally jumping into his arms. It was a good thing Will had stood up. He grunted as he caught her.

“You are getting heavy, Daisy!” He swung her around before setting her down. “And tall.” He bent down and kissed the top of her head, his distinctly brown hair falling into his eyes. Will resembled his own mother, so Percy had been told. Percy had never met his aunt and uncle, they had died before he was born, and so his cousin had been raised as his adopted brother. Will looked up. “Do I get a hug from you, Pipsqueak?”

“I suppose, but I’m not running.” Pippa crossed the room and hugged Will. “It wouldn’t be befitting of a proper lady to show such emotion.” She cast a pointed look at Mother, who ignored her for a whispered conversation with a maid Percy had never seen before. “You need a haircut.” She tussled Will’s hair.

“I need a haircut? Have you seen your twin’s head?” Will looked at Percy’s unruly dark curls.

“I’m sure Mother will sort him out soon enough.” Pippa also looked at Percy appraisingly. “Though the curls give him an added boyishness that will probably make him more attractive, so she might let him keep them.”

“You’re very calculating, you know that?” Percy crossed his arms.

“Don’t pretend like you’re not.”

“It’s time to wash the stink of the road off of you.” Mother clapped her hands together. “Come along. Girls first.”

“Girls?” Pippa stared at Mother. “Are you seriously going to make me share a bath with Emmie? I’m sixteen, Mother!”

“Find yourself a husband and you will never have to bathe with your sister again. Until then…” Mother snapped her fingers and pointed through an open door behind her.

“Unbelievable.” Pippa snapped before stalking through the doorway, Em trailing behind her.

“Do you think I’m allowed to sit down?” Percy asked, surveying the fancy chairs as Mother closed the door behind the girls.

“Not with road stink on you.” Will said, pointedly sitting back down. “Mother will skin you if you ruin her chairs. She just had them reupholstered.”

“Of course she did.” Percy sighed, moving to go sit on the windowsill.

Three hours later, they were washed and pruned, and now decked out in their finest clothes, preparing to enter the Grand Hall. Father and Sebastien had finally them. The family lined up in their assigned pairs, Mother and Father first, Pippa and Seb in the middle, with Percy and Will bringing up the rear.

“Should I put my hand on yours, or would you like to be the lady in this situation?” Percy smirked at Will, nodding his head towards how Pippa had copied Mother’s stance, with her right hand placed over Seb’s left. Will snorted.

“Percy, I will beat the-“

“Do NOT embarrass me.” Mother hissed from the front, cutting off Pippa’s retort. “The QUEEN is in there. You will behave appropriately.” They all grew quiet for a moment.

“You know,” Will whispered, leaning in close as the group in front of them was introduced. “I’m glad Emmie didn’t come tonight.”

“Why’s that?” Percy asked, as the family moved into position in front of the massive doorway. He could see into the hall. It certainly was grand, with all the gold and silver and bronze glittering in the candlelight. At the far end of the room was a raised dais, where the queen sat. In front of her table stood the Lord of the Lantern Waste and his wife, where they bowed to the queen. That’s what Percy was about to do. They had traverse the length of the room, in front of everyone, and bow to the queen before they could sit down.

“Because if she was here, you would walk with her, and I would have to walk in there by myself like a fucking idiot.” Percy had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing. In front of him, he could see Pippa begin to squeeze Seb’s hand and he knew she was trying not to laugh. In front of her, he could see Mother’s shoulders tense. She had heard, and they would all be in for it later. “Head up and eyes front.” Will whispered softly as they stepped to the edge of the red carpet.

“Lord and Lady Hart of Hartsmoor, Wardens of the North!” The steward declared, thumping his giant stick. The family began to walk forward. Percy was careful to stay in step with Will. He didn’t want to be the one to embarrass Mother in front of the entire court. “And their children, the Lady Philippa, and Sers Sebastien, Percival, and Willian!”

It felt like an eternity to cross the hall. Percy kept his gaze on the banner over the queen’s head, displaying the Narnian Lion. Percy thought a lion was much grander than his own family’s crest, which was a stupid hart, because what else would a family named Hart pick? Percy always related the lion to Old King Peter, even though it was supposed to represent all of the Pevensies (and Aslan, of course). Percy glanced at Queen Tamzin for the first time as they reached the foot of the dais. Was she descended from a Pevensie? Or was she from the Telmarine line of King Caspian? That would make her descended from a star. Percy should know, as Mother had taught them. But, he didn’t remember. He probably hadn’t thought it horribly important at the time. She was beautiful, whoever her ancestors were, with her warm blonde hair and kind eyes.

