inkstheticbkwrm

[inkstheticbkwrm]

okay ik no one asked BUT I CANNOT WIT TILL OCT 3

and Taylor and Travis were making me giggle the entire time 😭

what di you think the rampion interviews (especially kaider) are like on thrones podcast

Thorne’s the only male podcaster I’ll ever find funny or support funding for. His guest appearances with each of the ships go viral and spark hilarious memes. It’s basically just Thorne third-wheeling every couple on his own podcast, which makes the whole situation 10x funnier.

He even adds laugh tracks when his jokes don’t land. Occasionally, the podcast crashes mid-episode because Cress is doing way too much coding in the background. I also imagine they do Q&As with live viewers and chat about whatever random topics the audience is interested in.

Okay, now on to the ships!

Kaider:

People constantly speculate that Kaider’s relationship is fake, so this episode finally breaks that barrier. It helps the public realize that they’re together not just for a political alliance.

Someone definitely asks for Cinder’s workout routine. She’s embarrassed. Kai takes notes.

They also recount Cinder’s fugitive days with Thorne:

Thorne: "She purposefully came into my cell." Cinder: "Accidentally."

A user by the name of @KaisHairAppreciationSociety asks how they first met and Kai just goes, "I thought she was a man when I first heard her name. Then I saw her at her booth… and realized I was very wrong. And also doomed." 😂

Kaider is just romantic tension the whole time and Thorne's like “Ugh, just kiss already.” Kai clears his throat awkwardly and Cinder rolls her eyes.

They play a "Relationship Trivia" game.

Thorne: "Cinder’s favourite food?" Kai: "Tangelo segments. But she says it’s dumplings so she sounds more normal." Cinder: muttering "Traitor."

Thorne also asks them to give relationship red flag advice, but it's just stuff that they did (they're not being serious):

Cinder: "If he keeps your foot on his desk like a monument. For weeks." Kai: "If she crashes your wedding and then shoots you before kidnapping you into space." Thorne: "…Those feel incredibly specific." Kai & Cinder: "They are."

Thorne runs a chaotic "Guess the Headline" game where they have to guess whether a tabloid headline is real or made up. Cinder keeps getting them right, until they realize she’s been looking them up on her internal netscreen.

Wolflet:

Wolf doesn’t understand the concept of a podcast or how the viewers are able to hear him.

Scarlet either rambles about Friends or bullies Thorne.

It’s hilarious because the majority of Wolf’s sentences are just him mentioning tomatoes or Scarlet, and the public ends up making compilation edits of it.

Thorne: "Tell us, who’s scarier when angry?" Scarlet: "Me." Wolf: nods instantly "Absolutely." Thorne: "Wolf, blink twice if you’re being held hostage." Wolf: blinks once Scarlet: "He did the dishes wrong this morning." Thorne: turns to Wolf "And you’re still alive to tell the tale. Impressive."

Cresswell:

They read through fanmail together. Thorne insists on picking the most dramatic ones.

Cress is a little shy at first, but warms up quickly (especially when teasing Thorne).

They talk about their time in the desert, and Thorne definitely exaggerates for dramatic flair.

Someone asks Thorne "So when are you proposing to Cress?" And it's the only time the viewers hear Thorne stumbling over his words. Cress is blushing the whole time.

Thorne opens one of the episode involving Cress with:

Thorne: "We’re joined today by my adoring cohost and genius hacker girlfriend, Cress. How does it feel dating the galaxy’s most handsome man?" Cress: "Well, I wouldn’t know. I’m dating you." Thorne: mock gasp "Betrayed in my own home."

Considering how much time Cress spent alone in her satellite, she definitely read fanfiction, especially self-insert ones. One episode, she makes Thorne read Thorne x Y/N fanfiction on air.

He reads it like it’s Shakespeare, pausing dramatically to complain about "inaccurate" details: "I would never wear leather pants with a cape. I have standards."

Jacinter:

Winter shares her cooking recipes. Half of them are unhinged but somehow still work.

Jacin thinks podcasts are stupid and refuses to speak until Thorne nudges him with "You know you have to say something, right?"

Jacin only shows up because Winter insists. He’s clearly here under protest.

Even though the viewers can’t see them, he’s looking at Winter with absolute heart-eyes the entire time.

Thorne immediately calls him out: "You’re not even trying to hide it. Gross. Adorable. But gross."

[inkstheticbkwrm]

LMFAOOO I WAS THAT AGE AND I KNEW (blame my classmates) AND IT MAKES ME LAUGH SO HARD

Kiss my bruises and I’ll call you mine

Masterlist | AO3 | Deleted Scene for this fic

Summary: Bruises are easy to hide—until someone like Kai insists on seeing them, and insists even harder on helping. (WC: 2.3k)

A/N: Gang. This was supposed to be a drabble, but I guess not. This is for the prompt "Kai helps Cinder undress after an injury" from this poll. For contextual purposes, this is set somewhere between the ending of Cress and the beginning of Winter. Anyway, enjoy this fluff while we wait for shipweeks 🌚

Warnings: Injury

Three.

A small grunt.

Four. Five.

