#Adrastus ask

[whumpsoda]

I bet roommate Malak isn’t as enthralled at first cause yk, Adrastus needs him to keep up appearances for awhile to not cast suspicion on themself.

But imagine Malak comes home and Adrastus gets one of those adult cool decorate mobiles that move constantly as a sort of chandelier esq thing and Malak just slowly goes under the more he looks at it, but it’s agonizingly slow.

Just?? Adrastus enjoying the subtle protests of Malak’s psyche

WOHEO Masterlist “I’m home!” Malak announced, as always, keys jingling as he yanked them out from the lock of the front door. Adrastus focused in on the shuffles of his feet kicking off his boots, tuning out the television they’d flicked on as soon as they’d heard him arrive home.

“I’m right here, darling!” They called back, preparing to project just the right hypnotic spiral to the screen and capture their soon to be thrall’s full, drowsy attention. “Come right over to the couch, okay, dear? I have to show you something you’re just going to adore!”

They swiped through until they found their favorite, a bright, bubbling pink that always had Malak’s mind dozing through clouds of vibrant cotton candy any time he saw it. “Malak, c’mere please!”

Realizing the room was fully silent, save for the buzz of the television, their heart dropped. It was almost as if Malak wasn’t there at all. They nearly made the effort to turn around, but-

All of Malak’s belongings slammed to the floor, a sharp thud that had Adrastus recoiling. They thought they’d find him on the floor - their mind going to the worst possible outcome - but instead he was-

Adrastus melted into a thick puddle of delight, surprise boiling down into joy in an instant.

They’d completely forgotten about the newest ceiling fixture they’d installed, a spiral looking thing that twirled in a seemingly never ending loop. Malak’s jaw was falling slack, his shoulders a drooping mass as he stared with unbroken focus and awe, completely enraptured by it.

They had hoped that would be the case, and the sight of it had them wanting to hug and squeeze him as hard as they could. Jumping to their feet, they made a quick stride to do just that.

“Malak?” No answer, just as they had suspected. He was much too overcome by a trance to even hear them. “Oh, baby, aren’t you so cute.” They grabbed him by the cheeks, pulling him to face them.

Malak blinked. “Ad…?” He mumbled, brows furrowed in sleepy puzzlement.

Giggling, they smooshed his cheeks in and out. “That would be master to you, baby. Isn’t that right?”

He nuzzled into their touch, warmth and docility seeping from their flesh. Slightly he nodded, a smile creeping onto his face. “Uh huh… master…”

Guiding him to the couch, Adrastus snaked their hands from his face to his fingers, rubbing in circular motions that only worked to put him further under.

Almost he sat to the couch, before they were able to stop him. “Uh uh, honey. Couches are for masters, not sillies like you. Sit here.” Gently they had him slump to the floor before their legs, already scratching through his hair.

“S- sor… y…” trailing off as his gaze caught on the screen, Malak sighed into mellow tranquility that he would remain in for the remainder of the night with his master.

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[harbinger-0f-spring]

By the way, I love your Carrow OCs and the family system in general!

Oh thanks! 🙏

I didn’t initially start it, but the whole creating my own branch of the family tree thing is really fun.

[shouldertheskies]

I would love to see your infodump extensively about the Thebaid (and particularly Polynices and Tydeus, both together and separately) if you're willing? I haven't read it yet and I'm not sure if I will (kinda struggling to find a translation that I don't find awkward to read, my brain just does not take in the words lol) but I love these two and want to know as much as possible

I am asking you mostly because I think you would enjoy talking about them lol but if you don't have time or wouldn't find it entertaining then you don't have to!!

hii thanks so much for the ask! i am literally always down to infodump about the Thebaid and especially about Polynices and/or Tydeus because those two freaks live rent free in my brain. i honestly have so many thoughts on them idk where to even begin lmao.

i guess I can do quick summaries and highlight some things from my previous read of Statius' Thebaid:

[got too long oops]

Tydeus is the son of Oeneus of Calydon and Periboea, daughter of Hipponous. This makes him the half-brother of Meleager (famous for being the host of the Calydonian Boar Hunt), who was the son of Oeneus' first wife Althea.

