elvesandlanterns

[elvesandlanterns]

Coal turned to diamonds ch 6 @#milkyvoid

Javier woke up in a foul mood. Which he knew okay! He knew it was totally asinine! Everyone was alive, land flourishing,... and Lloyd seemed happy! Too happy. It wasn't natural. He'd seen the man exhibit several types of happiness over the years. Happiness that came in giant grins, happiness that stemmed from justice and more importantly winning. Happiness is chuckles of friendship and restored family dinners. But this happiness Lloyd carried was quieter, smaller. Almost wistful.

The maniac was staring out of windows all week, sighing softly. Prettily, almost.

He talked less and less about anything in particular as if his mind was far away.

Ridiculous really. Why did he care? Master Lloyd can sigh all he wants.

No, his real problem was the growing immunity to Lloyds Lullaby Service. He was still sleeping sure but it felt off. Leaving the sword master waking up intermittently throughout the night, not all the way but in small slivers of time. It was beyond irritating. He tried to get it under control, even going so far as to see a doctor about it. Only to be told it might be a trauma response. Which was utter bull shit! Javiers not the one that almost died over and over again! Javiers not the one that faced down the devil and won. Nearly, barely. His life was good, he had it good. People would kill to be in his shoes, fuck childhood him would kill to be in present hims shoes. What is wrong with him?

He tried everything!

He left the chair for the floor. The floor to a bed, away from Lloyd which somehow made it worse. Tincture and tonics had never worked but he was desperate. Nothing worked. And then he started noticing.

There was some sort of light coming off the bed, which wasn't all that surprising he’d never actually seen Lloyd sleep before. It makes sense he'd make some sort of non intrusive candle to continue working away in the comfort of his bed. This is fine, the idea of Lloyd being awake was comforting in its own way. The light was low toned and Javier got used to feeling it on his eyelids eventually. He couldn't move his head to look at it properly even if he wanted to. Which he didn’t, sleep is all that mattered.

He started waking up other nights, again to the pleasant light. His consciousness slipped in and out against his will. Which was fine.

Until he started hearing Lloyd talk.

Which again, wasnt that odd at all. Lloyd talked to himself all the time, he talked to the walls and his summons as if they understood him. And hell they did. So it was all good. Lloyd talking is what finally gave Javier the relief of sleep in the first place. It was perfect.

And then a voice talked back.

Ugh.

His swirling misery followed him out of his chair, and away from his masters room. And wasn't that scandalous in of itself! Sleeping in the master's room! As if you have the right! The voice of /that/ man seared into his brain, some man talking to Lloyd in the middle of the night! Ahhhhhh!!!

Julian watched a zombie of a man stagger into breakfast. A typical day really except that that man wasn't his brother Lloyd but Javier! It admittedly made him feel a tad worried. Sir Javier was usually so posh and effortlessly put together, this decline was terrible just to watch.

The worry was swallowed down with his morning juice. They all needed some time to get back to normal after everything after all. Even Lloyd was acting off! Last thing he heard he was making a temple? The man wasn't even religious!

Sighing, the knight took up his sword to practice the day way. Maybe if he exhausted himself he'd finally be granted some semblance of calm.

Lunch came and went, Javier had the day to himself in order to train. It didn’t make him feel any better. Worse now he was sleep deprived and just physically tired and hungry again. Sigh.

As such he takes little blame for what happened next alright.

He was a little cranky okay? And Master Juliens rising anxiety didn't make it any better. It was warranted really, who sends their servant across the bloody continent to give a gift? Obviously they had a cruel master that didn't give a shit about his people. The ragdoll of a man was in such a pitiful state when he arrived that any other day he is sure Julien would have provided them food and board for the rest of the night. Most definitely, again who arrives before supper like this?

But today was not any other day however. Because that servant didn't manage to say a single word he imagined to hear. If anything the man told them everything they didn't want to hear! At all! Ever!

As such he was sure he could be forgiven for not treating the situation with the grace he should have. Honestly, Scaring off horrible suitors was just a part of his job as a guard. … Really! He had simply been doing their duty in sight of that monstrosity of a box the servant left them.

How was he supposed to take a so-called “courting gift” in a box so shabby it resembled a shipping crate full of wine.

Later Lloyd did not agree with this assertion and he seemingly would not forgive it either.

—---

Hans huffed his way down from the carriage for what felt like the millionth time in a single day. Not for the first time thinking of how much smoother this trip would have been with at least a guard at his side. Ron. Hilsmen. Literally anyone stronger than him to carry this blasted crate behind him.

Was it so much to ask that Master Cale be traditional or sensible in anything, in the very least routing. Where other butlers delivered beautiful bouquets, embroidered hankies, and delicious treats. Sure the upper nobility tended to be rather over the top about the whole thing but this just felt excessive! They could have used a paper gift box instead of wood at least! Why was a bunch of fabric so heavy!

Hans' breath caught at the sight of the Frontera Estate. Not that he had any breath left in him after carrying the gift from the carriage. Over some grass up quite a few steps and then some just to get a glimpse of the place.

And it was a sight. The butler had never seen such a manor before. While the manor itself was of the typical fair for a lower noble, everything else was like a story book. Metal tubes ran out from the building, interlocking like a maze alongside walls, disappearing and reappearing on buildings near. Sets of the lawn were sectioned off, contraptions and miniature homes decorated the off limit areas. Flowers framed every walkway, lushes blossoms in more shades than Hans had ever thought imaginable.

He stopped to appreciate the sight of it all, if this was the outside he was down right frazzled to see the inside of the place. Hans continued at a slow pace, huh it's quiet. Too quiet.

Hans has been a servant since the day he was born, he was a butler with pedigree. And anyone who worked with nobles knew. It was never this quiet. Never. Even on holiday or a funeral there was always noise. Always maids laundering, footsteps of the butlers bustling away, and cooks well cooking. And all of those people made noise, heavens the nobles made more noise than this! Hans suppressed a shiver, something wasn't right.