The bar creaked under her grip as she hauled herself up, chin above the metal, then dropped back down. Cinder’s internal control panel in her brain pinged, counting each successful pull-up. Years of crawling under hovers and manual labour had kept her wiry and strong, though Adri’s meager rations had left her strength lean, not really solid.

Wolf wasn’t much of a sparring partner these days—too busy staring holes into the Rampion’s bulkheads and thinking about Scarlet. So Cinder had built her own routine: pull-ups, push-ups, anything to stop her brain from spiraling. 

Six. 

Kai was stuck here because of her, Wolf was stuck waiting for Scarlet. Everyone was stuck. It was just perfect.

Anxiety made a lousy punching bag.

Seven.

She let out a shaky breath. Her forehead creased as her right palm began to sweat from the grip.

The podship dock was empty—exactly why she’d chosen it. And also, where all the equipment happened to be. No crew. No worried looks reminding her that the revolution was hers to win or lose.

Cinder needed all the upper body strength she could get. Levana’s guards and especially mutant soldiers were no joke.

Eight. Nine.

Her audio interface picked up on footsteps. Distinct footsteps of someone climbing down the ladder. The kind that comes from someone wearing dress shoes not combat boots. 

Kai. Of course.

Even without his different shoes, Cinder was almost sure that she’d recognize his footsteps anywhere. It figured that he’d track her down. He did that a lot—wandering off after she disappeared wordlessly, like they were both avoiding the same ghosts.

It was kind of cute how he’d come to look for her. Cinder wasn’t used to the attention by any means. But she also knew that he didn’t know the rest of the crew very well. He probably just felt awkward sitting in the cargo bay alone amongst them.

Ten.

Her muscles tensed with her final pull-up, though the thought of ending on an odd number made her cringe.

Eleven.

She let her body drop, arms trembling, as the door hissed open.

Cinder turned just as he leaned against the frame, hands in the pockets of his plain cargo pants. Not royal silks. Not even a tie. And he still somehow looked like he belonged on a magazine cover.

Stars. She was beginning to sound a lot like the fangirls on the net groups Peony used to live by.

“Sorry,” Kai said, a wry smile tugging at his mouth. “I didn’t mean to interrupt… whatever very serious training regimen this is.”

“If you’re here to judge my form, I’m not taking advice from someone whose idea of exercise is probably walking down palace halls,” she shot back, grabbing a cloth to wipe her forehead.

He grinned. “Fair point. Though, for the record, they’re very long halls.”

Why did he have to look so… casual? Tousled hair and all, yet somehow still every bit the emperor. Her brain decided to picture what it would feel like to run her fingers through his hair, and she immediately told herself to shut up.

“I was going to say I didn’t expect to find you here,” Kai continued, “but then again, I’ve been saying that about you since we met.”

An orange flash in her vision flagged a lie. He did know she’d be here.

Cinder crossed her arms, partly to look unimpressed, mostly to hide that her hands were still shaking. “I’m full of surprises.”

He tilted his head. “That’s one way to put it.”

A tinge of reddish pink crept up his ears. Was he blushing? 

No.

No, emperors don’t blush. Must’ve been the lighting.

Cinder’s hair tie tugged painfully at her scalp. She yanked it loose, quickly retwisting it as Kai wordlessly stepped closer.

The Rampion jerked forward suddenly, and Cinder staggered. Kai yelped, reaching out instinctively to steady her. Arms brushed. Faces too close. She clutched his arms like her life depended on it, heart hammering.

“Careful,” he teased, though his grip didn’t loosen.

She groaned, muttering something about cursing Thorne later.

“I wouldn’t want you dying yet,” he added softly. “Otherwise, who’s going to fight off Levana?”

Cinder bit the inside of her cheek and swallowed hard. Then Kai’s hand brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear—and he pressed a quick, gentle kiss to her temple.

She froze, heart racing, brain short-circuiting. 

She wanted to tell him to stop, to push back, to act like this didn’t affect her—but she couldn’t. The warmth lingered longer than it should have, and suddenly, being this close to him, the world outside the podship dock vanished.

When Cinder didn’t say anything, Kai prompted “Are you… okay?” His copper brown eyes caught the light, a mix of curiosity and something that looked suspiciously like amusement.

A red warning flashed across her retina display, informing her that she was experiencing overheating. Cinder took a deep breath and blinked, dismissing the warning.

“I’m fine,” she snapped, sharper than intended. She cleared her throat and grabbed the cloth, brandishing it like a weapon. “Just… sweaty. And apparently you’re hazardous to my system functions.”

He laughed softly. “I wasn’t doing anything.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Right. Definitely just the lighting , then.”

Another jerk of the Rampion sent them both slightly off-balance. But Cinder caught Kai by the wrist before he could topple over. Her chest hitched. This is a disaster.

“Careful,” she mimicked Kai, trying to keep her voice steady, though her internal sensors told her pulse was racing.

“I always am,” he said, leaning just a fraction closer. His breath brushed her ear. “Especially around you.”

Before she could think, his hand shifted slightly, fingers brushing hers, and their eyes met. The teasing spark in his gaze was impossible to ignore. Impulsively, she leaned in, almost without thinking—just a fraction, just to see if he’d follow.

And he did.

