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raevenlywrites · 3 years

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The Ties That Bind 20 of ???

As much as I simply wanted to sleep, even my extreme exhaustion wasn’t enough to supersede good manners. I would at the very least catch Zane’s eye as he danced, alert him to my presence--that was good manners, right? I couldn’t think. My head was fogged with the need to sleep, and my thoughts tumbled like so many leaves in the wind.

The crowd parted easily before me and Rei, avians falling back in respect and serpents... well, I didn’t know why the serpents moved before me. Maybe something of that emotional extra sense informed them. I didn’t care. I just wanted to wave at Zane on my way to bed.

Of course, once he saw me, he immediately broke from the dance, another serpiente falling seamlessly into his place. I marveled at the smoothness of it, how not a single beat was missed. If Zane had signaled the change in any way, I had not seen it. Then again, in my fatigued state, I’m sure I missed much.

I took a deep breath, drawing myself up as Zane approached, and felt Rei flinch beside him. Was it the Arami’s approach, or a reaction to my donning my emotional armour? Yet another thing I was too tired for.

“Danica!”

Zane greeted me warmly, face bright and shining from the dance. He was flushed, but it only highlighted the sharpness of his cheeks, the fullness of his lips. He looked right this way, lightly kissed with sweat and firelight, and a smattering of scales.

It startled me to realize I found this form beautiful. Not that I found Zane beautiful--his elegance and regalness were almost a given, at this point--but that I thought the scales suited him, perfected a face that was already so close to perfect... They offset his garnet eyes, made their startling redness seem more at home.

Then he smiled, and the length of his cobra’s fangs ruined the effect. He’d gone from ethereal to infernal in an instant, the flames now a horrifying backdrop to the warrior’s form. This was the shape he wore to kill.

I swooned, the heat and the fangs and the late hour all coming together to be too much. I felt Rei’s arm around me, as the world slid to black.

- Two faces loomed over me as I came to, my avian heritage funneling oxygen to my brain with merciless efficiency. What helped me maintain hours of flight at high altitudes would not allow me the blessed reprieve of unconsciousness now. No, my body had failed me only enough for an embarrassing incident. I sighed and sat up, not even feeling lightly dizzy. It was grossly unfair.

“Sorry to have alarmed you, gentlemen.” I did my best to keep the sigh from my voice. “Clearly I’m pushing too hard.”

“That makes two of us.”

Zane had returned to his purely human form, the only trace of his cobra heritage remaining was the everpresent garnet of his eyes. I still thought them beautiful, but I didn’t think I’d ever forget that smile, the mouth crowded with fangs. How had he kept from piercing his own lip?

Rei offered me a skin of water, which I sipped automatically to appease him. My dear friend could be such a hoverhawk. It was always easiest to just let him take care of me. It gave him something to do, if nothing else.

“If you’re able,” he said gently, “I’d recommend the three of us exit this crowd quickly.”

My eyes flicked past his shoulders. Somehow, I’d forgotten that I’d passed out in front of a crowd of mixed serpiente and avians alike. Better and better.

“Or,” Zane interjected, light tone at odds with the severity of the situation, “you might stay out here a moment longer, and enjoy the dance.” Rei growled, low and barely audible over the murmur of the crowd. Either way, the longer I sat here--flat on my rear in the dirt--the larger a scene it would cause. I nodded grimly to Rei.

“Help me up. We’ll go from there.”

To my surprise, Rei and Zane both looped arms under my shoulders, making me feel like a complete invalid. That alone steeled my resolve, making me chase them away with discretely fluttering hands. I stepped away from the both, turning to face them.

“I’m fine. Just too many days of not enough rest. We should all be getting to bed.”

The roaring crowd around me didn’t show any signs of slowing, let alone sleeping. What had I been thinking, coming out here?

I’d been thinking I’d wanted Rei. And that I’d wanted away from my court.

This was a disaster. I couldn’t do this. I was too tired, too small, too unprepared. This gathering of people, dancing and singing in the woods, had come together without me. And because of me, it now sat poised, ready to collapse into a riot.

All because I’d stumbled.

I was angry, frustrated, and oh so tired--

And then Zane reached out, smiling, not a fang in sight.

“Dance with me.”

“I-- what?”

His smiled broadened, and I felt utterly disarmed by it’s simple charm.

“Dance with me. One dance, to prove you’re alright. To let the day go. There’s a magic in the serpent’s step. Trust me.”

Trust me.

Well, that was the point of all this, wasn’t it?

Zane had trusted me enough to meet me at the Mistari camps, to ride to my Keep, to have Elanor fly his ridiculous ass up to my bedroom. To walk into the heart of my kingdom, with only a relatively small vanguard at his back. Zane trusted me with all that, and all he asked in return was a simple dance, to help reassure the crowd.

Surely I could do at least that much.

I took his hand, offering a smile that held all my fear, all my exhaustion, and all my fondness. This mad cobra’s dreams were infectious, and already, I found myself believing in him. I could easily see why his people would follow him into the heart of my kingdom. If I were allowed to, I think I would follow him, too.

I could at least follow him now, out into the ring of dancers.

“I don’t know how to do this,” I whispered. My mouth felt like a rictus grin rather than a smile. I felt my teeth threatening to crack under the pressure of my grit jaw.

“I do.”

He raised our hands, palm to palm, and with a start I realized it was a dance I knew. It was one of the few avian dances that allowed for touching, where most of our celebrations were more processions of segregated movements in stately lines. I didn’t have time to question how he’d learned any avian dance, or wonder if this was another small thing shared by our cultures, before the first notes of song rose up over the crowd.

Raymond was singing.

Other avians immediately joined, the song well-loved and well familiar. The Wind and The Wing--and the dance that went with it--was lilting and joyous, with words and movements so simple even children could join in. It could be layered with elegant harmonies and counter melodies, but the dance was always the same. Palm to palm, turn a circle, switch hands. At a faster pace, it became a whirling dervish, a wild, swirling thing, with partners switched and tossed and buffeted about as if by the wind. Under the direction of Raymond’s clear voice, it was slower, but still too fast to overthink it.

Zane grinned, hands clapping the beats between the switch, eyes absolutely sparkling in delight. He was so pleased with himself to be able to surprise me like this, and again, his enthusiasm was catching. I shook my head and laughed and clapped, and gave myself over to the dance.

Circles moved around us, dancers joining in where they new, serpiente picking up on the simple steps quickly. More surprising was the voices their raised to join our avian singers. The melody was simple, but still. I hadn’t expected--well, any of this. But Zane had been right. This crowd was ready to dance, ready to follow where their monarchs led.

Where we led.

I held tight to Zane’s hand as he spun me, gripping his fist as his speed and strength whipped me around his still center point. That was a serpiente move, a small twist on our traditional step. It thrilled me, dizzied me, took my breath away--

And then he released me, and for a breathless moment I was falling, falling--

And then Rei’s arms were around mine, a new Wind catching my Wings. He carried my momentum around, turning me to face him, holding his hand up, palm out, waiting for me to touch.

With a smile so large I felt I must be glowing, I pressed my hand to his.

And we danced.