[elvesandlanterns]

Okay but the immediate thought being that he got married to Danny Temple!!

Damian: oh so you’ll marry him but my cult leader grandfather isn’t good enough for you????

DPxDC Prompt #20

Danny and Tim are married. (Sacrificial Bride, Meddling Ancients, Tax Benefits, etc.; exact details are dealer's choice.)

The Bats do not know Tim is married. They find because Tim gets grievously injured. High on pain, blood loss, and/or the good drugs; he turns to the nearest Bat and slurs out, "Don't tell my husband."

[elvesandlanterns]

Coal turned to Diamond ch 5 @milkyvoid

Now dear readers before the chapter starts I do believe that it is only fair to mention that misunderstanding of this caliber often stems from deep concern, love and stupidity. And people often cannot help their own stupidity now can they?

Why it's hardly Javier and the Fronteras fault that they didn't understand “proper” empire courting, what with being stuck in such a remote location. And it’s hardly they’re fault they continued listening to rumors! Why imagine governing a backwater town to a sprawling countryside! Practically overnight at that!

That being said they perhaps can be blamed for how they chose to handle the situation. Afterall if they had just asked Lloyd they would have learned that Cales gift was by all means /tame/ in comparison to what others in the - empire did. (And what Cale had wanted to do.)

By all means had they bothered to ask Lloyd they would have been able to gather that Cale was simply an eccentric fellow and not as Marquis Arcos would put it, “A treacherous rich asshole looking to exploit Lloyds love for money and take advantage of Lloyds innocence regarding matters of the heart for his own amusement.” Or something like that.

Speaking of Lloyds father I suppose it’s as good a place as any to start with.

- - -

Arcos bit into his bottom lip, contemplating. He loved his son, Lloyd, dearly. He did! But he wasn't blind to his child's faults. Truth was Lloyd was simply…too much for people. Talking a mile a minute, with a million dreams in his head. Just like when he was young.

The man shook the thought out of his head. Now was not the time to reminisce, nor contemplate when exactly he had stopped expecting Lloyd’s chatter. His smiles. It wasn’t time to think about why it all dissolved only to reappear years later.

No, what mattered was right now! And the matter at hand was well literally in his hands.

A letter.

For Lloyd.

Altogether not unusual.

But.

It was pink. Pink with a scallop edge as if his wife had written in back when they were but a young summer couple.

Marabella could see her husband scrutinizing the letter in his hands. She leaned over him, leaving a peck at his hairline as her head came parallel to his own. They could both scrutinize the letter together!

Arcos felt his wifes gaze on the letter. The one he swore hadn't been there a minute ago. He definitely would have noticed. He wasn't so old to have lost a grip on his mind just yet. It was as if the letter had just popped! Into existence!!

Like magic!

But that sounded ridiculous even just in his head.

“Oh dear, that's lovely! I can’t believe someone would send Lloyd something so cute.”

The hard wooden chair squeaked underneath him as he turned the letter over in his hands. The chair was an old thing Lloyd used to stare at as a child, eyes sharp asking his father why he didn't just replace it. It unnerved him.

A similar feeling pooled in his gut now. Like something dark was clawing its way up his inners to smother his airway.

He couldn't understand why but just the sight of the pink envelope made him feel sick. What was he missing?

His eyes locked on to the sender.

Huh, well that was something.

It wouldn’t be the first time a parent had tried to foist their child onto Lloyd. Looking for nothing else then their own advantage.

It would be the first time they threw a man at Lloyd. Did his son even like women? Or men? Now that he stopped to consider it, the subject had never been brought up before. It simply hadn't felt important, none of them had… he hadn't expected Lloyd to ever … well…well.

He took another look down at the scrawling letters,

Cale Henstinue

Where had he heard that name before? The gentleman sadly did not get a second to think on it before the house erupted into madness.

His darling wife took the paper away from his hands to examine closer.

“We should open it!”

“Mirabella!!!” Affronted, Arcos rose to grab the letter back.

BAM! The door to the office swung open, knob hitting the wall fiercely.

And that dear readers is how Javier and Juilen found them, parents and masters of the house. Playing tug of war over a brightly colored envelope.

Javier threw the large box in his hands unceremoniously onto the floor as soon as his eyes saw it. That pompous giant “C” running across the ridiculous pink paper!

Arcos lost the fight to his wife, as he always did, when he spotted the giant box Javier had dumped on the floor. The box was absurdly plain, especially in comparison to the highly stylized letter. And yet there that name sat on it, sender to his son.

Blood rushed to the elder man's head.

“Who the fuck is Cale Henistue?”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/66010090/chapters/170084479

https://archiveofourown.org/works/66010090/chapters/170084479

[elvesandlanterns]

Did…. Did… did we just reinvent Psyche and Eros??

…. Again?????

I read an interesting post on Sandman ship potential, that quite fairly pointed out that in canon, Dream literally never tells Hob anything about himself. And that in some respects, it's a very unequal relationship in that sense. 

But it got me thinking about a different way to take Dreamling, to the way we often take the ship in fanon. If the true joy Dream finds in Hob's companionship is the complete detachment he offers from his duty. That the escapism of self for Dream, meeting Hob as a total stranger, is part of the appeal. Could we reframe this in an almost Mélusine way of, don't ask, just love?

A relationship based on, I don't want you to KNOW me, but I do want you to know ME. In which Dream purposely requests that Hob never ask who or what he truly is. He never wants Hob to know of his checkered history, his cosmic burden. Just love his ‘stranger’ unconditionally without that knowledge. Which to be fair, Hob's already been doing for the past how many centuries? 