While this is not mentioned in Statius' Thebaid, Meleager and his siblings (Althea's kids) were likely already dead by the time Tydeus was born: according to other traditions, Oeneus marries Periboea in the aftermath of the quarrel over the Calydonian Boar (wherein Meleager and his brothers were killed, and his sisters were turned to birds by Artemis).

Tydeus does have a full brother in Statius' Thebaid, though; said brother is never named, unfortunately, but in other sources he is named Olenias.

Tydeus is exiled for the crime of killing said brother; we know he feels horror and guilt over it, but this is never brought up again. My personal headcanon is that the killing was accidental; for a very well written headcanon compilation on this, please check out Ley's post! (also: @aster-aspera wrote a fic!)

He encounters Polynices outside the palace of Argos, while trying to take shelter amidst a storm during the night. Neither of them are in the mood to tolerate each other's presence and decide to throw hands about it like mature adults. Here we learn that neither is unwilling to fight dirty - theyre kneeing the other's nuts and trying to jab out the other's eyes and almost end up taking out their swords before Adrastus intervenes.

Now, Tydeus happens to be wearing a boar's hide, and Polynices a lion's skin (notably, both of these animals are associated with the famous monsters of Calydon and Thebes: The Calydonian Boar, and the Sphinx, respectively. The narrative starts associating our two heroes with monsters very early on). Adrastus had received a prophecy telling him to marry his daughters to a lion and a boar - to ''men one mistakes for beasts'' - and so he almost immediately offers Polynices and Tydeus his daughters' hands in marriage.

Polynices is the son of Oedipus and Jocasta - and let's just say he's not exactly proud of the fact. he hesitates to reveal his parentage to Adrastus not once but twice, and when he finally does so, it's in a notably self-pitying manner. Polynices in general has a tendency towards self-deprecation, and though sometimes it's a ploy to gain sympathy, often it comes off as just. genuinely low self-esteem

Polynices and Tydeus become friends almost immediately after the brawl. the narrator in fact compares their relationship to Orestes and Pylades in Book 1, and literally calls them soulmates near the start of Book 2. like in case u had any doubts: these bitches gay

Also, Tydeus is actually more likely to insult Polynices than the other way around: he offhandedly insults Polynices' bloodline in Book 2, and calls him an idiot in Book 7 (to be fair, that time is more so out of concern). Polynices in contrast actually repeatedly praises Tydeus everytime he speaks to him (iirc he refers to him as ''greatest Tydeus'' at least twice). I know its funny for Polynices to make fun of Tydeus in fanworks, but there is literally zero evidence for that ever happening in the Thebaid lmao

Even though Adrastus promises both of them that he'll help them regain their kingdoms, Tydeus seems. honestly just uninterested in regaining Calydon? Like he brings it up exactly once, in his address to Athena after the ambush at the Sphinx's Rock, and never again. on the other hand he's more adamant about going to war against Thebes than even Polynices is - Polynices if anything is honestly very half-hearted about the whole thing, and Tydeus ends up being the real instigator of the war on several occasions.

Also - Tydeus is noted to be utterly incapable of sitting still or tolerating boredom. when he's not training or preparing for war he fills in the time with sports, more specifically wrestling matches. King of hyperactive ADHD tbh

I've also noticed that Tydeus has a tendency to allude to mythical events/past heroes etc. far more than others, in all his speeches? like all characters do it, because it's a staple of the epic genre, but Tydeus notably does it more often than others. i'm not saying his special interest is heroic history but. I'm also not not saying that

ok i actually have. way more things to say but this has already gotten Quite long so ynw. I'll stop yapping here and continue in the reblogs at some other point in time. ty for the ask again and ciao <3

[ilions-end]

hang on hang on hang on hang on

how did i miss that diomedes married his AUNT

what, did he have to ask his own grandfather for her hand? did adrastus get all nostalgic like "aw i remember when your father did this"??

