#cross guild my beloved <3

[brabblesblog]

𝕽𝖊𝖒𝖊𝖒𝖇𝖊𝖗 𝖞𝖊 𝖓𝖔𝖙 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖋𝖔𝖗𝖒𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘.

Ch 6: My youth is a scab: under it is a wound that leaks blood

A sequel to Whither is thy beloved gone? (AO3)

After the events of ‘Whither is thy beloved gone?’ Lord Astarion Ancuńin and his consort wife navigate their relationship anew. The ghosts of the past - his, hers, and theirs - threaten to unravel everything they’ve worked for.

Astarion and Ban make their first move in reconnecting with her past.

Professionally edited and collaborated on by my dearest friend <3 @editing-by-night

Read on AO3.

Masterlist

Astarion and Ban, by @dafna-winchester

Walking through the artisans’ shops beneath the palace was always an interesting thing, but Ban found herself rather distracted today. Arms linked with her husband’s, she allowed her mind to drift as he handled most of the conversation, chatting amiably and at great length with each artisan they encountered, moving from display to display, eventually pausing to consider commissioning yet another portrait of the two of them.

His voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

“I’ll have to consult my wife about the pose,” Astarion told the artist. “It’ll be on the throne, of course, but I do feel like a slightly different atmosphere would serve to make this piece unique.” He tapped the sketch. “We’ll discuss it and I shall reconvene with you.”

He led her away, making a beeline for the cobbler’s guild’s shop, likely to ask for a fresh pair of wyrmhide shoes to be made.

“Don’t worry. We’ll get a couple pairs this time, in case you keep soaking them.” She quipped, watching his lip curl in feigned irritation.

“Tch.” He rolled his eyes. “One day you’ll wake up to find all your clothes in the fountain. We’ll see how you feel then.”

“I’d be perfectly fine walking around naked,” she teased, and he coughed, stifling a small laugh.

“If only your skill in transforming was as good as your mouth,” he retorted. There was a quick, failed attempt to smack him on the arm; he caught it quickly and kissed her hand instead, smirking.

“I just started a tenday ago!” she insisted, but she knew he was right. There needed to be more effort in it, though she found herself uninterested. If they were to live forever there would inevitably be more instances where it would be much needed.

Astarion merely huffed in amusement, letting go of her hand.

Ban was all too content to let Astarion continue mingling, her thoughts flitting back to their practice sessions. It hadn’t been easy at all - as someone who prided herself on her martial prowess, any sort of magic had always felt unnecessary, a challenge that she never put any effort into mastering. Why learn to cast spells, when cold steel got the job done?

It was unsurprising then, that so far every effort to successfully turn into mist had failed. She’d done a little better in turning into a bat - a tiny, gray-furred version of herself, she lamented - but flying without panicking had eluded her. She’d been lucky; Astarion had taken to catching her whenever she’d inevitably dropped out of the air like a rock, squealing as if her life was on the line.

He’d always chide her, reminding her that she could simply transform back mid-fall, but he always caught her anyway; every time, without fail. She smiled softly at a particular memory: when she’d flown further than she’d ever managed before. Overcome with excitement at her success, she’d turned to look at him, and realized just how far she’d flown. She could barely see him, his lithe form hardly more than a smudge in the distance. Seeing him so far away had deeply unnerved her. Panic had flooded her and the rhythm of her wingbeats had faltered. She’d screeched in terror, plummeting towards the ground.

He’d crossed the distance in an instant, her tiny furred belly landing in his delicate hands yet again. Ban wasn’t sure she’d ever felt more safe than in that moment.

The cobbler seemed happy to have received a work order for five pairs of shoes, all wyrmhide but dyed in various shades - his usual black, vermillion, a deep blue, an emerald green, and white. The last one amused Ban; for someone so concerned about the state of their clothing, white would be challenging.

The next stop was for jewelry, it seemed. Astarion chatted with the jeweler while eyeing the selection. Ban’s eyes roamed over the pieces on display, too preoccupied to register much of anything. Eventually, he dangled a large pair of earrings up towards the light, admiring the large rubies set into them. Ban looked on, watching them swing merrily from her husband’s fingers, the stones sparkling. Rubies, just like his eyes, just like-

Arlette’s favorite necklace. The ruby in it was nowhere near the size of these, but Ban remembered it all too well. Once, she’d tried it on and dropped it, the necklace quickly disappearing into the thick carpet of their home. She’d cried, knowing Arlette would be upset, and had Roderich been home, there would undoubtedly be yet another session of “corrections”. Adrien had come to her rescue, crawling on hands and knees with her to find the necklace before Arlette came into the room.

Adrien. Astarion had noted something off about the way Roderich had spoken about him.

The thought of seeing her parents, of the decision she’d made a month ago, still hangs heavy, but she felt like it must be done for him - for Adrien. They weren’t the closest of siblings, but still. He’d suffered under Roderich’s hand too, under Arlette’s blind eye. After everything that led to the fight with the Netherbrain, the idea of freeing her brother from their parents felt relatively easy. Or at least, that’s what she told herself.

Astarion seemed to finally notice her silence.

“Love?” He asked, handing the earrings back to the jeweler to place in a little box. “Is something the matter?”

She opened her mind in response, sending him images: of her and Adrien as children, playing amongst the mirrors, of the incident with their mother’s necklace. Memories, few but all the more precious for it, of moments of peace - where they were simply siblings and friends, a brief respite from the horrors of their daily lives. Then her thoughts, as nebulous and unformed as they were; no concrete plan, simply a need to know how her brother is doing and to pry him away from her parents’ clutches, if possible.

He fell silent, taking the now-wrapped box and pressing it into her hands before continuing their slow walk through the shops.

“I had surmised as much,” he said quietly. As she tucked the box into her pocket he thinks, a small crease formed on his brows. “You did say you thought you should see them. I wondered, when nothing further came of that, but I did not want to press. We could…” he paused to admire a pocketwatch from yet another artisan, holding it up by the chain, “invite them to dinner. I assume you’d rather have them here in the palace than have us at the shop, or your old home?”

Ban nodded. “Would give us an advantage.”

“Not that we need it,” Astarion reminded. He reached into his pocket to retrieve his pouch; the watch was evidently to his liking. “But if it does provide some semblance of comfort, we shall do so. Encounters like that, when held in locations that remind you of unpleasant memories,” his eyes scanned the massive room, the former dungeons, and sighed, “are rarely pleasant. I’d love nothing more than to spare you that.”

She couldn’t help but lean against him, pressing a small, grateful kiss to his cheek. “We need to go see my father in the shop, at the least, to invite them.”

Astarion sat in the carriage, Ban’s hand clasped in both of his; she was sitting opposite him, both of them leaning forward. He hated seeing her nervous, her hands feeling colder than usual - not a common occurrence now that she’s undead - and restless. Her fingers twitched and he held them tighter, rubbing his warmer palms against hers. “Let me remind you one last time, Ban. You don’t have to.”

“I know. I want to, if only to close that chapter of my life,” she said, eyes locked onto his, as if he was the font from which she drew strength. A rare occurrence - the reverse had been true most of the time, especially before - but a cherished one.

They had a plan, yes, but plans are always changeable, are they not? “The offer is always open, of course. Say the word, and we can just… end all this nonsense.” In an attempt to cheer her up Astarion grinned, playfully baring a hint of fang. She instead closed the gap, kissing him hard. She was all teeth and aggression, her fang nicking his lip on accident. The taste of his own blood stirred a little hunger in him but even more so in her; the way her tongue slipped in and licked the blood told him all he needed to know.

As she devoured his mouth he rubbed her arms, trying to soothe. She soon broke the kiss, eyes wide and a little unfocused. “I’m ready,” she said, pitch a little high. Nodding, Astarion opened the carriage door and stepped out, holding out his arm to help his wife down.

In front of them the store loomed, a little too ominous for such a humble structure, and Ban almost seemed to shrink before it.

Biting back the nearly overwhelming urge to charge in and destroy everything in sight, Astarion laced his fingers through hers. He offered her one last comforting smile, and led the way in.

“Lord Ancunín,” Roderich said, looking up as Astarion sauntered in, rising to provide a cursory bow. When he noticed the woman walking in behind the nobleman, he went pale, standing ramrod straight, frozen as if paralyzed.

Ban, too, had met her father’s gaze. Her hand tightened around Astarion’s, squeezing almost painfully. She briefly tugged on his arm, then schooled herself. What would her father think if she tucked tail right now?

Better yet, why did she care what Roderich thought?

“Ban?” Roderich gasped, the shock holding him in place seemingly subsiding. He took two aggressive steps toward them, and Ban flinched slightly. Astarion, noticing her discomfort, shifted, placing himself between the two.

“Master Glasscraft,” Astarion said icily, “I’d appreciate it if you gave my wife and I some space.”

The man blinked for a second. “W-wife? That’s… that’s my daughter!” For a moment it seemed like Roderich intended to proceed anyway, that he’d attempt to push past Astarion. Instead he took a moment to regard the cold crimson eyes watching him, the way those cruel-looking lips were curled - ready to strike with the slightest provocation - and thought the better of it. “My lord,” he said, tone suddenly conciliatory, “you don’t know how long I’ve wanted to see my daughter again.”

Ban, who until this moment had been perfectly content allowing Astarion to take the lead, placed a hand on her husband’s shoulder. She sent a small thought from her mind to his - thank you, my love, but I can handle it.

Immediately he backed off, giving her a small nod. A small wave of gratitude reached her; he’s thankful she’d allowed him into her mind as she confronts her past. With it, however, is a small hint of resentment, one that made her raise her eyebrow at Astarion, but she says nothing for the moment. She took a step forward, letting go of his hand, straightening up to face Roderich.

“Hello, father,” she gritted out. “It’s… nice, seeing you again. I presume you’ve met my husband, Lord Astarion Ancunín.” Behind her, Astarion gave him a small, sardonic bow.

Ban couldn’t help but feel a swell pride at those words, at her terrible, beautiful beloved; at how far they’d both risen above what they were made for.

Roderich swallowed audibly. “I- yes, my little beauty,” he began, seeing Ban’s expression close off at the nickname, “I have indeed met your… husband. The, um, the esteemed successor to Lord Szarr’s estate!” He clapped his hands together with false mirth. “I am sure you’ve seen the mirror he’s purchased from me? You no doubt know he has good taste. It’s-”

“Silver, full length, inlaid with gold, in typical rococo style,” Ban finished for him; Roderich gave a jaunty nod of approval.

“You remember.” He smiled despite the tension in the room, almost taking a step towards her again before Ban crossed her arms. “I will admit one of our mercury mirrors would have provided a far superior product as you very well know, but as it stands the one Lord Ancunín bought has the best reflection silver can provide. You’ve no doubt seen yourself in it and seen how our mirrors have improved over the past five years.”

She wanted to roll her eyes. Five years she’d been gone, and of course, the first thing he wanted to talk about were the godsdamned mirrors. Ban opened her mouth, whether to either insult her father or humor him she wasn’t sure, but he spoke before she got the chance.

“Little beauty, your mother would be so elated to know you’re back. That you’ve made something of your life, I suppose, despite… our earlier reservations,” Roderich continued. “When you left, we assumed you’d end up in a far worse situation than… this.”

Astarion bristled, but kept his peace for her. He began pacing through the store, walking back and forth in a closed path, hands buried in his pockets - almost like a predator stalking its next kill. There was an edge to his thoughts, one that Ban noticed, but mistakenly attributed to mere indignation at her father’s behavior.

In truth Astarion’s mind churned as he paced, Roderich’s voice ringing in his head. Little beauty. Little beauty… gods.

Countless times he’d called her something similar - his pet. His precious treasure. His little love. He recalled how she’d disliked it, but at the time she’d hated everything else he did - how was he to discern the truth?

This is why I needed to know, he told himself, irritation the first feeling he sank into, a little apprehensive about examining the ones that lurked beneath it. Revulsion, self-hatred, guilt. He’d known that he reminded Ban of her father at times, but this new revelation deeply unnerved him.

She must’ve loathed him, he realized; not that he hadn’t been aware of that, but the depth of it still eluded him. The sheer venom in their relationship had meant he hadn’t really been too concerned by her displeasure. A response was a response after all, and her love had been so absent that he’d craved any sign of emotion. And didn’t she want to be denigrated to some extent, he’d reasoned with himself, just as she’d enjoyed it in bed?

He knew she’d forgiven him, but this made the idea of making amends even more daunting. How could he even begin to atone when even now, more than six months later, he was still unearthing new and horrifying ways he’d inadvertently tortured her with his twisted idea of love?

Ban watched him from the corner of her eye, concerned. Are you alright?

His eyes snapped back to her, and for a moment he looked stricken. As they locked eyes, however, he seemed to relax, visibly taking a deep breath. Perfectly fine; there is no need to concern yourself. His eyes flicked towards Roderich, a silent reminder to focus on the issue at hand.

She turned back to her father. “I daresay I did well by your standards. You wanted me to marry someone rich - that I did. Someone powerful - I did that too. He has both in much greater measure than you could have in your wildest dreams.” She didn’t add in the most important things: that her husband is someone who loves her, who sees her as his equal, someone that she loves beyond reason; there’s no point debating that with Roderich.

There was also the odd omission of her brother; and she wasn’t the only one who noticed. Her eyes flicked over to Astarion again; he gave her an almost imperceptible nod of understanding as the mental link passed the message along.

Roderich appeared to realize the veiled insult he’d just leveled at Astarion. “Ah- I mean, of course! That isn’t what I meant, little beauty. I merely meant, well. The Szarr family owned the palace, and then Lord Ancunín inherited it and…” he paused for a moment then shook his head. “I was just confused. Forgive me, I did not mean any offense.”

Ban noted that her father was keeping something from them. The way his eyes darted to Astarion every few seconds, as if her husband was a threat, was curious, as was the way he paused mid-sentence, as if he meant to say something else and then changed his mind. She felt a wave of irritation pass from Astarion to her. Turning, she saw him slap on the biggest, falsest grin as he finally stopped pacing and rounded on Roderich.

“And none taken!” Astarion declared, coming to a stop right next to the older man. “After all, you’re family now, and I understand if you find the - change - in last names odd. The Ancuníns are - let’s say - a distant branch of the Szarr clan, and since Cazador died without any heirs - may the gods have mercy on his soul,” he placed a hand on his chest, playing the role of a young man mourning his dearest departed relative so well Ban almost had to stifle a laugh, “the estate and mansion have passed into my possession.”

The act sent a small pang of nostalgia through Ban, memories of him playing the fop back in the day making her more than a little wistful. This didn’t escape his notice, of course; the mental link and her face were more than enough indication. His eyes met hers, and for a moment his gaze was pained.

“What I mean to say, Roderich,” he continued, wrapping an arm over the older man’s shoulder and tugging him close, “is that the estate is mine and your daughter’s, now. In fact, we would be delighted to host a small soiree in your honor. My beloved hasn’t seen her family in years, and we would be honored to have you and your family as our guests.”

That had been the plan: come to the shop without warning, catching Roderich by surprise, then invite the Glasscrafts over for dinner at the Crimson Palace. It would give Ban a chance to see her family in a more comfortable setting, and then decide if she wanted more contact or not.

Roderich squirmed in Astarion’s grasp. “Of - of course. We would be more than happy to come, my lord.”

Satisfied, Astarion dropped the act, letting go of Roderich. “Good. We expect to see you and your whole family at sunset in a tenday. Don’t be late,” he drawled, the coldness settling back. His eyes raked over Ban for a second.

Do you want to go?

She considered it and then nodded. As she turned around, however, Roderich finally gathered enough courage to reach for her - she felt his calloused hand wrap around her wrist.

“My little beauty, dear,” Roderich started. “You left us, you gave up on your family-”

Ban faced her father, for a moment tempted to do exactly as Astarion wanted and sic him on her father, perhaps even bite Roderich herself. Her lip curled, and behind her Astarion tensed, the bond ensuring the thought did not go unnoticed.

“Don’t you dare,” she hissed, glaring down at her father. “Don’t-”

Ban furiously snatched her hand away from Roderich, rubbing at her eyes. Don’t. He can’t be allowed to see her cry, not when he’d caused it countless times in her life, when he considered her tears a victory.

Easier said than done, however, the prickling feeling of impending tears not abating. Her eyes found the only source of solace in this cursed place, Astarion locking gazes with her. He took a step even before she could communicate anything, arm wrapping around her waist.

“We’ll be off, Master Glasscraft,” Astarion said, the anger simmering under the obviously insincerely pleasant tone. “As previously mentioned, Ban and I will be expecting you and your family in a tenday.”

Roderich tried again, mouth opening to say something more, but Astarion gave him a withering look that invited him to try it and find out. Falling silent, the older man sighed and stayed put, watching Astarion lead Ban out of the store and back to the carriage.

He still had an arm wrapped around her, fingers gently ghosting over her back in what he hoped were comforting touches. To his surprise she came to lie down on his side of the carriage, resting her head on his lap and looking up at him quietly.

Displays of unbridled emotional openness were still uncommon for her; she’d always been that way, but he didn’t fool himself into thinking he hadn't exacerbated the lack of it.

“Sorry,” she said quickly, “I can sit up.” As she moved he placed an arm across her chest, clasping her shoulder.

“I never uttered a word of complaint, did I?” He thumbed away a tear. “I insist; I don’t like seeing my darling so upset. If this eases you somewhat then I’d be delighted to have you crease my trousers.” He offered her a quick, easy smile that he hoped would soothe her.

Especially when I still feel terrible about the nicknames; Roderich’s words today were a weight in the forefront of his mind. He was quick to sever the mental bond before that thought had a chance to get to her; when she raised an eyebrow in question he merely shrugged. His other hand ran through her hair, tracing the braids there absently.

Ban relaxed under his touch, the tears slowing somewhat. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Seeing him again wasn’t easy, especially given the circumstances of, well. Everything.”

He resisted the urge to tell her about the thoughts plaguing him; for now settling on lighter things. For her sake. “That was a rather impressive display of knowledge back there, with the mirror.” he stated carefully. “I admit I was rather surprised when he mentioned mercury mirrors; it’s a wonder he’s survived this long working with the material.”

She laughed, a loud, acerbic sound. “Astarion, you think he crafts the mirrors himself?” She shook her head and nuzzled against his thigh; he couldn’t help the sudden intake of breath or the shiver that ran through him.

“I suppose not,” he conceded. “So, hire some unfortunate soul, teach them how to make mirrors, and then once they’re ill, replace them?” A small scoff escaped his lips. “A waste of resources. You would do better keeping them in your employ and instead only produce silver mirrors.”

“I don’t disagree,” Ban looked up at him. “Silver would be better for the health of your mirror-makers, sure, but it wouldn’t be as expensive to sell.” Her hand rose, cupping his cheek. “I did tell you. The shop was his only love.”

Astarion felt her thumb brush over his cheekbones, wondering if the gesture soothed her; he mimicked the motion, tracing her own in turn. They weren’t as sharp nor as defined as his, but they were perfect, the shape of her face perfectly molded into the curve of his palm. The all-too-familiar swell of affection rose in him and he huffed.

“That is unfortunate, and dare I say his loss. The one thing he should have loved best is mine now,” he murmured, “and I am never letting go.”

Not again, not ever; and now that he was starting to believe that he was enough, he knew he could do anything and be everything she wished him to be. It aided in quieting that small seed of resentment he’d been harboring and keeping sealed tight in his breast.

It aided in softening the horror his new discovery had been plaguing him with, too.

The carriage began to move; he held her waist, keeping her secure. For a moment they were both silent, both lost in thought, contemplating what had just happened.

Ban broke the silence. “You’re thinking too loudly, Astarion.” He could tell she was amused, and more than a little worried.

“Am I that easy to read, love?” Of course she saw through it, through the feigned disinterest and the not-too-carefully worn guise of that’s not important, all I want is for you to be alright - not that it wasn’t true, of course it is - but he did need to talk about it.

“Not exactly hiding it, Astarion,” she mumbled, and he smiled slightly, chagrined. He gently nudged her to shift in his lap, facing away. His hands gathered up some of her loose hair, separating it out into sections. He’d helped her braid it before, and he wasn’t the best at it, but he had to admit that he found the repetitive motion soothing. The task was a good exercise for his nimble fingers, hands that hadn’t felt the heat of combat in what feels like forever.

“Perhaps not,” he admitted. “Your father’s preferred term of endearment - little beauty - irks you, doesn’t it?” The braid he was working on slowly took form, and he paused to admire it. “I would hazard a guess and assume my own names for you… elicited the same response.”

