#...what exactly DOES hunt a bird that big i wonder?

[amorgansgal]

Hi hun! I love how you wrote on Arthur confessing to his crush, I was wondering if you could do the same with Charles?

Hello! Thank you so much! I got a couple of requests for crush reveals, this one with Charles, and also Javier and Kieran. So as requested:

Just a Little Crush Part 2!

Charles

Does Charles have a crush on you? Does he not? The man can be so calm and steady with his emotions, you wouldn’t have a clue that his heart flutters when he looks at you and that he’s trying not to smile too much when he looks at you.

Charles doesn’t see any reason to change the way he behaves around you, but when you ask for his advice and listen carefully to his response, he’s almost tempted to cup your face and kiss you!

He spends a lot of time alone, trying to truly work out whether it’s just a passing fancy or if it’s something more serious. He doesn’t let that effect his work around camp, but his hunting trips tend to take a little longer now.

He doesn’t really get jealous either. You’re not his to keep. Trapping a bird’s wings between his hands will only make them try to fly away faster. So if anyone else flirts with you then he won’t say anything, just go a little quiet and withdraw himself from the situation.

However, he begins to feel that he does need to tell you how he feels. Regret is a bitter emotion he’s all too familiar with and he doesn’t want to spend his life wondering.

He’ll avoid telling you in camp, either inviting you out hunting with him or finding a way to accompany you home after a job. But he’ll want your focus on him and to tell him truthfully how you feel, he doesn’t want you to sugar coat things if you don’t feel the same way.

It’s a very serious and earnest revelation and Charles may even offer you some time to think about it. He’s not really interested in have a fling and he wants you to consider what he’s offering carefully.

‘I don’t know how you feel about me. But I know how I feel about you. I admire you in so many ways. I want to be with you, for as long as you’ll have me.’

Kieran

He’s so nervous and sweet and earnest, you’d have to be blind to not figure out that he has feelings for you.

But don’t worry if you’re a bit oblivious to his attention, his nervous laugh and smile full of admiration for you as you leave, the girls will make sure that it’s more than obvious how Kieran feels about you!

Kieran will go above and beyond for you, no task big or small is too much for him! Especially if your horse has a stone in their hoof or your saddle needs polishing. That thing will shine like the sun by the time Kieran has finished it!

If you’re working in camp, Kieran will find any excuse to sit with you and chat, he’ll ask you dozens of questions about your day, whether you’ve had a chance to eat something, if you need him to do anything for you and then he’ll get a bit bashful and apologise for bothering you so much.

Kieran doesn’t mind enjoying the feelings of a crush, even if it’s unrequited. He likes being soft and sweet with you.

Though eventually, with the girls pestering both him and yourself, he may be pushed to say something. He’ll be tentative and unsure, not really wanting you to feel like you have to like him just because the girls are getting giddy and excited by the blossoming romance in camp!

He might struggle to look you in the eye and will nervously pick at his clothes, but he’ll bravely admit to having fallen for you.

‘I know we haven’t known each other for long and if you don’t feel the same way then that’s fine. But I am sweet on you and I hope you are sweet on me too… but you don’t have to be.’

Javier

You’d think for Mr Swarve and Cool, he’d know exactly what to do with a crush. Though surprisingly when face to face with it, he’s at a lost.

He knows how to be charming, hell he’s still confident and flirtatious towards you, but actually admitting that his feelings might run deeper than that seems an impossible task!

He thinks about writing you a song. He’s already played dozens of love songs and sometimes made eye contact with you while singing, seeing you look flustered and pleased makes his heart beat a mile a minute!

But after a few attempts to scribble a song down while he’s on guard duty, he gives up. He wishes he had all those poets and songwriters around to ask them how they managed to capture the feeling of being in love with someone so succinctly and beautifully, when his own attempts feel futile and insipid.

Nothing changes much in how Javier treats you, but you do notice him being a little more gentlemanly than usual. He helps you down from your horse, opens doors for you, gives you his coat when it’s cold or rainy (which given the man’s impeccable dress sense is a big fucking deal)!

It will take a lot for Javier to consider telling you, because he wants to be sure you feel the same way as him and not make things difficult around camp.

You might have to be involved in a shoot out or escaping on horses after a bank robbery. With his blood up and his fear that something could happen to you if he dares look away, he knows that he can’t hide his true feelings anymore.

‘I think… I think I’m in love with you. After all of that, I want to speak truthfully to you, Mi vida. I will be yours, wholly and completely.’

[eoieopda]

okay i have another head canon 🫣🫣 feed into my delusions jade i fucking dare you. all right, how about travelling with them for the first time since you started dating? i wonder what that would be like 👀👀

namjoon is praying you don’t break up with him at your terminal because he forgot his passport at home. he’d understand if you did, tbh. he’s disappointed (but not surprised) at himself. when you just laugh (because it’s as funny as it is infuriating, okay??) he’s over the moon. he’s taking you to a bunch of significant cultural and historical sites, museums, etc., and he’s gonna tell you everything that giant sponge brain has absorbed. he’s def reading some almanac or similar shit on the plane to study up.

seokjin doesn’t have a plan/itinerary, but he does have a massive list of all the restaurants he wants to hit, wineries/breweries/distilleries you might come across, etc. and he actually does a good job of keeping you calm with all the travel stress by being a giant fuckin goofball. this is the one situation where he’s not yelling, whining, etc. when he gets frustrated because he prioritizes your well-being 💕

yoongi has his shit right together, but in a very low key way. he doesn’t announce any of it, but he’s in full airport dad mode. he knows exactly when your flight is and how early you need to be there; he’s done the pre-boarding whatever the fuck. he somehow has any toiletry item you didn’t even think to bring. i guarantee he has tampons and tummy meds and shit, just in case. thoughtful bastard 😭 but don’t you dare comment on any of this or make it a big deal that he’s so prepared because he will blush to death.

hoseok is free as a fucking bird. he’s following the wind, babeeeeey. he is allergic to planning, doesn’t want to have a destination in mind. he’ll flip a coin to see where you’re flying. where are you staying? you’ll figure it out when you get tired. energy out the wazoo, too. no time for naps — you’ve got shit to do, people to meet, places to be!!

jimin strikes me as the anxious traveler type, so i bet he’s checking and re-checking all your reservations, making sure your backup plans have backup plans, etc., because he needs whatever you’re doing to go well and be 👏🏻 special 👏🏻. you must hold his hand at all times so you don’t get separated, and because he needs an anchor. he will most certainly, accidentally get wine drunk in the airport bar due to stress, lmao.

taehyung is — where is taehyung? you take your eyes of this guy for a second, and he’s 🏃🏻‍♂️ off doing taetae shit. you’ll have to follow a breadcrumb trail (it’s probably the shoes he kicked off, a dropped ascot, etc.) to find him. an unintentional scavenger hunt. when you do locate him, he’s staring wide-eyes at something scenic, speaking so poetically about how beautiful life is — and ya know what? he’s right. you saw the whole damn city while you were trying to find him, and you wouldn’t have, otherwise!! for real, you gotta get one of those backpack leashes like a lil kid at the zoo, otherwise…. hope you brought supportive footwear. your ass is getting those steps in 😵‍💫

jungkook is relying on you completely. he doesn’t know what’s going on, where he is, what he needs to get done, etc., so you’re gonna have to do allllll of the logistical work. HOWEVER, he makes it feel like it’s not a chore. it’s sooo fun because this boy is full of wonder, and so fucking eager. dude is down for whatever, just point the way.

[belle--ofthebrawl]

Belle you keep teasing us with the hell on wheels au and I am here to beg most politely for some tiny crumbs. What is this treat you have cooking up for us in your big big brain????

Well...the explanation is very long but basically Augh Motorcycle Helmets Big Sexy.

So it's just Vibes at this point but grew into something more, especially after @miasmaghoul posted about mechanic Cirrus fucking Swiss. I adopted that immediately into what is now known as the Hell On Wheels Au, the barebones of which have been rattling around in my brain for about a year but exploded with thoughts quite recently.

The Ghouls are a Satanist Biker Gang that fully leans into the aesthetic, party at bars and get into fights but during the daytime? They rev their motorcycles and stand in court rooms as kids testify against their abusers. They work in partnership with local community support groups, have domestic violence flyers up in bathrooms, even have their own local version of an Angel Shot called a Devil Shot where one will pick you up from the bar if you've been roofied and takes you to the hospital while another hunts down the lowlife who did it and gives them a little talking to. Violence isn't usually involved since they have a reputation but they're fond of saying they never forget a face. Interpret that how you will.

This all evolved from a Vibes Based Daydream I had where Dew's bike broke down so he had to be Ifrit's backpack. And when they pull up at a red light, Ifrit's old chapter leader Alpha is there and he tells Dew "Killswitch him, it'll be payback for (something completely fucking made up)" EXCEPT when Dew hops off and turns the key to shut down the bike, the light turns green and Ifrit hollers something at Dew before popping a wheelie and racing away, leaving Dew to sweat nervously in the fish bowl distortion of his own reflection in the helmet glaring down at him.

"Get on." Alpha says gruffly and Dew seriously contemplates running before Alpha revs his bike again and growls "you run and you're fucking out." Because their whole thing is facing consequences, right?? So Dew's his passenger princess and Alpha takes him out of town on a backroad to a tall grassy knoll where Dew thinks he's going to be buried and parks his bike.

He meets the bookkeeper, a hulking retired boxer known in his glory days as Omega and they chat as Alpha looms threateningly in the background.

Notes: Swiss and Ifrit ride 1000cc sports bikes whereas I'm going for a more classical, solid build for Alpha. Or a chopper. Can't decide.

"This is all I have." I said to Miasma, but it proved to be a lie as my brain is forever a hamster running desperately on a wheel.

Swiss harasses the corrupt police force (defroque is the sheriff's son??) with Ifrit and Sunny, they do a lot of night rides with no plates and lead them in goose chases after triggering speed traps. Drop a gear and disappear, baby.

Aether does a lot of charity stuff and mostly works with local food banks to be a one man Meal on Wheels (ok...yup. get it out) for elderly and disabled folks. He dreams of owning a food truck with his buddy Mountain but right now he's happy to show up to court with a saddlebag of whatever he thinks that little tyke might appreciate or need.

Mountain is the son of a local cafe owner Terra, who was quite the hell raiser in her heyday but now is content to enjoy her retirement with her partners, Ivy (agoraphobic landscaper) and Pebble (weed dealer). He has a sidecar he brings Rain and Zephyr to work in. Rain's got a fruity little scarf.

Aeon as the new kid in town working two jobs to afford a bike of his own, Imperator as a lawyer/ex pinup model because learning is expensive. Copia is her assistant/son determined to make his mother proud but also can't help but wonder why exactly she chose to work in this distant town and what her relationship is to that decrepit old man sitting in the park, feeding the birds from his wheelchair and seems to know an odd amount of detail about a certain tricycle, hidden away in the depths of the shed. Copia doesn't like talking to him. Nihil knows too much and yet, can't remember anything at all.

Aurora is someone who prefers to pedal around town on her old mountain bike, vlogging her downright dangerous escapades that make seasoned motorcyclists sweat (motocross? BMX? She just likes her old bike. She does delivery for local restaurants and is a living legend in delivery times. Aeon's also into free running/parkour/skateboarding and they have a friendly...? competition over completion times.

Cirrus restores cars as a hobby and is a mechanic with Cumulus, who specializes in paint jobs on top handling the books and stock. Swiss loves it when she fucks him Amazon style on her prize restoration car (model make and year TBD) and he tells her about this little delivery biker who popped a forward wheelie on the other side of a red light, did something complicated that involved walking on her front wheel and stepping on the pedals before setting the bike frame easily back down and pedalling calmly past Swiss. Cirrus knows her of course, but Swiss hasn't earned that knowledge yet. Or his orgasm.

Sunny works in the shop too as an apprentice.

Cumulus likes to flirt with Mist, who owns the local dirt track. "As much as anyone can own a dirt field." Mist says. She's a water-skier, wheels aren't her preferred mode of speed.

The Emeritus family crossed over from Italy sometime in the last couple centuries. Ask anyone and they'll tell you where the real power in the city lies, with the unholy Trinity of the three offspring. But here, see, that's on the down low, see? One of them has to be Papa Emeritus, that enigmatic and rarely seen figure, who takes care of people who put their faith in him and that's more than the local priest ever does. Funny how that church building gets fancier and fancier every year while Mrs. Abernathy down the street can't even afford her medical bills. You know they're holding a fundraiser to build a heated hallway from the rectory to the church because Defroque slipped and fell on the ice last winter and now he's whining about needing a safe path to the building?

Be a real shame if something happened to all that money. Can you imagine Father Jim slipping every Sunday? Not that he's stable any other day of the week, mind you. I get the feeling, those prayers retreats of his....Mmm. but that's just gossip.

Ah well. You know, this is a quiet little town when all those bikers aren't revving their engines. But there's stories to be found in it, if you're willing to wait and be patient. Good things, and all that.

[soulslayer2020]

The Old Gods of CoTL: A Theory/Headcannon

When I first played through Cult of the Lamb, one line from Haro - the enigmatic owl - intrigued me: “Eons agone, these lands were rife with gods and their adherents...Those few who remained spread roots, spun webs, molded this world to meet them and theirs. 'Twere a land of many Gods once. Hundreds.” I was very curious about this as it meant there were once gods aside from the Bishops we know. But something happened that left only Shamura, Kallamar, Narinder, Heket, and Leshy. I wondered for a while who these old gods could’ve been and what were their roles/powers.

Well, I think Relics of the Old Faith may have given us a glimpse of who they might have been.

The main addition of Relics of the Old Faith is, well, the relics! Some of them reference characters we’ve met during the game (Clauneck, Kudaii, the Bishops, etc), but there are some names in there we’ve never seen before. I believe these might be the names of at least some of the old gods from eons ago. Now from what I can tell, relics can be made from either gods (e.g. the Bishops) or simply those blessed with power (Kudaii and Clauneck), so some of these names might not be gods but let’s go through them anyway!

1. GALVAR

So for each relic, we’ll be focusing on two things: what animal the god was, and what their role/power was. Starting off with Galvar, if we’re to believe the relic is reflecting their appearance, Galvar was a ram from the Ovis family due to their curves horns, with my person guess being an Argali due to the fact the horns twisting more than once as well as the overall thickness.

Now one might assume Galvar’s power was size manipulation due to their relic’s power, right? Well not exactly. After all, Heket’s relic doesn’t invoke anything to do with famine, nor does Kallamar’s have anything to do with plague. Instead, look at the description. ‘Famed Friend’. If I had to wager a guess, I would imagine Galvar may have been the classic gentle giant sort of character; looking big and menacing but is actually a big softy and uses their size to protect those weaker. So my guess would be Galvar may have been a god of protection or friendship.

2. LAPLACE

Laplace is a tough one to figure out from their relics. All that’s visible in their original relic is an eye and their blessed/cursed relic doesn’t help. But I can say for certain that they were a god of luck or chance. Not only are their relics dice, but I decided to look up the name Laplace and found a person born in the mid-1700s named Pierre-Simon Laplace who was a mathematician who focused heavily on probabilities. If I had to guess what animal Laplace could be, I would say a rabbit since they are heavily associated with luck.

3. FOWLER

Fowler is one of the easiest ones to guess in terms of species: a bird! But what kind of bird. Well, let’s look at the details. A fowler refers to someone who hunts birds. Also, take note that the only way to get this relic is to fish for it. With this, my guess is that Fowler may have been a great black-backed gull. These gulls not only eat fish, but also other, smaller birds. As for their role, my personal guess is that Fowler was a god of curses. They may have been the one to discover the uses for fervour and would go as far as cannibalising their own cultists to gain more. In other words, ‘drinking deep of their praise’.

4. ICEGORE

Probably one of the easiest ones, Icegore seems to be a yeti whose powers seem to revolve around ice. It’s possible that Icegore was a god of winter or just ice in general.

5. ALA

Going off the relic’s design, we can tell Ala was a predatory creature who seemed to value strength, pain, and survival. They also seem to have no qualms using it against others. But there are so many animals out there with sharp teeth so there’s no way to tell what animal Ala is, right? Well, what if I told you we may not only know what animal Ala is...but we may have even seen them in game. Think about it. A predator...no issue showing off their strength...associated with pain...and sharp teeth...possibly teeth in the darkness...

Ok here me out. I’ve theorised the Fox could’ve been an old Bishop in hiding for a long time. Not only are their eyes similar to the Bishops (black with red pupils) but whenever they show up, it’s through a black and red portal that looks identical to the ones the Bishops enter and exit through. So my current theory is Ala was the god of predators/hunting/murder who went into hiding due to their power deteriorating due to most of their followers being forced to join the Old Faith when they rose to power and was forced to hunt from the shadows to sustain themself, only making themself known to Lambert upon hearing of their crusades against the Bishops.

6. SLYTHOR

Another easy one, Slythor is a snake - specifically a rattlesnake due to their tail. According to their description, I think Slythor was a god of corrosion or decay.

7. SHUNRUE

Just like how small is opposite to big, I imagine Shunrue was the opposite to Galvar in every way. While Galvar is a friendly gentle giant, Shunrue may have been a small, selfish and cowardly creature. While one is a god of friendship and protection, the other is a god of betrayal and selfishness. But as for what animal Shunrue was...well unless he was a blob of goop, we can’t really say for certain. I would guess he would be either a rat (usually associated with selfish behaviours) or a bearded vulture (a predator of the Argali).

8. STIHI

So I did some research to see what animal’s have venomous tongue, and the most likely candidate for Stihi is a Gila Monster.

As for their domain, I decided to look up their name. Turns out a stihi is a fire-breathing storm demon from Albanian mythology. So I would like to guess Stihi is a god of storms or just destruction in general.

9. WARRACKA

...yeah, I have no idea what animal Warracka could be. I even looked up their name and came up with nothing. But due to the closed fist imagery in this and in Stihi’s description, I figured they could be a lizard like them. Specifically a cannibal lizard due to the method of gaining this relic. Therefor, I believe Warracka is an Aegean Wall Lizard - which was recently discovered to eat their own species - and the god of cannibalism.

 10. TURUA

Turua seems to be an octopus based on their relic, but their description doesn’t give much of a hint as to what they were the god of. So I looked up their name and it turns out Turua is Maori for ‘twice seen’, as the New Zealand town of the same name was built on a river, and the name came from the reflections seen in the water. So my guesses are Turua is either a god of reflections or illusions, or a god of the depths (maybe they knew Kallamar? Who knows!)

11. AETHRILE

This one has me stumped. There are no clues as to what animal Aetherile could be and looking up their name only shows CotL results. As for their domain, I originally thought they were the original crafter of the relics. But then I had a thought. What if they weren’t exactly a god? What if they were more of a benefactor of gods; someone who would aid them in certain ways? ...and what if ‘Aethrile’ was only one of their many names?

This is a complete theory with little basis, but my guess is ‘Aetherile’ was the first name the Mystic Seller was ever given and they made the powder box as a way to aid gods when they needed it. Just my own little theory though.

I won’t go into the unattainable relics hidden in the game files as I don’t know how cannon those are, so that’s it for my god guesses! But what happened to these gods? How did the relics come to be? Why does Chemach have them? Well join me in the next post where I’ll share my theory on how Chemach’s desire for power indirectly led to Narinder’s imprisonment.

[fan-clan-fun]

Bringers of Hyacinth

Hiii! I have a Warriors inspired world I want you to review, or give some feedback. Clans are now called Bringers, and they'd be call “Bringers of _” oh and several of the og ranks are renamed, Deputy are now called Heirs, Medicine Cats are Healers, apprentices are Becoming-pupil's and etc. Anyways here's the bringer I want you to review today!

I'll be happy to take a look!

˚ · . *Summary༉‧₊˚.