Father and Mother stopped directly in front of the Queen. Seb released Pippa’s hand and stood to Father’s right, while Pippa walked to Mother’s left. Percy and Will split the same way, with Percy next to Pippa and Will next to Seb. They all bowed in unison. “Your Majesty,” Father called out as soon as they rose. “You are, of course, familiar with my older sons, but may I introduce my twins, uh…”Father gestured towards them and paused, his face flashing confusion. The pause went on long enough to become slightly awkward. Percy bit his lip and stared up at the Lion banner, stubbornly refusing to make eye contact with Pippa, even when she squeezed his hand. He couldn’t. If he looked at her, he knew he would crack.

Father had forgotten their names. Names that had literally been announced less than a minute ago. Father had never been overly familiar with him and Pippa, not like he was with Seb, but Percy didn’t think he was in such low regard as to have his name not even worth remembering. Did he really mean that little to Father? Or was Father perhaps having a stroke? Percy didn’t want to look over to find out.

“Philippa and Percival, Your Majesty.” Mother cut in, breaking the awkward pause. Percy hoped the Queen hadn’t noticed the slip up, for all their sakes. He and Pippa bowed their heads to the Queen. All Percy wanted to do was go sit down (or sink into the floor, that would also work). However, they couldn’t sit down until Queen Tamzin was done addressing them in whatever way she saw fit. Percy hoped they would just get a nod so they could quickly escape. But they probably wouldn’t. For the Queen to simply nod at her Warden of the North, while he was introducing his children no less, would be a serious snub. A severe insult. Percy knew Mother would never recover if she was insulted by the Queen, especially after such an insult from her own husband. He glanced up at the Queen, hoping his face wasn’t turning red, despite the heat he could feel on it. Please let this be over quickly.

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strawberriescherrieskiwi · 2 years

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Rewrite the stars

Anon request:

Rewrite the stars with Hal

Wordcount: 3.2K+

Warning: smut, antsy

“Hal, we are going to get into so much trouble,” You whispered-yelled at the young prince, as he dragged you after him into the stables.

“We won’t get into trouble, have you forgotten I am the prince after all,” he said, tossing a smirk over his shoulder at you.

You huffed, yanking your arm back, trying to get free of his warm hand in yours. “Not all of us are princes that are invincible,” you mumbled softly.

He smirked left his face as he stopped walking, turning around, pulling you into his arms. “Y/n do you trust me?”

You stared up at him, into his dark eyes. It was always easy for you to get lost in their green kaleidoscopes. It was unfair how beautiful he was. So unfair how much your heart raced as his thumbs rubbed against your palms as he waited for your answer.

“I trust you, always,” you finally said.

He smiled. A genuine smile of happiness. He wasn’t the sort of person that gained someone trust and once they got it, they couldn’t wait to exploit it. No he was happy that you trusted him as he trusted you. That out here in the dark, he was a man you trust, and you were the woman he loved.

“Then you will be okay, we will both be okay. Take a leap with me,” he said, bringing your hands to his mouth kissing both your palms. He dropped one of your hands before resuming his walk to the stables.

Grabbing his favorite horse, he helped you into the straddle before pulling himself up behind you. He pressed himself against you and you had to hold back gasping at the contact. You two have been together for months now, sneaking glancing around the room, a few kisses stolen in a dark room and empty hallways, but nothing else.

Having him this close just reminded you that you two would be alone, completely alone for a bit. The thought brought a warm feeling to the pit of your stomach. You snuggled closer to him, grinning as he placed your hands on the reins and then placing his on top of them.

“Hold on tight, dove,” he said, his lips on the shell of your ear. You flushed from the close proximity and the pet name.

“This is not my first ride, Hal,” you said, thankful that your voice didn’t show how much he affected you.

“Do not say I did not warn you.” Was his reply before you two took off into the night. You rode hard and fast for at least an hour, and you were starting to worry you wouldn’t be back before people noticed you were missing. Just as you opened your mouth to air your concern, Hal pulled on the reins and the horse stopped.