Ban craned her neck to watch his work; he held the partially done braid up for her to see. “Not bad,” she commented. There was a small pause, where she gave him a look that seemed to be more fretful than anything else, and continued. “You’re right. It’s… he’s always reduced me, my mother - my brother, even - into things, to ensure his success. His little beauty to marry off. His broodmare, to give him successors. And of course his heir, to carry his name into the future.”

“You haven’t answered the other half of the question,” Astarion chided, eyes pointedly fixed on the half-done braid instead of her eyes.

“Your assumption,” Ban pointed out, “which isn’t wrong, of course, but neither is it some huge, unforgivable thing.”

“Ban…” he murmured, voice low. Dare he hope?

She sighed, hand curving around his chin to make him look at her; he saw nothing but earnestness there.

“You’re fine. We’re fine. That was the past, and you stopped the moment I asked you to. There is no issue here.”

He couldn’t help the relieved laugh he barked out, the tension leaving his body. “I - I suppose you’re right.” He searched for something else to say, and settled on a question. “When was the last time you saw Roderich, and what were the circumstances of your… departure?” He surmised she was likely to have run away, from what Roderich had said; he was curious, but this was also a test of sorts. Would she trust him enough to tell him more?

Ban frowned, thinking. “I ran away. It was after they wanted to have me wed.”

“Ah!” he exclaimed, all faux cheeriness; his hands resumed their work on the braid. “You escaped the clutches of some disgusting, lecherous lout. A good decision; it does not surprise me that you effortlessly repeated the feat when it came to leaving me.”

There wasn’t any bitterness there, merely a need to make light of things. She chuckled and nodded. “My to-be-husband was not hideous, however. He was tall, I daresay even taller than you,” she laughed as he let out a loud, offended scoff, then continued. “He was also rather handsome. I just didn’t want him, nor feel anything for him.”

“You could have, provided with enough time. Although…” he cocked his head at her, teasingly, “had you done so you wouldn’t have been with such a devastatingly handsome vampire, would you?”

“Devastatingly arrogant, yes,” she said, simpering up at him. “But, I met him, and he was rather insistent on being betrothed as soon as possible. He was prepared: dowry, a date for the marriage, the guest list, which apparently my parents had input in…”

Astarion yet again felt pique surge in him: for her, but also at the ease in which this all flowed now. He forced himself to refocus on the braid instead. “Let me continue the story, then. One night, when everyone was not paying mind, the poor maiden slipped out, likely through the window of the house, her meager possessions the only thing she carried with her.” He said it all with an amused, if slightly dismissive air.

“I… well, yes, mostly. Except that it was midday.” She looked at him with a slightly quizzical expression; for a moment it seemed like she wanted to say more, then thought better of it. “You’re getting good at this,” Ban pivots, nodding at the almost finished braid.

He shrugged. “It’s not so difficult to do; a twist here, a turn there…” he finished off his work and raised a hand, letting his fingers dance, as though rolling a coin between them. “What am I if not skilled with my hands, hm? You know that better than most.”

A smile broke over her features and she smirked. “So is that what all that braiding was for? To show off your dexterity?” She reached out to take his hand, running her rougher fingers over his soft knuckles.

“I could be persuaded to demonstrate it in a different manner,” he purred, eyes flicking up to watch their approach to the Crimson Palace. “And the braids may prove rather helpful in that regard.”

“Oh?” She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. The braids stay on this time? She’d always liked having them in her hair. Before the rite he’d occasionally helped her braid her hair; in the days after it she’d done them herself - he’d found it beneath him to do so. He’d always helped her take them out, however, one of their nightly routines before inevitably ending up in each other’s arms. The thought of his hands tugging her braids while he took her was intriguing, warmth beginning to unfurl in her core. “I might be amenable. After all that, I definitely need a distraction.”

He gave her a careful once-over, to make sure this wasn’t merely her skirting her emotions, that it was something she desired. He figured that it was skirting somewhat, but it was also a request for help - she didn’t really want to think about the events of today. He smirked, then gave her hair a small, playful tug. “Then a distraction you shall get, darling. As always, you need only ask, and it will be yours.”

He’d had ideas on how to do this, to reintroduce a little rougher play. The idea of holding onto her head, threading his fingers through those locks as her mouth-

Astarion shook the mental image off. “Let’s get home and-”

The rest of his words were swallowed up by a moan as Ban turned her head to mouth at his clothed cock. She pulled away and he viciously fought the urge to hold her head there and fuck her mouth; he watched her sit up, his eyes locked onto those lips.

“Of course,” Ban said, mirth in her eyes. “Once we get home, I’ll let you distract me all you want.”

Getting home could not be any slower, he thought.

Getting to the bedroom was a challenge, especially since she couldn’t keep her hands off of her husband in between attempts to strip off her own clothes. Their lips were locked, hands roaming over each other’s bodies, each trying to strip without ending their kiss. Her shoes and trousers came off, abandoned somewhere in the main hallway. He seemed to be having just as much trouble as she was; a shoe went flying and he cursed, lips parting from hers with a groan of frustration as he lifted a leg to tug off the other.

“Godsdamned-” he cursed, tugging it off with one hard yank. “You see the issue when the wyrmhide gets soaked and then dries? It shrinks.”

“Oh, shut up.” The moment the shoe was off she grabbed his face, kissing him again. He smelled the way he always had, that lovely perfume a blend of notes that he always made for himself, even now. But underneath was his own scent, one that matches hers, that slight hint of earth and death. But there was more, so much more. That warm flesh under her hands, the ragged, hot breaths, the racing of his heart. Racing, because of her.

“Mh-” He tried to get a word in then gave up the attempt, instead pushing her against the wall of the hallway. A small whoosh of breath escaped her and she shot him a look of surprise, desire raging through her. She broke the kiss to speak; he growled disapprovingly at the loss of contact.

“Seems like you want something,” Ban said, coy. She knew perfectly well what. Astarion fixed her with a wry grin, eyes lidded, head tilted - the picture of seduction.

“My love, I only ever want one thing - you.” He pressed his forehead to hers, breathing the same air. “I crave you, long for you, want you.” His hand slipped under her shirt, tracing a path to her breast. “You did so well last time, showing me exactly what you wanted me to do. Perhaps you could be enticed to give me a little…” he found a nipple, playing with it absently, “…more?”

Ban felt her nipples harden at his touch, a low groan escaping her lips. “I could. What do-” her words hitched as he mouthed at the base of her neck; both hands now focused on the rather urgent task of unbuttoning her shirt. The cool air greeted her as her shirt opened, baring her torso.

“What do I want?” He said, blazing a path of searing kisses and nips from her collarbone down between her breasts, then further towards her belly. “I want you to trust me,” Astarion whispered against her skin, looking up at her, “enough to let me be rougher. More… aggressive.”

Those eyes pleaded, soft and gentle despite the intensity of his kisses. A hand slipped down to adjust his hardness, drawing Ban’s attention, and all of a sudden her throat was dry. “Yes, Astarion. I… I daresay I’d like that. Very much.”

She’d liked it before, Astarion’s roughness. It had been a discovery they’d made within the confines of their tent in the Shadow-Cursed lands and it had always been just right. He had ruined it bit by bit after he’d ascended, but she figured it was time to try again; she’d missed it and knew he had as well.

“Very good,” he replied, eyes steely and mischievous again, tucking away the softness without reservation. “Remind me, my darling: what do we say, when we want the play to end?”

“Sussur,” she breathed, and was rewarded with an approving purr and Astarion using his mouth to slowly tug her underwear down, his hot breath ghosting against her mound as he did.

He replaced his mouth with a hand, pulling the fabric the rest of the way off. She rested her hand on his shoulder as he slipped them off her legs, then tossed them over his shoulder. Astarion licked his lips; on his knees he was at eye level with her core. “Sussur, indeed,” he murmured, mouth ghosting over her, but not quite touching just yet. “You look delicious from here, darling. I almost can’t resist…” a small lap of his tongue, warm and pleasant and just perfect against her folds, just enough to hint at what more he could be doing, “...a taste.”

“Astarion.” Ban bit back the moan, barely managing it. “If you want to lead, just do it. Quit teasing.” She wasn’t irritated, and the idea of being teased to hell and back is something she so desperately wanted, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to give him a little cheek. His answering smirk was mischievous; he was all too aware that she was at his mercy.

Half-lidded eyes met hers as he rose, pressing his body against hers. “We’ve just started, my sweet. You must be patient while I decide exactly what I’m going to do to you.” The slow roll of his hips against hers was pleasant, his cock hard and rubbing against her in slow, increasingly insistent circles, the clothes separating them merely adding to the much-needed friction.

Ban met his gaze, then brazenly reached down to cup his erection. Astarion hissed, eyes glinting dangerously at having his authority challenged, but also with a hint of barely hidden delight. She couldn’t help the laugh that erupted out of her. “How about you make me suck your cock, my lord? You can do all the things your pretty little head was thinking of whilst braiding my hair.” She paused briefly, a rebellious smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. “If you think you can make me, that is.”

Her own sudden boldness took her by surprise, but even more so her husband; she watched his eyes widen, cock twitching against her palm, the warm heat more than a little gratifying. After a moment, his eyes narrowed into a searing, sultry glare.

Astarion’s answer was breathy, more growled than spoken. “Bedroom.” he turned, already working on the buttons of his doublet, “Now.”

If you would like to see more of these two and their story, consider reading my other entries in the series "If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there."

Taglist: @tavamarie @ayselluna @enterthedreams @coltaire @qiific3 @misscrissfemmefatale @vixstarria @eatyourheartoutmylove @linllewellyn @battisonsgf @micropoe10 @thegoodwitchs-blog @akirahime @velcyrptr @i-cant-get-into-my-other-account @babblebrain-blog @asterordinary @last-but-not-the-least @artist4theworld @gracemisconduct @decedentcoffeewizard @rootin-tootin-n-kind @pursuitseternal @youngtacobanana @krispeenuggiez @girlygmer-blog @cheezits4lyfe @vinegarjello @the0ldmann @wisteriaofthegraves @midnight-musings-of-nyx @toni-winchester @icybluepenguin @beepersteeper @hereliesblackdragon

#astarion #astarion baldurs gate #baldurs gate astarion #bg3 #bg3 astarion #astarion fic #astarion x tav #astarion ancunin #astarion bg3 #bg3 fanfiction #astarion x mc #astarion romance #astarion fanfiction #astarion fanfic #astarion fanart #astarion ascended #ascended astarion #ascension #ascendant astarion #vampire ascendant #ascended astarion x f!tav #ascended astarion x tav #bg3 fanfic #bg3 fanart #bg3 fic #bg3 romance #astarion smut #astarion angst #baldurs gate 3 #astarion x female oc

[ztarvokwrites]

Dracule Mihawk - Actions Speak Volumes

a/n: yo yo yo! had this scenario in my head for a few days n decided to write abt it before i lose my train of thought haha! here u go <3

synopsis: it's only when you finally snap that he realises just how much you're hurting, thus he does everything he can to make it up to you.

reader is gn!

warnings: none, just angst, fluff, comfort, maybe a bit of sexual tension at the end if you squint hard enough.

word count: 1,626

Your actions as of recent have been nothing short of frustratingly annoying. After Mihawk returned from a 3-month escapade for only the best supplies for the Guild (he does not trust Buggy’s lackeys), you’ve been acting uncharacteristically cold towards him. Alvida knows what’s bothering you, yet refuses to tell him why you’re suddenly so ice cold, a harsh and bitter contrast to your warm and kind personality that he adored so much.

“You should already know that, seeing how you’re so perceptive of everything,” She says as he asks once again what your problem is. His eyes are on you as you silently help Cabaji set up some weapons in case they need to battle the Navy again. “But, if you can’t see they’re hurting because of you, you’re dumber than I thought.”

“And what exactly did I do to them, may I ask? All I did was go out for supplies,” Mihawk responds sharply, looking at the young woman beside him from the corner of his eye. Alvida looks at him, dumbfounded at the density of the former Warlord. She grunts, putting her hands on her hips.

“Yeah, for 3 whole months without telling them,” Exclaims the woman, brows furrowing as she looks towards you, arms folding over her chest again. “Honestly, I’m surprised they’re still with you considering how bad you’ve been treating them!”

This made his head snap towards her so fast that Alvida jolted back, eyes wide in fear. His golden eyes, usually cold and unfeeling, look surprised at her statement. Surely she’s bluffing, right? Mihawk can’t recall treating his partner poorly. Sure, they might’ve had a little argument here and there, but he was still devoted to them. 

“...What makes you think I am treating my beloved so poorly?” He asks, his cold voice holding an edge of offence to Alvida’s accusation.

“Well…” Alvida hesitates, voice weak for a moment before she continues speaking with confidence. “You haven’t been spending much time with them, your attitude towards them is just downright mean, you brush off their concerns like they’re a waste of time, and-”

“Alvida,” You interrupted, walking up to her with your arms folded. “Stop complaining, would you? Me venting to you when I’m drunk doesn’t permit you to go to Dracule about our relationship troubles. This is something between Dracule and I, so keep your nose out of it.”

Dracule.

You’ve never used his first name before, let alone with such… Unfathomable coldness. Mihawk stares — no, gawks at you, his stoic expression faltering slightly into one of pure confusion. Was what Alvida said true? When your eyes meet his, he watches as you narrow your gaze, a silent command for him to speak to you privately now that he knows too much. His gaze holds your own for a few seconds until you walk away. Following you, he tries to strike up a conversation, but you shoot his attempts down with a simple, “We’ll talk when we’re in private, so be quiet and follow me.”

And so, in uncomfortable silence, Mihawk follows you into your shared tent, staring at you with his arms crossed as you sit at the table. You speak first before he can even open his mouth, airing out your grievances and spilling your heart to the man, knowing he can shrug it off like before. You speak of the neglect as of late, how he has been nonchalant and uncaring towards you, how you’ve been feeling unloved by the man and how you’ve been constantly put aside now that you’ve all formed the Cross Guild.

And perhaps you’ve seen this coming — no, you have seen this coming; the way he deflects and tries to downplay how badly he’s been treating you because he simply refuses to believe it. Of course, this turns into an argument that eventually gets heated, as tears sting your eyes and threaten to spill down your cheeks. You’re practically screaming at this point, desperately trying to get him to see your point of view.

“For once in your life, Dracule,” There you go again, using his first name as if it were venom on your tongue. “Think about me! Think about us! Instead of your top priority being disappearing without a trace for months on end, making me worried sick about you — you should be prioritising what this relationship means to you because this means everything to me! You mean everything to me!”

Mihawk goes silent at your outburst, his arms unfolding and resting by his sides as his attention falls on you. He’s not focused on what he refuses to believe anymore, he’s only focused on you. Only you. It’s like his world stops once he sees your grief-stricken face, your tears finally escaping your tear ducts and caressing your cheeks as they drift down to your chin, your lips pulled into a tight frown. His face remains stoic as he listens, finally listens to you. 

Oh, how he wants to hold you in his arms and apologise, but he doesn’t. He just lets you yell at him and open his eyes to the truth… But you’re gone once you’re done speaking, you're pushing past him and walking out of the tent to get some well-deserved air. The former Warlord steps out of the tent, trying to see where you ran off to, but you are nowhere to be seen.

It’s then that he decides he’s going to make it up to you. He isn’t a fool, he knows he hasn’t been as affectionate as of late, and this argument has made him realise just how much he’ll lose if he loses you. Mihawk certainly doesn’t want to lose you, not after all you’ve been through together.

Throughout the day, he gives you your space but finds little things that remind him of you as he explores what Emptee Bluff’s Island has to offer. Whether it be flowers or your favourite drink in the town that’s opposite Buggy’s Town, he soon returns with three or four bags of gifts and groceries — ignoring the questioning looks on peoples’ faces as he casually carries the heavy bags to your shared tent with ease.

As the week progresses, he slowly starts giving you these gifts in secret, leaving them in your chair or your side of the bed in the morning. Whenever you’d see them, your heart would skip a beat and ache with confusion before a small blush would rise to your cheeks. You know he’s a man of few words, so you are glad he is acknowledging you like this.

Finally, the time comes for the perfect last gift — a romantic dinner under the stars, far away from the chaos of the Guild, even if it was just for an hour or two. You show up wearing your best outfit, a little nervous as it’s been a while since the argument and neither of you have properly talked since. It’s not hard to find the spot, as the candles on the grass illuminate the blanket that you find your partner patiently sitting on. A small pang in your heart strikes as he lifts his head, his golden eyes meeting your gaze and scanning over your outfit. 

You can almost see it, the way his eyes light up behind his cold exterior upon seeing you dressed up like this. Honestly, it makes you flustered the way he just stares at you before motioning you to come forward and take a seat beside him.

“...I thought I’d treat you to something special tonight,” Begins Mihawk, pouring you a glass of wine as you sit down beside him. With a small smile, you take the glass from him and have a sip. “...I’ve been thinking about what Alvida had exposed to me, and what you said during our latest quarrel about a week ago.” A lump forms in your throat as you swallow the sip of your drink, feeling dread fill your stomach. There’s a small silence that overtakes you both as you avoid his gaze, looking up at the stars as he looks at you with those piercing eyes.

“...I don’t want to lose you like I almost did before,” Mihawk continues, staring at you as he puts his drink down on the blanket, his hand gently touching your forearm. “So let me make it up to you. I’m sorry, I promise to never make you feel unloved ever again.” You avert your gaze from the stars, finally looking towards him with tears glistening in your eyes. The hand that rests on your forearm now caresses your cheek, wiping away a stray tear that dares to slide down your flushed skin with his calloused thumb.

“...You’re an asshole sometimes, Mihawk,” You respond, your tone slightly playful yet mixing with a twinge of hurt. “You don’t notice how much you hurt me until it’s too late, and you’re a man with so few words that it surprises me you argue back… But, somehow, you eventually find the right words to say and I come crawling back to you. But I’ve noticed that this time, it’s different. Your actions have spoken volumes louder than your voice has, and it…” You stop rambling once you take in the way he’s looking at you.

The way a small smile barely tugs at his stoic lips, the way his golden eyes soften and pupils dilate as he takes you in. You blush, yet he finds himself smiling just a little more, his thumb gently rubbing your cheek. The two of you find yourselves leaning in, and for a moment you think your lips are going to collide, but instead, Mihawk opens his mouth to say, “Would you like to see what I’ve prepared for this evening, my dear?”

starnote: i'm sleepy :)

dividers by @/ saradika!

#ztarvokwrites #one piece #dracule mihawk #op mihawk #one piece mihawk #mihawk x reader #hawkeye mihawk #cross guild #dracule mihawk x reader

[beanghostprincess]

I just saw a post about Buggy and Galdino being a rare pair despite the chemistry and had the wildest concept ever to formulate in my teeny lil peanut brain.

Buggy and Shanks? Yeah, it's complicated, but the answer to if they're together is neither yes nor no, just dreamy sighs (Shanks) and frantically cursing, blushing and rage (Buggy)

Buggy and Gaimon? Long distance situationship built on mutual respect, growing adoration, relatively chaste, all things considered.

Buggy and Galdino became an incidental ship during the Impel Down fiasco. They both would have eagerly and happily sold one another out for a corn chip, but eventually they build a really solid foundation and Buggy falls first buy Gal falls harder. Alvida is sipping her margarita, watching them sass-flirt each other and making disgusting goo-goo eyes. She's debating locking them in a room for them to either get right with their hearts or at the very least, give her a break.

Cross Guild happens, and Buggy is hurt by Galdino flocking back to Crocodile, yeah, but somehow he isn't surprised (self fulfilling destruction his beloved).

Hawkeye is the first to really look at Buggy - he's had to listen to Shanks wax poetic so often that he is still struggling to reconcile the Buggy-As-Described-By-Shanks with this Buggy before him. The math isn't mathing and he's wondering WHY. In doing so, he eventually starts clocking all these little things - Buggy dropping random, highly insightful and sharp comments that would solve a problem at hand succinctly and easily. Buggy is cautious, perhaps in some ways too much so, but he is also alarmingly good at resolving conflicts without... well, conflict. He's capable of manipulation tactics that most would find impossible without conquerors. Conquerors Haki which the clown most definitely does not have. He may... be understanding of where Shanks is coming from.