The robust, tough and sturdy Hyacinth lives in a barren&dry-out territory. That was believed to be destroyed by No-furs awhile back, these cats are physically the strongest amongst all of the other bringers. Due to their harsh and barren environment. 

Overtime, they’ve developed Osteophagia. Having powerful biting jaws that can chomp through bones like it’s nothing, their physically very bulky. Due to their harsh environments, the cats their tends to be larger then other bringers. And the bigger and stronger you are, the more likely you’d be chosen as the next heir.

I'm curious how the clan got to be so big if they didn't have a lot of food. Do they have an alternate source of food? Do they take down much larger prey to keep everyone fed and growing healthy?

❥Ceremonies/Traditions❥

WIP..

RANKS

Leader: There’s only one leader in the bringer at a time, they’re usually chosen by their size, strength and leadership abilities. The stronger, bigger you are, the higher chance you’ll be chosen to be the next leader. Sometimes, they’re referred as “Chief” but sticks to “Leader” during the Crescent gathering. To avoid any confusion from other bringers.

Heir: Heirs are usually chosen by a trial, those whom wish to be a Heir. Will be place in a ‘Battle trial’ to test their physically abilities and reaction time, most usually battles against any unlucky outsiders that wonder into the territory that day. Or any birds of prey that flew too close to the claws of Hyacinths. 

The group seems very martial oriented, which does explain why there are several healers, and I suppose their numbers are sustained by pretty consistent attrition getting rid of extra mouths to feed?

Healer: Exactly what you think, they’re usually 4-6 healers at a time due to how frequently their members get injured. 

Healer’s pupil: The healer’s pupil are chosen by the healers, each healer will choose which becoming-pupil will be their chosen successor. Their numbers depend on how much healers are alive in the bringer at a time.

Traveling Herbalist: This role is a quite recent one, formed by a group of desperate and tired healers during a particularly harsh leaf-bare. They’re trained alongside Healer’s pupil and are set out to the vast territories to search for new faunas and herbs. They’re usually around 5-8 Traveling herbalist at once.

Watchers: Watchers are cats willing to get their paws dirty and watch out for trouble within their clan. They will follow any suspicious patrols, keep an eye on the border, and track down any missing cats. They are also the main cats who guard the clans, and usually will have dark pelts or are willing to cover themselves in mud.

Artisans: These are the cats who mainly build or repair dens, weave nests, gather materials, and generally take care of the camp. Due to them mostly sticking around camp, artisans usually guard it, and take care of the kits and elders when they aren’t busy with other duties. Since the position is seen as very simple, disabled cats (i.e more so blind or deaf cats rather than ones with missing limbs) are often given the position.

Scouts: Scouts are the cats that explore the territory in the event of a crisis, help keep track of materials alongside the artisans, and deliver messages to other clans. They do whatever is needed in their clan’s desperate times, but for the most part tend to average warrior duties. They must have keen senses and lots of stamina.

Wardens: They’re the ones who get the most jobs done, they hunt, patrol, guard and mentor the new-claws. These makes up the majority of the bringer, but sometimes are even numbers with Watchers and Artisans.

Becoming-pupils: They’re apprentices renamed… 

Kits: They’re kits…

Greying-paws: Retired cats from their previous roles that makes up a very tiny percentage of the bringer, usually around to tell stories and guide troubling Becoming-pupils.

Kit-Keepers: Any cat can become a kit-keeper if they please, while most would prefer to live their life hunting and fighting. These cats take the duty of caring for all kits too old to suckle. Feeding and nurturing them as they grow. Usually kits know of their birth parents, but have a closer connection to the kit-keepers. Aka cat malewives real.

I definitely encourage you to continue with being inclusive! It is good to have ranks that are accepting of others, though also good not to tokenize any specific groups either.

✎Lore✎

WIP..

✎Origins✎

WIP..

⚜Hierarchy⚜

•Leader

•Heir

•Healer

•Healer’s pupil 

•Scouts

•Watchers

•Artisans

•Wardens

•Kit-keepers

•Becoming-pupils

•Greying-paws

•Kits

Territory

Their territory are barren, dry and lacks greenery. They live in the middle of the barren land, they have a rock built tunnel to the nearest river. Which they’ve agreed with Bringers of Beavers, for their border to end at the opposite side of the river. As so they won’t die of thirst.

Camp

The camp is surrounded by large rocks, their camp is a hallowed out small round ravine. There’s a tunnel for them to enter their camp. Most dens of their are made from small rocks, or are indented into the ravine itself.

I am curious what type of barren land you refer to. Is it a valley between mountains? A desert? Flat ground? There is a lot of variety to places considered dry and desolate.

☆**Personality**☆

Bringers of Hyacinth are very blunt and honest. They’re mature, athletic and adaptable to their surroundings. Hyacinth are nature born hunters, having a keen sense of smell and hearing over the other bringers.

They’re very independent and are resourceful. Being quick and nimble on their feet, whilst capable of taking down any ferocious animals. 

They’ve gained a ton of respect and loyalty towards Soaring, generations ago. When Hyacinth was dying off due to starvation, Bringers of Soaring lend them a paw. And sent their preys over and allowed them to hunt on their territory as long as they’re able to hunt on their own territory. 

Due to the benevolent act their Leader gave them, they’ve been great allies with Soaring ever since. Helping them in combat, wars and even in times of crisis.

It's always interesting to hear how groups get along, or don't, and how it's tied into their histories.

➺Prey Preference➺

Birds of prey

-Rare meal, Considered to be a delicacy.

Mice

-Common prey, easy meal.

Shrews

-Common prey, easy meal.

Fennec foxes

-Released by No-furs, hunted frequently.

This is certainly unique! Is there a rescue or breeding program breeding these in the area? Or is the Bringer's territory close to the fennecs natural range? I imagine the No-furs would not be happy to find out the animals they released are being hunted, has that impacted the Bringer's at all?

Mink

-Uncommon preys, usually was stumbled upon near their borders.

➳Statistics➳

↬ Psychological strength 

★ ★ ↫

↬ Physical strength 

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ↫

↬ Close quarter combat 

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ↫

↬ Ambush combat 

★ ★ ↫ 

↬ Wisdom 

★ ★ ↫

↬ Intelligence 

★ ★ ★ ↫

↬ Speed

★ ★ ★ ★ ↫

↬ Endurance 

★ ★ ★ ★ ↫

↬ Agility 

★ ★ ★ ↫

Thanks for the submission!

[thevhagarwriter]

Grandma Violence - I.V.

[Dragons, Death and Daemon]

Chapter V - Heartache

“Meraxes, Meraxes!”, the little hatchling yelled, running after the silver dragon easily thrice her size. “Where are you going?”, Vhagar chirped and her sister paused at the windy beach, letting the tiny dragon catch up. 

“Hunting, why?”, she answered and the copper dragon inflated her short neck crest in excitement. “Can I come with you?”, Vhagar asked but Meraxes only snorted. “Aren’t you a little small to go fishing on your own?”The hatchling held her chin higher. “I am already as big as the rock outside our cave and you promised you would take me hunting when I’m as big as the rock outside our cave!”  

The silver dragon sighed deeply and flicked her tailend. “Fine…But you’ll have to stay with me the entire time! No adventures!” 

“Yes, yes, of course.” 

Meraxes narrowed her pale eyes, but didn’t say anything.

“Can we fish cod? Can we fish eels? Can we fish sharks? Can we fish salmon?”, Vhagar asked as she fluttered around her big sister, her thin wings beating courageously against the strong winds. “I’m not sure if it is the time for salmon already.”, Meraxes answered, as the dragon siblings flew close to the ocean surface, cold water spraying against their bellies and feet. 

“What do you mean by that?”, Vhagar wondered, searching the water below for the dark silhouettes of prey. 

“Salmon is only sometimes found in seawater as they often live in river water instead.”, Meraxes responded and the hatchling scrunched her snout. “That’s weird. Hmm...so eels then?”

The silver dragon shook her head. “Actually, the first lesson of hunting is…”

Meraxes suddenly looked up, her body bending quickly to an upwards position, as she shot into the sky, catching a seagull in a quick flash of fire and devouring it in two bites. 

“...is that you get what you find. In the wilderness you can’t be choosy. Even if you prefer something else, there is no guarantee that you will find and catch it and it's still better to eat something mediocre than nothing at all, right?”

Vhagar nodded enthusiastically, eyes wide in awe at Meraxes quick reflexes. 

“How about you try now?”, the silver dragon said and Vhagar took a deep breath, reading her nerves. 

A bit less graceful and with much more effort, the small dragon rose up in the sky to the seagulls, but they scattered quickly. Growling, Vhagar flew after them, spewing orange flames and snapping her jaws, but with the exception of a few stray feathers she caught nothing. Disappointed, she turned towards Meraxes, who was chuckling lightly. “Don’t laugh!”, Vhagar hissed and the silver dragon calmed herself. “I’m sorry, you are just so adorable.” The copper dragon huffed at that vile accusation. 

“But this is a good moment to tell you the second lesson: You have to know your strengths and advantages. You are still too tiny and small to keep up with adult seabirds, so you should focus on slower prey. But your size…or lack of it, also makes it easier for you to be sneaky - you just have to remember…”

“...to fly against the wind so the prey does not smell you.”, Vhagar finished the sentence for her and Meraxes nodded proudly. “Exactly.” 

“So…what are we going to do now, if birds are not allowed yet.”, the younger dragon asked and her sister flicked her tailend towards the gray island rising from the misty clouds. “I think it’s best if we return to the shore and we practice fishing in more shallow and less tumultuous water.”Vhagar narrowed her eyes and blew hot steam out of her nostrils. “So this whole flight was just for some burnt feathers between my teeth?” 

The silver dragon smirked. “Yes, because I still haven’t forgiven you for putting wet seaweeds on my head while I was sleeping! Have you any idea how long that smell stayed there?!” 

The copper dragon giggled (as much as a dragon could) and beat her tail on the water, catching some slimy kelp and throwing it on her sister's wings. “VHAGAR!” 

Most of the Crabfeeder’s scouts managed to dive quickly into the flooded caves inside the island, but not everyone had the same luck. One unbearably hot breath from Vhagar and the five men farthest away from the hidden opening were reduced to blackened flesh fused with sootstained metal. Her hidden ears twitched as heard the creaking and crackling of burning wood as Caraxes burned their ship alongside its cargo, leaving the survivors stranded on a rocky island only inhabited by shy seagulls and hungry snakes. 

“We’re done here, return to camp!”, ordered Daemon Targaryen and Vhagar huffed. 

“There are still some left.”, she remarked but Caraxes was already steering towards the west and the old dragon had to hurry if she wanted to catch up to the slender dragon. 

Heaving her heavy wings higher into the air, Vhagar made sure to fly above Caraxes, throwing a large shadow over his Targaryen rider. The humans often called Balerions huge shadow a shadow of death, saying that everyone that was touched by it would soon meet a violent end. Well, she may not have his coloring, but at least she was close to size.

“Why are we already going? You couldn’t possibly have missed the other pirate scouts hiding in the caves, could you?”, she asked again and the smaller dragon rolled her eyes. “So what? They don’t have a ship, they don’t have food or fresh water, they’ll die soon enough anyway.”, Caraxes answered in the most condescending tone he could muster. 

“The crab feeder could send another ship to find out what happened to his scouts.” “Are you dumb? If no ship returns he’ll just assume it was burned down alongside his crew, so why would he even bother?”

“But the crew wasn’t entirely eradicated and they could still tell him their gathered intel.”, Vhagar opposed. “They won’t, cause the Crabfeeder won’t send a ship.”, Caraxes insisted. 

“Your work ethic is sorely lacking.”

“Fuck off!”

And with that the red dragon gathered more speed under his wings and left the older dragon behind him. Vhagar just shook her head. “And then he wonders why the war keeps dragging out and out…”, she mumbled to herself. These little hatchlings truly had no idea what they were doing.

— 

“Already here? You really got some lightning speed.”, Caraxes drawled as Vhagar finally landed next to him outside of the war camp, the sun already high in the air - unlike when they had started their patrol in the early morning hours.  

“Forgive me.”, excused Vhagar herself, voice laced with sarcasm. “I went back to clean up the mess you and your rider left.” 

Caraxes cocked his confusion. “Hmm? What are you talking about?”

The older dragon sighed deeply. “The Crabfeeder’s scouts? The people we attacked this morning and left alive, despite them having knowledge about our movements?”

The lock on Caraxes faces quickly morphed into a mixture of exasperation, anxiety and wrath. 

“What the fuck, Vhagar?! No one allowed you to fly out on your own!”, he hissed and Vhagar flared her neck spikes. “I don’t need your permission to do anything.”, she responded calmly, despite the anger growing in her chest at the younger dragon's disrespect. 

Now it was Caraxes who had to sigh. “I’m gonna explain it so simple, that even an old bitch like you will get it. You have no apparent rider which means that you don’t have a human that can give you orders and direct you in the war. None of the humans know your intentions and feelings, which means you are a wild card in every plan. How can they trust you not to attack their own people or hit strategically valuable targets or…”

“Do you see me as so stupid and mindless that I would attack my own side?”, Vhagar said, icily cold. 

Caraxes shrugged. “You have to see it from their point of view. According to the humans you could just be a scavenger looking for your next meal.”

Vhagar just shook her head. “Like an untrained dog…” 

“Huh, what did you say?”, the red dragon asked. “That’s what they see us as, do they not? They see us as untrained dogs in need of a master. Not as dragons, not as…equals.”

Caraxes stared at her, opening his snout and then closing it again. 

“Still.”, he started, sounding more somber and calm. “You should stick to agreed plans.”

“They were not agreed to by me!”, Vhagar snapped. 

“Why the fuck do you keep insisting you have a say in this?!”, Caraxes yelled, back again to his usual aggressiveness. 

“Because I have more experience in warfare than all of these green boys combined! I know how people like the Crabfeeder think! I know how to make sure you keep your secrets hidden! I know when, where and how to strike!”, Vhagar argued but Caraxes just rolled his eyes again.  

“And how the fuck are you going to communicate your oh so grand wisdom?! You don’t have a rider and even then you couldn’t say shit! You may be a weapon of fucking mass destruction, but you are just another soldier who has to follow orders and can’t run of, when something isn’t going your way! Can you fit that in your thick head?!” 

Vhagar just huffed. “Don’t you have any pride? Do you consider yourself just a simple soldier without a voice?” 

“No, because I have a voice and he is called Daemon!” 

“I don’t understand!”, Vhagar yelled. “You are a dragon, how can you cling so much to a human who just orders you around like you're nothing but an overgrown warhound? Who uses you as a weapon, as an intimidation tactic, as nothing but a tool?” “Because that is what we are and that is what our pride is made of!”

Vhagar stared at the younger dragon, stunned at his words and the conviction ringing in it. He truly believed what he had just said. 

She stretched her wings and jumped into the air, leaving the shaking earth below her. 

“We are dragons - not dogs, not ponies, not oxes. Get that in your snakehead before Daemon makes you plow fields.”, she hissed, before fleeing to the silence of the ocean. 

—

From the camp of the Stepstones it was only a short flight to the coast of Dorne and Vhagar reached it by the mid-evening. Flying all this way just for a hunt may have been a bit excessive but the dragon refused to go fish in the waters of the Narrow Sea. Just imagining diving into the cold water, feeling seaweeds tangling through her scales and spikes…Vhagar shuddered at the memory. Soaring below, through and above the clouds helped her clear her head. Maybe she was getting old, but the younger dragons were…difficult to deal with.

She liked both Seasmoke and Caraxes, but she couldn’t understand them - their feelings, their opinions, their hearts were just so different from her own. 

Vhagar took a deep breath, taking in the scents of the dornish wildlife. The terrain below her were sandy dunes, white cliffs and soft hills covered in yellowish grass and short, thick trees and blooming bushes. Dozens of different kinds of birds sang their unique songs into the winds, but Vhagar was not interested in them. She would have to hunt hundreds of them to feed an adult dragon and even her gigantic claws weren’t quite big enough to carry all of them back to the camp. 

Letting the faint smell and the very quiet thunder of hooves guide her, Vhagar drifted to a windswept plain which was home to a herd of horses. Analyzing their scent, Vhagar deduced that they were wild and untamed, otherwise she would have smelt the metal of their horseshoes, the leather of their saddles and the smell of their human owners. She hummed, pleased with herself to have found such perfect prey so quickly. They weren’t the biggest steeds, but their bodies were muscular and their scent free of sickness and death. 

While the wind was blowing from the horses to Vhagar, hiding her own ashy smell from the prey, her big form quickly alarmed them to her presence and the horses immediately scattered away, trying to find any refuge in the flat, defenseless plain.

Flying lower and opening her maw wide, the dragon let out a spear of fiery inferno, hitting two horses and roasting them instantly. Lowering her head, she caught them in her jaws and devoured them in one go, the juicy meat melting on her tongue. 

But for a beast of her size, two horses weren’t enough…not nearly enough. 

Beating her wings up into the air again, the wind - drenched with the smell of fear - guided her to the rest of the herd and the hunt continued. Luckily the golden grasses weren’t quite as dry as they looked and Vhagar only needed to stamp out her flames a few times, though every time it was quite the effort for her old, large body to jump back into the sky again. But Meraxes had taught her early on to clean up after - and during - her hunt, so she did and bore the effort in grace. 

At the end she ate six horses - enough to fill her stomach and give her strength for the upcoming days, but not too much, as she would otherwise feel too tired and lazy to fly all the way back to the Stepstones. Pushing the air down beneath her, Vhagar rose back up into the sky, her claws carefully - but firmly - holding several other burnt horse corpses she had designated for Seasmoke (and Caraxes, though Vhagar knew that the red dragon was prone to sulking and pouting for days). 

With her belly full and the newfound energy coursing through her veins, Vhagar’s flight back was quicker than anticipated, the crescent moon just rising to its highest point when she returned to the stony island. Caraxes was nowhere to be seen, but Seasmoke was sitting on the sandy beach, seemingly lost in thought until he smelt the burned flesh between Vhagar’s claws. Chirping confused, he stretched his neck and when he saw the older dragon bringing food his neck crest inflated cheerfully.  

The bones crunched audibly and specks of soot rose into the air as Vhagar ungraciously dumped the horses into the sand below her. 

Seasmoke eyed them curiously and she saw his pupils widen, but he did not dare move from his spot. Vhagar stared at him for a moment before she realized that he was asking silently for permission. Silverwing and her damn manners… 

“I thought a young warrior like you needed something more nourishing than fish and crabs. Enjoy.” 

The gray dragon blinked slowly and opened his jaws slightly, translucent saliva connecting his upper and lower teeth. He shuffled closer, but closed his snout again. “Shouldn’t we wait for Caraxes? He has as much right to this food as I have, probably more in regard to his war efforts.”

Vhagar only huffed, smoke curling out of her nose. “That cherry red wyvern can hunt his own damn horses if he wants them so badly!” 

Seasmoke cocked his head while narrowing his eyes dangerously. “Did something happen between you two? Did Caraxes say something mean and stupid again? How dare he disrespect you like that!” 

Vhagar shook her head, her worn out neck flopping around to an embarrassing degree…as if she had a third wing hanging underneath her chin. 

“No, no, just a small argument between old friends.”, she assured him, though her jaws tensed. That was what they were, weren’t they? Friends…Many, many years they had spent together, flying side by side, fighting side by side, but that was going to end now, was it? 

She nudged one of the burned corpses with her snout. “Go on, I’ve already eaten, you can have them all.”