[masterofthewarcry]

thinking about Comaetho. thinking about Aegialus. they could only have been married for like two or three years before he died at Thebes. thinking about Diomedes having to tell his sister that her husband is dead. thinking about pregnant Comaetho at Aegialus's burial, standing between her mother and her brother, utterly lost. she will not raise her own son how their mother raised Diomedes, but she still wants vengeance for her husband.

thinking about Adrastus, who dies after the news that his son is dead reaches him. thinking about their burial mounds being next to each other. even though there is no body in Aegialus's, Adrastus is still buried with his hand reaching out towards his son.

thinking about Aegialia, who lost her other half when her brother went to Thebes. they shared a womb, a birthday, a face. and now she's alone. alone, and being asked to marry Diomedes, a boy who she only ever had thought of as a brother. being asked to rule the city with him (through him - he's too young to know how to be king, but she remembers her father). hating him because he returned from Thebes and Aegialus didn't. hating that she hates him because he's only doing what he's asked.

[nothwell]

On today's episode of Right Here, Write Queer, we ask the question: What is Cozy Fantasy? Six authors attempt to define the genre. Featuring an extremely scientific hurt/comfort formula, manual labor, found family, connecting to nature, and an unforgivable betrayal.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

Our panel: • R.K. Ashwick (she/her) @ashen-crest, author of A Rival Most Vial: Potioneering for Love and Profit and The Stray Spirit. • Noah Hawthorne (he/they) @noahhawthorneauthor, (also writing as Aelina Isaacs), author of Phantom and Rook: When An Immortal Falls In Love With A Witch and Matsdotter and Adrastus. • Sarah Wallace (they/she), author of Letters to Half Moon Street and co-author of Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms. • S.O. Callahan (she/her), author of Fella Enchanted and co-author of Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms. • Tess Carletta (she/her) @tesscarletta, author of Kit & Basie and Patchwork. • Sebastian Nothwell (he/him), author of Oak King Holly King and Fiorenzo.

[noahhawthorneauthor]

Heya folks, a bit of news. 🏳️‍🌈✨📚

I've reduced the paperback and ebook prices of the books in my Iverbourne series, and they are no longer exclusive to KU.

I've got two first editions of Phantom and Rook discounted in my author store, and I've got plenty of The Rebel Foxes copies available to sign as well.

I'm taking a few of the Levena shorts down from the website for ... reasons. 😏 But you'll be seeming them again, just in a different format.

In case you missed it, Matsdotter and Adrastus, the sequel to PAR, has a blurb now and a release date of December 5, 2023.

I've had a few people asking how long the series is, and there are eight books planned, each with a different romance/character pairing. I know, I know. Listen, this series was supposed to live and die with PAR, I blame all of you.

[nighty-knight-hartlea]

The slumbering little fellow is, when Sagarika eagerly presents him with all the pride of a mother displaying her offspring, jet-black from tip to tail.

"How charming," Alf nods. "And we now have the full color gamut running across this castle."

"Una bianca e un nero," Bianca adds with a giggle.

Adrastus translates. "A white and a black. You know, that's actually rather clever."

*His name is not Nero!* Sagarika mouths indignantly.

Hart looks dubious. "Does he bite?"

"What is his name?" Isole asks eagerly.

"May I call him Nero?" Bianca inquires.

The newest addition continues to nap.

[team-apostasy-official]

Hello Rotomblr

I am the leader of Team Apostasy, Adrastus.

I assure you, our team means no harm. Our goal is for the good of all.

Since the beginning, we have lived under the tyrannical rule of our 'Gods'.

'Gods' that have contributed to multiple catastrophic disasters, 'Gods' that have caused wars, 'Gods' that have torn up families.

We have had enough. Humanity will be playthings no longer.