Their lips touched, soft at first, like both of them were testing gravity. Cinder’s chest tightened, and for a second everything else—the humming engines, the faint vibration of the Rampion—faded into static. The kiss counter in her brain that existed against her will ticked to seven.

She wasn’t ready for how warm he felt, or how her breath caught halfway out of her lungs. Her head tilted too fast; their noses bumped, and she almost swore out loud. It was mortifying.

Smooth, Cinder. Real smooth.

Kai didn’t seem to care. If anything, he slowed down, the slightest pressure coaxing her closer, like he was telling her without words that there was no rush. That he wanted this.

She tried to keep up— stars , she hoped it wasn’t obvious she’d barely done this before, but every second made her dizzy in the best and worst ways.

Cinder wanted to… try something. The thought made her stomach lurch, but before she could talk herself out of it, she shifted forward and pushed him a step back, until his shoulders brushed the wall. Kai didn’t resist. In fact, he looked almost impressed, which only made her insides burn hotter. Great. Now she had to commit.

If he could make her short of breath with a glance, then maybe—maybe—she could return the favour. Almost without thinking, her fingers slid up into his hair. Cinder hoped she looked like she knew what she was doing as she guided the kiss, giving him a taste of his own medicine.

Kai’s hands brushed down her stomach toward her waist—she gasped, flinching, and stumbled back a step.

“What—?”

“What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” His voice jumped instantly to alarm. “Cinder?”

She glanced down at her stomach, and he followed her gaze. Hesitating only for a breath, he touched the hem of her shirt.

“May I?” he asked softly. When she didn’t stop him, he lifted it just enough to see, crouching so his eyes were level with her waist. Bruising. Deep, ugly purple and red spreading along her side.  

“Cinder… Stars. ” His eyes widened, the lightheartedness gone. “Is this from sparring with Wolf?”

She gave a small shrug, then slowly nodded.

“Why didn’t you tell me? You shouldn’t be pushing yourself like this when you’re—” He stopped short, frowning. “Shit.”

Cinder looked away. She hadn’t told anyone—not because she didn’t notice, but because she didn’t want anyone thinking she couldn’t handle it. Least of all Kai.

Finally, she whispered, almost inaudibly, “I—I don’t know.”

The words hung in the air, fragile.

Kai’s hand lingered a moment on her side, gentle. She tensed. Then he straightened, standing up.

“There’s a medical cabinet near the cargo bay,” he said, voice calm but firm. “I’ll get some bandages. Stay here.”

“Kai—it’s okay, really,” she murmured, but he didn’t pause to respond and left the room.

Alone now, she sat on top of her worktable, fidgeting with her cyborg fingers. The empty podship dock hummed softly around her, but her thoughts wouldn’t sit still. They kept circling back to the bruises and to him. Cinder wasn’t used to anyone noticing things she didn’t point out, let alone caring enough to do something about them. It was… strange. Odd. But also, if she admitted it to herself, kind of nice.

After a few minutes, Kai returned with a roll of soft bandage, looking far too fearful for someone holding what was basically just a strip of cloth. He set it down atop the surface, glanced at her, then at her shirt, then very quickly back at her face.

“Do—uh—” He cleared his throat like he was about to address a royal council. “Do you mind if I…?”

Cinder arched a brow, deliberately making him squirm. “If you… what?”

His ears were definitely pink. “Help you get your shirt off. For the bandages.” 

Her lips twitched. “Oh. That. Sure, Your Royal Majesty. Do the honours.”

Kai shot her a look—half amused, half exasperated—but stepped closer and carefully helped her pull the shirt over her head, making sure not to jostle her waist. Cinder was internally thanking the stars that she couldn’t blush, because sitting in front of Kai in just her bra and cargo pants was… definitely a situation.

“Not,” Kai muttered as he shook out the shirt and set it aside, “exactly how I pictured this happening.”

Her head snapped up. “What?”

He froze mid-motion, eyes widening. “What?” he echoed, straight-faced.

“You just said—”

“I didn’t say anything.” He reached for the bandage a little too quickly, trying to act nonchalant—but from the little time she’d known him, Cinder knew he was anything but.

Kai’s hands hesitated over the roll. “Okay, so… uh, I’m not exactly a royal physician. You’re gonna have to tell me if I’m doing this wrong.”

“I’ll let you know if you accidentally strangle me with it,” Cinder deadpanned.

He shot her a quick grin, then focused, gently lifting the bandage. The soft cloth brushed her skin as he wrapped it lightly around her waist, just enough to provide support. She twitched before she could stop herself. 

“Sorry—did that hurt?” he asked immediately, eyes flicking up to hers.

“Only a little. You’re worse than Iko when she fusses over me,” Cinder murmured, her voice softening.

“Good to know I rank just above a snarky android,” he replied, the corners of his mouth tilting upward. His fingers lingered a little too long now and then, and Cinder found herself staring at his ridiculously serious expression as if he were defusing a bomb rather than helping her.

“Is it supposed to go this high?” he murmured, adjusting so it sat snug over the worst of the bruising.

“Yeah, that’s fine,” she said quickly, though her voice sounded a little too high in her own ears.

Kai tucked the end of the bandage neatly and took a step back, looking both relieved and slightly proud of himself. “There. No strangling involved.”