Of course they'll be an inevitable fallout, in the way these myths always go. And a chance at reconciliation. (I have the idea of Hob breaking his vow, playing a part in Dream's self determined demise. Only for Hob to learn the truth and step in just in time to stop it, rotating round my mind at present.😅) 

But I thought it was a different kind of AU if nothing else.

[elvesandlanterns]

Coal turned to Diamonds ch 4 @milkyvoid

The populace of Fontera fiefdom would be lying if they said it was a place where everyone knew everyone. In the past, sure but after Lloyds rise to fame? No way! The whole place was bustling with humans and non humans of all kinds. Traders came in and out, scholars camped out and refugees stuck together while acclimating. So while everyone didn't know everyone it didn’t take a trained guard or knight to take notice of someone new. Especially when they sputtered at the sight of the goblin people.

Why honestly how rude.

So you would understand how strange it seemed to everyone to see this … well … stranger make his way up to the Fontera estate proper. But at least he was a kind young man and a delightful storyteller. The people at the inn absolutely buzzed with what the apparent butler was saying. It would seem their ever growing neighbor had gotten themselves their own hero.

How wonderful! The citizens thought.

And then Hans had to open his big mouth again.

“This has been a lovely affair but I really must be off, would any of you happen to know where I can find the marquis?”

The men gathered in the tavern practically inhaled their ale, Master Lloyd demanded they take a fifteen minute break and they were not going to waste it. It was a short enough walk from the current construction site. Some temple or another, it didn't really matter at this point. Master Lloyd could ask them to dig him a monster filled moat and they would. For adequate pay of course. Master Lloyd had taught them to never let anyone, noble or not, take advantage.

Now dear reader it could be said that the crowd of workers were a tad protective of the man these days. How could they not be after everything? They had affection for the little weirdo. It was as if the men had gained a crazzed little brother. Sure he was an asshole in the past but hey it was just a phase.

And if a part of this love stemmed out of a sliver of guilt well it didn't really matter. Lloyd was better now.

And now it was time again for Master Lloyd to go on yet another adventure. This was good, perhaps both their respective masters could even be friends. It only made sense that other nations would want to make ties with him.

“Yeah man, you’ll want to head a few miles up the road. Big manor you won’t miss it. Marquis is a stickler for manners though so be polite and ask for a proper audience.” The men around the bar nodded in agreement it would be best to make a good impression on the boss's father first.

“Well then I must be off. Master Cale will no doubt be even more cross with me if his gift is late to his dear friend.”

Dear Friend?

The butler was sent directly to the boss himself? What a ballsy move!

A serving girl shyly walked up to Hans handing him a snack for the road and gingerly opening the door for him. “Oh sir, I just wanna ask well. You see, I've never worked in a noble's house before. Could you tell me what it is Lord Silver Shield brought our boss?” Batting her eyes she steadied the servants elbow as to not drop the food as they both occupied the doorway, “I’m just so curious!”

A flustered Hans breathed out, “Courting Gifts, I think? Yes no? I don’t know anymore! Please excuse me mam!” And rushed his way out the door and on to the carriage.

Silence.

Courting gifts?

The tavern shook. This …might pose a problem.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/66010090/chapters/171637426

[elvesandlanterns]

Coal turned to Diamonds: chapter 3 @milkyvoid

Hans going to deliver his gift in person was not what Cale expected to hear when he got back from recharging his communicator. Uugghh speaking of which he needed to find an easier way to charge it. Sunlight was easy enough but the mana was tricky.

A stray thought reminded him it would also be harder for Lloyd to recharge his “phone” now, without his mana-heart. Cales lips pursed together at the idea, Lloyd had reassured him it was for the best. That he didn’t miss it or want it back. Thinking of his own ancient powers Cale mussed that it must have felt disappointing to Lloyd regardless.

Lemon tea set in front of him quickly brought him back to his previous ideas.

Recharging the phones more efficiently.

Mana stones would bring to much attention, would they even have the right kind of mana in them? He’d been getting lucky so far. Maybe he can excuse it away as mindless spending? Maybe he could order a sigil from the mage tower and swear Roslyn to secrecy ? Pugh that would never work. But maybe he could use it to his benefit to explain how he and Lloyd’s stayed in touched without sending many physical letters??? No no best to keep rumors of the “phone” under wraps the last thing he needed was some two bit thief getting ideas. Or worse someone wanting to use it to call him. No way, that was giving this world way too many ideas. The communication orb they had now would have to do. Maybe he could get away with sending one to Lloyd?

Bringing the cup of tea to his delicate mouth Cale took a sip. Thankfully the bitter taste and reality snapped his thoughts back together. What had he been thinking about before this? Hans? Cough, cough. Cale breathed in a scream, holy shit Hans!!! That was definitely NOT part of the plan!!

“Damnit.”

Cales inner monologue lasted minutes in his head but to an outsider only a few moments. Ron considered more than one far too long a pause for the boy to take to respond. And only to come up with that. “Master* is everything alright ?”

Cale wheezed,“Of course Ron! I just… need to write up a letter real quick.” Cale shuddered of course Ron was still standing there staring at him. He wanted no NEEDED Ron to like Lloyd. At the very least not to try killing him.

Problem was… Cale had no idea how to do that!!! He had tried with Choi Han! They were comrades in the original and now they barely tolerate each other!

- Ron smiled reassuringly, well reassuring to himself if anything, “Shall I get the material then?”

“Oh yeah sure Ron thanks.”

- Cale asks for cute letter set

Aaaahhh!!! Sending a small gift was one thing but sending it with his /personal/ butler wouldn’t start rumors. It would start a full on scandal!!! They were going to think Cale was too pushy! Cale needed to fix this!

“Actually Ron could you bring me something different err more colorful?”

“More colorful?” Ron looked down at the standard tan paper in his hold. He was definitely beginning to question his puppy masters sanity now.

“Yes. Something. Something more like Hongs stationary.” Ron smiled crookedly wondering if this was worth bringing up to the others. He didn’t understand it at all but Ron supposes he’s gone along with stranger things.