Of course, I do not blame you if you are sceptical, I simply ask you to consider the option.

//Event pinned post yippe!!! This time different silly guy.

Same as always everything sfw except magic anons.

[whumpsoda]

For the Malak-roommate au I’m imagining if Malak works as a wood worker or construction worker will come home absolutely exhausted

cut to Adrastus having dinner ready and thralling him as he eats and leads him to a warm bath. It’s violatingly gentle, and Malak will not remember it in the morning, but in the moment his battered overworked body will sink into Ad’s arms

(Also it’ll be so so strange to hear Malak speak confidently with little to no stutters—as from what I’ve gathered the stuttering stems from long term enthrallment, correct me if I’m wrong though)

WOHEO Masterlist

Chilly and sniveling in the silent, night air, Malak pulled out his keys with clammy fingers, clamoring to turn the lock as soon as possible. The knob was cold to the touch, freezing up his clammy fingers as he stepped inside, hit with a wave of warmth. “‘M home!”

He could’ve melted into a puddle of bliss as soon as he walked in. After hours upon hours of hard work and labour, finally coming home to his cozy, shared apartment was a blissful feeling. He was so immensely tired he could have keeled over into sleep right then and there. Overwhelming the sickness soon coming over him, radiating heat seeped into his skin.

Though, it seemed he was hit with something along with the heat, something flavorful and vibrant to his nose.

And maybe-

Maybe something else… something that made his head just a little fuzzy… maybe he was just tired…

“In the kitchen, dear!” Adrastus called back - always with the pet names, no matter if he was older or not - leading him along with their voice as he ignored any urge to put down his things or rid his feet of wet boots, mind overcome with a hunger that rumbled up a moan from his belly.

The countertop, along with a table fit for the two of them, were lined with plates and platters of the most delicious looking dishes Malak had ever laid eyes on, drool slipping over his lip as he took it all in.

“Well hello there, my darling.” Adrastus swiped the oven mitts from their delicate, slender hands, a perfectly pink apron tied around their midsection. They strode with confidence, taking him by the cheeks. “I made this all for you. Feel free to dig in, please, honey.”

Jaw falling slack, their touch had his jaw going slack with a pleasurable numbness, slurring out, “All… for me?”

Trailing their fingers tenderly down his arms, they took his hands in theirs and guided him to a seat, taking all the time his heavy, weighted feet needed to get moving. They pulled out a chair and gestured for him to sit. “Yes, of course.” As he sat, slumping into his seat, they rolled their palms over his shoulders. “Feel free to get cozy now, okay, baby? Nice and warm and drowsy and cozy.”

Sighing out a breath of air he sunk into his chair, sipping in a smell of all the food that sat before him, a smile strung over his lips. “Mmm….”

“Dig in.”

Tummy groaning out once again, Malak looked for silverware, yet couldn’t seem to locate any. A hand snuck into his curls, scattering his thoughts in an instant, prompting him to simply cut through what looked to be a pan of sticky macaroni and cheese with his hands. Adrastus giggled at that, and a giddy blush crept onto his face.

“Do you like it?” They whispered, breath blossoming over his ear as did a liveliness in his tastebuds. Vigorously Malak nodded, spooning handfuls of whatever was in reach into his mouth. “Don’t go and choke now, baby.”

Shoveling more between his teeth, he lazily gave them a nod. “‘Course not… uh… um…,” their name - or… title - was on the tip of his tongue, it always was when he got home and everything was all light and bubbly, yet he couldn’t seem to unblock the thought.

“Master.” They supplied, helping Malak like they always did, and his smile widened into a toothy, dopey grin.

“Master…” he mumbled around chunks of food, delicious flavors bouncing up and over his tongue, so many so good he couldn’t name them all with his brain running so slow. That seemed right though, in a way.

“Oh, you cutie pie.” His master cooed, pinching his cheeks and planting a peck to his forehead. “Aren’t you just a little mess now? Eating with your hands like a little baby. Maybe it’s time for a bath.”