Crocodile and Daz, meanwhile, are slower to come around. Daz is stoic, uninterested, he does not care. Crocodile becomes... tolerant of Buggy, finding the idiot to be less of a nuisance than originally accounted for. Okay. Sure. Whatever. Then the boss man Notices some things. Galdino specifically. Mr 3 has always been rather mouthy, though much less to him than to his peers. But something about the ways Gal is interacting with the others speaks of more than idle proximity and general surliness. There's familiarity, a spark there, a thoughtlessness to the ways Galdino turns his back to them, trusting of all things. Then he catches a glimpse of Galdino and Buggy after dark, both tired and closer than most would be in that situation, curled together on a couch while Gal tries to convince Buggy to eat, and "no, baby blue, coffee does not count as food - no, I don't care about how many calories it has, you need something not-liquid, okay, damn-"

Buggy is... quiet when he's tired, Crocodile realizes. He takes away many thoughts and realization from viewing that interaction, but that is something that sticks out to him. The clown is so emotive and bombastic, pun unintended, but he... can be quiet.

He's... pretty, when he's quiet.

He swears he will take that thought to his grave.

Upon realizing though, suddenly it's like either the subtle PDA has skyrocketed or he's just hyperaware of it for what it is now. He sees the way Galdino's hand lingers on Buggy's shoulder; the way Buggy fiddles with his fingers before a wax-formed fidget toy is shuffled into his hands. He sees the smiles Gal shoot to Buggy, the quick flashes the clown shoots back in turn; he sees so much, and it's... not bad? But certainly not good.

Then he sees Mihawk slowly falling into the orbit as well. What? No, seriously, what the fuck?? Of all things, that is what sets his nerves on EDGE.

Daz, attuned to his boss as he always is, always will be, notices. He then turns to the source. Romance is not his thing, he is unapologetic about that. It serves no purpose and he himself is certain he is incapable of such feelings. He can identify it in others, obviously, a skill which he has honed in order to identify threats, allegiances, etc. He can see the veritable solar system this clown has amassed. He too can see how his employer is ferociously resisting the pull of it himself.

Daz doesn't get it, not really.

Daz does however get that the clown can, in fact, be rather cute and funny and witty. He also smells like vanilla, lavender, and the afterimage of the circus he so seems to adore. It shouldn't work. It works.

A blade man and an uncuttable man - truly the things they could get up to would be entertaining at the very least.

Crocodile and Mihawk, upon realizing DAZ HIT THAT BEFORE EITHER OF THEM (Croc's in denial still and Mihawk was going for the wine and dine gentlemanly thing with a strict schedule of expectation to allude to on his end for Optimal Performance), are absolutely FLABBERGASTED. Poor Galdino just has to awkwardly debate between patting their shoulders and trembling at the idea of initiating contact with two upset powerhouses. He settles for awkwardly going, "he... does this, sometimes? But he's insatiable, so really you'd be doing all of us a favor if you wanted to do anything too.... maybe.... pleasedon'tkillme-"

Just. Silly awkward hypersexual clown with his polycule having to trade off and also the sillies of Buggy attracting the most emotionally constipated men in the fucking Seas, nobody is straight or neurotypical, it should NOT work out and yet by the power of carnivals, balloon animals and the audacity of a koala on every drug imaginable, they make it work.

The government is having twelve attacks of a variety of natures with every tip about the clown having a new beau. "is he collecting them??? Making a harem armada????? How does that even work, there's so many - wait I don't wanna know-"

I think this might be the best thing I've ever read because ohmygod- Buggy just pulls literally every possible man. Can you even imagine the gossip nights he has with Alvida? That girl is so done with him and yet they still do these things together because he's the most fun around. Alvida doesn't even know how the hell he does these things. He doesn't even know either. You forgot to mention that he might pull literally everyone but he's the biggest failguy ever and if you ask him about his flirting tactics he won't know what to say.

And I agree completely tbh Buggy and Gal should be more of a popular ship. Despite all the scenes they have together I'm still amazed that they don't have many shippers (me included, I mean, you literally just opened my eyes right now).

This clown has the biggest and some-fucking-how most stable polycule in all seas. Everyone just keeps falling for him when they hated his guts at first and he doesn't even realize until they directly tell him because he just assumes everybody wants to kill him or use him or whatever- But suddenly he has a whole harem and he can't even believe it. You know who can't believe it? Alvida. Biggest Buggy supporter but also the biggest Buggy hater. MLM/WLW solidarity but she won't hesitate to also talk shit about him. How beautiful.

I think the marines have a bet going on tbh. Like a Bingo for Buggy's polycule. They just keep asking themselves who's gonna be next. That's what they do on their breaks.

#this is extremely hilarious but also #i absolutely love giving buggy partners everywhere #it's SO good #i just think he deserves it as a little treat for going through so much #buggy the clown #galdino one piece #cross guild #not tagging everybody here i'm too sleepy for this #one piece

[icedroplove]

Gruvia Week

Day 1 - Laughter

The sight of Natsu flying over the guildhall was the first thing Juvia came across as soon as she entered Fairy tail that morning. Following that scene, her eyes focused on a very angry Lucy, tears popping out in the corner of her eyes. Her cheeks were red and her hair all messed up. From those few elements, Juvia concluded two things:

Natsu had just been Lucy-kicked.

This would be like any other day at the guild.

She walked to the bar, jumping over her friend’s body on the way, and said hello to MIra. While she waited for her breakfast, the missing pieces of the puzzle started falling into place.

“Yo, Luce, I was just playing along!”

“You cheated!”

“No, I didn’t!

As the pair bickered, Juvia grabbed her plate and approached the table where her Gray-sama was seated. He noticed her and scooted over, making space so she could sit. 

“Good morning, Gray-sama!”

“Hey, Juvia.” He smiled. Before she could ask him if he had slept well that night and if he would like to take a job later, Natsu ran to them.

“Juvia, Ice prick, help me out!”

“Lucy’s right, you know. Tickling is against the rules.” Gray answered without hesitating.

That comment didn’t settle the debate as the fire mage alleged Gray was biased. He turned to Juvia and demanded her input as well. The problem was, Juvia didn’t know what game they were playing.

As if on cue, Cana appeared behind her.

“We were seeing who could keep a straight face the longest while the others try making them laugh. Lucy was doing good, considering Natsu’s face is kinda funny to stare at, but he broke the rules and tickled her. That Lucy kick was totally earned.”

“Oh.” Juvia understood what was going on now. “Well, Lucy-san is right.”

With everyone against him, the poor fire mage had no choice but to accept his defeat. He sat cross-legged and held the most dramatic pout until the group decided that it was Gray’s turn with the challenge. 

“Ready?” Cana asked with a wicked grin.

“Write my words, I’m gonna make the highest score. You guys aren’t funny enough to beat my poker face.”

3...2...1...

Natsu and Lucy stood close to him, their faces contorted in the most creative and weird ways asGray stared blankly into the wall. He’d be a fool if he didn’t use his best tactic for when he needed to forget there were people around him: dissociating.

“Yo, can he do that? I’m pretty sure that is against the rules.”

“It’s not my fault that you don’t use your brain, Natsu.” 

“You know what? I’m done. I’m gonna fart on your face and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”

With that, Natsu got up and got into position, turning his butt right to Gray’s nose. Juvia - who had been just observing the mess until that point - got up with determination. She couldn’t let that happen to her darling! With determination and a feral look, she got on her feet and shoved Natsu to the side.

“Juvia will never allow anyone to fart on Gray-sama’s precious face!”

They all looked at her for a moment, in a deafening silence. Juvia kept her defensive pose in front of her beloved, like a knight in shining armor ready to save his damsel in distress. Lucy was still incredulous, Cana had tears in her eyes from holding her laugh and Natsu… well Natsu had been pushed with so much force that he had been knocked down for the second time on that day. However, the first audible reaction was a strangled wheeze from behind Juvia. She turned around to see her beloved with teary eyes almost popping out from the face, cheeks red and mouth in a thin line.

“Gray-sama, are you alright?” She hurried to his feet to check what was wrong with him.

That set him off. 

Gray scrunched over himself, holding his stomach while he laughed loudly. With that, Lucy and Cana followed suit. Juvia looked around, not understanding what was so funny.

“Sometimes I can’t believe you’re real, Juv!” Cana wrapped one arm around her and kissed her cheek. “Fireboy and watergirl totally finished you, Gray! And the funniest part is, your score was the lowest. Lucy, me and you have a tie for first place! That calls for a victors kiss, don’t you think?”

As Cana playfully tried to get a peck from a still cackling Lucy, Juvia started to wonder if she said something wrong. Inadequacy, missing social cues… this was no news for the water mage. Of course, her friends never judged her, they knew there was always a good intention behind it. However, sometimes it felt like everyone was playing a game so complicated no matter how hard she studied the rules, her pawn was always ten spaces behind.

“Perhaps Natsu-san was being sarcastic?” Juvia muttered to herself.

“Definitely not.” She jumped in her place, feeling a warm hand on her back. “And let me tell you, if that bastard farted right on my nose, I’d have freezed his butt and ended the game right there.” 

“Juvia feels sorry for making her beloved lose…” 

“Not worried at all. Sure, I’ll have to live for a while with that shameful last place haunting me, but this?” He pointed at Natsu, who was starting to regain consciousness. “Priceless.”

“Ah…” This still didn’t settle her discomfort and he noticed it.

“Look at me, Juvia.” Gray took her hand, waiting until she glanced at him to keep talking. “Don’t worry about it, okay? We weren’t laughing at your expense, especially not me. I like your unusual way of speaking. Actually, that’s one of the most lovable things about you.”

Juvia felt so overwhelmed from the touch of his hand and the reassurance his words brought that it took her a long moment to absorb his last sentence.

One of the most lovable things about you.

Most lovable. You.

Did he really mean that? There were many things he found lovable about her? Also, using the words love and you in the same sentence... She suddenly felt like fainting and that was when Gray noticed the implications of what he said.

Oh. 

They weren’t dating. Heck, they didn’t even kiss! Well, he was pretty sure she noticed the change in his demeanor towards her and her display of affection, but he didn’t exactly do anything significant of changing their status from friends to… whatever came after that.

“Uh, I mean…” Gray felt heat in his cheeks as he tried to think of something to say. 

A freshly recovered Natsu came to rescue.

“Juvia! Your turn!” He called and made her sit, completely oblivious to the situation he interrupted. Juvia was still a bit airy and her magic almost made Natsu’s hand go right through her at one specific moment, but this distraction seemed to be good for their recovery.

“You have one minute to prepare.” Lucy warned, already setting her counter. 

Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and tried to numb her thoughts. She was a competitive girl, actually, and she had an idea of what she could do to help her.

3…2…1…

“Start!”

With a total of five minutes and twenty four seconds, Juvia achieved first place. Everyone was surprised, after all, Juvia felt everything with such intensity they thought it would be easy to get a giggle out of her. However, they weren’t counting that she had a more powerful tool: her mind.

No, she didn’t need to dissociate or think of sad things. The only thing she needed to do was, for five minutes and twenty four seconds, think and act like she was a stone-faced person who thought everything was sad and dull. Her subject of  study? Not Gajeel, not Laxus.

Her old self.

-x-

Later that day, Juvia cornered Gray to reclaim her prize. According to her, it was fair that the last place would be the one to give it to her. He didn’t give much thought into it, asking what she wanted from him.

A wide grin creeped through her face as she proclaimed:

“Tell Juvia everything Gray-sama finds lovable about her.”

#fairy tail #gruvia week #gruviaweek2024 #gruvia #writing

[acescorazon]

And here is the last part of my trial~

Title: Buggy's guide to bagging boyfriends

Chapter: 3/?

Rating: Pg

Word count: 2058

Chapter Excerpt:

“Why do you want to be my friend so badly?” Mihawk asks, genuinely curious as to how Buggy will respond to his question. Mihawk isn’t exactly good at socializing or being friends with people. He’s always preferred to be alone, so he doesn’t get why Buggy would think he of all people is the ideal person to be best friends with. 

“Because you’re super cool!” Buggy says, giving him a thumbs up, “And i think the three of us could be the world’s flashiest group of best friends ever!” Ah, but why do they need to be that…? “I know that you guys don’t exactly like me, but I swear I’m not that bad, and I think that we could all really get along. That’s how things should be, right? Cross Guild will be a lot stronger if we have a good relationship with each other, right?!” 

|CH1|CH2|

The showers on the wretched circus-themed island Mihawk now calls home hardly ever have warm water; it doesn’t matter if he showers early in the morning, or late at night, before everyone’s showered, or after, the place never seems to have warm water half the damn time and this is the one little thing that even Mihawk finds irritating. He can live with the circus tents and the ugly color scheme, he can live with the world thinking that Buggy is his boss, he can live with all of Buggy’s followers following him around and annoying him, but this? 

God, help him.

He showers as quickly as possible first thing in the morning, and every time he gets in the showers he hopes that: One, no one will join him. Two, that there will actually be warm water. Some days he’s lucky, some days he's not, and this is not one of his lucky days, but, oh, well, he’ll get over it. 

MIhawk swiftly makes his return to his room after his icy shower, hoping that one of Buggy’s insufferable followers won’t come up to him and start asking him questions first thing in the morning like: ‘Sir! Sir! Can you train me?’ or, ‘Sir! Sir! You’re so cool, can I have your autograph?’ Such ridiculous nonsense. 

As he returns to his sleeping quarters, Mihawk notices right away that Yoru is missing. Swords don’t just go missing, especially one of that size, so his mind instantly realizes that Yoru has been stolen, but by who? Who would be stupid enough t– 

Buggy. 

Mihawk sighs. Why in the hell would he steal his sword? Does he want him to slice him into... no, no, that wouldn’t work. Never mind. Does he want him to beat him within an inch of his life? On the outside, Mihawk remains calm as he exits his tent, but on the inside, he’s starting to grow a little peeved. It’s six in the morning, and Buggy’s doing nonsense like this already? 

And, yes, he knows that it has to be Buggy because everyone else on the island either fears him too much to go near him, or they worship the ground he walks on and would never touch his sword without begging him for his permission first. 

He searches, that big tent that Buggy uses to hold his meetings, but there’s no sign of Buggy in there. He checks his bedroom next, then the cafeteria, and the medical tent (he doesn’t know why he’d be in there either, but it doesn’t hurt to be thorough.) but no matter where he checks, he still can’t find Buggy. Is he hiding? What a coward, how dare he steal Mihawk’s beloved sword and then run away and hide? 

He searches for about an hour, an hour and a half maybe, before he runs into Crocodile. How dreadful, he really doesn’t want to hear him whine and complain first thing in the morning, especially when Mihawk’s day is already off to a bad start. He glances down and notices that Crocodile is without his hook, but doesn’t know why, nor does he bother to ask because he could care less. 

“Have you seen that coward?” Mihawk asks, and at this point, he can no longer hide his annoyance, it’s evident in the way he speaks and the way he carries himself, “My sword’s missing and I know he’s behind it.” He still can’t determine Buggy’s exact goal, but it doesn’t matter to Mihawk, he’ll knock him senseless regardless. 

“Nah,” Crocodile cackles, but despite his laugh being loud and obnoxious as always, Mihawk can hear a bit of irritation in his voice, “Don’t know if you could tell or not, but my hook’s missing.” He says a moment later, voice filled with sarcasm. 

Oh, is it now? Mihawk hadn’t even noticed! 

“And i’m pretty damn sure that the clown’s behind that too.”

What? Buggy actually had the gall to steal both Yoru and Crocodile’s hand? Why… if Mihawk weren’t so annoyed right now, he’d honestly be impressed by their ‘leader’s’ sudden bravery. What on earth compelled him to do such a thing? He has to know that he and Crocodile wouldn’t take such a thing lightly…and yet? He still did it. 

The pair join forces after that, searching high and low for Buggy and for someone who sticks out like a sore thumb, he sure does know how to hide. The longer their search drags on,  the more Mihawk’s irritation grows, and he wonders if he should just tear the whole island into shreds so Buggy won’t be able to hide anymore. He could use the small knife around his neck, it’s more for eating, but… he could make do with what he has. 

They eventually run into one of Buggy’s followers who suggests that he may or may not be in one of the island’s workshops, and Mihawk swears that if he isn’t in there, then he really will resort to destroying the island no matter how extreme the solution might seem. They waste little time rushing towards the workshop, and then heading inside, and the moment Mihawk sees Buggy with his sword in his hands, he grows utterly confused. 

What is he trying to do with it? Break it? No, if he wanted to do that, he definitely wouldn’t be trying to wrap something around its hilt… What…What is he doing? The sound of Crocodile asking where his hand is snaps Mihawk out of his thoughts and he decides to ask his own question, “Why do you have my sword?” He asks, and he’s not sure what’s more surprising, the fact that Buggy’s rewrapping Yoru’s hilt or the fact that Mihawk’s anger is starting to dim down a little. 

Mihawk hears Buggy’s explanation and takes a moment to process everything that was just said to him. He continues to watch him, dumbfoundedly, as he finishes wrapping Yoru’s hilt and then hands him back his sword. He… He did this for him..? He did this to be nice…So, Mihawk would look ‘cool’? What does that even mean? 

Mihawk blinks, thoroughly confused now, as he stares at Buggy’s grinning face. How strange, Mihawk didn’t ask for this… Does Buggy have any ulterior motives?... Did he do something to make Yoru weaker… but… it feels just the same as before… Mihawk is so confused. He’s not sure how to respond, so he doesn’t, he gives Buggy one last weird look and then leaves the workshop with a sigh, still trying to figure out if there’s something wrong with his beloved sword. 

He despises that something so important to him has been touched without his permission… But... He stares down and notices how Yoru is gleaming in the early morning sunlight, and how her hilt does look a lot nicer now that it’s been rewrapped, and Mihawk can’t help but think maybe this wasn’t the worst thing to happen, but he still doesn’t get why Buggy did it.

He said he was doing it because he wanted to surprise them and for them to look cool, but Mihawk still doesn’t get what that means…were they not cool before? The way everyone always treats Mihawk led him to believe that he was already cool… Was he incorrect? 

He spends the rest of the day, frequently looking at Yoru, almost obsessed with his sword now that it’s all polished and shiny and has a brand-new wrap around its hilt. It’s been so long since it’s looked this good, and part of Mihawk feels guilty that he’s been too busy to treat his sword better, and another part of him is… Grateful. He hates having his stuff touched, but Buggy just wanted to do something nice out of the goodness of his heart…and he also took such good care of Yoru, so maybe he shouldn’t be mad. 

No, he's definitely not mad, he’s still confused, but the more the day goes on the more that Mihawk actually finds his mood shifting. He begins to feel happy, and whenever he looks at Yoru he can’t help but smile, but then he catches himself and remembers why he’s smiling and who made Yoru so pretty and shiny, and he always quickly thinks of something different, unsure what all his sudden Buggy related thoughts mean. 

Around some time in the mid-afternoon, he finds himself a place to take a nap. Today’s location? On the beach, against a palm tree because it was the closest thing near Mihawk and he felt awfully tired. He could sleep anywhere actually as long as the place is quiet, so he gets himself comfortable and is just about to take his hat off and use it to block the sun from his face when he hears footsteps coming from behind him. 

He sighs, hoping that it’s not one of Buggy’s weird crew coming to ask him for something, and is pleasantly…yes, pleasantly surprised when he hears Buggy’s own voice calling out to him softly, “Uh, Hawkeye?” He asks, “Is it okay to talk to you?” Well… He supposes he can entertain the thought just this once, after all, Buggy did do something really nice for him. “What is it?” He asks, watching as Buggy carefully approaches him with a rather awkward smile. 

“Uh, i just wanted to say I’m really sorry!” 

An apology? But what for? 

Mihawk raises an eyebrow at Buggy, but says nothing, waiting for him to continue on with what he has to say. “I shouldn’t have taken your sword…” He says, now slowly inching forward, getting closer to Mihawk, “I just really wanted to be your friend and to do something nice for you, and, and…i didn’t really think it all through, and i should have asked first… i’m sorry.” Oh, well… how nice? He didn’t really have to apologize, Mihawk isn’t even really mad anymore. “Can i sit with you for a moment?” 

…Can he sit with him?... Can…he…? Why is he acting so strange?! Is he not afraid of Mihawk anymore? And why is he acting so nice? Honestly, Mihawk’s never had anyone so adamant in their attempts to be his friend, so Buggy’s behavior is… quite strange. Still, he shrugs, slightly amused now, “Be my guest.” He replies, and is stunned when Buggy actually sits down next to him, “I know I screwed up, but, hear me out.” He states, and Mihawk still doesn’t get why Buggy’s being so hard on himself when Mihawk isn’t even mad anymore. “I’m going to make it up to you for real this time! Crocodile says i can have a couple of days off, so i’m going to go into town and get you guys each the best gift ever!” He announces, “And then you guys will definitely want to be my best friends, right?!”  

