#he joined WISE to ensure the happiness of children but when he’s face to face with an actual kid it’s too painful | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

batmayne · 3 years

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𝐉𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒 “𝐁𝐔𝐂𝐊𝐘” 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐒 - fluff alphabet by @snk-warriors

featured song: Hide by Juice Wrld and Seezyn

warnings: small mentions of angst

authors note: this was written before tfatws (aka before I knew bucky’s personality) so I apologize for any inconsistencies and or if he’s ooc.

𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 - what do they like to do with their significant other? how do they spend their free time with them?

Since Bucky’s only available time to spend with you would most likely just be time he had off in between missions (unless you were an avenger yourself), most of your time spent together would be spent relaxing. If you do happen to not be an Avenger or maybe live out of New York (kind of like Laura Barton) he would more inclined to spend time at your house instead of his own. You are his solace away from all of the peril and endangerment that comes with his everyday occupation from saving the world from various threats - anytime spent with you is enough to make him happy. Activities wise I believe that he would enjoy simple things like taking your dog for a walk in the park, visiting a local museum or even just going to a family owned diner to grab milkshakes. Time not spent out would most likely be spent indoors reading or watching movies.

𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐘 - what do they admire about their significant other? what do they think is beautiful about them?

I can’t imagine that things like appearance, weight and height mean a whole lot to him, your personality is what really drew him in. He was initially attracted to your kindness and patience, because just befriending someone with the amount of baggage that his past holds is no easy feat. Unlike others, you didn’t treat him like a monster because of what HYDRA had forced him to do for the past 70 years of brainwashing. He admires you for taking the time to understand him when no one else did, especially after Steve went back in time to be with Peggy. He and Sam had become close of course but it couldn’t compare to what he had with you.

𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓 - how would they help their significant other when they feel down/have a panic attack etc.?

He knows all to well what it means it be “feeling down” or having troubles mentally so he would be very understanding about it. If you a working or have some sort of occupation he would encourage you to probably take some time off to recover and if he was able he would take a break as well so you wouldn’t be alone. If it was more serious he would want you to go get help, because that is what you have done for him in the past.

𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌𝐒 - how do they picture their future with their significant other?

As mentioned earlier, I think that seeing what happened to Steve after he decided to spend his life with Peggy and have children of his own really would have struck a chord with him. Once he came out of HYDRA’s possession I think he may have thought that a chance at having a different life with a significant other and even children would be near impossible - but after he met you he was willing to give that fantasy a second try. I think he would be over the moon with eventually marrying you when things calm down some (he wouldn’t want to put you in danger if some enemy was targeting him) and having a child or two (if you wanted). Overall I think he just just craves for a simple and peaceful life with you, without having to worry about the dangers of his job or the outside world.

𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋 - are they the dominant one in the relationship or rather passive?

The both of you are definitely equals in this relationship, in every aspect. I have to mention though, some of that 40’s gentleman may come out at times where he likes to hold the door open for you or help you out of the car. But he would only do this if you were comfortable with it of course, if it bothered you or got on your nerves in any way he would definitely stop - no questions asked.

𝐅𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 - would they be easy to forgive their significant other? how are they fighting?

There may be more arguments in the beginning of the relationship because he hasn’t been in one in so long, and the majority of them center around either him not wanting to hurt you on accident (I imagine that he is still uncomfortable with his arm) or pushing you away. Eventually after he gets more comfortable around you the fights will lessen, but when they do occur you just give eachother plenty of space before reconciling and trying to work things out. One thing he will not do is leave for a mission without making up with you - if something happened and your relationship was left on a bad note he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself.

𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐄 - how grateful are they in general? are they aware of what their significant other is doing for them?

Bucky is beyond grateful that you are with him and he would reassure you about it constantly. Befriending him alone is a huge task in itself, not everyone has the patience to even do something as simple as that. Taking the time to get to know and understand why he is the way he is without judging him for it is something that he will be forever greatfull for.

𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐘 - do they hide secrets from their significant other? or do they share everything?

As much as he would want to shelter his ominous and dark past from you he knew that wouldn’t be possible with him being a wanted criminal several years ago - he wasn’t exactly famous be he was definitely well known (unfortunately not for the better parts of his life). It would take him some time for him to open up about everything he has gone through, but after some time he will open up about it. It’s nothing against you personally, he just fears that once you know everything you’ll run away from him (which wou wouldn’t of course). He just needs some time.

𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 - did their significant other change them somehow or the other way around? like trying out new things or helped them overcome problems?

Your relationship has had quite the positive effect on him since the start, and it’s something that his friends would immediately take notice of. Of course you couldn’t solve and help with everything that HYDRA has put him through, but just having you around has done tremendous things for his mood. When Sam notices that he hasn’t said “I hate you” to him in the past week, he knew that something was up.

𝐉𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐘 - do they get jealous easily? how do they deal with it?

I think Bucky would be more protective than jealous, but not in a creepy or possessive sense if you get what I am saying? He wouldn’t mind if you spent a lot of time hanging out with friends or anything like that, but if he feels like someone is making you uncomfortable he wouldn’t hesitate to place a reassuring hand around your waist so they’ll back off.

𝐊𝐈𝐒𝐒 - are they a good kisser? how was their first kiss? and 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 - how did they confess to their significant other?

He isn’t particular with his kisses in my opinion, as long as they aren’t too sloppy and there aren’t many people around (I’ll discuss this more in the PDA section). I head canon that he really likes giving and receiving cheek and forehead kisses - but he will repeatedly deny it if you mention it to anyone else. (Your first kiss and love confession happened at the same time so I wrote a little Drabble about it below eugh)

Your first kiss took place when you were bordering the fine line between friends and something more. Bucky was taking some time off after a particularly rough mission and you gave him a place to stay away from all of the action. Finding him outside relaxing on a bench not too far from your house/apartment, you joined him and sat in a peaceful silence for a few minutes.

“Hey [Your Name]?” He spoke tentatively, distracting you from picking at the fraying end of your shorts.

“What’s up?” You questioned in turn, raising an eyebrow. Your breath hitched when you felt the coolness of his metal hand gently grab one of yours, and his human one placed itself on top.

“I just want to say thank you.”

“Bucky, you know you’re welcome to stay here anytime you need to-“

“That’s not what I meant.” He cut you off immediately, his voice wavering slightly. “I mean thank you, for accepting me, and not judging me for my past.”

“Of course.” You chirped back, maybe a little too fast.

It sounds cheesy but it did feel as if something was drawing your faces closer, and you eventually placed your free hand on his cheek as if saying a silent “yes”. When his lips finally pressed upon your own you felt an eruption of butterflies fly around your stomach, especially after you felt his arm glide around to your back. Once he pulled away it was hard to keep the smiles plastered off of both of your faces.

𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐆𝐄 - do they want to get married? how would they propose to their significant other?

Marriage wasn’t one of the things he thought that he would be able to enjoy when he was rescued from HYDRA, but I believe after he began his relationship with you he would most likely change his mind. Within the first few months of dating he already knows that he wants to spend the rest of his life with you so why not go ahead and tie the knot? He’d probably wait around a year to ensure that you felt the same before popping the question. I don’t get the “proposing in front of a large crowd of people vibe” from him so I’d probably say he would propose at an at home dinner where it was just the two of you. Most likely on a holiday such as Valentine’s Day or someday that was meaningful for the both of you (like the day you met or when you officially started dating).

𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒 - what do they call their significant other?

Other than your name, Dollface or Doll.

𝐎𝐍 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄 - what are they like in love? is it obvious to others? How do they express their feelings?

Now, I wouldn’t necessarily call him a simp - because that would be disrespectful, but. Other than being reunited with his childhood best friend Steve, you are the best thing that has happened to him. Of course you couldn’t possibly solve all of his problems and erase everything horrible that has happened to him but you sure do help a lot. Sam notices that he is in noticeably brighter spirits and he is also experiencing less nightmares. When a particular mission gets rough or difficult the only thing keeping him going is knowing that you are at home waiting for him.

𝐏𝐃𝐀 - are they upfront about their relationship? do they brag with their significant other in front of others? or are they shy to kiss etc. with other people around?

Similar to Steve, I reckon that he wouldn’t be comfortable with public displays of affection because of the era he was raised in, where it was more frowned upon. Another thing to remember is that even though his name has been cleared he was a wanted criminal for quite some time, so I imagine he is already somewhat self conscious about being in public already. Additionally, the nature of his job caused him to already be a wanted target for many dangerous people, and he wants to keep you away from that by keeping you a secret from the public. This isn’t to say that he would be opposed to hand holding or subtle things such as that, just nothing that what be too attention grabbing from other people.

𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐑𝐊 - what random ability do they have that’s beneficial in the relationship?

As kind as he is once you get to know him personally - there is no denying that he can be quite intimidating, even without the vibranium arm. Though not intentional. Being with him is like having your own personal bodyguard around you at all times. Normally, you wouldn’t even have to worry about the potential unwanted admirer because his presence would scare them off before they even attempted to say anything.

𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 - how romantic are they? What would they do to make their significant other happy?

I cannot emphasize this enough, he is the perfect gentleman. Since he is unfortunately gone so often (saving the world and all), I theorize that his love language might be Recieving Gifts. They may not be extravagant or expensive but they’re things he thought you would like from the various locations that he’s visitied for missions. As far as making you happy he’ll do just about anything (within reason of course). Take watching movies for example, there may be a particular genre or type of film he isn’t interested in, but if you want to watch it he’ll oblige because he knows you would do the same for him. Another thing is when he is at home and not busy with missions, he ensures that all of his free time is spent with you.

𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 - are they helping their significant other achieve their goals? do they believe in them?

He may not right off understand everything you want to achieve and why, but he would certainly do everything he can to help you achieve in them. Like I said, he might not actually understand entirely all of your goals, but he will be supportive regardless.

𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐋 - do they need to try out new things to spice out their relationship? or do they prefer a specific routine?

Having been basically shut out from the world for the past 70 years, there is a plethora of things that Bucky has not seen yet or tried. Each date you have could mean trying something new, so things rarely ever get boring for with of you. While he doesn’t mind keeping a routine like getting dinner every Friday, its nearly impossible with what he does for a living.

𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 - how much do they know their partner? are they empathetic?

As you do with him, he knows you like the back of his hand. Even though he may not have known you throughout your entire life, I would say knows you on a closer level than most of your friends and relatives (which the exception of your parents and closest friends depending on your on your relationship with them). As stated earlier, he might not understand everything that you might go through but he will surely be empathetic to all of your struggles - as you are with his own.

𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐔𝐄 - how important is the relationship to them? what is it’s in it’s comparison to their things in their life?

Your relationship is by far the best thing that has ever happened to him so if something were to happen to it he would certainly be broken up over it, as would you. A lot of your relationship was founded on helping eachother through difficult times going on in both of your lives so the relationship ending would be quite problematic for the both of you. In comparison to other things that are in his life you are most definitely at the very top of that list.

𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐃 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐃 - a random fluff head canon.

He refuses to let you tie your own shoes when they come loose. It was a subtle thing you noticed even at the beginning of your friendship. One of your laces would come untied and he’d keep insisting that you tie them so you wouldn’t fall and get hurt - until he eventually would just do it himself. It was a subtle gesture but still enough to make you swoon a bit at the kindness of it.

𝐗𝐎𝐗𝐎 - are they affectionate? do they love to kiss and cuddle?

He is indeed affectionate, as long as you are alone and no other people are around. Having said this I feel like having a significant other who is constantly cuddling him might make him uncomfortable, so someone more low key and less touchy would be his vibe. Bucky has spent a lot of his life alone and in isolation, so it would definitely be something that he would get used to at the beginning of your relationship. This doesn’t mean he wont cuddle at all though, he just may not be into it as much as others.

𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 - how will they cope when they are missing their partner?

An unfortunate side effect of dating a superhero is that they’ll be away on missions quite often - you and Bucky’s relationship was no stranger to that. I’d imagine that he would attempt to call and text as much as he could, but of course the majority of the time he would be unavailable. To cope with missing you, he would probably end up talking about it to Sam after a lot of coaxing. While it would indeed help some, what actually kept him going was as I said earlier: knowing that you were at home safe and waiting for him to get back.

𝐙𝐄𝐀𝐋 - what lengths are they will to go for the relationship? if so what kind of lengths?

As I have stated numerous times your relationship is what keeps him going everyday, it’s what wakes him up in the morning. You are the single most important person in his life and always will be. He would do anything within his power to ensure your safety (within the parameters of reason of course). But in general he would do about anything for your relationship.

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muertawrites · 4 years

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Two Halves - Chapter One (Zuko x Reader)

Word Count: 3,700

Author’s Note: I decided to set this a few years after the war, when Zuko is Firelord. I didn’t want to stray too far from what was canon in the series - what with Katara being the only bender left in the Southern Tribe and also trying not to add extra family members because that always feels weird to me - so the reader in this story is a girl from the village who lost her parents to a raid and was essentially adopted into Sokka and Katara’s family; she stayed behind to watch after the tribe when they left to help Aang, and now, as the chief’s surrogate daughter, is arranged to marry the Firelord to help bring the two nations together. Chaos and sweet, tender romance ensues. This is also going to be a mini series! I have no real plot and no idea how long it’s going to be, but that just adds to the fun of it all. Stay tuned.

~ Muerta

“You can’t be serious.”

Sokka, seated beside you, instinctively offers you his hand, which you willingly, eagerly take, gripping it tightly in your lap. You can’t decide if you feel anger or fear; the two mix sourly in your stomach.

“I am,” Chief Hakoda says. His tone is even, and infuriatingly understanding. It makes you want to scream. “Your presence in the Fire Nation will be key to unite the nations in peace once again. They’ve been closed off from the rest of the world for too long - you’ll be an ambassador for our people.”

“Then make me an ambassador,” you snap. “Marrying me off to the Firelord is no better than letting him come here and colonize us.”

Hakoda glowers sternly at you. You shrink back, Sokka giving your hand an assuring squeeze.

“Firelord Zuko has made great strides to restore what his ancestors destroyed in the years since the war,” Hakoda scolds. “He’s an honorable, respectable man. I expect you to treat him as such.”

You look back up at him, letting out a heavy, defeated sigh.

“I don’t have a choice in this, do I?” you ask softly. Your voice quivers, revealing the terror behind your rage.

Hakoda’s expression softens as he stands. He helps you onto your feet, holding you gently at the elbows and looking apologetically into your eyes, one of his hands reaching to brush your hair behind your ear.

“Just because the war is over, it doesn’t mean the need for sacrifice is,” he tenderly says. “You’ll do great things as the queen of the Fire Nation. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t trust Zuko to treat you well.”

In Hakoda’s eyes, you see the man you knew as a child, the man who brought you into his family when you lost your own to a Fire Nation raid. You love him as much as you loved your own father, and know he loves you as much as his flesh and blood children; you trust that he would never put you in harm’s way.

Hakoda leans forward and kisses your forehead, holding you close for a long moment before letting go, breaking contact with you completely. The pain on his face tears a gaping hole in your heart.

“You leave in three days,” he tells you. “You’ll be in good hands - I promise.”

Though you know it isn’t for the last time, leaving the Southern Water Tribe hurts so much you think it might kill you.

You cruise across a calm ocean in a Fire Navy ship; luckily Sokka was allowed to come with you as emotional support, as well as to represent the tribe at your wedding. The presence of Zuko’s uncle is also calming to you, despite how little you know him, and how not long ago you would have considered him an enemy. There’s just something about Iroh that makes you feel safe, and you only hope the same holds true when you meet your husband to be.

“Zuko sent me to ensure your safe passage,” Iroh told you when you first boarded the ship. “Think of me as your guardian spirit.”

You stand on the deck, basking in the newly warm weather and taking deep breaths of fresh ocean breeze. The peace of the moment helps you lose yourself, forgetting your fate entirely, if only for a moment.

“How ya feeling?”

Sokka sidles up next to you, placing an assuring hand on your shoulder. You reach up and curl your fingers around his, sighing.

“Awful, now that you’re here,” you tease.

Sokka chuckles.

“I could still make good on that promise I made when we were kids,” he offers, wrapping an arm around your waist and pulling you into the side of his sturdy, familiar body. “I don’t think Suki or Dad would be really happy about it, though.”

You let out a huff of laughter, remembering all the times you used to play together before the war brought you closer; you used to have intense crushes on each other, and Sokka always promised that he would marry you when you both got older - plans that changed when you effectively became siblings. You lean your head into his shoulder, finding comfort in his presence.

“I’m just scared,” you tell him. “I always planned for great adventure in my life, and to help people, but… this doesn’t seem like the right way. It feels like I’m being taken prisoner.”

“They say that having too many plans for one’s life keeps one from finding their true potential.”

You turn, meeting Iroh’s gaze as he crosses the deck to where you stand. You part with Sokka and bow respectfully, trying to hide the embarrassment that heats your skin.

“I apologize, General Iroh,” you greet him. “I didn’t mean any offense.”

Iroh tuts at you, placing a hand on your shoulder to gently straighten you up. He meets you with a kind gaze and a soft smile.

“Fear is to be expected, my dear,” he says. “You can’t have a great adventure without also facing a great fear.”

He turns and peers out across the water, inhaling and releasing a deep, contented sigh.

“The weather is lovely today,” he notes. “Why don’t we all enjoy it together, with a pot of tea?”

And so a tea set is brought, along with a table and cushions, and you and Sokka join Iroh as he demonstrates how to brew the perfect pot of jasmine green, generously serving each cup. He toasts to your being together, and you drink heartily, savoring the exquisite taste of his famous tea.

“I understand how you must feel,” Iroh addresses you once you’ve all settled. “Coming to a strange country, among people responsible for so much of the pain you’ve experienced; you’re exceptionally brave for doing what is best for your people.”

Iroh takes your hand, cradling it between both of his.

“I am sorry for how my nation - my family - has hurt you,” he says. “My nephew and I only want happiness for you with us, and we will do all we can to ensure it; I give you this vow among his.”

He squeezes your hand tightly, and you grip back, accepting his promise. You bow again, lowering yourself so that your face is almost level with the deck of the ship.

“Thank you, General Iroh,” you reply. “Your generosity means everything to me.”

When you sit up, Sokka places a hand at your back, giving you a comforting smile.

“Zuko’s a good guy,” he assures you. “I really think you’ll learn to like him.”

Your arrival in the Fire Nation, much to your surprise, is met with celebration. As your ship pulls into port, army and navy officers in full ceremonial regalia perform displays of their bending, a traditional band playing cheerful, joyous music to welcome you to shore. A procession of military vehicles escorts you through the streets of the capital to the palace, citizens emerging from their homes and businesses to catch a glimpse as your carriage rolls by. The people who manage to see you are elated, if not curious, staring at you with wide eyes and rapt attention; Iroh explains that many of them have never seen a foreigner, as travel to the nation is only just starting to become somewhat commonplace. You’re confronted by the beauty and grandeur of the city - the tall, elegant buildings with their ornate details are far from anything you’ve ever seen in person, even with the rapid development of the Southern Tribe.

In the palace, you’re immediately whisked away to your own wing, your quarters designated to a set of quaint buildings circling a scenic courtyard. Tradition dictates that, from the time of your engagement, you aren’t allowed to see the man you’re meant to marry until you’re both at the alter; the first few days of your time in the Fire Nation are spent in seclusion, resting off the fatigue of travel and acquainting yourself with the new culture you must now call your own. Though you have to keep your distance, you’re relieved when, on your first morning in the palace, you find a letter on your doorstep, scrawled in a refined, graceful hand and addressed from the Firelord himself.

Hello, it says, Zuko here.

I wish I could introduce myself in person, but unfortunately, this will have to do for now. Sokka has told me much about you in the years we’ve known each other, and he always speaks of you highly. My uncle is also already enamored with you, and tells me he already considers you family, so I hope this brings as much comfort to you as it does to me. I don’t think I could have chosen a better woman to rule at my side.

I have to admit that I’m nervous about getting married. I still feel like I’m too young, and still just figuring things out. But I guess if I can lead a country and make peace after a hundred years of war, I can have a wife and make her happy. I hope I do make you happy - I hope we can be close friends and lead the nation strongly together, for the better of both our homes.

Please write to me if you need anything. Sincerely yours, Firelord Zuko.

The candidity and awkwardness of his writing makes you smile, your mind at ease being able to put a voice to his name. You decide to write him back immediately.

Hello, Zuko, you write.

Your letter has already made me feel much better. Your uncle is a very sweet, very wise man, and I’m thankful that you sent him to watch over me - he makes me feel like I already have a little piece of a home and a family here. Meeting the man who raised you, I have faith that you’ll be a good husband to me.

I’m very scared because, unlike you, I’ve never led a country or had to negotiate peace - getting married is the biggest responsibility I’ve ever had. I want to help people, though, and if I can help people by leading them out of the darkness of war, I’m very happy to do it. It isn’t as terrifying knowing you’re also nervous; I’m glad we can be nervous together.

Please write to me as much as possible until the wedding. It would be nice to get to know my husband before I marry him. Sincerely yours, the bride.”

For the following days, you and Zuko exchange multiple letters; you have one waiting for you every morning, receive a reply by midday, and end each night wishing him pleasant dreams. You learn that he’s very intelligent and, though quite subdued, has a sense of humor much like your own. He has a passion for weaponry and the art of combat, as well as for storytelling and music (he tells you that dancing has recently been unbanned in the Fire Nation, and wonders if you’ll be able to teach him any Water Tribe dances; you promise to help as much as you can). The more you write to him, the less daunting the idea of your marriage seems, and you find yourself feeling excited by the idea of finally meeting him.

The day of your wedding starts early. You’re woken at dawn, fed a breakfast of tea and jook (both prepared by Iroh, and sent on a tray beside a polished wooden box - inside is a traditional hair comb and a note from the old man, explaining that the comb was given to his mother by his father on their wedding day; the gesture sends you to tears), then sent to the palace baths to be buffed and primed for your wedding attire.

You’re stripped down and steeped in multiple perfumed liquids, scrubbed with an array of soaps and exfoliants, and washed so thoroughly you think your handlers might have exposed an entirely new layer of skin. They wax every single hair from your body as well; you only attempt to draw the line when they reach your nether area.

“Please don’t,” you request, firm but not commanding. “I don’t think I’ll need it.”

The beautician scoffs at you, pushing you back onto the waxing table and forcefully spreading your legs apart.

“Foolish girl,” she huffs. “Of course you will. Royal marriages must always be consummated on the wedding night - the Firelord will want as many heirs as you can give him, as soon as possible.”

Her brute words make you sick to your stomach, and as she rips away the hair between your thighs, tears roll down your cheeks from both pain and horror. You want to believe the man who’s been writing to you for the past five days would never force himself onto you in the name of tradition, but it dawns on you once again that you don’t truly know him, and can’t anticipate his actions.

Once you’ve been wrung out from your time at the bath house, you’re sent back to your sleeping chambers, where you’re pleased to find not only lunch waiting for you, but visitors as well.

“Katara!” you cry, flying across the room and into her arms. She laughs, hugging you so tightly you can hardly breathe.

“Oh, I’ve missed you!” Katara cries, whirling you around a few times before setting you back onto your feet. “You already look so beautiful! How do you feel?”

“I’m terrified,” you tell her, “but so much happier now that you’re here.”

“Don’t forget me!”

Aang waves from behind Katara and you shout with glee, greeting him in the same manner you did her. He also crushes himself against you, and when you pull away, you cup his face between your hands.

“You look older!” you exclaim, squeezing his cheeks. “You grow every time I see you!”

Aang laughs, pushing your hands away with a pink blush creeping over his nose and ears.

“I’m a grown man, and the avatar,” he says, teasingly poking your shoulder. “You can’t keep treating me like I’m still twelve.”

“I can and I will,” you jest, lightly punching him in the stomach. He cackles and puts you in a (gentle) headlock, rubbing his knuckles into your skull to tangle your freshly washed hair.

“Hey, kids, that’s enough,” Sokka scolds playfully as he enters the room. “Let’s eat, otherwise I’ll be way too tempted by the spread at the reception tonight.”