“We are here,” he said. You could hear the smile in his voice as he hopped down, before grabbing your waist and setting you on the ground.

“And where exactly is here?” you asked as you looked around. You could hear rushing water, but didn’t see any.

“Hold on dove,” he chuckled, tying the reins to a nearby tree before taking your hand in his and walking forward.

And under a canopy and low-hanging branch was a waterfall, the water was clearer than any water you have ever seen and you loved it. It was the most romantic thing you had ever seen.

“Hal, this is so beautiful, how did you find this?”

“When I was younger, my siblings and I used to like giving everyone a run for their money, and one day I found this. It’s my favorite place in all of England,” he smiled pulling you closer to the water.

You shook yourself out of the past, staring at the white dress on the bed. Weddings were supposed to be joyous occasions, but this one was anything but it. The dress mocked you from its place.

All you could think about Hal on the other side of the palace, getting dressed as well. You wished to see him. You wished to be in his arms, but there was so much to do before the walk down the aisle and you knew there was no way for you to get to his room without being spotted.

A breeze woke you up from your dream, causing you to shiver slightly. Turning over you came face to face with a sleeping Hal. You smiled, pushing his hair out of his face. It’s grown longer in his time out of the palace. He looked more at peace here, you both were.

You didn’t have to hide your feelings like you did in the palace. You got to wake up with him next to you every morning and you wouldn’t change that for the world. You ghosted your hand over his shoulder, counting all the freckles along his shoulder.

“Starting early this morning, dove?”

You jumped at his words. You thought he was still asleep. His eyes were still closed, but now a smirk graced his face. You slapped his shoulder.

“It is unbecoming to scare a lady, you know.”

His eyes opened and bore into yours. ``Are you going to punish me for my bad behavior,” he said, as his arm circled your waist pulling you flush against his naked body.

Your leg immediately threw itself over his. “Punish you? I'm sure any punishment would have no effect on you considering how much joy you get out of them,” you said, gripping his shoulder in your hands before pushing him flat on his back so you straddled him.

His hands gripped your waist, giving you a rough squeeze, “You can’t forget all the pleasure I get from them,” he said, his hand disappearing under the blanket. And his cock was pressing against you. “And the pleasure you get as well. Look at you, already so wet for me. Were you dreaming about me, my dove?” His voice was teasing and if his cock was pushing into you, you would have hit him again.

“You are impossible sometimes, my lord,” you said as you started to move your hips.

Hal groaned, he may hate his title, but when you were on top of him and calling him that, he had to keep himself from finishing too soon. “And you love me all the same,” he said, pulling you down to kiss him.

“I do so much,” you agreed.

The dress was on now. You looked into the mirror to see the front better. It hung perfectly, but then why wouldn’t it. It was made for this occasion, for the future queen of England. You wouldn’t expect anything less for the dress.

“Hal would love it,” a voice said, making you remember that you were not alone, and made eye contact with her in the mirror. You smiled widely at her, nodding. You weren’t sure if your voice was strong enough to speak just yet.

“What do you mean, Hal went to battle? Why would he do this? Has he lost his mind?” You shot off question after question at Falstaff.

He sighed, rubbing his temple. He was still half drunk and you yelling at him was not helping.

“You know Hal. He doesn’t want to see anyone hurt. Thomas is going to fight and get himself killed. He couldn’t just stand by and watch that happened,” he explained.

You huffed. He was right, you knew Hal enough to know that while he was hurt when his father gave his throne to his brother, he still wished no wrongdoing on his younger brother.

You spent many nights cuddling close as he talked about his fears of his father making Thomas fight all his battles. How he wished Thomas would just join him and be safe.

“I still can’t believe he left without telling me,” you said, taking a seat at the table.

“He knew if you asked him not to go he would, but this was something he had to do. There is no shortage of what he would do for you, Y/n. I hope you know that,” he said, before getting up to get another drink.

You knew the power you had over Hal. He had the same over you. You would do anything for him because you lived to make him happy, and he lived to make you. He would never admit it, but you were the reason he was here in the village. Here he could be with you, even if it meant giving up his birthright.

A knock on the door had you blinking back the tears you felt in your eyes. You tore your eyes off of the dress, making yourself to the door, opening it gently. “Yes, what is it?’

It was one of Hal’s guards or advisors, you hadn’t had time to learn them all, just the ones that he told you about after he got rid of them.