Seasmoke purred quietly as he bowed his head. “Thank you very much, Vhagar.”, he said before beginning to eat with small, careful bites. So much like Silverwing, but not quite like Meraxes…

As the smaller dragon ate, Vhagars thoughts kept drifting back to her fight with Caraxes. She had managed to banish it from her mind during her flights to and from the Dornish coats, but Seasmoke hat brought her back to it. Caraxes had never acted like that around Prince Aemon. Back then he made sure to let the young prince know who was the real power between the pair, that Aemon was nothing without the red beast at his side. What had changed, what had softened him? Since when did he value humans over his own kind? The answer was obvious: Daemon. And even though she would love to blame everything on this vile, little snakeshit again, she knew that this change wasn’t forced upon Caraxes. Yes, he had liked and respected Prince Aemon - but he loved and admired Daemon. 

Vhagar took a deep breath. She knew from her own experience that each bond was different to the other, but it was Balerion who had told her that there are bonds that were simply better than others. Vhager had loved each of her riders in a different way - but had loved them all the same. She had admired Visenya the most, enjoyed Baelon’s company the most, adored Laena the most and was understood by Aemond the most - and she didn’t love any of them less than the other. 

Balerion, as he had told her, had been different. His bond with Aegon the Conqueror had been…well, indescribable. It felt like they were the very same person - their thoughts, wishes and worries in complete synth. When Aegon had died it had left a hole in Balerions heart that he had desperately tried to fill with Maegor, Aerea and Viserys - but they all weren’t the right thing, none of them could compare. He had liked them, even loved them, but it just wasn’t the same. 

Vhagar wondered if Caraxes felt the same thing that Balerion had felt with Aegon and she had the terrible realization that he did. The reason was simple. Caraxes grew up under her wings, looked up to her and he, although he would never admit it, loved her. Aemon would have never been able to make him kill her - but Daemon did. And if she killed Daemon…what would happen to Caraxes? Would he end up like Balerion, searching for something that was lost forever? 

“Vhagar, um…you didn’t steal these horses from the warcamp, did you?”, Seasmoke suddenly asked, staring at the half eaten corpse below him. 

The older dragon needed a moment to come back to reality, but when she understood his question she angrily punched her tail into the waves. Why did everyone think her a complete and utter idiot? 

“No, they are from Dorne.”, she gritted out and Seasmokes eyes widened comically. “Did you fly all the way from her to the mainland?”, he asked again and Vhagar sighed inwardly, stealing herself for a second, unrewarded lecture by a dragon greener than her scales. 

“Just to get some food for me? Vh-Vhagar, you really shouldn’t have.”, the gray dragon squeaked and tapped nervously from foot to foot. 

Vhagar stared at him as a strange, rare feeling flooded through her heart - similar to when little Aemond tried to claim her. Seasmoke was just so…cute. 

[fourseasonsfigs]

Human Lark Bird Husband

Today we have this wonderful concert rehearsal pair - Zhang Zhehan practicing for his 616 True Heart Night performance, and Gong Jun working hard practicing his drumming and singing routine for New Year's Eve 2022.

I love the inspiration for both of these figs! Not for the first time, I have to bemoan that Tumblr won't give me more than 1 video slot per post. I have a few videos of Zhehan singing both Unbreakable Love and Surround, and I want to give them both to you (plus Junjun's practice performance as well)! Since I can only do one, I'm going to have to go with Unbreakable Love:

The picture that is the inspiration for his pose is this one, although I only have the clipped version:

I'll hunt around for the full image, although it's just the background so at least we're not missing too much.

I only also have a very blurry screengrab from another video of the back of Zhehan's t-shirt, which is necessary for fig comparison purposes:

The inspiration for Junjun's fig is exactly this pic:

"Human Lark" (人间百灵鸟) is a nickname for Gong Jun, of course because of his singing. This laogong also has a bird on his varsity jacket, which is very cute.

Here's a full length picture so you can see his entire outfit.

Since I don't have a pic of him wearing the back of the jacket, here's some shots of just the jacket itself, for fig comparison purposes.

Here's our two hard working figs, along with Junjun's drum!

Here they are! Zhehan will not stand on his own in the slightest, as you might imagine by his wonderful but a bit impractical (from a fig perspective!) pose. I actually prefer figs that have fun poses like this, it just presents a bit of a logistical challenge. Which I solved with glue. I used to try to cut little wedges of fig stickers and custom make little solutions for figs like this. Now I just go straight to the glue. I still hate to permanently fix figs to anything, but I'm coming more and more around to it, as I've had some figs that I thought were well secured with fig stickers take a tumble down my shelf. My heart just can't take that kind of strain!

Junjun stood up fine, but of course I can't have him shorter than Zhehan. You can see I used one of my big square standee bases to hold both him and his drum. I just fig stickered him down, and the drum is just hanging out there freely.

I love the poses where they are facing each other! This looks like they're about to have a concert with each other, so cute.

Lots of really great details in the outfits for these figs. Junjun's rehearsal outfit here is a definite favorite (my fig friend bought this for her dolls in one second flat when it came out!).

These shirt-and-jacket back images are perfect replicas! It's sharp and crisp too, really nicely done.

Look how cute Zhehan is with his leg kicked up slightly like that. I love it!

Hopefully you have had a chance to admire how beautiful the drum is too, as we rotate around. It's also really well done with all the gold detailing.

Love the 1640 on Zhehan's shirt, and the JZ logo on his hat! Those of course, are not identical to Zhehan's actual outfit - he's wore an OAMC logo shirt and what looks like an LA Dodgers hat in the actual practice session. So what I'm saying, is I like these versions a lot better!

Of course, you can barely see Zhehan's eyes, or rather glasses, in all of the videos because of his bucket hat. The bottoms-up view is very necessary to catch a glimpse of his eyes!

Nice detailing here on the top of both hats. This is such a great set.

I didn't receive box cards in this set, but I got some cool boxes. This fig maker does some more unique boxes - they did a kraft paper set for their earlier Time and Space Folding figs, and they brought that back for this set!

Material: PVC

Fig Count: 383

Scene Count: 26 (I'm not counting the drum)

Rating: Our Human Lark sings beautifully now!

[link back to Master Fig Index for more posts]

[theminecraftbee]

Grian holds his wing out to be examined, trying to sketch out various schemes for his base with colored pencils while Scar runs his hands through his feathers, carefully preening spots Grian can’t reach. It’s easy to get distracted by how good Scar is at it, how nice it feels to be in contact with someone else for long enough to get his wings cleaned up. (It’s almost embarrassing, getting distracted by it; preening is like, an activity he has to do really regularly, and he normally gets someone to help, it’s a bonding activity or whatever. But still, every time, he finds himself almost surprised by how much the small display of physical affection affects him.)

“You know, I’ve always wondered,” Scar starts. Grian puts down a pencil.

“Yes, Scar?”

“The, the eyespots. I looked it up once, you know.”

Grian rolls his eyes. “We’ve been over that I don’t know what kind of bird I am, Scar. This is a conversation we’ve had repeatedly.”

“Yeah, yeah, but like... the only birds I could find with them either used them to show off to mates or -”

Grian chokes. “I’m sorry Scar, what?”

“Yeah! Peacocks that have their tails pruned so they don’t have as many eyes don’t get as many mates. Don’t worry though, Grian, your weird fake eye spots are very attractive. Why, I’d even say they’re adequately so!”

Grian flaps a wing back to smack Scar with it. Scar yelps. “Hey! See if I keep helping you!”

“You have literally never turned this down,” Grian says.

“I could,” Scar says.

“Sure,” Grian drawls, injecting as much sarcasm into it as possible. Scar huffs.

“Anyway, I looked it up. The other bird I could find with them was an owl that had them on the back of its head to trick predators. And I looked them up in a lot of other animals, and they’re to make predators think they’re stared at. Scare ‘em off.”

“So?” Grian says, settling his wing back into place so Scar can go back to preening it.

“So that’s weird, right? We don’t even know what kind of bird you are, and you have like, spots to scare off predators! What kind of thing even eats a bird as big as you?”

“Nothing, I would hope!” Grian yelps.

“Yeah, but you’ve gotta have the spots for a reason,” Scar says. “And...”

Grian tilts his head and waits.

“...there are things out there, you know,” Scar says, and this time, it’s in the voice of one of those sorts of people who is far too connected to the magic of the world. “I worry.”

“Well,” Grian says, suddenly feeling somewhat uncomfortable. “Well. I have the spots; I open my wings at people when I’m frightened, anyway. If they really are for scaring people, that would scare them off, right?”

Scar is quiet. He cards his hands through Grian’s wing, and Grian resists the urge to shudder into it.

“Right,” Scar says, finally.

“Besides,” Grian says. “What are the odds of finding out why I have those things? Basically none, right?”

“Grian. Grian. Please don’t say that.”

Grian cackles before saying, slowly and cheerfully: “But Scar! What could possibly go wrong!”

“Grian, no, don’t say such cursed words around me! No! Fiend!”

The conversation moves on. Grian doesn’t quite forget about it.

[pascalpanic]

request please? lately i have been having a lot abandonment anxiety when it comes to friendships and i was wondering how you think javi or din might help someone with an anxious attachment style? thank you lovely 🥰

Irrational (Din Djarin x f!Reader)

Summary: above ^^

W/C: 2.8k

Warnings: language; talk of fighting and weapons, reader has a panic attack PLEASE be aware that it’s coming and somewhat descriptive.

A/N: I really really love this! I hope you guys do too :) as always, thanks to my beta reading babes!

Din Djarin has been abandoned before. Often on a mission, sometimes on a lone planet with no credits or ways out. He always survives, of course, and vengeance is taken. One thing he absolutely can’t fathom is abandoning someone he loves, or more specifically someone who loves him.

Abandonment isn’t an issue when you’ve never had someone to be attached to. Din spent many many years with absolutely no one. When his parents died, it felt like he was abandoned, sure, but it was clearly not their decision to leave him. When he was taken in by the Mandalorians, they kept him at an arm’s length. He was a foundling; they cared for him well, taught him The Way and The Creed, fed him well. But he was never adopted into a specific clan, rather passed around the covert like the communal task each family had an obligation to fulfill.

Then he became a bounty hunter. The life was solitary and lonely, cold and bleak. It was rare that Din would team up with other bounty hunters, really only when forced to. The Razor Crest became his baby, his only possession and love besides his blasters and beskar. The thing was a piece of bantha shit, but he kept it in good shape.

Then came the kid. Din knew it was wrong. Bounties are to be turned in and paid for, then you forget the job happened. But when that little green thing stared up at Din, the big brown eyes seeming to stare through the dark black of his visor, he knew he couldn’t. This was a child, a baby with no family and no way to protect itself. He certainly couldn’t turn it over to the hands of the ex-Imperials.

Din experienced his first real attachment with the child. He cares for that little thing more than he’s ever cared about anything. He’d cross galaxies, kill and maim and injure for the sake of the little green baby.

Oh Maker, then he met you.

Din had never seen anything like you. You were playing with the kids in the marketplace, laughing as they ran and played around you, before you squealed in delight at the sight of a little green toddler wandering up to you. He’d climbed in your lap, looked up at you with those big eyes, massive ears twitching. You’d stroked his head and cooed to him before you looked up to find his father; subsequently, you felt your heart fall into your stomach at the sight of the Mandalorian man.

“You’re good with kids.”

Well no shit. You nodded. “Yes. I love them. Is this your son?” you ask, looking back down at the three green fingers wrapped around your thumb.

He nods. “He is a foundling under my care.” He watched as the baby grabbed at the golden armband encircling your bicep. You’re absolutely gorgeous. The armband glows against your skin, your beautiful body evident even through the loose and flowing clothing you wear. “Do you take care of these children as a job?”

You shook your head. “No. We don’t have jobs here, necessarily. They just wanted me to play.” You scanned the man, searching for skin. You found none. “Are you green under there too?”

The Mandalorian did not answer. “I’m looking for a caretaker for the child while I hunt bounties. You’d stay in my ship and care for him. I pay well and you’d get to travel the galaxy.”

“You barely know me,” you laughed, removing the little green baby’s fingers from their tight grip on the gold band on your arm.

He gave a half shrug. “He likes you.”

And you’d agreed. And it’s been almost a full cycle now, a cycle of living in the beat-up ship and caring for the little green baby. You’ve seen the most beautiful and the ugliest of planets, experienced extreme heat and extreme cold. You’ve been to beautiful cities, unique jungles and forests and ice planets.

In that time, you got to know the Mandalorian too. It took quite some time to crack his beskar shell. He hardly talked to you in the first month. Then your persistence had loosened him a little, then a little more, then just enough. You know more of him than any other living being does. He’s told you his name: Din Djarin, a name that flows and stops and radiates the power of the bounty hunter. He told you the story of his childhood, of hunts gone wrong and hunts gone right.

You love listening as he tells you and the child the story of the child’s rescue from the ex-Imperials. The baby snuggles against your lap as his father regales the two of you with the epic battles, the fights Din went through for this little child. You both applaud at the end, and put the baby to bed with a kiss between those big brown eyes.

He’s a wonderful man. You’ve formed an easy friendship with him, one that has honestly progressed on your end. At night, you find yourself fantasizing about what he looks like beneath his armor, how the muscles of his broad shoulders move when he climbs the ladder to the cockpit or lifts the child. You like to think he may feel the same for you, but you don’t push it. You don’t want to push him away.

Din has been away for far too long. He always highballs the dates he gives you, saying that an assignment will take three days when he knows it will only take two or a week when it will only be five days. This is a pattern you’ve come to notice; Din is alway back “early”, but now he is late. Really late.

Before he left, Din had opened your bunk compartment, causing you to groan at the light filtering in. You’ve been sleeping since the Crest made a rocky landing on Nevarro a few hours earlier. “Cyare,” he’d murmured, a rare ungloved hand warm on your bare arm, contact broken by your metal armband. You don’t know what the word means. You hope it’s something good.

“What is it?” You groaned, rolling onto your back to look at him. “Leaving?”

He nodded, the silhouette of his helmet-covered head against the soft light of the hull. “Leaving. I’ll be back in four days at the most.”

You offered him a sleepy smile, one that he could see in the warm glow of the lights you’d installed in the ship to navigate easier at night. “Good luck. May the Force be with you,” you teased, making the normally stoic man chuckle a little.

“Go back to sleep. I’ll see you soon.”

You didn’t protest, rolling over and letting the heaviness of sleep drag you back under.

Now, you really wish you’d have talked with him more then. You’re almost certain you’ll never see him again.

You’re not exactly sure what it was in your brain that triggered the thought. Maybe Din just actually took the amount of time he’d said for once, you thought on the fourth day. But now it’s been eight days, double the amount that he’d told you he’d be gone, and you’re stressed.

He always makes good on his word. He should be back by now. He always does. Did he get injured or killed, maybe captured by the bounty he was stalking? You ponder your ideas aloud as you pace back and forth in the hull of the Razor Crest, the little green baby tucked in his soundproof pram to sleep.

There’s likely a rational explanation. You’re sure there is. Maybe the bounty jumped ship, completely threw Din off of his tracks. Maybe the bounty is more clever than anticipated and Din is working extra just to find them. There’s surely a reason, but a little nagging voice in your head says that something is wrong.

In the first few days following Din’s date to return, your primary worry is that he’s hurt or dead somewhere on this barren planet. There are many other bounty hunters here, in this haven for Guild workers. What if one of them discovered Din still has the baby? What if they were coming for you here next?

Maybe you should go look for him. Maybe he’s injured and needs your help. He could be held by another hunter, or by the ex-Imperials- you can’t even bear to think of them harming Din for taking their precious cargo back. The thought makes you squeeze the little green baby tighter to your chest, even after he gives a whine of annoyance at the pressure.

But Din would never forgive you if you put yourself in harm’s way for him. This planet is dangerous, full of bad people who will do what it takes to get their credits. Most importantly, you can’t leave this ship with the kid. Certainly people here are looking for him. Someone would spot him and you’d be in for disaster. The anxiety fills your days and even seeps into your dreams, making you sleep less and more fitfully. On the eighth day, perhaps the most terrifying idea strikes you: what if Din just... left you?

Of course, there are plenty of signs why he hasn’t. The ship is one of his rare material possessions. He’d never give up the machine that’s been a home to him for the last however many years. Weapons are part of his religion, and he only took a sparse amount with him for this hunt. His prized pulse rifle still hangs in his armory, with an abundance of whistling birds he didn’t take either.

Most importantly, you’re still here with the kid. The baby is practically Din’s son. He adores him… but what if it’s all too much? You’ve become like a little family. That may be too domestic for him. Maybe he’s sick of the responsibility, of caring for two beings when so much of his life has been solitary. Even worse, maybe he’s just sick of you.

There are plenty of rational explanations. You know it. The baby can sense your anxiety, can feel the tension running through the air surrounding you, and he feels it too. He’s fussy, requiring more snacks and more attention. He tugs far too much on your armband and it pinches now, his little claws getting too long. You don’t mind- it’s a distraction, really- but your mind is never fully on feeding the baby, rather hyper analyzing Din’s mind as you know it and hoping he’ll return.

The hours pass. Din doesn’t return. You become more and more certain that he’s abandoned you for good. He isn’t coming back, ever, because he hates you. He was nice to you as a courtesy, nothing more, only as a protector of his child. This type of family is too much for the lone-wolf style man. He can’t do it anymore. You’re on your own.

In your head, the thought of him abandoning you is too much. It weighs heavily on your self-esteem, convincing you that this is all your fault and you’ve done too much, or not enough, or something wrong in general that sent Din packing and gone. He did it because you’re annoying, because he’s sick of you.

Rational thoughts are pushed to the furthest corner of your mind. Your brain is occupied by self hatred, by terror, by a sickening buzzing feeling in your head and chest that feels like a parasite eating you from the inside out.

It’s too much. You fall to the floor, sliding your back down the metal wall. Your rear contacts the floor as the tears fall from your face, your emotions drowning out your senses. You can’t use any of your senses, just think and process the agony your brain is putting you through.

Burying your face in your hands, you finally allow the tears you’ve been holding in all week to flow. It’s a relief, the hot tears streaming down your equally hot face, blood rushing to the surface. The anxiety buzzing in your head has reached a breaking point; you’re sure the tension is boiling your brains, making it bubble and roil as the thoughts pull you down and down so far you feel you’ve fallen through the floor of the Crest and into the dry Nevarro dirt.

You nearly wail, wheezing in air only to expel it in harsh sobs as the fear wraps your body and constricts it. You’re enveloped by it, trapped in a coffin mixed with a tornado mixed with a firestorm and a hurricane.

Then it all stops. The heat is broken by something cold- beskar. You force your eyes to see and they finally perceive that Din is in front of you. Then you feel again, feel the chilled metal all over your skin as he wraps his arms around you. You smell him, his faded soap from whenever he bathed last, his sweat and the smell of the Nevarro dust. You can taste your salty tears. The last sense to come back puts you most at ease: his voice. “Talk to me, please,” Din asks of you.

You nod and try to speak, but you’re still gasping for air, your lungs unable to fill. When you slow down and make yourself breathe, you’re finally able to manage words. “Thought you were gone forever. Thought you left because of me.”

The beskar helmet tilts to the side, taking you in. You’re sure you’re a mess; eyes bloodshot, face tearstained, snot probably all over you as well. Din’s quiet for a moment. “Why would you think that?”

“You said four days. You always come back early, but you were gone for eight days.”

His chest rises and falls slowly beneath the beskar plate. “I know. I’m sorry. But why would you think I’d leave you?”

The tears return. “I don’t know, Din, I-”

“No, shh,” Din murmurs and wipes your face. “No more tears. I’m here.”

Din stands and takes you with him, his arms wrapped tight around your body to bring you to your feet. He walks you to the edge of the bunk and hands you a canteen of water to drink. You look at him and he looks back. There’s a silence and an unspoken battle between the two of you over who will break it.

Din breaks first. “I got the bounty easily. I was late because of… something else.”

Your face falls into a frown. “You took double the amount of time and didn’t tell me? Whatever this ‘something else’ is, it better be worth it.”

Din breathes in and out deeply before producing a soft fabric bag. “I didn’t leave you. I’m back. And… I got you something to show that I’ll never leave you.”