Lunch with your siblings is the last moment of relative calm you have before the wedding and its reality truly start to set in. After the meal, Sokka and Aang leave to help Zuko with his own preparations, Katara staying to help you with yours. Your handlers navigate you into your dress, a traditional gown and robes made of many layers of fine silk and embroidered with dragons and native Fire Nation flowers; the train and sleeves fall so far behind you, you worry about tripping or scuffing the fabric. Once you’re dressed, your face is painted white, your features then outlined as if they were being drawn anew into your skin. You hardly recognize yourself once the handlers are finished with you, the anxiety you felt upon learning of your engagement returning with newfound ferocity.

Katara is the one to style your hair. Keeping with custom, she knots a portion of it atop your head in a tight bun, using the comb Iroh gave you to hold it in place. She then takes the remainder of your hair and braids it into two sections on each side of your face, the way it would be worn in the Water Tribe; she laces each braid with a string of beads from home, crystalline blue totems to ensure happiness and long life hanging at the end of each, contrasting beautifully with your gown. She cries when she steps back to look at you, carefully dabbing at her tears so as not to ruin her own makeup and dress.

“You’re so gorgeous,” she tells you. “I’m so glad Sokka never married you like he said he would, he would look awful at the alter next to you.”

You laugh, opening your arms and hugging her tightly, forcing your own tears back for the sake of the effort that’s been put into your costume.

For the last few minutes before the wedding, you’re alone; you stand outside the doors of the palace’s grand courtyard, flanked on both sides by guards, listening nervously as Iroh (who’s officiating, per his nephew’s request) praises you and recites a poem in your honor. His sentiments are exceedingly affectionate and should move you, but all you can think of is Zuko; what will he think of you? Will he like you as much in person as he did in writing? Was he just pretending to like you for the sake of your union? What if he didn’t think you were pretty? What if, like the beautician said, he forced you to sleep with him tonight, simply because it’s what’s meant to be done? You chew at your nails, biting them so hard that some of them start to bleed.

Music swells from inside the courtyard, and suddenly the doors before you swing open. You hold your head as high as you can, stepping forward with as much grace as you can manage and beginning to traverse the impossibly long aisle to the wedding altar. You breathe deeply, scanning the group of people standing before it - you see Katara first, and she nods encouragingly, looking like she’s about to cry all over again. Your eyes sweep over to Sokka, standing beside her, and he seems somewhat shocked by your appearance - not that you blame him, seeing as you look like a complete stranger, even to yourself. Iroh gazes at you from the center of the altar, wearing the expression of a proud father that makes you wish Hakoda were there. Aang stands beside Zuko, and you can tell from his face that he was bored by this whole display until you emerged from hiding; you stifle your laughter at his predictable, endearing disposition.

Finally, your eyes fall on the groom. The first thing you notice is his stare, cutting into you as he watches you approach; his chiseled, angular features have fallen into an awed expression, one that causes a giddy tickle in your chest. He’s tall, slim, with broad shoulders that carry his wedding robes proudly - his clothing matches yours, the only difference being the armored sheath across his chest that signals his status as ruler of the Fire Nation. You’re reminded that his father wore it before him, and a shudder runs through you as you recall all you suffered at his hands; you push it from your mind, climbing the altar steps to stand beside your betrothed. He gently takes your arm, a warm, timid smile breaking across his lips.

“Spirits,” Iroh addresses the crowd, “we gather before you to join this man, this woman, and our two great nations in a union of peace and prosperity. With your blessing and guidance, their souls will form two halves of a great whole, coming together to foster a new era of love and commitment not just for their people, but for each other. The bride and groom will now recite their vows.”

Iroh nods towards you, and you lower yourself onto your knees, bowing before the Firelord. You clear your throat, hoping that the entire country doesn’t hear the quiver in your voice.

“My lord,” you begin, “I give myself to you as completely as I give myself to my tribe. I swear, from this day forward, to walk confidently by your side in all your endeavors, to uphold the honor of our nations and families, and to be a guiding light into the future for every citizen of the Fire Nation. I will be your support, your comfort, and your ally in all aspects of our life together, and will serve you as loyally and dutifully as you serve me.”

You stand, taking one of the rings that sits upon the altar and slipping it onto Zuko’s finger; his skin is warm, his palms rough, and he shakes as violently as you do.

“I give you this ring as a symbol of our union, to represent the bond that holds us for all our days.”

Once you finish, thankful you didn’t stumble over your words or forget them completely, Zuko kneels, mirroring the way you bowed to him.

“My lady,” he recites, “by my word, I will serve you honorably and affectionately for all our time together. If you should ask for my compassion, I will give it; if you should seek after my heart, I will offer it willingly; and if I should stray from my path, I will follow you back onto it. I vow to you my devotion, and to bring you happiness and freedom. I trust in you the power to lead and govern my people as justly as I do.”

He stands and takes the other ring, delicately placing it as you did his.

“I give you this ring as a symbol of our union, to represent the bond that holds us for all our days.”

In most weddings, this would be the moment when the bride and groom embrace each other in a devoted, passionate kiss; instead, Zuko takes your arm and you face the court of respected leaders and diplomats from across the four nations, gripping each other tightly - you hold each other as if you’re the only support the other has to keep standing. Iroh’s typically soft, pleasant voice booms from behind you:

“I present the lord and lady of the great Fire Nation.”

Everyone in attendance folds onto their hands and knees, bowing as the band once again begins to play. You descend from the altar, your head feeling like it’s floating miles above your body, and exit through the doors you’d been shivering behind only minutes before - this time, with your husband beside you.

#muerta's works #two halves #zuko #zuko x reader #zuko x you #prince zuko x reader #prince zuko x you #prince zuko #prince zuko fanfic #zuko fanfic #zuko fanfiction #prince zuko fanfiction #atla fanfic

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phoenix-downer · 3 years

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The Princess of Light Chapter 7: This Is Warmth

~1520 words. Angst, Romance, Fluff, Fairy Tales. For SoKai Week 2021, Day 7.

Summary: Princess Kairi is cursed to be without love when she is a baby. She grows up cold and without a heart to help her understand other people’s feelings, no matter how hard her parents try to help her. One day, however, she meets a mysterious prince from a faraway world, and he just might hold the key to breaking her curse.

Everything feels quite heavy after you’ve had a brush with death, and for Sora things were no different. He was swimming against a strong current that dragged him down and pulled him further into darkness. Wouldn’t it be easier to just let go? Give up and sink deeper? Give his heart and soul to the abyss?

He was as good as dead anyway. His life for hers, his heart to save the Heart of the World. That was the deal; that was the only way the magic inscribed on the lucky charm would work.

“Sora!”

Her voice. He’d never expected to hear it again. And yet here it was, calling out to him.

“Please wake up!” she cried.

“I’m asleep?” he said weakly. “I thought I was dead.”

“Sora!”

He sat up, groggy. A heavy fog lingered over his whole body, like he was swimming through syrup. The way she’d said his name—so tenderly, with so much care and worry—he’d never dreamed he’d hear such a thing thanks to her curse. Her voice compelled him, and he had to answer.

“Kairi,” he said softly, sweetly, allowing himself to address her without her title. Light pierced the darkness, and strength surged through him. He swam towards the light, and with each passing moment it got easier and easier to go against the dark current trying to drag him back down to the abyss. At last the light enveloped him, warm and soft and bright, and his eyes flew open.

He gasped for air, drawing it into his lungs like he couldn’t get enough of it. Never does oxygen feel so wonderful as it does when you haven’t had enough of it. He gulped it in, swallowed it and grasped it till his blood was pumping it through his veins. Once that was taken care of, he could attend to his beloved Kairi hovering over him. He mustered a weak smile for her. Had she really stayed with him all this time?

“Kairi,” he said tenderly, then cupped her cheek. She burst into tears, an entire lifetime’s worth pouring out of her all at once, and a lump built in his throat. Her very first tears since she was a baby, and they were for him. “It’s okay,” he said softly. “I’m alive. It’s gonna be okay.”

She cried and cried and cried like he’d never seen anyone cry before, and thunder rumbled through the room and lightning illuminated the sky. And then it rained and rained and rained, like the whole world was in tune with her tears.

He put his arms around her, and she just kept crying and crying. He felt a few tears of his own well up in his eyes as he held her. No more strange gap in her back where the hole in her heart should be. Instead she felt warm and firm as she shuddered and sobbed into his chest.

When at last she had cried the last of her tears, he cupped her cheek and smiled. “You begged me to wake up again, and I heard your voice.”

That brought a fresh wave of tears from her, but those tears were mixed with smiles and laughter. She paused for a moment and touched her chest.

“Huh? There’s—There’s no hole anymore—”

She looked at Sora and then at Aqua.

“The curse must be broken!” Aqua cried and held her arms out.

Kairi tried to stand, but she immediately lost her balance. Sora grabbed her before she could tumble to the floor, then gently brought her back to the bed.

“My chest is so heavy!” she cried, her eyes wide. “Like it’s pulling me down to earth.”

Sora smiled sadly. “You do have your heart back, then.”

A heart was a wonderful thing to have, but it also brought sorrow and pain with it. The joy and delight made it worth it though. Especially when the king and queen entered the room and saw the curse was lifted and their daughter was restored.

“Kairi!” the queen cried and ran to the bed. She brought her daughter into her embrace, and the king soon joined them both in a group hug. The three of them wept together, for Kairi finally understood what it was to cry. Sora sighed happily at the sight unfolding before him. The king and queen had dreamed of this moment for so long, and he knew it was important to give the family their space. But then the king looked at Sora with such gratitude that Sora was moved deeply by his display of emotion.

“Thank you, Sora,” he said, his voice breaking a little. Sora didn’t know what to say, but that was quite alright, as the king simply pulled him into the group hug. And then of course the queen brought Aqua in so that all five of them were embracing. This moment was only possible because of Sora’s sacrifice and Kairi’s light that had willed him back to life, and such marvelous things had to be celebrated. Together their hearts had created the most powerful magic of all.

~~~

Over the next few weeks, Kairi had to relearn how to walk, for having her heart restored had completely changed her center of gravity. Thankfully, she had a very eager and willing teacher by her side every step of the way. Sora took her outside near the light pool, and she used the nearby trees to hobble from one support to the next as he waited patiently with outstretched arms.

“I never thought having a heart would be this heavy,” Kairi said as she grasped her chest, panting for breath. She felt as if every step would make her go tumbling to the ground. She searched Sora’s face for some sort of encouragement. “Will it always feel like this?”

He shook his head. “Not always. Sometimes it’ll feel heavy, sure. You’ll feel sad or down or lonely. But that’s not all you’ll be able to feel.” At this he swept her up into his arms like he had so many times before when they fell in together. “Other times, your heart will be so full you can hardly stand it,” he added, for he was speaking of how he currently felt. “You’ll feel like you’re so happy you’re soaring,” he continued, spinning her around for good measure as she laughed with delight. Her laughter was so different from how it had been before; it was so warm and full of life.

“Like how I feel now?” she asked with a sweet smile, and he nodded and grinned. Then she kissed him, and at first his eyes went wide, and then they fluttered shut as he returned the kiss. You would hardly have been able to find a happier young man in all the worlds.

“So this is warmth,” she said afterwards, resting her forehead against his and sighing happily.

“This is warmth,” he confirmed, and she covered his face in such a flurry of kisses that his heart nearly burst. He carried her to the little hill over the light pool as fast as possible, and together they jumped in again, plunging in once more.

Now, I mentioned before that when Sora restored the Heart of the World, he restored the rest of the light pools and lakes and streams and rivers of Radiant Garden too. And indeed he did, just like the prophecies said. So the people of Radiant Garden once more enjoyed the delights of the light flowing throughout their land. No longer was it limited to just the royal family.

Eventually Kairi could walk on her own again, and the moment she could, she insisted she and Sora be married. Everyone happily agreed, Sora most of all. Watching her carefully walk down the aisle to him like they’d practiced so many times made his heart swell. And the smile on her face and the happy tears in her eyes as they exchanged their vows? It made everything that had come before worth it. Kairi had the biggest, brightest, most beautiful heart of them all.

Now, you might be wondering what happened to Maleficent. By necessitating Sora’s sacrifice to save the Heart of the World and thus Kairi, she also ensured her defeat. The moment the last of Sora’s light exploded out of him and fully restored the Heart of the World and everything else, it poured through her castle just like it poured over the rest of Radiant Garden. Coming into direct contact with something so good and pure gave Maleficent such a shock that she keeled over dead. Either that or the entire castle collapsing around her did her in. The soldiers who found her weeks later weren’t entirely sure.

Either way, at long last the person who had brought such suffering to Radiant Garden, to the king and queen, to Princess Kairi, and to Prince Sora, was gone. Never again was Kairi’s heart cursed. She and Sora were happily married the rest of their days and ruled graciously and wisely. And they had several delightful children, all of whom enjoyed the full use of their hearts.

~~~

A/N: Thank you to everyone who read, reblogged, and commented on my story! I really appreciate all the support ❤️If you enjoyed this adaptation, I would highly recommend the original story (The Light Princess by George MacDonald). And thank you again @scoobysnack1107 for reading over the story for me! Happy SoKai Week everyone!

#sokai #sokaiweek #sokaiweek2021 #sora #kairi #kingdom hearts #kh fanfiction #phoenix writes #phoenix-downer #romance #fairy tale #fairy tales #happily ever after #the light princess #inspired by the light princess #the princess of light #chapter seven #long post

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stylishanachronism · 3 years

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Classic Aedyran and/or Dyrwoodan love story archetypes (and which gods they do and/or REALLY REALLY DO NOT invoke or involve)?

This went extremely sideways and also has no internally consistent organization, but that’s why it’s a series of bullet points and not an essay.

So Aedyrans are pretty obviously into three things: duty, tragedy, and Drama. Like on the surface it’s all austere dutiful piousness but go like, an inch below that and the dramatics just start pouring out.

-I’m not saying Aloth isn’t like, legit anxious about the very real trouble he’s about to be or currently in, I’m just saying a solid chunk of that is rooted in a culture that takes ancestor worship to really weird places, among other things, and literally none of it is as big a problem as literally anybody is making it out to be.

—the appearance of not even wrongdoing but just.... not enough virtue signaling is *just as bad* as actual wrongdoing. (They blackmail that one kid with his mom’s probably-fictional indiscretions? To the point where it kills him even.) Like ‘I saw Goody Proctor vent’ is actually the name of the game here.(1)

That being said, and given soap operas have not been invented, we’ve probably got three major schools of art:

-high brow morality plays in which either our poor ill fated couple, torn apart by (unscrupulous relatives? That hussy down the street? A wild misunderstanding involving a stolen baby who was swapped for another stolen baby? Somebody’s being tempted away from true love here, to whatever end) fate, dutifully come back to each other and are deliriously respectably happy together, or fall into despair and die over their bad choices. Think extra-overwrought Victorian ‘modernists’(which I heartily don’t recommend.), crossed with the soapiest tellanovellas you can imagine (which if you’re into that style of drama, I do)

-fantasy Shakespeare, where all the dick jokes are so old nobody recognizes them any more, possibly with a moral stapled to the end

-eyebrow raising, too much for today’s delicate stomachs, fucking wild shit presented as ‘educational’, with worse shit underground(2), because the veneer is more important than the reality of the thing.

But the major tropes you’re going to see like.... overall, not just in theater, are probably more community based? Like, you fall in love with your neighbor’s kid, she falls in love with you, so you both go to your mothers and they’ll determine whether it’s a good match or not, you technically don’t really get a say in the matter.(3) There’s also probably a lot of superstition involved? Like, if the omens are bad you’re not getting married, but if they’re just okay you may have to wait six months.

-also there’s a lot of hideously complex contract work over who’s marrying into what, among other things.

—divorce isn’t an option! Better hope your relatives pick wisely!

—- more accurately divorce is even more hideously complex and expensive, so unless your spouse is actively trying to kill you it’s probably not worth it, and even then you’d probably have serious second thoughts.

In terms of like, the Ideal Romantic Partner (not necessarily romantic partner, but given you’ve got to be married if you want to(socially acceptably) have sex or have kids, because Aedyrans are wild), you’re probably looking at someone dutiful, who will put their own comfort second to keeping their word, cultured but not smug about it, efficient but thorough, graceful and always perfectly composed no matter what happens, soft spoken without being servile, and the whole package should come across as effortless.

We’re attempting to ignore all the work I’ve done re: shitty Protestants, so we’ve canonically got nobody actually in charge of marriage anywhere, so probably you’re praying to Woedica (to keep your contract) and Hylea (if you need this marriage to be fruitful), and maybe even Ondra (to ensure everybody remains faithful, because Aedyrans are Dramatic, and the fucking moon bedroom is a thing)

As for the Dyrwodans:

Less repression + more inversion ceremonies mean they’re way less dramatic in general, but obviously that means they’re still Really Dramatic, given they’re into swearing eternal feuds over literally nothing every other day. They place a much stronger importance on soul lineages than blood lineages, but whether you take that into consideration re: romance probably depends on what current feuds your family and/or community is currently embroiled in, and how serious they are. And if you have the cash/local cipher to get said lineage traced.

-Theater tropes are going to tend towards the comedic (think 27 dresses, or some other friendshippy romcom) and bawdy, and also fantasy Shakespeare, now with added dick jokes, because the existing ones are still too old to be recognizable, and probably some of the less overwrought Aedyran and Vailian plays, maybe. Also the whole theater plot, because that is a thing, even if they’ve had to bury it both deeper and shallower than Aedyr.

As a general thing, marriage is still mostly a practical thing, and while your families are definitely involved, they’ve generally got much less of a say in it. Outside of high society weddings, which are obviously more alliances than anything else, there’s generally not a contract so to speak; because children belong to their mothers, and nobody much cares where she got them unless she’s already married, when and if she does get married, it’s socially expected that her new spouse will join her household, and splitting up a household is so socially unacceptable murder is a neater, less fraught solution than divorce(4).

Your Ideal Romantic Partner (who probably is romantic, unless you need an extra pair of hands all the time that badly) is clever without being supercilious, with an easy disposition and a good sense of humor, willing to take life as it comes, but also to defend what they’ve got to their last breath, generous and community minded, but still independent enough not to need looking after, forthright but not unkind, and you should be able to tell how hard they work for whatever it is they want.

As for gods: pre everything, you’re probably looking to Abydon, to build your disparate members into a household, and Eothas, to make that household into a home. Post everything, it’s just Abydon, maybe Magran to ask that whatever trials you face make you stronger together. I don’t know, there isn’t a really good option there re: canon.

1: the Readcerans somehow take this even further but in an even weirder direction, this shit is wild, babes, but we’re not talking about them today

2: I’ve got a specific horrible irl example in mind but we’ll go with the theater quest in PoE, turned up to 11, because that lot hasn’t had nearly as much time to get established as Aedyran equivalents have.

3: congrats this is why Aloth is so hard to romance I guess. Nobody has approached his mother about him/he hasn’t asked his mother to approach anyone. Also I have extensive thoughts on the vagaries of social class re: marriage, so like, who exactly does the approaching is probably equally complex!

4: look I didn’t put that quest in there, what the fuck else am I intended to think? ....I mean Obsidian definitely definitely didn’t expect me to come up with polyamory gone wrong but like I’m not reaching when I say that’s the conclusion I came to. Hooray for weddings?

#thank you for meming me!!!#it’s shitty three am nonsense essay time yay #pillars of eternity #some of this is like... inspired but most of it is drivel #and all of it is uncited and unreferenced #also like look there’s a bunch of stuff I didn’t put in canon but I really don’t know what obsidian expected me to get out of it #except Not That #like I didn’t have it be a whole thing Aloth is Extremely Popular and Everyone Wants to Marry Him #and I didn’t have at least three separate characters go on about how Edér is The Ideal Romantic Partner #nor did I make him the romantic lead of both games no matter who you actually romanced #idk???? idk #please insert a solid helping of gender =/= sex in here is is Late I am Tired #and I talked about social roles already #if you’ve read The Importance of Being Ernest (which I recommend it’s hysterical)#I need you to know Wilde was poking fun at an extremely specific trope with the lost baby backstory #it’s in so many plays from the period #So Many #if they could shoehorn it in they did #goodnight I love you thanks for playing #if you would like a Terrible Bulletpoint Essag of your very own hit me up

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lokis-daggers · 3 years

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Untitled Thor/Loki brothers Fic (1/?)

As you can tell I suck at titles.

Prompt: Thor and Loki shenanigans before everything fell apart in Thor 1, Young adult teenage Thor and Loki. I'm not very well versed in Norse mythology, but I will try to be as accurate as possible.

Warnings: Hot/Cold, Fluff/Angst, Injuries (Whump, like a lot of it), Odin being the bag of shit that he was (abuse).

Poor grammar, tried my best to proofread, but please bare with me.

The wing was blowing through his hair, the smell of forest, mud and fresh rain all blended in the atmosphere covering the stench of sweat radiating from his body, Thor looked back and found his younger brother chasing him through the forest. "Where did you hide my book of enchantments mother gave me!?" Loki shouted from the top of his lungs, Thor smirked and simply continued running, he knew that Loki wasn't as fast a sprinter as he was, "Tell me what you were doing in fathers chambers last night and I'll give it back!" Thor turned around to check on the distance when he slipped on a patch of mud. Lokis eyes widened and took the chance to prance on top of his older, more muscular older brother. He took a branch from the ground, "Give it back now before I stab your eye out!" He gritted his teeth. Thor grabbed Loki by the collar and flipped him onto the ground, he took the branch from Lokis's hand and now had his elbow digging into Lokis's chest. Loki grunted in pain, surely the amount of pressure he was applying was only enough to restrain Loki not to hurt him so Thor was taken back when he heard the grunt of pain from his younger brother, he loosened his grip, "Just tell me what happened in fathers chambers!"

"Nothing! Nothing happened! I went to look for mother!" Loki shouted.

"You were in there for hours!" Thor shouted back.

"I needed help with a conjuring spell!" Loki lied.

"You're a terrible liar brother, Sif saw you exit the chambers last night looking defeated, she had thought that you might have gotten into a fight with Volstagg, but that was not the case." Thor picked him up from the ground and held him against a tree.

"Conjuring spells tire me out, I swear I was conspiring against you if that's what you worried about, now give me my book back!" Loki then took the chance to knee Thor in the groin.

Thor fell to the ground groaning in pain, "Jeez brother, that was uncalled for..." Thor held his hand in midair, the large leather-bound book then appeared. Loki took it back from his hand and walked away.

Thor picked himself back up and ran after his brother, "Do wanna join me hunting before dinner?" Thor asked him in a friendly tone.

"No." Loki walked faster.

"Come on brother! We all know you wanna come along, you can show off your dagger skills!"

"No."

"Loser."

Loki stopped in his tracks, "I beg your pardon"

Thor smirked, "Then beg."

Loki rolled his eyes and continued walking back to the palace.

"Sif is still telling everyone that her marksmanship is better than yours across the realms," Thor whispered into his ears tauntingly.

Loki laughed out loud, "Well you can tell her I'm going to show her true skills."

Thor picked up his steps and walked backwards in front of Loki, "Great! I'm taking that as a yes, meet at the city gates 2 hours before dinner!" Thor ran off into the village probably up to something stupid with the warriors three.

Loki dragged his feet back into his room, he calls it a room, but the size was comparable to a Midgardian middle school gymnasium. He plopped down by his desk and flipped through the pages of enchantments. The longer he sat in his chair the sorer he felt. He avoided the healer's chambers at all cost, worried that others would catch on about his mysterious ailments. He walked over to his bookshelf that was overflowing with books sprawled on the floor, he found a book of healing spells, he took the book to his bed and took his leather outer layer off, revealing the green shirt underneath, he lifted his shirt and saw the canvas of red and purple bruises, he sighed and held his right hand over the bruises to apply the spell, his hand glowed green as the pain faded away, the bruises remained. He pulled his shirt back down and rubbed his eyes, he was recalling how he got these bruises. Yesterday morning he was practicing his enchantments when he came up with an amazing idea. He was going to turn Thor into a frog. He baited his brother to the courtyard and when he was distracted he did exactly that, in a blink of an eye Thor was the size of his palm, after poking at his brother who was then a frog he tried to turn him back, but he couldn't, no matter how hard he focused on the spell he couldn't do it. He placed Thor into his pocket and ran to find his mother in the gardens, the issue was, the all-father was also there. Loki fell to his knees and asked his mother to turn his brother back, "Mother I am aware of my frivolous mistake, Can you please turn Thor back?"