Uh… maybe? No, wait… 

“Why do you want to be my friend so badly?” Mihawk asks, genuinely curious as to how Buggy will respond to his question. Mihawk isn’t exactly good at socializing or being friends with people. He’s always preferred to be alone, so he doesn’t get why Buggy would think he of all people is the ideal person to be best friends with. 

“Because you’re super cool!” Buggy says, giving him a thumbs up, “And i think the three of us could be the world’s flashiest group of best friends ever!” Ah, but why do they need to be that…? “I know that you guys don’t exactly like me, but I swear I’m not that bad, and I think that we could all really get along. That’s how things should be, right? Cross Guild will be a lot stronger if we have a good relationship with each other, right?!” 

Well, when he puts it that way…  Perhaps Cross Guild would be better off if they all tried to get along and be friends, though the idea honestly feels so draining. Buggy and Crocodile are so different than Mihawk. They’re both so loud and full of energy, and it honestly exhausts Mihawk at times, but… maybe he could give things a go? “Okay, that’s all!” Buggy says, suddenly snapping Mihawk out of his thoughts, “I just wanted to tell you that i’m sorry and that i’ll be getting you a different present instead, and yeah! I have to go get ready,” He chuckles, and as soon as Mihawk hears him laugh…

He starts feeling…strange... again. 

#one piece #cross guild #my writing #soooooooooooo what do we think?????? #Thoughts ? opinions? criticisms?

[oz00ms2]

I don't know if you've already talked about this but how's the whole Marineford arc going to go then if Ace lives?

Or does it just not happen?

If so how's this going to effect Luffy for his character development?

Sorry for all the questions, love what you do ❤

hello there <3 never apologize for questions, it keeps this idea in my head which as of late i have been lacking (RIP) ive mentioned before marineford arc as marine!buggy's final straw to become a pirate again. similar to in-canon where he chooses to go after the one piece. he's renewed with his original dream almost out of spite for himself and wanting to keep his captain's dream alive after seeing the marines almost destroy ace. i would put him in impel down as an escort for ace and through his way of failing upwards somehow manages to free / partner with all these pirates and luffy and sir crocodile and ends up in marineford like "how did i get here omg - wait they're not actually going to execute ace are they??" and seeing his new parental figures (tsuru garp and sengoku) be so passive in the face of what is clearly wrong would break him. (my feelings being inserted here aha~) beloved Captain Firebug would become a pirate and ace barely surviving - buggy entrusted edgelord mc spooky law to keep his nephews alive. luffy has to then deal with his grandpa being passive in the almost death of his brother and the sheer destruction the marines can bring just to prove they're in the right. while buggy doesn't go with shanks because he doesn't just leave one mask to wear another pretending he wants to be shanks' subordinate...he'll strike out with crocodile and mihawk to form cross guild. once again on accident. he's used to having fans but pirate-fans are even more intense and convinced themselves that the lost Roger-crewmember (son) was working against the marines the WHOLE TIME waiting for his debut buggy: uh sure totally...that's what happened... croc: you're really bad at this. buggy on tip-toe trying to slap croc: shhh you!!!

#oz answers #marine!buggy au #captain fire bug #oz babbles #i miss this au ty for reminding me i have to give it some love

[mayonakano-archive]

Whoaa much enstars lore... and ruri is adorable wait ... also are there canon aliens in enstars??

Tell me more about leo's depression travel arc/alien abduction if you'd like ? I'm fascinated, he's just. He's justa. Liddle guy<3

OH YEAH RURI IS IMPLIED TO BE AN ALIEN AND THE ONE THAT PUT ENGIRLS INTO A TIMELOOP (Uhm, hold on *shuffling papers* okay! Strap in Kippy beloved, this is gonna take a bit!)

Okay. let me explain that whole "EnGirl is a timeloop thing". actually that's about all i know. Ruri (I think?) is implied to A) be an Alien and B) Have put the EnGirls timeline into a loop so it never ends. Why? Idk. I don't know much about EnGirls. Also EnGirls takes place at the same time as Enstars !!-Era so some people speculate !! is also stuck in a timeloop by virtue of that, since the two DO cross over with Ruka/Leo and Suzu/Mika being related.

Anyway! Onto the shut-in Leo arc aka my favorite Leo arc bc he's SUCH a fucked up little guy. So! So!!!! Okay. Okay. I don't know your baseline knowledge so I'm gonna assume you know Nothing and explain it all. Ummmm. Readmore'd for the sake of everyone's sanity bc I go Insane(tm) about Leo. Sorry for the essay kippy i love him so much

OKAY. A story in Three Parts. Part 1: i don't actually have a name for this part its just prelude and talking about the War mostly. I go on "tangents" throughout here that mostly just add extra context to certain things. IMPORTANT NOTES: There's mentions of ANIMAL ABUSE and BLOOD. Also just a lot of SAD STUFF. Thought I'd warn you!

So! Leo! Leader of the Mega unit - [TANGENT 1: MEGA UNITS. Before Units were split up into the 2-5 (Mama is an exception) that they are now, Units were MASSIVE and guild-like. There could be hundreds of people in one unit. One of the side effects of the War was the dissolution of Mega-units] - Chess, also known as "Backgammon" or "Orthello", but when Leo was put in charge he changed it back to Chess. It's heavily implied that Eichi was behind the former leader before Leo getting ousted from his position, allowing Leo to step into the leadership position.

NOW! This is where it gets MESSY. Leo, as you might well know, is a character who loves far too hard, far too fast, and far too much. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it contributes to his downfall. Once he's put into this leadership position, it's revealed that Chess is coming apart at the seams, more or less. Many members just ride off of Chess' good name, and slack on actually being an idol. [TANGENT 2: WHO'S PART OF CHESS (That we care about)? Primarily Ritsu, Leo and Izumi! Tsukasa has NOT entered Yumenosaki yet, Ritsu slacked a lot but still did occasionally go to practice, and Arashi... Tbh I'm wishy-washy on her position but she generally doesn't go to practice or doesn't care much about the unit so while she might be part of it, I don't tend to count her at this stage. Leo is the leader, and Izumi acts as his right-hand man and protector.] So, Leo is kind of also fraying apart at the seams because Chess is falling apart and threatening to splinter into sub-units, especially once Eichi introduces the new Live system; but Leo's ultimately incapable of holding them together and they fragment. Many of these sub-units take names inspired by Chess pieces - Knight was already taken, so Izumi suggests Knights. Leo and Izumi are the founding members of Knights. Sometime around here Leo talks to one of the splinter units he's meant to fight, and offers them a deal. They can be his friend, but never use his songs again; OR they can use his songs all they'd like, but they'd throw away any chance of friendship with him they add. Everyone chose to use his songs. So. After Knights is formed, Eichi starts using Leo (and his friendship with Leo) to destroy units he doesn't care for, and to eliminate the sub-units of Chess. Under the stress of destroying people he once cared for, realizing the members of Chess - who Leo'd do anything for and loved dearly - were only using him for his songs, and his relationship with Izumi getting messy, Leo cracks.

[TANGENT 3: LEO AND EICHI. Leo and Eichi met in the hospital. Leo had broken his arm protecting the cat Little John, who resides in the archery range. Delinquents often hung out in the archery range as it was far from the school, and once day decided to terrorize Little John by shooting her with arrows and trying to burn her. Leo protects her by picking her up and running around the range to keep her away from them, but this leads to him slipping, falling, protecting Little John, and breaking his arm. It's implied the break was bad, as Madara finds him via Little John's meowing in a pool of his own blood, composing with his blood, and saying the pain gave him inspiration as he's "Never felt such pain before" (A REAL QUOTE.) - Also Leo calls Eichi "Tenshi".]

PART 2: SHUT-IN ERA

So. Under all the weight of crushing people's dreams, Izumi's pressure on him, and everything else, Leo breaks and disappears. He becomes a shut-in, forcing himself to compose because he doesn't think anyone will love him if he can't compose. It's implied that he bites his hands till they bleed when he can't compose, and he generally just stops taking care of himself. In Lionheart Izumi visits the Tsukinaga household, and Ruka ends up crying while begging Izumi to talk to Leo, which prompts Leo to come out of his room to tell Izumi off for "making Ruka cry". It's noted by Izumi at this point that Leo can barely stand and looks terrible.

[TANGENT 4: LEO AND IZUMI. Leo and Izumi have been friends for A While, I don't really know how long tbh? Since they were first years, I think? And they're extremely close. Izumi is. Not A Great Person during this whole thing, and while Leo's giving Izumi nothing but love and praise Izumi scolds him and tells him to do better. Izumi himself notes that he made a mistake by being so harsh on Leo. Izumi's actually really hard on himself for his part in Leo breaking, but Leo constantly forgives him and even says during Next Door that "[Izumi] is the only one who thinks he did anything wrong." (Might not be the exact quote, but close enough) So. Leo's entirely forgiven him and thinks him blameless.]

So. Leo just kind of... Shuts himself away. Composes, or, tries to compose. He often says that he can hear melodies in his head, and during this era especially they've disappeared, which only add to his slump. Sometime during this, Madara decides enough is enough and sends Leo travelling. It's never outright stated where Leo goes, or what he does, but he was gone for most of his Second Year, between disappearing and shutting himself in his house. It's important to note that nobody but Madara knows what happened to Leo when he disappeared. (iirc) Madara does bring Leo back to the stage at one point in Concerto, where he manages to get Leo to perform with him. Izumi, I believe, says that Madara "saved Leo" but that Knights "brought him back to the sage" but. Zuzu. Bestie. He performed with Madara first before he rejoined Knights??? Anyway.

Leo shows up again around the start of his third year, sneaking around the school and trying to get a feel for Tsukasa. Tbh I forget exactly when Ritsu properly started joining in but I think that was during the War Era, and Arashi joined in around then, too? So Knights was a 3-person, then 4-person unit for a while. Izumi, Ritsu, Arashi, and Tsukasa. Leo then challenges them to a duel - Judgement. To determine if Knights is worthy of still existing. During Judgement Leo teams up with Eichi, Nazuna, and Kuro to form a temporary unit called "Knights Killers" while Knights is made up of the aforementioned members. Knights manages to tie the Judgement, and Leo realizes that he can't dissolve Knights, as they belong to the others just as much as their his unit. So. Leo rejoins Knights. Huzzah!

PART 3: WHAT'S HE DOIN NOW?

Leo Duels Tsukasa to see if he's worthy of the crown and title of ousama when he graduates. I'm gonna be real I don't remember a lot of this story but Tsukasa does get Leo's approval in the end. So. Leo and Izumi graduate, and Tsukasa takes over as the leader of Knights. Leo and Izumi live together in Italy (after Izumi says that he needs to keep an eye on Leo) and Izumi works as Leo's "manager" to make sure he's not spreading himself too thin.

[TANGENT 5: THAT WHOLE THING. In The DF debut event that I haven't read, Leo's revealed to be taking on a bunch of solo work and spreading himself super thin. The only reason Mama gets involved is because he's concerned about Leo. After this, in Next Door, Izumi says he needs to keep an eye on Leo and make sure he's not spreading himself too thin, hence letting Leo stay with him in Italy, and becoming his 'manager'.]

#WOOF. SORRY FOR WRITING AN ENTIRE FUCKING ESSAY IN YOUR ASK KIPPY #anyway listen to Crush of Judgement if you haven't. It's Knights Killers song and it slaps SOOOOOOOOO hard!!!!!!!!!! #so uh. yeah. tbh a lot of my memory of the stories i've read have faded so!!! a slightly abridged Leo essay for you :) #wtl;dr - Leo's a fucked up little guy but he got better <3 #kippy ⚡ #leo.asks! #yk what this gets main tags priviledges #leo tsukinaga #enstars

[requiem626k]

oh god tell us your kunikida thoughts because there is like NO appreciation for him in this fandom (im anon from before btw <3)

Things I Adore About Kunikida Doppo

Oh hi! 🥰 I was guessing that it was you because of the notifications hehe.

Once again, I agree very much that there’s practically so little appreciation given to him and that he’s one of the most misinterpreted and underestimated characters of the franchise. Therefore, this post is going to be fully dedicated to appreciating the littlest things about our beloved Kunikida Doppo. ❤️

As a short note, I’ll probably start by the first impression he left on me. I remember watching the first ever episode of BSD, and thinking “oh yeah there’s the clumsy MC. oh yeah there’s the mysterious and dramatically-introduced brunet. oh yeah there’s the- 😳🦋!” I have absolutely no idea why, but even the first appearance of him struck me if it makes sense? I of course didn’t think anything further about him as he was a new character after all, and it usually takes a really long time for me to internalise characters as my ‘comfort‘ character and it requires lots of readings/deeper understandings, but he was the only one that left a trace in my memories after watching the first episode and the only motive that made me continue watching the anime after a few months of break.

warnings: little mentions of anxiety/loss of a loved one

1) Dedication and Expertise

I adore his dedication and passion in whatever he does. He always has this confident aura that just indicates that he knows what he’s doing and knows what he wants, and always pushes his limits to obtain it. I love seeing his sharp and firm gaze appear in those moments of determination, both in the anime but mostly in the manga (I’ll add some examples below <3 I’ve been noticing the different types of his gazes in the manga, and this is one of them, on which I’ll hopefully write an analysis one day. also I removed the texts from the panels and cropped them so don’t worry about getting spoiled!).

That stare of his gives me more butterflies than anything else on the world.

And as for the anime, this scene is honestly the summary of what I’ve been trying to say. I remember so well the first time that I realised he didn’t shoot the men but shot the guns they held, without shedding a single drop of blood. Oh how do I even tell you… I was smitten. Just how skilled in using a gun must you be to be able to aim that well? When he says that “murder isn’t a hobby of his”, he means it and I find it extremely intriguing. That scene means that he put additional effort in his skills and practice in order to follow that rule of his, and I don’t think many people recognise how incredible that actually is. We’re all inclined to think of a character committing murder as an element of great interest, because it’s not something as widespread in real life, therefore we tend to overlook the opposite view of it, which is in my opinion just as interesting to analyse. Sadly, we are not given enough data on his past to be able to try deducing his mental state by combining it with his ideals, but I’m crossing my fingers.

The way he outwitted Akutagawa despite being extremely underadvantaged in terms of special ability is another proof of how well he is able to read the room, analyse the circumstances and make a plan as quickly as possible thanks to his past experiences and physical/intellectual expertise. (And you can actually see that determined stare of his in this clip too, when he aims at Akutagawa and cites his phrase <3.)

2) Seriousness and Sense of Responsibility

I adore how seriously he takes things, even if it’s unnecessarily serious sometimes. This is just his way of showing that he cares. It is evident that he constantly has difficulty with comfortably showing appreciation and giving praise unless he’s alone, cf. chapter 37/the end of the Guild Arc where he was supposed to acknowledge Atsushi and Kyouka’s efforts and praise them as their senior, but ended up rambling incoherently instead. Or staying next to Atsushi when he was in the hospital, all while claiming that he ‘did not care about it at all’.

Can we also talk about how big of a gentleman he is? (maybe except to Dazai ha!) He is unexpectedly good at tenderly handling children (OVA & season 3) and pets (Wan!) and it has me crying.

I love that he’s literally the monument of a good sense of responsibility. I don’t think many people realise how much of a backbone this sense of his is to the Agency because it is always coated with a comedic texture. Not to mention that this leads to him being boiled down to a two-dimensional and superficial symbol of anger, boredom and “party-pooper”, which is why I have never been a big fan of him being used solely for comedic purposes. Hopefully, season 4 will finally give him some deserved spotlight T^T.

I love how he always seeks for order, because it comforts him and helps him create a simulation of the ‘ideal’ world he has in mind. I don’t know yet what’s the origins of this obsession of his, but whether it’s because of the loss of a loved one or another kind of traumatic experience, I think that if we were able to see his eyes when he cleans up a physical or mental mess, we would witness an immense sparkle of gain of comfort and a high level of anxiety being soothed.

3) Moral Compass and Humanity

I have always said this and I still stand by it, one of the things I appreciate the most (if not the most) in Kunikida is his trustworthiness. As someone with mild trust issues, he’s just been giving off that comforting and stable trust vibe that I’ve been so longing for seeing in people. Since his first ever appearance in the story, I’ve just known for a fact that I would be able to trust this man fully, that he wouldn’t use tricks or manipulative ways to do as he pleases.

I love how well he intelligently knows the difference between “unrealistic goals” and “goals that people have labeled unrealistic because they didn’t try hard enough”. He himself defines himself as both a ‘pragmatist’ and ‘idealist’, and as contradicting as it sounds, there’s no better way to define him. He’s still on the way of learning to distinguish the fine line between them, he is suffering at times but I am truly so proud of the development he went through. His character arc is sadly one of the least mentioned/appreciated ones, but it’s making me so happy. I truly get so happy when I see him learn one more thing, achieve one more thing through his actions, cry, break down and stand up even stronger than before.

I love that he’s a human being who has his own moral compass and who follows it no matter how bitter things seem. It is literally so attractive to me that he has his inner compass as his guide to make decisions and takes action according to it, refusing to compromise. Staying ‘righteous’ (I’m not a fan of this word since it’s a bit lacking, but I really couldn’t find a better word to describe it here) in the world that he’s living in is so painful. We see it in his every word, every past experience, every memory.

He’s doing such a good job and I’m so proud of him for it.

#do not take this too seriously though haha ^^’ i just rambled #this is my wedding vow to him /j #i’m gonna clarify one thing though #this is by no means a comparison to other characters #i’m not saying that he’s better or worse than anyone #i have many other faves like nikolai or jouno #but kunikida is the only one with whom i find ‘comfort’ #and it’s a highly subjective thing so i won’t be tagging this as a work haha #bsd kunikida #kunikida doppo #bungou stray dogs #bsd #req rambles about kunikida #would you like to choose an emoji for your tag?~ #Gwen

[teyvattherapist]

Hello! Can I make a little request, please? How would Dain react to his s/o over working themselves and being exhausted, because his s/o thinks that if they don’t work hard all the time then they aren’t good enough for the things they have in life. I started my finals, haven't slept for ~2 days and I'm pretty sure I developed caffeine intolerance🤪

Btw your writing is amazing and almost always calms me down whenever I experience anxiety. And coincidentally I study to become a medic and it's easier for me to find myself in your ocs and enjoy the story! Keep up the good work and don't forget to take a break whenever you feel overwhelmed!✨

Ok so Dainsleif priority request,,

This ask actually made me tear up uhh this was sweet as hell and I really appreciate your kind words. I hope you're able to rest soon! And very good luck to you for your finals! <3

I'm really glad my writing can help, especially in such a personal way. I'm pretty much the doctor friend of my friend group so I relate to medic characters a lot, hence why I write them so often haha (,: Much love to you~! I hope you enjoy.

Tags: gn!readerxDainsleif, fluff, just general overworking of oneself, Soft Dain Content:tm:

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-Hoo boy, him too. He’s immortal and sometimes simply unaware of mortal limits at times.. He won’t notice right away because he does the same thing. Once it gets to the eyebags or sluggish movements though, he’s become almost too aware. A worrier through and through.

Dainsleif’s been watching you for a while now, you can feel his gaze on your form as you scribbled notes on some form or another for the Adventurers’ Guild. How long had it been since he entered the small office in your home and took up residence on your couch? Twenty minutes? Thirty? Eh you lasted long enough. Setting your quill into the ink pot you lift your head to meet his starry gaze, he's not even trying to hide his stare. Typical behaviour.

"Can I help you?"

"You last slept approximately forty six hours ago. You have not stopped for a break since nine am when you got more coffee. Your hands are shaking and you had to rewrite your signature three times just now." You blinked at him, he didn't blink back. His hands clasped, chin resting on them as he stared. It took a solid moment for his words to register in your sleep-addled brain. "You're overworking yourself, again." Dainsleif points out as he leans back against the couch, hands dropping to his lap.

"I wish I had your ability to keep track of time." You huff, stretching your back and arms as you look away from him, checking the clock in the room for the time. It was well into the afternoon now. But still, so much work to be done for the Guild. "I'm fine, Dain. Don't you have an Abyss something or another to track down?" He narrows his eyes at your comment and you know better than to continue teasing him when he was this worried.