From the bag, his leather-covered hand produces something silver. Your eyes, blurry with tears, take a moment to perceive it: an armband of some silver material- oh, it’s beskar. It’s cold to the touch but you take it from him to admire it and find it is emblazoned with an insignia: a mudhorn. “The symbol of Clan Djarin,” he says gently, though he’s sure you know. It’s on his pauldron. It’s on the baby’s necklace. “We… are a family, aren’t we?”

You don’t respond; rather, you throw your arms around his neck and the tears return, but happily. “We are,” you whimper, your throat constricted by a sob. You cry into his neck, staining the fabric of his cowl and cape with your tears.

He understands they’re good tears, and so he lets them flow. His arms wrap around you and rest on your back, gently rubbing it as you cry into him. As the sobs calm, the tears end, you remain in his arms. Din holds you tight against his chest. “I’ve never made a better decision than hiring you. It was supposed to just be a babysitting job, but… I fell in love.”

Your heart stops and you pull back. “You’re in love? With me?”

Din nods. “I… yes. I am.”

A smile crosses your face, the joy emphasized by how wide your smile is in the presence of your tears. “I love you too,” you manage before your throat squeezes off your words, making you cry happily and hug him yet again.

With your face buried in his neck, you nuzzle your face in and are rewarded with a soft patch of stubbled skin beneath the tip of your nose. You can feel his throat vibrate when he speaks again. “We are a clan of three now. I promise you, I will never leave you. Don’t even entertain the thought again. Understand?”

You nod, not wanting to move your face and lose contact with this intimate spot of him, the first humanness you’ve been able to get beneath the beskar. You kiss the skin there softly. Din knows it’s your answer: understood. I love you.

-

taglist:

@remmysbounty @mishasminion360 @blo0dangel @binarydanvvers  @sleep-tight1 @apascalrascal @randomness501 @spideysimpossiblegirl @notabotiswear @pedro-pastel @sanchosammy @lv7867 @greeneyedblondie44 @hunnambabe @astoryisaloveaffair @emesispo @pedritobalmando @magikfanatic @a-court-of-feysand-and-elorcan @princess76179 @starless-eyes-remain @tacticalsparkles

[robininthelabyrinth]

🍊🍋Wen Chao and/or wen xu is a good guy and actually wants to end wen ruo jan's reign of terror (cloud recesses, lotus pier, xuanwu cave or all are elaborate ruses)

ao3

Untamed

“A-Chao,” Wen Xu said. “I think our father is insane.”

Wen Chao’s eye twitched visibly, his shoulders rising up to his ears. “You can’t say that! That’s treason!”

“I’ve already made sure there’s no one anywhere around us right now, not even people I trust.”

Down went the shoulders.

“Of course he’s insane,” Wen Chao said. “Some of his orders recently…”

He shook his head.

“Not much of an empire to rule if they’re all ghost puppets, is there?” he concluded. “I think the Yin Metal is poisoning his brain.”

“I agree,” Wen Xu said. “Now what do we do about it? He’s just ordered me to raze the Cloud Recesses.”

“…when you say raze –”

“To the ground.”

“What happened to just dominating the rest of the cultivation world?” Wen Chao complained. “I liked that plan. I was going to have a really great life. A palace. Servants. Good food. Even better wine. Enough clothing to keep Jiaojiao from complaining.”

“I…don’t know if that’s possible,” Wen Xu said. “Haven’t you given her three closets’ worth already?”

“I have no idea, and I’m too attached to my balls to ask.”

“Anyway,” Wen Xu said. “What do we do about it?”

“You’re asking me?” Wen Chao said.

“Well I’m certainly not going up against him by myself! He’ll kill me!”

“You think he would hesitate to kill both of us?”

“Ugh. Is there anyone we can ask for help? Anyone we haven’t pissed off?”

They both paused, thinking.

“…no,” Wen Chao said. “But in our defense, we never thought we’d need any of them, did we?”

“I don’t think anyone is going to buy that as an excuse,” Wen Xu said, scowling. “Fuck. Isn’t there anyone?”

“Well,” Wen Chao said. He did not continue.

“No,” Wen Xu said. “No. He literally wants to cut off our heads.”

“So does everyone else in the cultivation world,” Wen Chao said. “At least we know Sect Leader Nie hates Dad more than he hates us, which isn’t something that can be said about the rest of them.”

“Fuck,” Wen Xu said. “What’s our alternative plan?”

“…become ghost puppets?”

“Fuck.”

-

“You do remember that I want to kill you both?” Nie Mingjue said, scowling at them.

“We were betting on you wanting to kill our father more,” Wen Chao said.

“I’m not sure,” Nie Mingjue said. “You’re very obnoxious.”

Wen Chao scowled.

“He has a point, A-Chao,” Wen Xu said.

“Shut up.”

“Respect your elders!”

“If you two are going to start fighting, I’m leaving,” Nie Mingjue said.

They both squinted at him. “Does that mean you might not leave if we stop?” Wen Xu asked.

Nie Mingjue’s scowl got even worse, but eventually he begrudgingly said “…well, I really hate your father.”

They both exhaled in relief.

“What’s your plan?” Nie Mingjue asked.

“This was about as far as it went,” Wen Xu admitted, and Nie Mingjue gaped at him. “What? If we had planning skills, we’d be ruling the world.”

“Jiaojiao wants jewelry now,” Wen Chao agreed. “Lots of it. Keeping a mistress is expensive.”

“I’ll…take your word for that,” Nie Mingjue said, looking mildly uncomfortable.

“You’re always plotting against our father, right?” Wen Xu asked.

“No,” Nie Mingjue said. “If I could plot, your father would already be dead.”

“Good point,” Wen Chao said, but he wasn’t the sort of person to let little details like that discourage him. “But surely you know someone who can?”

“Just keep in mind that I’m on a deadline here,” Wen Xu said. “I have to leave to go raze the Cloud Recesses by the end of the week.”

“You want me to come up with a plan to defeat your father before the end of the week?!”

“Uh, yeah,” Wen Xu said. “That’s what I said, wasn’t it?”

“It was,” Wen Chao agreed.

“I’m going to go get Meng Yao,” Nie Mingjue decided. “And Huaisang, too, why not, somehow he always gets his way no matter what I do. Maybe he can come up with something for this.”

-

“I think we’re going to need expert assistance,” Nie Huaisang declared. “I’m thinking this is Wei Wuxian levels of plotting.”

“He can plot?” Wen Chao said dubiously. “Are you sure? He took nearly a week to fight a mildly ominous bird.”

“…is that so?” Nie Huaisang said, and sighed. “Okay, fine. Meng Yao, guess it’s up to you and me.”

Meng Yao was blinking his eyes very rapidly.

“What?” Wen Chao said. “You have an awful father too, don’t look so shocked about us wanting to get rid of ours.”

“That’s just how his brain works when he’s thinking,” Nie Huaisang assured him. “He’s kicking it like it’s a sleeping donkey that doesn’t want to get to work; give him a minute and he’ll be coming up with all sorts of ideas.”

“Good ideas?”

“All sorts of ideas.”

“…any good ideas? Mediocre ideas, even?”

“Listen, we have until the end of the week,” Nie Mingjue said irritably. “You’ll take whatever ideas we give you and you’ll like it, you hear me?”

“Is it too late to get Wen Zhuliu in on this?” Wen Xu asked Wen Chao.

“He has that weird thing for Dad,” Wen Chao reminded him.

“Fuck,” Wen Xu said. “I’d wiped that from my memory through the application of a great deal of alcohol, but yes, you’re right. Okay. Hit me with your worst plan.”

-

“That’s worse than I thought it was going to be.”

“Shut up and just do it.”

-

“I will now, in the name of the Wen sect, attack –” Wen Xu grimaced. “– this cave.”

“It’s a very important cave, actually,” one of the Lan disciples muttered.

“Be quiet,” Lan Wangji said.

They were all pretending not to notice the main force of Lan sect disciples, led by Lan Xichen, carting their precious books and treasures out of the Cloud Recesses right behind him.  

“I am attacking this very important cave,” Wen Xu clarified. “Of extreme importance to the Lan sect. So important, in fact, that it is clearly the correct target for an invasion.”

They stood around a while longer.

Someone cleared their throat. “Should we fight?”

“I can have my men beat you up if you really want,” Wen Xu said.

“…no thanks.”

“Then be quiet.”

There was a bit more standing around. Eventually Lan Qiren coughed.

“Would you like a chair or something?” Wen Xu asked, then frowned. “Never mind, I probably can’t justify that.”

“Probably not,” Lan Qiren agreed. He looked pained. Probably by the whole situation, but who knew, maybe he just had a bad back and the standing around was getting to him. “You will be taking Wangji hostage after this?”

“Along with most of the heirs of the Great Sects,” Wen Xu said. “As agreed, we’ll keep them out of the way.”

“Sometimes the most dangerous place is the safest place.”

“…yeah, that. Either way, they’ll be kept out of trouble.”

-

“This is not out of trouble!” Wei Wuxian shouted as they ran away from the Xuanwu.

“This stretch of river has never caused anyone any problems!” Wen Chao shouted back. “Ever! You’re the one who found the fucking cave!”

“Shut up and keep running!” Jiang Cheng howled.

-

“I really like your hair,” Wang Lingjiao told Madame Yu. “Also, that dress.”

Wen Chao sighed.

“Expensive tastes?” Wei Wuxian asked, pouring him some wine.

“You have no idea,” Wen Chao said glumly. “My allowance can’t cover it, so I ended up putting her as a line item in the military budget.”

“You did?” Jiang Cheng said. “Did your father, uh, object?”

“He’d have to notice.”

“I wonder how many other things he wouldn’t notice,” Wei Wuxian muttered to himself.

“You’re a young master of Yunmeng Jiang,” Jiang Cheng said, rolling his eyes. “What could you possibly want to fund that we won’t pay for?”

“I don’t know,” Wei Wuxian said. “Mad science experiments?”

-

“Can you pay him to stop?” Wen Xu asked. “I don’t even like flute music.”

“Shut up,” Wen Chao said. “You’ve been decapitated, remember?”

“Oh yeah, ‘decapitated’. And now I’m being force-fed lots of Qinghe barbeque,” Wen Xu said. “My life is really hard.”

“Why you…!”

Wen Xu sniggered. “How’s it going with Wen Zhuliu?”

“Fine, I think?” Wen Chao said. “He hasn’t actually noticed that the ‘demons’ we’re being hunted by aren’t really demons, but that’s because he’s been mostly drinking away his weird crush on our dad. I think Wen Ning is spiking his drink with something.”

They both turned to look at Wen Ning, who shrugged.

“Couldn’t have happened to a nicer person,” Wen Xu decided. “Are they attacking the Nightless City soon?”

“I think so.”

“What happens then?”

“Dunno.”

“Going to be kind of awkward when we ‘come back from the dead’ to take over.”

“I’m going to blame it on Wei Wuxian and his new weirdo cultivation,” Wen Chao decided. “We’re all sentient corpses he’s resurrected and using to puppet the Wen sect. Wen Ning, you in on this?”

“…sure,” Wen Ning said. “But only if I get first rights on ‘Ghost General’ as a nickname.”

“Oh, that’s a good one.”

-

“Thanks for the patricide,” Wen Xu said.

“Think nothing of it,” Nie Mingjue said. “Also, say nothing of it. Ever. In fact, let’s never talk again.”

“Can’t do that,” Wen Chao said. “Madame Yu told Jiaojiao that she got that fancy headpiece from Qinghe, so she wants to go there on a shopping trip.”

“Our economy could use the boost, da-ge,” Nie Huaisang said, and Nie Mingjue sighed. “It’s going to be a really big boost. Especially if she convinces Madame Jin from Lanling to come with her.”

“I still can’t believe they made friends,” Wei Wuxian marveled. “It must come from having more money than brains.”

“Brains aren’t exactly what I look for in a partner,” Wen Chao said. “Luckily for you, neither does your boyfriend.”

“Hey, I have brains!”

“You’re certainly intelligent,” Meng Yao – now named Jin Guangyao – told him.

“See?”

“That was an insult,” Nie Mingjue said.

“…hey!”

“When are you coming back to Qinghe?” Nie Huaisang asked Jin Guangyao, who blinked. “I mean, unless you want to spend all your time slaving away for a guy who thought Wen Ruohan was neat.”

“He’s right,” Wen Xu said. “Father or not, don’t do it. It’s not worth it. You’ll end up having to rebel and ask your worst enemies for help and it’s awkward.”

“I appreciate the offer,” Jin Guangyao said. “But I really can’t accept.”

“Why not?” Nie Huaisang asked.

Wen Chao pointed at him. “Seconded.”

Jin Guangyao grimaced at them both. Possibly it was meant to be a smile.

“You don’t have to go to the Unclean Realm, A-Yao,” Lan Xichen said.

“Thank you, er-ge.”

“You can come to the Cloud Recesses instead.”

“Er-ge…”

“Did anyone ever tell the Jin sect that we were working with the Wen heirs?” Nie Mingjue wondered out loud, and everyone frowned. “Because if they don’t know, and Jin Guangshan thinks he’s being subtle with the whole trying to hire Xue Yang thing, things are going to get really awkward.”

“…well, shit,” Jiang Cheng said. “I call not being the one to tell him.”

“Seconded!”

“Cloud Recesses, you said?” Jin Guangyao asked Lan Xichen, who looked pleased.

“I’m leaving,” Wen Xu decided. “I want nothing to do with this disaster. You all have fun now, I’m fucking off back to the Nightless City to live the rest of my life as a very rich man with no life goals.”

“I want to do that,” Nie Huaisang said.

“No,” Nie Mingjue said.

“But –”

“No.”

“Hey,” Wei Wuxian said. “Unrelatedly, anyone have any ideas on what should I do with the whole resentful energy seal thing now?”

“I don’t know,” Wen Chao said. “Play a giant game of keep away with it and then fake your own death?”

[mostly-mundane-atla]

Hi, I’m writing a fanfiction and from your posts on marriage it’s clear that Yue might actually have a lot of choices and agency for marriage specifically but I was wondering how much power does a wife have? I mean this in two ways, how much power does she have in the family and how much would a leader’s wife have in a community? Like, as wife of the chief (or daughter of the chief) would she ever make decisions for the community/lead or is it more an advisor thing or none of the above?

This is exactly my shit omg

So, a lot of people will say that among the Inuit, men dominate. This is not exactly true, and for the Inupiat specifically, it's been said that these preconceptions of men dominating or being seen as inherently superior or more valued are unfounded and based in misunderstandings and stereotypes. Men go out and bring food home to share with the village, but they understood that they would be foolish to think their wives had nothing to do with their success. Who was making their clothes and keeping them warm with mending so they could go out and bring home food? Who gave them a warm meal before? Whose forethought gave them peace of mind enough to sleep? Husbands and wives were interdependent and respected that. It's not a case of "yeah men are more valued, but women do the important work" but rather men and women both acknowledged that they each contributed things of equal importance. A wife wasn't obedient, she served her husband as her husband served her. The dynamic was built on trust and reciprocity.

There's also some stuff to be said about sexuality, because that's a big part in the perception of marriage and gender roles. The long periods of breastfeeding required to nourish children under the age of six years in such a harsh environment acted as a natural contraceptive. This gave women (and especially wives) a bit more wiggle room than there was to be found in cultures where contraceptives were tabooed. Sex wasn't something that had to be kept in a marriage. It wasn't something you were supposed to prioritize, but it wasn't something you had to save either. It was understood that most liked it because it felt good. There was no virginity requirement for marrying, and simply wanting or being curious about it was not considered morally wrong. Extramarital affairs were only looked down upon if there was dishonesty involved. Therefore, the whole concept of a husband's right to his wife? Not a thing among us. If any man wanted to sleep with any woman, she said yes or she said no and not always with words. (A lot of our communication is nonverbal, due to what could be described as a shy demeanor.) If she said no, maybe she'll change her mind, but a no for now is still a no, and the man in question was expected to respect that, and vice versa.

Men were often away tracking, hunting, whaling, doing what it took to bring the food in while women typically kept up the other duties. These were often outside the home in the warmer months, things like food prep and clothing and childcare, in social settings. The husband and father was given special consideration, as his work was more physically demanding, and the wife and mother would keep a store of food specifically for him that neither she nor the children they had would take from. In fact, the planning of food being stored, prepared, and distributed within the household was the wife/mother's responsibility. Such women, even those with arrogant or unthoughtful husbands, being smart with food can save entire villages from starvation. One story where this happens has the woman's husband fall to his knees and kiss her hands, full of both gratitude that she was among them and pride that someone like her chose to marry him.

This sort of power the women had over food manifested even in a young man's rite of passage. The first animal a boy ever successfully hunted was to be gifted to his mother or aunt. This first catch was typically something small like a bird or rabbit that the matriarch in question would make into a soup that could feed the whole family. And though it's true that men brought in the big game, women also provided through trapping, fishing, and bird hunting.

Due to men specializing in work that required long hours of attentive silence away from home, the more social aspects were handled by women. If you were arranged to be married to someone, it was more likely a discussion between your and your betrothed's mothers rather than fathers. This may have been why a young man who had never been married before needed to be deemed ready by his mother or other family member, while a young woman who had never been married before was trusted to know for herself.

So for the record: wives in general

-could have relationships with men who weren't their husbands

-didn't owe their husbands sex just because they were married

-had complete control over food distribution within the household, regardless of who brought it home

-were more involved with social things, like rites of passage and marriage arrangements.

Now when it comes to the Umialik, his wife (or "main wife" as it must be remembered: we were not a strictly monogamous people before the Christians showed up and decided they knew better than us) could lead in his name, but there's something that should be cleared up. The writers decided that it best suited the universe they created and the story they wanted to tell to treat the chief of the Northern Water Tribe as a monarch. This is not reflective of the way an Inupiaq Umialik was treated. While the image one might have based on Chief Arnook is one of higher quality clothes and a big beautiful house and delegating the grunt work to his subordinates, among the Inupiaq, leading the people meant putting more work into it. It was less about power and more about responsibility, and this responsibility was shared with his wife.

Among the Umialik's wife's responsibilities were sewing warm clothes for the whalers (she could recruit women of the village to help her), distributing food at a potlatch, and some important ceremonial roles to do with the whaling season. Like her husband, she was expected to remain chaste just before and during the whaling season. She was also expected to remain in the home while the whalers were away (a sort of pact with the whale, if that makes any sense), and when the whale was brought home, as with any other marine mammal catch, she was the one to pour water down its throat so it wouldn't die thirsty.

An Umialik likely did seek his wife's councel, but that would be true of any husband. Only an idiot would treat his wife like she has nothing of value to offer and a man ought to be humble enough to listen if he wants to marry. The Umialik was the man with the biggest family, likely because they would support his claim and it was hard to defy someone so connected to the village, but another reason could be that, with the largest family, he'd likely be exposed to the most states a person can find themself in, granting him more experience. As mentioned before, women were more in-tune with the social aspects than men usually were, so any wife but especially that of the Umialik would have an important perspective that her husband might not.

As for the Umialik's children in general, primogeniture was not the hard and fast rule among Inupiat as it wass with many cultures we're used to. An Umialik's daughter had no more rights than the average woman and his son had no more rights than the average man. They might find themselves on the receiving end of exceptional kindness to win their father's favor, but there was no guarantee either would inherit

[poohkeepsee]

I was going through my AO3 bookmarks, and I wanted to organize them a little bit. These are my Dean/Cas canon-ish fic recs.

season 5

canticles  by  2street2car Words: 10,311     Chapters: 1

“But you know something? If I couldn’t get you laid, at least I gave you a good first date.”feat: footsies at a Ruby Tuesday, stargazing, the recreation of an iconic "Dirty Dancing" scene (no, not that one—the other one), and practicing for When You're With A Girl.