Frigga looked to Odin and smiled, "You foolish child." Odin mumbled. Frigga waved her hand and the weight of his full-size brother fell on top of Loki, "Loki that was so cool!" Thor laughed. Frigga helped both her children up to their feet, "Now now, go and play."

Thor laughed and greeted his father goodbye before prancing off somewhere, Loki was about to follow him when Odin told, "Loki, I'll have a word with you later tonight." Loki bowed his head down and ran off to find Thor. Later that evening was standing outside of Odin's chamber. A guard opened the door for the young prince, when the doors closed, Loki felt a bash to the stomach. Odin and stomped him down onto his knees, "Do you know what you are being punished for, boy?" He asked in an ever so condescending tone.

"I was frivolous, foolish, I was not using my wits and caused a mess, I am truly sorry father."

Odin paced back and forth in front of Loki, "What would you have done if Frigga had not reversed your spell."

Loki hung his head low, "I promise father, it will not happen again" Odin swung Gungnir (His staff) towards Lokis's side, knowing to avoid his head to avoid visible injuries. Loki clenched his saw and continued kneeling. The hour or so he was being told off by Odin while taking a few kicks here nod there, by the time Odin got tired he ordered Loki back to his room. Loki hadn't noticed that Sif was right around the corner when he headed back to his room.

Loki closed the book of healing spells in front of him and sighed. This will all be worth it when he gets crowned king he thought to himself.

After some light reading, Loki walked over to his armoury and pulled out his set of daggers and his bow and arrow. He took his horse and headed towards the city gates. He made eye contact with Hogun first, he waved over to Loki, then so did the rest, Thor smiled from ear to ear when he spotted his brother. "Everyone's here!" Thor cheered. Fandral then asked, "So what are hunting today, elks?" Thor shook his head. "Even better Fandral, bandits." Thor was nodding his head. Everyone was taken back, Sif then spoke, "Wait, Thor, you don't mean the bandit camp in the southern forest do you?"

Thor cracked his knuckles and pointed to her, "Right on the nose. I heard father talking about their plan of rebellion and his plan to annihilate the camp with the guards, so I thought, what not a better idea than us going to annihilate the camp proving to Father and the nine realms what we are capable of!" No one else questioned his decision, but Loki. "Brother, I don't think that to be wise, if things go south we could be outnumbered the captured causing chaos in the palace. Then say that we do go and deafest the bandits, the fact that we are going on an unsanctioned palace mission will not make father happy."

Before Loki could begin his next sentence Thor was leading the others towards the southern forests. Loki has a moment of thought where he was going to go back to the palace to alert Odin, but then if Odin found that he left Thor and the others in the middle of the battlefield he would get the punishment of a lifetime, so he foolishly followed.

Thor didn't know what went wrong, one moment they had the upper hand and suddenly they were severely outnumbered, Thor looked around as he fended for himself to ensure that his friends and brother were okay.

Hogun was surrounded by the bandits Loki ran to his side to aid him, but Hogun was stabbed through his left shoulder, the sound of his scream as the blade ripped out of his flesh rang in Lokis ears, "Thor we need to go now!" Loki shouted, Sif ran over and assisted Hogun as Loki ran towards his foolish brother, he slew the bandits as he got closer and closer to Thor, "You idiot, we need to go now!" Loki grabbed onto Thor's shoulder, Thor had blood dripping down his face from a wound to the head, Loki didn't have time to worry about him as he physically dragged his brother back to the horses, Fandral was already running behind Hogun and Sif as he protected them from being attacked, Volstagg was surrounded, nowhere to run. Thor ran back and Loki had realized why, Loki gripped the twin daggers as he ran in to get Volstagg with Thor, at this point, it was 3 vs 20. Thor hoisted Volstagg up and fought his way through, Loki was right behind them, then Loki noticed a bandit aim an arrow right at Thor from between the Trees, Loki tried to conjure a shield of some sort, but it didn't work, when the arrow was released Loki pushed Thor down to the ground, Volstagg falling with him, Loki felt the pain of the arrow rip through him, his right side was on fire before Thor could form a sentence Loki pulled the arrow and aimed it with his bow, he shot the arrow wielding bandit through the eye and continued running. Once everyone was on the horses they raced back to the palace, no one had yet been alerted. It was now 20 minutes to dinner, Odin and Frigga would be in the great hall. Loki was holding a handkerchief to his wound, blood seeping through his fingers, instead of jumping off from his horse he practically fell off if Thor had not quickly caught him. "Loki, we need to get you to the healers," Thor said as ripped a piece of cloth from his cape to press against Loki. Lokis's eyes widened, "No, Thor please, no healers" It was the first time in a very long time that he heard Loki use the word please in a non-sarcastic tone. "Bring me to my room, I have a book of healing spells," Loki mumbled.

Thor dragged Loki to his room, while Frandrall and Sif got Hogun and Volstagg to the healer's chambers.

Thor sat Loki down on the bed, he was barely conscious, Thor found the book on Lokis's desk, Loki was pulling off his armour and shirt to reveal the bruising and scratches. Loki lifted the piece of cloth from his wound. "Brother, you look like absolute shit. I'm bringing mother." Thor turned for the door when Loki grabbed him by the wrist. "Brother, don't. I can handle this myself. Put your muscles to good use and cover my mouth." Loki cringed as the sentence sounded better in his head. Loki adjusted himself so he leaning against the headboard of the bed, he flipped to a page in the spellbook and repeated the phrase in his head, there was now a bright green glow from his hand, Thor placed his hand over Lokis mouth as Loki held his hand to the bleeding wound, Loki was screaming in his hand as Thor watch the skin mend back together and the bleeding stopped. Loki was his hand over scapes and bruises, Thor noticed that some of them were old, the bruising were a different shade of purple than the new ones on his arms, and the cuts had dried blood that was almost brown, he knew from past injuries himself that Loki did not obtain those today, it had to be at least a day old, but Loki was with him all at yesterday, then it dawned upon him, the only time they parted ways when Loki was in Odin's chamber. Thor looked back to Loki was still healing himself, his other hand gripping onto the bedsheets, the way his hand moved was all too familiar, rehearsed, he had practiced. When Loki finished he collapsed onto the bed, Thor was shaking him by the shoulders, "Loki, Loki? Are you okay?" Loki breathed heavily, his voice was hoarse, "I'm fine, I just need to rest, tell Mother and Father I will not be joining them for dinner, come up with an excuse." Loki relaxed onto his sheets. Thor sighed and fetched a palace guard outside of Lokis room, "Yes my prince?" the guard knelt onto one knee, "Inform mother and father that Loki and I are catching up on our studies and will not be joining them in the great hall this evening" Thor used his commanding voice. "Yes. Will that be all my prince."

"Yes."

Thor went to this room to change out of the blood-drenched armour and washed his face. He quickly went back to Lokis's room. He found his younger brother in the same position he had left him. Thor took a basin of hot water and wiped down the blood from his brother's face and body. "I'm sorry I got you into this mess, I guess you can say that we're even on the whole frog thing yesterday and you were right, about us not being able to handle the bandits, I knew you were right, but I just wanted to prove to father that we can do it, that we have what it takes to be king." Thor sighed as he changed Loki into clean clothes. Loki was completely knocked out and didn't hear a word Thor said. Thor adjusted Lokis's body so he was sleeping in the correct position, he covered him with the blanket and stared at Loki, "Were you always this small?" He whispered to himself. Thor sat on the floor at the end of the bed and thought back to when they were children, Loki had just learnt how to shapeshift and Thor was playing in the garden. Loki turned into a snake cause he knew how much Thor loved snakes, Thor immediately picked him up and played with him, Loki saw the opportunity to quickly turn back into his original form and stabbed him with a small dagger, it was nothing fatal, but it still hurt. The laugh that echoed from his little brother and the huge smile on his face will forever be recorded as Thor's favourite memory of child Loki. Thor remembered the small stab wound aching even after the healers applied medicine, he could only begin to imagine the pain Loki had endured when he took that arrow. Slowly as he recalled other memories Thor drifted off into slumber.

It was now the dead of night when Thor was woken by Loki, he was talking in his sleep, Thor ran to Loki, his forehead covered in beads of sweat. Loki was mumbling in his sleepy, at first Thor couldn't comprehend what he was saying, but then he heard, "Father... I'm sorry, I'm foolish, sorry..." Thor felt this anger bubbling inside him. Thor used the cuff of his sleeve to wipe Lokis face, "Loki, it's okay, fathers no here" Thor whispered to Loki, Thor grabbed the other pillow and placed it in between Lokis arms, he knew his brother loved to cuddle in his sleep when they were children and shared a room, Loki had an alligator toy that he cuddled with to sleep every night. He watched as Loki calmed down and fell back into a deep slumber. Thor looked out to the tall stained-glass windows and swore to never allow anyone to hurt his brother like this again.

Notes: Thanks for reading and I hope you excused all my grammar errors. I have a glimpse of what part 2 looks like. Hope to get it out as soon as possible. You are loved, I love you. Talk again soon! - Crystal.

#tom hiddleston #loki #loki x reader #thor #thor ragnarok #chris hemsworth #marvel #the avengers #mobius #thor x reader

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lisinfleur · 4 years

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T&T - Chapter 15: Interlude

Author’s Notes | A transitory chapter with a small surprise for you guys! I hope you enjoy and sorry for taking so long to update this time! Words | 2793

His blue eyes weren't alone observing as his homelands were being rebuilt slowly - a second pair of blue eyes had now joined them to see what was being done and the remaining sons of Ragnar Lothbrok were reunited home again, putting aside their differences to sit at the same hill and talk.

"You're not looking at the new market," Ubbe said, calling Ivar's attention turned to the bay.

The elder one had arrived a month after the war was over - the messengers had reached Ubbe far away in Iceland and it took him longer to arrive than Hvitserk had taken.

Their meeting wasn't different from what Ivar could predict. He could still remember his men's tension when Ubbe entered the hall with his imposing mantle and the new marks in his face Ivar didn't have the chance to see before, but where he could read perfectly a line of runes over his right eye as the sign of his crowning as one of the three Dane kings - two of them Ivar knew were ruling the settlement he intended to plead allegiance to as soon as Kattegat was rebuilt. - and a second line beside the first, crowning him as king in Iceland as well. His brother had grown, just as himself.

But the conversation between the three remaining sons of Ragnar remained tense at the beginning with Ubbe refusing to stay in the hall, preferring the safety of his camp outside of the town instead. It took around a month or two for him to finally accept they weren't on the verge of war and Ivar had changed.

And maybe Hvitserk was the greater reason why they were able to relate once again - now the middle brother, the prince had grown into a wise king and his words were full of meaning for Ubbe who ended up letting go of the old avenges and listening to his brothers for the sake of the people of Kattegat.

They would never be the same, Ivar knew that. But at least, they weren't in war anymore.

"No," he answered, eyes lost at the sea beyond the new market they had just built after the re-division of the kingdoms.

With their victory and men joined together, they had time to travel through the nearby towns finishing the remaining Rus men and freeing the villages but taking notice of what happened to their countrymen - among them, King Harald, which place of rest they could find in a simple hill, built by hand, stone by stone, by the men that didn't die with him but remained loyal to his memory.

His territories were annexed to the Ragnarssons' domains as an earldom under Kattegat with the promise of rebuilding and support to its people Ivar granted under Ubbe's surprised and approving eyes - the last proof the elder one needed to see that Ivar was indeed a changed man and a better king after all he had seen before.

"He's waiting for his queen," Hvitserk said, giggling as the three of them were looking at the bay from the higher hill where their father used to observe the town before them. The walls weren't so tall anymore, but they were reinforced to protect instead of isolating the town. And the bay had boats and boats coming, not only for the new market recently opened with the new fish and oil routes established with Vestfold and the Irish kingdoms under Ivar's crown but with the earls from all parts of Norway under the Ragnarssons' crowns, coming to plead their allegiance and renew the vows that were lost with the Rus outbreak.

"His eyes are scanning the sea after the boat that will bring her to Kattegat," Hvitserk completed, patting Ivar's shoulder as his little brother smiled, dropping his head with a giggle.

"Guilty," he said, causing Hvitserk to giggle and Ubbe to curve his lips in a silent smile.

"You're bringing her to stay with you?" Ubbe asked, looking at him.

Curious since they had talked about the management of the crowns - including the Dane kings, now Ubbe’s equals - and dividing the lands under their power with a Dane in Iceland, a Dane in England, Hvitserk over the North and Ringerike, Ivar over the Irish kingdom and Ubbe should be the one to stay in Kattegat, as the elder one and the one who was more like a new face to reign over their people without the ghost of the past.

"She comes to stay with me while we rebuilt this place with you and for me to solve the last situations about her life, brother," Ivar ensured, making things clearer for Ubbe. "She still has unfinished matters in Norway I want to ensure will be finished before we can go back to my lands. And I want my son to meet Hvitserk's children. And maybe yours... You didn't tell us about your life too much."

Something Ubbe was keeping secret because mistrusting his brothers was almost a matter of safety for him. But maybe he could give them a second chance. He didn't want to be the one to destroy that new scenario they were building between them now.

"Torvi is with them at home," he spilled it out, catching the other's attention. "We got properly married after I solved Kjetil's situation in Iceland and took the crown to establish the settlement Floki started properly. I don't believe we'll ever find that knock-kneed fool once again, but if we come to find him, I did as he wanted in Iceland just like I did as father wanted in England. And now I may bring Torvi and the children back to sit down and rest my butt in Kattegat."

"Settle down at last," Hvitserk joked, remembering Ubbe's will to settle down and care for his lands.

"Settle down, at last," Ubbe repeated, sighing. "I thought it would never happen. But it will be good to raise my children here and bring my niece back home."

"Asa is still with you, right?" Ivar asked and Ubbe nodded.

"We lost Guthrun in battle. Hali for the bandits before you... Came back," he avoided the heavy words they were trying to leave behind and continued, trying to keep bad memories where they should be - in oblivion. "Asa is the one who lasted from our older brother and she's already grown. But I believe she'll like to come back with us and help her mother with Ragnar and the younger ones."

"Ragnar, uh?" Hvitserk said, smiling at Ubbe.

"I named my firstborn after father," Ubbe confirmed. "And my second after Sigurd. I don't believe Torvi and I shall produce any more children, but if the gods allow me, then be it."

"Oh, I want some more!" Hvitserk said, trying to keep with the good vibe of the conversation. "Like father... A big family!"

"If you're still the rabbit I remember, then it won't be hard to achieve," Ubbe said, for the first time joking with Hvitserk in years, causing the younger one to smile almost nostalgic.

But Ivar's voice sounded before Hvitserk could answer his older brother or speak of how good it was to hear his voice meek like that for them once again.

"She's here," Ivar sentenced, leaving them both to go down the hill, turning the nostalgia in Hvitserk's smile into some level of satisfaction.

"You'll like this one, Ubbe. It won't surprise me if she's the cause of our brother's change," Hvitserk commented as Ivar took a distance of them, rushing to the beach at the sight of Illiana's boat.

"They always change us," Ubbe completed. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Torvi's advice. She said I should come and speak to the two of you. That I should give a chance for this war to be finally over."

Ubbe's eyes landed on Hvitserk, a bit of sadness into his blues.

"She said if she wasn't able to hate you after Guthrum... Then I should be able to let my anger go and settle things between us."

It hit Hvitserk's heart like a rusty blade. He knew he would carry that death in his memory until his last day. But at least, now he knew Torvi wasn't keeping the bitterness towards him about that. Then maybe he could let it go and wait for Valhalla to settle his bills with Guthrum himself.

"You chose well," Hvitserk said. "Torvi is a wise woman."

"It seems I was right when I said it to her for the first time although she denied me. She's wise and has been being a good queen by my side. I don't believe it shall be different when she comes back to Kattegat."

"Surely it won't," Hvitserk confirmed. "We should go. It is possible that Ivar is already near the docks with the rush in his heart about Illiana's arrival."

"Let's go, then," Ubbe said. "The two of you are making me curious about this mysterious woman."

Down the hill, Ivar climbed up his chariot, not waiting for his brothers to follow his path to the docks. His heart was racing into his chest.

It was a long time now and those months without Iliana by his side were making him anxious about her arrival.

His chariot arrived before the boat and the men at the docks opened space for one of their kings to come closer as Ivar came down the chariot, walking through the dock.

It was possible to see the boat's deck and Ivar's lips curled in a smile when he could see his precious queen, smiling at the sight of his figure waiting for her on earth.

That small moment between them glowed in Ubbe's eyes: it was easy to see all the love into Ivar's eyes and the happiness of that woman in coming down the boat throwing her arms around his little brother's neck, kissing him as full of passion as he was used to doing to Torvi.

"I told you," Hvitserk's voice sounded as he stopped the horse beside Ubbe's, smiling at the scene. "She changed him."

Ubbe didn't answer. His blues observing with certain tenderness as Ivar's forehead was touching Illiana's, both of them with eyes closed for a long moment, just sharing their warmth, feeling their presence.

Illiana couldn't be happier. Her precious Ivar was there, untouched, unwounded. His hands cupping her face as they touched their lips one more time, tasting the flavor of each other both of them had missed for so long.

"My love," he mumbled.

And she smiled.

"I missed you so bad..."

"And so did I," Ivar answered, caressing her cheeks with his thumbs. "Where is him?" he questioned.

Lifting his eyes to see Atli coming with his little one packed in his arms.

"My king," Atli said, delivering the boy into Ivar's hands, ignoring the frown Ivar had on its face for that expression.

"I told you many times, Atli: you're my friend. You don't need these formalities," Ivar remembered, looking down to the little one he missed so bad as well. "Hey... Sweet Vali... How are you, uh? Missed daddy?"

"Like the sun," Illiana answered. "As soon as you left, he fell in fever. I thought I would lose him, but Atli discovered it was just your absence... He slept packed on your clothes all this time," she said as the baby was patting Ivar's face with both of his little hands, happy his father was again in his reach.

"It's a beautiful family the one you built," Ubbe's voice echoed and Ivar looked back to see Hvitserk and Ubbe were smiling.

Illiana wasn't waiting to see one more of his brothers around, but Ivar smiled at their approaching.

"This is Illiana, my wife and queen. And this is Vali, my firstborn," he introduced.

And Ubbe smiled at the sight of that little child - a dream he thought Ivar would never be able to fulfill. He would remember thanking the gods for that blessing.

"I'm Ubbe, Ivar's older brother. Believe me, queen Illiana, it's a pleasure to meet you today."

And a relief, Ubbe knew. He could feel she was different from anything else in his brother's life just by the way she was looking at his little brother.

"I'm glad to see you're also back into my husband's life," she said, smiling politely at Ubbe, showing she knew the whole story behind them. "Please, save the formalities. I'm no queen for my husband's family." She smiled. "I rather feel the barriers were finally broken and Ivar's kin can finally rest from that endless war."

"You have no idea of how good is to see you again, sister," Hvitserk approached, less formal.

Already used to Illiana's simplicity that made Ubbe smile a little prouder.

His little brother was indeed a new man. And the gods had provided him with a good wife as a way to show him their satisfaction with his new self. He would remember to thank them twice.

"You must be tired of your trip, my love. And we must have a feast to attend tonight with the Earls. Come... Let us give you some rest and give me some time to spoil this little one, uh? Come!" Ivar said, smiling happily.

Atli stayed back to care for the boat's discharge as Ubbe and Hvitserk followed Ivar's chariot in a slower pace towards the hall.

Illiana's heart was resting inside her chest. Things were finally settling down and something good was coming from the sight of Hvitserk's and Ubbe's horses riding beside each other behind Ivar's chariot - the two brothers talking, sometimes giggling at each other, as if they never had made war and tried to kill each other before. New winds were blowing over that family and it was good into her heart.

However, her eyes weren't the only ones over the scene. And Atli saw himself approached by a pair of well-dressed men that came from the docks almost at the same time Ivar's chariot left with the two horses behind it.

"You... You came with them," one of the men said, touching Atli's shoulder, nervously trying to establish a friendly approach with a smile that contrasted his rush and the threatening glare into his and his companion's eyes. "Could you tell me who's the woman with the king?"

Atli stepped back, taking his shoulder out of the man's touch. Some of Ivar's men at the boat coming down, stopping their activities to pay attention to the strange conversation, giving the pair of men certain notion that those men weren't up to give them too much information.

"Who wants to know?" Atli asked, his hand resting over his sword's handle at his belt in a clear warning that their attempt of a friendly approaching had failed miserably.

"Eark Algor and his brother Asir, my friend," the other answered imposingly as the first man sighed, disappointed things were taking that direction.

"Look... We just want to know who's the woman with our king, yes? It is probably that we know her and if she is the woman we think she is, then our king is in real danger," the first one - Asir, as Atli now knew - tried once again the meek tone.

But Atli wasn't leaned to give them any information, especially in such a situation and knowing Illiana and Ivar's past.

"If you want to know the name of my king's companion, you can then go and ask him. If it is of king Ivar's interest that you know who she is and what is she doing by his side, then he shall tell you what you wanna know. From me, all you'll get is my impatience cause you're preventing me and my men from fulfilling our king's orders. Now, if you don't mind..." Atli said, dry, turning his back on the pair of men, causing Algor to step forward intending to pull Atli's cloak and get him back.

But Asir stopped his brother with one hand against his chest when Ivar's men around the boat landed their hands on the swords all at the same time, ready to defend their commander.

"It is better if we don't get ourselves in trouble with the new king yet, Algor! Keep your temper. We speak with him at the feast and if we're right, then, we'll have what is fair. Now let us go, brother," Asir insisted, causing Algor to sigh annoyed, starting to walk back towards their boat.

Asir was sure it was the woman they were looking for. He wouldn't forget Illiana's face so easily.

The bitch had killed his older brother and sister in law and he wouldn't let it pass silently.

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friendlyunclej · 3 years

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A King’s Depravity

Prologue

My citizen’s have never respected me. I worked as a carpenter, sharing my desire to compete for the crown with those who hired me to fix their homes or refurbish their shops. They all scoffed at the possibility of a “mediocre handyman” being intelligent enough to become king. As I climbed the ranks in the competition, they then accused me of cheating, saying that a man who could “barely replace floorboards” shouldn’t have made it out of the preliminary rounds. When my competition began to drop out of the proceedings, my fellow citizens then accused me of bribery, claiming that a man who they barely paid would have the funds to pay off people. Soon after, some of my toughest competitors would mysteriously disappear after facing me and, just as before, the other citizens accused me of foul play. They weren’t wrong, but I made certain that any proof of such accusations would never be found. When I did become king, I made sure that those who accused me of such devious activities had their suspicions confirmed as I left them in the sewers to rot like the others. The previous king died the night after I won the crown. I, at least, gave King Sigfried a proper burial. He was, after all, the only person who never questioned my intentions. On the other hand, the queen he left behind would prove herself to be more curious than useful. She joined him in the ground not too long after. Officially, it was due to espionage from visiting officials from another city on the continent. That truth was better for the citizens, anyway.