“It’s the King. He’s missing,” they got out in a rush, making sure to keep their voice low so no one would overhear.

“Missing?”

“Perhaps missing is the wrong word, but he is gone. Cleary of his own volition,” he said.

Your eyes closed for a moment. Hal what are you doing? You thought.

You looked around the room. It was grand, grander than any room you've ever been into.

“Do you like it?”

You turned to face Hal, or now King Henry of England. This was the first time you’ve seen him since his father’s death. His hair was different. His clothes were so regal you couldn’t even look at them.

But his eyes, the sparkle in those green orbs were still there as he looked at you expectedly.

“They are lovely, I don’t understand why are you showing them to me?”

“Well because they are yours?”

“Mine? Hal, no this can’t be my room?”

“And why not?” He said crossing the room to stand in front of you now. Daring you to defy him.

That look must work on people, but you’ve known him too long for that to work. “Because this room is for your future queen,” You said, hating the sad tone your voice took at your words.

Before he became King it seemed possible that you could have him forever and he would only belong to you, but that was nothing but a fantasy now. He would have to marry and produce heirs for the country. It just wasn’t written in the stars for you two.

“And what do you think you are to me. There is no one I would rather have as my queen than you.”

“Hal.. it isn’t up to us. We can’t be together. You are a king and I am-

“You are the woman that I’ve loved since I can remember. That has stood by my side through everything. No one is more fit to rule by my side,”

“You know I want that, I want you, but I can’t we can’t,” You said cupping his face as you say the tears form in his eyes.

You were probably the only person that ever got to see him like this. The vulnerability that he trusted only you with. It normally warmed your heart, but now it felt like an arrow to the heart.

“Who can stop me, I’ve decided you are mine, my dove, my destiny. He wore the crown and the title, but all the powers were nothing without you with him. You were meant to be with him, he just didn’t know how to convince you.

“You are king, no one can stop you,” you said after a moment.

Hal's shoulders relaxed as he pulled you into his arms. He needed to have you close, the fear of losing you still gripping his throat.

You opened your eyes looking them in the eye. “I will find the king, don’t worry,” you said determinedly. Grabbing the hem of your dress you opened the door wider and walked out.

You knew where he was, how could you not. He took you there a million times. It was no longer his secret place, it belonged to both of you. A place you two declared your love for each other all the time. It was sacred and you wished you didn’t have to go.

Taking a horse you rode quickly as you could to the waterfall, trying to push away the memory of the last time he took you here.

Hal arrived from France in the middle of the night. You were asleep, cuddling close to his pillow when he shook your shoulders.

“I need you to come with me,” he whispered. His eyes were wide, full of fear, pain and panic. Without a second thought you were scrambling out of bed nodding. You didn’t ask questions. You knew that whatever was happening was too much for him and talking right now wouldn’t help.

He led you to a horse already ready. He helped you up before climbing behind you wrapping his arms around your waist. You knew where to go, and took the reins as he buried his face in your back.

The ride was bumpy, but you could still feel the sobs from the king behind you as you rode. When you arrived, Hal took the horse tying him up as you both entered the hidden area.

The only sound was that of the water as Hal began undressing first you, then himself. You watched him closely, noticing the slight shake in his hands. Once you both were naked, you grabbed his hands pulling him into the water with you.

“Hal, what happened?”

“The prince is dead.”

“Is that not good news?” You asked as you swam under the wall into the tiny alcove, you pulled yourself out of the water to sit on the rocks, but Hal stayed in the water just gazing up at you.

“You, my dove, are a goddess, and nothing in this world means more to me than you,” He said, instead of answering your question. His hands grabbed your thighs pulling you to the edge of the rocks.

“Hal, please tell me what is going on,” you begged. His behavior was starting to worry you.

“Please, just let me have you right now, I’ll explain everything after.” His gaze was pleading and you could still see evidence of his tears.

‘Of course, I am yours, always my lord,”

A choke sobbed left his mouth, but he pulled you back into the water with him, wrapping your legs around his waist. “And I am yours, my dove,” he whispered as he pushed into you.

You gasped slightly, it had been awhile since you last had him inside of you, but you welcomed him, wrapping your arms around his shoulders and burying your face in his shoulder as he rocked his hips, pushing his cock deeper inside of you.