The Ties That Bind Tag list: @thehellinsideyourhead @therecouldbecolorsandlove @adventuresofacreesty @writing-with-melon @rainydaydarling @faithfire

Raev’s Gen Tag List (should I tag you guys in this? It IS a thing I wrote. I’m gonna say yes unless you guys are like “no of course not we’re sick of hearing about your stupid fic for a twenty year old book XD)

No one has complained yet so yall gonna keep getting tagged :P

List is currently: @lordkingsmith @writinglyra @drbibliophile @mperialscribe @adie-dee @lexiklecksi @theramwrites @writinginslowmotion @raenawrites @apollon-arium @anika-writes @faithfire @thehellinsideyourhead @adventuresofacreesty

#raev does fanfic #hawksong fanfic #the ties that bind fic #hawksong #danica shardae #my writing

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suitofvibraniumarmor · 4 years

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Yours Truly [Part Eleven]

Summary: Chris and Layla return from Minnesota. Pairing: Chris Pratt x OFC, Chris Evans x OFC Word Count: 1810 Warnings: FLUFF. A/N: This fic was previously posted on my multi-fandom account; in honor of OC Appreciation Day, I figured I would queue it all up for your reading pleasure throughout the day! This was a collab with @captain-s-rogers , and I will link her chapters at the end of all of my posts! Some GIFs were difficult to find again, so if there’s no credit, they’re from Google Image Search or from the original post.

July 13

Caroline,

I skipped a few days of letters, waiting for Chris to head to Minnesota. I dropped him at the Kansas City airport this morning, and in a couple of days, I’ll pick him and Layla up and bring them home.

I have an interview this afternoon with the elementary school that Layla will be going to. I’m excited, especially after having met a few of Layla’s friends at her party. They seem like good kids, and would be so fun to teach. I like the town, and staying close would be good.

How are things with Chris? Ugh, I’m so torn between wanting you to be able to keep your job and not have to deal with the media, but also wanting you two to be together! He’s just so perfect for you, and even seeing you on stage next to him – you’re adorable together. I hope you haven’t completely given up on him.

See how I’m avoiding talking about my Chris? I can’t even write the words, but I guess I have to since we have sworn off the phone again. The date was pure perfection. He made me dinner and we ate outside on the patio with the first sunflower blooms of the season in a vase on the table. We danced to that Billy Currington song I’ve always been obsessed with, and then it started to rain. We ran inside and he kissed me and then – don’t you DARE say I told you so! – told me that he loves me.

Caroline. Why does that terrify me? Chris is amazing. He makes me laugh – like really laugh, not the polite way like when something is kind of funny, but the kind of laugh that comes out when you don’t expect it.

I know why it terrifies me. It’s because he also told me that I filled a hole in their home. What if he only thinks that he loves me because I’m filling whatever void Emily left behind? Honestly though, I think that’s what worries me the most, and it’s because – am I really about to say this? – because I love him, too.

What the hell is going on with us, C?

Yours truly,

Sadie

After donning the same outfit she had worn for her date with Chris, Sadie tucked the letter into her bag to mail out later, and headed for the elementary school.

Mr. McCaffree, the elementary school principal, greeted Sadie cheerfully when she arrived, and welcomed her right into his office. He asked all the usual interview questions, and seemed very impressed with Sadie overall.

“I do have a couple of other interviews, one today and one tomorrow, but I have to tell you, Ms. Coleman, they’ll be hard-pressed to do better than you,” Mr. McCaffree told her with a smile. “But you didn’t hear that from me.”

Sadie smiled back. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate that.”

He nodded. “I’ll call you by Friday.”

“Sounds great,” Sadie replied, shaking hands with the man. “Thank you.”

She left the school, stopped at the post office, and then headed back to the farm. She changed into a tank top and shorts, and decided to take a walk around the property. With the distraction of the interview over, there was only one thing on her mind.

The last few days with Chris had been wonderful. He had apologized immediately after blurting out that he loved her, assured her that he wasn’t out to rush her and there was no agenda behind his spontaneous confession.

“You’ve stolen my heart,” he sighed before kissing her knuckles. “I don’t expect things to happen so quickly for you, but, please, tell me I haven’t ruined what we’ve started.”

Sadie had assured him that nothing was ruined. Though she knew she felt the same way, she didn’t let on to that fact — simply told Chris that rushing things would likely ruin the connection between them, and she didn’t want that.

“It’s more and more clear the longer I’m here, there’s a reason this job posting came to my attention. There’s a reason it all worked out so well, losing my job back home but finding an opportunity here with you and Layla. But, I don’t want to lose this, either.”

They had spent the rest of the evening talking on the couch, once they changed into dry clothes. Sadie avoided going to bed, knowing the storm would keep her awake; Chris wasn’t in any hurry to leave her while she was frightened. They fell asleep together on the couch, comfortable and warm.

The next couple of days after that, Chris gave her her space to process his confession. He was always open when she approached him, but wasn’t in her presence more often or for longer than need be. The night before he left for Minnesota, Chris took her out to dinner in town. Their interactions were easy and comfortable, despite the confusion and uncertainty Sadie was experiencing about their feelings for each other.

At the airport that morning, Chris had kissed her sweetly and promised to call when he could. It was a short flight to Minneapolis, but there would be a couple hours’ drive to the town where his parents lived. Sadie had a lot to think about, but so did Chris. After all, he hadn’t planned on saying what he said; he hadn’t planned on falling in love with the woman he hired to teach and care for his daughter over the summer – and certainly not so quickly.

No closer to reconciling her mixed-up feelings on the matter, Sadie wandered into the shed. She had been in this building only once before, and that was to retrieve Layla who had gone out under the pretense of asking her father a question, then stuck around to bug him.

She looked around at the tools in the shed, recognizing some and wondering about the purpose of others. Finally, she came to Chris’s workbench, smiling at the pictures of Layla from over the short years of her life. Finally, she found a copy of the picture of Sadie and Layla from Layla’s birthday party. Sadie remembered making an extra copy for Chris, but never thought he would put it up anywhere. She took the photo down from where it was taped to the inside of a tool box lid, studying the image for a few moments before flipping it over.

“My girls at Layla’s fifth birthday party,” Sadie read on the back of the photo. As a smile spread across her face, she repeated, “My girls.”

With those two words, every bit of confusion was erased from Sadie’s mind – and her heart.

When the day came for Sadie to pick up Chris and Layla from the Kansas City airport, she was so excited, she left the farm a full hour sooner than necessary. The house had been too quiet without Layla, and just plain lonely over the few days that Chris was gone.

While she waited for their flight to arrive, she sat and read a book, although she was so excited, she had to read several of the pages two or three times. Focusing on the content of the book was not her mind’s priority.

“Adie!”

Sadie dropped her book just in time for Layla to launch herself into Sadie’s arms. Sadie squeezed the little girl tight, feeling relieved at having her charge home once more.

“Did you have so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa?” Sadie asked.

Layla nodded earnestly. “I did! I have something for you, but you have to have it at home Daddy said because it’s in my suitcase.”

“Fair enough,” Sadie chuckled, tucking her book back into her bag and handing the keys over to Chris. “Glad you’re home.”

“Me too,” he smiled, as Layla ran ahead to the baggage claim. “I haven’t told her about us yet. I thought I’d let you decide when you’re ready for that.”

“Soon,” Sadie promised. “Layla, sweetie, stay where we can see you, please!”

Chris’s and Layla’s suitcases showed up about ten minutes later. Once the car was loaded up, they were headed back home. Another rainstorm had set in on the last twenty minutes of the drive, which meant Layla and Sadie made a mad rush for the house when they arrived, while Chris grabbed the luggage and ran in behind them.

“Daddy, now can I give Adie her present?” Layla pleaded.

“Take your bag to your room, let Sadie help you unpack. You can give her your present while you’re in there.”

The two girls made way for the bedroom. Sadie retrieved Layla’s dirty clothes for the laundry, while Layla dug for an envelope. Adiewas scrawled across the front of the photo envelope in Layla’s handwriting; Sadie smiled and took out the paper folded inside.

“Is this us?” Sadie asked, her heart swelling with love.

Layla nodded. “That’s me an’ you an’ Daddy! With the sunflowers. See?”

Sadie looked at the picture, unable to stop her smile. In the picture, the three of them were holding hands, and each one had a red heart on their shirt.

“It’s ‘cause we all love each other,” Layla said, pointing at the hearts.