Cale scribbled quickly on the paper as soon as Ron came back to his room. If he got this right the letter would arrive before Hans in order to warn Lloyd about the butler showing up. Hopefully it would make the ordeal seem more proper. And to not make himself look like an overbearing ass the letter had to be sent on unofficial stationery. Now he just needed to get Raon to teleport it over.

And that good readers is how a baby pink letter found its way to the Frontera Estate along with a confused butler and several fashion pieces a suitable shade of red.

[elvesandlanterns]

Coal to Diamond :Chapter 2 @milkyvoid

Cale sauntered out of the villa, Raon bundled up in his arms and dark cloak blending them into the shadows. He couldn’t help but smile at the sight of On and Hong scurrying across the front yard to him, twin mischievous looks on their faces. Looks like his plan was coming together. The redhead waited only a few more seconds before setting off in a sprint. Choi Han and Lock should be back from sparring just in time to catch sight of him leaving. Cale left feeling triumphant, a little rumor here and there combined with Hans monthly report should solidify his relationship with Lloyd. All without the need to have any of those horribly awkward conversations about it in person!

Cale beamed internally, he was going to smother that man next time he got his hands on him!

What a great idea!

Sadly dear readers this was in reality not a great idea.

And perhaps if Cale had looked back, even once he would have restructured his plan a tad. Because while the werewolf and swordsman did indeed pass by in time to see Cale sneak off … so did Captain Hilsman and all of the estates knights.

- - -

Time seemed to hold its breath as the men rounded the corner only to spot a hooded figure dashing into the nearby foliage. then time started again.

“Who was that?”

“Captain we’ll lock down the manor!”

“What do we do?” A new guard yelled.

“How dare they!?” Some older guards said affronted.

“Shut up.” More than a dozen spat out, what if the man heard them?

“Let’s spread out-“

Their Captain managed wheezed out “No need that was Master Cale.” Typically Hilsman wouldn’t blink an eye at such antics but … the war was over. What was there to keep secrets over? Why didn’t master silver shield trust them?

Lock frowned at the kicked dog look on the captains face. “He’s probably just heading back to super rock villa sir. Surely Cale-nim has everything under control?”

Hilsman bit his tongue harshly, it wasn’t his place to question things. But he couldn’t help but want to say what they were all thinking, then why the all the secrecy? Why not just walk out the front door?

The new guards were especially confused. What was master silver shield up to? Was he off running to deal with another threat all by himself? Was he in danger? The guards whispered to each other, something was up and they wanted to know what!

“Perhaps Lock,” the men watched there Captain run a hand through his hair. “However…It really doesn’t seem so if you two have any other ideas -“

Choi Han needed to wash the sweat off of him, they had been training for hours. His muscles burned and while usually he’d be right after Cale he thankfully knew it would be unnecessary. He had seen which coat Cale had been wearing on his run out of the villa.

Plain in comparison to his other clothing, deep brown. Choi Han smiled at his friend’s antics, he wasn’t sure how but Cale was doing something Lloyd related.

He’d only seen glimpses of the brunette here and there from Cales communicator, and every time he had Cale had worn that specific coat. He wasn’t all together sure why Cale did so. Maybe he thought it was lucky? Eh, Choi Han knew Cale would be fine. The brown coat meant Lloyd and Lloyd seemed to make Cale-nim very happy. And in Choi Han’s book that was good enough for him.

Sniff sniff, the smell of wet dog permeated the senses. Yeah Cale-nim is fine we need to hit the showers.

The guards watched as the Captain and werewolf’s stalemate was broken with a shrug from the swordsman that just finished beating them up! Ahem… just finished training them.

“Come on Lock, Cale-nim is busy with Lloyd,” the sword master walked off with the younger man running behind him to catch up.

The knights blinked…”Uh Captain? Who’s Lloyd?”

- - -

Hans couldn’t believe things had ended up this way. On one hand he was delighted at the responsibility given to him but at the same time he wished Ron had come in his place instead. Now instead of sending the package off to the post house he was stuck in a carriage going who knows how far to get to several mages willing to pop him from one to the other and eventually to the next kingdom over. And then through customs, and boarder arms and then find his way to the Fontera Estate to /finally/ deliver Master Cales gift… in person… to someone he’s never even seen before. Hans slouched ever so slightly in his seat, sigh, this was going to be a long day.

[elvesandlanterns]

@milkyvoid not a one shot!!! I’ll be writing more!!! Have no idea how consistent or how many chapters but i definitely need to have them interact!!!! It’s gonna be so much chaos!!!

I’m not great with tech and will double check the Ao3 so it doesn’t say one- shot anymore!

Spat this out in between cleaning. Have no idea what to tittle it. Ideas are welcome. I’ll put it up on Ao3 tomorrow when I’m more awake in the comments section. Hope you like it @milkyvoid

Chapter 1

Deruth is not to prideful to consider himself good father, at least not to Cale. It was a different story with Basen and Lily, he had help and security and …and a thousand other excuses he supposes. Because he knows he hasn’t been a good father to Cale.

The Duke drops his head into his hands and thinks of the merits of screaming into them. Because for the first time he has truly and utterly been blindsided by his son. He doesn’t know how this happened. If he knew anything about his oldest son it was that he hated pain, loved money and was oblivious to the very concept of romance.

But now here he is contemplating the idea that he truly knows nothing about his son at all. As if the Ancient Powers and gallivanting off to save the empire wasn’t enough. Now he has to sit here and stare at the report Hans has written on his observations of Cale. While his wife stares at him asking questions he has no answers to and the children start yelling around them.

Because his precious son has for some reason decided to part with an egregious amount of money ,for what Deruth can only describe as courting gifts, on some random man!!!