Lighting up, Malak’s expression brightened impossibly further. “Batthhh…?”

“Yes, darling, a bath, I just know you love those.” Hoisting him up with minimal effort - an action that seemed strange for a flicker of a second before it was brushed away by the cloudiness of his mind - Malak’s master carried him out and into the bathroom.

“You just sit here and watch the tub for me, okay?” They instructed, plopping him to the floor beside the tub.

His attention was quickly caught by the run of the water. “Yes… masterrr…”

It seemed almost like hours that the water trickled from the spout before it was full, but if Malak was all there he would’ve recognized it only being minutes.

“Alright, you climb right on in, it should be nice and comfortable for you.”

He did as told, crawling into the bath, letting free a pleasant shudder at the magical temperature that coated his flesh.

Their hands suck their way into his locks, frizzy and unkempt, caressing around the heavenly scritches and scratches of their nails. “Mmm…” sinking into their hold, Malak’s eyes fluttered quick to a close, nearly asleep.

“Sweet and sleepy, are you baby? It’s alright, master will keep you nice and safe while you doze. Sweet, sleepy, and docile you are. Sweet, sleepy… and docile.”

Taglist- @softvampirewhump @iys-cloud @battyfantasy @xx-adam-xx @silly-scroimblo-skrunkl

@mylifeisonthebookshelf @mis-graves @3-2-whump @whump-till-ya-jump

If anyone wants to be removed or added to the taglist, please let me know! :)

[harbinger-0f-spring]

Did you have a middle name for Céléase, Narkissos or Tilphousia?

Céléase Euphraise Rosier

Narkissos Adrastus Carrow

And Tilphousia… well I haven’t really thought up a middle name for her yet!

[leynaeithnea]

There is, disgraciously little on them and the most we have is Statius interpretation in the Thebaid, everything else is otherwise just mentions that they were married to Polynices and Tydeus

According to Hyginus Argia is the older sister

Hyginus and Statius are also the only one that mention more (at least on Topostext, if there are other sources outside of that, I dont know)

So according to them:

- In the Thebaid they get compared to Artemis and Athena, being god-like in their beauty and grace (there is smth about Tydeus having Athena as patreon and about Calydon - his homeland - having Artemis as important god only that the calydonians angered her, and props also smth about Thebes/Polynices and these gods bit i forgor)

- Acc. to Statius and Hyginus (maybe also a playwright? I havent read the plays about the Seven yet) Argia went alone to Thebes after news of their husband's death arrived and, together with Antigone, she makes sure Polynices is buried by placing him on the still burning funeral pyre of Eteocles (after Creon denied Polynices a burial) -> this version differs significantly from Sophocles play "Antigone" which only mentions Antigone

- Deipyle leads the other wives to Athens at the same time, where they ask Theseus to help them to be allowed to bury their husbands (he complies and succeeds)

- Argia, in Thebaid, is the one to push Polynices to claim his throne (saying that young widowhood didnt scare her and that she always heard him crying at night in angish over the throne), she is also the one who convinces her father (Adrastus) to heed the call of the war

- also Thebaid, during their wedding, Argia is wearing Harmonias cursed necklace (a gift from Polynices), a shield falls off of a statue (forgot which one, mb) which they see as bad omen (but everyone pretends it didnt happen) (the necklace is later given to Amphiarauses wife as bribe so she'll force her husband to join their war, against his will)

- about Deipyle there is not much more said, except that she wanted to keep Tydeus from going as Embassy to Thebes, but was convinced to let him go eventually (personal hc: maybe she had a hinge of how the "curse of thebes" would spread to her husband went there)

- there is interestingly nothing known about stepfathers for either Diomedes nor Thesander AFAIK, which would point towards both of them not remarrying - which is unusual! Likely it would mean they would be living with their father again, but its also mentioned that at least Tydeus had lands given to him by Adrastus, so a HC that maybe Deipyle and potentially also Argia managed their own households until their sons had grown up, wouldnt be tooooo far fetched, even if not the most conventional