Sadie held the picture to her chest. “I’ll treasure it always, Layla. Thank you, so much.”

Together they finished unpacking the suitcase, then Sadie tucked the picture safely away in the nightstand in the guest room, under Layla’s close supervision.

“I thought you two went to bed!” Chris teased. “Who wants to watch a movie?”

“Me!” Layla replied, jumping up and down. “Can we have popcorn? And get pizza?”

Chris exchanged a look with Sadie, who shrugged. “I suppose coming back from vacation is a good time for a movie night. You got it.”

“Yay!” Layla cheered, dancing around.

With a little more convincing by the five-year-old, every pillow and blanket in the house was constructed into a fort-type structure for them to watch movies. While Chris went into town to get the pizza, Sadie helped Layla with her bath, got her into pajamas, and braided her hair. Sadie braided her hair as well, got into a pair of sweats and a tank top, and kept Layla busy until Chris returned.

They only made it through a portion of the first movie before Layla was asleep between the two of them. Chris picked her up and tucked her into bed, returning a few minutes later. He put his arm around Sadie’s shoulders; she tucked her head against his chest.

“Missed you while you were gone,” she told him.

“Missed you, too,” Chris said, laying a soft kiss on her lips. “Up for another movie?”

In truth, Sadie was feeling tired, but to be there cuddled with Chris in a pillow and blanket fort – she would never be tired enough to turn that down.

Part Twelve

#chris pratt #chris evans #fanfiction #oc appreciation day 2020 #new to this blog

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queen-scribbles · 5 years

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Taking Liberties

For @pillarspromptsweekly fill 86: Fanfic. Adi and I had some fun with this one, seeing as she’s the only muse I could see doing something like this.

“So,” Adela began as she plunked down next to Sagani on her log perch away from the campfire, “how much of what you told Kana about Naasitaq was actually hokum?”

Sagani laughed. “Hardly any. Most of what he asked, I knew. There may be a few fudged details in there, but for the most part it’s the Hound’s own truth.”

“Alright, good.” Adela played with one of her rings. “‘Cause I think he’s serious about writing it all down and making a book, and if he does I want it to be right.”

This earned a skeptical look from the dwarf. “C’mon, Adi, you’re a scholar. You should know better than most that people rarely pass down history and cultural stuff completely correct.”

“Yeah, but that’s just more reason we should do our best to get it right when we can,” Adela said with a shrug. “Keep that to a minimum.”

Sagani raised an eyebrow, hands going still halfway through repairing her armor. “Are you tellin’ me that you, with your love of details and thirst to know everything, have never made somethin’ up to fill a gap?”

“Not that I’ve written down and presented as fact.” It was technically true.

Unfortunately for her, Sagani was uncannily perceptive about technicalities. She narrowed her eyes. “Adi.”

“Well,” Adela tugged on her necklace as heat rose in her cheeks. “There was a theory I was pretty attached to in school...”

“Adi.” Gods, she had a good Mom Voice. Which made sense.

Adela huffed at her bangs, which settled even more lopsided than they’d been originally. “Alright, alright. Auroch’s shadow, did your kids manage to keep anything secret from you?”

That earned a laugh as Sagani resumed patching the slashed hide armor. “Not much. Now spill, Watcher. This sounds like a good story.”

Adela glanced toward the others, all still busy setting camp or preparing food. “Sure, why not. We have the time...”

~<><><>~

It was hard waiting for class to be over today, which was a first. Normally, Adela never wanted it to end. But today she had a question for Master Izel, and didn’t want to bog down the lesson for everyone else.

And so she took her time gathering her things after the teacher had ended class and given them their home assignments; carefully stacking books before sliding them into her satchel, repeating the process with her loose pages of notes. Finally, the other students had all left the room and she could ask her question without holding up anyone but her teacher.

“Master Izel?” she started as she approached his desk.

“Yes, Adela?” The grey-streaked orlan peered over his spectacles at her with a smile. He probably knew she had a question even before she started dawdling. She asked a lot, after all.

Adela rocked up on her toes, playing with the strap of her satchel. “That explorer you talked about yesterday, from the Vailian Republics, you never said what happened to her in the end.”

“Ilhana Guiserre?” Master Izel ran a hand over his hair with a wry smile. “That’s because no one knows what happened to her in the end.”

“Well, why not?” Adela gestured broadly to emphasize her point. “She was one of the foremost traders and explorers from the Republics’ founding, she discovered safer routes to Aedyr and the Deadfire; how did they not pay attention to what happened to her?!”

He chuckled, toying with an apple one of the other students had left on his desk as they passed. “The thing with being an explorer, Adela, is no one much cares unless you find something exciting. That’s why she briefly retired after her attempt to find Ukaizo; she came up empty handed on a quest that cost every pand she had, and no one found her a ‘worthwhile investment’ for quite some time.”

“I care!” Adela protested. “Everything’s important, because everything tells us something about the past or other kith, or both, and I just can’t believe the last mention of Captain Guiserre, Ilhana the Bold, is a footnote that her ‘retirement’ only lasted three years. It’s ridiculous.”

Master Izel smiled and reached over to pat her shoulder comfortingly. “A great many scholars share your frustration, believe me. Myself included, actually. But it remains that we don’t know. There are no answers, her fate is a mystery.”

That rankled, but it was clear Master Izel had no more to share, sympathetic as he was to her curiosity. So Adela headed home, but her desire for answers lingered, a near-maddening distraction as she did the rest of her readings and assignments. Finally, she couldn’t stand it any longer and started filling her free time with a much closer reading of anything she could find on Ilhana Guiserre. There wasn’t really anything to find that she hadn’t known already, which was far from satisfying.

Her solution was perhaps unorthodox, but in the end, very satisfying: she wrote her own ending.

It wasn’t proven truth, and she knew it. And she may have waxed poetic about these potential adventures, rather than dwell on the gritty side of them. But it was plausible, and after a week of dead ends and the book equivalent of shrugging, it was something. Pulling from from what she knew of the woman and her history, Adela constructed her best guess at both what had pulled Guiserre from her retirement and her ultimate fate. She was so happy with her work--and with herself--that she showed her mother once it was done.

“Tell me what you think, Mama?” she asked hopefully. She was confident in her research and conclusions, but Mama had been a scholar even longer than she’d been alive. If there were holed to be poked, she would poke them, but gently.

“Is this an assignment for Master Izel?” Mama slid her spectacles down with one hand as she accepted the dog-eared papers with the other.

“No, I did it for fun,” Adela said, twirling an escaped lock of hair around her finger.

“I’ve seen you working on this for three days, dove.” Mama skimmed part of the first page. “It’s at least as well-written as half your school assignments.”

“Uh-huh.” Adela tugged the lock of hair. “I wanted an answer and none of my books had one. So I figured out what I think makes the most sense, and I just want you to check my reasoning.”

Mama smiled warmly and nodded. “Of course, darling. I don’t have any pressing studies right now, so I’ll dive right in and let you know what I think after dinner, hmm?”

“Sounds good. Thank you, Mama!” Adela gave her a slightly awkward sideways hug and skipped off to read a book. Mama would be honest with her, kind but fair, so she could go enjoy something else until the time came. Hovering wouldn’t change anything.

~<><><>~

“So... you wrote an ending to the life of your favorite explorer because nobody knew what happened to her?” Sagani said with an almost incredulous laugh.

“You know I hate unfinished stories,” Adela defended. “And I may have taken a few liberties, but I never claimed it as fact, just a theory on what happened to her. Also, I was fourteen, so, y’know, maybe that was how my rebellious phase manifested; not accepting widespread scholarly ignorance about an important historical figure-what?”

Sagani shook her head, still grinning. “Nothin’. What did your mom think of your, uh, theory?”