In Need of Warmth

As king of the City of Tyriok, I’ve spent the past few decades caring for people who would rather see me dead. I believed that they would finally respect me once I had become their ruler, but it didn’t matter. I expanded the city’s control to half of the Verdant Green, including the nearby town of C’Moira, yet the citizens didn’t understand the importance of expansion. I kept Draturi City and its Elven leaders from encroaching on our beliefs, keeping their control out of our walls. They claimed to offer good tidings, such as silk and gems, for our cooperation. I saw through their deceit, though, and made the correct decision for this city, much to the ire of my constituents. Not a single High Elven heel will ever set foot in my city while I’m still alive, even if my new queen works against me. I had gone nearly a decade before I had a proper queen by my side after the previous one found her way to an early grave. There was one interim queen after King Sigfried’s queen perished, but she proved herself unfit for the job and soon vacated the crown. For the years that followed, a number of women piqued my interest, but none proved themselves a proper ruler. To obtain the crown in Tyriok, one must compete against others vying for the position in many competitions of intelligence. For years after my coming to power, no one attempted to replace the previous queen, undoubtedly discouraged due to the fear caused by rumors about what happened to the previous ones. Out of desperation, I sought future rulers at the local orphanage. It was their that I met my future queen. The queen I have now, a woman by the name of Beatrice, is the only thing in this entire city that I’ve been able to stomach. She’s intelligent and easy on the eyes. When I first met her years ago, she was the most cunning in the building. She was far too young to actually obtain the crown at that point, but she showed enough promise and prose that I knew she must be my queen when she came of age. I opened my library to her, leaving her with proper teachers far superior to the ones in care of the orphanage. As the years continued, her promise grew but so did my hesitation. She had grown wise beyond her years and, I must admit, swiftly surpassed me in intellect. It worried me even further once I considered the company she kept. There were two boys she always spent her time with, Sebastian and Freud. They weren’t “born” orphans, like Beatrice was. They had the great misfortune of actually having a relatively happy number of years with loving parents before being left as orphans. Their parents were emissaries for Tyriok City, whom I would often send out to parley with C’Moira and other nearby towns. They were loyal citizens when I first came to power. Well, they were loyal to the city more than they were to me. Many times I would send them to C’Moira to demand tax and recompense for being allowed to operate as a separate entity from my city in our territory. Every time, they would return with compromises and counsel meetings to speak in the town’s favor. They were proper emissaries whom I trusted, but their good hearts clouded their judgement. They served the city well so I saved their children from sharing their fate, but I had to prevent them from poisoning the city any further once I found out that they were trying to find favor with Draturi. It broke their hearts to leave their children at the orphanage. I didn’t pay the children of traitors any mind until it was obvious that the older son, Sebastian, was far too familiar with Beatrice. They grew up together, so I should have known that they would take a shine to each other. However, what’s an orphan to a king? After all, I could have Sebastian and his slow brother, Freud, fed to a Gelatinous Cube at a moment’s notice if I so desired. The only reason why I never did was because I knew that it would dishearten Beatrice. But once Sebastian showed interest in becoming a knight for the city, I made sure to encourage him towards a life self-sacrifice in the hopes of him dying a “hero’s death”. Unfortunately, he proved more competent in battle than I had anticipated as he joined the ranks. He even showed himself to be a man of the people, reminiscent of his parents. If he wasn’t my queen’s best friend, I would have had him sent on a mission to never return years ago. Sadly, I was lovesick when Beatrice became my queen. It had been nearly a decade and a half until she became my better half but she proved far worth the wait. Even in my ailing years, she more than proved herself capable without me. My age swiftly deteriorated only a few years after she became my queen, but she took care of the entire city as both ruler and expecting mother. Those first few years were nearly a dream for me, but the child’s birth soon proved it to be a nightmare instead. I should have known that making the man she grew up with, Sebastian, our most trusted bodyguard was too kind. I, King Garland, the ruler of Tyriok who brought the city to its shining stature that it is today, was proven to be nothing more than a cuckold when their daughter was born. I should have known that the man she truly held affection for, the man who truly had her heart long before she stole mine, was working behind my back since the very beginning. From the moment that child was born, I had a constant reminder of how asinine and foolish I truly was. In retaliation, I sought ways to ensure that Sebastian’s life would be a worse Hell than he was already damned for. It took a number of years until I could send him off. However, as much as I wanted to give him a similar fate to his parents, I knew that Queen Beatrice wouldn’t leave the disappearance of her lover alone. When his contract was up for renewal, I found the strength to attend the signing myself. My queen pleaded for me to return him to her side, and I looked him in the eyes as I stripped him of his status and pension. I knew that his parents were a deep scar in his heart, having been old enough to remember the pain of them leaving unlike his younger brother. So when my whore queen begged me to leave him something to live off of, I chuckled at the only property I offered him. I told her that I would take him there myself the next day. Allowing him to keep his armor and possessions, I brought Sebastian on to my favorite cart on the way to his new home. He tried to ask me why he had been fired, but we stayed in silence as we made our way to the bar.

As we approached the lower end of the city, I asked, “Do you remember anything about your parents, Sebastian?”

Caught off guard, the fool took a deep sigh before replying, “No, I was too young when they left me and my brother at the orphanage. The only parent I know is Miss Frau.”

“Come now, Sebastian,” I insisted, knowing he was lying, “We both know that you were plenty old enough to remember the sting of them leaving.”

I hear the wood of his chest carrying his belongings creak as his grip tightens in annoyance before saying, “My king, I can assure you-”

“You can assure me of what? My new status of ‘Cuckold’,” I say, angrily gripping my walking cane, “I believe your daughter is assurance enough, thank you.”

I watch as he fills with rage, like a geyser nearly bursting through the earth, before he calms leans forward to say, “My liege, she is your daughter. You must believe me.”

Laughing aloud, Sebastian slumps back into his seat as I retort, “Really? My daughter? That is what you and my queen would have me believe but we both know the truth. To be frank, the entire city knows the truth. You’re lucky I don’t have her tossed out into the ocean.”

Upon hearing that, I see the geyser burst from stone as he drops his crate and nearly lunges at me. One of my guards pulls his sword and places it against Sebastian’s throat, forcing him to retake his seat.

“Thank you, Roland,” I remark with a grin, as Sebastian forces himself to calm down, “Now, we should be at your new home soon.”

“If you harm Olivia or Bea, I will hang you from the guard towers,” Sebastian spits, trying to intimidate me.

Wiping a drop of spittle from my eye, I reply, “Don’t worry. They’ll be safe in their homes, just as you will be in yours.”

The cart comes to a halt as we arrive outside of the only bar in the entire city, the same one his parents ran before they disappeared. I handed him the deed and watched his face go white as he read the names of his deceased parents. I soaked in the sight like warm rays of sunlight after a night of rain.

“If you’re ever seen on castle grounds again, I’ve given the guards orders to kill you on sight,” I tell him, as I step out of the cart with my cane.

As Roland tosses his possessions out of the cart, Sebastian just stares daggers at me as he replies, “You know that none of the guards will listen to that.”

“Oh, I know and I’m betting on it. That means that they’ll capture you, instead,” I spout, a weak smile forming on my face, “Which means further use of the tools under the western guard tower. You remember those, don’t you?”

Sebastian didn’t respond. He simply placed the deed in his cracked chest of belongings and snatched the keys from my hand. I bid him one last farewell before my cart left to return me to my home. Proud with myself, I feel the last bit of warmth from the sun hit my face just before the clouds steal it from me.

Epilogue

In the weeks that followed, I did my best to ensure that my rule would continue in my absence. For the initial years of my queen’s daughter’s life, I was constantly there to take care of her. I tried to teach her as much as possible, but it’s difficult to implant anything useful in a toddler’s mind. I left the child to be dealt with for a different time. Aside from that, I left my control of the city to my Tribunal instead, just before I locked myself away. My health had deteriorated so swiftly that I was no longer fit to be seen by the public so I instead set a plan in motion to ensure that however my health would turn, I wouldn’t be leaving so indefinitely. As I was helped up the many tower steps to my room, I looked to the new hire who was helping me. He was a dragonborn of black scales, no older than the age of twenty-two. He attempted to tell me his name, but I simply shooed him away as I told him to fetch me my council. I had to specify that I meant my Tribunal so that the idiot wouldn’t bring me the queen. After a few moments, Roland, Yaromir, and Valentia arrived in my room.

“So, do you remember what I need?” I ask, resting on my bed.

Cutting and eating an apple, Roland replies, “Honestly, all I remember is being told to kill Sebastian if we find him close enough to the castle. Everything else fell on deaf ears.”

Valentia pulled out a small piece of parchment as she recited, “The heart of a newt, the eyes of a recently deceased child, poison oak leaves, a large cast iron urn, incense infused with nightshade, and poison derived from the blood of an Elf. Anything else, Garland?”

Smiling as I turn to Valentia, I say, “Well, at least one of you have proven that Doppelgangers are worth keeping around.”

Returning my smile with a wink, Valentia is nudged by Yaromir before he says, “Flirting aside, we need to better know who we’re contacting in Draturi. A name would better help us know who is the actual target.”

“My contact in the city is not a target. They are a contact. Repeat it back to me,” I demand as I turn to stare at them.

Giving a disgruntled sigh, Yaromir corrects himself by saying, “Your ‘contact’ in Draturi would be easier to locate if we had a name to go with the portrait you provided us.”

“The portrait is enough, I assure you.”

“Really? Because they all look the same to me,” Roland mocks, his body transforming into the person from the portrait I provided them, “I mean, honestly, can you at least tell us if it’s a man or a woman?”

Valentia snorts, “He’s clearly a man. Look at the jawline.”

“No, she’s a woman,” Yaromir bickers, motioning with his fingers, “Can you not see the more feminine cheekbones?”

As they continue to bicker amongst each other, I angrily close my eyes before shouting, “It doesn’t fucking matter what gender my contact is. What matters is what I need them for. You do remember what I need them for, correct?”

“Yeah, we do,” they reply in unison.

“And you understand that if you don’t find them soon enough, I won’t be able to pay you what I promised you, correct?”

“Yeah, we understand,” they echo again.

“Good, now, before you all leave, show me the disguises you’ve chosen so that I make sure nothing is too jarring.”

As I say so, the three of them transform before me. There clothes skin and hair all writhing into themselves. Their flesh turning a soft blue and their eyes becoming a pale yellow with no pupils before morphing into proper disguises. Valentia chose a more buxom female form with sharper features and long, dagger-like ear. Yaromir transformed into a shorter male Elven form with a stronger jaw than he usually preferred. Roland, much to my surprise, presented a more Wood Elven form with a gentle smile. I nodded in approval of their disguises as they returned to their normal visage.

“Good,” I sigh, “Very good. Now, as for the last bit of business before you leave, I simply need you to tell some guards to bring my old personal throne into the room.”

With a dumbfounded glare, Roland says, “ ‘Throne’ as in your toilet or...”

Valentia rolls her eyes as she says, “No, you fool. His actual throne.”

They continued to trade insults until I grew too tired to listen, shouting, “Yes, my actual throne! The stone one that I’ve always sat in. Take your bickering out of my tower and get it all done posthaste!”

Stopping their childish bickering for a moment, they all salute and bow to me before leaving my room. As they do, I struggle to my feet and shuffle over to a window. I pry it open as I stare out over my city from the top of a 300 foot tall tower. The rain is heavily falling, washing the streets. Unfortunately, there’s not enough rain to wash the stench of betrayal that covers my home. I look out to the fields and see Queen Beatrice sneaking out with her daughter in tow. They’re dressed in clothes reminiscent of the orphanage. I slam the window shut as I return to my room.

“All I’ve ever been surround by is snakes,” I say to myself, “From the ones I’ve put in the ground to the ones still in the sky, all they’ve ever proven to be are conniving traitors. All they’ve ever done is use me like a rag then tossed me aside like a pitiful copper piece. Soon, however. Soon, they’ll be begging me for mercy again. They’ll all fear me again. As they all should. As everyone should.”

I stare at my hand and feel a familiar warmth coalesce around my hand. I hold my eyes closed and breathe hot air into my hand. As I open them, I see a ghastly blue flame escape my mouth and form in my hand. I let the embers turn red and dance in my fingers before clutching my fist to extinguish it. I toss the window open with a new vigor as I stare out over the city bathed in flame and devils. I smile as the hallucination shows my whore queen and her affair hanging on pikes, burning on pyres as the rest of the citizens are running for their lives.

A soft voice whispers, “And you will find yourself as the ruler of a new kingdom as long as your end of the bargain is kept.”

Twisting around as fast as I can, I nearly twist my ankle only to find no one behind me. I feel a spark of fire in my heart fill me with determination, just before I fall unconscious to the floor.

#d&d #short story #king garland #villain #tales of baicia

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purrincess-chat · 5 years

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Will You Be My (Fake) Lover CH2

I changed the title! It’s no longer Not Just a Friend, so don’t be confused. This is the fake dating AU which I feel like this title encapsulates more. I didn’t want anything too fancy or complicated, and I thank all of you for your lovely suggestions. I think I’m gonna make the chapters a bit longer and combine some ideas because I keep coming up with new ones for this fic, and I don’t want to drag it on too long chapter amount-wise, so I’m gonna try to keep it at 10, but it may end up being 11 or 12. I figure that’s cool beans with all of you.

Read on AO3

Chapter 2

“So, what’s the scoop? How did you two get together?” Alya asked, holding up her phone.

“Yes, how did you confess your feelings, Marinette?” Lila piped up, pacing down to join the group and crossing her arms over her chest.

“I-” Marinette started, but Adrien came to her rescue.

“Actually, I confessed to her,” Adrien corrected, and everyone gasped in delight.

“Dude, I didn’t know you were into Marinette.” Nino punched his arm.

“I only realized it myself recently. Around Heroes’ Day actually,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Marinette is always trying so hard to help everyone, and I realized at the picnic that I really admired her, but she’s so amazing I was a little nervous about telling her. Then when she got kicked out of school, I couldn’t bear to let my feelings go unsaid any longer, so I went by her house and told her.”

The class hung onto every word, their faces bright with intrigue and excitement, and even Marinette found herself getting lost in his words. She had to remind herself that this was all just a cover story and not real, but a girl could dream, couldn’t she?

“That’s so romantic!” Rose sighed, cupping her cheeks.

“We’re so happy for you two,” Mylene added.

“We can totally go on double dates now!” Alya said, taking Marinette’s hands excitedly.

“Well, congratulations, you two,” Lila said with a sly grin. “So, have you two kissed yet?”

“Kissed?” Marinette’s spine stiffened.

“Yeah. You aren’t a real couple until you’ve kissed,” she said, and Marinette felt her palms starting to sweat again.

“She’s right, ya know.” Mylene nodded, and several classmates echoed their agreement.

“Uh, well, we…” Marinette fumbled, cheeks hot, and Adrien gave her hand a squeeze.

“We haven’t kissed yet because we want it to be a special moment,” he piped up, and Marinette relaxed a little.

“Oh, come on. Don’t be shy.” Lila insisted, eyes baring into them tauntingly. “If you two are really a couple then kissing shouldn’t be a big deal.”

“I don’t think now is the best-” Adrien tried, but he was soon drowned out by the encouraging chants of their classmates.

He turned to Marinette with an apologetic wince, and they averted their gazes, cheeks pink as the chorus around them grew. Adrien’s eyes seemed to carry a hint of defeat, and Marinette recognized the telltale signs of insecurity in them that signaled his desire to back down. It was the same look he got whenever his bodyguard showed up to take him away from hangouts - the lack of will to fight.

Adrien didn’t like to cause trouble for others, and Lila knew that, her expression growing smugger with each passing moment of their hesitance. Her eyes seemed to read, “gotcha” as they shrank more and more under pressure, but as Adrien opened his mouth to call an end to their suffering, Marinette reached out and took his hand.

“Okay,” she said over the noise. “We’ll do it.”

“That’a girl!” Alya cheered.

“Are you sure this is okay?” Adrien asked softly.

“Yes. I’m sure,” she said with a reassuring smile, and he swallowed hard before placing a hand on her waist and leaning down.

Marinette stretched up to meet him, the whole class holding their breath in anticipation. It wasn’t exactly how she pictured her first kiss with Adrien, but his lips were gentle and uncertain as if asking for permission. Her lips tingled against his, and she could hardly believe that this was really happening. She could barely feel her feet on the floor anymore, and it only got worse when they both realized that they’d have to be a bit more convincing, leaning deeper into the kiss, prompting wolf whistles and cheers from their fellow classmates until they finally parted with rosy cheeks.

“Sorry,” Adrien mouthed as Nino wrapped an arm around his shoulders while the other boys patted him proudly, and the girls all crowded around her with similar praises.

“Well, I guess now we’re official,” she said, reaching for Adrien’s hand again.

“Good for you two,” Lila said through thinly veiled disdain that only Marinette and Adrien picked up on.

“Thanks,” Marinette shot back with equal venom.

“Good morning, class. Everyone find your seats,” Mlle. Bustier instructed upon entering the room.

Marinette gave Adrien a reassuring smile, and his gaze softened on her, conveying his gratitude for her help. She’d probably have to explain a lot to him later, but for now they were in the clear. That is, almost in the clear.

As Marinette moved to her seat, she found herself met with cold green eyes glaring from the top row, and in that moment, she knew she hadn’t heard the last of Lila.

***

“Okay, so we ran into a small hiccup, but I think it was a good start,” Adrien said that afternoon over tea.

“We’ll have to watch out for Lila. She’s so good at lying, she can see through anything,” Marinette said, tapping the side of her cup with her fingers, and Adrien nodded in agreement.

“Fortunately for us we’re such good friends that no one had a hard time believing we actually like each other. Even Alya and the girls were convinced you’ve had a crush on me,” Adrien said, flashing her a grin.

“Um, yeah, totally! We get along so well that it would be easy to read our interactions as romantic,” she stammered, tugging on one of her pigtails before taking a big gulp of tea and breathing a sigh of relief.

“Exactly, and since we both know Lila is a liar, we can look out for one another. I can make sure she doesn’t try anything suspicious with you again, Marinette,” he said, perking up a bit. “Ya know, I was really nervous about all of this, but you and I work so well together that I think we’ll be able to pull it off. I almost think we’d make a good real couple if we actually felt that way about each other.”

“Yeah, totally,” she said flatly, tracing the rim of her cup and averting her gaze to hide her disappointment.

“Thanks again for agreeing to do this. I know it’s a lot to ask, but you really saved me,” he said, placing a hand on her shoulder with a warm smile. “Not having to pretend with Lila is a huge weight off my shoulders. I’m really in your debt, Marinette.”

“It’s no biggie. Anything for a friend,” she forced a smile, and Adrien’s phone buzzed.

“Gotta head to fencing. Thank again, Marinette.” He stooped to kiss her cheek with a wink. “See you tomorrow, girlfriend.”

“Yeah, see you.” She waved as he gathered his things and headed out the door before leaning against her fist with a sigh.

“What’s the matter, Marinette? You and Adrien are finally dating, shouldn’t you be happy?” Tikki piped up.

“That’s just it, Tikki. We’re not dating; it’s all just an act,” she sighed, swinging her legs around to the floor and heading up to her room where her photos smiled back at her mockingly. “This just confirms that Adrien really doesn’t see me as anything more than a friend.”

“Well, he picked you over Kagami. That has to mean something, right?” Tikki urged, but Marinette wasn’t convinced.

“He picked me because I know about Lila, so he wouldn’t have to explain why he couldn’t date her,” Marinette corrected, flopping onto her bed. “I have a feeling that this fake romance is the only romance I’ll ever get with him.”

“You don’t know that for sure. Maybe this will help him realize that he has feelings for you, and you’ll end up together for real!” Tikki said, spreading her arms out.

“Yeah, as if I could be so lucky,” she grumbled, reaching out to touch a photo on her corkboard, and Tikki deflated.

“If Adrien knew your true feelings, I’m sure he’d never ask you to go through with this if it hurts you,” she said, sinking down onto the pillow next to Marinette’s head. “Why don’t you tell him you can’t do it?”

“Because then he’ll have to date Lila, and I can’t let that happen. Adrien is desperate to stay away from her, and he’s come to me for help as a friend. I couldn’t say no,” she explained, face falling. “I can swallow my own feelings if it means that Adrien is happy. I’d do anything for him, even if it hurts.”

“Just be careful, Marinette. If you bury your feelings too much, it will only hurt worse later, and if you let your emotions get the better of you, then Hawkmoth could akumatize you.”

“Don’t worry, Tikki.” Marinette flashed her a smile, reaching up to brush her cheek. “I won’t ever let that happen again. Never again...”

***

Lila sat on the park bench, glaring ahead as children ran and played just a few meters away. Behind her, a silver car rolled to a stop, and her jaw clenched as she heard the window roll down.

“I thought you promised that I’d be the one dating Adrien,” she growled.

“Adrien has become more secretive and rebellious as of late, but don’t worry. I will take care of this frivolous romance of his,” Gabriel said calmly. “Things will be smoothed over soon enough then you can have your reward.”

As the window rolled up and the car pulled off, a sly grin curled on Lila’s lips as she glared over at the Dupain-Cheng bakery. Marinette wasn’t going to keep Adrien away from her. She had no clue who she was messing with.

***

“Your soup, monsieur.”

Adrien smiled up at his server politely before picking up his spoon, but to his surprise, the dining room door opened for his father. Back stiffening, he sat up straight, dropping his spoon and blinking to ensure he wasn’t dreaming. Although, considering the circumstances, he supposed he shouldn’t have been surprised. The room seemed to grow hotter in an instant, and Adrien swallowed as his father took his seat.

“Father-”

“Who gave you permission to see Marinette Dupain-Cheng?” Gabriel started coldly, and Adrien felt his stomach flip.

“I-”

“It wasn’t me or Nathalie, so who was it?” He pressed, and Adrien shifted his gaze to his lap.

“No one,” he mumbled.

“What was that?” Gabriel quirked a brow.

“I said no one,” Adrien spoke up. “Father, I just wanted-”

��I am the one who decides what is best for you,” Gabriel cut him off sharply. “You will stop seeing this girl at once.”

“But, Father-”

“End of discussion, Adrien. You have betrayed my trust, and I will not tolerate you disobeying me.” Adrien’s jaw clenched, his hands squeezing into fists.

“Why can’t I be with her?” He shot back, eyes watering.

“Because I said so-”

“What has she ever done to make you disapprove?” Adrien continued. “Marinette is smart and kind, and she’s always helping others.”

“That’s enough, Adrien!”

“She’s the best possible influence I could have!” Adrien said, voice rising in volume.

“That is not your decision to make,” Gabriel growled, and Adrien’s fists shook in his lap, air building inside his lungs until he couldn’t contain it anymore.

“I love her!” He shouted, slamming his fist on the table and Gabriel sat back with a stern glare. “I’m in love with her, so please don’t take her away.”

“If you felt this strongly about her, you should have come and talked to me,” Gabriel said, calmer now. “You went behind my back which is something I cannot forgive so easily, and if your outbursts are a result of your feelings for her then I forbid you from seeing her ever again.”

“Father, no!” Adrien pleaded, but Gabriel stood up, signaling the end of their conversation.

“I will have my dinner in my office,” he instructed Nathalie as he headed for the door. “See to it that Adrien practices his piano before bed.”

“Yes, sir,” Nathalie said, flicking her gaze over to Adrien whose head hung low.

“Is this what she would have wanted?” Gabriel froze at the door at Adrien’s voice, turning to face him. “Mom. Is this what she would have wanted?”

“She would have wanted what was best for you,” Gabriel said flatly, but Adrien met his gaze challengingly, causing Gabriel to quirk a brow.

“Even if it made me unhappy?” He asked, and Gabriel lowered his gaze, turning back to the door with a sigh. “What would you do in my position? If there was a way that you could be with Mom again, wouldn’t you take it?”

“I’d do anything to get your mother back,” he said, voice low and gravely, and he stood in silence for a moment before speaking again. “I will allow you to continue your relationship with Miss Dupain-Cheng if it really means so much to you. Nathalie will keep an eye on both of you.”

“Thank you, Father!” Adrien said, shoulders relaxing in relief.

Gabriel pursed his lips, staring ahead with a distant expression before nodding and pushing open the door. Adrien leaned back in his chair, breathing a sigh of relief before finally digging into his meal. That was close. Too close, but he was safe. For now.

***

Marinette was in her room when Adrien called, and she took a deep breath before answering.

“Hey, Adrien, what’s up?” She said in an attempt to sound casual though it came off stiffer than she’d like.

“Okay, so my father tried to intervene, but I convinced him to allow us to be together, so that’s good I guess,” he stated, rubbing the back of his neck. “He’s not really letting up on my schedule very much, but Nathalie said you can come along and watch my photoshoots or practices if you want.”

Her heart skipped at the thought. This was everything she’d always wanted. An opportunity to be closer to Adrien and watch him while he worked, but she found it hard to be excited when she knew deep down that none of it was real. Maybe if she hoped hard enough then Tikki would be right about him falling for her in the end. She could wish anyway.

“That’s good to hear,” she replied with a smile.

“I did persuade Nathalie to pencil in a little time on Friday, so I can take you out on a date,” he said sounding satisfied with himself. “I think it will help solidify things publicly for us.”

“What if we posted on Instagram? That way a lot of people can see us,” she suggested.

“Good idea, Marinette!” Adrien praised. “Can you come over now?”

“Now as in right now?” Her eyebrows raised.

“Yeah. I’m just practicing my piano then I was going to work on homework,” he said, and Marinette bit her lip.

“Um, sure. I can come over now I guess,” she said, pursing her lips with a wince.