- Deiyple in thebaid, is said to have instantly "made excuses" for her husband (for the cannibalism) [i feel her]

Aaand thats as much as I know and remember right now

I think there can be a lot interpreted into both of them walking to Thebes to bury their husbands, their devotion and pro-activeness and also the symbolism with the goddesses and all of that! :D Hope this helps! It's not a lot but Ive created HCs and entire characters on less (name and father mentions only)

:D

Thebaid girlies, I severely need your help. Been trying to do research on Deipyle and Argia for more than an hour and barely anything showed up.

DUMP ME YOUR BIGGEST DEIPHYLE N ARGIA INFO YOU HAVE PLS I NEED IT

[velarishiku]

Adrastus, my foray into a WoL OC. Leveling him up without boosts to go through the story again (mostly ARR, don’t remember a lot of the details) with @journeybetweenworlds ‘s S’aki together. Just waiting on her to catch up today to Sastasha and we’ll be doing them together!! I’m really excited for it and I think it will be a lot of fun to level them together and plot about how they interact.

[seirclys]

HIIII HELLOOOO IT'S BEEN AWHILE

I have so many questions but never got to ask you cuz guess what i am gonna go to collage soon

But that aside, here are the questions, now updated after your 4 part posts about OG!Penny and Shrike!Penny

The revived butterfly in the fic, it was presumed dead by Penelope, but after she removed the webs and turned around and walked back, it twitched meaning that it's still alive.

We know that butterflies symbolize life, death, and metamorphosis. But what of a "revived" butterfly?

Well not like revived, more like presumed dead but is actually still alive.

I've dug a little deeper (not that deep) about a butterfly's symbolism, it can also represent hope and faith.

Soooo, assuming you go with that too, does a still living butterfly that was thought to be dead meant there's still some—albeit very very slim chance to me—hope left for her even though it didn't seem like it?

As for the faith part, I really don't see that fit anywhere. She lost all faith in gods, the Eckharts and the MLs so, yeah.

And, and, Cassian,

I went thru the comments and you said he is gay and a sad boy.

Does he ever have romantic feelings for one of Penny's brothers?? Or is he sad about Penelope just pushing and burning herself out again that her health is just- shit. Like when she was still small and within her Empire?

One more question, I remember that Penelope said(?) that the Second Prince faction would pay for siding with Leila (memory fuzzy here but i remember it mostly)

Will she do it in the Eternal Ataraxia? Along with the Eckharts? :Eyes:

Probably not but, just curious.

ahh welcome back!

unfortunately, I've hit a bit of a roadblock with Shrike. It's the sad reality of having grand plans for a fic and then life chucking a brick at your window with you right next to it. It'll become a backburner fic, probably, but I really, really hope that it doesn't die off in my mind, even with the lack of interest it generally has. I'm glad you still love it enough to reread <3

I'm also going to college soon, so you aren't alone in the hectic mess.

I'm still churning out some of the OG! Penelope headcanon posts! a bit stuck on part 5, and the series might get added onto later if I ever get new ideas.

(I'm actually churning these out for a self-indulgent crossover I've been chatting about on Discord but shhhh)

Ooh, the butterfly was a while ago. I honestly forgot about it, but yes, it was meant to be a sort of rekindled hope, but also to symbolize someone. I had the idea for Rheiana to have butterfly powers similar to Roxana, but more like a butterfly-human hybrid but scrapped the butterfly part.

And... RIGHT ON THE MONEY! Cassian had feelings for one of Penelope's brothers. It won't be a big plot point in the story, so I'll just tell you now. He was in a semi-secret romantic relationship with Adrastus, Penelope's second brother. If you remember, Adrastus was also the brother that died in Penelope's arms, just like her mother.

hnnh bodyguard-prince relationship trope

In addition, he is pretty sad about how self-destructive Penelope is, especially since he feels like he has an obligation to take care of her in Adrastus's absence(the two of them were really in love with each other, and although there were talks of Adrastus marrying out for political ties, they were devoted to each other). He believes that it's his fault that Penelope was lost in the first place, that she became so reckless even as a child.