“Impressive. You’re a natural.”

“Thanks. I’ll add ‘amateur medic’ to my resume, right under ‘Emperor of the Eastern Commonwealth.’”

“You said it, not me.”

A beat passed.

“Please take care of yourself. At this rate, I’ll be finding you in a pool of blood sooner rather than later—and I really don’t like that image.”

Cinder let out a small, wry smile. “Gee, thanks for the cheerful mental image. I’ll try to avoid the dramatic exit for now.”

Kai’s dark eyes softened. “Just… be careful, okay?” He crouched slightly and pressed a gentle kiss to the bandage covering the bruises. A shiver ran down her spine. 

She swallowed, her voice quieter now. “But seriously… thank you, Kai.”

He straightened, meeting her gaze and for a heartbeat, neither of them moved. The air between them felt charged.

Before it could stretch too long, Cinder grabbed her shirt from the table and tugged it over her head, needing something solid to do with her hands.

“You don’t have to thank me,” he said softly, a trace of a smile at the corner of his mouth. 

“Maybe not with words,” she said, her lips quirking, “but I think you’ll appreciate this.”

Before he could ask what she meant, she caught his shirt in her hand and pulled him toward her. Their mouths met in a kiss that was more certain than careful, and Kai responded instantly, one hand finding the edge of the table for balance while the other trailed up her arm. Cinder’s fingers curled behind his neck, drawing him closer. Her internal system cheerfully logged this as kiss number eight.

Just as Kai deepened the kiss, a voice from the so-called captain echoed from the corridor.

“Aces and spades — again? Can’t leave you two alone for five minutes.”

Cinder groaned, dropping her forehead to Kai’s shoulder, though she couldn’t help laughing. 

“Really?” she muttered.

Kai chuckled. “Told you we need locks on these doors.”

A/N: I swear I’ve written this into three of my fics now; can you tell I like the idea of Cinder falling into Kai’s arms? Also, it was either this or Angie's idea of Kai taking Cinder's sock off, but I don't think that would help the foot fetish rumours 😂

Taglist of people who've expressed previous interest in my works (let me know if you want to be added or removed for future fics!): @gingerale2017, @inkstheticbkwrm, @horton-hears-a-who, @cyborgcourt, @therealkaidertrash21, @just2bubbly, @hayleblackburn, @overusedtropelover, @lunar-chronicles-addict, @gavfleetout, @atlas-spade

[inkstheticbkwrm]

you legit don’t know whether you want to be him or her 😭

Speaking of ragebait, when I initially read the series I did NOT like Kai either - but for a totally different reason. I did not like him because I loved Cinder SO MUCH, to the point that I thought it was absolutely blasphemy that she wasn’t with ME instead. However, I must say that every time Kai showed up or spoke I was also giddy😍 so I still crushed on him too deep down. Are Kai and I enemies to lovers?

I think that definitely qualifies 😍

THIS made me giggle way too hard. Average Kaider shipper experience fr. Glad to know I’m not the only one suffering like this. Both of their personalities are illegal levels of attractive--I love them both so much. I can’t even pick a side. Do I want to BE Cinder or be WITH her?? Do I fight Kai or marry him?? Just one chance, Cinder. ONE. CHANCE.

Kai… you can call me too. 😉

Or honestly, they can just stay together and I’ll admire from afar like a normal person… y’know, as if they aren’t literally words on a page.

Totally calm and well-adjusted about this. Obviously.

[inkstheticbkwrm]

All you hoes claiming Maven is King Ruthless/Angst boy extraordinaire have clearly never met Prince Corrick “I have murdered and tortured many MANY people and have to physically hold myself back so I don’t make the woman I love hopelessly sad even when she’s not around but I will do those things if I have to at the expense of others because I love my brother and will do anything to keep him on the throne and will do vile things to save my skin and the skin of only those I care about” of Kandala and it fucking shows.

[inkstheticbkwrm]

Frrr like I was getting suspicious of nothing, nothing and mire nothing for months

You belong with me. 💚💛💜❤️🩵🖤

Letter on my site :)

[inkstheticbkwrm]

hrdudjdjdjrjrjjrrjjrcnjdjdjjdj

YOU GOT ITTT!

You belong with me. 💚💛💜❤️🩵🖤

Letter on my site :)

[inkstheticbkwrm]

*dusts off blog*

Hello hello dear shippers, it is once again time to announce the RobStar ship week! Taking place from July 13 - July 19, and I would love to see y'all participate.

This year’s prompts are:  

Day 1, July 13th: Nostalgia

Day 2, July 14th: Vivid

Day 3, July 15th: Solar/Stellar

Day 4, July 16th: Waterfall

Day 5, July 17th: Beautiful

Day 6, July 18th: Other Titan's POV

Day 7, July 19th: Chocolate

FAQs -

1. What kind of content can I submit?

Any kind!  Fics, fanart, graphics, video edits, whatever you feel like creating.

2. Do I have to follow the prompts?

Not necessarily.  Anything you make for the week will be happily reblogged and enjoyed.

3. Can I do their comic versions?

The preference is for the toon versions but this blog is honestly not that picky.  As long as it’s DickKory, it’s good in my book.