“Awesome! This will be the first time anyone has gotten to hang out here with my father’s permission.” He grinned, seeming excited, and Marinette’s face softened with a laugh.

“See you soon,” she said, and Adrien’s sunny disposition reminded her of why she’d agreed to this.

He’d seemed so anxious earlier that morning, but now he was totally relaxed. Even if he didn’t love her romantically, Adrien felt comfortable enough with her to go through with all of this, so that had to count for something. Her friendship meant a lot to him, so she’d always be there when he needed her. No matter what.

***

Lila glared down at her phone as she stalked up the sidewalk. Adrien and Marinette’s newest Instagram post told her that Gabriel hadn’t held up his end of the deal after all. Seeing them snuggled together as Adrien showed her how to play piano was so sickeningly sweet, she could barf. It seemed as though she needed to take matters into her own hands to expose their phony relationship. Not having Gabriel’s help did make that somewhat difficult, but Lila wasn’t one to back down from a challenge.

“Good morning, Chloe!” Sabrina greeted off to Lila’s right as the girl in question climbed out of her limo and tossed her purse into her arms without glancing up from her phone. “How was your trip to London for your uncle’s birthday yesterday?”

“Ugh, so lame.” Chloe rolled her eyes. “Do you have my homework?”

“Yes, Chloe. All finished and everything.” Sabrina presented it. “There is something I think you should know before you go inside…”

“Did Kim start wearing that awful cologne again?” Chloe gagged, nose wrinkling in disgust.

“Well, no-”

“Good. It gives me a headache.” Chloe massaged her temples. “Spit it out already. I don’t have all day.”

“Well, have you checked Instagram today?” Sabrina winced.

“This morning. I have 200 new followers,” Chloe said, fluffing her ponytail.

“Did you see Adrien’s newest post?” Sabrina asked as Chloe applied more lip gloss.

“No. I get notified every time Adrikins posts,” she said, smushing her lips together before closing her compact. “Why?”

“Well…yesterday he and Marinette announced that they’re dating, and-”

“They did what?” Chloe snapped, and Sabrina instinctively shrank. “Do my ears deceive me?”

“Yesterday at school while you were out, they came in holding hands, and then they kissed-”

“Dupain-Cheng kissed my Adrien? Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Chloe shouted.

“Well, Adrien posted a photo of the two of them on his Instagram last night, so I thought you’d seen it.” Sabrina winced, bowing apologetically.

“Ugh, this stupid app didn’t notify me!” Chloe growled down at her phone before gasping in realization. “Oh, no! I have that stupid wannabe blocked! That’s why it didn’t show me his post. Ugh! Dupain-Cheng thinks she’s so clever stealing Adrien out from under me while I’m away. She’s not going to get away with this!”

Lila ducked behind the column as Chloe stomped up the stairs, pursing her lips. Fate, as it would seem, just handed her a second chance, and perhaps she wouldn’t have to do anything after all.

#miraculous ladybug #adrinette #adrien agreste #marinette dupain-cheng #fake dating au #my writing

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lilacmoon83 · 4 years

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Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 221: A Long Awaited Wedding

Snow smiled up at him, as they danced together in the diner. The rehearsal dinner had gone off without a hitch and they enjoyed the evening with their family, as they celebrated the imminent nuptials between their son and soon to be daughter-in-law. Rose and Fandral had returned with the news that Jekyll might have dabbled in experimenting with taking hearts before, simply to see if he could replicate the process through science versus magic. It didn't yield many answers, but they were not surprised by the level of pure psychosis that the doctor was exhibiting. That aside, as usual, they had not allowed him to spoil their evening. And now, as dinner was winding down, they were dancing to one of their favorite cheesy ballads, to quote their children, courtesy of the jukebox. He twirled her around and then brought her back so that his chest was pressed against her back, as they continued to sway. Her smile widened, as he sung the whispered words of the song in her ear and she felt warm chills travel down her spine.

"You know what it does to me when you sing…" she purred.

"That's the idea," he whispered, as he spun her again and she ended up facing him again.

"Then I can't wait until you and I are home, because I feel like a dip in the hot tub with my husband," she said.

"That hot tub was a really good idea," he agreed, as he noticed Eva nodding to his wife, just as she and his sister came back from the Inn side.

"What's that about?" he asked.

"Well…I didn't want to tell you until I was sure, but your sister had some symptoms earlier and I had Eva check her out," Snow replied.

"What kind of symptoms?" he asked.

"The pregnancy kind," she replied, with a wince.

"What?" he asked, as his eyes widened.

"Yeah…I know and she's already scared, but it's going to be okay," she replied, as she gave Natalie a reassuring smile. He joined her in doing so and hugged Snow close.

"Of course...with someone like you in her corner, she'll be fine," he agreed.

"And with her big overly protective brother in her corner, she'll be doubly fine," she said.

"Well, at least Clayton's not here so we don't have to look at that stupid smug smirk," he replied, as she gently prodded him forward.

"Go," Snow said, as she watched him go over and talk to his sister, which was followed up with a hug, their first one ever.

"You were right...that didn't take long for him to take to her," Emma said, as she sided up to her mother and put an arm around her.

"Mmm…I know your father and he loves his family, even the one he is just discovering," Snow said, as she watched them with love in her eyes.

~*~

James and Aphrodite awakened at last and looked at each other, before practically leaping up and throwing their arms around each other, hugging fiercely.

"It was always you…" she cried, as a few tears slipped down her cheeks. He kissed her gently.

"Eros...he's truly mine," James realized, as he caught sight of the Collector.

"You…" he hissed, as he stalked toward Clayton, who backpedaled. He found a sword and held it up in defense of himself. A sword appeared in James' hand, thanks to Zeus, and he parried the Collector's blade.

"Give me one good reason I shouldn't flay you down to the bone?" James questioned, as their blades clashed.

"Well…I'm already dead and you've obviously won," Clayton retorted.

"You're right...let's just throw you in the river," James growled, as he grabbed him by the collar and prepared to toss him into the river.

"You can't let him do this, Goddess Nyx!" Clayton pleaded, as his usual arrogant façade was gone and replaced with real fear.

"As much as I would love to be rid of him...he's right, I cannot let you administer his justice," Nyx stated.

"Such is not allowed. Hades may have allowed others to do as they please, but I run a much tighter ship," she said. Clayton smirked, as James released him.

"Thank you, Goddess," he said, bowing deeply.

"Shut up or I will throw you in the river," she snapped, as he was wisely silent. James glared at his father next and faced him.

"You just couldn't let me be happy, could you?" he spat.

"I made many mistakes and you'll never believe this, but I do regret them," George said.

"You're right...I don't believe you. The only thing you regret is that you're dead and you didn't get your way," James hissed.

"And you…" he hissed at Hera.

"She never did anything to you...why do you hate her so much?" he asked. Hera glared at Dione and her daughter.

"Because she exists," Hera stated simply. Nyx raised her hand at that and Hera's soul burst into flames. She screamed briefly, as she was squelched from existence. She turned to George and Clayton next and approached.

"Being erased from existence is much too good for you, Collector and so is the river," Nyx said, as she looked at him.

"I could be useful to you, Goddess. My wealth of knowledge is unmatched...even he knows that," Clayton said, looking at Zeus.

"That's why I deserved to be a God...that's why I wanted her to bear my heir, but alas, that sadly wasn't meant to be and instead, she birthed his mongrels," he added, glaring at Clayton.

"I was very close to having the Chalice myself when I made Snow White crush Charming's heart. I would have stepped into his shoes and she would have made a nice surrogate to bear my heir," he claimed.

"The Charming bloodline is as good as a Divine bloodline now with the power of the chalice, but sadly, that wasn't meant to be either," he continued and then smirked.

"Until now…" he said.

"What are you talking about?" Aphrodite asked.

"Because my son has succeeded in doing what I could not. He has sired an heir with the coveted Charming bloodline," Clayton said.

"That's not possible!" James refuted.

"Are you saying that your son has raped one of our nieces? And how would you even know that?!" Aphrodite asked in outrage.

"I know, because Underbrooke has ways of letting the dead find out what's happening in the living world and you're right, it isn't one of Snow and David's precious daughters that is carrying my son's heir," Clayton said, as he looked at them smugly.

"It's your sister," he said, enjoying the look of shock and disbelief from them.

"I don't have a sister," James snapped, but Clayton continued to smirk smugly.

"Yes...you do. I knew your father well and he had more than a few dalliances. One of those encounters produced a child," Clayton said.

"Even if that's true...none of that means anything. Your son is never getting his hands on the Chalice. I remember everything now...and I made sure it has all the protections necessary to prevent it ever falling into the hands of evil," Aphrodite replied.

"Maybe. Maybe not...but regardless, my bloodline is secure and it is ensured that it will never die out. And one day, that child will know of the other half of its legacy," Clayton said.

"No...pretty sure Snow and David will make sure your son has no access to that child and no ability to poison him," James refuted.

"He's right...your family has been a scourge on humanity for centuries and my daughter will help make sure that doesn't continue," Dione assured him. Clayton smirked.

"We shall see…" he said.

"We will...but you will not, demon," Nyx declared, as she ceased his movements.

"You get to go to a very special place...a special eternal prison created for only the worst to ever exist," Nyx hissed and a chill of fear slithered through Clayton.

"You're going to Gehenna...a place in a dimension just beyond Tartarus. It is a horrid place of filth, stench, smoke, and fire," she said.

"You get no rest, Collector. This place will be your eternal torment and the demons already there will be your tormentors," she added, as a black portal opened before them and he saw the flames reflecting in his eyes, just before he was sucked through the portal into his eternal hell with a final scream.

"Now you…" Nyx said, as she turned to George.

"You have a well earned place in the river of lost souls...but I have decided to give you a chance to work out your unfinished business for perhaps a less harsh sentence," she said.

"You will return to Underbrooke...for now. Mind your steps and I may send you somewhere other than the river Styx or Tartarus, Your Majesty," she said, as she banished him back to the surface.

"You should have just thrown him in the river," James growled, as Aphrodite put a soothing hand on his shoulder.

"We are together again and the curse is broken, my love. He can no longer hurt us," she assured, as he put his arms around her.

"I remember everything now...all our past lives together," he said, as his brow suddenly furrowed.

"Wait...please tell me that this doesn't mean our son and Leo are actually blood related?" he asked.

"Well, if they were, that would be wildly awkward, but no...since Eros was conceived when you were Anchises, he is not related to any of his cousins by blood," Zeus replied. They let out a breath of relief.

"Yes...only you in your life as James is actually blood related to David," Dione added.

"Yeah...why do I sense that this wasn't random?" he asked.

"Because you're right...Athena was tired of seeing this curse wreck the two of you and stacked the deck, so to speak," Zeus replied.

"How?" Aphrodite asked.

"She suspected that if she entwined your destiny with David's, that Snow and David, as the truest loves, would indirectly help the two of you in breaking your curse," Dione replied.

"She's right...she somehow knew I would get tired of seeing your heart broken and refuse to allow James to be reincarnated after he was killed. She was right...I made a deal with Hades for that one to keep you in Underbrooke indefinitely," Zeus explained.

"So she knew David and I would somehow cross paths? And it would lead me to be revived?" James asked.

"Yes...she had Ruth tell you that she was giving you her second chance...but that was me. She came to me once David fell through that portal to the Underworld and clued me in on the fact that you'd cross paths with your brother," Zeus replied.

"You mean…" James started to say. Dione smiled.

"Yes...it was your second chance all along, so you could be reunited with our daughter," she said.

"But...how did you know things wouldn't go wrong again?" James asked.

"I didn't...Athena really had to strong arm me into agreeing to it. But as usual, she was right. Thanks to Snow and David, being the champions they are, Blue was finally exposed and it led you both to the truth you needed to break the curse," Zeus replied. James shook his head.

"Wow...so now we go home, I guess?" he asked. Aphrodite smiled and nodded, as she looked to her parents. Tears filled her eyes, as she hugged them tightly.

"I just got you back," she said tearfully. Nyx waved her hand and a looking glass appeared.

"This is my gift to you...and I will send it to your home in Storybrooke. This will allow you a coveted privilege of communicating with them from Elysian," Nyx offered. Aphrodite bowed respectfully to her.

"Thank you Goddess," she said, as she hugged her parents one last time, before joining hands with James. Hermes appeared and escorted them through the portal.

~*~

"Mmm...this was the best idea," Snow cooed, as she and David sat pressed together in the warm, bubbly water. He kissed her hair.

"Definitely," he agreed, as he held her against him.

"But I think I know a way for it to get even better," she purred, as she turned in the water and straddled his waist, watching his blue eyes glaze.

"Definitely better," he agreed, as she began to gently rock against him and their lips met in a passionate rhythm that was in concert of the fluid movement of their incredible lovemaking...

~*~

The next morning

"Elsa?" Anna called, as she entered her sister's chambers early that morning. Leo had slept over in their room in his parent's castle, following the usual tradition of spending the final night before their wedding apart, despite the fact they had already been living together for years.

"Out here," Elsa called from her balcony. Anna poked her head out and observed her sister already dressed in her wedding gown. It was beautiful and glittered in the early morning sunlight. It was similar in design to her favorite blue dress, with a glittering bodice, satin skirt, and a shimmering iridescent train. Her hair was braided and draped over one shoulder, as per usual, and she wore her tiara.

"Oh Elsa...you look beautiful…" Anna gushed, as she took her hand.

"Thanks…" she replied.

"Are you nervous?" Anna asked.

"Not like I thought I'd be. Leo and I have been living together for a few years now and we thought we were already married during the curse. This just feels right," Elsa replied.

"Because it is. I've never seen you at more peace, but then love will do that," Anna said, as they shared a hug.

"It's time…" Kristoff said, as they exited her chambers.

"Wow...you look beautiful, Elsa," he said. She smiled.

"Thanks…" she said, as Elsa waved her hand and they disappeared in a poof of light blue smoke.

~*~

David attempted to straighten his bowtie on his tux in the mirror, but it was not cooperating at all.

"Snow, can you help with this damn...wow," he said, as he came out of the bathroom and found her there in a sleeveless shimmering orchid dress. It wasn't too dissimilar to an orchid ball gown she had once worn long ago, but this was a modern design and a bit less formal than something she would have worn for a ball.

"I take it that you approve," she said, as she glided up to him and straightened his bowtie with minimal effort.

"How could I not...you are so beautiful," he said, as he slipped his arms around her waist and she smiled up at him.

"You're pretty handsome yourself...very handsome, in fact," she purred, as he kissed her tenderly.

"Are you ready?" he asked. She nodded.

"Yes...this is a long time coming. We already consider Elsa our daughter...this just makes it official," she said.

"I know...I'm so glad that our girls are happy in their marriages and that Leo is finally happy too. We've...worried about him," he replied. She hummed.

"He had some bad luck...bad luck that neither of us experienced. Sometimes I felt a little unqualified to give him advice," she admitted.

"Tell me about it...he once told me that he appreciated my insight, but that I didn't really get it and he was right, because I met you," he said.

"You were my first and my only...that's really rare these days," she replied.

"You were my first and only too...we were so blessed and now we know Leo is too," he said. She smiled and kissed him again.

"Come on...let's get our baby boy married off," she said. He chuckled.

"There was a time when you were horrified by the prospect of said baby boy being with anyone," he teased.

"I know...but thanks to his early bad luck, I had my reasons. But then Elsa came along and we love her. She's perfect for our son," Snow said.

"Yeah...and just think, we'll probably be doing this for Bobby in a few years," he mentioned.

"Oh, I am not looking forward to that. My youngest baby...but we'll probably be doing this for Summer first," she reminded him.

"Ugh...let's not talk about that," he complained and she smiled.

"I think it's safe to say that neither of us is looking forward to an empty nest. But we have our grandkids and we'll most certainly have more. Not to mention we'll soon have a new baby niece or nephew," she said.

"Yeah...that was definitely unexpected. I'm glad Clayton is gone so I don't have to see his stupid smug smirk over the fact of his bloodline mixing with ours," David said sourly.

"Mmm...he's gone forever, baby and his son is in prison where he belongs. This baby will be a Charming thru and thru," Snow assured him. He nodded in agreement, as he offered his arm to her. She hooked her hand on his elbow and they prepared to leave for the reserve.

~*~

Drizella looked around the creepy lab with a bit of disgust.

"This place is horrid...worse than that stupid Inn I'm forced to live at right now, because that prissy little bitch destroyed my family's mansion and took our wealth," she complained.

"Yes...but we are well protected from the strong arm of the law here on this island and we have little time for your whining," Jekyll replied. She huffed.

"Fine...what is our plan for today? Because I want nothing more than to see Snow White cry tears when we interrupt her precious baby boy's wedding day," she gushed.

"I think we should let the wedding commence and then crash the reception instead," Grimm suggested.

"Any particular reason?" Jekyll questioned.

"People will be more spread out, more relaxed, a bit of alcohol in the mix as well. It will catch them more off guard and create wider chaos," he said.

"I like it," Drizella said, as she turned to the doctor.

"But you promised me a solution to not having magic. If I am to declare myself as the new Evil Queen...then I must have the power to back up my claim," she replied. The doctor smirked and opened a case underneath one of his lab tables.

"This is an experimental drug that I have been working on to allow you to create the ability to conjure magic. It's temporary and has not been tested well yet. It's a risk...I don't know what side effects there might be," he warned.

"But it will give me powers?" she asked.

"Until the drug wears off...but it should be long enough for our purposes," he replied.

"It's untested...I will warn you again," Jekyll said.

"But it will work?" she questioned again.

"I guess we'll find out," Grimm said.

"You have to ask yourself...is getting what you want worth the risk?" Jekyll asked. She thought for a moment and then offered her arm. Jekyll smirked and administered the injection…

~*~

Leo chuckled, as several of the animals gathered around him. He got a nudge to his hand from Graham, a lick from Wilby, a head nudge from Pegasus, and a nuzzle from Firestorm.

"Thanks guys," he said, as his parents arrived and he could already see his mother tearing up.

"Oh sweetie...you look so handsome," she gushed, as she gently adjusted his bowtie.

"Thanks Mom," he replied, as they shared a hug.

"We are so proud of you and we love Elsa," David said, as he clapped him on the shoulder. He smiled, as his parents stepped off to his side, intending to stand at the altar with him. The audience was seated and the music began to play softly, as Eva, Emma, and Summer walked down the aisle arm in arm, both in gorgeous baby blue dresses and came to stand with their brother as his best women. Next, there were chuckles from the audience, as Lucy and Hope were next. Lucy carried the rings on a pillow, while Hope toddled along with her little basket and tossed flower petals. They arrived at the altar, where Hook scooped Hope up and sat back down next to Henry and Ella in the front row, while Lucy stood with their family at the altar. Also in the front row was Regina, Robin, Granny, Red, Xander, Natalie, Thalia, Rumple, Belle, Gideon, Rose, and Fandral.

The music intensified, as Elsa entered on the arms of Kristoff and Anna, as they accompanied her down the aisle. Leo smiled, as he looked at her in awe and they soon arrived at the altar. Anna hugged her tightly, as she and Kristoff took their places on her side, while Anna held her flowers. She joined hands with Leo and they turned to Archie, who stood there to officiate the ceremony.

"Friends...we gather here today to join Queen Elsa of Arendelle and Prince Leo of Misthaven in the bonds of matrimony and I must say, I am honored once again to officiate yet another Charming family wedding," Archie began.

"I have had the privilege of knowing Leo since he was born and have watched him grow every step of the way. An extraordinary little boy has become an extraordinary man, but then that did not surprise me, considering how extraordinary his parents are," he continued.

"From very early on, I knew Leo was a very special boy. Animals would seek him out, even before magic came here and I could see his deep compassion for them from very early. I knew then that he would be exceptional...but I also knew that it may come with challenges," he said.

"Being exceptional or different is not always easy, as I eventually learned when I met Elsa upon her first arrival in Storybrooke," he continued.

"I saw how extraordinary her magic was, but how incredibly lonely it made her," he said.

"Until she met Leo and realized she had a kindred spirit; someone that truly understood and that was not afraid of her power," he added, with a smile.

"To see these two find their way back to each other and fall in love brought me true joy and I am honored to bring them together in this union. I know you both have vows and we are eager to witness you speak of your love and devotion to each other," Archie said, as they faced each other.

"Archie summed it up pretty well...I've always had trouble relating to people outside my family. Even in a town of magic, I was the weird kid that animals followed everywhere," he said, eliciting a few chuckles.

"I had some trouble with relationships and when I met you, I think I knew that no one else would understand me the way you did. The problem was that we were separated by the walls between realms," he said.

"Even after we parted for those few years, I could never stop thinking about you and growing up with the greatest true love as my example, I knew what that meant. I knew that I loved you and that we'd find a way to be together. And we did," Leo said, as they shared a smile.

"We did," she agreed.

"I feel so lucky to be welcomed into such a warm family. I never even considered having a normal family, let alone finding someone to share my life with. I couldn't see the possibility of anyone not being fearful of my power," Elsa said.

"But then you came along and showed me that if I stopped fearing myself...then others would too. You understood the curse of having power and taught me the beauty of it as well," she added.

"I didn't believe in true love or soul mates until I met you and your family and I can't wait to continue this crazy journey together," she said, as they shared another smile.

"It is without a doubt that we are witnessing another shining example of true love," Archie said.

"The rings please," he said, as Lucy did her part and presented the pillow, allowing Leo and Elsa to take the wedding bands.

"Prince Leo Charming of Misthaven, do you take this woman, Queen Elsa of Arendelle as your wife?" he asked.

"I do," he said, with a smile, as he slid the ring on her finger.

"Queen Elsa of Arendelle, do you take this man, Prince Leo Charming of Misthaven as your husband?" Archie questioned.

"I do," she replied, with a smile, as she slid the ring on his finger.

"Then with the power invested in me by the royal council of Misthaven, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride," Archie declared. They smiled and their lips met in a passionate kiss to the applause of everyone present.

"And now...we celebrate this union at the reception following immediately!" Archie announced, as the newly wedded couple retreated together from the altar, with their family following. It would be a long afternoon and evening of celebration.

~*~

James and Aphrodite stepped through the portal and into their home atop Mount Olympus.

"It's good to be home," James said. She smiled.

"It's good to have all of my memories," she replied, as he pulled her close and kissed her tenderly.

"I guess we should go find everyone. I guess I have a sister to meet and questions for my father," James said.

"Well...you sort of missed the wedding, but you'll be in time for the reception," Hermes said.

"Wedding? Leo and Elsa?" Aphrodite asked. She nodded.

"Much has happened and I'm sure Snow and David will fill you in, but Leo and Elsa wanted to get married before the next mission," Hermes said.

"Just how much did we miss?" James asked.

"A lot...you know Snow and David, always on the move," Hermes joked.

"Well...looks like we have a reception to get ready for," Aphrodite said, as they proceeded to go clean up and change.

~*~

"Are you sure you want another? These are very strong," Aesop warned, as he manned the bar and kept the drinks flowing at the reception.

"These earthly concoctions have little effect on me, mate. While yours is an impeccable recipe, only real Asgardian ale can get me drunk," Fandral said, as Rose enjoyed her mixed drink.

"Saying that I can't get you drunk just takes all the fun out of the challenge," Aesop joked.

"Well...I would offer to give you a few tips with your brewing to make a strong Asgardian brew, but I'm afraid it would be a bit dangerous to humans," Fandral joked back.

"As an author...your culture fascinates me. I'd love to read more about Asgard," Aesop said.

"Oh we have many books and you're welcome to any of them," Rose replied.

"Yes...you were an author that ended up in the Land of Untold Stories, am I correct?" Fandral asked.

"Yes...if there is one story I have been reluctant to tell, it's my own, I'm afraid," Aesop replied.

"Well...if you ever do want to tell it, we'd love to listen," Rose assured.

"Thank you...perhaps someday," he said.

"Do you want another?" Snow asked, as they put their empty glasses on the bar.

"What, are you trying to get me tipsy?" David teased and she pecked him on the lips.

"Maybe I am…" she purred, as he pulled her close and they swayed together.

"It's good to see you two unwind a bit, especially with all that you told us is ahead," Fandral mentioned. Snow smiled.

"Yes...we need it. The easy thing to do would be to close off the United Realms and leave the Land Without Magic to its own problems. Some probably think we should," she said.