As for the Second Prince's faction, since they aren't as traumatically significant to Penelope as the Eckharts are, I was thinking of an end that was less horrific, but more public.

And for the "sheer clothing" in my OG!Penelope hcs series, it's actually not referring to Hanfu! Shrike!Penelope's culture/the Ancient Wizards were influenced by different IRL cultures(with how I mentioned that dimension travel is a THING that they used to do), which is why I mentioned Hanfu since China was one of the big ancient empires.

I'm thinking more manhwa-sheer, as in, like. Roxana(yep, here we go again), her sheer overskirts and sleeves. Maybe some more modern dress styles. Think haute couture. Sheer cutouts, satins, etc. Lots and lots of lace and netting.

Glad to see you in my notifications and my inbox again <3 keep yourself safe and healthy(super ironic since this dumbass just recovered from her 1st Covid... as in Sunday. I only tested negative SUNDAY.) edit: i forgot i queued this but dw kids I've been covid free for two days

[aster-aspera]

It’s in the half light of dawn that Polynices leads him out into the throne room, their hands clasped together like two children, a precious, beaming smile on his face. He looks young, like this, without the wrinkles that frame his eyes in soft folds, the deep shadows that make his eyes shine even darker. His hair is piled up in messy curls atop his head, and there’s dust coating his knees and ankles, as if he has been outside already, before the day has even begun. 

Tydeus is impressed, as it usually takes him well into the day to rouse himself. 

Polynices tugs at his hand insistently, and then turns, the wan sunlight catching on the sharp planes of his face. 

“You want me on the throne, don’t you?” He asks, his smile sharpening slightly. 

Tydeus has known him long enough to know that smile means trouble. But he loves trouble, so he tugs him closer by the arm, until their fronts are pressed together, the other tilting his head down, cocked slightly to the side. His eyes glitter with excitement. 

The massing armours in front of their doors have put him in a good mood. The sights of banners and standards and rows upon rows of men, standing for their cause. For his cause. His rightful throne. 

He reaches up to run his thumb along the sharp slope of his lover’s jaw, up along his delicate cheekbones. He fits his hand around the back of his neck and tugs him down to press their lips together, clumsy and bruising. Neither of them are gifted at gentleness, and whatever strange trance has come over the other makes him more heedless than ever, his lanky body stumbling into the kiss, tongue pressing past his lips with a fevered intensity. 

Tydeus has to adjust his stance to keep them both upright. 

“Of course,” He whispers roughly when Polynices pulls away to breathe, “I want you on the damn throne.”

And then he tugs him back in, warm lips against his, fingers tangling in his hair and tugging sharply. He bites at the soft flesh of the other’s lip, running his tongue across the grooved scar he has left there before he sinks his teeth into flesh once again, drawing a soft noise from his lover. 

A little deeper and the metallic tang of blood spills over his tongue, sharp and biting as the sting of a sword. 

Polynices fights his way free eventually, licking the blood from his lips. There’s a pang of anger in his chest at the careless motion, how he keeps all that blood selfishly for himself, does not let him drink it from his bruised lips. 

“Put me on the throne then,” He says with a teasing smile, rocking back on his heels. Tydeus grabs his elbow, not intent on letting him move away any more than that. The heat of his body, the shifting, wild energy that matches his own quells that deep impatience within him, that grows with every passing day, with every man they add to their army. The world moves unbearably slow around them, meandering Adrastus and Ampriaraus’ cold glare like grit in their wheels. 

But here, pressing his lips to the rabbiting pulse of his neck, he remembers what it is all for, the scars on his skin, the sword in his hands. 

He will look so beautiful, on his throne. Crowned in victory and gold, fair Argia at his side. 