"Fine? Ah so sleep deprivation counts as fine these days among mortals, interesting." He stands from the couch, arms crossing over his chest as he approaches your desk. Before you can pick up your quill to resume your work, he's leaning against your desk, toying with some item or another. "Take a break with me then. Late lunch." He's giving you that look where he already knows what you're going to say and you lean on your elbow, looking up at him.

"Dainsleif. You know I can't do that, my love. I have all this work to do still, I owe it to the Guild to be hardworking." You gesture to the paperwork on your desk but he makes no attempt to glance at the stacks of papers. You are the most reliable guild member, that much is simply a fact. He knows it, you know it, the guild in pretty much every nation knows it. But at what cost, Dainsleif wonders. He adjusts his position, pulling himself up on your desk instead, essentially getting in your way. Unfortunately he's being too uncharacteristically cute to complain.

"I know that you feel like you don't deserve to take a break, but you do. You're more than good enough without working yourself to the brink." Dainsleif reaches out, gloved hand gently gripping your jaw. His stature makes it awkward, but he manages to lean down and plant a soft kiss to the corner of your mouth. "Come, my beloved. The paperwork will still be here at a later time." He lets go of your face, sliding off of your desk. He instead holds a hand out to you, waiting as you look between it and the paperwork. Eventually though, you concede, taking his hand and allowing him to pull you up.

"You're lucky that you're pretty, Dain." He merely smiles at your teasing lilt, bringing your hand up so he could press a kiss to the back of it. He's won today and as far as Dainsleif is aware, that's all that matters for the time being. Lucky indeed, but not for your reasons, no. Dainsleif feels lucky to have you at all, diligent and kind. His chest is warm as he holds your hand in his and he knows how far he'd go to make sure you stay safe. Even if it means keeping you safe from your habits.

#Dainsleif x reader #Dainsleif #Genshin impact x reader #genshin impact #Lane Writes #gn!reader #i wrote this while building ikea furniture can u believe??

[stargazer-balladeer]

Christmas Greetings from them [Genshin Impact]

Characters Included: Aether, Albedo, Amber, Barbara, Beidou, Bennett, Childe, Chongyun, Diluc Ragnvindr, Diona & Fischl.

Notes: .. AYE- TIME TO START WORKING- :DDD the child-like characters (qiqi, klee, diona, and paimon—) are all platonic. so no worries there- i also have to randomize Diona’s and Sucrose’s ;;w;; i’m just gonna imagine what’ll like if the two characters interact- some of this are long, some are short. So sorry abt the inconsistency :pp hope ya’ll like this! (Bc this is the first time i’ve done something like this- 🤧)

Ps: I have to cut this into several parts bc there is a maximum word count in one post- ;;w;; so i only added the ones that appeared here.

Additional Notes: based on the “wishes” thing. So like,, ya know, how we believe that if we make a wish on a star it’ll come true kind of thing? So,, when making a wish or prayer or something, they do it in a prayer position and think of it- and that person somehow receives it?? (I’m still not sure abt this part ;;w;; but let’s wing it-!). Also,, I refer “wish” as a prayer- 🤧 sorry if its confusing- hshs

Warning: some of the characters are OOC ;;w;; sorry-

Aether

With Paimon

“Oh? Is it already that time of the year again?”

“Of course it is! Don’t tell me you forgot-!”

“Oh-! Of course not, Paimon. Not with you constantly reminding me..”

“C’mon! Say your wishes! Oh.. also! You should probably say your wishes for your s/o!”

“Hmm.. you know what, Paimon. You could be useful sometimes.”

“Hey! What does that suppose to mean?!”

“Wishing stars.. this is for my beloved [Y/N], I wish that we can get to spend every Christmas season together. Though I may travel a lot, and may leave you one day, I hope that you’ll still love and cherish the limited time we have together. Always keep smiling that brilliantly for me, even if I’m gone. As much as this is becoming cheesy, keep me in your heart, okay? I’ll keep you in mine in return. Merry Christmas, [Y/N].”

Albedo

With Sucrose

“Sir Albedo-! Are you still busy with your research?”

“Hm..? Oh, Sucrose. Precisely, I’m almost done with it.”

“You should probably get some rest, sir! It’s almost Christmas Eve!”

“Christmas? Eve? Eh..? Is it already that late?”

“D-Don’t tell me you didn’t notice the time..?”

“I suppose so..”

“You should probably make your wish now! The stars are still out, so it’s not too late to make right now.”

“Ah, I forgot about that. Thank you, Sucrose.”

“Y-Your very welcome, sir Albedo-!”

“Stars that grants wishes, hear my wish. This is for my (princess/prince), my muse. How are you faring? I hope that you’ll come back soon so that we can celebrate this season of Christmas, and possibly more. Can you see the stars from where you are? Can you see how bright they are right now? I really do miss your presence.. I miss the sparkles in your eyes when I discover something new. I wish to see those again. Keep shining brightly for me, okay? Merriest of Christmas, my love.”

Amber

With Jean

“Amber? Are you still patrolling?”

“Acting Grandmaster Jean! Yep! I was about to head outside to patrol the area-!”

“You’ve been working very hard. I praise that trait though please don’t overwork yourself.”

“Hehe~ don’t worry, acting grandmaster Jean! I’m doing okay!”

“Well then, have you already wish?”

“Wish..? Ah! I forgot!”

“*chuckles* Of course. Better make that wish now before the stars vanish.”

“Okay! Thanks for reminding me, acting grandmaster Jean!”

“My pleasure, Amber.”

“Wishing Stars. I hope it isn’t too late to make a wish now-! I kinda forgot, so sorry.. hehe. Anyway, this is for my partner! How are you out there? Actually, where exactly are you? I kinda forgot where you went.. hehe, sorry. Make sure to eat plenty of food, okay? It’s important to eat 3 times a day to maintain a healthy body-! Also, you shouldn’t mind your weight! As long as you’re healthy, it doesn’t matter if you weigh alot! I’ll still love you no matter what! Merry Christmas, [Y/N]! Come visit me again!”

Barbara

With Noelle

“Oh? You’re still awake, Barbara?”

“Hm? Oh, Noelle! Good evening! Hehe, yeah. I was thinking of what wish I should make.”

“Ah. The legend of the Wishing Stars. I’m surprise that you believe in that sort of things.”

“Well.. it isn’t bad to dream, right?”

“I suppose. If I may, why not wish about your s/o?”

“[Y/N]..? Hm.. actually, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea-! Thanks so much, Noelle! You’re truly a good friend!”

“Hehe.. I’m just glad that I’m a help to you, Barbara.”

“O Wishing Stars, hear my wish. This is for my beloved [Y/N], of whom I wish to see again. Please let them be unharm. I wish I could accompany them in their journey but I have my role here as well. So I wish them the best in their travels. Please come visit though, I wish to see your face again, [Y/N]. And I wish to heal all the wounds that was cast upon you. Though I cannot heal the scars, you shouldn’t be afraid to show them. For they tell a tale of an adventure you went through. Come back in one piece okay? Merry Christmas, my beloved. Sweet dreams.”

Beidou

With Ningguang

“.. huh? Oh, what a surprise seeing you here, Ningguang.”

“I suppose it is quite a surprise, seeing as we coincidentally bump into each other in a hill. Tell me, what business do you have here?”

“I could say the same with you. It isn’t everyday you bump into a Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, in a secluded place like a hill no less.”

“I believe it’s the same reason as yours, peace and quiet.”

“Ah, same. Though, there’s another reason why I’m here.”

“Oh? And what is that?”

“To see the stars. Have you heard about the legend of the Wishing Stars?”

“Ah, I’ve heard about it but never really took an interest on them.”

“Well, the simplest explanation is that when you wish upon a star, it’ll come true or be sent to that person.”

“Interesting. It is quite interesting what a human mind can come up with.”

“Hm.. myth or not, I was thinking of doing one anyway.”

“Go ahead. Don’t mind my presence.”

“Kinda hard when you’re the Tianquan..”

“Do you wish to make me leave then?”

“Nah, you can stay.”

“Alright.”

“I have no idea on how to do this but- o wishing star, hear my wish..? Can you send this wish to my second mate? I wish you were here, to celebrate the holidays with me and the crew. It’ll be a blast if you were here.. Though I understand that you can’t be here because of your personal reasons. Though it would be nice to see you again.. I hope that wherever you are, they are treating you well. Your health comes first, okay? Stop thinking of others for a change.. though that’ll be impossible knowing you.. just keep smiling, okay? Your smile is a treasure afterall, a treasure that I selfishly want to keep. Merry Christmas, my second mate. May we cross the seas together again.”

Bennett

With Barbara

“Oh, it’s you again, Bennett. Are you injured again?”

“Hey Barbara! Nope, not today!”

“Thank goodness. I see that lady luck decided to give you a break atleast.. anyways, if you’re not injured, why’re you here then?”

“Ah, I came to ask you on how to send a letter or something to [Y/N]! I don’t know what to get them, and I don’t have a clue on where they are either-! Besides, it’s almost Christmas..”

“Hm.. I’m not sure if this is true but why not give her a wish from the stars?”

“Wish? From the stars?”

“You know.. the legend of the Wishing Stars.”

“oh.. Oh.. OH! I see! That’s brilliant! Why didn’t I think of that?! Thanks Barbara! I owe you yet again!”

“*chuckles* I’m happy to help you whenever, Bennett. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas too, Barbara!”

“Wishing stars, can you please send this to [Y/N]? I know I haven’t gotten anything for you this year, but next year, I’m gonna make it up to you! I’ll give you the best gift ever! Hope you’re doing well! Fischl is doing great, along with the people in the Adventurer’s Guild. Oh, and guess what? I didn’t get hurt today! I guess lady luck decided to give me a break.. hehe.. you know.. it isn’t the same without you. But take your time! You don’t need to come back immediately! I’ll wait for you! Even if it takes years for you to come back, I’ll wait! So please, come back okay? Me and the Benny’s Adventure’s Team will be waiting for you! Eat healthy and smile more! Merry Christmas! Love ya!”

Childe

With Teucer

“What are you thinking of, brother?”

“! Teucer! You know it’s rude to sneak up on people-!”

“Actually, I’ve been calling you for the past minute. You just haven’t responded to any of them.”

“.. really?”

“Really really.”

“Well, now that you have my attention, what do you need?”

“Mommy is asking when we will meet your s/o.”

“Eh? They want to meet [Y/N]?”

“Yep! Their curious on who they are after you mentioning them a dozen times in the letters you sent for them!”

“.. I guess I’ve been mentioning them a bit too much.”

“So, when? When?”

“Well, not anytime soon I’m afraid.”

“Aww.. what gives?”

“Their on a journey afterall. When they get back, I promise I’ll let them meet [Y/N].”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“Okay..”

“Goodnight, Teucer. It’s almost your bedtime.”

“Goodnight, brother..”

“Stars above, would you listen to my wish, I wonder? Will [Y/N] even receive this? Oh well, couldn’t hurt to try. How’ve you been? Hope you’re still alive. Actually, I’m pretty sure you’re still alive. You’re strong afterall. Anyways, my family wants to meet you. You’ve already met Teucer which made the rest of my family jealous because, for some reason, they also want to meet you. I mean, who wouldn’t want to meet you? You’re amazing in every way, [Y/N]. When you return, I’m gonna ambush you and kidnap you to meet my family. That sounds like fun actually.. hm.. might as well do that. Also, you better be getting some sleep. I don’t want to see any bags under your eyes. Hahaha.. Merry Christmas, [Y/N]. May the Tsaritsa protect you from harm.”

Chongyun

With Xingqiu

“.. oh, it’s you.”

“Eh? Aren’t you atleast excited to see me?”

“Not really..”

“Boo.. and here I consider you a close friend-!”

“Well.. you are certainly a friend. But are we really that close?”

“That’s cold coming from you, Chongyun.”

“.. did you just made a pun?”

“Yes. And I have no regrets.”

“*sigh* why are you here?”

“I came here to inform you about something I found!”

“If its a prank, then leave me out of it.”

“It’s got something to do with your s/o~!”

“..”

“I got your interest, didn’t I?”

“*sigh* on with it.”

“So, one of the books I’ve read contained a legend called the legend of the Wishing Stars.”

“The legend of the Wishing Stars? Sounds like a fantasy that someone came up with during story time.”

“Well, anyways. It says, if you wish upon a star during the night, your wish, or prayer, would be heard.”

“And how is this related to [Y/N]?”

“Well, since [Y/N] is out and about, why not make a wish for their safety?”

“But how would we know if that’s true?”

“Couldn’t hurt to try now, would it?”

“.. how would I know this isn’t one of your pranks?”

“I promise it isn’t! Most people know of it actually-! Even the traveller!”

“Traveller? Oh.. I guess it can’t hurt to try it out.”

“Hmhmm! I gotta go now though. Afterall, I just escape from home. See ya!”

“And off he goes. *sigh* he really does do what he pleases.”

“Xingqiu didn’t actually tell me how to do this so I’m gonna guess instead. Stars in the sky, is it true that you’ll grant my wish? Well, it’s not like you can answer so I’m just gonna guess that’s a yes. How are you, my snowflake? I presume that you have a safe journey in wherever you are. If you ever feel peckish, just eat some ice cream, it always works. Nothing exciting is happening right now. Xingqiu and Xinyan are their usual annoying selves, and Xiangling tried to feed me a new recipe she made. Say, when are you coming back? Where exactly are you? Maybe I can follow, wherever you are. But my duty as a exorcists lies here. I hope that pendant I gave you serves its uses to repel any ghosts that dare to haunt you. Oh, it’s almost Christmas. Merry Christmas, snowflake. I hope that next year, you would be here with me instead of somewhere else. Until we meet again.”

Diluc Ragnvindr

With Kaeya

“And what exactly are you doing here?”

“Is that a way to talk to a regular customer here?”

“Shouldn’t you have duties to fulfill, Cavalry Captain Kaeya?”

“Oh? We’re using our titles now, master Diluc?”

“Don’t call me that.”

“*laughs* alright alright. I surrender.”

“Are you really here for the wine? Or are you here to annoy me as usual?”

“Well, I will admit that I initially came here for the wine but I brought a present for you, for Christmas.”

“I hope it isn’t another vase.”

“*laughs* of course it isn’t. Do you know the legend of the Wishing Stars?”

“Doesn’t everyone?”

“So..”

“So?”

“Aren’t you going to make one?”

“Why would I participate in a childish myth?”

“Well, it wouldn’t hurt to try now.. especially to your beloved s/o.”

“.. you’re just trying to provoke me.”

“And it’s working~”

“Hrm..”

“C’mon~ don’t you want the best for [Y/N]?”

“What’s your end goal?”

“.. pardon?”

“What will you gain in the end if I do make a wish? Don’t tell me you’re doing this out of the ‘goodness’ of your heart.”

“... hm.. I still wonder that.”

“You’re just playing around with me, aren’t you?”

“Look, we all want the best for [Y/N]. If you want to do it, then do it. If you don’t want to do it, then don’t. I just came to inform you about that silly legend.”

“.. do you even believe in that?”

“Who knows?”

“..”

“I gotta go now. Merry Christmas, sir Diluc.”

“...”

“I can’t believe that I’m participating in a silly legend but, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try. Wishing stars, shining brilliantly in the night sky, would you hear my wish? I wish the best for [Y/N]. I wish they are faring well and that they aren’t having any problems with enemies like Hilichurls or Treasure Hoarders in wherever land they are in. But, won’t you guide them back to me? I admit that I miss them dearly and I worry about them constantly. I miss everything about them, their smile, their laughter, their eyes, their hair, their warmth, everything. I want to hold them in my arms again and kiss them. When I meet them, I’ll remind them of my love again. Hopefully, next year, they would stay by my side in the winter season. This is a wish I hold dearly. May Barbatos.. or that bard.. keep you safe. Merry Christmas, my love. I’ll be waiting for you here.”

Diona

With Mona

“.. who are you?”

“Me?! Why, I’m Mona! The famous Astrologer of Teyvat! I have mastered and know astrology more than anyone in Teyvat!”

“Yeah.. and I’m a dog.”

“I- You don’t believe me?!”

“Nope.”

“Urgh-! And who are you?”

“Hmph. I’m Diona. One of the bartenders in Cat’s Tail.”

“... how are you working when you look so young though?”

“It was honestly just a joke at first but big sister Margaret decided to hire me for real.”

“.. ah, I see.”

“So, why are you here?”

“Well, this is the best view of the stars of all of Teyvat.”

“Ah, I guess so..”

“Say, do you know of the legend of the Wishing Stars?”

“My dad used to tell me stories about that.”

“Well, I supposed it could be use as a bed time story.”

“Wait, it isn’t just a myth?”

“Who knows? There’s no proof of its existence but some people swear they could hear the person’s voice in their head. It’s still unclear on how this things happen, but that’s what makes it wonderful, don’t you think? So many mysteries yet so little answers..”

“.. I don’t think like that.”

“Really?”

“Hmhm.. All I wanted to do is to make a wine so disgusting that nobody would want to drink it. I don’t really see anything else besides that.”

“Ah.. I see.”

“Say, if I make a wish right now, would they receive it?”

“Well, it’s not certain but it wouldn’t hurt to try. Afterall, we humans just keep trying, never giving up. That’s one beautiful thing in humanity.”

“...”

“Why don’t you make a wish right now?”

“Hrm.. okay.”

“Just put your hands in a prayer position and close your eyes and wish in your mind.”

“O shining, wishing stars. I’ve only heard about you through dad and this random lady. But would you hear me out? I just want to know if my friend is okay. Their name is [Y/N]. I wanted to know if their safe and alive. It’s only been a few days, but I’m already missing them. They better be alright or else they’ll be in trouble when they get back! I want them back so that I can finally achieve the dream of ruining the wine industry! Hehe.. I hope they aren’t overexerting themselves out there, I know what their like and I’m honestly worried. Please bring them back to me in one piece. I still have to teach them the bow-! I want to give them the present I have for them. I made it myself, a bracelet! Dad help me make it! Merry Christmas, [Y/N]! Come back and be my partner in crime again!”

Fischl

With Bennett

“Hey! Fischl!”

“Hm? Ah, why isn’t it Bennett from the Benny’s Adventure Team. To what I owe a pleasure to?”

“I was just wondering if you’ll be going to the party that the Adventurer’s Guild is hosting. So, are you going?”

“Hm. If one has time, then perhaps. Not everyone has free time afterall.”

“Ehh? You’re still busy? Shouldn’t you relax for a bit? Whenever I talk to you, you always seem busy.”

“It is, afterall, a Prinzessin der Verurteilung noble duty.”

“Ah.. I suppose.”

“Is there anything else you would like to say before we part ways?”

“Oh yeah! Do you know of the legend of the Wishing Stars?”

“I am aware of it but how does this have any interest in our current predicament?”

“.. uh..”

“What mein Fraülein is saying is, how did this legend became an interest to you?”

“Ah! Well, it’s becoming popular among the people around this time of year. Maybe you can make a wish for.. [Y/N]?”

“.. perhaps.. we’ll try to find some spare time later on to do the wish.”

“Alright! Well, I gotta go. See ya later, Fischl, Oz!”

“Farewell, young lad.”

“Farewell..”

“Are you, perhaps, planning on making a wish right now, mein Fraülein?”

“There is no impending dangers around us, correct? Then perhaps, I can spare some time right now to get it off my mind.”

“Whatever you wish to do is what I’ll abide to, mein Fraülein.”

“O great, shining Wishing Stars, hear thy wish, one that is coming from heart. One wonders how the other fares? Have the Gods and Goddesses gifted them protection in wherever they are? Because making the Prinzessin der verurteilung worry like this is unheard of. Still, I would be utmost be grateful to find any sign of them still active. I, Fischl, Prinzessin der verurteilung, want them to return immediately in whatever journey they are in. Though I would still understand if they need more time to search for what they need to search. I.. honestly miss them and their warmth. I want them to hold me again, to reassure me that I don’t need to be perfect always. Ah-! I broke off of character! My apologies-! Anyways, since it is the season of winter festivities, I wish them a merriest of Christmas. May next year come and let us celebrate it together as one. I’m forever in love with you, please come back to me in one piece.”