“Oh, she loved it.” Adela’s face warmed and she tugged on her necklace. “Didn’t find any flaws, and was, um, so impressed by the time and research I put into something I just did for fun, she mentioned it to Master Izel in passing during my review at the end of the school year.”

“What’d he think?” Sagani set aside the mended armor and flicked some jerky to Itumaak. “Since it was something that bothered him, too.”

“His interest was piqued and he asked if he could read it. He was a great teacher, who I admired and respected, so I made him a copy. He, uh,” her face went even warmer; positive this would sound like bragging(even more than the rest had), “he was so impressed he sent it to a Vailian academy, presenting it as a student’s essay on ‘the theoretical fate of Captain Ilhana Guiserre’. I... may have panicked a little when he told me. I wrote it more like a tale than a formal essay--it was for fun, after all--and was sure all they’d do was laugh. But Master Izel told me the format added charm more than damaging credibility, that it would be fine.” Adela dug the toe of her boot into the dirt. “He was right.”

Sagani’s eyebrows both rose. “Really?”

“Yeah.” She dragged her foot in an arc. “That was the Selona academy that asked me to come study for a year.”

“The one you turned down ‘cause your brothers kept getting sick.”

“Yes, that one.”

“You must’ve been a good writer,” Sagani teased.

Adela laughed. “Or maybe they just liked my ideas. Master Izel did say my frustration at the lack of detail available was a common sentiment.”

“Still, you impressed them somehow.” Sagani shrugged. “Thanks for sharing the story.”

“You’re welcome. It’s not one I like to bring up myself, ‘cause it sounds like I’m bragging, but you asked, so...”

“Just acknowledging your strengths isn’t braggin’, Adi,” Sagani said. Both of them cocked an ear at Kana hollering dinner was ready. “It’s all in your attitude. You’re so nice it’s easy to tell you’re not tryin’ to brag.”

“Reassuring.” Adela smiled as they stood and went to join the others.

“And, Adi, one thing,” Sagani grinned. “I’m still gonna fudge the occasional detail for Kana.”

Adela couldn’t resist a giggle. “As long as it’s just occasional.”

After all, everyone took liberties once in a while.

----------------------------------

Yes. Yes, Adi got invited to the Selona Academy off what was basically a piece of very well written, very well researched, plausible historical fanfic. (Bc I do what I want, and hey, Dante’s Inferno is basically fanfic and that’s considered a classic. :P)

In writing this, I’ve decided Adi renames her ship Ilhana in Deadfire. Now I need to go back through her Deadfire-era fics and change that when necessary.

#queens fic #pillars prompts weekly #adela tecali #sagani #and my tradition of giving cool names to one off characters continues #/sweats

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houkuaichuii · 6 years

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Fairy Tales

Okay, this took me a long time to write because I was still recovering from the heavy angst I wrote three weeks ago--- bUT ANYWAY!!

As the fifth theme to my 100 themes challenge, I dedicate this one to @capthawkeye for dealing with my shenanigans whenever I think of our beloved OTP and I’m just really grateful for her presence in this community. Bless!!!! She was also the person with whom I shared this theme’s idea with, after being inspired by Ed Sheeran’s Perfect, so!!!!!!

Also, another friendly reminder that I will be eternally grateful for Adi ( @rvkiakuchiki ), considering how she’s had the role of being my beta for the past year and a half!!!! God knows the amount of mistakes in all of my fics if I didn’t have her, tbh.

I hope you guys enjoy!

Can also be found on ff.net and AO3!

There was always something so exhilarating when it came to sneaking away from a crowd, laughing hand-in-hand with the person who always managed to make your heart skip a beat. And although it was a strange concept to apply to two full-grown adults, it was certainly nothing that they were shy of. With smiles that reached their eyes, their chests swelling with merriment, and hearts all but hidden from one another, a witness could have said that they were very well drunk on pure bliss.

The night was young and the pure essence of joy filled the air amongst the crowd. Drinks were served, the hired band played loudly, and words of congratulations and teasing remarks were endlessly thrown at the newly-wedded couple. It was, for a better part, an event to be forever remembered and reminisced. After all, when the notion of the marriage was announced months before, nobody who knew them was surprised.

Who would have been if they were to consider the past between the couple; the endless support that the woman had provided for the man throughout his journey?

It was a love story often expected from fairy tales, and yet everyone witnessed it grow for as long as they had known the former alchemist.

As laughter reached his ears, Edward Elric watched the guests with content from where he sat at the front. His golden eyes shifted from table to table, taking in the sight of those he called family with a small smile on his face. In that moment then, he had fallen into deep reverie, his thoughts quiet in his head. But at the sudden feel of warmth in his left hand, he was pulled out and his attention was immediately placed onto the wide, cerulean blues that had watched him so curiously.

“You okay there, Ed?” His wife asked, “Kind of zoned out for a bit.”

He replied with a grin, locking his fingers with hers as he admired the wedding band around a certain digit, “Yeah, just thinking.”

“Of?”

“Nothing in particular,” He answered truthfully, “Just thinking about how everything feels like a dream right now.” As his voice remained light-hearted alongside the smile that had seldom left, Winry came to an understanding and left it at that, all the while reflecting his expression.

It had been how they were since they stood before the officiant that late afternoon; just the two of them mirroring smiles and grins and the love in their eyes. The emotions were so raw that they were difficult to hide, but as it was their day (and every single day after that), Edward and Winry had no reason to do so.

They allowed all to see without a thought, and in return, they received cheers and comments about ‘lovebirds’ and ‘inspiring youth’.

Edward certainly showed quite a tint of red in the beginning; at least until it had hit him that Winry was his wife. The realisation was not exactly overwhelming, but it was still a realisation that caused him to feel a form of giddiness he had never felt before. It reached to the extent of him hugging her from behind whenever he could, and lifting her off the ground just to hear her squeals and the laughter that followed after.

It was strange to think of how he once denied his feelings when they were brought out to light, especially now that he was more than happy to show them off. Though he was young at the time, and his focus was really elsewhere. Besides, a certain question from the then-lieutenant came out unexpectedly and he hadn’t even given his friendship with his best friend much of a thought.

But now, at the age of eighteen, Edward Elric was quite the married man who could not have asked for anything better than the woman whose hand he held.

At the thought of the former lieutenant, however. . .

“Hey, Winry,” He started, turning his head back to the life of the party, “Have you seen the Captain?”

“You mean Miss Riza?” With the question, Winry followed his searching gaze.

“Yeah.”

“I saw her couple of minutes ago with the General, but I don’t see them now.” The new bride settled herself back into the backrest of her seat, confusion evident in the way she looked at her husband.

“With Mustang, huh?”

“I swear, sir, if you’re planning on doing something stupid---”

“Okay, first of all, it’s Roy tonight, Riza. We already talked about this; we’re off-duty, attending the wedding of a former comrade. There are no uniforms, no ranks,” Making his way up the hill as he tugged on the other’s hand, Roy flashed a charming grin, “Just us two: Roy and Riza. Like the old times!”

All the comment earned him was a roll of her eyes.

“And second of all, I promise it isn’t anything ‘stupid’,” Roy continued, “Have a little faith in me, Hawkeye.”

Soon enough, they were atop of the mound with a rather breathtaking view before them.

There were the lights at the far bottom of the hill, a crowd of people beneath. The two were not far off from the reception, just isolated enough to not catch anyone’s attention unless they were to look towards their direction. And with the full moon that had glowed brightly behind the translucent clouds of the night, nearly as bright as Winry’s face did during the ceremony, it was far from difficult for them to see each other.

They remained in the silence for the moment’s while, basking in the form of solitude found. But as time came to pass with the spring breeze blowing lightly, Riza stepped closer to the man and leaned into him.