FTBYAM MY BELOVED

post season 6

Someone Who's Feeling For Me  by  ellispark  Words: 45,876     Chapters: 1

Dean sees her for the first time in nearly six years in some no-name town in Idaho, and it's panic at first sight.

Lisa Braeden, the one woman Dean ever actually had a shot at a real life with, back from where he buried her in his mind. And her hand is on Cas's arm like it's no big deal, like it belongs there. Cas, Dean's dorky, sweet, badass, angelic best friend, and he's just standing there next to Lisa and not moving her hand away.

Dean feels the jealousy rising, and it's not directed where he expected it to be. Because it takes this exact moment for Dean to realize he's in love with his best friend. He's in love with his best friend, and Lisa is looking at Cas like he's the best thing since automatic rifles, and Dean is utterly fucked.

post bunker

Sun Can't Set Until Nine  by  LeverDrift Words: 67,939     Chapters: 16

Cas moves into the bunker as his powers start to fail. Dean doesn’t know if the arrangement is as permanent as he wants it to be. He's also not sure why he keeps dreaming about his friend. All he knows is that he wants Cas to stay. Overall warnings: canon-typical miscommunication & Dean having self-hatred issues.

Life Skills  by  ilovehowyouletmefall           Words: 26,052     Chapters: 3

After Metatron steals Castiel's grace, and Cas comes to live in the bunker, Dean spends a lot of time with him, sharing all of his favourite things. Dean can't help it if sharing things with Cas just makes everything better. Besides, it's Dean's job as Cas' friend to introduce him to the joys of human life. To teach him how to be human.  And if one of the experiences they end up sharing is sex with women, well... that's just part of Dean's job as Cas' friend too, right? The desire is triangulated, the rituals are intricate.

Sam Stole My Boyfriend  by  sobsicles    Words: 8,445     Chapters: 1

“Dude, you’ve been staring at me a lot lately, like even enough that Sam noticed. More than usual. So, like, what’s up?” Dean pauses, purses his lips and reconsiders. “What did I do?”

Cas knows that would be a perfect time to confess to Dean what exactly happened and what he was thinking. Maybe, Dean had some insight into the situation or even some kind of comfort to offer. But, the longer that he sat there, he realized that he could not tell Dean absolutely anything. So instead, for the first time, Cas fumbled.

“Um,” Cas mutters and abruptly stands. “Freckles?”

Dean blinked up at him as Cas pivoted and left the room. There was only one remaining option he had and unfortunately, it involved Sam.

Aching in the Absence of You  by  sobsicles Words: 95,090     Chapters: 10

Brittle and battle-worn, Cas looks at him over coffee one morning and says, "I need to go," and Dean instantly knows that he's not coming back.

He's not really sure how he knows it, but he does. It settles into the pit of his stomach, curling hot and tight like something he instinctively wants to tear out with his bare hands. He takes a breath, and it gets stuck in his throat, hitching there. It hurts, hurts, hurts when he finally exhales.

"Yeah," Dean says, "of course you do," and he nods jerkily as he looks down at his phone. He doesn't say goodbye. He doesn't look up from the screen when Cas gets up and leaves the room. He doesn't finish his coffee, or move for a long time.

By nightfall, Cas is gone.

'Communication'  by  JustAnotherSamlicker Words: 11,656

The same story told from two perspectives.

Dean bought a house and he and Cas fix it up.

Is Dean moving out? Is Cas moving in?

Should they just talk to each other already? (Yes they should)

Build a Home  by  domesticadventures Words: 20,102

After they save the world, Dean expects Cas to come back to the bunker with them.

He doesn't

season 10

The Most Important Thing  by  NorthernSparrow Words: 94,462     Chapters: 14

Jimmy Novak remembers nothing of the last six years. Reunited with his troubled daughter Claire, he's struggling to raise her on his own. The most important thing is to make Claire happy. But why does he keep having these dreams of wings, and of two men in a black car? (Canon-divergent from S10E11, when we first met Claire again and Dean was still struggling with the Mark of Cain. Takes places several months later).

season 12

Heroes for Ghosts  by  pantheon_of_discord Words: 42,922     Chapters: 7

Canon-divergent from 12.08

After Sam and Dean are arrested, Castiel is left alone and scrambling to find them. He knows they’re locked away in a government facility, and he’s still able to hear their prayers, but no matter how he tries Castiel can’t seem to track them. He chases leads and even attempts to hunt on his own, but Mary is AWOL, Crowley refuses to help, and Castiel’s options are running out.

Weeks pass, Castiel’s hope dwindles, and through it all Dean prays, keeping them connected. His voice is comforting, frustrating, and occasionally annoying, but in his solitude Castiel comes to cherish it. But then one day, without warning, Dean stops praying, and Castiel is forced to confront some uncomfortable truths about his feelings.

season 13

i want to do with you (what spring does with cherry trees)  by  sobsicles   Words: 74,173     Chapters: 8

Dean keeps going back.

When he arrives, it's always to blooming flowers and a windmill in the background, not too far from a brook, the sun painting the plains.

He likes it there. He likes to stand in front of the makeshift urn and check that it's still where he put it, switching out the flowers when they wilt. He likes to listen to the sound of birds chirping, insects singing, the faint sound of water trickling in the distance. He likes to turn his face up and feel the sun on his skin, wondering if Cas would do the same if he were here, somehow knowing that he would.

He likes to talk.

There's never a response, but Dean feels the breeze rustle through his hair and watches the flowers bob when bees come to them and stares as the windmill keeps turning, turning, turning. And he imagines that Cas is replying—the windmill is the tilted head, the bobbing flowers are a gentle smile, the breeze is whatever words Dean wants to hear at the time.

Sometimes, it's almost like he's there.

Trial and Tribulations of Raising a Nephilim  by  Sickandtiredofyou Words: 14,910   Chapters: 6

Dean has far too much on his plate, losing his mom, his best friend and now being a single parent to a newborn nephilim.

In which Jack is an actual newborn instead of a teenager.

post season 13

dumbassery, denial, doing (the three d's to the destination)  by  sobsicles           Words:     108,427     Chapters:     4

Freedom is just one adjustment after the next.

Cas hums again. "I think you already have. It's been months since everything settled. All that's left to do is...get used to it, and perhaps—" His voice stalls out, uncharacteristically, and his gaze roams Dean's face with intensity. When he speaks next, his tone is a little raw. "Perhaps what one does with peace is...whatever they want."

"What if I don't even know what that is?" Dean grumbles, arching an eyebrow in challenge. "'Cause I know damn well you don't just mean good food and a good bed and time in Baby, not simple wants like that. You mean—ya know, the big things, the wants we didn't get to have before."

"Yes," Cas agrees. "If you're not sure, figure it out."

"Easier said than done."

Reasons to read this:

Dean reads a story that ends like despair and his reaction is FUCK THAT

Cas wears Dean's hoodie

Jack is a toddler

The Jack and Claire sibling energy we deserve

Eileen being awesome and pulling pranks with Dean while Sam thinks she's an angel

Sam knows

YOUR HONOR THEY'RE IN LOVE

First Date  by  aeli_kindara Words: 8,968    Chapters: 1

“We should go on a date. You and me.”

Castiel wishes he could see Dean’s face. He wishes he had any idea what to say.

“I’m asking you out, Cas.”

Also known as the Dean Winchester makes the first move fic.

season 14

Broken Road  by  thegeminisage Words:     109,629     Chapters:     7

A 14.13 Lebanon rewrite. When Dean uses a wish-granting pearl to try and kill the archangel Michael before he can escape the cage in Dean's head, they instead wind up with a newly-resurrected John Winchester.

It's been more than a decade since John died, and a lot has changed: Mary is alive, Sam and Dean have what passes for a proper home in the Men of Letters Bunker, and they're living with angels. John doesn't know angels are real, he doesn't know about the fragile new relationship between Dean and Castiel, and most of all, he doesn't know that Dean said yes to Michael, or that Dean's plan to defeat Michael would send him to a fate worse than death.

Now Dean must contend with both his father asking questions he can't answer, and his loved ones learning about the darker truths of his childhood, all while constantly battling the archangel trapped inside him. But Dean coming to terms with his history may be the difference between this being the beginning of a journey—or the end.

post season 15

fools and pilgrims  by  lagaudiere Words: 31,904     Chapters: 2

Claire shows up at the bunker a day before Dean was planning to leave, with her hair cut short and a fresh tattoo on her left arm under a bandage. Chuck is dead, Jack has given up his godlike powers, and Cas is back from the Empty, which doesn't make it any easier for Dean to talk to him. Suddenly finding himself in a world without monsters, supernatural forces, or any need for hunters, Dean's solution is to go on a road trip. Claire tags along.

Dean-Claire mirror fic post Despair

what's missing is found (our souls can exhale now)  by  sobsicles Words: 27,403

It's not the first time Claire has ever gone missing. It is, however, the first time Kaia panics about it. Dean's dragged into the mess, but he soon finds that it's the best thing that could have happened to him.

canon(?) au  (Hunters and Men of Letters)

Dean Winchester's Secret (Angel) Boyfriend  by  reluctantabandon, Winter_of_our_Discontent Words: 11,191     Chapters: 1

Dean Winchester isn't exactly a team player. So when he starts mentioning a new Hunting partner, Ellen and Jo Harvelle aren't sure whether they should be worried or relieved.

But they're starting to get the feeling there's something important Dean's not telling them about Cas...

Shot Through The Heart  by  peanutbutterjelly-pie (Aleakim) Words: 11,191     Chapters: 1

Dean is a hunter.

Castiel is a Man of Letters.

And even though they have to work together on a regular basis, there is not much sympathy between them. Castiel thinks Dean too brash and reckless while Dean in return sees nothing more in the other man than a rude asshole with an obsessive love for books and a truly terrible fashion sense.

But fate clearly has a funny way of throwing those two together over and over again.

And somewhere along the way feelings change into something neither of them would have expected.

[abyssal-memories-and-dreams]

Hello darling💖 May I request hcs for Azul, Rook, Leona and Malleus where their female s/o proposes to them - romantic setting with a fancy ring and all? What would their reactions be?

Hi, Luv! Sorry about the wait, but I hope you enjoy these headcanons! Just to clarify, all these headcanons will take place after their time in NRC so that all the characters are of legal age.

~The Boys’ Fem!S/O Proposes to Them (ft. Azul, Rook, Leona, and Malleus)~

~Azul Ashengrotto!~

Azul may not say this out loud, but he is very much grateful to have you in his life. Ever since you two met at Night Raven College, his whole world has brightened. And given his past, you’re one of the only people he’s opened up to aside from Jade and Floyd.

After you both graduate, you open up your own restaurant alongside the coast. It wasn’t difficult considering the revenue Azul obtained at the Monstro Loung, and the two of you successfully run it together. The restaurant is Mediterranean-themed with a hint of Athenian architecture, and the large windows can perfectly capture the sun setting on the ocean’s blue waves when the time comes.

You two just so happen to be walking down the beach as the sun began to set, your feet crunching upon the pale sand as your fingers interlocked with his. The moon was rising out of the other side of the world as the skies turned a variety of pinks, oranges, and reds. Truly a wonderful way to spend the day after long hours of work...

You suddenly stop in your track, removing your hand from Azul’s. He looks back, wondering why you stopped. With your hands behind your back and your eyes averting his gaze, Azul grows increasingly worried by this situation. Why were you not talking to him? Did he do anything wrong?

It wasn’t until you got down on one knee and pulled out a small, black, velvet box that you finally spoke to him, telling him how important he was to you, and how he’s made your life so much better. You reiterate your love to him, and with a simple question, you ask if he would like to spend the rest of his life with you.

With that question, you pulled the box open to reveal a ring lying in the cushions. The band is stainless silver with a sapphire gemstone in the center, surrounded by small, silver seashell engravings.

At first, Azul stood there, dead silent. It takes him a while before he responds to your answer, and even then he doesn’t utter a word until he already has his arms wrapped around you in a hug. He whispers in your ear how much he feels the same, and how he would love to be your husband till the end of your days as you slipped the ring onto his finger, ending the evening with a kiss as the moon rose above you to the night sky.

Were Floyd and Jade watching this entire scene unfold? Maybe. Don’t worry, though, Jade made sure Floyd didn’t ruin the moment for you two...

~Rook Hunt!~

Your relationship with Rook has been an interesting one, to say the least. Rook isn’t known to be quiet about his love for anything beautiful, and he is not afraid to openly express his love for you, even in the middle of the school hallway. Even if he gets a few weird stares from his actions, his words and actions of affection and love will always remain true for you.

When it’s time to actually propose to him, you’re actually not sure if you can pull it off as a surprise. As much as his antics may seem random, Rook is far from idiotic and is a very cunning man, so despite your attempts to be the proposer, just know there is a slight chance that he’ll do it first.

So let’s paint the setting for this proposal: It’s years after your time in Night Raven, and you and Rook have moved into a cottage within the Land of Pyroxene, right next to a small forest for him to hunt from time to time. One day, you ask him to close his eyes as he followed you into the woods. When you told him to reopen it, Rook is greeted with a small picnic setup, the checkered blanket illuminated by the bright sun.

As you two have your picnic, you get very wary of having Rook do anything during your lunch date. Specifically, you’d always get something from the picnic basket, and wouldn’t let him touch it for some reason. He’s curious about your behavior but doesn’t question it, even when you tell him to turn around to look at a nearby tree for another moment.

Before you ask him to turn back to face you, you mention how your love has never faltered for him years after you two started your relationship back in high school. You thank him for all the love he’s given you, and subtly mention how you don’t want your relationship to end.

As you grab Rook’s hand, you ask him to turn back to face you. When he does, he’s greeted by an immaculate ring that you brought in the picnic basket. The ring is a golden, nature-styled ring with vines and small diamonds cut into leaves. At the center of the ring lays a shining emerald.

Rook, filled to the brim with joy, does not hesitate to take you in his arms and brings his lips to yours in a passionate kiss, making you nearly lose the ring in the grass below. He’s in utter bliss with the thought that he can be your husband - and to have you be his love, his amour - as he picks up the ring and places it on his ring finger. As he finishes the kiss, he vows to be an amazing husband as you lay together on the blanket underneath the sun. As much as he wants to go to all his friends and spread the word, he’ll be glad to do that later just to savor this moment.

~Leona Kingscholar!~

Leona does have doubts regarding any marital aspect of your relationship. Due to his upbringing as the second child, he doesn’t see his marriage as valuable to his family. Specifically, he doesn’t think his family is gonna make a big deal out of it compared to when his brother got married and had Cheka. He’s not opposed to marriage overall, but he absolutely loathes the idea that he might get compared to his brother again.

However, you’re determined to break through that troublesome mindset and show how much your love for him means to you. So one day, you arrange a date outside his home in the Afterglow Savannah. You don’t tell him where, exactly, but assure him that he’d love it.

When you arrive at your destination, he’s the first to walk into the amazing scenery in front of him. In the time spent looking at vast grasslands of the Savannah, Leona’s jaw nearly drops at an oasis in front of him, watching as numerous birds fly across the body of water as it's surrounded by endless, vibrant greenery.

You lead him into an area along the waters filled to the brim with small fish that swam without a thought in the world, shaded underneath a large tree in which you rested upon. Seeing this setting kind of reminded you of the times he’d sneak off to sleep in Night Raven’s gardens during classtime all those years ago.

And now that you had this oasis to yourself, you plan to bring out the best of this situation. Your carefully bring in Leona closer to you, making him rest on the tree beside you. Your enclose you hands around his own, embracing the warmth of them before giving a small kiss on his cheek. You express how grateful you are to have him in his life, and how you haven’t stopped loving him since your high school years. Most of all, despite all his doubts and his self-loathing for not being the firstborn son, you’ll proudly call him your king if it means that you can stay by his side.

With that, you let go of his hands before pulling a luminous ring from your pocket and placing it on his finger. The ring looks simple enough, but upon closer inspection is textured with braid-like engravings of gold, silver, and bronze.

Leona sits there shocked as he gazes down at the ring, not sure what to say next. After a while though, you finally get an answer. He smirks down at you, joking about how this should’ve been the one time he shouldn’t have slacked off on his duties. Albeit, he is a bit begrudged by how you got to propose to him first, but doesn’t let it get to him as he pulls you in for a kiss. He intertwines his ringed hand with yours as he comes to accept that you will become his wife one day.

~Malleus Draconia!~

In comparison to the rest of the bachelors, Malleus is definitely the most complicated man to propose to. Not because he’s opposed to the idea of you two being together - far from it, seeing as though you were one of the only people to even so much as approach him without fear.

The problem stems from the roles you pose after you graduate from NRC. Being the next King of the Valley of Thorns, Malleus is swamped with responsibilities as soon as you both graduate. He brings you back to his homeland to live with him in his castle, but you tend to stick out like a sore thumb among the fae crowd.

So for this plan to work, you figured that the best option to propose to him would be at around nighttime. One day, you woke up extra early so Malleus wouldn’t come to fetch you to accompany him for his duties. When he enters your room, he reads a note you left behind on your bed explaining you went to the market and wouldn’t be back until night. You ask that he would make time to meet you on the castle’s rooftop by then, but don’t mention why. 

He’s confused on why you left so abruptly, but doesn’t really put that much concern over your well-being - he knows that he can easily find  and protect you if things go wrong. So the day passes by, and you’re nowhere to be found, leaving him to his lonesome. Finally nighttime arrives, and he makes way to the rooftop like you ask.

Malleus immediately notices you standing next to a gargoyle - a reminder of him and his adoration for the architecture - as you gazed at the rest of the kingdom. You turn around to face him, apologizing to him for such a lonesome day, and that you wanted to talk to him just by himself. You explain how you’ve been considering major changes in your life, and how you’ve been wanting to be by his side more and more, reminiscing on the time at NRC that you’d never forget.

As you say this, you pull out a ring for him. The band is dark, almost coal-colored, yet shines just as luminously as the amethyst and diamonds that decor the top like a flower with its petals scattered. You look at him with an anxious look on your face, asking him that important question - to let you be his wife, and for him to be your husband.

Malleus is confused by this sudden proposal, since this custom isn’t necessarily normal for fae. However, once again charmed by your actions, he sees no reason to say no. He walks over to you and leans down for a kiss, taking your ring and placing it on your own finger. When he finished the kiss, he holds your hand gently in his, affirming that you would make a great queen for his kingdom. Will this end up causing a ruckus from some of his subjects? Maybe. Does he care? Not in the slightest.

[rosyl-stuff]

Hunting the Beast

Paring: Ju Haknyeon (The Boyz) x reader

Genre: Beauty and Beast retelling/inspired; dark romance (does get a little suggestive at times), angsty end

Warnings: violence, old-fashioned thinking about mental health, as well as incorrect treatment of patients

Word Count: around 10k (I thought about splitting it into multiple parts but then I was like Nah; apparently it takes around 41 minutes to read this)

Synopsis: One fateful night you are not only attacked by a beast but also meet the mysterious Haknyeon. You are attracted to him, but his secret seems to stand in the way of your relationship. Will you two find your happily ever after?

A/N: I was inspired to write this, after reading Old as Time by Liz Braswell. It's a Beauty and Beast retelling. Not my favourite book, but still good. I bought this book because of the cover, lol. Would recommend it if you like fairytales. Another huge inspiration here was the game Cinderella Phenomenon (Dicesuki). I played the entire game with all the different story paths in one night, so be careful if you want to play it because it’s addicting.

It was the third day in a row that it was raining. Your father, however, did not seem to mind. He walked across the meadow near your cottage and piled up stones. You and your father lived near a village, which was far away from the rest of the world. Once upon a time you and your father were very close to the villagers but after that one particular night, you tried to avoid the village as much as possible.

You thought about how you would get your father inside. If he stays any longer outside, he would catch a cold. He was very fixated on his project. Unfortunately, his project didn’t seem to make any sense. He was just stacking stones and calls his invention that would save their lives one day.