4. What should I tag?

Tag #robstar, #robstarweek, or #robstar week, and feel free to @ this blog (@robxstar) in case Tumblr’s algorithms cause your post to be eaten by the ether.

Hoping to see you then!

[inkstheticbkwrm]

Nightmare to Daydream

Faster.

Faster.

I'm running, but I don't know what to. Aimlessly flailing, heart thumping loud and hard enough to beat out of my chest.

This is my life. Trying so, so hard, trying to save it like it's worth it, like it will make a difference if it ends and  the spark dies out and—

There. 

A door. 

It's a window, a crack, a sliver through which I might have a chance. I shimmy my hips, using my legs to climb through the high path. Years of thieving and crawling around, against my greatest fear, have strengthened my body to these situations.

And...

Blood.

So much blood.

The sight sickens me, twists my stomach, but I can't deny that it is reality. Blood felt like the second layer of my skin, clothes that you wore without much choice.

Adena—

Mak—

Father—

Nameless people float through the mirage, people who met their fate at the end of my blade. A solider, but someone's son, brother, father—

And then it's him.

He's shaking, the life draining out of the depths that have haunted me for so long. 

"No." It takes me a second to realize that the words were coming out of my mouth.

"No, no, please—" A scream tears at my throat and I'm looking down and it's not Adena's or Father's or even Mak's, it's his blood, and it's covering me, straight from the heart that he had told me so often beat for me—

"NO!"

But he's not dying anymore. He's level with me. "You did this. You took him." He releases a shuddering gasp, and there are tears on his cheeks, angry tears, angry at me.

And does he mean Kitt or himself, but I don't know, but I'm still apologizing because it's my fault, all my fault—

He doesn't listen to me,

he never does,

────୨ৎ────

She's screaming and the horror in the sound will forever haunt me.

"Pae." I say it softly at first, but desperation takes over and pours into the volume of my words. "PAE!"

She's stopped screaming. It's reduced to whimpering gasps and trembles. 

She doesn't need loud voices.

No, she's had too many of those. 

Telling her she wasn't worthy, that she was nothing. Nobody.

She doesn't need a voice.

So I don't give her one.

No, I just hold her, whispering into her hair.

And then—tediously, agonizingly slothlike, those blue eyes open. Drowning in themselves with tears, watery with a mixture of relief and regret and so, so, much more.

I pull her into an embrace, burying my lips in her hair, feeling the silky strands move beneath them. "I'm here."

And then I know she doesn't need anything more.

I hear, then, her whispered question.

"Do you hate me?"

I pull away to meet those ocean eyes. "I would've thought you'd wised up enough not to ask such a stupid question," I sigh. 

Then I raise my hand, twining it with hers to raise it too. "I don't think I would have slipped this onto the finger of someone I hated."

But then, seeing the shadows in her eyes, I add one more thing. "Pae, I knew I couldn't hate you even as you held a blade to my throat. Even as I was hunting you down, secretly hoping I could keep you. Even as you gave your promise to another. Whatever you're thinking—" I catch her other palm, pressing my lips to her thumb and murmuring my next words there. "—you are the Moon to my Earth. The only one who will fully complete me."

She relaxes, and I'm relieved, but then she falters.

"The earth would be lonely without the stars."

She doesn't need to explain. The ones we have lost are stars—close enough to be wistful, far enough to be out of reach. Forever.

I press my hand to her heart, shifting so that my chest is pressed there too. "The stars lives within us."

[inkstheticbkwrm]

is this a safe space to say ive yet to hear a sophie bio dad theory thats based on any type of cannon compliance

[inkstheticbkwrm]

This might have been obvious to everyone else, but I didn't grasp until today what was being implied here.

I've been interpreting this as Bronte suggesting that Sophie remain single, and assuming that Oralie was just reacting to the idea that it would be easy for Sophie to forgo all romantic relationships.

Looking at it again, though...Bronte was already assuming that Sophie will remain single, and was about to bring up the idea of her eventually becoming a Councillor, wasn't he?

[inkstheticbkwrm]

I am actually obsessed with Percy’s burial shroud and the implications of it in BOTL. There’s just such a stark difference between what it looks like then and what it looks like in TLT. going from an old bedsheet spray painted with a face with exed-out eyes (also Chiron wtf, you allowed that?) to this beautiful sea green silk sheet embroidered with a trident.

It’s such a tiny and simple way to illustrate how much Percy means to the camp now. In TLT Percy was new, barely there even a couple weeks at most, he was clearly lonely, and a lot of the campers were probably angry at him because this child of the big three shows up and may have started a war between the gods. BUT NOW Percy has friends, he has people at this camp who genuinely care for and respect him enough to make him this shroud when he has no siblings there to do it for him.

This brings me to question ‘who made his burial shroud?’, we know that the Ares cabin volunteered in TLT but who made it now? Did a specific cabin volunteer? Or was it a collaboration between all the friends Percy had made from different cabins? Picture that, picture all these campers getting together and pitching ideas for the pattern, arguing over the material, and a different person each day trading off shifts to work on it because Percy’s their friend and if something happens to him he deserves a good burial shroud.