- - -

Hans had a real pep in his step today!!! After years and years of asking Master Cale was finally allowing him to help more!!! He was so excited! Even if it was just pick up and delivery the looks Master Cale gave him let him know it was of grave importance!! Hans felt his heart flutter at being so trusted!

All that was left to do know was to turn in his monthly report and make his way down town to the post house and send off the items Master Cale had requested to be sent off to his “Dearest Friend”.

Which did come as a surprise to Han. Not that his Master had friends of course but rather that they weren’t anyone close by! Why the package was to be sent off to a whole other kingdom altogether!

“Eeep!” Hans couldn’t help but let out as a shadow followed him to the doorway of the Dukes office, a hand reaching out in front of him to knock on the door before he got a chance. “Oh Ron!” Hans sighed, “Must you scare me so?” A shy grin greeted the deputy butler in return, “ Vigilance is a virtue Hans a butler must always have it.” Han opened his mouth to reply only to have Master Deruth calls them in. Sigh, he really does hope he gets the package in on time.

- - -

Ron started his report on Cales well being as he always did. Starting with his physical well being, that had improved greatly after the war, to his eating habits and so on. What currently caught the old assassins attention though was not the look on the Dukes face but rather Deputy Hans. Sigh, now what is that puppy up to now?

- - -

Basen sighed while crossing his arms only half listening to Ron as he kept his eyes on the tower of files on his desk paralleling fathers. His ears however perked right up as Hans report was read aloud.

Basen couldn’t help his eyebrows from stitching together. He did his best to memorize all to Cales allies but he couldn’t put a finger on the name. Who on earth is Marquis Lloyd Fontera?

Especially to be called Dearest Friend by his hyung of all things!!!

Raising his head he saw as Lilly walked half asleep, despite it still being early in the afternoon, over to the box Hans had set down.

- - -

Violin snapped out of her thoughts at Lilly’s scream. Rushing into grab her she looked inside the crate and picked pulled out a piece of fabric. “Lilly, Lilly it’s okay it’s just some fabric. A lot of fabric actually.” Shaking her head the lady squeezed her daughter a little tighter, “ What’s wrong did you see a spider in there or something?” She shared a confused look with the men in the room. Now she knew Lilly wasn’t scared of much let alone spiders of all things but other than some bugs crawling into the box Violin couldn’t ascertain what had made her so frightened?!!!

“Oh! Oh, sorry I thought is was oppas hair!” Lilly rubbed the crust out of her eyes. Maybe Hilsman is right and she should get some more sleep over training.

Looking down at he hand holding the fabric she blinked into reality. . . That actually was the exact shade of red her beloved step sons hair was. Which normally she’d assume was a

coincidence but the way they were tenderly handwritten addressed to that man… to Cales “dearest friend Lloyd” she couldn’t help but reach into the box again.

“Husband… why is our son sending this man scarves, ascots and accessories …All in the color of his hair???”

[elvesandlanterns]

Spat this out in between cleaning. Have no idea what to tittle it. Ideas are welcome. I’ll put it up on Ao3 tomorrow when I’m more awake in the comments section. Hope you like it @milkyvoid

Deruth sits in his office, on a considerably pricy leather chair, and finds himself contemplating. Hard. He finds himself an honest enough man, a pleasant enough husband if nothing else, and an esteemed Duke. What he finds himself rethinking, yet again, are his attributes as a father.

Deruth is not to prideful to consider himself good father, at least not to Cale. It was a different story with Basen and Lily, he had help and security and …and a thousand other excuses he supposes. Because he knows he hasn’t been a good father to Cale.

The Duke drops his head into his hands and thinks of the merits of screaming into them. Because for the first time he has truly and utterly been blindsided by his son. He doesn’t know how this happened. If he knew anything about his oldest son it was that he hated pain, loved money and was oblivious to the very concept of romance.

But now here he is contemplating the idea that he truly knows nothing about his son at all. As if the Ancient Powers and gallivanting off to save the empire wasn’t enough. Now he has to sit here and stare at the report Hans has written on his observations of Cale. While his wife stares at him asking questions he has no answers to and the children start yelling around them.

Because his precious son has for some reason decided to part with an egregious amount of money ,for what Deruth can only describe as courting gifts, on some random man!!!

- - -

Hans had a real pep in his step today!!! After years and years of asking Master Cale was finally allowing him to help more!!! He was so excited! Even if it was just pick up and delivery the looks Master Cale gave him let him know it was of grave importance!! Hans felt his heart flutter at being so trusted!

All that was left to do know was to turn in his monthly report and make his way down town to the post house and send off the items Master Cale had requested to be sent off to his “Dearest Friend”.

Which did come as a surprise to Han. Not that his Master had friends of course but rather that they weren’t anyone close by! Why the package was to be sent off to a whole other kingdom altogether!

“Eeep!” Hans couldn’t help but let out as a shadow followed him to the doorway of the Dukes office, a hand reaching out in front of him to knock on the door before he got a chance. “Oh Ron!” Hans sighed, “Must you scare me so?” A shy grin greeted the deputy butler in return, “ Vigilance is a virtue Hans a butler must always have it.” Han opened his mouth to reply only to have Master Deruth calls them in. Sigh, he really does hope he gets the package in on time.

- - -

Ron started his report on Cales well being as he always did. Starting with his physical well being, that had improved greatly after the war, to his eating habits and so on. What currently caught the old assassins attention though was not the look on the Dukes face but rather Deputy Hans. Sigh, now what is that puppy up to now?

- - -

Basen sighed while crossing his arms only half listening to Ron as he kept his eyes on the tower of files on his desk paralleling fathers. His ears however perked right up as Hans report was read aloud.

Basen couldn’t help his eyebrows from stitching together. He did his best to memorize all to Cales allies but he couldn’t put a finger on the name. Who on earth is Marquis Lloyd Fontera?

Especially to be called Dearest Friend by his hyung of all things!!!