The alcove filled with your breathing and Hal’s groans as you two reunited, his grip tightened on your waist, pulling you closer, “Tell me your mine,’ he growled in your ear.

“I’m yours,”

“Always,” he said, his cock roughly pressing your spot.

You moaned, pulling your face from his neck to kissing him as you were pushed over the edge. “Always, always always,” you mumbled against his lips.

Taking a deep breath you dismount the horse, and walk through the hidden passage to see Hal sitting on the ground, his feet dangling into the water.

“Took you long enough,” he says without turning around.

You glare daggers at his back as you make your way over to him. “What do you think you are doing, Hal? I don’t know if you know this, but it is your wedding day,” The anger you felt over his disappearing act allowed you to get the words out without choking on them.

He ignored your words. “When we were here last, you promised you would be mine forever? Did you know then that you were lying to me?”

Swallowing hard, you took a seat next to him, not caring that the bottom of your tan dress was being ruined. “That isn’t a fair question, you asked me that before putting me into an impossible situation.”

As you both came down from your high, you laid in each other's arms. You push his hair from in front of his face, it’s getting long again and you can’t help but think of your time in the village together. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

“The king asked me to marry his daughter,” he said, breaking the silence. Your hand dropped from his hair, pulling yourself from his arms.

“Oh,” you said, sitting up, pulling your knees to your chest.

“Oh? Is that all you have to say about it.” His voice was calm, but you could hear the sadness in it as well.

You shrugged, “We both knew that this wouldn’t last, it couldn’t last,” you said sadly.

“And you would just give me up so easily?” Now you could hear only the hurt in his tone.

“Hal, don’t be like that. Do you think this is easy, you think I don’t want to be with you,”

“I know you want me, I know you love me, but you keep letting things pull us about,”

“It’s fate pulling us apart, not me,’ you said, your voice raising slightly. “I know that because we can be together in here, like this, you think we can everywhere, but we can’t. This was hopeless from started.”

Hal scoffed, sitting up now. “I love you, nothing will change that. I didn’t tell him I would marry his daughter.”

You weren’t shocked by his words, you knew he wouldn’t, but he needed to. You two were from different worlds, no one would accepted you on the throne, and the country was still so raw after everything that just happened. They needed to see a stable crown, Hal marrying you would cause too much distress. So you would have to do something that would break both of your hearts.

“Tell him you changed your mind, that you got home and realized you needed a queen and marry her,” You said, looking down at your feet.

Hal was silent, you could feel his heart breaking and you couldn’t handle it. You made to move out of the alcove, but a tight grip on your wrist stopped you.

“Tell me to my face, if that is what you wish for me to do,” He said, voice void of any emotions.

Taking a deep breath you turned to him. “You need to marry the prince, Your Majesty.”

“Impossible? It wasn’t impossible at all, I loved you. All I asked was for your love in return,” he said.

“It wasn’t up to us,”

“Yes it was, I asked for you to be mine, you said you were.”

“How could you say I were mine when I share you with this country, Everything was pulling us apart,”

“No that was you.”

You hated this, he was a brick wall, but one that you made. You broke him. As you helped Catherine get ready all you could think about is how you wished to run and not have to see the man you love promise himself to another. You closed your eyes and you saw the dress, the one she was happily wearing as you watched in the mirror behind her.

“I’m sorry, Hal.

“So am I.”

#the king imagines #timothee chalamet imagines #prince hal x reader #prince hal imagines #prince hal x you #prince hal #timothee chalamet

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theshelbyclan · 3 years

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Happy Birthday!

Summary: It’s your birthday! And the Shelby brothers refuse to let another one of their baby sister’s birthday go by without some proper celebrating.

(Gif by @benson-shelby) A/N: It’s actually my birthday today, but due to quarantine I can’t really celebrate it with anyone. So I decided to celebrate with the Shelby’s! Via this little fic, purely self-indulgent, to cheer myself up and to remember some great birthdays I had in the past ;) Set in season 1, you’re just a few years younger than John. Words: 1710 *** “John, get her tea.” “I thought you had the tea.” “Well, then get the milk!” urgent whispers sounded in the hallway.

“I’m not your bloody maid, am I, Ada,” John spat not so quietly in return.