"That's not your style...nor ours. If there are innocents suffering, then helping is never wrong," Rose agreed.

"Yeah...and there is an upside. We've lived in this world for so long, but we've seen very little of it. Despite the danger, we'll also be traveling to places all over the globe from what the Major said," David said.

"There is much romance to be had in adventure," Fandral agreed with a toast of his glass. Snow smiled and bit her bottom lip, as she looked at David.

"You know us...slowing down never seems to be in the plan, but I wouldn't change it for anything," she said, as he pecked her on the lips.

"Me either…" he said, as he led her back onto the dance floor.

"Shall we as well, my angel?" Fandral asked, as he took her hand. She nodded and they joined everyone else for another dance.

Aesop smiled, as he observed the festivities and continued serving drinks.

"It would seem bartending is the occupation of washed up writers. Curious…" a voice said, as Aesop turned to see a man at the bar.

"I'm sorry...who are you?" Aesop asked.

"No one important...thanks to you," he replied.

"I don't even know you," Aesop said.

"No...but you knew my ancestors when you screwed them out of the authorship," the man replied, as Aesop took a sobering breath.

"You're a Grimm," he realized.

"Yes...and instead of being a world famous author, I own a bar, much like you," Elias said.

"I suspect that your bar is somewhere I've never visited then," Aesop replied.

"No...Pleasure Island isn't for the faint of heart, despite its deceiving name," Elias replied.

"Ah Pleasure Island...a den of villainy and scum," Aesop said.

"Better than being around a bunch of sanctimonious heroes and at least I didn't run from my duties as the original author," Elias challenged.

"I didn't run…" Aesop snapped.

"It doesn't matter...neither of us will ever live up to the glory that Henry Nolan Charming has found," he said.

"Henry is the most honorable author to ever hold the pen. Now, I think it's time you leave. Snow and David would not enjoy having scum like you at their son's wedding reception," Aesop replied. Elias smirked.

"Oh…I'm not going anywhere and thankfully, this party is about to liven up a bit," he replied. Aesop frowned and then heard a few screams.

~*~

"They look so happy…" Snow gushed, as they danced and she watched their son dance with his wife.

"That's the magic of true love," David said, as they swayed slowly. The moment was absolutely perfect, especially as he kissed her, so they should have known it would soon go wrong.

A few guests were startled when one of the ice sculptures exploded and melted, with water sloshing onto the dance floor.

"What the hell?" Leo muttered, as another one burst and became a puddle.

"That doesn't seem normal," JJ mentioned, as he danced with Summer.

"It's not," she said, as she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.

"Rumple…" Belle asked, as she saw that he had gone rigid. He responded by ushering her off the dance floor. Regina looked around, as the ground beneath them started to rumble.

"Let me guess...that's not you doing that, kid?" Emma asked, as she and Killian looked around.

"I'll get the baby," he said, as he hurried to retrieve her from Granny, just in case.

"Yeah...not me, but I think I know who it is," Bobby replied.

"Oh he has got guts if he's even thinking about interrupting my grandson's wedding," Regina growled irritably, as she readied a fireball in hand. That's when three more ice sculptures exploded, creating more alarm. David held Snow close and glared fiercely at the phantom that was seemingly causing this.

"Stop cowering and show yourself, you snake," he growled, as the water from the exploded ice sculptures began to steam and evaporate into the air, creating a mist around them all.

"Enough with the theatrics, you demon! You are not going to destroy our son's wedding!" Snow shouted into the air, as she stepped forward. But that was exactly what he wanted, as the tendrils from the mist suddenly became alive and wrapped around her.

"Snow!" he cried, as she disappeared into the mist. There was a tapping sound, like shoes on the dance floor, as the mist suddenly lifted and they could see again. His heart pounded wildly, as he could feel Snow was still nearby, but couldn't see her. What he did see though was nothing short of nauseating. The tapping noise was revealed to be Drizella Tremaine, the original version and his long time stalker, arriving in a gaudy, cleavage bursting green dress. As usual, she was dripping in cheap costume jewelry, wore a tacky looking tiara, and her makeup was grossly overdone.

"You have to admit...that was one hell of an entrance. Fit for a Queen, if I do say so," she said.

"You are no Queen…" David refuted.

"Oh, but that's where you're wrong, handsome. I am a Queen now...the new Evil Queen," she claimed. Regina's chuckle started low and then grew into an outright mocking laugh, as she stepped forward.

"You? The Evil Queen? I'd say more like an evil wannabe, but you're not even that good," Regina sneered.

"Better than you...what Evil Queen gives up their conquest for revenge and becomes family with their enemy?" Drizella countered.

"A smart one...which leaves you out," Regina retorted.

"Where is my wife?" David snapped.

"Well, I'd love to say dead, since that would be my preference, but I'll take out of the way so I can make you mine," she said in a sultry tone.

"Listen ghoul girl, this is my brother's wedding and unless you'd like to go back to the rubber room, you better tell me where my mother is and leave or things might get even uglier for you and that's saying something with a clown face like yours," Emma growled.

"She's very rude, Charming...you should have raised her to respect a Queen," Drizella commented.

"She respects real Queens, like her mother, not trashy less than wannabes like you," David retorted. She pouted at that.

"So mean...but you're so dreamy, so I can't even be mad," she gushed and he rolled his eyes.

"Seriously bitch...where's our Mom?" Leo snapped hotly.

"Suffering…I hope," Drizella hissed and Emma blasted her with a burst of white magic. She cried out and found herself singed after it, seething at the blonde.

"That was a light tap...the next one is going to burn," Emma warned.

"Or maybe not," Drizella growled, surprising them all when she hit Emma with a sickly green blast of magic.

"Emma!" David cried, as he hurried to help his daughter up from the ground. She was mostly dazed, but had a minor burn on her chest from it.

"She...she has magic," Emma uttered, but he shook his head.

"How is that possible?" he wondered.

"How indeed," a voice said, as Jekyll emerged in a puff of mist, with Snow by the arm. She had her wrists in a pair of fiery cuffs, but they didn't seem to be burning her.

"Let. Her. Go," David growled, as he stepped forward and brandished the Chalice sword.

"I wouldn't come too close," Jekyll warned, but David ignored him until Snow grimaced in pain the closer he got. He noticed the cuffs had gotten redder.

"These are specifically designed to keep you away from her. Get too close and they will react to your body heat, causing your beloved great pain," Jekyll said.

"You sick, sadistic psychopath...let her go now," David growled. Jekyll chuckled.

"I finally found a way to keep you apart...but then I knew my genius would never let me down," he boasted.

"As for the subject of how she has magic...that would be my genius again. I have worked on a concoction for many years that alters the DNA of a person that is injected with it and allows them to use magic for a time," Jekyll explained.

"Your elixirs and serums will never truly be able to replace the power of real magic," Rumple refuted.

"Oh, I don't know...I think the Savior got a taste of what my elixir can do," he argued.

"She surprised me...that won't happen again," Emma assured them.

"Let her go...this is the last time I'll ask or I'll use the full power of the Chalice on you. I won't hold back…" David warned. He smirked.

"Too many innocents could get hurt if we battle...and you know it. You won't risk innocent lives," he challenged.

"Now...she'll be coming with me," Jekyll said.

"The hell she will…" David growled, as Bobby curiously reached out to feel what kind of energy was pulsing through the cuffs on his mother, as Jekyll continued to goad his father.

"But you cannot stop me," he said, as he gently caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. Snow shrugged away in disgust and turned her head away from him as much as possible.

"So beautiful...you feature in all my dreams, lovely Snow and now those dreams will come true," he promised, but his delusion was interrupted when Bobby slowly started approaching them.

"Stay back brat...you don't want to harm your lovely mother," Jekyll warned. But to his and everyone else's shock, the cuffs didn't seem to react to him at all and he had an aura of peridot green around him.

"How...how are you doing this!?" Jekyll growled and the teen smirked.

"I think the question should be why do you think that you can defeat my magic and the magic of my siblings? Magic that our parents gave us, born of true love and magic that the Dark One himself and the former Evil Queen taught us to use," Bobby replied.

"But to answer your stupid question...I just used my earth powers to cool my body temperature to almost nothing. I guess I'm kind of the walking answer to foiling all your psychotic science experiments," Bobby said, as he sent a small seismic vibration into the cuffs around Snow's wrists and they cracked, before shattering to pieces.

"You little…" Jekyll said, but he released another seismic charge directly at Jekyll, throwing him back almost twenty feet. David rushed up to his wife and swept her into his arms.

"This...is not over," Jekyll warned, as Drizella and Grimm backed away to join him.

"Not by a long shot," Drizella promised, as they disappeared in a puff of smoke. Snow breathed a sigh in relief, as David held her and kissed her passionately.

"I'm okay…" she promised, as they enveloped Bobby in a hug between them, while the rest of their children gathered around them.

"That was incredible, baby brother," Emma said. He shrugged.

"I have the powers...I'm going to use them," he said simply.

"We just got here and saw everything at the end!" Aphrodite called, as she rushed toward them.

"You're back!" Snow called, as they shared a hug.

"A device that can keep you away from Snow...he really went there?" James asked, as he and David shared a hug as well.

"Unfortunately, but he's no match for our son," David said, with pride, as he put his hands on Bobby's shoulders.

"Your memories? Did you find any answers?" Snow asked.

"Oh did we...it's quite a story, but I say that we don't let that stupid doctor and his loser sidekicks ruin this celebration," James suggested.

"Especially since it seems that I have a sister to meet," he added, as he looked in the direction of his father and the blonde woman next to him.

"So...are we doing the fireworks?" Leroy asked impatiently. David smiled.

"Yes we are...and then you can tell us everything," he replied, as the dwaves went to resume the festivities.

"Wait...you put Leroy and Happy in charge of fireworks?" Regina asked in concern.

"Don't worry...they're only allowed to set them up. Doc is in charge of the ignitor," David assured, as the fireworks commenced.

"My love...if you need me to take you home, the kids will understand," he whispered to her. But she shook her head.

"No…I won't let him do that to me. As long as I have your arms around me, I'll be fine," she promised, as they shared a tender kiss. But there was no doubt that Jekyll's latest stunt had shaken them both a bit. A device that prevented him from being near her made his blood run cold. He only hoped they could find another way than just their son to combat this threat and eventually find a way to destroy Jekyll, once and for all...

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sterrenkijker · 4 years

Text

30th session: “The gang entertains some children”

The three take a short rest after the intense fight they just had. Erato patches himself up before they continue on their way to Andron. They arrive in the late afternoon and find Katya’s house, where they knock on the door. After hearing some shouting from inside, it’s Akta who opens the door and excitedly calls for her mother, who comes out of the kitchen and initially looks happy to see them before she sees something has happened and her face falls.

She takes them inside and she sits at the dinner table with Nidria and Erato, while Paola stretches out on the couch. Erato starts to tell Katya about what brought them here, but the kids are quickly distracted when Paola grabs a deck of cards and starts shuffling them. Akta is immediately intrigued and asks if she can play with her. They’re soon joined by Skaris, who doesn’t want to be left out, and Nidria. Paola is by far the best, while Nidria loses most rounds.

While the four of them are playing, Erato tells Katya about how they joined the organisation and how their first mission went (he mentions that it was a little hard for Nidria right as she gets her hand slapped). He then remembers the present he got for her and hands her a small jar with restorative ointment. She offers to give some of it to him but he brushes it off, followed by a discussion/intervention lead by Paola about how he keeps getting hit and should maybe stay out of the way in the future.

Erato takes the kids aside while Nidria and Paola return to play a very intense round of cards. He’s also bought a gift for them; a little vial that contains an elemental creature taking the shape of a fish when it’s taken out. When Katya gets up to start dinner he offers to help, and the two of them talk about her leaving the organisation to be with her kids.

In the living room, Nidria asks the children if they want to see something cool, before shifting into the cat they saw at the library together three weeks before that. Skaris yells out and Akta goes over to her, her eyes wide in awe. She eventually decides it’s okay to pet her and does so. Nidria shifts back into a person and Skaris asks if she can turn into something bigger. After hesitating if that’s a wise decision, she asks what he has in mind and shifts into a wolf when he asks if she can.

Katya and Erato set the table and after Nidria has turned back they have dinner together. Akta and Skaris tell them all kinds of stories until they start to wear themselves out and Katya brings them to bed. The four of them move to the seating area where Katya asks them about the mission. Erato explains it to her and warns her that it’s namely children that have been disappearing. After processing that, Katya tells them that there’s a part of dense forest around the town, and rumors have spread about people getting attacked by plants. These might just be stories to scare children but there might be some truth to it.

They agree to get breakfast together the next morning. Before they leave to find a tavern, Nidria pulls Katya aside to give her something she made a while ago; a drawing of Katya hugging her two kids. Katya thanks her and the three head out. They stay the night at the Black Cup, where they also stayed three weeks before, and Nidria and Erato get a room together but not before Paola warns Erato about Nidria’s tendency to sneak out.

As they’re getting ready for bed, Erato asks Nidria if she and Paola did something together two days ago when they came in together. Nidria denies this and tells him what she did instead - “praying” to Rosalind’s god to ensure that her girlfriend would arrive in Paetha safely. She expresses her worries and Erato wants to tell her she’ll be fine, but knows that they can’t really be sure.

Paola wakes up a little earlier to write a letter to her boyfriend as she promised to do, before they get croissants and head back to Katya’s place for breakfast. She wishes them good luck on their mission and tells them they can come back in case they need her, since Andron is only half a day away. They say their goodbyes and they continue on their journey.

happy one year anniversary!!

It’s been a literal real life year since we spoke to Akta...

Myranda: “I’m gonna roll a die because I feel left out... an 8!”

Isa: “Erato knocks - I have another tinder match, I don’t care -”

Katya: “I told you not to open the door for strangers!” Akta: It’s not strangers!”

Laura: “What compelled you to say the words ‘Charlie Brown AU’”

Katya’s all inclusive “ladies” when referring to the group healed my soul

Paola: “You guys wanna learn how to play poker? [...] Have you played ‘War’ but on steroids?”

Lydia/Paola: “You gotta take some self defense classes dude”

Lydia: “Paola’s like, don’t you dare touch my stuff”

Erato from the kitchen: “Nidria are you trying to one-up me?”

Nidria: “Wanna see something cool?” Akta: “Is it cooler than this fish?”

Erato is like,, what the fuck just happened and Katya just says “If something’s really wrong he will yell something more specific”

Akta: “Is it rude to pet a cat who’s a person”

Lydia: “That’s borderline furry behavior”

Erato: “I’ll call an inn beforehand to make a reservation...” Nidria: “you could message them like [spooky voice] ‘I’m in your brain... do you have any rooms available...’”

Katya: “I’m gonna hang this on my fridge”

#good times!!!!#campaign synopsis #the sunshine gang plays dnd

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cienie-isengardu · 5 years

Note

The old/aging HC for Sub Zero,Kenshi,Takeda,and Johnny,please? (This is for the ask meme thing.)

Sure!

Kenshi

almost all his life, Kenshi spent on the road; he didn’t really have a place to call a home. He was working for Special Forces for years now and had his own scores with Shang Tsung and Red Dragons to settle down. He was a busy man with right priorities… or so he thought. The older he become, the more he regretted having so little time to enjoy life, so little occasion to tell people how much he cared about them.

Now, when old age catched him up, Kenshi settled down close to place where Takeda, Jacqui and their kid(s) lived. He didn’t want to live with them in the same house, it felt too much like intruding. So Kenshi decided to stay close enough to be there when they would need him to babysit or help with whatever stuff (or to protect them in case of danger, because you never can be sure when scums like Kano or Red Dragons will show up) but at the same time stays enough far away to let them enjoy their shared life in peace.

Kenshi did not know about Takeda’s existence for a years. He had never blame Suchin for that. He did not regret asking Hanzo to take care of boy, when he couldn’t do it properly himself. It was the best way to ensure Takeda’s safety. From the perspective of time, Kenshi was sure it was right decision. Yet the older he grew, the more time he spent with his grandchildren, the remorse hit him harder. He never had a chance to be father and he can’t stop wonder how different his life would be if he knew about Takeda from the start.

Sometimes he dreams about life with Suchin, with little Takeda and no quest for revenge. He tries to not think too much about it. Time can’t be changed after all.

Playing with grandchildren became the favorite pastime of old Kenshi.

Proud granpa ready to spoil his grandkids on every occassion. And kick everyone who wish harm to Kenshi’s family.

Takeda

Takeda’s telepathic abilities grew too quickly and suddenly; it took him years to take full control over them. Even now sometimes he feels overwhelmed when there is too many people around him. He gets headache too. So he tries to stay away from crowded spaces. Jacqui laughs that in old age he became asocial, just like Hanzo always was.

Takeda left Special Forces at some point and now takes care of Shirai Ryu clan full time. Over the years he took part in many dangerous missions in various realms. Now, when the old age catched him, he enjoys staying with his fellows ninja and teaching the younger warriors. There is something really great about passing his experiences and knowledge to the new generation.

He likes teaching more than fighting. He grew tired of the feeling of constant threat to Earthrealm. He does not want his kids to grow feeling the same, which is why he is willing to fight (and kill) again and again and again, if that will keep his students and family safe.

The more older he gets, the more he understand his father-in-law, Jax. Part of him is proud that his children embraced Shirai Ryu (and Special Forces) traditions. Part of him is scared as hell at the thought one day his kids may be sent on mission and never come back.

He loves Jacqui more and more with passing days. He can’t imagine life without her. They are together for many years now and looking at the life from perspective of time, joining Cage’s Team was the right decision. He found love there, and great friends. Even if Cassie and Jin are jerks at times, he loves this team of wonderful people.

He is a bit obsessed with NOT MAKING the same mistakes his father and Hanzo and Jax did while raising (or not) their kids. Of course, he is aware that a lot things that went wrong weren’t really their fault. It’s just… the older Takeda become, the more he wants to give his children a sense of family he and Jacqui not always had. Takeda makes sure he will never be the “absent father”.

Family always mattered to him, but when he was younger he was more focused at making master Hasashi proud than really bonding with him. And there was always some hesitation on Hanzo’s part, to treat him like his own child, even if he raised Takeda almost alone. Which is why Takeda spent as much time he can with his children. Not only to train them, but to be part of their life, to listen about their hobbies, to support in need and cheer in sorrow. He wanted to be a father a child can rely on, be proud of, be sure how much they meant to him. Jacqui approved, so he knew he is doing right thing.

Johnny

doesn’t change much - he still annoys everyone no matter how old he gets. Though his jokes may or may not become a bit more sarcastic over the years.

The one thing that changed in Johnny with age is not caring about other people’s opinions. When he was younger, it meant so much to him. To be praised, admired, seen as great actor and fighter. Now? It doesn’t matter, as long as his family is alright and happy. Critics don’t like his newest movie? Well, too bad because he couldn’t care even less anymore. Life is too short to worry what strangers think about him.

When he worked with Special Forces, he always tried to be diplomatic when Sonya get annoyed by some morons or bureaucratic nonsense, or during meetings with Outworld champions. Now? Oh, if he feel like someone is lying asshole, he is gonna tell that in the face of that person. He fought gods, demons, beasts and the worst scum ever, so there is little things to be afraid about. And Johnny is really tired of shitty politics these days.

Beside, it’s not like government can do much about that. As long as he will not spill the top secrets of secrets, that is.

No matter how much of time passed, Cage is always keep up with current trends. Newest movies? He watched them all, quite often with Cassie and the rest of Cage Team. The most popular cartoons? Seen them all too, with all the “grandchildren”. The slang used by kids and teens? Hell, most likely half of the words comes from him. The newest technology? Sweet stuff.

It doesn’t matter how old Johnny is, everytime he sees Reptile, he will try to hire him for a new movie. Reptile is not happy about that.

Johnny has a lot money - most of it he spent on charity and making sure young people get good education and so on. He doesn’t really need the money. What makes him truly happy is a chance to be with family and friends, with no threat and upcoming destruction of Earthrealm. Sounds like small thing, but after so many wars, that is what really matters to him. Safety & happiness of people he cares about. And if the money can buy that for others, so he will gave as much as he can. After so many wars and almost-destroyed moments people deserve happiness.

Sub-Zero

the older he is, the more asocial he becomes.

Of course, Sub-Zero is always the polite man with wise advices, but he does not seek other people’s company if it’s not absolutely necessary thing to do.

That of course does not keep people away from him. From time to time, someone shows in Lin Kuei Temple and ask for his assistance. He is not really interested in people’s troubles, but he listens, because that is right thing to do.

He does train people though. Many warrios seeks his guidance in hope to perfect their skills. Sub-Zero understand such desire and there is something warm clutching inside him everytime when his student makes progress, little by little gets stronger.

He trained Cassie and Jacqui and Takeda and Jin, but they all grown up now, with their own missions and family to worry about. They come sometimes, to visit him, to seek advice, even to spar. It’s hard to look at them sometimes. Look at those young yet hardened warriors that must fight in old wars of their fathers and mothers.

But all students must go their own way. He does not try to keep anyone close to him. He let them go, because that is right thing. Even if everytime it hurts the same. He can’t stop thinking about Frost. He misses their sparring, their arguing, the silent moments when they just sit together and watched the snow failing from the sky.

Frost is grown up, experienced warrior now. Busy with her new duties, new battles to fight. She doesn’t need him anymore, really.

He keep training day after day, even if his body aches, old injuries burns with pain. It’s better than dwelling on the past.

He misses his friends and family and clanmembers all dead now for years. So, so long dead he sometimes can’t recall their names, tone of their voices, the shape of face. Sometimes he thinks they are still there, living in the shadows of the Lin Kuei Temple, whispering to him their secreets.

Sometimes he thinks he can sense his brother lurking into shadows, checking on him, waiting. But Bi-Han never answered his calling, even if the haunted corridor felt cold like death.

Sub-Zero is not afraid of death. Maybe when he will die, his brother will finally answer him. But that will take some time though. He had duties to clan. Duties to Earthrealm. Bi-Han can wait a bit longer after all. He was dead for years.

#mortal kombat #my headcanons #sub zero #kuai liang #takeda takahashi #kenshi takahashi #johnny cage #thank you for the ask!#trust me to make kuai liang aging depressing lol

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pengychan · 5 years

Text

[Good Omens] Winging It - Ecclesiastes 10:1

Summary: Shockingly, attempting to destroy an angel without consulting God first comes with consequences. There is more than one way to fall, and a thousand more ways to inconvenience an angel and a demon who just wanted to be left in peace. Characters: Gabriel, Crowley, Aziraphale, Beelzebub, Michael. Rating: T

Prologue and all chapters are tagged as ‘winging it’ on my blog.

A/N: don’t you hate it when you’re trying to have a lunch date and archangels keep crashing it.

***

“Run this by me again. Some angel wrecks the Great Plan, you do your duty to ensure he is adequately punished, and somehow you’re the only one who gets screwed over it?”

“... In extremely crude terms, yes.”

“And your closest cooperators carried it out.”

Gabriel folded his arms, giving Beelzebub what he hoped was a sufficiently icy look to hide the fact the memory still make him feel… ill, he supposed, was that what feeling ill was like? It was awful. Being human was awful. He couldn’t wait for it to be over. “They did,” he said, his voice clipped and cold, hoping they’d let the matter drop.

Beelzebub raised both eyebrows, seemingly unimpressed with Gabriel’s attempt at expressing cold disdain. “Did they pull them out, or did they cut?”

“What?”

“Or both?” the Prince of Hell leaned forward, all inquisitiveness and morbid curiosity. Had Gabriel bothered to be around Earth much during the Inquisition, he would have recognized it as the look on a torturer’s face while surveying another torturer’s handiwork, trying to figure out who did it better. “Just curious. Did it leave a mark?”

“That’s-- in no way relevant!” Gabriel protested, and this time his voice did shake. He hated that, and he shut his mouth so abruptly his teeth clicked together.

“Show me.”

“No!” Gabriel snapped, rearing back, acutely aware of the fact Beelzebub could force the clothes off his back to look if they wished, and he would be powerless to stop it. Actually, while the fact he might end up in Heaven again if his vessel was destroyed kept them from killing him, there was plenty that the Lord of the Flies could do to him. Plenty of horrible things, all manners of torments they could unleash and oh God, why had he acted without thinking, why had he thrown himself at the mercy of a being who had none, and who would not tolerate defiance?