The well of possessiveness and envy spurs him into action, scooping one arm under his knees, the other around his back. 

In three years, he has barely gained any weight, only wired muscle wrapped around his bones. 

Tydeus hefts him securely against his chest, and he can feel Polynices’ smile as he hides his face against his neck, the soft huff of his laughter. 

He almost stumbles on the steps up to the dais, Polynices’ wild curls obscuring his view. It draws a bright laugh from the other as he instinctively pulls him closer. 

And then they stand before the throne. 

A throne that is not theirs yet, but has known the taste of their love all the same. 

He drops himself into the seat heavily, Polynices spread across his lap. 

The other winds lanky arms around him, tangling fingers in his hair as he pulls him forward once more into a kiss. It is strangely gentle this time, no nip of teeth in soft skin. 

Polynices tilts his face upward, hand cupping his jaw like a precious gift, his hair falling forward to brush his cheeks and veil his gaze. 

In this soft curtain of darkness, he can see only the slight glimmer of his lover’s gaze, the tears that well up as he softens against him. 

There is salt on his tongue when they pull apart, when Polynices buries his face in Tydeus’ hair with a soft sigh. 

“To war,” He says, his earlier excitement dimmed with ancient grief. 

“To war,” Tydeus repeats with more fervor. He tugs him close, even though their bodies are moulded to each other, almost one in their aching closeness. 

If he could pull him closer he would. If he could crack open his ribs and crawl in beside his heart, he would. 

“Home,” Polynices whispers achingly, and Tydeus thinks of the bloodstained halls he has left behind. Home follows him like a bad dream, coalesced in the crooks of his palm like dried blood. 

When Polynices speaks of home, he wrings out the blood from its memory and it sounds sun-kissed and golden. 

Worth a war. Worth his life. 

He closes his eyes, sinks into the gentle warmth of his lover. Home. Warm as his brother’s sweet smile. 

yet another polynices x tydeus piece. because these silly little freaks (affectionate) refuse to leave my head

[mfingenius]

For the lamen requests, a role reversal soulmate au by you would literally send me to another plane of existence

The gag is keeping him quiet, but it does nothing to diminish the venomous glare the slave is sending his way.

The only thing Damen is able to do is blink at him.

"The Regent of Vere can't know what my mark is," Damen says, swallowing. "So we have to assume this is a mistake. Right?"

Nikandros looks vaguely sick, and Kastor mostly looks intrigued. When neither of them respond, Damen repeats, "Right?"

"Maybe the Regent has a spy," Nik says. Kastor looks at him. "Someone who's seen your mark."

Damen doesn't let people see his mark, and they both know it. It's a snake, coiled tight around a crown, lines and curves that Damen has traced more times than he could possibly count. It's on his rib. The same mark is clear on the slave's shoulder blade, and when he'd seen it - when Adrastus had presented him the slave as a gift from the Regent of Vere - Damen had immediately ordered Adrastus out, and had had a slave get Nik and Kastor.

"It has to be a trap, Damen," Nik says, when he doesn't respond. "You have to send him back."

Back to Vere, where he was probably a pet; he's too pretty to be anything else - and really, Damen doesn't think he's seen anyone as beautiful, not even Jokaste - and Damen feels a wave of possessiveness, even if he knows it's illogical. He hasn't even heard the slave speak.

"Sending him back could be interpreted as an insult," Kastor points out. "It could start a war. We already have a strained enough relationship with Vere."

"Kastor is right," Damen says. "We can't send him back."

"What are you going to do, then?" Nik asks warily.

Damen shrugs. How bad can it be?

"Ungag him," he orders.

One of the slaves standing in the room rushes forward and undoes the gag, quickly, revealing soft, gorgeous lips, bitten red. It's a peaceful half a second in which Damen thinks this might actually work out.

"If you touch me," the slave says, panting. "I will castrate you in your sleep and let you bleed out from it."

Nik closes his eyes. "I can already see how this is going to go."

Kastor looks amused.

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