You were lying in bed, awake for hours already. This was the day you’d become a woman, or so Ada had said, but still, your siblings were bickering like little children. It brought a smile to your face. Another annoyed grumble, “Shhh, you’re going to wake her up!” “Am not,” he hissed, “I got your fucking milk, didn’t I!” “Oi!” another low voice joined in, “Ada, you really need to take a look at the toast.” “What about the toast, Arthur?” “Burned it,” he mumbled and you could hear John giggle softly in the dark. Ada sighed deeply, “For fucks sake, fine, I’ll do it. Wait here.” As the least subtle brothers in the world shuffled about in the hallway, you thought of your other birthdays. When you were little, they were celebrated with mum and everyone gathered. During the war, no one paid attention to birthdays any longer. And now, after the war, people tried to get their lives back on track. Only last week you’d made sure Finn had gotten a birthday he’d never forget. And now they tried to return the favour, obviously. Another few minutes and about a thousands curses passed, when they finally tiptoed into the room. Closing your eyes, you decided to play along. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” Slowly you sat up and put on a groggy voice, “What are you doing in here?” “You are the worst actor ever, Y/N,” John grinned. “Am I?” you feigned innocence. Ada handed you a cup of tea as John plopped down onto bed next to you, “Did you hear about Arthur burning the toast then?” “I didn’t burn it,” he protested, “Only… blackened it a little.” Ada sent her eldest brother a look, “Polly’s making some more.” “Thanks for the tea,” you smiled and took a sip. Frowning, you narrowed your eyes at John. “You’re not a child anymore, Y/N!” he explained happily. “Move over,” Arthur shoved his brother aside and hugged you, “Happy birthday, sweetheart. This is for you, go on, open it.” Wrapped clumsily in some brown paper, he’d given you a revolver. And just as you were staring at it, Aunt Polly walked in with toast in a lovely shade of light brown. “A gun,” she demanded at once, “For fucks sake, Arthur.” “She needs it to protect herself, Pol,” he returned, and with pride in his voice he added, “And look: it’s a lady’s gun!” You turned the weapon over and saw it was small, delicate and laid in. Still, deadly as any weapon it was. “My turn,” John said, bouncing up and down in excitement almost. He handed Polly your tea and when she sniffed it, she said strictly, “Alright, who put whiskey in her morning tea?” No one answered. Quickly John handed you his present, hardly wrapped at all. Inside, you found a peaky cap, razorblades included. “Honestly, John…” Ada sighed, “She’s not a bloody Blinder!” “It’s all she’s ever wanted!” John called out, “Ever since she could walk, she tried to steal our caps, forever talking about wanting to join us wherever we went. Now she’s got her own!” “I love it,” you beamed up at him, “All I ever wanted.” “Alright,” Ada interrupted, “Clearly Y/N has too many brothers so it’s up to me to turn her into a lady.” “Please do,” Polly sighed, “Or the only interest she’ll ever have is weapons.” She knew her niece well, “That and gambling…” Your sister combed a few rebellious strands of hair behind your ear and planted a kiss on your cheek, “My darling little sister, soon you’ll learn you have more than one way of getting a man to do what you want.” You blinked a few times. This had always been more of Ada’s area of expertise. “She has no idea what you’re on about,” Polly smirked. “Thank God,” Arthur and John said in unison. “Sit still,” Ada demanded and she started applying the lipstick, “Sit. Still.” You furrowed your brows at the unfamiliar feeling, “Just your colour,” Ada commented happily, “As I thought.” “Not bad, that,” Arthur commented as he tilted his head. John leaned back and examined you as well, “Yeah, well, it’s red, isn’t it? I like red...” “Lipstick, a gun and razors,” Ada commented matter-of-factly, “the most deadly Shelby as of yet, Pol!” Aunt Polly rolled her eyes. “Happy birthday, Y/N!” eleven-year-old Finn came running to the room and jumped up into your arms, “You can have mine!” And he thrust his homemade catapult into your hands by form of a gift. “Another weapon, Pol,” Arthur eyed her, “Whatever will become of our innocent little sister?” Aunt Polly rubbed her nose and stammered a little, “Well, you know I don’t agree with you joining the family business… And