FURTHERMORE was it done by the time Annabeth made it back from Mt. Saint Helens? and if it wasn’t do you think she helped work on it or could she not even bear to look at the shroud she may have to burn for the boy she loves, the shroud for her bravest, closest friend

[inkstheticbkwrm]

PUT ME ON THE TAGLIST PLEASEEE

This is a MASTERPIECE 😍

The Things We Don't Say

Summary: The Rampion is quiet, but their thoughts are loud. Somewhere between worry and wanting, Cinder and Kai find something they weren’t ready to say out loud. (WC:  1.2k)

A/N: I’m writing everything except the requests I get--but oh well! This fic was inspired by the elevator scene in Cinder. For the purposes of this story, I’m choosing to ignore the fact that in Stars Above it seems like this is their first time cuddling in bed together. This fic is longer than my last one, so enjoy! Constructive feedback is always appreciated :)

Warnings: Minor mention of blood, mild angst.

Cinder bit her tongue. Perhaps a bit too hard. She could taste the faint copper tang of blood gathering on her tongue.

It was far too late to be awake. The kind of hour where the Rampion was hushed, humming gently as it drifted through space. Everyone else was asleep. But Cinder, as usual, couldn’t sleep.

What was unusual was Kai — standing in the makeshift kitchen, barefoot, half in shadow, a glass of water in hand.

He couldn’t sleep either. Understandable, considering he’d been unconscious for hours after Cinder had tranquilized him at the palace.

When he’d finally grown tired of staring at the ceiling in his bunk, he came to get water.

He found Cinder instead, doing the same.

It started casual, soft.

“Nightmares?” he asked.

Cinder nodded. “You couldn’t sleep either?” she asked, though she already knew the answer.

Kai gave a wry smile. “No. I think I had my fair share of sleep.”

She allowed herself the smallest smile — then it vanished.

The conversation shifted, like gravity tilting.

“You didn’t even flinch,” Kai said quietly, his eyes drifting to the floor. “When Thorne suggested you walk into the palace alone. You didn’t even stop to think what that would mean for the rest of us.”

The hum of the Rampion’s engine suddenly felt too loud. A high, persistent ringing in her ears.

“He wasn’t being serious,” she said, trying to keep her tone even. “But even if he had been... someone has to stop her.”

Kai’s voice rose slightly — not in anger, but in panic. “If it really came to it, you wouldn’t—”

Kai paused, carefully calculating his next words. His fingers fidgeted with the rim of the plastic cup. Cinder noticed.

Her gaze locked onto his.

“ —Wouldn’t sacrifice yourself. Right?”

She took a step closer, tilting her head. They were so close now. Cinder could see his eyes so clearly, all the fine detailing. The worry. 

The faint scent of the Rampion’s soap clung to his clothes. His breath was warm on her skin. 

Where she had gotten the courage to move in like that, she didn’t know. But what was proper didn’t matter — not when life could unravel at any second. Suddenly, she understood him in the elevator that day.

“Back in New Beijing,” she said softly, “you asked me what I’d do if finding a cure cost you everything.”

A beat.

“I think you already know the answer,” she finally said.

Kai inhaled deeply. A familiar sort of despair returned to his eyes. The same kind of sadness she’d seen in the elevator back at the palace. 

Then, without another word, he closed the short distance between them. Cinder’s arms found their way around his neck. His hands gripped the small of her waist.

Their kiss was urgent—far more intense than the tentative ones they’d shared since he’d come aboard the Rampion. It was a clash of desperation and devotion, the kind that said all the things they couldn’t afford to say out loud.

But it ended as quickly as it had begun.

Cinder stepped back first, but not far. Just enough.

“I’m scared for you,” Kai said, his voice low, still breathless. “I know how much you’re willing to lose. I just... don’t want to be one of the things you leave behind.”

Cinder looked down, her hands tugging at the sides of her cargo pants. Her heart was still pounding from the kiss.

“I don’t want that either,” she murmured. “But I don’t know how this ends — not without someone getting hurt.”

Kai was quiet for a moment, then gently took both her hands in his, fiddling with her fingers. “This changes everything, doesn’t it?”

She let out a dry laugh — not amused, just tired. “No. It just makes everything harder.”

A smirk tugged at Kai’s lips — strange, given the weight of their words. “We should dance.”

“What?”

“I mean, we never really got to finish our dance at the ball. And I—”

“Without music?”

“We can pretend.”

One of his hands slipped around her waist, the other held her hand steady. Slowly, he began to lead her in a quiet waltz.

Cinder laughed for real this time — startled by how absurd it all felt. Dancing in the middle of a stolen ship while Levana threatened to burn the world down around them. It was reckless. Ridiculous. And... kind of wonderful.

He spun her, then dipped her with a flourish. She gasped softly, nearly losing her balance — but he caught her, and they both stifled their laughter so they wouldn’t wake the others.

For a fleeting second, she was back in that tiny room with Peony, spinning in circles and pretending the prince would sweep them off their feet at the Peace Ball.

Back then, Cinder had rolled her eyes and teased her for swooning over him — but now, here she was, waltzing with the real Prince (Emperor) Kai in the middle of a stolen spaceship.

It didn’t feel like a fantasy anymore. It felt painfully, achingly real. Cinder wished more than anything that Peony were here to laugh at her.