#i havent finished this actually- 😃 #but im too lazy to them rn- #i actually had fun writing this- #even tho its quite stressful lmao- #genshin impact #character interactions- #genshin impact x reader #aether #aether x reader #albedo #albedo x reader #amber #amber x reader #barbara #barbara x reader #beidou #beidou x reader #bennett #bennett x reader #childe #childe x reader #chongyun #chongyun x reader #diluc #diluc x reader #diona #diona x reader #fischl #fischl x reader

[brabblesblog]

𝕽𝖊𝖒𝖊𝖒𝖇𝖊𝖗 𝖞𝖊 𝖓𝖔𝖙 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖋𝖔𝖗𝖒𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘.

Chapter 17: Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.

A sequel to Whither is thy beloved gone? (AO3)

After the events of ‘Whither is thy beloved gone?’ Lord Astarion Ancuńin and his consort wife navigate their relationship anew. The ghosts of the past - his, hers, and theirs - threaten to unravel everything they’ve worked for.

Astarion begins to unravel the mystery of Ban's family.

Professionally edited and collaborated on by my dearest friend <3 @editing-by-night

Masterlist

Art by @nyx-knox <3

Astarion sat with his legs crossed. The stool was as filthy as when he’d last seen it, but he’d accepted it this time, if only to accentuate the desired effect. In front of him Roderich dithered, trying to explain away his actions - not that Astarion cared. He forced his attention back onto the man, as unpleasant as it was, and leaned forward.

“It was a desperate time. There wasn’t enough money to fund our… our way of living, and the guild is rich. Far richer than it had any right to be,” Roderich stammered. “Meiros must have taken some too! I’m sure he skimmed some off the top as well, considering there was no one to look into his activities. He’s just as guilty, his hands just as bloody. I don’t see why you would even begrudge me this!”

None of this stayed in Astarion’s mind. He had considered the information irrelevant. “Repeat the last thing you said,” he drawled. “Your bleating proved too much for me.”

Roderich clenched his jaw, looking out the store windows. The moment Astarion had walked in and demanded an audience he had sent his customers away, telling them to come back in half an hour. They were outside, waiting, and the minutes were ticking by. “I just think… this conversation should be held somewhere else, if at all.”

If at all. If nothing else, he could admire Roderich’s nerve. He lazily looked over to the small group of people waiting outside. Behind them his carriage loomed, black and gold and waiting to whisk him away from this drivel.

“Oh, but I haven’t yet touched on why we’re having this conversation.” He crossed his arms. “Did you really think I would care about you stealing guild funds?”

“I suspected you wanted to punish me for… for whatever imagined slights you think we committed against our daughter.” He took a deep breath. “We’ve done nothing of the sort. She may have been unhappy, but everything we did was for her wellbeing - her success.”

“Your success,” Astarion corrected. “I daresay I’ll be the judge of whether wrongdoings were committed or not - and they have,” he glared, “but that isn’t why I’m here. Nor is it why I’m bringing up your financial indiscretions.”

Astarion looked at Roderich, relishing the way the older man looked at him - equal parts fear and indignation. He could feel Roderich’s anger bubbling, his wariness keeping him from allowing it to boil over. Any other man would have assumed Astarion couldn’t do much in public, with the crowd peering at them as it was. But Roderich knew that if he pushed him too far, he’d find himself waking up to fangs sinking into his neck.

So Astarion waited for Roderich to master his temper, idly looking past him to the display of mirrors. He was reflected in all of them, from various angles, and he couldn’t resist admiring himself a little. From the corner of his eye he saw two of the patrons outside fanning themselves and rolled his eyes.

Finally Roderich found his voice. “Then what was this visit for?”

Astarion smiled and returned his attention to Roderich. “A matter near and dear to Ban’s heart, and therefore mine. Your son.”

Roderich spluttered. “Adrien? We already told you-”

“And we are painfully aware you’re lying.” He gazed at Roderich’s reflection, eyes boring into him. “Don’t make it difficult, Roderich. We can have a nice, civil conversation,” he thought about it, “or I’ll have to resort to less… pleasant measures.”

Roderich sighed. “I… of course. I would at least prefer to talk in private. Perhaps in my home.”

“Fine. I can’t keep the good citizens desperately wanting mirrors waiting, can I?” There was also the fact he figured having Arlette around for this conversation might be better - if only so that he could have all possible information at hand. That, and watching the people peering at him through the glass was starting to grate.

“Thank you,” Roderich breathed. “After the day is done, head there. I can have Arlette prepare supper, and you could bring Ban.”

Astarion stood. Roderich tracked every move he made, but didn’t speak. Astarion stepped closer, enough so that he could look down at him. “Just me, unfortunately. My wife has far more important business to attend to. That won’t be a problem, will it?”

The raised eyebrow made Roderich shrink back, to Astarion’s satisfaction. The man rubbed at his bald head. “Why of course. We’d be more than happy to host you.”

A wide smile graced Astarion’s face, the tips of fangs peeking out. “I’m glad to know that. Provide my chauffeur with your address, and I shall be there tonight.”

The house was large, situated against the walls of the upper city, although just like the shop it showed signs of neglect. As he approached, the door opened before he could even rap his knuckles against it. Arlette’s pale face greeted him and this time her eyes did not rake over his features. As he stepped into the house she looked at his feet and cleared her throat.

“Erm. Your shoes, if you would be so kind.”

He fixed her with a pointed look and stepped forward anyway. The request reminded him of Ban, but he brushed the thought aside. She had stayed home, knowing he was handling the issue with her family. Seeing them again would not do her any favors.

Arlette hurried alongside him, walking fast to keep up with his longer strides. As he walked he took in the house. Ban had lived here most of her life. He allowed his mind to wander a little, musing. Where would she have sat? Had her room been neat? Had she owned dolls? Read books? Had she dreamed of adventures, or being swept off her feet by a dashing prince?

His thoughts were interrupted by Arlette. “I hope you don’t mind. We weren’t sure what you’d prefer to… eat, but we assumed some soup and roast would be-”

Astarion held up a hand. “I prefer we skip the niceties and get to the matter at hand. Where - or rather,” he scanned the house - what he could see of it anyway - finding no sign of a third person, “when am I ever to see this son of yours?”

He had surmised that he wouldn’t see Adrien in his brief conversation with Roderich earlier today. The man had said that he would explain everything, whatever that meant, as he’d hurried Astarion out the door.

As he turned the corner and entered the dining room he saw Roderich sitting at the head of the table, waiting. Roderich stood as Astarion walked in, obviously tense. “There was no need for all that unpleasantness earlier today. We would have told you, had we known what you wanted.”

Astarion sat on the opposite end of the table, steepling his fingers and settling in. He could almost taste their discomfort, and it was gratifying. “We provided you the chance to disclose everything civilly, remember? You chose to lie and be difficult.”

Roderich bristled, but Arlette put a hand on his shoulder. “You could have us removed from the guild, but the coin… it doesn’t exist anymore. It’s gone.” Her eyes locked onto his steepled fingers. “You’ve gotten married.”

“Hm?” He raised his hand for them to see. “Indeed we have. I won’t apologize for the lack of invitation. We wanted only those important to us in attendance.”

He savored the affronted looks from the couple, daring them to voice their complaints. When none came, his thoughts drifted back to the misappropriated guild funds.

He wasn’t surprised. Meiros had mentioned that the Glasscrafts were used to a life of relative luxury; the loss of customers and their retreat from active networking would have put a dent in that. Their theft from the Guild coffers had been discovered a few years ago but Meiros had deemed it unnecessary to take action at the time. Apparently, the amount of coin had not been significant, and he’d felt some pity for Roderich after the disappearance of his daughter was made known. In any case, Astarion was glad; it provided him ample ammunition to leverage the Glasscrafts with, if needed.

Astarion reached for the carafe, pouring himself a glassful of what looked like wine. He sniffed it, ascertaining it to be so, and took a small sip. It felt safe, at least.

“Whether the money is gone or not, all I have to do is to ask. Meiros will act at my behest.” He locked gazes with Roderich, allowing the silence to stretch. He lounged back, waiting.

Roderich broke, clasping his hands together. His eyes were downcast, fixed on his own hands. “After Ban left us, the… arrangement we had with her betrothed’s family fell apart. We needed to find another suitable arrangement, and so we quickly found an associate with a daughter around Adrien’s age.”

“He was displeased, just like she had been, and one night-” Arlette began, but Astarion held up a hand.

He laughed. “You drove both children off the same way? How very ironic. You’d think you’d have learned your lesson the first time, but no - you had to push the other away too!” The savage glee he felt definitely raised Arlette’s hackles - he saw her eye the fireplace poker.

“Oh. I wouldn’t even attempt that, Arlette.” He waved a hand at her. “Or you could try your luck, I suppose. I wouldn’t mind livelier fare tonight.” He gave her a quick grin, baring his fangs, and was satisfied when she backed down.

“A wise choice.” He curled his lip. “That wasn’t so hard, was it? ‘My son left, same as my daughter did, because I was an abusive ass’,” He copied Arlette’s cadence, the smile only widening as she seethed. His eyes then returned to Roderich. “Now. I’m assuming you know where your son went?”

He knew the answer was likely not. Ban had, after all, stayed in the lower city for several years, within the same city, and her parents had never bothered to seek her out. He surmised they were the type who would not deign to head into the lower city unless absolutely necessary.

Roderich sighed. “We asked everyone we could ask. All we know is that the night he left…” he glanced over at his wife; Arlette finally sat down beside him, glaring at Astarion.

“Contrary to your assumptions, my lord, Adrien’s departure was not like Ban’s.” She sneered, or her best approximation of one, anyway; her fear of him prevented her from managing true disdain. “He did not take anything with him. No clothes, no extra coin. No materials other than what he’d usually bring on a night out.”

“We had an argument,” Roderich interjected. “The usual one, about him wanting his… freedom,” he scoffed, “to choose his spouse, and how the girl we’d betrothed him to was a spoiled, overgrown child.”

“And ugly, to boot.” Arlette shrugged. “He wasn’t wrong, but really.”

“So he left to cool off. Not an unusual occurrence, except he didn’t return. We assumed he’d found someone to keep him company for the night, and would return on the morrow, but… he never did.”

The hardness in Arlette’s features disappeared for once. “We waited. Days, weeks, months. We asked folks that we knew. No one knew where he’d gone, nor had they seen him. It was as if he’d disappeared into thin air. There were whispers we heard then, rumors.”

To Astarion’s surprise, Roderich pointed an accusing finger at him. “You’re Szarr’s heir, are you not? You would know better than most. The stories of folk disappearing, of debauched parties in the night. You would know.”

His pique rose. “And you know someone who’s disappeared, beside your own children? Both of whom ran away of their own free will?” Astarion challenged. They’d been specifically forbidden from hunting in the upper city. Cazador had preferred victims from the lower classes, and rightfully so. Nobody ever went looking for them, not for long anyway.

Roderich looked away. “Well… no.”

“What does it matter? Whatever those rumors were alluding to - they’re obviously true!” Arlette stood and rounded on him, hands on the table. “Look at you. Look at what you made our child into.”

Astarion refused to allow their words to slip under his skin. Her anger was meaningless. All the same, he couldn’t resist baring his fangs at her. “I’d be careful pointing fingers, Arlette. Your daughter left too, and she didn’t end up as food for… monsters, did she?”

“Well, she became one herself!”

He laughed, the sound theatrical and dangerous. He stood as well. “Considering that she was raised by a pair of them, I doubt she found it much of a leap.”

Arlette screamed in frustration, scrabbling for the knife on the table. Astarion watched, amused, as Roderich slammed his hand down on her wrist, preventing her from aiming it at him.

“Let her go. Let her try, if she chooses to.” Astarion crossed his arms.

Roderich shot his wife a warning glare, then slowly lifted his hand away. She stood there for a second, chest heaving, hand clenched around the knife. Astarion merely stared indifferently.

Finally she cursed, letting go of the knife. “I would say I hope the gods curse you, but… I think you’re already there,” she spat.

He took it in stride. “Rude of you, really, when I’m here to find your son. Not to return him to you, of course, but I would have at least informed you when I found out if he was safe, something you two have obviously failed to determine.”

Roderich’s eyes bulged. “You dare-”

“Yes. I dare.” He picked up his glass and refilled it with painful, deliberate slowness, dragging the moment out. “I assume you asked people you knew, not people Adrien knew.”

“He didn’t have a lot of friends. He kept to himself.”

“Perhaps he did not prefer the company you made him keep?”

The two did not respond. Astarion swirled the wine lazily. “Tch. Your investigation was incomplete. If you employed the same methods you did when Ban first left, then you certainly haven’t even scoured this city, let alone further.”

Roderich gulped. “We… did not look for her.”

Astarion blinked. He balled his fists, and the urge to snap their necks was almost irresistible. “You… did not look for Ban, but looked for Adrien.” He said it slowly, enunciating each word, voice dripping with venom.

“She left with most of her belongings. And, well… Adrien was still there…” Arlette stammered, shrinking back as Astarion began to stalk towards them.

“Of course. Your beloved son was there, so what did her departure cost? Nothing.” He drew closer, eyes narrowed into slits. “Why would one failed arrangement matter, when you had the more valuable piece still in play, hm?”

He raised his eyebrow as Arlette finally grabbed the knife and lunged for him. Too slow, of course, but he admired her verve. Roderich reached for her, but Astarion was faster, catching her wrist effortlessly. He pulled her close, hissing against her ear.

“I would relish the opportunity to rip you apart, and then tear your husband into pieces,” he whispered. “But I doubt Ban would be pleased to find out that I’ve eviscerated her parents without asking her first. Consider this, however, your final warning. One more false move,” he pried the knife from her hands and set it down on the table, “and I will accept her ire and act in… well, let’s say self-defense.” He let her go, and she sank back onto her chair, her husband standing protectively behind her. He eyed Roderich.

“Any complaints?” He didn’t respond, and Astarion smirked. “I thought so.”

He leaned against the table, making a show of looking at his nails. “So. You did not bother to search for Ban, but did so for Adrien. Despicable, but unsurprising from you lot.” He raked his eyes over the pair. As much as he wanted to rip into them, there was the far more urgent need of actually finding out where Ban’s brother was. “When you say you searched for Adrien… who exactly did you talk to?”

“Like you said,” Arlette said, her voice small. “We asked the people we knew. The rumors about Cazador Szarr became the only lead we had. And it was just… that. Whispers. Someone knew someone who knew someone, who’d heard stories.”

Astarion shrugged. “No doubt it was easier to believe a monster had taken your son than to think the ones in his own home had pushed him away.” He glanced at them, daring them to try contesting his words. When no dissent came, he returned his attention to his fingernails.

“I shall be conducting my own investigation. If I find Adrien…” he considered this for a moment, “and he does not want to be found, I shall tell you of his survival at the very least, if you two cooperate with my search and never come close to either of them, ever again.”

“But-”

“It’s that, or I seek out Adrien on my own and you never learn what I discover. I’ll also request Meiros to very kindly look into the missing funds from the guild treasury. And were you to breathe a single word of what Ban and I are, well. I never refuse a free meal.”

The two exchanged a long glance, and then finally nodded. Satisfied, Astarion straightened up. “Are we agreed, then?” Slowly, they nodded again.

Astarion sat back down. “If you could provide more details - how Adrien looked, what he was wearing, the date of his disappearance, any other details you would deem pertinent - that would be delightful.”

“We last saw him four years ago, a year after Ban left. He was twenty-one then,” Roderich provided.

Four years younger than Ban, Astarion noted. “And the day?”

“Thirteenth, of Alturiak. It was a chilly, rainy night.”

This, he also noted. “Was he dressed appropriately?” If not, Adrien could not have gone far without purchasing a cloak.

“He was, to a point,” Arelette offered. “He was wearing the jacket I’d made him. It did not have a hood.”

Astarion sighed. That widened his circle somewhat, and reduced his chances. He had hoped to encounter a vendor who might have sold him clothes. He took a long look at the couple.

Arlette walked away, quickly leaving the dining room. He could hear her rummaging around and she came back with a locket. To his surprise she pressed it onto his palms.

“This is a portrait of Adrien. We stowed all the family portraits away when he disappeared. It was… too painful… to look at the mantelpiece and see his face. But this should help.”

He opened it to reveal a young man. There was a small tug of familiarity, and little wonder. He had strikingly dark eyes - Ban’s eyes. Raven-black hair, the same golden skin, the same half-smile. He could be her twin, he thought as he closed the locket.

Along with the locket was a cufflink. It looked expensive, jewel-encrusted, and he held it to the light.

“His favorite cufflinks. We never found the other.” Roderich nodded at it. “We assume he had it that night.”

Astarion pocketed both items and stood. “I shall write to you if there are any developments. If anything comes up, I shall expect the same courtesy. You do remember where to write, yes?”

“The Crimson Palace,” Roderich said, and Astarion smirked. He’d never forgiven the man for not knowing that the first time they’d met.

“Perfect.” He reached over and downed his glass. “Thank you for the dinner. It was most… enlightening.”

He gave them a small, sardonic bow, and headed for the door.

Astarion fingered the clasp of the locket as the carriage made for the palace, flicking it open with one hand. He stared at the face looking back at him, frowning. The other half of the locket had a piece of paper in it instead of a portrait, one seemingly folded in half. He reached in, pulling it out. The paper was thick; he unfolded it carefully.

The content of the paper was not what he expected, and not anything useful, but he was glad he’d opened it all the same. Ban, from years ago, her face less lined, a little fuller and far softer than she looked now. She was illuminated in what looked like a sunset; the golden light highlighting the side of her face that it hit. Her hair wasn’t tied back in her usual ponytail, or even the bun she occasionally preferred - it fell in loose, long waves, framing her face. He’d seen her with her hair down of course, but almost never in public.

He ran his finger down the side of her face, then traced those lips he’d come to know so intimately. His thoughts drifted back to her, of her youth spent in that house and in that shop. He couldn’t recall his own past - two centuries of torment had ensured it was all but gone - but he did not envy Ban hers. Astarion closed the locket, but kept her portrait for himself, pocketing it.

As the carriage drew to a stop and he stepped out, he spied her in the foyer, waiting. The sight never failed to make his heart swell, and he made a beeline for her.

“Home at last,” she said, as he drew close for a quick kiss. “I trust everything went well?”

“Mm… well enough.” He had no intention of informing her of anything until everything was laid bare, as they had agreed upon. “Some progress has been made, I would say, but nothing concrete as yet. You’ll have to wait a little longer.” He’d told her where he’d been headed, but had not informed her of any pertinent details.

She led him to the dining room, not bothering to turn towards him as she spoke. “It’s not a huge pain. I’ve… not even thought of them in so long. I can stand to wait a little longer to see how Adrien’s doing.”

He helped her into her seat before seating himself. Taking a bite from her fork, she eyed him. “Were your dealings with Meiros at least helpful?” Whatever their arrangement was, she hoped it had been useful.

“Yes… and no,” Astarion admitted. “I would have achieved the same effect without it, but it would probably have taken more… convincing. I would not have minded doing that, but you might have.”

Ban scoffed. “As prideful as they are, they’re cowards. They’re frightened of you - of… of us now, I suppose. I have little doubt they’d immediately cave.”

He laughed, remembering today’s encounter. “You’d be surprised. Your mother may or may not have attempted to kill me.”

“She wouldn’t.” Her eyes widened at the look on Astarion’s face. “You… you’re serious. Really?”

“With a knife, which I’m sure would have done the job, given enough time.” He began to eat. “I can see where you inherited your… spirit.”

“You mean to say my temper.”

He bit back a mirthful bark. “Your words, darling, not mine.”

There was silence for a while as they both ate. Astarion’s eyes flicked over to her, unconsciously comparing her face with the portrait that was now in his pocket. He burned with a desire to ask her for more, but wasn’t quite sure how to broach it.

Her eyes drifted away from Halsin’s wedding gift on the mantelpiece - a dragon sitting on its haunches - and noticed his staring. She tilted her head. “Something on my face?”

He shook his head. “Is there a reason why you wear your hair the way you do now?” He fingered the paper inside his pocket, then took it out, handing it to her.

She unfolded it, silent as she took in the portrait. “Mother preferred my hair down. Said it would hide the… features of my face. One of the few things she and I did not disagree on.”

Astarion considered this. He ran his eyes down her current - and now permanent - physique, mulling over the potential implications. She handed the portrait back to him and returned to her meal; he quickly stored it. He was sure he’d ask about it some other time, but for now, he was content with what she had revealed.

They were walking in the garden after dinner when he broached the topic. “Darling… was your mother the first person to tell you you aren’t… attractive?”