Raising his head he saw as Lilly walked half asleep, despite it still being early in the afternoon, over to the box Hans had set down.

- - -

Violin snapped out of her thoughts at Lilly’s scream. Rushing into grab her she looked inside the crate and picked pulled out a piece of fabric. “Lilly, Lilly it’s okay it’s just some fabric. A lot of fabric actually.” Shaking her head the lady squeezed her daughter a little tighter, “ What’s wrong did you see a spider in there or something?” She shared a confused look with the men in the room. Now she knew Lilly wasn’t scared of much let alone spiders of all things but other than some bugs crawling into the box Violin couldn’t ascertain what had made her so frightened?!!!

“Oh! Oh, sorry I thought is was oppas hair!” Lilly rubbed the crust out of her eyes. Maybe Hilsman is right and she should get some more sleep over training.

Looking down at he hand holding the fabric she blinked into reality. . . That actually was the exact shade of red her beloved step sons hair was. Which normally she’d assume was a

coincidence but the way they were tenderly handwritten addressed to that man… to Cales “dearest friend Lloyd” she couldn’t help but reach into the box again.

“Husband… why is our son sending this man scarves, ascots and accessories. All in the color of his hair???”

Dear tumblr,

Am I insane or does anybody else kinda ship Cale Henituse and Lloyd Fontera????

Like sure i definitely ship Lloyd and Javier… but I have seen literally no Lloyd/Cale??? Not even for the lols???? These two money hungry, scamming babies??? No???

Just me????

Like on one hand I do cuz they have so much in common, and on the other hand because it would be so fucking hilarious!!!! Like can you just imagine the other characters reactions??? Like holy shit who is this guy???? Is this why the want to make so much money??? To court each other????

Also it’d be so hilarious for the main characters too because just imagine Lloyd spitting his drink out going: Whhhhatttt happened to Korea!!!!

Anywho I ship them for the comedy if nothing else. I see soooo much fuck potential here.

Would anyone be interested in me making a fic on it? Specifically a partial song fic???

Just to be clear I think the OG Cale and OG Lloyd having the sharing a soul with there isekai selves is best. And also easier for me to write 🤷‍♀️ but hey I’m open to ideas?

[elvesandlanterns]

Spat this out in between cleaning. Have no idea what to tittle it. Ideas are welcome. I’ll put it up on Ao3 tomorrow when I’m more awake in the comments section. Hope you like it @milkyvoid

Chapter 1

Deruth is not to prideful to consider himself good father, at least not to Cale. It was a different story with Basen and Lily, he had help and security and …and a thousand other excuses he supposes. Because he knows he hasn’t been a good father to Cale.

The Duke drops his head into his hands and thinks of the merits of screaming into them. Because for the first time he has truly and utterly been blindsided by his son. He doesn’t know how this happened. If he knew anything about his oldest son it was that he hated pain, loved money and was oblivious to the very concept of romance.

But now here he is contemplating the idea that he truly knows nothing about his son at all. As if the Ancient Powers and gallivanting off to save the empire wasn’t enough. Now he has to sit here and stare at the report Hans has written on his observations of Cale. While his wife stares at him asking questions he has no answers to and the children start yelling around them.

Because his precious son has for some reason decided to part with an egregious amount of money ,for what Deruth can only describe as courting gifts, on some random man!!!

- - -

Hans had a real pep in his step today!!! After years and years of asking Master Cale was finally allowing him to help more!!! He was so excited! Even if it was just pick up and delivery the looks Master Cale gave him let him know it was of grave importance!! Hans felt his heart flutter at being so trusted!

All that was left to do know was to turn in his monthly report and make his way down town to the post house and send off the items Master Cale had requested to be sent off to his “Dearest Friend”.

Which did come as a surprise to Han. Not that his Master had friends of course but rather that they weren’t anyone close by! Why the package was to be sent off to a whole other kingdom altogether!

“Eeep!” Hans couldn’t help but let out as a shadow followed him to the doorway of the Dukes office, a hand reaching out in front of him to knock on the door before he got a chance. “Oh Ron!” Hans sighed, “Must you scare me so?” A shy grin greeted the deputy butler in return, “ Vigilance is a virtue Hans a butler must always have it.” Han opened his mouth to reply only to have Master Deruth calls them in. Sigh, he really does hope he gets the package in on time.

- - -

Ron started his report on Cales well being as he always did. Starting with his physical well being, that had improved greatly after the war, to his eating habits and so on. What currently caught the old assassins attention though was not the look on the Dukes face but rather Deputy Hans. Sigh, now what is that puppy up to now?

- - -

Basen sighed while crossing his arms only half listening to Ron as he kept his eyes on the tower of files on his desk paralleling fathers. His ears however perked right up as Hans report was read aloud.

Basen couldn’t help his eyebrows from stitching together. He did his best to memorize all to Cales allies but he couldn’t put a finger on the name. Who on earth is Marquis Lloyd Fontera?

Especially to be called Dearest Friend by his hyung of all things!!!

Raising his head he saw as Lilly walked half asleep, despite it still being early in the afternoon, over to the box Hans had set down.

- - -

Violan snapped out of her thoughts at Lilly’s scream. Rushing into grab her she looked inside the crate and picked pulled out a piece of fabric. “Lilly, Lilly it’s okay it’s just some fabric. A lot of fabric actually.” Shaking her head the lady squeezed her daughter a little tighter, “ What’s wrong did you see a spider in there or something?” She shared a confused look with the men in the room. Now she knew Lilly wasn’t scared of much let alone spiders of all things but other than some bugs crawling into the box Violan couldn’t ascertain what had made her so frightened?!!!

“Oh! Oh, sorry I thought is was oppas hair!” Lilly rubbed the crust out of her eyes. Maybe Hilsman is right and she should get some more sleep over training.