“Papa!”, you yelled but he wasn’t even reacting to you.

Too much in his head for him to notice you. That did happen very often since that one night. You could still clearly remember it. It had been raining a lot just like now. Your father had gone to the next town to discuss some business and left you home alone. Clearly, you were old enough to stay home alone but you haven’t been prepared for what was to come that night when he came back.

Between the village and the next town was a dark forest. As a child, the elders would tell scary stories about this forest, how they were haunted and all kind of stories to keep the children from wandering away into the forest. Your father had travelled through these woods on regular basis, but on his way home that night something had gone terribly wrong.

What exactly had happened, you didn’t know and you weren’t even sure if your father knows it. The image of your father running out of the forest would haunt you forever. He was covered in blood and dirt and the fear was evident on his face. He collapsed right at your door. You pulled him inside and luckily, he only had some minor injuries.

But when he awoke the next morning, he didn’t remember anything. He didn’t even remember you at the beginning. It seemed like the horse wasn’t the only thing your father lost that night in the forest. Sometimes there are little silver linings, where his eyes begin to clear up but the only thing he then would say: "There is a beast, Y/N! In the forest. Promise me, my dear, never go into the forest.”

Overwhelmed by the situation you went to the village to consult the elders and the pastor, but this turned out to be a bad decision. Not a week later the pastor and mayor came by with a doctor who was a specialist for people with lost minds. But you couldn’t let your father go with him. You heard rumours about how badly they treated the patients there and that relatives were prohibited to visit. And after losing your mother at a very young age, you couldn’t lose your father too. So you assured the visitors that your father is no threat: You will take care of him and he will never bother any of the villagers.

But every time you wanted to go to the village and run errands your father would insist on accompanying you. The villagers didn't like that, they were afraid that his disease was contagious. Many vendors didn't let you buy their goods. You needed to find an alternative. You went hunting. In the forbidden woods, but your father didn’t need to know that. Every time your father was busy with stacking rocks, you sneaked in the forest to hunt something or collect berries, mushrooms or any herbs you needed. Before dawn and before your father got tired, you were back at the cottage. He never questioned where you got the dinner from. He just ate it while mumbling about his invention.

“Papa!”, you yelled again while stepping into the rain.

He only noticed you when you stood right next to him.

"Oh, dear! What is it?”

“Come inside, Papa. We don’t want you to get sick.”

“But my invention is not finished. We will need it very soon!”

“Tomorrow is another day. If you get sick, you will not be able to finish it on time as well.”

“Well, you’re right, my dear! Let’s go inside and have some tea!”

You sighed and the both of you, now fully drenched, went inside. After dinner, you spent your time reading a book while your father went to bed early. It was a romance novel and you wondered if your life would have been normal, would you have been married by now. The boys and men in the village didn't take a particular interest in you, and even though you knew that did not mean you were unattractive, you couldn't help but feel a little sad about it.

The next day the weather was significantly better, which was the perfect opportunity to go hunting. Unfortunately, your father got up very late which meant you had less time than usual for hunting. Nevertheless, you were confident that you could at least catch a hare, or maybe even a deer, for tonight's dinner. You snuck away and in the forest, you breathed deeply the humid forest air. Here, you could forget about your worries a little and have a little me time.

Unfortunately, the evening came sooner than you expected and it got dark in the forest. You still had nothing for dinner except for a few berries. That was not enough. You felt safe enough to walk to that one stream and then you would go back. You started to think of an excuse when your father asked where you have been. On the other hand, you doubted he would ask you that.

At the stream, you found many bushes with berries. You hurried to pick them up and made your way back to the cottage. It was getting darker and darker. Again and again, you tripped over branches or roots. The chirping of birds stopped and an eerie silence fell over the forest. Occasionally you heard the sound of branches cracking, and each time you had to convince yourself that it was just an animal in the undergrowth. It would be more afraid of you than you were of it.

Then you heard it: a howling. You never knew that wolves lived in the forest. You were not up to a confrontation with a pack of wolves, so you started to walk faster. But the howling got louder and louder. Not a minute later you saw blood-red eyes staring at you. The creature you faced was way too big for a wolf. It stood on his behind legs and breathed heavily. It had horrible claws and its teeth were bared. Escape or fight, you asked yourself as you reached for the knife you carried in your belt. Slowly, the smell of wet dog from the beast enveloped you.

Before you could react, the beast pounced on you. You couldn’t help the scream that erupted from you, as his canines sunk into your arm. You took your knife and ram into the direction of the beast. It let go and you got up as fast as you could and ran for your life. The beast was not distracted for too long and followed you. Not much later it had caught up with you and this time it bit you in the lower leg. Again, you screamed out as unbelievable pain flashed through you. You stabbed the beast with your knife but it seemed to be to no avail.

Then, you heard something thudding noises. The beast let go of you and ran away. For a few more seconds you lay there bleeding out on the forest floor. Father, you thought, he needs to eat something. The berries you had gathered were now squished. You didn't dare to move because the pain was too great and in your despair, you started to cry. You only noticed the footsteps when the boy was already bending over you and inspecting your wounds.

You looked at him in amazement. You had never seen him before. So he wasn't from the village and the town was too far away. You held your knife ready to stab him.

"Come on. You have to get up. Before it comes back.", he held out his hand to you.

You weighed your option. Unknown forest boy or beast? You decided to take the mysterious boy’s hand. He helped you to your feet and you both quickly realised that running was not an option for you.

"I'll carry you ok? I'll take you to a safe place," he asked.

Dazed by the pain of standing up, you nodded. He took your knife and before you could protest, he grabbed you and shouldered you. This triggered a new wave of pain and you remained silent. Instead, you concentrated on breathing the pain away.

He carried you effortlessly through the forest and you wondered if he could see anything at all. Unlike you, he moved much more elegantly and safely through the forest. After a while, he lowered you down. As you looked around, you found yourself in a ruin. He laid you down on a blanket and checked your wounds again.

After he had decided that you would not die any moment, he said: "I have to go now. Just stay here and try to sleep. I'll come back for you tomorrow!"

"Wait! Who are you anyway?"

"My name is Haknyeon!"

"And where are you going? You can't just leave me alone now!"

"Yes, I have to!"

"Are you going to get help?" you asked.

"Something like that!" he grumbled and disappeared into the darkness.

When he was gone, the panic set in. You were defenceless and injured in some ruin in the forest. You are going to die here. Your breath was going way too fast and only with difficulty did you manage to calm it down. Then exhaustion and tiredness came over you. You didn't really want to sleep. What if the beast returns? But sleep could no longer be stopped. You fervently hoped that your father would be all right.

You fell into a restless sleep. You dreamt of the beast and the red eyes and of the night your father came home covered in blood. Had he also been attacked by the beast? But he didn't have any bite marks. More like scratches and bruises.

Then you dreamt of Haknyeon, even though it was dark, you were sure he must have been a handsome young man. Or maybe it was the hopeless romantic in you because in the next moment he smiled at you and gave you a kiss on the cheek.

Only the background noises did not match the supposedly first beautiful dream of the night. You heard the howling and growling of animals. Was the beast nearby? But nothing could wake you from your beautiful dream when Haknyeon smiled at you like that and stroked your hair gently.

When you woke up a few hours later, the sun was up again. As long as you did not move, your pain was bearable. You looked around and tried to keep your body as still as possible. Haknyeon was nowhere to be seen. Just as you were about to try to get up and find your way home, you saw Haknyeon approaching you. He was all dirty and bloody. His clothes, however, were completely intact, unlike yours.

"Good morning!" he mumbled exhaustedly, grabbing a nearby bucket and turning to leave.

"Haknyeon!" you called, "what happened? Did you fight with the beast? Where are you going again?"

"I'm going to get water!" he said without turning around and then he was gone again.

This boy's got some nerve, you grumble to yourself, deciding he's not as great as in your dream. Nevertheless, you decided to wait a while longer to see if he comes back. After all, the chances of finding your way back with him were much better than alone. Last night you had completely lost your bearings. You could be anywhere.

In fact, Haknyeon came back a short time later with a full bucket of water. He seemed to have bathed himself because there was no trace of the dirt and blood. There was only a scratch on his forehead. He sat down next to you and gave you a drink.

"What is your name?" he asked.

"Y/N.", you answered.

"Do you live in the village?", he asked as he began to clean the wound on your arm. "

Yes, kind of. The cottage a bit further out."

He nodded as if he knew where you were talking about.

"And you? Where do you live? I've never seen you before!"

"Here!" he replied.

"Here?" you asked surprised.

He nodded and continued with your leg. The bite was much deeper than the one on your arm and also hurt a lot more when he cleaned it. You bit your lip and concentrated on not crying. After Haknyeon had finished cleaning your wounds, he tore some old sheets and wrapped them around both your injuries as bandages.

"Thank you!" you whispered.

He smiled at you and it was even more beautiful than in your dream.

"No problem," he replied and then gave you a handful of berries.

He had one himself and began to eat it contentedly. A little hesitantly you began to eat too.

"I have to go home again. My father must be worried already!”

He nodded: "Don't worry. I'll take you home in a minute!"

"How come you live here?" you asked again.

"It just happened that way. The people in the village are very averse to strangers or anything they don't know. That's why I decided to stay here. Free from responsibility and judgmental looks. I have everything I need here."

You look at him for a while and then ask further: "And the beast?"

"I've learned to deal with it," he answered quickly, "Let's go. Before we end up in the same situation as yesterday."

He helped you stand up and unfortunately walking was still not the best option. He picked you up and walked with you through the forest. Haknyeon smelled just like the forest, earthy and fresh and you quickly found that you liked the smell very much. On the way, you told him about your father and what happened to him. When you told him what the villagers wanted to do with him, he snorted contemptuously.

"It's so typical that they want to lock up a harmless old man right away."

Your arms tighten around him, as he wobbled down a hill.

“Don’t worry. I got you!”, he reassured you and held onto you a little tighter.

The forest slowly began to look familiar again and as soon as you emerged out of the forest, you could see the cottage. Your father was in the meadow, stacking his stones.

“Is that your father?”, asked Haknyeon.

“Yes…”, you answered.

Your father didn’t notice you coming, too focussed on his task.

“Should I take you inside or to your father?”, Haknyeon asked.

“To my father, please!”

He hesitated for a short second, but then he walked towards your father.

“Papa!”, you yelled and surprisingly he reacted.

He looked up to you and for a short moment, he had his clear eyes back.

“Y-you?”, he stammered.

“Papa! It’s me, Y/N!”

Haknyeon let you down into the soft grass of the meadow.

“I know, my dear. I remember!”

He looked at Haknyeon and studied him. He looked back at you.

“The Beast, my dear. Don’t go into the forest.”

“I know, Papa. I’m sorry. But Haknyeon saved me from the Beast!”

He looked confused at Haknyeon: “No, but-“

“I’m Haknyeon, Monsieur.”, Haknyeon interrupted him and hold out his hand for him.

Your father eyes clouded over again and he took Haknyeon’s hand and shook it.

"Are you interested in investing in my latest invention? Come on, young boy, I show you what it can do!” your father said and dragged him to the pile of stones.

You observed how your father talked, probably nonsense you guessed. Haknyeon patiently listened to him. You lay in the high grass of the meadow, unable to probably move due to your injuries and enjoyed the sun. Something was comforting about it after the many days of rain and the last night of terror. You fell into a dreamless sleep and when you woke up, you laid in your bed.

When you turned around, you could see how Haknyeon served your father a soup while he still listened to his ramble about his inventions. As he saw you were awake, he gave you smile and served your bowl of soup as well and came to your bed.

“Slept well? Here!”

“Yes, thank you!” you mumbled as you sat up.

Haknyeon sat next to you and was ready to feed you.

“I can feed myself!”, you grumbled and took the bowl and spoon away from him.

You instantly regretted it, as pain shot through your arm. You ignored the pain and began to eat. To your surprise, the soup tasted heavenly. Haknyeon observed you with mischievous eyes.

“It’s good, isn’t it?”, he said confidently.

You nodded and he grinned.

“Perfect. I will head home now. I will check by soon again and bring new food.”

“You can stay here. I’m sure my father wouldn’t mind.”

He shook his head and gave your sad smile:

“I appreciate the offer, but I can’t. I’ll see you soon. Get well soon!”

With that, he stood up and left without another word.

“What a strange guy!” you said to your father who hummed and you took it as he agreed to you.

That night you stayed awake because you couldn’t stop thinking about the moment when you laid there helpless on the ground of the forest. You read a lot about the damsel in distress and you absolutely hated that trope. Now you are one yourself, you scoffed and turned around in your bed. You tried to minimize the pain, but that turned out to be rather difficult. You will never let this happen to you again, you decided. Next time you will see the beast, the roles will be reversed. You will be the one attacking and the beast cowering in fear. With this thought, you fell asleep.

The next morning, your father attempted to make breakfast, it didn’t go that well so you two ate the left-over from Haknyeon’s soup. The pain was much more bearable today and your wounds seemed to start to heal. Short before dawn, Haknyeon came with some food and a balm for your wounds. He didn’t stay long and your father claimed most of his attention. Then he disappeared for three days.

When he came to visit again, you were able to move quite okay. You cooked something from the food he brought as a thank you and you never saw someone eat your food so enthusiastically. It made you smile like an idiot the whole dinner and you secretly hated yourself. Why are you so whipped for a strange boy who you know nothing about?

Soon after dark, Haknyeon wanted to go again and you accompanied him to the edge of the forest. When you arrived, you both stood there awkwardly.

“Why won’t you stay here? It is safer here!”

“For me, the forest is safe as well!” he countered.

You sighed. Why did you even try?

He chuckled: “You like me that much?”

You felt the heat creep up your neck and your cheeks and hoped he won’t notice it.

You scoffed: “No. I just don’t want the beast to kill you.”

“It won’t!” he said still grinning.

“Yes, maybe you right. Because before it can kill you, I will kill it!” you announced confidently.

For a moment you saw shock and surprise on his face, but then he laughed.

“Idiot!” you grumbled and turned around to go back to the cottage.

“Wait!” Haknyeon yelled and followed you.

Soon he reached you and grabbed your arm: "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh at you. It's just…"

“You think I can’t do it. I get it. Now go.”

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

“The beast is very strong. It will kill you before you can even attack it. I think no one can kill it.” he said.

"Well, we will see," you said still a little angry.

You had to admit, you didn’t come up with a good plan yet. But there is still time and you will prepare accordingly.

“Please, think about it again. I don’t think it is a good idea.”

“What if we do together?” you asked suddenly excited.

He seemed to know a lot about the beast and the forest. If you both trained a bit together, you would definitely stand a chance.

"I can't.", he said with a sad smile.

You scoffed: “Why not?”

“I can’t tell you.”

You stare at him perplexed. Why did he have to be so mysterious? What couldn’t he tell you?

“I’m starting to think you want to protect that beast.”

“No, that’s not it.”

"You know what? Forget about it. Go to your oh-so-comfy ruin and cuddle with your beast.” you said and ripped your arm out of his hold.

You had enough of his mysterious shit and turned around to go to the cottage. This time he didn’t follow you and you didn’t turn around to see if he was still standing there.

The next morning you were still filled with anger. After breakfast, you went to the village to visit Gaston. He was the best hunter you knew and an old childhood friend of yours. He became popular as you were teens so he stopped hanging out with you. You were now sitting in his kitchen while his mother served you tea.

“So? You want to learn how to hunt?”

“Yes!, you said.

He didn’t seem to be opposed to the idea.

“May I ask why?”

"It is kind of a long story. But in the forest, there is some animal I want to see dead!"

He raised an eyebrow: “Okay? You want to hunt a predator, I assume.”

You nodded again: “Yes, can you teach me?”

He seemed to think about it for a while: “Yeah, sure. Why not?”

“Really? Oh, thank you!” you said excitedly and hugged him.

He seemed surprised but he reciprocated the hug nevertheless.

“Okay. When do we start?”

“Tomorrow?”

“Sounds great! Where?”

“You have that large meadow near your cottage. That should be a good place to start. I will come by after breakfast.”

“Thank you so much!” you exclaimed.

On your way home, you couldn’t help but skip like a little school girl. You hoped to make fast progress. Maybe Haknyeon will change his mind when he sees how capable you are.

The next two days were the most exhausting you ever had. Gaston didn't go easy on you and taught you many different techniques with different weapons. You were surprised how good you and Gaston got along. It was just like back in the old days. In your breaks, you would lay in the meadow staring up the sky and watching the clouds.

On day three of your training, you saw Haknyeon. He stood at the edge of the forest and watched you two with a dark and unreadable expression on his face. You sent Gaston home and went to him.

“What are you doing here?” you confronted him.

“Just checking by. What are you up to with that hunter?”

“You know Gaston?”

“I’ve seen him hunting in the forest.”

That made sense, you thought.

“So? Is he your boyfriend?” Haknyeon asked.

You couldn’t help but smile. “That’s none of your business.”

Haknyeon scoffed: “Is he trying to teach you hunting?”

You nodded.

“You know he’s not that good!” Haknyeon said.

“Is that so? He is the best hunter, I know!" you countered.

“Well, I hate to break it to you, but I’m better”

You chuckled. He might be right, you thought, but he won’t teach you.

“It doesn’t really matter!” you said.

“Why? So he is your boyfriend?” Haknyeon asked again.

You sighed. Why was he so obsessed with Gaston being your boyfriend?

“No. But I need someone to teach me how to hunt!”

“I can do that!” Haknyeon exclaimed.

You raised an eyebrow. What made him change his mind?

You decided not to question it, so you said: “Okay. Then teach me!”

He grabbed your hand and pulled you into the forest.

“First of all, just because you can do it meadow doesn’t mean it will work in the forest as well.”

So your training with Haknyeon began. It was very different from Gaston's. Instead of theory and technique, Haknyeon concentrated on using the forest to your advantage. He showed you how you could outsmart the beast and its instinct. He knew a lot about the beast, just like you had guessed.

But Haknyeon only came by every third day, so you kept training with Gaston. One day Haknyeon came at a day, he usually didn't. He saw you and Gaston laying in the meadow and laughing. You only saw him as he disappeared into the forest again. You really hoped he wasn't hurt by you still training with Gaston. This night you could barely sleep.

But the next day, when Haknyeon came to visit you, he wasn’t mad at all. He even brought you a rose. It looked ethereal.

"I didn't know roses grow in the forest!”, you said as you put it in a vase.

Haknyeon laughed nervously: “Yes, I found this one rather by accident too. I hope you like it.”

“It's beautiful! Thank you.”

“It reminded me of you," he said and you couldn't help but blush.

You stared intently at the rose. Carefully, Haknyeon stroked your cheek.

"You are both so beautiful. I'm afraid you'll fall apart every time I touch you."

The blood rushed in your ears and when you looked at Haknyeon you thought you were sinking into his beautiful brown eyes. He took a step closer to you and you could smell his scent: earthy and fresh. His hands cupped your face as he looked at you intensely. As if he wanted to imprint the sight of you forever.

He pulled you even closer and your chest touched his. Your body tingled with excitement. Your gaze briefly wandered from his eyes to his lips. When you looked into his eyes again, he had come much closer to you. You felt his breath on your lips and you closed your eyes. But your lips never touched because Haknyeon suddenly pushed you away.

"Sorry!" he mumbled sheepishly.

You just nodded, unable to process this situation.

"We should start training!" he said and walked towards the forest.

However, you couldn't concentrate on the training at all. Every little touch from Haknyeon brought you right back to the situation before. You wondered all the time what it would have been like if he had actually kissed you. Haknyeon was not much different. He just stared at you and didn't complain when you did something obviously wrong. When you both took a break, you both fell silent. Just when you could no longer stand the silence, Haknyeon took your hands and pulled you towards him so that you were pressed against his chest.