A lump caught in her throat. The memory of Peony hit like a wave — her sweet sister who’d never get this moment. Never get her own dance. Her own prince. Her own chance to grow up.

Cinder’s smile faltered.

Before Kai could ask what was wrong, a loud clang echoed from the hallway. They jumped apart, instinctively guilting themselves.

“Iko?” Cinder called, sharp and suspicious. She could recognize the uneven rhythm of those two metal limbs anywhere.

“No one’s spying!” Iko’s voice rang out. “I’m just... recalibrating the coffee machine!”

Cinder groaned.

Kai laughed under his breath, shaking his head. “Nothing’s ever simple with your crew, is it?”

—

It was three in the morning by the time they finally crawled into bed. Or rather, into Cinder’s bunk — which was barely big enough for one person, let alone two tangled teenagers.

Kai’s arms wrapped around her, and she buried her face against his chest, breathing in the scent of something warm and familiar and real.

“You’re not allowed to die,” he whispered. “Just... so we’re clear.”

“I’ll try my best,” she mumbled into his shirt, smiling.

For once, it felt normal. Like they were just two kids in love, speaking in touch and breath — everything but the words themselves. Even if it would all dissolve by morning, drowned by reality.

Cinder exhaled, then said, “Maybe in another universe, we could’ve met under different circumstances. No wars. No coronations. No hiding.”

She regretted it the moment it left her mouth. Too much. Too soon. It sounded like something from a fairytale — and not the kind she trusted.

She just didn’t want the night to end.

“Perhaps,” Kai said softly, unfazed.

Then, quietly, like he was saying it to the stars — “I love you, Cinder.”

She froze.

Her name and that word — love — in the same sentence? Ridiculous. Impossible.

Beautiful.

She hesitated, unsure how to reply. Her chest ached.

Kai continued, “You don’t have to say it back. I just thought... you should know.”

A pause.

“I love you too, you dork.”

— 

They wouldn’t remember the full conversation in the morning.

Just the kiss. The dancing. The warmth.

And the awkward way they’d glance at each other over breakfast, wondering if those three words had actually been said — or if they’d only dreamed them.

[inkstheticbkwrm]

I squeal and giggle every. Damn. Time.

Like it’s the “stringing her arms around his neck” that gets me 😭

I simply adore Cinder's commitment to wrapping her arms around Kai's neck every time they kiss. She does it nearly every time. She said "this is my right" and you can be damn well sure that she is going to exercise it and I have to admire her for that.

[inkstheticbkwrm]

I’m 13, and I know a few people my age who like the books, so don’t worry ♥️

Do you guys ever think about what’s going to happen to the TLC fandom in the future? Like, will there ever be a new wave of younger fans? Probably not, considering the age and low popularity of the books.

This fandom is so small to the point where I recognize like 95% of the people who post in the tags or interact with my stuff.

Which makes me wonder… are we all just going to become 30-something year olds rotting on Tumblr, still clinging to this band of misfits 😂

I really don’t want to see the day this fandom dies out. 😔

But, also I don't want to be like one of those Disney adults. So, there's that!!

[inkstheticbkwrm]

The Things We Don't Say

Summary: The Rampion is quiet, but their thoughts are loud. Somewhere between worry and wanting, Cinder and Kai find something they weren’t ready to say out loud. (WC:  1.2k)

A/N: I’m writing everything except the requests I get--but oh well! This fic was inspired by the elevator scene in Cinder. For the purposes of this story, I’m choosing to ignore the fact that in Stars Above it seems like this is their first time cuddling in bed together. This fic is longer than my last one, so enjoy! Constructive feedback is always appreciated :)

Warnings: Minor mention of blood, mild angst.

Cinder bit her tongue. Perhaps a bit too hard. She could taste the faint copper tang of blood gathering on her tongue.

It was far too late to be awake. The kind of hour where the Rampion was hushed, humming gently as it drifted through space. Everyone else was asleep. But Cinder, as usual, couldn’t sleep.

What was unusual was Kai — standing in the makeshift kitchen, barefoot, half in shadow, a glass of water in hand.

He couldn’t sleep either. Understandable, considering he’d been unconscious for hours after Cinder had tranquilized him at the palace.

When he’d finally grown tired of staring at the ceiling in his bunk, he came to get water.

He found Cinder instead, doing the same.

It started casual, soft.

“Nightmares?” he asked.

Cinder nodded. “You couldn’t sleep either?” she asked, though she already knew the answer.

Kai gave a wry smile. “No. I think I had my fair share of sleep.”

She allowed herself the smallest smile — then it vanished.

The conversation shifted, like gravity tilting.

“You didn’t even flinch,” Kai said quietly, his eyes drifting to the floor. “When Thorne suggested you walk into the palace alone. You didn’t even stop to think what that would mean for the rest of us.”

The hum of the Rampion’s engine suddenly felt too loud. A high, persistent ringing in her ears.

“He wasn’t being serious,” she said, trying to keep her tone even. “But even if he had been... someone has to stop her.”

Kai’s voice rose slightly — not in anger, but in panic. “If it really came to it, you wouldn’t—”

Kai paused, carefully calculating his next words. His fingers fidgeted with the rim of the plastic cup. Cinder noticed.