In turn, he merely relaxed an arm around her shoulders and gladly shared his warmth.

They watched as tiny figures danced and conversed, and even chuckled at the sight of (who they presumed was) Havoc tripping on his way to the dance floor. Everything was peaceful, something they both wished to prolong. After all that had happened two years prior, the serenity was welcomed wholeheartedly; not a single doubt within their minds.

“It really takes you back, doesn’t it?” In a whisper, Roy spoke through the silence as he kept his attention to the landscape. He felt her nod against his shoulder, and it was enough to have him smiling as he walked through memory lane. “Reminds me of the time when we would sneak out to the hills behind your house.”

Riza chuckled, “You always were a bad influence.” She told him, freely at that, too.

With a dramatic gasp, Roy shifted his gaze onto her and raised his eyebrows in added effect, “Me? You were the one always dragging me out.”

“And who was the one who suggested the idea in the first place?” Riza looked up at him, amusement clearly written all over her features.

Then in comprehension that the rebellious act may have started with him, Roy took a pause as he suddenly felt quite sheepish.

“Exactly.” Was the response he heard due to his lack of a reply.

“Doesn’t change the fact that you had fun.” He muttered straight after.

Although in remembrance of the innocence that they both lived during what felt like a lifetime ago, Roy noted the music that reached them from below. He breathed in deeply, a thumb caressing the exposed skin of her shoulder as he recalled the nights far off from the past.

What they had done on those hills varied; from observing stars to simply talking, enjoying the company of one another. They were young and naïve, not a single line crossed in character of shyness and reticence. As much as others faithfully believed that the man was quite the charmer back then, Riza had known better.

In fact, their first kiss was something uneventful: just his chapped lips against hers under the lamppost.

He almost laughed at the sudden memory, mentally slapping himself for being so clumsy in the way he had handled it. But even so, the girl never brought it up afterwards, saving him from the embarrassment that he stupidly caused as a seventeen-year-old.

Pushing that thought aside, Roy moved back and away from Riza, who had simply graced him with a lost impression. Tendrils of blonde fell from her fascinating up-do, swept back by the zephyr that came by. His own slicked-back hair was ruffled in the process, once again revealing the unruliness of it all. But nevertheless, he gave her a boyish smile, a glint in his gaze as he held out his hand in an invitation for a dance.

“Really?” Riza asked.

“Really.” Roy answered.

All he received at first was a stare, consideration obviously running through her mind. He saw the hesitancy, the question as to whether it would have been right and proper of them. But Roy was Roy, and although he would have receded if it were any other occasion, he kept his stance and waited patiently.

Then after the release of a sigh, Riza slipped out of the heels she wore and allowed herself to relish the feel of the earth beneath her feet.

The man could barely hide the grin that broke out, caused by the excitement sent through his nerves. And just as the other took his hand into hers, he promptly pulled her close and revelled in the sound of her laughter as she nearly clashed into his chest, only to be steadied by his hold on the curves of her figure. He saw the wide smile that she was intent on keeping hidden from him; the kind that reached the corners of her eyes and showed her pearly whites, all the while deepening her smile lines. It was the kind that had left him in awe countless of times, his train of thought coming to an abrupt stop as all he could think of was how gorgeous she truly was.

How exquisite she effortlessly made herself to be.

Following the slow rhythm that played in the distance, Roy began to sway them from side to side. His hands were circled around her waist, and her arms had chosen to rest over his shoulders. There was a state of ease in the way she danced with him, her gaze never once leaving his. They lingered within the placidity; not a word spoken as they simply drowned themselves in the sound of music, and in the presence of each other. The quintessence of adoration enveloped them into unity.

With her between his arms, barefoot on the grass, perfection could not have made itself known any better. His heart swelled immensely, committing the moment to his memory alongside their secrets together.

He regarded her warmth through the fabric of her dress, all in contrast to the cold air of spring. There was the way her mouth curved upwards into that subtle smile of hers, the amber hues of her eyes reflecting the moon’s light as she sought for his tranquil thoughts.

It was how they were for who knew how long; just the two of them in their own world. It was as if they were living a chapter heard in fairy tales.

“So... Elric’s married.” Roy started as casually as he could, an act that they were just having another everyday conversation.

Riza then lifted a brow in wonder, but nodded nonetheless and said, “That he is.”

“He married his mechanic, who’s also a childhood friend of his.”

Riza nodded again.

“Someone who supported him and his brother until they reached their goal.”

As the woman eased her expression and softened her gaze, Roy watched her come to an understanding. He didn’t react, however, in conveyance that everything was an aspect of simplicity. But he knew that she comprehended what he was trying to say--- whatever it was--- and that he was waiting for her to play along with this game that he had set out.

Strangely enough, he hadn’t exactly known what it was himself, despite being the instigator of it all.

“Well, when you put it that way,” Riza said, “It does sound like their story came out of a romance novel.”

Roy laughed inwardly at the response, “Of course you would know that, considering the amount of times I’ve caught you reading those kinds of books,” Then dropping his voice to nothing more than a whisper, Roy continued with a teasing remark, “Tell me, Lieutenant, how often does a knight in shining armour swoop in to save a damsel-in-distress from the big, bad dragon?”

Without having to wait for a beat, Riza replied, “Not that often, actually. Truth be told, I’m not big on the romance/fantasy genre, so you’re just making assumptions at this point, sir.”

“Am I?”

“You are. You should know well by now that I’m not one for fairy tales.”

“I thought you of all people loved those kinds of stories,” Roy paused as he attempted to create a summary of the fantasies that he had heard numerous times before, “A courageous man taking up the stead to save a woman he loves, who then returns his feelings after his brave act, and they live happily ever after.”

“Yes, but they make it sound so easy when it’s really not--- like true love’s kiss. What, do they expect me to believe that every curse could be fixed with a single kiss, especially from a person whom they barely know?”

Sighing as he listened, Roy rested his forehead against Riza’s and closed his eyes, feeling the brush of her breath across his skin. “I suppose you’re right,” He said, “Fairy tales are entirely too fictional and fabricated for the dreams of children. It’s a wonder as to why you never believed in them.”

There was heavy silence afterwards.

“I never got the chance to.” He then heard her say.

Bearing the sudden seriousness in her character, Roy felt guilt creep into the corners of his mind and winced within as they stopped dancing. Once again, he spoke without thinking and even if she did not take it to heart, it was still an unnecessary comment. He gave himself the second mental slap of the night, cursing his stupid mouth as he always did whenever he knew that he had said something carelessly.

He moved back slightly, just enough to see the woman’s unreadable guise, and was just about to apologise when he felt her left-hand cup his face. She caressed his cheekbone with the pad of her thumb, leaving an invisible track that was nought but felt altogether. He found himself leaning into her touch, the apology in his eyes rather than said.

“If anything,” Riza began, “I almost believed in those stories when you came around.”

That took him by surprise.

“Oh?”

Riza merely shrugged, “You made things little more bearable.”

“So… are you implying that I’m your prince charming?”

The woman chortled at that, lightening the weight Roy had in his chest moments ago, “Being my prince charming suggests that we have a love story.”

Roy gave her a deadpan stare, “We don’t have a love story?”

“Do we have a love story?” Riza returned.

At that, Roy grimaced and clutched the space as to where his heart would have been. “Ouch. Are you really planning on wounding my poor heart throughout the night?”

Mirth danced along his partner’s features, her most beloved smile making an appearance as if it were a gift. “I don’t know, haven’t decided yet, actually.”

Seeing as to how the flower bloomed, Roy stepped back into quietude, obviously admiring the beauty that his gaze beheld. He then took the hand against his cheek and brought her knuckles to his lips, before placing another kiss on her ring finger; lingering there for a while as the two simply looked at each other.

Nothing was said out loud, although so much was heard.