"Tell me when to stop," he murmured as he placed one hand on the back of your neck and the other on your waist.

You looked at him wide-eyed. He smiled softly at you as he pulled you impossibly closer. You smiled back at him.

“Why are you so beautiful?” he whispered against your lips.

His nose gently touched yours and you closed your eyes again. You hoped he wouldn't push you away again. He didn't. Instead, you felt his lips on yours.

The kiss started out hesitantly and very soft. But once Haknyeon realised you wanted this as much as him, the kiss got more intense. His hand on your neck pulled your more into the kiss. You couldn't help the little whine that left your lips when Haknyeon lips pulled away from you. Your lips chased his and with a deep chuckle, he gave in and kissed you again.

He slowly moved you backwards while kissing you and then he pressed your back against a tree. You moaned into the kiss and Haknyeon tongue slipped into your mouth. Your body felt hot and tingly as Haknyeon pressed his hips into yours. You pulled away since you really needed to breathe. He on the other hand didn't want to stop so he kissed down your neck. At a very sensitive spot, he stayed a little longer and slightly bit your skin. You whined and your hand went into his hair. You pulled it, so his lips will connect again with yours. Haknyeon obeyed and kissed you again with a lot of passion. Your hand that wasn’t in his hair roamed his chest and abdomen, which made him release a moan into the kiss. His moan excited you more than you expected and you pulled his hips closer to yours as wrapped a leg around his hips. His hand immediately started caressing your thigh.

You were so into kissing him that you almost didn’t hear the howl. It was unusual. Normally the howling could only be heard at night. Haknyeon heard it too and immediately he pulled away from you, but still kept you close. He swore under his breath and pulled you to the direction of your cottage.

“Why is it awake now? I thought it was nocturnal?” you whispered.

“I don’t know!” Haknyeon whispered back and constantly checked your surroundings.

You believed him. Something in you told, he being honest with you. The beast didn’t howl a second time and you made it safely to your cottage.

“Haknyeon?” you said as you took his hands and pulled him closer to you.

Almost naturally, his lips found your temple and he placed a kiss there.

“Yes, my love?” he said as he smiled at you.

You already hated yourself for what you were about to do.

“Please don’t get mad at me. But I really want you to stay here with me. It worries me, that you’re out there alone with the beast.”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry, ok?”

“You say that every time. I don’t understand that. Please explain it to me. Why is it so bad to stay here with me? You’re not a burden if you think that. I like you and I think you know that.”

He sighed: “I like you too. I really do. And that is one of the reasons I can't stay here… Wait no, that sounded kind of wrong. You're not the reason why I don't want to stay with you. I'm the problem, ok?"

"Haknyeon, you're not a problem," you said as you took his face into your hands to make him look at you.

You saw how sad his eyes looked and how emotional he got over it.

“Stay with me.”, you whispered as your felt your eyes water, “You’re not a problem, ok?”

He hesitated, but then he nodded. Later that night, you thought you should have made him promised to stay the whole night. You hadn't been asleep for very long, but you woke up from the sound of the door being closed. You looked around and found that the spot on the floor, where Haknyeon insisted he would sleep on, was empty. You cursed as you looked out of the window and saw a figure hurrying into the forest.

You locked the door from the inside. He shouldn’t come back in the morning and pretend he stayed here all night. He wasn’t fooling anybody here. Angrily, you went back to bed. The next morning, Haknyeon wasn't there and didn't appear for the next two days. But Gaston was there and he showed a lot of interest in the rose Haknyeon has gifted you. He was very curious about who gave you this rose. You only answered him it's from a boy, but more you didn't give out more information. You were still angry at Haknyeon, but you still wanted him to be your secret.

You regretted telling Gaston not more about Haknyeon when Gaston came with a massive bouquet of roses. You were actually waiting for Haknyeon. Today it was his turn to train you and you hoped he would actually appear and you could talk about what has happened. But instead of Haknyeon, Gaston appeared with his massive bouquet. A little confused you took his gift and let him in.

“Y/N! There is something very important I need to ask you.”

“What is it?” you asked as you turned around.

Gaston was kneeling one knee before you and took your hand: “Do you want to marry me?”

You were speechless.

“G-Gaston…” you stammered, "I didn't even know you liked me that way!"

“Well, you’re pretty and I’m quite handsome myself. It only makes sense if we marry. Everyone in the village is already wondering.”

“B-But…” you stammered, your gaze fell onto Haknyeon’s rose.

Gaston followed your gaze.

“This boy is nothing. I can give you everything you want and need. I got you dozen of roses.”

"Still, I don't think I can marry you," you answered.

You liked Gaston, yeah but as a friend. You don’t think he could erupt the same feelings you felt with Haknyeon that afternoon in the forest.

Speaking of the devil, there was a knock at the door and you heard Haknyeon calling your name.

Gaston raised an eyebrow: “Is that your boy?”

You didn’t answer and Gaston stood up.

“I won’t give you up. You’re destined to marry me.”, he said to you.

As Haknyeon knocked again, Gaston ripped open the door and immediately grabbed him by his neck. You couldn’t help but embarrassingly squeak Haknyeons name. His eyes instantly found yours and he gave your sad smile. In his eyes, you saw how sorry he was and knew that he had angered and disappointed you. Gaston pushed him onto the grass and punched him full force in the stomach.

"Hands off my girl!"

"Stop it!" you shouted as you followed them. No one listened to you.

Haknyeon scrambled to his feet and unceremoniously punched Gaston in the jaw.

"I don't think she's YOUR girl. Who do you think you are? Walk-in on her with a bouquet of flowers and think you've been courting her?"

Gaston muttered something unintelligible and lunged at Haknyeon. Haknyeon deftly dodged and pushed Gaston to the ground.

"Get out of here," Haknyeon growled to Gaston.

Your father had witnessed the tumult and was now at your side.

"What's going on here?" he asked, and you didn't quite know how to explain to him that you had just been proposed to by the village beau, had turned him down, and now Gaston and Haknyeon were fighting.

It was like something out of a cheesy novel. Your father didn't seem to expect an answer and approached the two. They both stopped fighting and your father told them both that it was not right to run around on his property and that they should get lost. A little perplexed, they both stared at your father but agreed. Gaston went towards the village while Haknyeon went to the forest.

When Haknyeon reached the forest, he turned to you again. Your heart ached and you couldn't explain why you wanted to run to him when you were so angry with him.

Your father came to you again and said: "Those tramps. They must have wanted to steal my invention!”

You couldn't help but smile at that.

"How about a cup of tea and a piece of cake, my dear?" your father asked.

You agreed and turned your back on Haknyeon, who was still staring at you.

Later, when you were about to start cooking dinner, it knocked again. You sighed hoping it wasn’t Gaston again. You opened the door and Haknyeon stood there.

Before you could say anything or even let him in, he said: “Hey, I know you probably don’t want to see me, but I really need to apologize.”

You open the door a bit wider to let him in and went to the stove to make some tea. Haknyeon closed the door behind him and sat down at the kitchen table.

"I'm really sorry, Y/N!" Haknyeon started, "I shouldn't have said these things to your potential suitor and shouldn't punch him. I'm sure he is a nice guy. I'm sorry I ruined his proposal. You're going to marry anyway, right?"

Astonished, you turned around. "What makes you think I want to marry him? Actually, his proposal took me completely by surprise."

Haknyeon smiled sheepishly: "I can understand him very well on that point. Who wouldn't want to marry you?"

You felt your cheek flush and tried to concentrate on pouring the tea.

"I don't want to marry him and I won't!" you said quietly as you put the tea down in front of Haknyeon.

When you looked up, Haknyeon was already looking at you and his look was somehow hopeful. But there was more. But before you could lose yourself in his eyes, you turned away again.

"I'm still mad at you though. Not because you ruined the proposal."

"Look, I know, I shouldn't have left that night. But I can't stay here."

You started to get very annoyed: "Why not? Just tell me!"

"I can't!" he replied.

"Then leave and don't come back until you can."

Haknyeon was silent for a moment but then stood up.

Just as you were beginning to regret your words, he said, "Please don't try to kill the beast, ok? It will kill you first!"

"Go!" you replied coldly.

With a sigh, he left into the rain again. As you watched him go, you decided the beast will die soon.

The next days you prepared everything for your beast hunt. Gaston showed up one day to ask again if you want to marry him. You dismiss him with a simple no and after a while, he left. Haknyeon didn't show up, but you secretly wished he would. Your heart seemed to long for him. Your dreams were filled with him and every time you thought about him, your heart ached. Is that what love feels like?

You also prepare everything in case you won't survive the night. Someone needed to take care of your father. You talked to an old lady in the village and she agreed to look after him in two days. Her husband was a soldier and when he came back he had also lost his mind. He was now in the asylum and his wife was forbidden to visit him. She understood that you couldn’t let your father go there.

As the night of the beast hunt came, you felt a tiny bit nervous. It was raining, which means finding the traces of the beast would be hard. Also was there a higher risk of slipping. But you went anyways. Not much later, the howling of the beast started. It must have been near you. You started walking in the direction of the howling. You needed to find the beast before it found you, so you hurried through the forest.

The training had made you more agile and now you practically flew through the forest. The next howl was very far away and came from a completely different direction. You changed your direction and a little bit later you found your first traces of the beast. You followed those, but you never came close to the howling.

You were confused. Where is this beast? It is a predator. They don’t hide.

You kept following the traces which ended in the ruins where Haknyeon lived. And then you saw it. His deformed body was on top of one of the ruins. His red gleaming eyes were staring at you. You stood there frozen. The beast didn’t move as well. Is Haknyeon here? Where is he? Is he hurt?

You looked around for him. You heard a loud thud and when you looked up again the beast had disappeared.

“Haknyeon?” you yelled and started searching the ruins for him.

The thought of him being hurt sent you into complete panic mode. You searched the ruins and its surrounding the whole night. No trace of him. Luckily, the beast didn’t come back.

In the early morning hours, you found Haknyeon. He was covered in dirt and blood. He was lying unconscious in a small stream. You ran over to him and dragged his head out of the water and into your lap. With shaking hands, you tried to feel his pulse. When you felt his pulse, breathed out loudly, feeling relieved. You shook him gently while caressing his hair. Slowly he opened his eyes.

As he saw you he smiled and your heart skipped a beat. His hand reached up to your face and gently whipped away your tears. You didn’t even realise you were crying.

“What happened? Why are you crying, beautiful?” he asked with a hoarse voice.

“You happened! I thought you were dead. I searched the whole night for you.”

“You did?” he asked.

The surprise was on his face for a short second but then it was replaced with a cocky smirk.

“You like me!” he stated.

“I thought you know that!” you replied and splashed some water in his face.

A boyish grin took over his face and he moved away from your lap and started splashing you with water as well.

You giggled: “Stop. Aren’t you hurt?”

“Nope!” he replied and continued on with splashing water at you.

You decided to also attack him with water. And soon you both played fighting in the middle of the small stream and you both couldn't stop giggling. Haknyeon’s arms were wrapped around you to keep you from splashing water at him. You squirmed in his grip as he pulled you close to him. You stopped squirming when you realised your faces were only inches apart. You looked into his eyes which were staring so lovingly at you. It still hurt that he wouldn’t tell you why he is staying in the forest. It just didn’t make sense. Doesn’t he trust you enough? You just wanted him to be safe.

He laid his forehead against yours and as if he had heard your thought he said: “I’m sorry. I just can’t tell you everything. And I’m afraid you run away from me!”

“Please try!”, you mumbled.

Both of your eyes began to water.

He placed a fleeting kiss on your lips and then whispered: "I'm cursed. And I physically can't tell you anything about my curse."

“The curse keeps you in the forest?” you asked and he nodded.

You slung your arms around his neck and hugged him. He pushed his head into your neck.

You heard of curses before. You knew there weren’t just stories to scare children. When you were younger, there was this cursed man who couldn’t remember his name and life anymore. He didn’t even know he was cursed. The curse was broken when he found out was his name was.

“Can you show me your curse?” you asked.

He shook his head.

“Do you know how to break it?”

“I have an idea. But it feels impossible," he mumbled into your neck and cuddled closer to you.

“I will try to help you, ok?”

He just nodded at that and moved his hand under your thigh to carry you. With you in his arms, he went out of the water and laid you gently on the grass growing at the edge. He bent over you and looked at you again with those loving eyes.

"You are the best thing that has ever happened to me," he said softly, his hand tenderly stroking your cheek.

You smiled at him and pulled his face closer to you.

Then, he kissed you. You still had so many questions, but his kiss and his proximity made you forget about everything. As his lips moved against yours, time seemed to stop and nothing else but he was important now. As he slowly pulled away, you didn’t allow him to be more than a few centimetres away from your lips. He chuckled lowly. One of his hands caressed your side lovingly.

“I’m not going anywhere!” he breathed out against your lips.

“You’re not close enough!” you replied, still a little breathless.

Still, you pulled him into another kiss. This one was more intense and you wrapped your legs around his waist to pull his body flush against yours. Haknyeon groaned into the kiss when your hips touched. He couldn’t help but grind a little into you, which made you moan in return. Your hand went into his hair and you pulled lightly. He kissed you again with more lust. Your body began to feel very hot from the fiery kisses you shared and you wanted more of him.

But Haknyeon began to slow down the kiss. You whined against his lips. He pecked your lips several times as an apology.

“You don’t deserve this. I should take you to the castle and make love to you on a huge bed.” Haknyeon mumbled with his eyes still closed.

“Which castle?” you giggled and softly run your fingers through his still-wet hair.

A blush crept up his cheek: "The one, you deserve to live in.”

You giggled again and Haknyeon showered you with short pecks all over your face, so would keep giggling. When he was finished, he smiled proudly at you. A small breeze came through the trees and made you shiver. You were still soaking from the rain last night and your shenanigans in the water with Haknyeon. He noticed immediately and rubbed your arms to warm you up a little bit.

“We should get you home before you get sick. Your father is probably worried.” Haknyeon said and sat up while pulling you with him.

As you two walked through the forest, Haknyeon kept you close to him in hopes to warm you a little bit.

“Has the Beast something to do with the curse?” you asked as you reached the meadow by your cottage.

Haknyeon didn’t answer but he didn’t have to. You were pretty sure that his curse and the beast were connected.

As you reached the cottage, you told Haknyeon to wait for a minute. Inside you went straight to your jewellery box and took out an amulet with a rose on it. You went back to Haknyeon and told him to close his eyes. With a grin, he closed his eyes and then he tried to relax his lips.

He was hoping you would kiss him and you couldn't let him down, so you gave him a quick kiss. Haknyeon had other plans. He wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you closer, effectively prolonging the kiss. You smiled against his lips and softly laid the amulet around his neck.

As the lock clicked into place, Haknyeon detached himself from you. He looked back and forth between you and the amulet in amazement.

“It’s a little present. So you’re not completely alone. I’m always with you.” you explained and felt heat rush to your cheeks again.

Haknyeon’s cheeks also turned red but looked really touched and grateful. He pulled you again into a kiss. It was a very soft and loving kiss.

“When will I see you again?”, you asked him.

“Soon. I try to come tomorrow, okay?”

You only nodded. Your heart ached at the thought of letting him go.

“Will you promise to stay out of the forest?”

“Nope!”

He sighed: “I already thought so. But I thought asking wouldn’t hurt.”

He gave you a kiss on your temple and mumbled: “Thank you!”

You smiled at him and neither of you wanted to go.

“Please go inside now and warm up.”, Haknyeon whispered against your hair as he pulled you into a hug.

“Not before you leave!”, you replied.

Slowly, Haknyeon let go of you and started to walk backwards.

“Turn around. You will fall!” you scolded him.

He just grinned and shook his head. So you have to endure, Haknyeon walking backwards to the forest. When he has disappeared between the trees, you want into the cottage to wash up.

You had a lot to do today. First of all, tell the old lady in the village you survived the night and she doesn’t have to look after your father. Secondly, visit the library to find out more about curses and how to break them. And lastly, find a way to kill the beast. The beast puts Haknyeon in danger every night and maybe if the beast is dead, his curse will be broken.

After visiting the old lady, you went to the library. You found out if you’re cursed you can’t talk about your curse and how to break it. People close to the cursed shouldn’t help, that’s why witches took this precaution. A witch couldn’t take back her curse, so searching for the witch who cursed Haknyeon wasn’t really an option.

The curses are often inspired by fairytales. You searched in your mind, for a fairytale with a beast. The first one that came to your mind was Beauty and The Beast. Could Haknyeon be the Beast? You thought back to the first night you met both of them. He saved you from the beast and you once heard the beast while you were with Haknyeon. It didn’t really make sense. But maybe killing the beast isn’t the best idea. Just in case, you thought. Maybe catching the beast with a trap would get you more clarity. But you knew nothing about traps, so you decided to visit Gaston.

Gaston wasn’t home, but he was in the local tavern. You didn’t have a good feeling while you entered the tavern. You spotted Gaston drinking with his friend in a corner. You walked over to them.

“Hi! Gaston? Do you have a minute?”

“Have you changed your mind?” he slurred and almost fell out of his chair.

His friend laughed.

“No, but I need your help. I need to know how to build a trap!” you said.

“Depends on what you want to catch?”, a friend of his who is much soberer answered.

“A beast?”, you said and they all laughed again.

One of the older hunters came to the table: “A beast? The same story that your father tries to tell us?”

You hesitantly nodded and everyone else laughed.

“Get the pastor and send someone to the cottage to get her father. They both have lost their mind. They’re crazy. She keeps seeing a boy that doesn’t exist.” Gaston said, he still sounded drunk but no one cared.

He was popular, after all. You, on the other hand, weren't.

“Is that true? You see a boy?” a middle-aged woman asked.

“No. Haknyeon does really exist," you replied angrily.

“Oh, he has a name.” the woman laughed and everyone else joined.

“And where does your boy live?”

“In the forest!” you replied before you could shut yourself up.

Everyone laughed again but you didn’t care. You needed to get out of here. As you turned to the door to leave as fast as possible, the older hunter gripped your arm so tight that it hurt.

“Let me go!”, you hissed, but it was no use.

Before you knew it, you were locked in a carriage. Not much later, the villagers threw your father into the carriage with you.

"Papa! Are you all right?" you asked as you crawled to him.

He nodded, dazed.

"My dear, what are they going to do to us?"

You shrugged even though you already had a pretty good idea where they were going to take you. To the asylum. The carriage started moving. When the carriage stopped, you were met by guards in front of the asylum. When the heavy gates closed behind you, you felt so helpless again. How you hated that feeling. Would it never end?

Your father and you were locked in a cell together with the comment that the doctor would be here soon to take you for a first examination.

"I didn't know we were sick, my dear," your father said.

"We're not!" you grumbled as you paced up and down the cell.

Your father lay down on one of the beds. You didn't understand how he could relax with the agonising screams that came to you from time to time. You had to find a way out of here as quickly as possible.

The doctor arrived earlier than expected and had guards lead you both through the building to an examination room. On the way, you caught a glimpse of a crowd of tortured souls sitting whimpering in the corners of their cells. Soon your father and you would be one of them. And you could no longer help Haknyeon? But maybe he could help you? But that only happened in fairy tales. Gaston and his friends would probably hunt him to death at the latest. You really underestimated Gaston's jealousy.

Your thoughts were interrupted by the sight of the examination room. All sorts of bloody equipment hung on the wall and the doctor donned a bloody apron. Your stomach turned and you began to struggle against the guards' grip.

"Well, let's start with the young lady."

You were strapped to the table so that you could no longer move. Another gag was shoved into your mouth.

"What are you doing with my daughter?" your father asked indignantly, "She doesn't know anything about my inventions!"

The doctor laughed and ordered the guards to tie him to the chair. He was also gagged, for you only heard muffled sounds from him.

“That will hurt now a little.” the doctor said and felt how something is injected into your arms.