Her gaze locked onto his.

“ —Wouldn’t sacrifice yourself. Right?”

She took a step closer, tilting her head. They were so close now. Cinder could see his eyes so clearly, all the fine detailing. The worry. 

The faint scent of the Rampion’s soap clung to his clothes. His breath was warm on her skin. 

Where she had gotten the courage to move in like that, she didn’t know. But what was proper didn’t matter — not when life could unravel at any second. Suddenly, she understood him in the elevator that day.

“Back in New Beijing,” she said softly, “you asked me what I’d do if finding a cure cost you everything.”

A beat.

“I think you already know the answer,” she finally said.

Kai inhaled deeply. A familiar sort of despair returned to his eyes. The same kind of sadness she’d seen in the elevator back at the palace. 

Then, without another word, he closed the short distance between them. Cinder’s arms found their way around his neck. His hands gripped the small of her waist.

Their kiss was urgent—far more intense than the tentative ones they’d shared since he’d come aboard the Rampion. It was a clash of desperation and devotion, the kind that said all the things they couldn’t afford to say out loud.

But it ended as quickly as it had begun.

Cinder stepped back first, but not far. Just enough.

“I’m scared for you,” Kai said, his voice low, still breathless. “I know how much you’re willing to lose. I just... don’t want to be one of the things you leave behind.”

Cinder looked down, her hands tugging at the sides of her cargo pants. Her heart was still pounding from the kiss.

“I don’t want that either,” she murmured. “But I don’t know how this ends — not without someone getting hurt.”

Kai was quiet for a moment, then gently took both her hands in his, fiddling with her fingers. “This changes everything, doesn’t it?”

She let out a dry laugh — not amused, just tired. “No. It just makes everything harder.”

A smirk tugged at Kai’s lips — strange, given the weight of their words. “We should dance.”

“What?”

“I mean, we never really got to finish our dance at the ball. And I—”

“Without music?”

“We can pretend.”

One of his hands slipped around her waist, the other held her hand steady. Slowly, he began to lead her in a quiet waltz.

Cinder laughed for real this time — startled by how absurd it all felt. Dancing in the middle of a stolen ship while Levana threatened to burn the world down around them. It was reckless. Ridiculous. And... kind of wonderful.

He spun her, then dipped her with a flourish. She gasped softly, nearly losing her balance — but he caught her, and they both stifled their laughter so they wouldn’t wake the others.

For a fleeting second, she was back in that tiny room with Peony, spinning in circles and pretending the prince would sweep them off their feet at the Peace Ball.

Back then, Cinder had rolled her eyes and teased her for swooning over him — but now, here she was, waltzing with the real Prince (Emperor) Kai in the middle of a stolen spaceship.

It didn’t feel like a fantasy anymore. It felt painfully, achingly real. Cinder wished more than anything that Peony were here to laugh at her.

A lump caught in her throat. The memory of Peony hit like a wave — her sweet sister who’d never get this moment. Never get her own dance. Her own prince. Her own chance to grow up.

Cinder’s smile faltered.

Before Kai could ask what was wrong, a loud clang echoed from the hallway. They jumped apart, instinctively guilting themselves.

“Iko?” Cinder called, sharp and suspicious. She could recognize the uneven rhythm of those two metal limbs anywhere.

“No one’s spying!” Iko’s voice rang out. “I’m just... recalibrating the coffee machine!”

Cinder groaned.

Kai laughed under his breath, shaking his head. “Nothing’s ever simple with your crew, is it?”

—

It was three in the morning by the time they finally crawled into bed. Or rather, into Cinder’s bunk — which was barely big enough for one person, let alone two tangled teenagers.

Kai’s arms wrapped around her, and she buried her face against his chest, breathing in the scent of something warm and familiar and real.

“You’re not allowed to die,” he whispered. “Just... so we’re clear.”

“I’ll try my best,” she mumbled into his shirt, smiling.

For once, it felt normal. Like they were just two kids in love, speaking in touch and breath — everything but the words themselves. Even if it would all dissolve by morning, drowned by reality.

Cinder exhaled, then said, “Maybe in another universe, we could’ve met under different circumstances. No wars. No coronations. No hiding.”

She regretted it the moment it left her mouth. Too much. Too soon. It sounded like something from a fairytale — and not the kind she trusted.

She just didn’t want the night to end.

“Perhaps,” Kai said softly, unfazed.

Then, quietly, like he was saying it to the stars — “I love you, Cinder.”

She froze.

Her name and that word — love — in the same sentence? Ridiculous. Impossible.

Beautiful.

She hesitated, unsure how to reply. Her chest ached.

Kai continued, “You don’t have to say it back. I just thought... you should know.”

A pause.

“I love you too, you dork.”

— 

They wouldn’t remember the full conversation in the morning.

Just the kiss. The dancing. The warmth.

And the awkward way they’d glance at each other over breakfast, wondering if those three words had actually been said — or if they’d only dreamed them.

[inkstheticbkwrm]

it must be so embarassing to be an elf in the nobility.. like u've been in the goverment for hundreds to thousands of years and a teen girl who barely knows ur world has done more for it in 3 years than all of u combined.. like i would never show my face in public again

[inkstheticbkwrm]

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