She paused and turned to look at him, half bent over to look at a particularly large rose. “What makes you think that?”

“Your comment about your hair. The way you always glance at the prettiest woman in any room, then down at yourself. The clothing choices - cloaks, capes.” He ticked these off with his fingers. “Even your hair. Held up now, yes, no longer quite hiding - but still plain. As if you feel like any adornment other than your braids would be a waste.”

“Well.” She took a deep breath, then plucked the flower. “Having my hair up became a habit after I ran away. Came with the job, really. Fighting with it loose would be unwise.” She straightened up, smelling the rose.

“And everything else?”

She chuckled. “Everything else you got spot-on.” She fell into stride beside him, tucking the flower by her ear.

“You are perfect, and your mother is a wretched woman whose opinions have no real merit, other than in her own miserable mind. You’d do well to realize none of her comments had any worth.”

Ban raised both arms, flexing them at him. “This isn’t what you’d normally see on a beautiful woman, Astarion. Not what most men would want, even.”

“Yet you chose that,” he noted. “Perhaps you wanted to be strong, truly strong, unlike what your mother wanted you to be.”

“She wanted me strong, but not in this way, that’s true. This I chose for myself.” She put her hands down, then ran her hand down the swell of a tricep. “I wanted it, yes, but I’m also aware this isn’t-”

“And why should we bother with the opinions of fools and miscreants who would not know how to tell a gem from a rock?”

“Because… I mean, Astarion. Let’s face it.” She took both of his hands, and he fixed his gaze on her. “Look at me. Then look at yourself. Tell me you don’t see what they see. You even said it yourself - they see me as a trivial matter in their path to you, right? Because I look the way I do.”

“Then they can shove their frankly insipid, dull ideas of attractiveness,” he snarled, “far, far up their own asses. And if they dared to breathe a word of it to you, or me… well.” A smile broke through her dismay, exactly as he’d hoped, and he led her to the fountain. He slipped behind her as they both admired it.

“You are beautiful to me,” he murmured, “and considering I am looked upon as world-endingly beautiful myself, that ought to mean something, shouldn’t it?” He leaned in, the humor slipping away. “Trust me.”

Those familiar words sent a shiver down her spine. Trust. Something she had given so freely before, and something she had been giving again recently, even though there were times that it still felt hard. It would be work, she knew - she’d need time to do better, just as he had - but she hoped she was at least making some headway. Her mind wandered, away from thoughts of her appearance to hoping this conversation was at least a sign of progress in his eyes.

“Ban?” Astarion paused from the path his lips had been making down her shoulder. “Is everything alright?”

Ban turned to focus on his face. She could see the fear beginning to creep in his eyes, and she quickly kissed him. He visibly eased, exhaling.

“I- I thought for a moment…”

“No. You did nothing wrong.” She kissed his jaw, then his cheek, running a comforting hand through his hair. He leaned into the touch, eyes shuttering. She fought the instinct to just leave it at that, and pushed on. “Can you tell me, love, if all this… everything I’ve been trying to do... Has it been working?”

“Your hair could stand to be decorated sometimes.” One look at her withering glare and he shifted gears. “Er - the wedding arrangements were more than sufficient,” he said automatically, “and I think everyone went home satisfied. Well, perhaps not Minsc, but-”

“Astarion,” she said, a note of urgency in her tone. “Quit deflecting. You know what I mean. Fixing… this. Us. Being better for you.” Somehow these words felt harder to say than even her wedding vows, and she tamped down the voice inside her that told her that this was unnecessary talk.

“Yes.” He met her gaze, uncertain, but unafraid. The irony was not lost on her. “I suppose the wedding and the whole…” he waved a hand, “...game, occupied most of our time recently, but, yes.” His eyes darted across her face, and he bit his lip. “I see more of you. Feel more of you.” As soon as he said it his eyes flicked away, and she caught it.

“Please?” she asked, and he exhaled.

“I would be lying if I said everything is perfect.” He braced himself, then met her gaze head-on. “It’s far too soon to tell for certain, and we’re both aware that wedding planning wasn’t the most… normal of times.”

“I understand.” She leaned forward and rested her head against his collarbone. “But I promise you. I will be who you want me to be… maybe not the hair, though.”

He chuckled softly, wrapping his arms around her. “I will adore you regardless of who you are and what you choose to look like, Ban. But I appreciate the sentiment.”

Astarion awoke from his trance just as the sun began to shine, its rays slipping in through a gap in the drapes. He stood up to close them, not wanting Ban to stir. Before he pulled them shut he stood, watching the light touch the wrought-iron fence that enclosed the palace grounds.

He’d have to begin his search somewhere, and it was likely that he would get no answers in the upper city, but he planned on sending some of his staff to ask around just in case. He would handle the lower city himself, figuring that would yield more results, considering Roderich hadn’t explored that option. It likely hadn’t even occurred to him until last night, the idiot.

The question, however, remained. What would happen once they found Adrien? The relationship between the siblings didn’t seem exactly… warm. His eyes wandered over to Ban’s sleeping form, worry creasing his brow.

What if her brother rejected her for what she’d become? For what they had done? There was no need for him to know, but he wasn’t sure if Ban would tell him everything - including the circumstances of the rite. Save for their companions, no one else knew of the price that had been paid. To everyone else, he was a regular noble. To the people he had met on their journey who knew what he was, he had merely found some means of being able to withstand the sun.

Well, other than the Society. They had quickly inferred that it had been a contract of sorts, no thanks to Omeluum. They had kindly kept the information confidential, but he was still irked at the thought that they knew at all. Ban had suggested keeping them close, to foster goodwill, which they had done.

He brushed away the unpleasant path his thoughts had taken. He needed to focus on the matter at hand. Sending out feelers in the upper city, and venturing into the lower city. Ban may know the names of some of Adrien’s associates, the ones their parents hadn’t approved of.

He merely hoped all this would lead to her finding some closure.

#astarion #astarion baldurs gate #baldurs gate astarion #bg3 #bg3 astarion #astarion x tav #astarion fic #astarion ancunin #astarion bg3 #bg3 fanfiction #baldurs gate 3 astarion #ascended astarion #astarion acunin #astarion romance #astarion x mc #tavstarion #soft ascended astarion #ascended astarion x tav #ascended astarion x f!tav #astarion ascended #ascendant astarion #vampire ascendant #bg3 fanfic #bg3 fic #long fic #astarion fanfic #astarion fanfiction #baldurs gate fanfiction #fanfic #baldurs gate 3

[crestfallenmermaidan]

This is Fayree Thistlespring. My DnD character who’s campaign just ended. She is a Halfling Rouge with a thief subclass. So yeah, basic bitch. She became very different from her original concept. Both in personality and from her physical appearance.  She is the daughter of a prostitute who basically raised herself on the streets of the most lawless crime cities in the kingdom, Ship haven. Eventually she also came to care for her younger half siblings Idogin and Jaybrix, Ginny and Brix for short. She gained her talents though hard work and practice with the motivator to keep them alive. One day her sister and mother fell sick, her mother dying and while Ginny survived she was left with severe lung condition that needed expensive medication inhalants.  She became bolder, taking more risky jobs. She had too. Survival is all that mattered.   She turned to honing her thieving skills, even taking on jobs from the mob families and thieves guild when she could, as they paid the best. And when Idogin got sick 3 years later, she became more desperate and took more and more dangerous jobs. During one of these jobs she got into a scuffle with another halfling, an older man by the name of Vari Deephollow. It happened in a dark alley at night as she was making her way out to meet at a drop off point. She had run smack dab into the man while he was teaching one of his men a lesson. Turns out he was the leader of one of mob families in town. One who did not like being interrupted, much less by a child who spoke out about his cruelty at the sight of his men. A scuffle broke out, she had just been meaning to get away and slip back home, but it became deadly fast. She reacted when she saw the knife and grappled him, just wanting to get the knife away. Run with it and hope he couldn't see her face under her hood well enough to recognize her on the streets. But in the struggle and with desperation high the knife ended up in the side of his neck as his friends arrived. What happened next was all a blur. Because of traditions within the family, and with witnesses, Fayree at age 16 became the new boss of the Silver Eyes Organization. Originally she was a small, young blonde halfling. I imagined her as one of those short haired blonde female fatale types, appearance wise, like in those crime noir movies. She was skittish, paranoids, but very innocent. 

AS YOU CAN TELL....Fayree didn’t like fitting in that box and she became so much more. You can’t see in the pictures but she got a magic brand on her neck of a fire serpent by answering correctly to a dungeons riddle. It now comes to life and sets things ablaze once a day on command. (she also got Sally, her sentient cross bow in the same dungeon, more on her later). The purple hair came from a temporary spell while in a magic school....she ended up liking it and finding someone to cast the spell permanently.  Personality....well she kept the paranoid part, but dialed it up to 11. I’m talking ‘the birds work for the bourgeoisie’ levels. She was was a severe alcoholic cause you know...trauma. She was loud, proud, a crazy. She has trust issues (all but one other party member didn’t ‘betray her’ in some way...most of the time the others were possessed when commiting the act but still. became a running joke. ) She could hold a grudge for YEARS. Especially if you cared for you and you hurt her.  She became a meme, a legend, and beloved by everyone. Her character arc of bringing all the other crime families to heel and under her banner (crushing those who refused.)  was fun for all and really entertaining. 

Sally her crossbow was...complicated and connected to the main plot. Basically dungeons are alive and have dungeon cores. Her dad was one and she was a baby one who wanted to see the world. She is also a murder hobo. Believe it or not she loved Fayree by the end and Fayree was a good influence (like how!?), curbing her murderous tendencies! She eventually became a full dungeon that was used to train her gang members, but would always turn into a fayree’s gun (yeah crossbow turned into a gun at the end)) when the girl went out into the world for buisness. There is a lot more to her and her relationships but this is already super long! it was a two year campaign and I have so many good and found memories of this character and my friends and I playing this campaign. I might right more if asked!! PS: the last pic is the emoji my Friend Luka made for our discord!

oh...and the end game was blowing up one of the moons....

#dnd campaign #dnd character #dnd rouge #halfling

[yosotu21]

“You’re my Storm”

First of all I want to emphasize that I speak Spanish, if what you will read is translated with Google translator in case you see it as a word that does not make sense, also to say that this is my first Gruvia fanfic on Tumblr, I still don't know how to use it much this app so this one-shot may not be as good as others, I have loved the Gruvia for quite some time, but had never been on Tumblr until recently. Well without further ado I begin.

This one-shot would be set after defeating Selene and returning to Earthland ...

After the shocking news of the return of the Natsu team to Earthland, as expected there was a great celebration for his return, as for Touka she stayed in Elentir to help its inhabitants, they were again in Fairy Tail, it was a great celebration , but two magicians were missing in this beautiful and noisy party, that's right, I'm talking about the ice magician Gray and the water magician Juvia, who were on a stretcher in the infirmary, doing? Nothing more and nothing less than trying to create a Greige, this would go unnoticed by everyone else at the party if it weren't for the fact that they had three Dragon slayers with an ear 7 times sharper than human hearing.

How did we get to this? Let's go back about 6 hours.

A portal was opened by Touka for the Natsu team to return to Earthland in gratitude for saving their world, everyone appeared in the middle of the guild causing a great impact on those present, it was not long when everyone ran to hug them, but who else was expected This serious reaction from the water magician in love with Gray Fullbuster, instead it was the other way around, as soon as Gray identified the owner of his heart it was he who ran to hug her surprising the entire guild, Juvia obviously did not wait and responded to this sudden hug.

"I missed you" said the ice wizard in the Lockser's ear, something that almost caused her to faint, but she resisted and with her relieved heart replied "Juvia I also miss her power to live a lot", this comment made the Fullbuster He will blush to the point of remembering that phrase he said when they were about to defeat Aldoron.

"Ahh, I have so many things to tell you" said the Fullbuster before breaking the hug.

"Hmm ... this ... I want you ... and I to go out ... to ... talk?" He said not very convinced, okay that without a doubt was something that no one in the world expected, what kind of parallel world was this where Gray Fullbuster invited Juvia Lockser out? His classmates were about to tell him to stay and celebrate , however the sharp sword of Titania a Gruvia shipper stopped them, without a doubt it was a dream for Juvia who shyly asked "H-like a date?" and the following answered by the Fullbuster was what made the Lockser lose consciousness for about 8 seconds "Y-yes like a date."

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

The two outside the union already started a nice walk to be able to make up for the time they were not together and maybe be able to advance something in their relationship, after all the feelings of both were already clear, they could consider themselves a couple, maybe? Their talk It ranged from the searches carried out by the guild to find the Natsu team to the new rival of Juvia's love for Elentir, yes, that girl who froze Gray.

The ice wizard was about to tell him about the son they had together in Edolas when a boy with dark blue hair crashed into Juvia causing a not very cute reaction from the Fullbuster "HEY, LOOK FOOL!".

"TO WHOM DID YOU TELL IDIO… JUVIA ?!" apparently that person unknown to Gray knew Juvia, "Bora-san?" Indeed, Juvia Bora's ex-boyfriend, quickly the Fullbuster in a small attack of jealousy raised Juvia from the ground and wrapped his arm around her waist, but not before asking "Juvia, who is he?", the water magician got quite nervous, not only because her beloved Gray-sama had her hugged by the waist, but because of how to tell her who the “Ahm. T-he ... is ... aah ",

Gray raised an eyebrow in search of a clear answer if it weren't for that idiot Bora replied instead" I'm her ex-boyfriend, and you? Don't tell me you're with her "In that last comment he made a grimace of displeasure, something that undoubtedly made the ice wizard quite angry, who did not hesitate for a second to defend the only woman in his life" And if so, do you have a problem with that? ? ”,

Without a doubt she was about to hit him if it weren't for Juvia now who was hugging his arm and whispering in his ear to calm down, it would have worked if it hadn't been for the answer Bora threw“ I have no problem with that, later I feel relieved to be done with her, she was just a hindrance in my life that only attracted storms "……… .well now if Bora had officially dug her own grave, she had just insulted the person most important to Gray, the The sky had clouded over, Gray turned to see Juvia who was shedding silent tears, because that comment or done by Bora made him remember his 17 years of loneliness, he was about to run away if it weren't for Gray tightening his grip on his waist as if telling him that he would always be with her.

"How ... HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT A PERSON WHO DEDICATED TIME TO YOU?! ... NO ... HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT MY JUVIA !!!" no doubt he was angry, he did not think what he said, he simply wanted to make it clear to Juvia that she would never be alone. "Trust me, Fullbuster, she's just a walking storm" that was Bora's last comment before falling unconscious from a well-deserved blow from Fairy Tail's Devil Slayer.

After that his walk got more and more uncomfortable, not to mention that the sky was still cloudy I would almost believe that it is night, it was not until the Fullbuster stopped his walk and without looking at the Lockser he released a few words that made all the insecurities of her beloved water magician would dissipate, without a doubt Juvia had chosen the right man this time, thanks to him she met the clear sky, had a real family and finally knew happiness and love, and although it was not intentional the magician of Ice was always with her and was always in charge of reminding her that she would never be alone again.

"Let me tell you that I'm not afraid of storms" was all he had to say for Juvia's cute little heart to further increase the infinite love she already felt for him, not a second passed when the daily routine of pouncing on he returned to normal. As expected, Juvia fell to the ground, but not because Gray didn't want to, he just said something that Juvia understood perfectly "Don't do that in public." In other words, Gray had given her permission to hug him as many times as she wanted while they weren't in public. However, Juvia did not expect that Gray would put his arm to hang her as usual, of course he would never tell her that when she did not hug him he gave her only a hint of cold.

This is how they returned to the guild with a nice clear sky, when entering the guild it was as confusing as you could imagine, Natsu and Lucy being questioned about their relationship and asking questions like "When are you planning to create Nasha?" and things like that, when both magicians crossed the guild gates they had to go through a long interrogation ... and it was at that moment that Juvia found out about the son she had with Gray.

3… 2… 1… Juvia fainted again, woke up on a stretcher in the guild's infirmary, Gray lay next to her sitting on a chair as she watched her sleep. They both looked into each other's eyes without saying a word until finally Gray spoke "You know, now if I wanted to take advantage of the confusion" Juvia understood perfectly what he meant, and in case you don't remember, Juvia mentioned something to Gray about " Take advantage of the confusion to touch her breasts ”, well now Gray had accepted his proposal. 

  And now we go back to the beginning, everyone in the guild knew that Gray loved Juvia, even Elfman, "It is of men to know that Gray loves Juvia", although that was clear, they did not expect that Gray would want a first-born so soon, although they believed which was a reaction to meeting Greige.The entire guild was on the other side of the infirmary door trying to listen to such a process, it was not until the great "Titania" threatened everyone with her more than two hundred swords to leave. 

Finally, blushing to her ears, Erza knocked on the door of the infirmary, suddenly she only heard a tremendous commotion and how they were looking for their clothes. Gray opened the door and Erza just whispered in his ear something that made Gray Fullbuster blush to his ears for the second time that day, she just nodded her head and closed the door. 

In the end, Gray and Juvia had to leave the guild if they wanted to continue with their creation process because, according to Titania's words, "It is not a suitable place to create babies." The good thing was that Gray with all the tranquility if he could have "HIS NIGHT" with Juvia, waking up both embraced on the same bed and with their clear feelings. On the other hand, Juvia was able to scream as loud as she wanted without fear of being heard.

After the storm comes calm and even some beautiful landscapes. 

Juvia was Gray's storm and thanks to her she now has a rainbow called "Storm Fullbuster Lockser" whom she loves with all her soul.

#gruvia #gray fullbuster #Gray X Juvia #Juvia Lockser #fairy tail

[asurashinies]

9, 18 and 34 for the GW2 asks! (:

Hi there! Thank you so much for the asks! Sorry I've take my time, I'm not as active here lately and also I kinda forget because my brain goes splooch sometimes lol

9. Whats your favourite city?

That would be the Black Citadel or Rata Sum, they are both amazingin their own ways. Love the steampunk-ish dark dirty city of the charr and the floating full of artificial gardens and lights and crystals everywhere. I can't decide on any of both, because they bring me so many memories playing this game <3

18. Do you have a favourite character from the lore?

(Tybalt Leftpaw my beloved)

Well, since I'm a player of the original Guild Wars, starting with Factions, I always loved the characters I've met in Cantha. My memory is pretty bullshit, but I have always remembered fondly Master Togo, from the Shing Jea Monastery. Also the dragon Kuunavang, when you have to go and save her from the corruption.

I also remember I always liked the tengu, the warrior trainer, Talon Silverwing

34. Weirdest map chat experience?

Oh god, I was about to tell about a WvW spanish player that kept trolling and calling covid a lie but that was just a troll, report and block

The good one was...

I was in Lion's Arch, back when I was playing alone without a guild. I was just running around doing nothing when I saw on the chat two guys roleplaying in spanish. Keep in mind that, up until then, I had NEVER thought about the idea of RPing in a MMO, it just hadn't crossed my mind

They were roleplaying how one of the chracters was leading the other, with a leash, to bring her into a house, calling her a pet, tying her to a bed and stuff, and I was thinking about "Ok, they are gonna do thenaughties, I should leave INMEDIATELY for my own sanity"

I went there, screamed a couple meme things and run away

The thing is, they actually gave me the idea to search for a RP guild and I found one... the one where they both were. Not only that, but the one leading the leash became the leade of the guild and also my best friend XD

When I was talking this story about those weirdos, he jumped to scream "BICTH THAT WAS ME!!". We were laughing for hours after that

[20thcentury-kylo]

Housamo Prompt #3 "Then Fight It- and kiss me anyway~"

"Well then fight it, and kiss me anyway"

~Hope you guys are enjoying these~

He couldn't unsee it.

The sound of his own tears falling upon their lifeless body. He couldn't unhear it. The numbness of his own bloodied fingers holding on- trying desperately to keep them with him if only for a moment longer. He couldn't unfeel it. The white void that followed as they dissapear from his arms in a burst of light- Ryota can't handle it. The thought hasn't left his head since then.

He.... had killed them.

Things had seemingly returned to normal after the genociders exception, however the experience still vividly rests in Ryota's mind. The horrible memories that were forced upon him re-visit as dreams- nightmares that stir in the calmness of night. His Cheery smiles falter slightly as he remembers them.