Shortly afterwards you felt your body getting heavy and you couldn't even move your fingers. You were briefly lit up once in the eyes. Then something cool was pressed to your temples. A little later you heard a slight chill and then an unbelievable pain went through your body and your muscles tensed up. Your scream was stifled by the gag. You wanted to move away from the cold metal touching your head but there was no escape. After the third shock, you passed out and woke up when you were back in your cell.

Your father lay in the bed on the opposite side. You were feeling dizzy but you got up anyway to check up on your father. His breath was steady and didn’t seem to have any injuries. You sighed with relief and went back to your own bed. Your body felt drained from all energy and you just wanted to sleep. As laid down, you close your eyes and could feel sleep taking over.

But then you were startled awake by a howl. At first, you thought you were dreaming. But the howl became louder and you heard the clashing of metal against stones. Some patients screamed, but that wasn’t really unusually.

You got up again as you heard a roar again. It sounded like the beast. You went to the bars that separated you from your freedom. One of the patients, whose skull was shaved bald and covered with scars, ran past.

"Wait!" you shouted, "What's going on?"

"A beast is here and it's tearing open the cells!" the patient shouted in panic and ran on.

You tried as best you could to stick your head out of the cell to look in the direction where the patient had come from. More and more patients ran past you and the turmoil grew even bigger. The first thing you saw was his red eyes. It was indeed the beast, fighting its way through the corridor. By now there were also several guards trying to fight the beast.

You retreated back into the cell and crawled to your father. You shook him awake. Confused and dazed, he looked around.

"The beast is here!" you whispered and his gaze immediately cleared.

"Crawl under the bed, dear," he ordered you and you obeyed.

He came to you under the bed. A little later, the beast stood in front of your cell and tore the bars out of the wall and threw them at the guards. It was bigger than you remembered which didn’t make it any less frightening. It didn't notice you and went to the next cell. Your father crawled under the bed. You followed it and your father helped you up.

"Let's get out of here before it comes back," your father said and dragged you out of the now open cell.

He turned in the direction away from the beast, but you couldn't help turning around to look at the beast. It was by now surrounded by guards and had to endure several stabs from their spears. What if Haknyeon was the beast? Then you had to help him. And you stopped running.

"Come!" urged your father.

Then the beast looked up and looked you straight in the eye. All your focus was on the beast. It knocked the guards aside, slapping them against the wall like dolls. Then it ran towards you and your father called your name. But you did not react. You stood rooted to the spot. Why else would the beast be here if it is not Haknyeon?

The beast came to a halt in front of you and let out a growl. Then you discovered the amulet dangling around the beast's neck.

"Haknyeon!" you breathed and reached out your trembling hand to him.

The beast came even closer. Neither you nor the beast saw your father coming. He had taken the spear of an unconscious guard and was charging at the beast. When its muzzle touched your hand, it crackled in the air and the beast's chest began to glow.

It was into this glow that your father thrust his spear. The beast sacked to the ground.

"Haknyeon!" you shouted and ran to the beast, which slowly began to change into a boy.

Haknyeon knelt on the ground, the spear still in his chest. Blood began to pour out of his mouth.

He coughed a little before speaking softly, "You have broken the curse."

Tears streamed down your face as you panicked, trying to calm the bleeding around the spear.

"My brother and I were both very conceited, so a witch cursed us. Every night we would become beasts and the curse can only be broken if someone loves both sides of us," Haknyeon explained.

"I didn't know you had a brother," you said as you tried to prop him up.

"He was the one who had hurt you and also your father. He is now more beast than man. He has started to change during the day. Every night he wanted to go out of the forest to attack people. I fought with him every night to stop him."

Everything seemed to make sense now.

"What is your brother doing now?" you asked, realising what it might mean if Haknyeon was here now and not stopping his brother.

Haknyeon murmured: "I'm sorry. I know the people in the village don't deserve it. But I couldn't leave you here."

You looked up to your father who was standing next to you pale as a sheet, guilt written all over his face.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"It's okay. You were trying to protect your daughter. I probably would have done the same."

"You would never have hurt me!"

"No. I would have killed myself before that."

More tears stream down your face as Haknyeon's eyelids slowly began to flutter.

"No, please don't." you pleaded, "Stay with me!"

You heard the guards starting to collect the patients again and put them in other still intact cells.

"Go now! Get as far away as you can with your father. Start a new life, far away from here."

"No, I won't."

"I'm beyond help. Go!" he gasped, coughing up more blood.

"The boy is right. Let's go."

"I love you!" you murmured desperately, unwilling to break away from him.

"I love you too. You're the best thing that's happened to me. The most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

He smiled weakly and darted away briefly, driving the spear deeper into his chest. Your vision was blinded by your tears but you felt how you were picked up. You trashed against the hold, but the grip was strong. You saw the bleeding Haknyeon getting smaller and smaller. The last thing you saw was how he completely collapsed. You had found the love of your life and managed to break his curse, just to lose him.

[ignisnocturnalia]

I think I've figured out how I want to write these (Exposition/mini story, when relationship is established HCs actually start) based on a previous statement I made, also ANOTHER REQUEST! All headcanons are placed at the back of the story part. Let's get this ball rolling!

Crow x Reader

"Now, if he ever flies too far from the nest?" Spider leans forward, "Boom." Your stomach made a flip at the kingpin's explanation, and you've never been more uncomfortable to have your Ghost out in the open. Some part of your mind is saying 'Who cares? That's the man that killed Cayde', but another half is saying 'He has no idea. It isn't fair to judge him for something he can't remember'.

That meeting had happened an hour ago and you couldn't get his dumb gray face out of your head. He looked so.. sad. Regardless, having a Ghost rigged with explosives did not sit right with you at all. Spider wanted you to help him with his Wrathborn problem? Sure, alright. When all of this was over, you knew exactly what you wanted your payment to be.

One large change about the new light that you've found impossible to ignore is diminutive he is. His commentary after successful hunts and small chats after a lure upgrade is administered are curt. Even more surprising is his willingness to present mercy to the corrupted Fallen. He is nothing like Uldren.

Acknowledging this division between his past and present self is when you start to realize that you like working with him. A lot. Probably more than just work, but will you admit it? No. Besides, you tell yourself, he really doesn't look like he's searching for a relationship while figuring himself out.

Petra often asks why you've taken to visiting the Tangled Shore so frequently now, and everytime you scramble to spit out an answer, something stupid like "Spider has a good deal running right now". In some part, it's true, since when you're not hunting Wrathborn you're showing Crow how to do Guardian stuff and explaining Last City life to him. His calm and curious demeanor is extremely cute, and the velvet sound of his voice does not help.

When Spider has both of you run point on a mission you always look to the rafters of the building to try and see him or listen for his steps. He's annoyingly good at stealth. The only time you ever had to be stealthy was in the Gorgon's lair and the Pleasure Gardens. You wish you could speak to him unfiltered; if Spider ever discovered your crush he wouldn't let you hear or see the end of it.

As the months dragged on and you came closer to catching the High Celebrant, you caught yourself anxiously wondering what lie at the end of it all. What if Spider didn't let you take him? And if he did, would Crow stay with you or do his own thing? Greedy little thoughts ran through your head as you thought of all the times you shared together, both of you visibly happy in your eyes.

As much as you'd like to live a runaway life with him and hope he felt the same, you knew it was wrong. He'd get restless, and you'd start fighting. Whatever he chose to do, is what you would let him do. Osiris has taken notice of your feelings, and the knowing glances he gives when no one else is looking sets your face on fire, acting like he doesn't have a thing for Saint always writing those letters when he's on death's doorstep; dramatic is what you say.

Soon enough, all of your close friends can tell you like someone, but they simply can't figure out who. Ironically, the day you work up enough courage to ask him to be your partner is the same day he pins the location of the High Celebrant. The morning is tense, and just getting ready for the big fight is sending energy through your body. Crow, on the other hand, seems much more grim. It makes sense, really; you're the one who's been slaying gods over the years.

You're guard is quickly brought up when Spider summons you for a talk in the main room. You listen to his next words with a fierce intensity.

"Do not let him so close, or spoil him with pretty dreams. Kill the High Celebrant. Break Xivu Arath's hold over my Shore, and you can claim any prise in my lair as your reward. You'll have earned it."

Hiding a smile, you nod and make your way to disembark on your mission; looks like you won't have to ask.

The Dreaming City was as mystical as ever, and you vaguely wondered if Petra had seen you come in. Making quick work of the scarce Hive, you found yourself in Harbinger's Seclude. The massive Cryptolith was impossible to miss, and a full body shiver racked you as you approached it. This was it.

Stabbing the lure into the roots, Crow's voice filled your comm channel.

"Ha! Tagged it! It's bleeding energy and on its way back to you." Your heart jumped at his excited tone. Nobody had any business being that cute. The trademark screech of a Hive portal drowned out all noise, and your next big fight ensued.

The next period of time was spent chasing the Celebrant through realms, until, that is, it sealed the last portal. Osiris had given weak condolences, but you weren't going to give up on Crow. Not today! The blight high above you twinkled teasingly as frustrated tears swam over your eyes as you attempted scrambling up the large Awoken statue, just barely missing the hand and falling back to the ground uselessly.

The silence was becoming overwhelming, deafening, even. Osiris continued to tell you to return to fight another day, but he was too important for you to just leave behind.

"Maybe there's enough Hive magic left in the lure to find another way through!" For once, your Ghost didn't parrot the obvious; you almost wanted to kiss him. Turning around with a new fire, you thrusted your lure into the crystalline floor over the last trace of the High Celebrant's blood. Sure enough, platforms much like those of the Dreadnaught revealed themselves over the edge of the bridge.

You wasted no time, racing over every gap and closing in on the blight. Palpitations overtook your heart when Crow's voice returned to the feed, spewing some kind of death message. Death wouldn't take him. Especially not if you had anything to say about it.

Jumping through the portal, you recognize the bitter feelings of anguish. This is exactly how you felt when Sundance's light washed over the Prison of Elders. Not again.

By the time you see the High Celebrant, all you're seeing is red. Faintly, you remember how Drifter said the Hive in the system were scared of you; good. They should be.

Bullets fly and the ether sings with each corrupted Fallen whose head flies by your gun. If you weren't so pressed for time, you would've strangled the Wizard that had your sought after stolen Light. Standing in the pool of green magic, you turn a furious glare on to the Celebrant and unload your heavy straight into its bony head. Something inside of you lurched in desperation to finish the kill when it summons a portal, trying to make for a retreat and trapping you at the center of the room.

"Crow! The portal!"

"I see it! Now finish it!" Just as he says those words, the trap falls and the portal across the room implodes, sending the High Celebrant to its knees. Your body erupts with power as you descend upon the Hive that killed Sagira and nearly killed Crow, sending it off with your super into the abyss.

Heaving a sigh, your brain finally has a chance to clear with no more present danger. In fact, your chest swells with affection as your Ghost confidently speaks of his trust in Crow followed by his reply.

"It's been an honor, Guardian."

Finally leaving the location, Celebrant head included, you decide to sleep on your short trip back. Your Ghost wakes you up before you land, and when you transmat your eyes immediately fall on Crow, who is safe and sound. Behind your helmet, you smile wearily at the former prince.

The moment you step into the Spider's lair, the air is thick with tension. You can tell the kingpin is pleased to have the Shore cleansed of Hive corruption, but also upset that he has to give up one of his prizes.

"It's done." You say firmly.

"So it is... so it is," he leans forward in his seat with a leer, "All right, Guardian. As promised, you can have a prized bauble from my lair as compensation for your... heroics." The last word rolls off his tongue with a quiet distaste, and you have no problem returning the feeling.

"I want... him." Jerking your head in Crow's direction, you can feel the energy crack through the room.

"Cute. Real funny." Your brows crease in impatience at his dismissive snicker.

"You said anything in the room." You do your best to keep your eyes off of Crow; a distraction now could be bad news. Spider lets out a terrible laugh as his guards step forward, readying their spears.

"Oh... You really want my little bird," he puts an uncomfortable amount of importance on the words "really want", "Fine. You can have him." The large Fallen turns his gaze to Crow, mockingly waving his arm upward.

"Fly away," he looks back down at you, "and get the hell out of my lair."

No further instruction is needed as you and Crow make your leave. As you exit the safehouse, both Glint and your Ghost come out.

"Now what?" Glint looks to Crow for an answer. The reality of the event settles on the Awoken, and he looks at you in a way he hasn't before.

"Why would you do this for us?"

As a formality, you've never taken off your helmet around Crow. He'd never seen, or even had an idea about your face, until... now. The tear streaks from the mission are still on your face, slightly visible in the dim light. Walking over to him, you slowly bring your eyes up to his. He doesn't move away, but you do notice with a flash of hope that a blush is starting to grace his cheeks at your proximity. Clenching your eyes shut, you close the gap between you two and press a kiss to his lips.

He freezes for a moment before placing his hands on your shoulders, and you pull back afraid that you've just made the wrong move.

"I... uh." His eyes dart here and there before settling back on yours. His face straightens out, and then he hesitantly leans forward into your range again. This time, he's the one kissing you.

Both of you leave the Tangled Shore together.

Relationship HCs

He never fails to pick you up during your special brand of greeting, which is running straight at him and jumping into his arms. You even do the little spin around like those movie couples

He's okay with subtle PDA like handholding, but nothing too extreme such as kissing in front of others; he prefers to keep more intimate moments between you and him

Surprisingly eager for cuddles with you at the end of the day

He will let you indulge yourself by doing stupid things every once in a while, like seeing how much whipped cream you can put in his mouth before he can't take anymore

There are times when you just talk about random stuff because he knows you like the sound of his voice

He usually has to calm you down whenever another Guardian stares too long. You see it as a threat, and you're ready to defend your glowing boyfriend with your life

When you're not busy with Vanguard tasks, you're bringing him to the planets that weren't swallowed by the Darkness and showing him the layout, along with whatever endemic life is present

He becomes enamored with Earth's crows, which you had expected

Whenever he has visions of his past, he'll tell you and you do your best to fill in with rudimentary details such as location or time; you hope he never remembers the moment when you had to kill him

You especially love playing with his hair, it's nearly softer than silk and you are intrigued by the white streaks at the front of his cut

Both of you will decide to sit down every once in a while and just touch each other's face; you prefer running your hands along his jawline and cheekbones while he'll brush just under your eyes and along your temples

Dates can range from a quiet, romantic dinner to hunting down large and difficult quarry

Whenever you find a Golden Age waltz piece, you bring it to him and give it a listen; these sessions always end with you two dancing and swaying with each other

Truly, a couple of many talents

NSFW 👁👄👁

The first time you get anywhere close to the act he's so unsure of himself you both stop and instead explore each other at the surface level

No matter how many times he sees you nude his face is a blushing mess everytime

The first few times you take the lead, but once you both get over the fact that you've exchanged pleasantries he's the one who figures out he likes to be dominant in bed

He's vocal to an extent, mostly heavy breathing/moaning and grunts to let you know exactly how good you feel

He's super into bondage (who would've known?) whenever you're the one tying him up

He always prefers the ability to see your face, and whether it's because he can see your face contort in pleasure or because he can lock with you in a heated kiss, you can't tell

His sides are usually ticklish, but they act more like erogenous zones when both of you are deep into it

He starts out rough since he isn't used to this kind of activity at all, but over time he finds a balance between being gentle and absolutely blowing your back out

He's likely to caress your arms and waist the whole time to add another sensitive layer to your already overstimulated body

He also likes draping his body over yours, and with how hot his chest is and the press of his lower body? You're not arguing

Once you finish, he either goes straight to sleep while huddling against you or you convince him to get up so you can shower together

I have 2 asks for Drifter HCs, but I'm implementing a personal/request system so I can keep my monsterfucker train going. The next HCs I'm releasing are for Nokris, then I'll do Drifter HCs, and for now my last personal writing will be for Ghaul

[thorraborinn]

I've hit a proverbial brick wall with my research. I've been researching the Isa rune, and obviously my first stop was the rune poems. However, when trying to look further to see if the Isa rune had other meaning attached to it through kennings or other works but I keep coming across websites, and the like, that claim Isa have meanings that seem contradictory to what the rune poems say, such as Isa being an obstacle or representing tiredness. I was wondering if there was any truth to these ones such as these as no sources were listed?

I mean... I'm not usually a fan of those websites and stuff, but I can't help but note that you have, in this instance, actually run into an obstacle and stagnation in relation to the i-rune.

For me the question is never really "is it true?" but rather "where does it come from?" The former question is outside of my ability to evaluate but the latter I'm much more comfortable with working with.

In this case, that seems to be either Michael Howard or Ralph Blum. They both list it with that "esoteric meaning." Howard came first but the only work of his that I've found is from after Blum, so I don't know who gave it this meaning first. Neither were exactly what you'd call Norse scholars and this probably has more to do with either the demands of their systems or their own personal cultural biases than anything. If Blum started it, it might have something to do with I Ching, though I know very little about that (which I should probably correct, if I'm to write about the history of runic divination). I can't find anything from earlier than 1982 with this interpretation though I still haven't gotten my hands on everything from that highly influential period and it's certainly possible that the idea was already in circulation before those two wrote it down (wouldn't surprise me if Nigel Pennick were involved, but I haven't found evidence of that).

This interpretation doesn't come from the Armanen runes, so at least it has that going for it. They had some weird shit about it being "the true ego," maybe extrapolating from the English pronoun I (this is speculation on my part). Though, they also associated it with Hávamál verse 154 where Óðinn says that he knows a song which he can use to still the winds and ocean. For the Armanen people this was purely numerical -- it's the ninth rune, and this is the ninth of such songs starting in stanza 146 (the so-called ljóðatal) but I could imagine how this could feed back into a reinterpretation of the rune itself being associated with stillness and inactivity.

In my research of rune kennings, I haven't turned up much variety for this rune. It mostly reemphasizes ice as a barrier on top of water (wave's roof, water's blanket, ocean's lock, river's bark, lake's door); less often refers to it on land (mountain's hat, prevention of earth, land's chasuble (a priest's outer vestment)); as something to walk on or which gives access (broad bridge, birds' path, seal-hunting), and as dangerous or untrustworthy (doomed man's misfortune (fár), doomed man's path (far), a big fall. There is at least one that I know of that does (loosely) hint at it as an obstacle: "prevention of herding." A couple interesting ones I've only found rarely include "Ymir's hide/skin" and one I'm having trouble interpreting due to the pre-standardized language but which I think might mean "containment of meltwater."

There are a few Icelandic phrases referring to ice which mostly support the meanings given in the kennings. I'm getting these from Orð að sönnu, a dictionary of expressions and proverbs. Ekki er gagn að góu ísi is probably not so much a proverb as meant strictly literally, it means something like 'it isn't useful to trust ice after Góa (the fifth month of winter).' An opposite but corresponding phrase is sjaldan er mein að miðsvetrarís 'rarely is harm done by midwinter-ice.' Hávamál reminds us not to praise the ice until it's crossed (this is one that apparently entered the common store of proverbs). A foreign saying adapted into Icelandic is sá vakar ís sem þyrstur er, 'that one liquifies ice who is thirsty.'

Colloquially in Iceland the word ís refers to ice cream (so yes, Ísland could be translated 'Ice-cream land'; also Icelanders eat a disproportionately huge amount of ice cream per capita even in the winter which might be related to the ice cream they have there being ridiculously good... yes, you CAN improve on ice cream, the Icecreamlanders have done it. My favorite ice cream is Danish though).

In the sagas ice does sometimes become an obstacle when the ocean freezes over so badly that ships can't dock. There's also a famous fight scene from Njáls saga wherein Skarphéðinn pulls off some intense acrobatic action-movie fighting moves using the ice to rip through his opponents. Myth and legend also refers to a consequential battle on the frozen Lake Vänern. Needless to say, in a place like Iceland a little ice can't always bring about a cessation of activity although it can certainly change the parameters.