Not much of a change from Heaven, it seems.

The thought was absurd as it was horrifying, and Gabriel could scarcely believe it had come from his own mind. Before him, Beelzebub’s eyes darkened, their features twisted… and then nothing happened. They stared a moment, clearly angered, then they let out a long breath and their features smoothed again in a blankness that was… almost as terrifying.

“You may want to learn better,” they droned. “No answer but yes zzzir will be accepted once you take your place in Hell.”

A wise man would have known that was the right moment to keep quiet; just nod, and let the matter drop. But Gabriel - formerly an archangel, a man for less than twenty-four hours - was in no way, shape or form wise. “I am never joining you in Hell,” he protested.

“That remains to be seen,” Beelzebub said, sounding almost bored, and paused to rub their chin, looking intently at him. “Either way, what happened to you confirms my theory,” they finally declared, causing Gabriel to look back at them, blinking. Had they… truly worked out something about the Ineffable Plan? About the reason why he’d been cast out?

“What theory?” he asked, leaning forward. Beelzebub met his gaze, deadpan.

“God is an absolute lunatic.”

“Wha-- God is not-- don’t say that!” Gabriel protested, rearing back as though smacked, and looked around like he feared God themselves would show up in that room to smite them both. Of course, no such thing happened. God had never truly showed Their face to anyone in eons; Gabriel and the others only ever speak to God through Metatron… and last Metatron had spoken to them, it was to spell out his sentence for trying to destroy an angel without God’s permission.

A crime born of pride.

Beelzebub snorted. “What, are you outraged on behalf of the one who cast you out? Or are you scared?”

“Both!” Gabriel snapped. “Don’t you ever-- call God a-- and look who’s talking!”

A shrug. “Unlike a certain someone up above, I make no mystery of being a lunatic.”

“Ah,” Gabriel paused, thinking it over. Of all things the Prince of Hell could be accused of, he supposed false advertising could be crossed out. “... Fair,” he conceded.

At the door, the barrier of Hellfire still crackled, but Gabriel could no longer hear Sandalphon calling out. Worry gnawed at the back of his mind - what if he’d been hurt? What if he’d been destroyed? - but Beelzebub had said that Hellfire wouldn’t harm him unless he was stupid enough to stick his hand in it to open the door. Sandaphon was probably not that stupid, Gabriel thought rather patronizingly, which was sort of rich coming for someone who had temporarily forgotten about his own mortality to run in front of a speeding car only hours earlier.

Either way, he had little choice but to take Beelzebub’s word. And little time, too, because sooner or later some human would notice the flames engulfing the door and try to do something about it. Amusing as it might be to imagine a human trying to extinguish Hellfire with one of those funny red cylinders they liked to use, Gabriel suspected it would cause a stir.

"So, you admit I'm right. I see you're starting to learn."

"Wha-- no! God is absolutely not a lunatic! You are, if you think-- I won't ever join your side. I may not know what the Ineffable Plan has in store for me--”

“Oh, still clinging to the belief you have a somewhat relevant role in it? Or any role at all?” Beeluzebub sneered. Gabriel clenched his fists so tightly his nails sank in his palms.

“Everyone is part of the Plan,” he spat, regretting evenr telling them as much as he had. Why had he actually done that, answered their demand to know what had happened? The Prince of Hell had no right to give him orders, even when they sounded more like requests. He was about to add something scathing, or at least he would have once he did come up with something scathing to say, but he had no time to try.

Suddenly, something rumbled. Beelzebub blinked. Gabriel groaned and doubled over, empty stomach clenching painfully.

“What was that?”

“N- nothing,” Gabriel gritted out, just as his stomach decided to give its best imitation of a jet engine. This time, the Prince of Hell clearly worked out where the noise had come from.

“What is your body doing?”

Gabriel opened his mouth to deny his current vessel was doing anything against his will, but he realized quickly enough it would be useless; his stomach thundered like… well, not like Metatron’s voice, but close enough. “Hunger,” he gritted out. “Aziraphale said it’s hunger.”

“Then you need to nourish your vessel,” Beelzebub said, matter-of-factly. “Or you’ll die.”

“I know. Aziraphale tried, but I can’t make myself--” Gabriel trailed off when Beelzebub waved a hand, extinguishing the Hellfire at the door.

“Come with me,” they ordered. “I might just know what could do the trick.”

***

“I have a bad feeling about this.”

“I don’t think the food is too bad.”

“It’s not the food, it’s nice - not that you would know since you keep swallowing everything without chewing. It’s Gabriel.”

“Ah,” Crowley muttered, taking a sip from his drink and leaning back against the chair, one leg stretched under the table and the other crossed over it. “I also have a bad feeling about him.”

“You do?”

“I have a lot of feelings about him and all of them are bad.”

Oh, of course. Aziraphale raised an eyebrow. Crowley rolled his eyes. Not that Aziraphale could see that behind the dark glasses, but he knew his demon well enough to guess that rolling was precisely what his eyeballs were doing.

“He’ll be fine. He only needs to stop being stubborn and eat something. And if he doesn’t, then he dies and it’s the circle of life. By the way, like the new direction cinema is taking? Soulless remakes of beloved classics. I think it’s one of my finest ideas yet.”

“I don’t believe it was your work for one single moment.”

Crowley made a face. “Fine, so the humans and their fancy corporations got there first. And I am fairly sure corporations are something Heaven came up with. But it was among my plans.”

“Didn’t you cry watching the original?”

“What-- I did not!”

“Warlock says you did.”

“Warlock lies. He lies a lot. I taught him well,” Crowley shot back, tilting up his chin as though to challenge Crowley to say otherwise. Aziraphale chose not to remark having seen some smeared mascara on that particular day - angels’ memory is, of course, nothing short of miraculous - and just nodded, letting the matter drop.

“Regardless,” Aziraphale said with a sigh, setting down the chopsticks on his now empty and thoroughly cleaned plate, “I am concerned. This is unprecedented.”

“And also entirely not our problem,” Crowley pointed out. His leg bounced slightly. “It’s his problem. We got him someplace to stay and basic instructions. You know, I think this is the right moment to discuss that idea we were floating around.”

“Crowley, if this is about your plan to set free every snake in the London Zoo Reptile House, it is entirely yours and I will not--” Aziraphale began, only to trail off when Crowley waved a hand.

“No, not that one, angel. I can do that on my own, thank you.”

“You better not, there are children visiting and last we went speak with them, the reptiles were plenty happy--”

“I’m talking about the plan to get away from London for a bit. Possibly without giving our new address to the forces of Heaven or Hell or whatnot. Somewhere in the South Downs, maybe?”

Our address.

Crowley spoke those words like it was the most natural thing in the world, like there weren’t just about a million implications to an angel and a demon - however native they might have gone after millennia on Earth - to share the same address. And by extension, the same home. You don’t share an address without also sharing home, too. Unless of course your aim is tax evasion or something equally dishonest Aziraphale would never be caught doing.

Not that he would be caught even if he did it, of course, but that was no reason to be dishonest.

You go too fast for me, Crowley, he’d said a few decades earlier. This time, however, he said nothing. It was still fast enough to make him dizzy, but he found he was not scared. He found part of him - probably all of him except for a tiny voice in the back of his head and maybe his left knee - looked forward to it.

The South Downs sounded lovely. Maybe they could find a nice cottage.

“We could give the address to someone here on Earth,” Crowley was going on. “The Them, maybe. I like the Them. And they like me, I hope - you really want a bunch of kids who got rid of the Horsemen of Apocalypse not to dislike you, am I right.”

Aziraphale smiled. He still remembered the way something in his stomach dropped when he’d seen what had been his flaming sword in the hands of War; the crushing doubt - had he done the right thing, surrendering it to humanity? - had returned… only to be vanquished when a little girl had grasped its hilt and turned it against War herself.

I believe in peace, bitch.

Well, stabbing someone with a sword might not be most people’s idea of upholding peace, but as the Romans said - if you want peace, prepare for war. It had proven him, to his utter relief, that he had done the right thing… and so had Crowley, when he had given humanity the gift of knowledge, the ability to tell the difference between good and evil. Because if you don’t know how to choose, you never really have a choice, do you? That was what he’d struggled so much with. What Gabriel was going to struggle with the most, probably, and it concerned him--

“... Bigger on the inside, you know?”

“What?” Aziraphale blinked, just then realizing he hadn’t been listening for the past minute.

“The place in the South Downs, I mean. We could make it bigger on the inside. For your books.”

“Oh. Oh, right. I would take them with me. That might be bothersome--”

“You only need a suitcase.”

“It’s a lot of books.”

“Bigger on the inside. Is it me, or you forget you can do miracles most of the time?”

Aziraphale shifted. “Well, not frivolous ones. Last time, I got a rather strong-worded note by Gabriel and-- ah.” He blinked, and nodded to concede the point. Gabriel would not send him any more strong-worded notes. Gabriel had been fired and thrown out without a letter of warning, without even getting to put his possessions in a cardboard box. “... Well, someone will take over his duties.”

“And you really think they’ll bother telling the angel even Hellfire cannot hurt that his miracles are frivolous? After what happened to good old Gabe for trying to mess with you?” Crowley grinned, leaning back to balance the chair he was on its back legs, but Aziraphale didn’t smile. It made him uncomfortable, to think about it - even if he’d tried to destroy him, he had never wished for Gabriel to be punished on his behalf.

… Or maybe he had, just a little. But not so harshly, never.

“Well, you know, maybe Michael will--”

“Ugh, that wanker. If she does, you can tell her--”

“Good afternoon to you as well.”

“Gah!”

As Crowley tumbled back on the ground - oh, he really should have told him not to do that with his chair, it was an accident waiting to happen - Aziraphale looked up to see Michael standing by their table, hands folded tightly, a polite and entirely impersonal smile on her face.

“Aziraphale,” she said, voice neutral. “Mind if I join you?”

With the mind’s eye, Aziraphale saw her again - carrying the holy water Crowley was meant to die screaming in, looking ever so self-assured. Suddenly, Crowley’s grudge towards Gabriel didn’t seem so petty anymore.

“... Very much, really,” he informed her. “But I suspect that’s not going to stop you.”

“No,” Michael agreed, taking a seat. “Not at all. Now, I suspect you have as little wish to endure my presence as I wish to endure yours, so I’ll make this quick,” she added as Crowley pulled himself and the chair back up, rubbing his head with a groan. “I have reliable information that you have met Gabriel.”

Not too long ago, that statement would have been met with some stammering and an attempt at sounding as innocent as possible. Now, to Crowley’s immense pride, Aziraphale didn’t even bother with that. “Oh?” he said politely, tilting his head on one side. “Have you not come to sample this restaurant?” He smiled innocently at her unimpressed look. “It is quite rude, you know, turning up at a restaurant and sitting at a table without ordering a thing. May I recommend a dish or two?”

“You may not,” Michael said coldly. She folded her hands on the table, looking all the world like a CEO at a meeting. Except that she wasn’t the CEO - that would be God, and last someone else had tried to replace Them things had turned kind of messy. Michael was more of a branch manager, Crowley assumed. “I have to know what transpired when he came to you.”

Well, that put Crowley before a choice: telling her to have her show up at Gabriel’s doorstep and give him a heart attack, or not saying a thing only to annoy her. Considering that he’d had plenty of chances to have some fun at Gabriel’s expenses, he went for the latter option.

“Well, good luck finding out.”

Michael’s gaze darkened. “Tell me what happened after his arrival on Earth.”

“Or else what? You’re going to miracle me another rubber duck?”

“Towel!” Aziraphale exclaimed, delivering a swift and actually rather painful kick to Crowley’s shin. “I believe you told me it was a towel you had her miracle for you.”

Oh, Crowley thought. Oh, right. “Ah, yes. Absolutely. That was the towel. I mean, I would have liked a rubber duck, but a towel was also fine,” he muttered, glancing at Michael through the dark glasses. She looked annoyed, but not confused or suspicious, thank Satan.

… Well, no, Satan definitely had nothing at all to do with it. Maybe he should give in and thank God, if anything because they’d made Michael and… about everyone else just dense enough not to see through their rouse. But maybe it would be best not to try their luck by bringing it up again and risk saying something that would make it obvious even to the dumbest of archangels.

“... Anyway. Duck or towel, you should know better than to try threatening us. The guys downstairs sure learned the lesson. Didn't you?”

Michael gave him a look that told him, in no uncertain terms, that she would be very happy to personally dunk him in holy water if she believed it would destroy him; Crowley had to give her a point for being much, much better than Gabriel at giving the evil eye. Then again, she was known for personally throwing Lucifer out of Heaven, while Gabriel was mostly known for telling a teen virgin that she was pregnant and nearly giving her a heart attack.

Two wankers, but the one sitting across him could actually be very dangerous and maaaaybe he shouldn’t push her too far, or she might just try her luck with him.

“I have not come to threaten you,” Michael gritted out. “I have come to talk.”

“Oh, I see. Taking over Gabe’s duties as a messenger already? You were quick to replace him. Very efficient,” Crowley blurted out, his ‘do not piss off this one’ strategy already flying out of the window. He watched with keen interest the expression on Michael’s expression turning to fury and then something else - was that guilt crowley had glimpsed? - before her features smoothed in a neutral look. “That is none of your concern. I demand--”

Crowley made a buzzing noise, the kind you get for a wrong answer on a television quiz. Michael gave him an annoyed look, then spoke again. “... I am here to ask what has happened since you met Gabriel.”

Aziraphale nodded politely, but made a point to have more of his drink and wiping his lips before replying. “He arrived at my doorstep. I took him in, and healed him. He panicked and ran in front of a car. I healed him again. We gave him some, er, instructions about life on Earth, and took him to a hotel. To give him some space.”

“To get him out of our hair,” Crowley added.

“That too,” Aziraphale conceded.

Michael ignored that last statement. “I see. When Sandalphon found him in the hotel where you left him--”

“Oh, so he found him. And what was he there to do? Tear off another couple of limbs?”

That clearly hit a nerve, because Michael slammed a hand on the table hard enough to make a couple at the far end of the room wince and turn. She was livid, anger barely in check. “Harming him was never our choice,” she hissed, almost better than Crowley would have. “We were concerned as to how he was faring.”

“How lovely,” Crowley said drily. “Why turn to us if you already know where he is?”

“Because he’s no longer there. Sandalphon called back to tell us Gabriel had... turned to Beelzebub.”

Crowley blinked. He looked at Aziraphale. Aziraphale looked at Crowley. Crowley raised both eyebrows. Aziraphale opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again like a fish out of water. Or like a guy who has just been told that the Archangel Gabriel ran off with Beelzebub.

“... I am sorry,” Aziraphale said slowly, brain clearly struggling to get any meaning out of the words he had just heard. “Gabe has just done what with who now?”

A rueful smile. “So much for getting answers. I assume this means it comes as a surprise to you as well.”

“One hell of a surprise, pun intended,” Crowley muttered, and scratched the back of his head. “Wait - what would good old Bub want with him?”

“Claim him on behalf of Hell,” Michael said bitterly. “As far as they are concerned, it makes no matter that he didn’t truly Fall. He was cast out, and they consider him their property now.”

“But they can’t, can they?” Aziraphale spoke up, frowning, “They cannot claim a mortal soul until, well… death.”

“But then they only have to kill him.”

“Unless he surrenders it willingly.”

“I can’t see that happening.”

“... Right. Me neither.”

“What would even happen to his soul if he dies in this mortal form?” Michael asked. Aziraphale shrugged.

“The usual, we suppose. Either Heaven or Hell, and not a clue of which it is until it actually happens. We don’t know, Gabriel doesn’t know - and neither does Beelzebub, I’ll bet. Which, if they do want him in their ranks, is probably the reason why he’s still alive.”

Michael frowned. “I see,” she muttered. Probably not an answer she liked, but still better than the worst case scenario, Crowley supposed. Not that he’d seen much difference between Heaven and Hell when he’d last been upstairs posing as Aziraphale; over the eons since the War things sure had changed there, and for the worst. All that whiteness and huge spaces would drive anyone crazy. Maybe he would also be spoiling for war, if he was stuck up there. Crowley had no idea how or why would anyone actually wish to go back there, but Gabriel desperately wanted to.

“Maybe Bub is planning to tempt him into something that will doom him to downstairs,” Crowley suggested. “Now that’s something I’d like to see. They haven’t done any work on the field since… huh. Come to think of it, I am not entirely sure they have ever done any work on the field. Being royalty and all.”

“Still, Beelzebub must have gained some kind of control over Gabriel,” Michael muttered. “When Sandalphon got there… he wasn’t very coherent in his call, but he said that Gabriel had turned his back to him to hide behind Beelzebub. That makes no sense, it’s not like him at all. Why would he-- what is it?” she asked, blinking at Crowley, who had raised an arm like a school kid about to ask a question.

“Question,” he said. “Was Sandalphon there when you yanked out Gabe's wings?”

The way she stiffened was enough of an answer on its own, but she did reply. “He was.”

“And he just… waltzed in on him? Expecting to be welcomed with open arms?”

Michael stared. Frowned. Stared some more. With some imagination - and a flaming Bentley hurtling through a ring of fire on the M25 was testament to the fact he did not lack it - Crowley could see the gears turning in her head. Finally, her frown deepening, she opened her mouth and spoke.

“... Do you think he took offense?”

“If he did-- take offense--” Crowley stammered, then snorted. “For what, getting a pair of wings yanked out of their sockets?” He gestured wildly, almost hitting a waiter who was only trying to pass by while balancing several dishes, a pile of glasses, and his own fragile mental health. “While he screamed and begged for you to stop? Naaaah. Who’d be that petty?”

Michael seemed unsure as to what to reply; not too surprising, really. Angels were the kind who showed themselves to humans in blinding looking like wheels within wheels, with a thousand eyes and multiple animal heads, yelling at them with voice like thunder to ‘FEAR NOT’. It had taken them an embarrassingly long time to realize there were better ways to go about it, after a few heart attacks the Bible did not mention. In the end, Michael turned to Aziraphale.

He shrugged. “That is sarcasm,” he informed her. “He did take offense.”

“And he’s probably terrified of the lot of you,” Crowley muttered. “I mean, hiding behind Beelzebub? You’ve got to be desperate. Aaaand pretty foolish, really. They’re not known as someone to give help to those who need it.”

Not anymore, anyway. It had been a very, very long time since the Fall. What they had been before then was a distant memory, for all of them. Unaware of this thoughts, Michael seemed to take offense herself.

“He has no reason to fear us. God did not order us to… to harm him further.”

“Is that supposed to reassure him?”

Another confused look. “It ought to.”

Ah, archangels. So out of touch. So amazingly clever and so incredibly stupid. Crowley opened his mouth to say as much, but Aziraphale got there first.

“Was he told that? That he meant no harm?”

“Of course! Sandaphon told him to--”

“Fear not?” Crowley guessed.

“Of course! And that he would not be harmed - he wouldn’t listen!”

Aziraphale nodded. “It sounds like trauma.”

“Trauma?”

“It’s… a human thing. He fears you.”

“Because he is human now,” Crowley pointed out, and leaned forward on the table, chin resting on the palm of his hand. “Which raises the question, why are you pursuing him? He’s not one of yours anymore. You cast him out. Not your problem, no?”

Ah, there is was, the anger - looming behind her eyes like thunderclouds. Not too long ago, she might have tried to smite him and would have probably won; but, after the little show he and Aziraphale put up with each other’s faces, she clearly hesitated to start a fight. Not with Aziraphale there to back him up, at least.

“It is none of your concern,” she gritted out, and stood. “As you won’t cooperate, consider this meeting closed.”

“What, are we supposed to believe the lot of you won’t be watching us like hawks, hoping we can get you to him? What makes you think we can? Beelzebub got him. Good luck getting hi-”

“We can get in touch with him, I believe.”

A groan. “Come on, angel,” Cowley protested. Aziraphale gave him an apologetic look, then turned back to Michael. Who, on the other hand, looking sceptical.

“You can?”

“Well, we have been nice enough to help him out, despite our… differences,” Aziraphale replied, ignoring Crowley’s low groan at the word ‘nice’. Also, ‘difference’ was an interesting way to spell out ‘the fact he tried to destroy me’. “And we might still have the means to contact him..”

“Then do it.”

“Later.”

“What-- why?”

Aziraphale leaned back on the chair, folding his hands. “First of all, because we were having a lovely time and intend to keep doing so. Secondly, if he knew we have been in touch, and is so keen to avoid you, he might no longer turn to us for help. So it is best for you to leave before we contact him. We’ll figure out what’s going on and I’ll get back to you”

“How do I know you will?”

Aziraphale smiled. “Well, I said I’d try to stop the Apocalypse, and in the end I did.” No need to let her know that they had done… next to nothing, really, other than running around a lot like headless chickens and eventually just giving a pep talk to Adam. “I do keep my promises.”

“Also, you have no choice,” Crowley informed her. "If you don't leave, we won't do a thing."

She clearly wasn’t happy, but in the end, there wasn’t much she could argue; for once, they held all the cards. As she stiffly left the restaurant - “I’ll be waiting for your call” - Crowley groaned.

“We had a chance to get them both out of our hair,” he muttered, leaning back

“Crowley.”

“We don’t even know what the Heaven is happening with Beelzebub. Maybe Gabe has already been dragged to Hell somehow. Probably doesn’t have the phone anymore.”

“Well, it’s worth a try,” was the response. As Aziraphale fished the phone out of his pocket to call Gabriel’s number, Crowley made a face and turned to the entrance. Michael was gone.

“And here I’d hoped the show we put on had scared the lot of them enough to leave us alone.”

“Oh, it did work, that’s the thing.”

“Huh?”

“That’s why I said yes,” Aziraphale said, looking from the phone. “She never wore her heart on her sleeve, but I can tell she is afraid of both of us. And yet she took the risk to turn to us anyway.”

Ah. Crowley suspected he was starting to see his point. “To find that arse.”

A nod, and he scrolled down to Gabriel’s number. “Yes. To find that arse.”

***

“I am not an expert in human etiquette, but I believe you’re supposed to close your mouth when you chew.”

“Mghf?”

“You’re making a fool out of yourself,” Beelzebub snorted, propping their chin on their hand and raising an eyebrow as Gabriel bit down on what was probably the fourth Lardburger in a row. Before him there was still a mountain of greasy, cheap junk food that would have given Aziraphale something remarkably similar to a stroke if only he knew Gabriel had rejected the finest sushi in London to stuff his face with… that.

“Not bad, is it? Hell came up with it last century - caused a wonderful increase in heart disease. It is addictive, by the way. Maybe I should have mentioned it before… before I… are you listening at all?”

Clearly not: entirely ignoring Beelzebub’s attempt at gloating over a small victory, Gabriel threw aside the empty wrapped of the Lardburger and proceeded to empty the bag of fries directly into his mouth. A few children - annoying, loud human children - a couple of times over looked at him, giggling. The Lord of the Flies rolled their eyes.

“I have seen famine victims acting with more dignity,” they informed Gabriel, getting no reaction at all: he just kept stuffing his face with the utter abandon Dagon would show before a brand new victim to torment. In the end they just leaned back and watched, mildly amused against their own will. They suspected that fool was going to regret losing control like that but oh, why try to warn him while he was so clearly not inclined to listen? Let him go on and find out the fun way just how frail his vessel was.

“You should drink something with that,” they finally said, deadpan, pushing the can of soda towards Gabriel and holding back a smirk. They were vaguely aware of a human saying that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and they could only come to the conclusion that maybe so did the way to a former archangel’s soul.

Before the week if out, he’ll be ours, Beelzebub thought, perhaps just a little too optimistic considering that stuffing one’s face with greasy fast food was not precisely a sin, let alone one worth damnation - regardless what an angel called Aziraphale might have to say about that. They just sat back, and waited for Gabriel’s gluttony to be sated.

Meanwhile, in Gabriel’s empty hotel room, a cell phone kept ringing uselessly.

***

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***

"Dead flies make a perfumer's oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor." Ecclesiastes 10:1

#good omens #ineffable husbands #ineffable bureaucracy #archangel gabriel #beelzebub #crowley #aziraphale #winging it

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ironforgedrp · 4 years

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♛ VICKON II GREYJOY

↳ details; 32 (b. 473AC), male ↳ status; bisexual, widowed, no children ↳ faceclaim; ricky whittle ↳ hails from; pyke, the iron isles ↳ loyalty; house greyjoy, the iron throne.