It's harder to look into their eyes now. The soft glow of Kiomes' eyes that seemingly peer straight into his soul. The flutters that once lifted the redheads heart now sink with jarring anxiety. When the Chubby swordsman had first asked him out- Ryota couldn't be any more elated, that far off feeling that he'd been yearning for- for so long was finally in his reach. Now he can't help but laugh cynically to himself at the notion.

'Who could ever love someone who's murdered them..'

--

Ryota is good at putting up fronts- friendly smiles and light hearted jokes work well to mask the crushing fears and doubts plaging his mind, however...

Kiome Sees right through them

Kiome can feel the unease in Ryota's gaze, the fearful trembling as their hands intertwine, he can hear the toss and turns of his sheets night after night. He knows that feeling all to well, and wishes he could make his troubled partner realize that he doesn't have to be alone in this. The dragon-born transient has never been one to run away from his problems. He has no past to hide in, so he must constantly run forward no matter the obstacle. Even if he has no clear answer, that wont stop him from trying.

It's a peaceful Saturday evening, Ryota notes as he travels the dorms sunlit halls. The golden sunset hue removes him from the confines of his own thoughts for now. Kiome had asked him to me at the dorms rooftop after their guild meeting. The redhead could only imagine that whatever it was- it was serious considering he wanted to be alone. Ryota can't help but think that maybe he's finally caught on- that Kiomes' finally realized how horrible he is and wants nothing to do with him. The thought creeps upon him- the anxiety forming a lump in his throat.

The rooftop is quiet- faint winds breezing through the nearly whispy clouds above. Ryota finds his beloved there resting upon one of the slanted platforms, gazing into the reddish- orange sky. The young guild master motions for Ryota to join him, and together they sit in a calming silence.

After awhile Kiome sits up and turns to his red haired partner. That same look boreing into his very being- Ryota shifts uncomfortably under his gaze, that previous anxiety seeping its way back into the young boys' mind. He sits up in turn- a faint blush upon his features as he struggles to meet their eyes.

"Ryota.." The redheads' eyes shift further down at his names calling.

"Are you...ok? I know you havent been sleeping well.." Ryota looks up at him with an expression crossed between hurt and confusion. Why- why was he worried about him, how could he after all that happened. Ryota quickly regains his composure shifting into a nervous laughter as he responds.

"Oh that, it's no big deal- those exceptions we fought were just a little scary is all." It's a terrible lie, he knows that but his mind is starting to frenzy and he can't think straight. Kiome moves to place his hand atop Ryotas' causing the chalice wielding summoner to flinch at the contact. He doesn't understand, doesn't he know what Ryota did. How could he possibly look at him the same- with those eyes full of light.

The doubts in his mind swell and swarm around- fears inflating in his chest, he can hardly breathe. Tears peak from the corner of his eyes- the nervous smile on his face faltering into a spattered mess.

"You can talk to me ya know-" Kiome's trying to approach calmly but his own feelings are getting the better of him, the pained expression on his classmates- features no doubt because of him.

"It's-.. nothing, just remembering what happened.." Ryotas' facade has faded completely, as more tears well up in his eyes. This is too much for him, he doesn't understand and it scares the hell out of him. Truly afraid of losing something he may have never had.

"It's Ok- Im here for you." Ryota Jerks back at the sound of those words, a wild flurry of emotions bursting from his eyes- Kiome knew what was coming next.

"Thats just it!! You're always there for me even when I-!" Ryota chokes on his own words, he's never admitted to it out loud before, and he's afraid that doing so will sweep everything between them away.

"And I-!" He tries again to no avail.

"Plunged my own sword right through my heart..."Kiome finishes. Of course he'd seen it- countless loops, the tears of the boy infront of him.. he'd never forget.

"Exactly so why do you-" Ryota's panicking now, he can't finish a complete thought let alone put it into words. The crippling fear of whats coming holds him in place unable to run.

"Do you remember what I said..."

//There they sat among a torrent battlefield. Kiome laid in Ryotas' arms as the last of his life force slowly drains from him- strangely enough he can't feel the sword sheathed in his heart, not like it mattered anyway.

"I'm- I'm so sorry-" Ryotas' words are choked and jumbled, but the dying boy in his arms hears them perfectly. He lifts a hand- placing it upon his lovers tear stained cheek.

"Don't be... I was- really glad I got to meet you" //

Ryotas' eyes widen at the sudden realization. The words rang clearly in his mind- how could he have forgotten something so important.

"I-" It's as if the lingering cloud of fear and shame had suddenly been lifted from his heart. Kiome moves forward- arms outstretched to embrace the redhead, yet he flinches away.

"I'm sorry it's just- this feeling.. scares the hell outta me." The dragon-born transient pauses for a moment before advancing once again.

"Well then fight it- and kiss me anyway~" Wrapping his arms around Ryota- he embraces the feeling, any fears and doubts his partner had he wouldn't face them alone. The memories of grief and regret rise from Ryotas' chest, and for the 1st time in awhile- he feels like he can breath again. Kiome pulls back to look into his eyes ever determined, ever glowing.

"I- I can try-" Ryota is still trembling, but his partner accepts this kiss nonetheless, melding every emotion they've had into a colorful light- rivalling the sunset itself.

Fin~

(Comments/reviews are very much appreciated)

#im back with another one bois #tokyo afterschool summoners #housamo #mc5 x ryota #mc5 #ryota yakushimaru #writing prompt #hurt/comfort #takes place right after chapt 8

[canid-slashclaw]

The Outliers - A Guild Wars Love Story

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9,  Chapters 10 and 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16 , Chapter 17, Chapter 18, Chapter 19, Chapter 20,  Chapter 21, Chapter 22, Chapter 23,  Chapter 24 Chapter 25

"You alright down there?"

She shouted gruffly. "Fine. Except this flux isn't bonding the way it should."

"Mind if I come down?" Kaleb asked as he saw the flickering torch lights coming from the open doorway.

"Bring me a pint when you do."

"Lager or mead?"

"I don't care. Either will do," she said in a noticeably annoyed tone.

Kaleb knew that she was in the zone with her work, and any disturbances would only serve to piss her off even more. After leaving some coin for the tab, he helped himself to two tall steins of lager. When he took them to the new workstation, Amalthia was sitting on the bench, donning her welding goggles and completely absorbed in whatever it was she was working on.

"Over there by the soldering table," she said pointing towards the wooden table.

"Dammit!" She angrily threw down her welding torch, shut down the outflow valve then pulled off her goggles and tossed them to the edge of the bench.

Kaleb handed her a stein. He took a sip as well from his own.

"At the risk of getting my head bit off, whatcha working on?" He asked.

She walked over, took the stein from the table then gulped it down as if she were dying of thirst.

"I'm sorry, Kal. Didn't mean to sound crabby. It's just I'm getting walloped by something that I usually have no trouble figuring out. For some reason, this flux is just not bonding properly to the metal."

He walked over then began massaging her shoulders. "I hate seeing you stressed like this. Hey. I was going to give this to you yesterday, but I figured you were too busy to be bothered."

Kaleb handed her an envelope that was written in charr pictograms. Amalthia took the letter, opened it and a smile suddenly crept across her face.

"It's from my warband! They've been asking how I've been doing and whether or not I plan on rejoining them." She folded the letter then handed it to Kaleb as her smile faded just as quickly as it appeared.

He fumbled with the parchment then asked her. "So does that mean you plan on going back to them?"

Amalthia grabbed hold of Kaleb's hand and stroked it in reassurance. "No. Like you, I am now a free agent. My place from here on out will always be with you. So don't worry."

"But don't your people frown on that sort of thing? You know... turning your back on your comrades in arms?"

Amalthia shook her head. "It's not like that. They would respect my decision given the circumstances. In fact, I probably can keep my suffix name of Steelblade if I do go as a free agent. But no matter what happens, they will always be my brothers and sister in arms."

Her mate's face suddenly brightened. "Hey! How about we do a big meetup between your warband and my comrades. I'm sure Cynth and Brad would love to meet your crew."

"Um. We aren't ausarans. Only they have krewes," she said mockingly.

Kaleb playfully thumped her on one of her horns. "What's with you and the homophones?"

"It's my duty to make your life as entertaining as possible," she gently cuffed him on the face with her clawed hand.

The two lovers embraced in a kiss as their passion became more intense. Kaleb began to completely disrobe when Amalthia stopped him.

"Hold it, tiger. I'm still tired, sweaty and very cranky from this project. I'll be in the mood once I get cleaned up and dressed into something more appropriate." She smiled then gave him an affectionate lick on the side of his face.

"Anyway, I think having our 'crews' meeting up would be a wonderful idea. It might take a week or two to get things arranged, but I'm sure they would be thrilled to meet your people," she said as she tucked the letter into her pocket.

Since their stay at Ulfgar's, the couple had become practically celebrities among the people who patronized the tavern. Everyone clamored to talk to and be entertained by the human and charr who openly professed their affection for each other.

After the two had cleaned up and got dressed for a day on the town, they headed downstairs to the main bar. As always, Ulfgar was there to greet them.

"Top of the mornin' to ye, youngsters," the big norn said while holding up a tall mug of ale in a salutary fashion.

Both of them responded in unison. "Hey Ulf."

Kaleb and Amalthia sat next to each other on the bar-stools and each ordered a half-pint of lager. Kaleb was the first to drink his down.

"I wonder when Ari will have those outfits done for us," he wondered while stroking his mate's long golden mane.

Amalthia turned to him and said in a soothing voice as she stroked his arm with her pawed hand. "They should be ready sometime tomorrow. Hey. While we are in Lion's Arch, I would like to do a bit of research."

"Oh? What kind of research?"

"Those life commitment rituals your people call marriages."

Ulfgar let out a hearty laugh.

"What's so funny?" Kaleb and Amalthia asked simultaneously.

The mighty norn leaned down and crossed his arms on the table as he looked at his two dearest friends.

"The one force nothing on the face of Tyria can stop. I meant no disrespect to either of ya. But seeing the evolution of this amazing occurrence brings warmth to this old norn's heart."

"I would love to hear about how your people perform their life commitment rituals," Amaltha stated.

Ulfgar held his arms aloft and grinned. "The traditions of our people are carried in spoken word and written form. As a matter of fact, a cousin of mine is having a handfasting with his beloved in the next month. I would be honored if the two of ye attended."

Kaleb stood up then bowed in respect. "It would be my honor, Ulfgar."

"This is an honor, sir. Thank you." Amalthia saluted then bowed as well.

"You are both most welcome. Oh. Kaleb - I almost forgot. There's a letter for ya," Ulfgar said as he reached under the counter and pulled out an envelope. "It arrived first thing this morning."

After Ulfgar handed him the envelope, Kaleb saw that his father addressed it.

I wonder what this is about, he thought as he opened it.

Upon reading his father's letter, Kaleb looked up at Amalthia and Ulfgar and said in a slightly distressed voice. "My sister, Rachel, has been accepted into the Asuran College of Synergetics. They plan on throwing a going away bash tonight."

Amalthia's ears flattened. "So are you going?"

"Why should I? After what she did to me, I don't owe that kid a minute more of my time." Kaleb crumpled the letter in disgust then threw it on the table.

Ulfgar looked at the wadded piece of paper then back at his longtime friend. He sighed as he bowed his head.

"We norns tell of heroic deeds and epic struggles on the battlefield. But even our people face some of the fiercest, most heartbreaking battles of all - the ones that occur under the roofs of our own homes."

"You've had backstabbing siblings too?" Kaleb asked as Ulfgar handed him back the crumpled piece of paper.

"Lad. Some of the most grievous wounds inflicted upon the heart are the ones given by those closest to us. Hell, I remember a time when my own brother left me for dead after my great hunt. He was jealous over the fact that my deed had won over the heart of one of the most beautiful lass in all of the Shiverpeaks. It took him over three decades to forgive me of that transgression," the old norn said somberly.

"It's so hard to do, Ulf. I mean it was my sister who was responsible for me getting kicked out of the house," Kaleb said angrily.

"No, lad. She only revealed a truth that would have eventually come out in the end. As painful as it was for you, it was a necessary step in your relationship with Amalthia. Perhaps your sister is afraid of something or someone."

"Rachel's always been the perfect little angel, always going to church to look good in the eyes of her mother. I mean, she seems to get a free pass when she's all gaga over that asuran boyfriend of hers. Yet when I mention having a relationship with a charr, my whole family goes to pieces. It's really not fair, yanno?"

Amalthia held Kaleb's hand and smiled. "Kaleb. I think I may know why your sister may be such a brat."

"Oh? You never met her and how would your people know anything about how my people behave in situations like that?" Kaleb observed as he clasped his hands with hers.

"Listen. Hate is a universal principle. It sounds like your sister deeply resents your mother. Trust me, I know this. One day, I would like to talk to members of your family so they can get to know me better."

"My youngest sister would probably love you because she would think you are cute and cuddly. But Rachel... she's an entirely different story altogether. And my mom... I'm afraid she would lose it if she saw you. I'm sorry Amalthia, I just don't think my family is ready for you at this time," Kaleb said somberly.

She nuzzled him. "It's okay. I understand. Like I said before - one step at a time."

"One step at a time, then." Kaleb kissed her on the cheek.

Evening had arrived as Kaleb was walking down the street that led to the place where he was born and raised. He asked Amalthia to remain at Ulf’s since this was a matter that he had to resolve with his own family. Once he neared his former homestead, he heard a faint commotion coming from the barn. Curious about the noise, he changed his course to investigate.

Moaning sounds were coming from one of the spare stalls just on the other side of where he was standing. When he took a lantern to check out what was going on, he looked down and noticed several sheets were sprawled out atop the haystack. In the center, two large lumps began wiggling as groans of pleasure emanated from them. Seconds later, the sheets were flung back revealing the faces of an older man and a much younger woman.

"Uncle Will? Trish?!"

Kaleb's ex-girlfriend saw his dark eyes and hair illuminated by the amber glow of the light. As soon as she saw him she jerked the sheets over her exposed breasts.

"Kaleb... just what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with that charr girlfriend of yours?"

"Trish, Trish. Why does seeing you naked in a hay barn with my uncle, no less, somehow not surprise me? How much lower could you stoop?" Kaleb shot back.

"Kaleb, I..."

"Don't say anything more, uncle. She's just making you feel twenty years younger so she can talk you into marrying her. Am I right?"

Moments later, a barn cat ambled by as it came up to Will Grimwald, begging for a scratch on the neck. But as he began stroking the cat's chin, Patricia abruptly grabbed the feline by the scruff of the neck.

"Screw you, you feline fornicator! Here. Is this what you like making love to? Cause here... have some more pussy!"

Patricia flung the hapless cat through the air as it careened into a hard wood panel of the stall. Unfortunately, Kaleb had no time to react fast enough to catch it. He saw the limp body of the innocent creature and his face suddenly filled with rage. With lightning-fast reflexes he drew his sword then lunged straight towards his ex.

"I would take your head off right where your slutty body lies. What say you now, whore!?" Kaleb was now a force of vengeance.

His uncle was quivering in fear, but managed enough courage to say something. "Kaleb, please. This was all a misunderstanding. I... I cannot believe you did that to the cat, Trish. You had no right to do that to Fredricka."

"What? You were about to propose to me and all you care about is a damn cat?"

Kaleb's rage boiled over. He grabbed the lantern then hovered it just in front of his face revealing his maniacal visage.

"I've offed worthless people like you before. The next time I see your sack-sucking face around here again, I swear I'll have your head mounted on my wall!" He pushed the edge of his sword unto her neck until it drew a slight trickle of blood. When his ex got up very quickly to leave, the man she had been sleeping with jerked back and commented on how the sheets got wet. Kaleb deduced that he must have quite literally scared the piss out of her.

Once the former girlfriend had departed, Kaleb helped his wayward uncle to his feet.

"I can only say that I'm a little disappointed in you, uncle. I just hope she doesn't come back a couple of months later saying that thing in her belly is yours."

Will looked up at his nephew with shame. "I'm so sorry Kal. She said she loved me and wanted me to marry her. I guess I was just a lonely, old man who was desperately seeking companionship."

Nearby, a slight mewing sound could be heard. Kaleb looked over to see that Fredricka was still alive.

"If you don't mind, uncle, I'm taking the cat. She will be much safer with Amalthia and I anyway."

"Take her, please. It was my fault that all of this happened in the first place."

Kaleb picked up the injured feline then gently tucked her into the crook of his arm.

"I've got to go. This night didn't turn out at all as I expected."

His uncle looked up and asked. "Are you still going to Rachel's college acceptance party?"

"Hardly. Given what just happened, I believe that I'll even be less welcome than I already am. Besides, I saw Trish heading towards the family house. No doubt she's spreading more lies about me... well except for the part where I threatened to kill her for doing this to the poor cat. Please enlighten my dad to that fact in case they believe the lie that I just randomly threaten people without good reason," Kaleb said as he departed from the barn while carrying Fredricka in his coat.

***

Over an hour later, Kaleb was back at the tavern showing off the newly rescued feline to everyone. When Amalthia examined the injured animal, she immediately began scrounging for some medical supplies.

"She appears to have a fractured tibia judging by the way she reacts. I'll make a splint. Just give me about five minutes and I'll have something that should help mend the bones properly," Amalthia said as she began salvaging some metal stirring sticks then took them to her workshop to fashion a makeshift splint.

Kaleb took the cat with him being careful to shield her eyes from the flickering blue welding flame. He, then, gently tucked their new charge into a set of sheets at the foot of their bed.

Once Amalthia was done with the splint, she fastened it onto Fredricka then began stroking the creature until it was fast asleep. Kaleb kissed his mate on the cheek then covered the lower half of the cat's body in a knitted shawl.

"I think she'll be fine. Thanks m'dear for crafting that for her."

Amalthia shook her head. "You never told me what happened to the poor thing."

"A vengeful ex happened. I caught her and my uncle in the act and she got pissed, grabbed the cat and threw it against the side of the barn wall." Kaleb's face grew red with anger over replaying the incident in his head.

"Did you lop her head off? I sure would have."

"I came damn close. But she pissed the sheets in fear. For me, that was satisfaction enough."

"I can do her real slow if you like. Go for the kneecaps then work my way up."

Kaleb shook his head disapprovingly. "No dear. A charr killing a human in that manner would only validate bigotry. That little tramp is not worth the powder or the lead in a single cartridge. One way or another, she'll get what's coming to her."

"I gather you didn't make it to your sister's whatever-it-was party."

"Nah. Given what had happened, I don't think I'm going to be exactly welcomed by my family at this time. I just hope my father and uncle see Trish for the person she really is." Kaleb bowed his head as he rubbed his temples, hoping to alleviate an oncoming headache.

"I wrote back to my warband and invited them over to our place this weekend. Didn't you say that Brad and Cynthia would be joining up as well?" Amalthia queried.

Kaleb nodded. "Yup. They'll all be here - pretty much everyone from my unit."

"I hope it'll take your mind off all that's happened." His mate licked him on the forehead then rested her head atop his.

"What will we do with this little girl? I would love to keep her but the two of us are usually gone so much of the time," Kaleb asked.

"Would Ulfgar take him? He seems to love animals."

"He told me that he's allergic to cats. Loves dogs, though."

"Waait... I know..." Amalthia was about to say when Kaleb interjected.

"Ludrick. Of course! I'm sure your old man... err, charr... would love this little gal as a companion."

Amalthia massaged the back of Kaleb's head using her long claws. "Well. We can make plans to see him tomorrow if you like. Don't worry; he's forgiven you for what happened. The only problem may be that he's not forgiven himself for what he did to you."

"It doesn't matter. I understand your father's reasons for doing what he did. Let's call this a peace offering."

"You think your ex will press charges?" Amalthia queried offhand.

Kaleb shook his head. "She has no proof anything happened. Plus, if she did then she would have to hear my testimony of how she not only abused an animal but also pissed on herself and my uncle. The humiliation alone would be enough to deter her from doing anything."

"I hope you're right, love." She kissed him and he returned the favor with a passionate kiss of his own.

"Hey. Our outfits are going to be ready by tomorrow, right?"

Amalthia nodded.

"Good! Then maybe we can both spend some time doing some research into the marriage thing. That is, after we drop our little friend off here at your father's."

The two lovers headed to bed then drifted off to a deep and peaceful sleep as their charge curled up between them and purred loudly in contentment. For the first time in her existence, Fredricka was in a place where she was both safe and loved.

(All chapters have been posted to AO3. Chapter 25 is posted here.)

#gw2 fanfic #tyrias-library #guild wars fan fiction #the outliers #kaleb and amalthia #cw adult situations