He may have been no prince charming or her knight in shining armour, and she was no damsel-in-distress for him to save. Their lives were far from being a fable of love and happiness, but if Roy Mustang was certain of one thing, it was that they were bound to reach their happy ending--- no matter how long it would have taken them to get there.

For now, he had her and that was enough for him to keep going. Everyone knew that he was willing to do so much more than to protect her from the beast, just as how she continued to do so day-by-day. Everything he had to offer was already given, and everything he received from her was kept wholeheartedly. There was nothing between them that required words of explanation.

So, screw the fantasies and fairy tales.

What was the point of being a prince and a damsel-in-distress, when he was the king and she was his queen?

#FMA #RoyAi #also with a hint of EdWin there---#royai fic #Fullmetal Alchemist #Chie writes.#i was technically finished with this yesterday #but then when I went to double check it last night :))))#lmao.#The last 500 words disappeared so I was pissed af :)))))#BUT I ended up rewriting the ending and I'm definitely more happy with it now!!!#I ALMOST went down the angst lane but i was like 'chie don't bloody do it omg'#IT'S ANGST FREE!!!!

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bellassan · 7 years

Note

It's been four days of 'Do I tell? Do I play dead?" because I'm shy, but I saw the post about the Adi Gallia fic a few days ago and I'm guilty of it. It's called Righteous fury on AO3 and it's a fix-it Adi/Mace, but Ferus is very secondary in it, it's really about Adi saving the Jedi... I like the idea of trying to write a second part about Ferus and Adi but I'm not sure I would know how to write him??

oh hi hello! I totally get being shy, but I’m glad you decided to send this along anyway! :)

I did actually skim the fic after I was made aware of it (didn’t have a lot of time at the moment it was linked to me), and yeah I noticed that Ferus was very secondary in it - which is obviously fine, you keep the focus where you find it important. gotta say though, props for letting Adi stand up for Roan subtly in that one scene, because Ferus and Roan are important to me and beautiful souls together, and writing that in made Roan important and their relationship important, so thanks for that.

anyway! I think if you like the idea, you should do it! it’d be interesting to see explored and I’d totally read it. for me, when it comes to writing characters I’m unsure about it, I ask myself when I write/edit if I can picture or hear what I’m writing for them. it’s not going to click all the time, particularly not when your own second guessing gets in the way, but you’ll probably be able to tell when you have something you think really works for that character, when you can just see it, and then you can build off that. :)

I’m not totally sure what other advice to give you - I couldn’t really tell you honestly exactly how I write him personally, I’m not super good at explaining my process (and it’s not even very conscious). I also don’t want to pretend I’m The Authority on this character or anything. but if you like my characterisation and want to draw from that and what is around on my blog I don’t mind! I never really understood this attitude on tumblr that your iteration of a character is completely yours and so nobody is allowed to your headcanons or style etc ... it’s really weird to me to be possessive about, but that’s my opinion.

the key thing for Ferus though, to me, is that while he’s pretty chill (or focused, depending on situation) he’s highly emotional, and I think with him it’s important to not lose his emotional core. this is a good thing or a bad thing depending on how he acts on it, but he usually acts on it, unless he’s actively stopping himself from doing it.

so uh yeah! I’m not sure if I answered your question or if that was helpful but feel free to send another ask or IM me if you want to talk some more about it!

#super papagei universe #*ooc ask tag #and on that note it's sleep time for me #national holiday tomorrow means I get to sleep in.#and spend all day on the blog or in front of the tv tomorrow #which sounds excellent

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raevenlywrites · 3 years

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The Ties That Bind 14 of ???

I sat in a stunned static as the world moved around me. Soldiers departed--some with my mother, some to meet up with Karashan and escort the serpiente guards here--a meal was prepared from the efforts of this morning’s foraging--had it only been this morning?--and the gentle atmosphere of the Lyssia house returned like a fire re-stoked in the early morning. A bowl of stew was set before me, a body sat down on either side, and still I felt detached, unreal. The silvery visions of my mother’s face, of white scales winking red in the fire light, of a voice so familiar yet not heard in centuries dominated my thoughts, pulled at me in subtle whispers, urged me to follow them down untold rabbit holes. And as the worries of my real life loomed impossibly high and higher, the temptation to yield to the memories grew ever stronger.

”--Dani won’t want any of that. Pass it over.”

Rei’s hand and voice cut through my thoughts, reaching over my bowl for the platter Zane was holding. The rich smell of roast rabbit suddenly assaulted me, making me viscerally and unpleasantly present in my own body once more.

Zane held the platter out of reach, regarding me instead of Rei.

“And does your pair bond cut your meat for you as well as select it?” he asked, that smugly amused tone clearly meant to get under Rei’s skin. I felt my cheeks flush, and the heat did nothing for my sense of my well-being.

“He’s not my alastair yet,” I choked out, breathing in shallow pants. “And I don’t eat meat. And he wouldn’t cut it for me if I did. And please get that tray away from me.”

Rei stood slightly from the bench and took the platter, which Zane was finally offering up. Adelina snickered.

“I’d wondered why they were cooked separately. Here I thought your kind just didn’t know the value of seasoning.” She raised her bowl in salute or toast to the elder Elanor, seated at the far end of the table. “I’m quite delighted to be proven wrong on that count. I’ll go rabbit hunting for you any day, Mistress Lyssia.”

“When did you have time to catch a rabbit?” someone muttered, but my attention was too focused on Zane--who’s attention was still too focused on me for my comfort--to catch who. The friendly table chattered resumed, and I snapped under my breath to Zane, “Can I help you?”

Zane stared a moment longer than was really polite by anyone’s standards, I thought, and finally murmured, “Just trying to make sense of what I’m sensing. You’re quite the tangle of emotions, Danica. And rightly so. But one worries, and would like to help, if there’s anything I can do.” He reached for his spoon and added, “That was quite a display the pair of you put on out there. I would think a good hearty meal should help replenish what was lost.”

I blinked, somehow surprised to learn that Zane had sensed it. The cobra garnet was rumored to have all sorts of magic of its own, but it seemed wrong to me somehow that the Shardae magic should be something he could sense. Then again, it seemed wrong to me that anyone could read another emotions, so what did I know. I wished I could clutch my aura tighter, like a blanket or a dressing gown. I felt naked when he talked so frankly about trying to untangle my emotions. He didn’t have any right.

“Don’t.”

His soft word came with an equally soft brush against my hand. I jerked it back out of habit, though I’d held it for strength and solidarity not but hours before. I took a deep breath to steady myself and put my hand deliberately back exactly where it had been. Zane’s lay less than an inch from mine, but I couldn’t bring myself to hold his hand at the dinner table. There was no reason to--and so many reasons not to. Including the very large, very tense one growing more and more tense on the other side of me.

“Don’t what?” I asked, more lightly than I felt. If Rei had a problem with me talking to Zane while we ate--well, on the one hand it was perfectly acceptable alastair behavior. But on the other, he knew me, and knew I had certain duties, which meant certain things he couldn’t protect me from. Forging a good relationship with the king I was trying to build a peace with was one of them.

“Don’t hide from me.”

His voice was tired, and in a weird flash of insight, I realized that was probably the real Zane. Oh, I didn’t doubt that all faces Zane presented came from a place of truth. More like, this is who and what Zane would be in exactly this moment if free from any other pressures or concerned. What an interesting notion, to be “just Zane”, or “just Danica” even. Who would we be if not the young rulers of dying courts, trying to wrest away the momentum of generations of tradition?

It was only after his brows rose in question, his face tilting ever so slightly, that I processed the meat of what he’d really said and not just how he’d said it. Don’t hide from me. Yes, I could see why my sitting silent in response to that would merit this questioning look.