Looking down at he hand holding the fabric she blinked into reality. . . That actually was the exact shade of red her beloved step sons hair was. Which normally she’d assume was a

coincidence but the way they were tenderly handwritten addressed to that man… to Cales “dearest friend Lloyd” she couldn’t help but reach into the box again.

“Husband… why is our son sending this man scarves, ascots and accessories …All in the color of his hair???”

[elvesandlanterns]

Dear tumblr,

Am I insane or does anybody else kinda ship Cale Henituse and Lloyd Fontera????

Like sure i definitely ship Lloyd and Javier… but I have seen literally no Lloyd/Cale??? Not even for the lols???? These two money hungry, scamming babies??? No???

Just me????

Like on one hand I do cuz they have so much in common, and on the other hand because it would be so fucking hilarious!!!! Like can you just imagine the other characters reactions??? Like holy shit who is this guy???? Is this why the want to make so much money??? To court each other????

Also it’d be so hilarious for the main characters too because just imagine Lloyd spitting his drink out going: Whhhhatttt happened to Korea!!!!

Anywho I ship them for the comedy if nothing else. I see soooo much fuck potential here.

Would anyone be interested in me making a fic on it? Specifically a partial song fic???

Just to be clear I think the OG Cale and OG Lloyd having the sharing a soul with there isekai selves is best. And also easier for me to write 🤷‍♀️ but hey I’m open to ideas?

[elvesandlanterns]

lol might as well have this go a hades and Persephone route. Just Tim coming back and being like

Tim: oh I’m fine the guy took me to some death dimension and feed me before taking me back here (points down) huh it’s only been a few hours though? I could have sworn we were down there for months (shrug) oh well

Danny meeting Damian: thanks for helping me kidnap my bride kid, literally never hurt him again

Dick ripping his hair out: noooo!!! 

How about one where Danny saves Tim after Damian cuts Tim’s line?

Danny is throwing out his trash when a hero falls into his arms. He had just finished settling the lid of the bin, stretched his two arms outwards, lacing his fingers together to pop them, and the very second he unlaced them, he heard the shout of alarm.

Glancing up, Danny watches in open astonishment as a body descends from heaven, and he barely has the time to bend his elbows into a catch as the body slams into his arms.

Thankfully, Danny was quick enough to cushion the landing with a big ectoplasm, letting it burst from his forearms and spreading into a makeshift glove that deflates as soon as he catches the body.

Owlishly, he blinks at the white lens of a mask that belongs to the man he caught. A vigilante, one of those bats, he thinks. Danny doesn't pay much attention to the news regarding them, so he has no idea who he's holding.

The other seems frozen in shock, so Danny looks at the sky, wondering where he came from. Standing at the edge is Robin, looking genuinely unsettled.

A rope swings in the wind, obviously been cut. The impaled knife shaped like an R is on the wall next to it. The same R that the kid is wearing on his uniform. His parents are genuine, but it doesn't take Danny long to figure out what happened.

The kid cut this guy's line, which could have easily killed him if not severely harmed him. In all his mature wisdom, Danny does the most natural thing to him.

He flips the bird, jolting the human in his arms into a more comfortable carry and retreating back into the manhole he had crawled out of. The kid seems startled, flipping down from the building, but it will be too late by the time he gets down.

Danny had actually placed a portal to his house in the Infinite Realms right at the diameter of the manhole. The second Danny recovers them with the metal plate, he swings back into the yard of his lovely garden and snaps his fingers to seal off the portal.

By the time the child gets the manhole cover, all he will see is the entranceway to Gotham's sewers. He may even be tempted to search for them, but Danny and his guest will be on an entirely different dimension.

The man in his arms slumps in his hold, looking utterly exhausted. "Where are we?"

"My house. Would you like to come in for some coffee?"

There is a moment where the stranger thinks it over before shrugging, "Why not."

Later, Danny realizes that the easy way Tim allowed himself to be brought inside was a facade. The little shit had just been gathering information on him before he flipped the table and attempted to beat Danny up with impressive martial arts techniques.

Then he stole his specter speeder, flying off into the Realms while Danny wheezed on the ground. Rude. He even took Danny's inbox of who knows what artifacts.

Danny was tasked with discovering their purpose and fixing them as his part-time job as a Ghostly Artifact repairman. Now, his client's stuff was stolen by a spandex-wearing weirdo from what he called the "Trash Dimension."

All because some other spandex-wearing ninja chose to cut his line.

"Crude, one of Clockwork's time amulets was in there," He mutters, wobbling to his feet and shifting into Phantom. He better catch the human before the idiot messed with a timeline. Last time, he took his trash out on a Wednesday and the usual Thursday. This is what happens when he breaks his routines.

[elvesandlanterns]

XD omg I love that XD

Just imagining Jaskier fuming: who gave my Witcher honey????

The Witcher in question passed out after taking the opportunity to fully do annoying stuff based on their animal.

Like a cat just pushing cups or a wolf cuddling jaskier in public because hey it no my fault somebody drugged me!!

Jaskier creating a rumor that witchers can't taste honey and in fact, it's mildly poisonous to them. If you serve a witcher honey cakes or put some honey in their tea, they'll be forced to vacate the premises and will run away to heal.

This way people can "protect themselves from witchers, and banish them". And since the witcher can't taste the honey, the human is safe from retaliation! The monster hunter won't know who harmed them!

The rumor helps the witchers too. They can get a rare delicious treat, and a subtle warning that the humans are untrustworthy. If they taste honey, they should leave the town immediately as a Mob may form if they stay too long.

[elvesandlanterns]

A Witcher slipping up or not knowing and ordering a honey cake by name.

Jaskier on the side lines: oh yeah cuz no human would ever intentionally eat something bad for them that makes them sick just for the brief relief from reality.

Thus the honey is alcohol/drugs to witchers myth is born!

Jaskier creating a rumor that witchers can't taste honey and in fact, it's mildly poisonous to them. If you serve a witcher honey cakes or put some honey in their tea, they'll be forced to vacate the premises and will run away to heal.