God knows I’ve tried to rein you in just a little…” “But,” you interrupted, eyes glittering mischievously. “But…” she looked down, “I got you something for your shoes.” “Shoes?” you looked at the little black package she’d handed you. John suddenly burst out laughing in realisation, Arthur tried to hide his face in his hands and Ada commented dryly, “So, no better than us, eh, Pol.” Slowly you opened the package. Inside, you found a small black butterfly knife. *** A few hours had passed, with the regular nonsense that you cherished more than anything in the world. The family was gathered in the kitchen, everyone argued and life seemed perfect. But, one thing was missing. “Where’s Tommy?” you finally asked. “He had business,” Polly answered shortly, “No idea when he’ll be back.” You eyed John carefully, the brother you always turned to, “You think he forgot?” “Nah,” he tried cheering you up, “And you’re doing alright with us, right? Don’t need grumpy here…” You smiled, but still it hurt a little. And then, unexpectedly, Tommy waltzed into the house like it was any other day. “Y/N,” he announced himself coldly, “I need you to come with me.” “Why?” you challenged, “We’re just celebra-“ “I said now, Y/N. Family business.” Tommy interrupted in a low voice. “Thomas…” Aunt Polly started, but he held up a hand to silence her. Then he turned to you and repeated, “Come with me.” Begrudgingly, you got up and followed your brother. Looking back, Arthur motioned you to move it, which made you all the more suspicious. Without moving a muscle in his face, Tommy opened the door and said, “Go on.” You stepped outside and the second you did, applause resounded through the streets. In front of every house, people had gathered and they cheered like you were royalty. You couldn’t believe your eyes. “Tommy, did you…” you started. “He’s been at it all morning,” John explained as he crossed you in the doorway. A few moments later, the sound of hooves echoed in the streets. “What the hell is this,” you said at once. “This,” Tommy made a broad hand gesture, “Is a gypsy on a horse.” “And what, pray tell, is he doing in the middle of town?” You recognised Johnny Dogs now, who called out, “Little Y/N Shelby! Happy birthday, love! How the hell are you!” “I’m grand, Johnny,” you said numbly, “What’s with the horse?” He got off the horse and patted her flank, “She was a lovely filly as first. Sweet, but could never quite be tamed. Third filly out of Shadow, gorgeous beast.” “So, we decided,” Tommy mumbled as he lit a cigarette slowly, “she needed a rider who’d understand.” “What? Being a gorgeous beast?” your cynical reply came. Tommy rolled his eyes, �� ‘could never be tamed’ “. “Well, go on,” Johnny urged, smiling from ear to ear, “Up you get, little one!” Gingerly, you walked over to the horse. As you stroked her nose, Tommy handed you his cigarette and said softly, “What do you think of her?” “She’s an absolute beauty.” Tommy nodded, “Just like you,” but before you could send him a thankful look, he’d walked off again. And with the whole of Small Heath watching on, you climbed up on the horse. *** It was almost midnight when you woke up on a hard cold bench. A splitting headache washed over you as you tried to lift your head. You touched your temple and noticed some blood on your knuckles. Vaguely, you remembered being in the Garrison only a few hours before. You remembered Tommy had closed the betting den and the pub being packed with people, all celebrating your birthday. Memories of card games, songs and laughs came back to you. And the whiskey, so much whiskey. Slowly, you hoisted yourself up. As you looked around, you recognised the inside of the police cell. And you felt at your laced up boots: the knife was still safe inside. A sigh of relief escaped you. “How’s the head, eh?” Recognising your brother’s voice, you looked up without meeting his eye. “What did I do?” you asked finally. After a pause, Tommy replied, “Well, you celebrated your birthday alright.” “Did I have fun?” “Yes, I’d say so.” You frowned, “Why am I in here?” He cleared his throat, “It started with the barmaid and ended with you head-butting a policeman. Quite the Shelby night…” “Is that pride I hear?” Tommy didn’t answer, so you send him your best innocent smile. Eventually he asked, “Was it worth it?” “Hell yes,” you replied in a flash. “Little devil, celebrating her fucking birthday, eh?” “Admit it!” you pointed at him, “you areproud!”