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

I’d uttered that phrase countless times in court, with perfect blandness and blankness that I’d practiced hard to copy from my mother. One in her quiver of ambiguous statements that I had finally mastered. Except, I didn’t say it with courtly decorum. I said it with a little smile, and a sideways glance through my lashes, and the hint of a tone I hoped came across as playful.

Zane rewarded my effort with a small smile of his own, though his was touched with a wistful sadness that I wished I could chase away. I liked the Zane that laughed and flirted outrageously and waved from hilltops giddy with excitement over a historical find. The Zane that had seen too much sadness in too few years made me want to flirt outrageously, just to make him laugh at my ridiculous effort.

“That’s a good start, though a little heavy handed.”

I straightened, dropping my playact and actually engaging in the conversation. It was a nice change from dwelling in my own thoughts.

“So you can feel the difference then, between a true emotion and one exaggerated for show?”

He made a waffling noise, mirroring it with a wave of his hand. It settled further from mine, I noticed, but it also seemed more natural now, his whole body language more at ease.

“Emotion is as subtle and varied as hues, or scents. Can you honestly say that you know your own heart, clearly and categorically, at all times?”

Certainly not. Not even at most times. I said as much. “No one can, I don’t think. A child might have emotions simple enough, but they’d lack the framework to name and define them. And the very act of naming and defining them requires a certain amount of distance, thereby changing the emotion before it’s even properly labeled.”

Zane smiled. “Very well put, philosophical Danica.” He gave me a smile to match mine from earlier, and a wink that was all his own.

“Well,” I answered in kind, “at least its a nickname based on my intellect and not my physical attributes.”

Zane chuckled. “Oh, I could happily dwell on those as well, luscious D--“

“Danica would you like some more peas?” Rei asked abruptly. The murmur of friendly table chatter fell to a sudden silence, cut only by Adelina’s deep and unfiltered laughter.

The Ties That Bind Tag list: @thehellinsideyourhead @therecouldbecolorsandlove @adventuresofacreesty @writing-with-melon @rainydaydarling @faithfire

No one has complained yet so yall gonna keep getting tagged :P

List is currently: @lordkingsmith @writinglyra @drbibliophile @mperialscribe @adie-dee @adie-dee @lexiklecksi @writinginslowmotion @raenawrites @apollon-arium @anika-writes @faithfire

#raev does fic #hawksong #hawksong fanfic #the ties that bind #the keisha'ra #danica shardae #zane cobriana #andreios

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pheita · 3 years

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How to make Lyran dance

I stumbled over the amazing idea of @pridewrite2021 and with my dorks all being LGBTQA+ it is the perfect way to make me write again. So this is for the alternative prompt : Dance/Music/Art No trigger warnings apply No content warnings apply (If there is something you like me to tag in the future let me know)

This takes place after “Song of their Life” mini-fic and about 11 years after the end of “Guild Hunter Sojan” Context: After ten years of traveling together, Sojan and Lyran got engaged months ago but just arrived back in Lagawood, the guild house they call home. During the whole adventure of getting engaged Lyran managed to tap into his demon side and is now officially a half-demon. Tagging @adie-dee @ashen-crest @cometworks @vivian-is-writing @viskafrer

A smirk tried to creep onto Sojan's face as he watched Lyran repeatedly refuse the invitation to dance with him. While Neeshah and Yunadeldi accepted it with confused resignation, the guild leader had decided that Lyran had to dance today. He probably regretted returning to Lagawood for the festival of nature spirits. On the other hand, it was quite entertaining to watch. They hadn't yet let it be known in the guild that they were engaged, and fortunately Niat hadn't blabbed yet. "Who would you rather see suffer?" joined Erbert beside him, handing him a plate of pastries. The quiet spot in the shade against the outside wall of the forge was a good place to avoid detection. "I don't know that yet. I do know, however, that Lyran regrets giving in years ago." "You mean he was too drunk, which made him exuberant?" Erbert's laugh was infectious, and it was good to talk to him without him standing at the stove or running from Marilka because she needed his help with something. Sometimes Sojan didn't understand their relationship, but as long as they were happy, nothing else mattered in the end. The way Lyran looked at him already spoke of the frustrated speech that was about to follow. To Sojan's surprise, the speech didn't happen and Lyran just fell against the wall next to him. "So quiet?" There came only an irritated blink. "I mean about the dancing." "Stop me," Lyran sighed heavily.

Energetically, he brushed back a curl, though it seemed more like he was trying to make himself disappear. "Why don't you just give in? Then Mari will leave you alone already," Erbert asked with a laugh. Lyran rolled his eyes. A heavy sigh followed, at which he slid down the wall. "So the next one will bug me next year? That one time three years ago is enough." Sojan handed him some of the pastry down. The attempt not to laugh ended in a grin. "Thanks." A little too aggressively, Lyran nibbled on it. "I hope you at least like to dance with me." He held out a hand to help Lyran get up. Confused, he blinked at Sojan. "Since when do you dance?" "I think we can make an exception." Lyran shook his head with a laugh. "My feet will regret it." The rest of the pastry was shoved into his mouth and Lyran took Sojan's hand. As he chewed, Sojan looked for a place in the crowd in the marketplace. The slow change in the music told him that it was still maybe one more piece of music until the dance of the couples was called out. Lyran pulled him toward the marketplace, away from the guild members. Halfway there, he stopped and looked thoughtfully at Sojan. "I know what you're up to." "What's that?" asked Sojan as innocently as he could. "Hello? I'm a bard! Do you really think I don't recognize that the next piece is the dance of the couples? You're going to tell the others about our engagement on the way. Am I right or am I right?" With one hand on his hip, Lyran grinned at him. "Guilty as charged." Sojan raised his hands with a chuckle. "So you are. Then we shall." A breathed kiss later, they had blended into the crowd. Sojan struggled through the sometimes complicated steps, but managed not to step on Lyran's toes in the process. As soon as the band changed to the couples' dance and they started to line up with the other couples, the hollering and squealing started from the corner of the guild. Of course, they immediately understood what was going on. Lyran's wide satisfied grin and Neeshah's never ending roar in the background made Sojan almost trip several times, but somehow he made it through the danced figures. Glad that it was finally over, they both left the dance floor. As soon as they were out of the crowd Neeshah, Marilka, Yunadeldi, Chanan and Duran threw themselves at them. "You idiots!" scolded Marilka with a laugh, "Why didn't you say something sooner?" "It's funnier this way," Sojan replied. "That's usually my line," Lyran laughed off and kissed him. "You guys really rub off on each other," Neeshah just sighed. A moment later, she hugged them both again and then turned around in search of the drink stand. "This calls for a toast, give me a moment." They waited until Neeshah had disappeared. "She's trying to get us drunk, isn't she?" asked Lyran leaning slightly toward Sojan. "We'll have to count on that. What do you say we tell them you're a half-demon while we're at it?" "And give them funny ideas? Not today. Everything in small doses."

#writblr #writing #sojan #pridewrite21 #fantasy #mlm #pw alt1

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suitofvibraniumarmor · 4 years

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Yours Truly [Part Five]

Summary: Chris’s parents visit for Layla’s birthday; his outburst during a discussion with his mother surprises everyone. Pairing: Chris Pratt x OFC, Chris Evans x OFC Word Count: 1650 Warnings: Mentions of divorce and abandonment. A/N: This fic was previously posted on my multi-fandom account; in honor of OC Appreciation Day, I figured I would queue it all up for your reading pleasure throughout the day! This was a collab with @captain-s-rogers , and I will link her chapters at the end of all of my posts! Some GIFs were difficult to find again, so if there’s no credit, they’re from Google Image Search or from the original post.

July 1

Caroline,

So, you don’t have it bad for Chris? Then explain to me what that was after the debate! If you don’t have it bad for him, I’m going to venture to say that he has it bad for you. Drunk words and actions are sober thoughts.