This way people can "protect themselves from witchers, and banish them". And since the witcher can't taste the honey, the human is safe from retaliation! The monster hunter won't know who harmed them!

The rumor helps the witchers too. They can get a rare delicious treat, and a subtle warning that the humans are untrustworthy. If they taste honey, they should leave the town immediately as a Mob may form if they stay too long.

[elvesandlanterns]

Okay but the “I fell” excuse is giving such misunderstanding energy!!! I can just imagine them coming to the conclusion that CM might be abused ? Like oh no no one physically capable of hurt me did this I just “feel down the stairs”. Especially if it keeps on happening!!! Hell maybe they think it’s Adam if you wanna do that XD I just love concerned JL!

Transfer Over

It’s by now that Billy knows the magic of his champion form is weird. I mean, it’s been around four years since he’s gotten it so of course he’s gotten used to it. That doesn’t make it stop being weird sometimes though. Like, one of the weirdest things about it is that it will transfer over some things from his normal self.

Like the time Billy broke his nose.

Billy: *walking in down the sidewalk*

Driver: *nearly fall asleep at the wheel and swerves at him*

Billy: *startles and tries to jump back only to slip and falls ass over head onto his face*

Driver: *keeps driving like nothing happened*

Billy: *flops over onto his back, hands going to his nose*

Driver: *for real falls asleep, swerves again, and crashes into a fire hydrant*

Billy: *groans at both the pain and the feeling of the water from the fire hydrant sprinkling over him*

Billy honestly considered not getting up, but then he remembered there was probably somebody in the car who might die if they were injured. So, he mumbled his magic word and flew over to save him.

Whatever. It was about time for his shift at the Watchtower anyways.

So he goes and lo and behold, as he passes by Superman, the man does a double take.

Supes: *stops walking, sounds extremely concerned* “Oh my Rao? Cap, what happened to your nose??”

Marvel: “Huh?”

Was it just Billy’s imagination or did he sound a little nasally?

Supes: “Your nose. What happened to it??”

Marvel: “Uh…” *looks around for anything reflective before settling on a window*

Wow. His nose was still messed up from earlier.

Marvel: “I tripped and fell.”

Supes: “How? You can fly?”

Marvel: “Yes, but I still tripped and fell.”

Supes: “Okay… maybe you got caught up in the moment, but when you hit your nose, why did it break? Aren’t you super durable like me?”

Marvel: “Yes.”

*silence*

Supes: “You aren’t going to elaborate on that?”

Marvel: “No.”

*more silence*

Supes: “What made you fall in the first place?”

Marvel: “Someone tripped me.”

Supes: “Who?”

Marvel: “Some kid?”

Supes: “Some kid tripped a fully grown muscle man?”

Marvel: “Yes.”

Supes: “Are you lying?”

Marvel: “Nah.”

Supes: “Why do I not believe you?”

Marvel: “I dunno. Why don’t you?”

Supes: “Because you apparently have the powers of six gods, yet some kid tripped you and you broke your nose, even though you’re supposed to be invulnerable most attacks, including hitting your nose against something.”

Marvel: “Fair enough.”

Billy walked away before Supes could ask any more questions. After his shift, he immediately left the tower as soon as he could, cursing both magic and how Flash kept looking between him and his monitors. His annoyance probably would’ve continued, but as soon as he detransformed, the broken nose was gone so the anger was instead let go.

Magic was so weird like that.

[elvesandlanterns]

I desperately need the JL to not know what the hell is going on and never does!

Like the Shazfamily saw epic on interdenominational cable and everyone else is taking it so seriously!!! XD

Shazamily really liked the musical Epic, so they make references to it.

Switch(Eugene): *pokes Voltage with a fork * How does it feel to be helpless?

Voltage(Freddie): *uses a spoon as a microphone * A~a!

Switch: *hits again * How does it feel to know pain? I watched my friends die in horror.

Voltage: ✨~Aaaaaaa~✨

Barry: (⁠@⁠_⁠@⁠)

Lightning (Darla): So many heroes. So many tales. Give me one good reason why yours should prevail.

Ms. Marvel: *gestures at Superman* He’s got the mind of a genius.

Lightning: *starts dancing* Try harder~

Ms. Marvel: He’s pretty skilled with words.

Lightning: You can do better than that.

Ms. Marvel: He’s kind of funny?

Lightning: Ew

Ms. Marvel: *hits Superman on the shoulder* Never once has he cheated on his wife.

Lightning: *stops* Release him.

Superman: *doesn’t understand what’s going on*

Thunder(Pedro): *looks at the sheep toy that GL accidentally broke* You killed my sheep.

Hal: Oh, don't be dramatic, it's just a toy.

Thunder: My favorite sheep.

Hal: Dude?

Thunder: What gives you the right to deal a pain so deep.

Hal: Dude, calm down. It's just a toy.

Thunder: Don't you know that pain you sow is pain you rep?

Hal: *backs away and runs away*

Thunder: *flies after him in a T-pose*

Marvel: *with a bow without a string* Whoever can string my husband's old bow..

Batman: Husband?

Marvel:...and shoot through twelve axes cleanly. Will be the new king, sit down at the throne and rule with me as his queen.

Diana: What? Queen? Brother, what the...

Shazamily: (in chorus) Where is he?

Marvel: Waiting, waiting...

Shazamily: Where is the man who can string this bow? Woah

[elvesandlanterns]

lol Apollo hit my friend with the dodgeball

Shadow…buddy…not the time...

The first issue of the Sonic x DC crossover drops today! To celebrate I decided to recreate the one Batman meme, (the TMNT one) but with shadow instead lol. These two really are a perfect don’t you think. I mean they both have tragic origins, both are brooding loners, and both don’t use guns…..anymore😆

🦔 ✖️🦇