And Thomas Shelby actually smiled through the bars, “Fucking right I am.” When he started to walk away, you shouted, “Oi! What about my bail?” “Paid it!” he called from a distance. “How am I supposed to get home?” you raised your voice even more. Tommy’s reply echoed, “Take your horse. She’s outside.” Myhorse? And just as a policeman with a head in bandages opened the door of your cell, you smiled to yourself: Best birthday ever.

Tommy left the station before you were released, but before he’d gone, he finally said:

“Happy birthday, Y/N.”

***

Masterlist

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dialovers-translations · 2 years

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Diabolik Lovers LUNATIC PARADE ;; Kou Route ー Sub Scenario w/Reiji

–> In between the main route chapters, the player is taken to the area map of the Parade where you can freely roam around. There are four different places to visit, each with different mini games and sub scenarios to enjoy.

AREA: GLIMMER DARK STREET

CHARACTER: REIJI

ー The scene starts in Reine de Aji’s store

Kou: Ah, this jacket is so cool.

Yui: It looks great on you!

Kou: Really? Guess I’ll go for this one then~

Reiji: Kou, one moment, please.

Kou: Eh? What’s wrong, Reiji-kun?

Reiji: The sleeve of the one you’ve selected is ever so slightly frayed. You should take this one instead.

Kou: Ah? You’re right! I didn’t notice at all. Thanks!

Yui: Reiji-san has a sharp eye when it comes to these kinds of things.

Reiji: I am only doing the obvious.

Kou: But you know, I can imagine that the Sakamaki household would collapse in on itself without Reiji-kun around.

Reiji: Well, you do make a valid point. Just look at how things are even with me there.

It is terrifying to even imagine how that lot would fare without me.

Yui: ( ...Understandable. I’m sure things wouldn’t end well without Reiji-san around... )

Kou: I seeー ...I’ll treat you today to compensate for all the trouble you have to go through on a daily basis!

Let me think, right...

Yui: ( I wonder how Kou-kun plans to treat him? )

Kou: This, and this, I guess?

*Thud*

Yui: Such a lovely smell. Is this a fragrance?

Kou: Yup! I chose one with a soothing effect. What do you think?

Reiji: Not a bad choice.

Kou: I’m glad to hear that! Then, next is this nifty tool.

Yui: ( Is that a massage device he’s pressing against Reiji-san’s shoulder? )

Reiji: Very nice. A little more to the right, please...Ah, right there.

Kou: Uwahー Your muscles are totally locked up.

Reiji: None of my siblings will show their appreciation for me in this way after all.

Kou: I see...Then I’ll fill that role today~!

Yui: ( Reiji-san seems pleased as well, I’m glad. )

*TIMESKIP*

Kou: Hey~ I can stop now, right?

Reiji: No. You have yet to do my arms and legs.

Yui: ( Kou-kun has been giving Reiji-san a massage non-stop ever since... )

Kou: I’m exhausted. I’ve already treated you plenty so we can call it a day, right?

Reiji: Not yet. You are the one who offered, so now you should take responsibility till the end.

Furthermore, you are not allowed to stop until I say so.

Kou: ...Fine. If you want a massage that badly, take a seat over here.

Yui: ( Is that a massage chair he’s pointing to...? )

Reiji: I suppose I have no other choice. I am curious what you have in store for me next.

ー Reiji takes a seat

*Thud*

*Rustle rustle*

Reiji: Kou! Why are you tying my limbs to the chair!?

Kou: If you’re that worn out, you should have this device take care of it. This one’s very famous, you see?

I’m sure it’ll do a much better job than I ever could! That being said...Let’s turn this bad boy on!

ー He switches on the massage chair

Reiji: Uu...Kou! Stop this! Hurry...Ow!

Kou: They say that pain indicates just how exhausted your body actually is.

I’m sure that it’ll gradually start feeling better and better if you just endure it for a bit so hang in there~!

Reiji: That makes no sense! Now hurry up and untie me!

Owowow!

Kou: Now don’t be so demanding! I’m sure it’ll turn off itself in a few hours, give or take!

Reiji: A few hours!? Wait, turn it off at once!

*Rustle rustle*

Kou: Anyway, we should probably get going soon. See you!

M-neko-chan, sorry for the wait! Let’s forget about Reiji-kun and go hit up one of the other shops, okay?

Yui: S-Sure...

ー They walk towards the door

Yui: ( Reiji-san seemed to be in a lot of pain so I wonder...Will he be okay like that? )

Reiji: Aaah!

...Somebody, anybody...Stop this thing, please...!

ーー THE END ーー

#diabolik lovers #dialovers #reiji sakamaki #kou mukami #lunatic parade #diabolik lovers translation #lpkousubreiji

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