As for Chris here, I don’t think he’ll be falling in love with anyone anytime soon. I think he’s still getting over his ex-wife, and I should probably figure out where I’m working next year before I start something with someone.

Layla’s birthday is today. We have invited a few of her friends, and Chris’s parents drove down from Minnesota for a long weekend. Seems like a far drive for a few-days’ stay to me, but Layla is happy to see them, and that’s all that matters. It will be a small affair, but it will be exactly what Layla asked for.

I’ve got to finish hemming my dress before the party, then bake and decorate cupcakes … summer procrastination at it’s finest over here!

Write soon and tell me more about Chris and the campaign. I can’t get enough of your letters!

Yours truly,

Sadie

The whirring of the sewing machine came to an abrupt halt when Sadie let her foot off the pedal. She snipped the thread and her dress was freed from the machine. After trimming the tails off a few more threads, she held it up in front of her; this new sundress was already one of her favorites.

Once the cupcakes were baking, she got Layla through the bath, then left it up to Kathleen, Chris’s mother, to dress the girl. Chris and his father, Daniel, had been up early to do the day’s chores before the party. There would still be the evening feeding of some of the animals, but that wouldn’t interfere with anything they had planned for the day.

“Adie! Will you put my bow on, please?” Layla pleaded, coming into the kitchen where Sadie was beginning to frost the freshly cooled cupcakes.

Sadie took the bow from her and crouched down to Layla’s level. “Your grandma made such a pretty braid in your hair!”

“Thank you,” Layla said, sitting still until the small bow was secured at the top of the braid, just above the nape of her neck. She turned and kissed Sadie on the cheek, then ran off to find her grandmother again.

Sadie got in the shower then, washing up quick so she could blow-dry and curl her hair when she got out. She donned her new dress and applied some natural makeup before slipping into a pair of sandals.

She literally bumped into Chris as she exited her room; he had been headed her direction, it seemed. Sadie chuckled at the mishap along with him and asked what she could help with.

“This tie,” he groaned. “I don’t wear one too often, but Layla said everyone has to dress their best, and I don’t want to let her down. A polo and jeans didn’t seem good enough. Can you help me?”

Sadie swallowed hard and nodded. The man wasn’t long out of the shower, and he smelled positively … well, manly. Not that she minded that smell of a hard’s day’s work, either. Today though, his smell combined with their proximity made Sadie’s heart beat even faster.

Chris lowered himself to her eye level; Sadie cleared her throat and forced herself to concentrate on the task at hand, and not the handsome blue eyes watching her face while she worked.

“I’m sure Daniel taught you how to do this,” she said, tightening up the knot at his neck. “All done.”

“He did,” Chris replied, turning to the hallway mirror to make a few minor adjustments and roll his sleeves up to his elbows, “but I don’t do it often enough, and he’s busy cleaning up himself.”

Sadie nodded and moved past him toward the front of the house. Guests would be arriving soon, and if she didn’t get her head out of the clouds, she would be no help during this birthday party.

Layla’s party was perfect. She hadn’t been allowed to see the decor on the back patio until it was party time, to allow for an element of surprise. She jumped up and down and squealed with excitement over the balloons and streamers and flowers before running off with her friends to the bouncy house Chris had rented and set up not far from the covered patio. The adults could relax in the shade where the fans were and still keep an eye on the kids.

“Chris, will you take a picture of Layla and me?” Sadie requested when the cake was brought out. “To send to Caroline.”

“Yeah, of course.”

Layla hopped up in Sadie’s lap near the cake and both girls smiled big for the camera. Sadie thanked Chris, then switched him out places so he could do the birthday song and candles with his daughter.

By the time all the guests went home, Layla had fallen asleep on the couch. Sadie offered to take her to bed; Chris smiled a thank you. He kissed his daughter on the forehead as Sadie walked by, then went out to the patio to help his mother clean up while his father worked on deflating the bouncy house.

Sadie managed to get Layla out of her party dress and into pajamas, and get the bow out of her hair, before tucking her cozy under the covers. Layla yawned and her pretty blue eyes looked up at Sadie.

“I think it’s okay Mama wasn’t here,” Layla said, “because then you wouldn’t be here. I love you, Adie.”

Sadie smoothed back Layla’s hair from her face. “I love you too, Layla.”

With a smile, she switched off the light and pulled the door almost closed. She headed out to the patio to help with the clean-up; heated voices stopped her at the back door.

“Mom, there’s still two months before Layla starts school. I’m not sending her up to Minnesota for the rest of the summer. I can’t.”

Kathleen sighed. “You can, you just won’t. You need time to heal from Emily leaving, sweetheart. Give yourself that time.”

“I’m over Emily — I’ve been over her. Things were bad for a while before she left, all right?” Sadie’s heart broke for Chris but also jumped at his confession of being over Emily. “Layla doesn’t need any more big changes.”

“Is this about Sadie? She’s a wonderful woman, but I can ready Layla for kindergarten, too.”

Sadie peered around the corner just in time to see Chris run a hand over his face and shift his weight to one foot in frustration.

“It’s about me not wanting to be away from my daughter, and — you know what, yeah, it is about Sadie. Layla loves her!” His voice raised even higher when he said, “I’m not going to let her lose another mother!”

Sadie gasped and lost her balance, causing her to slip against the doorway she had been leaning on and out onto the porch. She gained a good scrape on her elbow and up towards her wrist in the process.

“Sorry — I’m sorry,” Sadie stuttered out as she righted herself. “I’ll just — I’m gonna clean this up.”

She was rinsing off her elbow at the kitchen sink when Chris came inside. It was an awkward angle, and he offered to help her.

“Hop up on the counter there.” He wet a washcloth and cleaned the dirt from her scrape before going to the medicine cabinet for antibiotic ointment and a bandage.

The gentle way he applied the ointment and then the bandage made Sadie swoon a little more. In the weeks since she had come to the Pratt farm, the closed-off, rough man had warmed up, opened up, and began to work his way into Sadie’s heart. Between moments with Layla and early morning breakfast chats, as well as late night talks after Layla went to bed, Sadie knew she wasn’t going to have a hold on her feelings for much longer.

“Sadie, what I said about Layla not losing another mother,” Chris spoke up, breaking into her thoughts, “it may not have come out the way I intended.”

“It’s okay,” Sadie shrugged. She wanted to tell him that she would be all right if he meant it the way he said it, but she didn’t want to ruin the moment. “I’m not upset.”

“Good,” Chris smiled, helping her off the counter. “Thank you for everything today, Sadie. You made Layla’s day really special. And my birthday the other day. Means a lot.”

Sadie smiled. “It’s my pleasure, Chris. Really.”

She didn’t know it then, but that was the moment Chris realized he was falling for her. He stared at her long enough though, Sadie cleared her throat and excused herself to go outside and help with finishing the clean up from the party.

Sadie was in pajamas, reading through job opportunities on her laptop when Kathleen came to her door.

“Am I interrupting?”

Sadie closed her laptop. “Not at all. Everything okay?”

Kathleen took a seat on the edge of the bed. “I want to apologize if I offended you with what I said earlier. It’s nothing against you. Daniel and I just worry so much about Layla and Chris. Emily left them so suddenly — I won’t get into that. I appreciate what you’re doing for them, more than you know. Even the things you don’t know that you’re doing.”

“As I told Chris earlier, it’s truly my pleasure. I appreciate you clearing that up for me.” Sadie smiled and leaned over to hug the older woman. Before Kathleen could leave, she asked, “What do you mean, the things I don’t know I’m doing?”

Kathleen simply smiled and bid the younger woman good night.

Part Six

#chris pratt #chris evans #fanfiction #oc appreciation day 2020 #new to this blog

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