↳ title; lord reaper of pyke, ruling lord of the iron isles ↳ religion; the drowned god ↳ spoken languages; common tongue ↳ reason for being in sunspear; the summit

♛ PERSONALITY

↳ type; executive ESTJ-A ↳ alignment; chaotic neutral ↳ star sign; scorpio ↳ positives; resilient, self-sufficient, versatile, cautiously open minded, loyal, tenacious, devout ↳ negatives; wounded, romantically-emotionally stunted, tentatively paranoid, can overly ambitious and also stern

♛ BIOGRAPHY

↳ family lineage.

his father, balon greyjoy had married his mother when they were barely into man and womanhood. her name was uthora goodbrother and was the middle-born daughter of house goodbrother, with dark auburn hair and sharp hazel eyes she had caught the heir of pyke’s attention during a celebration her house attended at his home. after a short courting period, and the elated enthusiasm from balon’s own father at the match, they wed when the young lady uthora was seventeen. sweethearts didn’t really describe their relationship, as there was nothing sweet about it: it was fire and passion and adventure, adrenalin hunting, risk taking and enjoying their youth as any ironborn would. of course that did slow down when, after two years they found themselves expecting their first child together. it would go on to be a boy, who uthora insisted on naming vickon after the first elected lord to ever rule the iron isles. such a name would come with a burden of expectations, but both balon and uthora intended on fostering a fierce child in their heir, and any children to come.

there was another child after the dark haired, brown-eyed vickon was born. a few years later, a girl would join the growing family, bringing the song of children’s laugher and riot into the salty walls of pyke. trained hard from their childhood, both the two children of balon and uthora spent half their time on land and the other half either on or in the sea. balon inserted lessons in military strategy and captainship, insisting his heirs work every position on the decks of a ship from deckhand to helmsman to pot wash. uthora also took it upon herself to raise her daughter as she had been raised; strong, smart, wise and a capable ironborn. they had no imminent plans for more children right away, as they were still young parents and that might have been the reason why the sudden passing of uthora was so hard on balon and the two children. she had, unexpectedly, found herself with child far too quickly for both hers and balon’s liking. they wanted to ensure they could raise vickon and his sister right, they could handle the iron islands like the true rulers they needed to be and after a long discussing and many tears they summoned a maester and a moon tea was brewed. though she was only weeks into her third pregnancy, and there was no reason to expect any problems, over the night that came the lady uthora succumbed to complications that young vickon never learned of and she never saw the sunlight or smelled the sea again. mourning was hard, seeing his younger sister cry and beg the drowned god for their mama to come back, it broke vickons heart. in fact, for months afterwards, his little sister would climb into bed with him in a state of quiet sorrow.

when his father remarried a dornish woman, vickon found himself in a strange situation. he wanted his father to be happy, and he seemed to be, but he resented any woman who would wear his late mother’s title of ruling lady of house greyjoy. old enough to remember his mothers laughter, the shine of her hair, the kindness of her eyes… vickon knew he would never warm to the lady myria, but he promised he would never allow his personal feelings to hurt his fathers happiness. it seemed too soon that children, his half siblings, began to join their family and vickon felt all the more out of place. he was older, and he could not bond in a paternal way with her. if anything, he viewed lady myria greyjoy as not his new mother but as his over-lady and he respected her for that reason. she also seemed to bring lightness back to his fathers heart so he could not bring himself to make waves within pyke. instead of bonding with the new blended family he pushed himself out to sea on the iron fleet.

young and eager and harder than the rock of the iron isles, vickon was deemed a quiet fire; jokes and jests were made about his similarity to his namesake who was apparently stern-faced as well. he found himself in plenty of fights, plenty of games of dice and card and chance, and he worked until his hands were hard with callouses and his clothes were crusty with dried seasalt. vickon, he soon realized, was born for hard work and challenge which continued to please his father greatly as his son stayed on track to be a captain in the iron isles’ fleet. a few years on vickon was to choose a bride, and he deferred to his father over a private meal and ale about who this should be. they scrutinised over the eligible ladies of the iron isles, and who would be the most ideal partner and lady reaper of pyke when vickon would inherit the seat, for he would marry no one else than an ironborn woman. vickon often thought that he was arguably one of the most devout followers of the drowned god of all his siblings, he prayed often and fervently. thanking the drowned god for the good, praying for bad to end quickly, praying that his lady mother was enjoying her seat in the drowned gods watery halls, approving of her only sons achievements. settling on house kenning of harlaw isle, with the blazon of the storm god (the drowned gods enemy of over a thousand thousand years), was an unlikely choice in the eyes of many. however, the lady naoka kenning caught his eye quickly and soon conversation revealed how similar they were. she matched him in intelligence, in quick wit and jokes, in the cracking of her tongue like a whip when she commanded her accompanying house kenning guardsmen to stop making drunken fools of themselves. born less than a year apart in age, now capable captain and heir to pyke, lord vickon ii greyjoy and lady naoka of house kenning were married in the year 492AC.

as a wedding gift, balon and lady myria gifted vickon and his new bride the galleon ship the storms howl, one that had pride of place in the iron fleets arrangement. though vickon had spent most of his time upon the iron fleets’ principle ship, a man-o-war vessel sea death, the storms howl served as a temporary home as the newlyweds spent their time on the seas, travelling with a youthful hunger. the early years were good, and would have continued to be fruitful if not for a freak, sudden accident that stole another woman from the vickons heart. down the gangway of the storms howl, they had returned from visiting naoka’s family upon harlaw isle, they and their crew were enjoying the end of their voyage. no one properly saw how she lost her footing, but a small yelp of surprise followed by a body-loud thump and vickon shoved his way through the crew members to find his young wife lifeless and limp with no breath in her body. there was no blood and no pain when she slipped on the salty, slicked wood of the pier… but she was gone from the world, from his world, in the blink of an eye. widowed far too young, damaged and angry at innocent losses of his personal life, he pushed himself instead into the career of a captain with eyes on a prize beyond the iron isles. the drowned god had set vickon adrift alone in turbulent seas, but he was determined to not flounder or sink as he reached out to the red keep of the crownlands, to the office of the heir to the iron throne, prince baelor targaryen.

over the space of a year the two corresponded formally as vickon expressed his desire to represent house targaryen as the master of ships on prince baelor’s council when he would assume the throne in the years to come, and they settled on an agreement. lord vickon would sail to the red keep and meet with the prince face to face, present his reasoning why he was the superior choice for a master of ships. of course vickon knew that there was no other who could rival the ferocity of the iron fleet, and his ability to captain galleons, sloops, man-o-wars and all in between gave him a versatility hard to rival. the meeting went well, and after discovering much in common and enjoying some healthy debates about their respective gods and beliefs and personal opinions, they found a mutual respect and a budding friendship that continued on when he returned to the seas and back to the iron isles. he had spent much time then on assignments from his father, on training up his crew and exploring, escaping his grief as best he could. at his fathers request he took on his half-siblings into his crew, where there were no free passes nor easy ways out for the children of the lord reaper and he commanded them as he did the rest of his crew.

vickon never did re-marry; instead taking the occasional salt wife or lover. he knew he had a position on the small council of westeros in his near future, alongside a man he was proud to call friend and future king and he would pass his seat to a sibling as castellan if their father would pass in that time, he had a plan with which he had spent much time working over. though it was not his father who passed in the years that came — in the sept of ashar where the sept of baelor once stood, a strange irony upon them all as they bid their final farewells to the king who never was, baelor the third, who had suddenly been pulled from the world to join the halls of the drowned god. of course vickon knew that baelor was a follower of the seven, as most of westeros did, but vickon liked to imagine him alongside the mighty drowned god and the finest warriors and members of the world alongside him, perhaps his friend may meet lady uthora greyjoy. the sadness was felt across the lands, but none more-so than it that sept of the seven where the closest of the prince gathered privately and grieved in the painful, sorrowful echoes of the barely filled sept. he lingered in kings landing for a time alongside king maegor and princess rhaena: baelor had often spoken of his sister in letters, and part of him felt compelled to ensure that his friends kin was going to endure, however painful. no one seemed to understand what had happened to baelor or how his last moments were spent… but it appeared clear that it was not pleasant. it was on his return home, his future plans gone with his friends final breath, that his paths crossed with a woman who would change his life for the first time in many years.

protecting those weaker than him was something vickon felt to his core and thus began their relationship. a lost soul saved by the drowned god and delivered to safety on the decks of the storms howl by pure chance and misfortune, though stripped of her apparent memories she seemed filled with the will to live and that spurred him to action. she would go on to thrive, recovering from whatever had befallen her, and he would go on to tentatively open his heart as much as he was able to as he returned with his new salt wife to the shores of his home. within the year however, his father succumbed to the afterlife and the title, the salt throne was passed to vickon ii, lord reaper of pyke. beginning his rule not years removed from his friends death and the change in leadership, the new heir of westeros becoming baelor’s younger sister and the certainty of him having a position on the council now in question, he decided it best to stay as ruler of his lands rather than leave the ironborn without their true leader. he already knew he was content in being loyal to house targaryen: the members of the red keep had all treated him well, they were all sound and intelligent of mind, with admirable and well thought-out policies and plans for the world. far removed from the red keep, with no interest in taking over the throne, he didn’t keep closely informed on the process that king maegor had organized for his only remaining child to find a suitor and when the raven arrived from kings landing penned in a scrawl it seemed from baelors younger sister who warned him that something had gone terribly wrong and the targaryen reign would be coming to an sharp end. never in his wildest dreams did he imagine what was to come: the first lannister reign in over two centuries and baelors little sister, the fierce little dragon prince rhaena had been (it appeared to vickon) forced to surrender her title to the son of lord tristifer lannnister.

vickon knew very little of the lannister children: there were two sons and one was a tenacious land commander, but that was all he knew. his late father, however, had never spoken a kind word about the grey lion of the west. he often spoke ill of any other house, degrading all other gods, cultures, mocking the ironborn and once coming to physical blows in their past. balon had hated lord tristifer lannister, and vickon was immediately suspicious and enraged at the concept that the son of such a true cunt could have stolen or bullied the throne into his own hands. however, after hearing some positive things about the new lannister king and after meeting him at the wedding of the lannister and princess rhaena he found himself less wary. not fully in support, but not in direct fear. it seemed the son of tristifer, arryk was his name, did not take after his father in the traits balon had condemned and disparaged. vickon also hoped that rhaena would reach out to house greyjoy for an ally or support if the new king revealed himself a tyrant.

returning to pyke and correspond from a distance, vickon sent his sister to represent house greyjoy at the celebration of the young prince’s birth and focussed on advancing and perfecting the iron fleet and quashing any whispers of rebellion within his waters. still flanked, oddly happily, by the woman he had rescued nearly three years prior, vickon was only moved to leave pyke with the political summit on the horizon after the schism fractured the kingdom, watching pyke shrink in the horison he knew it was time to reveal himself in the public eye as the lord reaper of the iron isles and make the true ferocity and power of the ironborn voice heard.

↳ personality.

he was already stunted by the loss of his mother at such a young age, and the secondhand experience of his sisters sadness as well. he shouldn’t have but he did carry that in his heart and this was increased when naoka suddenly died. vickons faith has always kept him strong in ways he doesn’t understand, but he takes great comfort in knowing that the drowned god would have welcomed his mother, his young wife, his father and friend into his watery halls and given them the life that was stolen. taking a salt wife has allowed him in recent years to soften himself, but his guarded heart has long been a part of him that he will not erase again. vickon is, despite his slight detachment from his half siblings and really any reminder of his lost mother, ultimately a protector and this bond is only extended to people who have truly earned it.

↳ the splitting of the kingdoms.

honestly the schism somewhat caught him by surprise, due to the amount of kingdoms who decided to revolt individually instead of collectively. he thinks some have just reason to be in such a rage, but some he thinks are acting like irrational fools begging to be quashed.

♛ STATUS; TAKEN

#penrose.#house greyjoy.#iron islands.#taken.#taken male.#male.#ricky whittle fc

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what-if-rpg · 4 years

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Welcome to the family, JAY! Your application to SANTANA LOPEZ was accepted. I am really happy to have you around! Make sure to read the beginners checklist, and remember, have fun! I can’t wait to roleplay with you! Have fun!

IN CHARACTER

CHARACTER NAME: Santana Lopez CHARACTER AGE & DATE OF BIRTH: August 27th, 1993 OCCUPATION: Agent FACE CLAIM: Naya Rivera HOMETOWN & CITY WHERE LIVES NOW: Hailing from Lima Heights in Lima, Ohio, she’s a proud New Yorker these days SEXUAL ORIENTATION & GENDER: Lesbian, female RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Married POSITIVE TRAITS: Protective, smart, tough NEGATIVE TRAITS: Prickly, hot-headed, can be mean CHARACTER QUOTE/LYRIC: The only straight I am is a straight-up bitch.

HEADCANONS

Santana used to be the cheerleading stereotype. Quick to pass judgment, and insult and even bully other people. She views her bitchy behavior as honesty. Santana seemed to find no issue flaunting her spot on the social ladder that was High School l or to be promiscuous to remain on top. Santana also used to demonstrate occasional signs of kindness, usually with the Glee Club after a good performance or with Brittany. Deep down Santana is less conceited than she appears to be. She admitted that she loved being in Glee Club and that it is the best part of her day, Glee Club was her real family. But whenever someone asked if she loved it, she would say she hates it, showing that she cared a lot about her image.

Santana has grown to be a better person through Glee, she actively admitted to hating the people in the club before joining, but then started to see them as her equals, closest friends, and even considers them her family (whom she was and still is highly protective of). Now she is more caring and compassionate toward others, still, she can be seen as a mean girl because of her mean streak.

Santana described herself as a “closeted lesbian” when she was still in high school. She was seen to be something of a nymphet in her first years of high school. She dated and slept with many guys although she didn’t have any deep feelings for them. Most of the time she was involved with them only in exchange for popularity/status, but she also had sex with Brittany on what was implied to have been multiple occasions. She was afraid of her same-sex attraction, but when Finn outed her in her senior year, she stood strong and proud.

Santana acts confident, but she’s actually insecure, she even got a breast augmentation over the summer so people would notice her more. She gets incredibly hostile when her weaknesses are exposed. While she has no problem insulting and putting down others, she can “dish it out, but can’t take it,” and gets upset when her friends turn on her, showing she cares a lot about what people think of her.

These days, Santana has grown softer, especially with her family. But make no mistake, she’s still willing to cut a bitch if needs be. She’s known as a bit of an iron lady professionally as well, both awe-inspiring and intimidating. She loves her job and finds it very rewarding, and she’s very happy to be where she is, family, friends and career-wise. A part of her, however, is terrified that something will go wrong and the other shoe will drop.

CONNECTIONS

MARIBEL & MR. LOPEZ (Parents): Santana is now very proud of her mother, she was able to show her that true love can also mean gay love, and is still very proud to this day of being her daughter. While with her father is a little different. She knows he got different views from what love is, but is always trying to help him see the real world. BRITTANY S. PIERCE (Wife): Brittany is the love of Santana’s life, ever since they first joined the Cheerios, Santana was head over heels for the doe-eyed girl. They had their ups and downs over the years but Brittany was the one person that Santana would always go back to. She was the one that Santana could always be herself around and never had to worry about being judged by. Brittany is her safe haven and she will love Brittany till the end of time and nothing will ever change that. There is nothing that can get in between them, Brittany is literally her anchor to the world. Santana would be completely lost without Brittany at her side and the moment that the bubbly blonde said that she’d marry her was a blissful day. With a happy marriage and some adorable tiny humans, they could quite possibly be one of the most, if not the most, successful couple that has ever come from Lima. BRETT, SAVANNAH & ARIA LOPEZ-PIERCE: (Children): These three tiny humans are the ones that Santana would do anything and everything for. She would lay down her very life to ensure that they were always safe and protected. She loves her children more than anything in this world, Brittany included, and lord help whoever decided to hurt one of her babies because hell hath no fury like Santana’s scorn. RACHEL BERRY & QUINN FABRAY (Best Friends): Santana was always more or less a side-kick to Quinn back in high school. Since then, they’ve maintained a frenemy-relationship. Santana was always mad at Quinn for stealing the head-cheerio spot, or Quinn was always mad at Santana for doing the same thing. It took them until Senior year to finally accept that they needed to stop fighting, their friendship was bigger than anything else, and there was no need to fight over such a stupid thing. They ended up sleeping with each other at Will and Emma’s failed wedding after getting drunk. No feelings, just a good friendship. Yes, Santana used to hate Rachel, but after high school, she ended up sharing an apartment with Rachel and Kurt, two of the people she used to hate the most in high school. But, as they started to get to know each other, they got closer and closer, and now, they call each other really close friends, and can’t pass a day without calling each other. Santana has been there when Rachel needed a friend the most, and now, she is even the brunette’s agent. Santana knows some of Rachel’s biggest secrets.

#Santana Lopez #Glee RP #Glee RPG #RP #RPG #Accepted

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365daysofsasuhina · 5 years

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[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Two Hundred Forty-Five: Say it with ___ ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: A Light Amongst Shadows ] [ AO3 Link ]

There is no Uchiha clan without pride. For better or worse, there is little rending an Uchiha’s pride in their people. To them, their bloodline is everything. No other clan loves like the Uchiha...and with that love comes a stubborn belief that those they hold dear are above all others.

Sasuke was inundated with such beliefs from a young age. To him, there was no greater bloodline to be part of than the Uchiha. They were strong, smart, kind, and wise! Everywhere he went in the Uchiha compound, he was met with smiles, friendly words, and affection. And even had he not been a son of the clan head, he would still be met by those like him with that same care and attention.

Because to be an Uchiha was to be special.

His father only pushed the idea on him further. Which made his apparent disappointment in his younger son all the more difficult to understand. Was he not...good enough? But...he was an Uchiha! And one of the main house! Surely...surely that meant being destined for great things! Itachi was a prodigy, sure...but Sasuke would be strong, too! He would!

...he would…

Even after the clan was lost...even after the precious blood of his people ran in the gutters, soiled and spilled...he never lost his pride. Even if the Uchiha were gone, their strength would be remembered! And avenged...he’d make sure of it. The most skilled of them all had stolen their lives...but Sasuke swore that he’d never rest until justice was done. Until the pride of the Uchiha was secured..

...of course...it wasn’t a simple thing. Training took years, and eventually saw him leave his home, and join an enemy. Everything else was stripped away and forgotten in the pursuit of his one dream: to bring justice to his clan. But just when he thought he’d found it...a new truth was brought to light. So he shifted targets, did what he had to in order to make Konoha’s wrong right. He didn’t care that his so-called friends and teammates tried to bury the tragic truth and bring him back kicking and screaming. Even if it marked him as a traitor until his death...he wouldn’t give up on them. On his people. On those massacred for wanting their independence and freedom.

And when that was done...he was going to change the entire shinobi world. This...would never happen again.

...but as usual...Naruto got in his way.

By that time, it had been over ten years. Ten long...painful...lonely years. Sasuke was tired...so tired...so when he’d reached his limits, but the blond still refused to back down...Sasuke relented. Maybe...there would be another way. He’d been so blinded, so focused...perhaps he’d lost his path.

But that wouldn’t stop his ultimate goal. Upon Itachi’s return, he made a decision: the council had to be faced, tried, and removed from power. They were the last pieces of the game tied to the massacre. So long as they were stripped of their influence...their ideals could never again harm another clan.

It wouldn’t bring the Uchiha back...but he hoped, at least, it would bring them peace.

He, however...still had challenges to face. Itachi’s pardon, much like his own, was still met with animosity. Cleared or not, their actions still sat sourly in people’s mouths.

Some more than others.

But at least the Uchiha did not have to face them alone. They instead found themselves with new allies: their distant cousin clan, the Hyūga, came to their aid...for a small price. Uchiha became a valuable commodity to the right people, and now they were tied to another clan. Useful, yes...but with pros always came cons.

Sasuke rebelled at first. Losing his freedom to a clan as stuffy and upright as the Hyūga was the last thing he wanted. But Itachi worked to ensure their independence.

And though no longer heiress, Hinata served as a liaison of sorts between the two clans.

Which was good...she was the only Hyūga Sasuke could stand. And as time went on, he found himself learning more about their subtle parallels, their diverging choices...and their striking similarities. The more he spoke with her, the closer her felt to her. Unlike so many, he held no grudge against her...nor she against him. They had a perfectly clean slate, and more than one reason to get along.

So, was it really any wonder that he fell in love with her…?

The feeling scared him. By then, it was more than clear that someone was after them: the remnants of the Uchiha...and anyone who dared to align themselves with them. Itachi’s wife and children had already been targeted...and Sasuke didn’t want to put Hinata in any more danger than she’d already found herself in as their ally.

Of course...when he brought forward his concerns, she brushed them aside, insisting she could handle herself. And that - with feelings much the same as his own - she was willing to take that risk regardless, if it meant being happy.

So...they gave dating a try. Not that there was much need - they’d already grown that close. So it didn’t take much for them to simply skip ahead to engagement.

And then, over two years after his return to Konoha...Uchiha Sasuke got married. Something that - had you asked him before they met - he would have simply laughed at. Him, married? Living in Konoha?

Well...stranger things have happened.

In the wee hours of the morning after their marriage, Sasuke snuck out of the house, and made his way across the village. Almost no one was awake, even the bars closed down and empty. But he wasn’t looking for any business, or in fact any person.

...living, at least.

Kneeling at the foot of his parents’ headstones, he remained in silence for a good long while, just...thinking. About all he’d seen, done, and come to be. How - in the end - he couldn’t bring himself to regret any step in his journey. Here, and now...he was exactly where he needed to be.

“...I think I’ve done it,” he murmured, voice small in the oppressive silence of the night. “I think I’ve reached a point where...I can finally be happy again. And not just in a moment. Not just...fleetingly. But for the rest of my life, however long it stretches.”

Another long silence. “...I hope your pride in me outshines the shame I brought you. I know my actions were often flawed...and I hope you can forgive me. In all I did, for all those years...I thought of you. Acted for you. Strove to bring you peace, even if I’d never find it myself. All I ever wanted was to avenge you. All of you. I think...I’ve gotten as close as I can to that. I hope it’s enough.”

Staring at his mother’s name, Sasuke sighed. “...and I know what you’d say now. You’d say...that my work was done. That I’ve toiled enough. That it’s time for me to rest, and to be happy. Well...I dunno if I can quite yet. There’s still threats to face, for those of us still here. We’re not safe. But I’ll do everything...and anything...to protect us. I won’t let another drop of Uchiha blood be spilled by our enemies. I swear...I’ll be strong enough this time.”

Unbidden, his jaw clenched, chin shaking and a few traitorous tears slipping down his cheeks. “...I can say it with pride, now...no matter what anyone says. I am an Uchiha...and no matter how written in blood our path has been...I’ll never lose my pride in who and what I am. Thank you...for all you did for me. Even if it was cut short. I loved - and still love - you all with the entirety of my heart. Maybe it will never be fully whole again. Maybe there will always be a part of me unable to heal. But...I hope this will be enough. That I was enough.”

After a moment to reflect, he carefully bowed forward, hands flat and brow to the cool, dewy grass. “...thank you...for everything. Please continue to watch over me...over us.

“I hope we’ll make you proud.”

.oOo.

This isn't my best cuz it's late and I'm tired / rushed, but I'll admit the ending made me tear up a bit. Had a long day and I'm pooped, BUT! I'm finally caught up. Just one drabble a day now, up to the end of the year! Less than a third left...we can do this! Anyway...I think in reality, Sasuke never once lost faith or pride in his clan. It's more others' opinions he's referencing in being able to say his name with pride. Sure, he doesn't much care for the opinions OF others, but it's still a big deal to him that - by the time he marries Hinata - he has a real future again. A wife, a few fragments of his family, rebuilding friendships...and the justice he's always wanted for his clan. Or as close as he can get to it. Things are finally starting to look up, despite the lingering threats and obstacles. ...I'm rambling cuz I'm tired, but I hope you get my point xD So, I'll stop there for tonight, and be back tomorrow! Thanks for reading <3

#sasuhina #uchiha sasuke #hyūga hinata #a light amongst shadows [ canon verse ]#365daysofsasuhina

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